Who wants to dine with characters from Star Wars? OK, maybe not the original characters but what about Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy or Stormtrooper Donald? Now, you have your chance!
On May 4th (how appropriate…May the 4th Be With You!) dining at Disney Hollywood Studios will feature two new character meals that will run throughout the Star Wars Weekends events. The Star Wars dining experiences will be available at Hollywood and Vine and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre from May 4th through June 15th. Disney guests can choose between the Jedi Mickey Star Wars dining experience at Hollywood and Vine for dinner or the Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre.
The Jedi Mickey Star Wars dinner will include visits from Disney Star Wars characters such as Ewok Chip & Dale, Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and Stormtrooper Donald. Cost for the meal is $55.99 for adults and $33.99 for children. The cost for this experience will also include a digital download of a photograph with Ewok Chip and Dale. In addition, this experience is also available as part of the Fantasmic! Dinner Package for a few dollars more — $59.99 for adults and $36.99 for children.
If a character breakfast is more your thing, join Stormtroopers, Jawa, Gredo, Boba Fett and Darth Vader for a Star Wars Galactic Dine-In Breakfast. These are the actual Star Wars characters – not Disney characters in costume. In addition to the Star Wars characters, the drive-in screen will feature clips and music from Star Wars. The cost is $47.99 for adults and $29.99 for children. This experience will also include a digital photo on a commemorative PhotoPass card.
Bookings for these dining reservations began today, so if you are interested book quickly. These character meals are sure to be extremely popular and will be gone quickly!
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
Christine Hardenberger (The Vacation Architect¬¬¬¬¬¬¬TM) can help you navigate the travel maze. She is an authority on Disney, Universal Studios and cruise vacations. She has been recently featured on MSNBC’s Today Travel and the NEA Magazine. Contact her at 800-272-7739 or Christine@magicalmouseplans.com and let her create a blueprint for a better vacation!
Are you a Disney Visa cardholder? Did you know you can now get up to 35% off the room rates at Walt Disney World for stays 6/15/14 – 8/28/14 plus get a FREE day in the parks when you purchase at least a 6-Day Base Ticket. Pricing and savings will vary by resort type and date. As with all Disney promotional discounts, some resorts, room types and date combinations will not be available. Length of stay requirements may apply.
Sample rates:
Value Resorts: up to 15% off
Moderate Resorts: up to 20% off
Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: up to 30% off
Save an additional 5% when staying 6 or more nights!
Get an extra day in the parks FREE when you include 6-day or longer base tickets!
Book by June 6, 2014 to take advantage of this great offer!
Don’t wait! Contact Taking the Florida Plunges preferred Travel Planners, MMP Travel today. You can reach Christine and her team at 800-272-7739 or info@magicalmouseplans.com for a free, no-obligation quote.
Rooms are limited. Book with just a $200 deposit and put your vacation on layaway!
See ya real soon!
*Offer excludes Villas at Grand Floridian, Bay Lake Tower, Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation Resort, All-Star Movies, Port Orleans French Quarter, campsites and 3-bedroom villas. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per adult charges apply if more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. Advance reservations required. No group rates or other discounts apply.
As a travel planner I am asked quite often on where families can save a little money when vacationing at Walt Disney World. What are my tips for stretching the annual vacation budget?
One of my favorite FREE Walt Disney World Items is a customized family map offered right on the Disney website. These maps are available to be printed at home or you can order them to be mailed to you. The mailed maps are made on durable card stock style paper, full color and quite a nice size.
To start you will need to sign into your Disney account. If you do not have an account it’s easy and free to join.
You will then be able to customize your map and highlight attractions and shows based on your interest. You can also select your favorite attractions to place markers on the map to outline YOUR Disney day. If you like, you can also select Continue at the bottom to keep your map clear of any markings and then mark it along the way as you explore the parks on your vacation.
You can make your customized maps for your family for each of the 4 Walt Disney World Parks. (Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom)
Give it a try and I think you will enjoy your customized Walt Disney World maps for your next Disney vacation.
These maps also make a great keepsake and a souvenir of your time together in the park.
When you are ready to plan YOUR Walt Disney World vacation, send me a message. I will personally help you navigate through the resort options, parks and dining choices available to help you plan and book the best trip for your families needs.
Driving by Downtown Disney yesterday I noticed the floors to the new parking garage are finally going up, so I decided to snap some pictures so you can see the progress being made. Enjoy…
This is just one of the many major changes coming to Downtown Disney.
Keep checking back for more updates on the soon to be Disney Springs!
How can I avoid the crowds at Walt Disney World? Every day, I am asked this question. Everyone wants to get the most out of their time at Disney and they want to avoid the Disney World crowds and long lines. Is it possible? YES! These days, there are always some crowds at Disney but there are still times when you might find yourself walking alone for a few hundred yards in the World Showcase. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your next Disney adventure:
The first think I recommend is traveling just before school lets out for the summer or just after it goes back into session. The week right after Labor Day (when many schools start their sessions) is one of the slowest of the year. Early May is also a great choice to avoid the crush.
Travel just before or just after school breaks. The first two weeks in December and January typically have light crowds.
Always check for special events at Disney or the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Disney looks to bring in guests at slower times of year and will often host sports competitions or other special events. This means packed parks and resorts. You don’t want to get stuck in a resort with several hundred practicing cheerleaders! Check here to make sure you aren’t traveling at event time: http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/ and http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-events/
If you have to visit Disney World during a busier time of year, there are some strategies you can employ to visit the parks at the least crowded times:
Take a rest from 11am-2pm, Trust me, you need it! These are the peak park hours and everything will be at its most crowded. Go to the park in the morning, take a lunch time break and return in the late afternoon.
Skip Morning Extra Magic Hours These tend to be packed. However, the Evening Extra Magic hours are much less crowded and a great time to ride the most popular rides. Many people (especially those with small kids) have spent the day at the parks and are too tired to hang around until midnight or later.
Take a weekend break If you have scheduled a day in your vacation to rest by the pool, do it on a Saturday or Sunday. The weekends see day-trippers added to the normal vacation crowd and the parks are more crowded.
The truth is that there are no empty times at Walt Disney World. However, you can avoid the major Disney World crowds and spend your time riding the rides rather than standing in line!
Christine Hardenberger (The Vacation ArchitectTM) can help you navigate the travel maze. She is an authority on Disney, Universal Studios and cruise vacations. She has been recently featured on MSNBC’s Today Travel, Trekaroo and the book Ultimate Family Travel Hacks: How to Have More Fun, Save $$ and Avoid Melt-downs When Your Family Hits the Road. Contact her at 800-272-7739 or Christine@magicalmouseplans.com and let her create a blueprint for a better vacation!
Now is your chance to have a little be of Disney inspiration at home. Up for grabs is a custom made 8 oz soy candle called Soarin’ from Walter & Rosie. Walter & Rosie is a creative corner on Etsy featuring handmade candles, tarts, soaps, & lotions. You will find in their shop that a large selection of their merchandise is devoted to a “mouse inspired” line which feature products inspired by your favorite Disney characters, movies, food and locations!
To enter this giveaway, click HERE! This Giveaway will end at 12am on Saturday, 2/22/2014. Once announced, the winner will have 24 hours to respond before a new name will be chosen.
You may recall I recently took part in a hard hat tour of the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. I’m happy to share with you that this brand new resort is offering you the opportunity to WIN A 3 NIGHT STAY in a Park View Room. You can enter for your chance to win this this fantastic prize at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando Facebook page. Just click the BE OUR GUEST GIVEAWAY to enter. All entries must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Time February 24, 2014 in order to be eligible.
Downtown Disney Construction Update January 15,2014
As promised I have returned to Downtown Disney to bring a photo update on all the construction for the upcoming Disney Springs. Parking garage coming along nicely…
Here is the Valet Parking on the Westside
Future Starbucks Westside…
And Starbucks at World of Disney
New bridge getting ready to go in linking Lego Store and Rainforest Cafe
Capt. Jack’s is gone making way for the new bridge
Looking over Portobello’s you can see all kinds of demolition
Walls are up everywhere but just think how nice Disney Springs will be when those walls come down!
Well there you have it. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Though lots of work is
going on at Downtown Disney, don’t be afraid to visit. I would suggest if you
are staying on property to use Disney transportation while visiting Downtown
Disney in the evenings as parking is limited at this time.
I had the pleasure of taking a tour of the under construction Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. As I entered the gates of Golden Oaks and drove up to the property, one word immediately popped into my head. Luxury! The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World stands at 17 stories and it’s Spanish Revival architecture is quite magnificent. When you enter through the front doors into the Four Seasons Orlando foyer, the first thing you will notice is the grand view to the gardens and the beautiful chandeliers. This entry defines elegance. Within the lobby is a grand check-in for guests. Across from the guest check-in you will find a full service Disney Planning Center. The Disney planning center will be employed by Disney Cast Members and they will be able to assist you with all of your Disney needs. As you make your way to your room you will pass a 1,000 square foot Disney Store. This is perfect for picking up that souvenir that you may have forgotten to purchase in the parks. There is also a second 1,000 square foot store offering amenities and such for hotel guests.
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando offers 444 spacious guest rooms, including 68 suites. Define spacious? Each standard room is an impressive 500 square feet or larger. When I entered into the the standard room for viewing, I was ready to move in. Each room offers technology right at your finger tip. In room amenities include a flat-screen television, a device charging station, a full coffee or tea set-up and a laptop-size in-room safe. All guest bathrooms also include mirrors with tv’s and bose sound systems. You will truly find this to be your home away from home. The standard rooms are available with views of Golden Oaks, Lake View or Park View.
After visiting the beautiful standard room that Four Seasons Resort Orlando has to offer, we made our way to The Royal Suite. When completed, this 3,300 square foot suite will be paradise in the sky. The 1 bedroom suite offers dining space, a wonderful seating area and fireplace. The best part of the suite is outside, however. The Royal Suite has a balcony that even Cinderella would be jealous of. This amazing outdoor space overlooks Magic Kingdom, providing some of the best viewing
View of Magic Kingdom Fireworks from The Royal Suite
ever for Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom firework presentation. One bedroom in the The Royal Suite is not enough? No problem. This suite has the ability to expand to allow for 9 additional bedrooms, offering plenty of room for family and friends.
The Four Seasons will also offer over 37,000 square feet of conference space. The Four Seasons Grand Ballroom provides 14,000 sq feet of flexible space, all while overlooking a beautiful water feature and lush landscape.
If you are looking for family activities while not playing in the Walt Disney World parks, Four Seasons Orlando has plenty to offer. Whether it be swimming in the adults only pool or enjoying some time with the kids at the splash zone and lazy river. If golfing is more your speed, you can enjoy the challenge of the Tom Fazio 18-hole championship golf course. There will also be tennis courts and a state of the art fitness center.
Adults Only Pool
Splash Pool and Lazy River
If relaxation is what you are looking for, Four Seasons Orlando will offer a Spa with 18 treatment rooms, including couple’s suites and outdoor spa areas. The spa treatments and decor are all inspired by the surrounding Floridian landscape.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando and Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi will provide dining at it’s best, with 4 restaurants to choose from. The restaurant I’m most excited about is
the Four Season Orlando Rooftop Spanish steakhouse, Capa. Located on the 17th floor it will have an open kitchen and wood-burning grill allow you to get close to the action all while offering great food, signature cocktails and a large outdoor patio offering perfect views for Walt Disney World fireworks. There will also be a southern Italian restaurant with a private dining room and a poolside Southern BBQ for casual dining. You are probably saying, but what about my Character Dining? No worries. There will be a Disney Character breakfast hoted by Goofy and all of his friends.
View of Epcot
View of Magic Kingdom
For safety reasons, pictures inside the resort during our tour were limited. I am, however, happy to share with you this Virtual Hard Hat Tour of Four Seasons Resorts At Walt Disney World.
I am excited about this new Four Seasons property and I hope that you are too. I will bring you a followup post when the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World is completed. Until then, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World will open August 3, 2014 and they are currently accepting reservations.
Since moving to central Florida in 2012 I have visited the Disney Parks at least once a week every week. Yes, I know I’m spoiled, but hey when you take that “plunge” you will be able to do it too! This past week however, I wanted to do something I haven’t had the chance to do since moving here. I wanted to take a day trip from Walt Disney World and go watch a Disney Cruise Ship sail out of port. For those of you who do not know Port Canaveral is an hour drive east of Walt Disney World and in 2014 will be home to the Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruise ships. These beautiful ships set sail every week on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
This is what you get to see when you come over the bridge into the city of Cape Canaveral…This is the Disney Dream!
I wanted to get the up close, in your face view of the sail away so we headed to the Jetty Park at Cape Canaveral. Now there is a $10 charge to park here, but it has the best views along with restrooms ,snack bar and a beach. In fact, I want to stay a night in the cute little cabins, but that’s another blog post.
The rain looked really close this day, but we made it out dry. These huge rocks make perfect seats, though not very comfortable.
Before too long…there was the Dream! Beautiful isn’t she!
She certainly is a big girl…and I mean that in the most loving way. Look at the tiny people on top deck!
It is so much fun to wave and yell “Bon Voyage” to the lucky passengers. Oh and the best part is the horn!!! Oh yes, be prepared because it is loud.
It is amazing how this massive ship just floats right by without leaving any wake behind.
And just like that…she was gone.
So, who is ready to set sail? I know I am! This was an awesome adventure and I can’t wait to do it again, but a little secret to keep you and me happy until we can set sail…there is a lovely, live webcam perched ever so perfect at Port Canaveral for your viewing pleasure Cape Canaveral Cruise Ship Web Cam.
Who wants to dine with characters from Star Wars? OK, maybe not the original characters but what about Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy or Stormtrooper Donald? Now, you have your chance!
You may recall I recently took part in a hard hat tour of the new 
Taking the Florida Plunge 