Over the Summer, Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade, also known as the “3 O’Clock Parade”, started running at 2:00 pm. This change really threw people for a loop when they jokingly make fun of the question, “What time is the 3 O’clock parade!”
We are happy to report that as of today, January 1, 2018, the Festival of Fantasy Parade is back in its old time slot, 3:00 pm! Finally, all is right in the Disney World when we can joke about what time the 3 O’clock parade starts instead of it being a valid question!
Now, if we can just get a nighttime parade back at the Magic Kingdom too!
Let’s start planning your visit to the Magic Kingdom to see the iconic 3 O’clock Parade!CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and take advantage of onboard credits I offer just for my clients! I also offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE! Right now, you can take 50% off deposits on select cruises!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
One of the most-anticipated films of 2018, A Wrinkle in Time, will begin running previews at Disney Parks next month. At California Adventure Park, Guests will be treated to a preview of A Wrinkle in Time in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater. Guests visiting Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World will be able to view clips from the upcoming movie inside Walt Disney Presents. (Formerly, One Man’s Dream)
From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.
Here’s a special New Year’s message from two-time Academy Award nominee Oprah Winfrey, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, and Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling, who portray Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who in A Wrinkle in Time.
Be a warrior, and catch this sneak peek, along with a display of costumes used in the production of the film, for a limited time starting February 9 at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and prepare to tesser into theaters on March 9 when Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time opens nationwide.
Thinking of a vacation to a Disney Destination in 2018?CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and take advantage of onboard credits I offer just for my clients! I also offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE! Right now, you can take 50% off deposits on select cruises!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
They took to their Twitter account today and shared that reservations for the general public will be available on OpenTable on January 15th.
Beginning today they are starting test meals for family and friends and their soft open will happen later this week.
The Edison promises an unbeatable beverage menu, fantastic dining and entertainment you can’t find anywhere else in Disney Springs beginning at 10pm each evening. They will have a strict, adults-only policy also beginning at 10pm.
Happy New Year! Rose gold might have been the popular trend for 2017 but I don’t see that trend dying down in 2018. To celebrate the start of 2018, we are excited to give away a brand new pair of Rose Gold Ears to one lucky fan.
Here’s how to enter:
CLICK HERE to like my Facebook page MickeyTravels – Holly Ramey
Find the Rose Gold Ears giveaway post on MickeyTravels – Holly Ramey and follow the instructions in the post
CLICK HERE to make sure you are already following along with the Chip & Co Facebook page
And, that’s it! You are then entered to win your very own pair of Rose Gold Ears! The Ears will be perfect to wear on your 2018 visit to Walt Disney World or any Disney Destination!
Ready to start planning your visit to a Disney Destination in 2018? Disney Cruise Line itineraries are even out as far as 2019!CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and take advantage of onboard credits I offer just for my clients! I also offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE! Right now, you can take 50% off deposits on select cruises!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
Happy 2018! With the start of a new year, it is time to start to start planning your next Disney adventure!
As if any of us Disney fans needed one more reason to plan a Disney destination vacation, 2018 is packed full of new adventures and lands to explore and anniversaries to celebrate. Disney Parks Blog is giving us glimpse of great reasons, 18 of them to be exact, to plan now for a visit to a park or Disney Cruise in 2018!
The Disneyland Resort
1. New Dining, Retail & Family-Friendly Entertainment Coming to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort in Early 2018 – New dining and entertainment experiences are coming to Downtown Disney District very soon, including Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID and Splitsville Luxury Lanes. D-Street will also be reimagined into a retail space that offers Disney fans a variety of Disney-themed home goods.
2. Lunar New Year Festival Returns to Disney California Adventure Park, January 26 through February 18 – From January 26 through February 18, this spectacular festival will feature Hurry Home — Lunar New Year Celebration, a nighttime water show on Paradise Bay; specialty Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese foods at marketplaces; Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession; traditional crafts and more.
3. Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Expands to Six Weeks in 2018 – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will return March 2 through April 12, 2018, bringing delicious cuisine, specialty beverages and exciting entertainment to Disneyland Resort guests for its third season. The culinary festival will expand to six weeks, with more days for guests to enjoy the flavors of the Golden State. More than a dozen Festival Marketplaces will feature California-inspired tastes and sips. Guests will experience presentations and demonstrations with celebrity chefs such as Robert Irvine and Alex Guarnaschelli; food and beverage tastings; winemaker dinners; beer, wine and spirit seminars – all, in addition, to live music, entertainment and special activities throughout the festival.
4. Pixar Fest Brings Celebration of Friendship Throughout Disneyland Resort Beginning April 13 –Beginning April 13, 2018, this limited-time celebration of friendship and beyond will feature the debut of an all-new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” and the return of two favorite parades as well as even more beloved Pixar characters, new décor, atmosphere entertainment, themed food and beverage and new merchandise items.
5. Pixar Pier Will Debut This Summer – This summer will bring a transformed land for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure park when Pixar Pier opens along the southern shore of Paradise Bay, with newly themed attractions, foods and merchandise throughout. This new, permanent land in the area that is now Paradise Pier will introduce four new neighborhoods representing beloved Disney·Pixar stories: “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story,” “Inside Out” and a fourth neighborhood that will be a celebration of many of your favorite Pixar stories.
Walt Disney World Resort
6. Disney Springs Will Welcome Eight New Dining Locations – A total of eight exciting new F&B locations are set to make their grand debuts at Disney Springs in 2018. The Edison, along with Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Enzo’s Hideaway and Pizza Ponte are scheduled to open early in 2018, while Terralina Crafted Italian, Wine Bar George, Jaleo and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill are set to debut later on in the year.
7. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary – This year’s festival will run from February 28-May 28. The 90-day event brings with it a multitude of Disney character topiaries, tasty offerings at 15 Outdoor Kitchens, garden tours, the Garden Rocks music series, new kids’ activities, the Egg-Stravaganza scavenger hunt and much more.
8. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Celebrates It’s 20th Anniversary – Walt Disney World’s theme park dedicated to celebrating life in the animal kingdom will mark a milestone 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, this year. We will be sharing more details soon.
9. Toy Story Land Opens in Summer 2018 – The highly anticipated expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut to guests this summer, and with it, two new attractions: Alien Swirling Saucers and the Slinky Dog Dash family coaster. Guests can already catch a glimpse of what’s in store inside the park’s Walt Disney Presents attraction, where they can view the model and some attraction vehicle maquettes.
Disney Cruise Line
10. Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea Return from January through April 2018 – Epic adventures at sea return to Disney Cruise Line with special engagements of two popular events – Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea. Spanning two Disney cruise ships, sailing across the Caribbean and Bahamas, these cruises bring Disney and fan-favorite fun to families and guests of all ages.
11. Rapunzel’s Royal Table Debuts on the Disney Magic in March 2018 – Exciting new spaces and experiences designed for guests of all ages are coming to the Disney Magic cruise ship in March 2018, including an enchanting dining experience for families at Rapunzel’s Royal Table. The first table service restaurant themed to “Tangled” that features characters and live entertainment will transport guests to the kingdom of Corona for an evening of music and interactive fun.
12. Disney Cruise Line Visits New Destinations in Summer and Fall 2018 – Disney Cruise Line offers families a chance to see the world and explore magnificent destinations in 2018, including first-time visits to ports in Italy and Ireland during the summer and to Bermuda and Quebec City, Canada in the fall.
Disneyland Paris
13. Marvel Super Heroes Come to Disneyland Paris Next Summer – Join some of your favorite characters at Walt Disney Studios Park for Marvel Summer of Super Heroes starting June 10. It will be the big event of 2018, closing out what has already been an unbelievable celebration of Disneyland Paris’ 25th Anniversary. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord and Black Widow will appear for the first time at Disneyland Paris until September 30 for exciting encounters and epic shows.
Hong Kong Disneyland
14. Hong Kong Disneyland Opens New Entertainment Venue, Begins Castle Transformation –Hong Kong Disneyland’s multi-year expansion kicks off in 2018 with the opening of a new entertainment venue in Adventureland featuring a Moana-themed stage show. Sleeping Beauty Castle will also start its transformation, the first-of-its-kind at any Disney park. The icon of the park will draw inspiration from a variety of storybook influences and styles with a design that reaches ever skyward. After the transformation, guests will be able to watch a new daytime show and nighttime spectacular against the impressive backdrop, visit an all-new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and meet Disney princesses.
Shanghai Disney Resort
15. Shanghai Disneyland Expands on April 26 with Opening of Disney Toy Story Land – One of our most popular franchises is coming to Shanghai Disneyland next year with the opening of a seventh themed land: Disney Toy Story Land. The first expansion since Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016, this new land will be filled with attractions and entertainment celebrating fun and imagination for guests of all ages in a high-spirited, colorful world based on the Disney·Pixar motion picture series. Everyone will be shrunk down to explore Andy’s backyard as “honorary toys.”
16. Beauty and the Beast Mandarin Production Coming to Shanghai Disney Resort – A tale as old as time is coming to the Walt Disney Grand Theatre stage next year, and the award-winning hit Broadway musical will be performed in Mandarin. This beloved Disney classic will feature talented performers from across China in a new one-of-a-kind entertainment offering.
Tokyo Disney Resort
17. Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary ‘Happiest Celebration!’ – Guests can look forward to a new daytime parade at Tokyo Disneyland featuring Mickey and his pals, the reopening of “it’s a small world” with the addition of 40 classic Disney characters, and a nighttime transformation of Cinderella Castle as Mickey creates a fantastic spectacle just for you.
18. Winter Fun Comes Alive January 11 – Winter is coming to Tokyo Disney Resort – and that means more warm hugs and frosty fun. Starting January 11, Tokyo Disney Resort will host several special winter offerings: Duffy’s Heartwarming Days, Pixar Playtime and Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Fantasy.
As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help save you time and money planning your next Disney vacation. The best part is my services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (229) 977-3773. Join me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.
If you enjoy savoring the flavors of both the Indian and Atlantic oceans and surrounding areas, you will want to be sure a dining reservation at Animal Kingdom Lodge is included in your next Walt Disney World vacation. There are three main restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge including Jiko-The Cooking Place, Boma-Flavors of Africa, and Sanaa. These restaurants feature grilled meats from the British, vineyards from the French, curries from India and Asia, stews from the native Africans.
Boma-Flavors of Africa
The lodge’s lobby overlooks Boma-Flavors of Africa, where wood-burning grills create sensational aromas from morning until night.
Boma in Africa is “an open, natural space that provides safety and shelter in the bush.” The 270-seat “marketplace” restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, featuring an exhibit kitchen and bakery that allows guests to walk up to a half-dozen side-by-side cooking stations and have their entrées freshly prepared. Curries, chutneys and other Indian and Asian influences add fabulous flavors to grilled fish, meats and vegetables. Diners find authentic soups, stews, tossed-to-order salads and other market-fresh fare on the daily menu.
Soups, from hearty chicken corn chowder to smoked tomato, are a highlight, along with salads such as avocado, grapefruit and papaya, or roasted chicken with chili-cilantro vinaigrette. Entrees include seafood, slow-roasted ribs and whole-spiced chicken, accompanied by couscous, saffron rice or sweet potato pancakes. Add chutneys, a peppery sambal or a sweet-and-sour chile papaya sauce for a delightful international treat. Breads, too, are African-inspired, including golden-brown naan, light and flaky chapatis or a blue cornbread.
Boma is open daily for breakfast and dinner.
Jiko-The Cooking Place
The warm colors of an African sunset create a sophisticated ambience at Jiko-The Cooking Place, with cuisine and wine that celebrate the flavors of Africa.
Hosts in native attire, many in the United States from Africa for a yearlong cultural exchange, welcome guests to a casually sophisticated dining room inspired by Disney’s “The Lion King,” with stylized white birds suspended from the ceiling, beautiful wood-burning ovens and muted earth tones, the work of noted restaurant designer Jeffrey Beers.
Jiko means “cooking place” in Swahili, and the restaurant’s masterful dishes pay homage to the African theme: wild boar tenderloin with mealie pap and chakalaka, piri piri swordfish, Nigerian-spice pork shank. Regulars recommend the African-inspired dips served with naan, lavash and khobz breads.
A winsome array of teas and after-dinner drinks end the meal. For sweets, the indulgent Ghanaian chocolate and Kenyan coffee pot de crème and avocado custard cake with blood orange kulfi are tops.
Jiko has the largest offering of South African wines anywhere in the United States, with more than 65 of South Africa’s boutique wineries showcasing their vintages at the restaurant. The restaurant has attained AAA Four Diamond status and was awarded Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. The restaurant was honored with Nation’s Restaurant News prestigious “Menu Masters Best Independent Operator Award for 2006,” among “industry innovators who have wowed customers with sizzling menu promotions and bold culinary initiatives.”
The 235-seat restaurant includes the private Cape Town Wine Room with seating up to 40.
Sanaa
Guests can experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors as exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna at Sanaa, an East-African inspired eatery.
Appetizers such as lamb kefta sliders with goat cheese, piquant peppers and pickled shallots, and a sampler of unusual salads like chickpeas with cucumber and tomato and watermelon, cucumber and fennel start the dining experience.
Entrees include the tandoori-roasted meats, curries and sides such as dahl (stewed lentils), basmati rice, seasonal slaw and coriander khichdi. Indian-style flatbreads including naan, kucha, and pappadum are paired with chutneys, Indian-style pickles and raita (yogurt-based dip).
For guests who prefer more American flavors, there is grilled steak and fresh fish at both lunch and dinner.
Sweets are the final adventure, including Tanzanian chocolate mousse, Indian-style bread pudding and banana cheesecake.
The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and from 5-9 p.m. daily. An adjacent 24-seat lounge serves African wines, beer and spirits.
Reservations are recommended for each of these dining experiences. You can call 407-WDW-DINE to make your next reservation or better yet work with a knowledgeable and dedicated MickeyTravels agent and we can secure your reservation for you!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, LLC, I can help save you time and money planning your next Disney vacation. The best part is my services are always FREE! Contact me today at [email protected] or (229) 977-3773. Join me on Facebook for the latest Disney updates and tips.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi has dominated the box office since it’s release, making it the top movie of 2017. This includes both domestic and international audiences.
The latest Star Wars installment, directed by Rian Johnson, made $52.4 million over the weekend, from Dec. 29-Dec. 31, That brings it’s domestic box office total to $517 million, topping Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast to becoming the highest domestic release of the year.
The movie brought in over $120 million globally this weekend as well. With that, The Last Jedi has exceeded $1 billion to become the third-biggest global release of the year. It it also ranked as the 24th-biggest release of all-time.
Enjoying a relaxing stroll on Serenity Beach at Disney's Castaway Cay
Enjoying a relaxing stroll on Serenity Beach at Disney’s Castaway Cay
Disney Cruise Line offers cruise vacations for the young and young at heart, with a wide variety of events and activities that cater specifically to passengers 18 years of age and older. From elegant dinners and backstage tours to an exclusive beach on Disney’s private island, adults will find endless ways to relax and enjoy themselves.
Enjoy a relaxing massage in Senses Salon & Spa
Eat …
Disney Cruise Line offers dining experiences especially for adults—elegant, peaceful and designed to suit sophisticated tastes. Palo, Disney’s signature restaurant at sea, treats adults to sweeping ocean views and exquisite modern Italian specialties, making it the perfect setting for romantic dinners and intimate gatherings. On sea days and select port days, Palo hosts a spectacular champagne brunch. Dinner at Remy, on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, is a lavish affair with exquisite French-inspired gourmet cuisine, a world-class wine list and superb service in an elegant setting. Guests can also enjoy champagne brunch at Remy during sea days and select port days for a truly magnificent dining experience.
Cove Café is the perfect place to sit back, sip a gourmet coffee, read a magazine or surf the web. Light snacks are offered at this peaceful retreat located near the Quiet Cove Pool. On the Disney Wonder, Outlook Café is a stylish retreat located high atop Deck 10 where guests can have a coffee or cocktail as they peer out through floor-to-ceiling glass windows at breathtaking vistas.
Enjoy an adult-only dip in the Quiet Cove pool
Relax …
Adult guests can take a dip in the Quiet Cove Pool, unwind in one of the whirlpool spas, or enjoy a cocktail while relaxing in one of many poolside chaise lounges. On the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, Satellite Sun Deck includes a water feature called Satellite Falls, a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain that provides cool comfort. Around this upper deck, adult guests can soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy.
Senses Spa & Salon provides tranquility and pampering in ocean-view spa environments. A menu of spa treatments and services such as massages, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures and hair styling are available.
In the spas’ Rainforest room, guests can experience the benefits of steam, heat and water therapy combined with the power of aromatherapy to relax the mind and body.
For the ultimate in luxury, spa villas provide a private luxury for one or a romantic retreat for two, complete with an indoor spa treatment suite, connected to a private outdoor verandah with personal hot tub, open-air shower and plush double chaise lounge for enjoying ocean views and warm breezes.
Fitness-minded passengers can take advantage of state-of-the-art exercise equipment, an area for spinning classes, Pilates and yoga instruction, and personal consultations with professional trainers.
On Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay,Serenity Bay is a pristine stretch of beach exclusively for adults, located almost a mile from the main family beach. At Serenity Bay, sparkling turquoise waters meet pristine white sand, palm fronds sway in the breeze and plenty of lounge chairs and two-person hammocks dot the beach.
For the ultimate in relaxation, adults can enjoy a therapeutic massage at one of the nearby cabanas overlooking the ocean. And there is no need to head back to the main beach for refreshment—a delectable lunch buffet, Bahamian specialty drinks, beer and mixed drinks are served at the nearby Castaway Air Bar.
Enjoy a romantic meal at Remy
Play …
The nightclubs at Europa (Disney Fantasy), The District (Disney Dream) and After Hours (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder) offer nighttime entertainment just for adults. Sophisticated bars and lounges, casual pubs and trendy clubs afford adults the chance to enjoy live nighttime entertainment, cabaret shows, game shows, dancing, live satellite sports broadcasts and more. Palate-pleasing delights include specialty cocktails, fine wines and spirits, champagne and an eclectic array of domestic and imported beers.
Enjoy a glass of bubbly at Pink
Enrichment …
An engaging and sophisticated series of adult enrichment is offered aboard Disney Cruise Line.
The Disney Innovations seminar showcases the greatest innovations that The Walt Disney Company has brought to animation and themed entertainment. Roy E. Disney, Walt Disney’s nephew, was instrumental in the development of the series, providing personal commentary and a unique perspective on many of the innovations featured in the program.
During Disney’s Art of Entertaining, guests learn the secrets behind enchanting entertaining and dining experiences, and meet with experts for tips in creating everything from dazzling desserts to floral masterpieces to the perfect wine pairing.
During the From Stem to Stern wine tasting, guests learn to sip like a pro by meeting with one of the ship’s sommeliers and sampling wines from around the world.
The Art of the Theme Show, developed in partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering, is an in-depth ship tour that looks at some of the amazing design details, creative inspirations and storytelling that are a part of each Disney cruise ship.
Weddings and Honeymoons…
Whether saying “I do” for the first time, taking part in a commitment ceremony or renewing vows, Disney Cruise Line provides a happily-ever-after setting like none other. Couples can exchange vows in an ultimate romantic beach-side ceremony on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, or onboard the ship.
Thinking about a Disney Cruise?CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
Though part of the fun of dining at Disneyland Resort is trying restaurants and dishes that encourage you to eat out of your comfort zone, there is also something to be said for tried and true classics that win over guests year after year. Today we thought we’d give a tip-of-the-hat to these much loved classic dishes and tell you a bit more about where you can find them.
1. Wine Country Shrimp- (pictured) Head to Wine Country Trattoria at Disney California Adventure to enjoy freshly grilled shrimp, lemon-caper butter sauce and warm polenta cakes. This dish goes perfectly with a nice glass of wine.
2. Pan Roasted Diver Scallops- This favorite appetizer is a menu staple at Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. It comes in a sauce of lemon and lobster and is accented with vanilla.
3. Seven Sparkling Sins – Also at Napa Rose this much-loved dish features a spicy beef and cashew roll, curried crab taco, seared ahi nacho, shrimp in cucumber wrap with lemon-dill crème, citrus-cured salmon with a buckwheat blini, lemon broiled scallop and grape leaves stuffed with pheasant.
4. Charred Nebraska Corn Chowder- Inspired by the sweet corn harvest in Nebraska, rotisserie chicken, bacon and cilantro are the flavors in this popular appetizer at Storytellers Cafe also at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
5. Fire Cracker Duck Wings –This appetizer is one of Carthay Circle Restaurant’s signature dishes. Head to Disney California Adventure to try out these oversized wings flavored with soy, lime and chilli sauce.
6. Bone-in Rib-eye – Calling all steak lovers: Rubbed with signature spices, this juicy, rich cut at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel is even more delicious when paired with Chef’s Potato Stack Au Gratin.
7. Monte Cristo –This classic New Orleans-style sandwich is made up of Turkey, ham and Swiss cheese in battered egg bread and lightly fried to a golden brown. You’ll find this delicious offering at Café Orléans in Disneyland Park or on the lunch menu in the park’s Blue Bayou Restaurant.
8. Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya –Speaking of New Orleans cuisine, the legendary Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park features this delicious combination of jumbo gulf shrimp, sustainable fish, tasso ham, andouille sausage and chicken, tossed with Cajun-style “dirty rice.”
9. Flo’s Signature Pie-O-Ramas – Mini-pies are the order of the day at Flo’s V-8 Cafe at Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park. A guest favorite is the strawberry rhubarb when it’s in season. Also, the signature apple-cheddar, as well as the chocolate mud versions, get high marks.
10. Sourdough Soup Boule: Be sure to order up a generous portion of creamy chowder or soup of the day served in a freshly baked sourdough bowl at the French Market in New Orleans Square in Disneyland and at the Pacific Wharf Café at Disney California Adventure Park.
11. Oscar’s Choice: All American Breakfast: One of the go-to places to grab breakfast at Disneyland, Carnation Café on Main Street, U.S.A serves this classic named after Oscar, the longtime cast member at the cafe. It’s a hearty combination of two eggs any style with potatoes, biscuit and your choice of smoked bacon or chicken-apple sausage.
12. Hacienda Chicken Caesar Salad: Found at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Disneyland this salad features a classic dressing with garlic, anchovies, olive oil, lemon, Worcestershire and a touch of hot sauce. This gets tossed with grilled chicken breast, romaine, red bell peppers and Cotija cheese. It’s topped off with crisp tortilla strips.
These are just some of the classic culinary treats that will await visitors to Disneyland in 2018. So what are you waiting for? Head to the parks in the year ahead and let us know which ones are your favorite.
Planning a Disneyland getaway? Packages are currently available to book through until the end of 2018. Read below to find out how you can get your FREE quote.
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and Fastpass reservations. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025, via email at [email protected]or follow along on Facebook.
Crystal-clear turquoise waters as far as the eye can see, powdery white sand beaches under foot and lush landscapes all around – guests encounter all of this and more at Disney’s private island paradise, award-winning, Castaway Cay. Located in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, Castaway Cay provides the ultimate escape, whether a guest is seeking adventure, relaxation or quality time with the family.
The dock built at Castaway Cay eliminates the need to tender, making the ship easily accessible throughout the day. Transportation is provided to and from various points on the 1,000-acre island, including a special tram to Serenity Bay – a beach area reserved exclusively for guests 18 years of age and older. A delicious all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffet is served at the open-air Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too, located steps away from the main family beach under covered pavilions.
New to Castaway Cay is Summertime Freeze, an Olaf-inspired beverage location serving non-alcoholic specialty frozen drinks in souvenir cups. Only Disney Cruise Line guests can cool down with creative menu items inspired by the animated hit “Frozen,” like “Olaf’s Flurry Freeze” and “Sven’s Carrot Delight.”
Castaway Cay has its own post office where guests can mail a message to family and friends back home. For added convenience, complimentary beach towels are available for guests to use on the island. Stateroom key cards may be used to make purchases on the island, including merchandise and alcoholic beverages.
Like the Disney ships, Castaway Cay is designed with unique activities and areas for every age group, providing an exceptional experience for all guests.
Enjoy a nice and relaxing bicycle ride around the private island
For Families…
Flying high above the island on a parasail adventure, snorkeling in a 12-acre lagoon, casting off on a fishing tour, building sand castles on the beach or bicycling around the island are just a few of the activities that every member of the family can enjoy. More fun for families includes:
Guests can swim and interact with Southern Stingrays in a private lagoon. This up-close encounter with the rays is part of a one-hour experience called Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, and is open to guests five years of age or older.
For water sport enthusiasts there are water cycles, paddleboats, sea kayaks, sailboats, stand-up paddle boards and snorkel gear for rent. The island features a 12-acre snorkel trail dotted with sunken treasures, including a submarine from the classic Disney attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and a statue of a certain familiar mouse.
Located within swimming distance from shore, Pelican Plunge is a 2,400-square-foot floating platform featuring water slides, water cannons and other get-wet fun.
On the island, a 2,400-square-foot water play area called Spring-a-Leak helps everyone cool off with fresh-water jets that squirt and spray and saturate guests.
Castaway Family Beach has plenty of umbrellas, chairs and hammocks for a perfect day in the warm sun and comfortable shade, plus tube and float rentals for splashtacular fun in the swimming lagoon.
Premium private cabanas along the far side of the family beach and are available to rent, providing luxury and giving guests a spectacular view of their Disney cruise ship from the cabana’s front patio deck.
In Da Shade Game Pavilion provides guests wanting to take a break out of the sun a place to play games such as table tennis, foosball, billiards and basketball in a shaded structure centrally located near Castaway Family Beach.
The Watercraft Ski Adventure gives guests a chance to drive a personal watercraft through intricate mangroves and other natural wonders around the island.
Nature-lovers rejoice: there are a number of paths to the island’s interior that can be explored either on foot or bicycle. A knowledgeable guide explains the ecological wonders found in the Bahamas during the Castaway Cay Walking and Kayak Nature Adventure.
Families can run, jog or walk in the Castaway Cay 5K, a great way to explore the island and take in the lush tropical landscape while staying fit.
Throughout the island, guests are treated to a myriad of surprises from Disney characters, including special meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and dance parties.
Goofy around with Goofy while you visit the private island
For Kids, Tweens and Teens…
Mirroring the youth activities on the ship, children ages three to 17 will find programs and activities designed specifically for them on the island, supervised by trained, experienced counselors.
Scuttle’s Cove is the “hub” of youth activities for kids (ages three to 12) and features a 1,200-square-foot water play area with a soft wet deck and an array of pop jets, geysers and bubblers. It also connects to a Monstro Point, a dig site filled with artificial whale bones. Activities at Scuttle’s Cove include:
Gotta Get Soaked, a team challenge with water balloons and buckets.
Water Mania, water play for younger kids.
Caribbean Beach Party, sand castle challenges and bubble games, offering more games, music and fun for the little ones.
Tweens (ages 11-13) have scheduled time to hang out together, supervised by youth counselors, at In Da Shade Game Pavilion and Pelican Plunge.
Hide Out is a secluded retreat for teens (ages 14-17) where they can hang out, kick back, soak up the sun, listen to music and watch the action at the nearby beach volleyball and soccer areas.
Teens explore Castaway Cay during TheWild Side excursion designed just for them. They’ll snorkel, bike and kayak through the island and finish with a hearty lunch.
Enjoying a relaxing stroll on Serenity Beach
Just for Adults…
Located almost a mile from the main family beach, Serenity Bay is a pristine stretch of beach exclusively for adults. At Serenity Bay, where sparkling azure waters meet the pristine white sand, and palm trees sway in the breeze, special amenities and activities offer the ultimate in relaxation for adults:
Guests can soak up the sun or relax in the shade of an umbrella on comfortable lounge chairs or two-person hammocks that dot the beach.
Premium private cabanas spoil guests withthe luxury of a deluxe beach resort.
Adults can enjoy a therapeutic massage at a massage cabana overlooking the ocean or participate in a yoga class on the beach, just steps away from the crystal clear water.
There is no need to head back to the main beach for refreshment – a delectable lunch buffet, Bahamian specialty drinks, beer and mixed drinks are served at the nearby Castaway Air Bar.
Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean – many with a stop at Castaway Cay.
Would you like more information on a Disney Cruise?CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
Online reports indicate that the Magic Kingdom is currently closed to some Guests due to the park being at capacity. The Magic Kingdom is currently experiencing a “Phase B” closing which means the walk-up Guests will not be permitted as well as Guests staying off-property with a one-day ticket. Guests with Park Hoppers will not be admitted unless they meet the following:
Guest of a Walt Disney World Resort (including Swan, Dolphin and Shades of Green)
Those staying at Select Good Neighbor Hotels
Residents of Golden Oak
Walt Disney World Annual and Premium Passholders or Premier Passholders
Guests with Advanced Dining Reservations including dessert parties.
Guests to Magic Kingdom with appointments at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Pirates League and Harmony Barber Shop
Wanting to visit Walt Disney World and avoid the high crowds?CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. I offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
One of my goals is stay at every Walt Disney World Resort. I am a little over halfway to my goal and still can’t decide on my favorite because all of them are just so magical! However, when I stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, I have to say that I was completely blown away! From the immersive, larger-than-life details from some of my favorite Disney movies to the plentiful selections at the Resort’s food court, there is something for everyone at Art of Animation. Let’s take a closer look on what makes this Resort so magical.
The big blue world of Nemo and friends, the Pride Lands of Africa, under the sea in Ariel’s grotto, a super-charged adventure through Radiator Springs — they all come to life for vacationers at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
Each of four distinctly designed wings celebrates rich storytelling, spirited characters, original sketches and playfulness with colorful icons and whimsical theming inspired by classic Disney and Disney•Pixar films. The three-story, value resort opened in May 2012.
Three family suite wings showcase “Finding Nemo”with 320 suites, “Cars”with 480 suites,and “The Lion King” with 320 suites. All the themed areas offer elaborate storytelling both inside and out, from each beloved film depicted. Standard guest rooms make up “The Little Mermaid”wing, the final phase that opened Sept. 15 with 864 rooms.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort tells the story of the animation process in phases from pencil drawings to close-ups. It immediately transports guests into the worlds of favorite Disney characters and animated films beginning at arrival as pixilated patterns and wavy ribbons of bold colors decorate the resort’s exterior. Inside the lively and modern Animation Hall lobby, the evolution of Ariel, Lightning McQueen, Nemo and Simba from early artist sketches to finished image — greet guests, and a whimsical chandelier composed of 77 animation storyboards enhances the scene.
“Our goal was to make guests feel like they have been immersed in the artistry and enchantment of Walt Disney and Disney•Pixar animated classics,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Frank Paris.
Giant sketchbooks filled with favorite characters seem to come to life as they pave the way to each storyline revealed throughout the lobby. Scenic settings and icons—including a brightly-colored coral landscape, a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, a towering Mufasa and more—immerse guests into the playful world of animation in each respective courtyard. At the “Cars” wing, a freshly paved road leads to the Cozy Cone Motel complete with a Cozy Cone pool and cone-shaped cabanas.
It’s a safari through an African landscape in “The Lion King” complete with an elephant graveyard play area that invites youngsters to seek hakuna matata time. Treasures from the human world fill Ariel’s grotto in an under- the-sea kingdom in The Little Mermaid wing.
Playful accents that are hallmarks of outdoor areas extend indoors. From linens and carpeting to fixtures and furniture, all details of the guestrooms tie to the storyline. In “Finding Nemo,” there’s coral-shaped chairs and bubble ceiling lights; rusty metallic tiles in the bathroom make guests feel as though they are in the submarine. Zazu takes center stage on the headboards in “The Lion King,” while Pumbaa and Timon decorate the shower curtain.
Resort dining options in the main Animation Hall include a poolside snack bar, pizza delivery and Landscape of Flavors food court. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food court features items such as fresh smoothies, hand-scooped gelato and Mongolian barbecue. Original art backgrounds from featured films decorate the walls in the dining area, adding to the attention to detail and sense of immersion. The Pixel Play Arcade, Drop Off pool bar, and Ink and Paint gift shop round out the offerings.
Big Blue Pool in The Finding Nemo Suites wing
Here’s a look around each themed wing of the resort:
Finding Nemo Family Suites
Kids of all ages can make a splash at the “Big Blue” pool — centerpiece of the resort — and the largest resort swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort measuring 11,859 square feet. Guests will feel like they are swimming with Dory and Nemo as underwater speakers periodically pipe in music and messages from film characters. Guests will enter scenes from the animated world and can explore the colorful reef and East Australian Current with a giant-sized Mr. Ray whose wings span 27 feet, pose for a picture with Crush or frolic with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a dry children’s play area. Nemo’s mates Pearl, Tad and Sheldon make a splash at the Schoolyard Sprayground, a wet play area with refreshing sprayers.
And the character sketches become three dimensional with some 2,500 sculpted figures decorating both the resort’s exterior and interior.
Inside the spacious suites the whimsy of the film is depicted with jellyfish lampshades, a coral reef themed headboard, and cheerful color scheme.
Kids will enjoy the daily character artist in the “Finding Nemo” lobby, plus bingo, hula hoop contests, ping pong and nighttime movies, all poolside.
Cars Family Suites wing
Cars Family Suites
Lightning McQueen, Mater, Flo and other characters from the popular Pixar film “Cars” offer high octane fun in the Cars wing. Featuring 480 family suites, a freshly paved road leads guests on the greatest road trip ever, a cruise down memory lane to small town America — Radiator Springs. Parked at the entryway, Sheriff, and the infamous Doc Hudson, welcome folks into town, along with other car “faces” parked along the road.
There are backdrops of Luigi’s Casa Della Tires, Tow Mater Towing and the Wheel Well Motel, creating an authentic setting lifted from the super-charged adventure.
All roads lead to the 60-s style Cozy Cone Motel where distinctive orange cone-shaped cabanas invite guests to kick back and then take a dip in the Cozy Cone Pool. High-octane theming is full-throttle inside the family suites, with orange cones imprinted in the carpeting and adorning the light fixtures plus animation-inspired artwork. Guests will feel as though they walked into a scene from the blockbuster film as a pull-out bed extends from the living room sofa (whimsically appearing as the back seat of an old hot rod), the tool chest is actually the dresser and the bathroom design is inspired by a car wash.
Outside of The Lion King Family Suites wing
The Lion King Family Suites
The Lion King wing celebrates the journey of Simba, with landscapes and theming that reflect playful and poignant scenes from the Academy Award-winning Walt Disney Pictures animated film “The Lion King.”
Here, guests embark on a journey through Africa encountering characters and scenic moments from the film classic at every turn. King Mufasa towers atop Pride Rock while his evil brother Scar slinks in the shadows beyond the elephant graveyard. There’s Pumbaa and Timon with a young Simba dancing across a log bridge in true carefree “hakuna matata” fashion. Scar’s crazed and comical hyenas “guard” the elephant graveyard, a fun area sure to delight youngsters.
Inside the 320 family suites, the storytelling comes to life. Zazu takes center stage on the headboards while Pumbaa and Timon decorate the shower curtain. Youngsters can rest on a leaf-shaped chair or sleep alongside Simba who slumbers at the head of one of the beds.
Little Mermaid Standard Room
The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms
Guests are invited to slumber in Ariel’s colorful retreat at “The Little Mermaid” wing. Themed to one of the most celebrated animated films of all time “The Little Mermaid” features 864 standard hotel rooms that can sleep up to four guests. With a sea-inspired color palette and an aquatic motif, guests become part of her world as they plunge “under the sea” into Ariel’s secret grotto.
Playful film-inspired décor and characters from the undersea kingdom including Ursula, King Triton and Sebastian come to life both inside guestrooms and in the courtyard.
Guests can lounge poolside at the Flippin’ Fins pool, one of three pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, situated adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, offers rates for family suites from $248 per night. The 1,120 family suites include two bathrooms, a kitchenette and three separate sleeping areas that can sleep up to six. The 864 standard rooms at The Little Mermaid can sleep up to four, with rates as low as $94.
Those staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are treated to complimentary transportation, Extra Magic Hours and other benefits available to a Disney Resort hotel guest.
Ready to book your visit at Disney’s Art of Animation or another Disney Resort?CLICK HERE , fill out the form below, or send an email for a FREE, no obligation quote with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and take advantage of onboard credits I offer just for my clients! I also offer rate monitoring to ensure you are receiving the best available rate offered by Disney and my services are 100% FREE! Right now, you can take 50% off deposits on select cruises!
As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and FastPass reservations. I work with all Disney Destinations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.954.401.9577, via email at [email protected], or follow along on Facebook.
