The Disney Fantasy will be sailing close to Hispaniola, hugging the Cuban Coastline. In hopes to avoid Hurricane Joaquin. This also means they are not able to stop at Castaway Cay. Passengers are reporting the harsh conditions are getting better. As of Wednesday the Disney Fantasy’s destination is Port Canaveral.
Be safe out there!
Photo Credit: weatherchannel.com
Now that the kids are back in school (which I’m sure many of us had anxiously waited for!) let’s talk about next summer’s vacation! Now is a great time to start talking about which Disney Cruise itinerary is best for your family. With so many to choose from, there is a voyage fit for every family’s lifestyle and budget. As I was looking into options for my family, I came across some amazingly, unique itineraries that are making this decision so difficult!!
The Disney Magic will be exploring Norwegian fjords, Iceland and Scotland as part of a Iceland and Norway cruise. Here you can visit picturesque hot springs in Iceland and enchanting castles in Scotland, along with all the beauty and wonder this area of the world provides. The Magic is also headed to the majestic British Isles, to explore England and Scotland, and to the Mediterranean to allow Guests to take in the local cultures of historic places like Naples, Rome and Monte Carlo. The Disney Magic is going to be one very busy ship in 2016, but, is headed to some truly fabulous places!
The Disney Wonder will be sailing the frontiers of Alaska, providing the opportunity to view mountainous shores, fjords and glaciers up close and personal. From historic mining towns to learning more about the Native American culture, you will see this area of the United States in way you can’t imagine. And best of all, join you favorite Pixar pals in the ship’s atrium for a party at sea! With average temperatures ranging from 45-62 degrees Fahrenheit, enjoy all the hot spots with cool, sea air. And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on this itinerary…you never know what kind of majestic wildlife you may see along the way- like bears, elk or humpback whales that are native to the area.
The Disney Dream will be making magic in the Bahamas for enchanting tropical journeys. Your exotic escape whisks you away to tropics so you can enjoy sunbathing, snorkeling, shopping, sightseeing and most importantly, relaxation! The Bahamas provide so much to see and do, you won’t know what to do first. And don’t forget about the best part of the Bahamas- Disney’s Castaway Cay! Enjoy this private island paradise and create magical memories with your family!
The Disney Fantasy will be exploring the Eastern Caribbean with an amazing stop at the British Virgin Island of Tortola. If you want to explore the tropics even more, then this is the sailing for you. Warm weather, golden beaches, turquoise water and marketplaces galore are waiting for you on a number of itineraries. The Disney Cruise Line provides the perfect setting to island hop and immerse yourself in the Caribbean culture.
Is all of this enticing? I know for me it is and I can’t make up my mind of which sailing I would love to do with my family. Does anyone have a sailing booked yet? Where are you headed? I would love to hear!!
If you haven’t booked your cruise yet and would like more information on any of the sailings offered by Disney Cruise Line, I would love to hear from you! Email me at [email protected] and be sure to follow me on Facebook to keep up with the latest Disney news, updates and promotions!
The largest makeover in the history of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is one step closer to being finished. The hotel has completed redesigning every guest room in the 758-room Swan Hotel. The work is part of a multi-phase, multi-year, $125 million redesign project that will transform every guest room in both the Swan and Dolphin buildings. The first phase of the 1,509-room Dolphin starts later this year.
The new room is inspired by the resort’s water-themed architecture and offers guests a serene and sophisticated atmosphere.
Check out some more upgrades:
The guest room features all-new upgraded furniture and all of the latest technology including large HD TVs. Additional power outlets provide corporate executives and family travelers more options for use of multiple personal electronics. A glass-topped desk on wheels provides guests with a flexible tabletop space for wherever and whatever the need.
Noted interior design and architecture firm Garcia Stromberg/GS4 Studios along with award-winning interior design firm KBCO Design created the concepts for the new rooms.
Blending an artistic combination of whites, blues and grays, the design creates a tasteful ambiance that appeals to adults while abstract artwork playfully delights children as well.
The centerpiece of the room is the famous Westin Heavenly Bed with its all-white custom-designed pillow-top mattress set, cozy down blanket, a trio of crisp sheets, goose down comforter and four over-stuffed pillows.
The design continues into a completely new bathroom, featuring residential style vanities and a back lit mirror on iridescent glass tiles.
“This new room product provides our guests with their own personal oasis,” said General Manager Fred Sawyers. “Whether visiting for business or leisure, it’s the ideal space to relax and reenergize.”
The hotel’s public spaces, restaurants, meeting rooms, shops, pools and recreational areas will not be impacted and remain fully operational throughout the renovation.
The entire rooms project is currently scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.
Beautiful!
Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Maria
Now that fall is in the air, it’s time to celebrate with foods of the season! What better way to celebrate than with delicious pumpkin desserts straight from the Disney kitchens?! This is the first of five recipes that will highlight the amazing flavors of fall, bringing a little Disney right to your table!
The first recipe is Pumpkin Cheesecake! This tasty little treat was a big hit last year on the west coast appearing at a number of locations in Disney’s California Adventure, Disneyland and the Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. If you have been pining for this amazing taste sensation since last year and aren’t going to make it to the west coast this fall, well, now you can make it in your own kitchen! It has a traditional graham cracker crust with a splash of ginger to make it interesting and the filling…well, it’s to die for!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
(Makes 9-inch cheesecake)
Crust
1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/3 cup butter-melted
Cheesecake Filling
3 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
15-ounce can pumpkin purée
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
5-ounce can evaporated milk
Chocolate syrup, for drizzling
For crust:
For cheesecake filling:
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Cook’s Notes: Wrapping foil around springform pan prevents water from the water bath from getting into the cheesecake. The slow cooling inside the oven prevents cheesecake top from cracking.
If you decide to try this delicious treat make sure you comment below and let us know how it turned out! Did you switch something up? We want to know that too!!
If you have never been to Disney for the Holidays, there is still time to plan a magical adventure for this year! With the latest promotions just released there has never been a better time to visit! If you would like help planning your trip, shoot me an email at [email protected] and I will be happy to help you out!
Do you all remember the crazy cool collection that Disney and Vans came up with earlier this year? If I remember correctly, we all loved the Mickey and Minnie patterns, were gushing over Ariel and the Princesses, and couldn’t help drooling over the villains.
Well, just in time for fall, Disney and Vans are partnering again to bring us even more shoes, clothing, and accessories to covet. This time around the designs focus on Alice in Wonderland, Jungle Book, and 101 Dalmatians. I really love that the underrepresented films (maybe not Alice in Wonderland in this case, but definitely Jungle Book and 101 Dalmatians) are getting some much needing spotlight and attention.
The collection will be available at Vans retailers (and online) beginning Friday, October 9th.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at this new collection.
First, travel with me down the rabbit hole and check out these Alice in Wonderland designs. Tie-dye and geometric patterns heavily influenced these designs and the one and only Cheshire Cat is front and center in many of the pieces.
My favorite piece here is the black pullover sweatshirt with small Cheshire Cat details. This would be perfect for a cool fall day!
Don’t adjust your screen! You aren’t imagining those dots – it’s just 101 Dalmatians covering everything from socks, to shoes, to backpacks. My favorite part of this group is the play of the bright red against the black and white. The colors balance each other really nicely and remind me of a few other Disney characters…maybe a few mice?
How fun are these shoes? I’m not a fan of high-tops myself, but these red sneakers are totally calling to me.
And finally, take a walk on the wild side with The Jungle Book. The patterns here feature all the classic characters such as Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Shere Khan, Kaa, and King Louie.
These easy slip on shoes look comfortable and would be so cute with a pair of skinny jeans and an orange sweater for fall.
Are you as excited for this Fall line as I am? Let me know what you think and what items will definitely be appearing in your fall wardrobe this year.
Monica is an Alumna of the Disney College Program. When she is not walking down the middle of Main Street USA you can find her wandering the World Showcase, or enjoying a Dole Whip while racing to her favorite attractions. When she is forced to endure life outside of Walt Disney World, you can find her in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she lives and works. You can visit her Disney lifestyle blog here.
To the pounding rhythms of the Japanese drums and the ceremonial breaking of the sake barrel, Morimoto Asia – the first-ever collaboration between Patina Restaurant Group and Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto — opened to a media preview Tuesday at Disney Springs, a reimagined shopping-dining-entertainment district at The Walt Disney World Resort. The event featured culinary displays from Iron Chef Morimoto that included breaking down a 100lb Hawaiian big eye tuna that was used as part of a 60-foot long maki roll. Chef Morimoto received help from several of the event’s guests in making the sushi roll, including a very special guest, of course none other than Mickey Mouse.
In onstage ceremonies Tuesday night, Chef Morimoto and Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti were joined by Walt Disney World Resort executives including George A. Kalogridis, President, Walt Disney World Resort; Maribeth Bisienere, Senior Vice President, Disney Springs; and Keith Bradford, Vice President, Disney Springs.
Morimoto Asia occupies The Landing, one of four neighborhoods in Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia opens to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 30 for dinner service at 5pm. Its menu features cuisine from across Asia, a first for Chef Morimoto.
“I believe that food has the power to bring people together and these are some of my favorite dishes from all over Asia,” said Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. “My team and I are so excited to welcome everyone to Morimoto Asia!”
“We are committed to providing exceptional pan-Asian cuisine and an unmatched dining experience to the guests of Disney Springs,” Valenti said. “This opening marks our ninth restaurant with our partners at The Walt Disney Company, and we are thrilled to be here at the new Disney Springs.”
The eye-filling, two-level showplace includes lounges, dining spaces, open terraces, a sushi bar and cocktail areas and an exhibition kitchen that allows diners direct sight lines to the culinary action. New York City-based STUDIO V did the design for Morimoto Asia, featuring a three-story glass corner, dazzling grand stairway, cascading chandeliers, ribbons of illuminated glass bottles plus Japanese accents and a sweeping, 270-foot sculptural bar that dramatically ties the upper and lower levels together.
Are you going?
Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Maria
Have you seen the yummy new menu at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe? Chip was there today and got us some amazing pictures of the new menu and the new food selections. It all looks so good! One thing I do wish they had is the Queso cheese sauce. Everything is better with plastic cheese! Yes, they even have an allergy friendly menu!
New entrees include rice bowls and burritos with your choice of beef, chicken, or veggies. Fajitas sizzle with delicious steak or chicken. For a lighter option, try the Southwest Chicken Salad. The Fixins Bar it’s back and better than ever with tasty sauces, salsas, peppers, onions, cheese and more.
Check out the yummy goodness:
What do you think of the new menu?
Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Maria
Do you drink wine? Do you use wine charms? Have you ever wanted Disney Wine Charms? Well you are in business cause I found a Etsy Designers named lavendermintshop who sells unique handmade Disney Wine Charms. Here are some of the designs they offer:
and many more. The charms on lavendermintshop etsy store will run between $12 and $35 so head on over and check them out. Be sure to let me know which design you like the best in the comment box below.
Happy Shopping!
After a much quicker refurb than planned Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café will be opening today with their new Tex-Mex menu.
New entrees include rice bowls and burritos with your choice of beef, chicken, or veggies. Fajitas sizzle with delicious steak or chicken. For a lighter option, try the Southwest Chicken Salad.
For those wondering what happened to the Fixins Bar it’s back and better than ever with tasty sauces, salsas, peppers, onions, cheese and more.
Look for traditional tortilla chips and Chicken Enchilada Soup as scrumptious side dishes. For dessert? Mini churros with dipping chocolate and Sopapillas (a crispy, puffy, fried pastry) make for a perfectly sweet ending to your meal.
Chip & Co Fans! As you know, of the best feelings in the world is booking your next Disney vacation! And…one of our FAVORITE Disney vacations is aboard the Disney Cruise Line! This month, which also happens to be “National Plan a Cruise Month”, let’s make your next voyage a little more magical. If you book or transfer a Disney Cruise Line vacation with Tricia of World of Magic Travel during October, you will receive a $25 Disney gift card to use towards your onboard purchases. How does having a few drinks, relaxing by the spa, exploring during a Port Adventure or having a quiet dinner at Remy of Palo sound?? Well, now you will have some extra money to put towards that something special! The Disney Cruise Line offers many itineraries and Tricia Kohler is here to help you find the best one! What better way to beat the cold winter than to sail somewhere warm and tropical? Or to plan that ultimate summer vacation while the kids are out of school next summer exploring Europe?
All of Tricia’s planning services are completely FREE! You will receive personalized planning including itinerary comparison, stateroom selection, price quoting, land options, port adventure reservations and more, all included. Then, at the time of travel, you will receive a $25 Disney Gift Card to spend on that special something you dream of to make your trip more magical!
With the holidays just around the corner, now is a great time to start planning your 2016 getaway! Tricia writes for both Chip and Co. and Disney Addicts and an experienced Disney traveler!
Book* or transfer** your Disney Cruise Line vacation package valued at $2,500.00 or more with Tricia of World of Magic Travel from now through October 31, 2015 to be eligible for the gift card.
*Cruise Package booked must be at least $2,500 in total value after promotions. Gift Card will be delivered at time of travel and if the reservation is cancelled the Gift Card will not be issued.
**To transfer a reservation, the original reservation needs to have been made directly with the Walt Disney Travel Company within the last 30 days and cannot be paid in full.
Feel free to contact Tricia for more details and information at [email protected] or 844-407-9668 ext. 725. Now is time to plan your magical voyage! Don’t let this opportunity slip away! Happy Sailing!
Walt Disney World Resort officially changed the name of Downtown Disney to Disney Springs, an important milestone in the ongoing transformation of the shopping, dining and entertainment district at the world’s No. 1 family vacation destination.
Drawing inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs treats guests to a one-of-a-kind Disney experience amid beautiful open-air promenades, flowing springs and waterfront charm.
Disney Springs will include four interconnected neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center. When Disney Springs is fully completed in 2016, the number of shopping, dining and entertainment venues will increase from the current 75 to more than 150.
New to Disney Springs is The Landing, home to unique shopping locations and memorable dining experiences, including the recently opened Morimoto Asia and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar.
Coming soon to Disney Springs, Town Center will be a diverse mix of retailers – including premium, affordable luxury and fast fashion options – and unique restaurants. Click here to read more about the new shopping and dining locations coming to Disney Springs in 2016.
With more exciting venues to come, new dining and shopping open now at Disney Springs includes:
While Disney Springs continues to grow at Walt Disney World Resort in the space once occupied by Downtown Disney, Disneyland still remains home to a vibrant and popular Downtown Disney in California.
Turkey day is on its way and the chefs at the Disneyland Resort are planning some extra special dining for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 26th. Check out where you’ll be able to find the delicious bird in the theme parks and hotels.
The annual fall harvest is the biggest celebration and is held at the Disneyland Hotel ballroom from noon-5 p.m. You’ll be treated to some Thanksgiving favorites like carved roasted turkey breast and prime rib, homemade stuffing, sweet potato soufflé, fresh cranberry-orange relish and mashed potatoes and gravy. There will also be salads, artisan cheeses, smoked salmon and cured meats, poached shrimp and king crab legs. Be sure to leave room for dessert! The desserts include pumpkin and pecan pies, tarts, cookies, chocolate mousse and a chocolate fountain. This buffet is $76.99 per adult; there’s also a special buffet for ages 3-9 for $27.99 each.
Here’s where you’ll find other delicious Thanksgiving dining throughout the Disneyland Resort:
Disney California Adventure Park
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disneyland Hotel
Paradise Pier Hotel
Note: there won’t be any characters at Storyteller’s Café or Disney’s PCH Grill for Thanksgiving meals.
For help booking your Thanksgiving Disneyland vacation, email me today at [email protected]! My services are free and I would love to help you plan an unforgettable vacation! I can also help you make your dining reservations for turkey day.
