True Love Week February 11-17, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Love is in the air at Walt Disney World Resort as fairytale princesses find true love with their princes, and “happily ever after” becomes reality. It all happens during True Love Week February 11-17, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.

The weeklong love fest is all part of Limited Time Magic at Disney Parks, where each week in 2013 guests will be treated to a sprinkling of Disney magic where unexpected surprises and delights enhance vacation memories.

During True Love Week, a tapestry of romance is woven throughout the resort — from limited- time Valentine’s merchandise and special entertainment, to romantic dinners for two and new themed photo locations offering greetings with beloved Disney sweethearts – all for a limited-time only.

The weeklong event celebrates the love of friends and family, and invites couples to rekindle the flame. Here is the lineup:

• Romantic Setting: Guests will feel the romance at every turn, as banners proclaiming True Love, heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn the Magic Kingdom.  
  
• Blushing Castle: At dusk, hues of pink, red, lavender and blue bathe Cinderella Castle with themed lighting synced to a musical melodies adding to the ambiance.
  • Dinners for Two: Candlelit dinners for two with prix fixe menus at select restaurants  during the most romantic week of the year.  Specially-created menus at Artist Point (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort);  The Wave…of American Flavors (Disney’s Contemporary Resort); Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios); Yachtsman Steakhouse (Disney’s Yacht Club Resort) make an ideal setting for a romantic evening. To book visit Disneyworld.com or call 407/WDW-DINE.
  • Valentine’s-themed Takeaways: Limited-edition pins, plushes, newly-designed apparel and Vinylmations available at select merchandise locations.
  • • Royal Gathering:  The rare opportunity to get a photo with Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses to enchanting character greeting locations.
    In Town Square Theater you may find Mickey and Minnie, Aurora with Phillip or Rapunzel and Flynn. Mary Poppins joins Bert in Fantasyland, while Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana meet guests in the Enchanted Glade in Liberty Square.
    Romantic Photo Locations in Magic Kingdom with your Sweetie:
    • Carriage Awaits: New Fantasyland invites lovers to create memories alongside Cinderella’s Glass Coach situated by the new Castle wall for True Love Week.
    • Wishes Come True: Hearts and flowers enhance Cinderella’s Wishing Well creating the perfect backdrop for a cherished moment.
    • Rose Walk:  The Rose Garden in Central Plaza is all decked out with enchanting decor.
    
    And more…
    Romantic Touches: Long stem roses, chocolate covered strawberries, the finest champagne, or scattered rose petals create a romantic scene for lovebirds, all available through the Disney florist at www.disneyflorist.com.
    Elegant Oasis for Relaxation:  An aromatherapy couples’ massage is just the escape after a day with the kids in the theme park. Couples’ massages are available at the newly opened, full-service Senses, A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
    Perfectly Princess:Join your prince for the ultimate fairytale come true with a customized Disney wedding or honeymoon getaway. More than 1,000 couples get married, or renew their wedding vows in romantic settings in various locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort every year.
    Disneyland Park in California will celebrate True Love week with similar in-park offerings.

Harry Potter's Wizarding World at Universal

The Magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

In June, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in Universal Orlando’s Island of Adventure theme park, and was a smashing success!  I was fortunate enough to see the land soon after it opened, although that also meant that I was also exposed to the massive lines that went along with the hottest opening in Orlando in years.  Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, there is magic to be found in this amazing land, where attention to detail is so perfect that you will easily immerse yourself into a true world of mystery and fun.

The land itself is small, which is another reason why you will encounter lines even getting into the land for quite a while.  Since attention to detail was key, the shops and Hogsmeade village are the size they actually would be, meaning not conducive to massive crowds.  Still, the charm is well worth the wait.  If you plan on going soon, I highly recommend staying on property at Universal Orlando.  There are three Universal hotels, and being a guest at one not only means you use your room key to skip lines and most attractions, but it also means that during the Harry Potter boom you get early entry to the Wizarding World.  That early entry can be key to skipping hours in line! 

The shops themselves are as much of an attraction as the rides.  Honeydukes is the candy store, and where you would be able to find Pygmy Puffs if they had any left (they are out for the next several months).  I was able to find a cute “Peacefully Pet the Puffs” t-shirt there, and they have chocolate frogs! 

At the Owlery, you can post mail with special stamps.  Olivanders is where you’ll find the longest line…there you can experience the Wand selection ceremony, where a Wand “chooses” you.  If you want to skip that part, there is a cart outside Hogwart’s Castle selling Wands. Dervish & Banges will also have a line after the first 30 minutes of the day.  There you can find that weird chomping book (in a cage of course), and there is also a Wand selection, and a lot of other souvenirs, including robes. 

Don’t forget to check out the bathroom, where you just might hear Moaning Myrtle…assuming that the hand dryers aren’t going off constantly.  You can also have a bit to eat at The Three Broomsticks.  Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying a Butterbeer (the frozen was my favorite).  Butterbeer is sort of a mix between cream soda and butterscotch, and has a line that wraps around the land.  Usually, though, they also sell it by the cart by Forbidden Journey.  Another specialty is Pumpkin Juice, which sounds gross but is quite delicious!

Now, for the rides.  Two of them, Dragon Challenge (formerly Dueling Dragons) and Flight of the Hippogriff (formerly Lost Unicorn) were taken from the Lost Continent section of the park.  The brand new ride is Forbidden Journey, and it is housed in Hogwart’s castle.  The Castle is the ride, and the line itself is an experience, so even those stuck in line for a long time won’t quite be bored.  I won’t give too much away, but keep your eyes peeled for the Sorting Hat!  The ride itself is amazing…for those of you that have been on Spiderman, it is even BETTER.  Now, for those of you that are prone to motion sickness, be very afraid of this ride…dose up on Dramamine and ride it at least once though.  It is an amazing mixture of 3-D, roller coaster, and real life figures, and is truly worth the hurl factor.

There is also fun entertainment to be had around the land…you’ll see students from the Tri Wizard tournament performing, and you might even see the Frog Choir!  What you won’t see is Harry, Hermione or Ron…not allowed, per J.K. Rowlings!  She wants no fake Harries posing for photos.

My major tip…go early, or go late.  Do not think if you stroll in at 10 AM you are getting into the land anytime in the following couple of hours.  See this line?  It gets worse.

Here is a photo of the line waiting to get into the Land if you are an onsite guest:

Here is what Hogsmeade looks like after that onsite guest line:

Here is what it will look like later!

 

Travel Blog: Travel Safety

Safety & Common Sense Travel Tips & Tricks

When traveling Internationally, safety requires a bit of extra caution.  Many of my tips can be adapted to domestic travel as well, but when traveling to countries, whether on a cruise ship or directly, you should always be aware of possible pitfalls. 

1.      Don’t allow strangers to take your camera to take pictures of you.  Remember that scene in National Lampoon’s European vacation where the tourist helpfully suggests Clark and his family remove their shoes and get into the fountain, and then promptly runs away with their camera?  Although farfetched, camera theft from the sweet suggestion of a local “let me take a picture of your whole family” can lead to theft.  In addition, it can also lead to being forced to pay a “tip” for the service before they’ll give your camera back.  Keep your camera on a strap across your body; in fact, any purses/packs should be strapped on your body at all time, and many travel stores sell cut-proof straps.

2.     Another camera tip:  in some countries, if you pose for a picture with a local, they will demand a tip afterwards.  Also, in some countries, some natives (especially Muslim women) are incredibly uncomfortable with being in  pictures, so always ask permission first!

3.     Use local currency, not American dollars.  Even if the country you are visiting accepts American Dollars, try to use local currency, because too much American money dilutes the local currency which is bad for their economy.  Locals tend to want American Dollars more, but you don’t want to flash a wad of American money.  Use local currency and you’ll get more respect, and perhaps better prices while bargaining!

4.     Don’t make eye contact with locals unless you are with a guide and they introduce you.  Eye contact in some countries is considered an invitation.  This is especially true for women; some men in foreign cultures consider that flirting.

5.     Be aware of dress code.  While some countries only have rules for dressing for churches and mosques, you will also want to make note of their cultural dress.  For example, if a local people dress with barely any skin showing, bare knees and shoulders will offend them, and they’ll also think of you as ignorant and stupid, therefore ripe for the picking (whether it is crime or just charging you more).  Being respectful goes a long way.  They don’t expect you to adhere to their rigid standards, but courtesy for their culture is expected.

6.     In local markets, airports, and just walking around, be very aware that pick pockets are alive and well in many cities and delight in dumb tourists.  Don’t keep your wallets in your pockets; rather, invest in an inexpensive waist wallet, or one that goes around your ankle.  Keep money in a couple of places on your body and always carry small bills wrapped around larger, so if you do have to take out the whole wad, anyone looking only sees the lower currency.

7.     Don’t expect locals to speak English unless that is their native language.  You are in their country, they are not in yours.  Don’t think “I’m going to a touristy place, surely they’ll speak English!”  I made that mistake in Corsica…and didn’t understand one word (my high school French just didn’t cut it).

8.     Be aware of tipping traditions in the country.  In some places, such as Australia, tipping is not the norm.  In others, like Egypt, tipping for everything from toilet paper in public restrooms to a peak at a semi restricted hieroglyph is compulsory and required.  If you are offended, they’ll just try to get more out of you.

9.     Don’t walk around with your nose in a map or guide book.  It is like waiving a red flag with a “dumb tourist” lettering on it.  Know where you are going, and if you are going to look in a guide book, sit down in a busy area and do it discreetly.

10.  Always be aware of the water situation.  In many countries, even if their water is safe, it isn’t safe for you because you won’t be used to the fluoride content.  Always also be sure when buying bottled water that the seal is unbroken.  Water can also be a factor when eating local foods, since it is prepared with that same water.

11.  If you are carrying your passport, always put it in something strapped to your body.  Keep a photo copy of your passport in a separate and accessible place.

12.  Learn to bargain.  Many countries have a culture that is immersed in bargaining…it is a requirement, or you will get ripped off.  Personally I don’t enjoy bargaining, but when in a country that marks up items over 200% to start with, I learned to do it, and you should too.

13.  Get a guide book or a good travel agent and know these things before you go.  Do not perpetuate the view of Americans that we are spoiled and unconcerned…give a country respect and they should give it back.  Take France, for example.  Most Americans believe French people dislike us.  However, I found that in the French Riviera (Nice, Monaco/Monte Carlo, Eze, Saint Paul, Cannes) when given proper awe and respect for their culture and history, the French can be amazingly polite!

14.  When in local market places, walking along touristy areas (such as Nassau, Bahamas, for example) you may be overwhelmed with locals trying to sell you things.  They try to sell products, hair braiding, horse and buggy rides, taxi rides, personal guides, and more.  If you are not interested, just be polite and say “no thank you.”  It is especially effective when said in local language…like “La Shakran” in Arabic speaking countries.  Many locals feed their families from tourist business, so be kind.  It may be annoying at times, but again, you are in their country.

15.  Just be polite in general.  I have seen so many situations where tourists are offended, mad, demanding or rude to locals, and it really disappoints me.  They should not be expected to act like us just because we deign to visit their country.   Sugar goes a lot farther than lemon!
My number one tip:  ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!  While visiting exotic places and ports, you may just be lost in the moment and in awe of the place…or you may be partaking in local alcoholic beverages.  Whatever the reason for distraction, that is an open invitation for the unscrupulous, so please, just know where you are and be aware.

Kids sail FREE with DIsney Cruise Line!!

Great news! This winter kids 17 and under sail FREE* from Galveston
when traveling with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom.

Available on most 4-, 6- and 8-night sailings from January 12 to April 26, 2013 in stateroom categories 4A – 11B only.
Government Taxes and Fees not included.

With the new 8-night Bahamian itinerary sailing from Galveston, you can visit the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney’s own private island paradise, Castaway Cay. Included in the cruise fare on this itinerary is a 1-Day Magic Your Way® Ticket with
Park Hopper® Option for each Guest and complimentary round-trip transportation between the ship and the Resort. Also available
are exciting 4- and 6-night Western Caribbean cruises with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. On every

Disney cruise, attention to detail, family entertainment and world-class hospitality combine to create an unforgettable vacation that everyone will enjoy.

Contact us today for a KIDS SAIL FREE!