Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Yacht Club Resort®

Disney's Yacht Club Resort_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on November 5, 1990 and was designed by noted architect A.M. Stern.  It opened just 14 days prior to its’ sister resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort_®.   It was designed to cater more to business clientele rather than families, providing more upscale lodgings and a Convention Center with over 73,000 square feet of space, including 2 large ballrooms and 21 breakout rooms.  Amenities are shared with its’ sister resort.

The resort is themed to invoke a New England nautical feel, with the concept that guests might even feel as if they are onboard a ship, rather than on land.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort_® features 630 guest rooms.  All rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests plus 1 child under 3 in a crib; featuring either 2 queen-size beds plus a day bed, or two double-size beds plus a day bed, or a king-size bed plus a day bed.

The resort includes 1 feature pool: Stormalong Bay which is one of the largest sand-bottom pools in the United States and 1 quiet pool;  a children’s pool and water play area; white sand beach for sunbathing;  marina for watercraft rentals; fishing; tennis; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings. The Sandcastle Club provides supervised activities for children during the evenings on a fee basis.

The resort features 2 table service restaurants:  Yachtsman Steakhouse, Captain’s Grille. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Beach Club Marketplace; as well as a lounge/bar location: Hurricane Hannah’s. 

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort_® is a deluxe level resort located on the shores of Crescent Lake near the International Gateway entrance to Epcot_®, and just a short walk or boat ride away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios_®. Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Magical Mondays - New Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Resort

The Royal Guest Rooms at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort have officially opened their doors to guests this past  Friday. There are 512 of these new storybook rooms available at the resort, joining the 384 pirate-themed rooms at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, with prices starting at $189 per night.  

Like other parks and resorts at Walt Disney World there is a "back-story" that has been created for these new storybook rooms, which says that the Disney princesses have visited Princess Tiana at the resort and left special gifts behind for Tiana and Naveen.  Gifts such as the Genie's (from Aladdin) magic lamp-inspired bathroom hardware and a Magic Carpet-inspired design in the floor coverings, to artwork of the Disney princesses and their princes visiting the resort. Inside the rooms you'll also find special headboards which include inlaid fiber optic fireworks, similar to those currently available at the Disneyland Hotel at the Disneyland Resort in California.  Click on the link below for a preview of what the rooms look like. 

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Polynesian Resort

Disney's Polynesian Resort_® opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on October 1, 1971 – it is one of the two original resort hotels on the property.  When it first opened the resort featured 492 guest rooms. Since that opening more than 40 years ago, the resort has been expanded twice – once in 1978, and then again in 1985.

The resort is themed to invoke the tropical feel of the South Seas, guests at this resort immerse themselves in languid tranquility amidst the splendors of Polynesia, complete with koi ponds, lagoons, and a white sand beach for sunbathing.  The Great Ceremonial House is the primary structure around which all else is situated, designed to represent a Tahitian Royal Assembly lodge, and is the home to all guest services, shops and dining. Around it in separate lodges or “longhouses” are all of the guest rooms.

Disney's Polynesian Resort_® features 847 guest rooms, and features some of the largest standard guest rooms on the property.  All rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests plus a child under 3 in a crib, featuring 2 queen-size beds plus a day bed, or a king-size bed plus a day bed.

The resort includes 1 feature pool: Nanea Volcano Pool with a volcano-themed water slide and 1 quiet pool;  a children’s water play area; poolside cabana rentals; white sand beach for sunbathing;  marina for watercraft rentals; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings. The Neverland Club provides supervised activities for children during the evenings on a fee basis.

The resort features 3 table service restaurants:  Kona Café, ‘Ohana and Kona Island – and ‘Ohana features a breakfast Character Dining experience daily. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Capt. Cook’s; as well as 2 lounge/bar locations: Tambu Lounge and Barefoot Pool Bar.  Additionally one of the very popular Dinner Shows at Walt Disney World_® Resort can found at the resort – Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is presented most nights at the Luau Cove, on the western edge of the resort, and features enchanting music, costumes and authentic dances along with the all-you-care-to-enjoy family -style feast. 

Disney’s Polynesian Resort_® is a deluxe level resort located on the shores of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon, across the water from Magic Kingdom_® Park, just a short monorail or boat ride away. The Transportation & Ticket Center is located just next door to the resort, where guests can easily transfer to the Epcot_® Monorail line as well.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's All-Star Music Resort

Disney's All-Star Music Resort® first opened at Walt Disney World® Resort on November 22, 1994.  It was the second of several similarly designed resorts that make up Disney’s Value Resort category.  As the name implies, it has a musical theme, with gigantic icons from classic musical genres.

The resort is comprised of 5 sections, representing Rock & Roll, Jazz, Calypso, Broadway theatre, and Country.  Each section is decorated and themed with its’ own oversized icons – such as a drumkit, super-sized maracas, gigantic boots and top hats and many more.  The resort is designed with exterior doors and staircases (which are also themed with coverings such as giant bongo drums, or super-sized amps).

Disney's All-Star Music Resort® features a total of 1,604 guest rooms, including 260 Family Suites.  The majority of the rooms accommodate up to 4 guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib; whereas the Family Suites accomodate up to 6 guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib.  All of the regular rooms have either 2 double beds or 1 king-sized bed, while the Family Suites have 2 double beds plus a sleeper sofa in the living room area plus a small kitchenette.

The resort includes a themed pool, a quick-service food court:  Intermission Food Court; and lounges, poolside snack bar, Singing Spirits Pool Bar and in-room pizza delivery service.

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort® is a value level resort located in the southern portion of Walt Disney World, in the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park® area.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of the Walt Disney World® Resort.  

It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Cruise Anymore!

Cruising has come a long way since the “Love Boat” days. The regimented schedule a passenger followed left much to be desired. In today’s cruising, the choices are endless!

The Evolution of Dining

In the past, passengers had two choices to dine – early seating at around 6:00 pm or late seating at about 8:00 pm. And if you didn’t book early enough, most likely you could not get the choice you wanted. Can you imagine going on vacation and being told when to eat? Well, not on today’s cruise ships! Sure, if you want traditional dining it is available, but today there are a multitude of options to choose from. Most cruise ships even have specialty restaurants with a nominal cover charge averaging $20 per person; this dining experience equates to any five-star, land-based restaurant that costs hundreds of dollars to dine at per couple. Then there’s Lido dining – more like a smorgasbord for anytime casual or buffet dining. Royal Caribbean ships even have hangouts like Johnny Rockets – the famous hamburger joint. Norwegian Cruise Line touts “Freestyle Dining” where you have upwards of 17 different restaurants to choose from, and you can dine anytime and with whomever you want. Dining on today’s cruise ships is a phenomenal experience.

Top-Notch Entertainment

On the cruises of yesteryear, you could take in an early show or a late show, depending on your dining time. Year after year, the variety show lived on. Now fast forward to today – Royal Caribbean has shows like the Broadway hit “Hairspray”, and they built an AquaTheater on their newer ships where a full aquatic show is performed with high divers and synchronized swimmers. Comedy and jazz clubs are also in full swing such as Fat Cats on NCL’s Epic. Love Karaoke? There’s always a lounge onboard where you can sing to your heart’s content each night. NCL’s Epic also features the famous “Blue Man Group”, a Cirque dinner show, and “Legends in Concert”. Want to bowl or play a supersized Wii? Just jump on an NCL ship and the family is sure to have fun.

Days at Sea are Never Boring

During days at sea, gone are the beer drinking and men’s hairy chest contests! They have been replaced on Royal Caribbean ships with FlowRider, a surfing simulator, or hang loose during your ride on the zip line. Want to play putt-putt golf, basketball, ping pong, or climb a rock wall – it’s all happening onboard. Celebrity Cruises has glass blowing at sea: watch a Corning Museum of Glass gaffer present a live demonstration on glass blowing, or play a game of bocce on their beautifully manicured lawn on the top deck. Carnival’s fun is by the pool at Waterworks; take a plunge down their 104-foot-long slide. It’s a real rush!

Wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, lectures, computer classes, spa treatments, and state-of-the-art workout facilities can also keep you busy during your days at sea. Or grab a book from the library and enjoy sitting by the pool, relaxing while the ship takes you to your next exciting port of call.

Accommodations

Interior and ocean view cabins were the typical choices in years past, and if you were one of the lucky few to enjoy a balcony, you paid a huge premium. Most new ships now offer primarily balcony cabins – and even some inside staterooms now have views overlooking promenades with natural lighting. And the cruise lines continue to be innovative. Now on the new Royal Caribbean ships, Loft cabins are available, featuring two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows, two bathrooms, a living room, and a second-floor master bedroom. Private villa guests aboard NCL’s Epic have exclusive access to their own pool, lounges, and restaurant; it’s a ship within a ship.

If you haven’t cruised in a while or just thought cruising was for old people, think again! For more information and to reserve your next cruise vacation, contact me at 317.776.1733 or simply visit my website.

Sunday Spotlight - The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on November 15, 2000.  This Disney Vacation Club_® (DVC) resort was first announced in 1998 as an expansion to the existing Disney’s Wilderness Lodge_® resort hotel.  The adjacent building was designed to be reminiscent of the antecedent lodgings built by workers on the transcontinental railroads during the mid-to late-19^th century.  The Carolwood Pacific Room adjacent to the Villas’ lobby area contains a number of railroad themed memorabilia celebrating that heritage, as well as the known passion for railroading that Walt Disney himself had.  Two cars from the Carolwood Pacfic Railroad, from Walt Disney’s Holmby Hills backyard, can be found inside the room. 

The Villas portion of the resort features 181 DVC villas comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom Villas:

• Deluxe Studios are 356 square feet and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, two queen-size beds and a private porch or balcony.
• 1-Bedrooms are 727 square feet, and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib. They include a fully equipped kitchen, washer & dryer, king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size sleeper sofa plus a sleeper chair in the living room, whirlpool tub in the bathroom, and a private porch or balcony. 
• 2-Bedrooms are 1,080 square feet, and can accommodate up to 8 guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib. They offer all that a 1-Bedroom has plus a second bedroom with 2 queen-size beds and a second full bathroom.

This DVC resort shares amenities with Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and therefore on-site there are 2 table service restaurants:  Whispering Canyon Café and Artist Point; and includes one quick-service restaurant: Roaring Fork; as well as 2 lounge/bar locations: Territory Lounge and Trout Pass. 


Outside be sure to look for the bubbling spring flowing from the lobby, and tumbling over a sparkling waterfall towards the swimming pool, and continuing on into Bay Lake.  Nearby you’ll find Fire Rock Geyser, designed with Yellowstone National Park’s “Old Faithful” in mind, sending plumes of water up to 120 feet in the air every hour. 

Recreation at the resort includes: two swimming pools, whirlpools, children's pool, a themed water slide, playground, Sturdy Branches Health Club, a beach for sunbathing, fishing, marina watercraft rentals, bicycle and surrey bike rentals, arcade and recreational activities for all ages including Disney movies after dark.

As a DVC timeshare property, the villas are owned by members through DVC’s points-based system.  DVC maintains about 3-4% ownership of the total point allocation for each of their timeshare resorts, therefore rooms are available for rent year-round to non-members.  The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge_® is a Deluxe Villas level resort located in the Magic Kingdom area.  Convenient boat transportation will take guests directly to Magic Kingdom Park_®, as well as bus transportation to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on October 1, 1988.  It was the first of a new category of moderately priced hotels on the property, and at the time of its’ construction, one of the largest hotels in Florida.  The new grade of hotel was designed to cater to guests seeking Disney-style themed accommodations, without luxury amenities and prices.

The resort itself is themed to tropical islands of the Caribbean, with building styles echoing that of Barbados, Martinique, Aruba, Jamaica, and Trinidad North & South. The buildings themselves use cool pastels, white wood railings and vividly colored corrugated metal roofs to impart the theme.  The various island neighborhoods of the resort stretch around the central 45-acre lake, with a mile-and-a-half long promenade for pedestrian, bicyclists and joggers.

Caribbean Beach features a total of 2,112 guest rooms, all accommodating up to four guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib.  All of the rooms have two double beds, or one king-sized bed.  A number of the rooms were recently converted into “Pirate Rooms”, which included added adventures.  These specially themed rooms feature  pirate-ship beds, buccaneer accessories, and swashbuckling décor from stem to stern. 

The resort includes 1 themed feature pool:   Fuentes del Morro Fort, a swashbuckling-themed Spanish fortress with two waterslides and whirlpools, as well as 6 quiet pools conveniently located throughout the resort.  Other recreation includes a children’s water play area;  playgrounds; walking/jogging trail, catch & release fishing; a marina for watercraft rentals; bicycles & surrey bike rentals; video game arcade; and assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings.

The resort features 1 table service restaurant:  Shutters at Old Port Royale; and includes 1 quick-service restaurant:  Old Port Royale Food Court; as well as lounges & poolside snack bars.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort_® is a moderate level resort located in the Epcot_® area, and convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of the Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Tips on Thursday - It's All About Location

Location, location, location.  It's important in business, real estate and yes, even on cruise ships.  How can you make sure that you pick the best location in your chosen stateroom category?  A good answer for this question is to view the ship’s deck plans in the cruise line brochure or on the web.  While the plans are often not exactly to scale and cabin size is not always in proportion to the drawings there are a few things that are very helpful.  First, locate your cabin on the plan and then look up, down, left, right, and forward of your cabin.  What’s there?   And knowing what to look for can help you avoid a less-than-ideal stateroom.

Ok, so here’s the short list:

• Look for elevators and staircase exits near your stateroom. (Some people love to be close to everything so this might be a positive feature but with activity comes noise)
• Look up.  Oops!  A basketball court, jogging track or day pantry might result in the wakeup call you did not ask for.
• Look Down.  Is the bandstand for one of the show lounges right below your room?  Even with good sound proofing there is a chance for ambient noise.
• Look across the hall.  Is there a room service pantry shown or other service area.  A potentially busy area to avoid.
• Look Right and Left.  If you are at the end of a hallway, make sure that the disco or other high energy lounge is not adjacent.  Avoid hallways that lead to these lounges unless you are a night owl.  Late night revelers sometimes carryon with the partying outside your door.

The good news is that modern cruise ships have been designed with passenger comfort in mind and the architects strive to develop a deck plan that confines public rooms and lounges to areas far from the staterooms.  A little advance review of the deck plans and the advice of a good cruise specialist can help deliver an extra measure of peace and quiet in your stateroom.

Sunday Spotlight - Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel_® first opened to guests in September 1955, located directly across the street from Disneyland.  All of the Disney company’s resources were needed to complete Walt Disney’s brand new theme park’s construction, and operating a hotel was not something that the folks at Disney knew how to do, so earlier in 1955 Walt Disney and his good friend Jack Wrather came to an agreement.  Jack would build and operate a hotel and have exclusive use of the Disneyland name on that hotel, thus the Disneyland Hotel was born. 

Initially the hotel offered tram service for the guests to cross what was then known as West Street (now Disneyland Drive).  The Monorail, added to the park in 1959, started picking up guests in 1961 when it was extended out through Disneyland’s parking lot and, for the first time ever to cross a public street, extended to a station located at the Disneyland Hotel. 

The hotel continued to grow and expand, and by the mid 1960’s was comprised of three towers (each named for Jack Wrather’s daughters), plus assorted bungalows and outbuildings.  The Sierra Tower was, in 1961, the tallest building in all of Orange County.  The hotel was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 1988, and thus the first Disney hotel, finally, truly became a “Disney” hotel and today is operated under the Parks & Resorts Division of the company.  After the hotel was acquired, it was refurbished and rethemed with more “Disney” touches added throughout.  A complete pool complex rebuild was completed in the mid-1990’s adding a Peter Pan theme.

In the very  late 1990’s, based on the vast success found in Florida with the vacation destination approach that was created with the birth of Walt Disney World, The Walt Disney Company decided it was time to expand Disneyland further into a vacation destination as well.  Additional real estate surround the park and hotel had been purchased during the decade, with a second theme park due to open in 2001. So as Disneyland was undergoing construction and expansion, the Downtown Disney District was also added.  This shopping and nighttime entertainment district connects the theme park with the hotel by way of a walking bridge over Disneyland Drive (which was lowered to accommodate this new area).  Today the Monorail Station is no longer directly located at the Disneyland Hotel, but rather near the hotel, as Downtown Disney’s addition meant the removal of the much beloved bungalows that once provided “villa-like” accommodations at the hotel.  They bungalows were removed, and today the ESPN Zone, Rainforest Café & AMC Theatres stand in place of what once were the bungalows and the former Olympic sized pool.

In 2010 a massive project was undertaken to refurbish and completely modernize the Disneyland Hotel.  Each tower was gutted, rebuilt, and completely re-themed, paying homage to the theme park that started it all just a short walk away.  The towers today are the FANTASY, ADVENTURE and FRONTIER, celebrating original lands from the park, and use wall coverings, light fixtures, artwork, concept art and themed furnishings throughout to demonstrate the theming.  The pool complex was once again re-built, and the Monorail Pool & Slides, the D-Ticket and E-Ticket pools all help celebrate the other original land at Disneyland, the land of TOMORROW.

The resort features several unique places to wine and dine.  These include: 

•  Goofy’s Kitchen, which features brunch and dinner with the Disney Characters.
• Steakhouse 55 offers fine dining, including steaks, chops, seafood and a large wine list.
• Tangaroa Terrace, which celebrates Adventureland, features casual island dining. This quick service location is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
• Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, is a delightful hideway that must be seen and enjoyed! Tropical cocktails, juices and an ambrosial bar menu – plus – interactive fun depending on what you order!
• The Coffee House – quick, casual coffees, beverages and snacks 

There are 975 hotel rooms, including 65 suites.  Standard rooms will accommodate up to 5 guests, and the suites can accommodate larger groups, and each room features the "nighttime fireworks" headboard, which plays "When You Wish Upon A Star" and lights up at the flip of a switch.  The resort towers surround the pool complex, and the Adventure Tower provides rooms that have a theme park view, which will allow for fireworks viewing.

The hotel features a Convention Center, as well as Fitness Center, Outdoor Fireplace and two gift shops.  As a hotel guest of the Disneyland Resort, parents can utilize child care services offered in Pinocchio’s Workshop, across the way at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, when looking for an afternoon or evening of dining or entertainment that is child-free.  In addition to the pools, the hotel features two hot tubs, and private, poolside cabanas available for rent.  Valet & self-parking is available for a daily fee. 

Of the 3 hotels at the Disneyland® Resort, the Disneyland Hotel_® is mid-range in price, but with the completion of the 2010-2012 renovation, provides some of the largest rooms on a square footage basis, of all 3 of the on-site hotels.  

Aulani - Images

Aloha!  I spent some time wandering the resort yesterday before heading off to explore the island.  I'll write about the excursions themselves soon.  For now, here are a few images from around the resort.


In Waikolohe Valley, this volcanic uprising is home to two waterslides.  One a regular, "sit down" kind, and the other an inner tube kind.
  

Like any other Disney resort, Mickey can be found in various places throughout the resort.  Though he is not the dominant presence at Aulani, he is definitely all over in different ways.

Throughout the resort, the distintive Aulani logo can be found.  Here is is part of a carpet in the lobby.

The Lobby level is actually the 3rd floor of the resort.  This staircase takes guests down to the 1st floor and Makahiki, which is one of three restaurants located on-site.  Makahiki is a buffet-style restaurant located right at the bottom of these stairs, and currently features  a character breakfast Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays.  It includes a nice patio seating area at the beginning of Waikolohe Valley. Just to the left of Makahiki's entrance is The O'lelo Room, which is a very attractively designed bar, filled with ways to learn Hawaiian.  I'll be sure to post pictures of it later.

 

Other mischieveous sorts can be found scattered around the resort!

This view is looking from the check-in desk at 'Ama'Ama, another table service restaurant at the resort.  It is beach-side, and the view from the dining room is fantastic.  Like other indoor public spaces in the resort, 'Ama'Ama features movable glass walls that can be opened or closed as weather dictates. 

Here we see the access point to the beach.  Disney does not have exclusive use of the lagoon's beach, it is shared with the neighboring JW Marriott Ko Olina on the north, and an as-yet-to-be-determined neighbor to the south.  Like is found at Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida, your room key will secure access back in to the resort when finished using the beach facilities.  Lounge chairs abound on the white sandy beach. 

There are 5 different hot tubs on the grounds, at least that's what I've seen so far, if there's another one, I'll find it soon enough.  This is my favorite though.  It is down very close to the beach access, and has two levels to it.  Both have an "infinity edge", whereby it appears that the water creates a horizon and just disappears.  These two are some of the largest hot tubs of any within the Disney Resort family.

Just another day out on the beach.  Here I was standing down near the beach.

Here we see part of the Menehune Bridge water play area. It is very much like Uwanja Camp at Kidani Village, there at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Florida - lots of fun, lots of interactivity... and a few surprises thrown in here and there. Currently, it is open from 8am-6pm, though I'm guessing in the summer it might stay open longer?  I'm not sure.  

A nice feature for all first floor rooms is that they are numbered on the outside, as well as the inside.  Plus they have direct access from the lanai to the Waikolohe Valley via stepping stone paths.

A stylized hidden Mickey in the hallway carpeting. 

Well that's it for now.  I have hundreds of pictures to go through and I will be writing up a report of this visit, including impressions, thoughts, tips and other information. It's coming - really it is.  But for now I must run and get ready to head out for breakfast, and then an excursion to the Kualoa Ranch today for some horseback riding & swimming on a private beach.  Kualoa Ranch was used to film Jurassic Park, LOST and other things.  It is one of the numerous excursions available through the Holoholo Desk at the resort.  


So for now, I'll say a hui hou - til we meet again. 

Tips on Thursday - Five Great Reasons to Set Sail - OR - Cruising: The Best Value in Vacations

Cruising really is just about the best value in vacation travel today.  Not sure you agree?  Here are five great reasons to set sail on your own cruise adventure

1. Unpack once and your floating hotel goes from port to port. The best part is you can tour all day, and while you are sleeping, the ship is taking you to your next destination. Wake up to a new experience every day!
2. Traveling with the family? From tots to teens to grandparents, there is something for everyone. Each family member can enjoy something different during the day, and all meet up in the evening for a family dinner.
3. Not all ships are created equal and come in all shapes and sizes. Some specialize in family fun with water slides and amazing children’s programs while others cater to a more sophisticated traveler with an upscale ambiance.
4. Think you will be bored? Think again! Pamper yourself in a world class spa, shop in the duty-free boutiques, or try your luck in the casino. If you’re the active type, the sports activities and work-out areas are state of the art. Hang out at the pool, join in a wine tasting with a sommelier, enjoy dance lessons, take a computer class, sing karaoke, or you can even learn a new language. The possibilities are endless!
5. It’s practically all inclusive! Your upfront cruise fare includes:

a.       All your meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snacks and even room service

b.      Fabulous entertainment – Nightly shows, comedy, jazz, nightclubs, parades and more

c.       Onboard fun – such as surfing, rock-climbing, bocce ball, and movies under the stars

d.      Accommodations – enjoy breakfast or room service out on your balcony, while enjoying the best ocean views around 

To learn more about cruising, to search itineraries, or request your free vacation quote, click on the logo link above to visit my websites.  With ships sailing to all corners of the globe - there definitely is an itinerary for you!  Your ship awaits!

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on April 29, 1994.  It was the first of several similarly designed resorts that make up Disney’s Value Resort category.  As the name implies, it has a sports theme, with gigantic icons from the sporting world – from football to surfing. 

The resort is comprised of 5 sections, representing football, baseball, basketball, tennis & surfing. Each section is decorated and themed with its’ own oversized icons – such as a giant baseball scoreboards, oversized lifeguard stations; giant tennis rackets and so many more.  The resort is designed with exterior doors and staircases (which are also themed with coverings such as giant tennis ball cans or supersized footballs).

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort features a total of 1,920 guest rooms, each accommodating up to 4 guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib. All rooms have either 2 double beds or 1 king-sized bed. The resort includes a themed pool, a quick-service food court:  End Zone Food Court; and lounges, poolside snack bar, Team Spirit Pool Bar and in-room pizza delivery service.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort_® is a value level resort located in the southern portion of Walt Disney World, in the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park_® area.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of the Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort_® & Spa first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on May 17, 2004.  It was built on the site of the former Disney Institute_® and is one of several Disney Vacation Club_®  (DVC) timeshare properties at Walt Disney World.  The resort is themed to celebrate the legacy of a gentler era and captures the spirit of the 1880’s resort of Saratoga Springs, New York. This lakeside resort is filled with Victorian architecture, meticulous landscaping, and the horse-racing culture of the upstate New York community.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa includes 60 Treehouse Villas, but I’ll feature those separately at another time.  The original resort has a total of 1,260 villas, comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. 

• Deluxe Studios are 365 square feet and can accommodate up to four guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, two queen-size beds, and a private porch or balcony.
• 1-Bedrooms are 714 square feet and can accommodate up to five guests, plus one child under age 3 in a crib. They include a fully equipped kitchen, washer & dryer, king-size bed in the master bedroom, a queen-size sleeper sofa plus a sleeper chair in the living room, a whirlpool tub in the bathroom, and a private porch or balcony. 
• 2-Bedrooms are 1,075 square feet and can accommodate up to nine guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib. They offer all that a 1-Bedroom has plus a second bedroom with 2 queen-size beds and a second full bathroom.
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villas are 2,113 square feet and can accommodate up to 12 guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib. They offer all of the amenities of the 2-Bedroom, plus they include a third bedroom with 2 queen-size beds, a third full bathroom, a full dining room, an additional private balcony, and are two-story rooms.

As a DVC timeshare property, the villas are owned by members through DVC’s points-based system.  DVC maintains about 3-4% ownership of the total point allocation for each of their timeshare resorts, therefore rooms are available for rent year-round to non-members. 

The resort includes 2 feature pools and 4 leisure or “quiet” pools, a children’s pool, whirlpools, sauna, fitness center, Community Hall family recreation room, tennis courts, extensive jogging trails, arcade, and recreational activities including Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.  It also features 1 table service restaurant:  The Turf Club Bar and Grill serving lunch and dinner;  2 quick-service counter locations: The Artist’s Palette, and the High Rock Grill. 

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort_® & Spa is a Deluxe Villas level resort located across the water from the Downtown Disney_® area.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort, and water taxis transport guests to and from Downtown Disney.  The resort is also a short walk from Downtown Disney, and there are two different walking paths to it – one to the Marketplace area, and one to the West Side area. 

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

November 22, 1974 - Walt Disney World


The Lake Buena Vista Golf Club, located near the Walt Disney World Village Marketplace (later to be known as Downtown Disney Marketplace) opens.  The course is later recognized by Golf Digest as a 4-star rated course. 




November 22, 1989 - Walt Disney World


The Walt Disney World Swan hotel opens near Epcot, and a short distance away from Disney Hollywood Studios.  The hotel, owned by the Tishman Hotel Corporation and operated by Westin, was designed by noted architect Michael Graves.  It was built specifically to provide additional convention and meeting space on Walt Disney World property. Unlike the 7 "Official Walt Disney World Hotels" (that are also separately owned and operated but located on Walt Disney World property, found along Hotel Plaza Boulevard near Downtown Disney), this non-Disney hotel, along with the nearby Walt Disney World Dolphin features on-property perks such as the use of Walt Disney World transportation, Extra Magic Hours and package delivery. 

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Wilderness Lodge Villas

November 15, 1965 - Orlando

Walt & Roy Disney, along with Governor Haydon Burns, speak at 2 pm to the press inside Orlando's Cherry Plaza Hotel, officially announcing the Disney World project (formerly known as "Project X" back in Burbank). Up until that point, Disney operatives have secretly acquired 27,443 acres (or roughly 43 square miles) for about $5 million, or $180.acre - shortly following the announcement land prices rise to around $80,000/acre!




November 15, 2002 - Walt Disney World

The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge officially opens, adding a Disney Vacation Club component to the existing Deluxe hotel along the shores of Bay Lake, near the Magic Kingdom. The addition includes 181 villas, a quiet pool and fitness center. The villas are comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1 Bedroom and 2 Bedroom units.