Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on May 1, 2009 as a Disney Vacation Club® (DVC) addition to the original resort.  The resort is known alternately as Kidani Village, and both complements and pays homage to the original resort now known alternately Jambo House.  While not physically connected, both Kidani Village and Jambo House are connected and face each other through the shared Sunset Savannah which lies between the two structures.

Like other DVC resorts located at or next to their Disney Deluxe level counterpart, the resort shares amenities with Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge®.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas_® features 493 villas comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas.

• Deluxe Studios are 316 square feet and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus 1 child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, 2 queen-size beds and a private porch or balcony.
• 1-Bedrooms are 710 square feet, and can accommodate up to 5 guests, plus 1 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 master bathroom, a 2^nd full bathroom, and a private porch or balcony.
• 2-Bedrooms are 1,173 square feet, and can accommodate up to 9 guests, plus 1 child under 3 in a crib. They offer all that a 1-Bedroom has plus a 2^nd bedroom with 2 queen-size beds and a 3^rd full bathroom.
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villas are 2,201 square feet, and can accommodate up to 12 guests, plus 1 child under 3 in a crib. They offer all of the amenities of the 2-Bedroom, plus they include a 3^rd  bedroom with 2 queen-size beds, a 4^th full bathroom, a full dining room, additional private balcony and are 2-story rooms.

The resort includes 1 feature pool:  Uwanga Camp with waterslide, and  a water play area: Samawati Springs; it also includes access to Jambo House’s feature pool:  Uzima Springs with waterslide;  fitness center;  basketball court; tennis;  shuffleboard; charcoal grilles;  a Community Hall family recreation room; an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies after dark.  Simba’s Cubhouse provides supervised activities for children during the evenings on a fee basis.

The resort features 2 table service restaurants:  Jiko and Boma: Flavors of Africa.  It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: The Mara; as well as a lounge/bar location: Cape Town Lounge and Victoria Falls Lounge. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas_® is a deluxe villas level resort located just to the west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom_® Park.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort. 


For more information and to reserve your next vacation, contact me at 855.776.1733 or via my websites:  www.neverlandadventurestravel.com or www.neverlandadventurescruises.com.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter, like my page on Facebook, and circle me on Google+.

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - It's a Girl, Disneyland!

July 4, 1979 - Disneyland

The first baby is born at Disneyland, in Anaheim, CA. Teresa Salcedo is a bouncing, 6 lb, 10 oz, baby girl is born to parents Rosa and Elias Salcedo.  On a bench behind the Plaza Inn restaurant at the central hub, Rosa goes into labor and soon thereafter welcomes little Teresa. Later Mickey Mouse honors the Los Angeles area family with an embossed, commemorative certificate - "Disneyland Birth Certificate No.1."

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort® first opened at Walt Disney World® Resort on January 15, 1999.  It was the third of several similarly designed resorts that make up Disney’s Value Resort category.  As the name implies, it has a cinematic theme, with gigantic icons from classic moments in Disney's motion picture library – from Fantasia to the Disney/Pixar Toy Story films. 

The resort is comprised of 5 sections, representing Fantasia,101 Dalmatians, The Love Bug, The Mighty Ducks and Toy Story.  Each section is decorated and themed with its’ own oversized icons – such as a giant Buzz Lightyear, characters from Fantasia & Fantasia 2000, super-sized Herbie the Love Bug and many more.  The resort is designed with exterior doors and staircases (which are also themed with coverings such as giant buckets of army men or super-sized books).

Disney's All-Star Movies 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:  World Premiere Food Court; and lounges, poolside snack bar, Silver Screen Spirits Bar and in-room pizza delivery service.

Disney’s All-Star Movies 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.  


For more information and to reserve your next vacation, contact me at 855.776.1733 or via my websites:  www.neverlandadventurestravel.com or www.neverlandadventurescruises.com.  Be sure to follow me on Twitter, like my page on Facebook, and circle me on Google+.

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Contemporary Resort

Disney's Contemporary Resort_® opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on October 1, 1971 – it is one of the two original resort hotels on the property.  It’s A-frame stylings make it one of the most recognizable structures in all of Walt Disney World_® Resort, and was the first hotel ever to have a sleek, futuristic monorail gliding through its’ central atrium.

The resort features a modernistic design, fitting in very well with nearby Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom_® Park.  The central core of the design is a great, atrium – known as the Grand Canyon Concourse - with glass on two ends, and guest rooms on the other sides gently moving inward, closer to the top.

Disney's Contemporary Resort_® features 655 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 – and they all have a large bathroom.

The resort includes 1 feature pool  with waterslide and 1 quiet pool;  a children’s pool and 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 resort features 3 table service restaurants:  California Grill, The Wave and Chef Mickey’s – and Chef Mickey’s features both a breakfast and dinner Character Dining experience daily. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Contempo Cafe; as well as 3 lounge/bar locations: Contempo Grounds, Outer Rim and The Sand Bar. 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort_® is a deluxe level resort located between the shores of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, 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 Boardwalk Villas

Disney's Boardwalk Villas® first opened at Walt Disney World® Resort on July 1, 1996, opening the same days as its’ sister resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn® – which together make up the more commonly called Disney’s Boardwalk Resort®.  The resort is themed after the famed boardwalks of Atlantic City and Ocean City in New Jersey of the 1920’s – 1940’s.  It was the 2nd Disney Vacation Club® (DVC) timeshare resort to open at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Disney's Boardwalk Villas® features 527 villas comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas.

• Deluxe Studios are 412 square feet and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus 1 child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, 2 queen-size beds and a private porch or balcony.
• 1-Bedrooms are 814 square feet, and can accommodate up to 5 guests, plus 1 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 1,226 square feet, and can accommodate up to 9 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 2nd full bathroom.
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villas are 2,113 square feet, and can accommodate up to 12 guests, plus 1 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, additional private balcony and are 2-story rooms.

The resort includes 1 feature pool: Luna Park Pool, with its’ roller coaster inspired waterslide, the “Keister Coaster”; plus 2 quiet pools;  a children’s pool and water play area; fishing; tennis; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings.

The resort features 4 table service restaurants:  Flying Fish Café, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Kouzzina by Cat Cora_® and ESPN Club. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Boardwalk Bakery; as well as Seasshore Sweets, which serves ice cream and other sweets; plus there are poolside /bars and room service.

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas® is located on the shores of Crescent Lake near the International Gateway entrance to Epcot®, across the water from Disney's Yacht Club Resort® and Disney's Beach Club Resort®, 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.

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

Disney's Hilton Head Island_® Resort first opened October 1, 1995.  It is a Disney Vacation Club_® (DVC) timeshare property, and was the second DVC resort to be opened outside of the Walt Disney World_® Resort.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island_® Resort features 123 villas comprised of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. 

• Deluxe Studios are 375 square feet and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus 1 child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, 2 queen-size beds and a private porch or balcony.
• 1Bedrooms are 880 square feet, and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus 1 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 in the living room, whirlpool tub in the master bathroom, and a private porch or balcony. 
• 2-Bedrooms are 1,255 square feet, and can accommodate up to 9 guests, plus 1 child under 3 in a crib. They offer all that a 1-Bedroom has plus a 2^nd bedroom with 2 queen-size .
• 3-Bedroom Beach Cottages are 2,125 square feet, and can accommodate up to 12 guests, plus 1 child under 3 in a crib. They offer all of the amenities of the 2-Bedroom, plus they include a 3^rd  bedroom with 2 queen-size beds, a full dining room, additional private balcony and are 2-story rooms.

The resort includes 1 feature pool with waterslide, and  a water play area;  The Spa at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort; fitness center;  miniature golf; bicycle rentals;  Dolphin & Kayak treks;  wildlife activities;  private access to the beach/seashore;  charcoal grills; an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies after dark.   Though not situated on the coast itself,  resort also provides access to the beach with Disney’s Beach House, just one mile from the resort, which offers a 2^nd pool, additional dining options and private access to the beach and Atlantic Ocean.

The resort features 1 quick-service restaurant at the resort and 1 quick-service restaurant at Disney’s Beach House:  Tide Me Over (resort) and Signals (Beach House).  The Beach House also features a lounge/bar location: Surfman’s Sand Bar (open seasonally). 

Disney’s Hilton Head Island_® Resort is a deluxe villas level resort located on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, moments from the Atlantic Ocean, about 5-6 hours north of the Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Featured Foto Friday - 1900 Park Fare - Character Dining

Inspecting my daughter's "Maid Doll"

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Boardwalk Inn

Disney's Boardwalk Inn_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on July 1, 1996, opening the same days as its’ sister resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas_® – which together make up the more commonly called Disney’s Boardwalk Resort_®.  The resort is themed after the famed boardwalks of Atlantic City and Ocean City in New Jersey of the 1920’s – 1940’s.

Disney's Boardwalk Inn_® features 372 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.  A limited number of rooms offer a semi-private balcony.

The resort includes 1 feature pool: Luna Park Pool, with its’ roller coaster inspired waterslide, the “Keister Coaster”; plus 2 quiet pools;  a children’s pool and water play area; fishing; tennis; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings.

The resort features 4 table service restaurants:  Flying Fish Café, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Kouzzina by Cat Cora_® and ESPN Club. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Boardwalk Bakery; as well as Seasshore Sweets, which serves ice cream and other sweets; plus there are poolside /bars and room service.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn_® 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. 

Saturday Savers - Downtown Disney

It’s time once again to take a look at inexpensive options in or around Walt Disney World to augment your vacation experience.  Things that you might do on your own or with your traveling companions that are FREE or close to being free. Today we'll take a look at what's going on at Downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney includes three distinct sections:  Marketplace, Pleasure Island and the West Side, and is filled throughout with fanciful shops, restaurants, a marina, 24 screen movie theatre, small pay-to-play attractions for the young or young-at-heart such as the small carousel and train ride, or for the more-adventurous at heart the "Characters in Flight" balloon ride.

If you like to shop (or are more like my lovely bride and prefer to window shop), you'll enjoy this festive,  fun, and attractively designed outdoor mall-like area situated along the shores of Lake Buena Vista, across from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.  There a number of FREE entertainment offerings, plus several of the locations give out samples or provide free things to do while there.  If you are staying on property in one of the many Disney-owned hotels and resorts, or even at the other “official” Walt Disney World hotels not owned or operated by Disney (Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, or the 7 Downtown Disney Hotels along Hotel Plaza Blvd, you can use Disney transportation to get to Downtown Disney.  If you are staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort or one of the 7 Downtown Disney hotels, you can even walk from your hotel.  Disney’s Old Key West, Disney’s Port Orleans and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resorts all also offer boat transportation to and from Downtown Disney, which is of course, free to use.  If you stay elsewhere, then you’ll probably need to drive or take a taxi, although there is a bus stop for the local Lynx bus service, route #111, which does make a stop at Downtown Disney on it’s way from Orlando International Airport (with outbound service as well). Parking at Downtown Disney is FREE.

Here are some of the FREE and inexpensive things you can do at Downtown Disney:

The Lego Imagination Center has a FREE 3,000-square-foot play area filled with thousands of LEGO blocks, plus some absolutely amazing and huge Lego sculptures for you to admire! Also, it normally participates in the Monthly Mini Model Build (usually first Tuesday of the month, starting at 5:00 pm), where kids ages 6-14 can build and take home a FREE mini model! Click here to see upcoming events at the store.

The stage along the waterfront, near the World of Disney store is often filled with guest performances of the musical variety, as this stage is one of the primary stages used by the Disney Magic Music Days program – part of the Disney Youth Program.  High school performance groups can often be found on this stage singing or playing their hearts out.  Stop in and enjoy some FREE entertainment for a while.

There are a couple of different playful and fun, interactive fountains at Downtown Disney where children (and playful adults) may enjoy playing and getting wet. This is especially nice on those hot summer days.

While most of the restaurants are pricey to very expensive, it is entirely possible to enjoy a meal for about $10 per person (sandwich, side and drink) at Earl of Sandwich in the Marketplace section, near Once Upon a Toy.  You could also enjoy making a meal of a pretzel dog and drink for about the same amount of money at Wetzel’s Pretzels in the West Side section.  

Visit the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop and they’ll give you a FREE chocolate sample (this is a must-do on our family’s list each visit!).  Or if you prefer an actual ice cream treat, go to the Soda Fountain side and you can get a sundae or shake for about $7 or less (you could spend more – but there’s no need to).    We have also found that Ghiradelli offers a multi-person sundae – the “Family Favorite” (similar to the “Kitchen Sink” at Beaches and Cream over at Disney’s Beach Club) for about $4 less than the Kitchen Sink, with about the same quantity of ice cream.

House of Blues frequently offers free live music at its Front Porch Bar - enjoy for the cost of a drink! (21 and over)

Raglan Road often has free live music in the bar, particularly on weekends - enjoy for the cost of a drink! (21 and over)

Other wandering performers do show up from time to time, though don’t plan on this as there’s no officially published schedule for it.  If you happen to be there when someone or something shows up to entertain – just relax and enjoy it!

Each fall, Downtown Disney hosts the “Festival of the Masters”, which features award-winning artists and entertaining experiences, and it is a highly anticipated annual event for art lovers.  The festival offers FREE fun for the entire family, with hands-on activities, live musical performances, and all of the various beautifully displayed artwork – many of which are one-of-a-kind and limited-edition painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more.  This year’s festival takes place November 9-12, 2012.

Going to a movie isn’t all that inexpensive any more, but the AMC 24 Pleasure Island does provide some alternative fun that doesn’t have to break the bank. 

Every person is different, but there's bound to be something of interest for you at Downtown Disney!

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Beach Club Villas

Disney's Beach Club Villas® first opened at Walt Disney World® Resort on July 1, 2002, becoming the 4th Disney Vacation Club® (DVC) resort at Walt Disney World® Resort, as an expansion to the existing Disney’s Beach Club Resort®.   

Like other DVC resorts located at or next to their Disney Deluxe level counterpart, the resort shares amenities with Disney's Beach Club Resort®.

Disney's Beach Club Villas® features 282 villas, in a combination of Deluxe Studios, 1-Bedroom and 2-Bedroom villas. For more specific information about Disney Deluxe Villas, please see page 19.

• Deluxe Studios are 356 square feet and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus 1 child under age 3 in a crib.  They include a kitchenette, 2 queen-size beds and a private porch or balcony.
• 1-Bedrooms are 726 square feet, and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus 1child 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, whirlpool tub in the bathroom, and a private porch or balcony. 
• 2-Bedrooms are 1,083 square feet, and can accommodate up to 9 guests, plus 1 child under 3 in a crib. They offer all that a 1-Bedroom has plus a 2nd bedroom with 2 queen-size beds and a 2nd full bathroom.

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 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; sand volleyball; 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:  Cape May Café and Beaches & Cream – and Cape May Café features a breakfast Character Dining experience daily. It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Beach Club Marketplace; as well as a lounge/bar location: Hurricane Hannah’s. 

Disney’s Beach Club Villas® is 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.

Wordless Wednesday - Dinner at Disneyland's Plaza Inn

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort® first opened at Walt Disney World® Resort on August 1,1997, near Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park.

The resort has a Southwestern flare in its' theming, with landscaping evoking the great Southwestern U.S. and Mexico.  In designing the resort, the Imagineers were inspired by the explorers who had once searched for the fabled "seven cities of gold".  There is a Mayan-theme found at the feature pool, and spanish-style haciendas and courtyards abound throughout the resort.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort® features a total of 1,921 guest rooms, accommodating up to four guests, plus one child under 3 in a crib.  All of the rooms have two queen beds, or one king-sized bed.  

The resort includes 1 themed feature pool: The Lost City of Cibola Pool, with a jaguar slide, and archaeological-themed Mayan Dig Site play area; plus 3 quiet pools conveniently located throughout the resort.  Other recreation includes a children’s water play area; playgrounds; walking/jogging trail; arcade; and assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings.

The resort features 1 table service restaurant:  Maya Grill; and includes 2 quick-service restaurants: Pepper Market and Cafe Rix; as well as lounges & poolside snack bars.  Convention Center  and conference facilities are available at the resort as well.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort® is a moderate level resort located in the Animal Kingdom® area, and convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of the Walt Disney World® Resort.  

Today in Disney Parks and Resorts History - Norway

May 6, 1988 - Walt Disney World

Norway, the second new World Showcase pavilion at EPCOT Center to be added to the original roster (taking the count up to 11 nations), has a soft opening. The new pavilion includes the Fjording shop, Puffin's Roost shop, Kringla Bakeri og Kafe restaurant, and Restaurant Akershus. The pavilion will not actually officially open until July when the featured attraction, Maelstrom, will officially set sail on July 5th. This innovative attraction features the first time a Disney attraction vehicle switches direction, turning the boat and its' passengers around not once, but twice during it course through its Scandinavian settings. Following the boat ride, passengers are treated to a short, 5 minute film about the Norwegian history, culture and landscape.

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort_® & Spa first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on June 28, 1988 and provides the ultimate in luxurious accommodations at Walt Disney World_® Resort, as the only AAA-Four Diamond resort hotel on-site.

The resort is themed to invoke the golden era of Florida’s coastal destinations of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, taking design inspiration from notable resort destinations such as Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire , Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California, and the Belleview-Biltmore Hotel in Belleview, Florida.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort_® & Spa features 867 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 a king-size bed plus a day bed.

The resort includes 1 feature pool with waterslide and 1 quiet pool;  a children’s pool; white sand beach for sunbathing;  marina for watercraft rentals; fishing; sand volleyball; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies in the evenings. A full service spa offering massages, therapies and other treatments is on-site, available on a reservation and fee basis.

The resort features 5 table service restaurants:  Victoria & Albert’s, Citricos, Narcoossee’s, Grand Floridian Café and 1900 Park Fare – and 1900 Park Fare features a breakfast Character Dining experience daily, and a separately themed dinner Character Dining experience featuring different Disney characters.  It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: Gasparilla Grill & Games; as well as a lounge/bar location: Citrico's Lounge and Mizner's Lounge. 

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort_® & Spa is 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. Additionally, nearby is the Transportation & Ticket Center, where guests can easily transfer to the Epcot_® Monorail line. Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort. 

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge_® first opened at Walt Disney World_® Resort on April 16, 2001, designed by noted architect Peter Dominck, the same architect who designed Disney’s Wilderness Lodge_® and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel_® & Spa at the Disneyland_® Resort.  (In 2009 an expansion by Disney Vacation Club® increased the size of the resort with the addition of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas®.  At that time the original resort became known as Jambo House with the addition being named Kidani Village).

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge  _®Disney   

The resort is designed as an African-style lodge, and includes its’ own wildlife preserve where giraffes, Ankole cattle, gazelles, and other wildlife freely roam within guests view.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge_® features 972 guest rooms.  All rooms can accommodate up to 4 guests plus 1 child under 3 in a crib; featuring either 2 queen-size beds, or 1 queen-size bed plus a set of bunk beds, or a king-size bed plus a day bed.

The resort includes 1 feature pool:  Uzima Springs with waterslide;  plus access to an additional feature pool at Kidani Village:  Uwanja Camp with waterslide, and the water play area: Samawati Springs; fitness center;  an arcade and other assorted recreational activities including Disney movies after dark.  Simba’s Cubhouse provides supervised activities for children during the evenings on a fee basis.

The resort features 3 table service restaurants:  Jiko, Boma: Flavors of Africa and Sanaa.  It also features 1 quick-service restaurant: The Mara; as well as two lounge/bar locations: Cape Town Lounge and Victoria Falls Lounge.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge_® is a deluxe level resort located just to the west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom_® Park.  Convenient bus transportation will take guests to all other parts of Walt Disney World_® Resort.  

Sunday Spotlight - Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel® celebrates Southern California's beach culture.  Like the other hotels of the Disneyland® Resort, it is just a short walk from all of the action of the Downtown Disney® District, and both Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park.  And all resort hotel guests have use of the exclusive, private entrance into Disney California Adventure® Park via Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa. 

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel® offers 481 rooms, including 25 suites.  Standard rooms can accommodate up to 5 guests; suites can accommodate up to 6 guests.

Dining opportunities at the hotel include:  PCH Grill, which features "Surf's Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends" character dining; Surfside Lounge offering cocktails; and Slurpin' USA, quick service snacks.

Recreational opportunities at the hotel include the rooftop pool area with the "California Streamin'" - a roller coaster inspired water slide; whirlpool sap and toddler wading pool; Mickey's Beach Fitness Center and an arcade.  Wifi is available throughout the resort, and the resort provides a number of small ballrooms & meeting space, as well as Business Center services.

Tips on Thursday - Top 10 Reasons to Take a Cruise

Stopher's Top 10 Reasons Why You Ought to Take a Cruise for Your Next Vacation

1. Choose to cruise for VALUE. One price buys your cabin, dining, entertainment and more.
2. Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, en suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the romantic pursuits available.
3. Choose to cruise for CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare that showcases exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery.
4. Choose to cruise for VARIETY. With over 200 distinctive ships, 3000 ports-of-call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do, there is a perfect cruise for you. For even more choice, consider a pre- or post-land tour.
5. Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES. Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.
6. Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY. Don't come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple; your CLIA-affiliated travel agency can handle all of the details. Once you're on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid... talk about hassle-free.
7. Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS. Fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon... and you only have to pack and unpack once!
8. Choose to cruise for FAMILY. Families love cruising. Children's programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some time alone.
9. Choose to cruise for PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.
10. Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION. It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.

Magical Mondays - PhotoPass+, an Enhanced Package to Debut at WDW

A report on TouringPlans.com has been posted that a new, enhanced "PhotoPass+" service will debut at Walt Disney World this Wednesday, April 4^th.  Guests can purchase the new package at any theme park, resort and even at Downtown Disney for $199.95.  This new package will provide guests access to high quality digital photos taken in-park by the 

PhotoPass photographers.  In addition to the photos themselves, guests will receive: 

• PhotoPass+ Card and Lanyard
• Disney Gallery CD with over 400 Stock Photos for their personal use
• Personal DisneyPhotoPass.com Code for their own PhotoPass Photo
• On-ride photos, from locations which currently include:

o   Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

o   Dinosaur

o   Expedition Everest

o   Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

o   Space Mountain

o   Splash Mountain

o   Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

• Select Photo Print Packages at participating dining locations, which include:

o   1900 Park Fare

o   Akershus

o   Cinderella's Royal Table

o   Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

o   'Ohana

o   Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

o   Tusker House

Since this is still a brand new package yet to be rolled out, there are details that remain to be announced – things like how premium dining locations that already provide a photo package with the meal (Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Cinderella’s Royal Table) will mesh with the current pricing structure, among others.   But looking at the prices for a la carte character meal photo packages and on-ride photos, if a guest typically buys several of the existing photo packages during their Walt Disney World vacation, this enhanced PhotoPass package could save a good deal of money. If a guest typically does not buy the photos, this deal might just be enough to get them to make that leap since all in-park photos would be included.  Normally we skip the in-park photos and dining location photos, but depending on how it actually plays out, we will probably give it a look on our next WDW vacation.

Since this has only been on unofficial sites such as Touring Plans.com and MousePlanet.com so far, watch for actual details from official sources at Disney very soon.  

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.  

Tuesday Trivia - Pioneer Hall

Pioneer Hall at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, the home of the ever popular "Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue" was constructed using 1,283 hand-fitted logs, shipped by rail, from Montana.