Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf

As frequent visitors to Walt Disney World, our family seeks out new adventures each time we visit. Fantasia Gardens has always been on our list, but we keep ourselves busy doing other things and just never seem to get there. However, on our most recent trip (late November 2015), we took an afternoon and went for a visit. I wish we’d done it sooner!


We decided to spend the morning at Epcot, then walk out the International Gateway entrance/exit (or as we call it, the “back door”), grab lunch at Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club, and meander over to Fantasia Gardens.

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It’s a lovely walk, and even some drizzle couldn’t dampen our spirits. We were especially excited when a Disney cast member in a golf cart saw us walking near the Yacht Club and offered us a ride! She let us out at the Swan and we continued the short walk from there, past the lagoon between the two hotels. There is a fairly busy street to cross, but there was a crosswalk so that made it easy.

If you’d rather not walk that far, you can take the boat from Epcot’s International Gateway, get off at the Swan/Dolphin, and then just have a short walk.


Fantasia Gardens is one of two miniature golf courses at this location. The course we chose is themed after the film Fantasia, and being a family of musicians, this was the one we wanted to play. The other course, Fantasia Fairways Miniature Golf, is like a real golf course, only in miniature, and looks like it would be a blast for those who take miniature golf very seriously. Sometimes we do, but we were in the mood for some light-hearted fun!

After gaining admission, we started through the course. I was completely geeking out about the musical riddles and hints for each hole.

While we were playing, we were treated to a rehearsal for a large event that was scheduled for that evening. The rehearsal was happening right across the lagoon in the Fantasia Theater. It was fun to watch and listen to, but we didn’t let it distract us from our golf game! You can see the theater behind the satyr in this shot:

My favorite hole was Night on Bald Mountain - you got to go inside the cave!

Here is my husband and Bacchus, who is spilling grapes everywhere! Notice the Mickey tee.

A few other interesting holes:

There are some magical surprises throughout the game, and though I don’t want to give anything away, I will say that the game ends with a splash!

As you can see, it was a close game.

We will definitely come back on our next trip, and next time I’d like to try the Fairways Course, unless we are in a magical, musical mood!

 

 

Some details to help you plan:  Both courses are often crowded, so be prepared for that. We played on a rainy afternoon and there were not many families on this course and we never had to wait for the people in front of us.

 

There are restrooms there, but no food (they did sell snacks), so you should plan to eat before or after your game. Also, Disney does not offer direct bus service to/from Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf, so you either need to walk from the Epcot resort area or find your own transportation. Because we do not rent a car on our Disney vacations, and because it was raining, we decided to forego walking back to Epcot and take an Uber back to our resort. For the four of us to go from Fantasia Gardens to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, it cost us $8.00. We used our free mini-golf coupons that came with our Magic Your Way package (must play before 4:00 p.m. is the only catch), so it was a cheap afternoon. If you are looking for an alternative to the parks, give the courses a try!

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Group Travel: It Might Not Be What You Think!

Have you ever thought about trying group travel?  Or, have you ever thought about running as far from it as you can?  If your idea of group travel is a bus trip to a casino, think again!  Group travel can be an amazing way to see an unfamiliar area – and to try some things you’d never think to do on your own!

Admittedly, I never dreamed that I’d enjoy any sort of travel with a group. I’m fairly introverted, and the idea of spending time with strangers did not appeal.  Then, too, there’s the loss of autonomy that comes with traveling with a group.  It was not at all something that I thought was for me.

Then I took my first group tour.

I was in college, studying abroad in Spain.  It was my first time going to Europe, and I couldn’t wait to see all that Spain had to offer.  Fortunately, the program I studied with had organized a group tour for the first week of the study abroad experience which would take us from Madrid, to Toledo, through Sevilla, Granada, and Cordoba in southern Spain, and back up to Salamanca, where I would be studying.

It was wonderful.  

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Plaza de España, Sevilla, Spain

Since then, I have taken several group tours in Europe, which have all been just as wonderful.  Let me explain what made them so special.

 

The tour company arranged every detail.  Flights were booked through them; travelers were met at the airport by their tour director.  The tour director is responsible for everything that happens while you are on tour – he or she will do everything in his/her power to make sure you have a fantastic experience.  If you’re traveling through a country that does not speak English, the tour director will speak, at minimum, English and the language of the country or countries you are visiting.  This skill is invaluable as you navigate a different country.

 

The price of your tour will include most of what you’ll do while on vacation.  Your flights, hotels, at least two meals, and most activities will all have been paid for before you even pack your suitcase.  There may be extras to pay for, of course, but, like on a cruise, you can do quite a bit without paying additional fees while you’re there.

 

The schedule of the tour on the day of arrival is dependent upon when the travelers’ flights land.  Unless you are traveling with a private group who is all arriving together, you may have to wait for additional flights to land.  This is actually how I prefer to travel – I’ve been lucky enough to be on the first flight in most times, which means I have free time at the hotel while we wait for the rest of the group to arrive.  I take this time to shower and change (overnight flights are no joke!) and to explore the area around the hotel.

 

After everyone has arrived, the official tour can begin!  A typical day on tour begins early – your tour director will fill you in on what time your wakeup call has been set, what time breakfast is served, and what time to be ready to roll.  I like a set my own alarm earlier than the hotel wakeup call – they tend to underestimate the amount of time it will take me to get ready.  Also, not every country subscribes to US standards of punctuality, so your wakeup call could be late or not come at all.  It’s better to be ready early, rather than to hold up the group.

 

Most tours include at least two meals a day, generally breakfast and dinner.  Breakfast is almost always at the hotel, followed by a full day of sight-seeing and activities.  Your tour director will have put together your itinerary, and will make sure that you arrive at each location on time.

 

The activities will, of course, depend on where you are and what sort of tour you’re taking.  You can expect to do “touristy” things – when in Paris, you will certainly visit the Eiffel Tower; when in Barcelona, a visit to Parc Guell is in order.  However, group travel also gives you the opportunity to do things you may not have considered – taking in a Flamenco show in a Gypsy cave in Granada, or watching a demonstration of sword making in Toledo.  The important thing to remember is that these tour companies and tour directors are experts in the areas you’ll be visiting – they can show you things that you would not necessarily find on your own.

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The view of the Alhambra Palace from the entrance Gypsy cave where we saw a Flamenco show.

Schedules are not completely rigid – time is allotted for optional excursions, and tour directors will ask if there is something special you’d like to do while you’re in the area.  For example, a group on my last tour asked to go bike riding through Barcelona.  I joined in – and I am so glad I did.  It was wonderful, and not something I would have thought to do without the input of others.

 

Your days will also include “free time,” when you can choose your own activities, or explore part of the city more.  I often use this time for shopping, too.  Some of the most fun we’ve had has been wandering around the city after dinner, looking for places to have a drink, or ice cream, or spending time exploring a park or a picturesque neighborhood.

 

With many tours, lunch is “on your own” – the tour director will provide restaurant suggestions and a meeting point and time, and you are on your own to find lunch.  I love this feature, as it provides an opportunity to try that little café that looks so adorable, or to have some “comfort food” that you miss from home.  And, I always like to follow the advice of Anthony Bourdain – if the locals are there, the restaurant is going to be good.  No one local will keep going to a bad or unsanitary restaurant.

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My favorite Spanish lunch – bocadillo de tortilla.

Safety is another appealing aspect of group travel.  I’m not necessarily referring to physical safety – though there is safety in numbers!  There is such a sense of security in knowing that your tour director and the guides who join you along the way know exactly where they are going and how long it will take to reach your destination.  You don’t need to worry about taking a wrong turn, getting on the wrong metro, or stumbling into the wrong neighborhood. 

 

Beyond that, they take care of any travel difficulties that arise.  For example, during my last tour, we were scheduled to take a night train from Barcelona to Paris.  That week, the train employees went on strike, so there was no way for us to take a train.  Sonja, our tour director, spent a day working on it, and made arrangements for us to fly out of Barcelona that evening, and to spend an extra night in Paris.  However, the hotel where we were to spend our time in Paris could not accommodate us for an extra night – Sonja got us reservations at a different hotel for the first night, and arranged for our transfer to the second hotel on time.  All this happened behind the scenes – we didn’t have to worry about a thing, and the transition from the old itinerary to the new was seamless.  And, all this happened at no additional cost to the travelers.

Group travel is an excellent way to see a new or unfamiliar place.  Activities are planned that will give you a real feel for where you are, but enough free time is provided that you’ll have a chance to explore on your own.  Especially if you don’t speak the language – or even if you do, but the destination is totally unfamiliar – group travel is often your best option.

Have you been on a group tour?  Or, where you would you like to go on one?  Let me know in the comments!

I invite you to join me on Facebook at Upon A Star Michelle, Twitter @uponastarmichel, and Instagram @uponastarmichelle.

 

California Grill Brunch

If you were watching my page last week, you know that my hubby and I had the opportunity to dine at the California Grill's new brunch this past Sunday.  I was so excited, because it was literally opening day for this experience!  Being among the first to take part was amazing.  

California Grill is located atop the Contemporary Resort, and it offers stunning views of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot (in the distance), and the other Magic Kingdom resort areas.  It's also a very popular location for viewing Wishes Fireworks in the evenings.  

So here is an admission: prior to this weekend, I had never eaten here.  Hard to believe, right? It's always been on the list, but we never followed through for one reason or another.  We love a good brunch, though, so this was the perfect time to make a reservation.  

The hostess was so kind and escorted us right up to the lobby.

We were greeted immediately and ushered to our table.

As you can tell by the chopsticks, the California Grill does offer a lot of sushi.  Of course, there are many other delicious offerings as well. Here's a peek at the menu.

The first course is self-serve. There is a beautiful display of all of the above offerings.  I particularly enjoyed the mini lettuce wedge and the self-serve yogurt station, although all of it was amazing!  There is also bread service served with butter and jam delivered right to the table.

Next came the entree.  We both tried the steak, and it was out of this world!  The seasoning and preparation were perfect.  I also heard rave reviews about the sweet potato pancakes.  I guess this means I'll have to go back to try those!

For those so inclined, there is a complimentary cocktail included; there is also a Bloody Mary Bar available for those who would like to choose their own ingredients -- based on the amount of Bloody Marys I saw on tables, I'd say this station will be very popular!

After all of this amazingness, you may think the experience is almost over - au contraire! There is still a luscious dessert tray!  Of course, dessert is only complete with coffee, and the coffee here was amazing.  It was french-pressed, strong, and not bitter at all.  It was the perfect accompaniment to the beautiful cookies and candies.  Disclaimer: I totally forgot to take a picture before we dug in... so this is a midway through re-arrangement of the cookies/chocolates. :) There is also a yummy toffee bark!

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Of course, you simply must check out the observation decks at some point throughout your stay.

 The entire experience lasted about an hour and a half, so it's definitely a leisurely experience.  Unlike some of the character breakfasts/brunches, this location was quiet and peaceful.  I should also mention that there was a wonderful piano/string bass duo playing throughout our meal, adding to the ambience.  There were some families there, but by and large the population consisted of adults.  This is a great location for honeymooners and couples.  it would also be a great option for a date day - drop the kiddos off at the Polynesian's Kids' Club (there is a charge for this) and then the adults can enjoy a date before heading out for the day.

I would absolutely go back here! Have you ever dined at the California Grill? Comment below!

Disney Springs Area Transformation

On my recent trip to Walt Disney World, my hubby and I spent some time exploring the newly expanded Disney Springs area.  While it isn't completely finished yet, much of the area known as "The Landing" is largely construction free, and the West Side is coming along beautifully.  The Marketplace has some fresh expansion as well.  

So let's begin with the Landing.  We ate lunch at the Boathouse on this particular visit.  The Boathouse is considered signature dining for dinner, so it requires 2 Table Service credits. In this case, we opted to pay out of pocket.  

The Boathouse is beautiful, and as you might imagine, has a nautical theme.  It also features Amphibious Cars, which you can pay to take a ride in!  They are really cool. Oh, and the blackened salmon BLT was amazing! 

But the Boathouse isn't the only new addition.  Right next door, take a trip into the world of Indiana Jones by visiting Jock's Hangar.  I loved all the subtle nods to the classic Indiana Jones movies. Although I didn't get one, they DO offer really cool looking souvenir mugs!

A spot that I have been really excited about is the new Ganachery, which features an onstage kitchen that produces amazing chocolate!  The assortment was to die for, and the taste ... incredible! I tried the Egyptian Sea Salt Dark Chocolate, and it was everything I hoped it would be!

Although I didn't get to head in and try yet (stay tuned, I'm eating there in March!), Morimoto Asia is now open!

Another great addition (that I missed getting a picture of) is the Gelato Shop.  And if you go there, you must try the Riso! It was a surprisingly yummy treat!

Moving on to the West Side, many things have remained the same, but there were two additions/changes that I was really excited about!  Now it boasts a Star Wars Galactic Outpost as well as a Marvel Super Hero Headquarters!

There is still a lot of construction occurring here, but there are more great shops and restaurants to come!

Of course, the Marketplace is still a great place to shop.  The World of Disney Store is newly expanded, and as always, the Lego Store is a fun place!  It also has my favorite shops, Tren-D and the Co-Op.  Inside the Co-Op, there is a great new men's store, Twenty-Eight and Main.  My hubby really enjoyed shopping here!

I am excited to see how this area continues to transform, and I will definitely keep blogging about the changes as I experience them!  What are you most excited about? Comment below!

Farewell to Osborne Lights

Recently, Disney Fans all mourned together at the announcement that the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights would be permanently closed after the 2015 holiday season.  This show has had a 20-year run, and it has been a fan favorite throughout.  

A little history: the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights was actually borne out of a family's Christmas Display.  There are several articles online that will give you a full run-down on the timeline, but suffice it to say, the display started out "small" with 1000 lights, and gradually grew to the point where the family purchased the houses on either side of theirs in order to increase it!  Eventually they added a hanging canopy, and it's said that the display was so bright that airplanes could see it from 80 miles away.  As you can imagine, the neighbors were none too happy with the traffic...

Eventually the Disney Company got wind of the display and thought it would be perfect for decorating the Streets of America in what was then Disney-MGM Studios. It has been a smash hit since.  I mean, who can resist millions of twinkling lights synced to great music?

So why the closure? Well, if you follow Disney news at all, you've heard that Hollywood Studios is expanding.  Now there will be both a Star Wars Land and a Toy Story Land.  This necessitated the closure of some of the original attractions to make way for new construction.  Am I excited to see the new offerings? You bet! I think we all are!  The closures, though, still make me sad. 

But back to the lights!  I also love finding Hidden Mickeys - and there were several to spot throughout! There's even one in one of the pictures above! 

Nothing can really replace the experience of actually being there. If you've never had the pleasure, here is a walk through video I did as they were playing Trans Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells".

Hope you enjoyed this little tribute!

runDisney Marathon Weekend 2016

After a week of hiatus (apologies!), our blog is back in action with a report about this year's Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna! I had the honor of running during race weekend for the 3rd year in a row, and it was my husband's 4th year in a row.

As usual, it was such fun! We always like to have some days in the parks both before and after the races, so we truly were able to enjoy the full experience.  We started off with a bang by going through the Expo, touring the new Disney Springs area, and we followed it up with a treat: the last night of the Osborne Lights.  I will be dedicating blogs to both of these last 2 topics in the coming weeks (it's just too much for one post!)

When running a race in WDW, if you stay on property, you can always be assured that there will be transportation to the event; that being said, we aren't fans of having to wake up super early to avoid the traffic when riding a bus.  We decided to stay on the monorail for quick access to and from the event. In the past, we have always been proponents of using the Race Retreat, but with this year's good forecast, we made the decision to forego it.  This allowed us to sleep 'til 3am rather than rising at 2am.  

We were to Epcot in fairly short order, but due to the heightened security, we ended up waiting in the line to have our bags searched for quite sometime.  This resulted in our jogging to our corral (E)... so at least we got a bit of a warm up in! We heard the National Anthem being sung and knew we had to hustle.  We arrived about 5 minutes before the first corral released.  Close one! My advice for future races is to not bring a bag if it can be avoided.  If you do, arrive early to avoid arrive to your corral late.

Weather this time around was a bit chilly for the majority of the trip, but for our Half Marathon, it was absolutely perfect.  We had intended not to stop for any pictures, but ... well, who can resist when lines are short for characters you've never had a photo with?  All told, we met our goal time-wise even with the stops! 

Entertainment throughout the course was fun as always, and each year I feel like the corral releases are more organized.  This year was no exception. Throughout the run I tried to take some video clips.  Considering I was running throughout most of them, I'm impressed with my camera work (hahaha!).  I've compiled everything into a little video so you can appreciate the fun of a runDisney event. 

 

Escape to Myrtle Beach (Part 3)

You can catch the first 2 here:

Part 1
Part 2

As I’ve said before, I find myself in Myrtle Beach at least once a year.  And, after I’ve gone to the beach and visited a few sights, and I generally find that I’m in the mood to shop.  That works out, because the Myrtle Beach area has some great shopping options!

Are you an outlet shopper?  Tanger Outlets offers two locations in Myrtle Beach – one in North Myrtle Beach (on Highway 17) and one a bit more south (on Highway 501), more toward the middle of the Grand Strand.  The “southern outlets,” as my mom and I refer to the mall, is a newer complex, but it’s also smaller.  The “northern outlets” tend to be our favorite of the two.  Part of this is practical: While both malls are outdoors, the mall to the north has built canopies to shield shoppers from the elements – whether sun or rain – as they dart between the stores. 

Of course, the main reason we’re willing to drive a little farther from where we stay is the stores.  The Highway 17 location offers a Disney Store, a Lululemon Athletica Outlet, and a Kate Spade Outlet (my favorite!), which you cannot find at the 501 location.  These are only a small sampling; these outlet malls definitely have something for everyone!  And, they offer great discounts over traditional malls, as well as many coupons.  It’s always worth it to stop by Guest Services when you arrive at the mall to pick up a coupon book.  They are available for a nominal fee, or are free if you have signed up for and received a text offer.  Individual stores also tend to offer additional coupons when you walk through the door.

If outlets aren’t your speed, you may enjoy the quirky shops at Barefoot Landings and Broadway at the Beach.  They have traditional offerings, like Yankee Candle and Claire’s, but also tend toward the novelty, boasting stores such as Crabby Jack’s General Store and Pepper Palace.  You can also find shopping experiences, such as Sparkles, a boutique that transforms little girls into princesses, or Build-A-Bear – a favorite of the children in my family. 

But, my absolute favorite place to shop in the Myrtle Beach area isn’t even exactly in Myrtle Beach – it’s a few miles south, in an area called Pawleys Island.  For me, no trip to Myrtle Beach is complete without a visit to the Pawleys Island Hammock Shops.

Although you can definitely buy a handmade hammock – or stop to watch as they string one – at the Hammock Shops, they offer so much more than just that.  This is truly local shopping, with a unique, Low Country flavor.  There are several shops that are on my must-visit list every time I shop.

First, I absolutely love High Country Olive Oil.  It is a tasting store that sells specialty olive oils and vinegars.  You walk in to discover casks and casks of oils and vinegars, just waiting to be sampled.  Everyone who works there is incredibly helpful and friendly, and will be more than happy to guide you through pairings and options.

My next stop is Isle of Candles, which sells candles made of soy, rather than traditional wax.  The result is a candle that burns cleaner and longer – and, the best part is, the softened wax is a delightful soy lotion!  Again, the people who work there are wonderful, and are always eager to let you “take a dip” in one of their candles.  As a somewhat regular customer, I love their recycling program – returning an empty jar gets you a discount on a new candle.  The candles are made on-site, so you are truly supporting a local business when you shop there.

 

Finally, I always love to visit Details by Three Sisters.  They sell gorgeous, unique jewelry – pieces that you just won’t find anywhere else.  They provide on-site engraving, which is convenient when you are in a vacation time-crunch.  You can also find distinctive accessories of a non-jewelry variety – I’ve come away with some fun, funky bandanas to wear to the beach.

These are my favorite shopping spots in Myrtle Beach!  Where would you go first?  Or, if you’ve already been there, where is your favorite place to shop?  Let me know in the comments!

 I invite you to join me on Facebook at Upon a Star Michelle, on Instagram @uponastarmichelle, and on Twitter @uponastarmichel.

Merry Christmas!

As the Christmas holidays approach, I find myself enjoying the beauty and wonder of the season.  And since the vast majority of my Christmas decor is Disney-themed (who knew?!), I keep reflecting on how much I love the Christmas Season in Walt Disney World.  

Everywhere you look there are twinkling lights, evergreen boughs, and of course Christmas trees!

Even the resorts are completely decked out -- my favorites are the Train Display at the Yacht Club and of course the life-sized Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian!

Nighttime is just magical here -- the Castle has millions of lights on it!

And of course, don't forget about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! It "snows" on Main Street, there are carols, cookies & cocoa, and of course, your favorite attractions are open!

No one does Christmas like Disney! Want to see for yourself? Let us help you see it in person next year!  Merry Christmas one and all! 

The Great Escape - Cruise Like a Norwegian

So, in a departure from my typical Disney theme, today I am going to write about my recent cruise on the new Norwegian Escape.  On November 28, I departed on a hosted cruise with the Janelle & Co Crew on the 3rd even voyage of this brand new ship.  It was a fun experience from start to finish!  

So let's start with accommodations: we stayed in a balcony room, and it was very nice. 

As usual, there are several clever hidey-holes and such to help keep you organized throughout the week.  The staterooms were furnished beautifully, and it still had that "new ship" smell. In the picture above, you'll notice 2 beach towels; each stateroom comes with 1 beach towel per person to use throughout the cruise.  These can be exchanged for clean ones at any time on the pool deck.  There is a $25 charge for a lost towel, however - so keep track of it. :) And in case you're wondering, I found the bed to be quite comfortable. 

The ship itself has a lot of "bells and whistles" so to speak, including a 3-story ropes course, several waterslides, a jogging track, and the first Margaritaville at sea!

And the kids were certainly not left out, either! There were lots of areas just for them to enjoy the company of other kids.  Entourage, the Video Arcade, and a huge splash and play zone were just some of the kid-friendly options.

Never fear; the adults had some private areas, too!  Spice2O is located aft, and it is a space for adults only.  This space is quite popular, so it's a good idea to grab a chair early.  There is a really cool Misting Grotto that's great for cooling off. After 7pm, this space is used for family-friendly deck parties, including a glow party and an 80's themed dance party.  The 80's party was pretty incredible!

For an even more adult setting, you can also pay to use the Vibe Beach Club for the week.  This area of the ship has a private entrance, and once inside it has a bar, lounge chairs, and other great accommodations away from the hustle and bustle.  If you want to enjoy this, you definitely need to book is as soon as you board, as there are no pre-bookings at this time.

For those of you unfamiliar with Norwegian, it is a freestyle cruising experience.  Most cruise lines have set dining times, early and late, with a show either before or after.  You have a set location to dine with the same staff each night, and depending on how large your party is, you are sometimes seated with other guests.  Freestyle Cruising is different in that you schedule (or don't schedule) when you want to eat, see shows, and who you sit with.  If you are a party of 2, you can have a table for 2.  If you want to dine with friends, great! There are 3 dining rooms, and you can eat in whichever "floats your boat" each night.  And just as you are used to when cruising, everything is included (except soda and alcohol, of course).  Have 2 or 3 entrees if  you like -- or all 4 desserts -- no one is judging. Taste, Savor, and the Manhattan Room were all fabulous.  The chocolate lava cake was probably the best I've had.

There are also multiple specialty restaurants aboard.  If you want to "upgrade" to a specialty restaurant, there is either a cover charge or else you will order á la carte.  Of course, Norwegian offers packages that include most of the specialty dining establishments, which eliminates the upcharge for the meal.  We took advantage of adding on this special offer with our "Freestyle Choice", and we were so glad we did! We enjoyed the specialty restaurants a LOT!  Moderno, the Brazilian Steakhouse, was incredible.

We ate at La Cucina (Tuscan style dining) the next night...

And then, what may have been the best meal of the trip - Cagney's Steakhouse!

Of course, there is always the option to dine at the buffet on Deck 16 - The Garden Cafe.  This place had great food - better than you'd expect!  I was very happy with my meals here.  

Entertainment-wise, there are 2-3 Broadway Style shows to choose from.  One is a dinner venue and requires an upcharge, but the other two are free - however, reservations are suggested.  Million Dollar Quartet and After Midnight both boasted amazing casts, and they were some of the highest quality shows at sea that I have seen.  I would even say the caliber was close to that of a Disney Cruise - and you know that's saying something coming from me!

There was also a "Howl at the Moon" dueling piano bar that had shows 4 of the nights.  Although I missed the first one, I didn't miss any others -- they were THAT good. We sat for a full 4 hours listening one night.  

Of course, there is a casino, and there are several other spots to hang out in a more "nightclub" atmosphere after dark should you so choose.  There is never a lack of things to do.  Oh - and since it's football season, the brewery always had the latest games on the TV via satellite.

One last area to mention is the spa.  I am a spa junkie, and it has become a big deal to me to treat myself to a Thermal Suite on my cruise vacations.  The facilities were beautiful here.

I very much enjoyed the facility offerings, although I honestly felt like the oversold passes into the thermal suite.  Finding lounge chairs actually became difficult, and the noise level was much higher than is usual - and so the experience was not as relaxing as I had hoped.  The steam room was broken for a couple of days as well.  I am hopeful that it was due to it being a new ship, and hopefully these glitches will work out given time.  The Spa Manager was very apologetic and promised to look into everything, so I would give this a try again. 

One other neat thing is that there is now a Norwegian iConcierge app available for iPhone and Android -- you can keep in touch with your onboard friends with unlimited calls and texting via the ship's wifi all week for the cost of $7.95 per user.  You can also check out what's going on throughout the ship!  If you want additional internet services (for Facebook, email, etc), there are packages for purchase.

Of course, as this was a hosted cruise, there were lots of friends on the ship - and we had the privilege of making many new ones.  Want to try Freestyle Cruising for yourself? Join us on the Great Getaway next October! We would love to have you aboard with us!



Anticipation - It's Half the Fun!

Excitement.  Anticipation.  Joy.  Magic.  These are some of the words that come to mind as I think about our upcoming Disney trip.  There is nothing like experiencing all that WDW has to offer, but as we all know, there is usually a LOT more time spent waiting for the trip to commence than there is experiencing the magic in person.  


So, why not make the waiting part of the excitement?  Even now, as I sit here writing this, my gaze wanders to the countdown I have posted on the wall.  Everytime I change a number, I feel a thrill.  At first, it's when I go from a 3-digit countdown to a 2-digit countdown.  Then, I get excited at every milestone -- 90 days, 60 days, 30 days.  And by the time it reaches single digits?  Well, I'm over-the-moon excited.  


A countdown is a great way to anticipate the excitement to come.  If you have children, allowing them to change the countdown helps them to get involved in the pre-trip excitement.


And that's not the only thing you can do to extend the Disney experience.  Starting from the moment I make that next reservation, there is the joy of figuring out what new restaurants to try.  Then, once everything is booked, I have the fun of inputting everything into the MyMagic+ app. There is the researching of park hours, extra magic hours, and figuring out what is new to see and do.  


For the littler ones (and, I admit, for many of us adults), watching the Disney movies that inspired the attractions in the parks is a fun way for them to prepare for the Magic.  Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Peter Pan -- there are lots to choose from!  And don't forget about some of the classic attractions like the treehouse from Swiss Family Robinson and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.


As the trip edges ever closer, we listen to park music -- we have LOTS of it on our computer! -- to set the mood as we pack and look at pictures of previous WDW trips.  All of these things help us to experience Disney magic before setting foot on the plane to Florida!  


So, don't waste the anticipation; relish it as part of the magic & excitement of a Disney vacation!

Part 2 Navigating Disney World with Special Needs

I’m back with some more tips and suggestions to make your trip to Disney easier and more enjoyable for your kids with special needs.

Resort Choices

Most kids with special needs, whether they are physical, emotional or intellectual, can’t wait long. If that is the case in your family, I suggest staying at a Monorail resort. The resorts on the Monorail are Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. These resorts are a stone’s throw from The Magic Kingdom, and the monorail stops at the Transportation and Ticket center that can easily get you to Epcot. That being said, we have stayed at other resorts and have not had issues with transportation. All Disney buses are equipped with a lift gate for wheel chairs and electronic scooters. While waiting for buses, I often have very small bottles of bubbles to keep the kiddos distracted and busy while waiting. 

Schedule Breaks

It’s important to give kiddos a break from the sensory overload going on during the day. If possible, try to take a break during the day and head back to your hotel and take a swim or a nap. We always find that this really helps the kids reset, and us as well! If you can’t make it back to your resort, find an area in the park that you can stop and take a break. I also find that kids with ADD/ADHD need to burn off some of that extra energy they are carrying round. To help burn some energy, head to some of the play areas in the parks; The Bone Yard at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is our favorite!

water pic.jpg

Stay hydrated

Ok this is important for everyone going, however really important for kids with special needs. Did you know that kiddos with Autism, ADD/ADHD can dehydrate faster? Take some bottles of water into the park to make sure you and the kids keep hydrated. Don’t forget you can also go to any quick serve dining location and request water, and it is free!

 

Be Safe

Disney is a big place, and the crowds can be intimidating. I try to dress my kids in matching outfits and tend to stick to brighter colors too. I also take a picture of them every morning when we head out the door to the parks so I have a photo of them in their outfits for the day. You can also buy/make bracelets with beads on them with your cellphone number so that if they get separated from you, they can show the bracelet to a cast member and they can call you. I always point out cast members to my kids so they know they can go to them if they get separated or need help.

 

Dining

Where to dine is a big deal at Disney! Know a bit about the restaurants you may want to go to. Are they too loud, sensory overload, will they take too much time up eating there? My suggestion is to make reservations for off-times to eat. They crowds won’t be as bad and it's not as loud.

 

Plan, Plan, Plan

I find the more organized you are, the better you will do and the better your kids will do too. Get help planning! We would love to help you plan out the details of your trip so that it can be enjoyable for you. I hate it when I hear about someone having a bad time at Disney, and usually it’s because it wasn’t planned out well. While planning out the details of a trip is important for everyone, I think it is of the utmost importance to families with kiddos that have special needs. You want to have every tool available to you to make your trip a success.

 

Have a magical vacation!

Lori!

 

I’m happy to answer any questions you may have!

Find me at:

lori@disiningmemories.com
www.facebook.com/uponastarlori
Twitter: @uponastarlori
Instagram: Uponastarlori

 

Quick Service Dining: Animal Kingdom Edition

Hi Friends! It's time for another post in our dining series!  In case you've missed any, here are links to parts 1-3:

Part 1 (Magic Kingdom)
Part 2 (Epcot)
Part 3 (Hollywood Studios)

Today we will talk about Animal Kingdom's Quick Service options.  Animal Kingdom is definitely a huge park - and it's getting bigger! Due to this fact, it's good to know where your sure bets are food-wise so you can manage your time wisely in the park. Oh, and fair warning; I have noticed a deficit in my picture collection - I definitely need more food pics from this park!!

First up, I love the food at Pizzafari.  At least as of last time I ate there, they had mini-pizzas (as you may imagine), paninis, and more.  The food is always good, and the lines move quickly.  There are also some Hidden Mickeys scattered about! 

Can you spot the Hidden Mickey?

Can you spot the Hidden Mickey?

My next pick for quick service dining is Restaurantosaurus.  This is largely due to the amazing theming here! The link above will take you to pictures from Disney's website -- since my collection is lacking.  Essentially, this restaurant is run by a bunch of students on an archaeological dig.  There are fun dino touches everywhere -- and if you look closely, you can spot their lawn chairs on the roof.  Make sure to explore the space and see all of the cute touches throughout!  There are lots of tables and chairs here, and the food is tasty, even if it's standard fare.  The little kids' meals come in buckets with shovels (as of my last visit), so that's super cute as well. 

Another great place is the Flame Tree BBQ.  Although seating is outdoors, the food is delicious - just walk by and you'll see.  This is conveniently located in the park, so it's a popular venue for sure. 

Finally, make sure to grab a Dole Whip or chocolate mousse espresso waffle (say what?!?!?!?!) from Tamu Tamu refreshments!  There are so many delectable treats at this stand.  Many are a snack credit, but some aren't, so make sure you check before ordering.  

What's your favorite treat from Animal Kingdom?

Quick Service Dining: Hollywood Studios Edition

If you've missed any part of the series, you can catch the first two parts here:

Part 1 (Magic Kingdom)
Part 2 (Epcot)

Today's blog will be all about the Quick Service & snack options in Disney's Hollywood Studios.  As one of the smaller parks, you would think there would be fewer choices.  You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are quite a few!  Of course, the Studios is undergoing a major transition currently, so it's possible that some of the current offerings will be tweaked/re-themed as the park continues to take shape.

Let's start with breakfast.  On days when I start off at Hollywood Studios, I love to hit Starring Rolls Cafe! This little shop off of Sunset Blvd has amazing pastries!  I highly suggest the Apple-Craisin Turnover! The cinnamon rolls are good too...

We often use a snack credit here.  Of course, if you are looking for a different snack option here, try out the Writer's Stop over near the Streets of America!  The carrot cake cookie comes highly recommended by Upon A Star Eric...

And apparently I have no pictures of the yummy treats here -- but here is a shot of the front window with a hidden Mickey, plus a shot of a wall that still has the MGM branding! Love those little hidden nuggets.

Of course, you can't just eat snacks all day.  Well, at least, that's what people tell me.  So for those times when you need to have a full meal, we have 2 "go-to" places.  The first is Pizza Planet near the Streets of America.  I love this location, because it actually comes with a mini-salad as a side dish!  OK that's not the only reason, but it's a nice addition to the personal pizza.  I think the pizza is pretty tasty, too! They also usually have fantastic cupcakes for dessert! 

Next up is the ABC Commissary.  Honestly, I was disillusioned with this location for about 3 years.  A combo of the menu and the crowds put me off of it, but happily, I had a great experience the past couple of trips.  It's back in my good graces!

The Commissary has TVs showing ABC shows, and it even has props from them!

No food pics from here at the moment, but the burgers are great.  I also loved the new salmon salad that they are offering! This is definitely worth the visit. 

What are your favorite locations in Hollywood Studios?  

Navigating Walt Disney World® with Special Needs/Autism Part 1

When you are a parent of a child with Autism you do a lot of planning ahead for travel. This is especially true when you are planning a trip Walt Disney World®. I was very nervous the 1st time we took our son to Disney World. How would he do on a plane? Would he be able to stand in line at all? Would the sensory overload be too much to handle? Would he even have fun? I am here to tell you that it can work out; with careful planning and care it can be a great time for all!

 

The Disability Access Service card that Disney provides is a big part of making your trip a success. The DAS is a card that you can obtain at Guest Services at any of the parks. The DAS card is for children and adults with disabilities. You can get your DAS card at the Guest Services locations at any of the parks.  

 

Anytime we have done this, the cast members have been amazing - very kind and respectful. They will ask you what type of accommodations your child might need. Because of HIPPA laws, they are not allowed to ask you for proof of disabilities. Some people are adamant about taking a letter from a doctor. It’s honestly not needed. I explain to the CM that my son has trouble standing in lines and has sensory issues. They will then take a picture of your child using an iPad. If you do not want your child’s picture taken, an adult is able to stand in for the picture.  This is what the card looks like:

The card is good for everyone in your party and is good for the entire length of your stay. It’s basically like having an extra fastpass. You will take the card to an attraction that you want to ride, or you can also use the DAS on character greetings as well. If the wait time is more than your child can handle, the Cast Member will give you a time to return to ride the ride/meet the character. They will mark it on the DAS card. Return back at that time (you don’t have to be back at the exact time). When you return, in most cases they will send you through the fastpass entrance. The cast member will then cross out the ride and you are free to go to another attraction and use the DAS card. You cannot use the card again until you either ride the attraction listed or have it crossed off. If you change your mind, etc., just have a Cast Member cross off the ride.

Here are some more tips to help make your trip a success!

 

1.    Be specific with cast members about your child’s needs. When you explain what they can or can’t handle, they will have a better idea of how to help you.

 

2.   Use your fastpass in conjunction with the DAS card. If your child likes rides, using both the fastpass and the DAS card will allow you to be able to ride more without such long wait times that can be very hard for them to handle.

 

3.   Be prepared to rest. We have to take some breaks now and then for some rest; really we all do need them, but it’s a must for my son. Go somewhere that they can sit and be calm (or as calm as they can be). One of the areas my kids love the most is The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom. It’s an amazing play area. They have an area out of the sun that is filled with small smooth pebbles where they can “dig for fossils”; it’s perfect for kids with sensory issues. My son loves it - in fact, all of my kids do!  And mom and dad love it because we can sit and rest for a minute.

4.    Bring what you know you need from home. My son fidgets, so when we do have to stand in line I always have his go-to tiny R2D2 figure that he holds in his pocket. If your kids have something like that, make sure to bring it!! Blanket, toy necklace, you name it - make sure you don’t forget it!

 

5.   Headphones. Fireworks are amazing at Disney World, but they are also very loud. We bring a pair of headphones that help block some of that sound out.

 

6.   Roll with it. Sometimes your day just may not go the way you planned it. You just have to roll with it. It might take a bit longer to get through the parks, and you may miss a ride or two, but there is still fun to be had!

                                                                                                            

Part 2 coming soon!

Have a magical day!

Lori

 

P.S. If you have any specific questions I am happy to talk with you. You can find me at:

lori@DISiningmemories.com

www.facebook.com/uponastarlori

twitter: @uponastarlori

Quick Service Dining in Disney: Epcot Edition!

A few weeks ago, I began a series on Quick Service dining around Walt Disney World.  If you missed part 1, you can catch up here.  Today, we will be heading around Epcot and talking about my favorite Quick Service eateries and snack locations!

Epcot has such a huge amount of options for food.  It also has my favorite Quick Service restaurant on all of Walt Disney World - Sunshine Seasons! This place is my favorite for a variety of reasons.  First, it is located in the Land Pavilion, which is my favorite.  It's my happy place, and sometimes during a stressful day I like to envision sitting in the food court area here, looking up at the Seasonal Hot Air Balloons that decorate the ceiling.

Of course, the important part, even more than the atmosphere, is the yummy food!  Sunshine Seasons has a variety of options: Stir Fry, Salads, Sandwiches, Rotisserie Chicken, Soups... and so much more!  The pastry section never ceases to amaze, and you are sure to find something for every palate!  There are also fantastic breakfast selections. 

In all my food pictures, I am ashamed to say that I do not have a single picture of my typical order here -- the salmon over green beans.  It's so amazing! I do have a picture of my husband eating his favorite dessert, though -- a red velvet whoopie pie!

Sometimes, though, when we are ready for lunch, we are back in World Showcase.  On those days, we love to try out the countries.  We have recently come to really enjoy the food at the Liberty Inn (American Adventure Pavilion). 

All American food with options like Hamburgers, Chicken Wraps, S'mores & Apple Pie abound here.  I've always found the food to be tasty, and the lines aren't too bad, either!

Another yummy option is the Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion.  This is the quick service area, and there is a beautiful outdoor seating area that overlooks World Showcase Lagoon.  Yet again, no food pictures.  Apparently I am always too hungry to snap a picture before I eat...

I also want to give a shout out to 2 of my favorite snack options here.  First up is Karamel Küche in the Germany Pavilion.  This is Werther's Caramel at its finest, and holy moly is this place good!

My second shout-out goes to France.  Between La Boulangerie Patisserie (pastries & coffee) and Les Glaces des France (ice cream), I don't know if I can pick!

So, there you have it.  Next time you're at Epcot, give one of these options a whirl - and let me know what you think! 

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Tasting and Drinking Our Way Around the World: Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival 2015

This week, agent Carrie shares her experience at this year's Food & Wine Festival! If you've always wanted to go but haven't, this post is for you!       ~Jenn

My best friend from high school, Amy, and I have been going to small wine festivals around PA for many years.  As we celebrated our 30th birthdays at a fall wine festival in Yorktown in 2005, we decided we needed to have something greater in order to “look forward” to the big four-oh looming in front of us.  We decided to go to Italy!  We started planning, even buying books and tapes to learn Italian.  We weighed out the pros and cons of going with a tour group vs. renting a convertible and winging it.  Sometime last year it hit us- we have no money saved up for our grand tour of Italy.  Over the last 10 years, life happened- children got older, houses were bought, jobs were lost and new ones started.  That’s when my husband surprised us by saying he was sending us to Italy!...in Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival.  

I started reading and learning about the F&W Festival.  I quickly learned it was not like any of the festivals I’d been to locally -- meaning no free wine tastings.  I was a little worried about how much money we were going to spend on tiny sips of wine.  I started to feel overwhelmed with everything there is to know about the festival.  There are parties, special events, food demonstrations by famous chefs, drink seminars, and so much more.  I wanted it all!! 

There were two small problems with wanting it all…money and time.  The money is pretty self-explanatory.  While the demos and seminars felt completely doable at $15pp for a 45-60 minute session, some of the parties and VIP experiences went for up to $500pp.  Time was the bigger factor.  We were going for a Girl’s Weekend and only 2 days in the parks.  At first, I wanted to spend both days at the festival (Epcot is my favorite park), but then I found out that Amy hadn’t been to the parks since high school. So we HAD to go to the Magic Kingdom for a day.

We made the sad decision to skip the demos and our desired special event - the Italian Regional Food and Wine Pairing Luncheon - because it would take 3 hours up in the middle of our day.  Instead, we planned to eat (and drink) our way around the World.  The Global Marketplace consists of 30 booths that represent countries and refreshments that are placed around the World Showcase.  It’s more than the regular World Showcase pavilions.  Additional countries are represented as well: Poland, South Korea, Greece, and Patagonia are just a couple of examples.  We pre-purchased the Sampler Package that included 8 entitlements for food or drink items in the Global Marketplace, a 20th Anniversary F&W pin, and VIP seating for the Eat to the Beat Concert.

After a beautiful morning riding rides in Future World, we headed to the Festival Center.  It’s the hub of all the comings and goings for F&W.  The demos and seminars happen here.  There is a small area to buy festival merchandise (Dooney and Bourke anyone?!?!)  This is also where you pick up any festival tickets and passes.  While we were there, we got a F&W gift card and loaded it with the max money we were willing to spend at the festival.  This was to ensure we didn’t go overboard.  We also got our “Festival Passport”, which tells you all the Festival booth menus throughout the Global Marketplace.  This passport makes a great souvenir because you can have it stamped at each country’s booth you visit.

The booths have a minimum of 2 main dishes, a dessert, and a beverage.  We decided to order different dishes so we could try each other’s.  In Scotland, I ordered the Haggis with Neeps (rutabaga) and Tatties (potatoes) and Amy had the Seared Sea Scallop with Spinach-Cheddar Gratin and Crispy Bacon.  I thought the haggis was a bit dry, but since I’ve never had haggis, I have nothing to compare it to.  That became the theme of the day…let’s try something we haven’t had before.

Then we went over to Hawaii.  I was disappointed that they were sold out of the Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad (at 12:15pm!), and they didn’t know when they would have more.  So, we both had the Kalua Pork Sliders with sour Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayo.  I could have had eaten these all day!

Off to Greece!  You can easily find Greece in the Marketplace.  Just follow the cheers of, "Opa!"  When you pick up your drink, shout, "Opa!" and the cheer is quickly returned.  This was one of the best interactions with Cast Members and people at all the booths we visited.  I got a Greek Salad and Amy got the Vegan Moussaka with Vegan Sausage Crumbles.  My salad was good, but small.  The moussaka was also good, but very hot.  It was a 90-degree day, and eating the super-hot food wasn’t going down well, so it didn’t get finished.  I was very impressed with the vegan/vegetarian options all through the marketplace.

Next was the Champagne and Desserts booth.  As a champagne lover, this was my favorite booth.  I really wanted to splurge on a tasting on Dom Pérignon, but at over $20 for 2 ounces, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  Darn budget!  Instead, I went with the Moet & Chandon Nectar Impérial instead.  Amy got the Moet & Chandon Impérial to go with her Chocolate Cherry Exposion dessert.  I got the fancy Strawberry-Basil Champagne “Toast”.  Everything was phenomenal!  We immediately planned to go back at the end of the evening to get another glass of bubbly and dessert.

Next stop was the Refreshment Port. This booth is not a country, but it offers one of the best Disney treats around -- the Dole Whip with Coconut Rum!!  We enjoyed this while looking out at the lagoon for a small break.

O Canada!  Cheddar Cheese Soup and Moosehead Lager for me.  Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter and Tawse Vineyard Cabernet Franc for Amy.  The soup and filet are on the menu at Le Cellier, so I was a little disappointed that there was nothing new.  But, I LOVE the Cheddar soup and the beer was light and made an excellent pairing.  The wine was really good and had the right notes to compliment the fillet and earthy mushrooms.  It was one of our favorite booths, and Amy now wishes to go to Le Cellier the next time we are in WDW.

After a shopping excursion and concert in England, we headed over to France.  It was Champagne again for me in the Sparkling Pomegranate Kir.  The Boeuf Bourguignon was so delicious and melted in my mouth.  I was excited to see it on the menu, because I have always wanted to try it.  Amy’s Cabernet Sauvignon was a bit bland, but the Crioissand aux Escargots was the simply amazing.  It was both our favorite of the whole festival.  We then went into the wine shop, Les Vins de France, where we purchased the red and white wine flights.  This was our biggest disappointment of the day.  Each glass was 2oz, and the flight was $18ea.  Given the rich food we had, the wine seemed, well…boring.  We still drank it all while sitting on the edge of the fountain enjoying the beautiful day.

Italy!!!  We finally made it!  We started with some shopping and pictures -- and then it poured!  Have no fear; there is a w(h)ine shop.  While we whined about the rain for a minute, we drank a glass of wine.  Due to the rain, La Bottega Italiana was packed.  We got one glass of Pinot Noir, then got back in line to get another glass of something we couldn’t pronounce (looks like those Italian tapes were a waste of money). We really enjoyed the wine here.  By then, the rain had slowed down a bit so we headed to the festival booth.  I tried the Raviolo alla Caprese (cheese ravioli) and Amy had the Filetto di Pollo Funghi al Marsala (chicken marsala).  We were very disappointed in the Italian booth.  It only had those 2 selections, and they were so dull.  A great part of our time at the booth was talking with a nice couple from Cleveland -- I had to poke a little fun at his Browns shirt.  Turns out “Mrs. Browns Fan” was actually a Steeler fan and grew up 2 blocks from where I currently live.  It’s a small world after all!

With one more entitlement left and 10 minutes until our dinner reservation, we headed to Germany.  They make the best Riesling, and they have four to choose from!   We drank our wine while we headed over to Morocco to try Spice Road Table as our final stop in trying something new.  We had a little wait, so we decided to get henna tattoos that mean “Sisters”.  I really enjoyed the atmosphere and cast members here.  Everyone was very helpful and friendly, and the food was amazing!  We watched Illuminations from here and then headed back.  We were entirely too full (and a bit too giddy) to stop at the Champagne booth again.

We ended up using all of the entitlements and all but a couple dollars on the gift cards.  We were happy we didn’t go over budget.  We were disappointed, though, that we didn’t make it to more of the Global Marketplace.  As we started around the lagoon, our goal was not to miss anything.  The only booth we purposely missed was Poland.  As Pittsburghers, we didn’t think they could do a pierogi better than home -- I mean after all, we have pierogi races at Pirate games.

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is an EVENT!  We had so much fun the whole day.  Even after an amazing day at the Magic Kingdom, we said we were going to come back and do 2 days at the festival.  We’ll be back for our next milestone birthday celebration!  Forty-One is a big deal…right?