So you've probably read about all the things that are unique to the Island of Hawaii and must do! But there are also a lot of fantastic little hidden gems that are just as awesome and wanted to share with you so you don't miss out on these as well. 
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Akatsuka Orchid Gardens 

Where else can you see and smell a chocolate orchid! Among other orchids, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is where you will want to stop for a quick visit if you are in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park area! Take a stroll through their showroom for the largest variety of gorgeous and unique orchids all in one place! 

Big Island Candies

Around since 1977, Big Island Candies are known for their macadamia nut chocolate dipped shortbread cookies and the Hilo location is their flagship store and factory where you can catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of cookie production! Their cookies are heavenly and make perfect gifts for people back home! 

The Coffee Shack

Blink and you will miss this gem! Driving along the highway in Captain Cook, it's easy to miss The Coffee Shack as it's just a small unassuming little place that you'd never guess what lies beyond its little doors. 

But if you take the time to stop, you'll be rewarded with some of the most amazing views of Kealakekua Bay, best known for the place where British explorer Captain James Cook first arrived in Hawaii, in the late 1700's.

The cafe serves homemade soup, sandwiches, pizzas specializing in local ingredients, and 100% Kona coffee. Portions are generous and food is fresh. It's the perfect place to stop for a lunch or even a quick coffee break to appreciate the gorgeous views!  

Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ
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Located in Queen's Marketplace, A Hawaii Resort Shopping Center in Waikoloa Beach, make sure you stop by Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ, a little food court gem for Hawaiian BBQ! Owned by local Hawaiian chef, Philip “Ippy” Aiona is also a Season 8 finalist on "Food Network Star", Ippy's Hawaiian BBQ is the perfect place for a quick sampling of his cuisine. On the other side of the road at the King's Shops, you can enjoy his sit down restaurant experience at Three Fat Pigs Restaurant & The Thirsty Wolf, a Restaurant and Gastropub by Chef Ippy Aiona. 

Pueo's Osteria 

For a truly "farm to table" foodie experience, Pueo's Osteria was an amazing dining experience for fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients paired with authentic Italian imports, for an authentic Italian dinner in a fun environment. The restaurant is open later so it's a great place to go for drinks and dinner after dark, when so many places are closed. And judging by the walls of photos and celebrity visits, this award winning restaurant is a popular favourite among many! 

Farmers Markets 

Enjoy fresh brewed Kona coffee and enjoy the farmer's markets on Saturday morning to peruse through a community of local handmade goods, arts and crafts as well as the large number of food stands selling authentic Hawaiian food and snacks.  

The beauty of Hawaii is everywhere - through its experiences of the land. The Island of Hawaii may be known for its active volcano, black sand beaches, swimming with the manta rays and stargazing into the beautiful skies, there is also much to enjoy and appreciate in the simple activities and hidden gems sprinkled throughout the island. 

The Hawaiian culture is steeped in tradition, paying homage to the land that bears its fruits for all to enjoy. There is no need for "want" in Hawaii as the island has everything you need. Life is simple, and life is good. What else could a person want? The spirit of aloha is all around and the generosity and love the people of Hawaii share is aspirational for us to lead our daily lives with the same level of appreciation in all that we do, and all that we have. 

I think it's time we all started bringing in a little bit of aloha into our daily lives and enjoying the fruits of an aloha life! If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, make sure you reach out for assistance! I would love the opportunity to help you plan the most amazing trip to Hawaii! 

As one of the most aspirational destinations in North America, and with a 90% repeat traveller rate, almost everyone who travels to Hawaii falls in love with the islands and returns home with a calm sense of "aloha", inspiring you to live better, to live with love, kindness and generosity. 

I was fortunate enough to be invited to further my Hawaii Destination Specialist designation with an exclusive opportunity to attend an in destination Master Island Certification training experience to the Island of Hawaii, hosted by Hawaii Tourism Canada and the Island of Hawaii Visitor's Bureau. With this trip, we were able to experience the best of the Island of Hawaii offers, many of which are likely bucket list experiences so it was a huge privilege and opportunity for me to overcome many of my own fears! 

Since the eruption of the Kilauea volcano in May, the island has been forever changed in a way that people may not understand until you visit and see it for yourself. As the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, the island of Hawaii is still growing and changing because of the activity of the active volcanoes. 

Kilauea Volcano

A visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the number one tourist attraction to the island of Hawaii. But since the eruption of the volcano, the park was closed for safety reasons and only reopened to the public in November. Though some parts of the park remain closed, different areas are slowly reopening so guests can see up close the changes from the lava flow and volcano eruption.

We had the exclusive experience to view the Kilauea Caldera and the Halema'uma'u crater from different angles, and see the impact and changes since the eruption in May.  
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Volcano House Hotel, only reopened to the public last month and the restaurant just reopened for full service a week before our visit. The hotel is located in the Halema'uma'u Crater, with up close and personal views of the the crater. I have to admit that it is quite mesmerizing being there. It is a quiet and intimate lodge with a very cosy atmosphere. Where the glow used to be visible and constant, the sky has now changed to a darkness in the area. The food at the restaurant, both dinner and breakfast, were amazing fine dining cuisine options and high quality service. Our Volcano House experience is highly recommended and a great place to stay if you want to really explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

​Helicopter Ride 

The best way to view the landscape of the island is with a helicopter ride to see things from above. We enjoyed the helicopter ride with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. The Circle of Fire and Waterfalls Adventure gave us up close and personal views of the beautiful landscape of the island. 

​Hiking and Waterfalls 

Exploring the landscape in a private nature reserve, Hawaii Forest and Trail took us in an offroad adventure for us to experience the Kohala coast, enjoy a quick swim in the waterfalls, and completed with a private picnic with the most amazing views! 

​Snorkel Cruise

Exploring Kona coast with Fairwinds Cruise aboard the Hula Kai, gave us a luxury snorkel cruise experience with two snorkelling locations. The smaller ship moves faster in the water, which allowed us to go deeper along the South Kona coast. FairWinds offers several different boats, both for all ages, beginners to advanced snorkelers. They also offer snuba diving experiences (combination of snorkelling and scuba diving) for those looking for an entry dive experience without diving. 

And yay for me for conquering my fears here!

Yes, I did go snorkelling! Twice....in the ocean!! Because if you know me.....I know what you're thinking...."What??!!"

Shocking....I KNOW! Huge wins for me here on all those accounts. 

My previous attempts at snorkelling in the past did not go over very well so I wasn't initially very keen on the idea of snorkelling in the ocean. First of all, I'm not a very strong swimmer and have issues with treading water so I don't like the feeling of my feet not touching anything solid. Second, I'm much more of a pool person (because I can see the bottom, and also the edges of the pool are never too far away) rather that the vast ocean of nothingness. Swimming in the middle of the ocean has never been on my list of things "to do"! 

I also get motion sickness sometimes so the bobbing up and down in the ocean isn't something that sits well with me. And of course I allowed myself to enjoy the experience, to forget that I was in the water and just enjoy the moment for what it was. And it was beautiful! (We won't talk about the rest of the experience as the motion sickness malady did hit me for the rest of the excursion). But I was so proud of myself for doing it anyway in spite of my fears! 

Black Sand Beaches

Black sand beaches are a MUST to see when in Hawaii! The black sand is so different than other types of sand. Generally, the colour of the sand is based on the age of the beach. The lighter the colour, the older the beach. So you can imagine how old some of the gorgeous white sandy beaches might be!

But the black sand, created from volcanic and lava minerals creates this equally gorgeous sand that is shiny and feels amazing! Punalu'u Beach is the most famous black sand beach on the Island of Hawaii, but there are others you can enjoy. We were also fortunate enough to see 9 green sea turtles lounging around during our visit! 

White Sandy Beaches

Just as gorgeous as the black sand beaches is the white sandy beaches of Hapuna Beach, the largest and favourite beach on the island and consistently ranked as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world! 
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Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park

The second most popular tourist attraction on the island (following the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) is the Pu'uhonua o Honoaunau National Park, a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiians who broke the law, or for defeated warriors to visit and seek refuge in times of battle. Now you can wander around, enjoy the peace and serenity, and step back in time to honour the land. 

Kona Coffee

You can't NOT visit a coffee farm or something coffee related when visiting Kona! It's Kona coffee and it's one of the most expensive coffees in the world, as is cultivated in the North and South Districts of Kona on the Island of Hawaii. Be wary of the "Kona blends" coffee as these coffee blends contain only the minimum amount of Kona coffee (10%) with other coffee beans. 100% Kona coffee is a really treat and perfect for the coffee lovers. 

We visited the Ueshima Coffee Company to roast our very own Kona Coffee blend! 

We learned about the coffee beans, the roasting process and then had the opportunity to roast our own beans to package as a souvenir of the experience! 

Paniolo Life

Did you know that Hawaii has cowboys?? In fact, the paniolo (cowboy) culture is very strong in Hawaii and most people do not think about cowboys in Hawaii! Up in the town of Waimea is the famous Parker Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in America. We toured Anna Ranch Heritage Center, the former home of Anna Lindsay Perry-Fiske, the original Hawaiian Cowgirl & the First lady of Ranching whose legacy to the history and community of ranching helped shape paniolo life as it is today. 

The Island of Hawaii is also home to the largest hula competition in the world, the Merrie Monarch Festival, held each year in Hilo starting on Easter Sunday for one week. Three of those nights are the signature hula competitions, where teams from all over the world are invited to participate and compete. The Merrie Monarch Festival is held in honour of King David Kalakaua, whose love for music and the arts inspired the Hawaiian people to honour his legacy and commit to upholding traditional Hawaiian arts and culture. 

Over at the Four Season Hualalai, we were introduced to the hula and walked away with our own little hula dance! 

Luau - The Story of Haleo - The Voice of Life

A luau experience in Hawaii is the best way to experience Hawaiian culture, food and entertainment. And it doesn't matter if it is your first luau, or if you have been to one before, the experience is always entertaining! On our first full night in Hawaii, we enjoyed the Haleo Luau at the Sheraton Kona, with stories unique to the Keauhou Bay Area under a gorgeous Kona sunset. 

Nightlife
The nightlife in Hawaii is not your typical nightlife scene. When someone mentions nightlife in Hawaii, they are usually referring to one of two experiences: Stargazing or Night Snorkelling with the Manta Rays. 

Star Gazing 

​The Island of Hawaii is the best place in the world to watch the stars with or without a telescope. The location of the island provides dazzling views of the Northern Hemisphere skies and most of the Southern hemisphere skies. 

We had a land star gazing experience with Star Gaze Hawaii, where they brought the telescopes and the equipment to set up a private/semi-private small group tour to explain the night sky to us in detail. We alternated between two telescopes and were able to see comets, stars and constellations. It was a very educational and eye-opening experience to see the beautiful stars, from our hotel. 

Night Snorkelling with the Manta Rays

This was one of the other highly anticipated excursions of our trip, but sadly, the tides were very strong so the manta ray snorkelling tours were cancelled for safety reasons. We still attended the talk to learn more about the "gentle giants" of the ocean and watched them swim from land. The Manta Ray Moonlight Swim Experience is a bit different than other night snorkelling experiences in that this one is good for kids ages 10 and above, and starts from land. So anyone who has hesitation about swimming in the ocean....and in the dark (hands up here!) can put some anxiety to rest as the guests are walked into the water and swim a short distance where the manta rays come to you.

We'll just have to save that experience for next time! 

Hard to believe that we were able to experience all these bucket list experiences, as well as hidden gems of the island in our week! The Island of Hawaii truly has something for everyone and the spirit of aloha stays with you long after you leave. 

Aloha aku no, aloha mai no. I give my love to you, you give your love to me. 💞

Hawaii....you had me at aloha! I am so honoured and privileged to experience this week, to have the opportunity to continue my Hawaiian Destination specialty to become 1 of 7 Island of Hawaii Master Certified travel agents in Canada through Hawaii Tourism Canada and the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau.

Originally, we were just going to do Disney World. Our plans were to just visit Disney World, explore Toy Story Land and experience all the new stuff at Walt Disney World, and stuff we hadn't had the chance to do yet. We had already visited Universal Orlando two years ago and pretty much did everything we could during that trip, thinking we wouldn't be returning for a good long while. We even splurged to "Stay Onsite for Maximum Universal Experience"! 

But, Universal Orlando is a totally and completely different experience in its own right that we couldn't stay away! It wasn't in our original plans, but it was something we could squeeze in! So we decided to do a quick Universal Studios with our initial three days to maximize our time at Universal Orlando. 

Because we stayed onsite last time, I opted to choose an offsite hotel this time, so that I could compare against the onsite experience. I know exactly how expensive an Orlando vacation can be for a family, and as much as many would like to choose the onsite experience, many times it might not be in the budget to do so. And the price and options of offsite hotels are very attractive so I wanted to evaluate the offsite hotel experience this time. 

We stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando, the offsite hotel located closest to the entrance of Universal Orlando Resort, a large and comfortable hotel, that is within walking distance to the parks. Other hotels in the area would be the Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Place Orlando. 

So While the hotel itself is a lovely hotel, with large spacious rooms, restaurants and heated pools with extended hours, being so close to the parks but not being "onsite" was actually more of a detriment than I realized as we just wanted to be "onsite" the whole time we were there. 

And while it is within walking distance to the parks.....it's about a 20 minute walk to the entrance....in August....in Florida heat and humidity. So you must be prepared for that.

Offsite shuttles - yes there are complimentary shuttles that take you to the park and they run each hour throughout the day (each hotel will have their own shuttle schedule). But are they convenient?? Not so much. At our hotel, we had to pre-book and pre-register for a shuttle everyday, by 7pm the night before. No biggie. We registered for our shuttle on the day of arrival for the next day. We arrived 15 minutes before the shuttle time and stood in line to get onto the bus. As the shuttle bus started to fill up, the bus was considered "full" with another family ahead of us in line so we were not permitted on this bus (even though we had pre-registered for this time). We were advised we had to either wait for the next bus (in one hour), our we could make alternate arrangements to get to the parks (Uber, Lyft, taxi or walk). 

We ended up walking because we didn't want to wait until the next bus. The other family had a stroller and young kids so they chose to use a ride-sharing service instead. 

And then we didn't end up using the offsite shuttle service at all because we were in the parks all day, and didn't return before 7pm each night to reserve our pick up times for the next day. So for us, the complimentary shuttles from the offsite hotel did not offer us any value or use during our trip. 

What's New in CityWalk? 

Voodoo Doughnuts - nothing like a sugary sweet delectable treat to start your morning! Originally started in Portland, Oregon, the Voodoo Doughnut craze has been extended beyond to locations at Universal Studios Hollywood in California, and at Universal Orlando in Florida! We had walked by the California location last time so we decided to actually stop in this time to see what the craze was all about! 

​Verdict: Best Donut ever!! 

Toothsome's Chocolate Emporium 

The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen is another cool experience to check out! It wasn't open yet when we were there last time so another "must do" on this trip, offering specialty milkshakes, sundaes and other savory feasts.​

And of course there's a back story to the Emporium! 

All the delectable treats inside! 

And of course, not to miss out on their signature milkshakes and sundaes! There are many to choose from and soooo hard to pick one! 

And if you're lucky enough, you may even get a chance to catch a glimpse of Ms Penelope herself managing all the chocolate production treats happening in the emporium.

It was nice to stop and enjoy some treats in City Walk outside of the parks. Sometimes we get so focused on all the fun inside the parks, we forget to check out all the food, entertainment and shopping opportunities outside of the parks! 

Whether you decide to stay onsite or offsite at Universal Orlando, it is definitely a destination in itself, and worth experiencing as its own destination over a day trip from Disney World. Though it may not require as much planning as a Walt Disney World Vacation, there are still lots of little tips and tricks to navigate the parks, especially if you are a Harry Potter fan! Let me know how I can help you book and plan your Universal Orlando Resorts Vacation! 
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Join your favourite Toy Story friends, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jess and the Green Army Patrol in the newly opened Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World! Through the blistering heat in August temperatures, we bravely slogged through the crowds to enjoy the new land to ride the new Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster, Alien Swirlsaucers and fan favourite Toy Story Mania! 

Toy Story Land is a colourful and cheery land that is will delight fans of all ages. As you enter, you "shrink" down to the size of toys, play big in Andy's Toy Box and join the super size fun! All the rides are family-friendly and great for young kids so you can't escape the playful nature of the whole area. 

Slinky Dog Dash is a fun roller coaster ride with twists and turns that entertains you from the minute you start! It's not too fast, nor are there any scary drops so it's perfect for younger kids (and any of us who can't stomach the bigger coasters anyway!) ​

Alien Swirling Saucers is the other new ride in Toy Story Land where you twist and turn to escape "The Claw", inside the playset at Pizza Planet, from the original Toy Story movie. The ride is short, and doesn't spin as much as I thought so you can swing with the intergalatic beat, which ends much sooner than you realize.  

Toy Story Mania is always a family favourite and is now embedded in the heart of Toy Story Land.

​Throw on your 3D glasses to have a rootin' tootin' time as you swirl through the carnival midway games to compete against your partner and other riders!

As you finish one game, you will swing to the next and one complete with your favourite Toy Story friends cheering you along the way. 

Also new in Toy Story Land is Woody's Lunch Box, a new quick service eatery so you can enjoy some quick snacks while you play! We didn't check it out as the food options were not what we were looking for at the time but mobile ordering is available so you can always order from the Disney World app, and pick up at the mobile counter when you're ready to eat! Very handy and convenient! ​

Overall, Toy Story Land is a super fun land for all ages but I do see it becoming a favourite among younger kids as a huge addition to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Prior to Toy Story Land opening, the majority of young families would visit Hollywood Studios for some of the shows, but there wasn't as much for the younger families. Toy Story Land fills this space for younger kids and families in an area they are sure to enjoy. 

Let me know if you have any questions about Toy Story Land, or Disney World planning advice! I would love to help you and your family book your next vacation to Disney and maximize all the opportunities for fun! 

And thanks to the Palladium Hotel Group, my daughter and I were able to share in a special mother daughter girls only trip to Puerto Vallarta with a luxurious stay at the new Family Selection at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel and Spa. We connected with other like minded individuals and families who understand the importance of travelling with their kids, and making some amazing memories along the way. 

The Family Selection is a new exclusive club offered at Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, and the first to open at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel and Spa in Riviera Nayarit beginning June 1, 2018. We were able to experience the VIP service and facilities of the Family Selection and the care and attention they paid especially to the kids (otherwise known as "Family Bosses").

Family Selection guests arrive and check in at the exclusive Family Selection Lounge with private check in.  Each Family Boss also receives a special welcome kit with items customized to the age and gender of the child. For families with more than one child, they try to mix up the items so siblings don't necessarily receive the same items. Our welcome kit included a Family Selection back pack, rash guard, Family Boss hat, water bottle, portable power bank and fidget spinner. In addition, kids also receive special bathrobes and slippers to use. 

Rooms are elegantly styled for maximum comfort. The Family Selection Junior Suites are spacious, with room to add a playpen for infants, if needed. Rooms include a king size bed or two full size beds, and a sofa bed pull out with memory foam mattress and can fit up to four guests (2 adults and 2 kids). There are exclusive L'occitane bath products for the adults, and mini toiletry items just for the kids. 

Nightly turn down service with special treats change daily, and kids are treated to a special hydromassage bath once per stay.


​Imagine our delight when we returned to our room
​after dinner to enjoy this! ​

Family Selection guests have access to an exclusive lounge, bars and restaurants, pool and private beach area as well as premium alcoholic beverages in the Family Selection areas, and in room amenities including access to a climate control wine bar, personalized minibar with treats for kids, and a coffee maker and Nespresso machine. 

While much attention is paid to the Family Bosses, just as much attention is paid to the parents to ensure they have a most stress free and relaxing vacation with their kids. For this reason, there is an exclusive restaurant, The Nest, only available for Family Selection guests where you can choose from all you can eat buffet options and a la carte dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner (lobster included). Because we know kids can get hungry at all times during the day, there is 24 hour room service to ensure you will always have dining options available. 

You have access to concierge service with a Family Host who is available from 7:00am to 11:00pm for your needs to ensure you receive priority reservation in all restaurants. 

Free laundry service is also available (2 pieces per person) during your stay. 

To encourage Family Boss parents to really indulge, Family Selection guest/adults receive unlimited access to the hydrotherapy pools, hot tubs and steam room at Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness (normally a $30 USD per person per day cost), as well as 20% discount off of spa and beauty treatments. 

Choose from a menu of a wide variety of spa services including beauty services, hairstyling, body waxing, manicures and pedicures and facials, to massages and body scrubs and wraps. Romantic couple massages can be booked for a couples experience, or treat yourself to a Mommy and Me experience and book a "Little Princess" Package, where little girls can receive a mini massage, manicure and pedicure along side mom's spa treatment. (Princess Package can only be booked in conjunction with an existing spa treatment so it cannot be booked on its own).

The "Zentropia Massages" is their signature treatment where you are treated to six different deep tissue massage techniques in an 80 minute session leaving you completely blissful and zen. It was an AMAZING spa experience! 

There are four different treatment rooms, each representing the four elements - fire, water, earth and sun. The music, oils used and decor differs between each room to provide the experience that suits the element of the room. 

Exclusive activities are available for Family Selection guests including every girl's dream of becoming a mermaid! For "mermaid school", mermaid tails are provided to the kids and they can swim like a fish to their heart's content! 

Family yoga classes on the beach are perfect to start your day in gratitude surrounded by the beautiful scenery in the quiet hours of the morning.  

Other complimentary activities available at the resort range from paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing to relaxing in the saltwater pool. Tennis, basketball, and archery are other kid and teen friendly activities to enjoy. The beach is calm and the water is warm, with a small section of rocky beach, but otherwise perfectly safe and fun for the kids to enjoy the ocean. 

Kids Clubs at the resort include a Baby Club for kids ages 1 to 3 years and the Mini Club for kids ages 4 to 12. Tweens and teens have their their own club, Junior Club Black & White where they have their own space to hang out with other kids their age and enjoy a range of activities including trivia quizzes, archery, billiards, disco parties, karaoke, snorkelling and boogie boarding. The People of Palladium (POP) Team are fantastic in engaging with the kids and taking excellent care of them while in their care providing assurances to parents who can enjoy their own adult time without the kids around! 

Gastronomical adventures at the Grand Palladium include two buffet restaurants and four speciality restaurants (Mexican, Italian, American Steakhouse and Asian) as well beach BBQs and cooking lessons.

They have an excellent Allergy and Food Intolerance Program to ensure that families with special dietary needs and concerns are confident with their food choices during their vacation. We have food allergies/intolerances and dietary restrictions to manage so it's always a challenge to find appropriate places to eat. The Allergy and Food Intolerance Program is comprehensive covering ten different dietary concerns with Palladium Dietary Cards that guests can hand to the dining staff upon arrival any restaurant, and the maitre de, chef or food and beverage manager will come and review appropriate food choices. The Palladium Dietary Cards are colour coded to different dietary concerns so any language barriers are minimized as the staff are well aware of the dietary concerns for the right guest. I was extremely impressed with how easy it was to find appropriate food choices and all levels of dining staff were very knowledgeable about our food allergy concerns. 

Celiac - dark green
Type 2 Diabetes - light green
Nut allergy - brown
Fruit and vegetable allergy - red
Seafood allergy - purple
Fish allergy - blue
Egg allergy - orange
Dairy and lactose allergy - white
Sodium and glutamate allergy - pink

​The rest of the resort is lush and green, like a tropical rainforest and an intimate jungle with exotic animals. 

While the Family Selection has its own private pool, there is also a main pool area with slides and waterpark area to enjoy, and an adult only pool area with infinity views. 

Or there's always the beach....

And the sunsets in the evening to enjoy....

My Family Boss and I were treated like royalty during our stay and the exceptional attention to detail was evident in our accommodations, our dining experiences, and scheduled activities throughout the stay. The new friendships that were made through this trip are ones we won't forget.

Thanks to April, Brianna and Mario for putting together such a great itinerary, and for executing a most enjoyable stay at the Family Selection at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel & Spa! 

If you are interested in a complimentary quote for the Family Selection at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel & Spa for your next vacation, let me know!! I would love to help book you and your family to this place to experience this for yourself. Puerto Vallarta is a fantastic destination for families and this resort is the perfect place to treat yourself and your kids to ensure you have a most enjoyable and luxurious vacation! ​

Ah, Las Vegas.....what can I say??!! It is the place where so many people flock to for a quick getaway! Though mainly known for its reputation as "adult freedom" where "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", many do not think or realize that Las Vegas has so many attractions and activities geared towards kids and families that are either free, or affordably priced! It was the perfect excuse for us to get away after the end of another school year, and start the celebration of our summer vacation this year! 

Here are some of the fun highlights of our quick getaway in Las Vegas perfect for kids and families! 

Paris Las Vegas 

We stayed at the Paris Las Vegas for a little bit of the Paris experience! It's centrally located on The Strip, so easy to access both north and south attractions along The Strip. With the Las Vegas Monorail Pass, the station at Bally's/Paris easily connects you to many other areas along The Strip so that you don't have to walk in this crazy heat! 

And the view from the pool is one of the best! It's a great view while enjoying the serenity away from The Strip. 

Eiffel Tower Experience

​And you can't stay at the Paris Las Vegas without enjoying the Eiffel Tower Experience! The Paris Las Vegas  Eiffel Tower replica is 460 feet high, just half the size of the name sake in Paris, France and you get to enjoy beautiful 360 views of The Strip. You can choose to do it in the daytime (great views of The Strip) or upgrade to the night experience (spectacular views!), which is often busier, but sooooo much more of an experience! See for yourself! 

MARVEL S.T.A.T.I.O.N

Do you think you have what it takes to become an Avenger?? WE DO!!  ​

As huge Marvel fans in this household, there is absolutely no way we could miss out on the Marvel S.T.A.T.I.O.N experience at Treasure Island! The Marvel S.T.A.T.I.O.N stands for the "Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network" and this interactive experience recruits and trains you to become a part of the Avengers team. You go through the exhibits to learn about the history of the Avengers team members and end with the ultimate battle against Ultron. At the end, you can choose to receive a special commemorative official Avengers ID photo card to confirm your Avengers status. 

But this is what I really came for.....Sigh.....me and the mighty Thor, god of lightning...

MADAME TUSSAUDS LAS VEGAS

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas wax museum is a great place to get your "celebrity" sighting fix without meeting actual celebrities. Or fighting off The Hulk....

You may want to visit more than once as they are constantly changing the figurines to keep things new and fresh! 

M&Ms World

Chocolate fun for everyone at M&M's World for all things chocolate and M&M's! Four stories of chocolate, souvenirs, character meets and even a 3D show experience! 

Have you heard of Dragon's Breath? Apparently, I have not and underestimated its popularity online (I must be old!) as my kids had to educate me on this thing called Dragon's Breath! Tucked in at the Grand Bazaar Shops between Paris Las Vegas and Bally's is Dragon's Breath, a cereal snack (similar to Fruit Loops) is dipped in liquid nitrogen. When you eat it, the nitrogen comes out your nose and mouth (like a dragon!). It takes awhile to get the hang of it before you can actually "breathe" like a dragon, and of course our really good Dragon Breath experiences never happened when we were trying to get a good pic or video! So you'll have to settle for our word that you actually can breath like a dragon, and it looks way better than what we could catch on film! You can also order Dragon's Breath snacks in ice cream, boba tea, popcorn and several other snackery items.  

Also in the Grand Bazaar Shops, is Wahlburgers, a chain of burger restaurants owned by the Wahlberg family (think Marky Mark, Donnie, New Kids on the Block Wahlberg). The burgers were tasty and cooked to your desired perfection. Not realizing you can order your burger in different "doneness" levels, I opted for a "medium" doneness for a burger, which left the middle of the burger still pink! (GASP!) My food scientist inner self was thinking of all the havoc it would wreak on my digestive system but then realized my iron gut prevails and it's no match for a little bit of pink. I've had way worse in my earlier days....But I would highly recommend checking it out! It was not as heavy and greasy as I was expecting. Beware of long waits during the busy times. We stopped by several times each with 45 minutes to 1 hour wait times before we went there on our last day before 11:00am. By the time we left though, there was a line up outside for guests waiting to get in. 

Las Vegas is also synonymous with the "All You Can Eat Buffets" and there are so many to choose from so a buffet is always on the must do list for any Vegas experience. With allergies galore and food intolerances to be mindful of, our restaurant choices can sometimes be very iffy, and buffet options are a hit and miss. So a wide option for food choices is necessary to ensure there is something my kids can eat! We chose the Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood, and what do you think was the highlight of the buffet?? The all-you-can-eat....cotton candy. Yep, I paid Las Vegas holiday buffet prices (because it was July 4th week) so my kids could eat all the cotton candy they desired....(facepalm!) 

Which conveniently leads this momma to The Tipsy Robot, also located in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.....the robot creates perfect drink mixes each time while providing an entertaining experience to watch! 

And of course I always have to have a little bit of Asian food wherever I go, and who would have thought there would be so many choices in Paris Las Vegas?! The Yong Kang Street Dumpling and Noodle House is a little bit of Asia, combining food from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China! 

As we couldn't do it all in one trip, other notable experiences worth checking out with your kids along The Strip include the following:

FREE:
- Bellagio Fountains - every 30 minutes between 3 and 7pm, and every 15 minutes from 7pm to midnight
- Mirage Volcano eruption at 8pm and 9pm each night
- Circus Circus free show
- Fall of Atlantis at Caesar's Palace - 11 minute show ever hour

COST:
- Roller Coaster at New York New York
- High Roller at the Linq 
- Stratosphere thrill rides
- Sigfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage
- Adventuredome at Circus Circus
- Shark Reef's Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

I could literally eat my way around Las Vegas as there are so many great options and simply not enough time or belly room to enjoy it all in one visit! Whether you come to Vegas for the uninhibited freedom to let loose and indulge in guilty pleasures in a place most famously known as "Sin City", or just wanting a quiet relaxing vacation by the pool, there really is so much more to enjoy if you're looking for a quick but jam packed getaway! 

Start your travel planning here at www.visitlasvegas.com for the most up to date happenings in Vegas. You may think you don't need a travel agent to help you with a quick trip to Vegas, but there is a lot of value that a travel agent can bring to your trip and it never hurts to see what deals we can find for you! Especially for a group or wedding and a bachelorette/stagette party.....Let me know how I can help! Viva Las Vegas! 

Though that may be a Dr. Seuss quote, it seems fitting for the last runDisney race at Disneyland for a few years. runDisney will continue to have marathons at Walt Disney World in Florida, and now in Disneyland Paris but the California Disneyland races have been cancelled indefinitely (at least for 3-4 years) while extensive construction is taking place to expand Disneyland Parks with a new hotel, parking structure and of course, Star Wars Land. 

I wanted to do a runDisney event with my kids so they could experience the joy of running a runDisney race so the Spiderman 5K was the perfect intro to the runDisney world. It's such a great family friendly event for all ages  with kids as young as 5 able to register and participate. There is a minimum age 10 to participate in the 10K, and minimum age 14 to run the half marathon. And we love our Superheroes so the theme was absolutely perfect for us! We were so excited to be running the 2017 Avengers Superheroes Half Marathon Weekend! 

The best part of the race is seeing all the great costumes that people race in, and the incredible support of everyone in the race. It's such a great community to be a part of and I can't believe there won't be any more races. I'm grateful that we took the plunge to register for this race, not knowing it would be the last at Disneyland. ​

We got our Spidey senses tingling, hulked up and ran the race! The best part of the race is simply having fun! There were lots of character stops to take your photos with Captain America, Thor, Hawykeye, Black Widow and Spiderman and photo ops at the mile markers as well. 

We stopped for Captain America and then didn't have time to stop for any of the otters characters. Had we waited in line for another character, we would have risked seeing the infamous balloon ladies who sweep you off the course and you don't finish the race. 

I'm so proud of my kids who not only finished the race, they thought it was too short! It was over so quickly, just as the fun was starting. They are confident they can do the 10K and are eager to try. 

Races begin at 5:00am in the morning and must be completed before the park opens to the public. There are lots of Good Neighbour hotels in the area to stay in, and complimentary shuttle transportation is provided to all race participants throughout the weekend. 

There's nothing like walking around the parks after a race with all your runDisney attire and proudly wearing that medal around your neck! The camaraderie and the community makes the event such a welcoming and worthwhile experience. I'm so sad that there won't be any races at Disneyland anymore, just as I got introduced into the runDisney experience.  

There is no other way  to describe the experience other than it was so much fun! 

I don't know when the next race will be but I definitely want to be running in one again! 

Why not get all dressed up in your Sunday best and head to Disneyland? That's the idea behind Dapper Day, a day to celebrate the days of a bygone era where people would get dressed up in their best attire for a day out in Disneyland. It's not an official event held by Disney, but what started out as a fun way to dress up and spend the day in Disneyland has grown to a bi-annual event in Disneyland, and spread to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris for their own Dapper Day events. Spend a day in the parks wearing your most dapper attire, and check out the expo for a lot of great vendors specializing in couture and pinup clothing styles. 

The Disney PhotoPass photographers are plenty around the parks and they are awesome at ensuring you get the best photos always! Sometimes the characters will also be in their most dapper gear so it's so much fun to spend the day being dapper. ​

Disneyland now has the MaxPass system for $10/day per person if you wish to utilize the digital Fast Pass system at Disneyland. With MaxPass, you can choose your next Fast Pass within the Disneyland app, without having to go to the physical distribution location to obtain a Fast Pass. It is very convenient to choose Fast Passes without having to race across the parks for your next Fast Pass. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you can choose Fast Passes in either park. Once you have chosen your Fast Pass, it will tell you what time to return to redeem the Fast Pass. You will also be notified when you can choose your next Fast Pass. 

Also included in MaxPass are unlimited photos from the day so it's also a great opportunity to take as many photos in the parks as you can. Photos are uploaded into your Disney account about 30 minutes afterwards and you receive unlimited downloads of your photos (without the watermark) for up to 30 days after your return. 

Is it worth it?? Absolutely. It significantly reduces the time you need to spend waiting in lines, especially the really popular rides that always have long wait times. For us, our must do was to visit the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction in California Adventure. While I was sad that the Tower of Terror was no longer, I can't believe how much fun the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction is! The music and the energy of the ride is electric! (Note to self: make sure you have some food in your belly before going on this ride!). I always bring my ginger with me to help settle my stomach for rides like this, but definitely worth it!! 

Really, we wish you were here! 

Dapper Day is just another fun and unique way to enjoy Disneyland and it was neat seeing how so many people dress up! I loved the costumes, the clothing and how everyone is able to express themselves through fashion and feel absolutely beautiful at Disneyland. And there is no better backdrop that Disneyland for your picture perfect self! 

For an extra special treat, combine your vacation with a stay at The Disneyland Hotel! It's such a charming hotel, complete with Disney magic that you just can't describe until you're there. The headboard lights up with fireworks and plays soft music. It's simply magical. Sigh. 

The hotel is located next to Downtown Disney for easy access to restaurants and shopping, and only about a 10 minute walk to the parks. Staying onsite at a Disney resort also gives you Extra Magic Hours, an hour before the park opens to the public so that you can enjoy the parks before the crowds! So many extra benefits to staying at a Disney Resort! And you can beat the magic that comes with Disney! 

​Let me know if you have any questions! I would love to help you! 

Who else remembers guests getting slimed on "You Can't Do That on Television" from childhood??!! Well, my kids had no idea what I was talking about but they were just as eager to get slimed at Nickelodeon's Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! 

Actually, it looked a little more like this! 

It was green and a little bit slimey but oh so much fun! I can certainly check that off my list of things to do! 

Ever since Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts first opened their resort in Punta Cana in 2016, I knew it would a place that I would eventually visit! It's such a fun themed resort and perfect for a family vacation in the Dominican. When my agency, Centre Holidays, announced it would be holding their first travel agent conference in Punta Cana, (where I was also privileged to share my passion and knowledge of Disney with other agents!) I wanted to travel down a couple of days earlier to experience the fun and excitement of the Nickelodeon Punta Cana Resort by Karisma, a five star luxury resort full of awesomeness! 

With only two days to spare, we made sure we checked out as much as we could to get the full experience here at the Nickelodeon Punta Cana resort, including the infamous Pineapple Villa, located at 124 Conch Street,  and replica of the underwater pineapple home of SpongeBob SquarePants! The villa was booked during our stay so we were not permitted to visit inside, but it is a two bedroom/three bathroom 2300 square foot, two storey villa complete with private butler and sufficient room to accommodate up to six guests. 

Upon check in at the lobby, guests are greeted with a welcome champagne beverage and a "Slime Smoothie" for the kids. 

Our room was a Flat Suite, 721 square feet of space and includes one king bed in the master suite and a double size pull out bed in the living room. The PAD suite features two double beds and a pull out sofa bed. Both options include extra large balconies on the second and third floors, and swim out suites on the first floor. 

The heart of the the Nickelodeon Punta Cana Hotel & Resort is Nickelodeon Place, or Nick Place for short. It is the hub for all things entertainment and all things Nickelodeon-related. All guests of the Nickelodeon resort have access to Nick Place included with their stay. Guests staying at the neighbouring Sensatori Punta Cana, (sister resort to Nickelodeon sharing many of the central amenities) can purchase a day pass or a week pass to include access to Nick Place. 

Aqua Nick is where you will find the water slides, splash pads, spray grounds, lazy river and of course, the home of the twice daily Slime parties! There is a mass sliming option where everyone gathers underneath the signature orange Nickelodeon blimp in the middle of the water park and a mass green slime pours down on everyone at the same time. Slime parties are held twice a day (once in the morning and again in the afternoon). Rooms are randomly drawn for the chance to be slimed or you can reserve a private sliming (for an additional fee) if you want to ensure you get the "Get Slimed" experience! 

Nick Place is also home to Character Central, where you can meet and greet with your favourite Nickelodeon characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Dora the Explorer, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

The Kids Club, Just Kiddin', is available for kids ages 4- 12, providing daily supervised activities for the kids. Aqua Bites is the perfect place to grab a quick snack or meal while enjoying the day at the water park. The Sports and Entertainment Center also provides several sports activities including tennis, table tennis, archery, football, and a state of the art fitness center.

The Nickelodeon Punta Cana Resort is a Karisma property, which is known for its signature #GourmetInclusive Experience, perfect for foodies who enjoy gourmet cuisine. Premium alcoholic beverages with top shelf liquor, gourmet cuisine and daily restocked mini bar in your rooms provides a first class all-inclusive experience. 

The Gourmet Village is centrally located and provides a marketplace atmosphere for all the guests of Nickelodeon and Sensatori Resorts, including Doppio coffee shop, several signature restaurant experiences such as Wok Wok Far East Fusion cuisine; Verdello Sicilian Kitchen; Brgrs PH for artisan burgers, Space Walker Interstellar Cuisine, Kitchen 23 (adult only) or a piano bar experience at Vino Vino. 

Signature "must have" dining experiences include the Machete Burger (which we didn't to experience!) but is an artisan burger large enough for the whole family, and Space Walker, the Interstellar Restaurant, featuring the signature desserts, "The Inner Core" and "Houston, We Have a Problem". 

In addition to all the amenities listed above, the Gourmet Inclusive Experience at Nickelodeon also includes:
- Access to nine swimming pools
- Nickelodeon Concierge and Vacation Planner services
- baby and toddler amenities including Gerber baby food, strollers, cribs, kids' spa robes and baby bottle warmers, step stools, baby bath tubs, change tables, and baby monitors. Perfect for families with young kids as you don't need bring anything from home! 
- Internet and Wi-Fi (very important! Not all places include Wi-Fi in the cost)
- 24 hour Room Service (So important when your kids don't eat at regular meal times, or are hungry ALL.THE.TIME)
- Balinese beds are also available to enjoy in the pool and beach area without additional cost. Reservations are required and can be made directly with your pool butler. 

For an extra Nickelodeon experience with the kids, optional extras are available to make it even more fun!
- Nickelodeon Nick Knack Packs filled with Nickelodeon specialty treats and items
- Nickelodeon birthday parties
- Nickelodeon character dining experiences
- Nickelodeon private character meet and greet events
- Nickelodeon private sliming experience 

Let's talk beach! Because the Dominican Republic is known for its soft sandy beaches and gentle warm waves, all the beaches we visited in the Punta Cana area lived up to the reputation! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend families with kids going into the water. Waves are warm and gentle, the sand is soft and pliable, perfect for young kids. 

Not a beach person? That's ok! There are also nine pools for you to enjoy, in addition to the beach and Aqua Nick waterpark at Nickelodeon Place. There are plenty of water experiences for the kids and older kids to enjoy! 

There is much to share about our experiences at Nickelodeon Punta Cana and it certainly lives up to the standards and reputation of being a Gourmet Inclusive Resort by Karisma Resorts. Let me know if you have any questions about the resort, or would like assistance in booking your next vacation here (or anywhere!). I would love the opportunity to help. I know you will enjoy your stay here as much as we did! 

And just a small aside.....we were travelling during the time between Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. We were evacuated in advance of Hurricane Maria's arrival in Punta Cana and Westjet sent relief flights to a day early before our scheduled departure date to ensure we arrived back into Canada safely. Thank you to the volunteer crew who helped bring us home and made the flight easy and enjoyable to return home! 

​We just recently came back from a whirlwind trip to Walt Disney World and experienced the newest land that just opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park in Orlando! While it is a bit crazy to visit Disney World for a quick weekend getaway from Calgary, some of the best trips are short and sweet! In my mind, a little Disney magic is better than no Disney at all! It was a perfect weekend to explore the new world of Pandora with the Extra Magic Hours available to Disney onsite guests as a part of its opening plans.  

​We took a red eye flight for Calgary to Orlando, arriving in the morning, boarded the Disney’s Magical Express airport transportation and took us straight to our resort, Disney’s All Star Sports. Because it was short weekend trip, and because I didn’t get a chance to check out the All Star Resorts (Music, Movies and Sports) during my last visit, I thought it was a great opportunity to check it out. 

The All Star Resorts are a collection of value resorts onsite at Walt Disney World. They are perfect for those who want to stay onsite at Disney World and receive all the benefits of an onsite resort, without the added amenities and desirable locations of the moderate and deluxe resorts. But because our main goal for this visit was to visit Pandora and Animal Kingdom Park, the All Star Resorts were a perfect location because of its close proximity to Animal Kingdom! ​We check into our resort, dropped off our bags, grabbed a quick lunch and headed straight to Animal Kingdom Park. ​

First things first, we head straight to Pandora The World of Avatar! If you have seen the movie Avatar, you will recognize the influence of the director, James Cameron within the land. The idea of Pandora, the beliefs and culture of the Na'vi blend perfectly with the overall theme and culture of Animal Kingdom Park. Here in the Valley of Mo'ara, the scenery is set 100 years in the future from the time period of the movie, Avatar. Since the movie's ending, the moon planet has undergone extensive damage and has been revitalized and guests can take expedition tours to visit Pandora.

The beauty of Pandora is absolutely breathtaking! You can wander for hours just exploring and taking in all the beauty of the flora and the fauna.

Play on the drums that echo through the mountains!

Touch and feel parts of the land that come alive with your touch! You are first greeted Pandora with the Flaska Reclinata, a plant that spews water and steam when you touch its insides. It looks like the insides are are slimy and gooey but it's really not!

We originally had Fast Passes for the Avatar Flight of Passage but much to our horror and dismay, after flying on a red eye flight twelve hours earlier, we arrive in Pandora and BOTH signature attractions in Pandora were closed! Apparently there was a fire sensor that went off so guests were evacuated from both rides. We didn’t know how long it would take so we decided to head back to our room to regroup and and decide on our next steps. We would come back again sometime this weekend and try again. 

While we were not able to ride the attractions that day, we did head back to Animal Kingdom Park another day to see Pandora at night, which is another experience altogether! Pandora lights up at night and the experience is truly magical. But it's difficult to get good photos so you just have to experience it in person to get the full immersive experience. ​
​

NA'VI RIVER JOURNEY

The Na'vi River Journey is a relaxing slow moving boat ride, (similar to Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World) through the biolumnescent forest of Pandora. Enjoy the exotic flora and the fauna of the magically lit up forest with dazzling colours and soothing music of the Na'vi, finally meeting the Na'vi Shaman of Songs, as she shares her personal and deep connection to the forest through her music.

FLIGHT OF PASSAGE

Flight of Passage is the signature attraction of Pandora. Don't let the incredibly long wait times scare you! There will likely be long lines for many years to come. The ride is THAT amazing! It is definitely necessary to snag a Fast Pass for this ride, use Extra Magic Hours and early morning opening times to take advantage of lower crowds to experience this attraction. The wait is worth it. 

Guests board the back of a banshee to experience the ride of a lifetime! It is a simulator experience, where guests can link up to an avatar already in flight on a banshee and experience this rite of passage for the Na'vi. Each person sits on a bike-like contraption so it feels like you are straddling a banshee and the experience feels very individual as each person rides his/her own banshee. With a large screen in front of you, wind and water spray effects that complement the ride, the experience takes you through the Valley of Mo'ara from the back of a banshee. It is thrilling and exhilarating!

The queue itself is a unique experience with a lot of detail to help pass the time spent in line. It's one of those queues that twists and turns and never seems to end! There is a lot of back story into the technology they use to link you to an existing avatar already on the back of a banshee and how it all works.  

The two rides at Pandora are tiered for Fast Passes, meaning you can only choose one or the other per day. Given that choice, get a Fast Pass for Flight of Passage, and wait in line for the Na'vi River Journey. The Na'vi River Journey is a constantly loading boat ride so the line moves fairly quickly and anticipated wait times might be 60 to 90 minutes. Flight of Passage wait times without Fast Passes will likely be into several hours at peak times, so take advantage of Fast Passes, and early morning hours to reduce the wait time for the ride. Whatever your strategy, Flight of Passage is a MUST DO and not to be missed! 

A few other highlights....

We visited Disney's Hollywood Studios to meet some of the newest characters to join the meet and greet options. Star-Lord and Baby Groot were a hit and so much fun! 

I can't remember what BB-8 said at this time but it must have been pretty funny! 

At EPCOT, head over to the Canadian Pavilion where they are handing out special edition pins for Canadians to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday! You can write your hometown and wear your button with pride all around the parks. Though my home is now Calgary, I am a born and raised prairie girl trekking throughout the prairie provinces so I had to represent each city I've lived in! 

Because we had a lot to accomplish in one weekend, our whirlwind trip included a quick stop at all four parks, plus Disney Springs over the course of the weekend, including three parks in one day for our second park day. 

And at the end of our 14 hour day visiting EPCOT, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Park.....

These kids are such troopers and great little assistants for my quick research trip to Disney World! Not only did they handle the red eye flights with ease, topped with long park days, Florida heat, crazy lines and a lot of walking, they managed to settle back into regular life without too much of a hassle. 

Disney is not just a destination, it's a way of life! It was a crazy action-packed weekend and I would do it again in a heartbeat! 

Who wants to go to Disney with me next time?? The more the merrier! Let me know! 

If you have an upcoming trip planned to Disney World already, then you won't want to miss this, "Pandora The World of Avatar: What You Need to Know!"

​Contact me to help you with your Disney vacation (or any kind of travel, really!) I'm available to help you with your travel adventures! 

​

Atlantis, Paradise Island in Nassau is an adventure onto itself and deserves a vacation on its own to truly appreciate the magnificence the resort embodies! A one day port adventure day is simply a teaser of what you can fully experience but it was neat to visit nonetheless! Atlantis, Paradise Island is the mythical ocean paradise of the lost city but now is the most incredible vacation destination in the world tempting you with indulgent luxuries, opulent surroundings and breathtaking architecture.

Atlantis is home to the world's largest open air marine habitat, with 14 exhibit lagoons where you can see a variety of ocean predators, vibrant fish, turtles, stingrays, sharks, dolphin encounters. Walk through The Dig, which is a mysterious series of intricate tunnels that bring you into the lost civilization of Atlantis and walk through the shark tunnel where you can see them up close and personal. Or, with the Aquaventure Pass, you can ride a tube slide through the marine areas and feel like you are swimming with the sharks!  

Aquaventure is Atlantis' one of a kind water park with 141 acres of non-stop thrills! The Mayan Temple Water Slides and Pool is one of the most popular and favourite pool areas for kids and families. Choose between the Leap of Faith, a 60 foot near vertical drop, or the Serpent Slide, dropping five stories into complete darkness and emerging into a shark lagoon! You can race each other in the Challenger Slide or ride though a safari slide in the Jungle Slide. Adjacent to the water slides is the Mayan pool, where you can dance to the beat of a live DJ. 

The Royal Baths is a low key pool area where you can enjoy the scenery and iconic view of the Royal Towers. 

Head across the Royal Towers into the Paradise Lagoon area where you can enjoy the Paradise Lagoon Beach private beach or the Atlantis beach.

We didn't quite make it to the rest of Aquaventure where the Power Tower is located, the Rapids River, Dolphin Cay area or the other towers. (It's a huge resort!). In the Dolphin Cay area, you can play with the sea lions, choose a shallow water dolphin interaction experience or the deep water swim experience where you can glide alongside the dolphins in the water. For an amazing stingray experience, guests can enjoy ahd hands on experience in the water to feed and swim along side them. There is also an "Ultimate Trainer for a Day" and "Junior Ultimate Trainer for a Day" experience where you can interact with all the exotic marine animals onsite, and work with a trainer to go behind the scenes on how to care for all of them. Last but not least, you can choose to snorkel the Ruins of Atlantis, and discouer the underwater lost city of Atlantis and swim along the colorful tropical fish and marine animals. 

WHERE TO STAY:

Atlantis offers a variety of accommodation levels to suite every budget and style. Staying at any Atlantis accommodation choice will provide complimentary access to all of the available amenities, services and attractions at Atlantis - Aquaventure, beaches, pool, the Dig, etc...

The value option and introductory price point would be The Beach Tower, a casual and relaxed tropical vacation paradise. It is also located the furthest from the main areas of Atlantis.
For moderate choice, The Coral Towers offer a modern and contemporary Bahamaian feel to your accommodations. 
For larger families and those looking for more spacious accommodations, the Harborside Resort provides one, two and three bedroom villas that can accommodate up to nine guests in one villa. Villas include fill kitchetns with microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher, perfect for the home away from home. 
The iconic Royal Towers are located in the center of paradise and is central to all things Atlantis and is the deluxe option for your stay.
For those looking for a luxury experience, The Cove Atlantis offers sophistication, luxury, seclusion and privacy, away from the hustle and bustle of the main Atlantis areas. Suites offer floor to ceiling breathtaking ocean views, with a private beach area only accessible to guests staying at The Cove, and The Reef Atlantis. 
The Reef Atlantis is residential luxury, featuring spacious residential-style studio suites, and one and two bedroom suites. 
​

WHAT TO DO:

Beyond the Marine Habitat, Aquaventure, The Dig, Dolphin Cay, Atlantis beaches, there is also a variety of other activities to enjoy! For kids, there is a CRUSH club for teens (ages 13 - 17 years) or the Atlantis Kids Adventures for kids ages 3-12. Over 21 restaurants and 19 bars/lounges will have your dining needs covered, including celebrity chef restaurants, Aura Nightclub and Atlantis Casino, the largest casino in the Caribbean. 

DINING:  

Atlantis, Paradise Island is not all-inclusive, however optional dining plans are available to add-on to your stay to make it as all-inclusive as possible. The "Two Course Value Dining Plan" provides two meals a day at quick service and family restaurants. The "Three Course Atlantis Dining Plan" provides an additional sit down mea, including dining experiences at two celebrity chef restaurants. For the ultimate dining plan, the "Three Course Reef/Cove Dining Plan" is available to the guests staying at the Reef Atlantis and The Cove. Taxes and gratuities are already included in the price of the dining plan. Guests in the same room must purchase the same dining plan for the duration of the stay, with a two night minimum stay. Children 6 and under eat free when dining with a parent on the dining plan but they must choose from children's menu. 

With lots of available dining options at Atlantis, everything from quick service, international buffet to high end fine dining cuisine experiences, there is something for everyone, include two Starbucks locations onsite!

Note: Atlantis is a cashless resort and does not accept cash onsite. All charges are to your room, if staying at the resort, or to a credit card, if visiting for the day. 

Two different Starbucks locations to get your Starbucks fix! 

Not just in Nassau, Atlantis will be coming to Oahu, Hawaii with a 2 billion dollar price tag, the most expensive hotel in the world! Rivalling only the Atlantis the Palms in Dubai, Atlantis in Hawaii will be located in the beautiful Ko Olina area, next to Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa and the Ko Olina Beach Villas Resort. With over 15 acres of land to be developed, the new Atlantis resot will have 800 guest rooms and 500 villas and 26.3 acres of marinate habitat, interactive aquarium and Aquaventure waterpark. It will an exciting future for the Ko Olina area! 

I can't wait to book you and your family to Atlantis. It really is Paradise Island and it is just  waiting for you to come! Contact me today to get your vacation booked! ​

What would be the perfect Christmas gift this year?? Why not the gift of travel?! The opportunities for travel are plenty and I am forever grateful and blessed to travel as much as I can, with my kids in tow to experience all the wonders of travel. And especially as a Disney Vacation Specialist, we have been fortunate enough to visit Disneyland in March, Walt Disney World in August, and a Disney cruise in December. That's a whole lot of Disney vacations in one year! And because of these awesome opportunities, we have had some pretty amazing vacations that my kids will remember for years to come, instead of more "stuff", which we have way too much of anyway! 

So, here is a quick overview of our recent Disney cruise experience to the Bahamas, aboard the upgraded and newly refurbished Disney Wonder! The Disney Wonder came out of dry dock in November and began her new season sailing out of Galveston, Texas to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, which was the perfect opportunity for me to explore the updates on the Wonder, explore Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, and visit Atlantis, Paradise Island at Nassau for potential future vacations for clients. 

Where to stay in Galveston:

Disney partner hotels for cruises departing out of Galveston include the Marriott at George Bush International Airport in Houston, or the San Luis Resort in Galveston. If you book your pre or post hotel stay with Disney, you can arrange shuttle transportation with Disney to get you from the airport to the port and back. If you book your hotel stay elsewhere, then you will need to make your own arrangements for transportation to the port. The shuttle from Disney is great as the shuttle ride is about 1.5 hours from George Bush International Airport to Galveston, but there is Wi-Fi onboard, and you can watch Disney movies the whole time so it doesn't feel long at all. If you don't book with Disney, a great shuttle option is with Galveston Express, which has pre-booked shuttle times or private transfer options for small groups. 

The San Luis Resort Spa & Conference Center in Galveston Island is where we stayed for our pre-cruise night. It is a beautiful resort that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. 

Other highly recommended hotels to stay in Galveston include the Hilton Galveston Island and the Holiday Inn Galveston, both which are located on either side of the San Luis Resort and all are a part of the same overall management group. Another popular and highly recommended hotel is the Hotel Galvez and Spa, which is located closer to the port so you get a great view of the incoming ships! Complimentary shuttle transportation to the port is available from all these hotels. Many offer cruise and park stays to park a car, or you can park at the cruise terminal, with savings if you prepurchase your cruise terminal parking.  

Our cruise departs at 4:00pm with a sail away party and heads off to sea for the next 36 hours. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the ship, and get to know your surroundings. It wouldn't be a very Merrytime cruise without Christmas decor! 

While at sea, the first full night onboard is usually formal night. This is a fantastic opportunity to get dressed up and there are plenty of opportunities onboard for family photos in your best attire! With the theme of the Golden Mickeys, it's Disney's red carpet affair celebrating the history and highlights in Disney animation and cinema, with an impressive live theatre musical show. 

First stop, Key West, Florida!
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It's a cute little town, perfect for walking around and exploring the sights. Mallory Square is full of trinket and souvenir shopping, conch sea shells, pirate gear and Take bicycle tour of the city, visit Ernest Hemingway museum or the Little White House of President Truman and make sure you try some key lime pie! Plus, don't forget to visit the Southernmost point of the continental USA, where you are only 90 miles from Cuba. 

Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas and the highlight of most tropical Disney cruises!! It is a beautiful private island and the most enjoyable day of the whole cruise!

Castaway Cay 5K
One of the optional "excursions" (although it is not really an excursion) is the Castaway Cay 5K! It's not an excursion you can pre-book, but you can head straight to port adventures or guest services as soon as your board to register for the race. It is a fun way to enjoy the island and the 5K is open to all guests 10 and older, although I saw a few little kids running the 5K as well! Everyone who registers for the race receives the Castaway Cay 5K medal so kids younger than 10 can certainly run or walk the 5K but they won't receive the medal. It is not a timed race so you can walk or run the distance on your own time. (But it is hot!)

The island has something for everyone, including an onsite kids club, Scuttles Cove, for the little kids if you want to drop them off. There are family beach areas, snorkeling lagoons, the Pelican Plunge water slide area and water play areas for younger kids. Optional excursions you can book include stingray adventures, tubes and float rentals, bicycle rentals, or head to the adults only area at Serenity Beach for a tranquil beach experience. Private cabanas are also available to rent. There is also a post office on the island where you can send mail from Castaway Cay to where you want to send mail but be warned, it will be sent on Bahamian time! 

Lunch is served on the island with a BBQ and an all you can eat ice cream station for dessert. There are a couple of shops on the island with unique apparel and souvenirs that are only found on the island itself so if you want a Castaway Cay souvenir of some kind, you can only find it at the shops on the island. 

Your Castaway Cay beach day ends with a pirate party, Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean Party! Feast on a pirate themed menu, and join the deck party onboard with all the characters in their pirate gear, finishing off with fireworks in the sky! It's a fun event where many guests get all dressed up in pirate gear, and although it is not mandatory to dress up, it's so much fun! 

Our third port was Nassau, Bahamas and our excursion was to visit Atlantis, Paradise Island! There are lots of varying excursions you can choose for Atlantis, including swimming with dolphins, stingray adventures, Aquaventure access (includes access to their waterparks), aquarium and marine tour or spend a day at the Atlantis beach. 

Atlantis, Paradise Island is such a huge resort and we were only able to explore about half the resort! There is so much to do there that it deserves its own post! (coming soon!) 

And it's not everyday you get to see two Disney ships docked at the same port! There were 5 ships docked in Nassau that day, including both the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream. When docked beside each other, you can clearly see the size difference between the two ships! 

After three port days exploring Key West, Florida, Castaway Cay, and Nassau, we had two full days at sea to relax, enjoy the ship activites, all the great shows onboard and take it easy. Enjoy some spa time at the Senses Spa, or take in the pilates and yoga classes offered at the fitness center, which really helped with my tight muscles after the 5K and bike ride on Castaway Cay! 

One of our most favourite things to do is watch movies and there are plenty of opportunities to watch first run movies in the theatre onboard. Usually after dinner (we had the late seating so dinner was at 8:15pm), we would got catch some characters for photos and autgraphs and then go get popcorn in our refillable popcorn bucket for refill, head to deck 9 to get some drinks and ice cream and head back to our stateroom for movies in our room or head to the movie theatre for a late night movie. All Disney first run movies play onboard the ship! 

One of our highlights for this cruise was to attend the midnight premiere of Star Wars Rogue One! Any new Disney movie that premieres on land, will premiere on the ship at one minute past midnight on the premiere date! So we were lucky and stayed up to watch Star Wars Rogue One the night before we disembarked the cruise and it was absolutely worth it! 

Our Disney cruise was a jam packed, kickass vacation that felt like more than 7 days! But it is full of so many memories for me and my kids that they will have forever. It's one of the many things we love about Disney and Disney vacations and it is why I choose to help people plan such amazing and memorable vacations. If you want help in planning your next vacation, let me know! I would love the opportunity to help! 

When the opportunity arose to go on another Disney cruise adventure, it was one I could not pass up! After our first cruise a couple of years ago aboard the Disney Wonder to Alaska, I figured my next cruise would like be a south cruise aboard the Disney Dream or Fantasy, or possibly the Magic, which is the sister ship to the Wonder. But the Disney Wonder went into dry dock earlier this year for extensive upgrades and changes, her debut into the world reimagined offered an opportunity to visit her again to see all her in her shiny new enhancements! Her reimagined look debuted onto the seas with the November 18, 2016 sailing from Galveston, Texas and we were lucky enough to be on the new sailing in her new digs!  

The former Route 66 area has now been transformed into an upscale adults only area, After Hours, with redesigned lounges and nightclubs. Diversions is now the Crown & Fin pub, a proper English-style pub and the Wave lounge is now the Azure Lounge, a posh and modern lounge area for many of the day time shows for families, and becomes an adult only nightclub after 9:00pm. The buffet restaurant on Deck 9, formerly Beach Blanket, has been expanded and is now Cabanas. 

The Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab Kids clubs area for kids ages 3 to 12 located on Deck 5, also got a facelift with new additions including the Marvel Superhero Academy, Frozen Adventures and Wandering Oaken's Trading Post, Andy's room playroom, just to name a few. The many youth activities happening in the kids clubs will entertain your kids no matter what their interests are. 

The kids clubs are a completely contained area where kids can roam freely between the lab and the club to enjoy the different themed areas in each. The kids clubs are open daily from 9:00am until midnight each day. Parents have the option to check in and check out their kids, or kids can check themselves in and out themselves if you give them that permission. Lunch and dinner can also be served in the kids clubs so you don't need to worry about feeding them if they are in the kids clubs. Another great option is to have your kids join you at your regular dinner seating but the kids meals can be served first and the youth couselors can take them back to the kids club so you can enjoy the rest of you dinner. 

Kids outside the ages of 3 to 12 need not fret. There is the Edge Club for kids ages 11 to 14, and the Vibe Club, for teens ages 14 to 17 to hang out. Under the age of 3, there is a nursery onboard that can look after your kids (with additional fee), at the "It's a Small World Nursery" (formerly, the Flounder's Reef Nursery).

Some other new additions include a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique onboard, a place where little girls get get a princess makeover or little boys can be turned into dashing knights or fierce pirates! Dory's Reef is a new toddler water play area that is safe and self contained so the little ones can enjoy water activities safely and comfortably in their own little area. 

One of the unique features of a Disney cruise is the rotational dining experience. There are three main dining restaurants and guests rotate between the three restaurants, while the serving team remains with the table and moves with guests each night for dinner. Each restaurant has a unique themed menu based on the restaurant specialty so you get to try three different menus each. Then for the menu changes for the rest of the nights so that a menu is never repeated and you will have a unique menu for each night you dine. On the Disney Wonder, the three main restaurants are Animator's Palate, Triton's and Tiana's Place (replaces the former Parrot Cay). 

One of the biggest changes and most exciting ones is the new restaurant, Tiana's Place, a complete recreation of the restaurant from the Princess and the Frog, with Tiana and Lewis, the jazz playing alligator in attendance. The restaurant features a live band with jazz, wing and blues music as you enjoy your Louisiana-inspired menu. The decor and ambiance resemble a New Orleans, French Quarter atmosphere and the must have favourite of the dining experience is Tiana's Buttermilk Beignets! 

Animator's Palate remains a dining favourite among many, and the menu, decor and animated shows never disappoint! Sorceror Mickey joins you as a part of the dinner show, and then there is also a new interactive animation show, where your own creations become a part of the show! 

These was my animation drawing before dinner. Each person draws their own character and they take the drawings and they come alive on the screen in the after dinner interactive animation show. It's really neat to see everyone's drawings come alive! And if you hear the chuckle in the video, my drawing was Ariel, with no arms and a mermaid tail and it was hilarious to see Ariel walking around in her mermaid legs! 

The entertainment onboard is one of the best in the industry and the shows are always a must do! Taking place in the Walt Disney Theatre, the Broadway-style shows, and the secondary entertainment, including magicians, ventriloquist acts, comedians  are perfect for the whole family! "The Golden Mickeys" provide a perfect red carpet experience for formal night onboard, and the "Disney Dreams: Enchanted Classics" show, reminds us that a little faith, trust and pixie dust, all of our dreams can come true if we believe in ourselves. New to the Wonder and replacing the "Toy Story Musical", is "Frozen, a Musical Spectacular", a live theatre production of the popular animated movie and definitely lives up to the hype, even for non-Frozen fans. 

With all the new updates onboard the Disney Wonder, she is renewed, refreshed and ready for guests to enjoy for many years to come! Disney continues to update, renew and adapt to the ever changing needs of the guests and continues to amaze us all with new experiences that exceed our expectations every single time.

If you have never been on a Disney cruise, it is truly a vacation of a lifetime and a unique experience that must be enjoyed at least once in your lifetime! Let me know if you would like any assistance with your vacation as I would love the opportunity to help you create those magical memories for you and your family!

If you have been on one before, please feel to connect with me and share your experiences! I would love to hear your thoughts!  

Universal Studios Florida consists of two theme parks (soon to be three, with Volcano Bay, a new Universal waterpark expected to open in Spring 2017).

1. Universal Studios Florida
2. Universal’s Islands of Adventure

If you are planning on visiting Universal Studios JUST for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there are two different areas, Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley, one located in each park and connected by the Hogwarts Express. 

If you only have one day to visit Universal Studios, you have the option to purchase a one day park ticket where you choose either park to visit for the day. You can also choose a 1 day park-to-park ticket, which would give you access to both parks on the same day. If you are looking to ride on the Hogwarts Express, you will need a park-to-park ticket to ride this attraction (and they check your admission tickets at the both King’s Cross Station, and Hogsmeade Station before you board.)

Other upgrades to your tickets include the Express Pass, which permits you Front of the Line Access to most of the attractions once. This is a great option if you are short on time and want to experience as much as you can during your visit. Skip to the front of the line and you don’t need to waste valuable time waiting in line. Or, if you want to experience an attraction more than once, you can upgrade to the Unlimited Express Pass which grants you Front of the Line Access to most of the attraction with unlimited access to skip to the front of the line! Ride each attraction over and over as many times as you like! 

Please note that the attractions in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter are not eligible for the Express Pass services. All guests must wait in regular lines to access the rides. If you stay onsite and book a Universal Studios Vacation Package, onsite guests receive Early Admission one hour before the park opens to the public so guests can visit the park early and experience the attractions with minimal wait times in the morning. 

Can’t decide which park to visit? They are both very good and you will be happy with either one! But here are a few highlights from each park to help you decide which one might be better for you! Please note that there are minimum height requirements for some rides so you want to make sure your kids will be tall enough to ride certain attractions. 

For the thrills, these are the rides you must do! 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (minimum 42”)
Transformers: The Ride 3D (minimum 40”)
Terminator 2: 3D
Revenge of the Mummy (minimum 48”) - this was the fastest roller coaster I have ever been on and it’s all in the dark!! If I had known what the ride was going to be ahead of time, I probably would not have gone on it! 
Men in Black Alien Attack (minimum 42”)
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (minimum 51”) - too rich for my blood! But you have to watch Jimmy Fallon’s hilarious experience with this ride! 

On the other side of the park is Islands of Adventure, with an equal amount of must do attractions for your visit! 

For the thrills, you don’t want to miss the newest attraction.....
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Skull Island: Reign of Kong (just opened summer 2016) - this was an awesome ride! Even with Express Passes where we could skip to the Front of the Line, we still had a 20 minute wait before we boarded the ride but it was worth it! 
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (minimum 40”)
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (minimum 52”)
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (minimum 44”, under 48” must be accompanied by an adult) - When we saw people loading into the logs with ponchos, we chuckled to ourselves. But….we later realized why. You will GET SOAKED. I have never been on any water ride where you get soaked. Not just wet. Not just a little wet. SOAKED. Through everything….puddles of water in your log…SOAKED. You have been warned. 
Jurassic Park River Adventure (minimum 42”) - you may get wet on this ride. But compared to Ripsaw Falls, it’s nothing. 
The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster (minimum 54”)
Dragon Challenge (minimum 54”)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Fun for the whole family:

Comic Strip Lane
Jurassic Park Discovery Adventure
Flight of the Hippogriff (minimum 36”)
Storm Force Acceleration
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (minimum 42”, under 48” must be accompanied by adult)

Just for the little kids:​

Camp Jurassic
Caro -Seuss-el
The Cat in the Hat (Under 48” must be accompanied by adult)
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
If I Ran the Zoo
Me Ship, The Olive
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Under 48” must be accompanied by adult)
Pteranodon Flyers (minimm 36”, under 56” must be accompanied by adult) 

Connecting the two parts of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter taking you from Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure is the Hogwarts Express. You must have a park-to-park admission ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express. I highly recommend getting the park-to-park ticket to be able to experience this unique attraction aboard the Hogwarts Express as it is a fully immersive experience and so much more than just a train ride! It takes you directly into the story and you experience the Hogwarts Express just like any other muggle or wizards heading from King’s Cross Station to Hogwarts Castle or heading to the bustling Diagon Alley for a break from your studies. See the beauty of London and meet characters and creatures from the stories as they join you on your ride. ​

​Download the Universal Studios app onto your phone for the most accurate and up to date wait times, as well as a map of the park so you know where everything is located and how to get there.  

I found the three days we spent at Universal were awesome, but exhausting. The rides are definitely more thrilling, more adventurous and exciting but I couldn’t wait to go back to Disney World for a more relaxing few days to wind down from Universal Studios! I know, right??!! Disney relaxing?? Yep. 

Taken in Comic Strip Lane in Universal's Islands of Adventure, this photo perfectly describes the Universal Studios Florida experience! 

But nonetheless, it was an incredibly amazing experience and definitely one worth checking out. If you have any questions about Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood, please ask! I would definitely include them in your vacation plans if you are in the area! Contact me to book your next vacation as I would love the opportunity to help you maximize the most of your time and money for your trip!  

Ever since J.K Rowling came out with the Harry Potter books, our lives have never been the same. The success of the books and then the movies have catapulted Harry Potter being embedded in the fabric of our beings and one cannot ignore the impact Harry Potter has in our pop culture. Thus The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an inevitable destination for Harry Potter fans from all over the world! 

Universal Studios Florida currently consists of two parks (three after Spring 2017 when they open their third park, Volcano Bay). The Wizarding World of Harry Potter encompasses two parks, Hogsmeade, in Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley, in Universal Studios Florida. Connecting the two lands is the Hogwarts Express, the train that provides transportation from Hogsmeade to King's Cross Station in Diagon Alley and back. 

The Hogwarts Express is more than simply a train ride! It recreates the same experience as if you were Harry, Ron and Hermione on the Hogwarts Express heading from London towards Hogwarts Castle, taking you through London, the lush countryside, the Forbidden Forest, and meeting familiar faces and magical creatures along the way. You'll never know who you may see on your ride! On your way back though, it is a completely different journey heading from King's Cross Station to Hogsmeade as you encounter Dementors and Death Eaters along the way. You also get to experience walking through King's Cross Station and Platform 9 3/4! 

HOGSMEADE
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened in Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Orlando on June 18, 2010 and guests were immersed into the village of Hogsmeade, a perfect recreation of the village housing many of the stores, shops and restaurants where wizards frequent outside of Hogwarts. 

Ride the Dragon Challenge, a twist and loopy high speed roller coaster or the Flight of the Hippogriff, a family friendly roller coaster that takes you past Hagrid's Hut. Three Broomsticks is rustic tavern where you can take a break and dine on British food and Butterbeer. Cheer fellow wizards on in the Triwizard Spirit Rally as they lead their teams to the Triwizard Tournament! 

The flagship attraction is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey where you join Harry and his friends on an adventure through Hogwarts Castle, Quidditch match and fighting off Dementors! ​

DIAGON ALLEY
Fours years after Hogsmeade initially opened, Diagon Alley in Universal Studios opened on July 8, 2014 and gave fans even more reason to visit Universal Studios. Before you even head into Diagon Alley, parts of London come to life and you can see the Knight Bus full on display! 

Enter through the gates and stroll through to explore the shops and restaurants that make up the hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley. Visit favourites like the Leaky Cauldron for hearty British fare, Florean Fortestescue's Ice-Cream Parlour and Ollivander's where you can choose your magical wand (or rather, the wand chooses you!) Turn down Knockturn Alley and discover the darker side of the Dark Arts and experience Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts!  ​

Meet the goblins that keep your gold safe in Gringotts Bank. 

To enhance your magical wizarding skills experience, purchase an interactive wand, with a full map of both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, which outlines the locations where you can use your wand and practice your spells. If the spell is enacted correctly, something magical will happen! There are 30 different locations to scout out, each with its own spell to unlock the magic. (To be honest, it looks easy but you really have get the correct wrist action to enact those spells. The kids make it look so easy!) 

​A stop at Universal Studios to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a must for every Harry Potter fan. Even for those who have not read the books, or seen the movie or have no idea who or what Harry Potter is, the experience is still worth it. Fans young and old will be amazed at the level of detail and care that was put into the creation of bringing the vision of the fantasy world to life. Once you enter, you won't want to leave!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is NOT included in any of the Express Pass ticket options. The only way to experience the attractions is standing in the regular lines. There are no Express Pass options. All onsite resort guests staying at a Universal onsite hotel or those who book a vacation package with a Universal Partner Hotel receive Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens to the public. This is the perfect time experience the attractions with minimal wait times. For a summary of the Universal Resorts onsite, read the post here. 

Hogmeade in Universal Studios Orlando is almost identical to the experience of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Hollywood so I didn't include as much info about it here in this post. 

If you have any questions about Universal Studios in Florida or Hollywood, or about visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, please let me know!! I would love to help you plan your vacation!! 
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If you want to truly experience as much as Universal Studios Orlando can offer, staying onsite at one of their onsite resorts can give you the maximum benefits to experience as much as you can from Universal Studios! 

Universal Orlando provides five onsite resort hotels to choose from:
- Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort (prime value)
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort (preferred)
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort (preferred)
- Hard Rock Hotel (premier)
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (premier)

The onsite hotels offer something for every vacation, budget and family size. From value resorts with pricing comparable to offsite hotels, there are so many reasons to stay closer to the action than offsite. 

Each hotel offers complimentary transportation from the resort to the parks (shuttle busses and water taxis for the preferred and premier resorts).
All guests staying onsite receive Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens. (valid theme park admission is required)
Resort wide charging privileges with room key
Complimentary access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk
Complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel room
Complimentary scheduled transportation to nearby attractions included Wet n Wild waterpark, SeaWorld and Aquatica. 

Guests staying at Loews Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay also receive priority seating at select restaurants and "Skip the Lines for Free" with Universal Express Unlimited ride access for each guest in the room!! This benefit provides a value of up to $89/per person per day to head straight to the front of the lines for most attractions (Harry Potter attractions are excluded) and the unlimited option provides unlimited access so you can skip the line and ride the attraction over and over again!  The Universal Express Unlimited pass is included with your hotel room valid for the duration of your stay but separate ticket admission is required to enter Universal Studios parks. 

​UNIVERSAL'S CABANA BAY BEACH RESORT

Stay onsite at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort for the most affordable option to enjoy and maximize your vacation time at Universal Studios! This resort features value pricing, family suites that can sleep up to six, including kitchenettes and plenty of bathroom space for everyone! Relive the good ol' days of the 1950's and 60's where things were fun and people enjoyed music, and simply enjoyed the beach life! With 2,200 guests rooms and two new towers to be opening in 2017, Cabana Bay will be the largest onsite Universal resort offering value, fun and the best views of the newest park, Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, opening 2017. Enjoy two massive pools and a lazy river to beat the heat, and go bowling at the Galaxy Bowl at your resort! 

LOEWS SAPPHIRE FALLS RESORT
The newest resort to join the Universal Studios Orlando family just opened in July 2016 and provides guests with a colourful and fun Caribbean adventure. Tropical, lush and relaxing, Sapphire Falls hands down has the best pool options for kids and families! Escape to a Caribbean paradise with 16,000 sq ft pool, water slide, interactive kids area, hot tub, fire pit and cabana rentals, guests may never want to leave! 

Once you enter the lobby your eyes are drawn immediately to the massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the wide open expansive lobby space. 

LOEWS ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT

Escape to the South Pacific when you visit Loews Royal Pacific Resort with a quiet and relaxing oasis of lush landscaping, tropical wonders and Asian-infused exotic culinary creations. At the resort for exclusive dining experiences include the Wantilan Luau for live music and authentic Polynesian cuisine, Emeril's Tchoup Chop (Emeril's take on Asian cuisine), and Character breakfasts with Universal's favourite characters on Sunday mornings. Reservations are highly recommended. A torch lighting ceremony by the pool is always a fun experience for the "old aloha" welcoming chant, fire dancer and other authentic Polynesian activities. 

​HARD ROCK HOTEL ORLANDO
​Party like a rock star at the Hard Rock Resort Orlando! Fun and funky, it's the coolest place to hang in town! The accommodations are top notch, laid back style and the whole vibe of the place is rock star royalty. The walls are adorned with classic rock icons and memorabilia and you feel "at home" with all these iconic stars. 

​LOEWS PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL
Escape to Italy and relax and rejuvenate in the recreated port town of Portofino, Italy. Experience "la dolce vida" - the sweet life - and feel the beauty and splendour of Italy and enjoy peace, quiet and relaxation. Cobblestone streets and side walk cafes provide an authentic European town feel.  

Rooms are elegant, spacious and luxurious with 750 rooms and 45 suites to choose from. Pamper yourself with a visit to Mandara Spa and enjoy romantic evenings strolling through the piazza after dining in Italian specialty restaurants including Trattoria del Porto, Mama Della's Ristorante and many others that take you though a culinary tour of Italy! 

Something for the kids! Also available are Despicable Me themed suites for the kids to enjoy! 

Wherever you choose to stay onsite, there is something for everyone, and something for all budgets! Take advantage of the onsite benefits to maximize your vacation time at Universal Studios!

- Early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens (valid theme park admission is required).
- Complimentary water taxis, shuttle busses from the resorts to Universal theme parks and City Walk.
- Beautiful walkways to enjoy if you want to walk to the parks from your resort
- Complimentary access to live entertainment at Universal CityWalk
- Complimentary delivery of merchandise to your hotel
- Complementary scheduled transportation to Wet n' Wild, SeaWorld and Aquatica parks nearby.
- Resort-wide charging privileges with room key

Stay at Hard Rock Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific or Loews Portofino Bay and receive the extra benefit of Universal Express Unlimited ride access to skip the regular lines in both theme parks! This FREE benefit is available to all guests staying in the same room and is worth $89/person per day. 

If you need help narrowing down your choices for hotel, let me know how I can help! There is something for everyone and I would love the opportunity to see how I can help! Book your vacation with me at www.ReneeTsangTravel.com! 

Canadian pride is out in full force! One of the most highly recommended restaurants in all of Disney World is Le Cellier Steakhouse and is one of the first restaurant recommendations I mention to clients or friends. Le Cellier, is French for "the cellar" and is located in the Chateau at the Canada Pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT at Walt Disney World. The experience is akin to visiting an underground wine cellar for a cozy and intimate steak dinner surrounded by vintage glass and wood architecture.

The restaurant is divided into sections, which are all named after the provinces. We were seated in Nova Scotia, and our server was from Ottawa, who mentioned that they actually don't have a lot of Canadians dine at Le Cellier. Weird, I tell everyone about it! But I was happy to chat with a fellow Canadian! 

Classic Canadian favourite such as Canadian Cheese Soup (made with Moosehead beer and Nueske's applewood-smoked bacon) is one of their signature dishes  as well as P.E.I. Mussels steamed in white wine. It would not be a Canadian restaurant without poutine! You can choose from the Le Cellier Signature Poutine (with Canadian cheddar, truffles and a red wine reduction), the French Onion Poutine (gruyere, caramelized onions and French onion gravy) or a new Korean BBQ poutine (with braised short ribs, parmigiana-reggianao cheese, spicy aioli and sewer soy, pickled vegetables).

The filet mignon is their specialty and it does not disappoint! AAA Canadian Tenderloin on a bed of mushroom risotto, with an asparagus and tomato relish and truffle butter sauce to finish.  Pork, chicken and seafood options are available alternatives to beef and the pork chop is just as comparable to the steak! Finish with a maple creme brûlée for a truly Canadian experience! On the kids menu, we picked the chocolate mousse which came dressed as a chocolate moose!

If not only to dine at Le Cellier Steakhouse, I LOVED the Canada pavilion! The outdoor show at The Mill Stage was an entertaining, lively upbeat show that had the crowd chanting for more. It captured perfectly the goofy, fun loving and laid back attitude of Canadians and the catchy music and beating drums could be heard even from the other side of the World Showcase! 

And who can pass up the opportunity to watch Martin Short in "O Canada! in Circle Vision" as he guides us through the wonder and beauty of our country? Is it a bit silly that I started to tear up a bit while watching the vast scenery of our country displayed before us in 360 circle vision?? Watching iconic views of Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and the East Coast stirred such pride, awe and amazement that I could not be more proud to be a Canadian! 

Valid theme park admission is required to enter EPCOT to be able to dine at Le Cellier but it is definitely a signature dining experience worth every penny or table service credit if you can score a reservation! It does take 2 table service credits for both lunch and dinner if you are on the dining plan but it is worth swapping credits to dine here. Reservations are highly recommended and advance dining reservations can be made at 180 days before your arrival date. Le Cellier is one of the highly sought after reservations so I would keep trying if you can't get a reservation right away. Whether you are on the dining plan, or paying out of pocket, it is a signature experience and one that I highly recommend!

Have you dined at Le Cellier Steakhouse? What did you think? Did you enjoy the Canada pavilion? I would love to hear your thoughts! (And if I am the only one who got all choked up watching O Canada! in Circle Vision?? Silly I know!) 
​

One of the benefits to staying onsite at a Disney resort is that you can add a dining plan to your reservation! The dining plan is exclusive to Disney World onsite guests and gives you pre-purchased meal credits that can be used in over 100 restaurants throughout Disney World. Each guest is allotted a certain number of meal credits (depending on the specific plan purchased), per night of your stay. All guests in the room reservation must be on the same dining plan and must be purchased for the length of the stay. 

Now you might have a bunch of questions about the dining plan - what is it? How much it is? What does it include? Is it worth it? 

There are three different dining plans available and you can choose the one that fits your dining needs and preferences best.

1. QUICK SERVICE DINING PLAN.
Each person in the room will receive the following for the number of nights in your Walt Disney World room or package reservation:
 - 2 quick service meals
 - 2 snacks
 - 1 refillable resort mug that can provides unlimited refills of fountain drinks, tea and coffee at any quick serve location at all Disney Resort hotels. 

1 quick service meal credit includes a non-alcoholic drink and entree.
Children ages 3 to 9 must order from the children's menu. Each children's meal (1 credit) includes a drink (milk or water), entree and a side. 
All unused credits will expire on midnight on the date of your check out.

2. DISNEY DINING PLAN.      ** Most popular **
Each person in the room will receive the following for the number of nights in your Walt Disney World room or package reservation:
 - 1 quick service meal
 - 1 table service meal
 - 2 snacks
 - 1 refillable resort mug that can provides unlimited refills of fountain drinks, tea and coffee at any quick serve location at all Disney Resort hotels. 

1 quick service meal credit includes a non-alcoholic drink and entree. 
1 table service meal credit can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
For breakfast, the credit includes one entree and non-alcoholic beverage OR one buffet or family-style meal (will vary depending on the restaurant.
For lunch and dinner, the credit includes one entree, one dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage OR one buffet or family-style meal. 
Children ages 3 to 9 must order from the children's menu. Each children's meal (1 credit) includes a drink (milk or water), entree and a side. 
All unused credits will expire on midnight on the date of your check out.

3. DELUXE DINING PLAN
Each person in the room will receive the following for the number of nights in your Walt Disney World room or package reservation:
 - 3 meals (regardless quick service or table service) 
 - 2 snacks
 - 1 refillable resort mug that can provides unlimited refills of fountain drinks, tea and coffee at any quick serve location at all Disney Resort hotels. 

Children ages 3 to 9 must order from the children's menu. Each children's meal (1 credit) includes a drink (milk or water), entree and a side. 
All unused credits will expire on midnight on the date of your check out.
​

SNACKS
Look for this icon to confirm which items can be eligible for your snack credit.

Some locations will permit swapping your dessert for a snack item.
Common eligible snack items that can be redeemed include a single serving
​of the following items:
- frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar (yay Mickey bars!)
- popcorn scoop
- 12 oz coffee, tea or hot chocolate
- pre-packaged milk or juice
- piece of whole fruit (apple, banana, orange)
- bag of snacks (potato chips, pretzels, grapes, carrots, apples, etc...)
- 20 oz bottle of Coca Cola, Dasani water, etc.
- 20 oz fountain drink

NOT INCLUDED in any of the Dining Plans
- Alcoholic beverages
- Items that are larger than a single serving
- Items served in a souvenir container (eg. popcorn buckets or souvenir drink containers)
- Items from recreational rental counters
- Merchandise (eg. Mickey straws, bottle toppers, glow cubes)
- Special dining events offered at table service locations. 
- Gratuities at table service restaurants (except at dinner shows, private in room dining and Cinderella's Royal Table.)

QUICK SERVICE LOCATIONS
Quick Service locations are located at each Disney resort hotel so it's perfect for a quick stop for breakfast, during the day or in the evenings for a quick snack or meal. They are also located throughout each park (including the water parks) and in Disney Springs so there is always a place to eat when you need to break for a meal. No reservations are required for quick service restaurants.

TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANTS
Table service restaurants are located in moderate and deluxe resorts, at Disney Springs and include character dining experiences. Not all restaurants offer all three meals on the dining plan as some will only offer lunch or dinner as a part of the dining plan. Advance reservations are required for table service meals and can be made 180 days in advance of your arrival. A credit card guarantee is required for the reservation but you can change or revise the reservation anytime. Cancel 24 hours in advance of your reservation to avoid a $10 per person no show/cancellation fee. 

We took advantage of the table service credits to dine at character meals as much as we could! Not all of these characters are available to meet in the parks, plus no need to wait in line to meet with characters. :) 
- 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian to meet with Cinderella, Prince Charming, her step mother Lady Tremaine, and her ugly stepsisters Drizella and Anastasia!  It was an all-you-can enjoy full dinner buffet with wide assortment of dining choices. You can also meet the characters for breakfast for the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. 
- Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. Meet with Chef Mickey himself and his culinary team including Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. Another all-you-can enjoy full dinner buffet. Chef Mickey's also offers a character breakfast and brunch dining experience. 
- Ohana at the Polynesian to meet with Lilo and Stitch, Mickey and Pluto.

Other character dining experiences that are included ​in the table service credit:
- Minnie's Beach Bash at Cape May Cafe at the Yacht & Beach Club

In the theme parks (park admission is required):
- The Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) - breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Fairytale dining at Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom) - 2 table service credits required for breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Chip 'n Dale's Harvest Feast at Garden Grill (Epcot)
- Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Epcot, Norway pavilion) - breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Disney Junior characters at Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios) breakfast, lunch and meet Minnie's Seasonal Dining for dinner
- Donald's Dining Safari at Tusker House (Animal Kingdom) for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
​

SIGNATURE DINING EXPERIENCES are also available on the dining plan offering an elegant and authentic table service dining experience. Choose from traditional African, Mediterranean, Indian and other cultural options to premium steaks and seafood cuisines. Signature dining experiences required 2 table service credits to be redeemed (but definitely worth using 2 credits for any of these experiences!) but gratuities are not included and must be paid separately. 

- Jiko - The Cooking Place (Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House)
- Flying Fish (BoardWalk Inn and Villas)
- California Grill (Contemporary)
- Citrico's (Grand Floridian)
- Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian)
- Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge)
- Yachtman Steakhouse (Yacht and Beach Club)

In the theme parks (park admission is required) for lunch or dinner:
- Le Cellier Steakhouse (Epcot, Canada pavilion)
- Tiffins (Animal Kingdom)
- The Hollywood Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios)

DINNER SHOWS are also available on the dining plan where you can
enjoy a family-style dining meal experience with a themed dinner
show. Dinner shows require 2 table service credits but are located in
Disney Resorts so theme park admission is not required. Gratuities
are also include in the price/ table service credits. Advance reservations
​are required for all dinner shows. 

- A Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (Polynesian Resort)
- Mickey's Backyard BBQ, seasonal (Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground)
- Hoop-Dee-Dee Musical Revue (Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground)

PRIVATE IN-ROOM DINING
Table service credits can be used for private in-room dining at select deluxe resorts and in room pizza delivery at all value resorts (All Stars resorts, Art of Animation and Pop Century) and select moderate resorts (Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans). Two table service credits per person will be redeemed.
​
DISNEY SPRINGS
Several restaurants in the Disney Springs area are also included in the dining plan. No theme park admission is required to dine in Disney Springs and parking is also free.

Our favourite dining experience in Disney Springs was Morimoto Asia, a Pan-Asian restaurant featuring creations from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Read about our experience here. Morimoto Asia is 1 table service credit for lunch, and 2 table service credits for dinner. 

BENEFITS OF ADDING A DINING PLAN

- No need to worry about budgeting for food costs during your trip. Your food is paid in advance and you can use the credits however you wish during your stay. 
- If you have leftover credits at the end of your stay, you can trade them in for snack credits and redeem that for snacks that you can take home with you.
- Food costs savings vs paying out of pocket for the same meals. Save about 10% per adult on the quick service dining plan, 15% per adults on the dining plan and 25% per adult on the deluxe dining plan. 
- Experience all the wonderful dining and culinary experiences that are offered throughout Walt Disney World without worrying about the cost! Experiences are treated equally with credits vs a per person cost. 

Disney periodically offers promotions throughout the year, including the most popular, "Free Dining Promotion" during slower times of the year. With the free dining promotion, guests staying at a value resort receive free quick service dining plan, with the option to upgrade to the dining plan for the difference in cost. Guests staying at a moderate or deluxe resort can receive free dining for all guests in the same room. This promotion can net significant savings on your package and provide you with many dining experiences you may not have considered. Even without the promotion, a dining plan can provide you with upfront savings on the cost of food, and then you have the option and freedom to select from a variety of dining experiences your family will enjoy most. 

I would love to hear your thoughts about your dining experiences at Disney World! Which are your favourite restaurants and experiences! Any must do's on your list??

If you have questions, let me know! I would love the opportunity to help you with your dining options! 

If you are considering staying offsite, then you need to read this!! Staying onsite at a Disney World Resort adds so much magic to your Disney World vacation by being completely immersed in the world of Disney not to mention the convenience and maximized opportunities to enjoy all of Walt Disney World! With the size similar to San Francisco or double the size of Manhattan, Disney World is truly a world in itself. The transportation and traffic logistics of simply entering and exiting Disney World can add precious hours each day that could be better utilized onsite. 

ONSITE BENEFITS

Complimentary roundtrip transportation aboard Disney's Magical Express from the airport to your resort. Once you get off the airplane, head directly to the Magical Express area and board the bus. Don't worry about your luggage! With the bright yellow tags provided, their luggage service will have Disney pick up your bags from the airport carousel and have them delivered directly to your room at your resort. (Luggage can take up to 3-4 hours after your arrival before it arrives at your resort.) ​

Magic Bands. All guests staying onsite at a Disney resort will receive complimentary Magic Bands (or you can purchase the standard ones for about $14.99 or fancy themed ones for up to $29.99 each). The Magic Bands are tied to your reservation, provides access/entry to your room, access to your Fast Passes, track your dining credits, scan for Memory Maker photos and charge all purchases to the band. It is a convenient multi-purpose band! Choose your Magic Bands colours in advance or you will receive the standard gray colour. Personalize them with your name (or whatever you want to be called) to make them yours! ​

Matching Luggage tags.
​Each Disney resort reservation also includes free luggage tags that match your Magic Bands.

Aren't they cute?! Sometimes it's the littlest things! 

Extra Magic Hours are available all Disney Resort guests. One park each day will be open either an hour earlier or a couple of hours later for onsite guests only to enjoy. Use this time to enjoy attractions with shorter wait times because the time is not open to the general public. (Check the schedule online or in the app as the park hours will vary.

Dining Plan. Onsite guests can choose to add a dining plan to their reservation. A dining plan is a pre-purchased meal plan where guests have an allotment of dining credits they can use at their leisure and convenience. A dining plan can also save guests that hassle for budgeting for food costs because it is a set cost that always nets savings vs paying for the same amount of food out of pocket. For more detailed information about the dining plan options, check out this post, "Disney Dining Plan - Yay or Nay?". 

Advance Fast Passes reservations. Onsite guests can choose their Fast Passes 60 days before their arrival date. Guests can choose up to three Fast Passes each day in one park, for each day of their vacation. Guests who are not staying onsite can purchase their Disney tickets in advance but can only make Fast Passes 30 days before their arrival day at each park and can only reserve Fast Passes one day at a time. 

Free round of mini golf at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. There will always be some down time and non-park time during your vacation. Each onsite reservation also includes a free round of mini golf and a free entrance to ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex. In addition, there are lots of discounts and vouchers for various dining, shopping and entertainment options in Disney Springs included as a part of your reservation bonuses. 

UPDATE: As of March 20, 2018 - parking fees are in effect at Disney resort hotels as per here.
N/A: Free parking. If you rent a car or drive down to Orlando, parking is free to all onsite guests. Otherwise, it is $20/day to park in Disney World (except for Disney Springs where parking is free). 

Staying onsite simply keeps you immersed in the Disney bubble for a complete Disney vacation. The convenience, the impeccable customer service, the quality of experience is completely tied to ensuring utter happiness during your stay. If you have chosen to visit Walt Disney World for your next vacation, you have made the choice to accept happiness and joy. Why wouldn't you want to maximize that experience as much as possible?! That is what Disney World is all about! 

If you are thinking about a visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, then this is the perfect place to begin! There are so many different options for every single type of family vacation, (or honeymoon!), and for all budgets. Often, the biggest determining factors tend to be for how long, and where to stay. The many extra benefits of staying onsite at a Walt Disney World Resort far outweighs the cost savings of staying onsite and sometimes the difference can be minimal, if you factor in all the extra time and costs that are levied when you stay offsite. 

Regardless of your budget for your Walt Disney World vacation and your personal preferences and style, there is an onsite Disney resort available that you can choose to immerse yourself in the world of Disney that is completely within your grasp. With a variety of choices ranging from value, moderate and deluxe prices with an assortment of themes, there is a Disney resort for you to experience! Especially for first time visitors, there is nothing more magical than staying onsite to immerse yourself in the world of Disney, the way Walt Disney originally envisioned. Not convinced about staying onsite yet? Read more about the benefits of staying onsite here. 

With promotions available throughout the year, there will be many opportunities to stay onsite. Stay in touch with me and I can update you on any upcoming promotions or be on the look out for any deals related to your trip. The "Free Dining" Promotion is definitely one of the most popular promotions each year and I can tell you from firsthand experience that it is worth scheduling your vacation during a promotion to give you maximum opportunities to enjoy the convenience and high end luxurious dining experiences that you may overlook.  To begin your Disney World vacation, we only require a $200 USD deposit to hold your reservation and the final payment is not due until 30 days before your arrival date. You can make as many revisions to your reservation before final payment date without any additional cost or fees. Plus, if a promotion becomes available, we can apply any promotions offered if they fall within your travel dates or we can change your travel dates to the applicable dates to take advantage of the Disney promotions!

Here is an overall map of Walt Disney World and the onsite hotels. I've highlighted the hotels that I visited so you can see the location and proximity to the parks.  

The value resorts offer affordable and comfortable accommodations and are ideal for families who are budget conscious but want to stay onsite and take advantage of the benefits of staying onsite. Perfect for those who want to maximize their time in the parks while having a comfortable and convenient place to stay onsite, there are currently five value resorts that families can choose from. The value resorts are also an excellent choice for younger families who enjoy the over-the-top theming of the resorts that young kids may enjoy! 

ALL STAR SPORTS, ALL STAR MUSIC and ALL STAR MOVIES resorts are located in the Animal Kingdom area, and are located the furthest away from the three other parks (Magic, Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot). The All Star Resorts comprise of total of 5264 rooms and 260 suites, and most rooms can accommodate up to four guests in a room plus a child under the age of 3. A limited number of family suites at the All Star Music Resorts can accommodate up to six guests. The resorts offer food court quick service dining options, but do not have a sit down table service restaurant onsite. Each resort also includes 2 pools and a children's pool but pools do not have waterslides. The All Star Resorts are all very similar and comparable and the only difference is the theming between them. The three resorts share a bus for direct transportation to the parks and Disney Springs. 

The other two resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation are "sister" resorts connected together by a pedestrian walkway bridge, in the Hollywood Studios area. 

POP CENTURY takes you back in time into your favourite memories of the biggest hits of 20th century pop culture and celebrates the fashion, the catch phrases, toys and all favourites of pop culture during that time. Building sections are grouped into the 90's, the 80's, 70's, 60's and 50's, each celebrating the favourites of that decade. 

With a quick walk over this bridge will take you to Art of Animation! 

ART OF ANIMATION  is newest value resort that opened and is a "sister" resort to Pop Century so guests can visit either resort with a quick walk overrate bridge that connects the two resorts. Art of Animation immerses guests into the world of Pixar and makes them feel like a character in favourite Disney and Pixar movies, including The Little Mermaid, Cars, The Lion King and Finding Nemo. The Little Mermaid suites are standard rooms with double beds that can sleep up to four. The Family Suites at Cars, Lion King and Finding Nemo can sleep up to size in a room, and offer three sleeping areas, two bathrooms and a kitchenette. 

The moderate resorts at Walt Disney World offer lush themes that provide comfort, modern amenities, understated and stylish accommodations. 

CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT

We stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort, which is one of the most popular resorts to stay at, not to mention one of the the largest spanning over 200 acres. The resort in located in the Epcot area, making it fairly centrally located and easy to visit both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The resort has 2109 rooms spanning six different Caribbean islands, including Jamaica, Aruba, Trinidad North and South, Barbados and Martinique that are all accessible via an internal resort shuttle to and from your rooms and the main pool and food court area. Standard rooms can accommodate up to four guests but the real fun of Caribbean Beach are the pirate rooms! Upgrade to a pirate room where your stay becomes a swashbuckling adventure!  

Seven heated pools are available for your swimming enjoyment. The private pool areas are open 24 hours but do not have lifeguards on duty. The main pool, Fuentes del Morro Pool includes a swashbuckling  themed Spanish fortress with two waterslides, hot tub and kiddie pool area. 

CORONADO SPRINGS takes you to colonial Spain, Mexico and New Mexico and offers a tranquil lakeside destination vacation. Enjoy the beauty, fantasy and unique cultural elements at Coronado Springs. Located in the Animal Kingdom area, it is also fairly centrally located to all the parks. The onsite restaurant, Maya Grill specializes in wood grilled steaks and seafood, while quick service offerings are available at the Pepper Market Food Court and Cafe Rix by Rix Lounge. The resort includes four heated pools, including The Lost Coty of Cibola Pool with a Jaguar Pool slide and an archaeological themed Mayan Dig Site playground. 

PORT ORLEANS
Classic Southern comfort is what you will find at the Port Orleans Resorts, a combination of sister resorts, French Quarter and Riverside. French Quarter recreates the historic district of New Orleans, while Riverside captures the aristocratic and sprawling mansions of Louisiana and the Mississippi River. Located in the Disney Springs area, you have the option of taking the Sassagoula River Cruise for a relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs as an alternative to the Disney shuttle busses. 

The Sassagoula River Cruise can take you to Port Orleans Riverside and/or Disney Springs area. 

Boatwright's Dining Hall is a table service restaurant at Port Orleans Riverside featuring Southern specialties and home-style classics. 

For the ultimate in luxury, convenience, amenities and a distinction in excellency that transcends your expectations, a stay at any of the deluxe resorts will give you an unforgettable experience that goes beyond the parks. Each of the deluxe resorts offers authentic dining experiences that match the magnificence of the resort. 

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE is one of the best themed resorts at Walt Disney World. It is absolutely breathtaking. Based on an African savannah lodge theme, the resort is architecturally amazing and built around an African savannah. Book a savannah view and you can witness the beauty of giraffes, zebra, gazelles and other African animals right from your room! Simply walking around the resort will also give you a view of the animals in the common areas. 

The monorail resorts, Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary around Magic Kingdom and offer convenience and luxury unlike any of the other Disney World resorts. 

The CONTEMPORARY RESORT is the closest to Magic Kingdom and is the only resort within walking distance. It is a very modern and architecturally amazing designed hotel with the monorail running directly through the inside of the resort. Rooms can accommodate up to five guests plus one child under the age of 3. California Grill, signature dining experience offers California cooking influenced by the melting pot of the West coast and Chef Mickey's is the home of the character dining experience where you can meet Chef Mickey and his friends! 

Guests at the POLYNESIAN RESORT can enter the world of Polynesia and be whisked away into the unmatched beauty, hospitality and culture of the Polynesian Islands. Book an overwater bungalow for the ultimate Polynesian experience! 

Unique dining experiences at the Polynesian include Ohana's, a family style dinner featuring Polynesian favourites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast at Ohana's includes a character experience with Lilo and Stitch. 

The Spirit of Aloha Dinner show combines a live theatre music show with elaborate costumes, Polynesian dancers, enchanting music and an all you can enjoy feast of Polynesian favourites. The food was served family-style and included pineapple coconut bread, Polynesian ribs, grilled chicken, soba noodle salad, pulled pork and an assortment of vegetables. Beer and wine were included for guests over the age of 21. Advanced purchase of tickets are required with two shows daily at 5:15pm and 8:15pm. The dinner show is also included in the dining plan and requires 2 table service credits. 

Opulent, lavish and timeless elegance awaits you as you enter the GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA, Disney World's flagship resort. A mix of Victorian-style splendour combined with modern amenities, the resort is filled with exquisite and intricate details that take your breath away. 

Many of the finest dining experience sin all of Walt Disney World can be found at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Citrico's and Narcoossee's are popular signature dining experiences whereas Victoria & Albert's is an intimate seven course dinner menu in a Victorian setting. Jackets are required and diners must be ages 10 and older to dine at Victoria & Albert's. Advance reservations are required at all restaurants. Character dining experiences are available at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast and dinner. Meet Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine (stepmother) and her ugly stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia! 

So if you've made it this far and are still reading, I applaud you! That was a lot of information and photos to go through! As you can see, there is a wide assortment of resort options to choose from when you choose to stay onsite. I didn't have enough time to visit ALL of the Disney onsite hotels but I was able to visit  the most popular ones and will have the save the rest for another visit (just another reason I need to return!) 

Let me know your thoughts on any of the above resorts. Have you stayed at any of them? Which one is your favourite? Which one would you love to stay at next? If you are planning on an upcoming visit to Disney World, let me know how I can help! It's such a large vacation destination and not one you can simply "wing it!" 

When I heard that Morimoto Asia was opening up in Walt Disney World as a part of the newly redesigned Disney Springs in September 2015, I knew that I had to visit on my next trip to Disney World. Growing up, Chef Masaharu Morimoto was my favourite Iron Chef on the original Iron Chef series and I would faithfully watch the food battles of Kitchen Stadium and loved the dubbed Japanese conversations! There was so much fire and excitement centered around food! Now we find old episodes on Youtube to introduce my kids to the food finds of the nineties! 

Once we arrived in Orlando and checked into our hotel, we set off towards Disney Springs for a bite to eat. Now, not knowing when we would arrive exactly and how long everything would take, I totally fell into the trap of being a traveller and did not take my own advice as a travel agent about making dining reservations in Walt Disney World (Eek! I know!) I thought we could just show up and see where we could eat (Even travel agents can make rookie traveller mistakes!). Well, of course every table service restaurant we thought we might want to try out had a 2 hour wait before we would get a seat. After walking around Disney Springs for 45 minutes, hungry and tired and no idea where to eat, we decided to try Morimoto Asia Street Food (Morimoto Asia had a 2 hour wait time for inside dining). We couldn't get into Morimoto Asia inside, so we opted to eat in the Street Food side, which is located right outside the restaurant. Quick service street food options are available and seating is plenty for  the outdoor Asian street food experience. 

The Street Food side of Morimoto is the perfect place for your Asian street food fix with classic Chinese, Japanese and Korean flavours! Choose from favourites egg rolls, California and shrimp tempura rolls to lo mein noodles and chill glazed ribs, the dishes offer Asian favourites with a twist. My favourite was the Bao Tacos, with choices from the pork bao, chicken teriyaki bao or kalbi bao. 

Morimoto Asia Street Food offers a teaser of the enormous potential of the possibilities that lay inside those four walls. Having tasted a little bit of Asian food heaven, I knew we had to make a visit during our stay so off to make a dining reservation for the next week!  

Oh the possibilities once you enter those doors! 

First you are greeted by a stunning view of crystal chandeliers hanging from above glimmering in an elegant welcome with a distinctly Japanese feel. It definitely feels posh and refined without feeling stuffy or over the top. 
​

The main dining area is on the main floor but as you head up to the second floor, you will find the Forbidden Lounge, a sushi bar area and private dining areas that can be reserved for private parties or groups. 

If you want Asian, this is the place to go! Journey through Asia with a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes with a unique twist on classic favourites.  Between sushi and sashimi, noodles and rice, and Korean BBQ favourites, there is something for everyone to try. 

We ordered the peking duck (a Chinese favourite!), the chasu pork ramen (Japanese noodles) and the Morimoto buri-bop (a version of the Korean bibimbap rice dish but made with yellowtail.) The buri-bop was served in a very hot, sizzling stone bowl with fresh yellowtail sashimi slices along the edges of the bowl. The heat of the bowl sears the yellowtail and your server elegantly finishes the dish in your presence so you can see the freshness of the fish! 

I would have loved to try the sashimi and sushi offerings too but there are simply too many choices so I guess I'll have to reserve that experience for the next time! 

Stunning, gorgeous, and elegant but yet with a casual relaxing atmosphere, Morimoto Asia offers a unique Pan-Asian culinary experience that is a welcome change from the usual North American fare that is common throughout Walt Disney World and Disney Springs. It certainly satisfied our Asian food fix with an experience that was everything we could have imagined from a restaurant created from the ingenuity of the Iron Chef himself. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the service! It is definitely a restaurant I recommend to anyone looking for an Asian food experience that is truly unique. It's Asian food, but with a distinct and unique twist to it. It's hard to describe so you need to try it out for yourself to truly understand! 

​Morimoto Asia is located in The Landing at Disney Springs. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. If you are on the dining plan, it counts as 1 table service credit for lunch and 2 table service credits for dinner. No time to squeeze in a sit down meal?? Then I would at least head to the Street Food side for a taste! There are lots of great Street Food options to try! 

Have you been to Morimoto Asia? What did you try? I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Its been almost 20 years since I've been to Florida and I cannot wait to return! With so much to do there, it is no wonder it is one of the most popular and most visited vacation destinations year after year! Considered the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is a destination not to be taken lightly so choose wisely and maximize your time there because the choices are endless!

I was fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of Disney's Free Dining promotion when they first announced it in April so we are able to enjoy free dining and save over $1200 USD for a week long stay! Free dining is one of Disney's most popular promotions so if you can snag a reservation during the free dining promotion periods, it is definite worth doing! We will have the opportunity to stay at Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans French Quarter, all moderate resorts where you can enjoy both value and extra amenities during your stay! Stay tuned for a more detailed review of each resort!
​

As an avid Harry Potter fan, and fresh off of visiting the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood earlier this year, we are super super super excited to be visiting Universal Studios Orlando! ​With two Harry Potter themed parks, Diagon Alley and Hogmeade Village come alive and are joined via the Hogwarts Express that take you from one park to another! Staying onsite at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the flagship resort of Universal Studios Orlando, we can be whisked away to the recreated seaside village of Portofino, Italy and enjoy "la dolce vita" - the sweet life.

Staying onsite provides guests the extra benefit of early admission to the Harry Potter attractions before the park opens, and as an extra bonus of staying at the deluxe resort, we automatically receive Universal Unlimited Express Pass, an express pass to skip the lines and enjoy the rides as many times as we would like without having to wait in line! (A huge bonus not having to deal with lines AND Florida heat in August, worth more than the $89/person per day value!) 

​As a recently certified Orlando Expert with Visit Orlando, I am looking forward to all that Orlando can offer so that I can advise my clients and plan their vacations accordingly! While my main focus will be enjoying Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando to better serve my clients and improve their vacation experiences, I will also be creating unforgettable memories with my kids and enjoying every single moment of this particular "work-cation"! #lovemyjob 

If you have been to Orlando, let me know what your favourite activities or recommendations I should check out! I would love to hear about it! 

Let me know if you would like assistance to plan your next trip to Orlando! Follow my adventures on Facebook and Instagram where I will post updates! 

LEGO fans young and old will not want to miss out on the LEGOLAND experience! A world created out of LEGO for your pure enjoyment! LEGOLAND California is located in Carlsbad, California, about an hour south of Anaheim and about 30 minutes north of San Diego so it ideally located for those travelling on a Southern California vacation!  

If you purchase the Southern California City Pass, it includes 3 day park hoppers to Disneyland, 1 day admission to LEGOLAND and 1 day admission for SeaWorld, with options to add on extra days if you want to stretch out your vacation even further.

This was our first visit to LEGOLAND California but rest assured it will not be our last! Perfect for kids ages under 12 and the LEGO fan in all of us, you could easily spend a couple of days with all the activities to enjoy.

LEGOLAND is divided into several the following areas:
1. Explorer Island
2. LEGO Friends Heartlake City
3. Fun Town
4. Pirate Shores
5. Castle Hill
6. Land of Adventure
7. Miniland USA
8. Imagination Zone
9. Ninjagoland - opening May 2016
10. Water Park
11. CHIMA Water Park
12. Sea Life Aquarium

The basic LEGOLAND admission proves admission into LEGOLAND (does not include Water Parks and Sea Life Aquarium) but you can upgrade to a hopper pass that includes either just the Sea Life Aquarium, just the Water Parks or both the Sea Life Aquarium AND Water Parks access. They often run specials for adding a second day for free, or even purchase one day and receive 4 days for free! 

It was a jam packed day full of LEGO adventure and here are a couple of our favourite activities! 

LEGO Mini Figurine Trading
Hands down this was the favourite activity for the kids! Bring your figurines from home and you can trade them with LEGOLAND Model Citizens (employees) who wear a mini figurine on their badge. They will gladly trade figurines with you! Forgot them at home? Build your own figurine and trade it for another!
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The LEGOLAND 4D, A New Adventure movie debuts in Legoland! The movie brings back your Legoland Movie favourite characters Emmet, Wyldstyle, Unikitty, Metalbeard, and Benny as they face a new villian, Risky Business and his Evil Secret Plot and they must use their Master Builder skills to save the day.   

Henchman Challenge in Miniland USA. Iconic US cities and landmarks are recreated in Miniland USA including San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans. As your walk through the LEGO-created cities, look for evil Henchman who are hiding and trying to “blend” in with the crowds. Share your Henchman finds on Facebook and Instagram with hashtags #LegolandCA and #evilsecretplot. Once you find your first one, you begin to see them everywhere in Miniland!   ​

Iconic US cities are recreated out of LEGO! 

Welcome to Las Vegas! The Strip is LEGO-ified! 

​Driving in Funtown and receiving your driver's license!
​What kid doesn't enjoy driving? It is universally every child's dream to drive a car! Two different tracks are available, one for toddlers/preschoolers (Ages 3 to 5) and one for the older kids! Drive around Lego City in your Lego vehicle and receive your driver's license upon completion of the ride!   ​

​Kids eat free after 4:30pm!
​At designated restaurants after 4:30pm, receive a free kids meal with each adult meal purchase. It's a great way to end your day with a free kids meal! Every little bit helps so if you are planning on spending the day there anyway, it's nice to have the extra bonus to save some money on food. Make sure you head to the Fun Town Market Restaurant, Wok n' Bowl Ramen or Garden Restaurant to take advantage of the Kids Eat Free offer! 

​Another absolute MUST DO - Try Granny's Apple Fries! A LEGOLAND exclusive! Crispy Granny apples generously sprinkled with cinnamon sugar with vanilla cream for dipping! A crowd favourite indeed! Located in the Castle Hill area beside the mini golf course, Granny's Apple Fries is a popular favourite and be prepared to wait in line for sweet cinnamon-y crispy apple goodness! 

Girls just wanna have fun! If you thought LEGO was just for boys, Heartlake City just opened and the area is dedicated to LEGO and Friends, promoting friendship among girls. 

LEGO NINJAGO World – opening in May 2016 featuring all your favourite Lego ninja characters and an exciting new attraction as you help the ninja battle the Great Devourer with special skills including fireball, lightning, shock waves and ice! Much to our dismay, the area was not open yet when we were there so were not able to check it out. But seeing the trailer for the attraction means we will absolutely have to return to experience it! 

Park Hopper tickets provide access to the Water Park and the CHIMA Water Park, which is an area we did not get to experience on this trip. We also didn't get the chance to visit Sea Life Aquarium, a close up look at the creatures from the ocean! 

LEGOLAND is the perfect theme park for LEGO fans, young and old and you can immerse yourself in a world created from LEGO! It has its own unique personality and is ideal for kids under the age of 12. Many of the attractions and the water parks have activities for young kids (toddlers/preschoolers) and then older kids as well. You can easily spend a couple of days here to fully experience what the park and attractions offer. For some kids, they could spend hours just building creations in all the different areas where creativity is encouraged!  

Check the website for park hours as the park is not open late, (usually 5:00pm to 7:00pm, depending on the season) and the water park is only opened seasonally. Nonetheless, it is a great day spent in a very family friendly environment immersed in the world of LEGO! You don't even have to be a LEGO fan to appreciate the wonder and awe of LEGO that inspires the creativity and imagination of kids, and including the kid in all of us! 

Isn't she pretty?? I can only hope I look this good when I turn 60!

​Disneyland in Anaheim is continuing to celebrate the 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration in the parks but the celebration is only on until September so if you haven't had a chance to visit the park in all her bedazzled beauty, there is still time! As a part of the Diamond Celebration, three spectacular evenings shows were created and re-imagined for the celebration to combine heartfelt tributes to Walt Disney and his vision with the newest technology available to create the most magical experience for guests! Nostalgia and modernity combine to bring awe-inspiring and unforgettable experiences. 
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1. PAINT THE NIGHT PARADE

Paint the Night is a nighttime spectacular parade with millions of LED light and a catchy tune with all your favourite Disney characters! There are 2 shows each night - 8:30pm and 10:30pm (times may change on different days so check before your trip for specific show times, but these were the times of the show for the week we were visiting) as it is definitely something you will want to do! It is one of the most popular attractions for guests and many pass holder guests enjoy the parade so you will see people reserving their spots for the parade as early as 5:30pm! Benches and curbs are priority viewing seats so they are snagged early if you want a front row view. 

If you check the parade route ahead of time, the parade begins at "it's a small world" and continues toward the castle, down Main St. and ends in the Towne Square near the entrance of the park. For the second show, the parade route is reversed and it begins in Towne Square, heads through Main St, towards the castle and ends at "it's a small world".

 Many of your favourite Disney and Pixar characters dazzle and shine while they dance away into the night! 

Main St and the castle area are the most popular viewing areas so spots in these areas are always reserved early as they are also in a prime location for viewing the fireworks that are on after the parade. 

Strategize your ideal location based on your plans. 
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1. "it's a small world" - this is where the early parade begins. Be among the first to see the parade as it starts! The parade lasts about 20 minutes and then you are free to head to other attractions and rides to enjoy with less crowds and line ups as most people will be watching the parade! (Just don't head towards the castle or Main St.) If you are planning on leaving the parks after the early parade, then I wouldn't suggest this area for viewing.

2. Castle area and Main St. There are lots of areas around the castle and Main St that people start snagging spots early. The week we were visiting, people were holding their spots with blankets and snacks by 5:30pm and the first parade wasn't until 8:30pm! If you decide to watch from the castle area, make sure you try to get a spot in the circle by Tomorrowland and not Frontierland as the parade doesn't go by that area. 

These central areas are also ideal to view the fireworks after the parade. If you are in these central areas, be prepared for mass crowds and you will not be moving very quickly if you want to head to another area! But they are prime locations to view the fireworks and the projection show on the castle and the Matterhorn during the fireworks show. No need to fret if you are in "it's a small world" though, the projection show is also visible in that area too! So wherever you are to view the fireworks, you'll still get the magical experience of the fireworks show! 

3. Towne Square - if you are planning on exiting the parks after the parade and the fireworks, especially with young ones, I would suggest finding a spot in Towne Square. This is where the early parade ends. Stay for the fireworks, enjoy last minute shopping before exiting at your convenience. Then you can avoid the mass exodus of crowds once the fireworks are complete. 

3. WORLD OF COLOR - CELEBRATE! 

World of Color - Celebrate! takes the Wonderful World of Walt Disney to a whole new level with a live water, lights, special effects and musical show to celebrate Walt Disney, his vision from his early beginnings with animation, a mouse, Disneyland dreams to the unforgettable Happiest Place on Earth it continues to be today. End your day in Disney California Adventure with World of Color - Celebrate! 

The show is hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and Mickey Mouse as they celebrate Walt Disney. Through music and special effects, your hosts pay tribute to the early dreams and creations of Walt, and move you through his journey into the popular Disney favourites of today.  

FASTPASS
If anything, don't miss World of Color!! If you go early enough into California Adventure, you can obtain a FastPass for World of Color. The FastPass distribution for it is at Grizzly River Run. Then you will have preferred viewing area access and don't have to go early to find a good viewing spot for the show. FastPasses are available in limited quantity on a first come, first served basis though and they usually run out fairly early in the day. This particular FastPass does not count toward your daily limit so you can hold a World of Color FastPass, as well as another FastPass for a different attraction. 

If you are a foodie like me, then you will want to experience Disney fine dining cuisine at least once during your trip! Disney cuisine is legendary and the quality, service and experience is a memorable experience! My kids still talk about the food they ate on the Disney cruise a couple of years ago! 

We decided to experience the World of Color dining package at Carthay Circle, the restaurant recreated to pay homage to the theatre that Walt's Disney's first film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered. 

Walking through the restaurant takes you back in time to an era of stylish and chic elegance. (My daughter quietly informed me that we were not dressed properly to dine here.) 

Carthay Circle specializes in seasonal cuisine, featuring California favourites so the menu is based on seasonal availability of ingredients to ensure they are used at highest peak for flavour and colour. The dining package offers a three course meal for children and adults and a decent selection of menu items that are sure to satisfy any palette. 

Disney at night is so different than Disney during the day! Make sure you try to experience even just a little bit of everything during your trip to Disneyland. You can't do it all. There is just too much to experience! And with the 60th Diamond Anniversary Celebration, the tributes to the history and nostalgia pull at your heartstrings as you can see, feel and experience everything that Walt envisioned. How can one person have the vision to create the Happiest Place on Earth and inspire so many to fiercely protect his vision and ensure that every single person, regardless of age, can enjoy the most magical experience in the Wonderful World of Disney. Whether it is your first visit, or repeated weekly visitor, the feeling of walking under the bridge magically transports you into a world where your dreams come true and you simply can't stop smiling! The Happiest Place on Earth delights the child in all of us! 

"I hope we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started with a mouse" ~ Walt Disney 

Harry Potter has landed in California! His long awaited arrival is welcomed by Harry Potter fans who don't have to trek east to Orlando and can now visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Hollywood! The official Grand Opening is April 7, 2016 but the area has been open to visitors who want a sneak peek before big day and we were fortunate enough to check it all out on our recent visit! 

Walk through the entrance into Hogsmeade Village and you are instantly transported to the magical world of wizards, just as described in the books and movies. The Hogwarts Express has arrived and the lead conductor is available for photos. Take a peek into the train cabin, choose from Hogwarts robes and scarves so you can dress up and pose for photos from the train cabin. 

No visit to Hogsmeade Village is complete without Butterbeer! Available as a cold beverage or frozen slushy, it's the perfect beverage to enjoy as you immerse yourself into the world of Harry Potter!

Visit Ollivander's, Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. and peruse through the large selection of wands of your choosing (or rather, the wand chooses you!) and/or choose from a selection of character wand replicas. 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is *THE* must do attraction! The ride is the same as the one in Orlando, however it is a 3D ride in Hollywood! Become a student of Hogwarts and join Harry and his friends on a thrilling and exciting ride through the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts, explore the castle grounds from high above and participate in an exciting round of Quidditch!

As you join the queue, you enter Hogwarts Castle and the attention to detail both inside and outside the castle is beyond breathtaking. There were times I wished the line moved slower so I could take the time to enjoy all the painstaking details that went into the design and creation of the attraction. 

To get an idea of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride, check out the video below. It's a thrilling adventure through Hogwarts full of twists and turns and the 3D effects make the ride come alive! 

Flight of the Hippogriff is an outdoor family friendly roller coaster that is enjoyable for the whole family. Learn how to approach a Hippogriff properly and enjoy twists and turns around the pumpkin patch and visit Hagrid's Hut. 

Cheer on the presentation of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students as they lead the excitement for the Triwizard Tournament in a Triwizard Spirit Rally and listen to a presentation of songs by a small choir of Hogwarts students accompanied by their large croaking frogs. 

SHOPPING

Hogsmeade Village is home to various specialty shops so everything you need for your visit to Hogwarts can be found here! Zonko's Joke Shop sells novelty items, jokes, toys and sweets, perfect for playing jokes on unsuspecting friends and family members. Honeydukes sells classic treats such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, exploding bonbons, Peppermint Toads, Fudge Flies, Chocolate Frogs and other delectable delights. Need school supplies and wizarding wares??? Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment is the place to find all your required House robes, Hogwarts Express items, crystal balls, binoculars, magnifying glasses and other equipment.  Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods is your source for Hogwarts clothing, movie prop replicas, chess sets, magical creature toys and Marauder's Maps. Find House robes, ties, scarves, jumpers and other wizard apparel, accessories and jewelry at Gladrags Wizardwear so your visit is memorable for years to come. Can't forget about your Quidditch equipment! Dervish and Banges is where you will find Quidditch equipment, apparel and house items. At The Owl Post, find Harry Potter-themed stationery, stamps, owl -related toys and gifts and send a letter from here with a Hogsmeade postmark! 

DINING

Enjoy dining at Three Broomsticks to grab lunch or dinner. Classic English fare such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and bangers and mash are popular favourites. For parties of 4, consider the Great Feast for to maximize variety and selection for the greatest value. Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice are popular beverage choices. Hog's Head Pub is the perfect place for families to enjoy Pumpkin Juice and Butterbeer for the kids, while adults can enjoy a selection of domestic and imported beer,s specialty beers such as Wizard's Brew and Dragon Scale, Fire Whiskey, wine, spirits and mixed drinks.

Your visit isn't complete until you obtain you a wand!

Choose a character wand replica or an interactive wand that can be used throughout the park in select locations where your wand can unlock magical spells!

​Need help?? Hogwarts prefects are available to assist and unlock your spell-making abilities! 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the ultimate destination for Harry Potter fans! We simply didn't want to leave! It was so hard to say good bye :( There are a lot of fun attractions to enjoy and do at Universal Studios Hollywood and Harry Potter fans will definitely not want to miss it! Now Harry Potter fans can visit California in addition to Florida for Harry Potter adventures! 

I encourage you to read the books and/or at least watch the movie(s) before visiting to really immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter and maximize your experience! We have become obsessed with Harry Potter since and will be watching the movies again and again! My daughter has taken to speaking with an English accent since watching the movies (#cutenotcute). 

I have yet to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando so I am not able to offer any comparison details, however I expect that the standards and attention to detail is just as stunning! We were lucky enough to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter during our visit and can't wait to share with you our experience! Let me know if you get to visit as I would love to hear your thoughts and chat Harry Potter with you!