Ever thought of going on a Caribbean Cruise!

We have been three times now and it is fantastic. We tried the 3 day cruise that included a visit to the Bahamas and the Disney Island Castaway Cay.

Whether you are Adults travelling together or taking the kids along, you will all enjoy the experience. There are three pools - one for the kiddies, one for the older kids and then an Adult Only Pool.

The food is wonderful and you get to try out all three themed restuarants whilst on board and what is good is that your waiters follow you around into the different restaurants - so they get to know you a little bit.

For those who wish to really relax it has a Spa on board with all the services that you would think of and for the fitness fanatics it has a gym and a running track around the deck.

Kids of all ages can join in with some of the Disney Clubs and they have recently included a nursery too.

Finally, there is plenty to do at night with deck parties, themed bars and you can even go and see a show. We enjoyed watching the latest movies on the the big screen on the main deck.

So give it a go. The Disney Cruise Ship even comes to the UK this year.

On-Line Booking System Now Available!

Did you know that you can now make dining reservations for Walt Disney World Dining online!   Up until now the only way you could make reservations was to phone up in advance or during your vacation.

If you visit the following site

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/

you can then narrow your search by checking through the various parks/hotels, etc to browse the various restaurants.  If you are able to book online it will give you the “Book a Reservation” option by the chosen restaurant.  This will take you through to the next screen where you can select your date, time  and no. in party.  Once you have done this you click ”Check Availability”.  The next screen will then bring up whether there is availability, together with availability at other restaurants in the same vicinity.  Once you select your desired time you then click ”add to cart”.

Once you have added your restaurants to the cart you are advised of the total payment due today (if any) and then you “check out”.   

You will find that the majority of the bookings do not require you to make prepayment, although the very popular ones like Cinderellas Castle, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, etc  will require full payment at the time of booking.  

This online system is great - if you find your first date is booked, you can check another date/time immediately, saving you a lot of time.  No need to make that call to the US before you visit to make all your reservations, which in the past I have done on many occasions. 

It also gives you an idea of the cost of the meals in the various restaurants so you can plan in advance.   I also found that you can browse all the different restaurants in one place and gives you a better idea of what is available at each one. 

Effective 27 October 2009, Advanced Dining Reservations will go back to a 180 plus 10 day booking window. 

I certainly will be using this online option for my next trip and have advised all our future guests of the website.   I hope that you get to enjoy many of the restaurants in the Walt Disney Resorts by planning in advance. 

Disney’s Wide World of Sport holds lots of races throughout the year with levels varying from full marathons to fun runs with everything in between. Whichever level race you’re looking at they are all incredibly well organised and all usually start early in the morning before the sun warms up and before the parks open. Routes vary but they always go through some part of Walt Disney World and the meeting place is either Wide World of Sports or the car park at Epcot. As usual Disney’s attention to detail is evident from the start to the finish.

In March this year I attended the Princess races which ranged from a half marathon (13 miles) to a 3k fun run. The registration process was very simple to complete on line and then we had to collect the registration pack from Disney Wide World of Sports the night before the race. This contained your number for the race, directions to the start plus some goodies from the sponsors. My husband took part in the 5k race and he ran through Epcot past lots of characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck. The race was started by Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella and Prince Charming waited on the finish line to cheer the runners in. There was lots of ticker tape and a DJ playing very loud and uplifting music at the start and finish. The atmosphere was exciting with spectators cheering on the competitors at the finish line. There were stations for water and fruit and breakfast muffins were handed to the competitors when they finished the race. Coffee tents sold refreshments for the spectators too.

If you’re interested in finding out more or when the next races are please go to www.disneyworldsports.disney.go.com

Have you ever thought of taking a cruise. Then look no further than Disney Cruise line in Florida. Their Disney wonder Ship leaves from Port Canaveral to head for the Bahamas and their own private island - Castaway Cay.

Over the last couple of years we have been lucky enough to travel on this ship on their 3 day 4 night cruise to the Bahamas.

As we boarded the ship we were announced by the staff and made really welcome. All food is included but not your alcoholic drinks.

Each night you will be seated in a different restaurant and sometimes with other guests. This is nice as you can get to know people from all over the world. You also have the opportunity to book a table at Palo’s a fantastic a la carte restaurant on the top deck. The chocolate souffles are to die for.

There are lots of different bars for the adults that provide different entertainment into the early hours.

During the day there are three seaparate pools - one for the little ones, one for families and an adults only pool. Sit by the pool and order your bucket of Buds.

There is entertainment during the day as well.

You will be astounded by the amount of food that is available. They even lay on a late night buffet following their pirates party.

During the cruise you will visit Nassau in the Bahamas and have the opportunity to go on tours of the island to see the different sights. Then you will move on to Castaway Cay Island - this is just out of this world. White sandy beaches, gloriously blue clear seas and barbecues. Get some bikes and explore the island or participate in beach games of sea activities.

It is just fantastic try it!

There are lots of these band type lights here in the UK at our Pound Stores so it may suit some visitors to stock up before they leave, making sure they are in their suitcases and not their hand luggage.

Our American guests also recommended booking the Disney Character Dining seats at The Parks,  before their vacation as the availability is so hard to get on the days just before you go to The Parks. They are really Special experiences, When we visited, even at our age, Larry & I joined in the Dancing Chains & Napkin waving with Mickey & Minnie and all of their Friends. Great fun, just to see the little one’s faces and to get as many close up photo’s as you want.

Happy Holidays

Mary & Larry

You will also find on one of the Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques here - this is where my little daughter loves to go and enjoys having her hair and make up down, as well as dressing up in one of her favourite disney costumes.  The last time we went we went for the full package where you get a photo shoot included.  My daughter looked amazing when they had finished and the photos are an ever lasting memory.  It was well worth the money!  Everyone was commenting on her as we walked through Downtown Disney.  She also remembers that moment and she is only 6.  A must for every little girl. 

You will also find great shops with all the Disney Merchandise;  if you forgot to buy a particular item in one of the parks, you will hopefully be able to purchase it here.  There are also various other retailers, as well as some great themed restaurants.  

There are also some great entertainment venues, like Cirque de Soleil which is located in Downtown Disney. 

I have listed a few of  shops/restaurants, etc, which you can find at Downtown Disney below:-

World of Disney - if you are looking for loads of fun whilst shopping, this is the place to go.  It is one of the largest stores and has so much to choose from.  This is where you will also find the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique mentioned above. 

Once Upon a Toy - Play happily ever after at this amazing toy store that offers the largest assortment of toys and games in all of Disney.  From princesses to pirates you will find some great toys in here.

Lego Imagination Centre - this shop is great, especially if you kids are into lego.  Not only can they buy some great lego sets (which my son has plenty) they get to play and make models with the lego stands outside.  This has kept my kids occupied for hours (for free) whilst we sat and watched enjoyed a cup of coffee. 

Disney Days of Christmas - this is my favourite shop at Downtown Disney - its Christmas all year round.  You also get to personalise a lot of the ornaments so they make them very personal to your visit. 

Rainforest Cafe and the new T-Rex restaurants can also be found at Downtown Disney.  We have visit the Rainforest cafe a few times now, and the kids love it.  We have never eaten in the T-Rex one, but have had a sneek look inside.  If you kids love dinosaurs this is the resturant to visit.  It has large interactive models of dinosaurs dotted around the restaurant that move at certain times.  You will also DinoBear (part of the build a bear workshop) in her.  My son loved this as he was able to choose his own dinosaur and dress it.  Quite appropriate for a boy!

This is just a taster of what can be found at Downtown Disney. 

Don’t forget to make a visit on your next trip.  We hope you enjoy it.

Make sure you have a go if you are an avid golfer

Wet and wild is a good park if you really like water slides because it has loads of them, but is no relaxing space.

But there is some good slides like “Bran Wash” which is a big drop, it drops you in a tube 2-4 people per tube. There is a little park for the kids with the bubble which is a big bubble with water coming down which you slide down on.

Magic kingdom

Magic kingdom is very good for all ages. The main street is where all the main shows take place like “Spectro magic & Wishes” gathering by the castle with fire works and lights and Tinkerbelle. There are other “lands” with rides and shows in like “Tomorrow land” which is all equipped with things for the future, there is a “in the dark rollercoaster” called Space Mountain. There are more “lands” like “Adventure Land” with the great ride “Pirates of the Caribbean”. There are also “lands” like “Frontier Land with the very good “Thunder Railway”. There is also a “land” for younger kids which is “Mickey Toon Town Fair” which is a good for little kid with little kiddie roller coasters and fair rides.

Animal kingdom

Animal kingdom is very good it has the ride called the “Everest”, which is a very scary rollercoaster. It is based around Asia and Africa. So you can picture what it looks like very green, with a wide selection of animals including Monkeys, Gorillas, Giraffe and Birds. There is a wide selection of rides from rollercoaster’s to water rides. There is also a wide selection of shows for all the family to watch.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is all about glitz and glamour with movie theatres and dress shops which are all props. But it is a very good park it has to big rides with the Rock and Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. There is a animation bit of the park with a show from Kermit the frog and Miss piggy. You can go behind the scenes in real movie studios to see what producers do. There are skylines like in Manhattan so you can get the “REAL” feeling of different parts of America.

The New Character Balloon Flight, next to Planet Hollywood was a big hit for our last guests. Being able to rise 400 feet above the crowds and see for miles around with the chance to get Photographs of the family in a very special and unique location.

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for their little girl proved to be her highlight of the visit. She was “Made Up” just like a Princess, having the full Princess Treatment in the Salon. A hairpiece, shimmering make over, finger nails done and a choice of her favourite Princess’s Dress (Cinderella). It was a little pricey but for a “one off” day they were delighted with the result and seeing their Little Princess’s face as she posed for her photographs, even strangers were taking pictures. They recommend booking early in your holiday to avoid any disappointment as there are only 10 Chairs in th Boutique.

They enjoyed the Irish Fish & Chip Shop on one visit but thought the T Rex Cafe was fabulous for all of them. The Table & Chairs have Dinosaur Legs, the massive Dinosaurs move and roar  to make it special place to have a meal. They said to make sure to take your camera as the special effects and the Coral Reef Bar are spectacular.

They intend to return during their next visit to fit in the things they couldn’t this time around. 

It is good to get a “Feed Back” from our guests and hopefully it will give 1st. Time visitors a reason to take time away from the Parks.

Mary —ps   Would love to hear some comments on Aquatica???