Walt Disney World Quick Tips: Dining

Try dining at on-site Disney resorts

Don’t forget about the resorts for Dining Options, even if you aren’t a guest there. Some are just a short boat ride (Hoop-De-Doo, Trail’s End, Whispering Canyon) or short monorail ride away (Chef Mickey’s). These restaurants may not be as full as the ones in the parks and if they are character meals, you can usually get more interaction from the characters. A great character meal is Goofy’s Breakfast at Cape May Resort. Characters will usually sit at your table and interact with the kids.

Save on snacks and drinks

You are allowed to take food and drinks into the parks, so feel free to bring along a few snacks and bottled water for your day.

Purchase a dining plan to save money

The Dining Plan is a great value. You have a wide variety of choices to please any palate, with more than 200 restaurants available.

Table-Service
There are table-service restaurants, where you are served your meal. These can include character dining and dinner shows. Dinner shows will account for two meals instead of one.

Quick-Service
Quick-service is your fast food meal and snacks are available, such as popcorn, ice cream, drinks and more.

There are three different dining packages available:

• Two Quick-service meals and two snacks per night
• One table-service, one quick-service and one snack per night or
• The Deluxe Dining Packing, which includes any three meals and two snacks per night of your stay.

You may use your meal allotments any way you like. If you would like to use two quick-service meals in one day, you can, even if you go over your daily allotment. Your allotment is for your entire stay.

Also see:

Walt Disney World Quick Tips: Magic Kingdom

Boscov’s Travel Orlando Charter Vacations

As to Disney logos, pictures and properties: © Disney.

Walt Disney World Quick Tips: Magic Kingdom

Jennifer is one of our Corporate Travel Consultants, and although she specializes in coordinating air, hotel and car rental arrangements for business travelers, she’s a huge fan of Walt Disney World and visits every year. Here are a few of Jennifer’s tips for navigating Magic Kingdom. Thanks, Jen!

Attend the opening ceremony

At least one morning, get up early and head to Magic Kingdom for the opening ceremony. It’s best to get there at least 30 minutes prior to park opening. If you are there early enough, your family can be chosen to help Mickey open the park! This is a great way to start a magical day!

Beat the crowd

When you first arrive at Magic Kingdom, go right for the train station. Go up to the platform and look down Main Street. It is usually very crowded as soon as the park opens, but makes for great pictures of Main Street and Cinderella’s Castle. After a few pictures, get on the train and head to Frontierland. By doing this, you’ll beat the crowd to this part of the park, and can usually get on Big Thunder Mountain with little to no wait. After that, head to either Liberty Square area or Adventureland. You can usually get to the rides and attractions in these areas before the crowds do.

Where to watch the fireworks and parade

A great place to catch the parades and fireworks in Magic Kingdom is in the Liberty Square area. The crowd is not as big, and you don’t have to stake out your spot as early here as you would along Main Street. She’s also watched the fireworks in the Fantasyland area and says it was a pretty good view as well.

As you may already know, we’re celebrating Disney Day tomorrow at Boscov’s Travel. If you’re in the Reading, PA or Wilmington, DE areas, stop by for fun kids’ activities, like prizes, crafts and face painting!

Ready to start planning your Walt Disney World getaway? Visit our website to find out more about our nonstop charter flights to Orlando from local airports and contact your local Authorized Disney Vacation Planner at Boscov’s Travel.

As to Disney logos, pictures and properties: © Disney.

Top 5 Walt Disney World rides and attractions

In celebration of Disney Day at Boscov’s Travel this Friday, we surveyed our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners on their favorite attractions. Here are the top 5 rides and attractions at Walt Disney World, according to our experts.

#5 – The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios

One chilling Halloween night in 1939, five unfortunate souls were riding down the grand Hollywood Tower Hotel’s maintenance service elevator when a violent bolt of lightning struck the building… and they were never seen again. Known as the “Tower of Terror”, this free-fall thrill ride for big kids, teens and adults at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is based upon the television classic The Twilight Zone.

#4 – Wishes Fireworks Display at Magic Kingdom

“My favorite thing at Disney by far is the ‘Wishes’ fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. No matter how many times I go and watch this, I always walk away feeling like all of my cares have been lifted away. The beauty of the castle lit up, the music and colors creates my happy place.”

– Bonnie, Travel Specialist, Boscov’s Travel Lebanon

#3 – Kilimanjaro Safari in Animal Kingdom

Appropriate for all ages, this exciting safari takes you through a 100-acre savanna to see a variety of roaming African animals aboard a rugged open-sided vehicle. It’s the next best thing to an actual safari in Africa!

# 2 – The Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom

This spooky, yet only mildly frightening, tour of a haunted house features a supernatural Ghost Host who introduces you to his friendly, dearly departed buddies. It’s one of the original Magic Kingdom attractions, having opened in 1971.

#1 – Soarin’ in Epcot

Soarin’ is a multi-sensory simulation of a hang-gliding flight over the state of California for big kids, teens and adults. This multi-passenger glider lifts you and your companions 40 feet into the air as you swoop and soar through impressive scenery. Special airplane cameras captured the footage and since the airplane’s flight pattern is similar to the glider, you actually feel as if you’re flying over San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Redwood Creek, Napa Valley, Yosemite National Park, LA and more. It’s no wonder this ride topped the list for our Travel Specialists!

What are your favorite attractions at Walt Disney World?

As to Disney logos, pictures and properties: © Disney.

Disney Princess Rooms Debut at Walt Disney World

When growing up I was obsessed with the Little Mermaid to the point of waking up at 5 AM every morning to watch the VHS and sing the songs before school. I am one of thousands of little girls who grew up with a Disney Princess obsession, whether it be about Belle, Tiana, Ariel, Jasmine, Cinderella, or  Aurora, we all had the same feelings of wanting to grow up beautiful with delicate singing voices and royal living accommodations.

Thank goodness for Disney World acknowledging our obsession, and running at it headlong with the addition of 512 “princess rooms” (Royal Guest Rooms) to their Port Orleans Resort! It all started with their Pirate themed rooms in the Caribbean Beach Resort, and now the ladies get their chance to sparkle and shine with rooms themed around the Disney princesses.  Even more perfectly, the concept that accompanies the rooms is that Tiana, from the Frog Princess, has stayed there before with her princess friends, and they’ve left behind “special mementos” for the next guests. The decor will feature princess artwork, fiber optic headboards, regal colors, Genie lamp bathroom fixtures, and TV’s encased in gold. Keep your eyes peeled for other unique touches like the footstool that came to life in “Beauty and the Beast”.

An example of the Pirates themed rooms.

Want to really make your little lady feel like a princess? Hop on over to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, created by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother! Here you can get your little princesses’ hair, nails, and make up done, and even dress up in Disney Princess costumes for a photo shoot! Have a little dude in your life? Perfect!  They offer a Knight Package that includes a new hair-do and sword and shield.  What would be more amazing than photos of your kids immersed in Disney mode?

A girl with her very own Fairy Godmother at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Also in their new room additions are 23 “health and wellness suites” being added to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The suites are like mini spas with 100% cotton allergy free bedding, in-room workout equipment, rainwater showers with tea tree oil, and the option of having organic fresh foods.

Want to go stay in a “Royal Guest Room” or “Health and Wellness Suite”? Boscov’s Travel offers a number of direct chartered flights from Reading, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Avoca), Harrisburg, and Lancaster nonstop to Orlando. Our prices have no hidden fees, bags fly free, we offer pre-assigned seats at no charge, and complimentary snacks on the plane.  If you want to plan a trip to Disney World, be sure to check out our Disney/Orlando Charters, or click here to find a Travel Specialist near you!

Walt Disney World Annual Festivals & Events

As if Walt Disney World & Epcot Center weren’t cool enough to visit on their own, they also have fun events and festivals that happen yearly. This is a great way to re-experience Disney as an adult, or to see Disney in a different way if you are a frequent Disney-goer. The following events happen yearly, and provide an extra special reason to check out an already magical place.

The 18^th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is happening from March 2^nd to May 15^th, 2011, and is a true delight for gardeners, Disney fans, and people who appreciate taking time to stop and smell the roses. This experience is full of over 100 topiaries, ornate patterned gardens, live music, gardening tips from HGTV personalities, a sustainable garden with info on how to make one at home, and an English Tea Garden tour, just to name a few of the draws of visiting during this time. You can even get a special 3-hour tour by a Disney Horticulturist (for an additional cost) to learn about the award-winning gardens, and what it takes to set up the whole festival!

This year brings about a new cast of characters for the topiary gardens, which varies from year to year based on what’s new. Get ready to travel “To infinity and beyond!” with the cast of Toy Story 3 in topiary form, as well as a representation of the Hundred Acre Wood where you will be able to check out Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too! A “Cars 2″ garden rounds out the new additions this year and will be a real treat for fans.

Also, look out for some of the classic attractions during the festival, like the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden where you can meet and greet with Tinkerbell and her friends, a bonsai garden, Rapunzel’s Tower, and Bambi’s Butterfly House, a popular butterfly garden that is now twice the size of previous years. Other topiaries that make a yearly appearance include Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Stitch, Peter Pan, Disney Couples, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Every year there is live music and this year’s theme is Flower Power, focusing on music from the 60’s- 80’s.

Can’t make it this year? No problem! They already have the schedule up for next year’s festival which will run from March 7^th to May 20^th 2012.

Looking for some holiday fun? Check out Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom theme park! On select nights from September through October, park goers are encouraged to dress up in costume, trick-or-treat through the park, and enjoy the fun of the holiday with special effects that transform the park into “happy haunted hollows”. From Mickey’s “Boo-to-you” Halloween parade to “Happy HalloWishes” (a Disney villain’s fireworks show), to seeing all of your favorite characters in special costumes, this will be a Halloween that you and your tykes will never forget.

Another exciting event is one specifically aimed at adults, the 14^th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. From September 30, 211 – November 13, 2011 Epcot becomes a haven for foodies, wine enthusiasts, chefs, and culinary folk from all over the world. The World Showcase Promenade becomes a magical throughway of tantalizing aromas, unique culinary demonstrations, talks from renowned winemakers, seminars on food, and samplings of a myriad of different gourmet delicacies.

With the Festival Welcome Center as the hub of the event, it will be your home base to figure out where you want to go with your day. Maybe you want to enjoy the Eat to the Beat concert series? Or stop by the Wonder Bar for a celebrity book signing with chefs and authors. Another option is to explore the 25 international marketplace kiosks that feature tapas portions, so that you really can have a bite of the world.

Finally, to round out the fun of Disney Festivals, is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. Every winter this very special happening occurs with Mickey’s “Once Upon a Christmastime” parade, exciting live entertainment, and fireworks! They set the mood by turning on the Enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella’s Castle (which truly is a sight to behold), having Santa Claus fly in on his magic sleigh, giving out complimentary cookies and cocoa, having barbershop quartet style carolers,  and best of all, creating a “magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.”.

Ready to go to Orlando now to visit some of the coolest events Disney has to offer? I know I am! Boscov’s Travel offers a number of direct chartered flights from Reading, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Avoca), Harrisburg, and Lancaster nonstop to Orlando. Our prices have no hidden fees, bags fly free, we offer pre-assigned seats at no charge, and complimentary snacks on the plane.  If you want to plan a trip to Disney World, be sure to check out our Disney/Orlando Charters, or click here to find a Travel Specialist near you!

As to Disney logos, pictures and properties: © Disney.

Adventures by Disney

When you hear the name “Disney” it is easy to slip into thoughts of Mickey ears, Space Mountain, and dancing broomsticks, but what you don’t necessarily think about is what would happen if the geniuses behind Disney started planning World Wide adventure vacations for the whole family.  Well they’re doing it, and their tour packages are truly unique, exotic, hands-on, and they reach far beyond the norms of vacation travel.

Tour highlights include:

• A Disney Adventure Guide, who is an expert on the place you are visiting, and functions as more of a “story teller” then a guide.
• Activities at all destinations for every member of the family, with specific activities for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents.
• VIP access to unique attractions ranging from “reserved entry and access to Michelangelo’s David” to “an exclusive feast after hours at the Vienna Zoo in Austria”.
• Local Experts who will teach you unique skills or trades in a hands on manner.
• Storytelling from costumed locals dressed as significant people in history.
• Disney Movie nights so parents can have some alone time.

They also offer other options for travelers with different wants for their vacation. The Gateway Collection was created for the person who wants more independent free time to explore new locales. Adult-Exclusive Departures are a fantastic option, because the whole trip is tailored to be enjoyable for guests 18 and over. They even have special trips tailored around holiday travel.

With options for tours pretty much anywhere in the world, you are bound to find a trip that caters to all people going on the vacation. Below I have picked a few unique destinations, and highlighted what makes them cooler than other tours to the same places. They still have all the standard things you would find (walking, biking, and cruising tours, demonstrations, unique dining experiences, and landmark visits) on a normal tour, but they make it so that you get to be a part of the experience instead of just observing it.

Australia –The tour includes snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef on a glass bottom boat with a marine biologist to answer questions, a “hands-on animal encounter” and private breakfast at the Taronga Zoo, boomerang and spear throwing lessons with Tjapukai tribe members, and an Aussie BBQ where you can hang out with crocodiles.

South Africa – This tour includes a three day safari, dinner with elephants at Knysna Elephant Park, a beach walk with African Penguins, an Afrikaans Pastry cooking class at the Institute of Culinary Arts, a three-course meal in a 17^th century castle complete with a traditional Minstrel Show, an interactive drumming class, traditional face painting at Moyo, time to learn “traditional and modern beading techniques from a local weaver”, and archery lessons from a local expert.

Alaska – This tour includes a behind the scenes look at the Iditarod where you get to meet the racing dogs, a lesson in wolf tracking by radio telemetry with a private guide from the Murie Science and Learning Center, a raft ride on Placer River where you will navigate between icebergs, a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, panning for gold at a remote trapper’s camp, a hands-on experience with touch tanks at the SeaLife Center and a pizza party in their underwater-viewing area,  and a picnic in Denali National Park.

Costa Rica – This tour includes an aerial tour of the rainforest, a Sarapiqui white water rafting adventure, zip lining in Costa Rica, and craft workshops from local artists.

The Alps – This tour includes rope course and zip lining in the Alps, a pasta making class at the Villa Mirabella, a bike ride along Lake Lucerne, story time at Husky Camp with an expert dog trainer, a mini boat cruise of Isola Bella Island, an exclusive wine tasting with a sommelier, pony rides for kids, and a traditional cheese fondue lunch.

Again, these are just a few highlights of these trips, and the activities listed barely scratch the surface. Other destinations include China, Ecudaor, Peru, Galapagos Islands, England & France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mediterranean Cruise, American Southwest, Hollywood, Mid Atlantic US, and Yellowstone.  For more info on any of the specific destinations contact a Boscov’s Travel Specialist near you!

Or if you are in the Neshaminy, PA area, join Boscov’s Travel and representative Jack Sharp from Adventures by Disney for an informative presentation on the many family tours available through Adventures by Disney Vacations. The event is free and will be held at My Gym, Newtown Summit Square Shopping Center, Langhorne, PA.  Friday, April 01,2011 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Please call, visit, or email to reserve your seat. Boscov’s Travel, Neshaminy Mall, 215-355-3737 or bostravneshaminy@boscovs.com