iPAD APP Updated!

Disneyland Explorer APP has been updated 

to include Carsland! 

Copyright: Disney Parks Blog

As we were first told in February, you don’t have to wait until your next visit to explore the Disneyland Resort. With the “Disneyland Explorer” app exclusively for iPad, you can discover photo-fantastic recreations of Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, the Downtown Disney District and all three Disneyland Resort hotels – complete with interactive activities based on classic attractions. And with the latest update, you can discover even more.

Have you got it? If so what do you think???

Copyright: Disney Park Blog

 Contact us today to find out great deals for Disneyland Resort and of course FREE Dining at Walt Disney World!

Luxury Disney Style

When you think about Luxury travel you probably don’t think about Disney World, but you should. Luxury doesn’t always mean the most expensive, although it generally comes at a price.

Concierge Lounge at the Beach Club

Luxury Disney Tip 1: Concierge Level at Disney Resorts

One of the first luxuries you can discover is the Concierge Level at the deluxe Disney Resorts. If you have utilized this service at other resorts around the world you understand the benefits as adults, but this service is so underrated when traveling with children. With several small meals throughout the day, along with coffee, tea, water, juices and snacks for the kids, this makes you feel more at ease having some comforts at home. After a jammed-packed, full day at the Park, it is great to not have to retreat immediately into your room for some downtime. The kids can color, watch a Disney Channel show and veg, while the parents can grab a cup of coffee, water, and just stare at each other in silence. Truthfully, those small items, like juice, water, coffee and fruit add up and can be taxing on a budget. Additionally, the continental breakfast offered everyday is enough to get most guests through to lunch without that added expense as well.

Luxury Disney Tip 2: Specialty Cruises

You may not know this but there are several opportunities to get on the water while you are at Walt Disney World! Disney's "Grand 1" 52-foot Sea Ray Yacht is the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Whether a romantic evening for two with Cinderella Castle as the backdrop, or an exclusive outing for a private group, your Captain and Deckhand will make your cruise an unforgettable experience. Private Dining is also available upon request.

There are several opportunities to watch Illuminations from pontoon boats or the Breathless, a solid mahogany Hacker Craft "Runabout Triple" is a 1920's style boat. Breathless II was commissioned into service at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in 2007. This boat is handcrafted exactly as built in the 1920's using modern technologies and materials unavailable at that time. The "Runabout" measures 26 feet in length and is powered by an 8.1 liter Mercury marine engine.

Luxury Disney Tip 3: Package Express

If you are a Disney Resort guest, this little luxury is complimentary. Utilize the Package Express to have merchandise purchases made throughout the parks delivered straight to your hotel room. How magical is that? No more having to weigh down the stroller with awkward sized packages and bags, knocking people over as you push your way out of the park. Now that is a luxury anyone could benefit from.

Luxury Disney Tip 4: VIP Guided Tour of the Parks

This luxury is not little, in fact, it is definitely something that would need to be included into your budget beforehand. The tours are available at both Disneyland and Disney World for all parks, and usually require advance reservations. It is worth including this luxury into my budget for a resort destination vacation like Disney World.  The need to cram in as much as possible in the time we are there, without getting overwhelmed or over tired, a VIP Tour is well worth it. And, if you are a Disney-buff, you will enjoy the bits of trivia and history your Disney Tour Guide will provide. It was a blast getting on all the popular attractions like Rock'n Roller Coaster with as much of a wait as the Fast Pass Line. At the end of the day, I felt relaxed, and accomplished.

Luxury Disney Tip 5: Dining

Don't forget to enjoy the culinary delights while at Walt Disney World resorts. Each of the Deluxe resorts offers amazing culinary cuisine.  Epcot is a huge favorite for trying dishes you might not try at home and you can reserve Chef’s Tables as well as pare your meals with amazing wine choices. Most of the fine restaurants require you plan well in advance and make your dining reservations at the 180 day mark!

A great way to take advantage of dining that is more apt for adults is to utilize Disney’s Babysitting service or one of the many kids clubs. These offer you a great opportunity to let everyone have a little “quiet” time to re-charge for more fun in the parks!

Disney offers so many options to meet every budget and taste. But many of these extras have to be planned and reserved well in advance, some 300 days in advance! Contact us today if you’d like to add any special event to your next vacation! We would love to help you make your trip one of a kind!

Hair Wraps at Walt Disney World

Hair Wraps at Walt Disney World

 

You have seen these I’m sure, they are everywhere! From the beach to theme parks to cruise ships you can get your hair wrapped just about anywhere now. Disney is no exception! This has become as much a tradition as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for our daughter! This year we decided to get hers done at the Magic Kingdom and I am so glad we did. The cast member went above and beyond (as usual!) taking great pride in her work!!

 Hair wraps are quite simply string that is wrapped around a strand of hair. I suppose you could go nuts and get a ton of them to look like the braids you get in some areas, but that could be pricey!! Fortunately my daughter’s hair is short, but the price still sneaks up there because she has to get tons of embellishments. You can find Hair Wrap stations at all of the resorts (generally near the pool), at the theme parks (this one was in Adventureland outside of Pirates), Downtown Disney and the water parks.

Ours was cheaper this year versus last but I think it was a matter of where the cast member put the wrap. This year we spent $25 and last year it was $33. Not a cheap souvenir but certainly one she takes home and keeps for 2-3 weeks! We do nothing special to wash around it, we just wash her hair like normal and it turns out fine. A great treat that can withstand the heat, the water and the test of kids!

Beads and Embellishments

String color options

away we twist

Christmas at Disneyland

From Santa Claus and real reindeer to the biggest holiday lights you’ve probably ever seen, the Disneyland Resort is glimmering with holiday magic through January 8, 2012. If you’re bringing along friends and family to visit this season, you could treat them with a fun way to discover all the special cheer: A Merry Holiday Hunt!
Gather your group with this list, or break into teams for some competitive fun. For extra points, take photos at each location and share them with friends using Facebook or Twitter.

1. The lively street show “Phineas and Ferb’s Rocking’ Rollin’ Dance Party” gets a merry twist at Disney California Adventure park, with holiday décor and songs. What’s the vehicle they arrive on for this interactive party?
2. Decorators trim nearly 700 trees throughout the resort. Which character shape is represented on the ornaments of the large tree at Disney California Adventure park?
3. What adorns the top of the 60-foot, Town Square Christmas tree in Disneyland park?
4. Even in Southern California, it snows during the Holidays at Disneyland Resort. Where does this happen and what might you smell while you’re there?
5. Where are two places you can see Toy Soldiers during the holidays?
6. A wonderful transformation turns a classic attraction into “it’s a small world” Holiday. What three songs are heard as you ride through this world of laughter?
7. Where can you find Santa in Disney California Adventure park?
8. One of the most playful places at Disney California Adventure park is “a bug’s land.” What bright objects do you find here that make fun photo backdrops?

What item would you add to this Merry Holiday Hunt?
Note: Special thanks to our partners at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, who shared some of their pointers. Guests at those hotels can check in at the concierge desk and ask for a copy of their exclusive hunts to enjoy in the parks.
Click here for the answers to the Merry Holiday Hunt.

Things You Didn't Know About the Matterhorn

Things You Didn't Know About the Matterhorn at Disneyland in California!

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Winter is here, and some of you may be hearing the swish-swish of skis sliding down a snow-covered mountain – even if only in your head. Here at the Disneyland Resort, we’ve got our own mountain range, of course, which started with the Matterhorn. Here are some things you might not know about this monument to Alpine adventure:

• A Disneyland icon since 1959, the Matterhorn was part of the first major expansion to take place at Disneyland park since the park’s debut in 1955. The Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction opened on June 14, 1959, along with the Disneyland Monorail and the Submarine Voyage.
• The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller coaster in the world to employ a tubular steel track and an electronic dispatch system which enabled more than one car at a time to be on the track.
• The Disneyland Matterhorn was built to 1/100th scale of the original Matterhorn, or 147 feet versus the 14,700 feet of the original.
• The Matterhorn has been the highest point in Disneyland park since 1959. It is the second-highest point in the Disneyland Resort, behind the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure park which stands 183 feet tall.
• The attraction was inspired by the live-action Disney adventure film, “Third Man on the Mountain,” which starred James MacArthur and Michael Rennie as mountaineers. The movie was filmed in Switzerland, on and around the real Matterhorn.
• Guests who look quickly while whizzing through the Matterhorn caverns may spot mountaineering supplies and other evidence of the “Wells Expedition.” These scenic details are a tribute to the late Frank Wells, who was president and Chief Operating Officer of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until his death in 1994. Wells was an experienced mountain climber and skier.

NOW Let's go PLAN!

Disney Voluntears Pen Postcards to the Troops

Disney Castmembers Write Over 90,000 Postcards 

to Thank the Troops!

Just when you didn't think you could love Disney any more than you do, their voluntEARS strike again!

As I think about what I’m thankful for this holiday season, I’m grateful to those who protect our nation so we have the freedom enjoy this special time with our friends and families.

Recognizing the efforts of the armed forces has become a year-round mission for some Disney VoluntEARS, who send notes of encouragement to U.S. troops just to let them know how much they are appreciated.


Founded by a Disneyland Resort cast member in 1995, Operation Uplift was inspired by a letter from a soldier serving in Operation Desert Storm. That note said the troops didn’t receive much mail, but when they did, it meant the world to them because they knew people back home cared.

Since that time, Disney VoluntEARS around the country have sent more than 90,000 postcards of support and thanks to servicemen and servicewomen serving domestically and overseas.


Those who participate in Operation Uplift say they find great reward in sharing the magic of Disney with military men and women who are serving far from friends and family.
While it might seem like a small gesture, it’s nice to know that these patriotic postcards offer a salute with a smile and brighten many a day.