Adventure In The Great Wide Somewhere

Welcome to this month's Magical Blogorail Blue loop. Today we are sharing what you can expect from some of the club level experiences at Disney Resorts and on the Disney Cruise Line. Have you ever dreamed of cruising concierge?  What about in the royal suite? Last year offered up a boatload of moms panel excitement , trip planning high spirits, beginning of  homeschool jitters and also a ridiculous amount of pixie dust magic!  Toes in the wind and off on an adventure! In January, our family cruised in the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Wonder to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary and our daughter's fifth birthday. Then in November, we upgraded at port to the Walt Disney Suite on the Disney Fantasy. Just for fun. (TONS of pixie dust, y'all!) So what's the difference between one royal suite and another? The Disney Wonder Disney's classic ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder feature nearly identical Royal Suites. Located on deck ...

Welcome to the next stop on Magical Blogorail Orange. Today we are reviewing the value resorts at Walt Disney World. Growing up in a family of six, we needed at least two hotel rooms, so All Star Sports and Music grew to be my Disney home away from home. Now that I'm the adult, I'll be the first to admit that I'd much rather enjoy more time on my vacation at a value resort than less days at a deluxe resort. Not that I wouldn't upgrade to concierge if it's in the budget , of course!  Let's Go to the Movies! On my girls trip last year and on the adventures of the three mousekateers , I grew to love the All Star Movies Resort as well! Known for their over the top imaginative décor, each set of buildings features multistory icons from either The Mighty Ducks, The Love Bug, 101 Dalmatians, Fantasia or Toy Story. Like so: Do you miss the Sorcerer's Hat at Hollywood Studios? Swing by All Star Movies! Magical? Definitely full of tons of pixie du...

Welcome to the next stop on Magical Blogorail Red. Today we are discussing how to manage the crowds at the Disney Parks.  Just you and a busload of your new best buddies heading for paradise! The parks glimmer in magic and fun year round. So far you've blog hopped through the best and brightest tips to help you manage the over a million guests who visit the Magic Kingdom* during the month of July alone. If you'd rather feel like one in a million than be one in a million for your summer vacation, might I suggest shipping out and hitting the high seas with a Disney Cruise? The ingredients of any perfect Disney vacation?  Castillo de San Felipe in San Juan, Puerto Rico Take time to explore magical castles and adventure through beautiful and unexplored lands. With views like this on St. Thomas, you might not mind a hike either! Mix in a dash of retro cool style. Chandeliers, wood and marble finishings. Matching outfits. Celebrating boarding! Or...

Welcome to the next stop on Magical Blogorail Green . Today we are discussing the most romantic Disney restaurants. Or rather, the MOST romantic of any of the Disney restaurants, Palo. Whether you find yourself aboard the Magic, Wonder, Dream or Fantasy, there is something about these classic ocean liners that evokes simpler, more romantic times. Is it the breezes, the impeccable service, the adventure of living in a bygone era?  Champagne brunch. Perhaps it's the panoramic ocean vistas offered by Palo, a wonderfully unpretentious Italian restaurant with the kind of impeccable service Disney is known for after sleeping in until brunch. Maybe it's simply the romance of blown Venetian glass, champagne brunches and chocolate covered strawberries. Maybe it's the indulgence of late night chocolate soufflés or the clean poetry of Italian food . The chocolate covered strawberries sure don't hurt! “My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; th...

 Welcome to the next stop on the Blogorail . Today we are discussing one of my favorite ways to make staying in shape more fun. Namely, the app. Like the saying goes, there's an app for that! I love using a FitBit in my daily life because it makes keeping track of how many steps I've gotten in super easy and it's fun to compete and see who can get in the most steps in a day. I wanted to keep track of my cruise to the eastern Caribbean last November partially to keep the good habit going and partially because I was curious.  Touring St. John Lots of people tell me they're surprised I love cruising. Isn't that just for lazing around in hammocks or on deck chairs drinking fruity beverages? Aren't you always running around like a crazy person? Wouldn't just laying around all day drive you crazy? Um, yeah. If I actually lazed around all day. There is plenty of time for that of course, but first I need to go explore a bit!  The thing is, from the...

Welcome to those of you joining me from The Disney Point and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail . While the Disney Cruise Line is simply stuffed with Hidden Pixie Dust , here are five more things you probably didn't know about their flagship, the Disney Magic. 5.) Despite launching in 1998, the Disney Magic recently received a boatload of new pixie dust when she underwent "re-imagineering" in the fall of 2013. With renewed magic in many of the spaces onboard, she feels like a brand new vessel. 4.) The Disney Magic is the only ship to boast the Avenger's MARVEL’s Avengers Academy. If you have a little super hero in the making, this Oceaneer's Club favorite will be a key "don't miss." 3.) The Disney Magic is host to over thirty recognizable hidden Mickeys and even a few other hidden characters! Mount Rustmore at Castaway Cay That's before you even reach Castaway Cay and it's hidde...

Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney Mamas and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail . Sometimes you just need a little push to get through the frustration of learning something new. For our (then) toddler son, swimming seemed insurmountable. Then one day, while we lazed around (because napping wasn't going to happen that day) Samantha Brown hopped off of a ship in Grand Cayman, into a whole group of stingrays. He knew, that very moment, that he wanted to learn to swim. And he wanted to swim with the stingrays. Disney Cruise Line offers two very different stingray experiences on a Western Caribbean itinerary. So what's the difference? Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure Location: Stingray Hut and Lagoon, Castaway Cay, The Bahamas Cost: $36 ages 5-9, $45 ages 10-adults Duration: 1 hour (10 minute orientation, 50 minutes with the stingrays) Simple as stepping off of the ship and onto the dock, Castaw...

  Welcome to those of you joining me from Rolling with the Magic and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail ." If your Disney vacation plans bypass Walt Disney World this year (sniff!) or you want to continue the Food and Wine Festival goodness as you take to the high seas, you are certainly in luck! Disney Cruise Lines offers several different cooking demonstrations, wine pairings and tastings during each cruise. On the classic ships (aka the Disney Magic and her sister ship the Disney Wonder), "Anyone Can Cook" is offered several times throughout the cruise. During a fun informative presentation, adults can learn how to prepare a new appetizer, entrée or dessert. Recipe cards are provided, as are samples of both the dish and a wine pairing. If you have youngsters who are budding chefs, they offer a similar program in the clubs. Their project often results in chocolate chip cookies ready to eat ra...

Welcome to those of you joining me from Melissa's blog, Rolling with the Magic and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail . When a mouseketeer starts to feel the heat, there are two possible responses: Fight or Flight. While you've read about some wonderful ways to beat the heat, I'm going to take the opposite response and run. Yes, run. Hit the road, head to port and join Mickey on the high seas. While on board the Disney Wonder, we will never be more than a few steps from air conditioning. Or a fruity frozen beverage. Or a nice tropical breeze. Except during the summer when the Wonder heads to the sunny frozen shores of Alaska. Alaska? Well if you're really sick of the dog days of summer, why not embrace your #DisneySide by getting a little bit Frozen? Princess Anna and Queen Elsa decided to grace the Disney Wonder with a little bit of Frozen magic during her Alaska sailings. (See guest services on boarding f...

Welcome to those of you joining me from Disney Donna Kay and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail . My dream Mother's Day? Any day that someone else washes the dishes. That's really all I need to be happy. Breakfast in bed would be nice. Hey, while we're at it, if someone cleans my kids' room, makes the beds, offers sincere service with a smile, then perhaps I could take some time getting a pedicure, laying by the pool and getting a couples massage. I'd really feel wonderful. If someone could arrange to deliver flowers to my room, It'd certainly be appreciated. It'd be nice if we could get some childcare that my children adore and get some alone time and maybe take in a live stage show. (With my musical theatre background, I'm extremely in love with live theatre.) Basically, I want the entire day to be carefree and magical. Is that too much to ask? Oh, wait; that's every day I'm on a cruise....

  Welcome to those of you joining me from Capturing Magical Memories and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail . I love Walt Disney World in the the spring time! (Sorry, couldn't resist !) However, if I'm going to do Disney during Spring Break (along with all the added guests that entails) a little extra planning is in order. 1.) Hit the high seas. I highly recommend trying out Disney Cruise Line if you decided to do Disney during Spring Break. Not only do the ships sail at pretty near the same capacity year round, but if you book early or extremely last minute, cruising can be less expensive than a trip to the world. The romance of sailing the high seas. A cruise on a Disney ship is a nice way to enjoy all of the character interactions, service, exquisite details and magical stage shows Disney is known for in a calmer more relaxing environment the Walt Disney World. 2.) Land and Sea should remain i...