When we post photos of the amazing food we’re enjoying while on vacation at Walt Disney World, many of our friends and family are surprised at the gourmet offerings featured at the parks and resorts. It definitely isn’t all chicken nuggets and corn dogs, but those food types are readily available too because sometimes you need a little fried goodness. There are also farm-to-table, fresh options as well as restaurants helmed by some of the world’s top chefs.
Disney makes it easy for you to sample typical theme park food and more discerning palate pleasers with the Disney Dining Plan. Today on the blog, we’re breaking down the Disney Dining Plan to help you decide if the vacation add-on is for you!
When vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, staying at an on-property hotel is a no-brainer. It keeps you enveloped in the “Disney bubble” after leaving the parks, and offers incredible benefits exclusive to Disney hotel guests. Considering there are nearly 30 hotels from which to choose, it can be difficult to narrow down your selection. We’re here to help, of course. Today on the blog, we’re sharing an updated list of our five favorite hotels at Walt Disney World Resort.
Happy Halloween! Last week marked the start of the Halloween season at Walt Disney World Resort with the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. The annual after-dark special event transforms the Most Magical Place on Earth into a spooktacular spectacular. On today’s blog we’re giving you the low-down on the annual event, what’s new for 2019 and our experience at the party last year.
With only 24 hours in one day and more than 100 attractions, character meet and greets, and live entertainment offerings at the four Walt Disney World parks, it would be an understatement to say there is a lot to experience in a limited amount of time. So many shrieks to be yelped on roller coasters, so many oohs and aahs to be had at shows, and so many pages of autograph books to be signed - but there is SO LITTLE TIME!
It is impossible to do and see it all, but there are easy tips to follow to maximize your time at Walt Disney World. On today’s blog, we’re sharing five ways to make the most of your day at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”
At first glance, Disney Destinations are not synonymous with a place where teenagers would select to vacation. Disney connotes cheerfulness, whimsy and merriment. If you have a teenager living under your roof, I think you’d agree that these adjectives wouldn’t be used to describe the typical teen disposition. But if there is a place where your too-cool-for-school teen can be liberated from his or her moodiness and angst, it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line. Trust us!
On our recent family vacation on a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary on the Disney Fantasy, our newly-turned 13-year-old replaced his ear buds and iPod with genuine laughter, bright smiles, new friendships and adventure. In his own words, he’s sharing what he enjoyed most about cruising with Disney on this edition of Friday Fives.
Why does it always seem that we’re talking about food on this blog? Whether we are park-going at Walt Disney World or exploring amazing cities in the U.S. or abroad, food is an integral part of our vacation experience. We previously covered our favorite table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World, and today we’re going to tackle our favorite quick-service restaurants. What are some of the criteria to make it on our list? Portion size related to price, ambience, a diverse menu from which to order and tasty food, of course!
One of the questions we get asked the most by clients, family members and friends is … how many days should I spend in the parks during my upcoming Walt Disney World trip? Well, that depends on resolving a few matters not the least bit limited to: the number of days you can devote to the overall vacation in accordance with your work and school schedules; determining your family’s interests and preferences; and pinpointing your family’s vacation style.
After those fundamental questions are answered, the subsequent question is… which type of park ticket should I buy? Of course, the answer is as unique as each family visiting Walt Disney World. But, we can tell you that there are three types of tickets - base, Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus Option. Today on the blog, we’re covering the basics regarding these ticket types to identify the one that meets your individual family’s needs.
Last week, we shared a list of our five favorite cocktails at Walt Disney World - because a Disney vacation can mean more than meeting characters, riding roller coasters and finding your stroller among the 500+ that look just like yours! What’s a vacation without a little liquid happiness?
Along those same lines, we at Beyond Imagination Vacations cannot imagine a vacation without enjoying some incredible meals. And because Walt Disney World is the ultimate in family travel, it is easier to partake in fine dining here than at other destinations. Children are welcome at all restaurants, excluding Victoria & Albert’s which only allows children 10 and older. (Our kids have sophisticated palates, but we’re not sure we would want to spend close to $200 on a meal for a seven-year-old!)
On today’s blog, we’re sharing our five favorite table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. And yes, you can bring your kids (if you want)!
You’ve conquered the mountains of Walt Disney World. You’ve enjoyed Epcot’s seasonal festivals and the holiday celebrations at the parks and resorts. You’ve completed the four parks in one day challenge. And now you’re looking for your next great family vacation. We have three words for you: Disney Cruise Line. In our opinion, no other cruise line can compare to what Disney offers families. With its signature Pirate Nights, kid-approved Oceaneer Club for youth and Edge Club for tweens and Vibe Club for teens, and spacious staterooms, there are plenty of reasons why Disney Cruise Line was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the “Best Cruise Line” for families.
Although it is not as intense as planning a Walt Disney World trip, there are many things to consider as you plan your own Disney Cruise experience. Today on the blog, we’re breaking down the basics to identify the perfect Disney Cruise for you!
With four ships in its fleets, ports located across the world and year-round sailings, how do you narrow down which cruise is right for you?
Contrary to popular belief, Walt Disney World isn’t just a place to take the kids. Sure, the attractions, live entertainment, and character meet and greets speak to the young - and the young at heart. But Walt Disney World has SO MUCH MORE to offer adults. Fine dining. Exceptional shopping. Luxury hotels. And ridiculously good libations. Surprised? You shouldn’t be! After all, Walt Disney World presents an annual festival dedicated to food + wine tasting. Today on the blog, we’re sharing a list of our five favorite cocktails featured at Walt Disney World. Yes, the majority can be found at Epcot’s (Drink Around the) World Showcase….
For the Beyond Imagination Vacations team, an integral element of the vacation experience is staying in a great hotel and being whisked away from the troubles of everyday life. No beds to make. No meals to cook or dishes to clean. No trash to take out.
When vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, staying at an on-property hotel is a no-brainer. It keeps you enveloped in the “Disney bubble” after leaving the parks, and offers incredible benefits exclusive to Disney hotel guests. Considering there are nearly 30 hotels from which to choose, it can be difficult to narrow down your selection. We’re here to help, of course. Today on the blog, we’re sharing our five favorite hotels at Walt Disney World Resort.
You’ve read about and seen enough pictures of Jennifer and Kristen, Beyond Imagination Vacations owners. It’s time to turn the spotlight on the heart and soul of our travel agency, our amazing agents. They are highly trained, focused on customer service and committed to crafting individualized vacations for their clients. On today’s blog, you’ll get to know the Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planners - perhaps one of them will be a great fit to plan your next vacation!
You might remember that last week we were reminiscing about our unforgettable experience at The Springs Resort & Spa in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Today, we’re shifting perspectives - from the base of the active Arenal Volcano to the lush, tropical beaches of Guanacaste. While on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, we made Dreams Las Mareas our homebase. And with a robust slate of entertainment and activity offerings, delicious dining and incredible sunsets over a gorgeous beach, there’s really no need to leave the property!
We are fresh off of our wonderful Christmas trip to Walt Disney World and wanted to share one of the highlights of our stay—a pre-park opening experience at Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The event is called Early Morning Magic and allows a limited number of guests into Toy Story Land for 90 minutes of rides and character meets before the park opens to guests with regular admission. Did I mention breakfast is also included? Today on the blog, we’re giving you our personal experience and review of Early Morning Magic at Disney’s Holywood Studios!
Over the Thanksgiving break, we had the trip of a lifetime in the Central American nation of Costa Rica. It’s relatively small size makes it possible to see various parts of the country over the course of one week. And you want to see as much as possible as Costa Rica accounts for only 0.03 percent of the earth's surface, but contains nearly six percent of the world's biodiversity.
We spent some time in La Fortuna, the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, and stayed at the gorgeous The Springs Resort & Spa. On this week’s edition of Friday Fives, we’re sharing five reasons why you need to visit The Springs Resort & Spa in Costa Rica!
When we post photos of the amazing food we’re enjoying while on vacation at Walt Disney World, many of our friends and family are surprised at the gourmet offerings featured at the parks and resorts. It definitely isn’t all chicken nuggets and corn dogs, but those food types are readily available too because sometimes you need a little fried goodness. There are also farm-to-table, fresh options as well as restaurants helmed by some of the world’s top chefs.
Disney makes it easy for you to sample typical theme park food and more discerning palate pleasers with the Disney Dining Plan. Today on the blog, we’re breaking down the Disney Dining Plan to help you decide if the vacation add-on is for you!
With the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, we currently find ourselves reminiscing about the first time we read the Harry Potter book series, watched the films in marathon fashion and visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We might be Harry Potter-obsessed (as we watch Goblet of Fire on the tele as we type this blog)! If you haven’t guessed it already, this week’s Friday Fives will count down the five reasons the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort is an incredibly immersive theme park land that every Potterhead must experience at least once!
We are shifting gears to put the spotlight on another of our favorite Orlando vacation spots, Universal Orlando Resort. Home to three unique theme parks featuring more than 50 attractions, a variety of live entertainment and fun encounters with beloved characters, there’s a reason our clients are booking stand-alone trips to Universal or adding onto their Disney vacations with days added on to visit Universal. Today on the blog, we’re talking all about Universal Orlando Resort and why you should consider a trip!
