Disney Resort Guests Receive LOTS of Magical Benefits

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World, and want to make the most of your vacation?  Consider staying at one of Disney’s amazing resorts, and make your Disney vacation even more magical.

Walt Disney World has more than 20 resorts designed to fit every family and budget making it easy to find the one that’s right for you. Each resort has a unique Disney twist offering great pool areas, dining options and activities.

You can choose from nicely priced Value Resorts – big on everything except price.  Moderate resorts with magically themed settings.  Beautiful Deluxe resorts with incredible pool complexes and waterslides, and a premium location near the theme parks.  Deluxe Villa resorts provide kitchenettes and multiple bedroom options, and there is even a campsite and resort for those who’d like to “rough it” in Disney style.

Being a Walt Disney Resort guest, has its perks:

Time

Staying on-site means less time traveling to the parks, and more quality time to spend with your family.  Disney Resort guests also have more time in the theme parks with Extra Magic Hours.  Each day one of the Disney theme parks opens early or stays open left exclusively for Disney resort guests.

FREE Transportation

Complimentary airport transportation, via Disney’s Magical Express, offers round-trip airport transportation and luggage delivery for guests of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. You can begin your vacation as soon as you land, bypassing baggage claim and avoiding the hassle of having to find transportation and drive as Disney’s Magical Express takes you from Orlando International Airport to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel.  Magical Express will even deliver your bags to your room, so you can begin exploring the Walt Disney World resort area and theme parks right away.

Many of the Deluxe resorts are located within walking distance to the parks or are accessible to the parks via monorail or ferry.  Complimentary Transportation for Disney Resort guests is available by bus, monorail or boat to the Disney theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney.

Priority advanced dining reservations

Many of Walt Disney World’s table service meals are reserved up to 6 months in advance.  Advance Dining Reservations (ADR’s) are available 180 days out for the general public.  Disney Resort guests are able to book 180 days + 10 which allows them to book all of their ADRs on the same phone call, as opposed to calling back each day as the 180 day mark passes.  As your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I will be aware of the 180-day mark for your reservations, and can book all of your ADRs for you, when your booking window becomes available.

Merchandise Delivery to your room

Do you love shopping at the Disney theme parks and Downtown Disney, but don’t want to carry your purchases around all day? One of the fabulous perks of staying at a Disney resort is that, when shopping your way though the Parks or at Downtown Disney, you can have your packages sent back to your hotel for pick up in your Resort’s Gift shop

Keys to the World Card

The Walt Disney World “Key to the World” card is literally, your “key to the World.” It acts as the key to your hotel room, your identification as a Disney resort guest, and your resort room charge chard (if you put down a credit card on your account at check-in). And depending on what options you’ve purchased, the Key to the World card can also be your theme park admission and/or your Disney Dining Plan credits card.

Childcare services and Kids Clubs

Children’s Activity Centers are designed for kids who are potty trained and between 4 and 12 years of age. Your child will enjoy games and activities while you enjoy some Disney grown-up fun! Depending on the hours you book, dinner is included.

Usual operation hours (subject to change) for all Children’s Activity Centers are from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and can be booked in advance by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

A credit card is required for guarantee and the cancellation policy is outside 24 hours prior to arrival to avoid penalty charge. Parents are given a beeper (a deposit is taken but refunded when pager is returned). Rates are $11 per hour with a 2 hour minimum.

In-Room Babysitting

Independent childcare provider Kid’s Nite Out offers one-to-one babysitting in the comfort of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room. Arts and crafts, reading and playing games are among the fun-filled activities for children 6 months to 12 years of age.

Quality Guest Services

Attentive, personal service.

Contact me for more information and to learn about all the benefits you will enjoy on YOUR Walt Disney World Vacation!!

Stephanie McCarthy
MickeyTravels, LLC
1.888.960.1250
Stephanie@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
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Making Magic One Vacation at a Time…

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was one of those hotels that I overlooked year after year.  It seemed bland and out of the way.  It has a convention center, so I assumed the place was crawling with business people who weren’t on vacation.  I pictured the dining hall filled with suits and briefcases.  I didn’t even want to think about work, let alone watch people networking and conducting business while I lay by the pool.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Coronado Springs is both a delightful and relaxing moderate resort.

The Location:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is considered an Animal Kingdom area resort, although it is just around the corner from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  It is also the closest resort to Blizzard Beach. It is generally quiet in and around this resort, which is refreshing.  There is also direct access to Rt. 429, which will lead you to tourist free shopping and dining (there is a $1.25 toll each way, but totally worth it!).

The Rooms

The rooms in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort are spacious and clean.  They’ve recently changed the decor to capture the earth tones seen around the    resort.  The beds are super comfy too!  There are lots of options in terms of bed size, accessibility, and view.   Beds range from Standard with 2 Queen beds to Executive Suite with 2 Queen beds and 1 King (bar, dining room, living room, separate bedrooms…the works!).  You can even stay in a wheelchair accessible room complete with roll-in shower.   All rooms come with FREE WiFi and a small refrigerator, which are both must haves when it comes to visiting Walt Disney World!  Privacy is always important when you’re staying in a hotel.  We have never had an issue of hearing noise from the abutting rooms, which is nice.

The Food

The Pepper Market has gone through several changes over the years.  It used to house several stations of overpriced Mexican dishes (Think $14 for a tortilla, 4 tiny chunks of chicken and cheese).  You would order your food at the station(s) of your choice, eat, then pay upon exit.   We were less than thrilled with our experience and vowed never to eat there again.  We weren’t alone.  Disney heard the cries of their displeased guests and overhauled the Pepper Market.  In 2011, they introduced the always popular buffet and never ending burrito bar.  A fan favorite, but short-lived.  Disney has now unveiled their A la Carte menu, which features standard staples and omelet options for breakfast  and nachos, burritos, fajitas, salads, pasta, and burgers for lunch and dinner.  If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, the Pepper Market counts as a Quick Service location.  Pepper Market hours:  Breakfast 7am-11am Lunch 11:30am-2pm Dinner 4:30pm-11pm.

The Mayan Grill is a great Dining Plan option (not Quick Service) during your stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.  According to WDW, you’ll find ”such steakhouse selections as ribeye steak atop parmesan potatoes, breaded pork chops with mango chutney, sautéed beef tips, chicken breast with avocado salsa and slow-roasted prime rib. Children can delight in pan-seared salmon, beef tenderloin tips, chicken parmesan and more”.

Cafe Rix is a grab-and-go option.  There are breakfast sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and even beer and wine.  Breakfast is served until 11am and Lunch and Dinner until midnight.   If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you may use a Quick Service meal here!

The Fun

For Romance:  Visit the Laguna Bar (lakeside) or Siestas Cantina (poolside) for adult beverages and appetizers.  There are hammocks surrounding the lake, so kick back, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet!  A stroll around the resort at dusk, will not only make room for a romantic dinner, it will give you and your family time to catch up on the day’s events! What’s a romantic night without fireworks?  You can catch a glimpse of the fireworks from Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  If you look just above the trees, you may be able to see them from certain areas of the resort.  You may also be able to see them from just outside your room depending on how high up you are.

For Kids:  Nothing beats the Dig Site, a large complex featuring Mayan ruins, a huge pool, water slide, and the largest hot tub on Disney property.  There are always events going on around the pool.  Kids can also visit the Iguana Arcade!  Folks may want to take advantage of the recreational rentals within the resort.  You can kayak, fish, pedal boat, bike, and play volleyball too!  Enjoy a nice campfire complete with storytelling and complimentary marshmallows for roasting.  There’s days worth of fun here without even having to leave your resort!

For Sunbathers:  The pool options are always important to me because when you live in the Northeast, it is far too cold to swim 3/4 of the year.  I want to soak up the sun and swim as much as I want.  I have to admit, I like me a quiet pool!  There are three quiet pools here.  They are gorgeous and indeed quiet…for the most part.  As I mentioned before, the Dig Site houses a humongous pool with stunning scenery and hot tubs.  It can be quite busy here, so if you’re looking for fun and excitement, you’ll want to swim at the Dig Site.

Bottom line:  Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is our favorite moderate resort on property.  It is large enough that you still feel like you’re alone most of the time.  During some times of the year, you just might be!  The pools are fantastic and the hammocks are mighty comfortable.  It’s tempting to skip the parks and relax the day away.  You might want to stay an extra day to do just that! J

Contact me for more information about Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and for ALL my FREE Disney vacation planning services!

Stephanie Madrigal
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
MickeyTravels, LLC
(407) 403-0831
1-866-700-5858
smadrigal@mickeytravels.com
www.facebook.com/magicalsteph

Making Magic One Vacation at a Time…

Disney Dream Cruise Review

I recently had the opportunity to take a 3 night cruise on the Disney Dream.  This was my very first cruise ever and I was a little nervous as to what I would be experiencing.  I shouldn’t have worried!

From the moment that I walked into the terminal at the port there was no doubt that I was at a Disney property.  The terminal was clean, the staff was friendly, and the transition to the ship was seamless.

Upon walking onto the ship our names were announced and the crew began to clap. What could make you feel more special??

During our three night cruise we tried to experience all that we could.  We took a walk through Nassau, visited the adults only area on Castaway Cay, saw all three shows, and enjoyed our dining rotation with our awesome servers.  We shopped, played bingo, met Mickey and Minnie Mouse, saw an awesome firework display, and even got to dance with a pirate.

One of my favorite moments of the Disney Dream Cruise was we on Castaway Cay.  We were sitting on the beach when all of a sudden we heard movement down by the shore.  We looked up and who should we see but Jack Sparrow walking down the beach.  People began to flock to him to get their pictures made.  He was joking and doing a great job!!  I never expected to see a character walk down the adult only beach!!

I am so excited to go cruising again, and even have the next one planned.  There are so many things to enjoy on the Disney Dream cruise for adults, kids, and families.  I can’t wait to do some of the activities that we missed because we learned that there is so much to do you can’t do it all in one short trip!!

Contact me to learn all about the Disney Dream cruise and my FREE Disney Vacation Planning services!

Kristi Letsinger
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
MickeyTravels, LLC
1-865-548-0586
kristi@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com