Tag: Epcot

MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet – Donna Rossi

January 13, 2015

MickeyTravels is excited about our new initiative – The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet. We will feature a different MickeyTravels agent on a daily basis. We’re proud to have the best Disney Travel agents in the world as part of our MickeyTravels team and this will allow you to get to know them even better. Today the spotlight shines on Donna Rossi from Pennsylvania!

Name: Donna Rossi

Where are you from? I live in Ardmore, Pennsylvania – a suburb of Philadelphia. I grew up in the nearby town of Broomall, PA.

First memory of Disney? My first trip to a Disney Park was a family trip to Walt Disney World when I was 8 years old. I remember seeing the Castle, a feeling of amazement walking down Main Street USA, and the Monorail!

monorail

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? I believe the Magic of Disney is in the storytelling. There is storytelling all around and the subtle details that support these stories are amazing! Think of waiting in line for a Disney attraction, walking into a gift shop and looking above the merchandise at the wall decor, or how the background music will change seamlessly when you move from one part of a park to another. The resorts also work their own Magic with storytelling, giving every resort a unique look and feel. With Disney no detail is forgotten and everything tells a story – and that is MAGICAL!

discount deals and savings

Favorite Disney destination and why? It is difficult to select just one Disney destination, mostly because I’ve never had a bad vacation when it was a Disney one… but I think my favorite would be Disney Cruise Line. Unlike the theme parks, when sailing on a Disney ship you can experience all the terrific elements of a Disney vacation while enjoying unparalleled convenience and service. This is particularly true when traveling with small children. Your room is always a few steps for naptime (kids or adults!), and the kid’s clubs are outstanding. No worries about being too hot, waiting in long lines, or generally wearing yourselves out. Practically everything is included when you sail, there are seemingly endless activities and leisure opportunities, plus you have more chances enjoy food and drink than you can imagine! I’m ready to set sail again!

Favorite Disney Character and why? My favorite Disney character is good old Mickey Mouse because he is always so warm, friendly, and welcoming.

Favorite Disney Attraction and why? My favorite Disney attraction hands down is Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios or California Adventure. This attraction has it all – amazing theming, thrilling drops, and it is comfortable (scary, yes; hard on the body, no). I love that they randomize the drops so it’s never know how your trip to the Twilight Zone will go!

Favorite Disney Resort and why? There are no bad Disney resorts, but if I had to pick just one it would be Disney’s Contemporary because the location to the Magic Kingdom just can’t be beat. An easy Monorail ride, or even easier 10-minute walk, makes the Contemporary a super convenient resort to stay when traveling with small children (or adults who also can’t get enjoy of the Magic Kingdom!). The views are stunning – a Theme Park view where Cinderella Castle greets you each time you look out on your balcony, or the Bay Lake View where you can enjoy the nighttime Lagoon Show while your children sleep. I also appreciate the day bed giving the rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort a good fit for a family of 5.

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why? LeCellier in Epcot’s Canadian Pavilion earns my vote for favorite restaurant, followed very closely by Disneyland’s Blue Bayou, which is set inside the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Both have outstanding food, service, and fantastic theming!

travel agent

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why? Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant inside the Beast’s castle in the Magic Kingdom has become my favorite Quick Service spot because it’s gorgeous inside (and it’s snowing!), plus the desserts are incredible. Close to my heart is Sleep Hollow, also in the Magic Kingdom, for their delicious waffle sandwiches!

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? Three Disney characters I would enjoy dining with would be: Walt Disney from Saving Mr. Banks, Mrs. Incredible (a.k.a. Elastigirl) from The Incredibles, and Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. I realize that I might be cheating the question a little by responding Walt Disney, but how amazing would it be to share a meal with the man that started it all! Walt was the ultimate storyteller and a man genuinely interested in making the world a better, happier place for all. I would want that meal to go on for hours! Spending time with Mrs. Incredible would be enjoyable as well since I would have several things in common with her (being a mother for one; sadly not the super hero thing). She has spirit and depth to her character, and I believe I could learn many things from her. Finally, Captain Jack Sparrow because… well, it’s Johnny Depp… ‘nuf said J

Favorite Disney snack and why? Oh, Dole Whip pineapple soft-serve ice cream… I think it’s what happiness tastes like!

Favorite Disney Movie and why? I adore so many of Disney’s movies, particularly the animated ones, but my very favorite is The Little Mermaid. I purchased it when I was a young teenager and it drew me more into Disney than you would think a cartoon could to a kid in late middle school. The music, story, and characters were a delight to experience over and over again. The movies that followed (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) proved that The Little Mermaid ushered in the second Golden Age of Disney Animation.

Disney monorail

3 Favorite Disney Song and why? It’s tough to select just three Disney songs as my favorite, but here goes: the soundtrack to “Fantasmic!”, “King of New York” from Newsies, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. I chose the music from Fantasmic because it gives me goose bumps each time I hear it – such energy and life that you can’t help but be excited just listening to it (and all the better when you are watching the show!). The Newsies song “King of New York” makes the list because it’s a great example of what a musical number should be: catchy, clever, and moves the story along while entertaining the audience. Finally, the Sherman brothers tribute to the very spirit Walt Disney himself embodied – the eternal optimism that things will get better when people work together and are given the freedom to put ideas into action.

Disney character you’re most similar to and why? Belle from Beauty and the Beast would be the character I feel most similar to because she is independent, optimistic, friendly without being a push over, and loves to read. Plus we both have brown hair.

If you could be one Disney mascot for a day who would it be and why? I would love to be Tigger for one day because of his wonderful energy and sense of pure joy with his every bounce!

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If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? The job I would pick for myself if I were to work in one of the Disney theme parks would be to care for the ducks that live in the Castle moat and waterways in the Magic Kingdom. If reincarnation happens, I want to come back as a Disney duck!

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? The best part of being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent is being a part of family that’s filled with people who want nothing more than to give others the very best experience possible during their Disney vacations. I knew I’d love helping families plan their Disney vacations because that’s so much fun (I’ve been doing it for my friends and family for years before I knew it was an actual job). What I didn’t expect was to find a group of dedicated, passionate, and highly collaborative agents who want to help each other make every single client’s experience Magical. There is something very special and all together wonderful about working with people who all want everyone else to succeed in a goal – and that goal is to do our very best for each and every client.

Why should I book my vacation with you? You should book your vacation with me because I love helping people get the most out of their Disney vacations. I want you to get the best value for your money, have the most magical experience while on vacation, and think back to the planning process and feel like it was a breeze. When you book with me or any other MickeyTravels agent you get outstanding customer service, a dedicated individual who will help you with every step of the planning process, and someone who is always looking for ways to make your vacation the best it can be. These services are free to you, so it’s a “win” all around!

Feel free to reach out to Donna with any questions or comments. Donna can be reached at donna@mickeytravels.com or 1-484-802-2836. She can also be found on our website at https://mickeytravels.com/donna

 

 

Top Five Reasons You Should Attend Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

August 26, 2014

2014 will be the 19th year of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, and each year it just gets better and better. With a record 53 festival days and over 25 global marketplaces, this is definitely a year not to miss! But if you still need a little nudge to join in the fun, here are the top five reasons why you should attend.

Disney Dining Plan

  1. The food and wine. There are over 20 countries represented in this year’s festival, along with several specialty carts to satisfy your taste buds. If you have always wanted to try international cuisine without exhausting your pocketbook or using up your airline miles, now you can with a simple walk around the world showcase. Enjoy sampling food, wine, and beer from countries such as Greece, New Zealand, Scotland, Puerto Rico, and the new Patagonia booth, just to name a few. While you must purchase these samples, the prices are very reasonable. If you are traveling on the Disney Dining Plan, you can use snack credits for most of the food samples!

 

  1. The merchandise. Every special event that Disney holds will offer specialty merchandise that you can only purchase at the events, and the Food & Wine Festival is one of the largest events with specialty merchandise. Choose from the typical hats, t-shirts, bags, pins, and Mickey Ears or you can purchase more specific items such as kitchen accessories and recipe books. But, you must attend the festival to purchase the items offered, as they will not be sold through the Disney Parks online store!

Disney Parks online store

  1. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series. This is a very popular event that is included with your park admission. Every evening at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00, head over to the American Gardens Theater in the American Adventure Pavilion to enjoy a live concert by some of the most popular bands from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This year’s lineup includes festival favorites such as The Pointer Sisters, Night Ranger, and Smashmouth, as well as newcomers Jo Dee Messina, Fuel, and Los Lonely Boys. You’ll have to get their early if you don’t want to miss it, or you can contact your MickeyTravels Agent and see about booking the Eat to the Beat Dining Package and be guaranteed a seat to the show, as well as lunch or dinner at your favorite Epcot restaurant. Prices will vary depending on meal time and location.

 

  1. Premium Events. While these events require a separate admission in addition to your park ticket, they are truly one of a kind, unique experiences that you will not find anywhere else. Probably the most elaborate and popular premium event would be the Party for the Senses, which is held on select nights. During this event, you can explore more than 50 tasting stations while being entertained by Cirque de Soleil performers. This event also includes reserved seating to the Eat to the Beat concert right before the party. Other premium events include specialty meals, interactive culinary experiences, and seminars with celebrity chefs. Prices for these events vary, so check with your MickeyTravels Agent for more information!

World Showcase

  1. Complimentary Events. In addition to the premium events, there are plenty of events and experiences that are included with your park admission. These include special meet and greets with celebrity chefs or culinary personalities for book signings and/or bottle signings, Back to Basics seminar, and the Ghirardelli exhibit The Chocolate Experience: From the Bean to the Bar. Don’t forget to pick up your Festival Marketplace Discovery Passport from the Festival Welcome Center, so you can see what the different countries are offering and get your passport stamped as you eat your way around the World Showcase.

 

Your MickeyTravels Agent will be very knowledgeable about the different events going on during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, including the best times to visit and how to make the most of your time during your stay.

To learn more about Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival and why YOU should experience all the magic it has to offer, contact me today! As always, my services are 100% FREE!

MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet – Kim Thompson

August 21, 2014

MickeyTravels is excited about our new initiative – The MickeyTravels Agent Virtual Meet & Greet. We will feature a different MickeyTravels agent on a daily basis. We’re proud to have the best Disney Travel agents in the world as part of our MickeyTravels team and this will allow you to get to know them even better. Today the spotlight shines on Kim Thompson from Tennessee!

Name: Kim Thompson

Where are you from? Nashville TN

First memory of Disney? 2003 Taking my then, 2 year old and 7 year old and seeing through their eyes.

What makes Disney MAGICAL in your eyes? Its like being in a cartoon. It’s the only place on earth a grown man can walk around with Mickey ears on and no one bats an eye. Its such a family oriented environment its hard to not get involved and wrapped up in the magic of it all. Your truly do feel like a kid. You forget about all the problems and stress on the “outside”.

Favorite Disney destination and why? Walt Disney World in Florida. You can’t replace Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and all the resort choices!!

Disney World Travel Agent

Favorite Disney Character and why? This is a tough one!! Im torn between Ariel and Maleficent. Two total different characters. Ariel because she’s a bound and determined kinda girl who will stop at nothing to get what she wants and Maleficent not really sure. I have been fascinated by her since I was a kid. ( way before the movie! J ) I think it’s the black cloke and that really cool staff she carries around J

Favorite Disney Attraction and why? Hand down its Tower of Terror. The theming is unbelievable!!! The rides pretty fun too!

Animal Kingdom

Favorite Disney Resort and why? The Polynesian, castle view room. You can escape back to your resort. Relax on the balcony while watching Tinkerbell fly over the Magic Kingdom and then watch, what seems like, your very own firework show.

Favorite Disney Restaurant and why? Be Our Guest. Your eating in the Beasts castle. Its like being in the movie. I could sit there all day and admire the Imagineering at its best!!!!

Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurant and why? Flametree BBQ. Its just wonderful! The smell gets you before you even get to the building. You can find a nice quiet table back by the water and enjoy your meal.

Disney restaurant

3 Disney characters you’d like to have dinner with and why? The Genie because I would like 3 wishes, Prince Eric because he’s pretty dreamy and Olaf because he likes warm hugs J

Favorite Disney snack and why? Dole Whip, nothing else like it ANYWHERE!!! So refreshing and pure Disney!!!

Favorite Disney Movie and why? Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. They are the ultimate fairytales.

3 Favorite Disney Song and why? “Les Poission’s” from The Little Mermaid. I love to sing it while Im cooking. “Are We Dancing” just makes you want to twirl. “Reflection” by Christina Aguilera from Mulan. Its so endearing.

Disney character you’re most similar to and why? Princess Tiana. Because I have had to kiss some frogs before I found my prince.

Epcot

If you could be one Disney mascot for a day who would it be and why? Cinderella. Some would disagree but to ME she is the Queen of the Magic Kingdom.

If you could work at one of the Disney theme parks, what job would you want and why? I would love to be a VIP Tour guide. You get to walk the parks all day! Your scenery will be constantly changing.

Best part about being a MickeyTravels Disney Travel Agent? I get to help families with their dream vacation. Its so special when my clients will text or call me while on vacation and tell me how much fun they are having.

Why should I book my vacation with you? Because I will treat your vacation like my own. Family time is special and sometimes limited. I do all the work for you so you can be with your family making memories. I leave no detail untouched.

Feel free to reach out to Kim with any questions or comments. Kim can be reached at kthompson@mickeytravels.com or 615-474-0456. She can also be found on our website at www.mickeytravels.com/kim-t



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