In the context of the world financial crisis, the 2009 Disney world vacations are more advantageous than the 2008 offer. There have been considerable discounts granted in comparison with last year’s rates. For example, you can now pay some $1100, for Disney world vacations while a year ago, the same kind of package cost $1500 . Which points out that the savings are considerable, and if you shop around, you can get very good offers.

Save more money on disney world vacations with the following strategies. You should first try to compare the various offers and see which is more advantageous and suitable for your family. Then, you can do pretty much the same thing when it comes to hotel rooms. Prices could be tricky for accommodation because there are many properties that do not provide the comfort level that you may expect. At least with a travel agency you are certain to book something nice.

Walt disney world vacation do not cover sightseeing tours. You are supposed to have fun and relax. When paying for a tour and thus committing to it, you will be under pressure all the time, and other people will decide how you spend your vacation. You can decide what local attractions to visit on the spur of the moment without investing money in them beforehand.

In terms of destinations, there are four major theme parks that you can visit as part of Disney world vacations: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.Plan things carefully, because you will have to spend lots of money once you get there. Find out all you can about kids itineraries, park admission fees, age and height requirements, and inquire about special entertainment events. Each of these elements only add up to the rest of the factors (time of the year and vacation budget), making important premises for the success of your vacation.

Need more information? Feel free to get in touch with us. We are always here to help you out with our best possible services. All you need to to do just visit our website. Have a nice day ahead!

“it’s a small world” is one of the most beloved attractions at Disneyland. After 42 years, people from around the world still bake a beeline for this charming, low-tech, whimsical boat ride. Yet, in 2008 it was showing its age and in need of refurbishment. So the Disney Imagineers shut the ride down for some months as they made repairs, spruced up existing characters and scenes, and added a few subtle changes.

In particular, Disneyland has added a couple dozen new “residents” to the “it’s a small world” community. The ride re-opened to the Disneyland public in Friday. We took a ride through “small world” with a former cast member who had been a Lead and Trainer on the attraction. She helped us identify and photograph many of the changes.

The exterior of “it’s a small world” has not changed much, which apparently is just the way millions of visitors want it. There’s some new paint and minor touches, but it still has the same quaint entrance. Despite the simple technology, guests to Disneyland just love this ride. Repairs included major work on the fiberglass flumes in which the boats travel; they were leaking water in surprising quantities we’re told.

There was no-doubt a lot of work on pumps, controllers and other unexciting behind-the-scenes stuff. Our former cast member did observe that the boats moved more smoothly through the ride, especially near the loading area.

What was done inside “it’s a small world?” We are pleased to report that the Disneyland designers have stayed true to the original feel. The ride actually looks much the same inside; the most obvious change is that the guests now float through one new room showing vignettes of Americana– a room more-fully dedicated to Walt Disney’s homeland and North America in general. It includes a bit of Hollywood, along with a scene of farmland and the frontier west. However, scattered throughout “it’s a small world” are little additions. You have to look for them; some are easy to spot and others require good eyes. This will make it more fun for Disneyland guests who are very familiar with the ride; look for new additions like you watch for Hidden MIckeys in the park or seek references to the movies in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction.

Near the beginning of your world cruise you’ll see Alice and the White Rabbit. Cinderella is also there with a couple of her mice friends. You’ll come across Pinocchio (with short nose), and shortly thereafter will find Aladdin, Abu and Jasmine flying overhead with their friends (no Genie that we saw). Ariel and Flounder are there along with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. There are quite a few other favorite Disney characters, old and new. Look for Sheriff Woody and his companion Bullseye from Toy Story. Donald Duck can be found south of the border. The music has been tweaked a bit, with new ethnic instruments added here and there.

So if you’ve been a fan of “it’s a small world” you won’t be disappointed. The new additions (over two dozen we’re told) will have you paying attention as you float from continent to continent, making the attraction more fun for newcomers and old timers alike. If you are a local, put “it’s a small world” back on your Disneyland attraction list!

I recently had the opportunity to review an updated version of a Disney World guide called the Preschoolers Guide to Disney World. I am one of the agents at Destinations in Florida Travel that specializes in booking Disney World vacations for families with preschoolers (ages 0-5). I myself have two younger children (ages 3 & 5), so I have special knowledge of visiting the Disney Resorts and Parks with preschoolers. The guide is an easy to ready ebook on planning a family vacation with younger children. This ebook helps you plan all aspects of your vacation from selecting the top kid resorts, best restaurants for little ones, rides at the Disney Parks for preschoolers, and even planned itineraries to the Disney Theme Parks. There is a wealth of information, just for family’s with younger children.

As a travel agent selling Disney, one of my favorite sections of the guide was the list of the best resorts for family’s with preschoolers. This is always one of the toughest parts about planning a Disney World vacation. With 23 Disney World Resorts, which resort is the best for your family? On a daily basis, this is a challenge for most guests. This guide spotlights the best Disney Resorts for family’s with younger children.

I also loved the tips and tricks for the Disney Theme Parks. With younger children, you cannot wait in lines. My 3 year will last 10 minutes in a line and then it turns to crazy town. The Preschoolers Guide to Disney World gives you tips on how to plan your time at the Disney Theme Parks to minimize your waits and maximize your vacation.

After reading the lastest version of the Preschoolers Guide to Disney, I immediately started suggesting some of our guests purchase a copy of this guide. It is only $7.99 and will help you get the most out of a Disney World vacation with younger children. You can click here for more information about the only guide available for planning a Disney World vacation with little ones.

Just the other day, I was at Epcot for the International Flower & Garden Festival. Since I was at Epcot, I had to ride one of my favorite attractions called Test Track. This fun thrill ride always has a long line. We normally suggest skipping the long waits at these more popular rides by using FastPass. Unfortunately, sometimes you do not get a FastPass in time or just want to quickly catch on of your favorite rides. That is when the Single Rider line can be a great timesavers. At Epcot, there are two very popular attractions that have Single Rider lines. These attractions are Test Track and Mission Space.

On this day, I just popped in to get some pictures of the International Flower & Garden Festival and to ride Test Track. The regular wait time for Test Track was 60 minutes. However, the Single Rider line was only 10 minutes. I bet you can guess what line we went to, the 10 minute line. In the Single Rider line you will not ride with the rest of your party. You will ride with other guests. However, the experience was just as much fun. Besides, how much talking do you really do when you are on this type of ride. It was a exciting ride and we only waited in line for 10 minutes.

When hitting Epcot, always check the Single Rider line before picking up a FastPass or waiting in the regular queline. Spend you time enjoying Epcot, not waiting in lines!

A free special event is currently running at one of the Disney Theme Parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This event is called Star Wars Weekend and is a great event for any fan of the Star Wars movies or new cartoon, The Clone Wars. Star Wars Weekends is held every Friday, Saturday and Saturday for May and most of June. This event is free with your regular paid admission into Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

This year’s event is better than ever! We attended the opening day of Star Wars Weekends on May 22 and were impressed with Star Wars schedule of events. One of the popular parts of Star Wars Weekends are the meet and greets with your favorite Star Wars Characters. There are two sections of Star Wars Weekends including the Alliance Rebel Base (good guys) and the Empire Imperial Sector (bad guys). You can meet your favorite characters in these two sections including Ewoks, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, and more. You can also meet those incredible actors that portray your favorite Star Wars Characters. During our visit on May 22, we got to meet Warwick Davis (plays Wicket), Ray Park (plays Darth Maul), and Jay Laga’aia (plays Captain Typho). If you do not want to wait to meet these actors, just stop by anytime and ask a Disney Cast Member (standing at their tent) for an autographed picture. Our kids love the autographed pictures, just as much as meeting the actors.

For the kids, there are other fun activities around Star Wars Weekends including Jedi Training Academy where you learn how to become a Jedi and then test your skills out on Darth Vader. The Padawan Mind Challenge is also a popular activity to challenge the younger Star Wars fans in your family. For this activity, you do have to sign up at the Information Desk when you arrive to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Star Wars Motorcade is always a highlight for kids during this event. The parade runs at 11:40 most mornings and includes the celebrity actors, Darth Vader, and the incredible Storm Trooper march. It is a great way to kick off the Star Wars Weekends event each morning.

Adults have plenty of fun, too! The Wicket’s Warehouse is a HUGE room filled with tons of Stars Wars merchandise from the typical Disney merchandise to limited edition prints and other merchandise. Most adults can spend a hour just in this one store, or really warehouse. Most adults also enjoy the “behind the scene” presentations by the actors who play your favorite Star Wars characters in the movies and cartoon. The Premiere Theater hosts these Q & A sessions throughout the day. Arrive early, they do fill up quickly for these shows.

For a little tip – be sure to pick up a Star Wars Weekends guide map at Guest Services when you go through the entrance gate. The regular Disney’s Hollywood Studios maps are available right as you go through the gates, but you do have to stop in Guest Services (on your left) to pick up a Star Wars guide map. Star Wars Weekends is a really fun addition to the regular fun of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since this event is free with your admission into the park, plan your vacation around this special event or plan on attending during your vacation.

This past week at Disney World we had rain, rain, and even more rain. Visiting the Disney Theme Parks in the rain is a great way to beat the crowds and Florida heat. Most Cast Members and Orlando locals love visiting the Theme Parks during the rainy seasons because the parks are less crowded and much cooler. To make the most during a rainy day at Disney World, here are our suggestions on what to park in case the forcast looks like rain during your vacation.

1. Poncho – Forget the umbrellas and purchase a poncho from your local Walgreens, Target or Walmart store. Ponchos allow you to be hands free and completely cover you from the rain. From a light drizzle to a full out rain, you can still walk around the parks and hit rides without missing a beat.

2. Small hand towels – You will get wet, so pull out some smaller towels to quickly dry off after a rain. You can dry off quickly and keep having fun at the parks.

3. Water shoes – Most people forget to wear comfortable water shoes during the rainy season at Disney World. Our favorite water shoes are Tevas or Reef Sandels. They can get wet, but do not fall off when walking around wet. These shoes have straps around the heel which makes it easy to walk around, even wet.

4. Baseball hats – Wearing a baseball hat with a large brim helps keep your face dry. You can wear a baseball hat and then your poncho over the hat. This keeps the poncho out of your face and your face dry.

5. Large ziplock bags – After your ponchos get wet, store them away in a ziplock bag until needed again. This keeps your other items dry, while around the Disney Theme Parks.

Always check the weather forcast before you leave for your Disney World vacation, being prepared is one of the best ways to make sure you have a wonderful vacation even in the rain.

“The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” “High School Musical” – the list can go on forever. Who hasn’t watched a Disney movie yet? Disney movies are very popular not only to kids, but also to parents because of their very friendly and entertaining nature.

Disney movies are not only limited to animated ones, but also have musicals like “Hannah Montana.” According to a poll conducted among fans, the top three Disney movies of all time are “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin.” Aside from family values, they are also very light and always leave the audience asking for more.

Disney movies are also considered as classics, and they are always part of movie collections at home or in school. These animated movies can also boost the moods of children and motivate them to do good deeds. In school, teachers also make their students watch Disney movies as rewards for a job well done. These movies have also become family tradition because they are played during special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas and even birthdays. The movies are worthy collections because they can be passed on from generation to generation and watched many times.

The team behind a blockbuster Disney movie always makes sure that the introduction of new characters and storylines are interesting and fresh. This is why they never go out of style. “High School Musical,” for example, started as a TV show in Disney channel that instantly became a worldwide phenomenon. Though the story may be the clichéd love story between a smart student and the popular jock (played by Troy and Gabrielle), Disney gave it a spanking new feel by incorporating songs which eventually became as admired as the film.

Disney movies also tend to capture our hearts because they prove that dreams can come true. Rags to riches stories and finding the perfect prince are among these happy endings. These can be great breaks from the harsh realities of life, which we all need from time to time. During childhood, these movies are also good influences because they can make children more optimistic about life and have a clear sense of the wrong and right things. The beauty of these movies is that they tend to bring out the best in everyone too.

One of the latest Disney animated movies; in collaboration with Pixar Studios is the blockbuster-potential “Up.” It has yet to hit theaters, but is sure to become a crowd favorite. The movie is about a 78-year old balloon seller who’ve always dreamed of experiencing adventure. He gets to pursue his dream when he ties all the balloons to his house and “flies” away to South America. He also meets a very cheerful boy named Russel, who is also an explorer who accompanies him throughout the journey. The plot of this Disney movie may sound quite simple at first, but this can capture the hearts of Disney fans because of the crazy antics and colorful scenes and characters. This will be shown in theaters soon.

One of Disney Worlds Restaurants, Fulton’s Crab House, is at home on a beautiful river boat replica. As visitors enter the Downtown Disney Marketplace, the majestic sight awaits ahead. The smiling crew is at the front door to greet its arriving passengers, anxious to give them a wonderful dining experience.

Many seating arrangements are provided on the luxury river craft. Upstairs tables by the windows provide guests with a great view. Smaller boats can be seen cruising the lake and birds are seen feasting from the waters.

The Stone Crab Lounge is located in Fulton’s Crab House. Here customers can enjoy the oyster bar, samplers, appetizers, soups and salads with the drinks of their choice. A large selection of wines can be served by the glass or the bottle.

Whether dining at lunch or dinner, delicious dishes can be enjoyed. This is a compliment to the very talented Chef Ron Cope. The menu consists of wonderful beef, chicken and a large selection of fresh seafood recipes. Lunch prices range from $15.00 to $35.99 and dinners are from $36.00 to $59.99. A nice selection is also available on the children’s menu from $4.95 to $12.95. Both lunch and dinner menus change regularly, which is nice for people who want to dine here often.

When seated at your table, the management generously provides the table with the recipe for Fulton” Crab Boursin. This delicious spread, served with crackers, is enough reason to visit this restaurant.

FULTON’S CRAB BOURSIN

Ingredients:

1 ½ Pound Cream Cheese
¼ Cup Roasted Garlic
¼ Tablespoon Chopped Green Onion
1/8 Cup Chopped Fresh Basil
1/8 Cup Lemon Juice
½ Tablespoon Horseradish
1 Tablespoon Crab Meat or Crab Base
1/8 Cup Roasted Red Peppers
½ Tablespoon Smoked Mustard

Method:

Mix all ingredients except cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Cut cream cheese into small cubes and place them in the mixer. Mix until smooth. Stop, scrape sides and mix again. When the cream cheese is smooth, add the rest of the ingredients to mixer. Be careful not to over mix. Store in a covered container until ready to serve. Serve with an assortment of crackers.

Customers can finish their wonderful dining adventure by choosing from a list of many delicious desserts. If a special event is call for celebration, such as a birthday, a cake will be provided by the crew. They are also happy to work with someone who is worried about dining out and staying on 2a special diet. All these things will be simple by making reservations and discussing the issues ahead of arrival. Private dining rooms are also available for those special dining parties.

The very efficient serving staff such as Phil, at one time a marine, is an added benefit to the whole dining experience. His neatness, manners and professionalism is second to none. Just what one would expect from a marine!

Truly, the entire friendly and professional staff is what sets this restaurant apart from others. Fulton’s Crab House is really a very nice eating establishments and is definitely worth a first time visit and many repeat visits.

Disney World Restaurants offer a large selection of dining experiences centered on a variety of themes. Everything from casual to dressy, designed strictly for children or tuned more for adults can be enjoyed in the area. Prices and menus vary greatly, but whatever is desired can be filled at Walt Disney World.

For many guests, the benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World owned-and-operated resort begins before arrival to Disney World. And for all guests, the benefits and perks combine to make vacation magic 24 hours a day – whether at a Disney Value Resort designed for budget-minded vacationers … or at a Disney Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa offering lavish amenities.

Disney resort hotels are designed to provide a lot more than a pillow beneath guests’ heads. They are created to immerse guests in a continuation of the worry-free vacation magic and adventures of the Disney parks. Thus the hotels have themes celebrating the long ago or the far-away or even the world of imagination where toys can be bigger than people.

Walt Disney World Resort offers a broad range of accommodations – 23 resorts that vary in price, allowing guests to pay for only the amenities that are important to them. Disney Value resort guests are treated to larger-than-life theming, swimming pools and playgrounds, arcade rooms and standard amenities – and with more than 8,000 rooms at four resorts, about one-third of Disney’s hotel accommodations fall into the Value category. Families who prefer the great outdoors can rent a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (with nearly 800 available) and either pitch a tent or bring along an RV. Moderate resorts, Deluxe resorts and Deluxe Villa resorts are available for guests who prefer additional amenities during their stay.

Consistent among all 23 Disney owned-and-operated hotels is staff trained in the Disney way of friendly helpfulness. Also consistent: perks and benefits that add value to the vacation experience. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why Disney hotels are so popular with vacationers:

* Disney’s Magical Express Shuttle Service – Free shuttle service from the Orlando International Airport

* Disney’s Magical Express Baggage Handling – Disney will pick up your luggage from the airport and deliver it to your resort room

* Disney Transportation – Excellent transportation around the Walt Disney World Resort

* Extra Magic Hours – Enjoy extra time at the Disney Theme Parks just for Disney Resort guests

* Golf Club Rentals – A new free perks allows guests staying at a Disney Resort to get access to the golf club rentals for no additional cost

* Key to the World Card – One card that is used as your room key, tickets, Dining Plan, incidentals, and ID. All in one card!

* Package Delivery – Purchase any souvenirs at the Disney Theme Parks and they will deliver it back to the gift shop at your Disney Resort for free. You never have to carry around another bag at the Disney Theme Parks again.

For more information about the benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort, contact our Disney World Specialists at http://www.destinationsinflorida.com.