Disney Vacation Club

  My husband and I first took our two little girls to Disney three years ago. It was a last minute decision, literally, and we didn’t know what to expect. My husband is a hard working man and we don’t see him as often as we’d like. So our impromptu week at Disney was like finding Heaven on Earth. Not only did the kids get to experience Disney magic for the first time, but they also got their daddy’s undivided attention for an entire week! We stayed on Disney property at a moderate resort and we instantly fell in love with the idea of more Disney vacations. As we traveled the World, we realized that although our resort was great, Disney property could be even greater. But as we longed to experience an even grander Disney resort, we knew that the price was a bit (or a lot) too steep. Thanks to Disney’s Vacation Club, or the DVC, my family now gets to experience the magic of Disney every year! With this experience, we now stay only at the top of the line resorts and get treated like Disney royalty.

The DVC is a timeshare, but run Disney style. With this timeshare you can pick anytime and anywhere you want to take your vacation. Since you buy points, rather than weeks, you can even divide your points up to take several vacations a year. They don't even have to be vacations to Disney locations.  Your Disney points are good towards Disney Resorts, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and most RCI timeshare properties.  You are also able to bank points you would like to save, or borrow from a different year if you are planning an extra long vacation. The DVC has a costly buy in, but after doing the math, we will have spent the equivalent in about  6 ½ vacations. This year we will be staying at the Beach Club Resort.  A one night cash stay in a one bedroom villa runs about $670 per night!  If we were not DVC members, our week stay would cost us  $4690 for just the room.  We didn't even spend that much on our last two trips to Disney put together (and that's including airfare!)  Instead, we spent 211 points for the week.  This year our annual dues were $650. That means that we will be staying at this fabulous resort for one week for $20 less than a single night. It doesn’t get better than that! 

As a DVC member, you also receive great discounts good for Disney dining, shopping, shows, and all night parties (including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party). If you love Disney and are interested in the DVC go to http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/index  or feel free to email me any questions you may have at betweenthelines-kam@hotmail.com . I can refer you to a great sales rep who never calls or bothers you at home (unless of course you ask her to).   As they say in Disney World, Have a Magical Day!

The Disney's Beach Club

While every resort at Disney has a special charm that invites you in, we have completely fallen in love with the Beach Club Resort.  Everything about the Beach Club screams perfect vacation.   The clean, spacious villas give our family space to relax.  They include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and jacuzzi tub.  The kids even sleep in a separate room!!!!!   The friendly staff is always available to help you in any way they can.  I love that no one ever seems put out when we ask a question.  The Cast members at the Beach Club definitely get an A+.  Even if you don't stay at the Beach Club, if you are in Disney during November and December, you should swing by to check out their decorations.  They are Spectacular!  By the second week of November all the Christmas decorations have gone up.  When you first walk into the lobby, you won't believe your eyes.  There is a working  carousel made completely out of gingerbread and icing!  We actually had the pleasure of watching them build it last year.  And to my kids delight, they let us sample the gingerbread they were using.  YUM!

The kids absolutely love the pool at the Beach Club.  And really, what's not to love?  Stormalong Bay, shared by the Beach Club and Yacht Club, is a beachside pool area that stretches over 3 acres!   The pool has something for everyone.  For the younger crowd, there is a shallow water area with a sandy bottom.  The kids can actually sit on the side of the pool and build sandcastles.  This is the area where they host many different fun games for the kids, in water and out.  My favorite area at Stormalong Bay is the lazy river.  This circular area has a soft current that allows you to just relax and drift along.  My husband's favorite area at Stormalong Bay is the Shipwreck slide.  This fast, fun slide pours you out into the sandy bottom pool area.  If you have younger kids, there is a smaller slide at the back of the shipwreck.

Probably my favorite thing about the Beach Club is its location.  EPCOT is one of our favorite parks, and the Beach Club is right next door.  Even with two little ones, it is about a 5-10 minutes walk to EPCOT's World Showcase entrance.  This allows us to end each day at EPCOT with a delicious meal or a fun show.  The Beach Club is also about a 5-10 minute walk to Disney's Boardwalk. This is a fun area to visit with many side shows, restaurants, and (for those without kids) clubs.  My kids love walking over the bridge to the Boardwalk to get a special treat from the bakery or from the ice cream shop (although I think the Beach Club has the most delicious ice cream shop ever!).  And if your kids love boats, they will that Disney's Hollywood Studios is only a short boat ride away from the Beach Club.

What is your favorite Disney Resort?  Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Tricky Trivia: Disney week

Where does President Obama like to hang out at Disney World?

Take a guess in the comments below.

Disney's Hollywood Studio

Lights, Camera, Action!  We are off to Hollywood Studios!  Disney's Hollywood Studios, formerly MGM Studios, is the last of the four major Disney parks we are visiting this year.  Walt Disney World also has two water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and an indoor amusement park (Disney Quest), but because of the kids' ages and the temperatures in November, we've skipped them this year.  Hollywood Studios invites its guests to join them in the movies.  Whether you are enjoying a street production, ride, or show, you are immersed into the magic of movie making.

Hollywood Studio is not known for its rides, but there are few you will definitely love.  Toy Story Mania is loved by all, and I mean all.  If you want a chance to ride this, head over first thing in the morning and grab your family a fast pass.  In November, it is usually not as crowded in the morning, so we grab a fast pass for the afternoon and jump in line for a morning ride.  This way we wait about 20 minutes each time rather than an hour and twenty minutes.  Hollywood Studios is also the home of my husband's favorite ride at Disney, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, starring Aerosmith.  This fast paced roller coaster takes you on a trip with the band and includes many twists, turns, and loops.  Right next to the Rock 'n' Roller coaster is the Tower of Terror.  Based off the CBS show, The Twilight Zone, the Tower of Terror takes place in an old abandoned 13 -story hotel.  Once you reach the top of the elevator, beware.  You will be falling back down to the ground.

Disney's Hollywood Studios is best know for its shows.  By far, our favorite is the onstage production of Beauty and the Beast.  Everything from the music, costumes, and atmosphere makes you feel like you are watching a Broadway production.  My girls also love the Voyage of The Little Mermaid.  This show mixes live performances with animation and puppetry.  It captivates its audience with its multi-sensory effects and music.  If you have young ones, you also won't want to miss Playhouse Disney.  This live, interactive musical, features your kids' favorite Playhouse Disney friends, including Mickey Mouse.  This show offers carpet seating only and is sometimes a little hard on the parents' backs.  Try not to sit too close to the stage or your kids won't be able to see the characters who pop out of the floor.

Hollywood Studio also has a few fast paced, action pack shows.  The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is a 30 minutes show that invites you to share the magic of the movies.  Throughout the show, they demonstrate numerous stunts while filming various scenes.  And who knows, they may just ask you to join the fun.  Next to Indiana Jones is Star Tours.  Although, this is not a typical show, the simulator type ride, takes you on a thrilling adventure.  Just past Star Tours is the Muppet 3-D show.  But if you keep walking you will reach the location of the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.  Make sure to grab a show schedule when you first arrive at the studios.  The Extreme Stunt Show usually only plays a couple of times a day and you wouldn't want to miss it.  This show demonstrates how big time vehicle stunts are done for Blockbuster Hollywood films.

There are many more things to explore and see at Hollywood Studios.  However, I think this post is already getting too long. ;)  Have you ever been to Hollywood Studios?  What were your favorite parts?  My kids' trip wouldn't be complete without visiting the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie set.  The set, taken from the outside scene of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, has been transformed into a fun oversized playground.  Can't wait to hear your stories!  Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Tricky Trivia: Disney week

Which countries are represented at EPCOT's World Showcase?  And on a side note, have you ever visited any of those countries?

Take a guess in the comments below.

The Animal Kingdom

Today we're off to the Animal Kingdom.  The Animal Kingdom is Walt Disney World's newest and largest  park.  Opened in 1998, The Animal Kingdom offers visitors a theme park experience like no other.  The Animal Kingdom focuses entirely on animal conservation while offering visitors animal attractions, rides, shows, and Disney fun. The park is divided into 7 different areas: The Oasis, Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Asia, and Dinoland, U.S.A.

Although the Oasis is the first area you enter, the Tree of Life on Discovery Island is the park's main focal point.  It is equivalent to Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom or Spaceship Earth (the EPCOT ball) at EPCOT.  The Tree of Life is 14 stories tall and 50 feet wide.  This spectacular piece of art consists of about 325 sculpted animals.  Visitors heading on their way to the Bug's Life 3-D show, have an opportunity for a close up look at the animals.  My girls love making a list of animals before we go and racing to see who can find the most animals on their list.  And don't miss a great photo-op in front of The Tree.  Disney can even add characters to your photos.  One year my daughter got a picture that looked like she was holding baby Simba and one year it looked like Tinkerbell was standing in her hand.  Discovery Island is also the home of my favorite restaurant at The Animal Kingdom.  The Flame Tree Barbecue, is a quick meal restaurant, with good food and great scenery.  It so relaxing to eat your lunch on the water while looking out towards "Asia" and  Mount Everest. 

Camp Minnie-Mickey is the place to visit if you have little ones who are ready for some character interaction.  At Camp Minnie-Mickey, you will find Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale, Pocahontas, and many more (depending on the time you go).  And if you don't have any little ones, you still won't want to miss The Festival of the Lion King.  The Festival of the Lion King is one of Disney's most spectacular shows.  The music, costumes, stunts, and interaction are amazing.  At the end of one show my older daughter had the opportunity to go out with a "monkey" and play an instrument during the closing song.  Such a little thing made such a huge impact on her.  She loved it.  And the following year, my husband was chosen to be the head elephant for our elephant section.  By far, the funniest thing that ever happened at Disney!

The most popular attraction is located in Africa.  The Kilimanjari Safari takes you on an exciting expedition through the African Savanna where the animals roam freely.  When they say freely, they mean freely.  Our first Safari trip we were actually chased by an angry ostrich.  It was not happy that we were driving near where he was eating.  After you exit the Safari you have the option of walking the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.  This trail has many exciting viewing areas including, gorillas and hippos.  After you explore the walking trail, hop on the Express train to Rafiki's Planet Watch to have a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's animal care facilities.  The kids can even visit the petting zoo and brush a few goats or sheep. 

Asia is the home of  Animal Kingdom's only roller coaster.  Expedition Everest - The Legend of he Forbidden Mountain is a high speed roller coaster that takes you into the heart of Mount Everest...Yeti  territory. There are many hidden surprises on this roller coaster, but I won't ruin it by sharing the secrets.  Asia also has the very wet Kali River Rapids and the Maharajah Jungle Trek.  The turbulent rapids will guarantee you get wet, but you can dry off  by exploring exotic animals including giant fruit bats, birds, tapirs, Komodo dragons, and tigers.  If you like birds, don't miss the Flight of Wonders show.  It is truly a sight to see! 

The final area of Animal Kingdom is Dinoland, U.S.A.  Dinoland has rides, carnival games, a Boneyard playgroud, and the amazing Finding Nemo Musical.  The Finding Nemo Musical is a stage show created by combining live performances with outstanding puppetry.  This is a show that is a must-see for anyone who visits Disney World.  The entire show is phenomenal.  Disney spared no expense while creating life-like puppets and underwater scenery.  The music and visuals will keep any age viewer memorized.

Have you ever been to the Animal Kingdom?  What was your favorite part?  What attraction is on your must-see list?  Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!

Tricky Trivia: Disney week

Aurora's castle in Dinsneyland was based on what real castle?

Take a guess in the comments below.

Tricky Trivia: Disney week

Which Disney princesses were actually born princesses? 

Take a guess in the comments below.

Tricky Trivia: Disney week

What was the first full-length animated feature film to come out in the United States?

Take a guess in the comments below.

Off To Disney!

So vacation time has arrived!  After 30 days of pulling links off our countdown chain, we are down to one.  I doubt my kids will be concentrating very well at school today knowing that we are leaving first thing in the morning. But hopefully they won't get themselves into any trouble! :)   All next week, I have prescheduled posts about the different parks we are visiting, the resort, and even a little about the Disney Vacation Club.  But I realized that I didn't write anything about the Dining.  This will be the first year that we will be taking advantage of the Disney Dining plan so we decided to explore some new restaurants.  I figured I give you a little idea about what we will be experiencing and then fill you in with our review later.

The first night we arrive, we will be eating at the Beach Club Resort (the one we are staying at).  They offer an all you can eat seafood buffet with many non-seafood choices as well.   I am so excited to eat the snow crab legs and my husband can't wait to dig into the shrimp.  The second day we will be using our dining credit to have breakfast at the Crystal Palace.  This traditional breakfast is a character buffet.  Our daughters are in love with Winnie the Pooh and his friends, so I have a feeling this will be a hit. The third night we will be eating at Le Cellier Steak House.  This restaurant, located in the Canadian Pavilion of ECOT,  is so popular that starting next year you will have to use two table credits to dine there.  Hopefully that mean it will taste REALLY good!

The fourth night, we will also be dining in EPCOT.  This time we will be venturing over to the Japanese Pavilion to eat at Teppan Edo, a fun Japanese Steakhouse.  The following day, we will be having lunch at Hollywood and Vine, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios.   This lunch buffet will include entertainment provided by the Playhouse Disney friends.  The sixth night, we will dining at the Garden Grill.  This meal, hosted by Mickey, Chip and Dale, will be quite an experience.  The restaurant is located over one EPCOT's garden and it rotates while you eat (this is only from info I've read).  Our final night will be spent eating at Nine Dragons, located in the China Pavillion at EPCOT.  Not sure if there will be anything spectacular about this restaurant, but we love Chinese Food, so it should be a hit.

If you have visited any of these restaurants and have some feedback, I'd love to hear it.  However, if you have negative feedback, I'd love if you hold off until we get back. :)  I would hate to go into it with bad expectations!  Well, I'm off.  I will be checking comments at the end of every night, but I may not answer many until I return.  Have a great week!!!