Six Tips for the Carnival Vista

In July 2016,  a group of us took a Mediterranean cruise on the Carnival Vista. The ship is incredible. I was very impressed. Instead of a lengthy review, I thought you'd find it helpful if I shared my six top tips.  

1. Book the last Brewery Tour of the day

The Carnival Vista has the first American Craft Brewery at Sea. Three beers are brewed on board.  You get to taste those three beers plus Carnival's signature Thristy Frog brew. The brewmaster explains how the beers are brewed and gives you a short tour of the brewery. If you book the last tour, you get the chance to chat a little longer with the brewmaster. You can book the tour on embarkation day at the Red Frog Pub.

2. Head to the Havanna Pool at 5 pm

Carnival introduced a new set of suites on the Vista: The Havanna Suites. They have special patios and exclusive access to the Havanna Pool every day until 5 pm.  After 5 pm, the area is open to anyone. We especially enjoyed the time between 5 pm - 7 pm .  We could enjoy the pool and hot tub, but it was before the live music started. I found the music too be WAY TOO LOUD! I know that makes me sound like an old lady, but seriously, my ear drums were bleeding.

3. Breakfast in Havanna Lounge or Ocean Plaza

If you want to avoid the craziness of the buffet in the morning, you can head to the Havanna Lounge or Ocean Plaza. They have a limited, but adequate selection.

4. Have Lunch in JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano

Both these restaurants have a surcharge for dinner, but lunch is included. You sit down and choose your entrée from a menu. In JiJi Asian kitchen, it's a Mongolian Wok where you create your own stir fry. In Cucina del Capitano, you create your own pasta. To find the staircase is a little tricky, walk through the buffet. It will be a small staircase in the middle about halfway through the buffet.

5. Ride the Sky Ride

It's a bicycle suspended from a track above the sports deck. You get great views. Be sure you have on shorts and closed toed shoes. No other cruise ship offers a similar experience.

6. Find a great spot on Deck 5

If being near a pool is not a requirement for you, you can find great spots on Deck 5 to enjoy sunshine, shade or a sea view. Each bar/restaurants has a separate themed area with tables, chairs, and chaises. It's a perfect escape spot on a busy Sea Day.

If you have any questions or think the Carnival Vista may be a good fit for your family, email me or set up a time to chat.

Latest Disney Updates

Fall is a magical time at Walt Disney World and on Disney Cruises as Disney offers special experiences for the holidays and the great Food and Wine Festival.

The Magic Kingdom offers two special parties: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. These events require a special ticket. The Parties have a special parade, stage show, fireworks show, and treats available throughout the Parks

If you want to make these parties even more special, you can purchase tickets to a special dessert party:

• HalloWishes Fireworks Dessert Premium Package, available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, select nights from Sept. 2-Oct. 31, 2016. This frightfully fun package begins with reserved viewing of Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade on Main Street U.S.A. and is followed by a private fireworks dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace. Enjoy Halloween-themed confections while you take in the spectacular Happy HalloWishes fireworks.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party  Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party, select nights from Nov. 7- Dec. 22, 2016. They can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade with reserved viewing on Main Street U.S.A., as well as fantastic views of Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks while enjoying festive treats at a private dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace.

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A valid ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is required to attend the fireworks dessert parties or to make dining reservations on event nights.

Disney Cruise Line also gets in the festive spirit with special themed sailings.
Thrills and chills await youat every turn during Halloween on the High Seas, thanks to not-so-scary parties, eerie entertainment and bewitching décor – including an evolving Halloween tree that transforms throughout the cruise. Sail dates include:
Disney Magic – Oct. 2-29 , 2016
Disney Dream – Sept. 2-Oct. 31, 2016
Disney Fantasy – Sept. 3-Oct. 29, 2016

And, during Very Merrytime Cruises, you  can delight in seasonal magic at sea as they discover a jolly fusion of holiday-themed entertainment, activities and décor. Sail dates include:
Disney Magic – Nov. 5-Dec. 23, 2016
Disney Wonder – Nov .10-Dec. 23, 2016
Disney Dream – Nov. 7-Dec. 22, 2016
Disney Fantasy – Nov. 19-Dec. 24, 2016

Epcot's Food and Wine Festival is a crowd favorite for many Disney visitors.

Culinary notables Geoffrey Zakarian, Maneet Chauhan, Duff Goldman, Elliott Farmer, Masaharu Morimoto and Graham Elliot will step up to the stove to host their first festival special events such as seminars and culinary demonstrations. Other chef icons like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro and Jamie Deen will return to entertain foodies and inspire their palates at premium events that include Party for the Senses grand tastings featuring reimagined entertainment.

For a second consecutive year, ABC’s Emmy-Award-winning lifestyle series, “The Chew” will arrive to produce a full week of programs on the show’s exclusive Epcot festival stage.

And, for the first time, you can enjoy the following festival experiences at Walt Disney World Resort hotels:

• “Brunch with a Twist at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa” — a sumptuous 5-star, 5-course meal prepared by the resort’s award-winning chefs
• “The Secrets of Flavor at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort” — a three-course lunch that gives your Clients a ‘sensory-food connection’ at Yachtsman Steakhouse
• “Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef” at Disney’s Contemporary Resort — a hands-on chef’s table experience in a professional working kitchen
• “Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto” at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — an entertaining tour of the whimsical Trader Sam’s, followed by lunch and a special mixology session

Ever wish you could visit Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios with minimal crowds? That sounds like a dream come true to me. Well, now you can with Disney Early Morning Magic.

Disney Early Morning Magic - Fantasyland has been extended at Magic Kingdom. Guests can enjoy breakfast at Pinocchio Village Haus and experience a trio of favorite Fantasyland attractions – Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland takes place Tuesdays and Sundays from 7:45-10 a.m. through Sept. 27, 2016.

Beginning Aug. 1, 2016, a select number of Walt Disney World® Guests can experience Disney Early Morning Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests can experience Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Mania!, Pixar Place character greetings (with Woody and Buzz), and Mickey and Minnie on Commissary Lane and Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight – all with little to no wait before the park opens. And to get fueled up for the rest of the day, they can partake in a hearty all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast at ABC Commissary from 8-10 a.m. Disney Early Morning Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios takes place Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:45-10 a.m.

Please note Disney Early Morning Magic will be offered on different days than Extra Magic Hours. Disney Early Morning Magic requires a separate ticket - $69 for adults and $59 for children ages 3-9 (plus tax), in addition to regular theme park admission.  Extra Magic Hours are a perk for guests who stay at a Disney resort.

‘Club Villain’ Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios September 2-October 29, 2016

Back by popular demand, Sunset Showcase presents Club Villain, a special-ticketed event filled with fabulous performances, delicious food, bewitching cocktails and enchanting encounters with some of the greatest Disney villains.  The mysterious Dr. Facilier is host of Club Villain, welcoming his guests and friends from the other side to his parlor of mystical mishaps, with musical numbers and a wicked mix from his house DJ. Also stopping by to socialize are those divas of evil, Maleficent, Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen. 

Club Villain provides a spellbinding evening for you to enjoy fiendish concoctions from the Potions Bar, savor culinary delights from New Orleans and beyond, mingle with the villains and dance the night away! Club Villain returns Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 2 – Oct. 29, with an additional offering on Halloween, Oct. 31. This two-hour show experience will take place at 5:15pm and 8:30pm nightly inside the Sunset Showcase. Guests can check-in 30 minutes prior to the right of the entrance to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith. 

The price is $129 per person (tax and gratuity included) and includes decadent delicacies with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages . Advance reservations are recommended and can be made up to 90 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-DINE or online at Disneyworld.com/Dine. A separate ticket admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required.


A new larger  Bippity-Boppity Boutique opens at Disney Springs
Fairy Godmothers-in-Training will continue making magical transformations for Guests ages 3-12. Girls can choose a hairstyle then add make-up, nail color and accessories – even a Disney princess costume. Boys can join in the fun too, as they’re transformed into gallant knights.

Magic Kingdom Ride Closures

• Swiss Family Treehouse Through September 24, 2016
• Liberty Square Riverboat August 1 - 7, 2016
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad August 8 - November 18, 2016
• "it's a small world" August 22 - September 15, 2016

Hollywood Studio Closures

• Pizza Planet - Late 2016
• Muppet Vision 3D August 15 - 22, 2016

Animal Kingdom Closures

• DINOSAUR through October 16, 2016
• Dino Institute Shop through October 16, 2016

Resorts

• All Star Sports Grand Slam Pool October 10 - December 2, 2016 
• Flying Fish reopens August 14, 2016
• Pop Century October 16 - December 4, 2016 with Computer Pool closed October 31 - December 23
• French Quarter Quick Service Restaurant closed through Fall 2016
• Wilderness Lodge including Cubs' Den  remain closed - including the Hidden Springs Pool (the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge), beach, marina, playground and more. In addition, certain pathways, like our nature trail, will be unavailable, and surrounding views may be altered. However, the recently renovated Silver Creek Springs Pool will remain open and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom park will continue to be offered.

Tips for Disney's Hollywood Studios

Happy Travel Thursday!  Today we discussed tips for Disney's Hollywood Studios.


For 2016, large parts of Hollywood Studios are under construction as Toy Story Land and additional Star Wars Attractions are added.

Quick Service Meal for Two: Fairfax Fare has some good barbecue platters. It is across from the Beauty and the Beast show. 

Single Rider Line: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has a single rider line that is sometimes open. It is located by the Fast Pass entrance.

Characters: Three key areas are the Toy Story Character area across from the Toy Story Mania ride, Launch Bay,  and the area around the Disney Junior Live On Stage Show. The Toy Story Character Area is a nice air-conditioned way to wait inside to see Woody and Buzz Lightyear. The Area around Disney Junior Live on Stage has characters standing outside. Launch Bay has two Star Wars Characters. As of 2016, Launch Bay also hosts a special character meet and greet for Disney Visa Cardholders. Be sure to visit the Disney Visa Meet and Greet first to see which character is there.

Air Conditioning (Nap) Breaks: The Great Movie Ride is a nice longer Air Conditioned ride – napping would be a little hard. The Frozen Sing Along Celebration provides a great air conditioned environment. It is very loud so you may want to consider bringing ear phones for the little ones.

Be Sure to Check Out:

• Toy Story Mania the ride: A fun, 3D game
• Star Tours
• The Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks Show - It's amazing!

If you have kids between the ages 4 - 12 who love Star Wars, take them to sign up for the Jedi Training Academy. It's a 20 minute show where they can train as Jedi knights in front of an audience.  Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost located between the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and the 50's Prime Time Café. Registration begins when Disney's Hollywood Studios opens for the day.

If you'd like a copy of my tips for all four Parks in one free PDF -

Click here to request it.

Tips for Magic Kingdom

It's Travel Thursday so today we discussed my tips for Disney World's Magic Kingdom:

Quick Service Meal for Two: Cosmic Rays Starlight Care in Tomorrow land has a large rib and chicken combo platter.

Characters: When you enter Magic Kindom, all the way to the right is a building that hosts the talking Mickey Mouse. Fantasy Land houses a Princess FairyTale Hall where you can greet two Princesses. The Circus area of the new Fantasy Land also has an area to meet the classic characters.

Air Conditioning (Nap) Breaks: The Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree,  Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, and Carousel of Progress are attractions that are rarely busy and offer seating in an air-conditioned theater. It’s a Small World and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor are two of the longer attractions rides that can help cool you off. If the weather is nice, If the weather is not too hot, the Walt Disney World Railroad offers a 15-20 minute ride circling the park. You can stay on as long as you'd like so it offers a great opportunity for a little nap.

Be Sure to Check Out:

-          Disney’s PhilHarMagic – I think this is the best 3D show at Disney World.

-          Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom – A game you play throughout the park. You can pick up the cards needed to play and receive instructions at the Fire House located to the left as you enter the park.

-          Wishes Nighttime Spectacular – This is a fantastic fireworks show. You can view it from the beaches at Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian and the California Grill on top of the Contemporary Hotel. Reservations at the California Grill may be hard to get, but you can always go up for a drink.

-          A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas – You initiate this game in Adventureland near the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It offers five set adventures and works more as a guided story than a game. 

If you'd like a copy of my tips for all four Parks in one free PDF -

Click here to request it.

Tips for Epcot

Today's Travel Thursday is all about Tips for Epcot

Quick Service Meal for Two: The Tangerine Café has a great combination plate. Seats are usually available at the tables right in front for  great people watching.

Single Rider Line: Test Track has a Single Rider line right next to the regular line.