Volunteer Like You Mean It! Give Kids The World Teams With Universal Orlando

Love to give back to others?  Always wanted to experience the high-speed thrills and adventure of Universal Orlando Resort? Here’s your chance to combine both into a vacation with real meaning. Universal Orlando® Resort and Give Kids The World have an exciting new way to have fun and make a difference!

If you’d like to help others experience that same fun, Universal Orlando® Resort invites you and your family to take part in a unique volunteer opportunity at Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit "storybook" resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

At Give Kids The World Village, these precious little ones and their families experience a memorable, joyful, week long, cost-free visit to Central Florida’s attractions and are immersed in joy, hope and non-stop fun for a few unforgettable happy days.

Anyone that loves the rush of thrill rides and the world of Harry Potter knows that Universal Orlando Resort is an entire universe of action and thrills featuring TWO spectacular theme parks unlike anything else in Orlando. At both Universal Studios® and Universal's Islands of Adventure® every member of the family can share unforgettable moments together. You can have the ultimate adventure, enjoy fun with your kids, rejuvenate yourself, have a romantic dinner, and challenge yourself on incredible theme park rides.

Your family can experience this life-changing opportunity in one convenient vacation package!

Package Details

•       3-Night accommodations at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel

•       2-Day Base Ticket with 3rd Day FREE^ – one theme park, per day (Must be used by 5/22/14)

•       A four-hour volunteer opportunity for you and your family at Give Kids The World

•       FREE round trip transportation between hotel and Give Kids The World provided by Quick Transportation

•       Early Park Admission◊ to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ one hour before the theme park opens

3-Night Vacations start from $279* per adult, tax inclusive

or $809** per family of four, tax inclusive (No additional fee to volunteer)

Valid for booking now – 12/12/14, based on availability and travel now – 12/17/14.

Plus, Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations will donate $100 to Give Kids the World

for Every Package Purchased!

Let’s review-the adventures of Universal Orlando plus the once in a life time feeling that comes from changing lives one family at a time at Give Kids The World- sounds like the trip of a lifetime to me. Now the only question is-what are you waiting for!

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

101 Disneyland Tips

The New Must Have Disneyland Book

Whether you’re a seasoned Disneyland “pro” like I am or about to embark on your very first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, don’t leave home without picking up a copy of this magical new book, “101 Disneyland Tips”.  Written by Cam Bowman of Growing Up Goofy this fun and fact filled book is a must have for the Disneyland lover in each and every one of us. Organized in easy to reference chapters “101 Disneyland Tips” takes you through everything from the pretrip planning to when to go to some of the lesser-known experiences that only the most seasoned of Disneyland lovers know about.  Whether you are traveling with small children, to planning a trip for a once in a lifetime celebration to going with someone facing special challenges to just enjoying the magic all by yourself, this book truly has something for everyone. Cam’s easy to read guide makes you feel as though you’ve just gotten off the phone talking to your best friend. It’s perfect size allows it to be tucked away into any backpack, diaper bag or purse for reading while sitting at soccer practice to taking it on the trip with you as your personal guide as to the most effective way to take in all that Disneyland has to offer. I can honestly say that when I first got my copy, I couldn’t put it down. I thought I knew all there was to know but each page brought so many new things to me it was though I was getting ready to visit for the first time. I now have it as a part of my always packed, ready to go Disneyland backpack just waiting to be tried out on my next trip.  Ready to pick up your own copy of “101 Disneyland Tips”?  Well today is your magical day! One lucky Disney Gal reader will be winning their very own copy of this wonderful book. Just click on the link below and soon you too will become an expert in all things Disneyland, the original Park where it all started. For more information on how to purchase your own copy, be sure to visit the book’s website,101DisneylandTips.com.  Now no matter where you live, you can have the magic of Disneyland right at your fingertips any time you need it. Don’t wait-pick up your copy of “101 Disneyland Tips” today!

      For Your Chance to Win Click Here!

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

How ESPN Made This a New Years to Remember - For All the Wrong Reasons

The name Disney is synonymous with entertainment. A couple months ago, Gayle shared her story of how Disney takes young performers, nurtures and trains them for a week, and then gives them a chance to perform at Disneyland with the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory. At Walt Disney World, bands from across the country can be seen marching down Main Street in a pre-parade or entertaining the crowds, along with show choirs at Downtown Disney. Some of these young entertainers go on to become the singers and dancers you now see in the 3 o'clock parade.

Now, I would like you to think of the time & effort that these performers put in. Daily shows and rehearsals, weeks & months of practice, and years of voice and dance lessons. They are truly dedicated to their art, and you better believe how proud they are to say they perform at Disney! Then, there is the unsung hero. The parents who, week after week, year after year, have paid for the voice lessons, sat through never ending rehearsals, driven to every practice, and dried the tears or offered a consoling hug when their child didn't make the cut.

Wordless Wednesday - January Calendar Shot

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS:

JANUARY CALENDAR SHOT!

Disney Gal Kelly:

Magic Kingdom Year End Review

Year End Review-2013 Magic Kingdom

Join Honorary Gal and Official Disney Gal Travel Agent from Destinations Florida Dawn Gosdin as she wraps up this year at the Magic Kindgom!

Yesteryears Fantasyland blossoms into “The New Fantasyland”

Character Meet & Greets are now possible & the really cool part, you can visit with them in their designated land, 2 new themed regions. Check em’ out

1.     Enchanted Forest Attractions;

Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid 

Be Our Guest Restaurant (Love at lunch time, cheaper & easier to get a reservation than dinner)

Enchanted Tales with Belle 

Ariel's Grotto

Gaston’s Tavern (Lafou’s Brew, really sweet goodness)

2.   Storybook Circus Attractions;

The Barnstormer  (Sadly, my hubby’s favorite)

Dumbo The Flying Elephant

Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station (Not my fave, kids get wet & then wet the seats on the non-water rides)

Pete’s Silly Sideshow (Love the name)

Fantasyland Station (Choo, choo)

Also Princess Fairytale Hall opened September 2013, with a one stop shop to meet your favorite Princesses.

Read More

In 2013 and beyond, you can look forward to new additions of fun in New Fantasyland. Upcoming...ReYou want moreght up to the classic American circus in an area that evokes the spirit of the classic..., here you go- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is nearing its debut, sometime in 2014, not sure when, as its hush-hush.  I read recently, they’re in the cart testing phase, woot. (Speaking of hush-hush, I’m not telling my hubby much about it or he would skip it all together—CHICKEN, if the seven dwarfs can do it, so can he, LOL)

This spring 2014, Magic Kingdom will unveil a new parade named "Disney Festival of Fantasy.” This new parade will feature magical music with festive themed floats. Some of the movies included in this parade are: "The Little Mermaid", "Sleeping Beauty", "Brave" and other beloved Disney movies, old and new. (Hello- all our faves) Out with the old & in with the new, “The Celebrate a Dream Come True” parade will end this month, making way for the new parade. (Boo hoo, not really sad, not a huge fan of parades, hoo hah.)

Walt Disney would be very proud with the evolution of the Magic Kingdom & Disney overall. The future inevitably looks extra sparkly with a side of pixie dusted rainbows, morphing the future of The Walt Disney Company into the stratosphere. See ya real soon!

Wordless Wednesday - December 25, 2013 - JOY!

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

JOY!

 

 

 

Joy is the holiday season at Disney and being able to spend time at Disney with Family and Friends anytime of the year!  Merry Christmas to everyone!

Special Thanks goes out to Deb from Focused on the Magic for

hosting the weekly blog hop!

Disney Gals Favorite Holiday Memories

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's from the Disney Gals!

 

Disney Gal Judy: 

 

We live in Chicago and downtown we had a Marshall Field's (yes is a Macy's now just not the same), every year Paul and I would take a day off of work and take the boys out of school and take them downtown to see the Christmas windows and have lunch in the Walnut Room around the big tree.  They would both get a hot chocolate the came delivered in an

Uncle Mistletoe mug , which they got to take home. 

Over the years they got a new mug (and it changed over the years to the Santa Bear) and when they left and got married, those mugs went with them as a memory of when they where little. 

Disney Guy Paul:

It's hard to have one Christmas memory. Christmas means many different things to me. I rarely get home for Christmas so any time I do I enjoy watching the crazy family time the holidays inevitably bring. Trying to split our time between my family and my wife's family gets entertaining. 

My favorite tradition is going to see the windows along State Street with the family. They are no where near the same as they were when I was younger. Stores are renamed or simply vanished like the ghosts in a Christmas Carol. We always made sure to get our picture with Santa and get some lunch. 

Renee and I announced our engagement on Christmas Eve, I had asked her close to the holiday and I remember how beautiful the city looked that December night from the Hancock Observation Deck. 

My favorite work related Christmas memory was the first Chicago's Christmas Ship event. It was so cold and we didn't know how it was going to go. I had flown in from Traverse City, MI., after filming the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw loaded with trees heading to the city. We drove the tape around to all of the tv stations to make sure they had the footage. 

When the ship arrived we spent all day decorating it on Navy Pier so we could hold the welcome ceremony and hand out the first tree. The event became a tradition every year I was stationed in the Great Lakes and continues now 14-years later.

  

Disney Gal Kelly:

I have to chuckle reading Judy & Paul's memories because I often reminisce of time spent taking the bus Downtown with my Grandma to see the windows and eat at the Walnut room. Truly a Chicago tradition for many.

However, my favorite recent memory is sending my parents to WDW for their 50th anniversary. I had gone to see all the Christmas decorations with my mom the previous year, and upon our return, my dad looked so sad hearing our stories, like he had really missed out. Thus the anniversary trip was born. 

Dad didn't want my brother & I spending a lot of money so he booked a room at the Marriott with his rewards points. I did convince him that they had to do the Candlelight Processional and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party so he let us buy that for them. But what he didn't know is I cancelled his Marriott reservations and booked them a room at the Boardwalk overlooking the water! When I drove them to the airport, I gave them an itinerary of everywhere they needed to be, times and confirmation numbers, including their Boardwalk information. They were told not to open it until safely on the airplane. 

I wish I could have been on the plane to see their faces! They got a quick call in before the plane took off, full of excitement followed by "You shouldn't have". So glad we did, they enjoyed every minute of their trip and have plenty of pictures to prove it.