Get Ready for a Spooktacular Time! Disneyland® Halloween Party & Ticket Dates Announced!

Get ready for a Spooktacular time- Halloween is fast approaching! Dress up and trick-or-treat throughout the ultimate Disney neighborhood—Disneyland® Park—during Mickey’s Halloween Party*! The Happiest Place on Earth just got spookier, so scare up some fun with Mickey during his private Halloween bash!

• Take in the magic of Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular—a Mickey's Halloween Party exclusive! Meet Disney Characters in their Halloween costumes and watch them parade down Main Street, U.S.A.
• You can also enjoy many of your favorite Disneyland attractions, plus special Halloween "treats," like Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Don't miss out!
• Mickey's Halloween Party is only offered on select nights seasonally, so tickets are limited.

The best part- you can purchase your Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets early – and on your mobile device by simply clicking on Mickey's Halloween Party.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following dates:

• July 16: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members
•  
• July 30: Tickets on sale to general public
•  
• Mickey’s Halloween Party 2014 dates: Friday, September 26; Tuesday, September 30; Friday, October 3; Monday, October 6, Wednesday, October 8; Friday, October 10; Tuesday, October 14; Friday, October 17; Monday, October 20; Wednesday, October 22; Friday, October 24; Monday, October 27; Wednesday, October 29; and Friday, October 31

Book early! You don’t want to be left with no trick or treats!  And Boo to You!

Looking for the Best in Dining? Don't Miss the "Flavors of Summer" Menu now at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

A Feast Fit for Papa Himself

Last month I was lucky enough to be treated to a feast fit for a king or queen when I was given a preview and special tasting of the brand new Flavors of Summer Menu that is now being served at the upscale 

Hemingway’s located inside the luxurious Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in the heart of Orlando Florida.  From the moment you enter the spacious and open atrium lobby of this deluxe hotel, with expansive views and grounds, you know what you are about to experience is nothing less than first class all the way. Walking into Hemingway’s you are immediately transported into the days of Hemingway's fishing expeditions from “Cayo Hueso” to the coast of Cuba.   

The open and airy seating, whether you are alone or with a group, lends itself perfectly to the culture and cuisine of these areas are where the inspiration of this restaurant comes from.  Add to that their new Flavors of Summer Menu and you have the perfect ending to any day or the perfect way to celebrate that occasion. 

...

This new fixe prix menu, which you can also order with a wine pairing, is served by their top notched and ever attentive wait staff that go out of their way to make you feel more like long lost family then first time guests.  

Appetizers range from a Key Lime Caser Salad or the Key Wester Salad to a smooth and rich Florida Rock Shrimp Chowder.  Entrees ranged from Hemingway’s “Cayo Hueso” Crab Cakes, Duvall Street Shrimp Scampi and the incredible Crispy Black Fin Snapper to the Cuban Criollo Chicken that literally melted in your mouth.  Every dish was seasoned to perfection and accompanied by a wide variety of vegetables and plated in such a way that made you feel that you were looking at a work of art. 

Even though it is easier said than done, make sure, whatever you do, that you save room for dessert because they truly save the best for last. 

Whether you choose the Key Lime Tart or the delectable Peanut Butter Bombe, it is absolutely the perfect end to a first class meal. The Flavors of Summer Menu is only being offered for July and August but if you in search of fine dining at its best, search no further than Hemingway’s located in the beautiful Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in the heart of Orlando Florida.

MARVEL AND IMAX GIVE FANS WORLDWIDE AN AMAZING FIRST LOOK AT THIS SUMMER’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EPIC ADVENTURE—

MARVEL’S “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

MARVEL’S “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”: AN IMAX® 3D FIRST LOOK

FEATURES EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE TO BE SHOWN IN 150 SELECT IMAX® THEATRE LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA ON JULY 7 AT 7 P.M.

Marvel Studios announces Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”: An IMAX® 3D First Look, featuring 17 minutes of exclusive footage from the highly anticipated summer blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The sneak peek will be showcased in 150 IMAX® theatre locations across North America on July 7 at 7 p.m.

Select IMAX 3D® theatres nationwide and internationally will offer the special screening of thrilling, never-before-seen IMAX 3D footage of the James Gunn-directed epic space adventure, which opens in U.S. theatres on August 1.

Commenting on the exclusive footage, director James Gunn says, “We’ve re-mastered some of our epic sequences into the IMAX 3D format, taking the scope and scale to new heights while creating a truly immersive, cinematic experience that will take you further into the Marvel Universe than ever before.”

“IMAX and Marvel fans are some of the most die-hard in the world and we’re excited to offer them this exclusive extended first-look at one of the summer’s hottest upcoming movies in IMAX 3D,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “James Gunn’s visionary film in IMAX 3D is going to give our audiences an immersive experience they won’t find anywhere else, and we’re thrilled to get the ball rolling and reward fans early at this unique event.”

Tickets to the July 7 Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”:  An IMAX 3D First Look are free and are available now for U.S. and Canadian screenings on a first-come, first-served basis through www.facebook.com/guardiansofthegalaxy.

Fans who attend this sneak peek will also receive a limited-edition collectible Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” IMAX poster.

An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy's fate in the balance.

10 Important Facts about Disney Cruise Line

 

1. If you’re 21 or older, you can bring alcohol onboard as long as it fits in your carry-on bag (cannot exceed 22x14x9.) You are NOT allowed to drink your alcohol in public areas onboard, so drink it up in your cabin. If you want to bring your own champagne or wine to the dining room, they’ll charge you a corking fee. ($20) Hubby & I will be fully loaded, in more ways than one, lol!
2. You are not required to have a passport if you’re a U.S. citizen & traveling a closed loop cruise (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) However it would be wise to have one. If for any reason you need to fly home from a foreign port, it’s required.
3. You don’t have to book your Port Excursions through Disney at a premium. You can book them on your own for half the price, research peeps! The positive aspect of booking a Disney port excursion is “peace of mind” in knowing that IF the Disney port adventure runs later than planned, Disney will wait for you or they’ll arrange travel to the next port at their expense.
4. Until recently I had no idea what a “Fish Extender” was. Peeps would talk about them all the time and I’d just pretend I knew what they were talking about. So here it goes folks, don’t be in the dark like me. Each of the Disney Cruise Line staterooms has a small silver fish or seahorse to the right or left of the door. Usually, it’s for the ship’s correspondence with you during your cruise, but those participating in a fish extender exchange hang a bag or special holder to the “fish” to serve as a mailbox. If you want to participate, you sign up, provide your information and stateroom number, and make little goodies for each person or each cabin. I unfortunately missed the cutoff date on our cruise because of my late booking, but snagged a great rate on my room instead. Woot!
5. DCL is NOT totally all inclusive~ NOPE, your cruise fare includes a lot, but you'll pay extra for a host of amenities. Alternative restaurants like Palo & Remy, specialty coffees and alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, spa treatments and gratuities.
6. Disney Cruise Line has a "cash-free" system on board the ship. When you arrive at the DCL terminal you will present a credit card or if you don’t want to give them a CC, give them cash or you can use both for your purchases, gratuities (if not prepaid) spa treatments, etc. If you applied cash & a credit card towards your onboard purchases. They will use all cash before charging your cc. They do this in increments of $350, once you reach that amount, they’ll retrieve it from your onboard credit.
7. Alcoholic beverages aboard most ships including Disney Cruise Line automatically charge an 18% gratuity included in the price of the drink. Don’t double tip, unless you feel their service was “to infinity & beyond” or you just like to give your money away & if that’s the case, send it my way, lol. 
8. Seasickness~ Over-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine will help. If you are very prone to seasickness, ask your doctor before you leave home for the Transderm patch, available by prescription. Alternative remedies include ginger capsules and acupressure wristbands, available at most pharmacies. I’m usually prone to motion sickness, but I’ve never been seasick on a cruise ship, just sailboats-and I was a wee bit intoxicated, UGHL
9. Parking at the port can be expensive, you can choose to park at a local Park & Cruise parking lot for half the price, I’ve done this at Port Canaveral on previous cruises & I had a nice experience. If you prefer to park at the port, here are the prices: 3-night cruise $60, 4-night cruise $75, 5-night cruise $90, 7-night cruise $120.
10. Let’s be real sometimes we want private adult-time & wish our own children would magically disappear- especially other peeps children(sorry). I have great news, adult exclusive areas actually exist on Disney Cruise Line. Activities such as; nightclubs, dining, pools & entertainment, etc~ all for guest 18 & older. I foresee R&R in your future & mine too, ahhh.  

Words associated with Cruise Lines

Embarkation~ To board a ship or aircraft

Debarkation~ To disembark a ship or aircraft.

Bow~ The bow is the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat. Aka, the “pointy end” lol!

Port (referencing side of ship)~ The left-hand side of a vessel or aircraft, facing forward.

Forward~ Toward the bow or front of a vessel or aircraft.

Starboard~ The right-hand side of a ship or aircraft as one faces forward

Aft~ Situated toward or at the stern or tail of a ship or boat.

Terminal~ A station with a public carrier, where passengers embark or disembark and where freight is received or discharged.

PORT~ a city, town, or other place where ships load or unload.

DCL~ Disney Cruise Line

Midship~ The area of the ship generally halfway between bow and stern along the length of the ship.

Muster Drill~ a safety drill run at the beginning of every cruise. Passengers are shown where to find their life vests, and where to assemble to prepare to enter their assigned lifeboats (muster station).

Tender~ a small boat used to get passengers ashore when a ship is at anchor instead of alongside a dock. Tenders are used regularly in islands with no dock facilities. Tenders often look like lifeboats.

Key to the World Card or Sail & Sign Card~ a magnetic stripe plastic card that works as your room key, boarding pass, identification card and onboard charge card during the cruise. For energy efficient ships like Disney Cruise Line, you also use to turn on lights in cabin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Splitsville, a Great Disney Hangout!

     Splitsville is one of our favorite places to get together as a family or with friends!  If you have not been it is a definite Walt Disney World must do!  We have thoroughly enjoyed Splitsville as a family and meeting up with friends that are staying in the Orlando area. 

     Splitsville is a Downtown Disney attraction on the Westside.  Splitsville takes bowling, playing pool and just plain old fun to new levels.  You will be welcomed to a two story retro styled adventure that offers 30 bowling lanes, first class food, dancing and entertainment.  The billiard tables are awesome and of course who doesn't like a gift shop and much much more.

     Some people come to Splitsville for the bowling or the billiard tables and some just go for the fun!  Our family has really enjoyed all of it. It is an awesome place for families to get together while the adults sit and talking and have a few drinks the kids can play pool or go bowling.  With the hot summer days at Walt Disney World this provides a perfect option for daytime or evening entertainment.

     The food at Splitsville is amazing!  They offer food such as fresh hand rolled sushi rolls, hand-tossed pizzas, burgers, and of course who doesn't like a big plate of fries!  The pizzas are amazing, a definite must do for our family! They also offer a wide selection of draft beer to go along with your pizza or other adult beverages.  I mean, what is pizza without beer, Right! 

     This is the perfect hang out for the family or meeting up with friends.   So during these hot days this summer if you find yourself needing a cool place to have fun check out Splitsville!  You can schedule all kinds of parties for Splitsville.  Make sure you reserve a lane as soon as possible.  The billiard tables are on a first come basis.  Let the food, games, and dancing begin and don't forget to Show your DisneySide!