Star Wars runDisney Inaugural Weekend Announced!

Use The Force

Is The Force strong within you or will you #LetTheWookieWin? The Force you hold will be called upon as you complete your Jedi training and discover your true power at the inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation.   This latest in the series of runDisney events will be coming to the Disneyland Resort, January 15-18, 2015! It's a weekend journey to a galaxy far, far away featuring various runs, special events, Disney entertainment, your favorite Star Wars and Disney characters to cheer you along the course, and much, much more!

Photo credit runDisney

In addition to the Half Marathon, the event will include a 10K, 5K, Kids Races, Wookiee Welcome Party and of course the out of this galaxy  Expo. Think you are truly the runJedi Master? Then the Rebel Challenge is what you seek.  Complete both the Half Marathon and the 10K and you will be highly rewarded for showing that you have deemed yourself worthy of beating the forces of the Dark Side. Ready are you? 

Photo credit runDisney

Remember, a true Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind.  If you feel you have mastered your training and are ready to take on the Empire, sign up for the runDisney email to be notified when registration opens at Noon EST on Tuesday, June 10. May the Course be with you!

Disney Guest Safety Comes First -7 Dwarfs Mine Train

One of the many things Disney does best is keeping the safety of their guests first and foremost in their minds   Nothing was more apparent during the careful evacuation of those riding the new 7 Dwarfs Mine Train during it's soft opening trial run today. Once it was determined that the dwarfs had stopped their train to do a little extra mining, cast members were quick to react to help the guests quickly and safely off the train as seen in this video. Just another reason why Disney stands head and shoulders above the rest. With Disney, guests truly come first.

Disney's Blizzard Beach by Tamela Hansen

     Disney's Blizzard Beach

     Summer is finally here and we are all ready for our summer vacation!  There is no better place to spend a family vacation then at Walt Disney World!

     It is true that the parks are quite full during the summer and quite warm but have you ever explored Disney water parks?  We love Disney's Water Parks!  Disney Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are awesome for those hot summer days.  They are perfect for everyone.  We have adventured both parks with small toddlers and even older ones with limited mobility.

     If you are staying at a Disney resorts you can take bus transportation to Blizzard Beach.   Blizzard Beach also offers locker rentals for holding your personal items.   Showers are available and towels rentals for the entire day.

     Blizzard Beach is one of the most unique water parks I have ever experienced.  Everyone in the family can enjoy Cross Country Creek.  Just grab a raft and float down a winding Creek through caves and surprises along the way.  Be careful of those leaky pipes and the sneezing Alligator!  The whole family will enjoy this so much you may ride for a little while leave get a bite to eat or ride another ride but I promise you'll be back during the day!

     Another one of our family favorites is the Toboggan Racers.  This two hundred and fifty foot water slide with three drops provides fun for the entire family.  Eight racers can line up beside one another with their mat and Ready, Set, and Go, race to the bottom! 

     We have also enjoyed Teamboat Springs since our children were very small.  This is the perfect family ride for all ages.  The chairlift can provide transportation to the top of the mountain for younger ones or ones with limited mobility.  This ride provides 1200 feet of twists and turns.  You're gonna get wet!

     

     Of course Disney always offers a few thrill rides!  If thrill rides are what you're looking for you might want to check out Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher and Runoff Rapids!  Be prepared to lose your stomach!

     Now for the little tots in the family, Blizzard Beach offers a special area just for you.  Tike's Peak offers miniature scales experiences of the rides at Blizzard Beach.  This also provides a nice place to relax and catch some rays for the older ones in the family.

     For the younger kids and tweens in the group Blizzard Beach has a special place just for you!  Ski Patrol Training Camp offers challenges such as zip-lines, walking on ice while using a net above to balance, and several awesome water slides.  Even if you do not have younger children this area is a must!  You have to watch the children faces as they go down the zip-line,  PRICELESS!

     Blizzard beach offers so many other adventures and experiences.  It will take an entire day to truly enjoy everything that Blizzard Beach has to offer.  While you are visiting the park don't forget to stop and have lunch and a special snack.  Try a pretzel dog with cheese, or a jumbo turkey leg and for dessert a Mickey bar, a Sand Pail or Mini Donuts.  You can purchase a refillable cup for your day and on those hot summers days you will be glad you did!  Then while soaking in some rays you can enjoy a nice cold draft beer or a special frozen cocktail!  Gotta love boat drinks!

     So if you're headed to Walt Disney World this summer and decide that you need a day to cool off then head over to Blizzard Beach.  You won't be disappointed, but you're going to GET WET!!!

Great America-Best In Northern California Family Fun!

California's Great America

If you’re a resident of Northern California, then you already know how lucky we are to live in a place rich in culture, art and family fun.  With today’s tough economic times and rising gas costs, it can be almost impossible to find an affordable place close to home where the entire family can laugh and play together. 

Nestled an hour south of San Francisco, in the heart of Silicon Valley is the perfect place for a day of family entertainment and fun- California’s Great America part of the Northern California Bay Area since 1976. My family and I were treated to a fulfilled day last weekend at California’s Great America which is now part of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Group and are in total agreement when we say that this is Northern California’s biggest and best choice for world-class family fun and thrills.

 Being coaster fanatics, of course our first stop was the new Gold Striker, the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in Northern California. Throughout the day, we were kept busy by the plethora of thrill rides the park had to offer but as a grandma and kindergarten teacher, I was even more delighted in the Peanut’s themed KidZville and Planet Snoopy area that featured Snoopy and his friends in a well laid out and fun self contained area of it’s own that ensured that even the smallest of visitors has just as great a time as the teens and adults while visiting the park. 

You never have to ride a single ride to enjoy the day at Great America. With a full range of entertainment scheduled throughout the summer and the return of Snoopy and the gang in the summer ice spectacular Happiness Is Snoopy! California’s there truly is something for everyone. Food choices were plentiful with such fares from Subway and Panda Express to amazing and delicious eating choices throughout the park.  

Did you know that Great America is home to the most rides and most water rides in Northern California? Plus, it is the only theme park in California to offer a complete water park inside – free with park admission. For not much more than the cost of a one day ticket, you can enjoy Great America all summer long with a Season Pass which includes extra benefits such a payment plan, bring a friend, discounts, admission to Boomerang Bay Water Park not to mention the ability to play all summer long.

The new free interactive app made navigation of Great America a breeze. In the Fall, the park also features Halloween Haunt, the ultimate Halloween extravaganza featuring walk-through mazes, scare zones, and Halloween themed rides and shows. What are you waiting for? Great America is the Northern California destination for family fun. The 100-acre theme park is located on Great America Parkway between highways 101 and 237 in Santa Clara, Calif. Open March through October. For more information or discount tickets, call 408-988-1776 or visit www.cagreatamerica.com.  We can’t wait to return to Great America, Northern California’s best in family fun.

Disclaimer: My family and I received admission for review purposes for this promotion however the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

Disney Cruise Line Ready to Set Sail With New Fall 2015 Itineraries!

We're thrilled to share exciting news with you! In fall 2015, Disney Cruise Line is returning to popular destinations and home ports for limited-time engagements. Two Hawai'i cruises, a return to the West Coast with departures from San Diego and a Galveston homecoming make up a season of special sailings.

Hawai'i Sailings
Explore the Hawaiian Islands with two special 10-night cruises in September 2015. The Disney Wonder will sail through the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, where your Clients can experience the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu, see the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui, take in the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai and, on Hawaii Island — the Big Island, explore the natural wonders of the world's most active volcano.

San Diego to Baja
Disney Cruise Line will return to the West Coast in October 2015 for one month, offering six cruises from San Diego aboard the Disney Wonder. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, known for its white sand beaches, and Ensenada, Mexico. For those Clients looking for a perfect weekend retreat, we also offer a relaxing two-night Getaway Cruise.

Galveston to The Bahamas 
Starting in early November 2015, Disney Cruise Line will have a limited-time Galveston homecoming for the holiday season, offering a seven-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder to Key West; Nassau, Bahamas and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

Port Canaveral and Miami to The Bahamas and Caribbean
Sail from Port Canaveral and Miami to The Bahamas and Caribbean on a variety of itineraries. All 3-, 4-, 5- and 7-night cruises include a stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

For more information about the Disney Cruise Lines or help on booking any of your upcoming adventures, be sure to contact our friends at Destinations in Florida.  The agents at Destinations in Florida will be happy to help you book your vacation or answer just a simple questions about your upcoming trip.  Their agency is locally based in Orlando, so they do live where you're traveling!  You have lots of options to contact our agents, managers and owners at Destinations in Florida Travel.

Email: questions@destinationsinflorida.com

They answer emails 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  If you have a question, feel free to email us anytime.  Most emails are answered in an hour or less.

Phone: 877-918-8941

They do have daily office hours from 9 AM-9 PM.  If you need an instant quote or have a question, their agents are happy to help you by phone.

Request a Free Quote: Click Here to Request a Quote

Disneyland Park Ticket Prices Raised!

2014 Disneyland Park Ticket Price Increases

For those planning on a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, this news is just in from the Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland resort spontaneously raised ticket prices overnight, and it appears that they have eliminated their popular SoCal Annual Pass although their SoCal Select Pass remains.  Although it still holds true, that the longer you stay, the less you pay, in these already tough economic times, what will these price increases affect your plans to visit in the future?  What are your thoughts on these latest price hikes ? Leave your comments and thoughts below.

New ticket and parking pricing can be found below:

2014 DISNEYLAND RESORT ADMISSION PRICES

•   1-Day 1 Park                  

◦                     $96 Adult, ($4 Increase)

◦                     $90 Child, ($4 Increase)

•   1-Day Park Hopper       

◦                     $150 Adult, ($13 Increase)

◦                     $144 Child, ($13 Increase)

•   2-Day, 1 park per day    

◦                     $178 Adult, ($3 Increase)

◦                     $165 Child, ($3 Increase)

•   2-Day Park Hopper      

◦                     $217 Adult, ($7 Increase)

◦                     $204 Child, ($10 Increase)

•   3-Day, 1 park per day with Magic Morning   

◦                     $226 Adult, ($1 Increase)

◦                     $215 Child, ($6 Increase)

•   3-Day Park Hopper with Magic Morning     

◦                     $265 Adult, ($5 Increase)

◦                     $254 Child, ($10 Increase)

•   4-Day, 1 park per day with Magic Morning

◦                     $250 Adult, (no price change)

◦                     $235 Child, ($5 Increase)

•   4-Day Park Hopper with Magic Morning   

◦                     $289 Adult, ($4 Increase)

◦                     $274 Child, ($9 Increase)

•   5-Day, 1 park per day with a Magic Morning

◦                     $266 Adult, ($1 Increase)

◦                     $250 Child, ($6 Increase)

•   5-Day Park Hopper with Magic Morning      

◦                     $305 Adult, ($5 Increase)

◦                     $289 Child, ($10 Increase)

◦                      

2014 DISNEYLAND RESORT ANNUAL PASSPORT PRICES

•   SoCal Select Annual Passport - $289  ($10 Increase) 

◦                     Monthly Payment option  $16.09 (SoCal Resident Only) $159 to add parking. 

•   Deluxe Annual Passport - $519 ($10 Increase)

◦                     SoCal Resident Monthly payment  $35.25. $159 to add parking. 

•   Premium Annual Passport - $699, ($30 Increase) 

◦                     Monthly payment for SoCal Resident $50.25. Includes Parking and No Blackout Dates. 

•   Premier Passport - $1,029, ($50 Increase)

Disneyland Resort parking

◦                     $17 for Auto / Motorcycle  ($1 Increase)

◦                     $22 for Oversized  ($1 Increase)

◦                     $27 for Buses ($11 Increase)