For our Disney Dream Cruise in September, my husband and I planned to go down to Port Canaveral a day early and started the search for the best place to stay. There are several options, but after some research we decided on the Radisson Resort at the Port. We booked the Park & Cruise Package, you can find details at http://www.radisson.com The package included a nights stay in a standard room with two queen beds, breakfast for two the morning of our cruise, shuttle service to and from the port, and parking for our vehicle for four nights. When we arrived to the hotel (it is a big hotel but I wouldn't exactly call it a resort) we were welcomed by the front desk attendant and quickly checked in. They went over our package details and what we needed to do for breakfast and getting to the shuttle. I had prearranged our shuttle time, so that was all set up. They also explained where to move our car the next morning for parking. We were given our room keys and informed that we ha...

 I love to go to Walt Disney World. It truly is the Happiest Place on Earth! My first trip was in 1982 with my mom, dad and little sister. I can still remember things we did on that trip like exploring Tom Sawyer Island and meeting the characters.  Donald Duck was actually shorter than I was!  My husband and I planned a Disney Trip with our son for the first time in 1995.  He was about to turn 3, and we had an awesome deal from Disney through the purchase of the Lion King video (Yes, VIDEO).  That was a great trip with so many memories.  And a cheap one too!  Looking back I can’t believe that we were there for 3 nights at the All-Star Music with 4 days of Hopper passes for under $500 TOTAL!  And it included a character breakfast.  My how times and prices have changed. One thing that sticks out more than all the memories I have of those first special trips, is the fact that looking back and knowing what I know now, I realize how much more th...

Have you ever wanted to take your four legged friends with you on a WDW vacation? Did you know, You Can?! While you can not bring animals into the Disney resorts or theme parks, unless they are a service dog, there is a pretty awesome place for your dog or cat to stay at WDW. Check out these pics of the Best Friends Pet Care Center located on Bonnet Creek Pkwy at WDW. I knew they had one, but didn't know it was so nice...well it is Disney, duh! Here are a few of the features they offer. Above the front desk they have a big flat screen tv that shows a slideshow displaying random pics of the various "guests" (dogs) staying at the "resort" (kennel) having a good time. They even get a "report card”. During their stay the staff make notes about each pet and let you know how your loved-one did. Dog Walking Trails with doggy water fountains for a sip of water are a nice place to take your pet for a walk when you visit them during their "vacation". T...

As a Disney travel professional I am asked a lot of questions, but one that I am asked most often is what is the best age to take a child to Disney World?  I always respond that it depends on your family, the child, and your travel expectations.  I personally am a proponent of taking children when they are young to Disney.  I understand that others may feel it won't be as memorable for small children, and would rather wait till the child is older.  There's also the fact of traveling with small children, the extra stuff you have to take, etc.  But I say, if you plan it out, it can be done. My son was 2 years old on our first trip in Nov. 1995. He would be turning 3 the upcoming Jan. And our daughter was 3 on her first trip in Nov. 2000 (she had just turned 3 in October).  And believe me, they both remember very well their first trips.  We also have many pictures and videos of the trips to keep those memories alive with.  I think the 2 -3 age i...

One of the most magical experiences we have had at WDW was dinner at Cinderella’s Castle. Known as, Cinderella’s Royal Table, it is a very coveted dining experience. Not quite as hard to get an ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) for as breakfast but still very, very popular. I had tried for years to get a breakfast reservation at the Castle for my daughter to meet the princes with no luck. And once again, while booking ADR’s for our Thanksgiving week trip during 2007 I had no luck. I did all the tricks I knew…waking up at the crack-of-dawn, calling in ahead of the lines opening, speaking as soon as they answered…but nothing was available. So imagine my surprise when while booking a dinner reservation for another location, the cast member helping me said, “Actually, if you would like it, I have a 6:15pm dinner time at Cinderella’s Royal Table”. Would I like it? A-YES!, "BOOK IT!" I yelled at the CM in my excitement, this was a special occasion. We would be celebrating...

During my recent Disney Cruise I noticed that throughout the ship there were magical Disney touches everywhere. Those little details that are so Disney. You know "Hidden Mickeys" and just details that make any old regular day or task a Disney experience. Here are a few pics of some of my favorite Disney details aboard the Disney Dream: