Orlando Travel with Kids, Part 1 of 2

Marcy Palino was a late bloomer, as far as Disney is concerned. "My first trip to WDW was in 2004. My husband surprised me with a week long trip there for our first anniversary. I was immediately hooked! We've made seven more tips since then." Now that she and her husband have added two beautiful daughters to their family, Disney trips are truly a magical occasion for everyone. But traveling with two girls under the age of five is never easy. Marcy shares her tips on how to manage it successfully.

Tip #1 -- Preparation!
For every visit, we've used a website www.tourguidemike.com to help us plan. There are a lot of websites devoted to Disney trip planning. Disney has a Moms Panel made up of moms who have a lot of experience and are committed to answering questions from those who have been there, done that. I plan to check them out before our next trip. http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/

Tip #2 -- Consider your hotel needs
We've stayed both on site [at WDW] and off. I prefer on site to take advantage of Disney's Magical Express, eliminating the need for a rental car and parking. Disney has buses, monorails and watercraft to take her every where you need to go. I've stayed in all three levels of Disney resorts. The different levels have different amenities. For our family, we simply need a place to shower and sleep, so we've decided that the Value resorts are right for us.

Tip #3 -- Consider the parks one at a time.
I want to enjoy myself and go where the crowds aren't. I recommend checking websites that specialize in trip planning. At the very least, find out what attractions are going to be closed for refurbishment, lest you have a disappointed fan! Call guest services for each park a day before you travel so you can plan with the most up to date information.


We've traveled with an infant more than once. Find out where the Baby Care centers are on the map. They are quiet, cool and a great place to take a break and beat the heat while taking care of your wee one. They have changing areas, large family bathrooms, high chairs, baby food and supplies, bottle warmers, etc. There is also a quiet nursing area (although Florida state law does allow moms to breastfeed anywhere they are otherwise authorized to be).

You can take a baby on any ride that does not have a height requirement. A good start is a ride like It's a Small World. It's not very quiet, and you'll be able to see what your child can handle. Our one year old went on every ride she was allowed and loved the lights and colors. She's a big Haunted Mansion fan now!

Tip #4 - Be early birds
I recommend starting early. Get up, get to breakfast and get to the park as close to opening as possible. Kids are usually chomping at the bit to get there, and you'll get a jump on the late sleepers. If you are staying on site, check for Extra Magic Hours--this can save you loads of time and get you ahead of the crowds, especially during high capacity seasons.

Tip #5 -- Known when to throw away your plan
More than anything, and I can't stress this enough, is to be flexible. Let your vacation happen. Let your kids enjoy themselves. If you've got other plans, like an advanced dining reservation, but aren't going to make it, don't stress out, (but do use your cell to call 40-WDW-DINE or stop by Guest Services to let them know so that another party can take your seat!) Remember, it's supposed to be fun!

If it's the hot and steamy season (which is most of the year in Florida,) consider taking a break midday. Go back to the hotel and enjoy the pool. Encourage a nap unless you know that your children are old enough for a marathon day.

Tip #6 -- Take advantage of food and drink options
Disney allows you to bring water into the parks. We usually contact a local grocery that does delivery to bring us a case of bottled water. This is also a great chance to get snacks and breakfast items delivered, as well as heavy/bulky items like formula, nursery water and diapers that take up a lot of room in your luggage. Now that airlines are charging per bag, this is an especially good idea.

Eat early. Eat before the crowds! An ADR only gets you the next available table, so we try to get there early during the mealtime hours. We eat lunch at 11am and dinner at 5pm. The great thing about WDW is that everyone expects that there will be children dining there, so it's a lot less stress than eating in finer establishments in your home town. Disney Dining does not pay lip service to being child friendly. They have a wide selection of child pleasing favorites, as well as some more adventurous items. They have also ensured that there are healthy options available. We do not have any food allergy issues in our family, but I have heard that the chefs are very accommodating to these issues. If you don't see what you are looking for, just ask!

The only exception to the child rule is Victoria and Albert's, which now has an age requirement.

Tip #7 -- Be prepared for an emergency
If you experience an illness, there are services that will provide house calls, as well as a pharmacy that delivers. There are also minor emergency clinics nearby that provide transportation to and from their clinic from area resorts.

Tip #8--Don't forget, it's your vacation too!
We usually go for a week, typically around our anniversary. We use Kids Night Out to provide in room babysitting for our baby. They are the preferred WDW childcare provider (they can be there any time, day or night.) We have used them several times since 2006 and have always been pleased. We go out for a romantic dinner, and a friendly, qualified care provider cares for our child. When our kids get older, we'll check out the kids clubs that Disney has at several of the resorts. If you aren't comfortable with that idea, you can try to go with another family and swap kids for an evening so that everyone can have some quiet time.

I can personally recommend the spa at the Grand Floridian. Go get a massage!

Part 2 of this article to follow in a couple of days...

Can You Smile for 67 Days?

If you think you might be able to flash your pearly whites for 67 days straight (with some pauses in between, of course), then the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) has a mission for you.

In conjunction with its new global marketing campaign, “Orlando Makes Me Smile,” the Orlando CVB is looking for two people with great grins to experience one smiles-packed Orlando vacation. Over the course of 67 days, the two lucky winners will experience every single one of the more than 100 attractions available in Orlando. Meanwhile, they’ll share their daily adventures with a global audience via social media outlets and media interviews.

“There are clearly a lot of frowns throughout the world because of the economic downturn,” said Danielle Courtenay, Orlando CVB Chief Marketing Officer. “We want an engaging pair of people who you can’t help but smile along with as you follow their Orlando tale of some of the best vacation experiences in the world. You don’t have to have a perfect smile to apply – just a ‘smiling’ personality and outlook on life."

During their 67-day trek around the city, the winning pair will live in a two-bedroom condo in Downtown Orlando. They’ll be given cell phones, digital video and still cameras, a Dollar Rent A Car, and even $25,000 to cover living expenses back home. And as for their daily itinerary, the duo will visit every kind of attraction in Orlando, with their fun and varied experiences including everything from rollercoaster riding at Universal Studios to swimming with dolphins at SeaWorld and gator wrestling at Gatorland. They’ll also golf, have a spa day, explore museums, go to the theatre, dine, and much more.

The “67 Days of Smiles” will begin this year in late August and end in early November. The Orlando CVB is conducting its search now for the lucky pair of partners who’ll make their way around Orlando’s theme parks and attractions.

Both people in the pair must be over 21 and pairs can be any combination of friends, family, spouses, or co-workers. To enter the contest, pairs must complete a personal profile, submit 500 words in English on why their smiles should be chosen, and upload a 60 seconds or less video in English of both applicants along with photos at VisitOrlando.com/67DaysofSmiles by June 30. The winners will be notified in late July.

The contest is particularly looking for adventurous couples willing to try everything from skydiving to high-speed racing with a penchant for good storytelling and fun personalities.

However, if you don’t think you fit the qualifications (in other words, if jumping out of a plane doesn’t sound like fun to you), you can still enjoy a great Orlando vacation for 67 days, 67 hours, or however long as you like. Simply check out the Walt Disney World tickets and Universal Studios tickets, among other great offerings, at DWTickets.com and get your smile on.

How to Have a Safe Disney Vacation During Hurricane Season

There are definitely advantages to taking your Disney vacation during hurricane season, which runs from June through November. This time of year is not prime time at the Walt Disney World Resort, so you can find great room rates and some smaller crowds in the Disney theme parks. The important thing to remember if your Disney vacation falls during hurricane season is to follow warnings and be on alert.

Sometimes, hurricane season blows through the Walt Disney World Resort without any major storms. In fact, big hurricanes are really quite rare. When a tropical storm or hurricane does hit the Disney area, though, rest assured that everyone at the Walt Disney Resort is prepared to handle whatever may come.

If you have never been through a hurricane, perhaps you don’t even know what it is. A hurricane is a type of tropical storm that is extremely large in size, sometimes covering the entire state as with Hurricane Ike that just hit the State of Texas. Hurricanes mean a lot of rain – we’re talking 5, 10, even up to 15 or 20 inches or more, depending on the size and strength of the storm.

And then there’s the wind. A mid-strength category 3 hurricane can have winds of up to 130 miles per hour. These are constant winds too, not just gusts. And they could last for several hours, which is what can make the prospect of hunkering down and weathering the storm during your Disney vacation a little daunting.

While the whipping winds and driving rains of a major hurricane can be dangerous, the structures at the Walt Disney World Resort are soundly built according to building codes set forth by the State of Florida. There is very little chance that any permanent structure on Disney property would be seriously dangerous during a storm, and this is especially true for the Disney resort hotels.

When a hurricane is in the forecast, attention is paid to the storm’s path, strength and timeline. If there is any chance that dangerous weather will be hitting the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney theme parks are closed to protect Disney park guests. This has happened more than once in the past when severe hurricanes headed to Orlando.

Disney officials have strictly laid out emergency plans that will guide all Disney guests to safety during a hurricane, so taking a Disney vacation during hurricane season is really no problem at all.

Brewmaster’s at SeaWorld

In a theme park town, it can sometimes be difficult to find something directly targeted at adults. But, SeaWorld Orlando has been able to corner the adult niche market with their Brewmaster’s attraction. Free with your SeaWorld Orlando ticket, guests 21 and over are invited to take Brewmaster’s, a unique learning experience where you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about the Anheuser-Busch products.

Having been the U.S. leader in American brewing since 1957, Anheuser-Busch has developed over 100 brands of beer and runs 12 American breweries. Famous for their acclaimed Budweiser, Michelob, and Specialty brand beers, you can now learn everything about these renowned brands. The Brewmaster’s experience requires booking in advance. Reservations can be made either at the Information Desk at the front of the park or at the host stand at the Hospitality Center. We recommend making reservations EARLY in the day because classes tend to fill up fast! Guests must be 21 years of age or older and must present an ID upon entering the Brewmaster’s Club.

Once at Brewmaster’s, you are set-up with a Brewmaster who will give you a 30 minute experience teaching you all about the Busch brand beers. Presented with a large menu, you will get to sample up to four different Anheuser-Busch signature products. Try any of their presented stouts, lagers, malts, and more. Along your tasting journey, your Brewmaster will recommend different foods to be paired with the beverages, based on their taste, color, consistency, and more. Who would have thought that chocolate, cheese, and fruit go with beer?! Your Brewmaster will also tell you all about the history of the drinks, how they are made, and how to enhance your overall drinking experience. It really is a great class and you will be amazed by how much information about beer that you can learn in a 30 minute time frame. Those under age 21 are welcome to wait in the assigned waiting area until their party finishes the class. Class times are subject to change.

To top off your Brewmaster experience, make sure to check out the animals that have made Budweiser beer famous, the Budweiser Clydesdales, at the Clydesdale Hamlet. At the Hamlet you will be able to pet the horses, have your picture taken with the horses, and learn all about their history with the Budweiser brand. Make sure to take advantage of all of these great experiences! They are all included with your SeaWorld Orlando ticket.

Injury Reports and Ride Safety

DWTickets is your best resource for cheap theme park tickets if you are planning an Orlando vacation the safest bet is to get all of your discount tickets in one place – right here at DWTickets.com. We are your one-stop shop for cheap theme park tickets to Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Walt Disney World and more.

We are also the best information source for all things theme park in Orlando, including how to keep your family safe while you are in town. At DWTickets.com we are interested in keeping you safe physically and financially. That is why we always have the best advice and the best discounts on tickets to all of Orlando’s theme parks.

Last week, the 2007 year-end injury reports came in from Orlando’s major theme parks, and all things considered the results are quite good. When you consider the sheer number of people that visit the Orlando theme parks each day, it really is encouraging to see such a small number of serious incidents (just four in the last three months of 2007).

Some accidents are caused by a physical illness, but many can be avoided by focusing on safety. Even though you are on vacation, you still need to play it safe! Here’s how:

Always pay attention to the warning signs posted on rides. Yes, Orlando is family friendly, but some of the attractions are still kind of crazy. When it says don’t ride if you have certain physical conditions, take heed. They post those warnings for a reason.

Keep cool and hydrated. The Florida sun is ferocious – even on a cloudy day - and the heat and humidity can sneak up on you. Always drink plenty of water throughout the day and make sure to wear sunscreen and reapply it as necessary. Even if you’re not at the beach, the sun is still shining on you!

Stay aware of your surroundings and watch your kids. Again, we know you are on vacation, but it is still important to watch where you are going, keep track of what is around you and pay attention to what the little ones are getting into.

Just a bit of attention to safety can prevent a possible accident, so play it safe while you are in the parks and before you leave too. Get your tickets at DWTickets.com, the safest bet in Orlando when it come to cheap theme park tickets.

Valentines Day at a Universal Orlando Park

Couples who are looking for an unconventional approach to Valentines Day this year may want to consider a visit to a Universal Orlando theme park, which includes Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. At Universal Studios Florida, the No. 1 movie and TV-based theme park in the world, guests can “ride the movies” at this real, working film and television studio. Neighboring Islands of Adventure may be only steps away, but the atmosphere couldn’t be any more different, as this high-tech park aims to thrill you with the most innovative attractions in the country, from high-speed roller coasters to children’s rides that are second to none.

If any of the above appeals to you, DWTickets.com can help you on your quest to visit the Universal Orlando Resort for Valentine’s Day this year. As the No. 1 online source for discounted tickets to all of the top attractions and theme parks in Central Florida, DWTickets.com can help you to not only make this day a unique experience for you and your loved one, but we can also help you do it at a discounted price. To get a head start on your plans for Valentine’s Day this year, click here now to purchase these special discounted offers!

Universal Studios Florida will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. this February 14, giving you and your sweetheart plenty of time to experience the movie magic inside the theme park’s gates. You can experience some of the best theme park attractions in the country, from the thrill ride Revenge of the Mummy to Shrek 4-D and the brand new Disaster ride, which is a major motion picture ride – starring you! If you are looking for a nice restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day in this park, the most recommended sit-down restaurant is Lombard’s Seafood Grille. With prices ranging from $11-30 per meal, this restaurant offers a delectable sample of fresh seafood, chowder, pastas and salads, including a hearty fried clam basket that is highly recommended. For advanced reservations to Lombard’s Seafood Grille, call 407-224-3613.

If you are planning to extend your Valentine’s Day activities out until the weekend at Universal, you will want to be sure to hit up Universal Studios Florida on Saturday, February 16 for the Mardi Gras Celebration. Each Saturday from February 2-April 19, the streets of Universal come alive with a special Mardi Gras parade, live music – and of course – those famous beads! On February 16, Sara Evans will take the stage to perform for the guests at Universal Studios Florida, and the best part about the whole celebration is that it is included with theme park admission!

Islands of Adventure, also open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, offers thrill seekers the perfect day full of adventure, as some of the top roller coasters and attractions in the country are located here, including the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Dueling Dragons and the Incredible Hulk Coaster. And after you have worked up an appetite on these rides, you can head over to one of the most highly coveted sit-down restaurants in all of Orlando for a dining experience that is second to none! Mythos Restaurant, which has been given the Theme Park Insider Award as the best theme park restaurant for the past four years, features fresh, contemporary cuisine, a full bar including wine selection, family favorites like fresh salads, wood-fired oven pizzas and burgers and elaborate dishes of fish, seafood and steaks. Reservations can be made at this restaurant, and even if you are not visiting the theme park, you can still dine here by leaving a credit card at the gate and staying inside the park for only a certain window of time.

Whether you are planning on visiting Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure (or both!) on Valentine’s Day this year, remember that you can see it all for less if you purchase your tickets right here at DWTickets.com! Click here to get your discounted tickets today!

Makahiki Luau at SeaWorld

SeaWorld Orlando has a great dinner show that is fun for the whole family. The Makahiki Luau Dinner Show at SeaWorld features delicious food, dancing, audience participation, and many other spectacular events that make this outing one to remember. From fire dancing by the "Big Kahuna" to sensational grilled mahi mahi and BBQ ribs, this dinner attraction is definitely worth checking out while in Orlando. Makahiki Luau has some very talented hula dancers and entertainment and this attraction is something you can take anyone to. It is a great place to take a date, excellent entertainment for a large group or family, and most importantly the atmosphere is extremely festive and has a lot to offer.

Orlando has many different dinner shows all with something special and unique to offer, but Makahiki Luau at SeaWorld is one event which will leave a memorable and lasting impression for everyone to remember. The food is top-notch, the show is exciting, and the tropical atmosphere is truly delightful. This is one of the most entertaining, electrifying and fulfilling shows in Orlando, and I urge you to check it out. Have a great weekend, and see you in Orlando.

Events Going on In and Around Orlando

TGIF - this is your official DW Blog Man wishing everyone a very happy Friday and a great weekend. Just wanted to share some new and exciting events that are happening around Orlando. First of all, Congratulations are in order for the Orlando Magic, who have made the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2003. The Orlando Magic will be playing the Detroit Pistons in the 1st Round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs, and will be hosting two games in Orlando on Thursday, April 26, and Saturday April 28 at Amway Arena. GO MAGIC !

New in town is the Tommy Bahama Cafe on International Drive. The Tommy Bahama store has been around a while in Pointe Orlando, right in the heart of the tourist district, but now a delicious cafe has opened. The drink specials are great, the food is hearty, and the atmosphere is relaxed. The Flower and Garden Festival is still going strong at EPCOT in Disney World, and will be running until the beginning of June. There is a rumor that SOARIN' at EPCOT will be turned into "SOARIN' over America" by 2008. Currently, the ride is all about the state of California, but the new edition is in the works. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and see you down here in Orlando, Florida !

Orlando Events

Every couple of weeks, Orlando has something special come to town. Since Orlando is the vacation capital of the world, there are always exciting comings and goings that I like to write about from time to time. The Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando Citywalk has concerts and bands coming from time to time. Kenny Loggins is here tomorrow night, and Diana Ross will be in town toward the end of the month. The Walt Disney World Resort is currently running their Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot through June. There were a bunch of Easter-related events going on in the theme parks over the past weekend, with celebrity guest speakers and great food. There will be a new themed weekend for Cinco de Mayo (May 4-6, 2007) where you can salute in the holiday with some cool bands and great Latin-inspired food. Disney World will have a Mother's Day celebration May 11-13 of this year, which has been a time-honored tradition. Shaquille O'Neal and the World Champion Miami Heat will come into town to take on the Orlando Magic next week, and anytime "SHAQ" comes to town, you know that is going to be a blast. Sea World has a new family member as baby Shamu was born last month. That is the 9th Killer Whale born at Sea World -Orlando over the past 15 years. As your official DW Blog Man, I just wanted to give everyone the run-down on upcoming events, so get down to Orlando, Florida and experience the magic with your friends and family today!