PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call

The Disney Cruise Line's unique facilities and programs — along with its hallmark, first-class customer service — mean full ships and happy cruisers. The 2010 edition of Jennifer and Dave Marx's guide offers an unprecedented level of detail about the Disney Line and its ports, including in-depth coverage of the line’s 2010 Special Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries and stopovers. It's all here, from menus to detailed deck plans, daily activities to shore excursions and extensive port-of-call coverage. Nearly 100 original photographs and more than 20 maps, charts, and worksheets help cruisers make the most of their experience.
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Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2011

Get the most accurate information on prices, changes, and new attractions for Walt Disney 2010. Highlights include the scoop on "Magical Beginnings," Walt Disney World's specially tailored, money-saving vacation plan by Birnbaum for families with pre-schoolers, and updates on Pleasure Island's new venues, eateries, and shopping opportunities.

This new edition of Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World, the most respected and well-known name in travel guides, is ready to take readers to the world’s most popular tourist attraction.Detailed accounts of all that's new in the World, including shows, attractions, and restaurants. Readers will relish in insider coverage of the latest eateries on the WDW scene, such as Paradiso 37 (Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island), Kouzzina by Cat Cora (BoardWalk resort), and Portobello (Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island). Also featured are updates on the ever-popular Disney Dining Plan and tips on how to book tables at popular WDW restaurants before everyone else does.

We all may think that Disneyland is only about fun, excitement, and activity – but we would be wrong. Disneyland is also about relaxation with pleasure,eateries and shopping. The pampering you receive at Disneyland may  be the same that you would receive at a world class spa, but it is relaxing and makes you feel special .

For guests who want to "plus" their vacation, this year's guide contains an insider's look at new theme-park-alternative adventure opportunities, such as hot air ballooning, archery, stock-car-driving, and more. It also includes updated tips and coverage of "Disney After Dark"—including lounges, dance clubs, karaoke, and other nightlife scenarios. With new photographs of favorite attractions and WDW landmarks, and more money-saving coupons than ever before, this guide is a must-have for every Disney World guest!
(288 pages,  $9.90)

Best Packages On Disney World Vacation

For vacationers, a trip to Disney World is always enticing, but now more than ever, people are clamoring for Disney’s vacation packages. Compared to past rates, which were criticized for actually being higher than the cost of buying components of a package individually, today’s vacation deals are not only convenient – but economical too.

There are several different vacation packages to choose from for 2010. The 2010 Magic Your Way Vacation Package is the most affordable and it includes accommodations at the Disney Resort, the Magic Your Way Base Ticket (which grants entrance to one theme park per day and can be upgradeable to a “park hopper” ticket as well), and a Magic Plus option or with an extra cost, a No Expiration option.

Likewise, if you (or your travel agent) books a package online, a Disney Photopass will accompany it, and is essentially a voucher for a 5” x 7” photo of you and your fellow vacationers, snapped by a professional photographer. Other goodies that you can qualify for online include a meal voucher for Planet Hollywood Dining and Merchandize. The voucher can be exchanged for an entrée and non-alcoholic beverage from a select menu.

Another vacation deal is the 2010 Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining and it includes accommodations to Disney owned and operated hotels and the opportunity to experience several unique dining locations across the Walt Disney World Resort. Every day, at participating Walt Disney World restaurants, you can receive one table service meal with an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage, one counter service meal with entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage, and one snack (ice cream, popcorn, medium soft drinks, etc).

Disney’s Magic Your Way Premium Package is a fancier, deluxe package and includes just about everything: hotel accommodations, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and unlimited access to golf, miniature golf, water sports and other recreations. Also, purchasers of this package are admitted to Cirque du Soleil’s exciting La Nouba, and various park tours and the like. As well, children from four to twelve years old can participate in selected resorts at the Disney Children Activity Center.

The grandest package of all is Disney’s Magic Your Way Platinum Package. In addition to the benefits of the premium package (like hotel stay, breakfast, lunch, dinner, recreation, and a ticket to Cirque du Soleil), you will also receive a spa treatment, extra recreational opportunities – including private golf lessons, a reserved seat to the exciting fireworks show Fantasmic!, unlimited childcare in the Child Activity Centers, a ride on the Fireworks Cruise, itinerary planning services, in-room child care, the Platinum Plan keepsake, and turndown service.

For groups of eight or more, there is a special package called Grand Gatherings. There are extraordinary benefits offered here that small groups simply can’t take part in – special events can be booked, like the International Dinner and Illuminations Desert Reception, Safari Celebration Dinner, Good Morning Gathering, and Magical Fireworks Voyage.

Nevertheless, an important thing to know is that standard full-price Disney vacation packages presented by tour operators are convenient, but there are no “bargain” prices. More often, Disney World packages are to be purchased through Walt Disney Travel Company or the WDTC.

Disney World Vacation And Savings Travel Guide.

Walt Disney World On A Hot Summer Day

Orlando is a hot part of the earth and come summer the humidity and temperature can reach triple digits. Worse still, weeks of heat occur exactly when school is out and families head to Walt Disney World. No one in her right frame of mind considers heat, humidity and crowd a great combo, but with some planning, your family’s summer vacation to Disney World can still be fun.

Staying at an on-property Disney hotel is a good start. You can commute to the parks in air-conditioned comfort using Disney bus, monorail or water transportation. This is definitely a better choice than driving a car that has been baking in the sun for hours.

Another incentive for staying on a Disney property is that you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour. On designated days, a Walt Disney World theme park will open an hour early for Disney Resort guests only. With that extra hour, you have time to take a break during the afternoon for a swim or a nap. Some resorts even have water activities, such as water skiing and surfing lessons, which are perfect for a hot day.

Pack a few water-mister fans. These little gizmo's are life-savers. It’s fun to buy the Mickey version in the park, but why pay $15 a pop if you can get them at Wal-Mart for $4.95 each? Kids will be fighting over them, so getting a few of them cheaply and packing additional batteries to go is a smart choice.

If you have a Park-Hopper Pass, cool down by visiting the water parks. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer lots of fun for the whole family in the form of slides or raft rides. The water parks get crowded in a hot day pretty fast, so if you arrive at 11 am or after, expect plenty of queuing in the hot sun.

This is obvious, but crucial to mention nonetheless: dress light and wear sandals. Most theme-park guidebooks advise proper shoes and socks, but with the heat and humidity, wrapping your feet in socks isn’t actually going to help.

Remember to drink plenty of water. If someone in your group does get dehydrated, get to the First Aid Station. Each Disney theme park has one.

This is the best tip, which is why I’m saving it for the last. If you have tots, let them set the pace. Kids get cranky easily in the heat. This is more so considering that while you are looking at castles, they are in a hot stroller with nothing interesting at eye level. So if the kids are tired, head to somewhere with air-conditioning, have a break in a restaurant, or do anything that allows everyone to cool down.