Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort - Opens Soon

Nearly 38 years after Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened its doors, its modern Disney Vacation Club addition, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is scheduled to welcome guests on Aug. 4. This will be the seventh Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort.

All 15 stories of the ultra-sleek design continue the original building’s iconic style, which opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park Oct. 1, 1971. Bay Lake Tower complements and pays homage to Disney’s Contemporary Resort while also offering a variety of new amenities and conveniences – kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, and other homelike amenities. In addition, most of the 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas in the crescent-shaped tower offer spectacular views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom.

Bay Lake Tower, like all DVC resorts, blends Disney magic with elegant design and premier accommodations. DVC members – and, based on availability, overnight Walt Disney World guests staying at Bay Lake Tower – can choose from a number of recreation activities and facilities, including a children’s interactive water play area, Bay Cove Pool, a barbeque pavilion, a Community Hall and two nearby tennis courts.

For easy access to Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s restaurants, merchandise shops and the monorail, the Sky Way Bridge takes members and guests from the fifth floor of Bay Lake Tower directly to the fourth floor Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The opening of Bay Lake Tower is an exciting chapter in the history of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. “Our resort motto is ‘Where Tradition Touches Today,’ and the marriage of our iconic resort with this elegant new Disney Vacation Club offering is a perfect example,” said Thea Sargent, general manager of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. “Plus, with all of the enhancements we have made to the resort over the last few years – from costumes and landscaping to restaurants and merchandise locations – we offer our overnight guests and DVC members an unparalleled ‘contemporary’ resort experience. I think this kind of evolution is exactly what Walt Disney envisioned for our resort.”

Bay Lake Tower is the third Disney Vacation Club offering to open at Walt Disney World Resort this year, following the first phase of Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. What excites me most about this tremendous growth is that we’re not only creating new accommodations but new experiences for our Disney Vacation Club members as well as our resort guests,” said DVC President Jim Lewis. “Each of the projects we’ve undertaken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously available in our resort portfolio, and Bay Lake Tower proudly builds on that tradition.”

A Little Extra Disney Magic

How often do you buy a TV or an item for your family and then several months later, get an email or call from the company saying that your item went on sale and you are getting a refund. In my life, that has never happened! However, all day today that is what we did for our guests that booked a Disney World vacation. Disney just released a new discount package that includes one of the Disney Dining Plans for free. Our entire office spent the time to call Disney and personally to change all of the Disney World Packages (that were already booked with a deposit) to this new promotion. We then contacted our guests to let them know we were able to book this new discount and saved them hundreds to thousands of dollars. One of the family wedding groups we had booked, saved over $3,500 with this new discount.

In a time when everyone ones to save as much money as possible on everything, isn't it nice to know you have someone on your side watching to make sure you get the best possible price on your trip (even after you paid for it). That is just one of the services we provide our guests everyday. For more information about our agency or the new Disney World Package, visit our website at Destinations in Florida Travel.

Why Stay at a Disney Resort

For many guests, the benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World owned-and-operated resort begins before arrival to Disney World. And for all guests, the benefits and perks combine to make vacation magic 24 hours a day – whether at a Disney Value Resort designed for budget-minded vacationers … or at a Disney Deluxe Resort or Deluxe Villa offering lavish amenities.

Disney resort hotels are designed to provide a lot more than a pillow beneath guests’ heads. They are created to immerse guests in a continuation of the worry-free vacation magic and adventures of the Disney parks. Thus the hotels have themes celebrating the long ago or the far-away or even the world of imagination where toys can be bigger than people.

Walt Disney World Resort offers a broad range of accommodations – 23 resorts that vary in price, allowing guests to pay for only the amenities that are important to them. Disney Value resort guests are treated to larger-than-life theming, swimming pools and playgrounds, arcade rooms and standard amenities – and with more than 8,000 rooms at four resorts, about one-third of Disney’s hotel accommodations fall into the Value category. Families who prefer the great outdoors can rent a campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (with nearly 800 available) and either pitch a tent or bring along an RV. Moderate resorts, Deluxe resorts and Deluxe Villa resorts are available for guests who prefer additional amenities during their stay.

Consistent among all 23 Disney owned-and-operated hotels is staff trained in the Disney way of friendly helpfulness. Also consistent: perks and benefits that add value to the vacation experience. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why Disney hotels are so popular with vacationers:

• Disney's Magical Express Shuttle Service - Free shuttle service from the Orlando International Airport
• Disney's Magical Express Baggage Handling - Disney will pick up your luggage from the airport and deliver it to your resort room
• Disney Transportation - Excellent transportation around the Walt Disney World Resort
• Extra Magic Hours - Enjoy extra time at the Disney Theme Parks just for Disney Resort guests
• Golf Club Rentals - A new free perks allows guests staying at a Disney Resort to get access to the golf club rentals for no additional cost
• Key to the World Card - One card that is used as your room key, tickets, Dining Plan, incidentals, and ID. All in one card!
• Package Delivery - Purchase any souvenirs at the Disney Theme Parks and they will deliver it back to the gift shop at your Disney Resort for free. You never have to carry around another bag at the Disney Theme Parks again.

For more information about the benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort, contact our Disney World Specialists.

One of our favorite activities while visiting the Disney World Resorts or the Disney Theme Parks is looking for Hidden Mickeys. A Hidden Mickey is a Mickey Mouse shape with the head and two ears. These Hidden Mickeys are placed around the Walt Disney World Resort by Imagineers. Here is a picture of the new Sanaa Restaurant at Kidani Village at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Do you see the Hidden Mickey?

Secret Staterooms on a Disney Cruise Vacation

Everyone loves an upgrade! You can pay for a less expensive inside room and get an upgrade to the next category or even book an inside stateroom and get an upgrade to a view. This picture on the left is an example of the inside stateroom with an oceanview.

When booking your Disney Cruise vacation, booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner gives you that extra edge. Our agents are experts in booking Disney Cruise vacations. We know the best deck, perfect stateroom for adults, and even the secret staterooms like the inside staterooms with a view.

That is one of the reasons you book with us. We know all of the insider secrets to help you get the best possible deal and special upgrades. Next time you are considering a Disney Cruise vacation, contact us first. Our agents will find you the best deal and add some extra magic into your cruise vacation.

For more information, contact us at Destinations in Florida Travel.

New Pool at Kidani Village at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort

The newest resort at Walt Disney World is the Villas at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort or also called Kidani Village at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. This new resort is amazing, but the true highlight is the pool. The pool area is one of the best pools at Walt Disney World with lots of fun activities for the kids. Here are some pictures from a recent visit to the Kidani Village pool at Walt Disney World.

Part of the splash park area for the kids

These are water jets that pop up around the splash park

Picture of the big pool for kids and adults

View of the rocks and waterfall (waterslide is one the other side)

More splash park area with the character snakes in the background

Relaxing hot tub for adults

For more information about Kidani Village or the Walt Disney World Resorts, contact our Disney World Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel.

Deck Party on the Disney Cruise

Once you board the Disney Cruise Ship, the party begins! Every Disney Cruise kicks off with a Deck Party as the ship leaves Port Canaveral. You can dance, sing, and see your favorite Disney Characters in this celebration. You can also meet your Disney Crew from the Captain to the Recreation Staff to keep the party running the whole cruise. Here are some fun pictures from a recent Disney Cruise for our agents:

For more information about specials or booking a Disney Cruise vacation, contact our Disney Cruise Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel.

Disney World Tip of the Day

The Disney World Tip of the Day comes from Disney Theme Park Cast Members at Magic Kingdom. Since they work at the parks where you are visiting, you know they have some good tips to beating the crowds at the Theme Parks. The Disney Tip of the Day is....(drumroll)...visit more popular rides during the parades or fireworks. If you have seen the parades or fireworks at Magic Kingdom, spend that valuable time hitting a more popular ride like Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain instead of watching another parade or fireworks. Since most of the people are waiting for the parade or fireworks to start, this is a great time to hit the more popular attractions at Magic Kingdom Park.

Get the Kids Excited About a Disney World Vacation

Go on...I know you want to yell it, "We're Going to Disney World!" So, you booked your trip and now you wait until it is time to go on your vacation. Why not make the waiting fun, too! You can get the kids involved at home and have some fun while you countdown your trip to Disney World. Here are some of our favorite family activities to help countdown to your Disney World vacation:

Have a movie night - Find your favorite Disney Classic movie or Disney-Pixar movie, pop some popcorn, and have a Disney Movie Night. Just calling it Disney Movie Night will get everyone excited!

Plan you Theme Park days - Pull out the guide maps to the Disney Theme Parks and have each family member pick out their favorite 3 rides to enjoy during your vacation. This will help maximize your time at the parks by hitting only the family's favorites and will get everyone excited about your trip.

Have a Themed Dinner - My youngest loves Alice in Wonderland! We will often have a night that we call the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party. We make sandwiches, fruit, and tea punch. We find out favorite hats and all join in on the fun!

Decorate your Car - If you are driving, go buy some shoe polish (the stick kind) and let the kids decorate your windows with fun sayings like "Mickey Mouse here we come" or "Running on Tinkerbell Dust". The kids will love decorating your car and it will wash right off with the rain or water.

Planning a Disney World vacation can be as much fun as visiting Disney World. Plan some fun activities at home to get the whole family ready for a Walt Disney World vacation. For more tips, contact our Disney World Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel.

Diana Exhibit at Downtown Disney

Hundreds of royal artifacts are on view in "DIANA - The People's Princess," a limited-time experience showcasing the life and story of Diana, Princess of Wales -- open now at Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort. The exhibition includes royal dresses Diana chose to auction for charity, photos and personal effects. "DIANA - The People's Princess" will be on display through Nov. 30, 2009. Tickets may be purchased at the exhibit - $14.50 for ages 10 and older, $5 for ages 3-9.

Enjoy Food? Plan a Disney World Vacation with Free Meals During Epcot Food & Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a free event held this year from September 25-November 8. This event is free with your paid admission into Epcot. You will enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces including Bologna, Italy, Bangkok, Thailand, Wellington, New Zealand, Santiago, Chile, Marrakesh, Morocco, Shanghai, and China. You will also enjoy entertainment including the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series.

To make this event even more tasty, plan on visiting in late September and you can enjoy your meals during your Disney World vacation for free. From August 16-October 3, Disney is offering the Basic Dining Plan for free with a Magic Your Way Package. This means you can get free meals and enjoy a free event during your Disney World vacation! For more information on the International Food & Wine Festival, contact our agents at Destinations in Florida Travel. For more information about the Magic Your Way Package plus Free Dining, click here.

Keeping Kids Cool at Walt Disney World

During these hot summer months at Disney World, keep your kids cool with interactive fountains at some of the Disney Theme Parks and even Downtown Disney. The interactive fountains are a great way to keep kids cool and are lots of fun! The fountains jump around in specific patterns and the tire floor keeps their feet comfortable.

Pack the kids swimsuits, just in case you want to take a break to let the kids play in the fountains at Epcot or just spend some cool time at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

New Pirate Adventure at Walt Disney World

The Pirates League is the newest buccaneer adventure in the Magic Kingdom, featuring makeovers that turn theme park guests into savvy swashbucklers. Depending on the pirate package, a trained Pirate Master can transform boys, girls (ages 3 and up) and grownups into pirates, buccaneers and maidens using facial effects, fake scars, removable teeth, hats, bandanas and other costume accessories. Included in each of the three packages offered: a sword and sheath, earring and eye patch, temporary tattoo, exclusive pirate coin necklace, map case folder, a personalized pirate oath and a pirate portrait. Packages start at $49.95 plus tax. Contact one of our Disney Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel for more information.