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Showing posts from February, 2020

Photo Tour: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Part 1

Hello wizards, witches and muggles!  Today let's take a little photo journey through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. First, as any new Hogwarts student would do, let's head to Diagon Alley located in Universal Studios Florida for some school supplies and to explore.  The Knight Bus and Grimmauld Place indicate that you might be getting warmer.  Upon a closer inspection between a book store and a record shop, you see a sign that looks old to the unassuming passerby, but indicates that the Leaky Cauldron is on the other side. Upon entering through the secret courtyard, you are greeted with fun stores of all colors and magical mystery.  Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is hard to miss with their larger than life mascot tipping his hat to you.  Here you will also find Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and Shutterbutton's Studio among other shops.  When you look overhead, you might just catch a glimpse of a fire-breathing dragon gu

Paradiso 37 Dining Review

Paradiso 37 is one of the many restaurants in Disney Springs.  It is located in The Landing on the water and has some lovely views of the lake and Aerophile (formerly Characters in Flight).  The restaurant is described as "taste of the Americas" so there's a little bit of everything to please any appetite!  We stopped by for lunch on a weekend and had no problem getting a table for four without a reservation. The area we sat in was light and airy with some fun decor on the walls. Perfect for a lunch break.  A snapshot of the menu. Tables and decor View from our table. We started off with a pitcher of margaritas for the adults to share. These margaritas were very typical, nothing special but the price point was right! Nice and refreshing as well with the fresh squeeze of lime.  We all ordered something a little different for our entrees.  The food came out nicely paced and everything was good. Southwest Fajita Salad Crisp tortilla bowl, mi

2020 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – Outdoor Kitchens

Hello Epcot Festival fans!  Disney has recently announced the 2020 Outdoor Kitchen menus for the International Flower and Garden Festival. This year's festival runs from March 4th through June 1st 2020. This post is meant to be informative only, if you are looking for our take on some of the food and drink offerings from 2019, look here:  Flower and Garden Festival: Treats and Eats  Part One  |  Part Two .  Those posts are also full of yummy photos of some of the returning favorites.  As a little teaser, two of my personal favorite returning booths are Florida Fresh and the Honey Bee-stro. A lot of the Outdoor Kitchens will seem familiar as we have a lot of returning favorites this year, with one new addition coming - Magnolia Terrace.  KA means the dishes are Kid Approved and GF indicates the dish is Gluten Free. Read on to find out more about this year's Outdoor Kitchens and menus and let us know what you are excited to try in the comments! Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Marke

Agent Spotlight - Ashley

Get to know Agent Ashley in this week's Agent Spotlight Name: Ashley Lehman Kingdom Konsultant Travel Find me on Facebook: @ashleykingdomkonsultant Instagram: @vacationsbyashley I specialize in...  Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Disneyland Resort, Universal Orlando Resort Where do you call home? Cary, North Carolina but I’m originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland What was your dream job when you were 10 years old? Art Teacher Why did you become a travel agent? I’m a planner by nature and love everything Disney. When I realized that I could share my passion for planning Disney vacations, I knew I needed to become a travel agent! Ashley and family on Disney Cruise Line Favorite vacation destination? Walt Disney World but Disney Cruise Line is a very close second. This or that: Monorail or Skyliner: Monorail Mickey pretzel or Mickey ice cream: Mickey pretzel Star Wars or Avatar: Star Wars Rollercoaster or dar

Agent Spotlight - Marie

Meet Agent Marie in this week's Agent Spotlight. Name:​  Marie Bertini Kingdom Konsultant Travel Find me on Facebook:  @Marie Bertini WDWMagic.com:  @WannabeBelle I specialize in…  Good question, Mostly Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity with a dash of some other stuff Where do you call home?  I am a New York Girl!! What was your dream job when you were 10 years old?  Teacher, I always admired the ones I had in school Why did you become a travel agent?  To help people have the best vacation possible Favorite vacation destination?  Anywhere is great with the right company!! Usually someplace warm is the preference. This or that:  Walt Disney World or Disneyland:  Walt Disney World  Caribbean cruise or Mediterranean cruise:  Caribbean so far, Talk to me once I get a few more things off the bucket list!!  Monorail or Skyliner:  Skyliner!!  Star Wars or Avatar:  So Far Avatar, Talk to me after I get to experience Rise of the Res

Ears the News: February 14, 2020 Edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Ears the News Brought to you by our friends at  WDWMagic.com The water playground at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort will be closing for refurbishment early next week.    Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com  The refurbishment is expected between February 10 and March 20, with a reopening on March 21 2020. The resort's other pools will remain open as normal, and there will be transportation to the nearby Polynesian Resort for those guests wishing to use a splash playground. Operating hours for the first two weeks of March 2020 have been extended at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com March 1 - 14 2020 now sees the park opening at 8am, and hour extension from the previously posted 9am openings. You can see the updated operating hours on our Walt Disney World calendar. Disney moved to early openings at the Studios alongside the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which continues to use v

Top 5 Romantic Experiences at Walt Disney World

Have you dreamed of a romantic getaway with your sweetheart... and Mickey Mouse?  You are not alone!  Many adults and couples travel kid-free and experience a romantic side of Walt Disney World.  Here are our Top 5 ways to spend time with your sweetie at Walt Disney World. 5. Watch fireworks from a more secluded location Main Street U.S.A might have a fabulous view of Happily Ever After, but that also means it is super crowded, not the most romantic feeling to be crowded in by people and families on all sides.  Wander over to Fantasyland, Liberty Square, or Frontierland. Fireworks with a Haunted Mansion perspective 4. Stroll the World Showcase My favorite times at World Showcase are just after 11am when it opens, or late at night after the fireworks have ended.  You'll get more time to explore and things will actually be open if you start at 11am, and you will enjoy lower crowds until about 12pm as people start to finish their time in Future World and head on back for de