Image courtesy Walt Disney World Resort
I am consistently blown away by the creativity, ingenuity, and execution of every new project developed by Disney Imagineers. Currently, they are hard at work on the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history, the all new Fantasyland. When completed, it will double the land’s size and help bring to life three classic Disney films in the process. Recently, I was privileged to have the opportunity to go behind the Disney barriers, don a hard hat, and catch a glimpse of Disney magic in the making. Seeing the expansion partially built such a neat experience (unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to take pictures to share) and got me even more excited about the future of the Magic Kingdom.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom knows that the former park’s Fantasyland has had the leg up when it comes to atmosphere and the character of its buildings. Nobody recognizes the importance of detail better than Disney and the new Fantasyland will bring incredible depth and detail to every new experience. Imagineers are building a region of the park that will take guests beyond the Cinderella’s castle walls and into a village filled a new set of fairy tale fantasies.
The Storybook Circus has come to town and the star of the show is a Disney classic, Dumbo. Guests stepping off the train at the newly remodeled Fantasyland Station (designed to look like Carolwood Park of Walt Disney’s childhood) will find evidence of elephants in the footprints and “peanut shells” stamped into the ground. Previous waits for Dumbo have been both slow and hot! Luckily, Disney has gone to great lengths to improve this experience by building mirror image Dumbo rides with an air-conditioned and interactive queue which winds through a circus tent. The first revamped Dumbo is currently operating and the second Dumbo, the interactive queue, and Casey Jr.’s Splash ‘n’ Soak Station (perfect for that hot and humid Florida summer) will open in July.
Image courtesy Walt Disney World Resort
Have a favorite ride in Magic Kingdom? Write a review and share your scoop!
Several new attractions beyond the castle walls are scheduled to open in time for the holidays. High up on the hill will sit Beast’s Castle, home to Be Our Guest, magical dining experience themed after the iconic scene from Beauty and the Beast. Below in the village a statue of Gaston will stand in the center, commissioned by Gaston and given to the town in honor of himself, in true Gaston style. The village will include Enchanted Tales with Belle which will be a storytelling venue, Gaston’s Tavern, and some shops. Those who love The Little Mermaid will be happy to know that a new ride featuring Ariel and her friends is coming soon. Guests will pass through Prince Eric’s Castle on their way to Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, which will be similar to the popular new ride at Disney California Adventure. It will take guests through the story of Little Mermaid in classic Fantasyland storytelling-style and be appropriate for all ages.
Images courtesy Walt Disney World Resort
Finally, scheduled to be open by early 2014 is The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a ride that is sure to go down in Disney history. This family-friendly coaster will take a swaying tour of the mine utilizing new ride technology and featuring amazing detail. The dwarf cottage will serve as the entry to this new ride and rumor has it, a Princess meet and greet will replace the current Snow White ride in Fantasyland. I can hardly wait!
Are you as excited about the new Fantasyland as we are? Share your thoughts and leave a comment.
Disclosure: I visited Walk Disney World Resort as part of a press tour.All opinions are my own.
Sharlene Earnshaw is Trekaroo’s Editor in Chief.
Today we decided to mix things up and bring you an episode of The Go To Mom. Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA MFT, and founder of www.TheGoToMom.TV shares her family’s love of the Sony cyber-shot and experiences at Osprey at Beaver Creek.
This year my family went to Colorado for a little fun. I took to the ice this time and left the slopes for day two. Thank goodness I brought the Sony cyber-shot TX20 – it’s not only waterproof and freeze proof but you can drop it and no harm no fowl. It is perfect for when your little ones want to use it and you know the inevitable drop is bound to happen! The Osprey at Beaver Creek offers an unforgettable family vacation by creating a modern, luxury hotel experience unlike any other you’ll find in Colorado. The food at the hotel was so good, especially their bread/fried wrapped asparagus! We went tubing and ice skating and shopped for next year’s ski wear in the village. Riding up in the CAT snow plow at NIGHT to BEANOS restaurant/cabin was truly the highlight, it was so fun to be truck up in that big ‘ol machine on the snow at night! With a lift literally right outside our front door, it was so easy to get the kids off to ski school and for mama to hit the slopes. With elegant amenities, exceptional service, and ski in/out lifts, we’ll be sure to come back for years to come! The staff at Vail Resorts were so accommodating and wonderful.
Disclosure: Kimberly Blaine received a complimentary camera from Sony and a free stay at the Osprey in order to film this episode of TheGoToMom.
The newest lodge to be built in the grandeur of the Giant Sequoias is the Wuksachi Lodge. Families will find great accommodations, delicious food in the restaurant, and a playground of outdoor adventures in the majesty of Sequoia National Park.
Photo courtesy of Wuksachi Lodge
The location of this lodge is ideal with majestic views of High Sierra peaks and surrounded by a conifer forest just waiting to be explored on many trails. Large groves of giant sequoia trees, including the “world’s largest tree”: The General Sherman, are within a 10 minute drive. It is located in the heart of Sequoia National Park at 6-7,000 feet elevation, just east of the Central Valley of California. The Wuksachi Lodge is the optimum year-round lodging choice amid campgrounds and a few cabins nearby.
Photo courtesy of Wuksachi Lodge
Don’t assume that visiting a mountainous national park requires camping out in the sticks, when you could enjoy the luxury of a full-service hotel at the Wuksachi Lodge. The main lobby is crafted with cedar and local stone, and offers the only spot in Sequoia National Park with free Wi-Fi, or pretty much any cell service. A full-service restaurant serves delicious meals with special “to go orders” for your family hike. A gift shop, cross-country ski shop and a special event facility are housed in the main lobby. Rooms are stocked with everything you would expect from a great hotel such as a private bath, TVs, telephones, refrigerators, hair dryers, central heat and daily maid service.
Photo courtesy of Wuksachi Lodge
Whether you visit in the winter when the trails are covered with snow and the sledding is the best at Wolverton, or the beautiful summer when you can hike to Tokopah Falls amid the wildflowers, you can enjoy a family-friendly stay at the Wuksachi Lodge
Photo courtesy of Wuksachi Lodge
Resources:
Read my full review of Wuksachi Lodge | Top Picks for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Best Family Activities in Sequoia National Park | Best Kid Friendly Hikes in Sequoia National Park
Best Family Activities in the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park
The Steal: Win a 2-night vacation package at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park, California
Details:
One very lucky winner will receive:
2 night stay for a family of 4 (valid Sun.-Thurs. only; expiration May 7, 2013)
One breakfast buffet
HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
In an effort to make it easier to enter, we are now using Rafflecopter. Simply click on the link below and follow the directions. The more you do, the more entries you will receive!
Have you ever driven through a Bahamian pine forest? Better question, did you know there was such thing as a Bahamian pine forest? Tall, spindly Caribbean pines, bare except for the limbs full of pine needles which hang at the treetops, are doing their best to once again cover the majority of Grand Bahama Island. 40 years ago, Illinois Lumber Company decided to clear cut the entire island, a shining example of the eco-insensitivity of the time. Some stands have been reduced to a collection of tree carcasses standing as reminders of the tidal surge from Hurricane Wilma but most are doing a great job of reclaiming the island’s skyline.
These days, places like Lucayan National Park are prime examples or pristine habitats and incredible beauty. The park features all six of the island’s ecosystems, including beaches, forest, mangroves, and caverns. Just a few steps from the parking lot, a path takes visitors to a series of stairs which lead down to flooded caverns where bats peacefully roost above the entrance to part of one of the largest underwater cave system in the world. Scuba diving opportunities inside the cave are possible by special permit but most of us are left to ponder what mystery lies beyond the cavernous opening.
A boardwalk takes visitors on a short walk over the crystal clear waters of the mangroves which are teeming with tropical fish. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the resident family of raccoons which love to snatch all sorts of aquatic goodies from the water. On my trip to the park, I couldn’t help but be jealous of the kayakers gliding quietly through this unspoiled environment. Viewing the mangroves from above on the boardwalk was certainly a treat but peacefully paddling through an environment that is foreign to most of us seems like an ideal way to explore the ecosystem.
Once across the boardwalk, the Caribbean pines and mangroves give way to a seemingly never-ending stretch of sugary white sand lapped by the clear blue shallows of the Atlantic. Gold Rock Beach is paradise by anyone’s standards. The producers of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise found the locale to be so enchanting that they filmed much of the franchise in this very spot. That’s right ladies, Johnny Depp walked, swam, and sweated all over this West Indies jewel. Swooning aside, Gold Rock Beach is the perfect place to bring a picnic and spend the day. The water is knee deep for at least 100 yards (depending on the tide) and waves are nothing more than a ripple, making it an ideal place for young children to play. Best of all, the beach is long enough for everyone to have their own quiet slice of heaven.
Looking for a place to call home base while in the Bahamas? Check out the Grand Lucayan Resort.
Sharlene Earnshaw is the Editor in Chief of Trekaroo.
Imagine sitting on a lounge chair with your toes dangling in the powdery white sand. Envision yourself sipping on some rum-based cocktail that a fellow vacationer recommended from the beachfront bar while your kids are having the time of their lives jumping off the water trampoline, splashing in the gentle surf, or digging their way to China. Warmed up by the West Indies sunshine? Move over to one of the swimming pools and hang out by the infinity edge, pinching yourself as you take in the incredible ocean view. Tempted to get active and enjoy the Atlantic? Take the ten second stroll over to the rental stand and try your hand at jet skiing, banana boating, or paragliding. Ready for “The Grand Life” yet?
This hammock sits empty, waiting for you!
When many people think of the Bahamas, they think of the Disney-like environment common at the mega resorts near Nassau or see the islands simply as a port stop on a Caribbean Cruise. Recently, I discovered a slice of the Bahamas that fits with the laid back and kid-friendly vibe my family loves. Just a 45 minute hop from Miami, Grand Bahama Island is a great weekend getaway for South Easterners, Spring Break destination for families looking to avoid the Spring Break crowd, or a week long island getaway any time of year. Grand Lucayan Resort offers all the comforts, opportunities, and security of a large resort while keeping the causal island atmosphere that so many of us daydream about after a long week of running our kids to a dozen activities all over town.
Fun fact: It took just ask long to fly to Grand Bahama Island as it takes me to fly to Hawaii. Who knew West Coast residents could reach the West Indies so quick?
The Grand Life
From the moment guests step foot in the open air plantation-style lobby and are greeted by a smiling Bahamian happy to take their luggage, they are happy to embrace the “grand life” motto. The resort assumed this new slogan after dropping its old name, Our Lucayan, for one that more fully reflected the island it calls home. Set on 7.5 acres of pristine beachfront, the resort is ideal for water-loving families who enjoy activities such as swimming (in the four pools or beautiful Atlantic Ocean), parasailing, banana boating, jet skiing, or bouncing on the water trampoline. It is equally perfect for parents that just want to sit on a lounge chair in the sand with a cocktail in hand and the sounds of a steel drum band as their soundtrack as they watch their kids jump the gentle waves.
Rooms are clean and Caribbean-inspired, ranging from standard 400 square foot island view rooms to expansive1600 square foot 2-bedroom suites (like the one Johnny Depp stayed in during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean), but there is so much to do on-property that you won’t find yourself spending much time indoors. Parents looking for some time to enjoy the spa, play tennis, or have a quiet meal with their spouse will be thrilled to know that the resort does have an onsite kids club, Camp Lucaya, for children ages 3-12. At the club kids will swim (there is a wading pool and a pool with a slide), play games, and make crafts for only $10 a day!!! Families interested in enjoying onsite activities together will be thrilled to know that several complimentary organized activities are offered everyday such as yoga, hula hoop contests, bingo, poolside trivia, croquet, scavenger hunts, and volleyball pick-up games.
Location. Location. Location
One of the best things about this resort is its location. It sits on a long stretch of white sand in the heart of the little village of Lucaya. The Lucayan Marketplace is directly across the street and is the perfect place to go souvenir shopping (people keep asking me where I got my new bag. I beam when I get to tell them the Bahamas), pick up duty free items, and check out some eclectic little restaurants (who knew a Greek/Bahamian restaurant even existed?).
UNEXSO, a company specializing in reef dives, shark dives, and dolphin experiences, is also located just across the street. UNEXSO is a great place to have your first or fifth experience because they offer such a wide variety of dolphin encounter opportunities. Families with young or timid children and those not keen on the idea of actually swimming in the water with dolphins will love the Dolphin Close Encounter where guests can step onto a submerged platform (holding their young children if need be) and pet, kiss, and splash with a dolphin. Those looking for a more immersive adventure will the Open Ocean Experience. It is the only program of its kind in the world and allows participants to swim with trained dolphins in an open ocean environment. All experiences include a 15 minute boat ride and the opportunity to let the sea spray hit your face as pinch yourself to remind you that this, in fact,is your reality.
Disclosure: The author attended a press trip to Grand Bahama Island. All opinions are her own.
Sharlene Earnshaw is the Editor in Chief of Trekaroo.
