Tag Archives: disney

Disney Springs has Sprung!

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The new look Disney Springs

Disney-Springs

Disney Springs, Orlando

Previously known as Down town Disney, Orlando.

Over the last couple of years we have seen huge developments around one of our favourite places to hang out – Disney Springs, Orlando.

The Walt Disney World resort offers plenty to do with the family with a pinch of Disney fairy dust, just so you don’t forget where you are!  With over 180 waterside places to eat, shopping and entertainment you can easily fill a day here or spend just a few hours to get your retail fix on your days off away from the parks, not forgetting the all year long Christmas store in the Marketplace.

From fine dining to prehistoric entertainment in the T-Rex dinosaur-themed café, face painting for the kids (any age!) or a dockside margarita there is really is something for everyone!

T-Rex

T-Rex Cafe at Disney Springs

There is a huge amount of new parking facilities or simply catch one of the Walt Disney World complimentary buses or boats.

If you have a free day in your Orlando holiday, this really is a great place to visit if you are looking for an exciting and busy atmosphere. We’d highly recommend booking a table before hand if you are limited to time or be aware it can get busy and you may have to wait for something to eat – more so if you wanting to eat at a particular place but you can check in and be sent away with a time slot or buzzer when your table is ready. There are plenty of places to pick up snacks, coffees and ice cream as you go… Did i mention the margaritas ;0)

If not a great day with the weather or you fancy staying out into the night, you could watch a movie and have a bite to eat at the same time in the 24 dine-in theatres. A great way to entertain the teens in your group, along with the new NBA Experience that has just replaced the DisneyQuest with hands-on activities and interactive experiences.

Like most things in America, Disney Springs is on the large scale so don’t be fooled into thinking you’ve seen it all! There are pathways and bridges between the 3 areas and you can even catch a ferry across the lake from one end to the other.

  • The Marketplace is the main shopping area with stores like World of Disney and The LEGO Store.
  • What was previously known as Pleasure Island is now where restaurants and shops largely operate, and is located in the middle. Have you got space in your suitcases for all your shopping! www.disneysprings.com/shops
  • The West Side is on the far side of Disney Springs, and is where more of the third party entertainment, shopping, and dining options are at.

We have been here many times when our little boy was too young to appreciate the parks but we all felt like we had a fix of Disney!

So who is off to Disney Spring this year? Check it out… www.disneysprings.com

EXPLORE #DISNEYSPRINGS

disney

No escape from Disney!

 

Florida theme park news

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Attractions coming in 2014

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney’s Lego Sculpture

As if visiting Florida wasn’t already awesome, here are some new Florida theme park attractions coming or rumoured in 2014.

Magic Kingdom

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Spring)
  • Festival of Fantasy Parade (Spring)

Disney

  • Brand-New Festival of the Lion King Theatre (actually 2013);
  • Additions to Downtown Disney / Disney Springs

Universal Studios and Resort

  • London and Diagon Alley (spring)
  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort (soon)
  • New restaurants and shops coming to CityWalk

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens and Aquatica

  • A Sea of Surprises (special year-long event starting from January 2014 at SeaWorld Orlando);
  • Falcon’s Fury (next spring/summer at Busch)
  • I-Drive Live (2014 / 2015)
  • A new slide for Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Water Park (Spring);

LegoLand

  • A new themed area at Florida LEGOLAND

 

Is Tuscan Ridge too far from Disney? No!

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Is Tuscan Ridge too far out from Disney?

Definitely not!

On a map it looks like it will take longer to get to the Florida theme parks than an area such as Kissimmee, but in reality it’s so well connected to the I-4 that you can get to the gates in under 15 minutes. The problem with Kissimee and travelling on the 192 (from east or west) is the lights, and traffic. Hit every red light and you’ll be wishing you were on the Interstate. Hit every red light for the fourth day in a row on the 192 and you’ll wish you weren’t on holiday at all! It’s so much more relaxing to whizz down the 27, over to the I4, then up to Disney. Traffic flows well, it’s a more consistent drive, and only one or two lights to contend with on your way to the Interstate. You can stop off at the nice Championsgate shopping area and Publix to stock up on essentials too.

So in short, Tuscan Ridge is a great place to stay and close to drive to Disney, Golf, Seaworld and Universal Studios.

Much better to get a quiet and perfect villa like Dave’s Florida Villa than be 3 minutes closer to Disney in a compromised villa. Book now!

Tuscan Ridge official HOA page

Will Florida Hurricanes spoil my holiday in Orlando? Unlikely!

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June to November is officially Florida Hurricanes Season, but would this impact your holiday at all?

In short, the vast majority of people are not affected. Good news. Chances are very slim that your holiday will be spoilt.

Disney Land is over 1 hour from any coast – hurricanes tend to lose power when they hit land. Most Florida hurricanes hit coastal areas the hardest.

Walt Disney World theme parks have only ever closed for short periods in 1999 and 2004. They also have a policy for when their parks close, same as Busch Gardens.

If you are worried, buy insurance for peace of mind, specifically for Florida hurricanes cancellation. You can visit the national hurricane center website too, for predictions.

Hurricane Insurance link

We’ve been to Florida several times, and had no disruption at all. Indeed most holidays could be affected by bad weather.

Florida Hurricanes on wiki