Activities at Disneyland For Kids

For many kids just going to Disneyland is like a dream come true, especially after watching all of those television commercials and hearing friends who have been there talk about it. Once you enter the magical world of Disneyland you are not going to know where to start because there are just so many fun things to do. To help make the most out of your magical vacation we will discuss some of the more popular activities for kids that you can find inside of Disneyland.

Fantasyland is a great place to visit with kids, especially little girls because everything princess can be found inside Fantasyland. Whether you are looking for Cinderella princess costumes or Belle dress up costumes, you can find what you are looking for inside Fantasyland. One of the best stores to go to inside of Fantasyland is the Once Upon a Time Disney Princess Shoppe because they offer everything princess. Inside the store, you can even find the hard to find Sleeping Beauty princess dress. Not only can you find the Sleeping Beauty princess dress inside the shop, but you can also find all of the accessories that go with the Sleeping Beauty princess dress.

Another great place to visit inside Fantasyland is the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire shop. Inside the shop you are going to find all sorts of princess costumes and dresses, including Cinderella princess costumes and Belle dress up costumes. In addition to the costumes, you are also going to find all of the accessories needed to complete the Disney princess costume. Inside this shop you are going to be able to find everything Disney princess, including t-shirts, nightgowns, sunglasses, and other types of apparel and accessories.

While you and your kids are in the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire shop make sure you stay long enough for your little girls and boys to get a makeover at the salon. With the makeover your little girls' Cinderella princess costumes and Belle dress up costumes are going to take on a life of their own because they will be able to have their hair done in the same style as their favorite princess and even get their makeup done. Little boys can also visit the salon, but rather than coming out looking like a princess they will look like princes.

Once the makeover is complete the next logical step is having their pictures taken. The main thing to remember with the pictures is it will be the dresses that show up the most ion pictures, so if you don't buy the accessories it is no big deal. If possible, try to find the Disney princess that your daughter dressed up as to make the picture and trip even more memorable.

Hong Kong - Disneyland

Opened on September 12, 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland is located on Lantau Island. There is an MTR line that goes to the Disneyland resort from Hong Kong's Sunny Bay Station. Even though it is a lot smaller than other Disneyland parks in other parts of the world, it does have some unique and great attractions. The fifth Disney themed park of its kind, it is owned and run by an incorporated company jointly owned by the Government of Hong Kong and the Walt Disney Company, dubbed the Hong Kong International Theme Parks.

There are four distinct themed lands inside Disneyland. The four themed lands are Main Street, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and U.S.A. Fantasyland. Employees at Disneyland use Chinese and English to communicate with patrons. Cantonese and Mandarin are the main verbal dialects used by employees while park maps are written in English, Japanese and Chinese, both Simplified and Traditional characters.

As the smallest Disneyland theme park, it only has a daily capacity of 34,000 visitors. The resort is 1.3 square kilometres while the park only takes up 0.4 square kilometres. The park has not performed as well as expected and the common reasoning for the lack of expected success is because of the size of the theme park. There are two new theme lands planned for in future additions.

Although the park is smaller then the other four Disneylands, it still is definitely worth the trip, especially if you are in Hong Kong. Make sure to say hi to Mickey and Minnie next time you are in Hong Kong for business or pleasure.

Disneyland Hotel

During the spring of 1954, Walt Disney approached the Texas oil wildcatter and television pioneer Jack Wrather concerning the possibility of building accommodations for the many guests that Walt hoped would flock to his innovative "theme park," then under construction in Anaheim, California. Since the "imagineering" and building of Disneyland was taking nearly every penny that he had, Walt approached Jack, hoping that his long-time friend would be willing to take such a huge risk. Wrather was the producer of Lassie, The Lone Ranger, and Sgt. Preston of the Yukon, popular 1950s television programs.

Originally, Walt had approached Hilton executives and other well-known hotel chains, hoping to convince them to finance the construction of a first-class hotel next to Disneyland. However, the general consensus was that such a venture was too risky. No one was certain that what was quickly becoming known as "Disney's folly" would be successful.

In 1954, Anaheim was a little-known community, largely consisting of orange groves. The entire city had only seven small motels and hotels, accommodating only a total of 87 guests. Wrather admitted at the time that he was somewhat skeptical about building in such a small community (of approximately 30,000), next to an experimental and yet unfinished theme park. His doubts were further increased by the fact that the risky venture had already been turned down by more than one major hotel chain.

Wrather spent several days with Walt Disney, looking into the area's potential for expansion. Legend has it that Walt had tears in his eyes while describing his dream of Disneyland to Wrather. With a sense of adventure, Wrather became convinced that the idea just might be a success. Also, with Walt showing such emotion for and dedication to his project, how could Wrather have resisted?

One of the first discussions between the two friends was where the hotel should be located. Wrather first talked of locating it near the entrance to Disneyland. Walt said, "Jack, our guests aren't going to be thinking about a hotel when they begin their visit to Disneyland. They'll start looking for a room when they leave the park. The best place to build your Hotel is near the Disneyland exit." Wrather agreed with Walt's logic and leased 60 acres of Disney-owned land on West Street directly across from the Disneyland exit. There he built what was to become known as the "Official Hotel of the Magic Kingdom."

On March 18, 1955, Jack Wrather, Bonita Granville Wrather (his wife), and Anaheim Mayor Charles Pearson, using a three-handled shovel, officiated at the groundbreaking for the Disneyland Hotel.

The Disneyland Hotel opened on October 5, 1955, nearly three months after Disneyland's live televised grand opening on July 17, 1955. The first guests registered at a hotel having only 104 guest rooms located in five two-story complexes, built at the southeast corner of the leased property. These were the South Garden rooms, later to be known as the Oriental Gardens. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arnone of Inglewood, California were to be the first guests at the newly opened hotel.

The Disneyland Hotel was the first major resort to be built in Southern California since the early 1940's. However, the number of available rooms quickly proved to be insufficient for the unexpected demand, and 96 more units of the same type were added the following year on the property's northeast section. Built by Hodges and Vergrift Construction Company, this new addition was called the North Garden rooms, later renamed the Garden Villas.

During the first year, room rates ranged from $9 for a standard room to $22 for deluxe quarters. Rooms were advertised as accommodating four people. For an additional adult, there was a $3 charge.

At the same time that construction had begun on the additional garden rooms at the northeastern corner of the property, construction was under way on the Administration Building, which would house a lobby, restaurants, shops, and meeting rooms. The Gourmet Restaurant was opened in a converted ranch house on the property, redesigned by C. Tony Pereira. This converted ranch house had been the original Disneyland administration building.

The original hotel design, by the architectural firm of Pereira and Luckman, called for 300 motel and hotel rooms, suites and garden apartments. Also included were plans for three swimming pools, tennis courts, a golf course, cocktail lounges, and four restaurants. The original blueprints designated a total of 10 buildings in the South Garden or Oriental Garden section. However, only five buildings were actually built.

The opening of the Administration Building (which would later become the Travelport), and the "official" grand opening for the hotel was on August 25, 1956. It was a star-studded grand opening celebration that resembled a Hollywood movie premiere. Celebrities in attendance included Walt Disney, Art Linkletter, William Bendix, Alan Ladd, Sue Caroll, Yvonne DeCarlo, and Jeanne Crain. Also in attendance were as many as three hundred enthusiasts, observing the ribbon-cutting and taking a grand tour of the facilities.

By 1956, there were 204 guest rooms and suites at the Disneyland Hotel. As an added attraction, each garden patio had its own orange tree, a reminder of what the original property had been only a few short years earlier. This had been a part of the original plans when the grounds were being cleared to build the hotel. An additional amenity at this time was the Coral Club which included a huge 45-foot by 75-foot completely tiled and heated swimming pool, wading pools for children of all ages, fountains, sandlots, and a cabana area. The pools were surrounded by lounge furniture for guests' relaxation and so that they might acquire a Southern California tan. One-day laundry and dry cleaning services were available, and a physician and nurse were on call. An 18-hole putting greens and shuffleboard courts were also early inclusions at the Disneyland Hotel.

Guests were able to register for a hotel room from their car or they could go into the lobby for a more traditional method of registration. There were parking spaces for 1000 cars, and parking was free. Also, limo and bus service was provided. Richfield Oil (also the Disneyland sponsor of Autopia) offered full automotive care. Even in the 1950s, every room was equipped with a television set and air conditioning.

During these early years, the attendance at Disneyland was beyond the most optimistic expectations. Even Walt had to be amazed by the overwhelming success of his dream. As a result, the City Council of Anaheim began reviewing plans for other motels and restaurants. Disneyland had proven all the skeptics to be wrong, and Disneyland was destined to bring major changes to what once had been a sleepy, orange grove community.

From the beginning, the Disneyland Hotel was one of the outstanding showplaces of Orange County. Celebrities such as Jack Benny, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Billy Graham, and Cary Grant were often spotted at the hotel. These and other celebrities enjoyed bringing their families for a stay at the hotel and for a trip to Walt's park. Also attracted were business people, coming for luncheons, meetings, and conventions. The Disneyland Hotel quickly had become the place to see and the place to be seen.

Room rates in 1957 were advertised from $10 to $19. SuitesÊwent for between $22 and $25. The hotel's brochures boasted of an assortment of shops, air conditioned rooms, television in every room, pools of all sizes, restaurant and cocktail facilities. Also touted was tram service to Disneyland every five minutes, transportation via a Disneyland station wagon, playgrounds, childcare facilities, barber and beauty shops. Doctor, nurse and even dental facilities were available on the grounds. The brochures further emphasized a private sundeck or patio for every room. Best of all, the Disneyland Hotel was billed as the only hotel right at the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland. Also in the late 1950s, the concept of "seasonal" and "non-seasonal" rates first appeared. Typically, it would cost a dollar or two more for a room during the holidays and summer months (late May through mid September).

By 1959, over 25 hotels and motels had crowded around Disneyland to take advantage of the Park's spectacular drawing power. By 1960, Anaheim had established itself as Orange County's largest city, with a population in excess of 100,000. People were traveling from all areas of the world to visit the "Happiest Place on Earth." Indeed, Anaheim had magically grown from a quiet, small agricultural community into a mecca of tourism, and the boom had only begun. As Walt had promised on opening day, the park continued adding attractions (the Monorail, the Submarine Voyage, and the Matterhorn all opening in 1959); and the hotel continued to grow, having more than 300 rooms by 1960. A 13,000-square foot convention center was also added at that time.

Rates for rooms in 1960 ranged from $10 to $26 a night during the off-season and from $16 to $29 in season, the holidays and the summer months.

At a press conference held in 1960, Jack Wrather and Walt Disney announced plans for the extension of the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System to link the park to the hotel. Walt had long envisioned a rapid transit system for major U.S. cities, and this addition to the Monorail would provide a working model. Dick Nunis, who worked his way up from a summer job in 1955 to become the president of Disneyland in 1980, stated that Walt saw the Monorail as more than just an attraction; Walt saw it as aÊworkable transportation system. He wanted to demonstrate its potential as urban rapid transit, and so he envisioned the monorail's extension to the hotel.

The park's monorail was closed for construction on April 10, 1961. Disneyland also had to closed Autopia to facilitate the installation of new pylons through its grounds. The original 8/10th-of-a-mile track would be extended by 12,300 feet, making it nearly a two-and-a-half mile round-trip journey between the park to the hotel. The cost of the extension was $1.9 million ($500,000 more than the original cost of the Monorail when it was installed at Disneyland less than two years earlier). The construction required more than 118,000 hours of labor, 10,760 tons of sand, 66,700 bags of cement and 702 tons of steel. New style Mark II trains were introduced for the extended Monorail including a new gold colored train. The Monorail, with its extension to the Disneyland Hotel, reopened on June 1, 1961.

Other major expansions were planned for the hotel in the early 1960s. They included a new golf complex featuring an 18-hole, par-three course, a 50-tee driving range, and a miniature golf course with the individual holes named after Disneyland attractions. One of the course favorites was hole #5, which featured a mini replica of the Matterhorn Mountain. Also added at this time was a helicopter landing pad, linking Los Angeles International Airport with Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel. The new facility provided an efficient transportation link for both business people and tourists. Soon, LAA Airways was operating an average of 12 flights per day to and from the airport in its 28-passenger, turbo-jet copter liners.

In 1961, the Wrather Corporation went public, offering 350,000 shares of common stock. President and Chairman of the Board Jack Wrather and the Wrather Corporation had grown to include four major divisions: Television and motion pictures, the Disneyland Hotel, the Muzak Corporation (the often satirized elevator music), and Stephen's Marine, Inc. The company also was involved in management services for various other marine based businesses.

The Anaheim skyline was also about to undergo a major change in 1961 when the concept of "building up" replaced the concept of "building out." At the Disneyland Hotel, an 11-story, high-rise tower was built. This added 150 new guest rooms to the hotel complex. At that time, it was the county's tallest building and the nation's tallest building constructed utilizing the post-tension, lift-slab method. Another exciting innovation was an external, glass elevator, one of only a handful constructed at the time in this country. Its designer, architect Kurt Weber, recalled that the glass elevator offered a dramatic view of the growing community of Anaheim. It also took guests to the Top of the Park Lounge, which featured breathtaking views of Disneyland. The Lounge offered alcoholic beverages and nightly entertainment in a decidedly blues motif. Constructed for the less adventurous was the Monorail Lounge which was located next to the Monorail station on the second floor level. Ground had been broken for the new tower building in October of 1961. The project was completed less than a year later in September of 1962. At that time, two additional Garden structures were also added to the hotel.

In 1962, rates ranged from $17 for a room with a twin bed to $53 for two deluxe and medium adjoining rooms during vacation and holiday seasons, $10 to $47 during off-season. There were new rates for the tower building. A twin-bedded room was priced from $24 vacation rate up to $35 for a room with two double beds. Off-season, tower rooms were priced from $20 to $26.

Orange County celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1964. At a press conference held at the Disneyland Hotel, the announcement was made that Major League Baseball was coming to Anaheim. The Angels would continue to play in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium until their new Anaheim stadium was constructed in approximately two years. During their first year in Anaheim, the Angels would lead the American League in attendance, attracting over one million fans.

By 1964, during vacation and holiday season, room rates were $17 for a single room, $53 for an adjoining deluxe room with a medium room, and $30 for a deluxe room alone. Winter rates were advertised from $10 for a single small room to $49 for an adjoining deluxe with medium room. The Tower rooms were priced from $24 to $35 during peak-season and $20 to $28 during off- season. Peak-season now was being defined as from June 1 to September 15, December 11 to January 3, and April 9 to April 24.

Both the Disneyland Hotel and Disneyland celebrating their "Tencennials," 10-years of successful operations, in 1965. The hotel announced plans for the Tower Annex, an expansion to the existing tower, which would now give the hotel 616 guest rooms. An additional six conference rooms (bringing the total to 28) would be added to the complex. These conference rooms would be designed to hold from 15 people to two thousand people.

A new shopping plaza building was also constructed on the hotel grounds. It was described as having glass walls and graceful grillwork, gleaming in a lush garden setting. It was further described as resembling a necklace on green velvet,Êcontaining the beautiful and unusual in a score of smart, avant-garde specialty shops. Here one could buy aromatic tobaccos from Turkey, candles from Mexico, leathers from London, toys from the U.S., Germany and Japan, and here one could select from fashions inspired in Paris, Rome and Carnaby Street. The Plaza also featured a beauty shop, a travel agency, and a dental facility. Both the Tower Annex and the Plaza Shopping Center cost $5.5 million as part of the Hotel Expansion Program. At Disneyland, "it's a small world" was added after its successful run at the New York World's Fair.

Rates in 1966 for what was billed as wintertime ranged from $15 for a queen-sized bed up to $30 for a deluxe room. During vacation times, the rates were $20 and $35 for the same rooms. The Tower now had a North and South designation, with the South side being the more expensive. The North side rates were priced from $20 for a queen-sized bed up to $28 for two double beds. The South side went for $22 to $30 for the same bed types.

By 1966, Orange County had become the tourist hub of America, producing tourist income greater than any other U.S. county. Anaheim now had 125 hotels and motels and a population of over 150,000. Sadly on December 15, 1966, Walt Disney, one of the most influential men in Anaheim's history, passed away. Walt had been a lifelong smoker and had developed lung cancer. It was reported that Jack and Bonita Wrather were devastated upon hearing news of Walt's passing. Half of the two pioneers of tourism in Southern California was now gone. These two had plotted a course in the 1950s for the future of tourism and conventions in Orange County, thereby forever changing Anaheim's destiny. Jack Wrather would also succumb to cancer in 1984.

Shortly after Walt's death, the Walt Disney Company began numerous attempts to purchase control of the hotel. Finally in 1988, 33 years after the original groundbreaking, the Disneyland Hotel would become a portion of the empire that Walt had founded.

In just a little over 11 years, the Disneyland Hotel had grown from 104 guest rooms and a smattering of amenities into a major tourist facility with 616 guest rooms, ample dining and shopping facilities, a full golf complex, and a full range of convention and meeting facilities. The hotel also helped introduce a futuristic mode of rapid transit in the form of the Monorail, and the hotel was instrumental in changing the previous agricultural economy of Anaheim into the major tourist destination that it is today. What appeared to be a questionable area for development in the early fifties turned into one of the most dynamic areas in the country. A large portion of this change and growth had been stimulated by a man with a mouse and a Texas oil wildcatter.

Sources:

Kaleidoscope: The In-Room Magazine of Disneyland Hotel and Inn at the Park: Spring 1980, summer 1980, and fall 1980.

Disneyland Holiday Magazine: various issues from 1957 and 1958.

Disneyland Vacationland Magazine: various issues from 1958 to 1966.

Disneyland Line: Vol. 22, No. 40, October 5, 1990.

The Disneyland Hotel Employee's Handbook, 1989.

Disneyland Hotel advertising brochures: 1955, 1957, 1960, 1962, and 1966.

Disneyland Guidebooks: 1955 to 1965.

Disneyland Hotel Postcards: 1955 to 1964.

The Handbook of Texas Online: The Jack Wrather obituary.

Dreams to Reality by Bret Colson and Geoff Black. A brief history of modern day Anaheim, 1997.

Disneylander: The magazine for Disneyland employees, various issues from 1959 to 1961.

Check In Magazine: Various editions from 1965 to 1967.

All sources came from my personal collection of Disneyland Hotel items with the exception of the Jack Wrather obituary and the book Dreams to Reality. The wonderful Kaleidoscope magazines and several articles from Holiday and Vacationland magazines came from other collectors. All photos also came from my personal collection except where noted. I requested access to the Disney Archives for research purposed but was denied access.

SNA and Disneyland Shuttle Vans - The Quick, Safe and Convenient Way to Travel

With the help of a prominent and reliable Orange County Airport shuttle service-offering company, persons traveling to or from major airports are guaranteed to arrive to their destination on time, safely and in impeccable conditions. Dedicated shuttle services account for all the needs and requirements of their customers, permanently aiming to deliver efficient services in exchange for affordable fees. In addition, regular and occasional customers who book Orange County Airport shuttle services for traveling to popular locations nearby benefit from generous discounts and special pricings. Thanks to the wide range of advantages they offer to clients, Orange County Airport shuttle services have become very popular lately, receiving a lot of positive feed-back from persons who constantly travel by air and depend on a reliable and efficient means of transportation to major Orange County airports or from the airport back home.

If you are looking for a convenient, safe and fast way to travel from nearby cities to SNA Airport, from the airport back home or in popular locations in Orange County, the best option is to hire the services of a respectable SNA shuttle van transportation company. SNA shuttle vans can pick you up right at home or from many different locations in Orange County. Such services are very easy to book; all you have to do is make a phone call in order to reserve a seat and give instructions regarding your location (if you request to be picked up at home or nearby hotels). Shuttle vans are large and spacious, features that render them ideal for persons who are traveling with consistent luggage.

By booking the services of a solid, competitive shuttle van transportation company, you will benefit from special rates when traveling to Disneyland and other popular attractions in Orange County. There are numerous shuttles that punctually run from SNA Airport to Disneyland Hotel or other nearby hotels every day, so these types of services are perfect for persons who are traveling with the family. Disneyland shuttles are very safe, comfortable and affordable, traits that transform the trip to Disneyland into a pleasant and memorable experience. Disneyland shuttle vans are spacious, comfortable and luxurious, accommodating six or more persons at a time. Once you choose the right Disneyland Airport shuttle, you are guaranteed to only benefit from impeccable services in exchange for very affordable fees.

Compared to car rentals or driving you own car, Disneyland shuttle services are by far cheaper, safer (you will be serviced by experienced, professional drivers) and faster (having great knowledge of Orange County, shuttle van drivers can easily choose the fastest routes). By hiring competitive Disneyland shuttle services you will eliminate the stress of finding the right routes, avoiding traffic jams, or finding a cheap parking space; simply relax and enjoy the ride, and you will arrive at your destination safely and right on schedule.

Disney World Discount Coupons

One of the best ways to save money any time is with Disney World discount coupons and codes.

You see, the Walt Disney World company often has special offers on their vacation packages, and those can have substantial savings! However, the best offers are only announced 2-3 months in advance. Most people prefer to book their vacation long before that to make sure that they're able to stay in their favorite hotel, and so that they can make restaurant reservations early. After all, Walt Disney World resort guests can book a table up to 90 days early and some of those tables are hard to get, and you don't want to miss dining with Cinderella because you were waiting for a discount that may never materialize.

The good news is, there are always discounts available at Walt Disney World, even when they're not running a special promotion. For example, simply purchasing your tickets early or as part of a package can save you up to $20 per person. Using an American auto association to book your vacation or hotel stay can save you 10-15% on room rates, even if you're staying on property. Some guide books contain special coupons which will easily pay for themselves. And the Disney Dining Plan (only available as part of a package) can save you up to $30 per person per day.

If you're able to visit the World during their value season, you'll save even more money, and will be more likely to run across those special offers mentioned above. And for the best deals possible, mix and match all of the discounts that you can find. Along with some other frugal tips, Disney World discount coupons can really save you money on vacation.

Beyond the Teacups: Walt Disney World Attractions for the Queasy

Traveling to Disney World with someone who needs an air sickness bag to ride a carousel? Or who doesn't find whimsy in being tossed about in a spinning teacup? Not to fear. Disney World is actually one of the best places for non-theme park types (yes, they do exist).

Visiting the theme parks in Disney World is an experience that goes far beyond thrill rides. Many of the attractions are not rides at all, but entertainment experiences that you won't find anywhere else.

Here's just a small sampling of what you can experience at the Disney theme parks that are not rides in the traditional sense of the term:

Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin - take aim at the evil emperor Zurg with your "laser gun" as you travel through outerspace

Hall of Presidents - history lesson given by audio-animatronic versions of the U.S. presidents

Goofy's Country Dancing Jamboree - learn country line dancing with Goofy and friends

Mickey's Philharmagic - 3D magical adventure with Mickey, Donald Duck and a host of other characters

Share a Dream Come True Parade - held every afternoon at 3:00 pm

Wishes fireworks - evening fireworks set to music (check park map for times)

Epcot

Spaceship Earth - ride through time as you learn about the history of communications

Honey I Shrunk the Audience - 3D theater experience with a few unexpected surprises

Living Seas - first rate aquarium and oceanography exhibit

World Showcase entertainment - a host of entertainment can be found each day in each of the countries around the World Showcase, all of it top notch (consult the park map for times)

Illuminations - fireworks and laser spectacular set to music, held at park closing each evening

Impressions de France - large screen movie on France and its people

The American Adventure - a multi-media telling of American history by Ben Franklin and Mark Twain

Disney-MGM Studios

Great Movie Ride - ride through sets of some of the most popular movies ever made

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular - stunt show based on the popular movie trilogy

Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show - an auto stunt show imported from Disneyland Paris

MuppetVision 3D - a funny 3D movie experience with Jim Henson's puppets

Voyage of the Little Mermaid - a live stage version of the classic children's movie

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Play It! - play along with the game show using a touchpad in front of every seat

Fantasmic - an evening fireworks and water show with Mickey overcoming the Disney villains

Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safaris - ride through the savannah and see many animals from Africa and Asia

Festival of the Lion King - a theater in the round muscial and stunt show based on the Lion King movie

It's Tough to Be a Bug - fun 3D movie on the life of bugs

Flights of Wonder - learn about birds and see some amazing stunts in this live show

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade - held every afternoon at 4:00 pm.

Pagnani Forest Exploration Trail - explore a tropical forest's vegetation and animal life at your own pace

Best Family Vacation Destinations

There is such a big variety of holiday resort packages on the travel market today, that it can be very perplexing to know which one to select. Here are some suggestions for all your future family vacation resorts.

Walt Disney World

Situated in Florida,in the city of Orlando, Walt Disney World offers many things for all members in the family and also all age groups. From the main family attractions, the most popular are Epcot, Magic Kingdom Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios (Disney), and loads of others.

The Magic Kingdom is an excellent way to kick off the tour as it offers numerous "not to miss" sites like the sea adventures of the Caribbean, The Scary Mansion, Splash Mountain and no visit is complete without experiencing the thrill of Space Mountain, the indoor roller coaster.

Before you make a booking it is best to have a budget in mind because you do not want to overspend. Disney organization has accommodation for all sizes of budgets from hotels to campsites. Booking is really easy and there are two ways. You can book online or go via the local travel company and get a holiday of your choice. If staying in of these suggested places does not appeal to you then you can look for self-catering places, that are much further away.

Great Wolf Lodge

This is ideal resort for you if you have a large family. Great Wolf Lodge resort is very family orientated themed hotel. It has many large rooms capable of sleeping families of eight or more people. The rooms are well equipped to keep the kids occupied and have en-suite facilities. They are furnished with many interactive gadgets such as Nintendo sets and televisions. Most of the rooms can be themed into separate areas like the ''cave area'' or the ''pine-log cabin area''.

All of this resort's attraction are totally indoors and you can have an enjoyable family time in the themed hotel rooms, amusement arcades and the big indoor water park as well.

Locations can be found in the areas of Canada, Ohio,Kansas,Niagara Falls and Texas. The bonus of going with this resort is that you will enjoy yourself no matter what the weather is like outside. You do not even have to go outside for meals, there are many restaurants to cater for all dining needs.

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon, one of many natural phenomenon in the world today.It is a truly exciting place to visit if your children are attending school. The younger children will have the thrill of their lives on the mule rides, experiencing the rail road and many other things. If you have teenagers with a heightened sense of adventure then the helicopter ride will satisfy that craving as will the Colorado River trip along the rapids.

Even the more mature members of the family can have an enjoyable time by participating in hiking adventures along some beautiful trails, or walking along the Skywalk. Touring the Grand Canyon can be wonderful for boisterous and energetic teenagers who love to be kept busy with all the adventures on offer. Plus the Canyon with its marvelous rivers is one of the natural wonders of the world and something not be missed if you can afford the trip.

Top 5 Places to Eat at Walt Disney World

You will never go hungry while spending the day at Walt Disney World. Restaurants, snacks, and sweet treats are in abundance at Walt Disney World and are nearly around every corner. Here are the top five places to eat while visiting Walt Disney World.

1.Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and serves snacks, lunch and dinner in a juke box music filled atmosphere. The menu is moderately priced and offers sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, soups, salads and plenty of ice cream. Beaches & Cream Soda Shop has a world famous "Kitchen Sink Sundae" that includes every flavor of ice cream that they offer served to you in a kitchen sink.

2.The Crystal Palace. The Crystal Palace Restaurant can be found on Main Street, USA and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and character dining all served buffet style. Whatever your taste is, you are sure to find at The Crystal Palace as they serve omelettes, cereal, prime rib, and salmon. A separate buffet is stocked full of goodies including peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the kids. Reservations are recommended as The Crystal Palace Restaurant fills up quickly with eager diners waiting to catch a glimpse of Winnie the Pooh and friends.

3.Tony's Town Square Restaurant. Tony's Town Square Restaurant is located on Main Street, USA and is inspired by Disney's Lady & The Tramp movie. Tony's is priced fairly, serves lunch and dinner, and offers traditional Italian dishes such as spaghetti, flat bread pizza, and baked ziti. Don't forget to finish off your meal with a scoop of gelato!

4.The Hollywood Brown Derby. The Hollywood Brown Derby is located at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park on Hollywood Blvd. and offers lunch and dinner in an upscale setting. This Hollywood Brown Derby is modeled after the original in Los Angeles, California and serves many of the same favorites including the famous Brown Derby Cobb Salad and the Brown Derby Grapefruit Cake. The Hollywood Brown Derby is a favorite by all so reservations are highly recommended.

5.Restaurantosaurus. The Restaurantosaurus is a quick service fast food style eatery located in Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park in DinoLand, USA. The Restaurantosaurus offers indoor seating and serves hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, and other quick eats so that you can get back to your Disney adventure.

Planning Your Disneyland Resort Vacation

When it comes to planning the family vacation nothing can quite compare to the fun and excitement a trip to Disneyland can generate. Of course for some planning any vacation, even to the Magic Kingdom can be quite a stressful experience. When you do start planning your vacation you need to decide if you want to make all the arrangements yourself or have a professional do it for you.

You have a couple of options if you don\'t want to plan your trip yourself. You can have a travel agent make all the necessary arrangements but if you really want the complete Disneyland experience you should consider using the Disney Vacation Planning Services. They know everything about planning a trip to Disneyland and can help you create a vacation that fits your family and budget.

On the other hand if you wish to plan your own vacation then here are some things to consider while making your travel plans.

The first thing you need to decide is when you plan on traveling to Disneyland. This may not seem like it\'s that important but the Disney theme parks odder different themes and entertainment options at different times of the year. The best place to learn what is going on at different times of the year is to visit the Disney website.

Once you have your dates at the park set you\'ll need to set up travel arrangement and hotel reservations. Do you want to stay right at the park in one of Disney\'s hotels that offer many activities such as dining with many of the Disney characters? Or would you rather stay in a hotel nearby so you can enjoy some of the surrounding are? Once you have decided on these parts of your itinerary there a few more considerations you need to be aware of.

Because of its popularity eating at Disneyland can sometimes involve a lot of waiting. It is recommended that you make reservations at the more popular restaurants before you leave on your vacation.

When you make your reservations and ticket arrangements you will probably receive an information packet with a map of Disneyland in the mail. This is a good time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the park so that you can plan which attractions you most want to visit. There is something for all age groups here so take into consideration the ages of your family members and what they would most want to see.

The last thing you need to keep in mind is your budget. You want to make sure that you don\'t spend more then you are planning as this would just make a relaxing vacation more stressful then need be. If you keep these suggestions in mind planning your Disneyland resort vacation will be fun and keep you looking forward to your trip to the Magic Kingdom.

Choosing the Finest Walt Disney World Vacation Packages

Are you and your family planning to go on a trip to Disneyland? Are you searching for Walt Disney world vacation packages which will guarantee that you will have the best Disneyland experience? If you are, then it is highly imperative that you choose a particular vacation deal that will certainly make your trip pleasurable and worth-remembering. Then again, with all the deals and package being offered out there, how will you know that you are picking the finest package deal? This article offers some helpful pieces of advice that will assist you in selecting the best Disney vacation package.

First of all, when planning a tour in Walt Disney, it is highly advisable that you choose a certain time which is considered to be off the peak season. Remember that it is during peak season that prices of vacation packages tend to be sky high. Also, you cannot expect package prices to be very cheap. Therefore, you must have a planned, estimated budget that you are willing to shell out before you go looking for a certain package deal.

Once you already have your budget in mind, then you can now go searching for Walt Disney world vacation packages that will suit your finances. You can visit online sources for a variety of vacation package deals that you can choose from. There are also travel agencies that will arrange every single detail of the trip for you. All you have to do is to book your chosen package.

In choosing a certain vacation package online or from travel agencies, you have to take into consideration the coverage of such deal. Will it include comfortable accommodation, transfer and tours of other Disney theme parks? Is it inclusive of meals and rides? Before you settle for a particular package, make sure that you have understood the coverage of your deal. Sometimes, trying to go overly cheap can compromise the quality of your stay. That's why the package you choose has to be reasonable and perfectly suited to your desired budget.

Another useful tip is to settle for package deals that will offer stay to hotels that are quite close to a particular theme park. Why? This is because you would not want to spend too much time travelling to and from your hotel to your theme park destination. Be wary of hotels offering temptingly cheap package deals since there might be a trade-off. It can either be that the hotel is too far from the theme park or the accommodation, if not excellent, is not comfortable enough for you and your family.

Planning a trip to Disneyland entails a lot of considerations. If you want your tour to be amazing for the whole family then select a fine vacation deal. Choosing Walt Disney world vacation packages plays a vital role in ensuring that you have the best once in a lifetime experience. Therefore, it is very important that you carefully pick a package deal that is sure to make your trip worthwhile and definitely the best.

Euro Disney: Short Breaks to Disneyland Paris Resort

Short breaks to Disneyland Resort Paris are becoming more and more popular for recreation and vacation. The resort is located at Marne-la-Vallee in the eastern suburbs of Paris, the capital of France.

Construction began in 1988 and the theme park complex was officially opened on 12 April 1992, but attendance was low. And there were protests from those who thought a Disney park in France would harm French culture.

In 1994, two years after opening, it had to be rescued from bankruptcy with a 16 billion franc rescue package, and concerns as to its survival only really faded with the arrival of a billionaire prince from Saudi Arabia who became the company's largest investor.

In October 1994 the park changed its name to Disneyland Paris, and is now known as Disneyland Resort Paris.

In 1995, the theme park started to attract more visitors and what was almost a failure for the Walt Disney Company has over the years become more and more popular and successful.

There's nothing like Euro Disney short breaks for a short burst of fun. This is a must for children, but will please all ages because young and old can find their favorite Disney characters from movies like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Lion King" to name two.

One of the best times to visit Euro Disneyland in Paris is on weekdays. But try to avoid the French public holidays and school vacations because the park gets very crowded at these times. The least busy time is September to October and May to June.

The resort offers a great selection of hotels in and around the park. And most are within easy walking distance of the attractions. The many restaurants and bars in the park can be very costly, especially for the whole family. There are, of course, McDonald's or you can bring something to eat and drink with you into the park.

Euro Disney is located 32 kilometers (19 miles) east of Paris, ideally located within easy reach of the major international road network. By car it takes about 45 minutes from Paris, depending on traffic. For Euro Disney Short Breaks to Disneyland Paris Resort take the highway A4 (highway east). For the amusement park and hotels, take exit 14 "Val d'Europe, Disneyland Park."

The fastest way to get to the park is to take the RER A train, which takes you quickly to the heart of the Enchanted Kingdom. The journey takes between 35 to 40 minutes and trains run daily. They run every 10 to 20 minutes from 5:30 AM to midnight. It's also very easy to get to Disneyland Resort Paris by Eurostar train. Special trains operate daily and direct from St Pancras, London and the journey takes about 2 h 40 min.

The Eurostar operates a service from Ashford in Kent to Disney, and travel time is approximately 2 hours. On Euro Disney short breaks, you can leave your luggage at the station and it will be transferred to your hotel while you enjoy your visit to the park. The Resort is well served from Charles de Gaulle International Airport, which operates high-speed TGV services to the resort from Terminal 2. The trip takes about 10 minutes. Shuttle buses also connect the Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports with the hotels.

Photography Marketing Magic - 5 Valuable Lessons I Learned at Disneyland

A few months back I went to Disneyland... a 9-hour car ride with my wife, my parents, and 3 screaming kiddies. By the end we were all exhausted, grumpy, and ready to sleep for about 18 hours. But once I had time to think about it for a while, I was struck by the utter brilliance with which Disneyland markets itself.

And I'd like to show you how you can apply these concepts to your photography business.

1. Every time you get off a ride, you have to exit through a store. This is brilliant... when you get off of "Star Tours," you exit through a Star Wars store, full of Star Wars merchandise. When you get off the "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters" ride, you exit though a... you guessed it, Buzz Lightyear store. And every one of these stores was packed.

Now, to be honest, because my oldest child is 8... and wants to buy everything he can possibly buy... I found this to be a bit annoying. But it's darn effective.

How to apply: Every time you send, deliver, or e-mail anything to one of your clients, make sure to include an upsell. In other words, don't just drop off a set of completed wedding photographs. Drop off a set of completed wedding photographs along with a coupon for 25% off of a 6-month anniversary portrait.

2. Customer service rules! It doesn't matter if you're asking directions from the Chief Information Officer, Cinderella, or the guy sweeping up popcorn along Main Street... every single person who works at Disneyland is extremely helpful. Even the incompetent girl working at the ice cream stand was really, really pleasant.

How to apply: Treat every customer like gold... because if you do, you might earn a customer for life. And as we all know, it is much easier (and cheaper) to make money from satisfied existing customers than it is to get brand new customers.

In other words, if all the workers had been snotty... we wouldn't ever go back. But as it stands, we're already getting out our 2010 calendar and makin' some plans.

3. Pay attention to the details. If Disneyland were simply a parking lot filled with rides... nobody would go. The true genius of Disneyland is that you truly enter another world... and you're not just paying for the rides... you're paying for the entire experience.

And the key to that experience is an astonishing level of detail. This is particularly noticeable on rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, where every piece of dirt on every pirate looks authentic. At least a dozen times during the trip my wife told me, "These Disneyland guys are geniuses."

How to apply: Don't just sell photographs... sell the entire experience. For instance, if you're taking a $1,000 family portrait, don't just take The Joneses out to the woods, line 'em up and start snapping away. Woo them with scones and coffee... maybe some candy for the young ones. Make them feel like they are royalty... like they're the only family worthy of having their portrait taken by you. Trust me... this extra effort will pay off dividends for years and years, both in referrals and repeat bookings.

4. Get your image out there... on everything! You actually get numb to it after a while... all of the merchandise out there with Mickey, Minnie, or whoever the latest hot character is... but it's not just coincidence that the Disney characters appear on everything.

How to apply: Even though I strongly disagree for branding for branding's sake... select your very best photograph... and put it on everything. On every business card, on every envelope you send, on every advertisement you write. This way, eventually, people will actually associate that image with your business. Just like we associate Mickey Mouse with Disneyland. They are, truly, one and the same.

5. Keep up with the times. Now, for a nostalgic guy like me, this was a bit sad... but it's smart marketing. But some of the "classic" Disneyland rides have been updated to be relevant for the younger generations. For instance, the Swiss Family Robinson tree house is now the Tarzan treehouse. The 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarine ride is now the Finding Nemo submarine ride.

Basically, they're trading nostalgia for cash.

How to apply: Educate yourself on the latest ways to market your business. For instance, if your specialty is taking High School Senior Portraits... you need to be able to speak the lingo of your typical 17-year old. (But don't ask me... teenagers confuse the heck out of me.) In other words, the same advertisement you might have used in 1985 will have to be dramatically rewritten to be relevant to 2007 teenagers. This all comes back to "knowing your audience," which is critical if you're trying to actually sell your photography services.

And when I go back to Disneyland next year, I'm sure I'll come up with 5 more lessons that can make your photography business even more successful.

FastPass - A Solution to the Problem of Standing in a Long Queue to Visit Disneyland

If you check the consumers' forum, you will see that there are many customers and general consumers who have expressed their dissatisfaction over the problem of the long queue at Disneyland Park. This park is basically designed for the public entertainment programs and shows. It will be a matter of great excitement for the visitors to visit the marvelous theme park for watching the wonderful and attractive amusement sites. The visitors will be free to ride the scooters for traveling inside the park.

Even there is the perfect arrangement of the railroad or track for the travel. The park has been designed with much care. However it is also important to point out that this is the park where a large number of visitors wait at the entrance of the park. The serpentine queue of the visitors is really a problem to a busy person who has little time to spend idly with the sole purpose of entering inside the park. This long line will keep you waiting for several hours for watching the beautiful and nice entertainment centers. To minimize the trouble you can use a number of short cut techniques and methods for riding the vehicles or rails inside the entertainment park.

The first tip for avoiding the long queue is that you can attend the less crowded line and watch the shows and programs. You are also free to make joy ride which is convenient to you. If you are too much busy, you can steer clear of waiting in the line. You will have to visit another day on holidays to see the most attractive sites which you didn't see earlier in your previous journey to Disneyland. FastPass option is really workable and much more effective to eliminate the problem.

You can manage the FastPass for overtaking the long line to see the shows or ride the rails. This FastPass will provide you a fixed time for riding after coming to the frontal part of the crowd. It will be more advantageous and beneficial. There is another good idea which you can apply in the matter of visiting the park with much comfort. You should avoid going to the overcrowded lines that time. You need to visit this place with the fall of the vesper light in the evening time. At that time the pressure of the visitors and travelers will be comparatively low. Please be cool minded and try to find better ways to watch the marvelous entertainment centers and sites which have made the theme park fashionable and upgraded.

A Visitors Guide to Disneyland

It is every child's dream to go to Disneyland in California or to Disneyworld in Florida, from when their parents told them of those magical fairytales to when they discovered that such a place existed. But what does Disneyland have to offer that makes it so special?

Disneyland is really well suited to the younger kids and their parents than the teens looking for scary jaw dropping rides - though there are one or two that would make my heart drop a little too. So where to bring your kids first? If your kids are a big fan of Mickey, I'd suggest going inside Mickey's home as a first stop.

Get to see how Mickey Mouse himself lives, visit the set of one of Mickey's famous cartoons and finally get to meet Mickey himself in person!

For more family fun stuff you can try out the Astro Orbitor which lets you climb into your very own jet with your kids and soar as high as you like with the touch of the rocket's control lever through the constellations and orbiting satellites that are inspired by real astronomical designs. And for those Pirates of the Caribbean fans, take an adventure into the Caribbean where you tread on unknown waters and get a real classic Disney story telling with a twist!

For the big kids and adults who like to have a little fun, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad promises mine shafts, falling rocks and water in a mine train roller coaster. Splash mountain is good too for a thrill and to cool off ride a hollowed-out through winding water ways and finally plunge five-storey's into a backwoods bayou bash and don't forget the famous space mountain nearby. Take a flight into the future as you take a hyper-speed adventure ride through this newly revamped celestial attraction.

And whatever time of day it is, if you and your loved ones get hungry, there's plenty of food all over the park. Choose from cafes and casual restaurants such as the French Market Restaurant, Cafe Orleans and Redd Rockett's Pizza port which promise to fill you up and leave you contented. If the little ones are with you, you can take them to character dining restaurants like Plaza Inn "Minnie & Friends - Breakfast in the Park" or if you've dropped the kids off with an extra pair of hands you trust, you can take time off to enjoy some fine dining at Blue Bayou All Time Favorites.

A Short Break To Disneyland Paris At Christmas

If you live in the United Kingdom, then it is only a short and an ideal trip to go on with the kids just before Christmas. They get to meet Mickey Mouse and all the Disney characters they want in France. It is an entertaining break for the whole family that is always exciting and fun.

It is a smaller version than the one in Florida, but it's great too, because it is in Paris where you can visit all those other places that you're hoping to see. The rides are great. There is the star tours ride, which is set as a the spaceship in Star Wars the film and it gives the effect of a simulator ride. There is Pirates of the Caribbean, which is a boat ride through a pirates world. The best of all was the 3D Honey I Shrunk the Audience ride, an animation gives the illusion that the audience has been shrunk. This for me was the best of all rides. The shows are something not to be missed either. There was the Mickey Mouse show which was probably the best of them all.

The Christmas Tree at Euro Disney is the best spot for all your photographs. You can take pictures of all the family whilst standing under this magnificent tree.

From the UK you can either travel by car and boat or fly, but we took the Eurostar train straight into Disneyland Paris, which was brilliant. The Trip from Waterloo in London takes two hours or you can travel from Ashford in Kent which takes three hours. It's a unique service that we found excellent.

The hotels in the resort are an ideal spot for your accommodation. We stayed in The Cheyenne, which was excellent. The rooms have a double bed and bunk beds for the kids, a tv and a bathroom. There are buses too, to take you into the resort, but it's also a short walk which we took advantage of at times. We went in January one year and it was cold so we took the bus. This time, we went in December (just before Christmas) and every day we walked to the resort, because the weather was pleasant and it was not that cold.

It can be rather expensive for a short trip, but it is worth a visit even with the younger children who will appreciate it too.

I can say it was fabulous for us, because we went there with another family and we enjoyed every minute of it. Going for a Christmas break in December was exciting for us all. The kids were excited to see Santa too! Christmas is a perfect time too.

Sample Disney Itinerary

This is a sample Disney itinerary for a multi-generational family. Itineraries can be as detailed (or not) as you wish. This is a middle of the road itinerary leaving choices for eating establishments and time to spend near the pool, relaxing or participating in other activities. Restaurant reviews and specific menu item recommendations are available as well as in-park touring plans.

Party of 6:

Grandparents - Both aged 55

Mom - 32

Dad - 35

Daughter -4

Daughter - 3

NOTES:

This family elected to use the Disney transportation system. Disney collects your baggage (you mark it with special tags before you leave home) and delivers it to your room at your hotel. Taking a bag with necessities is important because you may not get into your room until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. In addition, vouchers for the bus from the airport to the hotel will be sent prior to leaving home (about 2 weeks before).

This family also placed a grocery order and the food was delivered when they arrived to their room.

CS = Counter Service Restaurant

Saturday

Arrive at Polynesian around 1pm (on the late side) - room is not ready until 4pm and they will hold our stuff

Freshen up

Eat at The Kona Cafe - head over to Magic Kingdom -

Head back to the Poly after dinner, get into room, get groceries put away, unpack and watch the MK fireworks from the beach

Sunday

Animal Kingdom Open 9-7; leave hotel by 8 (eat bf in room) - take bus

Eat at CS

Go back to hotel around 2 - rest/swim

Dinner at Contemporary - Chef Mickeys at 5:30 (take the monorail over) Res # --------

Nana / Papa - Night Out

Monday

Cinderella's Royal Table reservations for 8:30; Need ID; Res #------------

Stay in MK for as many rides as possible, leave in the afternoon for rest/swim

Mom / Dad - Off at night

Tuesday

Epcot 9-11 - leave by 8 take the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then transfer to an Epcot monorail

Need to be at Epcot Divequest by 3:45 res #----------- ID and Scuba Cards

Watch the fireworks at Epcot

Wednesday

MGM park opens at 9 leave by 8

Lunch at Hollywood and Vine with Einsteins 1pm Res#------------

Head back to hotel to rest / swim

Pirate and Princess Party 7:30pm start at the MK

Thursday

Waterpark - Typhoon Lagoon (more kid friendly)

Nana / Papa - Off at night

Friday

Ohana 8am breakfast reservations #----------- Return to room to pack Downtown Disney

Mom / Dad - Off at night

Saturday

Early morning trip to MK to ride any miss rides

Catch bus to airport - disney again will pick up the luggage from room with appropriate tags and transport to the correct airline.

Home

Weddings at Walt Disney World

Although Disney's Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Florida is the main wedding location at Walt Disney World, it's not the only place where you can get married. Walt Disney World offers a variety of fairy tale wedding packages and includes locations such as:

*Disney's Polynesian Resort- couples can get married at Sunset Pointe which provides a romantic setting overlooking the resort lake.

*Disney's Boardwalk Resort- couples can get married at Seabreeze Pointe which is located between the Boardwalk Inn and the International Gateway entrance at Epcot.

*Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground- where couples can plan a country hoe-down themed wedding.

*Wilderness Lodge- couples can plan a wedding at the Sunrise Terrace located at the lodge.

*Disney's Yacht Club Resort- couples can get married at the Wedding Gazebo in the middle of a rose garden, where rose themed wedding favors would complement perfectly.

*Epcot- wedding locations include China, Italy and many other countries and locations throughout the park. If planning a wedding in China, Asian theme wedding favors would complement nicely.

*Ball Rooms throughout Walt Disney World- popular locations include the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Boardwalk Inn and Resort, and the Atlantic Dance Hall.

*Walt Disney World's Beaches- couples can wed on one of Disney World's white sand beaches complete with tiki torches, leis, and a luau. Beach theme wedding favors would add a special touch to this type of wedding, such as seashell place card holders, beach themed glass coasters, seashell candles and more.

*Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California- couples can also wed at Disneyland. Locations at this park include, the Disneyland Hotel or on the Mark Twain river boat as it travels the Rivers of America.

If getting married at Walt Disney World has always been a dream of yours, you will find that Walt Disney World offers a variety of wedding packages and wedding locations to suit your needs. Any of the locations listed above are beautiful wedding settings found throughout the park. With a little research, and trip to Walt Disney World, you are sure to find that special location to fit your wedding theme or dream.

Visit to Disneyland Paris - How Much Time Should You Allow?

So you are planning that fantastic trip to Disneyland Paris and you are looking on the Internet to find that there are currently some good deals but just how many days will you need at Euro Disney and which is the best way to decide? The answer cannot be defined as the amount of days required will depend on your circumstances however the average trip is between 2 and 4 days long

Most visits are short breaks however it is possible to combine your visit with a longer holiday to France and especially the Paris region. I think the time you need to allow yourself will depend on many factors such as:

Age of party - If you have a mixed age group and several small children you will find that it will take you longer to cover the parks and also will be more willing to spend time at the shows and parades etc rather than just going on the rides. If you are a group of adults/teenagers you will probably need less time as you are more interested in the larger rides rather than the attraction aimed at the younger ones.

As there are two parks I would recommend a day for each park as well as at least one extra day to cover any rides and shows that may be missed or are favourites and you want to repeat. You can find good special offers where you can by 4 day tickets for the price of 3 etc.

Size of party - The more of you there are the likely hood is that you will find more things to do and will be prepared to spend more time at different attractions. You will also be more contented staying in a park for the day so again I would recommend at least 2 - 3 days to cover all the shows and attraction especially if you are visiting during peak times when the queues will be at their longest

Have you visited before? - On your first visit you will spend more time finding your way around and getting to know all that is on offer. On subsequent visits you will probably be more selective and so can reduce the amount of time you need in the park. You may find a day visit is enough as you know which rides you wish to do and how to get to them. You could then incorprate this into a French holiday or use Disneyland Paris as a base and explore the rest of the region.

How much money do you want to spend? - Whilst the travel costs remain the same for however long you choose to stay you will need to consider the costs of tickets, meals and accommodation for the whole of your stay with the euro being strong at the moment this can soon add up, for example bottles of water were 2.5 Euros and ice creams 3 Euros. Take time to price the tickets that are available for the Disney parks you may find it is more economical buy a ticket for 3 days rather than two. If you are staying on site you can also buy tickets that include meals. These can save a lot of money and allow you to budget more carefully

Careful planning is essential for you visit. Take time to sort out what you actually want to do at Euro Disney i.e do you want to visit both parks or just the one and then book the length of your trip accordingly. It is possible to combine with a longer holiday which will help reduce the daily costs of your visit and may enable you to get better deals on the entry price for example we recently got a free hopper pass as we had booked to get their from the Charles De Gaul airport by train the ticket cost 17 Euros and we gained a pass worth 64 Euros!    

For families of young children and for first visits you will easily be able to while away at least 2 - 3 days with the Magic of Disneyland Paris.

LAX Transportation to Disneyland

Traveling from LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) to Disneyland means traveling from one of the busiest airports in the world to the most fun place in the world, and what could be a better way to commute than hiring a lax town car service for transportation from LAX to Disneyland.

There are many companies in the Los Angeles that specialized in lax airport transportation to Disneyland, and this is a reason to become happy as well as sad: happy because you have many options, and sad because you have too many options to baffle you, and to make your decision more and more displeasing.

The question arises, how to ensure your satisfaction when booking for a lax town car service for transportation from LAX to Disneyland? The answer lies in the paragraphs written below.

How to make lax airport transportation to Disneyland a memorable experience?

In order to make your Disneyland trip memorable, you need to do the following things before you book a lax town car service, and when I said this, I assumed that you know about the following things. I will base my suggestion taking these as given:

* The distance of Disneyland is from the Los Angeles airport.

* The number of people traveling with you.

* And that you will be going straight to Disneyland from the LA airport.

It would be prudent to check the timing of flight and match it with the availability of a good LA town car service before you fly down to Los Angeles. This will save your time, which otherwise will get wasted booking and waiting for the cab.

Before you book a car service, make sure you know about all the little details. Do not consider anything unimportant, you never know what will become pain in your neck. Do not leave any detail out. Ask as many questions as you need before you make the decision to book the car.

Do not get lured by the unnecessary frills and freebies. At times they are designed just to divert your attention from the real quality of the LA town car service's fleet. I am not saying that all benefits and freebies are designed with that in mind, but there is no dearth of such beguiling freebies and frills. One need to have an eye to remove wheat from chaff and to see what is what.

If you feel you cannot differentiate one from another then I will suggest going to the experts. Search the Internet and you will find a real lax transportation to Disneyland expert who will do the homework for you for free.

Disney Luxury Resorts - Letting Your Kids Experience a Touch of Magic

Are you one of those parents who want to give their kids a taste of magic? If you are one of those parents who want to let their children experience some enchantments, it would be a good idea for you to take your kids to Disney in Florida and stay at one of the beautiful Disney luxury resorts.

Your kids will not only enjoy their stay, they will probably remember that experience for as long as they live. If you have not been spending enough time with your kids due to the nature of your work, bringing your kids to Disney Word will be a good opportunity for you to spend some quality time with your kids and bond as a family.

Pack your video and photo cameras because the fun that you can experience with your kids in Disney is something that you will want to remember and cherish forever. The incredible experience that your kids will have will reflect on the pictures and videos that you capture for years to come.

There are at least 10 Disney luxury resorts located within Disney World in Florida. Some of the most famous Disney luxury resorts are Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge which is located near Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme park, the Walt Disney Beach club Resort, the BoardWalk Inn, the Wilderness Lodge, the Yacht Club resort, the Disney World Dolphin and the Disney World Swan. These luxury resorts offer unique features that your children can enjoy.

To maximize your children's enjoyment when visiting Disney World, it would be a good idea for you to let your children choose which of these Disney luxury resorts they want to stay in.

How much will your stay cost you at one of these resorts? Prices of accommodations in these Disney luxury resorts range from $205-$805 per person depending on the type of accommodation that you will get. Some of these resorts will give you and your children complimentary tickets to use for rides and entry to theme parks so you will not really spend so much money on tickets.

Going to Disney without a plan can be overwhelming. If you do your research and plan ahead for months in advance you will be able to get the best out of your vacation. Purchasing a Disney guide with tips on where to stay, discounts, and restaurants can also be helpful. Start your planning now and enjoy the vacation of your life.

Walt Disney - The Person Behind the Famous Mickey Mouse

If I ask you about Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, I am sure you know them very well. Yes, they are Disney characters. But who are Walt Disney actually? How could he create a lot of characters that are very famous among children and even adult? This article is going to tell you some little pieces of his life.

His full name is Walter Elias Disney, born in Chicago Illinois in December 5, 1901. Disney is indeed a legend in 20th century entertainment. His wonderful imagination and creativity in creating characters has touching emotion and heart of many people. Since he was a kid, he was very interested to arts and drawing.

Disney was student of McKinley High School, Chicago. He loved drawing and learning photography, therefore he also learned drawing in Academy of Fine Arts. Compared with other assignments, he was very good in drawing animal and nature. He even had made miniature of train with its railways. He was a fan of Charlie Chaplin. Therefore, he also learned acting when his family moved to Kansas.

Three years after he married Lillian Bounds in 1925, he created the character of Mickey Mouse. From this starting point, he was continuously creating other characters and making innovation in entertainment world. There were a large number of characters of animation movies had been created by Disney, and those characters and movies were accepted by American and almost the entire people in the world.

In 1955, he transformed his animation characters into an amusement park called Disneyland. It cost 17 million dollars and it reached its success to be the biggest amusement park in the world.

As a Pioneer and innovator in entertainment, especially in animation, Disney has been received more than 950 awards, including 48 from Academy Awards and 7 from Emmy Awards. Not to mention some titles given by some universities such as Harvard University, Yale University, California University, and also UCLA. With his contribution he had given to the world, definitely he deserved to achieve it.

Penny Pincher Savings on a Disneyland Trip With the Family

If staying on a budget is important to you while vacationing, then finding Disneyland discounts will help you keep your cost down when visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.

Visiting your local travel agency will give your agent the opportunity to find any upcoming vacation specials and to see if there are any hotels or restaurants offering discounts during your specified time of travel. Often times, your agent will be able to find great deals on airfare, hotels and other attractions, allowing you to save money and time.

Eating your way through Disneyland can be a pricey feat. There is such a huge variety of restaurants in Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney to choose from that a delicious eating opportunity is at your beckon call at any time of the day. With this plethora of dining experience, however, comes a very large price tag, digging deep into your travel budget. A smart thing before you travel is to look for online discounts at these restaurants. Also, a great way to keep the price tag low is to visit these restaurants at lunch time instead of for dinner. Often times the lunch menu is less expensive than the dinner menu. The variety may be fewer, but the most popular dishes should still be readily available.

Many times, when you book your vacation through Disney-based travel companies, they will offer Disneyland discounts at any or all of the souvenir shops in Disneyland or California Adventure and very often at the many designer stores at Downtown Disney. It is important to set a certain budget that you would like to stay within when you do your shopping. Try to save your shopping for your last day of vacation instead of buying things all throughout your trip. Tell you kids to be on the look out all during your vacation for that one special thing that they would like to buy. If the price is within reason, splurge for it on your last day. If your kids are old enough to understand the price of a dollar, give them a certain amount that they must stay within. This will save them from any disappointment of finding something special that is not within their budget ramifications.

With these simple Disneyland discounts, your vacation budget can be reduced immensely. Be smart and plan ahead and you are guaranteed to have a fabulous time!

Top 10 Defunct Disney World Attractions

Many classic older attractions at Disney World have fallen by the wayside over the years as Disney replaces them with newer (and occasionally better) ones such as Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom; Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Disney-MGM Studios; The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot; and Stitch's Great Escape at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Here's a brief list of some "long gone" but not forgotten Disney World attractions:

1. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Despite an extensive "Save the Toad" campaign, Disney's Magic Kingdom replaced Mr. Toad with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in 1998.

2. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. One of the original attractions at Disney's Magic Kingdom, 20,000 Leagues closed in 1994 and has been partially replaced by a Winnie the Pooh playground and Disney character meet & greet area.

3. If You Had Wings. Sponsored by Eastern Airlines, If You Had Wings was one of the few rides at Disney's Magic Kingdom that rarely drew a line. It was replaced by If You Could Fly in 1987 and now Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin stands on the site.

4. Captain EO. A big-budget 3-D movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Captain EO starred Michael Jackson and Anjelica Huston. It closed down in 1994 and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience now stands on the site in Epcot's Future World.

5. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. This thrilling attraction opened at the site of the former Mission to Mars in Tomorrowland in 1995. ExtraTERRORestrial gained a cult following but has since been replaced by Stitch's Great Escape.

6. World of Motion. Sponsored by General Motors, World of Motion was one of Epcot's original attractions. The ride offered a humorous look at the history of transportation and closed in 1996 to make way for Test Track.

7. Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It! Based on the hit ABC TV show, this Disney-MGM Studios attraction closed in 2006 along Mickey Avenue. A new, yet-unnamed attraction is scheduled to occupy the soundstage in the near future.

8. Plaza Swan Boats. Opened in 1973, the D-ticket Plaza Swan Boats embarked from two Magic Kingdom loading docks: one near the entrance to Tomorrowland and the other near the Plaza Restaurant. The Plaza Swan Boats stopped running in 1983.

9. Mickey Mouse Revue. One of the Magic Kingdom's original attractions, Mickey Mouse Revue opened in Fantasyland in 1971 and featured an audio-animatronic orchestra of popular Disney characters singing such classics as "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee." The Mickey Mouse Revue closed in 1980 and was shipped to Tokyo Disneyland. Mickey's PhilharMagic now occupies the site.

10. Flight to the Moon. Hosted by Mr. Tom Morrow, this "state-of-the-art" Tomorrowland attraction opened on Christmas Eve, 1971 and became hopelessly outdated by 1975 when it was replaced by Mission to Mars. Stitch's Great Escape now occupies the site.

Walt Disney World is Fueled For the Future

For the Walt Disney World Resort, the road to a greener tomorrow may be closer than we think. That's because many vehicles used throughout property are becoming more and more environmentally friendly.

Take Disney's fleet of Walt Disney World Transport buses for example. They now are being tested on B20 (20 percent bio-diesel, 80 percent conventional diesel). This accomplishment started modestly by using a B5 blend, but the percentages have been methodically increased with no real problems for the engines.

In the Walt Disney World Theme Parks, certain alternative-fuel vehicles were specifically selected for their reduced emissions. For example, because the Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicles travel through animal habitats at Disney's Animal Kingdom, propane is used instead of gas or diesel for its better emission properties. In the enclosed Utilidors (backstage tunnels) at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Epcot, zero-emission electrical vehicles are prevalent.

Also heading down the right track are the Walt Disney World Railroad locomotives. They have been retrofitted to accommodate bio-diesel. The Walt Disney World Resort uses 1,500 alternative-fuel vehicles, including electric golf carts, hybrid trucks, Segways and the electric monorails. "We're very excited about this program and its potential to help our environmental efforts," said Jackie Ogden, vice president of Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives. With each and every mile, these vehicles contribute to lower emissions and, ultimately, a greener tomorrow.

The Disney Cruise Line implemented a new initiative to re-purpose used cooking oil to create bio-diesel fuel for vehicles on Castaway Cay. Used trans-fat-free cooking oil from the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder is offloaded and combined with diesel fuel in a 60 percent oil/40 percent diesel mixture that is utilized to power small vehicles, heavy equipment, refrigerated trucks and other machinery on the island. This innovative program successfully reduced petroleum diesel consumption and decreased carbon emissions.

The Walt Disney World Resort has also had a long standing recycling plant which the company owns and operates. The Walt Disney Theme Parks have a long history of recycling initiatives. All Theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort separates and recycles aluminum, plastic and cardboard. Walt Disney World's property truly is a self contained city, and the recycling plant is just one part.

The horticulture team at Disney World uses reclaimed water for their irrigation. Manure is used for flower beds and trees and shrubs are grind-ed up and used for mulch. The Walt Disney World has a long tradition of using everything and not wasting.

Walt Disney's Horror Movie

In 1934, when Walt Disney called for a meeting among his artists, a rumor had spread that he was going to shut the studio down and they would all be left unemployed during the great depression. Instead he personally told them in his own spellbinding way the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which he intended to make into his first feature length film. It was a risk unlike any other he had taken before. The film would cost a million and a half dollars at a time Disney was spending anywhere from ten to thirty thousand on his short cartoons. Doubts came from his wife Lillian and his brother and business partner Roy, who were sure they would be in debt for most of the rest of the lives. Also nervous was Walt's backer Bank of America, who at one point interrupted the production by cutting off his credit. Then there were the heads of the other studios like MGM, Universal and Warner Brothers. They would gather for their weekly poker games at the Hillcrest Country Club and speculate that Walt, who they called "the Mickey Mouse Man", would never succeed, no one would sit still for an hour and a half to watch a cartoon. And the press referred to Snow White as "Disney's Folly".

Despite the doubters and his own health problems (he suffered from a thyroid condition), Walt pressed forward relentlessly for three years. The key to the film, as far as Disney was concerned was the evil queen/peddler woman. Snow White was sympathetic, the dwarfs were humorous, but the villain had to be horrifying to keep the audience interested. The vocals were performed by a renowned stage actress named Lucille Laverne. Her haughty voice was a great fit as the queen, but her playing of the character after she transformed into the old crone had some at the studio worried. "Wait, I have an idea", she said. She left the recording room for a few minutes then returned. "I'm ready". She delivered her lines in a way that chilled and thrilled the Disney staff. After she finished there was applause and she was asked what she did when she left. She smiled and said," I took my teeth out!"

Walt's calculations were correct, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs was a hit throughout the entire world in 1938 and for many years beyond, keeping audiences riveted. The only down side for Walt was that maybe the peddler woman was a little too horrifying, he was disturbed by reports from Radio City Music Hall in New York where the film was setting box office records. It turned out that every few days the theater management had to replace seats. . . due to excessive wetness.

Taking a Virtual Tour of Anaheim California

The city of Anaheim California, located near Los Angeles, is an attractive but active metropolis. The first settlers that came in this area in 1857 were farm working families. These immigrants were from Bavaria, Germany and have thrived ever since by blending agriculture, modern industry and tourism into the economic mix. This city has a population of over 300,000 inhabitants according to the last census that was conducted in 2000.

Anaheim California is now an important industrial location for electronics and aircraft parts. This city is also involved in canning fruit. Lemons, walnuts and oranges are the main crops grown in the area. This attractive city also has a local airport, bearing the grand name of John Wayne Airport. The famous Walt Disney also chose to build his first theme park in Anaheim California in 1955. Disneyland has brought millions of tourists to the area and made Anaheim California a familiar name across the world.

The residents of this city are avid sports fans. Angel Stadium is a very impressive venue that is the home ground of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team. The Honda Center, which is an indoor arena, is host to the NHL Anaheim Ducks hockey team. Wrestling and basketball matches are also held in this venue. The center is large enough to put on concerts of many pop stars and other musical artists. Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, Madonna and the Rolling Stones have held concerts in the Honda Center.

However, Anaheim California is also identified with a shameful period in history. The infamous Ku Klux Klan had a stranglehold in this city during the 1920's before they were eventually swept away. Town officials and police officers during this period were among the members of this notorious organization.

The residents of this city are generally happy because Anaheim California has a successful balance between work and play. It looks forward to being a modern 21st century city, but it has not forgotten its roots and remains a center for agriculture. Anaheim California is also the birthplace of several successful people. Gwen Stefani, the late singer songwriter Jeff Buckley and the late professional wrestler Mike Lockwood are just a few of the successful celebrities that were born in this city.

Story on My One Day in Disneyland

Our Disneyland day happened to land on a Saturday. Mother came to our bedrooms and woke my brother and I up very early. The sun wasn't even up. I didn't care, because I knew what this was the day for us to experience something different. My younger brother and I were so excited that we even forgot what day it was. Saturdays are our favorite cartoon day. We loved to watch the Bugs Bunny Show. But on this day was different, and we didn't care.

We looked forward to get dressed and eat our cereals. Then, we packaged and ourselves in the car. We literally thought it was Christmas morning. In some sense, we could not wait until we opened our gifts. And we could not wait to get to the Disneyland theme park. We have our hat, sunscreen, clothes, teddy bears and our favorite book.

Time could not bring us there sooner. We finally drove up to the theme park, we watched as park attendants pointed us through the parking lot maze. Impatiently, we jump out of the car once we finally parked. Then we lead our parents to the front gate. Once in the park, we couldn't believe the greatness of it. It was so huge and full of people that we didn't know which direction to head to our first ride.

Our parents insisted the studied the map first of Disneyland. They had planned a course where we should go, the circle would be very effective today. We challenged all travel that were, for the amount of levels. We saw shows, ate hot dogs and chips and soda and ice. We have pictures with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. We took the boat ride through the It's A Small World tunnel. We got pictures of Mickey Mouse and we each received a hat from him.

It was such a fun-filled day that we didn't even realize how exhausted we were by the time the light show ended. All we wanted to do at that point was be carried in our parents arm back to the car. The ride home hummed us to sleep. We dreamt we were still at Disneyland with all of the new friends we made. Back in our beds, we continued our dream state. Then, we told all of our classmates about our awesome day the next school day. We wore our Mickey Mouse hats to prove it.