Windsor Palms Vacation Rentals

Are you looking for a discount deal on Disney vacation homes? I have a discounted offer for my Solana 5 bed 4 bathroom home for all remaining dates in January. Arrive and depart on any Saturday in January and enjoy my best discounted offer yet! Just $995 for 7 nights which includes taxes and pool/spa heating.

January is one of the very best times to visit Disney World. The parks are quiet and the weather is usually still very good. So what are you waiting for?

My Solana resort 5 bed home features:

• Large 36′ Swimming Pool with Spa with WATER FOUNTAINS – A UNIQUE FEATURE!
• Extended 50′ Pool Deck with Speaker System on the Outdoor Covered Patio
• Corner Lot with privacy screen around the pool
• 2 Master Bedrooms – one with Built in Audio Speakers
• Queen Bedroom
• 2 Twins and 2 Bathrooms
• All Bedrooms have Cable TV with DVD Player
• Built in Surround Sound 50″ Cable TV in Living Area and Built in Audio Speakers
• 2 Dining Areas
• Upgraded Fully Equipped Kitchen with Dishwasher, Full Size Cooker, Microwave and Fridge Freezer
• Laundry Room with Washer and Dryer
• FREE Use of Baby Equipment – Play Yard Crib and Highchair
• FREE Wireless Internet
• Short Walk to the Clubhouse,Resort Pool, Spa, Gym, Play Structure, Concierge, Internet Cafe and Putting Green.

This is my newest vacation home and it was designed in collaboration with my most loyal guests – I asked them what they wanted from a home and I incorporated their requests to design a truly luxurious home just minutes from Disney.

For more information check out Solana Vacation Homes

Disney World Animal Kingdom Lodge

Do you want somewhere completely unique to stay on your Disney World vacation? Well you must certainly consider a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This spectacular African themed Disney World deluxe hotel is set in a 33 acre savanna where over 200 animals including giraffes and zebras roam freely. If you have a savanna view room you really will wake up to a view which makes you feel as though you are on safari.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort but is usually priced at one of the lowest of all of the Disney luxury category resorts. Standard rooms start at around $240 a night. But I think that to get the true benefit of staying in the Animal Kingdom resort you really do need to pay the extra money and splurge on a savanna view room. The best ones are located in the Zebra and Kudo Trail buildings with an interior view of the savannas.

There really is nothing to compare with the excitement that all the family will have over viewing a giraffe from the balcony! I stayed there will my family this year and it was truly one of the best hotel experiences that we have ever had. I will never forget the excitement of my 7 year old son as he was the first to spot a zebra walking into our view.

Concierge level is also one of the very best of the Disney World hotels. Not only do you get access to the exclusive concierge lounge and services but also the chance to book the Sunset and Sunrise Safari tours. These very special experiences most report as being the highlight of their trip.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge also has some of my favorite Disney World restaurants. My favorite buffet restaurant is Boma which has very high quality food with a unique African twist. I know on hearing this many of you will think this is not a great thing! But give it a try and I am sure you will enjoy it. There really is plenty for all of the family to enjoy and if you have picky eaters there is always the kids buffet! Jiko restaurant is also a unique experience – a fine dining restaurant which really is kid friendly! Excellent food and wonderful service combine at one of my very favorite Disney restaurants.

I often visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge as it is so close to my vacation homes. I enjoy the restaurants, watching the animals from the many observation points and just soaking in the atmosphere people watching in the lobby. Be sure to make a visit on your next Disney World vacation and prepare to enter an African themed paradise.

Want to make sure to get all the information that you need about the Animal Kingdom Lodge? Want to know where the best rooms are and just what makes the resort so special. Be sure to check out my free and comprehensive Guide To Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where you will find all you need to know.

Photos used under Creative Commons from afagen

Tags: animal kingdom lodge, disney animal kingdom, disney world deluxe hotels, disney's animal kingdom lodge

No visit to Disney World is complete without seeing Epcot’s spectacular fireworks display Illuminations – Reflections of Earth. But this is more than just a fireworks display. We all know that Disney is the master of entertainment and Illuminations is likely to be one of the highlights of your vacation. Illuminations features fireworks,music, pyrotechinics,lasers and a 350,000 pound globe. This really is one of the must see attractions at Disney World.

So what is the first thing that you have to think about when choosing a viewing spot for Epcot’s Illuminations? Well as the show is always run just before the park closes you have to think about how you are going to get to the exit! At busy times there may be as many as 30,000 people leaving Epcot at the same time as you are. So when you are choosing a viewing spot always remember that some places make for a quicker exit!

If you are staying at one of the Disney Epcot resort hotels or have parked in the Boarwalk parking lot then you should think about picking a viewing spot close to the World Showcase exit. The bridge between the United Kingdom and France Pavillions is good for this.

If, like most people, you are parked in the main parking lot then the further around the World Showcase Lagoon you are then the longer it will take you to get to the exit. So you might want to think about watching from somewhere between Canada and France.

The best place to watch Illuminations? In my experience probably Cantina de San Angel terrace in the Mexico Pavilion area. A table near the lagoon is an ideal spot. The disadvantage? Many people know about this and so at busy times you may find yourself having to lodge yourself at a table for up to 2 hours before the show! Only you can decide if that kind of wait is worth it. Personally I just wouldn’t sacrifice that much time in the park and devote it to getting the ‘perfect’ spot. There are plenty of other viewing places that give you a great view.

What do you look out for when choosing a viewing spot for Illuminations? Most places are good but some are blocked by trees and other structures. Viewing around the American Pavilion is not great as it is difficult to get an unobstructed view. The boat dock in Germany, the walkway between China and Germany, most places in Japan, including the balcony of the restaurant, the Rose and Crown restaurant in the United Kingdom – these are all good viewing spots for Illuminations.

Learn more details and see some great pictures of Epcot Illuminations – Reflections of Earth
Photos used under Creative Commons from Carlos

Tags: epcot, epcot illuminations

Spaceship Earth is to Disney’s Epcot as Cinderella’s Castle is to Magic Kingdom. Think of Epcot and you will most likely conjure up the image of the 180 foot tall geodesic dome. This is one of my very favorite Disney World rides although was once a part of one of my most difficult moments at Epcot, when the Spaceship Earth ride broke down and I had to climb down a lot of rather narrow stairs right down to the exit. Not one of my better moments, but I wished that I had my camera with me as at least I had a rare glimpse into the complex systems behind the ride.

Spaceship Earth takes you on a journey through time from the prehistoric era right up to the present day. The theme is learning through advancements in communication.  You all board a slow moving time machine which runs on a constant circuit. Since the 2007 refurbishment there is now an interactive touch screen in each vehicle. Now I won’t spoil the surprise of what happens with this but don’t get too excited about this element of the ride – it is I think a little disappointing and will not hold your attention for very long!

Having said that, this 13 minute journey through time is one which is well worth taking. The use of audio animatronics and the commentary by Dame Judy Dench make this one of my favorite places to spend some time in Epcot. But beware. The lines can be very long. What guests typically do is start to stand in line for the ride as soon as they arrive in the park.  At busy times this is a mistake as the line can be very long. There is no Fast Pass for Spaceship Earth so you may want to try waiting until later in the day to ride when the lines are usually much shorter.

Learn more about this Epcot ride and find out how it was designed and see some pictures of what is inside by reading my new Spaceship Earth Guide.

Tags: epcot, epcot spaceship earth

Want to escape to a Disney vacation home this January? Well I have some great discount deals for my Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills resort homes for some last minute escapes to Disney World. January is one of the best times to visit Disney World. All the benefits of the Florida weather and the Orlando attractions without the crowds. Personally it is one of my very favorite times to visit. If you need to escape from the cold weather and the snow then there is no better place than Disney World. You can always go to Blizzard Beach if you want to sun bathe in the fake snow!

You can choose between homes on Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills. These are the very closest resorts to Disney World – yes I know that every vacation home owner says their home is the nearest but these really are! Both Windsor Resorts have exceptional facilities including community pool, children’s pool, playground, tennis, pool and table tennis tables, store,huge clubhouses and even a movie theater.

So just what are the January deals for these homes. Well I have 4 bed homes on both Windsor Palms and Windsor Hills to rent. There are last minute deals available for each. The Windsor Palms 4 bed is a discounted $995 for 7 nights and the Windsor Hills 4 bed is $1095 for 7 nights.

I have some limited dates available for my 5 bed conservation view home on Windsor Palms too. This is available at a discounted $1395 for 7 nights.

Limited dates are also available for the 6 bed 4 bath Windsor Hills home. The rates for this home are a discounted $1695 for 7 nights.

Each of the Windsor Resort homes is different but all offer very upgraded features. Some have game rooms, internet access, free phone calls. Just contact me to find out which home will suit your family.

So where is the small print? The rates are good for 7 night bookings Saturday to Saturday in January. Other start and departure dates are available for slightly higher rates – depending on availability. The rates include tax. Pool heat is available at an additional $20 a night for each home. This offer runs to all bookings made before December 31st 2008.

There really has never been a better time to book a Disney cruise. The latest Kids Sail Free deal was announced by Disney Cruise Lines today.

Kids age 12 and under can sail free on most 3-night cruises from January 22 to May 28, 2009, when traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom.

Disney’s latest offer only applies to new bookings, and for stateroom categories 4 to 12. Taxes and Government Fees are not included

To book this great offer call your Disney travel agent, book online or call (800) 951-3532 using booking code FREE.

I am very tempted by this latest offer. Just wondering when I can fit this in to my 2009 schedule as I already have 2 cruises booked! This is such a great offer though I realize I will probably spend my morning browsing available sailing dates!

The past month or so has seen some great deals on Disney Cruises. There is no longer a fuel supplement on all bookings from December 1st, there is the great deal of the second cruise for $99, and now Disney announces this special deal of kids sail free. So if you are able to take advantage of these now really is the best time to book that I have ever seen. I just wish they would start some offers for 2010 as I am ready to book!

Is a Disney cruise just for kids? A big and definite no! Disney has gone to a great deal of effort to market the cruises to adults as well as children and has several kid free areas on the Magic and the Wonder. It even has an adults only beach on Castaway Cay.

Remember that you can always combine a Disney cruise with a stay in one of my vacation homes. You can save money on your accommodation and then take advantage of one of these great Disney cruise offers. Just contact me for more details……….

Photo used under Creative Commons from Flickrized

Tags: disney cruise

There are many benefits to having an annual pass for Disney World. A 10% discount on all World of Disney merchandise in Downtown Disney. This Disney store is the largest in the world and has something to tempt every mouse fan, particularly in the Holiday season.

Disney is planning a special event for Passholders on Saturday December 13th starting at 6.30am at World of Disney. If you can get up that early then there are some very special perks for AP’s. Not only will they get their 10% discount but Disney is offering special give aways. The first 450 guests will receive a free limited-edition pin.  Plus, the first 1,000 guests at the store will receive a free silver or red Disney coil ornament.

6:30-7:30 a.m.: Complimentary coffee, hot cocoa and treat tastings

6:30 a.m.: Select plush and other items $3 each

7-9 a.m.: Meet Santa Goofy

7:30 a.m.: Select jumbo mugs, 2008 dated merchandise and other items $5 each

8:30 a.m.: Select apparel $7 each

So if you are looking for a Disney bargain this Holiday season this could be your chance.

Tags: disney annual passholders, disney store

The most luxurious Disney World hotel

If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury at a Disney resort then you will find it at the Disney Grand Floridian Resort. Be transported back to the Victorian age where service is exceptional, the architecture is stunning and the location is the best in Disney World. The Grand Floridian is located just minutes away from the Magic Kingdom and can be reached by monorail, boat or even a gentle stroll.

This quality does come at a price though. Room rates for 2009 for the Grand Floridian start at $399 and can go a lot higher depending on the type of room and the season you are visiting Disney World. There are many different types of rooms available ranging from the standard room, concierge level rooms right up to the amazing Disney Suite. I think I may have to save up for that one though as prices are upwards of $2000 a night.

But if you want the very best in luxury then the Grand Floridian will deliver. But let’s not forget that this is a Disney resort. You are surrounded with elegance and luxury but will still feel at home in those Mickey Mouse ears and Disney shirt. This is not a place to stand on ceremony!

Have you met your Prince Charming or your perfect Princess? You may want to get married in the Grand Floridian Wedding Pavilion. This dream wedding chapel overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon and Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Mickey can’t be a guest at your wedding but he will come to the reception – for an hourly rate of course. You can arrive in style in Cinderella’s Coach pulled by six white ponies driven by a footman. This is the stuff of which dreams are made!

Unfortunately not everyone’s budget stretches to actually staying at the Grand Floridian resort. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy some of the fabulous atmosphere and eat in the restaurants. The Floridian is home to one of the very best restaurants that Disney has to offer – Victoria and Albert’s. This is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. Expect to pay around $500 for a dinner for 2 with wine pairings though. If you want something a little less formal and lighter on the wallet ( but not the waistline) then try out 1900 Park Fare. This is one of my favorite Disney character dining restaurants. Have dinner with Cinderella or breakfast with Mary Poppins. The food is excellent for a buffet – expect a high energy and fun dining experience.

Or you can simply people watch in the Floridian. It is a perfect short distance from Magic Kingdom on the monorail or by boat. As soon as you enter the lobby your eyes will look upwards to the amazing 5 story atrium. Walk around to the grand staircase and find my children’s favorite spot – miniature chairs and tables in front of a TV screen showing Disney classic movies. We have spent many a happy hour relaxing there and recovering from walking around the parks.

Christmas time at the Grand Floridian is a particular treat. The huge Christmas tree in the lobby has to be seen to be believed and the edible Ginger Bread House is a favorite.

Whether you stay as a guest at Disney’s Grand Floridian hotel or simply step in for a while to look around you are sure to want to return to beautiful resort.

Photos used under Creative Commons from Kathika

Tags: disney grand floridian, disney hotels, disney resorts

What exactly is a Hidden Mickey? And how do you find them at Disney World? Rather than explain what they are it is probably easier to start by showing you a picture of one!

Hidden Mickey on the floor of the Disney Polynesian Resort Hotel

Hidden Mickeys started in the late 1970s when the Disney Imagineer’s began to leave a secret mark when they created an attraction. It was a kind of signature so they could show their family their mark on a Disney attraction that they had helped to create. At first it was a Disney inside secret but became known to guests too when an article explaining Hidden Mickey’s was published in the Disney cast member magazine. Soon the Hidden Mickey secret was out!

So what can be classed as a Hidden Mickey? Often it is the classic mouse ear trio of a black circle for his head and two circles for his ears. But it can be other things too. A Hidden Mickey can be a full silhouette drawing, a plush, his name or initials. It doesn’t even have to be Mickey Mouse – other characters are included too.

It is a lot of fun to start looking for Hidden Mickey’s in the Disney parks. It can become a little addictive once you start though! It is something that the whole family can get involved in – and can even help to pass some of the time standing in line.

How do you know if it really is a Hidden Mickey. Unfortunately there is no official list produced by Disney. Sometimes it can be a difficult call as to whether or not something you find really is a Hidden Mickey. You will get a lot better with practice though! They are located in all of the parks and even the Disney movies.

So you don’t even need to leave home to find a Hidden Mickey. Here are some that you can see right from the comfort of your own armchair!

Toy Story 2

In Andy’s room, in an early film sequence, a Mickey Mouse “watch” clock is visible on Andy’s wall.

Mulan

Shang’s Horse has four hidden mickeys, two on each side. One on each side of the neck with the others on each side of his hind flanks.

Atlantis – The Lost Empire

When Milo is talking to his grandfather’s friend, there are some fish in the background in the aquarium. On each fish, there are spots of which three of them form to make a Hidden Mickey.

If you want to find out more about Hidden Mickeys and start searching for them there is a great guide written by Steven M Barrett which has lots of details about Hidden Mickeys and scavenger hunts for all the family to enjoy.

Photo used under Creative Commons from mrkathika

Tags: hidden mickey, polynesian resort

I just had a friend of mine contact me to say that due to a last minute cancellation her beautiful 6 bed 3.5 bath Windsor Palms home is available at Christmas. Now I know that homes are really scarce on Windsor Palms at this most popular time of the year so if you are looking for a last minute Christmas and New Year Disney holiday then you now have a fabulous place to stay. I have so many people contacting me at the last moment wanting to book and I simply have to turn them away. Most Windsor Palms homes book for Christmas over a year ahead. So I am now looking at booking Christmas 2009 and 2010 for my other homes. But due to this cancellation you can now find your dream home for the Holidays on Windsor Palms resort.

Booking a vacation home for Christmas is a great idea. You get to relax in your own private oasis away from the Disney Holiday crowds. Christmas is one of my very favorite times at Disney and Universal Studios but it is nice to be able to come back to a vacation home and take some time out to relax with the family.

This Windsor Palms 6 bed home is close to the clubhouse so you are just steps away from all the facilities. The house has been upgraded a lot recently and is now one of the best available on the resort. The swimming pool and spa are nicely screened with planting. There is that all important games room too!

So if you are planning a last minute Christmas trip and are looking for a Windsor Palms vacation home then contact me and I will send you all the details.