DISNEY & ORLANDO DIGEST - Vacation discounts all in one place!

Disney & Orlando Digest – Week of April 29, 2013

Disney Discounts

Walt Disney World

Save Up To 30% on Rooms at Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels this
Summer- Book your room only or package reservation and save up to 30% off the
Disney Resort hotels for June 13-August 14, 2013. You can book a room only or
upgrade to a package with tickets. You can even add one of the Disney Dining
Plans for additional savings.

Florida Resident Packages - Prices as low as $56 per person per day when you
book a 3-Night/4-Day Package at a Disney Value Resort for Florida Residents. This
package includes your room accommodations and the 4-Day Discover Ticket. This
pass is good for 4 days at the Disney Theme Parks. You must show a valid Florida
ID for each adult to take advantage of this discount promotion.

Military Discount Active duty and retired members of the US military can get
specially discounted rooms at the Disney resorts most nights from October 1,
2012 – September 28, 2013 except November 22, 2012 through November 24,
2012; December 23, 2012 through December 31, 2012; and March 25, 2013
through April 4, 2013. Service members can also get up to (6) 4-day Park Hopper
tickets for just $156.00 at their base ticket sales office.

Disney Cruise Line

Military Discount - Our military can take advantage of discounts from $55 per
person per day on the Disney Cruise. Current Disney Cruise discounts are on the
Disney Magic for active or retired military during cruises in May 2013.

Florida Residents - The Florida Residents can take advantage of great savings on
board the Disney Dream or the Disney Wonder this April 2013. Prices start from
$90 per person per day. Book quickly, these discounts are limited to 50 rooms
and will book up quickly.

Special Deals out of Galveston, TX - If Galveston, TX is near your home. Now is
the time to book a cruise on the Disney Wonder with a free $100 onboard credit

for an Inside stateroom, a $150 onboard credit for an Oceanview stateroom, or a
$200 onboard credit for a Verandah stateroom. Plus, even better book by May 15
and the deposit is half off! The cruise dates are select cruises from September 28-
November 16, 2013.

CANADIAN RESIDENTS ENJOY 25% OFF - For a limited time, Canadian residents
can enjoy 25% off prevailing rates (as quoted on the Disney Cruise Line website)
on the June 3, 2013, June 10, 2013, and August 26, 2013 Disney Wonder sailings
departing from Vancouver, Canada! Offer valid only for Categories 4A-11C. The
number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.

Disneyland

Save 20% Off Disneyland Hotels - If you are planning a Spring vacation to
Disneyland in California and travel Sunday-Thursday, you can save up to 20% off
and then up to 15% off on Friday or Saturday nights. Travel from April 7-May 22
to take advantage of these savings.

SPECIAL OFFERS AT GOOD NEIGHBOR HOTELS - From time to time,
selected Disneyland® Resort Good Neighbor Hotels may feature special offers,
such as a third, fourth or fifth night free for new reservations. Clients staying at a
Good Neighbor Hotel can be assured of two things: quality accommodations and
close proximity to the Disneyland Resort. With 40 nearby hotels to choose from,
they'll have no problem finding one to fit their needs-and budget.

Universal Studios Discounts

Complete Vacation Deals

•

2-Park Getaway - For a limited time, book at least 3 nights with the 2-Park
Getaway Package and get lots of free perks including an extra day to play
at the parks for FREE, Early Park Admission to get into the Wizarding World
of Harry Potter (before the crowds), and Universal Express (front of the line
access on rides and attractions at the parks). (Must complete travel by
June 30, 2013)

4th Night & 3rd Day FREE - Stay at one of the Universal Park Hotels like the
popular waterpark resort call Coco Key and get your 4th night free and your 3rd
day at the Universal Parks for free, too. You also get free Early Park Admission

into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and free admission into CityWalk. This
discount package is good through June 30, 2013. (Must arrive by 6/16/13)

Universal 1-Day or 2-Day Pass with Shuttle Transportation - Take a day away
from the Disney World Parks to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Book
a 1-Day or 2-Day Pass to Universal Studios with shuttle transportation included
in the ticket. This special ticket is only available with select companies including
Destinations in Florida.

7 Nights, 5 Theme Parks - UNLIMITED ADMISSION to Universal's Islands of
Adventure®, Universal Studios Florida®, SeaWorld® Orlando, Aquatica™ - a one-
of-a kind waterpark by SeaWorld and Wet 'n Wild®-Orlando, all-club access to
Universal CityWalk® and much more!

The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM - Exclusive Vacation Package - 4 Night
Vacations This EXCLUSIVE vacation package includes: Early Park Admission,
Breakfast at the Three BroomsticksTM , Hotel Accommodations, 2-Day Base
Ticket with 3rd Day Free (must complete travel by June 30, 2013), Access to live
entertainment at Universal CityWalk Vacation offer valid for travel Now – 12/31/
13

Hotel only deals

STAY More, Save More – Save up to 30% Discounts begin at 3 nights at any
of the three Universal Orlando® Resort deluxe hotels during THE BEST DAYS TO
VACATION! Save up to 30%*, plus take advantage of $150** in hotel savings
including discounts on food, drinks, spa treatments and more! CHOOSE FROM
THE DATES: April 21 – June 6 August 18 – October 3 November 11 - December
19, 2013

3 NIGHTS
SAVE UP TO
10%*

4 NIGHTS
SAVE UP TO
20%*

5/6 NIGHTS
SAVE UP TO
25%*

7 NIGHTS
SAVE UP TO
30%*

SAVE up to 25% - 4 nights or longer at any of the three deluxe on-site hotels
at Universal Orlando®! CHOOSE FROM THE DATES: February 15 – April
20
May 24 – 26
June 7 – August 17
November 8 – 10 & 27 – 30
December 20 – 31, 2013

4 NIGHTS

5/6 NIGHTS

7 NIGHTS

SAVE UP TO 10%^

SAVE UP TO 15%^

SAVE UP TO 25%^

BED AND BREAKFAST PACKAGES - Enjoy a daily buffet breakfast for two (2)
with your hotel stay. Choose the Bed & Breakfast Package when making your
reservation.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Kick back and relax in a
tropical paradise.

As low as $254 per night*

Hard Rock Hotel

Live like a rock 'n' roll superstar.

As low as $284 per night*

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Celebrate la dolce vita - the
sweet life

As low as $309 per night*

Sea World Discounts

Free Food - Book your Sea World Package at a partner hotel and get the All Day
Dining for FREE. Add a day at Aquatica and eat there free, too!

Kids Free - Book your package now with a partner hotel and receive (1) free
child's admission (ages 3-9) for every paid adult. Limit of 2 free tickets. This
special promotion runs through May 31, 2013.

Save $10 on Sea World Tickets - Pre-order your Sea World tickets and save $10
off per ticket. You can also print your Sea World tickets, so you do not have to
wait in any lines once you arrive to the park. Plus, even better, your 2nd day at
Sea World is free!

5 Incredible Parks, 1 Ticket, Orlando’s Best Vacation Value! - See more for less!
This package features the Orlando FlexTicket, offering unlimited admissions to
SeaWorld, Aquatica, Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure and Wet’n Wild
during your stay. Perfect for your Orlando vacation. Stay at least 5 nights and
enjoy the best of Orlando! Plus, free transportation and other great benefits
available when you choose an Official Hotel of SeaWorld. Package requires a 10-
day advance purchase. Stay a minimum of 5 nights and as an added value, your
5th night is FREE!

Wednesday, February 27th - Last Day

I had packed up a few things the night before and mainly had to place everything in my suitcase.  I was feeling rested and much better so once I had everything ready to go, I put the Do Not Disturb keycard in my door slot and went down to breakfast.  This morning was our wrap up session and we had a big square of tables set up in a private room.  We had been running a few contests during the training and the various winners were announced and great prizes awarded!  Then Amy, who is in charge of our training, handed out our specialist certificates and some cute take-home gifts with a Universal theme.  Then she announced that we were again, for the 3rd year in a row, the Universal Agency of the Year!  After breakfast, we took some pictures with our award and our gifts.  Most of us said our goodbyes here and everyone was going their various ways, some home, some on to Disney.

Shannon had arranged some transportation for those of us going on to Disney. We had a couple of us getting off at Pop Century and a couple of us getting off at Wilderness Lodge.  Once I got let off at Pop Century, I took my luggage over to the airline check in and had it sent on to the airport for my flight which wasn't until 7:10.  Then I had to have my Magical Express dates changed from Feb 24th to Feb 27th; they just had to verify that I never used my return on the 24th and I was all set!

It was a nice and warm day, not too hot so I thought I would just sit near the pool, get a glass of ice water and enjoy the atmosphere and weather.  NOTE TO SELF: even though there is a breeze and you do not LOOK red, you are burning!  I sat out there for about an hour and a half, listening to the trivia pool games and actually learned quite alot with some of their questions! It seems like everyone was having fun.

my view from my chair

I went inside to get a little bit of lunch; got a burger and pasta salad with a lemonade.  The food court was very empty of people so I had to wait for a fresh burger. Afterwards, I walked in to the gift shop to spend some gift cards but really did not see anything in there I wanted; I will save them where I have a better selection.  Before too long, I went outside near the Magical Express pick up area and waited the last half hour. One bus came but it was the one before me.  Then I saw a family who had missed their scheduled bus get put on a bus which, in turn, bumped a whole family on to the next bus.  They took it surprisingly well.  While they waited, their kids decided it was cute to make paper airplanes out of park maps and were throwing and flying them all over the waiting area, landing in the bus lanes, up in the fans, annoying everyone around them with the parents saying nothing.  One of their kids even started climbing on the back of the bench I was sitting. I turned around and gave her a  REALLY? look and the dad said to stop doing that. I just kept praying they were not on my flight! From the sounds of their  New Yawk accent, they were not.

At the airport, everything went very smooth. Security was about 15 minutes with no issues.  I was shocked to see in the bathroom, when I looked in the mirror, all I could see was the whites of my eyes!  I broke my number one vacation rule and did not have on enough sunscreen! I am always so careful but I should have reapplied something when near the pool. The worse part is, I look about 10 years OLDER!  I have even stayed in all day today applying moisturizers and aloe vera gel. When Joe picked me up he was calling me Pocohantas!  My eyes are even puffy. I only have myself to blame but I was tired and the warmth felt so good and I wanted to soak it up while I had the chance. STUPID DONNA, lol

Saw a cute poodle service dog while waiting to board.  The plane was empty towards the back so I had a whole row to myself!  I got some ice water and then dozed off. When I got off the people mover in Pittsburgh, there was Joe and Jake waiting for me with Jake reminding me that we leave for Disney exactly one month from this day.

So another trip has come to an end and it was a great one for so many reasons!  Everything went so well, every one of my fellow agents are so nice and helpful.  It is great to share what works for us and to learn what works for others.  I absolutely love Universal Studios Florida!  I can't wait to go back there again! You learn so much more actually experiencing things for yourself. I am so thankful for the opportunity!

As I sat on the Magical Express bus, I looked out my window and saw this message.

Tuesday - February26th

I literally have to look at a calendar because I forget it is February!!!

This day we are scheduled to tour each hotel, its rooms and amenities.   I am thoroughly impressed with each one of these resorts and what they have to offer.  They are all 4 DIAMOND resorts!  We started with our resort we are staying at Portofino Bay.  We already knew we had the biggest rooms of the 3 hotels, they are massive!  If you love pillows, you will love this place!

We passed through the lobby and piazza area, just beautiful!

We roamed around little street areas and saw the main pool and the quiet pool areas. I absolutely LOVED the cabanas!

Quiet Pool

We made our way back out to the Main Piazza and walked back towards the main pool area.

This is where most of the restaurants are located, indoor and outdoor

zero entry main pool

We then made our way down to the Mandara Spa which is huge!  There was also an exercise/workout area down here.

After we left the spa, we were shown some rooms with an adjoining kid suite. This was a regular room with a King bed and the ajoining room had two small beds and their own table. The theming was adorable!

We then moved on to Hotel Royal Pacific.  It reminded me a little bit of the Polynesian but seems alot bigger and newer, absolutely beautiful gardens!

I loved how spread out everything seemed here. The restaurants are huge. This resort fills up quick because it is the lowest priced on site hotel of the 3 but I think it is just beautiful and great for families!

We checked out the pool area which looked so inviting!

view of pool from above

We got to see one of the rooms; they are considerably smaller that Portofino but fine for a family of 4.

this is the view from the room above

We made our way downstairs to check out the pool closer and to see some of the restaurants.

waiting for the restaurant to open, lol

beautiful pool

This restaurant downstairs has a great feature.  They have a separate room dedicated to families with small children. The parents have their own tables in the corners, the kids have a place to play and even their own kid-sized buffet!

Our last hotel of the site tour was The Hard Rock Hotel.  You got a different vibe (pun intended) the minute you walked in the door. There was memorabilia everywhere you looked. The expansive lobby area was loaded with seats, lounges....almost like mini living rooms including a movie screen showing a movie.  Our guide told us they have concerts here 10 times a year for a great price....yes, right here in the lobby. This is a great hotel for music-loving teens and young-at-heart parents who don't mind it getting a little loud from time to time.  You could spend hours just checking out the walls of memorabilia, even the bathroom was cool!

one of the check in areas

view from the room below

huge bathroom

check out the sunglasses on the fountain

Our lunch was in a private room downstairs and took place in conjunction with a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line training session.  There was also some additional Universal training as well.  Here is where we learned about the still-being-built Cabana Bay Beach Resort.  It will be a value-priced resort with 900 standard rooms and 900 family suites. It will even have a 10 lane bowling alley! It will not, however, have Front of the Line Access that the other resorts have.  The price is fantastic at just over $100 a night for standard and I think this will be a popular resort for families....it is on the Islands of Adventure side and within walking distance.

Universal and Royal are partnering for a land/sea package

It was somewhere during this training that I could not find my glasses.  I thoroughly checked the bathroom area, under our table and no glasses.  I had no spare, so I kept looking and since our training was over for this session, I went to check with Lost and Found. I described them and they had them!  The man from lost and found brought them up but wanted to see picture ID and I did not have any on me! It was back in the room in one of my purses.  Not sure why that was needed but he gave them to me and I left the Hard Rock and walked across the street to Portofino.  This was the free time portion of our day but I was starting to not feel well so I decided to take advantage of the free time and rest.

guitar fountain at the entrance

Alot of the girls were heading back in to the parks, one got a massage and I spent the afternoon napping and trying to feel better. However, when I woke up a few hours later, I felt worse. I debated skipping dinner but I had really been looking forward to this dinner at Mama Della's Ristorante, a true Italian dining experience. I thought maybe once I got out and got some fresh air, it would help.   I headed downstairs and as I walked outside, I heard opera singing.  In the main piazza, way up overlooking a balcony, there were opera singers serenading the crowd.

perfect preshow to our dinner!

We entered the restaurant at 7 and had our own private room with a really long table back in the back.  The opera singers that were outside were going to each table to sing.  They asked if we had any requests when they got to our table. Of course, I requested Bella Notte!  I could barely keep it together as they sang this song that is so dear to my heart. It was done so beautifully!

We had more food here on one table than I have ever seen!  We started out with bruschetta which was SO good! The next serving was antipasto, with meats and cheeses and breads. Then they brought out a mixed greens salad with some type of delicious vinigrette dressing. Then about an hour after all that, which gave us a chance to enjoy all the appetizers, the main courses came out.   There was lasagne, pasta/mussels/scallops/shrimp, sliced steak.  Keep in mind, there were about 6 dishes of EACH entree set on the table. It was just fabulous! Even though I wasn't feeling that great, I did have some of each thing I thought I would like.

click on the picture to see how good!

Slice Steak

I ate small portions but still was not feeling that well which makes it hard to join in the conversation. I knew some wonderful desserts would probably be next....like cannoli....and I did not think I better mix that with all this goodness.  I  excused myself and went back to my room and got comfortable and put a cold wash cloth on my face and laid down.  I fell asleep about 9:30 or so to the wonderful nature sounds from the ihome on the nightstand. I did not wake up til 5 in the morning!

It was a great evening and not feeling well, thankfully, was temporary. I am so glad that I chanced it and went down for dinner.  I am still amazed at the amount of food we had and it was, by far, the best Italian food I have ever eaten!

Tomorrow is wrap up day and back to Pop Century for a few hours and then Magical Express to the airport for my 7:10 flight back home.

UNIVERSAL FAM TRIP - FEBRUARY 25TH

I slept extremely well.....not a single sound in the room and I do not think I even moved in this heavenly bed! I got up around 6 and got my shower and got dressed in park touring clothes, which means comfy shoes!  We were meeting at 8 at Trattoria Del Porto for breakfast;  I headed down around 7:45 and took some pictures along the way.

taken from a balcony in the villas section

Forgot to mention there's a Keurig in the room

Shops inside just off the lobby area

Best flower I ever smelled!

We had some tables assigned already for us and most of us walked in a few a time.  Most of us had  the buffet which was filled with french toast, belgian waffles, pancakes, all kinds of melon, croissants, pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, oats.  I had some small pastries, eggs/bacon/ and a wedge of french toast and one quarter of a belgian waffle. It was all really good!  You know it's good when I forget to take pictures!

Around 9:15, we were ushered out to our shuttle bus that took us to the entrance of the parks. We were taken to a VIP gathering area where there was coffee/tea/water and restrooms. At this point, we met our VIP tourguides and were given our VIP lanyards.

  We were going to tour Islands of Adventure first.  First up was The Hulk.  Most rode, a few stayed back, me being one of them.  I know what I can handle and what I cannot handle. Upside down and backwards or spinning tends to give me really bad headaches and nausea but I can do simulators with no problem. The rides were all explained to us before riding and this really helped us decide what to do.  After Hulk, we were backdoored in to Spiderman. I had been on this before and knew I liked it. It was great and so realistic!

This whole Marvel comic area is so well done. After Spiderman, we went backstage and in to a Spiderman vehicle "garage" where vehicles are repaired and/or tested. They even have a mini version of the track and one was being tested while we were in there. As we waited for the door to open, Spiderman drove by on an ATV and waved!  No pictures backstage though!

You can say that again!

Next up was Jurassic Park. I always thought this was so well done. Last time I had been through here was not long after the movie came out!  We were given ponchos if we intended on riding but you still get pretty wet depending on where you are sitting.  It was really warm today and I guess that would have felt good but I did not want wet feet. A few of us sat it out but since all the riders were being backdoored on to rides, our waits were no longer than 5 minutes or so for those not riding.

After the riding was over, we walked through the Discovery Center which is exactly like the movie, right down to the dinosaur eggs!

dino eggs hatching

Next up was Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  I had heard so much about this "land" but I have not seen the movies or read the book so while it was harder for me to understand the theming, even  I could see how well done this is. I was not sure about riding the ride itself but I did not want to go home and say I chickened out!  I had heard lines were really bad here but it said only a 20 minute wait for regular guests. Of course, we were backdoored and walked through part of the castle and saw some really neat effects.  Well, I am here to say I did survive but there were times during the ride, it was doubtful!  The last thing I remember seeing was big spiders and I started feeling strange in my head like I might pass out. I kept my eyes shut, opening every once in awhile. It seemed very long!  When I opened my eyes, it got worse....how much longer would this last, lol.  Finally, it was over and I did it.  There are steps when you get off the ride and it is very dark, thank goodness it was cool in there.

I forget the name of the next ride, I did not pay attention when I saw that it twisted and went upside down. A few of us stayed back and watched the bags for those that rode.

Next we went to one of my favorite parts of the park, Seuss Landing. Not because we were going to have lunch here but because I love the whimsical and whacky look and feel of this land.  Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss!

We had lunch inside here and there was also a drink refill station.  We were given these large cups that you normally would purchase and they are good for refills at these stations through the day. I do not drink pop much so I got some Lite Lemonade.  If you purchase the meal plan, you are given a bracelet showing your length of purchase and you do not get credits like Disney, it is literally good for food for as many times as you want to get it.  There are 3 counter service areas for this in each park.  This is one of them, where we had lunch.

The Seuss train passes through here.

One of the drink stations, endless options!

Next we went in to Shrek 4D which is watched with 3D glasses and motion seats move you around. This was a cute movie with Shrek and Fiona and you even get a little wet!  Shrek and Fiona were outside for a meet and greet.

Rip Ride Rocket

Next up was Rip Ride Rocket which I sat out.  A few of us went on a bathroom break in the Monsters Cafe.

One of the best 3D rides I've ever been on!

We were headed in to the Horror Make up Show and were seated down in front. This was not only funny but somewhat graphic! It must have been pretty bad and somewhat unexpected for some because about 5 different groups of guests got up and left in the middle of the show! The hosts were joking at first when they left but then started letting the guests know they were not happy. They said we are not at Disney, I do not have to be nice.    :::::GRAPHIC PICTURE WARNING:::::::::::

At some point, some people did Revenge of the Mummy.  I decided to sit it out but I probably should have tried it.

We headed over to try one more ride, Men in Black, before dinner.  We are so spoiled getting on these rides so fast!  I was doing good but did not realize to push the red button at the end and that would raise my score.  Saw some huge celebrities along the way!

Lucy!

Marilyn!

We were running a few minutes late for dinner so we headed out to Lombard's Seafood Grille. It was not far away at all from Men in Black.  We had preordered from the menus already (while at breakfast). This is part of the Cinematic Experience and included a dessert bar after dinner.  I had sirloin steak and salad for my appetizer.  The desserts looked so good! Our timing was perfect because as we were seated for dinner, the skies let loose!

After dinner and desserts, we were seated on the outside terrace to watch The Cinematic Experience.  It was a series of film genres from Universal projected on to a water screen with dancing waters and fireworks.  It was narrated by Morgan Freeman.  It was really enjoyable and covered so many favorite of movies of mine.

After the show, it was time for us to head back and call it a day.  It was a nice pleasant walk back to the water taxis, the park was closed and very little guests were still around; everyone was making their way out. It had been a long but really super fun day with everyone! I was not nearly as tired as the day before and I felt like I could go a bit longer but I was looking forward to relaxing in my villa!

walking out

That is it for today's VIP Park Tours!  Tomorrow is the site tours for all 3 hotels and RCCL training and some free time in the afternoon.  Starting with breakfast at Trattoria del Porto and ending with dinner at Mama Della's. How perfect is this job for me!