Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Disney Cruises From $329

If you think a Disney Cruise is out of reach, we've got some rates that might surprise you...

3-Night Bahamian Sailings on the Disney Magic:
2014: Jan. 10, Jan. 31

Feb. 7, Feb. 21, and Feb. 28 
  • Inside Stateroom Category from $329 per person
  • Oceanview Stateroom Category from $399 per person
  • Verandah Stateroom Category from $449 per person

4-Night Bahamian Sailings on the Disney Dream:
2014: Jan. 12 and Jan. 26

  • Inside Stateroom Category from $479 per person
  • Oceanview Stateroom Category from $499 per person
  • Verandah Stateroom Category from $549 per person
All prices are based on double occupancy. 

All voyages include a stop in Nassau as well as at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. Some restrictions apply - so give us a call (1-866-207-8387) or email us at info@magicaltravel.com to learn more about these great offers. 

And remember, a Disney Cruise makes a wonderful holiday gift, too!




Tuesday, December 3, 2013

MagicBands = No More Turnstiles at Park Entrances

MagicBands arrive prior to your trip
Earlier this year, new "MagicBands" were gradually introduced at the Walt Disney World Resort. These bands replace traditional park tickets, and they serve as your resort room key, FastPasses and more.

And now, you'll no longer have to push through a turnstile when you enter the parks. For the first time ever, all Walt Disney World theme park entrances are now completely turnstile-free and will be using the MagicBands with green light touchpoints instead! 

Ceremony marking the end of turnstiles. source: DisneyParksBlog
 

Hold your MagicBand to the touchpoint for access
Among the many conveniences of the MagicBands, no more turnstiles means easier access for guests with strollers or wheelchairs. 

You can read all about the new MagicBands by clicking here.
And our agents will walk you through the process so you know just what to expect on your next Walt Disney World vacation.

So have you had the chance to use the new MagicBands? 
What did you think? 

 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Your Child's First Haircut...At Walt Disney World?

Did you know that you or your kids can get your hair cut at Walt Disney World? Oh sure there are some spas and salons on Disney property that offer hair cutting services, but nestled in a little space next to the Emporium on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom is a wonderful hidden treasure called "Harmony Barber Shop." 

Have you ever noticed it before? It's easy to miss! In fact, you've probably walked past it a million times. To the right of the fire station is the big gate where the parade enters (or exits) Main Street. Next to the gate are some storefronts - and one of them is Harmony Barber Shop. There's a striped barber shop pole out front to welcome you as well as pixie dust, bubbles, and a pair of whimsical giant red scissors to make kids smile.

The trained stylists will cut adult or children's hair and they even offer a special "First Haircut" package, which includes a special commemorative set of Mickey ears! Can you imagine? What a special way to remember your child's first haircut. 


Pricing: 

Adult haircut - $19
Child haircut - $15 for ages 12 and under
Hair Gel - $5
My First Haircut Package - $18 

Reservations can be made in advance, but walk-ins are welcome, too. 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

The BEST Time To Plan Your Disney Cruise

Believe it or not, now is a great time to start planning a 2015 Disney Cruise. Why? Because by booking now, you can put a deposit down and then space out your payments until you sail. (Final payment isn't due until 75 days prior to your sail date.) 

And, for the first few months of 2015, all four Disney cruise ships will be sailing from Florida ports. So you can choose a 3-, 4- or 7-night cruise from Port Canaveral or 4- or 5-night cruises out of Miami. 

Oh and one more thing - every Disney cruise departing from January to April in 2015 includes a stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay!

Book now. Secure your deposit. And then pay as you go until your final payment is due.

Why Book With Magical Travel? 


Free Free Free. All of our expert planning services are completely free. We don't charge commissions or fees at all. 

Save time and money. Sure, you could take the time to do the research yourself online and get the same price, but why do that when our agents are filled with expertise? We get to know you and your family's preferences and will expertly plan the vacation you deserve. And, we're always on the lookout for the latest Disney discounts or special offers, so we can apply them to your vacation - even after you've paid your deposit - and save you money (as long as it's before your final payment is due).

Free money. As a thank-you for choosing Magical Travel, we'll give you a free, onboard credit which you can use to purchase souvenirs, photo packages, spa treatments, excursions, and more.

Call or email us with any questions you have - especially if you've never cruised before.
1-866-207-8387 or info@magicaltravel.com.

Let us work our magic for you!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Do you know what's made with...

800 pounds of flour
1050 pounds of honey
600 pounds of chocolate
180 pounds of apricot glaze and 
35 pounds of spices?

The amazingly beautiful lifesize gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Watch this time-lapse video to see how the magic is made!




2013 marks the 15th consecutive year Disney chefs have prepared this culinary masterpiece at the Grand Floridian in celebration of the holidays. And you can actually purchase sweet treats from inside the gingerbread house, too. This is one of many festive displays you'll find all over Walt Disney World. 

So here's a tip - if you'll be at the Walt Disney World Resort this holiday season, take some time to visit the resorts and check out the gorgeous holiday decorations. 

You don't need to be a resort guest to visit. Just ride the bus, boat or monorail, or drive your car and park in the lots. Each of the resorts decorate for the holidays and many have gingerbread houses, towering trees, colorful lights and even "Hidden Mickeys!"

There's still time to plan a magical holiday getaway... 6-day / 7-night packages including resort and theme park tickets for as little as $75 per person per day at a Disney Value Resort. 

Click here for more details.

 So tell us - which resort would YOU most like to visit this holiday season?

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Are You Ready For a Three-Story Drop?!

Imagine you're standing on a platform. And then - 

The floor suddenly DROPS OUT from under your feet! 

You plummet three stories and are propelled through a 212-foot long translucent tube that jets out 20 feet off the side of the ship!

Think you can handle it? 

The AquaDunk* on the Disney Magic towers nearly 37 feet above the ocean and decks below. It's all-new. And it's fabulous

*The AquaDunk is open to adults and kids 48 inches or taller. 


And kids and families will love the new AquaLab water playground on the Disney Magic. Little ones will especially love the pop jets, geysers and bubblers. And interactive games keep kids moving, while the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide might get them soaked!

This is the third post in our series about all the new changes to the Disney Magic Cruise Ship. Our first two posts focused on the delicious new dining enhancements and the all-new play areas at Disney's Oceaneer's Club for kids

Stay tuned for our next post...about the all new things for adults to enjoy on board.


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

DISNEY MAGIC - A KID'S PARADISE!

This is the second blog post in our series about the new spaces on board the Disney Magic. If you've got little ones, they'll be so busy discovering the following "kids-exclusive" play areas in Disney's Oceaneers Club that you'll have time to enjoy some rest and relaxation of your own! 

Disney's Oceaneers Club is a unique play space designed for kids ages 3 - 12, with both organized and free play choices. You can register your child in advance or once you're on board. Each child receives a wristband, which they wear for the duration of the cruise. The wristband, along with a special password chosen in advance, is the only way a child will be allowed to leave the Club.

Once inside the Club, here's what your kids will discover:


Marvel’s Avengers Academy – Become a Hero

Super hero “recruits” step through a high-tech scanner that reveals their personal super powers during the interactive, multi-day "Become a Hero" experience at Marvel's Avengers Academy.

Andy’s Room



One of our favorite spots on the ship - Andy's Room - is a new multi-level youth space in Disney's Oceaneer Club that brings the stars of "Toy Story" to life! Stocked with all of Andy's favorite toys, the room has a giant, working Mr. Potato Head, a larger-than-life "Toy Story" piggy bank, Hamm, and Slinky Dog slide, an awesome way to get to the toy room floor. And...March! Young 'recruits' join Corporal Green and the Green Army Soldiers for a fun-filled tour of duty at Toy Story Boot Camp.
 
Pixie Hollow

Pixie Hollow invites guests into the enchanted land of Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. Children can make crafts while sitting on stools shaped like mushrooms and acorns, play on computers shrouded in tree branches or dress up in fanciful costumes from Tinker Bell's teapot house.

Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club is a new youth area at the Oceaneer's Club where kids create crafts and play games on custom, ear-shaped tables, in a room splashed with Mickey's signature colors of red, yellow and black. The club also features Goofy Gears, an oversized activity where kids play with wacky, magnetic spinning gears. 

Kinda makes you wish adults could play at the Oceaneer's Club too, huh?

So tell us, what else do you want to know about the new kids' areas on the Disney Magic? And which area do you think your kids will like best?

Our next post will show you all the new enhancements to the water experiences on the ship. Be warned...there's one waterslide with a really scary drop...

Monday, October 28, 2013

NEW DINING EXPERIENCES ABOARD THE DISNEY MAGIC

There’s an extra dose of magic aboard the Disney Magic! You and your family can experience new adventures from bow to stern, including new spaces, reimagined areas and exciting additions for kids, teens, adults - the whole family. In this first in a series of blog posts about the new Disney Magic, we'll show you Carioca's and Animator's Palate - two of the exquisite restaurants that every guest experiences at least once during the reserved Rotational Dining occurring each day on the Disney Cruise. 



Carioca’s

The vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro creates an energetic dining atmosphere in Carioca's on the Disney Magic. Buffet meals are served with a festival theme during daytime hours, and the restaurant transforms into an after-hours scene with table service each evening. The menu is classic fare during the day - with plenty of kids' options. And dinner is a selection of South American specialties like deep fried lobster croquettes, empanadas, lobster, shrimp, mahi mahi, and flank steak.

Some of our agents, including Magical Travel owner Denise Hafto, got a special preview of the Disney Magic recently. Check out the photo of this food sculpture she snapped while visiting Carioca's!



 Animator's Palate

One of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, Animator's Palate on the Disney Magic is updated with all-new, animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around. 

At Animator’s Palate, the room comes to life as guests are immersed in the wonder of Disney animation during magical interactive dinner shows.

*INSIDER TIP* If you're traveling with children, consider choosing the earlier dinner time. Your dining time - either the early seating or the later seating - is a pre-assigned reservation made prior to sailing. The earlier time offers the exact same selections, just at an earlier hour. Our agents can work with you to determine which dinner seating would work best for your family.

Stay tuned for Part Two of our blog series on the newly-reimagined Disney Magic, where we'll showcase the new kids' areas including the Marvel's Avengers Academy, It's A Small World Nursery and the Oceaneer Club, Pixie Hollow and Mickey Mouse Club!

So, tell us - what would you like to know about the Disney Magic? And what are you most excited to see?

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Step Back in Time...To 1971

If you love all things Disney, you'll love this vintage video from the first parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World back in 1971. According to the Disney Parks Blog, the parade featured all of the classic Disney characters - including some you don't see very often like The Aristocats, Bambi and Thumper and the Queen of Hearts. 

A 1,076-member marching band played "76 Trombones" and then all of the musicians joined with a choir to perform "When You Wish Upon A Star" in front of Cinderella Castle. During the last verse of this iconic Disney song, the sky was filled with 50,000 multicolored balloons! Can you imagine??

How I wish I had been there. This video sure makes me feel like I was. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

What year did you first visit Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments below. 



Tuesday, October 8, 2013