Update on the Expansion of FantasyLand in the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Imagineers have revamped the plans for the FantasyLand expansion. They have scrapped plans for some of the areas that favored girls and added a ride and eatery that will please the whole family.

The original plans called for Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Tinkerbelle and the Fairies all to have their special areas in the new FantasyLand; those plans have been downscaled or scrapped altogether.  A new indoor roller coaster and restaurant are in the works now.

Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty will have a smaller meet and greet venue in what is now Snow White’s Scary Adventure.  A Snow White themed indoor roller coaster will offer guests a ride on mine cars that swing back and forth on the track.  

A new restaurant Be Our Guest will seat 550 guests offering counter service during the day and sit down dinner service in the evening.  I can imagine the sit down restaurant will offer some type of character interactions during dinner.

Tinkerbelle and her friendly fairy friends will find a permanent home in Disney Hollywood Studios, after leaving their temporary home in Epcot where they will reside during the International Flower Show this spring.

The plans are still on for Goofy’s Barnstormer, and  the Little Mermaid ride. The Little Mermaid ride will be a cornerstone of the new area, with “clammobile” type cars that move visitors thru Ariel’s world under the sea.  

The construction of the new FantasyLand is well underway and will be opened in phases beginning late 2012.  ToonTown will be closing soon to make way for the expansion.

Start Planning Your Vacation Today!
Email: JEGTravels@gmail.com
Phone: 352.556.4437

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas to Recieve Upgrades

Liberty of the Seas gets a face lift

Liberty of the Seas,  one of Royal Caribbean's 160,000 ton ships, is in dry dock on Grand Bahama Island, where she will stay until 1/30/2011.  The Liberty will be enhanced with “Oasis Class” features. The updates will bring the Liberty (and in March the Freedom of the Seas) up to Oasis Class standards with upgraded features and amenities.

The updates include a 3D movie theatre, poolside movie screen, infant and toddler nursery, technology enhancements and new beverage and snack venues.  

The DreamWorks Experience includes a 3D theatre, in room movies, character meals, parade, photos and Adventure Ocean activities with your favorite DreamWorks characters.

The deck area will be enhanced with a larger than life poolside movie screen to watch first run movies and sporting events.

Beginning late April 2011, step back in time to 1978 with your white suit and boogie shoes and enjoy Saturday night fever: The Musical.

Parents can enjoy the ship while their little ones are being cared for by well trained professionals. The Royal Babies and Tots Nursery has specially designed programs with Fisher Price and Crayola products to interact with your babies and toddlers.

Experience a silly musical puppet show with ImagineOcean! Puppet show. The cast uses black lights and a stage set as the ocean floor. A great show is for adults and children.

The barber shop on the promenade will be closed to make way for The Cupcake Cupboard, a 1940s style shop where cruisers can enjoy sweet cupcakes.  The shop will also offer cupcake design classes and private decorating parties.

Award winning Royal Caribbean chefs will teach you the basics to help you create a delicious meal at Chefmakers Cooking Academy. The classes take place in a real galley on the ship. The best part is you do not have to clean the kitchen!

Try new wines or your old favorites at Vintages Wine Bar. This hip bar is the perfect place to enjoy a pre or post meal drink.

Technology enhancements will add interactive touch screen feature to ship directional signage. The signs will include information on restaurants and activities.  In stateroom technology will add features to make it easy to reserve excursions or make dinner reservations. The Wi-Fi service is being upgraded to allow for better internet connectivity with your personal laptop.

Start Planning Your Vacation Today!
Email: JEGTravels@gmail.com
Phone: 352.556.4437

How to Get Cruise Discounts and Deals

Cruise Discounts and Deals

Looking to cruise and looking for a good deal? If you plan in advance you can save some money and have the vacation of your dreams!

Each cruise line has its own weekly specials that can save you money, they also offer discounts for police, fire, military, seniors and residents of certain states.

If you plan in advance you can find some great cruise deals. As with any special price, the price is lower for a reason, because historically not as many people cruise the Caribbean in early January or September, October and November. Alaska cruising during shoulder season will save you money. Shoulder season is between the off season and peak season. For Alaskan cruising it is May, early June and September.  The weather may be a bit colder but you aren’t going to Alaska to swim! Explore a month early or later and save some serious cash!

We recently took advantage of the Police and Firefighter discount on our January Monarch of the Seas cruise. It saved us a considerable amount.  Somr military discounts don't require that you are currently active duty, they simply ask for a copy of your DD214 to show that you served your country. Resident and Senior rates are available year round. Let your travel agent know what state everyone in your cabin is from, there may be a discount.

The cruise lines will require proof that you are indeed eligible for the discount. The Military discount will require proof of military service such as a DD214, Honorable Discharge form.

Make sure to let us know what discounts you may qualify for! Don’t miss out on great savings!

Start Planning Your Vacation Today!

Email: JEGTravels@gmail.com
Phone: 352.556.4437

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Every girl should look like a princess and the Fairy Godmothers-in-training at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique know just how to do it. Whether you choose the Cinderella’s Castle location or the salon in the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney, your little princess will be pampered from head to toe. The boutique offers multiple hair styles, nail color, make-up and a total package including Disney Princess costume and photographs.

Girls 3 years old and above can choose from 3 hair styles, Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva and Pop Princess, in 3 available packages.

Little boys over 3 years old have their own special, The Knight Package, which includes hair styling as well as a sword and shield.

Prices range from $14.95 for the Knight Package to $239.95 for the Castle Package that includes hairstyle, makeup, nails, photos, Disney Princess gown (of your choice), crown, wand, shoes and princess sash.

Let your child be the princess or knight you know they are!

Start Planning Your Vacation Today!
Email: JEGTravels@gmail.com

Phone: 352.556.4437

HOG Ride

Saturday January 22, 2011

Speckled Butterbean Restaurant

It was a chilly morning by Florida standards but then again, it’s been a cold winter. It was 54 degrees when we headed out to Crystal River Harley to start our ride. In the 30 minutes it took to head up 19 to the dealer, it dropped to 48 and the wind started to kick up. I stayed nice and warm though, my daughter Kristy was visiting, so I drove the ‘Ladies of Harley vehicle’, taking lots of pictures along the way. 

It was “kick stands up” at 10:00 am for our 14 riders and with Steve as road captain we headed out to Webster and the Speckled Butterbean.  The cold weather was not a deterrent, everyone was decked out in leathers, and some had heated vests to ward off the chill.  We snaked around the winding back roads, the Spanish moss waving in the wind, through Citrus, Hernando and Sumter Counties.

We arrived at 11:30 and enjoyed a delicious homemade buffet of all the country favorites, mash potatoes, fried okra, fried chicken, meatloaf, salads and ice cream and cobbler for dessert. 

Our HOG chapter loves to eat and all our rides seem to begin or end with food or at least ice cream! We had a great time with great people and look forward to our next ride.

Start Planning Your Vacation Today!
Email: JEGTravels@gmail.com
Phone: 352.556.4437