Dream Voyage Aboard Disney's Newest Ship-Disney Dream

The Disney Dream, the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line, will be taking to the seas with its 4,000 passengers for the first time Jan. 26, 2011. The Maiden Voyage is almost booked to capacity. The next available cruise date is Jan. 30, 2011, but cabin reservations are going fast. This is only the beginning. Disney Cruise Line is building a fourth cruise liner with its Maiden Voyage set for April, 2012. Disney Fantasy is accepting reservations now so you can be aboard for the first of its many voyages.

Disney Dream's contruction began in March 2009 at a world-renowned German shipyard in Papenburg. Don't know where Papenburg is? It is in the upper northwest corner of Germany on the river Ems bordering the Netherlands. The ship reflects the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930's. Although that means nothing to the little ones, the adults will appreciate the elegance and sophistication that was a part of the era incorporated into the ships decor. Comparing the Dream to its sister ships, Wonder and Magic, it is approximately 40% larger. Total number of beds on the Disney Dream is 5007, 1,900 more than Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder. All that additional space makes Disney Dream two decks taller and over 150 feet longer.

There is something for everyone onboard. An adults-only entertainment area called The District is home to 5 distinct lounges and nightclubs. Kids clubs, activity centers for tweens and teens, and a plethora of unique interactive programs and wondrously themed immersive spaces, musical live shows, first-run films, Digital 3-D movies and fun-filled family deck parties are all a part of the experience. To top it off, and your kids are going to love this, Disney Dream features the first water coaster at sea called "The AquaDuck". A 4-deck drop from the top of the ship that safely carries its riders over the side of the ship and back. How's that for a thrill. Not for the faint at heart or those who have a fear of heights.

So, grab those mouse ears and brush up on your Disney characters, your in for a wild ride of "can you buy me this Dad" and "let's go Mom" and "smile for the camera". At least you won't be worried about how much the food costs or trying to figure out what's left on your dining plan because it is all inclusive.

Disney Dream is scheduled to sail to Bremerhaven, where shipbuilder Meyer Werft will officially deliver the ship to Disney on Dec. 9. Final supplies will be loaded, and the remaining crew members will board the ship before it sets sail for its home in Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship is scheduled to arrive just after the New Year.
 
3 Night Bahamas from $372 Disney Dream
4 Night Bahamas from $628 Disney Dream
Slide show pictures of ships features. Disney Dream
Complete list of cruise dates and itineraries. Disney Cruise Lines
7 Night Eastern Caribbean Disney Adventure from $1,099 Disney Fantasy
7 Night Western Caribbean Disney Adventure from $1,099 Disney Fantasy

Check out everything Disney at Vacation Rick Travel.

Spring Awakening In Asheville, North Carolina-Rejuvinate Yourself

Winter has finally ended. Thank goodness for that little bit of revelation.Thinking about spring and a close destination you can take in for that long weekend getaway, think Asheville, Nc. Asheville pops up on national rankings for a variety of things: Modern Maturity named it one of "The 50 Most Alive Places To Be," Self magazine labeled it the "Happiest City for Women," it is one of AARP Magazine's "Best Places to Reinvent Your Life," and was proclaimed the "New Freak Capital of the U.S." by Rolling Stone. In the 2008 book The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner, Asheville was cited by the author to be one of the happiest places in the United States. What makes Asheville the happiest place for women and the United States? Read the articles or just go there yourself and find out.

It has been a long winter and many of us have been anxious to get on with spring's warmer temperatures. Of course, warmer temperatures mean more sun, and more sun brings more fun. It also brings the flowers to bloom and Asheville is an excellent place to observe the spring awakening. The Western North Carolina area is blessed with a variety of elevations and terrain containing a variety of plants, trees and shrubs in and around Asheville. It is also home to the Biltmore Estate with its beautiful gardens and Grandfather Mountain where the majority of the spring bloom appears at various times through the season.

This is a list of when and what to look for on your visit. March: Iris, Crocus, Narcissus "Daffodil", Yellow Violet, Spring Beauty, and Dutchman's Breeches. April: Phacelia, Cersis "Redbud", Yellow Lady, Rhododendron, Pink Lady, and Painted Trillium. May: Tulip, Violet, Dogwood, Trailing Arbutus, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalia, Mountain Magnolia, Wild Cherry, Japonica, Trillium, Crab Apple, and Pinkshell Azalia. If you are like me and don't know a Phacelia from a Cersis "Redbud" take the opportunity to do some research and if you don't have the time, just go and enjoy it first hand.

Aside from flowers blooming, Asheville comes to life with spring activity. It is at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the United States. Hiking, fishing, swimming, tubing, rafting, horseback riding, and a host of other outdoor activity is available. Named a must-see destination in 2007 by Frommer's, it boasts a thriving arts community, a vibrant and inviting downtown, numerous historic and architectural attractions, and unique shopping options. Restaurants and dining are plentiful featuring all cuisines. Many restaurants also feature live music from jazz to bluegrass. A guided walking tour called Food Tours is offered. Also named one of the top 24 cities in the world for drinking beer! A great place to stay is the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa overlooking Asheville. Don't give it another thought, take the trip.-Vacation Rick Travel

Don Cesar Beach Resort Hotel-St. Pete Beach, Florida

The Don Cesar Beach Resort, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, retains its original 1920s Jazz Age style. The Don Cesar Beach Resort faces the Gulf of Mexico's white sand dunes in St. Pete Beach, Fla., known locally as the "Pink Palace". One of the resort's two outdoor pools features an underwater sound system. Outfitters adjacent to the resort rent water-sport equipment. Spa Oceana houses a hair and beauty salon, steam and sauna rooms, 16 massage-treatment rooms and vichy showers. Supervised programs for children ages four to 12 include arts and crafts, movies and beach activities. Popular area attraction is Busch Gardens, the ultimate family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens provides unrivaled "real" excitement for guests of every age. Just 45 minutes away. St. Pete beach was a memorable trip with the wife and son. Plenty of good pictures and fun family time. Click on vitual tour for an up close look at the resort.

• 277 guest rooms and suites, some with private terraces and panoramic ocean views
• 2 beachfront pools
• Full-service spa and 24-hour fitness center

Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom Getting Upgraded

Space Mountain is a 34-year-old attraction located in the Tomorrowland section of Disney's Magic Kingdom Florida. The attraction is completely enclosed with a ride dome that is hollow and 300ft in diameter. Space Mountain is the only version that has two roller coaster tracks within the iconic mountain structure. They are mirror images of each other, with only minor variations to allow the tracks to cross one another as needed. The left side track is called Alpha while the right side track is called Omega. Both tracks offer the same experience for guests, with effects equally shared and duplicated, the Alpha track is slightly longer than Omega by about 10 feet. The rockets reach a speed of 28 mph. This is all going to change. Space Mountain is one month into a seven month renovation that will include new track--though the layout will remain the same--and a new ceiling. There is speculation that Space Mountain could be in line for an electronic-game-filled queue similar to the one Disney installed at Epcot's Soarin' in 2007. Stay tuned and see what is in store for Space Mountain as it takes on a new experience for its riders. Visit Vacation Rick Travel for your travel needs.

Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

This an an update on the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The Treehouse Villas are due to open in the summer of 2009, according to the schedule for its opening. The 60 three-bedroom vacation homes—elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the lush wilderness environment—sleep 9 guests and feature modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite countertops and flat-panel TVs. It is located not far from Disney Downtown on the Sassagoula River. The new villas are one of the newest phases of the largest Vacation Cub Resorts. As reported previously it replaces the old villas from the 1970's that featured treehouse living. For more information go to Disney's Saratoga Springs. For information on Disney Properties around the world go to Vacation Rick Travel Disney.

Cirque du Soleil-La Nouba-Walt Disney World Florida

La Nouba is a mesmerizing and extraordinary avant-garde circus spectacle performed at an exceptional theater built especially for Cirque du Soleil located in Downtown Disney West Side. The show's international cast of acrobats, athletes and performance artists—including more than 65 artists representing 15 countries—delights and mystifies with daring acts of grace. Along with opulent sets, brilliant choreography, theatrical lighting and provocative music, La Nouba features a mix of mesmerizing high wire and flying trapezes, stunning acro-gymnastic performances and other dynamic displays of coordination and strength.
2009 Performance Times:
Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
For more information and tickets go to Vacation Rick Travel Disney World.