Disney World Is Never Too Far From My Thoughts-Always Entertaining And Fun

It is amazing how certain smells and sounds can evoke memories. It is a sense similar to deja vu, but not as haunting. Deja vu is a sensation that a present experience you are undergoing has genuinely happened in the past, but the exact circumstances of the prior encounter are uncertain and were perhaps an illusion. It's the "I've been here before" syndrome. I have personally experienced such feelings, but I assure you it had nothing to do with having seen the future. Some things appear familiar because they remind us of a similar event or happening that resides deep in our memories and overtime became vague, but not forgotten.

There was a film, perhaps you have seen it, bearing the title "Deja Vu" that featured Denzel Washington in the lead role. In the movie he worked as an ATF agent, Doug Carlin, who was investingating a horrific bombing of a ferry in New Orleans. While investigating, a woman's body was found near the site of the bombing and he makes a connection between that and the ferry incident, even though the timming of the two incidents didn't corralate. Soon after, he is approached by a man, played by Val Kilmer, who was involved in a secret government project and asked if he would be interested in assisting the group in their investigation. The project experimented with folding time over itself through the use of worm holes, so they could view the past, and by such a method, solve the crime.

At first, Carlin thought he was just watching videos from cameras and satelites. He suggested they follow the woman's everyday past activities. He had a hunch it would lead them to the bomber. Then, he realized it wasn't just video tapes he was watching, but was the actual past. To make the long story short, he gets sent back in time, prevents the bombing, saves the girl, but he himself gets blown up in the process, that is, his future self. Then, his past self is called to the bombing scene and meets for the first time the woman his future self just saved, in the past. He experiences a moment of deja vu and ends the movie with the word, "Naw."

Well, that's deja vu. The feeling I am refering to is more likely a deja entendu. A response to a scent or sound that triggers a memory of a real past experience or place. You may wonder where am I going with this, and rightly so.

I get this overwhelming urge to travel, and more recently, I have been contemplating on taking a trip that is long over due. So, I have been preoccupied with thoughts of places I have been and those I would like to return to. Today, I had one of those captivating moments. I was at Starbucks and just put in an order for my usual green tea frappuccino. While I waited at the end of the counter for it to be blended, the store atmosphere and chatter of the patrons evoked a memory. For a brief interim of time I was transported to the dining facilities in the French Quarter of Port Orleans, Disney World Orlando. I think it was the sweet smell of the pastries more than anything else that summoned the recollection.

Then there was the other day, I was watching "Braveheart." The clansmen were playing the outlawed bagpipes in a tribute to William Wallace's father who was murdered by the henchmen of Longshanks. Suddenly, I found my myself, not literally but figuratively mind you, whisked away to Disney Worlds Epcot World Showcase area. I was sitting in the cantina by the water in Mexico, sipping on a margarita, listening to the legato sounds of Scottish bagpipes drifting over the water from across the way in Canada. The Celtic band, Off Kilter, were performing one of their nightly sets.

Disney World is never too far from my thoughts. I have traveled there often through the years and have built up quite a repertoire of fond memories with the family. The most memorable being the year I was in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney Hollywood Studios and also chosen to participate in the Studio Backlot Tour. Time marches on and all things change, even Disney.

All my kids are on their own now. That is good thing. As a parent, it is what you sacrifice for, to finally see them make their way in the world and succeed at it. I am now an empty nester and a senior citizen. It is strange to say that because I am truly a kid at heart and always will be. I am anxiously waiting for my grandchildren to become of age, so I can take them to "The Happiest Place on Earth."

Disney has long positioned itself as "The Happiest Place on Earth", and it goes to great lengths to maintain that illusion. I have watched and experienced its growth through the years with great enthusiasm. As the technologies advance, Disney embraces them with a ummatched passion dedicated to the idea, "If you can imagine it, you can do it." And 2012 is no exception.

Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland is undergoing a transformation and guests may get their first glimpse of the changes by summer. Star Tours re-opened May 20 to rave reviews. Its experience has been enhanced and now provides over 50 ride combinations, so riders will likely see something new every time they ride. Rapunzel, along with Flynn Rider from the Walt Disney Pictures animated feature "Tangled," are now greeting guests of all ages in a new interactive "play and greet." Two new eateries opened this past fall in Epcot's World Showcase Italy and Mexico pavilions. For the runners, there is Disney's Princess Half-Marathon Weekend-February 24-26, 2012.

Enough talk, enough dreaming, I'm ready to go. I just need someone to go with. Say the magic word and we are off. And when you do finally see me there, be sure to say hello.
Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
All Disney World accommodations

Take A Trip To Where "The Birds" Ruled The Skies

 

"It's the end of the world," said the man sitting at the end of the bar with a capricious smile and a drink in his hand. The place was Tides Wharf Restaurant located in Bodega Bay, CA. It was a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock classic thriller "The Birds." Bodega Bay was the place where Melanie Daniels(Tippi Hedron) was unexplainably attacked by a lone seagull while heading towards a dock in an outboard motor boat where her love interest, Mitch Brenner(Rod Taylor), awaited her arrival. The Tides Wharf Restaurant was where Mitch took Melanie to care for her bleeding head. Later, at the same restaurant, a debate ensued between some of the patrons as to the strange behavior of the birds. "Not likely," said a bird lover and amateur ornithologist concerning the likelihood of a bird exhibiting violent tendencies towards humans.

Birds have been known to swoop down on cats, and even people, if they consider them a threat to their nests. I have been a witness to such curious behavior. There have been times when I have observed a little bird menacing another bigger bird for some reason unknown to me, but to attack a human without provocation, that would be out of character in the world of birds. On one occasion, I was dive bombed by some seagulls while eating at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, but the birds were more interested in the food I was holding than taking out some anonymous vendetta against me. The family owned parakeets when I was just a toddler. I don't particularly recall any malevolent behavior on their part. Although, when it sat on my shoulder, it would peck my ear. It was somewhat bossy at times. Always told me to take out the garbage. Should I have been concerned?

The schoolhouse today

As the movie progressed the attacks from our fine feathered friends become more frequent and vicious. If you dare to watch the movie at some point in time you may want to close your eyes when Mitch's mother visits a neighbor friend. It isn't a pretty sight. Then there was the scene after the crows attacked the children as they left the schoolhouse. Mitch finds the school teacher(played by Suzanne Pleshette) laying on the ground outside her home. Let's just say the birds have a thing about eyes.

They seemed to defy the idea that birds of a feather flock together only. These were no mere random acts or isolated incidents. Their manuevers gave the appearance of being coordinated with one prime objective, punish man. The movie doesn't come right out and say that, Hitchcock leaves that up to us to figure out. At the climax of the movie, when Mitch and his family along with Melanie are forced to leave their battered home, one of the birds takes a parting shot with a peck to Mitch's hand as if to say, "It isn't over. It's only the beginning."

Scene from movie inside Tides Wharf Restaurant

  
Thus was the premace of Hitchcock's first horror/fantasy film that scared audiences back in the early sixties. Bodega Bay was the setting he chose. It is a real place just north of San Francisco in the Sonoma Coast region. Hitchcock chose it because of its foggy weather and skyline, which at that time was subdued and open. It has been about fifty years since the movies release and the Visitor Center in Bodega Bay receives thousands of Hitchcock fans every year.

You can visit the Tides Wharf Restaurant, it is a real place also, although it has been remodeled several times since and has expanded into a complex including an inn. The ranch and the dock where Mitch lived all burned down in the late 60's. The old Potter schoolhouse is the only original building used in the movie that stands to this day and you won't find it in Bodega Bay. It is located some six miles inland in the town of Bodega. The schoolhouse was an abandoned building when it was first discovered by Hitchcock and rebuilt for the movie. Years later, it became a bed and breakfast, but now is a private residence. You can take pictures of it, but no longer able to tour it. You could politely ask the present owner, but the response may not be as polite. I read that in a review. The school teacher's house next to the schoolhouse was only a facade built for the movie.

Some suspicous looking gulls in Charleston, SC

I was just a young man entering my teens in 1963 when "The Birds" made its debut. The movie has since been a favorite. My mother owned a copy on VHS, along with other Hitchcock classics, which were part of a collection. It came up missing quite frequently, but everyone in the house knew where it likely disappeared to. Hitchcock's spellbinding masterpiece has had an effect on my psyche. Whenever I see birds massing together I wonder, "Could this be it." There is a passage from the book of Revelation in the Bible that speaks of the birds being called to a great evening meal of God where they will eat the flesh of men. I wonder if Alfred had this text in mind when he was first inspired to write the script and storyboards?

One last parting thought. The ending we have become accustomed to seeing in the movie was not part the original script. The ending that was supposed to be was scraped due to costs. Picture in your mind the great Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco covered with birds. "It's the end of the world."

Disney's Timeless Tale Of Beauty And The Beast-Don't Miss It

It's a story that has been around since the 1700's. It has been told and retold countless times since its inception and has never lost it's enchantment. Several varying versions of the tale over the years have been produced in the form of prose, stage, and in the twentieth century, screen and television. Its most notable rebirth came in 1991 when Walt Disney Feature Animation produced a musical animated film based on an abridgement of the original work published in 1756 by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont. It was entitled "Beauty and the Beast".

"Beauty and the Beast", the musical animated film, won Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Original Score, in addition to becoming the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy. Adding to its success was the musical version produced in 1994, which ran on Broadway for 5,464 performances between 1994 and 2007, becoming one of Broadway's longest running productions in history. It has been topped only by the likes of "Cats", "Les Misérables", "A Chorus Line", "Chicago", "Oh! Calcutta!", and another Disney production, "The Lion King". The longest running musical ever is "The Phantom of the Opera".

I have had the opportunity to see five of those Broadway shows at the historic Cleveland Playhouse Square, including the Phantom of the Opera at the famous Plantages Theater in Toronto, Ontario. They are all worth the money you pay for the tickets and then some. Residents in the Lowcountry of Charleston will have the opportunity to be enchanted and mystified by this timeless tale of "Beauty and the Beast" at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Two performances are scheduled for April 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $62.00, $52.00, & $32.00 plus applicable fees. You can buy tickets now.

So, take the family, take the wife, or just take a friend and be enchanted by "the most beautiful love story ever told". This eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide and will win your heart too. Coutesy of Vacation Rick Travel.

Charleston Boat Show And Beauty And The Beast-Family Fun Events And More

It's January in Charleston once again. The weather has been cold, cold, cold. Did you get your "Be A Tourist In Your Own Town" tickets? If you did so, no doubt you are enjoying all the landmarks and points of interest Charleston has to offer at a discount. One event close at hand, that will get you thinking about warmer days, is the 31st Annual Charleston Boat Show at the North Charleston Convention Center. It is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and will run to Jan. 23.

There will be the usual display of hundreds of boats and motors from top manufacturers, as well as the latest in marine accessories and equipment for the boating and fishing enthusiasts to peruse whether thinking of purchasing or just to dream. A new feature of this years show is the Coastal Fishing Expo presented by Coastal Angler. You will be able to learn tips, tricks and techniques from the premier Lowcountry Fishing Guides in South Carolina. TV’s "Hook the Future" star Don Dingman will be present to host a Kids Fishing Clinic throughout the show. His clinics will inspire and fascinate your kids with an opportunity to win some neat prizes. Everyone likes a good pirate show. Robin Burke of Creative Spark's will be in the new pirate tent putting on a show for the whole family and hosting a craft time for the kids to make some booty. Also present will be South Carolina DNR's Fishing Simulator where you can test your fishing skills. There will be prizes and giveaways. One of the prizes you could win is a 5 night, Carnival Fantasy Cruise from Charleston. So, ship ahoy me hardies and sail on down to the show for some Lowcountry fun.-Tickets

Have you ever seen "Blue Man Group"? I saw them in Las Vegas and it was very entertaining. The way they incorporated paint with percussion. An extravaganza with tremedous special effects and very imaginitive in the implementation of pvc pipe as a musical medium. A show that is reminiscent of "Blue Man Group" and "Cirque du Soleil" is coming to the North Charleston of Performing Arts called "one of the most innovative events of modern times." The Aluminum Show will make a one day stop January 22 at 2 PM and 8 PM. Special effects, creative mechanisms and acrobatic dance, inanimate objects all come to life with energy, emotion and even personality, as silver industrial materials create a luminous and reflective world.-Tickets

Further down the road you will have the opportunity to see one of the most beloved performances on Broadway. Personally, one of my favorite Broadway musicals I had the opportunity to see at Cleveland's Playhouse Square. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is scheduled to entertain the Lowcountry April 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM each day at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Belle, her father Maurice, arrogant local hero Gaston, Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Chip, and of course, the Beast will all be on hand to enchant you. Fun for the whole family. Be sure to mark this one down on your calendar.-Tickets

 
Other events of notable interest coming to North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center and Charleston:
KId Rock, Feb 16 at 3 PM with very special guest Jamey Johnson.-Tickets
Tim McGraw with Special Guests Lady Antebellum and Love & Theft May 13-Tickets
Charleston Wine and Food Festival March 3-6.

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.

Charleston's Cooled Down But Still Hot With Things To Do

Things have cooled down quite nicely in the Holy City this past week, speaking of the weather. Goodbye to the whopping humidity and dripping wet shirts on the golf course. But that's summer in Charles Towne. I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, Fall activities are heating up and there is still plenty to do out there before winter settles in, that is, what southerners call the period of time between December and February and what visiting northerners call a break from the winter. Here is a short list of upcoming events and activities.

Theater and Shows:

Dock Street Theater-Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps October 29 - November 7, 2010. Prices Adult: $34 - $48 Seniors (60+): $32 - $48 Student: $22 - $48

Footlight Theater-"The Lion In Winter" October 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 8pm; October 10 and 17 at 3pm. $25 adults; $22 seniors; $15 students

Footlight Theater Night Series-"The Weir" October 28, 29 30; November 4, 5, 6 at 9 pm. Price ranges $10-$15.

Jeff Dunham at North Charleston Convention Center October 9, Tickets $44.50 Time 8 pm

Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes at North Charleston Convention Center Oct 21, 2010 7:00 pm Thursday, Oct 22, 2010 7:00 am Friday, and Oct 23, 2010 11:00 am, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm Saturday, Oct 24, 2010 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Prices $12.00-$36.00

Music venues:

North Charleston Convention Center Band of Horses Oct 29, 2010 8:00 pm Friday. Price $27.00

The Music Farm-The Gracious Few w/ American Bang Sat., Oct. 9 pm Price $20.00

The Windjammer Isle of Palm-Dave Mason Guitar Legends Southern Tour with Kal David and The Real Deal featuring Lauri Bono October 22, 8 pm Tickets $20.00 in advance, $25 day of show.

Events:

Boone Hall Plantation-30th Annual Taste of Charleston Oct 8-10, 2010 10:30 am

Folly Beach Challenge Date: 10/16/2010 - 10/17/2010 Where: Folly Beach County Park What is it: The 2nd Annual Folly Beach Challenge is an off-road triathlon featuring paddling, biking, and running.

South Carolina Aquarium-Scary’um Aquarium! Daily, Friday, October 1, 2010 - Sunday, October 31, 2010. Free with general admission or membership.

For a full list: Charleston activities and events

Live Music and Good Food-House of Blues

Disney Downtown rocks at the House of Blues. Enjoy live music while you sample Southern cuisine. The enjoyment is on day and night while world-famous and up-and-coming performers play the best of gospel, blues, rock, reggae and jazz. You can either sit at a table or hang out in front of the stage, it is your choice. Southern cuisine is served for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The House of Blues is just one of many attractions in the Disney Downtown area. Other attractions are Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba and DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park. Brought to you by Vacation Rick Travel and Rick's NFL Picks.

A Non-Stop Thrill Attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios

This is the one attraction my son thoroughly enjoyed since one of his obsessions is cars, fast cars. I was totally entertained myself. It is non-stop thrills and spills, high jumps and spins at high octane speed forwards and backwards. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show Attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park is its name. The stunt cars are highly-modified Opel brand cars that weigh less than half that of a standard production car, but are twice as powerful and propelled by a 1300 cc, 150 horsepower motorcycle engine. Its a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process, secrets are revealed in this thrilling combination of complex vehicle stunts choreographed with split-second precision. The show is a scheduled 33-minute attraction. Motorcycles fly through rings of fire, cars hurdle over trucks, and fireballs billow 40 feet in diameter. A note of trivia: The Stunt Show Spectacular debuted at Walt Disney Studios Paris in March, 2002. Visit Vacation Rick Travel Disney.

A Must See Epcot Attraction-Disney World, Florida

This is one attraction you do not want to miss if you have children and if you don't, it is still worth your while to see. I thoroughly enjoyed it and tried to figure out how it was done. It is so sophisticated technologically, it seems so true to life. The attraction is at Epcot located inside The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion in Future World.

The sophistacated Turtle Talk with Crush takes place inside a theater featuring a large "window to the ocean world" and amazingly appears that way. The attraction utilizes technolgy advanced in the state-of-the-art, 3D, voice-activated computer animation field. Crush, although an animation, can communicate directly in real time. The children are instructed to sit up front where Crush interacts with them, answering their questions and holding unique, improvised conversations. The parents sit behind them on bench seats.

No two shows are alike because the interaction changes. Turtle Talk with Crush is a 15-minute show presented throughout the day, so you have plenty of opportunuties to catch it. You can check the Times Guide located throughout Epcot's Future World to know exactly when you can catch the show.

Disney's Hilton Head Resort-Worth a Look See.

Disney's Hilton Head Resort in Hilton Head, S.C., offers a lively beach club and fishing pier within walking distance of the property. The resort sits on 15 acres of massive oak trees and scenic marshlands. The rooms are spacious, clean and have kitchens and balconies. "South Carolina Lowcountry" is the theme & style of Disney’s Hilton Head Island resort. The grounds are well-kept and modern, with amenities that include hammocks and grills. Ideal for traveling families, the hotel is four miles from Hilton Head Airport. Guest villas mirror the resort's natural surroundings with rustic woods and shades of rust, hunter green and burnished gold. Beds feature colorful quilts ideal for peaceful slumber. Select guestrooms offer relaxing jetted tubs and designer bath products. All guest villas offer separate living areas and marsh or marina views. For more information on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina and area attractions with map go to Vacation Rick Travel Site

The American Idol Experience at Disney World Orlando is Hot

I featured this attraction in an earlier post before it opened. Now it is here and it is a big hit. There are two ways to participate in this attraction. The ultimate thrill, if you dare, is to be on-stage and the other is being in the audience voting for the winner. There are seven regular shows a day, each featuring three performers. The winners will compete agaist each other in an eighth show and the last one standing gets a grand reward: A front-of-the-line ticket to any one of the next season's "American Idol" tryouts in the country. That's worth a visit to Disney World Orlando if you think you have what it takes. Up to 400 can audition each day, and about 40 will make it past the first cut. Then 21 are eventually cast to compete in seven regular shows. It's that simple. Well, it seems simple. Why not give it a shot. See you in Orlando or maybe on American Idol. Just a reminder: American Idol winner, Kris allen, will be at Disney's Hollywood Studios May 29th at 10 a.m..

More information go to Vacation Rick Travel Disney World.

New Digital 3-D Movie by Disney/Pixar-"UP"

Disney and Pixar will be releasing the studio's 10th computer-animated feature, "UP" and the first to release in digital 3-D opening on May 29 introducing new characters including elderly Carl Fredrickson, a feisty septuagenarian, who teams with a fearless wilderness ranger, Russell, to do battle with a vicious band of beasts and villains. Carl Fredrickson is a 78 year old balloon salesman who dreams of adventure and ties thousands of balloons to his house and away he goes. Eight year old Russell is on his porch when he takes off and the two of them set off to South America. Go to Disney/Pixar's "UP" and view all the movie clips plus games and more. Other projects in the making are "Toy Story 3", "Cars 2", "The Bear and the Bow", and "Newt". Stay tuned and be informed on all the upcoming updates. Delivered to you by Vacation Rick Travel.

Experience Expedition Everest-Animal Kingdom Disney World Florida

Expedition Everest in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is a high-altitude, high-speed, roller coaster train ride for big kids, teens and adults to the "Roof of the World," home of the inhospitable snarling beast, the Yeti, at the mountain's peak. Expedition Everest is the tallest of the artificial mountains at Walt Disney World Resort, joining Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mount Gushmore, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Mount Mayday on the list of Disney-built peaks. According to Imagineering, it is Disney's 18th mountain-themed attraction. If the Expedition Everest mountain were real, it would be ranked fourth on the list of the highest summits in Florida at 320 feet (98 m) above sea level.
Some of the facts about the roller coaster Expedition Everest:
Ride duration-3-4 minutes
Total length-4424 ft
Total height-199 ft
Forward speed-60 mph
Backward speed-40 mph
Highest drop-80 ft
Max backward G-Force-3
Max forward G-Force-2.2
More information about Disney Parks and accommodations go to Vacation Rick Travel

Walt Disney World Florida and Star Wars Weekend

If you love Disney and are a Star Wars enthusiast then you will like this. Star Wars Weekends is an annual summer special event at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park that celebrates George Lucas' classic sci-fi movie series. Join Jedi Masters, Sith Lords and Star Wars celebrities for special shows, presentations and memorabilia. In addition to all of the entertainment, there are plenty of conversations, autograph sessions and motorcades with the celebrities and creators of the Star Wars galaxy. All of this fun is at Walt Disney World Florida.

Dates:

May 22, 2009 - May 24, 2009

May 29, 2009 - May 31, 2009

June 5, 2009 - June 7, 2009

June 12, 2009 - June 14, 2009

Trivia fact:

Star Wars and the Walt Disney Company have a long history together. Star Tours first opened in Disneyland Park in California on January 9, 1987.

For More Disney information go to Vacation Rick Travel.

Tokyo Disneyland New Attraction-Monsters Inc, Ride and Go Seek!

If you like Disney and like learning about updates of new attractions and rides, you will be interested in this update. You may not be planning a trip to Tokyo Disneyland Resort, but it is always fun to see what is going on around the world at the Disney Properties. April 15, 2009 is the grand opening of Disney/Pixar film "Monsters, Inc" themed attraction called "Monsters, Inc. Ride and Go Seek" at Tokyo Disneyland. Mike, Sully and their monster friends are entertaining the human girl Boo with a game of hide-and-seek, but the nasty Randall is trying to spoil their fun. Board the Security Tram into Monster City, and see what happens to their lively game! Check all the attractions and resorts at Vacation Rick Travel Tokyo Disney.

Lahaina Inn Resort-Fort Meyers Beach, FL

Aloha from Vacation Rick at Fort Meyers Beach, Estero Island, FL. We are staying at the Lahaina Inn Resort for this week. Beautiful location, right on the beach, can see dolphins swimming by right from the porch of the condo. The resort could use some upgrades, but you can't beat the location if you like the sun, the beach, and fishing. Excellent for beach walkers and joggers. The pools are small, just good for a quick dip to cool off from the hot sun.
The first night we were here, Friday, we ate at the Fish House in the Fishtale Marina with the Jones'. The drinks were good, they didn’t skimp on the alcohol like some places do. The food was, read between the lines, very pricy. Although, my wife said her steamed oysters were very good. Wish I could say the same for the grouper. The evening progressed into cards and conversation. Since the Fish House, it has been just good old condo cooked meals and a couple of barbecues.
Saturday and Sunday there were showers off and on. Our check in on Saturday wasn’t until 3:00 in the afternoon so, to kill some time, we took a walk in a new park and saw the local wildlife, aligators and such. On Sunday, we went and saw the movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still". What a mistake. I liked the old movie. They should have stuck with the original story line. The weather has been beautiful since.
Every Monday morning the resort prepares a breakfast for all the guests, nothing big, just scrambled eggs, ham, pastries, and juice. Wednesday we went to The Olive Garden. I always enjoy their Belini peach iced tea. Good service and descent food.
Fishing has been good. I have caught a variety of fish. The tan is well on its way. All in all, it has been mainly sitting in the sun, dips in the pool to cool off, walks in the surf, sudokus, and fishing. Throw in there a couple of rented DVD movies from Blockbuster. Side note, waiting on Wendy hand and foot. Ha! Ha!
That's all for now. Our next stop is Weston, Fl. We will be staying at the Vacation Village at Weston. We will catch you later!
Do you have vacation plans, check out Vacation Rick's travel site.

Group RCI, Disney Vacation Club Announce Multi-Year Affiliation Relationship!

Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, and Disney Vacation Club, a vacation ownership program that helps families with flexibility and savings on vacations, have announced a new multi-year affiliation relationship. This new agreement allows subscribing members access to several vacation opportunities.
Effective January 1, 2009, RCI will become the third-party exchange provider for Disney Vacation Club, enrolling Disney Vacation Club’s member families into RCI's global exchange network. RCI is considered within the timeshare industry as the global leader in vacation exchange.
Disney Vacation Club members will be able to take vacations at a variety of destinations across six continents and 25 countries, and will have access to more all-inclusive options as well as more nightly exchanges and a selection of high-end fractional properties.
RCI’s members will now also enjoy the opportunity to exchange into Disney Vacation Club resorts and may rent at Disney Vacation Club resorts throughout the year. RCI has more than three million members worldwide, who enjoy dream vacations at RCI's over 3,700 affiliated resorts.

Go to Disney Vacation Club for more information on what it has to offer.

Go to Group RCI for more information on what it has to offer.

For information on travel options and travel packages go to Charleston Travel-Vacation Rick.

Disney Magical Places-Win 1,000,000 Instantly!!!

In these uncertain economic times winning $1,000,000 would boost your spirits and add security to your bank account. Disney is offering you the chance to win that $1,000,000 security. If you buy Disney DVD's or Blue-ray Disc's, the chance to win instantly comes with it.
All you have to do is buy one of the selected Disney movies and inside the cover you will find a Magic code. Enter the Magic code at DisneyMovieRewards.com and continue your journey to magical places.
Magic codes on these selected movies may be worth an instant $1,000,000 in the Disney Magical Places One Million Dollar Sweepstakes. Every eligible Magic code entered between October 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009 gives you a chance to win instantly. The more codes you enter the more chances you have to win.
Want more information, go to DisneyMovieRewards.com. The Selected Disney Movies here.

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa-Scheduled to open the summer of 2009!

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will mark the newest phase of what has become the largest Disney Vacation Club resort. This new phase will revive Walt Disney World "treehouse living," a cherished tradition from 1975-2002. While crews are replacing villas of the '70s with brand-new vacation homes, Imagineers took special care to honor the original octagonal design. As a result of replacing the old villas, 5,178 tons, or 65.22 percent, of materials from demolition were recycled, including concrete and metals.
Each stand-alone Treehouse Villa will come together like a giant 3-D puzzle to ensure both superior quality and environmental sensitivity making this phase unique as respects its contruction process. Great "lengths" have been taken to ensure every vacation home runs smoothly. Consequently, there are 87,858 lineal feet, or 16.6 miles, of wire for fiber optics, copper, telephones and CATV.
The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will give guests the opportunity to experience "glamping" or "glamorous camping" with stand-alone vacation villas. All of this is just around the corner from Disney Downtown. Highlights are as follows:

• 60 three-bedroom homes, elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams.


• Offer modern luxeries such as cathedral ceilings, a full kitchen, granite countertops, flat screen TVs, and even a whirlpool tub.


• Will sleep nine.


• Three bedrooms and two baths.


• Master bedroom-queen. Second bedroom-queen. Third bedroom-bunk. Living room-queen size sleeper sofa and sleeper chair.


• Interesting fact: Disney Vacation Club has doubled its membership since 2004 to include more than 350,000 individual members from each U.S. state and approximately 100 different countries.

Disney Deal-Buy 4, Get 3 Free

These are tough times, even for Disney. Bookings are down the lowest they have ever been in three decades. Disney is digging deep into its bag of offers to make it easier for us Disney lovers to keep coming back. These are the deals for 2009:

• Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts-Buy a 4-night/4-day package and get 3 nights FREE including Theme Park tickets! Package for most nights between January 4 and June 27, 2009. Example package: A studio room at a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort priced at $2288 for a family of 4 — that's like paying only $80 a night per person.


• Disney Value Resorts-Buy a 4-night/4-day package and get 3 nights FREE including Theme Park tickets! Package for most nights between January 4 and June 27, 2009. Example package: A standard room at a Disney Value Resort priced at $1271 for a family of 4 — that's like paying only $46 a night per person.


• Plus, when you travel between 1/4/09-3/29/09, you'll also get a $200 Disney Gift Card. The Disney Gift Card will be provided at time of check-in.