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Always Packed for Adventure!

It's the destination and the journey.

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Winter Holiday 2015/2016- Magic Kingdom ( Two Days after Christmas)

The week between Christmas and New Years is one of the busiest times of the year at Walt Disney World. However, WDW busy, is not the same as Disneyland busy. I'm from California and I don't remember a time in recent memory when Disneyland wasn't absolutely packed, including mid-week/ mid-winter. It's just always busy. I'm not saying that WDW wasn't crowded, but it was certainly manageable.

Magic Bands, Fast Pass Plus, and the My Disney Experience App, were all a huge help in beating the crowds. I had not visited WDW since 2009 and things have changed. As soon as we purchased our tickets, we downloaded the My Disney Experience App. Through the app, we could book up to three fast passes in advance, with the ability to cancel and rebook as much as we liked, and the ability to book more fast passes, if any were available after we had used our initial three. If you're staying off-site, you can book these fast passes thirty days in advance, and it's an even longer window if you stay at a Disney Resort. However, we found that we easily grabbed prime fast passes for popular attractions just a few days in advance, even some on the same day. With the app, we were also able to see wait times, find characters, and make dining reservations. It's a game changer.

We opted to purchase Magic Bands. Magic Bands are included for guests staying at a resort property and they come with the purchase of an annual pass. We bought basic versions, but the bands are customizable, with characters and names. 

Rather than carrying around Fast Pass tickets, they are loaded on the bands and you just swipe your bands at kiosks in the queues. It's so easy. If we were staying on-site, these bands would also work as room keys and for charging purchases. The bands are secure, comfortable, and convenient. We picked ours up at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Next, we caught the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. 

The Magic Kingdom is even more magical with its Christmas tree and holiday decorations. 

The first ride of the trip? 

For a ride that rarely has any wait, the Peoplemover queue was nearly an hour. 

Luckily, it was our longest wait of the day. Through using fast passes and good timing, most of our waits were under thirty minutes. See, not so busy. 

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Dining at Disney is one of my favorite parts of trip planning. During this busy time, reservations were essential and they were very easy to make with the My Disney Experience App. Using this app is also great if you don't make advanced reservations, as it allows you to check what is currently available and grab a last-minute reservation. If you have your heart set on a particular restaurant, make sure to book in advance. If you do use the app for a last-minute reservation, don't hesitate, as the reservations disappear quickly. Just because you see it in the app, doesn't mean that someone else hasn't just claimed it!

 Disney has instituted a new policy (New since my previous trip in 2009), of taking a credit card to secure reservations and charging a $10.00 per-person, no-show fee. I think this is fantastic, as it gives guests a consequence for being a no-show, and it seems to have cut-down on people just holding reservations. Cancelations can be made up until midnight the evening prior to avoid the fee. 

For our first Disney restaurant, I picked Liberty Tree Tavern, a place that I had always wanted to try. Located in Liberty Square, the theming is colonial America, with the restaurant divided into six themed rooms, such as Paul Revere and Betsy Ross. Although the food is hardly authentic, (hello Ocean Spray sponsored slushy drink), it is hearty and yummy. We shared a crab and lobster dip with warm bread to start, and I ordered the pot roast for my main. It's always nice to have a sit down meal planned during a busy day in the parks. Here are some pictures of our experience. 

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After lunch, the Magic Kingdom seemed to be at its peak for crowds. We beats the crowds by mostly doing less-crowded activities, like The Country Bear Jamboree ( one of my favorites) and The Hall of Presidents. We used our fast pass for The Haunted Mansion, which has added some very cool interactive queue elements since my last visit. We ate Mickey ice cream bars and simply enjoyed the atmosphere of the park. 

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I'm a huge Jungle Cruise fan. The Jungle Cruise gets a holiday overlay and a new temporary name, the Jingle Cruise. I had been on the Jingle Cruise at Disneyland and it was very well done. The storyline for the Jingle Cruise, is that a plane has dropped cargo containing Christmas decorations and it has landed all over the jungle, so the entire ride is blanketed in holiday decor and several of the animals have taken an interest in the decorations. It's really well done in California, so I had high hopes for the Florida version. Unfortunately, it wasn't as intensely themed, almost like it was an after-thought, rather than a true over-lay. I hope they add more next season. 

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I was most excited about the Magic Kingdom's newest attraction, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This very popular Fantasyland attraction is a fast pass must. The waits are always long. As evidence of the crowds, this was the first time I have ever seen an over-flowing trash can in a Disney park. This was at the attraction entrance.

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Even with our fast pass, the wait was long. Luckily, the queue is heavily themed and interactive.

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One of the best memories from this trip came from meeting a mom and her son in the queue. They only spoke Spanish, so we communicated with them via a translation app on our phones. The kid was so, so excited to be going on his first rollercoaster. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was screaming, giggling, and smiling the entire ride. It made me even more excited for our upcoming summer trip with my step kids. I knew that they were going to love this ride.  We got a big high-five from the little boy as we exited the mine train.

We ended the day with a ride on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, where as usual, Dan pummeled me. He's just too good at these games. I stand zero chance. 

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And some shots of Cinderella's Castle all dressed-up for Christmas. So pretty and romantic.  

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tags: Magic Kingdom, Pictures of Magic Kingdom, Visting Disney World at Christmas, How Busy is Disney World at Christmas, Disney World At Winter Holidays, Busiest Time to Visit Disney World, Magic Band Review, Are Magic Bands Worth It, Using My Disney Experience App, Fast Pass Plus, Tips for Visiting Disney World, Tips for Maximizing Fast Passes, Low Crowd Attractions Magic Kingdom, Most Popular Magic Kingdom Attractions, When is the Peoplemover Crowded, Haunted Mansion Queue, Disney Dining Reservations, Best Sit Down Restaurant Magic Kingdom, Liberty Tree Tavern Review, Pictures of Liberty Tree Tavern, Ocean Spray Sponsor Disney World, Liberty Tree Tavern Menu, Trash at Disney World, Cinderella's Castle Holidays, Disney World Christmas 2016, Disney Dining Cancelation Policy, Always Packed for Adventure, Walt Disney World Main Gate, Ticket and Transportation Center, Monorail, Mickey Ice Cream Bars, Sonny Eclipse, Jingle Bell Cruise, Jungle Cruise Christmas Overlay, Seven Dwarves Mine Train Queue, Disney Magical Moments, Our Disney World vacation 2015, Country Bear Jamboree, Planning Disney World Dining, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Queue, Customizing Magic Bands, Perks of Staying On Disney Property
categories: Eat, Visit
Saturday 10.22.16
Posted by Karen Lea Germain
 

Cruise News- Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises

On a whole, I'm planning on keeping my Always Packed for Adventure blog, separate from my new travel agency business, Easy as Pie Travel...however, this is exciting news and I wanted to share it!

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a travel industry dinner at the Napa Valley Grille in Westwood, with Megan Gillespie from Norwegian Cruise Line, and Wendy Moriarty from Oceania Cruises. 

If you've been thinking about booking a cruise, now is a great time to take advantage of spectacular offers from Norwegian and Oceania. I received a ton of promotional material last night, but here are the two current offers that I'm most excited to share.

On select cruises to Europe, Oceania is offering 2-for-1 cruise fares, plus free airfare. The deal includes free internet, and the choice of one of three of these additional amenities: shore excursions, beverage package, or shipboard credit. Depending on the cruise and cabin class, you can go tour Europe on a luxury liner for a couple thousand dollars a person. This is a phenomenal offer. 

Why book Oceania? Oceania is known for their smaller ships with a high staff ratio. Service is top-notch with attention to detail that rivals the best five-star hotels. Master Chef Jacques Pepin has created decadent menus and unlike many cruise lines, most of the speciality dining experiences are included in your base fare.

The smaller ships in Oceania's fleet, allow them to enter ports that larger ships simply can't visit. Oceania also tends to spend longer amounts of time in port, so that passengers are not rushed in their sightseeing. Oceania offers unique shore excursions, including exclusive culinary tours and cooking lessons.

Who is the typical Oceania passenger? Oceania's upscale ambiance tends to appeal to an older crowd. This is not a pick for families with small children. A huge draw for Oceania is its dress code policy...no formal nights. No jackets required. Oceania is country club casual, meaning you can feel relaxed during your vacation.      

 

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering a great deal on select 2016 Mediterranean sailings. The offer includes the cruise fair, airfare from the United States, transfers, a hotel stay for the evening prior to your sail-away, and your choice of two additional amenities - unlimited beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, or free wi-fi. There is a lot included in this offer.

Why book Norwegian? Not only does Norwegian have the youngest fleet of ships in the ocean, but by 2018, they will have significantly revamped all of their existing ships in a program that they call "The Norwegian Edge." Norwegian has recently revamped it cuisine, bringing on Iron Chef Jose Garces, and partnering with brands such as, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and the Pubbelly Restaurant Group. 

Norwegian is known for its entertainment, which includes full-scale Broadway shows with the real touring casts. I'm a huge Broadway fan and when I learned that these shows were included in the fare, it made me want to book asap. What a fantastic perk! For adventure seekers, Norwegian has onboard zip lining and speed waterslides that extend over the edge of the ship. 

Who is the typical Norwegian passenger? Norwegian is truly an all-ages brand, perfect for multi-generational family trips. They have an excellent kids club. However, Norwegian does not compromise luxury in the name of fun. In fact, they offer cabins in an exclusive key-access section of the ship, called The Haven. The Haven lives up to its name, with a private pool and private restaurant, which is the best on the ship. 

The deals are amazing, but you have to act fast. For more information, please contact Easy as Pie Travel. We would love to send you on your next adventure. 

                                                                                                                                                                                          

tags: Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Wendy Moriarty Oceania Cruises, Megan Gillespie Norwegian Cruise Line, Easy as Pie Travel, Karen Lea Germain Easy as Pie Travel, Always Packed for Adventure, Napa Valley Grille, Norwegian Cruise Line May 2016 Offers, Oceania Cruise Line May 2016 Offers, Jacques Pepin Oceania Cruises, Oceania Cruises Service, Oceania Cruises Customers, Oceania Cruises Dress Code, Luxury Cruises Oceania, Oceania Fleet, Norwegian Cruise Line Haven, Norwegian Cruise Line Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville, Norwegian Cruise Line Pubbelly Restaurant Group, Norwegian Cruise Line the Norwegian Edge, Norwegian Cruise Line for Kids, Norwegian Cruise Line Passenger, Norwegian Cruise Line Chef Jose Garces, Norwegian Cruise Line Waterslide, Norwegian Cruise Line Zipline
categories: Visit, Eat
Friday 05.13.16
Posted by Karen Lea Germain
 

Off Adventuring

Hello readers...thank you for continuing to support Always Packed for Adventure! I continue to be amazed at the outpouring of support and the connections that I have made from this blog. This is just a quick note to let everyone know that I will be traveling for the next four weeks and although I'm bringing my laptop, I will likely be too busy to do much blogging. The exception will be the Booksparks Summer Reading Challenge. I've committed and I'm determined to get those books reviewed.

We have a jam-packed vacation plan, which includes cute kids, two countries ( Sweden and England), a canal boat and lots of ice cream. I'm sure that we will get ourselves into a heap of trouble and I will have tons to write about upon our return.

One teaser...did you know that Sweden has a Pippi museum? Cool, right? I freaked out when I heard about it and it's on the top of our to-do list. I'm getting a picture with that crazy redhead and I'm going to try to steal her coins!

Cheers and Happy Trails!

 

PS-(directed at potential thieves) - Although we will be gone, our house is well protected by two attack cats, a horde of nosy neighbors and a woman from Texas!

 

 

 

 

tags: Off Adventuring, Traveling to Sweden and England, Happy Trails, Attack Cat, Booksparks 2014 Summer Reading Challenge, Always Packed for Adventure, Pippi Museum Sweden, Steal Pippi's coins, Blogging'
categories: Life
Saturday 07.26.14
Posted by Karen Lea Germain
 

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