Search Results for: blog can you do disney without going broke

Dream Cruise for Families

The cruise industry is hyped about the maiden voyage of Disney’s newest vessel. The massive ship can hold 4,000 passengers. It features 14 decks and more than 1,200 staterooms. The Disney Dream sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Nassau and Castaway Cay in the Bahamas on cruises of three to five nights. Currently, Disney’s website is showing cruise-only fares starting at $1,150 per person for a three-night cruise in an inside stateroom in March, and from $1,718 for a four-night cruise in April. Shore excursions are not included in the base price. However, they are what caught my eye as … Continue reading →

End-of-Summer Fun in the Sunshine State

Florida’s pushing hard for you to spend your travel dollar in its neck of the woods. And who can really blame the state given the recent oil spill and the impending storms? Frankly, I find it hard to believe that the state is actively seeking out visitors, given that it is home to some of the largest and most popular tourist attractions on Earth. Some rodent named Mickey… ahem… Mouse. Still, in a previous blog I promised that I would spotlight some of the state’s non-over-commercialized hot spots, so here we go: MIAMI Not the Kardashian sisters’ Miami; rather, the … Continue reading →

Fall in Florida

Thanks to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, most of us have seen a substantial increase in TV commercials touting the finer points of Florida travel. Even my 6-year-old can tell you that Florida’s beaches are clean and open to the public… and we live in Wisconsin. Given all that has transpired in the last few months, I figured I would give Florida some coverage in this blog. Not Orlando. After all, the home to the world’s most famous mouse helps the state top travel lists as one of the most visited places in the United States. Rather, I plan to … Continue reading →

15th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Attention all you foodies and wine-lovers out there: tickets for the 15th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival are now on sale. The event, held this year at Epcot from late September through early November 2010, is the place to be for any food lover. Those who also happen to be Disney fans, well, that’s just icing on the cake. For those not in the know, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is a 45-day-long event celebrating international cuisine and wine. It features demonstrations by celebrity chefs, nightly concerts called “Eat to the Beat!,” children’s activities, street performers, complimentary … Continue reading →

Disneyland to Geek Out?

When I mentioned last year’s Disney fan convention, D23, I said it was like Disney’s answer to Comic-Con. I realized that some of you might not know what Comic-Con is. Comic-Con started in the 70s as a relatively small convention specifically for fans of comic books (hence the title). As the years went by other media appealing to the comic crowd, like science fiction and fantasy television and movies, were added. Forty years later, with geek properties firmly ensconced in the mainstream thanks to the popularity of fantasy and comic book movies like “Lord of the Rings” and “X-Men,” Comic-Con … Continue reading →

Villagers Ejected From Future Site of the Most Magical Place on Earth

At the beginning of the month Disney made an announcement I initially decided not to cover on my blog: plans to build a new theme park in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China. The announcement basically consisted of just that, with little additional information, and I wasn’t sure how many of our readers would ever have the chance to visit the park. Now I’ve learned something about the Shanghai Theme Park Project that makes me want to bring it to the attention of our readers. The future site of Disney Shanghai is currently occupied by the villages and fields of … Continue reading →

Inexpensive Summer Getaways

You know the travel industry is hurting when you can find roundtrip non-stop flights from Chicago to Honolulu for around $500. I paid more than double that amount for my ticket last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. Bottom line: If you haven’t been able to score a sun-sational deal on a summer getaway, then you simply haven’t been looking—at all. Perhaps, you can’t afford to take an extended break from work. If that’s the case, then consider soaking up the summer sun during a long weekend away. So what if you can’t take two … Continue reading →

An Incredible Travel Deal with a Crazy Catch

Imagine taking a family vacation to a luxury resort in sunny San Diego, which boasts three gloriously gigantic pools, a sensational spa and a phenomenal golf course, all for the jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, dirt cheap price of $19 a night. Did I also mention that the same room typically sells for $200 per night? Sound too good to be true? Well, it isn’t. Business is slow at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, so from August 16 to 31, you can sun in style at the ultra-luxe property. Okay, okay, there is a catch. The hotel’s “Survivor Package” does come with a few … Continue reading →

Summer Deals for a Steal

With summer fading fast, many hotels and resorts are trying to make the most of last-minute family vacations by offering unbeatable seasonal rates. The following are sample savings found at some of the most popular family-friendly vacation destinations: MEXICO Mexico’s Riviera Maya boasts sparkling white-sand beaches and picturesque ancient ruins. It’s also home to the Maroma Resort and Spa, which features 65 spacious, sunlit guestrooms and suites featuring king-sized beds, handcrafted mahogany furniture, and hand-painted tiles. Right now you can book a 3-night weekend stay for just $395 per night. The Best Deal Days offer includes complimentary inclusions valued at … Continue reading →

More Big Amusement Park Fun For a Little Bit of Money

In a previous post I raved about Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay. While the nation’s other mega-amusement parks may dwarf the historic Wisconsin theme park in regards to size, if you are looking for big savings, shorter lines and massive family fun, then Bay Beach can’t be beat. Fortunately, you don’t have to trek to the Dairy State to get more bang for your buck. The country is filled with smaller amusement parks that offer major savings to budget conscious travelers. Take a look: OREGON Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon, has been in business since 1905. It … Continue reading →