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Category Archives: Resorts
Picking a DisneyWorld Resort just got easier thanks to Zannaland
I read this great article today from Zannaland. It is something I have been wanting to do for sometime now but could never get myself motivated to do it.
Zanna breaks down the differences between all the Walt Disney World Resorts and gives us her opinion of the properties along with some interesting tips & tricks.
This is just the first post in a continuing series where she will go into detail covering all the Walt Disney World Resorts. After this series is completed you will walk away with a better idea on which property to visit and make your home away from home.
Here is just a sample:
As a child, my family discovered the wonder of Disney Resort properties after our 2nd or 3rd visit. I was still young enough at the time to be in complete awe when we arrived from the Orlando airport at the Lake Buena Vista check-in building (now the Amateur Athletics Association building near Downtown Disney) and were given the royal treatment. It’s no surprise, given Disney’s reputation, that 20 years later I still remember the kindness and attention we received from the cast member who’s name I’ve long since forgotten. That’s the Disney experience for you.
We stayed on two different occasions in the 1980’s at Disney’s Vacation Villas. These were townhouse-style villas over by the “new” Disney Marketplace. There were 3 different types of villas – The Club Lake Villas, the Fairway Villas, Vacation Villas and the Treehouse Villas. In the 1990’s, these resorts were turned into accommodations for the Disney Institute. When that didn’t quite take off as planned, Disney decided to completely tear down and rebuild the villas (except for the Treehouse Villas!) and created the Saratoga Springs Resort, part of the Disney Vacation Club ownership program.
Our experiences there were so wonderful that after that, we were hooked and became Disney Resort regulars. It’s kind of hard to go back to a motel off property once you’ve been spoiled by Disney. We stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter quite a bit, then moved on to Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club. When we stayed at Beach Club, we knew we’d found our home. We would also enjoy the wondrous Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk, the All-Star and Pop Century properties and Port Orleans Riverside. But like I said, we found our home at Beach Club. If you try out a few Disney resorts, you will find your home too, trust me. There will be one setting that just stands out and each time you walk in the front doors, you take a deep breath, relax, and think – we’re home. This is the type of guest experience that other hotels only dream of achieving.
To read the full article click here, and stay tuned for more posts from Zannaland!
Get a Free Night in Orlando When You Come for Disney’s Summer Nightastic
SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village offers fourth night free discount to guests in 2010
Guests coming to Orlando for Walt Disney World’s Summer Nightastic event can enjoy unbeatable Orlando hotel specials at SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village.
Beginning June 6, 2010, Summer Nightastic takes place for the duration of the summer season. Featuring the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade, the stunning Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular at the Magic Kingdom and new additions to the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, thrill-seekers won’t want to miss this impressive line-up.
Tourists may also find fabulous hotel deals at this hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Throughout 2010, guests who book the following package will enjoy their fourth night free when booking a four-night stay of consecutive nights. With rates from $109 to $179 per room, per night, families will enjoy all that Orlando has to offer, including Summer Nightastic.
The Get a Free Night package also features a Lake Buena Vista suite and complimentary continental breakfast daily, parking and high-speed Internet access. Guests must stay a minimum of four consecutive nights. Free night offer is valid for room rate only.
Be sure that the promotional code PRO appears in the Corporate/Promotional code box when making your online reservation, or call 1-877-682-8552 in the US and ask for promotional code PRO.
About SpringHill Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village
As an official Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel, this extraordinary hotel offers 25% more space than traditional Orlando area hotel rooms. Continental breakfast, high speed Internet access, and on-site parking are all complimentary, while large guest rooms provide an abundance of amenities to reflect the comforts of home. Splash in the spectacular outdoor swimming pool with a children’s play area or relax in the whirlpool during your next Orlando family vacation. The Village Food Court boasts a variety of dining options, like ice cream, pizza and sandwiches. Enjoy convenient, quick access to many nearby attractions, including Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Discovery Cove.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 407-938-9001 or visit http://marriott.com/mcolx.
My wife and I have stayed here before and the whole Marriott Village is great. It is very close to Walt Disney World and very clean and comfortable. If you are not staying on property I highly recommend this place!
Exclusive Walt Disney World Resort Offer From Funjet Vacations
Kids stay, play & eat FREE!* Savings up to $235 per kid.
Save up to $235 per kid when they stay, play and eat free at Walt Disney World® Resort exclusively through Funjet Vacations. This offer is valid for every kid ages 3 to 9 years old and is only available for a limited time! Travelers must book by May 8, 2010 for travel May 2 – June 3, 2010.
To book this incredible offer that is only available through Funjet Vacations, contact your travel agent today or go to www.Funjet.com and follow these three easy steps.
- Step 1
- Hotel:
- Decide on a Value, Moderate, or Deluxe Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel for a minimum of 3 nights or longer.
- Select room category with the designation “SALE” (i.e. SALE Standard, SALE Garden, etc.)
- Hotel:
- Step 2
- Disney Theme Park Tickets:
- The Magic Your Way® with Park Hopper Ticket will automatically be selected for you during the booking process. This ticket will reflect the Free Magic Your Way® Base Ticket discount.
- Additional ticket upgrades** may be added at an additional charge during the booking process in the “add-ons” screen.
- Disney Theme Park Tickets:
- Step 3
- Disney Dining Plan:^
- The FREE kids Quick Service Dining Option will automatically be selected for you during the booking process.
- Dining Plan upgrades** may be added at an additional charge during the booking process in the “add-ons” screen.
- Disney Dining Plan:^
Participating Hotels:
Disney Value Resorts:
- Disney’s All-Star Resorts
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney Moderate Resorts:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney Deluxe Resorts & Villas:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Don’t wait to take advantage of this offer and plan an unforgettable experience with Funjet Vacations and Walt Disney World® Resort. Book by May 8, 2010 for travel May 2 – June 3, 2010.
To purchase, travelers should contact a local travel agent, visit www.Funjet.com or call 1-800-4FUNJET.
*Savings amount based on a FREE 3-day Magic Your Way® Base Ticket and FREE 3-day Quick Service Dining Plan for each child age 3-9. **Ticket upgrades are available at a surcharged rate. ^The duration of the Disney Dining Plan must coincide with the number of nights of the room reservation. All guests in the party must book the dining plan for the length of the package stay. Theme Park Admission is required for in-park dining locations. Ticket and I.D. are required for entry. Your Dining Plan will automatically be loaded on your Room Key Cards upon check-in to your Walt Disney World® Hotel. Any unused portion of this feature is non-refundable and expires upon check-out from your hotel.
About Funjet Vacations
Funjet Vacations is the flagship brand of the family-owned Mark Travel Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee. Funjet Vacations is celebrating 36 years of business in 2010 and specializes in providing the customer with “The Best Experience Under the Sun” and a vacation package that meets their needs and is an exceptional value. Funjet Vacations is also “The Travel Agent’s First Choice” by offering unmatched value to the travel agent community through commissions, great rewards and outstanding personalized service. Individual and group Funjet vacations are via nonstop charters and scheduled airlines to hundreds of destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Florida and Europe. Travelers can choose from air-inclusive, hotel-only or air-only vacations and add tours, attractions, shows and more to their vacation package for added value and convenience.
Celebrate Mom throughout May at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
With all the things that mothers do, don’t they deserve more than one day of recognition? The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is celebrating mothers for the entire month of May with the “Mother May I” promotion.
True to its name, guests can take advantage of all five weekends in May to make it all about mom. They can treat their mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, mother-to-be or any other maternal figure in their lives with a special getaway to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Those who book using the code “MOTHER2″ can receive rooms starting at $159 per night, and when booking a stay during any weekend in May they will be automatically entered to win a luxurious private catered mini-cruise aboard the classic cruising vessel, the Fan-ta-sea, for themselves and their family through the waterways of the Epcot Resort Area! One cruise will be awarded each weekend.
Guests will learn if they are the recipients of this private voyage which is not accessible to the general public upon check-in.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort offers an ideal place to celebrate Mother’s Day. Situated between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and within walking distance to both, it is a great option for moms interested in the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (Mar. 3 – May 16). Guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort can take advantage special Disney hotel benefits which include complimentary transportation to Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Attractions, and theExtra Magic Hours benefit in which each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens one hour early or remains open up to three hours after regular Park closing time.
The “Mother May I” offer is available throughout the month of May. To make reservations guests can call 800-227-1500 and refer to rate code “MOTHER2″ or visit www.swandolphin.com/offers for more information. Based on rate schedule availability. Taxes, resort services fee and gratuities not included. Not valid with any other special offers, promotions, or for existing reservations or groups.
In the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is your gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The resort is located in between Epcot® and Disney’s HollywoodStudiosTM, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Magic Kingdom® Park. Come discover our 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds® and the luxurious Mandara Spa. Enjoy five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, and many special Disney benefits, including complimentary transportation to Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Attractions, and the Extra Magic Hours benefit. The resort can be reached at 800-227-1500 or www.swandolphin.com.
Thank you Lisa for the article!
Disneyland Maingate Hotel Offers Weekend Bookers a Special Surprise
The Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate invites guests to unwind with a weekend away and receive a Visa® Gift Card while enjoying all the great amenities that the hotel has to offer. This new promotion offers travelers a chance to take a weekend getaway where, at this popular Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, where they will find comfort in the “suite” Marriott accommodations at this resort-like hotel complex.
The Residence Inn is conveniently located so guests can easily take advantage of the many activities near Anaheim, California. With area attractions, including Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center, less than a mile away, the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate is a logical choice when selecting a destination hotel for any type of travel. And, with the “Book a Weekend Stay” promotion, the Visa® gift card will provide extra savings on lodging through April 18, 2010 making it one of the great hotel deals near Disneyland. Guests participating in this weekend stay promotion must book their stay by April 4, 2010 and pay with a Visa® card to receive a Visa® gift card valued up to $50. Reservations may be made online at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/snaah-residence-inn-anaheim-maingate/ using promotional code NAP or call 1-877-627-7468 for reservations and more information.*
Whether relaxing or entertaining, the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate offers spacious accommodations as an extended stay hotel. Anaheim provides exciting attractions and the Residence Inn provides amenities for all the comforts of home, including fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas, barbecue grills and a welcome atmosphere to help guests make the most of their weekend stay. With complimentary parking and free high speed wireless Internet service, this hotel is family friendly and provides Family Activity Nights every Friday night in the Gatehouse for added weekend entertainment. A complimentary breakfast is provided daily in the Gatehouse offering fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, breakfast meats, waffles and more. All suites are equipped with cable/satellite television service, pay-per-view movies and video games. Shuttle service from the hotel to Disneyland, the convention center and various shopping centers is available through the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART).
About the Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate Hotel
The Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate is a family-friendly extended-stay hotel featuring spacious full-size suites, complimentary parking and grocery shopping service. With a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, the hotel is service oriented; maintaining a Disney Kiosk in the main lobby to help guests in coordinating visits to the park and offers social activities in the Gatehouse. Other amenities include a heated outdoor pool and the Sport Court for family fun and relaxation.
*Rates are per room, per night and rooms must be booked by 4/4/10 for stays through 4/18/10. Payment by Visa® card is required and guests must stay over a Friday or Saturday night to receive the offer. Upon payment for stay using a Visa card, guest will receive one voucher for a $25 Visa gift card per room, per night for up to two nights. For complete details see hotel website.