Dec 22 2014

Disney Parks Christmas Day Special

If you can’t be in a Disney Park this year for the holidays, be sure to tune in for “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” on Christmas Day! Here’s the scoop from Disney:

Robin Roberts Hosts This Year’s “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” with Performances by Train, Ariana Grande, Lucy Hale, Trisha Yearwood and More

Anaheim, Calif. and Lake Buena Vista Fla.: Dec. 15, 2014 – This holiday season, Disney will put a “Frozen” twist on its 31^st annual Christmas Day telecast, appropriately renamed the “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” airing Dec. 25, 2014 on ABC-TV.

Robin Roberts of ABC’s “Good Morning America” will host the reimagined television special inspired by the blockbuster hit’s message of uniting family and loved ones. Roberts will lead the telecast from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida with support from GMA Contributor and ESPN and SEC Network analyst Tim Tebow.

They will be joined by Rob Marciano, senior meteorologist of ABC’s “Good Morning America” from the “The Happiest Place on Earth” at Disneyland Resort. Sarah Hyland, star of ABC’s Emmy award-winning show “Modern Family,” joins the fun from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‛i. The festivities will also feature a special appearance by Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, making this year’s Christmas special a magical “Frozen” celebration not to be missed.

Disney Parks will celebrate this Christmas with more than a parade, but with a heartfelt wish for the holiday season, the coming together of loved ones and family. In keeping with the spirit of “Frozen” where two sisters are united through the power of true love, Disney will bring together three groups of families and friends who have been apart or separated for the holidays, providing the ultimate Christmas gift. The reunions will take place at three magical Disney destinations – Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Aulani – making these reunions bigger, brighter and merrier.

The joyous occasion will fittingly include a special rendition of the “Frozen” hit single, “Let It Go,” as performed by 12-year-old YouTube sensation, Lexi Walker.

There will also be festive performances from some of today’s top musical talents at each of the various Disney locations:

Ariana Grande will regale Walt Disney World Resort guests with her new Christmas single “Santa Tell Me” and the Christmas tradition “Last Christmas”
Prince Royce adds to the merriment with “I Want to Wish You a Merry Christmas/Feliz Navidad”
The spotlight also will shine on special performances from the X Factor USA third and final season winners Alex and Sierra singing “Love is an Open Door” from “Frozen”
Yuletide cheer will be brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Gavin DeGraw, performing his latest single “Fire” and the holiday standard “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
Laura Marano, of Disney Channel’s “Austin & Ally,” entertains viewers with her version of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” as posed by Princess Anna in “Frozen”
Trey Songz, Lucy Hale and Train will serenade audiences at Disneyland Resort in California with holiday favorites such as “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Mistletoe,” and “Shake Up Christmas”
Country music superstar Trisha Yearwood will perform her hit single, “Prizefighter,” and the holiday classic, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Holiday Spirit Brought to Life

Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with familiar Disney friends and holiday characters as they spread Christmas joy and cheer at Disneyland Park in California and along parade routes at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

The “Frozen” stars of the parade, Elsa and Anna, return from Arendelle to join the royal court and ring in the holidays on Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Resort
Olaf, the summer-loving snowman from “Frozen,” joins hundreds of Dance the Magic youth performers in front of Cinderella Castle for a musical number to “In Summer”
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty makes her holiday debut as the steampunk-inspired fire-breathing dragon, as featured in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
A new Club Penguin float joins the procession highlighting the holiday special, “We Wish You a Merry Walrus”
The superheroes of Big Hero 6 take a break from saving the world to wish onlookers happy holidays
The National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance Performance Cheer Team, featuring 800 members from 41 states, entertain park guests lining Main Street, U.S.A.
Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year winner, Maryah Sullivan, appears in the regal coach from the upcoming live action film, Cinderella
Traditional Christmas favorites such as Toy Soldiers and Gingerbread Men get their time in the spotlight to make the season merry and bright
After a long night of delivering presents, the jolly man in the red suit, Santa Claus, finishes his route on Main Street, U.S.A.

Tune in for the “Frozen” Magic and Merriment

The “Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration” airs December 25, 2014 on ABC-TV at 10 a.m. EST. Other airtimes vary; check local listings in your market.

Looking for more Disney holiday fun? Be sure to check out these posts, too!

Disney World Decorates For The Holidays
Frozen Gingerbread Castle At Contemporary
Holiday Videos From Around Disney World
A Frozen Holiday Wish Now Appearing At Magic Kingdom
Jungle Cruise Transformed To Jingle Cruise
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014
Holiday Treats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Holidays Around The World At Epcot
Holiday Happenings At Hollywood Studios
The Osborne Family Spectacle Of Dancing Lights Returns
Holiday Happenings At Downtown Disney
Disney’s Christmas Cookie Cocktail
Disney’s Poinse-tini Cocktail
Celebrating New Year’s At Disney World

Happy Holidays!

Dec 19 2014

A Tale Of Two Resorts Traveler’s Reference Giveaway

Exciting News

To celebrate the holiday season, I am giving away a copy of my new book “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”!

A Little About My Book

Are you trying to decide between a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Or maybe you have visited one resort and are curious about the other? My new book, “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”, is now available!

This reference book is loaded with facts and information about all of the hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, entertainment choices and resort extras that are available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Each chapter begins with a handy side-by-side chart that compares each destination and concludes with a “For What It’s Worth” section that gives my personal thoughts and opinions. Topics include Lay of the Land, Atmosphere, Weather, Crowds, Events, Budgeting, Planning Timeline, Accommodations, Admission Tickets, Transportation, Theme Parks, Resort Extras, Dining and of course, there’s helpful advice about planning your trip and organizing your day.

As a mom with two boys of my own, I understand the many challenges of traveling with young kids. Throughout “A Tale of Two Resorts”, I’ve included several features for parents that will help you plan your Disney trip plus they’ll make your vacation easier once you arrive at the resort. Here are just a few of these invaluable features:

In Chapter 8 Accommodations – I’ve included detailed information about every resort including room types available and resort amenities. If you need to know if a particular hotel has a kiddie pool, offers on site childcare or even how many people the room will accommodate, you’ll find those important answers.
In Chapter 11 Theme Parks – I’ve included a Word of Warning for each and every attraction that needs one, giving you a heads up on what to expect and what you need to be aware of before taking your child on that particular ride.
In Chapter 13 Dining – I’ve included specifics for every dining location from table service to snack stand such as atmosphere, cuisine type, dress code and even menu selections including the kid’s meals that are offered. So if you are like me and have kids that are picky eaters, you’ll know exactly where to find those all important chicken nuggets or macaroni & cheese.

Whether you are going to Disneyland or Disney World and especially if the decision between the two destinations is still being made, “A Tale of Two Resorts” will give you all of the information you need to make the better choice and plenty of advice for planning that magical vacation!

The Giveaway

From now through Friday, January 2, 2015, please enter daily to win a copy of my new book “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”. Just click the image below and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please feel free to share with your friends and family!

Can’t wait and need to get the book right away? Please click this link, to purchase your copy today!

Like politics and religion, the topic of which destination is better – Disneyland or Walt Disney World – is sure to fire up the faithful. In “A Tale of Two Resorts”, Kristi Fredericks takes no side, but she does deliver the most comprehensive reference guide for both resorts available anywhere.

Dec 18 2014

Disney’s Poinse-tini Cocktail

Looking for a fun and festive holiday cocktail? Why not try the Poinse-tini signature cocktail that Disney is serving during their Very Merrytime Cruises. Here’s the recipe:

2 oz gin
1/2 oz Chambord
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz cinnamon syrup
Black cherry syrup
Bitters
Sugar

Shake and strain gin, Chambord, fresh lemon juice and cinnamon syrup.
Moisten the rim of a martini glass and dip it in sugar.
Layer bottom of martini glass with black cherry syrup.
Pour drink into martini glass and top with a dash of bitters.

I can’t wait to try the Poinse-tini and the Christmas Cookie Cocktail over the holidays!

Interested in booking a Disney Cruise? Click on the image below and fill out the quote form to get more information from my friend, Jennifer Hardy at Destinations in Florida!

Do you have any other holiday cocktail recipes? Please leave a comment!

Dec 10 2014

Disney’s Christmas Cookie Cocktail

Tonight I enjoyed an incredible holiday dinner with my dear friend Sara. Every year in December, Sara and I plan a special night out at our favorite fondue restaurant, The Melting Pot. This fondue place has several locations across the country, but we love the spot that we always go to for its extraordinary ambiance. It is housed in a unique historic building in downtown Littleton, Colorado. Before becoming home to The Melting Pot, this building was previously a library and a jail. Because of its long and varied history, The Melting Pot is said to be haunted. Each time we dine there, we love to hear the most recent stories from our servers about ghost sightings and research by paranormal teams. It’s like our own hometown Haunted Mansion. After finishing our delicious courses of cheese fondue, salads, and meats, it was time for the best course of all – chocolate! We chose white chocolate with Baileys Irish Cream and it was delicious. For the first time, Sara tried a dessert cocktail called the Café Rough Diamond. It was a scrumptiously sweet combination of Amaretto Disaronno, Baileys Irish Cream and Kahlúa mixed with hot chocolate and whipped cream. As soon as I tried a sip, I loved it! The wonderful concoction instantly reminded me of Christmas and made me wonder if Disney was serving anything similar to this during the holiday season. With just a bit of research I found that the Disney Cruise Line is currently serving a Christmas Cookie Cocktail during their Very Merrytime Cruises. Here’s the recipe:

1 ounce Baileys
1 ounce Kahlua
1 ounce peppermint schnapps
Vanilla ice cream
Chocolate sauce
Whipped cream
Cookie shavings

Blend Baileys, Kahlua, peppermint schnapps and ice cream.
Layer bottom of Catalina glass with chocolate sauce.
Pour drink and top with whipped cream and cookie shavings.

I can’t wait to try this plus I’m thinking about making a different variation with hot chocolate instead of ice cream that will be perfect for our snowy weekend ahead!

Interested in booking a Disney Cruise? Click on the image below and fill out the quote form to get more information from my friend, Jennifer Hardy at Destinations in Florida!

Do you have any other holiday cocktail recipes? Please leave a comment!

Dec 2 2014

Giving Tuesday – Give Kids The World

In honor of Giving Tuesday, I would like to share with you an incredible charitable organization called Give Kids The World. If you are not familiar with this group, they work with wish granting organizations to provide week-long Central Florida vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families free of charge.

Through generous donations and hard-working volunteers, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 130,000 children and their families from over 70 countries around the world. These families are given a place to stay in the Give The Kids The World Village, donated theme park tickets to Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios, meals, transportation and more.

Please donate today so that these children and their families can spend time creating magical memories together in the Orlando theme parks that we love so much. To support this outstanding organization, please click this link to donate on Give Kids The World’s official Giving Tuesday donation page.

Thank you for supporting this amazing organization!