Tag Archives: Disney World

Jan 15 2016

Remember A Tale Of Two Resorts 2016 Traveler’s Reference Giveaway

2016 Tale Cover

Remember To Enter Daily To Win

I am giving away a copy of the 2016 edition of my 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 book, “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference”, is now available for 2016!

Sleeping Beauty CastleThis 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.

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!

What People Are Saying About “A Tale of Two Resorts”

Cinderella Castle“Bob and his wonderful Theme park Press have done it again- put out another “must have” book for fans of the Disney resorts. Kristi Fredericks (501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation) is a bona fide Disney Park fan, and frequent visitor, and it really shows in this very helpful guidebook.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“Very informative and easy to navigate, this book gives you some incredibly helpful information on every aspect of choosing between Walt Disney World and Disneyland.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“As a travel agent this book is going to be my go to reference manual when guests ask me to compare Disneyland to Walt Disney World.”
– Amazon Customer Review

The Giveaway

From now through Friday, January 22, 2016, 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!

Click image to enter!

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

Jan 14 2016

The Ganachery In Disney Springs

Ganachery 4

The Cure For Common Chocolate!

With New Year’s Day (and those pesky resolutions) behind us and Valentine’s Day on the horizon, you know what I’ve been thinking about? Chocolate, of course! If you love chocolate as much as I do, I’ve got some fantastic news for you. In December, a brand new shop opened in Disney Springs – The Ganachery – aka heaven on earth for those of us addicted to the sweet dark goodness!

Ganachery 9And as with all things Disney, they have once again gone above and beyond with the details. This is not just your typical candy shop. “We like to tell a story, because when guests arrive they want to feel like it’s a real place,” says Imagineer Theron Skees. “Our cast members will bring our story to life and make our guests feel part of it.”

“It’s a fresh take on an old apothecary,” says Skees. Bottles, scales and other props inspired by drugstores of another era adorn the little shop. The walls are even painted the colors of chocolate and caramel. “The theming carries through right down to the packaging,” says Skees. “Traditional Apothecary labels are ‘blocked’ with spaces for weights, measurements and descriptions, so we were inspired by that idea and made it more modern for the elegant chocolate bars and chocolate boxes.” Thus the clever tagline, “the cure for common chocolate.”

But the real star of the show here is the custom-blended ganache, created with Disney’s special recipe of rich dark melted chocolate and cream, that is then covered in a chocolate waterfall to create 16 delicious flavors. “The trend in the United States is dark chocolate, and The Ganachery uses a bold, 65 percent dark chocolate made with a touch of vanilla for a beautiful balance of fruitiness and acidity,” explains Disney Pastry Chef Stefan Riemer.

If your mouth isn’t already watering, check out this video for more details!

Open daily at 10:00am, The Ganachery is located in The Landing at Disney Springs across from Paradiso 37. I plan to check this place out during my next trip, and I’ll be sure to let you know what I thought. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! 😉

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you tried The Ganachery yet?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jan 13 2016

What’s Happening With Disney World Enthusiast In 2016

dwe site header blue final

Welcome to Disney World Enthusiast 2016!

With the start of a brand new year, I thought it would be fun to take a quick look back at where this blog began and to share with you where it is headed in 2016.

Disney World Enthusiast - Kristi FredericksBefore I get started, I want to take a moment to say thank you! Whether this is your first visit to this site or your fiftieth, I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. I hope you enjoy what you read and come back often. I love interacting with fellow Disney fans, so please feel free to comment on the posts you find here, tweet me (@DWEnthusiast), leave a message on my Facebook page (Disney World Enthusiast), or join in the fun in my Facebook group (Next Disney Vacation). I would love to hear from you!

Next month, Disney World Enthusiast will celebrate its second birthday. Where has the time gone? Tired of my usual New Year’s resolutions (eat better, exercise more, yada, yada, yada…), I decided to try a different one in January 2014 – create a blog – and I’m so glad I did. By starting this website, I’ve met so many incredible people and enjoyed some truly amazing moments. Thanks to all of you for being a part of this journey!

So here’s what will be happening with Disney World Enthusiast in 2016:

dwe logo small size white bkgdPosting Schedule

Look for a new article to be posted each day. Monday through Thursday’s posts will typically highlight the latest Walt Disney World news to keep you up-to-date. Friday’s post will talk about my current giveaway, Saturday’s post will fill you in on the week’s podcast episodes, and Sunday’s posts will catch you up on anything you’ve missed with the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up.

And as always, you will be able to find current discounts, refurbishments, and planning information to help with your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation.

Flower MagicBand SkinsGiveaways

I hope you’ve been enjoying the giveaways, because I will be continuing them throughout 2016. I have some fantastic prizes lined up for this year including Disney merchandise, MagicBand Skins, Creative Countdowns, and Disney travel books, just to name a few.

501 WaysBooks

One of the things I’m most excited about this year is for the release of my new books. Currently I have available “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation” and “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference 2016“. Later this year, Theme Park Press will be publishing two brand new Disney Parks’ books that I have written in addition to the 2017 edition of “A Tale of Two Resorts”. I’ll be sure to share more information as the release dates are announced.

Thirsty River Bar 5Website Upgrades

During the third quarter of 2016, you will notice several upgrades being added to Disney World Enthusiast. Expect to find more in-depth information, reviews, and tips about all of the attractions, experiences, accommodations, and dining options available throughout Walt Disney World.

The EmporiumStore

During the fourth quarter of 2016, look for my “Emporium” to open. This shop will offer Disney inspired merchandise adorned with my own artwork. I’ve been working on this for quite a while now, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone later this year!

BTM S4 LogoBehind The Magic Podcast

Also new for 2016, I am now a regular host on the daily Disney podcast – Behind The Magic – along with Zeek and Rachel. If you haven’t listened before, be sure to check out the show here. It is a lively, upbeat 15 minutes each day that will help keep the Disney magic alive between your trips!

TouringPlansTouringPlans

Continuing in 2016, you’ll still be able to find me over at TouringPlans a few times a month as I write posts for their blog as well.

Well, that pretty much covers what will be happening here at Disney World Enthusiast in 2016. If there is anything I am missing and that you would love to see included, please let me know in the comments. Once again, thanks for sharing this adventure with me!

Happy New Year!
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jan 12 2016

Lion Guard Adventure In Animal Kingdom

Lion Guard AdventureIf you are a fan of The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar movie that premiered on Disney Channel last fall or know someone that is, I have great news for you! Soon you will be able to become an honorary member of the Lion Guard in a brand new Disney’s Animal Kingdom experience called The Lion Guard Adventure.

The fun begins in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on February 7, 2016. This interactive experience will allow young guests to explore the park in search of five main characters from “The Lion Guard” – Kion, Bunga, Fuli, Beshte, and Ono, who are represented as colorful statues. Like the movie, the experience encourages interest in protecting animals and caring for nature. Once little ones complete the adventure, each child can take a pledge to become an honorary member of “The Lion Guard” and receive a special button.

The experience will be offered in Disney’s Animal Kingdom through late March, as one of many activities celebrating the debut of “The Lion Guard” series on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited for the Lion Guard Adventure?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jan 11 2016

Sneak Peek At “Zootopia” Coming To Hollywood Studios

Zootopia

Coming Soon!

For a limited time, beginning January 21, 2016, a sneak peek of Disney’s newest animated film “Zootopia” will be presented as a part of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The current finale of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream will go on a brief hiatus during this time.

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Here’s a look at the new trailer for “Zootopia”!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you looking forward to the release of “Zootopia”?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!