Jan 18 2016

Star Wars Villain Kylo Ren In Hollywood Studios

If you are a fan of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (and who isn’t), I have great news for you! Beginning in February, you will be able to meet the newest villain, Kylo Ren, at the Star Wars Launch Bay in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has quickly become the highest grossing film in American history, and soon guests at Disney Parks will be able to interact with one of the film’s most intriguing and chilling new characters, Kylo Ren.

Every day at Disney Parks, guests step into Star Wars experiences such as Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple and Star Wars Launch Bay, where they come face to face with some of the greatest heroes and villains of the saga. Starting in February, a visit to Star Wars Launch Bay will transport guests to the Star Wars galaxy for an encounter with Kylo Ren on the bridge of his First Order Star Destroyer.

As seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren is a dark warrior with a mysterious past. Kylo Ren is strong with the Force and serves as a leader of the First Order, seeking to destroy the New Republic, the Resistance and the legacy of the Jedi.

Star Wars Launch Bay is designed to showcase a variety of Star Wars characters over time. In addition to Kylo Ren, guests may also come across a garrison of First Order Stormtroopers or the heroic Wookiee, Chewbacca, holed up in a secret Resistance base.

The Force has awakened at Disney Parks with the addition of new and reimagined Star Wars experiences, just in time for fans of the blockbuster new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, to step into the Star Wars saga every day.

The new experiences further expand the Star Wars presence ahead of the new Star Wars-themed land coming to the Walt Disney World Resort.

Heading 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:

Check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by clicking here for more information!

Are you excited to meet Kylo Ren?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jan 17 2016

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up January 17, 2016

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for January 17, 2016!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

The Disney resort hotel rooms all supply small bars of hand soap for the bathrooms. After one use, these little soaps become a mess, not only themselves, but the counter underneath them. Not to mention, they can be difficult for tiny hands to use. Consider bringing a pump hand soap from home instead. It is so much cleaner and easier!

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Disney Did You Know

The two characters which adorn the chariot on Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in Magic Kingdom are Lady Liberty and a golden eagle. Built in 1917, the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel was originally named the Liberty Carousel, hence the patriotic chariot decorations. Disney acquired the carousel in 1967 and refurbished it before placing it in Magic Kingdom in 1971.

Walt’s Words

“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.”

Disney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, January 22, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win “A Tale of Two Resorts 2016”. Just click here and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter as well!

Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more. For more information about this week’s podcasts or to listen, please click here.

Featured Advertiser

Have you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

Featured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Jennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Jennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Coming Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have more dining and planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Jan 16 2016

Behind The Magic Podcast Recap January 11 – January 15, 2016

Welcome to Season 4 of Behind The Magic Podcast!

This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, and myself. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney information, discussions, guests, games, and more. We’ll be surprising you each and every day with all of our funny stories and Disney insider knowledge. And of course, we’ll also keep you up-to-date on all of the latest Disney news and gossip.

Here’s a quick peek at what you can expect each day:

Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Mondays with all of the latest Disney gossip and rumors!
Tuesday ~ Topical Tuesdays with exciting Disney discussions!
Wednesday ~ With Us Wednesdays with celebrity guests from around the Disney Universe!
Thursday ~ Theme Park Thursdays with fun information, facts, and stories about the parks!
Friday ~ Fun Fridays with fantastic fun and games!

This Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Monday Muppets
Tuesday ~ Toothbrush Topic
Wednesday ~ Behind Fresh Baked Disney
Thursday ~ Behind Germany
Friday ~ First Fun Friday

For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!

We hope you enjoy our show!

Jan 15 2016

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

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!

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.

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”

“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

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!

And 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! 😉