A Disney Fantasy Vacation

The Disney Fantasy is the newest cruise ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.

This post will give you some great information about the Disney Fantasy.

Overview

Designed to reflect the golden age of cruising in the 1930s, the Fantasy arrived in her home port of Cape Canaveral, Florida in March of 2012, and sailed her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012.

The ship's fourteen decks include 1,250 staterooms to accommodate up to 4,000 passengers, with oaver 1,450 Crew Members to help make each guest's voyage a magical one. Onboard, passengers can take advantage of youth activities, dining, entertainment, nightclubs, pools, and spa/fitness services.

Accommodations

Accommodations on the Fantasy include staterooms and suites to accommodate up to 5 people. Stateroom options include standard inside staterooms (169 square feet), deluxe inside or oceanview staterooms (204 square feet), and deluxe oceanview staterooms with navigator's verandah or verandah (246 square feet including verandah); all of these accommodate 3 or 4 guests. The deluxe family oceanview stateroom (241 square feet) and deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah (299 square feet) accommodate 3-5 guests. The largest stateroom available is the concierge family oceanview stateroom with verandah (306 square feet including verandah), which accommodates 5 guests. Concierge suite options with verandah include: 1-bedroom suites (622 square feet including verandah) and royal suites (1,781 square feet including verandah) that each accommodate up to 5 guests.

Youth Activities

A variety of Youth Clubs for ages 3 months to 14 years can be found on Deck 5 of the Fantasy. It's a Small World Nursery provides childcare for children from 3 months to 3 years old, for a reasonable babysitting fee, and recommendations are highly recommended, as space can fill up quickly.

Disney's Oceaneer Club (activity center) and Oceaneer Lab (play space) are designed for children from 3 to 12 years old. The Oceaneer Club and Lab are included amenities, and children may also eat lunch or dinner in these clubs. Children with special needs are welcome in the nursery or Oceaneer clubs; however, advanced notice is suggested in order to better serve the children.

In addition, guests ages 3-12 can enjoy a royal makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on Deck 5. This location transforms into the Pirates League on pirate party nights.

There are even special areas for "tweens" and teens. Vibe is an indoor/outdoor lounge specially designed for teens ages 14-17 years old, also found on Deck 5. There is also a special area for "tweens" ages 11-14, called Edge and located on Deck 13.

Other specified family and/or youth areas are located on on Decks 4, 11, and 13 of the Fantasy. A family nightclub called D Lounge is located on Deck 4, while the video Arr-cade is located on Deck 11.

Dining

Dining on the Disney Fantasy includes 4 Main Dining restaurants, which guests visit on a rotational dinner schedule to offer a variety of opportunities. These 4 restaurants are: Animator's Palette (where animated drawings come to life), and Cabanas, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Court (all of which also serve breakfast and lunch). In addition, there are two Adults Exclusive restaurants: Palo (serving Northern Italian cuisine for brunch and dinner) and Remy (serving French cuisine for dinner). The Adults Exclusive restaurants must be reserved in advance for an extra fee.

Entertainment

There are a variety of entertainment opportunities onboard the Fantasy. Live shows, including musical productions, are performed in the Walt Disney Theatre on Decks 3 and 4. First-run movies and digital 3-D films are shown in the Buena Vista Theatre, located on Decks 4 and 5. In addition, Disney characters can be found onboard for a scheduled and surprise visits.

There are a variety of nightclubs and lounges on the ship. Most of these are located on Deck 4 and are for adults only: La Piazza, O'Gill's Pub (Irish bar), Ooh La La, Skyline, The Tube (nightclub) and Vista Cafe. Located on Deck 12 are Meridian and Waves, both designed for adults only. Other options are: Bon Voyage (a family lounge) on Deck 3, Cove Cafe (an adults-only lounge) on Deck 11, and Currents on Deck 13.

Water Areas

Pools and water play areas abound on the Disney Fantasy. Three pools are located on Deck 11: Mickey's Pool (for children), Donald's Pool (for families), and Quiet Cove Pool (for adults only). Also located on Deck 11 is Nemo's Reef, a fun splash deck for children. Plus, the Fantasy also has the AquaDuck, a water coaster, and the AquaLab, another water play area, and a Wading Pool, all located on Deck 12.

There is also an adults-only area on Deck 13 called Satellite Falls.

Spa and Fitness

A variety of spa and fitness services can also be found on the Fantasy. Senses Spa & Salon is located on Decks 11 and 12, where guests can experience relaxing spa or salon treatments for an additional fee. The Fitness Center is located on Deck 11, including state-of-the-art fitness equipment and group exercise classes. Goofy's Sports Deck on Deck 13 includes a miniature golf course, virtual sports simulators, and a basketball/volleyball court.

Ports of Call

Now to talk about the ports of call! All Disney Fantasy itineraries leaving out of Port Canaveral, FL currently stop at Castaway Cay, Disney's private Caribbean island. Western Caribbean cruises sailing out of Galveston, TX do not stop at Castaway Cay, with 2-3 days at sea as well. Other ports visited vary by itinerary and may include: San Juan (Puerto Rico), the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Grand Cayman, Falmouth (Jamaica), Costa Maya (Mexico), and/or Cozumel (Mexico).

Are you ready for a Fantasy vacation?

Imaginations Vacations by Katherine is currently offering $25-$50 onboard credit, depending on the type of stateroom booked. See

www.imaginationsvacationsbykatherine.com

or email me at

katherine@enchantedearstravel.com

Feel free to post questions and/or comments in the comments section!

Enter the Giveaway!

Enter my Disney gift card giveaway! The more entries we have, the more chances there are for you to win! I will give away one $25 Disney gift card for every 20 people who enter. If you comment on this post (or any other post on the blog), you can earn 2 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day!

Info

2 Comments

Epcot IS for Kids!

When I talk to families about planning their magical Disney vacations, some questions that I hear are:

How long should we spend at Epcot? Is there a lot for kids to do there?

The answer is a resounding YES! There are so many activities for kids at Epcot!

Read on to find out more.

Misconceptions

I understand the misconception about Epcot being "for grown-ups." I visited Epcot as a kid shortly after it first opened, and though I could participate in many of the attractions, I found it to be very "science-y" (as a kid, I wasn't interested) and the approach to be over my head.

But times have changed!

Interactive Exhibits

One of the things that makes Epcot kid-friendly is that there are so many places where kids are allowed to play...and to touch stuff! As anyone with kids can tell you, a kid can have fun with a cardboard box, if they are allowed to do more than just look at it. Interactive exhibits at Epcot include:

Advanced Training Lab at Mission: Space - Located at the exit to the main ride, younger kids can play on a space-themed playground while older kids (even the grown-up ones) like to play with the various interactive video game simulations.
Innoventions East and West - These pavilions include a variety of interactive experiences using the latest technology and teaching kids about the environment, money, safety, and more!
SeaBase - Explore the undersea world by viewing the Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium and participating in hands-on exhibits.
ImageWorks - Located in the Imagination! pavilion, this area includes interactive play areas centered around music and art.
KidCot Fun Stops - There is a Fun Stop located in each of the countries in World Showcase. Kids can decorate a picture of Duffy the Disney Bear and get a stamp at each country. Guests can also purchase World Showcase passports for the stamps.
Agent P's World Showcase Adventure - Use a special Disney F.O.N.E. (Field Operative Notification Equipment) and work to thwart Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Based on characters from the Disney cartoon "Phineas and Ferb," each adventure lasts 30-45 minutes.

Kid-Friendly Attractions

There are several attractions that have kids in mind, and are fun for grown-ups, too!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Ride in a clamshell vehicle to see Nemo and his friends explore the underwater world!
Turtle Talk with Crush - This interactive show allows kids to talk to Crush from the movie Finding Nemo and ask questions. Kids love the answers!
Living with the Land - Kids enjoy this 10-minute boat ride through the greenhouses and fish farm.
Soarin' - One of the few attractions with a height requirement, kids and grown-ups alike love the feeling of soaring through the skies over California, where you can literally smell the orange groves.
The Circle of Life - Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King teach about the environment in this fun and funny 20-minute film.
Journey into Imagination with Figment - Ride through and explore the five senses with Figment.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - This boat ride through the Mexico pavilion includes history and music from fun Disney cartoon characters.

Entertainment

Entertainment abounds at Epcot, and kids love watching the variety of performances and meeting characters.

Characters - There are a variety of character experiences, from the classic characters to Duffy the Disney Bear (only at Epcot). Country-specific characters can also be found in their respective countries (for example: Belle and Aurora in France; Alice, Mary Poppins, and Winnie the Pooh in the United Kingdom; Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco; Mulan in China; Snow White in Germany).
JAMMitors - These drumming "janitors" can be found in Future World East.
World Showcase Players - fun tale of King Arthur and his knights in the United Kingdom
British Revolution - This group plays British rock music in United Kingdom.
Off Kilter - This band plays traditional and modern tunes with bagpipes, wearing kilts. (near UK)
Serveur Amusant - acrobats in France
MO'ROCKIN - Found in Morocco, this music group plays music inspired by the Middle East, Africa, and more.
Matsuriza - drummers in Japan
Miyuki - rice dough sculptor in Japan
Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps in the American Adventure
Voices of Liberty - This a capella group sings in the dome in the American Adventure.
Sergio - juggler in Italy
Ziti Sisters - This comedy trio shares the culture of Italy.
Oktoberfest Musikanten - This group sings, dances, and yodels traditional German tunes.
Jeweled Dragon Acrobats in China
Mariachi Cobre - a mariachi music group in Mexico

Height Requirements

There are only 3 attractions at Epcot with height requirements: Mission: Space (44 inches), Test Track (40 inches), and Soarin' (40 inches). This makes Epcot an extremely accessible park for kids, because they can ride virtually everything! After all, 44 inches isn't even 4 feet!

Just Browsing

If you have the time to stroll through Epcot, you may notice some fun things on your way to your destination. Many of these things have to do with water, such as the Dancing Fountain located behind Spaceship Earth, where you can see water "dance" to the music.

The fountain outside the Imagination pavilion is backwards! The water flows up.

Near the Captain EO attraction, there is a leaping fountain that sends water from pad to pad.

At night, many spots on the walkway light up with colored fiber-optics.

Conclusion

There are many fun things for kids to do at Epcot, as long as the parents are willing to slow down long enough for the kids to explore! It would be nearly impossible to do everything, but taking a break once in a while and allowing kids to simply play and interact with their environment is so important! You may even find that these are some of your most treasured memories.

Duffy hug - one of my favorite memories!

Enter the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day!

Info

1 Comment

Overlooked Attractions: Animal Kingdom

Rafiki's Planet Watch is the most overlooked area at Animal Kingdom, and some of the most fun for little ones, and grown-ups, too!

Read more to find out about this fascinating area.

Getting there

First of all, you have to ride a train to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch! If your children are like mine, trains hold a terrific fascination, and the Wildlife Express Train is a lot of fun because you are actually sitting facing sideways, so you can see out of the train and into some of the backstage animal areas.

Habitat Habit!

Upon getting off the train, you can explore some an outdoor trail and see animals, including the cotton-top tamarin monkey. Learn about how to share our world with the animals around us.

Conservation Station

Here you can find interactive exhibits and a viewable onsite research facility. Experiences include:

Animal Encounters Stage - fun shows about wildlife habitats
Song of the Rainforest - 3D audio journey through the rainforest led by Grandma Willow
Veterinary Treatment Room - see hands-on care of the animals
Backstage Tour - control animal cams to see backstage animal areas
Character Greetings - see some hard-to-find characters like Rafiki, Pocahontas, and Jiminy Cricket
Eco-Web - learn about conservation efforts
Nutrition Center - learn about animal diets and watch handlers prepare food
Amphibian and Reptile Center - see a variety of creepy-crawly creatures
Nursery - see baby animals

Of course, all experiences are subject to change!

We especially enjoy seeing rare characters, the baby animals, and the veterinary treatment center. There is so much information at a variety of age-appropriate interest levels.

Affection Section

This is a petting zoo area where guests can get up close and personal with several species of animal. There is a convenient washing area, and guests are encouraged to wash their hands before and after meeting the animals.

Animal brushes are available, and children love to brush, pet, and feed the animals. The animals may include:

goats
sheep
donkeys
cows
pigs
llamas
chickens

Other Information

Rafiki's Planet Watch often has different hours than the rest of the Animal Kingdom Park. I highly suggest you check the opening hours upon entrance to the park, and go to this area as early as possible. The animals are much more enthusiastic in the morning, before they have met several hundred other guests! It is also helpful to be present when the characters begin their appearances, to avoid waiting in a long line.

Have you been to Rafiki's Planet Watch?

Enter the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day!

Info

Comment

Water Play Time: Disney Resort Pool Overview

With summer quickly approaching, now is a great time to look at the pools of the various Walt Disney World Resorts. When visiting the Resort during the hot summer months, time in the pool is a perfect way to cool off and take a break.

Stormalong Bay at the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

Read more to find out about the various pool options at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World Pool Use Policy

Samawati Springs Pool at Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani

Before outlining the pools, please remember that swimming in a pool at a resort other than the resort where you are staying is generally not allowed at the Walt Disney World Resort. The exceptions to this policy are listed below, and only occur in the event of "sister" resorts or resorts with shared pools. Although it might be fun to visit a different pool, please remember that amenities are part of the resort differences, and therefore part of the price difference as well.

Value Resort Hotels

The value resort hotels have a variety of pools in fun shapes. Value resorts do not have hot tubs.

All-Star Movies Resort: Fantasia Pool with Sorcerer Mickey fountain and kiddie water play area, and Duck Pond Pool with ice hockey theme.
All-Star Music Resort: guitar-shaped Calypso Pool with kiddie pool and quieter Piano Pool
All-Star Sports Resort: Surfboard Bay Pool with kiddie area and Grand Slam Pool featuring Goofy pitching a stream of water into the pool.
Art of Animation Resort: Big Blue Pool with underwater speakers and Schoolyard Sprayground, Cozy Cone Pool (Cars theme), and Flippin' Fins Pool (Little Mermaid theme).
Pop Century Resort: Hippy Dippy Pool with water jets and kiddie pool, Bowling Pool (shaped like a bowling pin), and Computer Pool.

Moderate Resort Hotels

The moderate resort hotels have pools with some additional theming and extra perks, including hot tubs.

Fuentes del Morro Pool at Caribbean Beach Resort

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground: Meadow Swimmin' Pool with corkscrew water slide and Wilderness Swimmin' Pool for a more leisurely experience.
Caribbean Beach Resort: Fuentes del Morro Pool with Spanish fortress theme, 2 waterslides, man-of-war water cannons, and shipwreck water play area; plus, 6 leisure pools (one in each village of the resort).
Coronado Springs Resort: Lost City of Cibola Pool with Mayan theme, 50-foot pyramid, and waterslide; plus 3 leisure pools (one at each settlement).
Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter: Doubloon Lagoon with Mardi Gras theme, serpent slide, and kiddie area. Guests at this resort may also swim in the pools at the Port Orleans Resort - Riverside.
Port Orleans Resort - Riverside: Ol' Man Island swimmin' hole plus fishin' hole, with abandoned sawmill theme, rustic waterslide, and kiddie play area; plus 5 leisure pools throughout the resort. Guests at this resort may also swim in the pool at the Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter.

Doubloon Lagoon at Port Orleans - French Quarter

Deluxe Resort Hotels

The deluxe resort hotels have larger pools with even more theming and extra perks, and do include hot tubs.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Uzima Pool with oasis theme and zero-depth entry, plus a waterslide. Guests at Animal Kingdom Lodge may also enjoy the Samawati Springs Pool (also with zero-depth entry and waterslide) and Uwanja Camp (a water playground with 3 age-based zones), both located at Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani.
Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts: Although these are two separate resorts, they share all pool amenities, and guests at each are welcome to enjoy any of the pools at either resort. Stormalong Bay is possibly the most popular pool area at the Walt Disney World Resort, with a sand-bottomed pool, shipwreck play area, waterslide, lazy river, and kiddie area. In addition, there are 3 leisure pools, one each at the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Beach Club Villas.
BoardWalk Inn: Luna Park with carnival theme and large waterslide; plus 2 leisure pools.
Contemporary Resort: Main Pool with waterslide and water play area, plus Bay Lake Pool (leisure pool).
Grand Floridian Resort: Beach Pool with walking bridge, waterfalls, and waterslide; and the Courtyard Pool. There is also a new water play area themed after Alice in Wonderland.
Polynesian Resort: Nanea Volcano Pool with volcano theme, waterfall, waterslide, and zero entry, plus a water play area. In addition, the Polynesian East Pool offers a leisure pool option.
Wilderness Lodge Resort: Silver Springs Creek Pool with national park theme, including a waterslide built into the rocks and a kiddie pool. The Hidden Springs Pool is a leisure pool located near the Villas.

Final Thoughts

The pool may be a deciding factor in choosing your resort, especially if the budget (money or time) may not include a visit to a Walt Disney World water park. Choosing by pool only, here are my top five:

Stormalong Bay at the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts
Samawati Springs Pool and Uwanja Camp at the Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani
Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian Resort
Luna Park at the BoardWalk Inn
Fuentes del Morro Pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort

What is your favorite pool at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel?

Enter the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day!

Info

Comment