About Tara

Tara is a Travel Agent that loves Disney...in her world a perfect combination! She loves to read, play tennis and travel the globe.

Walt Disney World for Two on a $5,000 Budget

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Tara

You can go to Walt Disney World on all different types of budgets. You can make it work for $2,000 or less and you can splurge and go and drop the price of a car on a week going all out! There are so many ways and shapes of vacations and one option that I love is a fun and intimate trip for 2 on a moderately deluxe budget of $5,000. Yes, I say moderately deluxe at $5,000 and I know it is only two people, but you can throw down some serious money at Disney if you let me (um if you want!).

Pricing is rack rate, so this is without ANY special promotions or discounts and I always recommend booking what you can afford without a discount. Discounts/promotions are NOT guaranteed, inventory is limited, and if you do get a promotion applied I think it is awesome to use it to upgrade. Club level? Deluxe dining? Fireworks cruise? Or if not an upgrade, extra money in your pockets for some fun souvenirs (I am a fan of Olszewski’s trinkets, especially his light boxes).

Okay back to my romantic trip for 2! So, here is what I think would be great!

Option 1 – Dates September 18 – 24, 2017 – almost a whole week away from the world with your special someone!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Standard Room with Standard View. I love this resort for so many reasons. I find it romantic, nostalgic and such a beautiful property to walk around. Plus the dining options are some of the best and you can grab a daily Dole Whip!

Included in this option is a 5 day park hopper. You definitely want a park hopper on this trip, because you are going to want to hop over to different parks for some amazing dinners and have the freedom of changing your mind on this trip for 2. You only need 5 days because on your trip for 2 you are going to want at least one full day to spend at the resort, sleep in, no alarms, sit by the pool, leisurely stroll around, and do some shopping.

And also, the standard Disney Dining Plan. Did you want Deluxe on this trip so you could go all out with some 2 credit meals and really be Disney foodies? Yes, well I did too, but I wanted the Poly more on this option and I am a fan of longer trips. This is my romantic trip for 2, so this is what it is for Option 1.

This is coming in at $4,919.68 so right there at budget!

Option 2 – Dates September 18 – 24, 2017

Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Standard Room with Standard View. I love this resort for your trip for 2 as the location is great for 2 adults. You can walk or boat to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. So, easy peasy (lemon squeasy) to go to Epcot and drink or snack around the World in the afternoon, take a break and a nap, then back to finish your Around the World challenge. I have found whether it is Drink or Snack Around the World a nap is a must. Plus, the pool here at Beach Club, which is named Stormalong Bay, is the best on property and has a sandy bottom and lazy river which is perfect to spend some lazy time!

I included 5 day park hopper for same reasons as above. Plus with Stormalong Bay you are going to want to be lazy for at least a full day!

This time, I was able to get deluxe dining in without going over budget! The Epcot resorts are a great option for deluxe stays, they are typically a little less expensive than the monorail resorts, but for resorts they are super nice and super convenient to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Total Cost – $4,877.45

Option 3 – Dates September 20 – 24, 2017

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort – Outer Building, Standard View, CLUB LEVEL I wanted to include the Grand Floridian as being the Flagship and such a great option. Plus, a trip for 2 that includes the G Flo and Club Level is a top option, but I did have to shorten the trip. Oh well, the club level makes up for it!

4 day Park Hoppers since it is a shorter trip.

Standard Disney Dining Plan and club level makes this a dream trip for comfort and convenience! And being on the monorail is the cherry on top!

Total Cost – $4,901.91

Option 4 – Dates September 20 – 24, 2017

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn – Outer Building, Garden Room – CLUB LEVEL I had to include 0118bd0cb8c9ece4bc67c88835fd59fea18c5511cc
this option because the Garden Room (or cottages) are the most amazing option for a 2 person stay. You get your own little two-story cottage complete with your own fenced in garden, mail box and cute white picket fence. You are right across from a quiet pool and not too far from the club level lounge. These cottages are special and very limited (total of 14 I think). I truly loved everything about them.

I did 4 day Park Hoppers. Though you will love the cottage so much you may not want to leave!

No dining plan, which is sad, but to keep on budget and since you are going to love hanging around your cottage and pool area and be so close to club level it is okay to skip the dining plan this time!

Total Cost – $4,777.27

So, these are just a few options for your romantic trip for 2 to Disney! Which trip do you want to take?

Club Level Series: Wilderness Lodge

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Tara

Did I save the best for last with the Club Level Series and Wilderness Lodge? Well, you will have to try them all yourself to see because the one thing I know to be a fact is everyone has a favorite and no two people can agree! So, the good news is to find out which is your favorite you will need to stay club level at all the deluxe resorts and then let me know which you love the best!

Wilderness Lodge Resort is a deluxe resort that is considered a Magic Kingdom resort. It is not on the monorail but does have a nice, quick boat ride to and from Magic Kingdom that makes it desirable. Though currently under a massive renovation so if you are staying here make sure you are aware of what the renovations will impact during your dates. But, moving on to the club.

First, a note about a change that is happening with all club levels and this is in the Itinerary Planning Office (“IPO”). Prior to this post, each club level guest received an email from the IPO at their resort and it was where you could get help planning, get reservations made for you prior to your stay, ask questions, etc. This service is being changed and is currently not available – so we are hearing. There has been no official announcements, just rumors, so we will not address those but as soon as we hear we will let you know! But, if you are staying club level and do not receive this email – this is why. If you do receive it or are reached out to by the IPO – let us know! We are investigating what all is going on in this department!

The lounge at Wilderness Lodge is called the Old Faithful Club and is located on the Seventh Floor and you will need to be staying club level to access the floor via the elevator. So, sadly no sneaking in or just wandering around! It is private and exclusive to those that have paid for the extra perks!

Club level extra perks at Wilderness Lodge are the same as all other club level perks at the other Deluxe resorts. These include plush bathrobes in room, turn-down service with chocolates on your pillow, lounge access with complimentary food and drinks, spa quality toiletries (favorite of mine!), and private check-in.

Room types that you can get if you are staying club level at Wilderness Lodge include 2 queen beds, 1 queen bed with a set of bunk beds or a king bed. Also, if you are in a suite at Wilderness Lodge you will automatically have club level included in your reservation.

The food – yes, it always comes down to the food! Here is a schedule and a sample of what is offered at Old Faithful Club at Wilderness Lodge:

Breakfast 7am-10am (coffee service starts at 6:30am) – Continental breakfast with pastries, muffins, bagels, yogurt, fruit, and cereal.

Excellent way to start the day!

Refreshments 11:30am-4pm – small snack foods. They will have crudite, cookies and chips (homemade chips!) with dipping sauce, candies and nuts.

Wine and Cheese Selections 5pm-7pm – Cheese platter, salads, Antipasti platter, BBQ Chicken Skewers, Venison Meatballs in Sweet and Sour Sauce, then these amazing Peanut Butter and Jelly Shooters with a Puff Pastry.

BBQ Chicken Skewers

Cordials and Desserts 8pm-10pm – Apple Crisp, Cookies (several varieties), and Magic Bars. This is also when they broke out some of their fine liqueurs to taste or a glass of wine if you prefer.

They always have soda, water, milk and non-alcoholic options as well!

Trip Report Day 4: Second Day at Sea with More Waves and More Fun

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Tara

So, yes this is the most drawn out trip report ever but it is keeping the memory and magic alive for me as I revisit each day we had on one of my favorite vacations ever. I hope the anticipation for each new day is not too much for all of you readers! I would love to hear from you about your trip or about your questions and how you are enjoying reading this trip report. You can comment or email me at dolewhipped@gmail.com (just think I may be able to write quicker with a bit of cheerleading!)

Okay, so now on to day 4 of this trip which is our second full day and another full day at sea. If you remember from Day 3 (or want to remind yourself click HERE) we were going around a tropical depression and the seas were a bit rougher than normal. So, today the ship was rocky. I did not mind it. It was not crazy rocky and did not disturb walking or anything just made you feel like you were being rocked in your sleep type thing. I would say 99% of the guests had no issues with it and the 1% that did were maybe a tad dramatic (I heard stories afterwards on our cruise Facebook page that someone who had an interior room on a lower deck had slept on a lounge chair by the pool). Now, that is a bit non-productive as the higher you go the more it rocks but if it makes you feel better and they let you – why not sleep by the pool? So, it was a tad overcast but that did not stop the fun. We actually had one of the best days on the ship.

First, we started off with some room service for breakfast. We had decided with our friends the night before since the weather was not going to be as good as it was the rest of the week this would be the perfect day to sleep in, have room service and all huddle up in one room and watch a movie. It was the perfect morning.

Since we had built up an appetite (sea air and all) we headed to Cabanas for lunch and had a vast array of choices as always at Cabanas, along with several glasses of POG
juice. Excellent way to kick off the afternoon.

When we finally decided to join the rest of the ship we did something I had never done on a cruise ship in the past. We played BINGO! Bingo was in the D Lounge (though note the Navigator schedule had a mistake and said the Buena Vista Theatre so note to everyone if you are somewhere and no crew is around it may be a printed mistake). We figured it out though and we had a blast playing BINGO. Now, couple of BINGO things to note, the crew that runs it makes it fun. BINGO is not free and there are a few packages to choose from and you can do one card or many and you can do it electronically or the old fashion where you poke the chad out. We decided to save our money and do it the old fashion way and bought two cards (one for each of us because on the first day we played BINGO only myself and one other companion thought it was worth it – this quickly changed and by the end of the week the whole group was playing!) So two cards were $40 and they had six games on each card. The ball scrambling machine is named Betty and when someone is having bad BINGO luck they yell out “SHAKE IT UP BETTY” and all the kids laugh (and a few adults). So, you hear “SHAKE IT UP BETTY” a lot. Oh, by the way, BINGO is open to all ages but because actual money is won if your kid is under 18 and wins you, as the adult, gets to take the winnings. If you want to give it to your child or if you want to keep it, well that is up to you. They also will randomly between games do a random name draw for prizes and though we did not win BINGO we DID win the random name. All of a sudden on the screen was my sailing companion and BINGO partner’s name! He graciously gave me most of the prize because I was more excited than probably I should have been. It was a tote bag that had several branded Disney Cruise Line gifts such as a hat, pen, lip gloss, and a phone charger. I never win anything so even though I did not win, I got the winnings and felt like a true champion.

The main show in the Walt Disney Theatre that evening was “Wishes” and I was looking forward to it and it did not disappoint. It was about three best friends that were graduating and each going their own way in life and before they do they go on a magical journey down a wishing well. Very cute and had a great message for everyone.

Dinner that evening was at Animator’s Palate and I was looking forward to it because though we were assigned there twice during the week, I knew the second time we were scheduled there we would be eating at Palo’s – so this was my one time at AP. I started my meal with the Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup and one of their specialty drinks a Bora Shake (Piña Colada, fresh Bananas and Blue Ocean). For my entree I had Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus beef Tenderloin with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with Bok Choy and a Tamarind–Barbecue Reduction. I can not recommend this dish more if I tried. I challenge you to not love it. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned and nothing like anyone expects from meals on a cruise ship. Bravo Disney. For dessert I went with a classic Mickey Bar. The entertainment and interaction was great and I enjoyed almost every moment. The moments I did not enjoy were unfortunately we were seated next to a large family of about 15 people and several small children. We choose late dinner, on purpose, as early dinner is usually better for the little ones. These little children were definitely tired and cranky and were throwing a fit. There were 3 or 4 that were throwing things off the table and screaming and running around and into the servers and it was quite the scene. But, luckily for the parents and grandparents of these kids, they were able to ignore it and continue their good time without worrying about anything or anyone else. For the rest of us seated near them it was not as easy. I felt really bad for the little ones because they were just tired, so you know, note to self maybe try early dinner if you have lots of little ones in your group or rotate one adult to watch them sleep each night. I am sure there is a better option for them and everyone else. SIGH. Moving on, but you all know what I am saying.

Next, we went to an adults only show! Ooh La La. No, nothing like that as this is Disney but it was in The Tube and it was the Ventriloquist and she was great. It was very crowded and hard to hear and see at points as it is an active bar but we got to see her again later that week as well and highlight of the week was her act.

So, though the day started slow and lazy it definitely got going and we did a lot that day! We did lots of new stuff like BINGO and adults only late shows (as usually I am zzzz’ing pretty early on cruises – again the sea air) but had a great time doing it all! Tomorrow Tortola and another GREAT day on the Disney Fantasy.

Want to catch up?

Check Out

Day 1: The Who, What, Whens and Hows of our Disney Extravaganza Trip

Day 2: It Begins…With a Bang and a New Restaurant Experience

Day 3: First Day at Sea and It Was Filled with Fun, Food and Some Waves

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Yes, another one…) Review

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Tara

Rogue One is the name of the new Star Wars movie and if you did not know that you may want to stop reading this review. Now, if you remember (or if you don’t click HERE for my last Star Wars movie review), I am not the biggest Star Wars fan in the world or even amongst us Dole Whippie ladies; but, I will put my husband up against anyone to claim he is the biggest fan. With that said, I was up and seeing the movie at 9:30am in the morning. This is not a great movie time because no one is awake, no one wants popcorn, and no one (or really I) want to be there. But, I was there, and I was exhausted from the night before being my birthday “party”. Yes, we went to Star Wars on my birthday weekend. It is not enough to be blessed with a birthday a week before Christmas…nope, Star Wars decided to thwart all plans for my birthday and open that weekend. So, here is what I thought:

It was a great story and had a good cast, decent plot, great music and the end was spine tingling (even for me). I am not going to spoil it but pretty darn cool Disney. If you are not a Star Wars groupie it is hard to follow who everyone is and who they become and what planets are good and bad. But, you can still enjoy the film. The middle gets long (for a non-fan) and you really do not have to watch it to get what happens and can take a 20 minute snooze. I may have. No comment.

The Star Wars music in the film was awesome – you knew it was Star Wars and they teased you a few times that you were going to get the full on version but nope and that was okay because I loved what they did with the new music.

The end was awesome in every way, but there was one part of the end I had issues with…I would tell you but I would get in trouble with the spoiler people.

OH WELL _ STOP READING IF YOU DON’T WANT A SPOILER:

I did not love that Jyn and Cassian died at the end. This is a Disney movie – they needed to live happily ever after. I mean come on – was the force not strong enough with them?

I loved the little cameos of CP3P0 and R2D2 and man I love me some Princess Leia buns. That was so cool.

Go see this movie. I may watch Episode 4 not to see what happens next…until next time: I am one with the force and the force is strong with me.

Trip Report Day 3: First day at Sea and it was filled with Fun, Food, and some Waves!

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Tara

So, here we are again (yes I know you have had to wait for the next installment of this super trip report of my 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy but well, life has been busy!) Forgive me and please read on!

So, today we were ready for some fun at sea. I love the “At Sea” days because you have all the time in the world to really enjoy the ship. Let me start by saying we were told early on that we were sailing through a tropical depression and things would be rocky and the Captain would do everything he could to avoid it, but be ready because when this ships a rockin’, well you need to be ready. So, let me address this now for all those in fear of bad weather on ships. First, did it get rocky? Yes, the ship definitely hit back and forth and rolled along. We only got a little rain and mist but it was a bit overcast all day. Not enough to stop the fun but just enough to make it a more indoor day than a sun filled pool day. We did not encounter any sea sickness, we did not ever have any fear or felt unsafe, and when things happen that mean you can not be outside on deck as much as usual it is not always a bad thing. Disney steps it up and entertains you even more than usual and we were loving seeing extra fun things being added – like oh hey Cinderella is hanging out with us while we are waiting for dinner and Peter Pan is skirting around playing too! It was too much fun to watch the unscheduled and unplanned characters just hanging about and the little ones running up to them.

We enjoyed breakfast at Cabanas and then watched an afternoon show of “BFG” (“Big Friendly Giant”) that was out in theaters at the time. I do not think this movie did too well at the box office but we loved it and if you have a chance to see it then you should. It was super cute and beautifully done. Tonight was also the formal night and the Captain’s Reception. We enjoyed a cocktail at the reception and walking around seeing people dressed in their finest as about half were and the other half were dressed like they were on a cruise. We fell into the half that were cruising and dressed nice but did not lug our cocktail attire and tuxes on the ship. We have done that before and just find it a lot of work and extra luggage. Some love the dressing up and for them I say GO FOR IT! I loved seeing the people dressed and the kids in the mini-tuxes!

Tonight we saw the show “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” in the Walt Disney Theatre as the evening show and spectacular it was! We loved it and it was one of my favorite all-time shows on a Disney Cruise. Do not skip this night for sure or you will regret it! There was nothing but fun and singing and dancing and we all enjoyed it.

Dinner tonight was at Royal Court and it was lovely. Outside of Palo, this may have been my favorite dinner. I had Belle’s French Onion Soup that was full of Gruyère cheese croutons and they were excellent. I chose the chateaubriand-roasted filet steak with potatoes and green beans and an excellent béarnaise to top of the filet. Everything was cooked perfectly and I am hungry just thinking about it! We splurged on the Grand Marnier souffle for dessert and no regrets as it was infused with orange zest and nothing like you would expect on a cruise ship serving so many. It was as if they were each done very specific to each person. I personally love the decor in the Royal Court and enjoyed this evening so much!

Trip Report Day 2: Get on the Ship and Get Yourself Ready for Some Fun and Some Tropical Drinks, Depressions and Sun.

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Tara

So, we woke up the next morning raring to go and so we went downstairs and got to indulge in the special, complimentary breakfast for Platinum members at the Hilton. It was good, just the usual eggs, bacon, waffles, muffins, etc. It was good and easy and a nice perk. After that we packed up leisurely because although we had a port arrival time for around 10am we knew that was just “suggested” and we decided based on others info and reviews that to us it was more important to avoid long check in lines and waiting around for nothing. So, we planned it perfect for us! We drove over to Port Canaveral,
returned the rental car to Budget, shuttled over to the Fantasy, got baggage handlers, went through security, checked in the special Castaway Club line and walked right on to the boat. It actually went that easy without any hiccups. We boarded the ship around noon and discussed telling the person who took our last name to announce and welcome a few options as we had a few last names going so we thought about being the “Awesome” family or the “Disney” family but in the end we went with all of our last names…next time.

We had already decided to go to Enchanted Gardens for lunch. Everyone knows about Cabanas lunch but did you know Enchanted Gardens has a buffet on embarkation day? Well, they do and we did. Interesting enough when we boarded we asked a crew member where to go and he told us Enchanted Gardens was full and turning people away and over to Cabanas. We discussed amongst ourselves and decided to ask another crew member, who did say the same thing, but when we said what would happen if we went anyway he said probably nothing! So, we went down and somehow lines were miscommunicated because it was only half full and no line. That was odd – I have no idea but clearly something got muddled. So, we were sat and went and had a great lunch with cold cuts, shrimp, salads, sides and yummy ice cream and lots of other desserts.

After lunch, we headed to find our staterooms and get our Castaway Club gifts. This was our second cruise, so first as a CC member. The gift was AMAZING and seriously high value. I not only used the tote the whole week but have used it for several quick overnights since home. Also, we had brought our nice lanyard wallets we had gotten for the last cruise so we just switched out the lanyard so we could use our nice little key holder with a pocket but still have the CC lanyard. After, admiring our gifts my OCD husband insisted on unpacking and getting the luggage stored under the bed and everything in its place. I was glad we did but it was hard not to skip that and run crazy over the ship doing more exciting things than unpacking.

We had a Verandah room and it was exactly like the last room on the Dream, though turned the other day. I love the staterooms on Disney because they have adequate space and it makes it much nicer!

After that we went to our own “Sail Away” Party on the back of the ship on the outdoor deck of Meridian lounge, outside of Palo and Remy. They had the same area on the Dream and we enjoyed having cocktails there on the Dream at night and the servers on the Dream were fun and helpful so we looked forward to the same good times. We watched the ship sail off and enjoyed the beautiful weather and peace on the deck.

We went to “A Fantasy Come True” for the early show (since we had late dinner) and it was cute. It was a little “salesy” and we were a tad bit turned off at first but it got better and ended up being a cute show.

Dinner that night was at Enchanted Gardens, so since we already knew where we were going it was easy to get there! When we were seated there were already people at our table. What? On the Dream our party was our own table and it just did not occur to me that we would be seated with others. But, we were and though it was a little nervous and quiet at first it turned out great of course. They were very nice and we had a good time hearing about the different things they did and watching their teen son watch the clock to escape back to the teen club every night! So, food – yesssss! So, I skipped the appetizer that night and had a soup and salad because the Heirloom Tomato Soup is a must for me and the Romaine Wedge was also calling my name. I had for my entrée Slow Roasted Prime Rib: Thyme-roasted Vegetables, Double-baked Potato, Horseradish, and Natural Jus and it was amazing. I am not a huge Prime Rib fan and when it first came it was way too red for me so servers noted and brought me a bit more medium well version and I loved it. My husband had the pork tenderloin and one of the teens had the sea scallops and the rest of the table went prime rib. Everyone was very happy that night with their dinner choices and for dessert I chose the Esterhazy Cake because it mentioned almond meringue and I love almond dessert flavors. It was yummy and a good choice for me. Chocolate lovers would like the Sacher Torte and those at our table did!

After dinner, a few of the group went to the 10:15 movie, “The Jungle Book” but I was being rocked to sleep. So, I went up to the adult only deck for a minute and watched the night waters and then turned in and slept so well it was like I was on vacation.

Trip Report Day 1: It Begins…with a Bang and a New Restaurant Experience

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Tara

Okay, ladies and gents and all you other swashbuckler out there. Here we go. Day 1. If you are a cruiser (or just play one on TV) you all know Day 1 is not embark on your cruise day EVER. Why? Because you never, ever travel to your port to board your ship on the day the ship leaves. Why? Because you hate to be stranded in Baltimore waving at the webcam as it sails away because the mechanical delay or storm delay. There are so many other reasons (like the airline misplace your bag – happened to me 2 years ago prior to boarding Dream and lucky for me they brought me my bag in Port Canaveral before my ship sailed the next morning but I would have sailed without clothes if I did not buffer a day). So, what have we learned or reminded ourselves – buffer a day and travel to port early. Okay, so Day 1 is traveling to Florida. We have two staterooms that are important to this Trip Report. Stateroom 1 is me and my crazy Husband Scott and in Stateroom 2 is our best friend Chris and his two crazy teenager boys, Tom and Ben. Chris and I basically are the adults with 3 children on these trips (and laugh and love every minute of the silly!)
So, Chris, Tom and Ben traveled down to Florida from the Northeast early Friday morning so they could do a few things prior to us arriving (maybe tour a University as we all bribe and push the teens to go to school there so even more excuses for Disney trips!) Scott and I flew down and arrived mid afternoon and were picked up in the rental van that Chris had reserved. Here is what we did – we rented a minivan via Budget at MCO (Orlando’s airport) and used it to tool around Orlando that day and night and then drive us to the port on Saturday morning. The Budget car rental location is 1/2 mile from port and has constant shuttles, once we got there we only waited 3 minutes for a nice, air-conditioned shuttle that took us to Disney’s port and some other people to their Carnival cruise which was docked next door. So, for us the minivan rental and transport saved us time and money from Disney’s transportation and private transport because we only paid $120 (includes taxes) for the rental and we needed it not only to get to PC but also to get to our Orlando hotel
because horrors we did not stay on property that night. WHAT? I know. But, we did get a bang up deal and stay at the Hilton that is right next door to Disney Springs…literally 3 minutes over a walkway. I was hesitant and not overly excited. But, we are Diamond Hilton members and have lots of points and needed to burn some and this was a good time to do it because we were not going to a park. So, burn away and it turned out great. The property was great and convenient and recently (last 2-3 years is my guess) renovated. We had two rooms next to each other and because we are Diamond
we had private access to the Diamond breakfast that was a full buffet and very yummy (and empty so no waiting for breakfast – but that is Day 2 so let’s not skip!) Anyway, the Hilton is a great option and the rates (if we paid) that night were around $100 and that was a great deal. Also, the service was A+ and most of the peeps there were previous Disney Cast Members so very helpful and very service oriented.

So, rental car check, Hilton check in check, off to Disney Springs for a new restaurant experience that is Morimoto Asia. I will do a full review later but for now here is the mini

review. It is an upscale Asian restaurant that looks a bit like a night club (with lots of metallic and crystal strings making cylinder lights hanging down. It is two stories and lots of room for tables and guests. We had an early reservation at 5:30pm and we arrived a few minutes early and was sat right away and plenty of seating at that time. It filled up pretty good around 6:30 and was full by 7pm. We all tried lots of different items from sesame balls which were awesome and a first, to Orange Chicken (old stand by that was good), to Singapore Laksa noodles (curry coconut and chicken soup) that was a hit with the Curry lovers. The one thing we all agreed on was Churro Fondue was a huge pleaser and made the experience go from good to great. It is not going to be the least expensive meal you have and it is probably going to be a good but maybe not great meal, but worth a try!

After dinner we walked around Disney Springs for a while and then went and took the teenagers back to the hotel (they were tired teenagers tire way too quickly) and then Chris, Scott and I went out running a few last-minute errands to CVS, grocery store, and dropping off some goodies for a client staying at Pop (see I stalk you even while you are on vacation! haha).

After that, back to the room to watch some of Jurassic World 3 and realize the main raptor “Blue” reminds us a lot of our cat Walter. Good or bad it is the truth and it did make us miss our little Devil but we got lots of good texts and pictures from him and his brothers all week letting us know how they were doing and how they wished they were on the cruise!

Then we ran down stairs to the awesome market in the lobby and grabbed some ice cream (because it is vacation!) and made a few last calls to family.

Off to sleep and ready for Day 2! Get on the ship and get started finally! JEEZE.

Want to see the Pre-Trip Report and catch up? Click HERE

Trip Report: The Who, What, Whens and Hows of our Disney Extravaganza Trip

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Tara

So, I am really excited to write my very first real trip report! I have wanted to do this so many times before but really it is a big undertaking that you plan a bit in advance and make sure you take lots of notes and pictures as you go! Otherwise not a great report, eh?

Scott dancing around like he did all week!

Who: My husband – Scott, one of our best friends and frequent podcast guest – Chris, two teenage boys that belong to Chris – named Tom and Ben (they have also been podcast guests if the names sound familiar!) Oh and me – one of your Dolewhippie ladies!

We all went together on the Disney Dream about two years ago on the 4 night and loved it. Ever since then we wanted to go again and do another cruise but a longer one! We decided to go on the 7 night Disney Fantasy and depending on schedules and availability we really wanted the Eastern Caribbean. One thing that we did this time, that was different from last time, was we decided we did not have to have connecting rooms and so therefore I could take advantage of a special Travel Agent rate. The reason I share this is because it also means we could not book or plan until the rates became available which is about 6-8 weeks or so prior to sailing. We

Tom, Chris and Ben ready to go in Tortola!

had limited time, based on so many different schedules, and so we had narrowed it down to one week we could go. So if a TA rate did not come out for July 30th sailing then we could not go. BOO! So we waited and watched and half planned (just in case!) and luckily I called on the right day and we got a balcony room and then went to book the second (regular rate) stateroom and got lucky by finding a GTY rate for a Verandah room so hooray savings all around! We hoped to be close but with a TA rate and a GTY rate your stateroom is assigned and you can not request anything at all, not even to be near. So, all we knew was both staterooms were on the Fantasy on July 30th and would have a balcony. We were thrilled!

We left and flew down to Orlando on July 29th (definitely arrive at least a day prior to sailing) and had a fun pre-cruise night at Disney Springs and ate at a new and now favorite restaurant (keep reading the trip report to find out more!)

We sailed on the Fantasy July 30th through August 6th and when we disembarked on the

Bay Lake Tower for a night!

6th we headed to Walt Disney World for two park days and one night at Disney. We stayed at a new to us resort which I have a review of coming (I will give this one away as it was Bay Lake Tower – so keep reading if you want to here what I thought and you may be surprised).

We left Orlando on Sunday night and went home to a lot of dirty laundry, happy fur babies and were so exhausted we could barely make it to the bed. It was an amazing trip and so many new and special things it definitely was an extravaganza! I hope you keep reading because there are so many things we did that were awesome and will definitely help you when planning your next Disney trip.

Guest Blogger: Michelle K’s Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort – Why You Want to Visit!

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Tara

Want a vacation so good that you contemplate picking up everything to move there? We had the chance to spend a night at the Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and that is exactly what we found! Wondering if this destination is right for you? We’re sharing our trip report; let’s dive into the fun and amenities this resort has to offer.

We had added a one night stay at Disney’s Hilton Head Resort at the end of a vacation on the island. Because we only had one day to try everything out, we arrived bright and early at the resort at 9 am to make the most of our time. Check-in was a breeze and the room was ready even though we were there so early; talk about Disney magic!!

As the room was ready, we dropped off of our things off before jumping into the resort activities. Curious about the rooms? We were too! We had booked a studio and were pleasantly surprised at how well laid out the room was. The room had a small kitchenette which was separated from the main room. For sleeping arrangements, the room had a queen bed comfortable enough to turn us all into Sleeping Beauties and a double sized sleeper sofa.

The real knockout of the room was the view from the patio. Both the scenery and rocking chairs on the patio provide a serene oasis, perfect for vacation R&R!

After dropping off luggage, it was time to sign up for activities and hit the pool! The resort offers several activities, many that change daily. These offer something for everyone: nature lovers, those seeking relaxation, kids, and adults alike. Activities include guided kayaking, bike rentals, golf lessons, wildlife classes, fishing, crafts, and nightly s’mores making, just to name a few.

We decided on the secrets of the marsh tour, renting a fishing pole, and pool games. As we had a little time before the marsh tour, we hit the pool and it was fantastic. Be prepared for children to sing along with Dory, “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming!”

The water slide at the pool is similar to slides at other Disney resorts and they have Disney trained life guards (bonus – this is great as Disney takes safety very seriously!) In addition to the pool, the swimming area also has a kiddie pool for the young ones and a hot tub.

Next up, the marsh tour! We checked in, put on boots provided by the Activities Center, and headed out into the salt water marsh with the Disney nature guide. The tour was the perfect length at less than an hour. We enjoyed learning about plants and viewing thousands of crabs. It was a great mix of edutainment and hands-on learning!

The tour wrapped up in time to join in the Mickey tie-die activity. We could make paw print or Mickey shirts – of course you know what we chose – Mickey!!

After finishing the shirts, it was time for pool games! The games were held at the pool and led by lifegaurds; these cast members brought so much energy and fun to the games. This activity rocked and had the kids laughing from preschool to middle school age! Games included ice water relays, hula hoop contests, and hot potato with water balloons. Guess what happens when you get caught with the hot potato?!

After pool games and a few more trips down the water slide, we were on a mission to Signals, a seasonal restaurant at the Disney Beach House. Why the importance? DOLE WHIPS! Yes, this Disney Theme Parks treat is available at the resort!

The Disney Beach House is located in the Palmetto Dunes resort; shuttles run between the main Disney resort and Beach House throughout the day and parking is also available. The Beach House is amazing and makes the perfect home base for a day at the shore!

Amenities include a pool with volleyball net (water volleyball for a hot day anyone?), splash pad area, game tables (including pool, ping pong and foosball), a beautiful indoor area (complete with game tables, flat screen TV, couches, and fireplace), Surfman’s Sand Bar for tropical drinks and snacks, and the counter service restaurant Signals.

Disney is committed to providing great experiences for all guests, including guests with mobility disabilities. The Disney Beach House had two amenities that were great to see. The first was a wheelchair designed for sand (make sure to check with the Front Desk if you need one as there are limited quantities). The second amenity was one we had never seen before; it was a flat, matted pathway to make walking and wheeling to the beach easier. Having traveled with a family member in a wheelchair, this is such a game changer to making the beach a possibility!

After an early dinner, we headed back to the resort to play shuffle board and hit the water slide a few more times. Did we mention how fun the pool was?!

Next up was the Broad Creek Mercantile store at the resort. Here you can find sundries, snacks, and super cute Disney souvenirs; make sure to check it out!

We picked up some of our favorite Disney treats including Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Disney Main Street caramel corn for movie night. The Mercantile had every Disney movie we had ever heard of available for free check out. The movies were a great mix of films, with choices for everyone ranging from documentaries to animated films. We finally settled on Brother Bear, a film none of us had seen, and finished up the evening with movie night.

The next morning it was Mickey waffles for everyone at Tide Me Over, the resort counter service restaurant. Tide Me Over serves meals throughout the day and can also provide carry out service, just in case you need to get back to one of the hammocks scattered through the resort! Last stop was back to the Broad Creek Mercantile for a little pin trading before checking out.

Disney’s Hilton Head Resort was different from what we had expected, but actually better than what we had envisioned. The Disney customer service level was even more top-notch than what we have experienced in the parks, maybe we can call it Pixie Dust Plus!

I would recommend the resort as a fantastic home base for just about any type of traveler or group. It is sure to not disappoint for laid back R&R trips, family vacations, and group trips. The only negative from our trip was having to leave so quickly!

Below are things to consider and a few tips if you decide to check out the magic!

Kid’s Night In and Teen’s Night In – Two great options for the kids to have their own fun while the grownups get their own time to check out Hilton Head Island. Everyone is a winner with this one!
Pin Trading – Make sure to bring your Disney pins! Pin trading is available at the Activities Center, Front Desk, Broad Creek Mercantile, and with other guests.
Grab a Dole Whip – Signals closed at 5 the day we were there; plan accordingly!
Activities – With so many daily activities to choose from, check out the resort guide for a complete listing help plan your stay.
Groceries – Stop by one of the grocery stores on the island to get supplies if you plan to do any cooking. Broad Creek Mercantile has a small groceries section to tide you over if you aren’t able to make it to the grocery store on the first day or two.
Vacation Planning – Use an authorized Disney vacation planner if you are not a Disney Vacation Club member. Tara McClure, one of the Dole Whipped ladies, made planning the trip a breeze. Disney vacation planners are compensated by Disney and are a great resource in planning the best possible trip for you!
Have concrete plans the day after you get home that can’t be changed; this will keep thoughts of never coming back home to a minimum. Just kidding here! However, you will probably have such a great time that coming back is definitely in the future!

Walt Disney World Refurbishments – Resorts!

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Tara

Yes, we are prolonging the pain by separating the theme park refurbishments from the resort refurbishments but it is easier to read that way! And the list is not too bad so stay with me!

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Soft Goods Refurbishment Apr. 2 – Sep. 24, 2016

Disney’s All Star Sport Resort

Grand Slam Pool
During this time Guests may use the Surfboard Bay Pool, located near the main lobby.

Oct. 10 – Dec. 2, 2016

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Village – Kidani

Soft Goods Refurbishment Jul. 15, 2016 – January 2017

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Soft Goods and Bath Refurbishment Jan. 22 – Aug. 17, 2016

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Flying Fish Restaurant Reopening Aug. 14, 2016

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Room Refurbishments May 16 – Oct. 31, 2016

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Beach Renourishment Project May 1 – Fall 2016

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Hard Goods Refurbishment Oct. 16 – Dec.4, 2016

Computer Pool
During this time Guests may use the Hippy Dippy Pool or Bowling Pool.

Oct. 31 – Dec. 23, 2016

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory Refurbishment Jul. 11 – Late Fall 2016

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Routine Roof Maintenance
During this time Guests may see work in progress. Through Summer 2016

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas

General Resort Refurbishments
Due to extensive refurbishment projects, Guests will very likely see and hear construction work in various areas throughout their stay. To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit work until after 9:00 a.m.
At this time, many popular areas will remained closed – including the Hidden Springs Pool (the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), beach, marina, playground and more. In addition, certain pathways, like our nature trail, will be unavailable, and surrounding views may be altered. However, the recently renovated Silver Creek Springs Pool will remain open and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom park will continue to be offered.

Through 2017

Cub’s Den (Children’s Activity Center) – unavailable Through 2017

Buena Vista Palace

General Resort Refurbishments
The pool is unavailable. The spa pool, located in the main tower will remain open for all guests. Additionally, neighboring hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. will allow Buena Vista Palace guests to use their pools during this time.

Through August 2016

Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

Guest Room Renovations
Renovation work is scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. No guests will be accommodated in the renovation area as to minimize impact on the guest experience.

June – September 2016

Dole Whipped

Dishing on Disney

Author Archives: Tara

About Tara

Walt Disney World for Two on a $5,000 Budget

Club Level Series: Wilderness Lodge

Trip Report Day 4: Second Day at Sea with More Waves and More Fun

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Yes, another one…) Review

Trip Report Day 3: First day at Sea and it was filled with Fun, Food, and some Waves!

Trip Report Day 2: Get on the Ship and Get Yourself Ready for Some Fun and Some Tropical Drinks, Depressions and Sun.

Trip Report Day 1: It Begins…with a Bang and a New Restaurant Experience

Trip Report: The Who, What, Whens and Hows of our Disney Extravaganza Trip

Guest Blogger: Michelle K’s Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort – Why You Want to Visit!

Walt Disney World Refurbishments – Resorts!

About Tara

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