April 9, 2011

Disneyland Purchases – Package Express

One of the nice guest service features at Disneyland
is the Package Express service. This will allow you
to make purchases, and not have to carry them
around with you all day! Can you imagine trying to
hold all of your packages, your kids, and ride the
rides?

Instead, have your purchases sent to the Newsstand,
which is located near the exit. This Package Express
purchase allows you to pick your packages up as
you are leaving the park. If you stay till closing, note
that the pickup line will be very long. You should plan
to leave at least an hour earlier than you had originally
planned if you have packages to pick up.

You can also have your purchases sent directly to
your hotel if you are staying at one of the Resort
Hotels. This offers even more convenience, because
you won’t have to leave the park earlier, or stand in
the package pickup line. Another option is to rent a
locker, and put all of your purchases in it until you
are ready to leave. However, this means that you will
have to walk back to the locker after each of your
Disneyland purchases.

Disneyland Magic Music Days

Disneyland has always contributed to the education
of young people in one way or another. This tradition
is continued with the Disneyland Magic Music Days
program, which is an educational program for
students of music, vocal arts, or dance.

Your group has the opportunity to showcase your
talent and to improve even more in a setting that
promotes learning – and you can have fun doing it!
The program is available all year, and is open to
schools, studios, and other organizations worldwide.
Auditions for the program are required.

There are many workshops held to help improve the
specific talents of each member of your group. These
workshops are taught by professional actors,
choreographers, comedians, dancers, composers,
singers, arrangers, musicians, and conductors.
Where else will your group have access to
professionals in these fields – all in one place? To
sweeten the pot, many of these professionals are
famous in their fields, performing in both Hollywood
and New York, among other famous places in the
world.

Instrumental groups can audition to perform on one
of the Disneyland stages. Marching bands can
audition for the famous Disneyland parades. Along
with performing in the happiest place on earth,
which is an experience you will remember and talk
about your entire life, you will also receive the
benefits of world-class workshops, conducted by
world-class professionals. Vocal groups and dancers
audition to perform on one of the Disneyland stages,
and are also offered the world-class workshops
designed for vocalists and vocalist groups or dancers.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your group.
The performance alone will be unforgettable, but the
information that these young performers will learn in
the workshops is invaluable. Instrumental groups
and marching bands will benefit from the
soundtrack/instrumental workshop, the soundtrack
 jazz workshop, the tune in seminar, and the
percussion workshop.

Vocalists are offered the industry show choir
workshop, academy show choir workshop, the
academy vocal workshop, the industry vocal
workshop, and the express yourself workshop.
Dancers can take advantage of the industry dance
workshop, academy dance workshop, and the
express yourself workshop. There is something for
all performers as Disneyland Magic Music Days!

Each member of each group will receive an 8 x 10
glossy picture of their entire group, dressed in
performance attire, in front of the Sleeping Beauty
Castle. Although you won’t need any help
remembering your time at Disneyland Magic Music
 Days, you can share this photo with your friends
and loved ones when you return home from the most
unforgettable performance you will ever have!

April 6, 2011

Disneyland Baby Centers

Disneyland is a place for everyone, and at
Disneyland, they have thought of everything –
including the babies. The Disneyland Baby Center
is located on Main Street, behind the Plaza Inn.
This is not a babysitting service. Instead, it is a place
where you can attend to your babies needs.

There are several characters present in this area,
and their purpose there is not only to amuse your
baby, but also to help you attend to your baby’s
needs. This area has rockers, where you can rock
and breast feed your baby. No men are allowed in
this room, but they are allowed in other rooms within
the Baby Center. You can warm a bottle or a jar of
food, and clean bottles as necessary. Baby changing
tables are available, and the entire center is very
clean and comfortable. There are even smaller toilets
for children who are being potty trained.

You can also purchase emergency baby supplies at
the Baby Center. Diapers cost about a dollar each,
and several different types of formula and baby food
are kept in supply, although the selections are limited. 
This is Disneyland’s way of making sure that the needs
of every guest – no matter how small they may be – are
attended to.

Disneyland and Disabilities

Even if you are confined to a wheelchair or on
crutches, you can still enjoy Disneyland. If you are
on crutches, you should consider renting a
Disneyland Scooter to get around the park. The
rental fee is $35 per day, with a $20 deposit. A valid
driver’s license is required, and you must be
eighteen years old or older.

You can also choose to rent a wheelchair, which is
not electronic. The rental fee for a wheelchair is $8
per day, with a $20 deposit. You do not have to rent
your wheelchair or Scooter from Disneyland. You can
choose to rent the apparatus from a private company,
 and have the wheelchair or scooter delivered to your
hotel room. You may find that it is cheaper to rent
from a private company, as opposed to renting from
Disneyland.

All of the restaurants and shops are wheelchair
accessible, as are the entertainment areas. When it
comes to wheelchairs, your problem will be
accessing some of the rides. Some rides are not
appropriate for people who are in wheelchairs,
while others are perfectly suitable. For instance, you
will not be able to enjoy Donald’s Boat, Sailing Ship,
or Tarzan’s Tree house.

However, there are many attractions that you can
enjoy, such as The Disney Gallery, Disneyland
Monorail, the Disneyland Railroad, the Tiki Room,
The Golden Horseshoe, It’s A Small World, Mark
Twain Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island. Some
attractions will require you to be transferred from your
wheelchair, such as Alice in Wonderland, Indiana
Jones, and the King Arthur Carrousel.

Cast members and service personnel will be happy
to help with Guest wheelchair transfers, and if you
should lose a wheelchair or scooter that you’ve rented
from Disneyland, simply show the ticket for the
wheelchair or scooter, and Disneyland will happily
supply you with another one. However, if you lose a
wheelchair or scooter that was rented from an outside
company, Disneyland will not be able to help you
replace it, and you may have to pay the rental company
 the full value of the chair. This is something to consider
when you are trying to decide whether to rent from
Disneyland or a private company.

Whether you can enjoy a ride in your wheelchair, or
you must be transferred from your wheelchair to the
ride, you can actually enjoy most of the rides at
Disneyland. Do not allow the fact that you can’t walk
around the park keep you from planning a Disneyland
Vacation. Again, Disneyland was designed with
everyone in mind!

Disney Dollars and Disneyland Merchandise Cards

When it comes to kids and money, we all know what
happens. The money either gets spent the wrong way,
or it gets lost. With Disney Dollars and Disneyland
Merchandise cards, you may be able to cut down on
some of this.

Disney Dollars work just like cash at Disneyland.
They can be used anywhere in the park, and at
certain hotels. They can even be used at local
Disney stores in your area. The Disneyland
Merchandise Card works more like a credit card. The
amount of money you load on the card is how much
is available. All of this fits quite nicely into the
FreePass holder, so there will be less chance of
losing the dollars or the card.

You can also purchase a Disneyland Resort Gift
Card. This card can only be used at the Disney
Resorts, as well as stores that accept credit cards
at Disneyland. These cards also make great gift
items for anyone who loves Disneyland, or for
anyone who is planning a trip to Disneyland. This is
a great way to budget money for souvenirs as well
as snack items while at Disneyland.

April 5, 2011

Christmas at Disneyland

Christmas is one of the happiest times of the year
for a child. Spending the happiest time of the year,
at the happiest place on earth, could be a dream
that comes true for many children and adults.
Christmas at Disneyland is an experience that will
never be forgotten, and can never be matched.

Disneyland works to make Christmas very special.
Santa’s Reindeer Roundup is especially fun, allowing
children to decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs.
Clause, play Reindeer Games, and make holiday
souvenirs. Between seeing all of the characters
dressed up in their holiday costumes and enjoying
the ‘snow’ after the Fireworks, Christmas at
Disneyland cannot be topped!

Make sure that you visit the Christmas Shoppe and
buy a special holiday ornament. Also, take part in
all of the special holiday rides. Visiting Disneyland
at Christmas time is unlike any other Disneyland
vacation you will ever take. Make sure you get a
picture of the Christmas tree!

Even though Christmas is considered to be
‘off-season’ you should be prepared for crowds.
Christmas is a very popular time to visit
Disneyland. Make reservations well in advance.

Celebrate Birthdays At Disneyland

If you want to celebrate your birthday, or the birthday
of a child at Disneyland, you can easily do this – and
it doesn’t even have to be done on the exact date of
birth! Start celebrating by going to City Hall, which is
located in Town Square, upon your arrival to
Disneyland. Here, you will receive a Birthday Sticker
or button. This sticker tells everyone on at Disneyland
that you are to receive special treatment.

On your birthday celebration day, make sure that
you eat in one of the full service restaurants, and that
you order the Birthday Bucket. It will be full of
Disney treats, and it includes a cake. This costs
around twenty dollars. Eat breakfast at Goofy’s
Kitchen and you can get a Birthday Bag for five
dollars.

There are many ways to enjoy your birthday at
Disneyland. You will receive special treatment from
all of the Disney Characters in the park. This can be
a memorable birthday celebration for you or your
child – so make sure you take lots of pictures, and
don’t be shy about telling people who work at the
park that it is your birthday – if they don’t notice
your sticker!

April 4, 2011

An All-Inclusive Cruise Ship Vacation

Vacation Cruising: How to Save Money on Terrific Cruises Without Sacrificing Fun !

Vacationing is a pastime that is enjoyed by many.  While vacations are nice, needed, and important, they can be costly. This cost is often associated with additional expenses such as food, beverages, and entertainment.  If you are interested in vacationing aboard a cruise ship and you are worried about the cost, you don’t have to worry.  

All-inclusive cruise ships are cruise ships where just about everything is included.  The cost of your drinks, food, and entertainment are often taken care of.  If you are wondering whether or not you should book reservations aboard a traditional cruise ship or an all-inclusive cruise ship, you are not alone.  A large number of travelers wonder the same thing.

When it comes to all-inclusive cruise ships, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages. To determine whether you could benefit from an all-inclusive cruise ship, you are encouraged to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages. After you have considered these, you are encouraged to make a decision.  If the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, then an all-inclusive cruise ship may be just what you need. 

The biggest advantage of all-inclusive cruise ships is that most of your needs are taken care of.  As previously mentioned, most all-inclusive cruises cover food, drinks, and entertainment. If you are interested in drinking as you wish or feasting on the amazing onboard food, you may be able to do so free of charge. You may also be granted exclusive admittance into movie theaters and video arcades. 

To many, having foods, drinks, and entertainment provided free of charge sounds too good to be true. While many of your food and drinks are included in an all-inclusive package, not all are. It is possible that you may be required to pay for your alcoholic beverages. There are some cruise ships where alcohol beverages are included in the package, but on others they are not.

When it comes to food, your food at a sit-down restaurant may be provided free of charge, but your snacks may not be. This often includes snacks or small meals purchased at onboard specialty shops and vending machines.  If your snacks and small meals are not covered, you can prevent the extra expenses by eating a large meal.  You may also be able to save money by bringing your own snacks onboard, if the cruise ship allows it.

As mentioned above, entertainment is often included in an all-inclusive cruise ship package.  As with food and drinks, the entertainment is often limited.  It is likely that you will gain free admission into a dance or ball, but you will not be able to gamble free of charge (For me, gambling is out of it).

When it comes to the cost of an all-inclusive cruise, there are many travelers who get confused.  The cost of an all-inclusive cruise may seem high, but it is often that way to cover the cruise line’s expenses.  For many individuals, the cost of an all-inclusive cruise is a great value. To determine whether or not you will save money aboard an all-inclusive cruise, you need to estimate your cost of food, drinks, and entertainment aboard a traditional cruise. Simply by comparing the two, you can easily determine which cruise package offers the better deal.

The advantages and disadvantages of all-inclusive cruise ship vacations are important.  By examining each and comparing them to what you want and need out of your cruise, you can easily determine which cruise ship vacation package is right for you.

Waikiki Beach Vacation

Hawaii Land of Surf and Sunshine- Waikiki Beach
Located on the sun-drenched Hawaiian Island of Oahu,
Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous and well
known beaches in the entire world, with luxurious
hotels and beach clubs set right on the beach.  The
famous Kalakaua Avenue, which runs parallel to the
beach, offers you a shoppers paradise with fine
restaurants and nightly entertainment.

Waikiki Beach is also known for its gentle waves
which are ideal for beginner surfers.  You can rent
surfboards and gear on the beach, even take lessons
if you have never surfed before.

Catamaran rides to and from Diamond Head are also
offered by several different companies as well,
with depart times varying.  Other activities on
your vacation include kayaking, swimming, and
outrigger canoeing.

Restaurants
There are several restaurants located right on
Waikiki Beach, such as Duke's Canoe Club and the
Surf Room.  When the evening sets in, you can enjoy
a romantic dinner while you watch the sun set over
the beautiful and amazing Pacific Ocean.

Waikiki Beach hotels
As you travel along the beach from west to east
beginning in Diamond Head, you'll encounter several
first class hotels such as Hilton Hawaiian Village,
Sheraton Waikiki, Outrigger Hawai, the Royal
Hawaiian Hotel, and several others.

The Waikiki difference
While there are several other spots for your beach
vacation, few manage to capture the beauty and
tranquility that Waikiki offers.  Hawaii has long
been known for a tropical paradise, with Maui being
an excellent example.  Hawaii offers several beaches,
with Waikiki being one of the best.

If you've been looking for the ideal place for your
beach vacation, you shouldn't hesitate to go to
Waikiki.  You can find discounts on hotel rooms
at different times of the year, making it the
perfect opportunity to check out everything Hawaii
will provide you and your family with.