Onboard the Newly Re-Imagined Disney Magic Day 1

From my 4 Night Bahamian Disney Cruise - Jan 2014

In January of 2014, I took my 9 year old son, Braden, on a 4 day Bahamian cruise on the newly re-imagined Disney Magic. The Magic is Disney Cruise Line's first cruise ship and first sailed the high seas in 1998.  Our cruise departed from sunny Port Canaveral, less than 60 miles from Orlando, FL and had Bahamian ports of call in Nassau and Castaway Cay plus one day at sea.  New things we were excited to try were the new AquaDunk, a thrilling waterslide that jets out over the ocean after you plummet down 3 stories, and the gigantic Atlantis waterpark near Nassau. Old favorites we were looking forward to enjoying again were poolside movies, unlimited free ice cream, and the outstanding Disney onboard service.

Braden posing in the Mouse Ears entrance to board the Disney Magic

Right from the beginning, our 2nd Disney cruise did not disappoint us.  In Disney's beautiful Port Canaveral cruise ship terminal, we got to jump in the much shorter Castaway Club line for past Disney cruisers, a nice perk for loyal guests.  A short 20 minutes after being dropped off by the Disney Cruise Line bus, we were walking aboard the beautiful Disney Magic.  We felt like royalty as our arrival was announced and the crew applauded in their Mickey Mouse hands.

Mickey Mouse in the ship's atrium

For me, the excited anticipation I feel upon walking on a new ship for the first time is hard to beat and I was anxious to start exploring our home for the next 4 days. We headed for our stateroom to drop off our bags and I was pleased it was ready and waiting for us.  Braden threw on his swimsuit and we ventured out to try out the pool deck.  Our stateroom attendant, Aldo, found us in the hall, introduced himself and I was impressed that he already knew our names.  He also told us that he saw that our safe door was broken and had already ordered it to be repaired. He, of course, lived up to the legendary Disney service I, and so many others, have come to expect.

Goofy's Pool

The pool deck was crowded with other excited passengers ready to start their voyage.  My son promptly hopped into the pool and swam his little heart out.  He then worked up the nerve to try the AquaDunk, which he had been eyeing since it was first announced.  I was so proud as I watched my brave boy march right up those stairs and then plunge straight down the clear tube as the floor literally dropped out from beneath his feet.  He came out exhilarated and I stood there with a big stupid grin on my face, beaming with pride.  He couldn't stop talking about how scary it was and I promptly chickened out, using the unusually chilly weather as my excuse. 

The AquaDuck

After a great sail away party, Adventures Away, packed full of Disney fun and characters.  It was time for dinner.  Our first night's dinner was at the restaurant I anticipated most, the Animator's Palate, for it was the one we had had the most fun at on our first cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy. We had already had our safety drill at the Animator's Palate so I knew it looked virtually identical. We sat down with our table mates and found two other mothers traveling solo with their 9-year old's, one boy and one girl.  I knew it was no coincidence and just another example of Disney's amazing attention to detail.

The great thing about Animator's Palate is that the animated art on the walls are actually high-definition flat screen tv's. This gives the impression of the artwork coming to life right before your eyes.  Throughout the four course meal, different Disney animations were slowly drawn on the screens, giving the kids and adults an entertaining guessing game.

Animator's Palate Hallway

With the final course of dinner, came the emotional and dramatic close to our dinner show as the screens played touching and inspirational scenes from classic Disney movies.  It was capped off by a surprise guest appearance by none other than the legend himself, Mickey Mouse!

Animator's Palate

  

I would be remiss not to mention our waiter, Bradford, and his assistant, April.  Both were extremely accommodating and welcoming, as if we were all old friends.  Upon hearing I was a vegetarian, Bradford rushed me a menu from tomorrow's dinner to make sure I would be happy with the choices available.  I was pleasantly surprised to see 4 to 5 vegetarian entrees to choose from each night.

Keys Piano Bar

After dinner, my table-mate and new friend, Bethany, and I dropped off our kids at the Oceaneer Lab to go enjoy a drink at one of the adults-only nightclubs.  We chose Keys and ordered what turned out to be one of the best Limoncello drinks I have ever had.  We chatted and I enjoyed the piano music and soloist who gave a terrific rendition of "Let it Go." And so ended a magical first day on board the Disney Magic.

Read about Day 2 of our cruise.

The beautiful Disney Magic

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my entry from this Traveling Travel Agent's travels.  I am a travel agent because I love to travel and I love helping other people discover our big beautiful world! Through strategic partnerships, I offer my clients preferred rates, complimentary upgrades and extra amenities. If you would like to receive weekly travel specials from my agency, Purple Palm Vacations, please sign up for our Exclusive Travel Specials.

   

Disney's Coronado Springs - A Tranquil Lakeside Vacation

From Disney's Agent Education Program in Walt Disney World Jan 2015

Last month I had the privilege and great pleasure of taking part in Disney's Agent Education Program in Walt Disney World at the convention center of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. This was my second travel agent event at this convention center in less than 2 years. My first event was the Home Based Travel Forum in October of 2013.  At that time, I had only stayed at Value Resorts in Walt Disney World and was thouroughly delighted with them. I was extremely impressed, however, at the step up to the Moderate Resort category.  The following post is mostly inspired by my first trip to Coronado Springs but I thought it appropriate to post as it is still true after my 2nd stay last month which rekindled my love for this beautiful resort.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Imagine after a long day of flying and dealing with the stress of security and flight delays, arriving at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort as the sun starts to set over the tranquil Lake Dorado and you feel all of your cares melt away in the beauty of this unexpected escape.  Whether you are staying one night before your Disney Cruise or you are staying a week while you enjoy the excitement and magic of Walt Disney World, the hotel is just a place to sleep right?  Wrong!  Not when you stay at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, a Disney Moderate Resort that combines the beauty, fantasy and unique culture of colonial Spain and Mexico. 

Palm tree reflections on Lake Dorado

On this magnificent property, you will find beautiful landscapes surrounding Lake Dorado from palm trees and lily pads to stunning tropical flowers.  A walk on the trail around the peaceful water offers a relaxing escape from the hectic life that you will forget lies outside this tranquil property.  Time at the pool, fishing or simply lounging in a hammock are excellent options for unwinding.  You can even sit by the lake and watch the turtles and fish swim lazily by you for the ultimate in relaxation.

A turtle in Lake Dorado

A day at Magic Kingdom can be grueling, on your feet all day, fighting massive crowds and easily walking up to 10 miles.  What better way to take a break than coming back to your resort to rejuvenate by one of the four heated pools? Children love swimming in The Lost City of Cibola Pool with it's 123-foot long Jaguar Pool Slide.  After relaxing in the sun, return to the park refreshed and ready for a night of fun rides and impressive shows. 

The Lost City of Cibola Pool

In addition to swimming at the pools, there is plenty more for kids to do at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.  Two of the most popular activities are the daily Poolside Campfires complete with S'mores and Disney Movies Under the Stars by the pool. Kids can also play at the archaeological themed Mayan Dig Site Playground and the Iguana Arcade which includes skeet ball, basketball and many other popular arcade games.

The Iguana Arcade

At the Disney Moderate Resorts, you will find more food options than the Value Resorts, so staying put in your sanctuary is an easy choice.  There is the unique Maya Grill featuring wood-grilled steaks and seafood with a Latin flair. For quick service and a wide variety of foods, there is the Pepper Market Food Court.  Cafe Rix is a lounge with great ambiance that makes the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail after a long day.  If you aren't in the mood to leave the pool or your room, have a snack poolside or pizza delivered to your room. The food is tasty with plenty to satisfy every taste including your sweet tooth!

The Pepper Market Food Court

If you do indulge in the tasty treats, you can burn off those extra calories with an early morning workout in La Vida Health Club or an afternoon jog on the Lago Dorado Jogging Trail, a scenic path that winds approximately one mile through Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.  Spa lovers will enjoy massage treatments at La Vida Health Club and personalized facial, hand or foot treatments at the Casa de Belleza Beauty Salon.

Lots of lovely views on the Lago Dorado Jogging Trail

As you can see, there is plenty to do and even more ways to relax at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.  The only challenge may be tearing yourself away from this peaceful sanctuary to visit one of the four exciting theme parks Walt Disney World has to offer.  Not to worry, there are buses that run every 20 minutes to each of the parks from Disney's Coronado Springs.  Why not make your hotel more than just "a place to sleep" and instead make it a restful respite that is part of an amazing Walt Disney World Vacation?

A beautiful sunset on Lake Dorado

Click here for more pictures from Coronado Springs.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading my entry from this Traveling Travel Agent's travels.  I am a travel agent because I love to travel and I love helping other people discover our big beautiful world! Through strategic partnerships, I offer my clients preferred rates, complimentary upgrades and extra amenities. If you would like to receive weekly travel specials from my agency, Purple Palm Vacations, please sign up for our Exclusive Travel Specials.