By Binnie Betten There are very few resorts, restaurants, tours or adventures at Walt Disney World that I have not experienced. Of those that remain untested or untried, there’s probably a pretty good reason for it–be it costs, physical demands, specific requirements that I don’t currently meet or just overcoming a life-long fear. So, I’m…
Nickelodeon Family Suites
By Erica Colmenares If you’ve driven down 536 (Greenway) into Disney World since this spring, you’d be hard-pressed to miss one of the newest (or most newly-remodeled) resorts on the block. The first-ever Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn is a 24-acre, $110 million resort with 777 suites. Previously named the Holiday Inn Family Suites…
Food and Wine Festival 2005
By Michelle Leifur I want to share with you a trip I took last year. It was a gorgeous fall week. The kind of fall week where the evenings are significantly cooler than the days and the days aren’t horrendously hot. And there is just a little nip in the air in the mornings. I…
Food and Wine Festival Special Events
By Carol Garcia Some can visit the seminars and food booths at the Food and Wine Festival and be perfectly happy. Then there are others who have discovered the array of special dining events. These events are geared toward adults and all of them include wine (one event includes beer instead). For those who are…
Port Orleans Riverside: A Review
By Michelle Leifur If you learned everything you know (and love) about the South from movies, then book your next Disney World stay at Port Orleans Riverside. Port Orleans Riverside makes up half of the Port Orleans Resort. Along with Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside (or POR as it is commonly abbreviated) conveys…
On-site or Off: The Perennial Question
By Erica Colmenares Those of us who haunt the internet Disney lists often read this question: “Should I stay on-site? We could get a five-bedroom house with a pool for the price of staying at Disney World!” Everyone has their own opinion about this, but the correct one is: stay on-site. Just kidding. But seriously,…
Eating at Walt Disney World for $40 a Day
Maybe you have heard about Disney’s new dining plan. Although this is a great deal for many guests, it is only available to guests who have purchased a package. The plan costs $34.99 plus tax per night for adults and $9.99 plus tax for children (3-9). If you are one who cannot take advantage of…
A Coming-Out for a Princess
By Binnie Betten A thirteen-year-old’s introduction to fine dining at the Grand Floridian’s elegant, five-star, signature restaurant Since the moment my granddaughter, Alisha first entered the world, I have been of the opinion that it would be much better to bestow upon her “experiences,” rather than giving presents of a tangible nature. I was sure…
Discover the Sophisticated Side of Mickey Mouse
by Cara Goldsbury, author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer Is it possible for sophisticated travelers to really enjoy themselves in the land of Mickey Mouse? Absolutely! Walt Disney World has undergone a transformation much like that of Las Vegas,…
Christmas in Disney
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” And it is if you are at a Disney park. For years I had wanted to go to Disney World to see the park all decked out for the holidays. This past year I finally said, “We are going to do it and we are going to…
Disney Resorts at Christmas
No trip to Walt Disney World during the holiday season would be complete without visiting the resorts. Each resort, from value to deluxe, is uniquely decorated to match its décor. Although a trip to each resort would offer up some holiday cheer, most of us don’t have the time during our trips to do so….
Behind the Door at 33 Royal Street
My recent visit to Disneyland’s exclusive Club 33 By Binnie Betten On June 22, 2005, my granddaughter, business partner, our two husbands, and I were lucky enough to receive an invitation to dine at Disneyland’s private, pricey and semi-secret Club 33. Very few visitors to Disneyland ever get to enter the legendary establishment. Needless to…