 At the end of the day Disney is about telling a story, painting a picture, and creating a complete experience, right? Staying on Disney property is certainly our recommendation because of this. Each resort has been carefully crafted and immerses you in a story and we LOVE that. Plus, staying on property comes with perks that hotels off site just don’t have. Added value! However, there are SO many resorts (more than 25). So, how do you select the one that is best for your family? Between all of our Starstuff Travel Planners, we have stayed at every resort a few times over and we’re here to break it down for you! Disney separates its resorts into four categories - value, moderate, deluxe and villas (usually part of the Disney Vacation Club but can be booked for cash). Pricing usually follows this model as it sounds, value is a better price per night as compared to deluxe. Same goes for features onsite and availability of certain amenities. Let’s do a quick breakdown! VALUEThe bulk of rooms in this category are standard and approximately 260 square feet. There is a basic bath setup (sink often in the open and toilet and shower/tub in a separate room) and bedding could be two doubles or a king. Some rooms in this category are family suites coming in at approximately 520 square feet. They have a similar set up as a standard but double the baths and add in some convertible sleeping options. From here things at both are about the same. Views can differ from parking areas and wooded areas to swimming pools and naturally the better the view the higher the price. Speaking of swimming pools, the pools here are typically themed and could be interactive, but here’s your warning, no slides! Other forms of recreation can be limited think poolside games, a playground, and an occasional movie outside at night. Dining options are slim too with your only options being a food court or pool bar. Finally, transportation provided by Disney (a perk of staying onsite) will usually be via bus. The only exceptions to this are the Art of Animation and Pop Century, which were added to the Skyliner route. Includes: All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Campsites at Fort Wilderness. MODERATEStandard rooms in this category are in the 300 square foot range with a similar bath set up as a value resort, but maybe an additional sink. Two queen beds or one king is the standard, but there might be a spot for a potential fifth person with a murphy pull down bed (otherwise four is max). Views are similar as well but throw in the possibility of a room facing/near a natural body of water. Pools, other recreation and dining options are a little more robust with the addition of “quiet pools,” water recreation, bikes, a health club (Coronado Springs), at least one table service restaurant and a lounge. Transport here is typically bus as well, but there might be a boat service from some resorts to Disney Springs. Includes: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, and Cabins at Fort Wilderness DELUXEThere are a variety of rooms and sizes here. We’re talking anywhere from 344 to 440 square feet. The bath situation can vary too and includes what you’ll find in a moderate, but probably in a different configuration for more privacy. If the room is larger, there might be several baths. Bedding configuration is like a moderate property with nothing smaller than a queen. However, it’s the views, recreation, dining, and transportation that sets a deluxe apart. Pools will have slides, hot tubs, or other water features. Spa services might even be available. There are more table service restaurants, room service and maybe even a charater dining onsite. Lastly, these resorts are typically in close proximity to a park (very attractive to some), so transportation options open up. Buses, skyliner and boats could still be available, but add walking and monorails to the list as well. Includes: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club. VILLAS We’ll keep things simple here. Villas are a part of the Disney Vacation Club program but can be booked for cash. Villas can be found at some deluxe properties, but there are also three that are dedicated to Disney Vacation Club. Rooms are villa-style with more amenities and can range from a studio all the way to a three bedroom. Bath and bed configuration can vary by room size, but everything else is similar to a deluxe property. Includes: Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Villas at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Evaluate each category as described and make your selection based on the needs of your family. From there, think about the story of the resort and what resonates with you most, Maybe it’s animation, the Caribbean, or the South Pacific, etc. With the breakdown above and these two tips, you’re on your way to selecting the resort that is perfect for you! If you are still stumped, our Planners have the education to assist you in making the best decision for your trip. To book your next on property Walt Disney World vacation, reach out to a Starstuf Travel Planner today!
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 With Earth Day coming up on April 22, both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are serving up limited-edition delights inspired by the world around us. As they celebrate our beautiful Earth this month, the chefs and mixologists at Disney Parks have put their creativity to the plate and cup with some truly wild treats. These delicious goodies feature some of the world’s most beautiful creatures while embracing the environments they come from. As part of Disney Planet Possible, they’re dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint, supporting conservation efforts, and finding ways for us all to take part in the magic of nature this Earth Month. Taking action to help our planet this Earth Day and every day can help keep our beautiful planet, its creatures, and environments thriving for years to come, and what better way to celebrate than with food! This month, they’re playing homage to some of the Earth’s greatest treasures through culinary delights. From the Honey Bee Cupcake at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to the Corn on a Cob Succotash at Disneyland Park, both coasts are sharing the love for Mother Earth.  Walt Disney World Resort Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbecue (available on Mobile Order through April 28)
 Dawa Bar
 Isle of Java (available through April 28)
 Creature Comforts and Restaurantosaurrus (available on Mobile Order through April 28)
 Terra Treats (available through April 28)
 Satu'li Canteen (available on Mobile Order through April 28)
 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge The Mara (available on April 22)
 Disney’s BoardWalk Inn BoardWalk Bakery (available on Mobile Order from April 18 through 22)
 Disneyland Resort Disneyland Park River Belle Terrace (available April 21 through 25)
 Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa GCH Craftsman Grill (available on Mobile Order through April 30)
 In addition to these special Earth Day-themed treats, Disney Parks and resorts also feature delicious plant-based offerings year-round! Plant-based options are not just tasty but good for the environment too as they can help reduce one’s carbon footprint and enhance biodiversity! Disney chefs have collaborated with Impossible to bring some tasty options for guests to enjoy while expanding their commitment to putting plants on the plate and into the mouths of foodies in delicious and creative ways. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park offers up the Impossible Spicy Southwestern Burger at Restaurantosaurus, while Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom Park features a tasty Impossible Revolutionary Meatloaf! Over at Disneyland Park, a galaxy far, far away has the Felucian Kefta & Hummus Garden Spread at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and the truly delicious Ronto-less Garden Wrap at Ronto Roasters. And don’t forget the Impossible Banh Mi at Lucky Fortune Cookery at Disney California Adventure park. If you are ready try these mouthwatering items during a last minute trip, reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today!  Nighttime spectaculars are coming back to Disneyland Resort! As the daylight fades on April 22, the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, and “World of Color” will bring even more spectacular magic back to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park once again. And with this exciting entertainment returning, it’s only natural that there are some tasty eats and sips joining them. Across both parks, Guests can enjoy delicious treats and eye-catching novelties to celebrate these spectaculars. From the Parade Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe to the Light-up Elliott Dragon Premium Bucket, these items are the foodie embodiment of these incredible entertainment must-sees. For Guests looking to enhance their nighttime celebrations, consider one of the exclusive dining packages, featuring tons of yummy dishes as well as reserved viewing of a select spectacular! Over at Disney California Adventure Park, the World of Color Dessert Party serves up decadent delights and sips at Paradise Gardens Park, while the World of Color Dining Package can be enjoyed at Wine Country Trattoria for a 3-course meal or an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet at Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. At Disneyland Park, enjoy the Main Street Electrical Parade Dining Package at Plaza Inn featuring classic comfort dishes.  Disneyland Park Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor hosted by Dreyer’s (available on Mobile Order)
 Hub Churro Cart
 Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (available on Mobile Order)
 Refreshment Corner Hosted by Coca-Cola (available on Mobile Order)
 Town Square Churro Cart
 Available at Various Locations Throughout Disneyland Park Throughout the Summer Season:
 Disney California Adventure Park Paradise Gardens Park
Storytellers Cafe
(Note: All offerings are subject to change.) For more information on booking your next mouth watering vacation, reach out to a Starsuff Travel Planner today!  No one wants to think about facing hardships while traveling but it is an important piece of your travel plan that needs to be in place. Issues that arise on vacation come in all shapes and sizes but if you have travel insurance you can feel protected if something does happen. While there are a vast amount of things travel insurance plans can help with, today we are going to talk about what we are noticing with airfare in the last year. As most of you know, the United States is struggling with a national staffing shortage and the airlines, airports, and TSA are not exempt from this shortage. What we are seeing right now is if there is one hiccup to a few flights, it throws future days or weeks into a complete uproar while the airlines try and play catch up. Over the last year thousands of flights were cancelled due to things like severe weather. While the airlines play catch up it also gobbles up days worth of flight availability to get those cancelled home. Due to this situation, if you needed to get home during something like this, you may have been stuck for three or four days. Right now the airlines do not have enough staff to keep up with the amount of people who are traveling before something goes wrong. A few of our agents personally experienced this back in October when an airline cancelled their flight and the airline could not get them back home for seven entire days. They were able to book themselves through another airline to get home sooner and submit a claim for reimbursement through their travel insurance plan. Can you imagine the financial burden you could run into if you had to pay out of pocket and were not going to get reimbursed, or worse had to sit in the airport for days at a time? These are just a few of the many reasons you need to make sure you are covered with travel insurance today. While we are not licensed insurance agents, we can assist you in making sure your vacation is covered by providing plan options to you and pointing you in the right direction to the insurance company we are partnered with. We are getting into the holiday season and weather in many places can delay or cancel flights. Make sure you are covered with travel insurance so you can make it to your families Christmas day festivities without being too stressed. Happy Holidays! For more information on covering your vacation, reach out to a Starsuff Travel Planner today! 3/30/2022 1 Comment Our Experience with Mears Connect With so many people disappointed with the loss of Disney's Magical Express, we thought we needed to try each new service provided to guests when landing at the Orlando International Airport in order to be able to report back with our thoughts. As travel agents we have the ability to book our clients now on Mears Connect which is a pretty easy process with a very low price tag (stay tuned for our Sunshine Flyer Review next week). For those who have traveled to Walt Disney World before, they will find Mears Connect eerily similar to Magical Express. It is even located exactly where you would have gone to board in the past, with the same set up for lines and all. Not only does this assist you with some comfort already knowing where to go but gives a little nod to our prior memories of DME (don't forget DME was owned and operated by Mears).  After your Starstuff Travel agent books your reservation you will receive a QR code to show upon your arrival, similar to when you scanned your Magic Band. Then you will enter the line for your specific resort before heading to the bus. It is just about the same exact process as Disney's Magical Express. While we highly recommend you have a standing reservation, they do allow walk ups. The difference we found was in our shuttle. We had a much nicer ride than the normal DME bus. It was a smaller shuttle, so we had less stops to make along the way, allowing us to get to our resort much faster. I believe it was a Ford Transit Connect Van or something very similar. We had leather seats and we really enjoyed our transfer.  Many Disney fans have expressed their opposition for having to pay for "extras" they never had to pay before, leaving them feeling nickeled and dimed. In our opinion, we give this option a thumbs up for both convenience and pricing. We would happily pay the few dollars to be in a nicer ride, and get to our resort quicker. Please enjoy a short video we have below from our experience earlier in the month. For more information on adding this to your Walt Disney Word vacation, reach out to your Starstuff Travel planner today.  We know children of all ages love visiting theme parks, Universal Orlando Resorts specifically, but there is also some great fun to be had for those of you who want to visit without the kiddos. Below you will find a list of five awesome things I bet you did not even know you could do when you are visiting childless! How about gifting your significant other, friends and/or family with a trip to Universal Orlando Resort this holiday. You can utilize the information below to make it your best vacation yet! 1. Get A TattooI will be honest, I have been visiting UOR for years and years and I had no idea you could actually get a tattoo until recently! Not only did I not know they had a tattoo parlor tucked away in the back of CityWalk, but I was also surprised to find out that pop star Pink's husband, Carey Hart was the founder of this shop called Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company. 2. Enjoy A Rum TastingStrong Water Tavern, which is housed in Universal's Sapphire Falls Resort, is home to a beautiful rum collection that boasts over 100 selections of rum. Their "Rum Captains" are trained on how to pair different rums with their amazing tapas-style cuisine. You can also request a Rum Captain for a tasting of something special or even schedule a Rum Lab Cruise. 3. Have A Spa DayNot only do we love the massages we get at Mandara Spa at Loews Portifino Bay, but we also love the treatment circuit of the sauna, the steam room and the hydrotherapy. Another awesome benefit of having a treatment booked at the spa is being able to utilize the showers on your hotel check out day. There is no better feeling than getting on your flight home showered and clean! 4. Bar HopWith many different clubs and bars to choose from on CityWalk, each offering a unique atmosphere and style, there is more than enough opportunity to dance and drink the night away for adults. The best thing is you do not even have to make a commitment to stay at one with them the entire night. With all of them being so close, why not bar hop? Plus, if you are visiting during the holidays, Universal Orlando has many fun limited time holiday treats (including fun holiday themed cocktails). 5. Visit Duff BreweryAre you a long time Simpsons Fan? Then you are going to love this one! Head over to Springfield, USA which is home to the Simpsons in Universal Studios Florida, and grab an icy cold glass of Homer's favorite suds! After you down that Duff beer, make sure to grab a photo op with the giant statue of the Duffman himself! For more information on booking your next adults only adventure, reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today! **Some of these options may be limited or closed due to the pandemic. Starstuff Travel is not liable for any businesses operating differently.
11/20/2021 1 Comment MagicBand+ Wearable Technology and “Hey, Disney!” Voice Assistant Coming to Disneyland in 2022 There have been tons of exciting announcements coming out of the Destination D23 presentation today and we are thrilled to bring you some news about our favorite place, Disneyland! We heard the next-generation MagicBand+ wearable technology and “Hey, Disney!” voice assistant, recently announced for Walt Disney World Resort, will be coming to Disneyland Resort in 2022. This will be the first time that MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort. Details on features of MagicBand+ will be shared in the coming months. The “Hey, Disney!” voice assistant will work alongside Alexa on Amazon Echo devices and will begin to roll out to guest rooms across the hotels at Disneyland Resort. In a surprise announcement, Josh D’Amaro also revealed that “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!” will return to the Disneyland Resort next year and we can't wait to welcome them back! 2022 is going to be a great time to visit Disneyland! Let your Starstuff Travel Planner help you start creating those memories today.  1. Non-stop Flights Many airports in the USA offer a quick non-stop flight into Cancun. This makes it an easy destination to visit for a quick three or four night stay to escape the winter cold. It also gives you something to look forward to after the holidays. Never a better time to plan that vacation. 2. Weather While it may be frigid where you live in January, it is typically in the low 80's when you visit Mexico in the winter months. Think about giving the one you love a trip to a warm destination like Mexico. 3. Easier Travel Requirements Unlike other international destinations, Mexico does not require you to fill out any paperwork. This makes it extremely easy to travel there. You get off the plane, show your passport and continue on to starting your vacation. No stress at all. 4. Quality with affordability You will always get more bang for your buck when you visit Mexico. You will almost always find a resort here that checks every box for you on or under budget versus any other destination. If you travel during the winter months after the holidays are over it is also usually less expensive as well. 5. Less crowds Anytime you travel when kids are back in school after the holidays are finished, it is tyically less crowded and more enjoyable. For more information on booking your next adventure to Mexico, reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today!  California Grill is serving up a new Celebration menu for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary and on a recent trip we were lucky enough to snag a dining reservation to try it out. With this specific Celebration Menu, they are offering a limited time three course menu with dishes inspired by years past favorites along with some yummy new creations. This three course meal includes an appetizer, an entree and a dessert all for the cost of $89 per adult and $39 per child (this is without any type of Annual Pass or DVC discounts applied). As usual, the California Grill does have a dress code. You can find the Signature Dining Dress code on the California Grill web page. With a fine dining reservation such as this, we always find it fun to be able to dress up and get out of our park gear for the night. Most of the guests in the restaurant will be dressed for this fine dining experience. This can be a romantic dinner for those of you traveling without children.  The menu has a decent amount of selections, which makes it very hard for those foodies to make a choice and stick with it. My only logic for this is that I will need to go back again to try some of the other menu items I have my eye on. They also offer wine pairing for an additional price.  We started our meal out with some house-made Focaccia bread that is also served with a rich dipping oil loaded with from tomato conserva, chives, and spices. This is so yummy it is hard to remind yourself that you need to save room for all of the food that will be shortly served! For my appetizer I enjoyed the Cascade Roll which is Tuna, Salmon and Hamachi Poke, Jicama, Cucumber, Yuzu-Avocado Purée, Masago Arare, with Soy Gel. I am a sucker for sushi and this did not disappoint. The portion size was just enough to hit the spot and not fill you up.  For my meal I selected the Oak-fired Filet of Beef with Black Truffle-Brown Butter Chateau Potatoes, Golden Raisins Vinaigrette, Cauliflower, and Roasted Tomato Butter. This dish has been a main-stay here at Walt Disney World for as long as I can remember and it is no surprise because it tastes so good. The meat melts in your mouth and for those fans of cauliflower this is a must try!  For dessert we just had to order the Five Magical Bites 50 Years in the Making: Honey, Lemon, Carrot, Strawberry, Chocolate. This featured bite-sized desserts chosen from the Top of the World/California Grill menus from each decade which we thought was super fun. Although the nostalgia is great, this specific dessert was just that......fun. It lacks some of the incredible tastes my other selections had. Again, just another reason for me to revisit and try a different dessert. After your done dining you can step out onto the deck to enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant and Disney's Enchantment fireworks at the Magic Kingdom if your there at the right time. Nothing adds more magic than viewing the fireworks on a full stomach! For those looking for something different to add to their 50th Anniversary trip, check out the new "Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney's Contemporary Resort" cocktail and dessert party. The best time to attempt to make a dining reservation here would be two hours prior to the Magic Kingdom Fireworks. That would give you enough time to dine and then head out to the observation platform. However, dining reservations are difficult to come by for this specific experience right now so you may not have that luxury. If you are lucky enough to find a time that will put you there during the fireworks, make sure to let your server know ahead of time that you will be watching the fireworks so your meal can be cooked accordingly. As a last resort, you can show your receipt at the elevator to return later for fireworks, but it is not as magical as just being there already. I would say this menu is worth giving it a shot. The food was great, minus our dessert, the atmosphere was charming, and the excitement of the celebration is spot on. I also love to recommend this dining experience during the holidays as well. Anytime they have the addition of Christmas decorations included in a beautiful area like this makes it that much more special. For more information on how to book your Walt Disney World vacation to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today!  Here at Starstuff Travel, the holidays are our favorite time of year. There is something about the holiday cheer, the decorations and the most imporant part.....THE FOOD! We are excited to bring you this years Foodie Guide for Walt Disney World and you will not be disappointed. We dare you to read this on an empty stomach!  Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Restaurantosaurus
 Disney’s Hollywood Studios ABC Commissary
 Disney’s Hollywood Studios Oasis Canteen, Animation Arch Bar, and Sunshine Day Bar
 Magic Kingdom Park Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies
 Disney Springs Amorette’s Patisserie
 Disney Springs D-Luxe Burger
 Disney Springs Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar
If your mouth is watering after reading this, we can fix that. For more information on how to book your Walt Disney World holiday vacation, reach out to a Starstuff Travel Planner today! |
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