Learn While Lazing at Aulani

Last time I looked at Aulani, Disney’s newest (and first) resort in Hawaii the details were still conceptual. Now that Aulani prepares to open its doors at the end of August, it’s time to take another, much more definitive look at what’s sure to be one luxurious hotel. Over the past few months the Disney Park blog has published several sneak previews of the resort. I’ve browsed through many of the recent ones to present a more rounded picture to bring to you today. Aulani will be open to the public and will also contain lodgings exclusively for Disney Vacation … Continue reading →

Fun for Grown-Ups at Disney: The Spas

When I last talked about fun things for adults to do alone at Disney, I highlighted a fast-paced thrill ride. Today I’m going to talk about a service Disney features that is perfect for winding down after racing around the tracks at the Richard Petty Experience: spas. Several of the hotels at Disney Parks have spas, but Disney World in particular boasts a few larger ones worthy of note: the Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs, and Mandara. These three offer an extra level of pampering ideal for a vacation all about taking time to relax. The Balinese-themed Mandara spa can actually … Continue reading →

Disney Resort to Open in Hawaii

Because it’s a cold February for most of us (it’s currently snowing outside my window), I’ve decided to name this Hawaii week at the families.com Disney blog. Today and Friday I’ll post articles about what Disney’s got going on in Hawaii, and those of us freezing elsewhere in the country can squeeze our eyes shut and pretend we’re somewhere sunny and warm. First up is Disney’s announcement that in Fall 2011 they will open a resort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The resort’s full name is Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii. According to Disney officials … Continue reading →

The Green Mouse?

I’ve always found Disney to be on the cutting edge of social and technological change. This was the dream of Walt and that dream continues into the 21st century. Conservation has always been a commitment of Disney. In April, the last of Disney’s resorts have come up to the green stardards of the Florida’s Greed Lodging Program. Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club (hey, I was married there in their rose garden in 1999) was the last of the 23 resorts to come up to the green standards. Disney World’s 23 resorts have now all received Florida Department of Environmenal Protection’s … Continue reading →

Doubletree Guest Suites

The Doubletree Guest Suites is one of the hotels in the Downtown Disney Resort Area. These hotels are conveniently located near Walt Disney World. Each of these resorts is considered a Walt Disney World Hotel and within walking distance to Downtown Disney’s shopping, dining and entertainment. Guests at all of these Downtown Disney hotels enjoy complimentary shuttle service to all Disney Parks and water parks as well as Pleasure Island. The Doubletree is an all-suite hotel featuring 229 suites with either one or two bedrooms, a separate living room with queen sofa sleeper, workspaces, wet bars and more. This is … Continue reading →

Regal Sun Resort (Formerly the Grosvenor Resort)

The Regal Sun Resort was previously known as the Grosvenor Resort. After a $25 million renovation, little of the Grosvenor is left to be found here. Although the Grosvenor was a lovely resort, the Regan Sun is even better. All 626 guest rooms and suites have beautiful, brand new furnishings, carpeting and artwork as well as the latest technology to make you as comfortable as possible. Each guest room has either two double beds or one king-sized bed and all have a spectacular view of the city, the pool or the courtyard. Accommodations at this newly renovated hotel include: Pillow-topped … Continue reading →

Best Western Lake Buena Vista

The Best Western Lake Buena Vista hotel is one of the Downtown Disney hotels that are not owned by Walt Disney World but part of an arrangement that considers them Disney World resorts. Reservations for these resorts can be made through the Disney Reservations office at (407) W-Disney like every other Disney resort and guests have the luxury of being able to take advantage of the Disney World transportation system from the doorstep of these hotels. Downtown Disney hotels offer the following to all of their guests: * Free transportation to all Disney World parks * Disney admission tickets available … Continue reading →

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Kelly Wrote: “Disney’s Pop Century Resort is Disney’s newest value resort. Taking its cue from a century’s worth of pop culture history, Disney’s Pop Century features such kitschy decor as an oversized Rubik’s Cube and a psychedelic 1970s resort area. A favorite of Disney value connoisseurs, this value resort remains a favorite because of its closer proximity to the other resort areas and its unique theming.” Pop Century is kitschy but that’s part of what makes it so much fun. This resort was designed by Arquitectonica of Miami, Florida. The goal was to capture the essence of 20th century American … Continue reading →

Disney Coffee to Support our Troops

The Walt Disney World Dolphin resort goes through a lot of coffee. Every day, they leave packets of coffee in each guest room and, with all the visitors they have, that adds up to a pretty big hill of beans! Since they recently changed coffee supply companies, they’ve decided to get rid of the surplus coffee they had from their initial supplier and who better to give it to than United States’ troops serving overseas? Well, that’s what I think and apparently what somebody in charge at the Dolphin thought too. Thanks to the Wesley Chapel nonprofit group “Support Our … Continue reading →