This fall, Disney Cruise Line® will say farewell to its homeport in Galveston, Texas. But you can still get onboard and take advantage of a great offer plus, receive an onboard credit and half-off deposit.

Rates for a 7-night Bahamian or Western Caribbean cruise start at $699 for an Inside stateroom, $749 for Oceanview stateroom and $899 for Verandah stateroom (per person, based on double occupancy).Offer Details:

Book a Disney Wonder® sailing and receive a $100 onboard credit with an Inside stateroom, a $150 onboard credit for Oceanview stateroom, or a $200 onboard credit for a Verandah stateroom—and receive half-off deposit if booked through May 15, 2013.

Travel Window:

• Valid on most 7-night sailings from Sept. 28 – Nov. 16, 2013

Additional Details:

• Contact Lin at Once Upon a Time Vacations for bookings
• Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included
• Per person government taxes and fees are approximately $80 per person for 7-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises (all amounts subject to change)
• Excludes categories with restrictions (IGT, OGT and VGT)
• Half-off deposit valid for categories 00T – 11C
• Deferred deposit due at final payment
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or onboard credits
• See Disney Cruise Line website for cruise details and applicable Terms and Conditions
• Shipboard credit is non-refundable and non-transferable

 

True Love

 

In 2014, Disney Cruise Line® will offer new itineraries, including an expanded collection of European cruises highlighting the Greek Isles. Plus, Disney Cruise Line will depart for the first time from homeports in Venice, Italy, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mediterranean from Venice and Barcelona

• Departures from May 31 – Aug. 30, 2014
• Disney Magic® returns to the Mediterranean with exciting new ports and popular destinations, treating your Clients to the best of Europe.
• For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will use Venice, Italy, as a homeport for select sailings. During these cruises, the ship will overnight in Venice, giving your Clients the opportunity to experience an evening in the spectacular city.
• Other new destinations include Katakolon, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete), Santorini and Corfu, Greece, and Catania, Sicily.

Caribbean from San Juan

• Departures from Sept. 20 – Oct. 11, 2014
• Disney Cruise Line will homeport in San Juan for the first time in 2014, sailing four cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including Grenada – a new port of call for Disney.
• Known as the “Spice Isle,” Grenada offers your Clients a lush and lively destination filled with spice estates, tropical gardens, beautiful beaches, thrilling diving, snorkeling, fishing and exploration through mountain landscapes and waterfalls.

Alaska from Vancouver

• Departures from May 24 – Sept. 1, 2014
• Disney Wonder® will sail 7-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska. One special 9-night cruise calls on Sitka, Alaska – a first for Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Cruise Line will continue to offer a variety of sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami, Florida, in 2014. Most itineraries include a visit to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

 

 

Love is in the air at Walt Disney World.

If you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort between February 11th and 17th, you are in for some romantic treats.  Part of Disney’s Limited Time Magic campaign, True Love week will feature special entertainment and character meet & greets, photo backdrops, merchandise, gourmet cuisine, and much more to help celebrate the perfect Valentine’s Day.

 According to Disney, during Disney’s True Love Week, a tapestry of romance will be woven throughout the resort, from limited-time Valentine’s Day merchandise and special entertainment, to romantic dinners for two and new themed photo locations offering greetings with beloved Disney sweethearts, from Cinderella and Prince Charming to Mickey and Minnie Mouse — all for a limited-time only.

This week-long celebration is intended to celebrate the love of friends and family, and will invite couples to rekindle the flame.

Here’s what you can expect to see around Walt Disney World during True Love Week:

• Romantic Setting: Guests will feel the romance at every turn, as banners proclaiming True Love, heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed decor adorn the Magic Kingdom.
• Blushing Castle: At dusk, hues of pink, red, lavender and blue bathe Cinderella Castle with themed lighting synced to musical melodies adding to the ambiance.
• Dinners for Two: Candlelit dinners for two with prix fixe menus at select restaurants. Specially-created menus at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Wave of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort make an ideal setting for a romantic evening. Book online at disneyworld.com/dining, or call (407) WDW-DINE.
• Valentine’s-Themed Takeaways: Limited-edition pins, plushes, newly-designed apparel and Vinylmations available at select merchandise locations.
• Royal Gathering: The rare opportunity to get a photo with Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses to enchanting character greeting locations.

In Town Square Theater, you may find Mickey and Minnie, Aurora with Phillip or Rapunzel and Flynn. Mary Poppins joins Bert in Fantasyland, while Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana meet guests in the Enchanted Glade in Liberty Square.

 

Romantic Photo Locations in Magic Kingdom with your Sweetie:

• Carriage Awaits: New Fantasyland invites lovers to create memories alongside Cinderella’s Glass Coach situated by the new Castle wall for True Love Week.
• Wishes Come True: Hearts and flowers enhance Cinderella’s Wishing Well creating the perfect backdrop for a cherished moment.
• Rose Walk: The Rose Garden in Central Plaza is all decked out with enchanting decor.

And more…

• Romantic Touches: Long-stem roses, chocolate covered strawberries, the finest champagne or scattered rose petals create a romantic scene for lovebirds, all available through the Disney Florist.
• Elegant Oasis for Relaxation: An aromatherapy couples’ massage is just the escape after a day with the kids in the theme park. Couples’ massages are available at the newly opened, full-service Senses, A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
• Perfectly Princess: Join your prince for the ultimate fairytale come true with a customized Disney Wedding or honeymoon getaway. More than 1,000 couples get married, or renew their wedding vows in romantic settings in various locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort every year. Visit DisneyWeddings.com for more information.

Information from Walt Disney World was used in this report.

 

If you wouldn’t mind taking a couple of seconds to vote for my photo: Dad and Son at Disney World, I would greatly appreciate it! It is literally two clicks of the mouse and 20 seconds of time! Thank you!

Field Notes From Fatherhood

With 278 total votes cast for the 12 Finalists, that round’s voting is now closed. Here are the FINAL FIVE!

Now’s the time to choose the Grand Prize Winner, who will be taking home a print from Kevin Dyer at A World in Focus, as well as unlimited bragging rights. Get out the vote!

Coming in with 13 votes is “Kids in the Pod,” from Scribbler in Seville.

Jeffrey’s “Profile and Stained Glass” has nabbed 33 votes.

“Dad and Sons in Mist” from Family Nomadic is currently in third place with 36 votes.

In the second slot we have 85 votes for “Dad and Son at Disney World,” brought to you by Magic Details Travel.

And currently holding the lead is Wanderlynn’s “Boy Hugging Dog,” with 88 votes.

Votes are not cumulative, so everybody is starting at zero and the field is wide open! Voting will…

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People often ask why they should book their Disney vacations through Magical Details Travel/Once Upon a Time Vacations vs. Disney directly or a mega site such as Travelocity.  The answer is simple.  Because we “know” Disney, and we truly care about your vacation experience.  We know that a Disney vacation, or any vacation for that matter, is not an every day occurrence , and we want to make sure that the vacation you take is as close to your dreams as possible, and fitted to the needs of your family.

The pricing we provide you is probably going to be exactly the same as what you would obtain from Disney direct.  However, the difference is in the personal service that we offer.  When you book through Disney directly, or a travel wholesaler, you are already paying a built in surcharge whether you realize it or not.  And what you get for that surcharge is, well, a resort reservation.  That’s it.

When you book your vacation through one of our travel specialists you pay the same amount (sometimes less depending on what available discounts there are at the time of booking), but are also receiving the personal attention of a dedicated travel specialist.  A specialist who is dedicated to you, and focused on fulfilling your needs.  Simply let us know what you are looking for are we will do our very best to implement it – along with some advice and/or suggestions along the way.  We are not only here to help with your initial reservation, but we will also make your Advanced Dining Reservations, see to your special requests, create custom itineraries, and answer any and all questions throughout the planning process, and while you are on your vacation.  We also keep a vigilant eye on new discounts and special offers to ensure that the vacation you have dreamed of comes to you at the best possible price point.

And, no need to worry!  You are still in control of your own vacation.  Our aim is to work with you to plan and implement the best possible vacation experience.  The vacation that you want.  Whether you are a Disney Pro, and have visited 100 times, you can still benefit from working with a vacation specialist.

And, best of all, when you book through Magical Details Travel/Once Upon a Time Vacations, you are supporting a small business.  A business run by moms with a passion!

Already made you reservation?  We can still help you out!  Once Upon a Time Vacations is proud to bring you our Gift Card offer for anyone who transfers their existing Disney booking to Once Upon a Time Vacations!

Simply give us a call or shoot us an email and let us know that you would like to transfer your booking to us and we will be more than happy to assist you.  (We will only accept transfers from Disney directly.  We do not endorse or allow you to transfer reservations from another travel agent.)

All Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line and Aulani bookings that have a balance due can be transferred without interruption or change to your reservation. We will present you with a $25 Disney Gift Card for your transfer.

Travel must be within 2013, gift card will be given once trip has been paid in full. Offer also valid on any NEW reservations made through Once Upon a Time Vacations prior to February 28th as well!

Ready to get started!?  Visit us at Once Upon a Time Vacations or find us on Facebook at Once Upon at Time Vacations – Destination Central or Magical Details Travel.

 

Happy Travels!

 

Hello!

Today is the FINAL day to submit a photo to my Facebook page and be entered to win a pair of Limited Edition Steampunk Mickey Ears!

Head on over to Magical Details Travel on Facebook, and post your favorite vacation photo to be entered.  I will post the album of entries in the morning and then voting will begin!  You don’t want to miss out!

*Entrants must be 18 years of age or older, and residents of the continental United States.

 

Want to take a vacation, but having difficulty saving for it?  If so, why not try this 52 week Vacation Savings Challenge?

It isn’t too late to start!  Just put $15.00 in your account this coming week and you will be all caught up!

Good luck!