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Located at the beautiful Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, Roaring Fork is definitely one of the better quick-service stops.  Diners will find the usual selection of burgers and pizza as well as the familiar children’s menu items.

But Roaring Fork also offers some delicious choices which are unique to this venue.  For a welcome change from the typical fast-food fare, try the Territory or Wilderness Salad or the Ham and Tillamook Cheddar Sandwich.  There’s a nice bakery section featuring the popular magic cookie bars, and little individual chocolate bundt cakes.  Breakfast items range from a hearty Bounty Platter to Create-Your-Own Yogurt Parfaits and assorted pastries.

There is a seating area inside, or guests can choose to dine under an umbrella at one of the tables outside with pleasant views of the courtyard. Roaring Fork is also convenient to the main pool area and has seasonal hours that generally run from about 7:00 a.m. to midnight.

It was a theming opportunity too good to miss – Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has gone pirate!  Not all guests will take advantage of the wonderful Pirate Rooms with their masted headboards, shipping-crate-and-barrel furnishings, and walk-the-plank carpeting.  But, everyone staying at the resort can enjoy the atmospheric Old Port Royale complex based on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction and movies, with its amazing pool.

Styled after a Spanish fort with domed turrets, “crumbling” stone walls, rambling staircases, and hidden passageways, the pool now has a zero entry feature making it easily accessible to all guests. Rustic window grilles, balconies, iron gates, and lookouts add to the fortress ambience.  Significantly larger than the previous theme pool, it boasts hot and cool spas, two slides, a shower, and ample seating.

A “shipwreck” feature in the children’s play area includes three slides and some extra water fun as the large barrel fills and then dumps its contents.

Each of the six villages that make up Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort also has its own quiet pool.  Main pool and spa hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with the lifeguards, slides, and aqua play area available until 8:00 p.m.  The quiet pools are open 24 hours.

It is a month of contrasts.  The beginning of December is a favorite of Disney veterans who take advantage of the great weather and lower crowds during the first couple of weeks.  The week between Christmas and New Year is the single busiest one of the year.  During this holiday period, it’s not unusual for the Magic Kingdom to reach full capacity and close the gates to new arrivals as early as 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.

It is festive and beautiful – perhaps the single most beautiful time of year to visit Walt Disney World – with parks and resorts dressed to impress and the daily schedules a whirlwind of special events, activities, and holiday performances.  There are so many different things going on it’s impossible to list them all!  As the calendar counts off the days until Christmas, each resort begins to add its own roster of special holiday happenings.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party continues, typically until about December 19th, at which time the Christmas Parade replaces the daytime parade in the Magic Kingdom for the remainder of the season.  The Castle Dream Lights sparkle and Wishes becomes Holiday Wishes for a few special days.  There are regular performances of the Candlelight Processional and the storytelling of Holidays Around the World in EPCOT.  Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom can enjoy Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.  The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights draws the crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Festival of Seasons offers seasonal entertainment and Santa meet-and-greets.  In fact, Santa really gets around the Walt Disney World Resort!

The Voices of Liberty don their holiday finery for concerts of seasonal music at the American Adventure and many of the resort lobbies ring with good cheer as various choruses, choirs, bell ringers, soloists, and musical groups serenade guests.

Attendance levels: From the sublime to the ridiculous – expect lower attendance for the first couple of weeks escalating to the highest numbers of the year during Christmas week.  Guests visiting for the first time after the middle of the month should understand that crowds will be fierce.  The parks are crowded, the parking lots are jammed, the roadways are busy, the buses and monorails are full; it’s difficult to overstate just how massive the crowds are.  Expect long waits for attractions and transportation; be prepared to wait at every turn.  Be certain to make dining reservations well in advance and plan to visit with a relaxed attitude, knowing that this will be a time to slow down and enjoy each moment as it comes.

Weather: It can be breezy and balmy or crisp and cold.  In the past few years, the temperatures have climbed well up into the 80’s and crashed into the 20’s.  December of 2010 was the coldest ever recorded for this area.

Packing: If there was ever a time to pack for all possibilities, this is it.  As the departure dates nears, we suggest checking the ten-day forecast at weather.com!

Once upon a time, there was a Cook who was known for her skill in the kitchen, her thriftiness, and her appreciation for quality foods.  The Cook decided to prepare a feast for her family.  She wanted to allow plenty of time to make it an unforgettable event, so she selected a date exactly one month away.

She decided to choose a fruit as the theme of her meal and after listening to recommendations from friends and neighbors, made her way to the shop of a local Greengrocer.  She entered his lovely store and was immediately impressed by the many displays of wonderful fruits; there were so many to choose from it was quite overwhelming!

Luckily, the friendly and knowledgeable Greengrocer was happy to assist her.  Together, they discussed her plans and the Greengrocer made a number of suggestions.  He carefully explained the differences between one fruit and another, and answered dozens of questions she had:  how many courses should she serve; how should the fruit be prepared; which fruits were most popular, most visually appealing when cooked, best served cold?  She spent many hours in the shop listening and learning.

Finally deciding on oranges, she was delighted to discover that the Greengrocer was able to provide many details about the different types of oranges – where they were grown; how they were shipped; their various sizes, shapes, and colors.

After the Cook had chosen the most suitable oranges for the wonderful meal to come, the Greengrocer told her the price.  He explained that the Farmer sometimes offered special prices on his oranges, and that, if she was able to have her feast in two weeks’ time, rather than a month, he could offer her the oranges at a lower price.

If she wanted to stay with her original plans, he promised that, if the Farmer called him with a special price for oranges in a month, he would still pass those savings along to her, even though she had already placed her order.

The Greengrocer also mentioned that he would send her recipes and ideas for different ways to prepare her oranges.

Satisfied that she had the information she needed, the Cook thanked the Greengrocer for his help, and went home to think about all that she had learned that day.

Two weeks passed, and the Greengrocer still had not received the Cook’s order for her oranges.  He sent her a polite greeting and inquired if there was any further information she needed.

In response, he received a note from the Cook stating that she had gone to the grocery store down the street, found the fruit was being offered at a lower price, and placed her order there.

The Greengrocer was very upset!  The Farmer had promised him that the oranges would be the same price for all of his customers!  He called the Cook and explained his great distress, asking that she share the details of her transaction so that he could contact the Farmer to complain.

“Oh,” said the Cook, “I actually purchased those apples we talked about rather than the oranges, and decided I would only get two dozen instead of three.”

The Greengrocer hung up the phone sadly.  Why, he wondered, had the Cook not returned to his shop?  He had spent such a long time with her, generously sharing his vast knowledge of fruit.  She knew that he was very well-informed about his produce, and very fair about pointing out ways that she could save money.

Instead, she had walked into the grocery store and, armed with everything he had taught her, bought the apples at the self-service checkout, for exactly the price that he charged for those very same apples in his own store.

The wife of the Greengrocer saw his unhappiness.  She patted his hand and reminded him of the excited couple who had entered his shop just the day before.  They were thrilled by the success of their own special banquet and had come to thank the Greengrocer for the excellent recipes he had shared, and extra savings they had enjoyed when the Farmer decided to lower his price just before they picked up their order.

The Greengrocer nodded in agreement.  “Why, you’re right,” he said, “it was a pleasure to help that couple with their produce.   I guess I am just puzzled by people who come to my shop for help and end up purchasing their fruit elsewhere without taking the time to realize that they are comparing apples and oranges!”

While the majority of the more than 25,000 Walt Disney World hotel rooms feature the standard floor plan, there remains an astonishing variety of unique accommodations.  Guests can enjoy their own little cabin in the woods; sleep in a tree house, or a turret.  There are extravagant multi-room suites and villas with kitchens.  Some rooms boast large covered porches, generous seating areas, or quirky and interesting floor plans.  There are double beds, queen beds, king beds, Murphy beds, Sico beds, trundle beds, day beds, sofa beds, and even sleeper chairs.  Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, alone, has more than twenty different room categories!

But perhaps none is more intriguing that the lovely Cottage Suites at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.  The vast majority of visitors never venture down the stairs to the secluded and peaceful courtyard which features flowers and fountains and the pleasant quiet pool.  White picket fences line a dappled walkway and gates invite guests into small, charming gardens that grace the entrances to most of the individual suites.

Although several of the units don’t include a private garden, these actually have a superior floor plan with a broad balcony rather than the small seating area outside the front doors of the “garden” accommodations.

Guests who stay during the more temperate months will enjoy sitting outside surveying their own private little world.  Otherwise, as cute as the gardens are, we recommend requesting one of the balcony units.  These have a downstairs living area which is really a room; spacious and inviting. While not closed off with a door, the bedroom upstairs is quite private and leads out through French doors to a very large balcony.

The lower floor of the units with private gardens is much more shallow and feels like an entrance area tucked under the open loft bedroom above, rather than the living room it is meant to be.  All living areas includes a sofa bed, desk and chair, tables, and armoire with flat-screen television.

It’s important to note that the Cottage Suites may not be fully family-friendly.  There is a half-bath downstairs as well as a kitchenette that includes a small sink, refrigerator, and microwave.  While the toilet and shower room in the master bath upstairs is enclosed, the vanity and whirlpool bath are open, making these suites more of an adult retreat for anyone planning to use the tub!  Some of the rooms have a small interior window over the whirlpool tub; others feature tall shutters that open into the bedroom area.  Also, children will be sleeping on a sofa bed rather than a standard bed.  Maximum occupancy is four guests.

The master bedroom has a king bed with flat-screen television in an armoire.  Again, for those who enjoy watching tv, the balcony rooms have beds which face the screen; the armoires in the garden units are off to the side.

Cottage Suites are Concierge-level accommodations with access to the Innkeeper’s Club located on the 4^th floor of the resort.  Although not as convenient to the lounge as some of the other Concierge rooms, their peaceful location is part of the appeal.  A walkway leads directly to the elevators for those not wishing to take the stairs.  All the suites are just steps from the quiet pool, one of the nicest at any Walt Disney World resort.  Because the courtyard is only accessible from the interior of Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and has no “through” traffic, it remains a hidden gem!

Read more about the Cottage Suites at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn or get the details of our exclusive package, Honeymoon Dreams!

The beginning of each new year is traditionally a time to look forward, and many people start dreaming about vacations.  It’s easy to forget that the actual trip is just a small part of the overall vacation experience.  You may only travel for a few days, but the planning process can last for many months, and the memories will be with you for a lifetime.  Disney vacations are a great source of family fun and there are lots of ways to involve everyone in the process and keep them excited about the trip, which may seem very far away:

As soon as your make your reservation with Whimsical World Travel, your Concierge will arrange to have a Disney Vacation Planning DVD delivered to your home.  We suggest setting aside an evening, making some popcorn, and watching it with your entire group.

Have each person make a list of their must-see attractions at the different parks.  Particularly when you’re traveling during peak times, following our top tips, and having a plan to visit these attractions first, will keep everyone happy.

Download a countdown clock for your computer to keep abreast of the exact time until your departure   disneytime15

Wrap up a number of small gifts for the kids.  Once a month, give them one to open.  These can be practical items they will need for the trip, or Disney-related treats to help make the vacation special.  Your final document package from Whimsical World Travel will also contain a special surprise or two!

Print out these special coloring pages for a Disney fix on a rainy afternoon.

November is a month of transformation as the World dons its gay apparel for the holiday season.  Guests can revisit a park or resort hotel to find it completely changed from the day before.   Working through the nights, cast members perform magic as they bring Christmas to life throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.  Although this wonderful photo was taken onboard the Disney Magic, we think it is a beautiful illustration of the holiday mix found at all Disney Destinations during this special time of the year.

The thermometer is something of a quick-change artist, as well, marking cool morning temperatures that can turn into sunny, warm afternoons in the blink of an eye.

As the entire resort gears up for Christmas, Thanksgiving is celebrated with traditional meals, and appropriately-costumed characters.  Before the month is over, the festive decorations are in place, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties have begun, the Osborne Lights are dancing, and EPCOT is celebrating Holidays Around the World.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Enjoy the last two weeks of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival; the start of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Holidays Around the World at EPCOT, and The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

Attendance levels: November offers a wide range of attendance from some of the lowest annual numbers during the week after Thanksgiving to the heavy crowds of Thanksgiving Day and weekend.  Once EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival winds down, the days leading up to Thanksgiving are among the most pleasant of the year.

Weather: Typically a glorious month with temperatures ranging from the high 50’s to the high 70’s and little rainfall.

Packing: For months other than May through September when it is reliably hot, visitors should always pack for the possibilities and November is no exception.  It is definitely a time to think “layers.”

With an announcement today, Disney Cruise Line seems to have joined the mass-market ranks by deciding to offer last-minute deals to the general public.  Facing a huge increase in inventory with the arrival of the new Disney Dream and the upcoming Disney Fantasy in 2012, it would appear that they are planning early for the possibility of unoccupied space with these new “categories.”

This is a major departure from the policy of offering the best prices to those who booked early and is something of a slap in the face to those loyal cruisers who happily made their plans long in advance, secure in the knowledge that their willingness to commit was being rewarded.  Previously, we saw discounted staterooms sometimes offered to military personnel and Florida residents.  Beginning later this month, three types of discounted, guaranteed cabins may be available on selected sailings; cabins which can be booked by anyone.

There are severe restrictions that come along with these reduced fares for inside, oceanview, and verandah staterooms, including full, non-refundable payment at the time of booking.  The reservation cannot be transferred or modified in any way, and no stateroom selection or special requests are permitted.  Room assignments will be made at the discretion of the Disney Cruise Line one week before departure.  Only the stateroom category is guaranteed.

Guests wanting to secure these accommodations need to be ready with complete information including legal names and birthdates for all occupants.

Unlike previous special offers which could be applied to existing reservations, these special fares are only available for new bookings.  It will be interesting to see how this is greeted by the cruising public.  One of the many things that set the Disney Cruise Line apart was its unwillingness to undercut its most loyal customer base.  Walt Disney World attempted to introduce a room-booking policy a few years back that alienated hundreds of thousands of Annual Passholders before it was quietly laid to rest.  Disney Vacation Club has terminated a number of perks that were previously available to its members, a group that may well be the greatest Disney fan base of all.  Perhaps these “fares with special restrictions” will not be so low as to upset those already holding reservations.  Perhaps the restrictions will seem so egregious to most that the new policy will just sail by, unremarked.

Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort can take advantage of an early holiday gift this year in the form of special dining discounts at selected locations during specified hours.

Coupons are valid before noon or between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.   Click on these links to print your coupon for Walt Disney World or Disneyland, or look for them in the Times Guide at Walt Disney World, the Holiday Entertainment Guide at Disneyland, and at the bottom of selected receipts at both locations.

At Walt Disney World, enjoy a 30% discount at these favorite Quick-Service spots from December 19, 2010 to January 1, 2011:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Columbia Harbour House
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Epcot

• Electric Umbrella
• Liberty Inn
• Sunshine Seasons

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Backlot Express
• ABC Commissary
• Studio Catering Company

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Flame Tree Barbecue
• Pizzafari
• Restaurantosaurus
• Tamu Tamu Refreshments

If you’re planning a visit to Disneyland between December 19, 2010 and January 3, 2011, take advantage of the same savings at these popular venues:

Disneyland Park

• French Market Restaurant
• Hungry Bear Restaurant
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
• Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port
• Tomorrowland Terrace

Disney California Adventure Park

• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
• Lucky Fortune Cookery
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Taste Pilots’ Grill
• Award Wieners