The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a free event held this year from September 25-November 8.  This event is free with your paid admission into Epcot.  You will enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces including Bologna, Italy, Bangkok, Thailand, Wellington, New Zealand, Santiago, Chile, Marrakesh, Morocco, Shanghai, and China.  You will also enjoy entertainment including the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series.

To make this event even more tasty, plan on visiting in late September and you can enjoy your meals during your Disney World vacation for free.  From August 16-October 3, Disney is offering the Basic Dining Plan for free with a Magic Your Way Package.  This means you can get free meals and enjoy a free event during your Disney World vacation!  For more information on the International Food & Wine Festival, contact our agents at Destinations in Florida Travel.  For more information about the Magic Your Way Package plus Free Dining, click here.

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During these hot summer months at Disney World, keep your kids cool with interactive fountains at some of the Disney Theme Parks and even Downtown Disney.  The interactive fountains are a great way to keep kids cool and are lots of fun!  The fountains jump around in specific patterns and the tire floor keeps their feet comfortable.

Pack the kids swimsuits, just in case you want to take a break to let the kids play in the fountains at Epcot or just spend some cool time at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

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As the United States starts celebrating Independence Day this weekend, Disney is making this holiday even more magical.  On Friday, July 3, Disney World is celebrating citizenship at Magic Kingdom Park.  On Friday, the Hall of Presidents will be open with the newly added President O'Bama and over 1,000 immigrants will be sworn in as Americans, right in front of Cinderella's Castle.  What an exciting way to celebrate America!  The immigrants range in age from 18-82.  Besides the citizenship presentation, there will be some special speakers in attendance for this event.  Some of the special guest speakers include Meg Crofton (Walt Disney World President) and Andy Garcia (Actor).  You can even stay for the 4th of July fireworks, later that evening.

If you are visiting Orlando this weekend, plan a day at Magic Kingdom on July 3 to celebrate the Independence Day festivities.

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The Pirates League is the newest buccaneer adventure in the Magic Kingdom, featuring makeovers that turn theme park guests into savvy swashbucklers. Depending on the pirate package, a trained Pirate Master can transform boys, girls (ages 3 and up) and grownups into pirates, buccaneers and maidens using facial effects, fake scars, removable teeth, hats, bandanas and other costume accessories. Included in each of the three packages offered: a sword and sheath, earring and eye patch, temporary tattoo, exclusive pirate coin necklace, map case folder, a personalized pirate oath and a pirate portrait. Packages start at $49.95 plus tax. Contact one of our Disney Specialists at Destinations in Florida Travel for more information.

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One of the best ticket values for an Orlando vacation is the popular Orlando FlexTicket.  For one discount price, you can get admission for 14 consecutive days to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Aquatica, and Wet n Wild.  You can visit these parks as much as you would like for two weeks.  You also save money on parking, since you only pay parking once each day.

You can even upgrade the Orlando FlexTicket to the PLUS Option to include one additional visit to Busch Gardens Tampa with a free bus ride from Sea World.  This is the perfect way to enjoy most of the Orlando Theme Parks in one easy ticket at one great price.  Click here to purchase the discount Orlando FlexTickets.

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Today, the temperature in Orlando has a high of 98 degrees.  With the humidity, it will feel like 103 degrees.  Let's just say it...that is HOT!  As Florida Residents, we almost get used to this heat during a Disney World vacation.  Here are some of our tips to help you enjoy your vacation and beat that summer heat.

Wake Up Early - I know this your vacation and you probably want to sleep in.  However, a Disney World vacation is not the type of vacation to sleep in.  Plan on getting up early and arriving to the Disney Theme Parks at least 15 minutes before the gates open.  It is cooler in the morning and you will be amazed how much of the Disney Park you can get through before the crowds hit.

Don't Wait in Lines - Waiting in lines, makes the heat seem even even hotter!  Minimize your waits by arriving early, using the FastPass system, and using the Extra Magic Hours.  Even during the popular summer months, you can visit at Disney Theme Park without having to wait in those long lines.

Taking an Afternoon Break at your Hotel - One of the favorite locals tips is taking a break from 12-2 PM from the Disney Theme Parks.  Head back to your Disney Resort or Orlando Hotel and enjoy a nap or take a dip in the pool.  It will refresh you and get you ready to head back to the park for evening activities.

Plan on Rain - It rains almost every afternoon in Orlando!  Plan for it by bringing ponchos or umbrellas.  When it rains, don't leave the parks.  Once the rain lets up, you can enjoy a little bit cooler weather and fewer crowds.

Wear Good Clothes - Plan on wearing a hat, Tevas or tennis shoes, and light clothing.  We love Columbia clothes or exercise clothing with the dry weave.  It helps keep you cooler and dryer.  Many of the Theme Parks have water rides that will help keep you cool at the parks.  However, you want to wear clothing that drys quickly.  Wearing thick clothing light jeans or sweatshorts and you will be uncomfortable while you slowly dry.  You want to wear cool clothing and clothing that can dry quickly.

Take Eating & Drinking Breaks - During your day at the Disney Theme Parks, take little stops in the restaurants to grab a quick drink and snack or just to plan your next attraction.  Little 15 minute stops in restaurants will refresh your group for the next adventure.

Purchase a Battery Operated Fan - Just the other day I saw those cute little battery operated fans at Walgreens.  They are $3-5 if you purchase them at home before your trip.  Disney sells these same type fans, but at a much higher price.  These are perfect entertainment for kids and will help keep you cool waiting for a show or in a line.  Buy a fan for everyone!

Don't forget the Little Ones - The strollers can get really hot for the little ones.  Plan on purchasing battery operated fans to strap onto the strollers.  You may even want to pack a little screen to put over the stroller to block out the sun.  Even pack a light washcloth to wet throughout the day to keep them cooler.

Most important - don't forget the sunblock!  We see so many guests that get red on the first day of their vacation.  Spending the days outside in the heat with a sunburn makes for a very miserable vacation.  Wear hats, cool clothes and wear that sunblock.

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The 4th of July holiday is always a popular time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort.  On this holiday, Magic Kingdom is usually the busiest Theme Parks.  One of our favorite tips to beat this 4th of July crowd is by visiting Magic Kingdom on July 3 instead.  This year, Disney will be offering the same fireworks show on July 3 and July 4.  Plan on visiting Magic Kingdom on July 3 to see this popular fireworks show and then on July 4, hit a less popular Disney Theme Park or Disney Water Park.

Some of the less popular Disney Theme Parks on the 4th of July are Epcot and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.  The 4th of July is a fun holiday to spend with your family at Walt Disney World.  Spend it enjoying your family time together instead of waiting in lines!

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When deciding between a Disney Cruise 3-Night or 4-Night Cruise, go with the 4-Night Cruise.  The 4-Night Cruises are perfect for a shorter cruise.  This cruise includes a day at Nassau, a day at Castaway Cay and a day at sea before heading back to Port Canaveral, Florida.  What makes the 4-Night Cruise a little better than the 3-Night Cruise is the flexibility.  The Captain is always watching the weather forcast on your cruise.  If the weather looks rainy during a day at Castaway Cay, he has the flexbility of swapping the day at Castaway Cay with the day at sea.  This happens quite often during the rainy season in the Bahamas.  The Captain has even been know to double dip and allow the ship to dock twice at Castaway Cay if one day is rainy and the other day is nice and sunny.  Since Disney owns Castaway Cay, the ship and crew are able to help you have the best possible Disney Cruise vacation and that includes working around weather.

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The Black Pearl is docking in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park starting this June 29 to recruit pirates for the Pirate League.  Pirates of all ages are welcome.  To kick off the adventure, you get a pirate name and then it is off to the Muster Station to choose a variety of pirate accessories including beards, eye patches, scars, earring or even gold teeth.  You can listen to a veteran pirate tales of sea-sailing adventures.  Some of the pirate adventures include:

• First Mate Package: Includes bandana; choice of facial effects; scars; tattoos; fake teeth; earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; one 5x7-inch photo; and personalized pirate oath -- $49.95 plus tax.

• Empress Package: Includes bandana; shimmering makeup; face gem; tattoos; nail polish; earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate coin necklace; one 5x7-inch photo; and personalized pirate oath -- $49.95 plus tax.

• Captains Package: Includes choice of costume/outfit from selection; choice of facial effects; scars; tattoos; fake teeth; earring and eye patch; sword and sheath; pirate  coin necklace; three 5x7-inch photos; and personalized pirate oath -- $124.95 plus tax.

Admission into Magic Kingdom is required for the Pirate League.  To book the Pirate League on or after June 29, contact our Disney Specialists with Destinations in Florida Travel.  We book all dining, recreation, and extra activities as part of our free Concierge Services.

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The Disney World Resorts are surrounded by the Disney Magic 24 hours a day.  One of our favorite bits of magic is provided by the Housekeeping Department.  The Housekeeping Department at the Disney World Resorts do an excellent job of keeping your room clean and providing towels, bed rails, and even mini-refrigerators for your visit.  Anything you may need and they are a quick phone call away.  That is the typical customer service you expect when you stay at a hotel.  What makes the Disney Magic are the extra touches you receive or sometimes called Magical Moments.

One of my favorite Disney Magic shines through as you walk a Disney Resort like Disney's All Star Music Resort.  As you walk around the resort, you will see this magic in the form of stuffed animal displays in the guest room windows.  You may even find a bunny that is made out of a washcloth or your child's stuffed animals displayed in the window looking outside.  These special touches are the extras that you will see during your Disney World vacation.  That extra magic that makes you and your family smile!

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