Monday, July 7, 2008

Walt Disney World Accommodation

It is interesting to note that every Disney World theme park have its own special personality and character. Disney World's objective is not only to entertain their visitors and tourists but also make their stay and accommodation at Disney World as pleasant as possible so that these visitors will return for more visits as well as spreading by word of mouth about their wonderful Disney World vacations. Disney World understands that word of mouth advertisemnents from happy visitors is the best advertisement and it is free.

It is for this intent and purpose that Walt Disney World now has about twenty themed vacation resorts catering to all types of guests catering their accommodation preferences as well as for different traveling budgets.

Disney World resorts are roughly divided into 5 accommodation categories. They are the deluxe class, moderate resorts, value budget types, vacation resorts, and cabins/campgrounds in the wilderness for the more adventurous visitors.

There are about ten Deluxe Disney resorts in Disney World such as those in The Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, The Contemporary Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, The Polynesian Resort, Boardwalk Inn, The Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club Resort? There are also 2 deluxe class hotels such as Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin, however these hotels are not owned by Disney World.

Although some Disney resorts are rated as "moderate class", they are still far more luxurious than a ordinary hotel accommodation. Rooms in these so called moderate class resorts are very comfortable and spacious. These accomodations come with themed pools and hot tubs and full-service restaurants. The Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Port Orleans French Quarter are the moderate Walt Disney World Resorts.

Disney World's so called value resorts offer value for money as being very affordable. These resort accommodations are built for families on smaller budgets but are also often used by tour companies for tourists traveling together in groups. Although the amenities can be considered as basic, all budget value resorts have themed swimming pools and inexpensive food courts. Accommodation at Disney value budget resorts can go as low as $80 per night. Imagine that!

These resorts are like service apartments where guests are provided with extra facilities and amenities such as a kitchen, multiple bedrooms and even valet parking thrown in. Prices can range from about $200 per night to more than $1,000 per night during peak holiday season. If you have money to burn, then you may wish to stay at The Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa or The Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

If you enjoy the great outdoors and are more adventurous, then Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness cabins and campsites are just meant for you. The Fort Wilderness campground is home to one of Disney's most popular dinner shows, the Hoop Dee Do Revue. Guests staying in Fort Wilderness can go for nature hike, horse riding, swim, and enjoy boating on Bay Lake.

So there will be shortage of accommodation to cater to your taste and budget when you visit Disney World.

A Guide to Blackpool Hotels

Blackpool is the most famous holiday location in the UK. For decades families have packed their suitcases and headed off to stay in a hotel, visit the Pleasure Beach, play by the sand and experience a view along the coastline from up high in the Blackpool Tower. A major focal point of the city is the active tram network that is used today as much as it has been in years past.

Blackpool hotels can be found all the way along the coast, from peer to peer. Such is the popularity of Blackpool as a tourist attraction, it is fair to say there are more guest houses and apartments for tourists than there are for residents near the coast where all the attractions can be found. Many of the Blackpool guest houses look out over the illuminations which are another famous feature of the resort. This is an integrated light display including over 40,000 light bulbs which helps the tourists and locals understand they are in a truly magical place. This starts in August most years.

Choosing where to stay in Blackpool is no easy task, especially with so much on offer. Another issue can be that if you choose to stay in Blackpool during a busier time of year, you may have problems finding a place that is available unless you choose to plan it well in advance. That is also a great option if you wish to take advantage of many offers and discounts that become available if you are prepared.

When you are deciding where to stay in Blackpool an important thing to consider is what you intend to get out of your stay. Should you be looking to experience the true essence of Blackpool then you will most likely be looking to stay along the coastline where you will be within easy walking distance of the major attractions. A downside of that is that you may end up finding it slightly too busy and long for some calm instead.

If you are looking to stay in the Blackpool apartments, or hotels in Blackpool that are slightly out of the city then you will also have to consider the long walking distance that you may have to embark on to get you where you want to be. Despite this, you may enjoy the tram ride that is available with good regularity.

The Blackpool guest houses that are among the most popular also have entertainment and cabaret on in the evening, whilst others even have swimming pools and fitness centres inside. Whether you would like to stay in a hotel like this may depend on many factors, not least your budget and your preferences. The prices can fluctuate quite considerably, especially depending on the time of year, the location of the hotel and the facilities that are available inside it. In order to get to grips with the likely costs of a Blackpool holiday it is recommended that you go online and search for prices there, however don't forget to have enough money left over to have a great time when you are away

My Favorite Two Attractions At Disney Theme Parks

My two favorite rides at Disney theme parks are "It's a Small World After All" and "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad". Both are popular attractions at Disneyland, Disney World, and the Disney parks in Paris and Tokyo.

"It's a Small World After All" made its debut at the 1964 New York World's Fair in the UNICEF pavilion and was designed as a message of international harmony by Walt Disney's team. It was transported to Disneyland in 1966, and located inside Fantasyland; it instantly became a highlight of the park.

In this ride, passengers get into boats outside the attraction and they are carried inside and moved along by a gentle current. They go through a series of rooms, each of which has dolls from different countries and cultures singing and moving to the catchy song. There is the Taj Mahal, Big Ben, and the Eifel Tower, among other global landmarks. I like trying to spot all the different countries and landmarks.

There are about 300 Audio-Animatronics figures from 100 different nations. They are simple and childlike with their repetitive movements and limited articulation. At the end of the ride, there are dolls from all the different nations singing "It's a Small World After All" together. To me, it is very appealing ending.

That song is the infectious kind that I can't get out of my mind. It was written by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, who also wrote the songs for Mary Poppins. It is continually played in a soundtrack loop, about 4,800 times an operating day in Disney parks around the world. Just about all of us can't help singing along.

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears,

It's a world of hopes and a world of fears;

There's so much that we share,

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all,

It's a small world after all,

It's a small world after all,

It's a small, small world.

There is just one moon, and one golden sun,

And a smile means friendship to ev'ryone;

Though the mountains divide,

And the oceans are wide,

It's a small world after all.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, in Frontierland, is a relatively gentle roller-coaster geared towards adults and teens; it is more exciting to ride in the back of the train than the front. It was modeled after a runaway mining train in the Wild West, and opened in Disneyland in 1979 and in Disney World a year later. The track and queue design are different at each park, even though the theme is the same. There was a prolonged development phase for "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" in which they considered several "histories" for the mountain. Themes of gold fever and revengeful native American spirits were finally chosen for the ride.

In Disney World, the ride is about 3.5 minutes of hairpin turns and dark descents, and there are six trains which are nicknamed I.B. Hearty, I.M Brave, I.M. Fearless, U.B. Bold, U.R, Daring, and U.R. Courageous. I prefer this roller coaster to other ones because it is just exciting enough for me. You feel like you are falling, and go around corners quickly enough to be tossed from side to side.

There are 20 audio-animatronic figures including donkeys, chickens, possums, and the rainmaker in a now flooded mining town: Professor Cumulus Isobar. There is also antique mining equipment, falling rocks, an earthquake, and the smell of sulfur as you pass phosphorescent pools. In Disney World, you careen through a dinosaur's ribs, under a waterfall, past spewing geysers, and over a volcanic pool.

The lines are long but move fairly quickly. It is best to go during parades, or use a FASTPASS, or go late in the day (many people say it's even better after dark). Plan for at least 30 minutes of queuing at non-peak times, and an hour at peak times.

It is easy to see why "It's a Small World After All" and "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" are so popular. They both have appealing themes and lots of attention to detail. They are very different from each other but both are great examples of why Disney theme parks are so much fun. I never get tired of them

Hotels, Resorts, Timeshares – Which Best Suits Your Travel Needs?

Where travelers settled after a long day wasn’t always that big a concern. Most were content as long as they had a bed and a shower. But times have changed and today’s travelers consider lodging just as important as the ultimate travel destination.

Fortunately, hotels and motels are no longer your only options. Now when you travel you can choose to spend your nights at big-chain hotels, budget motels, 5-star resorts, timeshares, guest houses, bed and breakfast inns, hostels and more. Here’s a closer look at the more popular travel lodging options.

Time for a Timeshare?

Timeshares offer travelers the best of both worlds. When you stay in a timeshare you get all the comforts of home even though you’re miles away from home. Fully-equipped kitchens, in-room washers and dryers, separate bedrooms, spacious accommodations, and lots of planned activities for children and adults are typical of most resort-style timeshare properties.

And where you once had to own a timeshare before you could trade it for other timeshare travel destinations, many properties have relaxed this requirement. So now even travelers who don’t own timeshares are taking full advantage of everything timeshares have to offer, including daily maid service!

The Old Favorites

Hotels and motels are still preferred by many and choosing is often driven by budget. Some travelers prefer to stick with familiar hotel chains. Others exchange accumulated credit card miles or rewards points so they lodge where their rewards programs allow. And of course, plenty of travelers still enjoy the bare basics found in many “mom-and-pop” motels.

Other Options

Hostels are popular among students and anyone looking for a “no-frills” adventure. Rates are cheap and accommodations stark, but generally are close to all the sights. Travelers looking for more intimate lodging often choose quaint bed-and-breakfast inns where they can snuggle up in front of a crackling fireplace with a favorite novel or companion.

If You Want to Avoid the Hassle

Don’t forget about the countless vacation packages tailored towards specific travel destinations. Vacation packages make travel planning easy because they include everything you need to make your trip a success: travel tickets, lodging, and even discounted or free attraction tickets.

You’ll find plenty of allinclusive vacation packages for practically any travel destination around the world, especially the more popular ones. If you’re on a budget, discount vacation packages are definitely worth investigating. You may not get a hotel with a glamorous view or granite countertops in the bathrooms but you’ll likely be near all the action. Just be sure to read the details so you know exactly what’s included in the vacation packages you’re considering.

There’s no doubt the Internet has made travel planning easier. So use it to learn everything you’d ever want to know – both good and bad – about the resorts, timeshares, hotels, Vacation Packages, and attraction tickets available at any travel destination you desire. And there’s no better place to start your search than right here at Vacation Packages To Go!

Have You Heard About Discount Vacation Packages?

Anyone who thinks the days of getting something for nothing are over probably hasn’t yet taken advantage of discount vacation packages. Besides getting great deals on airfare, resorts, hotels, cruises, amusement tickets, attractions and more, you’ll find that many discount vacation packages sweeten the deal even more by including freebies.

Lots of free stuff!

What sort of freebies? Well, definitely not the kind you get from fast food restaurants, that’s for sure. The freebies being offered along with today’s discount vacation packages are items of real value. Free dinner tickets, free tickets to water parks, free amusement tickets to big-name places like bush gardens, and even free overnight stays at top-rated hotels and resorts in popular travel destinations are not unheard of.

If you know anything about the types of freebies listed above you know they can amount to a huge savings. If you’re unsure, go online and take a look at the regular admission price to bush gardens or any amusement park, golf course, or water parks in the area where you plan to travel. At the low end, tickets go for $30 and from there go up as high as $70 or more.

Savings galore!

Now consider what you’d pay to stay at top-rated hotels and resorts and the savings jump well over $100 – per night! And it’s rare to find regular-priced dinner tickets to those places that include entertainment along with a 4-course dinner for anything less than $50. But when they’re free, you pay nothing. Incredibly, as valuable as these items are, they’re the types of freebies being offered in conjunction with today’s discount vacation packages.

If you’ve taken time off from travel because you’re too busy, because you’re trying to save fuel, or because you think vacation packages are unaffordable, you have no idea the fun times you and your travel companions are missing out on. If you’re tired of saying no to vacation travel or if you need a quick escape to someplace relaxing where golfing, biking, fishing, sightseeing and all sorts of other leisurely activities are the norm, it’s time to check out the vacation packages – discount and otherwise – being offered to destinations all over the world.

Discount Vacation Packages are easy to find

The best part of all is that you don’t have go to further than your computer to find discount hotels, resorts, travel, amusement tickets, airfare and entire vacation packages. If you have a destination in mind, start searching for discount vacation packages to that area. If you know you’re in the mood for some serious golfing, search for golf discount vacation packages and choose the destination offering the best deal.

But if you’ve no idea where you want to travel or you don’t know whether you want to go biking, fishing or splashing at water parks, don’t worry. With a bit of creative cyberspace searching you’re practically guaranteed to find one or more vacation travel packages to suit your every need.
Deb is a travel and vacation expert who specializes in locating low-cost, fun-filled vacation packages. Click here to find your dream vacation. http://www.vacationpackagestogo.com