DisneyDaniel's Tips and Tricks

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist

Orlando Travel Consultant

Southern California Travel Consultant

Destinations in Florida Travel is your PremEAR Disney World and Orlando Vacation Planners – Top 2009 Disney Destinations Sales Performer and 2010 & 2011 Universal Studios Travel Agency Partner of the Year

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Blue Bayou

Review time!

I realize I have mentioned Blue Bayou a few times, or more... So, it's my blog I can do that! I figured if I was going to mention it so often I should give my whole opinion at once instead of sporadically throughout many other reviews.

I know I mentioned that I eat at Blue Bayou almost every time I visit Disneyland. Just as an FYI when I visit Disney World I almost always eat at 50's Prime Time Cafe... Just a splash of information for you that has absolutely nothing to do with this piece. You are welcome.

There's a good reason why I almost alway eat here. It's good and I love the fact that I get to watch Pirates of the Caribbean boats floating by.

The food offerings are some of the best in the park. They have such entrees as:

Seafood Jambalaya
Beef Short Ribs
Roasted Beef Strip Loin
Filet Mignon
Crab Cakes
Tesoro Island Chicken
Surf and Turf

Every meal comes with either a cajun inspired salad or the signature New Orleans Gumbo. I always get the Gumbo! Yummy!

There are a few desert options as well such as Creme Brûlée, Ice Cream, and Chocolate Cake. I'm usually to full to eat desert at the restaurant. Let's be honest there isn't a shortage of sweets in Disneyland now is there?

As you can see from the pictures and menu, there aren't many things to dislike about Blue Bayou. Perhaps the biggest issue with the restaurant is that there aren't enough tables! If you want to eat at Blue Bayou I recommend calling as soon as you know you're going or as soon as they open up the booking window for your trip timeframe. You'll be disappointed if you miss out, trust me.

I'd love to hear your experiences as well. Leave me comments below or on my Facebook Page!

I hope you find this information helpful and fun.

To find out more about me please visit my profile page: DisneyDan

Daniel Mullarkey

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist

Orlando Travel Consultant

Southern California Travel Consultant

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Honoring our Heroes - Disney Style

Disney Military Offers

I am fortunate to have close friend's who are a military family. It's always such a thrill for me to be asked to help plan their Disney vacations! With that, I've become familiar with the Disney Military Discount Offers. This is one of the ways that Disney is Honoring our Heroes.

As we all know, those serving our country don't get to be home often enough. It's truly a great idea that when they come home for leave that they spend time with their families at Disneyland or Disney World! Disney makes it a real possibility for them all.

I realized though that there may not be a lot of information out there for our heroes and their families on what is available to them. Disney truly wants to honor our loyal men and women of all the branches of the military, active and retired. As well as their families. This includes Reservists, Coast Guard and National Guard. There are some 'rules' that need to be followed, but none too complicated that I've experienced.

For Starters our Military members get to purchase the promotional 3 day Park Hopper at Disneyland for about the regular price of a 1 Day Park Hopper!! Total Purchase price of $125 for a 3 Day Park Hopper! This ticket offer is only for the military member and their immediate family, and is currently available through September 28, 2013. Keep in mind that unless your Naval Officer Uncle is visiting the parks with you, he can't buy the tickets and give them to you. You will need your military identification to activate the tickets purchased at your nearest Military Outlet. These tickets also include the Extra Magic Hours.

In addition to the Park Hopper Tickets, Disney Resort Hotels offer discounts up to 40% off! There are a few restrictions and at times the amount of rooms available are limited, such as the height of Summer. Just check in with a travel agent or Disney directly to get prices and availability of rooms. Most travel agents can also find out which good neighbor hotels offer military discounts. Unfortunately, Disney Vacation Planning does not have this information available.

Walt Disney World is offering 4-Day Promotional Military Tickets for just $156 each! Military members can purchase these tickets ONLY at participating U.S. Military sales outlets. You must present Valid Military Identification to purchase the tickets and you will also need to present your Identification when you check into your resort to keep the military discount.

Walt Disney World also offers discounts on Walt Disney Resort Hotels. At around the same discount rate. Keep in mind that this promotional offer is also limited to a specific number of rooms and doesn't apply during certain black out periods.

This isn't the only way Disney salutes our Heroes. There's a lot of ways that Disney honors our heroes, such as participation in the Flag Retreat Ceremony, or donating Christmas Trees. And much much more!

Overall, Disney wants our military heroes to visit and spend time with their families at the Happiest and Merriest Places on Earth!

To learn more, please visit Disney Military Sales

I hope you find this information helpful and fun.

To find out more about me please visit my profile page: DisneyDan

Daniel Mullarkey

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist

Orlando Travel Consultant

Southern California Travel Consultant

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Disneyland Secret Rooms

Magic of Disneyland - Hidden Walt Disney Wonders

It's not often I get free reign to let loose on all the Disney Trivia rolling around in my head. Often I am told that I've already shared it. Sometimes I'm told "Could you just shut up and stop ruining the magic for me with all this trivia stuff?" Everyone enjoys Disneyland differently. I find the magic is all around and for me knowing the tidbits of useless trivia is magical as well. For some others though it's all about the immediate senses. The magic is the experience you can see, taste, smell. Not what's behind the closed doors. I get it, even if they're wrong. :)

Well now no one can tell me to stop! hahhahaha <---my best Malificent evil laugh, I know you're now trying to remember it aren't you? Check it here... However, if you don't want to know some of the secrets of Disneyland, like where there might be a half basketball court, then you can virtually tell me to "Shush" and go read about the Disneyland Hotel Signature Suites.

One of the most discussed is the "Basketball Court" in the Matterhorn. Is there really one up there? Was it used by Walt Disney as a way to avoid Anaheim height restrictions on non-sports buildings? There is a lot of lore around this particular fact. There is a Basketball hoop and some floorboards. It's not quite a half size regulation court. It was put there by one of the costumed climbers who sometimes climb the mountain to entertain guests. When they are relaxing inside the mountain or weather prohibits their climbing they can enjoy some time shooting hoops!

You probably know that Walt Disney had an apartment in Disneyland right? Well you would if you'd read my Must Do's Posting... He actually had two created. The first is above the Fire House on Main Street. This is a small apartment but has all the necessities, such as a bathroom with a shower, a small kitchen unit and a patio off the back. Lilian Disney often hosted afternoon tea on this patio.

There is only one known photograph of Walt Disney inside the apartment with his family. He wanted this space to be their private area. As such he only allowed this one photograph to be taken by National Geographic Magazine.

The second apartment of Walt Disney's would have been above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Unfortunately it wasn't completed prior to Walt Disney's passing, of course his spirit will never leave. Disneyland executives turned the space into an art gallery surprisingly called "Disney Gallery". It was then decided to complete it and restore it back to the vision Walt Disney had for his luxurious apartment. In 2008 a dream was realized and the space became "The Disneyland Dream Suite". For awhile one family every day was chosen to stay in this suite for the night. I've never been invited, but I'd do almost anything short of kidnapping a cast member to stay here! However, I have recently heard that for the cost of buying a private caribbean island you can stay here for an evening... hrmphh...

Theres another secret lounge/restaurant/VIP area... It's only claim to existence on the outside is a small aqua sign that says "33" outside the door to it. There are two claims on why it's called Club 33. One is the official story that it's the address. 33 Royal Street in New Orleans Square. The other unofficial story is that since it was originally designed as a VIP Corporate lounge area it was named 33 after the original 33 Corporate Sponsors of Disneyland. Personally, I think there is probably truth in the second story but the official story is accurate enough. Either way it's another area of Disneyland I will likely never see. Last I heard there is a 14 year waiting list. Once through that list you can join with a $25,000 membership fee and $10,000 per year in dues. Oh and don't forget your Disneyland Annual Pass so you can actually get to the club...

There are so many "secrets" to Disneyland that I couldn't possibly share them all in one sitting. I have chosen some of my favorites and shared first. I'll continue a series perhaps with other secrets. Such as Who are those people whose names are on the upper level windows of Main Street, USA. No Really, Who are those people? What about the depth perception Imagineers created with all Disney parks... Or perhaps I'll share some of the magic of the scents of the parks... That's one that seems to always be a welcome addition and so obvious once pointed out.

Stay tuned for many more posts regarding Disneyland secrets!

I hope you find this information helpful and fun.

To find out more about me please visit my profile page: DisneyDan

Daniel Mullarkey

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist

Orlando Travel Consultant

Southern California Travel Consultant

Friday, February 1, 2013

Walter E. Disney Quotes

Quotes from the Magical and Amazing Walt Disney

I will be updating this page with new quotes from Walter Elias Disney as I feel inspired.

Let's start with one of my favorites. It's so brilliantly true. However, we often need to be reminded:

"I only hope we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."

Then This is from the end of "Meet the Robinsons"

"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious... And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

Keep Moving Forward..."

Disneyland was Walt's Dream for a long time. He had ideas of how to do it better and thus started on DisneyWorld. However, we must never forget:

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing-that it was all started by a mouse."

"To all that come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America...with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

"That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up!"

"When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage."

"All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them."

"The life and ventures of Mickey Mouse have been closely bound up with my own personal and professional life. It is understandable that I should have sentimental attachment for the little personage who played so big a part in the course of Disney Productions and has been so happily accepted as an amusing friend wherever films are shown around the world. He still speaks for me and I still speak for him."

Please feel free to post comments with your favorite quotes. I'd love to make this a journey for all who are inspired by Walt Disney. I would be honored to share your favorites on this page as well.

I hope you find this information helpful and fun.

To find out more about me please visit my profile page: DisneyDan

Daniel Mullarkey

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist

Orlando Travel Consultant

Southern California Travel Consultant

Disneyland Hotel Signature Suites

Signature Suites of Disneyland Hotel!

I decided I had to write some about what I want to do and not just what I have done... On a trip in the future I fully intend to spend a few nights in EVERY Signature Suite!

What are the Signature Suites exactly? Think of the High Roller suites in Las Vegas and you're on the way to understanding. I may be a dreamer but I know I'll stay in each one of the themed suites...

These rooms are located on the 11th Floor of the Adventure Tower at Disneyland Hotel. There are a total of 5 themed Signature Suites. The Mickey Mouse Penthouse, Big Thunder Suite, Pirates of the Caribbean Suite, Fairy Tale Suite, and Adventureland Suite.

This is it, The Big Cheese's Penthouse! Look at that, who doesn't want to stay here? It's modern, sophisticated, beautiful and luxurious. Click link above to see more of this awesome Suite. Even my mother in law who has absolutely no inner child would be delighted to stay in this suite... Seriously, ask her yourself...

The last time I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel I snuck up, well snuck is probably not accurate, I rode the elevator up to the 11th floor. All I got to see were the doors to the suites, but they were awesome and truly done by Disney. One thing you can always count on is that every detail is considered in Disney's Design, even the doors are magical...

Tell the truth, would you even leave the suite? I'm not sure I would and I'm quite certain my wife would be going swimming often in here:

The hand cut mosaic is of a Stylized Sleeping Beauty Castle. This bathroom alone is reason enough to forego any budgetary concerns and jump in, literally!

There's a TV hidden in this room... Can you guess where? Do you know which themed room this is? The trunks may give it away.... Adventureland Suite! When you're done with that check out the view from the windows. All Suites come with panoramic views from the 11th floor. Incredible views are truly an understatement.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of my favorite rides, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean and staying in those suites would be awesome as well. Big Thunder Mountain Suite feels much like the ride itself. It has all the charm of the town it represents, but also shows us a new luxury! There is a Copper Tub in the bathroom! It's surprisingly beautiful!

I do think the Pirates of the Caribbean suite is probably the least exciting to me. But I still want to stay in it! When I say least exciting don't misunderstand. It doesn't mean it's not super cool. It means it's number 5 of 5 to me. Sadly one room has to be first and one has to be last. However, Pirates of the Caribbean Suite is still fantastic. Especially the picture above the marble fireplace...

For my personal style and preferences my favorite is the Mickey Mouse Penthouse. Holy cow, it's gorgeous! The colors reflect Mickey Mouse completely to me. The second bedroom has a round bed and is easily a playroom. At one time I had created a Mickey Mouse bathroom in my house... I wish I'd seen this bathroom first. Check it out...

In reality these rooms are expensive. That is pretty obvious when you just take a quick glance at their sizes and amenities. However, these sleep a lot of people! Split the cost and spend a night in your favorite!

To inquire about prices and availability of these amazing Suites, send me an email or message me! I'll be happy to get you booked for your next trip!

I hope you find this information helpful and fun.

To find out more about me please visit my profile page: DisneyDan

Daniel Mullarkey