The Walt Disney World Resort fireworks spectacular takes place at 9 p.m. on July 3 and 4, and 10 p.m. on July 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7.

Walt Disney World Resort guests will also be treated to a fun-filled spectacle as Goofy, Donald and Pluto, dressed as a colonial fife and drum corps, join a spirited procession down Main Street, U.S.A, prior to the daily Celebrate a Dream Come True parade at Magic Kingdom Park. The pre-parade features the Main Street Philharmonic, Citizens of Main Street and Walt Disney’s historic horse-drawn calliope.

Across the Resort, you will also find treats inspired by our traditional American celebration. You’ll be able to try the Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom Park and the Fourth of July Cupcake with apple pie filling, caramel buttercream and apple crisp topping at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Downtown Disney. At Epcot, you can taste the Skillet-Baked Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Whipped Cream or the Red, White and Blue “Baked Alaska” Mousse.

At the Disneyland Resort, we’re saluting our nation’s birth in a big way with “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.”

The Disneyland Resort fireworks spectacular will be held each night at 9:30 p.m. during Independence Week.

Every evening, you can also wear a pair of illuminated Mouse Ears and “Glow with the Show” during performances of “Celebrate America!” at Disneyland park and the patriotic pre-show to “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park.

And at the Disneyland Resort, you can enjoy Red, White and Blue Mason Jar Desserts at Carnation Café, and Patriotic Cotton Candy, Apple Pie Pockets or 4th of July Cupcakes, in shops all along Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park.

Whichever Disney park you visit in America, you’ll discover a week long celebration from July 1-7.

To really know a place, you need to be immersed in its stories and legends. And when it comes to living out tales – true or mythical – there are no better storytellers than your Adventures By Disney Guides. Wherever you go and whatever you do – whether it’s trying your hand at the age-old Greek traditions of cheese making or biking around the grounds of a historic French chateau – your Adventure Guides are there to share their knowledge, insights and passion for the places you visit.

An Adventures by Disney family vacation features the impeccable service, tradition and attention to detail that is the hallmark of Disney the world over. For your convenience Adventures by Disney takes care of all the details—including your luggage and hotel check-in—so that you don’t have to plan anything. Just relax, have fun and enjoy your vacation!

Fun for the Entire Family

Experience the world together, in ways every member of your family can enjoy. You’ll spend time together on an Egyptian camel ride, take a private visit to a local pineapple plantation in Costa Rica or make pizza in Italy.

Adventures by Disney will not only show your kids the world, they will help them get to know it. They’ll step into the pages of history, meet legendary figures and live timeless stories through unique activities designed just for them. Where else can a kid go on a scavenger hunt in the Louvre Museum or paint their own masterpiece in the shade of Monet’s home? And because you know your kids are having a great time having fun and making friends, you’ll be able to relax and do the same.

Of course, there’s also plenty of time build into each trip just when you’d want it. Every bit of your adventure has been crafted with everyone in mind.

Go Beyond the Walls

Adventures by Disney are absolute experts at getting you into places nearly impossible to get into when traveling on your own. Enjoy reserved entry and access to Michelangelo’s David and the famed Duomo or go behind the scenes at Disneyland Park. It’s all part of their VIP treatment.

On an Adventures by Disney vacation, your family will get to know the world in ways they never expected – and will never forget. That’s because, when you travel with us, you’re traveling with people who know families, and who know how to plan a family vacation with engaging activities and incredible experiences for everyone.

Now is the Time

So why wouldn’t you take an Adventure by Disney?  Now is the best time to plan your next adventure…and Kingdom Magic is here to help!  On an Adventure by Disney trip your’re a traveler and an adventurer, not a tourist.  You and your family become active participants in incredible stories, experiences and cultures through immersive activities only Disney can bring you!

It’s Time to Plan Your Adventure by Disney

Click Here for an Exclusive Client Appreciation Offer!!

Call us at 866.972.6244 to take your first cruise or

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From the over-the-top Party for the Senses grand tasting experience on select Saturday nights to a new taste of Scottish cuisine, there are lots of opportunities. Price per ticket:

• New Scotland, Land of Food And Drink (Sept. 28), $95 or $115
• New Spirits Confidential (Nov. 1), $80 or $95
• New Parisian Breakfast (Saturdays), $37
• New Hibachi Experience (Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5), $120
• “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery (Oct. 4, 11 and 25), $55 or $90
• Epcot Wine Schools (Sept. 29, Oct. 27, Nov. 3), $135 per person
• Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining (more than 25 dinners throughout the festival; prices vary)
• Mixology Series: Taste, Shake and Indulge Like the French (Saturdays), $65
• Kitchen Memories (Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8), from $110-$170
• Cheese Seminars (Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9), $80
• Party for the Senses (Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2), $145, $180 or $285
• Food & Wine Pairings (Tuesdays, Thursdays), $55
• Sweet Sundays (Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10), $99
• The Discovery of Chocolate (Oct. 13 and 27), $75

Additional events include Italian and French pairings and lunches, and a Mexican tequila lunch. Your Clientss also can book special festival experiences including daily Culinary Demonstrations ($14), Mixology Seminars ($15) and Wine, Beer or Spirit Seminars ($14). Inside-the-park festival dining experiences, as well as culinary and beverage programs, require Epcot Park admission.

Don’t Miss This Year’s Food and Wine Festival

Call us at 866.972.6244 or Request a Quote Online!

Hope you enjoy today’s video, be sure to leave a comment and share it with your friends!

Courtesy of Travel with Rick

The Recipe for Butterbeer

Just remember that this recipe is reminiscent of the original, not identical to it.

Butterbeer
2 liter cream soda
2 tablespoons Butter extract
2 teaspoons rum extract
*drop the extracts into the 2 liter bottle, put on cap and slowly rotate until combined.

Cream topping
1 7oz container of marshmallow creme
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon rum extract
*add all items together in an electric mixer and combine until smooth.

Pour the butterbeer into a glass,  drizzle with the cream topping, and enjoy!

Disney resorts feature some of the most unique and creative, not to mention cool and refreshing, pools in the world.  From the new Big Blue at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, one of the largest Disney has ever built for a resort, including an underwater sound system, to the Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort which features a volcano and 142 foot long water slide, they are all awe-inspiring.  And on a hot Summer day in Orlando, there is no better place to spend a few hours.

We hear from clients that as much fun as the parks are, their kids love spending time in the many themed pools at Walt Disney World Resort.  And who can blame them?  At Disney’s Grand Floridian, they have the new Alice In Wonderland”-themed kids’ water play area offering the perfect blend of  ’tea party’ and ‘pool party’, it makes me want to be a kid again!

All of the Disney Resort pools have features for young and old alike, but my favorite is the Uzima Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  It features 1,000-square-foot pool with an exciting water slide and gently sloping, zero-depth entry point, a children’s wading pool, and 2 whirlpool spas.  It’s the perfect way to relax and get a whole new perspective on what a Disney World vacation is.

But don’t just take my word for it, here’s Andrew and Rick from TravelwithRick.com to show us around some of the incredible pools of Walt Disney World Resort!  Stay cool everyone!

Don’t Miss Out on Summer Fun at a Disney Pool

Call us at 866.972.6244 or Request a Quote Online!

Disney’s Cruise says, ” Castaway Club enhances your cruise experience with valuable benefits you’ll enjoy at home and on board.”  Based on the number of sailing you have will determine your Castaway Club level.

• Silver Castaway for Guests who’ve completed 1-4 sailings

• Gold Castaway for Guests who’ve completed 5-9 sailings

• Platinum Castaway for Guests who’ve completed 10 or more sailings

One of the most coveted benefits of being a Castaway member by die hard Disney Cruisers is the advanced booking benefit.  While first time cruisers begin booking the extras 75 days prior to departure and after paid in full, Disney says,  ”Silver Castaway members can pre-book 90 days before sailing. Gold Castaway members, 105 days. And Platinum Castaway members enjoy the option of booking a full 120 days prior to sailing.”

In addition, return guests receive a Welcome Back Stateroom gift, exclusive Castaway Club Compass newsletter, Castaway Club lanyard and special Key to the World Card. Of course there is more!

Click Here to view all the benefits of Castaway Club.

One of my favorite benefits is the Special Onboard Booking Offer.  You receive special savings when you book your next cruise while onboard any of the Disney Ships.  In addition, when you book your onboard cruise with Kingdom Magic Vacations as your Travel agency, you will receive additional benefits!  

Call us at 866.972.6244 or Request a Disney Cruise Quote Online!

Laura Schiely is the Director of Operations for Kingdom Magic Vacations and a Certified Travel Agent specializing in Disney Destinations including Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise , Disneyland and Disney World. She also specializes in Universal Orlando, Princess Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Sandals and Beaches.

Personally, I am very excited to see Scotland’s menu.  We could easily say, “Here comes the haggis!”.  Thinking about it, it’s hard to imagine how you can have a Scottish kiosk without including some rendition of their most world-renowned (or, should I say infamous) dish, but I just can’t see how a mostly-American clientele will take to a sheep’s liver, heart, lungs and other organs cooked inside a stomach.  Even if the dish is “Americanized” somehow, Scottish cuisine has so much more mainstream than that to offer.

Food in Scotland is a mix of many cultures and is littered with soups, broths, game, dairy products, fish, fruit, and vegetables.  Aberdeen Angus steaks are mouth-watering.  Seafood, such as Scottish salmon (either smoked or fresh), wild trout, salmon, oysters, and langoustines [also known as scampi] is world-renowned. Oh, and don’t forget their whiskey!

Aberdeen Angus Steak

So, where does this leave us for Food & Wine ’13?  Let’s try to help out Jens Dahlmann and his team of world-class chefs.  What should Epcot offer at their Scotland marketplace this Fall?

We’ve already heard about “The Rusty Nail”.  A basic blend of Scotch whiskey and Drambuie, a Rusty Nail is a simple drink.  It isn’t going to cut it in my opinion.  Produced all over Scotland, the number of distilleries and unique varieties and flavors of Scottish whiskey can’t be contained in this article.  Suffice it to say that Chef Jens and his team should start their menu by designing Food & Wine 13’s flight of genuine Scotch Whiskey.

Scotch Whiskey Flight

Cock-a-leekie soup is a Scottish soup dish of chicken and leeks in chicken stock.  It is also called “Scotland’s National Soup”.  Scotch broth is a filling soup that sports barley, cuts of lamb, mutton, or beef, and root vegetables such as carrots or turnips as its main ingredients.  Either individually, or sold as a sampling of both, we’re adding it to the menu on Chef’s behalf.

Cock-a-leekie Soup

Scotch Broth

Scottish salmon accounts for 60% of the U.K. “catch” of fish.  I’m convinced that salmon speaks loudly of Scottish cuisine, and it has to be part of this kiosk’s menu.  I’m going to leave the culinary details to Chef and his entourage, but I’m imagining some type of combination of grilled salmon and langoustine as this marketplace’s main course.  Bring it on, Chef!

Grilled Scottish Salmon

Of course, we can’t forget dessert.  Scotland is famous for its puddings, but my research led me to, what I think, has to be the “slam-dunk” of desserts – Crannachan.  Made from a mixture of whipped cream, Scottish whisky, honey, fresh raspberries, and toasted oatmeal that has been soaked overnight in more whisky, it uses a plethora of Scotland’s most famous ingredients. I’m anxious to try it, Chef!

Crannachan

So, let’s review … we’ll grab a Scottish Whiskey flight to whet our whistles.  Then, we’ll start with small helpings of Scotch broth and Cock-a-leekie soup to fill the role of our appetizer.  The main course will be a culinary masterpiece of salmon and langoustine.  And, it will be followed by a serving of Crannachan.  Outstanding!  I can’t wait until September!  Let the festival begin!

Guest Author – Bob Sikon

Bob Sikon is a Cast Member “Wanna-Be”. He fell in love with Walt Disney World on his first visit to Mickey’s Florida home in 1999, and it was all because of the Cast Members. In his words, “The way they take care of you, they make you want to be part of The Magic.” Someday, his dream will come true, and he’ll proudly wear a Cast Member name badge, but, for now, you can find him in Atlanta, GA, planning his next trip to “The World”, and blogging about the place “Where Dreams Come True” at allinwdw.com.

The first seating for the new dining plan is July 1^st, 2013!  The cost of the Universal Dining Plan is $45.99 +tax for adults and $17.99 +tax for children (age 3-9), remember gratuities are not included.

There is also a new Free dining package, available for our off-site hotels only, for bookings made Now – 8/29/13, and is valid for travel 8/15 – 11/24/13 and 12/2 – 12/19/13.  This package includes 2 FREE days of the Universal Dining Plan when you stay 4-Nights or longer on this exclusive vacation package.

The Universal Dining Plan is NOT AVAILABLE for purchase at the parks, so make sure add it on when you book your vacation package!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

When you purchase your vacation package and include the dining plan you’ll receive a ticket to be exchanged at Universal Orlando Resort for a Universal Dining Plan card.
You can pick up your Universal Dining Plan card at:

• The Universal Ticket Center Desk at any Universal Orlando On-Site Hotel
• The Dining Reservation Cart at either theme park or Universal CityWalk
• Guest Services at Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks

Each day of the Universal Dining Plan entitles guests to enjoy:

• ONE TABLE SERVICE MEAL CONSISTING OF ONE EACH:
Entrée, Dining Plan Dessert & Non-Alcoholic Beverage
• ONE COUNTER SERVICE MEAL CONSISTING OF ONE EACH:
Entrée & Non-Alcoholic Beverage
• ONE SNACK (such as a hot dog, ice cream, frozen beverages)
From food carts or counter service locations
• ONE BEVERAGE
From food carts or counter service locations

The Universal Dining Plan offers you the utmost in savings and convenience. Now when you book your Universal Orlando Resort vacation you can purchase your meals and snacks in advance! Make the most of your time and enjoy family meals together at some of Universal Orlando’s most popular dining establishments.

To see the participating restaurant list CLICK HERE.

Call us at 866.972.6244 or Request a Quote Online!

In a race for ‘Best in Show’ at Sunday’s awards ceremony, car enthusiasts from the local Muscle Car Network of Central Florida will display more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars for families to view and vote on their favorites. Guests also can take pictures with favorite Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.

Revving up the fun, legendary automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney•Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward will host celebrity chat shows on the Car Masters Stage throughout the weekend. Foose, who contributed to the design of Ramone in the Disney•Pixar “Cars” film, also will be on-hand for autograph sessions and will have Chip Foose design items available for purchase at the event.

New this year, Splitsville – the luxury bowling emporium — will take guests for a spin on the dance floor when it hosts the first Car Masters Weekend Sock Hop. This rockin’ and rollin’ special event, taking place Saturday from 6-9 p.m., features live entertainment, a fun bowling competition, a buffet of Splitsville delights, a limited bar, raffle prizes and special appearances by Foose and Ward.

Also making Car Masters Weekend debuts are a special street performance by artists with La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, a chance for guests to play the upcoming Disney Infinity video game and new interactive activities based on future Disney film releases “Monsters University,” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Planes.”

Fan-favorite Car Masters elements returning this year include the chance to test drive remote control “Cars 2″ RideMakerz models; vehicles on display from the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway; live performances by the Car Masters Singers and DJ’s spinning classic-car tunes from the ’50′s and ’60′s. Guests also can idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase, pose for photographs inside the newest Chevrolet models and discover the latest in design and automotive technology.

In addition, fans can purchase tickets for an all-day “Cars” and “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24.