One of my favorites was the BBQ Chicken Flatbread. Score two for the price of one when you order it. Nice surprise indeed!

Or if you’re more traditional like Resort Dad you might want to go for the Butcher’s Blend Bacon Cheeseburger and fries…

You can’t go wrong with the house made chips that accompany the Tropical Chicken Sandwich with Mango Salsa…

You can wash it all down with a non-alcoholic Citrus Mint Cooler…

If you’re just looking for a light snack grab a beer and an order of the chips and salsa…

We also really liked the Chicken Quesadillas…

It went really well with the Burnt Coconut Cooler (1800 Coconut Tequilla, Bacardi Rock Coconut Rum, agave nectar with orange and lime juices)

Later on in the afternoon we grabbed a Margherita Flatbread…

and I had to go for another one of those frothy adult beverages. This time it was the Orange Sunset (Grey Goose L’ Orange, Disarrono, vanilla ice cream and orange juice)

Sweet tooth? The Sandbar has gotcha’ covered.  Since there were three of us we had to go for three different desserts to share.  Resort Dad opted for Chocolate Covered Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake…

Resort Kid ordered the Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana Bites…

and Resort Mom went for the Frozen Key Lime Pop…

um…yeah…basically frozen key lime pie on a stick complete with graham cracker crust, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in toasted coconut. (wipe your chin)

Want these noms? Book a room at the Gaylord Palms Resort online or call (407) 586-2000.

Special thanks goes out to the Gaylord Palms for hosting our stay and providing us with complementary food and beverages.  All opinions are my own.

Listen up Mom’s! If you’re looking for an amazing family vacation experience, the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida has upped the ante for fun with the opening of the brand new Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park. Last weekend my family and I spent 7 hours taking in the sun, sipping cocktails (leaded and unleaded), splashing, swimming, sliding and relaxing and all this without leaving the resort!

For families with smaller kids this zero depth entry pool is a godsend. Thoughtful for disabled guests too!

My daughter loved screening Kung Fu Panda on this Gigantor screen while floating in the pool.

Don’t worry empty nesters…you’re covered with the adult’s only South Beach Pool.

The Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park is open daily from 7am – 11pm and is included with your stay at the resort.  For rates and specially priced packages visit Gaylord Palms or call (407) 586-2000.

Special thanks goes out to the Gaylord Palms for hosting our stay.  All opinions are my own.

“We are excited that the Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid wings at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will all open earlier than we originally planned, …” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort.

The Finding Nemo wings of the resort will open May 31; Cars will now open June 18 instead of July 31; The Lion King will open August 10 instead of September 30. The value rooms at The Little Mermaid wings on September 15 instead of at the end of this year.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings will be entirely family suites, with 1,120 suites between them. The Little Mermaid buildings will feature 864 rooms in the “value” room category.

The Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando Florida has just thrown down $50 Million on a renovation that will make your vacationing head spin!

When it comes to staying in the heart of Central Florida’s incredible attractions and theme parks, plus getting to experience the best of Florida all in one place, no other resort shines like Gaylord Palms. And while their passion for creating unforgettable memories hasn’t changed, they are now investing in a host of magnificent renovations to ensure you, your family and friends have a Gaylord Palms experience you’ll never forget.

Through a $50 million grand renovation project slated for completion this Spring, Gaylord Palms is elevating the guest experience to a new level by creating two new spectacular pools, a one-of-kind new multi-level dining venue, extraordinary new amenities and activities, luxurious new guest rooms features, and non-stop over-the-top new DreamWorks experiences that even an “ogre” would enjoy!

For a real splash of WOW, your kids will absolutely flip over the thrilling new Everglades-inspired Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park (pictured above) showcasing a zero-entry swimming pool with four waterslides, a multi-level water playground, an active lagoon, a plunge pool, “dive-in” movies, and a huge array of exciting adventures (some with a DreamWorks twist!). And for your little escape, the new South Beach Pool will feature an ultra-chic and ultra-private tropical oasis with a dedicated cocktail bar, and sophisticated entertainment areas.

And for Gaylord’s beloved sports fans, the resort is tackling the unthinkable and designing the two-story Wreckers Sports Bar with a bar on each level, a dance floor, a multi-level 20 foot high video screen, and all overlooking the posh palm-lined waters of the South Beach pool.

Finally, to punctuate the grand renovation plan with the ultimate blend of comfort and style, they are updating each Guest Room with luxurious furnishings, flat screen TV’s, modern conveniences, all in a relaxing yet refined Florida décor to enhance your family’s glorious view of the Sunshine State at Gaylord Palms.

Resort Mom can NOT WAIT to check it out!

Heartwarming and humorous tales from cherished Disney motion picture classics will leap from the big screen and storybook pages in enchanting accommodations opening at Walt Disney World Resort this week.

The Royal Guest Rooms, re-imagined accommodations fit for a prince or princess, open at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside in early March. This hidden jewel features 512 themed rooms where ornate beds are trimmed with dazzling crystals and gold accents, and “magical fireworks” swirl about.

The new Royal Guest Rooms immerse families in favorite Disney fairytales with fun and engaging features.  Families will delight that Princess Tiana has hosted her royal friends from around the world in these elegant rooms and each special guest has left behind a cherished memento to mark the visit.  Guests will discover a treasure trove in the immersive room décor, from stars of favorite animated films such as “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Princess and the Frog.”

The themed accommodations showcase playful artwork and majestic banners. Regal crowns from favorite Disney princesses are woven in the bedspread design.  Dazzling fiber-optic effects create a magical surprise on the headboard.  The bathroom sink design incorporates Genie’s magic lamp from Disney’s Aladdin as the faucet. Characters from beloved Disney*Pixar films can be spotted in the wallpaper border, plus richly appointed décor, drapery and custom linens fit for royalty, yet the rooms are moderately priced from $189 per night.  Rooms sleep four.  Call 407-W/DISNEY for booking

Embassy Suites celebrates five years in Hawaii!

Enter to win a five-night stay for five at the Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk plus $500 in Beach Bucks to spend at the shops and restaurants along world-famous Waikiki Beach.  Even better, between now and May 15th you’ll receive an additional entry for each night you stay at any Embassy Suites!

Whatcha waiting for? Enter today!

Disney Parks Blog is reporting that Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has recently completed the installation of the resort’s marquee!  I can’t wait to check out the resort!

Facts:

• The marquee measures in at 42 feet 6 inches
• The resort’s sign now holds the record as the largest freestanding marquee at Walt Disney World
• The sign is 18 inches taller than the famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign in Los Angeles
• The resort will begin opening in phases starting on May 31st, 2012.

It’s no secret that Resort Mom is a HUGE fan of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  So it should come as no surprise that I want to share the love by posting this sweepstakes!  This contest is going to also spotlight some fantastic members of the Disney blogging community so I hope you check out their pages when you like them on Twitter and Facebook!

Entering is Easy. There are 33 chances for you to enter. You can complete as many or as few as you like. But the more you enter, the more likely you are to win.  Oh and by the way…you can also use the Disney gift card online. Good luck to you!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All entries will be verified upon selection of a winner to make sure that they are still in compliance with the terms of the giveaway. A big thanks to Theme Park Mom for helping me organize this amazing giveaway for all of you!

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Disney or Facebook. We hereby release Disney and Facebook of any liability. Open to residents of the United States and Canada ages 18 and up. Winner will be contacted by email 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Gift card will be mailed to the winner.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will have Walt Disney World’s largest….resort swimming pool!  Kids of all ages can make a splash at the “Big Blue” pool, the largest resort swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort measuring 11,859 square feet. Guests enter scenes from the animated world and can explore the colorful reef with a giant-sized Mr. Ray whose wings span 27 feet, pose for a picture with Crush or frolic with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a children’s play area. An arcade and two additional pools round out the fun.

The whimsical property, situated adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, will open in phases beginning in late May 2012 with rates from $248 per night. The 1,120 family suites include two bathrooms, a kitchenette and three separate sleeping areas that can sleep up to six. Some 864 standard rooms sleep up to four. Rates as low as $94 include complimentary transportation, Extra Magic Hours and other benefits available to a Disney Resort guest.  For reservations, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or contact their travel agent.