Of course, the best and the most fun option would be to go on a Disney Cruise and also have a great time at Disney World. But for many families, both is not an option. So, decisions need to be made to figure out which vacation is best for your family. Trying to decide between Disney World vs. a Disney Cruise can be tough but my goal today is to give you some things to think about to help with your decision.
I do give my opinion of which I think might be the winner in each circumstance. But, the winner truly depends on your family’s needs so that is why I say “possible winner.”
At the end of this post there is a link to a FaceBook Live I did on this subject but the opinion slants a little toward DCL.
Let’s look at some aspects that you might want to consider:
Location of the vacation
Disney World is in Florida and it always will be.
But your Disney Cruise vacation can begin in quite a few different locations. Money can definitely be saved being able to drive instead of fly or just have less driving time. Plus, you can save a lot of time in transit before and after the vacation if you leave from a port closer to home.
What are the places that Disney Cruises depart from?
Vancouver, BC, Canada
San, Diego, CA
Galveston, TX
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Miami, FL (while only 5 hours from Orlando this port is closer for those near Miami)
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Vacation Accomodations
At Disney World, there are a host of options for your family. There are possibilities from smaller rooms at Disney’s All-Star resorts to 3-bedroom club level suites at the Deluxe Disney resorts. In addition, these rooms are at all different prices that fit budgets for every family. Need a kitchen for your family? Want extended family to stay with you? Or, just want your family to have a bit of room to move around? At Disney World, you can book suites to accommodate these desires. Disney world has thousands of room options available to suit just about any family and just about any need.
On a Disney Cruise, your choices are limited. There are some staterooms that can sleep 5 but most are only for 4 or less. If you have a larger family you must book multiple staterooms (some can connect which is nice) or a suite. Staterooms are also limited in space and don’t provide much room for a family to move around. Extended families might end up booking rooms all over the ship.
Other special considerations: Children under the age of 17 must be booked in a room with an adult over 21. Children cannot be even booked in a connecting room (inside door) to the parents. So, for instance, if a single parents of 4 children wants to book a stateroom they would need to book a suite. This also means that extra thinking if you want to bring a under-21 childcare provider or childrens’ friends you might not want sleeping in the same room.
Possible winner: Disney World
Ease of Communication
Communication at Disney World is pretty simple if you have a cell phone. You can easily text or call your family at any time (as long as you have the proper cell service and battery life).
On a Disney Cruise, communication is quite costly since you are outside of the United States. In order to use your cell phone for calling you must purchase a plan through your cell phone company or onboard the ship. Through the Navigator App you can text other passengers for free but only while onboard the ship.
Possible winner: Disney World
Childcare
While the Disney World parks are super fun for kids there aren’t really any options for your kids to be taken care of while the adults go out and play.
A Disney Cruise is amazing for childcare throughout your whole vacation. Let me list the ways:
During the day children can have fun in the kids club appropriate for their age group
At dinner children can eat in the kids club or eat with the adults and then half way through be taken to the club so adults can have dinner together.
In the evening, kids clubs are open for parents to enjoy the nightlife
On port days kids can stay in the kids clubs while parents go on an excursion or just explore the port.
At Castaway Cay there special options for kids too
As you can see there are childcare options almost the whole vacation. Note: for children under the age of 3 childcare is limited and must be reserved ahead of time.
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Variety of Dining Options
Disney World has so many different restaurant options and different types of cuisine. You can find everything from quick-service burgers and fries to five-star meals from gourmet chefs. Do you want Japanese, BBQ, Italian, or African food? It’s all available at Disney World. Also, there are so many snack and dessert choices at the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Pretty much anything you could ever want to eat can be found at Disney World.
Food on a Disney Cruise is delicious and of wonderful quality. But the menu is slightly limited and there are only a few different dining locations. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of options to satisfy most any palate but there just isn’t the variety you find at the parks. On the cruise, there are many lovely snacks but they also don’t vary much throughout the vacation.
Possible winner: Disney World
Ease of Dining
At Disney World, there are so many options of where you can eat it can be overwhelming. For table-service restaurants, you need to get reservations ahead and for the really popular ones, you have to do so 180-days before your vacation. That can be stressful! And then you have to figure out how to get to the restaurant from where you are which can take up to 1 1/2 hours on Disney transportation. Easy probably isn’t the correct descriptive word for dining at Disney World.
On the other hand, eating on a Disney Cruise is super simple. You have an already reserved table for your family in the main dining room every night. Even if you don’t want to eat at your assigned restaurant there are only a couple of other options. As I said, super simple!
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Motion Sickness
At Disney World, you can easily avoid motion sickness. If you are prone to feeling nauseous from movement you can avoid the offensive rides such as the Mountains, Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, or Flights of Passage.
On a Disney Cruise if you are prone to motion sickness it is a little more difficult to avoid. The ships are always moving on the water possibly causing a problem for you. There are some things you can do to help like anti-nausea medication or patches, pressure point wristbands, or ginger. For some, taking these precautions, choosing the right ship size or stateroom location is enough for a great vacation. For others, not so much!
Possible winner: Disney World
Access to Health Care
Since Disney World is in Orlando there is excellent health care available within a close proximity. You can easily find an urgent care center or hospital. If you have complicated medical needs you might feel more comfortable being within easy reach of medical care.
On a Disney Cruise they do have medical facilities staffed 24/7 with skilled physicians, but they are not as capable at handling very complicated needs. Plus, since you are outside the United States getting back for medical care can be difficult.
Possible winner: Disney World
Mobility Issues
There is so much walking at Disney World a person should really start training months ahead of their vacation. Those with mobility issues either have to sit and wait a lot for others or get some type of assistance (an ECV or wheelchair). While using an ECV or wheelchair might seem easy the navigation through crowds can prove difficult.
Disney Cruise ships are quite large but there is not nearly as much walking needed. You are always welcome to bring a wheelchair or ECV to make transportation on a cruise ship even easier. Plus, passengers with mobility issues have the option in some ports of choosing excursions created especially for them.
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Vacation Pace
Disney World parks are very large with a lot of places to go, things to do and see. Most people want to see as much as they can and often find themselves criss crossing the park. This means lots of walking and often hurrying to make the FastPass, restaurant reservation or show on time. By the end of the day they flop into bed with just enough time to recharge for the next day and do it all again.
The pace of a Disney Cruise is quite different. Yes, there are a lot of activities onboard and you could be busy from morning to night but it still doesn’t have the same feel as the busyness of the parks. There isn’t as far to walk and many of the activities wouldn’t be considered active. Not to mention the fact that one of the major activities on a cruise is laying by the pool or sitting on your balcony overlooking the ocean.
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Pregnancy and Babies
Disney World is a place for all ages and stages. The youngest baby can tag along with the rest of the family for a wonderful vacation together. There will be some rides that baby will have to wait behind with someone while the rest of the family does a rider switch but still a great time. Being pregnant at Disney World is fine at any stage. Granted, all the walking and the heat might not be too comfortable and you might have to miss the big rides but still fun. If you do bring a baby along make sure to take advantage of the Baby Care Center, a quiet respite in the midst of a busy park.
To sail on a Disney Cruise, Pregnant women cannot reach their 24th week at any time during the cruise. Babies must be at least 6 months old (1 year on some, especially longer cruises). . Keep in mind that staterooms are small and so sleeping arrangements with babies can be a little challenging. Feeding young children on a cruise can also pose some difficulties. Potty training is a whole other ball game I am not sure I would want to tackle on a cruise ship. Oh, and children must be potty trained to go in the pools, hot tubs, spas, or waterslides. No swim diapers are allowed (as opposed to the resort pools and water parks which allow swim diapers).
Possible winner: Disney World
Planning Ahead
A Disney World vacation takes A LOT of planning and way ahead of vacation time. Deciding on which resort to stay at and what kind of room can be just the start of the confusion. Dining reservations can be made 6 months ahead (very necessary for popular restaurants) which means you need to have a rough idea of what parks you want to visit each day (or how much you want to park hop). FastPasses can be booked 60 days ahead (if staying at a Disney resort) which takes a little planning of your day. If you don’t plan you run the risk of standing in a lot of lines or not getting to do what you what.
A Disney Cruise, on the other hand, is a bit easier to plan. Sure it may be confusing and take a bit to figure out which itinerary and stateroom are best for your family but that is really easy peasy compare to Disney World planning. You can take some time to plan what excursions you want to experience on port days. But, if you want to be more spontaneous and just wait until you are onboard the ship that is perfectly fine.
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Character Interactions
Disney World is home to many, many characters. The variety between all four parks is astounding. But, (and this is a big but) you will most likely be standing in a long line to see them. You also have to find them in all different locations all over the park. You could spend all day just getting autographs and pictures.
On a Disney Cruise, there are fewer characters to see. Don’t get me wrong, there is a very good variety of characters just not as many as in the parks. But, you usually don’t wait in line for more than 15 minutes. Character greetings are in the same locations and are scheduled throughout the day. Princess greetings can be scheduled ahead and you get to greet them all (usually 3 or 4) in a short amount of time. And then, at some of the deck parties, you can get up close and dance and sing with them. So fun! Meeting characters is so easy on a Disney Cruise. If you want to learn more about meeting characters on your Disney Cruise then check out this post.
Possible winner: Disney Cruise
Price of the Vacation
Price is most always a consideration when planning a vacation. But it isn’t always cut and dry. Both vacations can be done on a budget or go over-the-top with luxury. Cost depends on the size of your party, desired accomodations, etc. When comparing be sure to compare apples to apples. Don’t compare a value resort with a concierge stateroom or an inside cabin with a verandah cabin. You probably want to include a dining package and park tickets (activities) to mimick the all-inclusiveness of a cruise.
Another thing to consider is that the level of service on a Disney Cruise is fantastic and cannot be quite compared to Disney World resorts. This is definitely something to think about when you are comparing value resorts with even an inside cabin.
It isn’t always true but generally, a Disney World vacation comes out a little less expensive than a cruise.
Possible winner: Can’t say. Too many possibilities.
I hope that giving you these things to think about will help you with your decision. Trying to decide Disney World vs. Disney Cruise can be challenging but I am here for you if you have any other questions! Please don’t hesitate to contact me.
This week we are going to take a journey to celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium. We will experience the colorful canals, the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills, the medieval architectural treasures of Belgium, and of course, the food–chocolate, waffles, and cheeses. Please enjoy this Tour of the Netherland and Belgium during Tulip Time.
Experience the Netherlands and Belgium through the Dutch and Belgian Waterways on an AmaWaterways River Cruise!
Each city on my tour is included on an AmaWaterways Tulip Time River Cruise. This cruise itinerary sails during March and April when the flowers are abundantly blooming. River cruises are a wonderful way to see this area as you sail through the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Since you mostly sail at night and are in port all day long you have plenty of time to tour each city and town.
One of the cool things about AmaWaterways included excursions is that they have different activity levels for excursions. They have options for active guests like biking and slower ones for those want just be along for the ride. Sometimes they even have an option for those who want to sleep in. Of course, you can always tour all on your own!
The AmaSerena is one of the river cruise vessels that sail the Tulip Time itinerary. I have included some pictures below.
Now, sit back and enjoy the Tulip Time Tour!
Tulip Time Itinerary with AmaWaterways
Day 1–Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam
It’s Tulip Time!! Springtime in The Netherlands comes alive with gorgeous color from millions of vibrant crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, and of course, tulips. Most tulip farms are located in Noordoostpolder which is about an hour east of Amsterdam. Only 15 minutes from Amsterdam, the world’s largest flower exhibition, Keukenhof Gardens, which is only open 9 weeks a year is an absolute must-see. With 80 acres and around 7 million flowers, this is an amazing location to experience Tulip Mania!
Day 2–Middelburg, Netherlands
Middelburg, Netherlands is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands. Visiting this town of canalside houses, twisty alleyways, gothic architecture, historic buildings, and shipyards will be a highlight of your visit to the Netherlands. If you leave Amsterdam on the train you will arrive in Middelburg in about 2 1/2 hours. Entering Middelburg you would never know that this little town had been ravaged by bombs in 1940. Much of the town was recreated in order to retain its quaint character and historic elements.
Adventures in Middelburg:
Wander into the center of the old town to the 15th century gothic Town Hall. The interior was completely burnt during WWII and only but the exterior was left standing. The Town Hall has undergone a massive restoration to bring it back to its original beauty.
Climb the 207-step Lange Jan abbey tower for fantastic views of Old Town
Enjoy the town market on a Thursday
Bike or walk through the alleyways past 1200 landmarked buildings and houses. Look out for house names from a time before houses had numbers.
Peruse the two main shopping streets, Lange Delft and Langeviele
Revisit the Golden Age of Holland and the Dutch East India Company at the Middelburg Abbey and Zeeuws Museum
Visit Delta Works–The Netherlands’ flood defense system that has been called one of the seven wonders of the world
Day 3–Ghent, Belgium
A visit to Ghent can be done on a nice day trip and you will be able to see quite a bit of this charming town. But if you really want to take in the character and vibe, a few days will be so much better. Worth every minute!
Ghent, Belgium came into being in the 7th century and was considered one of the most important European cities from the 11th-16th centuries. This town is crammed full of history and character.
What could you do in Ghent?
Visit Gravensteen Castle (it even has a moat!) to be transported back to life in the 10th century. Don’t miss out on the armory museum, former torture chamber, and gorgeous panoramic views of the old town.
Go shopping at Korenmarkt which is the largest pedestrian shopping area in Europe.
Climb the belfry in one of the many cathedrals and churches to overlook the town.
Take a walk down Graslei or Korenlei on either side of the canal in the heart of the city which is arguably one of the prettiest parts of Ghent.
Float down some of the canals that surround the city.
Food and beer are not to be missed. The Belgian Waffles in Ghent are reportedly “to die for”!
Day 4–Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium is a breathtaking medieval fairytale town. Bruges historic center has been named as a UNESCO World Historic Site because of its preserved examples of a medieval European settlement. This is an absolute must-see! Walk the cobblestone streets enjoying the architecture, the shopping, and cafes in this charming square.
Things to do in Bruges:
Climb to the top of the Belfry for awesome views.
Wander through Burg Square and view the many neo-classical and gothic buildings. The Main Hall inside City Hall is jaw-dropping!
Float down the canals of the town that is also called the “Venice of the North.” Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai where the Groenerei and Dijver canals meet for a breathtaking, picture-perfect spot.
Visit a museum. Some of your choices include a Frite Museum (fried potatoes), a Chocolate Museum, a Beer Museum, a Lamp Museum, and even a Torture Museum. I am sure you will find some fabulous art museums too.
Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century Roman Catholic basilica vibrant with history.
And, since you are still in Belgium, indulge in some delicious Belgian waffles and beer
Day 5–Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium is the second-largest city in Belgium. This city is rooted in a deep history but is also embracing the future. On a trip to Antwerp, you can experience the old and the new like nowhere else!
Activities in Antwerp:
Admire the Antwerp Central Train Station. A train station you say?! Yes! From the gothic architecture on the outside to the impressive Main Hall and multi-platform area this building is sure to take your breath away. It isn’t considered one of the world’s top 5 train stations for nothing!
Visit Rubenshuis, the former home of painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Restoration began in 1937 and now the home is a gorgeous museum to both his paintings and also the furniture and accouterments of the period.
Cathedral of Our Lady is an impressive building built in the 1100s and is the largest cathedral in Europe’s Low Countries.
Want a little less history? The MAS Museum is sure to please your modern tastes!
Go shopping at the Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre. While the building historic the fashion inside is definitely modern and edgy and the refreshment stand is a Champagne bar. This Centre is on Meir Street which is a one-mile-long pedestrian shopping district. OH MY!
Shop for some ?BLING?. Antwerp is the Diamond Capital of the world!
Day 6–Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam, Netherlands is not like the other towns you have been to already. It is a rather large city with around 600,000 people. Since WWII mostly decimated this city it has been rebuilt as a vibrant, edgy, innovative, modern city. Only a couple of historic buildings even remain. From Rotterdam, you might want to take a short trip to Kinderdijk, a nearby village with A LOT of windmills or Delft, the home of Johannes Vermeer and the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum
So, what’s there to do in Rotterdam:
Visit Markthal, a giant horseshoe-shaped building that contains a buzzing food market on the bottom couple floors and living/office space in the rest of the building.
Just across the road is Piet Blom’s Cube Houses. Most are private residences but for a small fee, you can look around one of these extraordinary homes and see architectural creativity in action.
Rotterdam’s Central Train Station is also not to be missed. Another architectural marvel inside and out.
Climb the Euromast for panoramic views of the cityscape.
Stroll by the Whitt Huis, the first high rise building in Europe, and the Church of St. Lawrence, a couple of the only remaining historic buildings in Rotterdam.
Bike through the city. Since they decided to fill in a lot of the canals there is a lot of roadways to ride.
Walk across the Erasmus Bridge, an engineering marvel that is lovingly nicknamed The Swan.
Take a trip to the Rotterdam Zoo, voted the best in the Netherlands
Find the Fenix Food Factory and gorge on your favorite Dutch foods and beers.
Want to see what Rotterdam looked like before the destruction of WWII, take a tram to the nearby district of Delfshaven.
Day 7–Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands is the largest city in the Netherlands with about 800,000 people and a million bicycles. Yep, more bicycles than people! A bicycle is the perfect method of transportation for you to experience the sometimes charming, sometimes modern and innovative architecture, the relaxing canals, centuries of history, fabulous art, the infamous Red Light District, and the tranquil public parks.
Other things to do in Amsterdam:
Visit the Ann Frank Museum and remember the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Purchase tickets online to avoid long entrance lines.
Explore Museumplein in the Oui-Zuid district–The Van Gogh Museum featuring Vincent Van Gogh and friends; Museum het Rembrandthuis shows off Rembrand’s home, paintings, and etchings; Rijksmuseum exhibits Vermeer, Rembrandt and other Golden Age artists; and the Stedelijk Museum presents the more modern Matisses and Mondrians.
After visiting the museums walk a couple of blocks over to the Vondelpark, a beautiful respite from the busy city.
Head to Dam Square and visit the Dutch Royal House, the National Monument of the Dead, and Madame Tussauds.
Bike or boat the main canals surrounding the city center–the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and the posh Singel–enjoying the beautiful architecture.
Stroll Monday-Saturday during the day down the open-air, street closing Albert Cuypmarkt on Albert Cuypstraat frequented by locals and tourists alike.
There are other River Cruises that visit this area too.
I truly hope you enjoyed this tour of the Netherlands and Belgium. They are two gorgeous countries. I did want to mention that other river cruise companies do cruise to these countries and while they don’t have the same itinerary they visit some of the same cities and towns. Viking River Cruises (only adults) has a 10-day itinerary, Avalon and Tauck have an 8-day trip.
You can book for 2021 itineraries!
While these trips are cancelled for this season, now is a great time to start planning for 2021. I would love to answer any questions you may have. Contact me today!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Here are som other links you might be interested in:
Right now we are not able to travel, not able to see friends, not able to see family. While we are able to connect with family through online chats it is just not the same as being right there with them. This is a difficult time for so many people due to separation from loved ones, working in stressful environments saving lives, and uncertainty about the future. When we get through all this, and we will, you might want to plan a family vacation to reunite with the ones you love and have been away from. A cruise might be just the vacation you need!
The last couple of cruises we have taken have been with extended family from different parts of the country. Cruises provide an excellent opportunity for families to reconnect and make memories. Read on and discover why a cruise makes a good family reunion vacation!
What makes a Cruise Good for Family Reunions
Accomodations for every family size and budget
One reason a cruise is a good family reunion vacation is that there are many different types of accommodations to fit every budget. Every family in your group has the opportunity to book a room that fits their needs. For budget-conscious family members, less expensive inside cabins are available. For family members who like to be pampered on their vacations, they can choose concierge cabins or suites. Single, double and triple cabins are convenient options for smaller families. Large families might enjoy staterooms that sleep 5 or 6 which are on some ships. Plus there is always the option for each family to spread out a little while still being close in connecting cabins. The possibilities are vast and flexible.
A Good Value
Often cruises provide good value for your money. Everything is included for a wonderful vacation–exceptional accommodations, gourmet dining, and extensive onboard activities. Plus, cruise lines offer promotions at different times for free specialty dining, kids sailing free, or other perks.
Activities for Everyone
Ocean Cruises
Onboard ocean cruises there are activities of many different kinds that will appeal to all ages of your family. Having options for all different family members makes a cruise a good family reunion possibility.
For the kids, most ocean cruises ships have a specific program for them with their own area on the ship. The youth programs are even divided out by ages so teens and pre-teens don’t have to hang out with little kids. Age-appropriate events and activities are planned for each group.
For the adults, there is so much to do I can’t even list it all. Many planned activities during the day include deck parties, games in the sports courts, fitness classes, destination lectures, trivia, meet-ups, introductions to spa experiences, tournaments in the casino, bingo and so much more. In the evening, nightlife varies throughout the bars, lounges, theaters, and casino.
For families, there are scheduled events so families can have fun together. There might be games on the deck or sports courts, craft times, trivia or events in the youth areas. Each cruise line will have fun family activities but I will say that Disney Cruise Line puts a special focus on creating events and activities to bring families together.
River Cruises
River cruise ship activities depend on the cruise line. Some cater to families and therefore have activities for all ages (think Adventures by Disney with AmaWaterways) and some are only for adults (think Viking). But, on a river cruise the emphasis is on the ports and getting out to explore the country. Port excursions are included and on some lines (especially AmaWaterways) there is a nice variety of options that fit different activity levels.
Time together and time apart
Ocean cruise ships offer the opportunity for families to have as much time together and time apart as they wish. This is another benefit that makes a cruise a good family reunion vacation option. Part or all of your family can plan activities together during the day, plan to hang out in the same place, or just expect to see each other in passing throughout the day. You can arrange to eat all your meals together or only one a day as a time for everyone to catch up. In the evening, you can all attend the featured show together and then go your separate ways for the rest of the night. How much togetherness is all up to each family and what fits for them. Even on port days you can plan excursions together each stop, some stops, or separately. There is so much flexibility. This makes a cruise so fantastic for family reunions!
River cruises are similar but a little bit different. Each day is a port day. Every river cruise line differs but most plan a variety of shore excursions each day depending on activity level or interest. This is a fantastic opportunity for family members to have the outing each person (or family) wants and then everyone can reconvene for dinner that evening to share about their adventures.
Effortless Dining
So often it is very difficult to eat all together as a family. A cruise makes it so easy! Your family is assigned to the same tables in the same dining room each night (except Disney Cruise Line which as rotational dining). In the main dining rooms, they have very large tables that can seat 10, 12 or sometimes more. Plus, tables are fairly close together so if you need a few to seat your whole family you still within a nice distance. Another great feature is the diverse menu which can satisfy all members of your family. And, there is no having to deal with splitting up the bill.
Just so you know, eating in the main dining room each night is not required. The main dining room just guarantees a place for your family to be all together. The decision is up to each family.
Convenient Family Communication
If you are out of the country at a resort, communication between families can be difficult and expensive. Depending on your cruise line, ship communication with families aboard can be really easy. Cruise lines have apps that travelers can download and use for free while onboard. Often they have a communication feature that allows you to send messages to other family members. Currently, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offer this free on select ships. Disney Cruise Line, Holland America and Princess also have this feature at no additional cost. Norwegian and Carnival have a nominal fee to enable the messaging feature to their apps.
Easy planning
Well, planning is easy if you use a travel advisor. Your travel advisor will help you to pick the best cruise for your family based on the cruise line, destinations, promotions and Once you finalize the ship and itinerary, your travel advisor will also help by keeping track of the needs of each family. Often your travel advisor will create a particular group so that everyone can communicate important information before the cruise.
Do you have other reasons you enjoy a cruise for your family reunion? Let me know in the comments!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Royal Caribbean has some terrific promotions right now for travel later this year and 2021! A great opportunity to start planning your vacation.
60% off 2nd guest
30% off 3rd/4th guest
Kids 12 and under sail free (for sailing Sept 2020-Dec 2020 and Jan 2021-May2021)
Book by April 30, 2020 for departures later this year and next
Offer on selected sailings, terms and conditions do apply, and there are blackout sailings.
In March, I was able to spend some time at Disney World. Spending time at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has been a dream of mine for quite some time so I was thrilled when I realized that my planned trip coincided with this festival. Woohoo! I am so excited to share some pictures (well, quite a few actually) with you to give you a glimpse of Epcot during this time.
What’s the Flower and Garden Festival all about?
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival celebrates the beauty of flowers, plants and farm-fresh foods. Master gardeners plan all year to magically transform Epcot with beautiful topiaries, garden play areas, landscaping masterpieces and beautiful floral displays. This year (and maybe every year) there was a butterfly garden for visitors to learn about and enjoy the lives of butterflies. You might even have one land upon your head!
When is the Flower and Garden Festival?
Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival runs every year from the beginning of March through the end of May (sometimes a tad into June).
What’s new during the festival?
Amazing topiaries of Disney characters
Beautiful floral arrangements
Rest and play area gardens
Inventive/very creative landscaping
Garden scavenger hunt ($6.99 for map)
Easter egg hunt of Disney themed egg (during the couple weeks before Easter–$6.99 for map)
Guided tours of the gardens and the planning behind the beauty (additional cost)
Click here for a full list of the topiaries and gardens!
Let’s not forget the food!
Outdoor kitchens are another important part of the Flower and Garden Festival. You will find all different kinds of foods focusing on the delicious flavors of farm-fresh specialties. Enjoy flavors from around the world and local cuisines (such as yummy citrus and honey). These cute little booths dot the perimeter of the World Showcase Lagoon. Below are some pictures of a couple of the booths. You can see the 2020 menus here but every year you are treated to something different.
Delicous snacks in France
Drinks from Japan
Serving up yummy honey snacks was open the next day.
Plant-based selections from Impossible Foods
Pictures from Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2020
Bo Peeps Play Area over by the Test Track
A lovely garden play/rest area on the way to the World Showcase
A garden on the way to the World Showcase
See Tigger and Friends in the England Pavillion
A Topiara taste of China
Each animal of the Zodiak was crafted out of beans and seeds. So fascinating!
A beautiful garden of spices.
A lovely miniature garden.
Butterflies lead the way to the Butterfly Pavillion
Encounter hundreds of butterflies and learn about their life cycle.
One more thing–The Music!
Get your groove on in the American Garden Theater at the American Pavillion with the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Below is a schedule of the 2020 concert series. Each year has different performers and they schedule sometimes changes during the festival.
Rick Springfield — April 19 and 20
Christopher Cross — April 21 through 23
Plain White T’s — April 24 through 27
Don Felder – Formerly of The Eagles — April 28 through 30
Don McLean — May 1 and 2
Casting Crowns — May 3 and 4
Ambrosia with Peter Beckett — May 5 through 7
Thelma Houston — May 8 and 9
The Allman Betts Band – -May 10 and 11
Air Supply — May 12 through 14
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone — May 15 through 18
Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot — May 19 through 21
Claudia Leitte — May 22 and 23
Daughtry — May 24 and 25
Marshall Tucker Band — May 26 through 28
Crowder — May 29 and 30
Survivor — May 31 and June 1
Want to guarantee great seats for the concert? Book a Garden Rocks Dining Package! Dining is available at the Biergarten Restaurant, The Coral Reef Restaurant, The Garden Grill Restaurant, or the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. There is an additional cost or you can use 2 Table Service credits. With the package, you are able to choose one of three concert times for the evening. When you arrive at the concert you will be escorted to your special seats. What a great way to rock the night away!
Well, I hope that your imagination is brimming with excitement to see the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival for yourself someday. It was a fantastic visit for me and I am sure it will be for you too!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Other links you might find interesting:
Check out how Epcot celebrates Christmas in this post.
Find out what might be new to you at Disney World in this post.
**While now is not the time to travel, it is the perfect time to start figuring out when and where your next vacation will be. Check out our upcoming posts for some stunning travel inspiration. I hope that this post spurs your imagination and your bucket list. Read on to learn about some fantastic passport-free vacation destinations. **
Have you ever wanted to just jump on plane and get away to a relaxing beach? Did you have to think twice because you remembered that you didn’t have a passport? Well, pack those bags because there are a number of wonderful, relaxing tropical vacation destinations that you will not need to pack your US passport.
This blog will introduce you to 5 US Territories that would be fantastic options for your next vacation.
#1 U.S. Virgin Islands
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
This gorgeous Caribbean island group, which is just a few hours from Florida, thrives on tourism. The U.S. Virgin Islands has created a vast array of opportunities to satisfy any vacation style. Travelers can visit St. Croix, St. Thomas or the smaller St. John and explore white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, legendary diving and snorkeling, secluded coves, rainforests, world-class shopping, diverse dining, and so much more (or nothing at all). St. Croix and St. Thomas, the bigger islands, have a little more “action” where St. John strives to keep the civilization blending with nature. Accessible only by ferry from the larger islands, St. John is a little quieter especially since much of the island is set aside as a US National Park.
#2 Puerto Rico
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico street scene.
This Caribbean island is another excellent choice for a quick getaway or a longer stay as it is also just a few hours from Florida. Puerto Rico boasts stunning beaches, rainforests, and nature to explore, exciting nightlife, delicious food, vibrant culture, and fascinating history. A smorgasbord of activities for every visitor is available on this wonderful island. Check out this blog post for more about Puerto Rico.
#3 American Samoa
The Pacific Ocean is not without some terrific options for a vacation without an American passport. One such option is American Samoa. This island nation is one of the least touristy and most remote options, a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles. American Samoa is probably better for adventurous people. There aren’t any chain resorts but instead a small variety of nice family-run accommodations of different sizes and experiences. Relaxing the days away is one of the best activities on American Samoa. If you need a little more then there are some island tours, shopping, and dining that really immerses guests in the Polynesian culture. You can also explore the most remote US National park and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Since American Samoa is below the equator the hottest months are December and January and the coolest is July.
#4 Guam
A beach on Guam.
Due to the military presence, Guam is a relatively know destination but not usually considered for a vacation. But don’t let that stop you from booking your next vacation to this intriguing locale just a few hours from the Philipines. Guam is a fantastic place to experience another distinct culture and also wonderfully preserved World War II history. Combine that with the beautiful beaches, resorts, colorful marine life, many attractions, vivid entertainment, nightlife and places to eat and you have a recipe for one very exciting passport-free vacation destination!
#5 Northern Mariana Islands
Raise your hand if you have heard of the Northern Mariana Islands. This one is new to me but definitely now on my list. Even though they are a collection of 15 islands, 3 are the most popular- Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. There is so much to see and do on these little islands. Resorts and country clubs dot the spectacular beaches looking out over the vast ocean awaiting divers, snorkelers and other marine enthusiasts. Casinos, nightlife, activities, shopping, and dining also make up the civilized area. Head out of town a bit and discover untouched beauty. If you enjoy learning about history and cultures you can not only experience World War II artifacts and remnants but also the long archeological and prehistoric history of the Chamorro people.
Bonus Destinations
There are some other destinations that I would like to mention as great tropical destinations you obviously don’t need a U.S. passport because they are actual states:
Hawaiian Islands
Key West, Florida
Sanibel Island, Texas
Cruising Without a Passport
I also want to mention that there are a number of cruises that passports are not necessary for American citizens. If you have a closed loop cruise–meaning they cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port–certain itineraries are made up of countries in the Caribbean that do not require passports.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I DO NOT recommend doing this but it is possible. I always recommend you cruise with passports because if something happens while you are in one of the countries you are unable to fly back to the U.S. without a passport.
I hope this post has kick-started your imagination with these 5 beautiful and relaxing passport-free vacation destinations. We will travel again someday so enjoy dreaming as you wait!
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