On a recent trip to Florida I decided it would be a good idea to visit Walt Disney World since it had been quite a few years since my last visit. My time was limited, so I had to choose one park to tour. Most of my clients like to visit the Magic Kingdom, making my decision easy. I discovered there is a science to tackling the Magic Kingdom in just one day.
Most people don’t realize how large the Disney World complex really is. It is the world’s largest and most visited recreational resort. The Walt Disney World complex encompasses over 30,000 acres or 47 square miles and includes four theme parks, two water parks and 26 hotels. In addition Disney offers several golf courses, a downtown area, sports complex, and a speedway.
When arriving by car it is a good idea to arrive at the main entrance to Disney at least one hour prior to the park opening. Park hours change constantly, so be sure to check the website (www.waltdisneyworld.com) for the hours during your stay. It takes quite a bit of time to drive from the main gate, park the car, and get to the entrance of the park. There are several steps to getting into the Magic Kingdom. First, you have to pay for parking at the main entrance, and then drive to the lot and park. Next, a tram takes you to the ticket counters, security check area and entrance gates. Then you have a choice of transportation to the Magic Kingdom, either the monorail or the ferry. We chose the monorail as I think the lines were shorter and the monorails move quicker than the ferries.
It is best to have a park map prior to arriving (this can be downloaded from the website) so that you can discuss with your family the attractions they would like to see most. Located on Main Street, before reaching Cinderella’s castle you will see a big board on the left side of the street. This board will tell you which rides will be closed for the day, which offer the Fast Pass, and waiting times for the most popular rides. There is always a cast member at the board to answer questions and give directions.
The Fast Pass is a wonderful and free option that Disney offers on about 9 of their attractions. The way it works is that you scan your entrance ticket at the Fast Pass kiosk at the ride you are interested in. A Fast Pass ticket prints out with a one hour time frame in which you are to return to the ride. When you return during that time, instead of waiting in a long line you are directed to a shorter line, and usually walk right on the ride. I highly recommend using this option as much as possible. The one catch is that you can only get a second Fast Pass toward the ending time on your first one.
Some of the most popular rides are Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, and Space Mountain. If the information board shows any of these with a low wait time I suggest visiting them first. Then it is important to carefully choose which rides you will use a Fast Pass on and plan your day accordingly.
I hope these tips help you to make the most of your day at Disney. With so many Disney options, it is best to seek a professional’s help to ensure the best vacation for your family. For more information, contact us at 847-966-0800 or visit our website at www.completetvl.com.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Aloha Hawaii
In the world of travel, all islands are not the same. The Hawaiian Islands are my absolute favorite travel destination. From the fresh floral air that hits you the minute you step off of the plane to the warm tranquil waters, there is no other place like it. Each island is unique and offers a distinct experience.
The island of Oahu is the main hub for Hawaii, as most flights from the mainland stop there first. Sometimes called “the gathering place,” Oahu is the home to the majority of Hawaii’s population. With its combination of city and country this island offers a little something for everyone. The Ala Moana Center is one of America’s largest outdoor shopping malls offering everything from high-end stores to local specialty shops. The International Marketplace features over 130 artisan stands and Hawaiian accessory stores and is a must-do on the vacation check list. The famous Waikiki beach is a great place to pick up a surf lesson or just splash around in the calm blue waters. I usually don’t recommend renting a car for the full duration of your time on this island, as parking is expensive and limited. Most of the larger hotels have a car rental desk where you can rent for one day and take a drive around the island to the North Shore, which is where you will see huge waves and professional surfers. Climb Diamond Head crater if you dare, or take a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about all of the South Pacific islands and their history. Of course a trip to Oahu is not complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. There you will hear the history of the Day of Infamy and be moved by the USS Arizona memorial. It is a place you will never forget.
Next stop is Maui, “The Magic Isle” and my personal favorite for its beauty and beaches. One of the most scenic drives in the world is on the island of Maui. The famous “Road to Hana” consists of 600 curves and 54 bridges (many of them one lane) and is only 52 miles long from Kahului. Believe it or not, this trip will take between two to four hours one way! Along the way there are several waterfalls, flourishing rainforests, and dramatic seascapes. If you dare drive this route yourself, leave early and pack a picnic lunch, as this will be an all day affair. Be sure to make several stops along the way to savor the beauty. Stroll through the Botanical gardens, walk along the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, and take a plunge in the “Seven Sacred Pools” also called “Pools of Oheo”. The awesome beach in Napili is a great place for beginner snorkelers, as the water is calm and there are several species of fish to see.
On to Kauai, “The Garden Isle” and the most lush and green of all of the islands. While this island gets over 400 inches of rain each year, most showers only last a few minutes and create beautiful rainbows. Many movies such as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Arc, and Avatar were filmed on this tropical island. Waimea Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific; here you can hike a trail or just gaze from a scenic overlook. Poipu beach is a lovely white sand beach, perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
The big island of Hawaii is famous for Volcanoes National Park. This is the newest and largest of the Hawaiian chain and is still growing due to its active volcano, Kilauea. Half of Hawaii is green and tropical with waterfalls and rain forests, and the other half is a volcanic dessert of snow-capped mountaintops and black sand beaches. Kona is home to several coffee farms as well as historic landmarks. The original leader of Hawaii, King Kamehamea, spent his final years in Kona. There are two airports on Hawaii, one in Kona, which is closest to most of the resorts, and the other in Hilo, which is closest to Volcanoes National Park. Several tour operators offer day tours to the island of Hawaii from Maui.
Lastly are the quiet islands of Lanai and Molokai. Only nine miles from Maui, Lanai is very laid back and only has a few hotel choices. You will not find one traffic light on Lanai, but there are two champion-level golf courses. Molokai is most famous for Father Damien’s work with Hansen’s disease (Leprosy) sufferers. It is often called the Hawaiian island where time seems to have stood still, and where the Hula was born.
If you would like help planning your next trip to Hawaii, contact us at 847-966-0800 or visit our website www.completetvl.com.
The island of Oahu is the main hub for Hawaii, as most flights from the mainland stop there first. Sometimes called “the gathering place,” Oahu is the home to the majority of Hawaii’s population. With its combination of city and country this island offers a little something for everyone. The Ala Moana Center is one of America’s largest outdoor shopping malls offering everything from high-end stores to local specialty shops. The International Marketplace features over 130 artisan stands and Hawaiian accessory stores and is a must-do on the vacation check list. The famous Waikiki beach is a great place to pick up a surf lesson or just splash around in the calm blue waters. I usually don’t recommend renting a car for the full duration of your time on this island, as parking is expensive and limited. Most of the larger hotels have a car rental desk where you can rent for one day and take a drive around the island to the North Shore, which is where you will see huge waves and professional surfers. Climb Diamond Head crater if you dare, or take a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about all of the South Pacific islands and their history. Of course a trip to Oahu is not complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. There you will hear the history of the Day of Infamy and be moved by the USS Arizona memorial. It is a place you will never forget.
Next stop is Maui, “The Magic Isle” and my personal favorite for its beauty and beaches. One of the most scenic drives in the world is on the island of Maui. The famous “Road to Hana” consists of 600 curves and 54 bridges (many of them one lane) and is only 52 miles long from Kahului. Believe it or not, this trip will take between two to four hours one way! Along the way there are several waterfalls, flourishing rainforests, and dramatic seascapes. If you dare drive this route yourself, leave early and pack a picnic lunch, as this will be an all day affair. Be sure to make several stops along the way to savor the beauty. Stroll through the Botanical gardens, walk along the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, and take a plunge in the “Seven Sacred Pools” also called “Pools of Oheo”. The awesome beach in Napili is a great place for beginner snorkelers, as the water is calm and there are several species of fish to see.
On to Kauai, “The Garden Isle” and the most lush and green of all of the islands. While this island gets over 400 inches of rain each year, most showers only last a few minutes and create beautiful rainbows. Many movies such as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Arc, and Avatar were filmed on this tropical island. Waimea Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific; here you can hike a trail or just gaze from a scenic overlook. Poipu beach is a lovely white sand beach, perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
The big island of Hawaii is famous for Volcanoes National Park. This is the newest and largest of the Hawaiian chain and is still growing due to its active volcano, Kilauea. Half of Hawaii is green and tropical with waterfalls and rain forests, and the other half is a volcanic dessert of snow-capped mountaintops and black sand beaches. Kona is home to several coffee farms as well as historic landmarks. The original leader of Hawaii, King Kamehamea, spent his final years in Kona. There are two airports on Hawaii, one in Kona, which is closest to most of the resorts, and the other in Hilo, which is closest to Volcanoes National Park. Several tour operators offer day tours to the island of Hawaii from Maui.
Lastly are the quiet islands of Lanai and Molokai. Only nine miles from Maui, Lanai is very laid back and only has a few hotel choices. You will not find one traffic light on Lanai, but there are two champion-level golf courses. Molokai is most famous for Father Damien’s work with Hansen’s disease (Leprosy) sufferers. It is often called the Hawaiian island where time seems to have stood still, and where the Hula was born.
If you would like help planning your next trip to Hawaii, contact us at 847-966-0800 or visit our website www.completetvl.com.
Foreign Funds
There is one question that always comes up when clients book their foreign travel, “how will I pay for things once I get there”? Depending on the destination, there are several options for US travelers.
Travelers checks seem to be used less, as more and more people opt to use their bank debit cards with automatic teller machines to obtain foreign currency. Most ATM machines throughout Europe and Asia work the same as in the United States. It is best to check with your bank before you travel to find out what fees will be accessed to your account for foreign withdrawals. Once on the trip, look for bank ATMs as they have less fees than other types of ATMs.
Several European countries are now using chip and PIN cards. This means that the ATM or credit card has a microchip inside that authorizes transactions. Some automated machines simply do not accept cards that don’t have the chip. This is most common in parking garages, toll booths and some train stations. It is best to have a PIN assigned to your card by calling your bank or credit card company before you travel to avoid any problems while abroad.
Most travel agencies and banks offer preloaded debit cards. You can choose how much you would like to load the card with, and not have to worry about going over your limit. Of course most credit cards are accepted in other countries, with the exception of Discover card which is only used in the US. It is always a good idea to notify your credit card company of any upcoming travel so that they do not block your card for unusual activity. You may want to bring two different credit cards along in case one has a problem.
Nineteen European countries, and more than 330 million people are currently using the Euro. This makes it easy when traveling to more than one of the European Union countries using the Euro because you no longer need to convert money each time you cross a border. Several European countries do not use the Euro, these include the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Croatia. In those destinations it is best to use your debit or credit card.
Places like Mexico and the Caribbean accept the US dollar. I always recommend to my clients to bring along small bills as it is difficult for stores and restaurants to break larger bills, and you will avoid getting a lot of change in the local currency.
Be sure when traveling to keep your cash and credit cards in a safe place. It is a good idea to separate your cash so that you are not bringing out a large sum of money when making purchases. Ladies should make sure they have a purse with a zipper and wear it in front if possible. Men should place their wallet in their front pocket to avoid pick pockets.
I hope these tips make your next trip easier on the wallet. For more information on Complete Travel and Cruises, contact us at 847-966-0800 or visit our website at www.completetvl.com .
Travelers checks seem to be used less, as more and more people opt to use their bank debit cards with automatic teller machines to obtain foreign currency. Most ATM machines throughout Europe and Asia work the same as in the United States. It is best to check with your bank before you travel to find out what fees will be accessed to your account for foreign withdrawals. Once on the trip, look for bank ATMs as they have less fees than other types of ATMs.
Several European countries are now using chip and PIN cards. This means that the ATM or credit card has a microchip inside that authorizes transactions. Some automated machines simply do not accept cards that don’t have the chip. This is most common in parking garages, toll booths and some train stations. It is best to have a PIN assigned to your card by calling your bank or credit card company before you travel to avoid any problems while abroad.
Most travel agencies and banks offer preloaded debit cards. You can choose how much you would like to load the card with, and not have to worry about going over your limit. Of course most credit cards are accepted in other countries, with the exception of Discover card which is only used in the US. It is always a good idea to notify your credit card company of any upcoming travel so that they do not block your card for unusual activity. You may want to bring two different credit cards along in case one has a problem.
Nineteen European countries, and more than 330 million people are currently using the Euro. This makes it easy when traveling to more than one of the European Union countries using the Euro because you no longer need to convert money each time you cross a border. Several European countries do not use the Euro, these include the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Croatia. In those destinations it is best to use your debit or credit card.
Places like Mexico and the Caribbean accept the US dollar. I always recommend to my clients to bring along small bills as it is difficult for stores and restaurants to break larger bills, and you will avoid getting a lot of change in the local currency.
Be sure when traveling to keep your cash and credit cards in a safe place. It is a good idea to separate your cash so that you are not bringing out a large sum of money when making purchases. Ladies should make sure they have a purse with a zipper and wear it in front if possible. Men should place their wallet in their front pocket to avoid pick pockets.
I hope these tips make your next trip easier on the wallet. For more information on Complete Travel and Cruises, contact us at 847-966-0800 or visit our website at www.completetvl.com .
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