Disney World recently announced their 2009 packages and dining plans. In reviewing the participating locations, it occurred to me that the restaurants at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort are not listed on either the quick service or sit-down dining establishments.

I contacted a representative at Disney to be sure this was not a mistake. Apparently, the restaurants at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort are operated by a third party company that decided not to participate in the 2009 Dining Plans.

Of course, this is subject to change and there are plenty of other restaurants around Walt Disney World that are available on the various dining plans. However, if you plan to stay at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort, you may want to take a closer look at each dining plan before deciding if one of the plans will work for you

Disney World‘s newest restaurant, The Wave, brings a surge of new and contemporary (pun intended) dining ideas. With drinks like the Antioxidant Cocktail, entrées such as whole-wheat linguine with clams, rock shrimp and fresh thyme in chunky tomato broth, and crispy almond-raisin “baklava” for dessert, you are in for a culinary treat!

Located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the new restaurant is “bold cooking inspired by fresh markets,” said Dieter Hannig, vice president of new concepts for Walt Disney World Food & Beverage. “America is more and more a melting pot, and The Wave features American cooking with world flavors.”

The Wave is located on the first floor of the hotel. You enter through a brushed steel arch “tunnel” into The Wave’s lounge, one of the largest at Walt Disney World Resort. The sleek, serene décor is earthy browns and golds, with frosted glass lamps for soft ambient light and a copper-colored metal ceiling. Banquettes and booths line the perimeter of the dining room, and wooden tables are set with white linen napkins. A large central table is draped in sheer fabric in purples and golds. This is NOT your ordinary resort bar!

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner since June 30, the 220-seat restaurant takes casual dining into the health-conscious 21st century. The classic American breakfast menu includes plenty of egg creations, but Guests also can make their own Wave muesli or sip a Beta Berry Smoothie with raspberry puree and non-fat yogurt blended with Odwalla Berries GoMega (a great source of Omega-3). The Pure Sunshine breakfast cocktail features organic vodka and orange juice topped with Vitamin Energy Drink. Coffee is organic Colombian (fair trade and “Smithsonian-certified bird-friendly”) and teas are whole leaf Pyramid bags in flavors from chamomile blossoms to monsoon chai.

At lunch, light eaters might enjoy lettuce wraps with sautéed lamb and bay scallops, or a lump crab cake with crispy papaya slaw. Entrées include oversized salads and a vegetarian sandwich with grilled tofu, roasted veggies and herb goat cheese on multi-grain bread, but Guests also can chow down on an Angus chuck burger with cheese and Applewood smoked bacon, or a classic grilled Reuben.

The dinner menu offers a delicious spin on comfort classics such as pan-seared Alaskan black cod with corn and edamame (soybean) stew with cilantro chutney; braised lamb shank with bulgur lentil stew and red wine sauce, and a nouvelle chicken pot pie with thyme pastry. Sides at both lunch and dinner include braised greens and roasted sweet potatoes and carrots.

Desserts continue the theme with a dozen choices for mixing and matching three mini-favorites for one price. From chocolate mousse with chocolate ganache, to yogurt sorbet with blueberry compote and coconut panna cotta with passion fruit, Guests can indulge their sweet tooth without a big hit in calories.

One of the most innovative aspects of The Wave is its wine program. With only screw cap wines, it is cutting-edge and supports sustainable agriculture, says Master Sommelier John Blazon, manager of wine sales and standards for Walt Disney World Resort.

“The surge in the use of the screw cap is nothing short of a revolution in wine packaging,” says Blazon. Industry experts say that the screw cap is the most significant technical evolution in the wine industry since the glass bottle was introduced 250 years ago.

And the options for screw cap wine are growing, said Blazon. The Wave serves no California wines (California Grill on the resort’s 15th floor has a corner on the California market), but instead focuses on bright-style New World wines from the Southern Hemisphere, including Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Sparkling wines from Tasmania, Rieslings from South Australia, floral New Wave whites from Argentina and Pinot Noirs from New Zealand are among the interesting choices, with 50 available by the glass. A flight of 3-ounce samplings and dessert wines, ports and sherries round out the wine list.

For beer fans, certified organic ales from Orlando Brewing are on the menu. Produced in Orlando, these handcrafted ales use only American-grown certified-organic barley malt. Three Orlando Brewery ales are available on tap, including Blonde Ale, Pale Ale and Blackwater Dry Porter. Also on the menu is gluten-free Redbridge lager.

Trendy cocktails are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start the day with a Pomegranate Splash (vodka, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry juice and soda water) or the Ultimate Bloody Mary (organic vodka, Bloody Mary mix and a dash of red chili sauce).

The Wave has become quite the “rave” so be sure to make reservations ahead of time and enjoy!

Have you or your favorite pirate has ever dreamed of sailing the seven seas in search of buried treasure? How about drifting off at night in a pirate-ship bed, dreaming of far away lands? Then a new option at Disney‘s Caribbean Beach Resort may be your dream come true!

Beginning in January 2009, 384 rooms in the Trinidad South village of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be transformed into Pirate Rooms. These special rooms feature two double beds, along with highly themed furniture, buccaneer accessories, and swashbuckling décor from stem to stern. They are sure to put you in the spirit of “The Pirates of the Caribbean!”

Live out your pirate dreams, and stay in one of these unique rooms. There’s nothing else like it this side of the seven seas!

Disney just announced an exciting new program for 2009 for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Disney wants to help celebrate your birthday! Every guest who visits one of the theme parks at either Walt Disney World or Disneyland on his or her actually birthday in 2009 can get in free! Of course, proof of your birthday will be required. To make it even easier, you can pre-register your birth date along with your arrival and departure dates ahead of time to speed up the process at the parks.

But what if you are an annual pass holder or your vacation package includes a length of stay pass? No worries! You can choose one of the following birthday gifts instead:

• A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a Walt Disney World Resort 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket or a Disneyland Resort 1-day/1-park Ticket to use on your birthday for merchandise and/or recreation. (terms and conditions apply). The fun card is not valid for food and beverages, Disney Gift Cards, Disney Dollars, alcohol, cigarettes, resort folios, or spa charges.
• A special birthday FASTPASS badge for certain attractions at the theme park you visit on your birthday or
• A Walt Disney World Resort 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket or a Disneyland Resort 1-day/1-park Ticket for use to use any time until your next birthday.

Acceptable forms of proof of your birthday for adults include: government issued passport, driver’s license, or government issued photo ID. Proof for minors includes any of the previously mentioned IDs in addition to an original or certified birth certificate. If you forget to bring the required proof of your birth date with you, you are out of luck as it is mandatory even if you pre-registered.

The catch is that you must visit on your true birthday, not the week before or two days later. But at least this makes choosing your travel dates a little easier and what a great place to celebrate your birthday!

It looks like now Tropical Storm Gustav is heading for the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier this morning it was Hurricane Gustav that smashed into the Dominican Republic killing 22+ people. Now it’s degraded to Tropical Storm Gustav and headed just north of Jamaca and then between Grand Cayman and Cuba where it is expected to clip the Western Cuba before heading into the Gulf of Mexico. As most people know who have lived in Florida and the coastal Hurricane vulnerable regions of the United States, Hurricanes and Tropical Storms can be very unpredictable so don’t count on anything.

For now, it appears very unlikely that Gustav will impact Disney World operations but if you have plans for a Disney World Vacation over the next week or so, you may want to keep an eye on this storm.

As Updates are available, they will be added here:

Here are some helpful links you can use to get the latest information on Gustav over the next few days:

• NOAA National Hurricane Center Gustav Update Page
• Caribbean and Gulf Area Marine Forcasts
• Gustav Images and Information Website

High Tech Comes to Epcot’s World Showcase with New Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure

In Walt Disney’s World continuing effort to bring more state of the art, interactive experiences to it’s theme parks, a new Epcot attraction will bring high tech to seven of the World Showcase countries.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Epcot guests at Walt Disney World Resort will be treated to a brand new, highly interactive attraction inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning animated series, Disney’s Kim Possible. The new experience is slated to premiere in late 2008.

Using the latest technology, Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to become secret agents, teaming up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions.

As guests embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official “Kimmunicator,” at kiosks throughout Epcot. The interactive, handheld device is designed to help them maneuver through the mission. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interactive device connects guests with a variety of Kim Possible characters who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world. The highly interactive devices also allow guests to control top-secret equipment hidden inside the World Showcase pavilions, creating an ultra-interactive adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.

Guests can play Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in seven of the World Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique mission including distinctive visual events and a different super villain from the animated series.

“Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is an exciting new experience that offers fun and excitement for the entire family,” said Jim MacPhee, Epcot vice president. “We are constantly exploring new ways to provide immersive experiences to Epcot guests, and this new offering will add to our dynamic portfolio.”

“Today’s emerging generation expects more immersive, personal and interactive experiences in every facet of their lives, including their entertainment choices,” added Bruce Vaughn, chief creative executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. “As leaders in family entertainment, Disney theme parks push the envelope by combining state-of-the-art technology with creative storytelling to enhance the overall Disney vacation experience.”

Epcot is a place of innovation, imagination, human achievement and endless possibilities. The park encompasses two “lands” of discovery: Future World, a showcase of new ideas and technology, and World Showcase, a kaleidoscope of nations celebrating cultural heritage, arts and entertainment. For more information, guests may call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com.

Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will open at Walt Disney World Resort during “The Year of a Million Dreams” celebration.

A worldwide hit for kids and families, Disney’s “Kim Possible” is an Emmy Award-winning animated series from creators/executive producers Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle and Walt Disney Television Animation. It tells the story of an average high school cheerleader, Kim Possible, who, in her spare time, happens to save the world from super villains. With the aid of her enthusiastic pals, this contemporary heroine is capable in ways few high school students ever imagine. On the flipside, she realizes that defeating the bad guys comes easier than coping with the typical teen pressures of schooling and socializing. Viewers’ connection to “Kim Possible” led to a successful off-TV franchise for The Walt Disney Company including Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable characters at Disney Parks & Resorts, DVDs, books, video games and Disney Consumer Product’s line of “Kim Possible” branded products available at mass retailers nationwide.

The Disney Wonder, returning from it’s 4-night cruise, was diverted to Port Everglades, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, because of the closing of Port Canaveral due to the effects from Tropical Storm Fay. Arriving passengers were bused back to Port Canaveral. Passengers departing today on the Disney Wonder were shuttled from the Orland International Airport or Port Canaveral to Port Everglades. The Disney Wonder is expected to return to it’s home port of Port Canaveral on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

As of 7:00pm on Thursday, August 21, 2008, Tropical Storm Fay is now crossing back over the State of Florida and is just North of Orlando moving to the West at near 5mph. Central Florida is expected to get soaked tonight with the Orlando area potentially receiving up to 15 inches. A Flash Flood warning has just been issued for the Orlando area so driving is not advisable!

Some excellent weather links for the latest images and information on Tropical Storm Fay:

• Click here is the latest report from NOAA on Tropical Storm Fay
• Click here for the latest Tropical Storm Fay track map
• Click here for the latest Tropical Fay radar image
• Click here for the latest real-time Satellite images of Tropical Storm Fay

Some excellent Tropical Storm Fay News and Information Pages and Articles:

• Tropical Fay story in the Orlando Sentinel
• Latest Tropical Storm Fay update from the Laughing Place
• WDW Disney Cruise Line Information Page
• AllEarsNet.com’s Tropical Storm Fay 2008 Page

Links to other recent Tropical Storm Fay updates from the Disney Travel Guru:

• Breaking Disney News – Tropical Storm Fay
• Disney Tropical Storm Fay Update

** Click Here for latest Tropical Storm Fay Update **

Tropical Weather Update

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Disney Cruise Line

The Disney Cruise Line® continues to monitor Tropical Storm Fay very closely.

Tropical Storm Fay has stalled along the eastern coast of Florida near our homeport of Port Canaveral, and its path is uncertain at this point.

For this reason, Port Canaveral has been closed by the Port Authority and the Aug. 21, 2008 sailing of the Disney Wonder® will set sail on its 3-night itinerary from Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Other than the departure port change, we do not anticipate any additional changes in the upcoming Disney Wonder itinerary. Transportation will be provided for Guests with transfers and those arriving by private vehicle at Port Canaveral. It is important that departing Guests park at our terminal in Port Canaveral as the ship is scheduled to return there on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.

The Disney Magic® is currently on a 15-night Panama Canal voyage and is scheduled to return to Port Canaveral on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008.

The safety and security of our Guests and Crew Members are always our top priority, and we monitor the weather very closely. If necessary, our Captains are always prepared to alter the ships’ courses or itineraries to navigate away from inclement weather.

Walt Disney World Resort

The Walt Disney World® Resort safely withstood the wind and rain associated with Tropical Storm Fay. We have returned to normal operations in all areas.

©Disney

** Click here for the latest Tropical Storm Fay Update **

Florida-Based Disney Destinations Tropical Weather Update Monday, August 18, 2008 Walt Disney World Resort The Walt Disney World® Resort continues to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Fay. Recent forecasts indicate that there likely will be rain and wind conditions that may affect operations as early as Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 19, 2008. At this time, the Walt Disney World Resort will be open and operating as usual. Additionally, to ensure our Guests have opportunities to enjoy our Parks and Downtown Disney® Area offerings, we will open early as follows: All four Theme Parks will open at 8:00 a.m. on Aug. 19 DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park will open at 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 19 AMC Theatres will open at 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 19 We will announce additional changes to our operations if the storm’s direction and intensity make it necessary to do so. Disney Cruise Line The Disney Cruise Line® continues to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Fay. At this time, there are no changes to the operations or itineraries. The Aug. 21, 2008, sailing of the Disney Wonder® will sail as scheduled from Port Canaveral. The safety and security of our Guests is always our top priority. If necessary, our Captains are always prepared to alter the ships’ course or itinerary to navigate away from inclement weather. ©Disney

Latest Update:
As of 8:00pm EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located slightly north of Key West moving North near 9mph with winds at 60mph. Current path projections show Tropical Storm Fay moving directly over Disney World sometime in the very early hours of Wednesday morning.

We will update this page as more information becomes available.

Bernadette Stark is a Certified Travel Agent and owner of Vacation Dreams Travel which specializes in Disney World and Disney Cruise Vacations.

Are you a Walt Disney World expert? Would you like to receive a complimentary trip to Walt Disney World this December? If you answered yes to these questions then you will need to mark September 8, 2008 on your calendar because that is the day that Walt Disney World will start accepting applications for new Disney Moms Panel!

Walt Disney World is looking for 16 individuals for their 2009 vacation advisor’s panel! This could be your opportunity to be a Walt Disney Mom (or Dad) and pass your Disney World expertise and advise on to others.

The Disney Mom’s have been putting out some excellent and helpful material on their website, and it’s great that they are going to be looking for input from everyday individuals and Disney fans like you! If this is something you are interested in, you can read more about this by clicking on this MomsPanel page.

There are minimal requirements such as:

• You must be 18 years or older
• You must have access to a computer and the Internet
• You must be familiar with Walt Disney World Resort and have visited at least once in the last 12 months
• Be fluent in English
• Complete 15 or more written responses per week
• Provide your opinions and feedback
• Must submit an autobiography and personal photo to be posted online
• Be available to travel to Walt Disney World Resort between December 5-9, 2008
• Be willing to participate in program for at least 12 months
• Not currently a Disney employee/cast member, or other direct affiliate

Full details and legal disclaimers are available at the MomsPanel website.

Bernadette Stark is a Certified Travel Agent and owner of Vacation Dreams Travel which specializes in Disney World and Disney Cruise Vacations.