Category: Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel: Holiday Season Activities

Escape the cold and join guests for Holiday Happenings at Santa’s favorite resort – the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is always one of my favorite places to visit during the Holiday Season, and this year their line-up of activities

During this month-long celebration, children and kids at heart can enjoy a magical holiday vacation experience at the Epcot Resort Area hotel with special holiday season room rates starting at $159 per night and this year’s activities line-up:

Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet ‘n Greets 

Decked out in their Florida vacation attire, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Kandy Kane meet guests in Santa’s customized Tiki Hut on select nights. Featuring reindeer, palm trees and flamingos, this holiday photo opportunity is like no other.

Life-Size Chocolate Holiday Santa Scene 

Constructed entirely of chocolate, this life-sized sculpture weighs in at approximately 2,000 pounds! The sculpture, created by the hotel’s executive pastry chef Laurent Branlard (the only two-time world pastry champion), is showcased in the lobby of the Swan. It features chocolate Santa sitting in his chair, a 7-foot tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker, chocolate fireplace, chocolate Christmas tree and chocolate toy train.  The scene will be displayed in the lobby of the hotel throughout December and is 100 percent edible. However, any chocolate lovers thinking of taking on the challenge of consuming this enormous sweet, should consider that it is 4 million calories! (By the way, the sculpture is not available for tasting!)

A Florida Snow Fall and Tree Lighting Ceremony

With the help of some holiday magic, guests can experience a snow fall in the comfort of the Dolphin lobby. Throughout December, the lobby is transformed into a festive holiday scene featuring a 45-ft tall Christmas tree surrounded by a holiday train set.  The scene is completed with regularly timed snow fall. This snow, however, requires no shoveling.  On select nights, guests can join Mrs. Claus for the lighting of the Christmas tree, followed by hot holiday beverages and crafts for kids at Santa’s Tiki Hut.

Bedtime Elf Tuck-Ins

Even after Santa’s elves have finished making presents, their work isn’t really finished! On December 24, a fully costumed elf will deliver milk, cookies, a plush toy and storybook to the room, read a bedtime story and tuck children into bed before Santa arrives. This premium service costs $59 for one child and $25 for each additional child. A service charge of 20 percent is added. Reservations are required and space is limited.

Dancing Lights Show

A dazzling musical light show transforms the outdoor causeway each evening into a holiday spectacle with dancing illuminated palm trees and favorite holiday tunes.

Holiday Entertainment

On select nights, guests can catch entertainment by carolers, choirs and musicians in the hotel lobbies, on the causeway and in other public areas throughout the hotel.

Magic Keys for Santa

How will Santa deliver presents to each guest room without a chimney? With a magic key! Children can hang a magic key on their door to help Santa find his way on Christmas Eve. Magic keys are available at the concierge desk.

 

Dessert Decorating and Holiday Movies

Throughout December, families can tune in to free holiday-themed movies either on their guest room televisions or, on select nights, on a large screen on the hotel’s private beach. Children can also decorate delicious holiday sweets in the lobby.

For more details about all the holiday excitement, including a full schedule of activities, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel or to make room reservations, please visit www.santasfavoriteresort.com or call 1-800-227-1500. Overnight rates start at $159 per night.

About the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel resides amongst the greatest theme parks and attractions in Central Florida. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney WorldResort, the extended park hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time for guests to enjoy select attractions (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required) and Disney FastPass+ service, where guests can reserve up to 3 select theme park experiences up to 60 days in advance of their visit. The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500, www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/swananddolphin.

 

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Four Seasons Resort Orlando:

Celebrate The Festive Holiday Season

This holiday season, for those in cooler climates willing to trade shovels and snow boots for palm trees and infinity pools, the second festive season at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is destined to be an unforgettable experience.  From a decadent gingerbread display in the lobby to holiday décor throughout the main resort areas, cooking and mixology classes, and many fun activities in Kids For All Seasons, Four Seasons offers something for everyone this holiday season.

Lobby Décor

The lobby will feature glorious holiday décor in elegant colours of plum and gold, complete with a grand 12-foot-tall (nearly 4-metre) Christmas tree in the lobby, wreaths and columns wrapped with garland, holiday-inspired floral arrangements, and more.  A gingerbread creation made by Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber will be a fun conversation starter, and Resort guests will enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cider daily from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.   The holiday décor will be in place from December 3, 2015 through January 3, 2016.  Plus, a separate gingerbread creation by Chef Saber will be on display at the Festival of Trees event at The Orlando Museum of Art from November 14-22, 2015.

Sweet Treats

From peppermint bark to gingerbread cookies, and even holiday gelato flavours of crushed candy cane, cinnamon stick, gingerbread, and more, the holidays are the perfect time to indulge.  Lickety Split will also offer the traditional Italian holiday bread panettone di Milano, holiday stollen, pistachio and cranberry bark, pecan toffee, mini mint chocolate cookies and more to satisfy a sweet tooth. At The Hideout’s own sweet shop, Scoop, complimentary cookies and ice cream will be offered each Friday and Saturday afternoon for Resort guests. Also, complimentary cookie decorating with Chef Rabii will be offered to Resort guests on select dates.

Kids For All Seasons

The Kids For All Seasons (KFAS) complimentary kids camp, open daily for ages 4-12 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, has an array of organized activities planned for Resort guests throughout the festive season.  From candy cane scavenger hunts to animal visits, timed races in the Lazy River, balloon art, face painting, and much more, the KFAS team has a thoughtfully orchestrated schedule to provide fun for all ages.   Kids will love the weekly holiday movies, from classics such as The Grinch Who Stole Christmas to Home Alone and Elf¸ plus making jingle bell necklaces and writing letters to Santa.

Grown-Up Delights

The young, and young at heart, surely love classes like candy making and cookie decorating. But, Four Seasonshas not forgotten about those who would love more of an “adult” class – hence, the complimentary Mixology Classes led by the Resort’s team of master mixologists. Guests ages 21 and older can enjoy how to mix up cocktails guaranteed to spread the holiday cheer.  Classes include:

• December 22, 2015, 3:00-4:00 pm, Plancha’s Slow Mulled Wine
• December 29, 2015 3:00-4:00 pm, PB&G’s Eggnog with a Twist

For those who don’t want to take a class, but would enjoy mixing and mingling with other guests, the Resort is offering complimentary “Wine Mixers” for 21 and older guests in the Winter Garden Atrium on Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. On December 24, 2015 the mixer will feature Holiday Wines, and on December 31, 2015 the mixer will feature New Year’s Eve Sparkling Wines.

In addition, the Resort will offer complimentary cooking demos for guests, including:

• December 21, 2015, 3:00-4:00 pm, Ravello presents “Cooking for Christmas”
• December 28, 2015, 3:00-4:00 pm, Capa presents “Sweet Sausage with Apples”

For Resort guests who don’t want to miss out on NFL games, The Lobby Bar will turn into the “Cigar City Fan Cave” during football games.  Table tennis and other games will be available in The Lobby Bar and a themed bar menu will be offered during the games.

Guests will also enjoy playing 18 holes on the picturesque Tranquilo Golf Club or unwinding with a Spa treatment at the 18-treatment room Spa. The Spa is offering several holiday treatments, including the Mistle-toes Pedicure & Manicure.

Holiday Dining

The resort offers several options for holiday dining.

• Christmas Day, December 25, 2015

Capa is offering an a la carte menu plus a USD 64 prime rib special.  Seatings are available from 4:00 to 10:00 pm. Ravello is offering a buffet brunch for USD 105 per adult and USD 35 per child. Seatings are available from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

• New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2015

Capa is offering a dinner with two seating options: a three-course pre-fixe seating between 5:00 and 7:00 pm, available for USD 155 per adult and USD 65 per child; or a second seating, a five-course pre-fixe menu, between 8:00 and 11:00 pm, at USD 295 per adult or USD 95 per child.  Both Capa seatings include access to the New Year’s Eve “After Party” in the Grand Ballroom, which will feature a DJ, dance floor, balloon drop and more. Desserts and appetisers are included and there is a cash bar available.

Ravello is offering a New Year’s Eve Buffet from 5:00 to 11:00 pm, for USD 125 per person and USD 45 per child.

• New Year’s Eve After Party

Admission to the after party, available exclusively for Resort guests and guests with restaurant reservations, is available for USD 75 per adult ages 21 and older and USD 35 per child and young adult ages 5 to 20.  Kids For All Seasons will host a special party on New Year’s Eve for children ages 4-12 for USD 95 per child and includes a children’s dinner buffet (Resort guests only).

For all holiday dining options and special events, space is limited and reservations are based on availability; for reservation inquiries, call 407 313 6161.

Gifts

Four Seasons lobby level boutiques, Wardrobe and Fable, offer an array of options perfect for gift giving.  From fabulous outfits, chic accessories, Four Seasons logo apparel and more, there are numerous choices at all price levels. In addition, gift cards are available for purchase at the Resort’s front desk in any dollar amount.  Gift cards can be redeemed at Four Seasons Resort Orlando for overnight stays, treatments at The Spa, golf at Tranquilo Golf Club, shopping at the boutiques or any of the Resort’s dining outlets.

Festive Reservations

Guests of Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort enjoy complimentary transportation in the Four Seasons motor coach to Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In addition to enjoying all the nearby Disney attractions, a highlight of Four Seasons Resort Orlando is the five-acre (two hectare) Explorer Island water park, including a winding Lazy River complete with a rapids section, two water slides, an interactive splash zone with water cannons, and much more.  The Kids For All Seasons program offers organized activities for children ages 4-12, and is complimentary.  Adults will enjoy the adult-only pool, 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed Tranquilo Golf Club, and The Spa at Four Seasons. Recreational pursuits for guests of all ages are sure to provide ample entertainment. For more information on reservations, visit the web site or call 1 800 267 3046.

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Four Seasons Resort Orlando:

Couples Weeks Return

A couples package plus dedicated adult-only offerings ensures an ideal couples escape to Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Central Florida’s only AAA Five-Diamond resort

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a couples paradise, with amenities including a lakeside infinity-edge adult only pool, Tranquilo Golf Club, and an 18-treatment room Spa with six couples’ suites.  In September 2015, the Resort launched a new Couples Stay and Play package and special Couples Weeks. Now, Couples Weeks are back for December 1-17, 2015, and select dates in 2016, providing additional reasons to enjoy an adult-only getaway.

Couples Weeks feature added offerings, including twice-weekly mixology classes so couples can “shake and stir” things up, as well as Dinner & A Movie nights. Every Friday night throughout the select Couples Weeks, a romantic comedy will be shown poolside at The Oasis adult-only pool, with the option of ordering poolside dinner.  Also, The Oasis adult-only pool for guests ages 21 and older will offer extra complimentary amenities, such as infused fruits, each afternoon.  Movies for December Couples Weeks include Crazy Stupid Love on December 4, and 500 Days of Summer on December 11.

Mixology Classes
Mixology classes let couples have a little fun while enjoying some delicious cocktails of their own creation.  All classes are held in the Resort’s Demonstration Kitchen. The Couples Weeks mixology schedule is:

• Wednesday, December 2 – Capa presents: Learn how to make a warm Spanish dessert cocktail
• Saturday, December 5 – PB&G presents: Mix it up with PB&G’s eggnog with a twist
• Wednesday, December 9 – Plancha presents: Discover how to make a delicious slow mulled wine
• Saturday, December 12 – Ravello presents Café Amare: Enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up with this coffee-based cocktail, an Italian twist on a hot toddy
• Wednesday, December 16 – The Lobby Bar presents North Star Nog:  Time to open up the spice rack! Indulge in this modern take on a holiday favourite with an added kick

Massage 101 Classes at The Spa

Couples can enjoy the benefits of therapeutic touch and learn techniques of massage at a special Massage 101 class at The Spa. A talented team of Spa professionals will guide participants through pressure points, assisted stretching and more to alleviate muscle tension, relieve stress, and connect with their loved one. Classes are offered to guests on December 3, 10 and 17 at 3:00 pm.

 

Couples Stay and Play Package

The Couples Stay and Play package includes two welcome cocktails, daily breakfast in bed for two, a guaranteed late check out of 2:00 pm to enjoy extra time to sleep in, unlimited in-room movies, plus the couple’s choice of a 50-minute Spa treatment for two, a golf lesson for two, or a tennis lesson for two.   

“This package gives couples the perfect excuse to check in without kids in tow,” says Thomas Steinhauer, General Manager. “It’s true there’s a lot for families to do in Orlando, but there’s also so much fun for adults to experience.”

The fun Steinhauer references includes the Disney theme parks and more – from fine dining at one of the Resort’ssix restaurants to enjoying the sumptuous spa and many recreation offerings, Four Seasons offers something to appeal to many couples’ interests.

Couples Weeks Calendar

Whether celebrating an anniversary, babymoon, mini-moon, reigniting the spark or just for fun (perhaps an early holiday treat!), Couples Weeks have never been more ideal.  Couples checking in December 3-17 will enjoy experiencing the Resort’s spectacular holiday décor and grand Christmas tree in the main lobby.  Couples Weeks are offered December 1 through 17, 2015.  Additional Couples Weeks dates for 2016 include January 4 through February 8, and April 27 through May 26.  The specific calendars of events for 2016 Couples Weeks will be released soon.  For reservations: 1 800 267 3046.

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Disney Vacation Club News:

Exclusive PANDORA Charm Available December 8, 2015

The Disney Vacation Club is expanding their designer merchandise available exclusively to DVC Members as a new charm from PANDORA Jewelry will be coming to Disney Parks and the online Member Marketplace just in time for the holiday season!

Created with Members in mind, the new PANDORA dangle charm is eye-catching and crafted in sterling silver, inlayed with blue enamel composition, featuring the Disney Vacation Club logo. The charm attaches to PANDORA bracelets, sold separately from the charm, and is an ideal holiday gift for PANDORA fans of all ages.

Available beginning December 8, 2015, the Disney Vacation Club charm will be available in PANDORA locations across Disney Parks as well in the online Member Marketplace, while supplies last.

For more information, please visit the Member Benefits & More section located under the My DVC Membership tab on disneyvacationclub.com.

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Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Announces Addition of Carnival Corner for Sixth Annual Food & Wine Classic

Expanding on the expansive list of delectable culinary offerings, wines from around the world and celebrity chef appearances, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will add an all-new fair-themed food area, Carnival Corner, to its lineup for the event’s sixth year at the Epcot Resort Area hotel. The festival’s newest section will serve specialty carnival fare from themed food trucks.

The area will offer the nostalgic childhood-inspired comfort foods, corn dogs and funnel cakes. For a twist on the traditional and for the first time at the event, guests can enjoy nitro kettle corn, a special kettle corn recipe served smoking with liquid nitrogen.

Guests looking to revisit their younger days with an adult twist can enjoy prosecco, served in a variety of exciting colors and flavors.

Access to Carnival Corner will be included in the standard admission to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually.  For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

About the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel resides amongst the greatest theme parks and attractions in Central Florida. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, the extended park hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time for guests to enjoy select attractions (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required) and Disney FastPass+ service, where guests can reserve up to 3 select theme park experiences up to 60 days in advance of their visit. The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500, www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook.

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