Travel with the Whitakers

The Disneyland Diamond Celebration makes an already magical experience even more, well – Magical. Both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure are decked out in Diamonds and feature special treats and merchandise for the 60 th Anniversary. Even before you make it into the parking lots you are greeted by street banners and towering spirals boasting the celebration. If you park in either the Mickey and Friends parking structure or the Pinocchio parking lot and are going to take the tram to the park entrances you will be able to see Mickey and Minnie’s billboard – here they invite you to their dazzling party. Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and the Carthay Circle Theater in Disney’s California Adventure are draped in finery for the occasion and a large 60 th Celebration sign sits in front of the Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station. Special treats are available at various locations throughout the parks to include cupcakes at the Fifer, Fiddler,...

World Showcase at Epcot is a great spot to learn about culture – especially through food. Each of the 11 countries has at least one place to find cultural culinary delights. The Germany Pavilion is located between the Italy Pavilion and the African Outpost. Biergarten is a German buffet that serves lunch and dinner in a unique setting. The restaurant is located in the very back of the pavilion and is easy to overlook if you don’t know what you’re looking for.   The check-in desk is just under the left arch and once you check in enjoy the mural on the back wall while you wait to be seated.    When your pager goes off a cultural ambassador will transport you to their native land. The inside of the restaurant is themed as a Bavarian town at night. Throughout the day Oktoberfest type entertainment is performed live. A band in lederhosen plays water glasses, alpenhorns, and traditional polka music. Guests are welcome and invited to show off their p...

Magicbands and Fastpass+ go hand in hand and are now both a big part of at least most Disney World vacations now. There are a lot of concerns out there in regards to both and we'll try to address them here. Magicbands have been around for our last two trips, but we have only used them on this last trip in January. In September 2013 Magicbands were finishing up their testing phase and were not yet included for those at All-Star Resorts. When we first learned about Magicbands and Fastpass+ we had some concerns and didn't really know what to think about them. Having experience with them both now we like them. What are Magicbands? Magicbands are RFID bracelets that are customizable and adjustable that are used for park entrance, hotel room access, charging for purchases, Fastpasses, and Photopass. Who can get a Magicband? In the past all Disney World Resort guests were given a Key to the World card. Magicbands have replaced these cards. If you ate staying at a ...