NCL Limited-Time Offer

-  February 13-29th only!

-  Choose 2 FREE offers when booking an Oceanview, Balcony or Mini-Suite

- Book a Suite or The Haven and get all 4 offers for FREE

Contact me, Matthew Dobeck of Mondrian Cruises for more details and to book this offer.  mattdobeck@outlook.com or 954-798-6573

 Booking Window: 2/13/16 – 2/29/16 at 11:59pm EST

Applicable Sailings: 5 days or longer sailings booked greater than 30 days prior to sailing 

Other terms and conditions apply.

Extra Magic Hours - Walt Disney World Resort

When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel at Walt Disney World in Florida, there are many "extra" perks, one of which is the ability to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours.  

Extra Magic Hours allow resort guests extra time in the theme parks.  Each day of the year, one of the four theme parks either opens early or stays open late just for resort guests.  The four parks include Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.  If the park opens early, only those guest with a resort reservation will be allowed entry.  If the park stays open late, then all guests without a resort reservation are not able to access the rides and attractions.  This is a wonderful benefit as it allows you to ride your favorite rides without a huge wait time.  

It's important to plan ahead as only one park offers Extra Magic Hours each day and the times vary.  You can see Extra Magic Hours schedule at the Walt Disney World website.  Park hours are normally updated 180 days in advance.  

Guests of the following resorts and hotels are allowing this benefit:

Walt Disney World owned and Operated Resorts
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Shades of Green
Residents and Guests of Golden Oak at the Walt Disney World Resort

Keep in mind that only certain rides and attractions are available during Extra Magic Hours and FastPass+ is normally not an option during this time.

Please contact me, Matthew Dobeck of Mondrian Travel, to plan your first (or next) Walt Disney World Vacation.  954-798-6573 or mattdobeck@outlook.com

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort - Overview

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is a Moderate level resort located directly on the Walt Disney World property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  It is owned and operated by Walt Disney World.

This resort is a campground that offers sites for camping as well as modern cabins.  It is nestled on 750 acres of woodlands teaming with wildlife.  Among the resort's various amenities, there are woodland trails, a white sand beach, pools and entertainment.

Resort features:
Meadows Pool - corkscrew waterslide, whirlpool spa and kiddie pool
Wilderness Swimmin' Pool - quiet pool with a whirlpool spa
Archery Experience - fun for all ages
Circle D Ranch - animal encounters
Holiday Sleigh Rides
Pony Rides
Wagon Rides
Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-along - roast marshmallows at this old-fashioned fun event
Movies Under the Stars
Motorized Boat, Canoe and Kayak Rentals
Waterskiing
Fishing
Bike Rentals
Daniel Boone's Wilderness Arcade
Wilderness Back Trail Adventure - segway tour on the back roads

Dining Options:
Trail's End Restaurant - buffet and casual dining restaurant featuring American cuisine
P & J's Southern Takeout - Quick Service restaurant featuring American cuisine
Meadow Snack Bar - light fare and snacks

Dining Events:
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue - Wild West themed dinner show
Mickey's Backyard BBQ - Character Dining with BBQ buffet

Lounge:
Crockett's Tavern - drinks and light fare

Resort Room Types:
Cabin - sleeps 6 + infant (accessible cabins available)
Full Hook-Up Campsite - 1 RV + 1 tent or 2 tents
Preferred Campsite - 1 RV + 1 tent or 2 tents
Premium Campsite - 1 RV
Tent or Pop-Up Campsite - 1 Pop-Up vehicle + 1 tent or 2 tents

Cabins are modern with a full kitchen, bath and separate living and bedroom areas.
All camp sites include fresh water, electric and sewer hookups as well as Cable TV.  Some areas allow pets (must be noted at the time of booking) and there are full service shower and bathroom areas throughout the camping area.

Resort Amenities:
Electrical Water Pageant - nightly water show
Walt Disney World Theme Park Transportation - bus and boat
Disney's Magical Express - round trip transportation from Orlando International Airport
Complimentary Wifi
Complimentary parking at the resort and theme parks
Childcare services
Self-service laundry facilities

Please feel free to contact me, Matthew Dobeck at Mondrian Travel,  if you need additional information regarding this resort or any other resorts available at Walt Disney World.  I would be happy to help you plan your next visit.  954-798-6573 or mattdobeck@outlook.com

Please note that the features and amenities listed are not exhaustive and is only representative of the resort at the date of this blog entry.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Overview

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a Deluxe resort hotel located directly on the Walt Disney World property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  It is owned and operated by Walt Disney World.

This Africa-themed resort provides views of four lush savannas that contain over 200 animals in over 30 species.  The resort also boasts the largest collection of African art in the United States.

Resort features:
Uzima Pool - 11,000 square feet with water-slide, children's wading pool and two whirlpool spas
Samawati Springs Pool - water-slide and 2 whirlpool spas
Uwanja Camp - animal observation site with a water playground
Simba's Clubhouse -Indoor children's activity center
Jambo House Campfire
Zahanati Massage and Fitness Center

Dining options:
Jiko - The Cooking Place - a signature restaurant featuring African cuisine
Boma - Flavors of Africa - buffet and family style restaurant featuring African and American cuisine.
Sanaa - restaurant offering African and Indian cuisine
The Mara - Quick Service restaurant featuring African and American cuisine
Maji Pool Bar - drinks as well as Quick Service African and American cuisine
Uzima Springs Pool Bar - drinks as well as Quick Service American cuisine
Room Service - available 24 hours

Dining Events:
Dine with an Animal Specialist - 4-course lunch at Sanaa with an animal expert
Jiko Wine Tasting - wine and cheese pairing at Jiko - The Cooking Place
Wanyama Safari - private safari with meal at Jiko - the Cooking Place

Lounges:
Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar - features South African wines and appetizers
Victoria Falls Lounge - full bar with outdoor fire pit

Resort Room Types:
Standard View - Sleeps 4 + infant
Pool View - Sleeps 4+ infant
Pool View with Bunk Bed - Sleeps 4+ infant
Savanna View - Sleeps 4 + infant
Savanna View with Bunk Bed - Sleeps 4 + infant
Savanna View Club Level - Sleeps 4 + infant
1 Bedroom Suite Club Level - Sleeps 6+ infant
2 Bedroom Suite Club Level - Sleeps 8 + infant
Royal Asante Presidential Suite Club Level Access - Sleeps 8 + infant
(Accessible Rooms are available in many of the types)

Resort Amenities:
Walt Disney World Theme Park transportation - bus
Disney's Magical Express - round trip transportation from Orlando International Airport
Complimentary Wifi
Complimentary parking at resort and theme parks
Valet Parking
Childcare services 
Laundry and Dry Cleaning services - self service as well as professional

Please feel free to contact me, Matthew Dobeck at Mondrian Travel,  if you need additional information regarding this resort or any other resorts available at Walt Disney World.  I would be happy to help you plan your next visit.  954-798-6573 or mattdobeck@outlook.com

Please note that the features and amenities listed are not exhaustive and is only representative of the resort at the date of this blog entry.

Walt Disney World Resort Florida - Disney Dining Plan 101

If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you should definitely consider staying at a Walt Disney World owned and operated resort and add one of the Disney dining plans.  These plans allow you to dine at your choice of nearly all the restaurants located in the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts.  

There are five different plans available with a range of pricing.  A few times a year, Walt Disney World comes out with special offers that include a dining plan included free with your resort stay.  The dining plans provides each person on the reservation a set of dining "entitlements", which are like credits, that can be used at the majority of restaurants and snack locations at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and resorts.  

I'd like to outline the dining plan options available and also give you some tips and facts regarding how these plans work.  Unfortunately, as pricing can vary, I won't be including that, but I will explain how you can view the cost of the plans prior to making a reservation on the Walt Disney World website..  

Walt Disney World restaurant and entitlement type names:

Quick Service - This is a restaurant where you order your food at a counter and then find your own table.  These locations do not accept reservations.  You can also often use Quick Service dining entitlements at snack bar locations as well.

Table Service - This is a restaurant where you are assigned a table, order from a menu and have the service of waitstaff.  Reservations are highly suggested at Table Service restaurants.

Snacks - Snacks may be obtained at snack bars and most Quick Service restaurants.

Here are the dining plan options currently available for 2016:

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan - Offers 2 Quick Service and 1 Snack entitlement per person, per day.  Details for this plan are here.  

Disney Dining Plan - Offers 1 Table Service, 1 Quick Service and 1 Snack entitlement per person, per day. Details for this plan are here.

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan - Offers a total of 3 meal entitlements for use at either Table Service or Quick Service locations and 2 Snack entitlements per person, per day.  Details for this plan are here.

Disney Premium Dining Plan - Offers breakfast, lunch and dinner each day as well as 2 Snack entitlements per person per day.  This plan allows guests to only choose from regular, signature and character dining freely. Many recreation options are also included in this plan including mini-golf, carriage rides and water-sports. Details for this plan are here.

Disney Platinum Dining Plan - This plan offers everything in the Premium plan as well as spa and tour options.  Details for this plan are here.


Here are some important points and tips regarding the Disney dining plans:

Be sure to check out the links provided above for details on each plan.  They list the actual names and locations of the restaurants you may use with your entitlements, as well as all of the policies surrounding the plans.  

The Disney dining plans can only be sold in conjunction with a reservation at a Walt Disney World owned and operated resort.   Guests that are staying off-property or those that only hold tickets are not able to purchase a plan.  

On every plan, each guest also receives a Rapid Fill Mug for use at the Quick Service locations at the resorts.

Dining plan entitlements may be used from the moment you check into your resort until midnight the day you check out.  If you take advantage of Disney's Online Check-In, this means you can start using the entitlements at any time the day of your arrival.

You may use your dining entitlements however you wish during your stay.  For example, you can use 2 Quick Service entitlements one day and then use 2 Table Service entitlements the next day.  Just don't run out!  You may not purchase extra entitlements.  Once you run out, you will have to pay regular pricing at the restaurants.

With exception of the Premium and Platinum plans, character and signature dining restaurants require 2 Table Service entitlements per person.  Be sure to plan ahead in order to manage your entitlement effectively.  

To see the dining plan pricing on the Walt Disney World website,  search and find a resort that you would like to stay at, then select the package option, once you add tickets, you will then see the optional dining plan pricing.  Be sure to include the exact amount of guests including children that will be in your party for the most accurate prices.

Guests that do not require theme park tickets, such as annual passholders, can also add a dining plan with their resort stay.  You must call Walt Disney World or your travel agent directly in order to do this.

Table Service entitlements may be used for Quick Service dining locations, but you may not use Quick Service entitlements at Table Service restaurants, even in multiples.  You can use Quick Service entitlements for snacks.

Depending on location, Snack entitlements can be used for side items at Quick Service locations.  Just ask the cast members working at these locations what items are available.

Check out restaurants at other resorts.  You're not limited to dining only at the theme parks or the resort you are staying at. Complimentary transportation is available throughout the Walt Disney World property, so go and explore!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions about the Disney dining plans.  I would also love to hear any comments you have regarding the dining plans or just about Walt Disney World in general.  My details are Matthew Dobeck - 954-798-6573 or mattdobeck@outlook.com

Experience CELEBRITY Cruises ~ Short Caribbean Get-Aways

Mondrian Travel Presents:

Celebrity Cruises aboard "Celebrity Constellation" 
Your Destination: Caribbean

5-Nights departing from Miami
Sailing on 03-14-16, 03-19-16, 03-28-16
Retail Price: $729
Your Discount: Save 33%!! -$240
Our Price from: $489
Experience CELEBRITY Cruises ~ Short Caribbean Get Aways

Celebrity Constellation boasts a spectacular, new look and ambiance. From the minute you enter the magnificent Grand Foyer, or savor a flavorful steak in the sophisticated Tuscan Grille, or sip your favorite vodka at the ultra-cool, ice-topped Martini Bar-you'll feel pampered and transformed, too. Sumptuous suites and staterooms offer stunning new decor and flat-screen TVs, yet the level of personal service remains unparalleled and meticulous. Ocean Views from $719 - ask about on-board extras. Call me, Matthew, today at 954-798-6573 or mattdobeck@outlook.com. 

Cruise Itinerary (if available)
Day 1: Miami
Day 2: Key West
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Cozumel
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Miami

*Rates are per person, double occupancy and do not include government taxes or airfare, unless specified otherwise. We have a team of experts carefully monitoring all information presented on our site. Pricing is always subject to change based on availability and cruise line discretion. Promotional rates are for new bookings only.

Culinary Classes at Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World

If you can't find something from the 500 other things you can do at Walt Disney World, they recently added another option for fun.  You can now take a culinary class with a Disney Chef at the Contemporary Resort!

The entire class is broken into groups and each group is assigned the preparation of part of a big meal along with a Disney Chef.  At the end of the experience, you will receive a signed cookbook along with a white chef's hat!

Pricing is currently $175 per adult and $125 for children ages 9-12.  Each experience is limited to only 30 guests.  (seeems rather a lot to me).   Beer and wine will be available to those over 21 with the meal.  If you are not staying at the Contemporary resort, transportation is always available free of charge within Walt Disney World.  Reservations can only be made by calling the Disney Reservation Center.

To plan and book your next Disney vacation or any other dream vacation, please contact me, Matthew Dobeck at mattdobeck@outlook.net or call 954-798-6573