Author Archives: SMAX

theDIBB > Articles by: SMAX

Discovery Cove – The Definitive(ish) Guide.

A day at Discovery Cove is always a highlight of our trips to Orlando. Some consider it a relaxing day away from the fast-paced theme parks. But for those who don’t enjoy relaxing (which my wife says is me!), there are still plenty of things to do there, and time can quickly disappear. You have the dolphin swim, SeaVenture (extra charge) helmet diving. Animal encounters. All that food, plenty of snacks and many beverages to try. Swimming in the reef. Swimming in the freshwater lagoon. Going into the aviary to see and feed the birds. Watching the adorable otters. Seeing the monkeys. Now the new flamingo point area too.

It is very easy to fall into the ‘I must see and do everything’ camp. But I would suggest a bit of pre-planning to make the most out of your day there. Remember there is always next time!

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theDIBB > Articles by: SMAX

Amare Restaurant Review at the Swan Reserve

The newest hotel around Disney’s Boardwalk area is the Swan Reserve, which opened 3rd November 2021. This 14-story hotel with 349 rooms, nestles amongst the Swan and Dolphin hotels, right next to Disney’s Fantasia golf course. 

Breaking away from the now legendary theming of the Swan and Dolphin, with their impressively large feature-creatures, the Swan Reserve has a more modernist look and feel. This minimalist and elegant style continues into the hotel’s flagship restaurant called ‘Amare’, which means ‘to love’. Will we love this new restaurant?

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theDIBB > Articles by: SMAX

Walt Disney Travel Company Launches New Podcast Series “Journey to the Magic” With Giovanna Fletcher

Walt Disney Travel Company is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new, star-studded podcast Journey to the Magic hosted by Giovanna Fletcher set to launch on 8 September 2021. Each week, Queen of the Castle, author and long-time Disney fan, Giovanna Fletcher, will be inviting one of her celebrity guests to talk all things Disney holidays. They’ll be sharing magical memories, funny stories and family traditions from their holidays to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line. Listeners can expect lots of insider tips, Disney hacks from the celebrity guests, plenty of holiday inspiration and even a chance to win a dream holiday to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

During the six-part series, Giovanna and her guests relive their experiences at the Disney Parks’ iconic attractions, recall special moments with their favourite Disney characters and reveal fun facts about theirtimeattheresortsandontheDisneycruiseships. ResidentDisneyexpert,Elkie,willalsofeature in each episode to reveal her top tips and valuable insider knowledge as well as exclusive updates on the Disney Parks and the special celebrations in store for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary which begins 1 October 2021.

In episode one, Giovanna will be joined by husband and Glitterball contender Tom Fletcher, whilst best friend TV presenter Emma Willis is her guest for episode two, alongside a host of famous guests yet to be revealed for the rest of the series. Each guest will take the listener on a journey, detailing their perfect, fun-filled “Disney Day” from their must do attraction as soon as they step intoa Disney Park,toafternoonsexploring agalaxy far, far away and eveningsenjoying a magnifique romantic meal at a restaurant run by a rat.

Author and presenter, Giovanna Fletcher, said: “I’ve been a fan of the Disney Parks for a long time and we’ve experienced some of our most magical moments as a family there – including our honeymoon, so I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Walt Disney Travel Company on this podcast. Expect happy tears and lots of laughter as each of my celebrity guests’ take us on a journey reliving their magical trips and talking us through their Dream Disney Day. It brought back so many of my own wonderful memories so I hope Disney fans have as much fun listening to ‘Journey to the Magic’ as I did making it. More than that, I hope that it provides some much needed Disney magic during these times.”

Justin Kliger, Director of Walt Disney Travel Company, said: “Our goal was to make this podcast a joyous destination in itself, for anyone missing that Disney magic over the past year. With our friend

ideas for their next Disney adventure with us.”

Walt Disney Travel Company Presents, Journey to the Magic podcast will be available from Wednesday, 8 September 2021 at www.disneyholidays.co.uk/podcast One lucky winner will also have the chance of winning a magical holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida where they could celebrate the resort’s 50th Anniversary.

theDIBB > Articles by: SMAX

Iron Gwazi to Open March 2022 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Today, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced that Iron Gwazi will open as North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world in March 2022, in time for Spring Break. 

The new ride will take thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206-foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. The journey will include a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, as it races along more than 4,075 feet of purple steel track. With a 48” height requirement, Iron Gwazi will be an exciting attraction that thrill-seeking families can take on together.

“Iron Gwazi has been highly anticipated by roller coaster enthusiasts around the world since we first announced this new legend.  Due to the unprecedented challenges over the last two years, Iron Gwazi was delayed, and we recognize the delay has disappointed our fans.  We appreciate the patience our guests have shown.” said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President. “We’re finally able to confirm that we will be delivering on the next-level thrills that our coaster fans crave and expect from Busch Gardens, when we open this incredible coaster this spring.”

Iron Gwazi will be the 10th roller coaster to join Busch Gardens’ lineup of highly rated roller coasters and thrill rides, including Tigris, Florida’s tallest inversion, SheiKra, a 200-foot, 90-degree drop coaster, and Montu, recognized as one of the top 10 coasters in the country.

 

theDIBB > Articles by: SMAX

Disney Cruise Line to Offer Magical Staycation Sailings for United Kingdom Residents this Summer

United Kingdom residents will be able to experience the magic of Disney Cruise Line close to home with brand-new Disney Magic at Sea “staycation” sailings from U.K. ports this summer for a limited time. Featuring enchanted entertainment and with multiple layers of health and safety measures, the Disney Magic cruise ship plans to sail mostly 2- and 3-night voyages, as well as limited 4-night sailings round-trip from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton.

“Our teams are bringing tremendous ingenuity and fun to these new cruises, tailoring them with care to the times we are living in, yet filling them with everything you’d expect from Disney, from great service and entertainment to immersive dining experiences and magic for the whole family,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line.

AttractionTickets.com are taking pre-registrations now at: https://www.attractiontickets.com/en/attraction-tickets/disney-magic-staycation-cruise-pre-registration. Dibb users will receive an additional £10 worth of Amazon vouchers on top of any other offer when they booking with AttractionTickets.com, using the code DIBBCRUISE10

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