For 20 years, the magical pastry elves at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa have whisked, baked, and decorated to create the magical gingerbread house that warms guests’ hearts and tempts their taste buds. Sweet smells of ginger and sugar fill the lobby of the hotel every holiday season, as this larger-than-life house is constructed. But, while it’s always a…
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By Jim Fanning
“All the characters in Peter Pan are in some way touched with magic,” Walt Disney once observed, and this was particularly true of the 1953 classic’s breakout star. He added, “The little fairy Tinker Bell glows like a firefly and leaves a trail of pixie dust behind her as she flits about with the speed of a hummingbird.” Walt well knew that…
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By Jocelyn Buhlman
Every year, Disney fans eagerly await the chance to see their favorite parks transformed into gorgeous displays of holiday magic, and this year is no different! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite seasonal sights to see from Disney parks all over the world, from dazzling Christmas trees to captivating castles. Take a look at what’s filling…
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By Robert Yoshioka
What an adventure this has been! Our safari into South Africa started with its glorious coast of inviting beaches and lush vineyards and concluded in the vast grasslands where many of the animal kingdom’s most majestic creatures roam.
Welcome to the Cradle of Mankind, the famed birthplace of man where some of the oldest hominid…
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By Robert Yoshioka
This long necked friend kicked off a day of “lekker” (South African slang for fantastic or awesome) game drives!
Back at the lodge, we tried our hand at several ancient forms of native hunting – with the bow, blow darts and spear throwing as well as local beading crafts.
The day wrapped up with a very heartfelt…
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By Robert Yoshioka
Our second morning of private game drives started with a delicious breakfast. Even in South Africa, #EverythingTastesBetterShapedLikeMickey!!
This morning we were on the look out for big cats returning from a night of hunting.
Early morning game drives are always worth getting up for. The sunrise over the bushveld is magnificent, and…
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By Robert Yoshioka
Waking up early on vacation can sometimes be challenging, but not if you are scheduled for an exclusive, first-light game drive! Today’s theme was the “Little Five” – a take on the “Big Five” from the days of hunting. The “Big Five” was coined by the big game hunters to reference the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot in…
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By Robert Yoshioka
While we had to say goodbye to the Garden Route and our new monkey, bird and ellie friends in Knysna, we were buffered by the excitement of traveling to our new home for the next several days.
As we landed at our airfield (Fun Fact: It is a very long runway—at 13,094 feet long, it is the alternate runway for the Space Shuttle!) and saw our…
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By Courtney Potter
“Wind’s in the east, there’s a mist comin’ in… like somethin’ is brewin’—about to begin.” Mary Poppins Returns, the much-anticipated sequel to Disney’s seminal 1964 film, is set to soar into a cineplex near you December 19. Starring Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place) as Mary; Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s Hamilton) as her…
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By Robert Yoshioka
Waking up at this lush resort really showcased why this region is called the Garden Route. Abundant rainfall and humid sea winds help to maintain this vibrant vegetation. Runoff carrying nutrients return to the sea enriching the Knsyna Lagoon and we were excited to quickly eat breakfast and begin our nature hike in the recently reopened…
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