Walt Disney World Magic Bands

Walt Disney World Magic Bands, explained by Cheryl Echevarria.Book now for your family vacations, Romance Travel and especially our group events. The gift of travel is great for the holidays, ask us about getting gift certificates for your trip from us. 321-245-7561 or reservations@echevarriatravel.com

What you get from Walt Disney World prior to your trip

Disney Springs Tour October 30, 2016 and Holidays Season Happenings at Walt Disney World

We will be live streaming from Walt Disney World Resorts on November 7, 2016 for the opening night of the Holiday Season, with Mickey's Merry Christmas Party and so much more. This will be taking place on www.facebook.com/cherylandmaxx this is my personal page, I will not be able to answer your questions live, so if you have any during this time, please ask in the comment page and we will post answer on the 8th.,

Today's blog is all about our recent experience at Disney Springs formerly Downtown Disney or if you are old enough to remember it used to be called Pleasure Island, and it was just a night time destination for the adults.

Now, it is Disney Springs.

We decided since now living in the Orlando area to check it out for the day. At first, Nelson, wasn't to thrilled about it until we finally arrived. Just a side note, if you are a Floridian, you can pick up your annual tickets at Disney Springs, at the Guest Services building right in the middle of the Marketplace.

Whether or not you love Disney or even staying at another resort, or just live in the area. Disney Springs is not a theme park. You do not need an admission ticket or be staying on property to visit it. I would also recommend those living in FL, go during the week and not the weekend during the holidays. Halloween isn't an actual holiday, but since many adults were bringing their children to the Magic Kingdom to take pictures in costume with their favorite characters, or for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Disney Springs after 2PM becomes a little crowded. 

Disney Springs is a place to and enjoy the day whether it is a date with your honey, or the family, a place to enjoy a cup of coffee and people watch or enjoy the nature of the surrounding Lake Nona, or to take a Amphicar Boat Ride; Window Shop in the Market Place. Enjoy a dining experience like either a gospel brunch at House of Blues Restaurant, a Cuban Sandwhich at Congo's; or even see La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil. There is something there for everyone, or just do nothing. It is free unless you purchase something. If you are watching our video below, the building that is what and looks like a big circus tent that is the La Nouba show.

Video of our Tour of Disney Springs October 30, 2016

As mentioned above, starting November 4th, 2016, starts some new events at WDW, and we will be there on November 7, 2016 to bring them all to you.

If you have heard that "Celebrate the Magic", which is a live show projected on Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom has ended. This is correct, it ended last night November 3rd, 2016. If you go to our www.facebook.com/echevarriatravels, we have a youtube video posted there, not from us. We hope you enjoy it.

It was replaced starting tonight November 4th, 2016 with a brand new show called "Once Upon A Time" which celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the release of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Wow, that long. Amazing, as long as, my sweetie and I.  The new starts with Cinderella's Castle opens like a storybook and becomes living art, the canvas for a kaleidoscopic and eye-filling feast of fantasy. For me it is the music and sounds of the events. It is narrated by Mrs. Potts who shares "once upon a time" bedtime stories with Chip. Here are some renderings below. We both cannot wait! 

Renderings from the new "Once Upon a Time" at Cinderella's Castle

When we have more information to share, believe me we will share it all with you.

Echevarria Travel bringing you experiences for all ages. We love putting smiles on your faces and love in your hearts.

Book now for your Couple or Family Vacations by emailing us at reservations@echevarriatravel.com or 631-456-5394. www.echevarriatravel.com. 

Also register for our e-newsletter. We have a number of group events for 2017, that we are now taking deposits for.

Western Caribbean Cruise from Orlando

Bus trip to Savannah, GA

Utah and the National Parks

Also live events in the Orlando area! Come out and join us for the night!

We Will Be Streaming Live from Walt Disney World November 7, 2016

Hello everyone.

This is our favorite time of the year. The 2016 Holiday Season will be starting in November with our Silver Anniversary Celebrations. Yes, that is right, Nelson and I will be married 25 years on November 7, 2016.

Since we now live in the Orlando area, we will be doing many live videos on Facebook. We still new at the live streaming stuff, so it might be a little off, but we love trying new things.

We stream live from our personal page at www.facebook.com/cherylandmaxx, where you can post questions, and we will try and respond to you, if we cannot then, we will reply to them once we return from where we are.

If you miss the live streaming, they will be reposted on our facebook business page at www.facebook.com/echevarriatravels.

On November 7, 2016, starts the official holiday season at Walt Disney World. We will be coming to you live from a tour of 7 Deluxe Resorts on property that will be decorated for the holiday season. The last time I was there during the holidays was back in 2011 with my daughter, Dina, we did a mother-daughter trip, she was 21 at the time.

The 7 resorts that decorate for the holidays are, each one of these resorts if you click the name will bring you to our dedicated page for Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks, and you can read more about these. Deluxe Resorts are the most expensive resorts, but you can visit them when you stay at any of the 3 level options are deluxe, moderate, and value, just and FYI, they are all Luxury Resorts, nothing but gorgeous and themed just right and not over done. A price range for anyone.

Grand Floridian Resort - a 16 foot tall gingerbread house sit in the lobby and smaller versions are available to purchase. If you visit just 1 resort, this should be the one.

2011 my daughter, Dina and myself at Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World

Another view of the Ginger Bread House

This is their Christmas Tree as well.

The Boardwalk Inn - has an edible, miniature version of Atlantic City, complete with Ferris wheel, carousel, and beach sits in the lobby alongside other seasonal decorations.  I am posting our video of this here. 

The other 5 Deluxe Resorts we have never visited during the holidays are:

Wilderness Lodge - a 60 feet tall tree fills the lobby (it takes 18 hours to put up!)

Beach Club - lots of decorations, including a large, edible carousel

Yacht Club - decor includes an edible train

Animal Kingdom Lodge - gorgeous resort is made even more beautiful with a big tree with themed ornaments decorating it

The Contemporary Resort - a holiday village made of gingerbread and chocolate sits near the monorail platform

So, we will be showing you more than just these resorts. This is also the opening night of Mickey's Merry Christmas Party . This is separate ticket from your theme park tickets, those guests that don't have this special event ticket, even if you are staying on property, which means you are staying at one of the Walt Disney World Resorts, you must leave the Magic Kingdom and either go back to your own resort, or head over to one of the other theme parks, or enjoy a night at one of the great experiences in Disney Springs. This year the dates of this event starts November 7 - December 22, 2016. We are doing this now, because when we are here during our vacation November 24-30th, 2016, we will not be able to do this event. The link above brings you to a video of this event. But below is the video of the Wishes Christmas Fireworks at Cinderella's Castle in 2011. Every year it is different.

Now if you are ever want to go to WDW, the best time and most magical time to go is during this time of the year. Do not go during Christmas Week, it is at the highest capacity and the most expensive time to go. If you are like my parents, who did this many times, since my father's vacation was not always the same time that school vacations was, we contacted the teacher of when we were planning on traveling and she made sure we took all tests and we got homework, which we did every afternoon breaks on vacation. Now schools have live streaming and online homework, etc. So, check with the school when you are thinking of going, they will give you ideas of when state and national tests will be given to work around.

Also did you know that you can plan up to a year in advance, it is only a $200 deposit for your vacation, plus Nelson and I can set up a payment plan, or just figure out for you how much you need to save for your trip.  This is part of our services.

Also stayed tuned for us participating in the Annual Orlando Veterans Day Parade November 12, 2016; and other live videos from the Walt Disney World Resorts and Theme Parks November 24-30th, 2016

Register for our e-newsletter for group trips we are hosting, or maybe we can do a vacation experience for you and your family. Put reservations@echevarriatravel.com on your to do list, and put us in your contact list.

Give us a call at 631-456-5394 or reservations@echevarriatravel.com

Why It Is Life Fulfilling Traveling with Like Minded People

It has been a crazy and wonderful time, since Nelson and I have moved to the Orlando area. We have been finding our way around which is very important when you leave a place you have lived and worked for many years and start your life some place new.  

We have joined both the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce and the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce, if you take a look at our website you will see our links to these organizations.  Many of you already know that we are very involved in the communities that we live, and try and work hard to give back as well. Those that are new to us, we are very busy involved with many organizations that support the areas where we live.

Being a member of the National Federation of the Blind since 2006, being the past president of our Travel & Tourism Division and also the Vice President of the Greater Long Island Chapter, so it was normal for us to join the Central Florida Chapter. We will be bringing you more information on these great organizations in the future.

So why do the subject of this email have to do with being involved in the community where you live. Well, it means we also the company of those that belong to these groups, we have the same interests, and a lot of the times enjoy doing the same hobbies, foods and possibly want to learn more about what the others can bring to the "soup", as we like to call it. If you are a child of the 70s and 80s like myself, in school we always read about the story "Stone Soup" where a stranger came to a town that was poor and no one would help with maybe a piece of bread or meat to help for his dinner, so the stranger took a stone threw it in a pot of hot water and started to say Oh my stone soup, if I only had meat, then it would be just wonderful, and the first person thought they were nuts for putting a stone in the  soup, came over to try it, thought the stranger was nuts and said, I found some meat for your soup, it will give it more taste, and the stranger said thank you, wont you join with me for dinner, and then the next person gave vegetables, and the next person gave salt and spices etc. And finally it was a soup enough for all the people who gave to the soup and more!

Well when you put your part of the trip into the tour that wasn't on the paper itinerary of the trip, it makes it even more fun. 

These same people like to travel again and again with us, and we are always like to add others to the pot. So anyone interested in traveling with us, please do so. We only ask that you are over 21 and that we hope you bring a spouse and friend or another family to join us. No one likes to travel alone or we will ask one of our people if they are willing to share their room, it will also cut down on the single occupancy rate over the double occupancy rate.

See our trips upcoming for 2017:  Please click the links for full description of the tours. If you are also interested in our live events in the Orlando area, please contact us at reservations@echevarriatravel.com, we are planning even more trips, or we can plan your trips.

Initial deposits due by February 1, 2017 for our tour of the National Parks October 1-6, 2017

1st deposit of $50 per person due by January 15, 2017 for our 7 Day Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, FL November 25-December 2, 2017

Bus Trip to Savannah, GA being planned for April 2017, we are looking around $550 per person double occupancy, this is an estimate based on 2016 rates. Please contact us at reservations@echevarriatravel.com if you are interested. This will be a 5 day/4 night bus trip leaving for the Orlando area, if you would like to join us and do not live in FL, come on down or up or from the West or East to Join us!

Itinerary will include bus, hotels, food, entrance fees, tips to tour drivers and tour guides: places we will be visiting are: Savannah (GA); Beaufort (SC); Guided Tour of Jekyll Island (GA); St. Simmons Island (GA); and Parris Island Marine Base (SC)

During your Guided Tour of Savannah discover forts, gracious homes and Savannah’s Riverfront area as you travel the unique layout of Savannah and learn about the stories, people and legends that make this coastal city so appealing.

Savannah Historic District
Discover how Savannah’s historic homes have been renovated and restored by the Historic Savannah Foundation as you make your way through the district. Your step-on-guide will share interesting information about the architects of the historic homes and the architecture that gives the city its lovely ambience.

Savannah’s Impact on the Film Industry
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Savannah’s cobblestone streets, mansions with manicured lawns, oak-shaded parks and famous forts of the Revolutionary and Civil War eras brings the movie production companies to Savannah. Learn about the movies which have been influenced by Savannah. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is just one story which explores the traditions of Savannah that have been handed down from generation to generation. 

Savannah’s Traditions
Savannah’s traditions which are often explored in film date back to the colonial period. Learn about the history of Savannah, its environs and how it grew together. The lives of slaves and their contributions to Savannah will unfold before your eyes as you learn about cotton and other crops which supported rural Georgia until the Industrial Revolution arrived in the South and as you see the cotton warehouses on River Street.

River Street
A glittering, multi-faceted gem along the broad Savannah River, River Street was once the biggest cotton brokerage in the South. Lined with century old buildings that were used as cotton warehouses, River Street’s buildings have since been converted into antique shops, distinctive boutiques, art galleries, pubs, restaurants and nightspots.

Savannah’s Colonial Cemetery
Your tour will come to an end at Savannah’s Colonial Cemetery. Enlarged in 1789 to become the cemetery for people of all denominations, notable figures including Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and other distinguished Savannahians can be found buried at Savannah’s Colonial Cemetery. 

The Grand Circle National Parks Adventure Hosted by Cheryl & Nelson Echevarria October 1-6, 2017

The Grand Circle National Parks Tour October 1-6, 2017

Hello everyone:

Cheryl and Nelson Echevarria here!

We are now taking deposits for our Grand Circle National Parks Adventure Tour which will be taking place October 1-6, 2017 starting from Las Vegas, Nevada and ending in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Deposits are due no later than February 1, 2016.

If you click the title in the blog, it will take you directly to our information on the trip. 

Below are some of the photos we took back in 2013 with our group. We also have on the home page of www.echevarriatravel.com videos of our trip. 

We hope you will spread the word on this trip, if you cannot attend yourself, we know you that you may have friends and family members who would love to take this great trip. 

Again, we did this back in 2013, but we are focusing on other areas, of these states and other parks and experiences.

So, we hope you keep on reading and come along with us.

Thank you.

Cheryl & Nelson Echevarria.

Snow Canyon State Park

Our group in Snow Canyon State Park

Monument Valley Utah - Part of our trip to Utah October 1-6, 2017 M

Monument Valley located in the state of Utah. This is what the West has always
looked like to me. Want to come with us to this is amazing part of the United States
Contact us at 631-456-5394 or reservations@echevarriatravel.com to be on the list for our October 1-6, 2017 trip

Ever since I was a kid, growing up on John Ford Films featuring John Wayne in Stagecoach. Actually, I am not that old, but we love old westerns. If you have a chance you need to watch these films to most recently Monument Valley was added to the updated ride at Walt Disney World and Disneyland "Soaring Around the World" which we will be going to. I am on count down to our Silver Wedding Anniversary - 25 years November 24-30th, 2016; our actual wedding date is November 7th.

Anyway, back on track here, was the first time I had seen Monument Valley and the red sands and mountain of this desert area, but extremely humbling that there are places like this in the world.

This is also part of the Navajo Nation Reservation and is a region of the Colorado Plateau made up of clusters of Sandstone Buttes, the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor. Located near the Four Corners Area of Utah, this is where you can be standing in on place and be in 4 different states at the same time, only place in the United States you can do this. These states are  the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico.

For those of you who are blind, I am legally blind, we took a similar trip back in 2013 and everyone had a different exciting experience. So do not let your blindness hold you back from experiencing this trip, or for anyone for that matter. 

This is what life is about experiences, not sitting at a desk at work and never taking a vacation! Or not meeting different people in life and becoming really good friends that you want to meet and travel with again and again, and see things through their experiences that you never thought about until someone told you their prospective on it.

We will be posting most places we will be doing on this trip. Come and join us October 1-6, 2017, pricing and itinerary coming in a few days. Sign up now, we have 8 interested people, we need a minimum of 16 people booked. Contact us at 631-456-5394 or just send us an email at reservations@echevarriatravel.com

Been there! Done That! We are doing many other trips in 2017 as a group, or create your own friends and family experiences. That is what Nelson and I offer, your own family experiences.

Take care!