Amphicar at Walt Disney World: A Closer Look

It's a car. It's a boat. It's an amphibious automobile.

They call it an Amphicar!

Ahoy there! Did you know there are currently nine of these part land, part sea beauties operating right outside The Boathouse in Walt Disney World Resort? They are all a part of the newly re-imagined Downtown Disney Area which is getting a magical makeover into what eventually will be called 'Disney Springs.' (To be complete in 2016.) Walt Disney World guests can now experience these Captain-guided Amphicar tours in vintage vehicles, which are open and ready for cruisers! You and 2 of your closest friends can hop aboard on the Amphicar launch, as your car drives right into the water. Make a splash in Orlando & embark on this 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Downtown Disney! Included in your journey is a little whimsical history lesson about the Amphicar from your Captain and how they came to be. (We hear they may have a joke or two up their sleeve.) It's the perfect thing to include in your #CoolestSummer Bucket List at Walt Disney World!

About the Vintage Amphicar Tour:

The cost is $125 per car.

Vintage Amphicar Tour is a 20 minute trip.

Tours are offered hourly (weather permitting) each day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Every Amphicar trip includes a skipper who is the perfect informative tour guide.

Each vehicle seats up to three guests (three adults or two adults and two small children).

You don't have to be dining at The Boathouse in order to take a tour.

They currently accept walk up reservations.

About the Amphicars:

Amphicars are rare vehicles that drive on land and float in the water!

There are currently nine of these restored Amphicars at Walt Disney World Resort.

These Amphicars were purchased from private collections worldwide. 

Only 3,878 of these unique vehicles were produced during the 1960’s (1961 to 1968). 

The Boathouse is the only place in the world where you get the opportunity to ride in these vintage vehicles.

For more information please go to TheBoathouseOrlando.com.

For more information on how to have the Coolest Summer Ever visit Walt Disney World Resort.

 Disclosure: We were graciously hosted by the Walt Disney World Resort at the #CoolestSummer Ever Press Event. (Including airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and park tickets.) No other compensation was received. The opinions on this blog are 100% magical and 100% those of the Disney Sisters only. All photos belong to us unless otherwise stated. Thanks for reading our blog!

Anna and Elsa's Boutique at Disneyland Resort - Opening Oct 6th

Anna and Elsa's Boutique opens October 6, 2014 

at Disneyland Resort in the Downtown Disney District. 

Really cool news for all of the Frozen fans out there! For the first time in forever... your child can get the Anna and Elsa (even an Olaf) transformation package when they visit the Disneyland Resort.

The former Studio Disney 365 is turning into a Winter Wonderland that is Anna and Elsa's Boutique. Right in the middle of the Downtown Disney District, young children everywhere will delight at the sight. The imagineers are putting the final touches in the transformation and pretty soon your little Frozen fans, will be able to open up the gates to the magic. The store will be opening October 6, 2014 - just in time for Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Be prepared to warm your child's heart with this unique boutique.

If you are planning to visit Anna & Elsa’s Boutique: 

Reservations for your child (highly suggested) can be made at 
714-781-STYLE (714-781-7895). 

*Transformations will be available to guests 3–12 years of age.

Stay tuned for photos and videos to come once it opens!

Our Family Favorites:

                                

*Shopping through our Amazon affiliate links will not cost you anything extra to click or buy, but when you do, we earn a small commission. 

Ridemakerz: Build Memories at Home this Father's Day #BuildMemories

"Fathers, build a car with your son. You never know, it may just change him for life. Find the time and the money. I guarantee that you won’t regret it, and neither will he."

-Robert Kibbe

  

High-Octane Fun for the Whole Family

Our family loves Ridemakerz! We've actually celebrated Father's Day at Ridemakerz before. It's hard to tell who has the most fun. The dads line up the cars, the kids race them and set up courses and even us moms like to watch and play too. It's non-stop giggles and laughter, high-speed races and crashes, and a whole lot of ways to Build Memories! We're hosting a Birthday Party Bash later on this summer. Some of our favorites are the Disney and Marvel themed Ridez. Check out this Captain America Camaro available now!

 Build Memories with Your Pit Crew

Fathers and sons used to spend hours upon hours working on cars together. Under the hoods and bent over engines. Ridemakerz is bringing back the joy that building a vehicle together can bring. This time it's a toy car and it's definitely not just for boys! What would you say if we told you that we have found the perfect gift to get Dads playing together with their sons AND their daughters. Ridemakerz is a brand that brings key elements of play together. Creativity, engineering and the need for speed. Add in the ability to use your imagination and you've got a one-of-a-kind experience. Each ride is an expression that reflects the individuals’ own unique style and personality. A great thing about making your own creation, is that these cars are something that your family will spend more time together playing with all year long. Whether you go visit your local Ridemakerz shop and customize your ride there, (Our favorite is at Downtown Disney in Anaheim) customize your ride online, or get a build at home kit - everyone wins!


Buckle Up
Disney Sisters are proud to announce our partnership with Ridemakerz, a unique one-of-a-kind car making experience. We are also excited to introduce the exclusive Build-At-Home Father's Day Kits now available for delivery to your very own garage - VROOM! This Father's Day Sale is a perfect way to get 2 Ridez with all the parts so that Dads and kids can each build their own customized car, add on the Radio Control upgrade (our family favorite) and hit the road!

Father's Day Special
Right now you can get 50% off Exclusive Father's Day Kits available May 27th, while supplies last. Make sure to order by June 5th for guaranteed delivery by Father's Day. (Father's Day is Sunday June 15th this year.) You buy the parts, they build the memories! Choose from 4 exclusive Father's Day Kits for son or daughter (see below) - all 50% off while supplies last! To purchase your own kit online CLICK HERE. *Additional discounts cannot be applied to Father's Day kits.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win the Father's Day kit of their choice! Simply complete the Rafflecopter form AND tell us which Ridemakerz Father's Day Kit you would like to win in the comments below. Comments will close on June 3rd, 2014 at 11:59 PM PST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Use hashtag #BuildMemories to join in the fun!

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Disclosure: This post and the giveaway are both sponsored by Ridemakerz.

All thoughts are 100% Magical and 100% those of the Disney Sisters only.

How Disney Does Starbucks: A Photo Tour of the New Downtown Disney Starbucks in Anaheim

Wouldn't be incredible if Disney and Starbucks came together to make a mega Coffee house and dropped it smack dab in the middle of Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort. You know what they say, "When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true..." Well they did and it is glorious! The most beautiful Starbucks Coffee location has just opened right next door to the World of Disney Store. Just as you come off the tram and head down in the direction of Disney Parks, you are met with the most aesthetically pleasing Starbucks, we've ever seen. This place is gorgeous, open, airy, and HUGE - but we wouldn't have expected anything less from Disney.

Disney Sisters' Tips 

1. The lines were very long and there are no fastpasses! (Say it isn't so!) However, there are a lot of windows open with lots of hustling employees and all things considered, it did move fairly fast. 

2. The Downtown Disney location does not use the special Disney version cups, so if you want Disney whimsy, those are only sold inside the two Park locations.

3. This DTD location does accept Starbucks gift certificates and gift cards. Sweet!

Want more 'Coffee Talk?'

5 Reasons Why Parents Need Starbucks at the Disneyland Resort

Here are some of our favorite shots from the new location. 

In case you can't tell - it's so very magical!

*See if you can spot the HIDDEN MICKEY.*

Leave a comment if you find it, but don't say where.

Catal Restaurant in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim

We've been to the Disneyland Resort a number of times, more than most people we've ever met.  We are always looking for new experiences and great places to eat. Last week we were invited to a hip spot at Downtown Disney District in Anaheim that we had never eaten at. Fine dining right in the heart of Downtown Disney at Catal Restaurant, sounded like a fantastic evening to us.

Since we had never been there, we checked out the menu before we arrived at Cattail, it offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. We couldn't wait to try it. The restaurant has "a relaxed, elegant setting with floor-to-ceiling windows and patio terraces offering spectacular views from it's second story location, perfect for watching the Disneyland night time fireworks shows." Start out with their tapas or appetizers, meats and cheese platters, soups, pastas and specialities, like grilled seafood, and fresh salads. The food that we sampled was great. Jessica's favorite was the Paella. (You've gotta try it!) Her husband's favorite was the cheese platter. The favorite drink of the evening was the Sangria. Although Jessica also recommends the Shirley Temple!

 

Disney Sisters Tip 1: The best seats in the house are out on the patio terrace, overlooking Downtown Disney. It might be a good idea to make reservations, to ensure your spot.

Disney Sisters Tip 2: Catal Restaurant has a great vibe, Jessica brought her husband, it's a great place for Date Night or for a Girl's Night Out! The UVA Bar downstairs is the perfect spot to grab a drink and hang out.

Disney Sisters Tip 3: Gentlemen don't feel left out, there is a full bar upstairs with a TV, which was a nice surprise for our husbands. It's playing any given basketball, baseball, football game on - perfect for the Guys night out too!

We hung out with old friends and met some new ones, wining and dining while watching "Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular." It was a lovely evening sampling cocktails and appetizers. We are often asked by our family, friends and readers where do we recommend to dine while staying at Disneyland resort and we're happy to add Catal Restaurant to that list.

Catal is part of the Patina Restaurant Group whose other eateries include the UVA Bar & Cafe, Naples Ristorante Pizzeria, Tortilla Jo's and Taqueria in Downtown Disney. For private rooms, special events or holiday parties call the Special Events Manager (714) 776-4000.

Disclosure: We were invited to a Media Night for a small sampling of the menu. The thoughts and opinions read on this blog are 100% magical and 100% those of Disney Sisters only.

RIDEMAKERZ Supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Get Ready to Rev Your Engine with RIDEMAKERZ

RIDEMAKERZ 

Supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

 Find A Shop

  Bulid Your Car Online

Or visit our favorite store located at the 

Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, CA

Customize For A Cause

$5.00 Donation will be made to Breast Cancer Research Foundation

 for each Pink Rascal sold during the month of October.

Full Disclosure: This is not a paid post.

Celebrate Father's Day at Ridemakerz

Celebrate Father's Day this year at Downtown Disney. Visit the newly REopened RideMakerz® where you can give and get a unique gift experience with this special "Cruzin' with Dad" Event Father's Day weekend only!

Supercharge your Father's Day weekend at the bigger, better and badder RIDEMAKERZ® in the Downtown Disney® District! On Saturday and Sunday, when you purchase one RIDE, you can build your second RIDE free*! Unleash your inner car customizer with this special offer, June 18 & 19th 2011.

This is How We Roll

Rocker panels and a full size car decorate the totally garage themed store

RIDEMAKERZ® has one FUN website!!! Click Here...

Check it out....You can even host a RIDEMAKERZ® Bash.

Coolest. Party. Ever.

Build Your Ride

Chip Foose, the legendary car designer and host of TLC's Overhaulin' is a really nice guy and a great example of what a role model should be. Thanks for all your help, Chip!

This is a awesome way to spend an afternoon!

Ride The Talk

Thank you Larry Andreini, RIDEMAKERZ® ZEO. It was a pleasure meeting you!

My son hasn't stopped playing with his car... you have a huge hit on your hands!!!

*Offer good on body of equal or lesser value EXCLUDING Disney-Pixar cars. Free RIDE offer includes freewheel street Chassiz, stock Wheelz and stock Treadz. Additional accessories not included. This offer is provided and fulfilled solely by RIDEMAKERZ® and is subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. Disney is not responsible for the fulfillment of this offer.

Disclosure- I was not paid for this post. I was invited to the store opening and my son was generously given a car to build and take home.