Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Spotlight on a Walt Disney World Resort: Contemporary's Bay Lake Tower

Did you know that Walt Disney World offers over 25 resort hotels to choose from?

It's true...that is a large number to choose from but no matter which resort you choose, you have the added luxury of complimentary Magical Express transfers, Disney World transportation, Extra Magic hours and great amenities and services!

I will feature a different resort in my future blogs.  Today's blog will feature Disney's newest resort:

Disney's Contemporary Bay Lake Tower Resort


Bay Lake Tower with Sky Walk to the Contemporary

Watch an overview video about Disney's Bay Lake Tower!

This resort is connected to the original Contemporary Resort by a beautiful skywalk.  The resort offers Studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom villas.  The views offered are Bay Lake view or Magic Kingdom view. 

Our Magic Kingdom view
each morning from our villa @ Bay Lake Tower

When my family and I traveled to Walt Disney World this past July, we stayed here.  We LOVED it!  Staying at a monorail resort offers a lot of convenience, especially when you are traveling with young children.  You have three resorts on the monorail to dine, shop and enjoy recreation at and the monorail is a short ride away to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  It was so much EASIER traveling on the monorail with a baby and stroller compared to using the Disney buses. 

The Bay Lake Tower is also the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom entrance.  A nice 5 minute stroll and you are at the front gate to enter!

We stayed in a two-bedroom/Magic Kindgom view Villa and it was perfect for our group.  It was me, my husband, our 4 month old son, my parents and brother.  We had 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry area. 


Pictures from my family vacation

With a large family, opting for a villa is a great choice because it allows everyone to have their own space and still be able to spend the vacation together.  We usually stay in studios or standard resort rooms when we go with our individual families but when we have a larger group, we tend to opt for the larger villas.

Disney's Bay Lake Tower Resort facts:
  • Opened in 2009
  • 4th Monorail Resort
  • Studio, 1/2/3 bedroom villas
  • Special Magic Kingdom fireworks viewing area
  • Zero entry pool and hot tub
  • Pool Slide
  • Pool bar
  • Poolside activities
  • Childrens activities and programs
  • Outdoor movies under the stars
  • Grill and pavillion area
  • complimentary laundry facility (laundry in all 1/2/3 bedroom villas)
  • Sharing privileges of Contemporary Resort amenities
Below are a few more pictures from our stay at Bay Lake Tower:

Nothing is beats waking up to Cinderella and Magic Kingdom views!

Around the resort at Disney's Contemporary Bay Lake Tower Resort

Our little boy, Cayden, during his 1st vacation to Walt Disney World

So this is my first of many spotlights on the great resort selection at Walt Disney World.

If you have been dreaming of a large family vacation to Walt Disney World, please feel free to contact me.  Our agency handles everything from air, your Disney package, booking group dinner reservations, special events, etc.  We can help find the perfect resort that best matches what you want for your family vacation.

Don't forget about our ongoing Disney Gift Card Promotion!


If you have booked your Disney World or Disney Cruise vacation online at disneyparks.com or by phone, you can take advantage of this special offer!  Transfer your booked vacation to our travel agency and get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD! 

We are your "local" Disney team that can help by booking your dining times, special events, activities and coordinating your vacation from start to finish.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

My FIRST Disney blog!

So here it goes...


MY FIRST DISNEY BLOG!



First, a little about me.  My name is Erin and I am a travel consultant at a local travel agency, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, in State College, Pennsylvania.  The travel agency I work for has been in business locally for over 20 years and specializes in cruise, land, all-inclusive, group, Disney and destination wedding travel.  There are three (Sonia, Liz and myself) of us along with our boss in our office and I'm lucky to have such great co-workers that love what they do and are easy to work with! 




Sonia, the Penn State Nittany Lion & I @ business event
(I was pregnant w/ Cayden here)

Sonia, Liz and Friend during their visit to Europe for work
Steelers fans UNITE @ Steelers bar in Rome



I graduated in 2007 with my bachelors degree in marketing from Central Pennsylvania College in Harrisburg, PA.  I also graduated with an associates degree in travel and tourism. 

I interned through the Walt Disney College Program during my senior year in college. I interned in the vacation planning and marketing division at Walt Disney World.  I dealt with guests daily and helped with tickets, vacation planning and dining.  Working with Disney guests each day was a learning experience and very rewarding.  I also met and lived with the greatest roommates from New Jersey, New York, Arkansas and Pennsylvania.  We all came from different states but all shared the same love for Disney.  Some of the people I met while in Florida had such great stories that I will never forget!

When I graduated college I worked in advertising sales for our local newspaper and realized after two years, that it wasn't something I wanted to do long term, so I went with my gut and made the decision to start working for Expedia Nittany Valley.  I can honestly say it was the best decision that I've made professionally. If I'm taking time away from my family to work, I'm glad it is a career that is fulfilling and rewarding.

I can say that Disney has been a huge part of my life since I was three years old.  My Dad won our first family vacation to Walt Disney World from the company he works for.  I was three and my brother, Jared, was 6 months old when we experienced Disney World for the first time.  Since that first trip, my parents took us on a week long Disney vacation every two years.  We have made it a family tradition and getaway at times traveling with up to 18-20 family members!  To me, Disney World is my "happy place" and my getaway to leave work, modern day technology and schedules at home and really enjoy quality time with my family.  Over the years and many visits to Walt Disney World, I have been blessed with a lot of Disney knowledge from my experiences.  Now all grown up, married to my wonderful husband, Brian, and with a newborn baby boy of our own, I can't wait to keep the tradition of Disney going for our sweet baby boy, Cayden.

So combine my years of love for Disney with the internship that I had at Disney, I feel that I can help anyone plan the perfect Disney World or cruise vacation.

So this brings me to my blog.  I started this to go along with my job at the travel agency that I work for.  I will be posting tips, vacation ideas, promotions--basically ANYTHING Disney related!

Feel free to contact me with any questions!  estover@cruiseshipcenters.com

Click on the links below to visit our travel agency's website and LIKE us on Facebook!

Thank you to my Mom and Dad for the Disney traditions!
I love you both bunches! xo


@ Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort