Beginning June 15th, guests will notice some major changes at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Plus, Boo Bash tickets will become available to the general public and Laniwai Spa will reopen at Aulani! Read more for all of the major things happening on this major Disney date! Just remember, while park reservation availability is opening up, resort hotel rooms are booking up at a record speed. For booking information or for further information about any of this information, contact me as soon as possible! Disneyland Reopening for All Guests
As I had previously shared, Disneyland Resort will begin welcome out-of-state Guests beginning June 15. At this time they will also discontinue on-site temperature checks. The state of California has removed the physical distancing requirements, so guests can determine self-distancing. Disneyland Resort Face Covering Update Starting June 15, face coverings will no longer be required for fully vaccinated guests both indoors and outdoors. Guests ages 2+ who are not fully vaccinated must continue wearing face coverings indoors, except when dining. Guests will not be required to show proof of vaccination, but vaccinated Guests will self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry. All Guests will need to attest that they are aware of the State of California’s strong recommendation that guests be fully vaccinated or receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the theme parks when making their Disneyland Resort theme park reservations. When the Toy Story parking lot reopens on June 18, all Guests ages 2+, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while on the bus transportation from the lot to the parks. Walt Disney World Face Covering Update As I previously shared, beginning June 15, face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated guests in most areas. Face coverings will still be required of all guests on Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner. While they will not require proof of vaccination, guests who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. Physical distancing guidelines will also be reduced. Some experiences and entertainment may still be operating with limited capacity or may remain temporarily unavailable. Disney will continue the high standards for cleanliness and sanitation we’ve always set for ourselves. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer stations will still be available. They do encourage people to get vaccinated. Boo Bash Tickets On Sale to Public Boo Bash will be taking place this fall at Magic Kingdom Park! This after hours event has already opened for booking for on-site guests staying at select resorts, but will open to the public June 15th! Tickets start at $129 - $139 plus tax for August/September nights and $159 - $169 plus tax for October nights. Halloween night has already sold out. Here are the dates for “Disney After Hours Boo Bash”:
Laniwai, a Disney Spa Reopening at Aulani Beginning June 15, you can reserve spa services, including newly added options, at Laniwai, a Disney Spa! A visit to the Kula Wai, an outdoor hydrotherapy garden can be reserved with any spa service. This garden retreat includes private vitality pools, a reflexology path, six rain-style showers, whirlpool jet spas and more. Laniwai’s full-service salon will be available for manicures, pedicures and hair services. The kids – or keiki – can also get ready with salon services and makeovers exclusive to children ages 3 to 12. If you enjoy a good workout before or after pampering, visit the Mikimiki fitness center which will also reopen for limited hours for all Aulani Guests, and has added new equipment to the state-of-the-art fitness facility. Please see the Aulani Resort website for the most up-to-date information on the resort’s health and safety measures.
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Ever wonder how travel pros travel to Walt Disney World? After traveling to Disney for over 30 years, (yes, THIRTY!) I've made and seen my share of mistakes. Alas, here are the top 7 things that Disney Pros DON'T do, and what they do instead!
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#1 - Go, Go, Go!
I'm only a morning person at Walt Disney World. (It sounds funny, but it's so true!) I'm also a huge advocate for the mid-day break. If you're traveling with kids, the break is pretty much non-negotiable! I can't tell you how many kids of all ages break down and cry in the parks. They're hot, they're overstimulated, their routine is thrown off...and so many times their parents are pushing them to go open-close in the parks. I always like to find a quiet spot outside the parks to grab lunch or a drink. Once in a while, I'll even stop by my Resort for a swim and a nap! Once I'm recharged, I'm ready to tackle the late afternoon/evening. #2 - Forget to Hydrate Always, always, always carry water with you! I encourage everyone to stay hydrated! I personally prefer to carry a water bottle with me, and always carry it on a strap to keep my hands free. This one is a great option! #3 - Forget Sunscreen I've gotten a sunburn in the middle of a February trip that was far worse than any I'd gotten in the summer! Why was that? That Florida sun, even if it doesn't feel hot, is strong. Wearing sunscreen, no matter the season, is one of my top travel tips! If you're in the market for a good one, I prefer a water-resistant and oil-free spray, like this Neutrogena option! If you do find yourself sunburnt, grab a great aloe vera gel. #4 - Mask Without Backups 2021 problems, amiright? I recommend 2 masks per person, per day. Sweat, rain, water rides, and general discomfort will require you to change your mask at least once. While we're on the subject of masks, make sure you're up-to-date on the requirements at the parks you're visiting. This infographic may help if you're just trying to get an idea! #4 - Carry the Wrong Bags I've seen it a thousand times...especially at Universal! Folks are so close to boarding some of their favorite rides, and they have to take a trip back to the lockers. At Universal Orlando Resort especially, you'll want a fanny pack. You're allowed to wear it onto almost every ride, and it keeps everything nice and secure. This Adidas fanny pack is the exact one that I use, and I cannot even begin to tell you how helpful it is in the parks. I have an entire blog post dedicated to the best park bags! #5 - Leave Chargers Behind Your phone is one of the most important parts of your trip...especially if you aren't using MagicBands! (Remember, Disney is no longer including MagicBands in their 2021 packages, but I am! Get them FREE with qualifying packages booked through me...ask me how!) You'll be using your app to mobile order, check wait times, take photos, you name it! Don't be caught without a portable charger to make sure your vacation stays magical. I have this portable charger and it's a dream come true. #6 - Forget to Check the Weather I already talked about the sun, but what about the rest of the time? I always encourage clients to prepare for any type of weather...including chilly weather, rain, and more! I always dress in layers, because even in the summer months, it can get chilly at night! I also carry a poncho with me for water rides or sudden downpours. Umbrellas work just fine, too, but a poncho can be folded neatly into those park bags without being too bulky. #7 - Travel Without a Travel Agent Yes, even extremely seasoned travelers still use travel agents! Travel agents, like myself, advocate for clients, monitor for discounts, act as a liason, and keep clients up-to-date about every travel change. (I also include e-packages full of tips and tricks, itineraries, and more!) Contact me to get started! There are certain Walt Disney World restaurants that get all the (totally justifiable!) hype. Cinderella's Royal Table, Be Our Guest, the list goes on and on. (In fact, I have an entire blog post dedicated to some of the best romantic restaurants!) Sometimes, those hard-to-get reservations elude us. I've found these tried-and-true hidden gem dining spots for those days where you're in a pinch and need a reservation quickly! The Wave
The Wave...of American Flavors is located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. If you're dying to check out the Contemporary, this is an exceptional hidden gem. Located just off the lobby, this spot has breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The food is fresh and there's something for everyone...even for the pickiest of eaters! (Pro tip: if you're there for breakfast, order the sweet potato pancakes...then be prepared to fall in love!) Whispering Canyon Whispering Canyon Cafe is located in the lobby at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. Here, they're known for the phenomenal all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets for breakfast lunch, and dinner, though you can order an entree a la carte if you'd like. The name of this restaurant is definitely misleading, because this sounds about as far from "whispering" as you can get! Be prepared for some silly shenanigans from your waitstaff. (Of course, if you don't want to participate in the hijinks, just let them know! It's still a lot of fun to watch!)
It's no secret that Walt Disney World can cost a pretty penny. (Though it doesn't have to!) At the end of the day, and despite all of the magical touches, Disney is still running a business. Here are 4 ways that Disney gets you to spend some major moolah, and 4 money-saving alternatives!
The Splurge: Light Up Toys
If you've been to the Disney Parks at night, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The light up toys, light up bubble wands, light up balloons, and light up ears seem to be at every kiosk and store. With nighttime shows temporarily suspended, you may not be in the parks as late. But, you'll definitely still see these. These things are cool, but PRICEY. (Not to mention, they're difficult to travel home with...especially if you're flying.) The Save: Glow Necklaces I encourage my clients to pack glow necklaces/bracelets/wands for nighttime at the parks. This lets the kids in your party still participate in the nighttime fun without the hefty price tag. As a bonus, some of those parks are dark when you're walking through at night, and this helps your kiddos stand out.
Disney recently announced the newest perk to staying on-site at Walt Disney World, Early Park Admission! (Read all about that announcement here!) While it is different from the Extra Magic Hours from the "before times", this perk actually adds value to your stay!
What were Extra Magic Hours?
Extra Magic Hours (EMH) were one of the biggest draws to staying on-site at Walt Disney World. Basically, they allowed Disney Resort hotel guests to either enter select parks on select days an hour early or stay later at select parks on select days after closing. The parks and hours were selected by Disney, so your options were either to enter/stay in those parks along with everyone else staying on-site or to skip those parks/hours, which means you weren't taking advantage of every perk you were paying for. What is Early Park Admission? Early Park Admission is the newest perk announced by Disney. This 30-minute early entry will be available exclusively to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels. The best part is that Early Park Admission will be available every day at every park. This means that you can knock out your big ticket items (why, hello, Flight of Passage!) before the park is even open to off-site guests and locals. YOU get to choose your early entry park, rather than Disney choosing for you! Why the change? Extra Magic Hours, in many cases, actually made the Disney-selected parks busier than the other parks. For example, if Magic Kingdom had EMH from 8-9 am, and the park opened to the general public at 9 am, Magic Kingdom was statistically busier than any other park for the entire remainder of the day. Once Walt Disney World reopened in 2020, Disney had to drastically change quite a few of their operations. Increasing crowds, even with reduced capacity, is obviously not ideal in the current pandemic climate. With Early Park Admission, Disney is able to spread on-site guests out between any of the 4 parks every single morning. This allows major perks for guests while still allowing Disney to spread guests between 4 parks instead of pushing them all to 1 park. With no FastPasses right now, guests will be able to knock out their favorite attractions 30 minutes with minimal wait times, doing it all prior to off-site guests and the general public being admitted into any of those parks. How do I take advantage of Early Park Admission? Book a Walt Disney World package through me, and I'll walk you through it! As you know, travel to anywhere is changing by the minute. I stay up-to-date on the latest Disney news so that you can kick back and enjoy your vacation! Contact me to get started!
Park touring is going to be quite different for a while. Here are 5 items that I've added to my clients' packing checklists for 2021 and 2022 vacations!
1. Face Coverings
Simply put, if you want to tour the parks, you'll need a mask or another type of face covering for everyone ages 2+ in your party. I highly recommend packing at least 2 per person per day in your park bag. Unexpected rainstorms, water rides, and sweat will make wearing the same mask for an entire day pretty miserable. Having an extra will ensure that you and your family have extras in case any masks are lost or damaged. You'll likely be able to purchase these in the parks, but I highly doubt you'll want to keep shelling out cash every time you need a spare mask! These disposable masks on Amazon are a great value! For more tips about masks, be sure to follow these tips. For mask-wearing advice for kids, click here! 2. Ziploc Bags I've long been including gallon size bags on my lists for wet clothes and for keeping items safe on water rides, but stick some sandwich bags in there, too. Why? Those face coverings from #1, of course! You'll be able to take them off while you eat, but what do you do with those masks then? You won't want to stick them in a purse or park bag! Grab a few sandwich-sized bags to stick your masks in while you dine. An assorted pack of Ziplocs is the way to go! 3. Hand Sanitizer Okay, so this is another one that I always recommend, but this is now an absolute MUST HAVE in your park bag for obvious reasons! Grab these Purell travel sized options that you can attach to a bag or purse so that you don't have to go digging for it every time. There will be increased sanitizer stations throughout the park, but it never hurts to have your own! (Plus, Universal's hand sanitizer smells a little rough. You'll want your own, trust me.) 4. Disinfecting Wipes While the parks and resorts have absolutely stepped up their game in terms of disinfecting surfaces, you can never be too careful! Grab a travel-size of Clorox wipes and wipe down tables, etc. before you sit down! I also recommend doing this with your tray table on planes or even wiping down high touch areas in your hotel room. 5. Portable Charger It's more important than ever to have a charged phone in the parks. Not only can you check your My Disney Experience or Universal Orlando app for reservations or virtual queues, you'll also need to use it for mobile food ordering, looking up menus, and for constantly updated information. This rose gold beauty is the one that I have, and I can't recommend it enough! My clients all receive a full custom packing checklist. If you're ready for more travel and packing tips, contact me to get more information! |
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