It’s been really great this summer to see so much of the magic returning to the parks. Today, Disney announced the return of FOUR fan-favorite shows!
In other Disney news, we did find out that EPCOT's "EPCOT Forever" will end its run on September 28th, while "Happily Ever After" will conclude its run on September 29th at Magic Kingdom.
All-new nighttime spectaculars “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom and “Harmonious” at EPCOT will debut October 1st as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration. To book your 2021 or 2022 Walt Disney World stay, contact me as soon as possible to secure your room and rates.
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The holidays are a favorite time of year, and it’s official – the merry season will begin Nov. 12 at Walt Disney World Resort during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” marking the 50th anniversary! You'll find magic, seasonal food & drink favorites, and more at each of the theme parks, hotels, and at Disney Springs!
We are seeing unprecedented bookings for the holiday season this year. To make sure that you and your family get to experience the magic, contact me as soon as possible!
Magic Kingdom
Not only will decorations return to Main Street, U.S.A., but in the evenings, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic. Even more exciting is Disney's announcement of “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a BRAND NEW special-ticketed event. It will debut November 8 and run through select nights through December 21. The four hours of festivities will include fireworks, Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats, and so much more! Read more about that event. EPCOT The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year from November 26 through December 30! Enjoy Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the fan-favorite Cookie Stroll and more! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will feature special holiday projection effects, which will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic. In addition, Santa Claus will join a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard, Minnie Mouse is returning to host her holiday meal at Hollywood & Vine, and vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas will return to Animal Kingdom. The Tree of Life, another Beacon of Magic, will also feature a holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings most nights. Disney Springs The shopping, dining, and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center. Disney Resort Hotels Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. AND a fan-favorite will return this year....select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! At select resorts, restaurants will offer holiday menus and specialty food and drink.
A few months ago, I shared the news about Walt Disney World's newest perk, Early Park Admission. Disney has released more details about that perk, and I'm here to break it all down for you.
Just in time for the 50th celebration, we finally have a start date for Disney's Early Park Admission! Beginning October 1st, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels, will have the first chance to enjoy select attractions at EVERY theme park, EVERY day. (I've explained why this is a way better perk than Extra Magic Hours here.)
One huge announcement is that guests staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Disney Resort hotel will also be able to enjoy EXTENDED evening hours on select nights in select theme parks. (Think of this as the old Extra Magic Hours.) Extended evening hours will begin in early October. For both of these options, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available. Please note that guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day to experience early theme park entry and, for select guests, extended evening hours. Or, guests may visit with a ticket or Annual Pass with the Park Hopper option as long as they entered their first park where they made their reservation earlier in the day. If you're interested in booking a room at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, contact me as soon as possible. This announcement will make these rooms very popular, so booking as far in advance as possible is highly recommended. My 2021 Resort Recommendations are listed here.
Just in time for the start of the “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” on Oct. 1st, Walt Disney World will be rolling out a new early theme park entry benefit for Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels, giving them the first chance to enjoy select attractions at EVERY theme park, EVERY day. These guests will also be among the first each day to see the dazzling decorations and EARidescent excitement. Guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same date for early theme park entry.
In addition, with the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, guests staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Disney Resort hotels will also be able to enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks. Extended evening hours will begin in early October with specific dates and parks to be shared at a later time. For both of these options, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available. Be sure to also bring your MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card linked to their stay, or another form of Resort ID. Back at your Disney Resort hotel, enjoy even more magic! During the celebration, be on the lookout for surprise appearances by some favorite Disney pals like Goofy and Pluto, who will be dressed in their EARidescent best and dropping by to visit with guests across Disney Resort hotels! These new offerings will join a number of other great services available for Disney Resort hotel guests such as complimentary on-site transportation and the direct-to-room service available in the My Disney Experience app. Speaking of Disney Resort hotel stays, we know many of you are also wondering when Disney dining plan packages will return. Disney has not yet shared an update on timing, we are planning to bring this guest-favorite option back at a later date. We will also continue to reopen more Resort offerings, including restaurants like ‘Ohana (with the noodles!) To book a stay at any of the resorts in the Disney Resort Collection or to be among the first to get information about the dining plan return, contact me! Rooms are booking at an unprecedented rate!
Beginning Oct. 1, “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honors the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, and, wow, are there some great new details about this incredible 18-month event! Resorts are booking up quickly, contact me as soon as possible to get your stay booked!
A new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment,” will help kick off the 50th anniversary festivities when it debuts Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom. Created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza will take Guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.
Joining “Disney Enchantment” on Oct. 1 will be “Harmonious” at EPCOT, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. This new show will bring the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. It’s a grand, powerful tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways. “Harmonious” will invite Guests to travel the globe through new interpretations of classic Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, reimagined in more than a dozen languages by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.
There’s also new daytime entertainment stirring at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Check out this artist rendering of “Disney KiteTails,” which will come alive several times daily at the Discovery River Amphitheater beginning Oct. 1. Performers will fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, while out on the water elaborate three-dimensional kites – some stretching to 30 feet long – will depict Disney animal friends, including Simba, Zazu, Baloo and King Louie. These colorful creations will dance through the sky to the beat of favorite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be the hosts for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” and they’ll be decked out in sparkling new EARidescent fashions for the 50th anniversary. As you can see in the photo above, their best pals want to get in on the shimmer, too, as Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale will be sporting their own custom-made EARidescent looks beginning Oct. 1. Guests will get a chance to see them when they travel through Magic Kingdom several times daily in the new “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade.”
These eight friends will also be featured in special golden character sculptures debuting Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom; in this artist rendering, you can see Mickey and Minnie shining in the sunlight near Cinderella Castle. There will be 50 characters total in this series of sculptures that will be displayed across all four theme parks. We’ll soon reveal more of the “Disney Fab 50” as excitement builds for the big day, as well as the surprising ways Guests will be able to interact with these beautiful sculptures as part of the 50th anniversary celebration.
This fall, bring home “Walt Disney World: A Portrait of the First Half Century,” a beautiful new coffee table book from Disney Editions. You can see the cover art above for this insider’s look at the history and evolution of Walt Disney World, written by Kevin Kern, Tim O’Day and Steven Vagnini. A link for that book can be found above or here from Amazon.
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” will also see the grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT, icons at each of the four parks transforming into Beacons of Magic at night, EARidescent décor all across the resort, plus much more. Walt Disney World cast members – who will be wearing new EARidescent nametags designed especially for this occasion – are looking forward to sharing all this magic with Guests, as they are the heart of this momentous event. You won't want to miss this celebration! Contact me for more details!
Your theme park bag is one of the most important parts of your entire trip. Without a well-packed bag, your park day can get derailed quickly. After all of the time, money, and excitement you've put towards your vacation, that's the last thing that you want! I give to you one of my most coveted tips...how to pack your park bag!
Be sure to grab my FREE park bag packing checklist below!
The Bag
First things first, you'll actually need a park bag. The park bag that you choose will depend on who you're traveling with and which parks you're visiting. I've previously talked about the best park bags for every guest. I suggest starting there if you're trying to decide on what type of bag you'll need. However, today we're going to focus on what goes inside that bag! The Basics The first things you're going to carry with you are the obvious basics. This includes things like cash, credit cards, and IDs. I personally prefer not to carry my entire wallet, and instead use a zip-top wallet. If you're looking for a luxury version, this Michael Kors wallet is perfect. This Vera Bradley change purse is very similar to the one I carry. (Except mine has a Hufflepuff print!) Communication You likely always have your phone with you anyway, but make this is more important than ever. You'll use your phone to take photos, order food, check wait times, and can even house your tickets and park passes into there! Therefore, you're also going to want a portable charger in that bag, too. This is identical to my favorite charger! (I couldn't get a link to my exact charger, sorry! Health and Safety The next category we're going to make sure we have are anything related to health and safety. Face coverings* (if you're wearing them), hand sanitizer, and band aids. Hand sanitizer has long been a staple on my packing lists long before 2020, but now it's even higher on my list! Band-Aids are another good one to carry with you. In addition to their normal uses, you'll definitely want those to cover any blisters on your feet. There's nothing worse than touring with blisters! *This list previously recommended 2 face coverings per person, per day. As of April 18, 2022, face coverings have become optional at all Walt Disney World locations. You know your family best! Do what works for you and your travel party. Weather Florida is not only hot, but V E R Y humid. It's also full of unpredicted weather. It's not unheard of to have a beautiful morning and evening with a monsoon-level storm for an hour in the afternoon. For this reason, you'll need to be prepared, rain or shine. The first item you'll need, no matter the temperature, is sunscreen. (Don't make the major mistake that I made a few years ago!) With all of that heat, I also recommend either (or both!) a personal fan and a cooling towel. I also encourage all clients to carry ponchos with them. A poncho will allow you to get around during any downpours and are also a game-changer when it comes to water rides! Which brings me to my final category... Ready for Anything! There are a few items to include in that park bag that may not make sense when you read my checklist, but trust me on this! The first is a variety of Ziploc bags. Use one to keep face coverings (if you're wearing them) safe and clean while you're eating. Use a larger gallon size to hold wet ponchos. If you're riding Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids, you can also keep cell phones in a sandwich size bag to help keep them extra dry. (I'm a big Ziploc fan, clearly.) I also recommend carrying a hydrating lip balm. Finally, I recommend a water bottle strap. This one doesn't necessarily stay in your park bag, per say, but staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do. If you found this list helpful, be sure to check out some of my other packing tips: Best Items to Beat the Heat New Items to Pack Click here to get a full, comprehensive vacation packing checklist. When the Disney Wish sets sail in Summer 2022, guests will be immersed in Disney’s rich legacy of enchanting storytelling. The Wish will bring life to the stories and characters of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars. Check out what the Wish has in store for us! Bookings for this ship will sell out Q U I C K L Y, so if you'd like to receive a quote when bookings become available in May 2021, please contact me! Pools
Dining
Entertainment
Kids Clubs Children ages 3 to 12 will enter the reimagined Disney’s Oceaneer Club. Including:
Adults-Only Experiences
Accommodations Every stateroom on board the Disney Wish will be a luxurious, peaceful retreat designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage and upscale amenities. Most will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bathroom concept.
Setting Sail Summer 2022
The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage — a five-night cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay — on June 9, 2022, followed by an inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to the same destinations from Port Canaveral, Florida. Due to the anticipated demand for the Maiden Voyage of Disney Wish, there will be some unique Terms and Conditions for this sailing only. Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021. More details about the Disney Wish are on the horizon. Stay tuned!
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!
Welcome Guide FREEBIE!Kick-start your Disney travel plans! Success!Check your email for your free download!
#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! SURPRISE! Months ahead of their typical schedule, Walt Disney World has released 2022 packages! Contact me to receive your complimentary quote!
Staying at 2 or more resort hotels during your vacation, also known as a split stay, is one of the best ways to experience Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort (or both!) But what exactly does that mean? And why should you do it? If you're asking yourself those questions, get ready for Split Stays 101!
The Basics
A split stay requires at least 1 night's stay at each resort hotel that you plan to book. Split stays can be between 2 or even 3 resorts. If you choose to do a split stay at Walt Disney World, bell services will transfer your bags free of charge to your next Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. If you transfer from different Universal hotels, or split between Disney and Universal, you're on your own. If you're looking for luggage for the kids (or kids at heart!), American Tourister has some adorable Disney luggage, including Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and BB-8! Not looking for character luggage? American Tourister also has this great 3-piece set! Where to Split at Walt Disney World The resorts you choose to split between are a completely personal choice. 99% of the split stays that I book are because of the following:
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