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Reach out for complimentary planning, expert advice, tips & tricks, referral program, and my travel experience for assistance!
The Haunted Mansion Parlor is an incredibly immersive bar on the Disney Treasure. You will feel as if you are right there with Master Gracey. As you enter, you will notice familiar signage such as Tomb Sweet Tomb and some other fun hidden surprises. Does that door look familiar?!
Once inside, this place really comes to life….or…death? According to Treasure Lore, a captain has entered this ghostly realm after an unfortunate dinner with his fiance. What iconic relics can you spot? My favorite was the “Donald Chair”!
During certain parts of the evening, well-known friends will make an appearance such as Leota, the Hitchhiking Ghosts, the changing portraits, and more!
And the drinks! Not sure who in the “other” realm is creating these concoctions, but they are pretty special. Take your time with the menu and really explore it. For adventurous guests there is a little game involved which can unlock an extra special beverage for 2!
They have incredibly fun alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and there is truly something for everyone. The Hatbox Ghost sipper/soda is really special. Hint: Save your soda bottle but be sure to put it away once in your stateroom. The oh-so-incredibly room attendants will see an empty bottle and want to clean it up for you. That goes for anything you want to save that may resemble “trash”.
You will want to have your camera out and ready at all times in this Parlor because you really never know what will happen around you.
The Parlor opens at 4 on most days. To get a spot in one of the more preferred seats or to see the parlor with less people, I suggest you get there around 3:50 one day.
Disneyland is finally reopening and we couldn’t be more excited! Here is all you need to know about Disneyland and it’s phased opening.
Now Open
Downtown Disney District
Opens April 29
Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – This will open to guests far and wide. You do not need to be a California resident to enjoy the resort or Downtown Disney District! (Villas will open May 2)
Opens April 30
Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park*
*Park reservations will be required and at this time, only residents of California will be eligible for entry.
There are going to be so many protocols put into place for yours and the Cast Members safety. Some of these will change through time and others can be difficult at times to navigate which is why I HIGHLY suggest using a Travel Specialist to help plan with your trip. My services are free and will save you so much time & stress so if you are planning on visiting, let me help!
Disneyland Today
To start, Disneyland reservations and park access will look different than it ever has. Here is what you can expect when they first reopen:
Park Tickets
Tickets that were purchased prior to the closure have been adjusted. Guests should review the Know Before You Go listed on the Disneyland website prior to visiting. If you hold a 1-day ticket, you can check HERE to see when they are valid for.
You will need a Park Reservation and a ticket for that park on that day to enter. You can check the park availability calendar HERE. Reservations can be made on a rolling basis 60 days in advance of the day you want to attend.
Park Hopper Tickets
Park Hopping will be available! During your park reservation process, you will select which park you want to attend first during that specific day. At 1pm on that day, you can then utilize your park hopping ticket and hop to the next park. Guests will not be able to join the Rise Against the Resistance queue unless they are in Disneyland to start the day. Hopping from California Adventure to Disneyland will not permit you to join the Queue.
Disney Fastpass
Disney Fastpass service will not be operational when the park initially opens. Disney will use the additional queue space to allow for proper social distancing. Disney Maxpass will also be unavailable to start.
Park Feature Availability
Upon reopening, guests may visit all of their favorite attractions however character interactions will be different and limited and nighttime shows & parades will not be operational. Instead of one-on-one character greetings, guests can enjoy seeing their Disney Favorites from a distance as they cruise by in Character Cavalcades!
Disney Tech
Guests must have a Disney Account in order to make park reservations.
The Disneyland App will be invaluable to use for mobile ordering, maps & GPS, theme park hours & other important times, Dining Reservations, Mobile Check-in for reservations, joining wait times for restaurants, and more!
Enhanced Safety Precautions
Reduced capacity permitted entry
Face masks required (all guests 2 and up)
Social Distancing required
Temperature screenings
Important Reminders & Tips
Guests 3 and up must have a park ticket and reservation for entry
One guest can book all park reservations for their party but a “party” cannot exceed 10 guests or guests from more than 3 households
Guests will need a park reservation for EACH day they want to enter a park
The Disneyland App will be a must-have for your trip
For Further information and updates, please check back often!
For assistance with reserving your Disneyland Vacation, contact me today!
Starting October 1st, Walt Disney World will take on a whole new shine! They will throw the world’s most magical celebration in honor of 50 wonderful years of guests, memories, & celebrations. During the celebration, each of the 4 parks at Walt Disney World will take on a new “Ear”idesence that will make some of your favorite iconic structures shimmer & shine. I am sure the castle will sparkle beautifully during the day, but I am even more excited to see it shine at night!
This new Earidesence will also be transforming Spaceship Earth, The Tree of Life, and the Hollywood Tower of Terror Hotel.
Some of our favorite characters will also get a little sparkly with new outfits for the celebration.
The celebration will run for 18 months starting on October 1. If you are interested in being one of the first to see the amazing transformation and celebration, you will want to book soon. Many others are having the same idea and now that more and more people are traveling again, the fall and early winter of 2021 are going to book up very quickly!
Contact me today for a quote on your vacation and to receive my complimentary planning. I cannot wait to help you plan your dreams!
Stay tuned for more announcements about the celebration as we get closer to October 1!
Disney Cruise Line – The Perfect Choice for New Cruisers Are you looking for a unique vacation experience that blends entertainment and adventure with comfort and convenience? On a Disney Cruise, you and your loved ones will:
Explore a variety of desirable destinations in a short period of time.
Enjoy onboard activities, entertainment and dining options – most of which are included in the price of the cruise.
Save time by unpacking just once, as opposed to unpacking at several different hotels during a land-based vacation.
Discover these benefits, and many more, by embarking on a hassle-free vacation with Disney Cruise Line. Why Choose a Disney Cruise? There is truly something for everyone on a Disney Cruise – from relaxing “me” time for the adults to imaginative fun for the kids and exciting family time for all. Every voyage includes the attention to detail and world-class hospitality that only Disney can provide. Activities: You will find a variety of activities at themed onboard venues designed to inspire and delight every member of the family. Dining: Guests will experience diverse menus, “rotating” through three uniquely-themed, elegant restaurants with the same wait staff to anticipate their needs and personal tastes. Enjoy expertly prepared dishes from filet mignon and lobster to other culinary delights from around the world. Options range from upscale table service and casual buffets to poolside dining, snacks and 24-hour room service – all included in the cruise fare. Entertainment: Enjoy Broadway-quality, original Disney musicals that can’t be seen anywhere else, special moments with Disney Characters, first-run Disney movies, uniquely themed celebrations on deck, a fireworks spectacular at sea and more! Disney Castaway Cay: Most Bahamian and Caribbean cruises include a stop at Castaway Cay, a private island paradise, reserved exclusively for Disney cruisers. Service and Amenities: On a Disney Cruise Line vacation there’s so much included in the cruise fare! Plus, you will enjoy Disney’s renowned service and amenities throughout the ship, including:
World-class staterooms
All meals daily, including 24-hour complimentary room service, as well as complimentary soda, coffee and tea on deck
First run-films at sea, including some in digital 3D
Most voyages include fireworks at sea, weather permitting
Kid’s clubs filled with oceans of activities and amazing entertainment, including private clubs for tweens and teens
Exclusive areas for adults, including nightclubs, an exclusive pool and fitness center and more.
If you would be interested in more information for your first or fiftieth Disney Cruise, contact me today. My complimentary planning services will allow you to look forward to your vacation and not stress about details and deadlines. See ya Real Soon!
The International Festival of the Arts is now in full swing at Epcot. There are several events & exhibits that returned from 2019 and there are also many new things to look forward to!
New this year are Life-sizes frames of VanGogh’s Café Terrace at Night and Sunflowers paintings that you can step right into for an amazing photo opportunity.
There are 12 Food Studios that present artful bites & sips that may be too beautiful to consume. Some favorites that are set to return include The Artist’s Table Studio for the Sipping Chocolate Flight of white, milk and dark chocolate as well as the BLT from The Deconstructed Dish Studio. There are lots of new items that have been added to these menu’s this year so stay tuned for some favorites!
If music is one of your favorite forms of art, definitely check out the amazing talent nightly at the American Gardens Theater. The Disney on Broadway concert series is comprised of wonderful arts that have been featured in Disney films:
Jan. 17, 20, 21 and 24 – Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”)
Jan. 18, 19, 22 and 23 – Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”)
Jan. 25 – Special performance featuring Simmons, White, Blickenstaff and Lee
Jan. 26, 28, 29; Feb. 1, 2, 5 and 6 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
Jan. 27, 30, 31, Feb. 3, 4, 7 and 8 – Liana Hunt (“Newsies”) and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
Feb. 9 – Special performance featuring Lindsay, Massey, Hunt and Jacobs
Feb. 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22 and 23 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
Feb. 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 – Syndee Winters (“The Lion King”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
Feb. 24 – Special performance featuring Brown, Strickland, Winters and Scott
To secure seats to these performances in advance, you can reserve a Disney on Broadway Dining Package. This will guarantee you a seat on the day you dine in one of several Epcot restaurants and there is no additional cost for it.
Guests that are visiting the festival with little artists will want to check out the Green Landing Family Play Zone. This is a great area for littles to expend some energy while you sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Festival.
Another neat artistic addition to World Showcase for the Festival that the whole family can enjoy are images of Disney Characters that are hidden throughout the countries. Can you find Remy & Emile in France? What about Mushu in China? What other favorite Characters can you spot?
I will be visiting this festival in early February and cannot wait to come back with my experiences and photos. If you have any questions or would like to visit the International Festival of the Arts, contact me today! My planning services are free for my guests and it will save you time, stress, and possibly even money. See ya Real Soon!
In 2020, I am going to be doing monthly updates via Facebook Live. I am aiming for the second Sunday of every month but that may change in the case of a holiday (or a research-based Disney Trip). I would love for you to join me.
I will gather the information I learn directly from Disney each month and then hop on Facebook Live to share it all, answer questions, and explain anything that may need an explanation. It is a great way for you to keep up on updates, closures, refurbishments, discounts, and more.
Since I shared what is new in Disney World this Halloween season, I wanted to also relay what would be new in Disneyland!
Disney California Adventure Park will present Oogie Boogie Bash! This will be a separate ticket event that offers special entertainment, food, characters, and trick or treating.
An awesome new version of World of Color will be shown. “Villainous!” will be hosted by Oogie Boogie himself and is sure to provide some screams. Other Halloween entertainment will include a Descendants Dance Party, Mickey Stage Show, Frightfully Fun Parade, Trick or Treating on immersive treat trails and a new interactive trail provided by Disney Villains.
Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween Costume. This Bash will start on September 17th and take place on 20 select nights. Get your tickets now, as they will sell out!
To plan a trip to Disneyland and add this Spooky event to your itinerary, contact me today!
On the Sixth Day of Christmas in July, Merida Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
While there for the Holidays last year in December of 2018, we made sure to take full advantage of all that Disney World had to offer. We did the Very Merry Christmas Party, Festival of the Holidays, and more. We did it all! Our favorite Holiday Experience (next to the Very Merry Christmas Party) would be what Hollywood Studios has nightly. It is fun and cute and just put us in a great Holiday mood. It even snows!
It is part of your admission so you do not need to purchase anything extra and they have some really magical Holiday Entertainment. Here is what they offer nightly-
Meet Santa (and then once he ships off on the 24th, you can meet Santa Goofy!)
Minnie’s Holiday Dine – For dinner, you can dine with Minnie and her best friends all dressed in their Holiday Attire. The dinner will contain typical buffet items but festive holiday items will also be served all set to holiday music
Sunset Seasons Greetings (pictured above) is a fun projection show played on a billboard and The Hollywood Hotel. They have scenes from your favorite Disney movies AND IT SNOWS! This was one of my favorite parts. It plays on repeat and the littles just loved it. They still talk about it and are hoping to see it again this year!
Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! – This projection show is displayed on the Chinese Theater along with lasers & beautiful fireworks. It is a beautiful display that bring your favorites to life – Prep & landing, Nightmare Before Christmas, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and more. Do not miss it! If you would prefer just to show up right before the show instead of standing in your saved spot for 30 minutes there is a Dessert party that is available for purchase with reserved viewing section.
These Holiday bonuses that you get when visiting Hollywood Studios are a great reason to travel here during November & December in addition to all of the attractions and entertainment it usually offers.
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
I want to give my loved ones a Disney Destination as a gift for Christmas, but how can I make the gift giving process fun and exciting? Well, if you reserve with me and Magical Vacations, you will be sent a Minnie Box which would be an amazing gift already wrapped to place under the tree.
It is our thank you gift to you for putting your Disney Destination Trip in our hands. It is full of magic and excitement and will help you along with any trip you plan with us. It is a great gift in itself and you can stick it right under the tree. There is NO better way to say Merry Christmas!
Contact Me
If you would like assistance reserving a trip to a Disney Destination
for the 2019 Holidays or if you would like to beat ALL the Holiday
Shopping crowds and book a Disney Destination to gift to your loved ones
this year, contact me today!
I would be delighted to help you find a great way to wrap up your
gift to surprise your family! I look forward to hearing from you and
helping you plan your Holiday Magic soon!