#Adulting · Cruise Itineraries · Disney Cruise Line · Disney Dream · Disney Travel Tip · Walt Disney World

New Disney Dream Sail Dates

© Disney

The first time I set foot on the Disney Dream, I fell in love. The Dream & the Fantasy are my favorite cruise ships in the cruising industry. They have an excellent balance of things for kids, things for the whole family, but also plenty for just the adults. The adult area on these two ships are simply amazing and the teen area (for some day when mine are older) has got to be the coolest club on the high seas. I mean, they have their own hot tub and sun deck!!

A great option for guests that LOVE Walt Disney World but may want to try a Disney Cruise or those that want to do both but don’t cant travel for more than 7 nights or so, I suggest the Land & Sea option (or what I like to call Surf & Turf : )

This is a 3 or 4 night sailing that is paired with a few days at Disney World. The Disney Dream just added new sailings that cater to this type of guest perfectly!

They added the following itineraries for 2020:

3-Night Bahamian Cruises 
Disney Dream from Port Canaveral, FL 
New 2020 Sail Dates: Aug. 24, 27; Sept. 3, 2020

4-Night Bahamian Cruises 
Disney Dream from Port Canaveral, FL 
New 2020 Sail Dates: Aug. 30; Sept. 6, 10, 2020

More dates will be released for later in 2020 as well if you are looking to travel early in the school year or on one of awesome Halloween Sailings or Holiday Sailings. Stay Tuned!!

If you are interested on pricing for one of these great cruises alone or would like to pair it with a stay at Disney World, I would love to help! I have great knowledge about the Disney Cruises which can be an awesome advantage to you while planning. Contact me today for a no obligation quote – remember my services are always free of charge and qualifying reservations will receive our Minnie Box!

Disney Travel Tip · Merchandise · Walt Disney World

New Magic Band Options Coming Soon!

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There is nothing like the excitement when that generic, white, rectangular box gets pulled out of the mail. What many who handle that white box along its travels do not know is that it holds the key to your Disney Vacation – Magic Bands! As generic as it my look, my littles know exactly what it is and we do a little happy dance around the mailbox when it arrives. What color did each person choose? What does it say on the inside of the band? SO much excitement and an awesome milestone on your countdown to Disney. Well, Magic Bands just got a little more exciting!

Now, in addition to the regular colors of the rainbow, Disney is going to offer all new options. Over 30 new options will be available for you to choose from! These new options will feature some of your favorite Disney Characters plus all new patterns and designs.

While they will not be complimentary, guests can use a $14.99 credit (the cost of a plain Magic Band) towards an upgrade to one of these new options.

We are being told they will roll out in the next few weeks. Possibly in time for me to customize for my own June Trip?! C’MON Disney, its my 10th Anniversary – Please, Please make it happen!

We are not being told how much they will be so i’m not yet sure on how much over the $14.99 they will cost. You will be able to choose and purchase right through My Disney Experience. Super fun & easy! Check out this video all about it:

Let me know if you would like to get started on planning your dreams! I can help you with everything from Magic Bands to Magical Express and all my services are free of charge!

Animal Kingdom · Disney Travel Tip · Epcot · Hollywood Studios · Magic Kingdom · Walt Disney World

Extra, Extra Magic Hours

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Extra (additional), Extra Magic Hours are coming to Disney World this Fall!

Because of all the excitement surrounding Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney is opening adding more Extra Magic Hours to the calendar.

Extra Magic Hours are offered at a select Disney World park each day. They happen either before the park opens or after the park closes. They are available at no charge to Disney Resort Guests and other select hotel guests only. They typically last an hour or two and the park in which it is offered rotates.

Well now – With the addition of Extra, Extra Magic Hours, you will have way more options and a lot more time available to be in the parks. This is what they are offering now to Disney Resort and other Select Hotel Guests:

  • Hollywood Studios will open daily at 6am from September 1st – November 2nd.
  • Magic Kingdom will open daily at 7am from August 29th – November 2nd
  • Animal Kingdom will open daily at 7am from August 29th – November 2nd
  • Epcot will still have occasional Extra Magic Hours as it does now

This adds several hours of possible park touring time to your vacation. It also definitely has me rethinking how I will plan Fastpasses for my guests traveling in the fall as well as my own trips.

If you would like some guidance on how to take full advantage of these Extra, Extra Magic Hours or even if this just gets you so excited that you are now ready to book a trip, contact me today!

Character Meal · Characters/Meet & Greets · Disney Characters · Disney Dining · Disney Princesses · Extra Magical Experience · Magic Kingdom · New for Magic Kingdom · Walt Disney World

Signature Celebration Package Now Available at Cinderella’s Royal Table

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A new celebration fit for all Princes & Princesses! Now available at Cinderella’s Royal, a delicious meal will be paired with a Royal Experience. Guests who choose the celebration package will receive the tasty 3 course meal as well as meet with several Disney Princesses. In addition, guests will receive the following:

  • A personal welcome from Cinderella & her Prince where they will welcome you into the castle
  • Complimentary glass of sparkling wine or specialty beverage
  • A box of Cinderella-inspired treats as a keepsake gift
  • Reserved seating for “Happily Ever After” Fireworks
  • After-Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace where treats are also Cinderella-Inspired

This Signature Celebration is only offered during one seating each evening so reservations are very limited. I highly recommend making this the first reservation you make when you book your dining 180 days out. For assistance with this and all of your other planning, please contact me for a no-obligation quote and let’s start planning your dreams! My services are free of charge and all qualifying reservations will receive our Minnie Box Gift.

Disney Dining · Hollywood Studios · New for Hollywood Studios · Walt Disney World

New Toy Story Table Service Restaurant

© Disney

A new Rootin’ Tootin’ Table Service Restaurant is coming to Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World – Roundup Rodeo BBQ!

Guests will enter the restaurant and will suddenly realize they are now the size of a toy. Surrounded by other toys & game pieces inside Andy’s new home-made Rodeo arena, you will find the ultimate setting for a western BBQ.

In keeping with the Toy Story theme, guests will recognize many toys that they know and love along with several “Easter Eggs” hidden throughout the restaurant. Of course, images of your favorite Toy Story Characters will be scattered throughout the Rodeo Arena.

This is going to be a fun and fantastic family-friendly restaurant that is geared for kids and grownups alike! Check back for updates on when this restaurant will open and more details!

Character Meal · Characters/Meet & Greets · Disney Characters · Disney Dining · Hollywood Studios · New for Hollywood Studios · Walt Disney World

Fancy Nancy Comes to Disney

© Disney

Calling all Disney Junior Fans! Fancy Nancy has made her way to Hollywood Studios!

Fancy Nancy, a sweet little 6 year old girl who loves everything French and Fancy has arrived for Meet and Greets as well as Hollywood & Dine for Character meals. She has been delighting little girls with her fashion, french language and fantastic tea parties. Nancy has a beautiful and fun outlook that little girls everywhere can admire & look up to.

Look for her today at Hollywood Studios!

Disney Shows · Hollywood Studios · New for Hollywood Studios · Walt Disney World

New Nighttime Spectacular for Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

© Disney

Not only do they have this amazing new show coming, but it’s not replacing Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular or Fantasmic! Hooray for adding new things

Beginning today, May 1st, ‘Wonderful World of Animation’ will debut at Hollywood Studios. A beautiful display of projections, fireworks, and our favorite Disney Movies will be displayed on the Chinese Theater. Movies will range from Cars and other Pixar favorites to the classics like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. The spectacular will showcase over 90 years of animation at Disney Studios

This is definitely a new cinematic nighttime experience that you will not want to miss! This is a great video from the creators. I cannot wait!

© Disney Parks

To visit Hollywood Studios & the rest of Walt Disney World or any Disney Destination, contact me for a no-obligation quote!

#Adulting · Disney Dining · Disney Travel Tip · Epcot · Walt Disney World

#Adulting in Disney: Part 3

I feel that Epcot deserves its own separate #Adulting post. There are multiple things to do in Epcot that are either not kid-friendly or are easier and maybe even more fun when traveling without children.

© Disney

Epcot has four great seasonal celebrations. There is rarely a time when there is not a Festival going on. These festivals are immersive and teach us about ours and other cultures. There is themed entertainment, merchandise, performances, food & beverages, and more. Admission to these festivals are included with your park admission!

The four Festivals are:

  • Epcot International Festival of the Arts
  • Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
  • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
  • Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Many couples and groups love to travel to Epcot for the Food & Wine Festival. It is a great time and a perfect #Adulting opportunity. However, here is a little secret – all of these festivals have delicious bites & sips from around the world and often they are far less crowded than the Food & Wine Festival – especially on the weekends!!

© Disney

In addition to the festivals, Epcot has some great restaurants that I personally find more for #Adulting. Within each country are table service restaurants. Each restaurant will serve delicious food from their native country and I find the menus and decor much more appealing for adults.

Epcot has the Wine Walk that we spoke about in #Adulting at Disney Parks. Guests can purchase a passport and have it stamped around the countries as they sample wine.

The shops in the World Showcase have beautiful merchandise from the native countries. If you enjoy shopping, shopping here is almost like a treasure hunt!

And Ohhhhh the entertainment! I love listening to the British Revolution (British Rock Band) in the United Kingdom, listening to the Rose & Crown Pub Musicians, or watching the Serveur Amusant in France – a French acrobat with some amazing talent!

There are also several tours that are geared for adults and have a minimum age requirement. Some of these look really great, especially the tour of The UnDISCOVERed Future World Tour. You get to go behind the scenes, head into cast lounges, hear about Walt’s original vision for EPCOT and even go “backstage” – like under the outside portion of test track where the SIM cars whiz by! What an amazing and informative adventure!

© Disney

Regardless of how much time I have in a given trip to Walt Disney World, I go to Epcot. There are so many wonderful things to see, do, eat, and drink! This park is the perfect balance of #Adulting with Disney Magic and for that is one of my favorites!


Characters/Meet & Greets · Disney Characters · Disney Shows · Extra Magical Events · Magic Kingdom · New for Magic Kingdom · Walt Disney World

New Fireworks Spectacular for Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party

Hallowishes was a fantastic Fireworks display and was one of my favorite parts about the Disney World Halloween party. Disney has decided to replace it this year with an all new Spectacular and I think it is going to be amazing.

For those of you who have had the opportunity to see “Happily Ever After”; the Magic Kingdom night time show that leaves guests with goosebumps and the happiest kind of tears, this will be modeled after that. It will add projections on the castle as well as the lasers, special effects and of course, a beautiful fireworks display. The story will be about Mickey and his friends as they go on a Trick-or-Treating adventure and some of the not-so-scary things they can encounter. We are attending in early September so I will report back about the new show!

In addition to the new show, your favorites will return including the famous “Boo to You” parade, character dance parties, meet & greets with rare characters and of course, trick-or-treating!

Here is more information on the party: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party


Disney Cruise Line · Disney Travel Tip · Disneyland · Meg the Travel Agent · Savings Promotion · Universal Resort · Walt Disney World

Top Reasons to Contact Me for Your Disney Destination & Universal Travel Needs

All of your Favorite Leading Ladies & Gentlemen – they all had one thing in common; An awesome sidekick!

Anna has Olaf, Aladdin has Genie, Mulan has Mushu & you can have me!!

Think of yourself as the leading lady or gentleman and think of me as just that – your awesome Disney Sidekick. I am here to help you turn your dreams into amazing memories to cherish for years to come as well as to help you with anything that may come up while you plan. If you are thinking to yourself, “I want total control of my trip and don’t want anyone planning for me and I prefer to make my own reservations.” No worries – I can do as little or as much as you would like. I can help you plan the whole trip, or I can just hold the reservation for you and watch for things that will impact your trip like closures, discounts, and more! It is all up to you!

Why use me as your Disney Sidekick? Here are several reasons:

Knowledge

When I chose to become a Travel Agent for Disney Destinations & Universal Resorts, I had to go through many courses and trainings from both companies. I actually had to earn a degree from Disney’s College of Knowledge before I could speak to any guests. Now that I am an established agent, I have to attend on-site trainings and conferences as well as a form of continuing education throughout the year. I am updated daily to changes, new attractions, closures, special events, and more. I make sure I know everything I need to know to make sure each guest has a fantastic experience without any unwanted surprises.

Experience

In addition to the formal courses I had to take, there is also the decades (yikes) of experience I have had with both companies. I have been going to Walt Disney World since before I said my first word. I have been over 50 times and each experience was a little different. I have been as a child, as an adult without kids, on a bachelorette trip, on my “Disney-moon”, and now several trips with children of all ages. I know the resorts, parks, transportation, and magical extras quite well in addition to all the tips and tricks to have the smoothest and least stressful trip possible.

I have taken several Disney Cruises as well so I am very familiar with the ships and itineraries and would love to help you plan your first or fiftieth Disney Cruise.

I have also been going to Universal since I was very small. My Father was in a line of work that got us VIP tours a few times so I even know some of the behind the scenes things. Not to mention, Harry Potter is my favorite book series so I get “lost” in the Wizarding World at least once a year.

Passion

I live and breathe the Magic of Disney. I have personally felt how it can bring people together. I am so passionate about helping guests with their trips because I want each guest to feel the magic and wonder that I feel when I am in Disney World.

Planning, Prepping & Tips

What should I bring in my park traveling bag? What should I leave home? What activities can I do with a small child while everyone else is riding the “big” rides? When can I check in for my Disney Cruise and why do it ASAP? What are the best FastPasses and how do I get them? Should I bring my kids with me to our Palo Reservation? How can I get a Cinderella Castle Reservation? What is the most romantic restaurant in Disneyland?

These are questions I get frequently and when you reserve with me I can help you with them and many, many others.

Perks

Travel Agents do have some fun things they are able to do for their guests – for example; If you are not staying at a Universal Resort but you would like to visit the parks, tickets that are purchased through me will get you into the parks an hour prior to the general public. This is usually only a perk reserved for resort guests but the tickets purchased from me through my agency will allow you to do that!

Time

Planning a Disney Cruise or a Disney World/Disneyland trip takes a lot of time. There are so many options to choose from, reservations to make (at an unbelievably early hour) phone calls to make that sometimes have high wait times…etc. Let me do that for you! Changing reservations or adding/taking away options often requires a phone call to Disney – I can do that for you as well.

Surprises!

Qualifying reservations receive our Minnie Box (or Adventure Packet for Universal)!! This is a super fun surprise that is unique to the wonderful agency I am a part of – Magical Vacations LLC. This is a box that will be mailed to you prior to you leaving for your trip. It is full of magic and surprises tailored to your family’s vacation.

Just Me!

You may need to contact several different departments of Disney to get your trip all set up – The Disney Cruise Line for your cruise needs, Guest Services to modify Magical Express & transfer you after a cruise or a flight, multiple different numbers to contact if you want to add Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, golf, spa experiences…etc. When you reserve through me, I am your one point of contact – Just me! Just let me know what you need and I make all the calls and sit on all the holds!

Money

Yes – Travel Agents can save you money! My knowledge alone can help you make informed decisions that can easily save you money. In addition, like I said earlier, I do watch closely for discounts released after you reserve and if your trip qualifies, I can have it applied to your trip. I do have guests that book their trip through me and make all of their own reservations themselves. They handle their entire trip because that is what they like to do. I just hold the reservation for them and watch for discounts.

I just saved a guest over $1000 last week when three different promotions were released. There were limited rooms to the offer but I was able to modify her reservation and have it changed before most even knew about the promotion. $1000! That is a lot of Mickey Head Ice Creams!

Contact me!

Now that you know the many wonderful things I can do to make your trip as magical and memorable as possible, contact me! I would love to help you and your family turn your Dreams into Memories!

Already Booked?

If you are already reserved for your Disney Cruise, Aulani, Adventures by Disney, Disney World or Disneyland trip but you would like me to assist you going further, let me know! We may be able to transfer your reservation over so that I can help you with anything you need going forward.