Later this year, Illuminations will be retired and Epcot will be getting a whole new Nighttime Spectacular. It is very exciting but I know that many will miss Illuminations, myself included! As a treat and to celebrate this long time running show, Disney is going to stream Illuminations live.
Tune into Disney Parks Blog on April 9th to see this stream. Stay tuned for more details, including the time. I will update here once it is posted. If you are a big fan of this show, be sure to head over to Epcot before the show is gone forever!
Disney has added more “After Hours” evenings to the calendar.
After Hours is a great ticketed evening that allows you to enter the park as early as 7PM. Once inside, you are permitted to stay in the park 3 hours after park closing. Only a limited number of tickets are sold so seeing your favorite attractions and meeting your favorite characters will have short wait times. In addition, ice cream, popcorn, and some beverages are included with your admission.
This is available at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.
Animal Kingdom: May 7, 14 and 21; June 4, 11 and 18
Hollywood Studios: May 1, 4, 10, 17, 24 and 31; June 14, 21 and 28
Magic Kingdom: May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Two of the additional After Hours Events that will be offered at Hollywood Studios will be special-
May 1 – Celebrate Disney’s Hollywood Studios 30th Anniversary. There will be special merchandise, character greeting opportunities, food to celebrate.
May 4 – May the 4th Be With You! – Dress up as your favorite Star Wars Character (Be sure to check guidelines) and be a part of the celebration. any characters will be out for meet & greets and there will be special food & merchandise offerings.
Contact me for any questions or if you would like to purchase a package so you can be a part of some of the magic!
Disney World & Disneyland will celebrate Spring’s arrival with the return of the Eggstravaganza!
From April 5-21, these fun eggs will be hidden through Epcot in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney District. Get your map and stickers and join in the hunt! These can be purchased at select merchandise locations for $6.99.
Search for eggs designed as some of your Disney Favorites and then place the corresponding sticker on the map to show where you found it. Show your completed map to Cast Members at select locations and receive a prize!
We found this so entertaining for our littles and it allowed us some extra adult time when walking “around the world”. It may buy the adults a little extra time to enjoy the Flower & Garden Festival.
With all of the big changes coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland over the next few years, Disney felt the need to restrict a few things. These changes are for the safety and concern of their guests. These new policies & changes will go into effect May 1st.
Strollers
They are restricting the size of stroller permitted into the parks. If you are traveling with a stroller, the new maximum dimensions are 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long or smaller. This is a GOOD thing. The smaller stroller you have, the easier it is for you to navigate through crowds. If everyone complies, foot traffic will move much smoother.
Wagons
Disney will no longer permit wagons. The wagon style strollers such as the ones made by “Keenz” will not be permitted either, even though you can “push” them like a stroller.
Smoking
Every time I read that, I hear it in Mrs. Doubtfire’s voice. No? Just me? Ok, anyway, there will no longer be smoking sections inside Disney Parks. There will be a designated smoking area outside of the parks near the entrance instead. This will be in effect for all of Walt Disney World, Disney Water parks, Disney Springs, ESPN, Disneyland and Downtown Disney. For guests that are staying in a Resort Hotel or may venture to one for dining/entertainment, they will also each have a designated smoking area. This does include vaping as well.
Loose/Dry Ice
Disney happily let’s us all bring in coolers with our own drinks and food. What they will no longer allow are coolers full of “loose ice” or dry ice. They encourage the use of ice packs and if you require loose ice for any reason, it is available at no charge at their quick service restaurants.
Let me know if you would like clarification on any of these or if you have any questions!
The time between Spring Breaks and when schools lets out is one of my favorite times at Walt Disney World. The crowds are lighter and it is less expensive to travel. Flights are often less expensive for the month of May and now with this promotion Disney is offering, your resort stay can be less as well!
Valid for most nights April 27-May 28, reserve a stay at a Disney World Resort and save while staying in the middle of the magic! The value resorts on property are even 15% off! It is a great deal and a great time to visit. Contact me for a no-obligation quote and mention that you want the “Sun & Fun” offer.
Some great things you can catch if you book a last minute trip and stay this Spring:
I started this journey with Disney and Universal because they are both something I am really passionate about. I absolutely love planning my family & friend’s trips. I get silly excited helping them and talking about their upcoming plans.
I started the blog and all of the other social media outlets because I wanted a way to get my name and my new journey “out there”. I knew that once potential guests could see how much I had to offer and how knowledgeable I am, they would know that I would be an excellent agent for their trip. Now that I have some great followers, I would love to use the opportunity to reach more people and reward someone in the process.
I would like to give away a Disney T-Shirt. These shirts are great for every day wear but we especially love wearing ours in the Disney parks. Below is the image that will be put on the t-shirt. Winner can choose between a gray or black shirt and they can choose the size – any size for child or adult. Winner can also choose the color of the image. Some of the entries can be done each day so share and win!
More “Cars” action is coming to Hollywood Studios this Spring!
Lightening McQueen’s Racing Academy zips into Hollywood Studios March 31! With it comes cars, music, dancing, and endless fun. Just outside Sunset Showcase, Piston Cup Champion Cruz Ramirez will stop to meet and greet with all of her fans. DJ, another familiar face will cruise on in and provide the party scene! He will blast off with “DJ’s Ready, Set, Party Time!!” a few times each day. A fun and entertaining party that has Lightning’s Pit Crew gathering guests and getting them involved in dances and games. This is an experience that all Cars fans are going to love!
Look for it this this Spring at Hollywood Studios!
Contact me and let’s get you to Hollywood Studios this spring! All qualifying reservations receive the Minnie Box!
The Tron attraction being built at The Magic Kingdom is making progress and recently, it hit a big milestone in the eyes of the Project Teams. One of the first steel support beams for the ride was unveiled and Cast Members were invited to sign.
The Tron attraction is currently being built behind Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain. The ride will be based on the lightcycle from some of the Tron movies; a personal transport system that resembles a motorcycle and runs on liquid energy. The cycles will be two across and it will be a coaster-style attraction. Once aboard, “players” will be able to race, swerve, and turn through the “grid”.
A video from the Tron attraction in Shanghai Disney
SoCal Attractions 360 Published on Jun 24, 2016
The Tron attraction coming to Magic Kingdom is set to open in 2021 in time for the 50th Anniversary of the Park. So Exciting!
Captain Hook is looking for new recruits to help him swab the deck! If you are 4-12 and are looking for a great adventure with the Captain and his crew, then this would truly be a magical adventure for you! They set sail from Disney’s Beach Club resort and the crew will be taught how to walk, talk, and act like a pirate before setting out on the ultimate treasure hunt. Once the treasure is found, the crew will be treated to a pirate’s feast! All of this and more on this new adventure which will start setting sail April 2019. Now taking reservations!!
Mermaid School
If you or your little has always wanted to be a mermaid, now you can be part of Ariel’s World! Offered at select Walt Disney World Resort Pool’s will be a class teaching you just how to do that! Mermaids, ages 4 and up will be fitted with their very own mermaid tail. During an hour long class, you will be taught how to swim and play the mermaid way!
Art Program
Now being offered at various Disney Hotel Resorts are art classes offered by Disney Professional Artists. Guests ages 12 and older can create their own masterpiece. There is a junior class for kids at Port Orleans for 6 and up. Offerings include:
Win, Paint, Show at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Wild About Painting, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Painting on de’ Bayou (adults), Painting by the Lagoon (kids), Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort. Children’s painting class; designed for ages 6 and older; accompanying parent required.
Painting in the Vineyard, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Canvas and Wine Glass Painting on the Boards, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Calling all fisherman, big and small!! Guests can take a guided fishing tour of Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests of all ages can choose between a pontoon boat or a bass fishing boat with up to 5 in a party. Excursions are catch and release and can be chartered for 2 or 4 hours
Looking to enhance your trip by adding some extra magic?! Contact me and we can add any of these to a vacation package for you!
Disney has announced those most Magical dates we have all been waiting for! Opening dates for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open on May 31st in Disneyland and August 29th at Walt Disney World!
Because of the demand and how excited guests have been to see this land, Disney World has decided to open the land in phases. This will get guests in as early as possible however it does mean that not everything will be open. On opening day, you will be able to experience Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. Guests will be able to take control of the ship and hold on for a wild ride. In phase 1, guests will also get to experience all of the food and merchandise we have all been waiting to see.
Phase 2 will have to opening to the second ride, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This is said to be one of the most innovative and immersive experiences of our time. An opening date for this specific attraction has not yet been released. We are only being told “later this year”.
Tell me this does not look amazing!! Somewhere Sheldon is Bazinga-ing all over the place.
In Disneyland, Galaxy’s Edge is supposed to be opening all at once – no phases. Guests who plan to visit between opening day and June 23rd will need to make a no-cost reservation to visit the land in addition to theme park admission. After that, no reservation is required, only theme park admission.
If you want to go visit a Galaxy Far, Far Away, please let me know if you are interested in a no-obligation quote! My services are free of charge and can save you time and money. Plus, all qualifying reservations receive our Minnie Box! A special gift tailored to your family trip.
Turning Dreams Into Memories 