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 has opened up the window for us to reserve 2021 vacation packages a few days early! There are so many things to look forward to and be excited about when planning a trip to Walt Disney World – even more so in our world today!
Here are a few important things you will need to know:
Available Resorts – With the start of the reservations for 2021 opening today, not every resort will be an option. The initial launch will roll out with the following hotels for you to choose from:
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Park Reservation System – as of now, Disney will continue to utilize the Park Reservation System. This means I will be checking to see if there is park availability during the dates you want to stay before we even check to see what resorts are available. We will want to get your reservation finalized so that you can get in your My Disney Experience and choose which days you want to go to which parks and get those reservations.
Other important information-
Park Hoppers are returning as soon as January 1, 2021 – Hooooraaayyyyyy!!!
While Magic Bands will no longer be included with your stay, Disney will continue to offer discounted options and you can use your smart phone at no cost. You can still can request a Key to the World card upon check-in as well.
You will still receive your fun Keepsake luggage tag.
There will be new and enhanced Magical Extras offered to you during your stay.
Disney will continue to ensure the healthy and safety of it’s guests and castmembers.
Reserving your Trip!
All I need is a basic idea of what you are looking for your 2021 vacation to look like and we can get you started. Contact me today for a no-obligation quote & there is no charge for my planning services & expert knowledge! See ya Real Soon!
Walt Disney World is Reopening with different operations in place. What to know if you want to amend a vacation, plan a vacation, or keep a 2020 reservation.
June 22
Disney’s new Park Pass System opens to guests who currently have a 2020 Disney resort hotel reservation and valid theme park admissions. This does include Annual Passholders. If it is linked in your My Disney Experience, log in and choose which parks you want to go to on which dates. (Note: park hopping is not permitted at this time. You will only be able to choose one park per day)
June 26
The Disney Park Pass System will open to Annual Passholders
June 28
The Disney Park Pass System will open to all other guests who have park passes for 2020
By June 28
Sometime by June 28, Guests will be able to make new Disney Resort hotel package reservations and theme park tickets will go on sale for 2021
Later sometime this Summer
Based on availability and capacity, guests will be able to make Disney Resort Reservations as well as purchase tickets for 2020
If you are ready to have something to look forward to in 2021, contact me so that we can get all the details of your trip planned out. On the 28th, we can be ready to reserve and get your Park Passes.
If you would like to plan a 2020 Disney vacation, please reach out! We can discuss some options and be ready once they open the calendar back up.
Universal
Universal Studios is OPEN! If you are looking to visit in 2020 OR 2021, I can assist with that. Contact me and let’s start making some great plans so you and your loved ones can get an exciting countdown going!
Here is an announcement from Magical Vacations Owner:
Please join us! Reminisce about your favorite trips. What do you pack? Where do you stay? If we cannot be at our Happy Place, let’s visit it virtually!
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!
The month of December was an absolute whirlwind. Between celebrating with my own family and getting all of my Holiday Guests settled in, I never stopped! It was a crazy, but fantastic Holiday season and I hope you all were fortunate enough to have the same.
Disney was kind enough to give us each a gift as well. Since the beginning of the Holiday Season, they have released several new promotions for us to take advantage of them with and I just wanted to share them all with you in case you missed them.
Disney World
Gift of Magic – Save up to 20% off of select rooms January 2, 2020 – April 25, 2020 when you book by March 7, 2020. Bonus!: If you book a 6 day or longer theme park ticket, each person gets a $30 gift card.
Free Dining – Purchase a vacation package with 5 night/6 day vacation package with the park hopper option, get a free dining plan for each person in your travel party at select hotels during select travel dates this Summer, 2020.
Bask in the Sun & Fun – On must stays April 1 – September 12, 2020, save up to 25% on your hotel stay.
Kid Sized Fun – Free dining plan for kids ages 3-9 for stays May 25, 2020 – August 28, 2020 at select resorts with a 4 day/4 night package & book by February 26, 2020.
3 Day Kid’s Theme Park Ticket – Now through May 21, 2020, purchase a 1-park 3 day child’s ticket for just $67/day.
Disneyland
Disney Visa Room Discount – Book with your Disney Visa and save up to 25% off your room at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel. Offer is good through April 16, 2020 when you book by March 14, 2020
Magical Escape – Enjoy 25% Off Select Rooms with a 4-Night or Longer Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. Valid most nights January 5 through April 16, 2020 when you book by March 14, 2020.
3 Day Kid’s Theme Park Ticket – Now through May 21, 2020, purchase a 1-park 3 day child’s ticket for as low as $67/day.
Disney Cruise Line
Canadian Resident – Save up to 25% on select 2020 sail dates.
20% off – Save up to 20% off on select sailings in 2020.
Deposit Discount – 50% off your required deposit on select 4-night or longer cruises between June 20, 2020 and May 31, 2021 when you reserve by February 14, 2020. Remainder of Deposit would be due along with final payment.
Adventures by Disney
Save on Winter & Spring Adventures – Save up to $400/person on select Adventures January 5 – April 30, 2020 when you book by March 25, 2020.
Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa
*Spring Dates: Book through May 8, 2020 for travel March 1–June 13, 2020. Guests can receive a $250 Resort credit for 5+ night stays or a $150 Resort credit for 4-night stays when they book by January 8, 2020.
Bonus for All Disney Destination Reservations
The fantastic bonus each guest will receive when you reserve with me and Magical Vacations is unprecedented attention to all the details of your trip. You receive all my knowledge, hints & tips plus I can save you time, take the stress out of planning, and often wind up saving my guests $$$.
Also! Guests will receive Magical Vacation’s Signature “Minnie Box” – Our gift to you full of magic and surprises that are specially tailored to each travel party. (Subject to Package Minimum)
Exclusions and limitations do apply to all above offers. If there is something you may be interested in, let me know as soon as possible because the offers will book quickly!
Mikey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will debut in Spring of 2020 at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios! This long anticipated attraction is based on the famous Emmy Winning shorts of Mickey Mouse on the Disney Channel. It will immerse you in the wacky world of Mickey & Minnie and their cartoon world. This underwater poster above is just a small glimpse into what is yet to come. For all the guests who arrive to Walt Disney World and have looked for an attraction featuring their favorite Mouse only to find one did not exist, your wish has come true!
This attraction is also set to arrive at Disneyland in 2022.
Spring is a beautiful time in Florida – it is not too hot but warm enough to enjoy the resort pools and all the water rides. The Flower & Garden Festival is in full swing at Epcot and the animals in Animal Kingdom are out and about and you may even see some babies. This new attraction is just another reason to visit in Spring of 2020! To plan and reserve a vacation package, contact me today! My services are free of charge and I can save you time and money! Plus, all qualifying reservations receive our Minnie Box! The agencies special gift tailored to your family that will arrive on your doorstep prior to your trip. I look forward to planning with you and making your next Disney Destination Vacation the most magical yet!
Epcot International Festival of the Arts is set to return for 2020. It will kick off on January 17 and run through February 24. This festival is a celebration of Art and how different cultures celebrate it through many different expressions including visual, culinary, and performing arts.
During this event, guests can experience art through the Broadway Concert Series, different culinary kiosks where food seems to jump right off the painters palate, view many different Disney artist’s work, as well as let their inner artist show. It is a fun event and entrance is included with your admission.
Disney on Broadway
The Disney on Broadway Concert series starts off with the beautiful music from “The Lion King”. The talent for this year is bountiful. Here is the schedule:
Jan. 17, 20, 21, 24 and 25 – Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”)
Jan. 18, 19, 22, 23 and 25 – Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid”; “Freaky Friday”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”) Jan. 25 – Special performance featuring Simmons, White, Blickenstaff and Lee
Jan. 26, 28, 29; Feb. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
Feb. 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”; “Beauty and the Beast”) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
Additional dates & artists still to be announced so stay tuned!
New for 2020
A new Brunch will be offered at Le Cellier in the Canada Pavilion. Reservations are required.
Purchase beautiful art throughout World Showcase
Visit and observe artists that are creating right in front of you
Family Fun
The “Green Landing” Family play zone where guests of all ages can explore an area dedicated to Wall-E & Eve
Several different photo opportunities where guests can “jump right in” to some of their favorite stories
Add color to a beautiful wall mural located along World Showcase Plaza
Take part in a fun scavenger hunt featuring my favorite; Figment! Travel through World Showcase and find Figment. Hint: He has painted himself into some very famous paintings
Create your own artwork!
If you are interested in visiting Disney World and any of Epcot’s wonderful festivals, contact me today! I would be happy to assist in planning your amazing vacation and my services are always free. See ya real soon!
Disney After Hours has added several dates to both the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom calendars.
After hours is a time for guests to enter the parks when most guests are heading out. The park is open late for just these specific ticket holders. Guests will have access to many of their favorite rides and will also receive unlimited ice cream novelties, popcorn, and fountain beverages. Here are the dates as posted directly from Disney:
Magic Kingdom Park
November 18, 2019
December 9, 2019
January 6, 2019
January 13, 2020
January 17, 2020
January 20, 2020
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
October 5, 9, 19, 26 and 30, 2019
November 5, 13 and 19, 2019
December 7, 14 and 18, 2019
January 9, 16, 22 and 30, 2020
February 6, 13, 19 and 27, 2020
March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2020
If you have a trip planned during this time, this is an excellent way to see a lot of a park in a short period of time. We experienced it in the spring and we did every ride the kids wanted to and also several meet and greets. At one point, it felt as if we were the only guests in the park. It was truly awesome.
If you do not have a Disney Vacation Package scheduled yet, contact me today! I would be happy to assist you in getting your trip planned and reserved. My services are free of charge and I can save you lots of time and money too! Contact me today!
On the Tenth Day of Christmas, Buzz Lightyear Gave to Me::
Traveling for the Holidays
2019 would be a great year to visit Animal Kingdom during
the holidays. This year they will debut
new decorations, shows, entertainment, and yuletide cheer. The magic will begin as soon as you cross into
Discovery Island and while the whole park is decorated, each land’s decorations
are tailored to its theme. Here are some of the wonderful holiday festivities
you can plan on experiencing:
Discovery Island decorated for a winter celebration
New Tree of Life Awakenings – themed to the spirit of the holidays
Festive musicians playing throughout Discovery Island
Catch some vintage Christmas Décor in Pandora – Humans remaining on Pandora bring décor from Earth to share with the natives
Various musicians and groups play music & dance throughout Harambe Village
Mickey & Friends Holiday Overlay for Character Meals at Tusker House
Celebrate Diwali in Asia – The Holiday Festival of Lights
Donald’s Dino-Bash Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Characters. There will be interactive games for littles
If you are heading to Disney World during the Holidays, stop by Animal Kingdom. This new Holiday Event is sure to be amazing – I am most excited for the Discovery Island section and the New Tree of Life Awakenings. What are you most excited about?
Giving a Disney Destination as a Gift for the Holidays
Give the gift of Memories that Will Last a Lifetime plus make your Holiday Shopping super easy and give the gift of a Disney Destination. Looking for a fun way to do that? How about a scavenger hunt? One year, we left a note card on the kitchen table for when the littles woke up. It told them they had to hunt for and collect clues. Each clue they found would be a hint at the surprise. You can make a list of items in your home that will help them guess what the surprise is. Then decide how you will get them from one clue to the next.
For this trip, we were headed to Disney World and staying in Port Orleans Riverside plus we were going to experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The first card basically just told them we had a surprise for them, but they had to hunt for it.
“Find the next clue where little #2 keeps his reptile toys.”
In the reptile toy bin, the found the next clue attached to a rubber alligator hinting at where we were staying (the kids love the fold down bed with the image of Luis above it at Riverside) They grabbed the gator and read the card –
“The next clue is where our pups like to sun themselves.”
They ran to the front porch to discover a card on a pumpkin gourd. The next clue –
“Find the next clue where you get your favorite beverage.”
In the Fridge they found a toy plane. It was then they figured we were going on a trip. The next Clue –
“Find the next clue where mommy shows us where all our different family members live”
They ran to the playroom to find a card on the state of Florida on our State Map rug. The final clue read –
“Run to up to where Daddy gets dressed.”
When they opened the closet doors, they found a suitcase with a Stuffed Mickey & Minnie on top. They needed a bit of help with the “alligator hint” but they figured out the rest all on their own. It was a fun way to tell them about their trip and the excitement that built during the hunt made the trip itself even more exciting. I am happy to help you plan any aspects of your trip, including how to gift it to your loved ones!
Trivia – Did You Know?
There were two “Marley’s” in “The Muppet Christmas Carol” but in other renditions of this movie or play, there is just Jacob Marley. They added a Robert Marley in this version so they could be played by Statler & Waldorf.
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!
Turning Dreams Into Memories 