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The 27th Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival dates have been announced….the festival will run March 4 – June 1, 2020.

This is the The beloved 90-day spring extravaganza at Epcot will sprout in a big way for its 27th year with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors designed to delight everyone in the family. From the creative dishes and libations offered at the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens to the fan-favorite artists who’ll perform during the Garden Rocks Concert Series, bouquets of spring fun will welcome Guests around every corner of the park.

This longest-running Epcot festival is known for its themed topiaries, and the Epcot horticulture team already has begun plans to introduce a brand-new Remy topiary – the centerpiece of a new Ratatouille Garden at the France pavilion! This delicious new garden will be planted with veggies used in a ratatouille recipe. We love Remy, and we can’t wait! Guests also will find favorite returning character topiaries including Snow White, Elsa and Anna, Belle and Beast, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Miss Piggy and Kermit.

As festival-goers explore the Outdoor Kitchens, they’ll discover raised-bed or in-ground gardens of herbs and produce and discover how to grow their own healthful foods. Thousands of bedding plants in every color of the rainbow will decorate the landscape around Future World and World Showcase, and dozens of Disney-crafted “flower towers” will offer colorful backdrops for spring selfies. Festive mini-gardens will be set afloat like floral pontoons on the Future World east and west lakes. 

Children will love burning off energy with siblings and friends at the festival’s Play Garden and Family Play Zone. Guests of all ages will flock to The Goodness Garden Butterfly House presented by GoGoSqueeZ. And the popular “How To” garden will return with clever tips for home gardeners. 

All this floral fun began in 1994 as a 38-day celebration of Disney-style gardens and topiaries. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival now flourishes as a 90-day celebration of spring with something for every generation. Stay tuned  for updates and more details. The festival, including all gardens and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.  

Disney Destinations

Disembarkation day is the final day of your cruise as you leave the ship and the saddest day of all. Disembarkation day can be somewhat stressful and full of long lines and lots of waiting – waiting for an elevator, waiting for your disembarkation group to be called, waiting in the line to exit the ship, waiting to go through customs, waiting for transportation, waiting at the airport for your flight home.

Knowing the process of disembarkation and what to expect may help ease the stress on the last day of your cruise vacation. This process is very different than checking out of a hotel, you cannot just leave when you are ready. All passengers must pass through immigration and customs, and not everyone can be processed at once, so passengers are divided into groups.

A Few Days Before

Two to three days before your actual last day on the ship, the cruise line will ask you to complete a short disembarkation form with the details of your departure. This information is how the cruise line will assign you a disembarkation group. The assigned group will determine the time you will be permitted to leave the ship that will fit with your travel plans.

You must also complete a customs form to disembark the cruise ship because you have visited international ports, even if you didn’t make any purchases or never got off the ship. Only one form is needed per family. The form has questions about your activities while traveling, ports visited and items you are bringing back into the country. Fill out the form before debarkation but keep it easily accessible as you will need to present it to the customs agent when you leave the ship.

This is the time to review your onboard account. You may be able to access a copy of your bill on the television in your stateroom. You must settle your account before disembarking the ship. You probably presented a credit card when you checked in, so if everything on your bill looks correct, you don’t have to do anything. If you have an issue on your bill or want to pay with cash or gift card, this is the time to visit the Guest Services desk. The line at Guest Services on your last day on the ship will be long! The earlier you visit the Guest Services desk, the better. On some cruise lines, you can continue to use your cruise card on the morning of departure and all charges will be billed to the credit card you have on file.

The Day Before

At some point, your stateroom attendant will leave disembarkation information in your stateroom. This will include disembarkation instructions, a group number, colored luggage tags, estimated time your group will disembark, available breakfast options and where to wait for your disembarkation group to be called. If you see any problems with your assignment, visit Guest Services as soon as possible. If you need additional colored luggage tags, you can get them from your stateroom attendant.  

There will most likely also be a disembarkation video playing on one of the TV stations with detailed step-by-step information on the disembarkation process. If any information is unclear, visit the Guest Services desk and they will be able to answer any questions you have.

This is the time to visit the photo gallery if you want to purchase cruise photos or make one last stroll through the shops because they will not be open in port the next morning.

Unless you pre-paid your tips, they are automatically added to your shipboard account, but you will also have the option to provide additional individual cash gratuities to staff members who provided you with exemplary service. Stateroom attendants, main dining room attendants and bartenders are those most often given additional tips. You can pass them out on your last evening on the ship before disembarkation day. Guest Services often has small envelops for cash tips for your convenience, if there were none left in your stateroom.

Getting your luggage off of the ship is different than anything you may have experienced before and can be confusing for first-time cruisers. You can carry your luggage off without assistance or use general collection. Carrying your luggage off or self-disembarkation can sound like a good idea, but you must vacate your room early on disembarkation day and you must be able to handle all of your luggage with you through crowded hallways and elevators, up and down stairs and keep it with you while you have breakfast. This is a great option if you travel light and wish to get off the ship as soon as it clears customs. This is the first group allowed to disembark the cruise ship.

If you opt for general collection, you will attach the colored luggage tag to your luggage and place it outside your stateroom the night before disembarkation. The exact time will be in the disembarkation information your stateroom attendant left for you. Sometimes it is before dinner and other times it is by 11pm. You will not see your bags again until the next morning in the terminal, so it is important to pack a small carry-on. You will need your cruise card, passport, custom forms in addition to any valuables and medication. Don’t forget to leave out your toiletries and a change of clothes so you aren’t disembarking in your pajamas!

Some ships offer valet luggage programs and you will need to check with Guest Services after you board to see if your ship and the port where you disembark offer it. With this service, your luggage is taken from the cruise ship and checked in with your airline. You will not see your luggage again until your final destination. This service generally costs between $20-$25 per person.

Disembarkation Day

The ship will pull into port very early in the morning and begin being cleared by customs. The arrival time on your itinerary is the time the ship arrives in port and not the time you can exit the ship. Customs generally moves very quickly, but sometimes it can take longer. This is why it is advised you never book a flight before noon.

The entire ship must be prepared for a group of new passengers on the day you are leaving. You will most likely be asked to leave your stateroom before 8 am even if your disembarkation time isn’t until a few hours later. Be sure to check your disembarkation paperwork to see the hours and location for breakfast. After breakfast, you will have to wait in one of the lounges with your disembarkation group until you are called.

In general, early flight and loyalty passengers will disembark first, along with passengers who are carrying all their luggage. It is during this time that crew members are moving collected luggage from the ship to the claim area in the terminal. Once the first set of luggage has been sorted, disembarkation zones will begin to be called. Luggage is delivered to the customs area in colored groups that match up with your disembarkation group number. If you debark before your zone is called, your luggage may not yet be unloaded, and you will be waiting in the hot, crowded terminal.

Once your group is called, you will proceed to the gangway and disembark. Follow the signs and keep your group together. You will need to retrieve your luggage (if you didn’t valet it). It will not be on a carousel, like at the airport, but placed in rows grouped by the colored luggage tag for your disembarkation group. There may be several hundred bags in your luggage group, so it is best to mark your luggage so that it stands out against the rest. I have a hot pink luggage strap!

Once you have gathered your luggage you can enter the line for customs. You will want to have your customs form and passport handy. You will show it to the customs agent, and they may ask you some questions.

You should have a plan for transportation to the airport or hotel. There will be thousands of people disembarking during a relatively short period of time and you may even start to run into passengers arriving for the next cruise, so expect chaos. There will be a long line for cabs and the rideshare area will be congested.

You can use a car service, which is great if you have a lot of luggage. The cruise line will also offer a shuttle bus to the airport. You can book prior to your cruise or while onboard, but you will need to make reservations in advance. For more than a few people, a taxi, rideshare, or private car will be less expensive than the cruise line shuttle.

As you can see, disembarkation day can be hectic if you don’t know what is going on! Now that you know what to expect, you can hopefully have a more relaxing end to your cruise vacation. Now it is time to book your next cruise!

For more information on cruising, contact me here.

After Hours are one of our favorite events at Disney World and we couldn’t be more thrilled that new After Hours dates have been announced for both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Disney After Hours events are evening events that give you the opportunity to experience the magic of a Disney theme park for three hours after regular park hours, which means little wait for attractions, experiences and character greetings. You can even enter the park early, starting at 7 p.m. on your event night, before Disney After Hours begins. Ice cream novelties (Mickey Bars!), popcorn and select beverages are also included in your Disney After Hours admission once the party starts.

At Magic Kingdom, you can expect little to no wait at 25 plus attractions and experiences, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Space Mountain and many more. 

At Animal Kingdom, you can enjoy the at night, including the resplendent Tree of Life Awakenings, adventures within Pandora – The World of Avatar and more. 

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

Contact me today to purchase your tickets to After Hours at Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom.

Disney California Adventure Park has announced a new party this This Halloween season, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party! This is a family friendly, hard ticket event (meaning a separate ticket will be required), that takes the place of Mickey’s Halloween Party.

Here is what you can expect on this unforgettable night of Halloween fun:

Mickey’s Trick & Treat – Perfect for little monsters, this new, interactive stage production invites kids of all ages to join Mickey Mouse and his pals as they throw a one-of-a-kind Halloween party! Guests will enjoy dancing, not-so-frightening scary-tales and candy at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land.

Villains Grove – Transformed into a wondrous and ethereal world inspired by Disney villains unlike anything seen before, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail will become Villains Grove, tricked out in a dreamlike environment perfect for kids to explore. This family-friendly experience will entice your children with a series of Halloween scenes, each creating a not-so-scary symphony of sound, light and shadows for adults and little ones to explore together!

Immersive Treat Trails –  Your Clients can take their tiny tykes trick-or-treating at the new, wonderfully wicked treat trails throughout the park. Little ones will be able to see Mad Hatter from Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and even Oogie Boogie himself! Additional treat trails will feature oversized cauldrons full of treats for children of all ages to enjoy.

“Frightfully Fun Parade” – Children will love dancing along to this fan-favorite parade coming to Disney California Adventure Park for the first time! The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow starts the procession, followed by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse who lead the cavalcade of characters and many mischievous Disney villains who are ready to stir up some trouble along the parade route. Children will love seeing their favorite characters dance and singing to the spell-binding songs of the Halloween season!

“Villainous!” – Kids will love watching the twisted tale about the young girl Shelley Marie in the new “World of Color” nighttime spectacular. This Halloween story takes Guests on an unforgettable journey through devious encounters with The Queen, Ursula, Dr Facilier, Hades, Jafar, Maleficent and more! Children will be dazzled with the special effects—from the fountains and lights, to lasers and projections. “Villainous!” shows that, deep down, there’s a little villain in all of us!

Kids and their parents are encouraged to dress in costume for the event. Oogie Boogie Bash, is only offered on 20 select nights this fall, starting Sept. 17, 2019.

For tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash and to plan your next trip to Disneyland in California, contact me here!

Walt Disney World has launched a new ticket offer! Beginning today, you can now purchase a “Mid-Day Magic Ticket.” This ticket allows you to enjoy admission after 12 p.m. to one theme park per day. 2-, 3- and 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available for start dates on or before Dec. 15, 2019.

  • 2-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 2-day Mid-Day Magic Tickets are available from $88 per day plus tax (from $176 total plus tax) and expire four (4) days after the selected start date. 
  • 3-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission to after 12 p.m. 3-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $84 per day plus tax (from $252 total plus tax) and expire five (5) days after the selected start date.
  • 4-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $79 per day plus tax (from $316 total plus tax) and expire seven (7) days after the selected start date.

This is the first time Walt Disney World has offered a late-entry ticket with special pricing that allows you to enter the theme parks starting at noon and enjoy the day and evening. This is a great option if you are looking for an opportunity to start your morning at a leisurely pace, to enjoy other early-morning activities (golf, pool, etc.), or to travel from your accommodations if you are staying off-site.

To start planning your next Walt Disney World Resort in Flordia, contact me here and I will get back to you within 24 hours.

Have you been thinking about visiting the Disneyland Resort in California? Well, I’ve got some great news for you! 2020 vacation packages for Disneyland Resort and Good Neighbor Hotels are now available to book!

These packages will be valid for arrivals Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2020. (Vacations cannot be booked more than 499 days in advance.)

Packages are the ideal way to book a Disneyland Resort vacation because it allows you to experience the best of everything the Resort has to offer, including new experiences such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newly completed Pixar Pier, exciting new dining options at Downtown Disney, and so much more.

Contact me today to start planning your next vacation to the Disneyland Resort in California!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a ‘must do’ is my opinion! This is a hard ticket event (meaning an additional ticket must be purchased), kicking off August 16, 2019 and is held on select nights through November 1, 2019 at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

This fabulous event is about to get even better! Disney has announced the debut “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular,” a new interactive treat trail at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, overlays on some of your favorites rides and some great additions to “Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade!”

“Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade!” is my favorite Disney parade and is presented twice nightly during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. (We recommend catching the second parade because it is less crowded!)

The parade features fun floats which represent each land of the Magic Kingdom celebrating Halloween. The parade opens with all of our favorite Disney friends, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse in all-new Halloween costumes, as they trick-or-treat down Main Street, U.S.A. Representing Liberty Square. The Haunted Mansion (my favorite part) features Hitchhiking Ghosts and the new, spectral Bride, who glides among the waltzing spirits.

New to feature Tomorrowland, brings The Incredibles and Edna Mode, followed by Buzz Lightyear and Alien explorers discovering crystalline treasures on the surface of a planetary playset float.

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without candy and “Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade!” features Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope von Schweetz and the girls from Sugar Rush making sure there’s plenty of sweet stuff to go around! Adventureland is represented Pirates! Clarabelle Cow hosts a square dance during a Frontierland hoedown, and a wicked assortment of Disney Villains represent Fantasyland in an awe-inspiring grand finale.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World or want tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Contact me today!

Unwrap the magic this holiday season with a brand new Christmas Package! Celebrate the magic of the holidays in The Most Magical Place on Earth with the Ultimate Disney Christmas Package at Walt Disney World Resort. Check in December 21, check out December 26, 2019, and enjoy an itinerary full of festive fun in between. You will even get to take advantage of some exclusive experiences just for Guests on this package.

Check out the included Yuletide offerings:

  • Dec. 21, 2019– EXCLUSIVE nighttime access to experience Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey and Expedition Everest®. Plus catch an exclusive showing of the park’s new Rivers of LightWe Are One show.
  • Dec. 22, 2019– Celebrate the season with tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom® Park. 
  • Dec. 23 or Dec. 24, 2019 (one night per reservation)– EXCLUSIVE reserved viewing area at World View Plaza to watch Epcot® Forever, an all-new nighttime spectacular. Plus, each Guest (ages 3 and up) will receive a digital $50 Epcot Theme Park Dine Promo Card to use at participating Epcot locations.
  • Dec. 25, 2019– An Ultimate Disney Christmas gift delivered to your room. 
  • Dec. 26, 2019– Bid a fond farewell 

This package includes a 5-night stay at a select Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotel and 4-day theme park tickets with Park Hopper Option. 

Disney Christmas Package

Contact me today to start planning your next Disney World vacation to celebrate the holidays this season, contact me today!


Are you thinking about a stay at a Disneyland Resort to celebrate the last magical days of summer before school starts? Disneyland Resorts just announced an awesome offer where you can save up to 15% on select stays at a Disneyland Resort hotel.

This offer is valid on rooms at select Disneyland Resort hotels most Sunday through Thursday nights from July 23 through September 26, 2019.

Click this link to get started planning your next Disneyland vacation!