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The Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration is the gift that keeps on giving! To make your magical evenings even more special, Disney is bringing back a new lineup of Appetizing Occasions. From sweet treats to international fare, there’s no shortage of options for making the most of your nighttime spectacular experience.

Disney Enchantment, a brand-new, dazzling nighttime fireworks spectacular, debuts Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom Park. Watching the show at one of several different dessert party options will put you right in the middle of the magic. Talk about icing on the cake! If you prefer a viewing party in Magic Kingdom Park, Disney has three offerings in Tomorrowland:

Disney Enchantment Pre-Party. Sweeten your evening at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant with 50th anniversary-themed desserts, a variety of cheeses and beverages, with selections of beer and wine included. Then, before the show begins, Cast Members will escort you to a reserved standing viewing location in one of the plaza gardens with prime viewing of Disney Enchantment.

Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats. This party also includes 50th anniversary-themed desserts, a variety of cheeses and beverages, with selections of beer and wine included. Experience the fireworks views from the comfort of dedicated reserved seating at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Disney Enchantment After-Party. Like the Disney Enchantment Pre-Party, this experience includes reserved standing viewing of Disney Enchantment in one of the plaza gardens. After taking in the sights and sounds of the spectacular, visit Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant for a spread of 50th anniversary-themed desserts, a variety of cheeses and beverages, with selections of beer and wine included.

If you prefer to view fireworks outside of Magic Kingdom, you may enjoy Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise. You will set sail from the Transportation and Ticket Center on one of the iconic ferryboats for a magical evening on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Once onboard, taste a variety of bite-size signature sweets including build-your-own mousse, key lime tarts, cupcakes and specialty beverages with and without alcohol. Kids can even participate in an ultraviolet scavenger hunt. During the cruise, guests can observe the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks accompanied by stunning water views.

Looking for a little more than dessert? How about dinner with a show? Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks, will soon light the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT beginning Oct. 1. With choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view, Harmonious shows how Disney music and stories have the power to bring people from all around the world together to unlock the magic of possibility. Two delectable World Showcase restaurants are offering an unforgettable dining and viewing package:

Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package. Dine under the stars on the patio at Rose & Crown Dining Room, which serves classic British fare, while you sit back and enjoy the wonder of Harmonious. This package features a prix-fixe menu including one appetizer, entrée, dessert platter and unlimited beverages. 

Spice Road Table Dining Package. Dine in the covered, outdoor dining area reminiscent of the cafes from the Moroccan seaside with a stunning view of Harmonious. Spice Road Table offers a variety of Mediterranean small plates, including Grilled Lamb Kefta, House-made Hummus Fries and Spiced Chicken. The Spice Road Table Dining Package includes two small plates, a dessert platter and unlimited beverages.

Advance reservations are highly recommended for all dessert parties and dinner packages and can be made on DisneyWorld.com or the My Disney Experience app. For experiences located at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT, valid theme park admission and reservations are required.

The much anticipated Star Wars hotel, the Galactic Starcruiser, officially takes off March 1, 2022. Reservations open October 7th for Club 33 members, Disney Vacation Club members, and Annual Passholders for arrival dates March 1 – May 4. Reservations will be available for everyone else on October 28. 

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a revolutionary new 2-night experience where you are the hero. You and your group will embark on a first-of-its-kind Star Wars adventure that’s your own. It’s the most immersive Star Wars story ever created—one where you live a bespoke experience and journey further into a Star Wars adventure than you ever dreamed possible.

Arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort terminal, board a launch pod and rendezvous with the magnificent Halcyon starcruiser. Stay in a cabin or suite with an exquisite view of space. Throughout the ship, you’ll interact with an eclectic collection of characters, sit down to exotic galactic cuisine and perhaps even plot a secret mission together.

As the itinerary continues, you’ll take the story further and deeper. Choose your path. Seek out the inner workings of the legendary starship, learn the traditional art of wielding a lightsaber and even jump on a transport to the planet Batuu—where your mission continues at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

While we don’t yet know prices for all dates, these reservations are likely to fill up quickly, especially for the first few departures. Contact us today to be notified as soon as more information becomes available.

Log into your My Disney Experience account and click on Reserve Dining under the My Disney Experience tab.

You can make reservations a couple of ways. The fastest way is to search for the restaurant you want under Search Within Dining.

Click on Check Availability after the restaurant page loads.

Enter your date, time and party size. If you enter Lunch or Dinner, only a few options will pop up.

Click on an available time.

Your name will appear as the person who will manage the reservation. You do not need to assign the reservation to other guests. You can go back and do that later.

**If you are splitting your reservation into two parties, this is where you will select someone in your party other than yourself as the person who will manage the reservation when you book it. On your second reservation, you will select yourself.**

Your stored credit card info will be confirmed.

Check the box I have read and agreed to the Guest Policies.

Once you click Reserve, a confirmation screen will appear. You can scroll down and click Make Another Reservation or scroll up to the top and search for another restaurant to make your next reservation.

Using a grocery delivery service is a money-saving way to get food brought to your hotel. It is very easy to do breakfast in your room, as you are getting ready, or to throw some snacks in your park bag. Some guests even make dinner in their room – think cup-o-soup or even sandwiches!

The absolute easiest way to buy groceries (aside from bringing them yourself in checked luggage) is to go to the gift shop in your Walt Disney World resort hotel. Every hotel has a limited selection of groceries, including refrigerated stuff, and you pay a premium for them.

An alternative to this is a grocery delivery service that delivers the items directly to your Walt Disney World resort, leaving them with bell services. They will keep your groceries stored and refrigerated or frozen (if needed) until you can pick them up from the front desk or you can have them delivered to your room for a handling fee of $6.

There are lots of choices when it comes to Disney World grocery delivery services. Personally, we use Amazon Prime Now, but below are all the options available to you. You might want to look at a few as some have inflated pricing, limited selections and fees or minimum order requirements.

Amazon Prime Now
Garden Grocer
Walmart Grocery Delivery
Instacart 
We Go Shop
Orlando Grocery Express
Shipt
Dizzy Dolphin Delivery

You can also ship groceries or other items directly to your resort. Disney does charge a $6 fee for deliveries via USPS/UPS/Fed Ex, etc. To make sure they arrive on time, ship your items about a week before your arrival. Use the official shipping address listed for your Disney World hotel. This can be found on the Disney World website. Simply search for your resort hotel, and on the main page for each hotel, on the righthand side, you’ll see the mailing address for the
resort.

How you address the groceries for delivery to your resort is as follows:

Name on the hotel reservation
c/o your Disney World hotel’s front desk
arrival date: xx/xx/xxxx
street address
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
 
Before you order anything, make sure you consider space in your fridge – a gallon of milk and a six-pack isn’t going to fit in your dorm-sized fridge – and the size of the items. (Are you really going to eat a family-size box of Cheerios in 6 days?)

We generally order a few cases of bottled water so we can each grab a few to take into the parks each day, some coffee creamer, pop tart or breakfast bars, and some snacks for our park bags or late-night nibbles. Sometimes we will order sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner or lotion and when our son was little, we ordered diapers and baby wipes.

People think of Disney vacations as being tough on the wallet. However, having your own groceries on hand can help you save a bundle. Why not save a few extra bucks for the souvenir shops?

Are you headed to Walt Disney World to celebrate something special? If so, I highly recommend the photo service offered at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom called Capture Your Moment. During your personalized 20-minute photo session, your Disney PhotoPass photographer will find the perfect spot to catch the fun and excitement of your special day. Imagine capturing the moment that he dropped to one knee and proposed in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle or the Tree of Life!

This service is also perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, birthdays, family reunions, graduation and more. Or maybe you just want to use the service to get that perfect family photo for your next Christmas card.

Do you need a little extra time for your photo shoot? Just book 2 Capture Your Moment sessions back-to-back and you’ll get 40 minutes plus the chance to visit at least two different Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom photo locations.

The cost is only $50 for a session, and, as they say, the memories are priceless. While photos are not included in the price of the session, Guests who have Memory Maker, Memory Maker One Day or a qualifying Walt Disney World Annual Pass with a Disney PhotoPass benefit can download these photos at no extra cost. What an amazing price! I know a few travel advisors who have taken advantage of this opportunity and they received over 100 images.

What do you get when you combine late-night hours, Christmas and a 50th anniversary celebration? It’s “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” at Magic Kingdom Park! On 24 select nights from November 8 through December 21, guests who purchase tickets to this magical celebration will be treated to “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and a special holiday-themed parade, “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and their pals, there will be a special appearance by Santa Clause himself.

Although the party officially runs from 9pm – 1am, you will be given access to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7pm. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:

  • Transformation of Cinderella Castle into a “beacon of Magic”
  • A brand new fireworks show, “Disney Enchantment.” And yes, that means two fireworks shows in one night.
  • Jungle cruise transformed into Jingle Cruise
  • Less time waiting in line for more than 20 attractions after the park closes to day guests
  • Disney characters throughout the park, dressed in their holiday finest
  • Magical snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. Snow in Orlando!
  • Club Tinsel dance party in Tomorrowland
  • Complimentary snacks, seasonal treats and select bottled beverages
  • Disney PhotoPass capturing all your magical shots throughout the night

Tickets went on sale this week and won’t last long. Contact me to book your holiday at Disney World and tickets to Disney Very Merriest After Hours!

The Disney Dream will kick off their long-awaited return to cruising from the U.S. on August 9th with tropical voyages to the Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral, Florida. The three and four-night cruises will visit Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, for an unforgettable vacation at sea.

As always, the ship will be overflowing with magic—from beloved character encounters to enchanting Broadway-style musicals and a spectacular fireworks display at sea. And, you’ll be pleased to know that Disney has come up with new and exciting ways to create memories together—tailored to our times and presented with all the care you’ve come to expect from Disney Cruise Line.

Here are the procedures that are being implemented for the well-being of our Guests and Crew Members:

  • All Guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (at the Guests’ expense) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date.
  • All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 rapid test provided by Disney, in the terminal prior to boarding and comply with other health and safety requirements. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older.
  • For cruises departing from Florida through December 31, 2021, guests 12 years and older must provide proof of a valid travel insurance policy
  • Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination in order to be exempt from pre-trip and embarkation testing requirements (unless arriving from outside the United States) and travel insurance requirements.
  • Guests ages 2 and older are required to wear a face covering on the ship and at our terminals , except in designated areas and situations
  • Certain onboard venues, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and availability and may be subject to advance reservations. 

Disney has announced brand-new ways for adults to pamper and play, sip and swim, escape and indulge aboard the Disney Wish, which is being purposefully designed with adults’ vacation needs in mind – including more relaxation, more variety, more accessibility and more storytelling than ever before!

Outdoor Oasis at Senses Spa

For the first time aboard a Disney ship, Senses Spa will feature a dedicated outdoor relaxation space! This open-air oasis is a brand-new extension to the signature Rainforest experience – which is a real treat! This area has been reimagined for the Disney Wish to provide even more ways to relax and rejuvenate. The Rainforest will introduce the fleet’s first ice lounge, allowing you to combine thermal therapies, which promotes both physical wellness and tranquility. It will also include favorite elements like heated ergonomic loungers; sensory spa showers; and sauna, steam and dry chambers.


Untangled Salon

At Untangled Salon, you can let their hair down (and have it styled any way you want) in a light and airy environment that is perfect for pampering. Inspired by Rapunzel, this chic, high-end salon will be adorned in shades of purple and gold, decorated with floating lantern light fixtures and outfitted with custom cut-metal privacy screens depicting Rapunzel’s own paintings. One side of the space will even gleam and glow with the golden light of a signature chandelier that evokes the iconic flower that gave her hair its magical qualities! In addition to haircuts and styling, the menu of services at Untangled Salon will include manicures, pedicures, teeth whitening and skin treatments.

Hook’s Barbery

Hook’s Barbery will be a unique twist on a traditional European men’s salon, offering cuts, shaves, and nail and skin care. Decked out in dark woods, handsome leather chairs and ornate golden mirrors, the space will brim with narrative details inspired by its namesake, Captain Hook: an inlaid wooden map of Never Land, a hidden pocket watch and — of course — a hook, to name a few. A trio of seemingly nondescript lanterns will occasionally come to life with lighting and audio effects to signify Tinker Bell jumping from one fixture to another.

Not only will Hook’s Barbery provide salon and barber services, but it will also boast the ultimate toast to a pirate’s life: a hidden bar! This (not-so-secret) treasure trove of pre-Prohibition bourbons, vintage whisky and port, aged rum and premium spirits will be a liquor enthusiast’s paradise, ideal for low-key hangouts, romantic date nights, hosted tastings and special evening events. 


Keg & Compass

Keg & Compass is a pub that celebrates the adventure and romance of the sea, designed in the rustic architectural style of a late 1800s Norwegian sailor’s map room and drawing inspiration from the rich folklore of Norse seafaring. Spanning the entire ceiling will be a grand, fantastical map in old maritime style that features, among other references to ocean lore, a homage to Disney characters and stories related to the sea. In addition to such characters as Ursula and Moana (appearing in the geographically accurate locations of their stories), the map will call out important locales related to The Walt Disney Company and, specifically, the design and construction of the Disney Wish.

This casual setting will be the perfect place to kick back and watch live sports, news and major broadcast events while sampling a specialized selection of beers, including three custom craft brews available exclusively aboard the Disney Wish, along with an assortment of liquors, wines and cocktails.

Nightingale’s

Nightingale’s is a refined piano bar inspired by Cinderella’s lyrical rendition of “Sing Sweet Nightingale” in the 1950 film, offering an extensive menu of fine wines, bubblies and hand-crafted cocktails. Classically modern with a soft metallic palette, the predominant design feature will be a glittering chandelier perched above the piano — a swirl of pearlescent bubbles and music notes displaying the titular song’s melody meticulously crafted out of shimmering rose gold. This vibrant lounge will be a thematic extension of the fairytale-inspired Grand Hall from which it stems, with large doors that allow the twinkling tunes to spill out across the atrium, inviting passersby to stop and stay for a while.

The Bayou

If Guests are looking for New Orleans-inspired good time aboard the Disney Wish, they’ll want to go down to The Bayou, an informal lounge themed to “The Princess and the Frog.” Flourishing with magnolia blossoms, lily pads and a canopy of twinkling fireflies overhead, this space will evoke the magical marsh where Tiana and Naveen take refuge in the film. This centrally located venue will offer creative cocktails, specialty coffees and signature beignets in a lively, social atmosphere complete with live entertainment and musical performances.

Are you ready to book your next cruise on the Disney Wish to experience these amazing spaces for yourself?

Make this the best summer yet with a getaway to the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort! 

Stay at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort and immerse yourself in the magic of Disney day and night, conveniently just steps from Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and the Downtown Disney District. 

Each hotel experience is distinctively Disney and unique, from the stunning Craftsman architecture of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, to the nostalgia of the mid-century modern Disneyland Hotel and the seaside whimsy of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel – all three magical and memorable!

Save up to 25% on select rooms at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort on most nights now October 2, 2021 when you book through September 16, 2021!

Separate theme park admission and reservation are required to enjoy the parks. Park reservations are limited and subject to availability, and a hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access.

Let us help plan your Disneyland trip this fall!

After nearly fifteen months, fireworks will once again be lighting up the night sky at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Park in California.

Starting July 1, “Happily Ever After” will return to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage Guests to grab hold of their dreams and make them come true. And as part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, “EPCOT Forever” will produce a spectacle of fireworks, music and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present and future.

The fun starts July 4 at Disneyland Park in California with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” presented nightly throughout the summer. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, family-fun dance party that goes sky high with fireworks to celebrate the leader of the club, Mickey Mouse.

To book your trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Park in California, contact me today.