Tag Archive for: Portage Travel Agents

Disney Cruise Line’s Fall 2023 sailings are now available to book!

Disney Cruise Line’s Fall sailings will once again include Halloween on the High Seas from mid-September through October, and then from mid-November through December Disney’s Very Merrytime sailings.

Disney Dream

After her summer in Europe, the Disney Dream will take a Transatlantic cruise back to New York City where she’ll sail to Bermuda throughout the fall.

Disney Fantasy

The Fantasy will continue sailing from Port Canaveral, with 7-night itineraries to the Caribbean.

Disney Magic

Beginning October 5, 2023 the Magic will sail Eastbound through the Panama Canal to its Fall home port in San Diego. She’ll sail two to seven-night cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera throughout the fall before returning through the Panama Canal to Galveston in early December.

Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Wish, will continue sailing from Port Canaveral, with 3–4-night itineraries to the Bahamas.

Disney Wonder

No information was released on what the Wonder will be doing this Fall.

If you would like to book your Fall 2023 Disney Cruise, contact us today!

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More and more Disney World updates!

With the steady return of live entertainment to Walt Disney World Resort, park guests are once again creating special moments with their favorite Disney characters. Let’s kick things off with some exciting news for Magic Kingdom Park…

  • Encanto’s Mirabel made her debut in the “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade” on June 26! According to TikTok, the fans went wild!
  • July 6th – the always iconic Minnie Mouse will join Mickey Mouse in Town Square Theater once again. Both will be decked out in their EARidescent fashions designed specifically for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, and they will be ready for hugs and photos.
  • July 10th – keep an eye out for familiar Fantasyland friends Peter Pan and Snow White as they greet guests at Magic Kingdom Park once again.
  • July 31st – look for the Harmony Barber Shop to begin creating magical memories on Main Street again!
  • Aug 25th – Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will soon welcome young guests once again for royal head-to-toe transformations. (Only the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Resort locations are reopening at this time)

At our beloved Ft.. Wilderness…

  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is stomping at Pioneer Hall once again!
  • July 6 marks the return of Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, where you can join the nutty friends for a campfire celebration followed by a Disney Movie!!

At Hollywood Studios…

  • July 17 – Star Wars Launch Bay Reopens! A celebration of the legendary space saga, Star Wars Launch Bay is your place for a warm embrace with Chewbacca, a face-to-droid encounter with BB-8 or a run-in with Darth Vader himself for those brave enough.

And those are just the next few weeks! We have even more fun, hugs and memories on the horizon. In the coming months, a visit to Magic Kingdom Park will bring chances to meet Aladdin, Jasmine, Merida, Pooh, Tigger and Storybook Circus pals like The Great Goofini in Pete’s Silly Sideshow. Your favorite toys will be ready for playtime in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Donald Duck and friends will rejoin their prehistoric party at “Donald’s Dino-Bash!” in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Returns to Walt Disney World!

When it comes to holiday magic, nobody does it better than Disney, and I am thrilled to announce the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park! The party kicks off on November 8th and runs through December 22nd. This separately ticketed event is scheduled on 24 select nights. Here’s what’s in store:

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration – a variety show Mickey and his pals at the Cinderella Castle stage

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks – castle projections, fireworks and seasonal songs

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – Santa with Mickey Mouse and friends

Special treats – complimentary cookies and hot cocoa throughout the park

Jingle Cruise – the Jungle Cruise transformed with yuletide cheer

Holiday makeovers for some of your favorite attractions – Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas – dance party on the Rockettower Plaza Stage

50th Anniversary celebration keepsakes and photo opportunities – themed for the holidays

Tickets are limited and go on sale on July 7th, so in between trips to the baseball field and the pool, you’ll want to check your calendar.

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Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dates Announced

As they say, April showers bring May flowers and May brings . . . thoughts of Halloween. Not what you were thinking? Since May is halfway to Halloween, you might want to start thinking about it because Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during their 50th Anniversary celebration.

Attendees are invited to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy exclusive entertainment, Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items and more. New additions to this year’s party include event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities and a Halloween-themed 50th Anniversary celebration commemorative print on the reusable trick-or-treat bags.

Tickets go on sale May 18th and sell out quickly for this limited-capacity event. The fun begins in mid-August on 4 select nights. There are 13 dates in September and 18 nights in October, with the final party on Halloween night.

Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as May 12. Prices range from $109-$199.

While you may be enjoying the scent of spring blooms, take a few minutes to dream of pumpkin spice and buy your tickets before they sell out. We now return you to your regularly-scheduled springtime activities.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise News

Royal Caribbean has made two major announcements regarding new ships! 

Everyone is familiar with ribbon-cutting ceremonies but have you ever seen a steel-cutting ceremony? In Saint-Nazaire, France, Royal Caribbean recently marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel for what will be Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis Class cruise ship. The ceremony took place at the shipyard where it will be built. And the name of this new ship? (Drum roll please) . . . Utopia of the Seas! Delivery of the new ship, which will have approximately 2,800 cabins,  is scheduled for the end of May 2024. Royal Caribbean has not yet announced where the ship will sail from or what itineraries she will visit.

The other big news is that the new Icon of the Seas will be homeported in Miami after she arrives in the United States. This brand new ship is the first in the new Icon Class, which Royal Caribbean has been very quiet about. The Icon of the Seas will make its debut in the UK market this summer and then head across the Atlantic to Miami. The International President and CEO stated that the ship will likely have some stops in New York or Boston during the East Coast transit. The cruise line has spent five years designing the ship, and while they haven’t disclosed many details, they are promising that this will be a game-changer for the cruising industry. 

Icon of the Seas will feature a combination of “tradition, evolution and revolution,” all elements from their iconic ships. Tradition refers to fan favorites of the brand that will always be found across the fleet. Evolution refers to improving elements that cruisers love, such as entertainment venues and waterslides. And finally, revolution elements are industry firsts and promise to “wow” their customers. I can’t wait until the details are made public! The Icon Class is the first class of new vessels since Royal Caribbean launched the first of its Quantum Class ships in 2014. Stay tuned . . .

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Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort

Ah, Spring. The temperatures are getting warmer, the flowers are budding and the days are getting longer. It’s time to start thinking about Halloween. Wait, what??? That’s right. Select tickets and packages are on sale now for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort.

For a record-breaking 43 nights from September 2 through October 31, Universal Orlando Resort presents Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. This is the perfect fall getaway and people are planning now! 

Hailed by fans as “nonstop scary awesomeness,” “absolutely terrifying” and “downright chilling,” Halloween Horror Nights is the pinnacle of immersive Halloween entertainment and has transformed fall travel into a “must do” for people around the globe. Season after season, the terror has no bounds as Universal Orlando pulls out all of the sinister stops to celebrate Halloween with a fearsome slate of festivities that not only come to life at the award-winning event – but also across the entire destination, from dining to hotel experiences and more.

Halloween Horror Nights 2022 will boast 10 new, movie-quality haunted houses inspired by everything from cinematic greats to unfathomable original abominations, five scare zones filled with hordes of gruesome creatures lunging from the shadows, and two outrageous live shows that will showcase compelling performances. And when you need a break from the scares, satiate your appetite with food and beverage inspired by the event’s haunts, shop the latest merchandise at highly themed retail locations, and enjoy the rides.

Single-night event tickets for Halloween Horror Nights are available now. There are various vacation packages available that include accommodations and one-night admission to the event. Or you might want to look at the “Get 2 Days Free with a 3-Day Ticket” offer that gives you five days of admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks. Hotel guests get access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights gate for faster entry into the event. That is, if you want to be one of the first to enter a haunted house. Hmm.

If that’s not enough to feed your Halloween spirit, there are upgrades available for purchase. You can get a shared or private V.I.P. (actually, make that R.I.P.) guided walking tour with special entry into the haunted houses and other participating attractions. Prefer to see the inner workings of a haunted house? You can take a daytime lights-on V.I.P. tour of 3 or 6 haunted houses.

Obviously, Halloween Horror Nights is not for the faint of heart. It is recommended for children ages 13 and up and for adults who are looking to share the scares. If you’re already thinking about Fall Break, this is the time to plan your getaway to Universal Studios Florida. 

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Princess Cruises Announces Sailing from San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco

We all love new things, right? It’s exciting to learn about, see and experience them. What’s new with Princess? So many things! NEW summer sailings, NEW San Diego departures and a NEW homeport for Royal Princess in San Diego. Princess has been sailing the West Coast for more than 50 years, and they just continue to up their game each year.

New summer sailings: For the first time, Princess is offering week-long sailings that visit La Paz, along with more cruises to the California Coast and Hawaii.

New San Diego departures:  You now have more choices for close-to-home cruising with a variety of roundtrip sailings out of San Diego. Choose from an all new 7-day Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez cruise visiting Loreto, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. Or venture further south all the way to Panama as Princess debuts their all new 20-day Central America & Mexican Riviera voyage.

New homeport for Royal Princess in San Francisco: Princess’s largest ship to homeport in San Francisco for the season will sail the California Coast, Hawaii and Mexico, including a new 11-day Mexican Riviera cruise with an overnight in Cabo San Lucas. More time for mariachis and margaritas!

Hawaii: Princess is the only cruise line that sails a full season roundtrip from the mainland, with a choice of roundtrip departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver, B.C. You’ll visit Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island with a More Ashore late-night stay in Honolulu on most sailings. For the ultimate South Pacific cruise, sail on the 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa cruise to see the French Polynesian islands like Moorea, Bora Bora and more. 

California Coast: Cruise along the beautiful California coast, with ports in L.A., San Francisco, San Diego and Catalina. Or choose an itinerary that travels farther north to Astoria and Monterey. What a great way to explore California!

Whether you’re feeling the Aloha spirit, yearning for the Mexico experience, or looking to pair the perfect wine with the scenic beauty of California’s coastline, Princess and I are here for you. Let me help you pick the perfect itinerary for your vacation wishes.

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Super Nintendo World to open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023!

When someone mentions Nintendo, what’s the first thing you think of? Mario in his blue overalls and red hat? Maybe it’s Kirby, Animal Crossing or your favorite Wii game. If your household is anything like mine, you have at least one person who plays Nintendo video games. If that’s the case, you are going to love this announcement! As they say, it’s a game changer (see what I did there?) Drum roll please . . . 

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, the innovative, immersive and highly-anticipated themed land, will open at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023, and will be the first SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to debut in the United States. The immersive land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of the theme park, featuring a groundbreaking ride and interactive areas, to be enjoyed by the whole family. Themed shopping and dining will enhance the entire experience.

As the countdown begins, Universal Studios Hollywood will unveil a takeover of its popular Feature Presentation retail store, which will be themed with SUPER NINTENDO WORLD decor and gear. At the store, guests will have a chance to buy their favorite merchandise such as Mario and Luigi themed apparel and iconic character hats. A selection of plush characters, including Yoshi, Mario, Bowser and Luigi in a variety of sizes, will also be among the many fun items available for purchase.

Here’s a fun fact about Nintendo – it was founded in 1889 (no, that’s not a typo), and originally produced handmade playing cards. Since then, the company, which is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has produced some of the most successful consoles and video games in the industry. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be a great celebration of all that Nintendo has become and I can’t wait to see what they do!

Schedule a consultation today to book your trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023 to visit Super Nintendo World!

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Margaritaville St. Somewhere now open on Holbox Island, Mexico

If Holbox Island, Mexico isn’t on your bucket list, you might want to consider adding it. Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh) is a small island just off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is about two hours north of Cancun and is accessed by a ferry from the small town of Chiquila. 

It’s a tropical paradise where visitors can escape the mainland crowds of Tulum or Cancun.

The beauty of Holbox is in the simplicity, the nature and the slow rhythm it exists in. It is known for its crystal-clear blue waters, pristine beaches, no cars and no worries. It is a refreshing destination free from congestion and stress. 

Karisma, Punta Coco chose Holbox for their newest Margaritaville resort, which has just opened. Margaritaville St. Somewhere, which is absolutely stunning, lets you experience everything the island has to offer while enjoying their signature top-notch service and total luxury. With just 39 well-appointed suites, more than 26 miles of pristine, unspoiled beach, and the award-winning, easygoing luxury of Margaritaville, this new resort offers an intimate island escape that feels a world away from the everyday.

They offer two types of accommodations, ocean view rooms and swim up suites. All of the ocean view rooms feature stunning views of the sparkling turquoise sea and a balcony or glass-enclosed terrace, perfect for sipping early-morning coffee or enjoying cocktails during happy hour. The swim up suites are beautifully decorated and offer access to swim out to the main pool. The resort was designed with an open-air, boho-chic style.

The resort also features two gourmet restaurants and a swim-up bar featuring handcrafted cocktails, top shelf spirits, wine and beer. You can enjoy excursions that include scuba diving, fishing, seasonal whale shark swimming and more. Or stay onsite for shoreside volleyball, cornhole, cooking classes, bocce ball and unforgettable pool days. 

Margaritaville St. Somewhere in Holbox offers the ultimate island escape for everyone. Contact us today to book your next stay!

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Pixar Day at Sea

What could be more fun than spending a day at sea with all your favorite Pixar toys, monsters and heroes? Disney Cruise Lines is introducing their all-new Pixar Day at Sea aboard special sailings on the Disney Fantasy in early 2023.

Imagine being fully immersed in this day-long celebration with the characters from “Toy Story,” Monsters, Inc.,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and more!

Character Encounters. Pixar characters will be everywhere on the ship from morning until night, dancing, playing and interacting with guests. You’ll get the chance to see Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep from “Toy Story”; Mike, Sulley and Boo from “Monsters, Inc.”; Joy and Sadness from “Inside Out”; and Dug and Russell from “Up.” And let’s not forget those incredible characters – Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone – all from “The Incredibles!”

Immersive Entertainment. In addition to encounters with the characters, guests will also enjoy immersive entertainment with them. You can help the Incredibles save the day in a new nighttime spectacular, join your favorite characters for a dance party bash or enjoy a first-of-its-kind theatrical experience that will bring to life the beloved story of Miguel and his family from “Coco” through live music and puppetry.

Dining Filled with Character. It wouldn’t be a Disney cruise without magical dining experiences. A new, interactive character dining experience hosted by Sheriff Woody, Jesse and Bullseye will kick-start the day with sing-a-longs, cowboy serenades and all the country breakfast fixins. You can enjoy a Pixar-themed dinner or immerse yourself in undersea magic while dining in Animator’s Palate with visits from some of your favorite “Finding Nemo” friends, including interactive conversations with Crush.

Pixar Day at Sea will be included on nine select Disney Fantasy cruises from January through March 2023, departing from  Port Canaveral, Florida. Itineraries include the eastern and western Caribbean, with every cruise including a visit to Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay.

Contact us today to reserve your sailing and experience Pixar Day at Sea for yourself!

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