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9/25/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation during COVID-19, I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind, "How will I be able to handle wearing a mask all day in the Florida heat?" Well, as usual, Disney has thought of everything. Each Walt Disney World theme park has introduced new Relaxation Stations, designated areas where visitors can remove their masks in a safe and socially distanced environment. How does this work? Much like dining at a restaurant, visitors are required to wear masks until seated or standing at their designated place within the mask free zone. Only once in their designated space may guests remove their face coverings and take a breather. Upon leaving the Relaxation Station, guests are required to replace their masks. Luckily, many mask free zones are available to guests in each park, so no matter where you are, you will have one nearby! Magic Kingdom […]
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9/22/2020 • Blog •
Travel agents have evolved over the decades to be full-fledged travel planners, helping their clients with every little detail to create the perfect vacation. They are no longer 9 to 5 agents who book a flight and hotel and send the customer the itinerary and a map. Here are the most common myths about working with a travel agent and why now, more than ever, is the best time to entrust your vacation with a trained professional who is with you every step of the way. Myth #1: “I lose control of my vacation by booking with a travel agent.” FALSE - You do not relinquish control over your own vacation. In fact, the more involved you are in the process, the more your agent will get to know you and help perfect the details to suit your family’s style, requests, and requirements. You can still enjoy the planning and […]
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7/17/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
The Star Wars saga spans decades of storytelling. Having a brief background on the films helps when exploring Batuu at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Timeline A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, the Galactic Republic maintained peace and order in the galaxy with Jedi knights and elected senators. *During the prequel trilogy (Episodes I - III), the Sith ( the “dark side”) gain control of the Republic and form the Galactic Empire. *In the original trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), the Rebellion fights against the empire and forms the New Republic. *In the final trilogy (Episodes VII-IX), remnants of the Galactic Empire return as the First Order and attempt to gain back control of the galaxy. The Resistance rises up for a final battle. Backstory The Galaxy’s Edge storyline takes place between the events of Episodes VIII and IX. Batuu is located in the Outer Rim of […]
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6/26/2020 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Once our kids (7 and 5) find out that we are heading to Walt Disney World, there is always one question that follows, "Are we staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge?" There is no denying that it is our family's favorite and it is always our top recommendation to friends and family that are planning their trip. Here are a few reasons why we love Animal Kingdom Lodge: 1. The immersive experience. It feels like you are in Africa! Of course, I’ve never been to Africa, but the theming of this resort is wonderful. From the activities and storytellers in the lobby to the landscaping and animals outside of your window. It just feels like you are somewhere and everything is an experience (and a good one at that!) 2. The Animals! They are obviously the star of the show at this resort, but to us it’s the freedom and fun […]
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6/18/2020 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
*The following blog post contains anecdotal information about travel during pregnancy. It is not presented or intended to be used as medical advice. Consult your OB/GYN or advanced practice provider before you travel for medical advice specific to your circumstances. A Disney vacation is something the entire family can look forward to! With the attractions, characters, shows, and so much more, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy! But as a travel specialist, I am occasionally let in on some joyous news, often before families are ready to announce it publicly– someone in the family is expecting a baby! While this is incredibly exciting, mothers-to-be are often understandably nervous about what they will be able to do during their vacation. Will they be able to enjoy the Disney experience with the rest of the family? In my personal experience- YES! I have visited Disney World three times […]
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6/5/2020 • Walt Disney World •
If you are looking for evening activities, head over to the Boardwalk resort area where you can experience shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. The Boardwalk is a short boat ride or walk from both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is a quarter of a mile-long promenade created around Crescent Lake and designed to look like a quaint Mid-Atlantic seaside village from the early 1900s. Crescent Lake is surrounded by 3 Deluxe category resorts (Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk), restaurants, and a variety of entertainment venues. You can stroll the Boardwalk any time of the day and enjoy the extras that are only a few steps out of your resort door. If you are a sports fan and want to watch your favorite NFL team on a Sunday or take in a big sporting event, you can stop in the ESPN Club which hosts live. Schedules vary so check out ESPN […]
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6/2/2020 • Walt Disney World •
One of the most magical experiences when visiting Walt Disney World is dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside Cinderella’s castle. This is a highly sought-after reservation that we often book for our clients and ourselves. Did you know there is a package you can add to make it even more magical? The Signature Celebration Package is a perfect way to celebrate birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, or just a fun splurge. This package begins with dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table with some truly royal characters. You will be treated to a specialty beverage or sparkling wine if you are 21 and up, an appetizer, an entrée of your choice, and a box of treats to take with you. We love starting with the charcuterie platter and having the filet and shrimp for our entrée. There are plenty of kid-friendly choices as well, including my kid’s favorite mac and cheese. You will also […]
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5/26/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
For any Star Wars fan, visiting the planet Batuu on the outskirts of the galaxy is a dream come true and the ultimate ride is Disney’s Rise of the Resistance. This combines new technologies for a multi-layered experience. As a hugely popular ride, you will need to arrive before park opening to make sure you can get into their virtual queue called a Boarding Pass, the moment the park officially opens. Boarding passes allow you to enjoy the rest of Batuu and the parks until your turn to join the line. This can only be obtained through the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone. You can set your phone to alert you when your boarding group is called or watch My Status to find out when it’s time to get in line. If you are in the middle of an Oga’s reservation or building your own lightsaber or droid […]
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5/8/2020 • Disneyland, Reviews •
If you’ve been to Walt Disney World, chances are you have seen Sorcerer Mickey battle evil in this live show. On my recent trip to Disneyland, I got to see the West Coast version of Fantasmic up close and personal and it did not disappoint. Knowing that viewing areas are hard to come by in Disneyland, I opted to try one of the dining packages at River Belle Terrace. River Belle Terrace is located in Disneyland park in New Orleans Square next to Pirates of the Caribbean and right in front of Rivers of America. This is an outdoor café and makes for a truly beautiful experience to sit out in the California sun and have a nice meal. The menu for the Fantasmic Package is a Prix Fix Menu which includes a non-alcoholic beverage, an appetizer, which was a choice between a salad or corn chowder, main dish, which […]
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4/14/2020 • Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
One of the newer and most unique souvenir opportunities is building a custom droid at the Droid Depot in Galaxy’s Edge, in both Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Because this is such a unique and highly sought-after activity, I highly recommend having a reservation, as you may not be able to secure a spot as a walk-up. Another thing to keep in mind is what to do with your droid once you’ve made it. This location did not offer resort delivery or front of park pick up. We took advantage of our hopper passes and had my husband return them to the room. If you are cruising after your trip, you may want to check their guidelines for these as well as lightsabers prior to making reservations. As with any other Disney reservation, we recommend you check-in 15 minutes early. Upon entering the Droid Depot you are […]
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