Sep 29 2017

TouringPlans – The Best Of Walt Disney World For Grade School Kids

The Best of WDW for Grade School Kids Graphic

Welcome back to Part 3 of my blog series on TouringPlans – The Best of Walt Disney World! In case you missed it, over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing with you the top picks in attractions for various groups of travelers visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks. So far we’ve discussed favorites for babies and preschoolers, next up are the adorable grade school kids. When checking out the list, keep in mind each attraction that made the cut scored at least four stars by the grade-schoolers surveyed. Please click here to read my latest TouringPlans article for a full list of The Best of Walt Disney World for grade school kids!

Have you traveled to Walt Disney World with a grade schooler?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Sep 25 2017

Retro-Inspired Merchandise For Epcot’s 35th Anniversary

On October 1, 2017, Epcot will celebrate its 35th anniversary and in honor of this event, Disney Parks Merchandise Team has created some nostalgic retro-inspired souvenirs.

“Many of the artists on my team are long-time Epcot fans,” explained Eric Caszatt, Creative Manager with the Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Creative Group. “We wanted the art to have a distinct vintage feeling, and take its cues from artwork, logos, signage, and in-park graphics found in the early 1980s. We also referenced actual merchandise released during the first few years of operation. Many products then did not incorporate Disney characters into the artwork with the exception of Figment from the Journey Into Imagination attraction. I’m excited to see several products being released this fall can trace their heritage back to those original items.”

Not only do these awesome commemorative items have the look and feel of the 1980s, many are also in the color palette used by “Epcot Center” back in its early days – purple, pink, red, orange, and gold.

I’m kicking myself now for not holding onto my classic Epcot t-shirts from back in the day, but I’m hoping to get my hands on one of those adorable blue and white Epcot Center short sleeve shirts while I’m visiting in October!

The Epcot 35th Anniversary collection will be available in late September in select locations throughout Epcot and you may also find select items via the Shop Disney Parks app once they’re released.

Heading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Check out my book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by clicking here for more information!

Will you be buying some Epcot 35th Anniversary merchandise?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Sep 24 2017

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up September 24, 2017

Disney Movie Magic at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for September 24, 2017!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

Instead of paying the high prices for bottled water or soda while touring the Disney parks, ask for a free cup of ice water at any counter service restaurant instead.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Disney Did You Know

More than 245 tons of candy will be handed out to party guests during the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties.

Walt’s Words

“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”

Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more.

A Snack Against The Rest!
What’s Happening In AK?

For more details about our podcast and to listen, please click here!

Featured Advertiser

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Featured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Jennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Walt Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Jennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Coming Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some holiday and planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Sep 22 2017

TouringPlans – The Best Of Walt Disney World For Preschoolers

Welcome back to Part 2 of my blog series on TouringPlans – The Best of Walt Disney World! In case you missed it, over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing with you the top picks in attractions for various groups of travelers visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks. Last time we discussed favorites for babies, and next up are the adorable preschoolers. When checking out the list, keep in mind each attraction that made the cut scored at least four stars by the preschoolers surveyed. Please click here to read my latest TouringPlans article for a full list of The Best of Walt Disney World for preschoolers!

Have you traveled to Walt Disney World with a preschooler?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Sep 21 2017

New VOID Experience Center Coming To Disney Springs This Holiday Season

More exciting news Star Wars fans…if the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the exciting event Star Wars: Galactic Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the unbelievable new land currently under construction Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge weren’t enough for you, Walt Disney World will soon be home to a new hyper-reality experience…Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at Disney Springs. Here’s a first look, courtesy of Disney:

Lucasfilm, ILMxLAB and The VOID announced recently the new Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire hyper-reality experience. This ground-breaking experience will open to the public at two in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort beginning this holiday season, giving Star Wars fans the opportunity to step beyond reality and into a galaxy far, far away. “At The VOID, we combine the magic of illusions, advanced technology and virtual reality to create fully immersive social experiences that take guests to new worlds,” said Curtis Hickman, co-founder and chief creative officer at The VOID. “A truly transformative experience is so much more than what you see with your eyes; it’s what you hear, feel, touch, and even smell. Through the power of The VOID, guests who step into Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire won’t just see this world, they’ll know that they are part of this amazing story.”

ILMxLAB, Lucasfilm’s Immersive Entertainment division, created this first of its kind experience, in collaboration with The VOID. Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will plunge guests directly into the iconic Star Wars galaxy. Guests will move freely throughout the untethered, social, and multi sensory experience as they interact and engage with friends, family and Star Wars characters.

“At ILMxLAB, we want people to step inside the worlds of our stories,” explained Vicki Dobbs Beck, executive in charge of the division. “Through our collaboration with The VOID, we can make this happen as guests become active participants in an unfolding Star Wars adventure. By combining Lucasfilm’s storytelling expertise with cutting-edge imagery, and immersive sound from the team at Skywalker Sound, while invoking all the senses, we hope to truly transport all those who experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire to a galaxy far, far away.”