Sep 28 2016

Walt Disney World Kicks Off Fall With Fantastic Fun Throughout The Resort

Disney guests will have a fantastic fall experience wherever they play, dine, relax or celebrate at Walt Disney World theme parks, entertainment venues and resort hotels as the kick off to autumn begins. Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Disney:

The arrival of fall marks one of the best times of the year to indulge in sips, savors, songs and scares across the Walt Disney World Resort. Special events and seasonal celebrations all add up to create the “WonderFALL” world of Disney.

Here’s some of what’s in store this fall:

Epcot

The most delicious time of year is underway at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Running now until November 14, the 21^st epicurean adventure features five new marketplaces, and for the first time in the Festival’s history, an expansion into the Disney resorts. At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, there’s a fabulous “brunch with a twist” prepared by top chefs from across Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can also get a behind-the-scenes look at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney Polynesian Village Resort. Interactivity is also a star of the Festival this year, providing guests the chance to prepare food and drinks along-side Disney and celebrity chefs and mixologists.

Eight new acts join the Eat to the Beat concert series, including Plain White T’s, Soul Asylum and Jeffrey Osborne. For those who want a music-and-meal combination, dining packages guarantee seats to popular restaurants including Le Cellier, Les Chefs de France and Spice Road Table and to that evening’s concert. This year, premium events like the themed Party for the Senses and Rockin’ Burger Block Party include different live entertainment each night.

While guests explore the 30 marketplaces around World Showcase, they can stop by the Norway Pavilion to visit the kingdom of Arendelle in the new Frozen Ever After attraction. Beloved characters, songs from the hit movie “Frozen” and an icy-blast await. Princesses Elsa and Anna are also in residence at their nearby Royal Sommerhus vacation cabin where guests can meet them in person.

After tasting their way around the globe, guests can fly around it: Soarin’ Around the World is a multisensory, hang-gliding-like adventure over the most popular landmarks and stunning sights across six continents.

Magic Kingdom

Happy haunts come out to socialize when Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party takes place at Magic Kingdom Park on 29 select nights now through October 31. Favorite Disney Characters join the fun, decked in costumes and ready for trick-or-treating. In between the treat trails and attractions, live entertainment stirs up mischief: the Sanderson Sisters return to the Cinderella Castle stage for the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. Partygoers can also catch the eerie and whimsical procession of “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” before the “HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular lights up the sky.

For guests who prefer their treats during daylight hours, the Magic Kingdom is all decked out with festive fall decor. New park entertainment includes the new Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire that brings together Mickey Mouse and his pals for a musical celebration on the castle stage. The daily show features Disney’s contemporary characters and classic songs.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A bewitching dance party awaits at Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Every Friday and Saturday night in October (and of course on Halloween, October 31), Dr. Facilier hosts a lineup of dastardly dancing divas – Maleficent, the Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen – Potion Bar beverages and New Orleans-inspired cuisine. For tickets, guests can call 407-WDW-DINE.

An out-of-this-world fireworks and projection show fueled by The Force paints the sky over Disney’s Hollywood Studios nightly in Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. Set to the stirring and unforgettable music from the saga, this visual journey takes guests scavenging with Rey on Jakku, navigating through an asteroid field, soaring down the trench of the Death Star and delivering the final blow to destroy Starkiller Base, transporting guests to a galaxy far, far away.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Mystery and majesty come alive as night “falls” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The theme park’s iconic Tree of Life undergoes extraordinary “awakenings” throughout the evening as animal spirits are brought to life by magical fireflies that reveal colorful stories of wonder and enchantment. Animal encounters shift at twilight, too, as darkness camouflages the boundaries between wildlife and guests on sunset excursions with Kilimanjaro Safaris. Guest can also dance alongside African performers in Harambe and indulge in the new signature restaurant, Tiffins.

Disney Springs

The four neighborhoods of Disney Springs are now open, bringing guests 150 new establishments for world-class shopping, unique dining, and high-quality entertainment. Wrapped in Florida-inspired, made-for-strolling promenades, arcing footbridges, flowing streams and small-town charm, the waterfront district is a collection of unique and high-end brand names, James Beard award-winning chefs, and even amphibious cars.

Florida’s ideal fall weather means it’s the perfect time to sip a cocktail or indulge in a meal created by a celebrity chef at one of the many new waterfront restaurants.

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 new 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!

What experience are you most looking forward to this fall?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Aug 29 2016

Helpful Information For Your January 2017 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in January 2017?
January is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during January can get chilly. The average high is about 71 degrees, the average low is about 47 degrees, and the average rainfall is about 2.91 inches. This is the coldest month of the year by far, and it can sometimes drop to freezing or just below. Be sure to pack accordingly!

Crowds

The crowds in January vary from moderate to extreme. New Year’s Day is extreme, Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend and Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend the crowds are high, and during the rest of the month the crowds are fairly moderate.

January 1 – January 7
Average Crowd Level 8.3 out of 10
January 8 – January 14
Average Crowd Level 5.4 out of 10
January 15 – January 21
Average Crowd Level 4.8 out of 10
January 22 – January 28
Average Crowd Level 5.2 out of 10
January 29 – January 31
Average Crowd Level 5.0 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 7pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 5pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during January, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

If you’ll be visiting Disney World for the ringing in of 2017 there are plenty of fun-filled options available to celebrate the holiday including special entertainment and dining. For more information about celebrating New Year’s in Walt Disney World, please click here.

From January 4 to January 8, 2017, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will be held. This fantastic annual event includes kids races, a 5K, a 10K, a pasta party, a special breakfast, a half marathon, a health and fitness expo, and a cool down party, in addition to the full marathon through all four theme parks. For more information about Marathon Weekend, please visit runDisney by clicking here.

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during January (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Epcot
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Hollywood Studios
Star Wars Land: Opening in 2020
Toy Story Land: Opening in 2018

Animal Kingdom
Pandora – The World of AVATAR: Opening in 2017

Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon: December 25 – March 11, 2017

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Resort Hotels
Walt Disney World Dolphin: Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2017
Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in January 2017, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
Once your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your January 2017 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by clicking here for more information!

Join The Fun

Disney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. 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! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

Aug 8 2016

Savor The Savanna: An Evening Safari Experience At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you love Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Kilimanjaro Safari as much as I do, here’s some exciting news for you! Disney is now offering the new “Savor the Savanna” tour for guests to experience the beauty of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at night. Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Disney:

As the sights and sounds of the savanna come to life at dusk in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visitors to the theme park now have the opportunity to experience them in an up-close-and-personal way with the new “Savor the Savanna” tour. This premium offering affords guests a private two-hour safari trek through the 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve, with a spectacular world of creatures, such as gentle giraffes, playful wild dogs and regal lions, roaming about.

The leisurely pace and a knowledgeable Harambe guide help to ensure no one misses the array of exotic animals in a variety of unique habitats. The safari vehicle will stop frequently for the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities, and the guide will point out fascinating facts along the way.

A highlight of the adventure is a stop for dinner at an exclusive viewing area. Here, guests will enjoy a selection of regional beers, wines and specialty drinks and savor African-inspired tapas, right in the middle of the breathtaking savanna. It’s a bounty of flavors bursting with delectable tastes and textures.

After the journey, guests will receive a special keepsake memento of their unforgettable evening to take home.

Cost for this exclusive experience, which is limited to a maximum of 12 participants, is $169 per person (tax not included). Each participant must be at least eight years old, and valid theme park admission is required. To book reservations, please call 407-WDW-TOUR.