Feb 13 2019

Celebrating Valentine’s Day 2019 In Walt Disney World

If you are one of those lucky people who will be celebrating your love in Walt Disney World this year on Valentine’s Day, you have lots of romantic options available. Here are just some of the many possibilities available courtesy of Disney:

Now, more than ever, Walt Disney World Resort is a great romantic destination for couples on Valentine’s Day – or those celebrating their love any day of the year. Throughout the theme parks, resort hotels and beyond, couples in love will find a wide range of experiences to enjoy together, from quaint to luxurious and everything in between.

Romantic meals, magical nighttime shows, pampering spa treatments and more await across the 40-square-mile resort. Here are just a few of the options for couples:

Incredible Resort Hotels – The fantastical and faraway themes of Disney resort hotels are the perfect setting for guests to live their own fairy tales with those they love. Superior service, breathtaking views and exclusive perks – like in-room celebrations – make a stay at a Disney resort hotel a magical experience for couples.

Dining Options for All Palates – Couples will find a plethora of options for meals infused with romance:

Several restaurants around Epcot offer relaxed yet upscale atmospheres combined with delectable bites and sips. For instance, guests can enjoy savory steaks and seafood in a cozy wine-cellar setting at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion or indulge in delectable seafood while enjoying views of a living coral reef at Coral Reef Restaurant.
Wine Bar George at Disney Springs offers a casual, romantic evening – especially for wine aficionados, with more than 130 selections handpicked by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. Additionally, many Disney Springs restaurants will offer special menus on Valentine’s Day, including Paradiso 37, Terralina Crafted Italian, Maria and Enzo’s, and STK.
Couples can step into the golden age of Hollywood at The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The upscale atmosphere combined with signature classic dishes creates a wonderful ambiance for a romantic meal.
Restaurants at Disney resort hotels offer a wide variety of delicious dining experiences. The newly opened Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach makes a good setting for a casual yet romantic evening with tropical vibes and gorgeous waterfront views. Other good options for couples include The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which serves up fresh cuisine in a stylish setting, and Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, which treats couples to Southern hospitality and New Orleans favorites.
Guests can enjoy a fun date night that includes dinner and a show with a Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package. As part of Epcot International Festival of the Arts, this package combines a delicious meal at one of five delectable restaurants as well as guaranteed seating to enjoy a showcase of iconic Disney on Broadway songs at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. This experience runs through February 25.

Plus, sweet treats for that special someone will be found across the resort on Valentine’s Day, including a Lady & the Tramp cupcake at Epcot and an array of desserts and cupcakes at select Disney resort hotels.

Massages and More – A spa day encourages couples to relax while indulging in massages, facials, skin therapies and other special treatments. Plus, Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa both offer a “Spa for Two” package that includes custom massages and pedicures.

Gifts to Say I Love You – The vast selection of merchandise available across Walt Disney World provides Valentine’s Day gift options of every shape, size, color and type.

Adorable Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Valentine Plush are a great choice. For the jewelry lover, guests can pick up a Lady & the Tramp Bangle by Alex and Ani. And if a couple is celebrating recent nuptials, they should snag classic bride-and-groom Minnie and Mickey ears!

For something extra special, romantics should contact the Dream Makers at Disney Floral and Gifts and arrange for in-room celebrations at their resort hotels. These one-of-a-kind experiences can include floral arrangements, champagne and more. Guests can arrange their celebration by clicking here or by calling 407-939-4438.

Share a View on the World – Guests aboard Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight at Disney Springs experience incredible views of the dining, shopping and entertainment the complex has to offer, as well as sights across Walt Disney World. A trip up in the air in the tethered balloon makes for a wonderful romantic addition to a night out.

Romance at Sea – There is something particularly romantic about a trip aboard a private yacht or other watercraft cruising from one of the marinas across Walt Disney World. The pinnacle nautical experience takes place aboard the Grand 1 Yacht, where you can enjoy spectacular fireworks views complete with private dining and butler amenities. Or guests can take a relaxing day cruise from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort along the waters of Crescent Lake and the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot. To reserve a cruise, guests should call 407-939-7529.

Get Back to Nature – Couples who love animals can embark on the Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This private tour includes views of the animals on the savanna, as well as a sampling of African-inspired food, paired with a selection of beer and wine. To book, guests can call 407-WDW-TOUR.

A Place for Kids – Couples traveling with their children can have a romantic night to themselves while the kids get a night on the town all their own at Pixar Play Zone. This immersive, Pixar-themed evening of games, characters, food and fun at Disney’s Contemporary Resort allows children ages 4-12 to learn the ways of the Wild West at Woody’s Roundup, participate in Space Ranger Training, build a race car to compete in the Piston Cup Challenge and more. This experience is available through March 30.

Say “I Do” – The ultimate in Disney romance is a wedding ceremony at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings can make all of a couple’s dreams come true on their special day.

Magical locations inside the theme parks and around the resort provide gorgeous backdrops for couples to exchange vows and celebrate their love with family and friends. From the enchanting Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the iconic Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, the options are limitless.

Married couples can join in the fun, too, with a trip to Walt Disney World to spend their honeymoon, renew their vows or celebrate anniversaries.

For more information on Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, guests can call 321-939-4623 or click here.

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 updated 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 celebrating Valentine’s Day in Disney World?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 11 2019

Helpful Information For Your June 2019 Disney World Vacation

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

Weather

The weather in Disney World during June is hot and rainy. The average high is about 91 degrees, the average low is about 71 degrees, and the average rainfall is about 8.32 inches. You can expect some rain every afternoon or evening, so be sure to bring your poncho!

Crowds

You can anticipate the crowd levels throughout the month of June to be moderate as many families enjoy a summer vacation to the most magical place on earth. Unlike Spring Break or Christmas, summer travelers are spread out over a three month time frame making this a much more manageable time of year to visit.

June 1
Average Crowd Level 6.0 out of 10
June 2 – June 8
Average Crowd Level 6.7 out of 10
June 9 – June 15
Average Crowd Level 6.4 out of 10
June 16 – June 22
Average Crowd Level 6.3 out of 10
June 23 – June 29
Average Crowd Level 6.3 out of 10
June 30
Average Crowd Level 6.0 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

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

Events

A wonderful part about visiting Disney World in the spring is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. In 2019, the event runs from March 6 through June 3 and features over 100 topiaries, interesting gardening demonstrations, beautiful flowers, weekend music concerts and several outdoor kitchens serving delicious foods and beverages. For more information, please click here.

On select Thursday and Saturday evenings during June, Disney will be throwing a glowing pool party at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.

Refurbishments

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

Magic Kingdom
Tron Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Walt Disney World Railroad: December 2018 – Summer 2019

Epcot
Guardians of the Galaxy Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Ratatouille Attraction: Opening in 2021
Space Themed Table Service Restaurant: TBD

Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Opening in 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Opening in Fall 2019

Animal Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in June 2019, 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 (7:00am 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 updated 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 June 2019 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 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!

Feb 10 2019

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up February 10, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for February 10, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

When starting your day at Epcot, don’t make a beeline for Spaceship Earth. Many guests enter the park and just get in the first line they see. As a result, the wait for Spaceship Earth can be very long in the morning. Make a Fastpass+ reservation for later in the day or hop in line on your way out of the park in the evening instead.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Disney Did You Know

Walt Disney Imagineers viewed 156 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” for inspiration when creating The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Walt’s Words

“Fantasy, if it’s really convincing, can’t become dated, for the simple reason that it represents a flight into a dimension that lies beyond the reach of time.”

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

Featured Book

UPDATED! 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 planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Feb 8 2019

First Look At Jaleo Coming To Disney Springs In 2019

Hey fans of tapas style dining and drinks, if you’re heading to Walt Disney World in 2019, you have plenty to be excited about. With several new restaurants already open at Disney Springs, get ready to get your fix of savory shareable Spanish small plates, sangria and more coming in 2019 at Jaleo. Here’s a first look:

José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup, in collaboration with renowned Spanish design firm Capella Garcia Arquitectura, recently revealed details of the striking design of the beloved Jaleo brand’s newest location at Disney Springs. Opening this winter, the 22 thousand square foot restaurant will be Andrés’ largest to date and will bring the spirit and flavors of Spain to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Based on the colorful iconography of Spain, the architectural form of the building is inspired by an artichoke, a vegetable native to José’s homeland. The artichoke structure opens up, inviting guests to enter and experience the very best of Spanish cuisine. The petals themselves form pergolas, which extend toward the outdoors. The freestanding, two-story building lacks solid walls and is completely open to the outside, with large windows offering views of the lake while protecting diners from the sun. “There are no cubic forms, no opaque walls, no straight lines: here reigns a plant-like organic structure with its dynamic forms. An avant-garde, expressionist and welcoming architecture,” remarks Juli Capella, principal at Capella Garcia Arquitectura, on Jaleo’s design.

The interior features a double height central courtyard that visually connects the restaurant’s two floors. The idea of Jaleo, the Spanish word for “revelry,” inspires the large, family-style gathering space, inviting guests to share tapas and sangria, gather with family at the foosball tables, or enjoy the more elegant central seating for paellas and grilled meats, anchored by the restaurant’s open kitchen and wood fire grill. Private dining options include two terraces, one overlooking the Disney Springs promenade and another overlooking the lake.

Typical Spanish colors of citrus, namely orange and lemon, offer a welcoming ambience alongside predominant touches of wood and ceramic materials. Stunning artwork includes the “Suit of Lights,” an iconic photo of a bullfighter’s suit from Spanish photographer Rafael Vargas, as well a collage of San Sebastian’s popular Concha beach by photographer Ciuco Gutiérrez, bringing the Spanish landscape closer to Walt Disney World Resort.

Occupying the front-corner of Jaleo and overlooking the main promenade of Disney Springs will be a quick-service concept serving Spanish street-food-inspired sandwiches and salads. The design of the casual restaurant features natural materials and a luminous, open feel, inviting visitors into the friendly space, which is centered around a large mural from Marc Jesús, a famous painter from Menorca. With dynamic visual elements drawn from the culinary delights and landscapes of Spain, Andrés and Capella aim to surround visitors in the culture of their native country and all its creativity.