We all love our furry friends and the thought of leaving them behind when we travel is sometime not what we want to do or we just do not have other arrangements we can make for them.  Well, if you are planning to travel to Walt Disney World you will have some options to bring your pet along with you.

The first option is to book your stay at one of the Disney Resort hotels that have designated dog-friendly accommodations.  The resorts that you can choose are:

-Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

-Disney Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

-Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

-The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort

All of the rooms at these resorts will have easy access to outdoor walkways to exercise your dog and green spaces with pet relief areas.  When you arrive at your resort, you will be welcomed with a complimentary Pluto’s Welcome kit.

There is a maximum of two dogs permitted per guest room.  Your dogs are expected to be well behaved, properly vaccinated and when in public areas they must be leased.  Other than service animals, your dog will not be allowed into any theme park, water park, pools or restaurants.

Your second option would be to board your pet at the Best Friends Pet Care.  The staff here are highly trained pet care providers and they all love animals.  The facility has 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and area to play, plus a 25,000 square foot dog park.  The facility is open one hour before the theme parks open through one hour after closing.

Overnight accommodations for multi day trips are also available.  This is a luxury resort for your pet.  There are different levels you can pick.  From the top of the line 226 square-foot suite including things such as potty walks, playgroups, flat screen TV, webcam, bedtime story and a bath at the end of the stay to a more basic level including 36 square-foot suite with potty walks.  There is also 2 and 4 level condos for your cat with activities for them too!

Grooming services are also available to pamper your pet.

Other small pets are accepted such as birds, reptiles and rodents but you must provide your own enclosure.

Check out the Best Friends Pet Care website to see all the options and pricing.  There is never a need to worry about leaving your pets behind while traveling to Walt Disney World!  Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacation travel planner to start planning your next trip with your furry friend!

You never want to think that you will need First Aid care while on vacation at Walt Disney World but it is good to know what is offered and where to find it if the need arises.  First Aid Stations located in the Walt Disney World parks are not just for you basic band aids.  Let me tell you about some of the things that the First Aid Stations can do for you.

Say you are in the park and your child is not feeling well and you think they may have a fever, you can just stop in and check.  They have thermometer strips available to give you.  There is an area in the back with beds where someone can lie down for a while if they do not feel well.

The First Aid stations will also have samples of medicine for many things that can come up while traveling.  They will have things for colds such as cold medicine, cough drops and even packets of tissues.  If you get a bad headache that you just cannot shake, they can give you samples of Tylenol or Ibuprofen.  If the headache is coming on because of the start of dehydration then you can get some powerade, damp cloths and a cool spot to rest until you are feeling better.  All first aid stations are equipped with Epipens for insect bites and allergic reactions.

While on vacation, you may not be eating the same way you would at home which can lead to an upset stomach or indigestion.  The stations will have samples of medicines to help relieve your symptoms.

If you get something in your eye someone at the station can help you flush your eye out.  If you are having an issue with your contacts they will also have contact solution for you to use.

Probably one of the biggest things you could encounter while in Disney World is blisters from all the walking!  Just stop in if this happens and they will have band-aids and bandages available.

These first aid stations also offer some special services that might be of use to some people.  Did you know that these stations will store refrigerated medication for you.  That will save you from having to go all the way back to your resort to take your medicine.  You can also come here to do your breathing treatments for things such as asthma, just bring your nebulizer to First Aid and you have a nice private cool place to administer your treatment.

If you are a diabetic or require any daily injections a First Aid Station is the place you will want to go.  They will even have special containers for disposal of your needles.

On my most recent visit I needed to visit the First Aid Station.  I was taking an antibiotic that made me more susceptible to sun exposure.  I had a reaction on my feet that made them so itchy.  I was getting really miserable and happen to be walking by the First Aid Station.  I walked in, they had me sign in, I showed them what I was experiencing, and they handed me a few packets of ointment that made me feel so much better.  It saved the rest of my day!  The staff and facilities were so great!

Now that you know what is available at the First Aid Stations let me tell you where you can locate each station at each park:

-Magic Kingdom – Located between Crystal Palace Restaurant and Casey’s Corner Restaurant near the restrooms as you are heading toward Adventureland.

-Epcot – Located in the Odyssey Center between Future World and the World Showcase.

-Hollywood Studios – Located in the Guest Relations building on Hollywood Boulevard near the front entrance.

-Animal Kingdom – Located at Discovery Island next to Creature Comforts/Starbucks location.

-Typhoon Lagoon, located just behind Leaning Palms.

-Blizzard Beach, located beside Lottawatta Lodge.

Hope this information helps you if you ever find yourself or a family member in need of a little medical assistance.

If you are ready to start planning your Walt Disney World vacation then contact one of our knowledgeable Kingdom Magic Vacation travel planners who will be happy to help you plan your trip!

I love Epcot so much at Walt Disney World! I love the spirit of innovation and technology that can be found in Future World and I love the adventure and discovery that can be found when exploring the pavilions in World Showcase! Every aspect of this Disney Park is right up my ally! Another thing I love about Epcot is that there is always something new and exciting taking place! Much of that is thanks to none other than the Epcot festivals! Over the years, the Epcot Festivals have grown and evolved and we have seen the introduction of brand new festivals with their own unique offerings! Now days, throughout the course of the year there is pretty much always a festival taking place in Epcot with the exception of summer time and the few in between weeks during the year when Epcot sees the transition from one festival to the next.

This means there is pretty much always something new and additional to enjoy during your Epcot visit! There are currently 4 festivals that take place at Epcot each year! Each event is unique and offers something for everyone! The 4 festivals are the,

• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
• Epcot International Festival of the Arts
• Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Here is an overview of what each one of these festivals has to offer!

Festival of the Arts

This festival is the newest to come to EPCOT.  It is held usually from mid January through mid February. This past year was only the third year and it has quickly become a favorite among guests.  It is definitely now my new favorite.  My family and I made a special trip just to experience it for ourselves because we all love the arts.  We were not disappointed!  There are many artists there doing meet and greets and will sign any art that you purchase.  I got a signed print from Ashley Taylor and enjoyed getting to talk to her for a bit.  Then there is the huge mural that you get to paint.  Just like color by numbers, you will get a brush and a small container of a certain color paint that you will be told to paint 5 squares of a number on the mural.  After you paint it and turn in your brush, you will be given a post card of what the finished mural will look like.  If you are there for a day or two you can see the finished product before a new mural is put up.  This was so much fun!  Another fun hands on experience is drawing with a Disney animator.  This is a 20-minute class where the animator will lead you step by step in drawing a Disney character.  At the end, you have your very own drawing that you can sign and date.  It is a fun free souvenir.  As you walk around World Showcase, there are props of famous paintings that you can jump into and be part of the scene. A photopass photographer will take your picture.  These are great to send to your friends and family back home.  If you love Broadway songs than you will not want to miss the Broadway Series concerts at the American Garden Theater.  Actual Broadway singers will perform the classic Disney hits.  Last but not least let’s talk about the food! The Disney chefs outdo themselves by creating delicious foods that are presented as a beautiful work of art.

Flower and Garden Festival

The Flower and Garden Festival is the most stunningly beautiful time of year to visit EPCOT.  It usually begins in early March and runs through May.  The landscape department does a wonderful job of transforming EPCOT with so many colorful flowers, plants and topiaries of the Disney characters.  The pictures you will get will amaze you!  Stop by the butterfly garden to be surrounded by more butterflies than you have probably ever seen before and watch as new butterflies hatch!  Your children will have a blast at the playground while you can sit in the shade of the beautiful garden and relax for a while.  At the American Garden theater you can attend the Garden Rocks concert series for some really fun music from some of your favorite artists.  Once again food will be a highlight at the outdoor kitchens.  Stop by each booth for a tapas size portion of some wonderful food and treats!

Food and Wine Festival

The Food and Wine Festival is the longest running EPCOT festival with this year being the 24^th Anniversary.  This is also the longest festival giving you many opportunities to plan your visit.  This year the festival will run from August 29^th through November 23^rd.  This festival is all about food and beverage offerings with over 30 global marketplaces to visit.  You can truly eat and drink your way around the world.  There are many seminars and tastings with top Disney Chefs and renowned guest chefs.  You will also want to stop by the American Garden Theater for the Eat to the Beat Concert series, which will highlight many known musical artists during the course of the festival. This festival is a great way to try new foods from around the world with just tapas size portions.  You may find some new favorite recipes and your kids might even become a little more adventurous.

Festival of the Holidays

This festival will begin this year on November 29^th and run through December 30^th.  You can stroll around the 11 World Showcase nations and experience their holiday traditions.  Performers will bring to life many time honored customs.  The World Showcase is filled with sights, sounds and flavors of the season.  Stop by the holiday booths for a taste of some wonderful Christmas comfort foods and sweet treats.  At the American Gardens Theater you can attend the Candlelight Processional.  This is the Christmas story told by a celebrity narrator, 50 piece orchestra and a full choir.  This performance always warms my heart and gets you in the Christmas spirit.

Check out our new YouTube video to hear more about what each one of these great festivals has to offer!

I hope this overview of the EPCOT festivals got you excited to try one out or a new one that you had not attended before.  Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations travel planner to get your next visit planned so you can enjoy these festivals for yourself!

This week I’m excited to continue with part 2 of how to stay cool at Walt Disney World! Last week I covered attractions to head to to get out of the heat in both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Today I will be sharing the best places to head to escape the high temperatures when visiting Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom!

The following list feature wonderful attractions that typically have a low wait time making them great attractions to head for when you are looking to get out of the heat, sit down and cool off! Let’s begin over at Hollywood Studios!

Hollywood Studios has been going through a transition period at the moment in anticipation of many new and exciting openings! The biggest new expansion being Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge that opens on August 29th! So this list might change in the future as we get new lands and attractions added to this park. However this is the current list when visiting the park today and these attractions will remain great spots to beat the heat as long as they are still open at this park!

Hollywood Studios

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

The Voyage of the Little Mermaid is an adorable live stage show! It is a personal favorite of mine because Ariel happens to be my favorite princess! This show happens continually during the day and because of this there is typically never a very long wait. The show is roughly 20 minutes and is a great spot to sit down in air conditioning!

For the First Time in Forever – Frozen Sing Along

If you are a Frozen fan then this sing along stage show is a can’t miss! The show is hosted by 2 hilarious narrators and features Anna, Elsa and Kristof themselves!! This show is another great one to head to when looking to escape the heat.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Star Wars Launch Bay is located in what use to be the Animation building. The Star Wars Launch Bay is the current hub for all things Star Wars. The whole building is filled with great air conditioning and in here Star Wars fans will find tons of things to do! You can enjoy seeing movie props and displays, watch a movie about Star Wars and more! This is also the location where you will find Star Wars character meet and greets!

One Man’s Dream

One Man’s Dream is an incredible walk through exhibit that includes piece of History from the life of Walt Disney as well as the Disney company. There is also always a movie that you can watch in here. Sometimes it’s the One Man’s Dream film which shares the very inspirational story of Walt Disney’s life and career and sometimes it is an exclusive preview for a new Disney film coming the theaters. This exhibit is a great place to cool off inside

Muppet-Vision 3D

Muppet-Vision 3D is a continual show that typically has a low wait and you can get right into the next showing. It has comfy seats and provides a great spot to get out of the sun.

Now let’s head over to Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

While in Animal Kingdom you can take a train over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where you will find many incredible exhibits all indoors in the air conditioning. Throughout the day, they do really awesome animal encounters in here and presentation about conservation. It is a great spot to check out.

Finding Nemo – The Musical

If you are a fan of Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo then this is the show for you! Experience the story of Finding Nemo told as a musical adventure! This is a fun 40-minute-long show that gets you out of the sun and the chance to sit down and recharge.

Festival of the Lion King

This is another breathtaking show that is a celebration of the music and story of The Lion King! This show is 30 minutes long so it provides you with a great break from the heat. This show I very popular however so try to get a fastpass for this one in advance so you can avoid the main queue line which is partly out in the sun.

It’s Tough to be a Bug!

This 3D film can be found inside the heart of Animal Kingdom’s icon, the Tree of Life! You get to feel like you are the size of a bug yourself and through special effects get to experience what life is like as a bug! It is a cute show and typically has a low wait time, making it a great place to head to when looking to escape the sun!

We’ve done it! We have covered places to stay cool at all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks! I hope that my lists gave you some ideas for the next time you visit the Disney Parks! When you are ready to plan your Walt Disney World vacation be sure to contact our team of Travel Planners here at Kingdom Magic Vacations. They are excited to make your travel dreams a reality!

Florida is known as the sunshine state for a reason! Central Florida, home to Walt Disney World is a paradise, typically having warm weather ALL YEAR LONG! Anytime you visit you may find the temperature are soaring high. But don’t let the heat keep you from the parks! The great thing about Disney is they offer so many great attractions that are all indoors in air conditioning so it easy to duck inside a queue line and escape the temperatures for a bit to cool off!

Here is my list by park of great attractions that typically have a low wait time and are great rides to head to when you are looking to get inside, sit down and cool off! Let’s start with Magic Kingdom!

Magic Kingdom

Enchanted Tiki Room

The Enchanted Tiki Room is a Disney classic! This show can be found in Adventureland. This is “where the birds sing word, and the flowers bloom!” You will enter a tropical paradise and get to sit down in air conditioning and enjoy the show!

Country Bear Jamboree

Another Disney classic! The Country Bear Jamboree is another great show that will get you out of the sun. It is located over in Frontierland.

Hall of Presidents

Located in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents is an amazing presentation that tells the story of the birth of our great nation along with the history of the American presidency. This show is educational and offers a great break inside air conditioning.

It’s a small World

We all know and love this Disney classic! It’s a Small world is a Magic Kingdom original found in Fantasyland! This attraction is a nice long boat ride that will give you a great break from being out in the sun.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Also, located in Fantasyland, you can head to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. This 3D show is a lot of fun for the whole family featuring many well-known Disney songs. A great show that gives you a chance to soak in some air conditioning!

The Little Mermaid Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

Another great Fantasyland attraction and one of my personal favorites is The Little Mermaid Ariel’s Undersea Adventure! This dark ride typically has a shorter wait and you can get on very quickly, making it a great spot to head to get inside and enjoy a Disney ride!

The Carousel of Progress

Located in Tomorrowland the Carousel of Progress is another personal favorite of mine! This show has a rich Disney history that dates back to the 1964 World Fair in New York. The shows main focus is all about innovation and how technology has grown over the years!

Now let’s head over to Epcot!

Epcot

Spaceship Earth

Right at Epcot’s main entrance you will find the Spaceship Earth attraction located right inside the heart of Epcot’s icon! This slow moving dark ride offers a nice long break from the heat!

Living with the Land

Inside the Land Pavilion at Epcot you will find the Living with the Land boat ride! This attraction is a great sit-down that gets you out of the sun as you tour Epcot’s greenhouses!

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Board a clam shell and tour the ocean with Nemo and his pals in this adorable dark ride that is perfect for all ages! After your ride you will exit into the heart of the seas pavilion which features so many aquarium exhibits that you can visit and watch sea life! It is a great place to hang out and stay cool!

Journey into Imagination with Figment

I am a big fan of the Epcot classic character Figment! In the Journey into Imagination with Figment attraction you board your ride vehicle and head off on a scientific tour that soon gets hijacked by Figments antics! It is a fun attraction that typically has a lower wait and offers you a great chance to get out of the sun.

World Showcase Movies

Throughout Epcot’s World Showcase there are a few pavilions that have movies that you can watch indoors in the air conditioning. Here is a list of each pavilion that has a film!

• China
• American adventure
• France
• Canada

Gran Fiesta Tour

Located inside of the Mexico Pavilion you will find the Gran Fiesta Tour! This indoor boat ride follows the adventure of Donald Duck and the three caballeros through some iconic parts of Mexico! A great ride to enjoy as you take a break inside from the heat!

I hope my list gave you some idea on attractions to enjoy to help you beat the heat next time you are visiting Magic Kingdom and Epcot! Stay tuned for part 2 to learn how to stay cool at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom!

Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacation Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to Walt Disney World or to any travel destination you are dreaming of visiting next!

If you have finally booked that Walt Disney World vacation for the first time and are feeling a little overwhelmed by the size of the property and wondering how you are going to get around to all the things you want to see then this is the article for you.  I will discuss all your options for getting from place to place without needing a rental car.  Let Disney transportation take all the stress away from you worrying about how to get around!

First, you will want to make sure that you are staying on property at one of the many wonderful Disney Resorts.  Disney has three categories of hotels, which are Deluxe, Moderate and Value so you can find a price that will fit your vacation budget.  With a booking at any of these resorts, you will now have access to all the Disney transportation options.

If you are flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) your Disney transportation experience will start here.  Upon arriving in MCO you will head to the Disney Magical Express pickup.  Here you will board your complimentary motorcoach that will transport you to the Walt Disney World Resort that you have booked.  Disney will provide you prior to your leaving with Magical Express tags for your bags.  Once you arrive there is no need to retrieve your bags.  They will be waiting for you in your room at the Resort.

Now that you have arrived on property you will want to know how to get to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs.  Let’s take a look at some of your options.

Buses

Buses run from each hotel to directly to the four theme parks, two water parks and Disney Springs.  All you have to do it go to the bus stop at your hotel and a bus will be there shortly to take you to the Disney Park.  All buses are clearly marked with location that they are going.  When you leave the park to go back to your hotel you will find your hotel bus stop and wait for the bus to take you back.  It’s that easy.

Monorail

If you are staying at a hotel on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop such as the Polynesian, Grand Floridian or Contemporary you will be able to take the monorail from the resort right over to the Magic Kingdom or to EPCOT by just making one monorail transfer.

Boats

The resorts on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop also have boats that go directly to the Magic Kingdom.  There are also boats to take you to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios if you are staying at the Boardwalk Resort, Yatch Club, Beach Club or Swan and Dolphin.  There are boats at Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter and Sartoga Springs that you can take directly to Disney Springs.

Skyliner Gondolas

The Disney Skyliner Gondola System will be the newest transportation system.  The skyliner is set to open on September 29, 2019 and will carry guests from some hotels to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios as an alternative to the Disney bus system.  The Skyliner will give you a bird’s eye view of the resort that has never been seen before.  The Skyliner will link EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

Minnie Vans

Disney Minnie Vans can be used to get around anywhere you want to go on Disney Property.  This is Disney’s version of an Uber/Lyft type service but only on Disney Property or to get to the airport.  Download the Lyft app on your phone and you can use this to order your Minnie van.  There is a cost for this service and it is based on the distance traveled on property.  It usually totals more than $25 a trip.  But it is a direct trip to where you need to go so it can save you time if you want to get somewhere on property the quickest way possible.  The Minnie Vans are driven by wonderful Disney Cast Members.

Check out our new YouTube video to experience some of the breathtaking views you can enjoy while taking Walt Disney World Transportation!

Hope this helps you with getting around on your Walt Disney World Vacation.  As you can see once you are in the Disney bubble as we like to call it, all the stress of getting around is lifted and you can sit back and relax and let someone else get you to where you need to go.

Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacation travel planner to make you next trip a reality.

Last week the Universal Orlando Resort made a HUGE and truly EPIC announcement! They will be building a brand-new theme park! This will be the fourth theme park for Universal Orlando, joining Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay!

This brand-new theme park will be called Universal’s Epic Universe! Universal’s Epic Universe will bring with it an entire new level of experiences! Universal has shared that this level of immersion will forever change theme park entertainment!

Visitors will venture beyond their wildest dreams, traveling into beloved stories as they explore these vibrant lands! Universal says that guest’s adventures here will be ones where the journey is as astounding as the destination!

The brand-new location of Epic Universe will feature a theme park, an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more! We can’t wait to see what the Universal Orlando team has in store with this massive expansion that will not only be adding a brand-new park but also new hotels, shops, restaurant and an entertainment complex!

Universal has stated, “Ultimately, this expansion will create more space and freedom to let loose and create lasting memories with the people you love.”

We know that so many people will love making those last memories here! Our team of travel planners are excited to send our clients to Epic Universe in the future!

Contact you Kingdom Magic Vacations travel planner today to plan your next visit to the Universal Orlando Resort!

It’s time to talk about the most magical time of the year, Christmas time! We all know Walt Disney World is the most magical place on Earth and during the holidays they go all out with decorations and special events that celebrate the spirit of the season! One of Disney World’s premier Christmas events is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

This extra ticketed event take place on select nights in the Magic Kingdom Park! The party includes complimentary snacks, treats and hot coco! Guest at the party will get to experience a wide array of special offerings that take place exclusively during these special Christmas parties. Offerings include a special Christmas parade, a Christmas version of the fireworks, rare character meet and greets, festive stage shows and more!

Another amazing perk of attending a separately ticketed party such as this one is that there are a limited number of tickets sold for each event evening. This means guests at the party can enjoy the park with very limited crowds. In turn this means you will get to enjoy shorter attraction wait times and get to see and do more during your time in the parks.

An exciting experience during the party is the attraction overlays that Disney puts on! This is when Disney will add exciting festive elements to an attraction to give it a new theme or exciting enhancement! This first started being seen during the parties at last year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! It was an instant hit with guests and in response this year Disney will be introducing some attraction overlays to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! That’s right Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will offer brand-new overlays to many Magic Kingdom attractions this year! Here are a few of the exciting overlays you can look forward to experiencing at the event!

Over in Tomorrowland, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor will feature a new holiday show! Space Mountain will be filled with lighting and up-beat holiday music! The Tomorrowland Speedway will be filled with thousands of lights and stylized décor.

Over in Fantasyland, the Mad Tea Party will feature four new holiday combinations of lights and festive music!

This year Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place on select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2019! Be sure to contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to book your holiday visit to the most magical place on Earth!

Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party is an extra ticketed event that happens in the fall on select nights at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park! The evening is full of spooky fun and delightful treats! Guests at the party will get to experience special Halloween offerings such as attraction overlays, special fireworks, a Halloween parade, exclusive character meet and greets, trick or treating in the Magic Kingdom and more! Another perk of being a party guest is that for these extra ticketed events only a limited number of tickets are sold, that means those in attendance will get to experience the park with limited crowds! This means you get to experience lower wait times than normal and can see and do more during your time in the park!

This year at the 2019 Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween party, Mickey’s Boo To You Halloween parade will be updated with brand-new floats and characters representing each land of the Magic Kingdom! Disney has announced that the parade opens with favorite Disney friends, including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in all-new Halloween costumes! The characters will then trick-or-treat down Main Street, U.S.A.

Disney has shared some of the characters that will be representing each land of the park! From Liberty Square, the Haunted Mansion unit will feature the return of the Hitchhiking Ghosts and a new addition, the spectral Bride! The bride will glide among the waltzing spirits!

The Tomorrowland unit will feature Edna Mode from The Incredibles! This portion of Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween parade will also feature Buzz Lightyear and Alien explorers discovering crystalline treasures on the surface of a planetary playset float! Additionally Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope Von Schweetz and the girls from Sugar Rush will make an appearance!

From Adventureland Pirates from the Pirate of the Caribbean will make their appearance!

Clarabelle Cow will hosts a square dance hoedown during the Frontierland section.

To round off this star-studded new parade, Disney Villains will be featured in a Fantasyland-inspired grand finale!

I am so excited to see this brand-new version of Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade at this year’s Halloween party! Check out our new YouTube video to see some highlights from the entertainment offerings at the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Be sure to visit Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for yourself this year! It is the perfect event to get you into the Halloween spirit! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to Walt Disney World or to any destination you are dreaming of traveling to next!

Sony Pictures’ Ghostbusters is coming to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights in a new haunted house. This is a first for Halloween Horror Nights and many Ghostbuster fans are filled with excitement for the anticipation of this brand-new house!

In celebration of the film’s 35th anniversary, you will get to jump into the movie screen of the original 1984 film for yourself! You will experience what it is like to walk through some of your favorite scenes like the New York Public Library, the Temple of Gozer and more!

In this Horror Nights house, you will be transported to the streets of New York as the rift between worlds opens! This will result in the releasing ghoulish spirits, hideous specters and ectoplasm-dripping phantasms in every shape and size. You will come face-to-face with the voracious Slimer, the all-power Gozer the Gozerian, Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and more!

Witness as Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston will have to save the day as these paranormal creatures materialize in unexpected places! The question is, will their proton packs be enough?

This year from September 6 through November 2, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights brings together stories and visions from the world’s most notorious creators of fear. Everything from cinematic greats and crazed current cult favorites to the park’s original abominations! You are never quite sure if your spine is tingling with fear or excitement.

Universal Orlando takes fear to the max. FromSeptember 6 through November 2, the 80’s return with a vengeance with 10 totally terrifying haunted houses, 5 pulse-pounding scare zones and outrageous live entertainment. From cinematic screams to the most horrifying cult classics, there’s no escape from the decade that just won’t die.

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror nights is the ultimate Halloween attraction and something you have to experience for yourself! Contact you Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next vacation!

Exciting news for us fans of Walt Disney World Transportation! The much anticipated Disney Skyliner Gondola System will open to guests on September 29, 2019!  This will be a wonderful new way to get around the Walt Disney World Resort!

Just think of all the beautiful new views of Disney World property we will see as we get to glide along in the sky! This state-of-the-art gondola system will connect Disney Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot to the following resorts:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century
• Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney has been testing the gondolas for the past few months making final preparations for the September opening! I got to see the Skyliner gondolas during my most recent visit to the parks in May! The Gondolas look so nice gliding through the sky over Walt Disney World property. Some gondolas are adorned with favorite Disney characters from the classic attraction characters like the Hitch Hiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion to more modern Disney movie characters such as Olaf from Disney’s Frozen!

If you want to experience these breathtaking views for yourself now is a great time to start planning your next Walt Disney World Vacation. Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit!

This week we continue our list of the amazing events that you can enjoy at the Universal Orlando Resort Hotels! The Universal Hotels are home to so many wonderful offerings! These events can be a great extra to add on to your vacation to make even more memories during your travels! Let’s take a look at more Universal Resort Hotel events!

Harbor Nights at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Enjoy the Harbor Piazza under the dazzling star-filled sky at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Harbor Nights is a seasonal event that takes place four times a year. This event features gourmet food stations from all of the hotel’s restaurants, as well as unlimited wine selections! As you enjoy these great food and drink offerings you can also take in the musical stylings of a live band. Regular and VIP tickets are available for this event. VIP ticket includes reserved seating, additional hors d’oeuvres and food and wine stations exclusively for VIP guests only.

Jake’s Beer Festival at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Taking place in the spring and fall, Jake’s Beer Festival at Loews Royal Pacific Resort brings together beer fanatics from all around to enjoy an extensive selection of craft and specialty beers from local and regional breweries. Guests will have the opportunity to try all of these beverages and enjoy paired hors d’oeuvres. Regular and VIP tickets are available for this event. VIP tickets include a private reception before the festival in Jake’s Clipper Room with additional beer tastings and collectible pint glasses!

Jake’s Beer Dinner at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Taking place once a quarter, Jake’s Beer Dinner- at Loews Royal Pacific Resort- invites guests to an expertly prepared five-course dinner event with craft and specialty beer pairings from local and regional breweries. Before being seated for this event, enjoy a cocktail reception with light refreshments and hors d’oeurves!

Wine Riffs at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

Sometimes as a rock star, you need to take a break and relax! What better way to do that than with Wine Riffs at the Hard Rock Hotel! Wine Riffs explores the mix of wine, food and music in a way you can only experience at Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando! Guests will enjoy a multi-course dinner menu and wine pairings from the featured winery. This event is a wine dinner like no other!

Rum Dinner at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Rum fans will love this specialty Rum Dinner at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Guests of this event will enjoy a light reception with refreshments and passed hors d’oeuvres. Participants will then be seated for a five-course dinner paired with craft rums from the Caribbean. The party doesn’t stop there as the evening wraps up with an afterglow in this island paradise!

Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to the Universal Orlando Resort and get to enjoy one of these amazing events for yourself!

It’s that time of year again! The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is about to officially kick off its 2019 season NEXT MONTH! Just this past week park goers have already been spotting some of the festival booths popping up around World Showcase and Future World! A sure sign of just how close we are to the festival’s opening day!

This year the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival kicks off on August 29, 2019. Fun Fact: This happens to be the same day that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens over at Hollywood Studios! This is going to be one very exciting day across all of Walt Disney World property!

The 2019 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival runs this year from August 29 through to November 23, 2019. This is the longest run for the festival ever! This long stretch for the festival gives you a great window of opportunity to plan your visit to Walt Disney World to catch this amazing event!

This year the Food and Wine Festival will be home to more festival booths than ever before. Two of these booths are brand new for the 2019 season! The first new booth is The Alps, this booth will feature Swedish inspired food and beverage offerings. The second new both this year is the Appleseed Orchard. Here one will find many exciting food and drink items featuring apples. I am personal most excited to try the Caramel-Apple Popcorn!

In addition to experiencing an array of flavors from around the world at the various festival booth marketplaces, during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival you can also experience culinary demonstrations, hands-on activities, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, specialty merchandise and more!

I am very excited to be attending the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival next month! Check out our new YouTube video to hear some of the highlights I am looking forward to experiencing this year!

Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World to experience all this exciting new magic for yourself!

An amazing thing about staying at a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel is that the fun never stops! Universal’s amazing resort hotels host one-of-a-kind offerings and event for guests! Guests can experience all these great events without ever leaving their hotel! From a weekly luau to rock ‘n’ roll concerts to incredible food and beverage experiences, there is an event for everyone!

Lets take a closer look at a few of the great events offered at the Universal Orlando Resort Hotels!

Sunday Brunch at the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

The Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel takes such an amazing take on Sunday brunch! This brunch includes a buffet of all breakfast favorites, plus a carving station, salmon platter, pastries, and bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas! All of this accompanied by the musical stylings of an acoustic performance!

Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

You can get the experience of traveling to Hawaii every Saturday night at Lowes Royal Pacific Resort! The Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort gives you a taste of Polynesian culture with hula dancers, fire dancers and more. This is an exciting event, perfect for the entire family! The best part, the food and drinks! You will get to partake in a traditional Hawaiian buffet that even has a roasted pig and bottomless mai-tais, house wine and beer!

Caribbean Carnaval at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

Caribbean Carnaval at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will take you on a musical journey through the Caribbean in this interactive dinner show! The dinner show features a buffet with Caribbean favorites and bottomless rum punch. Get at taste of the islands during your Universal vacation!

Despicable Me Character Breakfast at Loews Royal Pacific Resort

If you are a fan of Illumination’s Despicable Me then this character dining experience is one you can’t miss! You get to enjoy an incredible breakfast all while meeting your favorite Despicable Me characters! This experience happens every Saturday at Loews Royal Pacific Resort! Enjoy a buffet of morning favorites including pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and more! You will get to meet some of your favorite Despicable Me characters including Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and the Minions!

Velvet Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

Have you ever seen a hotel lobby transformed to host a rock ‘n’ roll concert? Well that’s exactly what happens at the Hard Rock Hotel during Velvet Sessions. This show brings high-power music and some of your favorite artists to the lobby of Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. Featured performers include Bret Michaels, Soul Asylum, The Psychedelic Furs and more. Before the show, you can enjoy specialty cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres! All while getting the chance to mingle with fellow Session’ers! All of this is included with your ticket! Standing room and VIP tickets are available for this event. VIP tickets include a private bar and access to a special viewing area. You can also add on a Meet & Greet ticket to your experience to meet and take a photo with the artist or band before the show!

Velvet Unplugged at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

Velvet Unplugged takes a new spin on acoustic performances. Guests can enjoy intimate performances by emerging musicians in the lobby of Hard Rock Hotel. This offering is open to all ages. Standing room tickets or tables for two or four people are available during this event. Table seating includes the first round of house drinks and complimentary valet parking.

Check back next week for part 2 of Universal Orlando Hotel Events! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to the Universal Orlando Resort or to any destination you are dreaming of traveling to next!

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is already opened out at the Disneyland Resort in California and on August 29th the brand new land will be open at Hollywood Studios. Everything in the lands will be open to experience except for one of the two main attractions.

One of the main attractions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opened in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge opening day and that same attraction will open in Walt Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge on their opening day. The second main attraction, Rise of the Resistance will open in both lands at a later date. For a while we didn’t know when this “later date” would be, but now we do!

Just last week Disney officially made the announcement we had all been waiting for of when the second main attraction in Galaxy’s Edge, Rise of the Resistance would open! The attraction will open at Walt Disney World on December 5th 2019! (Fun Fact: This is Walt Disney’s Birthday) And January 17th in Disneyland!

Rise of the Resistance will take guests on an epic, 4-part adventure through the galaxy! A ride experience like this that has multiple experiences rolled into one is going to be ground-breaking for Disney World and the entire theme park world! In this experience guests will battle Kylo Ren and maybe even get thrown into a First Order jail along the way! The experience is going to be so immersive and unique!

Now that we know these dates, this is the perfect time to contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner to start planning your next visit to the Disney Parks so you can experience all these incredible experiences for yourself!