After years of anticipation from us Disney fans the wait is about to be over! Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is opening NEXT MONTH at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida! The opening date is August 29th of this year, 2019! This brand new Star Wars themed land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios park and will be the largest single-land expansion in theme park history!
Star Wars fans all over the world are filled with joy to now finally be able to travel into the Star Wars universe. This incredibly immersive new land will make guests feel as though they have stepped straight into the Stars Wars story themselves! Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will feature state-of-the-art attractions, dining experiences, shopping and one of a kind immersive opportunities!
You can pilot the Millennium Falcon in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run! You can try the iconic Blue Milk for yourself at the Canteen! You can create your own droid to take home with you. And even build your very own lightsaber!
I am so excited to announce that I will actually be in attendance on the opening day of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! I am so excited!!! I have for years said that one day I would love to be in the Disney Parks as part of an opening day event! The mega Disney fan inside me is on cloud 9! I am so excited to be able to one day say how I was at Disney during a historic occasion such as this!
Check out our latest YouTube video to hear everything I am most excited for with this incredible experience!
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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 next.
To round off my perfect day series where I craft my ideal day at each Disney Park, today we visit Animal Kingdom! I am super excited about this one because Animal Kingdom is actually my favorite Disney park of all! I love animals and all things nature! So being in this park fills me with so much joy! I could spend hours just simply walking around this beautiful park!
Breakfast at Starbucks!
Have you noticed a theme with my perfect days! I really love that all of the Disney Parks have a Starbucks location! This is a great spot to grab your morning coffee and a quick bite to eat as you head off for your day of fun! The Animal Kingdom Starbucks is called Creature Comforts. Another great thing about each Disney Starbucks is that they are themed to that specific park! You are still fully immersed in that Disney magic and story!
Safari!
The first thing I would plan to do would be to head to the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction! This attraction is like going on a tour of the African savanna! You will encounter all types of animals from your safari vehical. Some of my personal favorite animals to see are the giraffes, lions, crocodiles and elephants, just to name a few! This attraction is the heart of Animal Kingdom! You will get to take many wonderful photos of the animals and the beautiful savanna!
I recommend doing this attraction early in your day. Animals tend to be more active first thing in the morning, so you are sure to see some exciting sights! This ride can get popular, I would recommend trying to grab a fastpass for this experience.
Fastpasses!
I would recommend talking with your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner prior to booking your fastpasses to learn more about each experience and attraction so that you know what experiences you and your family definitely want to try to grab fastpasses for. Your Travel Planner can also advice you in which attractions are more popular and more worth your while to get a fastpass for.
My ultimate fastpass to grab at this park is Flight of Passage. This is the premier attraction in Pandora the World of Avatar! In this experience you get to experience flying on the back of a banshee! The ride technology is a first of its kind. You actually feel the banchee breathing under you as you fly. All of the effects are absolutely breathtaking! I highly recommend trying to get a fastpass in advance for Flight of Passage as this ride is very popular and tends to have very high wait times. This is a must do experience when visiting Animal Kingdom!
Lunch!
Once I enjoyed my fastpass experiences I would then plan to break for lunch. I have two favorite quick service locations in Animal Kingdom that I like to frequent for lunch, Flame Tree Barbecue and Satu’li Canteen! I would choose to visit either of these spots to enjoy my lunch!
Animal Treks!
One of my absolute favorite things to do in all of animal Kingdom is simply walking the beautifully landscaped safari treks to go watch the animals! The animals are truly at the heart of this park and that is why I feel such a strong connection to this place. Along the paths you will find very knowledgeable cast members who love to share information about the various animals you get to spot. You can really spend a great deal of time just taking in everything that these walking treks have to offer! I highly recommend taking the time from your day to enjoy the animal treks!
Dinner!
For dinner at Animal Kingdom I would want to go to my favorite sit-down restaurant in the park, Yak and Yeti! Yak and Yeti is incredibly themed and has a very extensive menu! There truly is something for everyone at this location! If you are an adventurous eater or a picky eater you will find something that interests you here.
I hope my list gave you some ideas for your next day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your visit to Walt Disney World or to any destination you are dreaming of visiting next!
Today I am excited to continue my perfect day series by sharing my perfect day at Hollywood Studios! Hollywood Studios has always held a special place in my heart. This park is a celebration of the golden age of Hollywood a place where the magic of the movies comes to life! As a movie lover who has always been fascinated by all things filmmaking, this park has always been so captivating to me!
Currently Hollywood Studios is going through a very exciting transitional time. The park has experienced many attraction closures in recent years as the park is preparing to make way for new rides, lands and experiences! August 29th Disney World’s newest themed land will open and call Hollywood Studios home, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! This is Disney’s largest single land expansion! Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will be home to 2 brand new state of the art rides, unique dining offerings and one of a kind immersive experiences! Next year Hollywood Studios will welcome another brand-new attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway! This attraction will be groundbreaking for the Disney parks as it will actually be the first time that Mickey and Minnie themselves are featured in a Disney Parks ride!
As you can see this truly is such a momentous time for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and I am so excited for what is to come at this amazing Disney Park! Today though I plan to focus on what would be my ideal perfect day at Hollywood Studios as it is currently. Let’s get started!
Breakfast on the Boulevard!
I would plan to get to the park early and have breakfast at the Starbucks on Hollywood Boulevard. I love this part of the park! As I mentioned earlier I am a big fan of the golden age of Hollywood so spending time admiring the details on Hollywood and Sunset boulevard is one of my favorite things to do at this park!
Fastpasses!
Next I would plan to enjoy my fastpasses! Fastpass is a great service that allows you to reserve a time to ride an attraction in advance and skip the main queue line! This service is complimentary to all Disney guests. You get 3 fastpasses a day and once you use those 3 up you can use the My Disney Experience app to reserve more fast passes. That’s why my best tip is to make your fastpasses for early in the day so that once they are used you can get more! The fastpass system is wonderful to utilize with many of the more popular attractions that tend to get very high wait times.
My best advice would be to try to get a fastpass for Slinky Dog Dash! This is currently the most popular attraction in all of Disney World, it can be found in Disney World’s newest land that just opened last year, Toy Story Land. This ride is definitely a coveted fastpass to get!
TIP: If you can’t grab a fastpass for it, then my best advice would be to wait to ride it at the very end of the day. The line will typically be less at this time because everyone is watching the nighttime shows.
Other fastpasses that I like to get are for Toy Story Mania and Star Tours! Spend some time talking with your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner prior to making fastpasses to learn more about each attraction so you can get an idea of which experiences interest you and your family the most. Then you will have a game plan for which fastpasses you want to try to get.
Lunch!
After enjoying my fastpasses in the morning I would then grab some lunch from my favorite quick service location in Hollywood Studios, Woody’s Lunchbox! This quick service just opened along with the opening of Toy Story land last year! Like everything in Toy Story Land the theming is adorable and the food here is classic comfort food with a twist! I love the grilled cheese and creamy tomato basil soup from here!
Shows!
After getting refueled with my lunch stop I would then plan to spend the afternoon watching some stage shows! Hollywood Studios is home to some amazing live stage productions! My personal favorite is Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage! I still get goosebumps no matter how many times I see this production! If you are interested in seeing some behind the scenes action of how stunts are done in movies then you have to check out Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Other favorite stage shows of mine include the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the Frozen Sing-Along!
Dinner!
If I could pick anywhere in Hollywood Studios for dinner I would have to go with the Brown Derby! This restaurant is a replica of the real Brown Derby that once existed in the real Hollywood! The Brown Derby was a hot spot for many show business elite. When you dine here you will feel like you have stepped back in time to the glitz and glamour of that golden age of show business! My favorite thing to order here is the cobb salad!
Fun Fact: The Cobb Salad was actually invented at the original Brown Derby!
Nighttime Shows!
After dinner, I would then head to grab a spot to watch Fantasmic! This is one of Disney’s incredible nighttime spectaculars! Fantasmic is a celebration of the power of our imagination! The show uses many jaw-dropping special effects and features many popular Disney characters!
Hollywood Studios Highlights:
I hope my list gave you some ideas for building your own perfect day at Hollywood Studios! I am so excited for all the new experiences coming to this park so soon! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your visit to Walt Disney World or to any destination you are dreaming of visiting next!
Are you a Marvel fan?! If so then you need to head over to Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure park! Here you can grab a photo with Captain America, catapulte into the sky just like the Incredible Hulk, go web-slinging high above the streets with the Amazing Spider-Man, collect one of a kind Marvel souvenirs and more! All of this Marvel fun and more is in store for you in Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure. Here are some great things to know as you prepare to get your epic adventure started!
Experiences:
Have you always wondered what it would feel like to be a Marvel Super Hero?! Well it’s your turn to experience the super hero experience first hand! Here are some of the amazing ride experiences available at Marvel Super Hero Island!
Feel the fury on The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Go web slinging high above the streets in 3-D with The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Test your bravery on Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
Harness the power on Storm Force Accelatron
Put your skills to the test at Kingpin’s Arcade
Meet Your Favorite Marvel Characters:
Everyone dreams of meeting their heros! Here at Marvel Super Hero Island you will have this amazing opportunity to meet some of your favorite Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, Captain America, Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm and Rogue, as well as Marvel Super Villains like Dr. Doom and The Green Goblin.
Here is a list of some of the Marvel Super Hero encounters available:
Meet Spider-Man and the Marvel® Super Heroes
Feast with Marvel’s finest at the Marvel Character Dinner
Snap a photo with Spider-Man at the Marvel Alterniverse Store
Where to Eat:
You will work up quite the appetite trying to keep up with the Marvel Super Heroes’ lifestyle. Universal’s Islands of Adventure has you covered! There are tons of places for you to get refueled with delicious food and beverage offerings including:
Feast with Marvel’s Finest at the Marvel Character Dinner
Clobber your Super Hero sized appetite at Cafe 4
Vanquish your cravings at the Captain America Diner
Souvenirs to Bring Home:
Whether you’re looking to update your Super Hero size wardrobe, expand your collection of Marvel figurines or start your very own comic book collection, there’s something for everyone and a whole lot more at Marvel Super Hero Island.
Marvel Alterniverse Store
Visit the Marvel Alterniverse Store to stock up your Super Hero closet with every manner of Marvel supplies! Items include character t-shirts, sweatshirts, toys, collectibles, mugs, and more!
TIP: Be sure to take a picture with Spider-Man. Not only do you get to meet and snap a photo with this famous web-slinger, but you also get your photo turned into the cover of a Marvel Comic issue of Spider-Man! Such a great keepsake!
More Shops:
Comic Book Shop
What kind of Marvel Super Hero Island would this be without a Comic Book Shop featuring all of your favorite Marvel characters, posters, apparel, figurines, and more!
Marvel Boutique
Looking for a place to gear up for battle with super-stylish clothes and accessories featuring your favorite Marvel Super Heroes? Look no further than the Marvel Boutique.
Spider-Man Shop
Be sure to check out this Spider-Man Shop created just for fans and stacked with toys, action figures, mugs, t-shirts, and more.
There is so much to discover a Marvel Super Hero Island! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to the Universal Orlando Resort or to whatever destination you are dreaming of next.
Universal Orlando’s new original dining concept – Bigfire – has now officially opened at Universal CityWalk! This brand-new sit-down restaurant draws inspiration from the nostalgia of cooking over open flames! Think back to memorable summer vacations, camping and backyard barbecues! That is the environment that this restaurant strives to take you back to!
When you first step inside this restaurant, you will feel as though you have stepped into a lakeside summer house! It is an atmosphere of being surrounded by friends and family. Bigfire features many natural design elements. Features include mix and matched fabrics, cast iron, camp lanterns and more! All of these decor elements tie together to create an outdoor ambiance inside the restaurant!
An incredible element of Bigfire and what truly serves as the heart of this restaurant is the custom wood fire grill where chefs will prepare signature dishes inspired by the style of open-fire cooking! The chefs here artistically match the food items with wood species that have been carefully chosen based on the flavors they exude. This cooking techniques result in the creation of delicious dishes, sides, desserts – and even cocktails that have been infused with smokey spirits!
Be sure to save room for dessert because at Bigfire you can make s’mores AT YOUR TABLE! Such a perfect way to bask in that summer nights nostalgia!
Bigfire can be found between VIVO Italian Kitchen and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville on the edge of the lagoon! This location offers amazing views of Universal CityWalk!
Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to Universal Orlando or to whatever destination you are dreaming of traveling to next!
EPCOT is such a fun park to visit. It has so much to offer and the vibe here changes frequently with all the different festivals throughout the year, so there is always something new to do and explore. Also, there are so many changes going on in EPCOT with new rides like Guardians of the Galaxy and Ratatouille and new restaurants like the space themed one that will have you dining in outer space and the creperie in France, there will be so many new things to see and do. Illuminations the iconic nighttime show will be going away soon and there will be a new spectacular, which I am sure will be incredible. This fall we will also have the opportunity to arrive from certain resorts via the new gondola system and park hop from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios on this fun new transportation, which will give us a new bird’s eye view of the Disney World property. Until these new things are available, I will enjoy my classic day in the EPCOT park. Let me describe what my day usually looks like while visiting here:
First upon arriving and walking through the entrance, I am always overcome with a sense of calm. I love the massive sight of Spaceship Earth and the futuristic music which surrounds you, it always makes me smile. Spaceship Earth is always a must ride for me so this will be my first stop and from rumors I heard this ride may be getting a refresh soon!
Next, I am going to head over to Soarin Around the World in the Land Pavilion. I usually grab a fast pass for this ride so I only have a short wait. This ride is always so enjoyable as you fly over iconic places around the world and experience all the different scents that go along with what you are seeing on the screen. This is a must do ride for me! Then in the same pavilion is another one of my favorites, which is the Living with the Land boat ride through all the ecosystems such as tropics, dessert and prairie. Then your boat glides through the enormous greenhouse, which is home to so much vegetation, most of which is used all around property in the restaurants. Twice I have taken the Behind the Seeds tour which takes you on a walking tour through this greenhouse with a knowledgeable guide who will give you wonderful information on all that they are doing in the agricultural field to become eco-friendly. I highly recommend this tour if you love gardening and the environment.
Next stop I will head over to The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Such a cute ride and then you get off the ride and get to explore the aquarium with all the sea life. My favorite is watching the manatees. I could stand there for hours, they are such gentle giants.
Now I usually walk to the opposite side of Future World to ride Test Track! Since I already used up my tier 1 fast pass I go to the single rider line for a very short wait and even when I am with other people we usually split up and ride at the same time, sometime you even get lucky and end up in the same car!
Onward to World Showcase! Most times, I take the clockwise route starting with a stop at Mexico. I love the temple with its marketplace that looks like nighttime in an open market. I have gotten many souvenirs from here. From here, I will wonder around the World exploring all the shops. I love all the different cultural merchandise and talking to cast members that are from that country and learning about their customs. Walking around World Showcase is breathtaking. I love the attention to detail and the beautiful landscaping. Along the way, I will enjoy many different food and drink item, especially during the festivals.
If you are not aware, EPCOT has the Food and Wine Festival in the fall followed by Festival of the Holidays, then Festival of the Arts; which is my new favorite and then the Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring which is a gardeners paradise. If sampling food around the World is not enough, this is the best park for restaurants. Each country has fabulous offerings. I love Via Napoli in Italy and Biegarten in Germany; which also has a fun German Octoberfest show while you eat.
I always end the night watching Illuminations Reflections of Earth. I love the musical score to this nighttime show. Sadly, this show will have its last showing on September 30th after 20 years! But I look forward to the next show that Disney will have in its place, I am sure it will be incredible!
So this has been a look at my day in the EPCOT park. If you would like to experience this for yourself, contact one of our knowledgeable Travel Planners here at Kingdom Magic Vacations. They will be happy to help you plan an amazing trip to Walt Disney World or wherever you would like to travel.
The nighttime shows at Walt Disney World are truly spectacular. When you visit make sure you stay into the evening hours at each of the four parks to see the wonderful show that each has to offer. At each park you will experience a very unique display that is sure to take your breath away!
Animal Kingdom
Since Animal Kingdom added on evening park hours they have added the Rivers of Light show. This show celebrates the majesty of nature and features special effects and a thrilling musical score. Eastern festival traditions are combined with technology, which makes for a beautiful nighttime pageant showcasing lantern floats and animals. This show tells the story of how mankind has been inspired by animals and nature.
Hollywood Studios
Located on Sunset Boulevard at Hollywood Studios you will find the gigantic amphitheater which curves around a lagoon giving a great view of the nighttime show Fantasmic. The premise of this show is you are in a dream Mickey is having where good will verse evil as he becomes a sorcerer’s apprentice with powers to control things like water, color and magic. This show features many live performers, huge sets, stunning effects, pyrotechnics and thrilling music. Mickey’s dream turns into a nightmare when the Disney Villains try to take over. In the end you know that Mickey will win for a happy ending.
EPCOT
You will find Illuminations Reflections of Earth located around the World Showcase in EPCOT. This show has stunning fireworks that celebrates the Earth and all of humanity. There are also fiery flames all around the lagoon for a dramatic effect. A 350,000 pound Globe glides out on the lagoon displaying the Earth’s history of humanity and achievements. The combination of flames, lazers, fireworks, music and storytelling makes this show incredible. That is why it has been around for 20 years. Hurry if you want to see it because September 30th will be the last showing before a new show is revealed. It will be sad to see it go but I am certain that Disney has an even better show ready to wow us. As was the case when Wishes at Magic Kingdom went away to make way for the current show “Happily Ever After”. So that brings me to the last park and for me my favorite! That is why I saved the best for last!
Magic Kingdom
At Magic Kingdom the best way to end your day is with a viewing of the Happily Ever After fireworks show. Cinderella’s Castle becomes part of the story by having state-of-the art projections tell a story of many favorite Disney animated films. This show uses more lasers, lights, special effects and fireworks than any in the history of the Magic Kingdom. The musical score will give you goose bumps and by the end I always have a tear in my eye. Watch our new YouTube video to see highlights of what this show has to offer:
Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner who will be happy to help you plan your Magical vacation to Walt Disney World or any other destination that you are dreaming of going.
Any day at Disney is an amazing day! If you frequent the Disney Parks often then you will definitely agree that there are some PERFECT park days! Days that you get to experience all of your personal favorite things and fill your day with what you enjoy the most! Today I am excited to share with you what my perfect day at the Magic Kingdom would be from start to finish! I hope that my plans for my ideal Magic Kingdom day give you some idea you might want to try out for your next visit!
Rope Drop!
If we are talking about my perfect day, we might as well start at the very beginning! There are a lot of benefits to getting to the park early right when the park opens, aka rope drop. You can often enjoy less crowds in the park at this early hour and for me personally there is something truly magical about the early morning atmosphere in Magic Kingdom! The morning sun is hitting the castle and lighting up Main Street USA with a warm glow! It is beautiful!
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it is very important to get fueled up for an incredible park day ahead! I would plan to go to Starbucks on Main Street to grab a breakfast sandwich and an iced coffee. I mentioned how much I love Main Street in the early mornings. I would plan to enjoy my Starbucks sitting in the outside seating area just off of Main Street to take in the sights!
Mine Train
As I mentioned morning is a great time to enjoy the parks with less crowds. This means you can enjoy lower wait times on many of the more popular attractions! My best advice is to get in line for any rides that you really want to ride and were unable to get a fast pass for early in your day at the park so you guarantee you get to experience them! For me my favorite more popular attraction in Magic Kingdom is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! I would plan to head straight to this attraction to wait in line!
Fast Passes
After achieving my favorite attractions that I did not have a fast pass for I would plan to move on to riding attractions using my fast passes. Fast passes are so wonderful to utilize when in Disney. Every Disney guest receives 3 complimentary fast passes with their ticket. These fast passes give you a reserved time for certain attractions and you can enter the ride or show through a special fast pass queue and experience little to no wait! When you stay on Disney property you can book fast passes 60 days in advance rather than 30 days in advance for all other guests. This gives you a better chance to guarantee you get to experience all the rides you want. Another reason why staying on Disney property can give you so many perks!
Lunch
Somewhere in between my fast passes for the day I would plan to break for lunch and visit a Disney quick service location. My personal favorite is Columbia Harbor House! My go to meal here is the chicken pot pie! It is incredible! The seating area here at this location is great! They even offer upstairs seating which tends to be more quiet than downstairs in the main dining hall. There is even a room upstairs that has windows overlooking the connecting pathway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square. It is a great view! Perfect for people watching!
More Attractions
Once I have used all my fast passes for the day I would plan to ride attractions that typically have a low wait time. My personal favorite is the Tomorrowland People Mover! This attraction gives you a birdseye view of Tomorrowland and incredible views over to Cinderella Castle!
Dinner
My favorite restaurant in all of Magic Kingdom for dinner is Be Our Guest! This restaurant makes you feel as though you have actually stepped inside the story of Beauty and the Beast as you dine in the Beast’s Castle! The food is excellent! I have been here several times and have always loved my meal! My favorite thing to get is the braised pork that is marinated in coffee for 24 hours. It melts in your mouth!
Fireworks!
Ending your day with Disney fireworks is a must! The Disney Fireworks are an iconic part of many people’s vacations! The current fireworks show at Disney is Happily Ever after and it is my favorite fireworks display I have ever seen Disney put on! Don’t miss it!
What is your perfect day at Magic Kingdom!? Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next visit to Walt Disney World or to any travel destination you are dreaming of visiting next.
On my most recent trip to Walt Disney World I dined at Epcot’s Biergarten restaurant, located in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. I was so excited to dine here, I had been before but it had been several years and I was very eager to get back!
This German restaurant is designed to give you the full experience of a traditional German Oktoberfest celebration! From the incredible food, to the live Germany band, the overall atmosphere – everything! Everything is specially put in place to transport you to the time and place of Oktoberfest. No matter what time of day you dine here you will feel as though it is a gorgeous evening!
The restaurant’s setting is created to simulate an outdoor courtyard at dusk. The ceiling around you looks like the night sky, complete with a gorgeous glowing moon. The seating here at this restaurant is family-style. The restaurant features several very long tables. You will likely be seated next to other families and groups as you dine. Our hostess explained that this seating style is in keeping with German tradition and creates the environment of friendship! We loved chatting with all of our table mates! This dining location truly does create such a warm and welcoming environment.
Now let’s talk about everyone’s favorite part, the food! This table service dining location is a buffet. You pay one flat price and can enjoy unlimited buffet trips. The best way I can describe the food is comfort! This truly is incredible, traditional German comfort food. I have a lot of eastern European in my roots and I am very familiar with this style of cuisine. And let me tell you, this food is truly authentic! Highlights for me were the spaetzli and the potato leak soup accompanied by a warm pretzel roll. The buffet includes a salad bar with some cold items, a hot foods section, a carved meats station which offers a wide selection of traditional German sauces and spreads, and of course a variety of desserts!
As you dine, periodically throughout the evening the German polka band will come out to perform! This completes the overall atmosphere so well and truly puts you in the mood for celebrating! There is a large dance floor and guests are encouraged to come join in the fun if they wish! We had a great time watching all the kids get up and dance to the festive music!
Watch our new YouTube video to see our experience at Biergarten!
Biergarten, remains a favorite of mine in Epcot’s world showcase. This dining location has everything, great food, great atmosphere, live entertainment and more! Be sure to check this location out for yourself on your next visit to the most magical place on Earth! As always our team of travel planners here at Kingdom Magic Vacations is excited to help you plan your next vacation to Walt Disney World or to any destination you are dreaming of visiting next!
Catch a great film and enjoy a great day or night out in Orlando with this new enhanced movie experience at the Cinemark located at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk!
When you are planning your trip to go see the latest blockbuster for a fun day or night out, consider this: Universal Cinemark at CityWalk now has exciting new enhancements! These fun additions will add a whole new level of excitement to going to the movies!
At Universal Cinemark, you can enjoy new releases on big screens with state-of-the-art projection and sound systems! This technology makes for an incredible show! Sit back and relax in the ultimate of luxury and comfort with stadium seating and high-backed chairs! When you are looking for the perfect movie snacks or meal, the concession stands at the theater offer a variety of sweet snacks, hot food like pizza, hot dogs, nachos and more! Additionally, a full liquor bar with beer and wine is available for guests’ enjoyment! Everything you’re looking for when seeing the latest movie in Orlando.
Enhanced Experiences for the new Cinemark XD Theater:
Newly installed XD viewing experience is enhanced with a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen! This is accompanied by a complete surround sound package! These features make for an incredible digital experience (supports RealD 3D)
You will enjoy upgraded seating! This includes over-sized luxury plush recliners with extendable footrests and cup holders!
Enjoy reserved seating! You can reserve your seats in advanced online before your movie!
Standard theatres also include 4K digital projection that supports RealD 3D and select theaters upgraded reserved seating with over-sized luxury plush recliners! Looking to turn your movie going experience into an amazing day or night out trip?! Maximize your theater visit by combining your movie showing with an incredible meal at a Universal CityWalk restaurant! You can choose to purchase the CityWalk Meal & Movie package! Let’s take a look at the details:
CityWalk Meal & Movie Deal entitles one guest to one meal from select menus at a participating CityWalk restaurant, PLUS one movie ticket at Universal Cinemark.
To purchase this package, you can visit CityWalk Guest Services located across from the Cinemark Box Office.
Participating restaurants include:
Vivo Italian Kitchen
Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom
Pat O’Brien’s – Orlando
Red Oven Pizza Bakery
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
NBC Sports Grill & Brew
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
The Cowfish
Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Enjoying a day and night out for dinner and a movie can be the perfect activity when you are looking for something fun to do during your Universal Orlando vacation in between enjoying your time in the parks! A movie outing can be a great little break to refresh and get out of the sun mid-day or the perfect way to unwind after an action-packed day!
Be sure to check out Universal Cinemark during your next Universal Orlando visit! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to book your next vacation!
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – the amazing new addition to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade – is Now Officially Open at Universal’s Islands of Adventure! On your visit to Universal you can now experience all the mysteries and thrills of the Forbidden Forest and join Hagrid as you come face-to-face with some of the wizarding world’s most rare magical creatures! This brand-new attraction is highly-themed! It is an incredibly immersive coaster experience!
Here is the excitement that happened during the open ceremony:
The ride’s opening was hosted by stars from the Harry Potter movies! Thats right! To open the attraction, Harry Potter film stars Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick) and James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) led guests in reciting the iconic spell, “Wingardium Leviosa” in unison, to reveal the entrance of the new attraction and welcome guests inside!
Here are just a few of the reasons to be excited for this first-ever “story coaster,” :
Board magical motorbikes – You can enjoy two differnt ride experiences, riding on either the motorcycle or in the adjacent sidecar!
Journey to the Forbidden Forest, featuring more than 1,200 trees
Come face-to-face with some of the wizarding world’s most rare magical creatures! Creatures such as a majestic Centaur, a swarm of mischievous Cornish pixies, Fluffy, the three-headed dog, and even Blast-Ended Skrewts – a creature that’s never been seen in the films!
Encounter Hagrid himself! The most life-like animated figure Universal Orlando has ever created!
Find yourself tangled in a thicket of Devil’s Snare and unexpectedly free-fall nearly 17 feet to escape the perilous plant!
Experience the freedom of flight as you soar above the trees, rapidly accelerate through the ruins, speed forward – and backward – up to 50 mph and more!
Disney World is famous for their state of the art rides, immersive lands, wonderful resort hotels, world class shows but what are they also famous for?! THE SNACKS! Disney World snacks are a fan phenomenon! So much so that recently Disney has even released an entire merchandise line themed to Disney snacks! It is no shock that Disney treats and snacks are an iconic part of your Disney World vacation!
You always have your classic staple Disney snacks such as the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, Churros, popcorn… ext. There are many iconic items that you can find at Disney year after year! Additionally, recently Disney has been creating many wonderful limited addition and specialty snacks that are making fans go wild! Many of these new snacks are very unique and very adorable! It’s like these snacks were made for Instagram pics!
Today I want to share with you my personal favorite top 5 Disney World snacks, both classic snacks and new Disney treats! Let’s get started!
Mickey Premium Bar
This first favorite of mine is a classic! You can’t go wrong with a Mickey Premium ice cream bar! These treats are available at practically ever Disney snack cart and most quick service locations throughout all of Walt Disney World! I love that creamy rich vanilla ice cream coated in smooth delicious chocolate! It is my favorite ice cream treat of all time! And what makes it better? It is shaped like the main mouse himself!
Dole Whip
My next snack is another classic Disney icon, the dole ship! This treat is dole pineapple soft serve! I love how fruity and tropical this item taste, yet it is still so rich and creamy! Dole Whips are actually dairy-free which makes this item also serve as a very refreshing treat to enjoy on those super-hot Florida days.
New Flavors of Dole Whip
The traditional pineapple Dole Whip is such a well-loved Disney snack! Recently Disney has introduced several new specialty flavors of dole whip that a served as a limited time or seasonal release! The one I have been really wanting to try is the “Hei-Hei Cone’! This cone features both the traditional pineapple Dole Whip as well as a brand-new raspberry Dole Whip! The cone is so cute! It Is themed to look like Hei-Hei, the chicken from Disney’s Moana! Another new version of Dole Whip is ‘The Lost Princess Cone,’ it is a lemon Dole Whip themed to Rapunzel! It even features edible flowers just like the flowers in her hair! Another new flavor recently released is the mango Dole Whip! This flavor can be found in the “Adventure is Out There’ Cone, which is Inspired by Disney Pixar’s up. I tried this cone out for myself on my recent visit to Magic Kingdom and absolutely loved it!
Mickey Rice Crispy Treat
Another go-to Disney snack staple for me is the Mickey rice crispy treats! I love grabbing one of these to take back to the room and enjoy at night! What is really fun is that Disney actually creates many different variations of the Mickey Rice Crispy Treat! I am constantly seeing new toppings and combinations! They also make adorably themed Rice Crispy Treats decorated based off of different Disney characters and themed seasonally to various holiday!
Mickey Apple
I love the Disney World caramel and chocolate cover apples! This is another classic Disney treat that can be found in many sweet shops throughout Walt Disney World! Similarly to the Rice Crispy Treats, Disney is always releasing new variations of the Mickey Apples! And New character themed apples! My personal favorite variation of a Mickey Apple is the dark chocolate, caramel and sea salt! The sea salt was the best touch! A great tip about the Mickey apples is that you can actually ask a cast member to cut the apple for you when you purchase it! This makes eating your treat in the park a lot easier! And easier for sharing!
I hope my list inspired you to check out some new Disney snacks on your next visit to the park! As always be sure to contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World to any travel destination you are dreaming of visiting next! Our knowledgeable team is excited to help you bring your vacation dreams to life!
Animal Kingdom is amazing for so many reasons, Flight of Passage – the current most popular ride in all of Disney World, Pandora the World of Avatar, daring thrill rides like Expedition Everest, World Class shows and entertainment like Festival of the Lion King, delicious food offerings and so much more! All of these aspects make Animal Kingdom the amazing Disney park that it is! However, the heart and soul of this park is focused on one thing… the animals themselves!
Many amazing animals call animal Kingdom home, and what an amazing home they have. Disney always puts the needs of the animals as the number one priority they go above and beyond to give them the best quality of life. Disney also does so much with scientific research to help better the lives of the animals in the park as well as animals all around the globe and in the wild. Additionally, the Disney Nature organization plays a big role in conservation! As an animal lover, I absolutely love seeing this aspect of Disney and learning all about their efforts while visiting Animal Kingdom!
On my most recent visit to Animal Kingdom, I got to see baby Grace, a newborn baby gorilla that was born at the park! At the time the following video was recorded on May 15th. She had just turned 2 weeks old! She is SO CUTE! We didn’t move from the viewing area for about a solid 20 minutes! We were so fascinated just getting to watch her and watch her mom take care of her! Cast members told us that Grace’s mom is such an amazing mom and takes such good care of baby Grace! She even loves to show her baby off! She makes a point to come sit right by the window were guests are so people can see her baby! She is a very proud mom!
The cast members also told us that Graces 2 big sisters are absolutely fascinated with their new baby sister! They love watching their mom take care of the baby and are so curious about her! How adorable is that! During the time we were there we got to see one of the big sisters Lilly come up and lay down right next to her mom and baby Grace! She just stared at baby Grace in such amazement! It was so precious!
Watch out new YouTube video to see footage of baby Grace when we visited her on her 2-week-old birthday!
Be sure to head over to Gorilla Falls next time you are in Animal Kingdom to see baby Grace and her sweet family for yourself! It will be a highlight of your day for sure! Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to book your next vacation to Walt Disney World or to whatever destination you are dreaming of visiting next!
It is the middle of June which means we are just about 2 short weeks away from July! Which means guess what? CHRISTMAS IN JULY! That is just a roundabout excuse for this Christmas-loving girl to talk about my favorite holiday! But in all seriousness now is the perfect time to start thinking ahead to your Christmas season travel plans!
Walt Disney World is a wonderful destination to visit year round but during the holidays the magic increases even more with festive decorations in every inch of the parks and resorts as well as special Christmas events and holiday offerings! I always love planning a visit to the parks around the holiday season, which in Disney typically begins the first week in November and runs through the first week of the new year! During this time you can take in all the breathtaking holiday decorations at both the parks and resorts as well as take part in some of those special Christmas offerings I mentioned!
A fan favorite holiday event at Disney year after year is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! This is an extra-ticketed special event that takes place on select nights at the Magic Kingdom Park during the Christmas season. During the event you can enjoy a plethora of special holiday themed entertainment offerings and experiences! You will receive complimentary treats and refreshments throughout the park! Enjoy a special Christmas parade and wonderful holiday stage show and more! One of the main events during this festive evening is the specialty Christmas fireworks show!
This year a brand-new Christmas fireworks show will premiere as part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! The new show will be called, “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks!” That’s right! This brand-new fireworks spectacular, will light up the skies above Magic Kingdom during Christmas Party nights!
This new show will be hosted by Minnie Mouse herself and feature medleys of Christmas songs like “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” “Up on the House Top,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas!” What a perfect way to celebrate the season!’
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place this year on select nights from November 8 – December 22, 2019. If you are interested in a special way to experience this new show, consider adding on a fireworks dessert party. This experience gives you the chance to enjoy sweet treats all while enjoying a special reserved viewing area to take in the show!
Be sure to contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel planner today for more information and to start planning your holiday travels! For now, Merry Christmas in June!
Recently I visited Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for the first time ever! I fell in love with the romantic Spanish colonial architecture, the peaceful grounds and all the amenities this moderate resort has to offer! There truly is so much to take in at this beautiful Disney Resort! The dining options are endless! Everything from grab-and-go items, quick service entrees, fine dining table service meals, just to name a few! There are also several bars and lounges to relax and kick back during your vacation!
As I mentioned, instantly upon my first visit here to walk around and tour the property… I was hooked! That’s why I am so excited because as a company this fall, our group will all be staying here at Coronado Springs for a company event! I am so excited to experience actually staying here as a guest during this time!
I really loved getting to see the construction for Gran Destino Tower! Gran Destino Tower is a brand-new part of Disney’s Coronado Springs! It features even more luxury accommodations! At the time of me touring Coronado Springs and taking the following video footage it was last month in May. You can see in the video that Gran Destino Tower was still getting some finishing touches. The tower actually opens NEXT MONTH in July! So exciting! I am looking forward to checking out the rooftop restaurant that will be at the top of Gran Destino Tower!
I was so impressed with Coronado Springs! I am excited to get to stay here for myself this fall! For now, let’s go on a tour together of what Coronado Springs has to offer! I am excited to take you along through this video montage tour!
Check out our new YouTube video to get a tour of the grounds at this wonderful Disney Resort!
Contact your Kingdom Magic Vacations Travel Planner today to plan your next Walt Disney World vacation! Our team is excited to use their knowledge and experience to help you plan the vacation that is best for you and your family!
