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Disney has released a new summer offer for savings up to 30% on select Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms for most nights June 12 - August 25, 2016.
Upgrade to a Walt Disney World Resort hotel room with minimum 2-day Magic Your Way theme park ticket and receive an all new, interactive "Awaken Summer" graphic Magic Band with everyone's favorite Star Wars robot, BB-8. This new Magic Band will surprise you with special sound effects and will light up at select touch points in the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Travel dates for room/ticket vacation packages are May 30 -August 25, 2016.
Availability of rooms for this promotional offer are very limited and subject to availability at time of booking. What are you waiting for? Awaken your summer with new magic in all four them parks and request your FREE no-obligation quote today! Click here for more information. All travel planning service and expert knowledge are free to all guests staying at a Disney resort. This offer must be booked by June 10, 2016.
Let's get started planning your magical vacation!
Cindy
Upgrade to a Walt Disney World Resort hotel room with minimum 2-day Magic Your Way theme park ticket and receive an all new, interactive "Awaken Summer" graphic Magic Band with everyone's favorite Star Wars robot, BB-8. This new Magic Band will surprise you with special sound effects and will light up at select touch points in the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Travel dates for room/ticket vacation packages are May 30 -August 25, 2016.
Availability of rooms for this promotional offer are very limited and subject to availability at time of booking. What are you waiting for? Awaken your summer with new magic in all four them parks and request your FREE no-obligation quote today! Click here for more information. All travel planning service and expert knowledge are free to all guests staying at a Disney resort. This offer must be booked by June 10, 2016.
Let's get started planning your magical vacation!
Cindy
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Beginning in April, Epcot's Character Spot will provide direct access to Headquarters, where you can meet Joy and Sadness, two of the Emotions who help guide Riley through life in the Disney PIXAR film "Inside Out." On the way to Headquarters, you will journey through Riley's long-term memory, catching a glimpse of her Islands of Personality before joining Joy and Sadness at the console.
Also at Epcot's Character Spot are Mickey, Minnie and Goofy on hand in their cartoon clubhouse of the future, happy to take a break from creating their latest innovation to make new friends or welcome back old pals. Across the way, you can step into a makeshift robotics workshop and spend time wiht Baymax, everyone's favorite personal healthcare companion form Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Big Hero 6."
Have you started planning your spring, summer or fall trip to Walt Disney World® Resort yet? If not, what are you waiting for? With all the new changes and additions throughout the parks let's get starting planning now! It's never too early. :)
Also at Epcot's Character Spot are Mickey, Minnie and Goofy on hand in their cartoon clubhouse of the future, happy to take a break from creating their latest innovation to make new friends or welcome back old pals. Across the way, you can step into a makeshift robotics workshop and spend time wiht Baymax, everyone's favorite personal healthcare companion form Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Big Hero 6."
Have you started planning your spring, summer or fall trip to Walt Disney World® Resort yet? If not, what are you waiting for? With all the new changes and additions throughout the parks let's get starting planning now! It's never too early. :)
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I LOVE the Flower and Garden Festival in Epcot because, in addition to 30 million blooms and GORGEOUS topiary forms all around the park, the weather is WARM but not too hot and park crowds tend to be lower making for a lovely day to just stroll around Epcot taking it all in, and the best part of all is that Disney has expanded the festivities to continue for 90 glorious days!!! I think I might hear the angels singing from above?? Okay, maybe not.
The 2016 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival officially opened on March 2nd and will go through May 30, 2016. There are new culinary creations at the festival's Outdoor Kitchens that will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade. This year, La Isla Fresca will take you to the Caribbean for authentic bites, including Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. At the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested at The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Florida.
You will find (for the first time ever) Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries feature floral interpretations of Donald's mischievous nephews inspired by the 1943 Donald Duck comic book called "The Victory Garden."
A new hands-on Harmony Garden musical playground will debut featuring Disney'[s Fab Five topiaries of "bandleader" Mickey Mouse, as well as Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and donald Duck. With the playground's interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, kids can create their own musical sounds.
As in previous years, each weekend at the Festival Center, guests can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience as they get tips from experts on a broad range of topics.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
The Garden Rocks concert series returns with music spanning four decades. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company, Georgia Stellite and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year. Here's the lineup (subject to change without notice).
March 4-6: The Orchestra starrring former members of ELO "Evil Woman"
March 11-13: Starship starring Mickey Thomas "We Built This City"
March 18-20: Little River Band "Reminiscing"
March 25-27: Village People "YMCA"
April 1-3: Herman's Hermits starring Perter Noone "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am"
April 8-10: The Guess Who "American Woman"
April 15-17: NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice "Spinning Wheel!"
April 22-24: NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company "Cant' Get Enough"
April 29-May 1: NEW! Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands to Yourself"
May 6-8: Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealous"
May 13-15: NEW! Darlene Love "Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home"
May 20-22: Night Ranger "Sister Christian"
May 27-30: (Monday) The Spinners "Working MY Way Back to You"
All performances are at America Gardens Theater at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the Festival. All concerts and seminars are included in your Epcot general admission ticket.
The 2016 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival officially opened on March 2nd and will go through May 30, 2016. There are new culinary creations at the festival's Outdoor Kitchens that will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade. This year, La Isla Fresca will take you to the Caribbean for authentic bites, including Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. At the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested at The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Florida.
You will find (for the first time ever) Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries feature floral interpretations of Donald's mischievous nephews inspired by the 1943 Donald Duck comic book called "The Victory Garden."
A new hands-on Harmony Garden musical playground will debut featuring Disney'[s Fab Five topiaries of "bandleader" Mickey Mouse, as well as Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and donald Duck. With the playground's interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, kids can create their own musical sounds.
As in previous years, each weekend at the Festival Center, guests can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience as they get tips from experts on a broad range of topics.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
The Garden Rocks concert series returns with music spanning four decades. Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company, Georgia Stellite and Darlene Love make their Festival debut this year. Here's the lineup (subject to change without notice).
March 4-6: The Orchestra starrring former members of ELO "Evil Woman"
March 11-13: Starship starring Mickey Thomas "We Built This City"
March 18-20: Little River Band "Reminiscing"
March 25-27: Village People "YMCA"
April 1-3: Herman's Hermits starring Perter Noone "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am"
April 8-10: The Guess Who "American Woman"
April 15-17: NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice "Spinning Wheel!"
April 22-24: NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company "Cant' Get Enough"
April 29-May 1: NEW! Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands to Yourself"
May 6-8: Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealous"
May 13-15: NEW! Darlene Love "Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home"
May 20-22: Night Ranger "Sister Christian"
May 27-30: (Monday) The Spinners "Working MY Way Back to You"
All performances are at America Gardens Theater at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the Festival. All concerts and seminars are included in your Epcot general admission ticket.
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"Rivers of Light" Will Debut April 22, 2016 at
Disney's Animal Kingdom!
Disney has just released an official date for the this brand new, first-ever night-time show to begin at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom park.
The show will be set on Discovery River in the Asia section of the park and will depict an ancient lantern festival guided by two storytellers who call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl. These Spirit Guides return at different points during the show to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light.
Check out the video below to get the first look at some of the illuminated lanterns, water screens, moving fountains, light projections and other amazing elements that will be featured in "Rivers of Light."
This looks amazing, and I cannot wait to get back down there to see it first-hand.
If you'd like more information about visiting Walt Disney World® Resort you can contact me for a free no-obligation quote today. All my Disney travel planning services are free to Disney resort guests.
Cindy
Disney's Animal Kingdom!
Disney has just released an official date for the this brand new, first-ever night-time show to begin at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom park.
The show will be set on Discovery River in the Asia section of the park and will depict an ancient lantern festival guided by two storytellers who call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl. These Spirit Guides return at different points during the show to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light.
Check out the video below to get the first look at some of the illuminated lanterns, water screens, moving fountains, light projections and other amazing elements that will be featured in "Rivers of Light."
This looks amazing, and I cannot wait to get back down there to see it first-hand.
If you'd like more information about visiting Walt Disney World® Resort you can contact me for a free no-obligation quote today. All my Disney travel planning services are free to Disney resort guests.
Cindy
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If you have traveled to Walt Disney World® Resort anytime in the past several years then you are most likely familiar with Disney's Photo Pass system. This is a wonderful convenience that allows you to be in the pictures too instead of always being the one taking the pictures allt he time.
Disney has Photo Pass photographers stationed in all the best spots in all parks to capture your time at that moment, so you can take ALL your memories home with you. Every time you have your photo taken by a Disney photographer they will can your Magic Band which will put that photo in your online photo pass account accessible through your My Disney Experience account. You can then edit the photos to customize them and pay per photo or opt to pay one price (the most cost effective way to do it) and download all pictures you had taken, including all on-ride photos taken and on-ride videos (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Tower of Terror) plus a LOT of stock photos that Disney will give you for purchasing the Memory Maker package.
The cost of Disney's Memory Maker package used to be $169.00, but it is now $149.00 if you purchase in advance of your trip. If you choose to purchase your Memory Maker package while at Walt Disney World® Resort or after returning home the cost is $169.00. If you are unsure of how to purchase this option, please let me know so that I can assist you with this.
Disney has Photo Pass photographers stationed in all the best spots in all parks to capture your time at that moment, so you can take ALL your memories home with you. Every time you have your photo taken by a Disney photographer they will can your Magic Band which will put that photo in your online photo pass account accessible through your My Disney Experience account. You can then edit the photos to customize them and pay per photo or opt to pay one price (the most cost effective way to do it) and download all pictures you had taken, including all on-ride photos taken and on-ride videos (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Tower of Terror) plus a LOT of stock photos that Disney will give you for purchasing the Memory Maker package.
The cost of Disney's Memory Maker package used to be $169.00, but it is now $149.00 if you purchase in advance of your trip. If you choose to purchase your Memory Maker package while at Walt Disney World® Resort or after returning home the cost is $169.00. If you are unsure of how to purchase this option, please let me know so that I can assist you with this.
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Guests can now find an all-new interactive experience, based on the hit Disney Channel movie, "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar," when visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World® Resort.
The Lion Guard Adventure allows young guests to become honorary members of the Lion Guard as they explore the park in search of five main characters from the popular TV movie - Kion, Buga, Fuli, Beshte and Ono. These characters are represented as colorful statues that are perfect for a kid-sized photo-op.
Like the movie, the experience encourages interest in protecting animal and caring for nature. Once they complete the adventure, each child can take a special pledge to become an honorary member of "The Lion Guard" and receive a special button.
The experience is currently being offered through late March, but my suspicion is that if is popular with park guests that Disney may decide to continue this on a regular basis similar to the way similar interactive experiences are available in Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
The Lion Guard Adventure allows young guests to become honorary members of the Lion Guard as they explore the park in search of five main characters from the popular TV movie - Kion, Buga, Fuli, Beshte and Ono. These characters are represented as colorful statues that are perfect for a kid-sized photo-op.
Like the movie, the experience encourages interest in protecting animal and caring for nature. Once they complete the adventure, each child can take a special pledge to become an honorary member of "The Lion Guard" and receive a special button.
The experience is currently being offered through late March, but my suspicion is that if is popular with park guests that Disney may decide to continue this on a regular basis similar to the way similar interactive experiences are available in Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
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This summer, the all-new live stage show, "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" will grace Cinderella's castle stage at Walt Disney World® Resort with magic, music and meeriment! Against the majestic backdrop of Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, Mickey Mouse and his friends will welcome favorite characters from some of Disney's newest classics: "The Princess and the Frog," "Tangled" and "FROZEN."
In "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire," Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have been preparing to host a joyous festival and have ventured far and wide to invite friends from other lands to join their celebration. From the Land of the Bewitched Bayou, Goody has invited Tiana, Naveen and Louis to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party. From the Land of Enchanted Woods, Donald Duck brings some friends he met at the Snuggly Ducking, and Daisy introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn Ridr. Finally, Mickey shares a surprise with Minnie, as he has traveled to the Land of the Mystic Mountain to invite Olaf, Anna and Elsa, who contributes a blast of her icy magic. It all culminates in a grand dance, as the Merry Makers invite all their special guests to join in the fun on this special day in Magic Kingdom Park!
Marking their first appearances by Tiana and Rapunzel in a show on the castle stage, "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" brings to life beloved Disney stories both classic and contemporary in a spectacular performance featuring an original song, memorable music, lively dancing and special effects magic.
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With Spring Comes New Changes and There are LOTS of Them Going On Disney's Hollywood Studios!
- Closures at Disney's Hollywood Studios
- New Character Meet & Greets at Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios
- New Star Wars Show & Enhanced Fireworks Spectacular Coming April 4th & Su
If you are a fan of either of the Lights, Motors ACTION Extreme Stunt Show or the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie set play area for kids located at Disney's Hollywood Studios you may want to plan a visit quickly! Disney has announced that both of these attractions will be closing permanently as of April 3, 2016 to make way for the new expansions happening there for Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land that are expected to open in 2017. Personally, I am sad to see these going away becuase they are both great fun, and I highly recommend anyone traveling between now and April 3rd to plan to experience both. Your kids will thank you for it...trust me!
New Character Appearances Coming Spring 2016!
Guests will soon be able to meet everyone's favorite, FROZEN snowman, Olaf in the Echo Lake area of Disney's Hollywood Studios, which will be known as the Celebrity Spotlight area. This will be the perfect spot to meet Disney's latest stars. Olaf will be the first star making an appearance at the new Celebrity Spotlight area and living his dream "In Summer," chilling on the beach and ready with warm hugs for all his new friends.
Also opening this spring is "Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams," located just off Commissary Lane near the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, where Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will live out their dreams of being A-list Hollywood stars. Guests will walk the red carpet and step into a scene with Minnie, where she appears as a Tinsel Town starlet in a ritzy setting straight out of a lush and colorful musical extravaganza. And, nearby Mickey portrays his iconic role of the Sorcerer's Apprentice from "Fantasia."
This spring promises to be a dream come true for Disney character fans at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Kylo Ren (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), is a dark warrior with a mysterious past. Ren is strong with the force and serves as a leader of the First Order, seeking to destroy the New Republic, the Resistance and the legacy of the Jedi. Star Wars Launch Bay was designed to showcase a variety of Star Wars characters over time, and guests will now be able to meet Kylo Ren at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In addition to Kylo Ren, guests come across a garrison of First Order Stormtroopers or the heroic Wookies, Chewbacca, holde up in a secret Resistance base.
The portal from Star Wars Launch Bay to Kylo Ren's Star Destroyer opens this month at both Disneyland Park and at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
NEW - Epic Firewords and Projection Show, Live Onstage Entertainment and Stormtrooper Marches Join Force-Filled Lineup at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Guests will soon be able to meet everyone's favorite, FROZEN snowman, Olaf in the Echo Lake area of Disney's Hollywood Studios, which will be known as the Celebrity Spotlight area. This will be the perfect spot to meet Disney's latest stars. Olaf will be the first star making an appearance at the new Celebrity Spotlight area and living his dream "In Summer," chilling on the beach and ready with warm hugs for all his new friends.
Also opening this spring is "Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams," located just off Commissary Lane near the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, where Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will live out their dreams of being A-list Hollywood stars. Guests will walk the red carpet and step into a scene with Minnie, where she appears as a Tinsel Town starlet in a ritzy setting straight out of a lush and colorful musical extravaganza. And, nearby Mickey portrays his iconic role of the Sorcerer's Apprentice from "Fantasia."
This spring promises to be a dream come true for Disney character fans at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Kylo Ren (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), is a dark warrior with a mysterious past. Ren is strong with the force and serves as a leader of the First Order, seeking to destroy the New Republic, the Resistance and the legacy of the Jedi. Star Wars Launch Bay was designed to showcase a variety of Star Wars characters over time, and guests will now be able to meet Kylo Ren at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In addition to Kylo Ren, guests come across a garrison of First Order Stormtroopers or the heroic Wookies, Chewbacca, holde up in a secret Resistance base.
The portal from Star Wars Launch Bay to Kylo Ren's Star Destroyer opens this month at both Disneyland Park and at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
NEW - Epic Firewords and Projection Show, Live Onstage Entertainment and Stormtrooper Marches Join Force-Filled Lineup at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Just in time for spring, that "galaxy far, far away" will be closer than ever with the April 4, 2016 arrival of the new Star Wars live entertainment experience Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. This new stage show celebrates iconic moments from the Star Wars saga with live vignettes featuring popular Star Wars characters, such as Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul. The show will take place multiple times each day at the Center Stage area near The Great Movie Ride.
Also starting April 4th, Captain Phasma will lead a squad of First Order stormtroopers as they march in formation from Star Wars Launch Bay to the Center Stage area in an intimidating demonstration of the First Order's indomitable strength.
And, starting this summer, guests won't want to miss the next generation of the current Star Wars-inspired fireworks show. This blockbuster nightly show, unprecedented in Disney's Hollywood Studios history, will light up the sky with Star Wars-themed fireworks, lesers, light projections and other special effects combined with Star Wars-themed music, iconic characters and scenes from throughout the sage.
These new Star Wars entertainment elements, coupled with other recently added Star Wars experiences, make Disney's Hollywood Studios the place for fans to celebrate their Star Wars passion!
Disney's Hollywood Studios is becoming "the" place to be!
If you'd like information about planning a magical Walt Disney World® Resort vacation, please contact me for a free no-obligation quote today. All my Disney travel planning services are FREE to Disney resort guests.
Cindy
