The news is no longer being updated. Luckily travel is picking up again and I need to focus on clients that are traveling and have run out of time to update the news page. Feel free to read the older posts below for some history, but for the current info, check our facebook and/or instagram links. I love to chat about Disney/Universal travel so if you ever have a question, feel free to contact me!

7/15/19 - Skyliner and Rise of the Resistance Opening Dates Announced!!

Big news this week as Rise of the Resistance (the 2nd attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) will be opening on December 5 at Disney World in Florida and on January 17 at Disneyland in California! And the Skyliner gondola system at Disney World will be opening on September 29!

3/7/19 - Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening dates announced!!

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared an exciting announcement many of you have been waiting to hear - Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening ahead of schedule on May 31 at Disneyland® Resort in Southern California and August 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida.

That’s right - it’s debuting early because of high guest interest in experiencing this new, immersive land.  On opening day for phase one, your Clients will be able to live your own Star Wars story and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, sample amazing galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and more.

And for phase two, opening later this year, will be Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined that will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance and will blur the lines between fantasy and reality.  In light of tremendous demand, Disney made the decision to open the land in phases to allow Guests to sooner enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so spectacular.

Guests planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019 will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land. Information on how to make a reservation will be available at a later date. Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels during these dates will receive a designated reservation to access Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest); valid theme park admission is required.

A reservation will not be offered or required to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World® Resort. And you should know that valid theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after its opening on August 29, 2019. Capacity is limited. Additionally, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open during Extra Magic Hours. During Extra Magic Hours Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can spend extra time at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying select attractions. Details will also be available at a later date.

To help ensure we provide a great guest experience, we’re sharing travel tips here on Disney Travel News over the coming months to prepare your Clients for their visit. We know how excited many of your Clients are to visit the galaxy’s Outer Rim and that they'll have questions about how to best experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge - so, here are some important details to help start the planning:

Park Admission: Regular theme park admission is required to enter Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There will not be a separate ticket for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  To visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park between May 31 and June 23, 2019, guests will need valid theme park admission and will be required to make a no-cost reservation, subject to availability, to access the land.  We’ll share information on how to make a reservation at a later date. 

Land Entry: Because we anticipate galactic excitement during the opening months this year, we are planning ahead to deliver the best possible experiences for our guests.  Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be open during normal park operating hours. It will not be included in Extra Magic Hour or Magic Morning at Disneyland Park. It will be open during Extra Magic Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Attractions: Disney FASTPASS service, including access via Disney MaxPass, (at Disneyland Park) and Disney FastPass+ service (at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will not initially be offered at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. We will continually evaluate our operations and services in order to help provide a great guest experience.

Planning:  You should also note that vacation packages, park tickets and Disney Resort hotel stays do not guarantee access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The land —including participation in its experiences—will be subject to capacity restraints and other restrictions.  

We’ll also be sharing more information on what you need to know when planning a visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including arrival and planning details in upcoming posts here.. 

Capacity for the parks, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences is limited.  Access to the park, land and experiences may be restricted or unavailable depending on guest demand and other factors.

1/21/19 - First-of-its-Kind Play Pavilion, New Park Entrance Part of Epcot’s Historic Transformation

by Thomas Smith, Editorial Content Director, Disney Parks

As many of you know, we’ve got BIG plans for our multi-year transformation of Epcot, with new experiences that’ll “Wow!” guests while keeping true to the original vision of the park. Today, we’re excited to share even more of what’s to come.

The ongoing evolution of Epcot includes plans for a play pavilion that’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever seen at the park. This new space will be devoted to playful fun and feature an innovative city that’ll come to life under the dome of the un-named pavilion previously known as Wonders of Life. The pavilion’s city will be bursting with interactive experiences, your favorite Disney characters, hands-on activities and engaging entertainment when it opens just in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

“This innovative, new pavilion is beyond anything we’ve ever created and is completely unique to Epcot,” said Zach Riddley, portfolio executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Built on the power of play, it introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters. This is an experience worthy of our bold vision for Epcot – and another signature element of our transformation.”

There will also be exciting changes to the way you come and go at Epcot! As you can see above, changes are coming to the Epcot main entrance, where the plaza will welcome guests with new pathways, sweeping green spaces and a newly reimagined fountain. This new design will pay homage to the original park entrance with fresh takes on classic elements.

As part of the new entry experience, Leave A Legacy photos will be moving into a beautiful setting just outside the park’s gateway. Additional significant redevelopment will begin between Spaceship Earth attraction and the World Showcase Promenade. More details about the transformation of this area will be announced at a later date.

And if you’re as excited as we are about these upcoming projects, you’ll soon be able to look into the future with us at a new Experience Center coming to Epcot later this year. The Experience Center will be located in the Odyssey Events Pavilion and feature interactive exhibits to help visualize park projects throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

Information provided by Disney Parks Blog.

1/21/19 - Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™ - Opening June 13, 2019 at Universal Orlando

For the first time ever, join Hagrid™ as you fly far beyond the grounds of Hogwarts™ castle on a thrilling roller coaster ride that plunges into the paths of some of the wizarding world’s rarest magical creatures. Not many details on this ride yet, but it replaces the previous Dragon Challenge coaster in Universal’s Islands of Adventure park.

1/15/19 - Tickets now on sale for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

It’s never too early to plan for your fall vacation – especially when it comes to Halloween! We're excited to announce that tickets are now available for one of our favorite fall events: Mickey’s Not–So–Scary Halloween Party. Call me for party dates and prices!!

10/12/18 - More details on Disney World pricing changes coming on 10/16/18

Starting October 16th, 2018, Walt Disney World will be switching to a date-based pricing model for both single and multi-day theme park tickets, with prices affected by the start date when the guest chooses to visit the theme parks. These prices are set in advance and will not fluctuate like airline prices. Basically, certain days are more or less expensive based on the perceived demand.

A few years ago, Disney introduced single-day tickets with prices that differed based on season and park choice, but a date-based model priced on guest demand is a first for Walt Disney World. Tickets related to a particular park will be retired as part of these changes, so there will be no more 1-day Magic Kingdom-only tickets offered. Everything is back to one price.

Under the new system, 1-Day base tickets are valid for admission on the specific start date selected. Multi-day tickets are valid for admission beginning on the start date selected and must be used within a limited time period, as indicated below:

Ticket Duration Valid Use Period 1-Day Ticket Only the start date selected

2-Day Ticket - Any 2 days within 4 days beginning on the start date

3-Day Ticket - Any 3 days within 5 days beginning on the start date

4-Day Ticket - Any 4 days within 7 days beginning on the start date

5-Day Ticket - Any 5 days within 8 days beginning on the start date

6-Day Ticket - Any 6 days within 9 days beginning on the start date

7-Day Ticket - Any 7 days within 10 days beginning on the start date

8-Day Ticket - Any 8 days within 12 days beginning on the start date

9-Day Ticket - Any 9 days within 13 days beginning on the start date

10-Day Ticket - Any 10 days within 14 days beginning on the start date

A flexible dates option add on will give guests more time to spread out visits for an additional cost.

Tickets purchased before the start of this new model will not be effected. Various WDW ticket prices are also expected to increase on this day as well, but that has not been announced as of yet.

9/27/18 - In 2020, the Disney Wonder will embark on a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from New Orleans – the first time Disney Cruise Line will have a home port in Louisiana.

Before or after their Disney cruise, Guests can venture into the city to savor the distinct flavors of famous New Orleans cuisine, visit family-friendly museums and parks, and revel in the sweet melodies of world-renowned jazz music. Travelers will delight in the Southern charm of this new home port, and Disney fans will find magic around every corner as they experience the iconic sights and sounds that inspired the beloved animated film "The Princess and the Frog."

The Disney Wonder will embark on six cruises during this limited-time season from New Orleans, including four-, six- and seven-night Western Caribbean sailings; a seven-night Bahamian cruise; and a 14-night Panama Canal voyage, departing February 7 through March 6.

Long-Awaited Return to Hawaii
After a five-year hiatus, the Disney Wonder will return to Hawaii in early 2020 for two special cruises: a nine-night voyage to Honolulu from Vancouver, Canada, on April 29, and a 10-night sailing back to Vancouver on May 8.

During these dream vacations, guests will discover the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, including the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu; the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui; the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai; and the diverse natural wonders of Hawaii Island.

Popular Itineraries from Puerto Rico and California
The Disney Wonder continues its standout season with returns to popular home ports on both coasts. First, the ship sets sail for the Southern Caribbean during two seven-night voyages departing January 19 and 26 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed by a five-night Bahamian cruise. Then beginning on March 20, the ship embarks on seven sailings to Baja and the Mexican Riviera, ranging in length from two to seven nights, from San Diego, California.

Unforgettable Tropical Getaways from Florida
Disney Cruise Line will have three ships sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida in early 2020, and every cruise includes a day of fun in the sun on Disney’s private Bahamian island reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, Castaway Cay.

• From Miami, the Disney Magic will sail three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises and five-night Western Caribbean cruises.

• From Port Canaveral, the Disney Fantasy will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, plus two special sailings at six- and eight-nights each.

• From Port Canaveral, the Disney Dream will sail three- and four-night Bahamian cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

With a variety of options from Florida, Guests can choose the vacation that provides something for everyone in the family, combining the adventure and relaxation of tropical destinations, the ease and indulgence of an ocean cruise, and the world-class entertainment and service of a Disney vacation.

When To Book Early 2020 Itineraries
Platinum, Gold or Silver Castaway Club members, can take advantage of the opportunity to book early 2020 itineraries before they go on sale to the general public on October 4, 2018. Book either online or by phone during the designated booking window.

• October 1, 2018: Platinum Members

• October 2, 2018: Platinum and Gold Members

• October 3, 2018: Platinum, Gold and Silver Members

• October 4, 2018: all Guests 

  
  

9/26/18 - New Special Offered at Disney World

You can Play, Stay, Dine and save up to $500* on a 5-night/6-day room, Magic Your Way ticket and dining plan package for a family of four at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 1-March 9, 2019 when you book now through Jan. 1, 2019. When you purchase this package and stay at a select Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you'll enjoy the Disney Dining Plan that allows you to savor a variety of delicious dining options. When you purchase this package and stay at a select Disney Value Resort, you'll get the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan that offers convenient meals and snacks throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same package for 2 adults, 1 junior and 1 child in the same room. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. First use must be by December 31, 2019. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes the following room types: campsites, 3-bedroom Grand Villas, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid standard rooms.Dining plan excludes gratuities.

Children ages 3-9 must order from the children’s menu, if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase. Theme park admission is required for some dining locations.

** ALSO! - A Walt Disney World vacation is the perfect holiday gift for loved ones to create memories that last a lifetime. You can cross another holiday present off their list and save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights January 1 through April 27, 2019.

9/26/18 - New Ticket Prices Coming to Walt Disney World - Book Before They Increase!

Walt Disney World has announced that starting October 16, 2018, they will offer seasonal-priced multi-day tickets where the final price of the ticket depends on what dates you are planning to visit. This will work like current 1-Day tickets: a ticket for Value dates will be cheaper than a ticket for Regular or Peak dates. Most ticket periods will cover a mix of Value, Regular and/or Peak dates, and the price will be based on the specific dates the ticket covers. Call me for more info!!

9/19/18 - All-New Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular to Replace ‘IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth’ as Part of the Transformation of Epcot

After nearly 20 years of delighting Epcot Guests with the emotional story of humanity told through music, fireworks, light torches and more, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will be ending in the second half of next year. The Disney Parks Live Entertainment team is already busy creating new thrills to debut immediately following the conclusion of “IllumiNations,” continuing the tradition of nightly entertainment on the World Showcase Lagoon.

“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which is currently planned to run to the end of summer 2019, has entertained millions of guests gathered around World Showcase Lagoon sharing the light and a story since it debuted in October 1999 as part of the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration. During the coming year, Disney will be celebrating this classic show, so you still have plenty of time to experience it again and again, as excitement builds for what’s next.

Disney has big plans for a multi-year transformation of Epcot, with new experiences that will wow you while keeping true to the original vision of the park. And the all-new nighttime fireworks spectacular coming to Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon will be part of the park’s exciting evolution.

The new show joins several previously announced experiences coming to Epcot, including the highly-anticipated “Guardians of the Galaxy” roller coaster attraction, a “Ratatouille”-inspired attraction in World Showcase, a new table-service restaurant adjacent to Mission: SPACE and much more!

Stay tuned for updates on the new nighttime spectacular and everything else coming to Epcot!

8/30/18 - 

New Dining Options at Disney World Coming Soon!

2 new dining options are coming to Disney World - Storybook Dining at Wilderness Lodge with Snow White and Oga's Cantina coming to Hollywood Studios in Star Wars:Galaxy's Edge.  Details below!

Magic mirror on the wall, what is the fairest character dining of all?

This winter, it will most certainly be the all-new character dining experience opening at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!

Storybook Dining at Artist Point will invite guests to venture into an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” There, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal of fantastic fare with visits from Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. Delightful music and activities will help bring the classic fairytale to life, and you'll even have an opportunity for an encounter with The Queen.

This immersive character dinner takes place amidst the rustic elegance and exceptional dining that Artist Point is known for. You will enjoy a uniquely themed prix fixe menu, including shared starters, a choice of individual plated entrees and ‘sweet spells’ to finish the meal.

We'll have more information to share soon, including menu offerings, an opening date and when you can book reservations.

Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White is slated to begin this winter.

No self-respecting remote outpost on the edge of the galaxy would call itself a smuggler’s planet without a cantina, and Black Spire Outpost is no exception. Today, we're pleased to share more details for Oga’s Cantina, which will be serving pilots, bounty hunters, smugglers, locals and galactic travelers alike, when it opens in 2019.

Visitors come to this notorious local watering hole to unwind, conduct shady business, and maybe even encounter a friend…or a foe. Run by an intriguing alien proprietor, Oga Garra, the cantina adheres to a strict code of conduct that tries to keep its unruly patrons in check. But with a history of being a smugglers’ safe haven and a popular stopping point for those seeking to avoid the authorities, you can bet that the cantina has a story or two to tell.

Oga’s Cantina is the kind of establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. And you never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up. Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop!

Musical entertainment is provided courtesy of RX-24, the former StarSpeeder 3000 pilot droid we first met in Star Tours, who has re-envisioned himself as the cantina’s DJ. As quirky and talkative as ever, he’s still trying to do his best on the job.

You will be able to listen to some unique music, taste the best drinks in the galaxy, and surround yourself with a colorful cast of characters. You never know what will happen at the cantina!

Oga’s Cantina opens its doors at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 at both Disneyland® Resort and Walt Disney World®Resort.

8/16/18 - 

Universal's Aventura Hotel is Now Open!!

Universal's Aventura Hotel is the modern and stylish place to stay. This perfectly priced hotel is within walking distance of Universal’s Volcano Bay™, offers great views of all three Universal Orlando theme parks and is underscored by a design that is vibrant, free-flowing and calming. It's your chill zone, your party place, your hangout, your refuge. And it's just plain cool.

Introductory Offer – $50 Dining Credit
Be one of the first to experience the newest on-site hotel at Universal Orlando Resort™ and receive a free $50 hotel dining credit* (per room) when you stay 4 nights or longer.

8/7/18 - 

runDisney Race Registrations open for the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January) and 2019 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February).  Register today!  The 10k and the 5k for the Marathon weekend in January are SOLD OUT.  

6/25/18 - 

Bus Times at Walt Disney World Resort Now Available in My Disney Experience App

If you’ve ever wondered when the next bus is going to arrive at your Disney Resort hotel, the answer will now be right at your fingertips.

Today, we’re rolling out a brand new bus time feature in the My Disney Experience mobile app that enables guests to spend less time waiting at the bus stop and more time getting ready for a fun-filled day in the parks. With this feature, guests can quickly discover up-to-the-minute estimates for when the next buses will depart from their Disney Resort hotel and when they will complete their journey to their destination.

The app regularly updates in real time to provide the most current estimates for buses heading to all four theme parks, two water parks and the Disney Springs area. Guests can access the feature throughout their stay by tapping “See Bus Times” when viewing an active Disney Resort hotel reservation associated with their account.

You may also notice that this My Disney Experience update brings a new and improved design to the app, making it easier than ever to navigate and find what you’re looking for – from the new bus time feature and mobile food ordering service to adding tickets, booking FastPass+ selections and discovering key park offerings.

This is just the most recent example of how Disney is using digital technology to make the guest experience even more convenient. During the past year alone, we have added app features that allow guests to view room charges, keep track of Disney dining plan usage, check in online to start their vacation even faster, use their mobile devices as a digital key (now available at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and coming soon to additional Disney Resort hotels) and more.

Guests can explore all that’s new in My Disney Experience by updating to the current version of the app, now available in the Apple Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices.

And there’s more coming soon! Our teams are constantly exploring and innovating new enhancements to My Disney Experience as it continues to grow and evolve, so be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates.

6/5/18 -

Disney World 2019 Packages Available to Book Starting June 19!

The 2019 Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages for Walt Disney World® Resort will be available to book beginning June 19, 2018.

These packages will be valid for arrivals Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2019. Please note the last date of your  vacation cannot be booked more than 499 days in the future.

5/24/18 -

Disneyland Mobile Ordering now available!!  

The new mobile ordering service is available to Disneyland® Resort Guests via the Disneyland App.

This convenient, new feature will be available at six Disneyland Park locations – Bengal Barbecue, Galactic Grill, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Hungry Bear Restaurant, Jolly Holiday Bakery Café and Red Rose Taverne – and nine Disney California Adventure® Park locations – Award Wieners, Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Corn Dog Castle, Flo’s V8 Café, Lucky Fortune Cookery, Pacific Wharf Café, Paradise Garden Grill and Smokejumpers Grill. Order customization will be available directly on the app, including allergy-friendly offerings at select locations.

To use this service, you can easily download the Disneyland App (or install the latest app update) and follow the prompts to register for an account. 

This will work the same as the Disney World mobile ordering process - for information on that, click here!

5/24/18 - 

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (aka Star Wars Land) is set to open in 2019!!

While Disney is still hard at work creating their largest single-themed land expansions ever, they have some exciting news to share today. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in summer 2019 at Disneyland® Resort and in late fall 2019 at Walt Disney World® Resort, when you will land in the middle of the action as you live your own Star Wars stories.  Packages aren't available just yet for 2019, but call me and have me put you on my list if you're interested.  I'll be contacting clients as soon as the packages open (most likely towards the end of June) in the order that they've asked me to put them on the list.