Did you know that today, Jan 30th, is National Plan For Vacation Day??
This was created to remind us to plan our vacations for the coming year. Don’t lose your vacation days. Planning ahead can usually get you better pricing than last-minute bookings and give you more time to save up and design a better trip. If you’re dealing with the winter doldrums, this will give you something to look forward to also.
Many cruise lines, hotels, and attractions, like Disney and Universal, have sales going on already. Some of the major National Parks require timed entry reservations, and tours and campgrounds are already open for bookings too. Lock them in before they sell out.
Whether your vacation is across the globe or a local staycation, two weeks long or just a long weekend, start planning now. Contact me if you want help with vacation ideas and bookings.
On select nights from February 3 – April 7, 2024, you can celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Orlando!
You can join in the fun of an awesome party inspired by Carnaval celebrations from around the world.
The popular Mardi Gras parade will be one of the highlights of the night. Catch beads flying through the air as you enjoy a dazzling Mardi Gras parade with authentic floats direct from New Orleans.
You can even join in the Mardi Gras tradition of throwing beads from the floats! In the past, they’ve had a virtual queue that you can join in the Universal app each parade morning for a chance to ride on the floats, pending availability. However, if you want to guarantee a spot for yourself, you can now buy the Float Ride & Dine Experience. Enjoy a 3-course meal at one of four participating Universal restaurants and get a reserved spot on a float. This is very popular and spots are limited, so buy quickly if you want to do this.
Some nights will also have live concerts by some pretty big names on the Music Plaza Stage. Get there early! Check the site for the performer lineup as it gets closer.
Update 1/20/2024: The concert lineup has been revealed, and includes DJ Khaled, Ava Max, Luis Fonsi, and more!
Of course, there will be plenty of delicious foods, from sizzling New Orleans specialties to flavors inspired by tastes from around the world, available for purchase. Be sure to visit the Mardi Gras food kiosks located throughout the park.
Access to the parade and concerts is included with the standard park entry ticket to the Universal Studios park. Make sure that you start your day in that park, not Islands of Adventure, if you don’t have park-to-park tickets.
We went to Universal last year on a Mardi Gras night and it was really fun. Those floats are amazing! Feel free to contact me if you want me to help plan your Universal trip.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Disneyland California Adventure Park from January 23 – February 18, 2024!
This multicultural celebration is filled with auspicious wishes for health, luck and prosperity throughout the new year, the Year of the Dragon.
Don’t miss Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession honoring family, friendship and the potential for a fortune-filled new year. Follow Little Lantern on a journey to return home for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune in the World of Color preshow, Hurry Home.
Catch live entertainment throughout the day from several Asian groups. Check your Disneyland app for showtimes.
Luna Lee – modern rock Gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument, performer
Melody of China – premiere Chinese music ensemble playing Chinese folk, classical and contemporary instrumentals
New Tradition – pop band promoting diversity through their versatile musicianship and Vietnamese cultural roots
Vocal Seoul – acappella group of Korean-American singers
Sample a variety of Asian-inspired dishes prepared with a Disney twist at specialty Lunar New Year Marketplaces (view full menus).
– Bamboo Blessings – Wrapped with Love – Lucky 8 Lantern – Prosperity Bao & Buns – Red Dragon Spice Traders – Longevity Noodle Co.
New for this year, take a photo with Meilin Lee and her mom, Ming Lee, from the Disney and Pixar film, Turning Red. Catch a photo with other Disney characters dressed in colorful Lunar New Year inspired attire as well.
Stop by the Lucky Wishing Wall located in Paradise Gardens to add your special message of hope, health, and happiness for the upcoming year.
Partake in the many crafts and activities and of course, there will be plenty of merchandise for your shopping pleasure as well.
Come join in the fun! I wish you a happy and healthy year!
This time of year is usually when the Disney theme parks like to do annual maintenance on their rides, especially water rides. Make sure to check each park’s refurbishment calendar when planning your trip dates to make sure a favorite ride won’t be closed. Below are just some main ones that I’m seeing as of this writing.
Disney World
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Hollywood Studios – Jan 8th-Summer 2024
Frozen Ever After, EPCOT – Jan 24th only, then Nov 2-6th
Big Thunder Railroad, Magic Kingdom – Jan 16-20th
Country Bear Jamboree, Magic Kingdom – Jan 27-Summer 2024
Splash Mountain, Magic Kingdom – already closed for the retheming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, scheduled to open sometime this year
Kali River Rapids, Animal Kingdom – Jan 8-tbd
In addition to the rides, the Disney Skyliner Gondola will be closed for annual maintenance from Jan 16-21st, and until Jan 27th between the International Gateway at EPCOT and the Riviera resort. Buses to the parks will be provided if you’re staying at the Skyliner resorts.
Also, Blizzard Beach is open but Typhoon Lagoon is now closed until they both reopen for the warmer months.
Disneyland
Haunted Mansion, Disneyland – Jan 22-tbd
“it’s a small world”, Disneyland – Jan 7-17th
Splash Mountain, Disneyland – already closed for the retheming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening date tbd
Grizzly River Run, California Adventure – Jan 8-tbd
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, California Adventure– Jan 22-Feb 8th
World of Color One, California Adventure – Jan 8-18th
In the park calendars below, change the date, click on the park icons of all of the ones you want to check, and then scroll down to the Closed for Refurbishment section of each park.
These calendars also show the park hours and scheduled times for the numerous shows and fireworks (of course, subject to change and some won’t get posted til it’s closer to that date but checking closer dates can give you an approximate idea), so it’s good to check them often if you want to plan dining reservations or ride times around certain ones.
Check the calendars often, especially if your trip is still several months or even weeks away, since closures and dates for their reopening can fluctuate. Closures do happen year-round, not just in January and February.
Of course, this applies to any other theme parks, or any other attraction/location, that you may be interested in going to as well. Always check their websites before you lock in your travel plans and before your trip dates, for any closures and changes. Or, you can use a travel agent, like me, who will stay on top of any changes for you. 😁
Feel free to contact me if you want any help planning your future trips.
For several days in 2024, the U.S. National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Here are the entrance fee-free dates in 2024:
January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. April 20: First day of National Park Week June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act September 28: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day
The first one is this coming Monday in honor of MLK Day!
However, if you can’t make it to one this time, try to go some other time this year. The national parks are such amazing places! We’ve been to over half of them so far and hope to visit the rest soon. The pics above and below are from our trip to Grand Teton and Badlands National Parks, along with many others, during our Fall Cross Country Trip this past Sept.
If you’re planning to visit multiple parks or the same one multiple times this year, don’t forget to check if one of the park passes is right for you.
In addition, some of the more popular parks require you to schedule a timed entry reservation time now for certain days (some are year-round) and times to reduce the line to get in. If you’re planning to visit one of these, make sure to plan ahead and make your reservation before they fill up.
Search the name of the park and check the entry requirements on the National Park Service site. If you need to reserve a time, you will do so on the recreation.gov site. This is the only legit site to reserve any tickets for entries, tours, and even some lodgings for the national parks.
Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about planning a national park trip.
Update Jan 12, 2024: The festival started today and the menus of the food booths have been added to Disney’s Festival of the Arts page.Click the Details link for each booth listing.
Update Nov 17, 2023: Disney just announced the lineup of performers for the Disney on Broadway concerts and the list of food booths. Exciting!
If you’re planning ahead, the EPCOTInternational Festival of the Arts will run from January 12 – February 19, 2024 at Disney World. This festival will showcase the fine arts, performance arts, and culinary arts.
A highlight of this festival is the Disney on Broadway Concert Series where major Broadway stars perform songs from Disney Broadway musicals. Shows take place on select days at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm at the America Gardens Theatre in the America pavilion. The list of performers is listed on their site. Check it often for the latest updates.
If you want to guarantee yourself a seat, you may want to book a dining package. Some shows will fill up fast.
Throughout the day around the World Showcase, other musical acts will also be performing.
Another key component will be the unique food booths showcasing dishes with a more artistic flair. Some look almost too pretty to eat!
One of the most unique features of this festival will be the many opportunities to see and participate in artistic activities yourself.
Artists will be showcasing their paintings and even painting live during the day. You can also join your fellow park-goers in painting a giant paint-by-numbers type wall mural.
Other artists will be drawing the most amazing 3D chalk art images on the sidewalks that you can then take pictures with. You really look like you’re inside that drawing. They’re incredible!
There will also be new photo ops, PhotoPass Magic Shots, plenty of merch, and many other fun activities. This is a short but unique festival. Try to catch it.
We attended this festival last year and it was one of our favorites. As always, feel free to contact me if you want to chat about planning your Disney trip.
Disney Cruise Line announced the third stage show that will be on the Disney Treasure when it starts sailing in December 2024! Drumroll….
It will be “Disney The Tale of Moana“!
The show will follow Moana on a journey to save her island after she is chosen to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Gramma Tala, Maui, and Tamatoa will join Moana, along with songs from the film’s original soundtrack.
Update 1/12/2024: Disney just revealed some artist renderings of scenes from the show. It will begin in modern day on the fictional island of Motunui, in a set design filled with hints of brilliant cultures of the Pacific Islands that will appear throughout the show. In one iconic scene, The Walt Disney Theatre will transform from the island of Motunui into the open ocean!
Moana will join “Beauty and the Beast” and “Disney Seas the Adventure” in the Walt Disney Theatre. The stage shows on the Disney ships are Broadway-quality shows and one of our favorite parts of a Disney cruise. Don’t miss them!
Disneyland Magic Key sales will resume on January 10, 2024 no earlier than 9am PST!
Disneyland Magic Key program is the current name for the Annual Pass program at the Disneyland Resort in California. All four Magic Key types will go back on sale after being paused on and off for the last few years. Based on past experience of high demand, it is anticipated that there will be a virtual queue to purchase and a long wait. Plan accordingly.
The passes come in four different tiers (Inspire, Believe, Enchant, Imagine) with various levels of theme park access, retail and dining discounts plus special benefits just for Magic Key holders. Throughout the year, Magic Key holders will be able to experience “Extras Unlocked,” which are special offerings including Magic Key-themed merchandise, special extras and experiences, dining opportunities and discounts, and more.
To purchase or compare the different tiers, visit the Magic Key page.
Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about annual passes or any Disney trip.
In addition to the Free Dining Plan Offer for Disney+ subscribers staying July 1 – Sept 30, 2024, there are two more offers for the coming months.
Stay Longer and Save More on Rooms
For 1 – 4 night stays from March 25 – July 7, 2024, you can save 10% – 25% depending on the resort.
For 5 – 14 night stays from March 25 – July 7, 2024, you can save 10% – 30% depending on the resort.
For 1 – 4 night stays from July 8 – Oct 3, 2024, you can save 10% – 30% depending on the resort.
For 5 – 14 night stays from July 8 – Oct 3, 2024, you can save 10% – 35% depending on the resort.
Florida Residents: Save Up to 30% on Rooms
For 1 – 14 night stays from March 25 – July 7, 2024, you can save 10% – 30% depending on the resort.
Proof of Florida residency is required at check-in.
The number of rooms allocated for any of these offers is limited and excludes certain room types. Savings are based on the non-discounted price for the same room.
Feel free to contact me to check if your desired resort has availability for any offers.
Happy New Year! Here’s a new Disney offer to kick off the year!
Starting Jan. 3, 2024, Disney+ subscribers can get a FREE dining plan when purchasing a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Disney World package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option. Packages may be longer as well.
This offer is valid for arrivals most nights July 1 through Sept. 30, 2024.
This offer must be booked by February 14, 2024.
Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about this or want me to help plan your next trip.
Adventures By Anne 