Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival

It looks like the famous Washington DC cherry blossoms are about to start blooming! These beautiful trees around the Tidal Basin area are an iconic symbol of spring.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is running from March 18 – April 16, 2023. There will be performances, foods, and activities for all ages, culminating with the Cherry Blossom Parade on April 15th. Another key event is Petalpalooza on April 8th, a family friendly day of performances and activities capped off with fireworks over the Capital Riverfront.

  • Opening Ceremony: Saturday, March 25, 2023
  • Kite Festival: Sunday, March 26, 2023
  • Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival: Sunday, April 2, 2023
  • PetalPalooza: Saturday, April 8, 2023
  • Parade: Saturday, April 15, 2023

The entire festival season season has been known to draw millions of people to the city in past years, and peak bloom week and the parade weekend are especially busy, so plan your trip accordingly if you plan to go.

Here are some resources to help plan your trip:

If you can’t travel to Washington DC, there are several virtual ways for you to join in the fun.

If you would like to chat about planning a trip to Washington DC for the festival or any other time, feel free to contact me. We’ve been to DC area and the Smithsonian museums many times. We love it there.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights Announced

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights

Ready to be scared?

Universal Orlando just announced the dates for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event!

  • Sept. 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-30
  • Oct. 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29, 31

Tickets are on sale now! There are also express passes and hotel packages. This is a very popular event so if you are interested, you may want to buy your tickets ASAP.

Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed nighttime event, with 5 scare zones, 10 haunted houses, food, merchandise, and more. Note that some of the scares are pretty intense and gory, so it may be too much for the little ones and the faint of heart. There are plenty of YouTube videos about it if you want to get a sense of what it’s really like first.

For more details or to buy tickets, visit the Universal Orlando Horror Nights site.

© UniversalStudios

Sunshine Flyer Sale

Sunshine Flyer

Need hassle free transportation between Orlando International Airport and your Disney World Resort?

The Sunshine Flyer is having a sale thru May 31st. All one way tickets are $12/person.

This is a fun option, with buses themed in the classic steam train style and drivers dressed as conductors.

A friend used this on their Disney trip and had a good experience with them.
Let me know if you want to chat more about this or want me to help book your trip.

For more details about this service:
https://sunshineflyer.com/



Pics ©Sunshine Flyer

Disney World Resort Discount Announced

Disney® Visa® Cardmember discounts we’re just announced for stays at the Disney Resort hotels this summer.

This offer is valid when you use your Disney® Visa® Card to book stays most nights:

May 14 to June 24, 2023
July 5 to August 19, 2023
August 27 to September 7, 2023

The discounts range from 10-35% off depending on the resort.

Save 35%

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Save 30%

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Save 25%

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Standard Rooms
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Save 15%

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Save 10%

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited so book ASAP if you’re interested. Savings are based on the non-discounted price for the same room.

Feel free to contact me if you want me to help you with your trip plans.

©Disney

Disney100: The Exhibition

Disney100

Disney100: The Exhibition was created to celebrate 100 years of The Walt Disney Company. It’s open now at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

“The Walt Disney Archives is opening its vault of treasures, showcasing more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels,” rarely seen artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia.  

Exclusively for this exhibition, Disney has curated special behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of the company’s most popular characters, films, shows, and attractions—from Disneyland to Walt Disney World and beyond.  

Plus, ten magnificent and imaginatively themed galleries, all featuring moving stories, unique interactive installations, and exciting background information, will take visitors on a journey through 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, celebrating the classics from Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World, as well as the latest members of the Disney family—Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic.”

To purchase tickets, visit the Franklin Institute site.

© The Franklin Institute, Disney.

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Starts March 1st

EPCOT Encanto Topiary

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival at Disney World starts today, March 1, 2023, and goes all the way until July 5, 2023 this year!

We love this festival! The most unique feature of this festival is the awesome topiaries. There are so many incredibly detailed and life-like floral topiaries of Disney characters and various other objects all around the park. This year, they are featuring new topiaries of Tiana and the Encanto family! They look amazing! If you go, definitely go around to find them all.

Another favorite is all of the different food kiosks with such creative foods and drinks to try. It’s fun to go with others so you can share a little something from each kiosk. There’s no way you can eat everything yourself, at least not in one day. Check out this Food Kitchen page for a full list of the offerings.

The Garden Rocks Concert Series is also returning to the America pavilion theater with a long lineup of artists. View the concert lineup here.

Concert series

There will also be scavenger hunts, cooking demonstrations, a butterfly house, play areas and other activities for the little ones, and of course, plenty of merchandise. For more details, view this page for the festival:

There’s no shortage of things to do at EPCOT for the next few months. Hopefully, you can make it to Orlando to check it out. Let me know if you want me to help you with your trip.

Pics ©Disney

Disneyland After Dark Themed “Nites” Coming To Disneyland Resort

Disney After Dark logos

This Spring, Disneyland Resort in California will bring back Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite and Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite.

A limited number of these Disneyland After Dark tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning February 21, 2023 (no earlier than 9am PT) on Disneyland.com.

On February 23, 2023 (no earlier than 9am PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public and are subject to availability.

These events are very popular and will sell out very fast. Guests can enjoy themed entertainment, Disney characters, unique photo opportunities, specialty menu items and merchandise and more.

The events begin with a 3 hour pre-party from 6pm to 9pm PT at Disneyland park, then the private party begins from 9pm to 1am PT, where guests may ride some popular attractions after regular park hours!

They will also receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the party, along with commemorative souvenir credentials and event guide maps to remember their Disneyland After Dark experience.

Small World

Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite

April 18 & 20, 2023

Don throwback fashions inspired by the debonair days of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Take a trip down memory lane to relive Disney’s classic past with music and entertainment that pay tribute to the first decade of Disneyland park. Mickey Mouse and his friends will sport retro outfits, along with visits from some nostalgic characters.

Gaze upon “Fantasy in the Sky,” a nighttime spectacular giving a nod to the same-named fireworks display that first illuminated the night in Disneyland park in 1957!

Do the twist, the mashed potato, and bunny hop your way to dance parties around Disneyland park with bands and deejays inspired by the era.
Snack on treats inspired by the park’s early days, made once again just for this event!
Picture yourself in vintage photo backdrops of attractions and posters from yesteryear like Skyway or Autopia, and from timeless Disney films.

Enjoy after-hours access to iconic Disneyland attractions such as Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. Note, not all attractions will be open during the party hours.
No theme park reservation are required for the pre-party either.

Star Wars Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

May 2, 4, 8 & 11, 2023

This event is back with four “nites” – the most ever – where guests can live their own epic Star Wars adventure.

Watch the “Star Wars: Celebrate the Nite” fireworks illuminate the skies above Disneyland park. This pyrotechnic spectacle is set to the powerful music of Star Wars.

Prepare for Captain Phasma and her Stormtroopers during the March of the First Order in Tomorrowland, as they search for a Resistance spy. You may also encounter travelers across the galaxy like Tuskan Raiders and Jawas.

Get ready to master a lightsaber! Attend the Lightsaber Instructional demonstration, where you will learn to handle a lightsaber through a series of elite moves, sure to bring out your inner Jedi!

Picture yourself in dynamic photo backdrops featuring some of the galaxy’s favorite heroes and villains.
Explore themed snacks such as intergalactic churros and other out-of-this-world sweets!

Disneyland


*Separately priced Disney PhotoPass packages, including the photo packages offered at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or other locations, are not included with the unlimited digital photo downloads.

**The number of tickets available for each event date are limited, and event tickets are valid only for the specific event date and hours. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. Tickets must be purchased online and are not available on the day of the event. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for commercial purposes. Certain attractions and offerings may not be available during the event , including without limitation, Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Mickey’s Toontown and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/ for restrictions. Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required. Only select attractions, experiences, offerings, and services will be available during the event. Event, event elements, and available offerings may be modified and limited in availability, and are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refunds given for any changes or cancellations whether due to inclement weather or otherwise. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort

©Disney

Universal Mardi Gras

Universal Mardi Gras

At Universal Studios Orlando, Mardi Gras starts today! There will be live concerts, dazzling parades, plenty of beads, and lots of delicious food! This festival will be held on select nights from February 4 – April 16, 2023.

Mardi Gras parade

The main highlight of Mardi Gras is the big parade, right? So, Universal will have a spectacular parade with six new floats straight from New Orleans! Of course, the old favorites will return as well. Check the Universal app for dates and times.

You can catch plenty of beads as a spectator, or you can sign up to throw beads yourself from the floats. Spaces are limited though, so sign up in the Universal app as soon as the Virtual Queue window opens each day or book a float dining package, if available.

Mardi Gras concerts

On select nights, there will be live performances on the Music Plaza Stage, kicking off with Patti LaBelle tonight, Feb 4th! Check the Universal Concert Lineup for the most up to date listing of performers and showtimes.

Mardi Gras foods

Of course, you can’t have a party without food! There will be many new foods this year, as well as some past favorites! Explore traditional Cajun favorites and international dishes inspired by Carnaval celebrations around the world.

Visit the International Flavors of Carnaval menu page to see what foods and beverages each booth is offering. Don’t forget to check out CityWalk and the Universal resorts for their share of Mardi Gras food as well.

For more details on Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration, visit the Mardi Gras event page.

Join in the festivities! We’ll be there!

Feel free to ping me if you’d like to chat about a Universal trip.

Pics © Universal.

Celebrate Soulfully

Soulful celebration

For February, Disney World Resort guests can explore new and traditional ways to “Celebrate Soulfully” during Black History Month. From art to food to music and more, there will be a variety of experiences to celebrate, educate and honor Black heritage and culture throughout the resort.

At the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, guests will have the chance to meet two of the Black artists, visit a gallery exhibit featuring life-sized dresses and natural hair styled wigs seen in their photographic prints, and watch black Broadway performers during the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series.

Dolls

Visitors to Disney Springs can hear live entertainment featuring black musicians on all three main Disney Springs stages on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights. The Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression will receive two new additions by Black artists, and they will both paint their work live during Black History Month.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom park continues to highlight Black culture through a variety of music and art found throughout the park. At the Conservation Station, guests can uncover the secrets of how Disney’s first Black animator, Floyd Norman, brought favorite characters to life using real life animals as inspiration.

There will also be Magic Shots across property featuring Princess Tiana in her element at Tiana’s place, selfies with Penny and friends from The Proud Family and more.

And of course, guests can explore both existing, returning, and brand-new Food & Beverage offerings across Walt Disney World. And new this year, each Food & Beverage location will now highlight the cast inspirations of dishes with photos and storytelling.

We hope everyone enjoys all the ways to “Celebrate Soulfully” at Walt Disney World for Black History Month and throughout the year.

As always, feel free to contact me if you want to chat about your Disney trip.

©Disney