Category: Travel Places

Ending Soon: Disney World Free Dining Plan Offer

Last Chance to Enjoy a FREE Dining Plan at Walt Disney World Resort!

This offer must be booked by February 14, 2024.

As mentioned in a previous post, 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 September 30, 2024.

After this offer ends, you can still add the dining plan to any room package booking. It just won’t be free. However, you can take advantage of several other Disney Savings Offers going on right now.

View my Disney Dining page for more details on dining and dining plans at Disney to see if this offer would be worthwhile to you.

Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about this or want me to help plan your next trip.

Pic ©Disney

Even More Disney World Savings

In addition to the Free Dining Plan Offer for Disney+ subscribers staying July 1 – Sept 30, 2024, there are a few more offers that have been announced for 2024.

Even if you already have a trip booked, you may be able to get one of these offers applied to it if your booking fits the criteria.

Disney® Visa® Cardmembers Offer

Disney® Visa® Cardmembers can enjoy special Cardmember rates at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights from March 25 through June 29, 2024.

Possible rates include:

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – $129 per night, plus tax for a Standard Room, for stays most nights from March 25 through April 27, 2024
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – $229 per night, plus tax for a Standard View Room (accommodates up to 5 Guests), for stays most nights from March 25 through June 29, 2024
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn – $419 per night, plus tax for a Resort View Room, for stays most nights from March 25 through June 29, 2024

Plus, enjoy other great rates at many other Disney Resort hotels.

Rates vary based on room type, Resort hotel, and travel dates. Valid for stays between 1-14 days.

You must use your Disney Visa or Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit on the stay. Disney® Visa® Cardmember must stay in the room.

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.

Florida Residents: Disney Thrills Ticket Offer

Experience the thrills at Disney World with a 2-day ticket for $199 (plus tax) or a 3-day ticket for $219 (plus tax).*

You can also add these options to your ticket:

Park Hopper Option – $40 more per ticket, plus tax
Park Hopper Plus Option – $55 more per ticket, plus tax
Water Park and Sports Option – $35 more per ticket, plus tax

This special Florida resident ticket is valid for use beginning Jan. 11 through March 15, 2024 (even on the weekends!) with an advance park reservation. All adults will need to show proof of Florida residency at the park entrance.

* One theme park per day. Reservations are limited and subject to availability of reservations allocated to this ticket as determined by Disney, and park capacity.

Annual Pass holders: Save Up to 35% on Rooms

For 1 – 14 night stays from March 25 – July 7, 2024, you can save 10% – 35% depending on the resort.

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.

This is a good time to book a trip while these offers are going on. Lock in a deal with just a $200 deposit for packages with rooms and tickets or the first night rate for room only bookings.

Feel free to contact me to check if your desired resort has availability for any offers.

AdventuresByAnne.com

AdventuresByAnne@gmail.com

Universal Epic Universe Announcement

Universal Epic Universe introduced the first details of this amazing new theme park, opening in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort.

The image above shows an overview of Universal Epic Universe along with each of the five worlds that make up the park.

Click on each world below for the details that have been revealed so far about each one. I’ll add more info as they’re revealed by Universal. Subscribe below to get notified whenever I have a new post.

Please contact me if I can help plan and book your next Universal trip.

In The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, explore international wizarding communities from 1920s Paris to the 1990s British Ministry via floo network.

At Super Nintendo World™ you’ll experience a new way to play, from challenging Bowser on the Mario Kart™ ride to venturing through Donkey Kong Country™ and so much more.

In How to Train Your Dragon, take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the colorful Viking village at the heart of Berk. Take part in wild boat battles, feast like a Viking, and more.

In Dark Universe, explore a world of myth and mystery, from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to a shadowy landscape where monsters roam.

Celestial Park is the central hub area of Epic Universe, with lush tree-lined walkways, dancing fountains, restaurants, shops, and more.

Here are all of the details about the rides, restaurants, and shops revealed so far about the Celestial Park area.

Stardust Racers is a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph. Board a comet and rocket to the furthest reaches of the stars, at heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track. Race along an inverted crisscross, known as the “Celestial Spin” in a dazzling display of blazing colors and ethereal music.

On Constellation Carousel, ride celestial lions, dragons, bears, and more as they turn 360 degrees while lifting riders up to 6 feet in the air. Celestial music and color dazzle your senses as you whirl and twirl together across the Milky Way.

Enjoy exceptional seafood and steak in Atlantic, a fine dining restaurant, or sip a cocktail at the lively Aquaria Bar. Starfish dwell peacefully with serene, illuminated fish swimming above you on inside glass walls reminiscent of an enormous Victorian aquarium.

In the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, authentic Pan-Asian fare is served in a bustling courtyard under the glow of ethereal hanging lanterns. Watch dazzling neon dragons chase across the walls as you enjoy a cocktail at The Tiger Bar.

Visit the Nintendo Super Star Store for toys, apparel and other colorful keepsakes and souvenirs based on characters from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and more.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel is a full-service hotel with a dedicated and exclusive entrance into Epic Universe. You’ll be transported to a fantastical world where heavens and earth unite.

While this one will be connected to the park, two other hotels will be available too just outside of the park – Stella Luna and Stella Nova resorts.

Are you excited for this new Universal theme park? When this opens in 2025, it’ll join the two current theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and the Volcano Bay water park, for an epic vacation!

Contact me if you want to chat about planning a Universal trip. Subscribe to my blog and follow my Instagram and Facebook to get future updates on this new park.

National Plan For Vacation Day

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.

AdventuresByAnne.com

AdventuresByAnne@gmail.com

Mardi Gras 2024 at Universal

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.

Universal Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine

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.

For more details, visit the Universal Mardi Gras page.

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.

Pics © Universal Studios

2024 Lunar New Year at California Adventure

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!

Disney Parks Early 2024 Ride Closures

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.

Disney World Calendar

Disneyland California Calendar

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.

US National Parks 2024 Free Admission Days

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.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2024

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 EPCOT International 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.

For more details, visit the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts page.

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.

Pics ©Disney

Disney The Tale of Moana

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!

Visit my Disney Treasure Revealed post for more details about this ship.

Construction of the Disney Treasure is speeding along. This month, the forward funnel arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany! Exciting!

Are you looking forward to sailing on the Disney Treasure? Feel free to contact me if you want me to help you plan your cruise trip!

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