Category: Orlando

July 4th – Independence Day

Independence Day

Here in the United States, July 4th is Independence Day. Here’s the history behind it. Colloquially, we may just think of it as a good long weekend off from work, bbq time, or a good trip weekend, but we should remember how we’re able to do these things in the first place.

Of course, fireworks are a big part of the July 4th celebrations usually. Just in time, Disney World restarted the fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks the other day, after being shuttered for a tough many months!

Too bad we weren’t still down there to see them, but here are some good YouTube videos that I found that give a good sense of what it was like down there. We can pretend we’re there and celebrate with them. I can feel their excitement. In a way, it’s a very symbolic and emotional sign of things improving and finally getting back to some sense of normal. Is someone peeling onions?

Magic Kingdom – Happily Ever After

Happily ever after

EPCOT Forever

Epcot forever

If you are looking for things to do this weekend, here are some ideas in an article I just came across.

Have a safe and happy weekend!

In case you missed it…

All Disney Parks Castles

New things are being announced and existing things are changing literally every day at the Disney parks. It’s hard to keep up. Here’s a quick summary for you, at least of some of the big things as of mid June. There are too many to list every single thing.

  • Disneyland Paris has finally reopened, so all Disney Parks around the world are now open.
  • Disneyland California has reopened to out of state guests too.
  • Most important: Park reservations are still needed in all parks, in addition to your park ticket, and they do run out fast! Check for availability before you buy your park tickets or lock in hotel or flights incase you need to adjust your dates based on availability.
  • PhotoPass photographers are now allowed to use your phone/camera to take pictures for you again. Though, there is also a relatively new 1 day PhotoPass plan if you want a limited, cheaper plan.
  • They are no longer providing free MagicBands for resort guests. You can still buy them for $10+, or use a previous one though.
  • For Disney World FL, you can set up Mobile Pass on your phone now, like a digital version of your MagicBand, if you don’t want to wear a MagicBand. It can be stored in your digital wallet and tied to an Apple watch so you can scan that instead of your phone everywhere where you’d scan your magic band.
  • Disney World FL advanced dining reservations now start booking at 60 days before your check-in date.
  • Disney World FL nighttime shows are returning on July 1st at Magic Kingdom, “Happily Ever After”, and Epcot, “Epcot Forever”.
  • Disney World FL announced the Boo Bash after party event, which replaces the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year. Tix on sale now.
  • Disney World FL has announced events opening Oct 1st for the Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary – Magic Kingdom “Disney Enchantment” nighttime show, Epcot “Harmonious” nighttime show and new Remy ride, Animal Kingdom “Kite Tails” daytime show.
  • Many favorite restaurants and resorts are finally re-opening again.
  • All previously buffet style restaurants are serving food platters to your table family style instead but still all-you-can-eat.
  • Menu items at all restaurants may still be reduced, though starting to expand again, so check the posted menu on the actual Disney site or app for the latest n greatest to make sure your favorites are there.
  • Masks are optional for guests and cast members in all park areas besides the Disney monorail, buses, and Skyliners.
  • Social distancing restrictions and plexiglass dividers have been removed in most stores, queues, and ride cars.
  • Ride pre-shows are returning.
  • Disney rides and transportation are loading at full capacity, including multiple parties together.
  • Single rider lines are returning on most rides also.
  • Mobile ordering is strongly encouraged in most quick service restaurants. It’s great actually, cuts your wait time tremendously.
  • FastPasses and dining plans are still not back, so plan your ride and food strategy accordingly.
  • Rope drop is available at most parks again, where they are likely to let you in the parks almost an hour before park opening.
  • Parking lots may not let you in as early if you’re not using Disney transportation though, so use Disney transportation if you’re rope dropping.
  • Learn the strategies for getting boarding groups for rides with virtual queues beforehand – Rise of the Resistance in FL and CA and the new Spiderman ride in CA.
  • The new Marvel land, Avengers Campus, has opened in CA.
  • Disney World’s Magical Express will no longer mail you a confirmation letter for check-in. As long as you’ve added your flight info to your resort reservation, you can just use your magic band to scan into the Magical Express check-in at the airport. If you don’t have your magic band yet, they can look up your reservation there. If you have a magic band from a previous trip that you haven’t deactivated, then you can still use that.
  • Magical Express is ending at the end of 2021, but there will likely be another transportation option to the resorts.
  • Disney Cruise Lines has revealed more details about their newest ship, the Disney Wish. Inaugural sailings will start in June 2022 and sailings through Dec 2022 are open for booking now.

OK, this list got pretty long and there are more. See, there are just so many recent changes. Feel free to contact me if you want more info about any of these points, or anything else.

We’re Back!

Disney World Gate

Oh what fun flying can be! Travel day didn’t go quite as planned, but alas, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re finally back at Disney World!

Come follow along as we embark on our first trip back after a tough year and a half – June Disney World Trip. We have tons of grand plans – lots of parks and restaurants and other fun stuff. Let’s hope those plans go better than our flight down.

Pop Century

Guess what?

We’re going to Disney World!

After a long year and a half, we’re finally all vaccinated and able to go now! We can’t wait! It’s been a tough year, so we need to be immersed in some Disney magic.

This is also my first actual trip since becoming a travel advisor, so I’ll be looking at things from that angle as well. I’ll capture things that would be helpful to you in planning your trip.

I’ll try to post pics and trip recaps each day or soon afterwards, so follow along here!

Four Disney Parks Icons

Planning a Disney World Trip?

Time for Magic

Are you thinking of planning a trip to Disney World?

Check out my info pages about Disney World. Hopefully, they will help your planning. I’ve added some notes recently to reflect some post-Covid changes, but things are changing everyday. Make sure to know before you go.

Contact me if you want to chat about any of this, or if you would like me to help you plan your magical trip! I’m so excited for you!

Support Disney cast members

carousel

You may have heard by now that Disney has been hit hard by Covid too. The parks were affected by lengthy shutdowns, and even upon opening, still have limited attendance and restrictions. This has caused them to need to lay off thousands of employees.

Here are some efforts that have sprung up so far to help these folks that have given us so much joy over the years. We’ve donated already. If you are able and willing, please look into these also.

Of course, there are many, many others around the world affected by Covid as well. Please support your local community resources also.

Thanks!

Future Disney trips

Things have been quiet here. We’re still hunkering down at home. Hopefully, you’re staying safe too.

If you want to plan for future Disney trips, Disney just announced some new openings. Disney resorts in Orlando can now be booked through the end of 2021, which encompasses the 50th anniversary of WDW in Oct if you want to be there for the celebration. Disney cruises are about to open bookings thru April 2022. Be aware of the new safety restrictions and cancellation policies before you book though.

Here are the links to the listings. Let me know if you want to discuss anything or would like me to help you book them.

Disney World is Open!

Mickey & Minnie

The Disney World theme parks in Orlando Florida are open again! Very exciting!

However, whether or not you should go yet is going to vary based on your situation. What is your health and safety tolerance? Is this one of your first or only trips or do you go pretty often? Are you willing and able to abide by the changes and restrictions in place?

Of course, there are many changes due to Covid safety. I hesitate to list them all here though because they’re changing literally day by day, but the biggest things of note are going to be the reduced capacity and the need to reserve park reservations in addition to having a park ticket, no park hopping, no fast passes, and the requirement to wear masks everywhere except when you’re eating.

If you are interested in going to the theme parks now, including any other theme parks that are open such as Universal, SeaWorld, etc, make sure to read about their new changes on their websites. If you would like help with your trip plans, feel free to contact me.

Disney Parks Updates

Know Before You Go

The Disney parks will be drastically different from your last trip due to Covid safety. Stay up to date on the latest here, especially on the need to make park reservations for entry, in addition to having your ticket. Things are changing day by day, so check back often, and some of it can be a little confusing. Feel free to contact me if you want help with your plans.

Key Dates for Disney World Reservations