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Recently, a friend of mine went to Disney World with her young kids, as a group of 8 people altogether. She was kind enough to write this awesome article offering her insight on her trip. Hopefully, this helps you if you fit this demographic too. There are great tips for anybody going to Disney though. Thanks, Linda!
6 Tips for Traveling to Disney World with a Large Group and Young Children
Breaking News!
Disneyland California has suddenly announced that sales will resume for all four of their Magic Key annual passes tomorrow, April 11, 2023!
Sales will start no earlier than 9am PT online, but will likely use a virtual queue, so get to the website early. Last time they opened up sales, there were hours long waits and some sold out very quickly.
To purchase passes, visit this Magic Key purchase page tomorrow morning. They should all be clickable to add them to your cart at that time.
The different passes offer varying amounts of dining and merchandise discounts, free theme park parking, certain PhotoPass benefits, and more. For details on the Magic Key passes, visit the general Magic Key site.
Feel free to contact me if you want to chat more about Magic Keys or Disneyland trips. We were just over there this past December.
The Disney Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, and Pirate Pass will resume sales on April 20, 2023, online only.
Eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can purchase the DVC Disney Sorcerer Pass online on April 13, 2023 as part of Membership Magic.
The quantity of passes will be limited and may become unavailable for purchase at any time, so be online early when the window opens and be prepared for a potential virtual queue that could have a very long wait.
Annual passes give you discounts at various Disney dining and merchandise locations, as well as free parking at the parks. There are also frequent passholder events and benefits such as discounts on resort stays.
Even if you buy the passes now, they will not start until the first day you activate them (when you go into a park), so you can buy them now for a trip later in the year. They will be valid for 1 year after that first day you activate them.
Since park admission prices can vary by the day, it’s hard to give an exact cost comparison, but on a high level, the annual passes generally pay for themselves after about 12 theme park days. The initial price may seem daunting at first, but if you calculate how much it would cost if you were buying tickets individually, you can see how it adds up.
Folks who already have an annual pass can continue to renew them per your usual renewal schedule, though you can use this opportunity to upgrade your pass immediately outside of your normal renewal window. Florida residents are able to purchase the Pixie Pass already anytime. This is primarily for new sales of the 3 other annual passes for folks that do not have one yet.
The key difference between the various passes is the number of blackout dates and park reservations. However, if you live outside the state of Florida, you are only eligible to buy the Incredi-Pass.
For details and comparison of each annual pass, visit the Disney Annual Pass page.
Since there’s no telling when they may stop selling annual passes again, if you are seriously thinking about getting them, I suggest getting them as soon as this window opens.
If you want to chat about annual passes or Disney trips in general, feel free to contact me. We have been passholders for many years now and it’s been great being able to pop in for short trips or long trips anytime.
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.
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.
Ready to be scared?
Universal Orlando just announced the dates for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event!
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
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® 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
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
*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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adventures By Anne 