Category: Cities

Universal Epic Universe – How To Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon

Universal Epic Universe introduced details of one of the worlds, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, in this new theme park, opening in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort.

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. From an exciting coaster to a heart-warming live show, it’s fire-breathing fun for all ages.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – Get a dragon’s eye view as Hiccup’s latest flying (coaster) contraption sends you swooping and soaring, above and around the Isle of Berk.

Dragon Racer’s Rally – Hold on tight and practice aerobatic maneuvers on a Viking-made dragon-riding trainer in hopes of becoming a champion dragon-racer.

Fyre Drill – Ruffnut & Tuffnut have created a watery boat battle where teams of Vikings compete to outscore and out-soak each other.

The Untrainable Dragon – The arrival of a new dragon in Berk presents a challenge to Hiccup, Gobber and Astrid in this spectacular live show.

Viking Training Camp – Young Vikings will discover all types of dragons as they climb, slide and explore in this sprawling, interactive adventure play camp.

Mead Hall – Feast like Vikings on a hearty menu of meats, fish, and drinks including a variety of meads, ciders and ales.

How to Train Your Dragon

In addition, meet Hiccup and Toothless at the Haddock Paddock and meet other Vikings and dragons around Berk. You may even catch a glimpse of dragons flying high above the village!

Are you excited for this new world?

Epic Universe Overview

The image above shows an overview of Universal Epic Universe along with the other worlds that make up the park. More details will be revealed about each in the coming months. Stay tuned!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic

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.

Super Nintendo World

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.

Dark Universe

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

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

Visit my previous post to see the details revealed already about Celestial Park.

Universal Epic Universe

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.

AdventuresByAnne.com

Universal Epic Universe

© Universal Studios

Universal Orlando Offers

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort currently has several ticket deals and special offers. Now is a great time to book your next Universal trip!

Save 25% on a 3-Park, 5-Night Package

This offer is valid for a 5-night stay at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel, or Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in a standard room with a 3-Park 5-Day Park-to-Park ticket between 11/12/23 – 07/31/24.

3-Park 5-Night Vacation Package Starting From Only $89 Per Person, Per Night

This offer is valid for a 5-night stay at select Universal Partner Hotels in a standard room with a 3-Park 4-Day Base ticket (one park per day) and a $75 Bundle and Save Discount off the total vacation package price. It can be upgraded to a stay at a Universal Orlando Resort Hotel. Valid for bookings between 3/14/24-6/12/24 and for stays on select nights 3/14/24-3/22/24, 4/16/24-6/26/24, 7/14/24-8/16/24, or 9/1/24-12/18/24.

Save 20% on 4-Nights at a Universal Orlando Hotel

Stay at a Universal Orlando hotel for four or more nights and save 20% on a non-discounted room rate. This offer is valid for stays between Jan. 2-Feb. 15, Feb. 25-29, Apr. 7-May 23, May 27-Nov. 26, or Dec. 1-19, 2024. Separate theme park admission tickets are required for theme park entry.

Save up to $668 on a 4+ Night Stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and enjoy exclusive theme park benefits like Universal Express Unlimited. Book by Aug. 6, 2024 for travel Sundays-Thursdays between May 31-Aug. 10, 2024.

Play 4 Days From $74 Per Day, Plus Tax

This offer is valid for a 2-Park 4-Day base ticket valid for one park a day at either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. It may be upgraded to a park-to-park ticket or a 3-park ticket to include Volcano Bay.

Get 3 Months Free on Any Annual Pass

Buy a new Universal Annual Pass and get three extra months of fun. Blockout dates and restrictions apply.

Military Ticket Deals and Specials

As thanks for your service, Universal offers specially priced tickets and vacation packages to active duty and retired service members. Purchase exclusively at your Authorized Military Ticket and Travel Office.

Universal Royal Pacific Resort

Florida Residents: Buy a Day, Get 2 Days Free On a 2-Park, 1-Day Park-to-Park Ticket

Florida residents can get 2 days free when they buy a 1-day 2-Park Park-to-Park ticket. Add a day at Universal Volcano Bay for only $28 more. This ticket is not available at the front gate; it must be bought online. Use by 6/26/24. Ticket prices vary by day. Blockout dates and restrictions apply.

Florida Residents: Save 40% on Rooms at Select Universal Orlando Hotels

Florida residents can save 40% on rooms at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel only for travel Sun – Thur. 2/15 – 3/21/24, 4/7 – 5/23/24 and 5/27 – 5/30/24. Savings are based on the non-discounted double occupancy price for the same room before tax. Limited availability and subject to capacity and change without notice. A valid Florida ID is required at check-in. Separate theme park admission is required for theme park entry.

Florida Residents: Create Your Own Vacation Package

Florida residents can select the hotel of their choice, customize their theme park admission, and add vacation enhancements to enjoy Universal Orlando Resort the way they want to. Must be purchased by April 17, 2024 for travel before December 31, 2024.

Universal Wizarding World of Harry Potter

There are many options for planning an amazing Universal trip this year. In addition to these offers, several standard packages are available year-round, such as the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Exclusive Vacation Package. Visit the Universal Special Offers page and Universal Packages page for more details.

We love the Universal Parks! If you’re a fellow Harry Potter fan, these parks are definitely a must-do. Please contact me if you want to chat more about planning a Universal trip.

AdventuresByAnne.com

©Universal Studios

Universal Butterbeer™ Season

Butterbeer

Happy Butterbeer™ Season!  Universal Studios just announced a new “Butterbeer™ Season” in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter starting today!

Update 5/1/2024: Butterbeer™ Season has been extended until June 2, 2024.

From March 15 – April 30, 2024, you can enjoy new delicious Butterbeer™ flavored snacks at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Do you like your Butterbeer™ cold, frozen, or hot? This very popular non-alcoholic drink from Harry Potter lore is available in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands in the Universal Parks. The flavor is most similar to butterscotch and cream soda but delicious and unique in its own way. In addition to the iconic drinks, Butterbeer™ flavor is currently available in Butterbeer™ fudge, potted cream, and ice cream forms. You can also enjoy a fresh mug of cold or frozen Butterbeer™ in a souvenir stein.

During Butterbeer™ Season, new items will include Butterbeer™ flavored popsicles, Butterbeer™ caramels (Orlando only), and other yet-to-be-announced treats.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, a new Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream counter will open inside Honeydukes on Friday, March 29th. It will feature 10 ice cream flavors, including Butterbeer™, of course.

Have you had Butterbeer™ before? What’s your favorite? I like the hot, no, the frozen. Actually, I like them all, it’s hard to decide. Time to plan a Universal trip!

Are you excited to see what other Butterbeer™ snacks they come out with? Contact me if you want to chat about a Universal trip.

Cheers to Butterbeer™!

AdventuresByAnne.com

Butterbeer treats

Pics © Universal Studios

Disney Cruise Line Summer 2025 Itineraries Announced

Disney Cruise Line Summer 2025 Itineraries Announced

Disney Cruise Line has announced its sailing itineraries for summer 2025. They include sailings to/from the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, and, for the first time ever, European sailings to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe on board the Disney Fantasy!

The Disney Fantasy will visit Northern Europe to the Mediterranean from May to late July with 5-night to 12-night sailings departing from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Some of the picturesque ports include the Greek Isles; Gothenburg, Sweden; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Santorini, Greece; and Valetta, Malta. From late July to September, the Disney Fantasy will sail from Southampton, United Kingdom, to numerous destinations, including Spain, Norway, and the British Isles. Start the European adventure with a 13-night transatlantic voyage from Port Canaveral to cosmopolitan Barcelona, featuring stops at Disney Castaway Cay, Portugal, and Spain.

The Disney Wonder will again embark on adventures to Alaska from Vancouver, Canada, with five-, seven-, eight- and nine-night sailings from May to September. Soak in Alaska’s natural beauty with exciting port adventures to Alaska’s majestic glaciers and gold mining relics. We went on one of these cruises several years ago, and it exceeded all expectations. It remains one of our all-time favorites!

The Disney Dream will sail from Fort Lauderdale on three-night to five-night sailings to one or both of Disney’s magical island destinations along with Nassau or Cozumel.

The Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will follow its inaugural season with seven-night itineraries from Port Canaveral to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

The Disney Wish and Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral to tropical escapes in The Bahamas and Caribbean, including Disney’s magical island destinations of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. The Wish will sail three-night and four-night sailings to Nassau and the beloved beaches of Disney Castaway Cay. The Magic will sail mostly four-night and five-night sailings and one special 10-night southern Caribbean sailing in July that will take families to both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations along with Antigua, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

Booking Information

Bookings begin on different days next week, starting Monday, March 18, 2024, for different levels of Castaway Cay members and other Disney affinity groups. General members (those who have never sailed on a Disney cruise) can book on Friday, March 22, 2024.

  • March 18 – Pearl Castaway Club
  • March 19 – Platinum Castaway Club, Club 33, & Golden Oak Club
  • March 20 – Gold Castaway Club
  • March 21 – Silver Castaway Club, Disney Vacation Club, & Adventure Insiders
  • March 22 – General Public

Costs are generally the lowest when you book during this initial release, and some of the more popular itineraries can sell out quickly. Expect long waits on the phone with DCL. If you don’t need to apply a placeholder or credit to your new booking, it’s definitely going to be faster to book on the DCL website starting at 8 a.m. ET or have a travel agent do it for you.

For more details, visit the Disney Cruise Line Summer 2025 Itineraries page:

We love Disney cruises and have been on all the current ships, so let me know if you want to chat about them. If you want me to help with your bookings, please contact me ASAP.

AdventuresByAnne.com

Pic ©Disney Cruise Line

New Disney World Offers

Disney World Offers

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has announced new tickets offers for Spring and Summer 2024!

4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket

The 4-Park Magic Ticket includes one admission to each of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios – for a total of 4 admissions, on 4 separate days.

Limit one admission per theme park, one theme park per day. This ticket does not require a theme park reservation to enter a park.

The ticket is valid for start dates from April 2 through September 22, 2024. Ticket must be used within 7 days of selected start date.

Tickets start from $99 per day, plus tax (total price starting from $396 plus tax).

3-Day, 3-Park Ticket

The 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket is valid for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom parks only. Not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom park.

Limit one admission per theme park, one theme park per day – for a total of 3 admissions, on 3 separate days. This ticket does not require a theme park reservation to enter a park.

The ticket is valid for start dates from April 2 through September 24, 2024. Ticket must be used within 5 days of selected start date.

Tickets start from $89 per day, plus tax (total price starting from $267 plus tax).

Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket

Florida residents can purchase a 4-Day Discover Disney Ticket for $235 per ticket or a 3-day ticket for $219 per ticket, plus tax. Tickets are valid for admission to one theme park per day. Add-ons are available.

Tickets are valid from April 2, 2024 through September 28, 2024, with an advance park reservation, subject to availability, and can be used on consecutive or nonconsecutive days.

For Florida Resident tickets, all adults will need to show proof of Florida residency at the park entrance.

Disney Resort Offers

There’s currently an offer to save between 10% – 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels when you stay most nights from March 25 to July 7, 2024.

Please contact me if you want to chat about planning your next Disney trip.

AdventuresByAnne.com

Pic ©Disney

2024 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms

The famous Washington DC cherry blossoms are about to start blooming! This years peak bloom is projected to be around March 23, 2024, which happens to coincide with the opening ceremony of the National Cherry Blossom Festival! These beautiful trees around the Tidal Basin area are an iconic symbol of spring.

This year, the National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 20 – April 14, 2024. There will be performances, foods, and activities for all ages, culminating with the Cherry Blossom Parade on April 13th. Another key event is Petalpalooza on April 6th, a family friendly day of performances and activities capped off with fireworks over the Capital Riverfront.

  • Opening Ceremony: Saturday, March 23, 2024
  • Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival: Sunday, March 24, 2024
  • Kite Festival: Sunday, March 30, 2024
  • PetalPalooza: Saturday, April 6, 2024
  • Parade: Saturday, April 13, 2024

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.

We’ve been to DC area and the Smithsonian museums many times. We love it there. If you go during this festival, definitely pack your patience because it will be extremely crowded, but the blooms will be worth it!

Of course, there are many other places with great cherry blossom celebrations too. Here are just a few ideas, but you can simply search for cherry blossoms near your city to find more.

If you would like to chat about planning a trip to Washington DC or any other city for the festival or in general, please contact me.

AdventuresByAnne.com

2024 Disneyland Food & Wine Festival Starts Today

Disneyland Food n Wine Festival

The California Adventure Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland’s California Adventure Park is starting today, March 1, 2024, and will go through April 22, 2024. This will be a celebration of California’s incredible bounty with vibrant cuisine, entertainment and more.

Festival foods

There will be outdoor food and drink kiosks, cooking demonstrations, and beverage seminars. Purchase delicious small plates and beverages inspired by fresh, California-grown ingredients, a variety of artisanal cheeses, and locally brewed craft beers and wines from all across the Golden State.

Festival foods

Visit the Festival Marketplace page to see the menus of the food kiosks. You may also purchase a Sip & Savor pass for some savings on the food purchases. To save time, you may pay for all of the food items that you’ll want from any of the other booths from any booth. Then, you just take the receipt to those other booths and pick them up from the Pickup line rather than having to line up in the Order line for each booth separately.

Festival foods

There will also be live entertainment, activities for the little ones, and of course, plenty of merchandise. Be sure to check the Disneyland app for entertainment schedules.

Food n Wine Festival

During this festival, the Soarin’ ride will have a limited time return to Soarin’ Over California! Be sure to catch that!

Soarin

For details on this festival, view this Food & Wine Festival page:

Valid Disney California Adventure Park ticket or Magic Key pass and park reservation required.

Please contact me if you want to chat about your Disneyland trip.

AdventuresByAnne.com

Pics ©Disney

Free Water Park Perk for Disney World Resort Guests

2025 WDW Bookings open today with free water park perk.

Starting today, February 27, 2024, Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms and theme park tickets for dates from January to October 2025 will be available to book.

New for 2025, guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel can enjoy free admission to one of the water parks, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, on their check-in day – included with your stay!

In addition, Disney Resort guests will enjoy free transportation between resorts and parks, early access to book Individual lightning Lane passes, early entry to the parks, extended evening hours in the parks for deluxe resort guests, early access to book dining reservations, discounted MagicBand+ purchases, and more.

You can book a full package, which includes room and park tickets, or just a room-only reservation, if you already have tickets via other means such as annual passes or military tickets. If you book a package, you have the option of adding a dining plan to it as well.

The deposit on packages is $200 and you pay the balance before 30 days prior to your check-in day. If you book a room only, your deposit is the cost of the room for the first day and you pay the balance when you check in.

Please note one change to the cancellation policy: For 2025 arrivals, room-only reservations can be canceled without penalty until 8 days prior to arrival. This is a change to the current policy of 5 days. This only applies to room only reservations. If you have a package reservation that includes a room and tickets, the cancellation policy is still 30 days prior.

Don’t miss out on the magic—book your Disney World 2025 adventure today!

Please contact me asap if you want to chat more about planning your Disney trip. Some of the more popular resort rooms can sell out quick.

AdventuresByAnne@gmail.com

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2024

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

The 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival at Disney World will be held February 28th – May 27th 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. 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.

Concert series

The Garden Rocks Concert Series also returns to the America Pavilion Theater with a long lineup of artists. View the concert lineup here often, as the performers can change. Some of the more popular performers can fill up fast, so line up early. If you want to guarantee yourself a seat, you can also reserve a dining package, which will get you a meal during that day and guaranteed entry to the concert show of your choice.

There will also be scavenger hunts, cooking demonstrations, a butterfly house, themed garden areas around the World Showcase countries, 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. 

Please contact me if I can help you plan your Disney trip.

Orange Bird bag

Pics ©Disney

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite is back with galactic entertainment, novel themed snacks and unique photo opportunities on eight separate nights at Disneyland park in California!

This separately ticketed event will be held on April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and May 2, 7 and 9, 2024. Tickets cost $159 to $169.

Each Star Wars Nite will begin with a pre-party mix-in at Disneyland park from 6pm to 9pm PT before the party officially begins from 9pm to 1am PT.

Guests in Star Wars-themed costumes* are invited to participate in The Fleet of Fandom cavalcade, where they will join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in a march down Main Street, U.S.A., culminating in a group photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, illuminated with galactic projections.

Guests can bring their lightsaber and learn how to handle it with skill, concentration, and a clear mind with a quick stop at the Star Wars Nite Lightsaber Instructional at “it’s a small world” mall. Here, guests will be introduced to all-new maneuvers specially crafted for this year’s recruits. All members of the Light Side and/or Dark Side are welcome.

Guests can bring their lightsabers and gather at the Millennium Falcon for a Resistance Show of Unity!

Dance along at the Galactic Dance Party with a Master DJ on Main Street, U.S.A.

Dine on over twenty new, yummy treats available only during Star Wars Nites.

Encounter Captain Phasma and her elite unit of Stormtroopers in a March of the First Order.

Partake in multiple Star Wars-themed photo opportunities, featuring some new places and faces from across the Star Wars universe.

Admission also includes souvenir keepsakes such as a Star Wars Nite credential and event guide map, plus unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken throughout the event.**

In addition to all the themed fun that comes to life just for the party, guests will have the opportunity to ride some popular attractions after regular park hours (often with less wait times).

Star Wars Nite

Tickets On Sale Soon

Tickets can be purchased on Disneyland.com.

Inspire Magic Key annual pass holders will have the first opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets for Star Wars Nite on Tuesday Feb 20, 2024 (no earlier than 9am PT).

On Wednesday Feb 21st and Thursday Feb 22nd, all Magic Key holders will have the opportunity to purchase.

On Friday Feb 23rd (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public.

Tickets are limited and subject to availability.***

For the first time, if guests are waiting in the online queue to purchase Star Wars Nite tickets, they may have the option to be digitally notified when it’s their time to enter the ticket store.

To participate, once in the queue, guests can choose the “notify me” option and enter their email address. They will receive an email letting them know it’s their turn to return to the waiting room in order to enter the ticket store site. From the time their turn begins, they will have ten minutes to use the link to return to the site.****

Star Wars Nite

These events are very popular and will likely sell out very fast. If you want to purchase tickets, be online before 9am PT and be prepared to wait upwards of several hours possibly.

If you want to chat about this event or planning your Disney trip in general, please feel free to contact me.

AdventuresByAnne.com

Star Wars Nite

*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® digital photo downloads exclude separately priced Disney PhotoPass® packages and products offered at select locations. Disney PhotoPass® service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass® Terms and Conditions and expiration policy found at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required.

***The number of tickets available for each event date are limited, and event tickets are valid only for the specific event date and hours. Only select attractions, experiences, offerings, and services will be available during the event. Offer, event, and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice or liability.

****Guests will have 10 minutes to use the link to return to the site from when their turn begins, or they will lose their place in line and will need to re-join the queue at the back of the line. The link will no longer be valid once their turn has ended or After they have used the link to return to the site, whether they purchase tickets or not.  If this happens, guests will need to re-join the queue at the back of the line. Guests should check spam and/or junk folders to ensure the initial email confirmation is sent.

©Disney