Category: Florida

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

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

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Soon

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Happy Mardi Gras!

Disney just announced that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is opening this summer in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California!

They also shared a sneak peek of one of dozens of new audio-animatronic figures. Guests can look forward to seeing Tiana in her adventure outfit, as well as familiar faces and new friends that will fill up the bayou.

Tiana animatronic

This new ride is a re-theme of the previous Splash Mountain ride. Are you excited?

Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about planning a Disney trip.

AdventuresByAnne.com

©Disney

Ending Soon: Disney World Free Dining Plan Offer

Free Dining Plan

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.

Pop Century Resort

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

Epic Universe Overview

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.


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.

How to Train Your Dragon

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.

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.

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.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel

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.

Universal Epic Universe

© Universal Studios

Mardi Gras 2024 at Universal

Universal Mardi Gras

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.

Mardi Gras Concert

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!

Beignets

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.

Mardi Gras parade

Pics © Universal Studios

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

Park Calendar

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.

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.