Tag: Cities

Hurricane Milton Closures

Storm Closures

As of Monday, October 7, 2024, Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 and is projected to make a direct hit across Tampa, Orlando, and most of Florida later this week.

Evacuation orders have already been given to several areas near Tampa. Orlando and Tampa airports have announced closures. Some attractions have announced closures and changes to cancellation policies. Of course, more changes will likely be made as it gets closer. Check with your specific transportation, lodging, cruise, and attraction source.

For the latest information on the following locations, please visit these sites:

If you have a trip to Florida planned through the upcoming weekend, it will most likely be affected. Please modify your travel plans or check for changes if you still have to travel. Work with your travel sources or your travel agent.

Of course, it is more important for everyone to stay safe. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for everyone in the path of the storm. Be careful!

Hurricane Helene Closures

Storm Closures

Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Helene in Florida on Thursday, September 26, 2024, some attractions have announced several closures already. Of course, more changes may be made as it gets closer.

Update Thursday September 26, 2024

Tampa International Airport suspended all commercial and cargo operations beginning at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene, with the Airport remaining closed to the public until it can assess any damage after the storm. 

Walt Disney World has announced the following changes for Sept 26th:

  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is cancelled. Guest tickets will be refunded.
  • The Magic Kingdom Park will close at 8pm. The other parks will operate within their usual hours as of now.
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be closed.
  • Miniature golf courses will be closed.

For the latest information, check the Disney Weather Updates page.

Disney has stated that they are “closely monitoring the path of the storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.”

Universal Orlando has announced the following closures for Sept 26th:

  • Volcano Bay will be closed.
  • Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled.
  • Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure will close at their regularly scheduled times – with Universal Studios closing at 5 p.m. and Islands of Adventure closing at 8 p.m.
  • Universal CityWalk will close early at 8 p.m.
  • Our hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.

If you have a Halloween Horror Nights single night dated ticket or Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass for Thursday, Sept. 26 it will be automatically honored for a single night use through Sunday, Sept. 29.

For the latest information, check the Universal Orlando Weather Updates page.

The SeaWorld family of parks has announced the following changes for Sept 26th:

  • SeaWorld Orlando will close at 2pm.
  • Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed.
  • Adventure Island will be closed.
  • Aquatica Orlando will be closed.
    All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through September 30, 2024 and requires no action to be taken.
  • Discovery Cove will be closed.

For the latest information, check the SeaWorld Orlando Weather Updates page.

Orlando International Airport is currently operating as usual, but check your airlines’ flight status for flight changes from the airlines.

For the latest information, check the MCO site and your airline’s site.

If you have an upcoming cruise, check with your specific cruise line’s site for any changes to your cruise.

Port Canaveral has made the following statement:

Because of the effects of Hurricane Helene, we are anticipating cruise vessels scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 27 will be delayed. These delays will likely impact guest embarkation times for outbound sailings. All cruise guests planning to sail from Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 27 or Saturday, Sept. 28 are advised to contact their cruise lines to confirm their embarkation and ship’s departure time.

If you have a trip planned through the upcoming weekend, some components of your trip may be affected. Please check for changes before traveling and work with the vendors or your travel agent. Of course, it is more important for everyone to stay safe. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for everyone in the path of the storm. Be careful!

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

Last Minute Gift

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate it! Do you still need a last-minute gift?

Book a trip!

You can still very quickly book a future weekend getaway, a cruise, or an even longer trip today. Just do an initial booking and plan the rest together. That’s part of the fun!

Most hotel bookings don’t even need a booking payment and resorts or cruises usually only need a 20% deposit. There are plenty of deals out there right now for Disney, Universal, cruises, and many other locations. If you book far out enough, that can give you plenty of time to save up the balance and plan the rest of the trip itinerary later.

Just make sure to book something where your reservation and deposit are cancellable and refundable just in case you end up deciding to change plans. Be sure to read the fine print and know the policies.

If you want me to help you plan and book your trip, contact me anytime. For some ideas of possible trips, check out my Instagram and website.

AdventuresByAnne.com

AdventuresByAnne@gmail.com

We’re in California!

Lake Tahoe beach

We finally crossed into California on our 2023 Cross Country Road Trip Recap!

Catch up on the first leg of this mega loop around the United States that we took in September. In the first 10 days. we made it from the East Coast to the West Coast. We explored 3 national parks (Mammoth Cave, Hot Springs, and Great Basin), met some aliens at Roswell, and saw some amazingly gorgeous landscapes.

After a few days in California, we’ll be heading up the Pacific Coast to the national parks in Oregon and Washington, then head back east via some states that we haven’t been to before and more national parks. Very excited to check some more parks and states off our bucket list! Follow along!

Long road

Road Trip Prep

Road trip

Since we are doing a much longer than usual 3-week road trip this year, much more planning and prepping is involved. I’ve compiled a list of planning steps and tips to hopefully help you too. Check out how I planned our itinerary, plus packing and other prepping info.

Feel free to contact me if you want me to help you plan your trips too.

Let’s go!

Fall 2023 Leaf Peeping Trip – Part 3

Poconos lake

In today’s post, we cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania and go searching for waterfalls and lakes amidst the Fall leaves.

If you’re on Instagram, Follow my channel @adventures_by_anne to see all the pics.

This is the last of our leaf peeping trips, but next, we’ll start on a 3-week cross-country road trip! Follow along!

Dingsmans Falls

Fall 2023 Leaf Peeping Trip – Part 2

Catskill Mountains

In today’s post, we drive through southeast New York and northern New Jersey, finding more Fall colors and walking in the steps of George Washington!

If you’re on Instagram, Follow my channel @adventures_by_anne to see all the pics.

Come back tomorrow as we cross the Delaware like George Washington and drive through the Poconos region in Pennsylvania for more scenic views.

Time For More Road Trips

Road trip

Phew, there’s been so much trip news lately! But now, it’s time to get back to more road trips!

We’ll be doing another cross-country road trip, a giant 3-week loop across the USA, visiting many National Parks and other exciting sites! Follow along!

Subscribe to my site to get my trip posts and emails.

adventuresbyanne.com

If you’re on Instagram, Follow my channel there to see all the pics.

https://instagram.com/adventures_by_anne

@adventures_by_anne

Instagram

Bring the road trip snacks!