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Home for the Holidays: Seven Takeaways from Our Visit to Walt Disney World

12/10/2020

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The Whimsical Wishes team just returned from a holiday trip to our favorite place on Earth: Walt Disney World! 

This was our first time back together since we launched the agency. It was long overdue and we had so much fun.

The holidays is one of our favorite times to visit Walt Disney World! The magic is alive all around you - in the parks, at the hotels - no detail is missed.

Every trip, we dedicate time to researching new things so we wrote a list of our key trip takeaways to not only share our personal experience with you, but show that the magic is alive and well in Walt Disney World for all to enjoy.

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#1. Unique Opportunities to See Characters

This is one of our favorite pictures from our trip! We were talking towards Adventureland when we stumbled across Eeyore and Rabbit on the porch of Crystal Palace.

​We loved seeing characters pop up all around the parks like this! Whenever the music played, we knew we were in for a treat. Characters made their way around the parks on decorated boats, tricked out cars and holiday themed floats.

We really enjoyed the characters waving from the Main Street USA Railroad platform; we loved being able to spontaneously walk up and chat or selfie with our friends from a distance.

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#2. The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Our first taste of the Festival was from one of our favorite booths, Las Posadas, in Mexico. We loved sharing this tostada and these holiday flavored margaritas. We could have spent a whole week tasting our way around the Festival!

We played along with Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition as we traveled around the World Showcase. Kiddos would love finding him in his sleigh in each pavilion, probably as much as we did!

The highlight was the Voices of Liberty; we were missing Candlelight Processional this year but this brought us a beautiful touch of one of our favorite live performances. We can't wait to see what live performances return in the New Year.

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#3. Experiencing our Favorite Ride Queues
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We're all used to FastPass+ helping us skip to the front of the line but while this service is suspended, it was nice to take in the magical details of our favorite ride queues. The queue from Peter Pan's Flight takes you into the Darling home to play with Tinkerbell before you board the attraction. While the lines appear long because of physical distancing measures, we found they moved at a great pace and we were never bored or wishing for something to see.

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#4. New Dining Experiences

It had been a long since we'd experienced dinner at Hollywood & Vine in Disney's Hollywood Studios. We were excited to try Minnie's Holiday Dine with the new a la carté menu.

We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed every element of the experience. The character interaction was a lot of fun; the characters were dressed in their holiday best as they danced around our table. All of the food was great, too!

While not all of our go-to restaurants are open, it was a treat to have some new experiences this trip including Rose & Crown, Trattoria al Forno and the new prix-fix lunch at Be Our Guest.

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#5. Castle Projections and Fireworks

It was nice to see a hint of Minnie's Holiday Christmastime spectacular this holiday season. The details and the movements within the projections were captivating and festive. 

We were treated to a burst of fireworks every time the castle projections changed; it was amazing to see the sky light up over Cinderella's Castle again.

We spent the better part of our evening soaking in the magic and we can't wait until we're watching fireworks show on Main Street again.

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#6. The Magic of Magic Shots

We will never stop singing the praises of Memory Maker and PhotoPass photographers. It's always nice to get pictures of the three of us together but the Magic Shots this trip were extra special. This is our favorite Magic Shot from this trip; the photographer who took these photos could not have been sweeter. Always ask your Photopass photographers if they have any Magic Shots they can take for you and your family.

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#7. Enjoying the Small Moments

We always encourage our clients to slow down and take the time to soak in the magic. We are guilty of not always doing that for ourselves but after being apart for the last 9 months, we made a point to relax, enjoy each other and appreciate the every minute. We spent time hanging out on the curb in Hollywood Studios; we drank our coffee and enjoyed a holiday treat while multiple character cavalcades passed us by. We sought out new photo ops (#prettyinpinkwall) and sampled colorful milks on Batuu (#teamblue). Even though it was chilly, we paid a visit to Stormalong Bay and enjoyed a drink by the pool. We enjoyed every second on Main Street, whether we were photographing characters or buying gifts for our families at the Emporium and Confectionary. 

More than ever before, we were so grateful for the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World together. We were also reminded how lucky we are to have job and that allows us to be a part of something so special for our clients. We know our families are ready for their next vacation, and we're excited to be a part of whatever vacation your family has been wishing for.
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Top Ten Tips for Traveling to Walt Disney World in 2020

9/15/2020

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We just returned from Walt Disney World and are so excited to share what we experienced on our amazing trip! This is the first of a series of blog posts we'll share with you to help paint the picture of what you can expect on a Walt Disney World vacation and to help you make the most of it!

We are frequently asked what it is like to travel during this time. Our clients rely on us to be experts and we work tirelessly to elevate our knowledge for you. As your travel advisor, a very important part of our job is to stay current on new travel policies and procedures. Walt Disney World has been open for some time now, and they have been very successful in maintaining a safe environment for their resort guests. Kristen and Kayla just traveled to Walt Disney World and experienced this first hand. They saw and followed the protocols that are in place to help guests have a fun, clean and safe trip to the parks.
#1: Wear your mask

Face coverings must be worn by all guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. You’re responsible for bringing your own face covering but Disney does sell them throughout the parks and resorts. All face coverings must be made with at least two layers of material, fully cover the nose and mouth, secure under the chin, fit snugly against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear-loops. Neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and face coverings with valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not considered acceptable face coverings. You may only remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking in a stationary position (i.e., standing at a table, sitting on a bench, etc.).
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#2: Wash your hands

You probably know by now, washing your hands for 20 seconds is key to reducing the spread. There are portable hand-washing stations throughout the parks that make washing your hands easier to do than ever. Disney has installed hundreds of hand sanitizing stations throughout the parks as well. 
We kept Purell wipes and hand sanitizer in our park bags so we could grab them whenever we wanted them. We brought a bottle of antibacterial hand soap for our hotel room, too.

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3: Keep your (physical) distance

You are reminded often to keep 6 feet between yourself and others. Disney has installed ground markers and physical barriers to make it easy. Ride queues, restaurant dining rooms and shops throughout the parks are clearly labeled so you can maintain a safe physical distance from other guests. Thankfully, this doesn’t impede social interactions! We love chatting with guests and Cast Members; thankfully, we were still able to do plenty of that while keeping our physical distance from them.

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#4: Plan your day in the park

While you’re waiting to enter the park, chat with everyone in your party about what they’d like to see and do today. You don’t need to have a step-by-step plan, but you should decide what your priorities are. Monitor the attraction wait times on your My Disney Experience app throughout the day to help you decide where to head next.

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#5: Be patient.

While crowds may be lower than usual, it’s important to remember that the park isn’t operating at full capacity. More time is being dedicated to cleaning and maintaining attractions, restaurants and common areas throughout the day. You may wait a little longer for a ride than the posted wait time, or your food may take a little longer to prepare than usual. Be patient and be kind. Rest assured everyone is doing their best to make magic for you.

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#6: Get up early

The parks are open limited hours this fall and no big changes are expected heading into the winter months. To make the most of your day, get up early and be one of the first in line to head to the parks. Most modes of transportation start running about an hour before the park opens, and we recommend arriving at the bus, Skyliner, boat or monorail station at that time.
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#7: Stay close to the parks

There are certain resorts that are more convenient than others in the current climate. We recommend staying close to the park you plan to visit the most. If you’re going to spend more than one day at Magic Kingdom, staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are the most convenient as you can walk across the street and into the park. If you’re going to frequent Epcot or Hollywood Studios, you’ll appreciate the ease of accessing these parks from Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Yacht Club or Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas. If you’re hoping for a more economical option, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort offers easy access to Disney’s Skyliner which will get you quickly to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
If you want to try something new, consider Disney’s Riviera Resort. We had a chance to explore this resort for the first time on our most recent trip and it is beautiful! The 1- and 2-bedroom villas are great for families, the dining options are plentiful and the pools are beautiful. You can also easily access Disney’s Skyliner for a quick ride to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios.

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#8: Make Park Pass reservations

You must reserve theme park admission in advance. Both a Park Pass reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date will be required for entry. You can only visit one park per day. You can make your Park Pass reservations as soon as you purchase theme park admission (currently through September 26, 2021) and we recommend doing so.
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#9: Partner with your travel advisor

Things are changing every day, it’s more important than ever to work with someone who can advise you on how to have the best vacation. We are here to walk you through every step, from choosing which parks to visit on which days to what to pack in your park bag. You have to take an active role in planning and enjoying your vacation, let us be your partners through it all.

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#10: Embrace the magic

We didn’t have to try very hard to find the magic we know and love at Walt Disney World. As Fastpass+ junkies, we were thrilled to experience some ride queues that we normally wouldn’t pass through, like Peter Pan’s Flight and Flight of Passage. Interacting with characters may not be the same as it was, but there are actually opportunities to chat, selfie or wave at characters like never before. Per usual, Cast Members are the key to feeling the magic at Walt Disney World. You can see the smiles in their eyes and hear it in their voices; they are so excited to be back and making magic for Guests. We had the chance to chat with many Cast Members acting in many different roles and they made us feel right at home; they were our favorite part of going back to Walt Disney World.

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Melissa's European Adventures: At Sea & Capri

8/24/2020

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Thank you for following our new blog series, Melissa's European Adventures! While cruises and much travel have been put on hold, it brings me joy to share our experiences and adventures with you. If you missed the first post in this series sharing the start of our Mediterranean Disney Cruise vacation in Barcelona, check it out!
Barcelona has captured our hearts! We will be back and hope to be able to experience much more of Spain. It was time to say "adios, hasta la proxima" and embark on the Disney Magic for a 7-night Mediterranean sailing! After having sailed on the Magic out of Port Canaveral, FL, it was so surreal to see the ship all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. What a beautiful sight, it felt like a piece of "home" was brought to us. In the cruise terminal, prior to boarding the ship, we got to say hi and give hugs to the always stylish and sweet, Minnie Mouse!
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Once we exited the gangway, we entered the ship and were greeted by one of our fav things to hear that always brings HUGE smiles to our faces, "Disney Magic, please welcome aboard the Ritrivi Family!". When you hear that saying with your family name, surrounded by crew members clapping as you enter the atrium, you know you are about to embark on one of the most fantastic vacations, ever!
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Once onboard, there were so many things we couldn't wait for- lunch at Lumiere's, to check out our room, to explore the Oceaneers Club & Lab with the children, and of course, the Sail Away Party! After enjoying a delicious lunch at Lumiere's, featuring gumbo, empanadas, smoked salmon, chicken Caesar salad, beef sirloin, and of course the Welcome Aboard ice cream sundae, our room was ready. We had a lovely oceanview stateroom with a large porthole window. The room had plenty of room for us to rest, relax, and store our things. The split bathroom is key! It makes getting ready so much easier. Such a valuable feature of many rooms on Disney's ships. My children loved sitting at the porthole watching the sights and the sea (and some of their toys and stuffed animals made themselves home on the porthole ledge). While our luggage was being delivered in the afternoon, we went to walk around. First up, the children's only areas, the Oceaneers Club & Lab! On the day of embarkation, these areas have an Open House, so that parents and children can explore the areas together. So many fun areas for the children to enjoy, including Marvel Super Hero Academy, Pixie Hollow, Andy's Room, the Disney Junior room, craft area, art studio, and other areas for games, science experiments and group activities.
After the all important safety drill, it was time for the much anticipated Sail Away Party! With my traditional embarkation day Miami Vice in hand and my children onto their first of many ice cream cones, we were cheering and jumping with excitement! Mickey, Minnie and our fav Disney pals danced away and counted down as we officially set sail! With a blast of the ship's horn, we were off! And in true Disney fashion, it's no ordinary horn, it blasts to the tune of When You Wish Upon a Star (and features other Disney tunes)! There's nothing like that exhilarating feeling that you are officially off on your cruise adventure! A quick change into bathing suits and it was pool time! But, our day didn't end there! We saw the first of a few wonderful, Broadway caliber shows in the Walt Disney theater. Then it was time for our first dinner onboard. We opted to reserve the second dinner seating for our sailing. My family prefers the second seating because we are used to eating later, but mostly because it gives us more time for fun in the afternoon (and to get hungry since it feels like we are eating all day long, LOL). Especially in Europe, we knew we wanted to spend as much time in each port of call as possible. This was the first time we met our server, Alex. We were immediately impressed by his professionalism, expertise and courtesy. With Disney Cruise Line, your servers stay with you throughout your dining rotation in the various main dining rooms, which is so very nice- they get to know your family, your dietary needs and preferences. We've now had the pleasure of being seated with Alex on 5 Disney Cruises! You really do form a bond with some crew members and they can grow to feel like family. We miss him so much and hope to be reunited again.
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The next day was a gorgeous day at sea as we sailed towards Italy. We started our day with a character breakfast featuring Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. After some family time together in the morning meeting more characters, the kids were excited to go play in the Oceaneers Club & Lab, so we checked them in and took advantage of the time to sit by the adult only pool at the Cove, and enjoyed a bellini and Bloody Mary. We picked the children back up at lunchtime and spent the afternoon swimming, splashing, sliding, and relaxing on the pool deck.

​In the evening, we took in a great show called, Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story. In between the show and dinner, the children wanted more time in the club, and then again after dinner. They absolutely love it! Dinner this evening was at Animator's Palate. I don't want to spoil any surprises, but this dining room is full of magic! Off to bed to rest up for our first port of call, Naples, Italy!
We woke up and were in Italy! Ciao Italia! Docking in Naples offers a range of Port Adventures that can take you to a variety of locations, whether you are looking to take in some history or beautiful scenery. We had dreamt of visiting Capri, so we opted to spend the day there. We took a jet-boat ride to Capri, then boarded a shuttle to Anacapri. Our Port Adventure guide was so welcoming and informative. First, we had free time to explore the breathtaking views of the city and marina. We loved exploring the narrow streets and pathways to discover gardens, charming homes, and lovely scenery. Capri is the home of Limoncello- we enjoyed a few samples and as a result, our first souvenir from the cruise was purchased! My daughter was intrigued by the various sandal-makers located on the island. The Capri sandals date back to ancient times. This mom can't say no to a new pair of beautiful sandals! We found a small sandal shop on a side street and were greeted by the very talented sandal-maker himself. We chose the style, the color leather, he took our measurements and a short time later, we both walked out with a truly memorable souvenir- matching, custom Capri sandals, handmade before our very eyes. We then took a short bus ride down to Capri with our group for a truly delicious Italian, al fresco lunch, filled with antipasti, pasta, and meat.. After lunch, our guide took us on a walk through Piazza Umberto, through the "Rodeo Drive" of Capri, then up to the Gardens of Augustus for an absolutely breathtaking view of the Faraglioni rock formations and the Mediterranean. I could have stood there for hours, taking in the view. On our walk back to the funicular, we couldn't pass up stopping for gelato at the historic Gelateria Buonocore. The smell of their fresh made waffle cones that permeated the air was irresistible!
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​Our time in Capri was coming to an end, so we took the funicular down to the marina for the jet-boat ride back to the ship. The girls soaked in every last bit of Capri with the wind in our hair and beautiful views from the ride, while the boys took a nap to rest up for an evening of fun onboard. Our first stop in Italy was full of beauty around every single turn. We left Capri already dreaming of the day we'd return. That day was supposed to be in June of this year. My family had a vacation planned to Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast for this summer. We were so looking forward to revisiting some of our fav sites, plus new adventures like going to the stunning Blue Grotto and visiting Pompeii for a fascinating history lesson, plus just soaking in the views from the cliffs of Sorrento. I hope we can reschedule this extra special vacation for another time.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next stop in our European Adventure, Florence!
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Cruising into Fall 2021 with Disney Cruise Line

7/28/2020

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Disney Cruise Line released their Fall 2021 itineraries last week! We love to see where they're going and when; we especially love the Fall itinerary announcement because it includes all the dates for the Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises! There's no better way to celebrate these holidays than onboard.
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Booking a Disney Cruise is a bit different from booking a traditional cruise. Itineraries become available to book this week based on your Castaway Club status with Disney Cruise Line:
  • Platinum Castaway Club Members can book as of yesterday, July 27
  • Gold Castaway Club Members can book as of today, July 28
  • Silver Castaway Club Members, Disney Vacation Club Members & Adventures by Disney Adventure Insiders can book starting tomorrow, July 29
  • First time Cruisers can book starting Thursday, July 30

Disney Cruise Line prices increase as the ship fills so historically you can lock in the lowest price on opening day. Of course, their deposit policy is flexible. The deposit is 20% of the total cruise fare, and the deposit is entirely refundable up until final payment is due.

In fall 2021, Disney Cruise Line will return to favorite destinations on a variety of itineraries, including sailings to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda and Canada. Here are a few itineraries that caught our eye:


*Celebrate New Year's onboard the Disney Fantasy, sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary on December 26, 2021

*Looking to experience a Disney Cruise for the first time? We recommend the 4-night Bahamian itineraries on the Disney Dream, sailing four times per month

*Castaway Cay fans, rejoice! A 5-night Bahamian itinerary with TWO stops at Castaway Cay sails on November 6, 2021 on the Disney Fantasy

*Northeast friends, the Disney Magic will be sailing from New York again in September 2021! There are a handful of 5-night Bermuda sailings and only one 6-night Canadian sailing on October 24, 2021.

*If you really love your sea days, the Disney Magic sails an 11-night Westbound Transatlantic itinerary from Dover, England on September 18, 2021 with two stops in Spain and one in Bermuda.

There are dozens more itineraries, we'd be happy to chat with you about all of them! Don't forget, most sailings in September and October feature a Halloween on the High Seas celebration while most sailings in November and December feature a Merrytime celebration. It's a fun way to celebrate Halloween and the holiday season with Mickey, Minnie and the entire Disney Cruise Line family.

Click here to get started planning your next Disney Cruise Line vacation!
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Melissa's European Adventures: Barcelona

6/30/2020

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While we are all yearning to travel again, I’d like to share one of my family’s most memorable vacations to locations we can’t wait to return to someday! ​
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​​Myself being of Spanish heritage and my husband of Italian descent, we’d always dreamed of going to Spain and Italy with our children. One day, during one of my many “what if we went there” vacation planning exercises, I found the perfect Disney Cruise Line itinerary that would take us there. Thank goodness, my husband went along with the idea! I booked it, researched, and our dream trip became a reality! We felt this was the perfect way to bring our children to Europe (ages 8 and 6 at the time). A cruise would provide us with the ideal way to experience multiple cities and countries that would otherwise be incredibly difficult to do on our own via planes, trains, and automobiles. ​Plus, the cruise would provide us with a consistent “home” to go back to each evening and to stay overnight throughout our journey. To top things off, it was a Disney Cruise! 
​As we started planning, we decided to spend a couple of days in Barcelona pre-cruise, as it would give us time to explore the top sites in the city, and allow us time to get adjusted to the time difference before boarding the ship. ​We flew overnight to Barcelona and hit the ground running as soon as we arrived. We started off by checking into our hotel right off Placa de Catalunya and enjoyed breakfast at an outdoor cafe. It felt so surreal at that point! We had no time to waste, so we dove right into sightseeing. We got multi day tickets for a hop-on hop-off bus. Kristen also rode the hop-on, hop-off bus during her time in Barcelona and we both agree that it is such a great and easy way to get around the city. We first rode the bus around a couple of loops without getting off so we could just see and soak in various areas. 
That evening, we visited the Spanish Village, enjoyed another outdoor cafe for a quick bite and took in a spectacular Flamenco show. The cafe gave us just a small taste of the delicious cuisine that was in store on this trip, with traditional patatas bravas, pan con tomate, and the first of numerous glasses of sangria. The show was a feast for the eyes- I never realized how meaningful and moving dance can be. Even my children were captivated by the show! ​
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I had endlessly researched restaurants prior to our trip, however, our first dinner ended up being totally spontaneous, at a location we stumbled upon. We accidentally found Carrer de Blai, also known as “the tapas street of Barcelona”. We were drawn to the pedestrian street, it was so lively and full of small restaurants and bars. Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our first experience with Spanish pinchos- savory appetizers served on a cocktail stick. There was no menu- you just choose from the vast variety of pinchos kept in trays on the bar counter, then at the end, the server counts up your different colored toothpicks to determine your bill. Such a unique and absolutely delicious experience! 

​The next day we took advantage of the hop-on, hop-off bus to take us to many highlights such as Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Camp Nou (home of the Spanish professional football club, FC Barcelona). Of course, we included a snack stop for churros; not just plain churros, but churros stuffed (Yes, I said stuffed) with Nutella and strawberry jam.

​Sagrada Familia and Park Guell opened our eyes to the absolutely incredible and beautiful architecture created by Antoni Gaudi. ​I was amazed by the interest my children had in learning about the history and art; they were drawn to how unique his designs are.  
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We made time for shopping and more indulgences, too. La Boqueria Market is where I fell in love with shishito peppers, manchego cheese, and Cava wine. My children were in awe of all of the various market stands overflowing with bread, cheeses, meat, produce, chocolates… so naturally, they settled on crepes and pizza! Our evening included a stroll through the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter and the popular area of Las Ramblas. Our time in Barcelona was wonderful; I was in awe of the beautiful city and it's friendly, warm people. As sad as I was that our time in Barcelona had come to an end, I was beyond excited for the next part of our journey - a 7-night Mediterranean cruise onboard the Disney Magic!  ​Stay tuned for the next blog post in this series, our first port of call - Naples, Italy.
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What will it look like when Walt Disney World reopens? Here's what we know:

6/8/2020

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health and safety measures:

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Walt Disney World will be implementing new policies and procedures to help promote cleanliness, physical distancing, and reduced contact, including:
  • Face coverings required for all Guests ages 2 and up, as well as for Cast Members.
  • Temperature screenings required upon arrival and some other additional locations.
  • Signage and ground markings installed to help encourage physical distancing.
  • Physical barriers have been added in select places where it is difficult to maintain social distancing, such as cash registers, Guest Relations desk, and more.
  • Cashless payments are encouraged; debit, credit and Disney Gift cards are preferred methods of payment. Guests can also opt for contactless payment options such as mobile wallets and Magic Bands for purchases throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
  • Enhanced cleaning of common and high-traffic areas.
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theme parks and experiences:

Walt Disney World will begin a phased re-opening on July 11, 2020 with Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom theme parks.
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Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios will join them a few days later, on July 15, 2020. Select audiences, including Cast Members, may get previews prior to the scheduled opening. Disney Springs is currently in a phased re-opening, with many retail and dining locations already open.
  • Initially, park attendance will be managed through a new park reservation system. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required. We will be providing our clients with additional information as soon as it is received by Disney.
  • FastPass+ will be suspended for the time being as Disney plans to use additional queue space to manage capacity at our attractions and maintain physical distancing. All existing FastPass+ selections have been cancelled.
  • Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.
  • Some experiences may be modified or unavailable to allow for physical distancing and limited contact. There will be no parades, firework shows, character meet and greets, and offerings like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique until further notice.

resorts:

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On June 22, select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen. If you have a reservation at a Disney Resort hotel that won’t be open during your travel dates or if you have a room and theme park ticket package, your travel advisor will be in touch with you. Resort operations will be modified to accommodate guests in a safe way, including:
Amenities and Services:
  • Bell Services will deliver luggage to rooms, but will not escort Guests
  • Club-level service will be temporarily unavailable
  • Deliveries will only be made to occupied rooms
  • In-room celebrations will not be available
  • Dry-cleaning and valet laundry services will be temporarily unavailable, but self-service laundry will remain available
  • Shipping services will be temporarily unavailable
  • Resort airline check-in service may be temporarily unavailable
  • Package delivery to the front of our theme parks or to Disney Resort hotels will be suspended
  • Shipping merchandise to Guests’ homes continues to be available
  • Guest rooms will be thoroughly cleaned prior to your arrival
  • MouseKeeping services will continue to be provided throughout your stay however service will be provided every other day instead of daily; you can request that service be suspended throughout your stay, however, Walt Disney World reserves the right to perform wellness checks

Pools:
  • Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day
  • All pools will operate with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
  • Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels
  • Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will not be available during the initial reopening period; Guests of this Disney Resort hotel may enjoy the leisure pool at Disney's Beach Club Villas or the Luna Park Pool and leisure pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Fitness Centers & Sports Courts:
  • Fitness centers will open in alignment with state and county regulations, and may have reduced hours
  • Fitness centers may have reduced hours and capacity
  • Instructor-led fitness classes will not be available
  • Fitness and sports courts will be open, and Guests must maintain physical distancing
  • Spas and salons will be temporarily unavailable

Recreation:
  • Activities and schedules will vary. The schedule of activities for your Disney Resort hotel will be shared during your stay.

The following will be temporarily unavailable:
  • Arcades
  • Campfires
  • Character experiences
  • Dog parks
  • Electrical Water Pageant
  • Marina rentals
  • Pin trading
  • Playgrounds

The following special offerings and childcare services will not be available during the initial reopening:
  • Fireworks voyages and tasting cruises, including the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
  • Fun runs
  • Wonderland Tea Party at Park Fare
  • Hula lessons
  • In-room childcare services
  • Mermaid school
  • Special classes and programs—including culinary, cultural and animal programs

In order to visit any Walt Disney World Resort, you must have a confirmed room reservation for your stay or a confirmed dining reservation, if you are not staying overnight.

dining:

During the re-opening of Walt Disney World Resort, many dining experiences will be modified or unavailable in order to promote cleanliness and physical distancing:
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  • Character dining will not be offered during the initial reopening with the exception of a modified experience at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort.
  • Dinner shows, such as Hoop-Dee-Doo-Revue and Spirit of Aloha,  will not be offered at this time.
  • Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during this time.
  • Face coverings (for all Guests age 2 and up) must be worn in all public areas, including while entering and exiting dining locations. Coverings can be removed while eating or drinking.
  • Cashless forms of payment are encouraged.
  • All dining reservations made previously have been cancelled. At this time, dining reservations are not available, except for a few Disney Springs table service locations. Reservations will resume at a later date. We will share details of the new advanced dining reservation system will be shared with our clients when they become available.
  • When in-park dining initially becomes available, guests will need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.

transportation:

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There will be modifications to transportation options available throughout Walt Disney World. All transportation will operate at limited capacity to allow for physical distancing:
  • Disney's Magical Express will be available to Walt Disney World Resort guests.
  • Minnie Van Service will not be available upon initial resort opening.
  • Self-parking will be available. Valet service is temporarily unavailable, with the exception of Guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance. The cost of parking remains the same at the resorts and the theme parks.
We understand that there are a lot of updates being made and we are here to help our clients navigate through them. Stay tuned for more updates from Walt Disney World!
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Universal Orlando Hotels to re-open June 2 & more

5/29/2020

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Exciting news! Universal Orlando Resort will open select Universal Hotels beginning June 2nd! Guests staying in Universal's resort hotels June 2nd – June 4th with a valid park ticket will be invited to visit to the theme parks on June 3rd and 4th, prior to our public reopening on June 5th.
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Here are some of the most popular Frequently Asked Questions that Universal answered for us:

1. Which hotels are reopening on June 2?
The phased reopening of the hotels will include Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites. Plans for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later time.

2. What specific guidelines are the hotels implementing?
Universal Orlando’s resort hotels have enhanced its standards and protocols throughout its operations. These enhancements, which are subject to change as guidance from health and government officials is updated, currently include:
  • Guests, team members and vendors are required to wear face coverings in public areas.
  • Team members and vendors will be required to have temperature checks upon arrival. Those with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to work.
  • Guests will be asked to self-screen for COVID symptoms and quarantine orders prior to arrival/entrance
  • Guests will have temperature checks upon arrival and return unless previously checked at the hotel that day prior to boarding our resort transportation system. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater after three checks, including one with a new thermometer, will be asked to seek medical attention and obtain medical clearance prior to being permitted to enter. 
  • Hand sanitizer stations in public areas and elevator landings
  • Enhanced cleaning of guest rooms, meeting rooms and public areas with an EPA-approved cleaner and disinfectant
  • All guest rooms will be serviced after checkout. When possible, guest rooms will be left vacant for 24-48 hours upon checkout, before thoroughly cleaning and checking in a new guest.
  • Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas such as telephones, remote controls, door handles, light switches, elevators, and table tops, among others
  • Food & Beverage outlet capacities limited based on latest recommendations and guidelines
  • Guests and staff are required to practice social distancing; social distancing signs and reminders will be in high-traffic areas
  • Several contactless experiences for guests, including hotel texting-services, express checkout and contactless room deliveries

3. Why are hotels opening before the theme parks?
Select hotels are opening a day prior to Universal Orlando’s parks to give guests the opportunity to check-in and get settled before visiting the theme parks and taking advantage of Early Park Admission. Guests arriving on June 2 will not be able to enter the parks until June 3.

4. Will hotel guests have to purchase tickets to visit the parks on June 3 and 4?
Hotel guests must have valid theme park admission in order to access the theme parks on June 3 and 4. Guests can visit the Vacation Planning desk in their hotel to pick-up tickets.

5. What if a hotel guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater?
If a guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater upon check-in, they will not be allowed to check-in until they receive medical clearance to do so. The rest of the guest’s party will be allowed to check in. We understand some guests may feel they have special conditions, which we will consider upon request.

If a guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater anytime following the check-in screening, they are required to self-quarantine and seek medical attention. The hotel will follow medical professional’s recommendations as to whether the guest can safely remain on hotel property. An additional guest room may be provided for other members of their party and they will still be able to move about the resort as they continue to successfully undergo temperature screenings.

6. Will hotel amenities and dining locations be affected by these changes?
The availability of food service, pools, fitness centers and other amenities may be limited due to increased frequency of cleaning and sanitization or to comply with the latest guidelines and recommendations. Guests should check with the front desk for more details.

7. Will I still receive hotel benefits like Universal Express if staying at a Premier hotel?
Yes, guests who stay at Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort will receive Universal Express access to select attractions as well as their other hotel benefits.

8. Will Universal Express be available when the theme parks reopen?
Universal Express will be available for purchase for theme park visits beginning June 8th. Hotel guests staying at Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort will be also able to take advantage of their Universal Express access benefit on any day of their visit.

9. Is Early Park Admission still valid for hotel guests?
Yes, all hotel guests can take advantage of Early Park Admission as well as other hotel benefits during their visit. Currently, Early Park Admission is scheduled for 8:00 – 9:00 am at Universal Studios Florida and 9:30 – 10:00 am at Universal’s Volcano Bay.

10. How will resort transportation be affected?
Guests can still utilize water taxi and resort shuttle transportation to visit Universal CityWalk and the theme parks. Face coverings will be required for all guests using resort transportation. We will limit capacity on all shuttles and water taxis so wait times may be impacted. We will also increase our already-aggressive cleaning and disinfecting procedures on all forms of resort transportation.

11. Will hotel guests be turned away if the theme parks reach capacity?
We account for hotel guests when setting our capacity limits and they will not be impacted if the theme parks reach capacity.

12. What if I’m visiting the hotels from out-of-state?
Visitors from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Louisiana and international markets should be aware of and comply with government guidelines regarding travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines before visiting our destination.
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Important Walt Disney World updates

5/29/2020

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Walt Disney World shared important updates last night that we wanted to share with you. Things are changing every day but this does give a more clear picture of what a Walt Disney World vacation will look like upon reopening.

In summary:
  • When the theme parks reopen, Disney will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all Guests to make a reservation in advance for theme park entry. This system is not up and running, but we'll be assisting our clients with their theme park reservations as soon as it becomes available.
  • Dining and Experiences will operate at a limited capacity. As of today, all existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages have been cancelled through the end of the year. Disney will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen. We will be assisting our clients with new dining reservations as soon as they become available
  • FastPass+ will be suspended for the time being as Disney plans to use additional queue space to manage capacity at our attractions and maintain physical distancing. All existing FastPass+ selections have been cancelled. 
  • Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.
  • There will be no parades, firework shows, character meet and greets, and offerings like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique until further notice. 

We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning a Disney vacation, and we realize some of these changes may be disappointing. However, we are confident that the magic will still be alive in Walt Disney World and we look forward to the parks reopening. 

Here is a graphic from Walt Disney World with more specifics for your reference:
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Phased Re-Opening Dates Announced for Walt Disney World Theme Parks

5/27/2020

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It's official! Walt Disney World will begin a phased re-opening on July 11, 2020 with Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom. A few days later, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios will join them in opening on July 15, 2020. Select audiences, including Cast Members, will get previews prior to the scheduled opening. 

We didn't get a lot of details during today's Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meeting but we did get a great overview of their plans to implement new health and safety protocols in their theme parks. Walt Disney World will start implementing a pre-arrival theme park reservation system to help manage significantly reduced capacity in their parks, restaurants, and stores. Capacity will also be reduced on attractions and on all modes of transportation. 
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Additional health and safety protocols include mandatory face coverings, a social distancing squad, more sanitization and hand-washing stations, temperature checks upon entry and other enhancements that will limit person-to-person contact. These enhancements include encouraging a cashless environment, increased mobile food ordering options, and the temporary pause of character meets, parades, fireworks and other events that create crowds. Play areas, like playgrounds, water effects, etc. will also be temporarily suspended. 

​Guests who plan to visit Walt Disney World will receive numerous 'Know Before You Go' communications to ensure only healthy, prepared guests are visiting the parks. There will be ample signage throughout the park, as well as Cast Members positively encouraging guests to comply with these protocols. 
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At this time, we have no update about Walt Disney World Resort hotels reopening. We hope to learn more in the days and weeks ahead, and we'll continue to share updates here.

UPDATE FROM THE DISNEY PARKS BLOG: Additionally, Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and guests and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen on June 22. Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will also open to members and guests starting on June 15. Plans to support required physical distancing as well as enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols, will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening.

You can subscribe to our blog or follow us on Facebook to be alerted to new blog posts. Stay well!
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"Planning your Disney Parks Vacation", an Update from Disney Destinations

5/22/2020

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The following article was written and released by Disney Destinations on May 22nd: 

PLANNING YOUR DISNEY PARKS VACATION

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Released by Disney Destinations
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"It’s an understatement to say that the past few months have been a challenging time for us all. As we navigate the longest park closures in our histories, we’ve loved hearing your kind words of hope and seeing how you’ve made your own Disney memories at home has uplifted and inspired us all.

During this time, we know it can be difficult to plan your Disney vacation. Now more than ever we’re longing for the opportunity to come together with family and friends to escape, to celebrate, to re-do missed milestones, like birthdays and anniversaries and to make new Disney memories.

Given the current uncertainty as to when we will reopen Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, we’ve had to periodically adjust the schedule for the ability to book hotel reservations at our resorts. While we’re currently accepting reservations starting in July 2020 at both resorts, as this situation evolves, timing may continue to shift. 

As we continue to follow guidance from government and health care officials regarding how we’ll be able to reopen our parks and resorts in a responsible way, we may also need to make real-time adjustments to booked experiences, park tickets and park passes.

Please know that if any reservations you may have made need to change, we will work with you to make the necessary modifications.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to check out the recent blog post from our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel, on how we’re planning for re-opening our parks and resorts.

Our focus remains on the safety of the entire Disney community. Be sure to keep checking our websites for more details, and stay tuned for more information.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this unprecedented time together. We continue to be moved by the incredible support and passion our guests have shown for our Disney family, and we hope to see you real soon."

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