Planning a Disney World vacation is fun, but actually going on the trip? Even better. Unfortunately, there are a few things that can make your trip a little less than a dream come true, like dealing with crowds, hot temperatures, and of course, waiting in line.
Archive for Disney Parks
Ring In the New Year at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort
Planning ahead for big holiday events is very important, and New Year’s Eve is right there at the top of the list. This year, if you are looking for a unique experience outside of the theme parks, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the place to be. But don’t wait to book because party bookings are now available!
To ring in 2019, two New Year’s Eve celebrations are available at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (recommended for families) and Disney Countdown to Midnight, including an option to purchase VIP access to the Ink and Paint Club (recommended for adults without kids). Both celebrations will feature entertainment, music, food and other refreshments, plus a viewing of the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Magic Kingdom® Park to cap off the night. Here’s what else to expect at each party:
Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration (8 p.m.-12:15 a.m.)
This New Year’s Eve, welcome in 2019 with a festive, family-friendly frolic through some childhood joys during Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Sarge from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films will welcome Guests as they arrive at the second floor of the resort. Once inside, Guests will discover spaces that have been transformed with scenes from beloved Pixar movies.
Highlights of the evening include:
- Being enveloped in the worlds of various Disney•Pixar films, like “Inside Out,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and “Up,” including meeting some of your favorite characters.
- Kids’ activities, including Boot Camp with Sarge, Pixar Face Painting and a balloon artist creating favorite Pixar characters.
- An interactive DJ spinning Radio Disney hits from his Cars-inspired DJ Rig, complete with tires and road signs right out of Radiator Springs.
- A delicious buffet dinner, including Woody’s Favorite Lemon Thyme Chicken Breast, Wall-E’s Pan Seared Mahi-Mahi, Rex’s Manhattan Filet, Sulley’s Beast White Cheddar Baked Mac & Cheese, build-your-own salad options, desserts, kids’ favorites like chicken fingers and more.
- A viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Tickets are $190 per person, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.
Disney Countdown to Midnight (8 p.m.-12:15 a.m.)
This New Year’s Eve, dress up and party during Disney Countdown to Midnight – an evening of dining, dancing and enchantment in the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You will discover a world sparkling with magic – everything from a Mickey Mouse mirror ball to Disney Character topiaries – as they move and groove to the high-energy New Year’s Bash Band and a live DJ providing music all night long.
Other highlights of the evening include:
- A “cheftainment” station featuring a seasonal menu inspired by some Disney Signature Dining restaurants – with a touch of Disney magic.
- A special appearance by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
- At the end of the night, Guests will be invited out to the porte cochère, where they will receive a Champagne flute and welcome 2019 with a viewing of the famous Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Tickets are $275, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.
Ink and Paint Club experience (7 p.m.-12:15 a.m.)
Offered only as a VIP enhancement to the Disney Countdown to Midnight party and located adjacent to the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this special reception begins prior to the opening of the main event. At the Ink and Paint Club, Guests will step back in time into a vintage Disney Animation-inspired room with silver Chiavari chairs, metallic tables and references to classic Disney Animation filling the room. Ticketed Guests can visit the lounge throughout the evening, starting with a featured reception from 7-8 p.m.
Highlights of this special reception include:
- Photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse with a unique Disney Animation backdrop.
- A pianist providing live entertainment.
- Chef stations featuring king crab, tuna tartare, sheep’s milk ricotta gnocchi, cocktails, Champagne, cordials and more – all included with admission.
- Reserved seating in the Disney Countdown to Midnight Party when it opens at 8 p.m.
Disney Ink & Paint Club is only available as a part of an enhanced ticket that includes access to both the Disney Countdown to Midnight and the Ink & Paint Club for $450 total per guest. Access to Ink & Paint Club must be purchased concurrently with the Disney Countdown to Midnight ticket and cannot be added on at a later date. To purchase tickets, call (407) WDW-DINE.
9 things you didn’t know you could buy at the Disney parks
There’s no shortage of ways to spend money at the Disney parks. The parks carry everything from iconic food offerings to alcoholic drinks to classic souvenirs like character tees, keychains, pens, and, of course, Mickey Mouse ears.
Review – Wyndham & Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Complex
With all of the exciting happenings at the Walt Disney World Resort this summer (Toy Story Land) and in the near future (Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge), it is important to start thinking about your vacation accommodations. Wyndham and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Complex is the ideal choice.
Located literally across the street from Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment, the Wyndham and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Complex is a quick walk to great Disney fun.
Hold on to Your Super Suits! Disneyland Resort Debuts the Thrilling Incredicoaster as Pixar Pier Opens June 23 at Disney California Adventure Park
The thrilling Incredicoaster opens June 23, 2018, at Disney California Adventure Park, bringing guests the first ride-through attraction in the world to feature characters from Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” Anchoring the newly reimagined land of Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster takes guests on a super adventure with the Parr family to chase after the elusive baby Jack-Jack. Exciting character figures, special effects, lighting, new music and distinctively colored vehicles make the thrills on this coaster even more incredible.
Guests will step right into the world of “The Incredibles” as they discover they’ve been invited to the inaugural launch of the new Incredicoaster. In gratitude for their heroic efforts and incredible deeds, the citizens of Municiberg are dedicating their beloved roller coaster to the Incredibles. Of course the family of supers are attending – Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Violet, Dash and Jack- Jack – along with Edna Mode (exclusive super suit designer to the Incredibles)
Review – Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fort Worth I-35 Western Center
This week we were in Texas for a wedding. We are crafty veteran travelers to Florida for vacation, but this is the first trip to Texas for us. The 17+ hour trip from central Illinois was going to be daunting for sure. We are so glad we had decided to stop for the night at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fort Worth I-35 Western Center.
Located literally off of I-35, the hotel was easy to find. We were able to find on-site parking very easily and entered the lobby. We were greeted by the friendly and professional staff. Check-in was fast and went very smoothly.
The entrance and lobby were bright and very clean. We took a look at the inviting sitting area that hosts the complimentary breakfast each morning (pancakes, eggs, bacon, bakery items and more). There was a coffee station as well as a beer cart (we just missed the happy hour).
11 hacks for navigating Walt Disney World this summer
Every child dreams of going to Walt Disney World, and every (most?) parent dreams of taking them there.
For many families, though, the cost of the trip can seem insurmountable: gas if you’re driving there, plane tickets, and the cost of visiting the park itself.
4 easy ways to beat the heat at Disney World
With summer quickly approaching and temperatures beginning to rise, spending all day in the Disney theme parks can be exhausting.
Here are the four best ways to beat the heat and cool down during your Disney vacation:
Disney parks: Every upcoming ride, hotel and attraction
Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” More than 60 years after his beloved park first opened, Disney’s words still reverberate.
