Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It’s that time of year again when I share what I’m thankful for – Disney Edition. I wanted to focus on something beyond what we all are most thankful for, such as a healthy and safe family, a good job, etc…
I wanted to write about things that I am thankful for, Disney style. Disney has created so many wonderful memories for my family I thought it would be fun to create a list. After reading my list I would like to hear your thoughts via Twitter.
I am thankful for….
Walt Disney having the vision to create a place where families could have fun together in a safe environment
The Walt Disney Co. continuously expanding and improving their parks, resorts, and service
Being able to travel to Walt Disney World (and occasionally Disneyland) several times a year to get a different experience each time
Having a wife and kids who love Disney as much as I do
Having parents (Jacey & Peyton’s Grandparents), who enjoy and appreciate the magic of Disney like we do.
Minnie Mouse opening up her arms to greet our youngest daughter on a pathway at Animal Kingdom and giving her a HUGE hug, which is something she still remembers to this day
The look of amazement the first time my daughters stepped foot into Magic Kingdom
The look of joy the first time my daughters met a Princess
The look of bewilderment on my face when Belle picked me to play Beast at “Storytime with Belle”
The ability to have grandparents who “get” what Disney is about and love to vacation with us
Being able to help friends and families maximize their time during their Walt Disney World vacations
Being able to see my daughters reaction when she finally reached the magical 48” height mark
Blizzard Beach’s Summit Plummet helping me overcome my fear of heights
Disney Vacation Club allowing our family to have accommodations that we otherwise might not be able to afford
The smell of the Pop Century lobby after a 20 hour drive
The ability to head right to your room without checking in after a 20 hour drive and arriving late in the night. (Thank you Magic Bands)
Entering my resort room, turning on the TV, and hearing the sounds of Walt Disney World Today Channel, or a “Welcome Home Donahue’s” message on the TV.
The times we were able to experience riding in the front of the monorail
My youngest daughter, Peyton, who has Polycystic Kidney Disease, still being healthy enough to ride most attractions that she wants to
Being able to “scream like a little girl” on Expedition Everest or Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind and fitting right in with everyone else
Not looking like a fool wearing a crazy Disney hat around the parks
Having a place where I can make a wish and truly believe it will come true
Imagineers always wanting to “plus” an attraction
Being old enough that my daughter, Jacey, completed the Disney College Program
Finally experiencing Disney Cruise Line for the first time after I turned….50!
Being fortunate enough to start planning another Disney trip right now
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Disney Cruise Line’s new dedicated cruise terminal at Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is now open! Here are five reasons why guests will love setting sail from Fort Lauderdale with Disney Cruise Line.
SECOND YEAR-ROUND DISNEY CRUISE HOMEPORT IN FLORIDA
Disney Cruise Line is in the midst of its largest expansion ever and opening our second, year-round home port is an important milestone. The Disney Dream will begin sailing from Fort Lauderdale today, followed by the Disney Magic on May 9, 2024, offering guests the opportunity to sail on a mix of three-, four- and five-night cruises to tropical destinations in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
AN EMBARKATION EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE BIG BLUE WORLD
As guests enter the terminal, they’ll travel from land to sea and “dive” into the world of the Disney and Pixar’s film, “Finding Nemo.” There, they’ll find some of their favorite friends from the movie on colorful murals, including fish, rays and beautiful coral. Guests will “swim” by Nemo’s school friends, including Tad, Sheldon and Pearl, and as they inch closer to embarkation, they’ll be welcomed by Nemo, Marlin and Dory.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
With the Walt Disney World Resort just hours away from Fort Lauderdale, families can create lifelong memories together on land and at sea. The port is located in the heart of South Florida with close proximity to three international airports. And for pre- and post-cruise stays, Fort Lauderdale is just a short drive to the beach, offering a vibrant art scene, world-class restaurants, entertainment, shopping and family-friendly activities – including the area’s namesake, the Florida Everglades.
MORE CHANCES TO VISIT DISNEY’S ISLAND DESTINATIONS
Sail aboard the Disney Dream on four- and five-night cruises to tropical locales in the western Caribbean and The Bahamas. These sailings will visit to Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Nassau, along with stops at Castaway Cay, a private island paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests to enjoy world-class beaches and ample amenities with a touch of Disney magic.
And for even more tropical fun, in 2024, families can sail from Fort Lauderdale to our new island destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Disney is collaborating with talented artists and cultural advisors in The Bahamas who are helping to shape an experience at our new destination that celebrates the natural beauty, traditions and artistry of this one-of-a-kind nation.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Disney Cruise Line is committed to creating lasting, positive impact in the port communities we call home. In recognition of our arrival to the Broward County community, Disney Cruise Line is partnering with Junior Achievement South Florida and Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and making a donation to each organization. The donations will support a variety of initiatives, including programs that inspire career exploration, innovation and storytelling.
As a reminder, to help market sailings departing from Ft. Lauderdale, a selection of assets are now available for download on Disney Copyright. These assets include a flyer, ad shells, boilerplate copy, web pages and banners and can be found by searching “Ft. Lauderdale” on Disney Copyright.com.
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Art lovers, rejoice! A new year is right around the corner, and a visit to the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is the perfect way to celebrate bright beginnings.
From Jan. 12 through Feb. 19, revel in this inspiring event that highlights the visual, culinary and performing arts as only Disney can. Today, we’re sharing details to help guests plan their artistic odyssey. Here are five fantastic ways to celebrate the arts at this colorful festival.
Performing Arts Take Center Stage
Some of Broadway’s brightest stars are coming to Walt Disney World as the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series returns to EPCOT with three daily shows throughout the festival. For the first time in forever, two original leading ladies from a certain icy kingdom will perform together on the America Gardens Theatre stage.
Performing songs from many of our favorite Disney shows, these stars never fail to inspire. Here’s the full lineup:
Caissie Levy and Patti Murin (“Frozen”): Jan. 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23
Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday” and “The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”): Jan. 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24
Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”) and L. Steven Taylor (“The Lion King”): Jan. 26, 28 and 29; Feb. 1, 3, 5 and 6
Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”): Jan. 27, 30, 31; Feb. 2, 4, 7 and 8
Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin” and “Tarzan”): Feb. 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19
Bradley Gibson (“Hercules” and “The Lion King”) and Shoba Narayan (“Aladdin”): Feb. 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 *
Showcase Plaza is also home to a kaleidoscope of performances daily, where Guests will find musicians, live painting and the thrilling acrobatic feats of Art Defying Gravity.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages Open Dec. 19
To guarantee priority seating for preferred performances, be sure to check out Dining Packages available at eight spectacular EPCOT restaurants:
For more information, including pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com. Packages go on sale beginning Dec. 19.
Culinary Arts Spark Sweet and Savory Adventures
More than 15 Food Studios throughout EPCOT blend touches of delectable flavors with an artistic twist – including tempting new dishes and drinks to savor. The Rainbow Cake with freeze-dried SKITTLES® bite-sized candies is always a sweet sensation at Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic. And don’t miss the Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with parsnip puree, broccolini, baby tomatoes and balsamic glaze at Pastoral Palate.
Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for all the details in an upcoming Foodie Guide!
Don’t miss the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. This fun food stroll highlights yummy sweet and savory offerings in all the colors of the rainbow. The handy Festival Passport will show where to make picturesque purchases and receive stamps. Once guests have collected five stamps, bring the passport to Deco Delights Food Studio to receive a complimentary surprise.
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine can be completed at guests’ leisure – so they can enjoy a new treat every time they visit throughout the festival.
Interactive Experiences Place You in the Middle of the Magic
At Animation Academy, held daily at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. in America Gardens Theatre, learn drawing skills from some of the best in the business as they teach you how to draw a Disney character. At Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural, join fellow artists to leave a creative mark on a larger-than-life wall mural.
Kid’s Chalk Art takes place on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. allowing little ones to create their very own chalk masterpieces. And what would a visit to the festival be without artful photo ops? From Botticelli to Renoir, these life-size tableaus beckon guests to become part of the painting.
Guests can also create your own works of art with Disney PhotoPass Service, including limited-time Magic Shots created for this colorful celebration.**
Visual Arts and Merch Inspire Awe
One of the coolest parts of the festival is visiting galleries and meeting the artists who bring imaginative works to life. New and returning favorites will be part of this year’s lineup, so be sure to visit ArtfulEPCOT.com to stay up to date on the latest news.
There’s no way that we can celebrate all things imagination without a visit from everyone’s favorite purple dragon – Figment! This lovable ambassador of whimsy takes center stage on a wide array of festival merch, ranging from household items and décor to apparel and trading items.
Looking for a convenient way to pay? We love the beauty and convenience of the mini festival-themed Disney Gift Card. Load it with as little as $15 and wear it on a wrist for quick and easy scanning when purchasing all festival delights.
Kids of all ages will want to engage in Figment’s Brush with the Master’s Scavenger Hunt. On this journey throughout World Showcase, guests will help Figment learn all about art. To get started, purchase a map and stickers at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler. Then, search for Figment hiding inside art inspired by famous works at each World Showcase pavilion—just look for the Figment-themed picture frame.
Every time guests find Figment, they add the corresponding sticker to the pavilion on the map. Once the journey is complete, return the map to Disney Traders or World Traveler for an artful little keepsake!***
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will be here before we know it!
It’s beginning to taste a lot like holidays! Get ready to experience traditions and cuisines from across the globe because the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is almost here. From Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, this classic and beloved festival will be serving up delights and excitement to get guests in the spirit.
This year, there are over 15 holiday kitchens filled with delicious bites and sips inspired by holiday traditions from around the world. With returning favorites like the Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl from Bavaria Holiday Kitchen and Slow Roasted Turkey from American Holiday Table, and even some new treats, like the Rugalach from L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, guests will be gifted flavor with each and every bite.
If guests are looking to indulge their sweet tooth, they simply must do the Holiday Cookie Stroll, a food stroll featuring decadent and delightful cookies from the Holiday Kitchens. As they treat their elf, they collect stamps in the Festival Passport by purchasing five of these items to redeem a special treat from Holiday Sweets & Treats.
In addition to the food, a staple of the festival is the entertainment. As guests travel throughout the World Showcase, they can take the time to enjoy the holiday storytellers sharing each country’s holiday traditions. Listen to the joy of Christmas and Kwanzaa with a lively performance of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season or grab the whole family for some more holiday fun with Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. As the sun goes down, don’t miss Candlelight Processional – a moving retelling of the story of Christmas featuring a celebrity narrator and stirring songs performed by an orchestra and choir.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and that means … holiday goodies! One of the best parts of this season are the tasty delights and this year is no different. The culinary teams at Walt Disney World Resort have been hard at work making sure everyone gets a flavorful present all across property. And with the passion and creativity put to the plate this year, there’s no doubt all of these talented culinary experts are on the nice list.
All throughout the Resort, enter a winter wonderland of flavor with tasty bites and sips that will light up everyone’s taste buds. From the almost too cute to eat (almost) Mickey Winter Hat Dome Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie to holiday festivities like the O’ Ham N’ Cheese Trees at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, and even the sweet sip of the returning Gingerbread Martini, guests will be unwrapping delights all holiday season long.
It’s time to get to the Walt Disney World Resort Holidays Foodie Guide!
Disney Springs
Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31; mobile order available)
Holiday Sweets Petit Cake: Layers of spice cake, cream cheese icing, and apricot jam with fresh apple compote and Italian buttercream (New)
Mickey Winter Hat Dome Cake: Layers of vanilla chiffon, chai tea mousse, cranberry-cherry pâte de fruit, almond crunch, and brown butter ganache (New)
Christmas Tree Cream Puff: Pistachio cream puff (New)
Hot Cocoa Crème Brûlée: Hot cocoa crème brûlée with toasted marshmallow cream (New)
Gingerbread Cheesecake (New)
Cookies and Milk Éclair (New)
Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread Cookies (New)
Santa Mickey Mousse: White chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse with crispy pearls
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Available Nov. 24 through Jan. 1)
Homecomin’ Holiday Turkey Sandwich: Smoked turkey on toasted artisanal bread, dressed with signature cornbread stuffing and a sweet and sour cranberry aioli served with house-made potato chips
Chicken Guy! (Available Nov. 6 through Dec. 31)
Holiday Cookie Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with sugar cookies and caramel drizzle topped with marshmallow whipped cream, mini chocolate candy pieces, holiday sprinkles, and a cookie
Frozen Peppermint Cocoa Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with hot cocoa mix, peppermint, and crushed candy cane pieces topped with marshmallow whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candy cane, mini marshmallows, and chocolate drizzle
D-Luxe Burger (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 7; mobile order available)
Caramel Apple Pie Shake: Vanilla Gelato blended with dark caramel sauce, Granny Smith apple syrup, cinnamon syrup, and graham cracker crumbs topped with whipped cream, caramel, and graham cracker crumbs (New)
Dockside Margaritas (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 15)
eet by Maneet Chauhan (Available upon opening through Dec. 31)
Yule Chai Greeting: Signature spiced chai, whipped cinnamon cream, toasted marshmallow, Christmas sprinkles, and a candy cane
Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
Holiday Donuts
Frontera Cocina (Available Nov. 10 through Dec. 31)
Marzipan Delight: Centinela Blanco Tequila, Marzipan Cordial, tres leches home-made mix, and marzipan crumble rim
The Ganachery
Gingerbread Mickey Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate piñata with crisp pearls and gingerbread toffee (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee: Spiced toffee enrobed with milk chocolate and encrusted with toasted pecans and gingerbread crumbs (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced gingerbread cookies enrobed in milk chocolate and dark 65% chocolate (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Chocolate Peppermint Bark: White and dark chocolate with crushed peppermint candy (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise: Milk chocolate shell filled with The Ganachery hot cocoa mix and house-made marshmallows (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
We have some exciting news to share with you! You have come to know us as ResalesDVC, but we’ve changed our name to Vacation Club Life. Same family, new name!
Our mission has always been to help families create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. We feel our new name truly captures the spirit of what we do and the incredible customers like you who make it all possible. At Vacation Club Life, it’s not just a product. It’s a lifestyle.
We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone by visiting our new website and joining us on social media. We have some fantastic giveaways and events planned throughout 2024, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Thank you for your continued support as we embark on this new journey. We are grateful to have you as a part of our Vacation Club Life family. – The Tutas Family
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We’re just over a month away from the launch of the latest nighttime spectacular from Disney Live Entertainment, “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” debuting Dec. 5 at EPCOT. Featuring dazzling fireworks, fountains, lights and music to connect us all through commonalities of the heart, this all-new show shines a light on how each of our unique melodies comes together to form a great symphony – the symphony of us.
Much like a beautiful piece of music, “Luminous The Symphony of Us” is made up of a series of movements, each representing life experiences that we have in common, showing us that we’re more alike than we are different. Punctuating these movements are two original songs written just for the spectacular, as well as new arrangements of carefully selected Disney songs we all know and love.
At the start of the show, World Showcase comes to life as we hear voices from each pavilion welcoming us to this great gathering. With the tap of a conductor’s baton, our first movement begins with the original song, “Heartbeat Symphony.” Nothing says EPCOT nighttime spectacular like a sweeping ballad, and this one comes right out of the gate.
Check out this behind-the-scenes look at some of the music recording sessions for “Luminous The Symphony of Us,” including a sneak preview of “Heartbeat Symphony.”
With the stage set, our symphony takes us to the tender love of parenthood, highlighting childhood moments where each of our journeys began and featuring a stirring, multilingual arrangement of “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The symphony then transitions to “Proud Corazón” as we find our voice in a movement dedicated to the bonds of family. Friendship follows, with classic songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Friend Like Me” taking us back to the days of recess and friendship bracelets.
Set to a sweeping arrangement of “So Close,” a personal favorite hidden gem from Disney’s “Enchanted,” the romance movement celebrates the moments when we find someone with whom our melody blends.
Inevitably in life we experience the quiet loneliness of loss, but as “When She Loved Me” and “Remember Me” bring us “Into the Unknown,” the echoes of those around us remind us that we’re never truly alone. As we come out of the darkness, the music crescendos to “I See the Light” from “Tangled,” launching us into our finale – and our second original song, entitled “Beating of our Hearts” – where we all come together as one and find our place in the great symphony of life.
Music plays a critical role in telling this tale. That’s why the team at Disney Live Entertainment is so excited to work with Pinar Toprak once again on the show’s incredible score. Guests may know Pinar from her work on film soundtracks or heard her EPCOT anthem at night by Spaceship Earth. Among the choir of voices lending their vocal talents to the score are singer/songwriter Sheléa and the multi-talented Katharine McPhee.
We hope this first look makes everyone as excited as we are to share this new symphony together when it debuts Dec. 5 – part of the grand finale as we near the completion of the multi-year transformation of EPCOT.
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Today, we’re excited to give a closer look at some of the exciting venues that will be found at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Disney Lookout Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s newest, one-of-a-kind retreat on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. As soon as guests step foot on this breathtaking island destination when it debuts in summer 2024, they will discover a celebration of Bahamian storytelling, artistry and culture.
Let’s start with a first look at the arrival point, Mabrika Cove.
“Mabrika” means “welcome” in Taino, the language of the Lucayans, who are considered the indigenous people of The Bahamas. While the language is no longer used, a few words remain – one of them being “Mabrika,” At this colorful arrival point, guests will immediately experience the warmth of Bahamian culture.
This next space is guaranteed to be the most festive on the island! The Goombay Cultural Center will embody the essence of “Junkanoo,” a Bahamian festival filled with joyous music and vibrant parades that will come to life in many ways across Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Goombay is one of the traditional music styles of The Bahamas, involving singing, dancing and drumming. The brilliantly colored cultural pavilion and its Junkanoo-inspired arch will invite guests to embrace the traditions of The Bahamas, along with the sights, sounds and spirit of the country’s signature festival.
There will be plenty of family entertainment in store at Triton’s Trumpet Stage. And fun fact: The gazebo name is inspired by one of the stunning natural wonders found among the Bahamian beaches – a large, spiraled seashell commonly called “Triton’s Trumpet.”
Of course, we must mention the shopping opportunities! Treasures of Eleuthera will be the retail shop featuring locally made gifts and artisan crafts. The shops will spotlight Bahamian artists through an array of unique items that families will be able to bring home with them as a special keepsake.
Serenity Bay will be a relaxing retreat exclusively for adults 18 years of age and older. Guests who have sailed with Disney Cruise Line before might recognize Serenity Bay as a must-visit location on Disney Castaway Cay! At Disney Lookout Cay, Serenity Bay will feature a tranquil beach experience with a dining area and private cabanas available for reservation.
Relaxation, breathtaking nature, cultural celebrations, and Disney entertainment for all? We’re excited for guests to experience all that Disney Lookout Cay has to offer when this island destination debuts in summer 2024! There is so much more in store for this incredible Bahamian retreat, so keep following along for all the details.
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Return to the Wizarding World at Universal Orlando in 2024! We’re giving away a 3-night resort stay in 2024 to one lucky winner who books a 2023 Universal vacation with us. As a Platinum U-Preferred Agency with Universal, we have helped thousands of families experience amazing adventures with Universal Parks and Resorts. To say “thank you” to our amazing clients, we are giving away a 3-night stay at a Universal Orlando resort so you can experience the magic all over again in 2024! All you need to do is book a 2023 Universal vacation package or multi-day ticket with us, and you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway! If you’ve already booked a 2023 Universal vacation with us, you can still enter – see below for details:
If you’ve already booked a 2023 Universal vacation with us, you can still enter – just post a comment on our official Facebook post for the giveaway with your favorite memory from your trip or a picture from your vacation. Visit Our Official Facebook Page. Contest Details: All guests who book a Universal vacation package or multi-day ticket between October 30-December 31, 2023 for travel in 2023 will be automatically entered into the contest. Guests who booked a 2023 Universal vacation with Wish Upon a Star with Us prior to the start of the giveaway can be entered by commenting on the official Facebook post. Winner will be randomly selected and contacted directly by January 9, 2024. Prize: a 3-night resort stay at one of the Universal Orlando onsite hotels. Resort to be selected by Wish Upon a Star with Us. Blackout dates apply; tickets not included.
If you are interested in booking a Universal Orlando Vacation please feel free to reach out to any of the agents at Wish Upon a Star With Us.
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