Walt Disney World Archives

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

I think the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts doesn’t receive as much love as the other festivals and it should. The festival runs from mid-January to the end of February.

Why should you experience this festival? Let’s dig in.

You can experience some of your favorite Disney songs during the DISNEY ON BROADWAY performances. It’s important to note they will offer dining packages for the concert series, and this will provide you with a guaranteed seat. I suggest you arrive when your time to start lining up begins so you can sit in your favorite spot. If you want great photos, sit close to the middle and not too far back; midway or closer to the stage is best. I do recommend avoiding sitting to close to the stage.

Food, food, and more food! The food studios are amazing and each year, they will bring some favorites and new offerings from some of our favorite countries around the world. You will find something everyone in the family will love on your strolls around the World Showcase! When food meets art, it brings delectable dishes and desserts!

3D Chalk Art during the festival. These are some of my favorite photo opportunities. They engage park guests with photo ops that are so creative and full of imagination, you’ll even consider making it your annual Christmas card.

You can find your very own special piece of Disney art during the festival. One of my favorite things about this experience, the talented artists! They can add special touches to the back of your purchased art! If you are a lover of all things Disney, be prepared to purchase one for your Disney display at home!

Considering experiencing the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts in 2024? Send me an email for a complimentary quote at [email protected]

Watch a video on our YouTube by clicking here: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

The Best Snacks at Magic Kingdom

When it comes to the best snacks, Magic Kingdom never disappoints! On our last trip to the most magical place on Earth, we had the opportunity to try some of the most delicious treats. From Mickey-shaped ice cream bars and delicious popcorn to churros and Dole Whip floats, there’s something for everyone in this Disney World favorite.

Mickey Pretzels

There’s nothing quite like a warm, salty pretzel when you’re wandering around the park all day! The Mickey-shaped pretzels are definitely a fan favorite—in fact, they might be one of the most popular snacks in all of Disney World (after Mickey Mouse ice cream bars, of course!). They come with your choice of cheese sauce or mustard for dipping. We recommend trying both and deciding which one you like better! Even better, the cream cheese option is our favorite! You will find these in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Dole Whip Floats

If you’re looking for something cool and refreshing on a hot summer day, look no further than a Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle in Adventureland. This iconic snack is made up of creamy pineapple soft-serve ice cream topped with pineapple juice—it’s an absolute must if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom!

Popcorn

No visit to Magic Kingdom would be complete without getting some freshly popped popcorn from one of the carts scattered throughout the park. It’s a classic snack that pairs perfectly with your day spent exploring every nook and cranny of this beloved theme park! Plus, you can purchase the refillable at the beginning of your trip and get cheap refills! Be sure to save your bucket and receipt!

Sweet Treats

You will find sweet treats throughout Magic Kingdom! Our favorite stop is Main Street Confectionery! There are always delicious treats here! Mickey head Rice Krispy treats, fudge, brownies, or your favorite cupcake flavor, you will not be disappointed with any selection!

With so many different options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down which snacks you should try at Magic Kingdom. But don’t worry—no matter what snack you decide to indulge in during your next trip, we guarantee it will be worth it! From Mickey pretzels and popcorn to Dole Whips and churros, there’s something for everyone at this beloved Disney World destination. So next time you find yourself in Magic Kingdom, make sure to grab something yummy!

Walt Disney World New Promo Savings

Disney World has released two new promos just in time for your vacation! Be sure to contact your favorite Fairytales and Sunsets travel planner today!

Stay in the Most Magical Place on Earth with this special offer and enjoy some Disney Magic!

Purchase a non-discounted 5-night, 4-day vacation package that includes:

A room at a select Disney Resort & Theme Park ticket(s)

Select Deluxe Resorts or Deluxe Villas Up to $150 Per Room, Per Night

Receive $150 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023
Most nights August 1 to September 14, 2023

Receive $125 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights June 25 to June 30, 2023
Most nights July 11 to July 31, 2023

Select Moderate Resorts Up to $100 Per Room, Per Night

Receive $100 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023
Most nights August 1 to September 14, 2023

Receive $75 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights June 25 to June 30, 2023
Most nights July 11 to July 31, 2023

Select Disney Value Resorts Up to $50 Per Room, Per Night

Receive $50 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023
Most nights August 1 to September 14, 2023

Receive $35 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights June 25 to June 30, 2023
Most nights July 11 to July 31, 2023

The number of packages available for this offer is limited. Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Advance reservations are required. Certain restrictions apply!

Room Only Discount- Experience the Magic with this great offer!

Save on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels: Savings from 10% up to 25% depending on resort/room category.

Save up to 25% on stays most nights April 10 through July 10, 2023
Save up to 20% on stays most nights March 1 through March 31, 2023

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Length of stay requirements may apply. Savings will vary based on availability and resort/room category.

Contact us today for more details!

Our Favorite Disney World Moderate Resort

Disney World has several resort categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Deluxe Villas, and the Campground.

We have stayed in all of them and wanted to share our favorite Moderate Resort. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area. This moderate resort offers décor with a blend of Spanish, Southwest American, and Mexican cultures.

Our favorite thing about this resort: the Gran Destino Tower rooms. The rooms have the feel of deluxe resort amenities at the cost of a moderate resort pricing. The beds are comfy, and the room furniture is well appointed, so you feel you have extra space. The Keurig coffee machines are a bonus for coffee lovers. I always work during travel and love having a desk area with plenty of space. You are steps away from the lobby once you exit the tower elevators. This adds a nice touch when using ride share and a short walk to and from the bus area.

It is also important to note the food options are fabulous! Rooftop or lakefront dining, sports bar and grill, Maya grill, and quick service location, you will always find something delicious to eat while staying here. Guests of all ages love the main pool, Lost City of Cibola pool, which includes a 50-foot pyramid.

This resort has often been referred to not being as magical because of the conference vibe. I think this is an unfair statement as Disney often has characters appearing in the lobby and the resort is decorated with Disney memorabilia and photos.

Let us help you plan your next Magical vacation and we will pair you with the perfect resort.

Our Favorite Value Resorts at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World offers a variety of resort options to accommodate everyone’s travel needs. I wanted to share my top picks for the value resorts. The value resorts are the lead in category at Disney World.

It is important to note that this category for the resorts will offer the cheapest amenities. For example, the coffee pots are Cuisinart, so you will not find a Keurig at the value resorts.

The value resorts offer around 260 square feet with two queen beds (one is a queen size table pull down bed), and one sink. The room sleeps up to four adults.

My favorite is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This resort does not share buses, is attached to the Disney Skyliner, and offers three pools. The theming is so much fun and grandparents, parents, and kids love it. Step back in time with the decades from the 50’s to the 90’s. You can enjoy life-size Walkman’s and Rubik’s Cubes or walk your way through the giant foosball.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a solid resort for your stay. You will love the resort pools, the food court, quicker transportation to the theme parks, and access to the Disney Skyliner.

My second favorite are the Little Mermaid rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation. The theming is cute, and this resort does not share buses. You also have access to the Disney Skyliner. It is important to note that the Little Mermaid rooms are usually excluded from Disney promotions.

If you are looking at the remaining value resorts, they are very similar with their amenities. The only difference is the theming. Disney All-Star Movies is my top pick for no reason other than the theming around the property. Disney’s All-Star Music and then Disney’s All-Star Sports is my least favorite. All the value resorts are great, these are ranked by my favorite to least favorite.

When you are ready to book your next Magical Vacation, email Tammy Richardson.

Your Guide to Picking The Best Time To Visit Walt Disney World

Our biggest question received, when is the best time to visit Disney World? My suggestion is to consider the following things and then decide when you should visit the most Magical Place on Earth!

Your children’s schedule. I know you are always busy with your children’s activities throughout the year. You should consider which weeks are the most convenient to travel with them. Keep in mind school attendance and test requirements. If you do not have worry about this, move to step #2.
Are you dreaming of the sweet treats and international food cuisine options? If you said yes, then consider one of the festivals for a wide variety of amazing foods, including treats, and plan your dates accordingly. Dates will vary for each, but the months will stay close to the same.

Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts January to February
Taste of Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March to July
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival July to December
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays November to December

Consider the Crowds! When the schools are out on break, families are eager to visit. The major holidays are also busier because many guests want to celebrate the holidays together in Disney World! If you can visit when the schools are in session and not during the holidays, you will see lower crowds. My favorite months are January, February, March, October (typically hot but I love fall), November, and December.
Pricing and Promotions! Reflect on #3 and consider the slower times because this will be when you will see the best pricing and promotions. The easiest way to break it down, Disney will use the lower pricing and promotions to fill the rooms and resorts. Have you ever wondered why your resort was not included in a promotion? The promotions are going to be used for a set number of rooms at each resort that is need of being filled. The resorts that sleep families of five are limited on promotions because there is a high demand.
Final thoughts to consider:

If you love the holidays, November and December are for you!
January and February tend to see ride closures due to refurbishments.
Want cooler temperatures? Consider November through February; March can also see nice temperatures.
You can visit Disney World at any time. The important thing to remember is thoughtful planning is important to create magical memories.

Our agency visits Disney World every 4-6 weeks so we can provide our clients with the most current information. We would love to help you plan your next memorable vacation to Happiest Place on Earth! If you have any questions or want to reach out for a quote, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

Should You Attend Disney After Hours Boo Bash or Disney Very Merriest After Hours?

We just returned from Disney World and attended the second Disney After Hours Boo Bash Party. The party hours were 9:30pm to 12:30am. Here are our thoughts on it and how you can decide if the After-Hour events are right for you.

Disney After Hours Boo Bash was so much fun! We experienced lower crowds, short wait times, our favorite character cavalcades, and of course Mickey snacks and drinks. The DJ Dance Party was hopping with guests having a ghoulish time!

The Character Cavalcades included:

Mickey’s Happy Halloween
Disney Villains
Jack’s Nightmare
Maleficent’s Fiery Prowl

The Disney Photopass® were taking magical shots. What a great way to celebrate with your family and friends by capturing those magical moments! Another Disney fan favorite is having access to purchase exclusive After Hour Disney merchandise. We have learned over the years that when you see something at Disney you want, buy it then or you will miss out!

The Trick-Or-Treat locations were well appointed throughout the park. Don’t worry, they hand out bags at the beginning in case you forget to bring your own bag. There is also a teal-colored bag for our allergy friendly friends. You grab this at the start and at each treat location, they will give you tokens you will cash in at the end of night.

Let’s not forget the Specialty Food and Beverages.

Mocha Chocolate Chip Frozen Drink- perfect to keep you going until the end of the night!
Apple Ginger Dale Frozen Drink- frozen apple cider with ginger ale, topped with Twix candy bar pieces, and whip cream
Prince John Sucker Frozen Drink- Tart green apple lemonade slush topped with a ring pop
+18703150225 Maleficent Churro- extra sweetness with chocolate cookie crumbles, purple icing, and green and purple sprinkles.

Now that we shared our Boo Bash experience, here is our take on the Disney Very Merriest After Hours. This event runs from November 8^th through December 21^st on select nights and begins at 9pm to 1am.

First, we understand the price is more expensive. Disney added an extra hour to the Merriest After Hour event, so you have 4 hours of holiday magic and fun! It is important to remember this is not your traditional seasonal parties, it is an after-hours event.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will have your favorite Disney characters and Santa Claus.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show will light up the sky, plus you will get to see the regular nighttime firework show, Disney Enchantment!

If you have any questions on this event, feel free to email us at [email protected]

Important note: you can enter the park at 7pm with your After Hours ticket. When the party starts, you can experience lower wait times, enjoy sweet treats, magical photo opportunities, plus see some of your favorite Disney characters.

We think both After Hour events are worth the cost and would do it again. We visit Disney World every six to eight weeks so that we can stay on top of all the changes for our clients. Let us help you plan your next memorable Magical vacation!

Click here to watch Disney Villains Halloween Cavalcade

What You Need to Know Before Booking Your Next Walt Disney World Vacation

Hello, I visit Walt Disney World multiple times a year. Since the pandemic, I have focused on going at least every other month to stay up to date on the new changes. Here are my best takeaways for you before you start planning.

This is the most important; Park Pass Reservations! I have seen more times than I care to admit guests arriving to Disney with no Park Pass Reservations and being denied entry! This is required to enter the Disney theme parks in Orlando, with a valid theme park admission ticket. Without a Park Pass Reservation, you will NOT be allowed to enter the theme park.
We highly recommend booking with a travel agency that specializes in Disney Destinations. You do not want to trust your vacation to anyone that doesn’t stay up to date on the current changes. Why not use a travel designer that knows the destination inside and out? Put your tax dollars back into your community and support small business.
Temperature Checks: You will have your temperature checked every time you enter a Walt Disney World theme park; even if you leave and come back. You will also have your temperature checked before entering Disney Springs.
Face Masks! They are required on Disney property, including the theme parks and Disney Springs. Anyone ages 2 and up must wear a face mask. Do yourself a favor before going and find one you prefer and bring a few extras so you can swap out during your stay.
Your Resort Pool. The pools have capacity limits so you may have to wait to swim if your pool is at capacity when you arrive.
Memory Maker Photos. Disney’s policy is noted that if anyone in your photo has removed their face mask, you will not be able to download that photo. This is their policy so if you do not wish to follow their guidelines, then we recommend you do NOT purchase Memory Maker. You can take an outdoor photo while stationary while practicing social distancing without your mask.

I hope you found this helpful. If you have any questions, please let us know. We specialize in Disney Destinations and would love to help you plan your next Magical Vacation!

We provide a day-by-day itinerary, provide insider tips, book your dining reservations, and assist before, during, and even after you travel should you need us.

Should You Rent A Car For Your Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Vacation?

There are many ways to get around Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. We have used the theme parks transportation, Uber/Lyft, and renting a car. Renting a car for your Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando vacation is an easy process, and probably our favorite.

Once you exit your plane, you will head to luggage on Level 2. Once you grab your luggage, head down to Level 1 and go to the car rental desk. There are several to choose from and we booked Alamo. We had to provide our return flight information or pay a $300 deposit. Once you complete the rental process, you will exit the airport and go to the crosswalk for your vehicle. The staff will tell you the process to get your vehicle.

There are a few important things to remember.

You will pay a nightly parking fee at your resort.
You will be billed for toll roads. (Usually, a month later and will be separate charges from the rental)
You can park for free at your Walt Disney World theme park because you have paid for parking at your resort.
You will pay for parking at Universal Theme Parks, even if you are staying at resort.
Construction around the theme park areas is always evolving and a consistent change. Please know the area you are driving and remember safety.

Pro Tip: Always do a video and take photos with your phone to confirm the condition of the vehicle when you picked it up. Keep these until after you return the rental.

Yes, You Can Honeymoon at Walt Disney World too!

We have sent many couples to Walt Disney World for their honeymoon. Why do they love it so much? Well, here are the top reasons straight from our clients.

Romantic Resorts

There are several resorts at Walt Disney World that are romantic, so we will share a few of our favorites.

Port Orleans- French Quarter is a nice smaller quaint resort themed after New Orleans! You will enjoy the lovely boat ride to Disney Springs, a horse-drawn carriage ride around the resort, or an evening eating and drinking around 11 countries in Epcot, romance is abundantly sprinkled all around.

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a favorite for honeymooners too! The deluxe accommodations are perfectly situated around the resort with access to the Monorail Loop and fabulous views of Magic Kingdom. All brides will feel like a Princess at this whimsical resort.

Theme Parks

Contrary to belief, the theme parks are not just for kids. Each park has a uniqueness that makes it special and we recommend you experience all four.

Magic Kingdom is a playground for adults with Peter Pan’s Flight taking you back to a favorite storybook or laughing your way through the ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad together!

Epcot is perfect for romance around The World Showcase. You have 11 countries to dine, shop, explore, and depending on the time of the year you may even experience one of Epcot’s famous festivals! Soarin’ Around the World or zoom in your race car on Test Track, the fun and romance possibilities are endless!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is full of excitement! You will make memories together while riding through Hollywood on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith or entering the Twilight Zone together on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™! You can also geek out at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experience the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates life and animals! Explore Pandora-The World of Avatar and fly on a banshee or float the boat on Na’vi River Journey!

Dining

Dining around Walt Disney World can be an amazing experience. California Grill offers gourmet dining with panoramic views of Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom. The BOATHOUSE®: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats™ is another favorite signature dining including water views and the opportunity to experience the amphicars for a fee. We offer many great recommendations for our clients and help with all the planning.

For your Walt Disney World honeymoon, you can have it all: activities, spectacular dining options, and romantic accommodations. Contact one of our romance specialists today for your honeymoon or anniversary trip!

Please note some resorts and restaurants are not available during the pandemic.