Before we get to what will and won’t be happening in the parks this holiday season I want to talk about just getting into the parks. As of now, Disney isn’t renewing annual passes. Our passes currently expire 11/27/20, thanks to the month that Disney extended us due to the closure. We have a timeshare booked December 4-7th. We are gifted timeshare points every year by my in-laws so we get to stay for free.

If we aren’t able to renew our passes, we won’t be visiting the parks. If we are allowed to renew our passes, we have to hope and pray that we are able to get Park Passes that close in to our travel dates, which is highly unlikely. Passholders can only hold 3 Park Passes at a time, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is very difficult to get, especially on the weekends. This trip has us rather stressed out!

Walt Disney World Holiday Cancellations

The 2020 Candlelight Processional at Epcot has been cancelled. This has been a staple of our Christmas tradition for over 20 years. We usually attend the Candlelight Processional 2-3 times during the month of December. I own the CD and I will listen to it often, but it isn’t the same.

The 2020 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has also been cancelled. While we don’t attend the party every year, it is a lot of fun, and it will be missed.

While we had hoped the Candlelight Processional and Christmas Party weren’t going to be cancelled, I don’t think anyone thought the Castle Dream Lights would be cancelled as well!

What to Expect while Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World in 2020

A reimagined holiday celebration will begin Nov. 6, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort, with the four theme parks, Disney Springs and Disney resort hotels decked for the season. Through Dec. 30, guests will discover seasonal food and drinks at The Most Magical Place on Earth, as well as special merchandise and enchanting new entertainment experiences.

When night falls at Magic Kingdom Park, projection effects will transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs, including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle will provide the perfect colorful background for guests seeking a magical holiday portrait.

Highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will begin Nov. 27. Holiday kitchens will return around the World Showcase promenade, offering favorite dishes such as Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing at the American Holiday Table.

• At Magic Kingdom, characters synonymous with the season – including gingerbread men and elves – will join Disney characters in cavalcades through the park. On Main Street, U.S.A., toy soldiers will march with the Main Street Philharmonic as they bring musical cheer for all to hear.
• Favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday finest will appear in festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Minnie Mouse will host a yuletide dining experience at Hollywood & Vine, inviting some of her best pals – including Santa Goofy – to join the fun.
• Inside World ShowPlace at EPCOT, JOYFUL! will take guests on a musical journey of holiday music, while Voices of Liberty will use their eight-part harmonies to share songs of the season at the America Gardens Theatre.
• Elaborately decorated Christmas trees will spring up throughout Disney Springs, and a magical snowfall will occur within Town Center, West Side and The Landing. In addition, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with delightful décor and a limited-time menu of festive favorites.
• Disney resort hotels will deck their halls for the holidays, including iconic Christmas trees in lobbies and other festive flourishes.
• Santa Claus will wave to guests as he makes pop-up appearances at each park, as well as Disney Springs. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for example, he will sail down Discovery River on a special flotilla.

Book Now for Holiday Travel

Even though the Christmas celebrations at Walt Disney World will look different this year, we will still be there, one way or another. I hope you will be there too. We need all the holiday cheer we can get this year and no place does that better than Walt Disney World! If you are ready to plan your magical holiday vacation, I am here to help you every step of the way.

Just Email me and we will get started. I am a certified Disney vacation planner with Destinations 2 Travel, LLC a Disney Earmarked travel agency. I love helping families plan their Disney vacations.

The post Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World in 2020 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Before I get to that information though I wanted to update you on my plans to visit Walt Disney World. I tried to get in on the Passholder Preview for later this week, before the official reopening, but after 20 minutes in the virtual waiting room, we were told all the Park Passes for the event had been distributed

I was able to snag a Park Pass for me to make a solo day trip to the Magic Kingdom next week on Thursday, July 16th. Make sure you are following me on Instagram, Facebook, and my Travel Facebook to follow along.

I also got Disney’s Hollywood Studios for August 14th for Ron and I as well as August 15th at the Magic Kingdom. Jordan and Savannah also got Park Passes for the 15th so we will have a fun family day! Hopefully, after my July 16th visit I can get a Park Pass for Epcot so I can check out A Taste of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. Passholders can only have 3 Park Pass reservations at a time, so planning is more difficult than ever!

Magic Kingdom Attractions

Most of your favorite Magic Kingdom attractions will be open when the park reopens. We know there will be no parades, fireworks, or character meet and greets but Disney is working on other ways for us to see our favorite characters, in a socially distanced manner.

Adventureland Attractions

• Jungle Cruise
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Frontierland Attractions

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Splash Mountain
• Tom Sawyer Island

Liberty Square Attractions

• Liberty Square Riverboat
• The Hall of Presidents
• The Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland Attractions

• It’s a Small World
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid

Storybook Circus

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer

Tommorowland Attractions

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Epcot Attractions

Future World Attractions

• Awesome Planet
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Walt Disney Imagineering Presents The EPCOT Experience

World Showcase Attractions

• Canada Far and Wide
• Friendship Lagoon Boats
• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
• Impressions de France
• Kidcot-modified experiences
• Reflections of China
• The American Adventure

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours-The Adventure Continues
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!
• Walt Disney Presents

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Attractions

Discovery Island

• Discovery Island Trails
• It’s Tough to be a Bug
• Wilderness Explorers

Pandora

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’avi River Journey

Africa

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail aka Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
• Kilimanjaro Safari

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

• Affection Section
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
• Wildlife Express

Asia

• Expedition Everest
• Kali River Rapids
• Maharajah Jungle Trek

Dinoland, USA

• DINOSAUR
• TriceraTop Spin

Of course, I am always here to help you plan your most magical Walt Disney World vacation! I’m sure, even with some Disney World attractions closed, we can plan a fun time for your family. just Email me and we will start planning.

The post Which Walt Disney World Attractions Will Be Available Upon Reopening? appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom open to guests on Saturday, July 11, 2020. Epcot and Hollywood Studios open on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. There will be a new reservation system in place on DisneyWorld.com where guests will need a reservation for the specific date and park they want to visit. This reservation system will allow Disney to better control the number of guests in a park at the same time. Disney will be significantly reducing the guest capacity in this first phase of reopening.

What Will Be Different at Least in Phase One

• Face coverings (masks) required for everyone ages 2+
• Temperature and Health Screening before entering park
• Increased cleaning and sanitizing, especially of high touch areas
• Plexiglass to protect Cast Members
• Increased hand washing and hand sanitizer stations throughout the park
• Social distancing enforced throughout the parks, in stores, ride queues, on rides, in restaurants etc.
• Increased mobile ordering capabilities via the My Disney Experience app
• Urging guests to go cashless with charging to room via Magic Band, or using Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
• No parades
• No Fireworks or Nighttime Spectaculars
• No Character Meet n Greets
• Play Areas and Water Effects Closed
• No Fastpasses
• No Dining Plans
• No Extra Magic Hours

Disney World’s Reopening Plan Means Changes in Dining, Fastpasses, Ticket Sales and More

At 9:44pm EDT on 5-28-2020 Disney informed the world that they were pausing all new reservations and ticket sales so that they can get the new reservation system in place. At that same time they announced that all existing dining and experience reservations have been canceled and all Fastpasses have been canceled.

The reasoning for these cancellations is so that Disney can start fresh with the new reservation system and make sure that park, resort, and restaurant capacity limits will be adhered to. Yes, it stinks if you got up early 180 days before your trip to make your dining reservations and now they are all gone. I’m sorry, I really do feel horrible for you. When dining reservations are available again there will only be a 60 day window instead of the 180 day window we are used to. To get your dining reservation you must have valid park admission AND have your park reservation for that day before you can make your Advanced Dining Reservation.

Walt Disney World’s reopening plan does not include Fastpasses. Disney says they will be using the Fastpass queues for additional social distancing. It may also be that with smaller crowds, wait times will be shorter and Fastpasses won’t be needed.

This is new territory for all of us. We travel agent’s heads have been spinning for days as we help our clients navigate these changes. I promise you all of the Destinations 2 Travel agents are working hard to help our clients make the best vacation choices for their families. If you want to visit in 2020, please Email me. You are going to want to use a travel professional from an Ear Marked agency to help you wade through these new vacation planning waters. My services are FREE to you.

If you are looking for reopening information for LEGOLAND and Universal Orlando you can find it here.

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Finally, the long awaited part 4 to my Disney Fastpass series. To get you up to speed we started with my Top 10 Disney Fastpass Tips. Then we moved on to making our Fastpass selections for the Magic Kingdom and for Epcot. There has been a 4 month gap in this series because we knew the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fastpass tiers would be changing with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Starting March 4, 2020 the Fastpass tiers are changing again!

The Current Fastpass+ Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage
• Disney Jr Dance Party
• Fantasmic!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppetvision 3-D
• Rock ‘n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith-48″ height requirement
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours-The Adventure Continues-40″ height requirement
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror-40″ height requirement
• Toy Story Mania
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid

There are now 15 attractions available for Fastpass+ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the addition of Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway . Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is still using boarding groups and is not yet a part of the Fastpass+ system.

Just like in Epcot, the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fastpass system has 2 tiers. When you make your selections you get to choose one from tier 1 and two from tier 2. With the change starting March 4,2020, almost everything is in tier 2. Here is how it breaks down.

Tier 1

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Slinky Dog Dash

Tier 2

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Disney Jr Dance Party
• Fantasmic!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Muppetvision 3-D
• Rock ‘n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Star Tours-The Adventure Continues
• Toy Story Mania
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid

What to Fastpass at Hollywood Studios

The holy grails of Fastpasses at DHS are the three tier one rides: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Slinky Dog Dash We aren’t big Star Wars fans and I can’t wait to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway but Slinky is our first choice. I’m hoping under the new system we will actually have a chance at getting Fastpasses for it but I’m not holding my breath. I happily wait 90 minutes for this ride when I can’t get a Fastpass, I love it that much! Our third choice would be Toy Story Mania.

When it comes to tier 2 we usually get Rock ‘n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. Ron loves this ride and he gets to ride it twice, once using my Magic Band and once using his. Our third choice would be Toy Story Mania.

Depending what is available on tier 2 our other choices would be For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Fantasmic!, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, or Muppetvision 3-D.

It has been many years since we have had little ones to take to the Disney Jr Dance Party but if you plan on going, get a Fastpass, waiting in that line can be brutal. Ron can’t ride simulators so we never ride Star Tours-The Adventure Continues, but I recommend it to Star Wars fans. I have never needed a Fastpass for Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage or Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

I hope this post helped you sort out your Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fastpass selections. Don’t forget, if you book your Disney Vacation Package through me, I do the planning with you…for FREE! Just Email Me and we will start planning!

The post How to Make your Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fastpass Selections appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Would it be worth the time and money to plan two trips; One to ride Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and a later trip to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? It seems many fans chose to wait until both rides were open to visit Disneyland. The summer attendance there has been much lower than predicted.

Walt Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be opening phase one with Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run will be opening on August 29, 2019. It was recently announced that phase two will be opening sooner than many expected, December 5, 2019, just over 3 months after phase one, on Walt Disney’s birthday. Disneyland’s phase two is set to open January 17, 2020.

We still do not know how Walt Disney World will handle the crowds at the opening in August or now again in December. We do know that there will be Extra, Extra Magic Hours for guests staying in a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel September 1-November 2. We also know there will not be Fastpasses available for either of these rides for the foreseeable future.

What I do know is this is going to mess up my December Walt Disney World vacation. We will be there December 5-8. We are not Star Wars fans, but we were hoping to check out the new land during our visit. With Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opening on the day we arrive, I’m not sure what that is going to do for our plans to be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I am pretty sure we will avoid Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but we may have to plan less time in that park on that trip.

If you are a Star Wars fan who has been waiting for the announcement for the phase 2 opening, now is the time to book your visit to Galaxy’s Edge. Email me and we will start planning!

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About Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is located next to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. When guests cruise inside, they will come face to face with Lightning, who appears live on stage. The theater features a 17-foot-tall wraparound screen that stretches more than 200 feet end to end, enveloping guests in high-octane fun.

During the 10-minute show, Lightning shares racing knowledge gathered over the course of his illustrious career. And if there’s one thing he’s learned over the years … things don’t always go the way they’re supposed to. But with the help of Mater, Cruz Ramirez and other friends from Radiator Springs, Lightning is bound to get back on track. Sometimes you just have to turn right to go left!

Our Thoughts on the Attraction

The Queue, or lack thereof can be disconcerting. There is a queue area to the left of the building. There are several umbrellas and fans to help keep waiting guests cool. When we arrived we were the 3rd family in the queue area. Many other families were checking out what is technically the post-show area while they waited. When the “doors will be opening soon” announcement was made, those families made there way to the queue area and worked their way in front of the families who had been waiting under the umbrellas or near the fans. I feel there needs to be an actual queue system to avoid the mad rush and keep things orderly.

Once you enter the theater there are benches for you to sit on. The show takes place on the large screen and a raised stage so there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is a fun show for all ages and…it is air conditioned with seats so you might as well enjoy that for the 10 minute show. When you exit the show you can meet Cruz Ramirez and DJ. You cannot meet or take pictures with Lightning McQueen. As we were exiting I heard several parents telling children that they were going to take pictures with Lightning and that just isn’t offered.

We enjoyed the attraction and I’m sure we will visit again. It also gives me something else to do while Ron and the boys are riding Rock ‘n Roller Coaster! If you are ready to book your next Walt Disney World vacation just Email Me and we will get started!

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10. Coronado Springs Resort

In summer 2019, Walt Disney World Resort will unveil a completely reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, featuring hundreds of new guestrooms and a plethora of new amenities. Walt Disney Imagineering is reinvigorating the resort with fresh storytelling and functional enhancements that will make a dramatic impact on the experience for guests.

The biggest addition to the property will be a 15-story tower offering a two-level entrance lobby, 545 guest rooms (including 50 suites), a themed and unique rooftop table-service restaurant, two presidential suites and more.

A second new restaurant will be located on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado. New walkways will stretch across the lake, allowing quick and convenient passage to and from all areas of the resort.

9. Hakuna Matata Time

It’s been 25 years since Simba, Timon, Rafiki and all the other treasured characters from Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lion King” first roared into our hearts. In 2019, guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be able to celebrate the classic animated film more than ever.

Each day from Jan. 18 to Sept. 30, guests will feel the love during the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party,” a raucous celebration where young adventurers will let their inner animals roam free on the dance floor. Timon and Rafiki will engage everyone in entertaining dances and games inspired by “The Lion King,” as wildly talented musicians provide the perfect soundtrack in a World Beat style.

Also from Jan. 18 to Sept. 30, guests will imagine themselves in scenes from the film via new three-dimensional photo opportunities at the park. These backdrops will allow guests to re-create iconic “Lion King” moments ideal for sharing on social media platforms.

8. Walt Disney World Skyliner Gondolas

The Skyliner Gondolas will begin transporting guests around Walt Disney World in the fall of 2019! Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

7. Disney on Broadway Concerts

The Disney on Broadway Concert Series, held during the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, expands to seven days a week during the 2019 festival, providing more opportunities than ever before to hear pairs of Disney on Broadway stars sing favorite tunes from award-winning productions. The lineup will rotate regularly, featuring music from “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast” and other hit shows. The festival runs January 18-February 25, 2019.

6. Epcot Forever Fireworks

IllumiNations is finally going away, yay! An all-new, transformative spectacular is set to debut in 2020. It will celebrate how Disney music can inspire people from around the world, featuring massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers.

Before that new show debuts, there will be a limited-time experience Epcot fans will love, called Epcot Forever, a true celebration of this timeless park. Debuting in fall 2019 and set to classic Epcot tunes, the show begins with a spark of imagination that quickly grows into an epic spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers, and choreographed, special effects kites.

5. Garden Rocks Concerts

Welcome spring’s arrival with the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, returning March 6-June 3. This year’s event will feature delectable bites at outdoor kitchens, as well as dozens of world-renowned, Disney-themed topiaries. For more fun than ever, the Garden Rocks Concert Series expands to seven days a week in 2019, offering a mixture of new artists and returning favorites. With three concerts per day for all 90 days of the festival, Garden Rocks will deliver an amazing 270 concerts next year at the America Gardens Theatre.

4. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Imagineers have been hard at work creating Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, using breakthrough technology to transform a two-dimensional cartoon into an amazing real-world experience. The first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse – set to open in fall 2019 – will feature a new original story and lovable theme song as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.

3. Lots of Fun with Pixar Pals

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is transforming into a place where guests experience their own adventures in the immersive worlds of their cinematic imaginations. This reimagining of the park came to life in 2018 with the debut of Toy Story Land, an 11-acre immersive land dedicated to Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films. As Disney’s Hollywood Studios prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary May 1, now, more than ever, Pixar pals in the park will ensure 2019 is a blockbuster year.

Beginning Jan. 18, Pixar Place will transform into a Municiberg city block from Pixar’s Incredibles films. Guests will meet super suit designer Edna Mode and see some of her greatest creations. They will look for clues to the whereabouts of the youngest Incredible, the mischievous and multi-powered Jack-Jack. And at the end of the block, guests will celebrate the heroic deeds of Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone, who will make appearances throughout the day during a party featuring lively music, dancing, interactive games and lots more Super fun.

Also starting Jan. 18, two popular guest favorites return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios when a door to the monster world opens inside Walt Disney Presents, welcoming Mike and Sulley from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.

And then in spring 2019, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will speed into Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This new show experience will welcome guests to the world of Pixar’s Cars films, bringing them face to face with racing legend Lightning McQueen. As the next generation of rookie racers, guests will learn from Lightning’s years of experience on the track. This will be the untold story of Lightning McQueen … as told by Lightning McQueen!

2. Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration

The fun begins Jan. 18 when Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration kicks off at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, honoring those true originals, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, with new entertainment, merchandise and specialty food and beverage. A highlight of the celebration will be the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party.” Several times daily, this colorful procession will parade up Main Street, U.S.A. toward Cinderella Castle, where guests will be invited to join in the energetic dance party. Singing hosts will keep things hopping with modern remixes of favorite “Mickey Mouse Club” melodies and more. Joining Mickey and Minnie in all the fun will be a bevy of beloved Disney characters, including Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Max, Chip ’n Dale and others.

1. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was announced at D23 Expo 2015, fans have been eager to learn more. Now we know that beginning in the fall of 2019, guests can take the controls in one of three unique and critical roles aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. On Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, guests can join an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance – including a face-off with Kylo Ren. These two new incredible experiences, paired with the land’s interactive components and optional integration with the Play Disney Parks app, will invite guests to become galactic travelers and live their own Star Wars stories in a galaxy far, far away.

Wow! 2019 is going to be an amazing year at Walt Disney World, I hope to see you there!

The post Top 10 Reasons to Plan a Walt Disney World Vacation for 2019 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

What’s so special about a Disney Christmas vacation??? Everything!! There are so many seasonal activities there is truly something for everyone during the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort. Here is a preview of the festivities that await guests.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guests will experience a Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Nov. 8-Jan.6, with festive entertainment and exciting holiday touches around the park.

• Toy Story Land will feature special seasonal fun, such as holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers.
• Sunset Seasons Greetings returns this year with impressive new laser effects and “snow.” Guests will witness spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Olaf and others – sharing their favorite seasonal stories as holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season.
• The nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will combine state-of-the-art projections, fireworks, special effects and music to create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
• Guests will meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop Nov.10-Dec. 24, and Santa Goofy after he steps in Dec. 25.

If you want to read about our Christmastime visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios last year, click here.

Magic Kingdom Park

Charming decorations, holiday treats, a sparkling icy castle and more will await guests at Magic Kingdom Park, transforming it into an enchanting holiday wonderland.

The holiday festivities at the park will also include Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a specially ticketed, limited-attendance celebration that will take place on select nights starting Nov. 8. Each night of the event will feature an exclusive showing of Holiday Wishes fireworks and performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. Guests will also experience the beauty of a scintillating Cinderella Castle, meet characters in their festive finery and even enjoy complimentary cookies and cocoa.

Epcot

Guests will discover joyous holiday traditions from 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Beginning Nov. 18, this year’s festival will deliver a yuletide extravaganza.

• Seasonal tastes from around the globe are served at special Holiday Kitchens.
• World Showcase pavilions come alive with the sights and sounds of special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage.
• Chip and Dale will be collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree. In Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt, guests will purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise locations and travel around World Showcase looking for the famous chipmunks with their ornaments. Guests will then return their completed maps for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip and Dale. Maps are available for $6.99 (plus tax).
• The nightly fireworks display, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, will feature an additional holiday finale.
• One of the most popular Epcot traditions, the Candlelight Processional, returns. This retelling of the Christmas story will feature a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a choir. Performances will run three times each night from Nov. 22-Dec. 30.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

New this year, the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Starting Nov. 8, guests will join fun-loving pals Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s “Up” in discovering some of the world’s most exotic birds.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs will be the perfect destination for holiday shopping, dining and entertainment, with the chance to experience holiday magic along the way. Festivities run Nov. 8-Jan. 5:

• Guests will stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and view custom-decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring characters like Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, among others.
• At Santa’s Chalet, Santa Claus will accept Christmas wish lists and welcome guests. From Dec. 25-Dec. 31, Santa Goofy will take over after Old Saint Nick heads back to the North Pole.
• Guests will take part in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt and discover where the mischievous Experiment 626 is hiding.

Holiday Fun at the Resort Hotels

Life-size edible creations will take shape at select resorts. A holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be home to The Bake Shop, where guests will pick up holiday treats, including the namesake gingerbread. A life-size, edible spinning carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, while a holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
In the lobbies of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests will take in the grandeur of massive Christmas trees.
No holiday is complete without a special dining experience. Holiday menus that celebrate the season will be found at restaurants throughout Walt Disney World.

Ring in the New Year at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel

To celebrate the New Year, guests will be able to choose between two New Year’s Eve celebrations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration and Disney Countdown to Midnight, including an option to purchase VIP access to the Ink and Paint Club. Both celebrations will feature entertainment, music, food and refreshments, plus a viewing of the Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks to cap off the night.

Now is the time to plan your Walt Disney World Christmas season vacation. I am so excited to help you plan this magical and memorable trip. Just Email Me and we will get started planning.

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Toy Story Land is bright and beautiful just like you would imagine Andy’s backyard to be. As you enter the land you are greeted by a large Woody figure which talks! Next I came across the meet and greet for our favorite Space Ranger so I had to stop and get my photo with him. All the while you can hear Jessie and Rex talking as they hang out atop the Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster.

I had a Fastpass for Alien Swirling Saucers so that meant I was going to have to go standby for Toy Story Midway Mania and Slinky Dog Dash. All three of these attractions are tier 1 Fastpasses at Disney’s Hollywood Studios so you can only Fastpass one of these attractions in your initial 3 Fastpasses for the day.

I entered the new queue for Toy Story Midway Mania, the standby wait time said 55 minutes, my actual wait was 40 minutes. I’ve loved this attraction for years and I scored Cat and I was highest score in the vehicle, that never happens when I ride with my family! After a quick stop in the colorful restrooms, which boast 3 changing tables in the ladies room, I headed to Alien Swirling Saucers to use my Fastpass. The standby wait time was 35 minutes. I enjoyed this ride but since I was riding alone, I slid all over the place. It is a fun albeit short ride. I personally wouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes for this attraction.

My Slinky Dog Dash Experience

Next it was over to Slinky Dog Dash!!! I am not a big roller coaster fan but I have ridden all the coasters at Walt Disney World and the fact that I was riding it for the first time as a solo traveler had me a bit extra nervous. When I approached the standby line the wait time was 80 minutes, ugh! I knew this was going to be my longest wait of the day but as passholders, we are spoiled and we have a family rule that we never get in a line with a wait time of more than 30 minutes.

I like to use the stopwatch on my phone to see how long the wait times actually are. My total wait time for Slinky Dog Dash was 1 hour 58 minutes and 22 seconds. Why so long? Florida thunderstorms. The first 42 minutes in line went smoothly, except for announcements that sever weather was heading toward the area and the ride would be shut down when it arrived. At 42 minutes and 43 seconds the storm arrived, the ride was shut down and we were in a holding pattern. Thankfully I was about 2/3 of the way through the queue and well under cover so I stayed put. Several people chose to leave the line and brave the elements. After a 49 minute and 46 second rain delay they announced the ride was reopening. Everyone stood up and filled in the spaces of those who had chosen to leave. Restarting the ride took an additional 16 minutes and 6 seconds. Once the ride was operating it took only 9 minutes and 48 seconds for me to board. So, if there wasn’t a 66 minute rain delay, my wait time would have been about 52 and a half minutes.

Disney leaves no empty seats on Slinky Dog Dash so they separate odd number parties from even number parties for loading. I was seated with a 20 something year old girl who warned me she would probably scream. I assured her I was a screamer too and then we were off. We did scream, and we laughed. Slinky Dog Dash is the smoothest coaster I have ever been on! It was so much fun and is now on my must-ride list for everyone 38″ tall and taller.

After my ride I headed over to Woody’s Lunch Box to pick up my dinner which I had ordered during the rain delay using mobile ordering. I ordered the BBQ Brisket Melt with Potato Barrels, the side of cheese sauce and a soda. The sandwich was good but I wish I had checked out the condiment station for some more BBQ sauce because the sandwich was a bit dry. I also wish I had saved my money and not added the cheese sauce because it was nasty. My next visit to Woody’s Lunch Box will be a morning visit so I can try the S’mores French Toast. The only real negative to Woody’s Lunch Box is there is no where near enough seating near the restaurant.

I had a wonderful time in Toy Story Land and I can’t wait to share it with my family. Now that I have experienced this new land it also makes it  for me to help my travel clients plan their magical Walt Disney World vacation. It doesn’t cost you a penny to book with a travel agent and we handle your Fastpasses,  Advanced Dining Reservations, and you get expert park touring plans customized just for you. Email Me now and we can get started.

The post My First Visit to Toy Story Land appeared first on The Mom Maven.

photo credit-Disney

“Everyone has a special food memory, so it can be tricky putting a modern spin on the favorites,” explained Lenny DeGeorge, Concept Development Culinary Director for Walt Disney World. “We honored these classic dishes by using the best ingredients to elevate the flavors. How we constructed the sandwiches was important, such as layering the ingredients in a specific order, to maximize textures and flavors. Why have a cold sandwich when you can have a toasted hot, gooey, cheese-filled one?”

A Sampling of the Woody’s Lunch Box Menu

S’more French Toast Breakfast Sandwich – Oozy goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles. Inspired by the classic American campfire treat. (Disney)

• S’more French Toast breakfast sandwich-Oozy goodness in a chocolate ganache- and marshmallow-stuffed French toast topped with graham cracker crumbles. Inspired by the classic American campfire treat.
• Grilled three-cheese sandwich -To ensure a soft gooey middle, Disney chefs created a sharp cheddar cream cheese spread, layered in provolone and cheddar and wrapped the sandwich in garlic butter-grilled French bread.
• Monte Cristo Sandwich-Woody’s version of this classic sandwich has layers of ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and raspberry jam…and is grilled to a golden brown.
• BBQ brisket melt –With a nod to cowboy Woody, this Texas-style smoked brisket features cheddar, Monterey Jack, pickles, BBQ sauce and garlic butter-grilled sourdough.
• Totchos- Bite-sized potato barrels, corn chips, chili and queso. ‘Nuf said.
• Lunch box tarts-A modern interpretation of a breakfast toaster pastry as a hand-held dessert, these feature a uniquely delicate crust. Layer in high-quality ingredients for fillings, add a decorative garnish, and these tasty tarts beat anything mom packed. Choice of Raspberry Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Dried Fruit and Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart garnished with Icing and Caramelized Bacon

Healthier menu options include:

• Smoked turkey, tomato, and lettuce on multigrain bread The quintessential lunch box sandwich. To give it a kick of flavor, Disney chefs add a creamy Dijonnaise.
• Banana Split Yogurt Parfait Layers of banana-vanilla Greek yogurt (with a hint of honey), fresh bananas, strawberries, and pineapple topped with granola and chocolate chips. A delicious way to start the day!

When Toy Story Land opens June 30 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Woody’s Lunch Box will serve up classic on-the-go menu items with a creative twist. A signature item, the lunch box tarts will be a modern interpretation of a breakfast toaster pastry as a hand-held dessert. (Disney)

Kids’ offerings include grilled cheese sandwich or turkey sandwich, both with potato barrels and mandarin oranges. Sides include tomato basil soup, vegetable macaroni salad, potato barrels and Mini Babybel® snack cheese, the official snack cheese of Walt Disney World Resort. See the full menu for Woody’s Lunch Box.

In addition to fountain drinks and refreshing lemonade, beverage offerings include a classic Barq’s root beer float and a Mystic Portal Punch (PowerAde Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine).

Oh my goodness!! I need that S’more French Toast breakfast sandwich in my mouth right now!! I have a feeling Woody’s Lunch Box is going to become a new family favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Have you booked your visit to the new Toy Story Land? Email Me and we will start planning your magical Walt Disney World vacation today!

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