8 NBA Experience at Disney Springs

Basketball is officially “in season” this fall, after NBA Experience holds a championship-worthy grand opening Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. When guests step into this re-creation of a modern NBA arena, they’ll feel what it’s like to be a basketball superstar. The one-of-a-kind destination features 13 unique interactive and hands-on experiences where Disney magic merges with the thrills of the NBA and WNBA.

7 Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs

 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will greet guests with its new 15-story Gran Destino tower (opening this summer), adding 500-plus guestrooms, including suites and concierge-level services. Sitting atop the new Gran Destino tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will be Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, a new table-service restaurant featuring dishes and small plates inspired by the flavors of Spain.

6 10th Annual Wine and Dine Half Marathon

This fall’s runDisney race season is a delectable celebration 10 years in the making as the 2019 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 3. Filled with a delicious slate of events and Disney magic along every mile, this year’s event includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon and kids’ races. During this year’s Disney Fall Feast 5K, guests can run, jog or walk their way around Epcot for the first time during this fall event. At the Nov. 3 post-race party, guests enjoy after-hours access to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, including marketplaces and select Epcot attractions.

5 Disney Skyliner Takes Flight

A new mode of transportation will float through the air around Walt Disney World this fall when Disney Skyliner, a state-of-the-art gondola system, begins gliding guests across the sky in custom cabins. Disney Skyliner will conveniently 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 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort (planned to open in mid-December).

Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior designs to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests. Disney Skyliner will offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky.

4 Last Call for Illuminations

For nearly 20 years, the nighttime spectacular “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has brought each day at Epcot to a thrilling close. Guests have marveled as World Showcase lagoon came to life with fireworks, fountains and lasers paying homage to the joyful story of humanity and the remarkable achievements of our time. The show’s final night will be Sept. 30, to make way for an all-new, limited-time spectacular, “Epcot Forever,” debuting Oct. 1.

This new show will be a celebration of the past, present and future of Epcot, built around the magical soundtrack guests have come to know and love at the park. The new show will feature fireworks, lasers and choreographed special-effect kites accompanied by a stirring collection of songs celebrating Epcot.

3 New Fireworks Show for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

A new Halloween-themed fireworks show debuts this year during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This new show will feature state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks that come together to tell a not-so-scary story about how anything can happen on Halloween night. The show will take guests along for a trick-or-treating adventure, where four friends – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy – find themselves drawn into a mysterious haunted house.

Held for a record 36 select nights from Aug. 16-Nov. 1, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed event that captures the spirit of the season with spooky décor, lighting and music parkwide, along with returning favorites such as “Mickey’s Boo to You Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular” castle stage show and trick-or-treating throughout the park. Also returning for this year’s party will be special attraction experiences for Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy the spirit of Halloween with their families. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a ticketed, after-hours special event. 

2 87 Days of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The Epcot celebration of cuisine, music and more takes place Aug. 29-Nov. 23 – a record 87 days. During this foodie festival, the park will brim with marketplaces, culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, specialty merchandise and much more.

Here’s some fun for the whole family, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send guests on an adventure searching for Remy in a savory scavenger hunt around the festival. Eat to the Beat concerts will bring a lineup of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing and Latin artists, with three shows every night of the festival through Nov. 19. Families will find a play area for kids and an international flair – including kid-approved menu items – at many of the 30-plus Global Marketplaces.

1 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opens August 29

On the heels of its Aug. 29 opening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests the chance this fall to live their own Star Wars stories. The action takes place on Batuu, a far-flung planet populated by scoundrels and adventurers. While visiting the land, guests can stop for a drink at Oga’s Cantina or discover rare artifacts at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, among other immersive Star Wars experiences.

The groundbreaking attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives guests control of the iconic spacecraft as the ship hurtles through space on a smuggling mission. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a second attraction opening later in 2019, will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

Book Now

Now is the time to book your fall Walt Disney World vacation and I’m here to help! My services are FREE to you Just Email me and we will start planning your magical vacation!

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Adventures by Disney will transport guests to the storied land of pharaohs and pyramids in 2020 with the launch of an unforgettable family vacation itinerary in Egypt, a three-part tour featuring adventures by land, river and sea. Disney’s roster of guided adventures in 2020 also includes more adult-exclusive departures than ever before, with many itineraries offering new activities and experiences tailored to adults. A reimagined trip to Montana and Yellowstone National Park highlights the return of more than 35 popular itineraries around the globe.

The Ultimate Egypt Experience

Few destinations boast the singular mystique that makes Egypt a dream destination for travelers from all over the world. With Adventures by Disney, families will be immersed in the allure of both ancient and modern Egypt during a skillfully planned itinerary developed with the trusted family travel expertise of Disney.

The journey will deliver up-close encounters with the legendary landmarks and rich history of ancient Egypt, complemented by interactive introductions to the customs and culture of contemporary Cairo. From there, an enchanting cruise along the Nile River provides access to lesser-known — but no less wondrous — relics of the old world, and an indulgent retreat on the colorful shores of the Red Sea offers a refreshing blend of fun in the sun and relaxation.

Sophisticated Adults-Only Fun

As part of Adventures by Disney’s expansion of adult-exclusive departures, new programming will be added to select itineraries in 2020 to further tailor the experience for adults. Perfect for groups of friends, couples, extended family and adults traveling with their parents, these vacations offer the all-inclusive, hassle-free fun of an Adventures by Disney trip for travelers seeking sophistication, variety and adventure.

New adult-exclusive programming includes the behind-the-scenes museum tour in Egypt; a ceviche cooking class and artisan beer tasting in Costa Rica; a culinary walking tour of Athens’ central market in Greece; a behind-the-scenes experience at a Sichuan “face-changing” opera in China; a premium five-course meal with cocktail pairings in Australia; mango-carving and coffee-tasting activities in Laos; and a private nighttime excursion in search of the Northern Lights in Iceland, among others.

Returning Adventures

The 2020 itinerary lineup includes the return of popular itineraries around the globe, with more than 35 vacations on six continents currently available in the growing portfolio. The diverse mix of itineraries includes incredible international destinations such as Japan, South Africa, Peru and Scotland, as well as some of North America’s most iconic sites including Alaska, New York City, and Arizona and Utah. These purposefully designed, hassle-free vacation experiences provide unique opportunities for families to discover the world together, along with the expert services of two Disney-trained Adventure Guides.

Adventures by Disney continues to enhance existing itineraries with compelling new activities for guests to enjoy. During the Montana and Yellowstone National Park vacation — which transports guests to the Old West to witness spectacular natural wonders, go glamping under the stars and live large at a rustic dude ranch — new experiences in 2020 include a visit to the Norris Geyser Basin and one-night stay in beautiful Bozeman, Montana.

Adventures by Disney also recently announced its most extensive season of European river cruises ever for 2020, including a brand-new vacation in southern France along the Rhone River. The record-breaking 27 departures also include itineraries on the Danube, Rhine and Seine rivers. Sailing with AmaWaterways, a premier luxury river cruise line, these all-inclusive vacations allow guests to explore the heart of Europe in a way that’s active, immersive and worry free. River cruise adventures for 2020 are currently available for booking.

The 2020 Adventures by Disney booking window is now open! Email Me if you would like more information and a family friendly or adults-only ABD vacation.

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The 90-day event continues through June 3, featuring dozens of Disney-crafted topiaries and beds of multi-colored blooms that will transform the Epcot landscape into a floral extravaganza. As just one example of this metamorphosis, nearly 70,000 festival blooms will surround the lakes in Future World, while on the water, hundreds of colorful mini-gardens will be set afloat.

Here is a look at some of the discoveries guests will make this year:

• The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will expand to every day of the festival, featuring chart-topping artists performing three shows daily on the America Gardens Theatre stage. That’s 270 concerts – more than ever before – featuring new and returning fan favorites spanning multiple genres. Returning favorites like The Spinners and Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will be joined by artists new to the festival like TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman and Colin Hay of Men at Work.
• Creative new culinary dishes and several new outdoor kitchens will debut this year. AdventHealth will host a kitchen along with a nearby playground where the whole family can learn fun and interactive ways to stay healthy.
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear will welcome Bo Peep and her sheep to their Toy Story topiary near the Family Play Zone in Future World East.
• Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration family scavenger hunt will be more fun than ever this year with new locations to discover along the garden pollination trail. Guests can also commemorate their scavenger hunt experience with select merchandise offerings featuring everyone’s favorite bee, Spike. Another guest favorite returning to the festival April 5-21 (while supplies last) is the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt, where guests can search for Disney character-themed eggs around World Showcase.
• In celebration of Disneynature’s “Penguins,” opening April 17, a 9-foot-tall art sculpture made from recycled marine debris will be on display in Future World featuring an adult and baby Adélie penguin. Created by the non-profit organization WashedAshore.org, this work of art is designed to inspire Guests to keep our oceans and waterways clear of plastic pollution.

Among the returning gardens and exhibits, guests will once again enjoy the Goodness Garden Butterfly House presented by GoGo squeeZ where nearly 1,000 native butterflies willfly among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants. Additionally, several World Showcase pavilions will include gardens with floral life representative of plants in those countries, such as the Kokodema Garden and Bonsai Collection in Japan, the Urban Spice Garden in Morocco and the Alpine Container Garden in Germany.

As Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival goers take in all these floral wonders, they will find fine tastes to savor along their journey. In addition to the Outdoor Kitchens, raised-bed or in-ground gardens of herbs and produce will offer the perfect inspiration for learning to grow healthy ingredients. Several Epcot food-and-beverage locations – including Taste Track and Refreshment Port– will offer festival-themed eats and libations. Additionally, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at 15 popular Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating for a nightly concert with a Garden Rocks Dining Package. Dining packages are now booking at FreshEpcot.com or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

Guided tours are also available for guests interested in learning more about nature’s magic. In Behind the Seeds – The Land, guests can explore the fish farm and four greenhouses that make up The Land at Epcot. Additionally, two guided experiences exclusive to the festival include:

• The Royal Tea Garden Tour, presented by Twinings, which takes place each festival morning at the United Kingdom. For a small fee, guests can follow a knowledgeable guide through the tranquil tea garden setting to learn the history and artistry behind growing and blending tea. A post-tour treat of tea and scones is included. The shorter, complimentary English Tea Garden Tour also will be offered on select days.
• During the Gardens of the World tour, guests will join a Disney horticulturist for a three-hour walking tour to explore the award-winning topiaries and gardens that make the festival so special. Guests will learn about the unique role landscaping plays at Walt Disney World and discover new plant materials and gardening techniques to use for home gardens.

Guided tours are offered select days throughout the festival for an additional fee. Epcot admission is required. Reservations for tours open January 2019. For more information or to make a reservation, call (407) WDW-TOUR.

Guests can also commemorate their visit to the 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival with official event merchandise. They can dig up a charming array of whimsical apparel and headwear designed to capture the splendor of spring, garden tools and accessories, and magical Disney keepsakes to adorn their homes and gardens.

There is still time to plan your trip to this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Just Email Me and we will get to planning!

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Guests can mark their calendars for all seasonal events and openings including:

LEGOLAND Water Park: Season Opening on March 9

Come enjoy a full spring and summer floating along Build-A-Raft River, splashing in DUPLO^® Splash Safari and the Joker Soaker water playground, taking a dip in the LEGO Wave Pool or speeding down the Splash Out and Twin Chasers slides. LEGOLAND Water Park will be open on select dates March 9 through October: www.legoland.com/en/florida/planning-your-visit/park-hours/

THE LEGOMOVIE WORLD: Opening March 27

Guests go from the theater to the theme park with the launch of THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD. Created in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, this impressive expansion features three new rides and numerous attractions; all inspired by the characters and themes of the worldwide blockbuster THE LEGO MOVIE and the exciting new big-screen animated adventure sequel THE LEGO MOVIE 2: The Second Part.

Red, Brick & Boom: July 4-6

Celebrate America’s Independence over three days as the skies above Lake Eloise fill with one of the biggest fireworks shows of the year! Before the sun goes down, help create a giant U.S. flag out of thousands of LEGO bricks.

NEW – THE LEGO MOVIE DAYS: July 13-14, 20-21 & 27-28 and August 3-4

Fans of Emmet, Wyldstyle, Unikitty and Benny, rejoice! After watching the sequel to the blockbuster THE LEGO MOVIE, LEGOLAND will offer the complete theater to the theme park experience through event activities, special character meet-and-greet experiences, a THE LEGO MOVIE mosaic build, scavenger hunt and themed food.

Fire Safety Weekend: August 10-11

Presented by the National Fire Protection Association, this entertaining and informative event teaches kids about fire safety with a variety of fun activities in the theme park, including information from NFPA’s annual Fire Prevention Week theme.

Brick or Treat: October 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 & 26-27

Our popular Halloween event returns full of spooky, kooky LEGO fun for kids. The friendly-not-frightening event features trick-or-treating inside the theme park, giant LEGO models and photo ops, LEGO build activities, meet-and-greets with LEGO Halloween characters and a Halloween-themed firework spectacular in Pirates’ Cove.

*Brick Dash 5K: October 12

The community-focused wellness event welcomes runners and walkers of all ages. Registration is required and will be available online at a later date.

Holidays at LEGOLAND: November 29-30, December 1, 7-8, 14-15 & 20-31

Celebrate the holidays the LEGOLAND way! This jolly time of year features a combination of seasonal shows, special treats, twinkling lights and more during Christmas Bricktacular and Kids’ New Year’s Party!

It is definitely going to be a Year of Awesome at LEGOLAND Florida! Which event is on your must-do list for this year?

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Connected to the existing LEGOLAND^® Hotel and next to beautiful Lake Eloise, Pirate Island will be the third on-site accommodation at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Located a mere 130 kid steps away from the main entrance to the theme park, the Hotel will feature 150 fun-filled rooms, an expansive pool and pool deck, hundreds of LEGO models and numerous character experiences.

“We’re really excited to offer a brand new family-friendly experience and continue our park’s expansion with a third on-site hotel accommodation,” saidLEGOLAND Florida Resort General Manager Rex Jackson. “LEGOLAND Florida Resort is committed to putting a smile on every child who walks through the door and Pirate Island Hotel will certainly help us achieve that goal.”

The new five-story hotel will also house a pirate-themed restaurant, an entertainment area for kid-friendly nightly programming, LEGO play pits and a lobby bar for adult buccaneers. Also, with every hotel reservation, guests will enjoy a free family-style breakfast for ye’ entire crew.

Known as the theme park built for kids, LEGOLAND Florida’s Pirate Island Hotel will provide even more incentive to stay and play on multiple-day visits with an array of LEGO character interactions, a heated pool and a pirate ship in front of the hotel for photo opportunities.

Inside the rooms, kids can fully experience the LEGO pirate life as they explore their separate side of the room complete with their own TV, daily in-room LEGO treasure chests, LEGO pirate décor, treasure map headboards and boat-shaped bunkbeds in the suites among many more surprises.

“Pirate Island Hotel will offer a completely unique guest experience for swashbucklers of all ages,” said LEGOLAND Florida Resort Hotels Director Kevin Carr. “Pirates have a long history tied to the state of Florida and we look forward to providing memorable experiences to our future guests with an entertaining, memorable and fun hotel. Whether it’s interacting with life-size LEGO characters in the lobby, uncovering LEGO bounty at the end of an in-room treasure hunt or soaking up the sun in our heated pool, Pirate Island Hotel will be the perfect place for families to make long-lasting memories.”

While planning for a new property, LEGOLAND Florida Resort relied on its fans to help develop an exciting theme. With an overabundance of options to choose from, LEGOLAND fans spoke loud and clear that LEGO Pirate was the preferred choice.

“Due to the success of our existing accommodations, we realized a third hotel was needed to keep up with our high consumer demand. Veteran guests and excited newcomers alike shared their opinions and LEGO Pirate was the overwhelming favorite,” said Carr.

Pirate Island will be a key addition to LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s continued park expansion, which also includes THE LEGO^® MOVIE WORLD opening in spring 2019 and a new miniature golf course for hotel guests opening in summer 2019.

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The Mom Maven’s Most Popular Travel Posts of 2018

#5 Paradise Nights at Discovery Cove

Paradise Nights was a limited time promotion from Discovery Cove in Orlando where guests could dine near the dolphin lagoon and see a dolphin presentation. This offer is not currently available.

#4 The Plaza Restaurant A Hidden Gem in the Magic Kingdom

I am so excited that a few of my friends have dined at The Plaza after they read my review. We have actually gone back a second time, and would have gone earlier this month except there were no ADRs available. The food at The Plaza is great and so are the prices, especially for a table service restaurant at Walt Disney World. Pin The Plaza Restaurant to your Disney or Family travel board.

#3 What’s New at the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

I was so excited to attend the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party after missing it the last few years. Unfortunately, I was exhausted, hot, and miserable and we ended up leaving early because I was in a lot of pain in my feet and back. Hopefully we will be able to go next year. This post outlined the new twists they added throughout the park for 2018. Our favorite were the live pirates on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! Keep posted, I’ll always let you know about upcoming Disney events. Make sure you’ve read about what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2019!

#2 2018 Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer

Historically Disney offers limited packages with free Disney Dining plan for select fall travel dates and select resorts. Over the past few years the offerings have been getting slimmer and slimmer. Many of us believe free dining will be going away soon because the parks are full and they no longer need to lure guests with free food. IF free dining becomes available for 2019 it is usually released near the end of April. Make sure you are subscribed to my travel newsletter so that you will be among the first to know.

#1 2018 Rock the Universe Artists Announced

For the last 20 years Rock the Universe, a Christian music festival, has taken place at Universal Studios in Orlando each September. The artist announcement was made in April and tickets would go on sale in May. In 2019 Rock the Universe is flipping the script. The event is being help February 1-2, 2019! The artists have been announced and tickets are on sale. For more information read Rock the Universe 2019.

Top 5 Most Popular Travel Posts of All Time

All 5 of these posts are from my “Must-Do” series!

• #5 Top 10 Must-Dos for Your First Trip to the Magic Kingdom
• #4 Top 10 Must-Dos for Your First Trip to Epcot
• #3 Top 10 Must-Dos for Your First Trip to Animal Kingdom
• #2 Top 10 Must-Pack Cruise Essentials
• #1 Top 10 Must-Dos at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Don’t forget, I am a certified Disney travel planner and my services are free to you! Just Email Me and we can get started planning your magical Disney vacation.

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I was surprised at how readily Ron agreed to accompany me since he has a bit of a fear of heights. My fear isn’t of heights but of falling so I was pretty sure I’d be fine in the ICON Orlando 360 capsule. We boarded our capsule for the approximately 20 minute ride and never had a problem. The observation wheel rotates so slowly you don’t really realize you are moving, the capsule is very stable. As I was doing my Facebook live (below) I had comments from friends how they would never try it but I assure you, you can do it! We enjoyed having this unique vantage point of the Orlando area. We hope to come back in the future and visit Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando.

Located in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district, ICON Orlando 360 is home to an array of unique dining experiences. From authentic Spanish and Mexican fare to traditional American eats, ICON Orlando 360 offers selections to please any palate. Nightly live music, shopping venues and a central courtyard with fountain and choreographed water displays, complement the experience. “Whether entertaining out-of-town guests, toasting the holidays with friends or co-workers, or looking for an iconic Orlando vacation experience, these new offers deliver memorable moments and substantial savings,” said Cindy Dykman, director of sales and marketing at ICON Orlando 360.

ICON Orlando 360 New Seasonal Experiences:

• Holiday Friends & Family Pass – (Groups of Three or More) – Share the experience with your loved ones this holiday. A group of three riders on ICON Orlando pays less than $22.00 per person, per rotation and can fly during any time of the day or night. For groups of more than three riders, the admission price drops to just $14.99 per additional rider, compared to the listed $29.99/adult and $24.99/child general admission pricing.
• Fly Before 4 and Save – Take a flight on ICON Orlando before 4 p.m. and pay just $14.99 per person, per rotation – a savings of $15.00 per standard adult and $10.00 per standard child admission rates. (*Block out dates include Nov. 24 & 25 and Dec. 24, 2018-Jan. 1, 2019.)
• Florida Residents Anytime Flight – Florida residents riding ICON Orlando enjoy a savings of 25 percent with prices at $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children when purchased online.
• Sky Bar 360 – ICON Orlando now offers private Sky Bar 360 beverage capsules for up to 10 guests, starting at just $29 per person. An ideal experience for a holiday gathering of friends and colleagues, Sky Bar 360 capsules include options for a bottomless selection of beer and/or wine plus two full rotations (44 minutes) on ICON Orlando. Beer options include Bud Light, Corona and Blue Moon with wine offerings including an array of white, red, sparkling, and Prosecco. Guests of the Sky Bar 360 capsules must be 21 years or older. Customization for quantity and selection of beverage offerings is available upon request. (Not available Dec. 31).
• Holiday Light Show – More than 64,000 LED lights will bring the tallest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States to life in a kaleidoscopic 10-minute show, synchronized to a festive holiday soundtrack. The light show runs Nov. 17, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019 (Sun.-Thurs. at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and
• Fly & Dine – Announced in October, Fly & Dine includes one flight aboard ICON Orlando, along with a choice of dinner options at seven of ICON Orlando 360’s fast casual and full-service restaurants. The set menu options start at just $32 for fast casual or $45 for full-service dining at participating restaurants, including Sugar Factory Orlando, Tin Roof Orlando, Tapa Toro Spanish Restaurant, UNO Pizzeria & Grill and others.
• New Year’s Eve – Exciting plans are underway for an iconic New Year’s Eve celebration at ICON Orlando 360. More information will be announced soon!

For more information on how to purchase tickets and to view the all-new options, visit Iconorlando.com. Guests are encouraged to share their experience on social using the hashtag #ICONOrlando360.

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About Ark Encounter

Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. Ark Encounter is situated in beautiful Grant County in Williamstown, Kentucky, halfway between Cincinnati, OH and Lexington, KY and right off I-75. Ark Encounter’s sister attraction, Creation Museum is just 45 minutes away in Petersburg, KY. Ark Encounter is the largest timber-frame structure in the world, built from standing dead timber, in part by skilled Amish craftsmen. The Ark is an architectural and engineering wonder containing three decks of world-class exhibits.

Tickets

Ark Encounter          Creation Museum      Combo Ticket      Annual Combo Pass
4 years & under       FREE                                   FREE                            FREE                    FREE
5–12 years                 $15                                         $15                                  $25                       $35
13–17 years               $25                                         $25                                  $40                      $70
Adults (18-59)         $48                                          $35                                  $70                      $100
Seniors (60+)           $38                                         $30                                  $60                      $90
All tickets to the Creation Museum are 2-Day tickets, including combo tickets. Combo ticket can be used across a seven-day period.

Our Visit to the Ark Encounter

When you arrive at Ark Encounter you purchase your tickets and board a bus for a 1-mile trip up to the ark. After exiting the bus we wandered up towards the entrance to the ark. I was amazed at the sheer size of the ark. To think that Noah was 600 years old when they entered the ark is just amazing. As you walk towards the ark there are a series of monuments, similar to totems that depict Creation, The Fall of Man, Punishment and Promise, Cain murders Abel, Wickedness fills the Earth, and Noah and the Ark. Sadly, when we were there many people walked right by these monuments. They are beautifully done and give the backstory from Creation through the Flood of why God had to destroy the earth. Thankfully this history is told again, in different ways inside the Ark Encounter. You may also want to browse here the timeline of Noah!

Before entering the Ark there is a time-lapse film about the building of the ark, it truly is a marvel of architecture and construction! Upon entering the ark you are hit with the reality that not only did this boat have to hold Noah, his family, and all the animals, it had to house food and water for them all too.

A timely reminder from the exhibit on nursery books and decor that are cute but miss the gravity of the Flood.

While we wandered through the 3 floors of the ark we learned about the species of animals that were on board, that these animals were mostly juveniles, and that the ark had a complex water purification system. There were exhibits about how Noah’s family lived on the ark, and about the disservice modern day nursery books and decor do to teaching our children the truth about the Flood. Everything we saw was eye opening and made me wish I had my Bible in my hands so I could read and re-read the biblical account over and over again. The gravity of the depravity that had entered the world hit me hard. Looking at the evil world we live in today, I wonder if God would like to send another flood, of course, He promised not to, so He won’t. It does make me wonder what else I can do to share His love with everyone I come in contact with.

I loved how there are exhibits that compare and contrast creationism with evolution and exhibits that share the Gospel message as well. You cannot visit the Ark Encounter without having your faith challenged and/or strengthened. I highly recommend that you spend a day visiting the Ark Encounter next time you are in Kentucky. I hope to visit the Creation Museum the next time I am in the area.

The post Our Visit to the Ark Encounter appeared first on The Mom Maven.

We had spent most of the day at the Ark Encounter in Kentucky and arrived in Gatlinburg around 7:00pm on Labor Day, September 3, 2018. We were greeted at the front desk by Logan. He made a great first impression with his huge smile and caring attitude. One we were checked in I asked Ron to unload the luggage while I went to our room to get some pictures before we mess it up. Upon entering the room I was in such awe of it’s beauty I decided to do a Facebook Live tour of the room. When I finished the video, Ron still hadn’t arrived at the room. I went back down to the lobby to see what the hold up was and I found him standing next to the car patiently waiting for me. I had driven the last leg into Gatlinburg, I had the car keys in my purse!! Oops.

On Tuesday morning we headed to Joe Merchant’s Coffee and Provisions in the resort lobby for some hot chocolate and breakfast sandwiches before heading out to wander around Gatlinburg for a few hours. It was fun to visit some of the places we had visited when we brought the boys in October of 2001. Of course some things have changed, if you are into ropes courses and zip lining, Gatlinburg is the place to be.

We returned to the Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort and snacked on the delicious cheese tray that the concierge had left in our room before donning our swimsuits and heading to the outside pool. The pool area is very inviting with mostly 80s music playing. The bar staff comes out regularly to see if you need anything to eat or drink. The resort supplies pool towels so you don’t have to bring a towel from your room, which is always a nice touch.

The pool water was a bit cold for these Floridians but it was refreshing once we got in. We swam and played in the pool for about an hour before heading to the hot tub for a brief 15 minutes before it started raining. Our time was about up anyway because we needed to shower before heading out for on of Gatlinburg’s famous dinner shows.

We had a lovely, too short, visit to the Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg and I would love to come back and visit again. Next week I’ll tell you why this brand new resort is the place for you to stay when you visit the Gatlinburg area.

The post Our Visit to the Margaritaville Gatlinburg Resort appeared first on The Mom Maven.

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.

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