Disney World Vacation Archives

Animal Kingdom April 23, 2021

Make Disney World Extra Magical with a VIP Tour

Don't get stuck in the crowd when you book a Disney World VIP Tour! — Don’t get stuck in the crowds! Book a Disney World VIP Tour!

Disney World is a very magical place to vacation! There is excitement around every corner. But, there is a way to make your day at Disney World even more magical! When you are on one of the Disney World VIP tours you will definitely feel like all your dreams are coming true! A Disney World VIP tour is also fantastic for your family group. Read on and learn how you can make your Disney World day extra magical on a VIP Tour!

What is a VIP Tour

Disney VIP Tours are actually available at both Disney World and Disneyland. There a a lot of similarities between the two parks but you will want to double-check the Disneyland info on their tours. This article focuses on Disney World VIP Tours.

A Disney VIP tour is an upgrade to your park experience that will make your visit unforgettable. VIP tours are private guided tours customized for maximum guest enjoyment and efficiency. Tour guides are hand-picked and expertly trained to plan out the perfect Disney World itinerary. So, you don’t have to think about getting to your next activity, know the best route from one place to another, stand in long lines, or just generally waste precious time in your day.

A tour can have up to 10 guests. This is perfect for a couple of families to tour together and divide up the cost of the tour.

Types of VIP Tours

Private VIP Tour

This is the most amazing, most magical, most customized tour option (and the only one currently available to book) for your group. When you book a tour, you set the Disney VIP Tour Services team in motion to plan for your group the best and most efficient tour based on the list of activities you want to do. Yes! They customize your day based on your desires and favorites. Transportation from park to park, if you so choose, is all by private vehicle. No waiting for buses! Your tour guide is at your service for the day!

Some personalizations they include:

Itinerary all planned for you before you get there
A flexible start time that fits your family’s schedule
A highly knowledgable VIP Tour Guide ready to divulge all kinds of Disney tips, tricks, and fascinating information.
Often less wait time for attractions

Cost: $425-$750/hour depending on season (minimum of 7 continuous hours)

The following tours are not currently available to book but hopefully will return soon

Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

This 7-hour tour visits all Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios taking guests on the most hair-raising rides at Disney World. Your VIP Tour Guide plans out the itinerary to get you on the most amount of rides for maximum enjoyment for the day. Here’s what awesome rides you might get to enjoy (this list is just a sample your VIP Tour guide might have a better plan):

Magic Kingdom: All 4 Mountains, Haunted Mansion and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Epcot: Soarin
Hollywood Studios: Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Star Wars–The Adventure Continues.

A stop at a quick service restaurant will fuel you at lunchtime for the rest of your day.

Cost: $349/person + tax (required park ticket must be purchased separately)

Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

The Disney Classics VIP Tour focuses on the classic park of the Magic Kingdom. Your Disney VIP Tour Guide plans the perfect 4-hour itinerary to visit many of the classic rides at the Magic Kingdom. With your Guide leading the way you can just relax, and enjoy the rides. Since these rides do not have a height requirement this is a terrific tour if you have young children along.

Some rides you might get to enjoy are Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world”, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid.

Cost: $249/person + tax (Magic Kingdom park ticket must be purchased separately)

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

You are going to love this tour centered around the wonders of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. On this 4-hour tour your Disney VIP Tour Guide has planned a journey through the Animal Kingdom so that you will get on all the best rides. This tour starts 4 hours before the evening Rivers of Light performance which will end your tour (if there is a performance that night).

What might you get to experience? Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Avatar Flights of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, and DINOSAUR.

This tour also includes signature snacks and a specialty beverage. Yum!

Cost: $249/person + tax (Animal Kingdom park ticket must be purchased separately)

Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour

This tour is the most delicious Disney World VIP Tour!! During this 3-hour tour, you will get to taste the best of the Magic Kingdom. Your Disney VIP Tour Guide will bring you behind the scenes to some of the kitchens of your favorite restaurants to meet the talented chefs. You’ll hear stories of how the delicious menus are created and the process of how they serve so many guests each day.

Then, of course, there will be tastings, tastings, tastings curated especially for you!

Cost: $99/person + tax (park admission must be purchased separately) Guests must be at least 16 years old for this tour.

Here are some things to keep in mind with the Ultimate VIP Tours

Tours start a specific time (late arrivals cannot join the tour later).
Rider Switch is not available on the tours.
Itinerary may change but you can ask for an expected itinerary when you book your tour.
Price is subject to change.
Guests with wheelchairs or ECV can be accomodated.
Guests under 17 must be accompanied by paying parent or guardian.

Disney World VIP Tours can truly make your day at Disney World so much more magnificent and magical. If you have any questions about adding a VIP tour to your Disney World experience please contact me.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:

Disney Vacation January 20, 2021

Best Disney World Resorts for Your Family Reunion

5 Disney World Resort Options for Your Family Reunion or Large Family

If you are planning a large family vacation or family reunion, Walt Disney World Resorts are one of the best locations to vacation in together. However, as with any vacation destination, finding accommodation to fit your whole family in can be tricky. While you can book multiple hotel rooms, sometimes multiple generations want to spend more time together in a shared unit.

Now I’m going to share with you some of my favorite resorts in Walt Disney World that

are ideal for larger families
offer accommodation options for groups of six or more.
offer options for different size families who want to stay near each other

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites

If you are vacationing on a budget, my top choice for larger families would be the Art of Animation Resort’s family suites. Up to six adults can stay in one unit, and it offers a separate master bedroom and two bathrooms in each unit. The family suites offer fun Disney theming based around The Lion King, Cars (my favorite), and Finding Nemo.

Kids of all ages will love the theming in these rooms and appreciate the three large onsite pools. A recent additional benefit to staying at this resort is Disney’s Skyliner transportation system, which will make traveling to Hollywood Studios and Epcot even easier.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground – Wilderness Cabins

For a unique vacation, consider staying at the cabins in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Comparable to the amenities you’ll find at the other moderate resorts, these cabins can sleep up to six adults and have one queen bed, a set of bunk beds, and a double sleeper sofa in each unit. The kitchen facilities in the cabin can also be helpful for saving money on dining, as these costs can quickly add up for large groups.

You’ll be immersed in the woods of the resort, and the cabins afford more privacy and space than you would get from a typical hotel room. Kids and teens will love the facilities at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, and there’s so much to keep you entertained here without even visiting the theme parks. The Hoop-De-Doo Revue is a terrific dinner show and buffet at Ft. Wilderness, perfect for large family get-togethers.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

If you are looking for the ultimate family vacation accommodation, consider splurging on the three-bedroom Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. They each have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen. But the coolest thing is that they are suspended off the ground in the woods. They are one of the most unique accommodation options on Disney property and so they book up quite quickly due to the limited number of these treehouses.

Alternatively, this resort offers one, two, and three-bedroom units, so there’s plenty of options for different accommodation layouts to fit your family’s needs. One of my favorite things about staying at this resort is its close proximity to Disney Springs, which you can access by boat or even by walking directly from your resort. Put this on the list of possible Disney resorts for your next family reunion!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort

Split between two different buildings, you’ll get to choose between the original Jambo House or the newer Kidani Village when booking a stay at this resort. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my all-time favorite Disney resorts, and the theming here is second to none. Kids and adults of all ages will love waking up to the animals on the savannah each morning, and grandparents will enjoy sitting out on the balcony and admiring the incredible views.

Offering villas with one, two, or three bedrooms, as well as standard hotel rooms, there’s an accommodation offering to suit every family’s needs. Don’t miss out on the resort’s fantastic onsite dining. Sanaa at Kidani Village has a bread service that is one of my favorite appetizers at Walt Disney World, and Boma at Jambo House has a buffet that will please the whole family for breakfast or dinner.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

As the newest resort at Walt Disney World, expect modern accommodation offerings at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Elegantly themed after the European Riviera, this resort offers studios, two-bedroom and three-bedroom accommodation options. The studios are ideal for couples in your family who may require a little more privacy but still want to stay nearby the rest of the family.

You’ll enjoy the beautiful grounds and pool that this resort offers, as well as Topolino’s Terrace restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner daily. This resort benefits from Disney’s Skyliner transportation system and is located within walking distance of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Walt Disney World is one of the best vacation locations for families to gather, and regardless of your party size, there are plenty of accommodation options available to you.

For more Disney World family reunion planning tips see this post.

If you have any questions about your upcoming trip or need help choosing one of the Disney World Resorts for your next family reunion, don’t hesitate to contact me today.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney World December 23, 2020

Things to Love about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

In 2019, Star Wars and Disney theme park enthusiasts around the world rejoiced when the
much anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened first at Disneyland Resort and then in
Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. Whether you know everything about Star Wars or
have never watched the movies before, there’s something for everyone to love at this
fantastic new addition to the theme parks. Today I’m going to share with you my favorite
things about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge which you simply must experience as part of your
next visit to Disneyland or Hollywood Studios at Disney World.

The themeing is one of the things to love at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney World .

Theming

If you enjoyed the immersive environment that Disney created with Pandora at Disney’s
Animal Kingdom, you’re going to love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. On every step you take
through this area, you’ll notice small details that show you just how much effort was put
into this land by Disney’s Imagineers. Even if you aren’t planning to do any shopping, take
some time to walk around the Black Spire Outpost Shops, which have so many hidden
details and unique merchandise offerings. Even the cast members in this area don’t have
the same name tags and costumes as anywhere else in the park, so you’ll be fully immersed
in the land during your visit. Even the visit to the restroom is an experience not to be missed.

Character Interactions

Have your camera ready at all times in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as you never know when a
Stormtrooper or one of the Star Wars characters might come strolling through. Both on the
ground and above you on stages and buildings, expect to see characters throughout your
time in the land. Galaxy’s Edge is a dream come true for any Star Wars fan in your family, so
you’ll probably have to drag them out of this area if you want to see anything else in the
park!

Life-Size Ships

The most jaw-dropping moment for me during my first visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was
seeing the Millennium Falcon up close for the first time. The sheer scale of this ship is
unbelievable, and it’s the perfect photo opportunity. Acting as the entrance to the
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction, you’ll appreciate the structure even more
when you enter the queue. This is an interactive attraction that allows you and your family
to drive the Millennium Falcon, which is a dream come true for many Star Wars fans. Also,
make sure you get a fun family photo in front of the X-Wing that’s parked within the land.
Wherever you turn, you’ll see incredible vehicles and artifacts that take you straight into the
Star Wars universe.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

While getting a boarding pass for this ride certainly has its challenges, it’s well worth it once
you board the ride. While I won’t spoil this experience for you, the ride itself features many
different elements and vehicles that make it like nothing you’ve ever experienced at Walt
Disney World before. Even if your family aren’t big Star Wars fans, they’ll think this is one of
the best rides they’ve ever experienced. I promise you, it’s worth the early morning wake-up
call to secure your boarding pass!

Unique Food and Drink Offerings

One of my favorite things about visiting Walt Disney World, in general, are their unique food
and drink offerings. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers menu items that have never been seen
before at Walt Disney World, most of which were designed specifically for this land. One of
my favorite experiences for adults is a visit to Oga’s Cantina, an interactive bar with a wacky
menu of cocktails. More details to come about this fun experience at a later date.

For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, eat at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, and if you need a quick
afternoon pick me up, enjoy a bag of popcorn at Kat Saka’s Kettle. Ronto Roasters has
become very popular for their sausage and pork wraps which can be purchased at any time
of the day, and don’t miss your chance to try blue or green milk at The Milk Stand. You’ll
want to return to this land a few times during your trip to give you a chance to try all the
unique snacks and drinks on offer here

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of my favorite recent additions to Walt Disney World, and
I’m super excited for the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which will be a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience for Star Wars fans.

Do you have a favorite part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Let me know in the comments below!

Are you planning your next trip to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World? If you need any assistance with your trip planning or resort reservations, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other articles you might like to read:

Disney Vacation December 1, 2020

6 Top Tips for Your Walt Disney World Family Reunion

Get some great tips for planning your next family reunion at Walt Disney World.

If you are planning a multi-generational family trip, there’s nowhere better in the world to reunite than Walt Disney World. It offers endless entertainment opportunities for children and adults of all ages, as well as fantastic accommodation and dining options. However, a large group trip to Walt Disney World requires some planning to make it a successful and enjoyable trip for all. Today I’m going to share with you my top tips to make your next Disney World family reunion a magical one.

Designate one family member as the main point of contact

In most families, there’s always someone who loves organizing days out and vacations. They are going to be the best bet for taking on the role of organizer for your big family trip. While all the pressure and decision-making shouldn’t be left to one person, it’s much easier to have one person working with your travel agent, looking after your reservations and your bookings. This will save double-bookings and squabbles over the itinerary, and it’s best if they are in charge of your family’s My Disney Experience app and login details. Come together every month or so by video call or in-person to keep up-to-date on any changes to the vacation plans.

Use a Travel Agent

Why handle all the stress and pressure of planning such a big trip by yourself if you don’t have to! The easiest way to offload this stress is to delegate some of this responsibility to a reliable travel agent. By using Alaska to Mickey Vacations, we can handle many of the tasks required for planning a Disney vacation. We’ve visited Disney for countless years, so know the best resorts to stay at and the top restaurants to choose for large groups. With the addition of the requirement of park reservations recently, we’re here to help with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this.

Set your Budget

Discussing money and budgets can be uncomfortable, but it’s best to get this conversation out of the way far in advance of the vacation itself. Everyone travels in a different style, so try to find a compromise as far as resort choices and budgets are concerned. The great thing about Walt Disney World is that there are so many choices for accommodation on-site and in the surrounding area. You’ll easily be able to find the perfect hotel or resort for each family’s budget and accommodation preferences.

Accommodation options for large groups

Once you’ve decided on your budget, it’s time to consider your accommodation options. This is one of the most important parts of planning your family reunion at Disney World. If you are looking to share accommodation with multiple family members, I’d recommend choosing one of the Deluxe Resorts or Deluxe Villa Resorts. These resorts offer more spacious accommodations and have units which feature one, two and three-bedroom options. They are ideal if grandparents are hoping to spend more time with their grandchildren.

For a more budget-friendly option, look at Art of Animation’s family suites, which can comfortably fit up to six people. Another unique option is to stay at Fort Wilderness, where you can enjoy their rustic cabins. You’ll appreciate the extra space to run around as well as the fun recreation options this resort provides. For the ultimate family reunion, consider booking a Treehouse Villa at Saratoga Springs Resort, which sleeps up to nine people.

Dining Reservations

Regardless of how big your travel party is, I’d always recommend booking your Disney dining reservations on the day they open up for booking. This is especially true for large groups, which can be harder to book into some of the most popular restaurants. Make sure you’ve all agreed on a rough itinerary beforehand, so you can try your best to secure all your top restaurant choices. Remember that for large parties, a tip of 18% will automatically be added to your bill.

For large groups, buffets are a great option, as you’ll find something for even the pickiest of eaters and everyone can eat when they are ready. For a great value for money option, I’d recommend Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness Resort, which serves breakfast and dinner daily. You can’t visit Disney without a character meal, especially if you are traveling with younger children, so for the best character interactions, I’d recommend Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom or Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort.

Factor in some relaxation time

Group trips can be overwhelming for everyone involved, so it’s important to factor in some downtime to your vacation. Whether that’s time apart as a separate family unit, or an afternoon together at the pool, a few hours away from the parks will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. There’s so much more to Disney than just the theme parks, so enjoy an adult evening at Disney Springs shopping, dining and drinking, or hop around the resorts to enjoy the bars and recreation facilities on offer.

Walt Disney World is the perfect location for a family reunion, and with some advance planning, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.

If you need any help planning your next trip, please don’t hesitate to contact me as I’d love to help you in any way I can! I hope your next family trip offers you a magical time together and moments that you’ll cherish forever as a family.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

How about some other posts you might find interesting…

Disney World September 25, 2020

A Guide to Disney World Resort Categories

At Walt Disney World there are 20+ resorts you can choose to stay at. It can be mind-boggling trying to figure out which one is best for your family. There are different price points, different amenities, different dining choices, different locations ect. You might be wondering how do I narrow down my choices? You don’t want to make a mistake and pick the wrong place to stay but how do you know which one is right. This guide to Disney World resorts is going to help clear up some of your confusion. Read on as the Walt Disney World resort types are explained!

Disney’s Deluxe Resort Hotels

This guide introduces Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, a deluxe resort option at Disney World. — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

The Deluxe resorts are Disney’s most luxurious resorts on property. These resorts are some of the most conveniently located places to stay in Disney World.

Check out the awesome features:

Nearby transportation that makes navigating Disney World easier
Multiple themed table-service restaurants at the resort
Signature dining onsite
Room Service available
A small, quick-service marketplace
Spacious rooms (larger than other resorts)
Best pool areas
Amazing theming all throughout the resort
Rooms are accessed inside the building
Balconies and patios in some rooms

The Deluxe Resorts are:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Let me just talk about the transportation for a moment. I think that the easy transportation from some of the Deluxe resorts is one of the big reasons to stay at one of these resorts.

Disney’s Contemporary, Disney’s Polynesian, and Disney’s Grand Floridian are all on the Monorail route. There is a Monorail station almost inside the resort with direct access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot with one quick transfer. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has water taxi access right to Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club as well as Disney’s BoardWalk Inn are a quick walk to Epcot’s International Gateway. These deluxe resorts are also within walking distance to Hollywood Studios. Connecting these resorts and these two parks is also the Friendship Boats and the Skyliner.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only resort that doesn’t have a mode of quick transportation to a park. BUT, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge there are animals in the Savannah right outside your balcony. That’s pretty awesome!

Disney’s Deluxe Villas

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas with safari animals

The next resort category in this guide to Disney World resorts is the Deluxe Villas. At each of the deluxe resorts, a villa resort is attached. Disney’s Riviera, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Old Key West Resort are stand-alone villa resorts. The villas are mainly for Disney Vacation Club but you can book rooms in these resorts when available. The villa resorts are fabulous for larger groups and families because they have 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites, multiple bathrooms, living area, dining area, kitchen, washer, and dryer. The villas can use the resort pools, restaurants, and other amenities.

The Villa Resorts are:

Bay Lake Towers at Disney’s Contemporary
Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas–Jambo House and Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Moderate Resorts

A guide to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, a moderate category option at Disney World. — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

The moderate resorts on Disney World property and a really nice middle of the road option. Moderate resorts are large, spread out resorts with some great features.

Some of the Moderate features:

Beautiful landscaping
Fun themes
Very nice pool areas
One table-service restaurant
Large, quick-service dining hall
Activities such as fishing, biking, etc.
Moderate sized rooms
Multiple bus stops
Enter rooms from outside (many smaller buildings make up resort)
Parking a little more convenient to your room as there are multiple parking lots
Convenient transportation to one or two parks or Disney Springs (except Coronado Springs)

The moderate resorts are:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans–Riverside and French Quarter
Disney’s Coronado Springs
Cabins at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground

Many guests really like this resort category. You feel like you are staying somewhere special but its not quite as expensive. Moderates have things to do at the resort that make a stay-and-play-day a bit more fun. It is also nice to have dining options at your resort. I especially love Disney’s Caribbean Beach because of the Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Value Resorts

A guide to Disney's Pop Century, a value resort that has a simple computer pool. — The Computer Pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

The last category in this guide to Disney World resorts is the Value Resorts. At Disney World, these are the least expensive option. This category is well-loved by families that are only looking for a place to sleep. They spend most of their time and the parks and the place to stay isn’t nearly as important. They want most their budget to go to the parks, dining and souvenirs and not where they lay their head.

Here are a few of the Value Resort features:

Spread out with multiple large buildings
Covered stairwells are outside the building and the entrance to the room is also outside (except at Art of Animation).
Larger than life outdoor
Pools are large but simple (no slides, small splash area).
Only a quick-service dining hall but it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you won’t go hungry.
Rooms are simple without too much decor unless you are at Art of Animation.
One bus stop

The Value Resorts are:

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort

If you have a larger family the value resorts might be a great option for you. The Art of Animation has quite a few family suites that have 1-bedroom/2 baths (not full) and sleep 6. The All-Star Music also has family suites that sleep 6.

The All-Start Resorts are quite far away from all of the parks and require bus transportation everywhere. Art of Animation and Pop Century are on the Disney Skyliner route. They were already the favorites of the value category but now they are going to be in even more demand. It will be important to book these early, especially during the busy times of year.

Well, I hope that helps you not be quite as confused about which type of resort would be best for your family. Have more questions? Want info to book a Disney World stay? Click the button above and contact me!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

5 Tips for Disney Bus Transportation

Disney bus transportation is a great benefit of staying on Disney property. You can get everywhere you want to go on Disney property and never have to drive yourself. You can even get to and from the airport on complimentary bus transportation. Read on for Disney bus transportation tips!

Bus transportation is not an option during Skyliner hours

Bus transportation from resorts on the Skyliner Route (Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s Rivera) ends (or becomes very infrequent) when the Skyliner is running. In reality though, the Skyliner is a much better and faster option anyway.

Disney Springs or the Parks are hotel connection points

Buses do not run from resort to resort so some planning needs to be done if you want to go from your resort to another. Your options to get from your resort to another is to take a bus to Disney Springs or to a theme park. At that location, you can switch buses in order to get to the desired resort (Disney Springs is the longer option). Be aware, getting from one resort to another takes quite a bit of time (allow 1.5 hours).

Buses run 60-90 minutes before park opens and closes

This is especially important to know if you have dining reservations at another resort. If you have a late-night reservation you will have to connect through Disney Springs because the buses will not be going to the parks.

Different resorts have a different number of stops inside the resort

Disney bus transportation tips about remembering the name of your bus stop.

Value resorts have only one bus stop outside the main building. Deluxe resorts usually just have one because they also have other transportation provided from the resort. Moderate and larger resorts (Old Key West and Saratoga Springs) have many throughout the grounds. Check your resort map to find the closest stop to your room. You also might want to ask where the first stop might be. On busy mornings it might be best for you to go to the first stop to catch the bus as it might fill up before your closest stop. Also, find out the name of your stop so you know where to get off when it is dark.

Take the bus to Magic Kingdom even if you have a car

Buses take you right to the Magic Kingdom entrance. If you go by car you park outside the Ticket and Transportation Center then have to take a ferry or the Monorail to the entrance. Taking the bus can be quite a bit faster.

That was the last of my Disney bus transportation tips. Now for a little information about how the buses might have changed since you were last at Disney.

New Bus Safety Measures

Hand sanitizer at every bus stop
Markers on ground to help social distancing
Bus driver directs guest to correct zone to sit through both doors
Zones are divided by partitions and unavailable seats
Drivers are wiping down surfaces after guests
Guests in wheelchairs or ECV’s wait in the same queue

Many Disney World guests either love the bus transportation or not. What about you, love it or leave it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

What’s Up at Disney World for 2020 and Beyond!

Disney World is undergoing so many changes right now it can be difficult to navigate. But, hopefully this post will help you understand some of the ins and outs of the new processes and set you on your way to planning a magnificent Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021.

Let’s start with the Key Dates!

Key Dates for planning your 2020 or 2021 Disney World Vacation

For 2020 Disney World Vacations

If you have a current Disney World Resort reservation in 2020 and park tickets then you will want to immediately get started with the Park Pass System for reserving park days for your trip. This also applies to those with resort reservations and annual passes. You may book as many reservations as your tickets allow (or length of resort stay with an Annual Pass).

If you have Annual Passes (no resort stay) you may begin reserving park days through the Park Pass System on June 26th. You may book through 9/26/2021 but will have a limited number of reservations available.

If you have Disney World tickets but resort booked then you may begin reserving your park days through the Park Pass System on June 28th. You can reserve through 9/26/2021.

If you have booked a Disney World resort but do not have tickets you are able to purchase them now.

Resort Opening Dates for 2020

These Disney Resorts are now open!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Towers
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Resorts

Future Resort Openings

Aug. 24 – Disney’s Yacht Club Resorts
Sept. 21 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Oct. 14 – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Nov. 1 — Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Summer 2021 — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

You will notice that Disney’s Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Port Orlean’s Riverside/French Quarter, and the All-Star Resorts are not on the above lists. Disney is continuously evaluating the situation and will open these resorts when the environment is right to do so.

For 2021 Disney World Vacations

Brand new bookings for Disney World resort vacations with tickets in 2021 will be available to book on June 28th (but, I have it on good authority that they are available as early as June 24th). Woohoo!!!

But, the process is a little bit different now since you will be required to reserve your park days with the Park Pass System through September 26, 2021. A travel agent will be a plethora of information to help you with the planning process for your Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021.

Steps to planning your 2021 Disney World Vacation

Check park availability HERE
Purchase tickets/resort package
Purchase airfare
Make park reservations through the Park Pass System ASAP

Where’s the Park Pass System?

Your My Disney Experience app/website should become your new best friend when planning your Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021. If you don’t have a My Disney Experience account you will need to set one up. If you have one from a cruise or Disneyland, you will use that same login. If you would like, your travel agent can walk you through the process.

The 1st very important step is to link your Resort reservations and tickets to your My Disney Experience site (this can be done by you or your travel agent).

The 2nd very important step is to reserve your park days through the Park Pass System on the My Disney Experience website (the website works better than the app). This must be done by YOU but your travel agent can walk you through the process. You will find the Park Pass System in the drop-down menu at My Disney Experience.

There are more cool reasons you are going to love the My Disney Experience App but we will talk about those at another time. Stay tuned!

Know Before You Go

Disney has created a mini-site to keep you up to date on all the latest happenings at Disney World. At Disney’s World’s Know Before You Go site you will find information about:

Current operating conditions
Health and safety measures
Adjustments to the parks and resorts
Adjustments to Disney World experiences and dining

You should definitely check out this site during your planning process before you purchase your tickets. You will want to make sure that the current procedures are ones that wouldn’t be detrimental to your vacation.

More Important Items

Park Hopping is not available during this time. You are limited to one park per day. Make sure that you plan your dining around the park you are scheduled to be in that day

Advanced Dining Reservations can be made 60 days before your stay. Dining plans are not available now so you will have to pay out of pocket for meals. Dining locations are also limiting the number of diners so be flexible with your options.

Fast Passes are not available either in order to make more room for guests to social distance while standing in line. One less thing to worry about, right!

Both a Park Reservation and a Park Ticket (and dated for the same day) are required for entry in to a theme park. This is so important which is why I am stating it again!

Face Coverings are required for all guest 2 and up, in the theme parks and Disney Springs.

Temperature screenings will be required upon entering theme parks and Disney Springs. If anyone has a temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees then the whole party will be denied entry.

Photopass photographers are not allowed to take pictures with your personal cell phone or camera. If this prompts you to purchase a Memory Maker package make sure that you purchase at least 3 days ahead of your vacation at a slightly discounted price.

What else will be different?

All events that bring large groups of people together in a close area are canceled for now. These events include parades, nighttime spectaculars, character breakfasts, playgrounds, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, H2O Glow Nights, among others.

Special tours and dining experiences will also have to be put off until a future Disney World vacation as well as character breakfasts and Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique.

To stay up to date on what Enchanting Extras are available keep an eye on this page.

Traditional character greetings are suspended at this time. BUT, that doesn’t mean you won’t see characters. They will be out and about in different ways and full of surprises!

Why should I go? What’s still available?

Oh my goodness, so much!

Most all of the attractions will be open and ready for guest to enjoy such as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rise of the Resistance, Space Mountain, the Jungle Cruise, Kilimanjaro Safaris and so much more! Even Spaceship Earth will be open as they are pausing the refurbishment schedule. So cool!

Check out this page for a list of what’s open at each park! Just scroll down to Available Experiences and click on each park for the list.

PLUS, Disney Imagineers are hard at work planning all kinds of things to make your trip special.

Beloved characters will appear in new and different ways that bring a smile to your face while also being mindful of physical distancing. From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom Park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to processions along the World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Boulevard, each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!

For example, after rocketing through space in Tomorrowland guests might see that famous Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear; or discover a captive Captain Jack Sparrow as they traverse the Castillo del Morro on their way to Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests could cross paths with Queen Anna and Elsa as they venture “into the unknown” on a journey around World Showcase at EPCOT or spy members of the Resistance hiding out from the First Order throughout Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.

ALSO, they are tweaking and modifying the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival to begin in July and run through the fall. You will also get a small glimpse of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. How cool is that!! Find out a little more here.

A Walt Disney World Vacation during this time will be truly memorable. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity (hopefully) to experience Disney World like this.

Do you have questions or concerns about planning your Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021? I would love to help! Send me a message through the Contact Me button above.