Stormalong Bay, the popular 3-acre pool area known for its waterpark-like vibe including a super fun waterslide and relaxing lazy river, will be closed for a six-month refurbishment starting in 2025. Originally, the closure was scheduled from January to May 2025, but Disney has recently announced that the refurbishment will now extend through June 2025.
Stormalong Bay is a favorite among guests for its adventurous hotel waterslide, one of the tallest at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Along with the slide, the pool area features a lazy river, three whirlpool spas, and two kiddie pools, making it a perfect spot for family fun and relaxation.
The refurbishment will include updates to both Stormalong Bay and the Shipwreck area. During the closure, guests of the Yacht and Beach Club Resort can utilize the Tidal, Admiral, and Dune Cove leisure pools. These pools offer a tranquil escape and are great alternatives while Stormalong Bay undergoes its transformation.
Season of the Force Coming to Disneyland Starting on April 5th
May the Fourth has expanded into a whole 2-month celebration at the Disneyland Resort! Season of the Force is coming to the resort from April 5 through June 2, 2024. Guests can celebrate the light side and the dark side of the force with new ride experiences, special foods, merchandise, and more!
Hyperspace Mountain emerges as a sought-after ride transformation during the Season of the Force, immersing the classic Tomorrowland attraction in the world of “Star Wars.” Upon liftoff and ascent, guests are greeted with iconic film music and dynamic lighting, setting pulses racing. Beware! Engage in a thrilling X-wing starfighter skirmish amidst the immersive battle scenes. The anticipation is well rewarded; it’s an experience not to be missed.
Star Tours– The Adventure Continues
Throughout the Season of the Force, Star Tours — The Adventure Continues unveils exciting new journeys. Commencing April 5, 2024, anticipate encountering fresh faces on the ride, including Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, and Din Djarin alongside Grogu.
Galactic Fireworks Show
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge serves as a hidden gem for enjoying Disneyland fireworks year-round. Here, you’re treated to a celestial spectacle as bursts illuminate the night sky above the iconic blue spires. The ambiance, usually serene save for the explosive display, lacks the usual musical accompaniment found elsewhere in the park. However, get ready for a cosmic shift! During the festival, galactic melodies will cascade through the spires, enhancing your fireworks viewing experience.
Characters
Be on the lookout for some of your favorite Star Wars characters roaming around Batuu. During regular times of the year guests have encountered favorites like Din Djarin and Grogu, Boba Fett, Ahsoka Tano, and more! During this special season, we’re sure to see many characters around the land.
Food & Beverages
Disney never hesitates to debut fun, limited time foods and beverages during special seasons and festivals. While we don’t have exact menus yet, guests will undoubtedly have lots of tasty treats, drinks, and even novelties to enjoy.
Merchandise
Disney also never fails to take advantage of a new sales opportunity! There is sure to be lots of new Star Wars themed merchandise available during Season of the Force. Keep an eye out for more information to come.
If you are a Star Wars fan and want to celebrate Season of the Force at Disneyland, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical and stress-free vacation.
Receive discounted rates your next stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin for all Florida Residents. Living in Florida just got even better! Explore the wonders of your home state and save when you book your next stay at Walt Disney World Swan or Walt Disney World Dolphin. These award winning resorts are located in the heart of Walt Disney World making this the perfect location for the family. Enjoy entertainment, activities, dining and more when you stay at these resorts.
The terms and conditions for this offer include:
Offer is valid at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
Discounted rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and subject to availability at time of booking.
A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates apply.
Offer is for individual leisure travel and not valid for guests staying on a negotiated group rate.
Second room reservation must be under the same name as the first room and must have the same arrival and departure date.
If one room is cancelled, the lower rated CONNECT room must be cancelled. The hotel reserves the right to correct any errors made by guest on cancelling the higher rated room.
Basic room rates do not include additional per room per night charges that may be imposed or state/local taxes. The Resort Service Package is charged per room, per night.
Marriott reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time.
Void where prohibited by law. Other restrictions may apply.
Ready to book your next stay at the Swan & Dolphin? Contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
March is Women’s History Month and guests visiting Disney World can celebrate at Disney Springs! Here are just a few things you can enjoy this month at the shopping and dining district.
Are you ready to celebrate Her Story at Disney Springs? Contact me today to get your trip on the books! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Themes Revealed for the 2024 runDisney Virtual Series
This summer Disney fans and athletes can participate in the 2024 runDisney Virtual Series! This year’s virtual event is themed to your favorite Disney snacks and is called the 2024 runDisney Virtual Series: A Snacktacular Celebration. This virtual race series invites you to celebrate the delectable delights you all know and love during three unique 5Ks and a challenge, perfect for lacing up your sneakers and experiencing anywhere you desire.
Nothing gets us out of bed quicker than this sweet and fluffy treat! Starting the runDisney Virtual Series with a ‘waffle’ lot of fun is the Mickey Mouse Waffle 5K, inspired by the Mickey Mouse waffle-shaped breakfast favorite.
Mickey Mouse Bar 5K
Keep your cool and create your own course as you set off on a virtual 3.1-mile journey of chocolatey and vanilla goodness during the Mickey Mouse Bar 5K, inspired by the classic Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bar.
Minnie Mouse Candy Apple 5K
Rounding your virtual miles out is the Minnie Mouse Candy Apple 5K, inspired by the delectable and delightful Minnie Mouse Candy Apple, with a virtual 3.1-mile course that celebrates this cute, crunchy and cheerful fan-favorite.
Pineapple Whip Soft Serve Challenge
Disney is ‘whipping’ up a tropical challenge for those who are craving more miles with the Pineapple Whip Soft Serve Challenge! Complete all three virtual 5Ks for 9.3 miles of snacktastic fun and earn an extra-special finisher medal, a challenge pin replica AND, for the first time ever, a runDisney® Mickey Ear Snack Bowl.
Have you ever participated in a runDisney virtual event? You can find out all the information and how to sign up here.
We have some exciting news for all of our fellow Marvel fans and Disney Cruise enthusiasts! In 2025, Disney Cruise Line has confirmed the continuation of the much-loved Marvel Day at Sea, offering an unforgettable journey through the Marvel Universe. This special event will be available on select 5-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.
Guests can get ready to meet and greet more than 30 of their favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Villains, including Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Mighty Thor, Shang-Chi, Black Panther, Thor, Loki, Black Widow, and many more. This heroic day at sea promises thrilling activities and unique entertainment for fans of all ages.
The Marvel fun doesn’t stop at meet and greets! These cruises offer a lineup of spectacular shows that will leave guests in awe. “Marvel Heroes Unite” is a signature nighttime spectacular featuring stunts, special effects, and pyrotechnics. “Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular” showcases the power of the mystic arts with Doctor Strange, Agatha Harkness, and Wong. “Warriors of Wakanda Show” invites guests to learn the ways of the Dora Milaje, and the “Star-Spangled USO Show” pays tribute to Captain America with vintage song-and-dance numbers.
Other activities available onboard include the opportunity for guests to suit up as their favorite Marvel character for a day of costume fun, catch Marvel Studios blockbusters at the Buena Vista Theatre, and enjoy open-air screenings during Funnel Vision. Kids can test their skills in activities designed for young recruits, while the whole family can participate in trivia games and the Animation Academy to learn how to draw popular Marvel Super Heroes.
Guests shouldn’t miss this chance to be part of a super celebration aboard the Disney Cruise Line in 2025. Marvel Day at Sea promises to be a day filled with adventure, excitement, and unforgettable memories for Marvel fans of all ages!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
New Trailer and Poster Revealed for Pixar’s Inside Out 2
Get your emotions ready! A new trailer and poster have been released for Pixar’s Inside Out 2! The film will welcome new emotions to now-teenager Riley’s mind.
Joining Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), Anger (voice of Lewis Black), Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith), Fear (voice of Tony Hale) and Disgust (voice of Liza Lapira) is a group of Emotions perfectly suited for the teenage years.
Maya Hawke voices Anxiety, the previously announced new arrival bound to shake up everything in headquarters and beyond. A bundle of frazzled energy, Anxiety enthusiastically ensures Riley’s prepared for every possible negative outcome.
Envy, voice of Ayo Edebiri, may be small but she sure knows what she wants. She’s perpetually jealous of everything everyone else has, and she’s not afraid to pine over it.
Ennui, who’s voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos, couldn’t care less. Bored and lethargic with a well-practiced eye-roll, Ennui adds the perfect amount of teenage apathy to Riley’s personality, when she feels like it.
Embarrassment, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, likes to lay low, which isn’t easy for this burly guy with a bright blush-pink complexion.
Additionally, Kensington Tallman lends her voice to Riley Andersen, who’s about to begin high school. Lilimar was called on to voice Valentina “Val” Ortiz, a high school hockey player who everyone, including Riley and her friends, looks up to. Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan return to voice Riley’s mom and dad; Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green and Grace Lu provide the voices for Riley’s besties; and Yvette Nicole Brown voices Coach Roberts, who heads up a summer hockey camp. The voice cast also includes Sarayu Blue, Flea, Ron Funches, Dave Goelz, James Austin Johnson, Bobby Moynihan, Frank Oz, Paula Pell, Paula Poundstone, John Ratzenberger, Kendall Coyne Schofield, June Squibb, Kirk Thatcher and Yong Yea.
The new poster for the film features the five original emotions plus the four new ones we will soon meet. Inside Out 2 comes to theaters on June 14, 2024. Check out the newest trailer:
Minnie Mouse Summer Ear Headband Spotted At Hollywood Studios!
Get ready for your next vacation with this Minnie Mouse Summer Ear Headband! This perfect accessory is now available at Hollywood Studios, as well as, online at the Disney Store for $34.99 and it’s bound to put your summer off to a swimming start!
The headband features rattan ears with a light blue tie dye bow and headband and charm in the middle featuring Minnie Mouse enjoying a sunny day at the beach!
A very simple but magical design! You can take a closer look at them in our Instagram post:
New Disney Princess Kingdoms Tote Bags Now At Magic Kingdom!
The popular Disney Princess Kingdoms tote bags are now at Magic Kingdom! We were able to find two of the five different designs inspired in Ariel, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Elsa and Belle.
You can get them for $24.99 each, they are a great size, perfect to carry all your essentials everywhere you go!
The Ariel inspired tote bag features Triton’s kingdom with an Ariel silhouette and “Visit Atlantica” embroidered at the top. The rest of the bag is beige with black handles, super cute!
The Jasmine tote bag features Agrabah in blue, purple and pink tones, you can even spot Jasmine’s silhouette in white. At the top it says “Escape to Agrabah” and at the bottom “The City Where wishes Come True” both embroidered in blue and red colors.
You can take a closer look at these bags in our Instagram post:
New Beauty And The Beast Vera Bradley Collection Now At The Disney Store!
The most famous tale as told as time has been given a contemporary retelling with the new Beauty And The Beast Vera Bradley Collection now available online at the Disney Store!
Just like we shared a few days ago, the magical collection is here with tote bags, backpacks, duffels and more that will make any adventures in the great wide somewhere extra enchanting.
This backpack features an all over quilted pattern that includes Belle, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere and Cogsworth surrounded by flowers. In includes two side slip pockets, hidden back zip pocket, front zip pocket, padded laptop compartment for a 15″ computer, making it great to take to work or school!
The mini backpack is perfect to carry your essentials everywhere you go, it features a quilted light purple fabric with an embroidered design of Belle surrounded by flowers. Super cute!
Going away for the weekend? This duffle bag is a must have! It features a quilted design that includes Belle, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere and Cogsworth. It also comes with detachable, adjustable woven shoulder straps and trolley sleeve to add it to your carry on!
Tote bag are so in right now, this Vera Bradley one featuring an embroidered design of Belle reading her favorite book with floral and a bow detail is so cute! It comes with a zipper to protect your belonging and six interior slip pockets.
For those looking for a practical bag, this sling bag in dark purple is a great option! It features an all over floral print with Lumiere and Mrs. Potts.
Another great practical option is the belt bag, this one features the same dark purple all over pattern of Lumiere and Mrs. Potts, a zip main closure, adjustable woven belt and side release buckle.
Are you a fan of this new collection? We personally love it!
We have some great news for everyone planning a Disney trip! Disney World and Disneyland are making it easier to plan your meals during your visit. Thanks to an app update that was released overnight, you can now view all available reservation time slots for a restaurant for the entire day on DisneyWorld.com, Disneyland.com, and the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. An additional update is coming soon that will make booking your dining reservations on both coasts even easier!
Soon, you will be able to see dining availability for multiple days at a time. With just one search, you can check available dining reservations for any given restaurant for up to 10 days at a time. This will make scheduling dining reservations for your entire vacation much easier!
Here are some additional tips to make your dining experience even smoother:
At Walt Disney World, guests staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel can make reservations 60 days before arrival for their entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay). This means you can plan all your meals in one go, rather than checking availability day after day.
Guests of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort have preferred access to a limited number of reservations to dine at select Disneyland Resort hotel table-service restaurants during their stay. Just make sure to link your Disneyland Resort hotel confirmation to your Disneyland.com account to be eligible for this benefit!
And don’t worry if your plans change at the last minute. Thanks to an update made last year, you can change or cancel your reservation up to two hours before your scheduled time at most Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort locations. Some locations, however, may have different policies, so it’s always a good idea to check your restaurant’s dining policy ahead of your visit.
Stay tuned for the launch of the multiple-day dining availability search feature, and get ready to enjoy a hassle-free dining experience at Disney World and Disneyland!
Ready to book your next magical vacation, but don’t know where to start? Want to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation without the stress of planning, booking, and tracking trip changes and promotions? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you stress less and enjoy your vacation more! The best part? My services are provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST when you book your Disney vacation package through me!
Southern Living Declares Dollywood is Better than any other Theme Park
Dollywood, the renowned theme park nestled in the heart of the South, is basking in a new accolade just in time for the grand opening ceremonies of its 39th season this week. Southern Living, a prominent lifestyle magazine, has bestowed upon Dollywood the honor of being recognized as one of the South’s Best Attractions in its prestigious 2024 The South’s Best awards. The article’s headline boldly declares, “Why Dollywood is Better Than Any Other Theme Park.”
The 2024 edition of Southern Living’s The South’s Best Awards features a diverse array of categories, celebrating excellence in cities, towns, food, drink, local treasures, islands, and more. Southern Living engaged its discerning readership in an online survey, conducted by the third-party agency Proof Insights, where over 20,000 respondents shared their opinions. The survey, held from July 12 to August 23, 2023, culminated in a comprehensive list of winners that reflects the Southern Living community’s favorites.
Dollywood finds itself in esteemed company as one of the best attractions in the South, alongside iconic names such as The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, and the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
This recognition not only solidifies Dollywood’s status as a premier destination but also highlights the park’s unique charm and appeal. As the park gears up for its 39th season, visitors can anticipate an even more extraordinary experience, enriched by the acknowledgment of Southern Living’s discerning readership. For those seeking the best of the South’s attractions, Dollywood stands out as a shining gem, offering a blend of entertainment, hospitality, and Southern charm that sets it apart from other theme parks.
Barnstormer commercial
“The author of the article repeatedly mentioned how warm and welcoming the park was during her recent visit with her son,” said Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton. “We are so happy to hear that; it is a common refrain among our guests. We believe the hosts who work here and the friendly atmosphere they provide for those who visit are what make the Dollywood experience unlike any other theme park in the world.
“Just last year, we earned Golden Ticket Awards for Best Park and for Best Guest Experience of any theme park in the world, and we also ranked number one and number two in the country by Tripadvisor the past two years. These awards and recognitions validate the efforts we place on providing the absolute best theme park experience anywhere. I think it is safe to say Dollywood has become the theme park everyone needs to put on their travel bucket list.”
Earlier this year, National Geographic named Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort as one of the top 22 hotels throughout the world for 2024. In December 2023, Forbes’ newly created Best Customer Service list ranked Dollywood in the top 1% (#27) of more than 3,000 rated US brands commonly recognized for exemplary customer service.
Dollywood Parks & Resorts boasts world-class roller coasters, award-winning entertainment, delectable Southern-inspired culinary options and one of the world’s “most beautiful water parks” all in a place where everyone feels like part of the family. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort and its sister property Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa truly have made Dollywood a leading vacation destination for families seeking a memory-making experience.
Dollywood opens this Friday (March 8) for season passholders and to the general public on Saturday (March 9). This season features the much-anticipated opening of The Dolly Parton Experience, which includes multiple experiences in a newly designed area of the park. Opening in the area surrounding and including the former Chasing Rainbows museum, The Dolly Parton Experience will allow guests a behind-the-scenes look at Dolly’s iconic status while they learn more about her incredible story. The area is scheduled to open in late May.
For more information about Dollywood Parks & Resorts, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
