It’s an Early Christmas for the Lowland Gorillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Western Lowland Gorillas in Disney’s Animal Kingdom got an early Christmas present! These gifts were given as part of a behavioral technique known as animal enrichment.
The gifts were a festive form of enrichment that featured some of the gorillasโ favorite foods, like oats, fruits and hay. Enrichments like this provide the gorillas with mentally and physically stimulating activities that enhance their wellbeing. It also encourages animals to display natural behaviors.
Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Disneyโs Animals, Science & Environment, shared all about it on Instagram:
“Everyone loves receiving gifts during the holidays, including the western lowland gorillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! These aren’t just any presents โ this is a festive form of enrichment featuring some of the gorillasโ favorite foods, like oats, fruits and hay. This is a great way to encourage animals to display natural behaviors. Visit Disneyโs Animal Kingdom to see our animals in action!”
Good Morning America also shared a video of the gorillas enjoying their gifts.
Ready to visit the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Contact me to start planning your trip! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
Dates for the Return of Disneyland’s 2024 Entertainment Offerings Revealed
Disneyland has announced the return of select entertainment offerings in 2024! Guest favorites like the Magic Happens Parade and Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular will once again bring moments of magic for guests of all ages.
The โMagic Happensโparade will once again bring moments of magic from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films to life at Disneyland Park, beginning Feb. 2.
Disneyland Park will present two nighttime spectaculars for a limited time in early 2024, before โTogether Forever โ A Pixar Nighttime Spectacularโ returns April 26 as part of the resort-wide Pixar Fest.
The energetic โMickeyโs Mix Magicโ performs Jan. 8-March 21 and April 15-25, enhanced with fireworks on select evenings.
โWondrous Journeysโ returns for a special presentation in the spring, performing nightly with fireworks, March 22-April 14.
From these returning favorites to character encounters, live music and more, a guest could spend a full day and night enjoying entertainment across the resort. Additional offerings coming in 2024 include the all-new โBetter Together โ A Pixar Pals Celebration!โ parade at Disney California Adventure Park debuting on April 26 and the return of โFantasmic!โ on May 24.
What entertainment options are you looking forward to experiencing at Disneyland?
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Rotten Tomatoes Top 10 Movies Coming to Theaters in 2024
The year 2024 is nearly upon us, and with us a fresh slate of films from Hollywood. Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango teamed up to poll the most highly anticipated films of 2024. Take a look below for a glimpse of the movies that have us eagerly anticipating the cinematic offerings of 2024.
January:
Mean Girlsย (2024)Directed by:ย Arturo Perez Jr., Samantha Jayne Starring:ย Angourie Rice, Reneรฉ Rapp, Auliสปi Cravalho, Bebe Wood, Jaquel Spivey, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Jenna Fischer, Jon Hamm, Ashley Park Opening on:ย January 12, 2024
Madame Web (2024)Directed by: S.J. Clarkson Starring: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste OโConnor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Emma Roberts, Mike Epps, Adam Scott, and Zosia Mamet Opening on: February 14, 2024
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireย (2024)Directed by:ย Gil Kenan Starring:ย Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt Opening on:ย March 29, 2024
APRIL
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empireย (2024)Directed by:ย Adam Wingard Starring:ย Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Kaylee Hottle, Fala Chen, Alex Ferns, and Rachel House Opening on:ย April 12, 2024
MAY
Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagaย (2024)Directed by:ย George Miller Starring:ย Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, and Angus Sampson Opening on:ย May 24, 2024
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apesย (2024)Directed by:ย Wes Ball Starring:ย Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon, Eka Darville, and Kevin Durand Opening on:ย May 24, 2024
JUNE
Inside Out 2 (2024) Directed by:ย Kelsey Mann Starring:ย Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black Opening on:ย June 14, 2024
A Quiet Place: Day Oneย (2024)Directed by:ย Michael Sarnoski Starring:ย Lupita Nyongโo, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Denis OโHare Opening on:ย June 28, 2024
JULY
Despicable Me 4ย (2024)Directed by:ย Chris Renaud, Patrick Delage Starring:ย Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, and Steve Coogan Opening on:ย July 3, 2024
Deadpool 3ย (2024)Directed by:ย Shawn Levy Starring:ย Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Leslie Uggams Opening on:ย July 26, 2024
AUGUST
Borderlandsย (2024)Directed by:ย Eli Roth Starring:ย Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, Jamie Lee Curtis, Edgar Ramirez, Haley Bennett, Florian Munteanu Opening on:ย August 9, 2024
Untitled Alien Movie (2024) Directed by:ย Fede Alvarez Starring:ย Isabela Merced, Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson, Spike Feam, Aileen Wu Opening in:ย August 16, 2024
Kraven the Hunterย (2024)Directed by:ย J.C. Chandor Starring:ย Aaron Taylor-Johnson Opening on:ย August 30, 2024
SEPTEMBER
Beetlejuice 2ย (2024)Directed by:ย Tim Burton Starring:ย Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine OโHara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci, Willem Dafoe Opening on:ย September 6, 2024
Transformers Oneย (2024)Directed by:ย Josh Cooley Starring:ย Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Jon Hamm, Laurence Fishburne, Keegan-Michael Key Opening on:ย September 13, 2024
OCTOBER
Joker: Folie ร Deuxย (2024)Directed by:ย Todd Phillips Starring:ย Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Zazie Beetz, Catherine Keener, and Jacob Lofland Opening on:ย October 4, 2024
Mufasa: The Lion Kingย (2024)Directed by:ย Barry Jenkins Starring:ย Aaron Pierre, Kevin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani Opening on:ย December 20, 2024
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verseย (2024)Directed by:ย Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson Starring:ย Oscar Isaac, Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vรฉlez, Issa Rae, and Jason Schwartzman Opening on:ย TBD (previously March 29, 2024)
While everyone has been focused on the SAG/AFTRA Strike impacting Hollywood’s future, 2024 has a lot to look forward to! What movie are you marking off on your calendar? Let us know your favorite in a comment.
New Play In Disney Park Products Spotted At Animal Kingdom!
We found new Play In Disney Park Products at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that will provide hours of fun! They are also great gift options for this holiday season, take a look:
This Play in the Park Puzzle Set is beautiful! You will have a great time putting together the different designs with your family this holiday season, this are the puzzle you will find in this set
New I Heart Disney Dogs Loungefly Collection Coming Soon!
A new I Heart Disney Dogs Loungefly Collection is coming soon and is adorable! It includes products for humans and furry friends to match during all your magical adventures! Take a look:
Let’s start with this adorable Lady plush backpack! Her facial expressions come to life with embroidery and a gold metal molded charm hangs from her collar on a hidden front pocket that provides extra storage for your daily essentials.
On the back, youโll find printed original art of Lady snuggling up to Disneyโs The Tramp. Fall in love with a classic movie all over again and show off your favorite fandom.
This backpack features a fully figural doghouse shape over the front pocket with lenticular details on the door that reveal three different Disney Dogs: Lady, a Dalmatian puppy, and Dodger. You can even place a photo of your pet behind the door for a more personalized touch. On the side pockets, youโll find Disneyโs Perdita and The Tramp. On the back, Disneyโs Copper plays in the grass. Even the straps include a motif of bones and paw prints, super cute!
This fully figural crossbody bag is shaped like a doghouse. It also feature lenticular details on the door reveal three different Disney Dogs: Lady, a Dalmatian puppy, and Dodger or even place a photo of your pet behind the door for a more personalized touch. A paw-print motif covers the side panels, and on the back, Disneyโs Copper plays in the grass.
PET ACCESSORIES
Treat your furry best friends with a harness featuring an all over pattern of Disney dogs and paw prints! It also features a zippered compartment that makes holding treats and other necessities easy plus the adjustable nylon straps add comfort, and thereโs a breathable mesh fabric for the undercarriage.
Super Sweet Winnie The Pooh Crocs Spotted At Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
These new Winnie The Pooh Crocs are filled with nostalgia and magic plus will provide lots of comfort every time you wear them! You can find them at Animal Kingdom, as well as, online at shopDisney for $59.99.
The crocs feature a Pooh bear furry Jibbitz on the front and all over pattern of beloved characters like Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore on these adorable ”hunny” colored shoes that will make you smile every time you wear them!
You can take a closer look at these Crocs in our Instagram post:
SeaWorld Orlando has just announced an aggressive new expansion of their Orlando theme parks: an all-new hotel, which will feature over 500 rooms and provide direct theme park access. While SeaWorld currently sells vacation packages that include accommodations at nearby hotels, this project will mark the first on-property hotel constructed by SeaWorld Orlando.
Fox 35 News obtained the application SeaWorld filed with Orange County detailing the construction plans for the new hotel. The new 15-story hotel project will sit on nearly 30 acres of property located near the intersection if International Drive and Central Florida Parkway.
Amenities noted in the artist renderings include a ballroom, a conference center, a fitness center, restaurants, and a walkway to SeaWorld. The new hotel’s pools are drawn with a tropical theming and include lounging areas in addition to multiple pools.
SeaWorld has previously committed to opening two new hotels in 2024, however no mention was made as to which U.S. theme parks owned by SeaWorld would recieve the new hotels. The proposed Orlando hotel has not yet been approved by Orange County, and proposed dates for the start of construction have not been announced.
Walt Disney World Resort guests visiting EPCOT can now voyage into an all-new adventure with Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. Explore a beautifully landscaped walking trail with fun and surprises around each turn and engage with water in magical ways like Moana did with the ocean. The new walk-through attraction is located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mariah Wild, Photographer)
Disney Parks & Experiences has once again proven its prowess. Walt Disney World Resort and Adventures by Disney have been awarded top honors in the 2023 Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, highlighting Disney’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of theme parks and adventure tourism.
Walt Disney World Resort has clinched the title of ‘Best Theme Park’ for the 21st consecutive year. This achievement reflects the resort’s continuous effort to offer unforgettable experiences across its four theme parks and unique resorts. Known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” Disney World has consistently provided guests with magical moments and unparalleled excitement.
Adventures by Disney has been named the ‘Best Adventure Tour Operator’. This prestigious award highlights the exceptional experiences they provide, immersing families in the culture, people, and places of destinations around the world. From the Taj Mahal to the Great Pyramids of Giza, Adventures by Disney showcases these wonders in a way that only Disney can.
The Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards are highly regarded in the travel industry, selected by travel professionals and readers of Travel Weekly. These awards recognize the best in travel providers, and being listed as a winner is a significant honor. This year’s awards were presented at a gala event in New York City on December 13th.
These awards for Walt Disney World and Adventures by Disney solidify Disney’s status as a top choice for family entertainment and adventure travel. For those who love Disney, these recognitions are a reminder of the unforgettable experiences and magical adventures that await with Disney.
Walt Disney World recently updated the Theme Park Reservation guidelines, with date-based tickets no longer requiring park pass reservations beginning January 9, 2024. While Annual Passholders will still need to make park reservations, Disney has provided some welcomed park reservation news via the distribution of bonus theme park reservations!
Starting in January, passholders will have access to bonus reservations at all four theme parks. This means more opportunities to enjoy favorite rides, shows, and attractions without the standard reservation limitations.
The following bonus theme park reservations will be available for Annual Passholders:
Bonus Theme Park Reservations allow Passholders to visit a Disney theme park without the park reservations counting toward their maximum number of allotted park reservations. These bonus reservations coincide with the update to the park hopping system, which will now allow park hopping at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations). On days when theme park reservations are required for Annual Passholders and certain non-dated tickets, Passholders and Guests will be able to take advantage of updates to Park Hopper access after visiting their first park.
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!
Aulani Resort cast members kicked off December with a new show,ย โHe Moโolelo Hemolele: A Story of Faith, Hope & Alohaโย inspired by Disney Parksโ beloved holiday tradition, Candlelight Processional, but withย a cultural twistย featuringย hula,ย Hawaiian chants, storytellingย and songsย wovenย throughout.
This limited-time experience brought together dozens of volunteers from across the resort who expressed their joy of the season in a way thatโs never been done at Aulani Resort. โBeing involved in โHe Moโolelo Hemoleleโ has filled me with a sense of pride in our moโolelo (stories), mele (music), leo (voices), and hula (dance) that is shared with our guests from around the world,โ shared Entertainment Activities cast member Charles Timtim. โAnd now they can experience the holiday season from a distinctly Hawaiian view.โ
In case you didnโt have the chance to experience โHe Moโolelo Hemolele,โ itโs still easy to tap into the holiday and aloha spirit when strolling through Aulani Resort. Beautiful Christmas trees and garlands deck the halls, bringing a particular warmth to the grounds. What better way to celebrate the season than with resort carolers, boughs of holly, a giant Mickey sugar cookie, and average temperatures around 80 degrees just steps from our pristine Ko Olina beach and lagoon? Along with our incredibly โoluโolu (kind) cast members, it all adds up to a holiday to remember.
Aloha Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) and Hauสปoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year) from our โohana to yours!
If youโd like to plan your next visit to Aulani, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are free.
All guests who have sailed on one eligible Disney cruise automatically qualify for the loyalty program. Now, guests are required to sail no less than once per five-year period. Theย Castaway Club Frequently Asked Questionsย page reads as follows:
โGuests who have completed one eligible Disney cruise automatically qualify for Castaway Club membership. To remain in the program, Castaway Club Members must book or sail on at least one eligible cruise within 5 years of their last Disney voyage.โ
There are four tiers in Disneyโs Castaway Club and they are:
Silver Member
Guests become a silver member after completing their first sailing with Disney Cruise Line. Silver Members of Castaway Club can book new itineraries one day earlier than the general public and are able to book excursions beginning 90 days prior to sailing.
In addition, Silver Members of Castaway Club receive:
Online check-in 33 days prior to sailing
Access to periodic Castaway Club communications and a special Castaway Club phone number for members-only direct communication
Special cruise terminal check-in locations (depending on port availability)
A welcome back gift to greet you in your stateroom upon your next sailing
Gold Member
Guests become a gold member after completing 5 sailings with Disney Cruise Line. Gold Members of Castaway Club can book new itineraries 2 days prior to the general public and excursions 105 days prior to sailing.
In addition, Gold Members of Castaway Club receive:
All Silver Member benefits
Online check-in 35 days prior to sailing
Early access to select port arrival times
Private onboard reception
Special discounts
Platinum Member
Guests become a Platinum Member after completing 10 sailings with Disney Cruise Line. Platinum Members of Castaway Club can book new itineraries 3 days prior to the general public and excursions 120 days prior to sailing.
Additional Platinum Member Castaway Club benefits include:
All Silver and Gold Member benefits
Online check-in 38 days prior to sailing
Complimentary dinner at Palo and Palo Steakhouse (one per sailing)
Pearl Member
Guests become a Pearl Member after completing 25 sailings with Disney Cruise Line. Pearl Members of Castaway Club can book new itineraries 4 days prior to the general public and excursions 123 days prior to sailing.
Additional Pearl Member Castaway Club benefits include:
All Silver, Gold and Platinum Member benefits
Online check-in 40 days prior to sailing
No need to pick a Port Arrival Time. They will be automatically assigned the first boarding group for their cruise.
Complimentary unlimited digital photo package. This benefit will be added to your stateroom account.
Are you a Castaway Club member?
If youโd like to plan your next Disney cruise, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are free.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Closing for Lengthy Refurbishment in Early 2024
Rock โnโ Roller Coaster in Disneyโs Hollywood Studios is closing in early 2024 for another lengthy refurbishment. The attraction will close on January 8, 2024, and will reopen sometime in the summer.
The coaster had a lengthy refurbishment in 2023 to address reliability issues. Apparently those issues have persisted so the ride is closing again for a routine refurbishment.
There is still speculation that the ride will get a retheme and Aerosmith will no longer be involved. Disney has not confirmed any rumors though.
Will you miss Rock โnโ Roller Coaster while itโs closed?
If youโd like to plan your next visit to Walt Disney World, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are free.
