New Disney Vacation Club Discovery Center Coming to Disney Springs
A new Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center has opened in Disney Springs! Gateway to Discovery will serve as an interactive portal to discover new vacation destinations with Disney Vacation Club.
The recently opened DVC Welcome Home Center is situated in the Town Center section of Disney Springs, adjacent to Francesca’s and opposite Frontera Cocina and the Disney Springs Welcome Center. It occupies the spot previously held by the Alex and Ani retail store, which ceased operations in January of this year.
Disney shared about the new center on social media saying:
“We’re thrilled to announce the opening of Gateway to Discovery – A #DisneyVacationClub Welcome Home Center! ✨ Located in the heart of #DisneySprings, this new space serves as an interactive portal to discover new vacation destinations with Disney Vacation Club. 🌎 🌠 And opening later this spring, a space on the second floor for Members and guests to gather – stay tuned!”
If you’d like to plan your next Disney World trip, 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.
New Tiana Wall Debuts in Downtown Disney at Disneyland
A new Tiana wall has debuted in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort! It’s a beautiful mural located on the west end of the shopping and dining district.
The mural features Tiana in her princess dress from The Princess & the Frog along with a young girl. Both are posing and smiling with a river and a river boat in the background. They look like they could be in the Bayou.
The little girl’s dress features a frog. The frame of the mural is decorated with vines and flowers.
Will you be heading to the Disneyland Resort to see this new wall?
If you’d like to book your next Disneyland visit, 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.
Creating Memories at the Disney Playhouse Creator Experience
We were invited by Disney to attend an exclusive event featuring new and exciting merchandise from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and more! We couldn’t wait to explore all of the toys, games, and even cookware Disney had waiting for us inside the Disney Playhouse Creator Experience!
We were warmly greeted by our hosts and were led into a magical world of Disney merchandise. We definitely felt like kids at a candy store… or better yet, kids in a toy store! After getting a sneak peek at what we were in store for, we were brought over to the Mickey & Friends kitchen to create Mickey waffle masterpieces! We were given adorable Mickey aprons to wear and a board of Mickey waffles with delicious flavors like Red Velvet, Churro and Chocolate…yum!! This special kitchen had so many Mickey items such as Mickey waffle maker, toaster, crock pot, and even Mickey and Minnie spatulas! Breakfast is definitely more fun with Mickey & Friends!
Up next was The Disney Store area, formerly known as Shop Disney.com. We were informed that The Disney store would be returning to more of its original form, (minus the in-store shopping) but would feature the original signage and shopping bags, etc. And what is The Disney Store most known for? It’s famous Pool of Plushes of course! We definitely wanted to dive right into this amazing “pool” and take a swim with our Disney Plush friends!
As we continued our tour, we were taken through various rooms featuring Disney Princesses, Marvel, Star Wars, Disney Junior, and Disney’s latest animated movie, Wish. There were so many amazing new toys, dresses, dolls, legos and games to explore! For the Marvel/Lego fan in your home, you can look forward to merchandise items such as the LEGO Marvel Avengers Tower, Groove ‘N Grow Groot, LEGO Star Wars Millenium Falcon, LEGO Star Wars R2d2 and so much more!
And for the princess in your life… so many beautiful Disney Princess toys and dress up clothes and accessories! Coming to stores you’ll find items like Jakks Pacific Disney Princess Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Tiana and more dolls, princess tiaras and dresses, American Girl Disney Princess Dolls, Mattel’s Disney Princess Magical Adventures Castle, and so much more!
Before we exited our fun day of learning all about the amazing merchandise, we were asked if we wanted to make a wish! After browsing all of the dazzling Disney Wish Merchandise, there was an area to write out your wish and place it on a wish board that would later create the image of the Star from the adorable animated movie. How sweet! We were even generously gifted a goodie bag with some of the amazing merchandise for us to play with and explore at home. Disney has always been such a huge part of my life, and to create such special memories this day will be something I will cherish and remember forever! Thank you so much Disney, for having us attend this magical event that to me, has “Sparked Joy in the Every day!”
Disney World’s Annual Passholders have recently enjoyed the convenience of ‘Good to Go Days,’ which allowed them to visit the parks without needing a reservation. However, if you’ve been looking for these special days in March, you might have noticed that there aren’t any available.
Since their introduction on January 16, 2024, ‘Good to Go Days’ have been a popular feature for passholders, offering flexibility and spontaneity in their visits. But as of March 1, Disney has not added any new ‘Good to Go Days’ to the calendar, marking the first time since the program’s launch that no future dates are available.
For now, passholders will need to book a park reservation through the My Disney Experience app for their visits, except for after 2 pm when reservations are not required, except at Magic Kingdom on weekends. Additionally, the Park Hopper benefit still requires a reservation for the first park and entry before hopping to another park, with the same after 2 pm exception.
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!
The enchanting 1900 Park Fare restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is set to reopen its doors on April 10, 2024, after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This beloved dining destination is known for its unique character dining experiences, however it appears guests are in for a bit of a surprise with the eclectic new lineup of Disney characters who will be gracing the venue.
According to the official Disney website, guests dining at 1900 Park Fare can expect to meet characters from a mix of classic Disney films and newer favorites like “Encanto” and “The Princess and the Frog.” This represents a significant departure from the pre-COVID character lineups, which featured a Cinderella-themed reception for dinner and the Mary Poppins hosted breakfast.
For breakfast, guests used to enjoy the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast company of characters like Mary Poppins, Alice from “Alice in Wonderland,” The Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. Dinner, on the other hand, featured a “Cinderella”-themed lineup with characters such as Cinderella, Prince Charming, Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine. Dinner was a fan-favorite here, with interactions with the step sisters and Lady Tremaine high on many must-do lists, and breakfast provided a rare character interaction with the Mad Hatter.
The new lineup does not distinguish between breakfast and dinner, and is noted to include Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel and Princess Tiana. While each character is beloved in their own right and known for making dreams come true, the combination of characters from different eras and stories creates a bit of a confusing lineup that lacks the thematic consistency of the previous character meals.
Bookings for 1900 Park Fare will open on March 5, and reservations are likely going to go fast considering the pent-up guest demand for this resteraunt. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or excited to meet the newer characters, the restaurant promises a unique dining experience filled with Disney magic.
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!
Universal Studios Hollywood New Exclusive Gabby’s Dollhouse Merch Coming on March 5th
Prepare to be dazzled as one of the most exciting preschool brands, DreamWorks Animation’s “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” introduces its magical world to Universal Studios Hollywood. Dive into a purrfectly delightful array of exclusive merchandise, available now at the Cartooniversal store on Universal CityWalk Hollywood and at the Animation Studio Store in Universal Studios Hollywood, starting March 5th.
“Gabby’s Dollhouse” toys and products bring the imaginative dollhouse world to life with music, surprises, and more for kids to create their own adventure at home. Fans can shop an exciting assortment that includes Spin Master’s award-winning Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse and deluxe room sets, alongside all-new, exclusive cat ear headbands, plush, apparel, accessories and more that are only available at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk.
Exclusive items include:
Apparel: An adorable collection of tops, hoodies, sweatpants, skirts and dresses adorned with paw-some “Gabby’s Dollhouse” prints.
Cat Ear Headbands: A trio of eye-catching, playful headbands that lets kids transform into their favorite “Gabby’s Dollhouse” characters – Pandy, MerCat and Kitty Fairy.
Accessories: Fluffy plush Cakey backpack and fun statement crew socks to make any outfit more purrfect.
Ready to get your hands on some of this exclusive merch? Contact me today to plan your next Universal trip! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are FREE.
Starting this April Tokyo Disneyland will be Celebrating Donald Duck
Next month Tokyo Disneyland will be celebrating everyone’s favorite duck-Donald Duck! From April 9 through June 30 guests visiting Tokyo Disney can celebrate Donald with multiple offerings.
In “Duck City”, the ideal town that Donald has dreamed up, Donald is a superstar no matter what! You can enjoy a park that has transformed into Donald’s ideal world, which is impossible in everyday life.
Decorations
A unique and chaotic world unique to Donald’s ideal town “Duck City” opens up. Donald flowerbeds and a large Donald marquee welcome guests. In addition to the monument to superstar Donald in the center of World Bazaar, there will be unique decorations typical of Duck City everywhere.
Special Menu
A special menu that allows you to enjoy the world of “Donald’s Quacky Duck City” will be available. Food items include:
Duck Dive Pasta Set
Donald’s Wacky Classic Set
Steak Plate
Special Dessert Set
4 different Special Sets
Special Sunday (cheese whip & mango)
Donald Duck’s Harmony Frosty
Sparkling Drink (mango & lemon)
Goods featuring designs of Donald’s unique “Duck City” that he dreamed of and Donald’s pride after becoming a superstar are now available. Let’s all wear goods and honor Donald!
Are you ready to celebrate all things Donald Duck?
Universal Hollywood Offering Special Savings for Annual Passes
Universal Hollywood is offering a special deal for guests purchasing an annual pass now through April 10, 2024! Existing pass members can get a special offer when they renew as well.
With the purchase of a Universal Studios Hollywood Annual or Season Pass, guests can enjoy non-stop fun and flexibility over and over again. While each of the Passes has unique offerings, they have one thing in common: exclusive benefits, such as Pass Member Appreciation Days, Pass Member Park Takeover events, access to special events, including new rides and attraction previews, discounts in the theme park and at Universal CityWalk Hollywood and sweepstakes. The Platinum Annual Pass includes the coveted after 3pm Universal Express pass with access to participating rides, attractions and seated shows in a separate queue with a shorter wait time.
As Universal Studios Hollywood embarks on the 60th anniversary of the world-renowned Studio Tour and the one-year anniversary of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the theme park is extending a special offer to prospective Annual and Season Pass Members: now through April 10, 2024, guests can save up to $50 when purchasing an Annual Pass online. Current Annual and Season Pass members, who pay in full for their passes, can also continue to enjoy a 15% discount on Annual Pass membership renewals and upgrades.
A Universal Studios Hollywood Annual or Season Pass is the ultimate ticket to ride that affords guests the opportunity to customize their visits. When SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opened, Pass Members were among the first to experience the land with an exclusive preview. With an Annual or Season Pass, guests can return to the Mushroom Kingdom to play at their leisure and improve their score on the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, all while collecting stamps and digital coins with their Power-Up Band.
For guests who prefer a twilight walk in the park, an Annual or Season Pass will surely illuminate the way, especially when the after-hours Pass Member Park Takeover events shine a spotlight on seasonal events and exclusive Pass Member access, like meeting the Grinch for a photo op during the Grinchmas holidays.
The array of Annual and Season Passes available cater to a variety of needs and budgets:
Platinum Annual Pass: For the ultimate Universal fan, the Platinum Pass Member has no blackout dates, complimentary General Parking (valid only for entry after 6pm), one complimentary General Admission ticket to Halloween Horror Nights (select nights only and advanced reservation required), invites to special Pass Member events, 15% discount on food, beverage and merchandise at participating in-Park locations, 10%-15% discounts on food and shopping at participating Universal CityWalk locations and discounts on Halloween Horror Nights tickets. As an added bonus, Platinum Annual Pass members can skip the regular lines with a one-time per day, after 3pm Universal Express with access to most rides, attractions and seated shows.
Gold Annual Pass: Visit Universal Studios Hollywood for over 325 days of the year, including complimentary General Parking (valid only for entry until 6pm), invites to special Pass Member events, 15% discount on food, beverage and merchandise at participating in-Park locations, 10%-15% discounts on food and shopping at participating Universal CityWalk locations and discounts on Halloween Horror Nights tickets.
Silver Annual Pass: Visit Universal Studios Hollywood for over 275 days of the year, plus receive invites to special Pass Member events, 10%-15% discounts on food and shopping at participating Universal CityWalk locations and discounts on Halloween Horror Nights tickets.
California Neighbor Pass: With more than 150 days to visit, the California Neighbor Pass provides invites to special Pass Member events, 10%-15% discounts on food and shopping at participating Universal CityWalk locations and discounts on Halloween Horror Nights tickets.
Ready to plan your next visit to Universal Hollywood? Contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan an epic vacation.
Food and Wine Festival Begins Today at Disney California Adventure
The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival has begun! This festival will run through April 22 and features heaping helpings of limited-time food and beverages, entertainment and family-friendly fun inspired by the diverse cultures and cuisines of the Golden State.
This year’s festival introduces a new plant-forward festival marketplace; two different Sip and Savor Pass options; and the debut of “Confection Purrfection with the SuperKitties,” an interactive show for kids ages 3 through 11 inspired by the popular Disney Junior series.
With a variety of chefs, regions and businesses represented at the festival, locals and visitors alike can explore the state’s vast culinary landscape – all in one destination – and with a distinctly Disney twist.
Feast on flavors inspired by California’s bounty
The Disneyland Resort culinary team crafted a smorgasbord of more than 100 dishes and beverages available at Disney California Adventure Park, with selections spread across 10 festival marketplaces, select carts and participating dining locations. Must-try menu highlights include the carnitas-style pork belly with esquites corn mac salad from LA Style, cheeseburger bao from California Craft Brews, carbonara garlic mac and cheese from D-Lish and chicken musakhan from Paradise Garden Grill. A new marketplace, named Earth Eats, debuts a flavorful, plant-forward menu.
Guests planning to sample multiple festival menu items can purchase their choice of two Sip and Savor Pass types: a new four-coupon option and the returning eight-coupon option. Each coupon can be redeemed for a select food item or nonalcoholic beverage at festival marketplaces or participating dining locations. The Sip and Savor Pass can be shared among friends and family, or used over multiple visits to this year’s Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.
For equally refreshing atmospheres and beverages, guests can lounge at the Festival Beer Garden in Paradise Gardens Park or Cocktails @ Sonoma Terrace in the Performance Corridor.
While supplies last, guests can also purchase novelties such as the stainless steel stemless fluted dragonfly glass and jade glass from select food and beverage locations.
Adding even more choices of appetizing offerings, select dining locations at the Downtown Disney District also feature festival-inspired menu items.
Gathering celebrated chefs and diverse California favorites
The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is a distinctly Disney gathering of California’s food scene, bringing together renowned chefs and businesses. The festival’s beverage assortment for guests 21 and over includes specially chosen pours from California-based craft breweries and wineries.
On the weekends, gourmands of all ages can learn from local, celebrity and Disney chefs during engaging cooking demonstrations at the Hollywood Backlot Stage. Scheduled presenters include Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytán; Food Network’s Jet Tila; Claudia Sandoval, winner of Master Chef season 6; and Paul Cao of Burnt Crumbs in Irvine, Calif.
Bookable culinary experiences across the Disneyland Resort, such as mixology classes and tasting seminars, offer additional opportunities to hear from industry experts and sample special selections for a separate fee.
Local and diverse businesses also host pop-up merchandise shops or treat carts around Disney California Adventure Park, such as Mom & Pop Shop, Working to Give and Kayla’s Cake.
Vibrant medley of entertainment, art and more
In addition to delectable dishes, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival serves up family-friendly entertainment, limited-time experiences and complimentary crafts (while supplies last). The fan-favorite attraction Soarin’ Over California returns for the duration of the festival, transporting guests above the state’s natural and man-made wonders.
Disney Junior’s hit animated series “SuperKitties” is the inspiration behind a new, interactive kids offering in Hollywood Land, “Confection Purrfection with the SuperKitties.” With special on-screen appearances by the SuperKitties, junior chefs ages 3 through 11 are invited to decorate cupcakes and discover how the magic of food saves the day by bringing everyone together. Elsewhere in Hollywood Land, Chef Goofy may be found visiting with guests at select times.
From “Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs” to live bands performing daily at the Palisades Stage and Paradise Gardens Bandstand, guests can savor rotating musical entertainment at Paradise Gardens Park. Entertainment schedules can be found on the Disneyland app.
Commemorative merchandise for this year’s festival includes a specially themed Spirit Jersey, pins, home décor and more. Disney Home at the Downtown Disney District and Off the Page at Disney California Adventure Park will host artist showcase and signing events each weekend during the festival.
At the Downtown Disney District, families can enjoy complimentary crafts on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays near the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, while supplies last. Guests can also purchase two special card designs from Lovepop.
Ready to experience all the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival has to offer? Contact me today to start planning your visit! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are FREE, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation.
A new Orange Bird Pandora Charm set landed at the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot! It can be yours for $165 and it includes both charms to add sunshine and magic to your style every time you wear it.
The set includes two charms, one is a slide charm with the Orange Bird on one side and Flower & Garden Festival logo on the opposite side. The dangling charm features the Orange Bird on one side and “Life’s full of zest” quote on the back.
This is a great accessory to remember your visit to this fun festival at Epcot!
The sage color of this spirit jersey is beautiful, very subtle and classic. On the front it features the Mickey Mouse retro Disney World logo with Est. 1971 and on the back, the Walt Disney World logo in puffy white letters takes over the top part.
A Disneyland version is also available in the same sage color with a “D” Est. 1955 logo on the front and “Disneyland Resort” in puffy white letters across the back.
Both versions are beautiful! Which one is your home park? Let us know!
A new charming Piglet Harveys Bag is now available at Harvey’s store and will make its debut online at shopharveys.com on March 4th! A perfect accessory for any big adventure.
The bucket bag features Piglet’s face on the front with 3D ears and her iconic dark pink color on the back. It also includes an adjustable strap and keychain featuring Piglet and a white flower.
Such a cute bag to add a sweet touch to any outfit this Spring!
