NEW: The Diamond Horseshoe Restaurant

In just a few short days Disney will debit a new restaurant inside Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando. The Diamond Horseshoe has been around for a very long time but it closed back in August 2015 for a lengthy refurbishment.

In the midst of the refurbishment Disney wanted to reinvent this timeless classic. The new menu will debut with the restaurants re-opening on March 13th. The new menu will feature an all you can eat meal:

Your show-stopping, all-you-care-to-enjoy meal opens with a Frontier Salad followed by a Saloon Feast featuring your choice of BBQ Pulled Turkey, Spit-Roasted Ham or Stewed Beef with all the fixin’s. Then, enjoy a Campfire Brownie or Apple Tart finale. And it’s all served up with your choice of beverages.

It is rumored that with the new re-opening of The Diamond Horseshoe Disney is also entertaining the idea of offering some alcoholic beverages on the menu. I believe they will wait and see how the restaurants fairs first. 

Currently the only restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages is Be Our Guest and only for dinner. 

Online reservations will open up soon for lunch and dinner. This is a casual dining table service meal. The prices are listed as $15 to $30 per adult. 

What do you think of this new menu and re-opening of The Diamond Horseshoe? Will you go and check out the new items?

Breaking: Walt Disney World tickets increase at midnight

Breaking news from the Disney executives and confirmed by cast members at Disney's Reservation Center. 

As we all have heard it has been rumored that Walt Disney world tickets will increase effective tomorrow. The price increase comes after Universal increased their prices just last week upping the price $5 more per day.

Now what you may have not heard is when the ticket increase announcement finally makes its debut it will be a shock to most of us. Disney is revealing a new tiered system in order to maintain crowd control and also get people on vacation at slower times.

Here is the information we have obtained so far:

Three tiers will be offered for ticket prices with the first ticket price the lowest of the increases.

Value 

Regular 

Peak

We do not yet know how much the tickets will jump but many are expecting a one day Magic Kingdom ticket to cost upwards of $125 per day whereas it is now $105. 

Stay tuned here for any news we receive. Also, if any of you are planning a trip down to WDW during 2016 or early 2017; I encourage you to put a deposit down on your reservation now to lock in those current cheaper rates. Tomorrow you may find a higher cost for your magical vacation.

Email me now if you need to book a trip or have been on the fence. I'm happy to help and get those rates locked in.

Carnival Cruise Lines

You know we here at Disney traveling are all about Disney destinations. However, every once in a while I like to highlight amazing deals I find outside of the Disney bubble. 

Today those deals happen to come from our friends over at Carnival Cruise Lines. Right now Carnival is offering up some amazing deals with reduced deposits and cruising starting at $499 per person for a 5 day cruise. 

Deposits are starting out at just $49 per person which in itself is a steal as deposits are normally $200 per person to reserve. Carnival has more than 4 deals going on right now with each varying in promotion. 

The deal we have attached below is the most promising but it closes on Monday unfortunately. It is unknown if Carnival will extend this amazing offer. 

Cruises are currently being offered in the Western Caribbean where you can visit Ochos Rios, Jamaica which is absolutely beautiful. Or you can cruise over the amazing islands of Mexico or Hawaii as well. 

Treat yourself and find out how awesome a Carnival Cruise is. Many of the ships offer grand suites for little cost in upgrades. You will not want to miss out on these deals. 

Let's chat now so we can get you cruising in the next few months or even next year. 

BREAKING: Rivers of Light Dining Packages Confirmed

With the new show Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom debuting this Spring there have been many a rumor swirling around that a dining package will be offered for this new event. 

Much like the dining package that is currently offered for Fantasmic, guests can enjoy a lunch or dinner at one of the participating restaurants and receive a voucher for priority seating at Rivers of Light. 

Earlier this morning the packages were leaked on Disney's site but you were not able to make reservations. Now when you go to this site Disney URL you are greeted with a message stating the page is unavailable. 

No other information is currently available but stay tuned here for the most up to date info as it develops. Look for Disney to make a big announcement regarding the dining package this week. 

QUOTE TUESDAY featuring The Disney Cruise Line

‪#‎QuoteTuesday‬ featuring the Disney Cruise Line

2 Adults + 2 Children ages 9 & 7

3 Night Bahamian Cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida

Cruise fare includes: Character meet and greets, dining, shipboard accommodations, entertainment, and select onboard activities including kids' club.

Ports Include: Nassau, Bahamas & Castaway Cay (Disney's exclusive private island)

Total Package: $3,300.28

Deposit: $600 to reserve

Ready to make a magical vacation? Contact me now and let's chat!! Email, phone, text, FB message, smoke signal. I love to talk vacations, Disney not your style? I can help you book virtually any vacation you desire. 

s.marx@magicalvacationplanner.com

Current: Theme Park Refurbishments at WDW as of 2/19/16

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months then everyone knows how much Walt Disney World is changing over Spring and Summer 2016. 

Whether it be the new lands added to Hollywood Studios such as Star Wars land and Toy Story land, or the ever anticipated Avatar land at Animal Kingdom. There are lots of refurbishments going on at Walt Disney World during some of the busiest times of the year right now. If you've visited over the last few months you will notice some of your favorites rides are now gone at Hollywood Studios and even some meet and greets and restaurants. The ever popular walls have also gone up to hide all the magic that is taking place. 

If we know one thing about Disney it is that it is an ever changing animal and when Disney takes away it almost always gives back in three fold. These new lands will be bigger and better than ever making you forget all about those walls and experiences that will now cease to exist. 

And with so many traveling down to Walt Disney World whether it be for the summer or Spring Break here at Disney Traveling, we want you to be in the know. 

Below you will find the most updated listing released from Walt Disney World on the current refurbishments going on thru 2016. Look at the list below to make sure you have the best information for your trip and adjust your plans accordingly. 

Be sure to check back here @disneytraveling for all of the latest updates regarding refurbishments and closings. 

Magic Kingdom Park

Mad Tea Party                                                                                          Feb. 22 - 26, 2016
Jungle Cruise                                                                                          Mar. 1 - 3, 2016

Monorail                                                                                                   Now - April 2016
The Walt Disney World® Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. If Guests plan to use this form of transportation during their visit they should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternative transportation options will be available.

Epcot

Soarin'                                                                                      Jan. 4, 2016 - Summer 2016
Circle of Life                                                                            Feb. 7 - Apr. 2, 2016    

Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park

Pizza Planet                                                                                               Jan. 19 - Late 2016
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure - Closing Permanently          Apr. 3, 2016
Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - Closing Permanently              Apr. 3, 2016

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Kali River Rapids                                                    Jan. 4 - Mar. 17, 2016
Flights of Wonder                                                   Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016  

Warung Outpost                                                     Jan. 25 - Mar. 17, 2016
Boneyard                                                                 Feb. 22 - Mar. 17, 2016

Disney Springs

Planet Hollywood

January 6- Summer 2016

Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive  - Due to heavy roadwork, expect delays on Buena Vista Drive. It is recommended that Guests use complimentary Walt Disney World Resort transportation from Parks and Resorts to Disney Springs and plan to arrive early for reserved dining and entertainment experiences.

Through March 16

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Annual Refurbishment

Jan. 4 - Mar. 19, 2016

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

None

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf

None

Breaking: Toy Story Midway Mania at WDW closed March 15th

This just in from Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. For those of you traveling to Hollywood Studios on March 15th the ever popular Toy Story Midway Mania will be closed all day.

Those who have selected FastPasses for this day will now be allowed to choose another Fastpass for that day.

The news comes after the announcement of a third track being added to Toy Stoty Midway Mania in order to curb the sometimes massive wait times. The third track will be added later this year.

Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

Magic Band Arrival Day

For those readers who don't know, my family and I will be taking our annual trip down to Walt Disney World in just 29 short days. But who's counting right? 

This morning we were greeted with this email below letting us know our Magic Bands had shipped out. The excitement this email illicits in our household is truly magical. 

So low and behold this afternoon when we checked the mail we had a lovely package waiting on us. Now for those of you who haven't been before you will want to know that if you are planning on surprising your family the box is very inconspicuous. No magic is ruined at all from the looks of this box. It does say it is from Florida though. 

For those of you surprising others with a trip you may want to be sure to check the mail that day or for a few days after to ensure no one opens the package unwarranted.

If you are flying to Walt Disney World and utilizing the Magical Express you will also want to lift up your Magic Bands and look at the bottom of the box as this is where you will find your ever important luggage tags.

You can now delight in the fact that packing for your trip is coming up next. Make sure to place this box in a safe place until you get ready to pack for your trip.

We always place our Magic Band box in our carry on as you will need these Magic Bands for the Magical Express and for check in at the resort.

Club Villain Dates Extended at Walt Disney World

Villain lovers rejoice!! Back by very popular demand is the special ticketed event Club Villain inside Disney's Hollywood Studios. Situated inside the Sunset Showcase you will find a great party known as Club Villain. This special ticketed event features 4 villains, 5 if you count your evil host Dr. Facillier. The villains include: Evil Queen, Cruelle DeVil, Maleficient, and the Red Queen. 



As you enter the event you are handed a glass of champagne or a bottled water and a card with your table number and meet and greet times for the villains. You are welcome to find your table and have a seat or mingle around. 


Once you have located your table make your way to the all you can eat buffet featuring delicious "voodoo sticky pig wings", herb-rubbed beef tenderloin, cajun chicken gumbo, and more! You will also find a bar filled with villain inspired drinks and also beer and wine if you choose. 



The deserts are on a whole other level and are also themed to match their villain of choice. Take delight in red velvet cupcakes, cheesecake pushups, macaroons, and green apple mousse. All of the deserts are truly sinful in their own rights. 

Now let's talk about the added shows. Club Villain used to only be offered on Saturday nights but because this intimate event has been such a hit they are now offering the show on Tuesdays and Saturday's throughout the month of March. 

For our family's March trip we were able to snag reservations for the Tuesday night 4:15pm show. There is also a 7:15pm show as well. 

Be advised, this party does offer alcoholic beverages and features burlesque dancers so it is not for your younger children. Also, there is not a child's rate so children pay the same as adults. This ticketed event will set you back $129 per person. 

The event lasts roughly 2 hours and as mentioned above you get personal meet and greets with the villains with little to no wait, a full all you can eat buffet featuring gourmet food, and all you can drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, plus desert. Need I say more! 

You will need a park ticket to get into this special ticketed event. If you are ready for this event and more magical fun, let's chat! I'm an authorized earmarked Disney Vacation Planner and my services are 100% free. 

Quote Tuesday! Featuring the Kid Size Package at Walt Disney World

Happy Tuesday friends!! I hope everyone had a good long weekend for those of us that 

were off yesterday. Boy are we paying for it today, right? As always, I am bringing you 

another great offer from Disney today for our #quotetuesday. This week brings us 

back to Walt Disney World and features the Kid Size Package that Disney is currently 

offering up. 

QUOTE TUESDAY!! Featuring the Kid Size Package at WDW

2 Adults + 1 Child (Age 6)

Check in: 6/5/16 - 6/10/16

6 Days/5 Nights at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort - Standard Pirate Room

5 Day Park Tickets (includes 5th day free)

3 Magic Bands + 3 FastPass+ Per Person, Per Day

Access to on site transportation to and from resort to parks and Disney Springs

Nightly activities at resort including Campfire with Smores, and Movies under the Stars

Total Package: $2104.86

Ready to book or want to customize a quote for you or your family? Let's chat today!! My services are always 100% free. 
S.Marx@magicalvacationplanner.com

Daily Ticket Prices Increase

As expected Universal Studios hiked their daily admission tickets yesterday for 2016. 

While the annual passholder prices remain the untouched, we cannot say the same for park to park and single day park tickets. 

A day at Universal Orlando will now set you back $105 before taxes for adults, this is an increase of $3 per day as the 2015 rate was $102. 

A child's ticket also increased $3 from $97 to $100 per day. 

The park to park option where you can hop from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure will set you back $155 per day, and increase of $8 as it was $147 for adults. A child's ticket is now $150 as opposed to the 2015 ticket price of $142 per day.

Just like in years past we can expect Walt Disney World to increase their daily ticket prices as well in the coming weeks. If you have been on the fence about a Disney or Universal vacation, now is the time to book. Remember a $200 deposit is all it takes to lock in the current ticket prices at Disney. 

If you are ready to make the jump contact me today so we can save you some money! My services are always 100% free to utilize and I can help plan your vacation from start to finish. 

QUOTE TUESDAY!! Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

QUOTE TUESDAY!! Featuring Royal Caribbean Cruise Line! Royal Caribbean has just released some amazing cruise deals with the offer below. 

Cruises are starting out at just $450! I know I'll be cruising this summer, what about you?

Royal Caribbean International

BOGO GETTER - Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 50% Off,

Up to $300 per stateroom OBC, and 50% reduced deposit.

Plus, 25% Savings for 3/4 guests. BONUS: Select beverage package for 1/2 guests.

Cruises to the Caribbean start out at just $450, contact me today and let's get you cruising!!

BW: 1/4/16 – 2/15/16

Contact me today and let's talk about your upcoming vacation needs. I work one on one with each of my clients and as always my services are 100% free!

A Review: Port Orleans French Quarter

Situated along the Sassagoula River you will find a New Orleans/Mardi Gras themed hotel named Port Orleans French Quarter. This hotel is the sister hotel to it's neighbor Port Orleans Riverside. You can travel by boat to Port Orleans Riverside or even down to Disney Springs. 

Port Orleans French Quarter boasts 1,000 guest rooms and 3 types of rooms. There is a standard view rooms which face the parking lot, the garden view rooms which face the inner walkways of the hotel, and the water view which could face the river or the pool. All of the rooms were recently redecorated in the Summer of 2011. 946 rooms feature 2 queen beds and 62 rooms offer a king bed. They also have 75 disabled and/or accessible rooms with 50 having wheel in showers. 

Port Orleans French Quarter is a moderate hotel and offers a few different perks. However, please note that many times POFQ is excluded from Disney promotions. 

A standard view room costs anywhere from $160 - $230

Pool and River Views start at $187 - $261

King Bed Rooms start at $187 - $270

Garden View Rooms start at $170 - $240

POFQ is the perfect place for any family traveling with children. They offer a playground, huge pool with water dragon slide, as well as an arcade. POFQ also offers in-room babysitting so Mom and Dad can have a night out to theirselves.

 

POFQ is also perfect for the couple without kids as it can be a very romantic setting, especially if you book a king bed room. 

POFQ has refrigerators in all of the rooms as well as a full service food court onsite. For those interested in a more formal dining experience POFQ has two lounges on site. Scat Cat's Club is open from 4pm to 12am most nights and offers up a great selection of food and draft beer as well as live music. This is more of an adult only place so leave the kiddies in the room with a babysitter. 

Also on site is Mardi Grogs, another great lounge on site. This lounge is right by the huge pool and the great thing about Mardi Grogs is you can take your drinks to go and have a stroll along the Sassagoula River while relaxing with a drink in your hand. 

Now for some fun adventures for the entire family while on your stay at POFQ. Each night the hotel hosts a cajun campfire for the resort guests. This a great fun event for all as you hang out by the fire and roast marshmallows with your friends and family. After you get your fill of marshmallows head on over to the main lawn where each night the resort hosts "Movies Under the Stars." A different Disney movie is featured each night of your stay and complimentary towels are provided. Bring some snacks and enjoy a movie under the stars. You may want to bring bug spray too, it is Florida after all. :)

For a minor fee these fun activities are available as well. 

Horse Drawn Carriage Ride

Pirate Adventure Cruise

Bike Rentals

Surrey Bike Rentals

Fishing

This is a great resort and no matter if you are out at the parks all day or taking a rest day there is plenty of fun to be had right off the steps of your resort room.

Interested in taking a vacation? Ready to book? Let's chat!! I'm an earmarked authorized Disney vacation planner and my services are always 100% free to utilize. Let me help make your vacation dreams come true. 

A Review: Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

Every spring Walt Disney World showers the Epcot park with flowers and gardens and wows all of us visitors. But did you know this festival is way more than just flowers and gardens? Read below for some great tips if you are visiting in the spring months. 

The year marks the first in 23 years that Epcot will offer the Flower and Garden Festival for a full 90 days! Usually the event is a shorter time frame of 75 days so this year we are in for a special treat. 

This year the front entry will feature none other than Donald Duck's nephews: Huey, Dewey, and Louie. They will be featured alongside Donald and Daisy and the Disney Gardeners will draw inspiration from a 1943 comic book entitled "The Victory Garden."

Of course what is a Flower and Garden Festival without Mickey, Anna, and Elsa? They will be there too, no worries. Mickey will be featured as Ranger Mickey celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service. Anna and Elsa will be moving to the Norway Pavilion this year as well. 

A very exciting addition this year is the 13 food offerings to choose from! Two outdoor kitchens that will feature kiosks where you can sample the food from. These kitchens will produce delicious foods such as: Jerk Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa, and Jamaican Braised Beef. The other outdoor kitchen will feature a field greens salad with lots of  fruits and vegetables. They will pair this with a blueberry hard cider brewed right in Florida. There will also be another 11 booths to choose your favorite flower and garden plates as well as new beverage options. I'm hungry just thinking about it!! 

And finally, the ever popular Garden Rocks Concerts will make a return and be offered even longer this year. Some of the standouts being the Village People, The Spinners, and The Guess Who. The concerts are every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5:30, 6:45, and 8pm. 

A valid admission ticket is required to attend this event. It is one of the most fun events at Disney though so be sure to check it out if you are down in Mouseland during this time. 

As always I'm here to help plan your perfect vacation for you and your family when you are ready. Contact me today for your free quote. My services are always 100% free and I provide you with the Disney customer service you know and love!