The previously announced Disney Genie service will launch on October 19 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Available for all guests in the My Disney Experience app, the complimentary Disney Genie service offers new features that let you create your best Disney day - and your Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner will be there to help! Features include a personalized itinerary creator to help plot out a day at the parks inspired by the things YOU love - food, characters, attractions, etc.

With this launch, the replacement for FastPass+, the Lightning Lane entrance, will also be introduced.

No MagicBands? No problem.

Walt Disney World released a new feature as part of its MagicMobile option on the My Disney Experience app.

We’ll show you how to download passes to your Apple Wallet for contactless entry into the parks.

Earlier this month, we recapped travel agent Stephanie Orlowski’s visit to Animal Kingdom Park during Annual Passholder previews. Today, we’re featuring BIV agent Carly Gwartney’s late July experience at Magic Kingdom with her family when the park’s gates were open to the general public. We are sharing these first-hand stories to help our readers who are committed to traveling to Walt Disney World or are deliberating the pros and cons. We are not encouraging or advocating travel while Covid-19 remains present as comfort levels vary and travel at this time is a deeply personal decision.

Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Stephanie Orlowski attended the Annual Passholder preview event at Disney’s Animal Kingdom today. Read about her experience to learn what’s in store for when the parks begin their reopening to the public two days from now - Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11 and Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15.

Upon reopening, Walt Disney World Resort has announced modifications to the way guests dine across property including at hotel and park restaurants.

Walt Disney World Resort announced modifications upon its hotels reopening including changes to transporation, cleaning, benefits and services.

Walt Disney World Resort is the “most magical place on earth” and connotes images of princesses, characters from animated films and tea cup rides. A place where families can immerse themselves in a fantasy world and create wonderful memories. But when a member of your travel party is a thrill-seeking teenager, you may be thinking there is nothing for him or her to enjoy. Well, we’re here to tell you that there are attractions that will entertain your tweens and teens and maybe even put a smile on their face, temporarily at least!

Many of our favorite vacation destinations are temporarily suspending operations in the effort to keep its personnel and visitors safe, which is of the upmost importance in this uncertain time. Beyond Imagination Vacations has compiled a number of vacation supplier closures and change/cancellation policies so that you have a one-stop resource to navigate upcoming and future vacation plans.

You don’t have to visit a galaxy far, far away to live out your Star Wars dreams. A trip to Walt Disney World Resort will certainly fulfill your galactic fandom. In true Disney fashion, the attractions and entertainment are so well-done that even non-Star Wars fans will enjoy! Home to the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s Hollywood Studios serves as the home base for immersing yourself in the epic saga.

It’s been a long, long five weeks of socially distancing at home. Working from home. Kids schooling from home. Pets wondering why we’re still at home. And vacationing from home - on our balconies, back patios and front porches.

While we’re escaping the mundane of our living room, kitchen and bedroom, a wine or beer just won’t bring us to full relaxation mode. Sometimes, we need a frozen, fruity concoction to conjure images of tropical breezes, sun-kissed skin and pure bliss. A DOLE Whip-inspired Colada will hit the spot!

Continuing our series of travel-inspired recipes, we’re tackling an iconic Louisiana dish, jambalaya. Along with gumbo, beignets and po-boys, jambalaya ranks as one of the food items every visitor must try when visiting New Orleans. It’s not an intimating dish to make because you can make it in one pot! And it’s one of those dishes that doesn’t require following a recipe. You just need the basic ingredients….

While practicing social distancing at home, Beyond Imagination Vacations agents are recreating their favorite travel-insipired dishes. Jennifer Villaume recreates a shrimp and grits dish she sampled during Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival incorporating elements from the version at The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Follow along and get inspired to eat, drink and be merry at home!

Walt Disney World is constantly evolving, keeping those of us who plan Disney vacations for a living on our toes. New attractions, new entertainment offerings, new resort hotels, and new snacks and menu items. Speaking of food, Disney announced today a fourth option as part of its popular Dining Plan - Disney Dining Plan Plus.