Jennifer Bryan
Introducing Disney Genie+

Big changes coming to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort this fall! FastPass and MaxPass have evolved into the soon-to-be released Disney Genie+.

Introducing Disney Genie+

Walt Disney World

All About FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

All About FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

As the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” there really isn’t a slow season at Walt Disney World anymore. Sure, there are periods of the year when it might be less crowded than other times, but whether you visit in January or July, there will be other people enjoying Walt Disney World Resort too - meaning you will wait in line for your favorite rides, shows and restaurants.

In order to reduce wait times any time of year, Walt Disney World offers FastPass+ to all its guests. FastPass+ allows you to enter an accelerated line for select attractions and entertainment. Best part of FastPass+ - the service is FREE! 

The Happiest Place on Turf

The Happiest Place on Turf

There’s more to Walt Disney World than theme park parades, fireworks, and character meet and greets. What else is there, you ask? How about luxurious spas, five-star dining and shopping at unique boutiques? Today on the blog, we’re talking about something else people don’t normally associate with Walt Disney World - the sport of golf. Katie Young, Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner, schools us on the basics of golf at Disney World and shares her recent experience teeing up at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.

All About ... Our Experience at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - Treehouse Villas

All About ... Our Experience at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - Treehouse Villas

Last week, Beyond Imagination Vacations agents from across the country convened at Walt Disney World Resort for the company’s inaugural conference. We had an amazing time together, meeting and getting to know each other, experiencing new things and sharing best practices during learning sessions. The majority of attendees stayed in the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, which marked the first time our agents stepped foot, let alone slept, in one of the most unique accommodations on Walt Disney World Resort property. We’re sharing our experience with you today on the blog, including whether a stay at Saratoga Springs would be right for you.

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Friday Fives … Brunching at The Top

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Friday Fives … Brunching at The Top

Is there any meal better than brunch? Forging the best of breakfast and lunch along with mimosas and Bloody Marys, we’d vote for brunch every day of the week! When you brunch at Walt Disney World Resort, the meal becomes truly magical. Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Vicky Narde recently enjoyed “Brunch at the Top” at California Grill and reports on her experience. Spoiler: it was amazing!

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All About ... Animal Kingdom After Hours

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All About ... Animal Kingdom After Hours

There’s something extra magical about Walt Disney World Resort parks at night. During the exclusive After Hours events, the magic really heightens. In the summer, the temperature drops as the sun sets, making strolls in the parks more comfortable than in the scorching heat. Year-round, crowds decrease drastically, allowing for a greater appreciation of the details found in the architectural and natural landscapes. And of course, there are reduced wait times for the park’s most popular attractions.

Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Vicky Narde recently attended a Disney After Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Today on the blog she reports on her experience and shares whether the ticket price is worth the magic.

Friday Fives ... Mobile Ordering at Walt Disney World

Friday Fives ... Mobile Ordering at Walt Disney World

As regular blog-readers, you know that we at Beyond Imagination Vacations are all about maximizing our time when vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort - whether it’s taking advantage of special events with limited attendance to ride our favorite attractions again, again and again without long wait times OR booking character meals because you’ve got to eat, so why not meet characters at the same time. Today, we’re talking about Mobile Ordering, a FREE service available to ALL Walt Disney World Resort guests that minimizes the time you spend in line to order food, thereby maximizing your fun time.

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All About .. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

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All About .. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Happy Halloween! Last week marked the start of the Halloween season at Walt Disney World Resort with the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. The annual after-dark special event transforms the Most Magical Place on Earth into a spooktacular spectacular. On today’s blog we’re giving you the low-down on the annual event, what’s new for 2019 and our experience at the party last year.

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Friday Fives ... Adulting at Disney Destinations

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Friday Fives ... Adulting at Disney Destinations

Adulting is rough. There are bills to pay; appointments to keep; kids’ schedules to maintain; older parents to care for; and the 9-to-5 grind. With all this responsibility, it’s no wonder that we adults like to let loose and find, for a moment in time, the carefree whimsy we enjoyed as kids. For us and many other adults, that means vacationing at Disney Destinations.

You may have heard about the recent controversy related to adults visiting Walt Disney World without children. Obviously, we wholeheartedly disagree. There is so much to experience at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and on Disney Cruise Line WITHOUT children. We’ll admit, sometimes, it’s better to visit without them! Please continue reading for our top five list of things to enjoy at Disney Destinations … sans your little ones.

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All About ... Christmas in July

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All About ... Christmas in July

It’s summertime, and it’s hot - really hot - across the country. So naturally, the heat has us dreaming of cooler temperatures, hot cocoa, fuzzy sweaters and … the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort. Seems crazy, right, but the holiday season kicks off on November 8th; that’s only 108 days from the writing of this blog! With party tickets already on sale, the window for Advance Dining Reservations having opened two months ago and FastPass+ selections to secure in fewer than two months, It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas in July! Today on the blog, we’re sharing our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort.

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All About ... Villains After Hours

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All About ... Villains After Hours

For 10 nights this summer, Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom is embracing its darker side with the “Villains After Hours” party.  Disney holds After Hours events at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, but Villains is the first themed party in the witching hours. The main draw for these After Hours parties is very low crowds, but the addition of the wicked twist makes Villains After Hours extra special. Beyond Imagination Vacations travel planner Patty Vinci recently attended a Villains After Hours event with her 13-year-old daughter and shares her experience with you today!

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All About … Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room

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All About … Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room

Are you looking for a quiet, relaxing get-away from the theme park crowds at Walt Disney World for an hour or two? Vicky Narde, a Beyond Imagination Vacations agent, suggests booking a reservation for Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Located on the first floor of the resort, away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby, the Garden View Team Room is a delightful respite, treating guests to traditional British tea service in a serene ambience. On today’s blog, Vicky shares her recent experience at the Garden View Team Room.

All About ... MagicBands at Walt Disney World

All About ... MagicBands at Walt Disney World

If you’ve visited Walt Disney World Resort in the last five years, you’ve seen the majority of guests wearing colorful, plastic bands resembling smart watches on their wrists. That’s because in 2013 Walt Disney World technologically revolutionized the visitor experience with the introduction of MagicBands. MagicBands are your all-in-one digital theme park admission ticket, charging mechanism, hotel key and much more! In today’s blog post, we’re talking all about MagicBands - how to get them, when you get them and how to use them.

All About ... Disney's BoardWalk

All About ... Disney's BoardWalk

Often only known as the area between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Disney’s BoardWalk is much more than a walkway between the two theme parks. It’s a picturesque esplanade in its own right with a vast array of eateries, adults-only entertainment and family-friendly fun. Simply put, it’s an area that you don’t want to bypass on your next Walt Disney World trip. That’s why we’re talking All About … Disney’s BoardWalk.

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Friday Fives … How to Make the Most of Your Day at Walt Disney World

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Friday Fives … How to Make the Most of Your Day at Walt Disney World

With only 24 hours in one day and more than 100 attractions, character meet and greets, and live entertainment offerings at the four Walt Disney World parks, it would be an understatement to say there is a lot to experience in a limited amount of time. So many shrieks to be yelped on roller coasters, so many oohs and aahs to be had at shows, and so many pages of autograph books to be signed - but there is SO LITTLE TIME!

It is impossible to do and see it all, but there are easy tips to follow to maximize your time at Walt Disney World. On today’s blog, we’re sharing five ways to make the most of your day at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

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Friday Fives - The Best Quick-Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World

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Friday Fives - The Best Quick-Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World

Why does it always seem that we’re talking about food on this blog? Whether we are park-going at Walt Disney World or exploring amazing cities in the U.S. or abroad, food is an integral part of our vacation experience. We previously covered our favorite table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World, and today we’re going to tackle our favorite quick-service restaurants. What are some of the criteria to make it on our list? Portion size related to price, ambience, a diverse menu from which to order and tasty food, of course!

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All About … Walt Disney World Park Tickets

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All About … Walt Disney World Park Tickets

One of the questions we get asked the most by clients, family members and friends is … how many days should I spend in the parks during my upcoming Walt Disney World trip? Well, that depends on resolving a few matters not the least bit limited to: the number of days you can devote to the overall vacation in accordance with your work and school schedules; determining your family’s interests and preferences; and pinpointing your family’s vacation style.

After those fundamental questions are answered, the subsequent question is… which type of park ticket should I buy? Of course, the answer is as unique as each family visiting Walt Disney World. But, we can tell you that there are three types of tickets - base, Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus Option. Today on the blog, we’re covering the basics regarding these ticket types to identify the one that meets your individual family’s needs.

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Friday Fives - Our Five Favorite Table-Service Restaurants at World Disney World

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Friday Fives - Our Five Favorite Table-Service Restaurants at World Disney World

Last week, we shared a list of our five favorite cocktails at Walt Disney World - because a Disney vacation can mean more than meeting characters, riding roller coasters and finding your stroller among the 500+ that look just like yours! What’s a vacation without a little liquid happiness?

Along those same lines, we at Beyond Imagination Vacations cannot imagine a vacation without enjoying some incredible meals. And because Walt Disney World is the ultimate in family travel, it is easier to partake in fine dining here than at other destinations. Children are welcome at all restaurants, excluding Victoria & Albert’s which only allows children 10 and older. (Our kids have sophisticated palates, but we’re not sure we would want to spend close to $200 on a meal for a seven-year-old!)

On today’s blog, we’re sharing our five favorite table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. And yes, you can bring your kids (if you want)!

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Friday Fives - Our Five Favorite Cocktails at Walt Disney World

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Friday Fives - Our Five Favorite Cocktails at Walt Disney World

Contrary to popular belief, Walt Disney World isn’t just a place to take the kids. Sure, the attractions, live entertainment, and character meet and greets speak to the young - and the young at heart. But Walt Disney World has SO MUCH MORE to offer adults. Fine dining. Exceptional shopping. Luxury hotels. And ridiculously good libations. Surprised? You shouldn’t be! After all, Walt Disney World presents an annual festival dedicated to food + wine tasting. Today on the blog, we’re sharing a list of our five favorite cocktails featured at Walt Disney World. Yes, the majority can be found at Epcot’s (Drink Around the) World Showcase….