If you follow our social media pages, you know that Beyond Imagination Vacations had representation at this past weekend’s D23 Expo at Disneyland Resort. There were a plethora of exciting announcements, making it difficult to keep up with the nonstop news in real time. On today’s blog we’re highlighting some of the biggest news and the things we’re most excited about as revealed at D23 Expo.
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.
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.
Two months into the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort, Beyond Imagination Vacations co-owner Kristen Neils journeyed to the galaxy far, far away to celebrate the end of summer with her two Star Wars-loving sons. On today’s Friday Fives, she counts down her and her boys’ five favorite things about the immersive new land at Disneyland Resort.
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.
It’s officially summer at Walt Disney World® Resort. With 90+ degrees projected for the rest of the week, there’s no respite in sight from the heat and humidity for quite a few months. The stifling mugginess and brutal temperatures can discourage travelers from visiting in the summertime; but the extended school break makes it the only time that many people are able to plan a Disney trip. Not to worry as there are tried and true ways to Beat the Heat at Walt Disney World® Resort and have a magical time - regardless of the weather!
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!
There’s no question that Walt Disney World is a magical place. A place where dreams come true. For many little girls, that dream consists of becoming a princess. Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers an enchanted experience for youngsters to transform into resplendent royalty. Cristy Rivero, Beyond Imagination Vacations agent, shares her four-year-old daughter’s recent makeover into her favorite princess, Cinderella.
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.
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.
We may be showing our age here, but whenever we think of Memphis, the hit song by Marc Cohn immediately pops into our heads - Walking in Memphis. Catchy song, but that’s not what we’re talking about on the blog. We’re sharing our recent experience in Memphis over a short weekend. Known as the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll, Home of the Blues, Barbeque Capital of the World, home to Elvis’ iconic mansion and site of Martin Luther King’s assassination, you can jam out, fill your tummy, and be educated and inspired with 48 hours in the southern city of Memphis, Tennessee.
If you didn’t capture a moment with a camera at Walt Disney World - or any vacation for that matter, did it actually happen? Without photographic evidence, how can you prove that your tentative 10-year-old finally rode Space Mountain? And how else can you give your friends vacation-envy other than posting every photo on your social media?
More importantly, photographs serve as lasting memories and future sources of embarrassment - like when you bring out the photo of Minnie Mouse laying a smooch on your now 13-year-old’s cheek.
Walt Disney World makes it easy to document every day of your vacation with PhotoPass, a free service offered at more than 100 locations, and Memory Maker, a paid service that gives guests unlimited downloads of photos along with special bonus features. Read more to learn all about how you can capture special memories at Walt Disney World Resort!
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.
Everyday life is crazy busy. Most people work more than a 40-hour week, and the combination of emails, text messaging and remote access means being on-call nearly 24/7. Adding volunteer commitments, kids’ schoolwork and afterschool activities, and maybe squeezing in a workout here and there, there is little time left in a day to plan a vacation, much less take a vacation!
If you’re feeling stressed before you’ve even started thinking about vacation planning, it might be time to call on the services of a professional travel planner. From helping you identify the right vacation destination, saving you time and money, and serving as your advocate throughout the entire process, travel planners offer a range of services to craft a customized vacation just for you. Today, we’re highlighting five reasons to consider using a travel planner.
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.”
Unique to Bahamian and Caribbean cruises, Castaway Cay is one of the most popular ports of call on Disney Cruise tropical itineraries. In fact, it is so popular that Disney offers “double-dip” cruises that make not one but two stops to its private island in The Bahamas. Although only 3 miles long and 2 miles wide, Castaway Cay offers vast fun and a broad range of activities - whether you want to dip your toes in the clear water and relax on lounge chairs under the sun, or if you want to get your adrenaline going with more intense pursuits.
On today’s blog post, we’re wrapping up our coverage of the Bryan Family’s March 2019 Western Caribbean adventure with a stop at Castaway Cay. Quite appropriate because Castaway Cay was the last destination they visited before heading back (sadly) to Port Canaveral.
We’ve spent the last few weeks posting about vacationing on Disney Cruise Line. The experience is so epic; it takes a multitude of blog posts to cover it all. If you’ve been following along, you know that we’ve already talked about a day at sea. Because there are so many activities offered on the ship, it takes more than one day to enjoy and blog about it all.
Over the last few blogs, we’ve focused on vacationing with Disney Cruise Line. We covered the importance of arriving a day early and what to expect on embarkation day, the fun to be had on sea days and a teen perspective.
On today’s blog, we’re talking about the amazing destinations featured on Disney Cruise Western Caribbean itineraries. Although staying on the ship while the majority of passengers disembark is tempting, we prefer to get off the ship to explore beautiful beaches, dine on local cuisine and shop. We perceive the ship as a moving hotel on water, offering the convenience of visiting a variety of locales with the boat serving as our home base. As the Bryan Family recently took a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy, we’re sharing their experiences at Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth.
Packing for a trip can be a stressful endeavor. We’ve all been there one week before our departure date - trying to streamline the excessive number of vacation outfits we’ve saved on Pinterest to a reasonable number that will fit in our suitcase. Not to mention, finding the time in our busy lives to do laundry to ensure everyone in our family arrives to the vacation destination with undergarments and sleepwear. On departure day, you also might check your carry-on obsessively on the way to the airport to verify that you have your necessary identification.
In addition to the usual suspects you’d pack for any trip, there are some unique items that you might consider including in your luggage when vacationing with Disney Cruise Line. You’re probably thinking - ugh, more to pack and buy for a Disney cruise! No worries. More than likely, you have most of the items we’re featuring on today’s blog post in your house already.
We’re continuing our daily overview of the fun, family time and frolicking in the sun to be had on a Disney Cruise - using the Bryan Family’s recent seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy as an example. Last week, we provided tips on embarkation day - how and when to arrive to port, what to carry on with you, and how to kick start the vacation merriment. Today, we’re examining the beauty that is … your first day at sea.
