New in 2017: Expanded Dates for Epcot's Food & Wine Festival.

It's no secret that one of the best parts about a Disney vacation in the fall can best be summed up in two simple words: "free dining."  And while I am very hopeful that we'll see a fall free dining promotion roll out this spring (maybe even as soon as March!), I'm equally as excited about an announcement that has already been released:

Epcot's Food & Wine Festival will be running for unprecedented 75 days this year, from August 31-November 13. The expansion of this super fun festival will mean more celebrity chefs, more Eat to the Beat concerts, more global culinary creations (many of which can be purchased using snack credits!) and more fantastic drinks!

The Food & Wine Festival is one of our family's favorite times to visit this particular park and, with the additional snack credit that has been added to the dining plan this year, I can't wait to try more new, delicious, and exciting food than ever before!

As always, feel free to email me at heather@mmadventures.net.  I'd love to answer your questions and/or help your family plan an incredible Disney vacation!!

New in 2017: Star Wars Edition.

While the "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" Fireworks show at Hollywood Studios isn't exactly new for 2017, it was put on hiatus for a few months last year while the newer holiday show, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!, ran in its place. As of this month, however, the Galactic Spectacular is back on the schedule--running nightly against the backdrop of The Great Movie Ride, right in the center of the park.

The "music, magic, and characters of Star Wars" combine with special effects and fireworks to put guests inside "iconic" scenes from the saga. Lasers, lighting, pyrotechnics, and projection effects all contribute to the nighttime show, which is by far one of the best I have ever seen!  The fireworks spectacular is a great way to cap off a day full of Star Wars magic, including character meet & greets (Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Storm Troopers, & jawas can all be found at Hollywood Studios), incredible displays of memorabilia (with new Rogue One additions!), Star Wars stage shows and movie clips, the opportunity to train as a Jedi, and, of course, a ride through hyperspace on Star Tours-The Adventures Continue.

A brand-new, behind-the-scenes, all-access, VIP tour is even available for Star Wars fans!  Guests choosing to purchase this upgrade are able to enjoy the two live stage shows as well as the fireworks show from a reserved seating area, have guaranteed spots for younglings (ages 4-12) in the Jedi Training Academy, skip the line at Star Tours-The Adventures Continue, participate in a guided tour at the Star Wars Launch Bay, and indulge in a Star Wars-themed dinner as well as as a Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at the end of the night.

If you're interested in learning more about Hollywood Studios and/or the Star Wars experiences that can be found there, feel free to email me at heather@mmadventures.net.  I'd love to help plan a trip that is out of this world!

New in 2017: Miss Adventure Falls

Last summer, as a perk of one of the discounts released by Disney, my husband and I added the "water park fun & more" feature to the park tickets we purchased as part of our vacation package. It was one of the best decisions we've ever made!  Some of our best memories of that trip are from our time at Disney's two water parks--Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. We had such fun that purchasing that type of ticket upgrade again was a must-do for us this year!

Especially because Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, our personal favorite of the two water parks, will be adding a new attraction this Spring!  Miss Adventure Falls, "a family-style raft attraction that will take guests on a splashing journey through the fabled Captain Mary Oceaneer's past," will have a ride time of two minutes, making it one of the lengthiest attractions at both water parks.

My kiddos can't wait to plunge into the white water adventure and attempt to spot some of the treasures gathered by Captain Oceaneer from around the world--all while screaming and laughing and splashing as a family the entire way down!

If you'd like to learn more about Disney's Water Parks and/or the "Water Park Fun & More" ticket upgrade option, or if you're interested in planning a trip to Disney World, don't hesitate to contact me at heather@mmadventures.net.  I'd love to help your family have as much fun as mine does at Disney World!

New in 2017: Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Epcot has always been one of my favorite parks.  My husband and I have such fun visiting Epcot with our children (all four of them LOVE the park as well) but have also had quite a good time visiting on our own or with a group of adult friends, too.

Just this past weekend, Epcot introduced a brand new park experience: an International Festival of the Arts, which will run Fridays-Mondays from January 13-February 20 and includes artist demonstrations, concerts, gourmet food, and stage productions.  If you've been thinking about visiting Epcot, it's a great time to do so!

Chalk artists, painters, and living statues will be found throughout the park. Hands-on workshops and complimentary seminars will teach guests techniques such as cake drawing, animation, and calligraphy.  The Disney on Broadway Concert Series will bring stars from Broadway's Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Frozen (just to name a few!) to perform at Epcot's America Gardens Theatre.  Kiosks will sell special art-inspired snacks and drinks throughout the World Showcase and Future World.

When combined with the fantastic central Florida weather and Epcot's permanent shows and attractions, the International Festival of the Arts is sure to be a hit and will hopefully appear as an annual event in years to come.

If you'd like to know more about Epcot's International Festival of the Arts (or any of the other festivals held at Epcot throughout the year), have any Disney-related questions, or would like to consider planning a trip of your own, please don't hesitate to contact me at heather@mmadventures.net.  I'd love to help any way I can!

New in 2017: Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Confession time:  we watched Avatar for the first time last month.  I'm not sure why we haven't seen it before now, but rest assured, we have become avid fans!

We've watched the cranes and seen the construction from the Animal Kingdom parking lot for the last couple of years.  We've seen promotional materials and videos, like the clip above that was recently released by Disney.  We've heard avid fans talk excitedly about what's to come.  

And we're counting down the days until our next trip...and crossing our fingers that we'll be able to experience all of the awesomeness that Pandora-The World AVATAR is bound to bring.

With an opening date of May 27, 2017 (we've heard rumors that this could mean as early as late May!), Pandora is set to transport guests into a "visually stunning world complete with floating mountains and bioluminescent plants."  In addition to new dining experiences, Pandora-the World of AVATAR will feature two brand new attractions: 

• The family-friendly Na'Vi River Journey, which will send guests on a ride down a sacred hidden river within a bioluminescent rainforest and end with an "unforgettable encounter" with a Na'vi shaman and
• Avatar Flight of Passage, which will provide the jaw-dropping experience of riding a Banshee over the world of Pandora.

I'll be sure to share new information as soon as I receive it, so stay tuned!  If you're interested in looking into a trip to experience Pandora (as well as the rest of the Disney World magic) this summer--or any other time of the year, send me an email at heather@mmadventures.net.  I'd love to help any way I can!

New in 2017: Magic Band 2

If you’ve booked a Disney World package sometime in the last few years, chances are you’ve been the recipient and proud owner of your very own Magic Band.  If the term “Magic Band” is new to you, no worries!  Here’s a quick description of the super cool technology Disney has been utilizing lately to streamline everything:

Magic Bands are colorful, all-in-one devices that, once linked to a My Disney Experience account, effortlessly connect guests to all of their vacation choices.  The original Magic Bands are waterproof wristbands, worn as bracelets by guests.   These bands serve as resort room keys, park tickets, methods of payment, and holders of all FastPass plans, dining credits, and PhotoPass pictures.  Guests merely tap bands against the “Mickey globe” touchpoints stationed throughout the parks and resorts and continue on their way!   The bands are truly magical and are provided at no extra charge to each guest as part of a Disney vacation package.

While the Magic Band technology isn’t necessarily changing this year, what will roll out in 2017 is a brand new Magic Band design.  This second generation of Magic Bands features a removable center section, which will allow guests the option to carry the electronic data in ways other than on their wrist.  Alternative methods of wear will include lanyards, belt clips, and keychains, and  these MagicKeeper accessories will be available for purchase soon.

Existing Magic Bands will continue to work and do not need to be replaced.  I, however, can’t wait to get my hands on my brand new band!  Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members have received new bands already,  with a release date for all other guests expected in the very near future.

New in 2017: Magic Kingdom "Rope Drop"

The Morning Welcome Show at Magic Kingdom, which currently begins about ten minutes before "rope drop" and the opening of the park, will no longer take place in front of the train station (and outside of the gates).

The show will instead be moved inside the park, to Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage.  As a result of this change, guests will be able to enter Magic Kingdom before the park's official opening time.  It is reported that many of the shops on Main Street (including Main Street Bakery, which serves Starbucks) will be open for breakfast, a warm drink, and/or browsing. What has not been publicized, yet, is how far in advance of the opening time guests will be allowed to enter.

The attractions and areas outside of Main Street, USA will not open until the conclusion of the new Welcome Show, which is set to begin at 8:55 am on January 9, 2017.  The new show will feature a Royal Herald, who will welcome familiar characters to the stage as well as deliver a proclamation to officially open the park.

While this change should decrease the uncomfortable crowding that sometimes occurs in front of the train station before park opening, it also eliminates a little of the "head start" obtained by many guests utilizing early morning dining reservations as a way to enter the park before the general public.

I'll be visiting Magic Kingdom in early February and can't wait to experience this change for myself! Until then, I'll refrain from forming an official opinion and/or making significant changes to the way in which I plan for Magic Kingdom mornings.

For better or worse, I do love that there is always something new to see and/or experience every time we visit!  No two Disney trips are ever the same. :)

New in 2017: Disney Dining Plan.

Guests familiar with Disney's dining plan options will notice a slight change in both the plans and the prices for 2017.  Those unfamiliar with the plans may not recognize the differences, but will still benefit from the information presented below!

A few quick reminders: dining plans can only be purchased as part of a room & ticket package. Guests must stay at a Disney resort to be eligible to purchase the dining plan.  Guests between the ages of 0-2 may not purchase a dining plan but are allowed to share plates with another member of their party.

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

• Two quick service meals per person, per night
• Quick service meals include one entree & one non-alcoholic drink
• Two snacks per person, per night
• One resort refillable drink mug per person
• Provides unlimited coffee & coke product refills while on resort property
• Cost per night: $46.34/adult (ages 10+), $20.18/child (ages 3-9)

Disney Dining Plan

• One table service meal per person, per night
• Table service meal includes one entree, one dessert & one non-alcoholic beverage OR one buffet and one non-alcoholic beverage
• Reservations strongly suggested (can be made 180 days in advance)
• Gratuity not included
• One quick service meal per person, per night
• Quick service meals include one entree & one non-alcoholic drink
• Two snacks per person, per night
• One resort refillable drink mug per person
• Provides unlimited coffee & coke product refills while on resort property
• Cost per night: $67.33/adult (ages 10+), $24.22/child (ages 3-9)

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan

• Three meal credits per person, per night
• No distinction between quick service and table service; can be used interchangeably
• Two snack credits per person, per night
• One resort refillable drink mug per person
• Cost per night: $103.57/adult (ages 10+), $37.62/child (ages 3-9)

**Deciding if the dining plan is right for your family, as well as which dining plan is the best fit, requires just a few considerations.  If you'd like help making the decision and/or talking through different options, please don't hesitate to reach out.**