Spotlight: Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World® Resort is undergoing an exciting expansion, which includes Gran Destino Tower, the new 15-story centerpiece of the resort.

The reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the daring spirit of the great Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects. Throughout the resort, you will discover a blend of classic Spanish influences, imaginative Disney touches and modern comforts both inside and out.

Gran Destino Tower, opening July 9, 2019, will serve as the new main entrance point to the resort. The tower will add 545 new Guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort, as well as a gorgeous two-story lobby. The 1,800 plus existing rooms at the resort are already updated with new fixtures, furnishing and lighting.

Look forward to new dining experiences as part of the reimagining. Three Bridges Bar & Grill will be located on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado. Courtyards adjacent to the restaurant offer private-event options, and the entire area is accessible via new walkways stretching across the water, allowing for quick and convenient walks to and from all parts of the Resort.

Additionally, a unique rooftop table service restaurant, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, will open as part of Gran Destino Tower. The new dining establishment – featuring beautiful views of Walt Disney World Resort – will offer indoor dining and a lounge with indoor and outdoor seating. And you can already book dining reservations at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood!

Plus, a sophisticated color palette will tie the entire resort experience together, blending the new and the newly reimagined.

Reservations for Gran Destino Tower are now available. And with great summer room  and package offers, now is a great time to book this reimagined resort!

For Disney Vacation pricing, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World hotel; 
• I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations (no early mornings for you!); 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• I'll make your FastPass+ selections (once gain no early mornings for you!); 
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46! 

Takumi-Tei Restaurant to Open Summer 2019 at Epcot

Calling all world-travelers – there’s a new table-service restaurant coming to the World Showcase at Epcot®! This new addition to the Japan pavilion will provide you a signature dining experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan. 

The restaurant will be named Takumi-Tei, which means house of the artisan. The design celebrates the relationship between Japanese craftsmanship and the natural world, while the food is inspired by the wonderful collaboration between nature and takumi, the artisan. The upscale dinner menu will highlight wagyu beef in a sublime setting, and Guests interested in the ultimate experience will be able to indulge in a multi-course tasting menu featuring traditional tea service. Signature cocktails and premium sake will be available along with a wine and craft beer menu.

Takumi-Tei will open in the Japan pavilion at Epcot this summer and will be operated by Mitsukoshi USA, which operates the merchandise, restaurants (Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining), and kiosks in the Japan pavilion. The new restaurant will add to the rich tapestry of cultural experiences available to you in World Showcase. Stay tuned for more information and details to be revealed!

For Disney Vacation pricing, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World hotel; 
• I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations (no early mornings for you!); 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• I'll make your FastPass+ selections (once gain no early mornings for you!); 
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46! 

Save 20% on Select Bahamian Cruises from Port Canaveral

Last Minute Disney Cruises are on sale with 20% off prevailing rates as quoted by Disney Cruise Line by booking Verandah Category with Restrictions (Category VGT) aboard the Disney Dream:

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral on May 20, 2019. Call upon historic Nassau for a day of shopping and sightseeing. Head to Castaway Cay—Disney's own private island paradise in the Bahamas—where games, beaches and a barbeque lunch await. Back onboard, soak up Broadway-quality shows, enchanting themed dining, delightful deck parties and activities for the whole family.

• $1,040 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses of $66 per person not included.

4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral on May 27, 2019. Drop anchor in scenic Nassau, home to historic sights and shopping fun. Set your sights on Disney Castaway Cay—our own private island in the Bahamas—where games, a barbeque lunch and private beaches are yours to enjoy. On the ship, experience Broadway-quality shows, enchanting themed dining, thrilling deck parties and countless activities for everyone in the family.

• $1,360 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses of $66 per person not included.

3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral on May 31, 2019. Your cruise ship brims with fun and relaxation for all—including refreshing pools, whimsical waterslides, an adults-only whirlpool spa, live shows and themed dining experiences. Cap off this whirlwind tropical tour with a day-long stopover at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island retreat.

• $1,020 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses of $66 per person not included.

Contact me Lauren Gonding - A Disney Vacation Planner TODAY before these prices go away!  Book your Disney Cruise vacation with me and get a FREE ONBOARD CREDIT FOR EVERY BOOKING!  Contact me by:

1. Emailing me at lauren@magicaltravel.com;
2. Messaging me on Facebook;
3. Call me at 800-883-1535 x 46; or
4. Use this fast and easy form to request your free quote!

As a Disney Vacation Planner, my FREE personalized planning services will help you find a cruise sailing and stateroom that fits your family's needs and budget! I'll also help plan your pre-cruise night stay, port transportation and more! Plus all of my Disney Cruise Line clients get a FREE on-board ship credit for some extra spending money on their vacation plus some extra goodies! Email me today to start planning your cruise vacation today!

Important Details on Inside Category with Restrictions, Oceanview Category with Restrictions and Verandah Category with Restrictions (Category IGT, OGT and VGT)

• Valid for new bookings only
• Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable.
• Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed.
• Specific stateroom will be assigned at a later time, based on availability.

Important Details

• Rate does not include gratuities or Port Adventures.
• Not combinable with Disney Vacation Club Points.
• The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
• Rates are in U.S. dollars.
• Offer subject to Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions.

Space-Themed Restaurant Coming to Epcot

The new space-themed restaurant coming to Epcot® at Walt Disney World® Resort will open later this year adjacent to the Mission: SPACE attraction! No dining experience on Earth can match what’s in store, because this new restaurant will take you into outer space for incredible dining experiences that are “out of this world.”  

The Patina Restaurant Group will operate the new restaurant, and they’ve developed a menu that features internationally-inspired cuisine, more than 1,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines and a wide selection of craft beer.  

With more fun details still to be announced, stay tuned!

For Disney Vacation pricing, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World hotel; 
• I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations (no early mornings for you!); 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• I'll make your FastPass+ selections (once gain no early mornings for you!); 
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46! 

9 Great Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort this Fall

Spring is in full bloom, but here are nine great reasons why you should visit Walt Disney World Resort this fall:

1. New Fireworks Show for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held on 36 select nights from August 16-November 1, 2019. The specially ticketed event will include a new Halloween-themed nighttime show this year featuring state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks that come together to tell a not-so-scary story about how anything can happen on Halloween night. The show will take you along for a trick-or-treating adventure, where four friends – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy – find themselves drawn into a mysterious haunted house.

2. Record Number of Days Set for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

This Epcot® celebration of cuisine, music and more takes place August 29 - November 23, 2019 – a record 87 days. During this foodie festival, the park will brim with marketplaces, culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, specialty merchandise and much more.

3. Last Call for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” as “Epcot Forever” Debuts October 1

For nearly 20 years, “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has entertained millions as the nighttime spectacular that brought each day at Epcot to a thrilling close. You have marveled as World Showcase lagoon came to life with fireworks, fountains and lasers paying homage to the joyful story of humanity and the remarkable achievements of our time. The show’s final night will be September 30, 2019 to make way for an all-new, limited-time spectacular, “Epcot Forever,” debuting October 1, 2019. This new show will be a celebration of the past, present and future of Epcot featuring fireworks, lasers and choreographed special-effect kites accompanied by a stirring collection of songs celebrating Epcot.

4. Bounce into Fall at Disney Springs with NBA Experience and Special Seasonal Offerings

Basketball is officially “in season” this fall, after NBA Experience holds a championship-worthy grand opening Aug. 12, 2019 at Disney Springs®. When you step into this re-creation of a modern NBA arena, you’ll feel what it’s like to be a basketball superstar through 13 unique interactive and hands-on experiences where Disney magic merges with the thrills of the NBA and WNBA.

The fall season is also a great time to enjoy entertainment and shopping at Disney Springs. Colorful backdrops will make great seasonal photos for the entire family, while new fall looks will be available in shops, including Halloween costumes for kids and clothing for adults featuring their favorite Disney characters.

5. Make the Jump to Lightspeed in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

On the heels of its August 29, 2019 grand opening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® gives you the chance this fall to live your own Star Wars stories. While visiting the land, you can stop for a drink at Oga’s Cantina or discover rare artifacts at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, among other immersive experiences. The groundbreaking attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives Guests control of the iconic spacecraft as the ship hurtles through space on a smuggling mission.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its experiences are subject to capacity.

6. Disney Skyliner Takes Flight

A new mode of transportation will float through the air around Walt Disney World this fall when Disney Skyliner, a state-of-the-art gondola system, begins gliding across the sky. Disney Skyliner will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, as well as the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort (planned to open in mid-December). Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior designs to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with you. Disney Skyliner will offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky.

7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lights Up at Night

As the sun sets earlier and earlier this fall, “Rivers of Light: We Are One” will come to life on Discovery River in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. This nighttime show includes dramatic new imagery and familiar animal characters from Disneynature films along with a colorful tapestry of unforgettable moments from Disney animation.

8. Disney Resort Hotels Have Plenty New to Explore

To welcome fall travelers, there’s always something new at Disney resort hotels. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will greet you with its new 15-story Gran Destino tower (opening this summer), adding 500-plus guestrooms – including suites and concierge-level services – and crowned by a rooftop restaurant. New waterfront dining and a retail shopping area have come to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, while a mid-December opening is planned for Disney’s Riviera Resort, a Disney Vacation Club property inspired by the grandeur and enchantment of the European Riviera.

9. 2019 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Marks 10-Year Milestone

This fall’s runDisney race season is a delectable celebration 10 years in the making as the 2019 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2019. Filled with a delicious slate of events and Disney magic along every mile, this year’s event includes a 5K, 10K, half marathon and kids’ races. During this year’s Disney Fall Feast 5K, your Clients can run, jog or walk their way around Epcot for the first time during this fall event. At the Nov. 3, 2019 post-race party, enjoy after-hours access to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, including marketplaces and select Epcot attractions. 

For Disney Vacation pricing, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World hotel; 
• I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations (no early mornings for you!); 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• I'll make your FastPass+ selections (once gain no early mornings for you!); 
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46! 

Foodie Guide to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on the horizon, Disney's creative teams have been hard at work crafting the innovative food and beverage offerings that guests will experience when they visit the Black Spire Outpost. They have shared these incredible menus in this tasty Foodie Guide for the highly-anticipated lands coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort this year.

Located on the never-before-seen planet of Batuu, the Black Spire Outpost (which is the name of the village in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) serves as a remote trading port for smugglers, traders, and adventurers traveling the Outer Rim and Wild Space. A once busy crossroads on the galaxy’s edge now surpassed by the rise of hyperspace travel, the infamous village is a thriving port for those traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. The outpost also serves as a home to those who prefer to stay out of the mainstream, as well as a safe haven for those avoiding the reach of the First Order.



In the Star Wars galaxy, due to the remote nature of the planet, Batuu has a deep history of “farm to table” style whole foods with cooking traditions that have been passed down generation to generation, influencing the dishes found in the outpost. Each dish tells a story of the local culture, drawing inspiration from unique spices, ingredients, and cooking techniques. 

Weary travelers can take refuge in Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or even grab a specialty cocktail in the outpost’s favorite watering hole, Oga’s Cantina. They can also grab a quick bite (or some Blue Milk!) at one of the stands located in the Black Spire Outpost.  



Docking Bay 7 Food and CargoA multi-purpose transport shuttle docked on top of a large hangar will beckon guests into Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a designated location for traveling food shuttles. Docked in the hangar is Tugg’s Grub, a “traveling diner for diners traveling” run by Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs. In high-demand for his cooking skills, he moves from site to site in a modified Sienar-Chall Utilipede Transport that can be transformed into a mobile kitchen and restaurant. His travels across the galaxy allow him to fill his pantry with exotic ingredients which he uses to make new and unusual dishes inspired by his time on Takodana.  



Entrées:

• Smoked Kaadu Ribs – sticky pork ribs served with a blueberry corn muffin and cabbage slaw
  Fried Endorian Tip-yip – crispy chicken served with roasted vegetable potato mash and herb gravy
• Yobshrimp Noodle Salad – chilled shrimp served with marinated noodles and vegetables
• Roasted Endorian Tip-yip Salad – marinated chicken served with mixed greens, roasted seasonal vegetables, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and green curry ranch
• Felucian Garden Spread (lunch only) – plant-based “kefta” served with herb hummus, tomato-cucumber relish, and pita
• Braised Shaak Roast (dinner only) – beef pot roast served with cavatelli pasta, wilted kale, and mushrooms
• Ithorian Garden Loaf (dinner only) – plant-based “meatloaf” served with roasted vegetable potato mash, seasonal vegetables, and mushroom sauce

Desserts:

• Oi-oi Puff – raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse
• Batuu-bon – chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and coffee custard

Kids’ Meals:

All Meals include choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani Water

• Yobshrimp Noodle Salad (Disney Check) – chilled shrimp served with noodles, vegetables and sweet orange dressing
• A Taste of Takodana (Disney Check) – black bean hummus served with edible soil with nuts, chilled dipping vegetables, and multi-grain crisps
• Fried Endorian Tip-yip – crispy chicken served with macaroni & cheese and seasonal vegetables

Specialty Beverages without Alcohol:

• Moof Juice – Simply Fruit Punch and Simply Orange with chipotle-pineapple
• Phattro – Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, Odwalla Lemonade, and desert pear
• Batuubucha Tea – Suja Pineapple Passionfruit Kombucha

Oga’s CantinaRun by the boss of the Black Spire Outpost underworld, Oga Garra, Oga’s Cantina is an establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. Very little is known about Oga herself. She’s not usually at the Cantina, preferring to collect payments remotely, and most of the locals have never laid eyes on her before. Her patrons come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions offered here. These beverages are created with unique ingredients using “otherworldly” methods. In addition, Oga regularly procures unique shipments of beers, cider, and wines. While partaking in these thirst-quenching concoctions, guests can enjoy the musical stylings of DJ R-3X (also known as REX), the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid we first met in Star Tours. He’s reinvented himself as the cantina’s resident DJ and is quirky and talkative as ever, just trying to do his best on the job.



Concoctions with AlcoholFeaturing a wide range of classic and unique spirits found throughout the galaxy with a mixture of tastes and flavors to liven your taste buds.

Morning Specialties

• Spiran Caf – Peru Alto Mayo Organic Joffrey’s Coffee, orange marmalade, rum, vanilla whipped cream, and citrus zest
• Bloody Rancor – vodka, chile liqueur, spicy Bloody Mary mix, and rancor bone

Afternoon and Evening Specialties

• Fuzzy Tauntaun – peach vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice with tangerine, pure cane sugar, and “buzzz” foam
• Jedi Mind Trick – grapefruit and rose vodka, falernum, blue curaçao, white grape juice, lime juice, and grapefruit bitters
• The Outer Rim – silver tequila, açaí liqueur, lime juice, pure cane sugar, black salt, and exotic fruit purée
• T-16 Skyhopper – vodka, melon liqueur, kiwi, and half & half
• Dagobah Slug Slinger – reposado tequila, blue curaçao, citrus juices, ginger, herbs, and bitters
• Jet Juice – bourbon, chile liqueur, açaí liqueur, white grape juice, and lemon juice
• Yub Nub – pineapple rum, spiced rum, citrus juices, and passion fruit
• Bespin Fizz – rum, yuzu purée, pomegranate juice, white cranberry juice, and cloud swirl

Concoctions without AlcoholShowcasing a combination of beverages found throughout the galaxy which yield vibrant colors along with sweet, tangy, or savory taste and fruity or spicy flavors.

Morning Specialties:

• Black Spire Brew – Cold Brew Joffrey’s Coffee, honey, falernum, passion fruit, and citrus
• Moogan Tea – Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, chocolate milk, vanilla, and cinnamon
• Tarine Tea – Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, peach, huckleberry, and mint
• Blue Bantha – Blue Milk served chilled with bantha-inspired vanilla-butter sugar cookie

Afternoon and Evening Specialties:

• Cliff Dweller – citrus juices, coconut, hibiscus-grenadine, and Seagram’s Ginger Ale
• Hyperdrive (Punch It!) – Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, white cranberry juice, black cherry purée, and Sprite
• Jabba Juice – Simply Orange with pineapple, kiwi, cantaloupe, and blueberry popping pearls
• Blue Bantha – Blue Milk served chilled with bantha-inspired vanilla-butter sugar cookie
• Blurrgfire – lemonade, pomegranate juice, and habanero-lime
• Carbon Freeze – Powerade Lemon Lime, wild strawberry, blueberry, and green apple popping pears

Provision

• Oga’s Obsession – lemonade, cotton candy flavor, and blueberry popping pearls with a bursting dried fruit mixture

Beers on Tap

• Gold Squadron Lager
• White Wampa Ale
• Gamorrean Ale
• Bad Motivator IPA

Cider on Tap

• Spice Runner Hard Cider

Wine on Tap

• Toniray
• Imperial Guard

Black Spire Outpost MarketRonto Roasters sits as the centerpiece of the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace, drawing in passersby with a large podracing engine that’s firing up a barbecue pit. Hungry customers who queue up to order will encounter a former settler droid, 8D-JB, carefully turning the spit of meats. Elsewhere in the marketplace is Kat Saka’s Kettle, which offers Outpost Mix (a unique popcorn snack with a colorful blend of sweet and spicy flavors), and a Milk Stand serving up two local favorites: Blue Milk and Green Milk served as a frozen beverage.

Ronto Roasters Menu:

Food

• Ronto Wrap – roasted pork and grilled sausage with peppercorn sauce and tangy slaw wrapped in pita
• Nuna Turkey Jerky – choice of sweet or spicy

Specialty Beverages

• Tatooine Sunset – Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, Odwalla Lemonade, melon, and blueberry
• Sour Sarlacc – Minute Maid Limeade, raspberry, and spicy mango
• Meiloorun Juice – pineapple, Simply Lemonade with blueberry, white cranberry juice, lemon juice, and desert pear

Milk Stand Menu:Serving a frozen plant-based blend of coconut and rice milks

• Blue Milk
• Green Milk
• Bubo Wamba Family Farms Novelty Drink Vessel

Kat Saka’s Kettle Menu:

• Outpost Popcorn Mix – colorful blend of sweet and spicy flavors, popped in coconut oil
• MSE-6 Series Repair Droid Souvenir Popcorn Vessel
• Specialty Bottled Beverages – Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Dasani

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens May 31 at the Disneyland Resort and August 29 at the Walt Disney World Resort. Meal periods and menu items may vary from coast to coast. 

At the Disneyland Resort, reservations will be required to enter the land until June 24, at which time reservations will no longer be required. In addition, at the Disneyland Resort, mobile ordering will be available through the Disneyland app for Ronto Rosters, Milk Stand and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (menu items are subject to availability).

For Disney Vacation pricing information, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you  plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect hotel; 
• I'll make your Dining Reservations; 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Launches Global Culinary Fun Aug. 29

Enjoy the ultimate global dine-around when the 24th Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival takes place August 29 - November 23, 2019!

At 87 days, this is the longest foodie fest ever at Walt Disney World® Resort theme park, with fresh flavors available across 30 Global Marketplaces dotting Future World and World Showcase. There are flavors for everyone in the family to discover, like the new Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Tenderloin in the Africa Marketplace or the plant-based Cottage Pie at Earth Eats. Between bites and sips, you will find a world of entertainment.

And, back by popular demand, “Disney du Jour Dance Party” in Future World will expand to seven days a week! Sundays through Thursdays, a DJ will spin plenty of interactive fun, while on Fridays and Saturdays stars from Radio Disney pump up the mix with live performances; on opening weekend, actress/singer Meg Donnelly from the Disney Channel original movie “Zombies” will appear. Watch for more weekend celebrity headliners to join the lineup. Other family activities on tap are Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt and the popular Candy Sushi interactive experience.

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series also returns (through Nov. 19 – 249 concerts in all), so you can get your groove on three times nightly. Rock, pop, Latin, swing, country and other genres – it’s a buffet of great music. You can even guarantee concert seats by booking an Eat to the Beat Dining Package for breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of many Epcot restaurants. 

New concert acts include Sawyer Brown (“Thank God for You”); Lauren Daigle (“You Say”); Boyce Avenue (“Anchor”); and Kris Allen (“Live Like We’re Dying”). Festival favorites are back, too! Your Clients won’t want to miss the Plain White T’s, Sugar Ray, Hanson, Sheila E. and Boyz II Men, among many others.

Plus, you can plan a new culinary adventure when bookings open on May 15, 2019 for:

• Party for the Senses at World Showplace Events Pavilion, the sensational event featuring chefs and vintners from around the world. (Select Saturdays through Nov. 9)
• Sunday Brunch with the Chef, hosted by celebrity chefs such as Cat Cora, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro and others. (Select Sundays through Nov. 17)
• “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops that let you rub shoulders with visiting chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros. (Select Mondays and Thursdays through Nov. 14)

Now, more than ever, is the time to plan your visit to the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Stay tuned for festival news and booking details for dining experiences, seminars and premium festival events.  

For Disney Vacation pricing, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World hotel; 
• I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations (no early mornings for you!); 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• I'll make your FastPass+ selections (once gain no early mornings for you!); 
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46! 

Nine Tips to ‘Know Before You Go’ to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the highly-anticipated new lands coming to Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, will invite guests to step into the Star Wars universe for the very first time and live their own Star Wars adventures.

To help guests plan ahead and prepare for their visits to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., here are some tips to “know before you go” to this epic, new land, opening May 31.

1. Reservations are required to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge between May 31 and June 23. Guests visiting during this time will need valid theme park admission and a reservation to enter the new land at Disneyland. At this time, reservations are no longer available.

2. Guests can still get a reservation to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge by staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel between May 31 and June 23*. Guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels between May 31 and June 23 will receive a designated reservation to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during their stay (one reservation per registered guest; valid theme park admission required). Hotel guests will be notified of their reservation date and time with their registration confirmation. If the hotel reservation is cancelled, the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge reservation will be cancelled.

3. No standby line will be available to enter Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge between May 31 and June 23. Only guests with reservations will be able to access the land during this time.*

4. Reservations will no longer be required to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge after June 23. As needed, to manage demand, Disneyland Resort will implement a virtual queueing system to visit the new land so guests can enjoy the rest of the resort while waiting to visit Batuu. The Disneyland app will have a dedicated module called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Status and Access available from the main page, on which guests can request to join a boarding group to visit the land, once they have entered the park. Boarding groups will be sent a push notification when it is their turn to enter the land and they can monitor status of boarding groups from the app. There will also be the ability to join a boarding group from select locations inside Disneyland Park, if a guest is not using the app. The boarding group is tied to admission media that will be scanned upon entry into the land. Signage throughout the park will also display boarding group status. Admission into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be subject to capacity, and having an assigned boarding group will not guarantee entrance to the land.

5. The current Disneyland Resort costume policy will be in effect in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Costumes may not be worn by guests 14 years of age or older. Appropriate Disney bounding – dressing in outfits inspired by favorite characters – is permitted.

6. Guests should download the official Disneyland mobile app to plan ahead and make the most of their visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Disneyland app** allows guests to check the attraction wait time, locate character encounters and even utilize the mobile ordering feature at select dining locations when they are in the new land.

7. Prepare for your visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge by downloading the Play Disney Parks mobile app in advance of their arrival. The Play Disney Parks app** allows guests to deepen their engagement with the land and interact with the world around them on the planet Batuu. Guests who choose to engage through the app will be able to interact with droids, translate Aurebesh, scan cargo crates and other containers to collect virtual items, and more.

8. Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s goal is to provide a great guest experience. For example, guests who are in the queue at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will have the ability to purchase snacks, utilize a continued process to visit the restroom, enjoy cast interactions, and also engage with an in-queue game while using the Play Disney Parks mobile app to make wait times fun, interactive and enjoyable.

9. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge isn’t the only thing that’s new this summer at Disneyland Resort! There’s never been a better time to check out exiting experiences throughout the Disneyland Resort, including:

• Take a ride on the recently opened Jessie’s Critter Carousel at Disney California Adventure
• Delight in a freshly reimagined Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland
• Savor the breathtaking World of Color, which recently made its stunning return to Disney California Adventure
• Snap some Instagram-worthy shots at the all-new Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration at Downtown Disney.
• Watch as the magic of Disney animation and music come to life at “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” at Disney California Adventure
• Indulge in over-the-top ice cream creations at Black Tap, which is now open at Downtown Disney.

For Disney Vacation pricing information, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you  plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

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To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

* Access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experiences is subject to capacity. After June 23, 2019, when reservations will no longer be required, access to Disneyland Park, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and experiences is subject to capacity.

** Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.