Character Greetings Returning to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line
Soon you can hug the Disney characters again in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line
Everyday someone sends an email asking me when they can hug Disney characters again.The wait is almost over! Character greetings are returning to Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line as early as April 18, 2022.
The official announcement was released today from the Walt Disney Company:
“As early as April 18, we will start reintroducing traditional character greetings at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as aboard Disney Cruise Line and at Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Very soon, Guests will once again be able to hug Mickey Mouse, get an autograph from Mulan, and share a laugh with Goofy. We know many of you have missed these special moments, and your Disney character friends have missed you, too!
During the past two years, we’ve taken a very gradual, intentional approach to health and safety protocols. Recent trends and guidance have provided opportunities for us to bring back some of our most beloved magic, like character greetings and dining experiences. While not all locations will be available immediately, we anticipate reopening in phases throughout the spring and early summer.”
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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CDC No Longer Warning Travelers About Cruise Travel
CDC no longer warning travelers about risk of contracting COVID on cruise ships after 2 years
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped its risk assessment of cruise travel yesterday after more than two years of warning travelers against the dangers of contracting COVID-19 on a cruise.
Symphony of the Seas
"CDC is removing the COVID-19 Cruise Ship Travel Health Notice," said spokesperson Dave Daigle.
Travelers can now make their own risk assessment when choosing to travel on a cruise ship, much like they do in all other travel settings.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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Margaritaville Resort Orlando is a Game Changer for Disney World, Universal Orlando
Margaritaville Orland Resort is located just outside Walt Disney World. It features a luxury hotel tower, vacation home rentals, lagoon pools, a dining and entertainment district and Orlando’s newest water park, H20 LIVE.
Recently I had a chance to visit Margaritaville Resort Orlando, located just outside the entrance to Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida. It’s so close to Disney World, you can see Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge from the upper floors of the hotel.
Margaritaville Resort Orlando
This is a brand new, full service resort offering a luxury (but relaxed) hotel tower plus Key West-style vacation homes. The best part is that they usually cost less than Disney World Moderate and Deluxe hotels!
Margaritaville Orlando offers a complimentary theme park shuttle to/from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Seaworld. Reservations can be made at concierge desk in the lobby.
Standard hotel room at Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Most Margaritaville Orlando hotel rooms sleep 4 people. If you have more than 4 people, look into a suite or consider one of the vacation cottages.
3 Bedrooms Margaritaville Orlando Cottage
Margaritaville Cottages provide a truly unique experience as the whole family can stay under one roof in a tropical paradise.
1 to 8 Bedroom Cottages are available and each Cottage is equipped for all your vacation needs, including full kitchen with accessories and appliances, full size fridge, Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker, and a dining area.
Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Orlando
Margaritville Orlando is also home to Sunset Walk, a shopping, dining, entertainment district in Orlando, popular with visitors and locals alike.
Sunset Walk is a great place to have dinner, enjoy live music, and maybe even a car show or farmers market.
You’ll also find H20 LIVE! Orlando’s newest water park, also on located on site.
Want to stay at Margaritaville Orlando? Contact me now to get started.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
Photo Tour: The Largest Cruise Ship in the World - Symphony of the Seas
Highlights from my recently voyage on the largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas
It carries nearly 9,000 passengers, has 25 pools, 18 decks, 12 specialty restaurants, 7 distinct neighborhoods and it weighs 228,000 tons.
Symphony of the Seas | Royal Caribbean
Symphony of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ship, is the largest cruise ship in the world, well it was until Wonder of the Seas came in January of 2022, but they are close in size.
I’ve always wanted to travel on a Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ship, there are 5 in all.
This particular cruise departed Miami, Florida for a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary with stops at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean moves its fleet of ships all over the world, but lately several of them have been sailing from Florida.
Harmony of the Seas, a sister to Symphony, is currently based in Port Canaveral (Orlando), so you can easily combine an Oasis Class voyage with a trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando.
Contact me today to learn more about sailing on Symphony of the Seas, or any other Royal Caribbean cruise from Florida. Agency Exclusive Offers available!
Here are a few my favorite parts of this ship:
Oceanview Balcony Stateroom
On this voyage we had a Oceanview Balcony stateroom. There are 2,759 standard staterooms and 188 suites. You can also book an interior balcony stateroom overlooking Central Park or the Boardwalk.
Oceanview rooms balconies with little more privacy, but I think it would be fun have a room overlooking the interior of the ship. How often do you have a balcony facing the inside of a ship??
Symphony of the seas Casino
Stay tuned for more posts about this cruise including our port adventure to Chichen Itza, the Mayan temples in Mexico. Plus my recent cruise on the Disney Fantasy.
To see more, follow me on Facebook (facebook.com/orlandoparksguy) and Instagram (@orlandoparksguy)
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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Disney Closes Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Reservation Line Indefinitely. What We Know So Far:
Disney World experiences some growing pains with Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser opening.
Disney has closed phone lines for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser , 7-days and counting with no further updates.
The official opening date for Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser was March 1st, however it appears Disney is experiencing some growing pains.
Disney unexpectedly closed the phone lines to Galactic Starcruiser, 1 week ago today, and has not provided a reopening date.
If you have requested a quote from me, or if you have an existing reservation, please know Disney is not allowing us to us to book new reservations or to service existing reservations during this time.
What We Know So Far:
The booking system and phone lines for Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser remain closed. The phone lines went down on February 27, 2022 for an unspecified reason.
The availability calendar frequently disappears from Walt Disney World website. When it does appear, you’ll get a message asking you to call to confirm availability or to contact your travel advisor. (but please know that I cannot call. The phone number that I use is also closed).
During this time, guests are not able to make modifications or cancel existing reservations.
If you have a past due payment, your reservation will not automatically cancel, according to a conversation I had with Guest Services at Walt Disney World.
The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser availability calendar frequently disappears from the website.
Cast Members at the Walt Disney World reservation line are unable to help with Starcruiser reservations. They will advise you to call back when the phones reopen at Starcruiser.
If you have a Galactic Starcuiser reservation booked with me and need immediate assistance, please send me an email.
Stay tuned for more information.
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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Booking Bonus Offer - Save $100 Instantly on Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort Vacation Packages
Save $100 on Deluxe and Deluxe Villas when you book your Walt Disney World vacation with Magical Vacations Travel!
Stay in the magic with a special offer from Magical Vacations Travel and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World!
Book a 4-night Walt Disney World Resort Vacation Package at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort with a 3-day park ticket, and you’ll receive $100 off the total package price instantly. This is an exclusive offer from Magical Vacations Travel.
Want to stay and play longer? You can do that!
The Booking Bonus Offer can also be combined with current offers from Disney and offers that may be released in the future.
This offer is valid on vacation packages through 2022. Book by March 31, 2022.
There's so much to celebrate when you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, especially during The World's Most Magical Celebration!
Plus, as a Disney Resort hotel guest, you’ll enjoy early entry to the theme parks each morning and you can maximize your time in the parks with extended theme park hours offered on select nights.
This offer is valid for the Disney Resort hotels listed below
Disney Deluxe Resorts
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Offer requires a minimum 4-night stay and a minimum of 3-day theme park tickets. The $100 Booking Bonus will applied to your vacation package at time of booking.
Modifications to your reservation are allowed. However, if park tickets are removed from the reservation, or downgraded to two days or less, or the resort reservation is changed to 3-nights or less, this offer will no longer be valid and the $100 credit will be removed from the reservation.
Good to know:
Travel must take place in 2022 with a check-date no later than December 31, 2022.
This offer must be booked by March 31, 2022.
New reservations only.
P.O. Box 365 | Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 | (856) 310 0095
Darren is a Disney-focused travel agent with Magical Vacations Travel and has over 13 years of experience. Readers of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World rate him as a Best of the Best Disney Travel Agent. Darren is also an Orlando-based travel writer with topics ranging from theme parks to cruise lines.
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Disney has started piloting an airport luggage assistance program at select Disney World hotels!