It's been a while (life has been busy), but here's a great reason to return to posting again!
Shopdisney.com has free shipping sitewide today. Just use the code FREESHIP to receive discounted (i.e., free) shipping on your order.
Don't forget to check cash back sites like Rakuten and Mr. Rebates for additional cash refunds on your purchase and other items like your Disney Visa or D23 membership for discounts as well.
Happy shopping at the happiest website on earth!
Yes! It.is.time.
Time to get back to travel. Time to get back to family. Time to get back to fun. Time to get back to Disney! Fall 2021 packages are now available for booking.
Need help? I'm ready to help! Email me at debbie@dreamsbydesigntravel.com.
Let's make the Magic a reality!
Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages, and ticket-only purchases, for arrivals Sept. 27 through Dec. 31, 2021 at the Walt Disney World Resort are now available to book.
As we are still in a phased reopening, there are some Disney Resort hotels that are not, as of this time, open or scheduled for reopening in 2021. We will continue to evaluate the situation and reopen more hotels when the environment is right to do so.
Booking a room and ticket package does not guarantee a theme park reservation, and you will need make their park reservations for dates in 2021. You will be able to view park reservation availability on disneytraveltradeinfo.com/wdwcalendar prior to purchasing theme park tickets or booking a package. We strongly recommend you book park reservations immediately after linking your 2021 vacation package in My Disney Experience.
Disney Resort hotel packages with dining plans remain unavailable at this time.
Good new Disney Parks fans! Disney Hollywood Studios is reopening two of its most popular eateries - ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine (which will have a spooky new theme)!
Here is some more information and details. Don't forget, our Travel Agency offers concierge service to you and your family (or traveling party) FREE of charge! Plus, we can book these meals for you as well!
Want to visit the Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays? Message me today. (debbie@dreamsbydesigntravel.com)
Disney Hollywood Studios has delicious new offerings at ABC Commissary and Hollywood & Vine! Read on to find out what our chefs have been cooking up!
Starting now, ABC Commissary is offering a terrific new menu. From sandwiches and rice bowls to tasty tacos and returning favorites, this menu has it all!
Sandwiches/Salads
California Burger (Plant-based) – Seared farm-fresh plant-based burger with Sriracha mustard, balsamic-glazed grilled peppers and onions, a “mayonnaise”-ketchup blend, lettuce, and tomato and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
NEW Chicken Club Sandwich – Marinated chicken breast on a toasted brioche bun with bacon, provolone cheese, guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
NEW Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled sourdough toasted with buffalo chicken, Monterey, provolone, cheddar, cream cheese, side of buffalo sauce, and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices
Mediterranean Salad with Chicken – Chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and feta tossed in Mediterranean vinaigrette served with hummus and flatbread
Tacos
NEW Pork Carnitas Tacos – Pork carnitas on flour tortillas with salsa verde, pickled onion, and radish served with Mexican rice and black beans
NEW Shrimp Tacos – Sautéed shrimp on flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and mango salsa served with Mexican rice and black beans
Rice Bowls
NEW Curry Rice Bowl with Shrimp – Sautéed shrimp and vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice
NEW Plant-based Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu
– Pineapple-marinated tofu and sautéed vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice
Kid’s Options
NEW Kid’s Pork Taco – Pork carnitas on a flour tortilla served with Mexican rice and black beans
NEW Kid’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled American cheese on sourdough served with choice of two sides.
NEW Kid’s Turkey Sandwich – Turkey sandwich served with choice of two sides.
Kid’s Uncrustable – Uncrustable served with choice of two sides.
There is Halloween fun for everyone at Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine. While it may look a little different than the last time you visited, what hasn’t changed is our chefs’ scary good food! Minnie’s Halloween Dine offers a three-course meal served at your table where Guests will be able to wave and snap photos of their favorite characters such as Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and their friends. Check out this monster of a feast!
Appetizers
Served with Warm Pull-apart Rolls and Butter
Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Cornbread Croutons, and Homemade Smokehouse Ranch Dressing.
Plant-based Chopped Salad – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Focaccia Croutons, and Plant-based Ranch Dressing.
Entrées
Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Prime Rib of Beef – Sour Cream-Chive Whipped Potatoes, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus.
Carved Herb-roasted Turkey Breast – Garlic-Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Sautéed Green Beans, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry-Orange Relish.
Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp – Cavatappi Pasta, Four-Cheese Sauce, Shrimp, Crispy Bacon, and Buttered Panko Crust with Fennel and Arugula.
Seared Fresh Salmon – with Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc Olive Oil-crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Garlic-Lemon Broccolini.
Plant-based Pan-seared King Trumpet Mushrooms – Braised Lentils, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Mushroom Ragù, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Marsala Mushroom Sauce.
Pork Osso Bucco – with Boursin Cheese Hominy Grits, Caramelized Apples, Lemon Gremolata, and Pork Reduction Gravy.
Desserts (Choose One)
Apple-Blueberry Pie – Baked Apples, Blueberries, Caramel, and Streuse.
Banana Cream Pie – Bananas, Cream, and Caramel Sauce.
Plant-based Cherry-Lemon Pie – Cherries with Lemon Drizzle.
Vanilla Crème Brûlée – Rich Custard with Caramelized Sugar.
Chocolate S’mores Pie – Dark Chocolate Mousse with Toasted Marshmallow Fluff and Graham Cracker Streusel.
Kid’s Menu Create-Your-Own Meal For Guests Ages 9 and UnderAppetizers (Choose One)
Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl
Plant-based Chopped Salad
Entrées (Choose One)
Seared Salmon
Roasted Turkey
Roast Beef
Macaroni & Cheese
Dessert (Choose One)
Fresh Fruit
Lemon Sorbet
Sundae
Apple Pie
How many of you wait each holiday season to see what new ornaments Hallmark will gift us with?
This morning, the coveted e-mail came along with 31 pages of glorious new ornaments. I am so excited!
If you know this family, you know I am partial to the Disney ornaments, but I also love the vintage truck and car ornaments, the Fisher Price ornaments, and a few others.
Here are a few of my favorites. Leave me a comment and let me know which ones are your favorite!
P.S. Shipping is **FREE** to Hallmark Gold Crown members for a limited time!
There is some new fall fun coming to the Walt Disney World Resort September 15 – October 31!
Throughout the day, special Halloween cavalcades will pop up on the parade route and head down Main Street, U.S.A. You could come across Mickey Mouse and his pals, all dressed up for the occasion in Boo-tiful Halloween costumes. On select days, you may even encounter a cavalcade of Disney Villains – from Gaston and Maleficent to Queen of Hearts and Jafar – creeping down the path or a nightmarish procession featuring the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington!
As another special treat for the Halloween season, the iconic Dapper Dans are coming back to Magic Kingdom Park, beginning September 20, performing as their undead alter egos The Cadaver Dans. You will be enchanted by acappella performances from the Cadaver Dans when they emerge from their tombs.
The Halloween spirit is also in the air over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Minnie’s Halloween Dine is set to return to Hollywood & Vine, beginning September 25. A monster feast will be served to your tables, and favorite Disney friends will make special appearances in the restaurant. You can wave and snap photos of Minnie Mouse dressed as a happy witch. Goofy is coming as a spooky cowboy, Mickey Mouse as a funny vampire, and his best pal, Pluto, gets into the act wearing a cute Halloween collar.
I am really so excited, most especially to hear that The Cadaver Dans are returning! I absolutely love this quartet. If you are going and you haven't heard them sing before, please try and seek them out. They are the very best!
There are still plenty of admission spots left for resort Guests, and remember capacity is capped at 25% right now. It's an incredibly historic time to visit the Walt Disney World resort. E-mail me at debbie@dreamsbydesigntravel.com to start planning your trip today!
It's time! Starting November 6! It's the most magical time of the year!
"We have an update on some of the festive experiences coming to Walt Disney World Resort. Building off of our recent experiences of operating in a new environment, we’ve reimagined the holidays which will, of course, apply current our current health and safety measures while still keeping the joy and magic of the season. And while things are looking a bit different at Walt Disney World and beyond, we can’t wait to celebrate with you.
We know how much our Guests love the holidays, so from Nov. 6-Dec. 30, they will be able to enjoy festive décor, themed merchandise, seasonal food & beverage offerings, and entertainment all across Walt Disney World Resort. Holiday magic will be in full force at the four theme parks and Disney Springs, and Santa Claus will make time for special pop-up appearances at each location, waving and exclaiming holiday wishes to all.
Guests will be delighted by the sight of festive flotillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, holiday promenades at EPCOT, and merry motorcades at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Character cavalcades at Magic Kingdom Park will take on a special holiday twist, with Christmas friends on festive floats in their holiday finest. Gingerbread Men? Check! Elves and Reindeer? Check, check! And the Toy Soldiers will join the Main Street Philharmonic as they march through Magic Kingdom Park, bringing musical holiday cheer for all to hear.
When night falls, special projection effects will give a festive look to Cinderella Castle this year, providing a colorful backdrop for our Guests’ photos. The appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green, and gold ornamentation. This will be in place of the Castle Dream Lights. Other holiday experiences that draw big crowds will be on hiatus this year as well, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. We know these experiences are a cherished part of holiday traditions that will be missed by Guests and Cast Members alike, but we’re glad to be able to bring holiday magic in other creative ways.
Of course, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a meal among friends and family. Minnie Mouse will be hosting a yuletide gathering for all her friends at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting Nov. 6. Santa Goofy will be there, along with Minnie and more in their holiday best.
Shifting gears to Disney Springs, Guests will discover Christmas around every corner as they come across a collection of elaborately-decorated Disney Christmas trees spread throughout this retail, dining, and entertainment destination. In the evening, Guests visiting areas within Town Center, West Side, and The Landing will encounter a magical snowfall, adding an extra touch of wonder to their holiday shopping. And to top it off, Jock Lindsey will once again be turning his hangar bar into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar complete with delightful holiday décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort hotels will also be decked out for the holidays, with their lobbies featuring iconic trees and other festive flourishes. One thing to keep in mind is that our gingerbread displays will not return to the Resort hotels this year. While we know they are a favorite of people taking in the holiday décor, we’re not able to include those displays due to physical distancing guidelines.
Starting a bit later in the season, on Nov. 27, we’ll celebrate highlights from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Holiday kitchens will return around World Showcase promenade with favorites like American Holiday Table featuring Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Bavaria Holiday Kitchen with dishes like Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl.
Guests will be invited to step inside World ShowPlace to enjoy the returning group, JOYFUL!, who present a journey through R&B, Gospel, contemporary, and traditional Christmas and holiday music. Also, the Voices of Liberty will bring their incredible 8-part harmonies to the America Gardens Theatre stage for a special concert of favorite carols and songs of the season. There are plenty more details about this festival to come, so stay tuned.
We’re all looking forward to creating new holiday traditions with our Guests and Cast Members this year, as we introduce unique ways to enjoy the season together. There’s a lot of holiday fun to see and do here at Walt Disney World Resort!"
I'm really bummed about losing the gingerbread displays, but other than that, it looks like the Walt Disney World Resort is really trying their best and hardest to keep things festive and fun, as always.
Check out this short video of Merry Magic at the Walt Disney Resort!
Here’s some news we can all use: new research shows that even the simple act of planning a vacation can boost your happiness and even increase your energy levels.
The recent survey, from researcher Michelle Gielan, showed that 97 percent of respondents reported having a trip planned makes them happier. Seventy-one percent of respondents felt greater levels of energy when they had a trip planned in the next six months.
These findings were released as part of a new travel industry-wide initiative called “Let’s Go There.” The effort, coordinated by the U.S. Travel Association, brings together major airlines, hoteliers, local destinations, and other businesses part of the travel ecosystem. Disney is proud to support this initiative, which aims to spark conversation about future getaways and encourage travel planning.
“The memories and experiences that travel enables cannot be replaced,” said Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and a co-chair of the Let’s Go There Coalition. “This campaign is a first step in inspiring Americans to think about planning a vacation and encouraging them to look forward to experiencing the wonder and joy—and even magic—that only travel can offer.”
Given the benefits to planning travel, it might be the right time to start thinking about your next Disney vacation. And we have just the group to help! The planDisney panelists are a passionate group of guests with years of personal experiences planning their own Disney vacations, and they are excited and looking forward to sharing advice and tips with you!
“Quite simply, the world needs more joy. When little ones light up seeing Tiana for the first time or parents witness their children find the courage to ride an attraction, or families finally get everyone together in the reunion t-shirt, that joy inspires me as a panelist.”
Whenever you’re ready, we’re ready to welcome you back!
Vacation IS good for your soul. Let's get traveling again!
Good morning!
Our Walt Disney World vacation countdown is ON. We are 13 (yes, 13!!) days away from leaving North Georgia and heading South once again. I can't wait.
But...
...things are going to be different this trip. America (well, the World) is still under a state of a pandemic. So what does that mean for your upcoming Fall Break vacations?
For many of us, it means packing those masks and getting ready to adjust to a new way of leisure time. For those of us heading to Orlando, we must be ready to abide by all of our favorite theme park's new rules and regulations.
For the Walt Disney World Resort, that means masks on all rides and in all public places (yes, even the water rides). People are having fun with their masks. I've seen themed masks and custom masks. Etsy and Disney websites are great places to customize and make your masks fun and stylish.
But at some point, you need a break. A place to remove your mask and breathe in some fresh air. Thankfully, our friends at Here With the Ears have made a little video showing us where all the Relaxation Stations are located throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
Take a peek at the video below before you head to Orlando. These stations will be a welcome break for you during the September temps. And in between the relaxation stations, great tips for helping with the mask, the heat, and your breathing - take small, portable fans and cooling towels. I've included some Amazon links below to the products my family purchased and that have helped us tremendously during our Orlando visits.
Both of these things are small and light and can easily fit in your daypack. Need more tips for your upcoming Walt Disney World trip? Leave us a comment below. This community is here to help.
Happy Sunday my friends!
I love when things I love collide.
Disney and dogs. It's going to be a good day. I hope you enjoy this fun little video from the Disney Parks Blog!
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