Tag: Theme Parks

Virgin Trains USA Plans to Link Miami, MCO, WDW & Maybe Tampa. Will This Be The End Of Disney’s Magical Express?

We wrote about Brightline, the train that currently connects Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Best, not that long ago, when the train company was in discussions to expand their service to Orlando International Airport and potentially Walt Disney World (WDW). At the time, we mused about the possibility of a train bringing Disney guests from MCO to WDW instead of Disney’s Magical Express, which is a fleet of buses they currently use to shuttle guests, for free, to and from the airport.

Welp, it looks like this has become one step closer to reality…

Continue reading “Virgin Trains USA Plans to Link Miami, MCO, WDW & Maybe Tampa. Will This Be The End Of Disney’s Magical Express?”

Seeing The Stuff That Only Disney Cast Members Are Usually Supposed To Be Able To See

Disney parks have always had a bit of mystery to them, and that’s done on purpose. Using terminology from the concept of “putting on a show,” the areas that customers (called “guests”) can see is called “on stage” and anything that’s behind the scenes or areas that guests can’t otherwise see, is called “backstage.” For decades, only Disney employees (called “cast members” [CMs]) could go and see backstage or views that guests would never have access to, but over time, things (read: rules, adherence to same, and technology) have changed and, for better or for worse, guests can see stuff like this:

Continue reading “Seeing The Stuff That Only Disney Cast Members Are Usually Supposed To Be Able To See”

Visa No Longer Needed, Marriott Bonvoy & Other Hotel Complaints, Huge WDW Entry Change & More!

Happy Sunday to all of our travel friends, both near and far! Here are some articles we’ve read from other bloggers (and other sources) that we think you may like, as well, so we’re passing them along.

Continue reading “Visa No Longer Needed, Marriott Bonvoy & Other Hotel Complaints, Huge WDW Entry Change & More!”

How Will The New Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening Affect Guests Visiting WDW Later This Year?

Both Disney and Star Wars fans were thrilled when the long-awaited dates of the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands were finally announced for the Disney parks in California and Florida. The land is scheduled to open at Disneyland on May 31, and at Walt Disney World a couple of months after, on August 29th.

The two parks are treating their respective openings somewhat differently. This is how the opening will be run at Disneyland:

Screen Shot 2019-03-12 at 8.40.48 PM

Things will be a little looser at Walt Disney World, in that no reservations will be required to enter the land during its first month:

Screen Shot 2019-03-12 at 8.42.25 PM

The big question for WDW visitors is how the opening will affect people and their vacation towards from late August 2019 forward, and perhaps into 2020 and beyond? Using past experience and a little hypothesis, this is what we think…

Continue reading “How Will The New Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening Affect Guests Visiting WDW Later This Year?”

Opinion: WDW Has An Amazing Youth Educational Program! There’s That One Catch, Though…

Many people are not aware that Walt Disney World (WDW) has an educational program geared specifically for students that range from elementary school through college. Called Disney Youth Programs, it launched at WDW in 1979. Offered year-round, 7 days a week, these programs that focus on performing arts, education and/or field trips can give kids and young adults immersive and meaningful learning experiences that can affect the rest of their lives. There’s just one problem…

Continue reading “Opinion: WDW Has An Amazing Youth Educational Program! There’s That One Catch, Though…”