Celeste Ward - Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist

08/11/2024

‼️ NEW EXPERIENCES COMING TO ‼️

BREAKING NEWS - Yesterday at D23 in Anaheim, CA, Disney announced all new attractions, entertainment and more coming to Walt Disney World Resort:

🏰 Villains-inspired land coming to Magic Kingdom 😱
💡 New nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom
💫 New Mandalorian & Grogo adventure coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxay’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
🚪 New Monsters, Inc.-inspired land and coaster coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
🚗 Two Cars-inspired attractions coming to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom
🌐 Spaceship Earth lounge coming to EPCOT
🏴‍☠️ Pirates-inspired lounge coming to Magic Kingdom
🌴 Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom construction begins this fall
🐍 All-new Indiana Jones attraction coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
🏠 Encanto attraction coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
🏁 Test Track reimagined at EPCOT

SO many exciting things are coming!! 😍😍😍

08/01/2024

❤️❤️❤️

06/25/2024

🎉 BIG NEWS 🎉 regarding Lightning Lane at Disney World!

You will soon be able to make your Lightning Lane selections BEFORE your theme park day!

Changes coming:

On July 24, Walt Disney World will introduce new, simpler names to provide more clarity for everyone. Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.

Disney will also be updating Lightning Lane passes to help guests:

🎉 You will now be able to make Lightning Lane plans BEFORE you travel!

🎉 Choose your experiences and times prior to purchasing, so you know what you’re getting.

🎉 Book Lightning Lane passes for multiple vacation days, all in a single day.

Here’s how it works:

Lightning Lane Multi Pass
When guests purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, they may make up to 3 Lightning Lane selections in a theme park, in advance of your visit. They’ll also be able to choose available times as they make their selections. On the day of their visit, once they use a selection, they may check the My Disney Experience app for availability to make an additional selection.

Lightning Lane Single Pass
Lightning Lane Single Pass will work much like it does today, where guests can secure a time to ride one of our most highly demanded attractions, but they’ll now be able to make their purchase and plan in advance.

How to Plan Ahead
Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels (Shades of Green Resort, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels) will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay (up to 14 days).

All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.

These advance purchase windows will let guests secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they've had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider.

05/06/2024

🎃👻 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns to Walt Disney World With 5 New Surprises 👻🎃

It’s time to kick off the festivities with a Halfway to Halloween celebration, and Disney is conjuring up more spooky spectacles at this separately-ticketed event.

🎃This year’s event kicks off Aug. 9 and will take place on select nights through Oct. 31 at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.
🎃Tickets go on sale for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green on May 8.
🎃For all other guests, tickets will go on sale May 15.

Here’s what’s in store for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2024:

👻New costumes for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
👻More Villains Sightings
👻Bust a move during the DescenDANCE Party
👻Bruno Madrigal joins the fun
👻New earlier start time for “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade”!

It’s not too early to start planning for Halloween! Let me know if you’d like to visit during this fun spooky season!

02/27/2024

⭐️ SURPRISE!! ⭐️ Get those Minnie Ears and Magic Bands ready, because 2025 Bookings for Walt Disney World are NOW OPEN!!

Starting today, we can book your January-October 2025 vacations, and Disney has added an awesome new perk:
☀️ A FREE water park visit on your check-in day!

Now’s the best time to book for several reasons:
1. You lock in your top pick for resort and room category options.
2. You have more time to make payments.
3. It only takes a $200 deposit to book your room + ticket package.
4. If a promotional discount is released after you book, I will automatically apply the discount when it’s released. So you can rest assured you’ll receive the very best possible rates.
5. My planning services are free of charge!

Ready to book your next Disney vacation? Let’s get started today!

02/08/2024

⭐️✨A FAMILY FAVORITE DINING LOCATION IS FINALLY COMING BACK! ✨⭐️

I’ve been waiting (and waiting) for this news!

🎠 1900 Park Fare is re-opening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on April 10!

🎠 Dining options will be buffet style and include breakfast and dinner…and yes, they kept the strawberry soup!

🎠 This iconic restaurant will feature returning guest favorites along with a newly refurbished dining room and other special touches.

🎠 NEW CHARACTERS:
Aladdin
Cinderella
Mirabel
Tiana

🎠 Reservations open on March 5th!

Who’s ready to enjoy this favorite dining experience again?

Let’s get your next trip planned!

01/11/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️

We at Second Star Wishes have not one, not two, but three incredible distinctions that have been awarded to us we’d love to share with you!

✨ Our 2023 Magellan Award, from Travel Weekly, for our innovative new hire training program.

✨ Our 2023 U-Preferred honor from Universal Parks & Resorts for our continued commitment to sales and excellence.

✨ (Not pictured) our 2023 Earmarked honor from The Walt Disney Travel Company for our continued commitment to sales and excellence.

These awards are truly a team effort and the culmination of countless work hours, an immense amount of dedication, and a passion for this career we all love.

And a huge thank you to you - our SSW family. None of this would be possible without the trust you place in us for your special memories. Thank you for working with us year after year and for referring your friends/family.

01/03/2024

🚨FREE DINING IS BAAACCCKKK! 🚨

What are the offer details?
Disney+ subscribers can get a FREE dining plan with a 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel AND Park Hopper tickets.

Which travel dates apply?
This offer is valid for arrivals most nights July 1 - September 30, 2024.

How much is it to book? Do you offer payment plans?
You can book your vacation with just a $200 deposit! Your final payment will be due 30 days prior to check-in, and we can work to schedule payments in a way that makes sense for your budget.

What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund, no penalty, up until 30 days prior to check in.

What if I don't have Disney+?
There are even more great offers available for those looking to book their Walt Disney World vacation. You can save up to 35% at select Disney Resort hotels when you stay 5 nights or longer and up to 30% when you stay 1-4 nights most nights March 25 through October 3, 2024.

Let me know if you’d like personalized pricing options for your family!

11/14/2023

Considering a Disney vacation for Spring Break 2024? This offer is for you!

You can save on a magical family vacation this spring! Children’s (ages 3 to 9) theme park tickets and dining plans are half off with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel, as well as theme park tickets and a dining plan.

Valid for arrivals most nights from:

March 3, 2024 through March 24, 2024
April 7, 2024 through June 30, 2024

Contact me to see free, customized package options!

10/13/2023

This is HUGE! So proud to work with this amazing group! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

10/11/2023

Beginning Jan. 9, 2024, guests with a ticket with Park Hopper benefits or an Annual Pass will be able to once again visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations). As a reminder, since returning in 2021, Park Hopper access has only been available after 2 p.m. each day. Now, there will be no more waiting – you can decide when it’s time to visit another park.

On days when theme park reservations are required for Annual Passholders and certain non-dated tickets, Passholders and guests will be able to take advantage of the updates to Park Hopper access after visiting their first park.

08/02/2023

❤️❤️❤️

✨ This year we launched a sales based recognition program for Team SSW! This program identifies Travel Specialists, with sales level distinctions, as they climb a ladder throughout the year, achieving goals.

❤ Please help me congratulate our July 2023 Sales Circle Agents❤

GOLD:
Jenny Turner - Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist
Tia Piotrowski - Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist

SILVER:
Jackie Soranno- Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist

BRONZE:
Randi King - Second Star Wishes Travel
Laura Geisen- Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist
Jet Set with Rosette-Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist
Celeste Ward - Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist
Get Away With Anna
Lindsay Olszewski - Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist

05/31/2023

2024 Disney World Packages are now available!!

There are so many reasons to book early for 2024:

🌟 DINING PLANS are returning!!

🌟 No more Park Reservations 🎉

🌟 Access to the BEST resort room availability

🌟 More time to pay off your trip (did you know you can make payments in any increment as often as you like?)

It only takes a $200 deposit to secure your room.

What are you waiting for? Let’s get your dream vacation planned!

05/08/2023

So many of you have been waiting for this news!!!

✨2024 WALT DISNEY WORLD PACKAGES WILL OPEN ON MAY 31, 2023 WITH SOME MAJOR CHANGES!✨

🏰 The Disney Dining Plan is BACK for 2024!!
🏰 Park pass reservations are being removed.
🏰 Early park admission + Deluxe Resort guest extended evening hours are staying as a perk.
🏰 Disney Genie+ service is getting an update...stay tuned for details.

Do you have plans to visit Disney World next year? If so, contact me asap to be the first to receive your personalized quote package + any new details that come our way. With these huge announcements, rooms for 2024 will start booking up quickly.

03/28/2023

‼️ NEW SUMMER DISCOUNT AVAILABLE AT DISNEY WORLD! ‼️

If you’re planning a Disney trip this summer, now’s the time to make your reservation! Disney just announced new discounts this morning. Here are the details:

Save up to 25% on stays most nights July 11 to August 20, and September 15 to September 28, 2023.

Save up to 30% on stays most nights August 21 to September 14, 2023

Florida Residents:
Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights July 11 - Sept 28, 2023.

Annual Passholders:
Save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels from July 11 - Sept. 28, 2023.

I’d love to help you plan an incredible trip!

03/17/2023

Friends, there are a TON of updates coming out of Walt Disney World this week! Let’s take a look:

NEW CHARACTER GREETINGS…These are especially great!!

🌊 Moana at Discovery Island (Animal Kingdom): April 22nd
💜 Figment at the Imagination Pavilion (EPCOT): Later this Summer
🌺 Mirabel at Fairytale Garden (Magic Kingdom): This Fall

Plus, these character experiences have recently returned: Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto and Pete’s Silly Sideshow at Magic Kingdom Park.

PARK UPDATES:

EPCOT
⭐️ Moana Journey of Water is on track to open this Fall.
⭐️ Communicore Hall opens later this year in World Celebration
⭐️ A brand new Mickey & Friends character greeting will also take place in Communicore Hall.
⭐️ EPCOT will be hosting the Disney100 celebration later this year, plus Mickey & Minnie will be meeting guests in their Platinum attire.
⭐️ A new nighttime entertainment show will debut at the end of this year.

ANIMAL KINGDOM
🌳 Earth Day celebrations will take place on April 22nd

MAGIC KINGDOM
🏰 Tiara-topped Water Tower coming soon to Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
🏰 Tron opens April 4th.
🏰 A new quick dining cart is headed to Tomorrowland.

DISNEY SPRINGS
🛍️ NEW Summer House on the Lake restaurant opens late 2023; it will have a California-style menu.
🛍️ Corkcicle is opening a location later this Spring.

📸: Walt Disney World

03/09/2023

🚢🚢🚢 Today, there’s a BIG announcement from Disney Cruise Line…Disney will welcome guests to a one-of-a-kind island destination at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, for the first time during its opening season in summer 2024!

Here are the highlights:
☀️ Uniquely Designed, Sustainably Developed

☀️ Fun and Relaxation for Everyone
Lighthouse Point will offer activities and areas for every age group.

☀️ A Bahamian art and culture pavilion featuring special programs and local artists

☀️ A brightly-colored, interactive family water play area will include two slides, water drums, fountains and more, along with a dedicated space for toddlers.

☀️ North of the family area will be an adult-exclusive beach — a glorious stretch of sun-drenched serenity complete with a dedicated dining area.

☀️ Children ages 3 to 12 will splash and play at a themed kids’ club under the care of highly-trained Disney Cruise Line counselors. It will include a splash pad inspired by favorite undersea creatures from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Little Mermaid,” plenty of shade and a dedicated dining area.

☀️ Set away from the activity of the main family area, a peaceful beach along the south-western shore will be lined with 20 premium family cabanas available to rent.

☀️ Additional recreational activities will be available for kids and kids-at-heart, including a covered gaming pavilion; a volleyball court and gaga ball pit; watercraft and bicycle rentals; nature trails for hiking and biking; and more.

03/09/2023

❤️❤️❤️

On this International Women’s Day I want to take a moment to praise these hard working faces you see below. Some are moms. Some are wives. Some are working multiple jobs. But you know what they’re ALL doing on a daily basis?

Choosing community over competition. Straightening each others crowns. Encouraging, uplifting, and supporting each other in a way you would not believe.

These women, and their incredible hearts and spirits, are the core of Second Star Wishes.

“Be the woman who fixes woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked”

03/03/2023

❤️❤️❤️

The of the week is our fabulous Celeste Ward!

She serves clients from her hometown of Trussville, Alabama. She is a one-stop shop for all your vacation needs. From theme parks to international destinations, she can do it all!

Celeste is an EXPERT on all things Walt Disney World. She knows how to pack every minute of your vacation full of magic. She specializes in traveling with kids and creating memorable first visits for all ages.

If you are looking for the perfect first vacation planner, Celeste is your girl!

FB:
INSTA:
MAIL: [email protected]

02/02/2023

YOU GUYS!!

Guardians of the Galaxy - Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT is hands-down the best ride at Disney…I’m pretty sure it’s the best ride I’ve ever been on, period.

This one is an absolute must on your next trip, if you love thrill rides. It’s a cross between Space Mountain and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster…but it’s a much smoother ride than Space, and it doesn’t go upside down like RNRC.

There’s really not another ride like it.

I had heard that the ride vehicle spins while it’s in motion, which is true…BUT it doesn’t just freely spin around like the Teacups.

Here are a few tips:

🪐 If you have long hair, tie it back before riding! This is a PhotoPass ride, and I can’t tell you how many ride photos I’ve seen where someone’s hair is completely covering their face.

🪐 If you’d like to ride twice (YOU DO!), plan to purchase an ILL pass at 7AM SHARP….and then hop back on the MDE app at EXACTLY 1PM to grab a spot in the 2nd virtual queue.

This strategy worked for us, and we were SO excited to ride 2x. Be sure to set an alarm for 12:55PM, so that you can be inside the app and already refreshing the page when the queue goes live at 1PM.

⭐️ You can also try for a virtual queue at 7AM, but it’s easier to get at 1PM.
⭐️ Also, you must be inside EPCOT at 1PM in order to try for that one.
⭐️ For the 7AM virtual queue, you do NOT have to be inside the park.
⭐️ BONUS - There’s also a 6PM virtual queue entry time for eligible guests on days with Extended Evening Hours at EPCOT!

If trying at 7AM, be sure to be inside the My Disney Experience app BEFORE 7AM and constantly refreshing the page. You can pre-select your party ahead of time, which will also save you precious seconds.

01/31/2023

It’s National Plan For a Vacation Day, and I’m here for it!!

Where is 2023 going to take you? It would be an honor for me to help you plan. Whether it’s Disney World or a European adventure, I’d so love to help plan the vacation of your dreams!

01/31/2023

Ready for my TOP TIP for riding Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom?

⭐️ Request the back row on the safari vehicle! ⭐️

Why?

🦒 You can easily turn around in the seat and have your very own beautiful view of the safari.

🦒 It’s a great photo op, because there are no other guests behind you in your pictures.

🦒 It allows easier viewing for little ones, who can turn around for an unobstructed view.

⭐️ TIP No. 2? Ride first thing in the morning when temperatures are cooler and the animals are typically more active. ⭐️

How do you request a certain row?
Simply ask the Cast Member that is assigning guests to rows (at the end of the line queue) if you can please have the back row. They are usually super accommodating!

01/24/2023

It was one last splash on Splash Mountain for us, a few days ago! This attraction is permanently closed, as of yesterday.

Front row.
Arms up.
Soaked.

Is there any other way to properly ride? I think not!

Splash Mountain has given my family so many sweet memories. It’s one of our daughter’s favorites, and oh how I loved riding it with her over and over during fireworks a few years ago.

While I’m sad it will be closed until 2024, I have to say I’m so excited to see Tiana’s version. It’s going to come back better than ever!

01/20/2023

HELLO FROM DISNEY!! 💕💕💕

Last night, we had dinner with Snow White, D***y, Grumpy and the Wicked Queen…plus resort hopped on the monorail and ended the evening with Dole Whips and fireworks on the beach at Poly.

This morning, we were up before the sun and ready for a day of magic!

Let’s do this!!!! 🏰💕🏰

01/12/2023

Can you guess my favorite vacation destination? I’ll give you a little hint…it’s the one place that keeps drawing me back over and over and over.

You guessed it…Disney World!

“But, why do you keep going back?”

I’ll tell you exactly why.

You see, going to Disney as a kid is one thing, but experiencing the sheer magic and joy of it all through your own child’s eyes takes it to a whole new level.

🏰 It’s the way my daughter still stares in awe at the princesses.
💕 It’s the way she giggles and has fits of laughter as she dances down Main Street USA with a trail of bubbles from her bubble wand dancing though the air behind her.
👸 It’s the way she believes she is a REAL princess (because she is) when she gets that first glimpse of herself in the mirror after a princess makeover.
❤️ It’s when she looks up at me after a long day in the parks and says, “Mommy, this was the best day ever.”

I’ll always treasure the memories and moments we make as a family on vacation together.

Next week, Caroline and I get to take one of my sisters and my 1 yr old nephew to Disney World for his first trip. I can’t even explain how excited I am, you guys. I hope you’re ready for lots of overly cute photos of two very precious kids living their best Disney life.

Friends, they are only little for a blink of an eye. Take the trip. Eat the Mickey ice cream bars. Ride all.the.things. Wear the ears. Make the memories. You won’t regret it!

01/11/2023

There’s more great news out of Disney World:

✨ First up, those pesky overnight, self-parking fees at Disney resort hotels are now GONE! That’s right…no more parking fees at the hotels! How exciting is that?!

✨ Coming Soon - APs can enter the parks after 2pm without park pass reservations. This excludes Saturday & Sunday at Magic Kingdom and still follows black out dates.

✨ Coming soon - Photo downloads will be included with Genie+ service for select rides.

Who’s excited about these announcements?!

01/10/2023

‼️ BREAKING NEWS‼️

TRON Lightcycle / Run officially opens April 4 at Magic Kingdom Park!

01/10/2023

Let’s talk about dining reservations at Disney World!

Did you know that on-site Disney resort guests can make all of their dining reservations for the length of their stay at 60 days before arrival?

For the best chance at snagging those hard-to-get reservations, they should be made at 5AM SHARP CST on your dining day.

This is just one of the many areas where I come in and assist my clients! They get to sleep in on their designated dining day, because I’m up bright and early snagging those reservations for them.

Today, reservations opened up for stays beginning on March 11th, which is spring break season. If you’re thinking about visiting for spring break, it’s crucial we get your dining reservations done on time.

It’s not too late to book your stay! Let’s get started!