Catherine Hopkins - An Academy Travel Affiliate

08/04/2025

Exciting News! 🌟 The Universal Helios Hotel Opens April 16, 2025!

Get ready for a whole new level of luxury and adventure at the Universal Helios Hotel, opening its doors on April 16, 2025! ✨

What makes the Universal Helios Hotel stand out?

Innovative Design: With a futuristic, eco-friendly design that blends modern aesthetics and sustainable architecture, every corner of the hotel is crafted for comfort and style.

Unparalleled Views: Enjoy breathtaking views from your room, overlooking crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes, and stunning cityscapes. Don't miss the theme park view and private entrance!

World-Class Dining: Savor exquisite cuisine with an array of dining options that highlight flavors from all over the globe, prepared by award-winning chefs.

Exclusive Amenities: From a luxurious spa and wellness center to a rooftop infinity pool, you'll feel pampered and relaxed at every turn.

Cutting-Edge Technology: Smart rooms, augmented reality entertainment, and high-tech concierge services take your stay to the next level of convenience and sophistication.

Entertainment & Adventure: With exclusive access to theme park attractions, thrilling experiences, and immersive shows, you'll never run out of things to do!

The Universal Helios Hotel is more than just a place to stay; it's an experience designed to transport you into a world of ultimate luxury and fun. 🏨✨

Don't miss out—mark your calendars and get ready to book your stay for an unforgettable adventure! 🌍🌞

07/04/2025

🦒🦒🦒Meet Tucker! The newest baby to join the savanna at Walt Disney World!

07/04/2025

🌌 YOUR EPIC UNIVERSE JOURNEY BEGINS NOW! 🎡
Universal is bringing the magic to YOU before the gates officially open! The National Epic Universe Portal Tour is traveling across America, giving you a spectacular preview of Universal's fourth theme park before its grand opening on May 22, 2025!
Imagine standing before an awe-inspiring 30-foot Chronos portal – a replica of the actual gateway to Epic Universe – right in your city! As darkness falls, you'll be mesmerized by a breathtaking nighttime spectacle featuring dynamic lighting and immersive music that transports you to another realm.
The tour offers more than just incredible photo opportunities – you could WIN a trip to Universal Orlando Resort to experience all five worlds of Epic Universe firsthand: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe!
Mark your calendars for these FREE events (10am-8pm daily):
Atlanta (Pemberton Place): April 11-13
New York City (Rockefeller Center): April 23-26
Philadelphia (The Rocky Steps): May 16-18
Chicago (Pioneer Court): June 13-18
With over 50 groundbreaking attractions, entertainment, themed dining and shopping, Epic Universe will transform Universal Orlando into your dream weeklong vacation destination!
Will YOU be among the first to peek through the portal?

07/04/2025

PLACEHOLDER ALERT!

I had hundreds of guests cruising over spring break!! What an amazing start to spring break this year 🙂
If you were onboard and you purchased a placeholder, please let me know.

I had 11 placeholders purchased that I am aware of and I only had a notification about one of them.

Not only can I not help you or get credit, you can't use the placeholder until it's properly matched. So please let me know if you purchased one.

Thank you all so much!

06/04/2025

Inside EPIC's Ministry of Magic! This area is breathtaking!

05/04/2025

The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure 🧜‍♀️ and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After 😈 will both debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios on May 27!

05/04/2025

This park is going to be so EPIC! Are you booked with me yet?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BNL8x8n4z/

05/04/2025

🚨🚨🚨 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ANYONE TRAVELING 🚨🚨🚨

The REAL ID is finally taking effect on May 1, 2025.

✈Everyone flying or entering a federal building MUST have the REAL ID license.

⭐This can be obtained at the DMV after showing proof of identity. Once you have upgraded, you will see the gold star in the top corner of your license.

Upgrade now to avoid being denied travel for your vacation!

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id?fbclid=IwY2xjawJdc59leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHlhD-ew0z1iMy8VA8w4f9CSa7gPO-xZoc4DnZV7YtZYSOlO2z6GvvDLDT69__aem_6m-rddr3gTxjEsSdh6W27g

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

03/04/2025

New Airport Luggage Transfer Service Piloting at Select Disney Resorts

Beginning April 3, Guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels will have the option to drop off their checked luggage with Luggage Assistance for direct delivery to Southwest Airlines at Orlando International Airport (MCO). A third-party provider will facilitate transportation of the luggage to the airport.

This offering is part of our ongoing collaboration with Orlando International Airport to help manage the high demand for travel to Central Florida and enhance the experience not just for our guests, but for all travelers passing through Orlando International Airport.

We are piloting this new service. Like anything new we introduce, we will continue to launch, learn and adjust.

This service will be available at the following locations starting April 3:

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

This service does not include luggage transportation from the airport to a Disney Resort hotel.

If a Guest's flight is scheduled to depart before 1 p.m., they must drop their bags off at Luggage Assistance by 1 a.m. the night before their flight. If their flight is scheduled to depart at 1 p.m. or later, they must drop their bags off at least 4 hours before departure and no later than 1 p.m.

Guests can contact or visit Luggage Assistance for any questions.

03/04/2025

🌐BIG NEWS for EPCOT: DiveQuest Set to Return for Summer starting in May!!

💵Cost: $229 – $249 per guest.

🪸DiveQuest is a two hour long experience, with 40 minutes of a dive into The Seas’ 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium.

🐠Please note that this experience is strictly reserved for guests aged 10 or older, with anyone under the age of 16 needing to be accompanied by a paying adult. You must bring proof of your Open Water SCUBA certification to participate, and all the necessary diving gear is provided by Disney.

03/04/2025

Disney Visa Cardmembers: Save on Select River Cruise Departures + Complimentary Pre-Night Stay

Disney Visa Cardmembers can take advantage of this special offer and enjoy savings of $500 per person, plus receive a complimentary pre-night stay per reservation on select Danube and Rhine River Cruise departures.

This offer must be booked by April 15, 2025 for travel on select departures from June 5-July 12, 2025.

01/04/2025

JUST ANNOUNCED: Both Disney World Water Parks to Open Starting May 21

Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World is about to get even cooler! In honor of the 30th anniversary of Blizzard Beach today, we’d like to seas the day and announce that Blizzard Beach water park will also be open for guests this summer in addition to Typhoon Lagoon. And this is no April Fools’ Day joke!

For the first time since 2019, Disney World will have all 6 of our parks—all 4 theme parks and 2 water parks—open at the same time. From May 21 through September 7, Disney World guests can enjoy the tropical shipwreck oasis of Typhoon Lagoon and the frosty fun of Blizzard Beach water park.

Before the summer fun can begin, Blizzard Beach will need a little melt away time and will temporarily close between May 1 and May 20.

As we count down to school being out and summer officially beginning, all these extra water slides, lazy rivers, and splashy activities join the already incredi-pool lineup of special deals, new shows, and limited-time activities and entertainment coming to Disney World this summer for families with kids.



2025 Resort Guests Enjoy Free Water Park Access on Arrival Day

‘Tis the sea-sun to enjoy free water park access on arrival day for Resort guests! Our Resort guests are already starting their stay with a splash with free water park admission on their arrival day in 2025… and this summer starting May 21, they’ll have two water parks to choose from: Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon!



Make a Splash Under the Stars

If nighttime water park fun is more your vibe, H20 Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon is the party for you! On select nights between May 23 and September 13, Typhoon Lagoon turns into an illuminated dance party full of splashy fun, complimentary snacks, and beloved Toy Story pals. Not to mention, nighttime fun means you can beat the heat and enjoy shorter wait times compared to daylight hours.

H2O Glow in 2025 is extra fin-tastic thanks to special deals for young families, including kids tickets for only $42.50, which is half the price of the $85 adult ticket this year! And for our Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members, the adults can also save.

Water you waiting for? H2O Glow tickets are on sale starting today, April 1, for guests of select Resort hotels! General tickets go on sale starting April 4.

26/03/2025

More Disney Magic Is Coming for Kids in Summer 2025 at Walt Disney World Resort

Summer is almost here, and there’s nothing like a visit to Walt Disney World Resort when the kids are out of school! And this summer will be extra fun, with special deals, two new shows, a new nighttime parade and limited-time activities and entertainment created for families with kids.

Here’s why summer 2025 is the perfect time for families to visit and experience more magical moments they can find only at Disney World:



Limited-Time Entertainment & Experiences Beginning May 27

From May 27 through September 1, 2025, families should be on the lookout for limited-time experiences perfect for young kids in the theme parks, including kid zones featuring new activities and fun ways to interact with more Disney characters. There will be pop-up entertainment offerings, games, music, dancing and other adventures to help little ones make those core Disney memories.

For example, over at Magic Kingdom, families can discover kid zones with added fun in Storybook Circus and in Tomorrowland with Stitch. And following the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, families with young kids will be able to cool down while enjoying the ultimate game party and play space featuring none other than Goofy as he takes over CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT. We don’t want to spoil all the surprises but be on the lookout for more details soon.



Some of our characters will also be out in the park earlier than normal for Disney Resort hotel guests during their daily early theme park entry period (valid theme park admission required). What better way to rope drop than saying hello to some of your favorite Disney pals!

Reminder: Our theme parks are often open for longer hours during the summer months, which can help your clients plan their day around a mid-day pool break or get on more of their favorite attractions.



Stay at These Disney Resort Hotels for Additional Summer Fun

This summer, guests staying at select resorts – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – will be able to enjoy even more Disney-themed activities designed for families with kids. These activities will include character visits with set appearance times to help your clients plan their day and an expanded itinerary of things to do with their family throughout their stay at these four resorts.

Other activities will continue to be available across all our resorts, like Disney movie nights, brought to life by our amazing cast members, in addition to perks like complimentary transportation around Disney World.

Plus, in 2025, all Disney Resort hotel guests can enjoy free admission to a Disney water park on their check-in day, included as part of their stay (subject to availability). This perk has quickly become a guest favorite and will be a great way to start a vacation during the summer. Admission will be automatically loaded onto your client’s My Disney Experience account on their check-in day, so make sure they download the app if they haven’t already!

See New Nighttime Parade and Shows

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will both debut on May 27, 2025.



The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure: If your child is in their Disney Princess era (or never left) then this show is for you! The Walt Disney Animation Studios classic “The Little Mermaid” comes to life on stage with all-new sets and stunning visuals.



Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After: Or, if your kids are enchanted by Disney Villains, this delightfully wicked stage show engages the audience to decide who has been treated the most unfairly of them all.

Plus, the new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, is coming to Magic Kingdom later this summer. Little ones will want to stay up for this one, where they'll spot beloved characters from “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen” and more. It’s our first nighttime parade at Disney World in nearly 10 years! Stay tuned for more details and an opening date as we put on the finishing touches.

With more surprise, more delight and more fun coming to every corner of our world, it's all part of Cool Kid Summer!

26/03/2025

All of the details for tomorrow!

I will be at my computer all day tomorrow starting at 6am. I have way more guests to work on than your average travel agent, so I will be sifting through hundreds of reservations tomorrow.

With free dining offers, even though your dates and your hotel are listed, they are not always available. They have very limited and sometimes no matches for specific dates even itlf it's listed.
Because of this, I will be pulling each reservation, checking the price, and letting you know if it is available or if you may want to consider changing resorts.

The free dining is select resorts, select dates June 29 through December 22 and does require a 4+ night stay and a 4+ hopper pass. Hopper usually run about $90/person and will be fr less than you will spend on dining so it's definitely worth the upgrade.

For the ticket offers- I do NOT recommend this is you have a package. Tickets are payable in FULL when you buy them and they are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. When in a resort package, they are refundable.

I will be reaching out to everyone tomorrow!❤️

26/03/2025

Save with Ticket, Dining & Hotel Deals at Walt Disney World, On-Sale Beginning March 27, 2025

Celebrate summer at Walt Disney World Resort with exciting new family deals, available for booking starting March 27, 2025:

50% Off on Kids Tickets: Purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through September 20, 2025.

3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits starting on April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (one theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom).

Free Dining Plan Deal Returns: Back by popular demand, get a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day (or longer) package that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is for visits on select dates from June 29 through December 22, 2025.

Disney Resort Room Deals: Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when you stay longer for visits beginning August 1 through October 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders

24/03/2025

HI NEW FRIENDS 🥰👋

These are some of the new animals that have made their debut at Walt Disney World in this past year…

🐯 Bakso the baby Sumatran tiger cub made his Disney debut in January 2025. You can find him at the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

🌊 Mermaid, Cider and Mino the manatees made their Disney debut in February & March 2025! You can find them at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT!

🐘 Corra the elephant made her Disney debut in early 2024. You can find her at Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

21/03/2025

Three Incredible Dining Experiences Coming Soon to Disneyland Resort!!!

As we look forward to the start of the Disneyland 70th celebration, three incredible dining experiences are coming to the Disneyland Resort, including a special dining package with reserved viewing for Paint the Night:

Paint the Night Dining Package at Plaza Inn: Starting May 16, 2025, savor a scrumptious lunch at Plaza Inn with an all-in-one meal package that comes with reserved viewing for Paint the Night—a dazzling nighttime parade at Disneyland Park! Bookings will begin on March 25, 2025.

Donald’s Tales of Adventure Buffet at Storytellers Café: Starting May 16, 2025, join Donald, Daisy & friends for a bountiful campfire-style barbecue buffet at Storytellers Café in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Nighttime Gathering: Fuel up with galactic bites before watching Fire of the Rising Moons from a dedicated viewing area in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Bookings will begin on April 3, 2025.

20/03/2025

Disney® Visa® Cardmembers: Get Early Access to a Deal With a FREE Dining Plan!

Disney Visa Cardmembers: Now through March 26, 2025, enjoy exclusive access to this delicious deal!

Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a nondiscounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resorts Collection hotel and a theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option—for arrivals most nights from:

June 29 to September 30, 2025

October 20 to November 1, 2025

December 6 to December 22, 2025

Packages may be available for longer lengths of stay.

A dining plan includes delicious meals and snacks—so you can spend more time enjoying the magic… and less time on meal budgeting while you’re here.

Not a Disney® Visa® Cardmember? Apply today and take advantage of this offer upon approval. Learn more about the Disney Visa Cards.



Requirements

Minimum 4-day theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option required

Minimum 4-night length of stay required

Package Includes

Room

Theme park ticket(s) with a Park Hopper option

A dining plan

The dining plan included in this special offer depends on the Disney Resort hotel you select. The Disney Dining Plan is included when you choose a stay at a Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotel. The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is included when you choose a stay at a Disney Moderate or Value Resort hotel.

Important Details

Minimum 4-day theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option required.

Minimum 4-night length of stay required.

Must mention the offer when calling to book

The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited.

Must use a valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit.

Disney Visa Cardmember must stay in the room.

Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.

Advance package reservations are required.

Theme park tickets are valid for admission beginning on date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on length of stay and ticket.

Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase

Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts.

Offer excludes the following room types: Campsites, 3-Bedroom Grand Villas, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows and 2-Bedroom Penthouses at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Deluxe Rooms at Disney's Beach Club Resort, and Suites at Disney Deluxe Resort hotels.

The dining plan included in this special offer depends on the Disney Resort hotel you select. The Disney Dining Plan is included when you choose a stay at a Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotel. The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is included when you choose a stay at a Disney Moderate or Value Resort hotel.