Wishful Bookings

18/03/2022

Where to find all the topiary displays in EPCOT… Happy Spring time!

22/02/2022

!!!

The chalk art of Nate Baranowski never ceases to amaze. 😍

27/01/2022

JUST ANNOUNCED! The Festival of Fantasy Parade returns March 9 along with new entertainment offerings at Magic Kingdom for the 50th Celebration! 😍 ✨ Head over to the Disney Parks Blog for all the details: http://spr.ly/6183KyUdb

03/12/2021

This may be small news but it’s a big moment!

21/11/2021

BREAKING: Fantasmic! Returning in 2022 to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

https://wdwnt.news/20211120024

15/11/2021

Exploring Food & Wine 2021 on a perfect fall day (Florida’s version)

29/10/2021

Hip hip hooray! 🎉 The Mickey-shaped beignets are back at S**t Cat’s Club Café at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter at Walt Disney World Resort!

25/10/2021

I just love how the Hollywood Hotel lights up as part of Disney World's Beacons of Magic! I definitely teared up as the announcement started!

30/09/2021

JUST ANNOUNCED: MagicBand+ will debut in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration and will help immerse guests in Disney stories and connect with characters they love like never before.

30/09/2021

Comment "QUOTE" to find out how you can get a free Disney travel quote from yours truly!

Will Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ make travel planners obsolete? Your friendly neighborhood Disney Travel Agent weighs in. The new Disney Genie service, coming this fall, is like having me on your shoulder - or, in your pocket. This intuitive system learns your preferences and updates your itinera...

30/09/2021

29/09/2021

Tonight is the last night of the Happily Ever After firework display at Disney World's Magic Kingdom! What does "Happily Ever After" mean to you?
For me, it reminds me of the love that bloomed and continues to grow with my husband. The song played at our wedding and means that much more to us. I'll never forget watching it with him in front of the castle.

Let's watch the show together one last time. My favorite parts are when Quasimodo sings, Genie & the rocket ship, the Pirates of the Caribbean music, the Tangled lanterns, and the Hercules/Lion King mashup... And you can't forget when Tinkerbell flies! Honestly, there are so many wonderful moments. Comment what your favorite part is!
https://youtu.be/5bN5b11H4_s

Fill the skies above your home with some pixie dust. With some modern-day magic we are taking you to the best seat in the house, right in front of Cinderella...

28/09/2021

New blog post! This one is not doing me any favors... But what a great discussion to be had!

Disney fans are not happy. It's easy to see in the comments section on any Disney social media post. Many of the recent changes at Disney World and beyond have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Disney fans. But what is the core of their dissatisfaction? Let's take a look at the recent changes, an...

27/09/2021

It's not easy saying goodbye to Happily Ever After, but if you're not looking forward to what comes next maybe this will change your mind!

https://youtu.be/JpISnrrpvXQ

In “Disney Enchantment,” you’re inspired to believe in magic, with captivating Disney music, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend ...

26/09/2021

As part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, guests staying in any participating Disney resort can enjoy more fun with 30 minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park. The official beginning of this magical benefit is Oct 1st, however Disney announced a soft-opening starting TODAY! During the early entry period, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations will be operating at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

25/09/2021

New blog post!

Trigger Warning (TW): mention of weapons My husband and I just parked the car in the Peter Pan section of the Magic Kingdom lot. Our chins were held high as we promenaded in anticipation for the magical day ahead of us. That feeling of being in the Disney bubble always excites the senses. We were ap...

25/09/2021

23/09/2021

Disney Trivia begins!

23/09/2021

23/09/2021

TOMORROW NIGHT! Thursday the 23rd, 7:00 PM. Live Disney trvia! I’ll be streaming all the Disney knowledge you can handle! Will it be useless or useful? I’ll let you decide!

20/09/2021

Is there anything better than this mouthwatering plate of pulled pork over mac n' cheese topped with crispy onion rings and coleslaw? Yes, in fact, an ice cold beer to wash it down on a hot and humid day at Animal Kingdom. This delicious meal is served hot and ready at Flame Tree BBQ - a quick service dining location that "meats" your savory cravings. In my opinion, Animal Kingdom has some of the best food in all of Walt Disney World. This is not to be passed up!

19/09/2021

This raspberry-pineapple swirl is my current favorite dole whip flavor (my favorites change with the season). It can be found at Aloha Isle in Adventureland at Disney's Magic Kingdom for only $5.99!

18/09/2021

Flight of Passage - 15 minutes
Navi River Journey - 10 minutes
Dinosaur - Walk-on
Kilimanjaro Safari - 15 minutes
Expedition Everest - 15 minutes
Are these wait times real?! (Spoiler alert: Yes they were!) This is a fantastic time of year (if you can stand the heat) to be at Disney, its especially slow this year because of the 50th Celebration starting October 1st. Most guests have put their reservations off until then! Animal Kingdom was a dream this week. I mean easily the most beautiful and stunning park! Wouldn't you agree?

06/09/2021

Disney's After Hours Boo Bash... Is it worth the price? Well, I'm not here to sway you in one direction or the other because ultimately it's up to you! I do want to break it down a little more so you can decide for yourself.

First thing to consider is how big your party is. Boo Bash began ticket sales starting from $129 - $199 per person (depending on which dates you go). The closer to Halloween, the more expensive it gets. And the ticket prices do not vary by age, so if you have young ones to account for, they'll pay the same as an adult. So for one person it can get as high as $199 for their ticket, multiply that by the average family size of 4 and that can get as high as $800 for only 5-6 hours of park time.

Next thing to consider is what is included & not included with the event. Standard snack cart treats such as popcorn, ice cream bars, and bottled beverages are complementary with your ticket. Specially themed treats are available for purchase. There are also multiple trick or treating stations which means free candy! Photopass photos are not included. You can pay for the individual photos you want, or purchase memory maker to get all photos for the set price of $69. Standard parking is not included with your ticket - that will be an additional $25.

The final thing to consider is what you want to accomplish. Do you have someone in your party that is just obsessed with Halloween? Do you love the villains? Are you interested in doing as many attractions as you can with the low wait times? If the answer is yes, then it could potentially be well worth it for you. There are a handful of rare character appearances, adorable cavalcades, and really fun music for a dance party in front of the castle.

Whatever you do, if you go to Boo Bash it's important to remember that this is an after hours event and not a Halloween party - especially not at the caliber Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party was at. There is no big Hocus Pocus entertainment shows on the castle stage. You do get early entry at 7pm which lets you watch the Happily Ever After fireworks. But there is also no parade like the Very Merriest Christmas After Hours Event will have.

So, is Boo Bash worth it? Well my friends it is totally up to you. I really enjoyed the short wait times, the characters in their Halloween costumes, the free popcorn and beverages, as well as the funky music throughout the park. And my husband really enjoyed the candy I brought home. But I do hope by next year we can have MNSSHP back in full swing. The good news is the Christmas after hours event will include a lot more including it's own firework show and a new parade! Cheers!

02/09/2021

POV: You're walking around Black Spire Outpost on Batuu with blue milk in one hand and Kat Saka's popcorn in the other after just saving the galaxy on Rise.

30/08/2021

🚨 BREAKING! 🚨
Disney World Annual Passes are returning on Sept. 8th, just in time for 50th Anniversary Celebration! We'll be writing about the new passes and how they compare to the previous pass system soon! Here are some of the details!

30/08/2021

What is the difference between Disney's Very Merriest After Hours event and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

Firstly, it's all in the name. VM After Hours is an after-park hours event that starts at 9pm and runs until about 1pm, ending a little later than MVMCP did. Admission for event guests begins at 7pm, giving a chance to catch the fireworks before the event begins. Disney has done After Hours events before, such as the Villains After Hours, but never in place of the Halloween and the Christmas parties, which is of course to be expected as Disney has had to modify dozens of park experiences.

MVMCP usually began at 7pm and ran until midnight, with early admission at 4pm. If you do the math you'll notice the Christmas Party could range from 5-8 hours, depending on when you arrive. This years After Hours event only lasts about 4 hours with up to 2 hours extra for early guests.

It makes sense that the overall VMAH event doesn't start as early as the Christmas Party. After all, it's strictly for after park hours. It's also referred to as an "event" and not a "party" - so what is the difference when it comes to entertainment?

Typically, MVMCP offers fireworks, a parade, character meet-and-greets, and stage shows all around the park. And Disney recently announced that the after hours event will include the nighttime spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the special holiday-themed parade “Once Upon a Christmastime Parade”. This is the first time a parade is in the parks since the re-openings, and they have teased about some character experiences. Is it possible with the mandated vaccines for cast members that traditional meet and greets will return? My prediction is no, but maybe a more interactive way to meet characters will be introduced (minding social distancing guidelines of course).

As far as decoration goes, the dream lights adorning Cinderella Castle will not be on this year because of the 50th celebration overlays. But they will have holiday castle projections! And Disney has promised the return of holiday overlays on certain attractions, we just don't know which ones yet.

We will also see exclusive holiday snacks and treats at the VMAH event. While the Christmas Party usually serves up free cookies and beverages throughout the night, the VMAH will have “holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn, and beverages.” After Hours events typically offer these types of free snacks to help balance the cost.

After Hours events typically promise smaller crowds than other hard-ticketed events, so it’s likely that there won’t be as many people as you usually see at the Christmas Party. This means shorter wait times for rides as well!

Disney's Very Merriest After Hours tickets start off at $169 per ticket for all ages. These prices are much higher than what we typically see for MVMCP. (Because After Hours events are usually more expensive than holiday parties.)

Will the after hours event be "worth it"? Well, we can already tell the VMAH will offer more entertainment than Disney's Boo Bash. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this, it will always depends on you and your party. Families with smaller children may not be able to stay until 1pm to get the full experience. So keep that in mind when looking at ticket prices versus the length of stay in the park. If you have older kids or you are a kid-at-heart yourself, love Christmas and missed the parades... maybe it's well worth the price tag. But we don't know about character interactions, the extent of holiday overlays, we also don't know about other classic entertainment such as the Dapper Dans.

Lots of exciting and developing news continues to roll out on Disney's Very Merriest After Hours Event. I'll keep you in the loop! The event will take place on 24 select nights starting on Nov. 8 through Dec. 21. Santa Claus himself will make an appearance! I can't think of anything more magical than Christmastime at Disney and look forward to the surprises to come.

29/08/2021

Will Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ make travel planners obsolete? Your friendly neighborhood Disney Travel Agent weighs in.

The new Disney Genie service, coming this fall, is like having me on your shoulder - or, in your pocket. This intuitive system learns your preferences and updates your itinerary in real time. This is included with your My Disney Experience account and is 100% complementary.

There is also a new pay-to-play option "Genie+" that will be implemented which gives you the freedom to bypass standby queues and get to the front of the lines. This is where things get confusing, there has been a whole lot of information coming out about this new system and everyone is learning about it together.

What I want to discuss is... will the intuitive design of Disney Genie eliminate the need for a professional Disney Travel Planner? And the answer is... resoundingly, no.

Now knowing that the regular Disney Genie is completely free, those add-on services offered by many travel agents will likely decline in sales. BUT - there are agents, like myself, that do this level of detailed planning for free as well.

I would absolutely encourage my clients to use Disney Genie and Genie+. I can help them get to their destination using my resources as a TA to find them the best offers, assist in determining their priorities, and I will use my real life experience to provide honest and unbiased recommendations. But as much as I want to, I can't be with them at all times... But Genie can. If inclement weather is afoot or a popular attraction has technical difficulties, Genie will reimagine your day with alternative selections to make sure you still get the most out of your visit. If you and your party wish to be entirely ride focused, Disney Genie will update you on forecasted and current wait times so you are maximizing your day. Yes, the free version of Genie does this (not just Genie+).

This is not an adversity for travel agents, but an incredible tool to provide a higher level of experience for their clients. Genie+ will only be valid for the dates of your vacation, but my services are with you from your initial booking. And my itinerary services are completely free, and like the Genie, I can also guide you day to day for the length of your vacation as needed.

Am I worried as a travel agent about Disney Genie? Absolutely not. Disney relies on their agents as much as our clients do. Professional Disney travel agents are key, and there is so much we have to offer.

This was a fun topic! Comment your thoughts or type "QUOTE" to find out how you can receive a free Disney vacation quote from yours truly. See ya real soon!

29/08/2021

to this eye-catching Passion fruit margarita in the Mexico Pavillion at EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival! The Jardin de Fiestas booth features dishes inspired by Mexico that may also have a little spice. And the flowers nearest to the booth were beautiful to match (and super soft like feathers… I have to touch something if it looks soft)

29/08/2021

Only 31 days left of this amazing show! Fun fact: the song Happily Ever After was played at our wedding when we were introduced at our reception as Mr. and Mrs. So emotional to see it go!

Fill the skies above your home with some pixie dust. With some modern-day magic we are taking you to the best seat in the house, right in front of Cinderella...

26/08/2021

Brb, adding this to our bucket list!

24/08/2021

What do I mean when I say my services are free? I mean they are 100% free! You do not owe anything more than the cost to book. One of the benefits to using a certified Disney travel agent is knowing you are going to get the best deal Disney is offering. But what sets me apart from the sea of DTAs out there? Here's what I will provide:

Free quotes! You can complete a questionnaire to give me the minimum details I'll need to find you an offer that suits your wishes, but I don't stop at just one offer. You can choose one out of three distinct offers at similar price-points. Here is the link to get started: https://forms.gle/LnALDUJiyMiXz2f69

Free itineraries! I will work with you to design YOUR perfect day at the parks. This will mostly benefit guests who have never been to Disney before and want to maximize their time. Each itinerary is per park, per day and you will need to answer some questions about your preferences. Itineraries are only created after your deposit is paid but are completely optional! If you're the spontaneous type, I will still reserve dining & recommend attractions and shows instead of doing a full-day itinerary.

Did you already book directly through Disney and now want to transfer your reservation to a Travel Agent? Transfer of reservations which are not paid in full may be requested within 30 days of the initial booking. I can take over from here!

Reservation holds: Okay, so you know what offer you want and when you want to book for. Need a little extra time before paying? I can hold your reservation for 3 days without a deposit!

When you book with me I'll send you a package with park and resort maps as well as additional brochures and literature about my favorite tips and tricks! I'll also send a free surprise gift for being my client!

'Round the clock availability. Day or night I will be available for question and answers while keeping tabs on new offers and discounts.

These are just some of the perks of using a Disney Travel Agent. Plan your Disney vacation with someone who knows Disney best. What are you waiting for?!

23/08/2021

What will the crowds be like at Disney during Labor Day weekend?

Let's look at all the factors surrounding Monday, Sept 6th this year. Holiday weekends are exceedingly busy at the parks but here's why this Labor Day weekend might be the busiest:

There is an After Hours Boo Bash Event scheduled on Sunday the 5th which has been sold out. Since many people are not working on Monday, it will likely encourage guests to stay as late as they want (if they have those tickets). We can anticipate the day-time hours will be swarmed with guests for the same reason (even if they are not staying for the after hours party).

Happily Ever After is ending on Sept 29th and die-hard fans will want to bid farewell to this nighttime spectacular. More families will be staying after sundown, and as usual, the departing crowds will mob Main Street USA (likely in tears after they might have just seen their last show).

Halloween decor and more! Halloween decor is up in the Magic Kingdom and the castle embellishments are a sight to see. Visitors will absolutely use this extended weekend to view it up close.

Disney Springs will be teeming with shoppers looking for a good Labor Day weekend sale!

If you're concerned about crowds, Labor Day weekend might be a good time to skip your trip. With the upcoming 50th celebration, opportunistic after hour parties, fresh holiday theming, and retiring fireworks to see... this Labor Day is bound to break records.

If you have Disney Labor Day plans, have no fear. Just plan for it and see all the exciting activity for yourself!

23/08/2021

What we know about the Magic Kingdom's new nighttime firework spectacular "Enchantment":
This show will finally debut on October 1st this year as Happily Ever After officially retires on September 29th. As with every show that Disney does, there will be new technologies and emotional music set to projections highlighting Disney and Pixar films.

What sets this apart from previous firework shows in the Magic Kingdom are the projections that extend down Main Street USA! We can expect to see the artistical style of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair (the artist responsible for her whimsical color theory in movies like Sleeping Beauty and attractions like It's a Small World).

Of course, the astonishing fireworks will steal the show and climax perfectly for Tinkerbell's flight from the castle heights. Although it is hard to see a beloved spectacular like Happily Ever After retire, Disney intends to go beyond what we've seen before and make way for a new heartwarming show that will dazzle like no other!

22/08/2021

13 scary-fun facts about the Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror:

1) It’s the second tallest attraction. Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom is the tallest ride — by just half a foot.

2) You can see it from World Showcase. Because it’s so tall, the imagineers had to seamlessly blend this building in with the Moroccan pavilion at EPCOT, you can see it if you look towards Morocco from the Norway pavilion.

3) It’s a different ride every time. Completely random drop patterns thrill guests every time!

4) There is a haunted doll at the end of the ride. Well, it’s referencing a haunted doll. Caesar is the ventriloquist dummy from an original episode of the Twilight Zone about a man whose dummy has a “kind of its own.” Supposedly, the cast members all make sure to say good morning to Caesar everyday so he won’t wreak havoc.

5) Hidden Mickey’s everywhere! In the scene right before your car drives into the elevator shaft, the twinkling stars form 3 circles in a familiar shape.

6) It was almost a real hotel. Michael Eisner wanted guests to be able to stay in the Hollywood Hotel, just not sure how well that would’ve worked with all the screaming.

7) Cobwebs are made of hot glue. Overtime dust and skin cells collect to give the cobwebs a more authentic (and disgusting) feel.

8) The imagineers watched all 156 episodes multiple times! They take this very seriously, and we’re glad for it!

9) Some cast members are wearing different bellhop uniforms. If you see one with gold epaulets on their shoulders, that means they’ve worked in the Tower of Terror since its opening in 1994!

10) Odd wait times. I mean, 13 minutes? Normally wait times are posted in 5-minute increments. But if you ever see 13 minute wait time, it means the attraction has minimal wait.

11) Props in the lobby. There are real props from the TV show scattered throughout the hotel lobby.

12) Faster than gravity. If you’re falling faster than gravity that means you’re not truly free falling. You are being pulled, not dropped!

13) The elevator has an inspection certificate inside it signed by a Mr. Cadwallader. This was someone revealed to be the Devil in an original episode of The Twilight Zone.

21/08/2021

Simplifying the new Disney Genie service coming this fall in your My Disney Experience app:

Disney Genie is a complimentary enhancement for your MDE app which personalizes and maps your entire day at the parks for you.

Disney Genie+ is an optional addition to this intuitive program. Guests in WDW can pay $15 per ticket per day, and guests in Disneyland can pay $20 per ticket per day. This grants you access to the Lightning Lane queues instead of traditional standby for certain limited attractions. You can only make one Lightning Lane selection at a time, throughout the day.

Another paid-service option (separate from Genie+) would be to pay for access to the Lightning Lane at individual attraction selections. This is only for 2 top tier attractions each day, but can be used in 2 different parks if you have a park hopper ticket. The price for these tiered attractions has not been released yet. But you do not have to pay for Genie+ to pay for these Lightning Lanes.

This has been a confusing and controversial announcement for sure. And we still don’t know everything yet. But we’ll learn together!

Comment you opinion of this new spin on a classic system below ⬇️

19/08/2021

Don’t be surprised if you see pixie dust twinkling around here from now on! My name is Christine Worley and I have joined an elite group of travel industry professionals who have attained a special knowledge of the Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line® Adventures by Disney®, and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. As a recent graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge, I have also been registered with MainStreet Travel Agency.

The College of Disney Knowledge was extremely beneficial to me. It was a fun and informative way to learn more about the Disney vacation portfolio. Any of my clients will be able to rest at ease with me working on their dream vacation.

Anyone who plans to visit the Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line® Adventures by Disney®, and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa will benefit from my added expertise. The College of Disney Knowledge has taught me how to add more value to each Disney itinerary so that I can help make every client’s magical dreams come true!