Monica D. Walker, An Academy Travel Affiliate

25/06/2020

Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – will soon be completely reimagined. The theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.

I am excited!! Are you??
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06/03/2020

It’s time for you to get your gardening on with the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which started yesterday and runs through June 1, 2020. This annual event transforms the park with brilliant gardens, topiaries featuring favorite Disney characters, Outdoor Kitchens with fresh flavors, the popular Garden Rocks Concert Series, and more. You won’t want to miss any of it!
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&Garden Festival

28/02/2020

Summer is quickly approaching, have you planned your summer vacay yet?!?! I specialize in Disney destinations, however I can help you with wherever you want to go!! Hawaii? Jamaica? Destin? Cali? Universal Studios Florida? Cruise? There are plenty current promos!! Ask me 🙋🏽‍♀️
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28/02/2020

Jambo! Oh the friends you meet, on a girl’s trip/momcation at Disney World!! Let me help you plan yours! Sept-Nov is a great time to go weather starts to get cooler, Halloween/Christmas decorations are put out and the BEST part it’s Epcot’s Food & Wine Fest!!! So much fun without your kiddos, silver lining... it gives you time to miss them 😏.
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27/02/2020

New Dining Plan announced today!! At Walt Disney World Resort, they know how important it is to give guests options so they can plan their visit in a way that’s right for them. As they continue to grow, they’re introducing a new Disney Dining Plan option for Disney Resort hotel guests. This new option, along with the recently announced “Water Park and Sports Option,” help guests discover more of the offerings, at a great value.

Disney Dining Plan Plus
Starting today, Disney Resort hotel guests can add Disney Dining Plan Plus to their Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package. A Disney dining plan offers something for everyone as it is a convenient and flexible way for Walt Disney World guests to pre-pay for meals and eat at dining locations throughout our four theme parks, Disney Resort hotels and select locations at Disney Springs. With Disney Dining Plan Plus, guests get two meals per night of their package stay to redeem at either table service restaurants, quick service locations, character dining experiences, or a combination – giving you more flexibility.

In addition, the Disney Dining Plan Plus option includes two snacks per night, one Disney Resort hotel refillable drink mug (which can be used at any Disney Resort hotel quick-service location), and at each meal, unlimited refills of fountain sodas, single-service teas and brewed coffee, or one non-alcoholic specialty beverage, and for guests 21 and older with valid ID, one beer, wine or cocktail. Meals can be redeemed in any order and in any combination. Unused meals and snacks rollover day to day.

As Walt Disney World Resort continues to grow, there are so many amazing dining experiences for guests to enjoy, from new table-service restaurants like Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, to favorite quick-service options like Docking Bay 7 at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Satu’li Canteen at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Ask me for details of this new offer!!
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27/02/2020

I am not new to this, I am true to this! Donald and pals circa 1981, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea and the classic and always dependable It’s a Small World. Walt Disney World has made plenty of changes, but just as magical! I have been doing Disney since 1981, let me help you plan your trip!
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26/02/2020

Who rides this ride every time they go to Disney for the nostalgic value?!?! 🙋🏽‍♀️. Spaceship Earth is more than just the physical icon of EPCOT – it’s a symbol of how the park continues to evolve. The attraction is a crucial piece of the historic transformation already underway at EPCOT, and the team at Walt Disney Imagineering is excited to start implementing a new vision for Spaceship Earth beginning May 26.

This means Spaceship Earth in its current form will close for a time starting that day, and the ideas WDI are working on inside that geosphere will be well worth the wait. The next iteration of Spaceship Earth will focus on the story of humanity, following our long journey from prehistoric humans to today brought to life with magic and depth that only Disney can deliver. Many of the moments you know and love will be updated in amazing ways, blended with brand-new scenes to tell a story about our human experience.

Today we’re excited to share a few additional details of what guests can expect when this icon returns. Guests will visit Egypt, which is part of the current version of the attraction, but it will be an Egypt like you’ve never seen before, transformed through the power of light.

Walt Disney once said EPCOT “would always be in a state of becoming,” and Spaceship Earth has lived up to that vision for generations. This will be the attraction’s fourth – and most ambitious – update since the park’s grand opening on Oct. 1, 1982.
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25/02/2020

Adults doing Disney, Girls Trip, Momcation alert!!! It’s almost the tastiest time of year for foodies as the Disney California Adventure® Food & Wine Festival returns to the Disneyland Resort®! From Feb. 28 to April 21, you can enjoy the California-inspired festival with a classic Disney twist. You will get to experience specialty eats and sips, culinary experiences and entertainment that will satisfy any palate.
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24/02/2020

It is crazy gloomy in Texas today...looking forward to summer sunny skies and this excitement to see a wave at from my son. Kid’s with autism LOVE water, it can be dangerous, but I love this controlled environment where he can have fun without the added danger 🌊💙. Traveling with a child with autism has its challenges, let me help!
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22/02/2020

Summer is almost here...only 3 months away! Have you planned your summer vacation yet?!?! I am a Disney specialist, however I can book your trip to ANY destination. Let’s get started booking your dream trip!!
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21/02/2020

It’s almost the tastiest time of year for foodies as the Disney California Adventure® Food & Wine Festival returns to the Disneyland Resort®! From Feb. 28 to April 21, you can enjoy the California-inspired festival with a classic Disney twist. You will get to experience specialty eats and sips, culinary experiences and entertainment that will satisfy any palate.
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20/02/2020

When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, there's magic all around, from Disney Springs to the Theme Parks and everywhere in between!
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19/02/2020

That bright Florida sunshine provides the best lighting for sidewalk ussies!! Are you ready to plan your trip?!?!
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17/02/2020

Big news from Walt Disney World Resort – Cinderella Castle is about to get even more magical!

Just like how Cinderella herself transformed into a princess when the animated classic was released 70 years ago this week, her namesake castle at the heart of Walt Disney World Resort will soon be made over with bold, shimmering and regal enhancements befitting the park so many hold so near and dear to their hearts. This beautiful concept image shows the castle featuring a brand-new color scheme created by Walt Disney Imagineering for Cinderella Castle.

Above is an incredible concept image of what the newly enhanced Cinderella Castle will look like when work is completed!

Starting today and continuing through summer, you may notice this exciting work taking place as these stunning enhancements begin. But don’t worry! You will still get to catch all of our castle favorites like Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire and Happily Ever After.

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15/02/2020

Plan a cruise with me!

https://apple.news/AwmnACJMeSv-OAH95Z4czsQ

Amid mounting concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus, many would-be passengers are asking whether it's still safe to embark on a cruise. We talk to experts about whether or not travelers should be changing their plans or taking extra precautions.

13/02/2020

What better place to spend Earth Day 2020, but Disney’s Animal Kingdom®?!?!

From April 18-22, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® will host special entertainment and activities throughout the park – culminating in an all-day extravaganza on Earth Day (April 22).

Each day of festivities includes a stellar lineup of expert speakers and entertainment; behind-the-scenes tours; specialty food and beverage; limited-edition merchandise signings; character greetings; photo opportunities; special Wilderness Explorers activities for kids – and MORE!

Earth Day 2020 just happens to be the 25th Anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund. The Walt Disney Company is committed to ensuring a world where wildlife thrives and nature is treasured, and the Disney Conservation Fund has been a huge part of that effort, especially at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

At the Animation Experience at Conservation Station, you will uncover the secret of how Disney animators bring their favorite characters to life – using real life animals as inspiration; and there will be special Disney characters featured for the Earth Day Celebration!

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13/02/2020

At Walt Disney World Resort, if you are looking for a cute date idea, you should stop by Sangria University at Disney’s Coronado Resort. This unique experience will teach you how to make your very own personalized sangria alongside the resident Sangria Sommeliers at Three Bridges Bar & Grill. During the session, you will also learn about the history of the popular fruity wine cocktail and sample all four of the restaurant’s house-made sangrias before making your own! Sangria University occurs on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa Del Lago and is $45 per guest.
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12/02/2020

What I love about Disney World is that no matter how many times I go (and it has been a lot). I never get tired of experiencing the attractions, some of them the same attractions I ride when I was two years old! Riding always bring back memories of those treasured moments with family and friends that are priceless. One of those attractions is the Jungle Cruise...

Embark on a river cruise where dangerous beasts and dry wit abound. Board a canopied tramp steamer piloted by your trusty skipper, who will expertly navigate you through some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
Steam past lush foliage, butterflies and waterfalls on the Amazon in South America. Glimpse an abandoned camp overrun by curious gorillas on the shores of the African Congo.

Along the Nile, watch for bathing elephants, angry hippos and hungry lions. Be on the lookout for a tribe of headhunters recently spotted in the area. Your cruise continues down the Mekong River in Asia, home to baboons, cobras and other fearsomely life-like creatures.

It’s a 10-minute, 10,000-mile journey that you won't soon forget!

12/02/2020

They are only little for so long...make memories that last a lifetime...

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11/02/2020

Who wants to go to Hawaii?!?! Aulani Resort was recently ranked number one by U.S. News & World Report on their 2020 list of Best Family Hotels in the U.S.!

Selected based on hotel amenities, reputation among Travel Professionals, guest reviews and hotel class ratings, Aulani Resort has been recognized for its legendary service and enchanting experiences. A stay at Aulani Resort is unique for every family, but your family is sure to feel like a part of the Aulani Resort ‘ohana while you create memories for years to come.

AND you can save up to 30% on 5+ consecutive-night stays or save 25% on 4-night stays with spring offers.

Spring Dates: Book through May 8, 2020 for travel March 1–June 13, 2020.
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11/02/2020

It’s no secret that Disney Springs has some of the best dining at Walt Disney World Resort, and anywhere in Central Florida for that matter.

Beatrix, owned by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (a Chicago-based restaurant group), will open their first restaurant in Florida at Disney Springs West Side. Beatrix is your neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse and grab-and-go market featuring healthy food options including vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan along with fresh-squeezed juice cocktails. The restaurant will also offer a bakery and full-service bar with a selection of all-American beer and wine. Executive Partner and Divisional President, Marc Jacobs, explains “Beatrix represents the way people are eating today – it’s that mix of health and comfort. Whether grabbing a cup of coffee and your favorite pastry, or having a cocktail, lunch, or dinner with friends, it’s your neighborhood meeting place.”

Can’t wait to try this new restaurant when it opens!
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10/02/2020

Disney Cruise Line is finally departing from my hometown!!! Disney Cruise Line just embarked on our inaugural season sailing from New Orleans! This also marks the very first time that Disney Cruise Line has had a homeport in Louisiana. On the Disney Wonder’s first departure from the Crescent City, the ship received a celebratory bon voyage from Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and members of the traditional New Orleans Treme Brass Band.

This cruise that has just commenced kicks off a limited-engagement season sailing from New Orleans in 2020. Best of all, we will be returning to New Orleans again in early 2021. These voyages visit the Bahamas, Caribbean and include stops at Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay.

In New Orleans, you will find magic around every corner as you recognize the iconic sights and sounds that inspired the Disney animated film “The Princess and the Frog.”

Onboard the Disney Wonder, we are “gonna take you there!” You will be treated to a celebration of New Orleans dining and entertainment at Tiana’s Place restaurant with a menu that draws inspiration from the flavors and ingredients of the Louisiana bayou.

At the brand new French Quarter Lounge you are transported deeper into the story to enjoy live jazz music, sip a New Orleans-themed specialty drink and dance the night away. Throughout the days, family activities, trivia, workshops, crafts and music bring the bayou spirit of family gatherings and fun to life.

Please join us in welcoming Disney Cruise Line to the Big Easy!
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09/02/2020

Epcot’s longest-running annual festival – the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – is
coming soon... the 27th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival to Welcome Spring with New Garden Rocks Talent, Topiaries and More – March 4-June 1. It is revving up to be a show stopper, with a Garden Rocks Concert Series talent lineup like never before. New to the Garden Rocks Concert Series on the America Gardens Theatre stage this year are Daughtry, Don McLean and other luminaries of various musical genres. The festival also presents a kaleidoscope of colorful blooms, topiaries and gardens designed to inspire wonder and whispers of “how’d they do that?!” The brand-new Remy topiary will be unveiled as the centerpiece of a Ratatouille Garden at the France pavilion, where the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction will open in summer 2020. The floral Remy will be surrounded by a colorful garden of veggies that comprise ingredients of a ratatouille recipe. It wouldn’t be a festival without fabulous food, and the event’s 17 Outdoor Kitchens plus other food-and-beverage stops will tickle the taste buds.
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&Garden Festival

07/02/2020

Who’s tired of this wishy washy winter weather? What better way to escape than by taking a Disney cruise to warm, tropical destination? Whether it’s a weekend getaway or week-long adventure, Disney Cruise Line has a variety of tropical ports in the Bahamas and Caribbean that make for the perfect sun-filled (and fun-filled!) escape to get you through winter.
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07/02/2020

Who said Disney is only for kids? City Works Eatery & Pour House, the newest restaurant at Disney Springs, has more than 90 varieties of beer on tap with a menu of classic American food. It is on the West Side neighborhood of the shopping and entertainment complex in the same building as NBA Experience, a basketball-based attraction that opened last year. Cheers!!
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06/02/2020

Welcome to my little labor of love ❤️. My name is Monica and all that know me know I love this place called Disney World. But what some may not know is WHY I love it so much.

My first trip was when I was two years old and although I may not “remember” it, I do have the photos from it, the memories...It was a time where a large part of my family got together and went on a trip. That hadn’t happened again until a few years ago when we back, this time with a new generation!

So why do I love it so much? It is a place that has something for EVERYONE. Where kids can be kids and adults can be kids too (except when they have to discipline their kids and pay of course 🥴). I love the connection you have with your family and friends there. It just feels different...magical.

So this new journey for me just feels right. I promise that I will put just as much love and attention into your family’s experience as I put into my own.

Hope to help you real soon!

06/02/2020

Eeek, it’s open y’all...and you HAVE to experience it!

06/02/2020

Valentine’s Day is almost here!! Whether you are spending Valentine’s Day at a Disney theme park or just looking for a romantic evening anytime, a Disney destination can offer the perfect dreamy getaway. From fine dining to fireworks and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

If you are looking for a scenic experience, you can travel along the banks of the Sassagoula River in a cozy horse-drawn carriage. You can board your carriage at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and then enjoy a 25-minute ride down the charming pathways along the river, all while taking in the rustic beauty of the resort area! Enjoy a meal at one of the MANY fantastic restaurants located all over the Walt Disney World Resort and finish off the night with the always romantic fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom ❤️❤️

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05/02/2020

In Celebration of the 70th anniversary of Disney’s animated classic, Cinderella, Disney’s pastry chefs have created an array of yummy new desserts at Walt Disney World® Resort. And at Disneyland® Resort, the afternoon tea at Steakhouse 55 will be receiving a magical Cinderella-themed overlay with special themed desserts, snacks, and more!
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Cinderella’s Slipper Cupcake (Riverside Mill and Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts) – Vanilla cupcake with strawberry fluff, buttercream, a white chocolate slipper, gold crispy pearls, and disco dust
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Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Cake (Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom® Park) – Lemon-scented Bavarian mousse filled with blueberry compote on top of a citrus almond cake
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Cinderella Soft-Serve (Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village resort) – Vanilla soft-serve topped with a white chocolate clock, white chocolate crispy pearls, and glitter
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Cinderella Cupcake (Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort) – Yellow cake filled with pumpkin custard and topped with vanilla buttercream
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Cinderella’s Cake Pop Coach (Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort) – Triple chocolate cake pop with white chocolate wheels
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Greedy Gus Gus Cupcake (Food Courts of Disney’s All-Star Resorts) – Chocolate cupcake with peanut butter fluff filling, peanut butter buttercream, fondant ears, and a chocolate “cheese” wedge
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Glass Slipper Cupcake (Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort) – Yellow cupcake with lemon filling, tea-infused buttercream, sugar crystals, and a white chocolate slipper
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Cinderella’s Carriage Mini Dome Cake (Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs) – Strawberry mousse with strawberry champagne center and vanilla chiffon cake
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