Summer Merchandise Discount Returns to Walt Disney World® Resort

Starting June 25, several Quick Service dining locations throughout Walt Disney World® Resort are offering a 20% merchandise discount when you dine with them. The 20% discount can be used at specific merchandise locations from park opening until 1:00 p.m. daily. The discount is available from June 25, 2013 to August 6, 2013. Some exclusions apply, so be sure to check the details on the coupon that you’ll receive with your dining receipt. 

The 20% off coupon can be used at: 

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Island Mercantile 
• Disney Outfitters 

Epcot 

• Mouse Gear 

Magic Kingdom 

• Emporium 

Disney's Hollywood Studios 

• Mickey's of Hollywood 
• Keystone Clothiers 

Downtown Disney 

• World of Disney 

The restaurants offering the coupon are:

Disney's Animal Kingdom 

• Kusifari Bakery 
• Tamu Tamu Refreshments 
• Pizzafari 
• Flame Tree Barbecue 
• Restaurantosaurus 

Epcot 

• Electric Umbrella 
• Sunshine Season's Food Fare 
• Liberty Inn 
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop 

Disney's Hollywood Studios 

• Starring Rolls 
• Fairfax Fare 
• Rosie's Red Hots 
• Catalina Eddies 
• Backlot Express 
• Studio Catering Company 
• ABC Commissary 
• Pizza Planet

Magic Kingdom

• Casey's Corner

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Pinocchio Village Haus

Columbia Harbor House

Pecos Bill's Café

Tomorrowland Terrace

Universal Orlando Unveils Dining Plan

Between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter London expansion and today's announcement of a long anticipated Universal Dining Plan, it seems that Universal Orlando Resort is determined to keep pace with their Orlando theme park rivals.

The plan is very similar to the Disney Dining Plan, offering guests one table service meal, one counter service meal and one snack per day, although instead of a refillable mug it includes one extra beverage that can be used in addition to the snack.

The plan is available to to add to any vacation package with on-site or off-site hotels booked through Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations.  The first seatings for the new dining plan will be July 1, 2013.  The plan is not available for purchase at the parks. Priced at $45.99 plus tax per night for adults and $17.99 plus tax per night for children aged 3-9, the plan comes in a bit cheaper than the comparable Disney Dining Plan.

You can find a complete list of participating restaurants and a few more details here.

You hired a travel agent?!

With so many tool available on the internet these days, this is a question we hear a lot: “Why on earth should I hire a travel agent?” Actually, it’s probably the smartest move you make, and here are a few reasons why:

1. We actually enjoy getting up early and sitting on the phone or at the computer at ridiculous hours to get our clients the best hotels, flights, coveted dining reservations or the best package deal.  Seriously, we do.  Especially when it's a Disney vacation we’re planning, because the hold music on the phone line is from rides at Walt Disney World®.  Should we have our heads examined? Perhaps.  Should you take advantage of this quirk and save yourself time and effort? Absolutely.  Will we get up at 6 a.m. exactly 180 days before your Disney vacation to make sure you have the best shot at getting breakfast reservations with Cinderella in her castle?  You bet.
   
   
2. We have insider tools.  Almost like a secret agent.  No, not lasers in our watch or rocket boosters in our car (although those would be nice, for sure), but access to agents-only websites that let us search for the best possible prices on cruises, vacation packages, flights, hotels, even rental cars and travel insurance.
   
   
3. We get insider tips.  Not the illegal stock tip kind, pinky promise.  Travel suppliers like Disney Destinations, cruise lines, and travel consortiums send us advance notice of upcoming sales and specials, which means we can be first in line to get you the coveted Free Dining offer at Walt Disney World® Resort before it sells out, or free upgrades on that Caribbean cruise you've been thinking about.
   
   
4. We’re experts, especially when it comes to Disney Destinations.  We’re not trying to toot our own horn or anything; okay, maybe a little.  We are serious Disney fanatics. We have stayed in or visited nearly every resort at Walt Disney World®.  We read every guidebook, spend hours on discussion boards and learn every insider tip to make sure we can give you the best information to make your vacation enjoyable and effortless.  We’ve been to all the parks, many, many times.  Beyond Disney, we do regular web training with cruise lines and other travel providers to make sure we stay knowledgeable about every destination you might imagine.  Want to honeymoon in Bora Bora in a resort just like the one in that movie "Couples Retreat"?  We got you covered.
   
   
5. Your time is money.  Even if you love to research every part of your vacation before you leave, wouldn't you rather spend your time Googling crazy local customs or photos of places you want to visit, instead of spending hours trying to work out exactly where to stay, how to get there, and what documents you need to bring with you?  If you really do love all that stuff, maybe you should give up your day job and become a travel agent.  Just sayin'.
   
   
6. We’re free.  Seriously, you get all of our expertise and slave labor and you don't have to pay us a dime.  We work for your warm thanks and the knowledge that you are having the time of your life on your fabulous vacation.  Okay, and yes, for the commission we earn from the travel supplier. That’s nice, too. Does that mean we’re going to try to sell you the most expensive package out there?  Heck no, because then you'd never come back to us again, and you'd tell your friends we ripped you off.  We’d price ourselves right out of a career.  In reality, we understand how important it is to find the best price out there to make your vacation dollars go as far as possible.
   
   
7. We keep going and going, like that pink bunny who sells batteries.  Right up to the day you leave on your vacation, we will be checking for new deals that can save you money.  For example, if you booked a trip to Walt Disney World® online direct through Disney in June, and then in July they release a new special that would have saved you money, they're not going to automatically adjust your reservation.  They just don't have the staff to monitor every reservation in their system, but we can monitor every booking we’ve made for our clients.  Travel suppliers actually encourage you to use a travel agent, because they know that means you'll get the best deal and the personal attention that will make you happy with your trip and more likely to go back again. And again.
   
   
8. We’ll plan a personalized itinerary for you with tips, tricks, maps and everything you need for a relaxing and fun vacation.  You can either follow it religiously or use it to enhance your owns ideas.
   
   
9. We’re always a phone call or text away, even when you're on your trip.  Did you arrive at your destination and realize you forgot a confirmation number?  Left your park tickets at home?  Give your Key to the World Travel™ planner a call; we’ll have copies of all your documents, and the phone numbers of people on-site who can help you out of a bind.  If your travel planner is on vacation and can't help, he/she will always have a back-up agent from Key to the World Travel™ who is just as dedicated, waiting to help.
   
   
10. We give our clients a really cool bag.  Okay, maybe this is not a #1 reason to use a travel agent, but it's a sign that we really do care about giving our guests the best quality service we can.  We fill that bag with everything you need for your vacation, and some extras just for fun.  Because we want you to be happy, and to tell your friends.  Lots and lots of your friends.  And your family, too, that would be nice.

So, we hope we've given you some great things to think about, and hope you'll call us  when you're ready to explore your next vacation.

Disney Announces Price Increases Effective June 2

Prices to increase on June 2, 2013 for Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort

The Disney Parks Blog announced today that prices will increase tomorrow for all Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland® Resort tickets. This usually happens around this time each year, but the big surprise this year was an increase in the cost of a one-day ticket for the Magic Kingdom - at a rate $5 more than the same one-day ticket for any of the other three parks.  A one-day ticket for ages 10+ for Magic Kingdom® Park will go up to $95, while a one-day ticket for Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios® or Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park will increase to $90. That's up from $89.

The cost of a Park Hopper on a one-day ticket will decrease slightly to $35 (down from $37), but for the multi-day Park Hopper option the cost is going up to $59 (from $57 currently).

Multi-day tickets are all increasing in price as well.

• 2-day: $184 (up from $176)
• 3-day: $262 (up from $242)
• 4-day: $279 (up from $256)
• 5-day: $289 (up from $268)
• 6-day: $299 (up from $278)
• 7-day: $309 (up from $288)
• 8-day: $298 (up from $319
• 9-day: $329 (up from $308)
• 10-day: $339 (up from $318)

Ticket orders placed today (or vacation packages reserved today) will be at current prices, but tomorrow morning the new prices will be in effect.

The Simpsons Invade Universal Orlando Resort

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 23, 2013) - Woo Hoo! Springfield, hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons, comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort launching this summer. The expansive, new area within Universal Studios will be anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, and will allow guests to enter the world of The Simpsons like never before. It will be the only place in the world where guests can walk the streets of Springfield. It will include a brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show and two new Simpsons characters who will make their debut with the new area – Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob. And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando. For the first time ever – anywhere – fans will be able to walk down Fast Food Boulevard and visit the places that helped Springfield stake its claim as “Shelbyville by the Sea.” They will be able to grab a Krusty-certified meat sandwich at Krusty Burger, snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman, get a slice at Luigi’s Pizza, go nuts for donuts at Lard Lad, enjoy a “Taco Fresho” with Bumblebee Man and imbibe at Moe’s Tavern. The new attraction – called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin designed to send them into orbit. “This will be a must-see experience for Simpsons fans all over the world,” said Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative. “For the first time ever, they’re going to be able to enter a world that they’ve only seen on television – and we’re really excited to bring that world to life.” “This new expansion will broaden and deepen the already incredible experience at Universal, by bringing to life the iconic landmarks of Springfield that fans have grown to love,” said Jeffrey Godsick, President, Fox Consumer Products. “Fans will literally be able to live and breathe Springfield as they visit the statue of Jebediah, enjoy a Krusty Burger, and have a seat at Moe’s Tavern, which are just a few of the great experiences awaiting at Universal.” "It has been an honor to bring the world of the Simpsons to life in such a letter-perfect way,” said Denise Sirkot, President, Worldwide Brand, Gracie Films. “Truly this is the Krustyest place on earth."

2013 Eat to the Beat Musical Line-Up Announced

Epcot International Wood & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World Resort September 27-November 11

The annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a must-do, featuring more than 30 booths serving delicacies from around the world and the "Eat to the Beat" Concert Series. Here's the full line-up of this year's acts:

• Sept. 27-29: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
• Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Go-Go's
• Oct. 2-4: Air Supply
• Oct. 5-6: Sister Hazel
• Oct. 7-9: Sugar Ray
• Oct. 10-11: Edwin McCain
• Oct. 12-13: Manhattan Transfer
• Oct. 14-15: Wilson Phillips
• Oct. 16-17: The Pointer Sisters
• Oct. 18-20: Night Ranger
• Oct. 21-23: Boyz II Men
• Oct. 24-25: Survivor
• Oct. 26-27: 38 Special
• Oct. 28-30: Smash Mouth
• Oct. 21-Nov. 1: Spin Doctors
• Nov. 2-3: Christopher Cross
• Nov. 4-5: Hansen
• Nov. 6-8: Dennis DeYoung
• Nov. 9-11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

The worst kept secret in theme park history is officially unveiled!

Although work began over a year ago when the JAWS ride and Amity backlot area were closed at Universal Studios Florida, it wasn't until this month that Universal finally confirmed what we've all known - they are expanding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Scheduled to open some time in 2014, the expansion will bring the WWHOP to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure and will feature the London landmarks from the Harry Potter series. Scheduled to be included are:

• Diagon Alley and its iconic shops (Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!)
• A new HP themed restaurant
• A ride based on Gringott's Bank (dare we hope for a thrill ride based on the daring break-in staged by Harry et al in The Deathly Hallows?!)

The two areas will now be called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter  - Hogsmeade™ and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley™and guests with Park-to-Park tickets will be able to travel between the two via the Hogwarts Express from London to Hogsmeade.

I don't know about you, folks, but we are beyond excited and can't wait to visit!