After Hours Events

After Hours Events

Written by: Erica Ellis – Magical Tripcations Travel Planner; Photos provided by: Kimberly Evans – Magical Tripcations Travel Planner, Terrie Meredith – Magical Tripcations Travel Planner; Glenn & Shelley Frost – Magical Tripcations Travel Planners; Jo Anne Smoot – Magical Tripcations Owner Getting the Most Out of Your Stay – Consider an After Hours Event!  MT Planners ready for the first Villains After Hours event of 2020 at Magic Kingdom in early February So, you’re going on a Disney Parks Vacation?  Congratulations!  As you shift your sights to your itinerary, now is a great time to consider purchasing tickets to an After Hours event at the parks.  What is an “After Hours” event?  Well, I’m glad you asked, because I’m here to break it down for you. An After Hours event is just that….an event that happens after regular park hours.  Some take place in the early morning, others take place at night.  All of them are a ton of fun & come with their own perks & exclusive sights, sounds & tastes!  Make sure that you chat with your Magical Tripcations Travel Planner to get the scoop on which party or parties might be happening during your stay.  They can get you pricing & availability.  The Walt Disney Travel Company is always coming up with new, fun, & innovative party ideas so the options change regularly.  Make sure you chat with your travel planner to figure out if there are any options during your stay.  MT Planner Terrie celebrates the most magical time of the year at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party during her time as a Cast...
A Magical Run Weekend

A Magical Run Weekend

Before my very first runDisney Event – 2010 Walt Disney World Half Marathon – January 2010 Written by Erica V. Ellis – Travel Planner with Magical Tripcations I’ve considered myself a “runner” since 2009 when I trained for my very first half marathon.  Since then I’ve run one full marathon, eleven half marathons & countless 10Ks and 5Ks.  Of those eleven half marathons, four of them have been runDisney races.  I can safely say that not all runs are created equal and runDisney races are simply a magical time!  With fun themes, character greetings along the course, & plenty of Disney magic to keep you going, these races should be on every runner’s bucket list, no matter your experience level.  At this time, races are only available at Walt Disney World in the United States.  Four different race weekends are currently held at different times of the year.  I’ve run in 3 of the 4 current race weekends that are held at Walt Disney World.  Here are my take aways from all four of my runDisney experiences:  Tip 1 – Register ASAP Make sure you follow runDisney on Facebook.  There they will post the dates for all the upcoming races as well as the registration opening dates.  These races fill up FAST, so be prepared!  In 2017 and 2018 runDisney has allowed Travel Agents that partner with Disney to book runDisney race packages for upcoming races, before the general public.  The main stipulation is that you must book your race registration with a Disney Resort room reservation or Disney Resort vacation package.  If you cancel your room or package,...
10 Tips For Your First Trip to Disney World

10 Tips For Your First Trip to Disney World

Written by Jennifer Jamieson – Magical Tripcations Travel Planner Your first trip to Disney World can be a truly magical and memorable one but take it from us, planning is a must!  Even if you’ve been before but it’s been a few years, read on as so much has changed that you might find yourself bewildered and late for a very important date!  Disney World is huge and spans 40 square miles (roughly the size of San Francisco) and has 4 theme parks (6 if you count the 2 water parks).  And navigating through the transportation, parks, FastPass+, My Disney Experience App, restaurants, fireworks and shows can be a little daunting and a big waste of time if you’re not prepared!  Good news is there are lots of tools that can help you along the way and we hope that our tips and tricks can help you get started.  Having the honor of planning countless trips for our Magical Tripcations clients has given our team an edge when it comes to the ins and outs of heading to the most magical place on earth.  Check out our top 10 tips for your first trip to Disney World. 10. Stay at a Disney World Resort   With more that 25 unique Resort hotels, there is likely one that will fit your needs and budget.  Staying on property is well worth it and not as expensive as you may think.  Our team of travel planners have stayed at hotels both on and off property and hands down recommend staying on the resort property. Disney has various resort levels ranging in price from...
Top 12 Disney World Tips & Tricks

Top 12 Disney World Tips & Tricks

Coming up with a list of top tips & tricks to assist you on your first or next magical Disney World vacation is no small order.   You know it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it and the team at Magical Tripcations is thrilled to offer up a few of our tried-and-true tips to make your park experience a little easier and a lot more magical.  Let’s dig in with our top 12 Disney World tips & tricks! 1. Go Left! When faced with a fork in the road or standing in the hub of the park, take the road less traveled and go left!  It’s human nature to go right for whatever reason and same is true at Disney Parks.  Even when there’s a choice in a queue to go right or left, go left, and you’ll find yourself saving a little time waiting in line. 2. Free Water! Did you know that you can request a cup of ice water at any counter service restaurant or snack location that serves fountain drinks in any Disney Park?   It’s so important to stay hydrated while touring the parks and ice water really helps you cool down.   We’ve even carried flavored drink packets in our park bags to mix with the FREE ice water.  Truly FREE and you don’t have to be ordering a meal and it’s ok to ask for a large cup! 3. The Early Bird Catches the Worm! Want to beat the crowds?  Arrive 30 minutes to an hour (in peak season) prior to official park opening or ‘rope drop’ and you’ll be well on your...
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:  See What the BOO is All About!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: See What the BOO is All About!

Written by – Jennifer Jamieson, Magical Tripcations Travel Planner Holidays are celebrated in a big way at Walt Disney World.  The parks are decked out with beautifully themed decorations and some holidays even have a special party.  One of the most spooktacular and hauntedly rated events is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party held at Magic Kingdom on select nights in the fall.  The party is a special ticketed event and takes place after hours when Magic Kingdom closes to all except those that have a party ticket.  Have you ever thought about attending the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)?  Or, not even sure what it is?  Is it worth the additional cost?  Is it scary for kids?  What’s included?  Let’s dig in and find out what the BOO is all about!     Even though park visitors can enjoy the lovely decorations displayed throughout the park in September and October, only Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party attendees can enjoy and experience the special Halloween themed entertainment and take part in special activities.   On select nights, the party starts at 7 p.m. after non-party guests exit the Magic Kingdom park; however, party guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m.  The party ends at midnight giving you plenty of time to take in all the special entertainment, attractions and activities.  In true Disney style, the tone of the event is “not-so-scary” which means children of all ages can enjoy all of the party fun!  Let’s take a look at some of the special activities that take place at the party:   Trick-or-Treating Each attendee upon entering the event will be...
Top 16 Things You Must Do This Summer at Disney World

Top 16 Things You Must Do This Summer at Disney World

Written by Jennifer Jamieson – Magical Tripcations Travel Planner Of course there is always so much to see and do at Disney World; however, this summer or early fall promises to bring some truly amazing new attractions, entertainment and more to all four parks!  Disney has been releasing so much information on coming attractions, updates and new offerings that they are keeping our team of travel planners on our toes!  So, we decided to highlight the best of what is to be unveiled during Awaken Summer 2016.  Here’s our top 16 things you must do this summer at Disney World. The Force is Strong at Disney’s Hollywood Studios     There’s so much in store for Star Wars fans this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!  The force is definitely strong and will bring new shows and updated experiences to the park.  Here’s a breakdown of what’s ahead for Awaken Summer 2016: 1. The new Star Wars Fireworks show – “Star Wars:  A Galactic Spectacular” is set to debut in June at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  This new nightly show is the next generation of the current Star Wars inspired fireworks show and will be the biggest show ever to light up the skies over Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the skies over the Chinese Theater into multiple Star Wars destinations. 2. The Live Stage Show “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” debuted April 4, 2016 and celebrates iconic moments for the Star Wars Saga with live vignettes featuring fan favorites BB-8, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul.  Be sure to stop by center...