by vipteam | Mar 17, 2022 | Disney, Disney news, Disney tours, disney world, Halloween, Holiday, My VIP Tour, Orlando, Tips & Tricks, Universal Studios
There have been lots of NEW updates and changes on Walt Disney World property over the past few weeks. From colorful, character filled parades, to fun Disney merchandise drops, meet and greet updates, and more, our Dream Team at My VIP Tour always has (our Minnie) ears on the latest Disney news.
Here are some exciting changes happening to keep you up to date for your next vacation.
March 18, 2022
Parades are finally back at Magic Kingdom! Prepared to be dazzled by all of the staple Disney characters as they celebrate the spirit and tales of FantasyLand. Plus you’ll get to see the main characters of Tangled, Peter Pan and The Little Mermaid as they wind through the park on colorful and vibrant state-of-the-art floats.
The show is 12 minutes of music, dancing and enchantment.
NEW ‘Princess & the Frog’ Minnie Ears
It seems as if Disney is releasing new Minnie ears every week, but we are gushing over the latest drop, that are fit for royalty.
The Disney x Bauble Bar’s latest collaboration released a brand new pair of ears inspired by Princess and the Frog! These glamorous ears are wrapped in a beautiful green velour with a bejeweled gold tiara inspired by Princess Tiana’s signature outfit. The gold beading along the outer perimeter gives the ears an extra touch of elegance.
The Princess and the Frog ears can be found online at Shop Disney for $49.99.
Live in Full Bloom at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival
The 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is happening now! From March 2 to July 4 there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy all the fresh flavors that Disney has cooked up! Although, there’s more than just food and drinks during this festival. Come marvel at nearly 100 topiaries of Disney characters, interactive gardens, and live music entertainment.
If you haven’t attended an Epcot festival before, get ready to have a deliciously good time!
Cinderella’s Royal Table Character Meet-and-Greet Update
Cinderella has made her way to the lobby of Cinderella’s Royal Table, and will now be available to meet and take photos with guests after check in. If you’ve been excited for a family picture with a true princess, make sure to book your reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table for your next vacation!
MVT Pro Tip: Staying on Disney property, and booking your dining 60 days before your arrival will increase your chance of finding a reservation. We suggest booking it at the end of your trip, when you should find more availability. Cancelations tend to occur in the days leading up to your arrival, so keep checking your My Disney Experience app, and make sure you have a credit card saved as this is a prepaid experience. Cinderella’s Royal Table is $60+ for adults and $37+ for children.
More Character Meet & Greet Updates
There are many new and exciting changes happening with character meet and greets!
Recently, Disney is bringing more and more characters back into the parks to greet guests. Currently, you may see the following characters at these parks:
–Magic Kingdom: Mickey Mouse, Cinderella & Elena, Rapunzel & Tiana
– Epcot: Mickey Mouse, Elsa & Anna, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty
– Hollywood Studios: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Olaf – Animal Kingdom: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald are back at Tusker House (dining reservations needed)
Keep checking back here for updates on more traditional Meet and Greets, our fingers and toes are crossed that hugs and autographs will be back soon!
Stay tuned for more Walt Disney World and Universal Studios updates, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
by vipteam | Oct 16, 2020 | Disney, Disney news, Disney tours, disney world, Holiday, luxury resorts, My VIP Tour, Orlando, Restaurants, Tips & Tricks, Travel, Universal Studios, VIP Disney
Walt Disney World Resort Reservations are now available through December 31st, 2021! We know so many families have been waiting for this moment since canceling or rescheduling their 2020 trips due to Covid-19. If you are not traveling to the parks this year, but would like to next year, now is the time to get started!
Resort Packages vs. Room Only Reservations
All resort reservation packages are now available through the end of 2021, with or without the purchase of theme park tickets. You can book your accommodation in two ways:
Resort Packages: When booking a resort package, you are able to reserve your accommodation as well as your theme park tickets for your stay. This pricing comes together in a package and can be modified if needed before your arrival.
Room-Only: A room-only reservation does not include your theme park tickets. Theme park tickets can be purchased separately at a later date.
Walt Disney World is currently offering guests to purchase park tickets along with their accommodations or separately for all dates in 2021. Park Hopper tickets are also currently available, however as the parks are still running as a one-park-per-day limit, Park Hopper tickets are not guaranteed at time of travel.
Please note: If you have purchased your park tickets, entrance into the parks is not guaranteed until you have made park reservations for your specific dates. We highly recommend making your park reservations as soon as your accommodation is booked and tickets are purchased.
There are lots of accommodation options to choose from on Walt Disney World property and where you decide to stay all depends on your schedule, your resort preferences, and resort availability.
Due to reduced capacity on Walt Disney World property, the following resorts are not currently scheduled to open for Fall 2021:
- All Villa Properties
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- All-Star Movies Resort
- All-Star Sports Resort
- All-Star Music Resort
- Port Orleans – Riverside
- Port Orleans – French Quarter
- Wilderness Lodge
- Saratoga Springs
- Old Key West
*The Polynesian Resort refurbishment, including all new Moana themed rooms, will be finished by Fall 2021!
Dining Plans and Dining Reservations
At this time, Dining Plans will remain unavailable to add to resort reservation packages.
According to Disney, a confirmed dining reservation is required for day Guests (those not staying overnight) and is highly recommended for Guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel.
Select dining locations require reservations so make sure to check each of your desired locations for details.
How to Get Started on your 2021 Walt Disney World Vacation
With so many options for accommodations, dining, and attractions, planning a trip to Orlando can seem overwhelming. That is what we are here for! From finding the perfect resort to planning out your entire stay, our team at My VIP Tour and Katie Bean Travels will assist with making sure your families builds unforgettable memories on your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation.
Reach out to our team today to discuss your theme park plans. You can reach us by phone @ (407) 636 2390 or email at info@myviptour.com
We can’t wait to welcome you to Orlando and help Build Better Memories with your friends and family in 2021. See you real soon!
by vipteam | Oct 16, 2020 | Disney, Disney news, Disney tours, disney world, Holiday, luxury resorts, My VIP Tour, Orlando, Restaurants, Tips & Tricks, Travel, Universal Studios, VIP Disney
Gone are the days where guests can show up to the theme parks with no plan or schedule. With hundreds of resort and dining options, attractions, and fun activities to do around Orlando, it is crucial to have a park expert assisting along the way. Here are Top 5 Reasons to Hire a VIP Guide in the Theme Parks.
1. Creating the Perfect Schedule – for Everyone!
Between four Walt Disney World theme parks and two Universal Studios theme parks, there are over 100 attractions for guests to experience. Trying to organize a schedule where everyone in your group is able to do the attractions that are most important to them can be challenging. Your VIP Concierge here at My VIP Tour will discuss the parks and attractions with you in depth throughout the pre-planning process so they can create the perfect day-to-day theme park schedule for your family.
Once you are here in Orlando, your VIP guide will navigate your family through the parks in a very specific way so that everyone is experiencing attractions that are suitable for them. We often hear from our families that they expected their children to have fun, but never expected to have just as much fun themselves. Everyone in your family, from little ones to teens, and adults of all ages, deserve to feel the magic of the theme parks with no stress of thinking how to get through the parks and crowds each day.
Shorter wait times are what most families look for when hiring a VIP guide, and that is one of our favorite perks of our service! The theme parks have become so busy over the past few years. The average a guest visiting the parks on their own will wait is about 45-60 minutes for an attraction. Most of the popular attractions will experience a 90 minute or more wait time in the afternoons and during peak season dates. Yikes!
Our team at My VIP Tour has spent years studying the parks and attractions. Each an every one of our VIP guides goes through an intense training program to learn the in’s and out’s of the parks. With our expertise, and park knowledge, our families typically never wait more than about 15-20 minutes for an attraction throughout the day, leaving more time for rides and fun, and less time waiting in line.
We are Orlando based, many of us born and raised here, having visited Disney from a young age. Living here and visiting the theme parks daily puts us “in the know”.
All of the pre-planning is incredibly important when visiting the theme parks, however one of the best perks of hiring a VIP guide is having a local expert in real time while you are on vacation. Our Disney VIP guides are able to visit the parks daily and keep up with every single change that comes our way. We take that knowledge to plan the perfect customized itinerary for each individual family. Our Disney VIP Guides keep in touch with their families throughout their entire stay to make sure they can answer any questions that may arise. Our team of Orlando experts and can make recommendations on dining, other theme parks to visit, and fun activities outside of the parks.
Your Disney VIP guide will work together with your VIP concierge to cancel or make new dining reservations, book transportation, purchase extra park tickets, and do anything else they can do to help make your stay at the most magical place on earth as magical as it can be!
4. More than just a VIP Guide
Short wait times and stress-free planning are an amazing part of our service, however it’s the extra details that really elevate the experience.
Our VIP guides go above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for our families from the moment they enter the park until the moment they get back to the resort.
We love to celebrate special occasions, take candid photos throughout each day, share our extensive knowledge on park history and facts, add in special (secret!) details for the kids, and so much more.
Our VIP guides quickly become part of the family from day one and do everything they can to learn what is most important to each and every member of the group so they can customize the entire experience.
We truly believe that our level of care is what sets My VIP Tour apart.
Each member of our team has visited the theme parks from a very early age and knows how special these trips can be. Some of our families plan their once-in-a-lifetime Disney trip with us and some visit with us annually. No matter if it’s your first or 20th trip, our goal is always to Build Better Memories each and every time.
Our team truly cares deeply about our families and their vacations. From the first phone call with our VIP concierge team to the last good-bye with your VIP guide at the park, your happiness and satisfaction is our number one priority.
Don’t just listen to us, head to our Trip Advisor page to read reviews from over 700 families who rated My VIP Tour five stars!
We can’t wait to meet your family and Build Better Memories with you soon!
Contact our concierge team today to get started on your next Orlando theme park dream vacation.
You can reach us by phone @ (407) 636-2390 or by email at info@myviptour.com
by vipteam | Sep 7, 2020 | Disney, Disney news, Disney tours, disney world, Halloween, Holiday, My VIP Tour, Orlando, Tips & Tricks, Universal Studios
Summer is officially over, which means our favorite time of year is right around the corner. There is truly something so magical about the theme parks during the Holiday season. This year is definitely different than previous years, however, there are lots of new and exciting things to look forward to in the coming months!
Fall & Halloween at Magic Kingdom
Although Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has been canceled this year, fall is still such a wonderful time to visit the theme parks.
From September 15th through October 31st, Magic Kingdom will be adorned with beautiful seasonal decor throughout the park. Characters including Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and pals will wave to guests from a special Halloween cavalcade. You may even see some of your favorite Disney villains along for the ride. Disney is also allowing guests for the first time ever to wear their favorite Halloween costume to the parks to celebrate.
New Projection Show for Cinderella’s Castle Starting Nov. 6th
Each year during the Holiday season, Cinderella’s Castle lights up with over 200,000 beautiful crystal lights that emulate icicles dripping from every angle. This year, in place of the icicle lights, Disney has created an incredible projection show that will run through the evening starting at sun down. According to Disney Parks Blog, “the appearance of the iconic castle will be transformed with a rotating series of designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation”. Get your cameras ready! This new addition will make for an incredible Holiday card backdrop for the whole family.
Character Sitings throughout the Parks
One thing we have truly missed about the parks is being able to meet all of our favorite characters and princesses. This holiday season, however, the Disney parks have created ways for us to see all of our favorites while staying safe with social distancing. Starting November 6th, guests will be able to see special character cavalcades through Magic Kingdom including gingerbread men, elves, reindeer and our personal favorite, the toy soldiers! Guests can also enjoy festive flotillas at Animal Kingdom, Holiday Promenades at Epcot, and Merry Motorcades at Hollywood Studios. Santa Claus will also be available to wave to guests at all four parks and Disney Springs.
Minnie Mouse to Host Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine
We are so excited to see character dining slowly returning to the parks. Starting November 6th, Minnie Mouse will host a seasonal dining experience at Hollywood & Vine located at Hollywood Studios park. Santa Goofy will also be in attendance along with some of Minnie’s other friends. The characters will not be available for personal photos, however will be available to wave to guests and pose for photos.
Celebrate the Holiday’s at Disney Springs
If you are heading to the theme parks this Holiday season, make sure to stop by Disney Springs. Disney has announced that the “elaborately-decorated Disney Christmas trees are spread throughout this retail, dining and entertainment destination”. These beautiful trees will be displayed all throughout Disney Springs, which is perfect for an unplanned afternoon, or evening after a busy day at the parks. Another special addition to Disney Springs this year will be a magical snowfall throughout three of the main areas: The Landing, Town Center, and West Side.
Jock Lindsey Hanger Bar will transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar with returning holiday decor and a limited-time festive menu for guests to enjoy this Holiday season.
Stay tuned for more Walt Disney World and Universal Studios updates in our October newsletter. You can also stay up to date on all park and resort information by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
by Nanette Gregory | Dec 26, 2015 | Disney, Disney news, Disney tours, disney world, My VIP Tour, Orlando, Restaurants, VIP Disney
When vacationing at Walt Disney World, character breakfasts and dinner reservations are usually the go-to meal options for families. However, there are some amazing Brunch options that are definitely worth checking out (and who doesn’t love a reason to have champagne at 10 o’clock in the morning?) Recently, we checked out The Rollicking Raglan Brunch at Raglan Road, located at Downtown Disney (transitioning into Disney Springs).
Upon arriving to Raglan Road, we made a quick
stop to the bar to order our first round of mimosas.
The mimosas were made with fresh Florida orange juice and sparkling wine, which came in a small bottle, but enough to fill up for a second! The bartender also gave us all complimentary homemade berry and banana smoothies that were served in large shot glasses.
After being seated, a delicious Irish soda bread was brought to the table, along with a Guinness and sugar dipping oil. A second round of complimentary smoothies were then brought to the table while the waitress explained any specials of the day.
The menu did not shy away from the items you would typically see listed in a restaurant located in Ireland. Brunch options consisted of Roastie Potatoes, Gammon and Eggs, Pancakes, Omelettes, Eggs Benedict, a Black Dog special, and more. You also have the option to order something more towards the lunch side like a Burger or Sandwich.
What did we order??
Eggs Benedict:
A common item you will see on an Irish menu, and true to its form, this traditional meal was so tasty! The eggs come poached on top of sliced pancetta, covered with hollandaise sauce, and placed on an english muffin. The side consisted of their famous ‘Roasties’, aka potatoes covered with select herbs and spices.
Pancake Diaspora:
6 full sized pancakes were served topped with creme fraiche, fresh strawberries and blueberries, maple syrup, and garnished with mint. The pancakes were fluffy and consistent all the way through and just melt in your mouth delicious!
Full Irish Breakfast:
A favorite at Raglan Road, the Full Irish Breakfast offers everything you could expect as if you were dining in Ireland itself. This dish includes eggs, black dog, schnitzel, three times a boxty (gammon topped with cheddar), veggies, and roasties. Each of the flavors blended so perfectly together and made the experience that much better.
Burger ‘R Way:
This large beef burger was topped with a Dublin cheddar cheese, tomato chutney, and avocado. With a side of Irish style chips (steak fries), this combo was an authentic Irish taste combined with an all-American favorite.
Desserts are offered as well, which include:
Strawberry and Apple Crumble
Raspberry Pavlova
Bread and Butter Pudding
Triful Sinful
Lemon Curd Tart
Orange Pudding
Black Forest ‘Kiss’
Upon finishing our Brunch at around 12pm, the Irish band and tap dancers started to set up on the large indoor stage. The band were very interactive with the crowd, asking questions and sharing knowledge on each song they played. Irish tap dancers took turns to head up on the main stage, as well as the smaller stages in the middle of the room to perform.
All together, Raglan Road is a wonderful experience for all to enjoy, even little toddlers were clapping their hands and dancing with excitement!
Brunch at Raglan Road is available every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm. We suggest making a reservation for around 11am-12pm since the band and tap dancers don’t set up until around then, and they are definitely worth seeing.
Prices at Raglan Road for Brunch range from approximately: $15- $30 per main course and $8.50 for all desserts.
For more information on Raglan Road, or other brunch options at Walt Disney World, contact My VIP Tour at (407) 913-8375.
by Nanette Gregory | Dec 24, 2015 | Christmas, Disney, Disney news, Disney tours, disney world, My VIP Tour, Orlando, VIP Disney
Whether it’s your first time at Walt Disney World, or you have visited more times than you can remember, there is always something new and exciting to see and do. Getting to the parks early is a great way to see everything before the crowds come in; however, some of the most magical Disney experiences happen at night, and you sure don’t want to miss them!
Here is our list of “Late Night Must Do’s” while on your next WDW vacation:
1. Celebrate the Magic- Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom
Watch Cinderella’s Castle light up with story-telling imagery of Disney classics, such as: Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, The Lion King, Aladdin, and more! Your favorite Disney characters will take you on an exciting and breathtaking journey with movie clips, graphics, and pictures all displayed on the Castle walls.
2. Wishes Nighttime Spectacular- Magic Kingdom
An absolute must for your whole family! This 12 minute firework show is every little piece of magic you are looking for on your Disney vacation. Tinker Bell makes a special appearance as she flies from the top of Cinderella’s Castle and starts the Wishes celebration. Make sure you take your cameras out for the finale, it’s truly breathtaking! 🙂
3. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth- Epcot
Aim to visit Epcot in the afternoon, so you can walk through the World Showcase, with enough time to see the night time show, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. IllumiNations is a 3 part show which tells the story of our planet from birth, to the hope of the future. A glowing globe travels across the Lagoon showing history and achievements of our time, and ends with flames, music, and fireworks. IllumiNations can be viewed from almost anywhere around World Showcase and from select restaurants.
4. Fantasmic- Hollywood Studios
Watch all your favorite Disney Princesses, Characters and Villians perform in this beautiful 30-minute water and firework show! From Disney songs, to animation, to one million gallons of dancing water, this is definitely a must for the whole family!
5. Main Street Electrical Parade- Magic Kingdom
This amazing 20 minute music parade spectacular takes place at Magic Kingdom usually twice per day. The parade includes numerous decorated floats that adorn half a million lights and your favorite Disney characters. Tip: Find a place to stand (or sit) on Main Street about 20 minutes prior to show time for the best view!
Take advantage of our services for your evening park adventures, too! Let us take care of parade or show seating for your entire party, while you enjoy the rest of the park! Call us to book your dream vacation today: (407-913-8375).
