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A trip to Orlando’s Disney World is something to look forward to year-round, but if you’re lucky enough to be heading this way over Valentine’s Day, you’ll find the Disney Parks are even more packed with options for fun! Whether you’re a traveler who loves to explore custom merchandise, has a heart for shopping, or can’t wait to taste the very best of seasonal flavors available, the Disney Parks are places where you can easily tailor your Valentine’s Day experience to your personal style. The following are just a few of the many routes to relishing every moment spent at Disney over Valentine’s Day in 2024.
When planning your Orlando family vacation, one of the main factors is location, location, location! We can all agree that choosing a place that’s both private (especially in 2020) and fun for the little ones is THE key to an amazing trip. For many years, Reunion Resort has been a prime destination for families looking to be in the center of it all while in their own luxury home. But while the home has plenty to offer, Reunion Resort itself has even more than you’d expect!
As veterans to Reunion, we know firsthand that there’s something special about this city-sized resort. With the plethora of activities on-site, it takes Orlando vacationing to the next level of convenience, keeping the kiddos entertained for days. So if you’re deciding between places to stay around Orlando, check out our 5 favorite kid-friendly Reunion Resort activities to see if this resort is destined to be in your future travel plans.
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Looking for a 3 Bedroom Townhome? Find One Here! Before you say anything, we already know what you’re probably thinking. A 2020 WDW vacation? That doesn’t even seem possible! Well, my fellow magical readers, the wonderful magic of Disney is a lot closer than you think. With all 4 Orlando theme parks re-opening their doors this past July operating on enhanced procedures and experiences, the Disney theme parks have made it possible for guests to re-discover the magic in newer and safer ways.
What we also know is that you do have to dive deeper into planning out your days. Park tickets are now requiring reservations and the Disney FastPass+ service is on hiatus until further notice. But don’t let this deter you from strolling down Main Street U.S.A, and don’t think you’re in this completely alone, either! We recently discovered a truly magical way to plan your visit to Walt Disney World® with the awesome WDW Park Planners and we wanted to give you the inside scoop as to why this MAY be the best way to say hello to the mouse!
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Book a Luxury Rental Home near Disney Here! In her words to us, she stated that “this is a once in a lifetime trip, so we want you to get the most out of it…” and we couldn’t agree more! As a vacation home business ourselves, we understand the importance of making the most out of your vacation experience. With all of the stressors of 2020, adding that touch of magic from a personal concierge can truly make a difference in your much needed Orlando vacation.
If you’re ready to make your magical Disney dreams a reality, book your Magical Vacation Home and head over to WDW Park Planners website to begin your Disney planning journey! You can also find WDW Park Planners on their Instagram and Facebook for the best theme park content.
And as always, see you in the next blog post and have a magical vacation planning day!
*All photos courtesy of WDW Park Planners*As the sun rises on the Cinderella Castle and the Tree of Life, Walt Disney World® Resort welcomes guests to its theme parks once again. With two Disney theme parks now open and two more on the way on July 15, 2020, there have been many changes to ensure the safety of cast members and guests.
We knew that the Magic Kingdom® Park was going to be a must-visit during the opening weekend, so we wanted to give you guys a glimpse at its nearby neighbor, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. We had the opportunity to visit and gather some insight on what to expect, and while we were there to bring you the scoop, we realized how much fun the theme parks still are! So what can you expect in your future visit? We broke down some of the key changes you’ll notice on your trip to the theme parks.
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Find a Great Gift for the One You Love Most
Just because your plans include theme park fun when you spend Valentine’s Day 2024 at Disney World doesn’t mean you have to forgo those traditional holiday favorite gifts. Simply head over to Disney Floral & Gifts on February 14 and you’ll find an array of incredible options to choose from including flowers and chocolates to slippers, Champagne, and custom gift baskets too. It’s the perfect place to treat your loved one to their favorites or pick up a surprise for later to give them in the park!Savor a New View on the Terrain
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day activity that pairs amazing views with a bit of thrilling fun, there’s nothing quite like a balloon ride enjoyed at Disney Springs. Situated in the heart of the park’s fan-favorite shopping stop, this balloon ride is a romantic way to enjoy your surroundings and create unforgettable memories while you’re here. The balloon is located by the waterfront and goes by the name Characters in Flight. They operate flights daily which are about 10 minutes total and can be booked between 8:30 am and midnight. You’ll travel 400 feet up in the air to savor incredible sights before coming gently back down to earth. If you make your way in this direction during sunset, you’ll find the colorful sky only adds to the Valentine’s Day romance of the experience.Treat Your Tastebuds to Sweet Moments
Anytime you head on a trip to Orlando’s Disney World, you can count on it being a savory experience at every turn. The parks are loved for their vast lineup of delicious dining options to enjoy and Valentine’s Day is no exception to that rule. This time of year, the parks tend to showcase a variety of fun, Valentine’s Day themed treats that you won’t want to miss out on. Keep your eyes open for the Mickey Mouse-shaped sugar cookies being sold across the parks as well as the red and pink Rice Krispies and decadent desserts and pastries at Amorette’s Patisserie. If you make your way to the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom, you’ll find Valentine’s Day-themed candies just about everywhere you look! If it’s chocolate-covered strawberries you’re after, you’ll find them waiting for you at the Germany Pavilion at Epcot where Karamell-Kuche is known for serving up savory delights.Make the Most of Annual Festivals
Valentine’s Day travelers who head to the Disney parks in 2024 will find they’re right on schedule to enjoy the highly anticipated Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The event is scheduled to be held from January 12 through February 19, 2024, meaning there’s plenty of time to maximize the fun on February 14. This is an annual event where guests can enjoy the best of culinary treats, visual displays, and fun performances too. There’s a Broadway Show series built into the event as well as opportunities to have conversations with artists and even contribute your own skills to community murals.Add a Delicious Dinner to Your Lineup
A Valentine’s Day dinner is an important part of the holiday for many people and when you’re at the Disney Parks this time of year, you’ll find there’s no shortage of options for delicious experiences. In fact, many restaurants offer Valentine’s Day specials and themed plates that are sure to inspire. Victoria & Albert at the Grand Floridian is the perfect place to reserve a table for two if you’re looking to enjoy a sophisticated and elegant night out. Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios and Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom are also great options for a Valentine’s Day dinner you won’t soon forget. Those who find themselves in the mood for French fare will love every second of dinner enjoyed at Monsieur Paul at Epcot.Book Your Trip to Florida Today
There’s never been a better time to start turning your Orlando, Florida vacation plans into a well-deserved reality. Whether you’re heading this way over Valentine’s Day or you’re excited to spend time here another time of year, the team at Magical Vacation Homes has your vacation condo needs covered. Reach out today to learn more about our luxurious and inviting property options available.Families from across the country and world head to Orlando year after year in pursuit of magical moments enjoyed at world-class theme parks. This year, when you head to sunny Central Florida to savor time at Disney World and beyond, you can infuse the magic into your accommodations too when you book a stay in the Electronic Ice Castle through Magical Vacation Homes. This 8-bedroom, 9.5-bath retreat can welcome up to 20 guests and enjoys the title of Orlando’s most themed home! Those who book a stay in Orlando will enjoy a vacation rental experience quite unlike any other. Kids and adults alike will love the fact that this resort residence is packed with incredible themed details throughout, creating an inspired wow factor everywhere you roam. From Frozen-themed rooms to Ghostbusters, electronic themes, and more, this spacious and inviting Ice Castle captures the essence of a magical stay while keeping guests living in style and within reach of amazing Reunion Resort amenities and Orlando-based fun as well.Interior Amenities
Stepping inside Electronic Ice Castle, guests will find inspired designs across an open floor plan packed with tall ceilings and large windows too. In total, Electronic Ice Castle boasts 6,130 square feet of living space for visitors to enjoy complete with custom-designed bedrooms and no less than two game rooms. The living room in Electronic Ice Castle is a testament to luxury, comfort, and style. Here, guests have options to settle into one of multiple gray velvet and tufted sofas paired up with rich, blue accent chairs. The furnishings are situated on top of a black, white, and gold area rug and settled around a modern and sleek coffee table topped in white and decorated with gold and white décor. Overhead, the spiraled light fixtures add a whimsical touch while the large 85-inch flat-screen television on the far wall offers up added entertainment value. When cravings come calling, guests who book a stay in the Electronic Ice Castle can enjoy serving up preferred dishes in the gourmet-style kitchen. This culinary space boasts gorgeous granite counters and a large center island that doubles as a breakfast bar. The black, gray, and white decorative black splash is a lovely contrast to the custom white cabinetry. The kitchen also comes with tiled flooring and stainless-steel appliances included. When it’s time to enjoy a meal in good company, guests can gather around the formal dining room table suitable for 12 complete with a wall of windows, blue velvet seating options, and a gold chandelier overhead. For those moments during a stay in Electronic Ice Castle when guests are looking to enjoy some friendly competition, spending time in the garage game room is always a great choice! Here, visitors will find basketball games, air hockey, a Bumblebee arcade game, and a dual-race car game too. While the entertainment abounds, it’s often the eye-catching robot replica towering 10 feet tall that inspires! The second game room in the home hosts 80s and 90s classic arcade games and machines ranging from Tron to Pac-Man. Electronic Ice Castle also has its own in-home theater where guests can enjoy access to 10 theater-style recliners, a Dolby Atmos 9.1 surround sound system, and a massive screen to match! Getting a good night’s sleep in Electronic Ice Castle isn’t just easy, it’s endlessly inviting! There’s a king bedroom on the first floor that comes with Ghostbuster-themed décor from top to bottom. A second king bedroom is designed with ET-themed décor in mind while a third king bedroom on the first floor focuses on Back To The Future-inspired elements throughout. Heading upstairs, guests will find a Sandlot-themed king bedroom, a Home Alone-themed king bedroom, and a third king bedroom complete with New York City-inspired design elements. While these adult bedrooms are sure to delight, it might just be the themed kid’s rooms that captivate the minds and imaginations of all! The first features full replica-sized scenes from the Movie Frozen complete with light displays, and LED lights over cozy “snow” covered bunk beds. The second kid’s bedroom is a light show in and of itself that can be activated by touchpoint.Exterior Features and Resort Extras
The indoor thrills are vast within Electronic Ice Castle, but there’s just as much in the way of fun outside. This property has its own private pool and patio for guests to enjoy the sunshine. There are plenty of lounge chairs to settle into as well as a BBQ grill, outdoor dining space, ping pong table, and spillover spa! In addition to outdoor fun on-site, booking a stay in this property provides guests with seamless access to all of the Reunion Resort amenities too. It’s a trip that’s bound to be unforgettable!Book Your Stay in Orlando Today
Make more of every magical moment in Orlando when you book through Magical Vacation Homes. Reach out today to learn more about booking a stay in Electronic Ice Castle the next time travel plans bring you to town.1- Reunion Resort Water Park
It’s no secret that most of Orlando’s most popular attractions are up and running again. However, water park options have become unfortunately limited. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach have both remained closed for the summer season. And non-Disney water parks like Universal’s Volcano Bay, Island H2O Live, and SeaWorld’s Aquatica continue to run on limited capacity and hours. This adds to the challenge of enjoying a day in the sun, which is why Reunion Resort Water Park is a fan-favorite amongst Reunion Resort families. Tackle the twisty water slides and relax as you float along the lazy river. Or even chill at your own private cabana! The best part about this location is that it offers plenty of room to physical distance and doesn’t require you to leave Reunion. It’s the tranquil vacation paradise you’ve needed all summer, and your kids are sure to have a blast.2 – Reunion Resort Miniature Golf
Honestly, no Orlando vacation is complete without a miniature golfing day with the family. Recently, Reunion Resort opened its very own Reunion Resort Miniature Golf for the entire fam bam to enjoy. The mini-course challenges family members to test their golfing skills with its provided golfing equipment available at the Tennis Shop. And as mentioned before, you don’t have to venture out to enjoy the fun! The location is open Wednesday-Sunday and welcomes guests of all ages to play.3- The Sandy Ridge Splash Pad
No matter what your vacation plans are, there’s no way you can visit Orlando without a day at the pool. Reunion Resort offers many community pool areas throughout, but Sandy Ridge Splash Pad is definitely a family favorite. Just by the Reunion Resort Water Park, Sandy Ridge Splash Pad features built-in fountains, slides, and massive water buckets! Its beach-style entry also makes it great for families needing shallow waters for their tiny tots.4 – Reunion Resort Bike Rentals
Reunion Resort’s acres and acres of neighborhoods and biking trails are great for the outdoorsy family. Guests can embrace the surrounding scenery while bonding with their loved ones with Reunion Resort’s Bike Rentals. Choose from single-rider bicycles or ride together on one of the Surrey bike options. Whether it’s a bright morning or a sunny afternoon, your family will enjoy every moment biking around Reunion.5- Reunion Resort Playgrounds
A playground is such a simple activity but in kids’ eyes its hours worth of fun. Swing by Centre Court Ridge or Villas South to visit one of the two on-site playgrounds designed to help your little ones use up their energy with slides and monkey bars. They’re also conveniently near a few of resort pools, perfect for a day on-site. — Planning a trip is never an easy task, but we hope that we’ve narrowed your mind down a bit with these awesome on-site amenities. Make sure to check out the best of Reunion Resort’s homes and condos and see which one best suits your family’s needs. Until the next blog post, have a magical day!What is WDW Park Planners?
So what exactly is WDW Park Planners? Well, we’re glad you asked! WDW Park Planners is the stress-free way to plan your entire WDW vacation, minus the hassle of planning. You’ll connect with your own full-service concierge and receive super exciting perks like customized itineraries that feature day by day, line by line, the BEST order to follow throughout your park visit, tailored to your family’s requests.Your Custom Itinerary (Parks, Food, Stroller Rentals, and More!)
These customized itineraries also help optimize your time in the parks so you can get the most out of your vacation experience (with corresponding parks maps for added convenience). Your personal concierge will even put together the tiniest of details, like your daily stroller rentals for the little ones. At the moment, Disney FastPass+ service is unavailable, but once these are back in action you can trust WDW Park Planners to get these together for you as well! And what’s a visit to Walt Disney World® without chowing down on their infamous meals and desserts? WDW Park Planners generates a reservation schedule for your favorite food stops to tie into your daily park visits, giving you peace of mind all the way down to the scrumptious meals you’ll feast on. Whether you’re ready to enjoy endless options at one of the many on-site character buffets, or you’re leaning toward a romantic dinner for two, your personal concierge will have it completely covered. And with plenty of adjustments we’ve seen at the parks, there’s always a possibility that new policies or rules may arise. WDW Park Planners promises to constantly update you and your family with any changes the parks may have, keeping you in the loop at all times.Meet the Owner and Founder
We were delighted to have an opportunity to chat with Colleen, the owner and founder of WDW Park Planners! An Annual Passholder and DVC Member herself, Colleen always finds time to venture from her Chicago home to our sunny Orlando. Colleen, who has recently visited the parks after their reopening, takes her personal theme park experience to create the most beneficial plans for your family.Quick Notes Before Beginning…
Before guests may visit any of the four Disney theme parks, you must reserve your day online. At this time, guests are only allowed to visit one park per day. The Park Hopper® and Park Hopper Plus® options are on hold until further notice. The Disney FastPass+ service is on hold until further notice. For more information on updated policies and procedures, please visit Disney Parks Returning to the World of Magic.Park Entry and “Health and Safety” Notices
When you reach the park entrance, you’ll already begin to notice the stark difference in crowds just by the number of cars that enter. Upon our arrival, we didn’t even have to wait to pay for parking. It’s a nice change from the usual congestion we see and really does provide that peace-of-mind on arrival. Once you hop out of your vehicle and make your way to the gates, you’ll be greeted with the new Health and Safety Notice sign that helps you determine if you’re able to enter the park. As seen above, the notice notifies that they will be required to wear face coverings, undergo temperature screening, and practice physical distancing of 6 feet (2m) during their visit. The notice also states that “By entering Walt Disney World® Resort, you are confirming that you are not experiencing any of the following symptoms:- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- You have not been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine
- You are not under any self-quarantine orders
Physical Distancing and Inside the Theme Parks
The first thing you’ll come to notice when entering the theme parks is the stark difference in crowd size (for the better). Because of capacity limits in all four Disney theme parks, you’ll notice that entering the park and maintaining a distance between you and other guests will be a breeze. This also makes for a fantastic opportunity to take amazing photos inside the theme park! Pose nearly wherever you’d like without interruption or heavy crowds walking by, just like below at Pandora: World of Avatar.Attraction Wait Queues
It would only make sense that if the parks are less crowded, so are the queues, right? Well, that’s entirely correct. Over the weekend, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park rarely saw a wait time that jumped over 5 MINUTES. Yes, we’re serious about this one. Most, if not all attractions at the theme park were practically walk-on’s, giving guests the chance to complete everything and still have plenty of time to re-ride their favorites. And before you even ask the question, yes, this includes Avatar Flight of Passage, which is well-known for being one of the consistently busiest attractions on Walt Disney World® Resort property. Have you ever been able to walk onto this ride without a wait? It seemed near impossible in the past, but now it is a completely common occurrence. Time for those back-to-back attraction visits! We’d also like to note that while fewer guests are riding the attractions, that doesn’t stop the Cast Members from ensuring that all rides are properly sanitized throughout the day as a way to minimize bacteria transfer on high-contact surfaces!Quick Service Dining
Just like the rest of the theme park, the on-site quick service dining options were also extremely low capacity. This made it extremely easy to grab food and a physically distanced table without worry. Walt Disney World® Resort is also recommending contactless payment by either paying with a tap debit or credit card, through a smartphone wallet or by completing a mobile order through the My Disney Experience app. All of these are additional ways to minimize the handling of high-touch surfaces for both cast members and guests.Parade Viewings
Unfortunately (for now) parades and character meet & greet sessions have been put on hold in order to ensure guests have the chance to physical distance. BUT, you will have the chance to spot some of your favorite character friends and floats throughout the day! At Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, guests may see water floats pass by during their visit, just like this one here!And May the Magic Continue…
While things may be a bit different on your future visit to the theme parks, we guarantee that the magic still remains. We hope this overview gave you the insight you need for when you decide to plan your next vacation. And when you do, make sure to check out some of our extraordinary vacation rentals that may be ideal for your Orlando family vacation! Thank you for coming along the Walt Disney World® journey with us! Until the next blog post, have a magical (and safe) day.*As to Disney artwork, logos, and properties: ©Disney*