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One of the unique features of Walt Disney World is the immersive atmosphere that surrounds Magic Kingdom. Two large lakes, the Seven Seas Lagoon outside the Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake, are the gateway to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Staying at the Magic Kingdom area resorts affords a magical way to arrive or depart the Magic Kingdom. Our team recently embarked on a magical cruise around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon using boat transportation, and captured some lovely photos.

Are you considering staying at a Magic Kingdom area resort? Use our Room Finder to know which rooms have the views your looking for.

What is your favorite spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake?

The post PHOTOS: Venture the Magical Waterways Around Magic Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Photos and Video, Transportation, Walt Disney World (FL), disney boats, disney lakes, Disney photos, Disney Transportation

During a recent stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge our team was reminded how important a smooth check-out can be. You spend so much time planning your Walt Disney World trip that it can be a big let down if your trip ends on a rough note. Sometimes things can be out of your control, but there are some ways to help ensure you have a smooth check-out from your Disney hotel.

Here are some of our favorite tips, and many of these can be applied to any hotel stay.

• Communicate with the Front Desk any requests for housekeeping needs, including late check-out, upon arrival.
• Reconfirm your housekeeping needs with Housekeeping when you get to your room. Call on your in-room phone.
• Hang the Do Not Disturb tag on your door the night before your departure.
• Pack up what you can the night before so you’re not rushing the morning of your departure.
• If you want a late check-out call the Front Desk to confirm if one is available. Keep in mind this can be an extra charge at some hotels.
• Call the Housekeeping department the morning of your departure to communicate when you will depart.
• If you are departing before check-out time, it is a great idea to let the Front Desk or Housekeeping know so they can get to your room early.
• Walk through your room, open all the drawers, to make sure you did not leave anything behind.
• Don’t forget to grab your phone charger.
• Most hotels email your folio with your final charges on it. Be sure to check this before you depart in case any errors need to be addressed.
• If you have any concerns about your experience try to get in touch with a manager before you depart. This usually makes for a better resolution.

I worked in the hotel industry for quite a while, and one of the common complaints received is a member of Housekeeping knocking on the door early in the morning of departure. Housekeepers have a slam-packed schedule and it is no doubt the toughest job in the building. But with a little extra communication things may should go smoothly.

What tips do you have for a smooth hotel stay?

The post Tips for a Smooth Check-Out From Your Hotel appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Vacation Club, Dos and Don’ts, Resorts, Trip Planning, disney covid, disney hotels, disney on site hotels, disney reopening, disney resort hotels, Disney Tips

Are you ready for a brand new look at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? To tie into the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort, which is coming up in just a little over a year (October 1, 2021), Disney is going to be refurbishing one of the original resorts to make it shine.

We previously shared about this refurbishment work a few weeks ago, when it was announced that Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort wouldn’t be reopening when it was originally announced. At that time, details came out about the fact that the refurbishment was happening, but they were definitely sparse. Now, we know a bit more about what Disney is going to be doing to update the resort.

First things first, Guests who visit the resort when the refurbishment work is over is that a brand new porte cochere will be updated with the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. Things won’t change too much, as the same colors, patterns, and textures that can currently be found in the resort will still be utilized. This new entry will include a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There will also be updates to the façade which will feature pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort.

And yes, a brand new monorail station will be built, with bold new wooden screens that will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors.

There will also be enhancements made to the gardens and fountains that can be found at the front of the resort.

Updates will also be made to the entryway too which will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing chandelier that can already be found in the resort lobby.

Don’t fear though. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Villas & Bungalows will remain open and in addition, those who will be staying at the resort will still be able to access the Great Ceremonial House, including the shops and restaurants, but hours may be adjusted. And of course, you may see some of the construction work taking place.

It was also announced that the Guests rooms would also be seeing some updates, with inspiration that comes from the film Moana.

For those looking to stay at this resort once again, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort reopens in the summer of 2021.

The post Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to See Updated Look In Time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Resorts, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, refurbishment

The new merch at Disneyland Resort’s World of Disney continues to flow in swift as a coursing river. Let’s take a look at the new items that can be found at Downtown Disney this week.

Oogie Boogie fans will love this Ecto Cooler-colored spirit jersey for $59.99. Oogie’s mouth and eyes on the front, and the letters and bats on the back are a fuzzy/felt material.

Have you ever written something but then noticed you forgot a word? And then you add the word on the side and try to fit it in with the limited blank space you have? That’s the vibe I get from this hoodie.  $59.99

Haunted Mansion ornament set featuring the folks seen in the stretching room portraits. I’m a big fan of this one. It’s cool to see these characters in different poses and situations. $39.99 for the set.

I’m not sure if these are supposed to be statues or salt and pepper shakers (it doesn’t say anything on the box), but they are accurate re-creations of the Haunted Mansion’s headstones. $19.99 for the set.

This towel looks like Madam Leota’s headstone from Magic Kingdom’s version of Haunted Mansion. $29.99.

Back to Oogie Boogie, the knit hat can be yours for $24.99, while the ball cap is is $27.99.

Are you a fan of Disney villains? For $24.99 you can pick up this pack of five socks.

Speaking of villains, a Hades spirit jersey is now available for $69.99.

We’ve been blessed with a ton of Baby Yoda merchandise this year. The trend continues with this $19.99 shoulder plush. He includes a pad with a magnet in it. So you slip the magnet under your shirt and then he’ll sit on your shoulder all day while you go to the bank, grocery store, and job interviews.

Speaking of Star Wars stuff, here we have a selection of colorful shirts. The Boba Fett shirt is $36.99, the tank top goes for $34.99, and the Darth Vader shirt is also $36.99.

The Star Wars jacket on the left, and the sweater on the right, can be yours for $49.99 each. The shirt with multiple logos in the middle is $36.99.

This is a nice Oswald shirt, but $59.99 seems a bit steep.

The Disneyland shirts in the first image are not new but the display for them appeared in the last couple of weeks. In the same display are these new shorts with a repeating “My Happy Place” and castle design. $34.99.

A new Disneyland shirt with Mickey and its opening year is now available for $24.99.

That’s it for the merchandise but I stopped by Disney California Adventure’s main entrance real quick to show you these social distancing signs that were installed. They’re the same signs seen in Downtown Disney informing people to wear a face mask, keep 6 feet apart, and the other social distancing rules.

You can’t get too close to Disneyland’s main entrance but the same signs have been installed on light posts inside the park as well.

Are you ready for the parks to reopen? It seems like we’re getting closer. Let me know when you plan to go back in the comments below. 

 

The post PHOTOS: Even More New Oogie Boogie, Haunted Mansion, and Star Wars Merch at Disneyland Resort appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disneyland (CA), Disneyland, halloween merchandise, World of Disney

We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!

What is Flatbread?

At the Disney theme parks and on Disney Cruise Line, you’ll often see a menu item called “flatbread.” Before I was clued in, this was something I avoided because I wasn’t sure what it was. Come to find out, flatbread is simply Disney-speak for pizza. Both pizza and flatbread are terms for crust with sauce, cheese, and toppings, and both pizza and flatbread can describe a bready crust with more unique toppings. Flatbreads and pizza can be found at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason about which word they use. Pizza can be elaborate and elegant, flatbread can be boring and basic, and vice versa.

If you’re in the mood for pizza at Disney, it’s important to look for both pizza and flatbread on menus. To find either, use the TouringPlans menu finder tool at the bottom of our Dining Information page. For example, within Epcot, a search for “pizza” yields options at Via Napoli, Tutto Italia, Sunshine Seasons, and Akershus, while a search for “flatbread” shows options at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe, Chefs de France, Rose & Crown, and a Food & Wine Festival booth. Many of these items are virtually identical.

Let us know what Disney topics you think need just a bit more explanation.

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From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Walt Disney World (FL), Flatbread, pizza