You're not dreaming! Walt Disney World packages for 2022 opened this morning! Currently, your Road to Relaxation Travel Professional can book through July 1, 2022 and availability will continue to open on a daily basis. Currently closed resorts are still unavailable and Park Pass Reservations are required. Book early for the best availability! Want a quote? Have questions? Contact your RTR Agent or email [email protected]. AuthorLauren Regan, Travel Professional with Road To Relaxation Travel
Travel planning has always been something I loved to do. I found that researching a trip and learning everything I possibly could about a destination was something that gave me immense satisfaction. However, I knew that not everyone enjoyed this aspect of traveling as much as I do. In January 2016, I joined Road to Relaxation Travel. My goal: to make my client’s vacations as stress free as possible. I know that my clients don’t necessarily get to travel as much as they’d like to - and I want them to have the best possible experience they can.
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Walt Disney World has just announced that starting with January 1, 2022 arrivals, Disney's Magical Express will no longer be offered. This announcement gives us lots of time to plan as we are not even able to book vacations at Walt Disney World into 2022 just yet.
Your Road To Relaxation Travel Professional has relationships with various ground transportation companies and can help you travel group (of any size and age range) get to Walt Disney World from Orlando International Airport safely and in style. While we are sad to see Magical Express end, we are excited about all the opportunities still available for our clients. We have also been told that Extra Magic Hours will not be returning. However Disney is planning to introduce a 30 minute early entry perk for onsite guests to ANY of their theme parks on any day. This will be a great change to help with crowd management for our guests. If you are ready to book your Walt Disney World vacation for 2022, please reach out to your RTR Travel Travel Professional and they will put you on a list to contact as soon as we have pricing. We don't expect that for another five to six months. If you want to get to Walt Disney World in 2021 (this is my recommendation), reach out to us right now so we can get your vacation booked and planned. You won't be sorry! Starting January 5th, Walt Disney World is offering a new promotion. Get 2 extra days added to your ticket when you buy a 4-night/3-day room-and-ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for arrivals most nights January 8, 2021 through September 25, 2021.
The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. 5-day theme park tickets included in this package are valid for admission beginning on date of check-in and must be used within 8 days. Theme park reservations are also required for park entry. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, Cabins at Disney's Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows. Reach out to your Road To Relaxation Travel Travel Professional for a no obligation quote today. Your 2021 vacation awaits you now! As the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort continues, another exciting milestone is approaching that many Guests have been looking forward to: the return of the Park Hopper option! How It Works: Starting January 1, 2021, Guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with the Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of our ongoing focus on health and safety. These modifications are designed to help us continue managing attendance in a way that fosters physical distancing.
Have you been finding yourself doing a lot of Disney dreaming lately? Our professionals are always dreaming and look forward to planning the most amazing Disney vacation for you! Today we received some exciting news that we want to share! First, Walt Disney World has opened vacation packages, and ticket-only purchases, for arrivals Sept. 27 through Dec. 31, 2021! Beginning today, we can now get your booked for the remainder of 2021. Disney Resort hotels are limited and you will still need a Theme Park reservation but this is why you utilize your amazing RTR Travel Professional! Dining packages are still not available for these stays, but don’t let that hold you back from booking an exciting getaway Walt Disney World! Secondly, Disney Cruise line has released 2022 itineraries and we are excited to see some of our favorite destinations back in the line up! Disney Cruise Line will be returning to Hawaii along with one-of-a-kind vacations at sea. Adventure abounds during 10-night Hawaiian Islands cruises and a variety of sailings to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico, departing from coast-to-coast homeports including New Orleans, Galveston, Texas, San Diego, Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida. Bookings open to the general public on Oct. 22, 2020. If you are a Castaway Club, DVC, or Golden Oak member, please reach out to your RTR Travel Professional to get your early booking date. Hawaiian Islands Cruises from Honolulu and Vancouver The Disney Wonder returns to Hawaii in early 2022 for two special 10-night cruises: a voyage to Honolulu from Vancouver, Canada, on April 26, and a return sailing to Vancouver on May 6. Guests will discover the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, including the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu; unforgettable views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui; the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai; and the diverse natural wonders of Hawaii Island. Even More Family Vacations from Florida Vacationers can combine a Disney cruise getaway with a stay at Walt Disney World Resort in early 2022 with two ships sailing from Port Canaveral near Orlando, Florida, and a third ship departing from Miami. Every cruise from Florida in early 2022 includes a visit to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Popular Tropical Destinations from Galveston and New Orleans The Disney Wonder sails Western Caribbean getaways early in the year, first from Galveston, Texas, with four-night itineraries, followed by four- and six-night voyages from New Orleans. A special six-night Bahamian voyage offered from both Galveston and New Orleans gives guests the opportunity to visit Castaway Cay, in addition to the lively town of Key West. Baja Getaways from San Diego The Disney Wonder returns to San Diego in March and April with cruises to Baja, Mexico, where guests can enjoy vibrant culture, stunning beaches and exciting water activities. Most sailings to the Baja peninsula call on the charming coastal city of Ensenada, known for its turquoise blue water and rugged mountainous terrain. A two-night cruise to Ensenada has a Friday departure from San Diego, giving guests the ultimate weekend getaway to experience world-class entertainment aboard the Disney Wonder. Four- and five-night Baja cruises include a visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a favored destination with dramatic rock formations and white-sand beaches, or to Catalina Island, a tropical gem off the California coast with plenty of outdoor adventures and seaside charm. Disney Wish Originally planned to sail in early 2022, the Disney Wish is now scheduled for its maiden voyage in summer 2022 due to pandemic-related delays at the Meyer-Werft shipyard in Germany. As previously announced, the Disney Wish will be powered by liquefied natural gas or LNG, one of the cleanest-burning fuels available. At approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, the ship will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Are you familiar with the Disney blues? I am, after returning from one of the best Disney vacations I have ever experienced! While some may be skeptical of Disney reopening this summer, I am here to tell you that they are making every single effort to keep guests safe while still experiencing the magic. Social distancing markers are in every queue, whether you are going to ride Peter Pan, waiting for the bus to your resort, or picking up your mobile order at a Flame Tree BBQ. Masks were never an issue, everyone wore them and respected the rules. If you (or your kids) need a break from the masks, there are several “relaxation stations” where you can take your masks off and chill out, cool down, and simply relax. Everyone in attendance is following the guidelines because they all want to experience the same Magic! And the Magic? I have never seen more characters in one trip, and I never stood in line to see any of them. The surprise of seeing the characters when we weren't expecting them was exhilarating! As we sat and ate lunch at Animal Kingdom, we watched Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Rafiki, Pochahontas, and Meeko pass by on boats and wave to everyone. Talk about a great character meal! To add to the Magic was the amount of rides you can ride in one day without FastPasses. Wait times were at an all time low - it was glorious to not be bunched together on a hot Florida day. I was able to experience some new things: like visiting Disney’s Riviera Resort, which had a delicious quick service breakfast and was so convenient to get to via Disney’s Skyliner. I also had plenty of time to enjoy my favorite attractions. The Cast Members are so excited to have everyone back, they were over the top enthusiastic and thrilled to be there. They are walking around with smiles over their masks, reminders to stay socially distant, and big waves welcoming you back home! Interested in going to Walt Disney World and experiencing the Magic yourself? Get in touch with your Road to Relaxation travel professional! AuthorHannah Sosebee, Travel Professional with Road to Relaxation Travel
My family has always been a Disney family, going once a year for many years. As an adult I decided to use what I thought was “useless knowledge” to help others while planning their magical Disney vacation. I joined Road to Relaxation in 2018 with the goal of giving my clients the best experience possible! One of my favorite features of the My Disney Experience app is Mobile Ordering. Absolutely no one enjoys standing in line to order food at a Quick Service restaurant, right? Mobile Ordering takes care of that problem with just a few taps on your phone screen. In an effort to assist with Social Distancing guidelines, Disney is asking all guests to use Mobile Ordering whenever possible. I've put together a step by step guide to Mobile Ordering to help you prepare for your next trip! When you're ready to order, open up the My Disney Experience app and navigate to the menu by tapping the button with three lines on the bottom right of the screen. From there, you can choose "Mobile Food Orders". Then select "Create New Order". Tip: this screen will show you pending orders, so go ahead an order WAY in advance and then navigate back to this screen when you're ready to pickup your food. Next, you'll be prompted to choose a restaurant and an arrival window - you can choose a window further out if you'd like to order ahead (again, don't worry, your food won't be prepared until you are at the restaurant!) Once you've chosen your restaurant and arrival window, you can browse the menu and start building your order. You'll notice that Disney has made sure to take those with special diets into consideration. When available, there will be menu categories for "Plant Based" and "Allergy Friendly" offerings. Please note, if your allergy isn't listed or you have a combination of allergies, you'll need to order in person. When you arrive, see the Cast Members at the restaurant for assistance - don't be afraid to ask for a Manager or a Chef if you have questions! Once you've selected your items and customized them, you can add them to your order. At checkout, you can add any applicable discounts and purchase your meal. When you are ready to pickup your food, head over to the restaurant and tap "I'm Here, Prepare My Order". You'll be able to see updates about your order on this screen and you'll receive a push notification when it's time to pick it up. If you have any questions, make sure to speak with the Cast Members at the restaurant. So far, we've found that Mobile Ordering is a great way to avoid crowds and lines in the parks! I usually build my order with my family while standing in line for an attraction so that when we're finished riding, we can head right to the restaurant! You can use the app to order at most Quick Service restaurants, including popular spots like Aloha Isle, Docking Bay 7, Flame Tree BBQ, and Satu'li Canteen. So, are you hungry yet? AuthorLauren Regan, Travel Professional with Road To Relaxation Travel
Travel planning has always been something I loved to do. I found that researching a trip and learning everything I possibly could about a destination was something that gave me immense satisfaction. However, I knew that not everyone enjoyed this aspect of traveling as much as I do. In January 2016, I joined Road to Relaxation Travel. My goal: to make my client’s vacations as stress free as possible. I know that my clients don’t necessarily get to travel as much as they’d like to - and I want them to have the best possible experience they can. I know what you are thinking. Cruising is still not allowed in the U.S. much less Alaska, but UnCruise has stepped up to be the exception. Before we get into the specifics of how they plan to depart on Saturday for a 7-night Glacier Bay National Park Adventure, let's give you some details behind the company. UnCruise Adventures focuses on Small Boats, Small Groups and Small Footprint. Unlike larger cruise lines, UnCruise's ships host a max of 86 people thus allowing them to be exempt from the current CDC No Sail policy. In fact, the first cruise will have 38 guests on board! One other draw to UnCruise is they can sail where the bigger ships cannot. This allows you to visit amazing destinations. For example, the August 1st sailing has the following itinerary: DAY 1 Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation Arriving in Juneau, you will be transferred from the airport to our hospitality area. Upon boarding, your crew greets you with champagne and smiles. Set sail for a week of scenic channels and secluded wilderness. DAY 2 Tracy Arm Take an early peek outside. Fjord cliffs reach skyward. Floating ice. And deep u-shaped valleys. There’s no abracadabra here. Mother Nature’s magic is real. Cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice. Tracy Arm delivers with the cotton-candy blue twin Sawyer Glaciers of its furthest reaches. Tides permitting, your skiff driver knows the ropes and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. So many waterfalls. Mountain goats show off fancy footwork on the cliffs. Look for them. DAY 3 Frederick Sound Humpbacks beeline it here each season to feed on krill, zooplankton, and herring. Watch for whales feasting in these abundant glacial waters. Hang out and enjoy the show. Cruise past Five Fingers Lighthouse, Alaska’s oldest light station, and The Brothers Islands, where sea lions nap on rocky nobs. Tonight, toast to a whale of a day in Alaska. DAY 4 Icy Strait Before you do anything, look out the window. From kelp-lined channels to hemlock and spruce forests, every inch of this far northwest corner is worth exploring. And today’s adventures promise to be as big as the water is deep! Seals and sea lions haul out on rocky outcroppings, resting before they disappear in the water to search for food. If the tides are right, head out in the skiff with one of the guides for a closer exploration of the rugged shore, or perhaps, make it all the way to George Island. Whatever you do—wilderness trekking, skiffing, or paddling—your expedition team guides the way. DAY 5 Glacier Bay National Park This crown jewel of America’s national parks covers 3.3 million acres (that’s a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut). Let that sink in. Most visitors see the same sliver of the park as everyone else. Not you. You’re going the furthest and exploring parts that 99% of visitors never go to. And you have two days to do it. Get started! Taylor Bay sea stacks and rocky shores make for good adventure. Or hike the outwash field of glaciers winding down the Fairweather Mountain Range. The cool breeze off the nearby snow and icefields is energizing. If you motor over to Dundas Bay, keep your eye out for bears, humpbacks, and if you’re lucky, a wolf sighting. Kayak the bay. Bushwhack into the forest. Discover Glacier Bay outback. DAY 6 Glacier Bay National Park Your camera’s memory card needs plenty of room. South Marble Island is abuzz with activity. Rare sea birds, black oystercatchers, and orange-beaked tufted puffins can’t be missed. A colony of raucous sea lions adds to the hubbub. They add a distinct aroma to the air, too. Tucking into silent Tidal Inlet—the stomping grounds for bears, wolves, mountain goats, eagles—the backdrop is spectacular. At the end of the western-most arm of the bay sits Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. And possible views of glacial calving. Take it all in on deck. DAY 7 Chatham Strait Find a perch on the bridge with your captain, or with your guides on the bow, and watch for whales and other creatures before tucking into Port Frederick or another inlet in the Tongass National Forest. Any spot’s a good one to pull over and stretch your legs. Hike, paddle, or skiff your way through this remote corner with bears on the shoreline, seals bobbing on the surface, and welcoming boughs of moss in the trees. It’s all yours to explore. Back on the boat, there's a treat in store—the Farewell Dinner and some special memories from your crew. DAY 8 Juneau - Disembarkation Linger over breakfast this morning cruising into Juneau. Wish your crew and new friends goodbye. Then it’s off to the airport or begin your UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. As you can see, it's an amazing itinerary and that is just one of many! Let's also talk about what's included with these amazing cruises. Zero hidden costs What most defines your trip is included in the fare—excursions, adventure equipment, transfers, and baggage handling. Put your wallet away (until it’s time to recognize your topnotch crew). Dining All onboard meals are included in your fare:
Fine wines, spirits, and microbrews served aboard are included in your fare. Who is thinking that this type of vacation just might be what 2020 ordered? Relaxing on a small intimate ship, experiencing the most amazing destinations, eating fine cuisine, enjoying drinks of the day, and participating in excursions that are unmatched by larger cruise ships! All of this is already included, so you don't have to stress but just relax! Let's help you take the plunge and discover what UnCruise Adventures has in store for your Next Big Adventure!! Who is thinking that this type of vacation just might be what 2020 ordered? Relaxing on a small intimate ship, experiencing the most amazing destinations, eating fine cuisine, enjoying drinks of the day, and participating in excursions that are unmatched by larger cruise ships! All of this is already included, so you don't have to stress but just relax! Let's help you take the plunge and discover what UnCruise Adventures has in store for your Next Big Adventure!!
Photo & Itinerary Credit - UnCruise Adventures Walt Disney World has taken a lot of measures to help their guests social distance while visiting! One of the initiatives they introduced prior to the parks opening was Mobile Dining Check-In. Our agents were able to experience this at Skipper's Canteen this week. Prior to your dining reservation time, you'll be able to use the My Disney Experience app to check-in for your reservation while in the proximity of select Walt Disney World restaurants. This means you'll be able to wait outside and make sure you're 6 feet away from other guests, instead of a crowded podium area. Below are some screenshots that show some of the options you can choose while checking in! Celebrating something? Let Disney know so your servers can make sure your special day is acknowledged. Have dietary restrictions? Your server will be notified of the allergy and they'll help you navigate the allergy friendly menu options. You also can ask your server to speak with a chef or a manager if you have any questions. Disney is amazing with special diets! Need to request accessible spaces? The app allows you to notify the restaurant ahead of time, so your table can be set appropriately. When you're finished checking in, the app will be updated and you'll receive text updates about your reservation. Overall, we love having this option as sometimes the check-in areas get crowded. We hope to see the feature rolled out to more restaurants soon! AuthorLauren Regan, Travel Professional with Road To Relaxation Travel
Travel planning has always been something I loved to do. I found that researching a trip and learning everything I possibly could about a destination was something that gave me immense satisfaction. However, I knew that not everyone enjoyed this aspect of traveling as much as I do. In January 2016, I joined Road to Relaxation Travel. My goal: to make my client’s vacations as stress free as possible. I know that my clients don’t necessarily get to travel as much as they’d like to - and I want them to have the best possible experience they can. We were fortunate enough to participate in the reopening of Walt Disney World this past week. While we have lots to catch you up on with resorts, attractions, dining, shows, transportation, and more, we feel it's best to begin with safety around these items and give you first hand knowledge of the measures that have been implemented by Walt Disney World. We flew from Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Southwest Airlines. The RDU airport was not busy and they have made a few changes in regards to parking and security. The only parking available at the airport is garage parking and it is $10 per day. When going through security in Terminal 2 they were combining TSA Precheck and regular security lines while we were there. If you are TSA Precheck you still go through the designated line, you will be given a card by the security officer and you will proceed to regular security. You will go through just like the normal TSA Precheck lane once you give the card to the security officer in line. The seating areas have been marked to allow for proper social distancing and when boarding the SWA flight, they limited each group to 10. You must have a proper face covering that covers your mouth and nose to be allowed to board. Once on the plane, they will not allow you to sit in the middle seat unless you are part of a group that is together. They had one water and snack service. Overall, SWA was professional as always and very consistent with enforcing their rules that are in place. The passengers were all cordial and everyone seemed to be respectful of each others' space. When we arrived at MCO, we experienced the same with full face coverings being worn and everyone practicing social distancing. Now we are off to Wilderness Lodge, more specifically Copper Creek to kick off our resort stay and park time! Check in for your resort is done completely online through the My Disney Experience App and you will receive a text message when your room is ready. If your room is not ready when you arrive, you can drop your luggage off at Bell Services and take off on your Disney adventure. There are Hand Sanitizer stations at the entrance and in multiple places throughout the resort and parks. While you are on property, you must wear an approved face covering. When it comes to transportation, Disney did a masterful job of providing social distancing while maintaining as much efficiency as possible to get you transported throughout the resort. When riding buses, you line up on a marked spot that is distanced from others and when the bus arrives the driver will ask you how many people in your group and then he will give you a number. This number corresponds to where you will sit on the bus. They have installed partitions between numbers along with eliminating seats to keep you separated from other parties. We were also excited to see USB ports on some of the buses. Have you seen these on Walt Disney World buses previously? This was a first for us.
This takes us to the end of Part 1. In Part 2 we will talk about a few other modes of transportation that we took during the week along with.....wait for it.....THE PARKS! If you are interested in booking a 2020 or 2021 trip to Walt Disney World, reach out to your Travel Professional today, call us at 833.RTR.TRAV or email us at [email protected] !! |
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