Disney Villains: The Ones We Love to Hate

Maleficent is one of our most recognizable Disney villains!

Halloween is getting closer and will soon be front and center in the parks. The first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will be held on August 15th this year I want to talk villains… specifically Disney villains.  I love villains! I have an incomplete tattoo sleeve of Disney villains to prove it.  With 20-25 hours in a tattoo chair already and many more hours, this has become my passion.    But why, you may be wondering.   Let me tell you why… 

If you don’t know already, villains are the bad guys in books, movies, and TV shows—the wicked, the cunning, the ones who make our stories dangerous! Villain characters, also known as antagonists, date back ages in writing and early film. If you look at some of the best movies, they have great villains. To fully appreciate the good guy, you really must hate the bad guy. And the more you hate the bad guy, the louder you cheer when the hero wins. Where there has been a strong Protagonist, there is almost always a strong Antagonist. 

Villains make things better. Look at the Bible, one of our earliest forms of writing passed down by generations. We have David versus Goliath. David’s “hero” moment came in his ability to fell the giant known as Goliath.  Or we can look at Robin Hood versus Prince John.  Look at Diehard—who would Bruce Willis’ character, John McClane, be without the great Hans Gruber played by one of the greatest actors ever, Alan Rickman?  Speaking of Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series… how could I not mention Harry Potter versus Voldemort?  Villains make you love the Hero more. 

I took a poll to find out what Disney villains people love the most.  I asked the following questions:

  1. Best Disney Villain?

  2. Best Villain Sidekick?

  3. Best Villain Song?

  4. Most satisfying end to a Villain?

  5. Best ‘Toxic’ trait? 

I started off asking my fellow travel advisors at Upon a Star Travel… henceforth to be known as “The Stars.”  The Stars overwhelmingly voted Maleficent as the best villain, and it wasn’t even close! The best sidekick was much closer. It was a tie between Mr. Smee and Lafou. Best song went to everyone's favorite underwater witch, Ursula with Poor Unfortunate Souls.  The best demise of a villain belonged to Jafar who was pulled into a magic lamp and kicked into lava by his sidekick.  Best toxic trait went to Maleficent for using dark magic and having a vengeful nature.  

I also polled my friends and family AKA Facebook.  All of the results were close to the same with one exception—the best sidekick award went to the Hyenas from The Lion King.   

This has been fun to write and explore since I love villains.  And Disney really knows how to do it right. Let’s plan your next vacation… maybe in October when Halloween will be a big focus in the park!

So let’s recap:

  1. Everyone is wrong. Scar is the best villain!

  2. Everyone is wrong, Be Prepared sung by Scar in The Lion King is the best song!

  3. Plan to go see “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,” the new stage show now playing at Disney’s Hollywood Studio.

  4. Disney needs to HURRY UP and open their planned Villain Land… ASAP.

Don’t forget, the Fall Halloween Season will take over the Walt Disney World resort in late August! See details on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party here.

Contact your favorite Upon a Star Agent for your party tickets and your next Walt Disney World or Disneyland Vacation Package!

Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios Returns in 2025!

For the third year - and we hope that means it will truly be a permanent event - it’s DISNEY JOLLYWOOD NIGHTS returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights in November and December.

Sparking atmosphere, modern beats over classic seasonal tunes, crafted cocktails and delicious snacks, with nostalgia, glitz and glamour all the way around are what make this event special - and this year, it runs for five hours, beginning 730p, until 1230a - but with your party ticket, you can get the Hollywood Studio gate at 530p! (no regular park ticket or park reservation required)

You’ll find Jollywood Nights happening on November 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29, and then in December on 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 22

Pricing is same for both Adults & Children

  • November 8, 15 - $169 ($179.99 including tax)

  • November 17 - $159 ($169.34 including tax)

  • November 22 - $169

  • November 24 - $179 ($190.64 including tax)

  • November 29 - $189 (201.94 including tax)

  • December 1 - $179

  • December 6, 10 - $189

  • December 13 - $199

  • December 17 - $189

  • December 20, 22 - $199 ($211.94 including tax)

It’s a holiday vibe like you’ve never felt before. Sights of sparkling décor, sounds of modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore.

If you are new to Jollywood or a seasoned JW pro, here are some of the new and returning experiences you can look forward to!

  • Kermit the Frog & Miss Piggy make their return to the Theater of the Stars, hosting a holiday variety show featuring beloved Disney characters and showstopping tunes - its “Disney Holidays in Hollywood”, on stage at 815p, 915p, 11p, and 12a

  • What’s this? WHATS THIS??? The story of Halloween Town and Christmas Town comes together at the Hyperion Theater during Jollywood with Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along! Show on stage at 730p, 830p, 930p, 1130p, and 1230p

  • You’ll find the holidays a little more jazzy at The Hollywood Brown Derby during Jollywood Nights, a great choice for guests seeking a little bit to eat, a little bit to drink, and a little bit of entertainment. Reservations strongly recommended.

  • Experience Holiday Fiesta en la Calle, a lively holiday street fair now taking place in the Coaster Courtyard on Sunset Boulevard (close to Rock’n Roller Coaster) with Latin inspired sounds and snacks. You can also Jose and Panchito from the Three Caballeros, and this year, Coco’s Miguel is joining the party!

  • Celebrate in Pixar Plaza! Come meet Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy and other Pixar favorites for a holly jolly dance party! Party really kicks from 730p to 930p, then 1030p to 1230p.

  • One of our favorite events is the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club—a swingin’ party in the courtyard of the The Hollywood Tower Hotel. Here, you can unwind in style with drink and fun while a live band swoons and croons holiday tunes. Stick around all night, with band sets begin at 7:30 PM, 8:10 PM, 8:50 PM, 9:30 PM, 10:30 PM, 11:10 PM and 11:50 PM.

  • For it’s 2nd year, enjoy “GLISTEN!”, a holiday skating show right in front of the Chinese Theater! Skaters twirl, leap, and even jump rope across a shimmering rink, all set to classic Jollywood tunes. Glisten! takes the rink at 810p, 910p, 1030p, 1110p, and midnight during Jollywood Nights

  • A festive favorite, Jingle Bell Jingle BAM is a nighttime spectacular is jam-packed with music, fireworks, special effects and dazzling state-of-the-art projections, starring Wayne & Lanny from “Prep & Landing” as they seek to rescue Santa while crossing through classics like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

 Of course, characters abound throughout the park, with chances to meet Santa Stitch, Baloo and King Louie at Echo Lake, Pixar faves at Pixar Plaza, Santa Duffy, Mickey, Minnie, “Toy Story’s” Lotso and many, many more of your favorites!

Enjoy after-hours access - and lower wait times - to some of your favorite rides like Slinky Dog Dash, Rock N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and more (open attractions are subject to change without notice).

Disney Jollywood Nights is a limited-capacity holiday event. Tickets available NOW for guests of select WDW hotels, the Swan and Dolphin hotels, and Shades of Green. For all other guests, tickets may be purchased starting July 22

And don’t forget, the Holiday Season will take over the Walt Disney World resort, including parades, animal menageries, new shows, Christmas tree strolls, and the return of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! DETAILS HERE!!!

Contact your favorite Upon a Star Agent for your tickets and your WDW Vacation Package!

The 2025 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

On select nights beginning Nov. 7, and running through Dec. 21, this separately ticketed event will welcome guests to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Magic Kingdom!

Throughout the evening, you can:

  • Gather to watch the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, as it moves from Frontierland to Main Street USA full of characters, cheer, and of course, Santa!

  • Watch holiday classics and incredible pyrotechnics, castle projections and host Minnie Mouse all combine for the returning Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks (and enjoy special seating at Tomorrowland Terrace in the ticketed Dessert Party - details to come)

  • Head over to Cinderella Castle for Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, with Clarabella Cow, Daisy Duck, Woody and more singing a medley of holiday songs!

  • Join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the snowgies as Cinderella Castle turns into a frozen wonderland during the Frozen Holiday Surprise.

  • Get the perfect picture with Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best!

  • Bust a move during a mega fun dance party at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage during the Club Tinsel party and the Disney Junior Jungle Jam party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, both in Tomorrowland!

  • For the kids and the kids at heart, bring your Christmas list, because you’ll have a chance to meet up with Santa Claus in Storybook Circus (we at Upon a Star work with closely with Santa, so make sure to let us know your travel needs and we can help Santa put that under your tree!)

  • Guests can also look forward to enjoying some of their favorite classic and thrill attractions with a holiday twist, including Space Mountain, Jungle Jingle Cruise, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, and Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor

  • The characters are sure to be many and varied, but we know for sure that you’ll be able to mingle and meet with Anna and Elsa, Sally and Santa Jack, and Mickey & Minnie, all in their festive holiday garb

And if that’s not enough, of course there is more - its Disney after all!

You can experience lower wait times at open attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Haunted Mansion, Under the Sea with Little Mermaid, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the Regal Carrousel, “its a small world”, Peter Pan’s Flight, Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, The Barnstormer, Astro Orbitor, the PeopleMover, and Tron Lightcycle/Run (attractions available during the party are subject to change without notice)

Plus, at the 2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can look forward to a new merchandise collection featuring everything from jerseys to pins to other keepsakes to take home!

Got a sweet tooth? Then don’t forget to grab some delicious complimentary cookies and cocoa, available throughout the party all night, making the evening even sweeter. Plus other exclusive party treats available throughout the park - the official Foodie Guide will be coming soon!

Every night will be filled with festive cheer, with “snowfall” on Main Street from the beautifully decorated Main Street, U.S.A. to the enchanting holiday-themed attractions.  

Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets NOW through your Upon a Star Travel Agent or with Disney. All other guests can purchase tickets beginning July 22nd. (Special pricing available for Annual Passholders and DVC)

The party dates:

  • November 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30

  • December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21

Pricing breakdown: (Adult / Child 3-9)

  • November 7 - $199 / 189

  • November 10, 11 - $169 / 159

  • November 13 - $179 / 169

  • November 14 - $189 / 179

  • November 16, 18, 20 - $179 / 169

  • November 21 - $189 / 179

  • November 25, 26 - $199 / 189

  • November 28 - $209 / 199

  • November 30 - $199 / 189

  • December 2, 4 - $199 / 189

  • December 5, 7, 9, 11 - $209 / 199

  • December 12, 14, 16, 18 - $219 / 209

  • December 19, 21 - $229 / 219


Prices with taxes added $159 (169.34)… $169 (179.99)… $179 (190.64)… $189 (201.29)… $199 (211.94)… $209 (222.59)… $219 (233.24)… $229 (213.89)

And don’t forget, there is SNOW MUCH more to look forward to during the Christmas season at Walt Disney World! Starting November 1st, and rolling out through the coming weeks, the holiday will bring:

Amidst the glowing holiday décor, a Merry Menagerie of winter animals returns to Animal Kingdom in the form of artisan-sculpted puppets, plus the Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition will leave you joyful all through the night.

EPCOT will celebrate with the return of “Candlelight Processional” during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 28-Dec. 30. Other guest-favorite traditions like spirited storytellers, joyful musical acts and performers, and Holiday Kitchens will return to World Showcase this festive season - plus, Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt and Living With the Land’s Glimmering Greenhouse will also be back!

Hollywood Studios will return the Yuletide Projection Show on The Hollywood Tower Hotel this season. At Toy Story Land, you can once again spot Woody, Jessie and Buzz sporting their holiday best. And enjoy Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine, a fun character table service meal!

At Disney Springs, the shopping will be amidst the dazzling décor and the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll will return. Visitors who stop in Town Center won’t believe what they see – magical snowfall in Central Florida! And don’t forget the special holiday menu at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar!

Guests can say hello to Santa Claus as he makes special appearances in all four parks, Disney Springs and even at a Disney Water Park, where you’ll find him dressed in his tropical holiday beachwear.

And back this season, Disney’s JOLLYWOOD NIGHTS at Hollywood Studios, a fantastically jazzy separately ticketed event — details coming soon!

To get your tickets or to book your package (with great possible savings, as Disney released some great offers for fall and Christmas!) contact your favorite Upon a Star Agent!

Annual Passholder and DVC discounts are also available

The 2025 Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup

With the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starting in less than 2 months, the tradition of rocking out while sipping and snacking will return!

The 2025 Eat to the Beat Concert Series has been announced, with many returning artists - pop and rock artists like Starship (ft Mickey Thomas), Hanson, Boyz II Men and TobyMac all are back!

And a handful of artists will be taking the American Pavilion stage for the first time! KT Tunstall, Ben Rector, The Wanted 2.0, Jordin Sparks, Bowling for Soup, and rock and roll legends The Beach Boys will be making their Eat to the Beat debuts this fall!

Each of these performances are including in your Epcot admission, but the lines can be very long to find good seating (in the case of a few artists, to find ANY seating!) so we recommend doing a Festival Concert Series Dining Package. Beginning July 16th, you can reserve great seating and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many participating Epcot table restaurants (all in the same day of your visit).

With your Dining Package, you can choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner (depending on selected restaurant), giving you an entree and dessert, or buffet meal, plus a non-alcoholic beverage or for guests 21+, a selected alcoholic beverage.

This is available on the dining plan with most restaurants using 1 table service credit while Le Cellier uses 2 table service credits.

Reserving ahead is strongly recommended, but you can do a same-day reservation for a meal and special Eat to the Beat seating at Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Pavilion - and it can be used as a quick service credit in your dining plan. These same-day reservations are first come first serve and are for concerts occurring that evening.

Finally, let’s look at the lineup for this year’s 2025 Eat to the Beat Concert Series:

  • Aug. 29–30 – Joey Fatone & Friends (Fatone, of *NSync, and known for bringing various artists, like Ryan Cabrera and Lance Bass)

  • Aug. 31–Sept. 1 – MercyMe (“I Can Only Imagine”)

  • Sept. 5–6 – KT Tunstall (NEW) (“Black Horse & the Cherry Tree”)

  • Sept. 7–8 – TobyMac (Christian rocker, formerly of DC Talk)

  • Sept. 12–14 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas (“Nothing’s Going to Stop Us Now”)

  • Sept. 15 – Bacilos (Latin Pop)

  • Sept. 19–20 – Sheila E. (“The Glamorous Life”)

  • Sept. 21–22 – Ben Rector (NEW) (“Living My Best Life”)

  • Sept. 26–27 – Tiffany (“I Think We’re Alone Now”)

  • Sept. 28–29 – Jesse & Joy (Mexican Pop Duo)

  • Oct. 3–4 – Baha Men (“Who Let the Dogs Out” - you know that song)

  • Oct. 5–6 – TBD

  • Oct. 10–11 – The Wanted 2.0 (NEW) (A legit new Irish-British boy band)

  • Oct. 12–13 – The Fray (“How to Save a Life”)

  • Oct. 17–20 – Hanson (“Mmmbop”)

  • Oct. 24–25 – Hoobastank (“The Reason”)

  • Oct. 26–27 – Smash Mouth (“Walking on the Sun”)

  • Oct. 31–Nov. 1 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (California Swing Revival group)

  • Nov. 2–3 – Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”, “Motownphilly”)

  • Nov. 7–8 – David Archuleta (formerly of American Idol fame)

  • Nov. 9–10 – Jordin Sparks (NEW) (formerly of American Idol fame)

  • Nov. 14–15 – Bowling For Soup (NEW) (“1985”)

  • Nov. 16–17 – The Beach Boys (NEW) (if I have to tell you any of their songs, then that means you NEED to go see them)

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins August 28th, and runs through November 28th, 2025. Are you ready to book your next Walt Disney World vacation? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star Travel Advisor or Contact Us for a Quot

One Day in Edinburgh

Upon a Star Travel Advisor Susan Burks at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.

Similar to my one day in Geneva, a few months back I had an opportunity to spend one day in Edinburgh. Edinburgh had been on my list of places to visit for a while, and I was concerned about how much I could actually see with only a day there. I was surprised and you may be, too!

Our hotel was in the heart of Edinburgh, so it was a quick walk to shopping and a good bit of sightseeing. We started with walk down Victoria Street which is widely believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books, and it looks like a modern version of it! Then we grabbed a donut and a coffee at Kilted Donut on Grassmarket Square just because the name made us laugh!

Then we climbed about a million stairs to reach Edinburgh Castle. (Do you see it sitting up on that hill?) This ancient fortress towers over the city and is the apex of the city. You could spend hours exploring Edinburgh Castle, and we did. I’m not sure you can see it all, so you have to prioritize your day. We arrived just in time for the daily canon fire which is full of the pomp and circumstance you’d expect for a cannon firing in Scotland! The appropriately named One O’Clock gun is fired daily at 1:00 pm! We wandered through a few of the museums on the grounds including The Royal Scots & Royal Regiment of Scotland Museum, but the highlight for me was the Honours of Scotland. Here in the Crown Room you can see the oldest Crown Jewels in Britain. The crown made for James V dates to 1540 while the scepter dates back even further. (No photos allowed!) There are also amazing views of the Firth of Forth. (Try saying that three times fast!)

Due to the rain, we opted to head out but we’ll go back to explore some more! From Edinburgh Castle we walked down the Royal Mile which is a street full of shopping and dining and cafes. Here you can shop for and buy shortbread and every wool product you can imagine—sweaters, scarves, and the most amazing tweed bags! Yes, I absolutely took home shortbread in the shape of Scotty dogs! Ha!

By now, our donuts had worn off, so we went in search of dinner, and we ended up back on Grassmarket where you can find restaurants like the White Hart Inn, Petit Paris, Beehive Inn, and The Black Bull. We stopped in the White Hart Inn and ordered drinks and some traditional fish and chips and blood sausage, but of course we had to order the haggis, too, which came with a side of neeps and tatties.  If you don’t know what haggis is, this is a traditional Scottish dish, a savory pudding made with minced sheep heart, liver, and lungs, oatmeal, onions, and spices. It is traditionally served encased in a sheep stomach and boiled, but ours was not. It was surprisingly actually quite good! I took a very tiny tentative taste and was pleasantly surprised! (Neeps are a type of turnip, served boiled and mashed, and tatties are mashed potatoes!)

Greyfriar’s Kirk (church) in downtown Edinburgh.

By now, we had wet shoes, so we went back to the hotel to change shoes and dry out a little bit before heading down to Greyfriar Kirkyard (Scottish name for a churchyard or a graveyard). This is right down the street from the original Elephant House where J.K. Rowling supposedly wrote most of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US.) The kirkyard is full of ancient graves and headstones many of which are reminiscent of names found throughout the Harry Potter series of books. The story goes that J.K. Rowling would take walks while writing at the Elephant House and wander through this kirkyard picking up ideas for names. This is a fun location for a self-tour or a guided tour, and you can find names like Crookshanks (Hermione’s cat), Thomas Riddle (Voldemort’s real name), and McGonagall. This is a beautiful and peaceful experience.

There’s also a fun story about a dog named Bobby. Bobby was owned by a local policeman, John Gray, and after his death, Bobby reportedly guarded his grave for another 14 years. He captured the hearts of the locals who would bring him food and other treats.

We wrapped up the evening walking Victoria Street at night, and it’s even more stunning at night especially with wet roads and sidewalks. Poke into some shops—lots of Harry Potter themed shops and the most amazing specialized hot chocolate café.

I was amazed at much we got done in one day.

What would I do next time? Well, there’s still tons more to see in Edinburgh Castle and a visit to the Royal Yacht Brittania, Queen Elizabeth’s decommissioned royal yacht, is a must-do.

A quick trip back to the Edinburgh airport the next morning in the cutest black cab and my first, but not last, Edinburgh trip came to an end. I will absolutely go back to Edinburgh and explore more of the city.

Are you ready to book your next European adventure? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star Travel Advisor or Contact Us for a Quote!

Jamaican Bliss at Sandals Dunn's River

Drinks on the beach at Sandals Dunn’s River

We’ve barely left the resort, and I am already writing this blog about my wonderful trip to the gorgeous Sandals Dunn’s River resort from the Club Mobay lounge in the Montego Bay airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Arrival into MBJ can be a bit chaotic, make sure to complete your Jamaica C5 entry form before arriving. Once moving through Customs, you walk into the Sandals Lounge in the airport and from there you begin receiving the highest level of service from the Sandals staff. They mark your bag with which Sandals resorts you will be staying in, you grab a beverage and snack, then wait for your resort to be called. We waited about 5 minutes, then were taken to our transport van. The baggage handlers are not Sandals employees, so be prepared to tip them a few dollars once they load your bags onto your shuttle. You can also upgrade to a private transport and some level rooms come with private transfers.

Sandals Dunn’s River is about one hour and 20 minutes from MBJ airport and the drive is relatively smooth. Once you arrive at the resort, you are greeted by their kind staff, often with song, a welcome drink and cold towel. Club and Butler level guests are shown the Club Sandals check in lounge. All guests are escorted to their rooms and the staff take care of their bags.

The Sandals Dunn’s River grounds are immaculate—blooming flowers, trees, all perfectly manicured. The resort itself is not huge and they are constructing a Sandals Royal Dunn’s nearby, but it was far enough away from the resort that we did not hear any construction noise. The resort has many restaurant options to include Zuka (Latin), Cascata (Italian), Banyu (Orient), Hanami (Sushi), L’Amande (French), Edeessa (Greek), Saltaire (International). The resort also had a pizzeria (Isola), Seaside Grill (Galene), Jerk Shack, Coffee Shop (Blum) and Dunn’s Rum Club (more on that later). Every meal we had was delicious. The presentation, taste and service was as good as we have experienced in any resort or cruise.

There are so many activities to do on property that are included in the costs. Snorkeling, scuba diving (need to be PADI certified and they offer classes for a small fee to obtain certification), hobie cat, paddleboarding, kayaking, tubing were all offered at the water activities desk. Delaina did pay ($125) to do snuba, while I did snorkeling. My wife, Delaina, had the most amazing time with her snuba instructor, Romario. This was her first time to do this activity and his patience and assistance was top notch. He even gave Delaina a beautiful seashell at the end of the excursion.

One of the days we also played golf. Sandals has their own nearby course (20 minute shuttle), Upton Estate. I elected to rent clubs for $75 or you can bring your own. The green fees are included, as is the use of a caddie. You only pay a cart fee ($55 cart) and tip for your caddie. Our caddie, Delroy, was very knowledgeable, kind and patient. He had been working at the course for 34 years!!! The course itself was beautiful and pace of play was quick.

The pool and beach areas are stunning. With several pools scattered throughout the main area between the Travertine (check-in) building and the beach, very walkable to try different pool areas, all with fountains and water features. One of the pools had a large, shaded, swim-up bar. There were also 3 other large bars just steps away from each pool area. We never waited long to get one of the refreshing beverages. I would caution travelers, if you want one of the loungers by a specific area of the pool, you either need to wake up very early to snag your chair, or wait until about 2pm and some chairs begin opening up. This resort has many Butler level rooms, and one of the perks of having a Butler is they will reserve your beach or pool chair each day, equipped with your own cooler full of your favorite beverage. The music around the pools was just right for us, you could hear it, but it was not thumping loud. The pool staff would engage you in games if you wanted, but it was definitely a laid back, relaxing vibe.

Speaking of relaxing, do not miss out on the Red Lane Spa. One of the days we opted to have a couples massage ($375 for 60 minutes). This was heavenly, both of our massage technicians provided the exact pressure we both prefer and we both left in a relaxed state. Big pro-tip: You can use the spa pool and services even if you do not have a spa therapy booked. Another day we visited the spa pool and were the only ones in it for an hour. It also has a hot and cold plunge pool.

Upon a Star Travel Advisor Eric Pruitt and wife Delaina.

We are not big late night partiers, but every night there was entertainment that would begin about 9pm. One night it was a steel drum band, one night a Jamaican dancers group, another night acrobat performers. They were all very talented. Most of our post dinner nights were spent in the Dunn’s Rum Club. This speakeasy type bar is beautiful, both inside and out. They have separate rooms where you can play pool and catch your favorite game, or a gardens area with fire/water features. The bar staff is very attentive and quick, as most nights there was a large crowd. Do not forget to try the food here, it may have been some of the best food we had on property. Another place we found ourselves often was Blum. This is the coffee and pastry shop, and like everything else, this is included in your stay. The Jamaican coffee was exactly what we needed in the mornings, but the star of the place is the heavenly garden area outside of it. We found ourselves sitting here for an hour, just relaxing amidst the blooming flowers and plants.

I can not recommend this resort enough. You can tell the staff takes great pride in working at this property. Do not forget Sandals loves its First Responders and Military, providing a 10% discount on bookings. Reach out to any of our fabulous Stars to book this, or any other vacation.

Are you ready to book your next vacation at one of the amazing Sandals Resorts? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star Travel Advisor or Contact Us for a Quote!

Havenly Ever After: Sailing in Style with Norwegian Cruise Line

After recently sailing on the Norwegian Viva in the Haven, Norwegian’s “ship within a ship” concierge level, we wanted to share some of the amazing perks of this option!

If you’re wondering if the Haven is right for you or if it’s worth the money, here are some details of my experience to help you understand why this is such a special option if the price point works for your budget. 

First, the stateroom.  Your room is not just a room.  It’s much much more.  It’s a place where your breakfast can be delivered at the time you specify, set up by your butler, complete with a tablecloth.  Imagine dining outside to a beautiful sunrise or in-port scenery.  Back from an excursion, tired and hungry… you’ll likely return to plates of small sandwiches and chocolates.  And, if you’re still too tired from a long day of sightseeing, ask your butler to bring dinner to your room from any restaurant on board — even specialty restaurants.  Fine dining delivered right to your stateroom’s table.

Next, the space.  I’ve usually thought of my stateroom as functional — a place to put my head at night.  But in the Haven, you have space to spread out and enjoy downtime and privacy when you need it.  The bathrooms (we had two) have doors separating the toilets from the sink area, the rain showers are fitted with L’Occitane body wash, shampoo, and conditioner (all separate — no conditioning shampoo-body wash combos here!).  And the master is upgraded with a double sink, again with L’Occitane liquid hand wash and lotion. Think of all the luggage room you’ll save by leaving these toiletries at home! 

The beds are plush and comfy and you can choose the pillow type of your choice — just ask your stateroom steward. The rooms were surrounded with tech galore — auto closure switches for your curtains, privacy panels, and various lighting level options.  Lastly, the master afforded a walk-in closet with a full length mirror.  Our stateroom had three separate (large) televisions. If this is important for your family, everyone has a space to relax and the many movies are all included.  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of family friendly movies.

One final room detail, the balcony. It’s actually huge. We had a dining table with four chairs and two overstuffed chairs with a patio table - and so much extra room. I’ve never spent so much time on a balcony as we did on this Haven level cruise.

Finally, one last room comment about our stateroom — we heard no one while in our room.  No kids running down the hallway, no rowdy late night adults back from the bars, no banging/loud talking from neighbors.  Literally nothing.  Maybe we had the quietest cruise neighbors ever — or maybe NCL made the Haven suites a little more insulated.  We are a noise sensitive family, and this made a big difference for our nighttime sleeps!

The Haven Lounge - a great place to read, play games, or just hang out with friends and family.

Moving beyond the room, the Haven common spaces are lovely and well appointed. The lounge is a great space to read, play a card game with your friends/family, order a delicious cocktail while taking in the beautiful views, or dine in the exclusive for Haven guests restaurant.  The bar is upscale and each drink was meticulously made (no margarita mixers in sight!)

The Haven restaurant is pretty special — they are open for all three meals and at breakfast, there are “quick bites” on a buffet if you’re in a hurry for your shore excursion or spa appointment. We tried the menu at various meal times, and we were very pleased with the food and the service.  It’s a quieter, more relaxed experience compared to the main dining rooms. The menu doesn’t change, however, so you’ll want to infuse other dining options throughout the week. The food offered though is a step up from the main dining rooms— for example, one of our favorite features was the personal sized French press coffee pots offered at breakfast.  If you’re a coffee aficionado like us, this is a warm welcome from normal buffet cruise coffee!

Outside, you’ll find a quiet sun deck, upgraded pool lounge chairs and sun beds, pool, as well as an outdoor bar.

And if you still need more quiet, there was a space for adults only one deck higher!

The Haven private elevators are a nice perk.  It was easy to move around the ship quickly. One nice touch—on port days, the concierge will use the elevators to escort you privately to the dock - no matter what time of day. This is also true on the final debarkation day. It’s pretty unnecessary to put your luggage out the night before disembarkation day unless you just don’t want the hassle. 

Overall, the Haven service was just superb with many nice touches.  The staff took time to learn our kids’ names, remember our drink of choice, and our snack preferences.  The Haven-specific concierge (think of this as your guest services — no need to go downstairs to the main desk) helped us change dinner reservations, get directions, and answer questions we had.  You can even have an iron delivered to your room for an hour if you need to press those dinner outfits.  There are other perks — I’m sure I’ve missed some—so don’t take this as your comprehensive list, and options and experiences can vary ship to ship.  The Haven experience is truly a step above in cruising and will leave you feeling extra pampered.

Are you ready to book the Haven on one of the stunning Norwegian Cruise Line ships? Reach out here for more information or contact your favorite Upon a Star Travel Advisor!

Special thanks to Upon a Star Client, Cindy Fernandez, for her photos of the Norwegian Viva Haven public areas and her 2-Bedroom Family Villa (H6).

What To Do on a Disney Down Day Part 4: Resort Fun!

So far, we’ve talked about mini golf, water parks, and Cirque du Soleil, but what if you really don’t want to leave your resort on your down day? I have ideas for that, too!

Fuentes del Morro Pool at Caribbean Beach Resort

The most obvious answer: POOL DAY!

Every Walt Disney World Resort Hotel has a pool. Each resort has more than one, so go find your pools! One is always designated as the main feature pool, but there are smaller (and often quieter) pools throughout each resort.

At the Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and Moderate Resorts, you’ll find even more water fun like water slides, splash pads, and whirlpools. While the Value Resorts don’t have those amenities, they do have huge main feature pools!

Besides swimming, each resort also hosts pool or poolside games throughout the afternoon. Each pool has Recreation Hosts, Cast Members who run recreation and fun, so you may have Disney trivia, water relays, and more! Often there are ping pong tables, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, giant chess, and other games nearby.

Movies Under the Stars: This is offered at every Walt Disney World resort! These are complimentary outdoor screenings of popular Disney films. Bring a blanket or a pool towel, find a spot, and settle in for some fun.

Campfires: Located at all Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villas, and Moderate Resorts, stop by for the complimentary campfire and a roaring good time! Bring or buy s’mores kits or marshmallows for extra fun!

Character Meal: This is such a great option for a down day, and there are many offered outside of the parks! For breakfast, you can visit Riviera Resort for Topolino’s, Contemporary Resort for Chef Mickey’s, Polynesian Village Resort for ‘Ohana, Grand Floridian Resort for 1900 Park Fare, or Beach Club Resort for Cape May Café. For character meal dinner, head over to Contemporary Resort for Chef Mickey’s, Grand Floridian for 1900 Park Fare, or Wilderness Lodge for Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. (Not wanting a character meal? Great regular dining options available at all Deluxe Resorts, Villas, and most of the Moderate Resorts.)

Electrical Water Pageant: This water parade has been in continuous operation since Walt Disney World opened in 1971! It can be viewed in Seven Seas Lagoon from Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Grand Floridian.

Arcade: An arcade is found at every resort! This could be a great option when the weather is hot and muggy (hello, Florida summer!) or rainy (also, hello, Florida summer!).

Recreation: Check your resort for other recreation opportunities like bike rentals, surrey bike rentals, tennis and volleyball courts, and fishing expeditions!

Playgrounds: While not offered at all resorts, these can be found at all of the Value Resorts and Moderate Resorts and a few Deluxe properties including Animal Kingdom Lodge and Kidani Village, Boardwalk Inn & Villas, Beach Club, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs.

Other Unique Opportunities:

  • Animal Kingdom Lodge: Book a Starlight Safari or just enjoy watching the animals! Cast Members are available to discuss the animals, and they often have unique African games and crafts available for anyone. You can also take a painting class here.

  • Boardwalk Inn & Villas: Take a yoga class or learn to play pickleball! Do the Crescent Lake Wellness Challenge (register at Community Hall or Screen Door General Store) or Skyliner Rally Scavenger Hunt or just enjoy the Boardwalk Buskers Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings on the pier! You never know who might be there—juggler, magician, a magical hula-hooper, and more!

  • Coronado Springs: Book Sangria University! Offered on Saturdays and Sundays, this is such a fun class and books up quickly! Colors of Coronado Painting Experience and Spanish Mosaic Art classes are also available.

  • Fort Wilderness: Take an archery class, book a horse drawn carriage ride or a wagon ride, rent a canoe or a kayak, or book the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure on Segways. You can also do some crafts or book the gem mining experience! For more adventure, book a pony ride or a trail ride. End your day with Chip ‘n Dale’s Campfire Singalong with songs and smores and maybe some special furry friends. My absolute favorite thing to do here is to visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch where you can see the Dragon Calliope and meet the horses! The stable is open 10am-5pm daily, and you can just walk through. You might see the horses preparing for a wagon ride, a trail ride, or maybe even see Cinderella’s white horses!

  • Grand Floridian: Take advantage of your Memory Maker and pose with some Disney-themed props or do some Magic Shots! 9am-8pm daily. Hop on the monorail and make a full loop.

  • Port Orleans Riverside & Port Orleans French Quarter: Book a horsedrawn carriage ride or ride the boats over to Disney Springs.

Ethan learning magic tricks at Boardwalk Inn.

Walt Disney World Summer Magic - FREE Dining, Room Discounts, & Ticket Offers!

This morning four offers were released by Walt Disney World especially for summer and fall 2025 guests! From free dining to room discounts to special ticket offers…read on for more details!

Join Minnie Mouse for breakfast at Tusker House or one of the dozens of great dining options!

Free Dining!

Back by popular demand, get a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day (or longer) package that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and a ticket with a Park Hopper option.

There are very specific dates for this offer:

  • June 29 - September 30, 2025

  • October 20 - November 1, 2025

  • December 6 - 22, 2025

You must check in by those listed dates. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. The dining plan included in this special offer depends on the Disney Resort hotel you select. The Disney Dining Plan is included when you choose a stay at a Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotel. The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is included when you choose a stay at a Disney Moderate or Value Resort hotel.

Minimum 4-day theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option AND minimum 4-night length of stay required. The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited.

Walt Disney World Resort Room Discount

Donald, Goofy, and Pluto chose Boardwalk Inn for their next stay!

Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when you stay longer for visits beginning August 1 through October 11, 2025.

The dates on this offer are a bit unconventional:

  • Aug. 12-23 and Sept. 15-27, 2025

    • Up to 20% savings (up to 15% Value, up to 20% Moderate, Deluxe, Villas)

  • Aug. 1-11, Aug. 24 – Sept. 14, and Sept. 28 – Oct. 11, 2025

    • 1-4 nights

    • Up to 25% savings (up to 20% Value, up to 25% Moderate, Deluxe, Villas)

  • Aug. 12-23 and Sept. 15-27, 2025

    • 5-nights of longer

    • Up to 25% savings (up to 20% value, up to 25% Moderate, Deluxe, Villas)

  • Aug. 1-11, Aug. 24 – Sept. 14, and Sept. 28 – Oct. 11, 2025

    • 5-nights or longer

    • Up to 30% savings (up to 25% value, up to 30% Moderate, Deluxe, Villas)

Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.

Savings are based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Length of stay requirements may apply. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts. The offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.

50% Off on Kids Tickets

Save 50% on kids tickets and meet Mickey at Magic Kingdom.

Purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through September 20, 2025. These are only valid for kids ages 3-9.

This is a date-based ticket, so a start date must be chosen at the time of purchase. Tickets can be 3-10 days in length, so this gives you so many options! The ticket can be upgraded to Park Hopper, Water Park and Sports, and Park Hopper Plus!

Valid: May 27 – Sept. 20, 2025


3-Day, 3-Park Ticket

If Magic Kingdom is not on your park list this summer, this could be a great offer for you! Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits starting on April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom ONLY and is for one theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom. This is a date based ticket, so you must choose a start date and is valid for five days of its start date.

With this ticket, you cannot add a park hopper option nor can you visit the same park twice. It includes one day at each of those three parks. It can be upgraded to Water Park & Sports option. However, at that price, it could be just right for you!

Valid for dates April 6 – Sept. 22, 2025. Last day on the ticket must be used by September 22.

Tickets may not be used to enter the same theme park more than once. All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable, and exclude activities/events that are separately priced or not open to the general public. This can be combined with a Walt Disney World Resort hotel to make a package.

Take advantage of the 3-park ticket offer and meet Timon at Animal Kingdom!

Are you ready to book your next Walt Disney World vacation? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star Travel & Concierge travel advisor or simply contact us for a quote today!

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa: A Tropical Paradise in Hawaii

The beach and calm waters of Ko Olina at sunset

We visited the beautiful property of Disney Aulani resort for two nights at the end of February prior to boarding the Disney Wonder.

We stayed in a 1-bedroom DVC villa.  This size room has a full kitchen, king bed, full bathroom with jetted tub, and walk in shower.  In the living room is a full size pull-out sofa.  This room also has a twin size fold down bed.  This room would comfortably sleep a family of 5 with 1-2 smaller children.  This room has two different lanais, and ours happened to overlook both the ocean and the area in which they host the Aulani luau. 

We were able to sit on our balcony and watch the entire Luau show— for free!  This is a great perk of these rooms.

During our stay we also visited the 3-bedroom grand villas. These have one king bed in the master bedroom, two bedrooms with two queen beds each, a fold out (full size) sofa bed, and a twin fold out bed.  These rooms would sleep 12-13 people.  Their views of the ocean, at the very end of each tower, is stunning.  They have one very long lanai that runs the entire width of the rooms. 

The star of the resort is the pool and beach area.  The grounds are absolutely gorgeous.  They have a long lazy river area that have 1- and 2-person tubes (complimentary) that you can float in, and there are multiple slides that dump out into multiple pool areas.  There is a stunning infinity edge pool that looks out over the ocean.  Aulani also has a quieter adult only pool area that is heaven.  One knock on many resorts is the lack of chairs to lounge on, but Aulani does not have that problem.  There are chairs everywhere including plenty on the beach that look out to the private cut-out cove area in which you can snorkel or paddle board.  Those activities cost a small fee for renting the equipment.  The kids splash park area is lots of fun and large.  This resort really is perfect for families with kids age 3-12 years old.  All families would love it here, but those with younger kids would be perfect.

How Disney themed is it?  It is more island themed with some Disney touches such as characters like Stitch, Max, and, of course, Mickey & Minnie.  Aulani also has that classic Disney exceptional service.  Kids can go to the kid’s zone called Aunty’s Beach House, which is complimentary, while parents enjoy some alone time. 

The food at Aulani is also delicious.  Ama Ama Restaurant has unique island inspired dishes, and the view of the sunset on the ocean side patio is spectacular.  Off the Hook, a casual poolside restaurant, is another option and you can even do mobile ordering from this restaurant.  There are several bars throughout the resort for those wanting those delicious tropical refreshments.  An option we took advantage of is walking across the street from the resort and picking up food from the Island Marketplace in Ko Olina.  There are also a couple of non-Aulani restaurants next to the marketplace that were delicious. 

Pro Tip:  Three of the restaurants there do discounted Happy Hour prices from 3-5pm, so grab late lunch and drinks there to save a bit of money. 

I would say the ideal amount of time would be 5-6 nights.  There is so much to do on the island of Oahu from visiting Pearl Harbor, exploring the North Shore, lying on the legendary Waikiki Beach, taking a surf lesson, or enjoying fresh pineapple at the Dole plantation.  We can not wait to go back. This is truly an island paradise!!!

Are you ready to book your own Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa tropical paradise? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star Travel Advisor or Contact Us for a Quote!

Upon a Star Travel Advisor Eric and his wife Delaina enjoying the views in Ko Olina!