Mobile Order Arriving at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!

Great news for all fans heading to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort – the mobile order service is now available at select food and beverage locations within the newest galactic land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Starting this week, you can save time and skip the line to order their food at three new locations in Batuu using their My Disney Experience app.

The newest locations accepting mobile orders in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge include the Milk Stand and Ronto Roasters, which start today, and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo starting tomorrow, Sept. 6, 2019.

Using the My Disney Experience app, you can easily browse menus to order ahead from wherever they happen to be. Upon arriving at the restaurant or food location, you can just tap “I’m Here” in the app and head to the designated pick-up counter where Cast Members will deliver your food. It’s a great way for you to save time to enjoy all there is to see and do during your visit to Batuu.

Please note that using the mobile order service does not guarantee entry to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Ordering amazing meals ahead like Yobshrimp Noodle Salad, Smoked Kaadu Ribs, Ronto Wrap, or Blue Milk (or Green Milk!) is now as easy as just a few taps in the My Disney Experience app.

Want more info on Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge?

Contact us HERE today!

Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

A Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is coming your way from Nov. 8, 2018, to January 6, 2019! Join in for this holly, jolly event and delight in festive shows, enchanting “snows,” holiday décor, Toy Story Land cheer, and yummy sweets and treats!

Watch as Sunset Boulevard becomes a winter wonderland and Hollywood Tower Hotel transforms with projections and laser effects depicting holiday stories of beloved Disney characters. And at the end of every night, they can experience Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!: a Santa-sized spectacular jam-packed with holiday music, fireworks, special effects, and dazzling state-of-the-art projections.

Throughout the park they'll find festive treats that’ll have their taste buds singing “Tis the season!” From gingerbread pops and holiday popcorn to hot chocolate flights and specialty cocktails, there’s so much to celebrate! 

Gingerbread Pop – It’s SO CUTE and one of many favorite holiday snacks, the Gingerbread Pop comes on a stick for easy on-the-go deliciousness and is dipped in chocolate. Your can find it at Anaheim Produce, the Churro Cart in front of the Chinese Theater, and the Main Entrance Coffee Cart.

Festive Popcorn – This treat features caramel corn mixed with nuts, crispy pearls, candy-coated chocolates, and mini sugar cookies. Find it at BaseLine Tap House and various popcorn carts throughout the park.

Santa Belt Macarons – Ho ho ho! Have a Santa Macaron! These almond macarons with hazelnut filling have climbed down the chimneys at BaseLine Tap House and Oasis Canteen and come in packages of five.

Santa Belt Candy Apple – Dipped in chocolate and decorated with more chocolate and marshmallow ears, your Clients will definitely want to take a bite out of these candy apples available at Trolley Car Café!

Olaf Cupcake – Your Clients will be giving everyone a warm hug after trying this chocolate cupcake with buttercream frosting available at ABC Commissary and Backlot Express

Large Shortbread Cookie – This big shortbread cookie is filled with raspberry jam and decorated in frosting. Get it at Trolley Car Café!Strawberry Mint Verrine – Head to Fairfax Fare to try these marinated strawberries dipped in peppermint crème.

Spiced Cold Chocolate – This chocolate verrine is made with house-made cinnamon marshmallows and chocolate cake and can be found at Rosie’s All-American Café.

Strawberry Mint Verrine – Head to Fairfax Fare to try these marinated strawberries dipped in peppermint crèmeChocolate Mousse Present – The tastiest present of all, this chocolate mousse dessert with chocolate ganache can be found at ABC Commissary.

Cranberry Mousse – Feast on this festive dome of chocolate-cranberry mousse available at Trolley Car Café!

Caramel Éclair – Find this tasty pastry filled with caramel at Dockside Diner.

Chocolate Chestnut Cone – Chow down on this chocolate treat served on a praline leaf offered at Backlot Express.
Eggnog Panna Cotta – This Eggnog Panna Cotta comes with raspberry and chocolate crème and can be found at Catalina Eddie’s.
Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Lunch Box Tart – Your Clients will find a friend in this yummy holiday Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Lunch Box Tart at Woody’s Lunch Box. It’s also topped with snowflakes and crispy pearls!

Prep and Landing Cupcake – Get ready for some elven shenanigans with this gingerbread cupcake with cream cheese frosting offered at Rosie’s All-American Café and Dockside Diner.

Hot Chocolate Flight – Warm up with Hot Chocolate Flights featuring hot chocolate with Irish liqueur, hot chocolate with vanilla vodka, and hot chocolate with cherry bourbon. The flight can be found at Fairfax Fare.

Frozen Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) – Cool down with some Frozen Hot Cocoa offered at ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, and Rosie’s All-American Café.

Gumdrop – You will be dreaming of sugarplums and gumdrops with this special holiday cocktail made with raspberry liqueur, raspberry vodka, pineapple and cranberry juices, and Sprite available at The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge and mobile bars near Echo Lake and Hollywood Scoops.

Frosted Gingerbread Martini – If you love gingerbread cookies, they'll love this gingerbread cocktail with vodka, Irish liqueur, coffee liqueur, gingerbread syrup, and ice cream mix available at Backlot Express.

Frostbite Cocktail – This cold cocktail made with vodka, blue liqueur, cranberry juice, and sour will be offered at Dockside Diner and Backlot Express.

Winterberry Margarita – Everyone loves a good marg. This holiday version is made with silver tequila, orange liqueur, sour, cranberry juice, and wildberry syrup. Find it at ABC Commissary and Rosie’s All-American Café.


These are just some of the amazing yummy treats that are waiting for you at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! There’s still time to book a magical holiday trip!!

Contact our expert travel pros for help on booking your next trip to Walt Disney World!

Click HERE if you don’t have an Upon A Star Travel Expert!

Star Wars: Galactic Nights RETURNS!

Star Wars fans -- time to let out a Wookie yell!!  Star Wars Galactic Nights will return to Hollywood Studios on December 16th!

Among many thrills in store, you can expect to enjoy Star Wars entertainment, special photo opportunities, event-exclusive merchandise, character greetings, and even get a glimpse at the ongoing Star Wars expansion coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Galaxy's Edge, the 14-acre Star Wars expansion that's set to open in 2019.

Here's a look at other event offerings: 

• Star Wars Entertainment - Both Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks and the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away stage show will be enhanced with special saga elements.
• Sneak Peeks at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge - The Epic Theater will play host to a special one-night-only panel discussion about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2019.
• Special Photo Ops - Throughout the park, you can step into immersive and iconic scenes from your favorite Star Wars films in a series of incredibly detailed photo locations, including new backdrops inspired by Star Wars Rebels and other scenes from the saga.
• Character Encounters - Guests can be on the lookout for Star Wars characters like Ewoks, AWR Troopers and roaming droids; Jedi Knights teaching younglings in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple; rocketing to the stars aboard Star Tours – The Adventures Continue; and more.
• Exclusive F&B and Merchandise - Even more specialty Star Wars-themed food and beverage and merchandise will be available.
• Enjoy park attractions - Select attractions will be open to all Guests. At embarkation points to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, you may come face-to-face with Stormtroopers on the lookout for a Rebel spy.

Star Wars: Galactic Nights access and activities will be exclusive to event ticket holders.  Tickets are priced at $129 for adults, $124 for ages 3-9,  and go on sale Sept. 6, 2017. Contact your Upon A Star Travel expert for more information.  This event will sell out faster than the Millennium Falcon's Kessle Run!

Grand Avenue: Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is going through some major changes with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. But we just found out there will be a bit more! Muppets Courtyard, along with a portion of the former Streets of America, is being re-imagined by Walt Disney Imagineering to become a new area called Grand Avenue. Inspired by present day Los Angeles, Grand Avenue is where vintage office buildings and warehouses are being converted into fun and exciting new uses. New spaces for “shops” should soon be popping up in this area! Each window on the street will charming displays to look at.  One of the highlights of Grand Avenue will be BaseLine Tap House, a new corner pub that will feature California beers and wines along with small bites. 

Muppets Courtyard will become Grand Park, an urban square off Grand Avenue. Close by will be PizzeRizzo and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.  If you haven't notice changes have already begun. The Muppets theater has been renamed “Grand Arts Theatre” and has a brand-new marquee. Muppet*Vision 3D will be sticking around to keep you laughing as well! Grand Avenue is expected to open up to guests this Fall. We are so excited about all of the new changes coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®  how about you?

Want a truly magical vacation? Let our experts help you plan! Contact us here today!

‘DISNEY MOVIE MAGIC’ Debuts at Hollywood Studios

Every night this Summer the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre will be transformed for a brand new nighttime show called Disney Movie Magic! The new show includes special lighting and state-of-the-art projection mapping technology that immerses you into the world of Disney Move Magic!

Disney Movie Magic includes iconic moments from contemporary Disney blockbusters like "Pirates of The Caribbean," the "Indiana Jones Adventures," and classics like "Mary Poppins,"

You can view this show nightly this Summer in addition to performances of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.” 

Want to see this awesome new show in person? Contact our experts here  to get more information about planning your magical vacation!

Where's the Stage?

This week Upon A Star Eric is in Walt Disney World checking out many of the newest features and attractions.  Yesterday he posted this beautiful photograph of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios.  Isn’t it lovely?!  It’s been a while since many have seen this view as there has been a big stage and tents in front of the theater.  The stage has been used for the live Star Wars show that occurred almost hourly.  So while the picture is wonderful to some, my initial reaction was…

I am a Star Wars fan and love the March of the First Order and the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away live show.   I was really looking forward to showing my Star Wars-loving kids the show this summer. So I had to know what was going on.

Now, that wasn’t a good enough answer for me.  So I started looking around.  Turns out the stage is undergoing refurbishment to make it portable! Why 'portable'?  Well, Hollywood Studios started a new evening projection show called Disney Movie Magic.  This tribute to the movies shows on the Chinese Theater nightly.  Removing the stage allows for more people to enjoy the show that will work in conjunction with Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, a nighttime fireworks event.  It looks like the stage will re-open on June 16th so fans can still enjoy the show this summer.

Do you want to see what the Upon A Star Travel team is up to this summer?  Follow their travel adventures as they explore new attractions and destinations at #StarsSummer17.

Do you want more info on booking your very own Magical Vacation? Contact one of our experts here!

VIP Tour Experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort Part 2

A couple of weeks back, I posted about some of the amazing VIP Experiences that are available at the Walt Disney World® Resort.  Of course, Part 1 focused on my favorite topic - food!  Again, more detail can be found If you want even more detail, check out the Divas Dish Podcast where I shared live from my hotel at the Grand Floridian (Episode 68). Click this link, or grab it on iTunes, I Heart Radio, or Stitcher.

So today, let's focus on a VIP Tour.  Simply amazing. If you want to truly feel like a Rock Star, this is the way to roll! Your Tour Guide is a very knowledgeable Cast Member who will be your personal escort through the parks. Basically, they ensure that you see what you want, when you want, with no waiting.  They will take you into the FastPass line of every attraction - even the most popular!  You bypass bag check.  You are driven right to a special entrance, where your band is scanned and you walk right into the park with no lines.  It couldn't be easier!

Yep - I went to Tower of Terror first!

And did I mention SNACKS?! Private VIP guides really do think of everything!  Our guide, Kirk, was phenomenal.  So knowledgeable and friendly! It was fun getting to know him and fun getting to ride the rides with him! He found out that I love Hidden Mickeys, and so he spent time pointing out the hard-to-find ones.  Did you know that there are 3 of them in Soarin' Around the World™? I bet that 3rd one is the one you'll struggle to find! 

Oh you know, just your normal Tower of Terror selfie...

Kirk even helped us park hop! We went from Disney's Hollywood Studios® to Epcot®  - again no bag check line or line to use the touch point. In the space of 2 hours, we had done 4 big ticket attractions!  The amount of time saved was amazing.  

Private VIP Tours are available for up to 10 guests. If you are with a larger party, you'll just add another guide -- this ensures that the personalized experience stays, well ... personal! The cost varies based on season from $400-$600 per hour (7 hour minimum).  This cost is well-worth it, especially during those extra-crowded times of year! Your Upon A Star Agent can book this for you or even add it into your package. 

There are also half day VIP Tours available that are not private; they will, however, take you through the parks to focus on either "thrill rides" or "classic rides".  These are not personalized to your family, but they are a great way to tour if the full VIP Private Tour isn't in the budget this time around.

More to come - watch for Part 3 about "Early Morning Magic" at Walt Disney World® Resort!

New Dining Experiences Coming to Walt Disney World

Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s Boardwalk

This is a brand-new character meal featuring Disney Couples!  This new breakfast will feature couples from Tangled and other films like The Little Mermaid.  Looks like this will be the first-time Rapunzel will have be at a character meal.

While enjoying enjoy breakfast, guests will be encouraged to “share the tales of their own hopes and dreams” or maybe tell a tale of a great adventure.

Trattria al Forno has a great location.  The Boardwalk is within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios so it’s a great place to start your park day.

While the official menu has not been released here’s hoping their waffle with espresso-mascarpone cheese remains.  It’s excellent!

This exciting new Character Breakfast is set to open this spring.  Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended. 

Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios

Minnie’s Seasonal Dine has been a enjoyable dinner experience with Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy for a little over a year now.  Soon there will be more chances to join Minnie and Friends for some festive fun.  This spring Minnie’s seasonal Dine will be offered for lunch! 

Minnie Mouse arrives for lunch starting May 14, 2017.  Advance dining reservations are recommended.

Paddlefish at Disney Springs

Adding to the new food line up is Paddlefish, the multi-million-dollar transformation of Fulton’s Crab House in Disney Springs.  The iconic paddleboat has been reimagined into a modern yacht experience.

The seafood-centric menu features Maine lobster, King and snow crab and a selection of fresh fish picked daily.  Some favorites from Fulton’s are still on the menu like the lobster corn dogs.  An expansive wine list as well as classic turn-of-the-century cocktails as to the ambience of the restaurant.

Paddlefish is now open.  Advance Dining Reservations are recommended.

Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs

Planet Hollywood has re-opened its doors in Disney Springs.  The overhaul of the interior and exterior took more than a year.  The new observatory houses the new Planet Hollywood Restaurant and shop along with the new Stargazers Bar. 

The menu features burgers and other items created especially for the Planet Hollywood Observatory by The Food Network’s Guy Fieri.  For guests that speak in Guyism’s you’ll recognize LTOP, SMC and Donkey Sauce on the menu.  The Stargazers Bar will showcase local Florida Craft Beers.

Planet Hollywood Observatory is now open.  Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended.

These new dining experience are an exciting addition to the food choices at Walt Disney World.  Contact your Upon A Star Agent for more details. 

Star Wars Guided VIP Tour coming soon!

Attention Star Wars fans: Starting January 2nd, Disney's Hollywood Studios will be offering a seven-hour guided tour that offers VIP access to the parts of the park that feature a galaxy far, far away.

These specialty tours include Star Tours, Jedi Training, and Star Wars Launch Bay. Guests will also have the opportunity to have interactions with Kylo Ren and Chewbacca.

There will a special themed meal, and the evening will be capped off with a dessert party during the park's "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" fireworks/laser/projection show.

My family just experienced all of these things last week and were completely in awe of how the Star Wars experiences have revitalized Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Galactic Spectacular left me speechless and trading with the Jawas was a highlight of our vacation!

Starting January 2nd, tours will be given on Mondays and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m., and will cost $121.12 per person, in addition to the cost of admission to Hollywood Studios. It's a great deal!

Contact your favorite Upon a Star Agent for more information. They will happily book this tour for you! uponastartravel.com