Holidays at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has “unwrapped” and introduced the biggest holiday season in the park’s two-decade history, with festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land.

Discovery Island will play host to life-sized animal puppets during the day. As the sun sets, the Tree of Life will boast a shimmery new look and will periodically “awaken” with a series of wintry tales accompanied by a holiday musical score.

Over in DinoLand, U.S.A., all of Donald Duck’s friends gathered for Donald’s Dino-Bash! get into the spirit with colorful holiday decorations that they have each chosen in their own style.

The Asia section of the park is celebrating Diwali, the Holiday Festival of Lights in India. Here, you can see glowing lanterns and more illuminating the main square that leads to the waterfront stage – home to authentic and colorful cultural performances.

The Africa section of the park will welcomes you with a unique holiday presentation that fuses Western traditions with the colors and texture of authentic African celebrations.

You can also find out-of-this-world holiday fun at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora have rolled out holiday cheer with a display of whimsical holiday décor, pairing vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from Pandora.

Ready to book your next Magical Vacation?

Contact our expert travel advisors 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!

Joy Through The World at Walt Disney World Resorts

It’s Christmas in July! Today we're announcing the return of the holiday season to Walt Disney World® Resort. Starting Nov. 8, 2018, you will be able to celebrate this magical season with festive parties, captivating holiday décor, delicious treats, spectacular entertainment amazing experiences that make this season one of the most wonderful times to visit Walt Disney World!

A Flurry of Fun comes back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios® with the return of Sunset Seasons Greetings. Featuring impressive new laser effects and “snow,” holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel with spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Olaf sharing their favorite seasonal stories.

At Epcot®, you will discover joyous holiday traditions of 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 18, 2018. One of our favorite holiday traditions at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional and this year it starts performances on Nov. 22, 2018.

New this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure.

Now is the time to play big and contact your Upon A Star Agent to start planning your memorable vacation!

Contact us today HERE

Save up to 20% for Fall and Holiday room rates at Walt Disney World

From festively themed entertainment to photo-worthy decor to sweet treats, it's a phenomenal time of year to visit Walt Disney World Resort. And staying in the middle of the magic makes it even easier for your family to become swept up in the spirit of the fall and holiday seasons.

With this offer, you can save up to 20% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels.

• Book through October 7, 2018 for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights October 8 through November 8, 2018. 
• Book through December 24, 2018 for stays most nights November 11 through December 24, 2018.

Let's plan a magical vacation! Contact an Upon A Star Travel Expert HERE today!

"ICE" Gaylord Palms

Fewer things bring us more Joy during the year than the bright lights of the Holidays! Last night I had the pleasure of attending a media event for Gaylord Palms “ICE” in Orlando. When the kids were younger I used to take them to see the Gingerbread displays here, but I’ve never seen ICE. It was amazing! 

We had the opportunity to see part of their Cirque Dreams Unwrapped stage show with flying trapeze acts, dancers and more! The stunts were breathtaking! They flew right over the audience with ease! 

After the show we took a short walk over to where the ICE event was being held. You walk inside the most adorable Christmas village filled with all kinds of activities and treats! (Even a Bar for the adults…Hot Toddy’s!), but the Hot Chocolate options looked wonderful! The first thing you see when entering this festive Village is an Ice slide! Of course I had to get on that! It’s a Tube ride that you can race your friends down the ice! Fair warning…. Pick up you bum! I thought they said DON’T pick up my bum so that made for an adventurous ride!! But really it was super fun! All the adults were having a blast right alongside the kids! I can see this whole attraction as being a great date night or family fun night out! 

We then moved on to the rest of the Village which included a room set up with large tables to decorate Gingerbread cookies and appearances by the cutest Gingerbread couple, along with the Peanuts Character appearances out front of it. There’s also a Storytelling room with none other than Mrs. Claus herself! The kids can write a letter to Santa and drop it at the North Pole Post Office and even get a chance to meet with SANTA! So much fun! 

But the really treat here is when you go into ICE itself! You first come to a Parka station where you get one of their free Parkas to use while you walk through the exhibit. It’s a COOL 9 degrees inside so if you’re prone to chills..GET THE PARKA! I happen to enjoy the cold and this Floridian took the opportunity to wear a faux fur coat! WIN! But, if you want to enjoy the other ICE slides inside this area you’ll need to wear a Parka. It’s required. So get the Parka! I also suggest wearing gloves and keeping your cell phone warm. I had mine in a Lifeproof case and that saved it from shutting down like all the others around me. The cold drains the battery almost instantly! 

All in all you’re surrounded by beautifully carved ICE sculptures, but the most breathtaking part of the whole experience is the last scene… The Nativity Scene stops you in your tracks! Take the time to Enjoy! 

If you’re interested in booking a package at the Gaylord Palms for ICE or adding it to your Walt Disney World holiday vacation, I’d love to help! 

Christine Fox

www.uponastartravel.com

Upon A Star Travel & Concierge 

Unwrap The Holidays at Walt Disney World!

Walt Disney World is a winter wonderland of twinkling lights & holiday magic! Curious how the Parks transform into their holiday splendor so quickly? With Disney's new Yuletide Fantasy & Holiday D-Lights tour, guests will be able to venture backstage to meet with the Holiday Services Cast Members! 

Discover how Cinderella's Castle is immersed into its spectacular display of thousands of twinkle lights and experience Epcot's popular Candlelight Processional. Disney’s Holiday D-Lights is offered on 12 select nights throughout the season. 'Tis the season to contact your Travel Agent to register for this special tour during the holiday season! 

Contact your Upon A Star Agent today here!

uponastartarvel.com

Experience a Magical Holiday at Universal Orlando Resort™

From November 18th-January 6th 2018, both The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™ and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™  will be transformed by festive decorations, treats and special entertainment. And when the stars begin to shine, a stunning projection wraps Hogwarts™ castle in dazzling holiday spirit. 

The Minions are back for a new incarnation of the Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy's! Experience magic and mayhem as the minions help celebrate Holiday magic in this fun parade!

Grinchmas™ will be back at Seuss Landing™. Experience this Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday tale starring The Grinch™ Make this experience even more exciting by booking a breakfast with the Grinch and his friends!

Nothing says Christmas like the classic sounds of Mannheim Steamroller! Performances available on select dates!!

 Universal Orlando Resort™ is the place to be for the Holidays!! It's not too late to book a trip and enjoy all the amazing events  going on this Fall! Contact our Universal Studios Specialists here today for more information!