‘IllumiNations’ Dining Package Coming to Epcot

Starting Jan. 19, 2019, you can enjoy a delicious meal and specially-reserved viewing for the farewell season of "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" with the new dining package!

The “IllumiNations” Dining Package, allows you to sit back and relax on the patio of the Rose & Crown Dining Room, located in the United Kingdom Pavilion, while eating classic British fare and enjoying sweeping views of World Showcase Lagoon. The Rose & Crown patio has a fabulous view of the nighttime spectacular!

The package includes a prix fixe menu that features a selection of Rose & Crown favorites, as well as unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

You will start your meal off with a Scotch Egg or the United Kingdom Cheese Platter, and follow up with popular entrées such as Rose & Crown’s signature Fish and Chips, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Pan-roasted Scottish Salmon, or Bangers and Mash. And for dessert, you will love the Pudding Platter Trio featuring Sticky Toffee Pudding, English Trifle, and Chocolate Nougat Bar. Kids can enjoy a soup or salad with their choice of Cheese and Turkey Flatbread, Turkey Meatball Pasta, Cheesy Pasta, or Fish and Chips as well as either Fruit Salad or Trifle for dessert.

The “IllumiNations” Dining Package is a great new way to experience “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” before the show takes its final bow at the end of summer 2019. Reservations are available starting Jan. 17, 2019 for reservations starting on Jan. 18, 2019. Pricing is $85 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $35 per child (ages 3 to 9), with tax and gratuity included. The experience, showtimes, and menu items are all subject to change without notice, and alcoholic beverages will only be served to guests 21 and up with valid ID. 

What a great way to say goodbye to Illuminations!

Want to add this great experience to your reservation? Contact our travel experts HERE today!


Aloha Aulani!

Aloha e komo mai! Why am I speaking Hawaiian? Well, I recently returned from an amazing trip to the island of Oahu! Specifically, I stayed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, in the beautiful little town of Ko’Olina.

Talk about bucket list! My 6 nights there was simply too short though — I loved everything about Hawai’i and about this resort!

First of all, the theming was simply gorgeous! The Imagineers really tried to stay true to the Hawaiian culture, and since they were headed up by Joe Rhode, who grew up in Hawai’i, they did a fabulous job. It was a lovely blend of traditional and Hawaiian culture!

If I tried to write down everything about this resort, the post would be incredibly long, so I’ll try to highlight as best I can its amazing features!

You can’t talk Hawai’i without mentioning the BEACH. Just…. wow! The beach is a lovely private cove area. Rocks break the worst of the waves. and you can easily swim, boogie board, or snorkel in GORGEOUS blue water!


Seriously though — look at that beach!! That water!! Totally not edited. No filter. Make you want to exit the snow and cold immediately, doesn’t it??

There is also a beautiful pool area for families, an adult pool area, and even a pool that overlooks the ocean! There’s also a lazy river, and “Rainbow Reef”, which is a small enclosed snorkeling lagoon where you are guaranteed to see beautiful fish.

What about accommodations, though? Well, they were very comfortable! There are regular hotel rooms as well as Deluxe Studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom villas. There’s even an amazing 3-bedroom grand villa!

Below are some shots from the larger 2 and 3 bedroom villas.

Dining was also a treat! Makahiki serves a wonderful character buffet for breakfast with entertainment by Aunty (and the character aspect is available select nights for dinner as well). I also enjoyed the signature, open air dining of ‘Ama ‘Ama!

There are some great quick service locations too! There is the Ulu Cafe, featuring daily sandwiches, pizza, Poke Bowls, and more! There is also Mama’s Snack Stop (the coconut shrimp picture), and Paipalua Shave Ice (get the sweetened condensed milk on top)! There are several other quick serve locations throughout the resort as well.

In the evenings, you can enjoy apps, drinks, and live entertainment at the ‘Ōlelo room — featuring native Hawaiian speakers who will even teach you how to speak the language!

But what about the kids? Oh no worries there! Aunty’s Beach House has you totally covered! It’s a kid’s paradise in there!

Kids are occupied, so… why not hit the spa? The Laniwai Spa is a beautiful, relaxing spot complete with outdoor hydrotherapy!

There is also a Hawaiian version of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Painted Sky! This place was simply adorable!

The great thing about Aulani is that it’s located just across the street from a great little shopping center! There’s a small ABC/Grocery, several great eateries, and adorable boutiques! I bought my new favorite dress there, actually! There is also an Alamo car rental right on-site, making it super easy to drive the island for the day. We took a trip up to the North Shore via the quaint little town of Wahiawa (shout out to Surfer’s Coffee… BEST CHAI LATTE around!!). We also hit up Leonard’s Malasadas truck, Giovanni’s Shrimp truck (I’m drooling remembering this place), and Waimea Botanical Gardens! We got caught in a random rainstorm there, but we were awarded with a gorgeous full rainbow as a result!

What’s Hawai’i without a luau? Aulani had a beautiful show, which I was privileged to attend. I loved that in addition to the dancers, fire twirlers, and of course, storytellers, there were plenty of Hawaiian activities ahead of time! You could make a flower wreath, play the ukelele, get a stamp tattoo, stamp/paint a card, have photo ops, and more!

Of course, there are other touches of Disney magic throughout the resort, all of which only enhanced the magical storytelling of Hawai’i. We simply cannot wait to go back!!

Ready to get away to paradise? We would love to help! Ask your Upon A Star Travel expert for information!

Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has an exciting expansion that’s currently underway! Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled more about the reimagining, including the name of the new 15-story centerpiece of the resort, the Gran Destino Tower!

The tower, which will be completed in July 2019, will serve as the new main entrance point for Guests visiting the resort, and will add a total of 545 new Guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort, as well as feature a gorgeous two-story lobby. A themed table-service restaurant is also planned for the top of Gran Destino Tower, which will serve up delicious food and incredible views of the Walt Disney World® Resort.

An oasis set on the shore of Lago Dorado, the reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the daring spirit of the great Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects. Throughout the resort, Guests will discover a blend of classic Spanish influences, imaginative Disney touches and modern comforts both inside and out. The resort’s more than 1,800 existing rooms have also been fully updated with new fixtures, furnishings and lighting. A second new restaurant is planned to open on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado, with new walkways stretching across the water, making it convenient no matter where guests stay at the resort. And a fresh color palette will tie the entire resort experience together, blending the new and the newly reimagined.

If this sounds great to you, we will soon be able to book guests here for stays starting July 2019!

Contact our travel experts HERE today for more info about booking your next Walt Disney Vacation!

Disney After Hours

Want to maximize your time at Magic Kingdom? Then Disney after hours is for you!

During this special ticketed event you can get in as early as 7 p.m. to experience the fireworks before hitting more than 25 attractions and experiences with little to no wait! Ice Cream and beverages are included too!

Here are the new dates and times:

  • 12/3: 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  • 12/10: 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  • 1/7: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • 1/17: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • 1/24: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • 1/28: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • 2/7: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • 2/28: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  • 2/14: 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
  • 3/7: 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Tickets are now available for purchase! Advanced purchase price for these new dates is $125 plus tax. The day-of price is $129 plus tax.  

 

If you would like to take advantage of Disney After Hours, contact your Upon A Star Travel Consultant today!

Don't have a travel consultant? Check HERE today!