Katy Stearns with Mouse Counselors

10/09/2024

Wearing my very appropriate "Wingin' it!" shirt as I ride out Hurricane Milton from the Polynesian Villas. Disney has been fantastic, I feel informed and prepared and am safely hunkered down in my room watching Lilo and Stitch as the storm arrives. My thoughts are with the cast members and locals and those further west, hoping everyone stays safe through the next few days!

08/23/2024

Now that some of the buzz around D23 has calmed down, let's talk about the changes coming to Disney parks by the end of 2025!

Walt Disney World
-The new Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort opens December 17, 2024! This is a DVC building that will also have a new restaurant and a Moana-themed splash pad.
-All 2025 WDW resort stays come with admission to one of Disney's water parks on their check-in days
-A new nighttime parade, "Disney Starlight", will debut in Magic Kingdom in summer 2025
-A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge will open in Magic Kingdom sometime in 2025
-A new Spaceship Earth-themed lounge will open in EPCOT sometime in 2025
-Test Track is currently closed for a retheming effort and will reopen sometime in 2025.

Disneyland
-Tiana's Bayou Adventure is opening November 15, 2024!
-Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is "opening soon" - this is a Country Bear-ified Hungry Bear restaurant in Critter Country
-Disneyland will be celebrating its 70th birthday in 2025!

Past D23s have spoken a lot more about ideas than changes actively in the works, and the fact that we can currently book trips when all these things are set to open feel like a much more reasonable timeline that I feel good getting excited about!

06/24/2024

🎅❄️⛄️📯🎄Big News this morning -- we've got details on holiday parties at Walt Disney World!

Dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:
Nov. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
Dec. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20
Ticket prices will range from $169-219 depending on how close to Christmas you are.

Dates for Jollywood Nights:
Nov. 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
Dec. 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21
Ticket prices will range from $159-179 depending on how close to Christmas you are.

Also confirmed returning is the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Animal Kingdom's Merry Menagerie, Disney Spring's Christmas Tree Stroll, and the Disney resort gingerbread houses!

Christmas is always a magical time of year at WDW and I'd love to help you experience it!

Find out all about the magical activities, food, entertainment, and special events planned for the holidays at Disney World.

06/06/2024

Disney's got some great deals going on in Florida, California, and on Disney Cruise Line! If you're looking to take a trip before early 2025 you've got some great opportunities to save.

If you're interested in a quote, fill out the form at the link below!

https://forms.gle/ARpbzm84pAyjAPab7

05/19/2024

I just spent a week in northern Italy, hiking the Dolomites and exploring small towns. On the way back we detoured to Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany, which was Walt's inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland and subsequently all the other "Disney" Castle aesthetics. (You may also recognize it from Soarin' Around the World!)

Built by Ludwig II in the 1880s, it's a really extravagant and very well-preserved/restored example of medieval design, built by a king who loved fairytales and felt he was born in the wrong time period. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but let me tell you the inside was fantastic and absolutely worth all the hype it's given.

05/06/2024

We've got dates for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2024!

If you have a reservation at select Disney resorts, tickets go on sale this Wednesday, May 8! Tickets go on sale for everyone else on May 15.

Party Dates:
August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31

Let's get spooky!

We’re doling out five new treats — plus returning favorites — for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2024!

05/06/2024

GET READY HERE WE GO!!!! 🎃👻🎃👻🎃

05/04/2024

Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you!

I got to go to Star Wars Nite at Disneyland and it was INCREDIBLE. The rare characters, the food & drinks, and entertainment were all top notch. Here's some of my favorite moments!

05/02/2024

Details on the Super Nintendo World in Universal Orlando's Epic Universe have been released today! Check out this Fly-Through. I've been to Super Nintendo World at Universal Hollywood (CA), but this one will more closely resemble the original in Japan. I'm so excited for that Donkey Kong expansion too!

Epic Universe is opening next year and I'd love to help you check it out!

Experience many of your favorite video game characters like never before. From steering through iconic Mario Kart courses, to riding a mine cart through Donk...

04/29/2024

Happy ! Did you know there's a Hidden Mickey hiding in plain sight on the facade of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! in ? See image two for a close up and see if you can find it. There's only one set of bolts that are right side up - all the others are upside down and don't count as Mickeys!

04/28/2024

When it comes to churros, Disneyland far surpasses Walt Disney World without question. The specialty flavors are all so interesting and fun to track down around the park. My favorite was the spiced shortbread churro -- it came with cookie butter dipping sauce and had the ultimate elevated churro flavor.

04/25/2024

Tomorrow until August 4, experience extra Pixar magic in Disneyland at Pixar Fest! I got to see a preview of the fireworks show and it is so cute! Special character meet & greets, shows, and snacks are also in abundance. I'm loving Disneyland's event calendar so far this year -- this will be so fun!