Magical Vacation Planner by Shannon Barnes

08/09/2026

We go every year!! This is a great date night!!

🚨EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Returns August 27–November 21, 2026!

Foodies, your favorite festival is almost here!

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World from August 27 through November 21, 2026, bringing global flavors, live entertainment, family activities, and returning festival favorites to EPCOT.

✨ Returning Festival Favorites

🍴 Global Marketplaces featuring flavors from around the world

🧀 Emile's Fromage Montage, where guests can sample cheese-inspired dishes, collect stamps, and earn a festival treat.

🐭 Remy's Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt, an interactive adventure inspired by Ratatouille that's perfect for the whole family.

🎶 Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns to the America Gardens Theatre with live performances included in EPCOT admission. Festival dining packages will also be available.

🧀 NEW for 2026

Beginning September 18, CommuniCore Hall will debut an all-new interactive "Cheers to Cheese!" exhibit celebrating one of the world's most beloved foods.

📸 Guests can also enjoy new and returning Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots, including a NEW Waiter Mickey Mouse Magic Shot available throughout World Showcase, along with returning favorites like Chef Figment and the Swedish Chef.

Ready to taste your way around the world? Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today!

📍EPCOT | Walt Disney World Resort | EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

08/09/2026

Dates sell out fast!! My husband and I are full-grown adults… til party time… LOL. This is something you can enjoy with your kids or grands OR a great date night. You’re allowed to be a kid and get excited about meeting great villains , trick or treating, and dressing up and just having fun.

🚨Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Returns August 7–October 31!

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Magic Kingdom on select nights from August 7 through October 31, 2026. This separately ticketed event features exclusive entertainment, trick-or-treating, rare character meet-and-greets, specialty food, themed merchandise, and more.

✨ New for 2026:

Stitch hosts an all-new dance party in Tomorrowland with Lilo and Angel.
The fan-favorite Cadaver Dans return with their haunting harmonies.

🎃 Returning favorites include:

Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade (8:15 PM)
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular
Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks
Trick-or-treating with over a dozen candy locations
Exclusive Halloween merchandise and treats

💡 MVP Tip: Party guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM, even though the event officially begins at 7:00 PM, giving you up to 8 hours to enjoy the park and party offerings.

Ready for Disney's happiest haunt? Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today!

📍Magic Kingdom | Walt Disney World Resort | Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

07/26/2026

🚨NEW: Universal Orlando has officially announced FORTNITEMARES, a brand-new Fortnite-inspired scare zone coming to Halloween Horror Nights!

Guests will drop in from the Battle Bus and brave the Storm as they encounter terrifying creatures inspired by Fortnite’s annual Halloween event.

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to plan your Halloween Horror Nights vacation.

07/26/2026

🚨NEW: The Magic of Disney Animation opens September 14 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney just revealed EVERYTHING coming to this new experience!

Here’s what’s coming 👇

✏️ Olaf Draws!
Learn to draw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Genie, Moana, Stitch, Olaf, Ursula, Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and more with an all-new Olaf Audio-Animatronics figure! ⛄

🎭 Off the Page!
Meet Disney characters in an area celebrating the artistry of animation, including:
✨ Mulan
👑 Rapunzel
🐿️ Chip ‘n’ Dale
🦆 Donald and Daisy
🐶 Goofy
💙 Stitch

🎬 Once Upon A Studio Theater
Watch Once Upon a Studio with a special twist and enhanced effects!

🖼️ Enchanted Art Gallery
See portraits come to life with all-new animations inspired by Once Upon a Studio.

🐇 Drawn to Wonderland
Kids can explore an indoor playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s concept art for Alice in Wonderland.

🎨 Plus, explore different studio departments inspired by Disney Animation headquarters!

📲 Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today to start planning your Walt Disney World vacation!

06/25/2026

🚨BREAKING: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is officially returning to Magic Kingdom on select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026!

This separately ticketed holiday event brings festive entertainment, special character meet-and-greets, holiday overlays on select attractions, complimentary treats, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., and some of Disney’s most beloved seasonal entertainment.

Guests can look forward to:
🎅 Meeting Santa Claus at Storybook Circus
🎆 Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
🎄 Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade
❄️ Frozen Holiday Surprise at Cinderella Castle
🎭 Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
🍪 Complimentary holiday cookies and beverages
🎢 Holiday overlays on attractions like Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and Mad Tea Party

🎟️ Tickets go on sale July 9 for select Disney Resort hotel guests and July 16 for all other guests.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party remains one of the most popular special-ticketed events at Walt Disney World. Between the parade, fireworks, exclusive entertainment, and lower attraction wait times, it has become a holiday tradition for many Disney fans. 👀🎄

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation during the holiday season, you’ll want to secure your party tickets early.

📲 Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today to start planning your holiday getaway:

06/25/2026

Now is the time to start planning for a fall trip. The weather is beautiful and Halloween and Christmas truly are magical at Disney !

🚨NEW: Save Up to 20% on Walt Disney World Resort Hotels This Holiday Season

Looking to save on a Walt Disney World holiday vacation? Disney just released a new room offer!

Guests can save up to 20% on select Disney Resorts Collection hotels during the 2026 holiday season, making it the perfect time to experience all the festive magic at Walt Disney World.

✨ Offer details:
🏨 Save up to 20% on select Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts
📅 Valid for stays:
• Most Sunday–Thursday nights from October 4 – November 19, 2026
• Most nights (including weekends) from November 22 – December 24, 2026

Additional savings are also available:
✨ Save up to 15% at select Moderate, Value, and Villa Resorts
✨ Save up to 10% at select Value Resorts, including Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s All-Star Resorts.

📲 Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today to find the best resort for your family and take advantage of this limited-time Disney offer!

05/21/2026

I’m knee deep in planning my end of June trip to Disney and super excited to ride the Muppets version of this ride!! If you need help planning to Disney OR Universal, yell… it doesn’t cost you anything, your trip costs no more than if you plan it yourself.. and as an annual pass holder to both sets of parks, I know how to make the most of a trip!

04/16/2026

New Disney Dining Plans just dropped !

🚨 Disney World Brings Back Free Dining for 2026 While Expanding Dining Plans for 2027

Here’s what’s coming 👇

🎟 Book a 4-Night / 4-Day Package
✔ Disney Resort hotel stay
✔ Theme park tickets with Park Hopper

👉 And get a FREE Dining Plan

📅 Travel Dates (Select Nights)
• June 28 – October 3, 2026
• October 19 – October 31, 2026
• December 6 – December 21, 2026

⏰ Book By
April 30, 2026

🍽 What You Get
🏨 Deluxe Resorts → FREE Disney Dining Plan
🏝 Moderate & Value Resorts → FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan

🍽 3 Dining Plans Available in 2027
• Quick-Service Dining Plan
• Table-Service Dining Plan
• NEW: Deluxe Table-Service Dining Plan

✨ Deluxe Plan Breakdown
• 2 Table-Service meals per night
• 1 Quick-Service meal per night
• 1 snack or drink per night
• Resort-refillable mug

💡 What makes this BIG 👇
Table-Service & Deluxe plans include:
• Character dining 🎭
• Signature/fine dining 🍷
• Dinner shows + dining events

This is built for guests who want to prioritize experiences over quick meals think more sit-down dining, more atmosphere, more memories

⚠️ Important to know
• Meals are based on nights, not days
• Unused credits expire at checkout
• Some signature dining = 2 credits

💡 Translation:
Disney is leaning back into a more premium, all-inclusive dining experience

👇 Are you going Deluxe for the FULL experience… or keeping it simple?

📲 Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today:
https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/booking-form/



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04/02/2026

Looking for great Disney Deals for this summer?!?!

🚨 Disney+ Subscribers Just Got a BIG Summer Deal

If you have Disney+… this might be one of the BEST ways to stay at Walt Disney World Resort this summer

Here’s what you need to know 👇

🎟 Disney+ Perks Resort Offer
Exclusive discounted rates at select Disney Resorts

📅 Booking Window
Starts April 2 (midnight)

📆 Travel Dates
June 21 – August 15, 2026
(2-night minimum stay required)

💸 Starting Prices
• $99/night – Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• $169/night – Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
• $249/night – Disney’s Art of Animation (Cars Suite)
• $279/night – Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• $369/night – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Savanna View)

👇 Would you stay value… or upgrade to that Savanna View? 🦒

📲 Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today:
https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/booking-form/



Disney World hotel deals 2026
Disney+ resort discount summer ✨