Magical Vacation Planner by Mary Kinney

Magical Vacation Planner by Mary Kinney My name is Mary, and I'm dedicated to helping you plan unforgettable vacations. I also specialize in planning Universal and cruises. Let's start planning

Disney, which stole my heart years ago, is just one of the many destinations I can help you explore.

09/03/2026

🚨🌊 NEW: Kids Under 3 Get FREE Admission to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Tides Waterpark!

The news was confirmed during an executive leadership panel at the exclusive preview event for the new Great Tides Waterpark. Kids under 3 will receive free admission, giving families with little ones another reason to experience NCL’s newest destination experience.

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to start planning your Norwegian Cruise Line vacation!

08/31/2026

🚨🎄 NEW: Disneyland Reveals Mickey and Minnie’s NEW Holiday Outfits for 2026!

The holidays are getting a brand-new look at the Disneyland Resort! Disney just shared a first look at Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their all-new holiday attire for the 2026 season.

Beginning November 13, 2026, guests can find Mickey, Minnie, and some of their friends in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., wearing new outfits inspired by the spirit of holiday travel and a wintry alpine gathering.

The new looks are just one part of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, which officially returns November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027.

Guests can also look forward to returning favorites including “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks, Haunted Mansion Holiday, “it’s a small world” Holiday, Disney Festival of Holidays, Disney ¡Viva Navidad! and more.

🎄 What do you think of Mickey and Minnie’s new holiday looks?

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to start planning your holiday visit to the Disneyland Resort!

08/27/2026

🚨🏨 NEW: Disney Reveals a FIRST LOOK Inside Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge!

Disney just gave us our first look inside the guest rooms coming to Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, the newest resort opening at Walt Disney World on July 1, 2027!

The new resort will feature 967 rooms, ranging from cozy duo studios and spacious villas to brand-new waterfront Lake Houses, with designs inspired by nature and classic Disney films.

The new Lake Houses will sit along Bay Lake and feature A-frame architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows and private waterfront porches. Inside, guests will find artwork inspired by Brother Bear and even a Northern Lights-inspired lighting feature in the primary bedroom.

Throughout the resort, different accommodations will draw inspiration from Disney favorites including Encanto, Bambi, Fantasia and Pocahontas.

Select club-level guests will also have access to The Artist’s Nest, a concierge lounge with views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks!

Reservations begin opening October 6 for Disney Vacation Club members, October 7 for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and October 8 for all guests.

👇 What do you think of the first look?

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to start planning your 2027 Walt Disney World vacation!

08/25/2026

🚨🚢 NEW: Disney Cruise Line Is Returning to New York City in Fall 2027!

Disney Cruise Line is officially heading back to New York City, and this time the Disney Wish is coming with it! This will mark the first time the Disney Wish has ever sailed from New York.

Beginning September 29, 2027, the Disney Wish will offer a lineup of seven sailings ranging from 4 to 7 nights, visiting destinations across Bermuda, Canada and New England.

The season includes a 4-night Bermuda cruise, 5-night Canada and New England sailing, a 6-night Bermuda and Canada cruise, multiple 5-night Bermuda cruises and a 7-night Canada cruise visiting Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax.

And there’s one more unique itinerary! 👀

The Disney Wish will finish its New York season with a 5-night one-way cruise from NYC to San Juan, Puerto Rico, departing October 31 and visiting Bermuda twice before arriving in San Juan on November 5.

🗽 Disney Cruise Line from New York is BACK!

👇 Which Disney Wish itinerary would you choose?

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to start planning your Disney Cruise Line vacation!

08/24/2026

🚨🎃 Halloween Horror Nights 35 Celebrates 35 Years With 10 Houses, 5 Scare Zones and More

Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Florida select nights August 28 through November 1, 2026, celebrating its massive 35th anniversary with the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares.

This year features 10 haunted houses, including some HUGE names:

🔥 Stranger Things 5
🩸 Sinners
⛓️ Hellraiser — the first-ever HHN house based on the franchise
🧟 Evil Dead Burn
🎸 Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness
🤡 Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control
👽 Invasion: Alien Abduction
🤖 Cybergoria
🩸 Madlands: Caged Cannibals
📺 H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular!

But the houses are only part of HHN 35. Universal is bringing five scare zones and two live shows, including the NEW Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins lagoon show.

And yes — Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow are BOTH back, appearing together for the first time and shaping the story behind this year's event.

👇 Which HHN 35 house are you going through FIRST?

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to start planning your Universal Orlando vacation!

08/23/2026

🚨 NEW:Disney Reveals 30 Returning and Reimagined Foods for EPCOT Food & Wine Festival’s 30th Anniversary

Come hungry because the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival returns August 27 through November 21, 2026, with food and drinks from around the world!

And this year is a BIG one the festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary, with 30 fan-favorite items returning or being reimagined from previous years.

Some of the NEW eats include:

🍗 Basil Pesto Chicken Dumplings
🍕 BBQ Braai Chicken Pizza
🍩 Pistachio-Chocolate Mochi Doughnut
🧀 Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese
🌮 Tostada de Osso Buco
🍰 Caramel-Apple Cheesecake Baumkuchen
🔥 Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding

Emile’s Fromage Montage also returns! Guests can purchase five qualifying cheese dishes, collect stamps in their Festival Passport and head to Shimmering Sips for a festival treat.

👇 What are you eating FIRST?

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

08/20/2026

🚨🎢 NEW: Universal Orlando Vacation Deal Includes 2026 AND 2027 Travel Dates!

Planning a Universal Orlando vacation? Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations is offering guests the chance to save up to $300 on qualifying vacation packages for travel dates through December 31, 2027!

Here’s what you need to know 👇

💰 SAVE UP TO $300
The Bundle & Save offer is available for qualifying travel from:

📅 June 5, 2026 – December 31, 2027

To qualify, packages generally need to include:

🏨 At least a 2-night hotel stay
🎟️ A multi-day Park-to-Park ticket or eligible Annual/Seasonal Pass for each member of the traveling party
✨ New bookings only

🎢 BONUS: 2 EXTRA PARK DAYS

Select promotional tickets give guests 5 days of park admission for the price of a 3-Day Park-to-Park ticket.

For arrivals through October 19, 2026 AND again April 1–24, 2027, eligible tickets include:

• Universal Studios Florida
• Universal Islands of Adventure
• Universal Epic Universe
• Universal Volcano Bay 🌊

For arrivals October 20, 2026–March 31, 2027, the promotional ticket includes Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe.

💡 MVP Tip: If you’re already thinking about a Universal Orlando trip in 2026 or 2027, this gives you a much larger travel window to start planning ahead and potentially save up to $300 on your vacation package.

📲 Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today to start planning your Universal Orlando vacation!

08/19/2026

🎄🚨 NEW: Universal Orlando Reveals More Details for Its 2026 Holiday Celebration, Including Up to 30% Off Hotels!

The holidays return to Universal Orlando Resort from November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, bringing back Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Grinchmas and Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.

But there are some BIG additions this year! 👀

🎮 For the FIRST TIME EVER, holiday décor is coming to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. Celestial Park will also transform into a cosmic winter wonderland with twinkling trees and holiday displays at the Cosmos Fountain.

⚡ Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will span all three parks, including Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe, with festive décor, entertainment, seasonal food and Hot Butterbeer.

🎅 The separately ticketed Universal Holiday Tour also returns with exclusive meet-and-greets with The Grinch and Max, Santa Claus, reserved Grinchmas seating and optional reserved parade viewing. Prices start at $69.99 per person, plus tax.

🏨 PLUS, Universal is offering up to 30% off select hotel stays of five consecutive nights or more for eligible travel dates.

👇 What are you most excited to experience during the holidays at Universal Orlando?

Contact a Magical Vacation Planner to start planning your Universal Orlando holiday vacation!

08/14/2026

🚨 NEW: Yzma Is Making Her Oogie Boogie Bash Debut at Disney California Adventure!

Pull the lever, Kronk!

For the first time, Yzma from Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove is joining the villainous lineup at Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure. She’ll be stirring up mayhem in Grizzly Peak with her potion-making abilities and, naturally, “pulling every lever” she can find.

And Yzma isn’t the only villain guests can encounter.

🍬 Returning and featured Treat Trail characters include:
• Oogie Boogie
• Ernesto de la Cruz
• Syndrome
• Maleficent
• Agatha Harkness
• Dr. Doofenshmirtz
• Hades
• Judge Doom
👻 Also NEW this year: “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party” will bring Haunted Mansion characters into the streets of Disney California Adventure, including ballroom dancers, gravediggers and the iconic hitchhiking ghosts.

📅 Oogie Boogie Bash runs on select nights August 18 through October 31, 2026. At the time of Disney’s announcement, tickets remained available for select dates.

💡 MVP Tip: Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed after-hours event, and availability is limited by event date. If seeing Yzma is on your Halloween bucket list, don’t wait too long to make your plans!

Ready for a wicked night at Disneyland Resort? Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today!

📍 Disney California Adventure | Disneyland Resort | Oogie Boogie Bash

08/12/2026

🚨 NEW: Norwegian Cruise Line Announces More Than 450 Cruises for Summer 2028!

It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation!

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially opened its Summer 2028 cruises for booking, featuring more than 450 voyages ranging from 3 to 14 days across 20 ships, 25 homeports, nearly 150 destinations and 51 countries.

And there are some BIG itinerary highlights 👀

🏝️ Bahamas & Caribbean: Norwegian Aqua, Luna and Aura will visit Great Stirrup Cay, giving guests the opportunity to experience the new Great Tides Waterpark. Norwegian Aura will also sail 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami.

🏔️ Alaska: Four ships will sail Alaska from April through October 2028, with Norwegian Encore, Bliss and Joy offering weekend departures from Seattle. Every sailing will feature glacier viewing.

🇪🇺 Europe: Guests can explore destinations throughout the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, British Isles, Iceland and Northern Europe. Norwegian Jewel will even make its Morocco debut, while Norwegian Getaway will make NCL’s first-ever visit to Vik, Norway.

🌊 Bermuda: Norwegian will return to Philadelphia for a fifth consecutive season, with Norwegian Gem sailing 7-day Bermuda cruises featuring overnight stays at Royal Naval Dockyard. Cruises will also depart from New York and Boston.

🌺 South Pacific: Norwegian Spirit will offer 11- to 13-day itineraries from Sydney, Fiji, French Polynesia and Honolulu.

Why this matters 👇

NCL says nearly 80% of these voyages will be spent in port, with 175 overnight stays and late departures across 53 destinations, giving travelers even more time to explore each destination.

💡 MVP Tip: Summer 2028 may sound far away, but booking early means more choices when it comes to your preferred ship, itinerary, sailing date and stateroom.

Ready to start planning for 2028? Contact a Magical Vacation Planner today!

📍 Alaska | Caribbean | Bahamas | Europe | Bermuda | South Pacific

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