 Are you ready for the Disney Cruise Line to bring some of your most cherished Disney park experiences onto the high seas? For the first time ever, the upcoming ship, the Disney Treasure, will feature spaces inspired by iconic attractions from Disney Parks around the world. 🌍  A First Glimpse into Three Magical Spaces 🌟Fascinating details were recently unveiled about these specially designed areas—starting with the Periscope Pub, a space bringing the magic of Walt Disney's 1954 classic and the enduring Disney Parks attraction, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” to life. Next, the Skipper Society pays homage to the world-renowned Jungle Cruise attractions, while the Tomorrow Tower Suite honors EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort. 🛳  Skipper Society: A Leafy Tribute to Jungle Cruise 🌿🚤At Disneyland Resort, the Jungle Cruise's lush surroundings immerse you in a world tour by water. On the Disney Treasure, the Skipper Society will host identical plant species to celebrate the original ride. Vintage luggage adorned with travel stickers from Jungle Cruise destinations—including the infamous 'backside of water'—will grace the area behind the bar. 🎒🌏 Love the Jungle Cruise’s iconic green and red building at the Magic Kingdom? Those same hues will adorn the walls of Skipper Society! 🎨 While enjoying bites and drinks, you'll even get to listen to familiar Jungle Cruise spiels in multiple languages like English, Dutch, French, and Cantonese. 🗺 Oh, and the bar area will have its own jungle boat name—“Ems Empress”—named after the Ems River, where the Disney Treasure will embark on its inaugural journey. 🛥  Periscope Pub: Dive Into Captain Nemo’s World 🌊🦑This space will feature various artifacts from the world of Captain Nemo and his daring Nautilus crew. Keep an eye out for hidden numbers on a submarine pressure gauge; these will signify both the coordinates of the Meyer Werft shipyard where Disney Treasure was built, and the hull numbers of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. 📍 The Periscope Pub will also offer an array of undersea-themed snacks and drinks, including three exclusive craft beers themed to “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” 🍻  Tomorrow Tower Suite: An Ode to EPCOT 🌐🐉Guests stepping into this suite will find Figment, EPCOT’s lovable purple dragon, playfully hiding in various spots. 🐲 A special sculpture inspired by Spaceship Earth will greet you at the base of the spiral staircase, complete with music and lighting effects that evoke the essence of EPCOT. 🌌 Prepare to set sail on this magical journey in December 2024. Are you as excited as we are? 🚢✨
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 Here we goOn a particularly eerie Wednesday night, September 6th, my colleague Carol Solorzano and I ventured into the unknown. As part of the Travel Bug Professionals—a team specializing in Universal vacations—we were invited for special training by Universal. We braved the thrills and chills of Halloween Horror Nights, our hearts pounding but our goal resolute: to better understand and plan this haunting experience for our clients.  Expectations vs RealityWe went in expecting to be terrified, and let's just say, Universal did not disappoint! 😱 Beyond the fear, however, we were deeply impressed by the meticulous attention to detail in set design, costumes, and overall ambiance.  The Houses of HorrorThroughout the night, we visited several houses, including Stranger Things 4, Try to Escape the Curse of Vecna, YETI: Campground Kills, and Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate. Each offered its own unique brand of terror, but the Yeti house stole the show for us. The towering beasts loomed so close that I couldn't help but step on the heels of the people in front of me. Sorry, folks! 👣
Tasteful TerrorOur fears were momentarily set aside as we indulged in some Halloween-themed culinary delights. 🍔 The Peanut Blooder Burger, part of Universal Orlando's Taste of Terror, offered an unusual yet oddly satisfying blend of flavors with its peanut sauce, raspberry jelly, cheddar, jalapeño, bacon, and cherry peppers, all beautifully packed in a black bun. Twisted tators and fried Oreos also made the cut!  Scare Zones and PerformancesAfter dark, the scare zones came alive, and oh boy, did they deliver! We walked through Vamp '69 - Summer of Blood, where we were surrounded by zombie hippies. One even got close enough to hiss in my ear! 🧛♂️  Expert Advice: Go for the Express PassGiven the event's popularity, we highly recommend opting for an Express Pass or a RIP tour to make the most of your night. ⏳
A Duel to Remember: The Death Eaters ShowBut wait, there's more! One unforgettable highlight of our night was the Death Eaters Show. Just when we thought we'd seen it all, the atmosphere turned electric—or should we say, darkly magical. 😈 At the end of the mesmerizing performance, the Death Eaters didn't just take a bow and vanish; they walked straight into the crowd! Surrounded by atmospheric smoke and under the eerie glow of creepy green lights, they seemed to challenge us to a duel. The experience was nothing short of spellbinding and added an extra layer of excitement and interactivity that we hadn't anticipated. Absolutely amazing! 🪄✨  Final ThoughtsOur favorite part was the realization of why people are so enamored with this event. Halloween Horror Nights is a masterfully crafted experience that caters to those who relish the spine-tingling sensations that only a good scare can offer. 🎃 Would we go again? Absolutely! But never alone. A night of terror is best shared with friends, don't you think?  Why Ask Us?As Travel Bug Professionals who specialize in Universal vacations, we have the expertise to make your Halloween Horror Nights experience unforgettable. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned horror fan, we can help you navigate the scares and thrills to get the most out of your night. Reach out to us to start planning your own haunting escapade! 👻 So, what are you waiting for? Reach out now and make this Halloween season a time to remember! You can email us at hello@travelbugcompany.com or join our Universal Orlando Facebook group here. Unveiling the Spooks: A Complete Guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Universal Orlando8/21/2023  Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is not just an event; it's an institution. As the leaves change and a chill enters the air, Universal Orlando Resort morphs into a mecca for horror aficionados. Check out how we are prepping for the event here. With 10 immersive houses and 5 nerve-wracking scare zones, there's plenty to explore. To truly make the most of this experience, we highly recommend booking your trip through a seasoned travel professional. Here's why, along with a snapshot of each house and scare zone.  Why Book Through a Travel Professional? 🎒From snagging exclusive deals to optimizing your itinerary, travel professionals provide an array of benefits. Their knowledge becomes particularly valuable when looking at the option for your stay and creating a custom trip that fits your needs. The above photos is one of the best roller coasters in Florida and can be found at Islands of Adventure - but be warned, you may feel like this after you ride it! Now, let's take a peek at what you'll see at this year's event!  The 10 Houses 🏚️1. Try to Escape the Curse of Vecna Dive into the spookiest season of Stranger Things and try to resist Vecna's malevolent curse with your squad. 2. An Evil Reawakened Journey into the disturbing scenes from the new Blumhouse film where two missing girls have brought back an unspeakable evil. 3. Step Into the World of The Last of Us™ Experience the haunting world of this popular video game like never before. Shhh, silence is your only ally against Clickers, Hunters, and more. 4. Chucky’s Back for Even More Carnage Chucky has taken over his own haunted house and is up to his usual bloody antics. Can you and your friends survive his rampage? 5. Four Universal Monsters. One New Nightmare. Descend into the Paris Catacombs and encounter a terrifying ensemble of Universal Monsters like Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, and the Phantom of the Opera. 6. Your Soul is a Price He’s Willing to Pay Dr. Oddfellow's gallery of grotesque oddities could cost you and your squad your souls. Are you willing to pay the price? 7. No Matter Who You Choose, You Lose Caught between two battling dragon-warlocks, you must choose a path and hope for the best in this mystical showdown. 8. Yeti or Not, Here They Come Escape from menacing Yetis in a 1950s campground setting. Can you make it to the ranger tower in time? 9. Fame is Fleeting. Fear is Forever. Witness the downfall of blues musician Pinestraw Spruce, who trades his soul for musical stardom, and learn the true cost of fame. 10. Bleed for the Blood Moon Caught in a Colonial-era village during a blood moon festival, you and your squad must evade moon-worshippers out for blood.  The 5 Scare Zones 🧙♂️1. Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror Get drawn into Dr. Oddfellow's promises of immortality, only to find out that you might not even survive the night. 2. Dark Zodiac Watch as Dr. Oddfellow harnesses the dark power of the Zodiac, twisting each sign into malevolent entities that foretell your doom. 3. Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror Step back into the 1920s and venture into a dark jungle where Dr. Oddfellow's monstrous creations are now running wild. Will you escape? 4. Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood Groove to '60s tunes at a music festival until Dr. Oddfellow releases a swarm of vicious vampires. They're out to get you! 5. Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged Enter a mysterious 1940s San Francisco shipping yard filled with crates bearing Dr. Oddfellow’s symbol. His nightmarish oddities have now escaped, causing chaos everywhere.  Stay and Scream Package 🛌This is an option that allows you to enjoy the benefits of early access and more with the Stay and Scream package. Sleep, if you dare, at a Universal on-site hotel and get a head start on the scares.  Complimentary Express Pass 🎫The Express Pass is available with select ticket types or hotel packages. With it, you can skip regular lines during your regular park days, maximizing your ability to enjoy every moment. Express Pass is also available for touring the houses to help you avoid getting stuck in a bad dream.  Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream: Live Entertainment 🎤🔥Speaking of bad dreams, the show that previously haunted your dreams is back and fiercer than ever. Titled "Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream," this live performance is an adrenaline-pumping spectacle featuring pyro and aerial artists. They will set the stage ablaze, igniting your darkest fears to the rhythm of metal and electronica music. It's a must-see during the event!  Never Fear, We Are Here to Help! 🎃Halloween Horror Nights offers an unparalleled thrill that attracts fans from all over. Make the most of this experience by consulting a travel professional for tailored advice. Prepare for the ultimate fright night and thrilling vacation! 🌕👻 You can email us at hello@travelbugcompany.com. Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort: A pool-lovers paradise Near Epcot and Hollywood Studios8/14/2023  Families searching for the quintessential Disney vacation experience with the best pool on site need look no further than Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort. This New England nautical-themed paradise is not only immersed in the magic and whimsy expected from a Disney resort, but it’s also uniquely situated near two of Disney’s most beloved theme parks: Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  Why Yacht and Beach Club is Perfect for Families:
 Club Level – Elevate Your Stay:For families looking to elevate their experience, the Club Level at the Yacht and Beach Club offers enhanced amenities. These include:
 A Stone's Throw from Epcot and Hollywood Studios:The strategic location of the Yacht and Beach Club Resort cannot be overstated:
 Photo credit: Laura Ballard Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort truly offers an unparalleled experience for families. The combination of luxury, family-focused amenities, Club Level options, and proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios makes it a prime choice for any family looking to make the most of their Disney vacation. Your magical adventure awaits!  When you think of the holiday season, visions of twinkling lights, festive music, and larger-than-life balloons probably dance through your head. Now, imagine experiencing all this magic at one of the world's most renowned entertainment destinations: Universal Orlando Resort. Each winter, Universal and Macy's come together to offer a spectacular parade, combining the magic of Universal’s beloved characters with the grandeur of Macy's iconic balloons.  A Macy’s Parade... in Orlando?Yes, you read that right! Universal’s Holiday Parade borrows some of its magic from the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Visitors can marvel at the authentic, majestic balloons that have graced NYC streets, but now in the heart of sunny Orlando.  Film Stars on Parade!Universal's vast catalog of film characters means the parade boasts a colorful cast. Cheer for your favorite "Despicable Me" minions as they make mischief along the route, or wave to the characters from "Shrek" and "Madagascar". Each float is meticulously designed, reflecting the essence of the films they represent, and making the streets of Universal come alive in holiday revelry.  Santa’s Grand EntranceWhat's a holiday parade without the big man in red? Santa Claus ensures the parade concludes on a high, sprinkling festive cheer and ringing in the holiday season at the park. His float is always a crowd-pleaser, glowing and sparkling in the night.  Experience the Festive MagicApart from the parade, Universal Orlando Resort is a winter wonderland during the season. Stroll through avenues adorned with twinkling lights, savor holiday treats, and soak in the festive atmosphere. Every corner of the park is touched by holiday enchantment, making it the perfect destination for families, couples, or anyone looking to bask in the spirit of the season.  Mark Your CalendarsRemember, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s is a seasonal delight! It usually lights up the evenings on select days throughout the winter months. Reach out to your favorite Travel Bug Professional or email me at amy@travelubgcompany.com to make plans to experience this incredible parade on your next Universal Orlando Resort vacation. |
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