Thank you Megan Guinnup for this great information on one of the many holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort!

Not long after Thanksgiving, Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in
Florida will begin its International Festival of the Holidays event. The festival
centers around cultural holiday celebrations and highlights how each country
represented in the World Showcase Pavilion celebrates in their own unique way.
America Gardens Theater includes the Candlelight Processional as part of the
celebration. The first Candlelight Processional was first performed in Disneyland
in 1958 and was brought to Epcot at Walt Disney World in 1971.  The show
includes an orchestra and massed choir that perform traditional holiday songs
while a guest celebrity retells the biblical story of Christmas. The highlight of
these performances (offered three times a night) are the hosts who bring their
own style to the reading of the Christmas story.

Due to the popularity of this seasonal event there are ways that you can
guarantee your spot at the show by making a Candlelight Dining Processional
Package advanced dining reservation. This includes a meal at your choice of 16
restaurants with reserved seating at one of the three performances on the same day.

Dining packages include an appetizer, entrée and dessert—or one (1) full
buffet, where applicable—along with a non-alcoholic beverage (if you are using
the Disney Dining Plan, an alcoholic beverage for guests 21+ up to a $13 value is
also an option). There is a small up-charge per person when paying for your
meal at time of service or uses two table service dining plan credits when using a
Disney Dining Plan. Many of the reservations offer reservations for breakfast,
lunch, and dinner options that qualify for the dining packages. Availability is
limited and reservations do fill up fast.

The standby line to enter the theater usually starts to fill up about two hours
before the first performance of the night, but with priority seating for the
performance, you can show up 15 minutes before and have a seat in a
designated section for guests with Dining Packages. This is an amazing value
since those two hours waiting standby can better be used to enjoy the theme
park. Please not the last dinner reservation time is typically around 5:30 pm with
seating for the last performance at 8:15 pm to give you enough time to finish
your meal before the performance.
Ask your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent about securing this reservation for your holiday visit to Walt Disney World Resort.

Current list of 2019 celebrity narrators:
Ming-Na Wen – November 29 through December 1
Neil Patrick Harris  – December 2 through December 5
Whoopi Goldberg  – December 6 and 7
TBD –  December 8 through 12
Gary Sinise – December 13 through 15
Pat Sajak – December 16 through 18
TBD – December 19 through 21
Steven Curtis Chapman  – December 22 through 24
Edward James Olmos  – December 25 and 26
TBD –  December 27 and 28
Lisa Ling – December 29 and 30

Please note: celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to
change or cancelation without notice. Separate Epcot admission is required.

 

Thank you to Stephanie Novarro for this great post on Disney’s Beach Club resort!

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a deluxe resort in the Epcot resort area and the sister resort to Disney’s Yacht Club. This resort is by far my favorite on property. I have 2 small children, ages 3 and 1, with a soon to be 3rd child on the way. I love the convenience of being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. If I don’t feel like walking they are both a quick boat ride away. What is great about the boats is that if your kids are in a stroller, there is no need to take them out and fold it up; you can leave them in the stroller while on the boat. This is a mom win for sure! I also love walking over to Epcot and hopping on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom instead of using the busses. Right across Crescent Lake is Disney’s Boardwalk. On our most recent trip, we had a daily routine of walking around the lake to the Boardwalk. This was one of my daughter’s favorite things to do. I absolutely love the pool area, Stormalong Bay! It has a lazy river, water slide, and a sand beach.

The best part of the pool area has to be Beaches and Cream! This is quite the hidden gem, offering classic diner food but also ice cream! Every night we would swing by the take out window and grab some ice cream and bring it up to our room and the best part is that you can use a snack credit. There is a Character breakfast right in the lobby at Cape May Café. Not having to get up early and rush to another resort for a character meal is a big win in my book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another great thing about being so close to Epcot is being able to watch the fireworks without having to go back into the park. If you haven’t checked out the Beach club yet, I highly recommend it. You wont be disappointed!

A big thank you to Nicole Martinez for this great post on Costa Rica!

Tree House Hotels Costa Rica has 7 private tree houses situated on 12 beautiful gated acres.  Surrounded by a 76 acre wildlife refuge, this is a dream come true for adventurers and animal enthusiasts alike!  Each unique tree house comes with A/C, hot shower, refrigerator, and a wraparound porch furnished with wood carved rockers, and a table and chairs to sit out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Just before sunrise, magical employees tip toe up the steps to your deck and leave you hot coffee/tea and delicious fresh squeezed fruit juice!  They also put fresh fruit in the bird feeders for your viewing enjoyment! A full and delicious breakfast is served each morning in our rancho.  Hummingbirds abound at breakfast time as they too are enjoying fresh fruit.  After breakfast, you can (and should) take a stroll through the rain forest down to the small waterfall. 

Along the way, keep your eyes and ears open for wildlife.  Howling monkeys are in the trees above and very visible!  Sloths are present too, but harder to find since they move slowly and without much sound.  Clues on the forest floor will offer hints as to where they may be!  Poison dart frogs are in abundance as well, look down on the large green leaves or you’ll miss them! 

 

 

While at the Tree House Hotels, enjoy a night hike with Rolando free of charge. He will point out things you missed on your own!  Tree House hotels also partners with the best companies in the area and will set up your tours and excursions for you. Journey into town for local cuisine during the day and evening.  Travel a little further (45 minutes or so) to enjoy some natural hot springs!  If you are looking for a unique get away – don’t miss this wonderful location!

A big thank you to Jessica Almanzan for this fantastic post! Don’t miss out on this special offer!

Are you the ultimate Harry Potter fan looking to visit Universal Orlando? Here is the definitive vacation package for you! Spend your days exploring all Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Waterpark have to offer including both parts of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. You will feel as though you have been transformed into a witch or wizard as you wander Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. Dine at the Leaky Cauldron, pop into Ollivander’s for your wand, purchase all your novelty toys and tricks at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, get your family photo taken at Shutterbuttons and so much more! Experience the excitement of Escape from Gringotts as you head underground on this multi-dimensional thrill ride while you try to avoid Bellatrix LaStrange, trolls, and Voldemort. You can even get yourself lost in the dark and secretive Knockturn Alley! After you have explored you can head to Kings Cross and jump on the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade Station and start your journey exploring the village and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

               

In the charming village of Hogsmeade, located at Islands of Adventure, you can stroll through Honeydukes and pick up a chocolate frog, mail a letter at Owl Post, cheer on students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang as they lead the excitement for the Triwizard Tournament and more. Proceed into Hogwarts Castle for an unforgettable ride on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Flight of the Hippogriff is another fun coaster to give you a thrill but is very family friendly! In June 2019, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will keep you even more entertained as you go on a journey into the Dark Forest. Don’t forget to step into The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer!
Then you can explore all that the parks have to offer! Including Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Waterpark. There are attractions for all wizards and witches no matter their age. Check out the inclusions to the Exclusive Harry Potter Package here:
5 Night Hotel Stay Accommodations- In any of the 7 onsite Universal properties and select good neighbor options.

3 Park 2 Day Park-to-Park Tickets with 3 FREE Days! Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Waterpark. Valid for bookings now though December 20, 2019 (Blackout dates apply). Must book your package before June 12, 2019.
Breakfast at Three Broomsticks in Islands of Adventure, one per person.
Breakfast at Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios, one per person.
One Shutterbuttons Photography Studio Session at Universal Studios’ Diagon Alley
Access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk

If you would like more information and a free quote for this magical vacation package, please reach out to your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent or email ContactUs@MarvelousMouseTravels.com.