Griswold's Magical Memories Blog

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (June 10, 2020) Guest travelling to Walt Disney World in the coming weeks got some insight today from Disney’s Vice President, Worldwide Safety Services at Disney Parks, Katie Kelly on what to expect as Disney begins the phased reopening of its parks and resorts.

Here is the full announcement posted in the Disney Parks Blog:

As we look towards reopening our parks and resorts around the world, your wellbeing – and the wellbeing of our cast members – is one of our top priorities. In March, we began the phased reopening of Shanghai Disney Resort, and on May 20, we took another step as guests returned to shop and dine at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Just as we’ve started making plans for our theme parks, we are also making plans for our domestic hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts. With that in mind, we wanted to share what you can expect when you book a stay at a Disney Resort hotel.*

As Disney’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel shared in her previous update, our health and safety team has taken a close look at the experiences at our hotels, from resort and room cleaning to check-in, dining and entertainment, so you can have a magical visit with peace of mind. During your stay, you’ll find updates and enhancements made with health and safety in mind, in line with the guidance of health and government authorities.

At the Resort 

Staying with confidence starts at check-in, with options to use Online Check-in service at select locations and meet your luggage at your room with redesigned bell services. 

Throughout Disney Resort hotels, we’re increasing cleaning in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms, and more. We’ve also expanded the number of hand sanitizer locations across the property.

At our restaurants, lobbies, pools, fitness centers, and other public areas, we’re looking at adjusting services to enable preventive measures and physical distancing, including reducing capacity where appropriate and implementing enhanced cleaning measures. 

We’re using technology to aid us in these efforts, with limited-contact services in place at our shopping and dining locations, with Mobile Order, cashless options and Magic Bands.**

In Your Room

Before arrival, every room will be given an enhanced cleaning. During your stay, a light cleaning service (including removal of trash and replenishment of towels and amenities) will be offered every other day.***

Our housekeeping cast members will receive training on increased cleaning measures throughout the resort hotel and for each guest room, including updated practices for cleaning tools and managing in-room amenities, linens, luggage, and more.

Of course, we all have an important role to play in promoting health and safety. We are asking our guests to help, by washing your hands frequently with soap and water; following physical distancing and other guidelines when you visit; and rescheduling your visit if you or a member of your party feel ill or are subject to quarantine or other travel restrictions.

We’ll share more information about the health and safety measures at Disney Resort hotels with you ahead of your visit – and continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as appropriate.

While our new experience may be a little different from the last time you stayed with us, a magical and memorable visit awaits you at our Disney Resort hotels. We’re looking forward to welcoming you – see you real soon!

*Domestic owned-and-operated Disney Resort hotels only. 

**Available at Walt Disney World Resort only.

***Disney Vacation Club members will receive their traditional housekeeping service.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

‌As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits.‌ To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, we will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system.‌ Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.‌Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations and FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry.‌However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We’ll be contacting you soon with details on this new Theme Park reservation system as well as the process of re-booking dining and other experiences—now available 60 days prior to arrival to allow for planning closer to your visit.‌ We’re putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. ‌At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time.‌ For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services.‌Select third party operated restaurants and certain other experiences may not be cancelled.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 27, 2020) Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Beach Club is a fan favorite, so much so that some folks make a reservation just to have the ice cream.

Amongst all the amazing tastes, flavors, and ice cream concoctions at Beach & Cream is one menu item that is amazing not only in taste, but in size and ingredients. It’s called The Kitchen Sink Sundae and it includes….well, enough to justify it’s name. It’s got everything in to BUT the kitchen sink! As Disney says: “If you’ve never tackled it before,be warned, this over-the-top indulgence includes everything and the kitchen sink – enough for your entire family to share! 

Well, now you have a chance to tackle it without having to travel to Walt Disney World. This week, the good folks at the Disney Parks Blog shared the recipe for you to make your very own Kitchen Sunk Sundae right at home.

• 

Kitchen Sink from Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup warm fudge topping 
• 1/2 cup warm butterscotch topping
• 1/2 cup warm peanut butter topping
• 1 medium banana, sliced in 1/2-inch slices
• 1 cinnamon spice cupcake (2 ½ x 1 1/4-inch), quartered
• 1 angel food cupcake (3 x 1 1/2-inch), quartered
• 2 generous scoops vanilla ice cream
• 2 generous scoops chocolate ice cream
• 2 generous scoops strawberry ice cream
• 1 generous scoop mint chocolate chip ice cream
• 1 generous scoop coffee ice cream
• 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup 
• 1/4 cup marshmallow cream
• 1/4 cup strawberry topping
• 1/4 cup pineapple topping 
• 14-ounce can dairy whipped topping 
• 1 large brownie (6-inch x 6-inch), quartered  
• 1 regular-sized candy bar, quartered
• 4 chocolate cookies with cream filling
• 1 tablespoon sliced toasted almonds 
• 1 tablespoon dark and white chocolate shavings
• 1 tablespoon crushed chocolate cookies with cream filling 
• 1 tablespoon chopped jellied orange slices, about 2 large slices
• 1 tablespoon milk chocolate chip morsels
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter chip morsels
• 1 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles
• 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles 
• 1/2 cup drained maraschino cherries 

To Serve:

1. Pour hot fudge, butterscotch, and peanut butter toppings into bottom of large bowl.  
2. Layer banana slices and cupcake pieces over toppings. Top with all ice creams.  
3. As quickly as possible, spoon chocolate syrup, marshmallow cream, strawberry, and pineapple toppings over ice cream.
4. Cover completely with dairy whipped topping. Tuck brownie pieces, candy bar pieces, and cookies in whipped topping.
5. Sprinkle with toasted almonds, dark and white chocolate shavings, crushed cookies, jellied orange slices, milk chocolate chip morsels, peanut butter morsels, chocolate sprinkles, and rainbow sprinkles. Top with cherries.

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (February 19, 2020) – Many of our Vacationers ask about special ways they can build excitement about an upcoming Disney vacation, or at the other end of the spectrum, special ways they can beat “Disney Withdrawal” after they have left the Happiest Place on Earth.

One great tip, and one that doesn’t cost any more than a postage stamp, is to have your kids write personal letters to their favorite Disney character. In return, they’ll receive an autographed photo. Sometimes, the whole gang joins in and there will be multiple autographs on the photo.

It’s a great way to bring some magic into your mailbox. You can send the personal, hand-written letters to:

Walt Disney World

Communications

P.O. Box 10040

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (February 10, 2020) – Starting today, Disney has added a new feature to its ever-increasingly popular PhotoPass offering.

Last Friday, it was announced on the Disney Park Blog that Vacationers can now reserve time with a Disney PhotoPass photographers to capture vacation memories all around Walt Disney World Resort. 

According to the blog post announcing the new PhotoPass upgrade option: “For those celebrating something special who want a bit more time in front of the camera, we are piloting a new experience at Magic Kingdom Park called “Capture Your Moment,” a perfect add-on to your visit.

Capture Your Moment lets you book time with a Disney PhotoPass photographer for a personalized photo session during regular park hours at Magic Kingdom Park to capture celebrations and milestones, such as a proposal, baby announcement, graduation, anniversary, family reunion, first visit, birthday, and more! 

All Capture Your Moment photo session locations will offer an iconic view of Magic Kingdom Park, to include a view of Cinderella Castle. At the start of your session, your photographer will share available photo shoot locations and discuss what you’d like to capture before escorting you to your photo shoot location. Once you arrive at your photo shoot location, you will have the opportunity to capture photos there with your photographer for up to 20 minutes. 

Each Capture Your Moment session is $50. Want more time in front of the camera? When you book two Capture Your Moment sessions back-to-back for $100, you can spend up to 40 minutes with your photographer capturing photos. During your 40 minutes, you’ll have the option to visit at least two photo locations. 

Your Disney PhotoPass photographer will customize your photo shoot to your needs while using their creativity and personal style to take stunning photos.   

Vacationers can call 407-939-7758 to book a Capture Your Moment session. Capture Your Moment photo sessions are available starting February 10, 2020. A limited number of same-day reservations may be available starting February 10, but you must call 407-939-7758 to inquire. 

Prints and digital downloads are not included with the price of a Capture Your Moment session. However, those with a Disney PhotoPass entitlement like Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, as well as qualifying Annual Passholders with a Disney PhotoPass download benefit, can download the photos captured during Capture Your Moment from their Disney accounts at no extra cost.”

The Fine Print

No refund will apply for no-shows or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the session start time. Gratuity is not necessary. Prices and services offered are subject to change. Full payment is due at time of booking. Those who wish to capture photos with a photographer for longer than 20 minutes can book additional 20-minute sessions, with each session priced at $50. Additional time must be booked in advance. Capture Your Moment is only available during regular park hours. Available session locations will be provided by your photographer at the start of your session and are subject to change based on inclement weather and park operations. Because of other Guest appointments, Guests arriving late to their session cannot have their session extended beyond the stated end time. Guests under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult (18 or older). Maximum party size is 8 per session. No wedding attire is permitted. Any Guest-supplied props need to abide by the Park Policies found here. Valid Theme Park admission required and not included in the session price. Photos are not included with the price of session. Prints and digital downloads can be purchased separately at Town Square Theater or online at Disneyworld.com/PhotoPass. 

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (January 24, 2020) – As noted in several of our own recent blog posts, and as recently reported by our friends at the Disney Parks Blog, “Epcot is in the midst of an historic, multi-year transformation that is bringing a wide variety of exciting new attractions and experiences to the park. Among these is “Harmonious,” set to debut later this year, which will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park. Our Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks Live Entertainment teams recently passed a major milestone in the development of the show, with the delivery of several floating platforms that will provide a base for the technology used to create “Harmonious.”  

““Harmonious” will bring to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative toolkit of massive floating set pieces that house a variety of show effects, including custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, colorful lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and more.  

The show is a beautifully crafted nighttime dreamscape of Disney music and images, reimagined by diverse cultural musicians and artists from around the world. It’s a transformative experience, where we can discover how Disney music has the power to inspire and unite us all. You can catch an early glimpse of concepts for the show now by visiting Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience, located in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. 

Over the coming months, with development and infrastructure work for “Harmonious” ramping up both behind the scenes and in the center of the lagoon, we’re pleased to present the limited-time spectacular “Epcot Forever.”  

“Epcot Forever” has been described as a “love letter” to the park. The show tells the story of Epcot, beginning with the first spark of inspiration and the opening day anthem, “We’ve Just Begun to Dream,” and continuing through chapters dedicated to the thematic pillars of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration. It concludes with an all-new verse of the classic song, “One Little Spark,” leading into a spectacular grand finale promising “A Whole New World” of magical possibilities to come.  

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (January 9, 2020) – In the business of matching up DVC Members with unused points with Vacationers looking to save big on a Disney Vacation, both Members and Vacationers have a lot of options.

We think being a small, “boutique” DVC rental firms with over 300 hundred trips as both DVC members (since 1997) and as non-member Vacationers we offer many special benefits that the “big boys” simply cannot.

We pride ourselves on being a small, US-based family business of Disney lovers who offer every single one of our clients special, truly personal service. Will go so far as being sure we are available to answer any and all questions not just about the DVC Point Rental Process but also about plans for your upcoming trip. Just ask one of the other rental firms for personalized, customized trip planning services and hear what they have to say. It won’t be much other than, “no, we don’t do that.” We do, and there is NEVER any added charge for that service.

Why we Love our Work

We help Vacationers make their Disney vacation dreams come true at a fraction of the cost of booking direct through Disney. We help our DVC Members turn points they can’t use before annual expiration dates into immediate cash. (And yes, despite what others, WE PAY OUR DVC MEMBERS THE MOST of any rental firm at $15/pt for rentals more than 7 months out, and $14 for rentals for less than 7 months out. Don’t be confused by the false claims of others.)

Anyway, here are just a handful of examples example from last month that provide great examples of the savings we offer to our Vacationers every day.

Our Vacationers use our FREE, No-OBLIGATION Reservation Request Forms to check availability and pricing. Here are the reservations we booked for our Vacationers who pay $17/point for reservation more than 7 months in advance and $16/pt for reservations less than 7 months in advance.

1. April 2020 – Old Key West – 400 points x $16/point totaling $6400.00 (Pricing through WDW central reservations will cost $6821.11)

• April 2020 – Saratoga Springs – 398 points x $16/point totaling $6368.00 (pricing through WDW central reservations is not available for comparison right now)

• April 2020 – Animal Kingdom, Savanna view – 386 points x $16/point totaling $6176.00 (pricing through WDW central reservations will cost $9190.28)

• May 2020 – Boulder Ridge – 341 points x $16 totaling $5456.00 (pricing through WDW central reservations will cost $6791.40)

• May 2020 – Bay Lake Towers, lake view – 332 points x $16 totaling $5312.00 (pricing through WDW central reservations will cost $7260.00)

• June 2020 – Animal Kingdom, standard view – 236 points x $16 totaling $3776.00 (pricing through WDW central reservations will cost $5643.00)

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (January 2, 2020) – Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products have announced that Drawn to Life, the highly-anticipated, new family-friendly show. Will be coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 

Written and directed by Michel Laprise and with Fabrice Becker as Director of creation, this collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering will open for previews March 20, 2020, and officially premiere April 17, 2020. The show will take residency at Disney Springs. Tickets are on sale now at cirquedusoleil.com.

 Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group President and CEO Daniel Lamarre, says, “For Cirque du Soleil, this is a beautiful way of celebrating Disney’s legacy in the art of animation. This new and exciting production is most certainly the best way to highlight the privileged relationship we have with our colleagues at Walt Disney World and our joint commitment to continually bring audiences new experiences that surpass their expectations.”

 The show is a result of years of research and extraordinary collaboration that included extensive visits to Disney theme parks, Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, The Walt Disney Family Museum, as well as hands-on work between Disney animators and Cirque du Soleil. In fact, the Cirque du Soleil teams collaborated extensively with legacy animators to create the show.

‘’What fascinates us is that moment when life appears in drawings. Just like in an acrobat’s body, the visceral physicality of animation. The way they perform, the way they create the illusion of life,’’ says Michel Laprise Writer and Show Director.

”In creating this show, we’ve brought to life an extraordinary new entertainment experience for the whole family,” said Josh, D’Amaro, president, Walt Disney World Resort, “It blends all the heart, humor and joy of Disney storytelling with new acrobatic performances and effects never before seen in a Cirque du Soleil production.”

This new show follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future.

Drawn to Life will transport guests of all ages into the world of Disney animation in Cirque du Soleil’s signature style. This entirely new experience will wow Walt Disney World guests and Cirque du Soleil fans, while bringing timeless Disney stories to life in an unforgettable new way.

‘’It has been a fantastic collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. We had the chance to work with some of the animators that have worked on iconic Disney movies. You’ll get to meet some of your favorite characters, but maybe in a very different way,’’ says Fabrice Becker, Creation Director.

With an international cast of more than 65 artists, the Cirque du Soleil theater located in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, will welcome up to 1,580 spectators for each show, five days a week.

New Cirque du Soleil show at Disney springs Open April 17; Ticket Now on-saleRemember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (December 27, 2019) If you’re not ready excited about the dawn start of 2020, the folks at Disney want to help get you in the spirit. As reported by our friends at the Disney Parks Blog, the last #DisneyParksLIVE stream of 2019 will bring you a New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration to remember. 

Starting at 11:45 p.m. ET on December 31, you can view the live stream of “Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks” from Magic Kingdom Park. 

As a bonus, Disney will be starting the live stream a few minutes before midnight to share some highlights of what to expect from in the parks in 2020!

To view the live stream, simply visit the Disney Parks Blog around 11:45 p.m. ET. The stream will be at the top of the page. 

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (December 4, 2019) Big news posted last night on the Disney Parks Blog announcing that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will begin “transporting” guests from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to a galaxy far, far away beginning in 2021.

According to the Disney Parks Blog Post:

“Walt Disney Imagineering announced tonight. This is a new type of immersive vacation that only Disney could create – a two-night, cruise-style itinerary where you’ll become the hero of your own adventure in an experience that surrounds you 24/7 in Star Wars storytelling.

In a new artist concept rendering just released (above), you get a first look at what you’ll see when you arrive for your Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser vacation. The Galactic Starcruiser Terminal is where you’ll begin your Star Warsexperience!  

Whether you show up via personal vehicle, Disney transportation or by landspeeder, curb-side check-in prepares you to leave Earth behind, jump to lightspeed and begin your Star Wars story. From the Starcruiser Terminal, you will enter an exclusive launch pod for travel up to the Halcyon, your starcruiser in a galaxy far, far away. Through the pod’s viewports, it looks as though you are traveling through space to approach the massive ship that is much too large to land on any planet. 

A “spaceport of call” to Black Spire Outpost is included in your itinerary, where special passenger transports take you to the planet Batuu (also known as the destination for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

To get from Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and back, you’ll remain fully in-story as you step aboard the transport ships designed specifically for this new immersive experience, which you can see in the artist concept rendering above, released today. It will connect you directly to a spaceport at Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, where the story you began in the starcruiser will continue and evolve while exploring the 14-acre land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

Sign up to receive updates as exciting new details are released about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at starwarsgalacticstarcruiser.com.”

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed,and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!