Vacation Kingdoms - Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line and Universal Orlando Vacation Planning – Details, episodes & analysis

In episode 134 of the Vacation Kingdoms Podcast, we explore Disney's VIP tours with special guest Chris Oakes. We dive into the details of our VIP tour experience, discussing everything from exclusive Lightning Lane access to backstage privileges. Listen in as we share tips for maximizing your time on a VIP tour, including the importance of prioritizing must-do attractions and using the VIP guide's insights. We'll also break down the costs, booking process, and why this premium service is perfect for special celebrations or groups looking to split the expense. Don't miss our firsthand tales of navigating Magic Kingdom and enjoying the ultimate Disney experience!

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In this episode I give an overview of the theme parks, water park, entertainment district and resort hotels that make up the Universal Orlando Resort. I also discuss how to navaiagte the property, where it is located in proximity to other Orlando destinations and what special events Universal hosts throughout the year.

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Here are the things I'm loving about Walt Disney World right now.

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Our Top 5 Favorite Walt Disney World Attractions - WDW Opinion Ep. 51

Everyone’s got their favorites. A fun conversation to have, or argument depending upon if it gets to that level, is ranking the best Disney World attractions. What the best attractions are is one thing but what your own personal favorite Dinsey attractions are, well that’s an entirely different story.

Sometimes you like a ride because of the experience you have on it, the way it makes you feel, sometimes you like it because of the technological advancements it features, or the story it tells. And sometimes it’s because of the memories you have associated with it.

There are reasons abound but everyone should have a list of their favorites. In today’s episode, Hank will be sharing his top 5 favorite attractions and I’ll be sharing my top five favorite attractions.

Plus, Marvel announces release dates and titles for their upcoming films and the Disney Skyliner gondola system gets an opening date. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• Several Upcoming Marvel Project Were Announced at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
• Disney Skyliner Takes Flight on Sept 29, 2019 at Walt Disney World Resort

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Is a Regional Theme Park in Ohio Better Than Disney World? - WDW Opinion Ep. 50

24 miles northeast of Cincinnati lies a 364 acre park. Some of it buried deep in the forest, some of it basking in the humid Ohio sun. It claims several thousand less acres than Disney World's 30 thousand and the 1,100 that make up its four amusement parks (meanwhile much larger than Disneyland's 85).

It’s home to natives, coaster junkies, and regional tourists looking for the next big thrill. It’s Kings Island. Kings Island’s history begins back in 1971 and has ebbed and flowed far more times that it may have desired – passing from taft broadcasting to Paramount and today to Cedar Fair group.

But today – it’s home to 100 attractions, 14 coasters and even a 33 acre waterpark – this Hank’s hometown park. Kings Island.

Plus, Gran Destino tower has opened at Coronado Springs, the NBA Experience Store makes its debut and the Tomorrowland enternace sign goes missing in the Magic Kingdom. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• Disney Shares First Look Inside Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort
• The NBA Experience Store Opens at Disney Springs’ West Side
• Disney removes Tomorrowland entrance sign from Magic Kingdom

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Old Key West Resort Review - WDW Opinion Ep. 49

The Polynesian. The Grand Floridian. The Contemporary. The Boardwalk. Even the smallest Disney fan knows these resorts. They’re among the most popular at Disney World and for good reason. But not too many people in the real world realize that there are over 20 Disney owned and operated resorts on property.

I’ve said it before during other resort reviews but, part of the fun of a Disney trip is getting to experience different resorts. Especially when you go frequently, changing up the resort you stay at can bring a whole new vacation experience to the table.

But staying at different resorts is also a great form of escapism. Each resort has its own theme, its own atmosphere and its own story. When you stay at different resorts you get to experience all sorts of different places in time and places in the world depending upon their theme.

And many travelers don’t know that Disney offers a wide variety of hotel accommodations outside the traditional two bed one bath hotel rooms you can find anywhere.

Our resort today, Old Key West, hits both of these elements. It transports you to the laid back mentality of the Florida Keys and offers many room sizes to fit any party. I recently had the chance to stay at Old Key West and I’m excited to give a review of it.

Plus, big changes are coming to Future World in Epcot and Disney is launching some new transportation offerings. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• Additional Closures Announced for Epcot’s Future World as Massive Overhaul Begins
• Walt Disney World Buses Get a New Look Inside and Out
• Monorail Silver Emerges With a Brand New Look at Walt Disney World

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The Mistakes You Make On a Disney World Trip and How to Avoid Them - WDW Opinion Ep. 48

When it comes to planning, there’s so much that goes into a Disney World trip. You need to pick a time of year, pick a length of stay, what tickets you’re going to get, where you’re going to stay, what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to ride. The list can go on and on and on.

With all these decisions you’re bound to make a few mistakes here or there.

Now, we’re not here to tell you what you have to do and what you have to avoid. Far from it in fact. WDW Opinion was created under the notion that no two vacations are alike. And there are no one sizes fits all vacation that’s perfect for everyone. But we do think there are some common mistakes that you can avoid.

These are more tactics in planning and mindset that will help you have a fabulous trip. Mistakes are bound to happen and you can’t dodge every one of them. But we do think with a little planning and understanding you can avoid some big missteps and in doing so will help you have an easier going vacation.

Plus, Disney announces an interesting new vacation package, new in-park strollers are being tested for rental and we start spreading some theme park rumors. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• My First Disney Getaway Package: A Magical First That Will Last Forever Breakdown of the Package from Touring Plans
• New Stroller Rentals Being Tested at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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How to Enjoy a Trip to Disney World in the Summer - WDW Opinion Ep. 47

I go to Disney World a lot. Some might say I have a problem. While no doctor has ever been able to diagnose my issues it is safe to say that I find myself not wanting but needing to go back to Disney as often as possible.

So often other people will say to me “don’t you get sick of that place”. Of course, I just shrug off that question because it really comes from a place of ignorance. Saying I would get sick after only going once is depriving Disney World of all it has to offer you.

You can’t experience this place in one trip. And on top of that even if you could, Disney World offers you the opportunity to experience it in different ways. Whether it be by staying at different resorts, going during different times of the year or by going with different party sizes and makeup.

There are so many things to see and do and it’s constantly changing. That’s why each trip is so unique because yes the place is the same but the time is always different. The changes, the experiences and the opportunities to have new sights to see and ways to travel are just a few of the reasons I keep going back. And I’m sure it’s a few of the reasons Hank goes back as well.

This segment of the podcast will be part trip report and part lively discussion between Hank and myself. I’m breaking down my trip to share my thoughts on the current state of the parks. It’s my five big takeaways from my June 2019 trip.

Plus, we have a new game where Hank vividly describes things I’ve purchased at Disney World. We discuss the Epcot entrance which has seen some recent changes. Annual pass prices have gone up so we’re discussing what that all means and how Disney might be putting a premium on flexible visits to Disney World. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station begins July 11
• Walt Disney World Annual Pass Prices Increase Substantially Overnight

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Here’s How You Can Save Money At Walt Disney World - WDW Opinion Ep. 46

The most frequent question we get asked is how do you save money at Disney World? It’s an important question because you can quickly and easily break the bank on a Disney World trip.

A couple of weeks back we shared the best ways to save up money for a Disney World trip. Those tips included how you can set up a vacation savings account, how credit card points can help pay for your trip and we shared where you can find some of the best deals on hotels, tickets and more. It was a great episode and if you missed it be sure to give it a listen, you can check it out by visiting wdwopinion.com/episode44.

But those tips were all things you could do before you arrived in Orlando. It was the ways to save up money and save on the things you have to buy before you get there. This segment is all about the ways you can save inside the Disney World gates.

Plus, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens to huge lines at Islands of Adventure, Conservation Station gets a new attraction and the Main Street Cinema gets a new look in Disneyland. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• Universal: Notes on Hagrid’s coaster, hashtags, Virtual Line facts, Dueling Dragons nods
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station begins July 11
• The Main Street Cinema at Disneyland Park Has Been Turned Into A Store

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Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Episode III: Its Opening Week - WDW Opinion Ep. 45

By the time you’re listening to this podcast Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland theme park will be well into its second week of operation. This is a moment we’ve been waiting for, for years now. In fact you could say we’ve even been waiting for this since 2012 when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the Star Wars properties from George Lucas.

Now the land itself was first publicly announced in 2015 at D23 it feels like its taken longer than that to get it up and running. Next, to the opening of Disneyland in 1955 and the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, this might be the biggest Disney theme park opening ever.

There’s still plenty to come, in fact not only are we waiting for the Orlando version to open in Hollywood Studios at the end of the Summer but we’re also still waiting for the premier attraction in Rise of the Resistance to open in Disneyland.

In previous episodes, we’ve brought you our Star Wars Saga which we will now continue today. So get ready for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Episode III: Its Opening Week.

We have to, of course, preface this by saying neither of us has been out to Disneyland yet to see this land so today we’re really just going to tell you to want we’re hearing about the grand opening of the land. The pros and cons and what we’re most looking forward to now that we can see inside the land.

Plus, Hollywoods Studios looks to be getting a change in their FP+ tier system and we share our thoughts on the new Summer One World Ticket coming to Disney World. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion.

Stories discussed in News to Opinion

• FastPass Tiers Changing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29 for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Summer One World Ticket

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