I Try Out Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Sea, One the First Oasis Class Ships
This is my experience on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships are my favorite because they are like full-service resorts at sea. But Allure of the Seas is a first-generation Oasis Class Ship built in 2010. She is missing some of the features of the newer ships. So, Is Allure of the Seas too outdated?
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If you’re new to my channel, welcome! I’m Darren from OrlandoParksGuy.com. One of the most frequently asked questions I get about Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas is whether or not I think she’s too old.
Royal Caribbean is now up to the third generation in the Oasis Class with Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas which have a lot of improvements and offerings.
But having just sailed on Allure from Orlando’s Port Canaveral, I know firsthand what to expect and I’m sharing my standout moments with you.
When I walked onboard from the gangway, I was in the heart of the Royal Promenade, one of 7 neighborhoods on Allure. Neighborhoods are themed areas - similar to a theme park.
Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade is the heart of Allure of the Seas with numerous shops, lounges, and entertainment. There are many pros and cons here. First, this is one of the areas of the ship where I got the sense that Allure was dated. The cobblestone and brick motif and earth-tone color pallet immediately jumped out at me making the ship feel old. It’s hard to imagine that we’re saying a ship from 2010 is already outdated but the newer ships have a modern and upscale decor - you don’t see the fake brickwork and cobblestone look.
As I’ve shared with you in other videos, Sorrentos is one of my favorite pizza restaurants and a staple on Royal Caribbean. Pizza in theme parks and tourist areas is usually unremarkable but this is great pizza. This is a thin-crust, New York-style pizza and you can have as much as you want - it’s included in your cruise fare. I went in for a slice every time I walked by.
Guest Services is located here which was extremely busy on the first day and last night of the cruise. This is typical for any cruise ship that I’ve been on.
There were a lot of sidewalk sales throughout my cruise where I found elaborate displays of alcohol, jewelry, and watches at seemingly discounted prices. You really need to know your prices here. In most cases, these items cost the same no matter where you go. The watches appear to be at a savings of 30% off, but I found the same prices online. It seems the only real benefit was that I didn’t have to pay sales tax. But it’s fun to look at nice watches and the salespeople were not there to high-pressure me.
One shop that I liked was the logo store. It has tons of Royal Caribbean and Allure of the Seas merchandise, much more than I have seen on ships. I usually buy a t-shirt from every ship I’ve been on and Allure had one of the largest selections I’ve ever seen, even more than newer ships.
I noticed right away that the Bionic Bar doesn’t exist on Allure’s Royal Promenade. If you’re not familiar with the Bionic Bar it’s a lounge where industrial robots make drinks to order. Cool to watch, but no one thinks of it as an actual bar. Allure’s champagne and martini bar predates the Bionic Bar concept and I think it’s much better. It’s a classy lounge and a place where people actually want to socialize. But this is about to change, I’ll reveal why at the end.
Cafe Promenade on Allure felt larger to me than other ships, and I think there was a lot more seating. This is one of my favorite places to go for coffee - this and the Park Cafe in the Central Park Neighborhood. I’m a morning person and tend to get up very early before the restaurants open. The Cafe is open 24 hrs so was able to get coffee early.
The Royal Promenade has other staples like an English pub that is one of the most popular bars on the ship. It’s very similar to the pubs on other Oasis ships. The same is true with Boleros, the Latin-inspired bar and dance club. There’s the Next Cruise office where you can get a discount by booking your next cruise while onboard. The excursion desk and photo center are also available here. I think it’s interesting that Allure still has the old photo binders even though they are no longer used. See, kids, in the old days you had to visit the photo center and flip through your binder of photos to select the ones you wanted to purchase. Today of course, this is done digitally on a touch screen.
The Rising Tide Bar travels from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park like a giant elevator. But this was the first time I saw the water feature actually working! This bar is located on all Oasis Class ships, but for some reason, the water was always turned off.
Central Park on Allure of the Seas
Oasis Class ships bring the outdoors in with Central Park, a revolutionary design in which the center of the ship opens to the sky and features lush, tropical grounds and dining.
I love the Central Park idea and I’m glad it’s even on Icon of the Seas. There isn’t much going on here and that’s kind of the point. It’s a great escape from the cruise ship atmosphere.
I love the serene pathways, gardens, and canopy trees. I checked every plant and yes they are all real in case you are wondering.
A few days into my cruise, I realized there was a Coach store in Central Park.
It’s a little easy to miss because it’s tucked away into a corner. I like this because it doesn’t make this area feel like a retail center, that’s what the Royal Promenade is for.
But Coach is an elegant store store with products for men and women and here’s a secret, they have a few Royal Caribbean exclusive items here, if you know where to look.
Central Park also has a collection of upscale dining like 150 Central Park, Chops Grille, and Vintages Wine Bar. You won’t find Vintages on the newer ships so this is a step back in time for sure - and I thought that was pretty neat. Most evenings jazz trios and guitarists were playing in the garden to a small, intimate crowd.
The Central Park Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch.
They serve complimentary coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. It’s a great place to go for a light breakfast in particular and without all the crowds.
I just wish it was open in the evening because Central Park is a great place to hang out after dark when the gardens are all lit up.
The Boardwalk neighborhood is the family area on the Oasis Class fleet and Allures is fairly typical. One of my favorite things is that it still has Sabor Mexican Restaurant.
You won’t find Sabor on the newer ships so again, it’s like going back in time. It has an ala carte menu so it’s easy to just grab a snack but this is not included in your cruise.
Enjoy this gem while you can because this space is about to change - again stay tuned to the end.
Boardwalk on Allure of the Seas
Other areas of the Boardwalk cater to family time so you’ll see a carousel, which is free. But the ice cream shop and bakery called Cups and Scoops is not free.
They have cupcakes and several varieties of ice cream here, kids will love it. And speaking of kids, the Boardwalk also has Pinwheels a gift shop featuring toys and kids' clothes.
Pinwheels is connected to a whimsical candy store which is very popular with kids of all ages - including me.
There’s a Rock Climbing Wall here for those ages 6+
I recommend that you check the cruise planner for operating times and that you arrive 15 minutes early.
A long line will form and you’ll need time to fill out a waiver.
Remember to wear socks because the wall requires special rock climbing shoes.
The aqua theater is just like those on other Oasis Class ships.
Allure’s show is similar to the others in that it’s a Cirque-style show with acrobats and high dives.
I thought this was the best show on the ship and you can easily get your kids to watch without them complaining that it’s boring.
For some reason, I wasn’t able to make a reservation for the show on the Royal Caribbean app prior to my cruise, but I stopped at the box office on Embarkation Day and was able to get my family tickets. Tickets are free.
Allure is a mega resort-style ship designed for families. And while it’s great to have things to do as a family, there’s an adult-exclusive pool area known as the Solarium.
The Solarium
I got very spoiled with Wonder of the Seas because, on the newer ships, the Solarium is completely enclosed and climate-controlled. Allure’s Solarium is shaded but open to the fresh air.
When this ship isn’t moving, it gets very hot in there.
But some passengers told me they prefer the fresh air solariums of the older ships because it feels like you’re outside rather than in a glass dome.
Inside the solarium is the Solarium Bistro.
This wasn’t for me but if you’re looking for a healthy, Mediterranean-style buffet, you might enjoy this one. Everything we tried here was very good - it’s a lot of salads, yogurts, fresh fruit and that sort of thing.
I did notice that they do have a nice breakfast if you prefer healthy options and that there was hardly anyone here.
Kids must be age 16 or older to go in the pools but it’s not to popular with teens.
There are pools and hot tubs here.
We would go in the late afternoon and have the entire solarium to ourselves. But during the day, the entire place was pretty crowded.
Pools on Allure of the Seas
If there’s one area where Allure of Seas is dated, it’s the pool deck. Allure's three main pools are located on Deck 15, divided into several distinct pool areas: Main, Beach, and Sports, as well as an H2O Zone water play area for kids. I found that the majority of travelers without kids stick to the aft end of the ship in the Main Pool or the Solarium pool. Kids and families gravitate towards the Sports pool.
But I found it shocking that there are no water slides on Allure of the Seas. No one in 2010 had the foresight that people would want water slides on a mega resort-style cruise ship.
The pools were too crowded for me, there just wasn’t enough for a ship this size. By comparison, Symphony of the Seas has 4 pools, and that still wasn’t enough when I sailed on that ship. So you can imagine what the 3 pools were like.
I’m not a big fan of pools on cruise ships anyway. I Don’t know, I just feel like a bandaid is going to float to the top of the water and if that happens, there aren’t enough showers I could take just sayin’.
Sports Deck
The sports deck is behind the pools in the aft section of the ship.
There’s a zip line where you fly over the Boardwalk neighborhood, a basketball court where young adults play all day, every day except for when pickleball classes are offered, and the Flow Rider surf simulator which is super popular with kids and young adults.
Flow Rider gets very busy and I had to sign a waiver for my son, so you should arrive early. Check the cruise planner for operating times.
As an Oasis Class ship, Allure is missing the Ultimate Abyss slide, which is a dry slide that runs from Deck 15 down to the boardwalk on Deck 6. So this could be a major disappointment to your kids if they have sailed on other Oasis ships before.
Entertainment Place
One area that I loved on Allure of the Seas was the Casino. It’s located in the Entertainment Place neighborhood. I love casinos on cruise ships and the casino on Allure of the Seas is one of the biggest and best.
It’s larger than some casinos in Las Vegas I’m sure. Smoking is allowed but there is a smoke-free side as well.
I’ve been on ships where I can’t find a place to play because the casino is too small. I would like to see a better selection of slots. They didn’t have a lot of popular games like Wheel of Fortune and so on.
During the day Studio B, also located in Entertainment Place, was opened for ice skating.
All abilities are welcome. There is no cost to skate but you do need to wear pants. I recommend getting tickets for the ice skating show offered in the evenings.
This is an extremely popular show. You can reserve this through your cruise planner or by visiting the box office.
On other Oasis Class ships, Studio B is sometimes converted into a laser tag arena but that is not offered by Allure, unfortunately.
The entertainment place is also home to an adult comedy club and the ship’s main theater where they usually have a Broadway show playing. On my cruise, the show was Mama Mia! Personally, I’m not a big fan of shows so I skipped it, I went to the casino, but everyone I talked to onboard said it was great.
Rooms on Allure of the Seas
I loved our rooms on Allure of the Seas. We had 2 rooms booked, an Ocean View Balcony and a Central Park View Balcony. Both rooms felt pretty modern and on par with the newer Oasis ships but lacked USB charging ports.
I thought it was funny to see the 2010 clock radio / iPhone charging station still being used which is utterly useless today.
If you have a lot of phones etc, be prepared for only a few outlets in your room.
One of them is behind the bed so it’s not easy to get to.
I recommend bringing a USB charging hub with you - but do not bring a power strip. They are not allowed on cruise ships.
This was my first time booking a Central Park balcony room and I have to say it was terrific.
Being that this was our second room, we saved a ton of money on it compared to booking another ocean-view balcony. It had a great view, especially at night.
We loved being able to have access to the outdoors from our room even though it wasn’t looking at the ocean.
I would have no problems booking a Central Park balcony again.
Our stateroom attendants were beyond attentive, a trademark of Royal Caribbean.
You can tell they take guest satisfaction very seriously which is one of the reasons why I like this cruise line so much.
Dining on Allure of the Seas
Allure has over 25 restaurants onboard, about half of which are complimentary. I rarely do specialty dining, I’m perfectly fine with the free options that come with my cruise and I really like the main dining room on Royal Caribbean ships.
I live in Orlando so I am surrounded by touristy restaurants like hibachi grills etc.
I don’t feel the need to do these onboard the ship but I know that many people find them fun. For me, I don’t have any problems with the main dining room.
As with most Royal Caribbean ships, there are 2 seatings: early and late, plus My Time Dining - where you can just show up and take any available table.
But what Royal Caribbean doesn’t tell you is that you will be in a long line waiting for a table to become available.
So I don’t recommend My Time at all but this is another show.
The main dining room is also open for breakfast.
Most people head to the buffet in the morning but here’s a secret, there’s hardly anyone in the main dining room for breakfast.
Sometimes there are themed nights.
On my cruise, there was a Caribbean Night and a White Night, where guests were encouraged to wear all-white outfits.
I don’t like white clothes so I just didn’t participate.
That was perfectly fine. Many others skipped the theme as well.
These themed nights are optional, which is something I love about Royal Caribbean.
But if you are worried that you might feel out of place, you could always visit Windjammers Buffet.
Windjammers is just awesome, no matter which Royal Caribbean ship you’re on. And while it’s super crowded for breakfast, there is usually no one here for dinner. I found that Windjammers usually offers the same dinner menu as the Main Dining Room plus more options.
Earlier in the show, I mentioned there would be a big announcement and I think you’re going to like it. Starting in February 2025, Allure of the Seas will be undergoing a $100 million dollar renovation.
She will be drydocked through April 2025 so that doesn’t leave much time to blow 100 million dollars but I assume they have everything lined up and will just get to it.
Most notably she will be outfitted with an Ultimate Abyss slide (finally!), and she’ll have a Pesky Parrot Bar going where the Champagne Bar is on the Royal Promenade.
The Pesky Parrot made its debut on Utopia of the Seas.
There will be several updated restaurants - so Sabor will go away and become Playmakers Sports Bar, and she will be getting the much-needed water slides! She will also be getting laser tag she will get several more updates on the bars and lounges, plus an all-new teen club.
Now I didn’t get into the kids and teens clubs on Allure here because I have an entire video dedicated to that topic.
It has everything you need to know about taking kids and teens with you on Allure of the Seas, it’s a must-see if you have kids.
You can join me over there by clicking on this video here.
Video: Allure of the Seas with Kids
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Disney World After Hours Tickets, Prices and Dates 2025
Disney After Hours is back at Walt Disney World Resort for 2025, offering late-night adventures for guests and their families.
Disney After Hours is back at Walt Disney World Resort for 2025, offering late-night adventures for guests and their families. These separately ticketed events are limited to a select number of guests, allowing them to enjoy Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT after they officially close for the day.
One of the biggest perks is that Guests can start their night as early as 7 p.m. and stay three hours after the parks close, experiencing shorter wait times for attractions, meeting some of their favorite characters, and indulging in snacks like ice cream, popcorn, and select drinks.
The events begin on January 6, 2025, at Magic Kingdom, January 22, 2025, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and February 27, 2025 at EPCOT.
Disney After Hours Event Times
Event times at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Over at Hollywood Studios, event times are from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Plus, guests can enter the parks as early as 7 p.m. to make the most of the night with their friends and family.
After Hours Event Dates at Magic Kingdom
At Magic Kingdom, guests can ride some of the most mesmerizing attractions under the night sky like TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, both available via standby queue, as well as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain and many more!
These special nights will take place on:
January 6, 13, 20 and 27
February 3, 10, 17 and 24
March 3, 17, 24 and 31
April 7 and 28
May 5, 12 and 19
After Hours Event Dates at EPCOT
Guests can bask in the vibrant glow of Spaceship Earth as they experience the magic of EPCOT after dark. Enjoy your favorite attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After and Soarin’ Around the World.
These special nights will take place on:
February 27
May 8 and 29
June 19 and 26
July 10, 24 and 31
August 7, 14, 21 and 28
September11 and 25
After Hours Event Dates at Hollywood Studios
Guests can dive into Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, join forces with their bright lightsaber in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, rock out in Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and even visit the fifth dimension in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Hollywood Studios offers all this and more as guests explore the park through the night.
These special nights will take place on:
January 22 and 29
February 12 and 19
March 5 and 26*
April 1* and 30
May 14 and 28
June 4,11 and 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
August 6, 20 and 27
September 3
*On March 26 and April 1, Disney After Hours will run from 10pm until 1am
Disney World After Hours Ticket Prices 2025
Disney After Hours ticket prices range from $175 to $185 (plus tax) for Magic Kingdom, $155 to $175 (plus tax) for EPCOT and $155 to $185 (plus tax) for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Tickets go on sale for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green on September 4. For all other guests, tickets will go on sale September 10.
All guests need to do is pick their night, pick their park and enjoy their after-hour exploration!
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Universal’s Dining Card Offer is an Amazing Value
Now is the time to book Universal Orlando. This gift card promo is amazing!
Universal Orlando is opening a new theme park in the summer of 2025. I know that many of you are anxiously awaiting this - how often does Orlando get a new theme park, right? But how does Universal keep the existing parks and hotels busy as most of us are holding off until Epic Universe opens?
To help put heads in the beds, Universal Orlando created a terrific offer:
Up to a $1,000 Dining Card Included in Select Vacation Packages
Book your 4+ night vacation package at Universal Orlando Resort and enjoy discounted promo tickets and a valuable dining card to enhance your stay!
Travel Window: November 7, 2024 - April 10, 2025
Hotels Included:
The Dining Gift Card Package Includes:
Up to $1,000 Food and Beverage Card for select food and beverage purchases across Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, Universal CityWalk, and all Universal Orlando Hotels (One Per Room)
4+ Night Hotel Accommodations with benefits of staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel
Free Universal Express Unlimited Ride Access (Select Hotels): Guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel®, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort can skip the regular lines at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. (Valid theme park admission required; select attractions.)
Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal Volcano Bay up to one hour before the park opens (valid theme park admission required. Select attractions.)
Complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk
And More
2-Park or 3-Park Park-to-Park Vacation Package promo tickets for 4 or 5 days
The following tickets are available with this vacation package offer:
2-Park Park-to-Park ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure on the same day.
3-Park Park-to-Park ticket to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay on the same day.
Free 5x7 Souvenir Photograph
Contact me today to find out how much YOUR dining card will be worth!
This offer is subject to availability. Early booking is highly recommended.
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Why You Shouldn’t Rent Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Points
The downside to renting DVC Points. What they won’t tell you.
Disney Vacation Club is a Disney’s version of a timeshare program but rather than buying a set week as with companies like RCI and Hilton Grand Vacations, Disney Vacation Club members get an annual allotment of points. These points can be redeemed at a variety of Disney Resorts, most of them however are located at Disney World in Florida.
Points are based on things like the resort you choose, room category, and date. Nightly point rates cost more during the holidays and spring break than say, summertime which is Value Season.
One of my viewers pointed out that she was looking to rent points for a 1-bedroom villa at Bay Lake Tower at Walt Disney World for a few nights in late December.
The room cost 56 points per night.
But when she looked into traveling in July, the same room cost only 28 points per night. So she was able to rent fewer points which saved her money.
If a Disney Vacation Club Member decides they do not want to use their points, they can rent them out to someone else either through a broker, they may use a Facebook group that relies heavily on the honor system where you can rent DVC points by owner.
The claim is that renting points can save you a lot of money over paying cash for the room and allow you to book a room category that would likely be available only to Disney Vacation Club members - like a 1, 2, or 3-bedroom villa at a Disney World Deluxe Resort.
And while I can confirm that there are savings, they are not usually as high as some people say. In the research that I’ve done, it looks to be more like a savings of about 30-35%.
But Disney almost always has 30-35% discounts on Deluxe hotel rooms anyway.
Now, I have noticed that the 3-bedroom Villas are often excluded from the discounts, but 3-bedroom villas are very expensive no matter how you book them.
They are also difficult to get because there are so few of them.
Watch My Video on Renting Disney Vacation Club Points
First I don’t recommend booking through Facebook groups etc. I know many people are have had only great experiences and most people are honest.
But it’s when things go wrong that positive relationships can go downhill rather quickly and you’ll probably end up on The People’s Court.
Both parties are entrusting each other, who are strangers by the way, with thousands of dollars at play. And as a fan of The People’s Court myself, I’ll borrow at quote from the judge: “the cheap ends up expensive.”
Brokers are the way to go when it comes to renting points. Just do a Google search and you’ll see a whole bunch come up.
But the process requires money up front with some uncertainties.
With most, you’ll be required to give a deposit upfront to initiate the search.
You’ll provide your dates, hotel, and room choice and know how many points you’ll need. Once the deposit is made, the broker will then try to find someone who matches your parameters and negotiate a price.
Hopefully, they can match you with someone who has points based out of that resort, known as a Home Resort.
In short, a home resort allows you to book at that specific resort 11 months out - which is a significant headstart over other Disney Vacation Members who have a different home resort. More on this coming up in a bit.r
If a match is found, and the price is acceptable, the broker has them create a reservation for you through Disney.
The broker will then pass that information on to you.
You then have a set period, usually 24 hours, to pay the broker in full for the cost of the rented points.
Now, you have to be absolutely sure that you’re taking this vacation, even if someone gets sick because the payment is non-refundable.
Some brokers will allow you to cancel and issue a credit for a future stay, but otherwise, it’s rare to get your money back once you hand it over.
On the other hand, when you book a Disney vacation package, you only need to pay the refundable $200 deposit and the final payment isn’t due until 30 days prior to your check-in date.
So this is a big downside to renting points. Disney makes it very easy for you to make modifications, cancel, and even make payments.
When you rent DVC points you’re agreeing to give up these perks.
Mike wrote to me and pointed out that he had to purchase his Disney theme park tickets on his own after renting his points.
This is a major drawback compared to booking a package with my travel agent.”
Mike is 100% right.
Tickets purchased outside of a package are non-refundable but Disney will allow him to change his ticket dates.
But it’s yet another thing that you must pay in full upfront.
So between the full payment for the points and full payment on the tickets, you can easily have several thousands of dollars out.
Remember when you book a Disney World package, you only pay the $200 refundable deposit - the final balanuce isn’t due until 30-days prior to check in.
One of the biggest drawbacks of renting points is that modifying your dates or changing your party mix is a complicated endeavor.
If you find a significantly cheaper flight that comes in two days before, well, changing your DVC dates isn’t going to be easy - and may even be impossible.
So you may be stuck paying the higher airfare if you can’t change your DVC dates.
This one seems obvious but you have to ensure that the member’s account is in good standing. If they forget to pay their annual dues, Disney may suspend their member benefits, including the ability to make or keep reservations.
Also, many DVC members who are renting points, are open to selling their membership. Maybe they are just done with it, sick of Disney, the kids prefer Universal or want to on a cruise, whatever.
Members may sell their membership on a DVC resale market.
Now, the new owners will see that they are buying points that have been rented. Hopefully, the new owners will honor your points, but they could cancel your reservation if they want your points for their vacation. Remember that the member owns your reservation, you’re just renting.
I heard from a woman who rented points for a studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
After some consideration, she decided she wanted to buy the Disney Dining Plan. But to add the dining plan, she had to ask the broker to ask the owner to add it to the reservation.
The owner needed her credit card to make the purchase.
This made her feel uncomfortable.
Travel Insurance with DVC Points
Travel insurance is something you need to consider when renting points but you’ll need to do this on your own, it’s not offered through the broker.
I don’t know why, but the sites I visited all make a point of saying they cannot offer travel protection and they cannot offer any advice on travel protection.
When you book a typical Disney World vacation package, Disney or your travel agent (you know you should book with a travel agent, right?) will take the time to review the travel protection policy with you and you can purchase it directly from Disney.
Do You Save Money Renting DVC Points?
Do you really save 50% off as some websites say? Yes and no. I have visited multiple DVC rental sites and compared them to Disney’s current prices.
In some cases, there were significant discounts, even greater than 50%, but most of the time the savings were about 25-35 percent.
In some cases there was hardly any savings at all like this one:
I entered Oct 21 through Oct 24, 3 nights, for a 1-bedroom Standard View Villa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.
The average rental price for points was $1,800 for the stay.
Booking directly with Disney, using the fall room discount of 35% off, the nightly rate was $1849.
It Works For Other DVC Members
So why would anyone rent points with all these negatives and uncertainties?
Well, there is one group of people in particular where renting points makes perfect sense: other Disney Vacation Club members.
See, DVC members have a home resort, which simply means they get a headstart on booking their vacation at one particular resort over everyone else - an 11-month headstart.
For example, my home resort is Boulder Ridge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
I can book my reservation there 11 months out while others have to wait.
This gives me the best chance at availability.
Now, if I want to book a different resort, let’s say Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, I have to wait 7 months to book it because it’s not my home resort.
Availability will be limited at 7 months out, so there’s a good chance I won’t be able to book the room I want there.
Unless I rent points from someone whose home resort is Bay Lake Tower. I can rent their points 11 months out for the best availability and then rent my own points out to someone else. Hopefully, I’ll break even but in most cases, there will be some loss, especially if I use a broker who will take a commission for their work.
Renting points is a tricky business and you really have to do your homework.
Weigh out the pros and cons of renting, consider cancellation policies, and if the savings are worth it.
If you’re a first-time visitor, I don’t think you should attempt this - you really should know the ins and outs of Disney World vacation before you go rogue and end up making it even more complicated.
I have a video that explains traditional Disney World vacation packages where I discuss how it works and point out some money-saving tips. You can check that coming up right here!
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The Walt Disney World Updates You Need to See (D23)
These are the new LANDS and RIDES coming to Walt Disney World Resort!
Want to catch up on all the news for Walt Disney World? Here are the new rides and experiences announced during D23 Event 2024 that are coming to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
MONSTERS, INC. LAND JOKES AROUND AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS 2025 — It’s laughter they’re after when Sulley, Mike, and the rest of the crew from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Monsters, Inc.” move into Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and let humans inside the factory for the first time.
Picking up after the events of Pixar’s beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. — and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself.
You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (a.k.a. Sulley) and Mike Wazowski — via a door!
Yes, a door. If you’ve been dreaming of riding through the door vault since the movie was released in 2001, you’re not alone
You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park.
Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? Disney is doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.
DISNEY CARS COMING TO MAGIC KINGDOM
ZOOMING TO CONSTRUCTION IN 2025 – Start your engines, fan favorite stories and characters from Pixar’s “Cars” race into Magic Kingdom Park with two new attractions and fun for the whole family.
“Cars” will be coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
Don’t get too comfortable in Radiator Springs because it’s time to leave the pit stop and head west into exciting new frontiers. On this adventure, guests will be able to experience not one but two exciting new “Cars”-themed attractions.
Are you noticing the scenery in the background? This looks amazing - and will add an incredible amount of detail to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom!
One attraction will invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes.
But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.
Get ready to start your engines! Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025.
VILLAINS LAND AT MAGIC KINGDOM
SOMETHING WICKED BEGINS CONSTRUCTION SOON — This is no happily ever after. Get ready to see a darker side of your favorite fairytales when the Villains cast a spell over Magic Kingdom.
Disney remains pretty vague on this new land but shared the following:
The evil ambition of all these Villains means that the possibilities are endless for the stories that can be told — and visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way.
We will now have 2 evil lands in Orlando as Universal announced plans for a classic monsters land for Epic Universe.
TROPICAL AMERICAS AT ANIMAL KINGDOM
SPROUTING TO LIFE IN 2027 — Indiana Jones, and the Madrigal family will be the center of a new Tropical Americas land that will come to Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring everyone’s favorite archeologist and the magical casita from “Encanto.”
Work on this new 11-acre section of the park is set to begin later this year. Just like Harambe, the land feels lived in, with a long, rich history — plus there’s a large hacienda which will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort.
The space will be lush and sprawling, featuring a large fountain in the center where the villagers like to gather and tell stories. Additionally, a woodcarver has created a giant working carousel featuring his favorite animals from Disney stories. It’s a new take on a classic attraction that young families are going to love.
That’s not all that will be located here – the new land will include not one but two signature attractions!
Indiana Jones at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
A new Indy experience is set to arrive in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and will be different from any other Indiana Jones experience around the world.
In this new venture, the man with the hat has recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to explore it.
He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself. So, he brings us along on the adventure… but will there be snakes? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Encanto
If you’re a fan of drawers, floors, and doors, let’s go! The first-ever “Encanto”-themed ride-through attraction is coming to Animal Kingdom, featuring the beloved Madrigal family from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
Inside the Casita, Antonio has just received his special gift — the ability to communicate with animals — and his room has transformed into a rainforest. It’s time to go explore alongside him, and you never know what member of the family you might bump into…
Construction on the land is set to begin this fall and will open in 2027 — but don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of time to experience Dinosaur again (and get that dino).
And, elsewhere in Animal Kingdom, there are more exciting updates coming, too! The newest show coming to the Tree of Life Theater features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and all their friends from Disney Animation’s Zootopia. The show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film and opens next winter.
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Update on Disney Treasure’s New Show
Disney Treasure’s new show will feature a massive puppet on stage.
Disney Cruise Line revealed new details about the Disney Treasure — setting sail later this year! — where guests will get to see the brand-new stage production, “Disney The Tale of Moana.” The show will also include a giant puppet on stage.
Te Kā will appear onstage as a 15-foot-tall puppet – the largest we’ve ever produced for a Disney Cruise Line show.
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13 Ships in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet
Four new ships coming to the Disney Cruise Line fleet!
What’s better than one new Disney Cruise ship? How about four brand new Disney Cruise Line ships joining the fleet?
Disney revealed that four ships will be joining Disney Cruise Line’s ever-growing roster of family-friendly ships These 4 new ships will arrive between 2027 and 2031.
Five ships are currently in the fleet, with four others already in the works. These new, four additional ships will bring the fleet to a total of 13, giving you 13 different opportunities to experience everything that Disney Cruise Line is known for. The ship names, designs, and exciting itineraries are still in development, but go ahead and start dreaming about your next sailing!
Disney also revealed that the signature production aboard the Disney Destiny — which starts sailing next year — will be “Disney Hercules,” featuring the music and characters you know and love from the classic Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
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A 3rd Harry Potter World Coming to Universal Orlando: Ministry of Magic
Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe reveals details on new Harry Potter / Fantastic Beasts land at
Universal Orlando Resort revealed new details for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic, one of five worlds being added to Universal in 2025. The new attraction, which will be in the new Epic Universe park opening next year, will feature dining, retail, entertainment, and a new, boundary-pushing ride.
Ministry of Magic is the third Harry Potter-themed world at Universal Orlando, joining The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.
The adventure begins when guests travel by Métro-Floo—a unique mode of wizarding transit inspired by the Floo Network seen in the films—to journey from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge.
Upon arrival, guests will enter the Ministry’s grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place—until Umbridge attempts to escape.
Guests then join Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and a house-elf named Higgledy in a chase that will propel them throughout the Ministry as they try to capture Umbridge—all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way.
For the first time ever in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, guests can enjoy a live, full-scale theatre experience in the heart of the land with Le Cirque Arcanus. This show features live performers and aerialists, puppetry and special effects.
Guests also can shop for wands designed by Cosme Acajor in the premier Parisian wand shop Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. They can find a selection of spell-casting sticks packaged in unique three-sided boxes, each containing a list of locations throughout the Wizarding World where guests can practice casting magic.
Armed with wand in hand, guests can interact with fantastic beasts such as Nifflers, Bowtruckles and a Demiguise, and engage with enchanted objects in many of the storefront windows and other areas throughout the Place Cachée.
The new Wizarding World also features themed dining and retail locations designed to extend the immersive experience.
Café L’air De La Sirène serves French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts.
The mysterious Le Gobelet Noir has a menu of soups and salads as well as a variety of entrées and desserts.
American witches and wizards can enjoy a taste of home at Bar Moonshine, where they will find exclusive beers, wines and cocktails served amid the U.S. Quidditch team pennants and other items of wizarding Americana.
Bièraubeurre Cart dishes out the famous Butterbeer, the frosty, fan-favorite beverage.
Guests also can shop for memorabilia in Les Galeries Mirifiques, enjoy French sweets at K. Rammelle, or pick up Ministry of Magic-inspired items at the Métro-Floo gift shop Tour En Floo.
A new collection of merchandise inspired by the upcoming themed environment is now available for sale for a limited time and can be purchased at the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal CityWalk
For more information about Universal Epic Universe, visit my Universal Orlando vacation page.
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Must-See Lounges Coming to the Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
Pirates of the Caribbean Theme Lounge and more on the Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
Disney Cruise Line gave us a new update on the ship, which will showcase Disney heroes and villains in an assortment of spaces and experiences inspired by some of Disney’s most legendary schemers, scoundrels, and specters.
Disney Cruise Line says voyages aboard the Disney Destiny will embrace the dynamic duality of every great Disney story, where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their destinies.
A diverse range of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters will be the inspiration behind themed venues and entertainment aboard the ship, including brand-new lounges celebrating Cruella de Vil (pictured above) and the Pirates of the Caribbean.
An evening at De Vil’s piano lounge will be a lavish affair emblematic of the bar’s namesake, the fabulously over-the-top villain Cruella de Vil of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” and the acclaimed 2021 live-action film.
Cruella’s infamous flair for style and wickedly bold attitude will be reflected in the Hollywood Regency-inspired aesthetic of the adult-exclusive lounge, where everything will be adorned in her signature color palette of red, black and white.
Amid sultry tunes from the spotted piano, guests will wind down in style with trendy martinis, chic cocktails, and glamorous wines and bubblies.
One side of De Vil’s will be open to the Grand Hall, allowing guests to sit back with a drink and a prime view of the ship’s premier gathering space.
Whether patrons choose to bask in Cruella’s legacy or savor the energy and entertainment of the Grand Hall, their experience at this one-of-a-kind lounge is sure to be anything but “miserable, darling.”
Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge on Disney Destiny
At Cask and Cannon, which sounds just like a lounge from Royal Caribbean, guests will join the ranks of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” for an evening of revelry, recreation, and yes, rum.
Inspired by the iconic characters and scenes from the beloved Disney Parks attractions around the world, the new pub will be an eclectic yet cozy watering hole furnished with treasures “acquired” (read pillaged and pilfered) during the pirates’ many voyages around the globe.
Visiting buccaneers will regale one another with tales of their own high seas’ adventures, cheer and jeer during live televised sporting events, and indulge in an extensive menu of rare, specialty, and vintage rums and a selection of “bootlegged” brews developed specially for the venue and served straight from the barrel in true pirate style.
Nothing like a pirate-themed sports bar.
Disney Destiny will introduce a quirky new storyline filled with Disney Animation villains to AquaMouse, DCL’s signature attraction at sea—a 760-foot-long water ride towering over the upper decks of the ship.
Featuring an original soundtrack written exclusively for DCL by Emmy award-winning composer Christopher Willis and lyricist Elyse Willis, the new show will exemplify the signature silliness of Mickey Mouse animated shorts.
In “Sing a Silly Song,” Mickey and Minnie will lead guests on a seemingly ominous trek to the peak of Villain Mountain.
When faced with some of the most fearsome villains of Disney Animation lore, the duo will employ a silly song—and a bit of pixie dust—to transform each chilling encounter into a wacky surprise.
Guests will laugh and splash along as Queen of Hearts (“Alice in Wonderland”), Scar (“The Lion King”), Chernabog (“Fantasia”), and others find themselves in unconventionally hilarious situations.
“Sing a Silly Song” will be one of four shows available on AquaMouse aboard the Disney Destiny, all complete with music, lighting, special effects, and splashtacular surprises.
Both heroes and villains from across the Disney universe will take center stage aboard the Disney Destiny. Guests will encounter formidable foes—including Maleficent, Hades, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and Oogie Boogie through a variety of shows, meet-and-greets and special appearances throughout the ship, along with some of Disney’s most mischievous and misunderstood personalities, like Captain Jack Sparrow, Bruno and Loki.
Disney Destiny also will introduce exclusive ways for guests to interact with their favorite villains, rogues, and mischief-makers during all-new events and activities.
This will complement a host of popular programs from across the DCL fleet, including a frighteningly fun dance party in Oogie Boogie’s shipboard lair and an interactive Disney trivia event that often gets interrupted by a cast of Disney villains.
Haunted Mansion Lounge on Disney Destiny
Foolish mortals will be welcomed to sip spirited craft cocktails among the 999 happy haunts of Disney Parks lore at the Haunted Mansion Parlor.
Reminiscent of a first-class drawing room from the classic cruise liners of the golden age, this experience—which will first debut aboard the Disney Treasure in December 2024—will invoke inspiration from the original theme park attraction with a nautical twist exclusive to DCL.
The venue will follow the nostalgic art style of the 1969 Disney Parks classic, blending humor with Disney’s distinct brand of spooky storytelling.
Legendary characters from Haunted Mansion attractions around the world will come out to socialize in mysterious ways throughout the experience, along with a few new seafaring arrivals and an original storyline focused on a ship captain.
A custom musical arrangement inspired by the attraction’s original score will set the stage for an ever-escalating anthology of illusions that immerses guests into the next chapter of Haunted Mansion lore.
At the Haunted Mansion Parlor, grim grinning guests will sample a selection of ghostly cocktails that capture the spirit of the story, and an exclusive array of haunted homewares and spooky souvenirs inspired by the bar will materialize in shopping venues aboard the ship.
Disney Destiny will displace roughly 144,000 gross registered tons and will be powered by liquefied natural gas. Its delivery is part of a multi-year expansion of the DCL fleet that includes the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure; the Disney Adventure, which will homeport in Singapore; the recently announced agreement with Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. to bring Disney cruise vacations to Japan in 2029; and a new island destination in the Bahamas: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
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Why Royal Caribbean is Using Utopia of the Seas for Short Getaways
Behind Royal Caribbean’s strategy for placing a mega ship in Port Canaveral for 3 and 4-night itineraries.
Royal Caribbean is undertaking a unique experiment with its newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. Typically, cruise lines repurpose their older ships for short three- and four-day voyages offering lower prices to those new to cruising. But Royal Caribbean has taken a bold step by dedicating its newest and largest Oasis cruise ship for shorter getaway cruises, including stops at its private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
Vacations vs Getaways
According to Royal Caribbean, there are vacations and there are getaways.
If you don’t have the time or money for a full vacation, why not opt for a quick getaway?
Short trips are ideal for new-to-cruise guests to get their feet wet and learn more about cruising.
These shorter sailings also can be combined into longer vacations if desired, espeially in Orlando with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando being less than an hour away from Port Canaveral.
Why Royal Caribbean is using its Largest Ship for Short Getaways
With 11 complimentary eateries, 12 specialty restaurants, and myriad ice, water and comedy shows, Utopia of the Seas offers so many food and entertainment choices that it’s almost impossible to everything in just three or four days.
So why use this newest and biggest Oasis-class ship for quick getaways?
Utopia is designed to both delight and pleasantly frustrate passengers who cannot possibly experience more than the tip of Utopia’s iceberg.
To support the short cruises , much of the ship is designed to reinforce a high-energy getaway, where food, activities and entertainment can be experienced in a “grab and go” environment.
Royal Caribbean believes this will create a strong desire to return, setting up Utopia up for significant repeat business.
I have been on most of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, Symphony of the Seas and my personal favorite, Wonder of the Seas. For the most part, Utopia is similar enough but it does have some very cool unique features.
How Utopia of the Seas Compares to Other Oasis Cruise Ships
Solarium Suites are a new concept and sit over the bridge wings. These luxury suites offer panoramic views of the ocean, similar to what the crew seas from the bridge.
On Utopia of the Seas, the Solarium Suites offer private areas and amenities, including access to a dedicated pool, lounge and dining options.
Designed for adults, these suites include enhanced services, including concierge access, and are located at the front of the ship in various room configurations.
On Utopia, the Solarium Suites do not need balconies, because they have floor-to-ceiling windows with 280-degree ocean views from the bedroom and living areas.
They feature a bath and a half with one of the largest showers at sea, access to the suite sun deck with a plunge pool and in-water loungers, a suite lounge for cocktails and socializing, and five-star dining at Coastal Kitchen.
Royal Railway: Brand new and not featured on previous Oasis ships, the Royal Railway is a novel entertainment and dining concept that offers a 90-minute dinner experience combining visual immersion, a show and a matching culinary experience.
The first theme produced is a Wild West train journey featuring two train cars set up with 24 seats arranged in banquettes of fours and twos.
The experience includes ambient surround sound, eight high-definition screens disguised as train windows, steam and other stage effects, all timed to create the feel of a real train ride.
The journey includes interactions with actors in period costumes and a story line that unfolds throughout the meal.
Future story lines will include a date-night experience themed around Marco Polo’s return journey to Italy from China, as well as other stories that will take guests to wine and whiskey tastings around the world.
This was a smart investment by Royal Caribbean, as the system’s amazing versatility means the sky is the limit in terms of dining entertainment options.
I look forward to a trip into space eventually with the right story line and effects.
Pesky Parrot: The Pesky Parrot is a new tiki bar concept featuring a raucous parrot named Brian as its mascot.
While Brian was not aboard at the time of the naming, he is expected to be in place by Utopia’s first revenue sailing.
This bar replaces the previously popular Bionic Bar and offers a vibrant, Caribbean-inspired tiki experience with the added attraction of Brian greeting guests in a humorous and tipsy manner.
The Pesky Parrot serves locally inspired cocktails that blend the flavors of the Caribbean in a traditional tiki style.
A favorite among guests are the four frozen drink machines that dole out three different tropical fruit drinks.
Izumi in the Park: Izumi, the Japanese restaurant on board, has been expanded to offer multiple dining experiences.
It now includes a takeout window in Central Park, double the hibachi grills compared to other Oasis-class ships, and a sushi bar.
A new addition is the multi-course omakase table, providing a set menu curated by the chef.
This setup allows guests to enjoy a variety of Japanese cuisines, from elaborate dining experiences to takeout sushi, all under one roof.
As mentioned previously, Utopia was designed for those interested in a quick getaway, and “grab and go” sushi is a perfect example of how Royal Caribbean supports that style, which enabled me to get to my next event quickly.
Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant: This eatery continues to serve a variety of classic Italian dishes, but it has been relocated to Decks 11 and 12, where Wonderland was previously situated.
This new location offers expanded seating with an outdoor alfresco terrace. Encompassing two decks with high windows, the restaurant is now has a lot more space and overlooks the aft of the ship.
The Spare Tire: The Spare Tire is a food truck located on the Sports Zone deck, providing a convenient dining option for guests who are enjoying outdoor activities and attractions.
Constructed from what looks like an actual food truck, it offers a variety of casual dining options, including burgers, taco and other classic American fare.
Again, this is another venue created to support those wanting a quick “grab-and-go” alternative.
The Ultimate Abyss: The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas is notable for several reasons compared to its predecessors on sister ships.
First, it is the longest dry slide at sea, measuring 259 feet, which is 43 feet longer than any previous version.
Second, it includes transparent racing windows for a clear view outside. It also has been redesigned to be faster than earlier versions using zoom booster rollers for increased speed, and features 300 LED lights.
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Broken water pipe causes flood inside The Land pavilion at EPCOT