Christmas
universal
winter
I recently partnered with Universal Orlando Resort for the holidays. They so kindly provided accommodations and additional amenities during my stay. While this post is sponsored, thoughts and opinions are my own.
There's nothing quite like the holiday season at Universal Orlando Resort. From the twinkling lights to the tinsel trees, the parks and resort hotels offer just the right amount of festive decor to get you and your Instagram feed in the Christmas spirit... because if you didn't post, did you even go?
Luckily for you, I've done the hard work of finding the perfect locations for you and rounded up the most Instagrammable holiday spots at Universal Orlando Resort. See them all below!
Looking for a Caribbean paradise to cure those winter blues? Head to Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, where you'll experience holiday decor with a tropical twist. Be sure to check out the handmade gingerbread village in the lobby. Foodies - grab a pic to share later on Instagram!
If you're more into modern decor, Universal's Aventura Hotel is the place for you. Their glistening trees are sure to satisfy your chic taste. P.S. Bonus points for trying their signature holiday cocktails (21+) - Frosted Fizz (Bar 17 Bistro) and Sleigh on Sand (barVentura) - or grab a holiday drink from the Starbucks in the lobby! If you have the Kira Kira app on your phone, this is the perfect place to take those glittering videos to share on your Instagram.
Retro Christmas, coming right up! Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers a fun twist on mid-century holiday decor. Tinsel trees with colorful ornaments greet you in the lobby. While you're there, try the Holiday Sangria (21+) and do a "cheers" Boomerang at the Swizzle Lounge. Afterwards, grab a photo in front of the tinsel trees for a pop of color in your Instagram feed.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort offers subtle yet whimsical holiday decor. The tree in the main lobby greets guests with South Seas-infused ornaments, complete with a gingerbread village. Waltz downstairs to find a tree that looks as though it emerged from a coral reef. If you prefer a more tropical holiday, this place is perfect for your 'grams.
Beep, beep! Scoot over to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel for a taste of Italy. An enormous tree is situated in the center of the Harbor Piazza, perfect for selfies while sipping a Starbucks coffee. There's one located just off to the side of the tree. Probably my favorite of the hotels we visited since it was so picturesque!
Last but not least, Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando puts a whole new meaning of rockin' around the Christmas tree. Records and instruments hang from the tree in the lobby, with sounds of Christmas music playing in the background. A must-gram!
On your way to the roller coasters, take a detour through the streets of Universal Studios. There are plenty of sites to see, fully decorated for the holidays. I've never been to New York City at Christmastime, but I have a feeling it looks something like this! Not a lot of guests pause here, so it's a great place for photos without a lot of people in the background.
Happy Christmas, Harry! As a self-proclaimed Harry Potter fan, I can't get enough of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it's extra magical during the holiday season. It's incredible to see the amount of detail that goes into each and every corner in Diagon Alley. From the garland that lines the buildings to the wreaths on the doors, it's all so enchantingly festive and I love it. So many opportunities for the perfect Instagram shot!
All aboard the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade, located at Islands of Adventure. Much like Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade shows off its holiday best with storefronts lined with evergreen garland. It may not snow in Florida, but with this wintry backdrop, it might as well look like it did! Your Instagram posts will have an extra dose of winter magic here.
Before you go, stop by Seuss Landing to celebrate Grinchmas! You can even meet the Grinch himself while you're there. Seuss Landing has the cutest Christmas decor of them all, so if you want a little bit of whimsy in your photos, this is the spot to take them.
The holiday season is truly the best time to visit Universal Orlando Resort, and there is no shortage of opportunities for the perfect Instagram while you're here. Be sure to follow @universalorlando and @universalorlandohotels for more inspiration!
Thanks again to Universal Orlando Resort for hosting me!
Most Instagrammable Holiday Spots at Universal Orlando Resort
Friday, December 14, 2018
Resorts
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Universal's Aventura Hotel
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
Universal Studios Florida
Diagon Alley
Islands of Adventure
Hogsmeade
Seuss Landing
disney
Disney recently invited me to experience Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom, a special ticketed event that allows guests exclusive access to various attractions after the park closes. Tickets to this event were provided on behalf of Disney. However, thoughts and opinions shared below on my experience are my own.
Dreams do come true! If you've ever wished you could have the parks all to yourself, now you can... sort of. Disney After Hours provides guests with exclusive access to select attractions after the park closes for the day, available at three of the four Walt Disney World parks.
Three hours may not seem like a lot of time, but trust me, you can do a LOT when there are little-to-no wait times! I recently attended Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom, and boy, was it great. I was able to literally walk-on Avatar Flight of Passage not once, but twice. Before park close, the wait time was 160 minutes. Once the event started, it dropped down to 5. Amazing!
Oh, and there's plenty of snacks available throughout the park, included with admission. I had my fair share of popcorn and Mickey bars throughout the evening!
If you're looking to experience Animal Kingdom in a unique way and enjoy having the park *almost* to yourself, definitely check out Disney After Hours!
You can learn more about this event and purchase tickets here.
Thanks again to Disney for having me!
Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom
Thursday, December 06, 2018
Three hours may not seem like a lot of time, but trust me, you can do a LOT when there are little-to-no wait times! I recently attended Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom, and boy, was it great. I was able to literally walk-on Avatar Flight of Passage not once, but twice. Before park close, the wait time was 160 minutes. Once the event started, it dropped down to 5. Amazing!
Christmas
disney
disney style
Disney recently invited me to experience Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a special ticketed event held on select nights now through December 21, 2018 at Magic Kingdom. Tickets were provided on behalf of Disney, however, thoughts and opinions on my experience are my own.
It really is the most wonderful, magical time of the year, and there's no better way to celebrate than a night at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! This festive special event offers guests a winter wonderland of holiday fun, complete with "snow" on Main Street, U.S.A., seasonal treats throughout the park, and even a twinkling Cinderella Castle, thanks to a little Frozen magic.
Mickey's Very Merry holds a very special place in my heart, as it was, and still is, a tradition for me and my family. We would come every year for the party, so it always leaves me feeling nostalgic in the best way!
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party offers just the right amount of Christmas cheer to get you in the holiday spirit, and for that reason, it's my absolute favorite special event at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you're visiting this month, be sure to add it to your list.
Click here for more details on this event.
Thanks again to Disney for providing the tickets!
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Thursday, November 29, 2018
disney
disney style
Disney recently invited me to attend the grand re-opening event for the World of Disney at Disney Springs. Thoughts and opinions below are my own.
The world's largest Disney store World of Disney at Disney Springs is re-imagined with all new magical elements for guests to enjoy. From the homage to classic Disney animation to the modern touches, there are surprises around every corner.
I personally love the open concept of the store. Each space is easily accessible from the other, a refreshing update from the previous layout. I also love the curated sections - everything is grouped together by theme now, making it easy to find what you're looking for. My personal favorite is the current Mickey Mouse Club presentation, featuring retro pieces inspired by the Mouseketeers.
With the store completely re-imagined just in time for the holidays, it's the perfect place to get a start on your Christmas shopping, too. While we didn't get a chance to see this on the tour, there is a huge room filled with festive apparel and accessories offering a healthy dose of holiday cheer. If you'll be visiting the Walt Disney World Resort during the most wonderful time of the year, add this to your list to visit while you're here!
Have you visited the re-imagined World of Disney yet? What do you think of the updates? Let me know in the comments!
World of Disney Re-Opening
Sunday, November 18, 2018
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