Stay Archives - Page 2 of 5 - On the Go in MCO

Pirate and Princess Weekends Return to Gaylord Palms Resort

The Gaylord Palms Resort is welcoming guests to enjoy a bounty of family-fun both inside the resort’s atriums and outside at Cypress Springs Water Park during their Pirate and Princess Weekends until March 7, 2021.

Pirate and Princess Weekends invites guests to join the story of the Captain and his crew of notorious pirates who have plundered the Florida Coast in search of The Princess’s priceless treasure. The pirates have made Gaylord Palms Resort their outpost commandeering the resort’s Everglades Swamp, and guests will get to embark on their own adventure as they choose to take the pirate oath or become an honorary princess or prince for the day.

This year several new Pirate and Princess Weekend activities have been added to the line-up of swashbuckling fun that includes the Pirate Pool Party with Jolly Roger, the Princess Academy show where tales of The Princess and the Swordmistress are brought to life, and an exciting journey with Adventure Kid Sophie and friends as they explore the natural world we live in during Adventure Kids: Join the Club.

Pirate and Princess Weekends 2021 Gaylord Palms Resort

The new Pirate Outpost Invasion deep in the newly established Everglades Outpost is an interactive show experience where guests will hear tales of adventure, swashbuckling music, and enjoy a sip of The Captain’s brew. But take heed, because the pirates have made anchor in a nearby harbor and could invade at any time! Experience includes special pirate keepsakes. To allow for social distancing, tickets will be time-specific and capacity will be limited.

Guests can wet their whistle among relics from past treasure hunting voyages and the pirates who scoured the seven seas to retrieve them in the resort’s new, hidden Pirate Speakeasy. These crafted cocktails are fit for a true buccaneer.

In addition to the Pirate and Princess Weekends events, resort guests can enjoy several daily activities.

The Princess’s Shiny Stash Treasure Hunt leads guests throughout 4.5 acres of the resort’s indoor gardens to find the precious treasures hidden from the Princess’s kingdom. But be careful, because pirates love treasure!

As night falls, guests will want to watch high above the trees inside the resort’s St. Augustine Atrium to see the Pirate & Princess Light Display. Each night colorful lights and imagery of swords clashing, waves crashing, pirate ships, crowns, tiaras, and brilliant jewels will appear creating the perfect close to a day of an exciting adventure.

The Wildlife Rescue Experience is a virtual adventure that guides guests throughout the resort to track down endangered species and help ensure that they are monitored for their protection. The experience highlights indigenous animals from Florida and, with the magic of augmented reality, brings them to life before the participants’ eyes.

In celebration of Pirate and Princess Weekends, the resort is offering a special package starting at $189. The package includes overnight accommodations, a Princess’s Shiny Stash Treasure Hunt Booklet, and tickets to the new Pirate Outpost Invasion interactive show. The package excludes resort fee and parking.

For more information, visit CLICK HERE.

As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, Pirate and Princess Weekends has been developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social distancing measures. Programming will also operate in consideration of the latest local, state, and federal legislation.

Gaylord Palms Announces Partnership with Wild Florida

Gaylord Palms Partnership with Wild Florida

The Gaylord Palms is pleased to announce Wild Florida as the resort’s new wildlife partner, providing brand-new educational and interactive guest experiences, including up-close animal encounters and live shows.

For almost two decades, Gaylord Palms has become known for its 4.5-acres of atrium-enclosed gardens with thousands of tropical plants and several species of animals that are native to Florida. With this new partnership, Wild Florida is providing access to many of these unique species including alligators and snakes.

“We are very excited that Wild Florida is our new wildlife partner because they provide a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests,” said General Manager of Gaylord Palms Johann Krieger. “Their family-friendly experiences allow our guests to learn more about Florida’s diverse ecosystem and get up-close with unique animals, all while exploring the rest of our resort’s distinctive environment.”

Educational and interactive guest experiences Wild Florida is providing include:

20 alligators that live inside the resort’s St. Augustine atrium habitat, Gator Springs
Six hatchlings, also known as baby gators or “grunts,” that have a home in the Everglades atrium
Four snakes that guests can see in Sawgrass Place, located within our Everglades atrium
Live gator feedings with a Wild Florida representative at Gator Springs at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday
Up-close animal encounters with critters from Wild Florida’s nearby zoological park on select days

Plus, each experience is complimentary for overnight guests, allowing them to enjoy the lush gardens and native species at any time throughout their stay.

“Gaylord Palms Resort is an amazing world-class facility,” said Sam Haught, Co-owner of Wild Florida. “We are grateful to partner with a company that shares our same passion for inspiring visitors to make a connection with Florida’s wildlife.”

In accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” practices, the resort provides enhanced cleaning technology, hospital-grade disinfectants, attendants dedicated to sanitizing frequently throughout the day, social distancing protocols, and hundreds of new cleaning processes to take care of guests while they enjoy the resort’s amenities.

For more information about Wild Florida’s new educational and interactive experiences, visit the resort’s website.

Our Christmas at Gaylord Palms Adventure

Disclosure: I was invited by the Gaylord Palms Resort to experience Christmas at Gaylord Palms, but all opinions and overuse of exclamation points are all my own!!!

Christmas at Gaylord Palms has become a valued holiday tradition in my family over the years, and the holiday season begins for us when we walk through the revolving doors of the resort.

There’s a special magic to their larger-than-life celebrations!!!

And with it being 2020 we were nervous about what that would mean for our beloved tradition, but I’m BEYONDDDD excited to say that their magic is still there and even more joyful than before.

Commitment to Clean

The Gaylord Palms Resort STARS really have gone above and beyond when it comes to making their guests feel comfortable with enhanced cleaning procedures and new contact-less service options.

There’s absolutely NOTHING like waking up to this view…

Or taking a moment to sit on your atrium balcony at the end of your day.

See? That’s some holiday Magic right there!!!

I Love Christmas Movies

This year the new I Love Christmas Movies takes you through 17,000 square feet of holiday movie magic.

A Production assistant takes you and another party through iconic movie scenes from THE POLAR EXPRESS, A CHRISTMAS STORY, ELF, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS.

We had a great time enjoying the interactive elements, and went through several times during our stay!

It’s a unique experience chocked full of fun movie facts, movie replicas, special effects, and fun photo opportunities.

We had a great time, and our PA was awesome at helping us snap family photos!

Just make sure to hit your mark!

I do have to say that I was super excited to see the Nativity scene they created to keep the tradition going…

And for the return of ICE! in 2021!!!

Snow Factory

While the Snow Factory has looooong been a favorite stop for us, this year the area has been completely been redesigned.

Let’s start with the slides!!!

This year 6 slides made of REAL ice let guests can choose their thrill experience! There’s the speed slide for a race to the bottom or the opportunity to brave the “ice coaster” plummet.

Then our favorite…the Snowball Build & Blast lets families compete to see who can make the best snowballs out of ice AND how accurately they can throw them.

We are a SUPER competitive family, so we played as much as we could during our stay!!!

Explore the Alpine Village

The Alpine Village is really the heart of Christmas at Gaylord Palms, and this year the village has been designed with more room for social distancing with the same amount of fun!

Zoe was stoked for her annual visit to the Build A Bear Workshop! She always makes a special friend, and this year it was awesome to see costumes that tied to the movies in I Love Christmas Movies!

Why yes…that is a Cousin Eddie outfit for your Build A Bear!!!

And you can’t sleep on the outfits that are exclusive to the Gaylord Palms Resort!

Also tucked into the Alpine Village are fun, hands-on experiences.

We had a blast in the Elf Training Academy making ornaments.

You seriously aren’t shocked that I monogrammed mine…right?

And we created our annual Gingerbread house with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man!

PRO-TIP: At the entrance to the Alpine Sweet Shop, you will find bags of candy to purchase. Our bag was less than $3 and having the extra options made the decorating process less stressful. It was AWESOME!!!

Help the Grinch

A staple of every event at the Gaylord Palms Resort is their scavenger hunt, and this year you get the explore the beautifully decorated resort to help The Grinch.

The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt lets families solve puzzles together for a great prize.

Time together + holiday fun + the opportunity to walk-off and earn more holiday treats = Priceless

Amazing Entertainment

Christmas at Gaylord Palms has gone out of its way to maintain its fantastic entertainment schedule in a safe environment for performers and audience members.

Cirque Dreams Unwrapped is once again filling the St. Augustine Atrium Stage with thrilling acts several times a night.

The Greatest Story, a multicultural, musical journey celebrating the story of Christ, will fill your heart with the holiday spirit.

Christmas atChristmas at Gaylord Palms 2020 Gaylord Palms 2020

And you won’t want to miss the #LIT light show featuring thousands of sparkling lights, a larger-than-life Christmas Tree, and holiday music.

Tickets and Packages

Tickets and overnight Christmas packages including admission into the I Love Christmas Movies experience are available now at ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com and ILoveChristmasMoviesExperience.com.

Online advance reservations are required for all ticketed Christmas at Gaylord Palms events and face-coverings must be worn at all times during activities.

Holiday Fun at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

This year, Santa will bring the North Pole experience to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort with a new Santa’s Village themed area for guests to enjoy a socially distant, yet festive holiday experience – without the North Pole weather!

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elf, Kandy Kane, return for their annual holiday vacation to Santa’s favorite resort as part of the resort’s 2020 holiday season celebration.

On select nights beginning November 27, the new Santa’s Village experience will give the young and young-at-heart a chance to experience the sights, scents, and sounds of the holidays.

Playful elves will host socially distant reindeer games and guests will enjoy specialty drinks from Santa’s ho-ho-hometown in the hotel’s restaurants, take part in holiday cookie decorating and meet and take socially distanced pictures with the big man himself.

The full slate of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort holiday activities include:

Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet and Greets

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Christmas Santa and Mrs. Claus on the balcony

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Kandy Kane, decked out in their favorite Florida vacation attire, will meet guests on select nights Nov – Dec. This unique, socially distanced holiday photo opportunity is filled with Florida flair, featuring reindeer, palm trees, flamingos, and holiday cheer.

Event dates: November 27-28, December 4-5, December 11-12, December 18-19, and December 21-22.

Cookie Decorating

Fun has never tasted so sweet! On select nights, families can participate in a favorite holiday tradition – cookie decorating.

Kids and parents alike can unleash their creativity on frosted sugar cookies from the hotel’s award-winning food and beverage team, then devour their delicious creations.

The cookie decorating will be arranged with special health protocols in place.

Life-Size Chocolate Holiday Santa Scene

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Christmas Largest Santa

Constructed entirely of chocolate, this life-size sculpture weighs approximately 2,000 pounds!

The sculpture, created by a two-time world pastry champion and the resort’s executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard, is showcased in the Swan Hotel.

It features chocolate Santa sitting in his chair; a 7-foot-tall, 400-pound chocolate nutcracker; a chocolate fireplace; a chocolate Christmas tree, and chocolate toy train.

The scene will be displayed throughout December and is 100 percent edible.

However, any chocolate lovers thinking of taking on the challenge of consuming this enormous sweet should consider that it is 4 million calories! (And unfortunately, the sculpture is not available for tasting.)

Dancing Lights Show

A dazzling musical light show transforms the outdoor causeway each evening into a holiday spectacle with dancing illuminated palm trees and favorite holiday tunes. The performances occur regularly from sunset through 10 p.m.

Magic Keys for Santa on Christmas Eve

How will Santa deliver presents to each guest room without a chimney? With a magic key of course!

Children can hang a magic key on their door to help Santa find his way on Christmas Eve. Magic keys are available on December 24 at the concierge desk.

Deck-The-Halls Decoration Packages

Extend the hotel’s festive décor to your guestroom. Guests can order a Deck-The-Halls decoration package, where elves will transform their room with holiday-themed décor and leave behind some tasty treats and a specialized holiday note for the kids.

This is an ideal way to surprise the family after returning from a fun day in the theme parks! Hanukkah packages are also available.

Advance reservations required. Fees apply.

24/7 In-Room Holiday Movies

Families can enjoy round-the-clock holiday cheer with a variety of free holiday-themed movies available in-room.

Guests can join all the holiday excitement with rates starting at $167 per night. And, if they are on the nice list, they can also enjoy a special bonus: up to 50% off a second room. Just use the code: SANTA.

For more details about all the holiday excitement, including a full schedule of activities, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort or to make room reservations, please visit www.santasfavoriteresort.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

Dockside Inn and Suites Announces Opening Date

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, the newest hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, will open to guests for the first time on December 15, 2020, with an impressively low starting rate of $79 per night.

Dockside Inn and Suites will be the second hotel in the destination’s Value category, joining sister property Surfside Inn and Suites.

The extra-affordable resort will add 2,050 guest rooms, featuring standard rooms and spacious 2-Bedroom Suites. And with the low $79 per night rate, the all-new hotel creates a value experience that is unmatched in the Orlando area.

Brought to life by the award-winning Universal Creative team, Dockside Inn and Suites will make guests feel like they have escaped to the perfect sunset with the cool, calm feeling of a beach retreat. It’s the destination’s eighth property in partnership with Loews Hotels & Co, providing Universal Orlando guests with a variety of hotel options for every style and budget, complete with exclusive theme park benefits and a seamless vacation experience.

At Dockside Inn and Suites, guests can experience all that the hotel and Universal Orlando have to offer, including:

2–Bedroom Suites – These suites, which make up more than half the rooms at both Dockside Inn and Suites & Surfside Inn and Suites, sleep up to six and offer guests an unrivaled value. With two separate rooms, families no longer need two connecting rooms for extra space. There is also a kitchenette area, a picnic table for meals and hanging out, and a bathroom with separate bath and vanity areas so multiple people can get ready at once. The 2-Bedroom Suites begin as low as $120 per night based on a four-night stay.
Exclusive Theme Park Benefits – Hotel guests receive exclusive benefits including Early Park Admission to the theme parks, complimentary and convenient shuttle bus transportation, charging privileges with their room key, and more.
Pier 8 Market – The all-American Pier 8 Market offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu will feature extra-affordable options with most dishes under $12, ranging from themed comfort foods to convenient on-the-go options.
Awesome Amenities – The lobby bar, Sunset Lounge, serves specialty cocktails and is the perfect place to unwind after a day at the theme parks. The hotel will feature two pools and two pool bars as well as a Universal Orlando Vacation Planning Center, Universal Studios Store, and more.

Universal Endless Summer Resort Dockside Inn and Suites Rendering — Universal Orlando Resort

To learn more about this brand new hotel or to make a reservation, call 1-888-464-3617 or visit http://www.universalorlando.com/dockside.

Universal Orlando continues to implement its enhanced health and safety procedures and guidelines focused on “screening, spacing, and sanitization” across its entire destination, including its hotels. Key measures include requiring face coverings, requiring temperature checks for guests and team members, enhanced cleaning of guest rooms and public areas, managing capacity at food and beverage outlets, offering several contactless experiences, and more. For more details on our safety measures, please visit https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/safety-faqs.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2020

The Gaylord Palms Resort, located in Kissimmee, Florida, has been inviting guests to enjoy their interactive and immersive holiday experiences for almost two decades, and this season Christmas at Gaylord Palms, happening daily from November 13, 2020, until January 3, 2021, includes a full line-up of new and returning favorites.

New Holiday Experiences Debut

For the 2020 holiday season, the marquee attraction is a new experience called I Love Christmas Movies, a multi-sensory pop-up exhibition created in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Once inside of the exhibition, guests will find that they have stepped into 15 fully immersive scenes with replicas of film props, audio clips, and more from such beloved holiday movies as THE POLAR EXPRESS™, A CHRISTMAS STORY™, ELF™, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION™, and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS™.

The Snow Factory will also be opening during Christmas at Gaylord Palms to transport guests into a winter wonderland filled with chilly fun including Snow Flow Mountain and the Snowball Build and Blast.

Returning Holiday Favorites

When guests return to Christmas at Gaylord Palms, in addition to the 4.5 acres of indoor atriums decorated for the holidays they will find many of their favorite holiday experiences.

Cirque Dreams Unwrapped will awe audiences multiple times a night with unique acts during their live performances on the St. Augustine Stage.

The Greatest Story, a multicultural, musical journey celebrating the story of Christ, will fill your heart with the holiday spirit.

The newly reopened Villa de Flora is home to breakfast with character…a mean, green one…The Grinch.

At the Elf Training Academy, kids will see if they have what it takes to be one of Santa’s helpers.

The St. Augustine atrium will be #LIT with a light show featuring sparkling lights, a larger-than-life Christmas Tree, and holiday music.

Join Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man in the Gingerbread Decorating Corner to create holiday-themed gingerbread cookies or a complete gingerbread house.

Get your list ready, because you can meet Santa in a redesigned space with photographers on-hand to capture the moment in a socially-distanced way.

Christmas classics and traditions are celebrated with the retelling of “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” an immersive Storytime with The Nutcracker’s Sugarplum Fairy, and Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions, a holiday sing-along.

This year’s holiday-themed scavenger hunt, The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt, will help the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes by showing him the meaning of the season.

The Christmas at Gaylord Palms season closes out with The Journey of Los Tres Reyes Magos live show taking place December 27, 2020, to January 3, 2021. Guests will join the Three Kings in a musical celebration as they retell the Christmas story and the celebrations surrounding it, including Las Posadas and el Día de Los Reyes.

Tickets and Packages

Tickets and overnight Christmas packages including admission into the I Love Christmas Movies experience are available now at ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com and ILoveChristmasMoviesExperience.com.

Online advance reservations are required for all ticketed Christmas at Gaylord Palms events.

For more information about the Gaylord Palms ‘Commitment to Clean’ program with enhanced protocols, visit gaylordhotelsclean.marriott.com.

Considering a stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort? You can find out more about our latest stay here.

Our Stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort

Disclosure: This video was made during a hosted stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort. However, all opinions and exclamation points are 100% my own.

The Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee is one of my family’s favorite places for a staycation, and since the resort reopened earlier this year they have implemented a variety of new protocols and elevated practices in line with their high standards of cleanliness and excellent service.

Let’s take a look at what you can expect during your next stay at the resort!

Face Covering Policy

Per county ordinances, face coverings must be worn when you are in all public spaces.

However, face coverings are not required while eating or drinking in a restaurant, exercising in the fitness center, enjoying the pools or water attractions, or while seated in a socially-distanced pool chair (more on the pool chair in a moment).

Checking in at the Gaylord Palms Resort

The check-in desks have some new additions as you would expect, but the resort is also encouraging guests to take advantage of the contactless service provided by the Marriott Bonvoy App that is free to download.

With the Marriott Bonvoy app, you can check-in to your room, use your phone as a mobile key, and chat with associates for everything from room service to ordering amenities.

Travel with Confidence

Throughout the resort you will see information and visual cues, such as social distancing markers, to help ensure the Gaylord Palms is a safe environment for your family to enjoy.

Also, you will notice the presence of the on-site custodial staff. The resort already has an existing rigorous cleaning protocol, and now it has been enhanced with a requirement that surfaces must be treated with hospital-grade disinfectants with an increased frequency.

Housekeeping Services

When we arrived at our room, we found that it was as lovely as ever with the addition of hand sanitizer and an additional wipe.

It is important to note that the resort has implemented an “upon request only” housekeeping service and no STARS are permitted into guest rooms while a guest is present unless for emergency reasons.

Cypress Springs Water Park at the Gaylord Palms Resort

The highlight of any visit to the Gaylord Palms for my family is spending time at the Cypress Springs Water Park!!!

But to allow guests to have a comfortable experience with proper social distancing they are limiting the pool’s capacity on a first-come-first-served basis.

This system also includes guidelines on the distribution of wrist bands to access the facilities:

Guests who have booked a guest room with two queen beds will receive four wristbands allowing access to the pools.
Guests who have booked a king guest room will receive two wristbands allowing access to the pools.
Guests who have booked a suite will receive five wristbands allowing access to the pools.

If the pool is as important to you as it is to our family, I would suggest upgrading to Premium Pool Seating.

Overall we had a fantastic stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort that was really no different than anything we have ever experienced at the resort!

The STARS were all welcoming and courteous, the food was awesome (try the totchos at Wrecker’s…you’ll thank me later), and we felt extremely comfortable and safe.

If you are considering a stay to experience Christmas at the Gaylord Palms, you won’t regret it!

Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2021

Today Walt Disney World announced that A Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will take place from January 8 to February 22, 2021!

The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts offers fun for the whole family, and here is a sketch of what you can expect when the event debuts in January:

Indulge in over 15 Food Studios serving culinary art all around World Showcase
Explore and purchase the brilliant and diverse work of Disney and other invited artists on display in marketplaces encircling World Showcase Lagoon
Step into the scene at special photo locations scattered around the park
Participate in a paint-by-number mural that serves as a collaborative art project for all
Watch as visiting artists create magic right before your eyes
Catch performances by favorite EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors.
Join an artful scavenger hunt as you search for Figment around World Showcase
Shop for festival-exclusive merchandise

And if you’re already looking forward to attending the festival, now is the perfect time to explore how you can complete your dream vacation at Walt Disney World Resort with a special offer for stays at Disney Resort hotels in early 2021.

To find out more about this special Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts offer, check out the official Walt Disney World website for more details.

The Walt Disney World Resort is considering the importance of guest flexibility when planning any vacation right now and is going to continue to waive Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for arrivals through April 30, 2021.

We are really excited about the debut of the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts in early 2021 and look forward to sharing more details as they become available!

You can find more information about events around Orlando, theme park news, and insider tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

I Love Christmas Movies Coming to Gaylord Palms

I Love Christmas Movies Gaylord Palms Resort Christmas 2020

As the holiday season approaches, Gaylord Palms is excited to announce a new one-of-a-kind marquee Christmas pop-up experience that will debut November 13, 2020, and run through January 3, 2021. Called I Love Christmas Movies, the new experience presents a multi-sensory exhibition in collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products allowing guests to experience beloved holiday movies in a completely new way.

The new pop-up experience anchors Gaylord Palms’ lineup of renowned annual Christmas programming, promising an enchanting holiday celebration this year.

With the unveiling of the new, I Love Christmas Movies immersive pop-up experience, visitors will enjoy enhanced holiday fun and delights as they discover this exclusive activity offered only at Gaylord Hotels for a limited time.

I Love Christmas Movies presents a fully immersive exhibit featuring key moments from some of the most iconic Warner Bros. Pictures Christmas movies including THE POLAR EXPRESS, A CHRISTMAS STORY, ELF, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION, and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS.

As guests young and young at heart navigate the multi-sensory exhibits, they will enjoy over 13 fully immersive scenes complete with replicas of film props, audio clips, and more, making participants feel as if they have stepped into the part of the actual story. Guests will travel with Buddy the Elf from Santa’s North Pole workshop to New York City; take photos in front of the Griswold’s house adorned with thousands of Christmas lights; and more.

For almost two decades, Gaylord Palms has become legendary for providing magical holiday events and activities for winter visitors to experience, and this year will be no different.

A lineup of additional signature activities and experiences visitors have come to know and love over the years is being developed and will be featured alongside the new I Love Christmas Movies experience.

With a full lineup to be announced soon, visitors can look forward to experiences such as ice tubing, scavenger hunts, gingerbread decorating, elf training academy, holiday stage shows, and much more, all

to be enjoyed within acres of airy indoor atriums decorated with millions of twinkling holiday lights, towering Christmas trees, and thousands of shimmering ornaments.

“The holidays are the perfect time of year to make memories with friends and family, and we know that this year more than ever, guests will be looking for places where they can celebrate the magic of the season in a safe environment,” said General Manager Johann Krieger. “This year we are excited to present the new I Love Christmas Movies experience, along with our other amazing events and activities our guests have come to know and love.”

As the safety of guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, the Christmas at Gaylord Palms program is being developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social-distancing measures. Programming will also operate in consideration with the latest local, state and federal legislation.

Overnight Christmas packages including admission into the I Love Christmas Movies immersive pop-up experience are available to book now. Tickets for all the events and activities for Christmas at Gaylord Palms will go on sale in early October.

For more information about the I Love Christmas Movies pop-up and Christmas programming, visit ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com, which will be updated with this year’s lineup soon.

You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Gobblins & Giggles Returns to the Gaylord Palms

Gobblins and Giggles Halloween 2020 Gaylord Palms Resort

This fall, guests are invited to Gaylord Palms Resort to experience a memorable family vacation by enjoying the resort’s Goblins & Giggles celebration, occurring weekends September 11 through October 31, 2020.

Goblins & Giggles Getaway Weekends offers a wide array of family-friendly activations from spooky animal encounters and a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt to wicked pool fun and a meet and greet with Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Most of the activations take place Friday through Sunday.

In celebration of Goblins & Giggles, the resort is offering a special package starting at $189. The package includes overnight accommodations, a Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt booklet and tickets to the new Castillo de San Marcos ALIVE! Ghost Experience. The package excludes resort fee and parking.

Weekend events and activities include:

NEW! Castillo de San Marcos ALIVE! Ghost Experience features live storytellers who recount real-life ghost stories for all who are brave enough to listen. Guests will explore the fort’s stone walls and encounter the spirits who remain trapped within. Includes an imaginative walkthrough experience transporting visitors of all ages through a world of Halloween Jack-o-Lantern fun.
NEW! The resort’s haunted hideaway SpookEasy offers spine-chilling craft cocktails and a spooky collection of terrifying, ghostly artwork procured by owner’s past. *This haunt is PG-13 due to graphic spooky activations inside.*
NEW! Meet and Greet with Spookley the Square Pumpkin at a fun photo op. One day in the pumpkin patch, the strangest little pumpkin hatched. Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day.
Spooky Animal Encounters provides guests with the opportunity to conquer their fears by getting up-close to live animals and learn about common myths surrounding some of the world’s most misunderstood creatures.
Guests, young and young at heart, can explore the resort during a Trick-or-Treat Expedition, with stops throughout the resort for some deliciously spooky treats.
Seth the Sea Turtle, Ava the Alligator and everyone’s favorite Adventure Kid Sophie explore Florida’s creepier flora and fauna during Adventure Kids: A Spooky Celebration.
Families can hang out poolside with the Halloween host with the most Jack O’ Lantern for some Wicked Awesome Pool Fun in the sun.
Spend the evening at Moonlight Movies watching family-friendly movies on the resort’s pool screen at Cypress Springs Water Park.

Daily activities include:

The Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt featuring Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Spookley found eight spooktacular hiding spots at the resort for his game of Halloween Hide & Seek. Guests solve puzzles to find each clue’s missing word and then use the clues to find Spookley.
The Wildlife Rescue Experience guides guests throughout the resort to track down endangered species and help ensure that they are monitored for their protection. The virtual adventure highlights indigenous animals from Florida and, with the magic of augmented reality, brings them to life before the participants’ eyes.
From the comfort of their guest room, families can enjoy two interactive Halloween videos: Bedtime Stories with Morgana, a treat-making witch from Spooksville, and Monster Mash Bash with Vlad the Vampire.
The Phantom of the Atrium Light Display is a haunting masterpiece filled with mystery, mischief and, of course, magic in the St. Augustine atrium sky.

Guests can relax and unwind at Cypress Springs Water Park & Resort Pools, which feature a zero-entry swimming pool, multi-level water playground, racing slides, a drop slide and a FlowRider surf simulator. The pool experience, an exclusive amenity for hotel guests has been upgraded to implement new cleanliness and social distancing measures, while balancing the aquatic experience guests have come to love. In addition to spaced seating, guests can rent a private cabana for the day including shaded seating, a flat-screen television, refrigerator, and snacks. Premium guaranteed pool seating is also available for purchase.

For more information or Goblins & Giggles events and overnight room packages, visit GaylordPalms.com.

Summerfest 2020 at the Gaylord Palms Resort

DISCLOSURE: I was invited by the Gaylord Palms Resort to stay at the resort with my family to experience SummerFest. All opinions are completely my own.

The Gaylord Palms Resort has always been a special place for my family, and this summer the resort is welcoming back guests in a big way with their Summerfest offerings!

Safety is Key

Guests at the Gaylord Palms will find that Marriott has implemented a new Travel with Confidence Program that welcomes back guests with enhanced cleaning procedures, safety and social distancing reminders throughout the resort, and extra in-room amenities.

Discovering fun around the Resort

A staple of celebrations at the Gaylord Palms Resort has been their scavenger hunts, and the Florida Scavenger Hunt is not for the faint of heart.

We are looking for the best and brightest Florida Explorers to pass on the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully explore the interesting, incredible, and sometimes treacherous state of Florida. Your journey begins inside the 4.5-acre atrium, filled to the brim with Flora (plant-life) and Fauna (animal-life) from all over the state. To succeed in becoming a real-life Florida explorer, you will need to navigate through the atrium and learn about unique plants, animals, and historical landmarks. Good Luck!

The Florida Scavenger Hunt, $9.99 plus tax at the Pool Towel Hut, is available for guests to do at their leisure, but don’t be fooled…this one isn’t a walk in the atrium! (See what I did there…)

Illuminated Evenings

Every evening at 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm the St. Augustine Atrium lights up with a celebration of all things ‘Florida’ in a way you’ve never seen before!!!

This multisensory celebration of the Sunshine State will excite and amaze with an epic musical score set to millions of choreographed lights. Take a journey from the swamplands to the beach, and enjoy all Florida has to offer!

While I could have watched the show from my balcony (super cool, right?), I opted for a private viewing from underneath in the atrium.

Either way, you can’t go wrong!!!

Fun in the Sun

You can’t celebrate something like Summerfest without a trip to the Cypress Springs Waterpark!

While the pools, slides, and kiddie play area are amazing, this summer you can experience a fab pool party with DJ Sunny on Fridays and Saturdays.

ALSO, they now have reserved seating that takes the hassle out of finding a great seat at the pool.

Trust me, once you get there no one will want to leave!!!

These are just a few of the Summerfest offerings that my family enjoyed during our stay at the Gaylord Palms Resort, but there are so many more ways you can explore this celebration!

And on top of all of these things, you can take advantage of some AMAZING deals for your vacation on their official website.

We all agree that Summerfest is definitely a 10/10 experience!!!

Walt Disney World Resorts Officially Begin Reopening

Today the Walt Disney World Resort really begins its reopening process as Disney Vacation Club Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen.

It’s important to know that the offerings at the resorts will be modified, and you must have a resort or dining reservation to visit.

Right now dining reservations are not open to non-resort guests, but we are hoping they will open for everyone soon.

So let’s take a look at the dining, shopping, and activities that will be available when the phased reopening begins.

Walt Disney World Resorts Opening on June 22, 2020

DISCLAIMER: All of this information is subject to change, and if I do hear of any changes I will update this post!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village

Dining:

Sanaa
Kidani Breakfast at Sanaa
Sanaa Lounge
Maji Pool Bar

Shops:

Johari Treasures

Activites:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Community Hall
Sports Courts

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Bay Lake Tower Disney's Contemporary Resort

Dining:

The Wave… of American Flavors
The Wave Lounge
Contempo Café
Cove Bar

Shops:

Bayview Gifts
Fantasia Market

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Community Hall
Sports Courts

Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Beach Club Resort

Dining:

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
Beach Club Marketplace
Martha’s Vineyard

Shops:

Beach Club Marketplace

Activities:

Leisure Pool (Stormalong Bay will not be available during the initial reopening period)
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Seaside Retreat
Sports Courts
Fishing Excursions

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club disey's Boardwalk Villas

Dining:

Trattoria al Forno (Character dining is temporarily unavailable)
Pizza Window
BoardWalk Bakery
Leaping Horse Libations
AbracadaBar

Shops:

Screen Door General Store

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Community Hall
Sports Courts

Boulder Ridge Villas and Cooper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Boulder Ridge

Dining:

Whispering Canyon
Roaring Fork
Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Shops:

Wilderness Mercantiles

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Reunion Station
Multi-Purpose Courts

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds

Dining:

P&J’s Southern Takeout
Meadow Snack Bar
Crockett’s Tavern

Shops:

Settlement Trading Post
Meadow Trading Post

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Bike Barn
Sports Courts
Trail Rides and Horse Barn
Fishing Excursions

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Old Key West

Dining:

Olivia’s Cafe
Good’s Food to Go
Gurgling Suitcase

Shops:

Conch Flats General Store

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Community Hall
Sports Courts

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Polynesian Village and Bungalows

Dining:

Kona Cafe
Capt. Cook’s
Pineapple Lanai
Barefoot Pool Bar

Shops:

Moana Mercantile
Bou-tiki

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Dining:

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (Character dining will be modified)
Primo Piatto
Le Petit Cafe
Bar Riva

Shops:

La Boutique

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Eventi

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Walt Disney World Resort Disney Vacation Club Saratoga Springs

Dining:

The Artist’s Palette
The Paddock Grill
On the Rocks Pool Bar

Shops:

Artist’s Palette

Activities:

Pools
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Community Hall
Sports Courts

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Dining:

Grand Floridian Cafe
Gasparilla Island Grill
Enchanted Rose
Beaches Pool Bar & Grill

Shops:

M. Mouse Mercantile
Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries

Activities:

Pools
Pool Cabana Rentals
Poolside Activities
Movies Under the Stars
Fitness Center
Multi-Purpose Courts

You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Reopening 411

The Universal Orlando Resort announced that their Resort Hotels will reopen to the public starting June 2, 2020.

Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites Universal Orlando Resort Hotel Reopening Information

This will be a phased opening and will include a wide range of new and enhanced health, safety, and hygiene procedures to ensure the health and safety of all guests.

The phased reopening of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels will include:

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando,
Loews Royal Pacific Resort,
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort,
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort,
Universal’s Aventura Hotel, and
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites.

Guests staying in these hotels will be able to visit the theme parks on June 3 and 4, prior to the public reopening on June 5.

Endless Summer Surfside Inn and Suites Universal Orlando Resort Hotel — Universal Orlando Resort

Plans for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later time. Guests who have booked reservations at these two hotels through Universal Orlando or Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations will be contacted to modify their reservation if it has been affected.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort Universal Orlando Resort Hotel — Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando’s resort hotels, co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, have enhanced their standards and protocols throughout their operations.

These enhancements currently include:

Guests, team members, and vendors are required to wear face coverings in public areas
Team members and vendors will be required to have temperature checks upon arrival. Those with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to work.
Guests will be asked to self-screen for COVID symptoms and comply with quarantine orders prior to arrival
Guest will have temperature checks upon arrival and anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will require medical clearance in order to enter the hotel
Hand sanitizer stations in public areas and elevator landings

Aventura Hotel Universal Orlando Resort Hotel — Universal Orlando Resort

Enhanced cleaning of guest rooms, meeting rooms and public areas with an EPA-approved cleaner and disinfectant
Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas such as telephones, remote controls, door handles, light switches, elevators, and tabletops, among others
Food & Beverage outlet capacities limited based on the latest recommendations and guidelines
Social distancing signs and reminders of social distancing requirements in high-traffic areas
Several contactless experiences for guests, including hotel texting-services, express checkout, and contactless room deliveries

Hard Rock Hotel Universal Orlando Resort Hotel — Universal Orlando Resort

To book a stay at a Universal Orlando hotel, please visit: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/places-to-stay/hotels/at-a-glance/hotels-overview

Universal CityWalk is now open with select venues and with new health, safety, and hygiene procedures in place. Universal Orlando’s three theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay – will reopen to the public beginning June 5.

For information on CDC guidelines, click here. For more information about Universal Orlando’s policies during this time, visit Universal’s website. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Universal Orlando Resort Hotel — Universal Orlando Resort

All Universal guests are urged to follow CDC guidelines and self-assess for potential symptoms of COVID, including cough, temperature, and difficulty breathing, prior to their arrival. Guests should also evaluate their own risk before they visit – and it is not recommended that individuals at high-risk with serious underlying medical conditions visit the destination. People who show no symptoms can still spread COVID-19 if they are infected. Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit.

In addition, guests should be aware of and comply with government guidelines regarding travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Unviersal Orlando Resort Hotel — Universal Orlando Resort

You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Check out our other posts on the other theme park reopening announcements!

FIRST LOOK: Universal’s Dockside Inn and Suites

The Universal Orlando Resort revealed a first look at its newest and eighth hotel, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites – grand opening on March 17, 2020.

The first look photos of Dockside Inn and Suites guest areas include its casual dining food court – Pier 8 Market, the hotel lobby, resort-style pool, and 2-Bedroom Suites.

This first look gives guests a preview of the inspiration for the resort, designed to evoke the feeling of being surrounded by the sea from the shore and catching the sunset from beneath a pier.

Dockside Inn and Suites is the second hotel in Universal Orlando’s Value category and will add 2,050 guest rooms to the destination by the end of 2020, featuring both standard rooms and spacious 2-Bedroom Suites that sleep up to six.

With rates starting as low as $79 per night based on a five-night stay during value season, Dockside combines the quality guests have come to expect from a Universal Orlando hotel with an extra-affordable price point – creating an experience that is unmatched in the Orlando area.

Plus, hotel guests receive exclusive theme park benefits, including Early Park Admission, complimentary and convenient transportation to and from the theme parks, and more, creating a complete and seamless vacation experience.

With the addition of Dockside Inn and Suites and the 750-room Surfside Inn and Suites, the two Universal’s Endless Summer Resort hotels will add 2,800 rooms to the destination – bringing the total room count at Universal Orlando Resort to 9,000 rooms by the end of 2020.

If you are curious about what the rooms look like in person, check out these videos from Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites, its sister resort.

You can find more information and how to book a stay at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites here.

LEGOLAND Florida Introduces All-Inclusive Vacations

LEGOLAND Florida Introduces All-Inclusive Vacation Packages 2020

LEGOLAND Florida is offering families an all-new, all-inclusive vacation package that is packed with perks from check-in through checkout available for booking vacation stays starting April 17.

This all-new package includes a stay at one of the on-site, immersive LEGOLAND hotels and unlimited admission to LEGOLAND theme park and water park during guests’ resort stay.

The LEGO experience starts the moment families arrive! From beginning the day with mile-high pancake stacks through conquering first rollercoasters, this vacation package is built for kids to take the lead. With special entertainment that feels plucked straight from the theme park, including exclusive LEGO hero meet and greets, and nightly pajama dance parties, the family fun keeps going even after the park closes. The best part? It’s all included.

Meals are also included from check-in through the checkout with breakfast and dinner at one of four hotel restaurants and lunch at any of the theme or water park’s ten restaurants. Families can also enjoy unlimited golf at the Resort’s Florida’s Wild Side Mini Golf.

Additional benefits include valet parking, DigiPass photo package and unlimited Coca-Cola freestyle refills in a souvenir cup throughout the guests’ entire visit.

All-Inclusive guests will receive an exclusive credential lanyard with each benefit identified, making it easy for families to track the use of each perk. With an all-inclusive vacation experience, the biggest benefit for families is more time…more time to have the best vacation ever!

Families can craft their vacation by selecting any of the three LEGOLAND Florida Resort hotels, including LEGOLAND Florida Hotel, LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, and the all-new Pirate Island Hotel, opening April 17.

NEW! LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel Grand Opening – April 17

Located just 130 kid-steps from the theme park entrance, LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel will feature 150 LEGO-filled rooms (including four suites), a heated pool (complete with LEGO soft bricks to build in the pool), hundreds of LEGO models, exclusive character experiences and in-room LEGO treasure hunts. Similar to the popular LEGOLAND Hotel, each room will include two separate spaces: a kid’s sleeping area and an adult area.

The five-story hotel will house the pirate-themed Shipwreck Restaurant with family-style dining, Smuggler’s Bar for adult swashbucklers, an entertainment area with kid-friendly nightly programming and LEGO play areas. Directly outside the entrance to the hotel, a pirate shipwreck will greet guests and offer a unique photo opportunity.

Guests can start planning their ultimate All-Inclusive vacation now, starting at $219 per person, at legoland.com/all-inclusive-vacation.

You can find more information about theme park news and tips by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!