Must Do Disney in 2018!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll be chatting about my most favourite subject, ever: all things Disney! I’ve estimated that I spend the equivalent of 25 days per year dreaming, researching, planning and coordinating Disney vacations. It’s an obsession, admittedly, but if craving a little pixie dust is wrong… I don’t want to be right.

But why am I a bona fide Disney fanatic? It’s simple. It’s the happiness on my boys’ faces when we enter Magic Kingdom. It’s the joy in their voices as we conquer Expedition Everest. And it’s the wonder and enchantment in their eyes as they see their most heartfelt wishes come true. I am reliving my youth through them and loving every second!

If you’ve decided that 2018 is the year that you’ll plan a most magical vacation, let me help you! Here’s a month-by-month rundown of all the exciting happenings at Disney Parks and Resorts, and aboard Disney Cruise Line. If you have any questions, as always, feel free to connect with me on social or email me at lena@listentolena.com.

Before I begin, however, I must tell you about the most incredible offers:
Canadian residents can save 20% on 4-day or longer tickets for Walt Disney World Resort when purchased in advance online or over the phone before February 10, 2018. Tickets are valid through December 31, 2018. 
Canadian residents can save 25% on 3-Day or longer tickets for Disneyland Resort when purchased in advance online or over the phone before February 28, 2018. Tickets are valid through December 31, 2018.

With these offers, you are essentially grabbing your theme park tickets at par! (Now how can you beat that?) Without further ado, here’s where to go and what to do in 2018:

JANUARY

Destination: Walt Disney World Resort
Must Do Disney: Epcot Festival of the Arts

It’s the ultimate celebration of food, art and entertainment! Returning for a second year, the Epcot Festival of the Arts showcases visionary artists, delectable culinary creations and an exciting lineup of musical performances from local bands to Broadway stars and beyond. You can also sign up for interactive seminars and workshops where you can create mixed media art pieces, learn principles of floral design or test your skills in the kitchen with demonstrations, classes and more. (Workshops begin at just $39 USD + tax. Click here for more info.)Enjoy the Epcot Festival of the Arts with regular Epcot theme park admission.

FEBRUARY

Destination: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Must Do Disney: Save Up to 30% on 5-Night Ocean View Stays

Aloha! Beat the cold with savings up to 30% on select ocean view rooms when you stay five consecutive nights or more at Aulani Resort, right now through to March 22, 2018. (Rooms must be booked by February 12, 2018.) Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa offers families world-class hospitality, a breathtaking beach kissed by turquoise waters and fun for all ages – all set in Ko Olina, Hawaii, a tropical paradise.
I often look at that photo and 1) I can’t believe I took it with my iPhone and 2) I want to go back.

MARCH

Destination: Walt Disney World Resort
Must Do Disney: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

My favourite festival, hands down! The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival offers something for everyone. For foodies, Outdoor Kitchens offer delectable small plates and flavorful non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. The kiddos will adore the Harmony Gardens Musical Playground, featuring state-of-the-art net climbers. And for the nature-lovers in your travel party, feast your eyes on more than 70 world-renowned Disney-themed topiaries, vibrant gardens and wildlife habitats. Read my review of a previous year’s Festival here!
The Festival runs for 90 magical days from February 28 through May 28, 2018 and is FREE with your Epcot theme park admission!

APRIL

Destination: Disneyland Resort
Must Do Disney: Pixar Fest

Celebrate your favourite Pixar stories in this limited-time festival! Beginning on April 13, 2018, Pixar Fest brings a plethora of memorable experiences including the debut of an all-new fireworks spectacular, the return of the iconic “Paint the Night” parade as well as even more Pixar character encounters, new décor, themed food and beverage and shiny new souvenirs!
Psst – word on the street is that Pixar Fest will even feature a special flyover by Buzz Lightyear at Sleeping Beauty Castle… or shall we call it falling, with style?

MAY

Destination: Disney Cruise Line
Must Do Disney: Mother’s Day

Treat mom to the ultimate Mother’s Day! Think about it: no meals to prepare, free babysitting, quality time with the family, date night with dad and of course, spa experiences that will have her saying ooh and aah! I’ve scoured the 2018 itineraries and have found the following cruises will guarantee a most memorable Mother’s Day at sea:

3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral (May 11, Disney Dream)
3-Night Baja Cruise from San Diego (May 13, Disney Wonder)
7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral (May 12, Disney Fantasy)
13-Night Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise from Miami to Barcelona (May 13, Disney Magic)
On past sailings, moms were treated to special spa offers and merchandise for sale, a Mother’s Day dance, crafts for mom and more. Sign me up!

JUNE

Destination: Disneyland Paris
Must Do Disney: Disney FanDaze

Ever dreamt of meeting a real life Disney Imagineer? Want to snap a pic with the rarest and fairest Disney characters? Or maybe you just want to tuck into some delightful delicacies and magical treats. If Paris is on your travel bucket list (and I mean really, who doesn’t want to visit Paris?), make sure you double underline the first weekend in June 2018 for the inaugural Disney FanDaze event.
Guests will have a chance to experience one-of-a-kind live shows, show off their best Disney style and get their hands on exclusive merchandise, too! Disney FanDaze Inaugural Party Packages go on sale 15th January 2018. Click here for more info.

JULY

Destination: Walt Disney World
Must Do Disney: Toy Story Land

One of the most anticipated openings of the year! The 11-acre Toy Story Land is set to open in “early summer”, so plan your trip for July to ensure the attraction will be in full swing when you arrive. Get ready for toy-themed mania, including the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster, an Alien Swirling Saucers ride and Woody’s Lunch Box, a quick-service window serving soda floats!
Book NOW! This summer is sure to be one of the busiest in recent years. As always, I’m here to answer questions or to help you with your planning.

AUGUST

Destination: Disneyland Resort
Must Do Disney: Pixar Pier

Pixar Fest is just the beginning – over the summer, Paradise Pier will be revamped into a brand new park, Pixar Pier, featuring exciting new attractions as well as updated versions of classic California Adventure favourites. California Screamin’ will morph into “The Incredicoaster,” and guests will have a chance to enjoy four new “lands” based on Pixar movies: Toy Story, The Incredibles, Inside Out and a fourth land, teased as “a celebration of favorite Pixar stories.”
Tip: To enjoy Disneyland with potentially fewer crowds, plan your trip for the last two weeks in August, after US children return to school! In Orange County, for example, school’s back in session on August 13, 2018.

SEPTEMBER

Destination: Walt Disney World Resort
Must Do Disney: Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

A spectacular celebration of global cuisines, music and more… Disney style! In 2018 you can look forward to all-new events, guest chefs and Marketplace additions. Although no official dates have been set, Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is likely to return at the end of August and run through mid-November 2018. In a nutshell:

Admission to the Festival is complimentary with Epcot theme park admission.
Food and drinks at the Festival are available at an additional charge.
Each item is priced separately, but most offerings are between $3 and $8 USD.
Many of the demonstrations are free, but others are available for an extra fee.
The Eat to the Beat concerts are free – and spectacular!
Your strategy for making the most of the festival is very similar to eating your way around the world at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Read my previous post for my best tips and tricks!

OCTOBER

Destination: Disney Cruise Line
Must Do Disney: Halloween on the High Seas

This spook-tacular experience is available on most itineraries departing late September through Halloween! With Halloween on the High Seas, take part in Halloween-themed activities, including mask-making and pumpkin-carving, or “chill out” on the deck with a hair-raising campfire-style storytelling experience. Not to be missed: Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party and character encounters with Jack and Sally from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas!
2018 sail dates are as follows:

Disney Magic, September 20, 2018 – October 29, 2018
Disney Wonder, September 14, 2018 – October 19, 2018
Disney Dream, September 3, 2018 – October 29, 2018
Disney Fantasy, September 1, 2018 – October 27, 2018

Click here for more info.

NOVEMBER

Destination: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Must Do Disney: KA WA‘A – A Lū‘au

Technically, it’s always a good time to visit Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, however, having visited last November and experiencing near-perfect weather, fewer crowds and the opportunity to leave the brisk late fall weather behind, I’m a huge fan of discovering your aloha during this month.

While in Aulani, be sure to make reservations for KA WA‘A – A Lū‘au (available for an additional charge). It’s a must-do nighttime spectacular where guests experience pre-show activities, including traditional arts such as kapa printing, flower arranging, temporary kakau tattoos and paʻi ai taro pounding; buffet dining, including a carving station with suckling pig and prime rib, fresh local seafood and authentic island fare; and, of course, the lū‘au performance – an enchanting production that brings the legends and lore of ancient Hawai’i to life.
Performances are held on select nights on Hālāwai Lawn, weather permitting – so be sure to plan ahead!

DECEMBER

Destination: Walt Disney World Resort
Must Do Disney: The Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort

Confession: among all the amazing travel experiences I had in 2017, I had but one bucket list item: to experience the holidays at Walt Disney World. Last month, we made it happen!
Every December, a flurry of holiday activity takes over the parks and turns them into a winter wonderland. (I thought about putting quotes around “winter”, but, when we visited, the nightly low was 5°C! Brrrr!) At Magic Kingdom, revel in the breathtaking Castle Dream Lights and the ever-popular Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (a separate ticketed event).
The highlight from our visit? Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade!

Over at Epcot, check out the International Festival of the Holidays, where you’ll find Marketplace booths offering seasonal delicacies from around the world. You’ll also want to make plans to experience the Candlelight Processional – a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator (2017 featured Matt Bomer, Whoopi Goldberg, Pat Sajak and more!), complete with a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra.
On our recent trip, we also discovered Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in Paris. From soups and salads to fresh baguette sandwiches and pastries… it’s my new favourite place to stop for brunch!

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we were blown away by Sunset Season’s Greetings, a brand new projection show which combines scenes from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, the Muppets and Toy Story, turning The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into The Hollywood Toy Hotel!
Of course, don’t forget to stay for Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – a mixed media show featuring lasers and lights, special effects, fireworks and music.

And that’s all, folks! The very best ways to experience a magical Disney vacation in 2018. Good luck with your planning… and don’t forget to take advantage of the Canadian resident ticket offer for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort!