Great Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World in 2016

For Walt Disney World,  2015 meant new restaurant openings, a re-imagined Downtown Disney (Disney Springs), new shops and new attractions.  But with the Magic Kingdom Park celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2016, Disney World has a whole new batch of surprises to entice us to visit the home of Mickey Mouse.  Here are are some great reasons you and your family should consider a visit to the "most magical place on earth" this year.

1. Soarin' Around the World

Beginning this year, guests will have the chance to take on a whole new Soarin' experience when Soarin' Around the World opens at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort.  The 4-D attraction will take guests on a journey over some of the world's most unique landscapes.

2. Hollywood Studios Presents New "Star Wars"-Themed Fire Works Show

Disney's Hollywood Studios is introducing the new fireworks show.  The park recently rolled out other "Star Wars"-themed experiences, including Star Wars Launch Bay and a revision to Star Tours.

3. Dine at Animal Kingdom's Newest restaurant, Tiffins

Tiffins will offer waterfront views from indoor and outdoor and will celebrate the art of traveling, featuring a diverse menu drawing from places that inspire the creation of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

4. Animal Kingdom's First Nighttime Experience, "Rivers of Light"

Set to debut this spring, "Rivers of Light" will take place on Discovery River between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest.  It will combine live performers, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery.  A pair of hosts will journey onto the river of lantern vessels "for a dramatic dance of water and light to summon animal spirits."  In addition to the show, the park's iconic Tree of Life will be lit up by magical fireflies.

5. Kilimanjaro Safaris To Expand After Sunset

The Kilimanjaro Safaris will be extended for a new nighttime adventure.  Guests will travel through the African savanna and discover two new species to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas.

6. Frozen Ever After to Open at Epcot

The story of "Frozen" will be retold to park guests at the "Frozen Ever After" experience in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot.  The experience will take guests into the kingdom of Arendelle through storytelling new technology and music.  Visitors will visit Elsa's Ice Palace and the ice-blue world of North Mountain.  Favor "Frozen" characters will also be part of the experience.  In Norway, fans will have the opportunity to meet Anna and Elsa at the Royal Summerhas.

7. New Dining at Disney Springs

Downtown Disney experienced a large transformation in 2015, most notably, its re-branding to Disney Springs.  Several new ding options were introduced, including the Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Jock Lindsey's Hanger Bar and Dockside Margaritas.  In 2016, we are expecting to see the opening of STK Restaurant, Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza and the Edison.

8. Jungle Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park

Fans will have a chance to experience the brand-new Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen restaurant in Adventureland.  At the restaurant, guests will be able to experience "World Famous Jungle Cuisine" in one of several unique dining rooms, including a crew mess hall and a "once-hidden secret meeting room of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers."

Meet Royal Caribbean's Next Great Ship

Think cruise ships can't get any bigger?  Think again.   A sister to Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas (the current record holders), Harmony of the Seas will eclipse its siblings by more than 1700 tons and hold nearly 100 more passengers at double occupancy.  Like the two earlier ships, which made waves in the  cruise industry when they debuted in 2009 and 2010, respectively.  Harmony will be a floating mega resort, (when she debuts in Europe for the summer), to rival the most spectacular properties on land with dozens of eateries, bars, showrooms and deck-top fun zones.

New on board will be giant, multi-deck water slides - a first for Royal Caribbean, Harmony also will be the first Oasis class ship with a Bionic Bar where the drinks are served by robot bartenders - a concept that first debuted in 2014 on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas.  In addition, the ship will have larger cabins than Oasis and Allure in some categories, and windowless "inside" cabins will be outfitted with Royal Caribbean's exclusive Virtual Balconies, which offer a real-time view of the outdoors - a concept that debuted in 2014 on the line's Navigator of the Seas.

Suite passengers also will have exclusive new areas to enjoy including a suite lounge, a private suites-only restaurant called Coastal Kitchen and a full service Suite Sun Zone sun deck.  New restaurants will include the whimsical Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine eatery that first debuted on the Quantum.  Also planned is Sabor, the modern Mexican restaurant that Royal Caribbean recently started adding to their ships.

After spending the Spring and Summer cruising the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Harmony will re-position to Fort Lauderdale, Fl., to offer alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

Preview of Holland America's New "King": ms Koningsdam

Holland America has taken an innovative approach to their newest ship, ms Koningsdam, which will launch in April 2016.  While still filled with the luxurious experience Holland America customers expect to receive, the ship contains several new features beginning with the overall design.  Holland America commissioned the designers to create a vessel of beautifully flowing curves and lines, reminiscent of elegant musical instruments like the harp or violin.  The musical theme carries throughout the ship with composer-named decks such as Beethoven, Mozart, Shubert, and Gershwin.


With a capacity of 2650 guests, ms Koningsdam is Holland America's largest ship to date, but the service and amenities keep the mood personal.  From the innovative Family ocean-view staterooms, with accommodations for up to five guests per room to the elegant Verandah Spa suites, with private access to onboard mineral pool, Koningsdam has the best of both worlds.  Exclusivity often seen only on smaller ships with all the offerings of a larger ship.

The discerning amenities don't stop with the rooms.  Holland America has a special partnership with Food & Wine magazine and a culinary council for all 15 ships in their fleet.  Koningsdam features a Culinary Arts Center that will seat up to 74 guests offering a unique farm to table dining experience featuring demonstrations from top chefs around the world.  Did someone mention wine?  Through a partnership with acclaimed Chateau Ste. Michelle winery out of Washington state, guests will have the opportunity to create their own personal bottle of wine at BLEND.

Because dining is a huge part of one's cruise experience, Holland America has put tremendous focus on all the new dining venues and choices such as Sel de Mer, the seafood brassiere, the family style Italian restaurant, Canalettos, and the Tamarind southeastern Asian restaurant and sushi bar.  No matter what you have a taste for, it's all available on ms Koningsdam.

It's not simply the food or rooms, but the entertainment is world-class.  From the Lincoln Center Stage to the BB King Blues club to the Billboard Onboard, there is something for everyone, from lectures to Broadway entertainment to a sing along piano bar.

Every traveler will feel like royalty on ms Koningsdam, which is fitting as "Koning," means king in Dutch.  If your ready for a first-rate, majestic cruise, Holland America will off a great experience with the ms Koningsdam.