​  Universal Studios which always goes all out for the extremely popular Halloween Horror nights which is celebrating 30 years had to cancel this year's Horror Nights.  Normally Halloween Horror nights require a separate ticket to get into the park on select nights for all the scary Halloween fun.  Since they had to cancel Universal is trying out a smaller version of the event and are including it in regular park admission.   From the Universal website -  
There are two heart-pounding haunted houses in Universal Studios—Revenge of the Tooth Fairy and Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives—so you can get your scream on. You can take your kids trick-or-treating in Islands of Adventure. Plus, you can all dress in costumes throughout the resort to get in the sinister spirit of the season. 
This past weekend was the first test of this new version of Halloween Horror and the 2 houses reached capacity very quickly.   Hopefully this means they will conture to offer it every weekend.   There are also 2 other Halloween things to check out while in the parks - The Horror Make-up Show and the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store.  Plus if you are not able to make it to Orlando this year you can still pick up some of the horrific items from the online tribute store.
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If really scary isn't your thing or you have young kids then Sea World's Spooktacular might be more your speed.   As in year's past this event is offered on weekends and included in your park admission.   The park has made some adjustments but for the most part it will seem similar to last year.  Over the summer Sea World added a Drive-in Movie Experience that was available most weekends and offered a flat rate per car to attend.  They are extending this experience and now calling it Flicks and Frights  The schedule features lots of classic scary movies along with some kid friendly ones too.  From the Sea World website - 
It’s the perfect season for a spooky movie under the stars at SeaWorld. Drive in for a nostalgic experience that starts with enjoying locally sourced food trucks and ends with watching a classic Halloween feature from the comfort and safety of your car.
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Disney World cancelled all of the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween parties this year and of the 3 main parks in Orlando they seem to be doing the least Halloween themed stuff.   Disney is calling it Fall into Magic They are allowing all guests to dress in costumes thru 10/31 (normally only children are allowed to dress in costume to visit the park on a regular day).   They are still going to have Fall decor, Halloween themed merchandise and seasonal treats along with some special entertainment and photo opportunities throughout the park.  From the Disney website - 

• Special Appearances – Be on the lookout for some beloved Characters sporting their favorite Halloween costumes during special cavalcades down Main Street, U.S.A.
• Cadaver Dans – Be enchanted by a cappella performances from the Cadaver Dans when they emerge from their tombs—another special treat for the Halloween season. 

I would be happy to help you plan your Halloween theme park adventure!  All 3 of Orlando's Theme Parks offer on site accommodations and are running some fall special offers right now.  Please keep in mind all parks are limiting capacity and most require an advanced reservation.

 Many things will be different for awhile when it comes to travel but different doesn't always mean bad.  A couple good things are smaller crowds and cleaner places. Today I am focusing on how Disney Theme Parks will be different for awhile.
Disney has made many announcements over the past few days and it can be hard to keep up with them all.  If you are thinking of a Disney vacation in the near future you will need to weigh a few things to decide if it is the best for you to go now or wait until things return to more like they used to be.   There is good and bad to both options.   

Here are 5 things you will need to keep in mind when planning your next Disney vacation.

#1 - Disney is limiting the number of guests allowed in the park each day.   They have implemented a park reservation system in the My Disney Experience where you can log in to reserve your park days.   These will be required for awhile so best to log in as soon as possible to book your days.   The good part of this is there won't be huge crowds in the parks for awhile.   As of right now Disney is taking park reservations through 2021.

#2 - Not everything will be coming back when the parks reopen.   For the foreseeable future there won't be extra magic hours, fastpass, parades, or fireworks.  As of now there will not be any dining plans available to add to your vacation package (I have heard there is a good chance dining plans will come back sometime in 2021 though).  Park Hopping is not available for 2020 but looks to be coming back in 2021 at least as of now but all things Disney are always subject to change.  Disney also has not made any announcements for the water parks reopening yet so they might also stay closed for the rest of 2020.   While most of the Disney resorts will be reopened by the end of 2020 there a few exceptions.   The three All Star Resorts along both of the Port Orleans and Wilderness Lodge are currently not scheduled to reopen before 2021.  

#3 - Masks and temperature checks are here to stay at least into 2021.   There will be places designated that you can go and remove your mask and take a break around the parks.  You also will not have to wear a mask while swimming or eating.  Taking more breaks at the resort will be a good way to avoid mask fatigue.    One tip is to bring multiple masks since you will want fresh ones and also might need a replacement if you get caught in the rain or lose one while riding an attraction.  Disney will of course also be selling some fun themed masks as well.

#4 - Going contactless is going to be big.   Whenever possible Disney is making things as contactless as possible.   That does mean we will all be relying on our mobile devices for a lot more things.  Disney is pretty much going to require you to have the app on at least one mobile device per travel party.   The app will let you do things like check in for your resort and go right to your room without having to visit the front desk.   You can chat with guest services via the app.   You can use the app for getting into the parks (no more free magic bands starting 1/1/21).  You can order food for many counter service locations via the app.  Some menus are even going digital where you scan the QR code to get the menu on your phone.  You can also use your phone to tap to pay for things.  One tip I have for this is to always make sure your phone is fully charged when you head out to the parks and having a portable charger will be a big help too.

#5 - Now more than ever it is a good time to enlist the talent of a Disney Travel Specialist like myself and my team at Pop Vacations!   I have been booking magical Disney vacations for almost 19 years so I know how to stay on top of all the information you will need to make your visit as stress free as possible.  
www.popvacations.com/wdw-know-before-you-go