I recently sailed on the Carnival Sunrise out of Miami, Florida and was pleasantly surprised! There is quite a bit of controversy concerning this ship in particular so I was unsure what to expect. If you are unfamiliar with this ship, it was previously known as the Carnival Triumph but after a refurbishment and rename back in 2019 it now known as the Sunrise which is a part of the Sunshine class.

During our embarkation, the process was very smooth and quick. The only con we faced was the traffic getting into the port itself so I would make sure to account for the extra time! Like most ships, a lot of the common areas including the buffet can be a bit crowded until the staterooms are ready so I like to use this time to explore areas such as the fitness center, the spa, kid's clubs, and lounges. We had an ocean view stateroom on deck one which I surprisingly enjoyed due to  having quick access to the gangway on our port days. The stateroom was also midship so we were able to get to the common areas such as the lounges and buffet fairly quick via the stairs or elevator.

Some of the ship's amenities included Sports Square which has a ropes course, foosball, pool tables, shuffle board, basketball, and corn hole. There is also two pools and various hot tubs across the ship as well as water slides. Like many Carnival ships you can also find the adult's only area, Serenity, and kid's clubs. The main theater on this ship is called The Liquid Lounge and here you can enjoy shows from the Playlist Productions and participate in BINGO.

Our stops for this sailing included Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau- all of which were beautiful and had amazing weather even in the winter month of January. Both Grand Turk and Nassau you are able to simply walk off the ship but as for Half Moon Cay, a tender boat is needed to get onto the island. Half Moon Cay is a private island owned by Carnival therefore is does not become too crowded. Lunch is included on this and usually lasts a couple of hours which is barbeque style with hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and more!

Embarking on the Carnival Sunrise came with laughs, relaxation, and memories to last a lifetime. From the waitstaff at dinner remembering your name and drink order from the night before,  to your room attendant leaving a unique towel creation on your bed, the amazing crystal clear water on the beach of Turks and Caicos, and of course watching the Love and Marriage show- there are so many experiences to be had. You cannot go wrong with booking a sailing on this ship.

With the release of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party dates and tickets for 2024, you may find yourself wondering if you should plan that fall vacation to Walt Disney World and if attending the event will be fun for you and your family. Let's dive into what the party actually is, what it includes, and if it is worth your money!

What is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event held at the Magic Kingdom on select nights from August through October, click here for the full date list. The party transforms the park into a Halloween wonderland, featuring exclusive entertainment, character meet-and-greets, themed attractions, and PLENTY of sweet treats.

What Can You Expect?

• Boo-To-You Parade: This parade is a highlight of the event, featuring beloved Disney characters in Halloween costumes, floats themed to various spooky settings, and the iconic Headless Horseman leading the way. In 2024, expect new additions and updates to keep the parade fresh and exciting.


• Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular: Hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from the cult classic 'Hocus Pocus,' this stage show on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage is a spellbinding mix of music, special effects, and appearances by Disney villains.


• Trick-Or-Treating: Scattered throughout the park are trick-or-treat stations where both children and adults can collect an impressive haul of candy. The 2024 season promises an even greater variety of treats. Have allergies? Disney does a good job making sure guests can still participate in the fun while offering some other opportunities to get treats.


• Exclusive Character Meet-and-Greets: MNSSHP offers rare opportunities to meet characters that aren’t usually seen in the parks. In 2024, guests can expect appearances from classic characters new Halloween attire and some new faces joining the festivities.

• Exclusive entertainment not available during regular park hours.


• Smaller crowds, meaning shorter wait times for popular attractions.


• Unlimited trick-or-treat candy.


• Unique photo opportunities with rare characters and themed backdrops.

1. Arrive Early: Although the party officially starts at 7 PM, ticket holders can enter the park as early as 4 PM. Use this extra time to enjoy the attractions before the party begins.


2. Plan Your Night: With so much to see and do, having a rough plan can help ensure you don’t miss any must-see shows or parades.


3. Dress Up: Guests of all ages are encouraged to wear costumes, adding to the festive spirit. Just make sure your costume adheres to Disney’s guidelines.

There are so many options on where to stay when planning your visit to Walt Disney World. It can become overwhelming knowing exactly what would be the best place for you and your family. Staying on Disney property comes with many benefits as to why to stay at an onsite Disney Resort Hotel. These benefits can include:

• Complimentary Transportation: Whether it is by the Disney bus system, water taxis, or even transportation in the sky via the Disney Skyliner- Disney will make sure you get around property in style!


• Early Park Admission: Guests can get extra time in the theme parks with 30 minutes of early entry. Guests staying in Deluxe and Deluxe Villas can also maximize their time with extended evening hours.


• Proximity: Staying in a Disney Resort Hotel means you will be close to all of the magic.


• Theming: All of the Disney Resort Hotels are themed in unique and magical ways. You will feel all of the detail and story telling everywhere you look.


• Activities and Recreation: Whether it is lounging by the pool or having a movie night under the stars: Disney Resorts have something to keep everyone entertained even if you do not have a park day.