Dispatches & Dossiers
Editorial notes from our agents: villain profiles, park intel, and the occasional confession. Marketing this is not.
Disney Cruise Line in Early 2027: Where the Ships Sail
If you are planning a winter or spring cruise on Disney Cruise Line, early 2027 offers several homeports and itinerary types. Here is a guide to the main deployments announced so far and how to think about choosing among them. Homeports and itineraries Based on...
Disneyland Resort in Early 2027: Lunar New Year and Winter Planning
January and February are some of the most appealing months at the Disneyland Resort. Crowds are typically lighter after the holiday season, the weather is mild, and Disney California Adventure hosts its Lunar New Year celebration. Some details for 2027 have not been...
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2027: Dates, Highlights, and How to Plan
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns January 15 through March 1, 2027. That is a 46-day run, a full week longer than the 2026 festival, which ran January 16 through February 23. It is the first of EPCOT's four annual festivals, and the extra week makes...
Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando 2027: Dates and Planning Tips
Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval returns to Universal Studios Florida February 6 through March 27, 2027. That is a 50-day run, shorter than the 57-day 2026 season. The closing date falls the day before Easter, which is March 28, 2027. What's...
Spring Break 2027 at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando
Spring break is one of the busiest periods of the year in Orlando, and the timing in 2027 is shaped by a late-March Easter. Easter Sunday falls on March 28, 2027, which pushes many school breaks and family trips into the second half of March and early April. Planning...
Walt Disney World in Winter 2027: Crowds, Weather, and What’s Closed
January through early March is one of the most flexible times to visit Walt Disney World. Crowds are typically lighter outside holiday weekends, the weather is comfortable for walking, and festivals add something to do. The trade-off is that refurbishments are common,...
Universal Orlando Closure Watch: What Is Down This Fall and Winter
Nothing ruins a theme park day like arriving at the one ride you came for and finding it closed. Here is a current look at what is down, what is changing and what to know before a fall or winter Universal Orlando trip. Volcano Bay: seasonal closure starting October 26...
Holidays at Universal Orlando 2026: Grinchmas, Macy’s Balloons and a First for Epic Universe
Disney gets most of the holiday attention, but Universal Orlando does Christmas well, and this year it adds something new. If you are weighing where to spend a December trip, here is what Universal has planned. Dates Holidays at Universal Orlando run November 14, 2026...
Epic Universe After Dark: Celestial Goodnight, Universal Nights and Why Staying Late Pays Off
In its first year, Universal Epic Universe was a great daytime park with a quiet ending. That has changed. Since July, the park has had a nightly finale and, this month, an after-hours event worth knowing about. Universal Celestial Goodnight Universal Celestial...
Disney World in 2027: The Opening Calendar and How to Time Your Trip
2027 is shaping up to be a huge year at Walt Disney World, and booking windows are already open. Before you lock in dates, here is a plain-English look at what is opening, what is still a guess, and how to avoid choosing the worst possible week. What is on the...