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Kwik Trip Building New Stores In These 11 Minnesota Towns In 2023

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Kwik Trip is planning on opening new convenience stores in these 11 Minnesota towns in 2023.

Kwik Trip is based out of La Crosse, Wisconsin and has stores in Minnesota , Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

It's been described as not just a gas station but a "way of life."

In 2022 Kwik Trip was named the "Best Gas Station Brand" in Minnesota  & Iowa .

When most folks fill up their vehicle with gas they stop at a place that will give them a lot more options than just fuel.

Since 1965 Kwik Trip has been a family-owned company based in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Kwik Trip has more than 28,000 employees and 700+ retail locations across multiple states in the upper Midwest.

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Now in 2023, Kwik Trip will continue expanding throughout Minnesota with plans for 11 new stores in these Minnesota towns...

• Centerville
• East Bethel
• Elko New Market
• Redwood Falls
• Worthington

Here's what some fans commented about Kwik Trip on their Facebook page ...

• Danny Larabee: Kwik Trip isn't just a gas station. It is a way of life.
• Mike Desotell: Great service. Very clean. Everything is fresh. What’s not to love?
• Mary Gordon: You’re a gas station? My Kwik Trip is a Latte palace!
• Patricia Malloy McBurney: Kwik Trip is an awesome place to work for and great benefits!!! Great products and foods!!!
• Isabel Grace Bauer: I like to travel, but Kwik Trip is always my first stop when I come home, nothing comes close.
• Jeremy Sveen: 24 years with this company they truly are the best.
• Mike Benson: It’s because your business model is exceptional. Top to bottom. Your employees, products and atmosphere… all, top notch!

Would You Pay $350 To Stay In This Creepy Old Iowa Jailhouse?

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These are 2022’s hottest up-and-coming destinations, according to TripAdvisor

From Welsh hamlets to Floridian beaches, here are the most exciting ‘new’ places to go this year

In 2022, travel is back in business. And whether you’re looking to jet off to some far-flung paradise or keep it cosy with a staycation, everyone’s on the lookout for some top-drawer sightseeing.

Review site TripAdvisor has chimed in with what it says are the top ‘new destinations’ that holidaymakers are planning on going to this year. In analysing its own visitor data, the site has created two lists: one of global destinations and another of tourist hotspots in the UK.

So, what makes a destination ‘new’, exactly? Well, we aren’t really talking about previously unknown or undiscovered places. TripAdvisor calculated its rankings by analysing which holiday hotspots have seen the most growth in online traffic over the past year. These places are more ‘on the rise’ than ‘new’. 

In TripAdvisor’s list of global destinations, the number one spot went to  Key West , Florida: a city renowned for its pristine turquoise waters and iconic conch-style architecture. Then comes Baa Atoll in the Maldives , which is known for its endless expanses of white sand and general laidback vibes. Rounding out the top three is that little known beauty,  New York City . It’s a solid list – if not exactly a surprising one.

More interesting is TripAdvisor’s pick of the top ‘new’ UK destinations. The number one spot went to Brithdir in Gwynedd, Wales – a tiny, totally picturesque hamlet near the Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Second was Llanberis, a Welsh lakeside town at the foot of Snowdon, while third was Fulford, a historic village just outside York .

Here are both full lists in all their glory.  

TripAdvisor’s top new destinations in the world in 2022

1. Key West, Florida, US

2. Baa Atoll, Maldives

3. New York City, New York, US

4. Lisbon, Portugal

5. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain

6. Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Spain

7. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

8. San Agustin, Gran Canaria, Spain

9. Paris, France

10. Funchal, Portugal

TripAdvisor’s top new destinations in the UK in 2022

1.Brithdir, Gwynedd, Wales

2. Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales

3. Fulford, Yorkshire

4. South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland

5. Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria

6. Manchester, Greater Manchester

7. Oxford, Oxfordshire

8. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

9. Brighton, East Sussex

10. Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Obviously, plenty of these places aren’t exactly ‘new’, but there’s no denying that they all sound like pretty darn fabulous holiday destinations. Stick to these, and you won’t go far wrong.

Got five minutes to spare? Want to tell us what life is like in your city? Take the Time Out Index survey   here .

• Ed Cunningham News Editor, Time Out UK and Time Out London

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Where to Travel in 2022

'Tis the season to start dreaming of all the trips we want to take next year.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

And just like that, another extraordinary year nears its end. In between wrapping up the rest of 2021 with subdued holiday gatherings and quiet champagne toasts at home, the mind inevitably wanders. To what could be in 2022. To the trips we may finally get to check off that bucket list, whether it's to see the Scottish countryside from a sumptuous train fit for a royal, or to soak in the same ochre-hued New Mexico landscape that so captivated Georgia O'Keeffe for many years. Or to old haunts we just can't wait to visit again with a fresh perspective and peace of mind. Or to the fabulous new hotels ready to welcome us with superb hospitality and plush digs. These are still uncertain times, but we can dream—and tentatively plan—for the future. Below, 17 of the best destinations to put on the travel list for 2022.

Lanai, Hawaii

READ REVIEWS Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort

Napa Valley, California

Even for those who aren't diehard oenophiles, there is still plenty to do in Napa. In fact, vineyards make up only 9% of the region with the rest—including 53,000 acres that are under the care of the Napa Valley Land Trust—ripe for all manner of outdoor activities like biking, hiking, and hot springs. Brand new in Calistoga is the Four Seasons Napa Valley , which opened in November and is the first resort here to be set within a working winery. Also coming soon, in February, will be a new Auberge Resort called Stanly Ranch , where just 78 cottage suites, all equipped with outdoor terraces with fire pits, will be spread out over a 700-acre private ranch that dates back to the 19th century.

READ REVIEWS Four Seasons Napa Valley

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in the U.S., Santa Fe has rich Native American history, strong Spanish influences, and a vibrant arts scene, from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum to Canyon Road, a stretch of art galleries featuring a diverse selection (think: Fernando Botero sculptures, handwoven Navajo rugs). Then, there is Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu (an hour's drive from Santa Fe), a 21,000-acre retreat that so impressed O'Keeffe, she lived there for forty years and prominently featured its landscapes in her work. A trip to the city is worth it alone just to check out its hottest new hotel, Bishop's Lodge , a legendary 150-year-old landmark that Auberge Resorts restored into a luxurious property sitting on 317 acres bordering the Santa Fe National Forest. It beautifully pays homage to the city's Southwestern heritage with activities like sunrise horseback riding and guided pueblo tours.

READ REVIEWS Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection

Members of the new pot elite , rejoice. Malta just became the first country in the European Union to legalize marijuana. Not so into the cannabis? As a picturesque archipelago that has served as a filming location for a number of period epics, from Gladiator and Troy , to Munich and Murder on the Orient Express , Malta hardly wants for scenic sights (and FOMO-inducing Instagram backdrops). And having long ago suffered through a succession of invasions—by the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Normans, the Kingdom of Aragon, the French, and the British—the Mediterranean country has a panoply of rich history, culture, and architecture. Stay at the Xara Palace , a former 17th-century palazzo that is now a Relais & Chateaux and the only hotel located in Mdina, the medieval walled city that used to be the island's capital (until 1530) and served as the center of Maltese nobility.

READ REVIEWS The Xara Palace

New York City

After being hit hard during the pandemic in 2020, NYC has been on the rebound ever since, slowly but surely getting back to the bustling and dynamic metropolis it was in the Before Times. By February a brand new Ritz-Carlton opens in Manhattan's NoMad district—and it conveniently fills a gaping hole in the neighborhood left by the abrupt closure of the NoMad Hotel earlier this year. The Ritz will bring on a celebrity chef of its own, José Andrés, who will open an outpost of his popular DC power spot, Zaytinya, plus a high-end restaurant called the Bazaar later in the year. The 250-room hotel will also have the most coveted of NYC hotel amenities: a rooftop bar.

Queen Elizabeth celebrates her platinum jubilee in 2022, and while that may be reason enough to go to London to witness all of the official celebrations that will swirl around Buckingham Palace in June, how about paying tribute to the UK's longest reigning monarch with a pilgrimage through her beloved Scotland? It's not hard to see why she retreats to the Highlands every summer to rest at Balmoral Castle, said to be her favorite palace. But first, start in capital city Edinburgh to marvel at its eclectic mix of medieval and Georgian architecture and then check into the Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel (not to be confused with the queen's pad), for a night or two of 5-star pampering and Michelin-starred dining. Then it's up to the Scottish Highlands and the town of Braemar, which neighbors the queen's Balmoral, to stay at the the Fife Arms , a former Victorian-era coaching inn that was completely transformed by art world power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth into an absolute jewel box of a property bursting with more than 16,000 works of art. Not so confident about driving on the other side of the road? Enter: the Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train that is quite possibly the most luxuriously appointed way to take in the stunning countryside.

READ REVIEWS The Balmoral

READ REVIEWS The Fife Arms

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is absolute heaven for foodies (musts: the modern twist on Southern cuisine at Husk and Fig , the unbelievably fresh oysters and seafood at 167 Raw and the Ordinary ), history buffs, and architecture nerds. It's probably also one of the most introspective cities in the South, making concerted efforts to confront its painful and complicated past (be sure to check out the South Carolina Historical Society Museum and the Gibbes Museum of Art for important lessons). Right in the heart of the city is the palatial Charleston Place, a Belmond Hotel , a bastion of luxurious Southern hospitality with more than 400 rooms, all outfitted in elegant touches like mahogany beds and marble showers.

READ REVIEWS Charleston Place, a Belmond Hotel

Big Sky, Montana

For a certain subset of the population, the luxury western ranch trip has become a near-obligatory rite of passage in recent years. Montage is just the latest to seize on this opportunity—on December 15, it officially opened the doors to a sprawling new resort in Big Sky, Montana, becoming the first luxury ski hotel to ever be built in this picturesque region. The location is unparalleled. Just 45 minutes north of Yellowstone National Park and surrounded by the Spanish Peaks mountain range. And the list of things to do? Endless: direct access to Big Sky resort's 5,800 acres of ski terrain and to a championship golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, snowshoeing, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, the list goes on.

Madrid, Spain

As far as European cities go, it's hard to beat the many charms of Madrid. The Spanish capital has it all: beautiful old world architecture, blue chip museums, amazing food, lovely parks and gardens, great shopping, a wonderful locals' vibe, and royal clout. Just as the iconic Ritz near El Retiro Park was recently converted to a Mandarin Oriental property, so too has Villa Magna, another aging grande dame in need of a refresh, courtesy of Rosewood—in October it officially reopened as the Rosewood Villa Magna . Located in the tony Salamanca neighborhood, the hotel has 154 accommodations, all designed to evoke the feel of a contemporary Spanish villa, and a signature restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jesús Sánchez.

READ REVIEWS Rosewood Villa Magna

Las Vegas, Nevada

What happens in Vegas? Well, that depends what your interests are. With best in class offerings across the board when it comes to dining, shopping, and accommodations, you have to go out of your way to have a disappointing time in the infamous city. For starters, Adele announced her Vegas residency starting in 2022—all the more reason to plan a trip. And if you really want to lean into the Las Vegas experience, book yourself at the Cosmopolitan , smack dab in the lap of luxury and heart of the strip. The hotel has a wide range of cant-be-beat restaurants to choose from including Momofuku, Scarpetta, and Blue Ribbon, as well as expansive rooms and suites designed with a contemporary infusion so there's a calm refuge from whatever hijinks may unfold.

Another great option? The European-inspired Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which offers fine dining options such as Le Cirque and the Mayfair Supper Club, and of course is situated near some of the best luxury shopping the world has to offer.

READ REVIEWS Bellagio Hotel & Casino

READ REVIEWS The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

There are numerous compelling reasons to visit Ireland, whether you're a history buff, love literature (it is the home of William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Sally Rooney after all), or are simply outdoorsy and a golf fanatic. But regardless of your interests, the island is temperate nearly all of the year—and offers unforgettable experiences from scenic drives up the coast, to picturesque national parks, and even unique opportunities to watch the Winter Solstice. However, one cannot miss trip is Adare Manor, just outside of Limerick.

The Neo-Gothic manor was once home to the Earls of Dunraven, but these days, the historic castle is a 5-star luxury resort, surrounded by charming medieval ruins, winding gardens and woodland paths that you could lose yourself on—in the best way possible. Not only are the guest rooms lavishly decorated and fitted with Georgian-era furnishings, but the resort offers a wide range of activities from falconry and golf to clay shooting and fishing.

READ REVIEWS Adare Manor

For years, travelers have flocked to the tiny island of Bermuda, and it's no wonder why. The pristine beaches are known the world over for their soft pink sand, and what's more, travel to the escape is a breeze—just a 90-minute flight from New York City. And two new hotels on the island offer the height of luxury. First there is the St. Regis Bermuda , which opened its doors to vacationers in summer 2021 and is located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can expect a hybrid of avant-garde design with local flare as well as sophisticated touches that are the hallmark of the St. Regis brand. Also on the world class property? A golf-course, a state of the art spa, and a designated children's club for families who visit.

Also new to the island is the luxury boutique hotel the Loren at Pink Beach, which is located on Tucker's Point. With just 45 rooms complete with panoramic views and a Sisley Spa, it's the perfect beachside hideaway when you want to really disappear into the sun and sand.

READ REVIEWS St. Regis Bermuda

READ REVIEWS Loren at Pink Beach

Geneva, Switzerland

On the western edge of Switzerland, surrounded by the Alps, is the serene cobblestone city of Geneva, whose views on Mont Blanc alone are worthy of a visit. While the cosmopolitan area is both home to the European headquarters of the United Nations and the Red Cross, the international financial hub makes for a great slow-paced getaway, or dare we say it, a fantastic breather while on a business trip.

First on your list should you visit is the Oetker Collection's latest jewel, the Woodward . Originally built in 1901, the property has been reimagined by Pierre Yves Rochon and boasts two restaurants, the Michelin-starred L'Atelier Robuchon and Le Jardin, a spa appointed by Guerlain, and breathtaking views. There's a reason why they're calling it the lakeside home of haute living.

Palm Beach, Florida

One could argue that Palm Beach is to Eastern Florida, as Cannes is the Riviera. It's been the vacation home and haunt of Swans—with a capital S— for the better part of a hundred years. And with the recent infusion of New York hotspots such as Le Bilboquet and La Goulue i n the last few years, it almost feels as though NYC has been transported to the sandy palm beaches.

Known for it's low-key ambiance and relaxed luxury, The Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect place to hit pause. Not only is the property a hop, skip, and a jump from the go-to performing arts venues, but the neighboring area is replete with fantastic shopping and dining should you need a pause from the hotel's five-star spa and seven-acre private beach. It's the kind of place that once you visit, you can't help but make a plan to dash back for more.

READ REVIEWS Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Nambiti, South Africa

While travel to Southern Africa is currently off limits due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a safari in South Africa remains bucket list worthy—just don't book the trip without double-checking travel advisories.

What's worth the wait? The Homestead— the Nambiti Game Reserve's soon-to-be opened luxury safari in one of the most widely biodiverse regions in all of Africa. The Homestead's bespoke safari experiences are also created to hold conservation and sustainability at the highest importance, as made evident by the twelve suite "super luxury" eco lodge accommodations which are entirely solar-powered. Menus are designed by world-renowned chefs, and the food is made with local ingredients—all with the hope of both a positive impact on the planet and those who visit.

Lake Como, Italy

It should come as no surprise that year after year, the gliteratti heads out to the glamorous region in Northern Italy (which also recently made appearances in The Morning Show, Succession, and House of Gucci ). Between exploring the remnants of medieval villages, the opulent villas, and of course, the gorgeous lake, it's no wonder that the locale never goes out of style.

Summer is when the region really shines, and 2022 is the perfect opportunity to make an occasion of it at Villa Passalacqua . Originally built in the 18th century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua (both Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill were known to visit), the stately mansion is the sister property to Grand Hotel Tremezzo , and offers only the best of luxury. Think: 24 suites designed by Paolo, Antonella, and Valentina De Santis, but with a preservation of the original structure in mind. Villa Passalacqua also offers swimming in the lake, an open-air gym in the olive grove, vintage boat trips from a private dock, farm to fork dining and gorgeous manicured gardens.

The Catskills

No, this isn't Dirty Dancing but the Borscht Belt has experienced a serious travel boom in the last two years. From new hotels and inns, to a bountiful supply of AirBnbs, the mountainous region in Southeastern New York is once again an it-destination for the Tri-State area during the summer, for leaf peeping in the fall, and even in the cold months.

Whether you're taking a quick spin around Kaaterskill Falls, heading into Hudson for some antiquing and a bite at Lil' Debs Oasis or just simply taking in everything the region has to offer with a scenic drive, you'll find your days are packed with a wide variety of fun offerings. Fan favorite stays include the Eastwind Hotel and of course Scribner's Catskill Lodge , but if you're looking to lean into the region's retro resort roots, check out Calicoon Hills .

READ REVIEWS Scribner's Catskill Lodge

READ REVIEWS Eastwind Hotel & Bar

READ REVIEWS Calicoon Hills

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country , where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.

As the deputy digital lifestyle director at Town & Country, Roxanne Adamiyatt covers fashion, beauty, wellness, design and travel. 

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$11B QuikTrip’s Colorado push to tap several…

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$11b quiktrip’s colorado push to tap several northern sites.

MEAD and EVANS — An Oklahoma-based operator of convenience stores and travel centers that plans 70 locations in Colorado has marked out 30 of those, including several in the state’s northern climes.

Privately held QuikTrip Corp. in Tulsa owns and operates 911 locations, its website said. About 94% of them are conventional convenience stores, with the rest travel centers; a handful of the latter are “remote travel centers” the company said, with a larger footprint and more gas pumps.

All but one of the 911 sell gasoline.

Nearest to Colorado are 87 in Nebraska and Kansas.

Convenience-store and travel centers overall run 4,100 to 8,000 square feet.

Forbes estimated QuikTrip’s 2020 revenue at $11.2 billion, good for No. 29 on its list of largest private companies. It also makes appearances on multiple “best employer” lists the magazine compiles.

Two locations here are underway in Denver and Firestone and set to open this spring, QuikTrip corporate communications manager Aisha Jefferson-Smith said, with 28 others in some stage of development, from negotiation to land acquisition to municipal approvals.

Both locations are near major freeway interchanges: Interstate 70 and Central Park Boulevard in Denver and Interstate 25 and Colorado Highway 119 in Firestone.

The first two sites are part of the company’s new “Generation 3S” footprint of about 4,900 square feet for its standard convenience store.

Two cities vying to be next in line are Mead and Evans; both look to get the larger travel-center models, north of 7,300 square feet.

For the first, according to Weld County Clerk and Recorder filings, QuikTrip on Aug. 4 paid $10.7 million for four acres near the interchange of Colorado Highway 66 and I-25.

It’s adjacent to a U-Haul rental and storage business on Highland Drive. Nearby are gas stations, park-n-ride sites, as well as camping and RV and tractor and heavy truck supply and repair businesses.

The seller was Mead Crossings LLC, which state filings link to Fred Kelly Jr., a Denver investor. The LLC address is the same as a tax-exempt investment fund called Colorado BondShares. The LLC also owns 300 acres of agricultural land not far from the parcel it sold to QuikTrip.

A local source said the Evans deal is still in process as the purchase hasn’t closed. The QuikTrip travel center is expected to be at the northeast corner of U.S. Highway 85 and 31st Street, previously the Stampede Truck Plaza and the Double Clutch café.

A purchase price couldn’t be determined.

Other cities with a QuikTrip coming include “a couple in Aurora,” as well as Westminster, Lakewood, and Parker. It opens a division office in each state where it has locations, Jefferson-Smith said, and its website also shows commissary-bakeries and distribution centers. The closest of these to Colorado are Kansas City and Tulsa, meaning it could add one here to support the new locations and further growth.

QuikTrip will be in 15 states, including three new ones this year: Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas, by the end of the year, Jefferson-Smith said, with Colorado, and likely other states, starting up in 2022.

The company was founded in 1958 in Tulsa by Chester Cadieux and Burt Holmes. Chester’s son, Chet Cadieux III, is CEO. The Cadieux family owns 80% of it, with the rest by non-family via an employee stock ownership plan.

QuikTrip first filed paperwork with the secretary of state in 2019. Various company officers were named in filings.

The Tulsa company is unrelated to a similarly named chain, Kwik Trip Inc., based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with about 700 locations, founded in 1965.

The two companies often spar, largely in jest, on Twitter.

© 2021 BizWest Media LLC

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Kwik Trip to expand its operations throughout Wisconsin

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - Kwik Trip is set to expand its operations throughout Wisconsin.

Kwik Trip will invest more than $151 million to expand its operations at multiple locations throughout Wisconsin, creating more than 500 jobs by 2027 and qualifying the La Crosse-based retailer to earn an additional $15 million in performance-based Enterprise Zone tax incentives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, according to a press release from Wisconsin Economic Development.

“Kwik Trip is one of Wisconsin’s most instantly recognizable success stories,” Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of WEDC, said. “While most of us are familiar with Kwik Trip for its retail operations, the company continues to grow its manufacturing and supply chain base in our state, which is creating hundreds of jobs and new investments even faster than anyone could have anticipated.”

According to the press release, the proposed capital investment would encompass further expansion of its dairy, commissary, and bakery facilities in La Crosse, the purchase and renovation of a commercial office building in Onalaska, and the construction of a new satellite distribution center.

Copyright 2023 WEAU. All rights reserved.

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Traveling This Fall? Expect Cheaper Prices, ‘Seasonal Drift’ and, Yes, Chaos

By The New York Times Sept. 9, 2022

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After a haywire summer of flight cancellations and delays, travelers remain eager to roam, returning to familiar hot spots like New York, Europe and the Caribbean. Here’s what they can expect this season.

Flying has been maddeningly unpredictable . Airline and hotel prices remain high. And inflation has forced many people to cut back on appliances and new clothes. Delayed vacations, conventions and weddings have led to booked resorts and hotels, creating a sort of seasonal drift that has forced travelers to pay summer prices for fall trips.

Still, more than 60 percent of Americans said they plan to travel this fall, compared with 54 percent of respondents last year, according to TripAdvisor , the travel site, which surveyed 2,700 would-be travelers across six countries about their plans this season.

And 66 percent of those respondents said that they planned to spend more money traveling this fall than they did last year, said Brian Hoyt, a spokesman for TripAdvisor. “Travel is not going to be one of those things that they pull back on,” Mr. Hoyt said. “They’re still going to travel even knowing that they’re going to spend more than the year before.”

Some are willing to splurge on flights to Italy and Turks and Caicos and excursions like ATV tours of the Mojave Desert in Nevada . Others are paying to clean up beaches in Barcelona or help restore coral reefs in the Caribbean , vacations crafted as “nature positive tourism.”

How much will you spend if you travel this fall? It depends. Cruise deals are still plentiful, but hotel prices are stubbornly expensive. Airline tickets, while cheaper than this summer, are still higher than they were before the pandemic.

And don’t expect the cancellations and delays that infuriated travelers in recent months to stop anytime soon. “While things have improved since early summer, airline cancellations are still going to be a factor for fall travel,” said Eric Jones, co-founder of The Vacationer , an online travel guide.

What else can you expect this fall?

Airlines: Better, but by how much?

Cancellations. Lost luggage. Flight delays and endless waits for customer service. Even the official in charge of regulating civilian aviation in the United States hasn’t avoided the chaos. “Airlines need to step up their game,” said Pete Buttigieg , the U.S. transportation secretary, who faced multiple cancellations and delays this summer. Still, he’s optimistic that flying will improve this fall. “I do think that a better situation is within reach,” he said.

Airline executives, labor unions and industry analysts agree: Fall travel should be better than summer travel. They do not agree on how much better. But most concur that the issues that must be addressed, include: not enough staff, too many cancellations and delays, problems with refunds and terrible customer service.

On the question of whether airlines have enough staff, Airlines for America, a trade organization representing seven major U.S. carriers, says yes, they do. “This summer, carriers have proactively adjusted their staffing models to ensure they are adequately staffed for each flight,” a spokeswoman wrote in an email.

Union leaders agree that staffing is adequate, but only on “blue sky days,” the term Gary Peterson, the international vice president of the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents more than 70,000 airline workers, uses for those 24-hour periods when nature works in airlines’ favor. “But when weather hits, they don’t have enough reserves,” he said.

“I believe airlines have taken steps to make things better, but it’s fragile,” said Sara Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-C. W. A., the largest flight attendants’ union. Even before the pandemic, staffing for roles ranging from pilot to wheelchair handler was stretched thin, she said. In order to minimize the ripple effect when something goes wrong, it’s critical to maintain staffing above the Federal Aviation Administration minimum, she added, something that has not happened for years.

A second concern: Have airlines stopped selling more flights than they can handle? Or will they continue with the pandemic trend of canceling flights that they should have never scheduled? Several analysts were optimistic that the airlines had learned from their mistakes. American Airlines, for example, recently slashed 16 percent of its November flights, according to Cirium, a travel analytics company. John Grant, a senior analyst for OAG, a travel data company, noted that cancellation rates were far lower in July and August than earlier in the year. Still, the delay rate has recently hovered around 23 percent, higher than prepandemic times or last summer, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking company.

The third issue: Will the refund, flight change and hotel voucher process get easier? Mr. Buttigieg is pushing forward several initiatives. One involves updating a federal policy guiding flight refunds. Under the current policy, airlines are supposed to reimburse passengers for flights that have been canceled or “significantly changed.” But carriers have long exploited ambiguity around the term. The proposal, which he will revisit in November, codifies the conditions under which refunds must be paid.

Last week, the Department of Transportation launched a dashboard that Mr. Buttigieg called “a tool for transparency,” outlining the services that each airline has committed to provide when flights are altered for reasons within their control.

Some analysts said that these measures are weak, particularly in contrast with Europe, where airlines must pay travelers — on top of refunds — for certain types of cancellations. Recently, more than 30 state attorneys general blasted the Department of Transportation for failing to keep up with “escalating issues” and argued that they should take over enforcement of consumer protection laws affecting travelers. Some lawmakers have also suggested that airlines should be fined for treating passengers poorly, given the billions of dollars in government pandemic aid they’ve received.

Finally, there is the matter of customer service: Will Thanksgiving week be filled with nightmarish stories of unanswered calls to alter a flight or locate a lost bag? On this front, labor representatives and industry analysts agree: It’s unlikely to get better soon. Airlines see customer service as an area to slash, not grow, costs. — Heather Murphy

Prices: Cheaper, just not prepandemic cheap

Excepting foliage destinations and convention cities, fall has historically been a value-seeker’s season. Across the industry, many prices this year will follow the same pattern. But inflation and other pandemic-related effects mean some deals are weaker.

Consider airfare. The typical seasonal decline between summer and fall fares, according to the booking app Hopper , is 10 to 15 percent. This year it is 37 percent, falling to $238 for an average domestic round-trip ticket. But that doesn’t mean fares are cheaper, only that the difference between summer and fall fares is much greater.

“Fall 2022 looks very different, and the main reason is how high airfare got this summer,” said Hayley Berg, the lead economist at Hopper, noting that summer airfares were more than double 2019 rates.

Airlines are also maintaining capacity cuts this fall to control costs, according to Helane Becker, a research analyst with the investment banking firm Cowen. “The lowest fares I’ve seen for fall are $59 one way and there are only a few seats available at that rate, up from $39 or $49 in the past,” Ms. Becker said.

On the hotel front, travelers should expect to pay close to prepandemic rates this fall. The steady rebound of business travel is bolstering big cities and may diminish fall deals in urban areas. In the latest figures available, average daily rates nationally have climbed year-to-date to roughly $147 in July, compared with $132 in July 2019, or nearly equal to prepandemic prices when adjusted for inflation, according to the hotel benchmarking firm STR. The firm is forecasting a continued recovery for hotels, with occupancy up five points this year over last.

Popular resort destinations may be more expensive, too. Most of October remains high season at the Camden Harbour Inn in coastal Camden, Maine. But its hefty rate hike this year of more than 20 percent to an average of $688 a night in part reflects higher wages, Covid absences, and increased expenses for everything from electricity to linens.

Don’t expect any steals in vacation rentals either. AirDNA , which analyzes the short-term rental market, has average fall rates outpacing fall 2021. The average October rental domestically was recently about $258 a night compared with $243 in 2021 and $195 in 2019.

Rental car rates, however, will be better, but still much higher than they were before the pandemic. This fall, average rentals are 18 percent cheaper than in summer, according to Autoslash , a free service that monitors car rental bookings and flags them for rebooking when rates drop. But prices are still 52 percent higher for the period over 2019, thanks to fleet downsizing.

“We don’t expect rental rates to come back down to 2019 levels anytime soon, if ever,” said Jonathan Weinberg, the founder of Autoslash.

Still, fall remains a good time to ride the value of a strong dollar , trading now at parity with the euro. Among new international low-cost carriers, Norse Atlantic Airways recently started service from New York’s Kennedy International Airport to Berlin starting at $132 one way.

Generally speaking, if you don’t like rates now, don’t expect them to improve. Pandemic uncertainty — including concerns over new variants and trip cancellations — have abbreviated booking windows to often just a few weeks out, meaning rates could rise dramatically in the coming month. — Elaine Glusac

Environment: ‘Nature-positive tourism’

The popularity of ecotourism has hardly waned since the term rose to prominence a generation ago. But a new framing has emerged that puts a bigger onus on the travel industry to examine its complicated relationship with the natural world. Say hello to “nature positive tourism.”

The idea is “a long overdue reinvention of ecotourism,” said Justin Francis, who advises the British government on nature and business and serves as chief executive of Responsible Travel , a travel company based in Britain.

“Ecotourism was about ‘take only photos, leave only footprints’ — it was basically ‘leave no trace,’” said Mr. Francis, adding that the concept applied only to nature-based tourism, not to things like city breaks or cruises.

“But when we look at the problems that we as an industry create for nature, we realize that they come from all types of tourism,” he said. “It’s not just a question of a few ecolodges getting a bit more ambitious. If we’re to be nature positive, then every part of the tourism industry needs to step up.”

Scientists warn that we are in the middle of a mass extinction event. Between 1970 and 2016, the planet lost nearly 70 percent of its populations of wild mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Today, roughly one million species are threatened with extinction .

Tourism contributes to all the major drivers of species loss: Developers fill in marshlands to build resorts (land use change); tourists trample fragile coral reefs (overuse); cruise ships dump waste (pollution); visitors inadvertently carry the seeds of nonnative plants into nature reserves (invasive species); and flying emits greenhouse gases (climate change).

Mr. Francis said that travel companies must understand their negative impacts. But, he added, travel — perhaps more than other sectors of the economy — can do a huge amount to support nature.

Jim Sano, vice president for travel, tourism and conservation at World Wildlife Fund, noted that tourism is the biggest market-based source of funding for protected areas around the world. He described projects in Mexico, Nepal and Namibia in which WWF has worked with travel industry partners to craft tourist experiences that support wildlife protection while also generating income for residents. “It’s creating a situation where wildlife is more valuable alive than dead,” he said.

So far, more than two dozen travel companies — including Exodus Travels, Journeys With Purpose and the Adventure People, as well as the airline Virgin Atlantic — have signed a “nature positive pledge” as part of the Get Nature Positive campaign, which Mr. Francis coleads as part of his work with the British government.

Several companies offer experiences that allow guests to enjoy nature while also protecting it. Rewilding Europe Travel offers wolf-tracking tours in Italy, bison-trekking trips in Romania and other experiences that support the “rewilding” of European landscapes. Responsible Travel, Mr. Francis’ company, sells trips that allow guests to support sea turtle conservation in Greece or spearfish nonnative fish off the coast of Belize.

Shorter experiences are also an option. Barcelona-based Authenticitys , which has signed the “nature positive pledge,” offers one- to three-hour “social impact experiences” in 40 cities in Europe and Latin America. They classify about two dozen of those activities as “nature positive.”

Elena Rodríguez Blanco, the founder of the company, said they initially wondered if people would pay to pick up trash on the beach in Barcelona (as part of a stand-up paddle boarding lesson), or to clean up a canal in Amsterdam (while taking a boat tour). But many guests have enjoyed their experiences so much that they have recommended similar activities that the company could offer in their own hometowns.

“That’s actually been a big part of our growth,” Ms. Rodríguez Blanco said. “It’s really rewarding.” — Paige McClanahan

Points: More deals, more people chasing them

After a frustrating summer, travelers trying to use mileage rewards this fall may find that their points go a long way — literally. Kyle Potter, the editor at Thrifty Traveler, a travel news website, said that when cash prices go up, it’s harder to use points or miles, as they’re either more expensive or less available. The inverse, he said, is also true: When flight prices decrease, as the travel booking platform Hopper predicts will happen to domestic flights this fall, it’s easier to use points.

“The summer was really tough, whether you were paying exorbitant cash prices or trying to put some points and miles to use and getting a whole lot of errors and empty dates,” Mr. Potter said.

But snagging deals may be more difficult as demand increases. According to a recent survey from Forbes Advisor , more than a quarter of Americans said they expected to pay for at least one trip using credit card rewards this year. And there’s clearly pent-up demand to spend points earned — and saved — during the pandemic. A spring 2021 survey from the personal finance site NerdWallet found that travel rewards credit-card holders had an average of nearly 65,000 points and miles banked.

Before booking a points redemption, you have to know when and where to look. Several airlines, like JetBlue Airways, typically offer flash sales in the fall, to entice travelers in a traditionally quieter season. While the cash deals are often tempting, the sales usually extend to reservations made with points, including on international flights.

A one-way flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Guayaquil, Ecuador, for instance, was priced at $100 or 4,600 TrueBlue points during the sale. TrueBlue is a revenue-based program, meaning the cost of award tickets is determined by the cash price of a ticket. After the sale, the price for that same route was $448, or 40,800 points.

Other carriers, such as Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines , regularly offer deals on short- and medium-haul flights. Delta’s SkyMiles are considered among the easiest to earn from its co-branded credit cards, ride-share apps, transfer partners and flights. Travelers looking for cheap, last-minute deals can find flights from New York to New Orleans, for instance, for as low as 11,000 miles round-trip.

But keep in mind that deals often come with restrictions like limited dates for your travel and what fare class you’ll be in (usually the lowest). For the New York to New Orleans flight, the low cost means you’ll get no miles for the trip or credit toward elite status, seats assigned after check-in and boarding last. A full-fare seat on the same flight costs 5,000 more miles.

To quickly find the best deals, travelers should look to fly from and arrive at a destination predominantly served by their preferred airline.

If United Airlines is your first choice, you may want to pick a United hub as your fall travel destination, such as Newark, Chicago, Washington-Dulles or San Francisco. Travelers can book award flights on partner airlines, too. In United’s case, travelers can book award tickets on Star Alliance carriers like Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa, which offers nonstop flights between the United States and Germany.

Using Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is one of the easiest ways to book flights on United Airlines, thanks to the Canadian carrier’s distance-based award chart , meaning that the number of points required to book an award is based on the distance between the origin and destination airport. Using British Airways’ Avios mileage program is one of the cheapest ways to fly short-haul domestic flights on American Airlines across the United States.

Mr. Potter recommends that travelers not tie their loyalty to an airline but to transferable points programs from credit card issuers. American Express Membership Rewards points can become, for instance, Marriott Bonvoy points, while Chase points can turn into Southwest points.

Travelers thinking ahead to winter 2022 and spring 2023 trips should start planning now, he said. “Now is this time to start coming up with a plan for how you want to get there,” Mr. Potter said, referring to travel destinations, “what points and miles you need to make that a possibility and start looking for those flights because they’re going to go fast.” — Victoria Walker

Destinations: ‘What’s old is new again’

Cities remain a go-to. So do tropical places like the Caribbean and Cancun.

In 2020, travelers avoided urban centers for beach towns and national parks, where it felt like a safer place to go, said Brian Hoyt of TripAdvisor.

But by last fall, Las Vegas, New York City, and Orlando had supplanted places like Key Largo, Key West and Atlantic City, which were the top three destinations for travelers in fall 2020, according to TripAdvisor.

The trend is continuing: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Orlando and New York are the five most booked destinations in the United States for fall, according to Hopper, a travel booking site. For international travelers, cities like San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cancun; Mexico City; Barcelona; and Rome are in the top 10, according to Hopper.

“What’s old is new again,” Mr. Hoyt said. “High-density population centers are back in vogue.”

But lower-key vacations are still a draw. Ocean City, N.J., a beach town of about 11 miles south of Atlantic City, was the top trending U.S. destination this fall based on the number of nights booked, according to Airbnb. That’s part of a growing trend to extend summer. There has been a surge of interest from visitors who flock to the eight miles of beach in September and October, when the summer crowds leave and the town hosts events like an antique car show and a huge block party and fireworks show , said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Travelers remain eager to go to Europe, where demand for flights and hotel bookings is “on par” with 2019, said Kareem George, a travel adviser and the owner of Culture Traveler, a firm specializing in luxury trips.

“Italy is the standout,” Mr. George said, “which is not a surprise because Italy always is the standout.”

London, Paris, Munich, Copenhagen and Dublin were the top cities searched by people looking to travel between Sept. 6 and Nov. 15, according to Expedia.

The Amalfi coast in southern Italy and Santorini, a whitewashed Greek island in the Aegean Sea, are so popular this fall that travelers are struggling to find accommodations, said Charles Neville, a spokesman for Jayway , a boutique travel agency that specializes in European travel.

People are so eager to tour these destinations they are willing to spend $600 to $700 a night for accommodations that may not justify that amount, he said.

Mr. Neville said he is encouraging clients to book later in the fall when the weather is still pleasant and the crowds have abated, or to consider Sicily, Croatia and lesser known islands in Greece like Paros and Naxos. “Maybe that’s a way to have your Greek island vacation dreams come true without spending stupid amounts of money,” he said.

In the Americas, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Costa Rica are seeing more passengers book trips than they did in 2019, said Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights . The countries are easy to get to and airline tickets are generally cheap — round-trip fare from nearly anywhere in the United States to Colombia was selling for about $260 in August, he said.

“For a lot of folks, the trip they want to take as their first one back is fun, overseas, but not too far away,” Mr. Keyes said.

That sort of ease is what Silvia Sims, a retired sales manager who lives in suburban Detroit, said she and her three friends wanted when they began planning their fall trip last May. They settled on Jamaica, where Ms. Sims, 71, has traveled nearly a dozen times since the early 1980s but had not visited since April 2019.

“I’m going back to a place where I really love to visit and I feel safe,” she said. — Maria Cramer

Timing: ‘Seasonal drift’ takes hold

Budget travelers and the crowd-averse have long embraced the fall shoulder season, when airfares and lodging rates tended to drop and visitors could enjoy quieter hiking trails and fewer tourists around the Eiffel Tower.

But flexible work, climate change and high-season hassles have pushed more travelers into fall, effectively extending summer and narrowing the bargain window ahead of the winter holidays.

“I am managing hotels for the past 20 years and never seen such a rush on rooms,” said Henrik Muehle, the general manager of Flemings Mayfair in London, noting that rates are, in most cases, double 2019 prices. “Guests don’t seem bothered,” he added.

Lingering consequences of the pandemic have encouraged the shift. At Little Gem Resorts on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., the rise of fall bookings includes a surge of postponed weddings. Social events and business gatherings have picked up at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Md., where September rates remain comparable to summer, averaging $850 to $900 a night, and won’t fall substantially until November, when they start at $340.

Thanks in part to flexible work policies, business has been so good at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole , in Jackson, Wyo., that the resort will forego its traditional three-week fall closure this year, and offer cycling and wolf-watching trips in Yellowstone National Park. “Guests are aspiring to be here when the crowds aren’t,” said Cory Carlson, the regional director of marketing for the resort.

Seasonal drift depends on location. Vrbo , the vacation home rental agency, said fall prices still drop as much as 25 percent compared with summer in some popular beach destinations.

In these climate-changing times, planning a trip around perfect weather seems futile. At Remote Lands , which specializes in Asia, bookings in Thailand in the traditional shoulder season, August through October, are up 25 percent.

“Prepandemic, the thought of a rain shower was something that clients would avoid and would shift their desired location or dates,” said Catherine Heald, the co-founder and chief executive of Remote Lands. “Now, clients understand that with climate change there is a chance that they may have blue skies throughout the stay and are ready and willing to travel.”

Other travelers continue to prioritize space and untrammeled access to nature, readily found in fall. In southern France, Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa will stay open this year from November to January, when temperatures are often more comfortable than summer, rather than closing as usual. Management plans to offer seasonal activities like truffle hunting.

“A lot of people are trying to experience the same thing at a much lower volume and without as many people around them,” said David Arraya, the general manager of Six Senses Ibiza off the coast of Spain, where the 2021 summer peak lasted to November.

Overtourism and climate-change impacts have disrupted tourism around Yosemite National Park in Northern California. Wildfires, the need for a reservation and fewer European visitors owing, in part, to a weak euro, have depressed summer numbers this year in Mariposa County, where the park is.

“Shoulder seasons are disappearing and peak seasons are not peak any longer,” said Jonathan Farrington, the executive director of Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau . “April through November is one season and December through March is shoulder season.”

He attributes the shift in part to younger people who visited the park during the pandemic and discovered its appeal in the calmer but still comfortable months, when tourism is more sustainable.

“If you have the ability to choose when to go outside of June, July and August,” Mr. Farrington added, “it’s the responsible thing to do.” — Elaine Glusac

Family travel: Saving money and going somewhere ‘easy’

In early October, Jess Field, her 9-year-old daughter and husband will spend four nights in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in a hotel with a balcony overlooking crashing waves. The luxury Hyatt hotel they booked goes for more than $1,000 a night, but it will not cost her anything; she will pay only the taxes on the family’s flights from Houston. This is because Ms. Field has a system for covering vacation costs with hotel and airline points, which she acquires by opening new credit cards with stellar welcome bonuses.

She is just one of many parents who will turn to points this fall. Last year, concerns about Covid were the primary reason that parents opted not to travel, according to several travel advisers. Now, as six-month-old babies are getting vaccinated, coronavirus cases are falling , restrictions are fading and inflation is driving up prices, money has become the main obstacle to booking trips, according to a study of 16,000 adults by Morning Consult , a market research company.

Ms. Field, who teaches a course on leveraging credit card offers, has found that families are eager to find creative ways to cover costs. A recent survey by Vacasa, a vacation rental site, reinforced this observation, finding that people with children were significantly more likely to have fall travel plans than people without.

“People want to travel, but they don’t have the budget and this allows them to have the best of both worlds,” Ms. Field said. In a recent week, around 180 students signed up for her Travel Hacking Mom course. This is more than she or her co-founders could recall enrolling during such a short period throughout the course’s four-year history.

Money concerns are not the only thing that has changed. Most children must now attend in-person school. This means less flexibility for travel. And yet, several travel agents said that they have noticed the pandemic has imbued parents with more of a you-only-live-once-and-it’s-OK-to-pull-my-kid-out-of-school-for-a-vacation way of thinking.

“There’s been a shift in mind-set,” said Amie O’Shaughnessy, the founder of Ciao Bambino!, a travel agency based in Sun Valley, Idaho.

As to the sorts of trips that families are planning this fall, Nadia Henry, the founder of Travel with Sparkle , an agency based in West Orange, N.J., said that interest in Europe, reunions and all-inclusive resorts continues to be strong.

Ms. Field has found that many families also crave a cruise. “Parents are tired and burned out and they want to go somewhere easy,” she said. She’s also picked up on excitement about Disney’s restarting certain fall events and allowing children to hug characters once again.

Gregg Kaminsky, a co-founder of R Family Vacations , based in Southampton, N.Y., observed that despite the passage of what opponents call “Don’t Say Gay” legislation in Florida, it’s still looking as if the state will be a popular fall destination for L.G.B.T.Q . families. One difference, he notes, is that some gay and trans parents seem to be more interested in group travel, something that reminds him of the 1990s when L.G.B.T.Q . people traveled in groups for safety.

Another influencing factor: Some parents are still working remotely. Among “high net-worth families” with small children, this has translated into interest in hiring a nanny who can hit the road at a moment’s notice, according to the Nanny Authority , a child care provider placement agency based in New York City.

As to where families stay, the pandemic seems to have pushed many parents and grandparents toward Airbnb and VRBO, said Seth Borko , a senior research analyst at Skift , a travel trade publication. Chekitan Dev, a marketing professor at Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration, said that vacation-home competition has prompted some hotel brands, such as Hilton , to finally make it easier to book connected rooms. — Heather Murphy

Cruises: More bargains and fewer Covid restrictions

Major cruise lines like Carnival , Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line have dropped their vaccine requirements. As of Sept. 5, passengers leaving on Royal Caribbean International from the United States on certain cruises were allowed to provide their own Covid test results, instead of one from a health professional, according to the company, which has also dropped its vaccine requirements.

Lindblad Expeditions , which takes passengers to far-flung destinations like the Galápagos Islands and Antarctica, said it is keeping vaccine requirements in place but is no longer requiring booster shots.

MSC Cruises , which also dropped its vaccine requirement for residents of the United States, will no longer require tests for vaccinated passengers.

The changes came soon after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped a voluntary program through which cruises reported the vaccination status of passengers and crew and regular updates about case counts.

As a result of the looser restrictions, more passengers from Europe are flying into the United States to board cruises, said Rubén A. Rodríguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “We’ve also seen more people from the U.S. branch out and book itineraries in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, now that international travel protocols are easier to manage,” he said in a statement.

It has been a boon for the cruise industry, which experienced two years of enormous losses because of the pandemic and a slow restart in June 2021.

Jeremy Clubb, founder of Rainforest Cruises , which specializes in exotic riverboat and small ship cruises, said he expects the company will surpass its 2019 sales total by at least 20 percent. The winter is looking especially promising, with the number of bookings for cruises up 60 percent compared with the same time last year, he said.

“It is clear that many people are growing noticeably less fearful of Covid and are eager to get traveling again,” Mr. Clubb said in an email.

Don Zingale, 76, said he and his wife are planning a 45-day cruise on Oceania Cruises from Barcelona to Rome to Miami in October. Mr. Zingale, a retired university executive based in Point Richmond, Calif., said he was “very unhappy” to see the company loosen restrictions around testing and vaccines. “Letting unvaccinated people on a ship filled with older people is not the smartest thing in the world,” he said.

Still, Mr. Zingale, who estimates that he spends 100 nights on cruises a year, said the new rules would not keep him from ships, where he often enjoys luxurious amenities for “bargain prices.”“The value outweighs the risks,” he said. “It is too fun.”

Deals are likely to abound throughout the season, said Colleen McDaniel, the editor in chief of Cruise Critic , a leading cruise review site. “You can cruise the Caribbean for less than $60 a night, or the Mexican Riviera for less than $80 a night,” she said. Before the pandemic, bargains on trips like that would have been under $100 a night, she said.

The aggressive discounts began in late spring and continued into the summer, as late bookings and a glut of cruise ships created a situation where ships were less than 100 percent full.

Travelers should take advantage of deals to take cruises to areas they might not have considered before, like Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, or Halifax and St. John in Canada, Ms. McDaniel said. They are destinations with great dining, beautiful vistas and scenic mountain trails that nevertheless “sort of slip under the radar,” she said.

The discounts may not last as restrictions ease and bookings increase, however, said Ms. McDaniel. “We’re seeing more and more people getting on board ships,” she said. “People are really, really excited to get back to sailing.” — Maria Cramer

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

An earlier version of this article misstated Elena Rodríguez Blanco's title at the Barcelona-based Authenticitys company. She is the founder of the company, not a co-founder.

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Kwik Trip continues to expand operations in Wisconsin

Kwik Trip employees boxing up the famous glazed donuts that are made fresh daily at its La Crosse headquarters.

Company can earn up to $41 million in tax credits for job creation, investment  

MADISON, WI. DEC. 18, 2023 —Kwik Trip will invest more than $151 million to expand its operations at multiple locations throughout Wisconsin, creating more than 500 jobs by 2027 and qualifying the La Crosse-based retailer to earn an additional $15 million in performance-based Enterprise Zone tax incentives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

“Kwik Trip is one of Wisconsin’s most instantly recognizable success stories,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “While most of us are familiar with Kwik Trip for its retail operations, the company continues to grow its manufacturing and supply chain base in our state, which is creating hundreds of jobs and new investments even faster than anyone could have anticipated.”

The newly proposed capital investment would encompass further expansion of its dairy, commissary, and bakery facilities in La Crosse, the purchase and renovation of a commercial office building in Onalaska, and the construction of a new satellite distribution center.

This is the third time the state has invested in Kwik Trip’s growth in Wisconsin, raising the company’s eligibility for tax credits to a total of $41 million. Since the state and Kwik Trip entered into the Enterprise Zone agreement in 2017, the company has invested more than $325 million into its Wisconsin support center operations, created nearly 1,800 new eligible full-time jobs, and grown and fostered mutually beneficial relationships with numerous Wisconsin supply chain partners. As a result of the growth at its La Crosse support center and the construction and acquisition of 168 new retail locations, Kwik Trip’s total eligible Wisconsin employee count has increased from 4,342 in 2017 to 12,442 in 2023, a total increase of 8,100 workers.

Kwik Trip, which operates 506 stores in Wisconsin and is known for creating its own line of food products, was first awarded up to $21 million in Enterprise Zone tax credits in 2017. The company’s rapid growth led to an amendment raising that eligibility by $5 million, primarily to expand its production facilities in La Crosse. At that time, the company anticipated hiring at least 662 new workers and investing at least $378 million in the project.

So far, the company has spent more than $325 million in capital investment and created 1,793 new jobs eligible to earn tax credits at their non-retail locations—well above what was anticipated at this point in the project. Because Kwik Trip is exceeding the goals of its Enterprise Zone, the WEDC board voted last month to amend Kwik Trip’s contract to make it eligible for the additional $15 million in tax credits. The actual amount of credits to be awarded will depend on the number of jobs created and amount of capital invested.

Scott Zietlow, the CEO and President of Kwik Trip, expressed enthusiasm regarding the collaboration with the WEDC, stating, “Growth is good, not only for Kwik Trip, but most importantly for our coworkers and the communities we serve. As a Top Workplace, we are able to provide strong, vibrant jobs throughout Wisconsin. We appreciate the support from the WEDC to make this happen.”

Kwik Trip is a family owned company that serves customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and South Dakota with 865 convenient, clean retail convenience stores. Kwik Trip also distributes more than 80% of the products featured in the stores, supplied by its own commissary, bakery, dairy, and distribution center located in La Crosse. Earlier this year, Kwik Trip was recognized by USA Today as the best gas station in the country for the fourth consecutive year.  The company is also consistently recognized as a Top Workplace by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  Visit www.kwiktrip.com to learn more.

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Home » Walt Disney World

What’s New in Disney World? Every Ride, Attraction & More Coming 2023-2025

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: October 24, 2023

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In this post, we are going to discuss all the newest Disney World rides and attractions , as well as give you a glimpse of everything coming to the parks in 2023-2025 .  I know 2025 seems like a long time away, but with all the new rides that Disney is currently building, we want to prepare you for what’s next.

The easiest way to do this is to break everything down park by park.  Just in case you haven’t been to Walt Disney World in the last few years, we will give you a brief overview of the new Disney attractions, that are already in the parks and what’s coming soon.

One good way to see everything is in our Walt Disney World Construction Updates guide. 

We try to stay on top of all the different construction zones around property (and there are plenty of them) on a monthly basis so you can even see these new rides being built stage by stage.  It’s really fun to watch and will give you an insight into what actually goes into these complicated systems.

The last few years have been interesting, to say the least, and things haven’t gone exactly the way Disney originally planned. The past few years were supposed to be big years for construction, but the Disney World closure changed that from 2020-2022, and all mostly all the projects were slowed down moving forward.

We know that Disney lost billions of dollars in the last few years, and then CEO Bob Chapek announced that they were cutting the construction budget by hundreds of millions of dollars over the last couple of years.

Because of this, many of the new rides and attractions coming to Disney World were either delayed or canceled outright.

Thankfully, things are looking a bit more positive since Bob Iger has once again returned as CEO of The Walt Disney Company . Management realizes the mistakes that were made during the direction from the previous regime, and it seems that Iger is intent on fixing the company’s “broken image” to its fans that the previous leadership created.

Early signs from management indicate that they will be spending more time and money investing in Walt Disney World and the other theme parks. We first saw this back at the last D23 Expo , where where Disney restored some of the lost faith in fans and showed them they are once again taking the theme park business seriously and will be heavily investing in new attractions in the coming years.

This was made even more clear at the most recent Destination D23 Event where announcements about some of the most highly anticipated new projects were made. For starters, plans for a huge Magic Kingdom expansion and a reimagining of Dinoland USA were both confirmed, and that was only the tip of the iceberg.

This will obviously take some time and Iger and the company need to be strategic with how they roll out the next wave of projects for the parks.

Since Disney World is now open once again, many of the projects that were previously planned have the green light and are moving full steam ahead, while others that we still don’t know about are no doubt in the works.

However, it just may take a little longer than we thought. Some of the attractions that we thought we were getting in 2022 or 2023, we’ll now have to wait until 2024 to experience. Likewise, some of the rides scheduled for 2024 are now pushed off until 2025, and so on.

The good news is that if you haven’t been in a few years, there are already a ton of new attractions in Disney World to come and see.

Waiting for what’s coming to the parks next is also a consideration, and either way, you’ll have many new exciting things to see and do.

One of the biggest new things in the parks will be The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration which is starting on September 22, 2023, and will probably carry over until December 31, 2023.

There aren’t any new rides, attractions, restaurants, or hotels created specifically for the anniversary, but we know that there are new experiences opening during this time that were already in the works, plus some new entertainment debut including fireworks shows, plus plenty of snacks and merchandise to enjoy.

Disney World’s 50th anniversary was viewed as a flop since there were many rumors about updated attractions that never materialized in time for the party, but thankfully, some of those are now being planned for the coming years.

The resort has felt empty for the better part of 2023 and there are too many reasons for this to get into in this article. We can just say, if you do have an upcoming trip planned, at least enjoy your favorite rides with vastly lower wait times.

You may have heard that FastPass is gone and the Disney Genie system has now taken its place. This is going to have a big effect on the way you tour the parks, so make sure you read more about it along with our Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes Complete Guide .

You also may know that Disney introduced new MagicBands in 2022 called MagicBand+ . This accessory is the next generation and has a ton of interactive features guests can use during their stay.

After more than a year of using them, we are still not really convinced that MagicBand+ is worth the extra price, but it does have some really cool features to use, and it’ll be interesting to see if more interactivity is rolled out to the parks soon.

If you are trying to figure out which year you should plan your trip, read our post on “Going to Disney World in 2023 or 2024, Which Year is Best?” We will be updating it again soon for the new year, and there we break down the pros and cons of each year.

Also, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. We will keep you updated about the newest attractions coming to Disney World as well as Disney vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

Without further ado, here is what’s new and what’s coming next to Walt Disney World from 2023 to 2025 and beyond.

Table of Contents

Magic Kingdom

Let’s start off in Disney’s Magic Kingdom , where Disney World was born.  Honestly, if you haven’t been in a few years, there aren’t that many new things you need to see, but that will be changing in 2024.

The fireworks situation at the Magic Kingdom has been kind of crazy in recent years. In 2021, the Happily Ever After fireworks show was canceled and replaced by the newest nighttime spectacular Disney Enchantment . It debuted on October 1, 2021, to mostly negative reviews from fans and we definitely don’t think it lives up to its predecessor.

If you didn’t like it, no worries, Disney Enchantment is already gone and Happily Ever After is now back at the Magic Kingdom ! The show made its new debut on April 4, 2023. The good news is we were even more blown away this time around than during its original run.

It still has the same incredible soundtrack, but it’s added even more special effects including projections down Main Street U.S.A., so even if you can’t get into The Hub for the show, you will still have something new to appreciate.

The Magic Kingdom definitely isn’t the park with the highest number of attractions coming in the next few years, but it has one of the biggest ones, and definitely the fastest new ride. 

The biggest by far is the TRON Lightcycle Run roller coaster .  This is a clone of the roller coaster in Shanghai Disneyland, and it has quickly jumped to becoming the most popular ride in the park.

It was originally scheduled for a Spring/Summer 2021 opening date, but it wasn’t ready in time for the 50th anniversary and instead it opened on April 4, 2023. We’ve now been able to ride multiple times, and it’s become one of our favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom.

The only complaint we have is that it’s short, but Disney Imagineers did an excellent job with this one, especially since they were operating under a reduced budget than what was originally planned for the attraction.

The big news that was dropped over the last couple of years was that one of Disney World’s most beloved attractions, Splash Mountain, getting a complete re-theming into a Princess and the Frog-themed attraction.

The Disney fans are split on whether or not it should happen, but it is happening. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will remain a log flume ride, but now set in the Louisiana Bayou and featuring Princess Tiana and Louis as they bring you on a musical journey from the film.

This is not a small project and it will take between 1-2 years to complete the re-theming. Right now, the construction is currently under way and it is coming to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in Late 2024.

You may have noticed that the Walt Disney World Railroad is now once again making loops around the Magic Kingdom.  It closed in 2018 and was closed for 4 years before finally reopening in December 2022 with changes to the track and narration of the attraction. We’re just happy to have one of our all-time favorite attractions back and running again!

Parties are a big part of the park’s draw, most of these hard-ticketed events have now come back to the Magic Kingdom. Disney After Hours events are now back, but we are still waiting for the Villains After Hours party which is still not back yet.

Don’t expect to see any more E-Ticket attractions in the next few years, but we are still anxiously waiting for a new nighttime parade .  No announcements have been made but rumors persist.

While insiders have been saying for years that it’s coming soon, we don’t expect it in 2023. There is always hope for 2024 though.

At the most recent Destination D23 event we got confirmation on a few Magic Kingdom projects, some we knew about, and others that were a surprise.

This first is that rumors of the Country Bear Jamboree closing in Frontierland were in fact true. Or at least sort of. The Country Bears themselves are sticking around and will be performing a new act in 2024.

All your favorite Country Bears such as Trixie, Big Al, Henry, and the others will be reinterpreting favorite Disney songs in different genres of country music. We’re happy to see that the bears are sticking around and not being replaced with just any IP and we think that if done right if could make this classic attraction relevant once again.

Another addition fans have been clamoring for is the long-awaited Hatbox Ghost coming to the Haunted Mansion. This was an original part of the ride that was taken out shortly after debuting in 1969. The special effects at that time were just not convincing enough for Imagineers, and he was then removed.

Now we know that the Hatbox Ghost will materialize at the Haunted Mansion in “late November” and will be located near the Endless Hallway scene.

We are always ready for another great place to add to our list of Best Bars & Lounges in Disney World , and the newly announced Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge sounds like it might work its way into consideration.

This first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean as a themed lounge located near the classic attraction in Adventureland. We don’t know much at this time, but we do know that the Barker Bird animatronic is making a welcome return.

Possible locations for the lounge are the former Pirates League makeover experience space, or Tortuga Tavern across from the ride’s entrance. Either way, we are pumped!

The biggest news recently about this park is that Disney is working on a huge Magic Kingdom expansion behind Big Thunder Mountain .

They shared some ideas that are being thrown around for this land last year, and it could include Coco, Encanto, and a Disney Villains area (though Encanto is less likely now since that is probably going to Animal Kingdom).

At Destination D23 Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering confirmed it would be a huge expansion project with attractions, restaurants, and shows, and on the same size and scope as Pandora: The World of Avatar or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge .

This project hasn’t technically been green-lit at this time, but with the recent announcement, we definitely are getting something big in that space. Just don’t expect it until 2026 or beyond, but it is encouraging that Disney is moving forward with what will be the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history!

Read our Magic Kingdom Rides Guide for a more look at every ride in the park.

If we were putting this list in order of the parks with the highest number of new rides and attractions coming in the next few years, there is no doubt that EPCOT would be #1.  Even after 4 years, it’s still one big construction zone, and that’s the price we have to pay after years of letting things go.

The good thing is that things are looking up and there is a great, big, beautiful tomorrow in store for EPCOT, as construction is winding down now.

If you haven’t heard yet EPCOT is getting a complete transformation , with new attractions and a complete re-do of the old Future World. 

In the last few of years, Future World has disappeared, and instead, the park has been divided up into 4 new neighborhoods . These are home to the current as well as the new attractions that are coming.

We’re sorry that the EPCOT Experience exhibit at the Odyssey Pavilion has been closed. It was a great way to see the future since it had a huge model and an awesome video of EPCOT and all the pavilions that will be seeing changes in 2023, and extending until 2024, and beyond.

Looking into the front half of the park at World Celebration (the old Future World), this is where we see the most changes happening.

One of the main features of this newly designed area in EPCOT was to be the 3-story Festival Center, which has since been canceled. Located high above World Celebration, it was going to have shops, restaurants, and an observation deck on the top level, providing amazing views into World Showcase.

This was going to be a huge part of the new EPCOT expansion, however, with Disney’s budget cuts for new rides and attractions, the original version of the festival center was no longer viewed as “necessary” and Disney is building something much smaller in its place.

This new area sits on the old location of the former CommuniCore West building and is now more like a festival area rather than an actual elevated pavilion structure in the original concept art. It will be called CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza after the former Future World pavilion.

There will be an indoor area with a Mickey & Friends character meet, as well as a flexible exhibition and gallery space, offering a wide variety of experiences that highlight art, live music, food, a demonstration kitchen, a mixology bar, and more.

CommuniCore Plaza will have the flexibility to host intimate musical performances that extend out into the nearby gardens, as you can see in the rendering above, as well as large-scale concerts

The EPCOT Gardens will make the park more nature-friendly and fill World Celebration with as much green as possible and include a vast network of lush gardens. This area will be filled with plenty of seating for guests, and shade (something EPCOT is currently missing).

“Dreamer’s Point” is an area in World Celebration that will feature a storytelling fountain and also a statue of Walt Disney called “Walt the Dreamer.” Since he never got to see EPCOT built, this is a fitting tribute to the man who started it all.

Construction on World Celebration is already far along, so all the above-mentioned additions will be open by December 2023.

The biggest new attraction at EPCOT is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster which opened on May 27, 2022.  That means it will be open on your next trip to EPCOT and will likely be one of the highlights.

This is a groundbreaking new ride and is one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the world.  It uses new ride vehicle technology called the “Omnicoaster”, awesome storytelling elements, and crazy special effects which have instantly made it the most ride in EPCOT.

We’ve now had a chance to ride it dozens of times and were completely blown away by the new ride system and all the incredible special effects Disney Imagineers worked so hard on over the last few years. This could be the best roller coaster in Disney World and it’s a must-do for the majority of guests.

The Moana: Journey of Water attraction is one that was just announced a few years ago, and the first attraction based on the Walt Disney Studios hit film.  It is located near The Seas, in the area that Innoventions West used to call home.

Moana: Journey of Water opened on October 16, 2023 and we’ve had a chance to interact with magical, living water in this interactive experience ourselves, and it’s really cool. It’s not an actual ride so don’t get your hopes up for that, but it’s a nice addition to World Celebration and aesthetically gorgeous.

There is also a Moana Character Meet coming to the same area starting on October 16, 2023 with a meet and greet space with a similar look to Journey of Water.

On the other side in World Discovery, the Play! Pavilion is being built in the old Wonders of Life building.  Disney describes it as an “immersive and interactive city” where they promise interactions with your favorite Disney characters, and it will be another addition aimed at a younger audience. 

No specific IPs have been announced yet, but the concept art gives away who you can expect to see.

This was supposed to be open in time for the 50th Anniversary in 2021, but with so much time passed and so little done on the project at this time, we are not even sure if it will get built. At the earliest, we can expect it in 2025, but we aren’t hopeful at this time.

One announcement we definitely were not expecting, but we’ve been hoping for is the reimagining of Test Track in World Discovery. Imagineers and teams from Chevrolet are looking back to the classic EPCOT ride World of Motion for inspiration of the next version of Test Track.

Not much is known about what it will be like yet, but with the current version being about 13 years old already and much maligned, we are very excited to see if Test Track can return to the glory days.

The rumor that won’t go away is big changes coming to the Imagination! Pavilion , and though changes are needed desperately, nothing has been announced so far.  This is one project that even if Disney did have plans for, it has likely been pushed way back.

If we do eventually get a new ride, we expect Figment to still play a major role, but don’t expect anything new to open here until 2024 or later.

At least the Figment character meet debuted on September 10, 2023, though it doesn’t seem complete without The Dreamfinder! Maybe he will join Figment in the future.

Hungry guests in World Celebration will be happy to know there is a new dining choice in the front half of EPCOT as Connections Café & Eatery has taken over the old location of the Electric Umbrella. The food here is excellent and there are lots of great pizza, burger, and salad options to choose from.

Of all the new rides coming to Walt Disney World, this next project is the one we are personally most curious about. Work was supposed to get started a few years ago on a complete refurbishment of Spaceship Earth called: “Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story.”  

This classic attraction was getting a total overhaul, with new scenes, changes to the existing ones, and a new way of telling the story to guests.

That has officially come to a halt, and when Disney World reopened, Spaceship Earth returned with it, in its prior form. It will probably still happen eventually, but it wasn’t necessary when money is tight right now.

We were a bit nervous about the development of this new take on a classic EPCOT ride, and hope that when it eventually does get built that it doesn’t lose some of what makes it so special. 

At this point, construction hasn’t even started and there is no telling now when it might start. The rumor was that this is an 18-month project, so we likely won’t see it finished before 2025 or 2026 even if they do decide to do it.

On a positive note, Spaceship Earth has new lights installed in between each of the panels on the outside of the structure for the new nighttime light show “Beacons of Magic.”

This is one of the coolest additions to EPCOT in years and it looks absolutely stunning in person. The show repeats every 10-15 minutes once the sun sets, and we highly recommend going down near Spaceship Earth to watch it!

The front half of EPCOT isn’t the only area that is getting new attractions.  There are plenty of amazing new changes to World Showcase as well, starting with Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure.

This interactive experience replaces Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure and lets guests join Scrooge McDuck, Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Launchpad, and Webby in search of priceless treasure.  It opened on December 16, 2022.

Canada has been getting an exterior makeover, but its film recently got one too in “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 3D.”   It has new scenes, a new musical score, and updated visuals that will take your breath away.

The huge expansion to the France Pavilion is probably one of the most exciting new additions in Disney World for many guests.  Disney took arguably the best pavilion in World Showcase and made it even better.

The new area is now open and starts in the back of the France pavilion. There you will come across a beautiful new plaza, filled with shops and dining options.  In fact, you must try the La Creperie de Paris , where we have been spending a lot of our time eating crepes!

The crown jewel of the France expansion though is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure .  This is a copycat of the ride already found in Disneyland Paris and it offers yet another family-friendly attraction in EPCOT. It has instantly become one of the best new rides for Kids in Disney World .

Guests hop inside a unique trackless vehicle and are shrunk down to the size of a rat.  You’ll join Remy through a wild adventure in Gusteau’s kitchen where you’ll fly under tables, through the walls, and avoid danger at every turn. 

The expansion to the France pavilion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened on October 1, 2021, and after riding it many times, we can say it’s a blast! And don’t worry, you no longer have to use the virtual queue for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure as there is now a standby queue.

Another film, “Beauty and the Beast” Sing-Along , has taken over the Impressions de France theater, most of the day that is.  This is a recent effort by Disney to introduce more characters into EPCOT.

We aren’t usually as harsh as some, but this show is bad and there is no doubt that this is a downgrade to the original show. We just wish there were more showings of Impressions de France every day instead of being relegated to the end of the evening.

The last new film coming to EPCOT is another Circle-Vision 360 film coming to the China pavilion called “Wondrous China.”   This film replaces the old one, again with entirely new scenes being filmed. 

There is no exact date for it yet, but expect it to debut sometime in 2024.

Perhaps the most intriguing new attraction coming to Disney World in the next few years now is not coming after all. In 2019, Disney announced a new attraction based on one of Disney’s most beloved characters of all time, Mary Poppins.

Details around the Mary Poppins attraction have been hush-hush so far, but plans called for it to completely transform the back of the U.K. pavilion into a real-life Cherry Tree lane.

Construction never began on the project, however, and Disney has announced the project has been canceled for now. Disney leadership said that they haven’t forgotten about the project, but whether it ever gets built remains to be seen.

There is no shortage of amazing places to eat in EPCOT , but a bunch of new restaurants have opened in the last couple of years that have placed themselves among the best in the park.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue is a quick service restaurant that opened in 2020 and quickly became one of our favorite counter service restaurants in Disney World .

Located in the American Adventure pavilion, it offers authentic BBQ, and has a menu that will make your mouth water! Oh yeah, and its mascot is Sam the Eagle from the Muppets too!

Definitely, the most ambitious new restaurant coming to Disney World, or any theme park in the world for that matter is a space-themed restaurant called Space 220 . 

Located near Mission: SPACE in Future World, this restaurant takes diners out of this world and the giant LED windows make it look like you are eating in outer space! 

Space 220 finally opened in 2021, but it is one of the hardest-to-get dining reservations in Walt Disney World, selling out months in advance. It’s absolutely incredible, however, and we highly recommend going. Check our guide to Disney World Advanced Dining Reservations for tips on getting a table at any restaurant in Disney World.

If you are a sushi fan, head over to the Japan pavilion as you definitely won’t want to miss the new replacement restaurant for Tokyo Dining, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya . The food here is awesome, with lots of great options other than sushi such as tempura and rice bowls. Plus the view is amazing.

There are also plenty of new entertainment options in EPCOT with a brand new fireworks show lighting up World Showcase Lagoon.  Unfortunately, there have been many changes to get to this point.

First of all, we had to say goodbye to our all-time favorite Disney fireworks show “Illuminations,” but after 20 years, it was time for something fresh.

The big replacement show which was supposed to be permanent debuted in 2021 and was called: “Disney Harmonious.” It was one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney theme park but it wasn’t a smash hit with guests and it was more like a Disney concert gone bad.

This is probably because it was centered around Disney songs, a drastic change from EPCOT shows of the past. Even the temporary show “EPCOT Forever”  held true to EPCOT’s roots as a throwback to the classic EPCOT of our youth, with songs from the original attractions.

However, things have gotten crazy here lately as Disney has announced a new nighttime spectacular is coming to EPCOT and that EPCOT Forever would be the temporary holdover show until the new one is ready.

We now know that the new show will be called “ EPCOT Luminous – The Symphony of US “ and it’s opening on December 5, 2023.

Disney has announced that Luminous will be a “Brand new show filled with fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects. Fabulous Disney music. Luminous is going to touch your heart. And it’s going to continue our long tradition of amazing nighttime entertainment EPCOT. I cannot wait for you to see it.”

At least those ugly barges have also disappeared from World Showcase Lagoon with this change!

Until its final performance in December 2023, you can still watch EPCOT Forever . It features some cool new effects, pyrotechnics, lasers, and fireworks. While not our favorite show, it’s still worth seeing and it will be around until the new show debuts.

We don’t know exactly what Luminous will be about (except for the whole “us” part, but Disney is making a concerted effort to appeal to a younger generation in EPCOT, only time will tell if those efforts pay off while at the same time not isolating the park’s older fans.

Lastly, there are most likely more new rides and attractions coming to EPCOT in the next few years that Disney has yet to announce. 

There is always the rumor of new World Showcase pavilions coming too. Right now Brazil still seems like the most likely, but nothing is 100% at this time, and with the economic downturn, don’t expect this before 2024 or 2025.

Only one thing is certain, EPCOT is going to be a completely new park when you step foot inside it in 2023 or 2024, and we can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

Read our EPCOT Rides Guide for a more in-depth look at every ride in the park.

Hollywood Studios

If EPCOT is more about the future of Disney World, Hollywood Studios is already in the here and now.  If you came to Hollywood Studios a few years ago, it was one big construction zone, much like EPCOT is today. 

Disney has spent billions of dollars on the park over the last few years, leading to some of the best new Disney World rides we’ve seen in a long time!

If you haven’t been to Toy Story Land yet, then you’ll definitely want to check that out on your next visit.  Guests step into Andy’s backyard and ride 3 attractions that are good for the whole family.

Toy Story Mania! is still there, though it has a brand new interactive queue that you will love.  It’s still one of the best rides in Hollywood Studios and a must-do.

The two newest rides there, however, are Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog Dash .  Alien Swirling Saucers is a classic spinner ride, and fun if you like the theming, but not one of our favorites.

Slinky Dog Dash, on the other hand, we absolutely love it, and it is one of the newer roller coasters in Walt Disney World.  Make sure you buy a Genie+ pass or get in line for it early on your next visit.

There was some disappointment with Toy Story Land when it opened, and Disney is already expanding it, adding a new table service restaurant called Roundup Rodeo BBQ .  It’s already open, and from our first experience there we really liked it.

It’s not the best food in the world, but it was a whole lot of fun and you will enjoy it if you are a Toy Story fan!

The real big addition to Hollywood Studios, however, is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge .  We’d heard about this new immersive land for years, and finally, it’s now open.

Even though it does have some flaws, we have to say that Disney hit it out of the park with Galaxy’s Edge and it’s one of the best theme park experiences we’ve had in a long time.

Besides the amazing land itself, the many dining options, and the custom lightsaber and droid building experiences , Star Wars Land is also home to two of Hollywood Studios’ newest rides.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run lets you step onto the iconic spaceship from the Star Wars movies, and pilot your way on a secret smuggling mission on the outer rim.  You actually get to pilot the ship yourself and we think it’s a whole lot of fun.

Everything that has come to Disney World over the last few years, however, pales in comparison with the land’s second attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance .  This is the most immersive ride experience Disney has ever built, and it will completely blow you away.

Not only is it the newest attraction in Disney World, it’s also the best.  That’s why the entrance to Hollywood Studios is packed every morning, and why people are getting in line for hours at a time just to ride.

If there is only one new Disney attraction you do on this list, make sure it is Rise of the Resistance. It surpasses all expectations!

But wait, there’s more.  As if there weren’t enough new attractions in Disney World, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened in the Chinese Theater on March 4, 2020. 

This is the first Mickey Mouse-themed attraction in a Disney park, and it has lived up to expectations and is now one of our favorite attractions in the park.

Join Mickey and Minnie on a zany adventure in yet another new attraction that uses trackless ride vehicle technology, with many surprises along the way.

Speaking of Mickey Mouse, the Mickey Shorts Theater also recently debuted and features hilarious animated shorts from the “Mickey Mouse” series.  This took over the space in the ABC Sound Studio, the former home of Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, which is now gone.

And though not quite as interesting as some of the aforementioned attractions, you should check out the new Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy over off Sunset Blvd, especially if you have kids or are fans of the Cars franchise.

Beyond what has recently been added, not too much is on the schedule for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but this was the park that got the most attention in the past years, so Disney can be happy stepping back for a while and seeing all the new Disney rides that are now part of the park.

One change we do know about is that Ahsoka scenes are being added to Star Tours, so if you are a fan of that show you will certainly want to ride it.

We also know there is going to be a third phase to the overhaul of Hollywood Studios coming in the future, but the details of that are not confirmed at this time, and we are looking at 2025 or later until we actually see anything of substance besides what we’ve talked about already.

Read our Hollywood Studios Rides Guide for a more look at every ride in the park.

Animal Kingdom

Up until recently, Disney’s Animal Kingdom didn’t have too many new attractions planned in the next few years, or at least not that Disney was willing to talk about at that time. This has changed in a big way and we are now getting a whole new land.

For years we’ve been asking “what is Disney going to do with DinoLand U.S.A?” A while back, Primeval Whirl closed permanently , and the entire structure has been demolished, leaving the surrounding area pretty dead.

What is going to go in its place? At the latest Destination D23 event, we got some exciting news as Josh D’Amaro and executives from Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios gave us an updated look at the potential DinoLand replacement.

The concept art they showed for the Animal Kingdom expansion land includes two areas, one for Indiana Jones, and another for Encanto, with what seems to be three rides in total.

The way it was presented, the new land would be themed to the tropical Americas and would replace the entire DinoLand U.S.A. area. With this, the popular ride Dinosaur would be re-themed to Indiana Jones.

This is a stark change from the original blue sky concept for this land that was shown at the latest D23 Expo. That concept art included two areas, one for Moana, and another for Zootopia. However, with Moana already in EPCOT and Zootopia coming to another part of the Animal Kingdom (more on that in a minute), they must have liked the Encanto/Indiana Jones combo more.

Disney Imagineering head Bruce Vaughn said: “Imagineering has been talking about stories from this part of the world; Encanto with Indiana Jones just rose to the top. They give us so much to play with. We have a long way to go now and a lot more to discover. But our team here in Florida is all over it.”

That is unclear at this time if this is the version of the land that Disney will settle on, but one thing is certain, they are committed to giving Dinoland U.S.A a re-theme . Just remember, nothing has been decided upon 100% at this time. Even when they do finalize the plans, it wouldn’t arrive until 2025 or later. 

We’ll have to wait and see just exactly what they have in store for us.

We have been holding out hope for a Zootopia Land coming in the future, but now it looks like that will not be happening at the Animal Kingdom. Instead, a new Zootopia show is coming to the Tree of Life and replacing “It’s Tough to be a Bug.”

The final concept for the show is still being determined and no closure date for the old show or debut date for the new show have been announced at this time.

Let’s also not forget the big additions to the park we got when they added the $400 million dollar land, Pandora: The World of Avatar.

Even though Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the bigger draw right now, for some fans, the best land in Disney World actually lives in the Animal Kingdom.  Pandora opened in 2017 and has been amazing guests ever since with its breathtaking views, incredible scenery, and two great new rides.

The Na’vi River Journey is a classic Disney river ride, bringing you inside a living, bioluminescent forest on the planet of Pandora. 

There you will see beautiful visuals throughout the journey, and encounter perhaps the most impressive audio-animatronic figure ever built, the Shaman of Songs.  We wish it was a little longer, but it’s a solid ride.

Before Rise of the Resistance became big, Flight of Passage was the new, must-see attraction in Walt Disney World. 

Do you know what it feels like to ride a banshee? Think of how you feel when riding Soarin,’ and then triple the excitement level.  We think this is the most thrilling attraction in Disney World and is a close 1b for our favorite.

Since Pandora opened, things have been relatively quiet in the Animal Kingdom.  There have been some smaller additions to the park, but nothing E-Ticket.

Animal Kingdom is still having a difficult time finding a headline daytime or nighttime show for the park. The most recent daytime show, “Disney KiteTales” has come and gone, and so has “Rivers of Light: We Are One.”

We still think the Animal Kingdom is in need of a new nighttime show, but Disney needs to wait a bit to make sure the next one is a success. Perhaps a new nighttime show could make it to Disney’s Animal Kingdom sometime in 2024, but we may have to wait longer than that.

We’ll keep an eye out here for you and let you know as soon as more new Disney rides and attractions are officially announced here.

Read our Animal Kingdom Rides Guide for a more look at every ride in the park.

Just because we’ve gone over everything coming to the Disney World parks in 2023-2025, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other new things like hotels and restaurants to be excited about in the next few years.

The next big resort is the recently announced new DVC Tower coming to Disney’s Polynesian Resort . The new tower is being built on the old Spirit of Aloha site and will offer incredible views across the lagoon.

We’re not crazy about the style of the new tower as it looks kind of generic to us, but what do we know? It will definitely have amazing views of the lagoon and fireworks shows, and it will also probably have some more yummy food options to choose from.

We don’t have an exact date at this time, but we expect it to open sometime in 2024.

Disney has also recently announced big plans to renovate The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort into a new DVC property with a completely different look than before.

“Design concepts offer a fresh take on the current cabin experience and are inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling.”

The Cabins are also expected to open sometime in 2024.

Besides what is coming, we’ve seen the opening of a few new hotels in Disney World that we really enjoy.  The first, the Gran Destino Tower , is actually an addition to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. 

We love staying there and think that it’s now the best moderate resort on property. The rooms have great views and we really like Toledo’s restaurant on the top floor.

After that came Disney’s Riviera Resort .  This DVC Resort is built onto the same site as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and is a first-class hotel. 

We’ve stayed here now multiple times and have always had an amazing time. We loved everything from the grounds to the restaurants and guest amenities. You have to eat at Topolino’s whether you are staying here or not!

The location is also fantastic, set right in-between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Those are the best two parks for new Disney attractions in 2024 and beyond, and staying here puts you close to all the action.

The easiest way to get to either of those locations is in fact on the new Disney Skyliner Gondola transportation system . 

Though it’s had a few hiccups early on in its operation, things have been going smoothly for months now, and the Disney Skyliner has quickly become our favorite mode of transportation in Walt Disney World. 

On our last trip, that’s literally all my sister wanted to do was ride the Skyliner back and forth! Hahaha.

The Disney World Swan Reserve also just opened next to the Swan and Dolphin Resorts and is a high-end, boutique resort aimed at executives and those wanting a luxury resort experience.  This opened in late 2021, and while most families won’t stay here, it does give you one more location on property.

If you are looking for a place to stay on the Seven Seas Lagoon, you are in luck as Disney is bringing some new options for guests. In June 2022, more than 200 new resort studios opened at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

We think they did an incredible job with the theme and they were able to keep the Victorian-age charm while adding in a subtle hint of Mary Poppins. There is also a huge refurbishment to the lobby at the Grand Floridian coming in 2023 which will bring a modern, yet timeless look to the iconic resort.

Right across the lagoon, the rooms at the Contemporary Resort got a refurbishment and now are themed to the Incredibles. We don’t like this one as much, it’s a little too cheesy for a deluxe resort. Kids, on the other hand, seem to really like it so it depends on what type of audience you are visiting with.

The biggest disappointment is the closing of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel .  This wasn’t just a hotel, but it was a 2-night Star Wars experience and adventure that you and your family could live out.

We got to stay here on March 1, 2022, for the hotel’s maiden voyage, and it was unlike any other hotel experience we’ve ever experienced in the world.  Guests stepped onboard the “Halcyon ” ship and felt like they were actually being transported to stay on a starcruiser in space. 

Of course, there were onboard dining and immersive experiences that all helped make it feel real. 

There was even an excursion to go on in Galaxy’s Edge and missions you and your family had to carry out.  Even Kylo Ren and the First Order made their presence known on board the Star Wars Hotel during your stay.

However, Booking a stay on the Galactic Starcruiser wasn’t a cheap proposition and it was out of reach for the majority of families who really wanted to experience it. We had doubts that Disney would be able to make it work long-term, and unfortunately, we were right.

The hotel was well received by guests who actually stayed onboard, but it just didn’t have staying power as the months went by.

If you never got to experience it and want to see what it was like, you can read our review and see why we feel the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is worth the high price to stay there.

At this point, we can say with certainty that the Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge project has been officially canceled. This was another DVC resort planned to be built on Bay Lake at the old River Country site. It would have brought 1,700 new rooms on property in an ideal location near Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

The latest word on the street however is that Disney has already scrapped the Reflections resort with the concrete being taken up and grass seed planted over the property.

We are the first ones to recommend renting DVC points to save big money on your trip , but Disney certainly doesn’t need more DVC rooms at the moment with all the others opening, so it would make sense if they don’t build it. What is surprising is that it was one of the only locations on property where construction was continuing during the closure.

Even though it won’t get built any time soon, we hope Disney will come back and put something good on this piece of land. It’s such prime real estate, it would be a shame to not have anything here. Plus that means we won’t be getting the Princess Tiana restaurant, which would really be irritating!

These are the latest new resorts opening in 2024 and beyond, and whichever ones end up getting built, for the most part, they sound like they are going to be incredible!

Disney Springs

A very underrated part of Walt Disney World that many forget to take full advantage of is Dinsey Springs.  This is home to world-class shopping and dining, and honestly, I think we’ve eaten here more over the last 3 years than any other place on property.

Even more new dining options have come to Disney Springs in the last couple of years.  The City Works Eatery & Pour House is incredible, and a great location to enjoy a beer and some good food, and watch the latest sporting event during your stay.

Everything, including the appetizers, main courses, and desserts totally blew us away. Whatever you do, save room for the famous Peanut Butter Snickers Pie which is to die for!

Some more amazing treats have come to Disney Springs in the last year or so and stopping at Gideon’s Bakehouse is now a rite of passage when you come to Disney World. These are seriously the most delicious cookies we’ve ever eaten and they are HUGE!

Just be prepared to wait in line for a while as it can be an hour or more, so the earlier you get here in the morning the better!

If you are more of a donut person, I have good news for you. Head over to Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew for some monumental and decadent treats. I wish I could do breakfast like this every day!

We also have to say that the new Salt & Straw is now our favorite place for ice cream in Disney Springs. We like it even more than Ghirardelli’s. The flavors are all so unique and the ice cream is of a much higher quality than most places on property. Stop by after dinner one night and be amazed.

What we are most excited about though in Disney Springs is the new show Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life.   This has replaced the old Cirque show and is inspired by Disney animation and storytelling.

We got to see this on a recent trip, and we were blown away! We thought the old show was still awesome, and the new one is right up there, if not even better. The new acrobatics and choreography are breathtaking as always, and we love how they will tie it all together with the Disney characters.

If you are going to Disney World in the next few years make sure to take the time to go here one evening. If it is half as good as the previous show, you will love it!

That wraps up our look at everything that is new in Disney World, and what’s coming next in 2023, 2024, and beyond.  Honestly, if you haven’t been to Disney World in a long time, the next few years are as good as any time to do it.

There are so many new rides and attractions coming to Disney in the immediate future, and you will have an almost unlimited amount of things to see, do and explore.

Who knows what else Disney has in store for us.  For sure, there are more attractions in the works that they haven’t announced yet. 

Some are even hoping for a new 5th Disney theme park in Disney World . While we don’t think that this will happen in the next 10 years, we could see something like that coming at some point after that.

We are just bummed that the High-Speed Railway system won’t be coming directly to Disney World in the next few years, which would have given guests another way to reach the resort or visit other parts of Florida while they are here.

Whatever the case, we are ecstatic to have all these new projects coming up to look forward to, and it certainly does seem like there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream away.

Make sure to read our post on the Best Rides at Walt Disney World for a full list and rankings of all the rides. Also if you are thinking about an upcoming trip, read our Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for answers to all your most common questions and planning needs.

Ready to Start Planning Your Disney Vacation?

If you feel overwhelmed planning a Disney vacation, use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner such as Show You the World Travel . They are experts on every Disney location and can tell you where to stay, what to do, how to save money, and give you personalized service for your most magical vacation ever!

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about what’s new and next coming to Disney World in 2023-2025 and beyond…

• Which new Disney attractions are you most excited about?
• What else would you like to see come to Disney World in the near future?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

Tony Piscitelli

Saturday 16th of September 2023

With all of the changes anticipated at all of the Disney Parks, even with some of the popular one's gone or going, there still is nowhere else where the "Magic" is present. We are planning another trip in early 2024, and of what you have written, there is a feeling of excitement and wonder just to get there, with no delay. I am more than positive when we finally arrive, just trying to decide which of the parks will be on our priority list. It will be a fun challenge for all, but I am confident that whatever decision we make, it will be a great beginning, and an overwhelming joy. You always provide us with all of the latest news and information which, without a doubt helps in so many ways, and is more than appreciated. It is something I look forward to because I am sure, with all of your personal and expert knowledge regarding this topic I will not hesitate to use it as a guide, which will help to make our visit a memorable one. Thank you. Tony P.

George Mells

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

Considering that all the mechanical portions of the Splash Mountain ride (tracking, plumbing, controls, etc) and all that is being changed is the scenery and maybe some of the animatics, why is it taking so long. Hollywood builds complete alien sets in months so the construction should be minor. Am I underestimating the efforts involved?

Saturday 26th of February 2022

Is it true that the parks are extremely crowded, and the lines are worse than ever? We were speaking to someone who went this week who said she was only able to get on one ride. She said the park was so crowded, she left early. We have reservations to bring my son and his family in November, and we don’t want to waste our money on 7 tickets if this is the case.

Friday 16th of April 2021

I am glad for Reflections not being built! We stay at Fort Wilderness, and the plan would have taken up half the beach, and encroached on Pioneer Hall in a way that would ruin the quiet ambiance of the Fort. All us Disney Campers would prefer that Disney take note of the boom in RV'ing and expand the Fort where River Country used to be, maybe leaving the lazy river idea in. There are new RV resorts built outside of the bubble that are the same price as Fort Wilderness right now, without the Disney Perks!

I also agree with Franklin about Disney getting too political and too corporate. I would love some more "non-cartoon/movie" based attractions. Those are the things that I actually feel make Disney unique- not theming around another movie- that just makes them another Universal, and loses the imagination. Maybe that is just the homeschooler in me, but gosh, can we expand our creativity to some open ended attractions-? I imagine they will redo Soarin to follow some cartoon character before long.

charal a lansing

Friday 12th of November 2021

DISNEY I HAVE BERN FLA PASSHOLDER FOR OVER 30 YRS. YOUR NEW PLAN TO CHARGE FL RESIDENTS FULL PRICES WILL RESULT IN US NOT GOING TO DISNEY UNTIL YOU GET IT TOGETHER. SAD BECAUSE I LOVE DISNEY SINCE 1974 BUT YOUR PUSHING IT TOO FAR FOR FL RESIDENTS. SORRY TO SEE YOU GO BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!

Franklin Haney

Saturday 6th of March 2021

Have you seen the prices for the Star Wars Hotel...More than @1200.00 per person per day. Maybe one tome for some, for most it's a never going to happen. Disney has taken away so many magical extras, yet continues to raise prices. No more Magical Express, THis is supposed to replaced by the High Speen train you mentioned, At around $60.00 per person per way. Let alone the fact that you must transfer from the train station across the street for Disney Springs, THan find a bus to your Hotel of choice. All of this while tooting you baggage and kids. You think the bus's are croweded now, just think what it will be like with people and their luggage. Not to mention the fact that flights run 24/7 and the bus system dose not. Someone in Disney is not thinking. No more extra magic Hours, Instead Disney decided that 30 minute early entry to all parks each day for hotel guest was a better idea. Again Disney did not think this one through. I will take you that 30 minutes to get from the front gate to 7 Dwarfs, Splash, Big Thunder, Or to Avatar, Everset. Likewise Sorin, Test Track and world showcase dose not even open early ever. How about Slinkey Dog, Smugglers run, Tower, anything in Star Wars Land. Besides tha fact that THOUSANDS of people stay at all those over priced Hotels on Property. The prices are going up and the benifits are going down. Disney is killing itself, Sad to see a place I grew up looking foward to visiting. Splash retheaming, Jungle Cruise retheaming, Disney has gone political.

Tuesday 4th of May 2021

@Franklin Haney, you are absolutely right. Politics need to be kept out of the parks! Splash mountain is based on the animals not the people in “song of the south”. Anyone who’s been on the ride knows it’s not a racist ride at all. Disney needs to stop bowing down to the rants of a few who are ruining the magic for the rest of us!

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43 replies to this topic

According to today’s local evening news, many slot machines still not back online. They did not mention any other issues as they may be (?) trying to downplay the cyber attack

Someone on Twitter said they have been at Park since Monday and cannot access $250 free play or $350 food and beverage.

Wouldn’t count it. When is check in?

@larilu that’s not good. Hopefully things will be fixed soon. I really feel bad for everyone that had their vacations messed up.

@johnnylawless that totally stinks. I hope they are able to get credit for everything before they leave.

@canadianOil We still have a little bit of a wait. So hopefully things will be straightened out by the time we arrive.

Just bring xtra cash and roll the dice... Worse case just stay somewhere else. Maybe stay off strip if your more budget type!

@Liberal Logic… Thank you. We are lucky and have a friend that lives in the area so if it’s awful we can go there. I haven’t been there in about 5 or 6 years (or more?) and I’m really looking forward to staying on the strip. I guess we will see…

I would look at another property chain. This is likely a ransomware attack where the hackers are demanding $$ for release of the data/systems.

I would not under any circumstance give my CC info to an MGM property right now.

Book another property, do not expect your free play, or your F&B credits if you are coming in the next few days.

MGM is not the entirety of Las Vegas, and there are plenty of places that you can still enjoy.

This kind of thing happens all the time to all sorts of businesses, but do not use digital/plastic currency with this company while the data breach is active.

Post 7 you got me thinking... All their machines are infected with a virus and yet they allowing cards to be put in machines. It's sneaky n shady what MGM is doing. Until the ransom is paid by MGM and or the virus is removed MGM should of shut down the resorts. It's total negligence! Now their customers could be getting breached!

Let’s look at it sensibly - if you have already booked or stayed previously at MGM the casino already has your cc information logged so there isn’t much you can do about that.

Also - a million other places to which you have given your cc details that have been hacked have this info. You can search this online if you like - go look, you would be surprised! Just go to the website haveIbeenpwned to see if your email appears in a data breach.

Secondly, if you are comped at MGM it wouldn’t be sensible, in my opinion, to pay to stay elsewhere, unless you can engage a comp somewhere else. Just stay there, use your room etc and use facilities in other casinos if they aren’t back on line. It’s a big place - there’s a lot to do - just hop over to another resort to game.

A data breach/cybersecurity attack doesn’t mean the end of the world for a hotel stay - all the facilities are still there, you’re just going to have to go further afield for gambling.

I totally agree with what A4A had stated, per #9 Post.

Be past, coming up, & present MGM stays, that person's ccard information is AND was already on file within the MGM's Database System.

And for anyone whom thinks that their ccard information is 100% safe with any other company they give out their ccard information to, you are most mistakenly wrong to assume that. The majority of businesses or companies invest the bare minimal to securitize electronic & financial data on file. Be online purchases made, use of Rideshare services, ccard services, banking services, utility payment services, &/or whatever; your ccard & financial information is on file; whereaas, once that system gets hacked, your left (for the most part) at your own mercy to work it all out.

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UPCOMING   TRIPS

Our team has carefully curated a selection of upcoming trips that offer unique and unforgettable experiences. Explore all the exciting travel experiences we have planned for this year.

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Las Vegas, NV

April 19, 2024

April 22, 2024

From round-the-clock casino action to headline shows, Las Vegas stands tall as the electrifying Entertainment Capital of the World. When not winning at the slots, travelers might enjoy.....

TRIP IS FULL - Register to be added to waitlist. Book by date was 1/20/24

Dude Ranch: Tucson, Arizona

May 2, 2024

May 6, 2024

Saddle up, partners! Relive the Wild West at an authentic ranch in Tucson’s rugged, rolling borderland. Hitch up your boots and hang onto your 10-gallon hat for daily horseback riding and even a chance to chase some cows in a...

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New York: The Big Apple

May 16, 2024

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Experience the unparalleled wonders of New York City! From iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty to the vibrant Times Square and Central Park, immerse yourself in its rich culture and diverse attractions......

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Disneyland® Resort & California Adventure® Park

June 6, 2024

June 10, 2024

Experience wonder and excitement at Disneyland® Resort! Enjoy two theme parks, classic attractions, thrilling rides, and magical entertainment. Visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and discover Pixar Pier, Cars Land, Incredicoaster, and Avengers.......

TRIP IS FULL - Register to be added to the waitlist. Book by date was 3/8/24.

Hawaii: The Big Island & Dolphin Quest

July 30, 2024

August 5, 2024

At Dolphin Quest, amazing face-to-face encounters allow travelers to get in the water and touch these gentle, magnificent beauties. Plus, there’s so much more to experience on the Big Island tour, including Rainbow Falls, City of Refuge, Hawaii......

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Oregon Camp

August 8, 2024

August 12, 2024

Get back to nature in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, an area renowned for its beautiful mountain scenery and pristine rivers! Your cabin on the peaceful Molalla River is the base camp for unlimited outdoor recreation....

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Knott's Berry Farm

September 6, 2024

September 9, 2024

Experience endless fun at Knott's Berry Farm®! Enjoy over 165 top-notch rides, shows, and interactive experiences in four themed areas. Brave high-thrill rides, explore Old West Ghost Town®, hang out with the Peanuts Gang in Camp Snoopy®.......

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Dublin, Ireland

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Embark on an incredible Dublin tour! Discover vibrant pubs with traditional music, the historic Book of Kells, Viking heritage, Dublin Castle, lively markets, museums, parks, and more. Enjoy bus tours, river cruises, and explore the stunning......

TRIP IS FULL - Register to be added to waitlist. Book by date was 5/21/24

Memphis & Elvis Graceland

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Discover the iconic Graceland® Mansion, the second most famous home in America! Explore Elvis Presley's artifacts, platinum awards, custom airplanes, autos, and fashion in the expansive exhibit complex. Visit Sun Studio, where music legends.....

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Experience Disneyland® Resort's spellbinding Halloween adventure! Explore two bewitching theme parks with thrilling rides and classic attractions. Uncover Halloween Screams, Monsters After Dark, and the Pumpkin Festival. Enjoy spooky surprises.....

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QuikTrip News

Quiktrip invests over $3 million in phoenix-area nonprofits.

This week, representatives from QuikTrip were joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego as QT announced more than $3 million in grants awarded to local nonprofits and first responder organizations to...

QT Partners with Georgia 'Motel to Home' Program

Thanks to the success of the program and a transformative gift that expands a partnership with QuikTrip, Motel To Home has grown to serve all of metro Atlanta in 12...

2023 Folds of Honor FreedomFest was a Blast!

Tulsa's annual Folds of Honor FreedomFest returned for its 47th year in 2023!

QT Sponsors At-Promise Field Day in ATL

On June 30, teams of law enforcement officers, youth and volunteers took over the fields of Atlanta’s Westside Park for a day of community building activities sponsored by QuikTrip, Chick-fil-A...

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Kwik trip gears up for 2024 grand openings, east college store seeks valentine’s day opening.

Photo by Deb Gau Construction continued Thursday at the Kwik Trip location on East College Drive.

MARSHALL — Within a year Marshall’s two new Kwik Trip locations should be open and ready for hundreds of customers.

Construction crews are nearing completion on the East College Drive Kwik Trip site. Marshall Economic Development Authority Director Lauren Deutz said Kwik Trip aims to complete interior work this winter and that it wants to open in February.

“They’re aiming for a Valentine’s Day grand opening,” Deutz said. “It’s coming along really well. People have driven by on East College Drive and are interested in their progress.”

Kwik Trip purchased the two Cattoor Oil stations on East College Drive and West Main Street earlier this year. The West Main Street site won’t be developed until 2024. The process will include the removal of four houses either through moves or demolitions. A grand opening is expected in November.

“Things had to move slower on West Main because of the houses,” Deutz said. “It takes time for the transactions and title work. By next year at this time both sites should be operating.”

Cattoor Oil has been a Marshall fixture for many years. It once comprised three stations, including one near Southwest Minnesota State University on property that’s currently Borch’s Sporting Goods.

The East College Drive and Bruce Street station was established as a Super America in the 1980s. It was most recently a Speedway station. It was the site of Marshall’s Domino’s Pizza, which moved to a new building at East College Drive and Jewett Street.

Prior to Super America, the corner was home to the Lloyd’s Fairway grocery store operated by Lloyd Mikel. Lloyd’s was one of Marshall neighborhood grocery stores in the 1960s. Others included Super Valu on West College Drive currently Western Printing and Red Owl on West Main Street currently the Marshall Independent.

The West Main Street site was home to Toni’s Depot since the early 1990s. The property was previously a cafe, but underwent extensive remodeling to make way for Toni’s Depot.

The restaurant was started by longstanding Marshall restaurant owner Frank Schultz, who operated Toni’s Pizza and Toni’s Ice Cream Parlor on East College Drive in the 1970s and 1980s.

Toni’s Depot moved this year to the Mike’s Cafe location on East College Drive. It was built as a Happy Chef restaurant in the 1970s when Marshall expanded toward Southwest Minnesota State University.

It was home to Mike’s for almost 20 years, starting shortly after a fire destroyed the original Mike’s Cafe building in downtown Marshall in 2002. The building had been the original site of Marshall’s Lyon County Co-Op. It was the location of Mike’s Cafe since 1936.

After the fire, the downtown corner was redeveloped into modern commercial property. It includes the Anytime Fitness fitness center.

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The Vacation Sunday Scaries: How to Make the Return From Travel Less Stressful

By Matt Ortile

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the Sunday Scaries hit hardest on the last day of a fabulous trip. Even when I’ve had my fun and I’m objectively ready to come home, I dread my domestic obligations: readjusting routines, returning to work, and answering those blasted emails. Fighting to get back to inbox zero after the weekend is a battle—but after a week away, where I pretended I was beholden to no master but myself? Forget about it.

That said, all good things come to an end, and the recurring challenge of re-entry is a natural part of any traveler’s life. As a millennial raised in the Church of Optimization, I must ask: How can I minimize the stress and anxiety I feel when returning from a trip or a vacation?

“We don’t necessarily need to hack this inevitable part of life,” says Liz Graham , a Brooklyn-based therapist with a background in nervous system science and psychology. We spoke over Zoom about our culture’s incessant need to “hack and heal” anything that feels mildly uncomfortable in our daily lives. Graham suggests befriending that feeling of anxiety, however mild or severe, and parsing its roots. For my part, I recall all the times where I felt anxious about returning from a vacation and, in hindsight, realized it was because my work situation looked down upon employees taking time off. There were instances, too, where I so enjoyed myself on a trip, exploring new passions and interests, that I dreaded coming home because I didn’t yet have access to those personal outlets where I live in New York City .

Then there are just the discomforts of changing gears—but it can help to anticipate those feelings and get resourceful. “If it’s giving yourself a day to transition, book your return flight on a Saturday,” Graham says. “If it’s making some tea and checking your email sometime Sunday evening, set a time limit to do that and stick to it.” Discover and study what works for you, and you can learn to ease your “vacation Sunday Scaries” without taking on the impossible task of eliminating them entirely.

To get an an idea of tactics I could use to manage that post-travel transition back into “real life,” I spoke to a swathe of super travelers—avid vacationers, folks who travel for work, and people who do both—and asked what they do to make coming home feel good.

Bookend your trip with an extra day off at home, to ease the return to your routine. 

Prioritize rest toward the end of the trip

Another name for the bummed-out feeling at the end of a vacation could be “the last day lows,” as Katy Nastro, the spokesperson for the travel brand Going , likes to call them. To give herself a boost, she says, “I structure my trip so the final day—or final days—are as relaxing as possible, and I might splurge on a nicer hotel for the very end of the trip to ensure I sleep like a baby before a long flight.” She also treats herself to an upgraded return flight to optimize opportunities for rest: “A better seat with more legroom in economy counts!”

“To maximize sleep on the plane , I eat at the airport or before heading to the airport,” says Andy Dwyer, who works at an embassy in New Delhi and regularly travels through South and Southeast Asia for work and leisure. Flying in business or first class could be a chance to indulge, if time permits. But when Dwyer needs to hit the ground running at the office upon his return, he forgoes the Champagne and three-course meals to prioritize sleep in a lie-flat seat.

Return home a day early, if you can

Give yourself some room to ease back into your home and work life by returning a day or two before you have to go back to your regular routine. Even an afternoon will suffice. “I try to get home midday Sunday whenever possible,” says Millie Tran, the vice president of content strategy and growth at Condé Nast [editor's note: Condé Nast Traveler is part of Condé Nast]. “Those few hours let me relax, have dinner at home, and not feel like I’m just jumping from one thing to the next.”

Additional advantage: Flying home early could even save you money. Nastro says flight prices are typically cheaper on Saturdays because airlines know most tourists will want to fly home on a Sunday, or on the last day of a long holiday weekend.

That said, if you can’t give yourself that buffer time at home, try easing back into your routine a few days before your trip ends. Victoria M. Walker , a travel journalist, and curator of the newsletter Travel With Vikkie , suggests slowly adjusting your sleep schedule to your “home clock,” if you’ve changed time zones, to mitigate jet lag.

Whether it's ordering takeout or leaving a prepped meal in the freezer, having food waiting for you at home is always a good idea. 

Prepare a meal plan

It’s daunting to return to an empty kitchen, so develop a game plan for what you’re going to eat when you come home, whether by ordering in or by doing meal prep before your trip. Tran says, “I’ve just resorted to having an order Thai takeout ritual on the way home, so it’s there waiting for me once I’m home. I’ve almost perfected the timing!” Walker is also in the order-in camp and has groceries delivered too, prioritizing fruits and vegetables to combat sluggish post-trip feelings.

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On the other hand, Kurt Fulepp, the president of digital at AccuWeather and an avid vacationer, swears by a pre-prepared meal. “The last thing I want to do is eat out again,” he says. “Right now, I’m returning from ten days away and all I’m craving is something basic, like a salad and some chicken or fish.”

Similarly, Jada Yuan , a writer for the Washington Post and formerly the 52 Places Traveler for the New York Times , says, “I find it really stressful to have to order expensive take-out on my first night back home, or even think about grocery shopping.” Instead, before leaving on a trip, Yuan preps something easy to heat up, “whether it’s a meal I froze ahead of time or those lentils in a pouch from Trader Joe’s.”

Resist the urge to procrastinate unpacking.

Unpack your baggage ASAP

It takes a little extra willpower after a long travel day, but it really helps to unpack as soon as you get home. Fulepp says, “No matter what time I get in—whether from a red-eye or if I walk through the door at midnight—I fully unpack my suitcase and ensure it’s stored away.” Dwyer does the same and says that unpacking grounds him back in the domestic space of his home; putting clothes in the laundry basket, for example, helps him better understand the necessary chores for the following week.

Yuan echoes the sentiment, and goes an extra step for planning future travel: “I love throwing the dirty laundry in the hamper, putting everything away,” she says, “but especially refilling my travel-sized toiletries or replacing my travel toothpaste with another mini-tube from my endless stash.” The refilling is a relaxing ritual of sorts that rewards a future self. Yuan keeps travel go-kits, with TSA-approved bottles of everything she needs, ready to be packed into a suitcase at a moment’s notice. “It just makes me feel settled to know I’ll be all set for the next adventure.”

Coming home also means returning to things you love—and making fun plans for your first week back can ease your transition out of vacation mode. 

Fill up your calendar with activities whether social or solo

It can be jarring to shift gears from the thrill of travel to the routines of home life—but reengaging with the things you enjoy about being home right when you return can help, says Chris Dong , a freelance travel writer : “I like to arrange some social plans for the week ahead, like dinner with friends. I want to be intentional with who I see and what I do, and make the most of my time at home. That even includes arranging dates in advance!”

This tactic also works as an emotional salve. Dwyer says, “The day before I come home, I text my friends, being like, ‘Hi, I’m back on Tuesday. What’s the rest of your week look like? Let’s get coffee.’ So that the week I’m back isn’t just about catching up on work. It can be about catching up on life and friendships too.”

If you’re not feeling too social, Yuan says, “I find that planning out the TV I want to binge when home can also fill that need. It’s about having that same sense of anticipation I get from planning out my days on a trip.”

Personally, I always change my tune about coming home when I tell myself that I get to play video games on my PlayStation 5 in my living room. Whatever works.

Coming home to a clean house does wonders after a long trip.

Do some housekeeping (or get someone to do it)

This seems so simple, but it bears repeating: Coming home to a clean apartment or house makes a world of difference. All the travelers I spoke to agreed on this point. Tran always makes sure to clean and take out the trash before heading to the airport; Walker clears out her fridge ahead of a long trip; Yuan gives away her perishables to friends and neighbors to avoid food waste.

“I also found a wonderful, affordable house cleaner,” Yuan says. “Lately, I’ve been asking her to come in a few days before I return to make sure the bathroom and kitchen are tidy.” Fulepp also relies on a housekeeper to clean the house, stock the kitchen, and do meal prep before he and his husband come home from a trip, ensuring that their meals for the next few days are ready to simply heat and eat as they ease back into their home routines.

Plan the next trip—and embrace coming home

Universally, the one tip everyone gave me was: “Plan the next trip!” I think the appeal of a vacation—or any kind of travel, really—is the idea that there’s something to look forward to, a forthcoming reprieve from the business (and pleasure) of building a life in one place. Part of travel’s thrill is breaking a pattern, exploring the new or trying on a different routine, perhaps even another version of yourself.

“The framework of ‘vacation life’ versus ‘regular life’ pitted against each other sets us up for a tough return,” Graham says. “Instead, can exciting vacations and predictable routines both be valuable parts of life? Let yourself savor what you had on vacation, complete the experience, and reorient to what's next.”

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More businesses are coming to Upward Road, including WNC's first QuikTrip

EAST FLAT ROCK - Upward Road has become a haven for construction workers in the past few months, and that means a big boost for the local economy, according to Henderson County Business and Community Development Director Chris Todd.

Currently, there are three construction projects going on, with the latest being something Western North Carolina customers have yet to see: A QuikTrip. This will be the first location in the western part of the state for QuikTrip, which is a chain of convenience stores based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"Henderson County is always happy to see private investment in our county. The Upward Road corridor is ideally situated between downtown Hendersonville and Interstate 26. The addition of a new Quick Trip gas station right off the interstate will increase the chances of travelers getting off the road and exploring our beautiful county for all that it has to offer, most of which they may miss driving down the artery that feeds through the middle of our county," Todd told the Times-News on March 31.

There are 37 QuikTrip locations in North Carolina, with the closest ones in Charlotte (18 stores) and Gastonia (three stores), according to QuikTrip.com. As QuikTrip's commercials say, the store is more than just a gas station and a convenience store, offering plenty of food options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts.

The construction plans have been approved, but the county is currently waiting on a general contractor to be selected for the project.

Just a short drive down Upward Road is another construction project: A Starbucks Shell, which is being built at 41 Upward Crossing Drive, just across the street from Bojangles. The permit for this project was issued on Jan. 18. Adam Updike, who is the Mid-Atlantic Starbucks Store Development Manager, said in an email to the Times-News that workers are hoping to have the store completed by the fall of 2023.

"The store will be approximately 1,000 square feet and will operate as a drive-thru only. The store will also have a walk-up window for mobile order pick up or placing an order traditionally," he said.

The new Dairi-O is also being built across from East Henderson High School and is expected to be completed sometime in the summer, according to past Times-News reporting. The restaurant chain began in 1947 in King as a take-out burger joint, selling hot dogs and hamburgers. Since then, it has added more to its menu, with healthier options like specialty salads, grilled chicken wraps and even veggie burgers, according to its  website  (https://dairio.com/).

A building permit for this project was issued last week on March 24.

More: New Dairi-O across from East Henderson High set to be completed in summer

Todd said these new businesses will bring in more money to the local economy and also provide more jobs for local residents.

"The addition of Dairi-O site and Starbucks add options for our local citizens to shop, and they will create a multitude of jobs in our community. We always say that Henderson County is open for business, and we are thrilled to see anyone who wants to continue to create jobs and invest in our county," he said.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at [email protected]. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

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“Rogue Trip” Coming Soon To Disney+

One of the new non-fiction series announced to be coming to the new streaming service, Disney+, as part of the “Disney Investor Day” early reveals is “Rogue Trip”.

Here is the official details on this new series:

Bob Woodruff and his 27-year-old son, Mack, take fans to all the places the average tourist wouldn’t typically visit—frequently overlooked (and even misunderstood) destinations whose hidden corners surprise, amaze, and inspire. It’s the family vacation most of us are unlikely to take—but now is our chance to venture to these amazing locales via Disney+.

Bob Woodruff is a American television journalist, who works for ABC News and has worked on shows such as Focus Earth with Bob Woodruff.

No other details on the series have yet been announced, but more news should be revealed soon.

Are you interested in “Rogue Trip”?

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The next total solar eclipse will hit these 2 popular world travel destinations in 2026

F eeling FOMO from not traveling for the Great Texas-Indiana Eclipse of 2024? Yeah, we know. Then it's not too soon to daydream about the next total solar eclipse, coming to Iceland and Spain on Aug. 12, 2026. It makes for a tantalizing choice for travelers.

Around 5 p.m. GMT, the zone of totality will fall across western Iceland, including the acclaimed, remote Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Reykjavik region, with more than two minutes of blackout. Then the moon's shadow crosses to northern Spain, on a swath between Barcelona and Madrid, for almost two minutes of totality. It ends near sunset over the Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, etc.). Eastern Greenland, far northern Russia and a sliver of Portugal will also get in on the total darkness.

Minneapolis will see only 0.49% of the sun eclipsed on that day. The next TSEs to be visible in the continental U.S.? Set reminders for Aug. 23, 2044, and Aug. 12, 2045.

©2024 StarTribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Graveyard Smash Is a VR-Flavored Horror Movie From the Director of Wolf Creek

By Neil Bolt

Greg McLean , the director of Wolf Creek, Rogue, and the James Gunn-penned The Belko Experiment, is making a video game horror movie with Graveyard Smash .

McLean Has a Graveyard Smash

Deadline made the announcement that McLean, in conjunction with Concourse Media and production company CinemaWays, will take a stab at the, ”If you die in the game, you die for real” sub-genre with a VR-centric take.

Graveyard Smash’s synopsis is as follows, ”Desperate to find her missing sister, a young woman, and her three best friends find themselves trapped inside a virtual-reality game where every level forces its players to survive a different genre of a horror movie. When they learn that dying in the game means dying in real life, the friends are forced to hack, slash and battle their way to the toxic mastermind behind it all.”

McLean will be directing from a script by Gus Krieger (Old Henry). Production is set to begin in the coming months. The director said about the movie, “As a lifelong horror fan, Graveyard Smash is our love letter to the genre that’s given us so much joy, fun and pure terror. As a director, I’m so excited to be working with Gus on bringing this story to life, one that allows audiences to playfully and scarily experience a narrative that combines gaming, technology, nostalgia and horror fans deep connection as a community. Graveyard Smash is a horror roller coaster, and we can’t wait to take audiences around the world on the thrilling and unforgettable ride with us.”

There’s currently no cast announced for Graveyard Smash, and a release date is currently unconfirmed.

Neil became a horror fan from just a nightmare-inducing glimpse of the Ghoulies VHS cover and a book on how to draw ghosts. It escalated from there and now that's almost all he writes and talks about.

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