Send us Fan Mail Episode #11: Disney’s Tropical Americas, a Record-Breaking Coaster & Royal Caribbean’s Big Move Release Date: September 29, 2026 | Duration: 37:42 minutes Episode Summary This week on The Travel Ehgent Disney and Beyond, Stephen Payne brings you the latest theme park, cruise, and travel news, plus practical tips and ways to save on your next vacation. In Mouse Minutes, get a first look at Tropical Americas, the exciting new land planned for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stephen explores the upcoming Indiana Jones attraction, the Encanto-inspired Antonio’s Fiesta Encanto, the animal-themed carousel, dining, shopping, and the new kids’ play area. He also discusses what the changing timeline could mean for the land’s opening. In Park Pulse, thrill-seekers can learn about Bakunawa, a new spinning coaster coming to Six Flags Great Adventure in 2027. The ride promises extreme heights, speeds, multiple launches, spinning vehicles, and a collection of world records. Cruise Contemplations looks at a major development in the travel industry: Royal Caribbean Group’s investment in Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Stephen considers what this combination of cruise and all-inclusive vacation experiences could mean for Caribbean travel in the years ahead. For this week’s Canadian Compass Travel Tip, Stephen explains why travel apps can be valuable tools before and during your vacation—from airline and cruise apps to resort, attraction, and transportation apps that can provide updates, reservations, tickets, and exclusive offers. Finally, Deals Dish previews the upcoming World Explorer Sale, featuring special offers from a wide range of cruise lines and land-tour companies, including onboard credits and travel savings. Plus, Stephen shares a personal update, looks ahead to Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland, and previews what’s coming up on the show. Timestamps [00:00] Intro[02:20] Mouse Minutes: Tropical Americas[10:48] Park Pulse: Bakuwana[16:45] Cruise Contemplations: Royal Caribbean Buys Sandals and Beaches[22:10] Canadian Compass Travel Tip of the Week: Travel Apps[29:41] Deals Dish: World Explorer Event[35:33] OutroKey Takeaways 🏰 Mouse Minutes: Disney’s Tropical Americas 🐍 Learn about Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, featuring Mayan-inspired theming and an adventure beneath an ancient temple.🦜 Get a preview of Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, bringing the world of Encanto to life with more than 50 animal species.🎠 Discover El Carousel de los Animalitos, featuring 22 hand-carved Disney and Pixar animal figures.🍽️ Find out about planned dining, shopping, and a new kids’ artifact-exploration play area.📅 Disney is no longer displaying a 2027 opening date for the land, leaving its timeline uncertain.🎢 Park Pulse: Bakunawa 🐉 Discover Bakunawa, a new spinning coaster planned for Six Flags Great Adventure in 2027.🚀 The ride is advertised as reaching 100 mph and climbing approximately 382 feet.🔄 Riders will experience spinning vehicles, multiple launches, an upside-down launch, and a dramatic descent.🏆 The coaster is being promoted as breaking six world records.🚢 Cruise Contemplations: Royal Caribbean & Sandals 🏝️ Royal Caribbean Group has announced an agreement to acquire 50% of Sandals and Beaches Resorts International, with a planned path toward full ownership.💰 The announced transaction is valued at $3 billion for the 50% investment.🌊 The episode explores how combining cruise vacations with Caribbean all-inclusive resorts could create new vacation possibilities.📱 Canadian Compass Travel Tip: Travel Apps 📲 Travel apps can make vacations easier before and during your trip.✈️ Airline apps can help with check-in, flight updates, baggage, and travel claims.🏨 Resort apps can provide activity schedules, restaurant reservations, check-in information, and resort details.🎟️ Attraction apps can provide digital tickets, audio tours, and additional information.🚢 Cruise apps can help with check-in, dining and excursion reservations, daily schedules, and other onboard activities.💡 Stephen's advice: identify the apps connected to your specific airline, resort, cruise line, transportation provider, and attractions before you travel.💰 Deals Dish: World Explorer Sale 🌎 The World Explorer Sale runs from October 8–31 and includes multiple cruise lines and land-tour operators.💳 Offers include onboard or journey credits, discounts, reduced deposits, and other savings depending on the supplier.🛳️ Participating cruise brands discussed include Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, Explora Journeys, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, and Viking.🚌 Land-tour companies mentioned include G Adventures, Globus, and Fresh Tracks.🔗 Some offers can be combined with other promotions, potentially allowing travelers to stack savings.Relevant Links The Travel Ehgent Website The Travel Ehgent Instagram The Travel Ehgent Facebook The Travel Ehgent Email: stephen@thetravelehgent.ca Disney Parks Blog: Tropical Americas Disney Parks Blog: Indiana Jones Ride Disney Parks Blog: New Encanto Ride Six Flags Great Adventure: Bakuwana Travel Weekly: Royal Caribbean Group to Acquire 50% Stake in Sandals Stephen Payne’s Expedia Cruises Website Calls to Action If you want more information about cruising and travel, including the latest cruise promotions and limited time offers, subscribe to my Expedia Cruises personalized email newsletters. Simply click on “fan mail”, and send me your name and email address and I’ll add you to my mailing list for the newsletter as well as for show updates and information. You can also email your name and email address to the following email: stephen@thetravelehgent.ca. If you’re enjoying the information and inspiration provided in this show, please leave a review on Apple podcasts or any other podcast reviewing platform. Links to the show’s page and to Apple podcasts can be found in the show notes. Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram, just search up @thetravelehgent. If you want to respond to anything I’ve talked about on the show or if you want to offer topic suggestions or ideas, please send an email to stephen@thetravelehgent.ca. You can be a part of building the content for our community. Apple Podcasts: The Travel Ehgent: Disney and Beyond Spotify: The Travel Ehgent: Disney and Beyond You Tube: The Travel Ehgent: Disney and Beyond Next Episode For next week’s episode, I plan to talk to you about Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World, and for something more local, I want to tell you more about this year’s version of Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland. For cruise contemplations, I’d still like to air my interview about the Pride of America’s Hawaiian itinerary, but if that isn’t ready, we’ll default to exploring the new cruise ship the Disney Believe launching in late 2027. And we will, of course, have a Canadian Compass Travel Tip of the Week and a current deal for Deals Dish. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep planning, and keep exploring! TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022045 Cover art: Makayla Kerr