Our Top Theme Park Picks for Your Next Adventure

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There is something truly special about a theme park vacation. It’s the look on a child’s face when they see a favorite character for the first time, the adrenaline rush of a record-breaking drop, and that feeling of being completely transported to another world.

Today, theme park travel has gone global. Whether you’re looking for the classic Florida sunshine or an international expedition, there is a park out there for every style of traveler. Here are our top recommendations for your next getaway.

Theme Park Destinations in the United States

Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) & Disneyland Resort (California)

You simply can’t talk about theme parks without the one that started it all. While Disneyland in California offers a charming, walkable experience rich in history, Walt Disney World in Florida is a massive resort featuring four distinct parks. From the immersive storytelling of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to the cultural celebrations at EPCOT, these parks remain the gold standard for family vacations.

Universal Orlando Resort (Florida) & Universal Studios Hollywood (California)

For those who want to “ride the movies,” Universal is a must. Between the Orlando and Hollywood locations, you can step directly into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ or encounter dinosaurs in Jurassic World. Both coasts feature the incredibly interactive Super Nintendo World™, ensuring that whether you are on the Atlantic or the Pacific, these cinematic thrills consistently deliver for the whole family.

LEGOLAND (Florida & California)

Specifically designed for families with younger children, both the Florida and California locations allow kids to take the lead in a world built entirely from their imagination. With rides that kids can “drive” themselves and incredible displays built from millions of bricks, these parks offer a “right-sized” adventure. It is the perfect introductory theme park experience for toddlers and elementary-aged explorers who are ready for their first big adventure.

SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Florida)

You’ll often see these two parks paired together because they are sister parks, meaning you can often find great multi-park ticket deals to visit both! If you are looking for a mix of family-friendly thrills and marine life education, SeaWorld Orlando is a fantastic choice. For those seeking “Coaster Capital” energy, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is hard to beat, with a legendary lineup of rides for adrenaline seekers. Both parks also provide a unique perspective on wildlife conservation and rescue, making them a great option for families who love animals as much as they love high-speed adventure.

Cedar Point (Ohio)

Known as “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” this park sits on a peninsula on Lake Erie in Ohio. It is a destination for anyone who loves heights, speed, and lakefront views, featuring an extensive collection of rides. From steep drops to high-speed launches, it remains a top choice for travelers who want to experience the variety of modern coaster engineering and adrenaline.

Dollywood (Tennessee)

Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, Dollywood is a breath of fresh air. It is consistently voted one of the friendliest parks in the world, blending world-class roller coasters with incredible food and genuine Southern hospitality. This park is perfect for those who want to balance high-speed thrills with award-winning live entertainment and a beautiful, relaxed mountain setting that truly feels like home.

International Theme Park Destinations

If you’re looking to travel abroad, these international theme parks offer a unique and memorable guest experience.

Tokyo DisneySea (Japan)

This theme park is widely considered the most beautiful one in the world, and with the recent opening of Fantasy Springs, guests can now explore highly detailed lands dedicated to Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. Known for its unique nautical themes and incredible attention to detail, it offers a more sophisticated atmosphere that balances classic Disney charm with breathtaking, one-of-a-kind engineering and storytelling.

Universal Studios (Japan)

Located in Osaka, this park offers a vibrant energy and unique attractions you won’t find anywhere else. While it shares favorites like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, it is home to a much larger Super Nintendo World with additional interactive levels. It also hosts exclusive seasonal events that bring world-famous Japanese cartoons and pop culture to life through unique 4-D movies and high-tech rides that aren’t found in the other Universal parks.

Disneyland Paris (France)

Located just a short train ride from the heart of the city, this park offers a uniquely European take on the classic Disney magic. It is home to what many consider the most beautiful Sleeping Beauty Castle in the world, complete with a slumbering dragon hidden in the cavern below. With the addition of the high-tech Marvel Avengers Campus and a more thrilling version of Space Mountain, it provides a perfect blend of nostalgic storytelling and modern adrenaline.

Europa-Park (Germany)

Located in Rust, Germany, Europa-Park features over 100 attractions themed after different European countries. It’s like a high-speed version of a world tour, where you can experience a “Swiss” bobsled run or a “French” dark ride all in one afternoon. It even has its own EPCOT sphere that looks very similar to the one in Walt Disney World. The park is also known for its wide variety of food and themed resort hotels that reflect the different cultures of the continent.

Efteling (Netherlands)

If you enjoy the “story” part of a theme park, Efteling is a great stop. Based on ancient myths and legends, this park is one of the oldest in the world and is known for its “Fairytale Forest” and detailed dark rides. It offers a relaxed, magical atmosphere that is different from the typical busy park day.

Planning Your Next Adventure

While dreaming about these destinations is the fun part, the logistics can get a little overwhelming. Between navigating the latest digital skip-the-line systems, managing dining reservation windows, and choosing the right on-site resort for your budget, there are a lot of moving parts.

Your Boscov’s Travel Advisors stay up-to-date on the latest park changes and system updates so you don’t have to. Whether you are heading to Florida or navigating the specific requirements of international travel, our Boscov’s Travel Advisors are here to help make your journey as seamless as possible.

Does the idea of these world-class parks inspire you to plan your own theme park adventure? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit www.boscovstravel.com.

Royal Caribbean Sails into the Future with New Technology and Guest Experiences

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The following post is written by Kristin from the Boscov’s Travel Marketing Department. She recently attended an event hosted by Royal Caribbean Cruises where they announced enhancements for future travel and what cruisers can expect in the years to come.

(Photo by Diane Bondareff/ Invision for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd./AP Images)

During a presentation at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on November 9, Royal Caribbean’s Chairman and CEO Richard Fain introduced what Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara, envisions as the future of cruising by offering guests more interactive and seamless experiences both before they leave home, as they board the ship, and then as they enjoy their vacation on board.

Your phone will power your vacation all from the Sea Beyond app
With the Royal Caribbean Sea Beyond app, which debuted this past August on the Allure of the Seas, and is expected to be rolled out to 30% of RCL’s fleet by the end of 2018, you’ll be in control of your cruise experience from planning excursions, to making dinner reservations, to dimming the lights in your cabin. Royal envisions unlimited possibilities with the app, such as once you load your booking information, you can take a selfie, attach a payment method and start crafting your cruise experience, such as seeing 360 degree views of possible shore excursions. Once on board, use the app for practical purposes, such as tracking your luggage’s delivery to your room, or unlocking your door. Best part of all—the app even allows you to order drinks directly to your lounger, no matter where you are on board!
The app will also power more hi-tech encounters, allowing you to experience the ship like never before, such as discovering hidden games, information and experiences simply by pointing the camera on your app at designated spots. Posters will become games once the app is pointed towards it, and pieces of art will unfold to reveal hidden surprises.
If you don’t have a smartphone or if you’re looking for a more “disconnected” experience on your cruise vacation, don’t worry. Royal Caribbean will allow passengers traditional methods and services for making the most of your trip, allowing you to leave your chargers and phone at home or in your cabin.

Driverless cars will shuttle you to the ship in the future

Directly out of your favorite futuristic movie, Royal eventually plans on autonomous vehicles to shuttle you from parking to the ship.

Once in the terminal, facial recognition technology makes the check in process easy and efficient reducing your wait time in line, allowing you to get to the fun faster and enjoy more of your well-earned vacation time. Speaking of terminals, expect a beautiful new terminal from Royal Caribbean in Miami in fall of 2018.

Robots will shake (or stir) things up at sea
Royal envisions their bionic robotic bartender arms can do more than just stir your favorite cocktail! Already outfitted in the popular Bionic Bars on the

Harmony, Quantum, Anthem and Ovation of the Seas, the bionic arms, which craft and deliver cocktails to guests, brought an entertaining mix of visual movement synched with lights and music. Royal envisions that their robotic arms could be harnessed in the future for entertainment and more aboard your favorite ship.

Floating on bubbles will deliver a smoother and more efficient cruise experience

A view of a virtual Royal Caribbean ship sails on hulls coated with precisely sized micro bubbles to improve fuel efficiency and reduce propeller noise.(Photo by Diane Bondareff/ Invision for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd./AP Images)

With a focus on energy-efficient solutions to minimize environmental impact, Royal also highlighted their new fuel cell technology and “air lubrication system.” According to their website, fuel cells reduce ship emissions with minimal negative effects on the environment while the air lubrication system coats the bottom of the ship with microscopic bubbles leading to less resistance with the current.

In the future, technology will create the perfect environment inside your cabin
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity’s vision of a future cabin comes complete with a digital sky, floor and artwork, bringing guests closer to nature. Stuck in an inside cabin? Turn on the channel showing the weather outside and local scenery. Weather a little less than stellar in your balcony cabin? Switch to the channel with the rainforest or switch back to the sunny weather from yesterday. Ready to mix it up? Fall asleep to the pitter patter of rainfall on lush leaves in the rainforest.

It’s impressive to see where the cruise industry is headed. By the end of the experience, it became evident that Royal wants to deliver an experience allowing each guest more time to relax. The company will begin rolling out these features this year and guests will experience increased integration with technology fleet wide by 2019.
To check out more details from the event, please visit: http://www.rclcorporate.com/rcl-seabeyond/

If you’re ready to start planning your next cruise, email [email protected] or call 800-755-8020.

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury). View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com

Families, unite for Marvel Day At Sea!

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Families, unite! In 2017, Disney Cruise Line will be introducing the all-new Marvel Day At Sea. Guests will be able to meet Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, and other Marvel superheroes to participate in all-day entertainment aboard the Disney Magic.

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Beginning in the fall of 2017, Marvel Day at Sea will be on seven and eight-night Disney Magic Bahamian cruises departing from New York on Oct. 6, 14, 28; Nov. 4, 11 and 18, 2017. These sailings will include one day of action-packed activities in which guests will be able to enjoy exclusive opportunities to interact with Marvel heroes and villains, a special Marvel deck party, youth activities as part of the Marvel’s Avengers Academy, exclusive merchandise, and unique food and beverage options.

Kids and adults alike, will enjoy special screenings of their favorite Marvel films and TV shows known to mankind, including the newest releases and Disney XD shows such as Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Some of the highlights on this fantastic voyage include:

  • Meet-and-greet and photos with Marvel Universe Super Heroes.
  • A spectacular Upper Deck Party with music, dancing and games.
  • The Upper Deck Party culminates in a stunning display of themed pyrotechnics, lighting, sound effects and the largest collection of Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains ever assembled on a cruise ship.
  • Kids and families summon their Marvel knowledge and enjoy friendly competition during trivia games, covering courageous heroes and fun facts from the Marvel Universe.
  • For young heroes-in-training, Marvel-themed games, activities and arts and crafts will be offered throughout the day in the Marvel’s Avengers Academy in the Oceaneer Club.

All will include a stop at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay and Port Canaveral, Fla., with a day at the Walt Disney World Resort. Don’t miss these cruises sailing from NYC. Plus, Boscov’s Travel makes it easy with direct roundtrip transfers to the pier. Let us pick you up so you can start your vacation the moment you leave your house.

If you’re interested in learning more how you can set sail with your favorite superhero, contact your Boscov’s Travel Specialist today.

If you’re ready to book your cruise adventure, email [email protected], call 800-755-8020 or direct message us.

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury).  View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com.