Parade

Elizabeth Hurley may look incredible in a bathing suit, but her followers are making it clear she could look great in a potato sack.

The British beauty, 61, who is known for roles in films like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Bedazzled, and TV series like The Royals, is also a swimwear designer who frequently shows off her hot stuff on social media. That’s why it’s no surprise that Hurley frequently takes to the beach to soak up the sun and show off the items she features in her swimwear collection, Elizabeth Hurley Beach. In a new photo, the stunner skipped her trademark bikini for a one-piece bathing suit and shared that she thinks they can be just as sexy as a bikini.

“I 🩷 a one piece 🩷 it can be just as sexy as a bikini, sometimes more so. I live in them on vacation,” Hurley noted, adding details about the item in case anyone wanted to purchase it.

View this post on Instagram

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

Commenters Made It Clear Hurley Could Wear Anything

While Hurley is known for showing off her swimsuits, commenters made it clear she could wear anything and still look amazing.

“Some people (eg you) would look great in a bin bag 🤷‍♂️ ❤️,” one person said.

“Elizabeth, that’s really not fair, because you look fantastic in anything and everything,” another commenter chimed in.

“You would make a potato sack sexy,” another person said.

“You could wear a curtain sweetie, you’re that exciting,” a commenter threw in.

“ON YOU ANYTHING IS SEXY,” an enthusiastic follower said.

Elizabeth’s Son, Damian Hurley, Looks Just Like Her

While she’s a talented actress and entrepreneur, Hurley is also a dedicated mom. It’s Elizabeth’s lookalike son, Damian Hurley, who frequently shocks fans thanks to his DNA basically being a copy-and-paste of his mother’s.

In a post honoring her son for his 24th birthday, Hurley posted a throwback photo from when Damian was just a little boy, as well as a more recent photo that showed the duo alongside each other. With their faces right next to each other, the resemblance is truly mind-blowing.

“Happy 24th birthday to the light of my life ❤️ My No. 1 forever & ever ❤️ I love you @damianhurley1 💋💋💋,” Hurley captioned the photo set, to which Damian replied, “Awww I love you mama twin forever ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️.”

View this post on Instagram

Related: Elizabeth Hurley, 61, Sizzles on the Beach in Swimwear From Her Own Collection

If you grew up in Central North Carolina, chances are your childhood weekends involved racing around the go-kart track, perfecting your swing in the batting cages, or celebrating a birthday over a round of mini-golf on Capital Boulevard.

Now, an era of classic family fun is coming to a sudden end.

Adventure Landing in Raleigh, North Carolina, has officially announced that it is closing its doors permanently on Sunday, August 16, 2026, concluding an impressive 38-year run as a local community staple.

Related: America’s No. 1 Theme Park Just Unveiled a New Record-Breaking Roller Coaster

View this post on Instagram A Sudden Farewell to a Decades-Old Tradition

As reported by The News & Observer‘s Autumn Coleman, the entertainment center shared the news on social media on Thursday, August 13, explaining that the business made the difficult decision not to renew its property lease at 3311 Capital Blvd.

The announcement comes just months after the venue addressed closure rumors in March, initially reassuring visitors that it had “no current plans to close its doors.”

For nearly four decades, the park served as a go-to gathering spot for generations of families, offering three 18-hole miniature golf courses, high-speed go-karts, outdoor batting cages, an interactive laser tag arena, and a massive mega-arcade.

In an emotional message to longtime patrons, Adventure Landing owner Hank Woodburn looked back on the decades of memories shared at the park.

“It has truly been a privilege to bring fun, laughter, and lifelong memories to so many families throughout the years,” Woodburn shared in the company’s announcement. “From birthday parties and family outings to our annual Easter egg hunts on the mini golf course and countless community events, we’ve cherished every opportunity to give back and be part of so many special moments.”

Woodburn added that “watching generations of families create joy together—from parents who visited as children now bringing their own kids—has been an extraordinary blessing from God.”

Heartbroken Locals Say Goodbye

Following the announcement, local parents, former birthday kids, and longtime visitors quickly flooded the comments to mourn the loss of the nostalgic attraction.

“You have been a staple in Raleigh!,” one local commenter shared. “We are going to truly miss Adventure Landing Raleigh in the community!!! So many fun memories had with our kiddos over the years!”

The Raleigh shutdown follows a broader shift for the entertainment chain, which previously saw its Jacksonville Beach, Florida location close its doors after 30 years. Fans of the brand can still find operational Adventure Landing parks in Gastonia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as well as locations in Dallas, Texas, and Buffalo, New York.

Related: A Beloved 67-Year-Old Roller Coaster Just Took Its Final Ride

What to Know Before the Final Weekend

If your family has lingering game tokens, prize tickets, attraction vouchers, or gift cards tucked away in a drawer, time is officially running out.

Adventure Landing is urging customers to stop by before operations shut down for good at the end of the day on Sunday, August 16, to redeem any remaining credits and take one final lap around the track.

Related: A Beloved Theme Park Ride Is Closing for Good—And Fans Have Just Weeks Left to Ride It

Few things beat a perfectly ripe summer tomato. Whether you picked one from the garden or brought home a few beauties from the farmers market, the hard part should be over. But what you do after slicing into that tomato can make a bigger difference than you might think.

Tomatoes contain a lot of water, which is part of what makes a ripe one so juicy. All that water also comes into play once you start seasoning and prepping them. Do it right, and you can get even more flavor out of a tomato before it ever reaches your sandwich, salad or plate.

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

A really good tomato can bring more flavor and character to everything from a simple summer salad to a BLT, burger or tomato sandwich. And when tomatoes are at their peak, you want to get every bit of flavor out of them.

Jamie Simpson, executive chef of The Culinary Vegetable Institute at The Chef’s Garden, knows tomatoes particularly well. The regenerative farm grows more than 60 varieties, giving Chef Simpson plenty to work with in the kitchen. His approach to making tomatoes even better takes about 10 minutes, and you don’t need any special equipment or ingredients. There are, however, a few things to know before you start.

Here’s Chef Simpson’s 10-minute trick, why it works and what to do with your tomatoes afterward.

The 10-Minute Secret: Salting (and Waiting)

Courtesy Fred Hernandez

The trick is simple: Salt your tomatoes before serving them, then let them sit for about 10 minutes. Chef Simpson calls 10 minutes a great rule of thumb for giving the salt time to do its job.

“A pinch of salt pulls out the delicious juices of the ripe fruit and allows a tomato to express itself,” he says.

I tried Chef Simpson’s trick with a ripe heirloom tomato, and 10 minutes was enough to notice a difference. The tomato tasted more flavorful than it did straight off the cutting board.

For tomato salads and sandwiches, Chef Simpson recommends seasoning the tomatoes in advance rather than waiting until they’re already on the plate. If he’s serving something like a tartine, he likes using big flakes of salt so their texture becomes part of each bite.

Related: The Easy Way To Make Sweet Corn 10x Better

The Science of Osmosis: Why Salt Works Magic

Pebi WMF / 500px / Getty Images

So, what exactly happens during those 10 minutes? “Through osmosis, water leaves the cells, concentrating sugars and acid,” Chef Simpson explains. In other words, as some of the tomato’s water is drawn out, its natural sweetness and acidity become more pronounced.

The technique is especially handy for sandwiches that include tomatoes. Chef Simpson says salting them ahead of time may help prevent the dreaded “slippery tomato sandwich effect” because some of that excess moisture has already been released before the slices go on the sandwich.

The Wrong vs. Right Way To Prep a Tomato

Courtesy Fred Hernandez

“The biggest mistake we tend to make when seasoning tomatoes is underseasoning them,” Chef Simpson says. Tomatoes are about 95 percent water, he explains, “so they can handle a good amount of salt.”

Simpson recommends seasoning sliced tomatoes in a bowl rather than directly on the serving platter, which can leave them sitting in their own liquid. After a few minutes, gently mix the slices, let them continue releasing their juices and drain the liquid before serving.

Don’t toss that tomato juice, though. “You can use it elsewhere, like in a seasonal martini!” Chef Simpson says.

Related: I Thought I’d Ruined My Tomato Garden—Turns Out This Common Problem Has an Easy Fix

8 Ways To Dress Up Your Salted Tomatoes

Courtesy Fred Hernandez

Once your tomatoes are salted and ready to eat, you don’t have to default to mozzarella and basil. Chef Simpson encourages experimenting when tomatoes are in season. “This is a wildly diverse fruit suitable for all sorts of great pairings,” he says.

My kitchen was dismally bare, so I worked with what I had: a couple of leftover sourdough breads, Good Foods’ Spicy Tzatziki Dip and a Persian cucumber. It made for a surprisingly good snack, but Chef Simpson has plenty of other ideas for putting ripe tomatoes to use. Here are eight creative chef-approved ways to eat and enjoy tomatoes.

1. Swap salt for fish sauce.

“I love tomatoes with fish sauce in lieu of salt,” Chef Simpson says. The fish sauce seasons the tomatoes while adding an extra hit of umami and a deeper savory flavor than salt alone.

2. Try shiso instead of basil.

Basil may be the go-to herb for tomatoes, but Chef Simpson has a few other favorites. He recommends shiso, an aromatic herb commonly used in Japanese cooking, in place of basil. Dill and edible flowers are options too. “Tomatoes and dill, chrysanthemum, nasturtium or marigold are beautiful as well,” he says.

3. Make a tomato sandwich with white bread and Duke’s Mayo.

Chef Simpson’s ideal tomato sandwich is surprisingly simple: cheap white bread, Duke’s Mayo and salt. He knows the bread choice may be controversial. “Wonder Bread beats sourdough on a tomato sandwich blind tasting any day,” Chef Simpson says. “There, I said it.”

4. Add sardines to tomato toast.

Chef Simpson also recommends tomatoes and sardines on toast. And unlike his tomato sandwich, he specifies that this combination calls for “real bread.”

5. Pair Green Zebra tomatoes with XO sauce.

“Green Zebra tomatoes go well with a Chinese condiment called XO Sauce,” Chef Simpson says. XO sauce is a savory condiment typically made with dried seafood, chiles and aromatics.

6. Sprinkle them with roasted sesame seeds.

Chef Simpson calls roasted sesame seeds and tomatoes “an excellent pairing.” The seeds add nuttiness and crunch to juicy sliced tomatoes.

7. Serve tomato concassé with oysters.

For oysters, Chef Simpson recommends partially dried tomato concassé, made with peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes. Removing the seeds and some of the moisture gives you a more concentrated tomato topping that can be spooned over the oysters. Chef Simpson calls it “one of the best condiments for oysters I’ve ever had.”

8. Put tomatoes in a fruit salad.

Chef Simpson’s boss, Farmer Lee Jones, recently told him that “knowledge is knowing tomatoes are a fruit, and wisdom is knowing not to put them in a fruit salad.” That hasn’t stopped Chef Simpson from trying it himself. “I love the line, but I challenge you to try this idea as well,” he says. “I did!”

Final Thoughts

Peak tomato season doesn’t last forever, and Chef Simpson makes a good case for slowing down before you dig in. When you’ve got a tomato that’s especially ripe and juicy, those extra 10 minutes may be worth it.

Source:

• Jamie Simpson is the executive chef of The Culinary Vegetable Institute at The Chef’s Garden, a regenerative farm in Huron, Ohio, that grows more than 60 varieties of tomatoes. He has led the institute’s kitchen since 2013, where his work centers on finding creative ways to prepare and showcase vegetables grown on the farm. Each summer, he also leads The Chef’s Garden’s multi-course Tomato Showcase Dinner.

Related: The Genius Way To Make Grilled Veggies 10x Better, According to an Award-Winning Chef

There are few songs that capture the spirit of the 1980s quite like The Escape Club’s hit “Wild Wild West.” Released in 1988, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and quickly became an era-defining anthem. Nearly 40 years later, the band’s frontman Trevor Steel is keeping the band’s legacy alive. At the Totally Tubular Festival in Washington, D.C., Steel sang the band’s iconic hit, and fans are gushing about the singer’s “amazing” sound.

@woody.rocks

Escape Club. WIld Wild West. Totally Tubular Festival 2026. Washington DC. #escapeclub #wildwildwest #totallytubularfestival2026 #totallytubularfestival #newwavemusic

♬ original sound – Woody rocks

The lyrics of “Wild Wild West” aren’t easy to forget. The crowd at the Washington, D.C., nostalgia music festival sang along as if transported back in time. That’s because “Wild Wild West” wasn’t just a hit song; it was an anthem that captured the anxieties of the end of the ’80s, all under the backdrop of the song’s upbeat drumbeat.

With the song’s lyrics clearly imprinted in fans’ minds, it was Steel’s voice that cemented the ’80s time capsule. There was a unanimous response from social media commenters watching online: Trevor Steel’s still got that voice.

“He sounds incredible,” gushed one fan.

Another added, “He sounds the same.”

“They sound great still,” added one more.

“Omg this takes me back. Great memories.”

Related: 1970 Van Morrison Hit, Envisioned With a Folk Feel, Became a Spiritual Metaphor for Life

“Wild Wild West” Was Pure ’80s Nostalgia @the_music_box_parade

The Escape Club – Wild, Wild West #tiktokmusic #80smusic #80s #song #nostalgia #memoriesbringback #fyp

♬ original sound – 🎵 The Music Box 🎵

Listening to “Wild Wild West” does take one back. An infectious blend of pop-rock, new wave and dance-rock, the song immediately stood out from the era’s synthesizer-heavy hits. Released as the first single from the band’s debut album, Wild Wild West, the song became a massive hit in America, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1988.

The song is pure ’80s, with an upbeat drumbeat juxtaposed against lyrics written as commentary on the era. Steel called the song “a reflection of the times,” when “yuppies” were getting rich quick while everyone lived under the fear of the Cold War.

The song, according to Steel, was actually written in just two hours after guitarist John Holliday created a drum-machine beat inspired by a Run-DMC track. Steel began singing over it the following morning, and the song quickly took shape.

The Music Video Was a Distinctly ’80s Creation

Just as the country was in a time of transition at the end of the ’80s, the song represented the band’s move toward a new sound. Led by Steel, the band had been moving toward a more dance-oriented sound, a departure from the electronic feel of British new wave music in the ’80s. “Wild Wild West” became more of a cultural moment than a song, making it one of the most enduring classics of the time.

The song’s success got a major assist from its memorable music video, which received heavy rotation on MTV. The video leaned into surreal special effects rather than simply showing the band performing.

Trevor Steel and the band performed among fragmented images of arms, legs and other body parts moving in time with the music, all created using mirrors, giving the video a distinctly late-’80s feel.

The unusual video became so controversial that it was banned from British television. Despite the controversy, the video earned recognition at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, where it was nominated for Best Special Effects in a Video.

Trevor Steel Still Sounds Like the ’80s

“Wild Wild West” became The Escape Club’s signature anthem. The combination of Steel’s vocals, the driving drumbeat and the unmistakable production make it one of those songs that can quickly transport listeners back to the late ’80s.

Judging by fans’ response to Trevor Steel’s recent performance, it still can.

Related: Bob Dylan’s 1965 Music Video Beat Decades of Music Icons to Be Named the Greatest Ever

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

“Woman, Woman” was the debut single from Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. The 1967 ballad, which was about a man who was worried that his partner was unhappy and going to start cheating on him, reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Cash Box. It ended up becoming an international success, selling over a million copies, and earning a gold record.

When speaking about the creation of the song with Spotlight Central, Puckett recalled his first meeting with Jerry Fuller from Columbia Records. “When I went into his office, he was hanging up the gold record for Ricky Nelson’s ‘Travelin’ Man,’ which was very impressive to me because I’d never seen a gold record before!” Puckett explained. “I thought, ‘Gee, whiz; this is really great,’ and I said, ‘That’s fantastic! Please, will you take a look at my portfolio?’ And fortunately, he was looking for me — and I say that insofar as he already had a song in mind that he wanted to record. It was called ‘Woman, Woman (Have You Got Cheating On Your Mind?),’ which was written by a couple of fellas from Nashville.”

Puckett continued, “Jerry loved the song, thought it was a hit, and was looking for someone who he thought would be the right singer for the song. And in this case, I happened to walk into his office at just the right time. Jerry heard me singing ‘My Prayer.’ He liked what he heard — he liked my voice — and he said, ‘Where can I see this band?’”

Related: 1962 Grammy-Nominated Rock Song, From the Queen of Motown, Was Co-Written by Smokey Robinson

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap had many other hits throughout the years, including “Young Girl,” “This Girl Is a Woman Now,” and “Lady Willpower.” Unfortunately, the band broke up in 1971 after growing tensions with Fuller. Puckett then launched his solo career and created hit songs like “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself” and “Keep the Customer Satisfied.”

Puckett is currently 83. He is still actively performing across the country to this day.

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Whether you’re updating a family bathroom, setting up a new apartment, or helping someone settle into a dorm, a few simple upgrades can make a big difference. For families that are getting dorm rooms and new apartments ready in a hurry, nothing beats a “very easy” solution to home decorating that makes shopping stress-free. 

If it’s time to give your bathroom a quick and affordable refresh, Aeropostale’s Navy Stripes 15-Piece Shower Curtain Set, now just $20 at JCPenney, is an easy way to do it. The set is a hit with shoppers for making your bathroom look pulled together in just a few minutes, and it’s 60% off during JCP’s Weekend of Hot Deals.

Aeropostale’s Navy Stripes 15-Piece Shower Curtain Set, From $20 (was $50) at JCPenney

Courtesy of JCPenney

Shop at JCPenney

This set comes with everything you need to kick-start a bathroom makeover: a navy-striped shower curtain, a matching bath rug, a storage container for toiletries, and a dozen durable curtain hooks. The navy stripe design brings a touch of coastal calm and timeless style, making it a versatile choice for a variety of spaces. 

Whether you’re outfitting a college dorm, a shared apartment, or updating your family’s bathroom, the Nantucket-inspired pattern brings a crisp, coastal feel that suits any setting. The curtain’s classic and clean navy stripes offer timeless style, and its 72-inch-square size is designed to fit most standard showers with ease.

The included sky blue bath mat features a plush shag texture that feels soft and cozy under your feet. Crafted from 100% polyester, it’s durable enough for everyday use and just the right size for small bathrooms. The latex backing helps keep the rug securely in place and reduces the risk of slipping. Both the curtain and rug are machine washable, which is a plus for busy students and families.

The “cute” navy blue storage container is a versatile addition, perfect for organizing toiletries and keeping small spaces tidy. For college students, it also makes carrying essentials to the shower room simple and convenient; at home, it’s great for stashing cleaning supplies and other bathroom necessities.

“The curtain hooks are absolutely amazing and function better than any other hooks I’ve used before,” one shopper noted. “The curtain looks amazing and is made out of a nice material. I use a clear liner on the inside just to keep this one looking sharp. It was cute packaging all in a little plastic tub.”

Related: Amazon’s $20 Linen Button-Down Tank Is the Perfect ‘Lightweight’ Summer Travel Companion

Shoppers also love that the set offers a straightforward way to avoid piecing together a bathroom setup from scratch. “Great quality and very cute colors!” another shopper stated. “The navy stripes are super classic. It is also really nice that it comes with everything you need, so you don’t need to find matching things. Very easy!”

Shop More Deals

• Aeropostale Ruched Gingham Easy Care Comforter Set, $40 (was $85) at JCPenney

• Aeropostale Celestial 4-Piece Bracelet Set, $40 (was $85) at JCPenney
• Aeropostale 3D Cherry Shaped Novelty Bed Pillow, $15 (was $50) at JCPenney

At 60% off the original price, this $20 Aeropostale shower set is a solid deal for all the practical pieces you get. Now you don’t have to worry about hunting down different items for your bathroom and, in our opinion, it looks chic as heck! 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

Disney has finally made it official: The Greatest Showman is heading to the stage, and fans have circled a date. The stage adaptation will debut at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2027, following a sold-out premiere run at the Bristol Hippodrome earlier this year.

It’s been a long time coming. Disney first floated the idea of turning the hit 2017 film into a stage musical all the way back at D23 in August 2024, though no casting or details came with that early tease. Two years later, the wait is finally over.

Part of what made the movie such a phenomenon in the first place is coming along for the ride. The songs were written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the EGOT-winning duo also behind hits like La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen. Their soundtrack turned The Greatest Showman into the best-selling album of 2018, and songs like “The Greatest Show,” “A Million Dreams,” “Rewrite the Stars” and the Golden Globe-winning “This Is Me” are all set to make the leap to the stage alongside new music written specifically for the production.

Leading the cast as P.T. Barnum is Oliver Tompsett, stepping into the role Hugh Jackman originated on screen. Joining him is Samantha Barks, known for her turn as Éponine in Les Misérables and as Elsa in the West End production of Frozen, playing Charity Barnum, the role Michelle Williams played in the film.

The creative team behind the production is stacked, too, with Tony winner Casey Nicholaw directing and choreographing, and Hamilton’s Alex Lacamoire serving as music supervisor.

No word yet on ticket sales or a full performance schedule, but with a cast and creative team like this one, fans are already buzzing about what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated stage adaptations in years.

If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you might have seen the collective gasp echoing across the Disney fandom: rumors that Walt Disney World has officially ended the beloved tradition of resort hopping.

For years, taking a low-key rest day to explore Disney’s most iconic hotels has been an essential part of the vacation experience. Whether you’re taking the scenic boat ride to Port Orleans for warm Mickey beignets, checking out the savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge, or hopping along the monorail line for an afternoon snack, soaking in the luxury resort atmosphere without buying a park ticket has always felt like one of the best perks on property.

So when word spread that cast members were suddenly scanning MagicBands and checking dining reservations just to board certain buses and water taxis, panic naturally set in. As theme park reporter Rick Lye from Inside the Magic documented, “A single policy update can send the Walt Disney World fan community into an absolute tailspin,” triggering widespread backlash across online forums.

Before anyone rethinks their vacation plans, the reality is far less dramatic. As Lye pointed out when breaking down the viral claims, “Resort hopping isn’t dead—but the way casual, offsite visitors access Disney’s multi-million-dollar hotel properties is changing forever.”

Related: How Disney World Quietly Overhauls Iconic Rides Overnight—And What’s Next

Closing the Free Parking Loophole

To understand why Disney is tightening the rules, you have to look at how travelers have navigated the property for years.

Disney Springs has always offered sprawling parking garages completely free of charge. Over time, plenty of budget-savvy day-trippers figured out a convenient workaround: park at Disney Springs for free, hop on a complimentary bus to a resort within walking distance of a theme park—like the Contemporary next to Magic Kingdom or the BoardWalk right outside EPCOT—and skip the standard daily theme park parking fee entirely.

While it was a popular hack, it created real bottlenecks. As Lye noted, “savvy travelers utilized Disney Springs as a giant, unauthorized park-and-ride facility to bypass theme park parking fees,” which in turn crowded out shopping guests and overwhelmed transit routes intended for hotel guests paying a premium.

To solve that crunch, Disney introduced digital checkpoints specifically for resort-bound transit leaving Disney Springs. Before boarding a hotel bus or the Sassagoula River Cruise boat from the shopping district, guests now need to show proof of an active Disney resort stay, a confirmed sit-down dining reservation at that hotel, or a booked recreation activity. If you’re an off-site visitor hoping to just walk up for a quick-service snack, you’ll be turned away at that specific boarding line.

Related: Disney’s Newest Resort Will Offer First-Ever Accommodations With Unprecedented Theme-Park Views

What This Means for the Everyday Disney Traveler

Despite the breathless headlines, the new rule is strictly limited to transit departing directly from Disney Springs. If you are staying at any official Disney hotel, your MagicBand scan will clear you instantly.

For everyone else, the rest of Disney’s sprawling transit network remains completely wide open. The iconic monorail loop connecting the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary is still free and accessible from the Transportation and Ticket Center. The Disney Skyliner continues to fly freely between EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and popular resorts like the Riviera and Caribbean Beach. And if you are already at any of the four main theme park gates, you can still board any resort bus without showing a hotel reservation.

If you are planning an upcoming Disney trip, the takeaway is simple. You can still spend a sunny afternoon exploring the resorts—you just cannot use Disney Springs as your unauthorized park-and-ride. A little extra planning, like securing an advance dining reservation or starting your adventure from the parks, ensures the fun of exploring Disney’s gorgeous properties remains as seamless as ever.

Related: Disney Shares New Look At Its Latest Storyliving by Disney Community in North Carolina

“If I Had a Hammer” was originally written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949. It gained popularity in 1962 when it was covered by Peter, Paul, and Mary, becoming their first big hit. It reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also won Grammy awards for Best Folk Recording and Best Performance by a Vocal Group.

In Songwriters On Songwriting: Revised And Expanded, Seeger said, “The way I sing it now, what I often do is joke with an audience. I point out that you can sing it the way I wrote it or the way Peter, Paul and Mary rewrote it or half a dozen other ways, and they all harmonize with each other. I say, ‘This is a good moral for the world.’ As a matter of fact, I’m convinced that musicians have got a more important role to play in putting a world together than they’re usually given credit for. Because musicians can teach the politicians: Not everybody has to sing the melody.”

“If I Had a Hammer” was written as a protest song, with the hammer meant to symbolize fighting injustice and promoting love. As Peter Yarrow told Performing Songwriter, “It is a song of empowerment, and songs that empower with the sense of elasticity so they can relate to the world as it evolves also will remain with us.”

Related: 1970 Heartbreaking Jimmy Buffett Song, Made After His Grandfather’s Funeral, Was Written in a Day

He continued, “Today’s music, generally, the content is very superficial. Whereas when you looked at the songs that were sung then, they became the soundtrack of the changing consciousness of the nation, to one that aspired to freedom and equality and to the residual realities of slavery and the inequities suffered by African Americans in our country, and it became the music that in many ways consolidated the hearts and spirits of people in the movement, like the anti-war movement, the women’s movement, the anti-apartheid movement, the environment.”

He added, “That’s why it was so important. If you went to the Civil Rights March of ’63, you would have heard Peter, Paul and Mary singing ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ‘If I Had a Hammer.’ You would have heard Bobby Dylan sing, and Joan Baez.”

Peter, Paul, and Mary broke up in 1970 to pursue solo careers, but they later reunited. Some of the band’s biggest hits include “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Puff (The Magic Dragon),” “500 Miles,” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

Nicole Kidman makes a surprise appearance in singer Troye Sivan‘s newly released music video for “She’s the Best,” stepping into the role of the glamorous, mysterious woman at the center of the singer’s latest visual — and instantly becoming one of the video’s biggest talking points.

When the video dropped on Friday, August 14, it quickly racked up 700,000 views on YouTube.

Kidman, 59, turns heads from her very first scene, wearing a figure-hugging black dress beneath an oversized black coat, leather gloves and dark sunglasses. In one memorable sequence, she confidently strolls down the street with a cigarette before entering a nightclub where Sivan, 31, performs alongside a cast of drag artists, including RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 winner Sasha Colby.

Credit: Troye Sivan/Interscope Records

“She’s walking down the street with her little thin cigarette / Great smile, and a c-m stain on her dress / DJs from Wednesday to Monday / Don’t ask, she’s not taking any f–king requests,” he sings.

The nearly four-minute video plays like a stylish short film, with Kidman serving as Sivan’s glamorous muse. The pair eventually share a flirtatious dance on the club floor, while later scenes feature Sivan performing in drag as the video celebrates confidence, femininity and self-expression.

Credit: Troye Sivan/Interscope Records

Fans were quick to embrace the collaboration.

“Nicole Kidman in a Troye Sivan video was not on my bingo card but I really love it,” quipped one fan in the comments.

“The way NIcole Kidman simply refuses to turn down any project,” wrote another.

The collaboration also marks a reunion for Kidman and Sivan, who previously starred together in the 2018 drama Boy Erased. Sivan recently told Rolling Stone that Kidman is the embodiment of the “divine feminine,” admitting he wasn’t sure she’d agree to appear in the project before she enthusiastically signed on.

“She’s the Best” serves as the lead single from Sivan’s upcoming album of the same name, which drops Oct. 9.

Calling all artists, teachers and anyone with a sketchbook collecting dust: August is shaping up to be a very good month to stock up on art supplies.

Michaels is celebrating its first-ever Fine Art Month with a month of savings on the supplies artists actually use, from paint and brushes to canvases, markers and sketchbooks.

The deals are available throughout August at Michaels stores and online, making this a particularly good time for students getting ready for a new school year, beginners trying out a new medium or experienced artists looking to replenish their supplies.

Among the offers shoppers can find:

• Thousands of deals on art supplies, including paint, brushes, canvas, markers, sketchbooks and more
• Buy 2, Get 2 Free on select canvas
• Buy One, Get One 50% Off on select sketchbooks and paper pads
• Deep discounts on premium brands, including Liquitex, Winsor & Newton, Faber-Castell and POSCA

The Fine Art Month deals cover plenty of familiar artist favorites, so shoppers can stock up whether they’re painting on canvas, sketching, experimenting with acrylics or adding some color to their next project.

And there’s an especially good reason for art teachers to shop during the promotion. Educators can stack the Fine Art Month offers with Michaels’ everyday 15% teacher discount, making August an ideal time to replenish classroom supplies before students return.

With thousands of offers available throughout the month, Michaels’ first Fine Art Month gives artists a chance to save on everything from everyday essentials to premium supplies, all while getting ready for their next creative project.

RELATED: Diane Keaton’s $23 Million Home Has a Surprisingly Unpolished Kitchen

Ben Affleck is celebrating another trip around the sun!

After a year marked by both personal heartbreak and professional momentum, the Oscar winner has plenty to celebrate as he turns 54 today.

The Good Will Hunting star is in the midst of the busiest chapters of his career. This fall, Affleck returns to Netflix with Animals, a gripping thriller premiering October 9 in which he wears multiple hats as star, director, co-writer and producer. The film reunites him with longtime creative partner Matt Damon through their production company, Artists Equity, and stars Kerry Washington as the parents of a kidnapped son. 

Away from the cameras, the past year brought significant changes. Affleck finalized his divorce from Jennifer Lopez earlier this year, and in July, he and brother Casey Affleck announced the death of their mother, Chris Anne Affleck, who died at 83 after battling pancreatic cancer. According to her family, she was able to attend her grandson’s high school graduation — her final wish — just days before her passing. 

Even amid those challenges, one of the brightest updates in Affleck’s life came from someone who knows him best.

Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images

Last month, ex-wife Jennifer Garner publicly praised him while discussing their three children, Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14. Garner explained that now their kids are older, Affleck has stepped up in a way that has allowed her to take on new acting projects.

“Their dad—ex-husband [Affleck]—has become this incredible co-parent,” Garner told People. “He’s wonderful. He takes care of them. He’s a great partner in that way. And that’s very freeing.” 

For his part, Affleck is taking his over-50 status in stride. In a 2022 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he reflected that the happiest 50-somethings he knows have one thing in common.

“The common thread I’ve found from the people I know who’ve turned 50 who are the happiest is that they’ve stopped worrying so much about what other people think,” he told the outlet. “I think that’s the gift of that age. When you hit 30, you think, ‘Now I’ve figured it out,’ then you hit 40 and you’re like, ‘I had no idea.’ Now, when I think about being in my 20s, I wonder, ‘How was my brain distinguishable from a gorilla’s at that age?’”

Fans finally know more about who’s who in Marvel Studios’ and director Jake Schreier’s upcoming X-Men movie as Kevin Feige and Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) stepped out at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event to add more names to the superhero line-up, and Parade was there for the reveals.

Sink, who was revealed to be Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the massive summer hit blockbuster, had Feige name her as the upcoming X-Men team’s founding member. The actress shared, “It is so wonderful to be here and to finally be able to talk about this character after months of speculation.” She and Feige then continued to reveal who else would be joining the latest batch of young mutants as they joined on stage.

• Kit Connor (Heartstopper) as Cyclops/Scott Summers
• Christopher Abbott (Wolfman) as Professor X/Charles Xavier
• Samara Weaving (Ready or Not 2) as Emma Frost
• Inde Navarrette (Obsession) as Rogue
• Maya Boyd as Storm

View this post on Instagram

Showing up via a recorded video message was Adam Driver, who sent the Honda Center audience into a frenzy by saying, “Kevin and I have been talking for years about maybe joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And I think we finally found the perfect film at the perfect time. So I’m very excited to be playing Mag…. Nope. Even better. Nathaniel Milbury,” he confirmed, referring to the X-Men antagonist, Mr. Sinister. Sorry, Magneto fans, that role remains up for grabs!

Related: How One Brand Is Bringing Nostalgic Marvel and ‘Star Wars’ Style to Travel Gear

It’s interesting to note that these actors will debut in their own MCU film on May 5, 2028, while also following up on the upcoming appearance of the original Fox-era movie X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday later this year. Driver and Abbott both broke through on Lena Dunham‘s television show Girls and reunite in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Newcomers Inde Navarrette and Kit Connor have been buzzed about since their big debuts, so it’s exciting to see them so quickly snatched up for Marvel franchise futures. Boyd joining as Storm is intriguing, as she’s an unknown, but having the younger figures rounded out by seasoned genre contemporaries Weaving and Abbott makes this line-up feel like a solid and fresh start. Feige noted at the end of the announcement that there’s more casting to come to round out the film.

Fans who tuned in weekly for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s television turn on Disney+ with the retro sitcom stylings of WandaVision and fell in love with Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) will be excited to know that the superhero genre mash-up hijinks will continue.

At D23: The Ultimate Fan Event, audiences got their first look at VisionQuest, which will finally answer the questions we’ve been wondering about regarding Vision’s whereabouts since the finale of WandaVision. The follow-up to Agatha All Along has been confirmed to be the final arc in the story that began with Wanda and Vision’s arrival in Westview.

In VisionQuest, he’s back, and as Bettany shared during the panel, he’s got a lot on his mind too: “This Vision is beginning to ask a rather more complicated question. What, or perhaps who, is he? And what is it that makes us actually human?”

He added that a familiar voice will be added into the mix. “Ultron is back! And apparently we’re going to figure out his manager together, so obviously that should go extremely well!” he said, revealing James Spader has joined the cast as Ultron in the flesh, as part of the world his AI offspring has mapped out on a journey back to the MCU, since Vision’s been MIA for so many major things, like his wife’s death.

Related: Elizabeth Olsen Reveals The Thing She Hated Most About ‘Multiverse of Madness’

Spader shared this about this return, “Frankly, I can’t believe it took you so long to turn to me,” he teased Bettany. “Everyone knows Ultron has long been fascinated with humanity.”

In the trailer, we got to see that Vision’s been recollecting all of his existences while in hiding alongside James Spader as a fatherly and bearded Ultron in corporeal form. While Vision questions if his family was real, Ultron argues against that notion and suggests that perhaps they were. As he seems to help Vision find a path to a real child he has out there, we still don’t trust him since, well, he did try to wipe out all of humanity in Avengers: Age of Ultron (No need to watch it if you haven’t). The VisionQuest trailer ends with Ultron telling Vision, “Free us all, and save your son,” and surely there’s nothing in it for the seemingly reformed bad guy turned father figure, right?

Decide for yourself and watch the trailer below for VisionQuest coming to Disney+ on October 14.

The D23: Ultimate Fan Event kicked off its weekend festivities with some major announcements across the studios under the mouse house during the Disney Entertainment Showcase, but one of its biggest surprises is a ’90s dream come true.

Stars of the 1997 cult classic, Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino, took the stage to announce Romy and Michele 2, a sequel to Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. Dressed as their characters, they teased the story that brings these iconic businesswomen back to the big screen.

View this post on Instagram

“People keep asking what we’ve been up to.” Sorvino said as Romy. “Should we tell them, Michele?”

Without skipping a beat, Kudrow as Michele responded, “Okay, yeah, it’s been a minute, but I mean, we’ve been like super busy. Fashion is still our life,” she shared as the fashionista with a penchant for oxygenated adhesive alchemy.

Related: Chic Travel Gear That Will Instantly Bring Back Your Childhood Disney Vacation Nostalgia

“And we still own our very own boutique in Beverly Hills,” Sorvino teased fans, giving clues as to what the iconic bestie duo has been up to. Looking at each other as if no time has gone by, she continued to supply more details we are eager to see play out: “We’re entering a whole new phase in our lives. We’re thinking maybe it’s finally time to find true love.”

“That’s right, yeah, but will we find it? You’ll just have to find out,” Kudrow added as the two stood before the sequel’s new title art which nods at their creators of the post-it note lore.

Before their presentation ended, there was a very clever meta moment where the duo addressed the sequel’s change of studio, as the original film was a Fox release: “Oh my gosh, Michelle, do you know what this means?” Sorvino asked in character.

“Oh my god, we’re officially Disney princesses,” Kudrow responded, nodding to their new Disney live-action studio distribution through Twentieth Century Studios.

Romy and Michele 2 is coming soon! D23: Ultimate Fan Event is happening this weekend in Anaheim, CA.

Before Ahsoka Season 2 shows a single battle, it shows a mentor checking in on his old student. That’s the moment Lucasfilm chose to open its long-awaited teaser, debuted Friday night at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim.

Season 2 opens with Anakin Skywalker‘s voice asking Ahsoka what troubles her, just as Anakin spoke to her in the “world between worlds” in Season 1. Rosario Dawson, Hayden Christensen and Eman Esfandi joined series creator Dave Filoni onstage at the Honda Center to unveil the footage in front of a crowd that greeted it enthustiastically, nearly three years after the Season 1 finale left Ahsoka and Sabine Wren stranded in another galaxy.

Christensen, reprising Anakin for a bigger role this season, described training young Ahsoka in flashback and guiding her adult self in the present. He told the crowd Anakin pushes her toward the most important question in her life, whether she still considers herself a Jedi at all. Dawson promised bigger battles and a returning threat in Grand Admiral Thrawn, now openly waging war on the New Republic after his Season 1 escape.

The trailer also introduces Rory McCann, known to many as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane on Game of Thrones, in the role of Baylan Skoll following Ray Stevenson‘s 2023 death, continuing the character’s search for a power capable of ending wars.

The teaser lingered on a shot of statues depicting the Mortis Gods, the Father and the Son, on the planet Peridea, a nod to one of Star Wars’ most mythic story threads and a hint that Ahsoka’s search for home may intersect with forces beyond Thrawn’s Empire remnant. Lucasfilm paired the footage with new poster art at the panel, giving fans their first extended look at redesigned costumes for both Ahsoka and Anakin.

Related: TSA’s Four-Word Note on a Star Wars Blaster Prop Is Winning Fans Over

The trailer also confirms their allies Hera Syndulla, Ezra Bridger, Zeb Orrelios and Chopper will face Thrawn directly in the more familiar reaches of the galaxy, setting up a two-front conflict for Season 2.

For a series that drew criticism for its pacing and visual style in its first outing, the reaction to the new action-packed footage suggests Lucasfilm listened. One fan creator summed up the teaser in three words: more Anakin, more Sabine, more Chopper.

Ahsoka Season 2 will premiere on Disney+ on January 20, 2027, a month ahead of Star Wars’ 50th anniversary theatrical re-release.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

Disney fans just got their first major look at what’s next for Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf. According to the latest D23 announcements, it sounds like Frozen 3 is going to be anything but a quiet return to Arendelle.

During D23 on Friday, Disney unveiled new footage and details from the highly anticipated sequel, including a major milestone for Anna and Kristoff, a mysterious new villain and new music performed by the returning voice cast.

The biggest reveal? Anna and Kristoff are getting married.

Their wedding, teased as a major part of the upcoming movie, doesn’t exactly go according to plan. A mysterious new female villain crashes the celebration, setting the stage for another adventure involving Anna and Elsa.

And there’s apparently plenty of new music on the way.

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad took the D23 stage to perform songs connected to the new movie.

Bell, 46, and Menzel, 55, performed a reworked version of “Frozen Heart,” while Gad, 45, debuted a new Olaf song called “Ooooh, Samantha,” suggesting the lovable snowman may have a romantic storyline of his own.

The original voice cast is returning, with Bell as Anna, Menzel as Elsa, Jonathan Groff as Kristoff and Gad as Olaf. Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are also back for the sequel’s music.

Disney also revealed that the new adventure will take the characters beyond the familiar world of Arendelle, with Elsa embarking on a mysterious journey of her own.

Fans will have to wait a while to see how it all unfolds. Frozen 3 is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on Nov. 24, 2027, just in time for Thanksgiving.

RELATED: Disney Is Bringing 10 Beloved Classics to Life With New Anniversary Collections

Pat Priest was filming 1967’s Easy Come, Easy Go alongside Elvis Presley when she mentioned, almost in passing, that she needed a car. Presley didn’t hesitate, and offered up his own 1965 Cadillac convertible, black leather seats and all.

She laughed it off at first, telling him she could never afford one of his cars. Then he named a price. “He said $3,000, and I said sold,” she’s recalled. “I wrote him a check.”

Today, Priest turns 90, marking a milestone nine decades in the making.

She’s best known for stepping into the role of Marilyn Munster on The Munsters in 1964, taking over from original actress Beverley Owen just 13 episodes into the show. Marilyn was the joke at the center of the whole family: a normal, pretty blonde surrounded by a Frankenstein’s monster, two vampires and a werewolf, treated by everyone around her as the “ugly” one. Priest carried the role through the rest of the series, helping cement Marilyn as one of the show’s most memorable running bits.

Priest also picked up guest roles on Bewitched, Perry Mason, Death Valley Days and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and moved between film projects including Looking for Love opposite Connie Francis and the horror film The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant with Bruce Dern.

In 2001, she faced a difficult chapter when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She completed treatment at the Mountain States Tumor Institute and was later declared in remission, putting the toughest role of her life behind her.

She eventually stepped away from acting entirely, trading Hollywood for a career restoring and selling homes in Idaho, where she lived for over two decades. These days, Priest spends her time reconnecting with fans at nostalgia conventions and Munsters revivals held around the country, greeting generations of viewers who grew up watching her on-screen.

Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983, but the classic rock song never reached No. 1. More than four decades later, it remains one of the band’s best-known songs and was ranked among the greatest classic rock songs that never topped the chart.

A 1983 rock song that stopped short of the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 is getting another look as one of the greatest classic rock songs ever made.

Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” was ranked No. 4 on Collider’s list of “The 10 Greatest Classic Rock Songs That Were Never No. 1 Hits.” 

Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, David Byrne, and Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads pose for publicity shots in December 1977 in Hollywood, California.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Released in July 1983 by Sire Records, “Burning Down the House” was the first single from Talking Heads’ fifth studio album, Speaking in Tongues. The song became the group’s biggest U.S. chart hit and helped mark the band’s commercial peak.

Despite its strong chart run, the song had to compete with major artists of the period, including Michael Jackson and The Police. Its unusual mix of musical styles also helped set it apart from many other rock songs of the era.

Collider placed “Burning Down the House” fourth on its list, noting that Talking Heads could be considered part of the classic rock world even though the group was also known as a new wave band. 

“Burning Down the House” also reached No. 6 on the U.S. Rock Top Tracks chart, No. 8 in Canada and No. 5 in New Zealand. It was their only U.S. Top 10 single and their highest-charting hit in North America.

The track also showed the group’s ability to cross radio formats. According to Collider’s ranking, it found an audience on stations ranging from classic rock to hard rock.

But the song’s success was not the same everywhere. It reached only No. 94 in Australia and did not chart in the United Kingdom.

The track came from Speaking in Tongues, an album that reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 in 1983. The album became an important part of the band’s commercial breakthrough.

The song began as a jam involving bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz. Frantz had recently seen Parliament-Funkadelic perform at Madison Square Garden and came into the session energized by the group’s music.

During the jam, Frantz repeatedly shouted “Burn down the house!” The phrase came from a P-Funk audience chant. David Byrne liked the line and changed it to “Burning down the house,” which became the song’s title and chorus.

Byrne later developed the lyrics using phrases that fit the rhythm of the music. The song was not written as a traditional story with a clear beginning, middle and end. Instead, Byrne used connected phrases and ideas to create the song’s mood.

The story of “Burning Down the House” did not end when its chart run finished.

In 1984, an extended live version became one of the highlights of Stop Making Sense, the Talking Heads concert film directed by Jonathan Demme. The movie captured performances from the band’s 1983 tour in support of Speaking in Tongues.

Stop Making Sense later became an important part of the band’s legacy. In 2023, the concert film returned to theaters in a restored version for its 40th anniversary. The release included screenings in IMAX theaters and later conventional theaters.

The renewed attention also helped introduce Talking Heads’ music to another generation.

In January 2024, Billboard reported on a tribute project celebrating Stop Making Sense. A24 Music announced Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Stop Making Sense, featuring new versions of songs from the original soundtrack.

Paramore recorded a new version of “Burning Down the House” for the tribute album. The project also featured artists including Miley Cyrus, Lorde, The National, Teezo Touchdown, Kevin Abstract, Jean Dawson, girl in red, BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, Chicano Batman, Money Mark, Toro y Moi and others.

Talking Heads themselves had a long history before and after the song. The band formed in New York City in 1975 with David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, later adding Jerry Harrison.

Their early work grew out of the New York punk scene, but the group soon developed a sound that crossed several genres. Their work with producer Brian Eno on albums including More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music and Remain in Light helped expand their musical direction.

By the time Speaking in Tongues arrived in 1983, Talking Heads had developed into one of the most recognized groups of the era.

“Burning Down the House” was nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 1984 Grammy Awards. Its music video received a nomination for Best Special Effects at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.

Talking Heads eventually ended their run as a band, announcing their breakup in December 1991. The four core members later reunited for their 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, where they performed “Life During Wartime,” “Psycho Killer” and “Burning Down the House.”

In 2023, the members appeared together again for events surrounding the 40th anniversary of Stop Making Sense. The renewed interest in the film and the band also brought their music back into the spotlight.

Related: 1939 Hit Song, Featured in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ Kickstarted 17-Year-Old’s Music Career

If you’ve been daydreaming about a tropical escape where turquoise Caribbean waters meet lush tropical jungle, your dream Mexican getaway just got a whole lot more seamless.

Tucked into a secluded private bay just north of Tulum, the award-winning Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya has officially introduced a brand-new, ultra-luxury all-inclusive package. Known for its sleek, eco-chic architecture, five oceanfront pools, and deep connection to local Mayan heritage, the sanctuary is giving travelers the best of both worlds: five-star luxury, elevated chef-driven dining, and the carefree ease of an all-inclusive stay.

Related: 5 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico, According to Getaway Guru Darley Newman

View this post on Instagram A Design-Forward Sanctuary Between the Jungle and the Sea

Unlike mega-resorts that feel disconnected from their natural surroundings, Conrad Tulum was intentionally built into a dramatic coastal landscape where mangrove forests open directly onto calm, protected waters.

Every single one of its 349 rooms and suites features a private balcony complete with a relaxation plunge pool, framing panoramic views of either the tropical greenery or the Caribbean horizon. When you aren’t lounging on the white-sand beach, you can wander between five distinct outdoor swimming pools (complete with dedicated quiet zones and vibrant family spots), or retreat to the cenote-inspired Conrad Spa, where treatment casitas are nestled directly into the jungle canopy.

Related: Hilton’s First-Ever Tulum All-Inclusive Is the Ultimate Travel Hack for Eco-Chic Luxury on a Budget

Five-Star Dining Without the Check-Signing Fatigue

The real centerpiece of Conrad Tulum’s new all-inclusive offering is a complete reimagining of resort dining. Instead of channeling guests through a single dining hall or endless buffet line, the package unlocks unlimited dining and drinks across the property’s acclaimed portfolio of signature restaurants and bars.

Guests can sit down for an intimate dinner at Ukai, where master chefs prepare artfully plated sushi and fresh sashimi, or savor bright coastal Mediterranean flavors and regional seafood at Maratea. For bold, fire-kissed dishes, Kengai serves up creative Asian cuisine, while the resort’s Michelin Guide-recognized concept, Autor, delivers an unforgettable culinary showcase. During the day, you can graze between three beachfront chiringuitos—Crudo, Carbon, and Leña—for freshly caught ceviche, grilled bites, and ice-cold craft beers with your toes in the sand, before heading to Chaak Bar for evening agave tastings and handcrafted cocktails.

The package also bundles in 24-hour in-room dining, a daily restocked minibar, premium wine and spirit selections, and complimentary non-motorized water sports like ocean kayaking and paddleboarding across the bay. Plus, for those traveling with family, kids and teens under 14 stay and dine complimentary when sharing a room with adults.

Related: One of Riviera Maya’s Most Popular All-Inclusive Resorts Just Unveiled a Huge Upgrade for Families

Exploring the Magic of Tulum

While it’s tempting never to leave the property, the resort’s location puts you right at the heart of the Riviera Maya’s most magical sights.

You’re just 20 minutes from the world-famous cliffside Tulum Mayan Ruins, a short drive from swimming in crystal-clear underground cenotes, and within easy reach of the bohemian boutiques, beach clubs, and art installations that make downtown Tulum so iconic.

Whether you want to spend your morning paddleboarding across the bay, exploring ancient ruins in the afternoon, or sipping hibiscus mezcal cocktails by the pool as the sun dips below the palms, this elevated all-inclusive package makes unwinding completely effortless.

Related: 10 Breathtaking ‘Travel Dupes’ to Swap for Overtouristed Cities