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So far Off to Neverland Travel has created 2017 blog entries.

New Nighttime Spectacular Coming Soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom®

Update Apr. 5, 2016: The Walt Disney World® Resort has announced that the new experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park will not open on Apr. 22, 2016 as planned. Unfortunately, more time is needed to bring these innovative experiences to life to exceed guests’ expectations. An announcement on the updated debut date is expected in May.

As part of the expansion currently underway, the Walt Disney World® Resort has announced the new nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park will debut on Apr. 22, 2016 soon.

Titled Rivers of Light, the show utilizes live music and water screens to bring the Discovery River to life. Using the latest in technology and innovations, this show is unlike anything ever seen in Disney Parks.

While you’re waiting for the new show to launch, watch these Walt Disney Imagineering videos below to get a “first look” at Rivers of Light and the nighttime transformation of the Tree of Life!

The Disney Difference

By Kyle Froman, Off to Neverland Travel®’s Director of Marketing

It is almost that time of year again.

Before we all know it, children will be trading in book bags and school clothes for suitcases and flip-flops. Summer vacation season is looming just out of our windshields!

When it comes to summer travel, we know that the opportunities are truly limitless. Last summer alone my family traveled to New York City, Washington, D.C., Santa Rosa Beach, New Hampshire, and Texas over the course of three months. Our nation is full of amazing destinations with fantastic experiences all waiting for us to enjoy them.

Yet, even with so many amazing places to see and things to do we are continually drawn back to one place annually, Walt Disney World® Resort in central Florida. I could share with you dozens of reasons why, but in the end it can all be paired down to one thing, the Disney difference.

While it is possible to explain the Disney difference, it is really something that has to be experienced to fully realize what makes it so special.

I remember one trip in particular a few summers back when things weren’t necessarily going just as we had hoped or planned. Our youngest son had become sick near the end of our stay (those of you with young children know just how ‘un-magical’ this can be).

Following a field trip to the local urgent care facility, we made the decision to attempt to salvage what we could with one last day in the parks before heading home. We were not in Disney’s Hollywood Studios® Park very long before we found ourselves in the now-familiar nurses station near the front of the park.

Our son had not improved, and we needed a quiet, calm place to administer his medicine. The nurses allowed us use of one of the rooms. Most of our attempts at getting our toddler to take his medicine were futile, but after a decent amount of time trying alas it seemed we were finally making progress.

Unfortunately, the medicine did not stay in him long, as he decided to ‘erupt’ the meds along with everything else in his stomach all over himself, my wife and the room.

Last. Day. Ruined.

That is, until one of Disney’s Nurses entered the room and witnessed what had transpired.

As quickly as she entered, she disappeared (just as I would have). Only a few moments later she returned with a slip of paper in her hand as we were attempting to clean up. The paper was a voucher, for new outfits not only for my son but for my wife as well.

They could have easily witnessed the semi-grotesque scene, offered their own apologies and let us go on our way back to the resort.

They were not content with that. They saw an opportunity to make magic happen in the middle of a miserable experience, and they seized the moment and acted on it.

The Disney difference.

It is going the extra mile when it isn’t necessary. It is creating magic in not-so-magical moments. It is pixie dust being sprinkled onto unexpected parts of your trip.

As a family, we have been to a lot of places and experienced a lot of things, and consistently no one does it like Disney Destinations does it.

So. As we head into another busy summer travel season, I implore you to consider experiencing the Disney difference for yourself. See just what it is that keeps the Froman family, and countless other families around the globe, returning to Walt Disney World® Resort year in, and year out.

The magic starts now, as our Magic Makers® are ready to help you experience just what the Disney difference is all about.

By |2017-06-27T10:21:26-05:00March 30th, 2016|Categories: Off to Neverland News|1 Comment

De Las Puertas Festival

Earlier this year we were excited to tell you about our new partnership (friendship) with the long running WDW Today Podcast. If you missed that announcement, you can check it out here!

This new friendship has led us to another exciting announcement!

On a landmark episode, Episode 1500, the WDW Today gang shared their plans for an unbelievable fan festival that would be taking place near Walt Disney World® Resort later this year.

De Las Puertas (Magic + Music + Media Festival) will come to life at Clermont Performing Arts Center in Clermont, FL (20 miles from Walt Disney World® Resort) on September 30th! In conjunction with this upcoming festival; Off to Neverland Travel® is excited to offer special rates and ticket options for festival goers!

De Las Puertas (Magic + Music + Media Festival) has an amazing concert line-up including Walt Disney World® Resort favorites Off Kilter, American Martian (formerly Mulch, Sweat and Sheers) and Return2Zero (formerly Four for a Dollar). In addition Ron Schneider (The Dreamfinder) will be joining the show and the WDW Today cast will be recording live throughout the night!

Oh and did we mention that Gi-Tar Dan from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be a part of the pre-show?

In addition to De Las Puertas (Magic + Music + Media Festival) the WDW Today gang will be hosting meet-ups throughout the day on Saturday October 1st, celebrating the 45th anniversary of Walt Disney World® Resort’s Magic Kingdom® Park! Expect meet-ups at attractions, restaurants and even some pure insanity. It is a big birthday after all. Specific details on meet-ups will be released closer to the event.

To make sure you get the most of your De Las Puertas (Magic + Music + Media Festival) event experience, Off to Neverland Travel® has rooms available with special group rates at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

As a benefit of booking your room through Off to Neverland Travel® you will have access to our VIP Seating Block with discounted tickets to De Las Puertas Festival!

There is a ‘great big beautiful tomorrow‘ on the horizon with WDW Today, and we are excited to be a part of it!

As you can see, there is a lot planned! Contact your Magic Maker® to begin planning your grand De Las Puertas Festival journey today!

By |2016-03-16T15:02:43-05:00March 17th, 2016|Categories: Disney News|0 Comments

‘World of Color’ Dining Options at Disney California Adventure® Park

For years, Disney California Adventure® Park has offered different options for their World of Color Dining Packages available at Carthay Circle Restaurant, Ariel’s Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria. Now, guests can choose from a new Dessert Party option as well!

The new package gives guests the opportunity enjoy a sparkling dessert party while enjoying the World of Color nighttime spectacular from a reserved viewing area. It’s a great way to end your day!

World of Color Dessert Party Details

Package includes:

  • Dessert selection (like Dulce de Leche-filled cookie, Mickey Coconut Macaroon, a selection of fruit and artisanal cheese) served with sparkling beverages (sparkling wine and sparkling cider)
  • Reserved seating at Paradise Park in the World of Color preferred viewing area

Package Pricing:

$79 (includes tax and gratuity)

World of Color Dining Package Details

The existing World of Color Dining Packages continue to be  available at Carthay Circle Restaurant, Ariel’s Grotto and Wine Country Trattoria.

Package includes:

  • 3-course (starter, entrée and dessert) full-service meal selected from a prix-fixe menu from one of three participating restaurants, plus a non-alcoholic beverage
  • One voucher that reserves your spot in the World of Color preferred viewing area at Paradise Park

Package pricing: (excludes tax, gratuity, and alcohol)

  • Ariel’s Grotto (no characters)
    • Dinner: starting at $48.58 for adults, $26.98 for children (ages 3-9)
  • Wine Country Trattoria
    • Lunch: starting at $34.55 for adults, $22.66 for children (ages 3-9)
    • Dinner: starting at $48.58 for adults, $26.98 for children (ages 3-9)
  • Carthay Circle Restaurant
    • Lunch: starting at $44.29 for adults, $23.76 for children (ages 3-9)
    • Dinner: starting at $66.96 for adults, $27.01 for children (ages 3-9)

Contact your Magic Maker® for reservations!

Advance reservations suggested as availability is limited. Pricing is subject to change without notice. Pricing does not include cost of admission which is required for all packages. Please note that World of Color can be cancelled due to technical issues without notice. Dinner packages will not be refunded.

First Look at Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

A brand new attraction is racing into Cars Land at Disney California Adventure® Park!

Opening March 7th, 2016, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will dance away to upbeat Italian Music straight from Carsoli, Italy. Each car will have its own personality and signature dance moves, so every ride will be different than the ride before! Check out the details in the behind-the-scenes Walt Disney Imagineering video below:

The addition of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters to Cars Land marks the first Disney attraction in the United States to operate off of a trackless ride system! We can’t wait to check it out!

(©Disney/Pixar)

Explore America in New Ways with Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney has announced the addition of three new vacation options right here in the United States! An award-winning leader in guided group travel, Adventures by Disney has chosen three diverse locations that will offer exhilarating, educational, and entertaining exploration of America. These week-long trips filled with unique activities will start in Summer 2016.

Every Adventures by Disney itinerary features two Disney-trained Adventure Guides, along with local experts, that ensure every detail of the vacation is taken care of. This level of service allows you to focus solely on creating everlasting memories with your family without the stress of  any planning.

Highlights of the new itineraries include:

Walt Disney World Resort & Central Florida

Unlike anything offered before, this unforgettable trip provides backstage access and magical VIP experiences at the Walt Disney World® theme parks, exclusive dining opportunities, outdoor adventures in the wilds of Florida, a private lunch with an astronaut and more. It’s a great opportunity for our guests who have previously visited the area and are looking for a totally different experience.

  • Take part in a privately guided safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® theme park and go behind the scenes of the revolutionary Rivers of Light show before taking a VIP seat to enjoy this new nighttime spectacular.
  • Savor unique world-class dining opportunities, such as an exclusive dinner at Disney’s Contemporary Resort chef’s kitchen.
  • Learn how Disney magic is created and receive special behind-the-scenes access during one-of-a-kind experiences with Walt Disney Imagineers.
  • Enjoy special Disney FastPass+ selections at the Walt Disney World® theme parks, including premium access to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Toy Story Midway Mania!® and other popular attractions.
  • Explore Central Florida’s unique natural wonders on land – by zipline, swamp buggy and on horseback – and on water in kayaks and aboard an airboat.
  • Go in-depth with an astronaut and learn firsthand what it takes to soar into space.

Montana

This exhilarating adventure includes “glamping” (glamorous camping) adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, a dude ranch experience in beautiful Big Sky, and active excursions through amazing natural landscapes.

  • Enjoy the adventure and serenity of upscale camping, explore nature while biking in the backcountry and listen to storytelling under the stars.
  • Get hands-on at an authentic dude ranch complete with fun family activities like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing and a private riverside cookout.
  • Experience the wonders of Yellowstone National Park during the centennial of the National Parks Service and witness the explosive power of Old Faithful.

Washington, D.C. & Philadelphia

Experience American history in an exciting, interactive way as it comes alive on this immersive adventure at some of America’s most iconic landmarks, including delightful encounters with characters from the past, a fun-filled scavenger hunt and storytelling at every stop along the way.

  • Delight in a sweeping tour of Philadelphia on a privately guided trolley excursion to remarkable landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Reading Terminal Market.
  • Walk in the footsteps of such historical figures as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Betsy Ross while visiting Washington, D.C. landmarks, including the Capitol, Library of Congress, the Newseum and more.
  • Discover the history of Gettysburg on a fun, interactive tour that details this famous battle, President Lincoln’s speech and the lifestyle of the era.

Contact your Magic Maker® for more details on these or any of the more than 30 other guided group vacation offered by Adventures by Disney!

All-New Live Show Coming to Cinderella Castle Stage

This June, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire will join the lineup of unparalleled entertainment offered to guests at the Walt Disney World® Resort. The new show will replace Dream Along With Mickey which previously ran several times daily on the Cinderella Castle stage inside Magic Kingdom® Park.

During Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, Mickey Mouse and his pals unite in a tale of friendship featuring songs and characters from Disney’s contemporary classics “Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.” This will mark the first appearances by both Tiana and Rapunzel in a show on the castle stage.

No exact dates have been announced for the opening of the new show. Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire will be presented multiple times daily and is included in admission to the park.

A World of Romance

Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away, and what better way to suprirse the love of your life than with a getaway to Walt Disney World® Resort in central Florida.

While Walt Disney World® Resort may not initially be at the top of your list when you think of romantic getaways, the reality is that there is a world of romance awaiting you at Walt Disney World® Resort!  In fact, Walt Disney World® Resort has become a popular destination for proposals, weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries and countless other romantic getaways!

Walt Disney World® Resort is the perfect stage for spontaneous romance, featuring over 100 dining locations, 26 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, and a dining and shopping district. Even amidst the strong family atmosphere, romantic adventures are hiding around every corner.

Walt Disney World® Resort hotels can really unlock the magic of romance, setting the mood for a romantic getaway. At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa you can steal away to another place and time, as you slip into the Victorian elegance of another era. Together you can indulge in a special spa treatment at Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa followed by afternoon tea at the Garden View lounge before settling into the deluxe amenities of your room. If the tropics are a little more of your taste, you can lose yourself in the styles of the South Pacific at Disney’s Polynesian Resort that features plenty of romance and even an open-air Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show! And we’d be amiss to not mention the southern charm of the picturesque Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside; evoking the romance and charm of the Louisiana Bayou.

Elegant dining is one of the cornerstones of any romantic getaway, and Walt Disney World® Resort does not disappoint when it comes to dining. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is home to two romantic favorites, Victoria & Albert’s as well as Narcoossee’s. Just a short monorail ride away, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you will find the newly re-imagined California Grill. Jiko- The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort will transport you to an intimate meal in Africa, while a trip around World Showcase in Epcot® will lead you to Monsieur Paul, Le Cellier, Restaurant Marrakesh and more. Keep in mind that reservations fill quickly at Walt Disney World® Resort, so be sure to talk with your Magic Maker® about your options and making your reservations well in advance.

It isn’t just the dining and resorts that frame a beautiful romantic getaway, but it is also the shared experiences. Inside Walt Disney World® Resort’s theme parks you will find countless opportunities to embrace your love, whether it is strolling around the world in Epcot®, watching the fireworks light up the sky in front of the castle in Magic Kingdom® Park, strolling hand in hand down the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail Walking Tour in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park or embracing in the open air theatre during Fantasmic! Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®; the experiences are truly limitless.

Away from the parks you can enjoy a ‘night on the town’ at Downtown Disney® Area, a unique district-featuring waterfront dining, unique and boutique shops and exciting entertainment options. If a night out isn’t your speed, consider relaxing on a romantic evening cruise to watch the fireworks of Magic Kingdom® Park or Epcot®, or experience private dining one evening aboard Grand 1 Yacht. You can also keep your land-legs and experience a horse-drawn carriage ride through the idyllic woodlands or along the bank of the Sassagoula River as you journey through Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground or Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

Whatever your taste, a world of romance awaits you at Walt Disney World® Resort. While Walt Disney World® Resort is a fantastic destination for families, it is also full of romantic experiences and adventures to draw you closer to the one you love. Contact your Magic Maker® today to begin planning the magic!

By |2016-01-28T07:31:24-05:00January 28th, 2016|Categories: Disney News|0 Comments

Walt Disney World® Resort Fans Rejoice! :: WDW Today

Since 2005, many Walt Disney World® Resort fans around the world have stayed connected to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” through the fan-favorite podcast WDW Today.

Their 1,492 prior episodes have been a source of joy, memories, excitement and anticipation for countless listeners. Covering various topics around Walt Disney World® Resort, the WDW Today Podcast has become the go-to source for news, information, discussions, entertainment and more for many.

In Episode 1489 the WDW Today Podcast team revealed where the future of the podcast was headed. Today, that future becomes the present as the legacy of the WDW Today podcast continues to move forward with an all new cast!

Logan Sekulow, Terry Weaver, “The Nature Boy” Will Haynes and fan favorite Len Testa will be carrying the torch for the WDW Today Podcast into the future! With an amazing cast and some exciting plans, the best truly is yet to come with the WDW Today Podcast!

Our Off to Neverland Travel® team is excited to say that we have come alongside the new team as the official travel agency of the WDW Today Podcast!

Today marks the publication of Episode 1493 of the recently ‘refurbished’ WDW Today Podcast…and it is fantastic! [You Can Listen Here]

In Episode 1493 the torch has been passed as WDW Today welcomes Logan Sekulow, Terry Weaver and “The Nature Boy” Will Haynes. In this episode you will be introduced to the new crew, play a fun game of Quote Quiz, preview the month of January and wrap it all up with Listener Questions with Len Testa.

We are excited to be a part of the future of the WDW Today Podcast and we invite you to join us on the journey! Be sure to subscribe to the WDW Today Podcast or listen to the most current episode here!

By |2016-01-06T12:01:10-05:00January 6th, 2016|Categories: Disney News, Off to Neverland News|0 Comments

Our 15 Favorite Highlights from 2015

Wow! Is it just us, or did 2015 fly by?

From new dining locations to reimagined spaces, there’s been no shortage of exciting changes at Disney Destinations throughout 2015. Once again this year, we tasked our Magic Makers® with deciding their favorite highlights from Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts. It wasn’t easy, but here they are:

Top 15 Favorite Highlights from 2015

  1. There’s no questioning the popularity of Chef Mickey’s restaurant inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort! Last May, Brunch was added to the location’s offerings giving our guests a greater opportunity to dine with Mickey and his pals.
  2. Every little girl dreams of being a princess. A recent refresh of the Disney Dream has made room for a brand new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique providing royal makeovers for girls ages 3-12 and swashbuckling transformations for all on Pirate Night.
  3. The former Downtown Disney® area of the Walt Disney World® Resort is full of excitement as it transforms to the new Disney Springs™. After construction is complete later in 2016, the amount of shopping, dining and entertainment venues will double! The first of the new dining locations, The BOATHOUSE®, opened in April 2015 and offers upscale waterfront dining and rides on some awesome dream boats from the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s.
  4. Garden Grill Restaurant at Epcot® is often referred to as the “rotating restaurant” that hosted Chip ‘n Dale’s Harvest Feast for dinner. Now, those nutty pals have extended hours to include both Breakfast and Lunch! There’s no better way to start you Epcot® day than with a helping of Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake!
  5. One of the most popular shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® received a refresh and recently reopened as Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. Just like before, the stage show teaches young Padawans (ages 4-12) how to use the Force to challenge the Dark Side. After training, Knights will come face-to-face with Darth Vader or a new villain, the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from the popular Disney XD series Star Wars™ Rebels.
  6. Also part of the recent refresh of the Disney Dream was the addition of a new Force-filled area in Disney’s Oceaneer Club (ages 3-12). Kids are transported to a far away galaxy at Star Wars™: Millennium Falcon, where the legendary spacecraft becomes an out-of-this-galaxy play area inspired by the Star Wars™ saga.
  7. MagicBands were introduced several years ago at the Walt Disney World® Resort as an integral part of the MyMagic+ system. Since then, on property guests have been able to choose from standard colored MagicBands that were included complimentary in their package or purchase some specialty ones from various retail locations. Now, guests are able to design their own MagicBands at one of the MagicBand on Demand stations. With the launch of this program, the often-requested band color purple was introduced as a retail option.
  8. A brand new stage show debuted just last month aboard the Disney Magic. “Tangled: The Musical” immerses its audience in Rapunzel’s fairytale world through lavish production numbers and spellbinding music. This is the first time this beloved Disney tale has been adapted for the stage and has received great reviews from our guests.
  9. As part of its recent renovation, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort added Villas and Bungalows to their accommodation options. Built as part of the Disney Vacation Club portfolio, the 360 Deluxe Studio accommodations (sleeps up to 5 guests) and 20 over-the-water Bungalows (sleeps up to 8 guests) deliver the spirit of the South Pacific along with some fun Disney touches to guests staying on a cash basis as well.
  10. Our guests are going WILD over the newest dining option at Magic Kingdom® Park! At the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, you’ll experience “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” in one of several unique dining rooms, including a crew mess hall and a once-hidden secret meeting room of the famed Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Staffed by infamous Jungle Cruise® Skippers, this is a meal you won’t soon forget!
  11. Not been to Disney Parks in a while or wish you would have picked up that souvenir you saw on your last trip? The new Shop Disney Parks Mobile App lets you choose from thousands of popular Disney Parks products and have it delivered right to your door! You’ll find the Shop Disney Parks Mobile App available for download in the Apple App Store℠ or Google Play™.
  12. To celebrate the latest Star Wars™ movie, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® has introduced “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks. The night sky above the park erupts with impressive fireworks that are set to the most dramatic and memorable Star Wars themes of all time, including selections from Star Wars™: The Force Awakens.
  13. As part of the Disneyland® Resort 60th Diamond Celebration, Disneyland® Park introduced a new nighttime parade called “Paint the Night.” This after-dark spectacular was inspired by the iconic ‘Main Street Electrical Parade.’ Full of vibrant color and more than 1.5 million brilliant LED lights, the parade features special effects, unforgettable music, and energetic performances that bring beloved Disney and Disney●Pixar stories to life.
  14. Last March, the Be Our Guest Restaurant inside Magic Kingdom® Park started offering breakfast service. With the popularity of the location, this quick-service breakfast can be a great way to get inside and check it out.
  15. Both Disney’s Hollywood Studios® and Disneyland® Park have added new ways for you to experience Star Wars™! Star Wars™ Launch Bay takes guests into the Star Wars™ saga with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, special food and merchandise, and even opportunities to encounter Chewbacca and Darth Vader! It’s stellar fun in a galaxy not-so-far away!

Now that we’ve told you our favorites of 2015, what are yours?

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