Off to Neverland Travel

Jump-start your Summer by setting sail with this great promotion!

For a limited time, you can save 20% or more off the prevailing rates on Category VGT Staterooms (with restrictions) on select 3- and 4-night sailings departing from Port Canaveral, FL. Your tropical getaway will include a stop at the white-sand beaches of Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay!

Available Sail Dates:

• Jul. 3 – 3-night Bahamian on Disney Dream
• Jul. 6 – 4-night Bahamian on Disney Dream
• Jul. 10 – 3-night Bahamian on Disney Dream
• Jul. 13 – 4-night Bahamian on Disney Dream
• Jul. 17 – 3-night Bahamian on Disney Dream
• Jul. 20 – 4-night Bahamian on Disney Dream
• Jul. 24 – 3-night Bahamian on Disney Dream

Ask your Magic Maker® about potential savings on other categories for these sail dates as well!

Now’s your chance to discover the difference – and value – of Disney Cruise Line®! Contact your Magic Maker® today!

All pricing is based on double occupancy. Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable. Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes will be allowed. Specific stateroom may be assigned at a later time, based on availability. Excludes Government Taxes and Fees approximately $54 – $75 per person (all amounts subject to change). Rates in U.S. dollars. Gratuities and excursions are not included. The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Offers subject to Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions.

Create Summertime Memories at the Walt Disney World® Resort

Walt Disney World® Resort Annual Passholders can save this summer when they stay where they play!

For a limited time, you can save up to 35% at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels for stays most nights Jun. 16-Aug. 2, 2014. Not only will you enjoy staying closer to the magic, but your stay will also include an array of special Disney touches and magical extras that only on-property guests receive. And as an extra bonus, you’ll receive a FREE Memory Maker to use during your stay!

Travel Dates:
Most nights Jun. 16 – Aug. 2, 2014

Booking Dates:
Now – Aug. 2, 2014

Contact your Magic Maker® today for pricing and availability!

Offer available exclusively to Annual Passholders who must present a valid Walt Disney World Annual Pass at check-in. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same room. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. Valid only on stays of 2-14 nights. Check-in date must fall within valid offer travel dates. Discounted room rate will only be applied to travel dates that are valid offer travel dates. Advance reservations required. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Memory Maker includes photos taken during the Memory Maker window and linked to the Memory Maker Guest’s Disney account. Photos will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations. Family and Friends media sharing is subject to the MyMagic+ Terms and Conditions. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to Memory Maker terms and conditions.

This weekend we get to take pause and celebrate dads all around the world! While many dads will be celebrating around grills, at sporting events or just enjoying a day of relaxation with your family…there is no doubt that some will be celebrating big at Walt Disney World® Resort!

With over 40-square acres of father-friendly activities there is literally something that will excite nearly any Dad! The good news is, it doesn’t have to be Father’s Day to celebrate dad at the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Since Father’s Day is right around the corner,  we decided to task our Magic Makers® with discovering the Top 12 Faves for those special guys in our lives – Dad!

And here are the results…

Top 12 Faves for Fathers at the Walt Disney World® Resort

Attractions

• Splash Mountain® – Everybody has a laughing place, including dad! A trip to Magic Kingdom® Park wouldn’t be complete without a ride on this water attraction!
• Pirates of the Caribbean® – A classic Disney attraction, every dad remembers either his first time on this attraction or his child’s first ride.
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress / The Hall of Presidents – We’re not sure if these attractions made the list because our dads like the show or the “napping” opportunity! We’ll leave that up to you to decide!

Snacks

• Churros – While they are more prevalent at the Disneyland® Resort, churros are one of our dad’s favs on the East Coast as well. How can you go wrong with a strip of fried dough dusted with cinnamon and sugar? Grab one (or more) before the 3 o’clock parade and enjoy!
• Drinking (and snacking) around the World – With 11 different countries nestled around the beautiful World Showcase Lagoon, it’s hard to pass up enjoying various food and beverages from around the world! Served at kiosks along the way, take your taste buds on a tour while you enjoy the sites and sounds of Epcot® World Showcase. One favorite – the Grapefruit beer and pretzels from Germany!
• Mickey Bar – Ok, so this treat knows no age limits. From young to old, everyone loves a Mickey Bar!

Restaurants

• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – This quaint family-friendly pub is home to some of the best pub food on property! Dad will love the fish and chips paired with a large selection of British beers and cold refreshments while relaxing to the tunes of Rose & Crown’s resident musician!
• Cape May Cafe – This New England-style, beachside themed dining hotspot will leave any dad full and smiling after experiencing the Seafood-and-More Dinner Buffet offering clams, mussels, crab legs, shrimp, chicken and more!
• ‘Ohana – Nothing says ‘family’ quite like ‘Ohana. Celebrate dad together with an amazing evening of Polynesian-style delights, storytelling and games. This tropical eatery features skewers of sweet and our pork loin, oak-grilled shrimp and steak.

Outside the Parks

• Golf – With three 18 hole championship golf courses and one 9 hole golf course on property, dad will never have a problem finding somewhere to swing his sticks! No equipment? No problem! Dad can rent clubs and shoes at the course!
• Not Driving – What more can we say? We have all seen dad behind the wheel…and he needs a break! Enjoy the amazing on-property transportation and give Dad’s right foot a break!
• Richard Petty Driving Experience – The only exception to not driving would be letting dad drive as fast as he wants in a real NASCAR prepared stock car or a high end exotic machine like a Lamborghini or Ferrari!

We told you we were bringing you a top 12, but get ready for a bonus. Because of the popularity of land and sea vacation, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Disney Cruise Line. Whether paired with a Walt Disney World® vacation or not, a sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line can provide the ultimate in relaxation for dad!

Walt Disney World® Resort is a place that Dad can be celebrated all year round! These are just 12 of the many amazing experiences that await Dad, and the entire family, on a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort!

Following in the footsteps of last year’s extremely popular Villain-themed Limited Time Magic event, the Walt Disney World® Resort has announced a new hard-ticketed event called Villains Unleashed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. At this point this is a one time event, so we expect tickets to sell out quickly!

On Aug. 23, 2014, over 50 Disney Villains will unite for a night of partying, wicked fun, and all around mayhem! The night full of villainous entertainment will be capped off with Villainy in the Skies – a fearsome fireworks extravaganza high above Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Other planned entertainment include:

• Over 50 Disney Villains throughout the Park
• Villain-inspired Fantasmic! preshow
• Oogie Boogie Variety Show
• Hades Hangout and Dance Party
• Star Wars™ Villain Zone
• “Ex-Scream” Makeovers

Additionally, operating hours for many Disney’s Hollywood Studios® attractions will be extended for the party. Be sure you don’t miss some of the villainous food, beverage, and merchandise offerings available during the party as well!

Villains Unleashed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

When: Sat. Aug. 23, 2014 ~ 8p – 1a
Pricing: $67+tax for adults / $62+tax for children

Tickets are currently available but are expected to sell out! Contact your Magic Maker® for more details.

Entertainment offerings subject to change without notice. Admission to this event requires a separately priced ticket. Ticket valid only during specific event hours and subject to availability.

Disney PhotoPass™ Service has just made using their Memory Maker package at the Walt Disney World® Resort even easier!

Now, all guests who have a linked Memory Maker and MagicBand will no longer have to stop at the photo counter of select attractions to associate their photos with their Memory Maker account. Those attractions include:

• Magic Kingdom® Park
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin®
  • Space Mountain®
  • Splash Mountain®
• Epcot®
  • Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet®
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
  • DINOSAUR
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
    

All other guests will still need to visit the photo counter at each attraction to associate their photo to their account. This even includes guests who have purchased Memory Maker but have no MagicBand or vice versa.

Disney PhotoPass™ Service has provided a few FAQs regarding the new system:

Q: How will I know if an image has been successfully associated to my MagicBand / My Disney Experience account?

A: You can view your images via your My Disney Experience account or at a Disney PhotoPass™ Center. If you do not see your photo after 24 hours from the time it was captured, please contact your Magic Maker® for assistance in contacting the Disney PhotoPass™ Support Team.

Q: I don’t have Memory Maker but a member of my travel party does. Will they see my attraction photos?

A: Yes, guests with Memory Maker who have active Family & Friends connections on their My Disney Experience account will be able to view all attraction photos for their Family & Friends, including those that are captured automatically and those manually associated at a photo counter. At this time, only the guest with an active Memory Maker entitlement will be able to view the attraction photos.

Q: I purchased Memory Maker but do not have a MagicBand, how can I have my photos automatically associated to my account?

A: You may purchase a MagicBand at a Walt Disney World® merchandise location and link it to your My Disney Experience account.

Ask your Magic Maker® about adding Memory Maker to your upcoming Walt Disney World® Resort Vacation!

Whether you’ve been traveling to Walt Disney World® Resort since you were a child or you are exploring your first trip to the most magical place on earth there is always something new to explore and experience!

We just wanted to give you a taste of some of the new attractions and experiences that you will find at Walt Disney World® Resort this summer!

Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train

Last week, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train official opened at Magic Kingdom® Park! The completion of this family-friendly coaster marks the end of a multi-year expansion known as New Fantasyland®.

There’s no denying that the popularity of runDisney events has exploded over the past several years. Last year, more than 163,900 runners participated in runDisney events at the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts – a 40% increase over the previous year. And just this past March, registration for the new Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon that will take place this November sold out in less than two hours!

At a runDisney event, you are surrounded by inspiration. Each race consists of thousands of participants grouped together running for their own cause – whether just for fun, raising funds for a charitable group, or even celebrating their own personal victory! The energy of these events is something that just can’t be described.

To celebrate National Running Day, we wanted to share with you one of our favorite “Why I runDisney” stories. Take a few minutes to hear why Allison Foley of Orange County, CA, runs for a cure.

Here’s the lineup of upcoming runDisney events, but remember that many are sold out due to their popularity:

• Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend
  8/28-8/31/2014 (Disneyland® Resort) – SOLD OUT
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler Weekend
  10/2-10/4/2014 (Walt Disney World® Resort) – Availability exists in Kids Races
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
  11/7-11/8/2014 (Walt Disney World® Resort) – Availability exists in Kids Races
• Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend
  11/14-11/16/2014 (Disneyland® Resort ) – SOLD OUT
• Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend
  1/7-1/11/2015 (Walt Disney World® Resort) – Availability exists in Kids Races
• Star Wars™ Half Marathon Weekend
  1/15-1/18/2015 (Disneyland® Resort) – Registration opens June 10th at Noon EDT
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
  2/19-2/22/2015 (Walt Disney World® Resort) – Registration opens July 15th at Noon EDT
• Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend
  5/7-5/10/2015 (Disneyland® Resort) – Registration opens Aug. 12th at Noon EDT

Contact your Magic Maker® today for additional details on runDisney events!

Yesterday, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train official opened at Magic Kingdom® Park! The completion of this family-friendly coaster marks the end of a multi-year expansion known as New Fantasyland®. Early Wednesday morning, Magic Kingdom® Park VP Phil Holmes, players from the Orlando Magic, and Littles and Bigs from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida helped Snow White and all Seven Dwarfs open the attraction with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

To celebrate the opening of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, we thought it would be fun to share a few fun facts about the attraction.

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is almost completely “on stage” which provides you some pretty amazing views of New Fantasyland® while riding the attraction.
• The Dwarfs cottage is a meticulously detailed representation of the cozy home seen in the classic film, down to the wisteria vine and birdhouse at the front door.
• While waiting in the queue, look for the key to the vault hanging on a peg next to the door – right where Dopey hangs it in the movie!
• Keen eyes may recognize some familiar pieces in this new attraction. The figures of Grumpy, Doc, Bashful, Sleepy, and Happy seen in the Dwarfs Cottage and the two vultures on the crane near the mine entrance all appeared in the former Snow White’s Scary Adventure attraction at Magic Kingdom® Park.
• The newly patented ride system for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train provides a one-of-a-kind ride experience – featuring five mine cars that swing side to side during the trip.
• Inside the mine “where a million diamonds shine,” you’ll find jewels in four different sizes and six different colors: red, green, amber, purple, blue and clear.
• In the original tale by the Brothers Grimm, the Dwarfs were unnamed. Walt Disney decided it was important to have his animators give them names to correspond with their character, but some of their names were rejected including: Wheezy, Jumpy, Baldy, Hickey, Sniffy, Stuffy, Burpy, Tubby, Shorty, Deafy and Dizzy.

Here’s a look at the new Walt Disney World® Resort commercial advertising the opening of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! “Heigh-Ho!”

By Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk

Whether you are planning your first trip to Walt Disney World® Resort or have visited this magical place numerous times, there are exciting changes to the guest experience taking place! MyMagic+ is the latest move to enhance your experience at Walt Disney World® Resort. This initiative has been in the works for several years at a very high cost and has been rolled out in stages during the last year. Let’s take a look at what is involved in MyMagic+!

My Disney Experience (MDE) is step one. Your Magic Maker@ will take care of this for you.   We will set up an online account that will keep track of your resort reservation, the members of your travel party, your dining reservations, your FastPass+ bookings, credit card information and other vacation details. You are welcome to ask for your user name and password at any time. We do ask that you not set up your own account as this may muddy the water and cause a mix up in reservations. (Please inform your Magic Maker® if you have set up a My Disney Experience account previously.)

Step Two is to select MagicBand colors from red, blue, green, orange, pink, yellow or grey and the name you wish printed on the inside of the band. Once again, we will order these for you and they will ship directly to your home.   This band is truly magical! It serves as your park ticket, room key, charge card, FastPass+ return ticket, Disney PhotoPass® and stores all your dining and other reservation information! No more digging for your ticket after going through security or fumbling for your Key to the World card to enter your resort room! Grabbing a bottle of water – just scan your band, enter your pin code and you are on your way to the next event! There are numerous safety features in place that prevent the use of your band by someone else if it is lost. It is actually more secure than using your credit card.

You may be wondering just what is FastPass+? This replaces the need to rush from ride to ride with tickets in hand to grab paper FastPasses for particular attractions. Your Magic Maker® will be able to book three FastPass+ selections for each guest in your party in one park per day of your stay! After using your three selections for the day, you may get another FastPass+ selection in the park you are currently visiting or you may Park Hop and get a FastPass+ selection in another.   After using that pass, you may get another and then another. This new opportunity will be available at designated kiosks in each park and is subject to availability for each ride and attraction.

With most of us carrying a smart phone, a mobile app called MDE is available for download to your mobile device. You will be able to check your reservations at a glance and change your FastPass+ selections on the go! Off to Neverland Travel® continues to use our own Itinerary Planner that we will invite you to download prior to your travel. Guest feedback indicates that our app is much more user friendly than MDE. Feel free to use both.

Confused by MyMagic+? No worries – you have your Off to Neverland Travel® Magic Maker® available to answer any and all questions! Strap on your Magic Band, touch and go!