Off to Neverland Travel

Twenty five years ago today, “the jewel in the crown” of Walt Disney World® Resort’s hotels, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, opened to the public. Originally called the Grand Floridian Beach Resort, its Victorian design with white walls and red gable roofs was inspired by late 19th century beach resorts from Florida’s east coast.

While the resort may have a 19th century feel, it boasts all the features and amenities of 21st century living. As a deluxe Walt Disney World® Resort hotel, guests delight in the on-location restaurants, lounges, shopping, pools and splash area, marina, and 10,000-square-foot spa and health club! Dining options are diverse – from 24-hour quick service at Gasparilla Grill to gourmet meals at the five-diamond award-winning Victoria & Albert’s. A brand new full-service spa and health club, Senses, recently opened to pamper guests with a wide range of treatments like massage therapy, facials, manicures/pedicures, and much more.

The current inventory of 867 rooms provide a variety of different accommodation types. Construction is in progress that will add Disney Vacation Club villa accommodations to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The lavish decor in the rooms give them a feel fit for royalty. Just one monorail stop away from Magic Kingdom® Park, its location is perfect for those wanting to stay near the magic!

For more information on Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the other hotels of the Walt Disney World® Resort, contact your Magic Maker® today!

This past weekend the long anticipated prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, hit theaters around the nation. Pixar first introduced us to Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan in Monsters, Inc., and now they are back to tell the beginning of Mike and Sully’s story at their Alma Mater. We’ll just say from the very beginning Mike and Sully were an interesting duo (don’t worry, we won’t spoil the film).

Fans of Mike and Sully will be excited that there are two different ways to experience their ‘monstrous’ story in the parks!

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, college roommates Mike and Sully have stopped off to hang out with you! Near the Backlot, you’ll find Mike and Sully in their newly redesigned meet and greet experience, inside the Monsters University Student Union, complete with a view of the campus! Pose with your family and friends or pick up an autograph from your favorite collegiate duo!

From Disney’s Hollywood Studios® you can head on over to Magic Kingdom® Park and visit with Mike as he dishes out the laughs at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor® Attraction. Mike, and a few of his funniest friends from Monstropolis are set on capturing your giggles and laughs to help power Monstropolis in their comedy club, Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor® Attraction.

At Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor® Attraction you’ll even have the chance to add to the hilarity by texting in your own joke for possible use during the comedy show! Be sure to watch Mike Wazowski’s announcements prior to entering the theater for a special text messaging password. Keep in mind every show is slightly different, styled after a true comedy club that loves to engage the audience.

Mike and Sully may be on the big screen, but they are also at Walt Disney World® Resort waiting to meet you! Make plans today to visit your favorite college duo this summer!

Earlier this month, The Global Attractions Attendance Report for 2012 was released by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM confirming that Magic Kingdom® Park was still the #1 park in the World according to attendance numbers! The New Fantasyland® Expansion that officially opened last fall helped fuel an attendance rise of 2.3% to just over 17.5 million visitors. With the upcoming addition of Princess Fairytale Hall this fall and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction in 2014, those numbers are expected to continue their climb.

Other Disney Parks ranked in the “Top 25 Amusement / Theme Parks Worldwide”  category include:

• #2 – Disneyland® Park
• #3 – Tokyo Disneyland®
• #4 – Tokyo Disney Sea®
• #5 – Disneyland® Park at Disneyland® Paris
• #6 – Epcot®
• #7 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• #8 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
• #11 – Disney California Adventure® Park
• #14 – Hong Kong Disneyland®
• #20 – Walt Disney Studios® Park at Disneyland® Paris

Disney California Adventure® Park was the Disney Park with the highest annual increase – up 22.6% or 1.4 million guests! Disneyland® Resort completed a 5-year expansion project in 2012 that included the addition of Cars Land to Disney California Adventure® Park among other improvements.

The Walt Disney World® Resort Water Parks were also recognized in the “Top 20 Water Parks Worldwide” category. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park were ranked #1 and #3 respectively.

Disney Parks provide world-class family vacations in locations all around the world, and Off to Neverland Travel® is proud to be a part of making these magical dreams come true! When is your next Disney Destination Vacation? Contact your Magic Maker® to start planning today!

June 24, 2013 marks what would be the 120th birthday for Roy O. Disney, older brother and business partner to Walt Disney. Roy always handled the “business” side of their venture and was often credited for keeping Walt financially grounded.

After the land had been purchased for Walt Disney World® Resort and plans were in place for its development, Roy had already begun preparing for his retirement. But with the death of Walt in December of 1966, he knew that he would have to postpone his retirement to ensure that his brother’s biggest dream would come to life. Roy saw the project through completion and the opening of the Magic Kingdom® Park on October 1, 1971. To honor his brother, Roy changed the name of the project from “Disney World” to “Walt Disney World®” to ensure Walt would never be forgotten. He also dedicated the park to his brother during a special ceremony.

Walt Disney World® is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney…and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World® bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place…a Magic Kingdom® where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.” – Roy O. Disney

In 1999, a statue titled “Sharing the Magic” was created by Blaine Gibson and installed at Magic Kingdom® Park to honor Roy and his dedication to the company. The statue is of him and Minnie Mouse sitting on a park bench. Roy is supporting Minnie’s hand from below, signifying how Roy always supported Walt throughout their business venture. The dedication plaque for statue reads:

In 1923, Walt Disney and his brother, Roy O. Disney, pooled their resources – Walt’s creative vision and Roy’s business sense – to form their own cartoon studio. Together, they successfully pioneered many new avenues in family entertainment. Roy O. Disney completed his brother’s last and greatest dream, the creation of Walt Disney World® Resort, and dedicated the Magic Kingdom® on this site on October 25, 1971.”

Without Roy’s guidance, it’s hard to say how things would be different. Could the placement of Roy’s statue at the front of Magic Kingdom® Park even be a tribute – that without him, everything beyond him would not have been possible?

This Sunday, June 23, 2013, Disneyland® Park will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. Originally opened in 1963, it was the world’s first Audio‐Animatronics® show. The innovative revue, hosted by four colorful macaws, transports guests to the Seven Seas for a 15-minute show “where the birds sing words and the flowers croon.”  Half a century later, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is still a popular (and now nostalgic) attraction in Disneyland® Park’s Adventureland® area.

In celebration of 50 years of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, here are some facts you may not know about the attraction:

• When the show premiered in 1963, it required a separate admission of 75 cents.
• The cast of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is made up of 225 Audio‐Animatronics® that include singing birds, flowers, and tikis. The hosts – macaws named Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz – were referred to as “MacAudios”
• Original plans were for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room to be a restaurant with the birds, flowers, and tikis performing an after dinner show. Decisions were made to turn it into strictly a show as it is now after realizing challenges with combining it with the operations of a restaurant.
• Imagineers used the original audio source tapes to restore the soundtrack for the attraction back in 2005.

We’re sorry, this offer has expired. Please CLICK HERE for current Disney Cruise Line® Specials

This fall will be your last opportunity to set sail with Disney Cruise Line® from Galveston, TX. Now’s the time to book and SAVE on your fall getaway aboard the Disney Wonder®. For a limited time, you can take advantage of some amazing lead rates, onboard credits, and half-off deposits!

Offer Details:

Book a 7-night sailing most nights Sep. 28 – Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 7, 2013 aboard the Disney Wonder®  and receive an onboard credit (OBC) for you to use during your cruise – $100 OBC for an Inside stateroom, $150 OBC for an Oceanview Stateroom, and a $200 OBC for a Verandah stateroom. You’ll also pay less now with half-off deposits due at the time of booking!

Booking Window:

Through Jul. 31, 2013

Travel Window:

Most 7-night sailings from Sep. 28 – Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 7, 2013

All promotions are subject to availability, so contact your Magic Maker® today for your free no-obligation quote!

Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included. Per person government taxes and fees are approximately $80 per person for 7-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises (all amounts subject to change). Excludes categories with restrictions (IGT, OGT and VGT). Half-off deposit is valid only for categories 00T – 11C. The deferred deposit amount is due at final payment. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or onboard credits. Subject to all applicable Terms and Conditions of Disney Cruise Line®. All Shipboard credits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Walt Disney World® Resort is a world of indulgences. Around every corner there is a sight, aroma, sound or experience beckoning you to come and enjoy. It is a world in which you can let go and lose yourself in the fantasies and imaginations left behind by Walt Disney. It is an escape.

Personally, I love indulging at Walt Disney World® Resort. From tasting unique treats that I would never dare try at home to getting a haircut on Main Street, U.S.A® Area there are plenty of ways to indulge.

However, to those of us who are attempting to maintain a healthy diet, a world of indulgences can be a frightening thing! Beyond the obvious, passing up what we know we shouldn’t eat, the bigger fear for many of us is that, is there such a thing as healthy eating at such a magical place?

The answer is YES.

Even a midst the indulgences we all love on vacation, from exciting resorts to unique dining and entertainment, it is possible to maintain the healthy diets we work so hard on when we aren’t on vacation.

Thankfully, we can put our minds at ease that Walt Disney World® Resort has plenty of tasty options for even the healthy eating aficionado!

Many locations throughout the resorts offer grilled and rotisserie chicken meals accompanied with vegetables, they are a great alternative to burgers and hot dogs! Should you choose to indulge in a burger, don’t worry, they are offered with multi-grain buns and you can even substitute apples or grapes for fries at many locations! And about those fries and other fried foods, you won’t find trans-fats anywhere on property!

In Magic Kingdom® Park at Columbia Harbor House you’ll find a delectable grilled salmon or a Lighthouse Sandwich (hummus and broccoli slaw on whole grain bread). You can head over to Cosmic Ray’s and pick up a rotisserie chicken, veggie burger, veggie wrap or Greek salad! Let’s not forget the eggplant stack or gnocchi with goat cheese and spinach at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant! If you head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, you’ll find a grilled vegetable sandwich at Backlot Express or for a leisurely sit down meal you can visit Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant for a Cobb Salad or noodle bowl.

Epcot® has an abundance of options as you journey around World Showcase. Tangierine Café’ in the Morocco Pavilion offers a delicious vegetarian platter with hummus, falafel, lentils, olives and more. At the Japan Pavilion you can experience grilled veggie tacos, or the lemon chicken in the China Pavilion. For something a little different you can try the jumbo shrimp and cannellini beans in at Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, you’ll find the house-smoked half chicken at Flame Tree Barbecue, one of my favorite counter services eats in all of Walt Disney World® Resort! If you are craving more, you can always swing by Tusker House Restaurant for tandoori tofu, couscous with veggies, curry chicken or salmon.

Snacks? No problem! Be sure to look for the fresh fruit cart in each park where you can find pineapple spears, watermelon chunks, carrots, celery with dip, dill pickles and more! Even at the ice cream carts you can find sugar free options or fruit bars! Of course, no visit in Magic Kingdom® Park is complete without a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle.

As  you can see, there is more to the parks that hamburgers and french fries, and these options mentioned are just skimming the surface! There are plenty of ways for health conscious guests to indulge…and not feel guilty afterwards! For more information on any of these options, or to discover more about healthy eating at Walt Disney World® Resort contact your Magic Maker® today!

Storytelling is one of the things The Walt Disney Company has been widely known for since Walt’s beginnings in the 1920s. And that tradition continues at Disney Parks where every aspect of your experience has a story. From the attractions to the restaurants and even the resorts, each has their own storyline being told to the guest.

At the Walt Disney World® Resort, one of our favorite forms of storytelling is the stage shows inside the parks. These shows are 15-40 minute Broadway-style productions telling some favorite Disney tales. In a hectic race to get from “Attraction A” to “Attraction B,” it seems these shows are often overlooked by our guests. So, we asked our expert Magic Makers® to rate the current stage shows at the Walt Disney World® Resort to help you choose which ones you should fit in to your hectic schedule. While a listing like this is subjective and ultimately a matter of personal taste, we think guests of all ages and interest will enjoy these top 3 shows.

And now, we proudly present:

Magic Maker’s® Top 3 Walt Disney World® Resort Stage Shows

1. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage (Disney’s Hollywood Studios®)
   This elegant musical production recreates the “tale as old as time” several times daily inside the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. The show has been running (with some minor changes) at the park since Nov. 22, 1991, the same day the animated film opened in U.S. theaters!
2. Finding Nemo – The Musical (Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park)
   Larger-than-life puppets are used to help tell the story of Disney-Pixar’s Finding Nemo inside the Theater in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. After seeing the sheer talent of the puppeteers and hearing the 14 songs written to transform this non-musical animated feature into a musical production, you’ll understand why it was honored with a Thea Award for “Best Live Show.” Finding Nemo – The Musical is the longest of the shows appearing on our listing at 40 minutes.
3. Festival of the Lion King (Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park)
   Our number one show can also been found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park inside the Camp Minnie-Mickey area. Festival of the Lion King combines puppetry, acrobatics, and dancers into a WILD revue of Disney’s The Lion King. The show is interactive featuring guest participation throughout and is likely to have you humming “Hakuna Matata” for the rest of your day!

These are 3 great stage shows you won’t want to miss! But keep in mind, they are just a small sample of the various entertainment options available at the Walt Disney World® Resort!

This morning, the Main Street Bakery reopened inside the Magic Kingdom® Park. A mainstay on Main Street, U.S.A.®, the bakery now serves famous Starbucks® products. Some of those products include iced and regular coffees and teas, frappuccino, espresso, smoothies, and refreshers.  You will also find a wide variety of both Starbucks® and Main Street Bakery pastries and breakfast sandwiches as well as a grab-and-go case with standard fruits and juices. Guests utilizing one of the Disney Dining Plans will be able to use a snack entitlement to purchase most of your favorite Starbucks® drinks. A quick service breakfast is also an option for Disney Dining Plan participants.

The opening of the Main Street Bakery marks the first Starbucks® location at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Additional themed locations are planned for inside Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park.