Disney News

The latest reports from the National Weather Service indicate Hurricane Rina is moving through the Western Caribbean. Due to the possible impact of this storm over the next few days, Disney Cruise Line® has modified its itinerary to include ports of call that are located a safe distance away from the storm.

The Oct. 29, 2011, voyage of the Disney Magic® will now set sail for the Eastern Caribbean, following this revised itinerary:

Saturday – Port Canaveral
Sunday – Day at Sea
Monday – Day at Sea
Tuesday – St. Maarten
Wednesday – Tortola
Thursday – Day at Sea
Friday – Disney’s Castaway Cay
Saturday – Port Canaveral

Port Adventures that were pre-reserved in Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel will automatically be removed from guests’ onboard account, while those for Castaway Cay will remain as scheduled. Port Adventures for St. Maarten and Tortola may be booked once onboard at the Port Adventures Desk, located on Deck 3, Mid-ship. Any pre-booked services at Palo, Flounder’s Reef Nursery, and Vista Spa and Salon will also remain as originally scheduled.

Anyone who has ever sat down to the deliciously, elegant meal at Palo will tell you to be sure to save room for their Chocolate Soufflé.  Palo is Disney Cruise Line’s signature, adult-only restaurant located on board each on of their ships.  This romantic, intimate location offers a Northern Italian menu served over multiple courses with sweeping ocean views.

The Chocolate Soufflé is the perfect way to finish your evening.  The warm chocolate soufflé is made with rich Dutch-processed cocoa and  drizzled with a warm vanilla and chocolate sauces.  It just melts in your mouth!  Since it takes about 45 minutes to prepare, you will be asked in the middle of your meal if you would like to order one.  Always say, “Yes!”  You always have the option to order other desserts as well if you would like a sampling.

Ready for some now?  Disney Cruise Line® has provided the recipe after so many of their guests ranked Palo and the Chocolate Soufflé as their favorite adult activity on board their ships.  Now you can try it at home!

Be sure to ask your Magic Maker® how to reserve your Chocolate Soufflé for your next cruise!

Palo’s Signature Chocolate Soufflé
Serves 6

3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing the soufflé cups
6 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dusting the soufflé cups
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa
2 ounces (2/3 cup) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted
4 eggs, separated
Vanilla Sauce (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Set a full kettle of water on to boil.
3. Butter six 4-ounce soufflé cups and coat with sugar; set aside.
4. Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan, meanwhile; melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cocoa to the butter and beat with a whisk to a smooth, paste-like consistency. Reduce heat and cook for 1 minute.
5. Slowly add the hot milk, whisking until smooth, then blend in melted chocolate. Let cool for 5 minutes, then stir in egg yolks.
6. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl until frothy. Slowly add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Stir a heaping spoonful of egg whites into the chocolate, then fold in the remaining whites just until combined.
7. Pour the batter into prepared soufflé cups. Place cups in a large baking dish and add enough boiling water to reach halfway the sides of the soufflé cups.
8. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately, with warm vanilla sauce.

Vanilla Sauce
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
3 tablespoons sugar
2 small egg yolks

1. Bring cream and vanilla bean to a low boil in saucepan over medium heat.
2. Combine sugar and egg yolks.
3. Add 2 spoonfuls of boiling cream to egg mixture and stir well, then pour back into the remaining cream and continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly.

Disney Cruise Line® announced today that their newest ship, the Disney Fantasy™ will have a brand new water feature geared to drench the entire family.  The AquaLab, a new addition to deck 12, is a fanciful wet play area filled with pop jets, geysers and bubblers.

By turning wheels and moving levers at three wacky aqua stations, guests “control” the speed and temperature of AquaDuck Coaster. At a leaky wall, kids cover holes in squirting and spurting pipes with their hands. In another area, water leaks and sprays from the Ducky Dinghy, suspended overhead.

Also new to deck 12 is a wading pool with a fountain, a great place for families to hang out and cool off. This area has ample seating and lounge chairs under a canopy.

And adults have a new place that is available exclusively to them that will provide cool comfort on deck 13. Satellite Falls is a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain.

What do you want to try out first?  Have you had a chance to ride the AquaDuck Coaster on the Disney Dream™?

The Disney Fantasy™ will sail from Port Canaveral with seven night excursions to the Eastern and Western Caribbean starting in April 2012.  Click here to reserve your spot!

This offer is no longer valid. Please click here to view all current Walt Disney World® Resort specials.

Have a great time at a great rate when you stay at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels. Save up to 30% with this fantastic room rate!

Offer Details:

For stays most nights Oct. 30 – Nov. 18 and Nov. 26 – Dec. 23, 2011, you can save:

• 15% at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• 20% at Disney Value Resorts (except Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort), Disney Moderate Resorts (except Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter)

For stays most nights Oct. 30 – Nov. 21 and Nov. 26 – Dec. 23, 2011, you can save:

• 20% at Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
• 25% at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Polynesian Resort
• 30% at Disney Deluxe Resorts (except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Polynesian Resort) and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Booking Window:

• Book by Dec. 21, 2011.

Talk to your Magic Maker® about adding tickets and the Disney Dining Plan to your room reservation.

On this day in 1971, the world changed forever with the opening of the Walt Disney World® Resort in central Florida.  Since opening day, millions and millions of guests have been treated to a “fantasy made real” that only the Disney company can make happen.  Even though Walt Disney did not live to see his “Florida Project” become reality, his spirit and imagination live on in the forty seven square miles that make up the Walt Disney World® Resort.  Just a few days after opening day, at the grand opening celebration, Roy O. Disney read the words inscribed on the Walt Disney World® Resort dedication plaque:

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.

So, from all of us at Off to Neverland Travel,

Happy Birthday, Walt Disney World® Resort