Disney News

Hurricane Irene Update – From Disney
Tuesday, Aug. 23 – 5 p.m. EDT

Disney Cruise Line
The safety of our Guests and Crew is our first priority at Disney Cruise Line® and we are monitoring Hurricane Irene very closely. At this time, we anticipate that the current voyage of the Disney Dream will return
to Port Canaveral as scheduled on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, with the following voyage departing as planned.

Walt Disney World Resort
The Walt Disney World® Resort is operating under normal conditions as we continue to monitor the progress and path of Hurricane Irene. Based on the storm’s current path, forecasters predict little to no impact to us beyond rain and windy conditions late Thursday and into Friday morning.

This offer is no longer valid.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

October – December Disneyland® Special

Save up to 30%** on a stay at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort, for arrivals most nights Oct. 2 – Dec. 24, 2011.

Offer Details: Save up to 30%* off a room-only reservation at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel.
Save up to 25%* off a room-only reservation at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa.

Booking & Travel Windows:
 Book this offer now through Dec. 10, 2011, for arrivals most nights Nov. 1 – Dec. 24, 2011.
This offer is not available for travel Nov. 23-25, 2011, and travel on this offer must be completed by Dec. 25, 2011.

Be sure to ask your Magic Maker® about adding tickets so you can enjoy the two Theme Parks of the Disneyland® Resort during your stay on this great Disneyland® Special.

*30% savings based on stays Sunday through Thursday nights and 15% savings based on stays Friday and Saturday nights. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel. Offer valid for arrivals most nights from August 14, 2011 through October 1, 2011 when booked between July 26, 2011 and September 24, 2011. Travel must be completed by October 2, 2011. Other restrictions apply. Applies only to standard and concierge level rooms and not valid with previously booked rooms. Excludes taxes and fees. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is restricted. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to change without notice.

**30% savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Offer valid for arrivals most nights from October 2, 2011 through December 24th, 2011 when booked between September 13, 2011 and October 15, 2011, and for arrivals most nights from November 1, 2011 to December 24, 2011 when booked between October 16, 2011 to December 10, 2011. Travel must be completed by December 25, 2011. Other restrictions apply. Applies only to standard and concierge level rooms and not valid with previously booked rooms. Other room rates and hotel rates will vary. Excludes taxes and fees. Blockout dates of 11/23/11 through 11/25/11. Advance reservations required. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is restricted. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people maximum per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers. Subject to change without notice.

New details were released today about the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster coming to Magic Kingdom® Park as part of the Fantasyland Expansion. This new attraction will allow guests take a journey through the diamond mine of the Seven Dwarfs in a new ride system. The ride system allows each mine car to swing back and forth individually as the train twists and turns along the track.

Check out this video to see more:

This special is no longer applicable.
Please click here to see current Disneyland® Resort specials.

Save up to $450* on a Disneyland® Resort vacation package with a 4-night hotel stay and a 3-day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket. Plus, receive one free** Character meal per person on the reservation! This package gives you the time to enjoy two amazing Theme Parks filled with favorite attractions, shows and more.

Offer Details:
Save when they purchase a 3-day, 4-night Disneyland® Resort vacation package that includes a 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket.

• Save $350 when their package includes a stay at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel
• Save $400 when their package includes a stay at the Disneyland® Hotel
• Save $450 when their package includes a stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa

Every person on the reservation also will receive a voucher for one free** Character meal (including tax and gratuity) at selected Disneyland® Resort restaurants.

Booking Window:
July 26 – Sept. 24, 2011

Travel Window:
This offer is available for arrivals Aug. 14 – Sept. 28, 2011. Travel on this offer must be completed by Oct. 2, 2011.

*$450 savings is based on the non-discounted price of a standard room for four (4) nights for a family of four (3 adults and 1 child (age 3-9) at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa. Purchase of a 4-night package, with 3-DayDisneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets at a participating hotel includes one (1) Character meal voucher for each person in the reservation (maximum 5 guests). Offer is valid for stays with arrivals from 8/14/11 through 9/28/11 when booked from 7/26/11 through 9/24/11 with travel being completed by 10/2/11. Offer applied once per package/reservation; not valid for suites or for previously booked rooms. Check for offers associated with different package lengths of stays. Excludes taxes and fees. No substitutions or refunds and nontransferable. Must stay for all consecutive nights of the reservation (no early check out) for free Character meal. The Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets expire 13 days after first use or 12/31/11, whichever occurs first, and each day of use of a ticket constitutes one full day of use. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial purposes. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is restricted; advance reservations required. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation and five (5) people per room. Not valid with any other discount or promotion. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

** Character meal voucher is valid for one (1) meal (including tax and gratuity) at one (1) of the following: Breakfast in the Park with Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A.®, Disneyland® Park; Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends at Disney’s PCH Grill, Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel; Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Critter Breakfast at Storytellers Café, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa; Ariel’s Disney Princess Celebration at Ariel’s Grotto,Disney California Adventure™ Park or Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland® Hotel. Not valid for World of Color Dinner Packages at Ariel’s Grotto or Wine County Trattoria but may be applied up to its retail price at any other Disney owned and operated full-service or counter-service restaurant at theDisneyland® Resort. Not valid for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, room service, holiday buffets or merchandise. Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable. No change given. Not valid at outdoor carts or restaurants at the Downtown Disney® District. Separate theme park admission may be necessary. Not valid in combination with other discounts or promotions. Restaurant seating is subject to availability – reservations are recommended. Dining locations, hours, menus, character appearances and all other elements are subject to change without notice. For reservations and more information, call Disney Dining at 714-781-DINE. Vouchers expire October 2, 2011.

By Magic Maker Kevin Gallagher

While planning a trip to the most magical place on earth may seem like an exciting adventure, there are many stresses involved for the primary planner.  Cost is always a worry even with all of the wonderful packages available and discount options to help ease the financial load of such a trip.  Another stress inducing problem is the ever common “I want it to be the most amazing trip ever and we have to see everything” syndrome.  This is to be understood – especially given the initial concern mentioned and the lack of opportunities most have to visit.  Below are some ideas to assist in planning a stress free trip that may come in handy.

First and foremost, allow one of your favorite Off To Neverland Travel® Magic Makers® to assist you in making planning your trip and your day to day scheduling – including any special dining or shows.  All of the Magic Makers® share a great deal of knowledge and experience with the parks as well as a love of all things Disney.  We will be more than happy to help get you on the path to a successful and enjoyable vacation where you won’t feel as if you have missed out on anything.  Our Magic Makers® will be help you plan your perfect itinerary complete with dining reservations, parade and firework times, and attractions perfectly tailored to you and your family.

Secondly, as mentioned above, there are so many things to see and do throughout the theme parks as well as in the Downtown Disney® Area, that when planning you will need to have an idea of what kinds of things you would like to see.  If parades are important to you and yours, then by all means they are something that should not only be seen, but seen at the best possible locations.  Take some time for them and allow yourself to be directed to a spot to relax and enjoy the view.  If they are not important to you, then that would be a fantastic time to ride some of the rides that are usually very crowded such as Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, or Pirates of the Caribbean.  If characters are your thing or are of utmost importance to your little travelers, then the guide map will be your friend (as well as some helpful tips from your Magic Maker).  Don’t forget to pick up an autograph book (most of the stores outside of the Walt Disney World® Resort have these as well).  There will be long lines for Mickey and Minnie, but walking through the parks many characters can be found.  You can even get a FASTPASS® to see Mickey and Minnie and the princesses now at the Magic Kingdom® Park so you can do other things until your appointed time comes up.  However if you would like a cool off time while at Epcot®, your family could meet and greet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald at the Epcot® Character Spot.  There is usually quite a wait, but it is also a five character spot so it is well worth it.  Plus it is indoors with classic cartoon shorts being played on the TV’s overhead.

Thirdly, invest in the Park Hopper® option.  These will allow you to go from park to park on a given day.  For instance, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park closes most days at 5:00 leaving an entire evening of possibilities waiting for you.  While the Downtown Disney® Area and all of the wonderful options there might seem appealing, there is also the opportunity to venture to Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ on a day Fantasmic! is showing (this is a must see).  Or perhaps one of the nights at the Magic Kingdom® Park, you head back to catch the fireworks or the parade, after spending a quiet afternoon at your resort, resting or relaxing at the pool.  There are also so many quality shows throughout the parks from the Castle show at the Magic Kingdom® Park to the Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park as well as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™!  The possibilities are endless with the Park Hopper® option added to your park tickets.

Finally, all planners should take heart for there is a simple way to look at your trip to remove any concern: Traveling to Walt Disney World® Resort itself and stepping foot into the Magic Kingdom® Park is ALREADY an amazing trip. Taking in the architecture, the ambiance, the first character you happen to meet, or that first glimpse of the castle and is there any doubt that whatever gets accomplished the trip will have been a success?  A stroll down Main Street, U.S.A.® and venturing into the different lands will provide quite a bit of joy especially for first time visitors.  Explore a little. Make sure to check your guide and see where characters may be, what time special events are, and chart your course.  Visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort is like visiting a high-end sunday morning buffet – sure you may not have had the omelet, but that is because you filled yourself up on the delicious fruit and waffles.  Whatever you choose to see will be wonderful – and magical.

What tips do you have to share with first-timers?