Disney News

What: Night of Joy, a contemporary Christian music festival

When: Sept. 10 &11, after the park closes at 7:00 pm until 12:30 am

Where: Magic Kingdom Park*

Who:

Get set for a star-powered 15-act lineup set for Disney’s Night of Joy 2010.  Past Christian music “Artists of the Year” Third Day, mercyme and Chris Tomlin as well as 2010 “Artist of the Year” nominees Casting Crowns and Francesca Battistelli head the long-running Christian music event makes its return to Magic Kingdom this September 10 & 11.

Also part of the two-night event: David Crowder*Band, Family Force 5, Red, BarlowGirl, Group 1 Crew, Day of Fire, Smokie Norful,Lecrae, 10th Avenue North and Sidewalk Prophets.  Each night, hear live performances by today’s top bands in contemporary Christian rock, pop and gospel as you ride some of the Park’s most rockin’ attractions.  Musically, the acts add up to a lineup that runs the spectrum from Rock, Hip Hop and R&B to Pop, Adult Contemporary and Gospel, continuing a tradition that has been a hallmark of Night of Joy since 1983 when the event began.  The Night of Joy artists will perform on several stages around the Magic Kingdom® theme park, which means you can choose from different musical performances and locations throughout the festival.

* Separate special event ticket required for entry.

From Magic Maker® Marcie Munoz

Folks ask me all the time where our family stays when we go to the Walt Disney World® Resort. For us, the most practical place is at Disney’s All Star Music Resort, in a family suite. Being a family of six, we can’t fit into a ‘regular’ value resort room, as well as several other moderate level and deluxe level resorts (without paying a pretty price!). We love the bright colors, fun pool games and many other features of a family suite that you don’t get in a regular room. The family suites are located in the Calypso and Jazz buildings, which happen to be the two sets of buildings closest to Melody Hall where the food court, main desk, and bus stops are located.

While in our case the connecting rooms would be guaranteed because the children (0-17) in our family outnumber the adults, in many cases, the resorts cannot promise rooms will be next to one another with a door between them. Rather than chance having rooms apart, you might consider paying the little bit extra for the suite. With a master bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 2 TVs, and bonus kitchenette make them the perfect option for a family with younger children.

A second big plus for our family, is that we get a separate bedroom from our kids. Once we put the kids down each night, my husband and I have an opportunity to hang out, watch some TV, and check out Facebook.  We discuss the events of the day, and the upcoming schedule for the next day (typically, it’s me letting him in on the know). Also, we have a queen size bed in the bedroom. The regular rooms at the value resorts have two double beds in them (or a single king sized bed).

Finally, another great thing about the family suites at Disney’s All Star Music Resort is the kitchenette. This kitchenette includes a refrigerator, a microwave, and plenty of storage to help us add to our Magic Your Way® Package Plus Dining.  Each morning, after a quick breakfast, we load up our backpack with chilled water bottles and snacks for the day in the parks. In the late afternoon or early evenings, we can have an easy snack like microwave popcorn to hold us over until dinner.

When I have people ask me about whether to get two rooms at a value, the family suite, or one of the other possibilities for traveling party of five or more, I always recommend the family suite.

Disney Cruise Line® debuts Remy, an exquisite, top-deck restaurant with incredible ocean views.  Their first premier dining option comes with French-inspired, gourmet cuisine by two award-winning chefs.  Remy melds classic and contemporary styles in a sophisticated dining concept exclusively for adults on the new Disney Dream™.

Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise, a Michelin two-star restaurant just outside Reims, France, and Chef Scott Hunnel from award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World® Resort, are collaborating to create a French-inspired menu featuring superior products and seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world. French-trained Chef Patrick Albert, executive chef for Remy, oversees an all-star culinary team.

Guests dining at Remy will enjoy a lavish and leisurely affair, starting with a signature chilled Champagne cocktail made tableside, followed by eight to nine small courses complemented by a stellar wine list. Lallement’s cuisine is simple and stylish, such as roasted lobster with cream, and fresh asparagus with black truffles and vin jaune. It earns l’Assiette Champenoise two stars (of a possible three) from Michelin, making the experience “excellent cooking and worth a detour.” Hunnel’s innovative dishes offer small tastes of everything from wild caviar to Kobe beef and Japanese Wagyu strip loin. His cuisine earns Victoria & Albert’s the coveted AAA Five Diamonds, a rating accorded a mere 0.19 percent of restaurants in North America and the Caribbean.

Polished touches at Remy include a tableside trolley for serving international cheeses, decanting stations for wines, and post-prandial coffee service including French press and grand crème.

With a subtle nod to the hit Disney•Pixar film “Ratatouille” and its diminutive French star Remy, the softly lit main dining room with seating for 80 is designed in Art Nouveau style with a palate of soft greens, and deep reds and rich gold. The restaurant’s classic French design features graceful sinuous lines on chair backs, etched in glass and in wall treatments, and Nouveau-style floral and leaf design in the carpet, banquettes and warm lighting. The famous Remy character is subtly and artfully integrated into the design.

Tables are elegantly set with Frette linens, Riedel glassware, Christofle silverware and china made exclusively for Remy, with gracious accents such as purse stools for women’s handbags. The attentive serving staff is part of the sophisticated story, dressed in long white aprons, black jackets or burgundy vests and bowties.

The private Chef’s Table dining room seats 16 and offers a glimpse into the kitchen. The room is furnished with rich “Ratatouille”-inspired décor – bold red carpet, chairs and drapes with touches of gold and opulent chandeliers, and scenes of Paris on the walls. The private Chef’s Table dining room has its own entrance to the kitchen to allow the chefs easy access, and offers a special multi-course menu.

A glass-walled wine room with marble flooring has seating for up to 16 amid more than 900 bottles of wine including a fine rare selection of Old World wines balanced with a solid selection of New World wines. Once dinner is booked and Guests are on board, they are invited to meet with a sommelier in Remy’s wine room to taste and pre-select their wines for the evening.

Haven’t reserved your cruise yet on board the newest ship, the Disney Dream?

Click here to get started!

This Mother’s Day,  join Cinderella and her princess friends for Disney’s Royal Buffet. It’s a regal all-you-care-to-eat feast in the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland® Hotel, where Mom can enjoy the royal treatment with spectacular entrées, tempting side dishes and delectable desserts. Dining times are available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, 2010, and reservations are available now!

In addition to a delicious brunch buffet (and a special buffet line just for children), you can enjoy live musical entertainment and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Cinderella and her princess friends.

The menu is scheduled to include a selection of brunch items fit for a queen, such as beautiful spring salads, artisan cheeses, smoked and chilled seafood, cured meats, traditional breakfast selections, seasonal fresh fish and free-range chicken. In addition, have your brunch customized to order with fresh omelet stations, carving stations, Mickey Mouse waffles and French crepes. Finish the experience with a tempting selection of special Mother’s Day desserts and confections, highlighted by a chocolate fountain.

Children will enjoy a variety of kid-friendly favorites, such as mixed greens, fruit salad, chicken bites, pizza, “Mickaroni” and cheese, waffle fries, mixed vegetables, and fun, kid-approved desserts.

This dining experience is priced at $69 for adults and $18.99 for children 3-9 years old (children under 3 are free).

Contact your Off to Neverland Travel Magic Maker® today to reserve your spot!

*Prices do not include tax and gratuity.

This special is no longer applicable, but be sure to out check the
Walt Disney World® Resort page for current offers.

Kids ages 3-9 stay and play FREE* when you purchase a Magic Your Way vacation package at the Walt Disney World® Resort for stays most nights May 2 – October 2, 2010.

Offer Details:
This Walt Disney Travel Company package includes accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort and Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets.

Booking Window:
Now through August 14, 2010

Travel Window:
May 2 – October 2, 2010

Sample Pricing:
$499 per adult, based on adult double occupancy for this 4-night, 5-day Magic Your Way Package, at a select Disney Value Resort in a standard room for stays most nights May 2 – June 3, 2010.

*The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. Child must stay in same room with adult. Maximum of four Guests per room. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required.

Ask your Off to Neverland Travel® Magic Maker® about other select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and packages for other lengths of stay.