Disney News

In the words of one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World® Resort, “there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day.” This line is as true today for Walt Disney World® Resort as it was when Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Off to Neverland Travel® is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and as such we are honored to participate in the annual EarMarked Conference for Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. This year’s EarMarked Conference was hosted at Walt Disney World® Resort, and as true with years past, many exciting things were laid out for the years to come for Disney Destinations.

One of the more exciting changes on the horizon for Walt Disney World® Resort is the introduction of new technologies to your travel experience, MyMagic+, MagicBands and FastPass+. While change can be intimidating at times, change can also be exciting, and we are thrilled about how these new technologies are going to enhance your Walt Disney World® Resort experience, giving you and your Magic Maker® a new dimension of control and planning to your unforgettable trip!

As you can imagine by our participation in EarMarked Conference 2013, Off to Neverland Travel® is excited about the change coming to the parks, and our Magic Makers® are being trained and equipped to help you navigate the new technologies that will be a part of your Walt Disney World® Resort vacation experience!

The all new MagicBands, which are currently being tested at select resorts throughout Walt Disney World® Resort, are fully customizable armbands that become your ‘key to the world’. Your MagicBand will allow you to touch to enter your room, or the parks. In addition, you can touch to redeem meals, charge to your room, and access your new FastPass+ selections! And if your customized MagicBand color isn’t enough to let your personality shine, there are plenty of accessories available at Walt Disney World® Resort to ‘bling’ your armband out!

FastPass+, also in testing, is going to revolutionize the way you wait for your favorite attractions at Walt Disney World® Resort! With FastPass+ you can reserve your favorite attractions before ever leaving your home! You’ll be given a reservation time to visit  your attraction to plan your day around it! No longer do you have to do the FASTPASS® dash to get a FASTPASS® for  your favorite attraction when you get to the parks.

Our Magic Makers® are ready to help you take on these exciting new changes at Walt Disney World® Resort! In fact, you may even be selected to help test these exciting new technologies in the parks! If  you are selected by Walt Disney World® Resort, your Magic Maker® will help you through the experience!

While this is just a glimpse of a few of the exciting changes on the horizon at Walt Disney World® Resort, we assure you there are more to come! Be sure to contact your Magic Maker® today about experiencing more of the magic at Walt Disney World® Resort!

Sorry, this offer has expired.

Discover the New Wonders of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa!

Located on the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina on O‘ahu, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is wrapping up a Resort enhancement that brings additional fun to this tropical paradise. Whether you are enjoying a swim in the new Ka Maka Grotto infinity edge family pool, cooling down in the kids’ new Keiki Cove splash zone, or delighting in one of two new dining locations, there are new and existing amenities/experiences for guests of all ages.

For a limited time, there are two ways to save on your fall visit to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa:

• Receive 5 nights for the price of 4 on a minimum 5-night stay during select dates (excludes Ocean View room types)

-OR-

• Save 15% on the room rate of a minimum 5-night stay during promotional dates when staying in select Ocean View Rooms or Villas

Booking Window:

Book now – Oct. 15, 2013

Travel Window:

Oct. 1-Nov. 23 and Dec. 1-15, 2013

Rooms allocated for this offer are limited, so contact your Magic Maker® today!

5 Nights for the Price of 4 Nights offer is available for guests who stay five or more consecutive nights all between Oct. 1-Nov. 23 or Dec. 1-15, 2013. 5 Nights for the Price of 4 offer excludes Ocean View rooms, Ocean View Villas, suites and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. Save 15% offer is for Ocean View rooms and 1 & 2 bedroom Ocean View Villas for guests who stay five or more consecutive nights during the same periods. No stays for either offer may include any days between Nov. 24-30, 2013. Must book by October 15, 2013. Savings based on non-discounted room rates. The number of rooms allocated for these offers is limited and room availability may vary by dates of stay. Resort fees and taxes not included. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or offers. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room. Offer applied once per reservation. Advance reservations required. Limit two rooms per reservation. Subject to additional restrictions and change without notice.

Fall is here, which means it is time for the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival!

The 46-day festival will kick off this Friday, Sep. 27, and run through Nov. 11, 2013.  This annual event brings over 25 ethnic and specialized marketplaces to the already-diverse dining options that surround World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot®. In its 18th year, the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival has become a fan favorite at the Walt Disney World® Resort and has quite the following.

The 2013 Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival Guides are now available. Download your copy by clicking below:

Week 1: 9/27-9/29	Week 2: 9/30-10/6

Want to learn more about the festival? Enjoy this short video overview:

Last Wednesday, fantasy became reality when the all-new Princess Fairytale Hall opened inside Magic Kingdom® Park. This new location will serve as the place for loyal subjects to visit Cinderella, Rapunzel and some of their visiting princess friends.

After walking through the castle-like entrance, you will be immersed in the world of Disney nobility. This new meet and greet area has taken the experience of visting your favorite Disney Princess to a whole new level! There are so many details packed into this location – from the royal gallery to the chambers that you meet the princesses in.

Enjoy our photo tour of the new Princess Fairytale Hall.

If you ask anyone who has attended a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party about their experience, it’s very likely that they will tell you about the Headless Horseman. Each night, the Headless Horseman takes to the streets of Magic Kingdom® Park to kick off Mickey’s Boo-To-You Parade. 

Enjoy this cute commercial showcasing two of our favorite things about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – the Headless Horseman and the abundance of candy!

 There’s still time for you to join in on the fun! Remaining 2013 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates include:

• Sep. 17, 20, 24, 27, 29
• Oct. 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
• Nov. 1

The party runs from 7p – midnight. Ticket prices start at $54+tax for kids 3-9 and at $59+tax for ages 10 and up with ticket prices varying by party date and the date of purchase (tickets cost more if you purchase them the same day as the party).  Contact your Magic Maker® for more information on pricing for your requested party date.

For safety, costumes must not be obstructive or offensive.  This is a special event which requires a separately priced event Theme Park ticket.  Pricing subject to change without notice and availability.

Sorry, this offer has expired. Click here to see current offers for the Walt Disney World® Resort.

There’s so much to see and do this upcoming holiday at the Walt Disney World® Resort! From partying with your favorite Disney Characters at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to enjoying the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, the seasonal fun is endless! And now, you can picture yourself with spectacular savings!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World® hotels for stays most nights 11/10 – 11/22 and 11/30 – 12/23, 2013.

Booking Dates:

Book now – 11/3/13 for stays most nights  11/10 – 11/22 and 11/30 – 12/23/13

Availability is limited, so contact your Magic Maker® today for a free, no-obligation quote!

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length-of-stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes campsites, 3-Bedroom Villas, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms), and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. 30% savings for select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts; lower savings for other Resorts.

We had a great time last night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® for their “Unleash the Villains” Limited Time Magic event. When the event was advertised, it was described as something that “you won’t want to miss – and won’t soon forget… even if you try!” In true “Disney-fashion,” they lived up to their words!

The event, held from 8pm – 1am (the 13th hour) on Friday the 13th, was hosted by Hades at his Hangout. During the 5-hour event, DJ Igg Nite and the house band, Bernie Briquette & Brimstone, kept the guests entertained with popular music mixed in with a few tunes fitting for the evening. After the opening show, Hades and his co-host Meg sent his invited “13 baddies” over to the Echo Lake area for a meet and greet opportunity. Those Villains in attendance included: The Queen, Sheriff of Nottingham, Jafar, Capt. Hook, the Big Bad Wolf, Cruella, Governor Ratcliffe, Oogie Boogie, Shan Yu, Maleficent, Dr. Facilier, Frollo, and the Bowler Hat Guy. Throughout the evening, Hades and Meg would take the stage with some of the Villains for fun little skits. At 11pm the fun took to the skies over Disney’s Hollywood Studios® as Hades’ presented an exclusive fireworks show called Villainy in the Sky which was amazing!

As expected, the Limited Time Magic event was well received and was worth the wait. In addition to the on-stage entertainment, merchandise as well as food & beverage opportunities were available.

Enjoy our photos from the event:

What may be the most anticipated event in Disney Parks’ “Limited Time Magic” campaign takes place tomorrow, Friday the 13th. Click here for our previous post on details of the event.

You may be wondering what is in store when Hades and 13 Disney baddies take over operations of Disney’s Hollywood Studios®? Take a look at the schedule of events:

• Theme Park Hours: 9a-1a
• Hades’ Hangout Dance Party (at Sorcerer Hat): 8p-1a
• Villain Encounters Meet & Greets (around Echo Lake): 8:30p-10:30p & 11:30p-12:30a
• Villainy in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular (behind Sorcerer Hat): 11:00p

Those are the events announced to happen, but don’t be surprised if the Disney Villains have a surprise or two up their sleeves!

Because of the special fireworks show, select locations will have different operational hours on Friday. Those locations include:

• The Great Movie Ride® – closed 9:30p-11:30p
• Toy Story Midway Mania!® – closed 9:30p-11:30p
• Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream – closed 9:30p-11:30p

Special merchandise and food & beverage opportunities will be available as well at select locations. Fantasmic! will perform its regular show at 8:30p and 10p

We hope you have a spine-tingling time!

Tomorrow evening, happy haunts will once again take over the Magic Kingdom® Park as the first of 23 “spook-tacular” Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties takes place.

Here’s a look at this year’s entertainment schedule:

• 7:45p – Disney Villains’ Dance Mix and Mingle (Cinderella Castle stage)
• 8:15p – Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade (begins in Frontierland®)
  with preparade performance by Phineas and Ferb & the Creepa Crew on Main Street, U.S.A.®
• 8:50p – Disney Villains’ Dance Mix and Mingle (Cinderella Castle stage)
• 9:15p – Celebrate the Magic
• 9:30p – Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular
• 10:05p – Disney Villains’ Dance Mix and Mingle (Cinderella Castle stage)
• 10:30p – Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade (begins in Frontierland®)
  with preparade performance by Phineas and Ferb & the Creepa Crew on Main Street, U.S.A.®
• 11:15p – Disney Villains’ Dance Mix and Mingle (Cinderella Castle stage)
• Intermittently – Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball character dance party (Rockettower Plaza Stage – Tomorrowland®)
• Intermittently – Woody’s Happy Harvest Roundup character dance party (Diamond Horseshoe – Liberty Square)
• Intermittently – Disney Character Appearances throughout Magic Kingdom® Park

All times and offerings subject to change

Click the image below to view the complete party guide for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.