Disney News

By Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk

A few weeks ago, Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk wrote an article to help those experiencing Walt Disney World® Resort for the first time. Here is ‘part two’ to her First-Timers Guide to Walt Disney World® Resort!

Walt Disney World® Resort is a destination unlike no other.  It is massive in size and scope but no detail has been overlooked.   Walt Disney was a master storyteller and that storytelling spills forth into all aspects of the parks and resorts.  Your experience will be immersive from the moment you arrive at your Walt Disney World® Resort hotel, to each dining experience, to the rides and attractions in the theme parks.  The sights, sounds and smells draw you into each story told.  Enjoy being a guest in the “show” that is Walt Disney World® Resort!

There are many often overlooked details in Magic Kingdom® Park.  As you walk down Main Street, USA® Area, look up at the shop windows on the second floor.  These windows give credit to major players in the creation of the Magic Kingdom® Park.  Walt Disney’s window is at the corner above the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor giving him a permanent view of Cinderella’s Castle.  Inside the castle is a mosaic that tells Cinderella’s story.  Note that as you go from one land into another that the landscaping, hardscapes, buildings and music help you transition smoothly.  The lands of Magic Kingdom® Park were actually built as the second story of this park.  Ground level contains the “Utilidors.”  This tunnel system runs under the park and houses the workings necessary to operate the shops, restaurants, rides and attractions.   Cast members collect their costumes and proceed to a behind the scenes entrance into the land in which they are working.  Cast members never cross into another land wearing a costume that does not belong there – you will never see someone in a Tomorrowland® Area costume walking through Adventureland® Area!

Walt Disney originally envisioned Epcot® as a self-contained city.  His death in 1966, changed the direction of this park to what it is today – Future World and World Showcase.  The details worth noting in this park are numerous.   The Fountain of Nations in Innoventions Plaza contains water from bodies of waters around the world.  Note that Spaceship Earth was designed with a runoff system so that no rain reaches the ground but is directed so that it empties into World Showcase lagoon.   The ride in Universe of Energy is powered by solar energy.  You may enjoy seeing the hydroponics method of plant growing in The Land.  Needless to say, the buildings, shops, and eateries in each represented country in World Showcase are filled with native costumes, food and architecture.  The American Pavilion at center stage plays host to countries on either side.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios® represents the golden age of Hollywood when anyone could become a star!  Watch out for starlets hoping to be discovered and directors ready to give wannabes their big break.  If possible, see Walt Disney:  One Man’s Dream in Animation Courtyard.  You will see much of Walt’s memorabilia.  Streets of America will give you a great example of forced perspective, a technique used to make structures appear taller, larger or farther away by decreasing scale of the objects.  This technique can be seen throughout the parks.   Most of the buildings in Disney’s Hollywood Studios® were inspired by actual California structures.  You will see 1928 on many buildings – a nod to the year Mickey Mouse debuted!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park may have a plethora of animals but it is not a zoo.  The details necessary to combine the natural world and the magic of Disney are played out richly in this park. Tree of Life® Attraction is a study in detail in itself!  How many animals can you spot in this carved wonder?  The benches throughout the park are made of recycled milk jugs.  Stumps, rocks and water features have been used to disguise feeding stations and the like in order to attract the wildlife and offer better viewing opportunities for guests.  Check out the Tibetan prayer flags hanging in Asia.  Keep an eye out for DiVine, an actress that is part of the landscape.  The village, Harambe, closely resembles the area in Africa that served as its inspiration.  This park is ideal for meandering and taking in the many details.

The creative geniuses behind each experience are called Imagineers due to their combined artistic and engineering abilities.  A roller coaster is more than a ride – each is an experience.   Each roller coaster in Walt Disney World® Resort have a theme and a story to tell.  For example, Rockin’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith, tells the following story:  a group has arrived at a recording studio where Aerosmith is working.  Their manager informs the performers that they must leave for a concert appearance.  Steven Tyler suggests that the group watching in the studio come along!   “Stretch limos” arrive to transport you to the concert.  The freeway is jammed but your “driver” floors it and manages to get you to the concert!  Check out the themes for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Attraction in Frontierland® Area in Magic Kingdom® Park and Expedition Everest® Attraction in Asia® Land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park!  Each of these rides is themed from the queue in which you stand to wait your turn, to the holding area, to the vehicle in which you ride.

These creative folks sign their work with hidden Mickeys.  These hidden Mickeys can be found in chair backs, carpets, on walls and can be quite obvious or truly “hidden.”  Books are available to help you if you choose to search for these and cast members can often point to some.

The details I have noted are a tiny sampling of the many things Walt Disney represents and what each aspect of Walt Disney World® Resort has to offer – just enough to whet your appetite!  Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”  Walt and his legacy of Imagineers dreamed and the result is this magical place you are about to visit!

Last month, we gave you an overview of the reimagineering that will be taking place this fall to the adult areas of the ship when the Disney Magic® goes into dry dock. From renovations inside Palo to the expansion and refurbishment of spa services onboard, attention will be given to nearly every detail.

Part of the reimagineering will include the transformation of Beat Street, the current adult entertainment district on Deck 3 of the Disney Magic®, to After Hours. Three clubs will make up the After Hours area – Fathoms night club (which will host After Hours’ main events for the evening), Keys (a refined piano bar and lounge), and O’Gills (an Irish pub and sports bar).

Enjoy this video that explains more details about After Hours:

The Disney Magic® will be in dry dock from Sep. 7-Oct. 10, 2013. After, it will launch with exciting itineraries and greatly enhanced amenities. Contact your Magic Maker® today for more information!

Disney Cruise Line® has announced a change to their smoking policy for guests onboard their ships.

Previously, guests who had selected a verandah stateroom were allowed to smoke outside their room. Effective Nov. 15, 2013, smoking will no longer be allowed outside on stateroom verandahs. This change makes all stateroom areas, regardless of category, 100% smoke free onboard all four of Disney Cruise Line® ships. Guests found in violation of this policy will be subject to a $250 stateroom recovery fee. This policy also includes the use of electronic cigarettes.

To accommodate guests who do smoke, smoking will be allowed in designated areas of the ships. These areas include:

Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder®:

• Outdoors on Deck 4 starboard side (6:00p to 6:00a only)
• Outdoors on Decks 9 and 10’s open-air areas (excluding the Mickey’s Pool area).

Disney Dream® and Disney Fantasy®:

• Deck 4 port side, aft (6:00p to 6:00a)
• Deck 12 port side, aft, (outdoor area accessible through the Meridian Lounge)
• Deck 13 port side, forward by Currents Bar

Designated smoking areas are subject to change. Please consult onboard documentation or ask a Crew Member for locations upon boarding.

It is hard to believe that we are less than one month from the start of this year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom® Park! But the Walt Disney World® Resort have announced some additions to this year’s party that brings happy haunts to the “Most Magical Place on Earth!”

New additions this year include:

• Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas will make their debut inside Magic Kingdom® Park. Last year, the two made limited appearances in Downtown Disney®, but this year they will spend 23-frightning nights doing meet and greets in Town Square of the Main Street, U.S.A.® area.
• Last year, a Street Jam hosted by the Creepa Crew was added to the lineup directly before the performances of Mickey’s “Boo to You” Parade. This year, Phineas and Ferb are taking charge of the Creepa Crew to provide a new preparade show on Main Street, U.S.A.®
• On the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland®, Mike and Sulley will host a dance party called Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball.
• To aid in the distribution of over 220 tons of candy throughout the parties, two treat trails and a few surprise trick-or-treat stations will be available.

Two favorite Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party events are among the list of those returning this year – Mickey’s “Boo to You” Parade and Happy HalloWishes nighttime fireworks spectacular!

 The 2013 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will take place on:

• Sep. 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 29
• Oct. 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
• Nov. 1

from 7p – midnight. Ticket prices start at $54+tax for kids 3-9 and at $59+tax for ages 10 and up.  Tickets prices vary 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.

As the summer winds down and the next school year is looming just ahead of us (and already starting for some), families are shifting their priorities from vacation and fun to school and education. For some, elementary school, junior high and high school education take on a different form as more and more parents are deciding to educate their children at home. Homeschooling has continued to grow in popularity.

For those homeschooling this fall, Walt Disney World® Resort offers a fantastic way to extend the summer fun while not sacrificing opportunities for learning and growth.

On October 9^th Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show hits Disney’s Hollywood Studios® Theme Park.   At Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show your children will get to check out just what it takes to be the part of a modern day production, giving them real life applications to collaboration, communication and creativity.

As a part of Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show participants will be able to:

• Identify and articulate a variety of technical disciplines necessary for stage or show production.
• Articulate the role of constructive criticism in performance arts and discuss application to everyday situations.
• Identify and discuss fundamental responsibilities of creative and stage management teams.
• Articulate the value of preparedness, presentation, and focus in performance arts and demonstrate these elements in everyday situations.
• Define risk-taking and articulate the value of intelligent risk-taking.

Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show is designed for students of all ages, however students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

In addition to Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show, you can add on a wide array of Disney Youth Education Series programs prior to or following the Homeschool Days event. From science and physics to animals and animation, there many options to keep your homeschool student engaged!

Just because the summer is ending and school is beginning, doesn’t mean that education can’t still be fun!

Contact your Magic Maker® today to begin planning your trip with your students this fall to Walt Disney World® Resort for Homeschool Days.

Anyone with a dietary restriction can tell you what kind of an added stress it causes when traveling. Whether an allergy or simply a preference, you are forced to place a level of trust in the culinary team that they will take care in preparing your meal within your restrictions.

The Walt Disney World® Resort (along with all of the other Disney Destinations) realizes the importance of this and has always been great at assisting guests with dietary restrictions. But now – Hakuna Matata – as Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park has taken this level of attention to a whole new level.

Yesterday, the park debuted their new special dietary kiosk called The Garden.  The kiosk, located on Discovery Island® near Adventurers Outpost, provides you with an opportunity to stop and talk to trained Cast Members about any special dietary allergies or intolerance you may have – whether it be gluten, nuts, dairy, or others. The Cast Members at The Garden have ingredient listings for most products served at the park and can provide guidance as to which locations, counter or table service, may be best for your visit. They can also suggest some dishes that can be custom made at select quick service locations to fit your needs. However because ingredients change often, you are still encouraged to request to speak with the manager on duty at your chosen dining location to ensure the selection fits within your dietary restrictions.

The Garden also has a selection of snacks available that are friendly to most special diets. Some of the available items include chips, popcorn, granola bars, hummus with vegetables, and a gluten-free beer. Also available for purchase are select treats fresh from BabyCakes NYC™, who only bakes all-natural, organic products free from wheat, gluten, dairy, casein, and eggs. BabyCakes NYC™ has operated a bakery and retail inside Downtown Disney® Marketplace for several years, but this is the first time their products have been available inside the parks!

While The Garden kiosk is exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park at this time, we are hopeful that a similar location will soon be available at all parks. However, when dining at any Walt Disney World® restaurant or food court you can always ask to speak to the manager regarding your dining restrictions and can rest assured that the same level of care will be given. If you or your a member of your traveling party has a dietary restriction, please notify your Magic Maker® so that they can notate any Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) and provide you with additional tips and tricks for your stay.

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

Get Disney FREE Dining 2013 with the purchase of select Magic Your Way® Vacations

Be our guest and experience the tastiest vacation offer available at the Walt Disney World® Resort! Disney FREE Dining 2013 has been extended to include dates through the end of this year. Availability on this offer is limited, so don’t delay!

Now through Sep. 15, 2013, purchase a non-discounted Magic Your Way® package including a minimum 3-night stay at select Disney Value Resorts and get the Quick-Service Dining Plan for FREE. Or, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way® package including a minimum 3-night stay at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts and get the Plus Disney Dining Plan for FREE. Upgrades to a different dining plan are available at an additional cost.

Disney FREE Dining Booking Window:
Now – Sep. 15, 2013

Disney FREE Dining Travel Window:
Valid for arrivals most nights Sep. 29 – Oct. 2, Oct. 18 – Nov. 2, Nov. 11 – Nov. 23, and Dec. 12 – Dec. 22, 2013

Some of the best family memories are made during a family dinner! This promotion is always popular and availability is limited, so contact your Magic Maker® today for your taste of these scrumptious savings!

*Disney FREE Dining Packages booked at a Disney Value Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan for free. Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts will receive the Plus Disney Dining Plan for free. Upgrades to dining plans are available at an additional cost. Ask your Magic Maker® which Dining Plan may be best for your family.

To qualify for the Disney FREE Dining 2013 promotion, a minimum stay of 3-nights and 2-day Magic Your Way® Base Ticket is required. Number of packages based on this special is limited. Accommodations at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, 3-bedroom villas at any Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground (Campsites), Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are excluded from this offer. Offer excludes alcohol beverages and gratuities. Children 3-9 must order from the children’s menu when available. Magic Your Way® Base Tickets are for one Theme Park per day and must be used with 14 days of first use.

Because Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) open 180 days in advance, some table service restaurants may have limited or no availability at the time of booking. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offers cannot be combined and are nontransferable. Advance reservations required. Disney FREE Dining 2013 offer is subject to change without notice.

Earlier this summer, a new interactive experience was introduced at the World of Disney® Store in Downtown Disney® Marketplace.

Walt Disney World® Resort guests can now be instantly transformed into a Disney Princess with the help of the Magic Mirror. Guests simply stand in front of the mirror and let the magic come to life as they try on various Princess gowns and tiaras.

Whether you are young or young at heart, give the Magic Mirror a try during your next visit to the World of Disney® Store! Check out this video introducing the experience:

By Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk

So you’ve decided you are going to make your first trip to Walt Disney World® Resort – how exciting!   At Walt Disney World® Resort you will experience a vacation unlike any other.  The unique, immersive experience is a result of Walt Disney’s genius and his quest to create a place where parents and children would equally enjoy their time together.

The size of Walt Disney World® Resort alone is daunting – more than 25,000 acres!  Throw in four theme parks, two water parks, over twenty resorts, a campground, a sports complex, golf courses, a shopping and dining district and it is overwhelming as to how you should start planning.  That is why we are here! We want to be sure you are able to experience all that you can within Walt Disney World® Resort’s 40 square miles!

As a first-timer, we know there is a lot to learn, so we wanted to introduce you to the four cornerstones of Walt Disney World® Resort, the theme parks.

Magic Kingdom® Park – This is where the “world” began, opening in 1971.  As you approach the entrance, you will pass under the railroad tracks and leave reality behind! Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A.® Area!  This street is lined with shops and eateries and leads to Cinderella Castle beckoning at its end.  Note that the shop windows are lowered so that children can view the displays easily.  This park is laid out in a hub and spoke pattern.  The central hub is located in front of the castle.  From this hub, you access Adventureland® Area, Frontierland® Area, Liberty Square Area, Fantasyland® Area and Tomorrowland® Area.  Each land is packed with rides, attractions, restaurants, and shops.  Parades, live entertainment, character meet and greets and fireworks are daily happenings.  Pick up a Times Guide and map as you enter to help plan your day. The Magic Kingdom® Park can be accessed by monorail, bus, boat or car.

Epcot® – Epcot® opened in 1982, and celebrates world cultures, the past and the future.  It is divided into two areas.  Future World is anchored by Spaceship Earth (the huge golf ball looking structure) and boasts Innoventions® Pavilion, The Seas with Nemo and Friends® Attraction, The Land, Imagination!, Universe of Energy, Mission: SPACE® Attraction, and Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet.  Shopping, eating, rides and live entertainment take place throughout Future World.  The second area in Epcot® is World Showcase which is positioned around World Showcase Lagoon.  The countries represented include Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, Great Britain and Canada.  Cast members in each country’s pavilion are from the host country.  Shops contain items from the nation, the cuisine is typical of the area, and native entertainment can be viewed as well.  Children’s activities are available throughout World Showcase at the Kidcot stations.  You can visit multiple countries in one day without ever going through customs!  The park closes with the nightly fireworks and laser spectacular, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.  Be prepared for lots of walking.  Epcot® can be reached by monorail, bus, boat or car.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios® – Opening in 1989, as Disney-MGM Studios, this park harkens back to Hollywood of the 1930s.  It is divided into streets and can be a little trickier to navigate.  You enter the park via Hollywood Boulevard with Sorcerer Mickey’s hat as its showpiece.  Directly behind the hat is a replica of Graumann’s Chinese Theater.  Off of Hollywood Boulevard you will find Sunset Boulevard which boasts two of the most popular attractions in any of the parks – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™.  Animation Courtyard, Mickey Avenue, Pixar Place, Streets of America and Echo Lake are the studios featured areas.  Other major attractions and rides include Toy Story Mania!® Attraction, The American Idol Experience, Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue Attraction, Muppet Vision 3-D and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.  Parades, live entertainment, and character meet and greets occur daily.   Fantasmic! Show is Hollywood Studios after dark show filled with Disney characters and special effects. You can get to the studios by bus, boat or car.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park- This newest park opened in 1998.  Creating this 403 acre theme park was a huge step for Disney Imagineers.  How to combine and maintain an entertainment venue that has traditional rides and attractions with live animals was quite a challenge.  But they were up to the task!    You enter the park through the Oasis with a rain forest like atmosphere.  The hub of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park is the Tree of Life® Attraction positioned in the middle of Discovery Island® Area.   From this hub you can go to Dinoland USA® Area, Asia® Land, Africa, Camp Minnie-Mickey or Rafiki’s Planet Watch® Land.  This park also has live shows, thrill rides, a safari, live animals, eateries and shopping.  Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade takes place daily.  Access to this park is by bus or car only.

All four parks have tours and tour guides available, guest services, baby care centers, first aid stations, lost and found (for things and people,)  package pickup, locker, wheelchair and stroller rentals, as well as services for guests with disabilities.

This brief overview will hopefully spark an interest to learn more about the “happiest place on earth” that you are to visit soon.   Walt Disney once said, “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that this was all started by a mouse.”  We are here to help create a lasting, memorable experience as you head off to meet that mouse!

Walt Disney World® Resort may be large, and feel overwhelming, but our Magic Makers® are here to help you navigate through the planning so that you don’t miss a thing!