Disney News

In April, Disney Cruise Line® announced a major refurbishment to their original ship, the Disney Magic®, would take place this fall. From stem to stern, the ship will be reimagined for guests to enjoy. Click here for a summary of all the changes.

After its refurbishment, the adult areas on the Disney Magic® will be second-to-none! From the nightclubs to the spa to the adult only restaurant, Palo, new adult experiences are a large component of this refresh.

Beat Street, the current adult entertainment district on Deck 3 of the Disney Magic®, will be renamed as After Hours. Fathoms night club will replace Rockin’ Bar D and will host After Hours’ main events for the evening. Guests will find performances by singers and comedians in the early evening before it turns into a dance club later in the night. Sessions will be replaced by Keys, a refined piano bar and lounge. Lastly, Diversions will be transformed into O’Gills, an Irish pub and sports bar. These changes give the new adult entertainment areas a feel similar to those found on the Disney Dream® and Disney Fantasy®.

Palo, the only adult-exclusive dining location on the Disney Magic®, will receive an makeover as well. Guests will find new fixtures, glass work, stone floors and lighting but will be pleased to experience the same Northern Italian cuisine they have fallen in love with.

Last but not least, Vista Spa & Salon on Deck 9 will be expanded by 725 square feet and renamed as Senses Spa & Salon. The additional space will allow new services to be added to their already extensive lineup – including a Smile Spa, men’s barbershop services, and additional manicure/pedicure stations. Check out this video for a closer look at the upcoming changes to the spa.

Contact your Magic Maker today to experience the reimagined Disney Magic®!

You may be familiar with this “thing” called a Dole® Whip at Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts. If you’re not familiar we can guarantee you that you’re missing out!

Ranking high on the list of “favorite Disney Treats,” the Dole® Whip is a fat-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free soft serve pineapple ice cream. With only around 100 calories per serving, it is a great sweet treat to those watching their diet. Available at the Tiki Juice Bar in Disneyland® Park and at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom® Park, the Dole® Whip is also served as a float with pineapple juice. Disney’s Polynesian Resort serves as a secondary location selling Dole® Whips at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida.

In 2012, over 1.4 million Dole® Whips and Dole® Whip Floats were consumed at the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts combined. That’s a lot of pineappley goodness! Guests on one of the Disney Dining Plans at Walt Disney World® Resort may use a snack entitlement for both the Dole® Whip and Dole® Whip Float.

Guests and crew members aboard all four Disney Cruise Line® ships recently participated in a “AquaDucky Derby” that raised money for Make-A-Wish® International. Participants purchased a yellow rubber ducky that they were able to decorate to their liking before the race.

On the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder®, the races were held in Goofy’s Pool while the races on the Disney Dream® and Disney Fantasy® utilized the AquaDuck. The derby was a fun way for the guests and crew members to connect and more importantly raised nearly $14,000 for Make-A-Wish® International, an organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish® International is an organization familiar to Disney Destinations as they are involved in nearly 50% of all wishes granted each year!

Enjoy this video of the “AquaDucky Derby” and be sure to check out some of the awesome designs!

Twenty five years ago today, “the jewel in the crown” of Walt Disney World® Resort’s hotels, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, opened to the public. Originally called the Grand Floridian Beach Resort, its Victorian design with white walls and red gable roofs was inspired by late 19th century beach resorts from Florida’s east coast.

While the resort may have a 19th century feel, it boasts all the features and amenities of 21st century living. As a deluxe Walt Disney World® Resort hotel, guests delight in the on-location restaurants, lounges, shopping, pools and splash area, marina, and 10,000-square-foot spa and health club! Dining options are diverse – from 24-hour quick service at Gasparilla Grill to gourmet meals at the five-diamond award-winning Victoria & Albert’s. A brand new full-service spa and health club, Senses, recently opened to pamper guests with a wide range of treatments like massage therapy, facials, manicures/pedicures, and much more.

The current inventory of 867 rooms provide a variety of different accommodation types. Construction is in progress that will add Disney Vacation Club villa accommodations to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The lavish decor in the rooms give them a feel fit for royalty. Just one monorail stop away from Magic Kingdom® Park, its location is perfect for those wanting to stay near the magic!

For more information on Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the other hotels of the Walt Disney World® Resort, contact your Magic Maker® today!

This past weekend the long anticipated prequel to Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, hit theaters around the nation. Pixar first introduced us to Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan in Monsters, Inc., and now they are back to tell the beginning of Mike and Sully’s story at their Alma Mater. We’ll just say from the very beginning Mike and Sully were an interesting duo (don’t worry, we won’t spoil the film).

Fans of Mike and Sully will be excited that there are two different ways to experience their ‘monstrous’ story in the parks!

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, college roommates Mike and Sully have stopped off to hang out with you! Near the Backlot, you’ll find Mike and Sully in their newly redesigned meet and greet experience, inside the Monsters University Student Union, complete with a view of the campus! Pose with your family and friends or pick up an autograph from your favorite collegiate duo!

From Disney’s Hollywood Studios® you can head on over to Magic Kingdom® Park and visit with Mike as he dishes out the laughs at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor® Attraction. Mike, and a few of his funniest friends from Monstropolis are set on capturing your giggles and laughs to help power Monstropolis in their comedy club, Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor® Attraction.

At Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor® Attraction you’ll even have the chance to add to the hilarity by texting in your own joke for possible use during the comedy show! Be sure to watch Mike Wazowski’s announcements prior to entering the theater for a special text messaging password. Keep in mind every show is slightly different, styled after a true comedy club that loves to engage the audience.

Mike and Sully may be on the big screen, but they are also at Walt Disney World® Resort waiting to meet you! Make plans today to visit your favorite college duo this summer!

Earlier this month, The Global Attractions Attendance Report for 2012 was released by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM confirming that Magic Kingdom® Park was still the #1 park in the World according to attendance numbers! The New Fantasyland® Expansion that officially opened last fall helped fuel an attendance rise of 2.3% to just over 17.5 million visitors. With the upcoming addition of Princess Fairytale Hall this fall and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction in 2014, those numbers are expected to continue their climb.

Other Disney Parks ranked in the “Top 25 Amusement / Theme Parks Worldwide”  category include:

• #2 – Disneyland® Park
• #3 – Tokyo Disneyland®
• #4 – Tokyo Disney Sea®
• #5 – Disneyland® Park at Disneyland® Paris
• #6 – Epcot®
• #7 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
• #8 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
• #11 – Disney California Adventure® Park
• #14 – Hong Kong Disneyland®
• #20 – Walt Disney Studios® Park at Disneyland® Paris

Disney California Adventure® Park was the Disney Park with the highest annual increase – up 22.6% or 1.4 million guests! Disneyland® Resort completed a 5-year expansion project in 2012 that included the addition of Cars Land to Disney California Adventure® Park among other improvements.

The Walt Disney World® Resort Water Parks were also recognized in the “Top 20 Water Parks Worldwide” category. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park were ranked #1 and #3 respectively.

Disney Parks provide world-class family vacations in locations all around the world, and Off to Neverland Travel® is proud to be a part of making these magical dreams come true! When is your next Disney Destination Vacation? Contact your Magic Maker® to start planning today!

June 24, 2013 marks what would be the 120th birthday for Roy O. Disney, older brother and business partner to Walt Disney. Roy always handled the “business” side of their venture and was often credited for keeping Walt financially grounded.

After the land had been purchased for Walt Disney World® Resort and plans were in place for its development, Roy had already begun preparing for his retirement. But with the death of Walt in December of 1966, he knew that he would have to postpone his retirement to ensure that his brother’s biggest dream would come to life. Roy saw the project through completion and the opening of the Magic Kingdom® Park on October 1, 1971. To honor his brother, Roy changed the name of the project from “Disney World” to “Walt Disney World®” to ensure Walt would never be forgotten. He also dedicated the park to his brother during a special ceremony.

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.” – Roy O. Disney

In 1999, a statue titled “Sharing the Magic” was created by Blaine Gibson and installed at Magic Kingdom® Park to honor Roy and his dedication to the company. The statue is of him and Minnie Mouse sitting on a park bench. Roy is supporting Minnie’s hand from below, signifying how Roy always supported Walt throughout their business venture. The dedication plaque for statue reads:

In 1923, Walt Disney and his brother, Roy O. Disney, pooled their resources – Walt’s creative vision and Roy’s business sense – to form their own cartoon studio. Together, they successfully pioneered many new avenues in family entertainment. Roy O. Disney completed his brother’s last and greatest dream, the creation of Walt Disney World® Resort, and dedicated the Magic Kingdom® on this site on October 25, 1971.”

Without Roy’s guidance, it’s hard to say how things would be different. Could the placement of Roy’s statue at the front of Magic Kingdom® Park even be a tribute – that without him, everything beyond him would not have been possible?

This Sunday, June 23, 2013, Disneyland® Park will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room attraction. Originally opened in 1963, it was the world’s first Audio‐Animatronics® show. The innovative revue, hosted by four colorful macaws, transports guests to the Seven Seas for a 15-minute show “where the birds sing words and the flowers croon.”  Half a century later, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is still a popular (and now nostalgic) attraction in Disneyland® Park’s Adventureland® area.

In celebration of 50 years of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, here are some facts you may not know about the attraction:

• When the show premiered in 1963, it required a separate admission of 75 cents.
• The cast of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is made up of 225 Audio‐Animatronics® that include singing birds, flowers, and tikis. The hosts – macaws named Jose, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz – were referred to as “MacAudios”
• Original plans were for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room to be a restaurant with the birds, flowers, and tikis performing an after dinner show. Decisions were made to turn it into strictly a show as it is now after realizing challenges with combining it with the operations of a restaurant.
• Imagineers used the original audio source tapes to restore the soundtrack for the attraction back in 2005.

We’re sorry, this offer has expired. Please CLICK HERE for current Disney Cruise Line® Specials

This fall will be your last opportunity to set sail with Disney Cruise Line® from Galveston, TX. Now’s the time to book and SAVE on your fall getaway aboard the Disney Wonder®. For a limited time, you can take advantage of some amazing lead rates, onboard credits, and half-off deposits!

Offer Details:

Book a 7-night sailing most nights Sep. 28 – Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 7, 2013 aboard the Disney Wonder®  and receive an onboard credit (OBC) for you to use during your cruise – $100 OBC for an Inside stateroom, $150 OBC for an Oceanview Stateroom, and a $200 OBC for a Verandah stateroom. You’ll also pay less now with half-off deposits due at the time of booking!

Booking Window:

Through Jul. 31, 2013

Travel Window:

Most 7-night sailings from Sep. 28 – Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 – Dec. 7, 2013

All promotions are subject to availability, so contact your Magic Maker® today for your free no-obligation quote!

Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included. Per person government taxes and fees are approximately $80 per person for 7-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises (all amounts subject to change). Excludes categories with restrictions (IGT, OGT and VGT). Half-off deposit is valid only for categories 00T – 11C. The deferred deposit amount is due at final payment. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or onboard credits. Subject to all applicable Terms and Conditions of Disney Cruise Line®. All Shipboard credits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Walt Disney World® Resort is a world of indulgences. Around every corner there is a sight, aroma, sound or experience beckoning you to come and enjoy. It is a world in which you can let go and lose yourself in the fantasies and imaginations left behind by Walt Disney. It is an escape.

Personally, I love indulging at Walt Disney World® Resort. From tasting unique treats that I would never dare try at home to getting a haircut on Main Street, U.S.A® Area there are plenty of ways to indulge.

However, to those of us who are attempting to maintain a healthy diet, a world of indulgences can be a frightening thing! Beyond the obvious, passing up what we know we shouldn’t eat, the bigger fear for many of us is that, is there such a thing as healthy eating at such a magical place?

The answer is YES.

Even a midst the indulgences we all love on vacation, from exciting resorts to unique dining and entertainment, it is possible to maintain the healthy diets we work so hard on when we aren’t on vacation.

Thankfully, we can put our minds at ease that Walt Disney World® Resort has plenty of tasty options for even the healthy eating aficionado!

Many locations throughout the resorts offer grilled and rotisserie chicken meals accompanied with vegetables, they are a great alternative to burgers and hot dogs! Should you choose to indulge in a burger, don’t worry, they are offered with multi-grain buns and you can even substitute apples or grapes for fries at many locations! And about those fries and other fried foods, you won’t find trans-fats anywhere on property!

In Magic Kingdom® Park at Columbia Harbor House you’ll find a delectable grilled salmon or a Lighthouse Sandwich (hummus and broccoli slaw on whole grain bread). You can head over to Cosmic Ray’s and pick up a rotisserie chicken, veggie burger, veggie wrap or Greek salad! Let’s not forget the eggplant stack or gnocchi with goat cheese and spinach at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant! If you head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, you’ll find a grilled vegetable sandwich at Backlot Express or for a leisurely sit down meal you can visit Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant for a Cobb Salad or noodle bowl.

Epcot® has an abundance of options as you journey around World Showcase. Tangierine Café’ in the Morocco Pavilion offers a delicious vegetarian platter with hummus, falafel, lentils, olives and more. At the Japan Pavilion you can experience grilled veggie tacos, or the lemon chicken in the China Pavilion. For something a little different you can try the jumbo shrimp and cannellini beans in at Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, you’ll find the house-smoked half chicken at Flame Tree Barbecue, one of my favorite counter services eats in all of Walt Disney World® Resort! If you are craving more, you can always swing by Tusker House Restaurant for tandoori tofu, couscous with veggies, curry chicken or salmon.

Snacks? No problem! Be sure to look for the fresh fruit cart in each park where you can find pineapple spears, watermelon chunks, carrots, celery with dip, dill pickles and more! Even at the ice cream carts you can find sugar free options or fruit bars! Of course, no visit in Magic Kingdom® Park is complete without a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle.

As  you can see, there is more to the parks that hamburgers and french fries, and these options mentioned are just skimming the surface! There are plenty of ways for health conscious guests to indulge…and not feel guilty afterwards! For more information on any of these options, or to discover more about healthy eating at Walt Disney World® Resort contact your Magic Maker® today!