Disney News

By: Kyle Froman, Off to Neverland Travel®

Sitting in the corner of our sectional couch is one small pillow that reads ‘Never Grow Up’.

This small pillow’s journey started at Walt Disney World® Resort, in Magic Kingdom® Park to be exact. On our most recent visit to Walt Disney World® Resort we passed this small pillow countless times in just as many souvenir stores scattered around the parks and resorts. Every time we saw it we would smile, then go on our way. Finally, on one of our last evenings at Magic Kingdom® Park we succumbed to this small pillow’s beck and call and brought him home with us (after paying of course)!

The lure of the phrase embroidered on this small pillow is found in the feeling that overcomes you as you walk through Magic Kingdom® Park, or really any area of Walt Disney World® Resort’s property.

To me, it is a journey back to a time and place when I was a child and this world of fantasy was fully reality. The smell of the popcorn, bakery and ice cream parlor on Main Street U.S.A.® Area put me in the shoes of an young boy who was experiencing it all for the first time. The sights and the sounds send the memories flooding through my mind, as fresh as the day they happened. Watching my boys’ take it all in is like looking at it all through the eyes of my young self. It is truly magical.

It is as if I never grew up.

What makes it all truly magical is that you don’t have to have childhood memories of Walt Disney World® Resort to embrace this feeling. I have watched adults experiencing Magic Kingdom® Park for the first time become overwhelmed as they, too, are transported back to their childhood. Experiencing the attractions and reveling in the ambiance  it is as if their youth is restored… if only for a few days while they are there.

It is as if they never grew up.

Let’s face it, we all experience ‘life’ on a daily basis. We have bills to pay and bosses to please. We have families to chauffeur and yards/homes to upkeep. We have to be adults, it is part of life. But every time my eyes catch our small pillow in our living room I am immediately transported to the middle of Main Street U.S.A.® Area and I can almost smell the bakery and taste the popcorn.

Sometimes you just feel ‘old’. After all, growing old is required…but growing up is optional. To me, that’s the beauty of a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, I never have to grow up. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there 100 times, or if you are hoping to go for the first time, you will feel like a kid again. It certainly isn’t a fountain of youth, but it is a journey back to being a child…when fantasy was reality and the world is at your fingertips.

I invite you, too, to experience your childhood again by contacting your Magic Maker® today to plan your next trip to Walt Disney World® Resort. It will be as if you never grew up.

There’s no doubt that life is hectic! Balancing work, your responsibilities at home, and your family’s schedule loaded with activities is no easy feat. To take a look at how our hectic lives take a toll on quality family time, Disney Parks recently commissioned Kelton – a research firm – to conduct a blind survey.

More than 1,000 parents of children age 5-17 were asked their thoughts on quality time when at home verses when on vacation. Here is a look at some of the results:

• We’re Busy – Time is precious, scare, and fleeting! Out of 52 weeks in a year, the survey showed parents typically only have about 15 “free” weekends a year with no plans. 13% polled said they have no free weekends. But this is a problem parents are fully aware of – 96% said they would give up at least one thing to spend just one extra hour with their children every week.
• Go On Vacation – Vacation is a key way for your family to bond. The survey showed that when families vacation together, the time spent with each other is more likely to be “quality time” and that the whole family is more excited, relaxed, and even more affectionate. And family time together over meals nearly doubles when on vacation – going from an average of 10 meals per week at home to 19 meals on vacation!
• The Future of Family Travel – It appears that those who have already taken family vacations now realize the importance of this family time. Of those past vacationers, 82% said they will take the same amount of, if not more, vacations over the next five years. 94% of parents surveyed acknowledged the importance of family vacations taken on a regular schedule. Responses showed popular types of family vacations were theme parks, beaches, cruises and camping. The top destinations were Florida, California, and Hawaii.

As travel professionals, our Magic Makers® have experienced first-hand the value vacation time can bring to a family. Don’t let any more time slip away – contact us now to start creating memories to last a lifetime!

A new art exhibit representing over 400 years of African-American achievement and contribution has opened inside the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot®.

The exhibit, titled “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” displays over 40 pieces of rare art, documents, books and artifacts of African-American history. The pieces come from the private collection of philanthropists Bernard and Shirley Kinsey whose collection has been on display all over the U.S., including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Paying homage to African-Americans who helped build and transform a nation, the entire exhibit carriers a theme of hope, belief, courage, imagination, and heritage.

We always wanted to extend the reach of the Collection to a larger, more international and diverse audience. So we are delighted to be collaborating with Disney to share the stories of our remarkable ancestors.” – Bernard Kinsey

“Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” is included in Epcot® admission. Enjoy this special preview of the exhibit.

Big changes are on the way for the Downtown Disney® Area of the Walt Disney World® Resort. Planned as a multi-year transformation, the changes will not only expand and give a new look to the popular entertainment district, but it will be renamed as Disney Springs.

Inspired by some of Florida’s beautiful waterfront towns, Disney Springs will receive a new entrance leading guests to four different outdoor neighborhoods. With their own charm, each neighborhood will host a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.

Inside the Town Center, you will find a mix of shopping and dining locations. Open-air promenades will provide the perfect space for guests to sit back and relax. The colorful and thriving commercial district called The Landing will host world-class dining experiences with beautiful, waterfront views of the lake. The Marketplace will continue to be a family-friendly destination for guests of all ages to enjoy their time. Along with some new, yet-to-be announced experiences, many of the favorite shopping locations will continue to operate including the World of Disney® Store which will receive an expansion. And the West Side will continue to provide an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment and some new elevated spaces to provide shade and an overlook to the activity below.

Once completed, this multi-year project will double the number of shops, restaurants, and other venues currently found in the Downtown Disney® Area. Construction is scheduled to start next month. While new areas of Disney Springs will open in stages, an anticipated completion date for the entire project is in 2016.

All images of Disney Springs are Disney concept art – actual construction my vary.

By Magic Maker® Laura Thatcher

This year is the 20th anniversary of Epcot’s® International Flower and Garden Festival . In addition to the banners of blooms that guests have come to expect, the festival has expanded to offer limited time menus at kiosks around World Showcase.

There are 12 different booths offering special food and beverage selections. Guests will find everything from the exotic (FRUSHI – fruit sushi wrapped in coconut ‘rice’) to the All American (Smoked Beef Brisket with Collard Greens). A sampling of this year’s food includes:

Tarte a la ratatouille et fromage de chevre – A new take on an old-favorite, ratatouille and cheese is served on top of pastry dough.

Pulled Pig  Slider with Cole Slaw –  This all-American sandwich is served on a large roll and topped with crisp cole slaw and can be customized with either sweet or spicy BBQ sauce.

Tostada de Jaiba – Crab Tostada served with Chipotle Mayo and Valentina Sauce. A crispy tostada topped with chilled crab salad.

Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro – Three large, fresh Florida shrimp are served atop warm grits and bite sized pieces of sausage.

Dole Whip with Siesta Key Spiced Rum – A twist on the classic Disney snack, a Dole Whip served with a generous pour of rum for a tropical treat for the grownups.

There are numerous other choices for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in each country. The festival also features a Fruits by the Glass stand with choices like Blueberry Wine, Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktails and non-alcoholic Wild Berry Slush.

Great news for our guests visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort later this month for Spring Break!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will once again offer Taste of Hollywood To Go for dates surrounding Spring Break and Easter. Originally launched back in 2011, the option is often used during peak times to make it easier to have a quick, on-the-go meal while reserving seats for the Fantasmic! Show – something that is typically only offered for select table service meals.

From Mar. 24-Apr. 4, 2013, guests participating in Taste of Hollywood To Go will be able to choose from the following boxed meals:

• Hot fried chicken with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sweet corn and carrots and warm apple crisp
• Veggie sandwich with avocado, orange and tomato salad, tabbouleh and chocolate cake
• California and tuna sushi roll with beet and apple salad, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and a spicy pecan chocolate cluster
• Shrimp salad with beet and apple salad, ginger-marinated tomatoes and cucumbers and mandarin orange cheesecake
• Cold-cut roast beef with creamy horseradish, potato salad, grilled asparagus and chocolate cake
• Kids options:
  • Turkey and American cheese wrap with apples and carrots with ranch dip, strawberry yogurt and a seven-layer cookie bar
  • Snack pack of strawberry yogurt, apple wedges, carrot sticks, Goldfish crackers, and an organic apple and cinnamon oatmeal bar.

All meals include a 20 oz soft drink or water. Meals will be available for pickup at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner from 11a -8p. While advance dining reservations are not required, they are strongly encouraged as quantities are limited. The Taste of Hollywood To Go packages are also Disney Dining Plan friendly – using just one quick service entitlement per meal.

Selection of Fantasmic! showtimes is based on availability. Contact your Magic Maker® today to make your reservations or for more information!

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

With the recent addition of Fantasy Faire at Disneyland® Park and last year’s opening of Cars Land inside Disney California Adventure® Park, the “Happiest Place On Earth” just got happier! And now’s the perfect time to experience it!

But the magic doesn’t have to stop when you leave the parks. Enjoy legendary Disney service and incredible Disney magic 24 hours a day by staying at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort. And for a limited time, you can save up to 20% off your stay on select nights!

Stay and SAVE!

Save up to 20% on rooms at the Disneyland® Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa, or Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel most Sun. through Thu. nights and up to 15% most Fri. and Sat. nights with purchase of a 2-night stay between Apr. 7 – May 22, 2013 .

Booking & Travel Windows:

Book this offer Mar. 12 – Apr. 27, 2013 for arrivals Apr. 7 – May 22, 2013. All travel on this offer must be completed prior to May 24, 2013.

Be sure to ask your Magic Maker® about adding Disney Character Dining
and Disneyland® Resort Theme Park tickets to your reservation.

Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel for a two (2) night stay between April 7, 2013 and May 22, 2013 when booked between March 12, 2013 and April 27, 2013; 20% savings based on most Sunday through Thursday nights and 15% savings based on most Friday and Saturday nights. Travel must be completed by May 24, 2013. Offer is not valid on suites or with previously booked rooms. Excludes applicable taxes and fees. Advance reservations required. Check for offers on different lengths of stay. Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. 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 restrictions and change without notice. Separate Theme Park admission required to enjoy the Parks.

Tomorrow morning when the the new Fantasy Faire area opens to the public inside Disneyland® Park, one of its highlights will be the Royal Theatre. Here, guests will be treated to two different shows – the tales of Rapunzel and Belle as presented by Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, a pair of vaudeville-style Renaissance storytellers.

Here’s a peek at the shows:

Refer to your daily Times Guide for updated showtimes and additional information. Click here for more information on Fantasy Faire.

The Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival has brought a new interactive play area to the park. Based on the new Disney film Oz the Great and Powerful that was just released in theaters this weekend, the Land of Oz Garden provides a fun way for kids to stretch their imagination and muscles while the parents take some time to relax.

As the largest play area ever created for a Festival at Epcot®, it is made up of a couple different components. In the Kansas section, the Baum Circus tents (named for the author of the original 14 Oz books) hosts several midway style games and fun mirrors. In Oz, kids can enjoy a large playground while parents relax on shaded chairs. But be sure to take a look around and see all the details, including the familiar yellow brick road made of yellow pansies and the Wizard’s deflated hot air balloon! You may also notice some unique red glass poppies – something that took the artist 4 days a piece to make!

The Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival runs now through May 19, 2013, and the Land of Oz Garden is just one small piece of the festival! From character topiaries to the Flower Power Concert performances to amazing tapas from the Garden Marketplaces, there is fun for all ages! Contact your Magic Maker® for more details.