Disney News

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.

The Walt Disney World® Resort will host 7 days of Gaelic fun as they kick off their St. Patrick’s Day celebration this weekend! Taking place Mar. 8-10 and 14-17, you will experience a long list of events and activities including real Irish music, folk dancing, grub and grog.

The fun starts this weekend (Mar. 8-10) from 6-11 p.m. with performances at Raglan Road™ Irish Pub and Restaurant by The Willis Clan, a family of artists and musicians who merge their Irish roots with other music genres while Nova Celtic performs popular Irish music with their own twist on a nearby outdoor stage.

Then next Thursday, be sure to hang on to your shamrocks as the spirited weekend kicks off! Beginning Mar. 14 & 15 (6 p.m. – 1 a.m.) and continuing Mar. 16 & 17 (noon – 1 a.m.) enjoy a variety of events:

• Participate in an Irish Dance Workshop Fri. – Sun. lead by renowned Irish dancer and choreographer Ronan McCormack, part of the original Riverdance cast
• Daily performances by the Raglan Road™ Dancers
• Irish Music Workshops taught by Distinguished Dublin-born multi-instrumentalist Declan Masterson
• Ceili (kay-lee) traditional music and structured set-dancing event on Saturday in which guests will be invited to participate in
• “The Electric Ceili,” Sunday evening, bringing together a host of Irish musicians and dancers
• Performances by The Willis Clan, Nova Celtic, Girsa, Celtic Wave, Wyndbreakers, Three Dollar Band, Raglan Road™ house band Creel, Johnny & Justin, and Albannach
• Performances on Sat. & Sun. by world-famous U2 tribute band Elevation
• Face painting, stilt walkers and giveaways

While the majority of events are family-friendly, access to select entertainment on Mar. 16 & 17 will require a cover change ($5-$10) and may be limited to adults.

So don your green and head over to Downtown Disney® Area for the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day this side of the Emerald Isle!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park has much more to offer its guests than most typical theme parks. With 7 enthralling lands, Walt Disney’s personal dedication to conservation can be seen in the everyday operation and commitment to animal care, education, and research that happens at the park.

Home to more than 1,700 animals across 250 species, there are educational opportunities around every corner at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. One popular spot is Rafiki’s Planet Watch®. Here, guests learn what they can do to personally to help with animal conservation efforts at Habitat Habit, watch animals receive care at the park’s Conservation Station®, and meet animals up close and personal at the Affection Section.

Outside of these everyday experiences, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park looks for special ways to celebrate and educate all year long by connecting families with nature. Here is a listing of upcoming special events throughout 2013:

• Apr. 22: Party for the Planet for Earth Day
• May 8: International Migratory Bird Day
• May 23: World Turtle Day
• Jun. 5: Pollinator Day
• Jul. 25: Tiger Day
• Aug. 1: Primate Day
• Aug.: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
• Sep. 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
• Sep. 26: Elephant Day
• Oct. 31: Bat Day
• Nov. 12: Rhino Day

Additional educational opportunities are happening over at The Seas with Nemo & Friends® at Epcot®:

• Apr. 22: Earth Day
• May 18: Endangered Species Day
• May 23: World Turtle Day
• Jun. 8: World Ocean Day
• Sep. 7: International Manatee Day

(Dates and events subject to change)

This September, Walt Disney World® Resort will host the 31st Night of Joy inside the Magic Kingdom® Park! The contemporary Christian music festival provides guests with spiritual live performances by some of the nation’s biggest music superstars. In addition to the concert performances, select Magic Kingdom® Park attractions will also be available to guests.

Here’s a look at the bands scheduled to perform this year:

Friday, September 6, 2013

• Mercy Me
• Steven Curtis Chapman & Michael W. Smith
• Skillet
• Mandisa
• Matthew West
• Audio Adrenaline
• Moriah Peters
• We As Human
• City Harbor

Saturday, September 7, 2013

• TobyMac
• Francesca Batistelli
• Newsboys
• Britt Nicole
• Group 1 Crew
• Building 429
• For King and Country
• Jamie Grace

Entrance to Night of Joy requires a separate ticket for admission. Tickets will go on sale later this spring, so be sure to keep checking back for more details.

For the past several months, we have focused on breaking some of the most common myths our Magic Makers have heard from their clients. From how to make the most of your visit during peak travel dates to understanding passport requirements – we’ve covered it all!

Here’s a recap of our Breaking the Myths series:

• Disney’s FASTPASS® Service
• Age Is Just A Number
• Getting Around the World
• Walt Disney World® Resort Dining Plans
• Visiting During Peak Dates
• Dining at Disney Parks
• Where to Stay at the Walt Disney World® Resort
• Booking with a Travel Agent
• Traveling with Disabilities
• The Perfect Plan
• Travel Insurance and Passports
• Disney Cruise Line®
• Theme Parks and Magic Your Way Tickets

Still have a question? Contact your Magic Maker® and let them help your upcoming vacation magical!

We’re just 4 days away from the Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival! From Mar. 6 through May 19, 2013, you’ll not only be able to see some amazing Walt Disney World® Resort horticultural masterpieces, but you can taste the season at new Garden Marketplaces throughout World Showcase!

Speaking of horticultural masterpieces, take a look at this not-so-average shrub!

Earlier this year we were excited to bring a little more ‘magic’ to your experience with Off to Neverland Travel® through the release of our mobile itinerary planner. Through our mobile itinerary planner, we’ve put your entire Walt Disney World® Resort trip  itinerary in your pocket, professionally planned by our expert Magic Makers®.

Now, we are making the ‘magic’ a little more magical with the release of our Pixie Dust Tips section!

Our Magic Makers® have years of experience visiting Walt Disney World® Resort with literally countless combined visits throughout our team! Through these visits we’ve gained a wealth of valuable tips and information that can only come from first-hand experience!

Within our mobile itinerary Pixie Dust Tips section you will find dining suggestions, parade and firework viewing tips, transportation help, FASTPASS® and Rider Swap information, overlooked experiences, rainy day indulgences and much, much more!

From the water parks and shopping districts to the four major theme parks, all of our tips to make the most of your vacation are in the palm of your hand as you plan and travel!

Don’t hesitate to ask your Magic Maker® for more information about how to use our new mobile itinerary, or to begin planning your next magical Walt Disney World® Resort trip today!

Earlier this year we were excited to bring a little more ‘magic’ to your experience with Off to Neverland Travel® through the release of our mobile itinerary planner. Through our mobile itinerary planner, we’ve put your entire Walt Disney World® Resort trip  itinerary in your pocket, professionally planned by our expert Magic Makers®.

Now, we are making the ‘magic’ a little more magical with the release of our Pixie Dust Tips section!

Our Magic Makers® have years of experience visiting Walt Disney World® Resort with literally countless combined visits throughout our team! Through these visits we’ve gained a wealth of valuable tips and information that can only come from first-hand experience!

Within our mobile itinerary Pixie Dust Tips section you will find dining suggestions, parade and firework viewing tips, transportation help, FASTPASS® and Rider Swap information, overlooked experiences, rainy day indulgences and much, much more!

From the water parks and shopping districts to the four major theme parks, all of our tips to make the most of your vacation are in the palm of your hand as you plan and travel!

Don’t hesitate to ask your Magic Maker® for more information about how to use our new mobile itinerary, or to begin planning your next magical Walt Disney World® Resort trip today!