Disney News

Travel + Leisure Magazine has updated their listing of the World’s Most-Visited Theme Parks and Magic Kingdom® Park has claimed the #1 spot!

More than 17 million guests were welcomed through the main gates of the Magic Kingdom® Park in 2011 and enjoyed its seven themed lands. The Park is no stranger to this #1 position, though. Since its opening on Oct. 1, 1971, the Walt Disney World® Resort has always been a popular vacation destination.

Disney Parks’ locations around the world have claimed the top 8 positions on Travel + Leisure Magazine’s listing based off of 2011 attendance numbers. Domestically, Disneyland® Park was a close #2.

When is your next Magical Vacation? Our Magic Makers® are ready to help with all the planning! Contact us today.

Later this month, the Disney Magic® Cruise Ship will call Texas her home as she begins sailing Western Caribbean Cruises from the Port of Galveston. Disney Cruise Line® will continue cruise service in Galveston through the beginning of May, 2013.

Disney Cruise Line® has adjusted their itineraries for their early 2013 sailings to offer a variety of new cruise options for guests sailing from Galveston. In addition to 6-night Western Caribbean sailings, 4-night Caribbean getaway cruises and 8-night Bahamian itineraries with stops at Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

“We are excited to add even more variety to our offering of itineraries from the Port of Galveston. The addition of shorter getaway cruises and voyages that call on our most popular port of call, Disney’s Castaway Cay, rounds out an impressive array of itinerary options from Galveston.” – Karl Holz, Disney Cruise Line President

Here is additional information on the Early 2013 Galveston itineraries:

NEW: 4-night Caribbean Sailings

These sailings are perfect for new cruisers who would like to sample the one-of-a-kind Disney Cruise Line® shipboard experience or for experienced travelers who just need a quick getaway. These sailings enjoy 2 days at sea with a full schedule of planned shipboard activities.

Ports: Galveston, Cozumel

2013 Departure dates: Feb. 1, 5, Mar. 15, 19, Apr. 12, 16

6-night Western Caribbean 

Enjoy a tropical vacation with stops in both Grand Cayman and Cozumel. On board the Disney Magic®, be treated to world-class entertainment and impeccable guest service  that can only be found on Disney Cruise Line®. This itinerary includes 3 days at sea.

Ports: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

2013 Departure dates: Jan. 12, 26, Feb. 9, 23, Mar. 9, 23, Apr. 6, 20, May 4

NEW: 8-night Bahamas 

It just doesn’t get any more MAGICAL that this! These sailings include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and a stop at Port Canaveral, FL., giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World® Resort.  As part of this itinerary, each guest will receive a one-day Walt Disney World® Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between the Disney Magic® and the resort. Guests will enjoy 4-days at sea with plenty of activities to do onboard!

Ports: Galveston, Castaway Cay, Port Canaveral, Key West

2013 Departure dates: Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 1, 29, Apr. 26, May 10

8-night Western Caribbean

After a day in Key West, FL., this cruise explores the beauty of the Caribbean with stops in Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. This sailing will offer 3 days at sea.

Ports: Galveston, Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel

2013 Departure dates: Jan. 4

Later in Fall of 2013, the Disney Wonder® will sail 7-night cruises from Galveston to Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Interested in more information on Disney Cruise Line®? Contact your Magic Maker® today for pricing and availability!

Labor Day is traditionally seen as the “last day of Summer.” With that behind us, lets take a quick look at what’s in store for our guests with upcoming visits this fall to the Walt Disney World® Resort!

Enchanted Forest Opening

Construction of the New Fantasyland® Area of the Magic Kingdom® Park is moving quickly! With the Storybook Circus section already opened to guests, the next opening is planned for Dec. 6, 2012.

The grand opening of the Enchanted Forest section will bring to life the following attractions and dining options:

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid Attraction
• Ariel’s Grotto Meet and Greet
• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Pete’s Silly Sideshow Meet and Greet
• Enchanted Tales with Belle Interactive Character Experience

Splitsville: Bowling Re-Imagined

Guests will experience a whole new “spin” on one of America’s favorite past-times when Splitsville opens in the Downtown Disney® West Side this fall. More Details

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

Named one of the “Best Food and Wine Festivals” by the Travel Channel, this 46-day culinary event takes place Sep. 28 – Nov. 12, 2012. Taste international cuisine and beverages, take part in culinary demonstrations, meet some of your favorite HGTV stars, and enjoy Eat to the Beat musical acts. More Details

The New Test Track presented by Chevrolet

Guests are anxiously awaiting the reopening of Epcot’s®  popular Future World attraction, Test Track®, which has been closed since April for a refurbishment. The re-imagined attraction will feature an interactive queue area that allows guests to design a ride vehicle which they will later test on the road course. The New Test Track® is scheduled to reopen in late Fall 2012. More Details

Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality

Phineas and Ferb just launched a brand new interactive experience in the Downtown Disney® West Side area. Fans of the show will want to make sure this is on their “to do” list! The experience takes place Sep. 1 – Dec. 1, 2012.  More Details

Swashbucklin’ Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow debuts this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, giving Walt Disney World Resort guests a chance to become immersed in the world of the four Pirates of the Caribbean films. Do you have what it takes to join Captain Jack’s crew? More Details

Kilimanjaro Safaris® Expedition: Zebra Addition

A reconstructed savannah space featuring a new watering hole for live animals will offer an additional viewing opportunity at the end of guests’ expedition through Africa. More Details

Soulful Sounds

Now in its 30^th year, Night of Joy returns to Magic Kingdom® Park with a contemporary Christian music festival Sept. 7-8. More Details

Spook-tacular treats

A family-friendly fright-fest in Magic Kingdom® Park featuring a children’s parade, trick-or-treating throughout the park, face painting, and more, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a Halloween-themed special event held on 23 select evenings Sept. 11-Nov. 2. More details

Don’t have your trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort planned yet? It’s not too late to take advantage of some great promotional discounts. Contact your Magic Maker® today!

Here’s an adorable Dance Off video from Disney Cruise Line® featuring Captain Mickey and Sailor Donald

Who gets your vote for the Best Dancer? Tell us in the comment section below!

Periwinkle, the newest of the Disney Fairies, is scheduled to start meet and greets this month!

Periwinkle’s appearance in the parks comes just weeks before the upcoming October 23 release of Disney’s newest fairy movie, “Secret of the Wings,” to Blu-ray and DVD. In the movie, Tinkerbell meets Periwinkle in Winter Woods and discovers that they are actually sisters!

Periwinkle will meet with guests inside Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook at Magic Kingdom® Park and Pixie Hollow at Disneyland® Park. While the exact date of Periwinkle’s arrival has not been announced, Tinker Bell is expecting her sister to arrive towards the middle of the month!