Disney News

It is no secret that memories are an important part of every Walt Disney World® Resort vacation. In fact, it is estimated that more than 600 million pictures are taken every year at the Walt Disney World® Resort!

Since the debut of Disney’s PhotoPass® service in 2004, guest have taken advantage of this convenient way to capture these treasured moments with their entire party in the picture. Disney’s PhotoPass® photographers use the latest equipment in digital photography to photograph guests in various places within the entire Walt Disney World® Resort. Guests receive a special Disney’s PhotoPass® card that links all of their high-quality vacation photos together into one online account that they can access at their leisure to view, share and order photos.

For some time, guests have been able to pre-order their Disney’s PhotoPass® CD online at a discount which included all of their images as well as a copyright release for future prints. Effective April 4, 2012, guest will be able to upgrade to the new Disney’s PhotoPass® + option. With Disney’s PhotoPass®+, you can have all your Disney’s PhotoPass® Photographer photos PLUS select Attraction photos AND Dining Print Packages – All for one price.

Disney’s PhotoPass® + Product Details:

• PhotoPass®+ will be sold at PhotoPass® view stations located throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort.
• With PhotoPass®+ you will have digital files of all your PhotoPass® photos, Attraction photos, and Dining photos taken within a 14 day visit to the Walt Disney World® Resort as well as Print Packages at select Dining locations.
• Once you arrive home from your vacation, you can view your photos and order a PhotoCD with all the high resolution photos plus a limited license agreement, which allows you to print photos at any local photo processing center.

Participating Attractions:

• Space Mountain®
• Splash Mountain®
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin®
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
• Dinosaur

Participating Character Dining Locations:

• 1900 Park Fare
• Ohana (Breakfast only)
• Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
• Chef Mickey’s
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Tusker House Restaurant (Breakfast only)
• Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
• Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Disney’s PhotoPass®+ Includes:

• Disney’s PhotoPass®+ Card and Lanyard
• A gallery CD with over 400 stock photos
• A unique code to create and order a PhotoCD with all your photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com
• Print Packages at select Dining locations
• Digital Downloads of select Attractions

For more information about Disney’s PhotoPass® services and their various packages, contact your Magic Maker®

by Magic Maker™ Courtney Harris

Walt Disney World® Resort is often dismissed as a “family vacation” destination.  While it is definitely family-centered, its potential as a romantic getaway is often overlooked.  Walt Disney World® Resort boasts many activities geared toward adults and couples, whether you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or just wanting to spend some quality time with your significant other.

At both Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, couples can enjoy a 25 minute horse-drawn carriage ride around the property.  During the month of December, the carriages at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are transformed into “sleighs” that travel around the campgrounds viewing the stunning light displays set up by campers.

For couples wishing to splurge, fireworks cruises can be booked that provide them with their own private pontoon boat and driver, from which they can view either IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot® or Wishes fireworks show at Magic Kingdom® Park.  For an extra fee, the audio from the show can even be piped into the boat.  While water, soda, and snacks are provided as part of the package, those wishing to enjoy a romantic meal or dessert may preorder private dining to be delivered to the boat before it departs. Wine and specialty cakes can also be ordered to enjoy while on the cruise.

Couples wishing to enjoy a romantic meal can make dinner reservations at one of the signature dining restaurants on property, such as the California Grill or Jiko: The Cooking Place.  The dim lighting and quiet setting of these locations combine to create a romantic atmosphere perfect for couples seeking a nice meal together.  Specialty cakes can also be ordered at these locations, along with romantic desserts such as chocolate covered strawberries.  For couples wishing to enjoy a night-in, private dining will bring the romance to them by delivering directly to the room.

There are many other activities on property for couples to enjoy such as getting a massage together, renting a private pool cabana, parasailing, bicycling, or booking a behind-the-scenes tour. The list is endless!  While all of these activities require advance booking and have an associated fee, there are many romantic activities that couples can enjoy for free!  Just one example is watching Wishes from a hammock on the beach of Disney’s Polynesian Resort.  Audio is piped onto the beach so you can enjoy the beauty of the fireworks without fighting the crowds on Main Street, U.S.A.® Area.  Some other free activities include searching for hidden Mickeys, taking a stroll around the Disney’s Boardwalk, or just walking hand in hand around your resort hotel.  Most of the hotels have very elaborate theming in order to immerse you in a particular time period or setting.

If you have been craving some alone time with your significant other, but always thought the Walt Disney World® Resort was “just for kids”, contact your Off to Neverland® Magic Maker™ today to learn more about these activities, along with countless other tips for making your vacation the romantic getaway of your dreams!

Adventures by Disney® has announced an all-new destination for 2013 – Southeast Asia. Featuring Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the 12-day, 11-night itinerary will give travelers the opportunity to experience some of Asia’s most exotic and culturally-rich cities – including Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap and Angkor Wat – in a way they may not have thought possible; as a family.

All of Adventures by Disney’s® itineraries are designed to engage guests of all ages by providing authentic, hands-on experiences that leave each guest with memories to share and deeper knowledge of the world around them. Guests on the Southeast Asia will be immersed in these experiences.  In Cambodia, adults will take in the unique architecture of the Temples of Angkor Wat while Junior Adventurers live the history of the ancient structure on a tuk tuk vehicle treasure hunt. Families will work together in Laos at an organic rice farm where they will have a hand in each of the 13 stages of rice production. Meal preparation is a team effort in Vietnam where guests will hand-pick ingredients from a Hoi An market, and then learn to make their own Vietnamese delicacies with the guidance of a local chef.

Adventures by Disney® goes beyond the popular tourist spots and gives families a unique view of each destination with another of its signature features – off-the-beaten path experiences. From a horseback ride through the rural villages of the Cambodian countryside to getting acquainted with students at a school in Laos, families will gain a true-to-life perspective of Southeast Asia and its people. Two knowledgeable Disney Adventure Guides lead explorers every step of the way, taking care of all the details and ensuring that each member of the group – even mom and dad – can let go and take in every moment. The Southeast Asia itinerary also includes time to enjoy some fun in the sun along the coast of the South China Sea and features luxurious hotel accommodations, such as the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, and private transportation throughout the trip.

Adventures by Disney® specializes in providing families with the ultimate adventure. Additional details and dates for the new Southeast Asia itinerary and other 2013 offerings will be available later this year. In the meantime, check out this video preview of the new Southeast Asia ininerary.

The Walt Disney World® Resort has announced the Celebrity Hosts for their upcoming Star Wars™ Weekends May 18 – June 10, 2012.

Taking place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™, the event celebrates the popular Star Wars™ films and the animated TV series Star Wars™: The Clone Wars. This year’s hosts will be 2 familiar faces as both of them are Star Wars™ Weekends veterans. Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) and James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars™: The Clone Wars) will host for the duration of the 2012 event. James will serve as the Official Celebrity Host of Star Wars™ Weekends and Ashley will be the Celebrity Host of “Behind the Force,” a show that gives fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at Star Wars™: The Clone Wars.

In addition to being  the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi, James is also the current voice of Fred Flintstone, and has a list of character voice credits including Green Arrow, Johnny Test and Ratchet (from the “Ratchet & Clank” video game series), just to name a few.

Ashley, a former Disney Cast Member as a parade dancer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™, is also a fashion designer and heads her own company, “Her Universe,” specializing in merchandise and apparel specifically for female sci-fi fans.

The complete listing of events and celebrity meet & greets have not been released, so keep checking back for more details.

When Imagineers worked on plans for Disney Cruise Line’s® newest ship, the Disney Fantasy™, they knew it was important to create additional activities because the ship would be used for longer 7-night itineraries. One of these additional features that you won’t find on the Disney Dream™ is the AquaLab.

Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, created this new 1,800 square-foot water play area containing a variety of water “experiments.” With pop jets, a leaky wall, geysers and bubblers, your family is guaranteed to have fun and leave drenched!

Take an inside look at the AquaLab area – an exclusive feature to the Disney Fantasy™