Disney News

From Magic Maker® Kevin Gallagher

WELCOME HOME

That’s what the sign says as you enter Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.  After about five minutes on site that’s exactly how you feel – like you’re at home!!  Nestled among the Spanish moss laden Oaks and the gorgeous scenic marshes, one can easily get swept away into a magnificent world laced with history and in communion with nature.

The rooms reflect the beautiful Carolina architecture and recall the fishing and hunting resorts of the 1940’s.  Whether enjoying a Grand Villa, a two or one-bedroom villa, or simply staying in the studio, all of the accommodations continue the story and provide a warm and relaxing environment from which the guests can enjoy all of the wonders the resort has to offer.  All of the rooms have a balcony from which to enjoy either an inland view or a marsh view.  All of the rooms except for the studios have a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a whirlpool tub providing all the comforts of home.

Activities are abundant at the resort as well.  With a large pool, a giant water slide, a toddler pool, and a hot tub there is no shortage of places to just get your feet wet.  Add in the 12-miles of beach and additional pool at the beach-house and hours of watery enjoyment are to be had.  If that’s not enough, guests can also enjoy a variety of wonderful nature excursions – including dolphin tours along Broad Creek – by both boat and kayak!!  Bike rentals and kayak rentals are also available.  As for the kids, the recreation department is just amazing.  With a plethora of classes, crafts, and adventures, the recreation staff keep the kids busy and make them feel as special as can be.  There are also campfires and a night of bedtime reading with milk and cookies!  From the first moment there, the Cast Members throughout the resort not only call the kids by name, but also engage the guests and the kids in more than just exchanging pleasantries, but in conversation – enhancing both the child’s experience and making him feel special, but also showing that extra little magic guests come to expect from Disney.

And what would a Disney resort be without a good story – or a good story-teller!   While this is a Disney resort, you won’t find Mickey and Goofy.  That doesn’t mean the resort is not without its own story and its own characters.  As the story goes, when Longview Island was being transformed into Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, the Imagineers kept coming across a beautiful – and mischievous – little golden retriever pup.  By the time the resort opened in 1996, the pup had worked her way into not only the hearts of the Cast Members, but also into the story as told throughout the resort.  Upon entry to the villas, note the paw prints embedded in the floor.  Guests also take note of the dog house on the deck in front of the entry where guests who check in on Sunday afternoons may have the chance to get a glimpse of the resort’s Shadow.  The resort also has its very own banjo playin’ story-tellin’ entertainer and conjurer by the name of B’Lou Crabbe.  Guests should not miss the opportunity to sit and listen to him spin a yarn about old Shadow and her adventures in the marsh.  He gives guests the chance to take a stroll with Shadow in search of bunnies and enjoy some brilliantly crafted and fantastically delivered stories.

While the resort has “TIDE ME OVER” – a delightful little outdoor café, there are no restaurants on-site.  Not to worry however, for there are a wide variety of fine dining and restaurants nearby with ocean and marsh views available.  There is also an abundance of shopping – both big chain and small boutique.  The island provides a little something for everyone.  Add in the fact that Historic Savannah, GA is only a 45 minute drive away and you have access to both pop-culture and historical adventures.

So if you are looking for a relaxing, reserved, and incredible vacation getaway, look no further than Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.  You will enjoy all the comforts of a relaxing vacation with all of the adventures that you can handle – and maybe come up with some of your own stories along the way.

Have you ever visited Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort?  Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Make plans to see some of your favorite characters that are difficult to find in the parks! For the first time ever, the Disneyland® Resort gave Guests achance to decide which rarely seen Disney characters they wanted to see in Disneyland® park. The selections will be included in the entertainment for the Character Fan Days, which are part of “Family Fun Weekends” – eight weekends of fun, January 14 through March 6, at Disneyland® park.

The votes from the polls have been tallied and your choices are:

Poll 1 Results
Captain Hook, Wendy, Mr. Smee
Doc, Happy, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Dopey

Poll 2 Results
King Louie, Baloo
Donald Duck, Daisy Duck

Poll 3 Results
Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar
Esmeralda, Clopin

You can expect to see King Louie and Baloo, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, Happy, Dopey and many more, so get your cameras and autograph books ready for Character Fan Days, January 28-30.

These characters will appear during the day at Festival Arena, located next to the Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue restaurant in Disneyland® park. (Check for specific character locations on the board on Main Street, U.S.A.)

Family Fun Weekends at the Disneyland® Resort

Do you like fiestas, hoedowns, Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year and Disney Characters? Then you won’t want to miss the next seven weekends at Disneyland® park.  Families know they can find magic and excitement whenever they visit Disneyland® Resort, and the next few weekends will offer a special reason to play at Disneyland® park.

“Family Fun Weekends” are themed events that invite guests to enjoy music, dancing, and special food and merchandise, along with a chance to meet and take photos with some Disney characters in specially themed attire. Last weekend, for example, Fiesta Mickey and Minnie Mouse greeted guests at Festival Arena in colorful, folklorico attire.

These events take place weekend days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first five weekends will be held at Festival Arena (at the back of Frontierland), and the final three weekends will move to New Orleans Square.

Fiesta Disneyland – Jan. 14-16:
The first weekend celebrates the Hispanic culture and experience in a colorful, lively event, featuring performance groups such as award-winning Mariachi Divas.

Disney’s Kickin’ Country Weekend – Jan. 21-23:
This weekend will feature live music – including band Forth Worth West – and a Disney hoedown with Cowboy Mickey and Cowgirl Minnie Mouse.

Character Fan Days – Jan. 28-30:
This is your chance to meet and take photos with some rarely seen characters. Think of this as the ultimate Disney character reunion – featuring the characters that you told us you would most like to meet. Stay tuned to see which characters will be available to see.

Lunar New Year Festival – Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 11-13:
Two weekends will be devoted to Lunar New Year, when time-honored traditions and family celebrations are observed within the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures as the sun and moon begin their journeys for another year.

Mardi Gras – Feb. 18-20, Feb. 25-27 and March 4-6:
Three weekends will be devoted to a lively, New Orleans-style Mardi Gras event, with vibrant excitement, jazzy music and sensational food of New Orleans. Where else? At New Orleans Square. Princess Tiana, along with a cavalcade of some Disney characters in their Mardi Gras finery, will appear at a photo location in the Court of Angels, staffed by Disney PhotoPass photographers.

Which of the weekends are you looking forward to most?

Did you know that there are several experiences to make dining even more magical while visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort?  From preferred viewing for fireworks to enjoying a meal with a Disney Imagineer, check out some of the options you can add to your next vacation:

Dine with an Imagineer
Have you wondered how the magic all happens behind the scenes?  Dine with an Imagineer at Walt Disney World® Resort offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy engaging conversation with a Disney Imagineer as you savor a delectable lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park.  Or choose a delicious dinner at the Flying Fish Café at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.

Up to 10 Guests join in stimulating discussion with one of the incredibly creative artists who bring the magic of Disney to Walt Disney World® Resort attractions and entertainment. Feast on a 4-course meal and will receive a souvenir plate designed exclusively for this experience that can be personalized by the Imagineer!

Flying Fish Cafe Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner
The Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner at the Flying Fish Café is a unique opportunity to taste savory selections from a 6-course prix fixe menu with a focus on simplicity, true tastes and seasonal freshness, along with expertly chosen wines.

Take your seat at our chef’s counter, directly in front of the onstage kitchen, and watch as the evening’s special dishes are prepared right before your eyes. Displaying the culinary expertise for which they’re well-known, the Flying Fish chefs create 6 delectable courses using the freshest ingredients of the season, and the manager selects wines that perfectly complement each course. As you enjoy your sumptuous feast, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to interact with the chef.

(This experience is designed for Guests ages 14 and older and may not appeal to younger children.)

Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party
Make your evening extra sweet at a special dessert party that provides a wonderful vantage point for Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular, the biggest, most dazzling fireworks show to grace the skies above Magic Kingdom® theme park!

Held at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant most nights, the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party includes a self-service buffet offering an array of tempting sweets and beverages. The party begins one hour prior to the start of Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular.

Fantasmic! Dining Package
The Fantasmic! Dining Package combines dinner at one of three restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park with designated seating for the Fantasmic! fireworks show. The Fantasmic! Dining Package gives you an unforgettable dining and entertainment experience. With the convenience of choosing lunch or dinner at The Hollywood Brown Derby or Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, or dinner at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park, you’ll also enjoy designated seating for the Fantasmic! fireworks show.

With 3 restaurants to choose from, you can decide between buffet service, casual dining or fine dining. After your meal, be dazzled by the dramatic spectacular, Fantasmic! Follow Mickey Mouse into a dream world as he and his friends battle Disney Villains in an action-packed conflict of good versus evil. Fantasmic! is performed on select nights only and runs approximately 30 minutes.  The Dining Package is only available on days that Fantasmic! is scheduled.

Contact your Magic Maker® to find out more about these special experiences and to make a reservation.

*Reservations required for the above dining events.  Entertainment and package offerings subject to change at any time without prior notice.

The newest Disney Cruise Line® ship, the Disney Dream™, sailed into its homeport of Port Canaveral, Fla., this morning after a 16-night trans-Atlantic voyage from Germany, where it has been under construction for nearly two years. Beginning with a maiden voyage on January 26, the Disney Dream™ will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas, calling Port Canaveral home.

“We are delighted to welcome the Disney Dream™ to its new homeport,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line®. “As we grow the Disney Cruise Line business, not only does this mean a positive economic impact for the region, but this allows us the flexibility to provide even more options to our guests. With new innovations onboard and new destinations to explore, ultimately we’re providing even more ways for guests to enjoy a family cruise vacation.”

The recent construction project for Disney’s cruise terminal and dock area in Port Canaveral include an expanded dock area and terminal facility, along with the construction of a new parking garage connected to the terminal by a sky-bridge walkway.

In addition to the expansion at Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line has also made enhancements to its private island Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, to further accommodate the new ship and more guests. From extended beaches and more dining locations, to the addition of private beach cabanas and Pelican Plunge, a new floating water play structure with water slides, the island boasts even more offerings and activities for families to enjoy.

With the arrival of the Disney Dream to its homeport in Florida, preparations are underway for its inaugural cruises and events, including the traditional christening of the vessel. Other Disney Dream inaugural events include a Benefit Preview Cruise in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, sailing Jan. 21-23.

Accommodating up to 4,000 guests, the 130,000-ton Disney Dream takes Disney’s special brand of family cruising to a whole new level with industry firsts such as the AquaDuck water coaster and Magical Portholes that transform inside staterooms into rooms with magnificent views. All of the ship’s new features – combined with Disney quality entertainment, unique dining experiences and age-specific areas for children, teens and adults – create an unforgettable cruise experience for the entire family. A sister ship, the Disney Fantasy, is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and will arrive in early 2012. It will sail seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries, also from Port Canaveral.

With the addition of two new ships, Disney Cruise Line is offering a wider variety of itineraries and will sail to more destinations around the world, including a repositioning of the Disney Wonder to the West Coast of the United States, sailing Mexican Riviera and first-ever Alaskan itineraries in 2011. Meanwhile, the Disney Magic will spend another summer sailing European itineraries in 2011.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, contact your Magic Maker® or click below to request a quote.