Disney News

Question:

What advise can you give me about the cost of trip insurance?

Answer:

Vacation Insurance is available in many different forms and is a great idea to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances. The most common plan our agency deals with is Vacation Insurance for Walt Disney World Packages. The plan includes the following coverage and benefits, subject to certain exclusions and limitations:

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption (up to $10,000 maximum), including coverage for nonrefundable unused prepaid airfare purchased through Walt Disney Travel Company, a Travel Agent, or directly by guest, for covered reasons such as:
  • Employee termination or layoff through no fault of your own after the effective date of coverage if you are an active employee with same employer for at least 1 year
  • Called into active military duty, having military leave revoked or being reassigned within 10 days of departure date
  • A disabling illness, injury or death causing trip to be cancelled
  • Hurricane or inclement weather causing complete cessation of travel services at the point of departure and/or destination
• Trip Delay ($600/6 hour minimum)
• Baggage Delay ($500 maximum)
• Loss of Baggage/Personal Effects ($2,000 maximum)
• Medical Expenses ($20,000 maximum)
• Emergency Medical Transportation ($20,000)
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) ($25,000 maximum)
• 24-hour Emergency Travel Assistance (non-insurance services provided by Travel Guard Assist)\

Although vacation insurance includes coverage for loss of personal effects (as well as medical and other expenses), this coverage may already be included in your homeowner’s (or other insurance) policies.

Insurance coverage must be purchased no later than the final payment date or with payment of non-refundable air tickets. Vacation insurance is non-refundable once deposit has been received.

The price of this coverage is currently at $66.95 per adult (children under 17 are covered for free).

Kip Dennis, Navigator

*Vacation Insurance Costs and Coverage may change at any time.

Disney’s newest resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort, is scheduled to open Summer 2012.  

This new Disney Value Resort hotel, will draw its inspiration from 4 classic Disney animated films: The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Disney·Pixar’s Finding Nemo and Cars.  Each one of the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort buildings are being designed to make you feel like you are part of one of 4 beloved animated films.

The 864 rooms planned within The Little Mermaid buildings will be sea-inspired with an eye towards value.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings are planned to exclusively feature family suites which accommodate up to six guests. The concepts show a total of 1,120 family suites—all arranged for added space and comfort. The concept for these family suites include 2 separate bathrooms, a master bedroom, and 3 separate sleeping areas within the living space, which includes an “Inovabed”—an impressive piece of furniture that transforms from a generously sized dining or work table to a comfortable bed in seconds.

Kids and kids at heart will be able to romp through one of the 4 courtyards—one courtyard for each film—where there will be icons and sculptures to interact with and play around. Make a splash in the main pool—complete with a pool bar—or relax in one of the 2 quiet pool areas. Planned amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort include an animation-themed food court, arcade, retail location and interior airline check-in stations.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom® theme park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will be a smoke-free Resort; smoking will be permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations.

Specific booking dates haven’t been released yet.  Please continue to check back for more information and details.

*Artist renderings show concepts only. Final design is subject to change.

La Hacienda, the new table service restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion of Epcot‘s World Showcase is now open.  Guests are welcome to walk up for seating currently with reservations available starting October 15.

The smallest details combine to create a striking exterior blends beautifully with the pavilion both inside and out.  The pavilion is designed to look like a warm, inviting home with a casual-but sophisticated, south-of-the-border ambience.   Fabulous views of the World Showcase Lagoon offer front row seating for “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks spectacular.  Music will be piped into the dining room nightly for the show.

La Hacienda shares air-conditioned space with La Cantina, the new quick-service location, up until about 2:30 in the afternoon, when they stop indoor seating to get ready for dinner guests.

Can’t wait to try this new restaurant?  Contact your Magic Maker® about making a dinner reservation.

The entertainment team at the Walt Disney World® Resort is developing a new parade for Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ featuring some favorite Pixar pals. While details are still being worked out, we do know that four Pixar characters not currently seen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ – Remy and Emile from “Ratatouille” and Carl and Russell from Disney/Pixar’s “Up” – will be added to the lineup.  The tentative title for the new parade is “Pixar Pals Cavalcade” and will feature music from the “Pixar Play Parade” from Disney California Adventure®.

Block Party Bash will make its final performance on January 1, 2011.  The new show is scheduled to open January 16. We’ll post more details as they are released.

Continuing a favorite feature of the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder®, the Disney Dream™ will also have a Mickey Pool for children. The shape of the Mickey Pool resembles the beloved Disney character and an oversized version of Mickey’s hand will support a yellow winding slide that will splash down near the pool.

As you can see, progress is being made on the ship’s exterior as it enters the final phase of construction before preparing to leave the shipyard this fall.  The Disney Dream™ will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida in 2011 making 3 night and 4 night voyages to Nassau and Disney’s Private Island, Castaway Cay, as well as a few select 5 night cruises that will visit the private island twice.  For more information on Disney Cruise Line itineraries, please click here.

Only 145 days away from the maiden voyage of the Disney Dream.  Have you made your reservation yet to sail on this brand new ship?