Disney News

Elaborate preparation is underway for “World of Color,” the spectacular nighttime water show that will astound guests with its magnitude and creativity when it debuts in 2010 as the next major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure park. Surpassing all Disney water productions, “World of Color” will bring Disney animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create the world’s largest projected water screen.

Extensive testing of the fountains and special effects is now being conducted at Paradise Bay, where “World of Color” – a project in the making since 2004 – in nearly complete. Teams of Disney workers built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex production. Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment installed the massive infrastructure and innovative technology that will create the stage for this extraordinary combination of music, animation and stunning water effects.

“World of Color” will combine hundreds of magnificent fountains, dazzling colors and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, to take water-infused entertainment to a new level of artistry. The production will flood the senses, taking audiences on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of animated Disney classics such as “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Lion King” and “Pocahontas,” along with Disney•Pixar films “Toy Story,” “WALL-E” and many more.

Disney’s newest production features an unprecedented infrastructure of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, fog, surround sound, and stunning images. This technical wizardry, combined with classic Disney film sequences, will create a breathtaking emotional experience for guests, as jaw-dropping effects sweep across the lagoon, soar into the sky, and rush toward the audience.

A newly designed 9,000-capacity viewing area will provide Disney’s California Adventure guests the best view in the park of this exciting nighttime extravaganza. The show lasts approximately 25 minutes.

Start Planning your Disneyland Resort Vacation today!

Top Ten Things for Teens (and you) to do at the Walt Disney World® Resort…

Wondering if your teen has outgrown Walt Disney World? Check out this must–do list for teens compiled by Magic Maker® Kim Bowers and approved by her very own teenage daughter.

1. Stay Out Late
   Staying out at night holds a special magic for teens. As a Disney Resort Guest, you’ll enjoy the Extra Magic Hours Benefit. While others are flocking to their cars after fireworks, you will just be getting started! The parks will be transformed by the night-lights and you’ll enjoy shorter lines into the wee hours of morning!
2. Conquer Mountains
   Thrills and chills await the brave at The Magic Kingdom® Park’s Space Mountain, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park’s Summit Plummet, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom™ Park’s Expedition Everest. And while you’re at it, we dare you to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ – a “haunted” elevator drop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™!
3. Get your Goofy on!
   You’re browsing a gift shop and your son hands you a Goofy Ear hat to wear. Reply, “I will if you will!” (and take pictures!) Where else can you be this silly and fit right in?
4. Swim under a volcano
   The Walt Disney World® Resorts feature themed heated pools with features like fountains, slides, and waterfalls. Jump in or lounge by the pool with a snack while you soak up some Florida sun!
5. Shop at the Downtown Disney® Area.
   Design your own candy-coated pretzel, make a custom T-shirt, and check out latest junior styles at Trend-D. Fan Boys will be at home in the huge Star Wars gift shop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™! Anime lovers will want to set aside at least an hour to peruse the Japanese Pavilion store at Epcot®!
6. Walk around the World at Epcot’s World Showcase
   Why not have appetizers in Mexico, dinner in Germany and dessert in France? My 14 year old daughter and I kicked it up a notch last summer by buying a piece of candy from each country – the perfect “we miss Mickey” snack for our return home!
7. Have lunch with a Disney Imagineer!
   This is a little known opportunity your teen will never forget. You and a small group of guests will have a private lunch with a real Disney Imagineer at the Brown Derby Restaurant of Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ and learn insider stories and tips for what it takes to make Disney magic!
8. Bond with the Fam.
   Team up for a kid vs. parent laser showdown in Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger Spin, practice making pirate faces in line for The Pirates of the Caribbean, or let your daughter escort her little sister to meet Minnie Mouse.
9. Play with Tomorrow’s Video Game Technology
   Only at DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park, a 5-story cutting edge arcade – a gamer’s paradise that only Disney could create.
10. Just Chill
    Have some down time in the happiest place on Earth! Watch fireworks from the beach of Disney’s Polynesian Resort, enjoy a spa treatment, have funnel cake on Disney’s Boardwalk, or find a bench and just people watch at Cinderella’s Castle.

Click here to plan your Walt Disney World Vacation with your teens!

An elaborately themed interactive sports deck, whimsical water play area and relaxing poolside oasis for adults join the first-ever shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – to provide fun in the sun for Guests sailing on the newest Disney Cruise Line® ship, the Disney Dream™. These additions offer new experiences for Guests of all ages.

Goofy’s Sports Deck

The magic tees off on Goofy’s Sports Deck, located on Deck 13, with Goofy’s Golf – a miniature golf course where “lessons” featuring Goofy and his son, Max, lead your Clients through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Each hole offers special golf instructions – with a goofy twist.

Guests can choose to use the Goofy or Max tee on each hole, offering twice the fun. Family-friendly competitions and tournaments will keep the excitement on par while quirky golf clubs, some crooked and bent, will challenge golfers to stay on course. Goofy and Max may even swing by to interact with you and offer some tips on club selection, stance or just goofing around.

Also on Goofy’s Sports Deck, two digital sports simulators provide a variety of virtual game experiences such as soccer, tennis, basketball and more. With the simulators, you can kick, swing and throw, participating in favorite high-action sports without the hassle of chasing the ball.

Max’s Courts are two, mini-sized sports courts for little ones to enjoy soccer, basketball or group play. There’s full-court basketball that may also be transformed into a mini soccer pitch or volleyball court, plus, table tennis and foosball tables. A walking track rings Goofy’s Sports Deck.

Nemo’s Reef

Little ones discover oceans of fun at this fanciful water-play area overflowing with pop jets, bubblers and lovable underwater friends like Nemo, Dory, Marlin and other favorites from the Disney-Pixar film, “Finding Nemo.”

Shaded for protection from the sun and featuring a soft wet deck surface, the 1,500-square-foot Nemo’s Reef is a place for children to cool off and play among colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water. Children will delight as they splash alongside Nemo swimming in a sea anemone, glide down a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray and frolic near Pearl the octopus who “inks” herself with a mist of water. Kids can even get soaked in a water curtain that undulates back and forth like the EAC (East Australian Current).

Nemo’s Reef is surrounded by a glass enclosure, with a main entrance and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Quiet Cove and Pool Bar

Reserved exclusively for Guests 18 and older, the Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar form a retreat for adults to sunbathe and swim, indulge in a cool drink or enjoy a relaxing dip in a nearby hot tub overlooking the ocean.

One of three fresh-water pools on the Disney Dream, Quiet Cove Pool features varying depths for taking a dip, sunbathing in comfort and enjoying a poolside cocktail. Featuring a series of connected circular pools, this area includes a four-foot-deep plunge pool, and a six-inch-deep sunbathing pool with built-in loungers and a mister. Guests also can splash up to Cove Bar, which is part of the pool, and sip a refreshing beverage.

Nearby, on the sides of Deck 11, you can soak in a whirlpool hot tub while overlooking the ocean. Four “infinity” whirlpool hot tubs – two for families and two just for adults – provide spectacular views of the ocean beyond.

AquaDuck and More!

The Disney Dream will feature the world’s first shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – which will sweep Guests away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.

The Donald Pool is the place for families to gather and enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking the Donald Pool is the giant Funnel Vision LED screen – more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high – showing Disney films and other live broadcast events. A retractable floor extends over the pool, providing an ideal dance floor for deck parties.

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 supports a yellow winding slide that splashes down near the pool.

As an added convenience for parents with children of different ages, the Donald Pool, Mickey Pool and Nemo’s Reef are all located within the same vicinity, on Deck 11 between the forward and aft funnel.

Click here to start planning your dream vacation onboard the Disney Dream!

Beginning on Feb. 3, 2010, you can add flights on JetBlue Airways® when booking Walt Disney Travel Company packages to the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts. JetBlue Airways offers competitive published airfare and convenient service from dozens of U.S. cities to Orlando, Fla., as well as airports throughout Southern California.

JetBlue offers non-stop service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) from 15 origin markets:

Austin, TX (AUS)
Boston, MA (BOS)
Buffalo, NY (BUF)
Burlington, VT (BTV)
New York City, NY (JFK, LGA)
Newark, NJ (EWR)
Portland, ME (PWM)
Richmond, VA (RIC)
Rochester, NY (ROC)
San Juan, PR (SJU)
Stewart-Newburgh, NY (SWF)
Syracuse, NY (SYR)
Washington, DC (IAD)
White Plains, NY (HPN)

Click here to start planning your Walt Disney World® Resort Vacation!

JetBlue offers non-stop service to Southern California airports from 10 origin markets:

To Los Angeles (LAX):
New York City, NY (JFK)

To Long Beach (LGB):
Austin, TX (AUS)
Chicago, IL (ORD)
Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
New York City, NY (JFK)
Oakland, CA (OAK)
Portland, OR (PDX)
Seattle, WA (SEA)
Sacramento, CA (SMF)
San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)

To San Diego (SAN):
New York City, NY (JFK)

Click here to start planning your Disneyland® Resort Vacation!