Disney News

In our last Neverland News we re-introduced you to the idea of Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort’s older brother on the West coast.

For part 2 of our series on Disneyland® Resort, Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk is going to give you a look at Walt Disney’s dream realized, Disneyland® Park.

How did Disneyland® Park come to be?   Walt Disney frequently visited Griffith Park in Los Angeles with his two daughters.  As he sat on a bench watching his girls ride the merry go round, this visionary imagined a place where families could enjoy rides and attractions together.  As a proven master storyteller, Walt created the first theme park ever, Disneyland® Park, which opened on July 17, 1955.

Both Disneyland® Park and Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort have a similar footprint.  You enter the park via either of two tunnels beneath the Walt Disney World Railroad.  You arrive at Town Square on Main Street, USA, at the southern end of Main Street.  Note the Fire Station on the southwest corner of Town Square.  Walt and his family had an apartment above the Fire Station.  A lamp burns in the window in his memory.

You may opt to board the Walt Disney Railroad and take the Grand Circle Tour to get a feel for the layout of this park (enjoy the surprises between the Tomorrowland Train Station and the return to Main Street.)  In the Opera House, you may view Disneyland:  The First 50 Magical Years narrated by Donald Duck and Steve Martin.  Steve Martin was a cast member in Main Street Magic Shop at Disneyland® Park!  Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is housed in the Opera House as well along with a bench from Griffith Park! There are many shops to wander through, including Disney Gallery, Celebration Custom Printers, Disneyana, Fortuosity Shop, 20^th Century Music Company and the Market House (this shop has cold and allergy meds under the counter.)  There is a small porch with chairs outside the China Closet where you may sit and people watch.  Eateries include Carnation Café that takes reservations for priority seating.  Look for Oscar, a cast member with short white hair in a chef’s hat – he is the longest serving cast member in Disneyland® Park!  Plaza Inn is a cafeteria/buffet that hosts a character breakfast.  On Main Street, USA, you will also find Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Jolly Holiday Bakery, Little Red Wagon and Refreshment Corner.

From Main Street, you will see Sleeping Beauty Castle just beyond the hub at the north end of Main Street.  From the hub, you can head to Adventureland , Frontierland, Fantasyland, or Tomorrowland.  You must go through Frontierland to access New Orleans Square and and Critter Country.  Toontown is north of Fantasyland.

How about an overview of each land?

Adventureland is home to the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise.  Exclusive to Disneyland are Indiana Jones Adventure (FP) and Tarzan’s Treehouse.  You can get a Dole Whip fix at Tiki Juice Bar or eat at Bengal Barbecue.

New Orleans Square boasts E ticket rides Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.  The façade of the Haunted Mansion was finished in 1963, but the ride did not open until 1969.  Walt vowed that the exterior of the mansion would be pristine.  He is quoted as saying, “We will take care of the outside and let the ghosts take care of the inside.”  In September of each year, this ride gets a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay.  Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1967, shortly after Walt died in December of 1966.  This ride is longer and more elaborate that its sister ride in Walt Disney World® Resort.   New Orleans Square has great shops including Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie where you can purchase two exclusive Disney fragrances.   A portrait artist sets up shop in this area.  There is fine dining at Blue Bayou where you can watch the boats from Pirates of the Caribbean float by.  Café Orleans offers French and southern cuisine with lovely outside dining.  French Market is a cafeteria/buffet style restaurant.  Royal Street Veranda offers clam chowder and gumbo in bread bowls.  You may want to search out the Mint Julep Bar for nonalcoholic juleps, coffee and beignets.  There is a private club known as “33” housed in this square past the Blue Bayou entrance.  Want to join?  There is a 14 year waiting list!

Northwest of New Orleans Square is Critter Country where you will feel that you are in the backwoods.  While here, you can paddle in Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes around Tom Sawyer Island, visit The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, or take the plunge at Splash Mountain (FP.)   Hungry Bear Restaurant serves burgers, salads and such.  If you dine here, look for the Disney feral cats!  Soup and baked potatoes are available at Harbour Gallery.

Frontierland pays tribute to the old American West and covers the most acreage in Disneyland® Park.  In this land, you may ride Big Thunder Railroad (currently being refurbished,) board the Mark Twain Riverboat or Sailing Ship Columbia, go to Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition, explore the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, laugh and dine at the Golden Horseshoe Stage, or walk the serene Big Thunder Ranch trail with its cabin,  petting zoo and Big Thunder Ranch Barbeque.  Fantasmic! is staged on the Rivers of America in this land.  River Belle Terrace offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.  From here you can view Fantasmic!  Note:  get tray, napkins, etc. before ordering.  Stage Door Café has chicken nuggets, fish and chips and corn dogs.  Rancho del Zocalo features Cal –Mex treats.

On to Fantasyland, the heart of the park!  Several rides and attractions are repeated in Magic Kingdom® Park and several are exclusive to Disneyland® Park.  Decide which of the following are must dos for you:  Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Fantasy Faire where you meet Disney princesses, “it’s a small world,” King Arthur Carousel, Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Pixie Hollow where you meet Tinker Belle and friends, Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Snow White Grotto and Wishing Well, or Storybook Land Canal Boats.  Village Haus Restaurant offers burgers, flatbread pizzas, chicken sandwiches and salads.  Snacks are available at several venues.

Mickey’s Toontown is an immersive cartoon world.  The toons allowed visitors starting in 1993.  You may visit Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse, Donald’s Boat, Gadget Go Coaster, Goofy’s Playhouse, Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, and Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin.  Food is available at Clarabelle’s, Daisy’s Diner, and Pluto’s Dog House.

Tomorrowland celebrates Walt’s belief in the future and his push towards progress and ongoing improvement.  This land houses Astro Orbitor, Autopio (the original version of the Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom,) Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Disneyland Monorail (2.5 miles compared to WDW’s 14.7 miles) where you can still ask to ride up front, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Honey I Shrunk the Audience/Captain EO, Innoventions, Jedi Training Academy( check the Times Guide for times, then hang out around Tomorrowland Terrace.  Listen for the Star Wars music and look for the Jedi Master who will ask for volunteers), Space Mountain and Star Tours.  Get FastPasses for these last two rides or take advantage of your Magic Morning privilege.  Dining includes Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port which you should bypass if you are impatient and head to Tomorrowland Terrace for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Check the Entertainment Times Guide for parades, fireworks and character meet and greets to get the most out of your visit to Disneyland® Park!

As you can see, there is a lot to see and do at Disneyland® Park! While there is something to be said for walking in Walt’s footsteps, there is also an incredible land full of amazing attractions and entertainment that you just have to experience for yourself!

Contact your Magic Maker® today to learn more about the ins and outs of Disneyland® Park, and how it may just be the perfect getaway your family was looking for!

One of the best parts of visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort during the holiday season is a stop at Epcot® to explore Holidays Around the World. Each year the event celebrates the time-honored traditions of the nations of the World Showcase. Having started last week after Thanksgiving, Holidays Around the World will run through Dec. 30, 2013.

In addition to returning favorites, you’ll find that a few new offerings have been added to this years lineup including special holiday food and beverage opportunities. This year’s offerings include:

Future World:

• Gingerbread Village – display inside the Land Pavilion
• Joyful! – A gospel celebration of the season

World Showcase:

• Promenade Refreshments – enjoy holiday snacks like Savory Seasonal Waffles, Hot Holiday Twinings Teas, and Flavored Hot Chocolates and Teas
• Canada Pavilion – New for 2013, Canadian Holiday Voyageurs perform a musical tour of the Great White North. Season food offerings include Pecan Maple Bark Popcorn
• United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas tells stories of Christmas past. Hot Applejack Cider is served from the UK Beer Cart
• France Pavilion – The magic of Christmas is shared by Père Noël. Seasonal food offerings include Bûche de Noël au chocolat (Chocolate Christmas Log) and Glace au pain d’Epices (Gingerbread Ice Cream) available at Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie and L’Artisan des Glaces respectively
• Morocco Pavilion – Taarji celebrates the customs of Ramadan
• Japan Pavilion – Hear the story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year
• The American Adventure – Pay a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy tonight’s performance of the Candlelight Processional,  learn about the spirit of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, and hear the amazing Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers. Seasonal food offerings include fresh baked cookies, hot chocolate, and sparkling wines
• Italy Pavilion – La Befana, the good Christmas witch, tells of her first Christmas 2,000 years ago
• Germany Pavilion – Helga tells the story of the first Christmas tree and of her first Nutcracker. Enjoy hot spiced wine, holiday fruit cake, and various Werther’s® Original® drinks
• China Pavilion – The celebration of Chinese New Year is told by Monkey King
• Norway Pavilion – Listen closely as Sigrid tells you of Julenissen, the mischievous Christmas Gnome
• Mexico Pavilion – Los Tres Reyes Magos, the Three Kings, tell of their journey to Posada

For more information on these events, please pick up a Festival Map and Times Guide inside the park. Entertainment subject to change without notice.

The popularity of runDisney events have been on the rise. Even with additional races, many of the runDisney events sell out within days of the opening of registration!

Some exciting news was released today about the 2015 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland® Resort. This women-focused event will be changing dates to Mother’s Day Weekend – May 7-10, 2015!

What better way to celebrate Mom than by participating in this exciting runDisney event at the Happiest Place on Earth! Be sure to save the date and follow along for future updates on registration.

When planning a Southern California vacation for our clients, one of the most often asked questions is why they should stay at the Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort. With so many Good Neighbor locations to choose from, we understand why this question comes up so often.

There are several reason to stay on property, so check out this video for more details. Whether you choose the Disneyland® Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa, or Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel – you’ll enjoy staying where the magic never ends!

Please click here for more information on current Disneyland® Resort discounts!

When visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort, we often find ourselves running from Point A to Point B for most of our vacation. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get stuck in “overdrive!”

The Walt Disney World® Resort is nearing its peak season, so crowd levels will start to rise and patience of your fellow guests will start to run thin. Sometimes the best plan is to retreat to a quiet, secluded location and spend a few minutes (or hours) away from it all.

We tasked our Magic Makers® with compiling a list of their favorite places to relax at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Whether visiting during a peak holiday or on a September weekday when crowds are low, we’re sure you’ll enjoy a few minutes of “R&R” at these locations.

Magic Maker’s® Top 8 Retreats at the Walt Disney World® Resort

1. Baby Care Centers – (all four Theme Parks)
   All four of the Walt Disney World® Resort Theme Parks have a special Baby Care Center that welcomes parents and their little ones into a quiet location to feed, change, nurse, and cool off. The facilities also include a kitchenette with microwave and a nice sitting area with TV.
2. United Kingdom Pavilion (Epcot®)
   The majority of Epcot® guests walk through the United Kingdom Pavilion without ever knowing of the back area behind the main shops. In this garden-type setting you’ll rarely find any traffic and it is quiet except for during performances of the rock band British Revolution. Grab some Fish and Chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and enjoy the area even if the band is playing (they are a great act)!
   
3. Polynesian Beach – (Disney’s Polynesian Resort)
   While many of the Walt Disney World® Resorts have beautiful sand beaches with hammocks to relax on, our favorite is the beaches of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. If you plan your visit right, it is the perfect location to watch the evening performance of Wishes nighttime spectacular and the Electrical Water Pageant.
4. The Writer’s Stop – (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
   Located in the Streets of America section of the park near Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, The Writer’s Stop is a perfect place to enjoy a iced mocha, carrot cake cookie, and a comfy chair!
5. Columbia Harbour House – (Magic Kingdom® Park)
   Located in Liberty Square, Columbia Harbour House is a popular quick service dining location serving seafood dishes that have become a favorite of many guests. Even with its popularity, few people utilize their upstairs seating area. Grab a seat near the windows and watch the people as they pass through Liberty Square.
6. Canada Pavilion – (Epcot®)
   The Canada Pavilion hosts some of the most amazing gardens in Epcot®. On the upper level of the Pavilion near the château is a beautiful waterfall that is great place to sit down and re-energize.
7. Parks before Opening –
   Many are unaware that several restaurants and some experiences like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and The Pirates League inside of the theme parks offer Advance Dining Reservations before scheduled park opening. Obtaining one of these reservations gives you access to a basically empty park while you are on your way to your reservation. It’s fun (and relaxing) to experience your surroundings without the typical hustle and bustle so early in the morning.
8. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover –
   These two Tomorrowland® attractions are classics for the Walt Disney World® Resort but lack popularity when compared to the “mountains” and other attractions in the park. This makes for a perfect place to sit and relax while enjoying a bit of nostalgia.

That’s quite a list, isn’t it? Where is your favorite retreat at the Walt Disney World® Resort? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

Walt Disney World® Resort has always been a part of my life.

I know that sounds cliché, but I have many memories of trips to central Florida with my family growing up, and they are all very special.

My wife and I honeymooned aboard Disney Cruise Line® and at Walt Disney World® Resort; and we have taken countless family trips there together over the past 10 years of our marriage.

There isn’t a room in our home that you can’t find mouse ears close by.

By most people’s standards, we are what you would call “Disneyphiles’.

Yet, one Disney Destination remained distant in our household, Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, California.

Sure, we knew and acknowledged Disneyland® Resort was out on the west coast, yet it was more of a historical landmark than a vacation destination to our family. Of course we were well aware of the rich history of Disneyland® Resort, the only park that Walt Disney actually walked through. It just wasn’t somewhere that was worth the trek from the Southeast.

In a way, Disneyland® Resort had been shaped in our mind as kind of the ‘step-brother’ to the grand Walt Disney World® Resort. It was a smaller property. It had fewer attractions. It was older. As most Walt Disney World® Resort purists would have told us, it would have been a disappointment to ‘World lovers’ like us.

Fast-forward ten years.

Last week our family of four walked under the Main Street, U.S.A. train station bridge into the ‘Happiest Place on Earth.’

It was amazing.

We got to walk in Walt’s footsteps down Main Street, U.S.A. We were able to see the bench that Walt sat on when he ‘dreamed up’ this magical place while sitting in Griffith Park. We rode a loop around Disneyland Park in the Lilly Belle, a train car that Walt used to conduct meetings in. We were able to see the small Christmas tree lit in the window of Walt’s apartment over the Disneyland Fire Dept.

For a Disney nerds like us, it was all so surreal.

More than experiencing ‘Walt’s Park’, we found something even grander. We found an unbelievable, walkable, family vacation destination. Utilizing around 500 acres, Disneyland® Resort consists of two parks, three resort hotels and the Downtown Disney® District; all within walking distance of each other.

From our accommodations at Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel, we were no more than a 10 minute walk from Disneyland® Park or Disney California Adventure® Park, with two kids in tow (ages 5 and 2). Not having to fold a stroller to fit in a trunk, board a bus or ride a tram was, well, simply magical.

Once inside Disneyland® Park or Disney California Adventure® Park you quickly realize you have stepped into a magical place. Despite the city ambience surrounding the parks, you are still quickly transported to another time and place, full of wonder.

Over the next several weeks as a part of our Neverland News, we will be taking you on a journey through Disneyland® Resort. What we hope you will soon find is that Disneyland® Resort is a fantastic vacation destination, with many amazing attractions and fantastic amenities that is worth the ‘commute’, even from the East coast.

With Disneyland® Resort currently offering early 2014 resort discounts, now is the perfect time to plan your trip to the ‘Happiest Place on Earth!’ Contact your Magic Maker® today to help you plan the magic!

Neverland News is written by Kyle Froman, Director of Marketing and Agent Care for Off to Neverland Travel.

Anticipation is growing as the debut of Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen is nearly a week away. Opening in theaters on Nov. 27, 2013, the movie follows Anna’s wintery adventures to find her sister, Elsa.

Guests of the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts can now meet the royal sisters during their visit! At Walt Disney World® Resort, the duo can be found inside the Prinsesse Plass located across from Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot®. On the West Coast, their frosty meet & greet location is in Disneyland® Park between Pinocchio’s Daring Journey attraction and Village Haus Restaurant. Please refer to your Daily Times Guide for more details as meet & greet hours may differ from normal park operating hours.

Last week, the Disneyland® Resort kicked off their holiday season. With all the new activities and returning favorites, it’s easy to agree that “The Happiest Place on Earth Just Got Merrier!”

With an abundance of merriment and tradition, we wanted to recap some of the festive events happening that you won’t want to miss at the Disneyland® Resort!

Disneyland® Park

• Frozen Meet and Greet – Be sure to meet Anna and Elsa, the enchanted sisters from Disney Frozen, in their new winter wonderland located inside Fantasyland®.
• Attraction Overlays – For years, Disneyland® Park has overlaid several of their popular park attractions for the holidays like it’s a small world® and Haunted Mansion®. New for 2013, the Jungle Cruise® attraction has been added to that list as it has become the “Jingle Cruise!” The attraction’s queue and script have both received a Yuletide Makeover.
• Believe… in Holiday Magic – End your evening by watching the nighttime spectacular Believe… in Holiday Magic explode in the skies over the beautifully lit Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle.
• A “Christmas Fantasy” Parade – Enjoy as some of your favorite Disney characters celebrate the season in A “Christmas Fantasy” Parade. They all lead the way for a visit from Santa and his reindeer!
• Jingle Jangle Jamboree – Over in Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland®, meet some of your favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday clothes and enjoy seasonal games, crafts, and entertainment. You’ll also often find Mr. and Mrs. Claus here greeting guests!

Disney California Adventure® Park

• World of Color – “Winter Dreams” – The popular World of Color nighttime show at Disney California Adventure® Park has debuted a new “Winter Dreams” edition that brings the spirit of the holidays to life. Hosted by Olaf from Disney Frozen, the show combines new animation with winter scenes from beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar films.
• “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” – Also new this year is “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” – a celebration of Latino culture and holiday traditions. Taking place daily inside Paradise Gardens, it features live music, crafts, dance lessons, traditional holiday foods, and a “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party.”
• “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party” – Guests will enjoy a holiday edition of “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party” complete with holiday tunes, costumes, and decor!

Downtown Disney® District

• Downtown Disney® Winter Village – Lace up your skates and enjoy Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink at the Downtown Disney® Winter Village. After skating, browse the nearby “shopping chalets” for gifts for all those on your shopping list! Rink hours are 3p-10:30p Mon.-Thu. and 3p-11:30p Fri.-Sun.

Also, you’ll be amazed at the delightful holiday decorations you find everywhere you look throughout the entire resort. The holiday events at the Disneyland® Resort are scheduled to run through Jan. 6, 2014, but dates for individual experiences may vary and are subject to change.

The holidays are a perfect time to spend a few days at the Disneyland® Resort. Contact your Magic Maker® today to start planning!

This morning, Disney Cruise Line® announced that all four of their ships will be sailing from the Sunshine State in early 2015! Also, all of these early 2015 departures include a stop at Castaway Cay – a private island in Bahamas for Disney Cruise Line® for use exclusively by their guests.

New itineraries include:

• Disney Dream®: 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral (1/2/15-4/27/15)
• Disney Magic®: 7-night Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral (1/4/15-4/26/15)
• Disney Fantasy®: 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral (1/10/15-4/18/15)
• Disney Wonder®: 4-night Bahamian and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami (1/4/15-4/26/15)

Bookings for these new itineraries open Wed., Nov. 13th for our clients who are Gold or Platinum Castaway Club Members. All other guests will be able to start booking Thu., Nov. 14th.

Give the gift of memories aboard Disney Cruise Line® this holiday! When you book a new Disney Cruise Line® reservation now through Dec. 15, 2013, you can secure your cruise with 50% off the required deposit with the remaining balance due at time of final payment! Contact your Magic Maker® today!

Reduced deposit offer is valid for new bookings only on sailings booked through 12/15/13. Only valid on sailings that do not require total payment at time of booking.

While guests are enjoying the final days of Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival, Cast Members at the Walt Disney World® Resort are busy finalizing plans for the 21st Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival!

Next years festival, which runs Mar. 5-May 18, 2014, will welcome several new topiaries to the mix. Be on the lookout for Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy character topiaries in a new World Showcase display and a new Timon topiary who will join his buddy Pumbaa in the Outpost. This year’s front entrance display will feature Goofy, Donald and Daisy Duck on a butterfly hunt adventure.

After a popular debut in 2013, Garden Marketplaces will return in 2014. These Garden Marketplaces mix garden- and backyard-living-inspired food and beverage items into the annual Epcot® festival of blossoms. While many of last year’s favorite dishes will return for 2014, several new options like a Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes and a Barbecued Chicken Leg will make their way to the menus.

Complete details of the festival have not been released, but you can expect the return of other features like the seminars hosted by HGTV design celebrities, interactive playgrounds for the kids, Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House, and the Flower Power Concert Series.

If you’d like to experience the 21st Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival for yourself, now’s the time to plan! Contact your Magic Maker® today for more details and find out how you can save up to 35% off your Resort stay during the festival!