Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney Travel Deals

In the past Disney usually did not release discounted rates until a few months prior to travel dates. That certainly is not the case now. Disney has discounts for all their destinations, and some of the deals stretch right into Summer 2010. Disney has a different mindset about how to present deals. The better deals are the first deals out, when that deal expires, a new deal is released, but it is usually not quite as deep a discount as the first deal. Another interesting new touch is that Disney is extending existing deals for Walt Disney World travel, instead of releasing new ones. What are the current available discounts? There are a few actually.

Let’s start with Walt Disney World. Here is what you would find for discounts now, depending on your travel dates.

• There is the Disney Gift Card Offer. This deal is available for bookings through mid-April, and has to be booked by March 27, 2010. You can get up to a $75.00 Disney Gift Card for qualified stays at a Walt Disney World Resort.
• An offer that gives discounts all the way into August 2010 is the Winter-Summer offer. This deal offers a percentage off of your Walt Disney World Resort room, up to 45% off! It is a room only discount, with a twist. You can turn it into a Magic Your Way Package.
• If you are a Florida Resident, you can get a discount on a room only stay.
• If you are an Annual Passholder, you can get a discount off of a room only stay, and, as an added perk for Annual Passholders, Disney allows these guests to book a dining plan without purchasing theme park tickets.
• Disney also offers spectacular deals for the military, and they also are allowed to add a dining plan without purchasing tickets.
• There are also discounts available for AAA members.

 

Disneyland has several offers as well.

• There is a Winter Room Only Offer, and you can add tickets and other features to this offer. Travel must be completed by May 4, 2010, and booked by April 1, 2010.
• Disneyland also has a deal if you buy a three-night, five-day package, you will get two more nights free! This offer is available for travel through April 29, 2010, and must be booked by April 1, 2010.
• For selected arrivals, through April 30, 2010, kids can fly free, one per adult paid fare, on select airlines, when airfare is purchased with a qualified Disneyland package.
• AAA members also get discounts at Disneyland.
• Military personnel can find good deals at Disneyland hotels.

The offers at Disney Cruise Line aren’t as plentiful, but there are very good rates available for the Mediterranean Sailings, and Florida Residents and active military can find good deals as well. Your best bet, when booking a Disney Cruise Line vacation, is to book as early as you can. The best rates are always the rates that are first released. Disney ships book up, because they are the highest quality cruise. You get so much with a Disney cruise. Book early and you get your best deal.

Adventures by Disney vacation rates fluctuate, and this is another example of the earlier you book, the better your rate.

What is the bottom line, and when is the best time to book your Disney Vacation? I’d say you best bet is to book your Disney vacation as soon as you can. This insures you the best deal. Book through Disney Specialist, in particular an Earmarked agency and you will be sure you have someone working with you who Disney recognizes as an authorized Disney vacation planner. Specifically, book through an Our Laughing Place Travel agent, and you will be sure of the best deal. We pride ourselves in the fact that we watch for deals, and even if you already have a discounted rate, we still watch, and make sure you have the best deal. Disney has it all! You can find your perfect family vacation at a Disney destination, and find a vacation that fits in your budget.

Visit my website, Franniepoppins.com, or become a fan of Franniepoppins or Our Laughing Place, on Facebook.

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Disney Focuses on Character Meet and Greets – From Mickey Mouse to Lotso

One of the biggest parts of visiting Walt Disney World is experiencing all the Disney characters in person. You may think you are to grown up for that type of thing, but when you get around Tigger, and you start having a bouncing contest with him, you realize that you really are a kid at heart. I know this for a fact, because I experience such a contest. It was very impromptu, but lots of fun. I won, in fact, and Tigger brought us over to Space Mountain, and we got front of the line privileges. This was a few years back, and I remember it so well. In fact, just typing the story out here makes me feel all Disneyfied.

Disney really goes the extra mile to keep the character interactions fresh and new. Of course, there are the old stand bys, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, all of the friends, Winnie the Pooh, and all his friends. I can’t leave out all the Princesses; Disney knows how much we love the Princesses. What I think is really cool is the new characters that have come on board, and Disney has set up lots of new Character Meet and Greet opportunities for their guests. Along with the many character meals at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Disney has special areas they created for us to meet our favorite characters. In fact, they are going to great lengths to create new, and more true to life, Meet and Greet areas. There is a big focus on this with the upcoming Fantasyland Expansion. Disney plans to have lots of new areas, where we can meet our favorite princesses.

We don’t have to wait until the new Fantasyland is opened, to see new characters.

The Meet & Greet locations for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will move from Towntown Fair to the Exposition Hall in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom by Late Spring 2010.   Meet & Greet locations will be set up in the Exposition Hall for the Fairy and Princess Meet & Greets while Fantasyland construction progresses.  These new Meet & Greet areas will replace the existing movie theaters. I am sure this is in preparation for the removal of Toon Town Fair, and a sure sign that the work will be getting started real soon on the new Fantasyland.

The UP Character Meet & Greet in the Magic of Disney Animation building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will end in Early May 2010. Carl and Dug will begin new Meet & Greet appearance at Disney’s Animal Kingdom once the Studios location closes.   Currently it is planned for Russel to be retired when the UP Meet & Greet ends its Studios run.

The new character, Lotso, is scheduled to start daily Meet & Greet appearances, in early May 2010, in the Disney of Animation building.  Lotso will replace the spot vacated by the UP characters.  He is a purple teddy bear who will be introduced in the third chapter of the Toy Story trilogy.

Last, but certainly far from least is this news, which I already reported on. As of February 7, 2010, Cinderella’s Royal Table, at the Magic Kingdom, in Walt Disney World, has been presenting the Royal Family at every meal! Yes, this means that the princesses are back!! How exciting! The Fairy Godmother will no longer be appearing at all. The dining experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table is called Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Disney keeps it fresh, always. Part of the Disney Difference is providing the guests with new vacation experiences, and Disney scores big on that. Even Disney Cruise Line has a new character offering; a brand new show focusing on the villains. It is called “Villains Tonight!”.

If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World, contact an OLP Travel agent today for help, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip.

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Disney Creates New Vacation Experiences at Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line

Disney has a lot going on in 2010, 2011, and 2012! There are lots of new experiences being created. I think Disney is kicking it up a notch, and Disney family vacations will be better than ever. The Disney Difference will abound.

Let’s start with Walt Disney World. I already reported about the new summer celebration at Walt Disney World, Summer Nightastic! This celebration will bring lots of fun options to Walt Disney World, and Disney has released a few more details about this.

What is the first change in Walt Disney World? It is a huge change! The groundbreaking for the new Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will be happening very soon. The results of this three year construction project will be the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.  It will be the first time that guests will be able to truly immerse themselves into their favorite Disney fairy tales. They will have more magical and immersive encounters with Disney princesses.  There will be a themed village for each princess. These villages will be within Fantasyland Forest. For instance, Cinderella will have a chateau in her village called Dreams Come True with Cinderella. Guests can meet Cinderella face to face in her country chateau, share a dance or train to be one of her Royal Knights.  Sleeping Beauty’s area will be called At A Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty. It will be party time inside the Briar Rose Cottage, nestled in a lush, forest setting, where the three good fairies give Aurora the Sweet 16 party she never received, and everyone’s invited to join in the surprise celebration. Belle’s special place will still feature story telling.  An enchanted mirror will transport guests from Belle’s father’s cottage to Beast’s castle for an enchanting the storytelling performance during Enchanted Tales with Belle.

 Children of all ages have always loved Dumbo’s Flying Circus. The big top comes to Dumbo’s Flying Circus with a magical flight high above brand-new circus grounds. The improved ride will be twice the size of the classic attraction.  Inside a stylized tent, guests enjoy midway games and other fun-filled experiences.  

There will be three new restaurants in the new Fantasyland. The Be Our Guest Restaurant, one of three enchanted dining rooms inside Beast’s castle, is one of the new dining areas, and just outside the castle in Belle’s Village will be Gaston’s Tavern, another themed eatery.  Meanwhile, in the new Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction, Ariel and all her friends will entertain in a ride-through adventure featuring favorite songs from the popular animated feature. 

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an all-new 3-D version of the popular Star Tours attraction launches in 2011 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the “Star Wars” galaxy.

ESPN Wide World of Sports is also being relaunched in 2010. A re-imagining project involving ESPN and the Disney sports complex, the leading multi-sport venue in the nation, aims to create immersive and entertaining sports experiences for athletes, coaches and fans by incorporating signature elements of ESPN in ways that will connect athletes and coaches with their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements.  Guests will discover a new welcome center, a digital center where video captured by 56 high-definition robotic and handheld cameras across the 220-acre sports campus is edited for display on 40 video screens and two “jumbotrons” throughout the complex as part of a veritable Wide World of SportsCenter, and the new ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill.  Meanwhile, behind the scenes, technical staff will continue work in the Innovation Lab to develop ground-breaking ESPN on-air products – using the action throughout the complex as a real-world testing environment.

Disney Cruise Line has lots of changes happening, too. The newest ship, the Disney Dream, is being built right now, and will have her maiden voyage on January 26, 2011. The Walt Disney Company is expanding its successful cruise vacation business by adding two new ships. After the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy will set sail in 2012.  Two decks taller than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the new 1,250-passenger liners will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line.  These new ships will offer magical innovations, engaging children’s spaces, family entertainment and immersive experiences for which Disney Cruise Line is renowned. I will be sailing on the new Disney Dream, on March 6, 2011. I can’t wait to experience it! Visit Franniepoppins on Facebook.

To make room for the big new ships, Disney Cruise Line is making big changes at Castaway Cay, perfecting it. Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust.  The enhancements include an expanded family beach, a floating water platform featuring two twisting water slides, two fresh-water play areas for guests to cool off, a new teen retreat and 20 new private rental cabanas offering the ultimate in beachside luxury.  The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010. 

There will be new sailings for the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic. In 2010, the Disney Magic will sail to Europe for an unprecedented five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises.  Book-ending the summer season of 12-night Northern European Capitals cruises, the Disney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean for 10- and 11-night cruises, with three new ports of call – Tunis in northern Africa, the island nation of Marta, and Ajaccio, Corsica.  In the summer of 2010, the Disney Wonder will sail four- and five-night cruises to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  In the summer of 2011, the Disney Wonder will sail for the first time to Alaska, with seven-night cruises calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

As you can see, Disney is going to be very busy creating more vacation experiences for us to enjoy. If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World, contact an OLP Travel agent today for help, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip. Visit Franniepoppins on Facebook. Or, visit me on my webpage, Franniepoppins!

 

 
 

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Disney Cruise Line Introduces a New Show! “Villains Tonight!”

I have some exciting Disney Cruise Line news to report! Disney Cruise Line is introducing what sounds like a fantastic new show!!! This show will be centered on the Disney Villains, and it is called “Villains Tonight!” This new show will premier in the spring of 2010, debuting on the March 27, 2010 on the Disney Magic. The premier comes right in time for the Disney Magic gets ready to embark on an unprecedented five-month season of Mediterranean and Northern European cruises. Departing from Barcelona, Spain, Mediterranean cruises go from April 24 to May 26 and Aug. 7 to Sept. 8, visiting popular ports in Italy, France and North Africa. Departing out of Dover, England, the Northern European cruises will sail from June 12 to July 18, visiting St. Petersburg, Oslo, Copenhagen and other enchanting ports.

The “Villains Tonight!” show will also be delighting guests on the newest Disney Cruise Line Ship, The Disney Dream. The Disney Dream will have her maiden voyage on January 26, 2011.

This new show will be the first full scale musical production that is dedicated to the Disney Villians. The show is a family-friendly, fun-filled musical extravaganza that places these famous evil-doers in some irreverent funny moments.

“We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional entertainment and magnificent stage spectaculars aboard our ships,” said Jim Urry, Vice President of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line. “With ‘Villains Tonight!’ we are bringing the lovable and loathsome Disney villains to life in a way never seen before – as the stars of the first musical comedy devoted to the anti-heroes of our films.”

This show was produced by Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment; known for “Finding Nemo – The Musical” at Walt Disney World, Disney’s “Aladdin – A Muscial Spectacular”, at Disneyland in California, “Twice Chamed”, Disney Cruise Line, and “The Golden Mickey’s”, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line. Disney Cruise Line has assembled a very creative team to put this show together. The Broadway writing duo of Hunter Bell and Jeff Bowen are joined by director Allison Narver, choreographer Karma Camp, and musical director Ben Cohn.

Here are the highlights of this show.

“Villains Tonight!” begins as Hades and his faithful sidekicks, Pain and Panic (“Hercules”), welcome new souls (the audience) to the Underworld. But instead of a frightening realm, guests will discover that Hades has turned the Underworld into an upbeat and happier place. The lively fun comes to a halt when The Fates arrive and predict that Hades will lose his position as Lord of the Underworld if he doesn’t ramp up the evil factor.

Worried by the news, Hades checks his Evil-O-Meter and discovers it is running dangerously low. So he comes up with a plan: He’ll conjure up the very best of the worst – the most powerful Disney villains – to help him replenish the world of evil. What ensues is a comical journey as Hades, Pain and Panic embark on a quest filled with wacky antics and amusing musical numbers featuring everyone’s favorite Disney villains and their sidekicks.

“Villains Tonight!” features a “Who’s Who” of the Disney villains, including Disney’s newest crook, Dr. Facilier from “The Princess and the Frog.” The show also features classic divas and scoundrels like Ursula (“The Little Mermaid”), the Evil Queen (“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”), Captain Hook (“Peter Pan”) and Scar (“The Lion King”).

During “Villains Tonight!,” the 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre becomes a hilariously wicked world through the use of elaborate sets and special effects, extravagant costumes and a fun-filled, contemporary musical score. The show’s scenery takes guests on a dazzling journey through many villainous worlds, from the deck of Captain Hook’s ship to Scar’s Elephant Graveyard to Ursula’s Undersea Lounge.

“Villains Tonight!” features irreverent versions of classic Disney villain tunes including a dance club version of “Cruella De Vil” (“101 Dalmatians”), a Copacabana-inspired take of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” (“The Little Mermaid”) and an electrifying version of “Friends on the Other Side,” from Walt Disney Pictures’ newest animated feature, “The Princess and the Frog.” In addition, Bell and Bowen developed two original songs especially for the show, “Welcome to the Underworld” and “Villains Tonight.”

Disney Cruise Line is always working to keep their guests entertained. You can see this show for yourself when you sail on the Disney Magic, or the Disney Dream. Contact me, or an OLP Travel agent today for more information.

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Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Conservation Efforts

Let’s take a look at three Disney Vacation Destinations and see what they do to protect the environment. Even in the earliest stages, when The Walt Disney World Resort was being planned, the first thing decided was that 1/3 of the 47 square miles of land known as the Florida Project, was to be earmarked for conservation land, and would never be developed. Walt Disney said, “There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine.”

At Walt Disney World you will see recycling programs for Guests and Cast Members alike. Disney’s resort hotels earned the prestigious Green Lodging Certification designation from the Florida EPA. Disney has Green Guidelines that apply to all meetings and conventions held at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Every guest knows, if you hang your towel up, you can reuse it. If you want a clean towel, put your used ones in the tub. Disneyworld reclaims water, and has received awards for their efforts in this behalf. Reclaimed water has been produced on Disney property for almost 15 years and, despite constant growth, the Walt Disney World Resort has maintained steady levels of potable water consumption by using reclaimed water to offset more than 25 percent of the Resort’s water demand. Currently, more than 5 million gallons of reclaimed water are used each day for landscape irrigation, vehicle washing, street and sidewalk cleaning, cooling tower makeup, fire suppression and protection, and construction activities. This amount of water would cost more than $2 million each year.

Disney Cruise Line probably holds the banner for being on the cutting edge of the cruise line industry, when it comes to being environmentally conscious. Here is a list of some examples of Disney Cruise Line’s efforts in reducing the use of energy and water, and their effort to eliminate waste.

Disney Cruise Line focuses on programs to increase fuel efficiency and conserve energy. They do this by reducing surplus shipboard weight, automating onboard air conditioning systems for more optimal & efficient use, replacing light fixtures with more energy-efficient light bulbs, and turning off lights in areas when they are not in use by Guests or Crew onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder cruise ships.

Other efforts have helped Disney Cruise Line to achieve a 5% reduction of energy. Here are some examples of those efforts:

• Disney Cruise Line made history by being the first cruise line to utilize an innovative hull coating that is 100% non-toxic and is effective in increasing fuel efficiency by reducing surface resistance in the water.
• On Castaway Cay, an innovative recycling program to repurpose used cooking oil from the ships’ galleys and combine it with diesel fuel reduces waste and carbon dioxide emissions. The resulting biodiesel mix is used to power heavy machinery on the island and has saved up to 8,000 gallons of traditional fuel annually, enough to power nine homes in the United States for a year.
• Up to 10% of the water used onboard the Disney Magic
  and Disney Wonder
  is reclaimed from condensation in the shipboard air conditioning units and then re-used to rinse the outer decks of the ships.
• Excess heat generated in the ships’ engine boilers is rerouted and used to efficiently power evaporators used in the process of turning sea water into potable water.
• Onboard hotel operations promote a towel reuse program, where Guests may elect to not have their towels replaced after a single use. The program helps to conserve both water and energy.

 

Being environmentally responsible has been a Disney trademark for years. Walt Disney truly cared about nature. You can go back fifty years to the Walt Disney True Life Adventure Documentaries, and see that Walt Disney cared about the planet. Today, Walt’s beloved Disneyland Railroad and the Mark Twain Riverboat Ride, both in Disneyland are run off of fuel made from used kitchen oil; oil used for frying French fries and chicken. Disneyland also has the Disneyland Central bakery, newly built, and state of the art as far as being energy efficient.

Being aware of our environment and helping keep it happy is a good thing. OLP Travel is proud to sell Disney vacations, and we will be happy to help you with yours!

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Disney Cruise Line Children’s Programs Changes

Disney Cruise Line announced a wonderful new change to their children’s programs! Again, the Disney Difference shows, as Disney introduces a reinvented approach to children’s activities. While the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab will remain available to children age 3 to 12 on the Disney Wonder and age 3 to 10 on the Disney Magic, children now have the option to personalize their cruise vacation by selecting activities and events, regardless of age.

Disney Cruise Line will recommend activities that appeal to a child’s maturity levels and age, the entire list of offerings will be open to every child. This cutting edge approach to shipboard activities for our children allows children and parents to select programs based on the specific interests of each child. You can create and customized a very personalized experience. The best part of this deal is that it allows families of all ages to do things together.

So, what are some of the offerings? There are more than 100 activities, events and programs to choose from. With all these being open to children of all ages, this gives children have more choices than ever before on Disney Cruise Line.

Right in line with Disney taking what was old and making it new, many experiences draw inspiration from classic Disney stories and popular Disney characters:

• During the new Cinderella’s Royal Ball, young guests can feel like royalty as Cinderella shows them how to be a prince or princess.
• So You Want to be a Pirate offers adventurous tales of the high seas, pirate training for young buccaneers, swashbuckling fun and a special appearance by Captain Hook.
• Children are immersed in the world of Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story” during Toy Story Boot Camp. Led by Corporal Green, toy recruits participate in interactive activities.

In true Walt Disney manner, hands-on activities appeal to children’s sense of creativity and invention:

• The next great celebrity chef could be discovered at Ratatouille Cooking School, where children work together to bake tasty chocolate chip cookies.
• During the new Animal Tracking Series, children discover that conservation can be fun as they learn about endangered animals, create an animal tracking device and locate (plush) cotton-top tamarin monkeys using telemetry tracking on Castaway Cay.
• In Flubber, one of the most popular youth activities on Disney Cruise Line, children join Professor Goo in creating magical green goo and other interesting concoctions.

Some of the other onboard youth activities include fun programs such as Mouseketeer Training and Little Einsteins for preschoolers; challenge-and solution-games like Stitch’s Great Adventure and Detective School with Goofy; interactive group activities such as Kim Possible: Cruise Control and The Challenge of Davy Jones; and unstructured free time to enjoy the youth areas, play on computers and spend time having fun with new friends.

And, I have to mention another new option that was recently introduced. Dine and Play allows families to enjoy dinner together, then gives kids more time to enjoy youth activities while parents relax at the end of the meal. With Dine and Play, parents may check their children (age 3 to 12) into evening youth activities during second seating in all of the main dining rooms. Families enjoy dinner together, then youth counselors whisk children away to play so the grown-ups can savor some time together in the adult-exclusive areas of the ship.

Disney Cruise Line is again setting the bar, catering to the average family vacation need, and proving again why they are the best cruise line.

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Disney Cruise Line News! No More Land and Sea Packages

Disney Cruise Line is no longer offering a Land and Sea Vacation Package, for Port Canaveral sailings. They used to offer two different packages. One package offered a three night Walt Disney World Resort stay, with a four night Bahamas Cruise, on the Disney Wonder. The other package offered a four night Walt Disney World Resort Stay, and a three night Bahamas Cruise, on the Disney Wonder. There was no offer to go with seven night sailings, though.

Now there is the option to add a pre cruise stay, or a post cruise stay, at Walt Disney World, to any Port Canaveral itinerary. The big news, and the best news, in my opinion, is that 18 Walt Disney World resorts are part of this option, and they all offer ground transfers to Port Canaveral now for your Disney Cruise. You used to be somewhat limited, with the package, as to where you could stay. Now, you have your choice. Again, Disney is working to cater to each guest’s family’s needs.

Here is the official information.

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Planning your Family Vacation – Disney Destinations on a Budget

It is time to start planning your family vacation for 2010. Maybe money is a little tighter this year, but you still want to provide your family with a vacation they can enjoy. Some good news for Disney guests is that Disney has answered the budget conscious needs of their guests. Lots of good discounts have been available for Disney packages. Every Disney Destination has had some kind of special discount offer. Of course, different restrictions apply to each offer.

Adventures by Disney has an offer out now for a free cruise with select booked itineraries.

Walt Disney World is offering a free Disney Gift card, worth up to $750.00, with Magic Your Way Packages. Also, at Walt Disney World, you will find room only discounts. Your Our Laughing Place Travel agent will find the best deal for you.

Disney Cruise Line has a few offers for kids to sail for free!

Disneyland is offering two free nights at their resorts, if you pay for three nights

Making family memories, being together, it is so important, right? You want to take your family, and escape to a place where you can have some fun. Disney provides a vacation escape. Being able to leave your cares behind, and let your inner child out Disney style, skipping down Main Street USA in Disneyland, or throwing your hands in the air and dancing on the Disney Wonder during the sail away party. How about a visit to an exotic faraway land, Like the Galapagos Islands? The ultimate Disney escape, Walt Disney World, gives Disney’s guests the best escape.

Disney strives to provide their guests with a vacation experience; something that will provide such good feeling that the guest will want to repeat that feeling. Being Disney’s guest is what it is about. No matter what your budget is, Disney has a vacation for your family, and there will be magic if it is a Disney destination.

 

 

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Rest in Peace Roy E. Disney

If you have ever taken a cruise on a Disney Cruise Line ship, you probably had the chance to see Roy E. Disney on the big screen, during the show The Golden Mickey’s. He speaks to Ensign Benson, inspiring her to believe in herself. Soft spoken on the screen, but powerful, and affective, Roy reaches out as if he is there in the theater. I don’t know why, but his part in the show touched me.

Roy E. Disney passed away today, December 16, 2009. He was 79 years old. Roy stepped in a two times, to make his opinions known in the Disney Company. He was never afraid to follow what he believed in. In my opinion, it is Roy who is responsible for starting a process that instilled the Disney Difference in the Disney Destinations we know today. He may not have been as famous as his Uncle Walt, but he held the same ideals.

In 1984 Roy was very unhappy with the leadership capabilities of Walt Disney’s son-in-law, Ron Miller. Roy resigned from the Disney Board of Directors, and sought out investors to back him up in a bid to install new management. His efforts at that time led to the hiring of the famous team of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. Roy rejoined the Board of Directors, and rose to be vice chairman of the Disney Company and chairman of Disney Animation. Roy was very involved in the making of The Lion King, and several other animated films. We can all thank Roy for the return of good Disney animation.

Frank Wells died in 1994, and Roy became disenchanted with Eisner, and again stepped up to the plate. He was forced to resign. Here is an excerpt of his resignation letter to Michael Eisner.

“In conclusion, Michael, it is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me. Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement. The Walt Disney Company deserves fresh, energetic leadership at this challenging time in its history just as it did in 1984 when I headed a restructuring which resulted in your recruitment to the Company.

I have and will always have an enormous allegiance and respect for this Company, founded by my uncle, Walt, and father, Roy, and to our faithful employees and loyal stockholders. I don’t know if you and other directors can comprehend how painful it is for me and the extended Disney family to arrive at this decision. ”

Roy saw the quality of the Disney product slipping away. He did not back away quietly. It was at a shareholders meeting in 2004 that Roy got a standing ovation after making this comment.

“One of the reasons for my leaving, other than the fact that they fired me, was that I saw that quality slipping away from us,”

Roy kept up with what he believed in, and in fact in 2005 Michael Eisner retired, one year shy of his contract. Robert Iger replaced him.

You will be missed Roy E Disney. Thank you for helping keep your Uncle Walt’s dream alive. When I visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, cruise on Disney Cruise Line, or enjoy the uniqueness of a Adventures by Disney vacation, I will always know that you helped create this magic. You did so in a quiet mannered, yet ever so powerful, way. Rest in Peace, Roy.

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The Disney Difference: Disney Destinations Entertainment

Vacationing at a Disney Destination affords you the Disney Difference in vacation entertainment. This gives you the opportunity of experiencing a level of entertainment that will capture your imagination. Throughout the Disney Theme Parks, cast members are entertaining you in so many ways. The Disney Difference means you will find entertainment in places you might not expect, and you will be surprised at the little things that will leave you with huge memories.

Here are a few observations of mine; times I have experienced the Disney Difference.

Stay at the Disneyland Hotel, and walk to Disneyland through Downtown Disney. You will come across any number of entertainers; bands, singers, dancers. It is amazing, really. As Tim and I walked back to the hotel one night, we came across a singer, and he was singing What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. We stopped to listen, and that moment just touched my heart, Disney magic.

Disney Cruise Line, well, so many of my experiences on a Disney ship are all about the Disney Difference. I think if I had to pick the thing that impresses me the most on a Disney ship; it is the level of entertainment, the energy that goes into all the shows. And, when you cruise on Disney Cruise Line, prepare to feel pampered.

Walt Disney World immerses you in so many different themes of entertainment….

The first thing that comes to mind are the Voices of Liberty, the a cappella singers at the American Adventure in Epcot, truly something you must see when you are visiting Walt Disney World. Stay for the show at the American Adventure. It will make you proud to be an American. It makes me cry every time I see it. Not just get a few tears in my eyes, but go through a couple of tissues cry. I love it.

Walking around the World Showcase, you can experience each country, and from the chair stacking funny servers outside of Chef de France Restaurant, in France, to the British Invasion in the United Kingdom, you will be a world traveler. Experience many of these through videos at Our Laughing Place. Again, you will see, it is all about the Disney Difference.

Nothing warms my heart more than coming upon the Dapper Dans performing in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I LOVE those guys! They are funny, and they have such wonderful voices.

I have to mention the spectacular Festival of the Lion King Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This show is just so wonderful, so uplifting! The costuming, the dancing and singing, it is simply superb. Finding Nemo, the Musical is also a must see. You truly experience the search for Nemo. Hollywood Studios has Beauty and the Beast, and it is also Broadway quality.

On our last trip we experienced the band Mulch, Sweat, and Shears, at Hollywood Studios. Now, we had seen them before, but this time we got down and dance with them. It was so much fun, and we will never forget it.

Yes, Disney is quite amazing at entertaining us, and I am sure that the Disney Difference will be surprising us over time with lots of new things, along with the old mainstays that still capture our hearts after all these years.

Written by Francine - Visit Website
Filed under Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Walt Disney World | Comments (5)