Children Sail Free on Disney Cruise Line Caribbean Itineraries!

Disney Cruise Line has a new deal out, starting today! This is a nice promotion, where kids will sail FREE! This promotion is for staterooms with verandas on Western and Eastern Caribbean Cruises, from Jan. 8 — March 5, 2011, excluding Feb. 19, 2011.. This offer is available for categories 4A through 7A only. Two full-fare adults must be listed in the stateroom, allowing children age 17 and under in that stateroom to travel for free. This is a great offer!!

Disney Cruise Line offers you a vacation experience unlike any other. Disney Cruise Line has the best children’s programs! Your children will enjoy activities that are exciting and will keep them busy the entire time you are at sea. Mom and dad can take advantage of the many adult activities on the ship, and on Castaway Cay.

You can book your Disney Magic cruise now, and sail to the Caribbean and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, on a seven night cruise. Contact an OLP Travel agent today for help with the planning, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip.

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Disney Announces Changes to Fantasyland Expansion at Walt Disney World

Disney has announced that there will be some changes to the original plan for the expansion of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. What exactly those changes will be is still not known. The expansion really had been centered on princesses, and lands devoted to the princesses. I am hopeful that what Disney has decided is to switch gears a little, and have a few more offerings for boys. They did say in their announcement that the expansion would be geared toward a broader range of guests. There is not expected to be a delay in any of the projects, with the total completion of two segments to be done in 2013. The first phase will open in 2012.

It is my feeling that one area being changed up is the Pixie Hollow area. This is the area planned for opening in 2013. I wonder what they will do. Maybe there will be a lean toward the Peter Pan, the Lost Boys and Captain Hook, for the boys to enjoy? Wouldn’t a Neverland be fun?

My other thought was would Tarzan fit in? He is gone from Animal Kingdom. A Tarzan area would be a lot of fun!

Whatever it is that Disney decides to do there, I am again impressed that they are listening to what guests are saying. I am excited to see what the new Fantasyland will have for attractions and experiences.

Disney is keeping the magic alive in Florida at Walt Disney World. Even while all this work is being done behind construction walls, the fun goes on in Fantasyland! Disney has special discount offers out for the rest of 2010 for travel. If you are looking at traveling in 2011, Disney just released the 2011 packages, too! If you would like to start planning your next Disney vacation, you can contact an OLP Travel agent today for help planning your Walt Disney World vacation, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip. Visit OLP Travel on Facebook, or Franniepoppins on Facebook.

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Free Dining at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Special rates and Disney Cruise Line Deals

Disney has certainly set an example at working to keep a tough economy going. They have presented guests with lots of different discount options, so that people could still find a way to spend time together as a family. Their latest discount for Walt Disney World travel, which is the usual Fall Free Dining discount, has been extended again this year. It will run right into December. The OLP Travel Disney Dining Guide will be a big help when you book a Disney Dining Plan.

When Guests purchase a minimum 3-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes accommodations for 3 nights at a select Disney Moderate, Deluxe, or Villa Resort and a 2-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket, they’ll get the Disney Dining Plan free.

Guests who purchase a 3-night, 4-day Magic Your Way Package with accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort and a 2-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket, get a free Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Booking and Travel Window:

Booking Window: May 3 – Aug. 14, 2010

Travel Window: Valid for stays most nights Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, 2010, Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2010, Nov. 12 – Nov. 18, 2010, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010 and
Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010

Disney has given us places to go to escape our daily grind. When you travel to a Disney Destination, you are surely going to be treated well, and you will feel like a guest. That is the big draw, and what I love the most about Disney vacations. Add in great discounts, and you have a winner; a family vacation everyone can enjoy!

Walt Disney World isn’t the only Disney destination with discounts. You will find discounts for Disneyland travel; room only deals, and package deals. Disney Cruise Line is also offering some special rates for Bahamas cruises, and Mexican Riviera cruises.

Immerse me in a vacation experience, and I will be very happy. Greet me like I am special, and make me feel like I am your guest, and that is a nice start to my vacation. Provide me with good food, and fun activities, with magical moments of magic, and that will make my vacation special and memorable. All of the above, that is what a Disney vacation destination will give you.

All of this wonderful vacation experience, and with rates that are super good! Disney really wants us to visit this year. If you are considering a visit to Walt Disney World contact an OLP Travel agent today for help with the planning, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip. You can be sure you are getting the best deal on your Disney vacation, no matter which destination you choose, when you use Our Laughing Place Travel for your travel needs.

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Disney Cruise Line Sets Final Building Block in Place on the Disney Dream!

The final building block for the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream, was placed today, June 1, 2010, at the Meyer Werft shipyard. Captain Mickey Mouse joined Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz to add a ceremonial touch of paint to the final block – which happens to be a 260-ton section of the Disney Dream bow.

This signals the completion of a major milestone in the ship’s overall construction. All 80 building blocks, which essentially frame the outside of this beautiful Disney Dream, are in place. Now, the focus will shift into high gear with the building of the interior of the ship.

The Disney Dream will follow the tradition started with the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, as far as the style of the ship goes. We can expect a blend of elegant grace that one might have experienced in the early 20^th century, when Walt Disney cruised. Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Dream, will offer new innovative features, and, of course, the unmistakable Disney Difference. This ship will be spectacular!

A fun feature will be the Enchanted Art experience on the ship. This is an interactive detective game. A special card will allow guests to peer behind a virtual canvas to discover clues.

Another fun experience will be on Deck 13 of the Disney Dream. That is where you will find Goofy’s Golf, on Goofy’s Sports Deck! This miniature golf course is sure to please children of all ages. There will be several virtual sports experiences such as soccer, basketball and tennis. A walking track will circle Goofy’s Sports Deck.

Probably the most innovative touch of all on the Disney Dream is the much awaited AquaDuck, the first-ever shipboard water coaster. Guests aboard the new Disney Dream can get swept away on the exhilarating high-speed flume ride which features twists, turns, drops, acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship

On January 26, 2011, the Disney Dream will set sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on her maiden voyage and take family cruising to all-new heights. You can book your Disney Dream cruise now, and sail to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, on a three or four night cruise. Contact an OLP Travel agent today for help with the planning, or contact me personally, and I will be happy to help you plan your trip.

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Disney Specializes in Family Vacations – Focus on Adventures by Disney Vacations and Disney Cruise Line

One of the things I really truly love about Disney is the fact that with all the growth over the years, they have always had a sense of pride in our great United States of America. Walt Disney was patriotic, among his many wonderful traits. Disney does always seem to try to think like Walt, and how they have worked to create a wonderful way for Americans to get to know the country we live in, and for visitors to our great country to get to know it, via the vacation experiences offered by Adventures by Disney.

Adventures by Disney, Disney very personalized vacations, offers 7 different itineraries in 2010 that tour different areas of the United States of America. See the country through Disney’s experienced eyes and you will see it is such a unique way.

The Wyoming Family Vacation offers your family the chance to get to know the American West. Grab the reins and see the world from a saddle. Find your frontier spirit with horseback riding, roping and fly-fishing beneath wide-open skies at an authentic dude ranch. Raft the writhing Snake River, and explore the whimsical sights and Western charm of Jackson Hole. Then discover the soul of Yellowstone as you hike among its cascading rivers and iron-streaked canyons to watch Old Faithful burst from the earth. Come explore Wyoming – and realize that home on the range is just where the family belongs.

Experience the Northern California Family Vacation. Blaze an adventurous trail through the land of legendary gold and natural glory. Soar to the top of Squaw Peak and behold Tahoe’s aquamarine jewel among the mountains. Float along the idyllic Truckee River and swim in a setting more beautiful than any painting. And make the Yosemite Valley your incredible backyard as you hike and ride through its unspoiled majesty. Then spring from the wilderness to explore San Francisco’s hilly charm by bike and private trolley – on your unbelievable expedition from the gold-streaked Sierras to the famed Golden Gate.

It should be required by schools to take the Grand Canyon Family Vacation. The Southwestern stage is set for your adventure. Get ready to raft the majestic Colorado River. Tear through Red Rocks in an off-roading 4×4. And discover parts of the Grand Canyon most will never see. The desert will speak to you through naturalists, Navajos, cowboys, even native creatures. And as day becomes star-dusted night, you’ll gather ’round the campfire to share memories from your very own tall tale.

The Alaska Family Vacation is truly a one of a kind vacation. Get ready for untamed, unspoiled, unbelievable family adventures in the foothills of our country’s highest peak: mighty Mt. McKinley. Come frolic with the sled dogs of the legendary Iditarod. Explore deep, icy fjords and jetboat along a pristine river in search of wildlife that’s still completely wild. Learn how to track majestic wolves through their forest empires. And float among the iceberg remains of calving glaciers that have existed for centuries. You’ll discover this distant wilderness with its native people, making new friends and memories in the land of the midnight sun.

Hooray for Hollywood! Disney takes you on a Hollywood Family vacation. You’ll experience both Hollywood and Disneyland on this vacation. Go where the magic happens – to places few will ever see, places you will never forget; The El Capitan Theatre, The Jim Henson Company Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering – places where sketched-out dreams become vivid reality for you to experience firsthand. Then live the magic as you explore every whimsical corner of the Happiest Place on Earth – transforming a trip to the park into a VIP experience far beyond imagination.

Another education vacation, and really this is one that will take you to some of the most beautiful places in the entire world, is Glacier National Park and Canadian Rockies vacation. Come raft mighty rivers, hike flower filled meadows and ride horses on trails through the clouds in the unspoiled Canadian Rockies. Imagine your family surrounded by the snow-capped peaks, towering forests and impossibly blue lakes of two immense national parks in two countries. You’ll sleep high in the sky, between glacial lakes and ancient limestone-with tribal tales of when the world was young still dancing in your mind. And after canoeing, hiking and biking in land roamed by Lewis and Clark and beyond, you’ll never want to come down to Earth again.

The Mid Atlantic Family Vacation brings you to the most patriotic part of the United States, our nation’s capital, and other places where our mighty nation was born. Pedal past larger-than-life monuments that voice our country’s heroic tales. Walk in the footsteps of our forefathers, and even meet a few of them. Gather where Revolutionary plans were once laid, savoring authentic dishes from 1776. And travel back in time to live the colonial life, just as it was hundreds of years ago. You’ll eat, sleep and play in places steeped in national nostalgia – and experience an adventure you won’t find in any book.

And, not only is Adventures by Disney taking you to wonderful places in the United States, but Disney Cruise Line is also going to be joining in on the patriotic bandwagon. They have wonderful cruise itineraries lines up for Alaska, and these itineraries should not be missed! The Disney Wonder is headed to the West Coast in the summer of 2011, and that is when the Alaska Cruises will be offered.

Right here in our country, we have so much to see. Why not see it with the Disney extra touches? If you would like more information, 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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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!

Written by Francine - Visit Website
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