Dwarf’s Mine Roller Coaster at Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World? New Fantasyland Rumors and Other Magic Kingdom News!

As is the case with Disney, there are always rumors to be speculated upon. The Fantasyland Expansion already has its fair share of rumors. These new ones are pretty interesting. I’d give these a real good chance of happening, too. Disney did say that there was going to be a change in plans, and the talk was that the new Fantasyland would have a little less Princess then originally planned.

Here is what has been leaked out, as far as changes.

• The plans for Cinderella’s Chateau, Sleeping Beauty’s Cottage, and even Pixie Hollow have been scrapped. These areas will not be built.
• There will be a new Snow White attraction built in the same area that was planned for Cinderella’s Chateau and Sleeping Beauty’s Cottage. There was a rumor quite a while back, about a Dwarf’s Mine Roller Coaster, and maybe this is happening. The original ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, would be closed.
• The area where the old Snow White attraction was will be turned into a Meet’n'Greet area. This would be similar to the Fantasyland Character Festival.
• The rumored new Fantasyland Character Festival may only be temporary, as the characters may move to an area that makes use of the old Skyway station.
• If the rumored new area for characters ends up being by the old Skyway Station, the area where the rumored former Snow White’s Scary Adventure would be turned into a new attraction.
• Nothing has been said yet as to what attraction will be on the other side of Fantasyland, with Dumbo.

Another rumor that turned into fact at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is the changing of the name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority back to the Peoplemover! This is fun news for a lot of people. They even fixed the soundtrack, and it is more like the one that has the spiel “Paging Mr. Tom Morrow…” Loved that!

There are rumors flying around right now about the ongoing refurbishment of It’s a Small World at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. This attraction started the refurbishment on August 1, 2010, and the completion date is October 22, 2010. The official word is that the load and unload areas are being renovated. The unofficial word, totally a rumor, is that Disney is adding Disney Characters to the attraction. They did this at Magic Kingdom at the Disneyland Resort in California. Or, the other rumor, and the one I believe to be true, is that the Walt Disney World attraction is receiving a Holiday Makeover, so it will be festive like the one in Magic Kingdom in Disneyland California.

Disney is keeping it new and fresh! I am so excited about all the changes and rumors, and will enjoy each new idea as Disney announces them. I can’t wait to experience the new Fantasyland!

If you would like to start planning your next Disney vacation, you can contact an OLP Travel Agent to help you plan your trip, or contact me personally, and I will be happy

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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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Walt Disney World and Disneyland Vacation Package Details for 2011

Disney Travel Company has released the details for package for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland! There are some changes, of course, and rates for everything seemed to have increased. Our Laughing Place Travel is working behind the scenes right now, getting our Walt Disney World Resort Cost Calculator updated with the new rates. So, you can keep an eye on that to look at the rates for a possible 2011 family vacation to Walt Disney World. Contact an OLP Travel agent for rates for a Disneyland stay, and we will be happy to help you.

So, let’s talk about the changes at Walt Disney World. First off, there is a big change in the Disney Dining Plan. Le Cellier, one of the most sought after restaurants at Walt Disney World, will now cost you 2 dining credits, for dinner, with the Disney Dining Plan. I am guessing the menu prices will increase along with this change. Lunch will remain 1 dining credit. This change takes effect on March 1, 2011. Le Cellier is located in the Canada Pavilion, at Epcot.

Another change is to room categories at Walt Disney World. Some of those include adding a preferred pricing area at Disney’s Moderate Resort, Port Orleans Riverside. Taking a look at the Map of Riverside, I can take a guess at what rooms will be preferred. The description on the Disney web site says some of the preferred rooms will have trundle beds. So, this would mean some of the preferred rooms will be in the mansions. My official guess is that the building numbers for preferred rooms at Port Orleans Riverside will be all of buildings 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 27. I think they will have half of buildings 80, 85, 90 and 95.

Both of the Port Orleans Resorts, Riverside and French Quarter, now have River View rooms, no longer called water view.

Animal Kingdom Lodge charges extra for the Arusha Rock savanna view rooms, starting in 2011.

There are changes to the cancelation policies for the Walt Disney World 2011 Packages. The fee to cancel after final payment due date in 2010, up until 8 days prior to arrival, was $100.00. For the 2010 packages that feel will increase to $200.00.

Every year Disney tweaks the package extras, and here is what the deal is for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Packages for 2011, from the Disney web site.

Walt Disney World Resort

At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, each 2011 Magic Your Way* Package from Walt Disney Travel Company will feature “Magical Extras” that will help Guests explore Disney beyond the Theme Parks. A new benefit for 2011 is a 15% discount on the regular hourly rate at a Children’s Activity Center at a select Disney Resort hotel.

Additional “Magical Extras” include an array of activities like a15% discount on select services of 50 minutes or greater at Niki Bryan Spa locations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, a Walt Disney World marina discount giving guests 15% off the regular price of any boat rental and 15% off the regular price of select Guided Bass Fishing Excursions at participating marina locations.

Disneyland Resort

At the Disneyland Resort in California, every Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package includes the chance to interact with some classic Disney Characters in Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness** one hour before Mickey’s Toontown opens to the general public.

All 3-day or longer Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages include a souvenir Disneyland Resort Park Hopper® ticket which is valid for parking and admission to both Theme Parks and includes preferred seating*** privileges at selected attractions in Disney California Adventure™ Park. Included in this ticket is one Magic Morning† admission in Disneyland® Park before the Park opens to the public!

Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages also include an exclusive collectible pin, lanyard and luggage tag for each member of the family. In addition, those who book online may receive a “Welcome” phone call from a Disney Character‡.

There are lots of great reasons to visit in 2011, including exciting new additions to Disney California Adventure Park, such as The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction. And while World of Color lights up the night at Disney California Adventure Park, the new Mickey’s Soundsational Parade at Disneyland Park is sure to be a hit with your Clients.

The Disneyland Resort vacation package provides saving of up 15% off any one of the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Disney’s Paradise Pier® Hotel, Disneyland® Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa. Good Neighbor vacation packages offer accommodations at one of more than 40 conveniently located Anaheim-area Good Neighbor hotels.

Walt Disney Travel Company also offers a complete 6-day, 5-night Southern California vacation package offering the ultimate Southern California experience. In addition to three nights at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort or a Good Neighbor Hotel, Guests have a choice of two nights at one of the featured hotels in San Diego, Los Angeles or the surrounding Orange County beach areas.

*The number of rooms made available for the Magic Your Way package may be limited. Marina and Guided Bass Fishing discounts not valid all dates, one voucher per room. Age restrictions apply to all Magical Extras.

**To enter Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness, each Guest must have a valid Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket and one Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness voucher from Walt Disney Travel Company. Entitlement available for one morning throughout the length of your ticket on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. Days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operation of attractions, entertainment, stores and restaurants, and appearance of Characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to capacity and other restrictions.

***Preferred Seating and viewing capacity is limited and subject to availability. Valid only during dates of vacation package. Show times vary.

†Magic Morning admission allows admission into select attractions in Disneyland® Park before the Park opens to the general public on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Each Guest must have a valid 3-Day or greater Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket from Walt Disney Travel Company To enhance the Magic Morning experience, it is strongly recommended that Guests arrive at least 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to Park opening. Days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operations of attractions, entertainment, stores and restaurants, and appearances of Characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to capacity and other restrictions.

Visit OLP Travel on Facebook, or Franniepoppins on Facebook. If you would like to start planning your 2011 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.

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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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“World of Color” Debuts at California Adventure in Disneyland!

My family always enjoyed Sunday nights, watching Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. Color television was a new thing at that time, and Walt Disney was an amazing man to watch. He could entertain you, just sitting on the corner of his desk, talking to the camera. I think I knew even then that he was a man with a dream. Today, as I sit at my desk planning magical Disney vacations, I often wonder if he had any idea how far his dream would go.

On June 11, 2010, a brand new Light spectacle, “World of Color” will open at Disneyland’s California Adventure Theme Park. This new show takes those Sunday nights sitting as a family watching amazing color television with Walt Disney, and takes it live, and bigger, and more amazing than ever. Walt always looked at something and would say that it was good, but would challenge the creator to PLUS the idea. I have to say, I think the people making the decisions about what direction Disney Destinations are going in are living up to Walt’s challenge, and are plusing their ideas.

“World of Color” debuts with this year’s “Summer Nightastic!” celebration at Disneyland. It will be shown over Paradise Bay at California Adventure. Disney description says that “World of Color” will take water-infused entertainment to a new level of artistry. Disney’s newest production features an unprecedented infrastructure of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, fog, surround sound and moving fountains that can shoot spouts from 30 feet to 200 feet high. Technical wizardry integrates all the media with one of the biggest show control systems ever built; more than 18,000 active points of control are precisely managed by a single system.

I’d say by that description that Walt Disney’s World of Color has been plused!

“Summer Nightastic!” is the newest summer celebration to hit the Disney Destinations. It debuted last year at Disneyland, and will be debuting this year at Walt Disney World. This is a not to be missed, fun filled celebration. Disney has plenty of fun in store for the summer months of 2010. If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World or Disneyland this summer, 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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Toy Story Mania News! New Ride Sequence Announced! Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts

The talk about changing up the Toy Story Mania attraction has turned into actual plans! Both versions of this really fun ride, the one at Hollywood Studios Pixar Place in Walt Disney World, and the one at California Adventure in Disneyland will be undergoing a rehab to add a new sequence! Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts will debut in May of this year, replacing “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop.”

 

The new Toy Story Mania! Game sequence is called “Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts.” It will involve shooting virtual darts at all new balloon targets set in a primeval world that is filled with volcanoes and lava balloons. You’ll be cheered on by Rex (the nervous Tyrannosaurus rex) and his new friend Trixie (a blue Triceratops, one of the toy characters from the new film. Walt Disney Imagineering has also added some hidden surprises to the game.

The debut of the new ride sequence will coincide with the debut of a new character at both theme parks! Starting May 9, you will have a chance to see “Lotso”, which is short for Lots-O’-Huggin Bear, at both California Adventure and Hollywood Studios.

Lotso will be greeting guests in the meet’n'greet area located inside The Magic of Disney Animation, and he will take part in the “Block Party Bash” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At California Adventure, the new character will join “Disney’s Pixar Play Parade” and guests will be able to pose alongside the “Toy Story” gang inside a life-sized “blister pack” as if they themselves are toys.

Disney is announcing new things daily, it seems. I can’t wait to see everything, and will be planning my next trip really soon. 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 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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Construction Begins – Fantasyland Expansion at Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World

Disney has broken ground for the expansion of Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. New information has been released, with more concept art, to show us what Disney is up to. There are two phases to this expansion, the first will be completed by October 2012, and the second will be completed one year later.

Here is a list of some of the new fun things that await us when this is completed.

• Mickey and Minnie meet & greets will not be eliminated, but their houses that are in Toontown will be taken out.
• Mickey’s Toontown Fair is closing, but the actual date is not known. Rumors floating around are that it will close in September 2010.
• The actual Theming for the Barnstormer ride has not been decided.
• The Train Station will see a refurbishment, and will be re-themed, as well.
• Pixie Hollow is still in development, so there is not a lot of information available on this area.
• There have been rumors that there will be some type of water feature on Dumbo, but that has yet to be decided.
• The design of Cinderella’s attraction has been pretty much completed. Cinderella will greet her guests in her rags and then guests will help the Fairy Godmother transform her rags into her ball gown right before your eyes.
• Each princess attraction will take 30 to 40 guests at a time, with up to 10 minutes of interaction time with the princesses.
• In Enchanted Tales with Belle you will enter through Maurice’s cottage. You will learn about the magic mirror, and that mirror transports you to the Beast’s castle where you reenact some of Belle’s favorite stories.
• Under the Sea: Ariel’s Adventures has the most advanced and difficult animatronics to have in an attraction, because they made her so realistic, and animated her. Since she is underwater they had to create the illusion that her hair is floating underwater.
• The Ursula in Ariel’s Adventures stands 8 feet tall.

Here are some photos of the concept art that was just released.

Maurice’s Cottage will be part of Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The Dumbo Attraction is one of the main attractions in the new Fantasyland.

The Beast’s Castle looks pretty amazing

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This is going to be an exciting renovation, and I will be watching for updates, and reporting here on anything I find out. Certainly, when this expansion is completed, Fantasyland will be spectacular. I think Walt Disney would be happy with it.

I don’t expect very much of this work being done will impact trips to Walt Disney World, and Magic Kingdom, while the work is being done. Disney is making sure the magic is still alive and well, and I know that a trip to Walt Disney World will thrill any family.

You 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

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Disney Vacation Planning Tools for Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Disney is always on the cutting edge of technology, and some recent changes prove that. When you visit Walt Disney World, you will find some new ways to make your planning, arrival, and touring more magical than ever. Here are some examples.

Let’s start with the planning stages. Do you want to see where you are going on the internet? Check out Google Earth: WDW, and you will be amazed at how close to be there it will make you feel. During the project’s first phase, eight photographers worked for 10 days to shoot all the visible surfaces of Walt Disney World, including every building façade. A total 100,000 photos were taken in all; these became the start for some 1,500 3D models that populate the virtual tour.  Walt Disney World Resort in 3D creates a new level of usability for travel agents and makes detailed information about one of the world’s foremost destinations available to Google Earth’s 350 million users, furthering the Google Earth team’s goal of recreating the world as it really is.

A few other tools that Disney released in the last year, to help make the planning process more fun, and definitely easier, are:

Online Check-In Service: A new Online Check-In service is now available to Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Online Check-In enables Guests the ability to simplify and streamline their arrival by allowing them to go online and provide information about their stay. Within ten days of a Guests arrival, they may enter check-in information, advise the resort of their travel times and request room preferences.

Online Dining Reservations:
Dining reservations can now be made online, offered up to 180 days before the arrival date. Information is also readily available for Guests that have booked a package with the Disney Dining Plan, further clarifying the number of meal entitlements required per dining location. The site will even alert users if their dining location requires separate theme park admission or is during a special-ticket event.

Celebration Advisor: Guests celebrating a magical milestone can make their experience even more spectacular. They may inform Walt Disney World Resort of their celebration or special occasion prior to their visit, and order a variety of products or services – from cakes to firework voyages – to create a customizable “wish list” before they even set foot in the Vacation Kingdom.

Mobile Room Ready Notification: Guests staying at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort now have greater flexibility to begin their vacation the moment they reach their Disney Resort hotel. With this new service, Guests can choose to receive a phone call or text message sent directly to their mobile device that will alert them when their room is ready. Guests need merely to drop off their luggage and pick up their room key, which will be activated the moment they receive their automated message.

Disney also offers a mobile option for touring help in the Disney theme parks, while you are at Walt Disney World and Disneyland California. If you have Verizon Wireless you can take advantage of Mobile Magic. With either a swipe of their fingers or the touch of a few keys, guests can access an array of park features on their Verizon Wireless phones, including:

• Updated attraction wait times and FASTPASS return times for the park they are in
• Locations of their favorite attractions, characters and restaurants, with GPS-enabled maps
• Restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks
• Tips on what’s happening in the parks
• Trivia games to play against other parks guests

New content will continue to be added to the Mobile Magic application as the attractions and opportunities at the Disney parks and resorts continue to evolve.

Exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers, Mobile Magic is available for download and purchase for $9.99 for a 180-day subscription*. Verizon Wireless customers can also text MAGIC to 2777 to purchase the application on a wide variety of feature phones. Download and message charges may apply. Airtime or megabyte data charges may apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications.

Mobile Magic, marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, is the outgrowth of a new multi-year relationship between Disney Parks and Verizon Wireless aimed at enhancing the park experience. Verizon Wireless continues to invest in its nationwide wireless network, and the relationship with Disney means Verizon Wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the parks.

Guests are currently using Verizon Wireless’ technology with Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort.

With all the fun planned for the Summer of 2010, in particular Summer Nightastic! Which starts on June 6, 2010, start planning a Disney vacation now, and you will soon be in the middle of all the fun. You 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

 

 

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More Themed Rooms at Disney Resorts

Disney is getting ready to add some new theming to another Walt Disney World Resort hotel. The Pirate Themed rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort were such a big hit. The idea to create a pirate area turned an area of Caribbean Beach that no one wanted to stay in, to one of the most sought after areas. Trinidad South is the furthest away from everything at the resort, but themed for pirates, it is fun. Not only did Disney create a fun place for guests to stay, they also created a way to make a little more money, as these rooms are priced higher than the standard rooms.

So, where is the next work going to be done? Disney is not saying where exactly. They are saying that they plan to use this idea in their hotels around the world, not just Orlando. There are at least three hotels that are being considered right now. Disney will work with existing rehab schedules, which usually means a resort gets a full renovation to rooms every twelve years. Will it be at Port Orleans Riverside? Maybe they will have a Tom Sawyer area way in the back of the resort? At Disneyland, The Disneyland Hotel in California is being rehabbed now; a multimillion dollar rehab that will go into 2012, and started in August 2009. Rooms are being demolished, right down to the studs. Maybe Disney has some of this new storytelling style of theming planned for the Disneyland Hotel?

I am excited to see how this plays out. Disney is always amazing me.

Visit my website, Franniepoppins.com, or become a fan of Franniepoppins or Our Laughing Place, on Facebook. If you would like help planning your next Disney vacation, and OLP Travel agent will be happy to help you. You 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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