The Walt Disney Company last week detailed a series of new attractions and vacation products that represent one of the largest expansions in its history. The announcement came at a press event on the night before the christening of the new 4,000-passenger Disney Dream cruise ship, the third ship in Disney Cruise Lines’ fleet.
Disney Dream, with its iconic water coaster that takes guests around the pool deck and signature stacks, will begin revenue sailings on Jan. 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Fla., featuring three-to-five-night Bahamian itineraries, including Castaway Cay, Disney’s provide island. As previously announced, the introduction of Disney Dream will allow Disney Wonder, which previously offered the Bahamas itineraries, to sail on a series of new West Coast cruises that will include Alaska cruises sailing from Vancouver this summer, as well as sailings out of the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, before and after the summer.
Disney also updated plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, which is now under way atWalt Disney World Resort . The new attractions and experiences, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland, will be completed in phases starting in 2012, with most new experiences open by 2013.
Among the highlights of that Fantasyland expansion are Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major new attraction during which guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film. Also set to debut is the Castle of the Beast, standing on a hill just across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this facility will offer fast-food service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle's Village, guests will find Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: Guests will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive, re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”
The multi-phase Fantasyland project also will include the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which will take guests on musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.
In Princess Fairytale Hall, Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet guests in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White’s Scary Adventures stands today. Guests also will get to experience a new Storybook Circus that will include two circling carousels of Dumbo the Flying Elephant. There also will be family and interactive games for kids of all ages inside the Big Top. Next door in Storybook Circus, the classic Barnstormer roller coaster gets a new look as well, featuring Goofy as the Great Goofini.
More immediately, Disney last week officially unveiled a new 10-minute sound and light show last week, “The Magic, the Memories and You,” which is projected at night on the outer walls of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. A similar show will make its debut in Disneyland Park in California, but will be projected onto the façade of “It’s a Small World” on select nights beginning Jan. 27.
“The Magic, The Memories, and You!” is themed to Disney stories and features playful animated sequences on the architecture of the buildings. The spectacle is scheduled most nights with up to two shows per night depending on theme park operating hours and other special ticketed events.
As many as 500 images of Disney guests shot that day are projected onto the castle each night the show is presented. Disney PhotoPass photographers capture guests creating new memories as they “smile for the castle.” Sixteen high-powered state-of-the-art projectors will bring the castle to life as that day’s photos and videos “dance” about the famous façade. As classic Disney music weaves in and out of the new “Let the Memories Begin” theme song, turrets spin while the castle shimmers and transforms itself in playful and exciting ways to accompany the guests’ memories of fun, adventure and family experiences. Guests have been celebrating their only-at-Disney memories by sharing their stories and by uploading photos and videos online at www.DisneyParks.com/memories.
Beyond the Magic Kingdom, Disney World is also offering new attractions at its other parks. Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience, made its debut on Jan. 16 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The three-hour adventure, led by expert guides, will immerse small groups in an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest in Animal Kingdom, as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve.
Wild Africa Trek is offered several times daily. Groups are kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari. Reservations for Wild Africa Trek (ages 8 and up) can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Included is a Disney photographer who will provide each trekker with select photos of their experience.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Park in California, a revamped Star Tours adventure is set to debut this May that bridges the gap between the two Star Wars trilogies. It will take guests to Coruscant and other destinations in the Stars Wars galaxy using 3-D immersion for the first time.
Also coming this year at Disney California Adventure is the premiere of “The Little Mermaid-Ariel’s Undersea Adventure,” which will take guests “under the sea” to experience the scenes and magical songs from the popular motion picture. The attraction represents the next big milestone in the ongoing expansion of the park.
Separately, Adventures by Disney has introduced a new Egypt program that is set to begin in April. The new family tour program will feature seven- and nine-night Egypt itineraries, including visits to the pyramids and Great Sphinx in Giza, a Nile River cruise and days and nights in Cairo. In 2011, Adventures by Disney will offer 25 itineraries of six to 13 days in duration on six continents.
Elsewhere, Disney Vacation Club on Aug. 29 will officially open Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The new resort, which will include traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, is being built on 21 acres of oceanfront property roughly 30 minutes from Waikiki. Walt Disney Imagineers, with the help of local architects, artisans and historians, are weaving Hawaiian stories into the buildings, interiors, art and gardens of the resort. Upon completion, Aulani will feature 359 traditional hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas with views of the ocean, mountains and garden grounds.
Disney also updated plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, which is now under way at
Among the highlights of that Fantasyland expansion are Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major new attraction during which guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film. Also set to debut is the Castle of the Beast, standing on a hill just across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this facility will offer fast-food service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle's Village, guests will find Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: Guests will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive, re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”
The multi-phase Fantasyland project also will include the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which will take guests on musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.
In Princess Fairytale Hall, Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet guests in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White’s Scary Adventures stands today. Guests also will get to experience a new Storybook Circus that will include two circling carousels of Dumbo the Flying Elephant. There also will be family and interactive games for kids of all ages inside the Big Top. Next door in Storybook Circus, the classic Barnstormer roller coaster gets a new look as well, featuring Goofy as the Great Goofini.
More immediately, Disney last week officially unveiled a new 10-minute sound and light show last week, “The Magic, the Memories and You,” which is projected at night on the outer walls of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom. A similar show will make its debut in Disneyland Park in California, but will be projected onto the façade of “It’s a Small World” on select nights beginning Jan. 27.
“The Magic, The Memories, and You!” is themed to Disney stories and features playful animated sequences on the architecture of the buildings. The spectacle is scheduled most nights with up to two shows per night depending on theme park operating hours and other special ticketed events.
As many as 500 images of Disney guests shot that day are projected onto the castle each night the show is presented. Disney PhotoPass photographers capture guests creating new memories as they “smile for the castle.” Sixteen high-powered state-of-the-art projectors will bring the castle to life as that day’s photos and videos “dance” about the famous façade. As classic Disney music weaves in and out of the new “Let the Memories Begin” theme song, turrets spin while the castle shimmers and transforms itself in playful and exciting ways to accompany the guests’ memories of fun, adventure and family experiences. Guests have been celebrating their only-at-Disney memories by sharing their stories and by uploading photos and videos online at www.DisneyParks.com/memories.
Beyond the Magic Kingdom, Disney World is also offering new attractions at its other parks. Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience, made its debut on Jan. 16 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The three-hour adventure, led by expert guides, will immerse small groups in an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest in Animal Kingdom, as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve.
Wild Africa Trek is offered several times daily. Groups are kept small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari. Reservations for Wild Africa Trek (ages 8 and up) can be arranged by calling 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Pricing for this unique adventure will vary seasonally. Included is a Disney photographer who will provide each trekker with select photos of their experience.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Park in California, a revamped Star Tours adventure is set to debut this May that bridges the gap between the two Star Wars trilogies. It will take guests to Coruscant and other destinations in the Stars Wars galaxy using 3-D immersion for the first time.
Also coming this year at Disney California Adventure is the premiere of “The Little Mermaid-Ariel’s Undersea Adventure,” which will take guests “under the sea” to experience the scenes and magical songs from the popular motion picture. The attraction represents the next big milestone in the ongoing expansion of the park.
Separately, Adventures by Disney has introduced a new Egypt program that is set to begin in April. The new family tour program will feature seven- and nine-night Egypt itineraries, including visits to the pyramids and Great Sphinx in Giza, a Nile River cruise and days and nights in Cairo. In 2011, Adventures by Disney will offer 25 itineraries of six to 13 days in duration on six continents.
Elsewhere, Disney Vacation Club on Aug. 29 will officially open Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The new resort, which will include traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, is being built on 21 acres of oceanfront property roughly 30 minutes from Waikiki. Walt Disney Imagineers, with the help of local architects, artisans and historians, are weaving Hawaiian stories into the buildings, interiors, art and gardens of the resort. Upon completion, Aulani will feature 359 traditional hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas with views of the ocean, mountains and garden grounds.
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