Archive for August, 2009

What’s beautiful coming and going and, on September 1^st, will be roaming the new Pembe Savannah at Kidani Village?  It’s the okapi, only living relative of the giraffe.

The okapi has a velvety coat with distinctive striped markings on its hindquarters and front legs, reminiscent of a zebra.  But its pretty face with large liquid eyes, upright ears, and a long, prehensile tongue, reveal its true kinship.

Individuals from many disciplines including Disney Animal Programs, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Horticulture, have worked together to conceive and build the habitat which will feature a number of other animals in addition to the okapis.  This multiple-species area is an unusual and very special environment for the okapi in captivity.  Their shy and solitary nature, excellent hearing, and nocturnal habits make them difficult to observe in the wild.  Native to the Ituri Rainforest in central Africa, the okapi was known to the ancient Egyptians, but not classified as a species by Europeans until the early 1900’s.

Housed in their new specially-designed barn, the okapis will share their six-acre savannah with a variety of neighbors including geese and cranes, impalas, nyalas, Red River hogs, and yellow-backed duikers.

The Pembe Savannah will not connect to the main savannahs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge so guests hoping to get a glimpse of the retiring okapi must visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.  Those not staying in one of the savannah-view villas can take advantage of viewing opportunities from hallway windows and the Samawati Springs pool deck.

In the wake of recent announcements about the status of the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line is sharing plans for upcoming enhancements to Castaway Cay.

The new, larger ships will carry more passengers to the private retreat and improvements will help ensure that all guests continue to have a magical experience on the beautiful island.

Expansion plans include relocating the stingray experience and teen areas to allow for an enlargement of the family beach, as well as the addition of private cabanas offering several tiers of service.  Guests will be able to swim out to Pelican Plunge, two corkscrew slides floating in the lagoon, and enjoy a new wet deck with geysers and a spring-a-leak play area.

An added tram stop is planned further down the beach and will include a nearby restaurant – Cookies Too, a bar, restrooms, and shopping venues.  Completion is expected by the summer of 2010; make plans now for your Disney Cruise vacation!

I have no choice; I must use the most overworked word in the Disney vocabulary.  There’s simply no other way to describe SpectroMagic – it’s just plain magical.  We all have our favorites at Walt Disney World; sights, attractions, characters, shows; things that embody our personal experience.  This is mine.  It’s color and music, fun and excitement; it’s beautiful and imaginative and unforgettable.

Miles of fiber optics, holographic images, and more than a half a million lights produce a mesmerizing spectacle that winds its brilliant way through the Magic Kingdom, lighting up the night. The parade celebrates many of the most-loved Disney stories in music and light.  There are small one-man floats that twirl and twinkle, and characters’ costumes glow with lights.  The wings of butterflies sparkle and flowers bloom in shimmering white, then burst into a rainbow of color.

If you’re fortunate enough to visit when there are two parades scheduled, plan to watch the second one.  You can take advantage of shorter lines at the attractions during the first parade, and  the late-night showing is typically less crowded.   Arrive early to find a great viewing spot and “let pure enchantment light your way.”

SpectroMagic

Magic Kingdom

Check Times Guide for schedule

Approximately 20 minutes long

Park admission required

Disney gives dog lovers a lot to smile about.  Great dogs are not only the stars of many animated features, but they pop up in unexpected places at every Disney destination.  We thought we’d share a few of our favorites!

The famous jailhouse dog delights us in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Everyone feels a tug of sympathy seeing the poor little emaciated pup slinking by in the gloomy graveyard of the Haunted Mansion.

Although he’s not very furry, RoboDog at Space Mountain certainly has more than his share of personality.

Visitors to Downtown Disney always enjoy seeing the wonderful Lego dogs strolling along the sidewalk.

Our top pick?  The sweet dog in the Carousel of Progress who stays by his master’s side through generations of kitchens, his head bobbing and his tail wagging softly.

The keel has been laid for the new Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream. Florida’s Port Canaveral will welcome the Disney Dream in 2011, followed by the Disney Fantasy in 2012.  The port itself is being upgraded with a new multi-level parking structure and enlargement of the Disney terminal.  With 1250 staterooms, both new ships will be significantly large than their fleet-mates.

The Disney Magic will add new ports of call during 2010 with a return to the Mediterranean and a new Northern European itinerary which will include Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia.  Announcements indicate plans to expand to other parts of the globe as the new ships are launched.

The Disney Wonder, ranked #1 large cruise ship for 2009 by Condé Nast Traveler, will transition to its new home, the Port of Los Angeles, beginning in 2011.  With its unique family-oriented niche and the outstanding service guests have come to expect from the Disney company, Disney Cruise Line really does offer something for everyone!

From September 25 to November 1,  the Disneyland Resort celebrates Halloween Time.  This year, the  Haunted Mansion celebrates its 40^th birthday, and the classic attraction, which has lost none of its appeal over the years, is reimagined for Halloween as the Haunted Mansion Holiday starring Jack Skellington and his associates from Halloweentown.  Space Mountain undergoes its own transformation to become Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, and even the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror gets additional spooky touches.

Visitors can tour Candy Corn Acres and enjoy more than 300 pumpkins as Main Street, U.S.A. hosts the Pumpkin Festival.  Woody’s Halloween Roundup treats kids to a fun show and the chance to try their hand at some themed crafts.  Even the residents of the petting zoo get into the holiday spirit with Halloween-print bandannas.  There’ll be some special seasonal merchandise available including costumed plush and Halloween Mouse Ears.

Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party at Disney’s California Adventure offers guests a chance to wear costumes, meet the characters wearing their own special holiday outfits, and of course, collect plenty of candy.

Both parks are brimming with seasonal décor and feature lots of meet-and-greet opportunities with the Villains; even Downtown Disney offers its own spooky surprises.

Halloween Time

Disneyland Resort

September 25 to November 1, 2009

Park admission required

Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party October 2 to October 31, 2009

7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Tickets $32.00 to $42.00

Despite the fact that millions of children may never have seen the movie that inspired it, Dumbo the Flying Elephant remains one of the most beloved rides of all time.  This spunky little pachyderm has managed to fly to the four corners of the earth, and now appears at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney.

Based upon what is, perhaps, the most charming animated film ever produced, Dumbo teaches us many lessons:

• the beauty of friendship

• the value of recognizing and utilizing all of our assets

• the transformative power of belief in ourselves

It’s a gentle flight over Fantasyland; each Dumbo car equipped with a control that allows riders to raise and lower their elephants as they slowly circle around.

The huge popularity of the ride coupled with its slow loading means the lines get very long, very quickly.  For those families whose vacations will be absolutely ruined without the Dumbo experience, we turn again to our favorite tip: get to the parks early!  Head immediately to Dumbo the Flying Elephant and join the queue.  For many little kids (and big kids, too),  it will be one of the most memorable moments of their visit.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney

Wheelchair guests must transfer to the ride vehicle

Appropriate for all ages

Park admission required

As the 14th annual EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival draws near, guests are reviewing the schedule and making plans.   One event with a loyal following is the Party for the Senses.  Despite hefty price increases over the years, this program continues to draw enormous crowds.  The Party is held every Saturday night during the Festival in the World ShowPlace venue and offers an embarrassment of gastronomic riches.  Attendees are presented with a wine glass and plate at check-in and set loose to wander, cocktail-party style, throughout the massive space.

It’s a grazer’s paradise and an opportunity to sample many imaginative creations, savory and sweet, at dozens of tasting stations.  There are also more than 50 wines and beers on offer, representing both famous and less well-known wineries from around the world.

A central stage features entertainment though, sadly, it is no longer provided by members of the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.

Changes for 2010 include the debut of the Wine View Lounge.  For an additional fee, guests can enjoy a private area with reserved tables and some extra amenities and menu items.  The Party will also feature different themes each weekend:

• September 26    Spanish Cuisine, Chef Douglas Rodriguez
• October 3    Comfort Foods with a Twist
• October 10    South American Cuisine, Chef Jeff Tunks
• October 17   Classical Cuisine
• October 24   Asian Cuisine, Chef Alan Wong
• October 31   The Fall Harvest, Chefs Cat Cora and Tory McPhail
• November 7   Italian Cuisine

While a number of the other special events held during the Festival sell out quickly, this large-capacity extravaganza offers many more guests the opportunity to participate in a truly unique wine-and-dine experience.

If I have made it sound like a must-do affair, let me say that, despite its popularity, I heartily dislike this event.  Tickets include preferred seating at the early performance of that night’s Eat to the Beat concert.  The suggestion is for guests to enjoy the music and then make their leisurely way around to the World ShowPlace to attend the Party.  In fact, regular attendees know full well to avoid the concert and head straight for the Party to line up early for entrance.  Many will be waiting an hour or more before the doors open, for one reason – to get a seat.  When guests are allowed to enter, there is a mad dash to grab a table; a somewhat unfortunate contradiction to the sophisticated ambiance that the elegant food is meant to evoke.

Amazingly, a good number of the guests, who have paid $135 each to attend, will never find a place to sit.  They will be reduced to roaming around on tired feet, trying to juggle a wine glass, a plate, a napkin, the little dish holding the food sample of the moment, and any personal items they’ve carried in, while attempting to “enjoy” the food.  It’s not unusual for arguments to break out throughout the evening as people vie for precious table space, or a place to rest a park-weary body.

The last time I attended, there was a large area just inside the entrance devoted to a display of table settings.  I found this very interesting and spent at least ten minutes walking around, but did not see one other person stop to look during the entire time I was there.  I can’t help but think that guests would have been better-served if this space had been used for additional tables and chairs.  I have been told that some steps were taken this past year to address the issue.  That the “solution” for 2010 is to offer a guaranteed chair for an additional $75.00, boggles the mind.

I was ready to leave after a half-hour of wandering around looking for any flat surface and finding none, and I won’t be attending again until Disney rethinks their approach to seating.  Happily, there truly is something for everyone at Walt Disney World, and the Party for the Senses seems to be the “something” for quite a few visitors.

Party for the Senses

World ShowPlace, EPCOT

Every Saturday during the Festival 9/26 to 11/7, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

$135.00 per person

Wine View Lounge additional $75.00 per person

Reserved seating at 5:45 performance of Eat to the Beat Concert included

Park admission required

It’s twilight in the village and the sky has turned a deep cobalt blue.  A Mayan pyramid looms close by and in the distance, a volcano glows and smokes.  In the courtyard just beyond the cheerful evening marketplace, colorful tables and chairs beckon hungry shoppers to sit by the river and enjoy the local fare.  The beautiful San Angel Inn, located inside the Mexico pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT, serves lunch and dinner in south-of-the-border style.

Review: This restaurant always garners mixed reviews for its highly Americanized and recently pared-down menu.  While certainly a cut above the local fast-food offerings, many of the items, although arguably more authentic, will seem bland to lovers of true Mexican cuisine.  The popular Plato Mexicano has been removed from the menu, and a very nice ceviche is only available intermittently.

The  atmosphere is truly stunning but the dining experience is marred somewhat by tables which are far too close together, making it difficult for the wait staff to move through some areas, and for diners to enjoy a private conversation.  Service seems very hit or miss; sometimes outstanding, sometimes slow and uninspired.

While many refer to the ambience as “very romantic,” there’s nothing romantic about the constant camera flashes near the front of the restaurant from those hoping to capture a photo of the beautiful interior.   Arrive early for your reservation and request a table by the river to enjoy the boats drifting by.

San Angel Inn

Mexico, World Showcase, EPCOT

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dinner 4:30 p.m. to park closing

Park admission required

It’s the crème de la crème of Walt Disney World vacation packages, the indulgent Platinum Plan; a treasure box filled with all the jewels from around the Walt Disney World Resort.  You’ll feel truly pampered by the array of services and experiences that are part of this comprehensive offering. Complimenting the many features of Disney’s Premium Plan, the Platinum Plan offers an enhanced line-up of benefits.

Take a voyage across the Seven Seas Lagoon or Crescent Lake to view Wishes at the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT’s Illuminations: Reflections of Earth on a special fireworks cruise.

During your stay, enjoy reserved seating for a showing of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In addition to the numerous recreational opportunities detailed in the Premium Plan, racing thrills await at the Walt Disney Speedway where you can jump in a stock car with a professional driver for the Richard Petty Ride Along Experience.

Dining options are expanded to include the outstanding Five-Diamond restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s, and you may reserve in-room childcare as well as visits to the Children’s Activity Centers.

Additions the to Premium Plan’s roster of behind-the-scenes tours include the more “immersive” Dolphins In Depth Tour, EPCOT DiveQuest Tour, EPCOT Seas Aqua Tour, and the spectacular seven-hour Backstage Magic Tour.

Your complimentary spa treatment will leave you relaxed, refreshed, and ready to explore the many possibilities of Disney’s Platinum Plan.

Preserve those vacation memories with both the professional portrait sitting and print package and a separate PhotoPass PhotoCD for all those photos taken by the PhotoPass photographers located throughout the parks and resorts.

It’s a vacation fit for royalty and certain to bring out the Prince or Princess in everyone!