Archive for August, 2010

Mission: SPACE, one of the most highly-anticipated attractions to open at Walt Disney World, represents the culmination of 40 years of actual man-hours, as well as technologies specifically invented for this ride.  Designed to allow passengers to experience space flight in a realistic way, Mission: SPACE was built in cooperation with former astronauts and NASA personnel.

The “back story” is very much front and center as guests, or “trainees” at the International Space Training Center, are assigned a role and join a crew of four to complete a training mission that will help prepare them for the first manned flight to Mars.

The stunning Planetary Plaza at the entrance includes some of the most imaginative and beautiful detail to be found in any park.  The glowing replica of Mars with its dramatic red color stands close to the enormous 16-foot-diameter sphere of Jupiter.  Earth is encircled by a ship in flight and the model of our moon features plaques on its surface that commemorate each lunar mission.

The queue area is dominated by an enormous gravity wheel, and showcases fascinating displays and a review of the “history” of space flight.  The gravity wheel sports one of three tributes to Horizons, the attraction that formerly occupied the site.

After an informational video, astronauts-in-training board the flight simulators for a spectacular journey that includes lift-off, a slingshot maneuver around the moon, hypersleep, and Mars landing, along with some special challenges to test the crew.

There are two different ride experiences to choose from:  the original, very intense “orange” version which simulates weightlessness and g-forces by means of a centrifuge; and the alternate “green” version which retains the motion simulation but forgoes the physically-challenging centrifuge effects.  There are multiple alerts and warnings throughout the attraction which detail the health conditions that may be adversely affected by the ride.

The post-show area is not to be missed, with interactive games and activities, a themed play area for kids, and an opportunity to send a “Postcard from Space.”

Employees of Hewlett-Packard, the current sponsor, have access to the Red Planet Room where they can relax and enjoy complimentary beverages, play games, watch television, and use an internet-connected shared laptop.

Mission: SPACE

EPCOT, Future World

Approximately 6 minutes

Guests must transfer from ECV to wheelchair and then to ride vehicle

FastPass available

Video captioning and translation devices available

Park admission required

Photo by Jonathan

Even though it’s still summer, in “Disney Time” the holidays are right around the corner.  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts in just a few weeks and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, one of the highlights of the Christmas season, begins on November 8^th and runs on selected nights until December 19^th.

It’s a magical night filled with special entertainment, spectacular fireworks, and the only opportunity to see the Christmas parade after dark.  Also, the first presentation of Castle Dream Lights takes place on the night of the first party, November 8.

The 2010 dates for this merry annual event are:

November – 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, & 30
December – 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19

7 p.m. to 12 midnight

Ticket Prices for 2010, not including taxes, range from $53.95 to $59.95 for adults and $47.95 to $53.95 for children.  Lower prices reflect advance purchase savings which are not available for all dates.

If you’re booking your Walt Disney World vacation package with Whimsical World Travel, your Concierge will be happy to make arrangements for your party tickets.  You can choose to have them waiting at Will Call for pick-up after you arrive, or request downloadable e-tickets.  For an additional charge, your tickets can also be shipped.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families – why not make it one of yours?

Another tantalizing image, courtesy of our friend Peter Lee who recently returned from a visit to Tokyo with an extraordinary collection of photographs.  Here’s a delightful detail from Aunt Peg’s Village Store in Tokyo Disneyland where you’re sure to fall in love with Old Cape Cod!

Walt Disney World is encouraging long-range planning with the release of one of its most popular specials, the Free Disney Dining Plan, through September 29, 2011.

Also announced yesterday, two other ways to save for travel on selected dates from October 3, 2010 to February 16, 2011:  a Gift Card Offer and reduced room rates.

With so many options to consider, you may be as confused as Alice! So, how do you find the best value for your vacation?

First, make note of the blackout dates. There are a number of periods, particularly for the Free Dining Offer in 2011, that don’t qualify.  If you can be flexible about your travel dates, you may be able to take advantage of an offer.  Holidays and peak weekends are seldom included in these specials.

Review the requirements of each offer. If you’re only planning a short trip, the Free Gift Card package, for example, won’t be applicable as it includes a minimum stay of five nights.

Pay attention to your resort category. Each of these offers has a tiered structure with a more inclusive dining plan, a larger gift card, or deeper discount for the more expensive resorts.  Depending upon your package preferences, a higher resort category can sometimes cost the same or less than a lower category.

Consider your travel party. Typically, families with several children staying in a Value resort will obtain the highest savings from a Free dining offer.  Smaller groups, particularly those choosing a Deluxe resort, will generally get a better value with a package that includes a reduced room rate.

Book early. The number of rooms available as part of special pricing is always limited.  The earlier you make a reservation, the greater your selection of resorts, views, and room locations.  Remember that your deposit of $200.00 holds a package and is fully refundable if cancelled prior to 46 days before departure.

Contact the Concierges at Whimsical World Travel. They will review all the options and find the best values for your magical vacation!

Visit our Special Offers page to get the full details on all Disney Destination deals.

The lights of Main Street U.S.A. seem to be captured inside these colorful balloons.

One of Walt Disney World’s most exquisite gardens is but a short walk to your right as you enter the World Showcase at EPCOT from Future World.  Inspired by the famous Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, the Victoria Gardens at the Canada Pavilion offer a serene and beautiful landscape enhanced by towering rocks, splashing waterfalls, and peaceful ponds.

The gardens are just one of the treasures to be discovered In “Canada” where a rich cultural heritage and the glories of the great outdoors are celebrated.

Home to the CircleVision 360° movie, O Canada, which offers visitors a spectacular look at the diversity of Canadian terrain, wildlife, city and country, peoples and pastimes, it is also the location of one of the most popular restaurants in EPCOT, Le Cellier.  Observant guests will discover numerous details that reflect the many faces of our neighbor to the north.

The architecture is decidedly French; the “Hotel du Canada” based upon Ottawa’s turreted Chateau du Laurier.

Massive totem poles and artifacts represent the quiet yet powerful presence of dozens of Native tribes who have lived across the breadth of this country, from the Northwest Territories to Newfoundland.

And of course, the wonderful Off-Kilter reminds us of the deep Scottish roots of the Maritimes.

When you’re ready to shop, Northwest Mercantile really pulls out all the Canadian stops with lots of maple syrup and maple leaves, plaid, hockey, moccasins, and soapstone carvings!

What was once simple is becoming increasingly complex with each passing year.  Not so long ago, Walt Disney World had four “seasons.”  Guests could travel during the Value, Regular, Peak, or Holiday season and their stay would be priced accordingly.  Better yet, with a little flexibility, a trip could be planned with an arrival date in a lower-priced season, and even if the season changed during that stay, the price for the entire trip still reflected the less-expensive rates.  This made it easy, not just to plan a vacation, but to compare various options.

In keeping with the policies of most of the hospitality industry, Disney began to tweak this arrangement by pricing on a day-by-date basis.  Rates changed to reflect the start of a new season in the middle of a vacation; weekends became more expensive than weekdays.  Instead of simply Christmas and New Year, a premium was assessed for a number of different holiday periods throughout the year.

2011 sees the addition of a secondary, more expensive, Value season and a brand new Fall season.  The primary Value season of the past has been reduced to a few weeks in January and February, interrupted by increases for holiday weekends and the Marathon period.  The months from September through December, which were previously a mix of Value, Regular, and Holiday Seasons, with lots of Value weeks, will now reflect some Holiday rates, as well as the pricier Fall and secondary Value prices.

Coupled with a number of new room categories, the jumble of rates presents a challenging terrain for those navigating the vacation-planning process.  Let one of the Concierges at Whimsical World Travel be your guide!

Photo by Jeff Bergman

For 2011 Walt Disney World has announced a variety of changes to package inclusions and cancellation policies, room rates, and seasons; all of which we’ll be sharing over the next weeks.  One of the most interesting modifications is the addition of new room categories at a number of the resorts.  While this will allow guests to reserve guaranteed room locations and views, it means that preferences which previously could be requested will now come at a fixed additional cost.

Of note is the fact that particular views are perceived as having so much importance that in some instances, a standard room with a premium view costs more than a concierge-level room with a less-desirable view.

Here are some of the categories for Standard and Concierge rooms; keep in mind that Deluxe Resorts also offer a variety of Suites and Deluxe Rooms with prices that are determined by category rather than view:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: A new Arusha Savannah View is an addition to the previous Savannah View.  This pertains to non-concierge rooms only and includes an option for Arusha View with standard bed configuration and Arusha View Bunk Bed rooms.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Concierge rooms are now available in Standard, Garden, or Lagoon Views.  The Standard View is parking lot or rooftop, while the new Lagoon View guarantees a fifth-floor room with a Crescent Lake vista.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn: Regular rooms can have a Standard View of gardens, leisure pool or parking lot, or a Water View which looks out over the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake.  In concierge, all standard rooms will overlook a courtyard, leisure pool, or the Boardwalk.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort: The Standard and Garden Views in the Garden Wing, and the Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom Views for both Standard Tower and Atrium Club Concierge rooms have been retained for 2011.  The 14^th floor Tower Club is still priced according to room or suite type rather than view.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Regular rooms continue to be offered in Garden, Lagoon, and Theme Park Views, while the Standard Royal Palm Concierge rooms in the main building come with or without a guaranteed Theme Park View.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Garden, Lagoon, and Theme Park Views are offered in both Standard and Concierge rooms.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: No changes for 2011; Standard, Woods, and Courtyard views are still available for regular rooms, with hit-or-miss on the concierge floor.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Same options as Disney’s Beach Club although overall, the Yacht Club views tend to be superior.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Room types include Standard View and a Water View that can be either pool or lake, King-bed, Preferred location, and Pirate-themed rooms with either Standard or Water Views.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: This resort also features Standard and Water Views, King-bed and Preferred location rooms, as well as a range of suites.

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: Standard and Water Views and a King-bed room are joined by the new River View category for 2011.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort: In addition to King-bed and Preferred location, Standard View, and Water View which may be of the river or pool, room choices now include a guaranteed River View for an additional charge.  Trundle-bed rooms will always be assigned to parties of five since other room categories only accommodate a maximum of four guests.

Value Resorts: Both Standard and Preferred location categories remain for 2011 as well as the Family Suites at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.

Your Whimsical World Travel Concierge is familiar with all the different room categories and views at each resort and will help you choose the perfect “room with a view” for your vacation.