Archive for the ‘News and Special Offers’ Category

Beginning July 26, 2011, tickets will be available for the 2011 season of EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional Dinner package.  Performances will begin on November 25^th and run through December 30^th, with three shows daily at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

This annual favorite features a beautiful performance of seasonal music by a large chorus comprised of the wonderful Voices of Liberty, a cast member choir, and numerous guest choirs from around the country, accompanied by a full orchestra.  The highlight of each show is the reading of the Christmas story by a special celebrity narrator.

Prices are tiered to reflect both the dining venue and choice of lunch or dinner.  Guests with either the Magic Your Way Plus Dining or the Magic Your Way Plus Deluxe Dining plans can use two table-service credits.   Those on the Premium and Platinum plans can substitute the dinner package for one of their meals.

We’ve provided a downloadable document with complete details including a current list of guest narrators and a pricing chart for the various restaurants participating in this year’s package.

We invite you to review past posts for more information about the Candlelight Processional programs.

With an announcement today, Disney Cruise Line seems to have joined the mass-market ranks by deciding to offer last-minute deals to the general public.  Facing a huge increase in inventory with the arrival of the new Disney Dream and the upcoming Disney Fantasy in 2012, it would appear that they are planning early for the possibility of unoccupied space with these new “categories.”

This is a major departure from the policy of offering the best prices to those who booked early and is something of a slap in the face to those loyal cruisers who happily made their plans long in advance, secure in the knowledge that their willingness to commit was being rewarded.  Previously, we saw discounted staterooms sometimes offered to military personnel and Florida residents.  Beginning later this month, three types of discounted, guaranteed cabins may be available on selected sailings; cabins which can be booked by anyone.

There are severe restrictions that come along with these reduced fares for inside, oceanview, and verandah staterooms, including full, non-refundable payment at the time of booking.  The reservation cannot be transferred or modified in any way, and no stateroom selection or special requests are permitted.  Room assignments will be made at the discretion of the Disney Cruise Line one week before departure.  Only the stateroom category is guaranteed.

Guests wanting to secure these accommodations need to be ready with complete information including legal names and birthdates for all occupants.

Unlike previous special offers which could be applied to existing reservations, these special fares are only available for new bookings.  It will be interesting to see how this is greeted by the cruising public.  One of the many things that set the Disney Cruise Line apart was its unwillingness to undercut its most loyal customer base.  Walt Disney World attempted to introduce a room-booking policy a few years back that alienated hundreds of thousands of Annual Passholders before it was quietly laid to rest.  Disney Vacation Club has terminated a number of perks that were previously available to its members, a group that may well be the greatest Disney fan base of all.  Perhaps these “fares with special restrictions” will not be so low as to upset those already holding reservations.  Perhaps the restrictions will seem so egregious to most that the new policy will just sail by, unremarked.

Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort can take advantage of an early holiday gift this year in the form of special dining discounts at selected locations during specified hours.

Coupons are valid before noon or between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.   Click on these links to print your coupon for Walt Disney World or Disneyland, or look for them in the Times Guide at Walt Disney World, the Holiday Entertainment Guide at Disneyland, and at the bottom of selected receipts at both locations.

At Walt Disney World, enjoy a 30% discount at these favorite Quick-Service spots from December 19, 2010 to January 1, 2011:

Magic Kingdom Park

• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Columbia Harbour House
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Epcot

• Electric Umbrella
• Liberty Inn
• Sunshine Seasons

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Backlot Express
• ABC Commissary
• Studio Catering Company

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Flame Tree Barbecue
• Pizzafari
• Restaurantosaurus
• Tamu Tamu Refreshments

If you’re planning a visit to Disneyland between December 19, 2010 and January 3, 2011, take advantage of the same savings at these popular venues:

Disneyland Park

• French Market Restaurant
• Hungry Bear Restaurant
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
• Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port
• Tomorrowland Terrace

Disney California Adventure Park

• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
• Lucky Fortune Cookery
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Taste Pilots’ Grill
• Award Wieners

With rather extraordinary fanfare, Disney Parks made its latest announcement an hour ago.  I spent a puzzling half-hour on facebook with 10,000 other viewers, watching the live feed.  I have to assume many more were logged in through the Disney Parks Blog site since that was completely unavailable.

It was fascinating to read the comments coming in as the presentation made its ponderous way forward.  Obviously a group of true believers, even the most diehard members of the audience became discouraged as the show rolled on.   By the end of the broadcast, the comments were almost 100% negative; surprised, dismayed, and negative.  It wasn’t so much the content; it was the failure to deliver on the heels of so much hoopla.

Supporting the research which indicates the importance of vacation memories, the new “Let the Memories Begin” campaign will give guests the chance to share their own photos and videos and see them projected on the façade of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort, or It’s a Small World at Disneyland Resort.  There was a rehash of old news about the World of Color, new Disney Cruise Line ships, park expansions, Aulani.  Very nice; very anticlimactic; very disappointing to the vast majority who very clearly were expecting something a great deal more dramatic.

Despite the public’s love affair with the notion of sharing the mundane details of daily life with the world, there is obviously a different set of standards when it comes to corporate pronouncements.  Still an evolving concept, social media outlets are being embraced by business with mixed results, and this appears to have been a misstep.  While it may be acceptable for Disney to publish tidbits and trivia on its blog and fan page, it seems that using them to whip people into a frenzy of anticipation about a “big” announcement which turns out to be small after all, is not.  There was a lot of speculation regarding this “exciting news;” pretty much all of it far exceeding the somewhat ho-hum rollout of the new marketing campaign.  Can’t help but feel that there’s a lesson here for us all – go big or go home.

Announcements today from Euro Disney S.C.A., which owns Disneyland Paris in partnership with the Walt Disney Company, indicate permission has been granted by the French government for a planned expansion and the construction of a new theme park.  This third park would join Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, enlarging the area by as much as 700 acres.

Of course, there is much speculation about plans for the future expansion including the possibility of a superhero-themed park, a housing development, and a “vacation village” which would feature thousands of new hotel rooms as well as a forest and a lake.

Despite a history of financial struggles, Disneyland Paris has become the top tourist attraction in all of Europe, bringing the magic to millions of visitors since first opening in 1992. Originally called Euro Disneyland, it was renamed Disneyland Paris in 1994.  Today, the resort, known as Parc Disneyland in France, comprises two theme parks, hotels, restaurants, retail shops, convention facilities, and a golf course.

With dazzling colors and dizzying performances, Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba is a standout for visitors of all ages.  Difficult to describe yet impossible to forget, this extraordinary show combines music, dance, acting, and acrobatics with brilliant costuming, for a production that is breathtaking and unique.

If you don’t already have tickets for your upcoming visit, you’ll be paying higher prices for all regular season seats beginning September 28, 2010.  Costs will range from $75.62 to $132.06 for adults, and $60.71 to $105.44 for children ages 3 to 9.  The two higher categories, Front and Center, and Category 1, reflect an increase of $5.00 for adult tickets and $2.00 for children.  The price will be raised $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children on seats in Category 2 and Category 3.  No changes have been planned for holiday pricing which runs from December 21, 2010 to January 1, 2011.

In February of this year, La Nouba added the amazing juggling routines of Anthony Gatto, and a new rope-skipping segment became part of the show in July.

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED

One of Disney Cruise Line’s most popular special offers is back for early 2011.  Sail away to the Caribbean in a Verandah Stateroom and two full-fare adults can bring the kids along for free.  Choose from most seven-night voyages between January 8 and March 5, 2011.

The Disney Magic is sailing both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, all of which include a call at Castaway Cay, Disney’s beautiful private island.  Visit our Special Offers Page for full details and take a peek at the Disney Cruise Line brochure for more information on the complete cruise schedule for 2011.  Start off your new year with an unforgettable winter cruise in the tropics – request a proposal and begin planning today!

On September 12^th, the book will close on Storytime with Belle in the Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom.  Happily, it seems that Belle is awaiting the construction of her new home which will include an expanded version of Storytime: Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The area will be reimagined and open on October 15^th as a play and greet area featuring the stars of the upcoming movie “Tangled.”  Rapunzel, the princess with magical hair who has been imprisoned in a tower her entire life, and dashing bandit Flynn Rider who accidentally discovers her, will be on hand to greet guests at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks.

This new animated film, scheduled to be released this November, has been designed to recreate the look of classic fairytales, with details and ambiance inspired by Disneyland’s Fantasyland.

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.

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!