Archive for the ‘News and Special Offers’ Category

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.

September 8^th marks the closure of another well-loved Walt Disney World attraction, Star Tours, as it undergoes dramatic changes before re-emerging in 2011 as an exciting new immersive, 3-D adventure.  Disneyland’s Star Tours closed on July 27^th, while the version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going out in style with a “Last Tour to Endor” party on August 14^th.

Loyal fans of this perennial favorite seem to be looking forward to the planned “reimagining” which will include new journeys to familiar Star Wars destinations.  A new ride system and motion-simulator, hi-def video and 3-D technology, as well as new special effects, promise an out-of-this-world experience. We’re hearing talk of podracers, prequels, and multiple ride experience possibilities.

Currently, the attraction is scheduled to reopen in Disneyland on May 9, 2011 and at Walt Disney World on May 16, 2011.

Reservations are now being taken for 2011 vacation packages at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.  This is good news for those who enjoy the anticipation of a Disney vacation.

Booking early allows guests to ensure their first choice of accommodations, and leaves plenty of time for planning and getting the jump of those all-important dining reservations.

A $200.00 deposit will hold your Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort vacation package reservation and you can sit back and relax.  The Concierges at Whimsical World Travel track all special offers and will have your reservation modified to reflect any savings from available, applicable specials.

There’s no risk to secure a reservation – deposits for packages without airfare are fully-refundable (except for the cost of optional travel insurance) up to a minimum of 46 days before your departure.  So:

“Rap on a table, it’s time to respond,
Send us a message from somewhere beyond.

Wizards and witches wherever you dwell,
Give us a hint by ringing a bell.”

Disney traditionalists, and there are many of us, are often dismayed by the changes that take place at the Disney parks.  Beloved attractions and shows come and go; names change; old is replaced with new.  While we all understand that change is good and helps to keep our favorite destinations fresh and interesting, some of the decisions seem inexplicable.  New is not always better – the destruction of the iconic trees at Disney’s Contemporary Resort being a case in point.

At a time when there is major new construction going on at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, things are happening fast.  We can only guess what future story line has required Cinderella’s Golden Carousel to become the Prince Charming Regal Carousel or what other “improvements” are planned.

How delightful, then, to learn today that the WEDway PeopleMover, renamed Tomorrowland Transit Authority in 1994, will once again be a PeopleMover. Now, if the new Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover would only magically lose the sterile and boring narrative in place since the recent refurbishment, and embrace the charming recording we all love, we would happily keep all forward-facing tentacles clear of oncoming metroliner vehicles!

After years of languishing in limbo, the area originally planned for an expansion of Disney’s Pop Century Resort will now be the site of a new Value property, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Building is slated to begin this summer with an opening in  2012.

Adding nearly 2,000 rooms to the current inventory, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will feature four of Disney’s more current animated films, Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.

Three of the wings will offer a total of 1,120 new family suites; welcome news for those needing a more moderately-priced option for parties of five or six.  The Little Mermaid wing will have 864 standard rooms.  All units will feature specially-themed interiors; an extremely popular choice at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort where the pirate-themed rooms are in demand despite their higher cost.

Guests can also expect the same fun and fantasy they’ve come to appreciate at the other Value resorts, with work already begun on giant sculptures of the movies’ most well-loved characters.  Different, themed courtyards will allow guests to feel as though they have stepped into a movie!

After a year of declining sales of travel to virtually all destinations around the world, and strong discount offers on Disney products, changes are expected for 2010.

Disney C.E.O. Bob Iger recently announced the company’s plans to “dial back” specials during the upcoming year.  As we mentioned in the post Family Values the company has viewed promotions not only as a means of keeping attendance high, but as a tool to attract a new demographic of people who might otherwise not have taken a Disney vacation.  As most visitors know, once bitten, there is generally no cure for the Disney bug!  Guests can expect not just the usual rate increases that each new year brings, but fewer deep discounts than they may have seen in the past.

Whether you’ve chosen concierge-level accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, or are traveling on a budget for a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you want the best value for your vacation dollars.  Here are some recommendations to help minimize the impact of increasing prices:

Pay attention to the season. The price for the same room fluctuates hugely over the course of the calendar year.  Room rates are affected by weekend dates, holidays, special events, and the Disney “season.”  If your travel dates are flexible, your Concierge will inform you about the differences in pricing from one season to another.  Often, moving your plans forward or backward just one week can save many hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.

Consider a Disney Dining Plan. There are three major costs associated with a Walt Disney World vacation:  accommodations, park tickets, and food.  While transportation costs will vary from guest to guest, these three will be major components of just about everyone’s trip.  Although most guests find food prices very much in line with their expectations, they still add up quickly. A Disney Dining Plan is a wonderful way to plan ahead for this expense and saves most visitors money.

Review the inclusions for each package. The most commonly requested Disney vacation package is the Magic Your Way package with the standard dining plan, park tickets with the Park Hopper option, and Disney’s Magical Express transportation.  Guests often forget that there are several different types of packages and the Magic Your Way package is almost infinitely customizable.  Try to avoid paying for the elements you don’t need and spend those funds on the things that are important to you.

First-time visitors or those with very young children may not need the Park Hopper option but might really appreciate the convenience of private car service with a stop at a grocery store.  A couple celebrating an anniversary may find the Deluxe Dining Plan suits their wishes for a relaxed and indulgent experience.  The park-commando group may not want to take the time for a table-service meal and choose the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Golfers often discover that the Premium Package offers them the best value.  Your vacation is unique and your travel arrangements should suit your own style.

Some careful planning will help you put that Disney vacation on the calendar for 2010!

Torn between a vacation to an exotic locale and a relaxing cruise?  Disney has the solution!  Book one of the selected Adventures by Disney departures and receive a FREE three-night Disney cruise.

Choose China, pick Peru, or travel closer to home with destinations in North America.  Explore the cities of Europe or safari in South Africa.  From Australia to Alaska, Adventures by Disney offers itineraries all over the world, and every one promises the quality and attention to detail that you’ve come to expect from a Disney vacation.

All-inclusive and hassle-free, these immersive experiences bring history to life as only Disney can.  Expect exceptional accommodations, unique dining, carefully-chosen activities and cultural programs for all age groups, VIP admissions and access, and special surprises.  Planning, transportation, luggage handling, gratuities; all the minutiae of travel are taken care of, leaving you to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Imagine the memories of snorkeling in the Galapagos or shearing sheep and snacking on scones in Ireland; shared by grandparents and grandchildren.

Best of all, choose from selected departures in 2010; book between October 26, 2009 and January 15, 2010, and enjoy a three-night Bahamian cruise in 2010 or 2011.  There are lots of sailings to choose from:

2010 Cruises
Scheduled departures between:
•  January 07, 2010 to May 20, 2010
•  August 26, 2010 to November 21, 2010
•  December 02, 2010 to December 16, 2010

2011 Cruises
Scheduled departures between:
•  March 03, 2011 to April 14, 2011
•  April 28, 2011 to May 26, 2011
•  August 25, 2011 to November 20, 2011
•  December 01, 2011 to December 15, 2011

Learn more about the Adventures by Disney program and start planning for some amazing travel in 2010!

Representatives from the Disney Company and attraction sponsor, Raytheon Company, were on hand October 14, 2009 for the ribbon-cutting of EPCOT’S newest exhibit, Sum of All Thrills.

Located in Innoventions, this interactive presentation allows guests to design and fine-tune their own customized thrill rides, then step into simulators to experience their creations.

Visitors get a glimpse of the math and science principles behind their selections as they craft their own one-of-kind rides.  Then, with feet dangling and heads enclosed in hoods, they rise ,suspended by huge robotic arms, and move through the twists and turns of their handiwork.

There is a whole range of intensity available, so the exhibit can be enjoyed by thrill-seekers and coaster-wimps alike.  Each guest can select from a variety of scenarios and customize elements such as speed and inversion to suit their individual comfort levels, then “test” the results before riding.  Expect long lines as visitors flock to build and board their own personalized “attractions.”

Sum of all Thrills

EPCOT  Innoventions

Minimum height requirement 48″; 54″ if design includes inversion

Park admission required

Take advantage of Disney’s latest offer for vacation packages from November of this year through March 27 of 2010.  Purchase a regularly-priced Magic Your Way package and receive additional nights and park tickets free.

For stays in select Disney Value Resorts, guests who purchase a package that includes five nights and a five-day park ticket will get two additional nights and two extra days of park admission free of charge.

Those choosing a Disney Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resort can book a four-f night stay, four-day ticket package and receive three more nights and tickets at no additional cost.

This exceptional offer must be booked by December 20, 2009 and is applicable for most nights from November 1 to 24, 2009, December 8 to 24, 2009, and January 3 to March 27, 2010.  Special pricing includes a base ticket and accommodations.  Ticket options and dining plans can be added to these discounted packages at regular prices.  Only a limited number of rooms are available; contact Whimsical World Travel to start planning your magical vacation soon!

Disney Parks will continue the popular “What Will You Celebrate?” theme in 2010 with a new focus.  At a time when many are facing challenges, Disney has chosen to celebrate volunteerism for the coming year.  Hoping to inspire one million people in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada to contribute a day of service, Disney will reward program participants with a one-day ticket to a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort.

Guests who are visiting on a vacation package or have an Annual Pass or Passport can choose one of the following:

• a special FastPass for the participant and up to five additional guests
• a collectible Ear Hat figurine with trading pins
• the option to donate the ticket to a designated non-profit organization

Beginning January 1, 2010, individuals six and older may log onto the dedicated “Give a Day. Get a Disney Day” program website to search and sign up for a selected activity.  Upon completion of the service, Disney will email a confirmation certificate which can be exchanged for a ticket to be used on the day of redemption or upgraded to a multi-day ticket or Annual Pass at additional cost.  The one-day ticket will be valid for most days through December 15, 2010 with the following exceptions:

• March 29 to April 8, and July 4, 2010 at the Walt Disney World Resort
• February 13 and 14, March 21, June 21 and 22, July 4, November 21, and December 11 and 12, 2010 at the Disneyland Resort

For more information about the program, and to sign up for email reminders, visit the website and start planning your own special celebration!