Posts Tagged ‘Disney vacation planning’
Gated Community
After a prolonged transition away from the class structure featured onboard traditional ocean liners, many cruise lines are once again embracing the segmenting of passengers into different categories, offering a number of special perks to a select group willing to pay the price. “Clubs,” “Havens,” “Concierge;” whatever the nomenclature used, they represent an elite level of accommodations and service. Disney Cruise Line has always provided a Concierge staff to assist guests staying in suites on Disney Dream and Disney Wonder, but with Disney Dream, and soon on Disney Fantasy, they have also upped the ante with a more definitive Concierge experience.
It begins with pre-cruise assistance from a delightful shoreside staff. Your Whimsical World Travel concierge works hand in hand with these cast members to ensure that your preferences are noted, your arrangements are booked, and your questions are answered.
On embarkation day, regular passengers are assigned a specific group number and must wait until their number is called before they can board. As a Concierge guest, you can arrive, check-in, and board at any time once the ship begins boarding, typically beginning at about 11:00 a.m. There is a special check-in area reserved solely for Concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Cay members. After your documents have been processed, you are personally escorted past the waiting crowds and handed off to a crew member who conducts you up to the Concierge Lounge on Deck 12. There, you will be greeted by the onboard Concierge staff at a private welcome reception and invited to enjoy snacks and beverages until your stateroom is ready. One of the Concierges will review your personal cruise itinerary with you and assist with any additional arrangements for the youth activity programs, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, etc. Don’t confuse this custom itinerary with the Personal Navigator which is distributed daily to all passengers. Your itinerary is created specifically for your group and lists all your activities and reservations as well as events of note.
Access to the Concierge areas is facilitated by your special Key to the World card. A gentle touch of the card opens doors for you! Tucked behind the locked filigree gates on Decks 11 and 12 are the beautiful Concierge staterooms and suites. Corridors have been upgraded to reflect a decidedly yacht-like environment with beautiful wood tones and metallic finishes, and the accommodations are marvels of design and technology. The color scheme with its more vibrant colors is a pleasant change from the beige and greige of so many other shipboard suites.
Family staterooms have the trademark “split” bath which features a vanity, sink, and toilet in one room, and an additional vanity and sink along with the tub/shower in a separate room; a boon for families.
Suites have two full baths; one with a large shower and the other having both a shower and an indulgent oval Jacuzzi air tub. Lovely fixtures and accessories sparkle and the wonderful behind-the-mirror television is perfectly positioned to enjoy while taking a luxurious bath. You’ll find robes and slippers, upgraded bedding, and a fabulous “Pillow Talk” program offering a wide selection of pillow options for the perfect night’s sleep.
There are two additional televisions in the suites, one in the bedroom and another in the living area. Additional closet space, dining tables, and large balconies ~ particularly in the Royal Suites which also feature a private hot tub outside ~ make these accommodations the perfect home-away-from-home for your next vacation. You can spend quality time with your family right in the suite, enjoying complimentary DVD’s and popcorn, as well as in-suite dining from any of the rotational restaurants if you prefer to “stay in!”
The Concierge Lounge is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and offers a variety of food and beverage items throughout the day including breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts. There are two “Special Gatherings” each evening prior to both dining times during which guests can enjoy complimentary cocktails in addition to non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Board games and magazines are available and the Concierge team is always on hand to answer questions and assist you with every request. Photo Gallery folders for Concierge guests are conveniently stored in the Lounge rather than down on Deck 4 in Shutters.
Accessible from both the Concierge Lounge and Deck 13 forward is the lovely Concierge sundeck. With padded lounges and sunbeds, a misting station, cushy chairs and pillows, and baskets of bottled water and sunbathing amenities, it’s a peaceful and pleasant oasis, particularly on port days.
Concierge guests can also take advantage of complimentary iPad rentals as well as 100 minutes of free internet use per room.
If you are already considering a Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah, you may be pleasantly surprised by the difference in cost to move up to the Land of the Starfish (next to every stateroom door is a small sea creature – fish for port side, seahorse for starboard on each of the other decks, but starfish for all Concierge staterooms). We invite you to contact a specialist at Whimsical World Travel to start planning your own amazing Concierge cruise!
Reflections on a Dream #1
It’s gorgeous! The Disney Dream may be the most beautiful cruise ship currently sailing. Disney ships always stand out from the crowd when docked beside other vessels. With their sleek and elegant lines, they look decidedly different from the floating shoebox shape that defines the more typical cruise ship style. With Disney Dream, the classic interiors which are the hallmark of the brand are elevated to a new level.
Make no mistake; this is an enormous ship. At 1115 feet in length, it’s less than 70 feet shorter than the world’s largest cruise ships. With a maximum capacity of 4,000 passengers, it is significantly larger than Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Since Disney ships have the highest load factor in the industry due to the number of children sharing staterooms with adults, they often do sail at close to full capacity.
The public spaces are marvels of Art Deco design, with glossy woods and rich jewel colors. The entire ship boasts amazing technology ~ Virtual Portholes for inside staterooms; “Enchanted Art” that comes alive when guests move toward it; state-of-the-art RFID keycards; a fabulous new system for locating and viewing onboard photos; behind-the-mirror televisions in suite bathrooms; stateroom “wave” phones that can be carried around the ship and on Castaway Cay to keep in touch; “Living Character” interactive experiences in the kids’ clubs and Animator’s Palate restaurant; a Magic Playfloor for younger children and digital nooks and giant screens in the teens’ area. The “windows” of the Skyline Lounge offer guests panoramic views of different cities.
On deck, passengers can experience the AquaDuck water coaster, watch movies on the “Funnel Vision” screen and enjoy the only fireworks at sea. The repertoire of the ship’s whistle has been expanded to include musical motifs from five different famous Disney tunes.
Along with this unparalleled innovation, Disney Dream borrows many of the popular features enjoyed on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ~ Buena Vista Theatre, Disney Cruise Line’s movie palace that shows first-run movies, many in 3-D, throughout the day and evening; the Quiet Cove adults-only area with pool, bar, and Cove Café as well as a spa and adult lounges, bars, and music and entertainment venues; and, a variety of family-friendly activities.
Disney is, first and foremost, an entertainment company, and this extraordinary breadth of experience and creativity informs the whole environment. There are original live stage productions every evening and character appearances throughout the day. Dinners are another “show” opportunity and every shipboard detail picks up a thread of the story that weaves its way from stem to stern.
Most cruisers will spend at least one day on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; a tropical playground for all ages. Disney Dream is sailing three- to five-night itineraries in the Bahamas for 2012. In March, it will be joined by its sister ship, Disney Fantasy which will feature 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.
Standing Tall
It’s a rite of passage for many smaller Disney guests – discovering that they are finally tall enough for the attraction of their dreams. For every adult who’s terrified of Disney’s mountains, there are three fearless young children begging to be allowed boarding privileges. They’ve stood and watched sadly as older brothers and sisters happily stepped into ride queues while they were left behind; victims of the dreaded “baby swap.” Or worse still, they might be forced to walk off with one parent to do allegedly “fun things” while the others went in a different direction to enjoy all the really cool stuff. Finally, their day has come; they are able to “hit the mark” and board that highly-anticipated ride!
Many of the most exciting rides have specific height requirements. These guidelines help ensure that all passengers are safe; tall enough to be protected by the headrests, belts and other safety features built into the ride vehicles.
Typically, there will be two checkpoints at an attraction and children must not be able to walk under the bar. Although shoes are allowed, this regulation is very strictly enforced and cast members do not make exceptions for “almost.”
We’ve included a link to Walt Disney World’s most recent official listing of height requirements for specific attractions:
Joining the ranks of the Big Kids – one of the many reasons families return to Disney Destinations year after year!
Magic by the Month – December
It is a month of contrasts. The beginning of December is a favorite of Disney veterans who take advantage of the great weather and lower crowds during the first couple of weeks. The week between Christmas and New Year is the single busiest one of the year. During this holiday period, it’s not unusual for the Magic Kingdom to reach full capacity and close the gates to new arrivals as early as 10:00 or 11:00 a.m.
It is festive and beautiful – perhaps the single most beautiful time of year to visit Walt Disney World – with parks and resorts dressed to impress and the daily schedules a whirlwind of special events, activities, and holiday performances. There are so many different things going on it’s impossible to list them all! As the calendar counts off the days until Christmas, each resort begins to add its own roster of special holiday happenings.
Fast Facts
Special Events: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party continues, typically until about December 19th, at which time the Christmas Parade replaces the daytime parade in the Magic Kingdom for the remainder of the season. The Castle Dream Lights sparkle and Wishes becomes Holiday Wishes for a few special days. There are regular performances of the Candlelight Processional and the storytelling of Holidays Around the World in EPCOT. Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom can enjoy Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights draws the crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Festival of Seasons offers seasonal entertainment and Santa meet-and-greets. In fact, Santa really gets around the Walt Disney World Resort!
The Voices of Liberty don their holiday finery for concerts of seasonal music at the American Adventure and many of the resort lobbies ring with good cheer as various choruses, choirs, bell ringers, soloists, and musical groups serenade guests.
Attendance levels: From the sublime to the ridiculous – expect lower attendance for the first couple of weeks escalating to the highest numbers of the year during Christmas week. Guests visiting for the first time after the middle of the month should understand that crowds will be fierce. The parks are crowded, the parking lots are jammed, the roadways are busy, the buses and monorails are full; it’s difficult to overstate just how massive the crowds are. Expect long waits for attractions and transportation; be prepared to wait at every turn. Be certain to make dining reservations well in advance and plan to visit with a relaxed attitude, knowing that this will be a time to slow down and enjoy each moment as it comes.
Weather: It can be breezy and balmy or crisp and cold. In the past few years, the temperatures have climbed well up into the 80’s and crashed into the 20’s. December of 2010 was the coldest ever recorded for this area.
Packing: If there was ever a time to pack for all possibilities, this is it. As the departure dates nears, we suggest checking the ten-day forecast at weather.com!
World of Coloring
The beginning of each new year is traditionally a time to look forward, and many people start dreaming about vacations. It’s easy to forget that the actual trip is just a small part of the overall vacation experience. You may only travel for a few days, but the planning process can last for many months, and the memories will be with you for a lifetime. Disney vacations are a great source of family fun and there are lots of ways to involve everyone in the process and keep them excited about the trip, which may seem very far away:
As soon as your make your reservation with Whimsical World Travel, your Concierge will arrange to have a Disney Vacation Planning DVD delivered to your home. We suggest setting aside an evening, making some popcorn, and watching it with your entire group.
Have each person make a list of their must-see attractions at the different parks. Particularly when you’re traveling during peak times, following our top tips, and having a plan to visit these attractions first, will keep everyone happy.
Download a countdown clock for your computer to keep abreast of the exact time until your departure disneytime15
Wrap up a number of small gifts for the kids. Once a month, give them one to open. These can be practical items they will need for the trip, or Disney-related treats to help make the vacation special. Your final document package from Whimsical World Travel will also contain a special surprise or two!
Print out these special coloring pages for a Disney fix on a rainy afternoon.
Down the Rabbit Hole
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.
Scratching Your Head?
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!
News and Views
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 14th 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.
Is a Vacation in Your Future?
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.”
Signature Steak
Interesting news today regarding Le Cellier, one of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World: beginning in March of 2011, those on the Disney Dining Plan will have to “fork” over two table service credits to enjoy dinner here as the evening meal becomes a Signature dining experience. Lunch is currently slated to remain a one-point option.
It’s a picturesque stroll past flowing streams and bright flowers to the entrance of Le Cellier, located at the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Home of the famous Canadian cheddar cheese soup, pretzel bread, Canadian chocolate “moose,” and the ever-popular-but-soon-to-disappear one-credit steak dinner, Le Cellier has long been one of toughest reservations to obtain.
Review: I’m probably going to get bashed for this one, but I have never understood the popularity of this restaurant. Yes, the food is decent and I do love it when the server steps up and says, “Hi, my name’s John and I’ll be your Canadian tonight.” But the reasons for the effusive praises from thousands of guests elude me. Of course, I don’t really “get” Dole Whips either (gasp) so I’m obviously not in step with the majority.
Le Cellier means cellar, or more kindly, wine cellar, and the interior evokes all the charm this word implies – dark, dreary, and windowless. The tables are very crowded, often making it difficult to get in and out of chairs. The servers, while pleasant and helpful, seem rushed and overwhelmed at times, which can translate to a less than relaxing meal for the diners.
Yes, the cheese soup and pretzel bread are both yummy, and the chocolate moose is one of the cutest things you’ll ever see on a plate. Steaks, while perhaps not of the same quality as those found in high-end steakhouses, have been a bargain at only one table-service point. For two points, look to Yachtsman at Disney’s Yacht Club for the best steak at a Disney restaurant, and save Le Cellier for lunch.
Menus
Le Cellier
EPCOT, Canada Pavilion
Dinner 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
