Posts Tagged ‘Disneyland’

Planning a visit to Walt Disney World this summer?  There are lots of amazing surprises in store as Disney launches Summer Nightastic!  The most exciting news is the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Arriving in June of 2010 for a limited engagement, this wondrous parade returns with magical enhancements including a brand new lead float featuring Tinker Bell.

The original “light parade,” the Main Street Electrical Parade in Disneyland, was modeled on Walt Disney World’s Electrical Water Pageant which remains one of the World’s best-loved attractions, nearly forty years after its debut in October of 1971.

Initially, some of the floats that made up the Main Street Electrical Parade had flat screens mounted on platforms, much like the screens mounted on the barges of the Electrical Water Pageant.  Over the years, the light parades have undergone many changes – moving from park to park; being copied for one park from another; renamed, replaced, reincarnated.

SpectroMagic has enjoyed two long runs in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World; a second version of the Main Street Electrical Parade also ran in the Magic Kingdom for a number of years before moving to Disneyland Paris, and the original Disneyland parade was featured there briefly during the Millennium celebration.  Dreamlights, Fantillusion, Light Magic; none had the staying power of the Main Street Electrical Parade which finally returned to Disney’s California Adventure as Disney’s Electrical Parade in 2001.  Since then, there have been upgrades and additions which combine new themes and technology with the classic feel of the original.

In addition to the new parade, guests will be treated to a spectacular summer fireworks show, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is receiving a special effects makeover, and there are more new entertainment features yet to be announced.  Stay tuned!

One of California’s finest exports, Soarin’ has been a star attraction at EPCOT since it debuted in 2005 as part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth event that marked Disneyland’s 50^th anniversary.

Experience some of the most memorable sights, sounds, and smells of the Golden State enhanced by a deeply-moving soundtrack from composer Jerry Goldsmith.

Technology delivers a series of stunning illusions as you glide over ocean, mountain, and desert, buzz the deck of an aircraft carrier, and swoop through the night and into Disneyland.

Enjoy the fragrance of sun-warmed oranges or the crisp scent of a pine forest; the rush of ocean breezes as you skim the waves, so close to the water that you lift your feet to keep from getting wet.

More than four years after its introduction, Soarin’ remains a hugely popular attraction.  While interactive games have been added to the stand-by queue to help pass the time, it can be a very long wait; head directly to The Land upon entering EPCOT and pick up a FastPass.

Soarin’

The Land, EPCOT Future World

Continuous performances daily

Approximately 5 minutes

Guests must transfer from wheelchair to ride seat

40″ minimum height requirement

Park admission required

If you’re fortunate enough to be in the Magic Kingdom first thing in the morning, you might catch the Dapper Dans jumping off the Main Street Trolley for the first of their nine daily performances.  They stroll up and down Main Street U.S.A., in and out of shops, and, of course, spend time at the Harmony Barbershop.  Each day at 5:00 p.m., they join the Main Street Philharmonic for the Flag Retreat.

In Disneyland, the Dans have been a fixture since 1959 and are often seen on a classic Schwinn four-seater bicycle, specially commissioned years ago by Walt Disney.  They also roam by byways of Hong Kong Disneyland, delighting guests with their four-part harmonies.

The Dapper Dans entertain the crowds with a lively mix of song, dance, and comedy, featuring the vintage charms of the unique and melodious Deagan Organ Chimes.  Look for their striped vests, colorful hatbands, elegant sleeve garters, and the occasional well-waxed handlebar mustache, the next time you visit the parks!

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!

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

In the travel industry, there is always a great deal of attention paid to the concept of “value.”  Value is not simply about the cost of a commodity, but rather the perception of how the product measures up to its price.  While $75.00, for instance,  might not be considered an inexpensive price for a day’s entertainment, consider just a few of the many things included with that one-day admission to a Disney Park: 

• a safe, clean, well-planned and meticulously-maintained environment with extraordinary buildings and exquisite grounds and facilities, representing hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure
• countless rides and attractions
• the ability to meet and interact with iconic characters
• several world-class parades
• Broadway-quality stage shows
• elaborate fireworks
• numerous musical and dramatic performances throughout the day featuring singers, dancers, actors, jugglers, magicians, acrobats, artists, and musicians playing everything from trombones to trash cans
• multiple modes of transportation including bus, boat, train, monorail, even a horse-drawn trolley
• thousands of smiling, helpful employees dedicated to guest satisfaction
• twelve to fifteen hours of enjoyment

When compared with the cost of tickets to special museum exhibits and historic buildings (admission to Biltmore is as much as $59.00), or tickets to concerts (a Boston Symphony Orchestra seat can run up to $115.00; want the best view of a Coldplay concert? try $803.00), plays (lowest price for The Lion King on Broadway, $80.00), and sporting events (standing room only for Red Sox/Yankees – more than $125.00), it begins to look like a bargain.  The $26.00 per day cost of a ten-day base ticket now seems like an absolute steal.

The Walt Disney Company has just announced that third quarter revenues for its parks and resorts reflected a 9% decrease.  At the same time, overall attendance numbers for U.S. parks are up 3%; something quite obvious to anyone who has tried to get a room or dining reservation this year.  A number of outstanding promotions during 2009 have underpinned these surprisingly strong figures at a time when many travel products are showing much higher losses. 

More interesting are the comments from Disney executives, who spoke about the visitors themselves.   It seems that these special offers have attracted an entirely new guest demographic, a group who had never before visited and would never have come if not for the promotional pricing.  These specials have also enticed many past guests to take an additional, unplanned Disney vacation. 

But, most tellingly, research revealed that there has been a positive change in visitors’ perceptions of the “value” of a Disney vacation, something that loyal Disney guests have long appreciated.  There is the expectation that this renewed sense of the intrinsic worth of the Disney experience will result in return visits.  While the term “inexpensive Disney vacation” may well be an oxymoron, there are many who feel there is no better vacation value.

The spa experience, appreciated by other cultures for generations, has truly been embraced by the American audience over the past ten or fifteen years.  Disney has risen to the challenge, offering facilities at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in Disneyland; Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa at Walt Disney World; the availability of in-room treatments at the Disney Resorts; spas onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder; and even cabana massages on Disney’s beautiful private island, Castaway Cay. 

It is a highlight of many Disney park and cruise vacations, and we get such glowing reports from guests about their spa experiences that I wanted to be able share my own spa stories.  Alas, I was the last spa holdout on the planet.  

Now, the whole thing sounds so wonderful in theory: gentle, restorative massages; brisk, citrusy exfoliations; warm, petal-strewn baths; relaxed, limp-noodle results.  Say all you want, however, about professional draping, and professionals pursuing their professions with professional professionalism; the bottom line:  you’re in a room naked being rubbed by a complete stranger.  Relaxing; are you crazy?  I would leave with so much tension in my neck and shoulders, I wouldn’t be able to move my head for a month.    

Still, I did want to familiarize myself with the spa, so I decided to try a manicure – how traumatic could that be?  I made appointments at the Grand Floridian Spa and went with a friend.  We were ushered into a quiet and peaceful area with subdued lighting and shown through the treatment rooms, the lounge and locker areas, and the whirlpool room.  The atmosphere was hushed and serene and even a simple manicure was made special with a pampering hand and arm massage.  

I had a chance to chat with a number of different patrons in the pleasant lounge where cool drinks and herbal teas are available.  It turns out that almost everyone was fairly intimidated by the idea of their first spa treatment.  Each person had a story, but all agreed that the Disney cast members go out of their way to make the experience as comfortable as possible.  If you’re not thrilled with the idea of fully undressing, you can dip your toe in the spa waters by choosing a type of treatment, such as a facial or reflexology massage, that doesn’t require it.  Even full-body massages can be accomplished while wearing a swimsuit, although a better treatment can be provided if you are willing to disrobe.  Keep in mind that you will be left alone to undress and untreated areas are fully covered by a drape at all times. Also, you can indicate your preference for a male or female massage therapist.  Generally speaking, swim suits and/or robes are worn in most other areas such as the whirlpool.  Expect to tip about 20% and don’t be surprised at the sales pitch for the spa products.  

While I did find this all very interesting, and even somewhat reassuring, I still haven’t made the leap.  Meanwhile, current spa aficionados looking for a truly luxurious and inclusive spa vacation are invited to consider our Grand Indulgence itinerary.

For now, if you see a stiff, obviously unmassaged person (with nicely-manicured nails) walking around Walt Disney World – that would be me!!

As someone who has celebrated Christmas at Walt Disney World for the past ten years, I can appreciate how special it is to start new holiday traditions.  This year, consider one of the featured Adventures by Disney Holiday Getaways for a unique and unforgettable vacation.  Enjoy a VIP backstage experience at Disneyland.  Visit the lands of Knights and Lights with a memorable journey to London and Paris.   Hike, bike, and swim through the deserts, rainforests, and reefs of Australia.  Explore the extraordinary world that is South Africa.  For more information,  contact us.  We’d be happy to answer your questions or email a brochure!

I recently finished reading a book about an enormous building project; one that turned a somewhat desolate area into a wonderland.  Different sections of the huge park offered such an extraordinary variety of displays, shows, dining venues and recreation that it attracted visitors from all over the globe. 

People came both to be educated and entertained.  In one area, cultures from around the world were showcased;  in another, an amazing new amusement ride, different from anything ever seen before.  There were shows featuring popular personalities and an endless array of dining possibilities. 

The  grounds were glorious with beautiful landscaping and ongoing maintenance to keep them spotless.  Small boats glided across bodies of water, carrying delighted passengers from place to place.  Extravagant white buildings sparkled in the sunlight.  The forward-thinking planners utilized an infrastructure that featured advanced transportation, sanitary, and waste-handling systems.  Everyone who visited agreed that it was like stepping into another, more perfect world.  

It was the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893.  Thousands of men had worked to make real what many thought would never be more than a dream.  Amongst them was a carpenter named Elias Disney, who told many stories about his work in that magical place; stories that were not lost on his young son, Walt.