Nov 12 2014

Disney World News – The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Returns

A favorite Disney World holiday tradition returns to Hollywood Studios again this year! Here’s the scoop from Disney:

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall. The rich tradition takes place on the Streets of America, dazzling guests from November 7, 2014 – January 4, 2015.

If you aren’t going to be able to see the lights in person this year, please enjoy this video from 2011 that gives the history of the display as well as a sample of the Dancing Lights!

Happy Holidays!

Nov 4 2014

Disney World News – PhotoPass Photos Automatically Linked To MagicBands

A great new feature! If you’re wearing an active MagicBand on select Walt Disney World Resort attractions, your photos will be automatically associated to your My Disney Experience account. You don’t have to do anything. In fact, if you’ve worn your MagicBand on one of the participating attractions in the last 45 days, you should be able to find that photo in your account now. Don’t have a MagicBand? Don’t worry. They’re making it easier for you, too. Recently Disney turned on new touch points at Magic Kingdom on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. So after you ride, simply find your photo on the preview wall and touch your park ticket or Memory Maker card to the touch point to associate your photo. Disney expects to have photo touch points installed at Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks by mid-November. Beginning soon, guests wearing active MagicBands will have attraction videos automatically associated to their accounts as well. Videos are currently available for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

I just returned from Disney World a couple of weeks ago and when I logged into my My Disney Experience account today, I was pleasantly surprised to find all of my attraction photos right there for me to review and purchase. What a nice surprise!

What do you think of this new feature? Please leave a comment!

Oct 30 2014

Disney World News – Early Release Of Infinity 2.0

If your kids are anything like mine, they are obsessed with video games and with Infinity specifically. My boys actually each have their own Infinity sets, because they are just that into it. When they heard that a new Disney Infinity 2.0 version was coming out with Stitch in it, they immediately had their sights set on getting it. My boys will have to wait for the national release on Tuesday, November 4, but good news for fans in the Orlando area! This weekend on November 1 and 2, there will be an early release of one of the Disney Infinity 2.0 Starter Packs at the Once Upon A Toy store in Downtown Disney. This Disney Infinity 2.0 Starter Pack contains Merida and Stitch and will cost $59.99 plus tax. A limited number of guests will also get the added bonus of one complimentary Disney figure with the purchase of the starter pack at Once Upon a Toy this weekend. Plus there will be Game Developers on hand throughout the weekend providing game demonstrations. Arrive early to be one of the first to get Disney Infinity 2.0 and a free Disney Interactive Game Piece! (supplies are limited)

Oct 30 2014

Early 2016 Disney Cruise Line New Itineraries And Ports

Beginning today you can book your early 2016 cruise on the Disney Cruise Line. The popular Caribbean ports of Tortola and Martinique are being added to some of the itineraries. Here’s the scoop from Disney Cruise Line:

Sail January through April in 2016 and discover spectacular itineraries, magical experiences and breathtaking ports-of-call. Enchanting destinations include the Caribbean islands of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and the charming French island of Martinique.

New for 2016

Choose from an array of dazzling destinations and itineraries in 2016:

Itineraries:

Southern Caribbean Itineraries — Back by popular demand, Disney Cruise Line returns to San Juan, Puerto Rico in early 2016 as the Disney Wonder sails four cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including to the French island of Martinique, a new port of call.
Western Caribbean Itineraries — Explore glorious Western Caribbean stops on cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral.
Eastern Caribbean Itineraries — Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida to the Eastern Caribbean with stops in—Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Bahamian Itineraries — Disney Cruise Line will sail from Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas on a variety of itineraries. All of these cruises include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

New Ports:

Port of Tortola — The British Virgin Islands are an idyllic escape for guests of all ages, from tranquil beaches and stunning scenery to exhilarating activities and authentic Caribbean fare. Guests can swim with dolphins, explore centuries-old ruins, sample local spices on Main Street and revel in the natural beauty of Sage Mountain National Park aboard most Eastern Caribbean sailings.
Port of Martinique — Known as the “Flower of the Caribbean,” Martinique offers breathtaking natural beauty and a cosmopolitan blend of French and Creole cultures. Nature lovers can explore lush rainforests, waterfalls and volcanos, while Guests looking for a more upscale experience can savor superb French cuisine and excellent shopping aboard four limited Southern Caribbean sailings.

Make your reservation today, online by clicking here, by calling 888-325-2500 or by clicking the image below and filling out the quote form with my friends at Destinations in Florida!
Don’t delay – these itineraries may fill up quickly!

Oct 29 2014

Disney World News – New Restaurants Announced For Disney Springs

Earlier this week the details of two new restaurants located in the reimagined Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) were released. The first location, opening in the spring of 2015, will be the BOATHOUSE featuring steak and seafood. The second location, opening in summer of 2015, will be Morimoto Asia offering pan-Asian cuisine. Here are the latest details from Disney Parks Blog:

It was just announced that Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who many of you know from his appearances on Iron Chef America, is opening a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort. Morimoto Asia will be the Japanese master chef’s first-ever pan-Asian restaurant featuring flavors from across the continent. This Disney Springs dining destination will include unique exhibition kitchens showcasing traditions like Peking duck carving, and dim sum. “I’m very excited to bring this new concept to Disney, something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Chef Morimoto. “It’s a wonderful chance to share some of my favorite foods from across the Asian continent.” The two-story restaurant is scheduled to open in the Summer 2015 at The Landing (formerly Pleasure Island) in Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia will feature waterside seating, terraces, a grand hall and a cocktail lounge.

Also today, another new concept dining experience, The BOATHOUSE, was announced for The Landing in Disney Springs. The BOATHOUSE will be an upscale, waterfront dining experience that’ll immerse guests both on land and on water with live music, guided tours aboard the Captain’s piloted 40-foot Italian Water Taxi with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and guided Amphicar rides that launch from land, enter the water, and take guests on a 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs. “We are very excited that the BOATHOUSE is joining the Walt Disney World family at Disney Springs,” says creator Steven Schussler. “Walt Disney Imagineering has created a wonderful, interactive, culinary and entertainment experience at Disney Springs. We are proud to be part of this magical experience.” The BOATHOUSE will open in the Spring of 2015 in Disney Springs. The restaurant’s gourmet menu (served daily until 2 a.m.) will feature steaks, chops, seafood and a raw bar. The BOATHOUSE is the latest project of Schussler Creative, the creators of Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex and Yak & Yeti at the Walt Disney World Resort.