A Message From Josh D’Amaro — Happy New Year: Reasons to Celebrate!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Happy New Year!

Last year was incredible … so before we get any further into 2023, I want to thank each of you for what you did to help our guests plan their Disney visits. For many, the magic starts long before they get to our parks and cruise ships. It starts when they take their first step in turning their dream vacation into a reality by contacting their preferred travel professional.  As I’ve said countless times before… for those guests, the magic starts with you.

I know there has been a lot of change over the past few years and I want to thank you for making sure your clients understand the changes and are prepared when they arrive as our guests. As you know, we are constantly adapting our business to create a better experience for guests, and to build a foundation so we can introduce new stories and experiences in the future.

As we enter 2023, we’ll have lots of new reasons to celebrate together. TRON Lightcycle / Run at Walt Disney World along with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, World of Color – ONE and Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Resort are all opening this year… we’ll be celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary … and bringing back old favorites to the parks, such as Happily Ever After and Magic Happens.

As we move into the new year, it is important that we continuously evolve to help deliver the best guest experience possible. So, I want you to be among the first to hear about a few enhancements that we are making – specifically ones that our guests have asked for and you’ve shared with us. And while this doesn’t address everyone’s feedback, these changes will increase flexibility and add value to our guests’ experience.

At Disneyland Resort:

  • significantly increasing the number of days – nearly two months’ worth over the coming year – that we’ll offer our lowest-priced one-day, one-park ticket at $104
  • offering more flexibility with our Park Hopper ticket, giving Guests the ability to begin crossing over earlier (starting at 11 a.m.), beginning February 4
  • providing complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital downloads of attraction photos for all ticketed park guests, beginning February 4 throughout the Disney100 celebration
  • making Magic Key passes available for sale more times during the year as inventory becomes available

At Walt Disney World Resort:

  • beginning in the next few months, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today
  • making changes that will help our guests get the most out of their visit, such as including complimentary self-parking for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels beginning this evening, January 10
  • beginning in the next few months, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ service will also receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge

Additionally, we’ve announced several new offers over the past few weeks, including at Walt Disney World, 2-, 3- and 4-day Florida Resident Disney Weekday Magic tickets and a special package offer that includes a Disney Dining Promo Card for guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels. We are also offering a 3-day SoCal Resident weekday ticket for $73 per day through late May at Disneyland Resort.

I’m excited about all of these changes and offers and want you to know that we are committed to listening, adapting, and staying relentlessly focused on making the guest experience at our Disney parks even better.

We have a bright future together… and I want you to know how much I appreciate all that you do for our guests.  I know that many of you are Disney fans yourselves… and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it when you stop me in the park to tell how you feel about your visit.

I hope to see you soon!

Josh D’Amaro
Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Adventures by Disney Announces 2024 River Cruise Itineraries

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Adventures by Disney is pleased to announce its return to three of Europe’s most iconic rivers for the 2024 travel season. With 22 river cruise departures planned, Adventures by Disney guests will once again experience the unparalleled beauty of European landscapes and vibrant culture with sailings on the Rhine River, the Danube River and the Seine River. Each itinerary will offer Disney’s signature storytelling with the convenience of hassle-free travel and attention to detail provided by a team of Disney-trained Adventure Guides. 

Headlining the 2024 lineup is the new “Danube River Cruise: Magical Holidays,” departure which marks the first time the guided group travel company will offer a themed river cruise voyage during the New Year’s holiday. Guests will sail on the Danube River in a beautifully designed river cruise ship, ring in the new year with a celebration and champagne toast and explore famous and picturesque sites and landmarks across Germany, Austria and Hungary. 

Bookings for 2024 River Cruises open to the public on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, with early booking available for the following travelers: 

  • Jan. 17, 2023 – Adventure Insiders with 3+ previous Adventures
  • Jan. 18, 2023 – All Adventure Insiders
  • Jan. 19, 2023 – Disney Vacation Club Members, Disney Cruise Line Gold & Platinum Castaway Members, Golden Oak Residents
  • Jan. 20, 2023 – Bookings open for general public

Travelers interested in booking a 2024 River Cruise can take advantage of Adventure by Disney’s early booking offer when they book before April 18, 2023, with savings up to $750 per person on select departures. Click here for more details on the early booking offer.

Additionally, travelers on all 2024 River Cruise departures can also save 50% per person on the nonrefundable deposit required at booking when they book before April 18, 2023. Click here for more detail on the reduced deposit offer.

New in 2024: New Magical Holidays-Themed Departure, Plus Favorite Seasonal Sailings Return 

In late December 2024, Adventures by Disney will invite guests to ring in the new year with an adventure like none other as they set sail on the “Danube River Cruise: Magical Holidays” departure. Guests will board the ship in Munich and be greeted with an authentic German welcome, including oompah music. The ship will transport guests to Austria where they will enjoy privately guided tours in Mondsee with views of the Austrian Alps, a visit to the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and more. Following the Christmas holiday, the city of Schonbrunn will transform its traditional Christmas market into a special New Year’s market where guests will experience the beauty and splendor of a European winter. The voyage continues with onboard and in-town activities, plus ice skating in Vienna before sailing to Hungary for enriching tours, carriage rides and making and eating goulash. Throughout the trip, special Disney magical moments are enjoyed along the way.  

Returning favorites join the 2024 lineup, including the seasonal Oktoberfest and Christmas Markets river cruises — and the popular Food and Wine sailings feature delectable meals, desserts and beverages local to the region.  

 

River Cruising with Disney: Sight-Seeing from the River and Up-Close on Land 

Guests become part of the story on an Adventures by Disney river cruise, and itineraries are designed for everyone in the family. The masterful narratives, knowledge of the places visited and the culture and history are brought to life by the Adventure Guides. Through these experiences, families discover real world magic in a way only Disney can do. They include: 

  • Dashing through the Black Forest on an Alpine toboggan ride (Rhine River Cruise). 
  • Admiring the Notre-Dame Cathedral and imagining life nearly 900 years ago when its construction first began (Seine River Cruise). 
  • Exploring the historic Schonbrunn Palace and its immaculate terrace garden named The Orangery (Danube River Cruise). 
  • Dreaming of ballrooms and glass slippers while marveling at picturesque castles along the Rhine Gorge (Rhine River Cruise). 
  • Gazing at the nighttime skyline view of the Eiffel Tower in the City of Light (Seine River Cruise). 
  • Twirling on a hilltop and visiting the beautiful Mirabell Gardens (Danube River Cruise).  
  • Honoring history by visiting the Normandy beaches, including Omaha Beach, the American cemetery and Les Braves Memorial (Seine River Cruise).  

Not only will the sights from aboard the ship or walks through towns and villages take center stage, scenery is also explored up-close through optional bicycle excursions. Pedaling through the provincial towns in France, touring the quaint town of Rudesheim, Germany and surrounding wine country, or biking to the Klosterneuburg Abbey or along the Danube River in Vienna further enhances the travel experience.   

River Cruising with Disney: A Taste of the Destination 

On every adventure, guests are invited to tap into all the senses, including taking part in hands-on culinary activities for a true flavor of the destination. In Vienna, Austria, a traditional apple strudel tasting transforms into a cooking demonstration and baking lesson. At the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany, chocolate sampling becomes a create-your-own chocolate bar activity. In Strasbourg, France, macaron cookie ingredients magically transform into fine delicacies as guests become baking experts. 

River Cruising with Disney: Unpack Once and Explore Europe in Style 

With Adventures by Disney, guests sail on elegant ships offering stunning views and world-class service, all in collaboration with AmaWaterways. With the added convenience of knowing their “hotel” travels with them, guests unpack only once. Staterooms are artfully designed with luxury and comfort in mind, the expansive windows provide optimal viewing and internet access and in-room entertainment are available for families to enjoy. Most meals are provided, as locally sourced cuisine and wine are served onboard. Itineraries are planned to balance adventures and excursions with wellness activities and relaxation, and special activities are planned just for kids, aka “Junior Adventurers.”  

TRON Lightcycle Run Opens April 4 at Magic Kingdom Park

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise officially opens April 4 at Magic Kingdom Park!

The story of TRON Lightcycle / Run picks up after “TRON: Legacy” where Kevin’s son, Sam Flynn, has opened a second gateway into a digital world called the Grid. The first portal was built at Shanghai Disneyland with the original TRON Lightcycle Power Run.

When guests enter the queue at Magic Kingdom, they’ll feel as if they’ve been digitized and transported to the Grid for a special Lightcycle race. It’s your Team Blue against the Grid’s menacing Programs, Team Orange. Your goal is to be the first to race through eight Energy Gates and secure victory. The attraction will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.

Before the attraction officially opens, cast members will be the first to enter the Grid during special previews. And we heard preview opportunities are coming for guests too, including Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members.

See you in the Grid.

Family Loses $7K After Airline Cancels Flight to Disney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Jade Rodriguez and her family were all packed to go on their ultimate Japanese vacation. Her son had asked for the trip for his 21st birthday, and it included time at one of Disney’s top Resorts, Tokyo Disneyland. The family planned out their “surreal” vacation, ready to take Japan by storm and have the best time. Unfortunately, when it came to booking their dream trip, they decided to fly with Southwest Airlines.

Now, they are out more than $7,000 and looking for some answers.

Rodriguez spoke to Business Insider and said that when they arrived at the airport in Tuscon, Arizona, their flight didn’t have a crew, but they were still told that they should check their luggage.

“It was just a lot of miscommunication. One attendant was saying, ‘We’re not getting to LAX,’ another was saying to check in our bags,” Rodriguez said. “It was utter confusion.”

After all the conflicting information, Southwest finally canceled the flight altogether about seven hours before their American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo was scheduled to take off.

The drive from Tuscon to Los Angeles is about seven and a half hours, so if the family had been informed of the cancellation earlier, they would have made the long drive in order to make their connecting flight. They tried to book another flight that would get them to Tokyo from Tuscon, but Rodriguez said that the family was unable to make it work.

The big problem was that Southwest could not get them on another flight for nearly a week. And even then, they would be traveling for more than 20 hours and most of their trip would be nearly half over by the time they finally made it to Japan and the Disney Park.

Tokyo Disney Space Mountain

Now, the family is struggling with more conflicting information as they try to get as much of their money refunded as possible. Sadly, it is unlikely they will get much from Tokyo Disney, as they don’t typically issue refunds for their theme parks. Per Business Insider:

Now they are trying to get as much of the trip refunded as they can, including from Southwest, American Airlines, the hotel in Japan, and Tokyo Disney — where they had already purchased tickets — among other expenses.

Rodriguez said they have received conflicting information from Southwest, with one email saying they would be getting a full refund, and another saying they’d only be getting flight credits to be used in the future.

They are still hoping to reschedule a trip for next year, depending on how much they can get refunded or rescheduled, but are unsure when they will be able to make a trip work for the whole family.

Tokyo Disneyland Resort

Sadly, the Rodriguez family was not the only one affected by Southwest’s massive failure. Many airlines experienced cancellations over the holidays because of storm systems throughout the country, but none of them were as big of a mess as Southwest. Southwest canceled more than 60% of its flights and, of the flights that weren’t canceled, more than 80% of those were delayed.

Southwest is currently working with thousands of travelers to refund the money they had to spend to get where Southwest could not take them.

Disney Debunks Closure Rumors

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

As Disney fans prepare for the permanent closure of the beloved Splash Mountain water ride at Magic Kingdom Park, the fear of another Disney water ride being permanently closed caused rumors to form among the Disney fandom. Have no fear! Disney has set the record straight.

Not only is Splash Mountain preparing to close forever on January 23, 2023, to make way for the retheme of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but several other attractions and experiences have landed on the refurbishment list for January and February 2023.

Currently, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been unexpectedly listed as “temporarily unavailable” for multiple days. We’re also preparing for the refurbishment closure of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Even the Disney Skyliner will be closed temporarily for refurbishment soon.

Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has been the center of attention in the news recently as a popular water ride, Kali River Rapids, prepares to undergo refurbishment. Listed on the refurbishment calendar beginning January 9, 2023, the lengthy, indefinite closure has created rumors predicting the attraction’s permanent closure.

But have no fear, Walt Disney World Resort fans! Disney has debunked any rumors of the attraction permanently closing.

Kali River Rapids

According to a recent report, Disney has confirmed that Kali River Rapids WILL REOPEN in the month of March 2023. Currently, Disney has yet to release a specific reopening date, but we’re still thrilled to hear of its “March” reopening timeframe.

Spring 2023 will be a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort! TRON Lightcylce / Run roller coaster at Magic Kingdom Park is scheduled to open in the Spring. Disney has also revealed several Resort Hotel discounts and a dining promotion for the late Spring into early Summer. Now, we know we can count on the return of Kali River Rapids this Spring as well!