Celebrate the Holidays on A Disney Cruise

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Unwrap a holiday adventure for the whole family: a cruise aboard the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, or Disney Fantasy, all decked out with holiday cheer.

Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and more. During these voyages, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

  • “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
  • “Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where Disney cruisers welcome the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, with a grand celebration featuring Broadway-style entertainment, favorite Disney characters, and classic holiday tunes. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a special pair of royal sisters joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.
  • Dickens-inspired carolers carrying the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
  • Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
  • Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
  • “Story Time with Mrs. Claus,” a special time for her to read well-known Christmas stories from her rocking chair near the tree.
  • A special holiday edition of the cheerful farewell celebration on the final night of the cruise, with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast and visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screens – Funnel Vision – located near the family pool.

On Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree, Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids, and guests will delight in a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.

Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held for eight days, beginning on the on the 25th day of Kislev.

When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets, and holiday island music.

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Disney Wonder Enhancements

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Cruise Line ships feature classic designs that set them apart from other cruise lines. We just love the designs of the ships on the inside and out. But Disney never stops moving forward and is always striving to bring guests the best experience at sea.

Recenty the Disney Wonder, received some upgrades that we are so excited about. 

The centerpiece of the beautiful and exciting changes throughout the ship was unveiled — French Quarter Lounge. Here, the wonderful world of Princess Tiana comes to life in new ways with the addition of this New Orleans-themed lounge that transports guests deeper into the heart of the city’s iconic French Quarter.

Inspired by the Disney animated feature “The Princess and the Frog,” the French Quarter Lounge is the perfect complement to Tiana’s Place Restaurant, which is just steps away on the Disney Wonder. The jazzy lounge invites guests deeper into the story.

Each evening at the French Quarter Lounge, guests can enjoy live music on the lounge’s gazebo stage, sip a New Orleans-themed specialty drink and dance the night away.

The French Quarter Lounge is designed as a whimsical outdoor space in New Orleans featuring decorative details like a storefront window with a wrought-iron balcony above. If you’re a fan of “The Princess and the Frog,” you’ll notice that the hats in the display are inspired by hats worn by your favorite characters in the film.

Throughout the lounge, other inspired details include a full-sized streetcar on the St. Charles line – the same trolley that Tiana rides in the film. Authentic wooden bench seating creates a cozy place to sit, listen to music and experience the ambiance. Step aboard the handsome streetcar which is the picture-perfect spot for your family memories.

The bar is a focal part of the lounge with New Orleans-style wrought-iron adornments and shutters. In addition to offering specialty cocktails, nonalcoholic beverages and coffees, the bar also displays elements inspired by the popular character, Dr. Facilier. A mural on the wall is painted with Dr. Facilier’s shadow and his business card from the film – another cool photo spot! A door in the area is based on the entrance to Dr. Facilier’s shop, with signage and three flickering “candles” overhead.

Elsewhere on the Disney Wonder, adults have a reimagined space all their own in Cove Café, an exclusive retreat redesigned as a coffee shop for world travelers, complete with warm, comfortable and trendy décor.

With ample, seating and ocean views, Cove Café is the perfect place to sip a specialty coffee or tea throughout the day, and indulge in wine or a cocktail and light bites during the evening hours. Just steps away, the adjacent Signals Bar has also received an update with a similar look.

Vibe, the space on the ship reserved for teens ages 14-17, has transformed into a contemporary place to hang out with friends while at sea. The club has a timeless feel with an open, bright redesign that includes framed quotes on the walls, a light color palette and metal work. A new coffee bar and updated virtual reality technology add to the list of activities just for teens.

Aboard the Disney Wonder, you can experience a variety of itineraries and ports of call throughout the year including Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, Caribbean and Bahamas. For the first time, the Disney Wonder will also call New Orleans home in 2020 with Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from this new home port beginning Feb. 7. And just announced, the Disney Wonder will be returning to New Orleans in early 2021.

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Sneak Peak of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Coming to Disney Parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

This fall, the story continues of the blockbuster live-action film “Maleficent” in the all-new adventure, “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” and soon, guests at Disney Parks will have a chance to preview select scenes from the film. For a limited time starting September 27 you can catch a sneak peek aboard Disney Cruise Line and at the following locations at Disney theme parks:

  • Walt Disney World Resort – Walt Disney Presents attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Disney California Adventure Park – Presented in the evenings at the Sunset Showcase Theater, following daily performances of Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
  • Disneyland Paris – Starting September 28 at Walt Disney Studios Park

Here’s a look at the latest trailer for Disney’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” which arrives in theaters on October 18, 2019.

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The Walt disney Company To Donates Over $1 Million To Hurricane Relief and Recovery

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Cruise Line has made a statement that it will be giving back to its home port of call in The Bahamas by pledging $1 million to help aid relief efforts there in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. This comes as a joint effort across multiple cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, to help bring the island back onto its feet after being battered by the disastrous Category 5 storm.

The Walt Disney Company, led by Disney Cruise Line, has committed more than $1 million in cash and in-kind support to help relief and recovery efforts for those in The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian.

“The Walt Disney Company stands with the people of The Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.  “We hope our $1 million donation will provide much-needed relief and help our neighbors, colleagues, and all those impacted by this devastating storm begin the long process of recovery as they work to put their lives and communities back together.”

Disney’s commitment includes a $1 million donation to non-profit relief agencies who will be undertaking recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as the provision of supplies – including food staples and basic construction materials – to those in impacted areas.

Additionally, Disney employees with immediate needs in impacted areas of The Bahamas will have access to a range of resources. Disney Castaway Cay, which experienced only tropical force strength winds, employs more than 60 Bahamians from Abaco and Grand Bahama, as well as several employees from other Bahamian islands.

“The Bahamas is such a special place to us and our guests, and we have watched the devastation created by Hurricane Dorian with concern and heartache,” Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line said. “We stand with the Bahamian people, and especially those in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as they recover from the worst storm to ever make landfall in The Bahamas. As the needs in these communities are assessed, we are prepared to aid the relief and recovery efforts through funding, the provision of supplies and by providing support to our Bahamian Crew Members.”

Disney continues to monitor Hurricane Dorian and will coordinate on an ongoing basis with nonprofit organizations on emergency response efforts. This includes sharing lifesaving information with families before and during emergencies, prepositioning supplies at-the-ready to respond rapidly to natural disasters, and providing resources to activate large-scale responses as needed in the event of a disaster.

Dorian Update: Hurricane Slows and Grows

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The National Hurricane Center has issued their 5 PM update and Hurricane Dorian has become nearly stationary this afternoon. A slow westward to west-northwestward motion is expected to resume overnight and into early Tuesday. The hurricane will move “dangerously close to the Florida east coast late Tuesday through Wednesday evening.” This means that life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the Florida east coast and Georgia and South Carolina. Dorian’s hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles and tropical storm winds extend out 150 miles from the center.

A hurricane warning and a storm surge warning have been issued for parts of Florida’s east coast. What part of the coast experiences hurricane conditions remains uncertain and is dependent on the exact track.

The track has caused changes to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line and Orlando International Airport.

Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort has issued a statement and is adjusting their operating hours beginning Tuesday, September 3.

  • Magic Kingdom Park: 8 AM – 3 PM (7 AM Opening for EMH)
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 AM – 2 PM (6 AM Opening for EMH)
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8 AM – 2 PM (7 AM Opening for EMH)
  • Disney Springs: 10 AM – 3 PM
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10 AM – 3 PM
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed
  • Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: Closed
  • Winter Summerland & Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf: 10 AM – 3 PM

Disney Resort Hotels

All Disney Resort hotels remain open. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be closing on September 3 at 3 PM and will reopen when safe to do so.

Special Events

Disney After Hours at Animal Kingdom – Cancelled on Tuesday, September 3

Dining & Other Experiences

On September 3:

  • Theme park dining reservations will behonored up to one hour prior to park closing
  • Resort dining reservations will be honored until 5:30 PM

Effective immediately, Disney will not be enforcing cancellation policies for dining and other experiences.

Pre-paid dining and other experiences outside of the modified operating hours for September 3 will be automatically cancelled and refunded.

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International Airport will stop operation on Tuesday September 3 due to Dorian’s track. Please check with your airline for update regarding your specific flight.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line has issued an advisory and changed the itinerary of the Disney Dream sailing on Friday August 30 to extend another day and cancelled the Monday September 2 sailing of the Disney Dream.

Disney Dream – Current Sailing 

Disney Dream’s current sailing was scheduled to return to Port Canaveral on Wednesday, September 4. However, after careful review of the currently forecasted path, and conversations with port officials in Florida, it does not seem likely that Port Canaveral will be available for our return on Wednesday. 

Because of this, we will need to further extend this sailing and now expect Disney Dream to return to Port Canaveral one day later, on Thursday, September 5. 

Since Disney Dream will now have additional time at sea, we have arranged a port call for tomorrow, Monday, September 2, in Grand Cayman. 

Disney Dream – Monday, September 2 changed to Wednesday, September 4 

While we had hoped to preserve some portion of the voyage for our Guests’ enjoyment, we have had to change our plans given the inherently unpredictable nature of tropical storms and hurricanes. After careful review of the currently forecasted path, and conversations with port officials in Florida, we have decided to cancel the sailing completely.

We understand this may be disappointing news, but we feel this was a necessary decision. The safety of our Guests and crew members is always our foremost concern. 

Castaway Cay – UPDATED

Many of our Guests have asked questions about Castaway Cay. Some of our Crew remained on the island and their care and safety is our highest priority. As forecasted, sustained winds on the island did not extend beyond tropical force strength and our Crew has returned to their living quarters after spending a few hours in our storm shelter yesterday. Our thoughts continue to be with the people in areas of The Bahamas that are being impacted by this storm and we stand ready to contribute to recovery efforts.