Adventures by Disney – Not Just a Tour, but a Tour Experience

 I admit, when the Adventures by Disney first came out, I was not impressed.  I just could not imagine the average family spending as much for a vacation as what it would cost to go on an Adventure by Disney vacation.  I was not allowing myself to get past the prices, and start investigating the actual tours.  Once I did investigate, I found what I should have expected all along.  Disney always seems to create an experience with their vacation itineraries.  I found that the details, of each Adventure by Disney itinerary, are put together with great care for each guest’s needs.  I found that it was not just a tour, but it was a tour experience.

The Adventures by Disney itineraries are not value itineraries, but when you take a close look at them, you will find they actually are deluxe tours that are value priced.  Once you look at what Disney offers, you see that you do get your money’s worth, and then some.  For starters, the size of your group will be smaller than you might expect.  The average adventure by Disney has 30 to 40 guests, and each Adventure has two Disney tour guides.  Disney has gone out and searched for hotels, and attractions, that are top notch.  Hotels are 3, 4, and 5, star hotels, and the many private tours offered within each Adventure are truly above and beyond the tours you will find within other tour companies’ itineraries. Most of your meals are included in each Adventure by Disney.  With Adventures by Disney you get what Disney calls The Disney Difference, a variety of Disney magical surprises, and Disney touches.

Looking at the 2008 itinerary for the Adventures by Disney Southwest Splendor, you will find yourself immersed in the history and lifestyle of the Southwestern United States.  This specialized itinerary will take you from Arizona to Utah, with stays in three different locations.  Your hotels, Amara Creekside Resort and Spa, The Grand Hotel, and Red Cliffs Lodge, will all provide you with their own southwestern flair.  Each day of the Southwest Splendor Adventure Itinerary is filled with specialized tours, and experiences.

I think if Walt Disney were alive today, he would be pleased with the Adventures by Disney.  Walt was very creative, and he had a knack for creating one of a kind experiences.  That is what Adventures by Disney does with each Adventure, creates a one of a kind experience.    

Creating magical memories one vacation at a time!

Francine  

Disney MGM Studios name change to Disney Hollywood Studios!

It has been long rumored that Disney was going to change the name of Disney MGM Studios.  No longer a rumor, but fact, Disney announced the name change today.  The rumors that the new name would contain the word Pixar, or the initials ABC, in it, have been proven to be wrong.

The new name for the Studios will be Disney Hollywood Studios, and the idea behind the name is that today’s Disney Hollywood Studios represents what is offered in today’s genre.  It isn’t just the movies, but television, music, theatre, and movies.  It is all about entertainment!  Certainly, the updated name is a better representation of what is offered now at the Studios, and what is possible for the future.  The new name will be official in January 2008.

Disney’s MGM Studios opened up on May 1, 1989.  The theming of this park was drawn from the Golden Age of Hollywood.  This time frame, the Golden Age of Hollywood, spanned from the 1920’s to the 1940’s.   Disney did have a licensing agreement with MGM.  This agreement was formed in 1985.  During the early 1990’s MGM and Disney had a few differences of opinion, and that is when the feel of the Studios started to change.

Along with the name change will come changes within the theme park attractions.  Here is what Disney announced for soon to be changes.

• Toy Story Mania! Guests get sporty in a new, interactive “Toy Story” competition inspired by Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story” films and hosted by characters like they’ve never before experienced. Past a queuing area featuring a giant Mr. Potato Head, guests grab 3-D glasses, board fanciful ride vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by many of their favorite “Toy Story” characters including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Once inside “Andy’s Toy Box,” the competition heats up. Who can rack up the most points? Using spring-action shooters, guests launch darts at balloons, rings at aliens, eggs at whimsical barnyard targets. Toy Story Mania! takes the interactive ride-game experience to infinity — and beyond. (summer 2008)

• “Block Party Bash.” Play, party and dance as the Disney-Pixar Film Pals present “Block Party Bash,” the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history. New to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Block Party Bash” will invite guests to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney-Pixar Film Pals fill the theme park streets. This immersive rolling spectacle will feature favorite characters from “The Incredibles,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life.” (spring 2008, replaces “Disney Stars and Motor Cars” parade)

• “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” A whole new cast of friends from Playhouse Disney fills the popular Playhouse Disney stage. Children will be on their feet singing, clapping and dancing to performing stars from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more. (”Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” will be dark most of January 2008, reopens February 2008)

• “Disney High School Musical 2: School’s Out!” With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical 2″ comes to life on the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is interactive fun as high-energy performers on a traveling stage invite all ages to catch Wildcat fever by singing and dancing. (fall 2007, replaces “High School Musical Pep Rally”)

• Meet and Greet Adds Handy Manny. And what would a Disney theme park be without characters? Disney’s Hollywood Studios is center stage for character meet and greets. Disney Channel stars JoJo and Goliath and the Little Einsteins welcome guests in the Animation Courtyard next to “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” and will be joined for the first time by Handy Manny later this year. (November 2007)

Ever changing, ever growing, that is what Disney is all about,  They continue to stretch their imaginations, and find new things to entertain their guests with. 

Creating magical memories, one vacation at a time!

Francine

Walt Disney World - Sorting Through the 2008 Disney Dining Plan

Walt Disney World Guests, who are traveling in 2008, will have more choices than ever, with the 2008 Walt Disney World Magic Your Way Disney Dining Plans.  They have given their guests some new options.   Walt Disney World used to offer only one dining plan, with the other option being a  Magic Your Way Premium Package.  The Premium package has lots and lots of options, and most folks don’t want all of the extras that come with it. There was a definite need for a Disney Dining Plan that offered the ability to have more then one sit down meal per night of your stay.  Disney has provided that option, with their Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.  If you purchase a Disney Dining Plan, you will have another option presented to you, the Plus Wine Package.  This affords you one bottle of wine per room, per night of your stay.  Personally, I like the idea of that option.  A bottle of Beringer was a regular thing during our last stay at Villas Wilderness Lodge.

Disney did take the appetizer away from what is included with your sit down meal, with the 2008 Disney Dining plan.  The dessert is still included.  I think this is an error on their part, and they should have dropped the dessert instead, and kept the appetizer.  I’d rather save my sweet tooth for a cinnamon bun at The Main Street Bake Shop, In Disney’s Magic Kingdom or perhaps a delectable treat at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Norway at Epcot.  Maybe Disney will consider allowing guests to decide between the appetizer, and the dessert?  I’d like that option.

Honestly?  The Disney Dining Plan as it is now, for 2007, is a lot of food.  It is more then what I usually eat, and I believe there was a lot of food wasted, thrown away.  Did wait staff push folks to order the desserts, ‘just to taste it’, which, in turn, would increase the total cost of the meal, and would raise the automatic 18% gratuity?  Yes, I do believe they did.  I know that I experienced that everywhere we dined in May 2007.  I did purchase desserts to taste them, knowing I would not eat it all.  I believe Disney answered a need to stop the amount of food that was being wasted each day.  I think they have fine tuned their Disney Dining Plan, and I am happy with the changes.

So, the big question everyone is asking me is, “Is the 2008 Disney Dining Plan worth it?”  Here is what these plans will cost in 2008.

• Disney Dining Plan: one snack, one quick service meal, one sit down meal per night
  Adults (ages 10 & over) will be $37.99; children ages 3-9 will be $9.99
• Deluxe Dining Plan: three meals (counter service or sit down), one snack per night and refillable resort mug
  Price will be $69.99 for adults (ages 10 & over) and $19.99 for children ages 3-9
• Plus Wine Package: one bottle of wine, per room, per night
  For $39.99 per night, per room

You will have to be prepared to pay your gratuity when you dine, so that adds cost to the guest’s stay.  I think it is fair, though.  I believe we will see better service in the Wat Disney World Theme Park, and Resort, Restaurants, due to this change. 

If you always plan at least one sit down meal per night of your stay, adding the 2008 Disney Dining Plan to your Walt Disney World vacation package is worth it.  Yes, it will cost more then it did in 2007, but you are still getting a good deal. 

If you like to enjoy 2 or more sit down meals, per night of your stay, you will find adding the 2008 Deluxe Disney Dining Plan to your Walt Disney World vacation package is worth it.  Disney has enough options now to please everyone, and that is what counts. 

Creating magical memories, one vacation at a time!

Francine

Walt Disney World Packages for 2008 - Specific to the Disney Dining Plan

Wow! I have HUGE news to report! I have it on the best of sources that there will be changes to the Disney Dining Plan. Cast members at CRO have been trained on the new packaging and room rates for 2008, and the release of them is imminent.

The news, you ask? : )

The Disney Dining Plan as we know it is changing. There will be one plan that is the same as now, and a second plan that will offer three sit down meals per night of your stay. You will not need to purchase a Magic Your Way Premium Package to get the three sit down meals. This is good news, and what I was hoping for! : )

Yes, there is a down side. Rumor has it the price is increasing for the plan, and that the 18% gratuity will no longer be included.

I’ll be back with more as I know it!

Creating magical memories, one vacation at a time!

Francine

Walt Disney World - 2008 rates and Disney Dining Plan

I have been told by a few Disney sources, that the Walt Disney World Resortsrates, and packages, for 2008, are due to be released. We should be seeing them some time in mid August. You can contact an OLP Travel agent to book your resort stay for dates in 2008 now, though. Your room rate will not be guaranteed, but you will know you have the room you want, for the dates you want.

The bigger question in my mind has to do with the 2008 Walt Disney World Packages. Will Disney be changing the Magic Your Way packages? Among the rumors I have heard, there is talk about dropping the included gratuity from the cost of the Disney Dining Plan, along with increasing the cost for the plan, per adult. I am hoping this is only a rumor, and does not turn out to be the case. Time will tell.

The Disney Dining Plan that can be added to the 2007 Magic Your Way Packages, is a wonderful deal! The part I liked best was that at the end of my vacation, I was still eating great. I didn’t have to worry about how much I spent. Each person gets one snack (any food item $4.00 or less), a counter service meal (meal plus a dessert and drink), and sit down meal (appetizer, entrée, dessert, and beverage, including a 18% gratuity), per night of your stay. The Disney Dining Plan also gives you the chance to experience the many different styles and tastes at the Walt Disney World Restaurants.

So, what would I like to see Disney do with their 2008 Magic Your Way packages? First off, don’t drop the gratuity from the cost of the Disney Dining Plan, please? The next thing I would like is to see a second type of Disney Dining Plan. I’d like a Magic Your Way Package that offers a dining plan with three sit down meals, but does not have all the tours, and extras included now in the Magic Your Way Premium Package. This would be a big seller, in my opinion. I’d also like to see the Magical Wishes as an option to add. Remember Magical Wishes? You could use them for tours, or dining, or boat rentals. They were fun!

Creating magical memories, one vacation at a time!

Francine