Category: Uncategorized

A Disney Story Everyone Should Hear This Veterans Day Weekend

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin


Disney is a company that I’ve had the opportunity to follow for many years, both personally and for over a year here on Guide4WDW.com, but sometimes they just get things “right.” A story Disney debuted on their youtube channel earlier today captured a moment that caught my attention in a way that far exceeded the news of the day or any personal story I could have shared with you all today. 


The story is simple, and the true experience of a Vietnam veteran at Walt Disney World who was chosen as the Veteran of the day. For those of you who may not know, they do this each and every day during the flag retreat ceremony. Each day, Disney chooses a veteran or active service member to help with the ceremony and honors the individual with a certificate, a photo taken at the event, and a commemorative pin to mark the occasion. However, for many the story doesn’t simply stop there. These veterans and chosen participants all share a story of their own, no matter if they have shared that story or not. Often times, it’s that untold story that makes this experience so very special. 

Disney may not be able to heal all wounds (both literal and metaphorical) but it provides an opportunity, as mentioned in this story, for many to escape reality for even just a few minutes. 

In many ways, even beyond veterans and service members, thats a huge portion of the Walt Disney World experience. Having a day or even a week long vacation to escape daily life for even just a short time, can create a sense of joy that can only be described as “magic.” 

So, after you watch this video, I ask that you do one thing this weekend. Share this video with friends, and challenge yourself to find and thank a veteran. So many of these people have seen and experienced things that many of us will never truly understand. They’ve lost friends, made great sacrifices, and given up many years of their lives so that we can live the blessed lives we do each and every day here in the United States.         

Disney doesn’t get everything right, but moments like this put them above the rest. This seemingly simple gesture is something that this man will remember and appreciate for the rest of his life. I’ll never understand that feeling firsthand or the thoughts that roll through his mind, but I highly encourage each and every one of you to experience the Flag Retreat Ceremony in the Magic Kingdom. You won’t likely find it in a guidebook, and it will never be advertised on TV, but this experience is one that really brings a certain level of heart to a Walt Disney World vacation.
As mentioned above, thank a veteran this weekend. On a personal note, I want to take a moment and thank each and every one of our service members and veterans who may be reading this and each and every one of you who have a service member in your family. I’ll never truly understand that daily sacrifice, but we appreciate it and we appreciate you! Happy Veterans Day weekend!     
  

The Top 5 Things We Enjoy About Fantasyland at Walt Disney World!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

The Magic Kingdom experience is truly second to none. However, when you really break it down, Fantasyland is one of the single most iconic aspects of the overall theme park experience. It’s a legendary land and one that really is a cut above the rest in the realm of theme park entertainment. From the dark rides, to the story elements, there are a vast amount of reasons why we enjoy Fantasyland, but here are 5 things that are near the top of our list!      

The Height Limit
-Many of us have been touring the parks for many years. However, many of us overlook one detail of Fantasyland that is essentially fundamental to it’s original design, and that detail is the height limit. Believe it or not, up until the debut of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland, the area of the park did not have a height limit for any attraction. The concept stems from a variation of Walt’s original vision of a place where parents and kids can have fun together. By creating a place, and a truly immersive land that was intriguing, yet suitable for guests of all ages, the original dream was largely accomplished. It’s a small detail but one that vastly alters the state and feel of the of the entire Fantasyland experience.  


The Storytelling Theme
-When Walt Disney first developed the concept for a theme park, one of his greatest goals was to create a place that could bring the story of his films to life and eliminate the boundaries of the 2 dimensional film space. Fantasyland was his way (largely at Disneyland) to not only bring his stories to life but also to immerse guests in their favorite story and truly put them “into” the film.For the very first time, you could not only see the story but also play a role in it’s outcome in a way that had never been developed before. In my opinion, this is the heart and sole behind everything at Walt Disney World and one of the many things that puts Disney a cut above the rest. 

The Carousel Backstory 
-As one of perhaps the most overlooked stories in all of Walt Disney World, the Carousel has an elaborate backstory that transcends Walt Disney World itself. While I won’t bore you with all the details (since we covered all of that here), essentially the carousel is one of the very few liberty carousels still in existence and is the oldest true attraction (beyond the steam engines) in the Magic Kingdom.   


The Sounds of the Experience
-To quote a friend of mine (and many other Disney parks enthusiasts), Lou Mongello, sometimes it isn’t about what you see at Walt Disney World but sometimes about what you hear. He’s absolutely right in a variety of different ways. Fantasyland in particular is full of unique noises. From the pipe organs of the carousel, to the bell tower ringing high above the walkways, taking a moment to just take in all the noises of the experience can really change the perceived feel of the land. Oftentimes, guests shuffle throughout the parks and bounce from attraction to attraction without ever recognizing the sounds associated with the attractions. However, if you took those subtle noises away, the entire area would be lacking a since of authenticity which is largely why this is a seemingly small aspect of our list but also one of the most important elements.     

Taking Note of the Past 
-As with any good Walt Disney World experience, the hidden elements of what you may not see in plain sight can certainly help develop a more immersive experience in the big picture. In this particular case, if you head over to The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, right before you enter the queue you’ll find Mr. Sanders Tree. Just inside the small house connected to the tree, you’ll find a small green nautilus carved into the wood just above the inside of the doorway. Of course, as many of you may know, the nautilus refers to a “departed” attraction called 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The attraction was a guest favorite for many years, and while it later left the parks and was eventually replaced by the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (after many years) Mr. Sanders tree occupied the space for a short time between the attractions. Of course, it was later relocated a few yards away to where it stands today. So, long story short, Disney and Imagineering created this simple tribute that many will overlook, but those who find it will be vastly impressed and appreciate the history behind it.         


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Splash Mountain Closing For Minor Refurbishment in Early 2018

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Despite the rumors that have surfaced over the last few weeks, Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World will be closing for a secondary refurbishment in early 2018. While I understand many guests may be disappointed about this news based on their travel dates, I tend to be in the other crowd of individuals. Each and every time Disney has refurbished this attraction it has come back better than before. Animatronics get fixed, effects are altered, and the overall feel of the attraction is brought new life for guests to enjoy.


The listed dates for the closing are January 8th through February 1st of 2018. Of course, these should be treated as tentative dates simply because many refurbishment timeframes can be altered for various reasons within the company or unexpected delays occur. 

Splash Mountain is currently down for refurbishment at the time of writing this article, but is set to reopen after a 2 and a half month refurbishment on November 17th. The attraction typically undergoes a period of refurbishment in the winter months, but this year they will be reopening the attraction for the peak holiday vacation dates. Based on the quick closure after the holiday season, many have assumed that the original refurbishment will not be entirely completed by mid November, so they may be wrapping things up early in the new year.

I will certainly commend Disney, if this is the reality of the situation, for taking the holiday season into consideration in this ungoing process. Splash Mountain is a favorite attraction of many guests and it’s good to see the guest perspective being taken into account, especially with the volume of visitors to the parks during that time frame. With all of that being said, these are set to be very minor refurbishment activities in the new year. 

However, if you or someone you know may be touring the parks at this designated time, you may want to prepare for this brief closing or share this information with them.  

As always, if you’re looking to book a vacation in the new year, be sure to check out our quote request form below to contact our friends at Destinations to Travel and support the site at no additional cost to you. Thanks! 


Two #DisneyParksLIVE Streams Announced for November 9th and 10th!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Continuing the trend towards production level live streams in the parks and beyond, debuted directly through Disney, the parks blog has officially announced two new special events this week. 

On November 9th at 8:10pm (EST), Disney is inviting you to join them as Anna and Elsa welcome the holidays with ‘A Frozen Holiday Wish’ Castle Lighting live from the Magic Kingdom. The show has become a holiday tradition at Walt Disney World and is one of the many elements of the parks at Christmas that drastically change the look and feel of the experience in a wonderful way. The show itself has changed over the years, but always concludes with the incredible lighting of Cinderella’s Castle. 


As the display builds to its conclusion the lights dance around the castle and eventually fill in to create the impressive illusion of ice crystals cascading from the spires high above guests (not pictured). When the official lighting concludes, the castle remains lit throughout the night and creates a backdrop for pictures that is perfect for a Christmas card or even simply a fun memory to share with friends and family.

The second live stream is the first of it’s kind (to my knowledge) and will be aboard the Disney Dream. The stream will give viewers a first look at the brand new production of the broadway-esque ‘Beauty and the Beast’ stage show Disney has been working tirelessly on. This particular event will take place on November 10th at 10:40am (EST). 

Both events should be great to see live and will bring many of us who can’t make it to the events in real life a piece of the magic no matter where we are. Personally, I love these lifestreams. They’re easy to access, right on the Disney Parks Blog, and truly have a much better production value when compared to typical facebook live streams and other sharing platforms. 

A First Look At Sunset Seasons Greetings – Plus: Our Top 5 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World During The Christmas Season!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Over the last few days, Disney has really ramped up their holiday decor and made the quick change over to the Christmas festivities. Starting tonight, with an Annual Passholder preview, Hollywood Studios officially kicked off it’s first debut of Sunset Seasons Greetings, but we’ll touch on that more a little later in this post (jump to #4 if you’re just here for the video!). However, holidays at Walt Disney World are quite possibly my favorite time of year to visit the parks. In all honesty, this is the one time of year I would recommend anyone to travel to Walt Disney World. Of course, the crowds do tend to be quite heavy but there are so many wonderful reasons to visit that the crowd levels (in my opinion) are easy to overlook simply because there is so much to do that doesn’t involve waiting in line. It’s nearly all about your surroundings.   

(Photo: Disney) 

1. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

The Christmas party is really the ‘big show’ for Walt Disney World. It is a hard ticketed event that is not included in general theme park admission and costs quite a bit to participate in (ranging from $95-$110 depending on the date – for adults). However, if you could do one add on event during the Holidays at Disney, this would be my highest recommendation. 

I’ve been blessed to have been able to attend this event on a few different occasions and I can honestly say that it is the one thing I look forward to more than anything at Walt Disney World. The party draws in the Christmas theming in a truly incredible way and sets the mood for Christmas in a way that no other event can really develop. From the unlimited hot cocoa and treats throughout the night, to special character interactions (including one with all seven dwarfs), and one of the greatest parades Disney has ever put on display, the Christmas spirit overflows as the nights events unfold. 

The crowds tend to vary from date to date, but every time we have been there was more than enough attractions that you could simply “walk-on.” The highlight of the whole experience is certainly Main Street. The lights of the street and the wreaths surroundings guests of all ages decked out in Santa hats and festive mouse ears creates a scene that can only be best described as magical.      


2. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
The Festival of the Holidays isn’t the longest running event at the Walt Disney World, but it is perhaps one of the best “hidden gems.” Around the holidays, Epcot pulls out all the stops and creates booths and activities that share food and quite a bit of history surrounding the countries represented in the World Showcase. For example, the United Kingdom pavilion debuts a representation of “Santa” that many Americans would have never pictured. He sings through the streets and gathers guests to tell a story. It’s a simple touch, but one that surprises and enthralls guests in both history and entertainment. Every country has it’s own little Christmas spin, but uncovering those little details of the holiday festivities is sincerely a huge part of the fun. You never know what you may come across, but you rarely have to wait in lines, and it encompasses a spontaneous nature that is a breath of fresh air in Disney planning and theme park touring.       



3. Illuminations Holiday Finale
The Illuminations Holiday finale is (again, in my opinion) one of the most under appreciated and under advertised aspects of Christmas at Walt Disney World as a whole. Around Christmas, and the many weeks surrounding it, Illuminations debuts the Holiday Finale. The finale is fairly short but the song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” rings out across the park, flowing over a crowd that views in true awe. Pods of sparkler-style bursts open up across the lake and shimmer on the water as a perfectly synchronized pyrotechnic display fires into the sky. 

It’s simple a special ending to the show we all know and love, but there’s something about it that makes guests stare in amazement and appreciate, even for just a few minutes, all they have been given and the incredible opportunity it is to experience a simple moment of “Peace on Earth” in this ever changing world we live in. It doesn’t matter how you view Christmas or if you feel it’s the best/worst holiday around, listen to that show and you’ll recognize the wonderful and unifying moment the experience brings.    

4. Sunset Seasons Greetings At Hollywood Studios 
Over at Hollywood Studios, Disney debuted an entirely new experience they’re calling Sunset Seasons Greetings tonight (November 5th). While tonight is simply a preview, be sure to check out a video shared with us by Destinations to Travel (quote request form below if you’re planing a vacation) below for a closer look at the Tower of Terror’s incredible transformation for the event. Utilizing projection mapping, Disney has created a simple show to really bring the holidays in to Hollywood Studios in a brand new way. The projections are simple but highly impressive, but the real show stopping performance has to go out to the park overall. Hollywood Studios is incredibly unique to visit around Christmas. Everything from the Windows lining the entrance way, to the palm trees reaching high into the sky are all a part of the holiday transformation. This year, new decorations have debuted, likely with more on the way, so there’s been no better time to enjoy the impressive (while somehow still slightly less crowded than other parks) display.       

5. The People Around You 
This last reason seems incredibly simple, but is perhaps the most important element of this entire list. Many cast members give up time they could be spending with their families and friends to create incredible memories for guests in the parks. Their efforts sincerely show. Many don’t get to see their families at Christmas, but each and every cast member tries there best to share an experience with guests that will create memories for others and allow them to play a incredible role in the memories made and experiences created for guests. Cast are truly what make the biggest difference but the guests around you can continue that holiday spirit in a great way as well. 
Guests in the parks around Christmas are excited in anticipation of what Christmas brings. No matter what your background concerning the holiday may be, it’s hard not to appreciate the heart that accompanies the Christmas season. People are simply happy, and at Walt Disney World everything on the list culminates to create a truly unforgettable experience full of joy and happiness in a largely unexplainable way. It honestly is the most wonderful time of the year.    

What is your favorite aspect of Walt Disney World during the Christmas season?

As always, Destinations to Travel continues to help us out and we truly appreciate you supporting the site through their services. We do not own or work of them, but have utilized and recommend their services. Not only does it help the site, but it costs you nothing extra to do so. Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the day.   

Disney Shares New Discounts for Annual Passholders and Canadian Residents

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Every time I see a new Walt Disney World discount arrive, I do what I can to share it and save you a little money in any way possible. We all love heading to the parks, but it can certainly get expensive if you end up paying the standard rates. Thankfully, discounts like these are readily available and can help you save a little money in the booking process. 

To be quite honest, Disney’s discounts haven’t been quite as good as they once were, but a savings is a saving no matter how small (wow, that was like a Dr. Seuss sentence). In all reality, saving anything is better than giving away the extra cash involved in the vacation, so here’s a closer look at what you could save as an annual passholder. 


Disney has not released a set percentage for this offer, but rather has debuted a sample price of rates as low as $74 per night (no tax included in that price) for most Monday-Wednesday night stays from January 8th to February 7th of 2018 at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort. However, this discount can be applied to longer stays and stays at other resorts, there is just no publicized set discount for the offer (that I have seen). Also, the pricing is available January 1st through April 14th with a final booking date of the very last day of the offer, April 14th. 


Some resorts are excluded from the offer including many villas, all bungalows, and all cabins. 



For our Canadian Disney fans up north, Disney is offering up a 20% discount on tickets purchased between November 1st of this year and February 10th of next year. Tickets will be available for use from November 1st of this year through the end of next year (December 31st). The only regulation of the offer is that it must be a ticket that is 4 days in length or longer to be eligible. For Canadians, this may help make up for the currency differentiation and could really shrink some costs. 

While none of these appear to be super surprising discounts, you might as well take advantage of any that may apply to your given travel dates or potential travel options. If you have a resort booked, you may also want to call and check to see if rebooking with these discounts will save you any money. As always, if you need help booking feel free to use our quote request form below to reach out to our friends at Destinations to Travel and help us out with the costs associated with the site at no additional cost to you. As always, you are more than welcome to book through Disney directly as well and it will not affect the availably of these rates. 

Hopefully this will save you a little bit of money in some way or another and we’ll get back to our normal articles tomorrow! Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the day.  

Last but not least, we’re considering a meet up in the parks in mid March so we can not only meet you but also so that you can meet each other. If anyone’s interested, let me know in the comments and I’ll see what I can work out.             

Disney Set To Celebrate Mickey’s Birthday in the Parks and Beyond With a Series of Special Events!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

On November 18th and many other surrounding dates, Disney has announced that Mickey will be celebrating his birthday in a big way! Disney officially celebrates Mickey’s birthday year after year in commemoration of his first theatrical appearance in Steamboat Willie which debuted November 18, 1928. From that point, Mickey Mouse turned into a household name across the nation and largely around the world. So, as a result, Mickey will be making special appearances in the parks, Disney stores, and on Television networks across the world! 

At Walt Disney World, on November 18th, cast members will be handing out special buttons for the occasion (as seen below) to each and every guest. The buttons will also be passed out in Disney stores and at Disneyland. At Magic Kingdom, a special song will be performed during the Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play it! show. Beyond that experience, special merchandise, limited time offering food, and and photo opportunities will roll out for the occasion. 

Out at the Disneyland Park, a special cavalcade of Mickey and the Disneyland band will roll out for this one time event. While we know very few details of these in-park activities, I’m sure they’ll be popular among guests and create a unique memory for many.  


Over on the Disney channel, a special marathon of Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Mickey Mouse Club House will run during the weekend of November 17th. On Mickey’s actual birthday, the channel will also debut Mickey Mouse shorts every half hour. 

Be sure to watch Disney’s online media avenues: Oh My Disney, Babble, and any other sites featuring the Disney name for unique one time giveaways and special content throughout the birthday celebration.  


On November 15th, be sure to catch Good Morning America for what Disney is calling a few special surprises which will debut on their morning show. (I’m hoping we’ll get some more details on the Mickey themed attraction replacing the Great Movie Ride – However, that is simply rumor at this time.) Along the way, Mickey will head out on a journey across the world to 8 different locations including Japan, Chile, Canada, China, England, and of course the United States! If you’re participating in any of these events or just want to wish Mickey a happy birthday, Disney is encouraging the use of #HappyBirthdayMickey on social media.

A special thanks to Destinations to Travel for sharing this info with us today! If you’re looking to book a Disney vacation, be sure to check them out utilizing the quote request form down below. Not only will it help support the site at no additional cost to you, they may even find a way to save you some money along the way. Thanks! 

(Source and Photos: The Walt Disney Company)


      

A Main Street Hidden Gem With An Interesting History – The Harmony Barber Shop

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

In 1971 Disney debuted the Magic Kingdom to welcome the beginning of one of most devout guest followings in theme park history, Disney Parks fans. The park that welcomed guests so many years ago has changed drastically over time, but one particular element of Main Street U.S.A. has truly stood the test of time, The Harmony Barber Shop.

The Harmony Barbershop has been relocated, prices have changed, and the staff has varied over time, but very little stacks up to the history this location encompasses. That same history transcends the parks and has entered the hearts and memories of guests who have experienced it time and time again. For thousands of guests over the years, this seemingly simple location has provided first haircuts for family, friends, and even themselves. 


(Photo: Michael Gray – Labeled for Reuse)


A first haircut is a simple right of passage of sorts for many families, and a memory that will be kept for many years. Combining that one time opportunity with the joys of Magic Kingdom can create an experience you’ll never forget. 

Originally, in the early days of Magic Kingdom, the Harmony Barber Shop was located in an area of Main Street known as West Center Street. The street, which was located where the middle section of the Emporium is located today, used to welcome guests into a series of little shops that completed the early small town feel of original Main Street U.S.A.. At that point in time, West Center Street welcomed guests into the Hallmark Card Shop, Greenhouse Flower Shop, the New Century Clock Shop, and none other than the Harmony Barber Shop. Sadly in 2001, Disney decided to give up on the individual storefront aspect of West Center street and proceeded to fill in the space with an addition to the Emporium. Of course, this wasn’t the first change to Main Street and it’s many individual shops which once adorned the oh-so-familiar welcoming avenue of the Magic Kingdom. 


Today, the barber shop has been relocated to the front section of the street near the fire station and the car barn (be sure to take a glance in their while if it’s open for a closer look at The Main Street Light Bulb You Never Knew Had A Story!). Of course, it doesn’t hold quite the same classic appeal and hidden charm it once did at the end of West Center Street, but its outstanding to see that small touch of originality and a stand alone store location still standing as a part of the Main Street experience. 

The prices for the barber shop are fairly reasonable at $18 for children and $19 for adults. They even offer a My First Haircut package priced at $25 and offers commemorative Mickey ears and a unique certificate.

Have you experienced the Harmony Barber Shop first hand? If you have any pictures of early West Center Street, we’d love to see them! They’re becoming quite rare across the internet.  

4 Outstanding Walt Disney World Attractions With Short Wait Times

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

There is no doubt in my mind that the years of short wait times and less than peak season crowds have virtually faded away. While that may be the case, there are always a few select attractions that typically carry a wait time of less than 15 minutes. For many guests, including myself, these easily repeatable and vastly enjoyable attractions are the ones that we ride time and time again. 

Many of these attractions have been a part of the magic for generations and hold a deep history that guests entirely overlook. Other attractions on our list are much newer but hold a few simple “thrills” and enjoyable moments that guests of all ages will appreciate. 


1. The PeopleMover 

As perhaps the most iconic attraction on this list, the PeopleMover was and is one of the projects that Walt Disney had an early influence on at Disneyland in the late 60’s, but the concept eventually rolled out at Walt Disney World as well in 1975. The project was originally created with intentions of being integrated into the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (better known as EPCOT). Despite it’s ample history, the attraction manages to retain a consistent wait time of less than 15 minutes. It truly is a simple attraction but it’s quick, constant loading procedure really cycles through guests despite it’s mass appeal and popularity. 

On the attraction itself, you get to experience a short glimpse at Tomorrowland and much of the Magic Kingdom from high above the walkways below. As the cars travel briskly across the tracks, the subtle clicking of the “trains” and the slight breeze creates a unique experience that is uniquely Disney and incredibly enjoyable on a hot summer day. 

2. Living With The Land
At points, the wait time for this particular attraction can exceed around 30 minutes, but if you time it right and keep checking back, you’ll rarely have to wait more than 15 minutes to catch a ride on this educational and entertaining experience. Living With The Land is an attraction I overlooked for years. Why? I have no idea. 

The beginning of this ride through is fairly boring (to be completely honest), but the experience takes an interesting turn as you enter the greenhouse section. As you travel by boat through Disney’s greenhouses, which often support dining locations throughout the park, you get a closer look at the unique growing processes and record braking plants housed in the attraction. 

Of course, this isn’t the most thrilling experience, but I will say that it is incredibly unique to see first hand and is always a must-do portion of any day at Epcot. 

3. Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
As one of the newest offerings on this list, and perhaps the most vastly overlooked element in all of Epcot, the Pixar Short Film Festival is something I highly recommend. Personally, I’m a bit of a short film connoisseur. The art and design elements debuted by Pixar and the incredible story elements built into each and every one of there films is second to none. Pixar embodies one goal of Walt’s that I will always stand behind (even though Pixar hasn’t always been Disney). They seem to truly believe that parents and kids can have fun together. Pixar films create a multi level story that both kids and adults can appreciate in entirely different ways. 

The Short Film Festival combines a vast variety of Pixar short films, which have accompanied their animated films (and even accompany Disney animated films today) and bring them to life in a new way in the old Captain EO theater. As the films play out on screen, the theater itself bumps and sways in reaction to the shorts. The entire set up is brought to guests in 3D and has always exceeded my expectations. The lineup of shorts has changed recently and added a few new guest favorites. 

As fun as this attraction really is (in my opinion) it never carries a wait time of more than around 5-10 minutes. I did wait around 20 minutes for it on the Fourth of July this year, but it was the first time I’ve seen that theatre fill to capacity in many years. 


4. The Gran Fiesta Tour 
A short walk away from the other two attractions on this list, the Gran Fiesta Tour is a simple boat ride through the Mexico Pavilion, but it also holds a surprising history that gets overlooked by a vast majority of guests. The final scene of the attraction features 3 animatronics that have really stood the test of time in the realm of Walt Disney World and even international parks history. I won’t go too deep into that history on this page, but it is explained in detail in an article I wrote a short while back called The Interesting Backstory of The Three Caballeros Animatronics. 

This simple boat-based attraction has grown in popularity over the last few years, yet still provides a short little attraction featuring true Disney history for a wait time that rarely exceeds 10 minutes. 

    
So, what do you think about our list? What would you add that we potentially overlooked? The Disney Parks are full of attractions and incredible one of a kind experiences. However, not every great attraction has to carry a long wait time. By simply seeking out many of these easily accessible and non time consuming attractions, you can enjoy a day at Disney on even the most crowded of days in the parks.   

Disney Cruise Line Shares Itineraries for Early 2019 Sailings! – Including One Expanded Season

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

As of today, October 26th, Disney has just announced early 2019 sailings for the Disney Cruise Line. In 2019, Disney cruises will set sail for many familiar destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean out of Florida ports, but also sail out of San Diego to the Baja and Mexican Riviera on an expanded two month season that is the first of it’s kind. 

In addition, a select few cruises to the Southern Caribbean will leave from San Juan, Puerto Rico, also in early 2019.  


From January to May each Disney cruise leaving Florida will offer up the incredible experience to journey out to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. As many of you know, the island is a small portion of the Bahamas that features the iconic crystal clear blue water, and an exclusive environment that only Disney could develop. While I have not been on a Disney Cruise, I have heard incredible stories from guests returning home from their vacations. Castaway Cay is always a highlight of their trips. Many even mention that they wish Disney would place a resort on the Island. While the logistics of that may not be possible, it’s great to see the location leaves such an impact on guests of all ages. 

Bookings for each of these cruises open in the following format (typical of Disney Cruise Line bookings):

  • Platinum Castaway Club members: October 30th, 2017
  • Gold Castaway Club members: October 31st, 2017
  • Silver Castaway Club members: November 1st, 2017
  • All other guests: November 2nd, 2017
I know this extended booking window seems a bit extreme to some but it can be the only way to guarantee a spot on some of the more limited destinations and times available for travel. 

Again, I have never really embarked on the journey of a Disney Cruise, but thought many of you would be interested in looking into one of these newly released itineraries. All of them look wonderful and to be quite honest with you there’s nothing I (and many others who experience cold winters) would rather do than travel south in the coldest months of winter.   

For more details and the ships associated with each journey I suggest heading over to the Disney Parks Blog. 

If you would like help planning a Disney cruise (which is a surprisingly different booking experience than securing reservation for Walt Disney World) feel free to contact Destinations to Travel using our no obligation quote request form down below. It is not our travel agency but it does help us out if you book through them. Thanks.