What's New (and what is hot!)

Walt Disney World

Disney launched their latest campaign, Year of a Million Dreams, in October 2006, for what was originally going to be a 15-month celebration designed to ‘make your Disney Dreams and Wishes come true’.  And that’s exactly what they did, in grand Disney style. The campaign was so successful that Disney decided to extend their ‘Year’ right through to 31 December 2008. Among the thousands of dreams being handed out each day, a select few will be awarded a private day at Disney’s own tropical island, Castaway Cay, one lucky family will spend the night in Cinderella Castle Suite on New Year’s Eve, while others will be invited to attend the premier of High School Musical 3. Thousands of guests will continue to win of Dream FastPasses, gourmet dining packages, Dream Mouse Ears, Pins and Lanyards, special parade viewing and much more. Our dream prize would certainly be the chance to become a ‘Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ to a Disney Imagineer, spending the day in the ‘secret labs’ at Walt Disney Imagineering!

Prizes are given at random and winners are chosen according to strict rules; Cast Member instructions on who wins can be as specific as ‘the third person to enter The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion at 4:15pm’. In an effort to be razor-sharp precise, instructions may also narrow it down even further, to say, ‘if two people walk through at the same time, the winner is the person on the left’.  The list of major prizes is lengthy, but even the simplest things bring a smile to guests’ faces and Disney are certainly cornering the market in their trademark ‘magic’ since the celebration began.

PRO SPOT: The popularity of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Downtown Disney led to the creation of a second salon inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. Little Princesses can choose from three packages (Coach, Crown or Castle) and three hairstyles (Pop Princess, Disney Diva or Fantasy Princess). The Castle package includes a ball gown, crown, wand and shoes, but you are free to bring or buy your own costume. Reservations are suggested.

If you are travelling to the World in February or March 2008, Disney’s Pirate and Princess Party at Magic Kingdom (a separately ticketed event along the lines of Mickey’s Halloween and Christmas parties) brings an added element of magic to youngsters and adults who dream of being royalty or finding buried treasure. Guests can dance or swashbuckle their way through an evening of themed entertainment, including Disney’s Enchanted Adventure Parade and an exclusive fireworks show. Sweet treats, treasures and trinkets fill Treasure Bags as guests work their way around various events using their Treasure Maps. A special stage show and Character Meet and Greets round out the offerings. Tickets are $33.95 per adult, $29.95 per child (ages 3-9) if purchased in advance, or $45.95 and $39.95 on the night of the event. The event is likely to prove popular, so call ahead on 407-934-7639

Epcot’s big news for 2008 is the refurbishment of the park’s icon, Spaceship Earth. A new storyline highlights the role of past innovation with future inspiration as guests journey through the attraction in their ‘time machine’ past scenes that develop in building-block fashion, from primitive cave paintings to computer technology and beyond. The ride includes an interactive element, allowing guests to ‘create their own vision of the future’ by making choices on a touch-screen. All new narration and music combine in a hopeful message honouring human ingenuity and imagination. New sponsor, Seimen’s, also opened a post-show area called Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow, with a fun driving simulator, games, and interactive exhibits.

PRO SPOT: The American Adventure’s American Heritage Gallery in Epcot’s World Showcase presents a new exhibit, National Treasures, with 36 artifacts honouring American historical figures, including Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington Carver. Items have been donated by museums and private collectors and will change over the course of the exhibit’s tour in Epcot.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros replaced El Rio Del Tiempo at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase. Jose Carioca and Panchito, from the Disney film The Three Caballeros, take guests on a gentle boat tour in search of Donald Duck, through the sights and sounds of Mexico’s cities, resorts and beaches.

On of the biggest changes at Walt Disney World was a park name change. Disney-MGM Studios became Disney's Hollywood Studios in January 2008. The Stars and Motorcars parade was replaced by the popular Disneyland parade, Block Party Bash, with singing, dancing, gymnastics and characters from popular Pixar films, The Incredibles, Toy Story, Bugs Life and Monsters Inc.

High School Musical 2: School’s Out (formerly High School Musical Pep Rally) moved from Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where the East High cheerleaders and athletes spread Wildcat fever throughout the audience. Guests can sing and dance along to all the popular hits from the movie, and the underlying message is of the ‘believe in your dreams’ variety. While many viewers are left a bit bemused, young visitors familiar with the movie enthusiastically join in the fun.

Opening in summer 2008, Toy Story Mania features all your favourite Toy Story characters in a shoot-‘em-up dark ride, along the lines of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, with the added element of being a 3-D experience with different skill levels and challenges! Riders are reduced to ‘toy size’ while Buzz, Woody and their friends cheer them on as they whiz though this fairground-style attraction.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a new dining option in the form of Western Himalayan-themed Yak & Yeti, (near Kali River Rapids in Asia), adding a second, much-needed table service restaurant and full service bar. Dim Sum, Egg Rolls, Crispy Chicken, Barbeque Ribs, shrimp, duck, salmon, beef, salads and soups, many with an Asian flair, round out the menu. Counter service dining and a beer garden are also available.

Popular counter service stop, Tusker House in Africa, is now a buffet restaurant, with characters present at breakfast.

Guests age 4-10 can enjoy 4 new Adventures of the pirate variety, with lunch and a goodie bag included. The Pirate Adventure departs from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:30am-11:30am, in search of treasure hidden around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon; Caribbean Pirate Adventure sails from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort on board an old battle relic, exploring the Ports of the Caribbean, with storytelling and a treasure hunt every Sunday and Tuesday from 9:30am-1130am; Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club marina is the starting point for the Albatross Treasure Cruise along Crescent Lake and Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon, searching for clues leading to hidden treasure, each Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am-11:30am; with a slight twist on the pirate theme, the Sassagoula River Adventure Cruise takes on a Mardi Gras theme each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, for a morning of stories and festive fun, with tours departing from Port Orleans Riverside Resort from 11:30am-1:30pm.

A dinosaur invasion is on its way, beginning in autumn 2008! Full service, family-friendly T-Rex Café will feature ‘food you can sink your teeth into’! Pizza, pasta, burgers, soup and salads will keep the kiddies happy, while carnivores can feast on Fire Roasted Rotisserie Chicken, New York strip steak, shrimp, salmon, Sea Bass or hearty Chicken Pot Pie. The restaurant will have a gift shop (of course!) catering to all your dinosaur needs, and even an interactive Paleo Zone, for some hands-on entertainment to keep everyone busy while waiting for a table.

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