The days are getting shorter and summer is coming to an end. The start of the school year is just around the corner, and by the time Labor Day arrives on September 5th, most kids will be back in school, eagerly counting down the days until Thanksgiving break. For those of us who haven’t made it to a Disney theme park this year, now would be a great time to visit Disneyland to take advantage of a special discount during Disney’s Soundsational Summer which ends on September 5th.
Disneyland Resort Discounted Tickets Offer, image from Disneyland.disney.go
In June, Disney raised ticket prices for visits to both the Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, bringing a 3-day Disneyland with Park Hopper ticket up to $224 for adults. With Disney’s current offer, those tickets are now only $199, a savings of $25 per ticket! The offer is not available at the box office and discounted tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1707
The Walt Disney Company excels at bringing magic to life and helping families create lifelong memories of enchantment and wonder. For a price.
As anyone who has ever been to Disney World can attest, Disney has commoditized every experience imaginable, from PhotoPasses and private tours to princess makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Disney has a million ways to wring every last cent from families willing to invest more in their vacation than the price of theme park tickets.
Screenshot of a customized Magic Kingdom Map from customizedmaps.disney.go.com
And now, in addition to the hundreds of customizable gifts you can design and purchase at DisneyPhotoPass.com, you can customize your own Disney World Keepsake Maps. Only this time, the maps are free. Yes, FREE.
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1611
The waiting period between planning an exciting Disneyland vacation and actually going on the vacation can be excruciating, especially for families who book months or years in advance in order to take advantage of exclusive discounts and special offers.
In What to Watch Before Disney World, I recommended one way to while away the weeks leading up to a Disney World vacation: watch all of the films and TV shows which inspired – or were inspired by – attractions at the four major Disney World theme parks. As a companion piece to that entry, below is a chart of all the rides at Disneyland and California Adventures and the movies and TV shows that inspired them. Attractions that have closed are designated with an asterisk(*).
Try catching one or two movies per week while gearing up for your trip. Enjoy – and happy watching!
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1613
While it’s entirely possible to plan a last-minute fantasy vacation to the Disney World Resort in Orlando, most families spend months or even years planning and saving for their Disney World trips. Last year I started planning my September honeymoon visit in April, and the six months of waiting I had to endure was agonizing.
One idea I had to while away the weeks was to watch all of the films and TV shows which inspired – or were inspired by – attractions at the four major Disney World theme parks. I didn’t end up committing to this last year as I was too busy planning my wedding, but I think it’s a great way to get amped for a Disney visit, and it’s the perfect excuse for a marathon of Disney’s best!
Depending on how long you have until your trip, try watching one or two films per week. Movies that aren’t already in your home video collection can be rented through Netflix.com or purchased on Amazon.com. Films that are currently in the Disney Vault may be tricky to get your hands on without paying premium prices from online dealers selling used copies. If you’ve been to the parks before and have a soft-spot for attractions that have previously closed (Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, etc.), challenge yourself by watching those films too, in homage to the rides that once were.
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1571
I am currently in the process of planning my first-year anniversary cruise with my husband, so I know first-hand how difficult it can be to figure out all of the details: which cruise line, which itinerary, what to do at the ports of call, etc., even though cruises are often stereotyped as easy/stress-free vacations. Fortunately, there are hundreds of websites dedicated to helping vacationers plan their cruises, and one of the most comprehensive is Cruisecritic.com, a one-stop destination for cruise deals, reviews, message boards, image galleries, and more.
Screenshot of the Disney Dream Cruise Ship, image from disneycruise.disney.go.com
In April of this year, Disney announced new itineraries for its Disney Magic and Disney Wonder cruise ships which have new 2012 itineraries sailing out of New York, Galveston, and Seattle. Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are getting new ports of embarkation to make way for Disney’s brand new ships debuting in 2011 and 2012: Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Read More: http://www.disney-blog.com/?p=1278
