A Pocketful of Pixie Dust

Disney World Cruises - Experience Disney Magic at Sea

Clare Swindlehurst — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:35:44 +0000

Disney Cruise Lines bring family fun to the ocean waves

If you think that cruises are just for couples and the older traveller then you’d be mistaken. The Disney Cruise Line takes all of the magic you have come to expect from Walt Disney World and sprinkles it on a cruise liner, making it the perfect vacation option for kids and grown-ups alike.

Disney Cruise Packages

There are a number of Disney Cruise packages to choose from, with a variety of destinations.

The Disney Wonder Cruise Ship sails to Nassau in the Bahamas. You can choose from a 3 day cruise or a 4 day cruise. If you need a Disney World fix along with your cruise then there are land and sea packages available that include either a 3 or 4 day stay at the Walt Disney World Resort before you set sail.

The Disney Magic Cruise Ship offers varied itineraries to the Western or Eastern Caribbean. The Magic also offers passengers the chance to visit Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. 2009 cruise destinations also include St. Croix or Tortola.

Disney Cruise Lines

: Image via Wikipedia

Whichever cruise line you choose for your Disney cruise you will find yourself on a world class ocean liner. Both ships have spacious staterooms with various prices to suit all budgets. You’ll find themed dining rooms and activities and areas to cater to all age groups. Kids will enjoy the children’s activities and entertainment ranging from a Lion King themed pajama party for the youngsters to an Aloha Pool Party for the teenagers. There are so many activities available that your kids won’t want to leave the ship!

Of course, with the youngsters of the family off being entertained you may wonder what you’ll do with yourself during the cruise. Don’t worry there’s plenty to keep you occupied too! You might decide to enjoy the quiet time relaxing by one of the many pools or enjoying a rejuvenating spa treatment. Disney fans will enjoy the backstage tour, while the more active among you may want to enter the volleyball or ping pong tournaments.

Family fun can be found at the Buena Vista movie theatre, a basketball court, shuffleboard, shopping, and themed deck parties.

Evening entertainment on your Disney World Cruise comes in the form of Broadway calibre productions in the Walt Disney Theatre. Passengers aboard the Disney Wonder cruise ship can enjoy “The Golden Mickey’s”, “Disney Dreams” and the brand new “Toy Story the Musical”. If you decide to sail on the Disney Magic cruise ship then you’ll be treated to “The Golden Mickey’s”, “Disney Dreams” and “Twice Charmed, An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story.” On some voyages you may be lucky enough to attend a “Prem-Ear” showing of a new blockbuster Disney movie.

Disney Cruise Line Characters

If you enjoy meeting your favourite Disney characters at Walt Disney World then you won’t be disappointed on board; your favourite friends sail right along beside you, making appearances throughout your cruise — oh and for some real Disney magic keep an ear out for the ship’s horn!

Disney Cruise Information

Almost everything is included in the price of your Disney Cruise Line cruise including entertainment, meals, most snacks and room service. You will have to pay for drinks, but you are welcome to bring your own on board if you are sticking to a budget.

Disney World cruises are very popular, so if you want to set sail and enjoy some Disney magic make sure you book at least 6 months in advance. On departure day make sure you are at the port at least two hours before departure — they won’t hold the ship for you if you are late. If you are doing the land and sea package you will be transported by coach from your Walt Disney World Resort. If you are making your own way there you might want to consider staying in a hotel at Port Canaveral the night before your departure.

Oh and one thing you shouldn’t forget; you are leaving US territory on your Disney cruise vacation so make sure you remember to bring your passport!

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Disney World Cruises - Experience Disney Magic at Sea

Cinderella Castle Royal Suite will Remain Open

Clare Swindlehurst — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:15:19 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Great news for those of us who weren’t lucky enough to win the night in Cinderella’s Castle — there’s still hope!

Walt Disney World have confirmed that they will keep the Cinderella Castle Royal Suite open a while longer. The fairytale suite was created in 2007 as part of the Year of a Million Dreams promotion and lucky guests were chosen to stay in the Castle suite overnight. The promotion is about to come to an end but the suite will be available to selected guests into 2009.

The Royal Suite was built in the space originally reserved for an apartment for Walt Disney when the castle was first built. The 650 square foot room three-room Royal Suite offers a mix of 17th-century French luxury, 21st-century convenience and 1950s-era motifs from Disney’s Cinderella movie.

Features created by the Imagineers include spectacular stained glass, a mosaic floor, and original Cinderella movie concept art by renowned Disney artist Mary Blair. There is also a display case containing a single glass slipper and a whirlpool tub. A concierge is on standby outside to look after the guests.

On January 1, 2009 the promotion will be replaced with the new What Will You Celebrate theme which encourages people to bring their personal celebrations to Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World spokesman Rick Sylvain said: “The room will continue to be available for use as the prize for promotions, including some run by outside companies.”

The suite is currently being offered as a prize in the Inside Your Celebration sweepstakes being run by Internet travel site Orbitz.

“This ties in nicely with our ‘What Will You Celebrate?’ ” Sylvain said. “Other uses and opportunities for the suite are still to be determined.

“We will continue to evaluate all options,” he added. “It’s all about ‘right fit.’ Not unlike a certain glass slipper.”

Cinderella Castle Royal Suite will Remain Open

Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party

Clare Swindlehurst — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:02:48 +0000

Walt Disney World guests visiting the Magic Kingdom in 2009 will be treated to a new parade and dance party called: Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party. This daily, live-entertainment event will arrive in the Magic Kingdom in February.

The dance party will begin in Town Square and move down Main Street USA to the sound of contemporary pop songs like Miley Cyrus’ Breakout. There’ll be floats, stilt walkers, and of course — Disney characters, and guests will be encouraged to dance in the street during the 15 minute party.

“This is the main idea of the show — to have the opportunity to play and dance with the characters,” Disney Entertainment Producer Gary Gutierrez explained in a note to passholders.

Sounds fun - but I’m not sure my husband will go for street-dancing so I might be on my own with that one!

Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party

Disney TH!NK Fast

Clare Swindlehurst — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:51:39 +0000

If you have a Wii or a PlayStation 2 console then this could be the perfect game for New Year’s Eve. This quiz-show game is hosted by the genie from Aladdin and challenges you to answer questions based on a variety of Disney movies.

Players can select from a number of different Disney characters, including Mickey, Minnie and Donald — more characters are unlocked as you progress through the game.

The game-show stages are based on films such as The Little Mermaid and The Lion King and they capture the Disney animation style well. Multiple choice questions come in the form of pictures, which is great for little ones who don’t know the answer as they can guess.

The questions range in difficulty but some of them will test the knowledge of even the most die-hard fan.

Definitely looks like one to look out for.

Disney Th!nk Fast with Buzz Controller (PS2)

Disney Th!nk Fast (Wii)

Disney TH!NK Fast

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Help Disney Donate a Book to a Child in Need

Clare Swindlehurst — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:21:36 +0000

If you’ve ever visited my other website: Blue Archipelago you’ll know that I’m an avid reader and a firm believer that all children should have the chance to discover reading. That’s why I was pleased to discover First Book; a nonprofit organisation with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.

This fantastic organisation provides an ongoing supply of new books to children who take part in community-based mentoring, tutoring, and family literacy programs. Over the years First Book has provided more than 50 million new books to children in need in thousands of communities nationwide.

To celebrate the release of the new Adam Sandler movie; Bedtime Stories, Disney Publishing Worldwide has joined forces with First Book to provide 250,000 brand new books to their programme.

Post a comment on this First Book blog post before December 25 (so you better act fast) and Disney will make bedtimes brighter for a child in need. http://blog.firstbook.org/2008/12/19/a-call-to-action-post-a-comment-to-help-share-the-magic-of-bedtime-stories/

Help Disney Donate a Book to a Child in Need

Disney autograph book

The Polar Express Experience - Sea World Orlando

Clare Swindlehurst — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:50:53 +0000

The Polar Express is such a fantastic feel-good Christmas movie and if you’re heading out to Sea World Orlando before January 4, 2009 you’ll be able to experience the magic yourself with The Polar Express Experience.

SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic attraction has been transformed into the fabled Santa Town and park guests can take a magical trip to the North Pole.

The adventure begins on a Christmas Eve night with a young boy lying awake, eagerly listening for the sound of Santa’s ringing sleigh bells just like in the movie. As the little boy gazes out from his frosted bedroom window, a soft mist appears and just in that very moment, a roaring black train rumbles to a halt in front of the boy’s house. Filled with excitement and awe, the boy races out his front door, dashes across the freshly fallen snow and climbs aboard The Polar Express.

As the train’s whistle blows, you will embark on the same adventure as you board The Polar Express Experience to the North Pole. Classic scenes from the movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience immersing passengers in special lighting, scent, sound and motion effects. (If you suffer from motion sickness you’ll need to sit in the special seating area — but can still experience the magic of the journey). At the end of the journey you’ll find yourself in a winter wonderland surrounded by holiday cheer, graceful beluga whales, powerful polar bears and giant walruses.

The smell of delicious Christmas cookies will fill the air, and you will be able to meet Santa Claus himself under a towering festive tree aglow with sparkling lights.

Back in the park itself the Holiday festivities continue with a magnificent holiday show: “Shamu Christmas…Miracles”. The Shamu Stadium is alight with glowing candles as Shamu splashes to your favourite Christmas carols. You’ll need to catch the show before December 30, 2008.

Before the park closes you can head to the Bayside Stadium to hear the Orlando Philarmonic orchestra fill the air with scores from The Polar Express soundtrack. At the end of the concert a splendid array of fireworks will paint the night sky as you stroll along the Waterfront under glistening snow flurries.

If you are looking for some New Year entertainment then SeaWorld will treat you to a musical extravaganza including the best in lating, pop and swing music. As the clock strikes midnight the sky will shine bright with a vibrant fireworks show to bring in the New Year.

It sounds like SeaWorld Orlando is pulling out all of the stops this festive season — I hope some of these events are repeated next year when we make our trip out!

For more information, call 1 (888) 800-5447 or visit SeaWorld.com.

The Polar Express Experience - Sea World Orlando

Host your own Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights this holiday season

Clare Swindlehurst — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:25:35 +0000

If you’re heading out to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season make sure you make time to visit the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights - it’s pretty spectacular and puts most neighbourhood decorations to shame! The Spectacle is made up of more than 5 million bulbs, and takes cast members 3 months to put together every year. If you’ve not had a chance to see the ’show’, or you just want to get in the festive spirit, here’s a little video for you:

If you’d like to replicate the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on your own house this Christmas then this video is just for you. Mark O’Conner is the Holiday Lights Designer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and he has some great tips on how to light up your home this Christmas and stay safe:

Host your own Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights this holiday season

Disney’s Beach Club Resort hosts giant Gingerbread Carousel

Clare Swindlehurst — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:24:57 +0000

If Gingerbread is your thing then you’ll be spoiled for choice this Christmas at the Walt Disney World Resort. Not only can you visit the Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridan Resort & Spa, but you can also feast your eyes on a Gingerbread Carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. From the chocolate and fondant horses to the
white chocolate figures of Mickey Mouse and his friends, every visible part of this masterpiece is edible!

For those of us not lucky enough to take a trip in person - here is a video to whet your appetite.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort hosts giant Gingerbread Carousel

Christmas Grab Bag Gift Ideas for the Disney Fan

Clare Swindlehurst — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:00:47 +0000

With Christmas fast approaching I thought I’d pull together a guide to this year’s best Christmas grab bag gift ideas for the Disney fan in your life. Hopefully you’ll find something to suit your taste and pocket book.

The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides) (Paperback)

If you know someone who is headed out to Walt Disney World during 2009 then the latest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World will make the perfect Christmas gift. This fantastic book gives details on every attraction you’ll find in the parks, with useful information on appeal by age-group, when to visit the attraction, how to avoid the lines and whether or not it’s scary! Here’s some of the other great information you’ll find inside:

Exclusively patented, field-tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day
New color section with practical information for your trip
Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families
A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World
Attractions rated and ranked for each age group; extensive, objective, head-to-head comparisons of the Disney and Universal theme parks

Order a copy today: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides)

Disney Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection (Toy Story / Toy Story 2 / Finding Nemo / The Incredibles / A Bug’s Life / Monsters, Inc. / Cars / Ratatouille)

If there’s a child or an adult in your family who loves Disney-Pixar movies then this Disney Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection could make you their favourite person on Christmas morning. Including no less than 8 fantastic animated movies this is an absolute must for Disney-Pixar fans this Christmas.
Order today: Pixar Gift Set (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Wall-E (Three-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy and BD Live) [Blu-ray] (2008)

If your little animated fan already has all of the DVDs in the Disney-Pixar Collection then look no further than the latest release Wall-E. After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, the curious and lovable Wall-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve. Join them and a hilarious cast of characters on a fantastic journey across the universe. Transport yourself to a fascinating new world this Christmas with Disney-Pixar’s latest adventure, now even more astonishing on DVD and loaded with bonus features, including the exclusive animated short film Burn-E. Wall-E is a film your family will want to enjoy over and over again and perfect for the Christmas Grab Bag.
Order today: Wall-E [Blu-ray] [2008]

Disney MP3

Add some Disney magic to any iPod this Christmas with a Disney MP3 track. From When I Wish Upon A Star to the sound effects from the Haunted House, Amazon has more than 3,500 tracks to choose from!
Browse the Disney MP3 range at Amazon.

Disney Mix Stick High School Musical

For little Disney fans you can’t go wrong with the Disney Mix Stick High School Musical for their Christmas Grab Bag gift. Kids will be able to groove to their favorite tunes with the help of this teeny tiny MP3 player. Jazzed up in their favourite Disney theme, it features 512MB of internal memory — that means they can boogie for up to eight hours with WMA-file songs or up to four hours with MP3-file songs. Plus, there’s no computer required when it’s used with Disney Mix Clips which are sold separately.
Find out more today: Lexar 512MB Disney High School Musical Mix Stick USB

Disney Mickey Plush Toy

Don’t forget your pampered pooch on Christmas morning, even they appreciate a gift from the Christmas Grab Bag. Check out this Disney Mickey Plush Toy which will provide your pup with hours of fun this Christmas.
Order today: Disney Mickey Plush Toy Sml

Disney Sing It

Let the entertainer loose this Christmas with Disney Sing It for the Wii console. Disney fans can sing along to 35 of their favourite songs from hit TV shows including: Camp Rock, Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Aly and AJ and High School Musical. The shy members of the family can still join in by picking up the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck, and moving them to the beat to accompany the singers with percussion instruments like a snare drum, tambourine, cowbell, and more.
Order today:Disney Sing It with Microphone (Wii)

Christmas Grab Bag Gift Ideas for the Disney Fan

Be the star of the show at Walt Disney World

Clare Swindlehurst — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:37:35 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

If you’ve always dreamed of being the star of the show then you may just have the chance to shine on your next Walt Disney World vacation. Throughout the parks and the resorts guests are treated to world class performances where they are not only dazzled, but entertained — and a lucky few get a chance to be part of the show.

The debut of “The American Idol Experience” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009 will mark a continuation of what Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo describes as “transformational experiences (that) put our guests right in the heart of their dreams. These experiences transport our guests deep into the magical realms of what Disney parks are all about.”

“I can’t believe I was hula dancing in front of 200 people,” said Stacey Miller of Arlington, Va., following a show-stopping performance at Disney’s Polynesian Luau. “It’s something my kids are never going to let me forget! It was a blast!”

If you want to be a star of the show on your next trip to Walt Disney World here’s a rundown of the shows and attractions you’ll want to look your best for:

Magic Kingdom

Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (Adventureland) Train to become a pirate as Captain Jack and his mate Mack lead guests through a series of pirate skill tests to prove their mettle. Who is craftiest at wooden swordplay? Who can flash their most menacing pirate grimace? Faster than you can say ”Yo, Ho, Yo, Ho, the Pirate’s Life for Me,” the big moment arrives: getting officially sworn in with the Pirate’s Oath to become honorary buccaneers of Captain Jack’s famous Pirate Crew.

“Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” (Tomorrowland) You can laugh, joke, sing songs and match wits with the beloved animated characters from Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” in an engaging and interactive attraction created by Disney Imagineers. “Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor” features one-eyed hero Mike Wazowski, who has opened a comedy club to collect laughs that will generate power for the future. As Monster-of-Ceremonies, Mike recruits two comedian wannabes whose slapstick humor delights and engages audiences. Guests even get to text-message jokes on their cell phones for possible use in the show.

Epcot

“Turtle Talk With Crush” Crush, from Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” has made a different kind of screen debut in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot – as a chatting, joking quipster who engages younger guests in conversation from his movie-screen undersea environment. “Turtle Talk With Crush” showcases real-time animation using digital projection and sophisticated, voice-activated animation.

Biergarten Restaurant This indoor German “courtyard” in Epcot World Showcase features a German Oktoberfest buffet and fun for the whole family. Throughout the night, guests are invited onstage to join yodelers, dancers and other traditional Bavarian musicians – all clad in lederhosen or dirndl – to play accordions, cowbells and other instruments.

Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure (coming to Epcot in 2009) Inspired by the Disney Channel’s Emmy-Award-winning “Kim Possible” animated series, guests of all ages will become secret agents to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions in this ultra-interactive adventure packed with mystery and excitement. You’ll team up with members of Team Possible in this high-tech experience played in seven of the World Showcase pavilions.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania! An innovative ride-game experience combines memorable film characters from Disney-Pixar classics “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” with games that match their motion picture personas. Donning 3-D glasses, guests seemingly shrink to the size of a toy and hop fanciful ride vehicles that follow a midway-themed route. At each game booth, you’ll aim for animated targets using a special spring-action shooter. The challenges are designed to be fun for everyone from beginners to serious gamers.

“Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” This fast-paced show spotlights the high-octane best of the movie industry’s stunt masters. The action extravaganza sends cars, motorcycles and watercraft careening and jumping across an enormous Mediterranean village set. If you’re lucky you might find yourself onstage to drive one of the stunt cars.

“Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!” If getting in the middle of the action is your style, you could be chosen as an extra to brave earth-shattering crashes and fiery explosions in a backstage view of movie-making.

“Block Party Bash” A new fantastic traveling show featuring favorite Disney-Pixar characters from smash-hit animated films like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “Monster’s, Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life” is rocking and rolling throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios, putting you right in the middle of an unbelievable impromptu party during one of the wildest, most interactive street spectaculars ever.

Jedi Training Academy Taking a cue from the popular Star Wars Saga, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine for an original and intergalactic entertainment experience. Young Jedi hopefuls – known in ‘Star Wars-speak’ as “Padawans” – learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master before facing off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader. Created with Lucasfilm Ltd., Jedi Training Academy is presented multiple times daily, adjacent to the popular Star Tours attraction.

“Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!” Some of the most beloved characters from the Disney Channel lineup are featured in a singing, clapping and be-bopping show designed for preschoolers. The show stars favorites from popular Disney Channel programs including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “Handy Manny” and more.

“The American Idol Experience” (coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2009) Budding pop stars will get a taste of TV’s pop culture phenomenon – up close and personal – by experiencing the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive setting modeled after the “American Idol” set. Guestsadvancing through the screening process have the chance, in the nightly final competition, to win a guaranteed reservation for a regional audition for the “American Idol” TV show.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

“Festival of the Lion King” Animal heroes and villains of Disney’s “The Lion King” movie star in this spectacle that combines the pageantry of a parade with the excitement of an African tribal celebration. Young guests are invited to entertain the audience with a variety of African musical instruments as they join the performers in a parade around the theater, followed by audience participation in competing groups singing a rousing rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Rafiki’s Planet Watch Inspiring a love of animals and concern for their welfare is the underlying theme, both subtle and obvious, throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Affection Section is the destination for those who want to meet animals face to face and hand to fur. This is not just a petting zoo, but a place where young and old can find out all about the animals they see and touch, where they’re from, how they live and what dangers they face in the world. Attendants are on hand to explain each of these domestic animals who welcome this kind of attention.

Resorts

“Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show” (Disney’s Polynesian Resort) You’ll experience paradise in the Pacific at this interactive Polynesian luau set in the beachfront backyard cabana of a Hawaiian house. The luau features authentic Polynesian music and dancing, and a three-course family-style feast. You’re encouraged to join in the hula-dancing fun.

“Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground) If you’ve ever wanted to be a country-music star, here’s your chance! Join the whooping and hollering troupe of singers and dancers at Pioneer Hall. As guests enjoy barbecued ribs, fried chicken and strawberry shortcake for dinner, the enthusiastic performers sing, dance and joke up a storm. If you’re caught misbehavin’, you may find yourself onstage with them!

Jellyrolls (Disney’s BoardWalk) If you’re in a singing mood, then Jellyrolls is the place to be! The main attraction within this rustic, saloon-like club is the crowd itself. Here, people of all ages gather in song as quick-witted pianists bang out old-time favorite sing-alongs. Jellyrolls is a foot-stomping, hootin’ and hollerin’ kind of place with lots of uproarious laughter and fun.

Be the star of the show at Walt Disney World