Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy 2012

The Disney Fantasy has opened inventory through December 2012, as they have been able to confirm the ports of call for the eastern and western Caribbean itineraries on the Disney Fantasy and wanted to make these itineraries available to book as soon as possible. The Disney Dream- inventory open through August 2012. They are looking forward to offering a variety of itineraries to our guests, but we are not ready to share the details about future itineraries on our other ships for 2012 just yet. Coming soon.

A new deal should be released tomorrow for Walt Disney World for this summer! I'll keep you posted!

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain, a popular flume ride at Magic Kingdom theme park, offers big thrills to big kids, teens and adults.

On Splash Mountain, Gotta Be Movin' On Say goodbye to Br'er Rabbit; he's leaving his home in search of a little more adventure, a bit of fortune and his laughing place—where he can live the life that suits him best. Watch as he outwits Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox, escapes their clutches and slips out of sticky situations. Plummet into dark caves and tumble over gentle waterfalls… until Br'er Rabbit's taunting catches up to him—and he's finally caught! From the confines of Br'er Fox's cave at the top of Chickapin Hill on Splash Mountain, Br'er Rabbit tricks Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox one more time. Don't throw me down, down, down into the briar-brimmed pond, he pleads. Anyplace but there! Of course, this is exactly what they do. Follow him as he plummets over the mountain peak on a 5-story (52.5 feet) fall that ends in a massive splashdown into the refreshing pond: Br'er Rabbit's home, his laughing place. After this ultimate plunge, drift past more southern critters aboard a lively Mississippi riverboat. Sing along with them, for it's a zip-a-dee-doo-dah day! Everyone has a Laughing Place—maybe Splash Mountain is yours.

The Backstory

The wise Br'er Frog has a premonition: if Br'er Rabbit leaves his comfortable briar-patch home on Splash Mountain—protected by the prickly plants and dense, thorny vines—he'll be caught by Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox for sure! Br'er Frog's words don't stop Br'er Rabbit from movin' on. Join him on his journey around and through Splash Mountain.

Will You Get Wet?

The twists, turns and 3 dips that lead to the grand drop down 5 stories of rushing water will either get you damp or drenched. If soaked is your goal, request a seat in the front or sit on the right side of the hollowed-out log. Other Disney Mountains One of 3 Magic Kingdom "mountain" attractions, Splash Mountain shares its big thrill classification with Space Mountain and its location in the Frontierland area with the mild but wild Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Splash Mountain is a themed log flume attraction at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and the Magic Kingdom, based on the characters, stories and songs from the 1946 Disney film Song of the South. Although there are variations in the story and features between the three locations, each installation of Splash Mountain begins with a peaceful outdoor float-through that leads to indoor dark ride segments, with a climactic steep drop into a "briar patch" followed by an indoor finale.

Story

The different versions of Splash Mountain feature similar stories, albeit with small differences. Each ride presents scenes taken from the animated segments of Song of the South. It tells the story of the adventures of Br'er Rabbit, a mischievous rabbit that leaves his home in the briar patch to look for his "laughing place." Unfortunately for him, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear, the antagonists of this story, are determined to catch and eat him.

History

At the time it was built, Splash Mountain was one of the most expensive projects created by Walt Disney Imagineering ($75 million). Imagineer Tony Baxter wanted to attract guests to the often empty Bear Country land and make use of the audio-animatronics from America Sings, which was receiving poor attendance. According to Alice Davis (wife of the late Marc Davis), when America Sings closed in April 1988, production of Disneyland's Splash Mountain had gone way over budget. The only way to recover was to close down America Sings and use the characters from that attraction. Baxter and his team developed the concept of Zip-a-Dee River Run, which would incorporate scenes from Song of the South. The name was later changed to Splash Mountain after then-CEO Michael Eisner's mostly-ignored suggestion that the attraction be used to help market the film Splash. The characters from America Sings were used in many scenes, though all of the main characters were specifically designed for Splash Mountain. Dave Feiten was then brought in to animate and fix story and staging problems. Feiten then moved nearly all of the animatronics to new locations and then took out 10 animatronic figures and removed them from the ride completely to improve the show. A version of the popular attraction was planned for Disneyland Paris but scrapped due to budget reasons and the cold weather in Europe.

Location: Magic Kingdom Theme Park Frontierland

Height Requirement:40 inches (102cm) or taller

Category:Water Rides Thrill Rides Indoor

FASTPASS Service

Rider Swap

Pal Mickey Wheelchair Accessible - must transfer from wheelchair

Sneak peek of new interactive Haunted Mansion queue

Last week, Disney provided a sneak peek into the developments in the new interactive queue area for the Haunted Mansion. Disney Imagineers Eric Goodman and Pete Carsillo take you through a look at just some of the new features of the expanded area, including a close-up look at the Decomposing Composer's Crypt, with its interactive instruments. Some of the gravestones formerly seen in the "graveyard" adjacent to the old queue now appear in new locations (some of which seem incongruent for a grave marker, as there's no room for a body underneath), and there's a new wall of crypts with inscriptions honoring those who worked on the creation of the Haunted Mansion. One interesting new feature of the queue is a hidden cryptogram puzzle. If you're planning on visiting the attraction in the near future, you may want to save the puzzle to solve on your own. If you can't wait, Ricky Brigante of Inside the Magic has solved it for you. Ricky does a nice job of exposing the puzzle in layers, so you can see as much as you want without completely spoiling it, if you like.

Some of the markers moved from the Haunted Mansion's old graveyard (such as Master Gracey at center) are placed on plots of ground too small to believe that a body is buried beneath them. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Look for the new queue to officially open around the end of the month. Attention Foolish Mortals: Walt Disney Imagineering has an exclusive first look at the new interactive queue being added to the Haunted Mansion attraction Magic Kingdom Park - and it’s something you’ll want to check out. http://www.viddler.com/explore/disneyparks/videos/718/

Article from http://www.mouseplanet.com

Mission: SPACE

Mission: SPACE, a motion simulator ride at Epcot theme park, is as close as you can get to blasting off into space without leaving Earth. This attraction for big kids, teens and adults realistically mimics what an astronaut might experience during a space flight to Mars.

Each member of your astronaut team has a challenging role in a dynamic and daring cosmic mission dodging meteors and navigating nebulae. Mission: SPACE is available in 2 versions—select the Orange Team for exhilarating and intense training or opt for the Green Team and have a less intense galactic adventure.

Pre-Show for Mission: SPACE

You are invited to train for the very first mission to Mars aboard the X-2 Deep Space Shuttle at the International Space Training Center (ISTC) on the 75th anniversary of man's first mission into space. Make your way to the Recruiting Center where you will choose a team—comprised of 4 members—for training.

Each team member will be given an on-board position with unique assignments to perform during the mission. The positions include Navigator, Pilot, Commander and Engineer. Before beginning the training exercise, trainees will watch an introductory video about the mission starring actor Gary Sinise.

The Journey to Mars

After the mission briefing, make your way inside the space capsule—sitting side by side with the other members of your team. Feel the rush of take-off as you embark on a thrill-packed training adventure through space to Mars.

During the simulation, rocket around the moon, experience a brief period of simulated hypersleep, and land on the reddened surface of Mars, before blasting back to Earth.

Select the Orange Team or the Green Team

Mission: SPACE utilizes a multiple-arm centrifuge that spins and tilts to simulate the illusion of speed and gravitational forces. Realistic sounds from overhead and vivid video images only add to the experience of the simulation.

As an astronaut in training, you are given the choice to be a part of the Orange Team or the Green Team.

The Orange Team is a more intense training session and is the original version of the attraction, where you will experience forces up to 2.4G—more than twice the force of the Earth's gravitational pull.

The Green Team has a less intense experience. You do not feel forces up to 2.4G when choosing this option. If you are prone to motion sickness, you should opt for the Green Team.

Post-Show of Mission: SPACE

After the attraction, visit the Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab, an interactive play space for Guests of all ages where you can compete in Mission: SPACE Race, enjoy an arcade-style game where you can explore Mars on foot, or create video postcards that can be sent via e-mail.

Guest Policies

• Due to the nature of the experience, service animals are not permitted on this attraction.


• Video Captioning is available on selected monitors in this attraction. Please visit Guest Relations to obtain an activator.


• May cause motion sickness. Please see Cast Member at the attraction for further cautionary information.


• Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information.


• For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure.


• Guests may rent attraction translation device units at Guest Relations locations in the Theme Parks with a refundable deposit.


• Guests must transfer from motorized scooter or ECV to an available wheelchair, then from the wheelchair to the attraction/ride vehicle.


• Disney's FASTPASS service, a reservation system that reduces time spent in line, is available for this attraction.


• Expectant mothers should not ride.


• Guests must transfer from their wheelchair, motorized scooter or ECV to board the ride vehicle.

Location: Epcot Theme Park Mission: SPACE Pavilion

Height Requirement: 44 inches (112cm) or taller

Category: Thrill Rides, Mild but Wild, Rides Indoor

FASTPASS Service Rider Swap Language Translation Pal Mickey Wheelchair Accessible Must transfer from wheelchair Hearing Disabilities

Quick Tips

To avoid long waits, don't make the Spaceship Earth attraction at Epcot theme park your first stop in the morning because it is the most popular in the morning. The wait will be shorter at any other part of the day.

Fun Facts

To develop the story and design of Mission: SPACE, Walt Disney Imagineers worked with more than 25 space experts from both NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, including 5 astronauts.

Finding Nemo - The Musical

GET RESERVED SEATING AT FINDING NEMO: THE MUSICAL
Guests who have an Advanced Dining Reservation at Animal Kingdom's Tusker House restaurant for dining during select times will receive a ticket for reserved seating at the performance of "Finding Nemo the Musical." It is asked that you arrive 30 minutes prior to the performance.

Seating at Tusker House from 1:00-1:40 will be eligible for the 3:15 performance.

Seating at Tusker House from 1:50-2:45 will be eligible for the 4:45 performance.

Finding Nemo – The Musical captures the heart, humor, characters and story from the Disney·Pixar animated film Finding Nemo and adapts them into a mesmerizing 30-minute Broadway-style musical stage show. The performance is for audiences of all ages in the air-conditioned Theater in the Wild in the DinoLand U.S.A. area at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.

It's a big, blue beautiful world, but not without its dangers, as the overprotective clownfish father, Marlin, his curious son, Nemo, and their friend, Dory, find out in this big fish story—complete with new musical numbers that take their cue from lines from the movie, including "Just Keep Swimming" and "Go with the Flow."

The innovative lighting, sound, special effects and stunning theatrical puppets—some as large as cars—make Finding Nemo – The Musical a must "sea" production.

Through the use of puppetry, acrobats, dancers performing against an animated backdrop, "Finding Nemo" comes to life with new songs written by Tony Award-winning Avenue Q composer Robert Lopez and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, would "combine puppets, dancers, acrobats and animated backdrops" and open in late 2006. Tony Award-winning director Peter Brosius signed on to direct the show, with Michael Curry (puppet designer), who designed puppets for Disney's successful stage version of The Lion King, serving as leading puppet and production designer.

Anderson-Lopez said that the couple agreed to write the adaptation of "one of their favorite movies of all time" after considering "The idea of people coming in [to see the musical] at 4, 5 or 6 and saying, 'I want to do that'....So we want to take it as seriously as we would a Broadway show." To condense the feature-length film to thirty minutes, she said she and Lopez focused on a single theme from the movie, the idea that "The world's dangerous and beautiful."

The forty-minute show (which is performed five times daily) opened on January 2, 2007. Several musical numbers took direct inspiration from lines in the film, including "(In The) Big Blue World," "Fish Are Friends, Not Food," "Just Keep Swimming," and "Go With the Flow." In January 2007, a New York studio recording of the show was released on iTunes, with Lopez and Anderson-Lopez providing the voices for Marlin and Dory, respectively. Avenue Q star Stephanie D'Abruzzo also appeared on the recording, as Sheldon/Deb.

Nemo was the first non-musical animated film to which Disney added songs to produce a stage musical. In 2009 Finding Nemo - The Musical was honored with a Thea award for Best Live Show from the Themed Entertainment Association.

Astro-Jets opened March 24, 1956 at Disneyland

In 1956, the first rocket-spinner attraction opened at Disneyland and was known as the Astro Jets. The attraction was made by Klaus Company Bavaria and similar to several versions found in traveling carnivals. The "jets" made a 50-foot circle around a large red-checkered rocket and guests were able climb upwards of 36 feet in their ride vehicles from the ground level they were boarded at. The attraction stood between the Submarine Voyage and Rocket to the Moon.

The name Astro Jets was changed in 1964 when United Airlines, as a new park sponsor (sponsoring "The Enchanted Tiki Room"), contended the name was free advertising for American Airlines' coast-to-coast Astrojet service. After this dispute, the name was changed to Tomorrowland Jets. The name lasted until September 1966, when the attraction was closed to make room for the new renovated Tomorrowland.

The attraction returned in August 1967 as the Rocket Jets. This version was located on top of the new PeopleMover platform, and was accessible from ground level via an elevator. The focal point of this version was its replica Saturn V/NASA-themed rocket in the center. This version remained open until 1997, when it closed for renovations with the rest of Tomorrowland. The new form of the attraction opened one year later as Astro Orbitor. The new version is a replica of the Orbitron, Machines Volantes at Disneyland Paris.

The Astro Orbitor was planned to be placed where the Rocket Jets were, but weighed too much for the current building. Instead, it was relocated to the entrance of Tomorrowland, and placed on ground level, thus making the ride the new focal point as guests step from the main plaza of Disneyland into Tomorrowland. One concept drawing had guests boarding the attraction underground and others had the center of the attraction featuring a water moat (similar to the "Dumbo the Flying Elephant" attraction in Fantasyland). Both ideas were never carried out.

The mechanism for Rocket Jets on top of the PeopleMover was re-used as a kinetic satellite-themed sculpture known as Observatron was built out of the ride's skeletal structure. The Observatron was originally planned to come to life every fifteen minutes and appear to summon signs from the skies, while a selected soundtrack (such as selected music pieces from Space Mountain and Le Visionarium at Disneyland Paris) would play over Tomorrowland. However, the mechanism has been prone to failure and occasionally will be inactive for periods of months or only play sporadically on certain days.

In April 2009, the Astro Orbitor closed for refurbishment and was stripped down to its skeletal structure. It reopened in June 2009 with a silver, blue, red, and gold trim color scheme.

Guest Assistance Card FAQ

What is the Guest Assistance Card, or GAC?
The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) at Walt Disney World is also called the Special Assistance Pass (SAP) at Disneyland. Both refer to the basically the same thing. The GAC used to be called the Special Assistance Pass. The name was changed to Guest Assistance Card a few years ago because some people thought it was a “front-of-the-line” pass, which caused some confusion between guests and cast members. Some people think there is a back door into most rides that they will get to use if they have a GAC and that's almost never the case -- many attractions have mainstream access. Always ask the Cast Members at the attraction how to proceed, and please do not expect front-of-line access.

The GAC is not used to jump the lines, it is used to help special needs travelers get access to attractions that they would otherwise not be able to see due to health, mobility, or major developmental and psychological issues. You may be allowed to bypass the lines, but you should still expect to wait. Examples of people who might benefit from using the GAC include folks of all ages and backgrounds, whether their need is temporary or permanent:

• People with mobility issues that would keep them from being able to stand in long queues who are not using wheelchairs, ECVs or canes;
  
• People who are particularly heat or sun sensitive to the point that it endangers their health or safety because of health conditions such as Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, or people who are on certain medications;
  
• Families traveling with special needs children or adults who have health, psychological or hypersensitivity issues that make it difficult to remain in crowded queues;


• People who are easily fatigued or in pain due to serious health problems (heart, emphysema, arthritis, etc.) who plan to be ambulatory inside pavilions and attractions but park their wheelchair or ECV outside, or choose not to use wheelchairs. They get access to the seating without stairs in shows, for example. Also use of alternate entrances in places where the queue is not mainstream and there are stairs or a climb.

How do you get a GAC?
You can go to Guest Relations at the entrance of any of the Disney parks and request one. You don't need a doctor's letter or any evidence to show that you need one, although many people do take a doctor’s letter for backup. You do need to be able to explain what your problems are and what assistance you need. The GAC is not a convenience; it is a tool for access. Guest Services Cast Members are responsible for determining who will be given the GAC... it helps to be prepared and know what to ask for, and how, before you go.

How long is it valid?
If you are given a GAC, it will be good at all the Disney parks for the length of your vacation. You don't need to get one for each park or for each day. You do need to get a new card on your next vacation to WDW; it is only good for one trip.

What does it allow you to do?
The cards all look the same, but each card has different instructions stamped on. We are aware of 5 different messages; there may be more.

• Allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair in mainstream queues and at alternate entrances. ECVs and wheelchairs can be taken into any building or line without having any pass or card. This allows strollers to use the same alternate entrances.
  
• Allows a waiting spot shaded from the sun if the line is "in the sun for an excessive amount of time." Fo most of the lines, the largest part of the line inside a building or under a roof or shade. Some of the outdoor lines are even air-conditioned to avoid getting too hot. This is helpful to people who are sun or heat sensitive.


• Allows an alternate entrance waiting area for people who can't wait in line. This one is mostly used for children/adults with conditions like autism, ADD or other health problems that make waiting in line difficult or dangerous for them or the people with them. This would also apply to people who suffer from agoraphobia or severe panic attacks that would make waiting in line in close contact with other people impossible. Also, this is used for people who are immunosuppressed and need to avoid infection.


• Allows ‘front and center’ seating at shows, for people with severe visual impairments


• Kids at WDW thru the Make A Wish or similar organizations. This card allows "front of line" access because these kids are very fragile and have a life threatening condition. These cards are arranged thru WDW and Make a Wish or Give Kids the World as part of their visit.

For the first 3 categories, you will be asked to use FastPass if available and you are told that the card will not allow immediate access to rides/attractions. You will often still need to wait; it just may be in a different place.

Do you need a GAC if you have a wheelchair or ECV?
Maybe, maybe not. If you have a wheelchair or ECV, cane or crutches, you will not need a GAC unless you have a medical reason not to be in the mainstream lines.

If you have a legitimate reason for a GAC as outlined above, then you need to advocate for yourself at Guest Services in order to get the GAC. They may try to tell you that you do not need the GAC because the wheelchair or ECV will be enough to let the CMs at the attractions know that you need to use the accessible entrances. This is true if your reasons for being in the wheelchair or ECV are only due to mobility issues. However, if you plan to leave your wheelchair or ECV at the entrance of an attraction or pavilion and walk inside, having a GAC will alert the CMs that you need to use the accessible seating or boarding areas inside the attraction.

If you have medical or major psychological issues that would prevent you from being able to use the mainstream, wheelchair-accessible lines along with all other guests to the point that you would have to miss the attraction or it would endanger your health, then you will need the GAC.

About using the GAC when you need it...Many people feel embarrassed, or like they are cheating if they ask for a GAC. Please don't think that using the GAC to get to alternate waiting or boarding areas is just a 'bump in' to the line... remember:

• You are paying the same as everyone else at the park.


• It will take you longer time and more physical energy to move from one attraction to another.
  
• You will most likely not stay in the parks as long as average guests.
  
• You will need to spend more time resting and refreshing in between attractions.

Perhaps other people arrive at the line ahead of you, but you have every right to enjoy the attractions at your pace. Disney has this program in place to help you get the most enjoyment possible from your visit to the park It isn't something for you to feel embarrassed or self-conscious about, when you really need it. It is not the same as a front-of-line pass, and there will be times when you may wait longer than people in the regular queue.