Carnival offers some tempting summer deals!

Carnival Deal for July bookings!
Book between July 11-July 31, 2011, and we’ll load your Sail & Sign® Card with up to $25 per guest for 3-4-day cruises, up to $50 per guest for 5-day cruises or up to $75 per guest for 6-9-day cruises.

But here’s the coolest part: You can use the cash anywhere on board or on a shore excursion! And at the end of your cruise, you’ll get back whatever credit you haven’t used. How awesome is that?

Silly Symphony Swings at Disneyland

Mickey's conducting and Donald's disrupting — until a tornado hits the orchestra! Swing through the air in your musical chair as Mickey's barnyard orchestra plays William Tell's "The Storm"!

The Swinging Sensation

When the tornado takes hold, your seat rises higher, the carnival top tilting this way and that to give you a unique view of Disney California Adventure Park. For a minute and a half, your feet dangle free as the swings fly through the air around the tower topped by the Maestro Mickey himself! Scenes from the short painted on the ride's tower transform from still to storm as the central tower telescopes upward.

"The Band Concert"

The ride was inspired by the classic Mickey Mouse cartoon short, "The Band Concert." Released in 1935, it featured a frazzled Mickey trying to conduct an outdoor orchestra as Donald Duck becomes a sort of Pied Piper, leading the strings astray with his flute to play a more patriotic tune. But it all goes haywire when they strike up William Tell's "The Storm." In the mistral of minstrels, Mother Nature ties the tune in knots with her winds, landing the ever-so-dedicated players in a tree. Somehow, Donald manages to get the last note.

Let this trilling experience sweep you off your feet!

Silly Symphony Swings is a "wave swinger" attraction in Paradise Pier, at Disney California Adventure, at the Disneyland Resort in California. Themed to Disney's The Band Concert conductor Mickey Mouse conducts the attraction from high atop, synchronized with the music. Although "The Band Concert" was not part of the 'Silly Symphonies' film series, the name was applied to the attraction due to its apparent symphony storyline. Closely following the plot of "The Band Concert" the main column of the ride rises revealing a tornado which spins the riders to the tune of the William Tell Overture and William Tell's "Storm". Once the tornado safely passes, the music comes to an end and the ride slows and lowers riders to the ground. It is speculated that the new voice of the Silly Symphony Swings is that of the fictitious Mr. Tinkershmidt, the supposed new owner of Paradise Pier. Tinkershmidt and the Silly Symphony Swings update is part of the multi-year, $1.1 billion (US) expansion plan for Disney's California Adventure Park. Previews of the attraction are offered at California Adventure's Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar.

The attraction was originally slated to replace the Orange Stinger on May 28, 2010. Although the attraction soft opened on May 28, 2010, it had an Official Grand Opening on June 11, 2010.

Previous Attraction History

The Orange Stinger reflected in Paradise BayThe Orange Stinger, the predecessor of "Silly Symphony Swings", was an off the shelf Zierer Wave Swinger enclosed in a large orange and themed as bees. Riders swung on suspended seats inside the enclosure which offered views of nearby Paradise Pier and Paradise Bay through large openings in the walls. These openings were made to look like peeled sections of an orange peel. The original bumblebee seats were removed on February 10, 2001 due to damage during use. After removal, the seats were unthemed swing seats. Initially an orange scent effect was introduced into the attraction giving it the smell of a 'real' orange, but was later removed because it attracted real bees.

The giant orange was a tribute to the orange fields that Disneyland was built on, as well as Orange County, where the Disneyland Resort is located.

Quick Facts:
Disney California Adventure
Land - Paradise Pier
Attraction type - Wave Swinger
Theme - Disney's The Band Concert; Victorian
Soft opening date - May 28, 2010
Opening date - June 11, 2010
Hosted by Mickey Mouse
Music - William Tell Overture
Ride duration - 1:30 minutes
Total height - 40 ft (12.2 m)
Height requirements - 48" (122 cm)
Capacity - 48 guests per ride
Preceded by Orange Stinger
Sponsored by Walt Disney Records
Must transfer from wheelchair

Maelstrom opens at EPCOT July 5, 1988.

Maelstrom is a family-friendly adventure on a troll-tormented Viking ship from modern-day to historic Norway in the World Showcase area at Epcot theme park.

Come aboard for a stormy voyage through a Norwegian fjord, a troll-infested swamp and on to the North Sea via a thrilling backward plummet.

After departing a contemporary village, you'll be water-blasted to the past through a unique aquatic landscape. You never know what's around the next bend—you might even encounter polar bears and pirates!

Once you've dodged the trickster trolls and other obstacles, disembark in the safety of a calm harbor. Then watch a glorious 5-minute film that captures the remarkable beauty of Norway today.

Exploring Norway's heritage isn't going to be smooth sailing, so buck up like a Viking would!

Mælstrom is a dark ride and a traditional film attraction located in the Norway pavilion of the World Showcase at the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Visitors ride boats that are patterned after Viking ships and pass through various scenes with audio-animatronic figures. The attraction features a brief 28 foot drop near the climax of the boat ride.

The ride first takes visitors back to a mythological version of Norway's Viking days. The boats first pass through scenes of seafarers and Vikings. The boats then enter an enchanted swamp, and are forced backwards down a waterfall by angry trolls. The boats float rapidly past scenes of polar bears and living trees, before coming to a stop on the edge of another waterfall, exposed to the Norway pavilion's main thoroughfare. After again rotating to a forward-facing position, the boats plunge forward into the stormy North Sea. The boats pass dangerously close to an oil rig and the ride comes to an abrupt end in a calm harbor. After the ride, guests disembark and must wait to enter a theater where a short film about Norway is shown. The film is optional, but guests must wait for the previous film to finish before they can enter the theatre to watch the film or exit the ride.

The Mælstrom attraction was always conceived to be a boat ride, with a section that went backwards. The ride's plotline was originally going to be entirely centered around trolls, but the Norwegian sponsors wanted a ride that included other aspects of Norway.

If you are seeking Hidden Mickeys, look in the ride's loading area. A large painted mural includes many people and elements from Norway's history. Hidden in this painting is a Viking whose helmet has Mickey Mouse ears, and another figure wearing a Mickey Mouse watch.

Quick Facts:

World Showcase (Norway)

Attraction type - Boat voyage

Theme - history of mythological Norway

Opening date July 5, 1988

Vehicle type - 4 seat Viking boats

Vehicle capacity - 8 to 12

Cars per vehicle - 1

Ride duration - 4:47 minutes

Length - 964 ft (293.8 m)

Number of lifts - 1

Movie Length - 5:00 minutes

Capacity - 1920 per hour

 

  

Fun Fact: 

The dragon-headed longboats are inspired by the actual crafts used by the Vikings.

DisneyQuest

DisneyQuest is an "indoor interactive theme park" located in Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It is housed in a five-story, windowless building. Guests enter the first-floor lobby and are transported via a "magic" elevator to the third floor atrium at the start of their visit.

DisneyQuest contains numerous virtual reality attractions for all ages, as well as classic and recent arcade games.

The Genie from Aladdin is an unofficial mascot of DisneyQuest. Upon entering at ground level, one is brought by an elevator (here called a "cybrolator," containing a short & humorous animation of Genie welcoming you) up to the center of the third floor (the "Ventureport"), where one's visit begins. He is also heard on the end-of-day closing announcements. When a game or attraction is down, a sign reading "The Genie has spotted a technical problem..." is displayed.

Attractions

First floor

Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold: Man a pirate ship and destroy other ships, sea monsters, and fortresses to collect gold. One player captains the ship by steering and controlling the throttle, while up to six gunners control the cannons to destroy other ships.

Virtual Jungle Cruise: Paddle an inflatable raft (with real paddles) as you make your way down a prehistoric river, avoiding dinosaurs and occasionally getting sprayed with water.

Second floor

CyberSpace Mountain: Guests design a roller coaster on a design kiosk, then sit in a pitch-and-roll simulator and "ride" it. Guests may also ride pre-built coasters. It is hosted by Bill Nye the Science Guy, who instead refers to himself as "Bill Nye the Coaster Guy".

 

Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride: Players wear an HMD as they ride a magic carpet through Agrabah, collecting gems to find The Genie, who has been hidden away in the Cave of Wonders.

Animation Academy: Regular sessions throughout the day teach how to draw characters, with lightpens on computer screens. Guests can purchase a printout afterward.

Sid's Create-a-Toy: A program featuring the evil Sid character from Toy Story that allows one to custom design a toy out of parts of other toys, and then buy it later.

Living Easels: An interactive touch screen program where guests can place various images onto several selectable backgrounds. A full-color printout of a guest's design may be purchased.

Radio Disney Song Maker: Where you can create your own song, and then buy it later.

Third floor

Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam: Players "become" a pinball in a gigantic projected pinball game; by rocking their "duck" back and forth, up to twelve players at a time control their corresponding pinball on the screen, attempting to collect the most points.

Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster: Players board bumper cars and attempt to navigate over foam balls ("asteroids") on the floor. By doing so, the asteroids will be sucked up into the cabin where players can then load them into a cannon and shoot at the other cars. If hit in the correct spot, one's car may spin around uncontrollably for ten seconds. Usually there are two players to a car; however, it is possible for one person to pilot and shoot at the same time.

Fourth floor

Ride the Comix 4: Players wear an HMD to "enter the comic book world." Players battle with super villains by using a laser sword. Up to six players can be on a team at a time.

Fifth floor

Ride the Comix 5: Players wear an HMD to "enter the comic book world." Players battle with super villains by using a laser sword. Up to six players can be on a team at a time. (This attraction is identical on both the 4th and 5th floor)

Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter: Four players ride inside a rescue vehicle to save astronauts: one player drives, the other three shoot enemy aliens. Based on the former Magic Kingdom attraction, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter.

Removed attractions

The corkscrew "Cave of Wonders Slide", 150 feet (46m) long, took guests from the third floor to the first. It was closed in DisneyQuest's first year of operation.

In "Treasure of the Incas", players could drive small remote-control toy trucks through a maze in search of treasure. Along a wall were stations with a steering wheel and a video screen by which to drive the truck; the floor of the room was clear plastic through which friends could see the trucks driving around so that they could shout directions to the driver. This attraction was plagued by interference from emerging technologies such as cell phones, and was finally closed after one of the vehicles caught fire. The clear flooring and mazes could still be seen near the Virtual Jungle Cruise area, adjacent to the Safari hunting games until 2007 when the floor was recovered and new games moved to the area. This area is now entirely jungle themed and is home to a number of Let's Go Jungle!: Lost on the Island of Spice Jeeps.

At "Magic Mirrors", once located on the second floor in the Create Zone, guests could take a picture of themselves and then edit their faces to appear like cartoons. The attraction closed in 2005 and has since been converted to seating.

"Hercules" was a team game where 6 guests would each control their own character from Disney's Hercules with a joystick. The object of the game was to collect lightning bolts and defeat Hades. This attraction was replaced with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold".

Other games

Pump It Up NXClassic arcade games such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Asteroids, Tron, BurgerTime, Zaxxon, Pengo, Kangaroo, Berzerk, Donkey Kong (in all its iterations), Joust, Robotron: 2084, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Marble Madness, Moon Patrol, Spy Hunter, Asteroids Deluxe, Centipede, Millipede, Q*Bert, Missile Command, Frogger, Arkanoid, Mario Bros., Dig Dug, Mr. Do!, Gorf, Galaga, and others.

Arcade games from the 1990s and 2000s such as an eight-player linked Sega Daytona USA (which has been recently replaced with EA Sports/Global VR's NASCAR Racing), a four-player linked San Francisco Rush 2049, a four-player linked Sega OutRun 2, two Pump It Up dance games (Fiesta and NX2), Dance Dance Revolution Supernova 2, several Guitar Hero Arcade games, a number of fighting games such as Tekken 5, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and the arcade edition of Soulcalibur. There were many more games, such as two Sega Crazy Taxi machines, 6 Sega Sea Hawk machines, one Sega Star Wars Trilogy Arcade sit-down machine, double two-player linked Mario Kart Arcade GP cabinets, several sports arcade games including Sega Air Trix, Virtua Tennis, Sega World Series Baseball, Bowl-O-Rama, Sega Marine Fishing, F&F Super Bikes, an extremely rare Sega Flash Beat, and many others.

Skeeball, "shoot-the-hoops", air hockey, and other games of skill.

Dining

DisneyQuest features two quick service restaurants.

On the fourth floor, the Wonderland Cafe features desserts and drinks. Most tables have computers with free internet access, though nearly all websites, including many in its own favorites list, are blocked.

On the fifth floor, food is served at two stations: Food Quest, which is primarily burgers, chicken, wraps and sandwiches, and Pizza Pasta Panini, which in addition to the foods in its name serves salads.

As of fall 2008, alcohol is served on the fourth floor in the Wonderland Cafe area.

Price

You can get a Water Park and More addition to your Magic Your Way ticket and it will include the Water Parks, ESPN and Disney Quest. 

Current admission is $37.00-$43.00. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Except for prize-play (claw) machines and photo booths, all games and attractions inside DisneyQuest are included after admission is paid. Depending on daily attendance levels, late-night tickets are sometimes sold for half-price two hours prior to closing each night.

Certain attractions have souvenirs available for purchase in the second floor Guest Gallery. Cyberspace Mountain has an available video of the created roller coaster, with footage of the guests riding the attraction. The Animation Academy, Sid's Create-A-Toy, the Living Easels and Radio Disney Song Maker all offer the option of purchasing created items.

Attraction facts

Location: Downtown Disney

Opened: March 1, 1998

Coordinates: 28°22′13″N 81°31′20″W / 28.3703041°N 81.5221252°W / 28.3703041; -81.5221252

Address: 1486 East Buena Vista Drive

Phone Number: (407) 828-4600

Marrakesh Restaurant at EPCOT in Morocco

This North African-style sultan's palace offers culinary adventurers the Taste of Morocco: Royal Feast, which includes everything from Harira soup to Moroccan pastries—all on one platter. The full bar mixes specialty cocktails such as the Casablanca Sunset, the Sahara Splash and the Marrakesh Express

There is more to this exotic oasis than its savory cuisine: While you dine, belly dancers entertain Guests with their sinuous movements, accompanied by the percussive music of this ancient culture.  (One of my favorite memories is when my husband and I went to EPCOT for Valentine's Day (before children) and there were twin little boys dancing with the belly dancer - it was too cute!)

The dance, sounds, flavors and rhythms of Morocco take you to another land when you dine at Restaurant Marrakesh!

Guest Policies

• To make reservations, book online or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 up to 180 days prior to your visit.
• This experience takes place in a non-smoking environment.
• A cancellation policy applies and may result in charges if you cancel with insufficient notice. Specific policies related to this facility will be detailed at time of reservation booking.
• Price range reflects estimated individual check average, except Character Dining and buffet locations where pricing is based on individual adult pricing. Excludes alcohol, tax, and gratuity.
• Specialty celebration cakes are available for an additional charge and should be ordered 48 hours in advance by calling (407) 827-2253.
• This location can accommodate most special dietary needs. Advance notice may be required and cancellation fees may apply. Please indicate any special dietary need at time of reservation booking. Learn more about how we can help accommodate special dietary needs.
• Menu items and prices subject to change without notice.

Fun Facts

Traditional Moroccan artwork does not portray living things, which accounts for the beautiful geometric patterns that are part of the artistic tradition in Morocco evident in the tile work in this restaurant.

Menu

Lunch
Appetizers/Starter

Beef Brewat Roll - Layers of thin pastry stuffed with seasoned minced beef, fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. - $6.95
Chicken Bastilla - Baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with minced chicken and almonds, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar - $7.95
Combination Appetizer for Two - Beef brewat rolls, chicken bastilla and Jasmina salad. - $15.95
Seafood Bastilla - Baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with grouper, shrimp, mushrooms, vermicelli, feta cheese, onions and egg. - $8.95

Soups/Salads

Harira Soup - Traditional hearty soup flavored with tomatoes, lentils and lamb. - $5.95
Jasminas Salad - An assortment of fresh vegetable salads served on a bed of lettuce. - $6.95

Entree/Main Course

Chicken Couscous - Rolled semolina and chicken served with seasonal veggies. - $17.95

Chicken Kebabs - Grilled brochettes of chicken breast marinated in Moroccan herbs and spices, served with seasoned rice. - $16.95

Couscous With Lamb Shank - Lamb shank with rolled semolina steamed and served with seasonal veggies. - $19.95
Lemon Chicken - Braised 1/2 chicken seasoned with garlic, green olives and preserved lemon. Served with seasoned rice. - $17.95

Roast Lamb Meshoui - A Moroccan tradition - Roasted lamb in natural juices served with seasoned rice. - $18.95

Shish Kebab - Grilled tenderloin of beef marinated in Moroccan herbs and spices, served with seasoned rice. - $18.95
Sultan's Sampler Platter - Grilled brochette of either beef or chicken served with a beef brewat roll and chicken bastilla served with vegetable couscous and seasoned rice. - $21.95
Taste of Morocco: Berber Feast - Start with the Jasmina salad, then choose one of the following traditional Moroccan feasts: Roast lamb meshoui, Brochette of chicken, or Vegetable couscous and then finish with a fresh fruit salad. Served with seasonal vegetables. Priced per person. - $24.95

Vegetable Couscous - Rolled semolina steamed and served with seasonal veggies. - $14.95

Dessert

Bastilla - Crispy leaves of pastry topped with vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with toasted almonds. For one $5.95 or For two $6.95

Marrakesh Delight - Fresh fruit salad topped with mint ice cream, toasted almonds and orange blossom water. - $4.95

Moroccan Symphony - Assorted pastries - $5.95

Drinks

Berber Passion - Made with peach daiquiri, cream de coco, and orange juice. - $3.75
Casablanca Sunset - Made with apricot brandy, orange juice, cranberry juice, topped with peach schnapps. - $6.95
Marrakesh Express - Made with rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, topped with dark rum. - $6.95

Sahara Splash - Made with vodka, cranberry juice, midori, and a splash of soda. - $6.95

Tangier's Breeze - Made with vodka, pineapple juice, and topped with midori. - $6.95



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Dinner
Appetizers/Starter

Beef Brewat Roll - Layers of thin pastry stuffed with seasoned minced beef, fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. - $6.95

Chicken Bastilla - Baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with minced chicken and almonds, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. - $7.95

Combination Appetizer for Two - Beef brewat rolls, Chicken bastilla and Jasmina salad - $15.95

Goat Cheese with Crispy Bread - Mixture of cheese and kalamata olives served with tobouleh, red pepper sauce, and balsamic vinegar reduction. - $13.95

Merguez Sausage - Grilled lamb sausage with tomatoes, red onions, cilantro salad, and harissa lamb juice. - $8.95
Morrocan Salad Combo for Two - Green pepper, and tomato, marinated olives, carrots, potatoes and cucumber salad. - $13.95

Mussels Casablanca for Two (P.E.I.) - Steamed mussels served with capers, tomatoes and light saffron cream sauce. - $13.95

Seafood Bastilla - Baked layers of thin pastry stuffed with grouper, shrimp, and mushrooms. - $8.95

Soups/Salads

Harira Soup - Traditional hearty soup flavored with tomatoes, lentils and lamb. - $5.95

Entree/Main Course

Beef Couscous - Steamed tiny semolina pasta with beef. - $27.95
Chicken Couscous - Steamed tiny semolina pasta with chicken. - $26.95

Chicken Kebabs - Brochettes of chicken breasts marinated in Moroccan herbs and spices. - $23.95

Couscous M'Rouzia Fassi - Braised beef served with caramelized onions, raisins, honey, almonds and eggs. - $27.95
Couscous Royale - Harira soup appetizer, couscous with beef, chicken and merguez sausage. - $35.95
Couscous With Lamb Shank - Delicious lamb shank slow cooked and served over couscous. - $27.95

Lemon Chicken - Braised half chicken seasoned with garlic, green olives and preserved lemon. - $24.95

Mediterranean Seafood Platter - Seafood bastilla appetizer, chermoula shrimp ragout, and broiled salmon with capers, saffron, oven dried tomato and seasoned rice. - $36.95
Mogador Fish Tagine - Marinated fish with olives, lemon confit, potatoes, green peppers and shermula sauce. - $27.95
Night In Casablanca - Roast lamb Meshoui, chicken brochette, and seafood bastilla appetizer, served with seasoned rice. - $36.95

North Atlantic Salmon - Pan seared salmon with mushrooms, tomato concasse, garlic parsley oil and hummus - $27.95

Roast Lamb Meshoui - A Moroccan tradition - Roasted lamb shank in natural juice served with couscous. - $26.95

Shish Kebab - Grilled tenderloin of beef served with hummus. - $27.95
Taste of Morocco: Royal Feast - The Royal Feast features Harira Soup, Beef Brewat Rolls, Roast Lamb Meshoui, Lemon Chicken, Couscous with seven veggies and assorted Moroccan pastries. Priced per person and served family style. - $42.95 *
Vegetable Couscous - Steamed tiny semolina pasta served with seasonal veggies. - $20.95

Dessert

Bastilla - Crispy leaves of pastry topped with vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with toasted almonds. For one $6.95 or For two $7.95 - $6.95

Marrakesh Delight - Fresh fruit salad topped with mint ice cream, toasted almonds and orange blossom water. - $4.95

Moroccan Symphony - Assorted pastries - $5.95

Drinks

Berber Passion - Made with peach daiquiri, cream de coco, and orange juice. - $3.75
Casablanca Sunset - Made with apricot brandy, orange juice, cranberry juice, topped with peach schnapps. - $6.95
Marrakesh Express - Made with rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, topped with dark rum. - $6.95

Sahara Splash - Made with vodka, cranberry juice, midori, and a splash of soda. - $6.95

Tangier's Breeze - Made with vodka, pineapple juice, and topped with midori. - $6.95

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Child's Menu

Lunch

Entree/Main Course

Chicken Tenders - Served with carrot sticks and applesauce. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or Apple juice. Soda and fries available upon request. - $6.95

Hamburger - Served on a bun with lettuce and tomato and a side of carrot sticks and applesauce. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or Apple juice. Soda and fries available upon request. - $6.95

Moroccan Style Pasta - Served with carrot sticks and applesauce. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or Apple juice. Soda and fries available upon request. - $6.95

Dessert

Ice Cream - Ice Cream - $2.95

Drinks

Moroccan Sunrise - Pineapple, strawberry juice, and orange water. - $4.50

Watermelon Delight Fruit Cocktail - Watermelon, cranberry juice and orange water. - $4.50

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Dinner
Entree/Main Course

Chicken Tenders - Served with carrot sticks and applesauce. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or Apple juice. Soda and fries available upon request. - $6.95

Hamburger - Served on a bun with lettuce and tomato and a side of carrot sticks and applesauce. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or Apple juice. Soda and fries available upon request. - $6.95

Moroccan Style Pasta - Served with carrot sticks and applesauce. Includes choice of 1% milk, bottled water or Apple juice. Soda and fries available upon request. - $6.95

Dessert

Ice Cream - Ice Cream - $2.95

Drinks

Moroccan Sunrise - Pineapple, strawberry juice, and orange water. - $4.50

Watermelon Delight Fruit Cocktail - Watermelon, cranberry juice and orange water. - $4.50