Sunday, July 21, 2013

( Disney Frozen Movie Report ) Patcnews: July 21, 2013 The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network Welcomes To The Magical World of The Disney Frozen Report © All copyrights reserved By Patcnews








 







Disney’s New Hawaiian Resort ‘Aulani’



KAPOLEI, Hawaii –  Aloha, Disney!
The Walt Disney Co.’s new upscale, beachside Hawaiian resort Aulani opens Monday, thousands of miles from the nearest Disney theme park. And while Mickey Mouse and friends can be found on the property, Hawaii’s culture, history and natural beauty are the biggest stars.
“The resort is not a replication of any of our theme parks. We know if guests want to go to Disneyland, they’ll go to Disneyland,” said Djuan Rivers, a Disney vice president who oversees the resort. “Our guests are coming here first and foremost for Hawaii and everything Hawaii has to offer.”
 
Joe Rohde, head of Aulani’s creative team, grew up in Honolulu and said “we made a choice early on to really, really focus on Hawaiian culture as a defining element of Aulani.”
Aulani is located on the west side of Oahu, about an hour’s drive from Waikiki. The sprawling 840-unit resort is the first major Disney property to offer a mix of regular hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club time shares away from a theme park. (Disney’s smaller resorts in Hilton Head, Ga., and Vero Beach, Fla., are time shares.)
Aulani is a Hawaiian term for messenger of a chief or higher authority. Showcasing the host culture as Aulani’s main theme is a departure from other Disney properties where the iconic mouse and other Disney references are visible at every turn. True, visitors will find a surfer Mickey lamp in each Aulani guest room, with his image subtly blended in the bedding design, and Disney cast members portraying Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the rest of the crew can be found strolling around in bright aloha shirts and shorts. But the spotlight here is definitely on Hawaii.
“This story is about this place, that you came to see, experience and want to take away memories from that are different than the memories if you went to Idaho,” Rohde said.
Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and the company’s former chief financial officer, said Aulani “captures the very best of the rich Hawaiian storytelling and culture with a touch of Disney.”
Designers have incorporated historical and contemporary island scenes, artwork, values, designs, textures, colors, language and traditions in nearly every aspect of the place, from taro fields and native foliage in the landscaping, to the Olelo Room lounge, where everything is labeled in the Hawaiian language, including the chairs (noho) and the floor (papahele). Olelo’s staff, including servers and bartenders, is fluent in Hawaiian and will speak to each other in the island’s native tongue while sharing the language with guests. Other employees have also undergone some language and cultural training.
“Here you are in Hawaii. You will meet people who are Hawaiian. You will meet people who speak Hawaiian. I think that’s cool,” Rohde said.
The resort’s two main towers have 359 hotel rooms, 481 time-share condo units, two main restaurants, conference rooms, an 18,000-square-foot spa, a fire pit for storytelling and a vast water play area.
Hotel rooms range from $399 a night for a 420-square-foot room to $2,449 a night for the Ahu Ulu Suite (two bedrooms, 1,910 square feet). An ocean view room runs $549 a night, which rivals prices at Hawaii’s most posh resorts.
Disney would not comment on the cost of building Aulani, which has been reported at more than $800 million. But behind the scenes, the resort has not always been the happiest place on earth. Disney broke ground on the project in November 2008 during the recession and temporarily suspended sales of time-share units in July amid concerns that it underpriced annual fees, including maintenance costs for the units. The Orlando Sentinel first reported that Disney fired three executives over the financial mistake including Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club. Disney said it recalculated the annual fee and was taking deposit reservations from prospective buyers, but not executing contracts until modifications are made in the registration materials.
Besides an 8,200-square-foot pool, there is a 950-foot-long lazy river where kids can glide along in a tube through forests and caverns, a saltwater snorkel lagoon filled with tropical fish, a rock formation with lava tube slides and an aquatic jungle gym called Menehune Bridge. Pay an extra $45 to visit a water preserve where you can feed stingrays and see starfish and anemones. A portion of proceeds will be donated to conservation efforts in Hawaii.
A supervised kid’s club for children ages 3 to 12 called Aunty’s Beach House was inspired by Rohde’s aunt’s beach home in Punaluu. With the exception of a fireplace, which most Hawaiian homes don’t have, it’s designed to look like a traditional home, decorated with old trophies, photos and a garage filled with tools and tins. The high-tech windows are digital portals depicting scenes from around Hawaii.
Kids can watch Disney movies, play dress-up or video games, or participate in activities such as learning hula while parents play golf, hit the spa or beach or enjoy a quiet meal. Tweens and teens have a separate hangout where they can listen to music, eat frozen yogurt and surf the Internet.
The landscaping is inspired by an ahupuaa, an ancient Hawaiian land division system that extended from the mountain to the sea. Situated between the towers is a lush tropical forest that serves as a make-believe hideout for Hawaiian trolls, or menehune. Closer to the ocean, coconut trees sway in the Pacific breeze.
A canoe and maritime theme inspired by the legendary Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokulea is found throughout Aulani, from artwork to handmade lashings on signs and structures. High arches in the architecture evoke traditional Hawaiian canoe houses.
“We return again and again to this canoe idea because of this whole sense of arrival, journey and also because the canoes are this sort of this quintessential Hawaiian art form,” Rohde said.
Aulani is expected to attract many of its visitors from the West Coast and Asia. With Japanese guests in mind, time share units are equipped with rice cookers, chopsticks and a tea drawer.
Around the corner from the resort, farther up the Waianae Coast are unspoiled beaches and mountainsides, a stark contrast to the blight from the deep poverty and homelessness that has long plagued this part of Oahu. Some locals have voiced concern about preserving the area’s rural character, but with an expected workforce of 1,200, Aulani is bringing in much-needed jobs.
Aulani sits on 21 acres of a larger property, the Ko Olina Resort, which also houses a golf course with waterfalls, luxury homes, a public beach park, and the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa. The Marriott resort houses the NFL’s Pro Bowlers and for years was the biggest building in the area, but it’s now dwarfed by Aulani.
Staggs said a key component of Disney’s business strategy is to figure out where families like to vacation. “Our guests told us that Hawaii is one of their favorite vacation destinations,” he said, “and we created Aulani in response to that feedback.”

Disney's Aulani is a Hawaiian fantasyland

The pricey new $800-million resort on Oahu manages to celebrate island magic and culture without the corporate-branded mouse prints becoming too heavy-handed.

October 23, 2011|By Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer



    • Email



      Share


  • Disney's 21-acre Aulani Resort & Spa, about 30 minutes from Waikiki in Ko Olina, Hawaii on the island of Oahu, opened in late August.

 Disney's 21-acre Aulani Resort & Spa, about 30 minutes from Waikik.
(Paul Hiffmeyer )
 
Reporting from Ko’ Olina, Hawaii — — On leeward Oahu, it is 85 degrees and the trade winds are blowing. Beyond a towering volcanic outcropping, the Pacific Ocean, at a steady 70 degrees, beckons. Honeymooners sip tropical drinks under a thatched-roof hut as the afternoon sun begins its lazy descent.

                  The Aulani Story

The Aulani Story

  • Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with locals to create Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina—a Hawaiʻi Resort that celebrates Hawaiian culture, history and traditions. From contemporary Hawaiian art and design to myriad recreational activities, entertainment, excursions and more, Aulani immerses Guests in the legends of the islands so you can experience the true enchantment of Hawaii.



  • With so many all-inclusive vacation elements available to Guests at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, it's easy to enjoy days of family fun from the comfort of your Resort—and with no additional charges for most activities.
    Or, enjoy Premium Experiences and upgraded activities that are available at a fee—including excursions, spa treatments, championship golf and more.


    Disney’s Hawaiian Resort: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

    LAST UPDATE: 7/11/13
    Aulani Disney has built a new resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, on 21 acres of oceanfront property on Hawaii’s island of Oahu. The resort’s first two phases opened in the second half of 2011. The third phase will open in 2013. See below for information on Aulani discounts, as well as tips and tricks, information on FREE activities, and more! The property, located on the island’s western (leeward) side in the Ko Olina Resort & Marina, is home to Disney’s first mixed-use family resort outside of its theme park developments. The new resort overlooks breathtaking crystal blue lagoons and sandy beaches, and will eventually include a total of 481 two-bedroom-equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas and 359 hotel rooms.
    The resort offers an extensive and elaborate pool and water play area, an 18,000-square-foot spa, a children’s club (Aunty’s Beach House) and dining at two full-service restaurants.
    To make the guest experience even better, the resort is expanding its current amenities offerings. Expansions include:

    • An additional pool, toddler pool and interactive water play area
    • 18,500 additional square feet of pool deck
    • Two new, convenient quick-service dining locations, including a beach kiosk
    • The addition of a retractable trellis cover at the signature Makahiki restaurant to allow for outdoor seating during any weather conditions
    • An expanded Starlit Hui venue, allowing even more guests to enjoy this popular show
    • Another beach access point
    Construction for these projects, which began in September 2012 and finish in mid-2013, is happening in conjunction with the building of the final phase of the Resort.
    Aulani offers activities and amenities that aim to engage every member of the family. At the resort’s signature waterway, for example, family friendly tubes and body slides weave through volcanic rockwork and around an iconic caldera volcano, while a nearby wading pool gives parents with toddlers a welcoming alternative to the sprawling zero-entry fun pool. In addition, more adventurous family members will find vibrant fish species in a saltwater snorkel lagoon, Rainbow Reef.
    At the heart of the resort, an open-air lobby building — dubbed Hale Aloha — draws its design inspiration from a traditional Hawaiian canoe house, visually connecting families to the sea and beyond. Window designs, wall graphics and other details welcome families with tales of adventure, myth, legend and more, while twin streams flow through the building before uniting as a single cascade into the center garden below.
    Hawaii’s aloha spirit influences the many intricate details for which Disney resorts are famous, with stories woven into the architecture, interiors, art, graphics and signature gardens, all brought to life through carefully selected colors, patterns, materials and forms. Wood, thatch, lava stone and coral are among the materials represented in the resort’s two 15-story guestroom towers, each oriented perpendicular to the ocean to maximize ocean views from the strategically angled guest rooms. Façade murals add to the distinctive look of each tower and portray some of the stories and legends of the islands.
    Aulani is designed to respect and connect with the local culture of the Hawaiian islands. The Walt Disney Imagineering team has researched Hawaii and worked with local architects and cultural experts as part of the resort’s creative design process. The resulting design is a village celebrating the Hawaiian customs and traditions that lead to a life filled with joy and in harmony with the natural world.
    To further incorporate Hawaiian traditions, cultural programming including music, dance, history, and arts and crafts; a story-driven, technology-enabled adventure game; and other surprises come together to create a Hawaiian destination that’s uniquely Disney.
    You can read my review of our January 2012 stay at Aulani, which is linked from the Trip Reports page.
    Jump to:

    Booking a Vacation at Aulani

    “Rack” (full price) rates at Aulani start at $399 a night (plus 14% hotel tax) for a standard hotel room. Rates vary by season of the year. Generally speaking the rates are lowest when kids are in school, and highest in summer, at Christmas and during other holiday periods.
    Vacations at Aulani can be booked in various ways:

    • For a full-service travel agency that specializes in Disney and can help you plan your stay at Aulani, contact Small World Vacations.
    • If you prefer to self-book your vacation, Travelocity and Expedia now offer online booking for Aulani.
    • If you want a hotel + airfare package, Alaska Airlines Vacations and Funjet Vacations offer air-inclusive vacations to Aulani.
    • It is sometimes possible to book an Aulani stay by renting Disney Vacation Club points from an owner. This is the only way for non-owners to book one of the fabulous DVC studios or villas at Aulani more than 60 days in advance. The best way to do this is through David’s Vacation Club Rentals.
     
    This is Hawaii. Do you really need Disney?
    My wife, Nancy, and I and our 11-year-old daughter, Hannah, journeyed last month to Disney's new Hawaii resort to see whether Mickey Mouse & Co. could improve on near perfection. Aulani sets out to replace the clichés of tiki torches, totem poles, bamboo furniture and tacky luaus with a resort that celebrates Hawaii's history, legends and cultures with just a sprinkling of Disney's trademark pixie dust.
    PHOTOS: Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa
    And, for the most part, it succeeds — not only as a vacation resort but also as an entity that capitalizes on rather than marginalizes its destination, ironic for a company that built its brand on fairy-tale fantasy. Disney pulls it off with style, grace and beauty, and this $800-million resort delivers on its promise and its considerable marquee name.
    Aulani opened in late August with 359 pricey hotel rooms and 460 time-share units. The 21-acre resort, about 30 minutes from Waikiki in Ko' Olina, is worlds apart in look, feel and spirit from that tourist mecca of high-rise monoliths.
    "It feels like we're on a different island even though we're still on Oahu," said Michelle Blake, visiting Aulani with her family from nearby Waipahu.
    And perhaps that is its magic, one or two missteps aside. Oahu — at least this part of Oahu — becomes the Hawaii we're all hoping to find.
    Three A-frame thatch huts greet you when you arrive at Aulani, along with a pair of towers that rise like modern interpretations of a Hawaiian fishing village — if fishermen could build a 15-story hotel. An Aulani hostess greeted us, presenting Nancy and Hannah with flower leis and me with a kukui nut version. Telephone pole-sized timbers support the lobby's cathedral-like vaulted interior. From the ceiling, lights dangle like luminescent jellyfish caught in clusters of fishing nets. A verdant ribbon mural depicting island life wraps the lobby's perimeter.
    Once in our room (about 382 square feet), we found whimsical touches throughout, including the pineapple-patterned quilt woven with hidden Mickeys, an outrigger canoe motif in the headboard and giant hand-carved fishhooks framing the wall mirror.
    A flat-screen TV with a Blu-ray player (loaner DVDs were available in the community room for a fee) and hookups for video games (brought from home) sat atop a six-drawer dresser with a hidden mini-fridge. A table for two featured the only overt Disney reference in the room: a lamp with a ukulele-playing Mickey Mouse.
    A small side table with compartments below for a coffee maker and an ice bucket stood nearby. Beneath the bed was space for stowing suitcases, a smart touch. On the nightstand sat a gourd lamp and an alarm clock with an iPod dock.
    In the bath, a mirror with a wave-motif frame flanked by seashell sconces stood above a single sink vanity with six cubbies for storage. Island art on the walls and floral print throw pillows added just enough aloha flavor.
    Once we had settled in, it was time to start exploring.
    Just as it does in Hawaiian life, water plays a central role at Aulani, in such features as the water-park-like pool, sunset-facing hot tubs, saltwater snorkeling pool and the adult and youth spas.
    The centerpiece of Aulani's pool is a man-made volcanic outcropping where hidden stingrays, squid and crabs are carved into lava-like rock. Two water slides — one a zippy body slide through the dark and the other an inner-tube slide with plenty of airtime — start at the top of the peak.
    Hannah loved riding down the slide with me on the two-person inner tube that starts at the volcanic peak.
    "The extra weight makes it go faster," Hannah said, clearly unaware I'd lost 10 pounds in preparation for the trip.
    At the bottom of the slide, Hannah rocketed forward like a human cannonball as we hit the pool, the inner tube bonking her on the head and dunking her.
    "Let's do it again," she said as she surfaced, unscathed and undeterred.
    Hannah's favorite part of the Aulani pool complex was the 900-foot-long lazy river that wound through misty caverns, under footbridges and around the resort's tropical grounds.
    But she had one complaint: "This lazy river is too lazy," said Hannah who didn't realize the meaning of island time. Life slows down a bit here.
    The saltwater snorkeling lagoon, an 8-foot-deep pool filled with 1,000 angelfish, tangs and butterflyfish, was the most interesting part of the pool area. Hannah held tightly to my arm as we explored the man-made volcanic caverns and coral reefs as fish swam up to and around us.


    Disney's Aulani is a Hawaiian fantasyland

    The pricey new $800-million resort on Oahu manages to celebrate island magic and culture without the corporate-branded mouse prints becoming too heavy-handed.

    October 23, 2011|By Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Write









    It was a fine introduction for a first-time snorkeler like Hannah and a second-time amateur like myself. An all-day fee ($20 for adults, $10 for kids) included use of the snorkel equipment in the protected cove just beyond the Aulani's beach.
    Nancy, meanwhile, had been looking forward to the resort's Laniwai Spa, choosing the $45 day pass. Her first stop was a fragrant steam room, which proved a bit too steamy. She jumped out within moments, grabbing a chilled towel from a refrigerator. Out in the garden, she tried the seaweed and eucalyptus vitality pools, where an attendant quietly brought her a selection of three hot teas. Next she sampled the six "rain" showers, each with varying flow levels. Her favorite: the mist shower with upward-spraying water jets.
    Nancy said the spa would indeed have been a "freshwater heaven," as Laniwai translates from Hawaiian, if not for the guy conducting business on his cellphone while lounging near the vitality pool and the trash truck loading a Dumpster just beyond the wall of the outdoor garden.
    Next door to Laniwai, Hannah got her first massage at the Painted Sky teen spa, choosing the 25-minute chair massage ($50) that included her choice of lotions (she went with mango) as well as hot towels for her face and neck.
    "She massaged my face, my arms, my legs, my feet and even my toes," Hannah said. "It was awesome."
    What wasn't quite as awesome for Hannah was not fitting in with either the teens or the younger kids, both of which had their own hangouts.
    The age at Aunty's Beach House, a kids' club featuring a host of activities such as hula lessons and island crafts, topped out at 10, and at 11, she felt a little old for that crowd. She preferred the Painted Sky Spa, which doubled as a teen hangout and offered movie nights, pool parties, beach bashes, stargazing tours, lei making, dessert decorating, scavenger hunts and fitness challenges. Disney counselors welcomed her warmly at both locations.
    The Pau Hana community hall near the pool was a family room with tables for crafts and shelves filled with games. The three of us made bracelets with our favorite Hawaiian words. Hannah's bracelet said powawae, or soccer, surrounded by kukui nuts and turtle-shaped beads. Nancy went with makuahine, for "mother." I made things difficult, searching for a definition for avocadoville, our name for our backyard "tavern." I settled on hale pae, "house of avocado."
    Here we checked out a modified cellphone that doubled as a GPS for the Menehune Adventure Trail, a treasure hunt game in which hotel guests search for menehune, as Hawaii's mischievous little people are called.
    About 300 menehune statues were scattered throughout the resort, and spotting them quickly became Hannah's favorite pursuit. The Hawaiian leprechauns could be found under footbridges, inside the shave-ice stand and atop bookcases. Hannah's favorite menehune was sleeping in the upper reaches of one of the elevators. More than once we waited in the lobby for the menehune elevator.
    On the menehune trail, we used the way finder to track clues leading to madcap menehune mischief. By speaking into the phone, we caused the menehune to pop out of the rocks, blow conch shells and even start fires with the help of Disney magic. The finale sent us into a dark cavern where volcanic lava began to flow (on a cleverly disguised LCD TV screen).
    "Daddy, look at the walls," Hannah said, gripping my hand tightly. "They're glowing."
    For all that was good about Aulani, there were a couple of things that didn't work quite as we thought they should.
    Disney generally went pretty light on theatrics, but an afternoon poolside party was an exception. Aulani's contrived character poolside party featured a Disney employee, using a public address system, extolling swimmers to scream, splash and hop up on deck for a hula contest. The pump-up-the-energy vibe disrupted the tranquil mood poolside. I cringed.
    I would have dismissed the overexuberance as grand-opening jitters if not for the Starlight Hui, the resort's marquee event. In an effort to avoid the pan-Polynesian luau common at many resorts, Disney produced a tradition-rich show that paid tribute to Hawaii, its people and customs.
    As the stirring show drew to a close, a youth counselor jumped up onstage in a but-wait-there's-more moment and called all the Disney characters one by one. The folklore-rich show quickly devolved into a disco with the characters leading the crowd in the "Electric Slide." I was dumbstruck but decided to jump up and boogie with Hannah, who could have cared less about thematic inconsistencies.
    The other issue was the restaurants. They were expensive and somewhat limited, unless you like fine-dining food and prices at every meal.


    Disney's Aulani is a Hawaiian fantasyland

    The pricey new $800-million resort on Oahu manages to celebrate island magic and culture without the corporate-branded mouse prints becoming too heavy-handed.

    October 23, 2011|By Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times Staff Write









    On our first night, we tried 'Ama 'Ama, Aulani's signature beachside restaurant. Dinner for three with cocktails came to $200, before tip, for what was pretty standard hotel fare. The restaurant, designed to look like a fisherman's waterfront home from the 1890s, featured an international menu. I ordered the goat cheese ravioli ($31) and asked for the recommended Sauvignon Blanc (although the wine never arrived and I wasn't charged for it). Nancy got the Chinatown duck breast ($40) and Hannah, who will never be a cheap date, went with the New York strip ($41). The food, we agreed, was good but not great.
    For lunch, our choices were either high-end 'Ama 'Ama or poolside service, with $19 sandwiches and $21 burgers.
    On our second night we had reservations at the Makahiki buffet, which was most in keeping with the resort's Hawaiian theme and was our favorite meal at Aulani.
    At $43 a person, the Makahiki was more expensive than any buffet we had ever tried. (Hannah paid the full adult rate because the $21 kids' price was only for those 9 and younger.) Among the Hawaiian dishes: octopus poke, lomi lomi salmon and, of course, the omnipresent poi. The best of the entrees: the guava barbecued ribs.
    On our last night at the Aulani, Hannah watched "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" under the stars while Nancy and I went for pub grub at the 'Olelo Room, the resort's etymological-themed bar.
    At the 'Olelo (Hawaiian for "word") bartenders provided pointers on Hawaiian pronunciation in a cocktail lounge covered floor to ceiling in the local Hawaiian dialect. Surprisingly, the most Hawaiian room in the resort offered the least Hawaiian fare. Nancy went for the Kobe sliders ($15), and I got the cheese plate ($17).
    What Aulani lacked was a fast, casual sit-down restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here's hoping that's on the horizon.
    In the end, the Aulani was not unlike going to Disneyland: It's a fun-filled fantasyland that ends up being far more expensive than you expected. At least you go home with memories that can last a lifetime.

    PHOTOS: Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa
    brady.macdonald@latimes.com




















     

    New Itineraries and Ports for 2014

    Get ready to explore dazzling destinations in 2014!
    Embark on incredible itineraries that travel to new ports of call in Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska. From the sun-kissed beaches of the Greek Isles to the arctic wonders of Sitka, Alaska to the tropical splendor of Caribbean islands like Barbados and Grenada, new destinations are yours to discover with Disney Cruise Line.
    Also in 2014, cruises are departing from new home ports such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Venice, Italy and San Diego, California—as well as familiar favorites like Miami, Florida; Port Canaveral, Florida and more.
    The following itineraries are available in 2014:
    • European itineraries that stop at new ports in Spain, Italy and Greece—including the Greek Isles
    • Southern Caribbean sailings, featuring stops at tropical islands like Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and St. Lucia—new ports in 2014
    • Western Caribbean cruises that showcase the splendor of the Riviera Maya
    • Alaskan sailings, including an itinerary that stops in the new port of Sitka, Alaska
    • 3-night and 4-night Bahamian sailings, ideal for a quick getaway
    • Transatlantic sailings that connect the Mediterranean region with Caribbean Islands
    • A Panama Canal crossing that departs from Miami, Florida
    Whether you're seeking a fun-filled extended weekend or a leisurely week at sea, Disney Cruise Line has an itinerary to suit your style in 2014.
    Plus, enjoy extra flexibility when you're planning your 2014 cruise, thanks to new departure days and holiday cruises. Depart on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday—and set sail on an adventure that fits your schedule. Or, book a holiday cruise and celebrate Christmas or ring in the New Year at sea.
    Best of all, wherever and whenever you sail with Disney Cruise Line, you can look forward to outstanding offerings aboard every ship. From original Disney entertainment and splash-tacular pool areas to delectable dining options and sumptuous spa treatments, Disney Cruise Line offers magical experiences that your family is sure to love.

    DISNEY CRUISES TO HAWAII 2014 

    hese sailings from Los Angeles to Hawaii will make stops at ports in Hilo, Kahului, Honolulu, Nawiliwili, and Ensenada, Mexico.

    This highly anticipated itinerary will give guests the opportunity to explore the beautiful islands of Hawaii and its breathtaking vistas, including volcanoes, rainforests, and waterfalls.  Visit Maui's Haleakala National Park and Waimea Canyon on Kaua, which is known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific."  Take time to experience history by visiting Pearl Harbor on Oahu.
    Are you the outdoorsy type?  You've come to the perfect place!  Hawaii is known for its multitude of outdoor sports, such as hiking, parasailing, and horseback riding.  Take a helicopter tour over the islands and gaze upon the beautiful blue water and white sandy beaches.  Speaking of beaches, they're the perfect place to relax after you get done swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving or kayaking. 
    Looking for something a little more low-key?  Honolulu is a popular shopping destination.  Shoppers can find traditional souvenirs as a memento of their trip, or contemporary fashion and art. Lahaina on Maui features a variety of seaside shops and restaurants, with a little something for everyone.
    No trip to Hawaii would be complete without stopping in to check out the newest Disney Vacation Club resort, Aulani.  Aulani is located in the Ko Olina Resort area of Oahu, Hawaii and is modeled after the traditional Hawaiian village concept.  This resort is truly a sight to behold.

     



    I have always loved Disney (DIS), ever since I was a little boy watching Donald Duck’s antics with my parents on TV or being mesmerized by the exotic delights of Epcot with my grandmother … I even went there on a family trip for my sister-in-law’s honeymoon – and 9 months later my first son was born.
    Like generations of people around the world, Disney has had a special place in my heart and mind. Disney connected with people’s heartstring about love and family and dreams. Their marketing team was second to none.
    But all is not well in the Disney empire. Disney has lost its ability to connect with customers. As I wrote last year, my most recent trip to Disneyworld was a disaster from a service standpoint. Disney employees chastised my in-laws when they did not understand what was said to them because English is not their 1st language and the rides and hotel rooms seemed to be falling apart.
    Hong Kong Disney’s struggle too is no secret. Disney was caught with its pants down last year, not expecting the rush of Mainland Chinese tourists during the Chinese New Year. How that happened I am still not sure. Disney was better prepared this year, but attendance actually decreased from 5.2 million in its first year of operation (already falling short of the 5.6 million expected visitors) to just over 4 million last year, a 23% fall.
    Hong Kong Disneyland’s poor performance is not a reflection of Chinese distaste for theme parks. Just down the street in Hong Kong, local theme park Ocean Park has been beating up on Disney with more visitors—a record 4.92 million in 2006/2007 fiscal year, leading to a record surplus of $141 million, a 9 percent year on year increase. Government officials expect attendance to increase to 5.8 million by 2012.





    Tokyo Disney Resort 30th: The Happiness Year Anniversary Celebration Starts on April 15, 2013

    URAYASU, CHIBA—"Tokyo Disney Resort® 30th: The Happiness Year" begins on April 15, 2013 and continues through March 20, 2014 to mark this milestone anniversary for the Resort. During the 340 days of celebration, the Disney characters, the Cast Members and all Guests visiting the Resort will be able to share a whole new level of happiness. Guests will find new entertainment, a new Tokyo Disneyland® attraction, commemorative merchandise, special menus, delightful decorations and more.
    The history of Tokyo Disney Resort began on April 15, 1983 with the opening of Tokyo Disneyland Park, followed by the openings of Tokyo DisneySea® Park and three Disney Hotels. From the beginning, Tokyo Disney Resort has been a place where -dreams come true,‖ creating memories filled with happiness for all the Guests. And so, the theme for this major milestone year is -happiness.‖ During this yearlong celebration, Guests will be able to share new discoveries, wonder and excitement with their family and friends, as well as with the Disney characters and the Cast Members.
    Kicking off - The Happiness Year‖ on April 15 will be the new Tokyo Disneyland daytime parade, "Happiness Is Here." The Disney characters show various types of happiness in this colorful, exhilarating parade that is 500 meters long. All the Guests are sure to have smiles on their faces as they watch the spectacular new parade.
    And then on May 7 at Tokyo Disneyland, the new attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will debut. With 3D visuals and more than 50 different story combinations, the attraction will offer Guests new experiences and unexpected thrills each time they ride.
    Decorations at the two Parks and other locations around the Resort will feature the motif of colorful Happiness Balloons. Guests will find special merchandise with balloon motifs and special menus with tasty dishes that will delight the eye. The three Disney Hotels will serve a variety of lavish menus, while Tokyo Disneyland Hotel will offer room amenities designed just for the anniversary. And Happiness Balloons will decorate one of the monorail trains of the Disney Resort Line as well. Guests will be able to enjoy the happiness of this milestone year wherever they go in the Resort. 





    Things to Do in Disneyland, Paris












    If you live in the United States, nearly everyone knows about Disneyland Resort in Southern California and Walt Disney World in Central Florida. What many people often forget is that there are several other Disneyland Resorts scattered throughout the world. One of these is located near Paris, France in the small French village of Marne-La-Valle. Originally opening in 1994 as EuroDisney, this Disneyland Resort Complex features two theme parks, one shopping district and several hotels.

    Disneyland Park

    This park is similar to the other Disneyland parks in Anaheim, Orlando and Tokyo, and features similar themed lands, such as Fantasyland, Main Street USA, and Frontierland. However, there are a few things this Disneyland Park offers that the other ones do not. For one, Disneyland Paris' version of Tomorrowland is called Discoveryland, and it features its own twist on the roller coaster Space Mountain; known as Space Mountain: Mission 2. This roller coaster is themed after a Jules Verne novel, features three inversions along its track, and has a high-speed launch lift hill. Disneyland Paris also offers the Indiana Jones and Tempil of Peril roller coaster in Adventureland, an outside looping roller coaster that goes backwards. However, this park also offers many familiar rides, including Its a Small World!, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Tours.

    Walt Disney Studios Park

    This theme park is modeled after the Disney's Hollywood Studios park at Walt Disney World in Orlando and features a movie studios theme. Complete with sound stages and other buildings that give it the look of a movie studios, this park features many attractions. If you are looking for thrills, the Rock n' Roller Coaster is an indoor roller coaster with high speeds, inversions and a soundtrack from Aerosmith. There is also the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a freefall thrill ride modeled after the same ride at the other Disney parks. The park also offers movie studio-based attractions, including the Art of Disney Animation exhibit, the Armageddon Special Effects show and the Studio Tram Tour. Other rides here include the Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, a Dumbo-style attraction themed after the Aladdin, Crush's Coaster, an indoor family roller coaster themed after Flying Nemo and Stitch Live!, a live action show based on the film "Lilo and Stitch."

    Disney Village

    This is Disneyland Paris's answer to Downtown Disney. Disney Village is a shopping and entertainment complex located just outside of the two theme parks. There are many dining options here, including Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest Cafe and The Steakhouse. Disney Village also offers plenty of shopping options, including the Disney Store, World of Toys and Disney Fashion. There are also a few attractions here, including PanoraMagique Balloon, a balloon ride which carries passengers high in the sky. Furthermore, there is also Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, a western-themed dinner show.


    Hotels


    In true Disney form, this Disneyland Resort has several Disney-owned hotels. They include the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Hotel New York, Disney's Newport Bay Club, Disney's Sequoia Lodge, Disney's Hotel Cheyenne and Disney's Hotel Santa Fe. All rooms at these hotel feature standard amenities, including TVs, bathrooms, radios, air conditioning, minibars, safes and 24-hour room service.






Disney Says Wristband Boosts Sales in Disney World Test




Electronic wristbands tested at Walt Disney Co. (DIS)’s Florida resort succeeded in boosting spending by guests, parks division Chairman Thomas Staggs said.
The bands serve as admission tickets, hotel room keys and credit cards. They were tested by 1,000 people at Walt Disney World in Florida, Staggs said in an interview at Allen & Co.’s annual conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, without offering details. Guests spent more on average in part because they had fun with the technology, he said.
Disney, the world’s largest theme-park operator, plans additional trials of the technology, called MyMagic+, before expanding throughout Walt Disney World by year-end, Staggs said. The wristbands help with crowd control, reducing the time guests spend in lines by allowing them to book rides and restaurants in advance. They can also schedule special meet-and-greets with characters like Goofy.
“We’re still in test mode,” Staggs said. “It takes some time to get it all rolled out.”
The wristbands link to a customer database, allowing guests to purchase items in Disney World’s hotels, four theme parks and water parks by waving the devices past a sensor. The radio technology speeds transactions, helping customers make their trips more efficient.
Disney will also use MyMagic+ to offer special promotions and activities that may interest customers.
MyMagic+ builds on Disney’s current Fast Pass program, which allows guests to schedule attractions during one-hour windows, once they are already in the park.
“It allows them to have a prearranged schedule before they start their day so it’s actually an enhanced Fast Pass,” Staggs said. “Fast Pass is getting better.”
Disney, based in Burbank, California, added 2.6 percent to $66.58 yesterday in New York. The shares have advanced 34 percent this year, double the 17 percent gain for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Palmeri in Los Angeles at cpalmeri1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net



























Photo of Julie Andrews
 50th Anniversary Disneyland Celebrates 50 Years of Magic!
 © All copyrights reserved   
By Mark Eberle  











 

Photo of Julie Andrews, Leann Rimes & Christina Aguilera
 © All copyrights reserved 
By Mark Eberle
Disney Parks Worldwide Celebrate As
Disneyland Hits Milestone
50th Anniversary
Disneyland Celebrates
50 Years of Magic!

Biggest Event in Disney Theme Park History Premieres on May 5, 2005
ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 5, 2004) -- For the first time ever, the 10 Disney theme parks around the world will join together for a global celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Southern California.
Click the image above to watch the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts "Coming Home" television commercial for "The Happiest Celebration on Earth" Disney Chief Executive Officer Michael Eisner joined Walt Disney Company President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Iger and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts President Jay Rasulo in a ceremony this morning in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland announcing details of "The Happiest Celebration on Earth."
"The Happiest Celebration on Earth" pays tribute to Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland, the original park that introduced an entirely new genre of family entertainment that now spans the globe and continues to offer the most visited attractions in the world, drawing 100 million visitors on three continents every year -- and still growing.
Beginning May 5, 2005, and extending for 18 months through 2006, the event will take place in all of the Disney theme parks around the world, with the premiere of exciting new shows and attractions at Disneyland Resort, California; Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan; and Disneyland Resort Paris in France and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.
Eisner noted that Disneyland has grown into a cultural phenomenon. "The dawn of the theme park industry rose from one man's dream as he walked Anaheim orange groves more than 50 years ago, and today, the sun never sets on Disney's global theme park landscape," Eisner said. "Our 'Happiest Celebration on Earth' is another example of our continued commitment to creating innovative entertainment experiences for the entire family, while saluting the nearly two billion guests who have made Disneyland a national treasure and make Disney the undisputed leader in family vacation destinations worldwide."
"Since Disneyland opened its gates nearly 50 years ago, Walt Disney's flagship park has been praised the world over for serving as the foundation for the modern theme park industry, and, moreover, for creating a unique place where the entire family can have fun and enjoy wholesome, quality entertainment together," said Rasulo. "Disney parks are at the heart of a timeless tradition for millions of families that pass down their experiences from generation to generation. In honor of the park that started it all, every Disney resort will join in creating more great memories for our guests with this unprecedented global celebration, which promises to be the biggest event in Disney theme park history."
At Disneyland, the global celebration becomes a unique chance for the generations of guests who have been touched by the magic of Disneyland to return to where the magic began and relive their fondest memories of park visits past and create new memories with family and friends.



DISNEYLAND RESORT (Anaheim, Calif.)
In addition to the recent opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ and Snow White-An Enchanting New Musical, the Resort will be premiering new and exciting shows throughout the 18-month celebration. "We are celebrating all those guests and cast members who have come to make Disneyland a cherished experience, inviting them to relive memories and create new ones with family and friends," said Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet. "The celebration will be the biggest event in the history of the park and will take different forms throughout the Disneyland Resort -- even extending out to sea."
Sleeping Beauty Castle will be transformed into a breathtaking focal point for "The Happiest Homecoming on Earth" and will glow with Disney enchantment as never before.
Audiences will be overwhelmed by the fun and spectacle of the new "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams," featuring one of the largest casts of Disney characters ever assembled.
An all-new fireworks spectacular entitled "Remember . . . Dreams Come True" represents the most elaborate and extravagant in the history of Disneyland.
In the all-new attraction "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters," guests pilot their very own Star Cruiser through a comical interactive space mission where they will help to protect outer space from the forces of the evil Emperor Zurg!
Space Mountain will be re-"Imagineered" for the 21st century, featuring all-new "out of this world" effects and surprises.

Guests will experience "Disneyland-The First 50 Years," a remarkable new exhibit showcasing 50 years of Disneyland and highlighting the amazing evolution of the park from concept to reality.
"Block Party Bash" -- At Disney's California Adventure guests will suddenly find themselves surrounded by the rollicking music, excitement and fun of one of five instant celebrations.


DISNEY CRUISE LINE (Port of Los Angeles, Calif. / Port Canaveral, Fla.)
Disney Cruise Line will launch its first-ever West Coast itinerary with celebratory cruise vacations out of the port of Los Angeles aboard the Disney Magic to the Mexican Riviera.
The 12 seven-night cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, will introduce an exciting new way to vacation with Disney to a whole new audience. Rasulo said, "The great opportunity we have with the flexibility of our fleet is the ability to expose whole new audiences to a completely new way to vacation with Disney."
The worldwide "Happiest Celebration on Earth" will salute Disneyland by taking different forms at each of Disneyland's sister parks and resorts:

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT (Lake Buena Vista, Fla.)
Walt Disney World Resort pays tribute to 50 years of Disneyland and Disney theme park magic around the world with its most over-the-top event ever. Each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks will feature an incredible attraction or show imported from Disney's parks around the globe -- plus a unique new attraction will be created just for the Florida resort.
Guests at Magic Kingdom will see a favorite princess begin her "happily-ever-after" life during the magnificent, musical coronation of "Cinderellabration," direct from Tokyo.
At Epcot, guests will take flight over the Golden State with the opening of "Soarin'," based on the hit Anaheim attraction.
The secrets behind Hollywood's most astounding stunts will be revealed in the high-octane "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" at Disney-MGM Studios, direct from Paris.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom -- from out of the secret labs of Walt Disney Imagineering -- will come Lucky the dinosaur, the first-ever free-roaming Audio-Animatronics figure. Later in the celebration year, Expedition EVEREST will take guests to thrilling new heights in a runaway mountain train.


DISNEYLAND RESORT PARIS (Paris, France)
"Wishes," a dramatic combination of glittering fireworks and Disney music, is set to light up the skies over Sleeping Beauty Castle in the Disneyland park every night from July 9 until Aug. 28, 2005. Inspired by a similar show at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, "Wishes" will be accompanied by a specially arranged musical score, featuring favorite Disney tunes and characters.
Disneyland Resort Paris will also honor Disneyland's 50th anniversary with a very special celebration in the summer of 2005. This special program will salute Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland giving guests a chance to remember the first time they visited a Disney theme park with some golden moments.



TOKYO DISNEY RESORT (Tokyo, Japan)
Tokyo Disneyland Park -- Disney's very first international theme park -- honors its namesake with a very special tribute in the summer of 2005 that pays homage to Walt Disney's dream of Disneyland.
Lost River Delta Thrill Attraction -- This new attraction at Tokyo DisneySea will be the first at Tokyo Disney Resort to feature a vertical 360-degree loop and will offer guests a thrilling experience on a high-speed ride through special effects employing fire and water when it opens in 2005.


HONG KONG DISNEYLAND (Hong Kong, China)
The legacy of Disneyland continues into the next half century when Hong Kong Disneyland opens its gates in 2005/early 2006. Classic Disney attractions and unique design elements for China will introduce a new generation to the enchantment of Disney, demonstrating how Disney magic can cross geographical and cultural borders, bringing people and families closer together.


"As we celebrate the first 50 years of Disney theme park excellence, we do so with unparalleled E-ticket thrills such as the new Mission: SPACE attraction at Epcot and this week's opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's California Adventure," said Rasulo. "Our inspiration for the future reflects the innovation and imagination of Walt's vision, and in honor of this great legacy we begin the next 50 years with this unforgettable golden anniversary of his dream come true."
Additionally, DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company, will join in the 50th anniversary of Disneyland by celebrating its role as a magical place where the wishes of children from around the world come true. A series of exciting signature events, in association with Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Starlight Children's Foundation and Toys For Tots, will share many of the ways in which Disney serves children and families in need.
Further outreach programs focused in Anaheim and Orange County will build on Disneyland's commitment to the local non-profit and education communities and leave a legacy for years to come. Disney VoluntEARS will play a central role in outreach activities, continuing to strengthen the relationships between Disneyland cast members and the communities in which they live and work.















































































































 ll

Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart

November 13 @ 1:00 pm

Event Navigation

facebook_event_623468601163382
Follow your heart straight to adventure at Disney on Ice! Just keep swimming with Dory and new pal Hank from Disney Pixars Finding Dory as they set out to find her parents and discover the devotion of family. Cheer with Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the Emotions from Disney Pixars Inside Out as they work together to boost Rileys spirit and win the big hockey game. Venue to wintery Arendelle where Olaf and Kristoff help reunite royal sisters Anna and Elsa from Disneys Frozen and learn love is the most powerful magic of all. See Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel and the Disney Princesses make their dreams possible through virtues of bravery, kindness, and perseverance. And celebrate true friendship with Buzz Lightyear, Woody and The Toy Story gang. Make unforgettable memories with Mickey, Minnie, and all your Disney friends when Disney on Ice presents Follow Your Heart skates into your hometown!

Details Date: November 14 Time: 1:00 pm

Venue 

Barclays Center 

620 Atlantic Ave  

Brooklyn, NY 11217 United States

Organizer 

Ticketmaster Events 

Website:

https://apps.facebook.com/ticketmasterevents/




      © All copyrights reserved By Patcnews 





  

LLC 501C- 4 UCC 1-308.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE


Content and Programming Copyright 2014 By Patcnews The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network © LLC UCC 1-308.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE All copyrights reserved By Patcnews The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network Copyright 2014 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. 
© All Copyrights reserved By Patcnews The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network
  

No comments:

Post a Comment