Walt Disney World at night, Christmas

Aside from our resort, Mary and I didn't get much of a chance to see any of Walt Disney World at night, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the parks in the evenings. Here are a few nice shots I came across which were taken at night and/or during the holidays.

What's New at Walt Disney World (2009)

A summary of most of the major 2009 additions and changes to Walt Disney World.

Disney Dream Video

This will probably be my last post on the Disney Dream, but I wanted to add it as it provides a quick but interesting overview of the major features of the ship.

Disney Dream Pricing

Pricing for the Disney Dream's 2011 sailings have been released up to November 2011. The Disney Dream will be the only Disney ship doing 3- and 4-night sailings while we're there. For those who may be interested, pricing examples are below. The September 4 quote is based on the assumption that we will have the vacation in late August, as September 4 would coincide with our theoretical last day of the Walt Disney World portion of the trip.



Unless our financial situation changes drastically, the Rikers will not be cruising, but I highly recommend the cruise to anyone able to afford it. If you can afford it, book it -- I'll bet one of the twins (your choice) that you'll love it, and it's a great way to wind down after the Walt Disney World vacation.



If anyone is interested in a Disney cruise, please let me know so I can let others in the group know and get you more information. Some may understandably want to hold off until they can gauge how much interest there is.



Prices are for 4-night sailings, and include a $25 shipboard credit. As I've said before, the difference in price from a 3-night cruise is negligible, and you'll curse yourself for not booking a 4-night instead. Prices will only go up as people make bookings, so my advice would be to book sooner rather than later.



September 4, 2011 - Disney Dream (Bahamas) - Inside Stateroom

• 2 adults: $893
  
• 2 adults, 2 kids: $1525

7-night cruises are also available; contact Matt for more information and pricing. And for those curious about the cost of the Disney Dream's inaugural cruise in January 2011 (don't worry, no iceburgs in the Bahamas), the cost for 2 adults on the 4-night cruise is $3489.



For more information, or to order a free Disney Cruise Line DVD, go to www.disneycruise.com.

Disney Cruise Ship "Disney Dream" Revealed

Disney Cruise Line's next ship, Disney Dream, has been revealed. Surprisingly, its maiden voyage will take place in January 2011.



The 128,000-ton, 4,000-passenger cruise liner "will be similar in theme and ambience to the existing vessels, with a design evocative of classic 1930's ocean liners, and featuring multiple places where families can spend time together and apart (adult-only facilities, expansive kids' areas)." (Melissa Paloti, CruiseCritic.com)




CruiseCritic.com does a great job of summarizing the most interesting features:



The AquaDuck (yes, as in Donald) will be the industry's first "watercoaster." The combination roller coaster-water slide is a see-through acrylic tube -- the length of 2-1/2 football fields -- that winds around the top deck from funnel to funnel, up and down, at one point cantilevering off the port side 150 feet above the ocean!



This industry first is so simple -- and so fantastic -- we have to wonder why it wasn't thought of sooner. Inside cabins will now have a window to the outside world via virtual portholes. High-definition cameras placed outside the ship feed actual footage of the seascape to the flat-screen "portholes" inside.




The innovative rotational dining concept will stay in place on the new ship, but newly designed restaurants are on the horizon. In addition to the main dining room, Animator's Palate, diners can choose Royal Palace, inspired by Disney's princess films (with hand-painted portraits of "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty"), or the conservatory-like Enchanted Garden, a whimsical casual restaurant that takes the place of Parrot Cay from earlier ships. Enchanted Garden will magically transform from day into night, with light-fixture flowers that actually bloom and paintings that become illuminated with nighttime scenes (you'll also find a grand chocolate buffet here nightly). Breakfast and lunch will be buffet-style, while dinner is full-service. Palo, Disney Cruise Line's adults-only restaurant, will return.





The Oceaneer Club for 3- to 10-year-olds has been totally revamped. "Toy Story" comes to life in Andy's Room; kids will experience being "toy sized" in this space with its gigantic features, from larger-than-life characters to an oversized, remote-control racecar). There will also be a play area called Monsters Academy, visited regularly by Mike, the lovable green guy from "Monsters Inc." The Explorer Pod, a "Finding Nemo" themed submarine, encompasses 16 interactive computer stations for gaming.



Disney Magic will introduce living characters to the cruise line, a technology that is already available at Disney theme parks. At the Magic Theater in the Oceaneer Club, Crush -- an animated sea turtle from "Finding Nemo" -- will interact with kids via a 103-inch plasma screen. The mischievous animated alien, Stitch, might also make appearances. Kids will be able to use a microphone to speak to the characters, which will answer questions, crack jokes and play with silly props from their digital environments.



Disney Dream will feature an area called The District on Deck 4, aft, a playground for grownups with bars and clubs: Pink, an upscale Champagne bar featuring back-lit glass bubbles; Metro Pub, with wood-and-leather seating nooks and multiple screens for catching sporting events; the District Lounge, where you'll find live piano music; Evolution, the ship's contemporary, colorful nightclub and secondary show lounge for comedy, cabaret and other adult diversions; and Skyline, a chic "sky bar" with faux windows (seven 65-inch LCD screens) showcasing changing cityscapes from London to Tokyo. A different locale will be depicted each day, transitioning from day to night in real time (signature daily cocktails will be offered, themed to each day's city). The space will also feature a digital fireplace.



Senses Spa & Salon is an oceanview facility measuring 16,000+ square feet, spanning two decks in the forward section of the ship. [Spa villas will] each feature an indoor spa treatment suite connected to a private outdoor verandah (there, you'll find a hot tub, shower and double lounger).



Visit these sites for more information and pictures:



http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=548