The Disney Cruise Line® Difference

Disney Cruise Line has one distinct advantage over other cruise lines - it’s owned by Disney! It’s no secret that Disney thrives when it comes to customer service and it’s no different on a Disney cruise. Customer service is just one of the many reasons you should choose Disney Cruise Line for your next cruise vacation. Let’s talk about some reasons why Disney knows how to cruise.

Staterooms

Disney does have some of the largest staterooms than other cruise lines but I think the major difference is in the layout. All staterooms have a couch and desk that can be separated by a curtain from the main bed. This is great for families as it creates some separation from the kids area and the adult area in the room.

Another great feature is the split baths. All staterooms except the Standard Inside rooms have split baths. There is one bathroom with the toilet and a sink and another bathroom with the shower and a sink. Also note that there are bathtubs in all staterooms though the size of the tub ranges.

The inside staterooms on the Fantasy and Dream have an extra sprinkle of Disney magic - a magical porthole with real-time views of the sea and virtual sightings of animated Disney characters.

If you want another step up in luxury and customer service try a concierge suite! Stay tuned for a separate blog post on the benefits of booking concierge with Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Quality Entertainment

Another thing I think we can all agree on is Disney knows how to entertain. The nightly shows onboard are truly Broadway quality and entertaining for all ages. They are a highlight of every cruise!

In addition to the nightly shows each ship boasts a movie theater showing recently in theater movies (along with some Disney classics mixed in). That’s right - you can go to the movies for no additional cost! Often if a new Disney movie is released while you are cruising they will show that movie in the main theater which can be a lot of fun. They even show movies in 3D!

Rotational Dining

Disney Cruise Line does dining a little bit different. There are three main restaurants on each ship. During your cruise you will rotate between the three and your wait staff will come along with you! Each ship has different restaurants but one on all three is Animator’s Palate where you get dinner and a show.

Enchanted Garden on the Fantasy

Royal Court on the Fantasy

Animator's Palate on the Fantasy

Disney Characters

Every day there will be a number of scheduled character meet and greets. Check your navigator for times and locations. The number of characters you can meet on a Disney cruise is very impressive. One of my favorite things is to watch the interaction between the princesses and the little kids. It’s truly magical to see a little girl hug and chat with her favorite Disney princess.

Amazing Kids Clubs

If your child is 3 years or older they can spend time at one of the spectacular kids’ clubs onboard - for FREE! Kids ages 3 through 12 can go to the Oceaneer Lab or Oceaneer Club. They can play in Andy’s room, perform on stage, participate in crafts and other supervised activities.

Preteens, ages 11 through 14, can head to Edge - a loft style lounge. Daily there are scheduled activities such as improv!

Teens, ages 14 through 17 have Vibe to hang out (with a little supervision to put Mom and Dad at ease). Vibe also has scheduled activities such as karaoke and on the Dream and Fantasy teens even have their own sundeck and “splash” pool!

For the infants through 2 year olds there is the nursery. The cost is $9 per hour for the first child and $8 per hour for the second child in the family. Advanced reservations can be made and you must cancel any reservation at least 4 hours before to avoid a cancellation fee.

Adult Only Areas and Dining

Disney does not forget about the adults! There are many adult only areas onboard including pools, lounges and restaurants. One of my favorite adult only areas onboard the Fantasy is Satellite Falls. I could sit up there all day long!

The two adult-only restaurants, Palo and Remy, are an additional charge but absolutely worth it. You will find some of the best food Disney has to offer at these restaurants. Advanced reservations are recommended, especially for the brunch at Palo, as they do book very quickly. Note that Remy is only onboard the Dream and the Fantasy while Palo is on all four ships.

Remy onboard the Fantasy

Palo onboard the Fantasy

There are many reasons Disney stands out among the cruise line options. You really cannot go wrong when choosing Disney Cruise Line. For 2015 Disney has added some amazing itineraries including Norway, Hawaii and the Mexican Riviera. Add that to the already great destinations like Alaska, Europe, Bahamas and Caribbean and the biggest problem when choosing a Disney Cruise Line vacation is deciding which itinerary! 

{DISCOUNT} Disney Visa Card Holders - FREE Dining

Great news today! Free dining has been announced for select dates in September, October, November and December 2014! Currently this offer is only available to Disney VISA Cardholders (with immediate deposit required on a Disney VISA). 

What will you get?

Value Resort guests will get free Quick Service Disney Dining Plan.

Moderate and Deluxe Resorts will get free Plus Disney Dining. 

Guests can upgrade to a higher level of Dining Plan by paying the difference. 

Number of rooms allocated for this discount are extremely limited. 

Travel Dates

August 31 - October 3

October 26 - November 1

November 9 - November 20

December 12 - December 23

*As long as your vacation dates begin during one of these windows you will get Free Dining through your entire stay. 

Excluded Resorts

All-Star Movies, Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Grand Floridian Villas, Fort Wilderness Campsites and all 3-Bedroom Villas. 

Other details

You must book a minimum stay of 3 nights and also purchase at least a 2-day Magic Your Way ticket. 

Room Discount Too!

Disney also released a room only discount for travel dates August 16 - October 3. Visa cardholders can save up to 30% off on rooms at select Walt Disney World resorts. For more information on this discount head to the Walt Disney World Discounts page here on my blog.

Is FREE Dining right for you?

Free Dining is a very popular and highly anticipated discount. That does not mean it is always the best deal for your family. It cannot be combined with other offers. If you book your vacation with me I will price check every offer available during your vacation dates to ensure you are getting the best price possible - whether that is free dining or not!

Not a Disney VISA Card holder? Contact me today to get on my list for when this offer goes public May 7th. I will be spending that day making sure all my current clients get the best price possible for their vacation! 

LaurenKennedy@GlassSlipperConcierge.com 

Happy 25th Anniversary Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Today marks the 25th anniversary of Disney's Hollywood Studios. When you step into Disney's third park you are transported back to Hollywood's golden age of glitz and glamour. You'll run into the citizens of Hollywood while you stroll down the boulevards - and they can be quite entertaining! 

Appropriately, Hollywood Studios is full of some amazing shows but that doesn't mean it lacks good rides. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror are two of the better thrill rides in Disney Parks. Let's celebrate Disney's Hollywood Studios' 25th anniversary with some fun facts! 

*Disney's Hollywood Studios is about 135 acres in size.

*Hollywood Studios was originally planned as a movie Pavilion at EPCOT.

*The original name of the park was Disney - MGM Studios.

*The name was changed to Disney's Hollywood Studios on January 7, 2008. 

*The Earful Tower was the original icon of MGM Studios. It can be found in the backlot area of the park.

*The current icon - the Socerer Mickey Hat - was added in October 2001 as part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration.

*Mickey would have to be 350 feet tall to wear the socerer hat. 

*Rock 'n' Roller Coaster goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.

*When Tower of Terror was built it was struck by lightning.

*The lagoon where Fantasmic takes place is only 1.5 feet deep!

*The other half of the plane in The Great Movie Ride can be found on The Jungle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom.

*The names you see on the windows on the Streets of America are those of the Imagineers who designed Hollywood Studios.

Michael Eisner's dedication sums up Disney's Hollywood Studios perfectly:

"The world you have entered was created by The Walt Disney Company and is dedicated to Hollywood - not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists whenever people dream and wonder and imagine. A place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was - and always will be."

Here are a few of my favorite photos I have taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Remy Featuring Pompidou’s Patisseries Dessert Experience {Disney Cruise Line}

Disney Cruise Line has announced a very excited new adult-only dining experience at Remy on board the Disney Fantasy! If you love dessert this is definitely for you. 

"Remy Featuring Pompidou's Patisseries Dessert Experience", named after the dessert chef in Disney Pixar's film Ratatouille, features a 5-course dessert menu, coffee or tea, a complimentary adult beverage (for guests 21-years or older)  and an in-depth discussion with the Executive Chef and Executive Pastry Chef of Remy. As each dessert is presented, they'll explain the history and evolution of the dessert. 

The Remy Dessert Experience is $50 per person and is available on sailings 4 nights or longer during days at sea. 

During my recent Agent Education Program I got the chance to tour the Fantasy. While we were touring Remy, Executive Chef Patrick Albert came out and chatted with us for a few minutes. He is full of so much knowledge and a very warm-hearted person. You will not be disappointed if you choose to take part in the Remy Dessert Experience! 

Executive Chef Patrick Albert (Remy, Disney Fantasy)

{GIVEAWAY} Walter&Rosie Disney Inspired Candle

I am excited to partner up with Walter&Rosie for this giveaway! I recently bought their Yacht and Beach Club candle and was so excited I had to share with all of you. If you have ever been in the Yacht Club or Beach Club lobby you may remember a wonderful scent. It turns out that Disney pumps in various scents into their hotel lobbies. The candle smells just like I remember it - clean, crisp and relaxing - it's uncanny!

The winner of this giveaway will get to choose from any scent available in the Walter&Rosie Etsy shop - 8oz size. Exciting right?? I warn you - it will be hard to pick just one! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disney Cruise Line 2015 Summer Itineraries

Norwegian Fjords Itineraries

On 7- and 9-night sailings departing from Copenhagen, you will be immersed in both the splendor and charm of Norway with exciting new ports, steeped in Viking history. An 11-night sailing allows yous to explore the Norwegian fjords, as well as Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

NEW 7-night Norwegian Fjords

Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Stavanger, Alesund, Geiranger and Bergen, Norway

Departure Date: June 6

NEW 9-night Norwegian Fjords

Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Stavanger, Alesund, Geiranger, Molde, Olden and Bergen, Norway

Departure Date: June 20

NEW 11-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland

Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger Norway; Akureyri and Reykjavik (overnight), Iceland; Torshavn, Faroe Islands; Dover, England

Departure Date: June 29

Northern Europe Itineraries

On Northern Europe cruises, the Disney Magic will sail the Baltic waters where your Clients will explore richly diverse cultures and national capitals including Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and St. Petersburg – known as the cultural capital of Russia. These itineraries depart from Copenhagen, Denmark and Dover – just a quick jaunt from London, England.

NEW 7-night Northern Europe

Ports: Copenhagen, Denmark; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden

Departure Dates: May 30, June 13

12-night Northern Europe

Ports: Dover, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany (July 10 cruise only); Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia

Departure Dates: July 10 and 22

The Disney Magic will also return to the Mediterranean in August, treating Guests to popular European destinations on 5- and 7-night sailings departing from Barcelona, Spain. 

The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for the summer season with 7-night cruises departing out of Vancouver, Canada. 

The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will continue to sail during the summer to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida – these cruises include a stop at Disney’s private island –Castaway Cay.

Platinum or Gold Castaway Club Members can book these itineraries beginning March 26, 2014. Bookings will open to all Guests on March 27, 2014.

Contact me for a quote! LaurenKennedy@GlassSlipperConcierge.com

{NEW DISCOUNT} Dive into BIG savings with this Summer offer!

The recent Disney VISA cardholder offer has gone public. You no longer need a Disney VISA to book this amazing summer discount. You can save up to 35% off for stays 6/15/14 - 8/28/14. Upgrade to a room and ticket package and get one more day on your park ticket FREE (Mininum 6-day Magic Your Way ticket required).

For more detailed information including exactly how much you will save at each resort and which resorts are excluded visit my Walt Disney World Discounts page.  Also note that the Spring room only discount will no longer be available to book after 3/31/14!