Zip a dee doo dah Diva

T oday, I  have a magical update for those of you who are excited to see the expansion of Fantasyland come to life. Walt Disney Imagineers are currently piecing together the Beast’s castle, which will sit high atop what will become the Be Our Guest Restaurant. The “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired restaurant, which is set to open in late 2012, will offer a lavish dining experience in the castle’s elegant ballroom, gallery and mysterious “west-wing.” The restaurant and castle will eventually be flanked by Gaston’s Tavern, Bonjour! Village Gifts, and the cottage of Maurice (Belle’s father).

For the first time ever,  Disney Cruise Line  will set sail from three new ports in 2012 –  New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas  – making the Disney family cruise vacation more accessible to guests around the country. Additionally, the cruise line will offer more choices than ever before with several new itineraries planned. “In 2012, we’re making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a Disney Cruise Line vacation by offering cruises from a variety of regional homeports,” said  Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz.  “Guests can now enjoy a magical, one-of-a-kind Disney cruise experience with the convenience of departures from their own backyard.” 2012 New York Schedule Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada plus two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experie...

Magic Kingdom officials have a hunch a really "hot ticket" in their realm this summer is going to be something other than a ride, a snack or a show. Rather, it's a first-ever opportunity to nail down a time to meet with Mickey Mouse. When meet-and-greets with Mickey move into a permanent new location in Town Square later this spring, Magic Kingdom guests will be able to obtain a Disney's FASTPASS ticket specifying a one-hour window when they can return to see the popular character for hugs, photos and autographs -- without waiting in the standby queue. It will mark the first time the complimentary, computerized service has been available for a character meet-and-greet at any Disney Park. Since spending time with Disney characters is at the top of the "must-do list" of many guests, the FASTPASS ticket will allow them to experience their Mickey Mouse meet-and-greets more conveniently. As a result, guests will be able to devote more time enjoying other Magic ...

Ahoy, Mateys! Jake and the Never Land Pirates Landing at Disney's Hollywood Studios as Part of Show Debuting March 4  Jake and the Never Land Pirates are landing at Disney's Hollywood Studios March 4, 2011, less than a month after they cast off on their first adventure on Disney Channel as part of the launch of Disney Junior programming designed for 2-to-7-year-old children. At the Walt Disney World theme park, they are playing a role in "Disney Junior--Live on Stage!", a theme park show created for young guests. Co-starring roles in the show are played by the cast of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins -- other shows that are part of the Disney Junior schedule. "Ever since 'Playhouse Disney--Live on Stage!' premiered in 2001, it has been a chance for our younger guests to experience their Disney Channel friends at Disney's Hollywood Studios," said Dan Fields of Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative director for "Disn...

This is one of my favorite dining experiences on any cruise ship. If the decor is not enough to make you happy, this dining room is interactive.Yes, I said interactive.  It comes to life. Crush, from Finding Nemo, puts on quite a show for all the dinner guests.I want to tell you all about it but my words will not do it justice and I don't want to spoil the surprise.  If you are going on the Disney Dream anytime soon make sure not to miss dinner in this dining room!!!!

Who would not love to see the bus pull up? I love how every detail is taken care of when it comes to Disney. Even the hour bus ride from the airport to the cruise terminal is fun.  As you board the bus, you are asked to find a seat and get comfy.. Once the bus pulls away you are immersed with Disney trivia, songs, and cartoons. Once the bus is about 20 minutes away, a fun little DVD about your cruise is started. Once this DVD is over you can see the ship in the distance. And it is picture time.  SO make sure to have those camera's ready. Now, you are making Disney memories.  Thanks B for the use of your pictures. 

I will have to say that my words and pictures will not even give you and idea of how grand this ship is. To be able to smell the newness of this ship is indescribable. So see the grand lobby, the larger than my house chandler, the character carvings in the stair cases, and the beautiful colors, is even overwhelming to me. I have to set the scene for you. We are in the Disney Cruise Terminal, waiting for our assigned letter to be called. As we wait we are greeted by (I will blog about character experiences later) Minnie, Mickey and Goofy. Finally, it is our time to get on this grand ship. We walk up the glass walk way and we hear "The Disney Dream would like to welcome Classic Travel Connection". We all squeal like little girls, and we are here. We are on the newest and best ship in the travel industry. Oh, it is good to be the Zip-a-dee-doo-dah Diva. I love my job!!!