Archive for Disney Resorts

Special Vacation Offer for Disney Visa Cardmembers at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Disney Visa® Cardmembers can save 35% on Deluxe Studio-Standard View accommodations at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World® Resort for stays most nights July 5-Oct. 3, 2015.

Guests can embrace the tranquil spirit of the South Pacific at an oasis of tropical palms, flickering Tiki torches and white-sand beaches at one of the original Walt Disney World Resort hotels – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

Number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Length of stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room.Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Advance reservations are required. Deposit must be made at time of booking with a Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards® Redemption Card. 

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Photos: Construction at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Main Pool

Take a look at some photos of the ongoing construction at the main pool of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

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Disneys polynesian bungalows (6)

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Photos: Easter Eggs in Grand Floridian Lobby

If you are near the Grand Floridian this weekend make sure to check out the custom Easter Eggs throughout the lobby area.

Click on the photos for a larger view.

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Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Now Soft Open at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is the latest addition to the newly reimagined Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  Located off the Great Ceremonial House, the themed lounge will serve exotic drinks and small plates, while offering scenic views of the marina and Seven Seas Lagoon.

Founded by Adventureland’s famous “head” salesman, Trader Sam, the Walt Disney World Resort version will have some similarities to the original Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Resort. But magical theming will reflect its new resort location.

Guests are welcomed to Trader Sam’s, a South Seas hideaway, to explore a menu full of “magical tropical drinks and food,” and while the Walt Disney World version will share a few exotic cocktails and small plates from the Disneyland location, it will have its own menu, according to Chef Lenny DeGeorge.

The famous Trader Sam cocktails, available in Disney collectible Tiki mugs, are a mix of old and new.

Only at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto:

  • Polynesian Pearl
  • Nautilus
  • Castaway Crush
  • Tahitian Torch
  • Dark & Tropical Stormy

Favorites imported from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar:

  • Krakatoa Punch
  • Uh-Oa!
  • HippopotoMai-Tai
  • Shrunken Zombie Head

Sam’s No-Booze Brews:

  • Schweitzer Fall
  • Skipper Sipper

Small bites at Trader Sam’s Grotto include chicken lettuce cups with hoisin ginger sauce; Hawaiian poke with Sriracha aioli and wonton chips; kalua pork tacos with shredded cabbage and pickled vegetables; pan-fried dumplings with soy-sesame dipping sauce; roasted chicken and pork pâté bánh mì sliders with pickled vegetables; salmon oshizushi (pressed sushi); corn-battered Portuguese sausages with curry ketchup, and a Headhunter Sushi Roll.

The lounge has 50 seats inside and 82 on the patio. No reservations are required.

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Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Special Rates

Guests of the Walt Disney World® Swan and Dolphin receive up to 40% off for stays between March 17 and May 17.

Ask for rate code “FLOWERS” when booking your stay.

www.SwanDolphin.com

888.828.8850
(or 407-934-4000)

Purchase tickets now and reserve your Disney FastPass+ experiences in advance.  It’s included in your Walt Disney World Theme Park admission.

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Disneyland Hotel Features Enchanting Magic and Nostalgia

Long a favorite lodging for vacationers at the Disneyland Resort, the Disneyland Hotel brings new magic and significant upgrades to the AAA Four Diamond property. A restaurant, bar, pools, water play area and themed suites add immersive experiences, making the landmark property one more reason for families to enjoy a multiday vacation at the Disneyland Resort.

“The Disneyland Hotel opened in 1955, the same year Disneyland opened,” said Jon Storbeck, vice president, Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney District.  “It has greatly expanded over the years, and the latest renovations pay tribute to the shared history of the park and the hotel. We’re proud to be part of the Disney tradition of imaginative storytelling and great guest service and we welcome our guests to Disneyland Resort, a world-class, multi-day tourist destination.”

From the 975 rooms to the retheming of the towers, featuring an energy-efficient, sky-blue reflective glass exterior, the hotel creates a nostalgic family destination that pays tribute to the early days of Disneyland. The Fantasy Tower lobby showcases Mary Blair artwork, creating an instant connection to “it’s a small world.” The Frontier Tower features a scale model of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the lobby. At the Adventure Tower, guests will see Jungle Cruise characters incorporated into the design.

Iconic Dining Locations

Tangaroa Terrace, a “fast casual” restaurant, and Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar take their architectural cues from the original Tahitian Terrace restaurant in Disneyland park and the Polynesian/Tiki architecture that was popular during the early era of the original hotel.

Tangaroa Terrace features Island-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with items that include cinnamon-spiced oatmeal cakes with Island fruit compote and Kalua pork flatbread, along with a selection of sandwiches, salads and “grab-and-go” items. Guests use an innovative, easy-to-use touch screen to select menu items, which are prepared to order and delivered to their tables either inside or on the large outdoor patio.

Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar, named after Trader Sam, Disney’s Jungle Cruise “Head” Salesman, recounts the story of his worldly travels through the artifacts and memorabilia he collected along the way. The bar features interactive special effects blended with classic Disney storytelling. Trader Sam’s serves a mix of signature cocktails such as the flaming Uh Oa — perfect for sharing —the Hippopotamai Tai and the Mosquito Mojito. The creative appetizer selection includes panko-crusted Chinese long beans and tamarind-glazed Island pork shanks with green papaya slaw.

Rounding out the tropical experience, Trader Sam’s features live music performed on the patio each evening.

Guests also can relax next to a large, outdoor stone fireplace, or enjoy the view of the new Cascade Falls and Old Unfaithful near the Frontier Tower, both reminiscent of the former Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland attraction in Disneyland park.

Immersive Pool Experience

Guests of all ages will enjoy the new, immersive water play area. With a nod to the iconic original park signage, “Disneyland” is spelled out in familiar blocks atop a platform supporting two thrilling water slides. A replica of the original Mark 1 Monorail Cars sits at each slide’s entrance, paying tribute to nostalgic Disneyland. Guests glide through the cars as they twist and turn their way to the water below. The larger of the two main slides sits 26 feet high and stretches 187 feet, until it plunges into a splash pool. The second slide is 13 feet high and 112 feet long. For younger guests, the area includes a third, two-lane mini-slide that sits just 3 ½ feet high and is 19 feet long, as well as a series of small bubble jets in which to play.

No tickets are required at the new D-Ticket and E-ticket pools, which draw their names from the iconic ticket books that were used in the early days of Disneyland to experience attractions.

The four-foot-deep, D-Ticket pool is a shady oasis next to the new Monorail water play area, and the E-Ticket pool is perfect for families, with poolside food and beverage service at select times of the year.

The pool area also features a Minnie Mouse-themed outdoor spa, which matches a Mickey-themed spa. In addition, six new cabanas are available; each features a flat screen TV, refrigerator, safe, phone, and ceiling fan.

Themed Suites

The Disneyland Hotel boasts a unique collection of themed suites including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse and the Pirates of the Caribbean suite. Three exciting, new suites were added as part of the renovation. The Adventureland Suite offers guests a two-bedroom hideaway complete with a grotto in the master bathroom that simulates various settings – including a rain forest and African savanna – through light and sound effects.

The Big Thunder Suite, where up to six pioneers are immersed in luxurious, rustic accommodations, was inspired by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland park. The Fairy Tale Suite, adorned in colors of sage and champagne, features an exquisite canopy bed as its centerpiece and a hand-cut cut mosaic of a stylized Sleeping Beauty Castle in the bathroom.

Guest Rooms

The beautifully remodeled guest rooms feature exquisite Disney touches woven into the décor. The beds have stunning new headboards with an artistically carved representation of Disneyland park’s famous Sleeping Beauty Castle, which serves as the focal point in each guest room. The background on the headboard uses fiber optics to create a magical skyline with fireworks – bringing the immersive park experience into the room. Guests also will discover a magical touch of music in the rooms, with refrains from the familiar song, “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

The new magic at the Disneyland Hotel is part of a recently completed multiyear expansion project which was also highlighted by the creation of new experiences, attractions and nighttime spectaculars in Disney California Adventure park. The project culminated in the summer of 2012 with the opening of Buena Vista Street and the 12-acre Cars Land.

The AAA Four Diamond Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was expanded in 2009, adding 203 hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom villas that are part of the Disney Vacation Club, marking the West Coast debut for Disney Vacation Club. At the Paradise Pier Hotel, all rooms were recently remodeled to fit the playful, beach theme.

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Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Aulani Receive Travelers’ Choice Awards

Five Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, as well as Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, were recently honored as top hotel choices in the U.S. for families by TripAdvisor’s 13th annual Travelers’ Choice awards.

Among the Walt Disney World Resort hotels recognized were Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

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Disney reaching plateau in its hotels’ occupancy

The Walt Disney Co.’s hotel occupancy at its domestic resorts spiked in its first quarter — 89 percent compared with 81 percent the previous year. …

Full Story

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Culinary Delights At Walt Disney World

Culinary Delights At Walt Disney World ABC’s Genevieve Shaw Brown tries some unusual burgers at Disney World.

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Photos: Gingerbread House Display at Disneyland Hotel

Check out the giant Gingerbread House display at the entrance of the Disneyland Hotel.

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