Tuesday, December 29th, 2020
In case you missed it, the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Celebration shared a brand-new video of the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022.
This never-before-seen digital clip showcases new details of the dazzling Grand Hall and a first look at the stunning character statue at the base of the grand staircase, an iconic Disney princess whose faith in her dreams has inspired generations to believe in the power of their own.
Inspired by the beauty of a fairytale castle, the Grand Hall makes a bold welcoming statement, setting the tone for an enchanted family vacation from the moment you step onboard the Disney Wish. It is an idyllic setting for Cinderella, whose timeless story is the perfect example of magic transforming wishes into dreams and dreams into reality – very fitting for a vessel named the Disney Wish, don’t you think?
The Disney Wish is the first of three new ships joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet through 2025. All three ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas and, at approximately 144,000 gross tons and 1,250 guest staterooms, will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc. today if you’d like to be among the first Guests to sail on the Disney Wish!
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
Story adapted from the official Disney Parks Blog
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to Disneyland we go! Today we are so very pleased to share that Disneyland Park’s only ride-through princess attraction has been reimagined as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish!
While Disneyland park has been closed, Walt Disney Imagineering has been putting the finishing touches on this cherished attraction, which will be ready to welcome Guests when the California theme parks reopen at a later date. Take a look at the sneak peek below!
Imagineers have updated this classic Fantasyland attraction with new magic inside and out. Using state-of-the-art audio and visual technology, including new music, LED black lighting, laser projections and a new animation system, the attraction brings to life Snow White’s “happily ever after.”
Delight in new appearances of beloved characters, including Snow White cheerfully dancing and twirling with the Seven Dwarfs in their cozy cottage. You may even notice the scent of Doc’s handiwork – a baking apple pie – wafting through the air.
Vibrant new shadow projections bring to life the dwarfs as they march happily off to work in the mine singing “Heigh-Ho.” The most dazzling scene is the mine, which sparkles with shimmering lighting effects and glittering jewels all around.
There are more surprises to discover when you experience the magic of this timeless fairytale, and Snow White’s enchanted wish coming true at last! The Disneyland Resort in California is where imagination is the destination. For young and old, big and small, it is The Happiest Place on Earth.
Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc. to learn more about the Disneyland Resort today!
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
Story adapted from the official Disney Parks Blog
Thursday, December 17th, 2020
A year ago today was the last time I was in the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Like so many others, COVID-19 cancelled my vacation plans this year, too. Looking back fondly on my last stay – without a doubt – the highlight was getting to experience the then brand-new *E ticket attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Granted, I’ve seen the movies, know most of the characters, but I am not at all what you would call a fan of the Star Wars franchise. Heck, when people ask me the age-old question; Star Wars or Star Trek, my answer is Doctor Who. But that doesn’t mean this attraction hasn’t quickly become one of the very best I’ve ever experienced.
The attraction is a combination of a walk-through, motion simulator, trackless dark ride, and drop ride system. And it puts you right in the middle of an altercation between the Resistance and the First Order!
While the attraction’s complex ride system is unlike anything I have ever ridden, I immediately compared the overall experience to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey over at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at the Universal Orlando Resort. This was simply due to how incredibly believable everything was. Not unlike how I always feel as though I’m actually riding a Nimbus 2000 through Hogwarts on Forbidden Journey, here I felt as though I actually escaped the wrath of Kylo Ren with the help of the Resistance.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead. Do NOT continue reading if you have not yet experienced and wish to keep the details of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance a secret.
The story of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (because every theme park attraction is only as good as it’s story) is that you were sent by the members of the Resistance to deliver plans to rebels on another planet in their fight against the First Order. In order to deliver these plans, you must pass through four pre-show scenes (masked as waiting areas) before boarding the actual attraction vehicle.
The first pre-show has BB8 and Rey briefing you on your mission. You then head outside to board a standing transport ship, where an animatronic pilot flies you through space. You feel the ship moving as Resistance fighter pilots fly alongside you. But of course, something goes wrong, and your ship is accidently captured. The coolest effect here is that once your transport ship stops, the same outside door through which you entered the ship opens to reveal you are now inside the hangar of a First Order star destroyer. While normally I would spend the next five minutes trying to figure out how they did that, I was too busy gawking at the level of detail inside the star destroyer.
The hangar is massive and is one of the best places in all of Walt Disney World to take a selfie. Star Wars fans will want to stay here for as long as possible, given the fact that every single detail looks exactly as it does in the movies. From the hangar, First Order officers lead you and your party into interrogation cells.
Without spoiling the very best parts, members of the Resistance begin an escape attempt. But I assure you it’s not via a garbage shoot or trash compactor. This is where the real fun begins. You board your escape vehicle and are driven through the star destroyer, passing under AT-ATs , chased by Kylo Ren, and more. The sets are massive, and the special effects are so over the top that I need to experience it a dozen more times just to take it all in.
Due to its insane popularity, Disney has implemented a virtual queue as the only means to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Resulting in the fact that you cannot simply stand in line for it, nor is it available via Disney’s ** FastPass+ system. Rest assured that prior to your Walt Disney World vacation, your Fairytale Dreams & Destinations’ Vacation Specialist will walk you through exactly how this virtual queue works in hopes of securing your spot to help the Resistance.
Star Wars fan or not, after experiencing this ground-breaking ride, it’s no surprise that a year after its opening, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains The Walt Disney World Resort’s most popular attraction. And without a doubt, this designation will remain for many years to come. Because after all, the Resistance will not be intimidated.
– Christine Fiorelli
Contact Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc. when you’re ready to join the Resistance!
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
www.fairytaledestinations.com
* An E ticket (officially an E coupon) was a type of admission ticket used at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom theme parks prior to 1982. E ticket admitted Guests to the newest, most advanced, and/or popular rides and attractions.
** Disney’s FastPass+ service allows you to reserve access to select Walt Disney World theme park attractions, entertainment and Character Greetings in advance. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, at the time this article was written, Disney’s FastPass+ service was suspended in order to use additional queue space to control capacity at attractions and maintain physical distancing.
Tuesday, December 1st, 2020
It was some point in late February that I had heard about Coronavirus. I work in travel, so I was aware that there were some cases, but I have been working in the travel industry since late 2001. How could this COVID thing possibly be any different than H1N1 or Zika virus?
In what felt like the blink of an eye, things started to spiral out of control all too quickly. It was the week before March break here in Ontario. Guests began calling our office because their cruise sailing out of Florida had been cancelled due to COVID, and they were in a panic to book a vacation to match their flights for the next week. They were hoping to vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort instead.
On March 9th I received an email that the scheduled first leg of the Pearl Jam/Gigaton tour, which I had tickets to see on March 18th, would need to be postponed. Apparently COVID cases were rising in the United States and the band felt that cancelling their tour was the smart and safe thing to do.
Then on March 11th , the NBA announced a postponement of the remainder of their season after a player on the Utah Jazz tested positive for the Coronavirus.
The very next day, the NHL announced the pause of the 2019-20 regular season in light of this news. Most notably, given that the leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms, it was the safest thing to do.
Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, announced that schools would remain closed for two weeks following the March break.
I was just heading out of the office for the day, when things were about to turn upside down for our industry. The Disneyland Resort in California announced it was closing its doors. Later that evening, Disney Cruise Line announced a suspension on all sailings and the Walt Disney World Resort was closing their doors beginning on Monday, March 16th. Only three days from now.
We often have hectic times at Fairytale Dreams & Destinations, most notably when a hurricane is threatening the state of Florida or if an attractive promotion is offered by the Walt Disney Travel Company. This meant that our team of Vacation Specialists was well prepared for the task of spending every waking hour cancelling, changing, and re-scheduling numerous vacations for many months to come.
What we weren’t prepared for was the disappointment and tears. The very best part of our job is hearing from Guests after they return from their vacations, sharing their happy tears, favourite moments, and unforgettable experiences; hearing how the magic of Disney was more than they could have ever imagined it would be. We now know that the absolute worst part of our profession is hearing and feeling the disappointment in the voices and emails of SO many families.
After all, vacations aren’t only about fun and relaxation. They are an escape from work and school. Sometimes, they are for celebrating a very special milestone in life, or in memory of a loved one. If you have never been, I’m here to tell you that a Walt Disney World vacation truly is magical and it somehow can take us away from everything…if only for a little while.
It’s been a tough year for all of us, as the world has changed before our eyes, just in the way we live, who we interact with, how we go to the grocery store, and of course, the way we travel. We know not everyone is ready to hop on a plane to visit a theme park right now and that’s okay. When the time is right for your family to venture out again, we’ll be here, ready and excited to help you take back the magic.
– Christine Fiorelli
Fairytale Dreams & Destinations™ Inc.
(905) 857.3611 | 1.855.FDMAGIC
10 McEwan Drive West Unit 3 Bolton ON L7E 1H1
