Fleet Expansion - New Ships Scheduled for Completion in 2011 and 2012

Disney Cruise Line is expanding its fleet by adding two new ocean liners that will more than double the line's passenger capacity.  The Meyer Werft shipyard, based in Papenburg, Germany, is building the new 122,000-ton Disney Dream and Disney Wondeer. Each ship will have 1,250 staterooms and be two decks taller than the existing 83,000-ton liners, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Similar to the original Disney Cruise Line ships, the new vessels will be modern interpretations of classic ocean liners of the 1930s. Specific design plans and itineraries for the yet-to-be-named ships will be unveiled in October. 

New 2011 Itineraries - Disney Wonder Sails to Alaska, Disney Magic to Europe

Disney Cruise Line will offer new itineraries in 2011 that include seven-night sailings to America's last frontier - Alaska. During summer, the Disney Wonder will depart Vancouver, British Columbia. and call on Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.  Before and after its Alaska summer season, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises, departing the Port of Los Angeles for Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.  In response to guest demand, the Disney Magic will return to the Mediterranean in 2011 with 10- and 11-night cruises sailing out of Barcelona.  These itineraries will coincide with the arrival of the new Disney Dream, which will sail three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Fla to The Bahamas. 

New Enhancements Coming to Castaway Cay - Scheduled for completion in 2010

Castaway Cay, Disney's private island paradise in The Bahamas, will receive an extra sprinkle of pixie dust in the form of new additions and enhancements.  Scheduled for completion summer 2010, they will deliver an even greater guest experience and prepare the island for the 2011 arrival of the new Disney Dream cruise ship.  New amenities include private rental cabanas that will provide the privacy and luxury of a deluxe beach retreat and Pelican Plunge, a floating play area with slides and water cannons.  The island is also adding additional massage cabanas and enlarging its popular stingray petting lagoon. 

WHAT'S NEW

Sports & Recreation

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Re-launched February 2010

New technologies and experiential enhancements have been added to the widely acclaimed sports facility at Walt Disney World Resort, which has been rebranded as the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The enhancements replicate signature elements of ESPN, including high-definition cameras and video screens, a 2,500-square-foot production center with links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  The dramatic complex includes a 9,500-seat Major League baseball park, two fieldhouses and numerous immaculate lawns and plazas.  All of the facilities are available for private group events. 

New ESPN-Themed Teambuilding and Networking Events – Introduced February 2010

The ultimate sports-themed teambuilding and networking events are now available at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  Designed for sports fans and couch potatoes alike, these events immerse attendees in the full ESPN experience that can't be duplicated anywhere else.  Event options let attendees participate in classic sports competitions or become on-camera celebrities in shows like the ESPN Poker Club Challenge and Sports Central.  Or participants can just kick back for good times and great food at the ultimate tailgate party.   

Multi-Purpose Sports Facility Opened July 2008 at
Disney's Wide World of Sports

The Jostens Center, a new state-of-the-art, multi-sport facility, opened in July 2008 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Encompassing more than 70,000 square feet of space, it features everything from modern conference rooms to 44,000 square feet of flexible competition and event space. The new facility offers plenty of private event possibilities for meetings, networking events and team-building programs.

American Idol Attraction - Premiered at Disney's Hollywood Studios February 2009

America's hottest pop culture phenomenon is now a new private-event option for groups meeting at the Walt Disney World Resort.  The American Idol attraction opened in January at Disney's Hollywood Studios and captures all the high-energy fun of the popular TV show.  Participants have the chance to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition.  Or they can judge performances in a live, interactive entertainment setting complete with all the glitz and glamour of the distinctive American Idol set. Show buy-outs are also available, making the new American Idol attraction an ideal centerpiece for private events for up to 4,000 people. 

Toy Story Mania - New Attraction Opened May 2008 at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Fun and hilarity are in store for private events at Toy Story Mania, one of Disney's Hollywood Studios' newest attractions.  This toy box of fun was inspired by the Disney-Pixar series of animated movies and sets a new standard for interactive ride technology.  Guests don 3-D glasses and hop into fancifully decorated vehicles. Riding along a colorful midway-themed route, they shoot at animated targets using their own toy cannons.Toy Story Mania is ideal for private group events of up to 4,000 people.

Disney's Contemporary Resort Expansion - Opened August 2009

A new 15-story tower opened August 4 at Disney's Contemporary Resort.  Containing 295 two-bedroom villas, the tower gives the Contemporary a total of 951 rooms, suites and villas.  The expansion also caps off a three-year transformation of the resort, which includes completely redesigned common areas and guest rooms, a new entrance and lobby, and the addition of two new restaurants and a second pool complex.  The Contemporary Resort has been a Florida landmark since it opened and is home to a 115,000-square-foot convention center. 

Coronado Springs - Reimagined Guest Rooms and New Business Club Lounge
Open January 2009

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, the largest of Disney's six dedicated convention resorts, has "reimagined" its 1,921 Guest rooms and introduced a new Business Club Lounge.  The redesigned Guest rooms offer the latest business-friendly amenities and a casual, but sophisticated decor.  Business Club rooms include upgraded amenities and Club Lounge access.  The room enhancements and new Club Lounge complement other recent resort enhancements, which include new food & beverage outlets, an elegant Chef's Table in the resort convention center and a hip, new lounge that features a dramatic private room that accommodates up to 100. 

Green Lodging Certification 
All Disney Resorts Certified as of April 2008

Disney's six dedicated convention resorts are among the 24 Disney-owned and -operated resorts in Florida to be certified as Green Lodges by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.  Disney is the first hotelier in the state to have 100 percent of its lodging properties certified.  Disney's BoardWalk Inn was the first hotel in Florida to receive certification when the program began in 2004.  Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts were the most recent to be certified, earning the designation in April 2008.

Disney Dining

Victoria & Albert's Receives Its Ninth Five-Diamond Rating - November 2008

Victoria and Albert's, the gourmet dining experience at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, has been awarded Five-Diamond status from the American Automobile Association (AAA). This is the ninth consecutive year that the acclaimed restaurant has earned the coveted designation. Victoria & Albert's is Central Florida's only Five-Diamond restaurant and one of only 40 nationwide.  The restaurant is also ranked by Zagat as one of the Nation's Top 100 restaurants.

The Wave Restaurant Opened at Disney's Contemporary Resort June 2008

The Wave, an exciting new restaurant concept, has opened at Disney's Contemporary Resort.  Innovative in style and cuisine, The Wave features a fun and healthful dining experience that blends American cuisine with world flavors.  The restaurant also takes casual dining into the health-conscious 21st century with a focus on local/regional ingredients and sustainable seafood options.  The Wave offers a private dining room that can accommodate up to 52 people or be divided into two rooms that can each seat up to 28.  

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line -  Disney Earns Top Ranking by Conde Nast Traveler - January 2009

Conde Nast Traveler magazine ranks the Disney Wonder the best large cruise ship in the industry.  The ship was rated number one by readers in the magazine's annual survey or more than 400 ships.  The Disney Magic impressed readers, capturing the number four spot on the survey.  The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have held Top 10 rankings for nearly a decade and are consistently voted tops for passenger capacity, itinerary and service. 

Enhanced Brand Loyalty Program - Available to groups and Individuals March 2008

Disney Institute has introduced new program content that takes participants inside one of the world's most powerful and admired brands. An immersive study of Disney's approach to brand loyalty, the new curriculum offers time-tested best practices for business professionals looking to create a service culture that drives repeat business and long-term success.  Content is available to groups as 90-minute keynotes, three-hour workshops, and one and multi-day seminars. 

Covering more than 40 square miles, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the largest and most complete convention resort in North America.  Here meeting professionals will discover six dedicated convention resorts and more than 700,000 square feet of ballroom, meeting and function space.  The resort also offers four world-famous theme parks, two nighttime entertainment districts, championship golf, spas and sparkling lakes for water sports of all kind.  Beyond facilities, planners will discover an array of exclusive benefits, including Disney Institute professional development programming, entertainment and production services through the Disney Event Group, and complimentary airport transfers and luggage transportation for guests of all Disney-owned resorts.