I just read this AP story dated 5/3 about the CA cruises for summer '05.
By GARY GENTILE, AP Business Writer
LOS ANGELES - The Walt Disney Co. will dock one of its two cruise ships in California for 12 weeks next year as part of the celebration for the 50th anniversary of its
Disneyland theme park, the company said.
The decision to offer 12 seven-night cruises beginning next May also will test the waters for a possible future expansion of the cruise line, which has been extremely successful since it began operating out of Florida in 1998. No decision to permanently add a West Coast port has been reached, the company said Sunday.
"It is a great opportunity to bring the magic of the
Disney Cruise line to a whole new audience on the West Coast," Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Disney unveils its plans Wednesday for marking Disneyland's 50th anniversary at each of its 10 worldwide theme parks. Company co-founder Walt Disney opened the park July 17, 1955.
The "Disney Magic" will travel from its home port through the Panama Canal next year and offer cruises leaving from the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro and docking in three Mexican ports: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
The announcement comes as Disney unveils a major new addition to its struggling California Adventure theme park, which opened three years ago in the midst of an economic recession.
Executives hope the opening of the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror," this week will finally bring in the crowds Disney originally expected.
Riders strapped into seats on an elevator free fall 13 stories down the shaft of an abandoned hotel. The ride is already one of the most popular at Disney-MGM Studios park in Florida.