poohj80
Got Hunny?
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 6,325
I attended my local AAA office's Disney Night last night and thought I would pass along some of what Greg, the Disney Cast Member who gave the presentation, had to say.
First, I was a bit disappointed in what was presented as we were hoping to hear more about Disneyland since we are planning a trip in May. Since we are located in the SE, WDW and DCL were discussed most. I understand this makes sense since we are physically closer to WDW but, because we ARE closer, we already know WDW like our second home. So, not much knowledge was gained by us but I will pass along a few tidbits that I have seen asked about here previously.
The big push during the presentation was the Magic Your Way packages. Someone asked about discounts for people staying off-site so the Magic Your Way tickets were discussed at some length. Greg mentioned that if a family saw themselves making several trips of shorter lengths it might make monetary sense to buy a 7 day MYW pass and use it on both trips. Since he kept talking about the 7 day pass I asked whether longer MYW passes are available. The next exchange went something like this:
Greg: "How do you know about that?"
Me: "I read"
Greg: "The Internet?"
Me: "Maybe ;-)"
Greg: "Could it be a web site called Mouse-something?"
Me: "Could be"
Greg: "I hate that site (with a smile)"
Greg did admit that WDW is working on a 10 day pass that should be available in about 30-45 days but said it is not available yet.
The MYW passes do have the finger scan (biometrics) so no more sharing passes.
Greg also mentioned Disney's Magical Express service from the Orlando airport. I asked if this would be available for DVC members who weren't specifically booking a package. His response was IF we were booking airfare through AAA, we should tell them that we already have our WDW stay booked on points and just need the airfare and ask the AAA Travel Agent to talk to the Disney representative to get on the manifest for the Magical Express Service. I don't know that I believe it will be that easy since I haven't seen anything in writing from Disney about DVC members having access to this service, but I guess it's worth a shot.
Soarin' is scheduled to open at Epcot May 5 to coincide with the kickoff of DL's 50th celebration. Greg did mention soft openings before that date where guests might be asked to try out the attraction and give them feedback.
Greg talked about the Disney Cruise Lines quite a bit and mentioned the CA cruises this summer. There was nothing in the brochures provided last night about the CA cruises so I ask Greg if any literature (like the DCL brochure) would be available. He said since the cruises are about 80% sold out, Disney didn't see any point in spending money on printing up new brochures. The question was also asked if the CA cruises would become an annual event. He said a new Disney ship is designed ON PAPER to stay resident in CA, but that Disney won't actually build the ship until the US Dollar is doing better against the Euro so who knows when that will be (4 more years?). So, I guess we'll just have to wait on that one.
Expedition Everest won't open at the AK until Spring 2006. Greg referred to it as a cross between Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn.
If I think of anything else, I'll post it. If anyone has any specific questions, please let me know.
PJ
First, I was a bit disappointed in what was presented as we were hoping to hear more about Disneyland since we are planning a trip in May. Since we are located in the SE, WDW and DCL were discussed most. I understand this makes sense since we are physically closer to WDW but, because we ARE closer, we already know WDW like our second home. So, not much knowledge was gained by us but I will pass along a few tidbits that I have seen asked about here previously.
The big push during the presentation was the Magic Your Way packages. Someone asked about discounts for people staying off-site so the Magic Your Way tickets were discussed at some length. Greg mentioned that if a family saw themselves making several trips of shorter lengths it might make monetary sense to buy a 7 day MYW pass and use it on both trips. Since he kept talking about the 7 day pass I asked whether longer MYW passes are available. The next exchange went something like this:
Greg: "How do you know about that?"
Me: "I read"
Greg: "The Internet?"
Me: "Maybe ;-)"
Greg: "Could it be a web site called Mouse-something?"
Me: "Could be"
Greg: "I hate that site (with a smile)"
Greg did admit that WDW is working on a 10 day pass that should be available in about 30-45 days but said it is not available yet.
The MYW passes do have the finger scan (biometrics) so no more sharing passes.
Greg also mentioned Disney's Magical Express service from the Orlando airport. I asked if this would be available for DVC members who weren't specifically booking a package. His response was IF we were booking airfare through AAA, we should tell them that we already have our WDW stay booked on points and just need the airfare and ask the AAA Travel Agent to talk to the Disney representative to get on the manifest for the Magical Express Service. I don't know that I believe it will be that easy since I haven't seen anything in writing from Disney about DVC members having access to this service, but I guess it's worth a shot.
Soarin' is scheduled to open at Epcot May 5 to coincide with the kickoff of DL's 50th celebration. Greg did mention soft openings before that date where guests might be asked to try out the attraction and give them feedback.
Greg talked about the Disney Cruise Lines quite a bit and mentioned the CA cruises this summer. There was nothing in the brochures provided last night about the CA cruises so I ask Greg if any literature (like the DCL brochure) would be available. He said since the cruises are about 80% sold out, Disney didn't see any point in spending money on printing up new brochures. The question was also asked if the CA cruises would become an annual event. He said a new Disney ship is designed ON PAPER to stay resident in CA, but that Disney won't actually build the ship until the US Dollar is doing better against the Euro so who knows when that will be (4 more years?). So, I guess we'll just have to wait on that one.
Expedition Everest won't open at the AK until Spring 2006. Greg referred to it as a cross between Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn.
If I think of anything else, I'll post it. If anyone has any specific questions, please let me know.
PJ
