From the Associated Press...
BC-Disney Cruise Expansion,0315
Disney to offer West Coast cruises for Disneyland anniversary
By GARY GENTILE
AP Business Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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.
BC-Disney Cruise Expansion,0315
Disney to offer West Coast cruises for Disneyland anniversary
By GARY GENTILE
AP Business Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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.
