Month: June 2017

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Star-struck guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer have a front-row seat for movie classics in the all-new entertainment experience “Disney Movie Magic.”  The nightly 10-minute performance bathes the park’s iconic Chinese Theater in breathtaking projection-mapping technology that brings to life scores of classic movie moments from the Disney family of film studios.

Chimney sweeps from “Mary Poppins” “step in time” over the rooftops of London.  A playful Captain Jack swash-buckles his way across the high seas of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” “Tron: Legacy” Lightcycles speed through The Grid.  And Lumiere from “Beauty and the Beast” invites you to be his guest.

These and other cinematic gems that have lit up silver screens around the world play across the facade of the theater in the fast-paced “Disney Movie Magic” – from Disney classics like “Mary Poppins” to contemporary blockbusters such as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and this summer’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”

Set to searchlights painting the skies and a musical score composed and arranged by Michael Patti (Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, StarBright Holidays), “Disney Movie Magic” puts guests right in the middle of beloved Disney films. All genres are represented including musicals, romance, comedy, classics, fantasy, sci-fi, animation and adventure.

“For generations these films have touched our lives,” said Michael Roddy, Show Director, Disney Parks Live Entertainment. “They represent our childhood, our dreams, our fantasies and our mythology. We have laughed and cried, loved and been thrilled. ‘Disney Movie Magic’ celebrates those films and the films to come.”

“Disney Movie Magic” begins, fittingly, with Walt Disney himself. The red-carpet footage featuring Walt is from the 1964 premiere of “Mary Poppins,” which took place at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

What unspools from there is pure movie magic – from “The Jungle Book” to “Beauty and the Beast,” from “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” to “Cinderella,” from “Swiss Family Robinson” to “The Love Bug.” With the front of the theater a dramatic canvas, decades of movie moments play out across the ten-minute run time of “Disney Movie Magic.”

“Disney Movie Magic” is presented nightly this summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in addition to regular performances of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.”

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Of the 28,000-plus hotels an resorts rated by the American Automobile Association (AAA), juts six percent (approximately 160) earn a 4-Diamond Rating, and Disney Vero Beach Resort just made that exclusive 4-Start list.

This should come as no surprise to those who have ever visited Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. This Atlantic beachfront Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort has a devoted following of DVC Members who rave about it as is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing beach vacation.

AAA is one of the leading sources of travel ratings in the industry. According to AAA, “A Four Diamond hotel is refined and stylish, providing upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.”

Located on Florida’s East Coast just a two hours’ drive from Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort immerses visitors in its themes of citrus, treasure and the environment. The resort boasts a variety of water-themed activities, including access to the warm waters of the Atlantic, a children’s water play area, a miniature golf course, a Mickey Mouse-shaped swimming pool complete with a water slide and so much more.

Situated on one of the most active sea turtle nesting beaches in Florida, sea turtles are an important part of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. As part of Disney’s overall commitment to sea turtle conservation, a team of Disney researchers track sea turtle nests on several miles of the beach near the resort to help protect them and study what factors contribute to the successful hatching of sea turtle nests. From May to October, members and guests can observe the nesting season of threatened or endangered sea turtles such as loggerheads and leatherbacks during special outings with Disney sea turtle experts.

New to the resort is Wind & Waves, a dining experience that includes a grill focused on fresh, local seafood and produce, a market with grab-and-go meals and a poolside bar. This Florida-themed food experience offers something for every dining style.

Not only is the food amazing, but the accommodations at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort are stunning. Situated along the beautiful Atlantic coastline, Deluxe Studios, Inn rooms and one- and two-bedroom villas offer an assortment of options for your family, making this resort a truly unique Disney retreat.

Ready to see it for yourself?

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — With Disney Animal Kingdom’s new Pandora – The World of AVATAR turning into even more of a hit than perhaps Disney expected, plans have been announced to extended evening Extra Magic Hours (EMH) through August 19.

Disney had announced earlier that it would offer additional evening Extra Magic Hours at Pandora – The World of AVATAR from 11:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. each night through July 4, 2017.

Now, added Extra Magic Hours will extend through August 19, 2017 for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park will now be open for resort guests from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. each night so more guests to experience the park at night.

Extra Magic Hours are an exclusive benefit to guests staying at on-site Walt Disney World Resorts, including the Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Resort you can book at huge discounts with Griswold’s Magical Memories.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Starting July 17, there will be a delicious new way to experience “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot. Reservations open today for the brand-new Frozen Ever After Dessert Party, the coolest dessert party with reserved seating to an amazing fireworks spectacular, delicious desserts and a special opportunity to enjoy the Frozen Ever After attraction!

The party, which takes place in World Showcase Plaza East, overlooking World Showcase Lagoon, will feature décor, drinks, desserts and snacks inspired by the beloved film, “Frozen.” Don’t worry about staking out the perfect spot to view the fireworks, because Frozen Ever After Dessert Party guests will have reserved seating. Sip on specialty cotton candy lemonade or “melted snow” and other non-alcoholic beverages, which will delight guests of all ages. Adults 21 years and older can enjoy alcoholic beverages such as a piña colada, margarita or “Summertime Punch,” a refreshing blend of prickly pear syrup, vodka, lemonade and ginger ale.

Desserts and snacks will be served on three buffet stations, check out the menus below!

Hot & Cold 

• Olaf’s Warm Double Chocolate S’mores Pudding Cake
• Elsa’s Warm Cottage Pudding with Salted Caramel Glaze
• Hand-dipped Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Small Bites 

• Wandering Oaken’s Eclairons
• Hans’ Key Lime Tarts with Red Glitter Glaze
• Living Rock Crispy Bonbons
• Anna’s Blue Velvet Cupcakes
• Kristoff’s No Sugar Added Lemon Curd with Blueberry

Not So Sweet 

• Sven’s Fresh Fruits & Berries
• Grand Pabbie’s Winter-spiced Snack Mix
• Duke of Weselton’s Cheese Fondue served with Country Bread Cubes, Broccoli, and Grilled Flatbread

After “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” guests of the Frozen Ever After Dessert Party will be escorted to the Norway Pavilion for a special ride on the popular Frozen Ever After attraction.

The Frozen Ever After Dessert Party is another exciting offering from the Enchanting Extras Collection, which allows guests to enhance their vacation with one-of-a-kind Disney experiences. Cost is $79 for guests ages 10 and above, $47 for ages 3 to 9—tax and gratuity included. Reservations are now open for dates beginning July 17 and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Remember, when planning for your next Disney Vacation, Griswold’s Magical Memories offers the lowest prices available on rental of Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Villas at savings that are often more than 50% less than booking directly through Disney Central Reservations. Take a look at examples of actual savings our Vacationers have enjoyed, and then submit your Free, No Obligation Reservation Request Form today!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — On this day in 2016, horrible tragedy struck Walt Disney World. Two-year-old Lane Graves and his family were enjoying time in the early evening on the sandy beach area adjacent to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Under the watchful eye of his parents, Lane wandered into Seven Seas Lagoon to roughly ankle depth when he was attacked by an alligator and pulled into the water. Lane’s dad tried valiantly to save his son, wrestling with the gator, but to no avail. Lane’s body was found the next day.

Now, according to published reports, Disney has commissioned a special memorial lighthouse sculpture to be placed at a still to be determined site at WDW.

The lighthouse is significant given his parents, Matt and Melissa Graves, efforts to keep Lane’s memory alive while helping others with the forming of the Lane Thomas Foundation. Soon after Lane’s death, his parent announced they deemed the tragedy an accident and would not be suing The Walt Disney Company .instead, they would establish the Lane Thomas Foundation in his honor. The purpose of the foundation is to support pediatric organ donation. The foundation symbol is a lighthouse.

“To provide continued awareness of the foundation and its mission, we’ve commissioned an original sculpture of the lighthouse the foundation uses as a symbol of love and hope, to be installed on our property this summer,” George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement Tuesday.”

The Lane Thomas Foundation’s Facebook page says the boy’s surname was included because whenever someone asked Lane’s name, he’d reply “I’m Lane Thomas. I’m two.”