Author: Nate

Disney Cruise Line, Disney Parks & Resorts and Disney Store Rank #1 In Customer Service

Disney Cruise Line, Disney Parks & Resorts and the Disney Store have all earned the highest honors in a new Newsweek survey ranking America’s best customer service!

As many of you know, Disney cast members go out of their way on a daily basis to make magic and provide the best possible service for guests. Delivering exceptional experiences and exceeding guest expectations is at the heart of everything they do at Disney Parks!

And for the second year in a row, Disney Cruise Line has topped the list of brands that exemplify outstanding customer service.

In the survey of more than 20,000 customers, Disney Cruise Line ranked as the number one company overall, across a variety of industries, as well as in the “Cruise Line Operator” category. And the amazing customer service and experiences at Disney Cruise Line will be expanding in upcoming years with new ships scheduled for delivery in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The survey also recognized Disney Parks & Resorts as the best in its category! Disney Parks & Resorts, which is continuing an incredible year of growth and exciting new offerings, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, earned the best customer service ranking in the “Amusement Park Experience” category.

And the Disney Store was awarded the top spot by consumers in the “Toy” category as well. Disney Store locations continue to provide the best of what Disney Parks has to offer in merchandise – as well as outstanding guest experiences across the nation.

October 16, 2019
Haunted Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Minnie Ears Now Available at Disney Parks
Your favorite Grim Grinning Ghosts have come to socialize at Disney Parks! Right now, you can find a glow-in-the-dark Minnie Ear headband inspired by the Haunted Mansion attraction.

The Singing Busts from the attraction are front and center while silhouettes of The Hitchhiking Ghosts and Gravedigger adorn the headband’s purple ears.
And that’s not all! The headband includes a glow-in-the-dark “Grim Grinning Ghosts” embroidered on the side.

Hurry back to Disney Parks and add this haunting headband to your collection this fall season available while supplies last.
October 15, 2019
Disney Announces Phone Reservations No Longer Preferred Method for Dining at Disney World

My Disney Experience app and DisneyWorld.com will now become the preferred home for booking and modifying table service dining reservations due to their overwhelming popularity.

Guests can conveniently manage their table service dining reservations right at their fingertips, whenever they choose, alongside other plans they make with family and friends for their visit.

Rest assured, as always, cast members at the Disney Reservation Center will continue to be available to help with reservations for groups of eight or more, same-day cancelations, in addition to other assistance guests may need, including Disney Resort hotel reservations, special offers, general questions and more.

With hundreds of amazing dining locations to choose from, finding the perfect place to eat at Walt Disney World Resort is easier than ever before. From mobile ordering meals through the My Disney Experience app, to searching for favorite menu items online, guests are able to save time so that they can enjoy all there is to see and do across our parks.

October 12, 2019
VIDEO: First ‘Jungle Cruise’ Trailer Released, Leaving Fans in ‘De-Nile’

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt have sailed into the first trailer for “Jungle Cruise” and it’s putting fans of the classic Disney Parks attraction in De-Nile!

Inspired by the famous Disney Parks ride of the same name, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, Amazon-jungle expedition starring Dwayne Johnson as the charismatic riverboat captain and Emily Blunt as a determined explorer on a research mission. Also starring in the film are Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, with Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti.

Check out the new, action-packed trailer:

The upcoming adventure movie from Disney centers on a sister (Blunt) and brother (Jack Whitehall) who hire a boat captain (Johnson) to take them down the Amazon River in search of a tree believed to have healing powers. They face off against a competing German expedition along the way.

Jungle Cruise opens July 24, 2020.

October 11, 2019
Dooney & Bourke Introduces New Nautical Collection Exclusively for Disney Cruise Line
Dooney & Bourke recently introduced a new collection that’s nautical, trendy and created exclusively for Disney Cruise Line!

The whimsical and colorful Characters Ahoy design features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale interspersed with classic, nautical details.

This collection includes some of Dooney & Bourke’s most popular silhouettes, like a wallet, crossbody and tote.
The new collection can only be found on Disney ships, so keep an eye out for it on your next Disney cruise.
October 10, 2019
New Pixar Pier-Themed Plane Unveiled by Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has revealed its special-edition plane themed after Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park.

Alaska Airlines has had a great relationship with Disneyland Resort for the past 20 years. This is the sixth painted plane from Alaska Airlines that allows our guests to be immersed in a Disneyland Resort celebration even before they arrive at the parks. The inaugural flight departed today from Seattle, with a stop in San Francisco for a gate ceremony and then on to its ultimate arrival in Orange County.

The aircraft is aptly named, “Friendship and Beyond at Disneyland Resort” and is a whimsical tribute to the parks newest land, which opened back in June of 2018. Take a look at how this amazing paint job was added to the air plane:

The unique aircraft design is a collaboration between Alaska Airlines, the Disneyland Resort and Pixar Animation Studios. The Pixar Pier-themed 737-800, tail number N537AS, begins flying throughout Alaska’s route network today, welcoming guests with its artistic flair for many years to come.

The exterior of the plane required more than 2,800 work hours and 24 days using 50 gallons of paint in 44 primary colors and custom shades. The Toy Story trio of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie span both sides of the aircraft, while Aliens can be spotted on both winglets. Even Rex the Tyrannosaurus makes a special appearance (hint: he is in a place that will welcome everyone boarding the aircraft). On board while supplies last, little ones may enjoy the Disneyland Resort Activity Fun Book and Kids’ Choice Picnic Pack.

October 10, 2019
Petition Calls For Removal of Principal at Walt Disney Magnet School in Chicago

A petition calling for the removal of the principal at Walt Disney Magnet School on Chicago’s North Side has gained attention online.

Walt Disney Magnet School is an eleven-acre site located on Chicago’s lakefront. It opened in the 1970’s and was the first magnet school in the City of Chicago. There are approximately 1600 students in Pre-K through 8th grades.

The petition, posted online by Kathy Haggard, has gathered more than 1,100 signatures. In the petition, the principal, Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom, is accused of harassment, making inappropriate and racist comments and retaliating against people who’ve voiced concerns about her conduct.

According to the online pentition, Dr. Hagstrom has repeatedly called the police on African American and Latino students, which the writer described as a “scare tactic to force families to transfer from Disney.”

The mother of a student, who chose not to identify herself, said her fifth grade son has been severely bullied ever since he started at the school.

“It’s the person getting bullied. It’s their fault. That’s kind of the message I got,” the mother said.

Police reports filed on behalf of the boy outline numerous incidents involving doctor visits after every attack. The mother said Dr. Hagstrom suggested in an email that her son transfer schools.

“Very vulgar. Very intimidating,” the boy’s mother added. “Cut you off. You don’t get to say what you need to say. Not an open, fair conversation. This is the way it’s gonna go, and that’s it.”

The petition also included dozens of comments from alumni, parents and graduates who outlined their negative experiences with Dr. Hagstrom. A handful of commenters came to the principal’s defense.

October 5, 2019
Disney PhotoPass Archive USB Drive Now Available at Disney World

Guests who purchase the Memory Maker option at Walt Disney World Resort can now purchase a Disney PhotoPass Archive USB Drive.

With this new product, all of your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos viewable in your Disney account at the time of purchase are loaded onto a USB drive that’s easy to store and share.

So when you get home from vacation, you won’t have to worry about downloading your photos before they expire or trying to figure out where to store them. No copying and pasting or dragging and dropping! All you have to do is plug in your USB and relive the magic. There’s no easier way to preserve and enjoy your treasured Disney PhotoPass memories.

Unless you have a Disney World Annual Pass you should make final arrangements to purchase Memory Maker at least three days prior to your vacation at the advance purchase price of $169 or you can purchase Memory Maker after your vacation for $199.

The Disney PhotoPass Archive USB is available for $34.95, plus applicable taxes and shipping fees, only at Disneyworld.com/PhotoPass and only for guests with Memory Maker or a Walt Disney World Resort Annual Pass with a Disney PhotoPass download benefit.

October 5, 2019
Disney Store Launches Inside 25 Target Stores Nationwide Today

Target wants to bring the magic of Disney to you! Today, The Walt Disney Company and Target Corporation launched the Disney store at Target in 25 select Target locations and a complementary online experience to help bring the magic of Disney to the joy of shopping at Target.

Guests can now access items previously only available at Disney retail locations, along with select Target exclusive Frozen 2 and Star Wars merchandise, just in time for Triple Force Friday and Frozen Fan Fest.

These new “shop-in-shop” locations have launched at 25 select Target stores, with 40 more opening by October 2020. The fun is also be available in a new digital experience at Target.com/Disneystore. Prices range from $2–$200, with many items under $20.

The Disney store at Target features more than 450 items including toys, games, apparel and accessories—with more than 100 products that were previously only available at Disney retail locations. Guests will find favorites like Disney Princess, Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Junior characters, Classic Disney plush, apparel, home and holiday products, along with collectibles like the Disney Animators’ Collection.

Target teams worked closely with Disney to co-develop and design the store experience with features like music, interactive displays, photo ops and a seating area where families can watch Disney movie clips.

Adding to the excitement, They are also open a new Target store near the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in 2021, to bring visiting families a little extra convenience.

Target CEO Brian Cornell joined Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, onstage at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, to announce this big news in front of a cheering crowd.

Best of all, the news means guests will be able to take advantage of all of their favorite Target benefits and services as they shop these in-store and online experiences. Use your Target REDcard to save 5% on every purchase, and choose from their same-day pickup, same-day delivery and free two-day shipping options to get your products in a snap.

October 4, 2019
Refillable Mugs Increase to $19.99 at Walt Disney World

$19.99. That’s right, your favorite Walt Disney World Resort Rapid Fill refillable mug has just gone up in price… Again. Okay, so it only went up a dollar, but it’s a pretty steep price at nearly twenty bucks.

Originally they had pricing tiers depending on how many days you were staying, which was nice for guest who were only staying a day or two, but since May 2015 only a “length of stay” option has been available. The price has been set at $18.99 since December 2017.

As the name implies, the Length of Stay price is the same regardless of whether your Resort stay is one night, two weeks, or any length of time in between. Guests are entitled to unlimited free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea from self-service beverage locations at Disney resorts for their length of stay.

Refillable mugs are provided to guests that have purchased one of the Disney Dining Plans, but for other guests the price for a refillable mug is now $19.99 for the length of stay.

The mugs can be refilled with fountain beverages, coffee, and tea at any resort self-service beverage location. The refillable mugs are purchased or redeemed at the quick service location at each Disney resort. You will find different colors to choose from. The cast member will activate the mug and then you are able to use it at the Rapid Fill location, which is also usually also located inside the quick service location, or in some cases the resort gift shop. You hold your cup under your drink selection of choice and it will fill up the cup.

Leave us a comment if you remember the days before the RFID chip when people would just bring their favorite mug and fill it up as they pleased?

October 3, 2019