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Disney To (Kinda) Offer Big-Brother Tracking Device

November 19, 2008 at 4:15 PM | 0 Comments

Although profits in its theme parks have been down, Disney is still working hard on new tricks and technologies for your next visit. Now, the company has buddied up with Verizon Wireless to offer a new service to make visits to the park easier--and to squeeze out a few more dollars from your pockets.

Upon entering the park, you’ll be able to use your phone to figure out how long the lines are at major attractions or where you can snag a picture with Mickey Mouse. After a quick download, your phone will be set up with a program to map your way through the park.

But the new service will also allow Disney to track where you are and what you’re doing. Luckily, the cell phone app is optional. So far Disney promises to only use the service for good, but there’s an awful lot of temptation to sell people stuff when they’re near a gift shop!

Related Stories:
· Disney, Verizon To Turn The Cellphone Into A Theme-Park Visitor's Tool [LAT]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a long line at Epcot: Joe Shlabotnik]

As Disney Goes, So Goes The Nation

November 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM | 0 Comments

It seems like each day another Fortune 500 company releases disappointing quarterly earnings, but then again, what do you expect? Thursday, Disney was no exception, as the company reported that earnings had fallen about 13 percent in the fiscal fourth quarter.

Things were down in pretty much all areas of their business--including about a four percent drop specifically at theme parks. Overall, they still posted a profit of $760 million, but when everyone expects you to beat last year, that’s still not good enough.

In hopes of filling Disney World to the brim, the Disney officials have started a new vacation promotion in addition to their birthday deal. The new deal promises three nights of tickets and hotel for free when you buy a four-night package. Finally, if your trip takes place between January and March they’ll also throw in a $200 gift card--for your own Sarah Palin-style spending spree on all the best Mickey merchandise.

Related Stories:
· Slowdown Begins to Show at Stalwart Disney [NYT]
· Affordable Disney Vacation Packages [Disney World]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Joe Shlabotnik]

Exteme Makeover Travel: Disney Theme Park Edition

October 17, 2008 at 10:02 AM | 0 Comments

Next door to Disneyland is Disney's California Adventure. It's been around for awhile, but has really never caught on with tourists--or locals. Critics have often been quick to call-out its shortcomings and criticize where Disney officials cut corners and wasted money.

But Disney flung open the doors on the new preview center at the park this week so everyone could check out what's to come.

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Disney Plans Gigantic New Bowling Alley, Domination of Sports Tourism Market

September 28, 2008 at 1:26 PM | 0 Comments

Sometimes it seems like Disney will never stop growing, and there's really no part of the tourism market that it won't eventually dominate. Case in point: the company is planning a 100-lane bowling center in their recently-renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, the latest salvo in an effort to expand further into the growing sports tourism market.

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Theme Parks Travel: Celebrate Your Birthday with Mickey... For Free

September 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM | 0 Comments

If the recent price hikes at Disney World have put the brakes on your trip to see Mickey and his posse, then we have some good news. As part of the park's 2009 "What will you celebrate?" promotion, the park is handing out free one-day, one-park tickets to either Disneyland or Disney World on your birthday. Just show your ID at the gates on your birthday and you'll be good to go.

Although for a family of four, a one-ticket discount doesn't represent a significant discount, it might be just the thing to give attendance a boost. Regardless of how you feel about the "deal," it's certainly better than nothing.

So far this promotion is only available at the Disney parks in the US. Too bad, as a little freebie promotion could definitely help one overseas park in particular.

Related Stories:
· Coming Soon: Free Admission to Disney on your Birthday [BT]
· Free on Your Birthday-What Will You Celebrate? [Official Site]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of an excited Donald Duck: Savannah Grandfather]

Disneyland Travel: Hong Kong Gets Aggressive

September 12, 2008 at 9:00 AM | 3 Comments

Pretty much every time we mention the Hong Kong edition of Disneyland we're telling you about its miserable visitor numbers and general failure to excite the people of the region. Today Hong Kong Disneyland turns three and we're here to tell you: It's still got miserable visitor numbers.

To be perfectly honest, we're not sure if the numbers are that bad--but the fact that they're now keeping them secret isn't a good sign. However, Hong Kong Disneyland now has a new managing director and a new strategy: Aggressively attacking the Chinese market.

New MD Andrew Kam has spent years selling Coca-Cola to the Chinese so convincing them that Disneyland is for them sounds right down his alley. It's probably a good thing he's focusing on that market, because as for us, we're not the slightest bit interested in checking out the Hong Kong version of Mickey. Even if it is his birthday.

Related Stories:
· New HK Disneyland Director Sees Aggressive Growth [IHT]
· Unhappy Birthday to Hong Kong Disneyland [Jaunted]
· Mickey and Hong Kong Don't Mix [Jaunted]

[Photo: coconut wireless]

Boozy Theme Parks Travel: Eating and Drinking at Epcot

August 25, 2008 at 10:45 AM | 4 Comments

When it comes to special events at Walt Disney World, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is the one to attend. Celebrating its 13th anniversary, the festival runs September 26-November 9, and it's the perfect opportunity to take in the Disney version of world culture while drinking!

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Adventures by Disney: The Mouse is On the Loose

August 23, 2008 at 3:48 PM | 0 Comments

We've got nothing against Disney. Family trips to the theme parks in Anaheim and Orlando provided fond memories we carry with us to this day, and of course we've seen all the classic movies. And even though more recent interactions with the company have revealed a keener focus on the bottom line, it's still a quality experience if that's what you're looking for. That's why we're sure the travel industry will be taken aback with the launch of Adventures by Disney, a series of guided tours to various adventurous destinations around the world designed to take the guesswork out of traveling and entice people who might otherwise be too timid to strike out on their own.

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Theme Parks Travel: It'll Cost You!

August 7, 2008 at 10:15 AM | 0 Comments

This past weekend, Disney raised prices at both Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. At the World, a one-day ticket will now set you back $75--almost $80 when you include the tax. (The price is up $4.) A similar ticket to the California park is now going for $69, but at least there's no tax.

Not to be outdone, Universal Studios Orlando matched the pricing in an update on Wednesday. Through a statement by Michael Lewellen, Universal VP for public relations, we learned that the price increase was due to the addition of new attractions like The Simpsons Ride, the new Harry Potter world, and the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster coming in 2009. He also admitted that the increase might have had something to do with a jump in ticket prices at Disney.

As of now SeaWorld Orlando is holding steady right under $70 a day, but it's looking likely that they'll get in on the fun as well. If this is going to break the bank for your next theme park vacation, you may want to look for a ticket broker. Often they buy tickets in bulk and may have some of the previous tickets left for sale. Every little bit helps!

Related Stories:
· Universal Keeps Pace with Disney and Raises Ticket Price to $75 [Orlando Sentinel]
· The Blankety-Blanks at Disney Have Done It Again [Arthur Frommer]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: graciepoo]

Theme Parks Travel: Time for Mickey to Apply for Another Visa

July 31, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

With things a little less certain at home, the Walt Disney Company is again looking overseas for ideas to fill up the piggy bank. Clearly, their three current parks in Asia aren't enough: We may only be weeks away from an announcement involving the mouse and China.

The joint venture between the Chinese government and Disney would provide the opportunity to bypass foreign film regulations and pretty much let Mickey run the show. The agreement would also allow Disney to operate in China with limited competition. In addition to all the media opportunities, there'd of course be another Disneyland, this time in Shanghai, close to Pudong International Airport.

Supposedly things are pretty close to happening, although any announcements will be held until after the Olympics. As recently as March the Mayor of Shanghai said that the city had applied to China's top economic planning department for approval to build a theme park in the city. Planning your around-the-world Disney itinerary is about to get even more complicated!

Related Stories:
· Disney Shanghai Park Could Involve Media Deal [Reuters]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: arsene]

One Track Travel: Take a Spin on Mickey's New Ride

July 11, 2008 at 9:30 AM | 0 Comments

It's certainly not a complete renovation of Space Mountain, but nonetheless, it's pretty noteworthy. After months of delays and countless modifications, the latest version of the Disneyland Monorail is set to take guests for a ride.

Constructed away from the Disneyland Resort, the monorail was doomed on arrival. It seemed that there was some miscommunication between two sets of engineers, as the train didn't fit too well on the track. Then there were scratches, screeches and no air conditioning--not exactly a welcome addition in Southern California. But now it's ready for action.

The "soft opening" began last week, which means you usually have to be in the right place at the right time to take a ride on this retro-inspired beauty. However, if you do get a chance to see it in action, ask to take a ride in the front where you can hit up the pilot for the answers to all your monorailing questions.

Related Stories:
·Disneyland Monorail Red Debuts Tonight [LAT]
·Disney coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: uncatigger]

Expensive Gas Travel: California Tourism Seeing Ups and Downs

July 10, 2008 at 6:02 PM | 0 Comments

Costa Mesa, California is so quiet these days that the city's tourism bureau is giving out $25 dining coupons and $25 gas credits for every night visitors stay. Stay three nights and you'll get $50 for gas. One local hotel exec even says $100 vouchers aren't far off.

The California Travel & Tourism Commision says thats a symptom of a nation-wide cutback in travel, though a recent survey on travel habits revealed that only 40 percent of people would change their summer plans because of gas prices. Instead, they're traveling, just closer to home, which in SoCal means heading to Disneyland.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the theme park is sucking up plenty of business thanks to expensive gas, but the company doesn't divulge attendance figures. Also undoubtedly taking advantage of Disney this summer? European tourists, drunk off the power of their euros.

Related Stories:
· Why Disneyland Is Thriving In Rough Economy [NPR]
· Disney coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: fictures]