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Magical Gatherings
For details on Wishes click here
10 October 2003: Photos from the Press Events
Above Left: Orlando Magic players at Disney's Animal
Kingdom
Above Right: "Brady Bunch" cast members Maureen McCormick and
Christopher Knight at the Magic Kingdom
Copyright 2003. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Above Left: "Brady Bunch" cast members Florence
Henderson, Christopher Knight, Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams and
Susan Olsen reunite at the Magic Kingdom
Above Right: Entertainer Julie Andrews at the Magic Kingdom
Copyright 2003. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Above Left: "Brady Bunch" cast members (clockwise
from top left) Maureen McCormick, Florence Henderson, Barry Williams,
Christopher Knight and Susan Olsen at the Disney-MGM Studios
Above Right: Serena Williams and astronaut Jim Lovell at Epcot
Copyright 2003. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Above Left: Entertainer Deborah Gibson at the Magic
Kingdom
Above Right: Howie Dorough of The Backstreet Boys and Joey Fatone of
'N Sync at the Magic Kingdom
Copyright 2003. THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
9 October 2003:
Quick facts
WHO: More and more travelers are planning group
vacations with extended family and friends, according to travel
industry research. Magical Gatherings vacations are designed to make
vacation planning easy for these groups of travelers.
WHAT: Magical Gatherings is an innovative program with new products
and services designed for extended travel groups planning a Walt
Disney World Resort vacation. New online tools make it easier than
ever -- even for a novice -- to plan a multi-household vacation. And
groups of eight or more staying at a Walt Disney World resort can book
new Grand Gatherings experiences that include the "Safari Celebration
Dinner," "International Storybook Dinner," "Magical Fireworks Voyage"
and "Good Morning Gatherings." Dedicated planning specialists will
assist Grand Gathering groups with special celebrations, dining and
recreation reservations.
WHEN: Beginning Oct. 6, groups can make reservations for Magical
Gatherings to take place starting Nov. 24, 2003. On Oct. 15, Magical
Gatherings online planning tools debut. (See Details section below)
WHERE: Magical Gatherings vacations can take place at Walt Disney
World deluxe, moderate or value resorts, with an itinerary that covers
the theme parks, water parks and other entertainment and recreational
locations within the 47-square-mile Vacation Kingdom.
DETAILS: The Magical Gatherings vacation-planning program provides
easy, step-by-step tools, including a Vacation Planning Kit complete
with DVD or video. Online vacation planning is a breeze with the new
Web-based Magical Gatherings Planner at www.disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings
. The online tools allow you to send invitations to family and
friends, engage in group chats about your itinerary, create polls for
consensus building, browse and share other Walt Disney World Web pages
and build a complete group vacation itinerary.
Exciting new shows and attractions give vacation planners plenty of
reasons to visit Walt Disney World Resort. At Magic Kingdom, "Wishes"
is the most impressive fireworks show ever, and "Mickey's PhilharMagic"
-- a 3-D spectacular -- debuts in Fantasyland; at Epcot, Mission:
SPACE launches guests out of this world; and the value-priced Disney's
Pop Century Resort celebrates fads and fashions of decades past.
9 October 2003: Deal
Even Sweeter for Cardmembers of Disney's Visa Credit Card from Bank
One
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2003) -- Whether
with friends or neighbors, classmates or cousins, the hot trend in
travel today is extending the family vacation beyond the immediate
family.
Today, Walt Disney World Resort kicks off Magical
Gatherings, a multi-faceted and unprecedented program of new products
and services designed with these extended travel groups in mind.
And along with the unprecedented program comes an
incredible offer only with Visa -- a "Kids Stay and Play Free"
promotion to celebrate the launch of the Magical Gatherings program.
When guests use their Visa card to purchase a
non-discounted Disney Dream Maker Vacation Package of four nights or
more during this promotion, one child age 3 to 9 is free with each
paying adult. For a family of four with two parents and two children
ages 3 to 9 staying in the same room, the promotion offers savings of
$443 on a four-night package. (See chart for more pricing
information.)
This Walt Disney Travel Co. Dream Maker package
includes accommodations for four nights or more at a selected Walt
Disney World hotel and an Ultimate Park Hopper ticket valid throughout
the package stay. The Ultimate Park Hopper provides admission to all
four Disney theme parks and other gated attractions, such as a water
park or the Downtown Disney Pleasure Island entertainment complex.
The package must be booked by Jan. 2, 2004. It is
available most nights from Jan. 4 through June 12, 2004, however, the
number of packages available is limited.
"This is an incredibly easy way for families to make
the most of their Disney experience," said Becky Saeger, executive
vice president of brand marketing at Visa USA. "There's no better way
to experience Walt Disney World than as a group, and there's no better
way to book that group trip than with your Visa card."
Disney's Visa Credit Card from Bank One offers
cardmembers a special bonus. When cardmembers use Disney's Visa Card
to purchase a Dream Maker package during this "Kids Stay and Play
Free" promotion, they also will receive 100 Disney Dollars at check
in. Disney Dollars are spendable at participating locations throughout
Walt Disney World Resort.
To take advantage of this "Kids Stay and Play Free"
promotion, guests can visit
disneyworld.com/kidsfree , call the Walt Disney Travel Co. at
407/939-7673, or contact a local travel agent. Guests should ask for
code ZXWI for the "Kids Stay and Play Free" offer with Visa, or ask
for code ZXFA for the "Kids Stay and Play Free" offer with Disney's
Visa Card.
"The 'Kids Stay and Play Free' offer with the
exclusive reward of 100 Disney Dollars is a great example of the
unique, ongoing bonus offers that Disney's Visa Cardmembers receive by
having the card," said Tom O'Donnell, senior vice president for Bank
One's card services division. "Disney's Visa Card provides cardmembers
with exceptional value, savings and opportunities to enjoy everything
Disney."
To apply for Disney's Visa Card or for additional
information about the card, visit
www.DisneyApplyNow.com or call Bank One at 888/779-3234.
The new Walt Disney World Magical Gatherings program
will give guests special opportunities to relive memories and make new
ones at the world's most popular vacation destination.
"Whether they're friends across the street or
families across the globe, the need to reconnect with each other is
more important than ever -- we call it 'togethering,' " said Walt
Disney World President Al Weiss. "We believe Walt Disney World is the
most magical place there is to vacation with extended family and
friends. Time together is an invaluable souvenir."
The program, which officially begins today and will
continue adding more features over time, addresses everything from the
details of planning an extended-family vacation to dining and
entertainment, sports and recreation.
Also included are some special experiences available
only to guests who are part of a gathering of eight people or more --
known as a Grand Gathering -- and staying at select Walt Disney World
hotels -- for instance, special fireworks viewing, a safari dinner and
character dining.
And Magical Gatherings makes it easier than ever to
plan the perfect group getaway. Among the new services and offerings
that start now or will be launched soon, guests will enjoy:
- A Vacation Planning Kit, complete
with video or DVD and step-by-step information on how to plan
Magical Gatherings.
- Personalized Web-based planning tools to assist communication
among the group and help build consensus on dates, accommodations,
activities and other details. The tools also will allow guests to
invite others to participate in their Magical Gatherings.
"With world-class theme parks, themed resorts in all
price ranges, great recreation options from golf to water parks, Walt
Disney World Resort is ideal for the 'togethering' vacation," Weiss
said. "And now, with these great offers from Visa and Disney's Visa
Credit Card from Bank One, there's no better time for guests to have
Magical Gatherings of their own."
Based on 2 adults/2 children ages 3-9 in the same
room for a four-night Walt Disney Travel Co. Dream Maker package
Value Season
(Jan. 4-Feb. 11, 2004)
|
|
|
Non-Discounted |
Kids Free |
Savings* |
|
Value Resort |
$1,340 |
$897 |
$443 |
|
Moderate |
$1,589 |
$1,146 |
$443 |
|
Deluxe |
$1,883 |
$1,440 |
$443 |
Peak Season
(Feb. 12-April 17, 2004)
|
|
|
Non-Discounted |
Kids Free |
Savings* |
|
Value Resort |
$1,483 |
$1,040 |
$443 |
|
Moderate |
$1,749 |
$1,306 |
$443 |
|
Deluxe |
$2,283 |
$1,840 |
$443 |
*Based on the non-discounted price for
children (ages 3-9) of the Dream Maker package
*Receive added value of 100 Disney Dollars to spend at
participating locations at Walt Disney World Resort when package is
purchased with Disney's Visa Credit Card from Bank One.
9 October 2003: More
Details
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Whether with friends or
neighbors, classmates or cousins, the hot trend in travel today is
extending the family vacation beyond the immediate family.
This fall, Walt Disney World Resort kicks off Magical Gatherings, a
multi-faceted and unprecedented program of new products and services
designed with these extended travel groups in mind.
"Whether they're friends across the street or families across the
globe, the need to reconnect with each other is more important than
ever -- we call it 'togethering,' " said Walt Disney World President
Al Weiss. "We believe Walt Disney World is the most magical place
there is to vacation with extended family and friends. Time together
is an invaluable souvenir."
The Magical Gatherings program will give guests special opportunities
to relive memories and make new ones at the world's most popular
vacation destination. The program, which officially commences Oct. 6
and will continue adding more features over time, addresses everything
from the details of planning an extended-family vacation to dining and
entertainment, sports and recreation.
Also included are some special experiences available only to guests
who are part of a Grand Gathering -- a Magical Gathering of eight or
more people staying at a Walt Disney World resort:
The "International Storybook Dinner" at Epcot. A dinner featuring
international cuisine, storytelling and entertainment ends with a
special VIP viewing of "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth."
The "Good Morning Gathering" breakfast at Magic Kingdom. Guests meet
favorite Disney characters -- with special one-on-one time with Mickey
Mouse -- and experience magical surprises to start their day.
The "Safari Celebration Dinner" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Guests
enjoy an end-of-day safari followed by a dinner reception at the
rustic Tusker House in the Africa section of the park, complete with
live entertainment, Disney character appearances and 'up close' animal
experiences.
The "Magical Fireworks Voyage." An evening cruise on Seven Seas
Lagoon, where guests enjoy entertainment surprises as Disney
characters make special appearances and fireworks explode over
Cinderella Castle during the new "Wishes" fireworks spectacular,
created to bring to life the Magical Gatherings theme of spending time
together. (Available seasonally.)
"We're trying to create experiences that guests traveling in larger
groups will enjoy -- and will remember forever," Weiss said. "We want
this Magical Gatherings vacation to become part of family history."
And Magical Gatherings makes it easier than ever to plan the perfect
group getaway. Among the new services and offerings that start now or
will be launched soon, guests will enjoy:
A Vacation Planning Kit, complete with video or DVD and step-by-step
information on how to plan a Magical Gathering.
Personalized Web-based planning tools to assist communication among
the group and help build consensus on dates, accommodations,
activities and other details. The tools also will allow guests to
invite others to participate in their Magical Gathering.
In addition, Grand Gatherings (Magical Gatherings of eight or more
guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort) will enjoy:
A Walt Disney World team of specialists assigned to assist with every
aspect of vacation planning -- dining, tours, spa treatments,
recreation, special celebration events and more.
Group dining options. Walt Disney World Resort has significantly
increased the number of dining facilities that can accommodate larger
parties.
Other exciting options such as group souvenirs, two-way radios and
photographic memories of their Disney vacation.
One thing hasn't changed for Magical Gatherings guests: The "Disney
Difference" -- including legendary guest service, magical
surroundings, lovable characters, spectacular live entertainment and
incredible attractions -- will continue to offer something for
everyone, from toddlers to teens to grandparents.
"Research shows that spending quality time with family and friends
tops the list of things people want to do on vacation today," said
Peter Yesawich, president and CEO of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown &
Russell, America's leading marketing, advertising and public relations
agency serving travel and leisure-industry clients, and co-author of
the widely quoted National Leisure Travel Monitor.
"The emotional fabric of the country has combined with the growing
sense of pressure most of us feel from the demands of our jobs to
elevate the importance of spending time with the ones we love," he
said. "And contemporary vacations are not just about rest, relaxation
and entertainment. They're also seen as an occasion on which to
reunite with our friends and family."
According to surveys, groups are increasingly looking beyond backyards
and parks for a more creative location that appeals to a majority of
the attendees.
"With world-class theme parks, themed resorts in all price ranges,
unmatched accessibility by air or highway, recreation aplenty from
golf to water parks and the added plus of Disney Cruise Line , Walt
Disney World Resort is ideal for the 'togethering' vacation," Weiss
said. "And now with all the new value-added benefits for the group
vacationer, a good thing gets even better."
What makes any Magical Gathering even more magical is all that's new
across the 47-square-mile Vacation Kingdom. Mission: SPACE at Epcot
takes guests where they've never gone before -- deep among the stars
to a touchdown on Mars in a simulated space adventure. "Mickey's
PhilharMagic" treats Magic Kingdom guests to an entertaining 3-D
musical adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and friends.
And, created especially for the Magical Gatherings inaugural year,
Walt Disney World Resort launches "Wishes," the most spectacular
fireworks show ever to paint the sky above Cinderella Castle.
On board Disney Cruise Line , guests can enjoy a sparkling new stage
show, "Golden Mickeys," a salute to Walt Disney and the animated films
he created.
And -- coming soon and loaded with enough way-back memories for any
Magical Gathering -- Disney's Pop Century Resort is a new value-priced
resort celebrating the fads and fashions of the 20th century with
giant icons such as a Big Wheel, yo-yo, jukebox and Rubik's Cube.
Beginning Oct. 6, 2003, guests interested in booking a Magical
Gathering may call 407/W-DISNEY or go to disneyworld.com for more
information. To download the Magical Gatherings online planning tools,
guests can visit www.disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings starting Oct.
15.
9 October 2003
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Shiver me timbers! Captain
Hook has snared you, and now "Patch" the pirate -- that crusty
scalawag -- has commandeered the vessel for an evening voyage around
Seven Seas Lagoon at Magic Kingdom. Arrgh! Relax. After shoving off,
ye buccaneers are too busy enjoying the scenery, playing Disney trivia
games and singing sea songs to worry about walking the plank or
sharpening the swords.
The adventures are magical and the planning is carefree for Grand
Gatherings -- Magical Gatherings of eight or more guests staying at a
Walt Disney World hotel -- who won't want to miss the "Magical
Fireworks Voyage" with Patch . . . or three other brand-new Magical
Gatherings experiences at Walt Disney World Resort.
Grand Gatherings is a whole new way to enjoy a large-party vacation at
the Vacation Kingdom. These guests are offered a host of new products
and services that make planning a big get-together easier than ever --
even for a novice. In addition to new online tools offered to all
Magical Gatherings groups, Grand Gatherings have a team of specially
trained reservation agents who can help book everything from priority
seating for group dining to a trip to the spa to a golf outing to a
memorable group photo session. Also designed specially for these
larger groups are four special experiences, which guests can book at
least 90 days prior to their visit:
"Magical Fireworks Voyage" -- After bidding farewell to Captain Hook
and Mr. Smee on shore, your group will sail with Patch the pirate
along Seven Seas Lagoon by the Magic Kingdom. This memorable evening
includes ideal "seaward" viewing of the "Electrical Water Pageant" and
the spectacular new "Wishes" fireworks extravaganza over Cinderella
Castle. The voyage features group trivia and song activities and a
celebration for special occasions like birthdays, reunions or
anniversaries. The irrepressible Patch regales you with tales of Peter
Pan on the trip back to shore. Speaking of Peter Pan, he awaits your
return to pose for photos and sign autographs. Ages 10 and older,
$29.99; ages 3-9, $14.99.
"Safari Celebration Dinner" -- You'll gather in the exotic African
coastal city of Harambe at Disney's Animal Kingdom for high adventure
on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your group will journey through the park's
authentic jungles and across the sweeping, baobab-studded savannah as
you spot giraffes, elephants and other wild African creatures. The
experience continues at Harambe's Tusker House Restaurant for an
African-inspired dinner, Disney character appearances, "up-close"
animal experiences and live entertainment. Ages 10 and older, $59.99;
ages 3-9, $19.99.
"International Storybook Dinner" -- There's no need to jet around the
globe to experience dining around the world. At Epcot, international
culinary favorites are on the menu for adventurous groups looking for
a storybook ending to their day. Children can join in the dinner's
special storytelling experience, which is punctuated with a surprise
character appearance. A special viewing area is reserved for the
evening finale, the nighttime Epcot spectacular "IllumiNations:
Reflections of Earth." Ages 10 and older, $59.99; ages 3-9, $19.99.
"Good Morning Gatherings" -- Breakfast with famous Disney characters
enters a whole new dimension with this new group gathering served up
with plenty of morning merriment at Tony's Town Square Restaurant in
Magic Kingdom. Your group will not only meet favorite characters but
will participate in song-and-dance numbers. Mickey Mouse makes a
one-on-one appearance with each guest for photo sessions. Ages 10 and
older, $24.99; ages 3-9, $11.99.
Grand Gatherings groups must include eight paying guests -- ages 3 and
above -- staying at a Walt Disney World hotel. And, of course, there
is no additional charge for children under 3 years of age.
Beginning Oct. 6, 2003, guests interested in booking Magical
Gatherings / Grand Gatherings may call 407/W-Disney or go to
disneyworld.com for more information. To download the Magical
Gatherings online planning tools, guests can visit www.disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings
starting Oct. 15.
9 October 2003: Online Tools
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With the click of a mouse
and a wave of Tinker Bell's wand, you can begin making online plans
with family and friends for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation.
Disney's Magical Gatherings is a new, multi-faceted program designed
to help groups of travelers organize and get the most from their Walt
Disney World vacations, and Magical Gatherings interactive
online-planning tools debut Oct. 15.
As soon as you download the Magical Gatherings Planner at
www.disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings , your online vacation-planning
session begins, and the famous animated fairy from Peter Pan flits
across your computer screen to guide you through easy
itinerary-planning steps. The user-friendly Web-planning tools allow
you to:
Establish a group to plan your Magical Gathering, then create and send
electronic invitations to family and friends
Participate in group chats to discuss vacation plans
Compile your own and group "favorites" of Walt Disney World
attractions
Produce custom polls and cast votes on "must-see" activities for the
group's itinerary
Browse other Walt Disney World Web pages and share them with group
members
Build a complete vacation itinerary
Embellish messages to group members with animation of Tinker Bell as
she winks, pouts, or pixie-dusts the screen
The Magical Gatherings Web-planning tools are designed to provide an
online environment in which friends and families can have fun and feel
comfortable sharing their vacation-planning ideas.
"Our Web tools provide the vacation planner with a fun and unique
combination of collaborative tools for building consensus and creating
an itinerary," said Paul Yanover, general manager of Walt Disney Parks
and Resorts Online. "It's simple and intuitive enough for easy group
planning."
The colorful Web pages and entertaining graphics invite users to
design a vacation around reunions, birthdays, anniversaries and other
events. An invitation window lets you choose an occasion around which
to build a vacation -- from there, invitations can be sent directly to
friends and family.
The first group member to log in and begin planning a Walt Disney
World gathering becomes a group leader with total access to every Web
tool, including the "Create a Poll" feature with voting prompts. Group
leaders can appoint other members as leaders, providing them access to
create polls with multiple-choice options and collect votes on topics
that range from, "What Disney resort would you like to stay at?" to
"What do you want to do on Tuesday?" Leaders also can interact online
to revise the group's itinerary.
During a vacation planning session, the "Browse and Chat" feature lets
group leaders share pages from disneyworld.com about attractions,
restaurants and activities when members participate in an online
discussion about how each participant wants to spend vacation time.
Once your itinerary is complete, call 407/W-DISNEY to make resort and
dining reservations and to lock in recreational activities, including
tee times.
The Magical Gatherings dedicated vacation-planning online tools
provide a helpful tutorial for anyone needing assistance and a direct
link to the disneyworld.com site. A custom calendar on your planning
page "counts down" the days until your Walt Disney World Resort
vacation.
Beginning Oct. 6, 2003, guests interested in booking a Magical
Gathering may call 407/W-Disney or go to disneyworld.com for more
information. To download the Magical Gatherings online planning tools,
guests can visit www.disneyworld.com/magicalgatherings starting Oct.
15.
22 September 2003: Magical Gatherings signs (Thanks OrlPassholder)
More Signs for the new celebration are now appearing
all over the resort, including the park entrances.
11 September 2003: Magical Gatherings
Banners are beginning to appear around the resort
for the new 15 month Magical Gatherings celebration.
5 August 2003: Magical Gatherings
Al Weiss yesterday confirmed that a new 15 month
celebration will begin in October, titled, "Magical Gatherings".
It will focus on the magic of reconnecting with family and friends.
Most significantly, he confirmed the new Magic Kingdom night time
spectacular, called "Wishes".
7 February 2003: New Firework show!
There is a very good chance that a major new
nighttime firework show will be showing at the Magic Kingdom in
December 2003.
Lots of new effects have been recently tested in the park after
hours, such as shooting fireworks off of the castle, railroad tracks,
buildings in fantasyland, new low level fireworks near the crowd, and
all around the perimeter of the park.
It has great new music that sounds like a combo of Fantasmic and
Illuminations. There is a possible tie in with the "Magical Reunions"
promotion that starts during the fall.
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