A handful of goodies in this tourism hotspot.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
There’s lots going on at the re-imagined Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (notice the name change). For starters, the Nanea Volcano pool area is being completely renovated, with plans for a new children’s water play area, an enlarged deck to accommodate poolside seating for hundreds of guests and a hot tub with expansive views of Seven Seas Lagoon (the Nanea Volcano Pool and slide will be closed through early 2015). Additionally, the Great Ceremonial House lobby is undergoing renovations through early-2015, but more importantly for families with little ones, there’s an all-new children’s activity center for guests, rebranded as Club Disney. For more information, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-resort or disneytravelagents.com.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
The Halloween fun at Walt Disney World Resort begins this month and will run through the enchanted date of Oct. 31, of course. This is the perfect Halloween celebration for the entire family, but beware, because Disney is promising that “dastardly villains will unleash some mischief.” In fact, Disney villains take center stage this year with “Villains Mix & Mingle–Live on Stage” castle show; and “Club Villain,” an all-new nightly character dance party experience that will take over the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland. The entire Magic Kingdom is themed out for “happy haunts” with treat trails and “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” led by the Headless Horseman, as well as Disney characters donning their favorite Halloween costumes (guests can also dress up). For more information, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party or disneytravelagents.com.
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Christmas is right around the corner, and SeaWorld Orlando is gearing up for this year’s Christmas Celebration, which begins Nov. 22 and runs through Dec. 31. It will include a Christmas feast, hanging with penguins and Christmas-themed fireworks, among many other holiday-inspired treats. During Santa’s Fireside Feast, visitors to the park can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus while enjoying an exclusive dinner featuring an all-you-care-to-eat menu of holiday favorites and desserts; a complimentary family photo is also included. A 3-hour walking tour, meanwhile, includes a penguin meet and greet; reserved seating at Elmo’s Christmas Wish; the aforementioned Santa’s Fireside Feast; and front-of-the-line access to The Polar Express Experience. Kids will also love the sparkling forest with over 100 lit-up trees displaying a rainbow of Christmas colors, as well as the various shows and the nighttime snow flurries. For more information, visit seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/Christmas or seaworldparks.com/travelagents.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom
The new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, ideal for all ages, is, according to Walt Disney World Resort, the crown jewel of the New Fantasyland. It takes passengers on a musical adventure into the dwarfs’ mine where riders pass animated figures of Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and forest critters. Roller-coaster enthusiasts will want to know that the ride offers first-of-its-kind vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots that allow the vehicles to swing back and forth during the ride. For more information, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic kingdom or disneytravelagents.com.
Let your well-heeled clients know there’s a new fab resort in town and it’s flying the Four Seasons flag. The Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort—with 443 spacious guestrooms, including 68 suites—offers all the fine things one would expect of a Four Seasons, but kids will most love Explorer Island, a 5-acre play area that features a lazy river winding around a “ruined” mansion, a Splash Zone with water jets, a climbing wall and waterslides; and a video gaming center. Ok, so mom and dad want some down time? There’s a full-service spa with 18 treatment rooms, a completely refurbished Tom Fazio-designed golf course and six culinary “experiences,” including the rooftop Capa steakhouse. Oh, and tell clients the resort, located right at Walt Disney World Resort, features fireworks-view rooms. Fun! For more information, visit fourseasons.com/orlando.
