One of the most annoying parts of planning a Disney World vacation has been making Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). Because the most popular restaurants are in such demand you almost have to make ADRs 90 days in advance if you want to assure the dates and times you want to dine. The thing that made this so difficult was that you could lay out a plan for the entire week, then call to make your reservations and find out one of your reservations wouldn't work and then have to rework your whole plan.
For years I've wondered why Disney didn't make their reservations system available online so that I could figure out what was available similar to the way I can find airline or hotel reservations. Well, they finally have. The Walt Disney World Online Advanced Dining Reservation system is available via the US website only, and can be accessed at disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/
I have no doubt that this system will be abused by some people who will grab up reservations at the most popular restaurants, but overall, I expect that it will improve customer service by allowing customers to find what they are looking for. I like the features that allow you to enter a range of dates for a particular restaurant so you can find an open reservation any given day. I also like the feature that suggests other restaurants that have openings.
I will definitely be using this system for my next trip!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Lunch at Tusker House and Free Reserved Seating for Finding Nemo Show
If you are booking your Disney World dining reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, consider booking a lunch at Tusker House. This restaurant is always a popular choice for lunch at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Now, it is even better with a free perk! If you dine for lunch between 1:00-1:40 PM, you will receive a free voucher for a guaranteed seat at the Finding Nemo Show at 3:15 PM. If you dine from 1:40-2:45, you will receive a voucher for a guaranteed seat at the Finding Nemo Show at 4:45 PM. This free voucher allows you to enter the show about 15-20 minutes before showtime with a guaranteed seat for the Finding Nemo show. This will save you alot of time waiting for the popular Finding Nemo Show.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Orlando Sentinel - How did Disney, Universal, SeaWorld fare in 2008? on Tourism Central Florida
The annual theme-park attendance report by Economic Research Associates and the Themed Entertainment Association is out. (Full story here) Here's how the top North American parks fared, according to the estimates:"
Rank Park Company 2008 Attendance Change
1 Magic Kingdom Disney 17,063,000 Flat
2 Disneyland Disney 14,721,000 -1%
3 Epcot Disney 10,935,000 Flat
4 Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney 9,608,000 1%
5 Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney 9,540,000 0.5%
6 Universal Studios Florida Universal 6,231,000 0.5%
7 SeaWorld Orlando Busch 5,926,000 -2.9%
8 Disney's California Adventure Disney 5,566,000 -2%
9 Islands of Adventure Universal 5,297,000 -2.4%
10 Universal Studios Hollywood Universal 4,583,000 -2.5%
11 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Busch 4,410,000 -2%
Worldwide Rank
1 Magic Kingdom Disney 17,063,000 Flat
2 Disneyland Disney 14,721,000 -1%
3 Toyko Disneyland Disney 14,293,000 2.8%
4 Disneyland Park (Paris) Disney 12,688,000 5.7%
5 Tokyo DisneySea Disney 12,498,000 0.7%
Rank Park Company 2008 Attendance Change
1 Magic Kingdom Disney 17,063,000 Flat
2 Disneyland Disney 14,721,000 -1%
3 Epcot Disney 10,935,000 Flat
4 Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney 9,608,000 1%
5 Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney 9,540,000 0.5%
6 Universal Studios Florida Universal 6,231,000 0.5%
7 SeaWorld Orlando Busch 5,926,000 -2.9%
8 Disney's California Adventure Disney 5,566,000 -2%
9 Islands of Adventure Universal 5,297,000 -2.4%
10 Universal Studios Hollywood Universal 4,583,000 -2.5%
11 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Busch 4,410,000 -2%
Worldwide Rank
1 Magic Kingdom Disney 17,063,000 Flat
2 Disneyland Disney 14,721,000 -1%
3 Toyko Disneyland Disney 14,293,000 2.8%
4 Disneyland Park (Paris) Disney 12,688,000 5.7%
5 Tokyo DisneySea Disney 12,498,000 0.7%
Walt Disney World: Device's audio feature helps blind visualize rides -- OrlandoSentinel.com
"Heard but not seen at Disney: Device helps blind visualize rides
Disney adds audio for the blind to attraction device that has captions for deaf patrons" - By Jason Garcia
Hear what isn't seen
'Audio description' is the latest feature of a proprietary, wireless system Disney initially created for disabled guests. (WALT DISNEY WORLD / April 15, 2009)
Walt Disney World has rolled out a first-of-its-kind service designed to let even blind guests 'see' its famed attractions.
Called 'audio description,' the service provides visually impaired vacationers with a narrative depiction of the scenes that unfold as they move through rides such as the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.
It is the latest feature added to a proprietary, wireless system that Disney World initially developed to help disabled guests. The system also includes features for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests, such as amplified sound and hand-held captions.
'We want to make our rich stories available to everyone,' said Greg Hale, vice president of worldwide safety and accessibility for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts."
But it has also become something of a side business for Disney.
Through a three-year contract that was recently renewed, Disney licenses the technology to Houston-based Softeq Development Corp., which markets the system to everyone from other tourist attractions to timber companies.
The system relies on a series of remote, infrared sensors and a durable, hand-held device initially built to withstand drops to the ground, rain and other liquid intrusion, and all manner of other punishment dished out during a day in a theme park.
Customers include the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, where a former general manager and the current attractions manager are former Disney World executives, and the Hall at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass., a hall of fame dedicated to the New England Patriots football team.
Both of those attractions, like Disney World, use the system to provide services to deaf and blind visitors.
But other types of companies are also interested in buying the hand-held unit itself, which Softeq sells as the rugged "Durateq."
Trey Litel, Softeq's vice president of sales and marketing, said Softeq markets the device to forestry and oil companies, industrial-safety businesses and even restaurants interested in point-of-sale systems that allow servers to run credit-card transactions right at their customers' tables.
Disney earns royalties on the software, which it has patented, and on the hand-held devices, which it developed jointly with Softeq.
Both companies declined to say how much the royalties amount to, but the potential market is significant: For example, Softeq hopes to cultivate clients from among more than 14,000 museums across the country.
Disney first introduced its version of the hand-held device in 2005, but it took company engineers much longer to perfect the audio-description feature. The descriptions must be perfectly synchronized to avoid interrupting an attraction's primary narration.
Engineers had to make various changes along the way. Tests revealed, for instance, that blind guests were uncomfortable using the original, two-ear headphones because they depend on their sense of sound to guide themselves around. So Disney replaced the headphone with a single earpiece, which allows a guest to leave the other ear unobstructed.
The system's narration also had to be carefully selected and produced to distinguish it from the other audio encountered in a Disney attraction.
For example, in the Haunted Mansion, where all riders listen to a ghoulishly themed male voice, the audio description produced by the hand-held device is provided by a female voice speaking in even tones.
Disney rolled out the audio descriptions earlier this spring, just before the Easter rush. The company says it is now working on expanding the service to include descriptions of outdoor areas in its theme parks.
OrlandoSentinel.com
Disney adds audio for the blind to attraction device that has captions for deaf patrons" - By Jason Garcia
Hear what isn't seen
'Audio description' is the latest feature of a proprietary, wireless system Disney initially created for disabled guests. (WALT DISNEY WORLD / April 15, 2009)
Walt Disney World has rolled out a first-of-its-kind service designed to let even blind guests 'see' its famed attractions.
Called 'audio description,' the service provides visually impaired vacationers with a narrative depiction of the scenes that unfold as they move through rides such as the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.
It is the latest feature added to a proprietary, wireless system that Disney World initially developed to help disabled guests. The system also includes features for deaf and hard-of-hearing guests, such as amplified sound and hand-held captions.
'We want to make our rich stories available to everyone,' said Greg Hale, vice president of worldwide safety and accessibility for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts."
But it has also become something of a side business for Disney.
Through a three-year contract that was recently renewed, Disney licenses the technology to Houston-based Softeq Development Corp., which markets the system to everyone from other tourist attractions to timber companies.
The system relies on a series of remote, infrared sensors and a durable, hand-held device initially built to withstand drops to the ground, rain and other liquid intrusion, and all manner of other punishment dished out during a day in a theme park.
Customers include the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, where a former general manager and the current attractions manager are former Disney World executives, and the Hall at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass., a hall of fame dedicated to the New England Patriots football team.
Both of those attractions, like Disney World, use the system to provide services to deaf and blind visitors.
But other types of companies are also interested in buying the hand-held unit itself, which Softeq sells as the rugged "Durateq."
Trey Litel, Softeq's vice president of sales and marketing, said Softeq markets the device to forestry and oil companies, industrial-safety businesses and even restaurants interested in point-of-sale systems that allow servers to run credit-card transactions right at their customers' tables.
Disney earns royalties on the software, which it has patented, and on the hand-held devices, which it developed jointly with Softeq.
Both companies declined to say how much the royalties amount to, but the potential market is significant: For example, Softeq hopes to cultivate clients from among more than 14,000 museums across the country.
Disney first introduced its version of the hand-held device in 2005, but it took company engineers much longer to perfect the audio-description feature. The descriptions must be perfectly synchronized to avoid interrupting an attraction's primary narration.
Engineers had to make various changes along the way. Tests revealed, for instance, that blind guests were uncomfortable using the original, two-ear headphones because they depend on their sense of sound to guide themselves around. So Disney replaced the headphone with a single earpiece, which allows a guest to leave the other ear unobstructed.
The system's narration also had to be carefully selected and produced to distinguish it from the other audio encountered in a Disney attraction.
For example, in the Haunted Mansion, where all riders listen to a ghoulishly themed male voice, the audio description produced by the hand-held device is provided by a female voice speaking in even tones.
Disney rolled out the audio descriptions earlier this spring, just before the Easter rush. The company says it is now working on expanding the service to include descriptions of outdoor areas in its theme parks.
OrlandoSentinel.com
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Have a Picnic At Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, Disney News | Magical Mountain
For those who love the outdoors, especially dining in the outdoors, there is a new choice in dining options at Disney's Animal Kingdom. "Picnic in the Park" will be offered to guests who would like to enjoy a nice family picnic, Disney style.
Guests will place their orders for the picnic at Animal Kingdom's guest-relations office or at the Tusker House Restaurant and then pick up their food at their chosen time. Pick up will be located at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery right next door to the Tusker House. After that, guests can take their picnic to any one of the 14 designated picnic areas that are available.
Prices start at $24.99 for a meal that includes sandwiches for three people and can go as high as $56.99 for a meal that includes a rotisserie meal for a family of 6. All picnics come packaged in a reusable bag, complete with plates and utensils. They also include a map marked with the picnic area locations.
Guests will place their orders for the picnic at Animal Kingdom's guest-relations office or at the Tusker House Restaurant and then pick up their food at their chosen time. Pick up will be located at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery right next door to the Tusker House. After that, guests can take their picnic to any one of the 14 designated picnic areas that are available.
Prices start at $24.99 for a meal that includes sandwiches for three people and can go as high as $56.99 for a meal that includes a rotisserie meal for a family of 6. All picnics come packaged in a reusable bag, complete with plates and utensils. They also include a map marked with the picnic area locations.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
What recession? Magic Kingdom hits capacity this week
On Tuesday, for instance, the park at one point had to stop letting any guests in at all because it was so full. Disney’s other three theme parks remained open, though he parking lot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios also filled up that day, forcing visitors there to park in the Epcot lot and ride a bus over to the Studios.
There have been several reports from parkgoers that the Magic Kingdom hit capacity again yesterday. Big crowds have also been reported at Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.
Expect them to continue the rest of this week. The week of Easter is historically one of the busiest single weeks of the year for the parks.
There have been several reports from parkgoers that the Magic Kingdom hit capacity again yesterday. Big crowds have also been reported at Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.
Expect them to continue the rest of this week. The week of Easter is historically one of the busiest single weeks of the year for the parks.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Analysts project 10 pct attendance decline at Disney's U.S. parks on Tourism Central Florida
"Analysts at Goldman Sachs are forecasting attendance at Disney’s U.S. parks will fall as much as 10 percent this year.
The firm, which downgraded shares in the Walt Disney Co. from “buy” to “neutral” last week, expects attendance declines at Walt Disney World and Disneyland to accelerate later this year. Goldman estimates that year-over-year attendance fell 4 percent during Disney’s second fiscal quarter, which ended Saturday, and that it will fall 5 percent in the third quarter and then 10 percent in the fourth, which runs from July through September.
Attendance at Disney World and Disneyland fell about 5 percent during the company’s first quarter, which ended Dec. 27.
Goldman says the attendance declines would be stepper were it not for Disney’s buy four nights, get three free hotel promotion. But that comes with its own costs – the firm projects that Disney’s hotel-room revenue will sink as much as 30 percent from a year ago."
Full Article:
The firm, which downgraded shares in the Walt Disney Co. from “buy” to “neutral” last week, expects attendance declines at Walt Disney World and Disneyland to accelerate later this year. Goldman estimates that year-over-year attendance fell 4 percent during Disney’s second fiscal quarter, which ended Saturday, and that it will fall 5 percent in the third quarter and then 10 percent in the fourth, which runs from July through September.
Attendance at Disney World and Disneyland fell about 5 percent during the company’s first quarter, which ended Dec. 27.
Goldman says the attendance declines would be stepper were it not for Disney’s buy four nights, get three free hotel promotion. But that comes with its own costs – the firm projects that Disney’s hotel-room revenue will sink as much as 30 percent from a year ago."
Full Article:
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