Disney Riviera Resort: Skyway Of Gondolas Will Connect Resort To Theme Parks

The next planned development for Disney Vacation Club will be an entirely new resort called Disney Riviera Resort. Estimated to open in fall 2019, this new resort experience is slated to be the 15th Disney Vacation Club property with approximately 300 units spread across a variety of accommodation types. A new skyway transportation system will connect the new resort to other areas on Walt Disney World property. (Proposed – Artist Concept Only, © Disney) (PRNewsfoto/Disney Vacation Club)

By

 Juergen T Steinmetz

Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has announced the next planned development for Disney Vacation Club will be an entirely new resort near Epcot called Disney Riviera Resort and that a new skyway transportation system will connect the new resort to other areas on Walt Disney World property.

“We’re thrilled to announce plans for a new Disney Vacation Club property called Disney Riviera Resort coming to Walt Disney World Resort,” Chapek said. “Our Vacation Club Members are among our most loyal fans, and we think that they will love what we have planned, especially the rooftop restaurant that will offer unbelievable views of nighttime spectaculars at both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.”

In addition, Chapek announced that a whole new transportation system of gondolas is planned, called the Disney Skyliner, to give guests a never-before-seen birds-eye view of Walt Disney World and connect the new Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.

Estimated to open in fall 2019, this new resort experience is slated to be the 15th Disney Vacation Club property with approximately 300 units spread across a variety of accommodation types.

On July 17, Disney Vacation Club will welcome its 14th resort with the opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, featuring 184 rustically elegant vacation accommodations including Deluxe Studios, one- and two-bedroom Villas, three-bedroom Grand Villas and unique waterfront cabins.

Ken Potrock, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Disney Vacation Club, said, “The opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in just a few days and the announcement of our next planned development, Disney Riviera Resort, demonstrate the incredible momentum underway at Disney Vacation Club. Our members tell us over and over again how much they love the outstanding accommodations and the value and flexibility of a Disney Vacation Club Membership, as well as the unique location to our growing and evolving theme parks and the exclusive member experiences and benefits they get from our Membership Extras program.”

Disney's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival To Feature 22 Music Acts, September 19th Through November 10th.

Enlarge Photo

Quantum Leap Winery

Quantum Leap Winery plans to bring a variety of red and white wine blends for attendees of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to sample by the glass and take home by the bottle.

Matthew Richardson

Orlando Business Journal

Check out who the 22 musical acts will be at Walt Disney World’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which lasts from Sept. 19 through Nov. 10.

The complete lineup is subject to change, reports the Orlando Sentinel:

Sept 19-21: Jo Dee Messina

Sept. 22-23: The Pointer Sisters

Sept. 24-25: Rick Springfield

Sept. 26-27: Christopher Cross

Sept. 28-29: Hanson

Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Air Supply

Oct. 3-5: Starship starring Mickey Thomas

Oct. 6-8: Sugar Ray

Oct. 9-10: Fuel

Oct. 11-12: Sister Hazel

Oct. 13-14: To be announced

Oct. 15-16: Billy Ocean

Oct. 17-1 9: Night Ranger

Oct. 20-22: Smash Mouth

Oct. 23-24: Jim Brickman

Oct. 25-26: Los Lonely Boys

Oct. 27-28: Wilson Phillips

Oct. 29-31: Dennis DeYoung, original member of Styx

Nov. 1-2: 38 Special

Nov. 3-5: Boyz II Men

Nov. 6-7: David Cook

Nov. 8-10: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Well-known musical acts featured at theme parks can be another draw to bring visitors to Central Florida, which adds to the region’s $50 billion tourism industry.

Seven Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels In Central Florida Offering Enticing “Escape To The Sunshine Rates”

. . . Special Rates At The Seven Official Walt Disney World® Hotels

Provide A Great Way To Escape The Cold And

To Take In Events Such As

The Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival

Looking for a cure for the winter blues? You should check out the special “Escape To The Sunshine Rates” that are being offered by the seven Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels in Central Florida. Available March 1-April 30, 2014, the special rates are a great way to escape the cold, experience such special events as the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival, Presented by HGTV, and to take in the wonders of the recently expanded New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom® Park. In addition to their ideal location an easy walk to the shopping, dining and entertainment venues at the Downtown Disney® area, these seven Official Walt Disney World® Hotels also provide complimentary shuttle transportation every 30 minutes to all four Walt Disney World® theme parks, two water parks, and to Downtown Disney® Marketplace. As a bonus, guests at these hotels also receive the “2014 Downtown Disney Deals” booklet that features exclusive discounts and special offers from over 30 merchants for Downtown Disney® area dining, entertainment and shopping.

The Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels’ “Escape To The Sunshine Rates” are:

· B Resort – opening this Spring – rates from $129 per room, per night

· Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel – rates from $99 per room, per night

· Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa – rates from $79 per room, per night

· DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – rates from $145 per suite, per night

· Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – rates from $99 per room, per night

· Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown – rates from $119 per room, per night

· Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort – rates from $109 per room, per night.

For more information on the “Escape To The Sunshine Rates,” or to make a reservation, visit www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com , specificallywww.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Sunshine (or http://tinyurl.com/mle5ph4). Rates are based on availability and some blackout dates may apply.

Taking advantage of the special rates also will enable you to enjoy such other benefits of staying at one of the seven Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels as:

· Disney tickets available to purchase at each hotel

· Advance tee times and discounts at all Walt Disney World® golf courses

· Disney Merchandise store located in each hotel

· The ability to book advance dining and dinner show reservations for all restaurants across the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Special events at the Walt Disney World® Resort include:

· Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival, Presented by HGTV – March 5-May 18, 2014

· Flower Power Concert Series – March 5-May 18, 2014, at Epcot®.

New Fantasyland, which is the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom® Park, offers more immersive enchantment and interactive experiences. It features two new themed areas:  Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus. Enchanted Forest attractions and experiences include Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid; Be Our Guest Restaurant; Enchanted Tales with Belle; Ariel’s Grotto; and Gaston’s Tavern. Storybook Circus attractions include:  The Barnstormer; Dumbo The Flying Elephant; Casey Jr Splash ‘N’ Soak Station; Pete’s Silly Sideshow; and Fantasyland Station. New Fantasyland will feature more additions through 2014, which will include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a new family coaster.

Among the many coupons featured in the “2014 Downtown Disney Deals” booklet are discounts at Rainforest Café, T-Rex, Wolfgang Puck Express, Steve Baker Caricatures, Lego Imagination Center, Planet Hollywood Downtown Disney®, House of Blues® Restaurant, La Nouba^TM by Cirque du Soleil®, Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant, Bongo’s Cuban Café®, and Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop.

“The weather is just beautiful, and the special events at the Walt Disney World® Resort are outstanding, which makes it a wonderful time to visit,” said Steve Garner, chairperson of the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels’ marketing committee.

Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels (www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com) is a consortium of seven Official Walt Disney World® Resort hotels that includes:  B Resort, opening in Spring 2014 with 394 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, a renovated pool, and a full-service spa; the 18-story Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel, surrounded by 12 acres of lush tropical landscaping, and offering 325 spacious rooms and suites; the newly renovated and sophisticated Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, featuring 1,014 guest rooms and suites, a 10,000-square-foot spa, and seven restaurants and lounges; the luxurious and spacious 229-suiteDoubletree Suites by Hilton, the only all-suite resort hotel in the Downtown Disney® Resort Area; the deluxe 814-room, full-service Hilton Orlando Resort, featuring seven on-site restaurants and lounges and the new Hilton Fitness by Life Fitness® Center; the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista Downtown, the only Holiday Inn located in the Walt Disney World® Resort Area and featuring elegant rooms with modern Florida décor;  and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, featuring 626 guest rooms (with refrigerators), and the Oasis Aquatic Playground with two pools and interactive water features.

With nearly 30 food and beverage outlets and restaurants, more than 3,600 rooms and scores of amenities, the Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels offer a rate, space and menu to please every guest. Located in the heart of the Downtown Disney® area, these properties are within walking distance of some of the area's best shopping, dining and entertainment.

For reservations, or more information, visit www.DowntownDisneyHotels.com 

New MagicBand Changes Disney Park Entry, More

Contributed by GENEVIEVE SHAW BROWN (@gsbrownabc)

Months of speculation surrounding a wrist band replacing paper tickets at Disney parks is over. An official announcement confirming the band was made Monday on the Disney Parks blog.

A Disney spokesperson told ABC News the bands would be rolling out this year over the next several months.

Worn on the wrist, the "MagicBand" will serve as a guest's room key, theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, PhotoPass card and optional payment account all rolled into one.

"At Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we continually push the boundaries of creativity and innovation to deliver the best possible experience for our guests," Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts wrote. "We're always looking for ways to take what we do and do it even better. Over the past few years, we've devoted considerable time and resources to create a more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience for each and every guest who spends time with us."

The introduction of the band is part of a larger effort named MyMagic+ and includes a new My Disney Experience website and mobile app.

Guests can plan dining and reserve times for their favorite attractions, shows and more in advance through an enhanced FastPass system called FastPass+. Once they arrive, they can use their smart phones to change their plans.

Of course, the gathering of data on guests makes sense from a business standpoint for Disney. The more it knows about guest preferences, the more it can tailor the guest experience. But some skeptics worry about just how much information might be stored on those MagicBands.

"Ensuring the security of our guest's information is obviously very important to us, and no one is more focused on this than we are," a Disney spokesperson told ABC News. "Everything is opt in and guests will have the opportunity to choose what information they share with us. Nothing is more important to us than protecting that information. Guests should also know that the band does not store personal information."

The FCC filing on the MagicBand reads: "The radio of the device, Model MB-R1G1, is a wrist worn arm band that transmits a 2.4 GHz signal to an indoor wireless infrastructure. The PCB assembly is potted in plastic and completely overmolded with thermal plastic polyurethane. The band has no on off switch and is powered with a nonreplaceable coin cell."