More Info on the Themed Rooms for Disney Hotels

Just this morning we posted the news about the special themed rooms that will be added to both Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort. Now, take a look at this interesting article, which shares with us some additional information about them:

_______________________________________________________________________

Advisory ~ WDW Resort Specialty Rooms

Specialty Rooms is a key worldwide initiative for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in an effort to appeal to guest interests, integrate industry trends, elevate the guest experience, increase revenue and drive occupancy. These rooms include a variety of options, ranging from Family Suites to themed Storybook Rooms to Signature Suites. They offer a unique design, décor and space options that appeal to guests of all ages and interests, creating a uniquely Disney in-room experience.

Two new Specialty Room offerings will debut at Walt Disney World Resort hotels over the next year:

Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

At Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside over 500 Royal Guest Rooms will be available for guests starting in the spring of 2012.

Since The Princess and the Frog is set in New Orleans, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is a natural fit for this story.

During a guest’s stay, they’ll discover special mementos left by Tiana’s royal friends from classic Disney animated films such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, etc. For example, bathroom faucets are in the shape of Aladdin’s lamp and the luggage bench is in the shape of Sultan the dog that turns into a bench from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

During creative development of these Storybook Rooms, Disney characters and storylines were chosen that would remain “evergreen” and maintain their relevance over time. Attributes to the room include:

• Ornately decorated beds that include headboards with fiber optic special effects and gold and crystal accents
• Custom bed coverings and drapes that create a more luxurious “royal” experience
• Unique, in-room artwork featuring Tiana and her royal visitors

Health and Wellness Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Over 20 health and wellness rooms on the 14th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be available for guests starting in the fall of 2011. This is a pilot, used to test a variety of wellness elements as part of our guest’s Disney vacation experience.

The “health and wellness” focus was chosen due to emerging trends in the travel industry, particularly with guests who stay in deluxe accommodations. These suites will help provide our guests who enjoy health and wellness offerings with the ultimate balanced Disney vacation by including all the magic and fun of our theme parks while making healthy and relaxing amenities easier than ever to enjoy.

Starting when the elevator doors open, guests are encapsulated into a health and wellness environment. They’ll enjoy:

• Environmentally-friendly design elements
• Relaxing scents and breathtaking scenery
• A custom food and beverage menu for the concierge lounge and private dining featuring fresh, organic foods
• Cardio fitness equipment that allows guests to exercise in the comfort of their own suite and at their own pace
• Customized spa, fitness and nutrition treatments either provided in-room or in the wellness studio, an exclusive offering on the 14th floor
• Unique concierge lounge experiences, such as meal preparation demonstrations and other offerings available to bring back to your guest room, such as fitness DVDs, yoga equipment, pedometers, heart rate monitors, etc.
• Traditional club level services, like advanced itinerary planning.
• Sweeping top-floor views of Magic Kingdom Park and Bay Lake

Guests may begin booking these offerings mid-summer by visiting waltdisneyworld.com or calling the Disney Reservation Center at 407-939-7429.
_______________________________________________________________________

After having read this, we see that the new themed rooms for the Port Orleans Resort will be added to the RIVERSIDE portion of the resort, not to the FRENCH QUARTER side... We can only assume that the work being done to the rooms in the French side is just normal renovation, then. Anyone has some more info about that?

Port Orleans to Receive New Themed Rooms & More

More themed rooms are coming to some hotels of the Walt Disney World resort! The Disney Parks Blog has officially announced that the Port Orleans resort will soon receive some really great-looking themed rooms, with nice, interactive elements and more! Also, the Contemporary resort will receive new "health and wellness suites", with some very particular amenities... Read more:

---

Specialty Rooms Will Give Guests The Royal Treatment

Hi everyone. I’m thrilled to start off the day by breaking another exciting announcement... on the Disney Parks Blog about two new Specialty Room offerings coming to the Walt Disney World Resort – health and wellness suites and Royal Guest Rooms.

Beginning this fall, guests looking for some rest and relaxation can indulge in new health and wellness suites, which will debut at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. These suites will feature bamboo flooring, 100-percent cotton linens, non-allergenic wrapped mattresses – as well as great views of Magic Kingdom Park and Bay Lake. Bathrooms on this floor also will be equipped with rainwater showers and tea tree oils.

Guests staying in these suites also can enjoy the benefit of having cardio equipment right in their room. And they’ll have daily access to seasonal and organic fresh foods at the concierge lounge, and can enjoy yoga sessions and spa treatments at the resort’s renovated wellness studio.

 

Exciting enhancements also are taking place over at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, with 512 Royal Guest Rooms planned to debut by March 2012. The story behind these lush rooms is that Princess Tiana (“The Princess and The Frog”) invited some of her royal pals – Belle (“Beauty and the Beast”), Jasmine (“Aladdin”) and more – for a vacation getaway. Princes and princesses of all ages can enjoy their luxurious lodging quarters, which will include ornate beds that feature headboards with fiber-optic special effects, and gold and crystal accents. Guests also can enjoy artwork and special mementos left by Tiana’s royal friends.

These rooms are the latest in Disney’s Specialty Room line, which already includes pirate-themed guest rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Donald Duck-themed rooms at Tokyo Disney Resort, and more. More Specialty Rooms will be added to the collection when Disney’s Art of Animation Resort debuts in May 2012.

Guests can begin booking the new Specialty Rooms mid-summer. The existing pirate-themed rooms can be booked now by visiting www.waltdisneyworld.com or calling 407-939-7429.

---

Do they not look great? We really appreciate the effort that Disney is putting in trying to theme even further their resorts, by inserting all these little details, that certainly make a difference, especially for fans of theming... like us! By the way, may THESE PHOTOS (that we took several weeks ago) include some of these new themed rooms? Here you are some of the pictures (for more, please, head to the link that we posted above):

Anybody knows something more?

New Resort in Hawaii - Major Work Completed

Great news for Disney Fans that live in Hawaii (and for all those who will go to visit the resort over there)!

Disney has just announced that they've completed a big part of the work on the hotel's structures. Take a look at this fresh press release, which contains more info, along with great images from the hotel's location:

________________________________________________________________________

It's "Time to Add the Magic!", at the New Disney Hawaii Resort KO OLINA, Hawai'i, April 21, 2011 – Today, in a ceremony on the lagoon fronting the site of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i, local crew members from Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc., joined with Disney cast members (employees) to celebrate the completion of major structural work on the Disney resort and the beginning of Disney’s “time to add the magic.”

 

 The event was a symbolic representation of the shared efforts of Disney and Hawaiian Dredging in building the new resort, which will welcome its first guests on Aug. 29, 2011. The construction crew and Aulani Disney team met on the beach to exchange gifts – lei from the construction workers to the Disney cast, and Mickey Mouse ears from the Disney cast to the construction workers. As part of the milestone moment, Hawaiian Dredging “handed over the keys” to the people who will add final detailing, theming, landscaping and all the other magical touches guests expect to find at a Disney resort. 

Djuan Rivers, vice president of Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawai'i, joined with Eric Hashizume, vice president of Hawaiian Dredging and Elliot Mills, managing director of Aulani, to bring the construction workers and Disney team members together to begin “adding the magic” to Aulani. They gathered on the sand to form the image of the trademark Aulani arch and then transformed it into the familiar silhouette of Mickey Mouse. Mickey, Minnie and their Disney character pals joined in the celebration.

As Walt Disney Imagineers continue adding the magic to Aulani, they are weaving Hawaiian stories into the buildings, interiors, art and gardens of the resort with the help of local architects, artisans and historians. The celebrated Disney magic, storytelling and service will create wonderful family vacation memories at the resort, drawing on the beauty, fun, enchantment and traditions of the islands.

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Built on 21 acres adjacent to a crystal blue lagoon and a white-sand beach in Ko Olina, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, will feature 359 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas upon its completion. Rooms are housed in two 15-story towers with commanding views of the ocean, mountains and magnificent grounds. On-site are two restaurants, an 18,000-square-foot spa, a wedding lawn, a conference center and extensive water activities, including a central swimming pool, 900-foot tube floating watercourse, wading pool, body slides, sunset-facing hot tubs, a quiet adult pool, a snorkel lagoon, and a conservation pool. Aulani will also include a signature kids’ club – Aunty’s Beach House – where kids can explore Hawaiian culture through fun and games, arts and crafts, and many other experiences created just for them.

The resort will also offer excursions that invite families to discover the island of Oahu. Guests can enjoy one-of-a-kind adventures that blend the wonders and excitement of Hawaii with the Disney tradition of storytelling, choosing from a variety of experiences that include surfing, rainforest hiking and learning how to prepare Hawaiian cuisine.

Reservations for Aulani are now open. Guests may visit www.disneyaulani.com or call (866) 44-DISNEY.

________________________________________________________________________

This is certainly a great news. I would love to be able to visit this spectacular hotel, but it's very far from Florida, so unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to just see the resort from the pictures that the Walt Disney Company will provide us... Anyway, is anybody planning on going there, once it will open?

Advisory #1 - Parking Lot Restrictions at some Resorts

This Sunday, April 24th, 2011, the three Disney Hotel on the Seven Seas Lagoon will have their own parking lot  closed to the general visitors who do not stay there and who do not have a restaurant reservation. Read more:

_______________________________________________________________________

Advisory ~ Resort Parking Lot Restrictions 4/24/11

Due to the busy holiday season, the following guest parking lots will be restricted on Sunday, April 24.

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Resort

These parking lots will be restricted to only those staying at the resort, attending a convention event at the resort or with dining, recreation or spa reservations.

_______________________________________________________________________

You can really tell that it's going to be a crazy week If you can, it would be better for you to avoid going to the parks in these days. What about us? Well, we'll have to go anyway, otherwise... no photo-updates! :-)

More FREE Wi-fi spots in selected Disney Resorts

In addition to the temporary, FREE wireless internet test at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, more new tests are going to be held in other resorts. Take a look:

________________________________________________________________________

Advisory~Complimentary WiFi Internet Pilot at Contemporary, Grand Floridian, & Coronado Springs

Complimentary Wireless Internet (WiFi) Pilot is currently taking place in certain areas of select resorts.

Disney's Contemporary Resort: from March 25, 2011 - available only in the lobby; main pool area; The Wave ... of American Flavors restaurant and lounge; and the Convention Center common areas.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: from April 16, 2011 - Casitas Building One

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: from April 16, 2011 - Sugarloaf Building

FAQs

Why is this free Internet access available in these areas, and why isn't it available at other Walt Disney World Resort hotels?

We're currently in the process of performing a pilot program to test a new design of a wireless/cell phone coverage configuration. After the pilot is complete, we'll review potentially expanding this access to other areas of Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

How can guests access the free wireless Internet?

When guests connect to the network using a wireless enabled device (e.g. laptop, cell phone, etc.), they will notice a network option labeled "Guest ­ Access" or "Guest - Wireless".  Once they click on that option, they will be taken to a screen that prompts them to accept the terms and conditions. If prompted, type “iaccept” for both the username and password. After accepting the terms and conditions, they will have complimentary wireless Internet access in that location.

Do guests still have to pay to use wireless Internet in areas not designated for free wireless Internet access?

Guests can take advantage of Internet access in areas that aren’t part of the pilot program for a fee – $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours in public areas (wireless) or guest rooms (wired). After the pilot is complete, we’ll review potentially expanding this access to other areas of Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

What if guests are currently in one of the designated areas for free wireless Internet access but are unable to connect?

We apologize for the inconvenience. We’re currently performing a wireless Internet pilot and as part of tweaking and adjustments needed during testing, guests may experience intermittent free wireless Internet outages.

How long is the pilot program, and will wireless Internet access in the pilot areas continue to be free, moving forward?

The success of this pilot will be monitored for a period of approximately 30 days and after we've reviewed the results, we can then determine if the tested setup will remain in place.

________________________________________________________________________

We hope that they will extend the free wireless internet to all the Disney Resort, as it is already free in most of the hotels all around Central Florida (and in general, in Florida), so it would be a good addition to what the resorts already offer. What do you think?

Advisory: Boardwalk Resort Parking Restrictions

Uh-Oh! It looks like many people were trying to go to Epcot by parking at Disney's Boardwalk Resort!

Well, not anymore, as this year Disney has decided to close the gates of the resort's parking lot for all outside guests who are not staying at a Disney hotel and to all those who have no reservation to any of the hotel's restaurants (excluding all guests who use the valet parking, of course):

________________________________________________________________________

Advisory~BoardWalk - Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Parking Restrictions

After evaluating the first three weekends of Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival, we have decided to restrict parking every Friday through Sunday until May 15th.

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort will be limiting parking access to the following groups:

• Resort guests with a Key to the World card
• Guests attending a special event, wedding, or conference
• Guests with dining reservations
• Guests utilizing valet parking
• Guests with special needs

All other guests should park in the parking lot across the street behind the Hess station.

________________________________________________________________________

If you were among those people who used to park at the hotel to go to the park, well... sorry! But, don't worry! Epcot's parking lot is huge, and you can be sure that your car will fit too :-)! We do agree that the cost of the area's theme parks is really becoming a joke (luckily we are annual pass-holders in every park, so we never have to pay that), but it's also worth to remember that parking at the hotels is not very kind for all the people that are residing in it, as they may not find a parking space for themselves.

Temporary: FREE internet at the Contemporary Resort

A new free internet program is going to be tested at the Contemporary resort (Walt Disney World), that will start tomorrow, Friday March 25th, 2011. More information, from the resort:

____________________________________________________________________

Free Wireless Internet Pilot at Disney's Contemporary Resort Starting March 25, 2011

Free Wireless Internet Pilot at Disney's Contemporary Resort. - Starting Friday, March 25, guests will be able to utilize free wireless Internet in certain areas of Disney's Contemporary Resort.

- FAQs -

- Where will the free wireless Internet access be available at Disney's Contemporary Resort?

Free wireless Internet access will be available only in the lobby; main pool area; The Wave Restaurant and lounge; and the Convention Center common areas.

- Why is this free Internet access available at Disney's Contemporary Resort, and why isn't it available at other Walt Disney World Resort hotels?

We're currently in the process of performing a pilot program to test a new design of a wireless/cell phone coverage configuration.  After the pilot is complete, we'll review potentially expanding this access to other areas of Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

- How can guests access the free wireless Internet?

When guests connect to the network using a wireless enabled device (e.g. laptop, cell phone, etc.), they will notice a network option labeled "Guest ­ Access (unsecured)".  Once they click on that option, they will be taken to a screen that prompts them to accept the terms and conditions.

After accepting the terms and conditions, they will have free wireless Internet access.

- How long is the pilot program, and will wireless Internet access in the pilot areas continue to be free, moving forward?

The success of this pilot will be monitored over the next 30 days and after we've reviewed the results, we can then determine if the tested setup will remain in place.

____________________________________________________________________

This sounds good to us. After all, they're testing this in a very busy hotel. It is also one of the most expensive ones, therefore having free wireless internet could be a very good perk. What do you think?

All these info are subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney World resort. All rights reserved.

A look at Waikolohe Valley (Disney's Aulani resort)

The Disney Parks Blog shares with us a very nice video (along with some information) of Aulani's majestic pool. The new resort is situated in Hawaii, and will open soon. Take a look:

---

Waikolohe Valley Takes Shape at Aulani

It’s a pity, but I don’t get to spend all my time on Oahu. I did get to visit the site of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa last week, and I brought back the latest video of construction progress.

This is really exciting for me because, for the first time, I think you can really see some of the key recreation elements taking shape in the Resort’s central Waikolohe Valley.

In the foreground you can spot Menehune Bridge, possibly the handiwork of the Islands’ legendary little people. When completed, it will be a 2,200-square-foot, interactive water play area for children.

Further in the background is one of the great landmarks of Waikolohe Valley, Pu‘u Kino. It means “hidden faces in the lava” and if you look closely, you may already be able to detect a few of the hidden images. Pu‘u Kino will be, among other things, the home of two water slides and a gateway to floating down Waikolohe Stream.

Between Pu‘u Kino and Menehune Bridge you can spot workers in Rainbow Reef, which will become a snorkeling experience where Aulani guests can have up-close encounters with an array of live marine life.

While I was at the Aulani site, Djuan Rivers, vice president of Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawai‘i, provided some great information about each of these Aulani features. I’ll share the video of his comments in upcoming posts.

---

Wow! We have no words! The place really looks amazing, and that mountain looks realistic! We cant't wait to know more about Aulani, as the resort is really taking shape. We're glad that at least they were not affected by the Tsunami that was recently created by the disastrous earthquake in Japan.

The video and information are subject to the copyright of the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved.

Advisory - Parking Restrictions at Yacht & Beach Club

An Advisory for Disney's Yacht & Beach Club:

Advisory~Resort Guest Parking Lot Restrictions at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Due to several construction projects, Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts parking lots will be restricted from March 18-31 to only those Guests staying at the resort, or with dining, recreation or spa reservations.

Grand Floridian to add a DVC building

A new blueprint has been leaked in the internet, and it involves a new section of the Grand Floridian resort & Spa. This new section would be a Disney Vacation Club area. Take a look at the blueprints, that are subject to the copyright of the source (sdavey41 on Flickr) and of the Walt Disney World resort:

Picture copyright of Sdavey41 on Flickr and of the Walt Disney World resort.  All rights reserved

According to Edward, a poster on WDWMagic, the beach in front of this new section of the hotel will be extended, to accommodate the new buildings. What do you think? There's not enough DVC on property?

Port Orleans (French Quarter) - Rooms renovation

Some of the rooms of the Port Orleans resort - French Quarter are being refurbished for your future enjoyment. They're completely re-doing some of them. Take a look:

You can already see some signs in front of the rooms:

A look inside one of the rooms:

It's a very nice resort, by the way:

For more news about the Port Orleans Resort, please stay tuned and check us out frequently!

Disney's Art of Animation Resort construction pictures

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is a brand-new hotel that is currently being built at the Walt Disney World resort. It will feature a lot of different themes, and it will fall into the "Value" category, making it accessible to virtually all the families that have chosen other similar hotels like the All-Star Movies, Music and Sport resorts or also the Pop Century Resort. And, guess what? This new hotel will be built right next the Pop Century.

Thanks to one of our readers, Mr. Yves (that we really thank a lot!), we've got some pretty amazing pictures of the work site, taken from the Pop Century. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2012 (along with many other projects), and will offer also an all-family suites portion, for larger families.

But, take a look at these pictures, to understand how big it will look once it will be completed!

BE AWARE THAT THESE PHOTOS ARE EXTREMELY LARGE IN SIZE, SO IT MAY TAKE A WHILE TO LOAD THEM ALL. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND COOPERATION!:

From the Pop century bridge:

This section looks like it's almost ready:

More work on the horizon:

Thanks a lot once again to Yves for these great pictures! Have a great day, everybody!