Dateline Disney Cruise Line — December 2008

In this Dateline Issue:

Kids Sail Free on Three-Night Disney Wonder Sailings this Winter and Spring

Disney Cruise Line Premieres First-Ever 3-D Cinematic Experience at Sea

Sail Away to a Magical Winter Holiday with Disney Cruise Line

From Toy Soldier Fun to High School Musical Excitement: Kids are having a Blast with New Youth Programs

Disney Cruise Line Guests Discover Disney’s Legacy of Innovation During a New Adult Enrichment Series

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Kids Sail Free on Three-Night Disney Wonder Sailings this Winter and Spring

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Disney Cruise Line, a leader in the family cruise segment, is making it easier than ever for families who have dreamt of taking a Disney cruise vacation to sail the most magical ship afloat with a “Kids Free” special offer on three-night cruises this winter and spring.

Guests 12 and under can sail free on three-night voyages aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanied by two full-fare paying guests within the same stateroom. This offer is valid for most sailings from Jan. 22 to May 28, 2009, and covers a variety of stateroom categories, ranging from deluxe family staterooms with verandahs to standard inside staterooms. However, there are a limited number of staterooms available for this special offer. While the cruise fare with this special offer is free for guests 12 and under, guests who book will be responsible for Government Taxes and Fees for all stateroom occupants, including those 12 and under.

“At Disney Cruise Line, we pride ourselves on offering a vacation that caters to the individual needs of every member of the family,” said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. “This special offer is a great value – perfect for families that have never experienced the magic of Disney at sea, or those who want to come back to create new memories.”

Guests who sail during this time period will enjoy a whole host of new offerings on the Disney Wonder. The ship recently launched a 3-D cinematic experience in both the Walt Disney and Buena Vista Theatres where guests can enjoy first-run, full-length 3-D films such as Walt Disney Pictures’ “Bolt” and the upcoming “Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience.” This past spring the Disney Wonder premiered a lavish theatrical production, “Toy Story-The Musical.” Additionally, young cruisers will delight in new activities at the Oceaneer Club and Lab featuring characters and storylines from popular Disney Channel movies, such as “High School Musical,” and Disney-Pixar films.

Departing from Port Canaveral, Fla., guests sailing on the Disney Wonder will experience a cruise vacation that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs.

To book a vacation or to get complete details on the “Kids Free” special offer, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com/kidsfree or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Guests should mention or input booking code “FREE” when making the reservation.

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Disney Cruise Line Premieres First-Ever 3-D Cinematic Experience at Sea

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line is revolutionizing movie entertainment at sea with the debut of Disney Digital 3-D, a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience premiering exclusively onboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.

Guests will delight as first-run Disney films leap off the silver screen and take on a whole new dimension thanks to Disney Digital 3-D technology featured in both the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista Theatre. Disney Cruise Line is the first cruise line to introduce full-length 3-D entertainment onboard its ships. Disney Digital 3-D premiered onboard the Disney Wonder during the Nov. 20 sailing and on the Disney Magic during the Dec. 6 sailing.

Leveraging this new technology, Disney Cruise Line will take 3-D into uncharted waters in early 2009 with the debut of an exciting new cinematic experience that combines full-length Disney Digital 3-D films with in-theatre effects. Tridimensional images will combine with lasers, fog, streamers, and special lighting effects to create an immersive movie-going experience like no other at sea. During these once-a-cruise special engagements, guests will feel the rush of being part of hottest show in town as in-theatre effects enhance 3-D films featuring popular Disney popstars in concert.

“With Disney Digital 3-D we can provide extraordinary cinematic experiences for our guests that no other cruise line can offer,” said Tom McAlpin, president of Disney Cruise Line. “Innovation and high-quality family entertainment are Disney Cruise Line hallmarks, and the addition of Disney Digital 3-D perfectly complements our industry-leading collection of entertainment options already onboard our ships.”

Disney Cruise Line celebrated the debut of Disney Digital 3-D with a special screening event for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature, “Bolt,” onboard the Nov. 20 three-night Disney Wonder cruise. As the calendar turned from Nov. 20 to Nov. 21, guests attended a special midnight screening of “Bolt” at the Walt Disney Theatre – complete with meet-and-greet opportunities with lovable walk-around characters from the film.

The film features super-dog Bolt (voice of John Travolta), whose every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue – at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet – a cross-country journey through the real world to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus). Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and the help of two unlikely traveling companions – a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster named Rhino (voice of Mark Walton) – Bolt discovers he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.

“Disney Cruise Line picked the perfect time to introduce Disney Digital 3-D to its guests,” said Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group. ” ‘Bolt’ kicks off an extraordinary lineup of 3-D movies debuting over the course of the next year, including ‘Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience,’ Disney-Pixar’s ‘Up,’ ‘G-Force,’ Disney-Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol.’ The 3-D immersive experience is better than ever.”

Disney Digital 3-D is the latest enhancement to join the robust menu of premium guest experiences and amenities included with a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Dazzling Broadway-style musical spectaculars, over-the-top deck parties with the only fireworks display at sea, a unique rotational dining concept, first-run movie releases and fantastic kids programming are just some of the advantages of cruising with Disney.

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Sail Away to a Magical Winter Holiday with Disney Cruise Line

CELEBRATION, Fla. — This holiday season, give a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a cruise on the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder, both decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer.

From Thanksgiving and continuing through to the new year, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to both ships, from traditional “turkey day” fanfare to Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.

The spirit of the season surrounds guests the moment they arrive at Port Canaveral, Fla., with Disney characters in their finest holiday attire welcoming guests to the beautifully decorated private Disney Cruise Line terminal.

Special stem-to-stern holiday events on both ships, beginning Nov. 22, include:
“King Triton’s Tree Lighting” in the atrium lobby, where a young guest will help Disney characters light the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.

An afternoon Tropical Pool Party every day with fun, food, games and activities. Plenty of Disney characters join the celebration, including Lilo and Stitch, Chip ‘n Dale, Mickey and Minnie, Goofy and Pluto. Be sure not to miss the “Winter-Sunnyland” conga line around the pool.

Special family time with holiday crafts such as decorating stockings, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

Holiday storytellers sharing tales of diverse holiday traditions. Plus, an all-new story just for Disney Cruise Line guests about the magical feeling of the holidays on a ship.

Traditional holiday feasts in Disney’s three themed dining rooms.

” ‘Til We Meet Again,” a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

And when cruises during the holiday period put in at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, the celebration continues:

Guests will delight with “snow flurries,” decked-out Christmas trees, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday carolers.

Youngsters will be busy with holiday-themed activities such as making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake mobiles.

The Disney Magic will host a 7-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise departing Dec. 20, with visits to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and, as a special holiday treat, two stops at Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder 4-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 24, with visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay. On Christmas morning at the lobby tree, Santa Claus and his elves will have surprises for all the kids, along with cookies and milk. Guests can attend sunset Hanukkah services and Christmas services, including midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

To celebrate the new year, Disney Magic departs on its 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary Dec. 27; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 31 for its 4-night cruise. These voyages will feature a special New Year’s Eve party to ring in 2009, complete with DJ music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes, confetti and balloon drop, and a midnight countdown.

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From Toy Soldier Fun to High School Musical Excitement: Kids are having a Blast with New Youth Programs Onboard Disney Cruise Line

CELEBRATION, Fla. — With nearly an entire deck devoted to entertaining children ages three months to 17 years, Disney Cruise Line offers a jam-packed menu of activities for young cruisers. Now the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder are adding even more kid-friendly fun with the debut of three new youth activities programs and a rockin’ end-of-cruise celebration.

At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, a Neverland-themed play space for 3-7 year olds, children are immersed in the world of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story with a new program titled Toy Story Boot Camp. Led by Corporal Green, a green-army toy soldier, children become toy recruits and participate in a series of interactive activities and craft projects inspired by the film. They even create their very own soldier dog tag to take home as a keepsake.

Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, a whacky and interactive laboratory for 8-12 year olds, is premiering a new program inspired by Disney Channel’s original movie High School Musical. All for One sends children ages 8-10 on a madcap scavenger hunt throughout the entire ship. Miss Darbus, the quirky drama teacher from the popular Disney Channel movie, is organizing a talent show onboard the ship but somehow all the props and costumes have gone missing. Now it is up to the children to embark on a fun-filled, clue-solving mission to locate the missing props. The hunt concludes as the children celebrate in true Wild Cat Spirit with a High School Musical talent show performed for their parents.

The Stack (Disney Magic) and Aloft (Disney Wonder), the cool hangouts for 13-17 year olds, are launching the T.O.R.C.H. (Teen Only Resource and Communication Hub), a new social website developed exclusively for teens traveling on Disney Cruise Line. While onboard, teens will have the opportunity to post messages to a community board, check out photos and videos from their cruise and even develop a customized itinerary including activities and events tailored to their taste.

What better way cap all the excitement of a Disney cruise than with a new end-of-voyage celebration for children who attended the Oceaneer Club and the Oceaneer Lab. Friendship Rocks!, presented in the Walt Disney Theatre, brings families together for a high energy show featuring songs by Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers and other Disney Channel stars. Friends and family will cheer as children take the stage to become part of a musical celebration set against the backdrop of a multimedia presentation showcasing the children’s experience during the cruise. Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse join-in the festivities and make a special appearance during the celebration.

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Disney Cruise Line Guests Discover Disney’s Legacy of Innovation During a New Adult Enrichment Series

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Guests sailing on the Disney Magic can discover unique aspects of The Walt Disney Company during a new shipboard adult enrichment series titled Disney Innovations.

The new seminar features a series of multi-media presentations showcasing the greatest innovations that The Walt Disney Company has brought to animation and themed entertainment experiences.

Presented in the widely popular “countdown” format, the program features the Top Ten breakthroughs as determined by an esteemed panel of “Disney Experts” composed of Imagineers, Animators and Disney Historians. A notable member of this panel is Roy E. Disney, Director Emeritus, The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney’s nephew. Disney was instrumental in the development of the series, providing personal commentary and a unique perspective on many of the innovations featured in the program.

Guests will learn how Disney’s addition of a synchronized soundtrack to Steamboat Willie led to improvements in the entire field of motion picture sound, how the creation of the world’s first theme park changed the presentation of every park thereafter and how audioanimatronics technology opened the doors to a whole new way to tell stories.

At the conclusion of the program, guests will discover that they’ve been part of another Disney innovation: the series format is designed so participants can continue their own “innovation conversation.” As they gather in shipboard cafes and at quiet meeting spots, they can conduct their own self-guided sessions to discuss their own Top Ten selections.

Disney Innovations is the newest addition to the adult enrichment series presented onboard Disney Cruise Line. The sophisticated series also features programs like The Art of Entertaining, Disney’s Behind-the-Scenes and Disney’s Navigator Series.

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