Orlando resort tops with SA travellers
AS DISNEY builds new
resorts and theme
parks across the world,
South African travellers
remain loyal to Walt Disney
World in Orlando, Florida.
“Walt Disney World in
Orlando is the largest of the
Disney complexes,” says
Sarah Whiteside, sales
and marketing manager
for Travel Vision, adding
that, although it is less
accessible and much further
away than Disneyland Paris,
for example, it remains far
more popular than any other
Disney theme park in the
South African market.
According to Sarah, in
the case of the Orlando
operation, size counts.
“While the other complexes
feature one or two theme
parks, Walt Disney World
boasts four theme parks
and two water parks. You
could easily spend two
weeks within the park
and still not experience
everything on offer.”
“Walt Disney World
Orlando is the most popular
Disney product we sell,”
agrees Megan D’Arcy,
Comair Travel product
manager. She says the
range and diversity of the
accommodation on offer
suits all the needs and
tastes of South African
travellers, and there are far
more options on offer when
it comes to attractions and
new developments. “Walt
Disney World Orlando has
probably seen the most
new developments recently.
An attraction called New
Fantasyland opened this
year. Situated in the Magic
Kingdom, the highlight of
this new attraction is the
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It
has also inspired the new
Festival of Fantasy Parade in
Main Street USA.”
Kay Ellison, product
executive for Thompsons
Travel, says not only is
Orlando the biggest complex
with the most hotels, it’s
also the best-priced park.
Kay adds that South African
travellers like to combine a
visit to Walt Disney World
with either a cruise or a visit
to another destination in
the US.
Tour operators report that
bookings for Disneyland
Paris remain constant yearon-year
but Hong Kong
Disneyland fares less well.
Wendy Goutier, product
and contract executive for
Thompsons Holidays, says
the main reason for this
is that the Asian park is
not very large and only has
two hotels. “People would
not necessarily plan a
main holiday to Hong Kong
Disneyland as they would to
the US,” she says.
New Disneyland on the cards for Shanghai
SHANGHAI Disney Resort,
the first Disney resort in
mainland China, is expected
to open at the end of 2015.
It is located in Pudong and
will include two themed
hotels, a large retail, dining
and entertainment venue
and an array of recreation
facilities.
Besides the inclusion
of signature Disney
experiences, the theme park
will also feature elements
unique to Shanghai Disney
Resort. Throughout the
resort, classic Disney
characters and storytelling
will blend with experiences
designed specifically for the
people of China.
What’s happening at Walt Disney World Orlando?
TRAVELLERS to Walt Disney World
Orlando can expect to see an array of
new developments in the near future.
The recently extended New
Fantasyland represents the largest
expansion in the 43-year history of
the Magic Kingdom and comprises
the Enchanted Forest and Storybook
Circus areas. Guests visit a far-off
French village to spend time with
Belle in Beauty and the Beast; they
hop aboard a clam shell to venture
into the undersea world of Ariel;
take a roller-coaster ride with the
Great Goofini; or spin through the
sky with Dumbo, the flying elephant.
The crowning jewel is the Seven
Dwarfs Mine Train, which opened this
year. The train is a family-style rollercoaster
that pivots back and forth
during twists, turns, hills and drops.
This summer, Disney’s Hollywood
Studios is celebrating Frozen, the
animated Disney film, with a daily
character procession, sing-alongs,
fireworks, a polar playground, ice
skating rink and a nightly party
featuring a live band, all themed to
the worldwide phenomenon.
New Fantasyland has inspired a new
daytime parade, the Disney Festival
of Fantasy Parade in Main Street,
USA. It features innovative floats,
vibrant costumes and an original
soundtrack of songs from favourite
Disney films.
Disney is ‘re-imagining’ Downtown
Disney to Disney Springs. Anchored
by a signature water tower and grand
entry, Disney Springs will be home
to over 150 shopping boutiques,
restaurants and entertainment
venues. Its completion is planned for
2016.
Newly opened in Downtown Disney
West Side is Fit2Run, serving both
recreational runners and athletes.
The United World of Soccer opened
in late May, offering favourite team
jerseys and other sports gear.
Take the train ...
WORLD Travel is promoting a direct
TGV train from Paris-Charles de
Gaulle Airport to Euro Disney. The
journey time is 10 minutes with three
trains departing hourly.
In addition, the Eurostar has a
direct service from St Pancras in
London to the Euro Disney gate,
with a journey time of two hours
and 40 minutes. There are also
direct services to Euro Disney from
other European cities such as
Brussels, Lyon, Marseille, Nice
and Bordeaux.
SA travellers discover Disney cruising
SOUTH African travellers are
increasingly discovering the benefits
and pleasures of Disney cruising.
Kay Ellison says sales for Disney
Cruise Line (DCL) are growing year
by year and are a hugely popular
choice for South African families.
“The main attraction is the
imagination that goes into the
product. The unique selling
propositions of Disney Cruise Line
are their imaginative dining plans,
the separate areas they offer on
board for adults, children and
teenagers, the shows on board, and
the fireworks at sea.
The two mega ships, Disney
Fantasy and Disney Dream, are
also the only ships afloat that offer
‘virtual portholes’ in the inside
cabins.”
Sarah Whiteside says: “There are
decks of entertainment options to
keep children of all ages busy while
adults can also escape to exclusive
areas such as the on-board spa, a
selection of romantic restaurants
and an on-board nightclub.”
According to Sarah, kids love to
meet the Disney characters on
board and enjoy themed evenings
such as the Pirates of the Caribbean
party. She adds that Disney owns
an island called Castaway Cay in the
Caribbean, exclusively available for
Disney cruise passengers.
In 2014, DCL will offer new
itineraries, including an expanded
collection of European cruises
highlighting the Greek Isles.
DCL will depart for the first time
from homeports in Venice, Italy and
San Juan, Puerto Rico. Also this
summer, the Disney Wonder will sail
seven-night cruises from Vancouver
to Alaska, while a special nine-night
cruise will call at Sitka, Alaska – a
first for DCL.
All Star Music Resort special
Travel Vision is offering a sevennight
special for Disney’s All
Star Music Resort in the Animal
Kingdom, Orlando, from August
31 to October 3. Under-18s stay
free and only pay for entry to
Disney Parks, flights and taxes.
Prices start from R25 725 per
adult sharing and include flights
ex-JNB, Magical Express return
airport transfers and a seven-day
Magic Your Way Base Ticket, free
transportation throughout Disney
parks and a complimentary Quick
Service dining plan.
