Disney Cruise Line News & Press Releases

Fla.-Based Disney Destinations Hurricane Update –
Friday, Oct. 21, 2005 – Disney Cruise Line

Stingray Encounter coming to Castaway Cay!

NEW Itineraries announced for September 2006!

Disney Cruise Line Celebrates Inaugural West Coast Cruise
With Pageantry and Fanfare at the Port of Los Angeles

New Stage Show Aboard Disney Cruise Line Creates
a New Twist on Cinderella's Happily Ever After Story

Disney Wonder Tests Rotational Dining Times

Fifth Annual Ebert & Roeper Film Festival At Sea

West Coast Cruise Excursions Available

THAR BE PIRATES AHEAD, MATEYS…

News Bites – November 23, 2004

Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho A Pirates Life . . . Aboard Disney Cruise Line

Disney Magic Adds New Variety Show to Entertainment Line-Up

Disney Cruise Line Gives the Disney Wonder A Magical Makeover

Disney Cruise Line Announces First-Ever West Coast Cruises In Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland

September 2003 Changes to Disney's Magic

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Fla.-Based Disney Destinations Hurricane Update –
Friday, Oct. 21, 2005 – Disney Cruise Line

We are monitoring Hurricane Wilma very closely, as the safety and security of our guests is always our top priority. According to the latest projections from the National Weather Service, there is still considerable uncertainty surrounding the specific timing and path of the storm.

The Disney Magic will set sail from Port Canaveral on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005. With Hurricane Wilma moving slowly across Cozumel in the western Caribbean and predicted to pass very near Key West during the first part of this coming week, it has become necessary to alter our itinerary so that we can enjoy safe conditions and fair weather. Therefore, this voyage will be sailing to the eastern Caribbean and visiting the ports of St. Maarten, St. Thomas and our private island Disney's Castaway Cay.

The Disney Wonder will set sail from Port Canaveral on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005. At this time, Hurricane Wilma is not predicted to pass through the Bahamas, and we will continue to monitor its path carefully. Should conditions change, we are prepared to alter our itinerary.

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Stingray Encounter coming to Castaway Cay!

Starting in late September, Disney Cruise Line visitors to Castaway Cay will have the chance to try a hands-on stingray encounter. This 45-minute experience will combine a short lesson on the history and biology of these sea creatures with an in-the-water interaction with Southern stingrays under the guidance of a marine specialist. Part of the proceeds from this as-yet unnamed experience will go to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.

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NEW Itineraries announced for September 2006!

Disney Cruise Line announced today that its Disney Wonder cruise ship will embark on two special 10- and 11-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean in September 2006. This marks the first time Disney has offered cruises longer than three- or four-nights aboard the Disney Wonder.

The Southern Caribbean itinerary includes exotic ports such as St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua and St. Kitts. Barbados and St. Kitts are new ports of call for Disney Cruise Line. The 10-night cruise will depart on Sept. 7, and the 11-night cruise departs on Sept. 17, 2006.

"We have found that once our guests experience a Disney cruise, they are eager to return again for a new adventure to different ports of call," said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. "These special, longer cruises were designed with our repeat guests in mind."

The itineraries for the Disney Cruise Line 2006 Southern Caribbean Cruises are as follows:

September 7, 2006 – 10 nights
Thursday – Port Canaveral
Friday – At Sea
Saturday – At Sea
Sunday – St. Thomas
Monday – St. Lucia
Tuesday – Barbados
Wednesday – Antigua
Thursday – At Sea
Friday – At Sea
Saturday – Castaway Cap
Sunday – Port Canaveral

September 17, 2006 – 11 nights
Sunday – Port Canaveral
Monday – At Sea
Tuesday – At Sea
Wednesday – St. Thomas
Thursday – St. Lucia
Friday – Barbados
Saturday – Antigua
Sunday – St. Kitts
Monday – At Sea
Tuesday – At Sea
Wednesday – Castaway Cay
Thursday – Port Canaveral

Rates for the 10-night Southern Caribbean cruise start at $1,299 per person and the 11-night voyages begin at $1,499 per person.

Voyages to the Southern Caribbean add to an already diverse 2006 schedule of sailings. Starting May 27 and departing every fourth week through Dec. 9, 2006, Disney Cruise Line will offer alternate Western Caribbean cruises aboard the Disney Magic® that includes two stops at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, coupled with a new port of call, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

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Disney Cruise Line Celebrates Inaugural West Coast Cruise With Pageantry and Fanfare at the Port of Los Angeles

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (May 28, 2005) — Today, Disney Cruise Line celebrated its inaugural West Coast cruise to the Mexican Riviera with a festive procession down the Main Channel at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. Pageantry filled the shoreline, water and sky as the Disney Magic cruise ship sailed for the first time from the Port of Los Angeles, led by the world's most powerful fireboat.

Just in time to join in the "Happiest Homecoming on Earth," Disneyland's 50th anniversary celebration, the highly distinctive 2,700-passenger ship's departure on Saturday was the first of 12 consecutive seven-night cruise vacations from the Port of Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.

Thousands of onlookers — including Disneyland Resort cast members — watched from the shoreline as a flotilla comprised of coast guard cutters, police cruisers, fireboats, tall ships and scores of personal watercraft escorted the Disney Magic down the channel. In the sky, colorful kites swirled around the ship and upon reaching the breakwater, special daytime fireworks were launched, ushering the ship out to sea. This marks the first time a Disney Cruise Line ship has set sail on cruise vacations from a port outside the state of Florida.

"We are thrilled to be here at the Port of Los Angeles for the summer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disneyland," said Tom McAlpin, president of Disney Cruise Line. "It was incredible to see so many residents and Disneyland cast members waving to the ship as it made its first departure from the Port of Los Angeles. The support we have received from the local community has been tremendous."

The leading family cruise line is offering guests the opportunity to combine the fun and excitement of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim with the enchantment of a Disney Cruise Line voyage by booking two-night pre- or post-cruise stays in one of the three world-class hotels of the Disneyland Resort.

"The 50th anniversary of Disneyland marks the first time that all Disney theme parks around the world have joined together in a truly global celebration," said Disneyland Resort president Matt Ouimet. "We're thrilled to have Disney Cruise Line be a part of the magic that began here 50 years ago."

Disney Cruise Line is also premiering a brand new theatrical show aboard the Disney Magic during its repositioning cruise to California. "Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story" immerses audiences in a new rendition of the fairytale classic and features a rich musical score with six original compositions and two classic Disney songs. With an accomplished cast, lavish costumes, elaborate set designs and clever special effects, the story brings some of the most beloved Disney characters to life in a stage show sure to please the entire family.

The ship is scheduled to return to Florida Sept. 3, 2005. Sister-ship Disney Wonder will continue sailing three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral, Fla., and offering land/sea packages with the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Cruise Line specifically designed its ships with areas and activities that appeal to the unique vacation needs of every member of the family. As a result, its vacations offer guests an unbelievable cruise experience not found anywhere else.

Stretching nearly an entire deck of the ship, children's programming spaces feature supervised activities for five age-specific groups of children and teens. Additionally, infants and toddlers are cared for at Flounder's Reef Nursery, allowing parents the opportunity to explore adult areas on their own.

The Walt Disney Theatre provides a magnificent 977-seat showplace of state-of-the-art sound, lighting, staging and set design. The curtain is lifted after the sun drops and original Disney musicals, family-friendly variety acts and first-run films entertain all ages. Adults have more late-night entertainment to choose from than ever before along Beat Street, a nighttime entertainment district — featuring a high-energy dance club, stylish jazz piano bar and traditional sports pub — reserved exclusively for them.

Novel in its approach and inventive in its execution, the dining experience rotates guests through three different themed restaurants throughout the cruise. Accompanied by their familiar wait staff and tablemates, guests travel from the casual elegance of Lumiere's to the colorful, island-inspired Parrot Cay and Animator's Palate, where Disney animation springs to life throughout their meal. Adults may also opt to dine at Palo, an exquisite restaurant featuring sweeping views and northern Italian cuisine. Unique new dining experiences created specifically for sea days aboard Disney's seven-night cruise vacations include champagne brunch and afternoon high tea for adults, a Disney character breakfast and tea with Wendy for families, plus a casual evening dining alternative at Topsider Buffet.

The 877 family-friendly staterooms aboard each Disney ship were designed to offer maximum comfort. Most feature an industry first — a bath-and-a-half with two separate areas; one offering a shower and sink, the other a sink and toilet.

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New Stage Show Aboard Disney Cruise Line Creates a New Twist on Cinderella's Happily Ever After Story

CELEBRATION, Fla. — With a swish of a wand, several Bibbidi Bobbidi Boos and the turning of storybook pages, the brand new stage show aboard Disney Cruise Line — "Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story" — immerses audiences in a new rendition of the happily ever after story of Cinderella and her Prince Charming.

Giving guests an opportunity to experience the story of Cinderella in a whole new way, the Broadway-style show is set to make its theatrical debut in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship as she repositions to California this May, just in time for the ship's special West Coast cruises honoring the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland park.

"This enchanting production brings some of the most beloved Disney characters to life in a compelling story the entire family can enjoy together," said Jim Urry, Director of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line. "Everything from the music to the choreography to the incredible set designs and the humor and romance of the story will delight our guests."

With the story beginning where the original ended — during the wedding celebration of Cinderella and Prince Charming — good fortune takes a turn when a new character, evil Fairy Godfather Franco DiFortunato, enters the picture on behalf of Lady Tremaine, Cinderella's stepmother. Granting Lady Tremaine's wish, he sends the family back in time to break Cinderella's glass slipper, thus destroying her chances of marrying the prince and re-writing a whole new story for Cinderella.

The 52-minute production features a rich musical score with six original compositions and two classic Disney songs including the beloved "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" and "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." With an accomplished cast, lavish costumes, elaborate set designs and special effects that cleverly turn back the pages of time, the combination seamlessly transitions the show from scene to scene.

"Twice Charmed" was created by Disney Creative Entertainment, who have also been responsible for the creation of "The Golden Mickeys" currently showing aboard Disney Cruise Line and two recent Disneyland productions, "Disney's Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular" and "Snow White — An Enchanting New Musical." Executive Vice President, Anne Hamburger, heads the group.

Hamburger said, "The goal of our division, Disney Creative Entertainment, is to create great shows that will delight our guests in ways they have never before experienced. It is a combination of moving stories, heartfelt music and unforgettable stage imagery and design, which we bring to our guests at every performance."

As Disney's largest theatrical production ever aboard, the show includes a repertory cast of 21 performers who are well versed in acting, singing and dancing.

This cast not only performs "Twice Charmed" but is also responsible for the two other main stage shows performed in the Walt Disney Theatre throughout the cruise — "The Golden Mickeys" and "Disney Dreams."

Urry said, "We searched for a long time for the absolute best artistic talent we could find for the creation and production of 'Twice Charmed.' In addition, because the range of acting ability required to perform several shows on a ship is significant, we look for the best actors in the business."

There are an additional nine crew members who perform technical roles backstage as part of these three shows helping to bring the Walt Disney Theatre to life. With 977 seats, the theatre is magnificent within itself, as the most technologically equipped show place at sea.

The book, lyrics and score for "Twice Charmed" was composed by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, who are among the most promising new composers and lyricists for musical theatre and are currently collaborating on an upcoming Broadway musical. The orchestrations and arrangements were by Alan Lee Silva and Timothy Mark Williams.

"Twice Charmed" was directed by Joe Calarco, whose "Shakespeare's R & J," a re-telling of "Romeo and Juliet," was a hit Off-Broadway in New York and was critically praised in Chicago, Washington, D.C., London and Tokyo.

Karma Camp, who has both Broadway and off-Broadway credits, choreographed the show. She has choreographed more than 20 productions at Signature Theatre of Arlington, Va., and also developed the choreography for "Snow White — An Enchanting New Musical" at Disneyland.

The designers on "Twice Charmed" were sets: James Kronzer, Costumes; Helen Huang and Lighting; Chris Lee.

After its debut, "Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story" will continue to run aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship throughout 2005, as the ship returns back to her East Coast Caribbean itineraries.

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Disney Wonder Tests Rotational Dining Times

On June 12, the Disney Wonder will test a slight change to the rotational dining times. Guests currently scheduled for Main Dining will be assigned a dining time of 5:45 p.m., 6:00 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. Guests scheduled on Second Dining will be assigned a dining time of 8:00 p.m., 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. In addition, entertainment options each evening will be arranged to compliment the revised dining times. This test is based on Guest feedback and will provide greater movement throughout the ship prior to and following the dinner service.

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Fifth Annual Ebert & Roeper Film Festival At Sea

America's most popular film critics, Roger Ebert & Richard Roeper, of the popular syndicated TV show "Ebert & Roeper," will host their Fifth Annual Film Festival at Sea aboard the Disney Wonder® Oct. 2-6.

Like the past four years, Roger and Richard will be giving film fans a sneak peek at four of their favorite film selections. Guests will have a chance to listen to insights and ask questions about the films during post-screening sessions held throughout the cruise. Plus, Guests will get a chance to meet Roger and Richard at a special sail-away cocktail reception.

Guests can be a part of the "Floating Film Festival" for an additional $225 per person, age 13 years and older, over the prevailing rate. Pre-paid gratuities are included.

Limited space is available and only Guests who pre-book this package are guaranteed participation in this exciting event.

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West Coast Shore Excursions Now Available

Time to begin reserving shore excursions for the 14-Night Westbound Panama Canal Cruise and for the 7-Night West Coast Cruises to the Mexican Riviera. Shore excursion requests for the 14-Night Eastbound Panama Canal Cruise will be available at a later date.

Details about excursion choices, times and prices are available on the Disney Cruise Line website. Click on your Port of Call and then click on Shore Excursions. (February, 2005)

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THAR BE PIRATES AHEAD, MATEYS…

Pirates IN the Caribbean is the new themed party on Disney Cruise Line ships, which debuted on the Disney Magic last fall, and came aboard the Disney Wonder in late January. This fun-filled evening of entertainment and food begins with the early evening Character Meet and Greets in the ship's atrium (near the entrance to Triton's) where, dressed in their own versions of pirate attire, Minnie, Stitch, Goofy, Chip and Dale, and others greet guests and sign autographs. Your dining for the evening, no matter which of the three main restaurants at which you're scheduled, is totally pirate-themed! The servers are all dressed as buccaneers, and the head servers as captains! Each guest receives a red bandanna to wear (or play with) along with a scrolled pirate menu, which can be kept as a souvenir.

Each menu item is named in theme such as: Cannon Smoked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, Chilled to the Bone Honeydew Melon and Mango Soup (which is quite yummy!), Jack Sparrow's Fruit Marinated Roasted Loin of Pork, and even a vegetarian entree called Tiger Lilies Grilled Eggplant! On a recent cruise, we were tempted by desserts such as The Lost Banana Treasure, but knew that a full spread buffet would await us later in the evening.

From 9:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Goofy's Pool on Deck 9 hosts the Pirates IN the Caribbean Party. Many of your favorite Disney characters make appearances in specially designed costumes, and energetic Cast Members sing, dance and entertain all those on deck until the "trouble" arrives, in the form of Captain Hook and friends. Much mayhem ensues, and Hook even recruits new men for his ship, giving several folks the opportunity to dress up and join him on stage for "tryouts," much to the delight of friends and family in the audience.

At 11 p.m. the buffet begins with a wide variety of hot "real food" items and an abundance of desserts! The buffet tables are adorned with pirate ships, a chest of doubloons (gold wrapped chocolates), pirates, fish and nets, as well as an ice sculpture of Skull Rock (from Peter Pan). There are plenty of items to satisfy any landlubber's sweet tooth!

All in all, this is a fun evening and one you're sure to enjoy on the Disney Wonder and Magic!
January 2005

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News Bites – November 23, 2004

Dining — Gentlemen are now only required to wear a dress shirt when dining at Palo. (A jacket or tie is still suggested, but not required.) Men wearing T-shirts, golf shirts, etc., will not be allowed in the restaurant. The Champagne Brunch and High Tea, both offered in the same location, will remain "resort casual."

Special Rates — Active military personnel are eligible for special rates on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises. Three-night cruises are offered from $349 per person, double occupancy, for most sailings commencing January 6 – February 10, 2005. Four-night cruises begin at $399 per person, double occupancy, for most sailings commencing January 9 – February 6, 2005. Contact Disney directly or contact our recommended travel agency, MouseEarVacations.com®.

Holiday Highlights — On December sailings, Disney Cruise Line will host a festive holiday celebration starting in Disney's private cruise terminal at Port Canaveral and continuing with a Magical Holidays sailing onboard the Disney Wonder or Disney Magic. Magical Holidays highlights include a three-deck-tall tree-lighting ceremony in the atrium lobby, a visit from Santa Goofy with surprises for all the kids, gingerbread house decorating, traditional holiday feasts, holiday services, a ship-wide party to ring in 2005, and a New Year's Day tailgate party.

Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, will feature Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, carolers, a 40-foot Christmas tree, and sleigh full of presents as part of the holiday fun. In addition, Disney characters in holiday attire will sign autographs and pose for photos, while the island's tram has been decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and tail.

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Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho A Pirates Life . . . Aboard Disney Cruise Line

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — (11/19/04) The new Pirates IN the Caribbean party is taking over the Disney Magic cruise ship, transforming guests aboard into pirates for the evening and treating them to a scrumptious dinner feast and adventurously themed deck party that would make Captain Jack Sparrow proud.

This newly themed evening aboard Disney's seven-night cruise vacations to the eastern and western Caribbean brings together the traditional cruise dinner and deck party with a rowdy buccaneer bash combining invigorating entertainment, themed dining experiences and brand new special effects for an evening that's perfect for every member of the family.

Starting in the dining room, servers dressed as pirates play the part by welcoming guests with customary greetings of 'ahoy matey' and 'argh' while serving 'grog' rather than drinks. Guests delight in learning the pirate lifestyle by donning specially made pirate bandanas and choosing pirate themed dinner selections from a parchment rolled menu. Dishes from the ship's galley include:

As the evening transitions from the dining room to high atop decks 9 and 10, a treasure trove of entertainment opens with classic Disney characters dressed in pirate garb, high-energy special effects and interactive audience participation set to music favorites for a new kind of celebration.

The party gets underway with a pirate-style line dance as guests join cruise staff, Goofy and his seafaring friends in learning special dance steps set to a wacky chorus of "Yo, Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me."

Impetuously the mood of the party changes as Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and their gang of 'bad' pirates take over the party with special effects including black lighting, skull and cross bone projections and even an invasion of pirates repelling from the funnel. The music additionally changes from the contemporary/pop arrangements to a more sinister tone of a rock and roll party with hard rock classics and heavy metal tunes — reminiscent of earlier days for the adults.

Just in time, and before Captain Hook's able to enlist audience Dads to join his gang of pirates, Captain Mickey appears and saves the day, ridding the ship of the evil buccaneers for a swash-buckling finish.

"This new themed evening takes entertainment to a whole new level," said Jim Urry, Disney Cruise Line director of entertainment. "Guests love our deck parties and this one allows them to step into the action, experience buccaneer traditions and actually be a pirate."

Currently only aboard the Disney Magic seven-night itineraries, the experience is scheduled to board sister ship Disney Wonder and three- and four-night itineraries in early 2005.

Disney Magic Adds New Variety Show to Entertainment Line-Up

Disney Cruise Line unveiled a new opening show to its stellar entertainment repertoire with a brand new stage production featuring variety acts, musical performances and a cavalcade of Disney characters.

Exclusive to the seven-night cruises aboard the Disney Magic, the new show tells the story of a young cruise passenger trying to achieve his dream of becoming a seafaring captain. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the rest of the Disney characters help the boy realize that if he believes in his dream, it can come true.

Woven into the show is a wonderful overview of the events, activities and venues aboard the ship – along with some helpful tips to make the cruise more enjoyable, such as the best time to meet the Disney characters. In addition, the guests are introduced to the officers onboard who will make sure their voyage is one that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Disney Cruise Line Gives the Disney Wonder A Magical Makeover

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2004) — Disney Cruise Line completed significant renovations to the Disney Wonder cruise ship, adding three new age-specific venues that appeal to the varied interests of adults and teenagers and refurbishing interior and exterior areas of the ship. The enhancements to the Disney Wonder conclude a series of investments made by Disney Cruise Line to its fleet. Its sister ship, the Disney Magic, underwent similar renovations twelve months ago.

The work took place during a two-week period commonly referred to in the maritime industry as "dry dock." On Oct. 3, 2004, the Disney Wonder set sail for the Norshipco ship yard in Norfolk, Va. with a team of nearly 1,000 crew members and 600 contractors ready to tackle the ship's makeover.

Three areas on the ship underwent substantial renovations, making room for brand new venues that cater to teen and adult passengers — Aloft, Cove Café and Diversions.

"At Disney Cruise Line, we are always looking for ways to enhance the guest experience," said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. "When we asked guests for their feedback, we found that they had great suggestions about how we could further enhance our already-popular age-specific areas, and we took their ideas to heart."

Aloft is a teen haven perfect for relaxing or socializing with newfound friends. With a cozy décor that is a cross between a college dormitory and a trendy coffee shop, the space is loaded with comfy couches and overstuffed chairs. The venue features the latest video games, a collection of magazines, MP3 listening stations, a variety of board games, computers with internet access and a bar that dispenses both soft-drinks and smoothies. Aloft hosts a variety of activities, some specifically for younger teens, others for older teens and some designed for the entire group. The Disney Wonder is the first ship in the Disney fleet to feature this new teen area.

Cove Café and Diversions are two new areas just for adults. Located next to the Quiet Cove pool is Cove Café, inside guests can relax with a popular magazine, watch television, access their email or socialize with other adults. Day or night, guests can enjoy gourmet coffees, specialty drinks and lighter fare cuisine.

Diversions adds a new dimension to the ship's nighttime entertainment district. Themed as a traditional sports pub and filled with flat-screen plasma TVs, guests can join together here to cheer for their favorite sports teams or gather to watch their favorite TV shows. This venue features a diverse range of adult activities, from trivia-based game shows to board games to sing-along karaoke.

During dry dock, the team worked around the clock, replacing the decorative tile, swapping out the elaborate carpeting, refurbishing the ship's signature wood decking and reupholstering the furniture aboard the Disney Wonder. At Norshipco, the 83,000-ton ship was lifted out of the water, giving the team a chance to inspect the underside of the ship, clean the ship's hull and add a fresh coat of paint.

Dry dock is a regulatory requirement by Lloyds Register. All ships must be taken out of the water completely twice every five years to allow for inspection of underwater parts and related engine room systems.

Disney Cruise Line Announces First-Ever West Coast Cruises In Celebration
of the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland

ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 5, 2004) — For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is catching the wave to southern California, repositioning its flagship Disney Magic for the summer of 2005, offering seven-night cruise vacations from the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera.

Just in time to celebrate one of Disney's biggest milestones — Disneyland's big 5-0 — the highly distinctive 2,600-passenger ship is scheduled to sail 12 consecutive seven-night cruise vacations each Saturday from the Port of Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas between May 28 and August 19, 2005.

"The Disney Cruise Line experience is better than ever," said Disney Cruise Line president Karl Holz. "By taking the Disney Magic to southern California next summer, west coast residents will find that it has never been more convenient to sail with us."

The leading family cruise line will offer guests the opportunity to combine the fun and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a Disney Cruise Line voyage by booking two-night pre- or post-cruise stays in one of Disney's three Anaheim resort hotels.

"Disneyland's 50th anniversary will mark the first time that all theme parks have joined together in a truly global celebration," said Disneyland Resort president Matt Ouimet. "We're thrilled to have Disney Cruise Line be a part of the magic that began here almost 50 years ago."

The repositioning of the Disney Magic also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.

The Disney Magic is scheduled to return to Florida Sept. 3, 2005. Sister-ship Disney Wonder will continue sailing three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas out of Port Canaveral, Fla., and offering land/sea packages with the Walt Disney World Resort.

September 2003 Changes to Disney's Magic

With the dry dock in September 2003, the Magic undergoes a few changes:
1. The ESPN Skybox will be converted to "Stacks" a teen club.
2. Off Beat will become "Diversions," an Irish pub/sports bar.
3. Common Grounds will be converted to the Quiet Cove Cafe, a cognac, cigars, specialty coffee gathering point for grown ups. Lots of stainless steel and 1930's motif.
4. Morty the Magician's show will be retired to make way for "Golden Mickeys," an academy awards show themed event.