Disney Ups the Ante on Entertainment... Again

Disney Cruise Line today revealed the first set of features for its new Disney Dream, inaugurating in 2011. And in typical Disney style, they're not just playing follow the leader. The new features are innovative and definitely Disney.

Gene Sloan of USAToday's CruiseLog has done an excellent job in summarizing the details. There are several articles at CruiseLog's main page, including this summary article which covers the various features, from new themed dining rooms to entertainment venues.

However, there are two features which I think will be the most talked about (and certainly the ones I'm more excited to see). First, is the 765-foot AquaDuck water coaster, a similar concept to the popular "Master Blaster" rides at Disney theme parks. The clear acrylic tube will wind around much of the upper deck, rising 4 decks in height, and swing over the side of the ship for an unobstructed view of the ocean so many decks below. A free attraction, Disney does plan a minimum height requirement due to the intensity of the ride.

What I think is the coolest feature are the "virtual portholes" in the inside cabins. By installing hi-def cameras around the exterior of the ship, Disney will feed in real time the outside views corresponding to each cabin's relative location on the ship. There might even be a Disney character or two appearing outside from time to time!

In a similar vein will be the "Enchanted Art" around the ship which will magically come to life!

Definitely sounds like Disney 2.0!

Also appealing are the adult-only venues. Palo, the premium restaurant, is making a return, but there will also be an adults-only night club and bar area called "The District." Notable here is Skyline bar which will have virtual windows at night simulating high rise views of cities such as Paris, New York, London and Tokyo. Also included is a champagne bar, traditional pub, and a piano lounge. Disney never forgets the "kids at heart" who also love them.

Bookings for the Disney Magic open to the public on November 9. If the kid in you (or your own kids) are excited about the next generation of Disney Cruise Lines, call or email me for more details or to make your reservation!

Can't They Think of New Names?

There must be some pretty deep layoffs in the Disney creative department these days, as there is a bit of industry redundancy in the new names they announced today for their next two new ships.

Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean have been repeating names between one another for awhile now (Carnival Freedom vs. Freedom of the Seas for example, or Jewel of the Seas and Norwegian Jewel), and of course Princess and Holland America re-use their own ship names frequently and for generations, but I didn't expect that Disney would expand the trend. After all, it's Disney we're talking about. The place where dreams come true and a true fantasy land... the birthplace of imagination for generations of youngsters across the world, and creative innovators for 50 years.

But, despite the redundancy with other lines, I do have to admit the names are well suited to the line which currently consists of the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic.

Oh, did I forget to mention the new names? They'll be the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, planned to set sail in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In announcing the new name, Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations said, "the names are very telling of our brand and are part of our history. Disney is known for making dreams come true, and for creating worlds of fantasy that go beyond the imagination. The names are a natural choice for our ships."

This just means you'll have to be even more careful when you tell your agent which ship you'd like to book. If you're wanting the Disney Fantasy, you want to be sure you don't end up on the Carnival Fantasy instead.

And anyone want to bet if Disney orders a third new ship that it will be the Disney Imagination?