Tag Archives: Walt Disney World

Disney surges on new cruise ship, higher park attendance

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Disney surges on new cruise ship, higher park attendance

By Michelle Baran
Operating income and revenue at Walt Disney Co.’s Parks and Resorts division continued to grow in the company’s fiscal second quarter, due in large part to the Disney Fantasy cruise ship and increased spending at the domestic parks.

Operating income for Parks and Resorts increased 73% to $383 million, and revenue grew 14% to $3.3 billion, Disney reported.

Disney said that higher operating income for domestic operations was primarily due to increased guest spending and attendance at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California, as well as the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, which launched in March 2012.

During the second-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, Disney executives continued to tout investments recently made in the domestic parks, most notably the multibillion-dollar overhaul of Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort, as driving returns.

Additionally, the company reported higher guest spending at Disneyland Paris and increased attendance at Hong Kong Disneyland.

For the entire company, net income for the quarter increased 32% to $1.5 billion. Revenue grew 10% to $10.55 billion.

Downtown Disney to be transformed into Disney Springs

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Downtown Disney to be transformed into Disney Springs

By Jerry Limone
DisneySprings-entryway-renderDisney on Thursday unveiled plans to transform Downtown Disney, a shopping and dining district at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, into Disney Springs.

The re-imagined destination will “draw inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty,” Disney said.

Construction is slated to begin next month, with new areas opening in phases. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in 2016.

Disney Springs will include four outdoor neighborhoods: Town Center, The Landing, Marketplace and West Side.

The Town Center will offer shopping and dining along with a promenade. Disney describes The Landing as a commercial district “with inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.”

Marketplace will feature an over-the-water pedestrian causeway and an expanded World of Disney store.

Disney said the West Side neighborhood will “provide an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment, along with a series of new elevated spaces that provide both shade and an overlook to the activity below.”

Neighborhoods will be interconnected by a flowing spring and lakefront. Disney also plans a new gateway and a signature water tower for the destination.

Disney Springs will have twice as many shops, restaurants and other venues (about 150 establishments) as Downtown Disney, the company said.

Disney introduces ID bracelets for park entry and more

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Disney introduces ID bracelets for park entry and more

By Michelle Baran
Disney MagicBandWithin the next few months, guests to Walt Disney World will be able to enter the parks, purchase food and merchandise, enter their hotel room and access certain rides using MagicBand bracelet, which will serve as an optional payment account.The MagicBand bracelet is part of a larger, technological initiative called MyMagic+ that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is rolling out over the next several months in an attempt to improve the guest experience.

“Imagine booking guaranteed ride times for your favorite shows and attractions even before setting foot in the park,” Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, wrote on theDisney Parks Blog. “With MyMagic+, guests will be able to do that and more, enabling them to spend more time together and creating an experience that’s better for everyone.”\

Staggs wrote that MyMagic+ will be rolled out over the next several months at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

They will include the MagicBand as well as a new website and mobile app called My Disney Experience.

Through an enhanced FastPass system (FastPass is the current system that allows guests to skip attraction lines) called FastPass+, guests will be able to book dining and other activities, and reserve times for certain attractions and shows. They will also be able to use their smartphones to change their plans while at the park.

They will also be able to reserve viewing areas for fireworks and parades, as well as Disney character meetings.

The MagicBand will provide access to all the FastPass+ experiences selected and will serve as a connection to Disney’s PhotoPass program (PhotoPass is a photo taking, storing and sharing service).

The MagicBand will initially be made available to select Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests and guests who purchase other products, though Disney didn’t elaborate on which products those are.

Other guests will be able to use their standard ticket to access the benefits of MyMagic+, such as making FastPass+ selections on My Disney Experience.

“The MagicBand does not store any personal information — it contains a code that securely links to an encrypted database that associates the MagicBand with the benefits a guest has purchased,” Disney said in a statement. “Extensive measures are in place to protect the privacy of guests and the security of the personal information they choose to share.”

Guests are not required to participate in the MyMagic+ program or use the MagicBands, which can be disabled if lost. There is no additional charge for the MyMagic+ program.

“We’ll be testing, adjusting and adding features to MyMagic+ and My Disney Experience over time and will continue to make improvements based on our guests’ feedback,” wrote Staggs.