Auto-Apply Gratuities coming to all Disney ships

Disney Fantasy

The Disney Cruise Line is introducing the auto-application of gratuities on all it's ships after a successful pilot program on the Disney Magic and positive feedback they received from guests.

The guests folios will be charged on embarkation day for the suggested gratuity amounts for the Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, and Stateroom Host/Hostess.

The suggested gratuity amounts can be paid at the time of booking or they can be paid at the time of final payment.  If the pre-paid gratuities have not been paid prior to boarding, guests will receive a letter explaining at check-in explaining the charge to their on board account.  Guests will still be able to modify or add more to the amount of the gratuity, or pay by cash, by stopping by the Guest Services Desk on board.

The effective dates are:

• Disney Dream - date to be announced
• Disney Fantasy - April 21, 2012
• Disney Magic - already in place
• Disney Wonder - April 22, 2012

The suggested gratuity amounts are:

	3-Night Per Person	4-Night Per Person	5-Night  Per Person	6-Night Per Person
Server	$12	$16	$20	$24
Asst. Server	$9	$12	$15	$18
Head Server	$3	$4	$5	$7
Stateroom Host/Hostess	$12	$16	$20	$24
Total	$36	$48	$60	$72

	7-Night Per Person	8-Night Per Peson	10-Night Per Person	11-Night Per Person
Server	$28	$32	$40	$44
Asst. Server	$21	$24	$30	$33
Head Server	$7	$8	$10	$11
Stateroom Host/Hostess	$28	$32	$40	$44
Total	$84	$96	$120	$132

	12-Night Per Person	14-Night Per Person	15-Night Per Person
Server	$48	$56	$60
Asst. Server	$36	$42	$45
Head Server	$12	$14	$15
Stateroom Host/Hostess	$48	$56	$60
Total	$144	$168	$180

Starbucks is coming to Disney!!

For all you Starbucks fans out there:  Starbucks is coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World! Beginning in June, 6 Starbucks locations are scheduled to open in Disney California Adventure park with more planned to open sometime after in Disneyland and all 4 of the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Just like in the rest of the theme parks, all of the Starbucks locations will be designed to match the theme of the area that they are located in.  

The Disney Parks Blog reports that "The cafe will serve Starbucks items, including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries.  Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats."

I'm not much of a coffee fan, but my wife is really excited about this news.  She definitely can't wait to get her first cup of Starbucks coffee in Walt Disney World!!  

For you coffee fans, will Starbucks locations in the theme parks be enough to lessen the complaints that you can't get a good cup of coffee at Disney?  Do you think Starbucks coffee will eventually be available at the resorts or will it be exclusive to the theme parks?

Test Track Closed for Refurbishment

Beginning Monday April 16, 2012 the Test Track attraction at Epcot will be closed for refurbishment. It is scheduled to reopen sometime in the Fall of 2012.

Insidethemagic.net is reporting that once it reopens it will be renamed to either the “Chevy Design Center at Epcot” or the “Chevy Design Studio at Epcot.” When it reopens, guests will be able to use interactive workstations to design their own custom ride experience which will be applied to the new ride vehicle.

During the refurbishment an a cappella singing group called “Test Track Allstars” will perform each day in front of the Test Track Pavilion. The Land will also remain open 1 hour later everyday giving guests access to Soarin’, Circle of Life, Living with the Land, the Character Spot, and merchandise & food locations (via insidethemagic.net).

I’m excited to experience the soon to be newly designed ride experience. But, I’m not too wild about the new name though. What do you think? I guess most fans will end up calling it the CDC or CDS...though calling it the CDC could cause some people to think of the Centers for Disease Control. Here’s to hoping they call it the “Chevy Design Studio at Epcot” or something else completely.

Check out some photos and videos of the attraction here:
http://www.insidethemagic.net

PhotoPass+ Details

On April 3, 2012 Disney announced a new option to their PhotoPass service. Beginning April 4, 2012 guests will be able to purchase PhotoPass+. This new option will allow guests to have digital copies of all their PhotoPass pictures, Attraction photos, and Dining photos along with Print Packages at select Dining locations.

This new package costs $199.95 and can only be purchased at PhotoPass View Stations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

Here is a list of the participating attractions and character dining locations:

Participating Attractions:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur

Participating Character Dining Locations:
1900 Park Fare
Ohana (Breakfast only)
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Chef Mickey’s
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Tusker House Restaurant (Breakfast only)
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Disney PhotoPass+ Includes:
PhotoPass+ Card and Lanyard
A gallery CD with over 400 stock photos
A unique code to create and order a PhotoCD with all your photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com
Print Packages at select Dining locations
Digital Downloads of select Attractions

Disney's PhotoPass Service

Disney’s PhotoPass® is s service that Disney offers in Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The PhotoPass® photographers are located in many spots throughout the parks which include the park entrances, the main icons, at most character meet and greet locations, and some character dining locations.

All guests can receive a PhotoPass® card which is about the size of a credit card and has a QR code on the back. This card fits easily in a wallet, purse, pocket, or anything that holds credit cards.

The PhotoPass® photographers are available take pictures of your party using their cameras. They will take multiple shots with different poses and then scan your card, thereby attaching the photos to your specific card. You can have multiple cards as they will all be linked together on the website later on.

After returning home, you can visit www.disneyphotopass.com and register your card(s) on the website. Once you enter the card number(s) you have up to 30 days to view and edit your photos. You can add borders, some character signatures, and make other basic edits. Then, you can order prints or keepsakes with your favorite picture(s). The keepsakes include mouse pads, mugs, ornaments, refrigerator magnets, and more.