Disney Vacation Club Safari Spectacular on Select Dates in September

WDWNT on July 6, 2016

Reservations opened today, July 6, for this DVC-exclusive after-hours event at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.

Members and their guests can take a walk on the wild side at the Disney Vacation Club Safari Spectacular at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park!

This complimentary event is exclusive to Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests.

Event highlights include:

Activities and offerings are subject to change.

* Kilimanjaro Safaris will close at 10:30 PM due to animal care. Some attractions will not be available during this Member event, including but not limited to: DINOSAUR, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo – The Musical.

Note: The following dates and times are subject to change.

When & Where

  • Event Location:Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
  • Dates
    • Tuesday, September 6
    • Tuesday, September 13
    • Thursday, September 22
    • Tuesday, September 27
  • Time: 9:30 PM to midnight; Members and their guests can enter the park as early as 7:00 PM

Transportation

Complimentary transportation is available before, during and after the event between Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

How to Book

A reservation is required. Bookings will begin on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Call Member Services to make reservations.

Important Details

  • Membership Card and photo ID are required at check–in.
  • For early admission, use regular bus location to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.
  • Offer is non–transferable
  • Party size limits apply:
    • For Members with a reservation at a Disney Resort hotel, party size is limited to the Member and up to the number of guests listed on their Disney Resort hotel reservation.
    • For Members without a reservation at a Disney Resort hotel, party size is limited to the Member and up to 5 guests.
  • Walk–ins will not be permitted.
  • Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.
  • This is an open–air facility; experience is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
  • We request that Members cancel at least 48 hours in advance. Event may be canceled at the discretion of Disney Vacation Club due to inclement weather and Guests will be notified via resort communication.
  • Members visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom park prior to the special event will need valid theme park admission.
  • This offer is part of Membership Extras. New purchasers after April 4, 2016, must purchase directly from Disney to have access to Membership Extras.

New Concept Art and Details Revealed for “Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows”, Part of the Disney Vacation Club

WDWNT on December 30, 2014

Today, disney released concept art and details on the Disney Vacation Club expansion of the Polynesian Village Resort, now known as “Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows”.

The bungalows will be the first of their kind on any Disney property. The 20 Bungalows will sleep up to eight guests each and be just steps away from the new plunge pool overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon, not to mention an unparalleled view of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks.

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The Polynesian bungalows

On the mainland, the villas will feature largest Deluxe Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 360 Deluxe Studios will sleep up to five guests each and have the ability to connect to another Deluxe Studio, the first time this has been done at a Disney Vacation Club Resort. Similar to Disney Cruise Line ships and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the rooms will each have a bathroom separated into two areas, one with a shower and sink and the other with a sink and tub/shower. Plus, they also will have kitchenettes and enhanced storage space for convenience and comfort.

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Inside the rooms at the Polynesian villas

The first phase of the Polynesian Villas and Bunglaows will open in early 2015.

6/24/14 Walt Disney World Photo Report (Polynesian Resort, Magic Kingdom, & Animal Kingdom)

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

WDWNT Reporters Joe Hogarty and John Corigliano visited Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s animal kingdom over the last few days and have plenty of exciting pictures to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Concept art for the changes at the Polynesian are decorating the walls that cover up the work in the lobby

The entrance to what will be the Disney Vacation Club wing

TRADER SAM’S!!!

Another look at the DVC building

The new look lobby in the Great Ceremonial House

Captain Cook’s new look

Seating area by the outside pool bar

More Trader Sam’s

Captain Cook’s is still closed

Work outside the arrival area at the Great Ceremonial House

A look at the bungalows

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, Anna and Elsa now meet on one side of Fairytale Hall alone, they are also no longer posing with each other

Plenty of Frozen merchandise inside Sir Mickey’s

If you’re afraid of your children going deaf from loud music, buy these

This store really needs a name change… Sir Mickey’s has nothing but female character merchandise

A long line to buy Frozen merchandise…

The Astro Orbiter and the TTA are both closed for refurbishment

The entire Astro Orbiter has been dismantled

Work continues on the massive hub overhaul at the Magic Kingdom

The Gaston fountain is starting to look a little funky… not sure if they’ll leave it for the more realistic look

Aurora now greeting guests next door to City Hall

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Moving over to Animal Kingdom, there are walls up all over the park

The KODAK sign is still up…

Walls near Flame Tree Barbecue

The gate along the path from Asia to Africa, has been demolished…

Maybe a new pathway?

Walls up on Discovery Island

Walls up in Africa where the new pathway should lead

The construction area for the path goes very close to the Wildlife Express Train tracks

The path would go around Tamu Tamu Refreshments and the adjacent seating area

Thanks for the report John and Joe!

Disney Vacation Club Introduces “Membership Magic”

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

magic_logo_blueWhether you’re new to the Member family or have been hearing “welcome home” for as long as you can remember, you help make the Disney Vacation Club community a special place to work and play. To help express our appreciation for the magic you bring to our neighborhood year after memorable year, Disney Vacation Club is rolling out “Membership Magic,” an unprecedented array of Membership enhancements, exclusive experiences and special offers.

 

Membership Magic news will appear in a variety of Member resources in the months and years ahead – from Disney Files Magazine to emails to some of your favorite social-media outlets. This newly enhanced home page here at DVCMember.com will be your one-stop-shop for all the latest developments. Visit often to stay up-to-date on new Membership Magic offerings, to be among the first to discover new DVCMember.com features and capabilities, to gain inspiration for your next dream vacation and to participate in conversations with your Disney neighbors.

An array of new member-exclusive offers and experiences will be available to book beginning February 6, 2014 through Member Services.  These offers and experiences are only available to Disney Vacation Club members.  More detailed information is available at DVCMember.com.

Some of the highlights include:

Member Night at Splitsville Luxury Lanes

We created this special Member event at a premiere bowling alley to give you more fun playing this classic game. After all, bowling in an exclusive setting can contribute to having a better game—and maybe even a higher score! This event is exclusive to Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests.

Wednesday nights, starting February 12, 2014
5:00 PM ET and 7:30 PM ET
$47 for adults (plus tax)
$38 for children 9 and under (plus tax)

Fishing Tournament

Put your tackle box to the test with a family-friendly fishing competition at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Each Thursday morning, you’re invited to cast off during the all-new Disney Vacation Club largemouth bass tournament, taking place on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Fuel up as you start the day with a mouthwatering continental breakfast before cruising out and competing for the biggest catch. A number of prizes will be awarded, including honors for the largest bass and total limit catch weight—both determined by pound and ounce. A limited number of boats will be made available, each accommodating up to 4 Guests.

Thursday Mornings – Starting February 20, 2014
10:00 AM to Noon
$70 per person

Fireworks Cruise

Savor a complimentary assortment of treats each Wednesday when you book a Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise. Before departing from Disney’s Contemporary Resort, indulge your palate in lavish delicacies like champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Then, once you’ve embarked, bear witness to premium, unobstructed views of the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular fireworks, as seen from picturesque Seven Seas Lagoon. Two pontoon boats available for this experience—each one accommodating as many as 10 Guests.

Wednesday Evenings – Starting February 19, 2014
$85 per person

Culinary Magic

Recognizing that culinary adventures play a bigger role than ever in travel plans, Disney Vacation Club has joined forces with several renowned Walt Disney World Resort chefs to create a series of magical dining experiences intended solely for Members and their guests.

Set within select premier restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort, these carefully crafted, fixed-price dinners provide Members with an opportunity to enjoy a cozy occasion—featuring exquisite foods and expertly chosen wines or beers, in addition to a live presentation from a culinary specialist.

Each Culinary Magic experience has been designed to feel as intimate as possible—with attendance limited, depending on the location— and takes place on the following dates:

February 27, 2014
Location: Flying Fish
Number of Guests: 40
Hosted by: Renowned Wine Expert
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Price: $165

March 13, 2014
Location: Cítricos
Number of Guests: 50
Hosted by: Renowned Wine Expert
Time: 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Price: $155

March 27, 2014
Location:Artist Point
Number of Guests: 50
Hosted by: Renowned Wine Expert
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Price: $165

Spa Nights: “Me Time”

Enjoy special Member access to Senses – A Disney Spa during select hours on Tuesday nights.

Now available at 2 Senses locations at Walt Disney World Resort—Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort—Members can indulge in even more special offers beyond the usual 15% spa treatment discount, including:
A glass of wine upon arrival
Complimentary service-enhancement upgrades—a $25 value—on any 50 or 80 minute massage and/or facial (based on availability)
A spa-product parting gift

Each of these unique experiences takes place from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and rotates weekly between the 2 Senses locations.

Pick from the following facial and massage enhancements for your “Me Time” experience—each a $25 value!

Facial Enhancements

•Bright Eyes – Reduce fine lines, relieve puffy and stressed eyes, and target dark circles and signs of fatigue as you re-energize the eye area.
•Hydrating Lip Treatment – Gently erase dryness and fine lines during a hydrating and plumping experience sure to leave your lips looking voluptuous and youthful.
•Hand Brightener – Turn back the hands of time with this lightening, brightening hand treatment as you naturally say goodbye to hyper pigmentation and darks spots.
•Facial Boost – Customize your facial for specific areas of concern with one of 4 Facial Boosters, including: Firming Booster (eases the signs of aging), Anti-Blemish Booster (eases the signs of acne), Anti-Redness Booster (especially for Rosacea) and Lightening Booster (lightens pigmentation).

Massage Enhancements

•Firming Leg Treatment – Relieve tired, aching legs with this immunity-boosting leg treatment and dance the night away.
•Aromatherapy Oil Upgrade – Enhance your overall wellbeing and mood with the addition of essential oils to your favorite massage.
•Eco Fin Hand Treatment – Soothe and soften hands with this eco-friendly alternative to traditional paraffin.
•Warm Moroccan Oil Scalp Treatment – Imagine warm Moroccan oil’s nutrient-rich, antioxidant-infused formulas kneaded into your scalp during your favorite massage.

Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass Special Offer

Enhance your vacation experiences at Walt Disney World Resort and enjoy limited time savings on Walt Disney World Premium Annual passes. Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of this special offer February 6 through April 30, 2014.

Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass: For a limited time, Disney Vacation Club Members can pay just $484, saving $245 off the regular price on their Premium Annual Pass.

Disney Premier Passport Special Offer

Discover vacation magic at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California with Membership Magic savings.

For the first time, Disney Vacation Club Members can pay a discounted rate of $849, saving $130 off the regular price on their Disney Premier Passport.

Save on Disneyland Resort Deluxe Annual Passports

Discover limited time savings on Disneyland Resort Deluxe Annual Passports for Disney Vacation Club Members at The Happiest Place on Earth. Enjoy an enhanced vacation experience at Disneyland Resort when you take advantage of this special offer available February 6 through April 30, 2014.

Disneyland Resort Deluxe Annual Passports: For the first time, Disney Vacation Club Members can pay a discounted rate of $429, saving $70 off the regular price on their Deluxe Annual Passport.

 

Dirk Wallen’s 1/19/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on the Disney Springs parking structure

Since this photo was taken, the new confer service location at House of Blues opened

It’s called The Smokehouse

Here is the menu

The West Side Starbucks under construction

A look at what will be The Landing

Paradise 37 will remain open through all of the construction

No visible progress on Pleasure Island

Walls up in the Marketplace

The Starbucks under construction in the Marketplace

Captain Jack’s and the marina has been reduced to some poles in the water

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Min and Bill’s is now serving turkey legs and pork shanks

The Glow with the Show window at Villains in Vogue has vanished behind this old Fantasmic display

Over at Animal Kingdom, the stroller parking area at the Wildlife Express Train in Africa is behind walls

Work continues on the new DVC wing of the Polynesian

We spotted out first Nikon Picture Spot in Fantasyland

FASTPASS machines are now being uninstalled at the Magic Kingdom as they are now only using FastPass+

Peter Pan FASTPASS covered up

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train appears to be nearing completion, and trains are now testing on the track daily! Here’s video of a train running:

Dirk Wallen’s 1/13/14 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday and took a few newsworthy photos to share with us while he was there:

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City Hall remains open while some work is done to the pavement outside

While Casey’s is closed, the seating area is undergoing major changes as well

This outdoor patio on Cosmic Ray’s is being enclosed after 42 years…

Work continues on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

It seems that the Seven Dwarfs Mine store may have finally closed

Snow White recently got a new dress at the parks

Work continues on the Disney Vacation Club wing at the Polynesian

Busses were running from the Magic Kingdom to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, not a regular occurrence

Joe Hogarty’s 11/4/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 4, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Monday and has a number of newsworthy items to share with us from his trip, so let’s take a look:

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Triton’s Treasures is no longer a thing, these space originally meant for a shop will now be a Disney Vacation Club kiosk

As much as I hate to say it, the sign is beautiful

There is a squid weathervane on the building

We believe this to be a reference to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction

Work continues on Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train as we approach 2014

We can now see a small building rising near the track

We expect this to be the queue

We believe this to be the entrance

Looking good!

Frozen merchandise can now be found in the Emporium

Some of it is the same you can find at the Disney Store

Moving over to Epcot, Spaceship Earth is awfully dirty

Hopefully there is some way to get up there and clean it

Plenty of Christmas merchandise out in the parks already

Happy holidays!

Disney Vacation Club Wing Announced for Disney’s Polynesian Resort

WDWNT on October 29, 2013

LOGO_Polynesian_ResortToday, Disney Vacation Club announced that its planned next location will be at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, located on Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort. When this resort is completed, Disney Vacation Club will have destinations at all three resorts on the monorail system, allowing easy access to Magic Kingdom Park.

The planned development project at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, when completed, will join Disney Vacation Club’s 12 other properties, including The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, scheduled to open Oct. 23. Construction on the Polynesian project began this month, and completion is estimated to be in 2015. In addition to the Disney Vacation Club project, other guest areas within Disney’s Polynesian Resort will undergo refurbishment. More information and project details will be shared at a later date.

Disney Vacation Club debuted in October 1991 with a flexible, vacation point-based model rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club is approaching a total of 200,000 member families from all 50 states and approximately 100 countries who have discovered the joys of membership.

Disney Vacation Club members are able to choose from among a variety of vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or at more than 500 other destinations around the world, and when they purchase directly from Disney, members also can take trips on one of the Disney Cruise Line ships or guided vacations with Adventures by Disney. Additionally, vacations at a Disney Vacation Club Resort can last from one night to several weeks.

Mary Poppins Penguin Fountain To Grace The Villas at the Grand Floridian

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

When guests enter the Grand Atrium Lobby of the Villas at the Grand Floridian, not only will they find two 45-foot-long gold chandeliers, but they will also find this charming fountain:

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Made of bronze, guests will find seven penguins from Mary Poppins in playful poses in this lobby feature

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Here is an artist crafting the penguins for the fountain

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The penguins during the casting process

So, what do you think of this accent for the lobby of the Villas at the Grand Floridian?

PHOTOS: Inside Model Rooms of “The Villas at the Grand Floridian”

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Earlier today, I was lucky enough to get a tour of the model villas for “The Villas at the Grand Floridian” which will be opening in October. Here are photos I took of the deluxe studio and one-bedroom villa model rooms:

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The hallway

Artwork in the hallway

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First we will look at the studio

I’m not surprised to see Mary Poppins in the room, but The Happiest Millionaire? A really cool obscure reference!

The pull-out bed has Dumbo artwork behind it

The kitchen

The bathroom

Yes, there is a TV in the mirror…

Now on to the one-bedroom villa

Notice the Duffy in the girl’s basket in the picture on the right…

Mary Poppins lyrics adorn the back of the fold-out bed in this room

The kitchen is pretty awesome

The kitchen table

The master bedroom

Cute Mary Poppins artwork

The bathroom in the master bedroom

Hard to see, but the shower is huge! You could fit a lot of people in there…

Bathtub

Walk-in closet

The fold-out bed is in this unit

While I felt like the studio was nothing special, I felt the one-bedroom villa was just about the nicest Disney hotel room I have ever seen. While we have to wait a few more months to see the building completed, The room models have certainly wet my appetite for this new Disney Vacation Club Resort.

What do you think of these model rooms?