And the mysterious little people of the islands, the Menehune, have left a very special water play area for younger children. According to island tradition, the Menehune are master builders, capable of mighty feats of construction overnight. They are shy, however, and to avoid discovery, they sometimes have to leave their work unfinished.

One such work is Menehune Bridge, the children’s interactive water play area at Aulani. Menehune Bridge features three slides, interactive water elements and a climbing play structure. For some young Aulani guests, it will serve as an introduction to the Menehune, who can also be discovered hidden throughout the Resort.

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, will welcome its first guests on August 29, 2011. Upon its completion, the Resort will feature 359 traditional hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas in two towers, an 18,000-square-foot spa, two restaurants, a kids’ club, a wedding lawn, a conference center and the themed pool areas, including not only Menehune Bridge but an adult pool, tube slides into Waikolohe Stream, sunset-facing hot tubs and a snorkel lagoon.

We at Disluxe Travel are excited about the grand opening of Aulani. For more information or to get prices on DIsney’s new deluxe Hawaiian resort Aulani, please request a no obligation price quote.

One of the coolest things Disneyland has done with their resorts, the new Disneyland Hotel monorail pool is scheduled to open Sunday, May 29, 2011. Classic Disneyland block signage will combine with replica Monorail trains to create an experience that is both fun and nostalgic.

Also coming to the Disneyland Hotel pool area will be a new D-Ticket themed pool. Guests will have fun finding the subtle D-Tickets in the pool, which are reminiscent of the ticket books that were used in the early days of Disneyland. This will be followed in late 2011 by an E-Ticket themed pool, in the area which previously featured the Never Land pool (which will be closed next week).

The new pool space will also include Mickey and Minnie themed spas located at opposite ends of the pool area. Also, when the pool area is completed, six new cabanas will be available, featuring flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, safes, phones and ceiling fans.

Of course, these are just some of the changes happening at the Disneyland Hotel. Check out the video below to find out more from Tony Bruno, Vice President, Resorts & Downtown Disney, about the pool area, dining locations, and of course the new Fairy Tale and Big Thunder suites, which recently joined the Mickey Mouse Penthouse and Pirates of the Caribbean suites.

Here’s Lucia Rodriguez, Spa Director of Aulani, describing how you’ll be immersed in the magical Laniwai spa experience from the moment you enter.

As Lucia says, Laniwai will have something for everyone…a “rainbow” of experiences: 15 treatment rooms including a couples room and a flex-room for 2 or more (perfect for a family spa experience), a salon with stations for manicure, pedicure, hair and makeup, a fitness center and the only outdoor hydrotherapy circuit in Hawai‘i. For teens there is Painted Sky, a teen spa with a yogurt bar, computer access and mixology station.

We at Disluxe Travel are excited about the grand opening of Aulani. For more information or to get prices on DIsney’s new deluxe Hawaiian resort Aulani, please request a no obligation price quote.

The online show, scheduled to air May 17-21,2011, explores this highly anticipated resort and reveals special Disney Vacation Club offers available exclusively through the webcast. And just in case spectacular settings, celebrity star power and sneak peeks at a place that won’t open until August aren’t enough to pique your interest, the producers tell us viewers will get a Disney character lithograph just for watching.

The only way to see the preview is to register online in advance. To do so, visit www.dvcwebevent.com.

We at Disluxe Travel are excited about the grand opening of Aulani. For more information or to get prices on DIsney’s new deluxe Hawaiian resort Aulani, please request a no obligation price quote.

Walt Disney World is launching a new series of suites, entitled the Health and Wellness suites. Beginning this fall, guests looking for some rest and relaxation can indulge in new health and wellness suites, which will debut at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. These suites will feature bamboo flooring, 100-percent cotton linens, non-allergenic wrapped mattresses – as well as great views of Magic Kingdom Park and Bay Lake. Bathrooms on this floor also will be equipped with rainwater showers and tea tree oils.

Guests staying in these suites also can enjoy the benefit of having cardio equipment right in their room. And they’ll have daily access to seasonal and organic fresh foods at the concierge lounge, and can enjoy yoga sessions and spa treatments at the resort’s renovated wellness studio.

Look for more of these suites to be announced for other Disney deluxe resorts in the future. The suites at the deluxe resorts are not cheap. While rates have not been announced, expect these rooms to be $2,000 or more per night during most nights of the year. Once rates are released, I will update the information here.

For more information or to get a price quote on a Health and Wellness suite, please request a no obligation price quote.

Have you ever wanted to take an Adventure by Disney? Disney is currently offering a special discount on their North American Adventures for travel between June 14 and September 14, 2011. Just book an Adventure by Disney with Disluxe Travel by May 25, 2011 and you will receive $300 off of your Adventure. Remember, space is extremely limited as tours are limited to about 42 guests per date, so act quickly.

Available North American Adventures:

• Quest for the West – Wyoming
• Southwest Adventures – Arizona and Utah
• Rocky Trails and Mountie Tales – Montana and Alberta, Canada
• Southwest Adventures – Arizona and Utah
• Spirit of America – Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Virginia
• Taming the Last Frontier – Alaska

For more information about Adventures by Disney, or if you need help planning your Adventure, please request a no obligation price quote.

Around The Circle of ‘Alae ‘Ula (named for the water bird that, in Hawaiian mythology, brought fire to humans) Uncle, Aulani Resort’s Hawaiian Elder, will share stories and songs drawn from traditional Hawaiian culture. Mo‘olelo, as the experience is called, is a Hawaiian word for the storytelling tradition, and Aulani guests will be encouraged to sing along as Uncle strums on his ukulele and teaches Hawaiian lyrics to songs that support his stories.

The stories will range from tales of romance and adventure to the rascally antics of the legendary little Menehune. Sayre and the Aulani Entertainment team are developing a diverse program of activities specially tailored for various guest age groups – adults, teens and youth – as well as experiences like Mo‘olelo storytelling designed for the entire family.

We at Disluxe Travel are excited about the grand opening of Aulani. For more information or to get prices on DIsney’s new deluxe Hawaiian resort Aulani, please request a no obligation price quote.

Have you ever wanted to find out more about Adventures by Disney? Now is your chance, as AbD presents an online webcast for free. You will get an insider’s look at these guided family vacations from Adventures by Disney Vice President Josh D’Amaro. You will also hear about exciting destinations around the world from one of our knowledgeable Adventure Guides.

Following the webcast, you can book an Adventures by Disney vacation with Disluxe Travel – and take advantage of the limited-time offer available only to webcast participants. If you are interested, register now!

• April 19 – 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT
• April 19 – 11 p.m. EDT/8 p.m. PDT
• April 26 – 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT
• April 26 – 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT

Register now! In addition, you can also ask questions, some of which will be answered during the webcast!

To find out more about this special Adventures by Disney airfare credit, please submit a request for a price quote from Disluxe Travel.

For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line will set sail from three new ports in 2012 – New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas – making the Disney family cruise vacation more accessible to guests around the country. Additionally, the cruise line will offer more choices than ever before with several new itineraries planned.

“In 2012, we’re making it easier than ever for families to enjoy a Disney Cruise Line vacation by offering cruises from a variety of regional homeports,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Guests can now enjoy a magical, one-of-a-kind Disney cruise experience with the convenience of departures from their own backyard.”

2012 New York Schedule

Beginning May 25, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail a total of 20 cruises from New York – including eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and five-night cruises up the New England coast to Canada plus two-night cruises that will give a sampling of the Disney Cruise Line experience over a weekend:
The eight Bahamas cruises will include a day at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and a stop at Port Canaveral, Fla., giving guests an opportunity to visit the nearby Walt Disney World Resort. As part of this itinerary, each guest will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and roundtrip transportation between their Disney ship and the resort.

Rates for the new eight-night Bahamian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $1,240 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The nine five-night cruises up the New England coast will call at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick. In these popular Canadian ports, guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and charming shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.

Rates for the new five-night Canadian cruise itinerary departing from New York start at $715 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Three two-night cruises (June 15, July 13 and Aug. 10) out of New York are perfect for families looking for a quick getaway with a day at sea over a weekend. Rates for the new two-night cruises start at $370 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Magic 2012 – New York
Eight-Night Bahamas - 5/25, 6/2, 6/22, 6/30, 7/20, 7/28, 8/17, 8/25
Five-Night Canada - 6/10, 6/17, 7/8, 7/15, 8/5, 8/12, 9/2, 9/7, 9/12

2012 Galveston Schedule

Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.

A Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic offers families a tropical getaway with world-class entertainment and impeccable guest service found only on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Guests will enjoy three magical days at sea to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Magic and three days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters or to shop to their heart’s content in exotic marketplaces.

Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston start at $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Magic 2012 – Galveston
Seven-Night Western Caribbean - 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8

2012 Seattle Schedule

Beginning May 28, 2012, the Disney Wonder will sail a total of 14 seven-night cruises from the Port of Seattle to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia.

These cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled, family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Disney Cruise Line works closely with Alaskan tour operators to create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich history.

On their Alaskan adventure, guests may catch a glimpse of a brown bear, bald eagle or humpback whale. They can explore magnificent glaciers and fjords in Juneau. In Ketchikan, guests can fish for some of the largest wild salmon in the world and learn about local culture through hand-carved totem poles. In Skagway, Disney Cruise Line guests can traverse panoramic landscapes by railway, or pan for gold like miners from the famous Klondike gold rush.

Rates for the seven-night Alaska cruise itinerary departing from Seattle start at $917 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Disney Wonder 2012 – Seattle
Seven-Night Alaska - 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27

2012 Los Angeles Schedule

The Disney Wonder is scheduled to continue sailing seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises from the Port of Los Angeles for the majority of the year – throughout winter, spring and fall.

Rates for the seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $707 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Additionally, the Disney Wonder will sail four seven-night Pacific Coast cruises from Los Angeles (on Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7), calling on San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico.

Rates for the new seven-night Pacific Coast itinerary departing from Los Angeles start at $770 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

For the first time, the Disney Wonder will offer a special 15-night voyage to Hawaii from Los Angeles, calling on Hilo; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Nawiliwili, Kauai and Ensenada, Mexico.

Rates for the 15-night Hawaiian itinerary (departing April 29, 2012) start at $1,800 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

2012 Port Canaveral Schedule

The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral.

The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Rates for the seven-night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the Disney Fantasy start at $959 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay.

Rates for three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream start at $471 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Until she is repositioned to New York, the Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries and four- and five-night Bahamian cruises.

All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom, Government Taxes and Fees not included. Bookings for the entire 2012 schedule open April 8, 2011.

For more information or to get prices on a 2012 Disney Cruise cruise, please request a no obligation price quote.

Along the way, you may spot “hidden faces in the lava” (which is what Pu‘u Kino means in Hawaiian). Very reminiscent of the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom park.

For more information or to get prices on DIsney’s new deluxe Hawaiian resort Aulani, please request a no obligation price quote.