Where does one even begin when wanting to send in that magical application to the Happiest Place on Earth? If you are in college currently, you have a key to the Kingdom. That is how I began my journey of working for the Mouse and with a little bit of faith, trust and pixie dust, it’s a sure way you can also enjoy the journey.

The Disney College Program has been around since 1981 and has been a fabulous offering to help college students get their foot into the magic. It’s fairly simple to apply. If you are looking to Walt Disney World as your destination of choice for career, you can check out www.wdwcollegeprogram.com. The website is filled with great information and the choice to apply for the program. You must attend either an online or on campus location (does not have to be your current college campus) seminar. I personally say attend a local campus one if you can for that full experience. I attended one and quickly found myself immersed in what was about to happen.

When you do attend this seminar and interview with the campus recruiter, be honest and yourself. I know, everyone says that in interviews but truly be magical. I remember telling the campus recruiter that, “those glass slippers were mine” as to why I wanted to work for Disney. Well … it worked; I was hired on the spot! Being open to being that who you truly are really works when wanting to work for Disney no matter if you’re interviewing at the College Program or the company itself. They truly want people with a passion to create all things that make Disney and live on like Walt. There were tons of people at my interview with full suites on and briefcases and while those are wonderfully professional, Disney looks more for the blinking Mickey Ears then anything; yes I wore those too.

If you have a good standing in your college courses and are interested in the program, I say go for it. Trust me, it may seem like a lot to handle thinking of moving across country and living with roommates amongst other things, but it’s so worth the challenge. There are nights where you wonder what you were thinking and days of working where things might not have as much pixie dust as you thought, but the experience will truly change you. You will walk away from it wishing you’d never left. I know I did and still to this day sometimes go looking for that rabbit hole back to Neverland. The Disney College Program is a great way to step into the magical world of Disney and truly an open door to a future filled with wonderful things. Go for it!

Wriiten by Krystal C. (WDWBackstage) This Article Is Courtesy Of Meet The Magic

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International Disney Travellers, here is a great article by Nancy Johnson about Disneyland’s Princess Fantasy Faire.
Enjoy!

We all know the type.  They’re glamorous, charming, demanding, and you love them to pieces.  Well, they needs some training to harness that power for the good of mankind, so why not send them to someplace that understands their unique requirements.  Send them to the Princess Fantasy Faire in Disneyland and your children can learn to unlock their true Princess or Knightly potential!

Join me to see what we found when we checked out their offerings - including the Royal Coronation Ceremony- to see how this could be accomplished!

Since Zoe had a rare occasion where she actually wanted to dress as a princess for a visit to Disneyland, we thought it would be a prime opportunity to hit up all the princessy spots.  The biggest of all is the Princess Fantasy Faire, which sits just to the side, off Small World Plaza, next to the Fantasyland Train Station.  The area was once called the Fantasyland Theater and hosted some amazing productions.  Now, it serves as a central clearing house for all things princess-related, as well as hosting a quick, counter-service eatery – the Troubador Tavern.

When you arrive at the Fantasy Faire, you will find a schedule of activities and events to be found in the theater area.

Several of your favorite Disney Princesses can be visited throughout the day at the Royal Walk.  If you want to visit them and your little one has their heart set on meeting a specific princess, it is important to note that their presence cannot be guaranteed and you should prepare children for that fact. For instance, when the Storytelling or the Royal Coronation Ceremony happens, the princesses that participate will be away from the walk.  Other Princesses come to take their places, so there is always a good selection.  The princesses that will appear at various times on the Royal Walk are Cinderella, Mulan, Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White, Belle, Tiana, and even Princess Minnie.

Another thing to prepare for is the length of the line for the Royal Walk.  Due to its popularity, the wait time is often 30-45 minutes long during normal times and longer in peak season.  During your wait, the Princesses may exchange places due to their other obligations, so the group that was greeting guests when you joined the line will probably not be the same as the ones you end up meeting.  The Royal Walk is designed so that you cannot see the Princesses until you are invited into the walk, so you won’t know who is inside until you ask the host at the entrance.

If the lines are particularly long, one parent can take children over to the merchandise area for accessories and facepainting while the other waits.   There are a wide variety of facepainting designs under $15 and touch ups are free at any location in the park, so there are no worries if there are smudges or tear-stains.  Even the crankiest youngster will have smiles at the sight of the finished product.

Once you’ve had your personal visit in the Walk, descend down into the theater to take part in the Royal Coronation Ceremony.  In this interactive show, your children will get  first-hand lessons on the manners that will make them good princesses and knights.

The lesson starts with a song and dance, and is followed by taking a special pledge to be the best and most honorable person they can be.

The Princesses are introduced to their Coronation guests and they assist in the lessons.  The children are taught the proper technique to curtsy and of course, perform the proper wave.

A quick dance lesson follows and then, at the end of the ceremony, the princesses and knights put their newly found talents to good use by celebrating the May Pole dance with each of the Princesses.  It’s a bright and colorful ending to a charming show.

After the activity of the Coronation, families can relax and gather around one the Disney Princesses for Storytime.  There, they will hear that Princess tell her famous story, with the aid of a Page.   While these are the same stories that are broadcast on the Resort’s Hotel television at nighttime, there is nothing like catching them in person.  It’s a captivating way to end a very “Princess” kind of day!

Photos by N. Johnson Original Article By The Dis Unplugged Blog

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Here’s a view of the Disney Wonder sailing near the South Sawyer Glacier at Tracy Arm Fjord.

During our seven-night Alaskan itineraries this summer, Disney Cruise Line also visits Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway where guests can enjoy the splendor, history and adventure that the amazing state of Alaska has to offer.

After seeing this sampling of spectacular scenery, is visiting Alaska aboard a Disney cruise on your to-do list?

Disney Wonder Cruises Through Tracy Arm Fjord During Inaugural Alaskan Voyage by Jason Lasecki: Original Article By The Disney Parks Blog

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Memories Vacation Package with Free Dining Plan
Discount is valid for stays most nights 8/28/11 – 9/24/11.

Guests who book a Magic Your Way Package are eligible for a free Disney Dining Plan. Guests at Value Resorts are eligible for a free Quick Service Dining Plan; Guests at Moderate, Deluxe, & Deluxe Villa Resorts are eligible for a free Regular Dining Plan.

Package also includes 20-page Photopass Photo Book.

Sample Pricing: The following pricing is for select dates 8/28/11 – 9/24/11, Sunday – Thursday in a Standard Room. Sample pricing does not include tax. Rates will vary depending the resort, room type, and dates of travel.

$2,047 for a family of 4 at a Moderate Resort (2 adults, 1 junior, 1 child)
Discount Codes: The following codes can be used for obtaining these discounts by calling Disney directly, or by contacting Dreams Unlimited Travel.

For Value Resorts (Quick Service Dining Plan): QUH
For Moderate, Deluxe & Deluxe Villa Resorts (Regular Dining Plan): N23

This discount must be booked from 5/2/11 – 8/27/11. A minimum stay and base ticket purchase may be required. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. One Photopass book per package.

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Blog readers…I wrote my first Disney Parks Blog post sharing exciting details about the Disney Dream. Today, I get to share details on her sister ship – the Disney Fantasy!

With the Disney Fantasy, guests will have a full seven days to explore every nook and cranny of the ship. The Fantasy will bring to life many of the same innovative features and guest favorites from the Disney Dream, including the AquaDuck water coaster, Magical Portholes inside the staterooms and Enchanted Art throughout the ship. In addition, I want to share some new design elements and experiences that will give the Fantasy an identity all its own.

One of my favorite new highlights is “Animation Magic” at Animator’s Palate. This is a dinner show that celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to participate in a unique new way. Everyone will be a “guest animator,” as they will be invited to draw a character of their own using a simple template on their placemat. Later, these sketches will be revealed on several large screens along the walls to join in an animated sequence with beloved Disney characters. Check out this photo that illustrates some of the magic that will dazzle guests during their dining experience.

Adults – another new element aboard the Disney Fantasy is just for you…it’s a nighttime entertainment district called Europa. Guests 18 and older can escape and enjoy a collection of sophisticated bars and trendy lounges inspired by European travel. La Piazza is themed after Italian cities and their decorative outdoor plazas. Skyline is a chic bar that provides birds-eye views of stunning European city skylines that transform from day to night. O’Gill’s Pub is a rollicking Irish bar with modern day twists. Ooh La La is inspired by an elegant French boudoir adorned with velvet tufted walls. And finally, The Tube transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club via the London Underground. Here’s a sneak peek…

We also have a new surprise that will delight our younger cruisers – Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! At this very special salon, aspiring young princesses and pirates receive the full fairy tale treatment with pixie-dusted and piratical makeovers. After making their royal entrance, young princesses-to-be are greeted by their very own Fairy Godmother-in-training, who will transform them with the most magical makeovers you can imagine.

And on pirate party nights aboard the Disney Fantasy, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique becomes a buccaneer’s dream – Pirate’s League, where we can help guests of all ages prepare for a swashbuckling evening with beards and bandanas, swords and scars, earrings and eye patches and more. If you like dressing up for the occasion, you arrrr going to love this place!

This is only a small sampling of what you can look forward to on the Disney Fantasy – there’s so much more that I can’t wait to share with you. Stay tuned as we continue to unveil additional details!

Original Article form the Disney Parks Blog

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Fog has to be a photographer’s favorite condition. It tranquilizes the soul, softens reality, causes one to reflect … It makes the ordinary special, the unnoticed radiant.

Recently, walking along the World Showcase at Epcot, I had to capture a few fleeting seconds of serenity. These scenes served to start my day on a wonderful note.

Take a look at more of Gene Duncan’s shots from around Epcot in the posts below:

• Fairy Spotted at Epcot
• Beauty Everywhere at Epcot
• Faces of Germany at Epcot

Foggy Morning at Epcot by Gene Duncan: Original Article By The Disney Parks Blog

‘Destination: Disney’ Interview: Tom Staggs Talks the Disney Dream with Samantha Brown by Thomas Smith: Original Article By The Disney Parks Blog

Canadian Disney Travellers, by now you know that we love our food here at Disney Travel Canada and today we bring you essential information about our favourie meal of the day, BREAKFAST at the Disneyland Resort.

Everyone’s in a hurry to get the day going when they arrive at Disneyland Resort, but like Mom always said, breakfast is the way to jump start your morning – for staying power, fuel up!

Here are five of our favorite breakfasts. Share your favorites with us.

In Disneyland park: We like starting the day early in the theme park and getting photos with the characters checked off our to-do list. Minnie & Friends Breakfast in the Park at Plaza Inn fills us up and sends us on our way with cereals, made-to-order omelets, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, French toast, Mickey waffles, muffins, croissant, Danish and fresh fruit. And photos with Minnie and friends. Check!

But if you’re in more of a hurry to get to the attractions, grab a bite at River Belle Terrace, where the generous Mickey Mouse pancake is a favorite. Or go for the “Mark Twain” with scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon or sausage and biscuit. Carb- and protein-loaders will love the pancakes with scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. Or just eat light with a beautiful plate of fresh fruit. Or throw caution to the wind enjoy a gooey cinnamon roll. Nothing is more than $8 on the menu.

At Disney California Adventure park: If you’ve got little girls, nothing beats starting the day at Ariel’s Disney Princess Celebration. Sit indoors or out and share the “breakfast tier” with fresh fruit, cheeses and cold cuts and pastries, bagels and croissants, followed by an ample platter of scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey sausage and potatoes. All those beautiful princesses make a stop at the table for memorable photos and smiling faces.

Eat efficiently at Pacific Wharf Cafe, where your scrambled eggs and bacon come in an edible sourdough boule with a bite of fresh fruit. Or grab a portable croissant with scrambled eggs, cheddar and bacon. Of course, the most healthful is a warm bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar, honey and raisins. Nothing is more than $6.

At Paradise Pier Hotel: If you’re not in a hurry to get in the park, what’s better than breakfast with the Big Cheese? Surf’s Up! Breakfast With Mickey and Friends features made-to-order omelets, flatbreads, Mickey waffles, chocolate peanut butter banana French toast, smoothies, a parfait station, chilaquiles (one of our favorites), smoked salmon and all the fixins’ and more. It’s a satisfying meal, and Mickey Mouse and pals dance and sing and make a stop at every table.

For reservations for character dining, call Disney Dining at (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463.

Most Important Meal of the Day at Disneyland Resort by Pam Brandon: Original Article By The Disney Parks Blog

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As we have said before, planning is Essential for international Disney travellers visiting the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. As discussed previously, TouringPlans.com is our source for reliable planning tools and we are pleased to bring you a great article that they recently wrote regarding trip planning for the Disneyland Resort.
A friend of mine told me that he’s going to be down in L.A. this weekend, and decided to tack on 1-day trip to Disneyland on Sunday (to which I replied, “GREAT MOVE!”).

I wanted to give him my standard 5-hour research peptalk complete with pivot tables and Betamouse episodes he should catch up on, but I quickly realized I had only 5-minutes to impart any knowledge I could. It’s going to be his first trip since 2002, and he’s bringing his two teenage kids. Of course, I pushed a TouringPlans.com Disneyland account on him, and then sped through the following tips:

Check The Crowd Calendar

If you want to know how crowded it’s going to be, use the Disneyland Crowd Calendar. We quickly saw that he was going on a 10 out of 10 (aka CRAZY CROWDED) day in Disneyland. He couldn’t change his day of travel, but at least he would be mentally prepared for the crushing hordes.

Looking At The Wait Times

We next quickly found our way to the Disneyland wait time forecasts for that day, which is a great way to manage expectations. He was bummed to see that Splash Mountain and Star Tours were going to be closed, but it helped give him perspective on how the crowd level ’10′ would “feel” like in the park (for more on this, see this blog post).

Figuring Out What’s New

One of his first questions was… “what’s new there?” I pointed him to a hard-to-find-but-still-froody page on the site which lists Disneyland Attraction Opening Dates (you can find this page by going to any attraction page and clicking on the Opening Date field in the right-column). Disneyland has built some really nifty attractions since 2002, and I told him about Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Saving Hours in Line

I next gave him a quick run-down on how a Disneyland Touring Plan can save him up to 4 hours in line, especially on really busy days. Thankfully, being a fellow engineer who appreciates geeky things, he didn’t express any “touring plans resistance.” Since he has two teenage kids, I recommended checking out both the Disneyland Author’s Select One-Day Plan and the Disneyland One-Day Touring Plan for Adults and seeing which made more sense for them.

Knowing the Attractions and How FASTPASS Works

Realizing that my time was quickly running out, I showed him the Disneyland Attractions page and explained that he could sort the attraction ratings by age group to see what attractions his teens might enjoy (or not enjoy), in case he wanted to modify the Touring Plan. I also gave him an introductory lesson in Disneyland FASTPASS 101 (it doesn’t cost money!).

GET THERE EARLY!

Armed with crowd forecasts, Touring Plans, and attraction information, I finally gave him the straight dope: he needs to get there early. If he can get there and line before the park opens, he’ll be enjoying a leisurely 10 a.m. Dole Whip with 10 attractions under his belt and a full wallet of FASTPASSes as the spring break crowds flood the park. I didn’t explain what a Dole Whip was or why he’d want one, but he seemed intrigued!

Original Article By touringplans.com

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