Disney’s Pleasure Island Announces Its Last Call

Disney officials on June 27, announced the already rumored closing of Pleasure Island, the bar and nightclub complex that has been a partying part of the Walt Disney World Resort since 1999. We sorted through the details and here’s what we found out:

Disney’s Pleasure Island Closing – Here’s what’s happening:

All of the bars at Pleasure Island will give their last call on Sept. 27, 2008.

• This change comes after thousands of guests requested more family-friendly entertainment venues at the Walt Disney World Resort.
• The closing of Pleasure Island marks a “bold new vision” for the entire area that makes up Downtown Disney, including the Marketplace and Westside.
• The Pleasure Island section of Downtown Disney will shut down on Sept. 28, and remain closed for 18-24 months while more family fun outlets, mostly restaurants and shops are added to Downtown Disney.

You don’t need a Disney ticket to get in, but you do need a Pleasure Island ticket. And you can get yours at OrlandoFunTickets.com today to have a Disney drink at Pleasure Island before these famous and fabulous themed nightclubs close their doors forever.

Disney’s Pleasure Island Closing – Here’s what’s going:
All six of the bars at Pleasure Island will be permanently closed.

• BET Soundstage Club
• Mannequins Dance Palace
• 8-Trax
• Adventurers Club
• Motion
• The Comedy Warehouse

Some of the buildings will be demolished, others will be re-worked into new restaurants and shops. Pleasure Island has been the premier Disney drinking destination for almost 20 years, and now that rocking ride is coming to an end. Get in on the last few months of fun and buy a Pleasure Island ticket with your Disney tickets today.

Disney’s Pleasure Island Closing – Here’s what’s staying:
All of the shops and restaurants that make up Downtown Disney’s Marketplace and Westside will stay open, although some are getting a bit of sprucing up. A few Pleasure Island outlets will remain open:

• Curl by Sammy Duval, a surf shop
• Fuego by Sosa Cigars
• Orlando Harley-Davidson
• and some outdoor food and drink venues

Disney’s Pleasure Island Closing – Here’s what’s coming:
Quite frankly, we just don’t know yet. Disney hasn’t divulged the details about exactly what will take the place of Pleasure Island, except to say that it will expand the family-friendly atmosphere of Downtown Disney. They also said they are on a worldwide search for new restaurant and shopping ideas to fill up their newest space.

How to Have a Disney Fourth of July

Here’s what’s happening at Walt Disney World to celebrate the Fourth of July. Fireworks abound this year, along with cool concerts, new parades and special shows. Best of all, the Disney theme parks are all open late!

Disney Fourth of July - The Magic Kingdom

• Opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m.
• Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” – 9 p.m.
• “SpectroMagic” nighttime parade – 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
• Disney ticket required for admission

Disney Fourth of July at Epcot

• Future World opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m.
• World Showcase opens at 11 a.m. and closed at 10 p.m.
• Historic character appearances throughout the day at the American Pavilion
• Extra shows by the Voices of Liberty, the American Adventure musical group
• Special Fourth finale added to “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” – 10 p.m.
• Sounds Like Summer Concert Series performers: Bjorn Again, an ABBA tribute.
• Disney ticket required for admission

Disney Fourth of July at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Open 9 a.m. till 10 p.m.
• New! Block Party Bash interactive parade at 3 p.m.
• Fourth of July fireworks are at 9 p.m.
• The “Fantasmic!” show goes on at 10:30 p.m.
• Disney ticket required for admission

Disney Fourth of July at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Open 9 a.m. till 8 p.m.
• Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 4 p.m.
• Disney ticket required for admission

Disney Fourth of July at Downtown Disney

• Fourth of July fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
• No Disney ticket needed to explore the dining, entertainment and shopping at Downtown Disney!

There are a few places on Disney property, besides the Disney parks themselves, that offer a fine view of the Fourth of July fireworks at Walt Disney World. And you don’t need a Disney ticket to get in!

To see the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show from a different perspective, dine atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort at the California Grill around show time, and you’ll be served a delicious treat that is not even on the menu!

Or check out the Fourth of July celebrations going on at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from Disney’s Boardwalk. From this vantage point, you can see the fireworks from both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

The Universal Orlando Resort is Celebrating America

At the Universal Orlando Resort, there is always a celebration going on, and this year’s Fourth of July extravaganza promises to be one of the best ever. This Independence Day, there is something to celebrate all across the Universal Orlando Resort: a new lagoon show at Universal Studios Florida, extended hours at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and live entertainment along with summertime treats at Universal CityWalk.

Universal Studios Florida Blasts Off With New Lagoon Extravaganza
Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular is the latest and greatest “high-tech lagoon show” at Universal Studios Florida. The outdoor show goes off over the central lagoon at Universal Studios Florida and is projected on 360-degree “cinespheres” that are four stories tall.

For this year’s Fourth of July celebration, the Cinesphere Spectacular will include an exclusive finale filled with patriotic themes and a fabulous fireworks presentation that is sure to wow and awe the crowds. The Universal 360 show begins at 10 p.m., and a Universal ticket is required for admission to Universal Studios Florida.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure is Open Late to Celebrate
If you want to celebrate your independence with some wild rides, then head over to Universal’s Islands of Adventure to experience some of the most innovative and thrilling rides in Orlando. This year Islands of Adventure is staying open late – until 11 p.m. – to celebrate the Fourth of July in style. A Universal ticket is needed to get in to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

Universal CityWalk Marks the Fourth of July with American Fare
If you don’t have a Universal ticket but still want to celebrate the Fourth of July at the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal CityWalk is the party place to be. All of the clubs and restaurants at CityWalk will be open for the big Fourth of July bash, and there will be live music and street entertainment throughout CityWalk. For some spicy summer food favs, grab a bite at the All-American Barbecue Celebration at Universal CityWalk anytime from 5-9 p.m. on July 4.

Universal Orlando Resort Fourth of July Fireworks Changes
In the past, guests without a Universal ticket could watch Universal’s Fourth of July fireworks display from Universal CityWalk or Islands of Adventure. Due to new attraction construction going on this year, the Fourth of July fireworks will only be visible from inside Universal Studios Florida, and a Universal ticket is required for admission.

Segway Through Walt Disney World

There are many different ways to see and experience the Walt Disney World Resort. But, no matter how you plan to see the theme parks at Disney, you can see them for less when you buy your tickets here at DWTickets.com. Here at DW Tickets, we offer unbelievable deals on tickets to the Walt Disney World theme parks and other area attractions. Before you head out to the parks, head over to check out these unbeatable prices for yourself!

One of the most unique ways to experience the Walt Disney World Resort is through a personal tour. Through these countless tours, you can see behind the scenes of the parks and even learn all of the top-notch secrets behind your favorite attractions. But one of the many tours that you are probably not aware are the different segway tours that Walt Disney World offers. And in case you are not sure of what a segway is, this is a futuristic motorized vehicle that you stand on that takes you from place to place (much like a motorized scooter that you stand on, only this is an upright vehicle). The Walt Disney World Resort has been using segways for years with their management team, and now these tours are offered to let guests have some fun as well!

Segway tours are now offered at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds and at Epcot. The Fort Wilderness tour is a new one, and it allows guests to experience the wilderness along the trails of the Fort Wilderness Resort. These tours take place several times throughout the day and begin at 8:30 a.m. It is important to note however that several bus changes may be required if you are a guest at a Disney hotel, so be sure to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to make your tour (if you are late, you will be unable to attend). Also of note for all of these segway tours – helmets are mandatory for everyone (they are provided) and there is also a 250 lb. weight limit for each segway.

The segway tour at Epcot is a popular one and allows guests to experience this theme park in a whole new way. On this tour, you will visit all of the countries in the World Showcase before this section of the park opens to the public and see other parts of this futuristic theme park. Or, if you simply want to learn how to operate one of these machines, Epcot also offers one-hour instructional classroom experiences for those not yet ready to brave the outdoors in these vehicles.

Whether you are riding through the parks on a segway or seeing them like everyone else, be sure to get your tickets to all of the Walt Disney World theme parks right here at DWTickets.com!

Summer Sounds Envelop Epcot

There is always something special going on at the Walt Disney World Resort, and Epcot frequently tops the list when it comes to musical entertainment. Fresh off the fun of the International Flower & Garden Festival and its Flower Power Concert Series, Epcot is ready to rock your summer with the sensational Sounds Like Summer Concert Series.

This year’s annual summer music extravaganza features fabulous cover bands rocking and rolling to all of your music favorites, like Elton John, Bon Jovi, The Eagles and more. Best of all, Epcot’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is included with any Disney ticket for Epcot admission.

The Epcot Sounds Like Summer Concert Series will have three nightly shows beginning on June 9 through August 10. Show times are 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. at the America Gardens Theater, located in Epcot’s America Pavilion. Here’s this summer’s line-up:

June 9-15
2U, a tribute band that will get you moving, grooving, singing and swaying to all of your favorite U2 tunes.

June 16-22
Stayin’ Alive, an 80s lover’s dream come true tribute to the Bee Gees.

June 23-29
Hotel California, an authentic and satisfying salute to one of America’s favorite rock bands, The Eagles.

June 30-July 10
Bjorn Again will have you dancing the night away to all of your old ABBA favs.

July 11-20
Slippery When Wet, also known as “the ultimate Bon Jovi tribute.”

July 21-27
52nd Street brings you the best Billy Joel sound in town.

July 28-August 3
Captain Fantastic performs the best of the Queen’s favorite, Sir Elton John himself.

August 4-10
The Sounds of the Supremes bring The Supremes and their awesome sounds to life under the skies at Epcot.

A Disney ticket is required to attend any of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series shows at Epcot. For the best prices in town, get all of your Disney tickets and any other attraction tickets you need for your Orlando vacation right here and now at OrlandoFunTickets.com, the Web’s finest Disney ticket seller.

Enjoying live music and dancing with the whole family is a fabulous way to enjoy a summer evening during your Orlando vacation, so make sure that an Epcot evening is on your Disney vacation list and get those Disney tickets today!

Disney Institute

In addition to inspiring millions of guests each year to reach for their dreams, the Walt Disney Co. and its business philosophy is also one that is admired and emulated around the world. With that premise in mind, the Disney Institute was born more than 20 years ago to share the philosophies of Walt Disney and how they can be beneficial to any business in any industry across the globe. Since its inception, millions of business executives and people from virtually every industry have developed programs and changed their business models to reflect the teachings of the Walt Disney Co. and the Disney Institute.

The Disney Institute was founded on the principles from which Walt Disney built his empire – the ability to take risks coupled with his innate customer service-oriented mindset. The Disney Institute lets business people of all kinds get a firsthand look at Disney’s best practices with behind-the-scenes experiences, experiential activities and facilitated discussions with Disney leaders. Through these, you will be able to learn, live and leave with the distinct vision of how Disney executes its core strengths of leadership, loyalty, management, service and creativity on a daily basis.

Among the programs that are offered at the Disney Institute include a 90-minute presentation, a three-hour workshop, a one-day seminar, a multi-day program and a customized a program that fits exactly into what your business needs. The Disney Institute offers a variety of additional programs, from offsite programs, continuing education programs that are accredited, keynote speakers that are available for conferences and individual and group experiences for at least 20 people. Classes are held at both the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and at the Disneyland Resort in California, and accommodations at either of these resorts can be included in your Disney Institute package.

The goal of the Disney Institute is for everyone who leaves the training to have a renewed sense of focus for your business. The Disney Institute facilitators will not only teach you about how Disney works, but how those philosophies can be tied into your business to increase both productivity and the bottom line for your company while also improving employee morale and inspiration for your company’s employees and products. Clients such as AAA, AMC Theatres, Saturn, United Airlines, Duke University, McDonald’s, General Motors, IBM, Kraft, Target and many more have used the Disney Institute, so as you can see, there is no company too small or too large to benefit from the Disney corporation or the philosophies of Walt Disney himself.

If you are planning on heading down to Central Florida to visit the Disney Institute, you have just one more thing to keep in mind: DWTickets.com. Once you learn all about Disney’s teachings, you can go experience the magic that they bring to life every day in their four theme parks. And, best of all, you can see it all at a discounted price! DWTickets.com is the largest ticket store in Orlando, offering you discounted tickets to Disney, Universal, Sea World and many more area attractions. So, whether you are visiting for the Disney Institute or are just down here for a family vacation, you can get all of your entertainment at a discounted price by simply clicking here!

Best Orlando Souvenirs

When you vacation in Central Florida at one of the many theme parks in the area, you are surely going to want to take in all of the best attractions during your time in the parks. Likewise, when you leave the parks, you will likely want to take a little piece of your stay home with you to keep the memories alive, whether that be in the form of photos that you will turn into a scrapbook or memorabilia from the parks that you and your family can cherish for a lifetime. We at DWTickets.com have scoured the three major theme park destinations in Central Florida to help you decide what the best souvenirs are in Orlando and the best way to attain them – to find what they are, and how to get them, all you have to do is keep reading below!

While DWTickets.com is one of the top places on the Internet to find inside information about all of the theme parks in Central Florida, we are also famous for helping you out in another way – by providing discounted tickets to all of the top Central Florida tourist destinations! In fact, DWTickets.com is the largest ticket store in all of Orlando, providing you with deep discounts to the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World, Discovery Cove and Sea World’s new water park, Aquatica, along with other attractions and even local dinner shows! An entire vacation’s worth of fun – and discounts – are all within your reach by simply clicking here to get started now!

At the Walt Disney World Resort, the top selling and most coveted souvenir at the parks is undoubtedly Mickey Mouse ears! While you can pick these up at multiple stores in all of the parks, the best place to purchase your own set of mouse ears (along with any other Disney hat you can think of) is at The Chapeau on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom Park. The Chapeau is the only place on Disney property where you can get your name engraved for free on the back of your hat, although we do highly suggest making this purchase early in the day, as this service understandably gets backed up throughout the day and you will have to wait several hours to get yours back (and perhaps not be able to do it at all if you wait until later in the day). Alao at the Magic Kingdom Park, The Emporium located on Main Street is also another great souvenir store with loads of classic Disney merchandise such as stuffed animals, clothes and T-shirts, princess dresses, hats and more.

If you are not at the Magic Kingdom Park but would still like to get your name engraved on your Mickey ears, just bring them with you on your trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Edith & Adrian’s Head to Toe shop on Hollywood Boulevard has an array of merchandise available for personalization, and they will also engrave your Mickey ears here as well for a small fee. Once you have hit up all of the gift shops in the theme parks, you have one more spot to visit for any and everything you missed in the theme parks – the World of Disney at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. This store is one of the largest in the world, with room after room full of Disney merchandise, scrapbook materials and souvenirs. Chances are, if you can’t find it here, or at one of the other shops at the Marketplace, you won’t be able to find it anywhere at Disney!

If you are looking to take home more photos than souvenirs, you may want to think about a couple things. First, look for the Kodak picture spots at all of the theme parks, as those are the places that Disney most recommends for picture taking with your personal camera. And, you might also want to think about taking your photograph with one of the professional photographers that are littered throughout the parks. You no longer have to purchase your pictures right there at the theme parks (although each park has a store with that option), because this service now allows you to take a card with you that each photographer who takes a picture of you will scan. Then, once you get home from your vacation, you can go to the web site on the back of the card to look at your pictures and order them directly online! These are perfect additions to the Disney photo album or Disney scrapbook from your vacation.

The Walt Disney World Resort isn’t the only place to grab your vacation souvenirs, however. The Universal Orlando Resort is known for having specialty merchandise shops, meaning that each shop has its own theme rather than generic Universal apparel and gifts. But, your best bet for finding the best souvenirs from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are in the Universal Studios Store and Islands of Adventure Trading Store, respectively, as both of these offer the best merchandise from all over the parks.

Sea World also has a plethora of shops to choose from as well, beginning with The Waterfront, a five acre dining and shopping area with stores featuring souvenirs from all over the world. But, if you are after a classic Sea World souvenir, there is only one place for you to visit – Shamu’s Emporium. One of the largest in the entire park, this store is devoted to Sea World’s biggest attraction, Shamu, with a wide range of merchandise available, including T-shirts to toys and even plush Shamus to take home with you!

Toy Story Mania! Breaks Out at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Buzz Lightyear recently blasted “to infinity and beyond” from the Kennedy Space Center on the Space Shuttle Discovery. Back here on earth, the long-awaited opening of Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is what everybody is buzzing about.

Just as Buzz launched into his outer space vacation, Woody and the rest of his “Toy Story” friends were welcoming the first official guests onto the newest addition to the attraction landscape at the Walt Disney World Resort, Toy Story Mania! Disney held the grand premiere of the latest interactive amusement to hit Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 31.

Toy Story Mania! transports Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests to the world of Andy’s latest birthday present, the “Midway Games Play Set.”

A life-sized, carnival barking Mr. Potato Head welcomes riders into Toy Story Mania! and beckons one and all to don their 3-D glasses and “step right up” to the immersive 4-D attraction. Through high-tech Audio-Animatronics, Mr. Potato Head can have two-way chats with adventurers preparing to board their carnival tram vehicles and rocket down the midway firing away with their innovative spring-action shooters.

Riders sitting side-by-side are faced with 3-D animated targets just waiting to be pummeled upon in midway style game booths:

• “Pie Throw Practice” gives you a chance to get used to your spring-action shooter by tossing a virtual pie at your targets.
• Next it’s virtual egg tossing with Hamm in the “Hamm & Eggs” game booth, where the 3-D targets are barnyard characters.
• In “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop” you aim your virtual dart shooter at a scenic setting of balloon sheep, trees and more. Warning: Beware the popped water balloon!
• In true midway style, the “Green Army Men Shoot Camp” game has you shooting virtual baseballs at animated plates.
• Enjoy a game of classic ring-toss at “Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Tossers,” where you fire on those Little Green Aliens.
• “Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery” is the grand finale, and you will be fired up by the Wild West theme. But be prepared for “Woody’s Bonus Roundup.” The super finale calls for some super-fast spring-action shooting at one super target. And the shots will be totaled when its all over so you can see how you rate compared to other top scorers.

A Disney ticket is required for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a chance to be one of the first Disney guests to ride Toy Story Mania!, so get your Disney ticket today and join Woody on his friends for some carnival fun!