Disney News: Minnie Vans, Hawaiian Arts & Crafts, Disneyland MaxPass and More

Here is our round-up of some of the cool news to come from the various Disney destinations recently.

New Minnie Van Service Now Available at Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World® Resort roadways just got a little more fun, with the launch of a new transportation pilot called Minnie Van service. Announced earlier this year at D23 Expo 2017, this new transportation service is now available to guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Through a collaboration with the US’ fastest growing rideshare service, Lyft, Guests at these resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney Cast Members will then whisk you away to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort. This service accommodates up to six Guests and provides two versatile car seats so even the tiniest of passengers can travel in style!

Minnie Van service is available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (subject to change). Guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts can learn more by visiting their Bell Services desk.

More about Walt Disney World: http://www.premiercustomtravel.com/waltdisneyworld

Hawaiian Arts and Crafts at KA WA‘A, a lu‘au at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

When you arrive to the KA WA‘A lu‘au at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, you’ll be greeted by the hosts and hostesses with a special lei. You can mingle around the resort’s Halawai Lawn as live music and performers set the tone for the evening. During this time, you can also observe and participate in various traditional arts and crafts, including:

Na Pua U‘i (The Pretty Flowers): You will learn the traditional art of stringing lei (or flower garlands) together, creating your very own to adorn your neck or wrist. Or, you can present the lei as a special token of aloha to a loved one.

Pa‘i ‘Ai (Pounded Taro): After observing the traditional mashing of cooked taro into a thick paste called pa‘i ‘ai, you can join in and experience the effort it takes to make poi the traditional way.

Kapala (Printing): Intricately carved bamboo stamps called ‘ohe kapala were traditionally used to decorate and embellish fine kapa (bark cloth). You can create your own keepsake on a card using stamps inspired by traditional patterns of nature.

Kakau (Tattooing): Pick a kakau design and have a local artisan draw by hand on your arms, legs or even face! You’ll experience a contemporary take on the painstaking age-old practice of a traditional body art.

KA WA‘A lu‘au is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.

More about Aulani: http://www.premiercustomtravel.com/aulani

Disney MaxPass Now Available at Disneyland Resort

Disney MaxPass launched July 19th at Disneyland® Resort. Disney MaxPass helps Guests maximize their experience at the Resort by providing unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from the day, and by enabling the convenience of mobile FASTPASS booking and redemption times while in the Parks through the Disneyland App.

Disney MaxPass is currently being offered for an introductory price of $10 a day. Guests may purchase Disney MaxPass when they purchase their ticket, at the box office, Disney Desks at Resort Hotels or Good Neighbor Hotels, or as an add-on through the Disneyland App once they enter either theme park. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders will have the option of purchasing Disney MaxPass for the life of their current passport for $75. Signature Plus passholders will receive Disney MaxPass at no additional cost, as part of their annual passport entitlement.

Since Disney announced Disney MaxPass in January, they have added two additional Disney FASTPASS locations at Toy Story Mania and Matterhorn Bobsleds, bringing the total number of attractions to 16. Guests will continue to have the option of Disney FASTPASS service at no additional cost by obtaining a FASTPASS return time with their park admission ticket at attraction FASTPASS kiosks.

The introduction of Disney MaxPass is part of Disney’s ongoing commitment to providing Guests with opportunities to customize their experiences and make it even easier than ever to create unforgettable memories.

Guests are strongly advised to check the day’s FASTPASS ticket availability and other Park details before purchasing Disney MaxPass or using a Park ticket with Disney MaxPass as FASTPASS tickets for your preferred attractions may not be available at the time of purchase or use. FASTPASS tickets are limited and availability is not guaranteed. FASTPASS tickets may be obtained only while you are in the Parks and may not be available for entertainment through Disney MaxPass. An experience that does not have Disney FASTPASS® availability at a kiosk will not be available using Disney MaxPass. The Disney MaxPass benefit will expire at the end of the day or when the Passport it is associated with expires, as applicable. Disney MaxPass is nonrefundable, nontransferable, may not be redeemed for cash and is subject to other restrictions. Price, terms, entitlements, attractions and entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Passholders who purchase the Disney MaxPass benefit may not use the value of any separate ticket media toward the purchase price of Disney MaxPass.

Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the PhotoPass terms. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos captured during the day your Disney MaxPass is used or during the validity dates of your Passport, as applicable, must be linked to your Disney account and may be downloaded pursuant to the expiration policy. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Downloads are restricted to personal use by Disney account holder only and may not be used for a commercial purpose. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Message, data and roaming rates may apply for the Disneyland app. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

More about Disneyland: http://www.premiercustomtravel.com/disneyland

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort Expands to Disney California Adventure Park When it Returns Sept. 15-Oct. 31, 2017

Halloween Time at the Disneyland® Resort is growing with more frightful fun! This year, you can get into the spooky spirit at Disney California Adventure® Park, with all-new ghoulish delights at Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street.

Cars Land will get all gussied up with four-wheeled frights as the citizens of Radiator Springs don their Halloween costumes and decorate their homes to celebrate Haul-O-Ween. From Fillmore’s Jack-Oil Lanterns and Flo’s Spider-Car to Witchy Miss Lizzie’s shop, everybody’s doing all they can to turn Radiator Springs into Radiator Screams! Guests will experience some of their favorite Cars Land attractions in new ways as Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters transforms into Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.

On Buena Vista Street, a spell will be cast with new Halloween decor all along this stylish thoroughfare inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Oogie Boogie has risen from the shadows to take over Disney California Adventure park, and his oversized silhouette beckons guests through the main entrance as a swarm of bats encircle Carthay Circle Theatre.

At Disneyland® Park, the famous Pumpkin Festival will greet Guests as they make their way down Main Street, U.S.A., on their way to the eerily magical Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy attractions.

Also at Disneyland® Park, the popular Mickey’s Halloween Party returns! Tickets to the private Mickey’s Halloween Party, featuring special entertainment and trick-or-treating at locations throughout Disneyland Park, are on sale now. Mickey’s Halloween Party takes place on Sept. 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, Oct. 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27 and 31, 2017.

New this year for Mickey’s Halloween Party Guests, Disney California Adventure Park will be featured for the first time as part of the pre-party mix-in. Early arrivals will be able to visit both theme parks for three hours prior to the party launch in Disneyland Park. Also new this year, admission to Mickey’s Halloween Party will include complimentary Disney PhotoPass.

Mickey’s Halloween Party features special entertainment, including Disney characters – Disney villains as well as Mickey Mouse and friends — and the Cadaver Dans ghostly quartet performing on the Rivers of America. An extra special treat is the “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, a Mickey’s Halloween Party tradition presented exclusively for party guests. Also exclusive to Mickey’s Halloween Party is the “Frightfully Fun Parade,” led by The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (from the Disney animated classic “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad”).

Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets are subject to availability and are valid only for specific event dates and hours. Space is limited. Advanced purchase savings available only for select party nights and only until one day prior to applicable event date. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date. Tickets are nonrefundable and may not be resold. May not be combined with other discounts. Costumes subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive. Ages 2 and under: no ticket required. Entertainment may be cancelled due to inclement weather or otherwise. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the PhotoPass terms. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos captured during the Mickey’s Halloween Party must be linked to your Disney account and may be downloaded pursuant to the expiration policy. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Downloads are restricted to personal use by Disney account holder only and may not be used for a commercial purpose. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Oogie Boogie and Haunted Mansion Holiday are inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

More about Disneyland: http://www.premiercustomtravel.com/disneyland

New Adventures Begin at Mission: SPACE This Month at Epcot

Mission: SPACE at Epcot® has been a must-do for Guests since it opened in 2003, allowing space adventurers to become navigators, pilots, commanders or engineers on a thrilling trip to Mars.

And as it was announced at the D23 Expo, in just a few days, you will be able to enjoy new adventures at Mission: SPACE – an updated Orange Mission and a brand-new Green Mission. (Orange is the more intense training experience, while Green is less intense).

The updated Orange Mission will make an even more visually stunning trip to Mars, while the all-new Green adventure will allow Guests to blast off for an orbital adventure around planet Earth. The new missions debut later this month.

More about Walt Disney World: http://www.premiercustomtravel.com/waltdisneyworld

Castaway Cay Named Top Cruise Line Private Island

What do you love most about Disney Castaway Cay, our private island in the Bahamas? Is it the gorgeous white-sand beaches? Sliding and splashing into turquoise waters from Pelican Plunge? The peace and tranquility of Serenity Bay, our adult-exclusive beach? Or, is it exploring the natural beauty of the island pedaling bikes with family?

Well, the members of Cruise Critic have spoken and apparently love all of the above – and everything else this magical island has to offer!

For the second year in a row, Disney Castaway Cay has been named the Top Cruise Line Private Island in the annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. Also for the second year in a row, Castaway Cay was the most highly rated Caribbean island overall among reviewers, beating out all other Caribbean islands!

These awards are based exclusively on firsthand feedback from cruisers themselves, gathered from reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website over this past year.

More about Disney Cruise Line: http://www.premiercustomtravel.com/disneycruiseline