SUMMER 2010 Vol. 19 No. 2
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SUMMER 2010 vol. 19 no. 2 Disney Files Magazine is published by the good people at With all due respect to the tried and true, I’ve long been obsessed with all things Disney Vacation Club ® new. (Don’t worry. I’m not going to rhyme this whole column. That was Dr. Suess’ P.O. Box 10350 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 gig, and I’m not a poet. Or a doctor.) This is more than a mere tendency. It’s an outright affliction. I once bought a “NEW” rain-gutter-cleaning tool from an in-flight catalog, which would’ve come in All dates, times, events and prices handy if my house actually had rain gutters. printed herein are subject to And it’s not just a problem at 30,000 feet. Asking me to walk past a new product change without notice. (Our lawyers in the grocery store without reaching for my wallet is like asking a cat to walk past a do a happy dance when we say that.) wounded finch without giving it a little nibble. The cat won’t listen, and neither will I. There must be a support group somewhere for people like me. It doesn’t help that I work in a role that encourages this behavior. I actually get MOVING? Update your mailing address paid to write about all that’s new here in the house of mouse. Pretty indulgent gig for online at www.dvcmember.com someone in my condition. Even if I had managed to kick the habit, this edition of Disney Files Magazine would’ve pushed me off the wagon. Packed with stories about what’s new and next, this is the editorial equivalent of a casino to a compulsive MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS? gambler. Contact Member Services from We start our dangerously tempting journey on the Leeward Coast of O‘ahu, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Eastern daily at where construction crews are developing our highly anticipated new Hawaiian resort (800) 800-9800 or (407) 566-3800 (pages 2-4). Staying on the beach but switching oceans, we deliver scoop about the new additions to Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay (pages 5-6). Fax Number: (407) 938-4151 From new Member Perks (pages 9-10) and a new European playland (page 17) to new advances in Imagineering technology (page 18) and new cruise ship E-mail Member Services at: entertainment and design details (pages 19-20), we have Disney vacation destinations [email protected] covered. Of course, there’s more to Disney than vacations, so you’ll also find stories about everything from new Disney movies opening in theaters (pages 23-24) to a new Disney double-biography heading to store shelves near you (page 25). Did I mention there’s a brand new column on page 26 from our friends at Disney FamilyFun magazine? Well, now you know. I’d tell you more about the new stuff in this edition, but my hands are starting to shake and I’m breaking into a cold sweat. Somebody get my new Snuggie™! Welcome home, Ryan March Disney Files Editor The boss is joined on our cover by the adorable Isabella Chukwu of Florida, Member since 2000. Illustration by Keelan Parham Keelan by Illustration DVC-MBR-65-K FROM THE DESK OF JIM LEWIS by Jim Lewis, President, Disney Vacation Club focusing on family I’m thrilled that this edition of Disney Files Magazine they are attractive. Inviting delivers updates about our resort project in Hawai‘i. While all gardens and green spaces will of us at Disney Vacation Club® have been excited about this encourage play and stimulate destination property since those first artist renderings were imaginations. A private snorkel revealed, watching the project actually take shape is lagoon will allow explorers of extraordinary. all ages to swim among Construction progress at our site on the Leeward Coast creatures from the deep (and offer underwater of O‘ahu has Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, peek holes for those who prefer to do their exploring from Hawai‘i, on pace to open its first phase in fall 2011, and plans dry land). A float river (depicted below in this artist call for the completed resort to feature 481 two-bedroom- rendering) will transport every generation though lush equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas, along with 360 landscapes, waterfalls and tropical mists. Restaurants will use traditional hotel rooms. It promises to be spectacular and, in special effects to serve meals in creatively immersive the proud Disney tradition, cater to families with every environments, engaging the entire family in memorable detail. dining experiences. Family fun is as synonymous with Disney vacations as Even spaces typically reserved for adults will introduce castle spires and affable mice. The young having fun with the family friendly experiences. The resort’s spa, for example, young at heart is a hallmark of the Disney experience, and will feature everything from treatment suites and a lifestyle you can rest assured it’ll be a hallmark of Aulani. boutique to an exclusive teen club emphasizing health and Our partners at Walt Disney Imagineering are wellness. A bar serving cocktails to adults also will offer juice committed to developing experiences and amenities for bar hours for kids. everyone in the ‘ohana. (That’s Hawaiian for family. But you Of course, there may be one potential obstacle between probably knew that.) Adults will find relaxing retreats. Kids you and all that family time: the kids club is shaping up to be will embark on engaging adventures. And at every turn, really cool. Among the interactive features in the works is a families will discover new opportunities to enjoy the place “rainy day” movie theatre that will play movies only when it together. rains. Using a bit of Disney magic, that “rain” will fall on Expertly crafted furnishings will be as kid-friendly as command. Good luck getting the kids out of there. Artist Concept - Proposed page 2 dvcmember.com April 2010 Longtime readers of Disney Files Magazine (love you!), there’s a hidden layer of magic that will inhabit the place; are familiar with our usual whining about covering news little moments that will happen and surprises that will from exotic destinations without leaving our Florida office. unfold. There’s just something very Disney about that.” But don’t feel too sorry for us. We did, after all, enjoy a For a closer look at the plans, check out the project’s Splash Mountain® ride at lunch, which was cool. (Note to official website at www.DisneyAulani.com, and watch Human Resources: We’re kidding. Never left the office.) www.dvcmember.com to learn when Member Services will Undaunted by our travel-request denials, we managed to start booking the new resort. gather the latest news from across the Pacific to bring you up to speed on our highly anticipated resort project on the The name Hawaiian island of O‘ahu, scheduled to open its first phase in What’s in a name? Turns out, a lot. Committed to fall 2011. We won’t reveal our clever news-gathering method selecting a resort name that reflects and honors the island’s (it’s proprietary), but let’s just say it involved some sizable culture, Walt Disney Imagineers worked with local conch shells and a ridiculous amount of string. Hawaiians, who led the team to discover the word Aulani, meaning, “messenger of a chief,” “the place that speaks for The basics the great ones” or “the place that speaks with deep Located near historical sites on the western side of messages.” (The resort’s official name will be Aulani, a O‘ahu, the new destination resort is slated to feature 481 Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i. Though feel free to two-bedroom-equivalent Disney Vacation Club® villas and use the abbreviation AADRSKOH when texting your 360 traditional hotel rooms on 21 acres of oceanfront friends.) property. Sunset-facing whirlpool spas, a vibrant snorkeling “In Hawaiian culture, a name is a commitment or lagoon, a float river running through a specially created constitution, as if to say, ‘this is what we stand for,’” volcanic outcropping, a family friendly spa and multiple explained Joe, who grew up on O‘ahu. “Hawaiian words restaurants are among the planned amenities. begin to get their meaning when placed in the specific “This resort is going to deliver tremendous experiences context in which they’re used. When our group of Hawaiian on a multitude of levels,” said Joe Rohde, Senior Vice experts looked at our resort plans, which call for places that President of Creative for Walt Disney Imagineering. “On one will speak of Hawaiian culture and tradition through art, level, this is going to be everybody’s fabulous beachside architecture and visual storytelling, they believed Aulani was paradise destination. Lush gardens. A pristine beach. a perfect fit. We couldn’t agree more, and we’re honored Beautiful sunsets. It’s all of that. But everything you look at, to accept and live up to this name.” from the artwork and architecture to the furniture and While Joe came to the project lighting, will speak back to you about Hawai‘i. The more you knowing a lot about the state in explore, the more you’ll discover. Everything has a story. And which he was raised, he’s 3 learned a great deal about Hawaiian culture through this and surrounding thematic details are slated to begin taking partnership with local experts. shape in October, with a targeted completion in March 2011. “More than anything, I’ve learned the amazing degree to The resort’s exterior “skin,” stucco work, interior framing which the traditional ideas of Hawai‘i still survive in the and drywall will materialize throughout this year.