Disney Cruise Line Makes Adjustments to Itineraries Sailing From Galveston

Disney Cruise Line announced changes to the itineraries for the Disney Magic sailing out of Galveston, Texas.  While the Magic doesn’t arrive in Galveston until September 22—a month from now, DCL is making adjustments to itineraries for early 2013 sailings.

Three 8-night Western Caribbean itineraries are being replaced by six 4-night sailings that stop in Cozumel, Mexico and include 2 days at sea.  Six 8-night itineraries will visit Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay, Port Canaveral, Key West, and include 4 days at sea.  Cruise fare includes park admission and ground transportation to/from Walt Disney World during the stop at Port Canaveral.

Guests with current cruise reservations are being contacted regarding the changes by DCL and travel agents.  Reservations will open September 5, 2012, for new reservations for the revised itineraries.

While the Magic makes Galveston its home part for fall 2012 and early 2013, the Wonder will be coming to Galveston later in 2013.  Will the Wonder’s itineraries be adjusted as well?

When DCL first announced the Galveston and Miami itineraries, there was a glaring lack of inclusion of stops at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas.  We’ve sailed on itineraries that didn’t include a stop at Castaway Cay and boy, did we ever miss it!  Adding stops at Castaway Cay on the adjusted itineraries is good news.

DCL is demonstrating that they can turn a cruise ship, or at least a cruise itinerary on a dime.  Looking at market trends and anticipating guest wants/needs and making adjustments to better meet guest demands is a smart move.  Both for the Disney Cruise Line brand and the bottom line. 

While we aren’t planning on sailing out of Galveston, we are familiar with the area.  When DCL first announced Galveston as a home port, we wondered about which airport ground transfers would serve—George Bush Intercontinental in North Houston, Hobby Airport in South Houston, or the smaller airport in Galveston.  I did find out on DCL’s web-site that ground transfers are $60 per person for the Galveston sailings vs. the $70 per person for ground transfers from Orlando International to Port Canaveral.  Also, DCL is advertising pre-cruise stays near George Bush Intercontinental Airport and in Galveston.  Nothing mentioned about hotels near Houston Hobby Airport.

Guests who may be flying Southwest or Airtran, take note, as both fly into Houston Hobby rather than Houston Intercontinental.  There may be other airlines in the same boat, so to speak.

More, more, TRAINS!

What a way to combine our passions! Disney and trains! The photo above is the boy at the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT where a lovely G-gauge train layout/garden exists. We have seen the trains during the day and at night. Disney changes the scenery a bit for each season or celebration.

The following is more information about trains:
Illinois:
Galesburg has an Amtrak station with a railroad museum just north of the station. Then, just steps away is Discovery Depot, a children's museum aptly named. One of our favorites at Discovery Depot is the water room.

Texas:
Galveston hosts the Galveston Railroad Museum. There's a working hand car, railroad cars for birthday parties, and several rooms of model train layouts. Check out the snow room and the night room. The location of the museum adds to its authenticity. It is easy to make a day of Moody Gardens and the Galveston Railroad Museum. You could add a visit to Schlitterbahn Water Park located next to Moody Gardens.

Florida:
Orlando, as a frequent stop for our family, offers much for train lovers.
Train Land International is centrally located on International Drive or as locals call it "I-drive." The location of Train Land International allows for access via the I-drive Trolley--another plus for train enthusiasts. Train Land International boasts the largest indoor G-gauge layout. There's a scavenger hunt. Outside a track circles the property for rides on their trolley.

Walt Disney World Resort has many train highlights. One is the train garden/layout located in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT--pictured above. We typically visit this spot two or more times during our trips to the World.

Another is the Walt Disney World Railroad located at the Magic Kingdom. This steam locomotive circles the park making stops in Frontierland and Toontown. We have friends who have been selected twice to open the Magic Kingdom and ride in on the train to the Main Street Station with the characters. The "Good Mornin' "song is going through my head right now.

Magic Kingdom is home to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad a well themed roller coaster.

The Monorail also counts as a train. Part of the Walt Disney World Transportation system, the now 11 Monorails help transport guests from the resorts to the park and make stops at the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center). Our family has ridden in the front of the monorail on 3 different occasions.

Animal Kingdom has the Wildlife Express Train which takes riders to and from Rafiki's Planet Watch. This train is designed like a steam train in the wilds of Africa, so passengers face to the side rather than the front of the train.

Animal Kingdom is also home to Expedition Everest, a train inspired roller coaster. Have you seen the Yeti?

At Wilderness Lodge, there is a room dedicated to Walt's model trains in the Villas section of the resort.

Downtown Disney has a small track and train ride for youngsters. Located next to Pin Traders, the ride-on train makes 4-5 loops around the track per ride and is a hit with the under 10 set.

Since Disney and trains go together like peanut butter and jelly, the Walt Disney World Resort offers a special The Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour for guest 10 and older. There is a fee for this tour and special reservations are required. This tour is definitely on our wish list.