And you thought Disney was all about theme parks and television!

Disney Cruise Line announced earlier this year that their Disney Magic cruise ship will return to the West Coast for the summer of 2008 to once again offer its highly popular seven-night Mexican Riviera sailings.

Disney Cruise Line developed this special itinerary in response to overwhelmingly positive feedback about its original 2005 West Coast sailings and requests from guests who want to see the ship once again departing from the Port of Los Angeles.

“Through Disney Cruise Line, we are able to offer people a different way to vacation with Disney outside of our theme parks, and we can take our ships to various parts of the world, providing new audiences with immersive Disney experiences,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Beginning May 25, 2008, the Disney Magic is scheduled to sail 12 consecutive seven-night cruise vacations from the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, “The Disney Magic experience is unique, and it is only fitting that it return to the port of such a unique city, Los Angeles. The West Coast experience that Disney will offer exclusively out of the Port of Los Angeles will generate much business and tourism revenue that will bolster our local economy.”

The itinerary for the Mexican Riviera sailings is as follows:

2008 West Coast Itinerary

Departing May 25; June 1; June 8; June 15; June 22; June 29; July 6; July 13; July 20; July 27; Aug. 3; Aug. 10.

Sunday: Port of Los Angeles
Monday: At Sea
Tuesday: Cabo San Lucas
Wednesday: Mazatlán
Thursday: Puerto Vallarta
Friday: At Sea
Saturday: At Sea
Sunday: Port of Los Angeles

Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin said, “When we launched our first Disney Cruise Line Mexican Riviera sailings in 2005, the guest reaction to the itinerary was tremendous as we have a significant Disney Cruise Line fan base on the West Coast, and we look forward to taking the Disney Magic back to the Port of Los Angeles in 2008.”

Significant enhancements have been made to the Disney Magic since its original West Coast sailings in 2005 and today, guests can enjoy poolside movies on a 24-by-14 foot jumbo LED screen, an expanded spa and fitness center exclusively for adults and a new youth activities space designed for children ages 10-14.

Guests booking a Mexican Riviera cruise can combine the enchantment of a Disney Cruise Line vacation with the fun and excitement of Disneyland Resort by booking a two-night pre- or post-stay at one of Disney’s three Anaheim resort hotels.

In addition to the 12 Mexican Riviera cruises, Disney Cruise Line will offer two 15-night repositioning cruises through the Panama Canal. The Disney Magic will depart Port Canaveral and head west on May 10, 2008, with the return cruise to Florida scheduled for Aug. 17, 2008.

2008 Panama Canal Cruises

Departing May 10, 2008               Departing August 17, 2008

Saturday: Port Canaveral             Sunday: Port of Los Angeles

Sunday: Castaway Cay                Monday: At Sea

Monday: At Sea                          Tuesday: Cabo San Lucas

Tuesday: At Sea                         Wednesday: Puerto Vallarta

Wednesday: Aruba                      Thursday: At Sea

Thursday: At Sea                        Friday: Acapulco

Friday: Panama Canal                   Saturday: At Sea

Saturday: At Sea                        Sunday: At Sea

Sunday: At Sea                           Monday: Panama Canal

Monday: Acapulco                        Tuesday: Cartagena

Tuesday: At Sea                          Wednesday: At Sea

Wednesday: Puerto Vallarta            Thursday: Aruba

Thursday: Cabo San Lucas              Friday: At Sea

Friday: At Sea                              Saturday: At Sea

Saturday: At Sea                          Sunday: Castaway Cay

Sunday: Port of Los Angeles            Monday: Port Canaveral

Rates for the Mexican Riviera cruises start at $1,599 per person, and the Panama Canal repositioning cruises start at $1,699 per person.

Both special itineraries are available to book NOW.

A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries including three, four- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Caribbean cruise vacations that include a stay at Walt Disney World Resort are also available.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, agents can visit www.disneycruise.com or contact your favourite Disney wholesalers, including Creative Holidays and Qantas Holdidays

A Special Disney Report by The Mole

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