Latest news with #DisneyCruiseLine
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Disney Cruise Line's secret weapon? A world-class Toronto studio even locals don't know exists
Inside Disney Cruise Line's creative and physical hub in Canada Cruise travellers and Disney lovers are two of the most dedicated fandoms, so it's no surprise that Disney cruises continue to be some of the most popular year after year. Even as questions about the decline in travel to the U.S. loom, including possible additional hurdles to enter the country, Canada is actually the "birthplace" of one of the most crucial elements to any Disney cruise. Disney Cruise Line executives describe the business as an entertainment company, that happens to be in the cruise business, and every single show on every single ship starts in the company's Toronto rehearsal facility. Nestled away in downtown Toronto is an expansive rehearsal space, with some of the most talented artists in music, dance, acting, puppetry, production design and more. The space also has rare, but absolutely critical features, like a 30-foot ceiling so cruise performers learn how to fly for a Peter Pan show, with the help of local circus artists. And it's spacious enough so there can be a full cast of performers from five different ships at the Toronto facility rehearsing at the same time. Ultimately, Toronto might be the most important place for Disney Cruise Line. "It's very, very unique, very special," Ed Whitlow, director of Disney Cruise Lines artistic operations, said at the rehearsal facility. "Our shows have also evolved to become more innovative and advanced with the industry, so it was important to us to be able to put in a stunt facility." "But it's really important for us to do that work here. And you know, as we've referenced, this is repertory theatre, so some people are coming in to play certain roles, but in another show they may be doing rappel work in a pirate show, or they may be climbing a rope and swinging like doing the Spanish web, which is in Golden Mickey's, that's our Tarzan segment. So having that equipment here, having an incredible team of stunt trainers that work with the performers day in and day out. We have to be very strategic how we work with them, because that can be very exhausting. But, boy, it's amazing the difference and the skill that they gain, ... and walking away from this particular job, I think that's something a lot of performers really, really appreciate." As Canadian puppet specialist James R. Duncan highlighted, having a space like the Toronto facility is incredibly "unique" in the industry. With all the performers trained in the city, Duncan is in charge of all of that puppet training, making sure that all of these performers learn the art form of puppetry. The facility allows the performers to work with all the puppets that can be stored there, including Hydra puppets with 15-foot necks for the upcoming Hercules show for the Disney Destiny, setting off on its maiden voyage on Nov. 20. "It's amazing to see how much it's grown," he said. "When I started it was one room, and then we expanded the facility, and I was able to do this. And the team around me has expanded, and I've been able to have new people join the specialists." "The last big [show] I worked on was Moana, and I had the opportunity to help create a lot of the dynamic stage movement in there, and I'm just at the point now, we're at our third cast, and I'm passing on the knowledge to someone else so that they can carry the torch." So the next time you're on a Disney cruise, remember that Canada and Canadian talent is absolutely critical to its operations. And Toronto will continue to be crucial for Disney Cruise Line, set to have 13 ships by 2031.
Canberra Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Canberra Times
A flooded river rerouted my cruise ... and led to unforgettable moments
With fewer ships based in Australia for the next two years, more Aussies are flying to Singapore to take a cruise. Princess Cruises' decision to base two ships in the city has boosted the appeal, especially as the fares are often lower compared to Australian departures. Disney Cruise Line is also cheaper from Singapore than Sydney. For people in Perth and Adelaide, the airfares to Singapore can be more affordable than flights to Sydney or Brisbane, too. Most cruises from Singapore go to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia, while some itineraries venture further to Japan, China or Taiwan.
Vancouver Sun
16-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Police reveal how five-year-old fell from Disney cruise ship before father jumped in to saved her
Authorities in Florida have revealed what caused a young girl to fall from a balcony aboard a Disney cruise in late June, putting an end to online speculation about what really happened and accusations against the father. On June 29, a five-year-old fell from the fourth deck balcony of a Disney cruise ship that was travelling between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her father jumped overboard to save the girl , who reportedly cannot swim, and both were eventually rescued. In the days after the incident, speculation ran wild on social media about the events leading up to the accident, with some alleging that the girl's father placed her on a railing to take pictures, or that he was dangling her over the edge of the balcony. These accusations were put to rest with a new report on what happened from the Broward Sheriff's Office. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. According to police, as reported by the Daily Mail , the girl was sitting on the railing of the balcony when she lost her balance and fell 'backwards through a porthole' into the Atlantic Ocean. In the report, it's stated that the father did not witness the incident and was alerted by his wife that their daughter had fallen. 'After the girl's mother alerted her husband, who didn't see the incident, he jumped into the ocean to save his daughter,' the sheriff's office said. Police said that the 37-year-old swiftly jumped in the water, reached his daughter and treaded water for 20 minutes before they were both brought to safety by the ship's crew. 'The father was hospitalized,' police said. 'The family lives out of state. For the family's continued privacy, detectives are not releasing their names, where they live, or the details of the father's injury.' The Daily Mail reported that Disney Cruise Line praised the crew's quick response, saying their actions brought both guests back on board within minutes and showed the strength of the ship's safety protocols. 'We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols,' said a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
ITV News
15-07-2025
- ITV News
Police reveal how girl fell from Disney cruise ship before being saved by father
Police have revealed how a five-year-old girl who fell from a Disney Cruise ship into the sea was saved by her father. On the morning of June 29, the girl lost her balance while sitting on a railing and fell through a porthole into the ocean from the fourth deck of the ship into the water. Florida police have now clarified the girl's father was unaware of the accident until the mother alerted him. Officers said he then "jumped into the ocean to save his daughter". Footage filmed by passengers showed the moment a small boat rescued the father and daughter. Police added: "After the 37-year-old father found his daughter, he treaded water until they were rescued by a tender that was launched from the ship." Roughly 20 minutes later, they were rescued by an emergency vessel launched by the cruise liner and were taken to see medical staff and the father was later hospitalised. Broward Sheriff's Office said: "The family lives out of state. "For the family's continued privacy, detectives are not releasing their names, where they live, or the details of the father's injury." Police said an investigation into the incident continues, adding: "This family is so blessed. It's great to be able to respond to good news rather than what could have been a tragic outcome." The incident took place on the last day of the cruise, as the ship was returning from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale. Passengers talking to local media after the rescue expressed shock at how quickly the situation escalated. Passengers on board the cruise ship describe what they saw. "The ship was moving quickly, so quickly, it's crazy how quickly the people became tiny dots in the sea, and then you lost sight of them," passenger Laura Amador said. Another said it was clear how tiring the experience was for the father saying: "You could tell that he was really struggling, he'd been treading water for 15-20 minutes." Police released the statement after the speculation online that the father was taking a photo of his daughter against a railing on the fourth deck when she fell into the water. In a statement at the time of the incident, Disney praised the quick work of their crew members in a statement. "The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water," a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson said. "We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes." It is rare for passengers to fall overboard from cruise ships, and data from the Cruise Lines International Association shows the number of incidents is falling. Falling overboard is extremely dangerous, in 2019, 25 incidents were recorded, and only nine of them were rescued.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- USA Today
What to know about taking an Alaska cruise with your whole family
You're planning your next cruise vacation, but want to go somewhere other than the Caribbean. There are lots of options for families, but one cruise destination that stands out among the rest is an Alaska cruise. You've likely heard stories of the rugged wilderness, incredible landscapes, and adventurous excursions from older family and friends who've ventured to The Last Frontier for a cruise. While you may be thinking Alaska cruises are just for retirees, I'm here to tell you otherwise. Cruises to Alaska can be great family vacations, whether your kids are in elementary school or everyone in your traveling party are young adults. I recently took a family cruise (my parents and I) to Alaska with Disney Cruise Line and have fully embraced that you shouldn't wait to go on an Alaska cruise. This trip-of-a-lifetime on the Disney Wonder is filled with exciting things to do. Need more proof that Alaska cruises are great for families? Keep reading for my five reasons why you shouldn't wait until you're older to go on an Alaska cruise. NO HIDDEN FEES: The best all-inclusive cruise lines worldwide Alaska cruise port days are filled with exciting, but sometimes strenuous, excursions On my Disney cruise, each of our port days were filled with exciting port adventures. We made day-long stops in Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau. There was also a glacier viewing day where we traveled up the Endicott Arm to see the Dawes Glacier. On each of these days, we ventured off the ship and fit in as many shore excursions as possible. These exciting but sometimes strenuous excursions left all of us exhausted by the end of the day. MAKE MEMORIES: 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S. for all ages ▶ Our day in Juneau: For example, in Juneau, my family and I had a very full day that started with an early morning excursion taking flight in a helicopter to the Mendenhall glacier. After a 20-minute flight-seeing tour, the helicopter landed on the glacier. We trekked around for about an hour with a guide to learn all about glaciers. We also drank glacier water from a small stream of melted ice and wedged ourselves into a glacial crevasse for photos. Our glacier excursion ended with a short flight back to the heliport. We were then whisked away to lunch at a traditional salmon bake. Lunch refueled us before our last excursion of the day: a whale watching and wildlife quest. Lo and behold, at the end of the tour, a mother and calf started breaching right in front of our boat. Everyone was snapping photos and taking videos of this incredible display of Mother Nature. In Juneau, we were out from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Of course, glacier treks and whale watching aren't all that Juneau has to offer. There are also ziplines, dog sledding, kayaking, salmon fishing, and more excursions that offer adventurous travelers the chance to experience the Alaskan wilderness. ▶ Active adventures in other ports of call: In our other ports of call, the days were still filled with excitement, though much less strenuous, to balance out our days a little more. In Skagway, we took a three-hour train ride on the White Pass Railway. Then in Ketchikan, we explored Totem Bight National State Park and watched the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Active port adventures in these destinations include trail hiking, rafting, bike tours, off-roading in a UTV, and a zodiac wilderness quest. There's plenty for kids to do onshore and onboard on an Alaska cruise ▶ The onboard experience: On the Disney Wonder, there's plenty for kids to do onshore and onboard. Of course, there's Disney's kids' clubs, the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club. These are open for children ages three to 10. These dedicated kids' areas offer young cruisers the chance to play games, do activities, and even see Disney characters, all with other kids and under the watchful eyes of trained kids club counselors. Older tweens and teens have spaces just for them, too, with Edge and Vibe, for kids ages 11 to 14 and 14 to 17, respectively. Of course, onboard, everyone's favorite Disney characters are ready to see families. Throughout the week, I saw everyone from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Cinderella and Ariel, plus Thor and Black Panther. Character meet-and-greet times are in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. BEST TRIP EVER: 101 fresh new family vacation ideas for every age and budget Sometimes, just watching the scenery go by from the pool deck or the Deck Four promenade is a great way for kids and adults to relax. And you never know who you're going to see on the promenade. ▶ How to see characters in their Alaska outfits: If you or your kids love seeing characters, then you've likely seen pictures or videos of Mickey Mouse and the gang in their Alaska-specific outfits. Mickey dons a set of yellow overalls, and Minnie is in a fur-lined parka. On my Disney cruise, kids of all ages lined up for hours on glacier viewing day to get pictures with the characters in these outfits. I was one of those people who waited for a while, lining up to see Mickey at 7:50 a.m. He didn't start meeting until 9:00 a.m. Then I immediately went to see Minnie on the other side of the ship. By the time I saw both of them, it was 10:00 am. Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Goofy also have themed outfits. The lines to see them weren't nearly as long, especially in the afternoon when glacier excursions started departing from the ship. ▶ Great things to do with kids on shore: Out in the ports of call, parents will find there's a ton for kids to do. In Skagway, kids can complete the Junior Ranger program at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which encompasses downtown Skagway. Stop by the park's Visitor Center to pick up a Junior Ranger booklet. Then go around town completing the tasks, and turn in the book at the end of the day to get your badge. Kids who love trains will also love riding the White Pass Scenic Railway. The three-hour train ride up into the mountains and back down to Skagway. SET SAIL: 12 best family cruises and ships in the world Another fun thing for kids and adults to do on shore is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan. The high-energy show will have kids on their feet cheering for their respective team's lumberjack team to win it all. On my sailing, we saw the Disney Cruise Line-exclusive showing of the performance, which included a warm-up act with Goofy getting all of the kids out of the stands for some stretching and exercising, which was fun. Totem Bight State Historical Park is another great option for a few hours of unique educational learning about totem poles and Native Alaskans that is pleasurable for adults and kids. Consider extending your trip before or after your Alaska cruise for a land and sea vacation Summer means the kids are out of school, and you can extend your vacation a little longer. Alaska is a great destination for a land and sea vacation, where you take a cruise, then add on a day or two to explore the interior of Alaska or the embarkation port of Vancouver. While adults may have to take a few extra days off of work, you can always try to book your trip over national holidays where you may already have the day off, like Memorial Day, Labor Day, or the 4th of July, so you save a day or two of your PTO. CRUISE DEALS: Kids sail free on these 8 cruise lines My sailing on the Disney Wonder started and ended in Vancouver, Canada, so I arrived two days before the cruise to explore the city. During my time in Vancouver, my family and I enjoyed a food tour of Chinatown (one of the oldest in North America), ate seafood and drank local beers at standout restaurants (Jam Cafe at breakfast is a must-try), and saw the Vancouver Olympic torch. Vancouver is also a short two-hour drive to Whistler, where you can enjoy a gondola ride between mountains, tour the Olympic village, or even try your hand at bobsledding. Trying new activities and foods is part of the fun There's nothing better than having a new experience with your family. I can say that after taking my first helicopter ride with my parents, riding historic trains together, and learning about totem poles as a family, that doing all of these things together and making memories is part of the fun. On any cruise, but especially one to Alaska, being open to new activities is a huge part of the experience. BUDGET-FRIENDLY: 11 cheap family vacations that are super fun For us, trying new foods is also a must-do. In Alaska, the one thing we all really wanted to try was king crab legs. While everyone raves about Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau, we knew we were not going to have time in that port to go there. We also heard Woadie's South East Seafood in Skagway was a fantastic spot. So we went there and were glad we did. The king crab legs were huge, with succulent pieces of meat inside bright red shells. Additionally, anytime we saw local root beer (an Alaska staple) on a menu throughout our cruise, we had to try it. Don't give in to the temptation of over-planning your Alaska cruise One thing that stuck with me from this cruise is not to give in to the temptation of over-planning. You'll definitely want to fill your days with excursions, but with the limited port times, there's simply not enough time to truly do it all, especially if you're traveling with kids or, in my case, dads who want to read every sign at a museum. What worked best for us was to pick one or two excursions (based on how long we were in port and how long the excursions were). Then, after the excursions were done, we explored the port on our own. We often found ourselves at unique little spots, like a local brewery for fish and chips, a fry bread spot that has made the rounds on TikTok but is still worth the hype, or just enjoying going back to the ship a little early to rest and take in the view from our balcony. TEEN-FRIENDLY TRIPS: 10 best vacation ideas for families with teenagers Overplanning can also creep in on board the ship. In Ketchikan, we arrived in port later in the morning. As we were docking, characters started roaming around the outside promenade deck and the atrium area as a surprise and delight for guests (this can happen anytime, anywhere on Disney Cruise ships). My mom and I stumbled upon Donald in his lumberjack outfit and Chip 'n' Dale, all of whom were happy to take photos with us. These unplanned special moments wouldn't have been possible if I had overplanned the morning with activities and getting off the ship right when the all ashore was given. For my family, the real joy of sailing to Alaska was getting the best of the Last Frontier plus a sprinkle of Disney magic, and the latter can't be planned. Curious about Alaska cruises? Here's why you shouldn't wait to go originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
