Wrapping a Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise for the Ages

Today marks the final full day of the 2016 Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise, and I'm pleased to report it's been a voyage for the ages.

Part of our Disney Vacation Club celebration of 25 years and beyond, this entertainment-filled sailing has offered something for everyone, from futurists to history buffs and from film fans to football fans. While I promised our guest presenters that I wouldn't post any spoilers, here's what I can tell you based on what our special presentations have revealed aboard the Disney Magic since we left New York last week:

• Dwayne Johnson "Rocks" (see what I did there?) as the voice of Maui in Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Moana," and newcomer Auli'i Cravalho, who voices the film's title character, is a delightful discovery.
• The breathtaking Disneynature film "Born in China" – opening in U.S. theaters next spring – only deepened my desire to hug a panda. (Not sure if that's safe.)
• Filmmaker Don Hahn and Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde could read the phone book aloud, and I'd be oddly interested. (Perhaps a show idea for a future cruise!)
• Disney Legend Bill Farmer isn't just the voice of Goofy and Pluto. He's also the sound eggs make when swallowed by Gaston. True story.
• Lucasfilm's Pablo Hidalgo knows more about Star Wars than most historians know about World Wars.
• Watching Disney artist Stacia Martin draw heroes while Disney Legend Andreas Deja draws villains is like watching a ballet of good and evil.
• "Sailgating" on a college football Saturday is even better than tailgating!
• Seeing footage of me choking up on camera as I toured Walt Disney's office was so embarrassing that I've asked my trustworthy friends at the Disney Parks Blog to NOT share that clip here. You'll tell me if they do, right?

The fun doesn't stop when we return to New York tomorrow morning, as we'll be off to Broadway for a special performance of Disney Theatrical Productions' smash-hit "Aladdin" just for Disney Vacation Club Members and their guests. While my colleagues and I may be a little bleary-eyed at this point in our voyage, there's little time for rest in the city that never sleeps!

Celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort with New Special Offers for Passholders

As we kick off the 45th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort today, I have some exciting news about our Passholder program during this anniversary year that includes new dining and merchandise discounts, and a special offer just for this celebratory year.

We know you'll want to celebrate our 45th anniversary year in a special way too, so how about with an extra month of magic? Starting tomorrow, Oct. 2, guests who are purchasing a 12-month annual pass will be able to enjoy an extra month. That's right, 13 months for the price of 12! New passes must be purchased between Oct. 2, 2016 and Jan. 3, 2017. Prices vary depending on the type of pass you select: Weekday Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Platinum Plus.

And starting today, all year in honor of our 45th, Walt Disney World passholders will receive 20 percent off the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 45 participating theme park and resort hotel restaurants. Through Sept. 30, 2017, passholders can take advantage of this special offer at restaurants like Jiko – The Cooking Place, or family dining restaurants such as Jungle Skipper Canteen, or quick service options like D-Luxe Burger. And don't worry – you have a whole year to try them all!

Another delicious passholder discount is 10 percent off food and nonalcoholic beverages at select table-service restaurants at theme parks and resort hotels.

Like shopping? Passholders will now get 20 percent off purchases at Disney owned-and-operated merchandise locations.

Learn more about all of our Walt Disney World Annual Passholder options and benefits by clicking here.

Celebrate Magic Kingdom Park’s 45th Anniversary with 45 Photos from Disney PhotoPass Service

"Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy." These words welcome you as you enter Magic Kingdom Park, a world of imagination and wonder, a place where dreams come true for all who are young at heart.

From the moment you step into the park, you begin to embark upon an immersive adventure. With six uniquely themed lands, you can conquer mountains, cruise through exotic jungle rivers, brave a ghostly mansion, set sail on a swashbuckling voyage, descend below the waves, and fly to Never Land. Or, you can simply relax and delight in your surroundings.

While many Disney characters in this whimsical world spend most of the day meeting you, I've always imagined how fun it must be for them to explore the park before guests arrive and after they depart each day. I can just picture Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse strolling around the park, Alice taking a spin on the teacups, the grim grinning ghosts coming out to socialize, and Disney villains creating mischief late in the night.

In celebration of Magic Kingdom Park's upcoming 45th Anniversary, Disney PhotoPass Service is sharing 45 PhotoPass photos of your favorite Disney characters and friends enjoying this park, just as millions have since 1971. Check out our Magic Kingdom Park 45th Anniversary photo album on Facebook.

In this place where countless magical moments happen every day, Disney PhotoPass is always there to help you capture and share them.