Celebrate Fall and Winter Holidays on Disney Wonder Cruises from California and Texas

Earlier this summer, right at the start of our Alaska season, I shared with you a few tips on how to relax and unwind aboard a Disney cruise to Alaska. Now as we prepare to say "see ya real soon" to America's Last Frontier during our final Alaska sailing of the year next week, I'm excited to tell you a little about all the fun we have to look forward to in the months ahead!

Beginning in September, the Disney Wonder is heading back to San Diego, California, and Galveston, Texas, for a limited time each, and guests sailing from these two ports will enjoy special holiday celebrations in addition to sun-soaked beaches, onboard relaxation and all the magic that makes a Disney cruise vacation so "Wonder"-ful! Keep reading to find out more…

Fun in the Sun from San Diego
In September and October, the Disney Wonder will sail to Baja and the Mexican Riviera from beautiful San Diego. Baja sailings visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, while Mexican Riviera cruises feature stops at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas. All of these destinations offer stunning beaches and exhilarating water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking.

During this time, all Disney ships will undergo ghoulish makeovers for Halloween on the High Seas, and the Disney Wonder is no exception! If you're planning to join us for one of these voyages, get ready for spooky parties, lively entertainment, elaborate décor and tons of tasty treats. Oh, and don't forget your costumes!

And for the ultimate Disney land-and-sea experience, guests can pair a cruise from San Diego with an Adventures by Disney Short Escape to Disneyland and Southern California. This guided group vacation provides a behind-the-scenes look at places where Disney magic is made, including private tours of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, VIP experiences at Disneyland Resort and an exclusive visit to Walt Disney's Disneyland apartment!

Tropical Holiday Celebrations from Galveston
In November and December, the Disney Wonder will return to Galveston for a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries. Caribbean cruises include stops at iconic tropical destinations like Cozumel, Mexico, and the islands of Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Bahamian sailings stop at Nassau, Bahamas, and Key West, Florida, and every one of these voyages includes a day at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay!

As part of our fleetwide Very Merrytime Cruises celebrations, most sailings from Galveston will feature fun-filled winter holiday events, themed parties, family activities, stem-to-stern decorations and more! Even Castaway Cay is all decked out for the holidays during these extra-special sailings. Here's another tip: If you're coming onboard during the winter holiday season, make sure to have your list for Santa ready… he'll be here too!

See what I mean? With incredible home ports, dazzling destinations and fun holiday festivities added to all our signature Disney Cruise Line entertainment, dining and relaxation, our guests are in for a real treat this fall and winter. So… who's ready for a magical vacation aboard the Disney Wonder? We can't wait to see you!

Sneak Peek: What to Discover at The Tropical Hideaway in Disneyland Park

Earlier this year, we announced that guests will soon discover a new area of Adventureland at Disneyland park called The Tropical Hideaway. Today, we have a bit more to share with all you curious explorers!

This new spot will serve as an exotic marketplace for discovering extraordinary eats from all corners of the world. A variety of unique food and beverage items will be available for adventurous palates of all types!

With its proximity to the Jungle Cruise, you never know what appetizing goods will be available in the trader's market! Imagine tempting your taste buds with one of the many market eats, such as a warm steamed bao bun. These unique bao buns will come in three different types – Spiced Vegetable Bao, Kaffir Lime Chicken Bao, and Bulgogi Beef Bao. You can also try a delicious chilled ramen salad or grab a tropical-inspired snack. And for a sweet treat, you can try Sweet Pineapple Lumpia, a spring roll filled with pineapple and sweet cream cheese!

After picking up a snack or two, choose a spot on the open-air dock, soak in the sights of the Jungle River waterfront, sit back, and listen to the musical sounds of the tropics – all while experiencing delicious new tastes! After the sun goes down, flickering torch lights will illuminate the area, transforming The Tropical Hideaway into an enchanting nighttime venue.

More surprises await you at The Tropical Hideaway, opening later this year. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details!

Spotlight: Celebrate the Songs of Disney with Play Disney Parks App

Listen up, Disney music fans! We have something you might like to see…or hear.

Since officially debuting in June at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, guests have been enjoying the all-new #PlayDisneyParks app – from interactive experiences and activities created for select attraction queues, to Disney trivia that allows the entire family to discover fun facts about their favorite theme parks. And with integrated music playlists through a connection with Apple Music*, guests are experiencing the magic from home!

We're excited to share that guests can enjoy a brand new playlist, guest curated by Disney Legend Richard Sherman! The "Disney Parks Hits" playlist features songs specially selected by Richard based on his rich experiences writing music for revered Disney Parks attractions. The playlist is now available in the app via Apple Music* – and Apple Music* subscribers can even add their favorite tracks from the playlist directly to their Apple Music* library!

"Walt Disney always knew music could deliver far more emotional impact than merely words. We teamed his unparalleled optimism with our own to fuel the creative process. We will forever be grateful for the many wonderful opportunities Walt afforded us." – Richard Sherman

The Play Disney Parks app has allowed users to celebrate the songs of Disney in a whole new way. By accessing Apple Music* from within the app, users can tap into a curated audio experience featuring official playlists inspired by beloved theme park lands, attractions and characters – and some favorite memories too.

But don't just take our word for it – check out the new "Disney Parks Hits" playlist below!

The Play Disney Parks app features more than 30 unique playlists that celebrate the history and heritage of Disney Parks. From beloved classics featured in the Main Street, U.S.A. and Happily Ever After playlists, to newer favorites in the Frozen Ever After and Pixar playlists – there is sure to be something for every Disney fan to enjoy.

Apple Music subscribers will be able to add favorite Disney playlists direct to their Apple Music library, allowing them to live and re-live the musical magic of Disney parks at home. New users can sign up for a free three-month trial from within the app and enjoy full-length versions of their favorite Disney songs.

This is only the beginning for the Play Disney Parks app, with even more experiences and musical journeys set to debut in the coming months. To receive the latest updates, follow these pages for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

So tell us – which track are you most excited to take home with you via the Play Disney Parks app?

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you're under 18, get your parents' permission first. Some features require separate theme park admission.

*Some features require Apple Music subscription and are only available on iOS devices. Separate terms and conditions apply.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.