Hey Disney Parks Blog fans, we need your help!

As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, this summer the Disney Magic is sailing from New York City. When the ship arrives in the Big Apple later this month, we want to greet her in a big way. So we’re putting together a video with fun welcome messages for the ship and crew!

Here’s where you come in…we want you to send us your best video shout out, and if your creative greeting stands out, there’s a chance we’ll include it in our official video.

We need all video submissions by May 15 (that’s less than one week away!), so start thinking about how you can help us welcome the Disney Magic to New York City in a fun way – and upload your video here.

All we ask is that you keep it short (videos should be 30 seconds or less) and that you get creative, like the Hetmanski family from New Jersey. Here’s a screenshot of their video to help you get your creative juices flowing!

Read more Disney Cruise Line news in these posts:

• Aloha Spirit Fills the Disney Wonder
• Disney Wonder Calls on Hawai’i for the First Time
• Family Entertainment on a Disney Cruise

Tagged: DCL, Disney Magic

Filed: Disney Cruise Line

For guests sailing on the Disney Magic voyages from New York City this summer, Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Theatrical Group put together an amazing experience that I want to tell you about!

Before or after their cruise, guests are able to book a Disney-exclusive tour of the historical New Amsterdam Theatre. Disney Theatrical tour guides will share information on future productions and guests will visit areas not open to the general public, such as the props archive room…

After the tour, guests will enjoy a performance of one of two Disney Broadway hits: The Lion King or Mary Poppins!

This offer, exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, is a great way to extend a magical cruise vacation in the grand city of New York. Who will be joining us in the Big Apple this summer?

Tagged: DCL, Disney Magic

Filed: Disney Cruise Line

Today, Disney Cruise Line officially welcomes the Disney Fantasy into its fleet of ships when it will be christened in New York City. This marks the first time a Disney Cruise Line ship christening will take place outside of Port Canaveral, Fla. The Maiden Voyage for the Disney Fantasy will be March 31 from Port Canaveral.

Below is a look back at the christening ceremonies for the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder and Disney Dream.

Every cruise ship has a Godmother, and our Disney Cruise Line ships are no different. The Godmother for the Disney Magic was Patty Disney, for the Disney Wonder it was Tinker Bell, while Jennifer Hudson was the Godmother for the Disney Dream. And later today, the Godmother for the Disney Fantasy will be revealed. Any guesses?

Tagged: DCL, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Disney History

The wait is over! Today Disney Cruise Line revealed the 2013 itineraries for the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Captain Mickey Mouse sends his regards from one of the new destinations…

That’s right, the Disney Magic is headed back to Europe, and Athens, Greece, is just one of the new destinations!

All European cruises depart from Barcelona, Spain, and guests have the option of four-, seven- and 12-night sailings. In addition to a wide variety of cruise lengths, we also have some Disney Cruise Line “firsts” on tap for the 2013 European season taking place onboard our 12-night sailings. Pick your pleasure… one 12-night itinerary includes an overnight stop in Venice, Italy, and a visit to Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and the other calls on Ephesus, Turkey, the Greek Isles and Athens.

Check out these photos from some of our new European ports of call…

Now for the other big news…

Starting in December of this year, Disney Cruise Line will depart for the first time from Miami! The Disney Wonder will sail four- and five-night cruises from the Port of Miami to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.

Ports of call may include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West and Nassau, Bahamas, and many of the Caribbean voyages will include a stop at Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay.

What about Alaska?

The Disney Wonder will return to Alaska in May 2013, departing from Vancouver and sailing to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have their warm clothing ready!

Now that I’ve filled you in on the wide variety of Disney cruise options in 2013, which itinerary is at the top of your list?

Tagged: DCL, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder

Filed: Disney Cruise Line

One of the things I associate most with the holidays is food, food and more food! And I bet that’s one of the reasons why cruising during the holidays is so popular. Where better to enjoy delicious meals with your family than on a Disney ship?

But even if you aren’t able to sail this holiday season, it doesn’t mean you can’t eat like it! Impress your family by preparing Crispy Roasted Duck Breast, one of the most popular dishes served at Lumiere’s on the Disney Magic and Triton’s on the Disney Wonder. Coupled with a side of marquise potatoes, this mouthwatering dish is a favorite of mine!

Ready to make something different than turkey or ham this year? Here’s how…

Crispy Roasted Duck Breast

Serves 4

Duck
6-8 pound fresh or frozen duck
1 tablespoon olive oil

Marquise Potatoes (Potato Cakes)
4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled
4 strips bacon, finely diced
1/2 cup finely diced yellow onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 egg
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, divided
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Pomegranate Jus
1 cup beef stock
1/4 cup pomegranate syrup

For duck:

1. Preheat oven to 300° F.
2. Roast duck for 25 to 35 minutes, or until medium rare. Rest until cool enough to remove breast, thighs, and legs, keeping the skin intact.
3. Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add duck breast, skin side down, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until skin is crispy.
4. Place thighs and drumsticks, skin side up, back in oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until skin is crispy.
5. Transfer duck to cutting board and let stand 15 minutes before carving.

For marquise potatoes (potato cakes):

1. Boil potatoes until tender, drain and cool on a perforated pan. Shred the potatoes with a box grater; set aside.
2. Sauté bacon until crisp in a medium skillet. Add onions and cook until translucent.
3. Add bacon and onions to the shredded potatoes. Mix in parsley, egg, and 1 tablespoon flour. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Form into eight 3-inch cakes. Dredge the cakes lightly in remaining flour, coating both sides.
5. Heat the butter in large skillet over high heat. Cook the cakes until golden brown on both sides.

For pomegranate jus:

1. Heat beef stock in small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Pour in pomegranate syrup and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.

To serve:

1. Place 2 potato cakes on 4 entrée plates and serve with duck breast slices, thighs and drumsticks.
2. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of pomegranate jus over duck and serve remaining jus on the side.

What’s your favorite holiday dish?

Tagged: DCL, Dining, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Recipe

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Dining

Just last night, guests aboard the Disney Magic were treated to an exciting performance by one of the most well-known entertainers of the decade – Charo!

Charo’s thrilling performance of pop-oriented songs and traditional flamenco guitar, combined with her witty humor and flamboyant stage presence, deserved nothing short of the standing ovation she received.

Her performance came as a surprise to guests on the Disney Magic’s westbound transatlantic crossing as the ship heads back to Port Canaveral after the Mediterranean cruise season. Charo also surprised guests during the eastbound transatlantic crossing as the Disney Magic sailed from Port Canaveral to the Mediterranean this past May.

A Spanish-American actress, comedienne and one of the world’s best flamenco guitarists, Charo is best known for her appearances on the television show “Love Boat” and for her trademark expression “cuchi cuchi.” I guarantee you that her performance last night on the Disney Magic is one that our guests will never forget.

Tagged: DCL, Disney Magic

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disney Cruise Line

There comes a time in every family vacation when teenagers want to get some time to hang out with other teens.

On the Disney Cruise Line ships teens have access to exclusive hangouts designed specially for them. These trendy areas offer an elite getaway for them to create their own vacation agenda – whether socializing with new friends, playing the latest video games, experiencing cutting-edge technology or just chilling out.

On the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder the teen club sits in a primo location, right inside the forward funnel of the ship. The space is decorated like an upscale New York loft filled with technology gadgets and fun activities.

On the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy (premiering March 31, 2012), the teen club is located in the forward-most section of the ship. The chic space features indoor and outdoor areas filled with every must-haves for every teen.

We recently sent Andi, from the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, on a mission to bring us a report of Vibe aboard the Disney Dream. Check it out.

Tagged: DCL, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Moms Panel, Video

Filed: Disney Cruise Line