Your entrance into Africa is through the friendly, welcoming village of Harambe. Harambe is Swahili for “come together”. Interestingly enough, this village is a combination of a number of some of the favorite places in Africa found by Disney Imagineers whilst on a scouting trip for Animal Kingdom’s Africa. Some of these snippets include a fortress found in Zanzibar and a faux water-stained, crumbling old building and private home that were originally seen in Kenya. The thatched huts found throughout this community were constructed by thirteen Zulu craftspeople from South Africa. The quaint village area was designed to resemble an East African port that caters to tourists prior to their safari excursions (i.e. Kilimanjaro Safari). This bustling port includes a “hotel”, restaurants, an outdoor bar complete with live entertainment and the marketplace. Cast Members/villagers are dressed in colorful, authentic African costumes to add to the atmosphere.

Your Disney safari experience will take you on a journey chasing poachers as you cross the savannah dotted with 34 different species of birds and animals. Following your safari, tour the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and be entertained by the silverback gorillas.The Wildlife Express steam-powered train cuts through the savannah to Conservation Station where you’ll find an interactive center designed to educate as well as entertain. Points of interest along the train route include the buildings where the animals are kept at night so that they may be checked out medically and fed. The 1.2-mile train ride is wheelchair accessible. Assistive Listening Devices are available for guests who are hearing impaired, check with Guest Services for more information.

As per the village atmosphere of Harambe, there are a number of refreshment/dining establishments. Tusker House Restaurant offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. At Mr. Kamal’s Burger Grill, you can grab a hamburger and beverage for a quick bite. Specialty coffees and delicious baked goods are served at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Fresh fruit and juices are found at the Harambe Fruit Market. The Tamu Tamu Refreshments stand offers frozen treats and drinks. You can be entertained by live African music as you sit enjoying cocktails and munching on snacks at the “Dawa Bar”.

No village would be complete without its marketplace and shops, and the Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders” will not disappoint you. Kilimanjaro Safari souvenirs and apparel, T-shirts, hats, gourds, carvings and jewelry, are but a few of the many gifts and souvenirs offered here.

Newly imagined and now a magical reality at sea, the Disney Fantasy has come true—and is now sailing to spectacular ports of call!  The new Disney Fantasy is embarking on exciting itineraries in 2012 and 2013 — reserve your place today!

At night, the pool deck becomes spectacularly lit check it out here!

Overview
Building on the classic style of her sister ship, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy™ is the regal fourth cruise liner in the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. This 130,000-ton vessel offers:

• 14 towering decks
• 1,250 staterooms
• The capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,450 Cast and Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each day
• Total ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet

Building on the classic style of the previous ships, the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy is a majestic sailing vessel where early 20th-century design—recalling the golden age of cruising—meets state-of-the-art technology. The cruise liner is designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of Disney magic.

Year-round, you and your family are invited to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise adventure aboard the Disney Fantasy. Here, you’ll find the vast array of comforts, outstanding service and timeless beauty of a ship that’s sure to capture your heart and imagination.

“it’s a small world,” a gentle boat ride that’s fun for little ones as well as Guests of all ages, is in the Fantasyland area in Magic Kingdom theme park.

Climb aboard and glide past nearly 300 brightly costumed dolls and animals as they sing “it’s a small world” and dance on the shores of the Seven Seaways water canals that embrace this miniature globe.

Dressed in costumes that represent more than 100 nations, the dolls sing the “it’s a small world” song lyrics in 5 languages. Boundaries dissolve and continents are connected by this singular song. After all, this attraction—first designed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair—has Walt Disney’s personal touch.

The Song Heard ‘Round “it’s a small world”
The original concept for “it’s a small world” had the dolls singing the national anthem from each country they represented. A good idea in theory, but everyone singing a different tune resulted in a musical cacophony that clearly weakened the attraction’s theme of harmony.

In the mid-1960s, Walt Disney interrupted staff composers Robert and Richard Sherman’s work on the score for the upcoming Disney film, Mary Poppins, to write the single theme song for “it’s a small world.”

Robert and Richard Sherman’s first version of the “it’s a small world” song was written as a ballad. Walt requested something more cheerful, so the song was sped up and sung as a round, or roundelay.

Because of the repetition and because the Sherman Brothers used a musical technique called counterpoint, where the same chords are played over and over again but with different melodies, the song they wrote is catchy and unforgettable.

At the first presentation to Walt Disney, Robert and Richard Sherman performed “it’s a small world” song while walking through a scale model of the attraction, singing and clapping their hands. Walt was delighted.

In full spirit of international unity, “it’s a small world” song was recorded in various studios around the world. The song was sung by a church choir in London, TV performers in Mexico City, a school chorus in Rome, Italy, and by children from Tokyo, Japan and Burbank, California.

Pirates Night
Available on all Disney cruises, Pirate Night invites landlubbers to embrace the pirate life with a thrilling celebration at sea! The excitement begins with a pirate-themed dinner and continues with a buccaneer bash—starring some favorite Disney Characters—and a spectacular fireworks display.

Dinner Party
Pirate Night festivities start at dinnertime when your servers, dressed in pirate garb, greet you and your family with an, “Ahoy, matey,” and, “Arrr!” in one of the Main Dining restaurants. Once seated, unique offerings await, including:

• A special bandana—tie it on for a little pirate style
• A menu that resembles an old treasure map
• Themed dinner options

Deck Party
After dinner, venture to the pool deck for a treasure trove of Disney entertainment starring some of your favorite Disney Characters bedecked in pirate garb. Kick up your heels for a little line dancing and rock out to pirate-themed tunes.

Just as the fun is in full swing, black lighting, raucous music and skull-and-crossbones projections signal the arrival of Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and a gang of pirates—ready to take over the party. But they’re no match for Mickey and his crew.

Pirate Night Deck Party Games

Fireworks
In a breathtaking finale—complete with awe-inspiring fireworks that can’t be missed—Mickey and friends save day! They protect the ship from Captain Hook and his scurvy scalawags to ensure that it’s smooth sailing for the rest of your vacation.

This spectacular fireworks display is the only one in the world offered by a cruise line. Please note that the fireworks show is weather permitting and may be postponed or canceled due to weather conditions, including high winds.

Please check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—while onboard for specific show dates

Newly imagined and now a magical reality at sea, the Disney Fantasy has come true—and is now sailing to spectacular ports of call!  The new Disney Fantasy is embarking on exciting itineraries in 2012 and 2013 — reserve your place today!

Building on the classic style of her sister ship, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy™ is the regal fourth cruise liner in the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet.

This 130,000-ton vessel offers:

• 14 towering decks
• 1,250 staterooms
• The capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,450 Cast and Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each day
• Total ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet

Building on the classic style of the previous ships, the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy is a majestic sailing vessel where early 20th-century design—recalling the golden age of cruising—meets state-of-the-art technology. The cruise liner is designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of Disney magic.

Year-round, you and your family are invited to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise adventure aboard the Disney Fantasy. Here, you’ll find the vast array of comforts, outstanding service and timeless beauty of a ship that’s sure to capture your heart and imagination.

Check out our video of the Sailing Away Celebration!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a rollicking runaway train of a roller coaster that rushes through the gold-mining town of Tumbleweed in the Frontierland area atMagic Kingdom theme park.

A ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad provides mild but wild thrills to those aboard—from big kids and teens to adults not up for the really big thrills found on the other 2 Magic Kingdom “mountain” attractions: Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.

But this ain’t no kiddie coaster either. Climb aboard, partners, and you’ll be warned to “hang onto your hats and glasses ’cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness.”

Listen to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad wheels chug-chug, then ratchet and race across seemingly rickety tracks. Swoop around sweeping turns and tear up rolling hills that dip or drop into canyons and caverns, slip under a booming waterfall or swish through the ribs of a dinosaur skeleton. The steam whistle blows-another curve is coming up Better hold on!

And keep your eyes open, there are spectacular sights through the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad gold-mining camp and cactus-scattered desertscape. Be on a lookout for critters. A bleating billy goat guards a mountain peak. A family of opossums hangs overhead at the entrance to a cave. Bats, chickens and donkeys complete the Old Western-themed scenes.

Thar’s Gold in the Big Thunder Mine!

Or there once was, so goes the legend. Gold hounds made a mad rush to the 2.5-acre Big Thunder Mountain and settled in the town of tumbleweed. Everything was fine as cream gravy until a flash flood washed over the mountain and ruined any chances of mining more gold. But this didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Dismissing the fact the Tumbleweed saloon’s in danger of sinking, the townsfolk gather in their favorite watering hole to cash in their current riches for a raucously good time before heading for drier digs. Wait, not everyone’s here. Have you seen Cousin Ed? There he goes! Clad in his longjohns, he’s caught up in the flood and is spinning through the waters while sitting in his bathtub. Doesn’t he look surprised!

The other big surprise for the town is that the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad trains that transported the gold ore from mining sites to the town have developed a mind of their own and they’re running loose on the tracks—climb aboard!
For some added fun, take a ride in the daylight, then again under the night sky. You might catch something you didn’t see or hear with each trip you take on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Dining aboard the Disney Fantasy promises a culinary confection of fresh, expertly prepared dishes with a dash of Disney magic. Offering eclectic menus, wondrously themed restaurants and Disney’s innovative Rotational Dining where you can enjoy a different restaurant every night of your cruise, Disney Cruise Line invites you to feast on the finest dining at sea.

Animator’s Palate is a Main Dining restaurant located on Deck 3, Aft aboard the Disney Fantasy that serves dinner. Paying homage to the magic of Disney animation, Animator’s Palate includes a unique dinner show starring some of your favorite Disney characters.

Cabanas is an indoor/outdoor Casual Dining restaurant located on Deck 11, Aft on the Disney Fantasy that serves a culinary confection of fresh food favorites. At breakfast and lunch, Cabanas offers the finest in made-to-order dining; at dinnertime, the restaurant is transformed into a table-service dining room serving Main Dining delights.

Enchanted Garden on the Disney Fantasy is a Main Dining restaurant located on Deck 2, Midship that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Inspired by the opulent gardens of Versailles, Enchanted Garden magically transforms from day to night.

Palo on the Disney Fantasy is an Adult Exclusive restaurant located on Deck 12, Aft that boasts Northern Italian cuisine for dinner. Additionally, brunch is offered on select cruises. Reservations are required to dine at Palo and can be made online or upon boarding the ship.

Remy is a lavish Adult Exclusive restaurant located on Deck 12, Aft aboard the Disney Fantasy. Offering the most upscale and romantic dining experience available onboard, the restaurant serves the finest in French-inspired cuisine for dinner.

Royal Court is a Rotational Dining restaurant located on Deck 3, Midship aboard the Disney Fantasy that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Inspired by the classic Disney films Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty, the décor and atmosphere of Royal Court is especially beautiful.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club is a children’s activity center located on Deck 5, Midship on the Disney Fantasy. It is the perfect place for children 3 to 12 years of age to immerse themselves in the imaginative worlds that only Disney could create, while performing on stage, playing games and enjoying a wide variety of supervised activities.

Design
The Oceaneer Club’s central rotunda is its main gathering place and, at the same time, a portal to other “lands,” including Andy’s Room, Monster’s Academy, Pixie Hollow and Disney’s Explorer Pod. It provides a welcome environment for children, featuring twinkling constellations of Disney characters on its ceiling and sparkling pixie dust. The room’s focal point is a stage area where kids can join storytelling sessions and attend special visits by the world-famous Disney character, both in person and virtually.

The rotunda also has a 103-inch plasma screen for watching movies and for magically awesome interactions with Crush, the animated sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo, who speaks like a surfer dude. The turtle personally chats with kids during his real-time animated appearances, asking them about themselves and the human world they inhabit. It’s way cool!

Disney’s Oceaneer Club includes:

•  4 distinctly themed play areas
•  Computer banks with child-friendly computers
•  A reading area
•  Multiple televisions
•  Play structure
•  A giant TV screen

Operating times vary when we are in Port, so once you’re onboard check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—for the most accurate times.

Themed Spaces
Branching off from the central rotunda, Disney’s Oceaneer Club includes 4 themed spaces:

1. Andy’s Room – Inside this vibrantly-colored room, the world of Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story comes to life. Children feel toy-sized, because everything around them is built large scale. Throughout this space, kids can play with larger-than-life characters from the animated film, including Rex the dinosaur, Hamm the piggy bank and Mr. Potato Head. This room also features a huge Slinky Dog structure that kids can climb through.
2. Monsters Academy – This area is based on the Disney•Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc., the centerpiece being an elaborately themed play structure, where kids can immerse themselves in the world of Monstropolis. It also boasts computers with unique interactive games.
3. Pixie Hollow – Inspired by the series of Tinkerbell movies, this fun interactive space transports children to the magical world inhabited by fairies. A pixie dust tree stands in the corner of the room, with glittering lights twinkling among its leaves, and fun acorn and mushroom stools are sprinkled about for children to sit on. This endearing and tranquil environment is designed for dress-up play, individual craft projects and storytelling sessions.
4. Explorer Pod – Children can explore the Nemo Sub—a scaled version of a submarine inspired by the Disney•Pixar animated film Finding Nemo. The bright blue and yellow submarine surrounded by a seascape features virtual environments for children to discover. Onboard the blue and yellow submarine has 16 interactive computers stations for fun-filled individual or group games.

What makes Disney’s Oceaneer Club even more magical is an endless supply of toys and games, an open seating area for arts and crafts, and ongoing Disney movies. Mats for naps are also available.

Updated November 3, 2018

With the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, many guests staying at the Disney Hotels or Orlando area hotels want to spend a day at Universal Orlando Resort. Disney does not provide transportation to Universal Studios from the Disney Hotels, so how do you get from Disney to Universal Studios? There are several ways to get from the Disney Hotels and the Orlando area hotels to Universal Studios.

Tickets with Transfers Combo

Destinations in Florida Travel offers a ticket called the 1-Day/2-Park Pass or 2-Day/2-Park Pass and they include shuttle transfers from the Disney Hotels and Orlando Area Hotels. The shuttle transfers are on board Mears Transportation. It is an easy process. Once you book your ticket, you call Mears about 24 hours before you are visiting Universal Studios to schedule your pickup time. Then you are picked up outside your hotel for your day at Universal Studios.

Once you are done playing at Universal Studios, you call the same number to schedule your pickup time to head back to your Disney Hotel. In the afternoon, the shuttle runs every hour (quarter after) from 3 PM-2 AM. This means you can stay and play at CityWalk after your day at Universal Studios and then take the shuttle back to your resort.

The shuttle transfers saves you from $90 on transportation from Disney to Universal Studios. Plus, this ticket is also saving you $10 per person off the regular gates prices.  One more HUGE perk, you do not have to wait in line at the ticket windows.  You walk right up to the electronic kiosks to pick up your tickets.  This can easily save you 30 minutes!  To book your tickets, call Destinations in Florida at 877-918-8941.

Renting a Car

Another transportation option is renting a car. Disney World has an Alamo Office right in the middle of the resort at the Walt Disney World Car Care Center. You can rent a car for the day and head to Universal Studios. Be sure to take parking at Universal Studios into your budget, since this is an additional cost when renting a car. Alamo will pick you up at your Disney Resort and take you to their office. After your day, they will also take you back to your Disney Resort. So, you don’t have to worry about transportation from your Disney Hotel to the Alamo Office.  Keep in mind you will have to pay for parking at Universal Orlando Resort!

Take a Taxi

If you are not a planner, you may just want to take a taxi for your transportation. You can always catch a taxi outside your Disney Hotel or you can call 407-699-9999 to get a taxi. The price is right around $45 each way plus tip for a taxi from the Disney Hotels to Universal Studios.

These are three ways to get from the Disney World & Orlando area hotels to Universal Orlando Resort.