Disney Wonder will be based in Los Angeles!

Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Disney just announced plans to reposition the Disney Wonder from Port Canaveral to the West Coast in 2011!!

A two-year agreement, with a three year extension option, will be considered by the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on April 2, 2009.

The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Port Canaveral, Fla., in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

“We are looking forward to returning to the Port of Los Angeles and offering our special brand of family cruises on the West Coast,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. “Having a Disney Cruise Line ship based in this region is something families on the West Coast have wanted for a long time, and we’re pleased to bring the Disney Wonder to Southern California in 2011."

Disney Cruise Line successfully tested the West Coast market with two summer seasons of Mexican Riviera cruises in 2005 and 2008. Disney Cruise Line has not yet announced the details of its itineraries for 2011.

Known for establishing family travel in the cruise market, Disney Cruise Line continues to be a leader in the industry. The Disney Wonder was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.”

The Disney Magic Cruise Ship, which was also ranked in the top five cruise experiences in the poll, will embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Mediterranean in 2010.

With the port's proximity to the Disneyland Resort, you'll have even more magical Disney vacation choices both on land and sea!
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
They were interested in Alaska, but it now looks like that won't happen for quite a while.

As to LA getting the ship that wasn't much of a surprise.

San Diego tried to get in on the action, but Disney wants to (obviously) be close to DLR.
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
Alaska cruises would likely require some modifications to the open areas of the ship to allow for the colder climate, even in summer. It gets chilly in July and August from San Francisco on up the coasts of Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and lower coastal Alaska. The West Coast of North America is dramatically different from Florida and the Caribbean, and you would need a different type of cruise ship to allow people to enjoy a full week on the ship. Even during summer months.

That said, the SoCal and Mexico itineraries for 2011 will continue to be popular, I'm sure.

2011-12 is shaping up to be a huge time for Disneyland Resort;

2010
World of Color @ DCA
New Paradise Pier look and attractions @ DCA
250 unit DVC wing opens @ Grand Californian Hotel
55th Anniversary @ Disneyland

2011
Star Tours 2.0 @ Disneyland
Little Mermaid ride @ DCA
Buena Vista Street @ DCA
Disney Wonder @ Port of Los Angeles

2012
Cars Land @ DCA

And any other smaller stuff we don't know about yet. Big doin's!
 
Mr.EPCOT

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
shoppingnut said:
Now that they are on the west coast, I only hope that they do some trips to Alaska and not just Mexico.
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TP2000 said:
Alaska cruises would likely require some modifications to the open areas of the ship to allow for the colder climate, even in summer.
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I'd much prefer Alaskan cruises over Mexico, but as mentioned above, I think they have to consider that kind of environment when designing and building the ships. Now I suppose it is possible that they might be building one or both of the new ships with Alaska in mind, to have the Wonder do Mexico and the new one do Alaska.

Tink313 said:
This is great. Do I hear Hawaii calling?
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jt04 said:
....oh and Hawaii :)
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Disneyfalcon said:
Once the Disney Villas open in Hawaii, it'd be a great land/sea package!:)
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WDW1974 said:
Bingo!!!

DCL+DVC+ABD=$$$ ...

~'ohana~
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Apparently, Hawaii isn't likely for the Wonder, but maybe for a new ship:

Disney Goes Hawaiian, Part 2

Long story short, there is a law that states that foreign-registered cruise ships cannot operate just within American ports, they have to have at least one stop at a foreign port. Both the current ships are foreign-registered. Most cruise lines are foreign-registered because they can make more money that way. Plus, there is no cruise ship terminal or dock in the harbor where Disney's new resort will be. There's always the chance that one of the new ships will be American-registered, and thusly be able to provide cruises between Los Angeles and Hawaii without any foreign stops, but supposedly cruise lines have lost money on U.S.-flagged ships.
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
emaginear said:
So then we just need to sell Hawaii to highest foreign bidder?:lol:
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Quite a few Hawaiians want to secede from the Union as it is. The secession movement there is growing surprisingly rapidly now. If they became their own country through secession, the issue with cruise ships would be solved. Although, if Hawaii did secede, tourism would probably decline.

On my last trip I got a lecture from a Kona cab driver about how the United States has "imprisoned" Hawaii and subjected native Hawaiians to "imperialism". It's a risky thing to depend on tourism, but not make the tourists feel welcome when they get there. :eek:
 
Mr.EPCOT

Mr.EPCOT

Active Member
TP2000 said:
Quite a few Hawaiians want to secede from the Union as it is. The secession movement there is growing surprisingly rapidly now. If they became their own country through secession, the issue with cruise ships would be solved. Although, if Hawaii did secede, tourism would probably decline.

On my last trip I got a lecture from a Kona cab driver about how the United States has "imprisoned" Hawaii and subjected native Hawaiians to "imperialism". It's a risky thing to depend on tourism, but not make the tourists feel welcome when they get there. :eek:
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I have a feeling that there's always been a percentage of the population that hasn't been happy joining the United States. And when the overall U.S. economy isn't doing so hot, of course that group will be more vocal about it.
 

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