[Park Hopper]

The Orlando newspaper is reporting today (2/27) that Disney is contemplating changing its cruises for the summer of 2005. The changes could include ports of call, duration of the trips, and even where the cruises originate. Text of the story follows:

PORT CANAVERAL -- Travelers hoping to book a cruise on the Disney Magic next summer will have to hold off awhile -- at least until it's determined just where the ship will be sailing.

Disney officials said this week they are considering changing the Magic's itinerary for the summer of 2005, which could include different ports of call, shorter or longer cruises and even another homeport during the three-month period.

"We're looking at all our options," said Mark Jaronski, spokesman for the Disney Cruise Line. "But leaving Port Canaveral permanently, that's not an option."

The Magic first set sail from the Brevard County port in 1998 and has been offering seven-day cruises to the Caribbean since 2000, the same year a second ship, the Disney Wonder, joined the fleet.

Questions about the Magic's future surfaced recently when travel agents tried to reserve group space on the ship next summer and were told space was not available due to itinerary changes. However, the agents were told space was available for next spring and fall.

An item about the changes in Cruise Week, an industry publication, prompted speculation that the Magic might be relocating to Southern California to tie in with the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in Anaheim.

But if it does sail from the West Coast, it won't be for long, Jaronski said.

"We've invested a lot of money in Port Canaveral," he said. "As far into the future as we can see, Port Canaveral will be our year-round port."

Port officials said Thursday they would hate to see the Magic go, even for three months.

"You never like to lose income," spokeswoman Dixie Sansom said. "But if that should come about, we would know in advance in preparing next year's budget and would take it into consideration."

Sansom said it's not uncommon for cruise lines to check out other ports for future expansion.

Ships also can be out of commission up to a month for dry-docking, she added.

A few changes already have been made in the Magic's itinerary for this summer, Jaronski said.

Along with the usual seven-day cruises, three-day and four-day cruises to the Bahamas also are being offered. And, in December, the Magic will embark on a 10-day Caribbean cruise.

"We're 6 years old now and have a lot of repeat guests," Jaronski said. "The new itineraries give those guests an incentive to come back."

[teresadisney]

This would be so awesome!

Galveston, pick Galveston!:laugh