With the maiden voyage for the Disney Dream a little more than 6-months away, the ship, still under construction, is really starting to take shape. Disney Parks Blog has released a short video showing the construction progress to date with some amazing renderings of what the end product will look like.

It is going to be one cool ship!

With no further ado, enjoy this video.

Disney has finally decided upon a name for the resort they are currently building in O’ahu, Hawaii. The resort, which is slated to be open by Fall 2011, is called “Aulani” which is Hawaiian for “the place that speaks for the great ones” or “the place that speaks with deep messages.”

Additionally a new web site has been launched which will featuring concept artwork, construction photos and more information about the resort.

“We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it,” said Joe Rohde, senior vice president, Creative for Walt Disney Imagineering. “The name ‘Aulani’ expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling—and its roots are here in this land. We’re so grateful to the local Hawaiians who led us to the discovery of this name, and our goal is to live up to its meaning.”

Once completed, the 21-acre beachfront resort will feature 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom-equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas.

“We are looking forward to welcoming guests to Aulani to share the fun, immersive family vacation experiences Disney is known for combined with the beauty and culture of Hawaii,” said Djuan Rivers, vice president, Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawaii. “We are turning to the Hawaiian culture for inspiration in everything we are doing at Aulani, and we hope our guests will not only enjoy the Disney experience, but will also embrace the unique culture of Hawaii and its diverse people.”

My wife wants to go to Hawaii this year but I’m working hard to prolong it until this fantastic resort opens. Maybe a Disney resort in Hawaii will finally hook me into buying a vacation ownership package, so long as Aulani is my base.

Disney Cruise Line revealed some new details about its first new ship in over a decade — the 128,000-ton, 4,000-passenger Disney Dream at a festive show-and-tell today at Guastavino’s in New York City. The Disney Dream is full of cruise industry firsts, including the first-ever shipboard water coaster as well as what Disney is calling “Virtual Portholes”  which will reside in all inside staterooms and provide a real-time view outside of the ship via a live, high-def feed.

Additional features include the opportunity for kids to interact with Crush — an animated sea turtle from “Finding Nemo” — via a 103-inch plasma screen in the Magic Theater; Vibe – a 9,000-square-foot club for teens which will feature an outdoor deck for sunning, with water features and a giant chess board, video games, comfy chairs, each with its own iPod station, and a dance floor; Andy’s Room, a new addition to the Oceaneer Club where kids will experience being “toy sized” in this space with its gigantic features, from larger-than-life characters (including a working Mr. Potato Head doll) to an oversized, remote-control racecar (get behind the wheel!); plus much more.

But rather than write about the fantastic amenities the Disney Dream will provide, check out the following video tours that Disney Parks has put together – the first providing a sneak peak into the cruise liner’s features and amenities and the second providing a virtual ride thru the first ever water coaster aboard a ship.

Disney Dream Features & Amenities

Virtual Ride Through the AquaDuck

Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust. Enhancements will provide guests with more water-based family-fun, additional conveniences and a slice of beachside luxury all designed to complement the idyllic island setting.

The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010 just in time for special five-night cruises aboard the Disney Wonder with two stops at Castaway Cay, and the Disney Dream cruise ship which starts sailing in early 2011.

“The numerous enhancements and additions planned for Castaway Cay will take the already extraordinary guest experiences on our private island to the next level,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Whether our guests are seeking recreation or leisure – or a combination of both – they will find it at Castaway Cay, all complemented by unparalleled Disney service.”

Walt Disney Imagineers originally designed Castaway Cay with one-of-a-kind areas and activities for every member of the family, while celebrating the natural beauty of the 1,000-acre island. Among the crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and lush landscapes, guests soon will find the following transformations.

Expanded Family Beach

The Castaway Family Beach will be extended by more than 700 feet for families to enjoy the pristine white sand, build sand castles, relax in the shade under an umbrella and take a dip in the warm azure waters of the lagoon. As an added convenience for guests, enhancements to this area of the island will include:

• New Cookies Too family lunch buffet location serving all-you-care-to-eat barbeque, island spiced rotisserie chicken, burgers, grilled fish, fresh salads, flatbreads, ice cream, complimentary soda and more, in a covered pavilion just steps away from the expanded family beach.

• New Sand Bar beach bar mixing up drinks like Castaway Cay’s signature Konk Kooler, other tropical concoctions, cold beer and non-alcoholic beverages.

• New Flippers & Floats beach rentals providing inner tubes, snorkels, masks and fins.

• New Buy the Sea Shore merchandise location selling a variety of Castaway Cay-exclusive items along with towels, sunscreen and other beach essentials – a complement to the island’s other merchandise location, She Sells Sea Shells & everything else.

New Water Feature and Water Play Areas

Guests can slide and splash at a new water feature called Pelican Plunge. The 2,400-square-foot floating platform, located within swimming distance from shore, celebrates the island’s native pelicans. Various flotsam and jetsam – such as nautical rope, cargo nets, buoys, signaling flags and starfish-like ornamentation – adorn the platform.

Two exciting water slides – an enclosed corkscrew slide and a 140-foot-long open slide – take guests on a twisting ride, ending with a splash into the lagoon. A giant “bucket dump” delivers hundreds of gallons of water, soaking eagerly awaiting guests. Four water cannons provide sharp-shooting fun with floating nautical targets approximately 20 feet away.

On the island, a brand-new, 2,400-square-foot water play area called Spring-a-Leak helps guests cool off while immersing them in what appears to be the remnants of a washed-away beach dwelling leaning in the direction of the prevailing winds. The watery fun begins as guests enter the storm-ravaged structure, greeted by dripping pipes, broken plumbing and hissing misters, exposed and twisted by the tropical tempest that wiped out the original structure.

A “splash pad” is the focal point and gives the impression of water pooled on the ground. Water jets squirt, spray and saturate guests. Shade is provided by leftover pieces of the corrugated steel roof, aged and distressed fabric and the occasional palm tree growing up through the floor foundation. Parents can relax and have a seat – or, better yet, join in the fun – as kids frolic in the wet and whimsical setting.

The “hub” of youth activities on the island, Scuttle’s Cove, will feature a new water play area for the youngest Disney Cruise Line guests to splash and enjoy as part of supervised youth activities on Castaway Cay. A 1,200-square-foot soft wet deck area provides fresh-water fun with an array of pop jets, geysers and bubblers. Overhead, shade sails circle the area like a compass and marine props – a captain’s wheel, boat oars, life preservers and nautical rope – complete the castaway theme.

New Beach Cabanas

Guests can have a little piece of paradise all to themselves at one of 20 new private cabanas. The premium rental cabanas provide the privacy and luxury of a deluxe beach retreat with an option to add the personalized service of a cabana host.

The majority of the exclusive 325-square-foot beach cabanas will dot the far side of Castaway Family Beach, giving guests more privacy along with a spectacular view of their Disney cruise ship from the cabana’s large front patio deck. A handful of private cabanas will be located on Serenity Bay Beach, exclusively for adults, providing the ultimate in upscale seclusion.

Each well-appointed cabana is furnished with comfortable cushioned chairs, luxurious chaise lounge chairs, stylish side tables and a dining table. Other convenient features include a refrigerator, lockable storage unit, outside fresh water shower and sail cloth for shade on the deck.

Amenities included with a beach cabana rental include non-alcoholic beverages, suntan lotion and fluffy towels. A variety of a la carte services and packages will be offered, including special food and beverage options.

Other Enhancements and Additions

• The popular Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure will be moved to a different location in the lagoon, adjacent to the existing Gil’s Fins & Boats beach rental. Once complete, guests will be able to swim and interact with stingrays in an even larger area within the private lagoon.

• Teens will enjoy Hide Out, an all-new secluded area on the island just for them. Off the beaten path, but near everything, this teen retreat is a great place to hang out and soak up the sun, just steps away from the beach, activities, food, ice cream and refreshments. Multi-colored deck chairs and sail cloth shades create the ideal getaway to gather, kick back, listen to music and watch the action at the nearby beach volleyball and soccer areas.

• In Da Shade Game Pavilion provides guests wanting to take a break out of the sun a place to play games such as table tennis, foosball, billiards and basketball. The new shaded structure is centrally located, near Castaway Family Beach.

• To provide additional adult pampering, three new massage cabanas will be added to the adults-only Serenity Bay Beach. For unparalleled relaxation, adults will be able to enjoy a therapeutic massage, or couples massage, at one of eight private cabanas overlooking the ocean.

• Guest transportation is provided to and from various points on the island via tram. For greater convenience, additional tram paths will be created and a new Pelican Point Tram Stop will be located farther down Castaway Family Beach, near most of the new additions to the island.

• Marge’s Barges & Sea Charters Dock will be expanded to accommodate additional excursion boats for parasailing, fishing tours and more.

• The cruise ship dock at Castaway Cay eliminates the need to tender, making the ship easily accessible throughout the day. To accommodate Disney Cruise Line’s new ships, additional mooring dolphins will be installed to lengthen the dock.

The video below provides further details of the enhancements.

Disney Cruise Line sails to Castaway Cay on all itineraries originating from Port Canaveral, Fla. Disney Cruise Line offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean with special voyages to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe in 2010. Land/sea vacation packages that include a stay at Walt Disney World Resort provide the ultimate Disney vacation experience.

Disney Channel and Disney Cruise Line have teamed up to create the most star-struck Disney cruises ever, complete with Disney Channel talent Q&A sessions, photo ops, parties, concerts, and more. What’s even better is that you can be there!

Enter the Summer at Sea Sweepstakes for a chance to be one of eight lucky families of four who will be joining in the fun as official vide-BLOG-raphers on a cruise between July 9 and August 6.

Disney Channel celebrities from shows such as “Sonny with a Chance”, “Hannah Montana”, and “JONAS” will be performing, playing, interacting and entertaining. Every winner will take home magical memories for the sharing, thanks to KODAK.

Grand Prize Winners will receive:

• 3 or 4 night Disney Cruise to the Bahamas including Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay with Deluxe ocean view stateroom.

• Roundtrip air fare to Orlando.

• Disney Channel Celebrity activities: autograph and photo opportunities, Q&A sessions, musical performances, onboard parties, Disney Channel Sneak Peaks.

• KODAK vide-BLOG-rapher essential kit: Zi6 pocket video camera with 4GBHP Memory card, One Kodak M380 Digital Camera, 1GB Memory card, Kodak W1020 Digital Frame Kit, Sport/Waterproof OTUC, Photobook.

10 Secondary Prize Winners will receive:

• Zi6 pocket video camera with 4GBHP Memory card, Digital Frame Kit.

Enter the Summer at Sea sweepstakes once a day, every day for your chance to win!

This spring promises action and adventure on the high seas as Disney Cruise Line features “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend Lives On.” This cruise will take guests to world’s end and beyond, led by actors Lee Arenberg and Martin Klebba – better known to fans as Pintel and Marty from all three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.

This high-seas journey promises an earful of behind-the-scenes movie lore, tomfoolery, and exclusive treasures .

Setting sail March 8 to 12, 2009, the Disney Wonder will host this pirate-themed party, traveling to Nassau and Castaway Cay. With 10 distinctive decks, the ship offers luxurious staterooms, restaurants, pools, shops, and first-class family entertainment. Guests must register for the event to participate in the scheduled pirate-themed activities.

A private welcome reception with Lee, Marty, and renowned artist Dave Avanzino will kick off the first day. Both actors are extremely enthusiastic when talking about the upcoming trip.

Lee says, “It’s always a pleasant surprise when we’re asked to do these things. I’ve been on a Disney Cruise before and it’s a million times more fun than you can imagine.”

On the other hand, Marty points out that he has never been on a cruise … “except for two years on the Black Pearl,” adds with a laugh.

The four-day itinerary consists of a seminar with the actors, event-exclusive gifts, an up-close look at actual props from the movies, private meet and greet with the actors, an interactive viewing of “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” surprise entertainment and activities on board as well as at Castaway Cay, special dining times, availability of limited edition movie merchandise, and a hands-on workshop with guest artist Dave Avanzino.

Tickets for the event are $250 per person (all ages) plus the cost of the cruise. For more information on this special event, visit the The Legend Lives On page.