Disney Destinations celebrates Canadian travel trade
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Disney Destinations Canada held a festive event for the travel trade in a fitting location this week — a Disney-themed exhibit at Lighthouse ArtsSpace — complete with appearances by Goofy, Mickey and Minnie.
“Some of you may be wondering why we are here — what’s the big announcement? Well, there’s none. All we are here for is to show our appreciation for you,” Hayden Yates,Travel Industry Sales and Marketing Director, announced to the crowd of hundreds of travel advisors and industry partners who were on hand for the event and a look at the Immersive Disney Animation Toronto. “You guys work so hard to bring the magic to our Canadians guests. Your passion and your knowledge is critical to our success. We just want to do something for you to show you that we appreciate you.”
Overall, 2023 was a great year for Disney Destinations Canada.
“It was terrific. Canadians are back in the parks and on Disney Cruise Line,” Marlie Morrison, Managing Director, Marketing & Sales; Canada/Japan/South Korea, Disney Destinations told Travel Courier, noting that numbers were strong across all three parks.
In terms of cruise itineraries, Morrison said Florida, Alaska and Europe bookings were hot. Of note, travel advisors can take advantage of the Canadian Resident Ticket Offer.
“We haven’t had that in a while so we’re really excited to be able to bring that back,” she said. “So travellers who are travelling after January to September get 20% off five-day or longer tickets at Walt Disney World so that’s big news.”
And while business is good, the company has decided to invest $60 billion in continued expansion and investment in the parks division around the world.
“If you can imagine $60 billion in new attractions, new hotels, new ships coming into the organization,” Morrison said.
Notably, 2024 will also see the launch of a new ship, Disney Treasure.
After some networking with iconic Disney characters, the travel trade got a look at the Immersive Disney Animation Toronto.
“It’s been a while since we brought the trade to Toronto and we really wanted to thank the trade by having a Christmas party,” she added. “It was just a way to say thanks and start the holidays off with a bang and have some fun.”
