Effective June 1, the Resort Airline Check-In service will implement several changes in its checked baggage policy:
-- Guests who fly AirTran, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest, and US Airways may check one bag per passenger using the Resort Airline Check-in Service. Guests with multiple bags on these airlines will have the option to check additional pieces through their airlines' ticket counters at Orlando International Airport or they may call Baggage Airline Guest Services at 407-284-1231 to pay their airline's excess luggage fees in advance of checking in at the Resort Airline Check-In desk. The excess luggage fees vary by airline.

Guests flying on American who wish to check bags must call Baggage Airline Guest Services at 407-284-1231 to pay their airline bag fees in advance of checking in at the Resort Airline Check-In desk. Otherwise, Guests must check-in at the airport.
NOTE: If paying for excess luggage fees through Baggage Airline Guest Services you must pay with a credit card: MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted. Resort Airline Check-In desks are unable to collect luggage fees on behalf of the airlines.

For all airlines, luggage must be 50 pounds or less in order to use the service and it must comply with their airline's size dimension baggage policy. Overweight and oversized luggage cannot be accepted at the Resort Airline Check-In desks.

Best Friends Pet Care has taken over management of all Walt Disney World Kennels. New changes include pet walking and overnight stays. the cost is now $15 for day boarding and $20 for overnight boarding. On-site guests receive a $2 discount on the overnight rate. For more information visit the Best Friends Pet Care website at http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com

The Contemporary's Concourse Steakhouse is closed. The space occupied by the restaurant will be converted into a counter service restaurant which will open in August, 2008, replacing the Food and Fun Center which is now closed. For now a "Tempo Grab and Go" on the 4th floor offers quick, cold items. A new table service restaurant called The Wave is now open. The Outer Rim has closed and will be replaced with a smaller bar at an undisclosed date. 

As of April 20, 2008 the Polynesian will no longer offer the Kid's Fishing Excursion. Nanea Volcano Pool at the Polynesian will be closed for refurbishment Feb 11-Mar 15, 2008. During this time guests may use the quite pool or the Beach pool at the Grand Floridian.

Ongoing construction at the Animal Kingdom Lodge continues at the adjacent Disney Vacation Club and is scheduled to last through April 2009. The Sunset Savanna may not have animals between January and April 15, 2009. I really think that I would try to book another resort until this phase is completed.

The Bush Camp experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has changed.. The camp is now open for ages 5-14. Characters will no longer be a part of this program, which will run only two hours from 3 to 5 p.m. No food will be offered. The price for the camp will drop to $30 plus tax per child.

The Water Park Fun & More ticket option no longer included admission into Pleasure Island which is closing. You can now use it to play a round of golf at Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course, a nine-hole walking course designed for the entire family.

The refundable deposit for locker rentals has increased from to $5.00. Rentals are now $5.00 for small lockers, $7.00 for large lockers, plus the refundable $5.00 deposit.

Stroller and ECV rentals have increased. Single strollers are $15 with no deposit, double strollers are $31 with no deposit. ECV rentals are $45  with a $20 refundable deposit.

Stroller and ECV rentals have increased. Single strollers are $15 with no deposit, double strollers are $31 with no deposit. ECV rentals are $45  with a $20 refundable deposit.

Walt Disney World Resort has announced that it will be completely "re-imagining" Downtown Disney, with new shopping, dining and other experiences, including a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for guests. Downtown Disney will even get its own attraction, a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other new experiences include:
-- In fall 2008, T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, will open. The dinosaur-themed family eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more, and will feature life-size animated dinosaurs that dwell among bubbling geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.
-- Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise guests can personalize at Downtown Disney.
-- E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring 2009. The high-energy, casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along the waterfront.

To make way for the new offerings, all of the clubs currently on Pleasure Island will close on September 27. Other locations on Pleasure Island, including Raglan Road, Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Curl by Sammy Duval, Orlando Harley-Davidson and outdoor food and beverage locations, will remain open during the transition.

Disney Cruise Line has introduced a pre-arrival planning service available to concierge guests. Specialists assist guests in planning every cruise detail before setting sail. Guests may contact dedicated Concierge Services Specialists 105 days prior to their sail date to begin planning their vacation. Specialists are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. via a toll-free number or e-mail. Disney Cruise Line Pre-Arrival Concierge Services joins a list of amenities available to guests sailing in suites aboard the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Exclusive concierge functions, personalized itineraries, daily in-room amenities and priority check-in are just a few of the options at hand for those who choose to sail in the lap of Disney luxury.