NEW YORK -- Travel agents are excited about the changes
coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in
Orlando, like Toy Story Land opening this June. They are seeing
increased interest from their clients.
"Once Disney released the opening date of June 30, my
phone was ringing off the hook," said Marissa Scannapieco, owner of Pixie
Mouse Travel Agency in St. James, N.Y. "'How can we get there?' 'How can
we move our trip up?' 'How can we do this?' People want to see it, because they
know what personality Disney puts into everything that they do."
Scannapieco was one of about 170 agents at an event at the
Edison Ballroom here on Tuesday, where Disney previewed changes coming to its
products around the world. With its opening right around the corner,
Toy Story Land was the focus.
In addition to Toy Story Land, a new area dedicated to the
Star Wars franchise, Galaxy's Edge, is opening next year at Hollywood Studios.
Helen Papa, president of TBH Travel in Dix Hills, N.Y., saw
firsthand the construction in Hollywood Studios a few weeks ago.
Around 170 travel agents attended a Disney event at the Edison Ballroom in New York.
"It really is going through a major transformation,
which I think is very exciting because not only are they changing things, but
bringing in Star Wars and bringing in Toy Story Land, two iconic things that
people are so excited about," she said. "And I know for my clients,
everybody's been talking about it for a while. People are already looking
forward to it."
Scannapieco said the new attractions will "give the
whole park brand new life."
Lisa Wagner, owner of Denville Travel Company in Denville,
N.J., said any time a Disney park gets a new attraction, there is an increase
in interest from clients. Toy Story Land has been no different.
Claire Bilby, senior vice president of sales, services and
events for Disney Destinations, spoke to agents at the event.
"My team and I are your advocates and your allies,"
Bilby said. "We are committed to working closely with you."
Bilby said Disney's travel agent website, Disneytravelagents.com,
will be getting a makeover, making it mobile friendly, a feature well-received.
"We are in this together, to infinity and beyond,"
Bilby said, using Buzz Lightyear's famous line from "Toy Story."
Tuesday's event was one of seven domestic events held around
the country to update agents on all things Disney. Bilby's team also hosts
regular webinars, and will have an increased presence at industry trade shows
this year.
"We value the travel agents and know how important they
are to our business," Bilby said. "What I just really want to make
sure is that they hear that from us directly."
Disney's Hollywood Studios opened in 1989 and has seen a
number of changes since that time, from attractions coming and going to its
very name. Bilby helped launch the park, and said the opportunity to integrate
more Disney properties has grown over time, leading to its transformation.
"When we launched Disney MGM Studios, it was about
seeing the movies and looking at wonderful, great properties," she said. "What's
so exciting is Disney has grown so much, and we have so many incredible stories
-- whether it's Star Wars, Toy Story."
That growth is expected to attract new and repeat visitors.
"We're always updating our products for a couple
reasons," Bilby said. "One, because it gives people who have come
before a great new reason to come back. But it also attracts new people."