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 News from Around the Americas | May 2005 
Disney Tests L.A. Waters
 Michele Himmelberg - The Orange County Register
| | Disney Cruise Line sets off on first of 12 West Coast trips. It may find a permanent berth. |
The Disney Cruise Line launches its first West Coast cruise, from the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro - possibly paving the way for a permanent home.
The Disney Magic is scheduled to arrive from its established port in Florida, then set sail by the end of the day for the Mexican Riviera. It's the first of 12 consecutive seven-night trips, with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas.
The initial cruise is nearly sold out, and availability is extremely limited for the rest of the summer, said Rena Langley, a Disney spokeswoman.
The cruise line came to California to join the company's celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.
Disney will use the summer cruises to explore a potential West Coast expansion.
The soonest that could happen would be 2007, officials said, because schedules are already set for 2006 in Florida.
"It's a test to see the depth of demand," said Tom McAlpin, president of the Disney Cruise Lines. "We're not sure we'll get the same kind of (interest) as Central Florida. But there's such an affinity for Disney, it's possible."
McAlpin said Disney has established a good partnership with the Port of Los Angeles and "they want Disney to come back."
Airport accessibility also makes Southern California an attractive option for Disney.
Another option could be Alaskan cruises, which have become very popular.
Disney offered visitors the chance to combine West Coast cruises with trips to the Disneyland Resortin Anaheim, similar to the way cruises are packaged with trips to Disney theme parks in Florida.
The Magic, set to return to Florida Sept. 3, has three theme restaurants, 877 staterooms designed for families, and separate entertainment areas for children and adults.
What makes a Disney cruise unique, McAlpin said, is that it offers families a secure environment with entertainment and recreation for children of all ages, while still being "elegant and sophisticated enough" for adults. |
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