The California Adventure has added a new water show during the day featuring Goofy.Dressed in a tuxedo, Maestro Goofy conducts the dancing fountains at Paradise Pier (normally used for the World of Color show at night) in a five-minute concert. The performance, which takes place six times a day, is very reminiscent of the old Goofy cartoons.Here are some other recent Goody appearances: Tokyo Disneyland opening new attraction featuring GoofyGoofy visits your home straight from Disneyland Pa...
Sunday, 29 July 2012
August is a big animal month at Walt Disney World as the theme park honors primates, opens "The Lion King" wing of a new resort and closes the Country Bear Jamboree for refurbishment.To find out what's happening the rest of the year, check out our Fall//Holiday Disney Guide.The 2013 Ultimate Disney Guide will be coming soon.AUGUST: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month, a wildlife conservation event celebrated at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This tiny, endangered...
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Not even open for a complete year and Disney is already expanding its latest Hawaiian resort. The 21-acre resort will see an expansion starting in September of the Waikolohe Valley pool area as well as the addition of two new quick-service dining options, according to a Disney news release. Photo...
Walt Disney World releases information on its 2013 dining plans.For those unfamiliar with the plans, there are three in total. In addition, there are two special premium and platinum packages.Here's a look at all the plans:The Quick-Service Dining Plan is touted as saving up to 10 percent per adult on dining. On this plan you receive two quick-service meals and one snack per person per night of the package stay. The Plus Dining Plan is...
The Disney Vacation Club has made it easier for members to keep track of your portable member perks. It has always been difficult to figure out where you get discounts and what those discounts are, and you usually have had to wait to check in to get the booklet to see what was available. Now, DVCMember.com has created pdfs you can download to keep track of your perks. The pdfs are broken down by Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani, Vero Beach...
Thursday, 26 July 2012
A Disney publicity photo of the Food & Wine FestivalThe HGTV Design Star has been crowned and now we know who will be the first special speaker during the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.Danielle Colding, 36, an interior designer from Brooklyn, N.Y., was named the season seven champion of the hit reality competition HGTV Design Star. Here is the list of other HGTV stars appearing at the Food & Wine Festival.Oct. 5-7: ...
Disney runners, if you have not signed up for the various taking place at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World, time is running out. Here is a quick update on the status of the various races.For complete information and registration head to rundisney.com.Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend - Aug. 31 - Sept. 2: Sold outThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend - Sept. 28-29: The newly created 10-mile race takes place in and around Disney’s...
Here is last year's course for the Expedition Everest ChallengeGet ready for a wild run.Disney has set May 4, 2013 as the date for the 2013 Expedition Everest Challenge 5k run at at the Animal Kingdom in Disney World.The race starts after sunset when individuals or teams take off to run the 5K trek, then go through an obstacle course and then a scavenger hunt. After that is an exclusive after-hours party at the theme park.For more information head...
A hippo being fed during the Wild Africa Trek/ © Steven Liebman Health officials in Florida are investigating a stomach illness Walt Disney World guests contracted after taking the special Wild Africa Trek tour at the Animal Kingdom.Several dozen cases were reported by the those who took the pricey three-hour special tour which takes you through wooded areas to watch hippos in a pool, cross a rope bridge over crocodiles and provides you...
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
This Sea Turtle Conservancy photo shows the 2011 Tour de Turtles kick-off party.Dudes. If you thought Crush and his pals had a long way to flow on the EAC in the movie "Finding Nemo," you ain't seen nothing yet.For the past four years the Sea Turtle Conservancy has been following the marathon migration of sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their foraging grounds. This year they do it again by following 13 sea turtles representing four different...
Yes, it is Christmas in July. If you haven't already checked out those Hallmark ornaments -- you're late.But it is usually always Christmas at Walt Disney World as Imagineers and workers take months to prepare for the holidays. Here's a video, presented by Disney, of the work taking place for the preparation. And for more specifics don't forget to check out our Christmas By the Numbers at Walt Disney Wor...
Monday, 23 July 2012
Disney has unveiled 99 new Back to School items for kids, including a new "Tween lifestyle merchandise collection" inspired by the smash hit contest of the same name tied to the Disney Channel's TV series "Shake it Up," according to a Disney Consumer Products news release. The items range from clothing, to school gear to beauty products and even food. If you want to look at everything, check out this photo gallery. Here are some highlights from...
Extra Magic Hours have been a staple at Walt Disney World for about a decade now. Resort guests have been able to go into selected parks an hour before opening or stay three hours after normal closing time. But now it appears Disney is planning to cut back the evening magic from 3 hours to 2 hours starting in 2013.Disney has changed its online explanation of the extra hours: “Each day, one of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks opens one hour early...
Saturday, 21 July 2012
I love listening to old-time radio shows. There's nothing like sitting back and letting your imagination create the pictures in your head.There is a vintage radio in Oswald's Gas & Oil, a new shop on Buena Vista Street at the California Adventure in Disneyland Resort. And if there is a vintage radio, it needs a radio show. Here the Walt Disney Imagineers show how a radio program is creat...
The Disneyland Resort this summer is unveiling a voice-based phone program designed to answer questions from guests at the park.Ask Otto! at 714-520-7090 was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to answer basic questions, according to the Disney Parks Blog.The phone program will answer:Park operating hours.Ride wait times and FastPass return times.Show times for parades fireworks, Fantasmic! and World of Color.General dining information and location...
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Disneyland may have to let a disabled mom use her motorized Segway to visit the park, even though the park only allows wheelchairs and motorized scooters, an appeals court has ruled.Photo from the lawsuitTina Baughman, from Pacific Palisades near Disneyland, suffers from limb girdle muscular dystrophy, which makes it difficult for her to walk or stand from a seated position, according to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling.Baughman hoped...
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Disney is offering a $30 savings this summer for its PhotoPass+ package at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.In April, Disney introduced this new package, which includes: PhotoPass+ card and lanyardA gallery CD with more than 400 stock photosThe ability to order a PhotoCD with all your photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.comPrint packages at select character dining locationsDigital downloads of select attractionsPhotos taken on rides like Splash...
Disney has released photos of some of the merchandise which will be sold in conjunction with Epcot's 30th anniversary on Oct. 1.Photo from the Disney Parks BlogThere will be four new shirts, a baseball cap and pins. Everything has the feel of 1980s. Remember the bold type and variety of colors which were trying to be different from the tie-dye generation? You know the variety of greens and the industrial looking orange (normally found on work overalls)....
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Disneyland turns 57 today. (It really doesn't look a day over 40.)A short ceremony is planned at 2:30 p.m. in Town Square in front of the Main Street Train Station to honor the date.In this Walt Disney Company copyrighted photo we seeWalt Disney with the first guests to the park during opening day in 1957.With these words, Walt Disney opened the park: “To all who come to this happy place. Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives...
You'll be able to purchase tickets for the special events at the 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starting Aug. 14, Disney announced today.The festival will be held Sept. 28 to Nov. 12 and features more than 270 chefs from across the country who will hold culinary demonstrations and tasting events. There will also be 25 ethnic and regional marketplaces featuring food and wine from all over the world.Photo by ©DisneyThe Food...
The building of Cars Land in California and expansion of the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World, helped The Walt Disney Company rank 17th nationally in a new study examining which companies were investing money in the U.S. in 2011.Disney with $3 billion, of which $2.3 billion went toward the two theme parks, ranked 17th. AT&T with $20.1 billion ranked No. 1. Comcast, which purchased Universal Studios in 2011, is also on the list at No. 8,...
Monday, 16 July 2012
Finally. a Disney/Marvel crossover.Phineas and Ferb meet the Marvel Super HeroesYes, the Marvel Super Heroes will be teaming up with Disney characters for the first time next year on the Disney Channel. And the Disney characters chosen are -- Phineas and Ferb. According to a Disney news release, "production is now underway on "Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel," an animated adventure that will assemble characters from two hugely popular franchises,...
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Disney isn't exactly known for its warm-and-fuzzy stories of mother-daughter bonding. Usually they're more sharp-and-prickly. But now comes "Brave," the new animated movie from Disney/Pixar that actually features the relationship between a mother and her rebellious teenage daughter. This got us thinking about Disney and moms -- specifically moms who have died in horrible fashion and moms replaced by wicked stepmoms. But a closer look at...
I always hate going on vacation to find out something where I am staying is closed. So, for everyone planning a trip soon, here are some of the attractions that will be closed for refurbishment during the next few months at various Walt Disney World resorts. All-Star Sports The Surf Pool will be closed Aug. 6 to Sept. 7. Beach Club ResortCape May Cafe is closed July 9 to Aug. 3.A Disney public relations photo of Citricos Grand FloridianThe...
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Disney Mobile Games added to its "Where's My Water" series with "Where's My Perry?," focusing on Phineas and Ferb's beloved Perry.For those unfamiliar with show, Perry seems like your normal average platypus, but then turns into the crime-fighting Agent P going up against his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz. (Okay, when you write it out it like this it sounds weirder than it actually is.)This latest game uses the same mechanics of the popular "Where's...
Disney invited the media yesterday on a hard hat tour of the ongoing construction of the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World, with few new details and views of what people are going to see.Disney rendering of Belle's CottageHere's a look at some of the highlights:A new area means new rides, means new story lines and means new costumes for workers. The Orlando Sentinel has photos of the new costumes that were placed on mannequins at the theme park....
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
A Disney photo gives us a view of the inside of the California Grill.So you're faithfully making your dining reservations seven months in advance for your Disney World vacation and -- oh, no! -- the California Grill is going to be closed for renovation!What's a fine-dining-and-fireworks connoisseur to do?If the California Grill was on your "must" list, we have some suggestions for alternatives, depending on what you're looking for:If you're going...
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
A Disney photo of the beginning of the Half Marathon in 2012Registration is now open for the 2013 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World.All finishers will receive a one-of-a-kind medal to mark the fifth anniversary of the female-focused event taking place Feb. 22-24, 2013. After nearly 7,500 runners ran in the inaugural 2009 event, the popularity of the race has grown considerably with more than 19,000 competing in last year’s race....
If your idea of a workout at Disney World does not include the stroller push or the toddler carry but is more in line with a traditional gym workout, Disney has created a special package for you.Disney is working with fitness star Tony Horton for the Tony Horton Fitness Weekend from Sept. 6 to Sept. 9 at Disney World.Tony HortonFor a mere $2,100 (tax included) you get the opportunity to train with Horton and special guest instructors over the course...
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January has been designated a Runner's World Challenge event where runners will be able to train virtually with Runner's World editors and enjoy some VIP race experiences, Disney announced this week.The weekend includes the half marathon on Jan. 12, 2013, and the marathon Jan. 13. Those who are especially ambitious can choose to run the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, in which participants complete the...
Disney must think the recession is finally fading in the rear-view mirror. For real this time. The company last week introduced a line of Disney Parks Authentic Diamond Icon jewelry that screams "consumer confidence." Or, possibly, "consumer craziness."The line includes rings, earrings and necklaces in 14 karat gold -- your choice of yellow, white or rose -- set with diamonds. Whatever you think of the designs, the price is certainly swoon-worthy:...
Monday, 9 July 2012
For those who do not remember the classic Disneyland attraction America Sings, James Lopez has created an animated version. Lopez has been an animator at Disney for more 18 years. In that time, he's worked on "The Lion King" (Timon) and "Pocahontas" (Wiggins, Percy & Ratcliffe) and was a supervising animator on "Hercules," "The Emperor's New Groove" and "The Princess and the Frog." Lopez has written that he has been working his animated version of "America Sings" on and off for the past 15 years and it is still a work in progress.America...
The Maharaja Jungle Trek in the Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World gives people a great opportunity to tiger watch. There are four different observation areas and each provides a unique perspective.The tiger is the third-largest land carnivore behind the polar bear and the brown bear. It is even bigger than its closest relative, the lion.The white and black stripes on tigers create unique patterns and help camouflage them in the long grasses where...
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters performed on stage in North Korea for new leader Kim Jong Un in what may be a first for these characters, according to various reports.The Mickey Mouse performs in Disneyland.Having these popular U.S. characters on stage in North Korea is a notable change in direction. Kim may be seeking to carve out a different image than his father and grandfather by easing restrictions on Western culture, Koh Yu-hwan,...
The white rhinoceros can be seen at the Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, but don't expect them to be -- well white. The white rhino is in fact grey. Why it's called the white rhino is not full established but the popular theory is that it is a mistranslation from Dutch to English. The English "white" sounds like the Dutch "wijd." The Dutch word "wijd" means "wide" in English and "wijd" refers to the size of the rhino's mouth. ...
There's a lot going on around the World this week when it comes to Disney. Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland are seeing the opening of two major sections of their parks with Toy Story Mania in Tokyo and Grizzly Gulch in Hong Kong.Here's the list for this week:JULY 8-14: The annual Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot with The Police Experience - A Tribute to the PoliceJULY 9: Tokyo Disneyland celebrates Disney’s Natsu Matsuri,...
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