Starbucks to open in Disney World in early 2013

Starbucks will open its first two Disney World locations next year in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, according to the Disney Parks Blog.

The Main Street Bakery will close in the Magic Kingdom in January 2013 and reopen as a Starbucks in early summer. Fountain View in Epcot will close in March 2013 and reopen in midsummer.

The first Starbucks opened at the the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café at the California Adventure in Disneyland.

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Smile of The Day: Photo exterior of Prince Eric's Castle

 The architecture of The New Fantasyland in Walt Disney World is phenomenal, including the exterior of Prince Eric's castle - which houses the Under The Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid.

                                                                                                                                © Steven Liebman

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Disney Facts: Starting to look like Christmas in Disney World

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas in Disney World.

Work has already begun to transform the resort into a Winter Wonderland for the holidays. Here's a look by the numbers of what you can expect to see if visiting:

                                                                   © Steven Liebman

300,000: Yards of ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across the Walt Disney Resort.

1,314: Wreaths hung throughout the resort.

1,300: Decorated trees throughout property.

800: Performers each night during Candlelight Processional at Epcot .

365: Days of the year holiday merchandise is available to purchase at the Days of Christmas shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace .

200: Guest choirs during the entire run of Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

150: Semi-trailer truckloads of decorations for 24 resorts, 4 theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations.

100: The percent chance of snow flurries during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

98: The percentage of lighting used for holiday décor that is LED, the remaining 2 percent is compact florescent.

26: Feet in width of the Christmas tree in the Magic Kingdom.

15: Miles of garland strung throughout the resort.

11: Countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase

10: Miles of twinkling rope lights in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios

8.5: Million lights strung throughout the resort.

Source: Walt Disney World

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'Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow' to open Dec. 6 in Disney World

Disney has announced a new walk-through experience, "The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow," will open Dec. 6 at Hollywood Studios.

This new attraction allows guests to walk in the footsteps of the legendary pirate captain "into an eerie lost grotto, where a mysterious pirate skull puts them to the test to see if they have what it takes to set sail with the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow. Along the way, they must face all the perils of a pirate’s life as their favorite moments from the films come to life before their eyes," according to the Disney Parks Blog.

This is not a "making of" display, which has been rotated through Hollywood Studios for other films such as the Narnia franchise, but a first-person experience, Jason Roberts, show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, has said.

The four films have been a huge success for Disney and a fifth film is expected to start shooting in 2014. In August, Johnny Depp signed on for the film.

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Disneyland Paris shows record attendance, but still losing money

Disneyland Paris had a record number of people attend the theme park this past year, but also saw a large financial loss, according to Euro Disney S.C.A., which operates the the theme park and surrounding hotels.

The report, released today, states the theme park saw revenues increase 2 percent to €1.3 billion Euros and a record attendance of 16 million people. However, the company said had a net loss of €100.2 million Euros, compared to a net loss of €63.9 million Euros the year before,due to refinancing.

The average spending per guest in 2012 was €46.44 Euros. The hotel occupancy rate was 84 percent, down from 87.1 percent in 2011, but the average spending per room was €231.33 Euros, an increase from €218.80 Euros in 2011.

Philippe Gas, Chief Executive Officer of Euro Disney S.A.S., made the following statement.

"Fiscal year 2012 was marked by key milestones in Euro Disney’s history. First, our 20th Anniversary celebration drove unprecedented awareness across Europe and contributed to our performance in the second semester with a 5% growth in our resort revenues. Second, with the support of The Walt Disney Company, the Group significantly improved its debt profile with a € 1.3 billion refinancing transaction.

We reached a record 16 million in attendance, reflecting the sound fundamentals of our business, core strategies and strong appeal of our product, in a still challenging economic context. The increase in guest satisfaction and business growth we see today are the early returns on the investments made both in our assets and our Cast over the last 18 months.

Fiscal Year 2012 marked a new chapter for Disneyland Paris. We are confident in our ability to build, together with our Cast Members, on our successes to further develop the Resort, drive business growth and reach sustainable profitability in the coming years."

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Disney facts: Mickey Mouse hot air balloon

Mickey Mouse is full of hot air.

That is is the Mickey Mouse hot air balloon dubbed “The Happiest Balloon on Earth.”  The balloon will fly again at the 11th annual International Balloon Festival, in Metropolitan Ecological Park. in Leon, Guanajuato in Mexico from Nov. 16-19.

                                                           Disney publicity photo

The balloon is so big that if Mickey's body was added to the balloon it would be over 200 feet tall.

“It is indeed one of the most unique and specialized hot air balloons we have ever piloted,” Scott Spencer, who along with his wife Laurie are the balloon’s pilots, said in a news release.

Here are some specifics about the balloon, from Disney:

Height: 98 feet from ground to the top of ears.

Weight: Estimate 410 lbs.

Circumference: 168 feet

Diameter: 53 feet

Thread used to make balloon: 9 miles

Fabric for Mouse Ears: About 750 square yards

Size Mickey’s nose: 5.5 feet in diameter, big enough for a child to stand inside it

Size of the pupils of Mickey’s eyes: 6 feet in diameter

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Disney Facts: Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon, located near Disney's Old Key West and Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World was inspired by the imagined legend of a typhoon, earthquake and volcanic eruption combing to create and inland sea with breaker waves.

Here's a look at the water park, by the numbers:

Disney publicity photo

3 million: The amount of water in gallons in Typhoon Lagoon.

362,000: The amount of water in gallons in the salt-water coral reef snorkeling area of Shark Reef.

109,000: How large the surfing lagoon is in square feet.

2,100: The number of feet the circular channel that takes people them through a rain forest, at Castaway Creek.

61: The area of Typhoon Lagoon in acres.

30: The speed in miles per hour a person zips down the Humunga Kowabunga slides.

Source: Walt Disney World

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