There's nothing like looking up at The Animal Kingdom and seeing a dinosaur smi...
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
ESPN Sports Complex at Disney World is expanding
Posted on 07:16 by john mical
The ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort will be expanding by early 2012, according to Walt Disney Co. "The sports complex is adding four multi-purpose playing fields on the north side of the complex for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. The new fields, which will increase the complex’s outdoor playing fields to more than 30, will be equipped with full lighting and scoreboards, plus digital video boards and audio systems. In addition, lighting will be added to five existing playing fields, increasing...
Is this the end of Disney hotel expansions off property?
Posted on 07:00 by john mical
At one time Disney had plans to create standalone hotels, retail centers and parks throughout the country but they no longer have anything on the drawing board, according to an article in the Orlando Sentinel.Last week the Walt Disney Company scuttled plans to build a 500-room, hotel at the National Harbor.This decision comes after the Aug. 29 opening of the Aulani resort in Hawaii. The article goes on to discuss the issues involved in creating these hotels and that Disney is still considering building away from the Walt Disney Resort in Florida...
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
The scoop on the Fantasmic! Dragon - Disney Facts
Posted on 17:00 by john mical
One of the highlights of Fantasmic! in Disneyland is the fire-breathing dragon, which resembles the dragon from "Sleeping Beauty."©Steven LiebmanWhen stretched to full height, the dragon stands 45 feet tall, but when waiting for its appearance below the stage it contracts to 22 feet. To get on stage during the finale it takes 35 seconds and the beast sits on a custom-built elevator.According to the Disney Parks public relations, the dragon is 32...
Muppets debuting on Disney Cruise Line
Posted on 06:40 by john mical

The new Disney ship setting sail in March will feature an interactive game on board featuring the Muppets, the Disney Cruise Line News website reports.The Disney Fantasy will debut an interactive game called "The Case of the Stolen Show" in which guests will assist Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and more than 20 other Muppets find their props and instruments so the Muppets can put on a show. The ship will also have numerous other technical...
Monday, 28 November 2011
Holiday Photo: Mickey and Santa
Posted on 17:00 by john mical
Mickey Mouse and Santa shake hands as part of the Osborne Family of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studi...
Long-lost Disney film short found in London
Posted on 03:52 by john mical
A British firm says that it has found a short film of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in its archives. The film has not been seen since World War II, according to an article in The Telegraph of London.The five minute silent film, made in 1928, is called "The Hungry Hobos" and shows Oswald and his friend Peg Leg Pete on a train and hungry. Walt Disney made 26 films of Oswald before starting his own company. Oswald, as we all know, later morphed into Mickey Mouse. The film is going up for sale at an auction house in Lond...
Disney Facts: Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story Mania
Posted on 03:30 by john mical
Mr. Potato Head at the Toy Story Mania ride is one of the most advanced Audio-Animatronic figures created by the Walt Disney Imagineering, according to the Disneyland Public Relations.Not only was more time spend programming Mr. Potato Head than any other Audio-Animatronic figured created by the imagineering department, it says more lines of dialogue than any other figure created by the department,In addition, it is the first figure that can remove a body part and re-attatch it. This is done when Mr. Potato head removes his hear. It also has eyes...
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Disney Facts: Disneyland Dining by The Numbers
Posted on 17:00 by john mical

There are over 75 choices of eating establishments at Disneyland Resort. They range from the signature dining of Napa Rose to the corn dogs at the Stage Door Cafe. Here's a quick look at some fun dining facts.16,000: The number of bottles in the wine cellar at Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.14,000: The number of bowls of Charred Nebraska Corn Chowder consumed annually at Storyteller’s Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian...
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Holiday Photo: Partners in silhouette
Posted on 15:59 by john mical
Even though the Partners Statue in The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World faces toward Main Street, the silhouettes make it look as thought Walt Disney is pointing out Cinderella Castle to Mickey Mou...
Smile of The Day: British Invasion Concert Part 2
Posted on 05:00 by john mical
The popular Beatles tribute band The British Invasion finished its run at The United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot on April 30. The band was replaced by The British Revolution.The term British Invasion was coined to described the number of rock and roll, bear, pop and rock performers from the U.K. who came to the U.S. from 1964 to 1966.Did you you know that includes 37 different bands. Can you name them all?Here's The British Invasion performing "Hard Days Night." The first part of the concert series is them playing "Hel...
Friday, 25 November 2011
Smile of The Day: British Invasion Concert Part 1
Posted on 17:59 by john mical
The British Invasion ended its run at Epcot in Walt Disney World after performing for 14 years. The band performed numerous covers of The Beatles in the gazebo behind the Great Britain Pavilion.They covered classic Beatles songs as well as music from other British groups that were part of the Rock bands and performers from the United Kingdom who came to the U.S. from 1964 to 1966. Here is the band playing "Help." You can also watch them playing "Hard Days Nigh...
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Disney Facts: Macy's Thanksgiving Balloons at Walt Disney World
Posted on 10:46 by john mical

For nearly 85 years large balloons have been walked down New York City streets as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. For a brief period those large balloons were brought to the Disney-MGM Studios, when it was was called that.In 1992, Kermit, the Frog, Betty Boop, Santa Goofy and Humpty Dumpty all hung out out along the old New York Street backlot. Eventually, the balloons and parade moved to Universal Studios.All photos here were taken during...
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Christmas by the Numbers at Walt Disney World
Posted on 20:16 by john mical
The Walt Disney World Resort has been turned into a winter wonderland this holiday season. Here is a look at what you'll find.8.5 million lights strung throughout Walt Disney World Resort300,000 yards ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across property1,314 wreaths hung throughout the resortThe Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios1,300 decorated trees throughout property800 performers participate...
Monday, 21 November 2011
Disney Facts: A look at the Disney Ambassador program
Posted on 17:49 by john mical
This ambassadorship is not one that is appointed by the President to represent the United States in a far away land. This is post is probably one more people would desire - to be a Disney Ambassador.The ambassador program is a tradition that began at the Disneyland Resort in 1965 when Walt Disney realized the need for an official representative of Disneyland. Up until 1994 there was just one Disneyland Ambassador at time, but after that teams were appointed. And the program has expanded.Currently, each of Disney's resort destinations...
Smile of the Day: Video of Mo'Rockin at EPCOT
Posted on 16:00 by john mical
Walking past the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot and the you may soon be transfixed by the Rock and Roll music set to Arabian rhythms - oh and the bellydancer. This 6-person musical group blends rhythms from around the world using traditional and modern instrumen...
Disney Facts: Happy Holidays in Walt Disney World
Posted on 03:47 by john mical
The holiday season transformation at the Walt Disney World Resort means more than 15 miles of garland draped with 300,000 yards of ribbon on more than 1,500 holiday trees.Now, those trees are, which are located not only in the parks but all the resorts, have more than 700,000 LED lights. According to Disney, if you were to string the bulbs end to end the strand would stretch for 96 miles.An intricate, life-size gingerbread house cooked up by Walt...
Sunday, 20 November 2011
DVC annual mixer happening inside EPCOT for first time
Posted on 18:26 by john mical

For the first time the Disney Vacation Club annual mixer will be held inside a park at Walt Disney World.According to DVC member website, the mixer will take place inside EPCOT at the World Showcase Pavilion between Canada and the United Kingdom pavilions. Usually, the mixers have been held outside of EPCOT at the International Gateway entrance.The events are taking place on Tuesday's Nov. 29, Dec. 6., Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 between 3 and 5 p.m. Dec....
Smile of The Day: Video of SpectroMagic at Walt Disney World
Posted on 15:05 by john mical
A little more than 20 years ago the SpectroMagic evening parade was unveiled at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort. Similar to the Main Street Electrical Parade, the 20-minute parade, contained about 36 floats with over 100 miles of fiberoptic strands, 600,000 miniature lights, 204 speakers and 72,000 watts of speaker power.The parade's first run was from Oct. 1, 1991 to May 21, 1999 and then from April 2, 2001 to June 5, 2010. The nighttime parade now at Magic Kingdom is the Main Street Electrical Para...
Friday, 18 November 2011
Play the Mickey Clothes Game - Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse
Posted on 07:26 by john mical

As we celebrate Mickey Mouse's birthday today it's time to review the fond memories of the 83-year-old icon - and his wardrobe.If you are in Walt Disney World or Disnelyand spend the day spotting Mickey and count how many different outfits you see him wearing. If you are at home, pull out your photos and again count the get-ups.According to Disney, Mickey has more than 290 different costumes ranging from a scuba suit to a tuxedo to a safari outfit....
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Smile of the Day: Cinderella Castle Lighting at Walt Disney World
Posted on 06:03 by john mical
For the past few years during the holidays Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World is adorned with 200,000 holiday lights. The LED lights are attached to more than 40,000 square feet of fisherman’s net dyed to match the colors of the castle. To bring the lights together 18 miles of electrical cable is used. And, according to the Disney Parks blog, it’s all run on the amount of power that it takes to run three clothes drye...
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Disneyland through the eyes of a Walt Disney World fan
Posted on 08:06 by john mical

After heading "home" to Disney World every year for almost 20 years, my wife and I decided it was time to make a pilgrimage to the "Happiest Place on Earth." So in October we made our first extended visit to the Disneyland Resort.It's impossible not to compare the two, even though we know that's not fair, because there is a major size difference and 16 years between the opening of Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. Below are some of the differences...
Ride Rundown: Disneyland versus Walt Disney World
Posted on 07:50 by john mical

The eternal debate has always and will always take place as to which rides are better when comparing Disneyland and Disney World. There are some subtle differences between a few of the rides, some are no different, but the cues will make one appear better and some are extremely different, such as the extra time on the Pirates of the Caribbean.Below a quick look at 17 rides that appear in both locations and a quick handicap. Note there are plenty...
Monday, 7 November 2011
Smile of The Day: Boardwalk Barker Mr. Potato Head
Posted on 02:00 by john mical
This Spud's for you. He's larger-than-life in more ways than one. Mr. Potato Head welcomes, cajoles and distracts everyone in line at Toy Story Mania in Disney's Hollywood Studios and Toy Story Midway at California Adventure. The nearly 5-foot Audio Animatronic figure gives you his special "Boardwalk Barker" routine explaining how the attraction is "a ride. It's a game. It's a game. It's a rid...
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Smile of the Day: Mickey and Minnie Dancing
Posted on 02:00 by john mical
One of the great things about going to Disney World or Disneyland is that you never know what you're going to find down any given street (well, you can if you have the entertainment schedule handy), but once in a while you'll get to a place where there are not a lot of people and you get to enjoy things like this - Mickey and Minnie Mouse danci...
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Smile of the Day: Video of your favorite seagulls
Posted on 14:00 by john mical
A quick 11 seconds to bring you a smile today. The famous Mine, Mine, Mine seagulls from the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride in Disneyla...
Disney Facts: Walt Disney's speech via Morse Code
Posted on 08:46 by john mical
A the New Orleans Square railroad station in Disneyland is the Telegraph Cable Office. And every few minutes the tapping of the telegraph takes place. What some may not know is the taps in Morse code are part of Walt Disney's 1955 opening day speech.But for years, it had been wrong until an amateur ham radio operator deciphered it and found the mistake. Finally it was changed.Text of Walt Disney's Opening Day Speech:“To all who come to this happy...
Disney Facts: Snow White's Grotto in Disneyland
Posted on 08:23 by john mical
When Walt Disney received an anonymous gift of marble figurines from Italy depicting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs he knew that he wanted to display them at Disneyland, but there was a problem. All of them, from Snow White to Sleepy, to Doc and to Dopey, were the same size.How could a royal princess be the same size as the dwarfs? Not going to happen.©Steven Liebman According to the Disney Parks Blog, Disney designer John Hench was tasked...
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Mickey and Minnie's First Kiss
Posted on 06:46 by john mical
Mickey Mouse first met Minerva "Minnie" Mouse (no relation) in the 1928 short "Plane Crazy." The young flapper mouse was invited on Mickey's plane. During the flight he requests a kiss, but she doth protest. Eventually Mickey tricks her into a kiss. Her reaction is to do what any good natured mouse would do - parachute out of the plane.While Minnie was a bit reluctant at first to accept any affection from Mickey, they have grown a lot closer...
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