Another photo from the vault: Ursula waves during a 2003 parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney Wor...
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
You may know of people who are planning to head to Disney World or Disneyland to take part in the special 24-hour opening of the parks on Leap Day. But both parks in the same day?Yes, a Washington, D.C., couple plans to head to the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort and then to Disneyland park to partake in the "One More Day" promotion, according to the Orange County Register.Randi Teague and his wife Andy Bullard, who have annual passes...
Saturday, 25 February 2012
It's Oscar time, so this is the perfect opportunity for us to look at Walt Disney, Disney films and the Academy Awards.Walt Disney holds the records for the number of Academy Award nominations with 59 and the number of wins with 26. His last, the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, was awarded posthumously. The award, according to the Academy, is voted by the Academy’s Board of Governors and is presented to “creative producers whose bodies of...
Did you know Walt Disney World has the largest wardrobe closet in the world? Yes, Disney has more than 2.5 million costume pieces that hang on about 8 miles of costume racks, according to Disney.With more than 3,700 costume designs on inventory, Disney Creative Costuming uses more than 650,000 yards of fabric each year.Mickey Mouse alone has more than 290 different costumes....
Friday, 24 February 2012
Chef Scott Hunnel of Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has again been named a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist as one of the top chefs in the country, according to Disney.Nominated for the prestigious “Best Chef: South” award for the sixth consecutive year, Hunnel received nominations from the Foundation in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Scott Hunnel“For 12 consecutive years, Victoria & Albert’s has been...
The official Disney Parks app will be available for the iPhone for free, Disney announced today.The app, which has been available to Android and other phones, is now available at the iTunes store, the Disney Parks Blog has posted.The app offers official wait times and Disney FASTPASS return times. These times are also integrated into GPS-enabled park maps. Also included are games, current character greeting locations and the ability to make dining...
Snow White's Scary Adventures, one of the original rides from Walt Disney World's opening in 1971, will close for good on May 31.The location will become the home for all the Disney princesses, Disney announced this week on its Disney Parks Blog. The change is part of the massive Fantasyland renovation. The first phase will open in late March with one carousel of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, a re-themed Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini and...
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Disney's Pop Century Resort at Walt Disney World features 20th century pop culture icons. Here's a look at some of those symbols:The bowling pin tower is more than 65 feet high. A regulation pin is 15 inches tall. The giant Rubik’s Cube reaches 41 feet off the ground. Compared to the 4-inch high toy.The 8-track tapes are more than 35 feet tall. A real 8-track is 5 1/4 inch tall.The table soccer players are more than 12 feet tall.The giant Big...
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
The Disney kingdom may have all started with a mouse, but the Audio-Animatronic robots all started with a bird -- a mechanical bird Walt Disney purchased in the 1950s, while on vacation in Europe, that became the inspiration for what is seen around the World today.The term Audio-Animatronics was first used by the Disney company in 1961 and was trademarked in 1967. What started off as talking birds in the Enchanted Tiki Room has evolved into an interactive...
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Sitting in front of the Chinese Theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida sits the central icon: Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat.The 122-foot-tall hat weighs 156 tons and is made of composite fiberglass. The foundation was made of enough concrete to cover the length of a football field, according to Disney.Now, if Mickey were to wear the hat, he would have to be 350 feet tall and would have a hat size of 606 7/8.The hat itself is 100 feet tall with...
A Nile Hippopotamus is feeding at the overlook used for the Wild Africa Trek in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. MORE SMILES OF THE DAYA list of Jungle Cruise jokesPhoto of Eeyore waiving helloPhoto of The Evil QueenCinderella Castle decked out for the 50th anniversary of DisneylandTigger on paradeVideo of the Italy Pavilion MimePhoto of the Tomb Warriors inside the China Pavil...
Disneyland is supposed to be the "Happiest Place on Earth," until you get physical with cast members.A video is making the rounds of a belligerent guest pushing a security guard and being pepper sprayed in the face outside the Tower of Terror ride at Disney's California Adventure on Saturday.The security officer repeatedly tells the man to remain on the ground, but he gets back up and pushes and tries to punch the security officer. The guard then pepper sprays him a few more times in the face, until the guest gets back to the ground. A few moments...
Tokyo Disneyland will unveil a new attraction in August called Goofy’s Paint ’n’ Play House, OLC Group, the parent group of the amusement park announced.Guests will help Goofy redecorate his room using special paint applicators, called Toontone Splat Masters, and aim these paint guns at the wall or furniture to paint.There are beach, jungle and other remodeling themes. The attraction opens Aug. 24 in the Toontown section of the pa...
Monday, 20 February 2012
Santa StitchWhen fans thought "The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter" in the Tomorrowland section of the Magic Kingdom was too violent, Disney decided to replace it with "Stitch's Great Escape." The show remained basically the same, but it was redressed and the story revamped. Instead of an alien escaping and running amok in the audience, it's Stitch from "Lilo and Stitch."Here are some quick facts about the ride:Skippy, an alien seen previously...
The entertainment in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World features Matsuriza performing the Taiko form of drumming. Using handmade drums that range in height from 6 inches to 6 feet, the drummers create a synchronized booming rhythm. "Taiko" is Japanese for "great drum." The history of the great drum can be traced back centuries to religious ceremonies, harvest festivals and battlefield performances. MORE SMILES OF THE DAYA list of Jungle Cruise jokesPhoto of Eeyore waiving helloPhoto of The Evil QueenCinderella Castle decked...
Disney publicity photoWalt Disney World is now taking reservations for the opening of the Disney's Art of Animation Resort in May.The three-story resort has 1,120 suites inspired by the movies "Cars," "Finding Nemo" and "The Liong King" and 864 rooms inspired by "The Little Mermaid." The family suites are opening in May and the standard rooms are scheduled to open in December.The latest hotel has three swimming pools and four courtyards.According...
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Minnie Mouse and her Fly Girls have debuted at Disney California Adventure this past week singing and dancing to songs from the 1940s, '50s and '60s across from Soarin' Over California.“Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” is a tune-filled “travelogue” of song, dance and audience interaction, according to the Disney Parks Blog, which also has photos.“Come Fly with Me,” originally performed by Frank Sinatra, introduces the crew – Amanda, Pat, Kate and Lee. The performance also includes two medleys, incorporating a number of other musical favorites...
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Those celebrating Leap Day at Disneyland will be able to enter starting at 6 a.m. Feb. 29 for a full 24 hours of operation until 6 a.m. March 1.The first 2,000 guests will receive a limited-edition ear hat commemorating the event, according to Disney.If you are that eager to be some of the first people in here's the deal, according to the Disney Parks blog:A look at the One More Day hatPeople can start lining up at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28. If...
Friday, 17 February 2012
Snow White and Seven Dwarfs statues at DisneylandClassic fairy tales are too scary and gruesome for modern kids, and parents are saying and they are no longer reading them to their children. Could holding off on watching the classic Disney movies be far behind?A recent survey of 2,000 adults in the United Kingdom found 52 percent of parents saying Cinderella did not send a good message because it portrays women as doing housework all day, according...
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Flames, fireworks and flowing water punctuate the nightly “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” show in the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon. The centerpiece of the show is the Earth globe, which contains what Disney calls the world's first spherical video display system.Here is how the spectacular is put together, by the numbers:A Disney public relations photo of IllumiNations180,000: Number of LEDs that make up the Earth globe's video display system.26,000:...
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Building Ornament Valley, the mountain range for Radiator Springs in Cars Land at California Adventure in Disneyland, took a team of artisans.The range's peak is about 125 feet. At 280,000 square feet, this is the largest rock work job in any domestic Disney theme park – larger that the Matterhorn, Splash Mountain or, in Florida, Expedition Everest, according to Disney.Here is a Disney video on the making of the mountains, with more than 4,000 tons of steel us...
Disney will debut its latest interactive attraction/game "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom"Feb. 22 at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.One of the cardsArmed with special cards which hold "magic spells," guests will try to stop animated villains from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s powerful crystal ball. Going to different villain hideouts in Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street U.S.A., guests...
The British Revolution perform at the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot at Walt Disney World. Here they perform The Dave Clark Five's "Glad All Over."MORE SMILES OF THE DAYPhoto of Spaceship Earth with the Magic WandPhoto of the Liberty Square RiverboatVideo of the Dapper Dans and the Emergency Broadcast SystemPhoto of Elephants Playing on The Jungle CruisePhoto of Mickey Mouse on Par...
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
"World of Color"A scene from the new Pixar movie "Brave" could be featured in the "World of Color" show at the Disney California Adventure in Disneyland, according to the Orange County Register.Tom Skaggs, chairman of the Walt Disney Parks dropped the hint during a speech at the Orange County Business Council, the newspaper's website reported.Disney has added several scenes and features since “World of Color” debuted in June 2010.“Brave” is the animated...
At Disney California Adventure on the boardwalk is a cute little carousel filled with dolphins, flying fish, otters, seahorses and sea lions. King Triton's Carousel of the Sea is named after Ariel's father in "Little Mermaid." Around the canopy nods to the various boardwalks and piers in California: Abbot KinneyPier, Venice (1905); Belmont Park, San Diego (1925); Fraser's "Million Dollar" Pier, Ocean Park (1912); Lick Pier, Ocean Park (1923); Looff's Pier, Santa Monica (1908); Ocean Park Pier, Ocean Park (1929) ;Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Monica...
Monday, 13 February 2012
A sunset view from the Yacht and Beach Club at Walt Disney World.MORE SMILES OF THE DAYMickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on stageA tiger stretching at Animal KingdomVideo of Mickey and Minnie on a Celebration parade floatPeter Pan's FlightA view of Grizzly Peak in California AdventureFree Kitten T-shirt on The Jungle Cru...
An Avengers cologne set, new LEGOs and Crayola toys are being unveiled this week at the 109th American International Toy Fair this week in New York City. The fair kicks off today and lasts until Feb. 15.One of the more unusual products being un-smelled is The Avengers Cologne Set, Black Widow Perfume, Infinity Formula for Men, and Mischief Cologne, according to the company producing the fragrances, JADS International.According to the company, The Avengers Cologne Set features four fragrances:Patriot Cologne, inspired by Captain America, pays...
Sunday, 12 February 2012
There are more than 1,700 animals from 250 species living at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World.Most of the animals have been acquired from accredited zoos throughout the country, but in recent years the park has had a baby boom, welcoming six elephants, plus giraffes and okapis.While many visitors get their fix of animal watching on the Kilimanjaro Safaris or along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, there are animals in all parts of...
The great thing about having a smartphone is that you always have a camera handy. Phones have taken the place of point-and-shoot cameras, turning almost everyone, it seems, into photographers. Here are some tips to help you make better photos with a smartphone, especially if you're heading out to any Disney theme park.The Matterhorn at DisneylandStay steady: You want to keep your camera as stable as possible. A sneeze, a heavy sigh, anything...
Saturday, 11 February 2012
First Lady Michelle Obama visited Disney World on Saturday to talk to about 1,500 children and families about the importance of healthy living as part of her Let's Move! initiative.First Lady Michelle Obama visited ESPN Wide World of Sports complexto celebrate the second anniversary of her Let's Move! InitiativePhoto by Disney Photographer Gene Duncan“I want to thank Disney for all that they’ve done to support 'Let’s Move' and to make sure our kids...
Inside the China Pavilion at Epcot is the exhibit "Tomb Warriors Guardian Spirits of Ancient China" which contains a replica of the excavation of The Mausoleum of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The exhibit has the recreation of the Terracotta Army. The figures include warriors and horses. In the three pits Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there about 8,000 life-size soldiers.MORE SMILES OF THE...
Friday, 10 February 2012
It's always fun to watch the various entertainment around Epcot at Walt Disney World. Here's a look at the clown from the Italy Pavilion. MORE SMILES OF THE DAYMickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on stageA tiger stretching at Animal KingdomVideo of Mickey and Minnie on a Celebration parade floatPeter Pan's FlightA view of Grizzly Peak in California AdventureFree Kitten T-shirt on The Jungle Cru...
Disney is going to change the story line on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, removing the "Little Red" elephant Audio-Animatronics and replacing it with a new savannah, according to Disney.Construction will start in the spring and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2012. The new space will be a watering hole for animals featuring the zebra. The safaris will continue as construction takes pla...
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Disney World will start enforcing the hour window given for the Fastpass return times starting March 7, various websites are reporting.Normally, guests have been given leeway to return to a Fastpass attraction anytime after the window has started. For example, if the Fastpass return was between 1:05 p.m. and 2:05 p.m., guests were allowed to enter anytime after 2:05 p.m.According to Orlando Attractions Magazine and Touring Plans.com, cast members have been told to begin enforcing the return window March 7 to better provide the best experience...
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
The Earl of Sandwich restaurant will open a location in Downtown Disney by the summer, Disney reported yesterday.The new restaurant will be adjacent to AMC Theatres. Signature hot sandwiches, salads, breads, wraps and desserts will be on the menu. “The success we’ve experienced at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and our other 15 locations has proven that the quality of our food and our dining experience will bring guests back time and time again,.”...
Green Builder Media's Vision House exhibit at Innoventions in Epcot at Disney World is slated to open in April and the company this week announced new product categories for the attraction.The purpose of the Vision House "is to engender sustainable thinking,” Green Builder Media CEO Sara Gutterman said in a news release. "We anticipate that each visitor leaves the exhibit with specific ideas that can help them make their homes and lives more resource efficient and environmentally responsible.”The interactive exhibit will involve whole-home automation,...
Disney theme parks and resorts saw first quarter increases of 10 percent to $3.2 billion, according to the Walt Disney Co. first quarter earnings report.Higher operating income at Disney World and Disneyland were driven by increased guest spending and attendance, partially offset by increased costs. Increased guest spending reflected higher average ticket prices and food and beverage spending, the report stated."Higher costs reflected labor...
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Tigger taking a walk during a parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in 2005.MORE SMILES OF THE DAYMickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on stageA tiger stretching at Animal KingdomVideo of Mickey and Minnie on a Celebration parade floatPeter Pan's FlightA view of Grizzly Peak in California AdventureFree Kitten T-shirt on The Jungle Cru...
A jump-style ride malfunctioned on Monday at Hong Kong Disneyland leaving three dozen people stranded in mid-air, according to The Standard of Hong Kong.This was the second incident involving The Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop in 10 days. According to The Standard, the passengers were stranded for only a short time after the safety mechanism was activated due to a signaling fault. It was restarted about 45 minutes later. The ride, located in Toy Story Land, had another failure on Jan. 28 when about 30 passengers were trapped after a safety mechanism...
Monday, 6 February 2012
It is called the village of Serka Zong.The base of Expedition Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom is the home to this mythical village that those entering the ride first visit. The three-story pagoda-type building, was hand carved with 1,000 yeti images in Nepal, then shipped, aged and re-assembled in Animal Kingdom, according to Disney."The village includes Norbu and Bob’s Himalayan Escapes booking office, Tashi’s General Store and Bar, an old tea warehouse turned yeti museum, the elaborate wood and copper mandir, local homes and a towering...
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland and the theme parks, in 2005, Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World was decked out with a special sign and had characters from all the movies places as statues around the castle. We've opened our vault here and have re-released these photos.Cinderella Castle decked out or the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in 2005.Sir Hiss, the snake from Disney's 1973 animated film "Robin Hood."The...
The day after leading the Giants over the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI, Giants quarterback Eli Manning participated in a parade down Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.Disney released a photo of Manning riding in a red convertible. He flew to Orlando in the morning from Indianapolis and will be in New York City on Tuesday for the celebration parade in Manhattan down the Canyon of Heroes.Disney has released...
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