Disney continues to dominate theme park business

Disney still dominates theme park attendance worldwide but it was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios that accounted for 45 percent of the attendance increase in North America, according to the 2011 Theme Index Global Attractions Attendance Report.

North American theme park attendance in 2011 grew by 2.9 percent, but 1.3 percentage points of that increase was due to the new Harry Potter land, according to the report, published by the Themed Entertainment Association and the Economics practice at AECOM.

Without Harry Potter, North America attendance grew by 1.6 percent. "That 1.6 percent figure points to continued, slow economic recovery from the recession and modest attendance growth for most parks, in a mature market. This is seen not just in park attendance figures but also in tourism numbers," the report states.

Even with the success of Harry Potter, Disney is still the gold standard when it comes to theme parks, filling the top eight spots on the list.

Disney World's Magic Kingdom remains the most visited park in the world with Disneyland behind it, followed by the two Tokyo Disney parks.

Here's how the parks stack up.

Read More

A time lapse tour of Disneyland

What started out as a camera test by photographer Daniel Navarrete of Disneyland ended up a year later with a 30,000 plus photos turned into a 4 minute 42 second video time lapse tour of Disneyland and the California Adventure.

The video starts you out at the entrance to Disneyland, shows you around, takes you on a few rides, let's you experience a parade and even World of Color. It's a phenomenal accomplishment.

Thanks to Micechat.com for turning us on to this.

Read More

Disney donates CALIFORNIA letters from California Adventure

                                                                                      © Disney

The renovation of the California Adventure entrance at Disneyland Resort will help out the California State Fair.

Disney is donating the 11-foot-high California letters that have marked the entrance to the park since its opening, according to the Sacramento Bee.

"The letters were very popular with millions of guests over the past decade, and Cal Expo is a fitting destination to continue their legacy," Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis told the Bee.

This year's California State Fair will be held July 12-29, and the Cal Expo in Sacramento.

re here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/30/4524219/disneys-california-letters-to.html#storylink=cpy

Read More

'Mad T Party' unveils June 15 at California Adventure

Photo by Walt Disney Company

The new “Mad T Party" show will start June 15 and run nightly through the summer in Hollywood Land at California Adventure in Disneyland.

The rest of the year, the show will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

According to a Disney news release, the centerpiece of “Mad T Party” is a wildly themed, oversized tea table set under a canopy of fanciful lanterns. The tea table doubles as a state-of-the-art concert stage.

The “Mad T Party” band consists of stylized characters inspired by “Alice in Wonderland,” including the Mad Hatter as lead vocalist, Dormouse on lead guitar, March Hare on bass, Cheshire Cat on drums, Caterpillar on keys, and even a special appearance by Alice herself.

When the “Mad T Party” band is not performing, the White Rabbit DJ will keep the party going. Adjacent to the main stage is the House of Cards, a place for games, dancing, drinks, live entertainment and specialty acts.

Read More

Disney Facts: Disneyland 2012 edition

The opening of Cars Land at the California Adventure on June 15 will change the entire landscape of Disneyland Park. As the anticipation continues, Disney has released a new version of the its Disneyland Park fact sheet. 

Here's an updated look at some of Disneyland facts and some firsts.

                                                   Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort

• Disneyland resort employs 22,000 people.
• The Matterhorn Bobsleds, which reopen June 15 after a major refurbishment, was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1959.
• Disneyland created the first daily operating monorail in the western hemisphere.
• “World of Color” uses a submersible platform that’s bigger than a football field.
• More than 800 species of plants grow at Disneyland.
• The landscape surrounding the Jungle Cruise has evolved into its own ecosystem since the attraction opened in 1955. The trees have created a canopy that allows species of ground plants to grow that otherwise wouldn’t in Southern California.
• Buena Vista Street, the new road into Disney California Adventure, invites guests to step into Los Angeles of the 1920s and ’30s, experiencing the sights and sounds Walt Disney may have discovered when he stepped off the train in California in 1923.
• At 280,000 square feet and 125 feet tall at its peak, The Ornament Valley Mountain Range in Cars Land is the largest rock structure in any domestic Disney theme park.
• More than 30 different languages are spoken among Disneyland Resort cast members.
• Disneyland Resort costuming cast members maintain more than a thousand different costumes for use in the parks and hotels.
• About 50 certified scuba divers work on the Disneyland Resort Facilities team, which maintains such attractions as “World of Color,” “Fantasmic!” and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Read More

Disneyland ticket prices increasing May 20

Ticket prices will increase at the Disneyland Resort starting May 20, a few weeks before the June 15 opening of Cars Land at the California Adventure, the Matterhorn re-opening and a slew of other shows being introduced, the Disney Parks blog announced.

The increases range from a 16% for a 1-Day Park Hopper ticket to an 8% for a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket. And an 8% increase for a 1-Day 1-Park ticket to a 3.5% increase for a 5-Day 1-Park Per Day ticket.

Annual passes will also be increasing.

The changes:

Adult tickets - ages 10+
1-Day 1 -Park - From $80 to $87
1-Day Park Hopper - From $105 to $125
2-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $158 to $170
2 -Day Park Hopper - From $173 to $200
3-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $209 to $220
3-Day Park Hopper - From $224 to $250
4-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $234 to $245
4-Day Park Hopper - From $249 to $275
5-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $251 to $260
5-Day Park Hopper - From $266 to $290

Children - ages 3-9
1-Day 1 -Park - From $74 to $81
1-Day Park Hopper - From $99 to $119
2-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $146 to $158
2 -Day Park Hopper - From $161 to $188
3-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $193 to $205
3-Day Park Hopper - From $208 to $235
4-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $216 to $225
4-Day Park Hopper - From $231 to $255
5-Day 1-Park Per Day - From $231 to $240
5-Day Park Hopper - From $246 to $270

Disneyland Resort Annual Passports
Premium - From $499 to $649
Deluxe - From $379 to $469

Read More

Smile of The Day: Beauty and The Beast in Fantasmic

Beauty and the Beast in the Fantasmic! show in Disneyland.

                                                                                                                                                       © Steven Liebman

Read More

"Brave" will join "World of Color" in Disneyland

There had been talk a new scene being added to the "World of Color" nighttime show, and now Disney has announced it will be a scene from the newest Pixar/Disney film "Brave."

“Brave” is the animated story of a Scottish princess named Merida. The movie is scheduled to be released June 22.

The scene will debut June 15. 

Since the show opened in 2010, it has featured updates including "TRON: Legacy” and “Prep & Landing.” 

Read More

Smile of The Day: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

When at any of the Disney parks it's always important to look up. You never know what you're going to find. Here is a photo outside Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Disneyland.

                                                                                                                                            © Steven Liebman

Read More

Disneyland introduces new guided tour

For the first time since 2005 Disneyland is introducing a new guided tour.

                                                    Walt Disney Company photo

Cultivating the Magic introduces guests to the story of how 260 acres of orange groves were transformed into Disneyland. "It’s not just pointing out plants – you discover how horticulture is used to tell a story and how it helped achieve Walt Disney’s vision for his original Magic Kingdom," according to the Disney Parks Blog.

The tours will be about two hours long and leave from the Disneyland Tour Gardens (left of City Hall) on Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. and Mondays at 10 a.m.

For pricing and booking information call 714-781-TOUR.

Read More

Smile of The Day: Walt and Mickey in Disneyland

Nighttime at Disneyland is always wonderful. Here's the great "Partners," Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Here's what Walt had to say about Mickey Mouse: “Mickey Mouse is, to me, a symbol of independence. He was a means to an end. He popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad . . . on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner. Born of necessity, the little fellow literally freed us of immediate worry. He provided the means for expanding our organization . . . and for extending the medium of cartoon animation toward new entertainment levels. He spelled production liberation for us.”

                                                                                                                                  © Steven Liebman 

Read More

Photo of Maleficent dragon head on highway leaving Disneyland

Imagine driving on the highway and coming upon a dragon head in front of you and wondering if a fireball is soon to come.

The grand Maleficent dragon head from Disneyland's original Fantasmic! is a sight to see on the freeway as D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, transported the head on the highway to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum for D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit. The exhibit opens July 6, 2012. Head here for some more Fantasmic! dragon facts.

                                                                                                       Photo by Business Wire

Read More

Smile of The Day: Mickey in Fantasmic!

Mickey Mouse appears in dozens of attractions and parades all around the world. One of the best is Fantasmic! in Disneyland. Here's Mickey, lighting up the stage.

                                                                                                                                  © Steven Liebman

Read More

DIsney Facts: World of Color

The "World of Color" at Disney's California Adventure in Disneyland is one of the most remarkable shows I've ever seen. The way the water, light, sound and projections work is a marvel. It is a must see and is hands down the best night time show at Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

The technology behind the show is fantastic. Here is a look at the show, by the numbers:

100,000: The number of digital images used during the show.

30,000: The weight in pounds of one of the submersible electrical rooms, used in the show. These rooms can travel up and down with the platform like submarines, controlling the power and infrastructure that runs the fountains and lights. 

                                                                                                © Steven Liebman
World of Color at Disney's California Adventure

1,200: The number of fountains used during the show.

600: The number of Grid Fountains.

400: The number of Chaser Fountains.

380: How wide in feet the water screen for digital projection reaches.

200: The height in feet the water from the fountains can reach.

65: The number of Dual Water Whip Fountains.

76: The number of Single Water Whip Fountains.

75: The miles miles of cable that help control the lift tables and show equipment in the lagoon.

28: The number of projectors (14 of them, submersible) which brings the images to life.

16: The amount of millions of gallons of water in Paradise Bay, where the show is located.

12: The number of Flower Spout Fountains.

10: The number of Geyser Fountains.

6: The number of Dancer Fountains.

4: The number of Butterfly Fountains.

1: The size in acres of the fountains are laid out in n Paradise Bay.

Source: Walt Disney Company

Read More

Disney Facts: Pirates of the Caribbean

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.

                                                                         Photo by Walt Disney Company 

But did you know that the popular ride, which first opened in 1967 at Disneyland, was not part of the inaugural attractions opened at that Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World? Disney Imagineers thought that since Florida sits in the middle of the real Caribbean there would be little interest in a pirates-themed adventure, according to the Walt Disney Company.

Soon after the Magic Kingdom opened the comments came in and many people were disappointed that there was no Pirates of the Caribbean ride. So Disney went to work and the ride finally opened Dec. 15, 1973.

Here are some facts about each of the rides, from Disney:

Walt Disney World version of Pirates of the Caribbean

• There are about 125 Audio-Animatronics figures — 65 pirates and villagers and 60 animals and birds.
• Caribbean Plaza in Adventureland, where the attraction is located, features the Spanish and English architectural styles of the 18th century West Indies. 
• There is a plunge down a 14-foot shoot that brings guests into the middle of a sea battle.
• There are two chess-playing skeletons in the attraction.
• This was the first major addition to the Magic Kingdom following the 1971 opening of the park.

Disneyland version of Pirates of the Caribbean

• The was the last ride supervised by Walt Disney.
• The attraction is housed within two large show buildings totaling 112,826 feet and featuring 750,000 gallons of water that flow through a 1,838-foot canal.
• It cost $15 million to build New Orleans Square ($8 million of which was spent on Pirates of the Caribbean). This is equal to the amount the United States paid for the real New Orleans in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803
• The façade of the attraction was partly inspired by the Cabildo building in Jackson Square in New Orleans that served as the seat of the Spanish colonial government in 1799. 

The Song

The famous song, "Yo Ho, Yo Ho; a Pirate’s Life for Me," was written by lyricist X. Atencio and composer George Bruns. Here are the complete lyrics.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char and enflame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

One last fact

Atencio also provided the voice for the talking skull and crossbones that delivers the warning, “Dead men tell no tales.”

Read More

Your 2012 Fall and Holiday Guide to (Almost) Everything Disney

(UPDATED: Nov. 11)

Here's a quick look at what you can expect at Disneyland and Disney World from September to December, as well as other major Disney events. This list will be continually updated as new dates are set and announcements are made, so keep checking back.

FALL: The new Splitsville luxury bowling and dinner lounge at Downtown Disney in Disney World opens, featuring 30 bowling lanes as well as outdoor seating and billiards tables.

FALL: Shanghai, China, opens its first ever Disney Store.

FALL: The Kilimanjaro Safaris ride at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World opens a new savannah where the "Little Red" elephant was located.

SEPTEMBER 1:  The “Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality,” opens in Downtown Disney in Disney World. Guests will be able to interact with Phineas and Ferb, Agent P or Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

SEPTEMBER 1-2: The Disneyland Half Marathon weekend. This 13.1-mile course winds through Anaheim, Calif., and the Disneyland Resort.

SEPTEMBER 1-3: The Great Irish Hooley Labor Day Weekend at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney in Disney World.

SEPTEMBER 3: This is the last performance of "The Magic, The Memories and You!" projection show at Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. A new show will debut in November.

SEPTEMBER 4: "Hocus Pocus" released on Blu-ray.

SEPTEMBER 4-DECEMBER  7: Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 4-NOVEMBER 15: Storybook Land Canal Boats in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 4-NOVEMBER 15: Casey Jr. Circus Train in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 5: International Vulture Day celebrated at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

SEPTEMBER 5: Toy Storia Mania at Disney's California Adventure closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 7: Night of Joy weekend at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The contemporary Christian music festival takes place with a special ticket from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Performing is NEEDTOBREATHE, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Red,  Brandon Heath, Disciple and Royal Tailor

SEPTEMBER 7-OCTOBER 31: Tokyo DisneySea hosts a Venetian carnival-style show called “A Halloween Daydream”  featuring Disney characters joined by skeletons.

SEPTEMBER 7-9: The annual Disney Trading event returns to Epcot from September 7-9. Titled “Mickey’s Circus,” the event will feature three days of trading, for both pins and Vinylmation.

 

SEPTEMBER 8: Night of Joy weekend continues at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, again 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The acts playing are: MercyMe, Third Day, Kutless, Chris August, Lecrae, Yolanda Adams, Thousand Foot Krutch and Dara Maclean.

SEPTEMBER 10-13: Big Thunder Ranch and Space Mountain in Disneyland closed for refurbishment and MuppetVision 3D in Disney's California Adventure closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 10-14: Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure in Disney World is closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 11: "Ghosts of the Abyss" released on Blu-ray.

SEPTEMBER 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, and 30: Mickey's Not-So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes fireworks and other surprises.

SEPTEMBER 13: Disneyland Haunted Mansion re-opens.

                                                                          © Steven Liebman
A skeleton band in Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade. 

SEPTEMBER 14: "Finding Nemo" in 3-D is released in theaters.

SEPTEMBER 14-18: London Fashion Week takes place where Minnie Mouse fashion is unveiled.

SEPTEMBER 14-OCTOBER 31: It's Halloween Time at Disneyland in California with special Haunted Mansion Holiday, special ghost encounters at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Space Mountain turns into Ghost Galaxy and special trick-or-treat Mickey's Halloween Party on select nights.

SEPTEMBER 15: The Little Mermaid section of Disney's Art of Animation resort opens. This is the final section of the resort.

SEPTEMBER 17: The Segway tour returns to Epcot.

SEPTEMBER 17-18: Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 18: "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3" released on DVD and Blu-ray, and "The Great Mouse Detective" released on Blu-ray and Movie Download.

SEPTEMBER 18-19: The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom is closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 18-20: Sailing Ship Columbia in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 25: "The Avengers" released on Blu-ray, DVD and Movie Download.

SEPTEMBER 25-28: Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

SEPTEMBER 26: Epic Mickey 2 European release for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

SEPTEMBER 26: Elephant Awareness Day celebrated at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

SEPTEMBER 28-NOVEMBER 12: The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World featuring international food kiosks and beverages, cooking demonstrations and mixology classes and wine tasting.

SEPTEMBER28-30: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend. The newly created 10-mile race takes place in and around Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The weekend includes the Disney Villains Hollywood Bash, kids’ races and a family fun run 5K at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

SEPTEMBER 28-30: Night Ranger performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World. And “Design Star” Season 7 Winner Danielle Colding will appear.

OCTOBER 1: Epcot celebrates its 30th anniversary.

OCTOBER 1-3: Sugar Ray performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 1: Bistro de Paris in the France Pavilion in Epcot is expected to reopen from refurbishment.

OCTOBER 2: "Cinderella" Diamond Edition on DVD and BLU RAY is released.

OCTOBER 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31: Mickey's Not-So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes fireworks and other surprises.

OCTOBER 4-7: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas performs  at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 5: "Frankenweenie," Tim Burton's heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog, is released in theaters.

OCTOBER 5-7:  Casey Noble of  “Design on a Dime” appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 6: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 8-18: Starcade in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 16:  The Studio Backlot and American Film Institute at Hollywood Studios are closed for refurbishment.

OCTOBER 8-10:  Boyz II Men performs  at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 11-12:  Smash Mouth performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 12-13: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hosts its own Food & Wine Classic.

OCTOBER 12-14: Alison Victoria – DIY Network’s “Kitchen Crashers” appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 13: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 13-14: Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice,” performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 14: Disney Channel star Caroline Sunshine is on at for the 22nd Annual CHOC Walk in the Park at the Disneyland Resort. She will take walkers in supports of Children's Hospital of Orange County around Disney's California Adventure. More information is available at  www.chocwalk.org.

OCTOBER 15-17: Air Supply performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 16: "Jake and The Never Land Pirates: Jakes Saves Bucky" released on DVD; The Santa Claus 2," "The Santa Claus 3-Movie Collection" and "The Santa Claus: Special Edition" all released only on Blu-ray.

OCTOBER 17: Country Bear Jamboree is expected to re-open after refurbishment.

OCTOBER 18-19: Gin Blossoms perform at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 18 -25: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is closed for refurbishment.

OCTOBER 19-21: Brian Patrick Flynn – HGTV.com, “Design Happens” contributor appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 20: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 20-21: Survivor performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 22-NOVEMBER 8: "it's a small world" in Disneyland closed for refurbishment.

OCTOBER 22-23: Hanson performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 23:  "Secret of the Wings,"  the latest Disney Fairies adventure, will be available to own on Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack and Digital

OCTOBER 23: Downtown Disney at Disneyland opens an ice skating rink that brings you straight into the world of Tinker Bell. The rink will be between the AMC12 Theaters and the ESPN Zone for a limited time.

OCTOBER 24-25: The Pointer Sisters perform at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 24-25: The Boneyard at The Animal Kingdom in Disney World is closed for refurbishment.

OCTOBER 26-28: Sister Hazel performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World and Meg Caswell of – “Meg’s Great Rooms” appears as well.

OCTOBER 27: Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 28-JANUARY 5, 2013: Typhon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment.

OCTOBER 29-31: Billy Ocean performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

OCTOBER 31: Bat Day celebrated at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

OCTOBER 31: Disneyland will celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland during Halloween Time.

NOVEMBER: A new nighttime projection show on the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World begins. A specific date has not yet been announced.

NOVEMBER 1-DECEMBER 31: The Disneyland Resort in California turns into a holiday wonderland with Sleeping Beauty Castle lit up with icicles and lights, "it's a small world" holiday special around the globe and meet real reindeer at Santa's Reindeer Roundup in Frontierland in Disneyland.

NOVEMBER 1-8: Big Thunder Ranch closed for refurbishment.

NOVEMBER 1-2: .38 Special performs  at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 2: Mickey's Not-So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade, Happy HalloWishes fireworks and other surprises.

NOVEMBER 2: Walt Disney Studios movie "Wreck-It Ralph" is released. Ralph is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, the "good guy" star of their video game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. Before the movie, Disney's new short "Paperman" will also debut.

NOVEMBER 2-4: Marianne Canada of HGTV.com, “Design Happens” contributor appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 3:  Party for the Senses takes place during the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 3-4:  Howard Jones LIVE performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 5: Space Mountain closed for refurbishment.

NOVEMBER 5-6: Blues Traveler performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 6: "Prep and Landing Totally Tinsel Collection" released on Blu-Ray and "The Muppet Christmas Carol Special Edition" released on DVD and Blu-Ray

NOVEMBER 7-8:  Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX,  performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 8-11: More than 100 world-class golfers will come together at the annual Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 9-11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 9-10: Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Epcot in Walt Disney World. 

NOVEMBER 9-11: Festival of the Masters, an open-air art festival held at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World featuring over 150 artists.

NOVEMBER 9-12: Emily Henderson of  HGTV's “Secrets From a Stylist” appears as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 9- JANUARY 4: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights takes place on the Streets of America at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

NOVEMBER 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with the enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa and special shows.

NOVEMBER 13: "Brave" and "Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 2" released on DVD, Blu-Ray and Movie Download.

NOVEMBER 14: The windows outside Barneys New York on Madison Avenue will be unveiled to show the 2012 Electric Holiday campaign. Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino is creating an original score for the display, the released stated.

NOVEMBER18: “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is released.

NOVEMBER 19: The New Fantasyland rides open:  Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid, The Be Our Guest Restaurant and Enchanted Tales with Belle.

NOVEMBER 20: "Cinderella II & III Special Edition 2-Movie Collection" released on DVD and Blu-ray, and "Santa Paws 2 The Santa Pups" released on Blu-ray.

NOVEMBER 22-25: The Old Spice Classic at the ESPN World of Sports in Walt Disney World with eight basketball teams and 12 games.

NOVEMBER 23-25: The Junior Soccer Showcase takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World. The FYSA-sanctioned tournament offers younger age groups the chance to experience the same great national competition as their older counterparts in the original Disney’s Soccer Showcase in December.

NOVEMBER 23- DECEMBER 30: Holidays Around the World - Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Walt Disney World. Epcot features Yuletide traditions, decorations and entertainment. The Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrators accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir.

NOVEMBER 23-25: Candlelight narrator is Geena Davis.

NOVEMBER 26-29: Candlelight narrator is Neil Patrick Harris

NOVEMBER 30- DECEMBER 1: Candlelight narrator is Whoopi Goldberg

DECEMBER 1-20: The Candlelight Processional and Ceremony at Disneyland starts. 

DECEMBER 1-8: The annual Pop Warner Super Bowl and Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Championships takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

DECEMBER 2-4: Candlelight narrator is Andy Garcia.

DECEMBER 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with the enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa and special shows.

DECEMBER 4: "Finding Nemo" Ultimate Collector's Edition comes out on DVD and Blu-ray. 

DECEMBER 5-7:  Candlelight narrator is Blair Underwood.

DECEMBER 6: The grand opening of the New Fantasyland takes place.

DECEMBER 6: Test Track in Epcot is tentatively scheduled to reopen after refurbishment.

DECEMBER 8-9: Candlelight narrator is James Denton.

DECEMBER 10-13: Candlelight narrator is Jodi Benson.

DECEMBER 14-16: Candlelight narrator to be announced.

DECEMBER 17-19: Candlelight narrator still to be announced.

DECEMBER 20-22: Candlelight narrator is Trace Adkins.

DECEMBER 23-25: Candlelight narrator is Gary Sinise.

 DECEMBER 26-28: Candlelight narrator is Amy Grant.

DECEMBER 27-JANUARY 3: Disney’s Soccer Showcase takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This is the ultimate place for top clubs to be seen by hundreds of college coaches looking for great soccer talent.

DECEMBER 29-30: Candlelight narrator is Marlee Matlin/Jack Jason

DECEMBER 31: New Year's Eve Part at DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World.

COMING IN 2013
Here's a sampling of what will be happening in the Disney Universe. The Ultimate 2013 Disney Universe Guide will be unveiled October 1 to help you plan your upcoming trips.

DURING THE YEAR: Tokyo Disney will update its Star Tours ride. Free Wi-Fi will be rolled out to all Disney World parks.

MID-2013: Expansion of the Aulani Disney Resort should be complete.

JANUARY 1: Disney World cuts back its Extra Magic Hours in the evening from 3 hours to 2 hours.

JANUARY 2-MARCH 19: Splash Mountain is closed for refurbishment.

JANUARY 10-13: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

JANUARY-APRIL: More than 500 items from the Walt Disney Archives continues to be on display at the  Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

FEBRUARY 22. 24: Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World.

MAY 4: Expedition Everest Challenge 5K run.

AUGUST 9-11: The third D23 EXPO is held at the Anaheim Convention Center.

SUMMER: Phineas and Ferb assemble with The Avengers and Spider-Man in a TV special.

LATE SUMMER: The California Grill re-opens. 

LATE FALL: B Hotels & Resorts will open a new resort in the Downtown Disney.

 

Read More

Disney Facts: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

                      Photo by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland
President Abraham Lincoln Audio-Animatronic
 figure at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

Walt Disney was fascinated with Abraham Lincoln. As a child he even memorized Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to recite it to his class mates and as he got older devoured any bits of information he could about the President.

It's no wonder that when the idea came to create a human Audio-Animatronic Disney decided he wanted to create Lincoln. And he did. The first Audio-Animatronics version of Lincoln debuted in 1964 at the New York World's Fair at the State of Illinois Pavilion. It became so popular it moved to Disneyland in 1965 to the Main Street Opera House.

In 1984, the show was reprogrammed with Audio-Animatoric enhancements, according to the Walt Disney Company.

The original who had Lincoln delivering a speech composed of highlights from several speeches he made during his lifetime. In July 2001, another update was made and guests donned earphones to hear a dramatic Civil War presentation followed by the figure of Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address.

From 2005 until early 2009, the show went on hiatus.

In 2009 it reopened with the pre-show now including a bronze replica of the original 1964 sculpt of Lincoln’s head. The latest Audio-Animatronic technology was used and new speech using Lincoln’s words in previous versions of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (except the 2001 update) is being presented by using original recordings made in the early 1960s by Royal Dano.

Here are some quick facts about Abraham Lincoln:

• He was born on February 12th 1809, and died April 15th 1865 at the age of fifty six.
• He stood 6-feet 4-inches.
• He is the only president to receive a patent. This was in 1849 for a buoyancy system in steamboats.
• He disliked killing and harming animals, even for food.
• He was the first president to have a beard.
• He was the first president to be assassinated.
• He was very disorganized. As an attorney he carried papers in his stovepipe hat so he wouldn’t misplace them.
• His Gettysburg Address is one of the most oft repeated speeches throughout history.

Read More

Starbucks is coming to Disney, but where else can you get a decent cup of coffee

By now everyone has probably heard the thankful sigh across the land that Starbucks will be opening six stores between Disney World and Disneyland starting this summer.

                                                          © Starbucks

At Disney California Adventure, Starbucks will be found at the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street. Still to be announced are locations in Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

For years there have been complaints on the quality of the coffee in the parks. Nestle is a corporate sponsor, and Nescafe coffee is sold in many places. For the "real" coffee drinkers, this is nothing more than a lightly flavored water. On a recent trip to WDW I got into a 30-minute conversation with friends about the perils of finding a good cup of coffee at WDW. (Granted, they were journalists and use coffee as a stimulant more than some people.)

So the question arises, until the Starbucks cups start to appear, where can you get a good cup of coffee in Disney World?

Here are some options, culled from personal drinking and the opinions of coffee addicts. (Please feel free to add to the list in the comments):

• Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort serves Kona coffee made from beans from the Big Island in Hawaii.
• Writer's Shop on New York Street in Hollywood Studios. They make it fresh.
• Starring Rolls Cafe,in Hollywood Studios.
• Contemporary Grounds on the first floor of the Contemporary Resort is a coffee bar serving specialty drinks.
• Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, French coffee press.
• Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion in Epcot.

Read More

Philippines wants to be home to the next Disneyland

The Philippines is angling to be the home to the next Disneyland.

A politician from the Philippines has sent a letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger suggesting that the Clark Freeport Zone in the Philippines become the next home to a Disneyland, according to the Business Mirror.

The Clark Freeport zone is a redevelopment area for Clark Air Base, a former U.S. Air Force base.

“Aside from the huge space it provides, the Clark Freeport Zone can be an attractive destination for Disneyland theme park because of the tax-free privileges given to locators,” First District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin wrote in an April 11 letter to Iger, according to the website.

What's the likelihood of this? Not much, considering Disney is now in the middle of building Shanghai Disneyland, which opens up China. And with Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, you really have to question whether there is enough demand and money to open a park in the Philippines.

 

There has also been recent speculation of a Disneyland in Dubai. On a recent trip to Dubai to promote the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris, Julian Munoz, the director of marketing and sales at Disneyland Paris, talked with officials in the United Arab Emirates, but no plans evolved.

Read More

Voices of Liberty coming to Disneyland

The Voices of Liberty is coming to Disneyland.

The 8-part a cappella group who perform in the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot at Disney World will now have a counterpart at Disneyland, the Disney Parks blog announced.

The group, which performs such Americana songs such as "Ol' Man River," "Yankee Doodle" and "Amazing Grace," will be seen at the Main Street Opera House in Disneyland. During the holidays, the group performs many Christmas classics, such as the one below.

Read More