Disney Parks Blog

First Look: Mickey Mouse and Friends Onstage for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park

Erin Glover — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:59:00 +0000

It’s almost here! We’re just a few days away from the premiere of “Mickey and the Magical Map” in the newly refurbished Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park. Mickey Mouse and his friends have been rehearsing their ears off (see what I did?), and we’ve got the first photos of the star of the show along with some of his friends onstage.

In these first shots, Mickey Mouse and King Louie pose on the Fantasyland Theatre stage with the Mapmakers.

Here we see Mickey Mouse interacting with a giant-sized Yen Sid, thanks to the sorcerer’s magical map.

Pocahontas leads Mulan and Rapunzel, along with Flynn Rider, in one of the show’s musical numbers.

King Louie joins the Mapmakers in a new take on “I Wanna be Like You” from “The Jungle Book.”

“Mickey and the Magical Map” opens this Saturday, May 25, at Disneyland park – so join us at the Fantasyland Theatre for a journey to imagination with Mickey Mouse, King Louie and more of your Disney friends.

Find out more about “Mickey and the Magical Map” in these posts:

First Look: Mickey Mouse and Friends Onstage for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Disney Resort Icons Inspire New Merchandise Arriving This Summer at Disney Parks

Steven Miller — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:27:45 +0000

I love staying at a Disney Resort hotel. I’ve stayed at nearly all of them in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. The first Disney hotel my family stayed at was Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in summer 1992. There is something magical about staying at a Disney Resort (I love that blast of cool air when entering a hotel lobby). My favorite place is Disney’s Polynesian Resort as I like pretending I’m on a tropical island somewhere in the South Pacific (and they have a Dole Whip machine!). New merchandise featuring a few favorite Disney Resort hotels is arriving this summer. I recently gave you a sneak preview of these new items in an article about summer merchandise. This time, I caught up with Disney Design Group artist Tim Whalen who created the artwork for this new resort logo program.

“We wanted a different point of view from the character artwork we introduced in spring 2012,” explained Tim. “Some time has passed since we had non-character resort themed merchandise for some of our most popular hotels. For this new program, I chose symbols or architectural details that represented each resort. In a way, the details are like characters that guests may immediately recognize when staying at those specific hotels.”

Those iconic details include a lighthouse representing Disney’s Old Key West Resort, a turtle for Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a beach chair for Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and racing horses for Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Tim told me that he added a Hidden Mickey to each of the designs.

The completed artwork was then applied to a variety of new items including apparel, drinkware, magnets, key chains and window decals.

I asked Tim about his favorite design.

“I think I like the clean look of the design for Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort,” answered Tim. “I have stayed at the resort in South Carolina. It’s such a relaxing place to get away from it all.”

Which is your favorite Disney Resort to stay at during a Disney vacation?

Disney Resort Icons Inspire New Merchandise Arriving This Summer at Disney Parks by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Caption This: Enchanting Tikis at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Jennifer Fickley-Baker — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:45:06 +0000

This week’s “Caption This” photo comes from inside the Enchanted Tiki Room here at Magic Kingdom Park.

Taken in 1978, this shot shows some of the chanting tikis at the attraction. The one at the top looks very mischievous. What are these guys talking about? What are they up to?

You tell us. Go ahead and “Caption This!”

Read on for more chances to “Caption This”:

Caption This: Enchanting Tikis at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Downtown Disney District Extended Hours for Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at the Disneyland Resort

Erin Glover — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:00:13 +0000

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks aren’t the only places to have a monstrous time during this Friday’s all-nighter at the Disneyland Resort … the Downtown Disney District is also getting in on the fun with extended hours and more. Check it out:

Restaurants, Food Carts and Quick Service Locations

Downtown Disney District restaurants will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 (excluding ESPN Zone)
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express will be open until 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
Special extended hours at ESPN Zone

The Arena – open until 3 a.m.
The 19th Hole Bar – alcohol available until 1 a.m.
Non-alcoholic drinks served until 3 a.m.
Limited food menu served until 1 a.m.
“1/2 price” special on all Arena games from 12-3 a.m.

House of Blues and Tortilla Jo’s will open for breakfast at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
The following will be open 24 hours on May 24-25

Café Renee
Planet Popcorn
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Jamba Juice
La Brea Bakery Express

The following will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25

Wetzel’s Pretzels Cart
Gelato Cart
Churro Carts

Merchandise Stores and Carts

Downtown Disney District stores will be open 24 hours on May 24-25
Merchandise carts will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
Live Entertainment

6–10 p.m. – Downtown Disney District live entertainment
11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Wendy on the Main Stage
11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Justin at House of Blues area

For more information, click here, and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Disney24.

Downtown Disney District Extended Hours for Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at the Disneyland Resort by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Celebrating 15 Years of ‘The Ultimate Interactive Adventure’ in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Darcy Clark — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:00:10 +0000

I started my Disney career as part of the Walt Disney World Resort College Program in the fall of 1997. In those days, my roommates and I spent a lot of time at Downtown Disney, mostly at Pleasure Island. I remember hearing about something new coming to the West Side – a giant five-story building filled with virtual reality games, arcade classics and cool interactive experiences you couldn’t find anywhere else.

It seems like just yesterday, but this week, we celebrate 15 years of DisneyQuest. (Wow, does that make me feel old!) I’ll admit, when I joined the Downtown Disney team three months ago, I hadn’t been to DisneyQuest in while. (Like, years.) I’m happy to report, I had a blast. I had the most fun playing Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold. I’m competitive by nature, so luckily, I scored the most points! And I loved CyberSpace Mountain and the classic arcade games I remembered from my youth.

While some of the games have been there since opening, new experiences have been added over the years, and many have been updated with higher-resolution screens and graphics. Check out virtual Jungle Cruise and Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam to see for yourself!

Something else that’s been there since the start? Two special cast members, Jessica and Jackie, who’ve been part of the DisneyQuest team since day one.

Jackie, a 43-year Disney cast member this September, opened Walt Disney World Resort (She remembers seeing Walt from afar during construction and met Roy on Opening Day; can you imagine?) and she’s been at Downtown Disney since 1983. She says DisneyQuest is “like one big happy family in the ‘big blue box.’” She loves her role as a QuestKeeper and plans to stay on until retirement.

Jessica, an Attractions Coordinator who was nearly nine months pregnant when DisneyQuest opened, echoes the sentiment, saying, “I don’t have any plans of leaving; I like it here. It’s my home.” Her daughter, the first “DisneyQuest baby,” is now 14 years old. No surprise here, she loves the indoor interactive playground where her mom has worked for a decade and a half.

Though the lobby hasn’t changed much over the years, the fashions certainly have! Red denim overalls (as seen in the archived Marketing shot below) may have been all the rage in the late ’90s, but today it takes a special person to pull off that look. Luckily, a great smile never goes out of style – and after 15 years, I’m so happy to see that it’s still the accessory of choice for Jessica, Jackie and their fellow DisneyQuest cast members.

Have you visited DisneyQuest during its 15-year history? If so, what did you enjoy most? (I’m sure there are a few fellow “Pirate” lovers out there!)

Read on for more from Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort:

Celebrating 15 Years of ‘The Ultimate Interactive Adventure’ in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort by Darcy Clark: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Who Can Resist Disney Parks Popcorn?

Pam Brandon — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:08 +0000

When we’re in any of the Disney Parks, it’s hard enough to pass the popcorn wagons with the buttery aromas beckoning. And now it’s twice as hard to walk on by when these adorable popcorn buckets are filled with the fluffy kernels.

Through the summer (and while supplies last), you’ll find the endearing Dumbo popcorn bucket in Fantasyland at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. The R2-D2 buckets are at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Tomorrowland at Disneyland park.

Cost is $12. Popcorn buckets aren’t on the Disney Dining Plan.

Who Can Resist Disney Parks Popcorn? by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

New Twitter Service Joins Lineup of Benefits for Disneyland Annual Passholders

Erin Glover — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:00:05 +0000

Attention Disneyland Annual Passholders! I’ve got an exciting new benefit to tell you about: a new Twitter service, @DisneylandAP, is now available for you. It’s another great way to stay informed and up-to-date on all the AP happenings at the Disneyland Resort. Follow @DisneylandAP for special AP news and offers, and even answers to some of your Annual Passport questions! Of course, this service joins the official Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Facebook page, Facebook.com/DisneylandPassholders, as another easy and fun way to stay connected to all the benefits of being an Annual Passholder.

Not a Disneyland AP yet? See what you’re missing out on:

Disney Dining Discounts – Annual Passholders enjoy the following discounts at many Disneyland Resort food locations:

Premier and Premium Passholders save 15 percent
Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select Passholders save 10 percent

Merchandise Discounts – Annual Passholders enjoy the following discounts on select purchases at most Disney-operated merchandise locations through December 2013:

Premier and Premium Passholders save 20 percent
Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select Passholders save 10 percent

Special rates at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Passholder-exclusive website with even more special content, including offers, insider updates and all the information you need to make the most of your Annual Passport.
Passholder E-Newsletter with the latest news and information.
Guided Tours Discounts – Annual Passholders receive 20 percent off select Guided Tours at the Disneyland Resort.
Special Events – In addition to advance-purchase savings on Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets for select nights, Annual Passholders enjoy opportunities to attend special events at the Disneyland Resort, such as Annual Passholder Limited Time Magic.

Visit Disneyland.com/passholder to learn more and to become an Annual Passholder.

Passports subject to the Annual Passport Terms and Conditions, including but not limited to Blockout Dates, other restrictions and change without notice. Subject to capacity constraints, and Passports do not guarantee admission during high attendance periods or other closures.

New Twitter Service Joins Lineup of Benefits for Disneyland Annual Passholders by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Disneyland Resort – ‘Most Instagrammed’ Location in U.S. – Now on Instagram

Erin Glover — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:30 +0000

Did you know that the Happiest Place on Earth is also the #1 most-Instagrammed place in the U.S.? It’s true – there have been more than 8 million photos posted on the photo sharing app from the Disneyland Resort to date.

That’s why I’m excited to tell you that we’ve launched @Disneyland on Instagram, featuring 100 percent fan-sourced images! Our guests have always loved sharing their Disney memories from right here inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, and Instagram allows them to do that in a fun way.

Want in? Be sure to add #Disneyland or tag @Disneyland to your photos and you may be featured on our @Disneyland Instagram feed.

Disneyland Resort – ‘Most Instagrammed’ Location in U.S. – Now on Instagram by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

For Your Information: What You Need to Know for Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at Disneyland Resort

Erin Glover — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:12:35 +0000

We’re gearing up for some “monstrous” fun on May 24, when both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks (in addition to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort) will stay open from 6 a.m. on Friday, May 24, until 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013. If you’re planning to visit the Disneyland Resort during this special event, I’ve got some important information you should know.

Park Hours and Attraction Information

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks will open at 6 a.m. on Friday, May 24, and select attractions, entertainment and services will remain open until 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, with the following exceptions:

Cars Land, Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will be available exclusively to Grad Nite guests from as early as 10:15 p.m. (May 24) until 3:30 a.m. (May 25).
Radiator Springs Racers will be available to Disney California Adventure park guests from 9 a.m. – 10:15 p.m. on May 24. FASTPASS Service distribution will begin at 6 a.m. for this attraction.
“a bug’s land” will be available to Disney California Adventure park guests from 6 a.m. – 10:15 p.m. on May 24.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for refurbishment.
Other attractions may close early due to maintenance or other reasons. Please check the Entertainment Times Guide on the day of the event for a more complete listing of scheduled closures.

Queue Instructions for Park Opening on May 24

The early arrival queue will open to guests on Disneyland Resort property at 10 p.m. on May 23. Cast members will be available in the Disneyland Resort Esplanade to direct guests to queue location upon arrival.
Parking will initially be available in the Anaheim GardenWalk parking area with overflow parking at the Pumbaa Parking Lot, if necessary, and standard parking rates will apply. Please be aware that no shuttle service will be offered from the Anaheim GardenWalk or Pumbaa Parking areas prior to 8 a.m. on May 24.
All guests in line will be able to temporarily leave the line to use the restroom, purchase food or beverages, and return or retrieve items from their vehicles/hotel rooms.
Portions of the early arrival queue will be located beyond the guest screening checkpoints, beyond which certain items will not be permitted. Be sure to check the list of prohibited items here. Exceptions will be made for items such as large blankets and pillows, but all items must be able to be stored in a locker prior to entering either park. No tents, inflatable mattresses, coolers or heating equipment will be permitted in the queue.
Restrooms will be available to guests in the queue, and ticket purchases will be available beginning at 3:05 a.m. the morning of May 24.
Disneyland Resort Hotel guests who wish to enter either park at 6 a.m. on May 24 will be directed to the main queue in the Central Esplanade. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel gate into Disney California Adventure park will open to Disneyland Resort Hotel guests at 7 a.m. on May 24.

Annual Passholder Information

SoCal Select Annual Passports will not be valid for admission on May 24.
SoCal or Deluxe Annual Passports will be valid for admission during the entire 24-hour period.
Annual Passholders and their guests who carpool to the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at the Disneyland Resort can receive a special button, while supplies last. Here are the details:

There must be at least three (3) people in the vehicle and at least one (1) person must be a valid Annual Passholder. Valid Passport must be presented upon entry to the participating parking area. Photo ID may be required.
One (1) button will be given to each person who is legally seated in the qualifying vehicle. Supplies are limited and are not guaranteed.
Buttons will be available at the Mickey & Friends, Pumbaa, Simba, Toy Story, and Anaheim Convention Center parking areas. Buttons will not be available at the Anaheim GardenWalk parking location.
This special offer will be available from ~~5 a.m.~~ 6 a.m. on May 24 to 6 a.m. on May 25, or while supplies last.
More information can be found at: www.disneyland.com/apmagic

Stay Connected

Be sure to follow @Disneyland, @DisneylandToday and @DCAToday on Twitter to stay connected and receive the latest updates during your visit to the Disneyland Resort. We will also have live updates throughout the day here on the Disney Parks Blog.
More information on the Monstrous Summer All-Nighter can be found here.

Valid Theme Park admission required, and admission will be subject to capacity constraints and other scheduled park events. Information and event and offer elements are subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.

For Your Information: What You Need to Know for Monstrous Summer All-Nighter at Disneyland Resort by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Scotland, the Newest Marketplace for 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Pam Brandon — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:34 +0000

Our team of chefs and beverage experts are cranking up fast for the 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, with food, wine, beers and cocktails taking center stage around the World Showcase Promenade and all across Walt Disney World Resort.

Look for classic Scottish dishes that are still in the development phase, but the cocktail of choice will be a Rusty Nail, a popular Scotch whisky martini that is simply Scotch and Drambuie. Scotland is just one of more than 25 ethnic and specialized marketplaces – and we’re happy that Brazil returns this year, a crowd favorite that was missing in 2012.

Hawaii is back with the fab pork slider, as well as the vegan Terra Marketplace that debuted last year.

Favorite celeb chefs are back. Look for Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Gale Gand, Art Smith, Buddy Valastro, Bryan Voltaggio, Warren Brown and others to make appearances at special events and on stage in the Festival Center. Wine tastings, mixology seminars, cheese seminars, live entertainment and the engaging Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog give guests of all ages plenty to see and do. More than 270 chefs and culinary stars from the U.S. will be there.

The 46-day festival runs September 27-November 11. You can start making reservations in August at 407-WDW-FEST (date to be announced soon)! Keep an eye on www.epcotfoodfestival.com for updates.

Scotland, the Newest Marketplace for 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog