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“Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” Opening in Chicago October 16

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Nearly 300 artifacts from 90 years of Disney history will appear in an exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago beginning October 16, 2013 (the 90th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company), and running through February 17, 2014.

Tickets will go on sale at msichicago.org on September 4, 2013.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives highlights the creative accomplishments and innovations of Walt Disney, a Chicago native son, and the company that bears his name.

“The Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives showcases the creativity and innovation that has defined Disney for 90 years,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re proud of this heritage, and we are very pleased to share this rare glimpse into our rich history with Chicago’s world-renowned Museum of Science and Industry.”

The exhibition will feature many rarely-seen artifacts such as drawings, props, costumes, artwork from classic Disney animation, theme park attractions, TV shows and live action films, as well as items from contemporary Disney milestones.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives promises to not be just another static, look and read, “don’t touch” museum exhibition. Hands-on, interactive stations will bring Disney technological breakthroughs in animation and motion pictures to life. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to try their luck at recording sound effects for a film, discover the workings of Disney’s innovative MultiPlane film camera and try their hand at drawing Disney characters in the Animation Academy.

“Through this exhibit we’re pleased to showcase Walt Disney as both a master storyteller and an impressive innovator whose creative legacy continues to inspire people of all ages,” said David Mosena, president and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. “Guests will be immersed in Walt Disney’s ‘can do’ spirit, optimistic outlook and never-ending curiosity that propelled him through his impressive career. This spirit continues to be the creative inspiration behind many of the incredible experiences created by Disney today.”

This impressive collection of artifacts will include:

Clips from some of Walt Disney’s earliest animated works, before there was a Mickey.
The original script for the 1928 cartoon short Steamboat Willie, which introduced movie theater audiences to Mickey Mouse for the very first time, written by Walt Disney.
A partial recreation of Walt Disney’s formal office from the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, Calif., including original furnishings and many of his personal items.
Hand-drawn artwork, hand-sculpted models and props used in the production of some of Disney’s renowned animated features, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Sleeping Beauty.
A recreation of a working animator’s office from the Disney Studios featuring authentic animator’s furniture, and models.
Animation models and artwork from contemporary Disney animation film hits, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin.
Props from classic Disney live-action films, including Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Rocketeer, The Princess Diaries, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Enchanted.
A special area of the exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the release of Mary Poppins, with film clips, interviews with the movie’s creators and rare behind-the-scenes photos.
A salute to Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida, showcasing artwork, Audio-Animatronics characters, and memorabilia from such popular attractions as It’s a Small World, Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, and The Hall of Presidents, as well as early plans and correspondence for Walt Disney’s vision of Epcot.

Regular museum admission does not include this special exhibition. An additional timed-entry ticket, which is priced at $9 for adults and seniors, and $7 for children ages 3-11, will be required. D23 Gold and Silver members will receive a special discount on exhibit admission.

The exhibition, presented by D23 will run through February 17, 2014.

runDisney D2.3 Fun Run Through DCA to Lead D23 Expo 2013

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

On Friday, August 9th, a runDisney D2.3 Fun Run will lead the way for the D23 Expo!

D23 members will have the opportunity to run through Disney’s California Adventure Park on a 2.3 mile fun run, preceding the opening of the D23 Expo. Runners taking part in this adventure will receive a shirt for participating, along with having the experience of running through a theme park, with Disney characters and other magical surprises along the way.

Says Faron Kelley, Director of Marketing for Disney Sports:

“runDisney is committed to helping people live a healthy and active lifestyle by providing races of various distances so the entire family can participate. It’s exciting to be part of the D23 Expo and to provide a memorable runDisney experience for some of the most passionate Disney fans in the world.”

This exciting opportunity will only be available to D23 members, participation will be limited, and you will need your D23 Membership number at time of registration. Starting the week of July 22nd, watch the Disney Parks Blog, runDisney on Facebook, and @runDisney & @DisneyD23 on Twitter, for details on how to register to be selected for the D2.3 Fun Run!

For those of you who cannot make the D23 Expo, we’ve got you covered! WDW News Today will be there providing you with up-to-the-minute exclusive coverage of all the weekend’s events. So stay tuned to WDWNT.com.

Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company

Then and Now: Celebrating 58 Years at the Disneyland Resort, Part 1, 2 & 3

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Disney Parks Blog released images over the past few days in celebration of Disneyland’s 58th anniversary. The images blend historical photo’s with current photo’s, and give a unique perspective of Disneyland.

The Disneyland Resort marks 58 years of history, change and growth on its anniversary next week, July 17. Through the years, one aspect of the Disneyland Resort that remains unchanged is the importance of our cast members to preserving Walt Disney’s vision.

To celebrate the anniversary on the Disney Parks Blog, this is the first of a three-part series blending historical images of our cast with photos of those who carry on Walt’s legacy today.

Then: Walt Disney poses for a photo with cast members at the Creole Café, now Café Orleans, in 1966.

Now: Café Orleans Lead Tammy Peterson poses in the same spot. She recalls, “As a kid, we would have to do chores to earn money to get to Disneyland. Now, I get to bring my grandkids.”

Continuing our three-part “Then & Now” series celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort is this image of the Jungle Cruise.

Then: A Jungle Cruise skipper unloads a boat in 1965.

Now: Jungle Cruise Skipper Randy Grant carries out the same duty. “I’m enough of a dreamer that I understand the concept Walt had for the park,” Randy said. “I think he would be pleased that the Disneyland Resort is still growing. It proves his idea and his dream correct, that this is a place where people can be a kid no matter what age they are.”

Rounding out our three-part “Then & Now” series celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Disneyland Resort is this image of a Tom Sawyer Island River Raft journeying across the Rivers of America.

Then: Cast member Karen Marshall waves to guests in 1987.

Now: Karen Marshall, guest experience services, chats with Kevin Concepcion, Pirates Lair Rafts lead. Karen, who has worked at the Disneyland Resort since 1972, said, “I have many great memories from when I started working at Disneyland park so many years ago. Back then, I never could have imagined all of the changes that have taken place. It has been so much fun watching the Disneyland Resort grow and offer more amazing experiences for our guests to enjoy.”

Happy 58th birthday to the Happiest Place on Earth. The orange grove that started it all. Disneyland!

D23 Sweepstakes Offers Chance to Win a Once-In-A-Lifetime Disneyland Tour

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

New sweepstakes offers D23 Members the chance to unlock the magic of the happiest place on earth with a once-in-a-lifetime tour.

Disney CEO Bob Iger to Open D23 Expo 2013; John Lasseter to Host Presentation

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

As many of you know, the D23 Expo, the Ultimate Event for Disney Fans, is happening this August 9-11, 2013, in Anaheim, California. It’s always exciting to hear all the special things they will have in store for those in attendance, and some exciting news has just been released!

The grand opening celebration of the Expo on August 9th will feature a Welcome by none other than Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, officially kicking off the amazing three day event.

Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios: A presentation hosted by Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter will follow the Opening Welcome, and promises to be filled with surprises and sneak peaks on upcoming animated features, a new film short, surprise celebrities and filmmakers, major announcements in movies, and a live musical performance. This will be held in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios: On August 10th in the Arena, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn will present all the exciting new live-action releases coming up, including Thor: The Dark World, Tomorrowland, and Saving Mr. Banks. There will be behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive clips, and many other surprises in store!

Both these amazing presentations will be held in the Arena, which holds 4,000 fans, but in case you’re worried you still won’t get in, this year features an additional 2,000 seats in the new overflow theatre, where guests can watch all the excitement through a live-feed!

Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company

VIDEO: “Takeoff Tuesdays” Launches Another Exclusive Planes Digital Short

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Today, Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Disney released another digital short as part of its “Takeoff Tuesdays” series to promote the August 9 3D release of Planes.

This week’s offering gives us a profile of Ishani, a female, rear-propeller racer in a world a male plane racers.

This reigning Pan-Asian champion from India boasts more than a billion loyal fans. Ishani is exotic and mysterious, but always has her eyes on the prize.

Next week’s featured character: Ripslinger.

Joe Hogarty’s 7/15/13 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited the Magic Kingdom on Monday to see the start of Long Lost Friends Week as part of Limited Time Magic and he took a number of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look:

It’s Long Lost Friends Week again as part of Limited Time Magic!

Chicken Little and Abby Mallard somehow made the cut…

The Robin Hood gang is back again

Always awesome

Dr. Facilier and Louis from the Princess and the Frog are new this time around

My personal favorite is the Brers!

Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Bear

We keep expecting to see some progress on Princess Fairytale Hall since the tarps were taken down, but nothing

More turnstile conversions happening in the front of the park

Only a few of the old turnstiles remain

Rock-work is slowly but surely covering the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

Triton’s Treasures looks like it will open very soon

Workers on the site

One side of the store is not so finished…

Tarps still up at the old Peter Pan restrooms

The work on Sleepy Hollow Refreshments has wrapped up

It looks great!

Christmas in July! Epcot’s 2013 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages Now Booking

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

It’s difficult to be thinking about the Holiday Season now, during the heat of the Summer, but the Walt Disney World Resorts are now booking Epcot’s Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages for 11/29/13 – 12/30/13!

The Candlelight Processional show is a stunning reading of the Christmas story, presented by a Celebrity Narrator, accompanied by a choir and a 50-piece orchestra.

These Dinner Packages enable guests to enjoy a meal at a select Epcot restaurant, and then enjoy hassle-free, reserved seating at the Candlelight Processional show and pre-arranged Illuminations fireworks seating.

Participating restaurants for the Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages include: Biergarten Restaurant, Chefs de France, Coral Reef, Garden Grill Restaurant, La Hacienda de San Angel, Nine Dragons Restaurant, Restaurant Marrakesh, Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, San Angel Inn, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, Tutto Italia, and Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria.

Included in the Dinner Package: an appetizer, an entrée, a dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Or a full buffet, where applicable.

After dinner, guests get Reserved seating behind the VIP section at the America Gardens Theater. Seating in this Reserved section is on a “first-come, first serve basis,” so guests will still need to plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the show time.

This year, celebrity readers for the Candlelight Processional include: Ashley Judd, Whoopi Goldberg, Edward James Olmos, Trace Adkins, Blair Underwood, and Amy Grant, to name a few. More celebrity names will be added at a later date.

Each Candlelight Processional Show lasts for approximately 45 minutes. There are three show per night: 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. Dinner reservations still need to be made at the participating restaurants ahead of time, even with purchased Dinner Packages, so be sure to call early for seating times.

Here’s a video with previous narrator’s reflections on the Candlelight Processional:

To book your Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, you can call 1(407) WDW-DINE, or go online at www.disney.com to purchase your package and make your dinner reservations.

Have you purchased the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package before? Share impressions below!

Ready for Your Close-Up? New T-Shirts Arriving at Walt Disney World

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

The Walt Disney World Resort is rolling out a new line of t-shirts late this Summer!

The new artwork, due to arrive in the coming months, will feature several t-shirts for boys and adults. The t-shirts for boys will showcase close-up images of Mickey Mouse and Buzz Lightyear.

The adult shirts will include close-up images of Goofy, Mr. Potato Head, Grumpy, and classic Mickey Mouse.

The Disney Design Group introduced the close-up t-shirts last year with an image Walt Disney, which was extremely popular.

Doug Strayer, Creative Manager at the Disney Design Group, created the new artwork for this summer’s shirts; they will arrive in select locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland locations soon!

What do you think of the new line of t-shirts? What character would you like to see grace the new “close-up image” t-shirts?

Dirk Wallen’s 7/10-12/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot last week and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: