“Holidays Around The World” by Chuck Mirarchi

WDWNT on October 8, 2009

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Visiting the Walt Disney World Resort can be daunting for even for the most seasoned Disney travelers, but visiting during the holidays can be truly overwhelming.  There are four theme parks, two water parks, the Downtown Disney district, twenty-one resort hotels, and not to mention the numerous water and sports activities available.  All of that alone is enough to keep someone busy on a vacation, but there are numerous special offerings that go under the radar of most visitors… and they shouldn’t.

Special events, backstage tours, and special dining events happen throughout various areas of the resort, but with one major difference: special events are offered for a limited time during the year and backstage tours and special dining events are typically offered year around.

First, we’ll take a look at special events.  These events typically happen around the same time of the year, every year. They are highly anticipated by those who know about them, but casual WDW visitor may not be aware.  Whether they are sporting events or holiday celebrations, many people build their Walt Disney World vacations around these happenings.

Both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade are popular events that take place at The Magic Kingdom. Because of the limited amount of tickets sold on select dates— 24 party days for Halloween and 19 party days for Christmas in 2009—these events tend to sell out quickly.  The general estimate is 20,000 tickets, but Disney does not release exactly how many they sell for each evening’s party.  It is best to purchase tickets in advance of course, but tickets can be purchased on the day-of the party if available.

Advance ticket purchase is the same for both parties.  After calling Disney (or purchasing online) and giving a credit card, tickets can be mailed or picked up upon your arrival.  If you’re already in the park on the day of the party, proceed to the Rose Garden near Cinderella’s Castle after 4:00 PM and Cast Members will swipe your party ticket and put a wristband on you.  Those holding party passes, but not planning on being in the park earlier, can typically head to the main gate at 4pm and look for specially designated Cast Members who will assist in getting you set up.  Although the Halloween and Christmas parties officially start at 7pm, guests will be admitted as early as 4pm.  When the park closes at 7pm to regular guests, only those guests with wristbands may stay.  Cast Members do check and will kindly escort out anyone not wearing a wristband.

Both events have similar set-ups: holiday-specific themed fireworks and parades, character meet-and-greets, access to some regular Magic Kingdom attractions, themed food and beverages, dance parties, and other specialty events and shows.

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“Around the World in 80 Bites” by Chuck Mirarchi

WDWNT on October 1, 2009

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Last week, World Showcase at Epcot® went from representing 11 countries to over 26 countries in the blink of an eye courtesy of the International Food & Wine Festival.  Celebrating its 14th year, the International Food & Wine Festival, which runs through November 8th, celebrates foods from some of the world’s greatest cities.

Although delicious in their own right, the Walt Disney World Resort is more than just burgers, fries, turkey legs and Mickey premium ice cream bars.  Charles Passy recently reported in the Palm Beach Post, “If there’s any proof of how much a culinary mecca Disney has become, it’s the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival… the festival, now in its 14th year, plays host to scores of prominent chefs, winemakers and celebrities: This year’s participants include famed chocolatier Jacques Torres, master sommelier and television personality Andrea Immer Robinson, and singer-turned-cookbook author Patti LaBelle.”

Navigating the food and wine festival, which happens throughout Epcot®, can be a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  The festival is broken down into four basic categories: demonstrations, seminars, special experiences, and the International Marketplace.  In addition there is nightly entertainment with the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Theme park admission is required, and although some of the events will require an additional fee, others are included with admission.

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The Disney Gallery Opens This Friday!

WDWNT on September 30, 2009

From The Art of Disney Parks:

The Disney Gallery will open Friday, October 2nd, 2009 in the former Bank of Main Street Building!

Like most, you’ve probably missed visiting The Disney Gallery on your recent trips to Disneyland® park. Well, good news! the hot-spot for viewing original and one-of-a-kind Disney artwork and artifacts is ready to re-open in the fall at its new location – in the former Bank of Main Street, right next to the Disneyland® Opera House.

This new location offers roughly the same amount of area as the gallery’s previous home above the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction (which is now occupied by the Disneyland® Dream Suite). And, just as before, The Disney Gallery will be made up of three separate rooms – two exhibit rooms and a gift shop. “This will allow us to tell on continuous story, or three separate stories, as we used to in the former gallery,” said Kim Irvine, Walt Disney Imagineering and Art Director for this project. She also told us that the unique qualities of the building have been incorporated into the gallery’s theme: “We’ll maintain the bank look and architecture and visually tell the story that this was an old bank that has been turned into an art gallery.  Guests will still see remnants of the old bank influence – like the vault!”  So be sure to stop in and visit this longtime favorite attraction and store in its new digs.

A huge product release and signing will be held on Saturday, October 10th, 2009:

Join us as we celebrate the opening of The Disney Gallery in its new location on Main Street, U.S.A. with an array of Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney Inspired Artists, including Jim Crouch, Jody Daily, Jeremy Fulton, Kevin Kidney, Larry Nikolai, Maggie Parr, George Scribner, SHAG and Yakovetic. Commissioned artwork by these artists will on display and will be available as part of the product release & signing. The artist signing will take place from 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, October 10th, 2009.

Also, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” product release and signing will be held the following Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at The Disney Gallery:

Join us as we celebrate Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and the re-opening of our Haunted Mansion attraction in its “holiday” state. Artists, Dave Avanzino, Brian Sandah and Tim Wollweber will be on hand to sign some of their latest Haunted Mansion Holiday inspired merchandise, including a Haunted Mansion Holiday mixed media sculpture, a Jack Skellington themed mantle piece, changing portrait and stained glass-like sculpture.

Also available as part of the release will be Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The 13 Days of Christmas book by authors, Steve Davison and Carolyn Gardner. Show Development and Production Senior Writer, Carolyn Gardner along with Tim Wollweber who helped to illustrate some of the book, will be on hand for a special appearance and signing. The artist signing will take place from 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, October 17th, 2009.

“Disney Parks” Launches New Blog On Eve of Major Announcement

WDWNT on September 29, 2009

The Disney Parks public relations team really shocked the online fan community earlier today with the introduction of it’s own blog site, The Disney Parks Blog. The blog already features a few posts and will feature videos, photos, and articles about the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, the Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Vacation Club categorized by various topics, all under a rotating picture banner (sounds familiar).

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While the blog matches the look of the WDW website, it looks like it will offer visitors a more “inside” look at the Parks and Resorts division

The launch of the blog comes just 24 hours before the “Disney Parks” division is set to unveil their marketing campaign for 2010. Rumors indicate that we may not be in for any BIG changes next year, but the free admission on your birthday promotion will most likely not be coming back after December 31st. Instead, the “Disney Parks” may be offering free admission only to those who perform community service for a certain amount of hours. Whatever the campaign may be, we’ll know for sure early tomorrow morning as Disney is set to make the announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America program. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on this story as it develops.

“Disney Parks” Launches New Blog On Eve of Major Announcement

WDWNT on September 28, 2009

The Disney Parks public relations team really shocked the online fan community earlier today with the introduction of it’s own blog site, The Disney Parks Blog. The blog already features a few posts and will feature videos, photos, and articles about the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, the Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Vacation Club categorized by various topics, all under a rotating picture banner (sounds familiar).

While the blog matches the look of the Walt Disney World website, it looks like it will offer visitors a more “inside” look at the Parks and Resorts division

The launch of the blog comes just 24 hours before the “Disney Parks” division is set to unveil their marketing campaign for 2010. Rumors indicate that we may not be in for any big changes next year, but the free admission on your birthday promotion will most likely not be coming back after December 31st. Instead, the “Disney Parks” may be offering free admission only to those who perform community service for a certain amount of hours. Whatever the campaign may be, we’ll know for sure early tomorrow morning as Disney is set to make the announcement on ABC’s Good Morning America program. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today as we get more information on this story as it develops.

Screams in the Sky and in Space

WDWNT on September 25, 2009

Happy Halloween everyone! Today is the first day of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, and we have some more pictures and information on the new additions to Halloween Time this year, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Halloween Screams. Firstly, more information on Ghost Galaxy from the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

Space Mountain visitors will know something’s gone awry right after they begin their ascent in the Disneyland ride.

The climb through a tunnel starts normally with stars drifting past the rocket and a swirling galaxy awaiting at the top. But about half way through the tunnel, white stars turn orange and red, swirling into a skull-like face and skeletal arms extend. Spiny hands grab out, shooting crackling lightning past riders. The creature roars.

This is just the beginning of the new Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy that debuts to the public today at Disneyland.

The seasonal makeover of the roller-coaster marks the first time that Disneyland has redone Space Mountain for Halloween Time, which begins today.

“It’s classic Space Mountain with a whole new look,” said Steve Roach, the ride’s show producer.

Disneyland Resort usually tries to keep the mood light for the Halloween season, but this ride is slightly different.

“For the first time, it’s something actually very frightening for Halloween,” Roach said. “I don’t think we’ve done anything this scary before.”

A sign will warn guests that the ride may be too scary for young children, Roach said.

Ghost Galaxy’s back story is that Disney wants recruits to explore unknown phenomena during a deep-space research trip, but then something goes wrong. Guests are detoured into an unknown galaxy with cosmic phenomena at every turn, Roach said.

Throughout the ride, guests can see morphing ghosts reaching out toward guests. One arm grabs above riders. Another ghost chases riders alongside the carriage. A creepy eye blinks in front. And one final surprise ghost pops out at the very end. (We know because we got to ride it early.)

Roach said upgrades completed on the ride four years ago made it easier for workers to transform the attraction into a Halloween spectacle. With the new additions, workers were able to swap out projection images that go on screens inside the dome. New lighting was added, especially at the entrance and exit.

Also, a sound system was built into every seat with the 2005 upgrades. The new soundtrack of creepy music, wailing and occasional roars was put in for the occasion. It was composed by Ed Kalnins, who also did the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride.

About 12 workers, called Imagineers, have been installing the overlay since the ride was temporarily closed about two and a half weeks ago. But workers will be able to turn the ride back to its original form overnight when the Halloween season is over in about five weeks, Roach said.

Ghost Galaxy was originally done at the Hong Kong park in 2007, said Ric Turner, a show designer who also worked on the Hong Kong attraction. There, Imagineers added the features in a short period with low expectations, but it “blew everybody away,” Turner said.

Anaheim’s Ghost Galaxy has more scenes, including the chasing ghosts, he said. Also, Imagineers were able to create more of a 3D effect with the grabbing monsters.

Both Roach and Turner have worked at lower-level jobs in Disneyland, so they were excited to work on Space Mountain. Roach, who lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, used to be a ride operator on Space Mountain itself, while Turner worked in food service.

Disneyland invited employees to ride Ghost Galaxy on Thursday, a day before the public is allowed in. Some employees gave the ride high marks.

“It was amazing,” said Tory Asher, 33, a manager for Adventureland attractions. “That’s definitely my favorite holiday offering we’ve ever had.”

Kelly Murphy, 26, also an Adventureland manager, said she was worried about the fright factor.

“I’m a little chicken,” Murphy said. “I think Disney does a good job of just the right level of scary.”

Secondly, Disney released some photos from a test performance Tuesday night of the new Halloween Screams fireworks show:

Pumpkins are projected onto Sleeping Beauty Castle

An inflatable Jack Skellington head

Jack’s “head” is also used to cast Oogie Boogie’s shadow

Spider webs on Sleeping Beauty Castle

Using the same system as Dumbo did in Magical, Zero takes flight during Halloween Screams

Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for more coverage on both Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Halloween Screams.

“Buzz & Buzz” Land at the Magic Kingdom on 10/2/09

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

The Buzz Lightyear toy that took off into outer space in May 2008 to open Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has come back to earth and will be featured in a celebratory “Celebrate a Dream Come True” ticker-tape pre-parade on October 2nd at the Magic Kingdom. At 2:45 PM on 10/2, Buzz will make his way down Main Street U.S.A. along with Buzz Aldrin and astronauts who served on the International Space Station.

Disney and NASA prepare to honor Buzz Lightyear's return from sp

Buzz Returns from space on 9/11/09(Tony Landis/NASA, photographer)

Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Buzz Aldrin and get an autographed book:

In addition to appearing in the parade, Buzz Aldrin will host a book signing in Exposition Hall on Main Street, U.S.A from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Dr. Aldrin will be available to guests of the Magic Kingdom® Park to autograph his books, “Magnificent Desolation” and “Look to the Stars.”

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Please note: Photographs are permitted during the book signing; however posing with Dr. Buzz Aldrin will not be allowed. Merchandise available while supplies last.  We ask that only two (2) items be signed per Guest. We ask that you bring no personal items to be signed. Book personalizations will not be permitted.   Event merchandise must be purchased on the day of release at the event location.  ValidWalt Disney World® Resort receipt may be required.  Signing is subject to space and time availability and is not guaranteed.  Event information subject to change without notice.  Separate admission is required to enter Walt Disney World® Resort theme parks.

Myrna Litt’s DLR and Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary Photo Report

WDWNT on September 19, 2009

Our very own Myrna Litt was one of the lucky few who got into The Haunted Mansion 40th anniversary event last week, and she shares with us her photos of the event, along with other happenings around the Disneyland Resort:

We’ll start off with the day before the event, at the merchandise viewing and pick-up area at the Disneyland Hotel

There was a photo opportunity

Into the store we go…

Various pieces of Haunted Mansion merchandise, from pins to sketches to models

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D23 Expo Day 3 Recap (9/12/09)

WDWNT on September 13, 2009

As we did on the second day of the D23 Expo, here is a recap from today’s events at the Anaheim Convention Center. Today held some of the biggest announcements of the D23 Expo so far. First up is the much anticipated Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion:

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Here we see concept art of the new Fantasyland. As you can see, most of the princesses have been the inspiration in the development of the new attractions and restaurants. Pixie Hollow is also being developed fully, complete with the hometree and a Pixie play area. Many of the Disney Princesses will be getting their own realms in Fantasyland, including Belle, Cinderella, and Aurora

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Another princess getting her own portion of the park is Ariel. Like its sister park on the west coast, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is inviting Ariel to be part of its world with a new Little Mermaid section of Fantasyland. The area will be dominated by Ariel and Eric’s castle, with a statue of our favorite little mermaid perched on a rock amongst the water surrounding the castle

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The classic staple, Dumbo, is also getting a facelift–a second set of ride vehicles, and a three ring circus atmosphere and a three ring circus atmosphere to incorporate the feel of the original film. The ride will be “completely queue-less” with a waiting area set up with bleachers for parents. Riders waiting until their feather is called can be entertained by playing a variety of interactive games

Finally, with fanfare, a group of storm troopers, and an appearance from Darth Vader himself, Jay Rasulo announced Star Tours 2

The updated, 3D ride will entertain guests in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland with various Star Wars experiences, including a high-speed pod race

Construction for the Fantasyland expansion is expected to start sometime in early 2010, while Star Tours 2 is expected to close in October 2010. Star Tours is set to open in 2011 while Fantasyland and Pixie Hollow are expected to open in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

I hope you’ve been enjoying our coverage of the D23 expo. Stay tuned to Disneyland News Today for a round-up of day 4 of the Expo tomorrow.