Starbucks Coming to Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

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Exciting news for the Disneyland Resort! Starbucks is also coming to the Downtown Disney District!

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Starting this winter, you’ll be able to sip your favorite beverage or enjoy a delicious snack at a kiosk location as well as in front of the west entrance to the World of Disney store.

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Of course there is already a cafe offering Starbucks products in Disney’s California Adventure park at the Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, and another location will open this September in Market House. So by winter, you’ll have four locations in the Disneyland Resort where you can enjoy some Starbucks magic!

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Disneyland Visitors to Meet and Greet With THOR This Fall

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

This year, Disneyland has given visitors an up-close look at the technology of Iron Man at Innoventions. Continuing with that precedent, the park announced this week that Thor from the upcoming Thor: The Dark World, which will be released November 8, will be visiting with guests in Asgard this fall.

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Where exactly Asgard might be at Disneyland Park is anyone’s guess, but we’re putting our money on Fantasyland in the “it’s a small world” area.

This meet-and-greet will mark the first appearance by a Marvel meet-and-greet character in a Disney theme park.

Stay tuned to WDWNT for more details when they are announced by Disney in September.

“Limited Time Magic” Brings End-Of-Summer Parties to Walt Disney World & Disneyland

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

What’s the best way to end the summer season? With a party, of course! Walt Disney World  and Disneyland just announced more “Limited Time Magic” with end-of-summer parties at both resorts.

Starting on Monday, “Limited Time Magic” presents a rockin’ celebration at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, between Space Mountain and the Carousel of Progress. This celebration will feature Disney’s canine friends, Pluto, Bolt, Dug — all with dance along to music spun by DJ K-9. Even Lilo’s “dog,” Stitch, will stop by to crank things up a bit. This dance party will only happen for a limited time, from August 26th – September 1st.

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Disneyland is also having their share of fun during the same week — at the Paradise Pier at the Disney California Adventure Park. Like the last summer days at the beach, Paradise Pier will be celebrating with boardwalk-style acts and a variety of your favorite Disney characters ready to party with you.

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How will you be celebrating the end of the summer?

PHOTOS: Blue Sky Cellar Now Previews Starbucks Market House & Aulani Expansion

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Over at Disney California Adventure, the Blue Sky Cellar was updated over the weekend with new information and concept art for 2 Walt Disney Imagineering projects. The first project is the Market House over at Disneyland Park which will soon also be a Starbucks location. The second project is the expansion for Disney’s Aulani in Hawaii. We’ve got some photos provided by fans of the site, Kris Eijan and Sabrina Soler, who were in Disney California Adventure over the weekend:

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A look at the Market House at Disneyland

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It is confirmed that the stove and the party-line phones will remain and be part of the seating area

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The expansion at Aulani features a new water play area

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Two new dining locations on the way to Aulani

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Both are counter service locations

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So, what do you think of these two upcoming projects and these updates to the Blue Sky Cellar?

Disneyland Resort Honors Medal of Honor Recipient Jay R. Vargas

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Marine Colonel Jay R. Vargas was honored at the Disneyland Resort during the flag Retreat ceremony earlier this week. From the Disney Blog:

During the daily flag retreat ceremony at Disneyland park earlier this week, the Disneyland Resort honored retired Marine Col. Jay R. Vargas, who received the Medal of Honor from President Nixon in 1970 for his actions during the Vietnam War. The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor a service member can achieve in the U.S. Armed Forces. There currently are only 79 living recipients.

Vargas and his family drove down Main Street, U.S.A., in the Main Street Fire Engine before being led by theDisneyland Band into Town Square, where the colors were retired in honor of all members of the military.

Vargas and his wife, Dottie, spent their honeymoon at the Disneyland Resort and were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! Have you seen or been a part of the flag retreat ceremony lately?

You can read Major Vargas’s Medal of Honor citation here:

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

MAJOR JAY R. VARGAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in action against enemy forces in theRepublic of Vietnam from 30 April to 2 May 1968. On 1 May 1968, though suffering from wounds he had incurred while relocating his unit under heavy enemy fire the preceding day, Major (then Captain) Vargas combined Company G with two other companies and led his men in an attack on the fortified village of Dai Do. Exercising expert leadership, he maneuvered his Marines across 700 meters of open rice paddy while under intense enemy mortar, rocket and artillery fire and obtained a foothold in two hedgerows on the enemy perimeter, only to have elements of his company become pinned down by the intense enemy fire. Leading his reserve platoon to the aid of his beleaguered men, Major Vargas inspired his men to renew their relentless advance, while destroying a number of enemy bunkers. Again wounded by grenade fragments, he refused aid as he moved about the hazardous area reorganizing his unit into a strong defense perimeter at the edge of the village. Shortly after the objective was secured, the enemy commenced a series of counterattacks and probes which lasted throughout the night but were unsuccessful as the gallant defenders of Company G stood firm in their hard-won enclave. Reinforced the following morning, the Marines launched a renewed assault through Dai Do on the village of Dinh To, to which the enemy retaliated with a massive counterattack resulting in hand-to-hand combat. Major Vargas remained in the open, encouraging and rendering assistance to his Marines when he was hit for the third time in the three-day battle. Observing his battalion commander sustain a serious wound, he disregarded his excruciating pain, crossed the fire-swept area and carried his commander to a covered position, then resumed supervising and encouraging his men simultaneously assisting in organizing the battalion’s perimeter defense. His gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of the Marines Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON

A salute to Colonel Vargas and all military members, active duty and veterans.

Fresh Updates Can Now be Found at Harbour Galley in Disneyland Park

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Welcome to a new improved menu at the Harbour Galley, located on the waterfront in Critter Country in Disneyland park. Known for its refreshingly different quick service options, now there’s more new items to try!

One new option on the menu is a classic lobster roll, which looks pretty delicious.

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Along with the Roast Beef Salad, you can now also choose a Shrimp Cobb Salad.

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As far as the baked potatoes go, the Bacon & Sour Cream Stuffed Baked Potato will remain as is.  The Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Baked Potato is now replaced by a Shrimp Salad Stuffed Baked Potato, with cucumbers, tomato and frisee. And the Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato now has the addition of Creamy Coleslaw atop the Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Sauce.

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Served in fresh-made Sourdough Bread Bowls, the popular Clam Chowder and Broccoli and Cheddar Cheese Soups will remain on the menu.

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So the menu now boasts three soups, two salads, a lobster roll, and three baked potatoes, along with fresh cut fruit, as well as the Mickey Kid’s Power Pack, loaded with string cheese, yogurt, apple slices, whole grain crackers and drink choice.

Harbour Galley at Disneyland Park now has a little something for everyone!

Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company.

Max Guggenheim’s 8/30/13 Disneyland Resort Photo Report

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

WDWNT photographer Max Guggenheim was at the Disneyland Resort on Friday, August 30th and caught many newsworthy photos to share with us:

Taking a ride on Radiator Springs Racers

“Hold tight on the curves” ~Doc Hudson via car radio

It’s that time of year again… Halloween merchandise all around!

Of course, it would not be Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort without the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday next Friday

Max takes us inside the construction site at Big Thunder Mountain which is now nearing completion

Rumors specualte that the ride will remain closed until 2014 now, but still no confirmation from Disney

Starbucks is moving into the Market House real soon…

Very similar to the retro Starbucks logo used at the Magic Kingdom location

The Fortuosity Shop is decorated nicely

Some new Enchanted Tiki Room 50th merchandise on display at the Disney Gallery

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!

Walt Disney World (And Disneyland) Resort-Inspired Signs Now Available

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

One of the most difficult things for me to face is saying farewell to my “happy place” at the end of a Walt Disney World vacation. The sights, the smells, the sounds —  fun and happiness all around you.

One of the ways I try to combat post-WDW sadness is to try and recreate some of my favorite dishes from the restaurants.  I’ve perfected the New England Clam Chowder from Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and the Key Lime Pie from Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken from the Hoop De Doo Review at Fort Wilderness.

Now Walt Disney World has a new way to recreate the feeling of the Disney Resorts at home – with a line of art-inspired signage from the Disney Parks. Created by the Disney Imagineers and the Disney Design Group, these signs are following the trend of vintage sign replicas.

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David Whitaker, senior merchandiser, says, “The sign program has been wildly popular with guests. We wanted to offer oversized replicas of Disney Parks’ signs printed on wood-like material or metal… we had plenty of options for us at Disney Parks. The fun part was selecting the most iconic signs for this first program.”

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For some signs, the artists reproduced the sign almost exactly how it looks at Disney Parks, like the Aloha Isle sign.

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Other signs combine elements from several signs for an attraction to create an original piece of artwork, like the Enchanted Tiki Room sign.

“We took the attraction sign and combined it with shields found both on the Adventureland bridge in Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and on the attraction building in Disneyland park in California,” explained David. “I thought the addition of the shields made the sign more aesthetically pleasing.”

Look for the new vintage resort signs at the Art of Disney location in Downtown Disney Marketplace and Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Gaston’s Tavern sign is located in the new Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.

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There are also two Disney•Pixar’s “Cars“-inspired signs found at select locations in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park.

Unfortunately, the vintage signs will not be available at the Disney Parks online store, but  some of these signs will be offered at the Disneyland Resort at a future date.