Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea to Perform Grammy-Nominated Album ‘Oye’ at Downtown Disney District, February 5

WDWNT on January 3, 2013

By Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

 

Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea

Grammy winners and Disneyland Resort favorite Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea have been nominated for a 2013 Grammy award for their eighth album, “Oye,” in the category of Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano). To celebrate, the full ensemble will appear in the Downtown Disney District on February 5 at 1 p.m. They will share their history, answer questions about their experience and perform a medley of songs from their Grammy-nominated album as well as favorites from their past albums.

Directed and founded by trumpet player Cindy Shea in 1999, the Mariachi Divas are well known in the national and international music scene. With four Grammy nominations, 1 Latin Grammy nomination and 1 Grammy win under their belts, the all-female ensemble have been favorites among Disneyland Resort guests and fans all over the world. Come celebrate with them on Tuesday, February 5!

Disneyland Resort Turns Up the Romance During ‘True Love’ Week, All Part of ‘Limited Time Magic’

WDWNT on January 3, 2013

ANAHEIM, Ca., Jan. 28, 2012 – Love is in the air at Disneyland Resort as fairy tale princesses find true love with their princes, and “happily ever after” becomes a reality. It all happens during True Love Week February 11-17, 2013 at Disneyland Resort.

The weeklong love fest is part of “Limited Time Magic” at Disney Parks, where each week in 2013 guests will be treated to a sprinkling of Disney magic, with fun and surprises that enhance their vacation memories.

During True Love Week, a tapestry of romance is woven throughout the resort — from special entertainment and limited-edition Valentine’s merchandise to candlelit dinners for two and new, themed photo locations offering encounters with beloved Disney sweethearts – all for a limited-time only.

The weeklong event celebrates the love of friends and family, and invites couples to rekindle the flame. Here is the lineup:

  • Romantic Setting: Guests will feel the romance at every turn, as heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn Disneyland Park, making it an ideal place to celebrate Valentine’s week.
  • Blushing Castle: At dusk, hues of red and pink will bathe Sleeping Beauty Castle, with projections of flowers and hearts.
  • Floral Heart: A giant floral heart makes a sweet setting for a Valentine photo, in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland.
  • Valentine Wishes: Flowers, garlands and decorative doves will create a second ideal location around Snow White Wishing Well near Sleeping Beauty Castle. At night, magical lighting adds a romantic touch to the wishing well and Snow White Grotto.
  • Disneyland Sweethearts: Also near Town Square, guests will find a photo location with resident Disneyland sweethearts – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck.
  • Dinners for Two: Romantic dinners for two with prix fixe menus will be offered at select restaurants during the most romantic week of the year.  Specially-created menus at Blue Bayou and Café Orleans in Disneyland, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure Park, Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel or Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel make    ideal choices for a romantic evening. To book call 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463).
  • Cupcake Lovers: Chefs have prepared a specially themed Valentine’s dessert: a chocolate cupcake with raspberry mousse filling and dark chocolate mousse frosting. It will be available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café in Disneyland, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café and Pacific Wharf Café in Disney California Adventure, and Disneyland Hotel Coffee House.
  • Valentine’s-themed Takeaways: Limited-edition pins, plush, newly-designed apparel and Vinylmations will be available at select merchandise locations.
  • Ears for your Sweetheart: The classic Disneyland ear hat gets a total glitz makeover just in time for the most romantic time of the year. It will dazzle your Valentine and become the most sophisticated pair of ears in your collection.
  • Royal Romance:  Guests will enjoy a rare opportunity to get photos of Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses along The Royal Walk in Fantasyland. In New Orleans Square, guests will find another pair of sweethearts, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
  • In Search of True Love: Guests may also encounter the Wandering Wallflowers, in search of “true love.”

 

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., will celebrate True Love week with similar in-park offerings. VisitDisneyworld.com for details.

For more information about “Limited Time Magic,” guests may visit www.LimitedTimeMagic.com or search for Twitter hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic.

Conner Purzycki’s 2/11/13 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on January 3, 2013

I took a quick trip to the Disneyland Resort today and captured a few photos from both Downtown Disney and Disney California Adventure.

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Starting in Downtown Disney, the stage by ESPN Zone is being replaced


AMC showing romance movies for Valentines Week 

Temporary stage setup down the way 

Over in DCA, the Glendale Hyperion bridge was painted again 



Here is the other side for comparison which still has the beige color 


World of Color just went though two weeks of refurbishment and I noticed some small new things 

Some new LED rings on some of the fountains 


and also a new mist screen nozzle on the front screen that looks a bit different than the old one 

The rear mist screen look the same as they did before. Just the front one is new it seems. 


Silly Symphony Swings is under refurb 

Neat Fun Wheel shirt 

DCA Poster Post Cards 



Swing by again soon! 

Nighttime Holiday Magic at the Disneyland Resort!

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Valarie Sukovaty on The Disney Parks Blog:

I love to visit the Disneyland Resort during the holidays – where it snows, the Christmas trees glow and icicles hang in rows. You wouldn’t think I’d be describing a magical place in sunny Southern California, but that’s the power of Disney magic! Our talented teams transform the Disneyland Resort into a winter wonderland during the holidays. This video captures highlights of the holiday décor at night. It includes Disney California Adventurepark, where you can find snowflakes made of wrenches at the new Cars Land. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Enjoy!

 

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Featured image by Tim Alcoser.

New 10K Race Added to Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Faron Kelley on The Disney Parks Blog:

I am excited to let you know the Happiest Race on Earth just got happier! Today runDisney announced the 2013 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is expanding with the addition of the Disneyland 10K at Disneyland Resortin Anaheim, Cal.

The new 10K will be a timed event and take runners through Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and on the streets of Anaheim. As with all runDisney races, participants will receive a newly designed finishers medal.

Runners looking for a bigger challenge can register for the Dumbo Double Dare. A limited number of runners will have the opportunity to take the dare and run the Disneyland 10K on Saturday and the Disneyland Half Marathon on Sunday – 19.3 miles total. Finishers will receive a special finisher medal to help celebrate their accomplishments, in addition to the half marathon and 10K medals.

The 10K is one of the most popular race distances for runners, next to the 5K and half marathon. With race weekends featuring kids races, 5K, 10K, 10-Miler, half marathons and a marathon, runDisney offers runners at every level a chance to experience a runDisney event, run through Disney theme parks and earn coveted Disney medals.

Registration for all Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend races opens on January 22, 2013. Last year, the popular half marathon sold out in little more than a month, so I encourage interested runners to act quickly. For more information about the race weekend and other runDisney events, go to www.rundisney.com.

On behalf of myself and some special friends in the video below, I invite you to join us August 30 – September 1, 2013, at Disneyland Resort.

 

 

Believe in Magic with the 2013 Disney Parks Merchandise Collection

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

By Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

“Believe
I generally believe I’m a lucky guy. I have two wonderful children, loving parents, an amazing girlfriend, and I work at the happiest place on Earth. While the New Year arrives with a number that some may consider unlucky, I believe that 2013 will be a lucky and magical year. Believing in magic is the theme that Disney Theme Park Merchandise selected for the 2013 dated art programs. The foundation for this new program is the style guide that Disney Design Group completed in November 2011. I recently took a closer look at the style guide to see what artwork is coming to merchandise in the New Year.

“Believe
The 2013 style guide contains a variety of logos, graphics and patterns that give one consistent look for the merchandise. Artists and merchandisers can use elements from the style guide on all sorts of items fromdrinkware to plush to coffee mugs. Sorcerer Mickey and his hat are both prominently featured in the 2013 artwork. I particularly like how his silhouette was incorporated in the logos for Disneyland and Walt Disney WorldResorts (something I’ve not seen before). I also liked the creative use of “13” in the word “believe.”

“Believe
At many merchandise locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, you will see visually impressive statements containing all kinds of 2013 merchandise. These statements make shopping easier for guests, as dated merchandise is some of the most popular souvenirs from Disney Parks.

“Believe
Guests can also find an assortment of 2013 merchandise on the Disney Parks online store. One of the more unique items currently in the shop is a tie-dyed shirt for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort that has Sorcerer Mickey and friends facing off against several Disney Villains.

Disney Design Group created alternate art program for 2013 that you may recall seeing in a recent Disney Parks Blog video. Stay tuned as I will be giving a closer look at the amazing oversized posters from the 2013 calendar that will also make their way to pins, Vinylmation, iPhone covers and apparel next year.

Adam Roth’s 8/7/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney on Tuesday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

Castle Wall construction rolls on

Plenty of turrets installed now

The Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train is being enclosed

It may look like snow on top of Under the Sea, but they are actually installing real grass as they weren’t happy with how the green paint looked

You can actually see the entrance to Big Top Souvenirs now

The rock-work over the backstage entrance looks good

Let’s see how the Dumbo interactive queue is doing

Pretty cool system the Cast Members sue to track the capacity

It was pretty busy

My favorite part of this queue?

LED fireworks!

Looking beyond Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak…

The canopy is finished on what we expect to be a small food service location themed to Humphrey the Bear

A look back at Dumbo

The photo-op with the ride vehicle has returned

A quick stop at the Contemporary for our first look at the new RFID pay system where guests can use Key to the World cards by just pressing it up to the Mickey icon, provided a credit card is on file

Work continues on Splitsville, set to open in the Fall

Characters in flight is still down for maintenance

But in the meantime, you can buy merchandise to mark the day you didn’t ride it…

No Pleasure Island… No Hyperion Wharf…

Work continues on the new volcano at Rainforest Cafe

Looks like they are getting ready to install the “D-Tech Me” area

Cool castle mosaics available as part of the Castle Collection currently being displayed at the Disney Gallery in California

Thanks for reading!

Dirk Wallen’s 8/16-19/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen was all over the Walt Disney World Resort this weekend, visiting Downtown Disney, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He took some great photos on his trip and has them to share with us in this photo report:

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Looks like the Earful Tower is being painted or repaired

At the Magic Kingdom the Bakery has been out from behind tarps for a while now

The old Swan Boat dock is getting refurbished at the moment

Work continues on Princess Fairytale Hall

The Castle Walls are approaching completion

We still can’t go on the second level of Village Haus to take photos…

More grass being placed on the facade of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The structure for the new Fantasyland restrooms is coming along nicely

The Yankee Trader is open but behind tarps

The Crow’s Nest is still being worked on

Next-Gen FASTPASS has been installed at Haunted Mansion, but it is still covered

Work is wrapping up on the Tomorrowland bridge and we can now see new futuristic railings have been installed

Another look at the Swan Boat dock

Another look at the work on the new bathrooms

Moving over to Epcot, Habit Heroes is still closed!

Epcot 30th anniversary merchandise is starting to hit shelves, like this awesome lanyard!

Perry the Platypus/Phineas and Ferb snacks are available, but I’m more interested in what’s on those Epcot-only popcorn buckets and cups…

A permanent DVC booth is being built next door to the Canada pavilion

Phineas and Ferb topiary still up

A quick stop at Downtown Disney shows us the progress on the new Rainforest Cafe volcano

Moving to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there’s a Frankenweenie ad in the parking lot

The first sign of work on The Legend of Jack Sparrow is this blue coat of paint on the building matching the colors now used for the Superstar Television Theater complex

Oz billboard behind the Great Movie Ride

Frankenweenie as well

Wreck-It Ralph and Frankenweenie up in the Animation Courtyard

Finding Nemo banners hanging in the courtyard

At the end of PPIXAR Place, you can find this Finding Nemo billboard

Halloween merchandise is out!

Awesome shirt featuring the Haunted Mansion and the Fab 5

Another shirt has the Hatbox Ghost

Our last stop is a look at Grand Floridian DVC wing construction

It’s coming along…

Finish Your Holiday Shopping With Unique Merchandise Deals at Disney Parks

WDWNT on December 15, 2012

By Steven Miller from Disney Parks Blog:

“Disney

With Christmas right around the corner, I’m almost finished with my holiday shopping. The only things I have left to find are small items for stockings. During my recent travels around Walt Disney World Resort, I found several deals and unique gift items that may help you complete your holiday shopping.

“Disney
Get Two MousekeEars for $20.00
I first shared news about MousekeEars – the miniature Disney ear hats that you can collect, wear and share – back in August. You can now get two MousekeEars for $20.00 (plus tax) at selection locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. The mini-hats are normally priced at $12.95 each.

“Disney
Two Scarves for $35.00
There are a variety of colorful and decorative scarves available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You can get two scarves for $35.00 (plus tax); the offer only applies to scarves ticketed at $21.95.

Buy Two Antenna Toppers for $8.00
I recently gave a look at my new favorite antenna topper, the Orange Bird, when my fellow Disney Parks Blogauthor Jenn Fickley-Baker visited me at Disney Theme Park Merchandise headquarters. You can get two antenna toppers for $8.00 (plus tax) at select Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort locations.

Three Disney Racers for $15.00
When I was younger, I recall receiving die-cast cars in my holiday stocking. For fans of Disney Racers, you can get three Disney Racers for $15.00 (plus tax). This offer applies only to single Disney Racers ticketed at $5.95 each.

“Disney
In addition to the special deals, I found some items that would fit nicely in a stocking. I liked the luggage tags that look like Disney characters because I travel often and need a way to speed up that baggage claim experience. The Disney•Pixar “Cars”-themed chocolate squares would be a hit with me mostly because I love chocolate! The colorful Mickey Mouse acrylic bracelets could easily add a splash of color to the top of a wrapped present. Finally, I thought the round bottle opener with Mickey Mouse’s face was a unique kitchen item.

Please note – special promotional deals valid only while supplies last and are subject to change without notice.