25 Years of Parades on the 25th

WDWNT on December 18, 2008

Walt Disney World is celebrating 25 years of the Christmas Day Parade this year and has released a small article about the milestone and this year’s edition:

In a way, you could say that it really all started back in 1950, when Walt Disney was welcomed into homes around the country on Christmas Day, appearing in his first-ever TV show. Or you could say it started in 1971, when Walt Disney World Resort opened its doors–and began a tradition of holiday season revelry. One way or another, Disney has been making the yuletide bright for a very long time!

But this year marks a special anniversary, as the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade celebrates 25 years of telecasts. For a quarter-century, watching the Parade on Christmas Day has brought a slice of Disney magic – and Florida sunshine! – to millions of families. We thought it would be fun to look back at some Parade highlights over the years, and see what special events we can look forward to this year as ABC-TV brings us all the festivities on Christmas morning.

Although the earliest telecasts were focused on events at Walt Disney World, today audiences get a peek at events at Disneyland Resort and beyond. We’ll also see a special segment courtesy of Adventures by Disney that gives us a look at Christmas in Italy, hosted by Joey Fatone.

The first official Walt Disney World Christmas Parade took place at the Magic Kingdom Park and included floats celebrating “Jungle Book” Characters, “Herbie the Love Bug,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” “101 Dalmatians,” and “Alice in Wonderland.” The Toy Soldiers that delight Guests each year have also been a part of the Parade from the very beginning – the tradition started at a Disneyland holiday parade way back in 1955, and they’ve been part of the Christmas Parade every year.

Through the years, Guests and viewers have been treated to some spectacular moments – in 1994, Olympian Nancy Kerrigan ice-skated during the event; a number of Presidents of the United States have offered holiday greetings on the telecast; and stars from Mariah Carey to Andrea Bocelli to Julie Andrews have performed. 2008 might just be the most star-studded year ever, with performers including Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Sarah Brightman, Jose Feliciano, American Idol’s David Cook, and Vanessa Williams. This year, Corbin Bleu will be debuting a brand-new song on the telecast. And, of course, Santa is one Parade performer we can always count on making an appearance – after that snowy trip around the world on Christmas Eve, we’re sure he welcomes a dose of Florida sunshine!

Regis Philbin will be cohosting with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest once again in 2008. Regis is practically a Parade tradition, having been involved for 18 years, starting as a “man on the street” commentator. Other hosts over the decades have included, Joan Lunden, Alan Thicke, Suzanne Somers, Tom Bergeron, and Jerry Van Dyke.

The Parade has grown and changed through the years, and it’s a bigger, brighter, more spectacular show than ever. The floats change, new performers make their debuts, and Guests and television viewers alike can be sure of new surprises every year. But some things about the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade, we hope, will never change – the magic, the joy, and the warm holiday spirit that makes Christmas morning extra-special for millions.

Back to the Future with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

WDWNT on December 17, 2008

Even though I typically save the “Back to the Future” name for our segment on the WDW News Today Podcast, I thought it was a fitting title for a post relating to an interesting item I found yesterday. While cleaning through some papers, I found some pamphlets from the 1993 edition of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom I thought I should share with everyone:

img_new1

The front of the 1993 ticket pamphlet

img_0002_new2

The inside fold of the pamphlet

img_0003_new1

Inside of the pamphlet advertising tickets for the four (yes, only four) parties that year

img_0004_new1

There was then this map for the event which is almost like a very large postcard. Here is the front.

img_0005_new

Here is the map on the reverse side, featuring locations for free pictures, hot chocolate, and cookies

Matt Paul’s 12/14 Magic Kingdom Report

WDWNT on December 16, 2008

Matt Paul was at the Magic Kingdom on Sunday to attend the Very Merry Christmas Party, and shares with us some very interesting photos:

A huge vending location of some kind is rising up behind the construction walls in the location of the former fry wagon

You can see fixtures for signage and an awning in this picture

construction materials behind the building on the hill

Read More about Matt Paul’s 12/14 Magic Kingdom Report

Plan on Celebrating Without Space

WDWNT on December 11, 2008

I just received the 2009 Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD in the mail yesterday and here are some notes on what I found inside:

-The package and DVD is littered with balloons, it looks like a seasonal overlay of the 2008 DVD, very similar:

img_0001_newimg_newimg_0002_new

-The WDW brochure inside has also been updated for the celebration:

img_0003_newimg_0004_new

-More interestingly, this brochure features a map of the Magic Kingdom missing one of its signature attractions…

img_new2

Notice there is no mention of Space Mountain, it simply sits there as a mystery structure

As many of you who follow this site are well aware, Space Mountain is scheduled for a still “unannounced” refurbishment in 2009, and the fact that the attraction is missing from this pamphlet and the DVD itself should remove the doubt from anyone’s mind about upcoming changes over at Space Mountain next year. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we gather more information on this rumored refurbishment.

Shaking Up the Celebration

WDWNT on December 9, 2008

Even though we are just about three weeks away from the beginning of the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign at the Walt Disney World Resort, we have already had a major change in plans. Now don’t panic just yet, it’s actually quite a positive one. Instead of taking the same exact concept that Disneyland park is going to use for what they are calling “Celebrate! A Street Party” on Main Street U.S.A. like was originally planned, the Magic Kingdom will be receiving a larger and more extensive version of this mini-parade/show beginning Spring 2009. Here is a release on the new offering:

At the Walt Disney World® Resort, the “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party” will come to life in early spring 2009 at the Magic Kingdom® Park. It will feature multiple floats (in this case, “party boxes”) each hosted by a Disney Character with fantastic upbeat music that will have you dancing and celebrating in front of Cinderella Castle. Hosts include Genie (from Aladdin), Lumiere (from Beauty and the Beast), Timon (The Lion King), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid) and the Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland ).

The concept sounds much stronger than the Disneyland version, as you can see here:

Beginning in spring 2009, the heart of Disneyland® Park will rock to the beat of some of the best party tunes of all time during “Celebrate! A Street Party.” Balloons and streamers fill the air on Main Street, U.S.A.®, while crazy conga lines, swing dancers and Disney Characters take to the street to celebrate with you!

It should be interesting to see how this “Main Street Family Fun Day Parade” replacement does when it debuts next year at the Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on this new entertainment offering becomes available.

Matt Paul’s 12/5-12/6/08 WDW Photo Update

WDWNT on December 8, 2008

Our very own Matt Paul attended this weekend’s Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade tapings, and reports back to us with these photos:

This Friday and Saturday were days for Walt Disney World Christmas Day parade taping

Dream Along With Mickey performed on a slightly modified stage for the later performances

These red curtains were put in just for the parade taping.

Read More about Matt Paul’s 12/5-12/6/08 WDW Photo Update

“Commercial” Appeal

WDWNT on November 30, 2008

Just thought we would take a moment to look at some recent commercials the Walt Disney World Resort has put together for a variety of topics:

  

Holidays at WDW

  

A more recent “What Will You Celebrate?” commercial

  

3-D Theaters on the Disney Cruise Line

Disney Abandoning Ship On Pirate and Princess Parties?

WDWNT on November 26, 2008

From what we have been hearing the last few weeks (contrary to some other “reputable” websites), it appears that Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party will not be happening in early 2009 at the Walt Disney World Resort. Even though some expected dates were rumored around the net, estimated 2009 attendance levels and “Pirate and Princess” merchandise sales as of late seem to have “altered course” for the after-hours Magic Kingdom event. While we may not see these Parties return anytime soon, I don’t doubt that they will return someday (probably closer to the next Pirates of the Caribbean film release in a few years). As always, things can change, so stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available.