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! 

Mouse Gears Photoshoot

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

Not many seem to like the Urban series Mouse Gears (or Gear Bears). But we think they are just misunderstood and needed to get out of the box to play. So we took them to, where else? Mousegears at Epcot. So on this 30th anniversary of the great Disney theme park, we would like to share these pictures with you!

Jeff Lukas’ 5/5/12 Magic Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and has some great newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Welcome

We’re still letting the memories begin…

Work continues on the Main Street Bakery facade

Tangled characters meeting in Town Square until a new home in Fantasyland is ready

Pillow pets everywhere!

Still funny

Something for the ladies

That’s… different…

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is looking great following the refurbishment

Everything looks brand new inside

The Tangled meet and greet is being turned into the home for Merida from Brave

More steel rises for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster

What appears to be a large weathervane appeared on the roof of Maurice’s Cottage, Enchanted Tales with Belle

We just keep moving ours…

The second tent is Storybook Circus is slowly being covered

No more steel frames to see at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is coming along nicely

Just a peek over the walls and we can see Casey in all his glory! This looks fantastic for being just a water play area.

RFID FASTPASS scanner outside the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The crane, the crane!

Most of the framework for the Castle Walls is standing now

“I wonder what they are building…”

Stroller parking now happening outside of Village Haus

It’s been quite a shuffle the last few years

Some facade work happening on “it’s a small world”

Work continues on the former plot of the Fantasyland Skyway Station

Work is wrapping up on the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

Everything out in the queue looks good

Bigger changes are expected for the indoor queue, at the very leas most of it has been rebuilt

I know it’s blurry, but you can see that the railroad ties are back

The new track should be a nice adjustment

Oooooooo….

Booooooooo….

The Robo-News man in Tomorrowland returned to service recently

He looks brand new!

Some new shirts at Philharmagic, I LOVE both of them

This shirt has been around, but still cool!

Center Street looks great as does all of Main Street following the 3 years of facade work that has been going on

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.

Adam Roth’s 5/7/12 Epcot Mini-Update

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Epcot yesterday and has a quick update for us:

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Props and decorations slowly vanish from the exterior of Test Track

The exterior queue is gone and various pieces are being thrown away… I know plenty of people who would want whatever you are throwing away…

The old sign is history

Innoventions just seems to get darker…

Habit Heroes is completely walled-off from the world

I assume this means there is work going on inside

We hope…

Zach Larson’s 5/7/12 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 31, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson visited the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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Construction has gone vertical on the Disney Vacation Club wing of the Grand Floridian

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

There are two of these posters in the tunnel now… not only is it not an attraction… but it has more posters than any others…

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom sign near Town Square Theater

Work continues on the Confectionary and Chapeau facades

Work still going on near the Main Street bridge

This new railing was installed during the work

Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to touch trash-cans?

Still not a whole lot of theme to this walkway between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus

Work on the water tower at Fantasyland Station is complete

A look from the Barnstormer reveals that the second Dumbo spinner is nearing completion. We can also see the true height of the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train

The mountain of the Mine Train will be pretty tall

The second Dumbo is fully decorated

Workers on top of Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The covered part is the lift hill as the train will roll out of the mountain

Work continues on turning Tigger’s Bouncy Place into something else

Some tarps now up in front of the Castle Wall construction

A second set of walls now makes for a tight passage

They are working on the back end of the Village Haus facade now

It’s still quite a mess back here

Now “it’s a small world” has tarps up

Work continues on the former Skyway site

Next-gen FASTPASS testing at the Haunted Mansion

It will be interesting to see what this looks like when they are done

They were forcing guests down the graveyard side if you weren’t using FASTPASS, but you could still bypass the interactive queue

Work continues on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Everything looks fantastic!

GOAT!

Package Pick-Up still behind tarps

Awesome shot of the Avengerail in action… I hope you’ve seen the movie by now…

A look at the Grand Floridian DVC construction from across the water

They’ve installed a rocky shoreline

Moving over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it looks like the Sorcerer Mickey topiary is on the move again as walls are up

Stage for Star Wars Weekends is going up

Citizens of Hollywood recently had a character shuffle. This is the “new” Mimi Kaboom

Things got heated…

ACTING! BRILLIANT!

I don’t think the security booths are coming back…

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.