“What Will You Celebrate?” II: Give a Day, Get a Disney Day starring The Muppets

WDWNT on September 29, 2009

This morning on ABC’s Good Morning America program, the “Disney Parks” announced their new promotion for all of 2010, a second year of “What Will You Celebrate?” subtitled “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day”. As was rumored, the promotion will give a free day of admission to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park for a day of community service. Through the updated “What Will You Celebrate?” website beginning January 1st, guests can search for an approved volunteer opportunity in their area, get involved in their community for a day, and then enjoy the reward of a day at the place “Where Dreams Come True”. The campaign is aiming to give away one million one-day tickets for one million days of community service from January through December of 2010.

NOTE: If WDW/DLR annual passholders or valid multi-day ticket holders participate, they can choose from one of the following special rewards:
• Special Fastpass cards for certain attractions for up to five additional members of your party
• A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins
• Donate the free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney

Here is more informtaion on the promotion that was posted today on the Disney Parks Blog:

Breaking news…as we just announced on Good Morning America, if you give a day of volunteer service to a participating organization, you’ll get one day of free admission to a Disney Park. It’s a first-of-its-kind program we’re calling “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.”

And yes, it’s that simple — a free one-day ticket to a Disneyland or Walt Disney World theme park for guests who volunteer a day of service to a participating organization. We’re celebrating you and the good things you do for your communities.

Our program officially begins on January 1, 2010. When it’s live, you’ll be able to visit www.DisneyParks.com or www.DisneyParks.ca and search for an eligible volunteer project. After completing the volunteer work, an e-mail will be sent from Disney with a link to print out a certificate to redeem at a theme park for a free one-day, one-park admission. And if you’re unable to use the ticket, it can be donated to a charity designated by Disney.

With this announcement, we’re looking for 1 million people with a passion to make a difference. And we’re working with HandsOn Network to do it. They’re helping make sure you find the perfect volunteer work. And many of the program’s volunteer opportunities will be for the family.

Also, you’ll notice that we’re raising awareness for grass-roots community volunteerism in more cities than just Chicago. Disney VoluntEARS are joining local volunteers in cities across the United States and Canada today. Work projects involving more than 1,000 volunteers are happening in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami and across Canada — Toronto, Montreal, Halifax and Vancouver.

We’ll be posting more details about the program and how it may involve your city on the @DisneyParks Twitter account and right here.

Of course, there are some official details you should know about: Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at disneyparks.com. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply. For details, see disneyparks.com in the United States and Puerto Rico. In Canada, see disneyparks.ca.

The campaign website also finally explains why we saw so much in-park filming with The Muppets at Disneyland a few weeks ago. The Muppets are the stars of the marketing for 2010, you’ll be seeing the Jim Henson creations on a special North America tour and on nationally televised ads. The website for the tour (sponsored by Southwest Airlines) is definitely worth checking out for all the Muppet insanity and free downloads you can currently enjoy. Soon the site will have more details on the tour (including dates) that will run throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada to spread the word about helping you community. The promotion has even garnered some star power beyond the beloved Muppets. Commercials featuring James Denton, Taye Diggs, and Teri Hatcher working along with their furry friends to help the community are also available on the official site and will probably begin airing on Disney-owned television networks starting this week.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today as we get more information on the 2010 promotion, “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day!”.

“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).

Picture 2

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.

DVC Add-On at the Grand Californian Now Open!

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 23, 2009) – Disneyland Resort today unveiled a stunning new addition to its Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, including 203 new guest rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas, the first Disney Vacation Club property on the West Coast. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa immerses guests in the magic of the Disneyland Resort by capturing the spirit of early California through design and architecture. Many of the new vacation villas offer guests spectacular views into Disney’s California Adventure Park.

“This expansion reinforces Disney’s long-term commitment to investing in Anaheim’s Resort District,” said Ed Grier, president of Disneyland Resort. “Since opening in 2001, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa continues to impress our guests with its timeless sophistication and exquisite service. The new villas and hotel rooms will give more guests the opportunity to enjoy the immersive vacation experience Disney is known for.”

The 2.5-acre addition to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which increases accommodations by more than 30 percent, is part of ongoing resort expansion work. Currently underway is a multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure Park, which will add new attractions, entertainment experiences and an entirely new 12-acre Cars Land.  In addition, the resort’s historic Disneyland Hotel also began a major three-year renovation last month.

“We are so fortunate to have a wonderful partner in the Disneyland Resort,” said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. “Disney’s continued investment in Anaheim benefits the entire Resort District as well as the surrounding community. This grand addition to the city’s only four-diamond hotel will encourage even more visitors to come to Anaheim and experience a vacation in our great City.”

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa mark the 10th property for Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s innovative vacation-ownership program. As with all Disney Vacation Club properties, guests are able to experience the comforts of home, such as a fully equipped kitchen, living area, dining area, washer and dryer, whirlpool tub and other amenities, depending on the size of the accommodations. Guests can choose from four different room categories including a studio (sleeps 4), one-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 5), two-bedroom villa (sleeps up to 9) and the three-bedroom, two-story Grand Villa (sleeps up to 12).

“It is exciting to witness the incredible growth of Disney Vacation Club, because not only are we creating new accommodations here in Anaheim, we are creating new experiences,” said Disney Vacation Club President Jim Lewis. “Now Disney Vacation Club is part of the place where it all started, a place known worldwide as the Happiest Place on Earth.”

Other new amenities at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa include the Mariposa swimming pool, the Grizzly Game Arcade, a guest laundry facility, two gas barbeque grills, the Paradise View Terrace on the 6th floor overlooking the Paradise Pier area of Disney’s California Adventure Park, underground valet parking spaces and an expanded Pinocchio’s Workshop – a licensed child activity center. The hotel now boasts 948 guest rooms, which includes 44 guest suites as well as 50 Disney Vacation Club two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas.

The Making of Presidents and Play Things

WDWNT on September 23, 2009

Continuing our D23 Expo coverage, we have two more fantastic videos for you to enjoy. The first video is of the “Making of the U.S. Presidents” panel, featuring the creation of the new Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World and the progress on the upcoming Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show for Disneyland. The second video is from the “Making of Toy Story Mania” panel and features the development and execution of the Disney’s California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions. We hope you enjoy these videos by Matt Paul, embedded via the WDWNTube:

“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.

Quick Skyway Demolition Update 9/20/09

WDWNT on September 22, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Brandon Struve made a quick trip to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has a few photos of the continuing demolition of the Tomorrowland Skyway building to share:

The pavement has been completely demolished all the way up to Space Mountain’s entrance

The wreckage has already been moved away

The entire top floor of the building is gone, new restrooms will be built downstairs

Stay tuned as we get more information on this continuing refurbishment

Future of Disney Parks and Resorts featuring Star Tours II and Fantasyland

WDWNT on September 17, 2009

WDWNT Reporter Matt Paul was able to record video of both the “Imagineering the Future of the Disney Parks” presentation and the follow-up press conference at the D23 Expo, and now has both videos available for your enjoyment. Both videos are embedded below courtesy of the WDWNTube:

Hopefully these videos have answered some lingering questions about the exciting upcoming Walt Disney World projects. We still have many questions to ask as well and will try to get them answered as soon as possible, so stay tuned.