The domestic Disney Parks announced their 2013 marketing promotion “Limited Time Magic” with a giant ice sculpture castle in Times Square back in October. It was announced that for 52 weeks there would be something special going on in the parks. It might be a… Read More »Boy Band Medley Sung By Dapper Dans – Limited Time Magic Demo
Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort’s Downtown Disney entertainment and shopping district will soon be able to rack’em up and knock them down at Splitsville Luxury Lanes. The boutique bowling venue missed its early December goal and is now targeting later this month on the 19th for a full opening. There was, however, a media preview this morning.
The upscale, retro-style bowling venue is the largest in the bowling brand’s fleet and will offer two-levels with 30 lanes, billiards, live entertainment, a balcony bar with a wonderful vista, and upscale dining options.
As co-founder Guy Revelle says, this is not your father’s bowling alley.
“Splitsville is a perfect fit for Downtown Disney,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “From a new twist on a beloved sport to an impressive menu you’ve never expect to find in a bowling facility, Splitsville offers a great experience that complements our other unique offerings at Downtown Disney. I’m sure it will quickly become a guest favorite.”
Read More »Splitsville Almost Ready to Bowl Strikes at Downtown Disney Orlando
It took major star power and two ceremonies to officially open the newest area of the Magic Kingdom. Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus were dedicated in a special ribbon cutting ceremony and then a larger celebration was held on the stage at Cinderella Castle. The star of “Once Upon a Time” kicked off the “happily ever after” at the grand opening. Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White on the hit ABC-TV drama, joined pop star Jordin Sparks and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs in ceremonies filled with favorite Disney characters, daytime fireworks and timeless melodies from classic Disney films.
“Walt Disney once promised that Disneyland, and by extension all of our parks, would never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world,” Staggs said. “New Fantasyland is a spectacular addition to the Magic Kingdom that delivers on Walt’s promise. We’re thrilled to take guests beyond the walls of Cinderella Castle to discover new worlds featuring iconic Disney characters and stories in ways that are more imaginative, more interactive and more immersive than ever before.”
Earlier in the morning there was a smaller ceremony where the New Fantasyland section was dedicated by Tom Staggs with Sparks and Goodwin doing the official honors of cutting the ribbon.
The re-imagined version of Test Track officially reopened tonight with a small ceremony and a giant party. Disney execs, VIPs, media, dignitaries, and even the lowly Disney blogger were all invited in to enter the world of automotive design as never before, creating their own virtual concept, then boarding a “SimCar” ride vehicle to race through a thrilling series of performance tests.
For the dedication ceremony, Mickey Mouse took the stage with Disney parks president Meg Crofton and Alan Batey, CMO at GM, to officially open Test Track. The band One Republic was also on hand to help the attraction get a rocking start.
The iconic Epcot attraction, a new collaboration between Chevrolet Design and the creative team of Walt Disney Imagineering, celebrates how meticulous design not only shapes the look of Chevrolet cars, trucks and crossovers, but drives their performance on the open road.
For inspiration for the project, Walt Disney Imagineers made numerous visits to Detroit, collaborating with Chevrolet designers and touring the inner sanctums of Chevrolet’s design studios.
“As storytellers, to be able to tell Chevrolet’s design story was fun for our Imagineers,” said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of WDI. “Chevrolet designers come from the same creative roots as Imagineers. Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will become, for Epcot guests, an exciting part of their visit to Walt Disney World Resort.”
Read More »Test Track, with new digital design vision, Re-Opens for Multi-Sensory Fun!
Last night, the media was invited to get acquainted with New Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom at a special party. When Tom Staggs moved from Disney CFO to Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts he played an important role in moving the expansion away from a princess and pixie dominated attraction mix and into the more balanced mix of attractions it will become when the Mine Train opens in 2014. So it was great to have him give an introduction to the expansion, even if reading off the teleprompter isn’t quite second nature to him yet.
The presentation featured a few clips of Imagineers sharing their excitement for the land and a special new computer simulation of what riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster would be like.
Here is the presentation given to the media in its entirety. If you just want to see the new version of the virtual Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride, I’ve highlighted that in it’s own video below the jump
That was it. The media will get a larger presentation on what’s new and what’s next on Friday morning. So stay tuned.
Read More »New Fantasyland Introduction From Tom Staggs
Disney has produced a very clever viral video purporting to be an episode of the popular HGTV’s House Hunters International TV show, but featuring Belle and Beast who have to decide which of the new Castle’s popping up in the Magic Kingdom to move into.… Read More »Belle and Beast go House Hunting in Viral Video
Tonight was the big VIP party for the grand opening of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. We were promised something spectacular and Disney did not disappoint. You may have been following the escapades of Gary over on his Dragon Tumblr blog as he hunted for the elusive fellow. But tonight was the big pay off.
The dragon swooped out of the sky above the Magic Kingdom just as if part of a fairytale. With a vengeful roar it spit fire and menaced the the populace. At least that’s what it felt like if you just squinted your eyes and believed.
I managed to snag some decent video here:
I understand that there are operational problems that prevent the dragon from performing more than just this once. I hope they get them resolved, because there is no doubt this creature belongs in the sky above Cinderella Castle.
Although internally, I knew it was just a fancy looking ultra-light, watching the flight made me feel like a kid again watching a creature that only existed in books and dreams actually flying around the park. It was that magical.
Earlier this morning, Disney snuck out and filmed some professional video of the dragon soaring around. I’ve included that below the jump:
Read More »Dragon really does fly over New Fantasyland Media Event
The Disney Parks Christmas Parade has always been something of a tradition in our household. It’s a good chance to see what’s new, who’s hot, and, of course, soak in some Christmas spirit while opening presents or emptying stockings.
This year marks the 29th annual “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” holiday TV special, airing December 25 on the ABC Television Network. Hosts Nick Cannon and Mario Lopez, along with co-host Maria Menounos, will lead the two-hour telecast with Grammy Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum headlining the seasonal celebration. Joining the trio during the coast-to-coast party are international superstars Backstreet Boys, soulful pop songstress Colbie Caillat, two-time CMA Award winner Brad Paisley, Christian music chart-topper TobyMac, “American Idol” Season 11 champion Phillip Phillips, Gospel legend Yolanda Adams and Disney Channel star Ross Lynch.
The award-winning television spectacular also features special appearances by Sarah Hyland, Nolan Gould and Aubrey Emmons-Anderson from ABC’s hit comedy “Modern Family,” actor Patrick Warburton, Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast Gabrielle Douglas, and the popular pint-sized duo from daytime TV, Sophia Grace & Rosie. Travel expert and television personality Samantha Brown checks in throughout the program, filling families in on the fun they can experience at Disney Parks in the upcoming year. Brown also will share other ways to vacation with Disney, including Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line.
Don’t Miss a Moment of the Magic!
Tune-in times are as follows, on the ABC Television Network (check local listings):
The show also will air in Canada on CBC Network, and across the globe on the American Forces Network.
Read More »29th Annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade Airs Christmas Day on ABC