If I had a time machine at my disposal, it would be very tempting to travel back to 1955, cough up the dollar fifty admission and visit Disneyland during its inaugural year. While, I don’t have a time machine, there is YouTube and the great culture of sharing home movies. Here are a few home videos that feature Walt’s park in its earliest incarnation.
This next one captures the park just a few days after opening. Walt even makes an appearance:
Holy smokes. Did you see that clown at the 2:08 mark? Where did that come from? Also note at 2:30 that Dumbo was still under construction.
Last night I was invited to attend a gala party to re-open the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort. In addition to a revamped menu, they remodeled the dining area with a mid-century modern look inspired by Disney artist Mary Blair, added a new show kitchen, even upgraded the exterior with new windows and allowed easy access to the south observation deck for the first time. On both observation decks they added new lights and a new sound system that delivers the fireworks soundtrack clearer than ever before.
After dinner we were all invited outside to watch Wishes performed in the air over the Magic Kingdom. We choose the new south observation deck which allows a better view of the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle. You’re able to see the front of the castle, which if you have great vision or a zoom lens, lets you get the digital projection show too and I’m sure will be spectacular when it’s lit up for Christmas season.
One of the enduring urban legends surrounding Walt Disney was that after he died from lung cancer in 1966 his body (just his head in some versions) was cryogenically preserved so that future generations could enjoy his genius once the technology to reanimate the dead… Read More »Origins of Walt Disney is Frozen Urban Legend
Walt Disney mortgaged nearly everything he owned and sold TV rights to ABC in order to get enough money to build Disneyland. Alas, the money didn’t go far enough to buy up more of the orange groves that surrounded the site in 1954, by the… Read More »Disneyland Acquires More Property for Cast Parking
Walt Disney World had added another social media platform to their quiver of digital arrows. It looks like they plan to feature the best photos of the parks and resort taken by their fans. You can follow them at @WaltDisneyWorld and use the hashtag #WaltDisneyWorld… Read More »Walt Disney World opens Instagram Account
I used to watch ABC’s Dancing With The Stars pretty regularly and we had great coverage here on the blog. But to be honest, the show, like most reality TV shows I used to watch, had become a bit formulaic. So I deleted the season pass on the DVR a few seasons ago and didn’t look back. I am willing to give the new season of DWTS a chance, but they better wow me and change up the usual stories. What will have me watching is the presence of a great line up of celebrities and one mechanical engineer – Bill Nye. He’s my early pick, just because so many young adults today grew up watching his TV show, plus, as you know, bow ties are cool now. Watch the two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
“Dancing with the Stars” returns for Season 17 and shakes things up by transitioning to a one night, two-hour format. The one-night extravaganza will feature competitive dance, dynamic group performances and musical guests, all building to a climactic elimination. Each week viewers can vote for their favorite dancing performance. Beginning with the second episode on Monday, September 23, one couple will be eliminated at the end of the show by combining the judges’ scores from that night with the public votes from the previous week.
As announced on ABC’s “Good Morning America” by “Dancing with the Stars” hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet, the 12 celebrities with their professional partners heading to the dance floor this season (in alphabetical order) are:Read More »Dancing With The Stars Announces New Cast
You may not realize this, but the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is not the only must-attend event for foodies this fall. The culinary team at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is already gearing up for the annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Get your plates and wine cups ready for two nights of outdoor food and fun on October 18 – 19.
Last year was my second year attending and it was bigger and better that the previous year. I left with a very fun stomach and a list of wines I knew I wanted to try again. The chefs and staff of the Swan and Dolphin’s best restaurants partner with their top vendors to make this an experience you’ll savor. Now that the classic is returning for its fourth year I urge you to attend and savor the flavor of culinary innovation along the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel’s lush causeway.
It’s party season–starting next week in the Magic Kingdom, you can attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and then in November, you can celebrate the holidays at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Both are special ticketed events, which means that you’ll pay around $65… Read More »Are Disney’s Holiday Parties Worth It?
