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Festival of Fantasy Parade Announced for Magic Kingdom

Entertainment is one the departments that is always delivering the magic at Walt Disney World. They make shows like Beauty and the Beast look fresh every day and wow thousands of people every night with Fantasmic! However, even their best efforts can not rescue the sad reality that is the current Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, parts of which originally came from the Share a Dream parade in 2001. On some days the whole parade passes by guests in its entirety in less than 8 minutes. It’s not the fault of the cast members, they’re giving it their all, but they’re stuck with a lame duck of a parade that’s overstayed its welcome by a number of years.

Well good news, a new daytime parade, the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, will march into Magic Kingdom in spring 2014. Disney promises the parade will bring the magical stories of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A., through fantastic and innovative new parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song.

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom in 2014Read More »Festival of Fantasy Parade Announced for Magic Kingdom

Sneak Peek Inside Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Princess Fairytale Hall

Although most of New Fantasyland had debuted, there are still two major elements yet to open. The Princess Fairytale Hall and The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are still under construction. But today Imagineering had released the following video with a backstage peak at the progress.… Read More »Sneak Peek Inside Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Princess Fairytale Hall

Magic Kingdom Update – Mine Train, Pirates Adventure, and More

It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to take a long stroll around the Magic Kingdom and snap some photos. Most of New Fantasyland may already be open, but there is a lot of work going on at the Mine Train and elsewhere in the park. There still have been no official opening dates for the Princess Fairytale Hall or the Mine Train. We’re hearing that the princess meet and greet has been pushed back. I hope that means they’re adding some upgrades.

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Starting outside you can see that horizontal construction has begun on the new bus loop for the Magic Kingdom.

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Larger buses will eventually be entering and exiting here. More buses should translate to easier connections to other Disney parks and the new Disney Springs

Read More »Magic Kingdom Update – Mine Train, Pirates Adventure, and More

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update

I had the pleasure of wandering through New Fantasyland earlier this week and was impressed with the progress on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster. The mountain is starting to take its final shape as the skin is layered on. Artisans have started adding… Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update

Imagineer Chris Beatty on Creative Process Behind New Fantasyland

As part of the New Fantasyland grand opening event, I had the opportunity to interview Imagineer Chris Beatty who was creative director for the expansion. During the roundtable discussion Beatty explained the process of designing a new attraction with a focus on the Seven Dwarfs… Read More »Imagineer Chris Beatty on Creative Process Behind New Fantasyland

Main Dining room - Ballroom

Dancing With the Stars professionals recreate Beauty & The Beast Waltz

I’ve often wondered why Disney Hollywood Studios has spent a lot of money and time to promote American Idol, when a Disney owned property with its own following was also available. We still don’t have a Dancing With The Stars attraction, but we did get… Read More »Dancing With the Stars professionals recreate Beauty & The Beast Waltz

New Fantasyland Introduction From Tom Staggs

Tom Staggs

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

Viral Video with Belle and Beast

Belle and Beast go House Hunting in Viral Video

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