The Indiana Pacers are in Orlando for the NBA Playoffs and the coach of the Indiana Pacers gave them a couple days off. Indiana Pacers team members Paul George (22) and George Hill (26) both celebrated birthday’s this week, and what better place to spend… Read More »Indiana Pacers Players visit the Magic Kingdom
SeaWorld continues its brand makeover to focus on conservation with the next logical step – eliminating plastic bags from its theme parks. This move will keep 4 million plastic bags out of landfills annually, a great change since paper bags decompose in weeks, where plastic… Read More »SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Parks Say Good-bye to Plastic Bags
The Beauty and the Beast themed Be Our Guest restaurant promises to add a whole new dimension of immersive story telling as guests get the chance to be right in the memorable ballroom scene where Belle and the Beast danced together from the classic Disney animated film. Here’s a sneak peek inside the Be Our Guest ballroom with a look at the Chandeliers that will occupy much of the overhead space in the room.
The three chandeliers hang in the main dining room, the largest measuring twelve feet in length and eleven feet across with 80 lights and 100 large crystals. The two smaller chandeliers on each side measure 9.5 feet in length and eight feet across with 50 lights each. The trio of chandeliers are inspired by ones seen in the dining room in Beast’s Castle.
Read More »Be Our Guest restaurant – Video of Inside the Ballroom
EPCOT’s re-imagined Test Track attraction will put the guest inside a computer as they partake in a digital test environment from the queue, through the ride, and even into the post ride experience. Modern day automotive design relies on computer aided-design significantly more than it did when they original blueprints for Test Track were drawn up. Now that Chevrolet has become the attraction’s new sponsor Disney is taking the opportunity to update the experience to a new concept.
Guests in the queue will be able to make design choices for their car based on the four qualities of Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Power. After they experience the attraction they will be able to compare the results of their choices with other people in their car.
Read More »Test Track Re-invisioned Puts You In The Computer
Took a stroll through the Magic Kingdom over the weekend and discovered that things are really in high gear throughout most of the new Fantasyland expansion project. Here are photos with some of the highlights (all the photos have larger versions if you click on them).
Work is in high gear to get the Casey Jr Soak Zone ready for the summer. Since I took this photo they’ve added even more, including many of the circus animals that will double as water fountains. Also note the landscaping and work on the red tent. Apparently the red-tent will be a meet and greet area featuring Donald, Chip & Dale, Goofy, and similar classic characters..
Although the Dumbo ‘tent’ was once all beautifully painted, they’ve stripped off that finish and started new work on the exterior.
Read More »New Fantasyland Update – Magic Kingdom Expansion Progress
Some of the merchandise I’ve featured in my recent Walt Disney World merchandise updates is now available on DisneyStore.com. Now through Thursday you can get free shipping with your entire order with any purchase of Disney Parks items online. Just use the code: PARKSFREE. Happy… Read More »Free Shipping on Disney Parks Merchandise at DisneyStore.com
Tasty holiday treats
I recently posted a roundup on the ever popular souvenir t-shirts, but that’s not all that’s new at Walt Disney World. We’ve got hats, mickey ears, bow-ties, pajamas and more in this merchandise update. If you see something you like, be sure to check the Disney Store as they do carry some theme park merchandise these days.
Jeff and Denise from MouseSteps, two of the nicest people you’ll meet at Walt Disney World, take you on a narrated trip through the newly opened Storybook Circus. Along the way they point out a lot of the details and take you on board both… Read More »Video Tour of New Storybook Circus