Universal Orlando opened the next chapter in their quest to grow their share of the vacation market. Cabana Bay Beach Resort, the first value hotel at Universal, celebrated its very first guests to check-in today, March 31. The Hicks family of St. Petersburg, Fla. received… Read More »Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Welcomes First Guests
The sweet sugary treats known as PEEPs marshmallow candy will be featured in a new celebration at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel during PEEPtastic Easter April 16 to 23. Guests will enjoy free PEEPS brand marshmallow samples, PEEPS-inspired menu items, PEEPS décor… Read More »It’s a PEEPtastic Easter April 16 to 23 at Swan & Dolphin Hotels
Fans, cast members, celebrities and more will unite in song around the globe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “it’s a small world,” one of the most iconic Disney attractions ever built. The first version of “it’s a small world,” opened as a tribute to peace and hope at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
On Thursday, April 10, 2014, hundreds of voices from Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, Disneyland Paris in France, and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will sing the unforgettable theme song of the “happiest cruise that ever sailed the seven seas.” Fans from around the world can join the festivities in a first-of-its-kind, online global sing-along at SmallWorld50.com.
While on the website, fans may record videos of themselves singing the classic song and create virtual “it’s a small world” dolls to benefit UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). UNICEF provides health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more to children around the world.
“‘it’s a small world’ has inspired hundreds of millions of people through its timeless theme,” said Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Every moment of every day there are Disney guests enjoying ‘it’s a small world’ somewhere around the globe. The 50th anniversary of this attraction represents a celebration of the shared optimism, hope, and humanity of people throughout the world.”
Disney has also released this short video highlighting some of the history of the attraction:
Read More »Celebrate 50th Anniversary of “it’s a small world”
Audio design is one of the aspects of theme park design that often gets overlooked. But the background music and on-stage productions play a key role in setting the mood inside the parks. From running the sound along the performance corridor, to the smaller street… Read More »Inside Disney California Adventure’s Secret Audio Control Room
As we saw in February’s 2nd update, the walls are down around a small section of Snow White Mountain at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It will be the last area to open as part of Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland expansion. Since February a lot more landscaping work has been done, to the point where it is practically a forest in some parts. But in other areas there is still a ways to go on just covering the dirt. As we saw in the ride-through POV video, there is also a lot of finished touches on buildings and interior sets.
We still have no word on an official opening date, but some say soft opens could come as soon as late April or early May. We do know that the media event will be the last few days of April. Cast member previews usually start either shortly before media events or shortly after them and then once cast members are done, annual passholders get a chance, and finally soft openings. But sometimes that’s all thrown out the window too. So don’t make any plans until it is official or if you do make plans, have a backup ready in case it isn’t ready. Those coming in June should most likely be able to ride, but nothing is certain. This is a completely unique ride system that Disney had built. Nothing like it exists.
As usual, we have both video and photos from all around Snow White Mountain.
Photos are below the jump:
Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update – March 2014
Disneyland’s Tommorowland has always been the black sheep of the theme park. Never quite fitting in to the time in which it existed, the whole concept of a land based on the unknown realm of the future, has been difficult for even Disney’s famed Imagineers… Read More »Should Disneyland Re-Theme Innoventions to Marvel?
The Disney Parks Blog just announced March 9 as the date for the first official appearance of the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade in the Magic Kingdom. The new parade celebrates Fantasyland with nine floats, an original soundtrack, and costumes designed by Mirena Rada. I’m… Read More »Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade To Debut March 9 at Magic Kingdom
In case you need another reason to get excited for summer, here’s a pretty good one: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy. Disneyland Paris recently announced the opening of a new section dedicated to our favorite cooking rat, which will house a new ride, a shop… Read More »Disneyland Paris Releases New Details of Ratatouille Ride