The newest commercial for Disneyland’s Holiday season features children of the world flying in a Peter Pan style ship as they experience the Joy of It’s A Small World on the way to Disneyland. Or something like that. Fairly high concept for a theme park… Read More »New Disneyland Holiday Commercial Brings Tidings of Small World
It’s time to start thinking about your plans for New Year’s Eve. As usually, Walt Disney World presents one of the biggest fireworks evenings of the year, but there are also other events to enjoy. Here’s the list so far: Magic Kingdom presents a double helping… Read More »Walt Disney World Sends 2011 out with a Party and a Bang
Universal Orlando has permanently changed the nature of one of its most popular attractions after a pair of guest injuries on the roller coaster. Dragon Challenge, formerly Dueling Dragons, will never duel again. Instead it will become a chase with cars being dispatched so that… Read More »Universal Orlando Permanently Changes Dragon Challenge Roller Coaster After Injuries
I’m not going to pretend to know much about California or Florida consumer safety laws, especially when it comes to safe lead levels in paint and other materials. However, the group known as the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation claims they do know and that Disney’s… Read More »Group Targets Disney’s Theme Parks for Potential Lead Poisoning
As an Orange County native, I am one of the few who is very attached to the beloved California Adventure theme park. I remember visiting Disneyland while it was under construction during my youth and wondering what was behind the temporary walls. I remember being… Read More »Preview of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at DCA
We’ve been watching the Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion with great interest. Three new lands mark the park’s growth into something resembling the size of a real Magic Kingdom park. Another great video update showed up on YouTube user Michael20183’s account this weekend. In it, you… Read More »Hong Kong Disneyland Expansion Video – Changes Are Clear
(left to right) Charles Ridgway, Forrest Bahruth, Heather Will-Browne, Darlene Kennedy, Kevin Myers.
On October 1st, 2011 I had the immense privilege to interview four Magic Kingdom opening day cast members. Each brings their own interesting stories and passion for making the magic.
Author Charles Ridgway, former Director of Walt Disney World Public Relations and Disney Legend for four decades of service to “the Mouse” (Hometown: Chicago) – Before moving from California to head the Walt Disney World publicity staff, Charlie Ridgway worked for Walt Disney himself at Disneyland in Anaheim, where he hosted media interviews and set up photo shoots with Walt and Mickey. When the Magic Kingdom first opened, Ridgway says, there was still some tweaking and problem solving to do. The parking lot trams “didn’t have enough power to go up the hill to the Ticket and Transportation Center arrival area,” he recalls. “There was lots of construction yet to go, wires hanging, walls not finished.” And he remembers the Flag Retreat ceremony brought to the Magic Kingdom from Disneyland: each evening a flock of pigeons flew in a white cloud from Town Square to Cinderella Castle and back. “Walt liked to say at Disneyland, ‘If you have pigeons and balloons, you can’t go wrong.’ Park officials eventually ended the tradition out of concern for the birds and the environment.
Three more below the jump:
Read More »Walt Disney World Cast Members Share Opening Day Memories
Today marks the big 40 for Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom. I’m out and about today trying to soak in as much of the atmosphere and celebration there is today. Disney is putting on a small bit of a show today, but there… Read More »Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary is Today!