Some very exciting video from Disney Imagineers today. They’re taking us behind the development process of the bio-luminesent plants that will be featured across the landscape of the World of Avatar expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We also get our first peak at the latest… Read More »New Avatar Concept Art and Luminescent Plant Test Video
The new hot collectible at Disney’s theme parks is popcorn buckets. Disney has customized Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine train, and Dumbo, to name a few. The latest addition to the Premium Popcorn Bucket series is Cinderella’s carriage. This release comes just in time for… Read More »Cinderella Carriage Popcorn Bucket
You knew these were coming, two new topiary will be gracing this year’s EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Queen Elsa and her sister Anna from the land of Arendelle are the latest Disney characters to be made into topiary. These photos are from the… Read More »Anna & Elsa Topiary Flower & Garden Sneak Peek!
When Tom Staggs was announced as Chief Operating Officer, it was mentioned he’d retain control of the Disney Parks division until a successor could be found. I think everyone had a 6 to 12 month timeline on that, but Disney can move fast when it wants to.
Effective today Bob Chapek has been named Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Chapek is a 22-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, having served since 2011 as President of Disney Consumer Products, driving a technology-led transformation of the Company’s consumer products, retail and publishing operations. Prior to that he managed Disney’s Home Video/DVD division.
If this move seems familiar it’s because Disney already tried this once with moving Paul Pressler from President of the Disney Stores to Disneyland (and then Disney Parks). The implication that the parks are little more than giant Disney stores is clear. Paul and his successor Cynthia Harriss were never quite able to shake themselves of the rules of retail and took their eyes off the real important things at the theme parks. I have a few suggestions for Bob on how to avoid that fate at the end of this article.
It’s true that this could be a move to expand Bob’s horizons and groom him for additional responsibility within the company. The good news is that merchandise mix at the parks is one thing the parks are generally doing well (the Big Hero 6 mix was a failure, alas). I don’t know much about Bob, this could a perfect fit for him, and I hope it is, but history hasn’t been kind on similar moves.
“Under Bob’s leadership, Consumer Products has seen great success, focusing on brands and a franchise-driven strategy while launching new products and retail experiences that combine technological innovation and creativity,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said. “He is an experienced and versatile executive well-suited to lead Parks and Resorts into the future.”Read More »Bob Chapek moves from Disney Stores to Disney Parks Chair
As sure as the Earth goes round our sun, Disney’s US theme parks have raised their admission prices again.
As predicted the Walt Disney World one-day ticket price for the Magic Kingdom broke the $100 barrier increasing by $6 to $105. The other three Orlando parks – Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios – only rose $3 from $94 to $97. That’s $2 less than originally thought.
On the other coast, a one-day adult admission to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure will rise from $96 to $99. Prices for children ages 3 to 9 will rise from $90 to $93. A Premium annual pass with parking and no blackout dates will go up from $699 to $779. Almost a full day increase, but still a value if you go just 10 days a year.
I don’t really blame Disney. One of the big complaints I hear is crowds in the park. People were used to crowds during the busy season, but now it seems busy season all year long. Raising prices could help cap the crowds.
Read More »Disneyland & Walt Disney World raise ticket prices
In case you missed them, here are the most visited stories of the week on The Disney Blog.
We had two major construction updates last week.
A lot of news coming out of Walt Disney Studios too:Read More »Top posts of the week at The Disney Blog – Week 6
Forget the Star Wars land rumor, we’re hearing that the price of a one-day admission ticket to the Magic Kingdom may soon rise from $99 to $105 and the other parks will rise from $94 to $99. It seems amazing that tickets are that expensive.… Read More »Are Walt Disney World ticket prices about to go up again?
The central focus on Discovery Island has always been the Tree of Life with it’s 500+ animals sculpted into its trunk and limbs. If you wanted to see some of those sculptures up close you had to either walk the trails around the back of the tree or explore the queue of “Tough to be a Bug” (definitely recommended). But this weekend you have a new opportunity to see the circle of life rendered in new roots that have emerged from the Tree of Life.
From bugs to crocodiles, I counted 11 new animals. Did I miss any?
Below is another upclose look at most of them:
Read More »New animals emerge from roots of Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom