A new bird show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom called “Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight” will debut this summer. It will feature multiple flocks of macaws who will fly over and around Discovery Island. To test and train the birds, the majestic macaws can… Read More »New Bird Show For Disney’s Animal Kingdom Features Kaleidoscope of Macaws
One of Walt Disney World’s most popular incentives to book an off-season stay has returned for the fall of 2014. Travelers are eligible for the free dining plan when they purchase a non-discounted six-night/seven-day Magic Your Way Package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.… Read More »Free Dining Returns Select Weeks This Fall at Walt Disney World
The last day of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train event, we attended a breakfast presentation of “Around Our World.” The presentation formerly known as “What’s new, what’s next” lays out recent changes and upcoming projects at Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line & Adventures by… Read More »“Around Our World” Presentation Video – What’s new and what’s next
This post brought to you by Christina Wood of Pixie Vacations, the preferred Disney vacation travel planner of The Disney Blog. As you probably know by now, Disney has announced free dining for the fall of 2014. As usual, Disney fans are in a complete… Read More »The Pros and Cons of Free Dining.
Walt Disney Imagineering is famous for their project documentation. The archives are full of great concept art, construction photos, and documentation from most of the major builds over the last 50+ years. But my favorite of these has to be the time-lapse video.
This short time-lapse video shows the construction of most of New Fantasyland, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Definitely worth expanding it to full-screen to view:
Interesting how construction on the coaster itself didn’t actually start until about half-way through the video.
Below the jump, I have an interview with Bruce Vaughn, executive vice president at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, as they talk about how Seven Dwarfs Mine Train fits into New Fantasyland and how excited the Imagineers are to finally have it open to the public on May 28th.
Read More »Time-Lapse Video of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction
Walt Disney Parks Chair Tom Staggs, Snow White, and all seven of Walt Disney’s famous dwarfs gathered on Friday to officially dedicate the newest attraction at the Magic Kingdom and the crown jewel of New Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. “Seven Dwarfs Mine Train… Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Official Dedication Ceremony
One of the benefits of the media event for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was that I got a chance to talk with some of the planners involved in upcoming events at Walt Disney World. Below is a brief talk with Randi Hoffert from Disney Destinations… Read More »Star Wars Weekends – What’s New and What Not To Miss
Among the many things announced by Walt Disney World yesterday, was the first new area of Downtown Disney to open as part of its transformation into Disney Springs. “The Landing” will be set by the water front and feature nationally known restauranteurs. None have been officially announced, but it’s expected to include concepts from the Patina group (Via Napoli) and Steven Schussler (T-Rex, Yak & Yeti, and Rainforest Cafe). The Landing will occupy part of the area formerly known as Pleasure Island (basically behind where Raglan Road is now).
Disney also released a bunch more information about the transformation of Disney Springs (which will be the official name for the area commencing with the opening of The Landing. For summer 2014, outdoor entertainment will bring Downtown Disney to life, with nine different acts scheduled nightly – more than 30 live performances daily, a free highlight of the Downtown Disney experience. Special events like Car Masters Weekend (June 14-15) puts the spotlight on classic and exotic cars for Father’s Day weekend, and includes character experiences featuring favorite Disney*Pixar “Cars” characters.
New this summer for Downtown Disney:
Two new Starbucks locations – a storefront at Downtown Disney West Side and a kiosk near World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Look for the familiar green roof at the West Side flagship Starbucks, part of the company’s commitment to be environmentally conscious. The design includes a covered patio overlooking the waterfront and a fireplace, as well as the new Clover Bar, featuring special reserve coffees brewed to order. A high-tech screen behind the Clover Bar will show images from coffee regions around the globe, and a new Human Connection Wall will include large touch-screen monitors that allow guests to use their finger to draw images.
Read More »Disney Springs “The Landing” – New Shopping and Dining District Opening in 2015