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Update on the Details of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland

bridge-1-seven-dwarfs-mine-train

Disney’s Imagineers have been high-ho’ing away on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride at New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom, and we finally have proof that it’s almost ready to ride! We know it will open sometime in 2014, although when exactly is still unannounced.

The aspect of the train that I find the most fascinating is its aged look. Obviously it’s a brand new ride, but the Imagineers specifically painted and carved the wood to make it look weathered. The rusty hinges on the doors and the crumbling rock structures also add to the worn appearance, which I think makes it feel more authentic. The story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an old one, so it makes sense to combine it with an aged, yet new theme park ride.Read More »Update on the Details of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland

Disney Vacation Club Rolls Out New Benefits in Membership Magic

The Villas at DisneyÕs Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Of all the things I wish I’d known about fifteen or so years ago, is how affordable DVC is to those who plan a trip to Disney World every year or so. I had a friend who was a member, but never thought about taking the leap ourselves. The point is pretty moot now that we live in central Florida. But the parental units would have enjoyed having a yearly vacation to see the grand kid essentially paid for in advance.

Everybody has to discover and come to their own conclusion about the cost benefit of joining the Disney Vacation Club on their own. The numbers make sense for some people and just never line up for others. But now the DVC is sweetening the pot with even more magic for its members with the launch of Membership Magic.

Membership Magic is a new program designed to introduce numerous enhancements for members, create exclusive vacation options across multiple Disney experiences and provide special, money-saving discounts for members to enjoy. The first wave of experiences has officially rolled out, but members can expect to see several ongoing enhancements in the months to come.

“With Membership Magic, we are giving families even more to love about Disney Vacation Club,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Vacation Club. “We are introducing great new perks, exclusive experiences and other service enhancements that only members and their guests can access. It’s our special way of thanking our members for being such a valued part of the Disney Vacation Club family.”Read More »Disney Vacation Club Rolls Out New Benefits in Membership Magic

Festival of Fantasy Parade Floats Backstage Video

Everyone is excited about the new parade coming to the Magic Kingdom. The Festival of Fantasy parade is really the first parade in a long time to bring us the same quality of floats that Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris have had for years. All… Read More »Festival of Fantasy Parade Floats Backstage Video

MyMagic+ Commercial Gets Bad Photoshop Award

The commercial MyMagic+ I posted last week has been set to private, but Disney has released this new MyMagic+ commercial complete with singing Lumiere to promote the new service. Keep an eye out around the 0:09 second mark for some really bad photoshoppery of Main… Read More »MyMagic+ Commercial Gets Bad Photoshop Award

2013 Unofficial Walt Disney World Earbook Now Available

Since 2010, Disney author Kevin Yee has filled a valuable niche in the Walt Disney World field — a photographic look at everything new and departed at the resort. A yearbook, but in Disney terms an ‘Earbook.’ Think of it as an unofficial appendix to… Read More »2013 Unofficial Walt Disney World Earbook Now Available

Food Network Magical Disney Vacation Special Debuts January 24

If you’re planning a Magical Disney vacation, chances are you’ve been salivating over what dining reservations to make to complete the experience. Food Network host Jeff Mauro and his family recently picked a few of their favorites and journeyed to Walt Disney World for a… Read More »Food Network Magical Disney Vacation Special Debuts January 24

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Returning March 5th

If you’re unlucky enough to still be suffering from the “polar vortex,” maybe the thought of spring at the 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will help warm you up! The festival will be returning from March 5th through May 18th, and it will… Read More »Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Returning March 5th

FastPass+ and MyMagic+ takeover Disney World – Part 3: The Marketing Push Begins

Update: Welcome to NY Times readers. Please find the latest news on MyMagic+ and Fastpass+ here. See all of our coverage here. Finally, I hope you’ll take a moment to discover my new book on the Magic of Disneyland.

Magic Bands, myMagic+, and Fastpass+

The My Disney Experience mobile app delivers pertinent parks information, Fastpass+ reservations, maps and simple navigation to guests on the fly – via their smart phone or other portable device.

 

In the last 24 hours we’ve looked at MyMagic+ and Fastpass+ from the guest perspective and tried to put a little historical and business sense behind it, now it’s time to turn our eye on how Disney is presenting these new products to the public.

Disney’s marketing has just released a series of video promoting MyMagic+, Fastpass+ and the digital photo package Memory Maker. Look for more videos like these to form the core of Disney World’s 2014 marketing message.

Fastpass+

MyMagic+

Read More »FastPass+ and MyMagic+ takeover Disney World – Part 3: The Marketing Push Begins