Walt Disney Imagineering has released a new time-lapse video showing the progress of New Fantasyland. If you look close you can see the crane used to put Holiday Lights up on the castle last September. Also note that the video actually ends a few months… Read More »Time-Lapse Video of New Fantasyland Construction Progress
Golden Oaks, the luxury home conclave set right into the middle of Walt Disney World, has been profiled in the Luxury Home Quarterly magazine. If this doesn’t start people beating a path to the mouse’s doorstep, I don’t know what will? There are some nice… Read More »Golden Oaks profiled in Luxury Home Magazine
(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
(click to embiggen)
The 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom was punctuated by big moments at the start and end of the day with long lines for everything in between. Since Disney has chosen to ignore the anniversary in favor of a more bland promotional strategy, my expectations for the October 1st activities were quite low. Indeed, up to 3 days before the event I was told there wouldn’t even be a press event. But at the last minute, things came together and it was actually a decent show.
The morning started early for guests looking to line up for merchandise. Which had its own transportation challenges since there is no transport from the TTC at 6AM. If you entered early enough in the day you got a special map like the above and a 40th anniversary button. Both very nice. Both were essentially gone by 3pm. (click to embiggen)
Video highlights of the morning and more photos below the jump:
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!
Some of the ghoulish entertainment for the evening.
Thursday night my family and I joined nearly 300 other guests at the Magic Kingdom for a special Halloween Trick-or-Tweetup event. The Disney Parks Blog organized this fun, engaging, and magical event for the few lucky guests whose fast fingers got them and RSVP before the event filled up.
Imagineer Pete Carsillo gave tours of the Haunted Mansion Graveyard project he helmed.
Guests were encouraged to dress up and tweet from the event, which many did. Three special guests from Walt Disney Imagineering answered questions from the attendees and Disney Blog team go into the spirit coming in costumes. They also provided free soft drinks and desserts. Finally, they handed out gifts to some of the best costumed guests and everyone got a parting gift (two actually).
Really, I would have been happy with something to drink and the Imagineers. But this event was over the top. One of the best free things I’ve ever experienced as a guest. It’s too bad they can’t do this more often. Disney gets all sorts of great publicity (like this) and the locals get to feel like they’re appreciated.
My biggest critique was that there was so much to do, I couldn’t get it done in the time allotted. Which, if you think about it, isn’t really that bad.
More photos and another video below the jump:
Read More »Walt Disney World Halloween Trick-or-Tweetup A Great Event
I wonder if these guys will be at EPCOT
The food and beverage partnership that was announced last October, is finally coming to fruition. The last few months have seen small changes at Walt Disney World restaurants. Craisins are now showing up in more recipes and on restaurant signs. And now, Ocean Spray will bring the Cranberry to the Epcot(R) International Food & Wine Festival. Chef Ming Tsai and Ocean Spray Growers will debut the first Cranberry Bog Exhibit celebrating the taste, health, and heritage of the Cranberry at the festival.
“Three quarters of Americans have never heard of a cranberry bog, never mind witnessed the beauty of the cranberry harvest firsthand,” said Ken Romanzi, Ocean Spray’s chief operating officer, North America. “Through our sponsorship with Disney, we are thrilled to educate a whole new group of people who might not otherwise understand the journey of their favorite Ocean Spray products, like Ocean Spray(R) Craisins(R) Dried Cranberries, from the bog to their favorite recipes.”
I’m actually a big fan of Craisins myself. I like adding them to my chicken salad or just eating them plain. I’m looking forward to this exhibit and maybe learning a few new uses for the flavorful food.
The full press release is below the jump:
Read More »Ocean Spray brings Cranberry Flavor to EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
With the recent announcement of an Avatar themed land and attractions coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdoms and the troubled opening of Disney’s first Hawaiian resort, Aulani, a lot of the conversation has settled on the types of risks the Walt Disney Company’s parks and resorts division has been taking lately.
It’s a bouillabaisse of different complaints:
You can see why the Disney company may be confused. One one hand they get attacked for not doing enough on the other for doing too much. That’s true, but the general theme is Disney needs to take more risks when it comes to its parks and resorts.
Read More »Risk and Reward, is Disney Parks & Resorts on the Right Track?