Update: this is no longer a rumor. A press conference with James Cameron, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs is was held earlier today at Imagineering. From the Disney Parks Blog: James and his producing partner Jon Landau and their team at Lightstorm Entertainment will serve… Read More »Disney is adding the world of Avatar to its theme parks
I was living in Southern California when the Disneyland Annual Passholder membership went from the mid-ten’s of thousands to the high hundreds of thousands. While Disney doesn’t release the official count of annual pass holders, the belief among fans is that there are over 1… Read More »Disney World Annual Pass Advertisement
The newly released concept art for the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort has declared a target open date of 2014 based on a final financing deal. Although this luxury resort development was originally announced back in May of 2008, the 360 million dollar deal was just completed. Chalk that up to the slow economy.
Concept art from the May 2008 announcement. To be honest, I like this version better, the new version looks more sterile and less detailed.
The original idea for a Four Seasons Resort right on Walt Disney World property was controversial as Disney’s previous effort to allow third party resorts resulted in ruined sight-lines for EPCOT and, some claim, a less than Disney standard of care (pay to park being one of the chief complaints). Even worse, Disney appears to be deeding this property to Four Seasons resulting in another slice of the resort being cut off.
Location of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.
A few have wondered if Disney really needs a high end resort competing with its own properties. But the general consensus is these are luxury guests that Disney wasn’t serving anyway. The sort of pampering Four Seasons resorts expect is just not part of Disney’s DNA, and they were likely staying off-property at Ritz Carlton or JW Marriott. So the net result should be an increase in guests with big spending budgets now even closer to the magic. That has to be good for Disney’s bottom line.
The full press release is below the jump:
Read More »Four Seasons Resort Orlando sets 2014 Opening Date for Walt Disney World
Studies have been very clear with the fact that not only do Moms control the household vacation budget, they make most of the decisions when it comes to where and when the next family vacation will be. So it only makes sense that Disney would tap into that valuable resource by appointing a panel of expert ‘Disney moms’ to help other moms make smarter decisions. Of course, this being Disney, they’re using the broadest definition of the word ‘Moms’ possible to also include Grandparents, siblings, and even dads.
The fifth annual Walt Disney World Moms Panel search opened today and for the first time in the panel’s history, the range of candidates has expanded to include Disneyland and runDisney specialists. Other expertise needed includes Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and Adventures by Disney. The Moms Panel offers guests vacation insights on a variety of platforms including exclusive “How-To” videos from panelists and celebrities, dedicated Facebook content, personal Disney Parks Blog posts and in-park meet-ups.
“We started the Moms Panel in 2008 with 12 panelists, a simple website, and the goal of helping first-time visitors plan their perfect Walt Disney World vacation,” said Leanne Jakubowski, who oversees the program. “We are very excited to expand our search to include new specialty areas. It is important that the Moms Panel is made up of real guests and represents a diverse spectrum of thoughts and perspectives so we can offer honest, heartfelt and useful information to help people make their time with us magical.”
Below the jump is a quick video from a Disney Moms Panel participant and details on how to apply:
Read More »Applications Now Accepted for 2012 Disney World Moms Panel
Took a walk around the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and noticed quite a few changes coming to the park and surrounding resorts. Part one of the update had the Fantasyland Expansion updates, and this second part contains a look at something that may make as big an impact as all of new Fantasyland. As usual, click on the photos for a larger version.
Powder blue walls surround the beach area that will soon become a noisy construction zone next to the Wedding Pavilion.
They’ve installed a gate and some construction fencing (meant to keep spills from leaking outside the construction area), but no work on expanding the plot of land that will eventually hold the tower and partially block the view of the Wedding Pavilion.
Plans are under way to divide the Magic Kingdom parking lot into two zones. Two tram loading zones will have distinct colors and names. In theory this will help guests find their cars faster at the end of the night. In practice, not so much as anyone at Disneyland can attest. Guests still find themselves in the wrong parking lot at the end of the night.
Lots more, including details on a new game coming to the Magic Kingdom, below the jump:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Update – Ch-ch-ch-changes ( Part II )
A quick trip through the Magic Kingdom on Saturday revealed a number of changes coming to the park. There are also a few fun new pieces of merchandise to peruse. Click on any image to see a larger version. Now, let’s get started.
The park is looking festive with plenty of Halloween decor everywhere.
City Hall joins in the fall themed fun.
There did appear to be just a bit less of the holiday themed decor this year than before. But it was still a few days ahead of the 1st official Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, so more may be coming.
A lot more to see below the jump:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Update – Ch-ch-ch-changes ( Part I )
Nick Rosaci is a local Orlando musician who performs in various groups around town. He also works as a sub at Walt Disney World. At this point you’re probably thinking, I’d love to have his job. Turns out he has some great advice on how… Read More »How to Land a Musician Gig at Walt Disney World
A small collection of movie props at Great Moments with Mr. Disney.
I wanted to go to Magic Kingdom yesterday to see the Tiki birds (who, I’m told, have evicted the previous management (Techcrunch anyone?)), strangely enough, I still haven’t managed to find time to see the revised show yet, but Indigo has been watching Roller Coaster POV videos on Youtube again and wants to ride Rock-n-Roller coaster. Guess who wins this argument?
It was nice to see the car back out in front of Sci-Fi Diner, but they already need to replace the cool Disney emblem. Um, btw, why isn’t that for sale somewhere in the park?
Daddy, the old softy, and kiddo show up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the usual good timing, right as they’re parking the last row of Magic or whatever that section is that’s closest to the gate. This is actually a good thing. You know, fill up the parking lot sections closest to the park entrance first. I have to wonder if this is a change that new park VP Dan Cockerell affected somehow, or just a random change someone in the parking lot team decided to try.