The cast of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will host a new weekly special event beginning in April called ¡Viva Coronado Springs Fiesta! The event will kick off with a Three Caballeros kids parade that begins in the El Centro Lobby every Wednesday at 12pm and 5pm. Special recreational activities such as crafts and photo ops with sombreros and maracas will be available throughout the day. Mexican treats, such as traditional roasted street corn, will also be available at a food cart in the lobby.
A daily pool party with fun and exciting games is held at 3pm at The Lost City of Cibola Pool. The Dig Site Pool is also host to a 6:30pm poolside campfire and an 8:30pm Movie Under the Stars on select nights. Be sure to check the weekly activities schedule at the Resort for specific dates and times.
If you would like to stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort during your next Walt Disney World vacation, then contact[email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning today. All of my planning services are 100% FREE.
Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa is now offering a one hour walking tour called The Floridian Express. Learn how the heritage and culture of the Resort was influenced by Southern Florida charm during the turn of the century and discover the hotels and individuals who provided its inspiration. The tour also includes a behind-the-scenes look at Victoria & Albert’s, which is a AAA Five Diamond Signature Dining restaurant located at the resort.
The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a deluxe resort that features Victorian elegance, exquisite dining, incredible pools, monorail access and a world-class Spa & Health Club.
The Floridian Express Tour is offered on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings departing at 9:00am with check-in at the main Porte Cochere. Price is $15 per person plus tax and is available to all guests ages 10 and up. The tour is limited to 10 guests and can be reserved up to 180 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-Tour.
Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation and experience The Floridian Express Tour. All of my planning services are 100% FREE!
The “Alice in Wonderland” sequel, entitled “Alice Through the Looking Glass” comes to theaters May 27th, six years after the original. And as if that wasn’t already exciting enough, it will also feature a new single from artist P!nk, called “Just Like Fire”.
This will be the first single from P!nk in three years, and I’m incredibly excited to hear it! The song will be available for digital purchase on April 15th via RCA Records/Walt Disney Records. On April 18th, you’ll be able to hear the new single on radio (and of course in May, when you see the film)!
Earlier this year, P!nk also recorded a cover of “White Rabbit” for the new film. Three-time Grammy award-winning artist P!nk seems to be a match made in heaven as a featured artist for “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” with the “Alice” films having a very fun, whimsical, and punk-rock look and feel to them, much like P!nk’s style of music.
You can get a glimpse of her in the recording studio for the film, and hear some clips from “White Rabbit” in the featurette from Walt Disney Studios:
P!nk’s vocals are amazing and nails it every time! I can’t wait to hear the full version once it’s released in less than two weeks.
The new film stars Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Matt Lucas and Helena Bonham Carter, Rhys Ifans and Sacha Baron Cohen. Tickets for its May 27th release are available here.
The cute and cuddly Wicket the Ewok is now available at Build a Bear. There are quite a few new Star Wars characters available at Build a Bear right now from Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, and many more. Check out the photos below to see more of these adorable Star Wars characters.
Olaf, the lovable snowman from Frozen, will begin making appearances at the new Celebrity Spotlight in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in April. According to the Disney website, it looks like he will be available for pictures, autographs and hugs beginning this month. Be sure to stop by the Celebrity Spotlight in the Echo Lake district to hang with your favorite frosty friend.
Warm Hugs for All!
Giggly, goofy and totally cool… love means putting someone else’s needs before yours, so catch Olaf before he melts!Meet the lovable snowman who dreams of chilling on the beach and all things summer! This April, Arendelle’s hottest, sun-lovin’ VIP steps into the Celebrity Spotlight in the Echo Lake district at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to take pics, sign autographs and give hugs to friends old and new.
See for yourself why Anna and Elsa love him by bringing back summer—because some snowmen are worth melting over!
Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 04: (L-R) Producer Brigham Taylor, actors Giancarlo Esposito, Sir Ben Kingsley, Neel Sethi, Lupita Nyong’o, director Jon Favreau and moderator Kara Warner onstage at Disney’s “THE JUNGLE BOOK” Press Conference at The Beverly Hilton on April 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
This past week, I had the pleasure of being able to attend the global press conference for Disney’s “The Jungle Book” at The Beverly Hilton. The stage was all set up themed to the movie, as myself and other fellow members of the press excitedly waited for the amazing panel that would be interviewed. As we waited, Disney had set up some neat green screen experiences for us, such as getting to run in front of a green screen to then have the footage be inserted in a jungle scene. There was also a section where you could put on goggles to see “Mowgli vision”; as if everything around us was actually taking place in the jungle.
As these experiences were coming to a close, they welcomed to the stage the press conference panel: The director of the film Jon Favreau, Lupita Nyong’o (Raksha), Neel Sethi (Mowgli), Sir Ben Kingsley (Bagheera), Giancarlo Esposito (Akela), and producer Brigham Taylor.
There were so many incredible stories about the film shared by each one of the panelists, and in part one of my press conference article I will be focusing on what was shared by director Jon Favreau and producer Brigham Taylor.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 04: Producer Brigham Taylor onstage at Disney’s “THE JUNGLE BOOK” Press Conference at The Beverly Hilton on April 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Brigham Taylor has been a long-time executive at Disney, and he shared that “The Jungle Book” was actually his first time working as a producer for a film. He shared that when brainstorming who should direct the film, he needed someone who could direct a movie that contained warmth and humanity, but could also create something incredibly cinematic. He knew right away that Jon Favreau was the director that could uniquely fulfill all of these qualities they were looking to have in “The Jungle Book.”
The first question for Jon Favreau at the conference, and one I”m sure on most of our minds, was why Favreau felt that now was the right time to make a live action version of “The Jungle Book”, when the animated film and the original stories by Rudyard Kipling are already so beloved. Favreau, a huge fan of “The Jungle Book”‘s previous formats himself, wanted to experiment with meshing the classic story with the new photo-realistic CGI technologies available to our generation. He pointed out that the book was released 100 years ago, and then 50 years later the animated film was told to audiences using new technologies of that time. Now, another 50 years later after the animated film, he felt it was time to have another re-telling using current technologies for a new generation of audiences.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 04: Director Jon Favreau onstage at Disney’s “THE JUNGLE BOOK” Press Conference at The Beverly Hilton on April 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Since an animated film had already been made, and made so wonderfully well by Disney Animation Studios in 1967, Favreau really strives to make this feel more like an action-adventure live-action film, despite much of the footage being done with computers. To make this distinction between animation and live action very clear, it was important to Favreau to have the actors record together as much as possible, to make it feel more conversational. He was able to better capture subtleties in performances with this method, and capture true relationships between the characters by recording scenes together rather than doing voice recordings separately. He felt, for “The Jungle Book”, that this was also particularly important since most of the character’s relationships to Mowgli in the film are paternal; being together to record and act was crucial to have this strong love and warmth come across on-screen.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 04: (L-R) Actors Sir Ben Kingsley, Neel Sethi, Lupita Nyong’o and director Jon Favreau onstage at Disney’s “THE JUNGLE BOOK” Press Conference at The Beverly Hilton on April 4, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
In being asked how much of an influence the animated film had in the making of the live-action film, Favreau said it played a huge part, both explicitly and more implicitly. He really wanted to pay homage to the original film and to the fans of the property, so he strived to maintain the music, the humor, and the heart of the animated film. But, to deviate from the animation, he wanted it to be more thrilling, and even at times scary. Rather than a “G” musical, he wanted a PG action-adventure. Favreau shared that to have even deeper roots of Walt’s legacy embedded into this film he used scenes from Walt’s classic films such as “Dumbo” and “Pinocchio” to inspire many of the shots in “The Jungle Book.” (So when you see the film in theaters April 15th, be on the look-out for some familiar-looking shots!)
Having had the opportunity to see the film, I think that all of these goals Favreau had for the film definitely came across to audiences on-screen. Stay tuned for our review of “The Jungle Book”, in the meantime you can read part 2 of the press conference here, where I share the actor’s stories.
Ample Hills Creamery will open its first location outside of New York City at Disney’s Boardwalk this spring. The Brooklyn-based company is known for its creative approach to all things ice cream. The Boardwalk location will overlook Crescent Lake and is just a short walk from Epcot and a relaxing boat ride from Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Creamery will offer a re-imagined take on a turn of the century ice cream parlor.
Guests can sample as many flavors as they’d like, including signature creations such as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Coffee Toffee Coffee, Malty Salty Pretzel Punch, Cotton Candy, and more.
Ample Hills Creamery is even working on developing a special one-of-a-kind flavor exclusive for the Walt Disney World Resort. No word yet on what that might be but I know I wouldn’t mind getting a hold of a Limited-Edition Star Wars 4 pack of ice cream that is currently only available online at amplehills.com . Yummy!
Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE.
We know that Disney Parks are magical around the Holidays, and many people will tell you that the parks are most magical around Christmastime. One of the most magical things about Walt Disney World around Christmas is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, held on select nights during the Christmas season. At this separate ticketed event, guests will be able to experience just a little bit more Christmas Magic than normal.
According to details released by Disney Parks Blog, everyone’s favorite Mouse presides over the holiday festivities during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park. This enchanting after-hours party showcases special entertainment, including “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” and a holiday edition of the fireworks spectacular “Wishes”, as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters in holiday attire.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are as follows:
Tickets for both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will go on sale later this spring, and we will keep you posted as soon as we know when they are available for purchase!
If you’re interested in joining in on the Halloween or Christmas fun this year, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter has recently unveiled a new aquatic play area. Guests 48 inches and under can enjoy water slides, play with fun water cannons and splish-splash amongst the fountains.
The new water playground is located next to the Doubloon Lagoon pool so guests of the resort can easily go back and forth between the two areas.
If you would like to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter during your next Walt Disney World vacation, then contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning.
Get in the Halloween spirit on select Disney Cruises during September and October 2016 with Halloween on the High Seas. Enjoy lively entertainment, parties and elaborate decor including an evolving Halloween Tree that will eerily transform throughout your cruise.
Halloween on the High Seas will take place in 2016 on the following sail dates and ships:
Ship
Sail Dates
Disney Magic Disney Dream Disney Fantasy
October 2 – October 29, 2016
September 2 – October 31, 2016
September 3 – October 29, 2016
Other special experiences include:
Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party—an atrium party scare-a-bration in addition to Pirate Night—with ghoulish games, trick-or-treating, dancing and some favorite Disney Pals in their Halloween attire
Halloween-themed activities for all ages, such as mask-making for kids and pumpkin-carving for teens
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream, an interactive movie experience where you’re part of the action, followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack and Sally
Haunted Stories of the Sea—a campfire-style storytelling experience on the deck
Halloween movie marathon to get you in the spirit, shown on Funnel Vision and on the dedicated in-room television channel
Halloween Isn’t Just for Kids—an adults-only party that includes a costume contest
And more spooky surprises await you onboard!
With so much to see and do, you won’t want to miss this Halloween celebration at sea. Be sure to pack your favorite costumes and get ready for happy haunts.
If you are interested in sailing on a Halloween on the High Seas Cruise, then contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Cruise. All of my planning services are 100% FREE.
There is a lot of hype about walking up early at Disney World to be at the parks in time for rope drop. And I totally agree that getting to the parks early is a great idea! But there is still something to be said about staying late at the parks. Once the sun goes down, the crowds do too and there is something extra magical about Disney after Dark.
Disney days are bright, full of energy, and super colorful. But Disney nights are a whole different world. Everything is lit up with twinkle lights, the air cools down, and everything is a bit more relaxed.
Here are my top 5 experiences for Disney after dark.
Attractions: There are a ton of attractions that are better at night! Big Thunder Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tomorrowland Transit People Mover, The Jungle Cruise, Dumbo the Flying Elephant – the list goes on and on. The best part is, many attractions will have shorter wait times because a lot of families (especially those with small children), leave the park before at sun-down.
Night Time Shows: There are some Disney experiences that can only happen at night; cue the fireworks! Whether you are watching Wishes, Main Street Electrical Parade, Illuminations, or Fantasmic! – you can only catch these shows in the evening hours. Many night time shows will run twice during the night – one earlier in the evening and one later on. If you can stay up, I suggest trying to catch the later show as the crowds will be lighter.
Take Photos: Some of my favorite Disney vacation photos have been taken at night. Whether you are using your own camera, or using Memory Maker with Disney PhotoPass, make sure to snap some pictures of your group in front of park icons once the sun goes down. Especially if you are visiting during the Holiday Season, you will not want to miss a photo of Cinderella Castle all lit up!
Special Events: Disney does their best to encourage guests to spend all day and night at the parks, and one way they do this is through special ticketed events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. These events only happen during the evening, which is just another reason why Disney after dark is so great. Even if you aren’t attending a special ticketed event, head over to Epcot for Food and Wine Festival or Flower and Garden Festival. These festivals are included in the price of admission and the crowds are much lighter at night.
Talk to Cast Members: As a former Cast Member at Magic Kingdom, I can confirm that we are all a little loopy once it hits the wee hours of the morning. Magic Kingdom often stays open as late as 3am – and yes, Cast Members get tired too. But hyped up on sugar and energy drinks, Cast Members are the most fun to interact with at night. They are less busy because of lighter crowds and because most guests do their shopping during the day and their eating during meal times so they don’t have as much to do. Strike up a conversation, ask to pin trade, or ask them some Disney trivia that you’ve always wanted to know the answer to.
Whether you are an early riser, or come alive when the sun goes down, there is always something to do at Walt Disney World. Just because its dark doesn’t mean that the fun has to end!
What are your favorite things to do at night at Walt Disney World? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Monica is an Alumna of the Disney College Program. When she is not walking down the middle of Main Street USA you can find her wandering the World Showcase, or enjoying a Dole Whip while racing to her favorite attractions. When she is forced to endure life outside of Walt Disney World, you can find her in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she lives and works. You can visit her Disney lifestyle blog here.
I heard about an event today that I couldn’t be more excited about–on June 4th at the Hollywood Bowl there will be a live concert of songs from “The Little Mermaid”. The songs from the film will be performed by a live orchestra, and the performers are everything I could have hoped for:
Sara Bareilles had this to say on getting to perform as Ariel, “I suppose this is the part where I say ‘dreams do come true. I am truly honored and excited beyond words to be a part of a performance of one of my favorite scores and stories of all time. I’ve been pretending I was Ariel in swimming pools since I was a little girl, and now I get to pretend on a bigger stage. This is just fantastic.”
After seeing what seems to be an outstanding concert, you will also get to enjoy a fireworks show and a costume contest (get your “Little Mermaid” themed costumes ready, all you cosplayers!).
Tickets will be available to purchase April 9th at 10 A.M. PST on Ticketmaster.com.
