When Disney Parks Blog first featured “Lotso” (short for Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear) he was a new face at Disney Parks. Since then, he’s been busy. “Lotso” is now part of the Block Party Bash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and if you haven’t seen him in the street spectacular, it’s worth a look:
Don’t forget to check out Lotso’s Facebook Page here.
Attention Florida residents … we’ve got some great news to share for those of you looking to spread out the cost of buying Walt Disney World annual passes. Our annual pass monthly payment program is now available online. And how it works is simple. Florida Residents make a down payment equal to the price of a non-discounted one-day Magic Your Way base ticket and then pay the remainder through 12 recurring automatic monthly payments scheduled for the year. It’s interest and finance charge free.
What are the benefits of being a Passholder? The list is long but most importantly, you have access to Disney “magic” all year — attractions, characters and events (the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is right around the corner). You can also customize your Disney experience when you select the Walt Disney World Florida Resident Annual Pass that’s right for you.
Find your Pass at http://www.disneyworld.com/payments. Oh, and please let us know if you’ll be using this payment option in the comments.
Borders® is the exclusive retailer for “16 Wishes,” starring Debby Ryan, which airs tomorrow, Friday, June 25 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. To celebrate the premiere, tomorrow Borders will unveil an array of “16 Wishes”-related merchandise in superstore locations nationwide.
The “16 Wishes” merchandise, which can be found nowhere else except Borders, includes the movie tie-in book, a 2011 calendar and the film soundtrack featuring the song “A Wish Comes True Everyday,” sung by Ryan, who plays lead character Abby Jensen. Borders is also featuring the necklace with key chain Abby wears in the movie, as well as a colorful T-shirt, light-up journal, movie poster, magnetic bookmarks and more that fans will love to make part of their “16 Wishes” movie collection. The film also stars Jean-Luc Bilodeau as Jay Kepler, Abby’s best friend.
In addition to offering hot merchandise, Borders has also created a special “16-Wishes” landing page at www.bordersmedia.com/backlot/16wishes.asp, where fans can enjoy the movie trailer, exclusive interviews with Ryan and Bilodeau as well as the music video for “A Wish Comes True Everyday.” In addition, Borders recently hosted Ryan and Bilodeau in its Century City, Calif. Borders store for a signing and Q&A session with more than 200 fans.
“As a retailer that provides inspiration and entertainment for our customers, we often create powerful statements around movies and books we and our customers feel passionate about through in-store events, exclusive merchandise, a great Web presence and high visibility in our e-mails that go to millions of our Borders Rewards loyalty program members. ’16 Wishes’ is a film we believe will really resonate with our teen and tween customers, which is why we are putting our marketing force behind it. We can’t wait for our customers to begin enjoying all of the great products we are offering in conjunction with the film,” said Gary Bale, Senior Vice President of Non-Book Merchandise for Borders.
Free Toy Story 3 App On iTunes now from Disney Interactive Studios
Download the free Toy Story 3 App and connect with all things Toy Story on your iPhone® or iPod touch®. Get movie info, watch trailers and create a personal greeting from Woody. Plus, purchase new and fun toys such as Woody’s Wild Ride, Toy Story Digicomics and much more!
Here is the classic Fantasia mop scene from the movie Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Just like Mickey Mouse, the Apprentice (Jay Baruchel) gets himself in a lot of trouble.
The new Disney Dream starts sailing on January 26, 2011—reserve your place today!
The Disney Dream™ is the majestic third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Boasting 14 towering decks, a ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet, the 128,000-ton vessel includes 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,458 Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each and every day.
Building on the classic style of the previous 2 ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream is a valiant vessel distinguished for its classic early 20th-century design—which harkens back to the golden age of cruising—and state-of-the-art technology. As can be expected from Disney, the cruise liner was specially designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts—like the splashtacular AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea.
Aboard the Disney Dream
Discover what awaits you and your family onboard the ship:
Construction of the Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line began construction on the Disney Dream in March 2009 with a steel-cutting ceremony at the world-renowned Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Constructed as a thematic extension of the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Dream was designed to reflect the glamour of the golden age of cruising during the 1930’s. Scheduled for completion in early 2011, the new ocean liner will feature the same attention to detail Disney is known for, while introducing new and immersive, one-of-a-kind venues and experiences for everyone in the family—be they young or simply young-at-heart.
Interior Design of the Disney Dream
To step aboard the Disney Dream is to be instantly transported to an age of adventure and wonder, where elegance and sophistication mingle with Disney storytelling and whimsy. Inside is an attention to detail one would only expect from Disney. Lavish decorative murals mingle with sparkling fixtures and furnishings. Original paintings, statues and woodwork envelop Guests in a radiant Art Deco ambiance that is both rich and distinctive. And wondrously themed venues—including charming youth activity clubs, resplendent restaurants, intimate lounges and stunning theatre spaces—transport Guests of all ages to faraway places where memory and magic come together.
Stroll through the radiant lobby atrium and behold a bronze statue of Admiral Donald—an installment designed by Walt Disney Imagineers to evoke the feeling of fun, adventure and sophistication that can be found throughout the ship.
Fun Facts & Tips
Countdown to This September, Patina Restaurant Group plans to open a new casual pizzeria, called Via Napoli, adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, its restaurant in the Italy pavilion in Epcot® World Showcase at Walt Disney World® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Restaurateur and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York which was awarded the coveted certification of “La Vera Pizza Napoletana.”
While in Naples, Valenti spent time studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon. At Da Ettore, he discovered the art of pagnotiello, a folded round of pizza dough filled with mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.
“I have always loved the beauty of a simple Neapolitan pizza,” Valenti says. “It’s a perfect food, something beloved by both Italians and Americans. I look forward to bringing it to Walt Disney World, where it should be a welcome addition to guests visiting Epcot.”
“At Via Napoli we will make pizza the traditional Neapolitan way: with a textured, soft
and charred crust.”
The new 14,000 sq. ft. pizzeria will feature a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. Famed Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo will serve as executive chef at Via Napoli, where he will craft the pies using simple and delicious Italian ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour, handmade fresh mozzarella, Parma Cotto, crumbled sausage and water calibrated specifically to the pH found in Naples.
“We’re excited to be working with the Patina Restaurant Group once again on this significant expansion project,” said Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot. “Via Napoli will certainly enhance the guest experience and the architectural landscape of World Showcase just in time for our 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.”
A unique feature at Via Napoli will be the wood-burning ovens, which are named after the three active volcanoes in Italy – Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli. Each oven will be sculpted with the “face of the volcano” — reflecting the gods whose mythology surrounds each volcano’s history.
The architecture and design of the new pizzeria will be based on a mix of traditional Italian styles, with the Florentine architect Stefano Nardini (of Magris & Partners) working in conjunction with Rick Swisher Architect to build it.
I wish I was going to the Grand Opening of this restaurant it sounds wonderful! Are you going to be there let us know in the comment section below.
As the splash-tacular “World of Color” adds a dazzling new dimension of water, animation, color, fire and light to Disney California Adventure park, a new party called “Glow Fest” joins the park’s “Summer Nightastic!” lineup and adds even more illuminated excitement for guests.
Colorful beams of light and energetic performers star in this high-energy, electric festival for the entire family. Featured in the Sunshine Plaza and Hollywood Pictures Backlot areas of the park, each night lights up with dancers, drummers, world music performers, interactive dance and play areas, and gleaming orbs of lights that move in near-perpetual motion throughout the party zones.
Taking a cue from “World of Color,” festival producers say the theme of “Glow Fest” is a “celebration of color,” immersing guests in a sea of brightly colored displays, wildly costumed entertainers and lighting used like never before in Disney California Adventure. Beginning with the distinct sound of drums echoing throughout the entrance area of the theme park, powerful rhythms signal the beginning of the evening fun.
During “Summer Nightastic!” “Glow Fest” takes center stage in Sunshine Plaza every evening from roughly 6-8 p.m., and continues in Hollywood Pictures Backlot until park closing.
“Glow Fest” activities are included in regular admission to Disney California Adventure.
Here are some facts to shed even more “light” on “Glow Fest”:
THE LIGHT IS RIGHT: LED lighting, which consumes less power than traditional bulb lighting, is featured throughout “Glow Fest.” In addition to energy conservation, LED bulbs also supply more robust, saturated colors and greater reliability than traditional lighting techniques – allowing “Glow Fest” to shine even brighter each night.
PAINT THE TOWN: Many of the structures, dance platforms and stages are adorned with paint that reacts to ultraviolet (UV) light, to put even more “glow” in the fest.
LIVING LARGE: A mammoth 60-foot x 90-foot screen serves as an interactive dance and movement play area. Guests can dance in the area and see their own images projected to approximately 50-feet-high on the screen at the end of Hollywood Boulevard.
COLLABORATIVE COLOR: On another screen, guests can get into the colorful fun by using hand and body movements to create a giant color mural. Each movement, such as a wave or a jump, creates a new blend of colors on the interactive mural screen. As more and more guests get into the action, the image on the mural changes colors and shapes.
PIED PIPER OF COLORFUL FUN: A high-energy emcee for the evening activities travels throughout the festival to lead the fun and games.
HAVING A BALL: Sprite-like performers inside giant, colorful orbs create kinetic balls of color as they roll throughout the festival, supplying plenty of photo moments.
MUSICIANS, DANCERS AND STILTWALKERS, OH MY!: Adding to the fun of “Glow Fest” is a cast of performers that keeps the party spirit going until the park closes. Two stiltwalking performers – called “Lantern Sprites” – carry illuminated globes and can occasionally pose for photos with guests. Dancers clad in eye-popping colors perform atop platforms throughout Sunshine Plaza and Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and dance styles from around the globe are performed on the giant, LED-lit stage in Sunshine Plaza.
DRUMMING UP EXCITEMENT: Five vertical drumming stations, each featuring a professional drummer atop the tower, “drum up” the excitement throughout the festival. Guests are invited to join in the fun as well by playing one of the 22-inch drums mounted at the base of the brightly hued tower.
HOW TO JOIN THE SUMMER FUN: For information on planning a celebration or vacation at Disneyland Resort, guests can visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. To explore the expansion plans for Disney California Adventure, guests can visit www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com
At the Disneyland Resort, every role is a starring role. The Resort’s central bakery provides most of the baked goods enjoyed by guests each day. The bakery is home to a team dedicated to dreaming up and creating decorative cakes for all kinds of celebrations including weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. Their work can be found across the entire Resort!
Pet lovers … beginning today reservations are being accepted for a new luxury pet resort scheduled to open this summer at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you haven’t heard, the new Best Friends Pet Resort will be a “best-of-breed” facility with air-conditioned rooms,”VIP” suites and private outdoor yards for your pet.
And yes, bedtime stories with staff will be included as one of the special features at the 50,000-square-foot resort. You’ll also be able to choose from a list of la carte activities for your pet, including one-on-one play times and social playgroup with other dogs and ice cream time.
The resort’s exclusive dog park will have a fenced walking trail bordering natural wetlands around the park. Inside the trail, there will be different play areas, including a 3,300 square-foot area covered in artificial turf, a 4,500 square-foot area with shade trees, and a 1,300 square-foot “canines only” water park.
Click here to keep reading more.
Back in April Disney Parks Blog told us that Disney-inspired Rubber Bandz were on their way to the Parks – well the wait is finally over! The new Disney Character Bandz are officially there and finding their way onto Guests’ wrists all across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.
Currently, there are six unique Disney Collections in the Parks. The collections feature a few of your favorite characters from Disney Parks and films such as “Toy Story,” Disney Princesses, The Fab 6, “Cars” & Disney Fairies!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is sort of the red-headed stepchild of Disney parks, often dismissed as nothing more than a zoo. This is too bad, really, because of all the Disney parks, it has what is arguably one of loveliest themes and incredible attention to detail. But we’re not here to discuss the merits of DAK, we’re here to talk about the food. After all, it is a big park and you’re going to need some sustenance to get around it.
First of all, you’ll find two things missing from Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Plastic straws and lids for your drinks. It’s for the animals, so we willingly give those things up even if the paper straws feel a little, well, creepy. If you’re worried about your younger children spilling their drinks on themselves, bring a sippy cup/straw cup from home and pour the drink in it. Problem solved.
Ironically, DAK has the worst quick service options of any park for vegetarians. I wrote about it here, but if you want to save yourself the trouble of clicking I’ll simply tell you that your best choices are probably veggie burgers or Pizzafari. For the rest of you, here are my top five in no particular order:
Picnic in the Park is one of my favorite quick service options in Disney World and the abundance of quiet, pretty areas to enjoy your meal make it an especially nice choice for DAK. Order anything from healthy sandwiches to roasted chicken and sides. Feeds 2 – 6,depending on the price. For more information, check out this post on The Disney Food Blog (scroll down past the updates for the review).
Safari Turkey. Did I just recommend the turkey legs again? Yes. Yes, I did. I know they’re not for everyone, but they’re cheap, huge and filling. Oh, and they taste really good. Just can’t get into the turkey legs? They have chicken wings as well.
Yak and Yeti Counter Service. Asian style noodles, sweet and sour pork, egg rolls and the like. The chicken fried rice is pretty good. Nuggets and burgers for the kids.
Pizzafari. I believe Disney can do just about anything. They can take a stressed-out adult with a powerful job and too much responsibility and make him feel like a kid again. They can make you forget that the person in the mouse costume isn’t really Mickey Mouse, if only for a few minutes. And they can create rides that make it seem perfectly reasonable to wait over an hour to experience them. But they can’t make pizza, or at least not yet. I’m holding out hope for Via Napoli, but that’s another post. Pizzafari isn’t great pizza, but it’s probably the best quick service pizza you’ll get in any of the parks. Better yet, your kids will probably like it and there are salads and slightly addictive bread sticks. Bonus points for plenty of seating in cheerful rooms. As noted above, this is a good place to take your non-meat eating friends.
If I had to pick at favorite at DAK, I’d probably go with Flame Tree Barbecue. I live in the south, so I’m pretty particular about my BBQ, but this place surprised me, particularly the ribs, which were moist and delicious. Onion rings, chicken, fries and sandwiches. This place will make everyone in your party happy. Well, maybe not the vegetarians. Walk down toward the water for one of the nicest views in all of Disney World.
