It’s Veterans Day and we’re celebrating at Walt Disney World. At Magic Kingdom Park, a daily flag ceremony includes an honor guard of Walt Disney World Security Officers, The Main Street Philharmonic marching band, The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet (singing “God Bless America”), and announcements by The Mayor of Main Street. As the Philharmonic marches down Main Street to John Philip Souza’s “The Liberty Bell,” a honored veteran carries the folded flag. Here’s video of the flag retreat ceremony:

Tagged: MK, Veterans, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney Differences, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Hey Disney Parks Blog readers! As promised, I’m going to start sharing blog posts about individual elements of the Disney Dream. My first deep dive is going to take us to the staterooms of the ship.

Let me start by sharing one of the coolest features of the Disney Dream. All inside staterooms will feature Virtual Portholes that offer a “window” to the world with a real-time view outside the ship.

High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Virtual Porthole. Guests may even glimpse a magical visit from a Disney friend. Take a look…

Nearly nine out of 10 of the 1,250 staterooms on the Disney Dream are outside rooms, and of those, 90 percent have a private verandah. There are 500 connecting doors adjoining staterooms to accommodate those traveling with large parties.

For those looking to sail in the lap of luxury the Disney Dream will feature 21 suites. These have two luxurious bathrooms, large private verandah, walk-in closet, living room, 42-inch, high-definition LCD televisions and Blu-ray disc player.

Disney Cruise Line’s signature royal suites – the Walter E. Disney Suite and the Roy O. Disney Suite – are also featured on the Disney Dream. Extravagant details include a whirlpool hot tub on the private teak wood verandah, master bath with whirlpool tub, rain shower and sweeping ocean views through the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the main living quarters.

Next post we’ll be taking a closer look at the dining options aboard the Disney Dream.

Tagged: DCL, Disney Dream, Video

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Vacation Planning

For all you Disney Channel fans, Phineas and Ferb made their Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade debut during a taping at Disneyland park this week. The characters do not currently have an ongoing presence in the Parks, but the Disney Parks Christmas Parade taping is the first time they have appeared anywhere. What do you think of these new characters?

Tagged: Christmas, Christmas Day Parade, DL, DLR, Holidays, Phineas and Ferb

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

It’s here. Our first official Disney Parks mobile application is now available and you’re invited to check it out.

Trying Mobile Magic is simple. Verizon Wireless customers can download the application for $9.99 for 180 days.   Just go to the Media Center to “Browse & Download,” then “Get New Applications.” You’ll then find Mobile Magic in the “Travel & Navigation” folder.  The app can also be found by texting Magic to 2777 later today.

You should know that there’s a 24-hour free trial available for a limited time if you’d like to test it out. In either case, download and message charges may apply. Airtime or megabyte data charges may also apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. You can access the Disney Parks mobile web site by going to either m.disneyland.com or m.disneyworld.com on your mobile web browser.

The application is ready to use but the team will be fine tuning it until January. Mobile Magic is bringing FASTPASS return times, attraction wait times for the park you are in, extensive information on character locations and more for Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks to your Verizon Wireless phone. And, even if you are not a Verizon Wireless subscriber, you can still use your mobile phone to access select park information and on the Disney Parks Mobile web sites.

Here’s the list of phones that the app is currently available on:

– LG Glance
- LG VX Chocolate
- LG Chocolate 3
- LG Decoy
- LG VX 8700
- LG Venus
- Moto Adventure
- Nokia 7205
- Samsung Renown
- Moto 325
- Samsung 540
- Samsung 550
- LG 5500
- Nokia 6205
- Moto 755
- UT Starcom 8950
- UT Starcom GC1-c711
- GZ1 – S Boulder
- Moto K1 -M
- Moto – L7c
- LG 8350
- Samsung Trance
- Moto V3m
- Moto Barrage
- Moto VU204
- LGE VX-8360
- Motorola RIZR Z6TV
- Motorola VU30 (Rapture)
- Motorola Z6c
- Samsung SCH-A990
- Samsung SCH-U620
- Samsung SCH-U900 Flipshot
- LG VX 9100 – enV2
- LG VX 9200 – enV3
- LG VX 8300
- LG VX8370
- Motorola V9M
- Motorola W766 Harmony
- Motorola VE
- Samsung U640 Buddy
- Samsung SCH – U650 (Sway)
- Casio Hitachi Exilim C721

Update: New Phones Added

- Nokia 6315i
- Nokia 2705 Shade
- CDM – 8975
- LG VX 8600
- LG VX9400
- LG VX9800 V
- LG VX9900 enV
- Nokia Twist 7705

The Following Touch-Screen Devices Added

- LG VX8575 – Chocolate Touch
- LG VX 9600 – Versa
- LG VX 9700 – Dare
- LG VX 10000 – Voyager
- LG VX 11000 – enV Touch

The list of Verizon Wireless phones that Mobile Magic will be available on is expected to grow to include “touch” handsets and smartphones in the upcoming weeks.

Here are some more screenshots:

There are even more screen shots below:
Read the rest of this entry »

Tagged: DAK, DCA, DHS, DL, DLR, Epcot, FASTPASS, MK, Mobile Magic, Verizon, WDW

Filed: Disney Differences, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's California Adventure Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World Resort

I can’t believe it! We’ve been talking about Disney gift ideas for the holidays here on the blog, and I’ve been seeing holiday decorations popping up all over the Parks. The holiday season is definitely upon us, and I guess I’d better get in the spirit. It all starts Friday, November 13 at the Disneyland Resort!

There’s something for everyone, but here are my top 10 holiday experiences in the Parks.

10. Watching the reindeer play in their corral and visiting Santa Claus at “Santa’s Reindeer Round-up” in Big Thunder Ranch.

9. Walking through the Parks and looking at all of the decorations, including the 300,000 lights on “it’s a small world” holiday, the icicles on Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, the giant Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A. and the oversized ornaments in “a bug’s land.”

8. Exploring the shops in both parks and finding the perfect Disney ornament to give to friends.

7. Sitting on a bench, eating a big gingerbread cookie from the Blue Ribbon Bakery and watching families celebrate at the parks.

6. Finding the ideal location to take a holiday photo with my mom (The giant Christmas tree on Main Street is always a winner, and we’ve found some fun spots in “Santa’s Reindeer Round-up,” too).

5. Listening to the carolers on Main Street, U.S.A.

4. Watching “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and imagining that I’m graceful enough to dance like those performers.

3. Sailing through “it’s a small world” holiday with a little kid. I love the experience even more when I can also experience it through a child’s eyes.

2. Experiencing Haunted Mansion Holiday featuring Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

1. Drinking hot cocoa while watching “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, listening to a touching rendition of “White Christmas,” and waiting for the nightly snowfall to cascade around me.

I know that for some of us it seems too early to be thinking about the holidays, so maybe this video will help get you in the spirit. Please tell me what you love most about the Holidays at Disney Parks.

Tagged: A Nightmare Before Christmas, Christmas, DLR, Holidays, Video

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

When renovation work finishes on the Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World Resort, it’ll be the same classic experience with a few new surprises. And now, Walt Disney Imagineering is offering an early peek at some of those surprises and the first images from inside the attraction.

As you know, with any Imagineering project, the story comes first. And the updated Space Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World Resort is no exception. With the update, the storyline is being extended – and you’ll be able to take part.

Passengers will be able to immerse themselves in unique game play as they prepare for blast off, becoming part of the space station adventure. During a recent walkthrough, we deflected asteroids to keep runways clear as part of the story.

The interactive experiences are based on duties you’d find on board a long-traveling space craft, according to Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Show Designer Alex Wright. Each game lasts about 90 seconds with a 90-second interval and the games can accommodate 86 players at one time.

As you move along on your journey, there are “insider” touches typical in projects created by Imagineers. For example, if you’re up on your Disney trivia, you’ll recognize a sign bearing the logo “H-NCH 1975″ as a tribute to late Imagineer and Disney legend John Hench. There are also other “Disneyphile” references hidden throughout the attraction.

Space Mountain celebrates the Golden Age of Rocket Travel – inspired by the jet age of the early 1960s. The attraction highlights excitement around the endless possibilities regarding space travel. It did back when it opened in 1975 and I think you’ll agree it still does.

We wanted to share these images now but check back for more updates. Also, please let us know what you think in the comments below.

Tagged: Imagineers, MK, Space Mountain, WDW

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Yes, there’s more!

If you missed the blog posts over the weekend, we shared photos of Selena Gomez, Stevie Wonder, Anika Noni Rose, Cheryl Burke and Tony Dovolani performing and filming at Disneyland park for the annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade broadcast.

Here’s today’s photo of Ryan Seacrest posing with Donald Duck while taking a break from Ryan’s duties as co-host for the show.

Demi Lovato was also seen on Main Street, USA performing “Wonderful Christmas Time.”

To see more, don’t miss the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC, which airs December 25.

Tagged: Christmas Day Parade, DLR

Filed: Celebrity Visits, Disneyland Park