Reflection of China
posted on November 9th, 2009 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
In 2001, I embarked on a personal “art” project within World Showcase at Epcot. I visited various countries and tried to capture the essence of their cultures through their architecture. This image is part of that personal project, and is really a rather “tongue-in-cheek” look at China. Remember the old saying about digging to China? Of course, if you flip the image, it becomes just a reflection in a body of water. I used a Leica loaded with slide film.
2010 Travel Offer for the Disneyland Resort
posted on November 9th, 2009 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
As you know, I love travel and I’m always looking for a good deal for my next vacation. I also enjoy sharing the deals I find. So, today we’re announcing a special travel offer for the Disneyland Resort. Look for tips about other value deals right here on the Disney Parks Blog.
Starting today, you can book travel for an early-2010 deal. From January 5 through April 29, 2010, guests can get two nights free when they buy a three-night Disneyland Resort hotel package with five-day special value Disneyland Resort Park Hopper tickets.
For guests who already have theme park tickets, we have another offer: a 30-percent savings at any of the Disneyland Resort hotels when you book a two-night hotel-only stay. Click here for details about this room only offer. The special offers are valid at the three Disneyland Resort hotels – Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
The two-free night packages feature a host of extras, including one admission to Magic Morning, which gives families access to experience select theme park attractions before Disneyland park opens to regular guests. The package also features entry into Mickey’s Toontown Morning Madness, an interactive experience with characters, and preferred seating at select attractions at the Disneyland Resort. Please click here for details about this offer and these benefits.
How can you take advantage of this offer? You can book now through April 1, 2010, for arrivals between Jan. 5 – April 29, 2010, by calling (866) 60-DISNEY, contacting a local travel agent or visiting www.disneyland.com. Travel must be completed by May 4, 2010.
Here’s an insider tip: If you book online at www.disneyland.com, you can receive a personalized “welcome” phone call from a Disney character. You can schedule the call ahead of time to get the whole family excited about the upcoming trip.
Looking for a deal before the end of this year? Then check out this offer: Through Dec. 19, 2009, guests will save $400 when they buy a 4-Day/4-Night Disneyland Resort vacation package, featuring Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations – Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Paradise Pier – and Park Hopper tickets. The offer is valid for arrivals through Dec. 20, 2009. Please click here for details.
Stevie Wonder and Anika Noni Rose Film Performances for the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
posted on November 8th, 2009 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
It’s not your average day at Disneyland Park when Stevie Wonder performs “That’s What Christmas Means to Me “in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. Here’s a photo of Minnie Mouse, Stevie and his daughter Aisha Morris during a break from taping.
Stevie Wonder and Anika Noni Rose were both performing at Disneyland park today for the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.
Anika was seen performing a musical production number inspired by “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee” for the annual holiday special that appears on ABC. While singing and dancing in New Orleans Square, Anika encountered “Dancing with the Stars” celebs, Cheryl Burke and Tony Dovolani.
Be sure to tune in to ABC on Christmas morning to see these fun performances.
Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap
posted on November 8th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
This week, we had several announcements on The Disney Parks Blog and unveiled a pretty unique holiday television spot. If you missed it, our new video featured children from around the world coming together for a magical journey to experience the best of Disney Parks. Here it is:
Also, we introduced a few new authors from Disneyland and Walt Disney World photographer Gene Duncan shared an image he captured backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here’s the list:
A Mother’s Love Witnessed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Gene Duncan captured a tender moment between mother and baby backstage.
Disney’s Handheld Device Adds Audio Description — Did you know the Disneyland Resort has several services available for guests with visual and hearing disabilities?
Disney – Shanghai Theme Park Project Update — The Walt Disney Company released information concerning the Shanghai theme park project.
Exclusive Bay Lake Tower Rooftop Deck Offers Amazing View of ‘Wishes’ Fireworks — Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort becomes a special place to celebrate during fireworks.
Festival of the Masters Art at Downtown Disney — A behind-the-scenes look at the Festival featuring art from more than 100 of the country’s top artists.
Top 5 Disney Gift Ideas for the Holidays — A sneak peek at this season’s top 5 Disney Gift ideas.
It’s Turkey Time! The National Thanksgiving Turkey Visits Disneyland Resort — A fun look back at all of our feathery friends.
Walt Disney Company Investing $7M in Projects to Protect World’s Forests — Disney makes a major investment in projects to protect forests in the Amazon, the Congo, the Lower Mississippi River valley and Northern California.
You Saw it Here First – Selena Gomez Tapes the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
posted on November 7th, 2009 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
While the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort doesn’t officially start until November 13, Selena Gomez spread some holiday cheer at Disneyland park today.
Selena will appear in the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC later this year and was seen taping a segment and playing with Stitch in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.
Check back on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on this year’s exciting show, which airs Christmas Day on ABC.
Grab Your Beads! It’s Time to Party New Orleans Style at Disneyland Resort!
posted on November 6th, 2009 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations
Today the new “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee!” debuted to guests in New Orleans Square at the Disneyland Resort, and you can catch the show now through January 3. If you’re someone who likes to be the life of the party, then you will love this show. It begins with a colorful, jazz-filled procession through New Orleans Square with the characters from the new Disney film “Princess and the Frog,” and continues on the Mark Twain riverboat. Check out video of the show at the Disneyland Resort below and see photos of the show at Walt Disney World from our previous story on the Disney Parks Blog.
Disney Parks ‘Boosts’ Flu Awareness Efforts
posted on November 6th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Just like you, Disney Parks is working hard to make guests and cast members aware of steps that they can take to prevent the spread of the flu. It’s just part of our ongoing commitment to our Guests’ health and safety.
You should know that over the past several months, a Disney Parks’ team has been monitoring the developments regarding the spread of the H1N1 flu. The team has long-standing relationships with local health officials and we’ve continued to use their guidance to evaluate and, if appropriate, adjust our operations.
Over the next couple weeks, you’ll notice some health-related enhancements, on top of our already rigorous cleaning and sanitation standards. Bulk hand sanitizers are being placed in high-traffic guest areas, including theme park entrances, hotel lobbies and near high-volume character “meet-and-greet” locations. Our parks have already implemented more frequent cleaning of “high-touch” surfaces such as drinking fountains and telephones.
As a reminder, measures recommended by the CDC to prevent the spread of flu will be included in our event guide brochures and personal hand sanitizer will be made available for purchase at most merchandise locations.
We’ll continue to rely on the guidance of local, national and international public health officials to do our part to prevent the spread of the flu.
Pro Golf With A Disney Twist
posted on November 6th, 2009 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
Going to a PGA Tour golf tournament is all about, well, watching golf. Except when it comes to the PGA Tour event at Walt Disney World Resort.
At the Children’s Miracle Network Classic at Disney’s Magnolia and Palm courses next week (Nov. 12-15), tournament officials are “cooking up” ways to make it more than just about watching golf. In addition to witnessing the drama surrounding the PGA Tour’s Fall Series finale, fans this year will be treated to a culinary experience involving elaborate dishes, unique wines and select beer from many of Walt Disney World Resort‘s most popular restaurants. Disney calls it the Wine & Dine Walk and it’s available to fans from Friday through Sunday of tournament week.
Instead of the usual sports event food, spectators who wander along the final nine holes of the Magnolia course during the Classic can sample, sip and savor signature cuisine from Disney restaurants such as The Wave (Contemporary Resort), Sanaa (Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) and The Turf Club Bar & Grill (Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa). And they can do it at an affordable price (menu ranges from $3.25 to $7.50).
Not that the golf action itself won’t be appetizing enough. This is the only PGA Tour event where Tour newcomers and veterans battle to the finish to be among the lucky few who end the year ranked among the top 125 players on the Tour money list, earning them the coveted privilege of entry into virtually any Tour event in 2010. Plus, for the first time this year, one lucky player will win $1 million through the inaugural Kodak Challenge which finishes on the 17th hole on the Magnolia course.
And what better way to soak in all of that drama than on a sun-splashed Florida day as you sip a chilled glass of German white wine and nibble on a plate of seared shrimp with green curry sauce, basmati rice and naan bread from Africa?
Just your typical PGA Tour experience, right? Not hardly.
Disney Parks Unveils ‘Small World’ Holiday Spot
posted on November 6th, 2009 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
We’re launching a pretty unique holiday television spot and wanted to share it with you first on the Disney Parks Blog.
The video features children from around the world coming together for a magical journey to experience the best of Disney Parks. It’s video that’ll make you smile and may just tug at your heartstrings. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Top 5 Disney Gift Ideas for the Holidays
posted on November 6th, 2009 by Michelle Harker, Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Disneyland Resort
Hi there, I’m Michelle. As the Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager for the Disneyland Resort it’s my job to find out all about our Disney Theme Park Merchandise ‘must have’ items and of course, share it with all of you, especially with the holidays right around the corner. I know we’re getting started early this year, but since holiday shopping is in full swing by November, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at this season’s top 5 Disney Gift ideas!
5. Dress up your holidays at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Studio Disney 365! Experience the magic of our Disney makeovers, the perfect gift for kids and kids-at-heart. Be transformed into a princess, knight, rock star or studio star in the blink of an eye. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeovers I’ve seen done typically range from $49.95 – $205.85, while some of the Studio Disney 365 makeovers can range from $29.95 – $59.95. You’ll find more information on these experiences at www.ArtofDisneyParks.com or you can book your reservations by calling 714-781-STYLE.
Insider Tip: A fan favorite makeover at Studio Disney 365 is Color Cue, where you can actually choose different colored streaks to put in your hair. So ask yourself, are you ready for your close- up?
4. Disneyland Resort Annual Passport - The Annual Passport is an ideal gift for anyone who visits the Resort more than two or three times per year … or would like to! The gift of a Disneyland Resort Annual Passport lets friends or family members celebrate throughout the year with the magic of Disneyland Resort.
3. The holidays have never looked (or tasted!) so good! Your taste buds will shout with glee when you enjoy our seasonal peppermint bark and Mickey Shaped Peppermint Lollipops, among other delectable seasonal favorites.
Insider Tip: If there’s a coffee connoisseur on your list…then be sure to heat things up with our Mickey’s Swell Coffee Holiday Collection. Seasonal flavors include Egg Nog, Holiday Cheer, Cinnamon Pecan & Vanilla Cream. These flavors are available for a limited time only and it goes fast!
2. The Game of LIFE – Haunted Mansion “Welcome to the After-LIFE” Disney Theme Park Edition - It is the classic game of LIFE with a chilling spin. “Welcome to the After-LIFE” incorporates the stories, mythology, history and the scary fun of the various Haunted Mansion attractions. There are pictures of the game and other fun facts available on www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.
Insider Tip: This thrilling and chilling game is one of the hottest family gifts to give this year. You’ll find it at the World of Disney Store and other select locations in the Resort. So get it, before it’s gone!
1. Looking for that perfect gift, but not sure what to get? Then let us help you…Disney Gift Cards are one of the best gift giving items of the year. You’ll find a variety of themed Disney Gift Cards available throughout the Disney Theme Parks & Resorts. Visit www.DisneyGiftCard.com for more information about the Disney Gift Card program.
Hopefully these helpful tips for our Top 5 gift ideas will help you wrap up your holiday shopping! For other holiday gift ideas, visit www.ArtofDisneyParks.com.
