As 2009 draws to a close, I asked my fellow Cast Members in product development, Disney Design Group, planning, merchandise marketing and operations to select their favorite Disney Pin released this past calendar year. For some, this request was like me asking them to pick their favorite child (okay maybe that was only a challenge for me).
The pins they selected were about as varied as their corresponding reasons. I’ve chosen several pins to spotlight here. For the complete “Best of 2009” recap, please visit the What’s HapPINing? Blog on DisneyPins.com on December 31.
Without further ado, let the trip down memory lane begin!
Julie Young – Product Developer for Open Edition pins and Accessories
“I selected the ‘Have a Disney Day’ pin. It features a simple design and wonderful message. I think everyone should have a Disney day! What’s more fun than that?” Read the rest of this entry »
New Year’s Eve is a popular time to visit the Disneyland Resort, and I can see why, now that I know all the fun things going on.
If you’re still looking for plans on December 31, or if you’re already planning a visit to the Resort that day, it sounds to me like Disney’s California Adventure park is really the place to be.
There is a high-energy pyrotechnic display in Sunshine Plaza at midnight and if you’re looking for great music and want to dance the night away, there are three different dance parties to celebrate the countdown to midnight:
Power 106 at the Hollywood Backlot Stage is hosting a dance club from 9:30p.m. to 1:00a.m. and promises to blow the roof off.
You can break out your salsa, samba and popular Latin dance moves at a waterfront club at the Pacific Wharf hosted by DJs from 107.1 KSEE-FM Super Estrella from 9:30p.m. to 1:00a.m.
If the hottest dance hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s are more your style, then check out the DJs from 104.3 MYfm at Stage 17 near Sunshine Plaza from 9:00p.m. to 1:00a.m.
Can’t decide on just one dance party at Disney’s California Adventure park? I’m told you can bounce from one to another.
In case you’re interested, here’s a look at what’s happening at Disneyland park:
“Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks kicks off the new year at 12:00a.m. in the skies above Disneyland park.
There’s a Mardi-Gras-style party with live music at the Rivers of America at 8:00p.m., 9:45p.m., 11:00p.m. and 11:45p.m.
Doc Anello and the Swing Machine perform at Plaza Gardens Stage at 7:30p.m., 8:45p.m., 9:50pm, 11:00pm and 12:15a.m.
Mickey, Minnie and a DJ will be hosting a party at Sleeping Beauty’s Winder Castle from 9:00p.m. to 12:00a.m.
The band Surburban Legends rocks Tomorrowland in Tomorrowland Terrace at 8:30p.m., 10:00p.m., 11:00p.m., 11:45p.m. and 1:00a.m.
I’ve never been at the parks for New Year’s Eve, so I’d love to hear from someone who has. What do you like best at the Resort during the New Years celebration?
Today we have an update. “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience,” the show currently in Tomorrowland, will close January 4 so work can begin in the theater to prepare for the Captain’s return.
From day one, video on the Disney Parks Blog has been popular. In fact, since our first Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy post, you’ve watched many years worth of video here, 3+ actually. And yes, there have been favorites. Here are the top five Disney Parks Blog videos of 2009:
In 1995, Disney World adopted the spinning carousels, angels and figures from Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne. And over the years, Disney has built on what Osborne created.
But what’s kept the spirit of the display going for all of these years has been the crew that puts up the display each year, according to Walt Disney Entertainment’s John Phelan said. Cast members in the warehouse in March and April working on figurines. By summer, a crew of technicians are working to prepare the lights and structures.
One of the secrets is that somewhere in the lights, there’s a purple cat figure. It was mistakenly taken from Jenny Osbourne’s Halloween display. Each year, technicians hide the cat among the lights. Can you find it this year?
By the way, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights can be seen through January 4, 2010.
2009 was a busy and exciting year at the Disneyland Resort. For a refresher of all that happened in the past year, take a look at the video below.
It all started in February when we reopened “it’s a small world” with some of the famous dolls dressed as Disney characters.
In the spring, we debuted “Celebrate! A Street Party,” the new parade in Disneyland park; unveiled Mickey’s Fun Wheel; introduced new Games of the Boardwalk in Paradise Pier and opened Blue Sky Cellar to give guests a peek at the exciting changes coming to Disney’s California Adventure park. We also unveiled Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland for young guests to be transformed into princesses and knights, and we also celebrated the fourth annual Food and Wine Festival.
The summer saw the premiere of Summer Nightastic!, featuring a line-up of new and special nighttime experiences, including “Magical,” a fireworks spectacular featuring a flying Tinker Bell and Dumbo; Pixie Hollow Enchantment, Tomorrowland Terrace Dance Club, exciting changes to “Disney’s Electrical Parade,” including a new float and the return of Snow White and Pinocchio floats, and a bolder Fantasmic! with a new 40-foot fire breathing dragon.
If that wasn’t enough, we celebrated the Lakers championship win with a parade featuring Kobe Bryant, expanded Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and added Disney Vacation Club suites and hosted the fourth annual Disneyland Half Marathon.
I know several people who make it a habit of starting the New Year at Disney Parks. And there’s a lot to choose from this year — nine parade performances and five fireworks shows. If that lineup has your attention, here are the New Year’s Eve details broken down by park:
“Fantasmic!” nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30, 8 and 10 p.m.)
Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.)
A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 p.m.)
This week we continued our series of holiday-related posts with the Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos. They stopped by Epcot and jammed with the Seven Dwarfs. If you missed it, here it is:
We also had several announcements, including a new vacation package offer at Walt Disney World Resort — get up to a $750 Disney Gift Card free when you buy a 5-night/6-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Company package at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Here is the list of our most popular posts:
Celebrating 12 Days of Christmas – and Conservation — The Wildlife Tracking Center, located in Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, celebrated the 12 Days of Christmas and, of course, conservation in a unique way this holiday season.
An amazing group of celebrity narrators have helped make Epcot’sCandlelight Processional special this holiday season. And today, some of them are sharing their best holiday memories on The Disney Parks Blog. Brian Dennehy, Steven Curtis Chapman, Abigail Breslin, Andy Garcia, Chita Rivera and John O’Hurley are included in the video:
Any special holiday memories come to mind after watching the video?
Yes, it’s almost parade time. And when the 26th annual “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” begins tomorrow, you’ll see some of the world’s best performers. We’ve shared some of the talent appearing during the nationally televised event. Now, here’s the list:
Celine Dion – The ten-time Grammy winner will be featured singing her heartwarming ballad, “Don’t Save It All for Christmas Day,” and shares her own rendition of “O’ Come All Ye Faithful.”
Stevie Wonder – The legendary singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder will have viewers singing along with his very own holiday classic, “What Christmas Means to Me.”
Jonas Brothers – The Worldwide pop stars put a tropical spin on the holidays when they perform their brand-new song, “Summertime Anthem.” The high-energy tune is featured on “All Wrapped Up: Vol. 2,” the new holiday CD from Hollywood Records.
Selena Gomez – The star of the Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place,” makes a special appearance amidst the festive magic at Disneyland park.
Anika Noni Rose – The Tony Award-winner voice of Princess Tiana from the new Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film “The Princess and the Frog,” performs a musical production inspired by “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee.” During the number, she will be accompanied by Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke, two of the dancers from ABC’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars.” The musical, Mardi Gras-style celebration takes place in New Orleans Square at Disneyland.
Yanni – The performer will bring his Yanni Voices to perform a reverent arrangement of “O Holy Night” featuring Nathan Pacheco.
Kris Allen – “American Idol” winner entertains the crowd with his rendition of a holiday favorite, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
USC March Band – Straight from Southern California, the world-famous USC band beats to their own seasonal drums at Disneyland Resort.
Demi Lovato – The star of the Disney Channel’s “Camp Rock” and “Sonny With A Chance,” performs the Paul McCartney classic, “Wonderful Christmas Time.”
Steve Rushton – The performer known for his hit songs on the “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” “The Suite Life on Deck” and “G-Force” movie soundtracks, rings in the holidays with “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” – a tune he performs on the “Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws” Blu-Ray & DVD – as he is joined by the famed Florida A&M University Strikers.
Samantha Brown – The Travel Channel star checks in with holiday greetings from Disney Cruise Line, aboard the Disney Wonder cruise ship.
The puppies from Disney’s popular series of “Buddies” movies will make a special appearance to celebrate their all-new and heartwarming holiday adventure on Disney Blu-Ray & DVD, “Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws.”
The two-hour special will be televised in high-definition on December 25 on ABC-TV at 10 a.m. Eastern and 9 a.m. Central, Mountain and Pacific times. Of course, all talent and floats are subject to change.
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