Balloons At Epcot
posted on February 12th, 2010 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
Last month, I shared a unique image of guests strolling through the park. Here’s another photograph from the same day at Epcot. It has not been enhanced other than to turn it upside down.
1 Reply
Valentine’s Day Horticulture
posted on February 11th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
Red and pink hearts are popping up everywhere for Valentine’s Day – they’re even at Disneyland park.
The Horticulture team at the Disneyland Resort is dressing up floral displays—including pink and red azaleas—with Valentine’s Day hearts, like the display shown here at Minnie’s House in Mickey’s Toontown. You can also see the Horticulture team’s creations at Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A.
If you’re not visiting the parks this week, I’ve heard the horticulture team is planning some other fun surprises for St. Patrick’s Day in March and Independence Day in July.
Even if you’re not visiting on a holiday, take a closer look at the plants and flowers around the Resort. You just might be surprised by what you find.
Disney Parks ‘Quick Hits’ – February 11th, 2010
posted on February 11th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
If you weren’t watching our live stream during today’s “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” Celebrate Volunteers event you missed a few surprises — including a visit from Ty Pennington, host of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Ty unveiled our record-breaking canned structure created with 115,527 canned goods.
There were also several other items that didn’t make it to the blog this week:
Official Twitter List — Have you seen our list of official Disney Twitter accounts?
Best Spots To See Fireworks — Allison from the Walt Disney World Moms Panel shares some favorite spots to view fireworks at Walt Disney World.
Valentine’s Day — Some Downtown Disney restaurants are still taking reservations for Valentine’s Day. Tip: Great view of fireworks from Catal Restaurant.
FAQs — Here are some frequently asked questions at Walt Disney World.
Disney Pin Trading 10th Anniversary — Here’s a specially designed pin for the 10th anniversary of Disney pin trading – available at Disneyland Resort and WDW.
This Week in History — Disney’s California Adventure Park opens – 2001.
Record-Breaking Canned Food Sculpture Unveiled at Walt Disney World
posted on February 11th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Less than 24 hours after announcing big news at Walt Disney World, we have more to share. We just unveiled the largest canned food structure ever created — more than 115,000 cans.
Update: We’ve posted a high-resolution photo of the canned food structure here.
The massive sculpture titled “Celebrate Volunteers” was unveiled as part of a special “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” celebration honoring family volunteers and the spirit of giving at Epcot’s World Showcase. It took about 500 hours of volunteer work to construct and shape the 44 tons of food into the Disney character structure. Look closely…Mickey’s head was shaped from cans of black olives and Pluto’s eyes were created with cans of sliced pineapple. Here’s how the rest of it came together:
We figured out that if all of the cans in the sculpture were stacked on top of one another, the topmost can would be more than one mile above the 29,035-foot summit of Mt. Everest. But what goes up, must come down. The sculpture will be disassembled by Disney VoluntEARs and other volunteers and the cans will be taken to food banks for those in need. There’s enough food for more than 70,000 meals.
By the way, according to a Guinness World Records adjudicator, the new record easily beat the old mark of 54,527 cans set last year in New Zealand.
Live Video: Walt Disney World Volunteer Celebration
posted on February 11th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
UPDATE: The live stream is complete, however you can watch the replay for the next few days.
Just a quick reminder that we’re preparing to launch live coverage of our “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” Volunteer Celebration at Walt Disney World. The live stream will feature Tom Staggs, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, an attempt at a unique world record and a few other surprises.
Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to Walt Disney World Resort this Summer
posted on February 10th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
UPDATE – May 11: Beginning June 6, the Main Street Electrical Parade will begin at 9 p.m. and the Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular will begin at 10 p.m. at the Walt Disney World Resort.
UPDATE – March 2: Summer Nightastic! at Walt Disney World begins a limited engagement at Walt Disney World on June 6. The celebration will continue through August 14.
Big news…we’re thrilled to announce that one of the most beloved attractions in Disney history, the Main Street Electrical Parade, is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this summer – and it’ll be better than ever. The classic parade will feature new LED lights and new audio technology when it begins its limited engagement at Walt Disney World in early June 2010.
Tinker Bell will lead the parade waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. The parade’s return is part of Summer Nightastic! — an amazing lineup of new and enhanced entertainment planned this summer at Walt Disney World theme parks. For example, there will be new lighting effects and a new addition to Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Also, Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular.
There’s plenty more planned and we’ll have more details in upcoming weeks but we wanted to tell you what we knew first on The Disney Parks Blog. Check back here for more.
Your Favorite Romantic Memory. . .
posted on February 10th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
The romance of Valentine’s Day is spreading across the Disneyland Resort, and today we’re revealing some of that romance.
We asked guests in Disneyland park to share some of their romantic stories. One couple told us how they exchanged a ring under the fireworks. We also heard from newlyweds about their honeymoon plan, and another couple shared some tips for romantic dinners and attractions at the Parks.
It’s your turn. What’s your favorite romantic memory at the Disneyland Resort?
World Record Attempt Will be Part of Volunteer Celebration at Walt Disney World
posted on February 10th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Tomorrow, we’re celebrating the spirit of giving at Walt Disney World with a special event that’ll include an attempt at a world record – and you’ll be able to see it live.
Since the launch of the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program six weeks ago, an overwhelming number of volunteers have signed up to participate. Some of those superstar volunteers from across the nation will be featured at Thursday’s event, along with a few surprises.
The Volunteers Celebration is a closed event and we’re not yet sharing details of the world record attempt. But there will be a live stream of the announcement beginning at 9:58 A.M. EST at www.celebratevolunteers.com. We’ll also have an update on the blog Thursday.
A Chocolate Treat at Walt Disney World
posted on February 10th, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
Valentine’s Day is the best excuse for eating chocolate. We did our homework and tasted chocolate all over Walt Disney World Resort -– warm Valrhona chocolate cake at Narcoossee’s, double chocolate semifreddo at California Grill, Jiko’s decadent Tanzanian chocolate cheesecake, chocolate budino cake at Kouzzina by Cat Cora . . . the list goes on.
But if you’re looking to slip away and share something chocolate with your Valentine, we love the casual Turf Club at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. Nothing fancy, but it’s one of the few spots for al fresco dining, weather permitting, or where you can find a quiet corner for conversation and a sip of their signature mint julep.
The restaurant is turning out delicious fare– a dry-aged New York strip steak, mint-crusted lamb chops, pork tenderloin with red onion jam. But it is the chocolate espresso torte that had us swooning, served with a scoop of vanilla-port wine ice cream. The chefs graciously shared the recipe so you can make it a Disney Valentine’s Day right in your own kitchen.
Disney’s Turf Club Chocolate Espresso Torte
Makes one 9-inch torte
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened, plus additional softened butter for greasing pan
3/4 cup sugar, plus additional sugar for dusting pan
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
5 eggs at room temperature, beaten
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup prepared espresso
Chocolate Ganache:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 stick softened butter
Vanilla ice cream, optional
For Torte:
Preheat oven to 300º with oven rack in middle position. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with a layer of heavy-duty foil. Generously butter pan. Dust pan with sugar, tapping out excess. Place prepared pan in a roasting pan; set aside.
Combine 3/4 cup sugar and prepared espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a large saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until just melted. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined. Stir in espresso syrup and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently stir in eggs until combined.
Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Pour boiling-hot water into roasting pan until it reaches three-quarters of the way up the of springform pan. Bake until center of torte is almost set, but still wobbles just slightly, about 45 to 50 minutes.
Transfer torte to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.
For Ganache:
Place chocolate in a medium bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until melted. Set aside to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined and glossy. Use immediately.
To Serve:
Run a thin knife along edge of chilled torte, and remove springform pan ring. Set torte on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Pour ganache over torte, a bit at a time, spreading with a rubber or offset spatula to cover top. Allow excess to drip down sides, if desired. Place torte on a platter or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
For Miniature Heart-Shaped Tortes:
Cut individual tortes from large torte using a heart-shaped cutter. Carefully dip each heart into ganache using two forks, letting excess drip off. Set hearts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
First Disney Parks Blog Pins
posted on February 10th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
They’re baked and ready to go…a first-ever batch of Disney Parks Blog pins.
We’re giving you a first look at the pins because attendees of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebrations event at Walt Disney World will be the first guests to receive them this week. They’ll never be for sale so we’re working on some unique ideas on how to get them into your hands. We’ll post more details here.
Also, look for other social media focused pins from Disney Parks in the future.
