For Butterfly Lovers
posted on April 16th, 2010 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
I visited Fawn’s Butterfly House at Pixie Hollow yesterday afternoon, one of the terrific experiential venues at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. It is a magical place, and guests were clicking away like mad, myself included, capturing beautiful photos of a wide variety of butterflies…I thought I would share a couple of images from that visit. If you look closely, you can see pollen falling from the proboscis of a Zebra Longwing. And I am just amazed at the dramatic markings of a Queen as it sips nectar.
I highly recommend this fantastic exhibit for all nature lovers…
Front-Row Seat for the Kitchen at New Chef’s Table at Flying Fish Cafe
posted on April 16th, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
Award-winning Chef Tim Keating at Flying Fish Cafe on Disney’s BoardWalk has a loyal following, and guests often ask him to create a special dinner –- something that’s not on the menu. And most of the regulars love a seat at the wide granite bar facing the on-stage kitchen.
Now the first six seats at the coveted “Chef’s Counter” are reserved for the new Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner, a nightly affair that offers five courses paired with wine for a special evening –- “a new spin on menu items,” said Keating. And there’s plenty of interaction with the well-orchestrated team of chefs.
A typical dinner might include “Spring Catch Frutti di Mare” for a starter, followed by roasted Carolina Hills organic free-range chicken with morels, spring peas and mustard spätzle.
Next, slow-braised lamb shank and herbes de Provence-crusted lamb loin with heirloom gold beets, artichokes and dark cassis-laced syrah and lamb reduction. A cheese course includes Georgia’s Sweet Grass Dairy artisan cheeses, roasted plums and roasted mushroom croustade. Finish with early crop sweet Florida peaches and Tupelo honey.
Sommelier Keith Gimbel expertly pairs delicious wines with each course.
There are two seatings nightly Sunday through Thursday, at 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Cost is $135, $85 without wine. Make reservations at 407-WDW-DINE. There are a handful of blackout dates throughout the year (mostly around busy holidays).
Dooney & Bourke Co-Branded Product Sets Sail on Disney Cruise Line
posted on April 15th, 2010 by Dara Trujillo, Manager, Merchandise Synergy, Events, and Communication
Ahoy Disney Cruise Line fans, we have something new just for you!
Launching on Disney Wonder and Disney Magic is the new Dooney & Bourke collection created especially for Disney Cruise Line. This colorful collection features a few of your favorite Disney Cruise Line inspired characters on some of Dooney & Bourke’s most popular silhouettes.
This new collection can only be found on the Disney Cruise Line, so keep an eye out for them on your next Disney Cruise.
Disney Parks ‘Quick Hits’ – April 15th, 2010
posted on April 15th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Dara and Steven did a great job of letting us know what to expect at tomorrow’s D-Street Grand Opening. But we have another surprise to share — world-renowned speed painter Rock Demarco will be painting his interpretation of Mickey Mouse at the event. Rock has also been commissioned to design some Vinylmation figures on Friday.
Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will “Party for the Planet” during a park-wide Earth Day celebration on April 22. There will be special entertainment throughout the park on Earth Day:
- Main Entrance: Jiminy Cricket (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch: PIPA the talking recycling bin (11:20 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:50 p.m. and 2:40 p.m.), Jiminy Cricket (2-5 p.m.)
- Gi-Tar Dan at Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Camp Minnie-Mickey (Sets run between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Camp Minnie-Mickey)
Also this week, the Walt Disney World Resort is hosting an online job fair! Apply now through April 18.
And we recently announced this year’s official lineup for Night of Joy at Walt Disney World. Here’s the updated schedule.
Friday, Sept. 10
- Chris Tomlin
- David Crowder
- Casting Crowns
- BarlowGirl
- Francesca Battistelli
- Group 1 Crew
- 10th Avenue North
Saturday, Sept. 11
- Mercyme
- Third Day
- Family Force 5
- Smokie Norful
- Red
- Lecrae
- Day of Fire
- Sidewalk Prophets
Here are a few other items that didn’t make it to the blog this week:
Where To Start? — The Walt Disney World Moms Panel answers the question, “In which order should we visit the theme parks?”
Backstage Safari Tour — The Backstage Safari tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom gives you a 3-hour insider’s look at the ways the park’s animal inhabitants are cared for.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Did you know? The first permanent resident of Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a 1.5-year-old male giraffe named Miles.
“Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival 2010″ Pin — This limited release pin commemorates the 2010 Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival.
Must-Sees at Disney’s California Adventure Park — Check out this list of must-see attractions at Disney’s California Adventure.
Eat This Up…
posted on April 15th, 2010 by Michelle Harker, Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Disneyland Resort
A flavorful set of offerings commemorates the 2010 Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival, “The Art of Flavor.” Product Developer Linda Votaw stopped by my desk just a few days ago brimming with excitement for some of the new items, including a chef apron and jackets, wine decanters and glasses, tees, a hat and, of course, the artwork that inspired it all.
Some of her favorite pieces have an artistic flair. Almost a year ago, she reached out to local artist Dave Avanzino, who helped create one of this year’s logos. His artistic expertise and flair for contemporary and whimsical artwork allowed him to incorporate all of the elements of food, wine, art and creativity into one image, which appears on several items.
Here are this year’s top five “must have” Food & Wine Festival items:
- 5th Anniversary Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival pin
- Recycled “Banner” totes (These unique totes were actually created from existing banners which hung throughout Disney’s California Adventure park in last year’s Food & Wine Festival. The bags are extremely limited, so you’ll want to grab these before they’re gone.)
- Button down all-over print shirt
- Etched wine glasses
- Dave Avanzino “Tower of Terror”-inspired, wine label multimedia sculpture
Annual Passholders: Be sure to look for merchandise created especially with you in mind, including a special limited edition pin and a glass coaster set.
I’ll leave you with a tip to cap off your Food & Wine experience: Autograph sessions will take place throughout the festival with notable Winemakers and Celebrity Chefs. For a complete list of autograph sessions and more events, visit Disneyland.com/FoodAndWine or ArtofDisneyParks.com.
All of this and more will be available at the Festival Gift Shop, so be sure to check it out!
First Look: Inside D-Street
posted on April 15th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
We couldn’t resist…the doors of D-Street officially open tomorrow but we grabbed a camera and went inside to give readers of the Disney Parks Blog an early peek. D-Street is the newest addition to Downtown Disney WestSide that’ll feature an mix of pop culture novelties, unique apparel and as Steven shared earlier today, Vinylmation. Take a look for yourself:
The official Grand Opening of D-Street at the Downtown Disney WestSide in Florida is happening on Friday, April 16 beginning at 9:45 a.m. If you’re going, let us know on Facebook.
Puppy Love
posted on April 15th, 2010 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Hi, I’m George Savvas, Public Relations Director at the Disneyland Resort. I manage the entertainment and celebrity publicity for the Disneyland Resort and also oversee our massive photography archive, which contains many of the most popular historical photos we’ve brought you here on the Disney Parks Blog. From time to time I’ll be sharing more of those interesting images from our past and fun moments featuring some of the most celebrated Disneyland park guests.
Last week, just steps away from where the Osmond brothers began their show business career, Donny Osmond got to spend a little time with Pluto while visiting Disneyland with his wife Debbie and son Josh. After meeting everyone’s favorite pup the Osmonds were off to ride Pirates of the Caribbean and to look for “hidden Mickeys” throughout the park. The next time we see Donny, I’ll ask him how many they found!
Major League Gaming Makes a Stop at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
posted on April 15th, 2010 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
If you think you’re a video game whiz, wait til you see the pros play. The Major League Gaming Pro Circuit season kicks off this weekend at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort and features the top video game players in the country.
Spectators can roam around the Jostens Center at the sports complex and watch the fast-fingered pros and top amateurs go head-to-head in a variety of popular video games such as Halo 3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Tekken 6. There are even opportunities to actually try your skills against a pro gamer.
There’s a main stage where the marquee players battle it out throughout the day. There’s cheering. There’s a little trash talking. And there’s a lot of activity with more than 2,000 gamers and roughly another 8,000 spectators.
There is a lot riding on these competitions, too. Not only is there more than $700,000 in season-long prize money up for grabs, but perhaps more important, there’s the title of MLG Champion on the line.
In addition to the competition, the event is a virtual mecca for video game lovers with autograph sessions, product demonstrations and contests for video game enthusiasts of all levels. But nothing would be sweeter for a fan than to actually whip the pants off one of the pros.
If you’re up to the challenge or if you just want to watch, get your weekend long spectator pass for $25 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex box office and follow @DisneySports for the event schedule.
Vinylmation Creation Station Coming to D-Street in Florida
posted on April 15th, 2010 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
A key part of the Vinylmation experience is creative expression. We want our Guests to express their creativity using the blank Create-Your-Own Vinylmation we offer. So, I am particularly excited to announce a destination for Vinylmation creativity – a specially designed “Vinylmation Creation Station” in D-Street at Downtown Disney WestSide in Florida.
The table being used for this Create-Your-Own Station will measure approximately 6’ by 6’ (now that’s a big table!). Under the glass table top, Guests will see a variety of Vinylmation 3” figures arranged to make a stunning backdrop for creative expression. Any guesses as to how many figures were used? I’ll tell you at the end of this article.
I’ve discussed before on the Disney Parks Blog some ways in which you can create your own unique Vinylmation masterpiece. With this new station, Guests will be able to create something before leaving the new Vinylmation mothership, D-Street.
Once a blank Vinylmation is purchased (they are offered in a variety of colors and sizes), Guests can stop by the Vinylmation Creation Station. Then it is “go crazy time” — draw on it, have friends and family sign it, keep track of the places you visit during your Disney vacation. Express your “inner Vinylmation” however you see fit. Seriously, it is pretty easy to do. Check out this creation that Donald Ferro, developer for Vinylmation made, using a white Vinylmation 3” figure and some eyes.
In the months to come, you will find a variety of stickers, gems and other items to use for decorating your blank Vinylmation. We are even working on some “pre-designed” Vinylmation figure that will have designs printed on the figures (imagine a giant 3-D coloring book).
If the three-dimensional form is a little intimidating to start, you can download a blank two-dimensional template on Vinylmation.com (templates are in .PDF format). They are a great way to practice your skills.
I can’t wait to have my son make a unique Vinylmation at this station. He has always loved making masks at KidCot in Epcot so I’m sure he’ll love this area. And if Donald can make one, perhaps I should try too (most likely mine will look like something from “Tron” or maybe “Condorman”).
Oh, the number of Vinylmation 3” figures used in the table … 782. Did you guess correctly?
6th Grade Class in Iowa Wins Disney’s Planet Challenge
posted on April 14th, 2010 by Beth Stevens, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Corporate Citizenship, Environment and Conservation
Last week Mickey Mouse surprised a 6th grade class in rural Mediapolis, Iowa, as Grand Prize winners of our first ever nationwide Disney’s Planet Challenge
Mrs. Schnedler’s winning class worked hard throughout the school year on their Disney’s Planet Challenge project to help restore the natural habitats of the Northern Bobwhite Quail whose dwindling population is a significant environmental issue facing Des Moines County. Soon they’ll be going to Disneyland to enjoy activities and be honored in a recognition ceremony. You can see more about their story and their class project on Disney Channel later next month. In the meantime, enjoy this video of the surprise announcement from Mickey during a school assembly last week.
