Exploring the Wanyama Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
posted on August 18th, 2010 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
I recently had the opportunity to preview an offering exclusive for Guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – the Wanyama Safari. This experience takes a limited number of Guests aboard a special safari vehicle and out onto the resort’s 46 acres of savanna, where they get a bird’s-eye-view of the resort’s more than 200 animals.
The lodge’s savannas are home to a variety of mammals and exotic birds that represent a cross-section of the African palette – including giraffe, bongo, okapi, red river hogs, greater kudu, zebra, wildebeest, impala, African spoonbills and pink back pelicans, among others.
This tour by far offers one of the best views of animals I’ve ever seen at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it’s full of once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
The second part of the journey leads to the resort’s signature restaurant, Jiko – The Cooking Place, where a South African feast awaits safari-goers. The experience begins with a selection of appetizers, such as barbecue chicken flatbread with apple-jicama slaw, and stewed beef rolled in crepes with peppadew-olive tapenade. Next up are the entrees, including oak-roasted filet mignon, chicken with goat cheese potatoes, and maize-crusted halibut, which are served family-style. Popular South African wines are paired with each course, and dinner concludes with a sweet selection of desserts, such as lemon and white-chocolate mousse, and Pistachio Crème Brûlée.
The Wanyama Safari is offered at 4 p.m., seven days a week to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Guests only. The experience is open to Guests age 8 and older, and costs $170 per person (price includes gratuity). For reservations, Guests can visit the concierge desk at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge upon check-in.
Moms Panel: Top 5 Unique Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on August 18th, 2010 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Moms Panelist Diane L from Connecticut loves Disney theme parks. But she also loves the amazing attractions that are on property and outside of the theme parks too. Here are Diane’s top five unique ways to have fun on property.
- Rent a pontoon boat at one of the resort’s marinas. My favorite place to rent from is Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You don’t have to be staying at a Disney resort to rent. There is nothing more magical then puttering along the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake and viewing the beautiful resorts of the Magic Kingdom area!
- At Richard Petty Driving Experience you can participate in one of the thrilling Driving Experiences.
- Ever dream of flying like Tinker Bell? Consider parasailing at Disney’s Contemporary marina. You’ll have excellent birds-eye views overlooking Magic Kingdom and the Bay Lake area.
- Take time to visit the different resorts, especially during the holidays. My two must-see resorts to visit during the holiday season are Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The lobbies are decorated in high style! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has an amazing tree during that time of year and is a good spot to visit anytime of the year!
- Go on a shopping spree! Each gift shop is unique. And while you shop, give your family some quarters and send them to some of the fun arcades on property.
Are these experiences on your top five list? Tell us your favorites in the comments below.
Disney Trading: Time For Steampunk
posted on August 18th, 2010 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
A few months ago I wrote an article for the Disney Parks Blog about a Steampunk-inspired pin collection called “The Mechanical Kingdom.” The response was overwhelming! Disney Cast Members from various divisions of the Walt Disney Company sent me messages sharing their love for all things Steampunk. To those fellow Cast Members and to Steampunk fans in general, I have something exciting to share with you today – a look at some upcoming Steampunk inspired merchandise.
The above images feature figures from the upcoming limited edition Vinylmation Steampunk set created by Disney Design Group Artist Mike Sullivan. This set will contain six figures and will be released in early 2011. You may notice that the figures I photographed are actually hand-painted samples. For some of the more detailed figures, we receive hand-painted samples that are used to verify details, colors and other elements. In other words, we use them to ensure we are creating the best figures possible.
I spoke with Mike Sullivan about designing these figures.
“I started work on the set about a year ago,” said Mike. “I wanted to tell a story with this six-figure set, similar to the story I told with the ‘Mechanical Kingdom’ pins. The packaging for this Vinylmation set will really complete the whole story. It’s exciting for me to see these figures come to life.”
While Mike was developing the limited edition figures, he found the time (yes folks, I’ll be here all week) to create an incredible Vinylmation Steampunk pocket watch. Wow! I love pocket watches; I used to have a Mickey Mouse one in high school. This watch will be packaged with a 3-inch figure that was inspired by the watch. The watch and figure combination will have an edition size of 750 and is scheduled for release in California and Florida in December 2010. Put that on my “Wants” list!
Mike provided me with one last concept drawing for a pin set that will be released at the Sci-Fi Academy event at Disneyland Resort in Summer 2011. Do I see a Steampunk Tiki from Adventureland?! Okay, make that two things for my “Wants” list.
Toy Story Playland Unveiled at Disneyland Paris
posted on August 17th, 2010 by Philippe Gas, CEO, Euro Disney S.A.S.
Today is a big day at Disneyland Paris, where we welcomed our latest addition to Walt Disney Studios Park – Toy Story Playland.
Thanks to the creative minds of Pixar Studios and our Disney Imagineers, Guests of all ages can now feel what it’s like to be shrunk to the size of a toy and to become literally part of the Toy Story universe in Andy’s backyard.
Once again these new attractions prove our capacity to reinvent ourselves and to create new experiences for all our guests. They should be thrilled by the great attention to detail that makes Toy Story Playland a truly larger than life experience.
Guests venturing through the over-sized landscaping of Andy’s yard discover three play areas, each featuring an exclusive attraction. With Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, Guests are invited to join Andy’s Little Green Army Men in a simulated fall from the sky. Guests of all ages can climb aboard Slinky Dog on Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin as our four legged friend chases his tail. And in Andy’s most dare-deviling set up, RC Racer will give a feel for what it’s like to zoom along a Hot Wheels half-pipe track.
Introduced as part of our year-long Disney new generation festival, Toy Story Playland expands the park’s Toon Studio, where guests can already enjoy attractions inspired by Disney●Pixar blockbusters Finding Nemo and Cars.
All the Disneyland Paris Cast and myself are particularly proud of this development and hope that it will bring much magic to our guests for years to come.
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Putting it Together
posted on August 17th, 2010 by Paul Hiffmeyer, Chief Photographer for Public Relations, Disneyland Resort
The cute little animals you will find in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park can make for some fun photos with the castle in the background. If you look a little closer, you can sometimes find a photo that you would otherwise miss. When I saw the blossoms on a tree a few feet behind the rabbit, I knew I wanted to make it look as if the rabbit was smelling the blossoms. I used a long lens to compress the depth of field. I think it worked pretty well.
Flying Through the Sanctuary
posted on August 17th, 2010 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
This is another quick peek at some of the beautiful wildlife one can observe in the butterfly garden outside of the Outpost at the Fort Wilderness Campground. These three images represent less than 4/1600ths of a second in time, yet reveal something I have never seen before.
The Monarch is one of 17,000 species of butterfly, and is probably the best known of them all. They are extraordinary in many ways, including flying to an altitude of 10,000 feet, and are capable of transatlantic crossings.
Monarchs experience 4 senses: touch, hearing, sight and taste/smell. They sense touch through hair-like structures called tactile setae, which are attached to nerves and extend through sockets in their exoskeleton. (See what looks like a furry mane on the back of this beautiful female as she lifts off). The setae help her sense gravity, wind, and the position of her body parts- all important to know when you are flying.
This final image would suggest that she and her guidance system are functioning just fine. And, with so many species being threatened with loss of habitat, how cool is it that Walt Disney World Horticulturists create and maintain sanctuaries like this one? Cheers.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant Celebrates 55th Anniversary
posted on August 16th, 2010 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is like Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is so iconic that when you see it, you know you’re looking at some place inside Disneyland park. It’s one of our classics, dating back 55 years ago. In fact, it debuted almost exactly a month after opening day on August 16, 1955. The 16 happy, grey elephants — inspired by Walt Disney’s 1941 animated film — are “piloted” by guests. These baby pachyderms can fly as high as 17 feet! Did you know that the Dumbo attraction is also at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (1971), Tokyo Disneyland (1983), Disneyland Paris (1992) and Hong Kong Disneyland (2005)? Here’s another fun fact: When President Harry S Truman (a staunch Democrat) visited the park in 1957, he playfully refused to ride Dumbo because of the Republican symbolism associated with the elephant-themed attraction. Enjoy this historical footage of our famous flying elephants.
Where at Disney Parks Can You Find…
posted on August 16th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
It’s Monday, and this week’s image in need of an ID may stump even the most observant Disney Parks experts. If you stand in a certain location at a certain level, the crown seen above becomes a perfect addition to a statue. Do you know where? (answer after the jump)
Read the rest of this entry »
Neil Patrick Harris is a ‘World of Color’ Fan
posted on August 16th, 2010 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Neil Patrick Harris took a trip to Disney California Adventure park over the weekend and, together with partner David Burtka, stopped by to meet Mickey Mouse at Paradise Pier.
Neil told me that when he first saw “World of Color” the week it opened, he was absolutely amazed by the show, adding that he never realized that water could be so dramatic.
He summed it up in one word: “Brilliant!”
What one word would you use to describe “World of Color?”
Disney VoluntEARS Earn $627,050 for Central Florida Non-Profits
posted on August 16th, 2010 by Kathleen Prihoda, Media Relations Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
As you might imagine, working for Disney has its perks. Of the many benefits, one that rates high on my list is the Company’s commitment to and support of community service. Walt Disney World Cast Members, through the Disney VoluntEARS program, can contribute their time and expertise toward positively impacting their communities. From serving meals at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to building homes for families through Habitat for Humanity, Disney VoluntEARS daily make a difference in the lives of many in need.
This month, The Walt Disney Company is recognizing the efforts of Walt Disney World VoluntEARS, who gave a record 251,000 hours in 2009, by donating a total of $627,050 to the charities and causes they care about most.
More than 800 Walt Disney World VoluntEARS are being honored with EARS to You grants, which are financial contributions of up to $1,000 to the non-profit organization of their choice. Truly a gift that keeps on giving, Cast Members have earmarked the funds to go to approximately 250 local non-profit agencies and worthy causes. Top recipients include Orange County Public Schools, A Better Life Pet Rescue and local chapters of the American Cancer Society.
Disney VoluntEAR Maria Kirkland received an EARS to You grant of $500 for her active support of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. She shared with me that she feels very fortunate to be able to give her time and is overjoyed to receive a financial contribution that will help families and individuals have one less stress in their life.
Way to go Disney VoluntEARS! Cheers to you who earned EARS to You!
