Darth Vader vs. Indiana Jones at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
posted on August 15th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Here’s something you’ve never seen before and may never see again – a lightsaber battle between two of Hollywood’s most famous film characters, Indiana Jones and Darth Vader. The face-to-face meeting was part of the “The Last Tour to Endor” event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for fans attending this week’s Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Florida.
Walt Disney Creative Entertainment created the special show, which featured Star Wars characters like Darth Vader making one-night-only appearances in the park’s “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” live show. We have more to share from the show so be sure and check the Blog this week.
Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap
posted on August 15th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
This week, a glimpse of what’s to come at the reimagined Star Tours attraction at Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios grabbed the attention of Star Wars fans and many Disney Parks Blog readers. A video that’ll appear in the queue area of the attraction next year debuted at the Star Wars Celebration V fan event in Orlando. We saw it and thought you’d enjoy the experience. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Now here’s the weekly list of other stories we posted on The Disney Parks Blog:
Express Your Inner Disney Princess – We announced our newest co-branded Dooney & Bourke collection created exclusively for Disney Parks. The new design, inspired by Dooney & Bourke’s Pop Novelty Collection, celebrates the ever-popular Disney Princesses.
Happy Anniversary to 999 Happy Haunts! – This month marks the 41st Anniversary of the grand opening of one of the most popular attractions at the Disneyland park, the Haunted Mansion.
Cast Members Making a Difference – Gene Duncan photographed two cast members at the Magic Kingdom creating smiles for guests.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge after Dark – Night Vision – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge savannas come alive with wildlife at night, and watching it with night vision goggles is a hit at the resort.
The Most Delicious Role! – Take a look at the most delicious role at the Disneyland Resort and find out how our pastry chefs create magic.
Update: Monthly Payments Program at Walt Disney World – Florida residents can now purchase and renew Florida resident annual passes at any Walt Disney World ticket window.
One-Stop Searching: Disney Dining
posted on August 14th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
We recently celebrated the opening of a brand-new restaurant, Via Napoli, in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot. Via Napoli joins a host of Disney Parks dining experiences, many of which have been featured here on Disney Parks Blog. Read on to see what we’ve posted about some of your favorite Disney restaurants. And let us know you’ve enjoyed in the comments below.
Disney Parks are home to more than just attractions. Check out some of the dining experiences available to guests.
Mexico Pavilion Dining Update – The new 250-seat La Hacienda will only be open for dinner and expands the South-of-the Border offerings.
Wine Country Trattoria Re-Opens At Disney California Adventure – With a new menu and redesigned interior, Wine County Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery at Disney California Adventure Park opened just in time for the premier of ‘World of Color.’
Top 10 Quick Bites in the Walt Disney World Theme Parks – Readers’ top 10 favorite Walt Disney World quick-service restaurants.
Unique Disney dining experiences can also be found at Downtown Disney in Orlando and Anaheim.
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Features New ‘N’awlins Brunch Fest’ with Bloody Mary Bar – Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim now features “N’awlins Brunch Fest” and a Bloody Mary Bar.
How to: Making Irish Soda Bread at Downtown Disney – Chef Kevin Dundon from Raglan Road at Downtown Disney to shows how to make the irish soda bread featured at his restaurant.
Belly Up to the (Meatball) Bar at Downtown Disney – Portobello at Downtown Disney pairs meatball sliders with seven microbrews from Orlando Brewing.
The magic of Disney dining even reaches into the many hotels and resorts throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Kona Island Sushi Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Resort – The popular Kona Island Sushi Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Resort has recently been added as a permanent dining location.
Why We Love Kouzzina by Cat Cora – Kouzzina by Cat Cora is the perfect spot for vegetarian or vegan options.
Have You Tasted Famed Copper River Salmon? – Artist Point, at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, is one of the few restaurants in Florida where you can taste the highly prized Copper River salmon from Alaska.
California Grill Celebrates 15 Years at the Top – A look back at 15 years at the California Grill, which opened on May 15, 1995.
Looking for the Ultimate Dining Experience? – Indulge in an evening of divine tastes and pampering at the Queen Victoria’s Room at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Front-Row Seat for the Kitchen at New Chef’s Table at Flying Fish Cafe – Award-winning Chef Tim Keating at Flying Fish Cafe on Disney’s BoardWalk has a loyal following, and most of the regulars love a seat at the wide granite bar facing the on-stage kitchen.
Sip a Mango at Sanaa – A backbeat of creamy yogurt with high notes of sweet mango make this an unusual and memorable end to a savory meal at Sanaa at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Disney Books: It’s All in the Details
posted on August 13th, 2010 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
On a recent trip to Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace, I spotted a book I had never seen before – “Windows on Main Street” by Chuck Snyder ($6.95). The book maps out and profiles the various people whose names are imprinted on the shop windows that line Main Street, U.S.A. at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park. I’ve always been interested in Disney history (and I love books), so I knew I had to add it to my collection.
Inside, the book explains that the tradition of placing select names on these precious windows was started by Walt Disney as a way to commemorate those who made milestone contributions to his theme park and animation businesses. The book’s maps enable you to create your own self-guided tour down Main Street, U.S.A., so I decided to take it along on my next trip to Magic Kingdom Park.
Starting at the Main Street Confectionary, I used the book to help me trace my way back through Disney history. Some names on the windows reflect famous Disney Legends like X. Atencio, who had a hand in creating two of my favorite attractions by writing the lyrics for “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” for Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as the storyline and theme song “Grim Grinning Ghosts” for The Haunted Mansion. A series of windows honors Walt’s nephew, Roy E. Disney for the contributions he made to Disney animation. The nautical theme is a nod to Roy’s passion for sailing.
My next stop was the Sawyer Fence Painting Co., window, which offers a nod to Disney Legend Tom Nabbe, who was handpicked by Walt Disney to portray Tom Sawyer at Disneyland Park. Then it was on to the Mechanical Toys window, which honors individuals like Roger Broggie Jr., for their contribution to Audio-Animatronics design.
Moving on, the Center Street Academy of Fine Art – Painting & Sculpture window is a reference to some of the theme parks’ most influential artists. Included here are nods to Blaine Gibson, whose animation and sculptures were the basis for many Audio-Animatronics; and Mary Blair, a color stylist/designer who worked on “it’s a small world” for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair; among others.
Crossing to the other side of Main Street, U.S.A., I found the Iwerks-Iwerks Stereoscopic Cameras window, which honors one of Walt Disney’s first animators – Ub Iwerks. According to the book, Iwerks’ credits include animation on the company’s earliest shorts, Plane Crazy and Steamboat Willie.
Overall, this book provided a lot of fun and insight into some of the small details of this area of the park. In addition to Windows on Main Street, there are several other books available at the Walt Disney World Resort that even more behind-the-scenes details. Consider picking up some of the following on your next trip:
- “Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best-Kept Secret” by Steven M. Barrett – This book gives clues as to where you can find Mickey silhouettes hidden within different attractions, resorts and more. He doesn’t give any secrets away, however, but gives step-by-step hints to where they can be found.
- “Hidden Mickeys Go to Sea” by Steven M. Barrett – This book offers the same Hidden Mickey fun, but in a scavenger hunt version that offers clues to finding these tiny Mickey silhouettes aboard Disney Cruise Line ships, and on shore at Castaway Cay.
- “Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom by the Imagineers” – penned by WDI offers insight into the behind the scenes inspiration and small details at each park at Walt Disney World. Similar field guides have been produced for Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disneyland park.
First Look: Concept Art Shows Rapunzel Meet-and-Greet Location at Disneyland Park
posted on August 13th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
As you may have heard, Rapunzel from Disney’s upcoming animated adventure, “Tangled,” will appear in theaters this Thanksgiving. She’ll also be greeting guests in Disneyland park for the first time, beginning October 15. And Tom Smith recently announced on the Blog that Rapunzel will also greet guests at Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando.
We’re sharing a first glimpse of concept art created for Rapunzel’s new meet-and-greet location in Fantasyland. As you can see in the image above, Rapunzel’s 70-feet of golden locks will drape luxuriously around the room. Flynn Rider, Rapunzel’s love interest, will also be on hand to meet and greet guests throughout the day.
Rapunzel will be greeting guests in the location that currently houses Gepetto’s Sweet Shoppe.
Are you looking forward to the new movie and the opportunity to meet Disney’s newest heroine at Disneyland park?
Opa! Kouzzina by Cat Cora Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
posted on August 13th, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
Time flies when you’re eating well. It’s almost been a year since Kouzzina by Cat Cora made its delicious debut on Disney’s BoardWalk, introducing us to celebrity chef Cat Cora’s Greek-inspired cuisine. And we’ve started hearing plans for some fun new changes for the restaurant. Details soon.
Cat’s parents were on hand for the opening, her mama walking table to table with Cat to check on guests. Cat’s favorite memory of the day? “Being able to spend it with my family and performing traditional Greek dancing with the staff,” Cat says.
It’s been a busy year for Cat and for Chef Dee Foundoukis, who keeps the kitchen running when Cat is one the road. The two chefs cooked together at the White House for President Obama and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, and Dee assisted Cat on a recent “Iron Chef” episode on the Food Network.
Favorite new tastes from the opening that stay on the menu are the garlicky skordalia (a silky dip made with pureed potatoes) with salt-roasted beets; Cat’s version of grape leaves stuffed with herbed goat cheese; her cinnamon-stewed chicken, and our top pick, the fennel-infused fisherman’s stew with ouzo butter. (The koto kapama, or cinnamon-stewed chicken, is Cat’s choice, a reminder of childhood, she says.)
The biggest menu change on the dinner menu was the smart addition of the Kouzzina Trio, featuring smaller tastes of the cinnamon-stewed chicken, pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna with bucatini pasta and béchamel sauce), and the char-grilled lamb burger. Perfect when you want to order everything.
For breakfast, we could just be content with the sweet frappé coffee drink. Chef Dee tells us that the spinach tomato and feta scrambled eggs is the hands-down favorite of guests. We’re partial to the turkey-sweet potato hash with two poached eggs on top and a flourish of peppery arugula.
When Cat manages to slip out of the kitchen, she loves to spend time in the Disney parks. Her favorite attraction? “Still Space Mountain,” she says with a big smile.
New Star Tours Video Makes Us Ask: Where Will the New Star Tours Attraction Take Us?
posted on August 12th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
Last year, Disney Parks fans learned that “The Adventures Continue” with the return of a new Star Tours attraction in both California and Florida in 2011. Earlier today at the Star Wars Celebration V fan event, Star Wars fans caught a first glimpse of a new video that will appear in the queue area of the reimagined Star Tours attraction in Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. The video produced by Star Tours is a new “commercial” that shows one of their exciting getaway travel packages.
Today we’re also giving our Disney Parks Blog readers a peek at the video before it appears in the queue next year. While Star Tours now offers flights to new destinations, we cannot confirm that you will travel to any of the destinations shown in this video . . .
Since many Disney Parks fans know the new Star Tours attraction will take place between the two sets of Star Wars Trilogies, and that Star Tours can now take guests to more places in the Star Wars galaxy, what do you think of this video? Is there a destination you hope to visit on the new attraction when it opens next year?
Star Tours fans should also know that there’s still a chance to ride the original attraction for one of the last times in Florida. You can purchase your “Last Tour to Endor” tickets at www.StarWarsCelebration.com/Disney and also at the Disney Parks Merchandise booth at Star Wars Celebration V.
Recruitment Begins in Summer 2011
posted on August 12th, 2010 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
By now, many of you know from previous Disney Parks Blog articles that I am a huge fan of science fiction. I love all genres probably because of the former Epcot attraction Horizons that taught me “if I can dream it, I can do it.” That is one reason why I can’t wait for the Disney Trading and Collectible Experience we have planned for Summer 2011 at the Disneyland Resort. We recently announced the theme of this one-day event at the Dateline Disneyland 1955: Pin-Vited Press Event in July 2010. I caught up with Chris Chapman, the lead designer for this event, to discuss its evolution.
“We started work on this event in May 2010,” explained Chris. “This event will feature some of the most involved storytelling we’ve ever done. The event will be for every fan whom has ever visited Tomorrowland, enjoyed science fiction entertainment, played video games in the Starcade and more. We want to immerse our Guests into the story from the event experience to the product packaging to the merchandise we are designing.”
Mike Sullivan (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/03/the-mechanical-kingdom/) from Disney Design Group is the leader character artist for this project. He shared some details about the story created for Sci-Fi Academy.
“Mickey has always loved adventure stories,” explained Mike. “His good friend Professor Ludwig Von Drake created a device making it possible for Mickey to be transported into his favorite Sci-Fi tales from the late 1800s to today. After each trip, Mickey would return with otherworldly keepsakes. As time passed, he realized he could not study all of the great Sci-Fi movies, books, games and television artifacts he collected. So, Commander Mickey created the Sci-Fi Academy, where recruits could help him collect, analyze and catalog these treasures.”
As a child, I remember spending many hours in Tomorrowland watching people and listening to ambient sounds of the future. I recall riding the People Mover during my first visit to Disneyland in the early 1990s (gosh, I loved that soundtrack). Chris explained that this event will pull from those nostalgic childhood memories and experiences.
Chris also created the teaser poster and the four logos representing the different science fiction genres that will be featured at the event. Doesn’t that poster look like advertisement for a brand new motion picture? How I wish it was – sigh. Nevertheless, stay tuned to DisneyPins.com as we reveal more details in the coming months about this event. And I hope to see you at the Academy.
The World’s Hottest Pepper Heats Up Epcot
posted on August 12th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
How hot could it be? You brave souls who’ve wondered while floating by “The World’s Hottest Pepper” inside The Land Pavilion at Epcot should probably see today’s blog video. The Bhut Jolokia pepper is from northeastern India and currently grows with the habanero at the Living with the Land attraction. But don’t mistake the two peppers. Bhut Jolokia brings a different level of burn. It’s at the top of the scale for spicy heat (Scoville heat index).
Type of Pepper – Scoville Rating
- Bhut Jolokia – 1,000,000+
- Habanero – 500,000
- Bell Pepper – 0
And at that heat level, the tiniest of tastes will make you break out in sweat and maybe even frantically dance in place as our “crop correspondent” Gary found out:
Of course, you can’t taste the Bhut Jolokia at Epcot but you might see it and other crops native to different cultures during a visit to Living with the Land. Tell us in comments if you or anyone you know has joined Gary and actually tasted a pepper.
Moms Panel: Tips for Traveling with Children
posted on August 11th, 2010 by Laura Spencer, Social Media Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
Amanda P of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel just gave birth to her third baby, adding a Princess to her two young Princes already at home. Amanda is planning on bringing the new Princess to Walt Disney World in a few months and she knows a lot about how to navigate the theme parks with mini royalty in tow. Here are Amanda’s tips for traveling with little ones:
- Bring your own stroller. Small children tend to be more comfortable in their own, familiar ride.
- If you are traveling to Walt Disney World and use Disney’s Magical Express, you bypass the car rental counters going to and coming from Walt Disney World Resort and the airport.
- Utilize the “rider switch” option when available. This allows members of the family to enjoy attractions with height requirements by waiting in line together and guests take turns waiting with youngsters too small to ride a certain attraction. The adults “swap” with another adult guest from your party to experience the ride without standing in line twice.
- When staying on property, take advantage of your proximity to the parks and head back to your resort for a midday nap or a swim at your resort’s pool.
- Visit the Baby Care Centers located in each park for a quiet, private place to nurse or feed your little ones, change diapers or pick up some baby essentials.
How does your family travel with little tykes?
