A Train’s Life: the Disneyland Railroad
posted on September 22nd, 2010 by Paul Hiffmeyer, Chief Photographer for Public Relations, Disneyland Resort
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to photograph the steam trains of the Disneyland Railroad. This post includes photos from the morning into the late afternoon. Be sure to look for my next post to see the night photos. This early morning photo was taken at the roundhouse while the engine was warming up before starting its day in the park.
For this next photo, the engineer stopped the train next to the Mickey Mouse Water tower in Toontown Depot and released some steam, which usually makes for a fun picture.
I love the “toon-looking” luggage at the Toontown Depot, but thought a photo needed a little something more. I used a slow shutter speed to make it look like the train is speeding through the station. A train leaving without luggage could only happen in Mickey’s Toontown!
Seeing the afternoon sun coming though the trees in Critter Country is really a great sight, and I wanted to incorporate a train in that setting. I took this photo from the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
What’s your favorite part of riding the Disneyland Railroad?
First Look at ‘TRON: Legacy Exclusive 3-D Sneak Peek’ at ElecTRONica
posted on September 22nd, 2010 by Robin Trowbridge, Entertainment Show Director, Disneyland Resort.
Hi, I’m Robin Trowbridge, Entertainment Show Director at the Disneyland Resort. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be inviting you to “step into the grid” as I share some of the latest information about what’s happening at ElecTRONica!
As part of ElecTRONica, the new nighttime experience at Disney California Adventure park beginning October 8, we’re excited to share the new marquee for an exclusive 3D sneak peek of Disney’s upcoming film “TRON: Legacy.” Guests will be the first to “rez in” for a special look at the film before it even comes out in theaters on December 17. “TRON: Legacy Exclusive 3-D Sneak Peek” can only be experienced at Disney California Adventure park.
I hope to see you in the Park!
Duffy the Disney Bear Debuts at Disney Parks in October
posted on September 22nd, 2010 by Dara Trujillo, Manager, Merchandise Synergy, Events, and Communication
On October 14, 2010 at both the Epcot at Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure park, our newest character, Duffy the Disney Bear will make his much anticipated debut. But who’s Duffy you might ask? He’s Mickey’s very own teddy bear….made with love by Minnie herself.
You see, awhile ago, Mickey was about to set sail on an adventure to visit friends around the world. Minnie made a special gift to keep Mickey company and she presented it to Mickey in a duffle bag. Mickey, delighted with his gift, pulled out the gift, a very special bear, and named him Duffy. Mickey and Duffy embarked on many special voyages and Duffy got to meet all of Mickey’s friends. Each time they returned home, Mickey and Duffy would share their stories and photos with Minnie. While on their travels, Duffy and Mickey landed at Tokyo Disney Sea where they have been meeting and greeting fans for the past few years.
Duffy is not just your typical stuffed bear – he’s Mickey’s bear and he resembles his owner. Duffy’s face is shaped like Mickey’s, he has Mickey heads on his paws, and he has a very unique birthmark on his hip. There is no question who he belongs to.
We are very excited to welcome Duffy here in October to join our character family.
Not only will guests get to meet Duffy and have their picture taken with him, but we will launch Duffy’s full line of costumes and souvenirs like key chains, magnets, zip pouches and even pre-dressed Duffys that will launch for special holidays like Christmas and Easter and occasions such as birthdays and graduations. The launch will also consist of some special treats like his crispy treat, chocolatey cake, moulded dessert cup, menu placemat with activities and coming later, Duffy’s very own moulded popcorn bucket. In addition, Epcot’s Kidcot mask program will be changing to a unique Duffy that Guests can take from country to country to color, decorate, and receive country specific Duffy stamps.
Duffy will be located at a newly created venue inside Epcot across from the Mexico boat ramp and at Disney California Adventure park on Paradise Pier.
I can’t wait for you to meet Duffy. He’s so loveable and huggable and I can’t wait to hear where you will take YOUR Duffy!!!!
A Perfect Pizza at Epcot in 2 Minutes?
posted on September 22nd, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
We can’t get enough of the classic Margherita pizza at the new Via Napoli at the Italy pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. (Did you know that the name came from Queen Margherita who was served a pizza resembling the colors of the Italian flag during a visit to Naples in 1889: red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil?)
Take a look at this video with Via Napoli Chef Charlie Restivo, pizza man extraordinaire. He shares the restaurant’s secrets – the water; imported flour, tomatoes and cheese; and hand-stretching the dough. And his pizza is crisp in two minutes – with the ovens cranked up over 700°F, that’s still surprisingly quick.
Do you have a favorite pizza at Via Napoli?
A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away…
posted on September 21st, 2010 by Tom Fitzgerald, Executive VP & Senior Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering
Twenty five years ago, fellow Imagineer Tony Baxter and I flew to London, to experience a new ride system and determine whether it might have application for attractions in our Parks. The system was a flight motion simulator used to train professional pilots to fly jet aircraft, and as soon as we took our first thrilling ride, we were convinced it had tremendous potential.
Shortly thereafter, back at Imagineering in California, George Lucas spent the day with us, brainstorming ideas for potential projects we could work on together. When he happened to see a storyboard in the hallways for a show based on the simulator technology, he instantly saw a perfect fit for a Star Wars attraction.
The rest, as they say, is history. Star Tours as it soon became named, has carried guests into the world of Star Wars in Disney Parks around the world. I was fortunate to be part of the original Star Tours team, as the show’s writer/producer. Later this month at “Destination D” I’ll be taking Star Tours fans behind the scenes of the creation of the original show “a long time ago!”
But today’s post is really more about “a short time ahead,” as we announce our blog series on the re-Imagineered Star Tours attraction that opens next summer at Disneyland Park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida!
This time around, I’m the creative lead, and over the upcoming months, will be sharing stories about the new show’s creation, production and installation, You’ll meet some of the characters in front of – and behind – the cameras, and learn just what we mean when we say “The Adventures Continue!”
Celebrating International Deaf Awareness Week at Disneyland Resort
posted on September 21st, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
Mark showed the following signs in this order: Disney, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Pluto.
As I’ve shared in a previous post, I’m 40% deaf, and I just recently learned that the last full week of September (Sunday through Saturday) is International Deaf Awareness Week. This particular time commemorates the first World Congress of the Deaf held that week in 1951.
To celebrate, we’re sharing a video that shows some of the services we offer guests with hearing disabilities. My favorite part of the video is at the very end when we show the signs for some of the popular Disney characters.
It’s actually a really interesting story that I learned from Mark Jones, the manager of services for guests with disabilities. There were no official signs in American Sign Language for Disney characters and locations, so in 1996, the Walt Disney Company created some official signs to be incorporated into many of the interpreted performances in the parks. They worked with guests and professional interpreters to find out which signs where the most logical and intuitive based on the characters and locations.
Were you able to guess which Disney characters Mark is signing in the video? We’ll post the answers at the end of the day.
Appreciating Elephants on September 22 – and Every Day
posted on September 21st, 2010 by Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks
If you ask anyone on the Disney’s Animal Programs elephant care team, every day should be Elephant Appreciation Day, and indeed it is for all of us here at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After all, how can you not appreciate this majestic, intelligent, endlessly fascinating animal?
And every day, Guests experiencing the Kilimanjaro Safaris can see members of one of the largest elephant herds in North America. These sightings might even include our newest baby elephant, Luna, born May 20, or one of the other four young elephants that were born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Still it’s great for elephants to have their own special day, and on September 22, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate Elephant Appreciation Day with a host of activities for children and families at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Children and families can:
- Learn what—and how much!—an elephant eats.
- Try their hand at picking up food items with a replica of an elephant’s trunk.
- Color an elephant mask that they can take home.
- Learn about the elephants that make their home at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and talk with members of our elephant care team.
- Find out about our elephant conservation efforts in Africa, including how bee sounds are being used to help to keep elephants away from crops, and how innovative surgery is helping elephant population management efforts.
Facts about the Disney’s Animal Kingdom elephant herd:
- The elephant herd has thirteen members – five males and eight females.
- Five baby elephants (Tufani, Kianga, Nadirah, Tsavo and Luna) have been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. All remain on the savannah.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom is part of a breeding program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is focused on sustaining the elephant population in North America.
- The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and the Disney Foundation have directed over $1 million to projects in 20 countries to help protect and conserve elephants.
Celebrating Culinary Adventures With New Mini Disney Gift Card
posted on September 21st, 2010 by Jill Thomas, Business Development Director, Disney Gift Card Services
Hi everyone, today the Disney Gift Card team is excited to share a first look at our exclusive wearable mini gift card design for the 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This is the third consecutive year that we’ve brought you a new design – and our latest complements this year’s Festival theme of Celebrating Culinary Adventures.
As you probably already know, the mini Disney Gift Card is an easy and secure way to carry your money on your wrist as you experience the Festival. Have you used it before? Please let us what you think in the comments section below.
Where at Disney Parks Can You Find…
posted on September 20th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
It’s Monday and time again for our weekly puzzler. Of course, Minnie Mouse is a familiar sight at Disney Parks but you need a good eye to spot her on this sign that pays homage to Disney history. Do you know where to find it? (answer after the jump).
Read the rest of this entry »
What Do You Want to Ask the Disney Villains?
posted on September 20th, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
The battle for the baddest Disney Villain of all continues online this week, and we’re giving you the chance to send the villains all your burning questions…not “burning” in the literal sense of the word, but “burning” as in the kind of questions that keep you up at night. They’d love to know that you’re losing sleep over them.
Next week, we’ll “hold court” with the Disney Villains — or one of their minions—and report back with their responses. So let those minds race, people. Send in the kind of questions that will help you decide which villain is worthy to be called the “Baddest of Them All.”
Submit your questions here, and we’ll select a few questions that we receive on the Disney Parks Blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Sorry, not all questions can be answered and some of you may still toss and turn at night. How the Villains will love that! Check back next week to see if your question was selected and watch the videos to see what the Disney Villains —or their “Halloween spooks-person” — had to say.
Go ahead. Ask a question … if you dare.
