A Hefty Serving of Hoops During Thanksgiving Weekend at Disney
posted on November 24th, 2010 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
You can start a new Thanksgiving tradition with your family by adding a spoonful of basketball to your holiday plans. After you stuff yourself with turkey and dressing, check out a weekend full of hoops action at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.
Some of the nation’s most well-known collegiate basketball teams are competing in the Old Spice Classic, one of the top preseason tournaments in the country, on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at the complex’s HP Field House. We’re talking about Notre Dame, Boston College, Cal, Georgia, Temple, Texas A&M, Wisconsin and Manhattan in nationally-televised games.
Of course, if you like your basketball to be a little wacky, you can catch those zany Harlem Globetrotters at the HP Field House. They play two games there on Saturday.
It’s easy to get tickets which are on sale at ticketmaster.com or at the sports complex’s box office. You can find game times for the Classic at oldspiceclassic.com and Globetrotters information at espnwwos.com. For updates on all of the Old Spice Classic action, follow us @DisneySports.
The fifth annual Old Spice Classic game times are:
Thurs. Nov. 25th
Boston College vs Texas A&M Noon
Wisconsin vs Manhattan 2pm
Georgia vs Notre Dame 7pm
Temple vs California 9pm
Fri. Nov. 26th
Game 5 Noon
Game 6 2:30pm
Game 7 5:00pm
Game 8 7:30pm
Sun. Nov. 28th
Game 9 11am
Game 10 1pm
Game 11 4:30pm
Championship 7pm
The Harlem Globetrotters game times are:
Sat. Nov. 27th
Game 1 2pm
Game 2 7pm
It’s All About the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations
I miss snow during the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, I love, love, love the California sunshine, but where I grew up, we were usually treated to snow around the holidays. Fortunately, I get the best of both worlds here at Disneyland park because it snows around these parts from now through January 2. In this video, take a special tour of the Resort and find out what makes it special during the holiday season.
Disney Parks ‘Quick Hits’ – November 23, 2010
posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Usually, “Quick Hits” launches at the end of the week but we have a few updates to share before the Thanksgiving holiday, starting with Adventures by Disney. For the second year in a row, Adventures by Disney has been named the World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator and North America’s Leading Tour Operator by the World Travel Awards.
You may not know this but the awards are dubbed the “Oscars” of the travel industry. Adventures by Disney also earned two Travel Weekly Magellan Awards. It was selected as a Gold Travel Weekly Magellan Award Winner for its 2010 brochure and recognized for its website, AdventuresbyDisney.com, with a Silver Magellan Award.
And we haven’t published this yet, but members of of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) recently honored Greg Hale of Walt Disney World with their Outstanding Service Award. It’s one of the highest honors that IAAPA gives to any individual or organization. Greg is the chief safety officer and vice president for worldwide safety and accessibility at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Congratulations to Adventures by Disney and Greg this week. Now, here’s a look at some other updates that didn’t hit the blog.
Holidays Around the World — There are 11 countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase.
Connect with Disney Parks — This is your one-stop resource for finding Disney Parks online.
Disney Vacation Discounts — Check out the latest discounts available at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.
“Disney Tron Legacy – Monorail” Pin — This limited edition pin depicts a Disney Monorail Train featuring Tron Legacy art.
Meeting Scoop Sanderson — The Walt Disney World Moms Panel tells where to find the ultimate pin trader, Scoop Sanderson.
Birthdays at Walt Disney World — The Walt Disney World Moms Panel shares tips for celebrating birthdays at Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Turkey Time
posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
A time for gratitude and good times, Thanksgiving is a fun family day – especially for a traditional turkey day meal at Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts.
Most fun of all is dining al fresco with Mickey Mouse and friends – we’re in the Sunshine State after all – at the Fort Wilderness outdoor pavilion for an old-fashioned, all-you-care-to-eat feast and dance party.
Dinner includes cornbread, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, green bean casserole, yellow squash and butternut squash, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and more. While you chow down, enjoy live country music by the popular band “Margo Rochelle and Rodeo Drive,” take a turn on the dance floor with Mickey, Minnie and their pals, and enjoy high-spirited rope twirlin’ by special guest artist Trick Ropin’ Trevor.
There are four shows on Thanksgiving Day, but reservations are going fast – the noon and 2 p.m. seatings are your best bet, with limited spots left for 4 and 6 p.m. (Dinner is two points on the Disney Dining Plan.) This is real family fun, with plenty of room for little ones to frolic with the Disney characters.
If you prefer fine dining, some of the Disney chefs get creative with the traditional meal. At Artist Point, the dinner includes smoky butternut squash and ginger soup with crispy pancetta, pumpkinseed oil and lemon cream; smoked turkey breast based with sage butter; dried cherry dressing; buttermilk-chive mashed potatoes with fig gravy; and pumpkin cheesecake.
Kouzzina by Cat Cora is adding all-American fare to the Greek-inspired menu: butternut squash soup, turkey, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, cornbread, glazed sweet potatoes, green beans, pecan and pumpkin pie tartlets.
At Citricos, oven-roasted turkey goes on the menu, along with pumpkin cheesecake. For an all-you-care-to eat option, Cape May Café plusses up the buffet with turkey and giblet gravy, homestyle stuffing, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes.
The Wave…of American Flavors offers butternut squash bisque, turkey, mashed potatoes, sage gravy, cranberry relish and green beans on their market-fresh menu.
If you’re in the theme parks on turkey day, here’s where you’ll find the traditional bird and trimmings: The Hollywood Brown Derby, 50’s Prime Time Cafe and Hollywood & Vine (buffet) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Tusker House Restaurant (buffet) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Biergarten Restaurant (buffet), Le Cellier Steakhouse, Coral Reef Restaurant and The Garden Grill (family style) at Epcot. Magic Kingdom restaurants are fully booked.
Happy eating! To make reservations, visit Disney Dining & Reservations or call 407-WDW-DINE.
New Travel Offer to Ring in the New Year
posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
There’s a new travel offer to help guests ring in the new year at Disneyland Resort. Beginning today through February 19, 2011, you can receive a fourth night free when you buy a 3-night, 4-day+ Disneyland Resort vacation package through the Walt Disney Travel Company. The special offer is available for arrivals from January 4 to April 11, 2011.* For more information or to book, go to www.disneyland.com or call 714-520-5050.
WHAT’S INCLUDED? The 3-Night, 4-Day Disneyland Resort vacation package offer includes several magical extras:
- ESPN Zone Game Card (one per package) valued at $20
- Preferred seating to some of the popular shows and attractions++
- Magic Morning admission into Disneyland park one hour before the park opens to the general public++
- “Key to the Magic” card which allows guests to charge meals and merchandise to their Resort hotel account
WHAT IF I’M JUST LOOKING FOR HOTEL SAVINGS? For guests who already have their Disney theme park tickets and are just looking for hotel savings, there are special offers at all three hotels. When booked between now through February 19, 2011, you can get up to 35 percent off your room rate at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, 30 percent off at Disneyland Hotel, or 25 percent off at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.** Resort hotel room-only offers require a two-night minimum stay and are not valid with previously booked rooms. The resort hotel room-only offers are available for arrivals most nights, January 2 – April 13, 2011.*
THREE DAYS FOR $169, PARK HOPPER DEAL: Guests who have accommodations already secured can get a great value with the purchase of a 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket for $169. A Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket includes entrance into both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on the same day with a valid hand stamp. The specially priced 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets can be purchased now through April 14, 2011, and must be purchased before guests arrive at the Disneyland Resort. First use must be between January 4, 2011 – April 14, 2011.+
*Offer applied once per package/reservation and not valid for previously booked rooms. Excludes taxes and fees. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is restricted and advance reservations required. Not valid with any other discount or promotion. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Walt Disney Travel Company CST: #1022229-50. +Tickets expire 13 days after first use or 4/27/11, whichever occurs first, and each day of use constitutes one full day of use. May not be combined with other ticket offers and tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial purposes. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. **Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room at the same hotel. ++Read more details on Magic Morning and preferred seating here.
Can you believe it’s only been a few weeks since the Disney Dream made her public debut? So much has happened since then.
After the ship floated out from the dry dock where she was built in Papenburg, Germany, work has continued taking place all throughout her interior to prepare for the first Disney Cruise Line guests early next year.
In a couple of recent blog posts we asked what you wanted to see inside the Disney Dream so I’m thrilled to offer an exclusive peek at some of the fantastic spaces coming to life aboard the ship.
Here’s a view of the three-deck atrium lobby taken earlier this month. It’s the first sight that will greet guests when they board at Florida’s Port Canaveral.
Wow, huh? Now imagine what it will look like when finished.
The Art Deco chandelier was custom designed for the Disney Dream and measures seven meters in diameter. Decorated with Swarovski crystals, it’s covered with 24-karat gold plating and cascades four meters down from the atrium ceiling.
Some of the areas you asked to see are featured in today’s video and photo gallery, including a few nearly finished staterooms, the pools on Deck 11, the Deck 3 atrium, Animator’s Palate, the Vibe club for teens on Deck 5, the Pink champagne bar for adults on Deck 4 and the Senses Spa and Salon on Deck 11. Enjoy!
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I’ll have more photos to share next week, including a look at Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden, two of the rotational restaurants guests will enjoy on every cruise.
Meanwhile, the Disney Dream arrived in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday after completing sea trials on Europe’s North Sea. She’s undergoing a final dry dock before her delivery ceremony early next month at Bremerhaven, Germany.
Tell us if you like what you see and we’ll keep sharing more sneak peeks with you.
Disney Shares Holiday Cheer at Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
posted on November 23rd, 2010 by Kathleen Prihoda, Media Relations Manager, Walt Disney World Resort
Like many of you, Disney chefs are in full-on prep mode for Thanksgiving. Chef Leonard Thomson, Chef de Cuisine with Epcot Catering, is already at work in his kitchen to make sure this Thanksgiving is a memorable one for approximately 700 people who will spend it at Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
Disney VoluntEARS prepare and serve nearly 750 meals a month at the Coalition and enjoy making the holiday servings extra special.
Today, Chef Thomson and team begin pulling together a culinary cornucopia that includes roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, braised beef tips, four-cheese baked pasta, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, salad greens, rolls and desserts such as pumpkin cheesecake. Two days worth of care and effort will go into the Thanksgiving feast before it is ready to serve on Thursday evening.
Donations of Disney-chef prepared meals is just one of many ways that Walt Disney World Resort supports the Coalition, which provides food and shelter to nearly 650 people a night. Many of them are families with children.
As I think about what I’m grateful for this Thanksgiving, the day-to-day work of the Coalition comes to mind. They are much more than a shelter; they help homeless individuals and families get back on track to self-sufficiency. Every day the Coalition makes lives more magical by giving a helping hand to those in need. It warms my heart to see Disney support this very worthy cause.
Combining Fashion and Disney Passion at D Street and Vault 28
posted on November 22nd, 2010 by Betsy Sanchez, Manager of Media Relations, Disneyland Resort
At the Disneyland Resort, there are hundreds of roles reflective of many different industries – one of those being fashion.
Earlier this month, we spoke to a cast member who creates Downtown Disney magic in both Vault 28 and D Street – two stores full of fun, eclectic fashion pieces and merchandise. Vault 28 is an upscale boutique where you can find funky and fashionable clothes and accessories. At D Street you’ll be greeted by an urban vibe with cutting-edge apparel, pop culture novelties and more.
Check out the video below to hear how our cast combine their knowledge and love of fashion with Disney passion.
Disney Dream Arrives in Hamburg
posted on November 22nd, 2010 by Christi Erwin Donnan, Manager of Public Affairs, Disney Cruise Line
Very early this morning, around 3 a.m. (German time), the Disney Dream cruise ship arrived in the port of Hamburg, Germany, where it will undergo a brief dry dock this week. This is part of the test-and-adjust phase of the construction process, and another step in the ship’s journey to completion. Afterward, the Disney Dream is scheduled to sail to Bremerhaven, where shipbuilder Meyer Werft will officially deliver the ship to Disney on Dec. 9.
The Disney Dream recently completed its float out and conveyance along the River Ems to the North Sea, where over the last two weeks it has undergone sea trials. In Bremerhaven, final supplies will be loaded, and the remaining crew members will board the ship before it sets sail for its home in Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship is scheduled to arrive just after the New Year, with its maiden voyage departing on Jan. 26, 2011.
Behind the Scenes: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Magic Kingdom Park
posted on November 22nd, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
After the last guest left Magic Kingdom Park one night last week, Walt Disney Imagineers unveiled some magic. While you slept, they removed construction walls surrounding The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and gave a first look at their amazing work.
The queue and exterior façade for the classic Fantasyland attraction have been completely re-imagined. You can now enjoy a fully immersive interactive adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood that includes visits to Tigger’s Bouncy Place, Rabbit’s Garden, Eeyore’s Gloomy Place and Pooh’s Hunny Hives. Here’s a peek at the work that took place. Enjoy.
