The ‘Look’ of ElecTRONica! Part Two: The Faces of a Program
posted on December 23rd, 2010 by Robin Trowbridge, Entertainment Show Director, Disneyland Resort.
Greetings, Programs! Last week, we introduced you to part one of our series, “The ‘Look’ of ElecTRONica,” and showed you what a program wears and where the inspiration came from. Today, we want to follow up with Part Two: The Faces of a Program.
 |
 |
To bring a program to life for ElecTRONica and actually give it a look of its own, the costumes had to be unique and inspiring. A program is not complete without the individual hairstyle and make-up.
Our hair and make-up team received clear direction from our partnership with the “TRON: Legacy” film production team on how to create the hair and make-up looks. To capture the mystery of the cyber realm, these looks feature a variety of cool tattoos, inspired directly by “TRON: Legacy.” Each tattoo is created with a specially designed stencil and airbrushed onto the skin, using paint that illuminates the design for a full night of adventure.
 |
 |
It was very important to our team stay true to the movie, and we’re thrilled with the creative results that were achieved. Thanks to attention to the smallest details, our guests can enjoy an immersive experience that brings the fantasy that much closer to reality.
 |
 |
So when you visit ElecTRONica, take a closer look at the programs you encounter. See how many of the 10 different make-up looks you can identify and recognize.
End of line.
Posed Pets = Purrfect Photos
posted on December 23rd, 2010 by Jeff Nickel, Associate Producer, Disney Photo Imaging
With the great success of Best Friend’s Pet Resort at Walt Disney World, Disney’s PhotoPass Service is offering pet portraiture sessions for a limited time. Now through early January, you can schedule a 10 or 20 minute session for you and your pets to commemorate their stay at the premiere luxury pet resort in Central Florida.
 |
 |
 |
Our professional PhotoPass photographers can capture your pet’s vacation in a studio setup right at the resort. You can even get high-resolution candid photos of your dog playing around in the outdoor play area, all on a Disney’s PhotoCD to print at home or use as a desktop wallpaper. To book a session before time runs out, call (407) 934-4004. Walk-ins are welcome.
New Disney Cookbook Features Old, New Recipes
posted on December 23rd, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
My first trip to Walt Disney World Resort was in 1974, and I still can recall the icy sweet Orange Whip at Sunshine Tree Terrace in the Magic Kingdom and the abundant buffet dinner in the showy Crystal Palace. Wow, how times have changed; today you can dine with award-winning chefs at hundreds of restaurants or nosh on a giant turkey leg as you wander through four theme parks. The culinary choices are endless.
“Chef Mickey: Treasures From the Vault & Delicious New Favorites” takes a look back and includes some longtime winners, like my favorite fried ice cream and the savory Steak Diane from the Lake Buena Vista Club. There are plenty of new recipes too, including dishes from Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line.
Each chapter is divided into “New Favorite Recipes” and “From the Vault Recipes,” with more than 150 recipes, from cocktails to desserts.
We spent nearly a year researching and testing recipes for the book, and just as fun as the recipes are vintage photos we found, like the one of entertainer Jimmie Rodgers from the 1970s at the Top of the World (now California Grill) at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and the photo of Walt Disney tossing a salad in his brand new Walt Disney Studios in the 1940s.
Just in time for the holidays, the cookbook retails for $24.95 and is available at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort and through mail order by calling 407-363-6200 or wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com.
Here’s a longtime favorite recipe:
Steak Diane
Lake Buena Vista Club
Serves 4
Burgundy sauce
6 tablespoons Burgundy wine
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon crushed tomatoes
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Steaks
8 teaspoons butter, divided
4 (6-ounce) New York strip steaks, trimmed
3 tablespoons brandy
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
8 sliced mushrooms
Burgundy sauce
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Burgundy sauce:
- Stir together Burgundy, onion, shallots, and garlic in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat; simmer until wine evaporates. Add butter and allow it to melt, then stir in flour, cooking and stirring for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add beef stock and stir with a whisk until mixture boils and becomes smooth.
- Add tomatoes and simmer 20 more minutes, or until mixture thickens to coat the back of a spoon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Strain and keep warm.
For steaks:
- Heat 4 teaspoons of butter in a skillet large enough to hold 4 steaks.
- Sauté steaks to desired doneness, turning to cook both sides. Add remaining butter, if needed.
- Add brandy, remove the pan from the heat to ignite, and then return to the heat. When the flame has burned out, remove steaks from pan and keep warm.
- Sauté garlic, onions, and mushrooms in the same skillet; stir in Burgundy sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook 2 to 3 minutes; add steaks and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
Virtual Tour of Walt Disney’s Apartment
posted on December 23rd, 2010 by Heather Hust Rivera, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, The Walt Disney Company
We have a special holiday treat for you today. We’re sharing rare video from inside a place that very few people have seen; a place that cast members fondly call “Walt’s apartment.” It was built on Main Street, U.S.A., for Walt Disney and his family during construction of the theme park. We’re also giving you a virtual tour that highlights some of the more special items in the apartment.
One of the unique items showcased in the video is the Tom and Jerry drink set that Walt used to entertain guests during the holidays. In Walt’s apartment, in one of the drawers underneath the Tom and Jerry set, there is a recipe for the Tom and Jerry drink that is similar to the one that Walt served.
We’re also sharing that recipe with you today in case you’re entertaining guests who are age 21 or older in your apartment (or home) this holiday season.
Enjoy!
Finishing the Disney Dream Piece by Piece
posted on December 23rd, 2010 by Jason Lasecki, Public Relations Director, Disney Cruise Line
I’ve been very fortunate to watch the Disney Dream go from a few sheets of precision-cut steel to the magnificent vessel that will finally reach Florida early next month. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m so glad we’ve been able to share glimpses of it here on the blog.
Throughout the ship, work continues to prepare for the maiden voyage on January 26, 2011. On every deck and in nearly every corner, Imagineers and workers are finishing the picture-perfect spaces that will delight Disney Cruise Line guests for years to come.
At this stage, what fascinates me most is the attention to detail everywhere you look. Whether it’s the beautiful Art Deco atrium lobby or the “hidden Mickeys” scattered throughout the ship, the Disney Dream is filled with wonderful, whimsical touches.
Take a look at this recent photo from Cabanas, a casual dining restaurant at the aft end of Deck 11.
That’s a magnificent tile mosaic inspired by the Disney∙Pixar film “Finding Nemo.” It’s nearly 30 feet long and more than eight feet tall! And every piece of it was handcrafted by a team of Italian artisans in collaboration with Pixar.
The mosaic re-creates the big blue world of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef with approximately 200 colors of Venetian enamel. The glass pieces were broken into irregular fragments by hand with a small hammer and vice and then carefully affixed piece by piece with putty.
It’s gorgeous work that rewards you with different surprises every time you linger over it. Guests will discover Nemo, Marlin, Dory, Bruce, Crush, Squirt and other characters from the Academy Award-winning film as they pass by on their way to breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Speaking of attention to detail, tomorrow on the Disney Parks Blog Walt Disney Imagineering will share an exclusive video showing the finishing touches our Imagineers are applying all over the ship as she makes her way home. Don’t miss it!
For the first time, we’re offering a Yule Log with a special Disney touch. Our virtual fireplace is decorated and features holiday music – it’s mesmerizing. And as you enjoy, be sure to keep an eye out for a surprise guest spreading Christmas joy. Happy holidays.
May Your Clothing Be Bright
posted on December 23rd, 2010 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
Each holiday season, I’m faced with a dilemma – what kind of lights should I use to decorate my tree? Each year has been a little different. I used all white lights last year, but I’m leaning toward multi-color lights this year. From what I’ve seen around the Disney Theme Park Merchandise HQ, bright colors are in. They are part of an art program we call “Holiday Brights.” I recently spoke with Marlou Sy Hollens, Product Developer for Women’s Apparel, about this festive art style.
“There are really two different art styles for the ‘Holiday Brights’ program,” explained Marlou. “There is the ‘Mickey Bulb’ art which features a Mickey Mouse silhouette made of lights, and the brightly colored ‘buffalo plaid’ style.”
Buffalo plaid? It’s a new term that I learned while photographing these items (hey, I typically wear Aloha shirts here in Florida). Marlou explained that buffalo plaid was a market trend the Softlines Apparel teams noticed last year.
“When we create apparel for a particular season, we look at industry trends to stay fashion forward,” said Marlou. “Last year about this time, we noticed that buffalo plaid was everywhere in the marketplace. The goal for us then was to take that trend, add a splash of Disney and create [merchandise] that our guests will love to use or wear.”
The buffalo plaid pattern is something brand new and untested this year, yet Marlou said the merchandise team believed in the program. They are currently finding some great successes (thank you to those who are reading the Disney Parks Blog while wearing those comfortable slippers pictured above).
“We sometimes test things in our merchandise locations to see guests’ responses,” continued Marlou. “With softlines items like apparel, we can introduce things quicker than some hardlines categories like pins or Vinylmation. I thought the bright buffalo plaid would make the perfect colorful complement to the Mickey Bulb art.”
The “Mickey Bulb” art (which has the best tagline this season – “May Your Holidays Be Bright”) was first tried last year as a basic tee-shirt. The artwork was such a hit that the program was expanded to include women’s apparel, accessories and other items.
I asked Marlou if she had a particular favorite style – bulb or plaid.
“I think there are really two different flavors of design,” said Marlou. “The Mickey Bulb art is very holiday focused, while the buffalo bright style can be worn post holiday season. I think both are fun, whimsical and so Disney.”
I’m now thinking I need a different approach to holiday decorating this year. Perhaps I should just wear something from the bulb art and buffalo plaid programs and stand in the corner of my home. It would be much easier than trying to wrap lights around my tree. So will you be sporting the bulb art or the plaid this holiday season? If only there was an Aloha shirt.
A Makeover for Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney’s BoardWalk
posted on December 22nd, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
One of our favorite Walt Disney World restaurants, Kouzzina by Cat Cora, just reopened with a spiffier entrance and more of the celebrity chef’s touches, including a gorgeous new olive oil display and olive oil tastings. And new dishes on the menu.
From Chef Dee Foundoukis, who runs the kitchen when Cat is away, here are the top new tastes: steamed mussels with ouzo, shallots, herbs and butter; vegetarian white bean and escarole soup; a new house salad with greens, pickled beets, pomegranate vinaigrette and spiced cashews; oak-fired pork tenderloin with zucchini corn pie; fresh saffron pasta with lamb ragù with a port reduction; and Greek coffee crème brûlée with white chocolate-dipped biscotti.
Owned and operated by Disney, Kouzzina by Cat Cora has new exterior signage and Cat stories in the lobby via three video monitors with images and text that flow from one to the next showcasing the celeb chef’s views on food, family and her culinary journey. Her branded product line also is for sale in the lobby, including Greek olive oil, olives, tapenades and spreads.
In the main dining room, a beautiful olive oil display sets the stage for a new “olive oil tasting experience” for all diners. With bread service, diners are offered two varieties of Greek olive oils to taste and compare, as well as kalamata olives.
New artwork, marble finishes and soft drapes warm up the spacious dining room, with a new “Coranation Room” at the back of the restaurant. The room has a more upscale décor and will offer a Chef’s Table prix fixe dining experience on weekends (still under development).
The cuisine at Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen” and pronounced “koo-zee-nah”) showcases Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora’s philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals. It’s an ideal family dinner spot, with plenty of plates for sharing and fun ways to try new tastes. We love sharing the sampler with marinated olives, spiced cashews, dolmades (grape leaves), tsatziki (yogurt dip), hummus, grilled pita and sesame lamb meatballs. A delicious adventure!
Do you have a favorite dish at Kouzzina by Cat Cora?
A View From…Tokyo Disneyland
posted on December 22nd, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Last week, we kicked off our “holiday” version of this series with a look at snow-covered Disneyland Paris. Today, it’s Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland and Cinderella Castle is decked out for the occasion. The special event Christmas Fantasy 2010 has a unique “White Holiday Parade” featuring Disney characters in a snowy winter wonderland as well as fireworks in Christmas colors of red and green. Take a look at a few of our favorite park images.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Christmas tree at the center of World Bazaar is beautiful. Check back for the next post in this series of sights you won’t see at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World.
Lucky Photo of the Reindeer at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up
posted on December 22nd, 2010 by Paul Hiffmeyer, Chief Photographer for Public Relations, Disneyland Resort
The holidays are in full swing here at the Disneyland Resort and it’s great being a Disneyland photographer with so many wonderful things to photograph. Every year I make my way to Santa’s Reindeer Round-up to see his reindeer and get a few photos of them relaxing before their big night.
I also have another reason for stopping by to see Santa. I usually drop by to give him a hint about what new camera I’d love to get for Christmas.
The photo I’m featuring today is a combination of planning, patience and a bit of good luck. I planned to photograph the reindeer at feeding time, so when I arrived, I patiently waited for them to line up in at the feeding trough. And then I crossed my fingers and hoped luck would help out. As luck would have it, all the reindeer started feeding on the same side and all bent their heads down at the same to take a bite.
