Sharing the Magic at Walt Disney World
posted on March 21st, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
One of my Disney Legend heroes is Blaine Gibson, the acclaimed sculptor responsible for creating untold numbers of pirates, presidents and other magical Disney figures. Beginning as a Disney Studios animator in 1939, and working on many classic Disney films, Blaine had a passion for sculpting that he carried from childhood, and after finishing with his “day job,” he would take sculpting lessons at night.
In 1954, Walt tapped Blaine as one of the very first Imagineers who would put so many faces on the Walt Disney Company over the years. Two of Blaine’s most recent works were delivered long after he retired in 1983, with the “Partners” statue depicting Walt and Mickey standing together first created for Disneyland Resort in 1993, then Walt Disney World in 1995. In 1999, at the age of 81, Blaine delivered “Sharing the Magic” to Walt Disney World.
The iconic park bench occupied by co-founding father Roy O. Disney seated next to Minnie Mouse greets millions of guests each year and is one of the most prized photo locations ever. Although it was originally placed inside the fence in Town Square at Magic Kingdom Park, guests routinely climbed over it to sit next to Minnie. Within a year, it was relocated just outside the fence. Guests may feel that the empty space to the right of Minnie was made for them, but Blaine’s intent was to show Minnie’s conscious decision to sit right next to Roy as a way to make him more “approachable,” as he was rarely in the limelight as was Walt.
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Blaine also purposefully had Roy support Minnie’s hand from underneath, a creative acknowledgment of how Roy supported his brother in their new business venture. Amazing…I hope the next few photos reveal a bit of the magic that Blaine so masterfully created from the heart.
40th Anniversary Disney Gift Cards
posted on March 21st, 2011 by Jill Thomas, Business Development Director, Disney Gift Card Services
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disney Gift Card team is proud to present three new designs to commemorate this special event. We invite you to join in the celebration by checking out our new 40th Anniversary Collage series cards and the 40th Anniversary Mickey Ear Hat card.
The 40th Anniversary Collage series gift cards feature two card designs that create a full picture when placed side by side. These collectible cards showcase Disney landmarks and treasured memorabilia from around the Resort throughout the years.
The 40th Anniversary Mickey Ear Hat card is also unique — the cut out card features one of the most treasured Disney Parks merchandise: a set of Mickey Ears! The traditional black ears get the special treatment with the opening date of the Walt Disney World Resort, 1971, and a 40th anniversary logo stamped on each ear.
As always, the Disney Gift Card is good for almost everything Disney including Theme Park tickets, dining and resort stays, merchandise, and more! These cards are only available for a limited time, and are offered exclusively at the Walt Disney World Resort. Get yours today to celebrate 40 years of magic!
Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap
posted on March 20th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
What a treat this week – Walt Disney Imagineering gave Disney Parks Blog readers an exclusive, first peek at the new interactive queue being added to The Haunted Mansion attraction at Magic Kingdom Park. When it officially opens, your experience will begin with a new story line with characters previously seen only inside the Mansion. And what really grabbed my attention was the new Decomposing Composer’s Crypt. The new tomb has interactive instruments that sound as weird as they look.
Also, we announced an exciting new pirate experience coming to Disneyland park next week. Beginning on March 25, you can join Captain Jack Sparrow and a crew of rowdy pirates for a Disneyland park exclusive, extended 3D film sequence – a sneak peek of the new “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” film.
Look for “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Sneak Peek” on weekend nights from March 25 to May 30, and seven nights a week from April 15 through May 1. There’s more information about the experience in our original post.
Now, here’s a look at some of the other stories we shared this week:
Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip at Epcot – Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip topiaries are surrounded by pink at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Downtown Disney’s Loch Ness Monster on Holiday? – Walt Disney World Resort photographer Gene Duncan investigates the creature of the Lake Buena Vista lagoon.
More Exciting News About ‘World of Color’ – Thanks to our fans, “World of Color” has been named the Best New Theme Park Show of 2010, in the About.com 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Take a Tilt-Shift Trip to Disneyland Paris – Our tilt-shift video series continues with “A Magical Day at Disneyland Paris.”
Disneyland at Dawn: Sleeping Beauty Castle Time Lapse – Watch as day breaks over Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland park.
Magical Mysteries of Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park – Take stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., and learn the history of of some of its locations.
Take 5 with Pirates at Disney Parks
posted on March 19th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Arr! It was a pirate’s life on the Disney Parks Blog this week. Aye, with the announcement of the “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Sneak Peek” coming soon and the anniversary of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland park, ’tis the time to take a look at some of our top pirate posts.
Top 5: Pirates at Disney Parks
- A Peek Inside the Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at Disneyland Hotel – Where does a pirate stay when he’s on vacation? The Pirates of the Caribbean Suite at Disneyland Hotel, of course.
- Flying Dutchman – A unique look at the Flying Dutchman from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies at Castaway Cay.
- Behind the Scenes: Getting Down and Dirty with Pirates – Ever wonder how Disney Parks pirates keep their signature messy look? There’s more to it than you might think.
- Face-Painting Tips from The Pirates League at Walt Disney World – Find out how to create your own pirate look with these tips from The Pirates League.
- Arrr! How Will You Celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day? – Watch as Disneyland park guests demonstrate their best pirate-speak for “Talk Like a Pirate Day” last September.
See HGTV’s Kim Myles at Epcot March 18-20
posted on March 18th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
If you’re heading out to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this weekend, don’t forget to check out HGTV’s Kim Myles (“Myles of Style”), who will present “The 5 DIY Secrets That Can Transform Any Space” March 18-20.
The offering is the latest in the HGTV Designer Presentation series, which takes place Fridays-Sundays throughout the festival’s run.
Last week’s HGTV presenter was Lisa LaPorta (“Designed to Sell”), who was kind enough to give the Disney Parks Blog some design tips exclusively for our readers. Here’s what she had to say:
All HGTV presentations are included in theme park admission.
This Day in History: Dinner on the Bayou at Disneyland Park
posted on March 18th, 2011 by Jim Ames, Manager, Food and Wine Events, Disneyland Resort
A moonlit night, dancing fireflies, the soulful sound of a banjo playing in the distance, dining under colorful lanterns amidst ancient cypress. Of course, I am referring to the Blue Bayou restaurant in Disneyland park, which opened 44 years ago today.
This iconic location in New Orleans Square has always been one of my favorite places to dine. I can still remember coming to Disneyland park as a child and tasting my first Monte Cristo sandwich. The unbelievably tasty combination of ham, turkey, cheese, powdered sugar and jam is something I still enjoy to this day.
Over the years, there have been many delicious choices. A menu from the early days of the restaurant highlights specialties that include Ragout de Boeuf en Casserole, Grenadine of Boeuf Maximilian and Salade Rothschild. Happily, today’s menu is just a bit easier to pronounce with Tesoro Island chicken, Royal Street seafood jambalaya and the Bayou Surf & Turf amongst the favorites.
But what makes the Blue Bayou so unique and special is the atmosphere; the perpetual twilight, the gentle serenade of crickets and bullfrogs as you dine on the patio of a graceful New Orleans mansion, all while boats glide through the bayou to discover treasure beyond. I have found nowhere else that so completely immerses me in the environment or makes me feel so much at home.
What is your fondest memory of this favorite restaurant?
Reservations for Blue Bayou may be made by calling 714-781-DINE (3463).
This Day in History: Yo ho! Yo ho! It’s a Pirate’s Anniversary at Disneyland Park!
posted on March 18th, 2011 by Valarie Sukovaty, Disneyland Public Relations
Blimey! Has it really been 44 years since Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland park? Well, me hearties, it’s true. This classic attraction has been a guest favorite since it opened on March 18, 1967. That’s when the dead men who “tell no tales” started talking. Opening day kicked off with pirates invading New Orleans Square, sword fights and some poor scallywag walking the plank.
The attraction is so popular that it inspired the “Pirates of the Caribbean” blockbuster movie series. Those films led to the 2006 addition of the Audio-Animatronics figures of Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Captain Barbossa. There’s also a special effect image of Davey Jones.
This video will take you back in time and behind the scenes. You’ll see Walt Disney Imagineers installing the pirates and their hidden treasure in the first mega-scale indoor ride-through attraction at the park. (It’s also fun to see all those ‘60s hairstyles and clothes.) Enjoy!
Updates at Magic Kingdom Park
posted on March 18th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
If you’ve been following our updates on the Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom Park, we have a few treats for you today.
Last week, signage was unveiled for Town Square Theater, the new permanent home for Mickey Mouse that will debut later this spring. The location (formerly known as Town Square Exposition Hall) will serve as a highly themed meet-and-greet location for Mickey Mouse, and also will temporarily house the Disney princesses while the expansion of Fantasyland continues.
Most of the plans for the interior of Town Square Theater are still under wraps, except that it will feature a colorful mosaic floor, brass chandeliers and an engaging queue for guests to enjoy.
Speaking of spruced-up queues, have you checked out the playful features that are enhancing guest wait times at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction in Fantasyland? Word on the street is that it’s so cool, many families have actually been passing up the attraction’s Disney’s FASTPASS queue in order to walk through this re-imagined area.
A towering honey tree welcomes guests at the entrance of the new queue, which younger guests are welcome to climb through and explore. Later on, guests can communicate with a timid Piglet.
Further down the path, guests can stomp their feet to scare pesky gophers out of Rabbit’s garden.
Or drum a tune on Rabbit’s fruit.
Next, guests can ensure Pooh has plenty of delicious honey to look forward to by guiding honeybees on their journey to and from beehives.
Later on, guests can draw pictures in walls of virtual honey poured by Pooh himself – and all before setting foot on the attraction itself.
Want to Throw Out the First Pitch at a Braves Spring Training Game at Walt Disney World?
posted on March 18th, 2011 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
UPDATE: 3:00 P.M. – Congratulations to Pattie Joyce! You have been selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Braves game on March 23 against the Marlins! Please check your email for further details.
Thank you to everyone who applied for this unique opportunity. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports for all the latest news and events involving Disney Sports!
UPDATE: 2:00 P.M. – The window to enter our ceremonial first pitch opportunity at the Braves game on March 23 is now closed. Please check back at 3:00 P.M. (EDT) to see who is selected as the winner!
Please note that we will not be responding to questions via this email address. If you have questions, please ask them on the Disney Parks Blog, and we will do our best to answer them.
UPDATE: We understand there are some issues with our wdwsportsmeetups@disney.com account. Please use this replacement e-mail – matthew.x.gottfried.-nd@disney.com.
Ever wonder what it would be like to stand on the pitcher’s mound at a Major League Baseball game and throw a pitch? Well, here is your opportunity to apply.
A Disney sports fan will have the rare opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Wednesday, March 23, prior to the Atlanta Braves spring training game (1:05 p.m. EDT) against the Florida Marlins at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney will be selecting a fan for this unique on-field experience which will include two admissions to the game, the opportunity to meet a Braves player and take a photo with a Disney character on the field at Champion Stadium in addition to throwing out the first pitch. To apply, simply submit your name, email, Twitter handle (if available) and phone number to wdwsportsmeetups@disney.com matthew.x.gottfried.-nd@disney.com TODAY between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (EDT) and we will select a fan at 3 p.m. (EDT).
For more information on Braves spring training and the latest sports news from around Disney, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports!
Promotion Details:
- Here are the official rules.
- @DisneySports will begin taking applications at 11 a.m. (EDT).
- Applicants must submit his/her name, email, Twitter handle (if available) and phone number to
wdwsportsmeetups@disney.commatthew.x.gottfried.-nd@disney.com between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (EST). - The selected fan will be randomly selected and announced on the blog at 3 p.m. (EDT) later today and contacted shortly after with further details.
- No previous baseball experience required.
Disclaimer: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, a U.S. resident and have the interest and ability in attending the game. The selected applicant will be contacted via phone and email and must respond within 24 hours or a new applicant will be selected. Submission of application grants Disney the right to use the applicant’s name and likeness for marketing and publicity purposes through Disney social media platforms. Limit of one entry per person.
New ‘Lotso’ Topiary Added at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
posted on March 18th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Look who it is – Lots-o’-Huggin Bear has joined Buzz Lightyear and Woody at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. As Debbie shared earlier on the Disney Parks Blog, we’ve debuted several new topiaries based on characters from Disney-Pixar classics, including the “Toy Story” and “Cars” films. And here’s a new look at how our latest character was added to the park.
You can see “Lotso” now through May 15 during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
