Nightly TRON: Evolution Tournament Grand Champion Will Take Home a ‘TRON: Legacy’ Blu-ray Combo Pack
posted on May 19th, 2011 by Robin Trowbridge, Entertainment Show Director, Disneyland Resort.
Each night ElecTRONica activates at Disney California Adventure park, programs (guests) have an opportunity to participate in a TRON: Evolution tournament. Gamers match skills in a light cycle competition in hopes of winning and moving on to the next round. The goal is to rise through the preliminary rounds and become the Grand Champion. Why? Glory! And starting this Friday, the stakes get higher. If you survive the competition, you get to take home the ultimate prize – “TRON: Legacy.” The ultimate Blu-ray™ experience.
So for those looking for action and excitement, the TRON: Evolution gaming tournament at ElecTRONica may be just what you need. And who knows, you could become Grand Champion and have the chance to take back to your own Grid…”TRON: Legacy.” The ultimate Blu-ray™ experience!
Good luck, programs!!
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. 20 total game contests, starting at 6:00 p.m., ending at 9:40 p.m., May 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and 30, and June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, 2011, for guests of Disney California Adventure park, Anaheim, CA. Full details and official rules available at the game location in the park.
VIDEO: Pirate Merchandise Invades Disney Parks
posted on May 19th, 2011 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
I wish I could have attended the world premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” at Disneyland Resort a few weeks ago. After seeing the photos from the premiere, my fellow teammate Erin Catalano and I thought it would be fun to go searching for new pirate “treasure” created especially for Disney Parks. The rest is…well, check it out and tell me what you think.
By the way, you are invited to a special meet and greet in Florida with Disney artist Mark Seppala who designed the limited-edition Disney Ear Hat seen in the video. You can meet Mark on Friday, May 20, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Art of Disney Parks located at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
I have to get back to writing some snappy pirate jokes (I probably should keep my day job). Can I get an “Arrrgh?!”
See these posts for more pirate-inspired fun at Disney Parks:
Vintage Walt Disney World: Early Space Exploration
posted on May 19th, 2011 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center
When the Space Shuttle Endeavor launched earlier this week, I began thinking how cool it must be to be strapped into the space shuttle as it hurdles itself into outer space. Of course, here at the Walt Disney World Resort you can have a similar experience over at Mission: SPACE at Epcot.
But the Magic Kingdom Park has offered guests the thrill of “space flight” since Nov. 28, 1974. Here is a photograph of the original Star Jets from Tomorrowland in July 1977. It is quite a stark comparison to what guests see today when they board the Astro Orbiter, which opened in 1994 and added a solar system to the Magic Kingdom Park skyline.
While I never had the opportunity to take a spin on the original Star Jets, I finally took flight on the Astro Orbiter, believe it or not, just three years ago. I’m not sure why it took me so long, but it sure is fun to fly high above Magic Kingdom Park.
Delightful, Delicious Narcoossee’s at Walt Disney World
posted on May 19th, 2011 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of those tucked-away restaurants on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon that we don’t always think of first – but what a treat. The place has plenty of loyal fans and was so busy on a recent evening that we grabbed seats at the bar, ordered a glass of red wine and settled in with Sergio the bartender taking care of us.
“Narcoossee,” by the way, is a Native American word that means “little bear.” (Just thought you might want to know.) When the beautiful resort was designed, the name seemed fitting for its historical architecture. The casual restaurant is octagon-shaped with plenty of windows for viewing the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant.
Chef Joe Wilson is one of those bright, engaging chefs who gets excited talking about cheese and wine and the best Florida fish available. And he also makes the best béarnaise sauce we’ve ever tasted – a dollop atop a buttery filet mignon. “I’m having fun every day,” says Chef Wilson with a broad smile.
It’s really the delicious fish that is the restaurant’s claim to fame – a whole Maine lobster; hefty crab cakes; sautéed Prince Edward Island mussels in a light, creamy pastis-scented broth; shrimp and crab chowder with homemade oyster crackers. His crispy whole snapper is a work of art.
And vegetarians will be right at home with his beautiful roasted beet salad with goat cheese and orange-honey vinaigrette. And you can make a meal of the cheeses, from an Australian blue to Gruyère from Wisconsin. The cheeses change with the seasons but you’ll never be disappointed, each served with delicate honeys, apricots and preserves, and homemade slices of crisp buttery bread.
And we’d be remiss not to miss the almond cheesecake from Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek’s bakery. Take it home if you have to, it’s worth the calories.
Be duly warned, the little restaurant books up fast. If you’re considering dinner at Narcoossee’s, book ahead at 407-WDW-DINE. Have you tried Narcoossee’s? What’s your favorite dish on the menu?
What Are Your Favorite Sounds at the Disneyland Resort?
posted on May 18th, 2011 by Michele Himmelberg, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Choose a location in either Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park, and find a nice spot where you can safely close your eyes — and just listen. You might be amazed at what you hear. In almost any themed land you visit you’ll hear the music, and then you’ll start to hear the many other layers of sound that give each place its character and nuance.
Whether it’s the telegraph machine at the New Orleans Square Station, the noisy seagulls perched in Nemo’s lagoon, or Snow White wishing for her prince, you’ll hear sounds big and small.
If you’re a frequent visitor to the parks, you may not even realize how many ambient sounds get your attention. Combined, these bits and pieces play a huge part in making Disney Parks the magical places they are. Below are three sound clips from Disneyland park. How many do you recognize?
Did we miss one of your favorites?
‘Star Tours – The Adventures Continue’ Prepares for Launch at Florida Mall Sneak Peek Event
posted on May 18th, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
As we await the gala launch of “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, we asked C-3PO, R2-D2 and some of their closest pals to join us for some sneak peek events.
The Florida Mall in Orlando was the site of one of these early looks at the galactic fun, with Princess Leia Minnie and Jedi Mickey joining many Star Wars and Disney Parks fans for the festivities.
Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and creator of the “Her Universe” line of Star Wars-themed fangirl fashion, wielded our custom-built “mic-saber” and joined us to report on the event. No stranger to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (she is a former Cast Member), Ashley will return as one of the Celebrity Hosts of Star Wars Weekends 2011. Star Wars Weekends 2011 kicks off May 20, the same day “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” officially opens at Walt Disney World Resort.
Let’s check in with Ashley as she talks a little Star Wars and Star Tours with fans at Florida Mall.
More Hidden Mickeys Spotted at the Disneyland Resort
posted on May 18th, 2011 by Shannon Swanson, Senior Publicist, Disneyland Resort
Last year one of the most viewed videos I produced highlighted “hidden Mickeys,” so I thought I’d take the crew out and tape a few more at Disneyland Resort. This is easier said than done. It takes a keen eye to find some of these mouse-shaped gems. Even with helpful hints and suggestions from other cast members, we had a tough time capturing these on camera. Take a look and see if you know where they are. Some are harder to SPOT than others!
Take an Imagineer-Guided Tour of One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
posted on May 18th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Walt Disney Imagineering sent us a great video today that takes a look inside One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In case you aren’t familiar, One Man’s Dream is a walk-through exhibit that features more than 400 artifacts that chronologically tell the story of Walt Disney’s life and career.
Among those amazing items on display are early animation desks, some of the first Audio-Animatronics figures, theme park models and much more.
Here, Wyatt Winter and Brian Marschall give you an inside look.
Walt Disney Imagineers take you behind the scenes of more Disney Parks attractions:
Wildlife Wednesdays: Protecting Wildlife and Nature in Africa – Forests
posted on May 18th, 2011 by Tammie Bettinger, Ph.D., Senior Research Biologist, Disney's Animal Programs
When guests visit our gorillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, they see them in beautiful habitats – complete with trees, shrubs and waterfalls – on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Of course in the wild, appropriate habitat is critical to the survival of gorillas and other wildlife.
The Tayna and Kisimba-Ikobo Community Reserves in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are located in one of the world’s most important tropical forest regions, an area rich in biodiversity that supports many endangered species, including gorillas. The third in a series of videos on our conservation efforts in the DRC focuses on how The Walt Disney Company, in partnership with Conservation International and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, is reaching out to help the reserves as part of its global effort to protect threatened forests.
To learn more, visit www.disney.com/environment.
A Mom’s Point of View: Family Cruising Aboard the Disney Dream
posted on May 18th, 2011 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
A couple months ago, we introduced you to Andi – the Disney Cruise Line specialist on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel.
Andi recently sailed on the Disney Dream to host a series of videos providing a parent’s point of view on our newest ship. Check out the first video and join Andi as she takes you around the decks of the Disney Dream.
Be sure to follow along in the coming weeks as Andi takes a deeper dive into Disney Dream innovations, adult areas, youth activities, entertainment, dining and more.
See these posts for more family fun aboard the Disney Dream:
- Kids Can Enjoy High-Tech Fun and Games Aboard the Disney Dream with Magic PlayFloor
- Sneak Peek of a Stage Spectacular Aboard the Disney Dream – ‘Disney’s Believe’
- Magical Works of Art Come Alive with Animation to Amaze Disney Dream Guests
