Yummy Treats from Disney Parks Merchandise
posted on June 24th, 2011 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
I started my Disney career as a merchandise host on the Walt Disney World College Program in the summer of 1997. I worked in several locations at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island including D-Zerts, a former merchandise store that once contained a “show kitchen.” That is a term we use to describe merchandise locations that offer both pre-packaged consumable items (think boxed candy) and freshly made sweet treats like cookies, coffee or other desserts (basically my ideal meal each day). You may have visited other show kitchen locations like Marceline’s Confectionary at Downtown Disney District in California or Candy Cauldron at Downtown Disney Westside in Florida. Patrice Guy, product developer for consumables at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, recently shared with me some details about the new yummy treats appearing in the show kitchens this summer. Patrice only had to say three words to grab my attention – “Mickey Cake Pops!”
“Cake pops are hot items in the consumables marketplace,” explained Patrice. “I wanted a Mickey-shaped cake pop but faced the challenge of how to execute the design. I contacted the Candy Cauldron team in Florida and, for the past two months, we worked to create the new pixie-dusted pop. It’s delicious!”
Yes – it is delicious! I had the rough assignment of testing treats for this article. The pops come in a variety of colors and are currently being offered at Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Company at Downtown Disney in Florida. They will be introduced at additional park locations soon and eventually at the Disneyland Resort.
Patrice also shared with me some new cookies that are coming to locations in July. I love the “chocolate ear hat” decorations on them (and of course, that is what I ate first – just like a chocolate Easter bunny).
I love chocolate, particularly dark chocolate (which is supposedly good for my health but only in moderation), and it appears I’m not alone. Patrice introduced a new line of concession candies this past spring that featured a variety of boxes that had me laughing. My favorite box is “Please Stand Clear of My Chocolate,” but the most popular one has been the “Mood Chocolate.” Patrice mentioned a second wave of concession candy boxes featuring different artwork is currently in the design phase.
Meanwhile, I now have another place to get my candy fix. The World Showcase team recently set a “nostalgia candy” display in the Heritage Manor Gifts location at The American Adventure. Wow! There were all sorts of candy that I recall enjoying as a child at my grandparent’s house.
After writing this article, I think I should contact Pam Brandon to see if she has any new meals to try. I’m sure there is a delicious one waiting for me when Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, opens in August. I probably should eat something besides all these yummy treats (or not).
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First Look: Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon Medal Unveiled
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
A new half marathon often means new race features, but none are perhaps more anticipated than the inaugural medal.
Today, we’re unveiling the first-ever Tinker Bell Half Marathon medal, which features a pair of fairy wings and a spinning Tinker Bell figurine.
The inaugural race weekend at Disneyland Resort is January 27-29, 2012, and will be hosted by the city of Anaheim and Disneyland. The course takes runners on a 13.1-mile trek through the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks as well as past several city of Anaheim landmarks. It’s the second women-specific runDisney race weekend, joining the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World Resort.
Already the Tinker Bell Half Marathon is more than half full, so if you want one of the new medals, you better grab your sneakers, get signed up at runDisney.com and start running!
Yummy Ideas for ‘Mickey’s Soundsational Parade’ at Disneyland Park
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
It’s summertime. It’s parade time. And it’s hot. If you spend the morning catching attractions and save parade time for food on the run, here are some portable ideas along the route of “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” in Disneyland park – beyond turkey legs and Mickey Ice Cream Bars.
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, head to Blue Ribbon Bakery on Main Street, U.S.A., for an iced coffee or mocha (you can add a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie, that’s up to you). If you want carbs, nearby Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner offers a jalapeño-cheese-filled pretzel (cream cheese if you don’t like spicy). Or a hot dog – but we’ll point you across the street to the Little Red Wagon near Plaza Inn for the all-time favorite Disneyland corn dog. If you haven’t had one, it’s time.
If ice cream is your vacation splurge, stop on Main Street, U.S.A., at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, where you can fill a waffle cup with mocha almond fudge ice cream topped with hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream and a cherry (or behave with a single scoop). There’s also ice cream at the Main Street Cone Shop window, where you’ll be tempted with two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the middle. You pass the Main Street Fruit Cart to reach this window, so if you’re feeling guilty, just stop there for fresh pineapple, oranges, bananas, grapes, watermelon and other healthfully delicious snacks.
A short stroll west of the parade route, over in New Orleans Square, we recommend the decadent Mickey-shaped beignets with an iced mocha coffee or a New Orleans mint julep (sans alcohol, of course) from the Mint Julep Bar. And if you’re a Dole Whip fan, you’ll just have to hurry over to the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland for a float or soft-serve. Surely someone will save your spot.
What’s your favorite Disneyland park snack?
Sing Your Heart Out at Our One-of-a-Kind Gospel Event at Epcot
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Tim Hill, Director of Disney Youth Programs
I am pleased to announce that Disney Youth Programs has the privilege of hosting Disney’s Gospel Choir Fest for the second year on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort. Participating choirs receive valuable feedback from EMI Gospel record-label representatives and the winning ensemble will have the opportunity to take center stage and perform during Saturday evening’s Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom Park. Night of Joy is a contemporary Christian music festival featuring live performances by today’s top bands in contemporary Christian rock, pop and gospel. The video below highlights the University of Oregon’s Gospel Singers, last year’s winners of the event. Here’s what they had to say about this special festival.
To stay up-to-date with Disney’s Gospel Choir Fest and other Disney Youth Programs music festivals, please visit our Facebook page.
If you have participated in Disney’s Gospel Choir Fest, please tell us your story in the comments below.
Best of Both Worlds at Disneyland Resort
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Michelle Harker, Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Disneyland Resort
I know many of you are Star Wars fans, and above all, Disney fans! So what do you get when those two things come together? Two very special Sci-Fi Academy-themed pin release and signings are taking place this summer at the Disneyland Resort.
In one of my recent posts about Disney Pins, I gave you a heads up to “mark your calendars” for July 9 and August 6. Here’s a glimpse at some of the pins that will be released at each event.
First up, A Piece of Alderaan History. What does that mean exactly? Well, any Star Wars fan will tell you, that Alderaan was once home to Princess Leia, a peaceful planet that met its untimely demise when Grand Moff Tarkin demonstrated the power of the Death Star in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Our product development team cleverly created a pin featuring Darth Vader that contains a representation of the planet Alderaan.
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What else do we have “in store” for you for during the July release and signing with artist Casey Jones? How about Disneyland Resort attraction-themed postcard and pin sets featuring some of your favorite characters, like nutty Chip ‘n’ Dale in Rocket to the Moon or Pluto and the Flying Saucers. You can also look forward to a special limited edition set of four pins which comes complete in what is being called The New Century Compendium of the Extraordinary – Volume I.
Tip: Online wristbands for the opportunity to purchase these pins is taking place now through June 29.
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Too much PINformation, or are you ready for more? How about a quick look at some of the pins that will be released at the August event, which feature memorable quotes and images from iconic Star Wars films. Here’s a special note: We just learned that Artist and Global Creativity & Innovation Director Chris Chapman will be on hand for a special appearance and signing on August 6.
Tip: The online wristband opportunity to purchase these Star Wars quotes pins begins July 15.
So now you’re in the know for all events this summer related to pins. And if you’re looking for other fun places to trade during your visit to the Resort, Come Out and Trade takes place daily from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Westward Ho Trading Co. in Frontierland at Disneyland park. Or you can jet over to Fly ‘n’ Buy in Disney California Adventure park where there is a special area for you to trade stories and pins with fellow fans.
Vroom! Indy 500 Winner Races to Walt Disney World
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
Fresh off his Indianapolis 500 victory a few weeks ago, IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon served as grand marshal in a parade at Magic Kingdom Park yesterday. And to top it off, it was his 33rd birthday.
Wheldon, a British race car driver who lives in St. Petersburg, FL., is spending a couple of days at Walt Disney World Resort with his wife, Susie, and their two sons before heading back to the racing circuit where he also works periodically as a TV commentator.
Check out the video of his visit. Who wants to race him at Tomorrowland Speedway?
Vintage Walt Disney World: A Festival of Fools
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center
Fifteen years ago at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios), the city of Paris came to life at the Backlot Theater as Quasimodo and friends took the stage for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure.” This 32-minute show opened June 21, 1996 – the same day as the film did in theaters – and entertained guests until it closed on Sept. 28, 2002.
The show told the story of Quasimodo’s struggle against the villain Frollo and his feelings for gypsy Esmeralda, accompanied by a musical score recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. Traveling from the Bell Tower of Notre Dame Cathedral to the streets of Paris for the Festival of Fools, the show featured all of the characters made famous by the movie throughout its seven scenes. During the show’s climax, pyrotechnic special effects were used onstage when Frollo set the city afire.
Even though I can’t experience this spectacular show any more, I can always join Clopin via DVD as he brings Quasimodo’s story to life.
A ‘Cars 2’ Sneak Peek from the ‘Cars’ Franchise Guardian
posted on June 23rd, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Everyone revved up to see “Cars 2?” The sequel to Disney•Pixar’s 2006 hit “Cars” opens across the U.S. this Friday, June 24, but I’ve got a preview for you from a guy who loves both cars and “Cars.” Jay Ward is the “Cars” franchise guardian at Pixar Animation Studios. Part of Jay’s job is to consult with “Cars 2” director and co-director John Lasseter and Brad Lewis, making sure that Lightning McQueen and Mater and all the other characters look and behave like automobiles would.
Jay gave us this interview when he was at Walt Disney World last month for Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney. As you’ll see in the video, Pixar has created life-size versions of Mater and Lightning and Finn McMissile, a new “Cars 2” character voiced by Michael Caine. The three replicas have been touring America in the “Agents on a Mission” tour presented by State Farm. The tour’s almost done, but the trio will be at The Tech Museum in San Jose, CA, on Saturday, June 25.
Incidentally, Disney Parks Blog readers can visit www.Disney.com today to view a special five-minute clip from Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2,” create an original piece of art using a “Cars 2” Photo Mashup tool, play games and more.
Disneyland Grad Nite – New Twists on a 50-Year Tradition Coming in 2012 and 2013
posted on June 22nd, 2011 by Betsy Sanchez, Manager of Media Relations, Disneyland Resort
As our 50th Grad Nite season comes to an end, we are excited to announce new twists and enhancements coming in 2012 and 2013 to this traditional rite of passage so many of us experienced as high school graduates.
In 2012, Grads will have more time, more flexibility and more room for their celebration at the Disneyland Resort including the opportunity to enter Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park at any time during their Grad Nite visit. Students will receive a park hopper ticket allowing them a full day to experience both parks!
In addition, 2012 Grads will now receive a special FASTPASS option to use during their visit and a private showing of “Fantasmic!” to kick off the exclusive private party that begins when Disneyland park closes.
Beginning in 2013, the private party will move to Disney California Adventure park where Grads will enjoy all the newest offerings including an exclusive “World of Color” viewing and the new Cars Land.
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As these pictures show, our Grad Nites have become an important milestone for millions of graduating seniors in the last five decades, and we are excited to share new experiences as Grad Nites evolve just like the Disneyland Resort continues to evolve each year. We look forward to celebrating many future classes to come!
For more details, please visit www.disneylandgradnite.com.
Al Weiss Announces Retirement
posted on June 22nd, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
We have some news to share today regarding a key member of the Disney team. Al Weiss, former head of Walt Disney World and current President of Worldwide Operations for all of Disney Parks and Resorts, has decided to retire after almost 39 years with the company. Al started off working at Walt Disney World as a teenager and will leave his imprint on so many aspects of our business. Some of the highlights of his tenure include launching Disney Cruise Line, opening Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and integrating worldwide park operations. Al’s official retirement date will be November 1 of this year. To learn more about Al’s announcement please click on the link below.
Walt Disney Parks & Resort Chairman Tom Staggs shared the following statement in response to Al’s announcement:
Al Weiss has made a profound mark on Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and the accomplishments and milestones that encompass his legacy are many. He spent his whole professional life with Disney, literally growing up in the company — and most notably serving as an integral part of Walt Disney World through most of its history. That experience enabled him to have a genuine appreciation for and true understanding of all that our cast do, and all that our guests expect. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his passion for the guest experience are unsurpassed, and have been an inspiration to many.
I thank Al for his decades of service and wish him well as he enters a new chapter in his life.
