‘Modern Family’ Star Jesse Tyler Ferguson Takes Flight at Goofy’s Sky School
posted on July 19th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
Just one day after receiving an Emmy nomination for his role on ABC’s “Modern Family,” actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson celebrated with friends and family at Disney California Adventure park last week. With actor Justin Mikita and his nieces and nephew, Jesse started his special day with a flight lesson at Goofy’s Sky School.
Happy landings, Jesse, and good luck at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards in September!
Ka-Chow! McQueen Joins Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show Today
posted on July 19th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Earlier this summer, we broke the news that “Cars 2” star Lightning McQueen was set to join Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in July.
We just received word that Disney’s famous racecar is revved up and ready to make his debut performance in the show beginning today. Read the original story for all the details.
Disney Jazz Celebration to Move to Disneyland Resort
posted on July 19th, 2011 by Tim Hill, Director of Disney Youth Programs
Each year Disney Youth Programs has the privilege of hosting the Disney Jazz Celebration, a festival for middle and high school instrumental and vocal ensembles focusing on jazz education, artist interaction and featuring spectacular evening performances. For the past three years, this magical showcase of talent has been held at the Walt Disney World Resort. I am excited to announce that next year the event will be held at the Disneyland Resort from Feb. 24-26, 2012. We are enthusiastic about the change in location and can’t wait to see what excitement next year’s festival holds. Here is a look at this amazing event:
To stay up-to-date with Disney Jazz Celebration and other Disney Youth Programs music festivals, please visit our Facebook page.
If you have ever participated in Disney Jazz Celebration, please tell us your story in the comments below.
Here’s a look at more upcoming Disney Youth Program events at Disney Parks:
- Sing Your Heart Out at Our One-of-a-Kind Gospel Event at Epcot
- Disneyland Grad Nite – New Twists on a 50-Year Tradition Coming in 2012 and 2013
- Festival Disney Dates Announced for 2012
A Mom’s Point of View: Youth Activities Aboard the Disney Dream
posted on July 19th, 2011 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
It’s no secret the Disney Cruise Line ships feature some of the most unique kid’s spaces at sea. Where else can children dance with Princess Tiana, fly over the streets of London with Peter Pan or get shrunk to the size of a toy and play alongside Slinky Dog and Rex the Dinosaur?
Check out this video and see the fun awaiting little sailors aboard the Disney Dream.
For more information about the Disney Dream, see these posts:
- A Mom’s Point of View: Entertainment Aboard the Disney Dream
- A Mom’s Point of View: Adult Activities Aboard the Disney Dream
- A Mom’s Point of View: Innovations Aboard the Disney Dream
- A Mom’s Point of View: Family Cruising Aboard the Disney Dream
Author and Blogger Guy Kawasaki Visits Disneyland Park
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
On Friday, former Apple chief evangelist and co-founder of Alltop.com, Guy Kawasaki, visited Disneyland park with his children. After riding Pirates of the Caribbean, they stopped by Mickey’s Toontown to meet Mickey Mouse. When asked where he was off to next, Guy told us he was looking forward to riding Star Tours.
‘Idol’ Lee DeWyze Visits Magic Kingdom Park
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Guess who popped up at Magic Kingdom Park today? It was “American Idol” season nine champion Lee DeWyze (right), and his girlfriend, actress Jonna Walsh (left), pictured here with Minnie Mouse.
Of course, guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios can see DeWyze anytime at The American Idol Experience, as he’s featured in video elements within the attraction.
Where at Disney Parks Can You Find…
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
We’ve got another tough one this week. The smiling woman with a unique owl can be found somewhere at Disney Parks but it’s easy to miss – even if you’re looking in the right direction. Do you know where to spot our latest mystery image? Please put your answers in the comments and we’ll update the post with the answer later today.
Historic Los Angeles Landmark Inspires New Disney California Adventure Park Landmark
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
As we mentioned on Friday, work began yesterday at Disney California Adventure park to transform the current Golden Gate Bridge at the park’s entrance into a re-creation of the historic Glendale-Hyperion Bridge. The rendering above shows what the new bridge will look like when it is completed as part of the new Buena Vista Street area.
This new area will bring guests back in time to a classic era in the history of Los Angeles – when Walt Disney first arrived in California. You will practically walk in his footsteps through an environment inspired by iconic Los Angeles buildings and structures of the 1920s and ‘30s, like the Pan Pacific Auditorium (which served as the inspiration for the new park turnstiles that opened on Friday) and the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge.
In January 1926, Walt and Roy Disney moved the newly renamed Walt Disney Studios into its new facility – a one-story, white stucco building at 2719 Hyperion Ave. During the next few years, another Los Angeles landmark was taking shape just a few blocks down Hyperion Ave. – the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge. The bridge is a large, complex structure – still standing today and spanning Interstate 5 from Glendale, Calif., to the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.
The artist’s rendering above shows the bridge as it will look next year when it is part of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park, with the Southern California Red Car Trolleys passing underneath and the Carthay Circle Theatre in the distance.
Ear Hats Off to the Holidays at Disney Parks
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
Despite living in Florida for more than a decade, I sometimes forget just how warm the summer can get. I enjoy summer, especially when I’m eating a Dole Whip on the shores of Disney’s Polynesian Resort (ah, a little daydreaming). Since the nearest Dole Whip is too far away, I made a modest attempt to cool down by speaking with Aaron Babcock, associate product developer for seasonal merchandise. In his world, things are always cool. Of his many responsibilities, Aaron spends time dreaming about the Christmas holiday season. He candidly told me that decorating his home for the holidays takes three weeks. Wow! I’m lucky if I spend three hours decorating. Aaron gave me a sneak preview of some new holiday ornaments coming in October, but first I asked why he loves the holidays.
“I love the holidays as people are genuinely happier at that time of the year,” explained Aaron. “It’s fun being the product developer for seasonal merchandise as I’ve found that many people love the holidays as much as me. People are never in a bad mood when visiting my merchandise showroom.”
It’s easy to find Aaron’s showroom in my building; it’s decorated like it’s mid-December. Festive ornaments line the walls of the showroom including new Disney ear hat ornaments that are coming in October. As you may recall from previous Disney Parks Blog posts, the Disney ear hat is an icon at Disney Parks (who remembers their first pair of Mouse Ears?) Aaron said the idea for the ear hat ornament program started differently.
“I originally wanted to feature all kinds of Disney hats as ornaments,” continued Aaron. “During creative reviews with the development team and leadership, we decided to focus on the ear hat only. The shape has such potential and we realized we could have a lot of fun with it.”
Aaron understands the power of a blank canvas; he was instrumental in launching Vinylmation back in November 2008. He also said that some of the ear hats will be open edition (such as the wedding-themed hats). Other hats may be limited edition with an occasional hat sold exclusively via the Disney Parks on-line store.
With the focus narrowed, Aaron turned to Disney Design Group artists to create their magic. While some artwork was inspired by existing Disney ear hats, Aaron said a lot of it will be unique. I spoke with character artist Costa Alavezos, who has been creating artwork for seasonal merchandise for about 14 years! He said the trick to my favorite ornament, Dumbo, was finding icons to tell classic story on a three-inch ear hat.
“I’ve drawn Dumbo for years,” explained Costa. “Besides his eyes, trunk and ears, I used his hat and the black feather which Dumbo holds while flying. Both items are iconic and help tell Dumbo’s story. I like how the sculpted elements turned out on the ornament. We are pushing design boundaries with each of the ear hat ornaments. I hope they will make someone smile this holiday season.”
One Moment of Magic at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on July 18th, 2011 by Gene Duncan, Photographer, Walt Disney World Resort
I am often struck by just how much emotion surrounds us within our parks. Recently, while walking through the hub at Magic Kingdom Park, I discovered a sweet moment that had previously eluded me. Jiminy Cricket appears to be showing off his “Official Conscience” gold badge to Pinocchio in a scene from the 1940 Walt Disney classic film.
Classic, indeed.
