Special Thanks to D23 Expo Attendees
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Thanks to all of you for your responses. Your passion, energy and affection for our parks and resorts is the reason we do what we do so I appreciate your feedback. I know many of you were hoping for announcements regarding new projects from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, especially at Walt Disney World Resort, so I wanted to take a moment to address those comments.
The projects we’ve already announced represent the largest period of growth ever in Disney Parks’ history. We’re working hard to create new and exciting experiences for our guests around the world and while the timing isn’t always right to announce another big project, we like to use opportunities like the D23 Expo to update fans like you on the great progress we’re making. We have several incredible projects currently in the works and look forward to sharing more information with all of you in the weeks and months ahead, including new details regarding Downtown Disney in Florida.
Greetings from the D23 Expo! Earlier today I shared the Anaheim Convention Center stage with Disneyland President George Kalogridis and some of our senior Imagineers for a behind-the-scenes look at several of the incredible projects currently underway at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. As many of you know, we are in the middle of the largest expansion period in our history so while we didn’t have time to talk about everything, we were able to update some of our biggest fans with the latest news from Walt Disney World, Shanghai Disney Resort, Aulani and Disneyland Resort.
For the D23 members who were able to attend the show, I want to thank you for the incredibly warm welcome that our team received. If you weren’t able to make it, we hope you enjoy the highlights from the presentation posted here on the Disney Parks blog.
New Fantasy Faire Experience Coming to Disneyland Park
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
Today at the D23 Expo, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs and Disneyland Resort President George Kalogridis announced an exciting transformation poised to take place at Disneyland park.
The boundaries of Fantasyland are expanding with a brand new experience called Fantasy Faire. For this project, Carnations Plaza Gardens Stage is being reimagined into an enchanting village square that will immerse guests in the stories of their favorite princesses in exciting new ways.
Guests will travel through a village square surrounded by fairytale cottages and pavilions to the heart of the square – Tangled Tower, inspired by the film. The village square will come alive with activities and entertainment, including a Royal Ribbon Parade where guests can dance and interact with Belle or Rapunzel. Guests can visit the their favorite Disney royalty from such films as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tangled.”
The Fantasy Faire Stage will be a new entertainment venue where the stories of Disney’s fairy tale heroes and heroines will be brought to life, letting guests become part of the story as well.
And at night, the Fantasy Faire Stage will come alive with the classic music and dance offerings that Disneyland park guests have loved for years.
We’ll have more updates on the new Fantasy Faire as they are available here on the Disney Parks Blog.
Buena Vista Street From a Bird’s Eye View
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
Another update from the D23 Expo! Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs and Bob Weis, Executive Vice President, Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, just took us back in time to 1920s Los Angeles, with updates on the upcoming Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park. Imagineers have worked hard to transport guests back to the Los Angeles that Walt experienced when he first arrived in California.
Guests will be able ride the Red Car Trolley up Buena Vista Street to the new icon of the park, Carthay Circle Theatre — a recreation of the original theater where “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs” premiered in 1937. Guests will also be able to experience the park’s charming period architecture, mix of stores, eateries and guest services — it will be a whole new entry way into the park that immerses guests into the experience.
Now travel back in time with this new flythrough video, which takes you on a tour of the new Disney California Adventure park entrance like you’ve never seen before!
Sneak Peek: Enchanted Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disneyland
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
In April, we officially broke ground on Shanghai Disney Resort, our sixth resort destination around the world and our third in Asia. That’s when Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, shared a few early renderings of the resort.
Today we’ve got more to share. At the D23 Expo, Tom and Bob Weis, Executive Vice President, Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, updated us on the progress being made on the resort and gave us a sneak peek at the new Enchanted Storybook Castle.
The Enchanted Storybook Castle is going to be the largest and most immersive castle at any Disney park around the world and it will be the first of our castles not dedicated to a specific princess because it represents all of them. Inside, guests will be able to explore the multi-level castle, which will feature a princess meet and greet, the first ever Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique princess makeover experience inside a castle and Once Upon a Time Adventure, a large-scale, walkthrough experience. Also for the first time, the castle will be part of a boat ride attraction that will be one of the anchor experiences of Fantasyland.
Check out this tour of the Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Construction Wraps Up at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
On Aug. 29, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i will welcome its first guests. In celebration of the upcoming Aulani opening, D23 guests experienced some authentic entertainment from a group of keiki performers who were dancing and singing as an a Capella chorus.
As part of his presentation, Tom Staggs detailed the types of Disney experiences families will be able to enjoy at the new Hawaiian resort, which will combine the beauty of Hawai’i with a touch of Disney magic. Imagineers have worked hard to create special, unique spaces for guests of all ages. Aunty’s Beach House is a club created just for kids and there is also a lounge area and special events geared toward teens. An 18,000 square foot spa and fitness center with several special amenities was created especially with adults in mind.
Imagineer Joe Rohde also took the audience on a video tour of the resort as the finishing touches were being finalized, and to help celebrate the upcoming Aulani opening, Tom gave one lucky audience member a trip to experience the resort for themselves.
Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Through the Imagineering Lens
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Ever wonder how Disney develops new attractions and experiences for its theme parks and resorts? Today, Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Bruce Vaughn, chief creative officer, Walt Disney Imagineering, took us on a behind-the-scenes look at the creative design process for the Magic Kingdom Park New Fantasyland expansion at Walt Disney World Resort.
When Imagineers start building a new park or a land, they first create a detailed scale model to help visualize what the project will look like when it’s complete. Models like the one in this Magic Kingdom Park New Fantasyland flythrough video are not only works of art, but they’re also an invaluable tool that helps Imagineers visualize sight lines, analyze guest traffic patterns and get an overall sense of the design and aesthetics.
Some of the attractions and restaurants coming to New Fantasyland that you saw in that video include:
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid where guests will get to experience what it’s like to go under the sea with Ariel and her friends.
- Enchanted Tales with Belle where families and children will have the opportunity to meet Belle with a whole new degree of interactivity and personalization.
- Dumbo The Flying Elephant, complete with an interactive queue under the Big Top and not one but two Dumbo attractions.
- Be Our Guest restaurant Guests can dine in three separate dining rooms in the Beast’s castle. The main dining room is the Ballroom, where Belle and Beast had their first dance, in the West Wing or in the Castle Galley during lunch hours.
- Gaston’s Tavern, a place where guests can dine in splendor and pay tribute to the manliest of men…Gaston himself!
Tom also gave D23 Expo attendees even more detail around the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train where guests will take a journey through the diamond mine of the Seven Dwarfs in a new ride system designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The ride system allows each mine car to swing back and forth individually as the train twists and turns along the track. But don’t take my word for it – see for yourself.
A Tribute to Betty Taylor & Wally Boag at Disneyland Park
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
Yesterday at Disneyland park, we held a special celebration to remember two Disney Legends who we recently lost – Wally Boag and Betty Taylor.
This salute to “The True Legends of the Golden Horseshoe” kicked off with song and dance from the iconic show. Next, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs took the stage to pay tribute to these legendary entertainers.
Tom then welcomed some very special guests to the stage – Dorothy Fields, Betty Taylor’s sister, and Heather Dinkins, Wally Boag’s daughter. They were joined by Miriam Nelson, the original Golden Horseshoe Revue Choreographer and the 1955 Disneyland opening day choreographer, and several Disney Legends including Ron Dominguez, Jack Lindquist, Richard Sherman and Mouseketeer Bobby Burgess.
The show continued with songs, dancing and tributes to the lives and careers of Wally Boag and Betty Taylor – complete with some of the most-loved Golden Horseshoe performances and footage of classic performances by these Disney Legends. Video messages from Steve Martin and Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, showed the widespread impact of the magical performances Wally and Betty gave throughout their many years at Disneyland.
Also during the evening event, Disneyland Resort President George A. Kalogridis joined Ralph Opacic, Executive Director of the Orange County High School of the Arts, to present the school with a $10,000 donation in honor of Wally Boag and Betty Taylor.
“We’re pleased that we are able to help encourage the education and future of young performers and artists in our community,” Kalogridis said, “and we’re very proud of the role your school plays in creating a nurturing and educational environment for the young people of today.”
He then unveiled a new playbill that is to be posted inside the Golden Horseshoe, that as George said, “will forever pay tribute to their legendary roles.”
Print-On-Demand Exclusive Disney Gift Cards Available at Town Square Theater
posted on August 19th, 2011 by Virginia Scanlon, Alliance Manager, Disney Gift Card Services
Disney Gift Cards are available at many merchandise locations across Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, but only one location offers guests a unique way to purchase designs that may not be currently featured in stores – the print-on-demand desk at Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park.
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The desk is located across the lobby from Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and is surrounded by Victorian-style brass chandeliers, luxurious carpets and curtains that contribute to the sense of elegance and refinement of the twentieth-century themed Town Square Theater.
Guests can use computers to choose from over 100 card designs, including several exclusive designs found only at the Town Square Theater desk.
Once a guest selects a design, a cast member will print the card in seconds right from the desk. Guests can load their special Disney Gift Card with any U.S. dollar amount between $5 and $1,500 and start using the card right away on Mickey merchandise, dining, and more.
Head over to Magic Kingdom Park to get your exclusive Disney Gift Card designs at Town Square Theater today.
Take a look at more Disney Gift Cards offered at Disney Parks and online:
- Ka-chow! New ‘Cars 2’ Disney Gift Cards Available Online, at Disney Parks
- 40th Anniversary Disney Gift Cards
- Disney Gift Cards Unveils TRON-Inspired Technology
Inside Club 33 at Disneyland Park
posted on August 18th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
You’ve probably walked by, looked up at the iron balconies or stopped at the “33” sign on Royal Street and wondered what was in there. I know I have – Club 33 is a mystery that any Disneyland fan who has not experienced it ponders with each visit to New Orleans Square. Since new club memberships are rarely issued, I thought I’d never be able to see it for myself – that’s why I’m excited to be able to take you with me for a look inside Club 33!
First, a brief history. According to Disneyland Food and Beverage General Manager Matt Gray, Walt Disney was attempting to attract new sponsors for Disneyland park while he was at the New York World’s Fair in 1964. He noticed the fair had executive lounges for corporate sponsors and felt that Disneyland should offer similar amenities. He envisioned an exclusive setting – elegant, featuring fine cuisine and a uniquely Disney atmosphere. Matt says that it was actually one of the Disneyland sponsors who suggested that club invites be extended to select individuals.
In April 1966, Walt and Lillian Disney travelled to New Orleans with designer Emile Kuri, who had decorated the sets of “Mary Poppins” and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” to select many of the beautiful antiques which would be featured in the club. The club opened at number 33 Royal Street in New Orleans Square on June 15, 1967 – sadly, six months after Walt Disney passed away. It would go on to be known as Club 33 – the most exclusive address in all of Disneyland.
“Our biggest challenge,” says Matt, “is living up to the expectations that our guests have built up in their heads from years of hearing about what is behind the door.”
Club 33 includes two dining rooms and several adjoining areas, all of which hold a variety of antiques and original works of art. After ascending to the second floor in the unique Victorian-age, French-style lift – a reproduction of one Walt had admired during a trip to Europe – you enter The Gallery. Here you’ll find an oak telephone booth with beveled leaded glass panels adapted from the one used in the Disney motion picture “The Happiest Millionaire” and a rare console table which was found in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Also in The Gallery are original works by Disney artists and design studies for New Orleans Square and the Pirates of the Caribbean.
In Lounge Alley, you’ll find a beautiful harpsichord – one of the results of the “shopping” trip to New Orleans. It features a scene showing Jackson Square and the Mississippi River in the 19th Century, hand-painted by WED artist Collin Campbell.
The Main Dining Room is decorated in First Empire style, recalling the era of Napoleon and the early 19th Century. The room, decorated with framed artwork by Disney artists, is lit by wall sconces and three chandeliers. Fresh flowers, parquet floors and antique bronzes create an atmosphere of serenity and warmth.
The Disney Room, or Trophy Room, is the second dining room. It was originally to be the setting for a show featuring five Audio-Animatronics figures: two magpies, an owl, a raccoon and a vulture who would entertain the guests and even participate in their conversations through the use of microphones which were hidden in the chandeliers above each table. The show never developed, however, and today only the vulture remains on his perch in the corner of the room.
Now that you’ve had the tour, join the Disney Parks Blog team for dinner tonight at Club 33! Thomas Smith, Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Jim Ames and I will be live tweeting tonight from Club 33 starting at 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST. Follow along at Twitter.com/DisneyParks!
Many Ways to Get Wet at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i
posted on August 18th, 2011 by John McClintock, Disney Public Relations
I’m guessing that anyone planning a Hawaiian vacation is looking forward to playing in the water. Hawai‘i hosts some of the world’s most beautiful and exciting beaches. When Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, opens on August 29, guests can enjoy not only the wonderful swimming in the adjoining lagoon, but a variety of water features within the resort itself.
There’s something for guests of every age at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Kids, teens and entire families can play together in the pools, on the slides and along the Waikolohe Stream. They can go snorkeling in the safety of Rainbow Reef or enjoy close encounters with marine life in the Makai Preserve conservation pool. Adults may want to slip off into a beachside hot tub.
Here’s Ron Hood, whose regular gig is as Operations Manager for Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort, to tell you more.
Which do you prefer? Swimming? Snorkeling? The slides? The lazy river? That terrific lagoon? It’s all at Aulani.
See more from Aulani in the posts below:
- Where to Find Disney Characters and Buffet Dining at Aulani
- The Taro Patch – A Hawaiian Tradition Grows at the Entrance to Aulani
- A Look ‘Below the Surface’ at Aulani
