Playful New Visuals Installed at Disney’s Pin Traders in Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on October 26th, 2011 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
I vividly recall the grand opening of Disney’s Pin Traders at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. I remember it well because I assisted with the grand opening celebration while serving as a Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador. The location, once known as the Captain’s Tower, was considered an icon for the shopping village that opened in 1975. As the excitement of Disney Pin Trading continued way beyond the original 15-month Millennium Celebration plan, there was a need to have a flagship pin location outside a Disney Theme Park. Downtown Disney seemed like a natural choice, so Disney’s Pin Traders was introduced in Summer 2002. Recently, some new visual enhancements were added to the location. I spoke with Julie Young, product developer for Disney pins, to learn more.
“As [pin trading] entered its eleventh year in October 2010, we felt updates were needed to various visuals used throughout the category,” explained Julie. “The first thing we did was introduce a new logo for Disney Pin Trading. The logo was used on packaging, collateral and individual back stamps of pins. The enhancements to Disney’s Pin Traders were a natural second step as the location is one of the most popular pin destinations at Walt Disney World Resort.”
The Disney pin team contacted Joe Higham, a talented cast member with the Global Retail Development team and recent Walt Disney Legacy Award recipient, to outline their ideas. His job was to take their dreams and turn them into concept sketches. I spoke with Joe about the process of creating the new in-store visuals.
“After meeting with the Disney pin team, I drew a series of sketches by hand,” said Joe. “For the drawings, I used a variety of art sources including images of pins that had been previously released. We wanted something playful similar to other locations that use merchandise as visual displays such as Tren-D or D-Street.”
Once Joe completed the first set of sketches, he shared them with leadership and with representatives from Walt Disney Imagineering. As a natural part of the design process, there were some modifications made after initial reviews. Yet, Joe said that there was one thing that all partners liked.
“Many partners, including Walt Disney Imagineering, really liked the various puns used in the vignettes,” continued Joe. “We built some fun visuals around puns like ‘To Pin-Finity and Beyond’ and ‘I Want to Be a Pin-cess.’”
I think my favorite one is the “Time To Trade” vignette that uses clocks and Cogsworth to explain how pins are traded at Disney Parks (I do love time!).
The one thing I was most excited to see was the pin collage image used throughout the store. The Disney Pin Team assembled the collage by mounting pins into a white foam board. I then photographed the collage and shared the images with the art team. I had not seen the final result until I visited the location. I guess Disney’s Pin Traders and I have a special bond, especially after being at the grand opening and later serving as Project Manager for Pin Trading for seven years. I have good memories from that chapter in my Disney career. Julie shared that memories are a key ingredient to the Disney Pin Trading experience.
“I develop memories,” smiled Julie. “Everyone has a favorite Disney character, attraction or show. Pins have become a perfect way to remember favorite moments from Disney experiences. Every time someone looks at a pin I develop, I hope she or he will remember happy times.”
Finding Your Zen: Favorite Quiet Spots at the Disneyland Resort
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Jim Ames, Manager, Food and Wine Events, Disneyland Resort
As a long time cast member of the Disneyland Resort, I have had the opportunity to experience our parks and resorts countless times. Whether visiting with family or friends, the energy and excitement of a day in the parks is all part of the fun. But if I need a breather during the day, one of my favorite ways to recharge is to find a quiet location and just relax.
Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks provide beautiful areas to sit and watch the day unfold. Here are a few of my favorites.
Silly Symphony Swings at Disney California Adventure park has a beautiful covered promenade. While guests are swinging high above, you can take in the stunning views of Paradise Pier, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and The Golden Vine Winery across Paradise Bay.
Also at Disney California Adventure park, Grizzly Trail provides a serene nature walk past Grizzly Falls on the way to Paradise Pier or Pacific Wharf.
At Disneyland park, the Court des Anges in New Orleans Square not only provides a quiet respite, but instantly transports me to another time and place. Even if I’m doing some holiday shopping the beauty of the courtyard inspires.
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But my two favorite spots at Disneyland park both provide a different way to experience the scenery. The area by Harbour Galley and Fowler’s Inn offers a riverfront landscape with the gentle sound of lapping water. But for me, nothing beats sitting on the bow of the Mark Twain Riverboat for a picturesque journey on the Rivers of America.
What is your favorite quiet spot at the Disneyland Resort?
Walt Disney World to be Featured on ‘The Chew’ Oct. 26
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
The Walt Disney World Resort will be featured on ABC’s “The Chew” tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST.
Chef Mickey recently visited the set of this new ABC daytime show to award an audience member with a trip to Walt Disney World for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. A clip featuring the Hazelton family’s Disney vacation will be featured on tomorrow’s show. Be sure to check your local listings.
Retro D-Tech Items Coming in February 2012 to Disney Parks
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
A few months ago my fellow Disney Parks Blog author Jennifer Fickley-Baker shared a story about Walt Disney’s airplane found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I would have loved to fly on that plane back in the 1960s, especially with Walt (do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time?). I’m fascinated with designs from the 1960s, and I often dream of being a part of the “jet set” (thank you ABC’s “Pan Am!”). So imagine my pure delight when Kevin-Michael Lezotte, product developer for D-Tech, showed me new retro style cases coming in February 2012. We discussed the inspiration behind these new items while standing in the D-Tech showroom at Disney Theme Park Merchandise.
“We wanted to introduce a retro style line to D-Tech,” explained Kevin-Michael. “We took our cue from styles of the 1960s and ’70s and from patterns used on the quite popular Walt Disney World Resort’s 40th anniversary merchandise. Originally, we thought of including a tag line on these cases but decided to remove it. The Mickey globe icon was perfect without any additional verbiage.”
There will be three cases introduced next year for laptops, tablets and mobile phones. I particularly liked the pattern found inside the cases. Kevin-Michael said the cases shown in these images are the first production samples and may have some slight color corrections while in production.
Despite any changes, these cases look incredible. I’m booking my flight now to “Awesome-ville!”
Here’s a look at more of D-Tech at Disney Parks:
Every Role a Starring Role – Disneyland Resort Cosmetologist
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Kevin Rafferty, Jr., Communications Specialist, Disneyland Resort
I’m no expert when it comes to hair and makeup, but Erin Zachary sure is! As a Disneyland Resort cosmetology lead, Erin and her team ensure resort performers always have a good hair day. Watch this video to learn how Disneyland Resort cosmetologists “makeup” the magic:
From the Galley: A Look at Remy’s Newest Gourmet Dish Aboard the Disney Dream
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Jonathan Frontado, Disney Cruise Line
What happens when you add a touch of Spanish flare to a French-inspired gourmet cuisine? You a get a unique and flavorful dish that is simply is out of this world!
My mouth hasn’t stopped watering since I first heard about some of the new menu items at Remy on the Disney Dream. If you aren’t hungry now, you will be after hearing Chef Scott Hunnel talk about the savory Tomato Ratatouille appetizer in this video.
Stayed tuned for more videos featuring Remy’s delicious menu filled with seasonal ingredients from around the globe.
Headless Horseman Leads the Way this Halloween at Hong Kong Disneyland
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
We’re kicking off a special look at Halloween around our parks this year at Hong Kong Disneyland where the Headless Horseman is leading the way. He’s wandering the park during Disney’s Haunted Halloween celebration looking for the fiend who took his head. Oh, and there’s a “Cursed Jungle” filled with lurking creatures and ghoulish souls to experience at the park.
And when night falls, Mickey, Duffy and the gang are also out and about in their new Halloween costumes for the Trick or Treat Spooktacular in Fantasyland. The “Glow in the Park Parade” and “Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy are back by popular demand this year too. Check out some more images of the fun.
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Disney’s Haunted Halloween is also featuring some augmented reality tricks this year. With “Disney’s Spooky Scope” app, guests will see ghosts and may even “lose their faces” in the park.
As you can see, there are some unique experiences at Hong Kong Disneyland this year. Let us know if you’ve been or plan on visiting. And stay tuned – our next post in this series will feature images from Disneyland Paris.
Caption This: Mickey’s 1972 Disney’s Contemporary Resort Stay at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on October 25th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Today’s “Caption This” photo was taken in 1972 in one of the resort rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort.
Mickey looks like he’s ready for some rest and relaxation in this groovy resort room. But what matter is so urgent that he’s taking calls while on vacation? Is he arranging a date with Minnie, or ordering up some cheese from Room Service? You tell me. Go ahead and “Caption This”!
Red Car Trolley at Disney California Adventure Park Will be a Ride Back in Time
posted on October 24th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
When Buena Vista Street opens at Disney California Adventure park next year, guests will be transported back in time to Los Angeles of the 1920s and ‘30s. This trip to the past would not be complete without one of the most beloved symbols of Los Angeles history, the Pacific Electric Red Cars. The Red Car Trolley, making its debut along with the rest of Buena Vista Street, will be inspired by this landmark transportation system.
At its peak in the mid-1920s, the Pacific Electric Railway was the largest electric railway in the world, connecting Los Angeles and the surrounding Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura and Riverside counties. Established in 1901, the Pacific Electric Railway carried passengers throughout the Southern California area for the next 60 years.
As you can see in the map above, the Red Car Trolley will carry guests from Buena Vista Street to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and back with “Comfort – Speed – Safety” – not to mention style.
Exterior paint schemes like those detailed above will reflect the various Red Cars that appeared during different periods in the Pacific Electric Railway’s history, while the interior design (seen in the rendering below) employs some of the very design elements featured in the original cars.
For more on the Red Car Trolley and Buena Vista Street, be sure to visit Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure park – and keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for updates and looks behind the scenes.
Check out the posts below for more updates on Buena Vista Street at Disneyland Resort:
What a Day for Donald at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on October 24th, 2011 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
There were a lot of marquee golfers battling to win the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic tournament at Walt Disney World Resort on Sunday. But given that the tournament was at Disney, it was fitting that a guy named Donald – i.e. Luke Donald – walked away with the trophy. And of course the other Donald – i.e. Donald Duck – was there to congratulate him. They “quacked’’ each other up.
Seriously, Luke Donald put on quite a show. Starting the day five strokes off the lead, he sank six straight birdies on the final nine holes of Disney’s Magnolia course Sunday to win the tournament by two strokes and secure the PGA Tour’s year-end money title. With his $2 million lead on the European Tour money list, he likely will become the first player to capture the PGA Tour and European money titles in the same year.
If you missed the finish Sunday, don’t worry. You have plenty of time to plan for next year’s tournament (Nov. 5-11) which will again be the final event of the 2012 PGA Tour season.
