Dapper Dans Sing Special Spooky Songs for Halloween Time at Disneyland Park
posted on October 21st, 2011 by Shannon Swanson, Senior Publicist, Disneyland Resort
Jack Skellington may have taken over the Haunted Mansion and turned it into Haunted Mansion Holiday but you can still hear “Grim Grinning Ghosts (The Screaming Song)” in its entirety on Main Street, U.S.A. The not-so-scary but very Dapper Dans sing a special set during Halloween Time at Disneyland park including this creepy classic created by Disney Legends X Atencio and Buddy Baker.
Other songs with spirit in the set include: “Candy Crony Baby (Coney Island Baby),” “This Is Halloween,” “Main Street Trick or Treat (Sidewalks of New York),” “Cruella De Ville,” “Let’s Go Trick or Treating (Let Me Call You Sweetheart),” “Way Down Upon the Lovely Graveyard (Way Down Upon the Suwannee River),” “Good Ol’ Halloween Time (Good Ol’ Summer Time).”
What’s your favorite spooky song?
A Spooktacular in the Sky at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts
posted on October 21st, 2011 by Shawn Slater, Communications Manager, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Creative Entertainment
No other fireworks displays in the world compare to the spectaculars we put on at Disney Parks, and some of my favorites are the special shows we do for seasonal events.
When my family and I attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom Park each year, Happy HalloWishes is at the top of our must-see list. Inspired by The Haunted Mansion, the show uses the “Grim Grinning Ghosts” theme song and is narrated by that attraction’s Ghost Host, who invites some of the greatest Disney villains along for a round of “Scary-oke!” Everything builds toward an explosive, Scream-Along finale!
Happy HalloWishes was created in 2005 by our Creative Entertainment team, led by Steven Davison. They brought together amazing pyrotechnic effects with dramatic lighting, enveloping sound and animated projections on Cinderella Castle to create a completely unique experience for Halloween guests.
A similar show, Halloween Screams, is also now a featured part of Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland park. There, Jack Skellington serves as “Master of Scare-monies,” kicking off the festivities as his ghost dog Zero makes a special appearance in the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Whichever park you choose for Halloween fun, our fireworks tricks are sure to give you a treat!
Painting With Light at Disneyland Park
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Paul Hiffmeyer, Chief Photographer for Public Relations, Disneyland Resort
I have been planning the photo I’m sharing with you today for quite a while now. In the perfect scenario, the roses would be a brilliant color, there would be little or no wind, and the sky would be deep blue and void of clouds so the warm light of the setting sun would illuminate the Matterhorn. However, as it turned out, the day I took this picture the roses in the foreground as well as the side of the bridge were in the shade. So, with the help of an assistant we each held a small LED video light and by “painting with light” we were able to brighten those dark areas.
Painting with light in a photograph involves moving a light source back and forth evenly on the subject that needs to be illuminated while keeping the shutter open for an extended period of time. In this photo, the light source from the LED, together with a warming filter, helped brighten the roses and the side of the bridge so they appeared to be naturally lit.
Create a Magical Moment at Walt Disney World Resort with the Help of Tinker Bell
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Jean Volante, Manager of Dream Making, Disney Floral & Gifts/DEG
Guess who visited Disney Floral & Gifts this morning! Yep, Tinker Bell! (So for those that may not believe in fairies, this photo is for you… and it doesn’t look like she’s camera shy).
We had just finished making a surprise gift for someone when she appeared. Tink asked a few questions to learn more about the guest, then added a bit of pixie dust and together we created a Disney moment. You know the type of moment I’m referring to. The type when Disney surprises you with something you didn’t see coming and warms your heart. It’s great stuff… a magical moment. If you’d like to learn a secret about how Disney creates magical moments, here’s a tip: Do something sweet and unexpected for someone, something from the heart.
Want to try out this concept? Here’s your opportunity: How about we set you up to create a Disney moment for someone else. First, think of an individual who could use a bit of magic, then simply post a comment to encourage, inspire, thank or recognize them. And here’s the best part – forward the story with your comment to them. Often times when we make a step to be Disney for someone else, something very special happens. You create a moment for them and for yourself.
Evil Queen Awarded Second Wicked Gooey Apple Award
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Erin Glover, Manager, Social Media and Print
The Wicked Gooey Apple Awards now have their first two-time victor! The Evil Queen has been awarded her second prize, last week’s “Curses! Foiled Again!” category which recognized the villain who received the best comeuppance for their crimes against heroes. This follows her victory earlier this month in the “Sinister Stylings” category. Will she take home a third prize in the next category, whose name borrows one of her famous phrases?
Voting is now open for the fifth and final Wicked Gooey Apple Award – the “Unfairest of Them All.” This award rewards the rule-benders, con-artists and double-crossers. Who is the slimiest, crooked-est, most evil-est evil doer in the bunch?
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the UNFAIREST of them all?!” Vote now at Disneyland.com/HalloweenTime!
Paris Hilton Visits Disneyland Paris
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Look at who made a surprise visit to Disneyland Paris this week. Paris Hilton and some of her friends celebrated Halloween early at the park with Cruella De Vil, Maleficent and the Evil Queen after Disney’s Maleficious Halloween Party. During Paris’ visit, she also enjoyed a few attractions, including the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Here is another shot from our friends at Disneyland Paris.
Kitchen Secrets From Disney’s Top Chefs
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
Lots of Disney Parks Blog fans stopped by to say hello at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this past weekend as I was on the “Spotlight Stage” in the Festival Welcome Center to talk about the Disney cookbooks, sharing stories about how the books come together. Along with cookbooks, I also shared “kitchen secrets” from some of Disney’s award-winning chefs. Here are some of the best:
- Chef Frank Brough, The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, never cooks without fresh herbs (his favorite is cilantro). Store herbs for up to five days in the fridge wrapped in a barely-damp paper towel and sealed in a zip-top bag. Chef Tim Keating from the Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s BoardWalk says you can delete extra salt if you season instead with lots of fresh herbs. And Chef Phillip Ponticelli at Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa recommends basil, “easy to grow and adapts well to container gardening.”
- Chef Robert Adams in Magic Kingdom Park shares a technique that guarantees deliciousness: When grilling or roasting meat, cook it just under doneness, for instance, medium rare if you want it medium. Remove from the heat and let it rest on a platter before serving. Grilled steaks need about five minutes; a 10-pound roast needs about 30 minutes. The resting process keeps juices in the meat instead of on your cutting board.
- Chef Robert Getchell, Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, says never, never use ground black pepper for cooking. “Purchase or repurpose a small coffee grinder, buy whole black peppercorns and grind them in small quantities, about a quarter of a cup at a time,” says Chef Getchell. Not only is it much fresher and better tasting, but you can grind the pepper to the consistency that you like. “You will notice the difference immediately and never go back to the pre-ground stuff again,” he says.
- Chef Jens Dahlmann, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, can’t live without a sharp knife. “I love Japanese blades, super sharp, light and easy to maintain,” he says. A Japanese mandoline is another essential tool in his kitchen, a machine with adjustable blades for thin to thick slicing with precision.
- Chef Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, creates fancy dishes, but says it’s great salt and pepper he can’t cook without. “Without them, food doesn’t taste good. . . don’t forget finishing salt over sliced meat, it brings it to a whole new level of taste.”
- Chef Christine Weissman, Disney Cruise Line, always has her handheld immersion blender handy. “It makes nice soups and sauces and also allows me to get more vegetables into my children when they cannot see them!” says Chef Weissman.
- Chef Tim Keating, Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk says, “I preach repeatedly to all of my team here and in every kitchen I have ever been in: you can have the best knives, tools, gadgets, machines but the most important tool in your arsenal is your tasting spoon. Your taste buds help you season properly, and check for balance.”
New Haunted Mansion, Tower Header Images Debut
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Starting today, you may notice some new images “haunting” the blog’s banner above.
In the spirit of Halloween, the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library and the Walt Disney Imagineering Slide Library have shared historic artwork and images of two of the spookiest attractions at Disney Parks – Haunted Mansion and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Each time you visit a story, a new image will load. Which is your favorite?
Vintage Walt Disney World: Journey Down El Río del Tiempo
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center
El Río del Tiempo (now known as Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros) was dedicated at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot on October 21, 1982. Below is a look at the attraction under construction prior to opening.
As the tour begins, guests board boats and float through the 220-foot scenic background seen above (still under construction) and below (today) which recreates a lush Yucatan jungle for the opening of their excursion. The crumbling pyramid and smoldering volcano set the scene as guests go in search of Donald before the Three Caballero’s reunion concert in Mexico City.
After being launched up a pyramid via a high-speed escalator, losing his bathing suit while parasailing, and bouncing off rocks while cliff diving, it’s a miracle Donald makes it to the show on time to perform for his fans.
Caption This: Flight to the Moon at Disneyland Park
posted on October 19th, 2011 by George Savvas, Public Relations Director, Disneyland Resort
This 1967 publicity photo for the then-new Flight to the Moon attraction at Disneyland park is ripe with caption possibilities. What is happening – or about to happen – here?
Please prepare for lift off, and “Caption This!”
