Last fall, you may recall I discussed new Disney character-inspired ear hats. These hats kicked off unprecedented growth in 2012 for all things ear hat related, including the recently released Orange Bird ear hat at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida, to a new collection of resin holiday ornaments. As fall approaches, the ear hat team is shrinking several ear hats with the introduction of MousekeEars. These new collectible ear hats can fit into the palm of a hand. I spoke with product developer Megan Kachur about their creation.

“We have been working on the new MousekeEars for over a year,” Megan explained. “We wanted something guests could collect, share or wear. The ear hat is one of the most recognizable Disney Parks merchandise items so it seemed like a natural fit [laughs].”

Long time Disney Design Group artist Mark Seppala used the artwork he created for last year’s full-size designs as a starting point.

“Our guests have told us how much they loved the character ear hats we released last year, so that seemed like a good place to start,” said Mark. “The first samples that arrived at our office were spot on; we didn’t need to make many modifications.”

The first two MousekeEars collections will be introduced in October. One will contain Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy, while the other collection will feature bright “pop color” hats. Additional designs, including country flags from World Showcase at Epcot, are planned for future release. Hats will be $12.95 each.

Disney artist Dave Keefer designed the window box packaging for MousekeEars, which resembles a stage (a great way to display the hats). Each hat also comes with a removable chin strap, key chain and hair clip (I smell instant Halloween costume).

Look for these hats this fall at select Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort locations. A selection will also be carried via the Disney Parks online store.

For more news about Disney Parks merchandise, check out the posts below:

• Frankenweenie Merchandise Comes to Life at Disney California Adventure Park
• The Most Adorable Halloween Merchandise This Year at Disney Parks
• Hauntingly Fun Halloween Merchandise Features the Haunted Mansion at Disney Parks

Tagged: DLR, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

I absolutely love Halloween, and something I look forward to each fall is our family’s annual visit to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park.

This year, the party will feature something extra special for guests viewing the parade from Main Street, U.S.A. This will be the location of a new pre-parade, the Not-So-Scary Street Jam!, which will take place after the Headless Horseman passes and before the “Boo-To-You Parade” begins.

Check out the video below to learn the dance steps for the party’s new line dance, which will be performed to the song “Calling All the Monsters” by China Anne McClain.

Read more about the upcoming Halloween celebrations at Disney Parks in the posts below:

• The Most Adorable Halloween Merchandise This Year at Disney Parks
• Hauntingly Fun Halloween Merchandise Features the Haunted Mansion at Disney Parks
• Treat Yourself to a Halloween Transformation at Disney Parks

Tagged: Halloween, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, MK, Video, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

I feel compelled to begin this particular Disney Parks Blog post with a statement of my innocence. I have never, nor will I at any point in the future, stalk beloved television personality Samantha Brown.

That said, here’s my fourth post about the lovely Samantha and her latest travels through the Disney Vacation Club universe.

Having already taken our camera crew to Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i (twice) to soak up the warm tropical sun, and to the Disney Fantasy ship’s birthplace to soak up whatever kind of sun Germany offers in January, Samantha travels this time to Florida to bring you “Stories from the Savanna.”

As you may have guessed from the show title, the real star of this Disney Vacation Club online broadcast (no offense, Sam) is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, where the celebrated travel guru showcases the resort’s exotic beauty, immerses herself in African culture and pulls insider stories from Imagineers.

Here’s a little sneak peek of her African-inspired adventure.

Click here to learn more and to register for a time to watch the entire show, September 12-15.

Enjoy the show!

This promotional material is a timeshare solicitation and is not an offer in any jurisdiction where the timeshare is not registered. Not an offer where registration or other legal requirements for timeshare solicitation have not been met. General Product, State, & Country Disclosures.

Look below for more posts with Samantha Brown:

• Samantha Brown Explores the Disney Fantasy Ship
• Samantha Brown Returns to Hawai’i with Disney Vacation Club
• Go Behind the Magic at Aulani with Samantha Brown

Tagged: DAK, DVC, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney Vacation Club, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

A few of you reminded us how amazing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is when the sun sets. So, tonight we’re there – and we’ve got a spectacular “Disney Parks After Dark” photo to share.

At nighttime, the experience of rushing through the gold-mining town of tumbleweed on a runaway train is hard to beat. It’s a family favorite. And if you keep your eyes open, you can see some great sights around Magic Kingdom Park, including fireworks.

Is this your favorite attraction to ride after dark? Let’s us know what others to include in our “Disney Parks After Dark” series.

For more “Disney Parks After Dark,” check out these posts:

• Disney Parks After Dark: Surprises in the Night Sky at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park
• Disney Parks After Dark: Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom Park in Fast-Forward
• Disney Parks After Dark: The Big Drop at Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom Park

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

You probably noticed that Disney California Adventure park has a certain “glow” this summer. As Erin Glover showed you  in July, special Mickey Ear hats that light up the night can be seen throughout the park at various spots in Cars Land, Mad T Party and “World of Color.” They’re called “Glow with the Show” ears and they use the latest, infrared trigger technology that allows guests to become part of the “Disney magic,” as their hats sync up to the colors in the shows and beat of the music.

Now these special ears glow at Disneyland park. More than 3,000 Annual Passholders recently gathered to glow with the classic guest favorite, “Fantasmic!” The sea of colorful ears was a spectacular sight. Check it out for yourself and then come to the Disneyland Resort and get your glow on!

You can get your own pair of “Glow with the Show” ears at select merchandise locations in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks or at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney.

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR, Video

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

UPDATE 9/5: Booking for the Exhibition Dinner Package has been extended through September 10, and registration for the Exhibition Preview is now open!

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders – we’re giving you the chance to preview “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition” before it opens at Disney California Adventure park! The preview will be Thursday, September 13, and there are two ways to see it. For more information, click here.

Exhibition Dinner Package – Tickets on sale today through September 9 10!

• Thursday, September 13, from 7 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
• $290 ticket includes champagne reception inside exhibition, special 4D extended sneak peek of the film, a unique dining experience in front of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and a special experience from 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. that “Frankenweenie” fans will surely love
• To purchase tickets, please visit a Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth or call (714) 781-PASS (7277) today through Sunday, September 9 10

Exhibition Preview – Registration open September 5-10

• Thursday, September 13, from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Register for a designated window (between 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.) to see the exhibit. Event to include:
  • Extended, 8-minute 4D sneak peek of Tim Burton’s animated feature film, “Frankenweenie”
  • First chance to purchase “Frankenweenie” merchandise and food & beverage offerings
  • Access to select attractions, shops and restaurants in Hollywood Land

Check out these posts for more from Disney California Adventure park:

• Frankenweenie Merchandise Comes to Life at Disney California Adventure Park
• Finding the Perfect Prop for Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park: Part One
• Eight Ways to Enjoy Disney California Adventure Park: Child’s Play

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Halloween

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Annual Passholders! From September 2-20, you can get a special peek at the new menu at Disney’s PCH Grill at Paradise Pier Hotel.

From Sunday to Thursday each week, Annual Passholders can make reservations by calling the Disney Dine Line (714-781-DINE) or emailing dining reservation requests to dine@disneyland.com. Along with delicious new tastes, a limited number of guests each night will get a FASTPASS for “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park.

But let’s go back to the new menu. “We wanted a menu with less sandwiches and burgers,” says Chef Nick Zito. “We’ve added the kind of comfort food our guests enjoy on a relaxing vacation,” like a light starter of roasted red pepper hummus with toasted pita chips and crispy veggies. New entrées include Malibu Beach sustainable fish wrapped in a banana leaf with fresh veggies and steamed in Chardonnay and fish broth, and pasta tossed with wild mushrooms in a roasted pepper cream sauce served with sautéed zucchini topped with toasted pine nuts and Parmesan.

Other new entrées include pan-seared Albacore tuna with mixed Asian greens, fresh oranges and crispy wontons tossed with a kicky wasabi vinaigrette; a classic Santa Maria tri-tip steak with oven-roasted tomato salsa, fresh veggies and potatoes; and shrimp flat bread with pesto, provolone, fresh basil, shaved fennel and roasted artichokes.

No worries, fans of the Mexican Caesar Salad will still find it on the menu, as well as the roasted chicken and wood-oven-fired pizzas.

“And we have to keep our Kitchen Sink Sundae,” says Zito. “We’re adding lots of local, fresh ingredients to the menu, but lots of our guests still want to share that oversized dessert!”

Read more news about Disneyland Resort dining in the posts below:

• Snazzy New Starters at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel
• Easy Apple Crisp from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at the Disneyland Resort
• Meet Disneyland Resort ‘Pie Man,’ Chef Jean-Marc Viallet

Tagged: Dining, DLR

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Hotels & Resorts