As Paul told you yesterday, he recently had the opportunity to photograph the new Fantasy Faire, opening March 12 at Disneyland park. While he was there, he met up with a few familiar faces.

I’m sure you will agree that the setting is almost as lovely as the princesses who will appear there. Above, Cinderella is seen inside the new Royal Hall, where she and her princess friends will meet Disneyland park guests each day. And you can also see Rapunzel getting comfortable next to a replica of her famous tower, which sits at the center of Fantasy Faire. You can see Rapunzel when she joins Messieurs Smythe and Jones in the telling of her own tale inside the Royal Theatre.

Keep an eye here on the Disney Parks Blog for more information and peeks into Fantasy Faire as we keep getting closer to the March 12 opening!

Read on for more updates about Fantasy Faire at Disneyland park:

• A Photo From Behind the Wall of Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park
• Clopin’s Music Box Adds to Old-World Charm of Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park
• Behind the Wall: Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park

Tagged: DL, DLR, Fantasy Faire

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

This week’s “Finish That Disney Parks Sign” comes from the Asia area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

This weathered sign offers tours and expeditions through the Himalayas – but one piece of the sign is blurred out at the very bottom. Do you recall what method of transportation guests will use on this “tour”? Leave it in the “Comments” section below and we’ll update the post later today.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tagged: DAK, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Today back in 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired a Bahamian Island named Gorda Cay. For all you fans of Disney Cruise Line, you know it better as Castaway Cay. Here’s a look at the island soon after the acquisition.

Castaway Cay stretches 3.1 miles long by 2.2 miles wide, and less than five percent of the island’s 1,000 acres have been developed.

Located 225 nautical miles from Port Canaveral, Castaway Cay continues to be the most magical island in the Bahamas.

Tagged: DCL, WDW

Filed: Disney Cruise Line, Disney History, Walt Disney World Resort

Yesterday, I gave you a sneak peek at Clopin’s Music Box, an interactive element coming to Fantasy Faire when it opens March 12 at Disneyland park. Today, I’m excited to share a video of the installation of this piece, along with two other charming details: Tangled Tower, which is located in the center of Fantasy Faire, and – my favorite element of this new area – Figaro the cat from “Pinocchio.” Watch as Michel Den Dulk, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, tells us more about these magical features.

Tagged: BtS, DL, DLR, Fantasy Faire, Imagineers, Video

Filed: Behind the Scenes, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

By definition, the word nerd used to mean “uncool.” But these days, nerds are flaunting their pocket protectors, horn-rimmed glasses and ankle length pants with pride.

Cool or not, the best fashion is about expressing your personal style with confidence. Who wouldn’t have fun at Disney Parks while sporting this ensemble? We paired the tank with dark jeans, but it would also look great with distressed denim or khaki shorts. The tote bag stays true to the nerd brand, complete with suspender details on the straps. We finish the look with comfortable canvas flats and a touch of sparkle in the Mickey Mouse hand earrings.

It’s an homage to the nerd in all of us.


Check out more Disney Style Snapshots below:

• Disney Style Snapshots: Meet Jewelry Designer Petra Azar
• Disney Style Snapshots: A Love-ly Disney Outfit
• Disney Style Snapshots: Dooney & Bourke Behind the Scenes

Tagged: DLR, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Just the other day, I had a great opportunity to go behind the walls and take a few photos of the new Fantasy Faire, opening March 12 at Disneyland park. Below is a little peek of what I saw, from the inside looking out.

And by the way, while I was at Fantasy Faire, I met up with a few friends, Cinderella and Rapunzel, and had the chance to take a few photos of them as well. Erin will be sharing those here on the Disney Parks Blog, so be sure to check back tomorrow.


Read on for more updates about Fantasy Faire at Disneyland park:

• Clopin’s Music Box Adds to Old-World Charm of Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park
• Behind the Wall: Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park
• Maurice’s Treats Coming to Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park

Tagged: DL, DLR, Fantasy Faire, Photography

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom on March 7, just a few days before we adjust our clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time, we’re “springing forward” to celebrate frogs, toads and other amphibians during one of a year-long series of events that encourage families to connect with nature.

When guests visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch, they will be able to make toad abodes (special homes for frogs and toads) for their backyards, try leaping like a frog, listen to frog calls, examine amphibian adaptations, and meet some cool amphibians and their keepers. Frog fun fact: Frogs provide a free pest-control service – they eat billions of harmful insects annually, including mosquitoes and their larvae.

Guests also can learn about the critically endangered Puerto Rican crested toad, which we are raising at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and releasing in their native habitat to re-populate the species in an area where these toads once thrived but are now considered extinct.

Did you know that, according to some estimates, as many as one-third of the known amphibian species are threatened by extinction because of loss of habitat, climate change, pollution and disease? The good news is that every one of us can help amphibians leap ahead of extinction. Here’s how:

• Invite a bug-zapping amphibian into your backyard by placing an overturned pot (toad abode) as a home
• Use fewer chemical pesticides on your lawn to keep amphibians healthy
• Build a pond, plant native shrubs, and leave leaf litter and logs in your yard to create a habitat for frogs
• Plan a family outing to a local pond to hear different species of frogs sing their love songs to one another
• Find natural alternatives to household chemicals so these toxins don’t end up in amphibian habitats
• Take part in a local pond or stream clean-up to ensure that native amphibians will have a clean home
• Find books on frogs to discover why they sing loudly, hear well and stay up late

Upcoming 2013 events for connecting families with nature (as always, dates subject to change):

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

• April 22: Party for the Planet for Earth Day
• May 8: International Migratory Bird Day
• May 23: World Turtle Day
• June 5: Pollinator Day
• July 25: Tiger Day
• August 1: Primate Day
• August: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
• September 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
• September 26: Elephant Day
• October 31: Bat Day
• November 12: Rhino Day

At The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot:

• April 22: Earth Day
• May 18: Endangered Species Day
• May 23: World Turtle Day
• June 8: World Ocean Day
• September 7: International Manatee Day

 
Read on for more updates from Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

• Meet Mickey and Minnie at the New Adventurers Outpost in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Wildlife Wednesdays: Training Equals Great Care for Otters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (and Some Incredibly Cute Photos)
• Update: Wildlife Wednesdays: Injured Whooping Crane that Received Care at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Back in the Wild

Tagged: Conservation, DAK, Epcot, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort