Belle, Beast Receive Visit from Pop Royalty at Magic Kingdom
posted on February 20th, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
It’s been quite a February to remember for multi-platinum music star Kelly Clarkson. On Feb. 5, the Grammy Award-winning singer performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at the NFL championship game in Indianapolis. Just a few days later, her newest single – “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – soared to the coveted number one spot on the “Billboard Hot 100” songs chart. Then, on Feb. 12 she joined country music artist Jason Aldean to perform their hit song, “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” during the 54th annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.
What did she do next? She went to Disney World!
Kelly joined family and friends in our theme parks yesterday, pausing for a moment to pose in the famed Magic Kingdom “Rose Garden” with a couple that knows a thing or two about roses – Belle and Beast. And from the looks of this snapshot, it seems that Belle, Beast and Kelly all enjoyed “A Moment Like This.”
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Paula Abdul Celebrates Valentine’s Day at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 14th, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
Valentine’s Day brought a special guest to Walt Disney World Resort, as entertainer Paula Abdul spent the picture postcard-perfect day enjoying the theme parks. Minnie Mouse donned her special Valentine’s Day dress (notice her famed white polka dots on her red dress have been replaced with hearts) and smiles reigned all around.
Everything is Just Ducky for Uma Thurman at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 17th, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
I think most everyone has a soft spot in their hearts for Donald Duck. He loves the spotlight but doesn’t always get to bask in it. And that causes him to get slightly frustrated (and perhaps even a bit impatient) at times. But this past Saturday was different, as Donald was center stage to pose with award-winning actress Uma Thurman. Uma visited Magic Kingdom Park and Donald was a wonderful host. They took this picture in the famed “Engine #71” fire engine on Main Street, U.S.A. Uma seemed quite honored to pose with Donald, so everything was just ducky.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Gets Off to a Running Start with ‘Survivor’ Winners Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca
posted on January 6th, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
If you were in Disney’s Hollywood Studios bright and early this morning, you might have spotted a glimpse of Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, two former winners from the hit TV show “Survivor” and past competitors on “The Amazing Race.” Avid runners and athletes, the real-life couple came to Walt Disney World Resort to take part in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA. They are both running the Walt Disney World Half Marathon tomorrow to raise awareness for the “Survivor Stand Up 2 Cancer” project. The couple also greeted athletes and guests today in the runDisney booth at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during the event’s annual Health & Fitness Expo.
And what better way to start the weekend than with a training run through the park and a chance to high-five Mickey Mouse himself?
We’d love to hear which Disney character you’d most like to high-five in a runDisney event. Let us know in the comments.
Would You Trust Goofy to Trim the Tree at Disney Parks?
posted on December 20th, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
Last week, we watched our pal Santa Goofy dream about his own snowfall at Disney Parks. This week, he plans to put the final touches on his Christmas tree with a few ornaments.
Goofy + fragile ornaments? You probably can guess where this is going.
Goofy Dreams of Snow at Disney Parks
posted on December 13th, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
When you dream at Disney Parks, most anything can happen. Always in the holiday spirit, Santa Goofy dreams of starting his own snowfall. Can he? Let’s take a look.
Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Cee Lo Green, The Muppets and More Highlight Walt Disney World Resort Taping of ‘Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade’ TV Special for ABC
posted on December 5th, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
Last Friday and Saturday, the Magic Kingdom Park wished upon more than a few stars, as some of the top names in entertainment taped performance segments for the “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” that will air December 25 on ABC-TV in the U.S., in Canada on the CBC network and in 177 countries around the globe on the American Forces Network (AFN).
Last month, Disney Parks Blog author George Savvas recapped the tapings that took place at Disneyland Resort for the holiday special. With the Walt Disney World Resort tapings now complete, we only have a few weeks to wait until the show is wrapped in a bow and presented to viewers on Christmas Day.
Worldwide singing sensation Justin Bieber had plenty of fans “Beliebing” in magic, as he performed a medley of tunes from his new, smash-hit holiday album.
Jennifer Hudson, a former Disney Cruise Line performer who has taken the entertainment world by storm by winning an Academy Award and GRAMMY Award in her young career, also performed a holiday medley. Her performance, backed by a choir, will bring this year’s telecast to a celebratory close.
Everyone’s favorite balcony-sitting curmudgeons, Statler and Waldorf, make a special appearance on the telecast at the Magic Kingdom Park. They will be perched high above Main Street, U.S.A., offering their unique brand of commentary on the parade below.
Kermit the Frog wore his holiday best scarf for the occasion, and remarked that he loves to vacation in Central Florida not only to visit Walt Disney World Resort, but also to visit some of the best swamps he’s ever seen. Here, he poses during the taping with Disney Channel stars Bella Thorne and Zendaya — from hit show “Shake It Up” — who perform a high-energy dance number during the TV special.
Soulful singer Cee Lo Green performed ”This Christmas,” and then had a chance to meet one of our favorite holiday pals, Pluto (complete with reindeer antlers).
Direct from the hit Broadway musical, “Mary Poppins,” Mary Poppins and Bert made a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious holiday appearance during the taping.
Actor Mario Lopez, who is one of the parade’s hosts this year, had the chance to visit with some very “pup-ular” celebrities, the canine stars of the upcoming “Treasure Buddies” film. The film, the latest in the “Buddies” series, will soon be available on Disney DVD and Blu-ray.
The Never Land Pirate Band makes its parade debut this year, with the buccaneer band performing an original, pirate-themed holiday tune.
The 28th Annual “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” airs Christmas Day on ABC-TV at the following scheduled times.
- New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, and Raleigh: 10 a.m. – Noon
- Eastern Time Zone: Noon – 2 p.m.
- Central Time Zone: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Mountain Time Zone: 10 a.m. – Noon
- Pacific Time Zone: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Hawaii Time: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
For more information on the parade telecast, check back here for updates and also visit disney.com/christmasparade. We hope you’ll join us December 25th for this Christmas Day television tradition!
Stars Enjoy a Walt Disney World Holiday Weekend
posted on November 28th, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
Thanksgiving week and weekend brought some talented celebrities to Walt Disney World Resort, as several stars from Tinseltown met our very own Disney Parks stars.
Phineas and Ferb donned their holiday best to visit with Emmy Award-winning entertainer Wayne Brady and his daughter Maile. Maile’s sunglasses complemented the color of Ferb’s hair quite nicely, in fact. Duffy the Disney Bear put on his Santa hat to visit with actress Maria Bello near his home in Epcot. Maria, who portrays a fedora-wearing detective on her crime drama series “Prime Suspect,” wore a special mouse-eared fedora for her photo with Duffy. Our pal Rafiki had the chance to “monkey around” with funnyman Seth Rogen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as the actor, comedian and voice actor visited Walt Disney World Resort for the weekend.
A Disney Parks Blog Author Makes Virtual Memories in New York City
posted on November 23rd, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
As you saw on the Disney Parks Blog last week, Mickey and his pals visited New York City and made quite a splash in Times Square. Guests from all around the world were able to stand in a certain spot and many of the famous Disney and Disney•Pixar characters would magically appear next to them.
The special event utilized augmented reality technology and the guests could not see the characters until they glanced at the 60-foot tall digital board that towers above The Disney Store in Times Square. That’s where the real magic happened.
With a dash of pixie dust, guests appearing larger-than-life on the giant screen could help Buzz Lightyear save the galaxy, dance with Princess Tiana, duel Captain Hook or play drums with Elvis Stitch, to name a few experiences. And they even let me join in the fun, too, as you’ll see in this video.
The images of the guests and characters were then projected on a video version of Cinderella Castle that was featured on a 25-story tall LED display across the street from The Disney Store.
And while the temperatures were a little colder than those at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey and the gang were able to bring warm smiles to thousands of guests and passers-by who enjoyed the virtual video fun in The Big Apple.
Drum Up Some Excitement During the Final Weekend of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival with The Epcot Jammin’ Chefs
posted on November 10th, 2011 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has been one of my favorite events to visit since it began in late September. The festival is always a treat for the senses, featuring tasty food and beverage offerings, cooking demonstrations, book (and bottle!) signings, interactive seminars and more. And let’s not forget the Cranberry Bog Display, hosted by our “berry” nice pals from Ocean Spray. But it’s also a soundsational event, with performances during the “Eat to the Beat!” concert series.
This weekend will be the final weekend of the 2011 edition of the event, with the festival running through Sunday, November 13.
One of my favorite soundsational things at the festival this year — the Epcot Jammin’ Chefs. While the Epcot JAMMitors are world-famous for their percussive tunes on trash cans, the Jammin’ Chefs utilize kitchen utensils, ovens, pots and pans to serve up some palate-pleasing percussion.
This morning, I had a chance to chat with the Jammin’ Chefs about their show and get an impromptu lesson. They even let me take the drumsticks and clang a few pots and pans myself. And look for the return of Rob, our favorite Concerned Bystander.
As the festival ends for 2011, this weekend also will mark the Epcot Jammin’ Chefs final performances until they pack away their skillets and woks and start prepping for next year.
But, a little mouse told me something pretty cool today — the sounds of Epcot percussion might take on a special holiday feel next month and a similar group might start drumming up some seasonal spirit soon. That’s all I can say now, but stay tuned.
If you’re heading out to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival for its final weekend of 2011, be sure to check out the Epcot Jammin’ Chefs. Let us know in the comments if you’ve seen them, or the JAMMitors, perform in Epcot Future World and what you think of their show.
