Florida Residents: Go Wild for Spring Break Savings at Disney Resorts
posted on February 21st, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Attention theme park goers: We’ve got two new Florida resident deals to share with you today that will help you make this year’s spring break the most magical one yet.
Florida residents can purchase the Wild for 3 Pass (a three-day Disney theme park ticket) for just $99, plus tax. The purchase must be made now through May 21, and the tickets must be used by May 24 (excluding block-out dates).
Florida residents can also book great room rates at select Disney Resort hotels for most nights March 9 – June 14. For example, rates start at $114 per night, plus tax at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort for stays most nights Sunday-Thursday, March 9 – 31, 2012. Be sure to check for other rates on weekends and at other resort hotels.
Visit the Walt Disney World Special Offers site for more details.
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A Marquee Milestone at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 21st, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
I’m happy to start off the week by sharing a fun update on Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Last week, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) put the finishing touches on the new resort’s marquee. Measuring in at 46 feet, six inches, the resort’s sign now holds the record as the largest freestanding marquee at Walt Disney World Resort. (Incidentally, it’s 18 inches taller than the famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign in Los Angeles, Calif.).
The photo, supplied by WDI, shows three layers of development the marquee went through in its creation – from digital design, to model, to full-scale installation.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which will feature four wings dedicated to popular films Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, will open in phases beginning May 31.
Top Five Reasons to Visit a Disney Resort for Spring Break
posted on February 20th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Have you ever spent spring break at the Walt Disney World Resort?
I did. Several years ago, when I was a student at the University of Pittsburgh, my mom surprised me with a trip to Walt Disney World Resort and a room at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. It was five days of theme park adventure in the afternoon, and relaxation by the resort pool in the evening. To this day, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is one of my favorites – it was such a welcome change from the cold Pennsylvania weather and so much fun!
That said, here are my top five reasons you should stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel for spring break this year.
- Test out new theme park offerings (before the summer crowd hits) – Think of all the new guest offerings that recently debuted or will begin this spring here at Walt Disney World Resort: Habit Heroes at Epcot; The Exotic Car Experience at Richard Petty; the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive game; The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival; and Major League Baseball spring training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Theme Park Benefits – Guests receive plenty of benefits when they stay at a Disney Resort hotel, including complimentary theme park transportation, and Extra Magic Hours, which gives them additional time to spend together and explore one assigned Disney theme park per day.
- Award-Winning Dining Options – Cape May Cafe. ’Ohana. California Grill. I could go on and on with the delicious dining options our resorts offer. There really is something for everyone, whether you like family-friendly character breakfasts, amazing steakhouses, or late-night romantic dinners.
- Resort Recreation – Aside from theme parks, Disney resorts offer a lot of fun during the day, too. Some resorts offer kids’ activities during the day and poolside movies at night (weather permitting). Other resorts offer golfing or boating onsite.
- Resort Relaxation – The spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa offers pampering treatments for guests of all ages – they even have treatments designed for kids ages 4-12.
For more information on spring break vacations at Walt Disney World Resort, click here.
Participate in a Guinness World Record at The LEGO Store at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 16th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
On Friday, February 17, the LEGO Store at Downtown Disney here at Walt Disney World Resort will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people participating in LEGO Ninjago spinner battles in one day.
Ninjago is a battle-themed LEGO game in which players build a character mounted on a spinner. An opponent also builds a character and the figures are “spun” at one another. The first spinning character knocked to the ground surrenders his weapon to the other player. Cards drawn throughout the game may add different advantages for players.
Guests can stop by the shop any time Friday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. to participate. You don’t need to play a full game, but merely spin a spinner to have it count toward the record.
VIDEO: Walt Disney Imagineering Talks Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Game
posted on February 15th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Last month, we gave you an exclusive sneak peek at Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the new interactive game that has been testing at Magic Kingdom Park for several weeks.
So many of you expressed enthusiasm to learn more about the experience that we’ve gone straight to the source to find the answers. Check out the following video, in which Jonathan Ackley, Project Producer & Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, shares more about the game.
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‘With Love’ From Epcot
posted on February 14th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Isn’t this an amazing photo? And we couldn’t wait to share it with you on this lovely Valentine’s Day.
Here’s the story behind the shot, as told to me by the photographer, Yellow Shoes Creative Director Will Gay:
“My son, Owen, and I had just walked away from the Garden Railway Miniature Train in the Germany Pavilion (one of his favorite things to see at Epcot), and he pointed up at the sky and said, ‘Dad look!’ I looked up to see the word ‘LOVE’ in the sky, framed up perfectly by the Italy Pavilion and it just seemed to fit,” Will said.
“I think interesting photos are about being in the right place at the right time. That happened the day my son and I were walking through Epcot. I think Italy is so known and associated with love that it just makes the picture of the skywriting with Italy in the foreground all the more perfect!”
‘Go Wild’ For ‘Hidden Mickeys’ on Facebook
posted on February 13th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Are you a “friend” of Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort on Facebook?
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Beginning today, Feb. 13, you can hunt for “Hidden Mickeys” in the new Walt Disney World “Go Wild” Sweepstakes and the Disneyland Resort Hidden Mickey Sweepstakes. The hunts will take place across several different Disney Facebook pages, including: Disney California Adventure, Disney PhotoPass, Disneyland, Disneyland Annual Passholders, Duffy the Disney Bear, Disneyland Latino, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, and Walt Disney World Latino pages.
For each Hidden Mickey you find, you can enter for a chance to win a vacation for four to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, or Disneyland Resort in California. Find a total of 10 Hidden Mickeys and you could add a VIP experience if you win!
You can get a jumpstart on finding Hidden Mickeys by clicking on the ones above. Also, for future hints, follow @JungleCruise on Twitter. The resident animals got ahold of someone’s cellphone and have learned how to tweet. Word on the street is that they may reveal hints as to the location of some of these Hidden Mickeys in coming weeks!
Kilimanjaro Safaris To Boost Zebra Presence, Add Savannah Space at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on February 10th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Today I’m happy to give you an update on one of my favorite attractions – Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I’ve always loved Kilimanjaro Safaris because you see so many amazing animals, but even more so, I love hearing the reactions of the first-timers around me; guests who can’t believe they’re seeing so many beautiful animals together in one place!
Beginning this spring, the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will undergo some changes to give guests an additional opportunity to see more of their favorite animals, specifically zebra. To do so, Walt Disney Imagineering will make some creative changes to the last scene in the attraction by removing the Audio-Animatronics “Little Red” elephant and related set pieces. This area will then be reconstructed as savannah space and feature a new watering hole for live animals.
This enhancement is scheduled to begin this spring, and be completed by fall 2012. And don’t worry, the attraction will remain operational during the adjustment.
Habit Heroes Exhibit Debuts at Innoventions at Epcot
posted on February 3rd, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
A new interactive exhibit, Habit Heroes presented by Florida Blue and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, debuted at Innoventions at Epcot today.
This new experience encourages children of all ages to learn healthy lifestyle habits and become more active. Guests can join forces with Habit Heroes Will Power and Callie Stenics to fight off villains like Sweet Tooth and The Snacker.
Two Habit Heroes even made a special in-person appearance today for the kick-off of the exhibit.
Can’t make it to Epcot? Kids can visit www.HabitHeroes.com to create their own avatar and learn how to fight bad habits.
Walt Disney World Resort Guests Hold the Power With Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Cards
posted on January 30th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
When the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game debuts at Magic Kingdom Park in February, it will be up to our guests to defeat Disney villains who are wreaking havoc through the theme park.
In this role-playing game, guests become Merlin’s apprentice sorcerers and embark on a quest to stop more than 20 Disney villains – including Hades and Cruella De Vil – from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s crystal ball. Armed with spells in the form of special cards, guests search for the magic symbols that lead them to villains’ hiding places in Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Once there, apprentices use magic keys to reveal a villain’s hideout and use spell cards to stop them in their tracks.
According to the game’s developers, the cards really are the secret weapons of the game. There will be 70 different spell cards available and guests will receive five complimentary cards when they play. Each card features a different Disney character that offers a spell unique to him or her. Guests can use more than one card simultaneously, casting multiple spells at a villain at one time.
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Some of the cards you may encounter include:
- Lumière’s Candle Blast – This card shows Belle’s favorite candlestick spurred on by his loyal ally, Cogsworth.
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – This card shows Mr. Toad’s car careening through the underbrush.
- Prince Naveen’s Army of Frogs – This card shows Tiana’s prince enchanting his amphibian army to action.
- Rafiki’s Wisdom Stick – This card shows Simba’s counselor ready to imbue some knowledge on the enemy’s forehead.
- The Woozles’ Woozle Nightmare – This card shows a Woozle dreaming of his most delightful vision: A gang of other Woozles ready to bang some noggins.
I do have some additional details for guests who want to collect or trade these cards. The 70 cards are divided into nine different spell classes, such as Princess cards, Hero cards or Warrior cards. In addition, all cards are marked with one of three designations – a star symbol, which indicates a rare card; a moon symbol, which signifies an uncommon card; and a planet symbol, which indicates a common card.
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will debut in late February and is included in the cost of theme park admission.
