At Disney Parks, we produce hundreds of different live entertainment experiences for our guests every day, from intimate character greetings to astounding nighttime spectaculars. Some of my favorite entertainment in the parks is what we refer to as “atmosphere.” Rather than big shows for a mass audience, these are the little surprises you come across when you least expect them.

“With the opening of New Fantasyland, we’re excited to introduce several new atmosphere groups that will become part of the storytelling experience you’ll find there,” said Creative Director Reed Jones. “They’re going to bring the neighborhoods of the land to life in really fun ways.”

The first of these groups, the Royal Majesty Makers, makes its debut next week, when New Fantasyland opens in previews for Magic Kingdom Park guests.

The Royal Majesty Makers engage boys and girls in random acts of “royaldom,” endowing them with the skills to become princes and princesses. These royal consultants, official ambassadors of Cinderella’s court, inspire and delight visiting villagers with magical moments throughout the land.

Led by retired knight Sir Sterling and royal etiquette expert Lady Llewellyn, the Royal Majesty Makers also include squire extraordinaire Tobias and flirtatious lady-in-waiting Bridget. They may be found in the Castle Courtyard, conducting Knight School, delivering invitations to a royal ball, leading royal dances or even playing a game of “Sir Sterling Says.”

As we get closer to the grand opening of New Fantasyland on December 6, we’ll be sharing more details with you about the other performers who will call this land home. These new atmosphere acts will surely add to the wonderful memories we’ll all be making soon in New Fantasyland!


Read more news about New Fantasyland in these posts:

• All in the Details: Exploring the Queue at Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Walt Disney World Resort Shares New Fantasyland with Central Florida Kids
• Interactive Timeline: Explore the History of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Back in August, we told you about “Celebrate the Magic,” a new nighttime projection show coming to Magic Kingdom Park. Well, our Creative Entertainment team has been working around the clock to get everything ready, and now it’s almost show time!

“Celebrate the Magic” pays tribute to the artistry and imagination of Disney stories, from beloved classics to contemporary favorites.

As the show begins, Tinker Bell appears to fly around Cinderella Castle, weaving in and out of the turrets. She splashes pixie dust on the castle, transforming it into a spectacular piece of living art. As the pixie dust subsides, we are taken back to the beginnings of pencil animation, and we see Walt Disney, the original magic maker, drawing Mickey Mouse. With a little magic from Tinker Bell, Walt’s paintbrush flies off the page and comes to life, creating imagery that carries us away on a fantastic journey.

We travel down the rabbit hole with Alice, soar high above the Big Top with Dumbo and visit the African savanna with Simba. Our adventure takes us into the worlds of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Brave,” and at one point, Cinderella Castle is even reimagined as the 8-bit video game home of the Nicelanders in Disney’s newest smash, “Wreck-It Ralph.” The whole show comes full circle for a magical finale filled with wonder and emotion.

“’Celebrate the Magic’ draws its inspiration from the love we all share for Disney’s memorable characters, their stories and the imagination that brought them to life,” says Show Director Katy Harris. “The team has been able to combine advances in technology with spectacular imagery and a stirring musical score to create a stunning and immersive way of storytelling. ‘Celebrate the Magic’ takes us on a journey full of wonderful moments our guests will never forget.”

As a special treat, “Celebrate the Magic” debuts with a segment of the show created just for the holiday season, featuring the return of the gingerbread castle seen during our original projection show, “The Magic, The Memories and You!”

Fans of the seasonal updates to that show will also be pleased to learn the tradition will continue with “Celebrate the Magic.” Look for the arrival of favorite Disney couples in January, a trip to the beach with “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Little Mermaid” during the summer months, and an influx of Disney villains in time for next Halloween.

“Celebrate the Magic” will be presented most evenings at Magic Kingdom Park, beginning this week! Please check DisneyWorld.com or the in-park Times Guide for specific dates and times.


Check out more news from Magic Kingdom Park in these posts:

• Starbucks Locations at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot Set to Open Next Year
• Unwrapping the Entertainment for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park
• Interactive Timeline: Explore the History of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Tagged: MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

One of my favorite parts of the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is wrapping up a day in the park with the “Believe … In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular. And this year, the Creative Entertainment team has made that show even more special by incorporating the popular “Glow with the Show” Ears. Disneyland park guests will be able to become part of the performance, with visions of sugarplums literally dancing on their heads!

Just as they’ve done with “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!”, our designers and technicians have seamlessly integrated the magical, glowing Mickey Mouse ear hats into key moments of “Believe … In Holiday Magic.” From wildly changing patterns of red and green during the “Nutcracker Suite” to a bed of newly fallen snow leaving you dreaming of a “White Christmas,” the audience gets swept up in moments both up-tempo and serene.

And here’s a pro tip: If you’ve worn your “Glow with the Show” Ears a lot or just haven’t taken them to the park in a while, you may want to change the batteries (they take 3 AAAs). Fresh batteries will help your ears pick up the signal and glow along perfectly!

“Believe … In Holiday Magic” is scheduled to be presented nightly, November 12 – January 6.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Holidays

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

Tonight’s the night!

It’s time for the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the season at Magic Kingdom Park, and nothing else puts me in the holiday spirit quite like it! All your favorites are back this year – Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., “Celebrate the Season” at Cinderella Castle and the Holiday Wishes fireworks spectacular in the skies surrounding the park.

Since its debut a few years ago, “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” has become another must-see for my family. We love seeing characters like Buzz Lightyear, Stitch and Mike Wazowski in the show and really enjoy the fun, modern twist on classic holiday tunes.

This year, the Creative Entertainment team is introducing a couple more modern elements that kids of all ages will be sure to enjoy. The popular dance party with Disney characters over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is getting a new look and a new name – Club Tinsel. And the Kringle Crew will be keeping everyone entertained on Main Street, U.S.A., while you’re waiting for the parade to arrive.

The Kringle Crew shows up with a “Ho! Ho! Ho!” calling all elves big and small to join them in the street and dance it out like Santa. They’ll teach you moves like the Candy Cane Twist, Hang the Tinsel, the Santa Shake and Drive the Sleigh, all to the tune of “Shake Santa Shake” by Zendaya, from the new Disney Channel Holiday Playlist album. The dance-along soon turns into a sing-along, and the next thing you know, it’s time for the parade.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is being held on 20 select nights between now and Dec. 21. I know my boys will be ready to show off their moves at Club Tinsel and jam with the Kringle Crew. How about you? I can’t wait to see them – and you – out there. Happy holidays!

Tagged: Holidays, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, MK, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort

Here comes Santa Claus!

Once again, Santa and Mrs. Claus are making the trip down from the North Pole to enjoy a special visit with everyone at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland. But this year there’ll be more fun than ever as they play host to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, starting November 12!

It’s a jolly holiday spot filled with Disney characters, music, games, crafts and seasonal entertainment for the whole family. At the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you’ll be able to enjoy some of Mrs. Claus’s tasty treats and try your hand at Reindeer Games like “Wreath Around the Antlers” or “Pass the Presents.” When Billy Hill and the Holiday Hillbillies take to the stage, expect holiday tunes with a humorous twist and maybe even a singalong.

Of course, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is also the place in Disneyland park where youngsters can meet Santa Claus himself and whisper their hearts’ desires into his ear, right up until he departs on Christmas Eve. When Santa visits the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you’ll find him in a place of honor alongside a sparkling Christmas tree, surrounded by homespun holiday trimmings.

The Jingle Jangle Jamboree promises to be the perfect spot to celebrate the spirit of the season in a warm-hearted way as big as all outdoors!


Read these posts for more about Holidays at the Disneyland Resort:

• 2012 Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony Viewing Opportunities
• First Look: Mario Lopez, Backstreet Boys and More at Disneyland Park for Shooting of the 2012 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC
• Creating Holiday Traditions on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park

Tagged: DL, DLR, Holidays

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

One of the holiday traditions my family most looks forward to each year is a visit to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since the show’s debut in 1995, it has never failed to impress me. Over the years, the display has grown to more than 5 million lights and been enhanced with everything from a complete conversion to energy-efficient LEDs to the addition of images and music from Disney’s “Prep & Landing” television specials. It’s all so tinsel!

The team behind The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights keeps looking for new ways to “plus” the show. This year, Santa Goofy joins the fun, making nightly appearances on the Streets of America. You’ll be able to meet him in Goofy’s Winter Wonderland, a special area set up right in Tri-City Square.

Also new is the addition of an eighth song for the dancing lights. Joining returning favorites like “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano and Barbra Streisand’s version of “Jingle Bells” will be a special arrangement of the classic “Winter Wonderland” by Creative Entertainment Music Director Dan Stamper.

“As we talked about adding a new piece, we wanted to add something lyric and flowing,” said Dan. “To me, the title ‘Winter Wonderland’ meant a time of transformation from hustle and bustle to an elegant beauty. In my mind were images of billowing marshmallow landscapes; where in the city, even the starkest, dark industrial buildings become a thing of beauty with snowcaps and gleaming icicles. The piece grows to a crescendo and then slowly fades as families gather together in their homes to escape the chill.”

Get ready to be dazzled by The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, November 9 through January 6.

Tagged: DHS, Holidays, WDW

Filed: Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

Buena Vista Street is filled with dreams of a bright future for all, and this Yuletide season promises to be even brighter as this happy, bustling community celebrates its first Christmas with joyous new traditions.

Shopkeepers up and down the street have decorated for the holidays, but inside the lavish Elias & Co. department store, they’ve gone all out to create a winter wonderland for the arrival of Santa Claus. Here, wide-eyed children may take a seat alongside the jolly old elf to share with him their fondest wishes for Christmas morning.

Another new idea really struck a chord after a holiday committee meeting of the Buena Vista Street Chamber of Commerce. Wishing to serve their community, eight individuals decided to form a volunteer holiday troupe, calling themselves the Buena Vista Street Community Bell Ringers. Acting as a spirited, traveling “welcome wagon” to anyone visiting this friendly neighborhood, the Bell Ringers take their festive cheer to the street, encouraging others to join in spontaneous ring-along sing-alongs of familiar holiday tunes.

As dusk falls each evening, the Buena Vista Street Community Bell Ringers will gather in Carthay Circle with their fellow Citizens of Buena Vista Street. The sound of bells rings out, and everyone is invited to join together in the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, wishing goodwill and joy to one and all!

You’re all invited to come join in the merriment, November 12 through January 6, at Disney California Adventure park.


Read more about Buena Vista Street in these posts:

• Meet Molly the Messenger at Disney California Adventure Park
• Carthay Circle Lounge Cocktails, Appetizers Elevate Theme Park Eats at Disney California Adventure Park
• A Unique Point of View: Red Car Trolley at Disney California Adventure Park

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Holidays

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort