Did you hear? We launched a new Disney Parks Blog series this week that will feature the amazing stories behind our attractions and maybe even uncover some details you’ve never noticed before.

Erin kicked off “The Magic of Disney Parks Storytelling” series with one of our favorite attractions; Pirates of the Caribbean. The attraction is one of the classic examples of original Disney Parks storytelling and the perfect place to begin. Check out Erin’s Pirates of the Caribbean story and then leave a comment in pirate speak!

And have you heard of the “Domingez Palm” at Disneyland park? If not, you should’ve checked the blog this week for our feature video on the “Cultivating the Magic” tour.

If you’d like to experience the tour for yourself, call 714-781-TOUR(8687) or visit Disneyland Guest Relations. Tickets are available up to one month in advance and the tour begins Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. and Mondays at 10 a.m.

Here’s a look at some of the other stories we worked on this week.

New ‘Limited Time Magic’ Merchandise Coming For ‘May The Fourth Be With You” Celebration at Disney Parks – Steven Miller offers an exclusive look at new Disney Parks merchandise celebrating “Star Wars Day” as part of “Limited Time Magic.”

Vintage Walt Disney World: A Look Back at Magic Kingdom Park Parades – Take a look back at some of the magical parades at Walt Disney World Resort.

How Disney Friends Play at Castaway Cay – See how Mickey and the gang spend their time at Castaway Cay when no one is around!

Finish That Disney Parks Sign: A Muppetational! Shop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Test your Disney Parks knowledge and see if you can “Finish That Sign” near Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort.

Special ‘Limited Time Magic’ for Merida, ‘Glow with the Show’ Ear Hats at Disney Parks – As a part of “Limited Time Magic,” all 10 Disney Princesses will come together on May 11 in honor of their newest member, Merida, the heroine from Disney•Pixar’s film “Brave.”

A Magical Mother’s Day Disney Present Back by Popular Demand – The Family Portrait Session and gift certificate with Disney Fine Art Photography & Video is back by popular demand just in time for Mother’s Day!

Tagged: DL, DLR, Video, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Last week, Jonathan Frontado shared some exciting news about Disney Cruise Line’s first ship, the Disney Magic. The oldest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet is getting a magical makeover, including a new AquaDunk thrill slide, beautifully re-imagined spaces, a vibrant new dining room and more! Explore the magical space, entertainment, and activities that the Disney Magic has to offer in the posts below. What about the Disney Magic excites you most?

Take 5: Magic on the Disney Magic

1. More Magic Coming to the Disney Magic and Disney Cruise Line – From brand new experiences to re-imagined spaces, there’s an extra dose of magic coming aboard the Disney Magic!
2. Disney Cruise Line Voyage Report: Adventures on the Disney Magic – No matter your interests or your age, there’s something you’ll enjoy at all times on the Disney Magic. Holly Lail shares some of the exciting adventures she had aboard the ship.
3. Disney Cruise Line’s Return to Europe this Summer – Take a look at some of the sites you may see during the Disney Magic’s upcoming three-month Mediterranean session.
4. Southern Caribbean Voyages with Disney Cruise Line – Here are some of the amazing sights our guests will enjoy next year when the Disney Magic departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico for the first time ever!
5. A Magical Halloween Onboard the Disney Magic – There’s never a dull moment onboard the Disney Magic. Check out the magical Halloween festivities from this year.

Tagged: DCL, Disney Magic, Take 5

Filed: Disney Cruise Line

We have several “Limited Time Magic” surprises to share with Disney Parks Blog readers today, including details for a special celebration to officially welcome Merida into the Disney Princess Royal Court.

As a part of “Limited Time Magic,” all 10 Disney Princesses will come together on May 11 in honor of their newest member, Merida, the heroine from Disney•Pixar’s film “Brave,” as the 11th Disney Princess character. The celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park.

At the park, you’ll also be able to commemorate the occasion with a limited edition Merida-inspired T-shirt created for toddlers and youth, available at the Emporium inside Magic Kingdom Park while supplies last.

Before Merida’s royal celebration, we’re kicking off a weeklong “Limited Time Magic” Fiesta at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot.

It’s Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Niños and all the fun of a festive Mexican celebration rolled into one at Epcot next week. You can meet the Three Caballeros – Panchito, Jose Carioca and el Pato Donald and join in with a variety of performances, including marionettes and folkloric dancing and other surprises.

San Angel Inn and La Hacienda will be joining in the “Limited Time Magic” celebration by offering special Cinco de Mayo menus with authentic drinks, appetizers, entrees and dessert options to celebrate the occasion. Plus, because it’s the Year of the Ear, as part of “Limited Time Magic,” we will feature Cinco de Mayo ear hats at the park.

And at Disneyland Resort, for a limited time beginning May 5, the “Glow with the Show” ear hats will be incorporated into nightly presentations of the fireworks spectacular “Magical.”

As part of “Limited Time Magic,” you’ll also be able to find a special fireworks viewing area on Main Street, U.S.A., reserved for you when you wear your “Glow with the Show” ears. Special viewing area dates are: May 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19, and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, due to limited capacity.

Tagged: DL, DLR, Epcot, Limited Time Magic, MK, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Sharing the magic in our communities is part of our legacy and culture, and this month Disney VoluntEARS are celebrating 30 years of serving kids and families.

The Disney VoluntEARS program dates back to the Disneyland Resort where, in 1983, a group of cast members formed a team focused on community service. Today, cast members around the world donate their time and expertise to make the world a happier place. Special activities will take place around the world and throughout the month, but here’s a look at some of this week’s festivities honoring this milestone anniversary.

• At the Disneyland Resort, thousands of cast members participated in the VoluntEARS’ anniversary kick-off celebration that showcased 10 local non-profit organizations to highlight some of the ways that VoluntEARS are benefitting the community. There were even opportunities for cast members to lend a hand – from helping the Orange County Food Bank prepare bags of fresh produce for local families to making blankets for women receiving assistance from MOMS Orange County.
• And at Walt Disney World Resort a group of cast members gathered for a pep rally to honor the VoluntEAR of the Year and VoluntEAR Team of the Year, and to gear up for a month’s worth of VoluntEAR opportunities, happening each day in May. Here, cast members and Walt Disney World leaders share the excitement of what it means to be a VoluntEAR, and how important (and fun) it is to give back.

Tagged: DLR, Video, VoluntEARS, WDW

Filed: Community Outreach, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Our latest mystery puzzler is a “Mickey” that’s not so hidden but still easy to miss. Wait, before you post your guess, take a good look – these ears are probably not where you think they are at Disney Parks. Let us know if you’ve seen this before. Please put your answers in the comments and we’ll update the post with the answer later today.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tagged: DLR, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

If you’re a Disney Parks fan, you may have found it difficult to look away from the blog this week. We had a continuous stream of great stories, including the official announcement that we’re keeping three theme parks open for 24 hours on Memorial Day Weekend to kick off a Monstrous Summer on both coasts.

A 180-foot-tall Mike Wazowski from the upcoming Disney●Pixar film “Monsters University” helped make the official announcement at Epcot. The huge sphere of Spaceship Earth was transformed from Disney Parks icon to Disney●Pixar “Eye-con” for the announcement.

Our first-ever, three-park all-night party is happening at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park in California. The parks will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24 to 6 a.m., May 25, 2013, local time. Check our Monstrous Summer story for more details.

And did you hear? The new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will march into Magic Kingdom Park in spring 2014. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will bring a celebration of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A., through fantastic and innovative new parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a parade theme song. Jennifer has more details about the parade in her original Festival of Fantasy story.

Here is a look at some of the other stories we shared this week.

First Look: Setting the Stage for “Mickey and the Magical Map” at Disneyland Park – Take a sneak peek at the newly refurbished stage inside the Fantasyland Theatre and “Mickey and the Magical Map” at Disneyland Park.

Just Announced: More Magic Coming to the Disney Magic and Disney Cruise Line – Disney Cruise Line has added an extra dose of magic aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship!

A Fresh Take on Blue Bayou Menu Debuts Today at Disneyland Park – Blue Bayou fans have some new dishes to try and can revisit classics that have been lovingly tweaked at Disneyland park.

Top Five Best-Selling Dishes at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – Jenn shares with us the top five best-selling dishes at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

Walt Disney World Resort – May 2013 Merchandise Events – This May, visit Walt Disney World Resort for a variety of fun and unique merchandise events.

Big Fun for Little Ones at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort – See the best rides and events for children at Downtown Disney.

Meet the Steam Engines of the Disneyland Railroad: E.P. Ripley – Erin introduces us to E.P. Ripley, the next steam engine on the Disneyland Railroad tour.

Tagged: DLR, Video, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Here at Disney Parks, we love the aroma of freshly baked treats. Whether we are being lured to Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie at the France Pavilion at Epcot by the scent of éclairs or to Boudin Bakery at Disney California Adventure park by the smell of fresh sourdough bread, baked goods can be found throughout the parks. Read the posts below to learn where you can find the best bakeries and treats at Disney Parks.

Take 5: Bakeries at Disney Parks

1. Expanded BoardWalk Bakery Reopens at Walt Disney World Resort Friday with New Treats – BoardWalk Bakery reopened yesterday with some all-new taste sensations!
2. New Bakery Opens at France Pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort – Start your day with a latte and chocolate croissant at Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie at the France Pavilion at Epcot, opening each morning at 9 a.m.
3. Behind the Scenes at Boudin Bakery in Disney California Adventure Park – Get an inside look at how bakers take the ingredients at Boudin Bakery at Disney California Adventure park from dough to delicious.
4. All About the Details at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café at Disneyland Park – The Jolly Holiday Bakery Café at Disneyland park is great at any time, boasting everything from sandwiches and sweets to enchanting details.
5. La Brea Bakery Café and Express Café Now Open in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – La Brea Bakery Café and Express Café in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort reopened in June, offering both building enhancements and many new menu items.

Tagged: Dining, DLR, Take 5, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort