We shared several big announcements on the Disney Parks Blog this week, including exciting plans for Disney Springs, our multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort.

When work is complete, Disney Springs will expand from 75 to more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues, featuring some of the world’s most iconic brands and restaurants. Check Tom Staggs’ original story for more Disney Springs details, including information about each planned district.

And we also announced Opa! A Celebration of Greece, that’ll feature music, dance, art, food, history and more at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland park and Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure park. The festivities begin May 25 at the Disneyland Resort. Erin’s original Opa! A Celebration of Greece story has a nice rundown of what’s planned.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

‘Limited Time Magic’ Disney Character ‘Egg’ Hunt Begins Next Week at Disney Parks – ”Limited Time Magic” brings a special “egg” hunt to Disney Parks next week!

Explore the Musical Worlds of Disney When ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ Opens at Disneyland Park May 25 – An all-new live show, “Mickey and the Magical Map,” is set to open May 25 at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland park.

A Villain and Hero Highlight ‘Star Wars’ Weekends 2013 in Weekend I and Weekend II and a First Look at the 2013 Event Logo – Gary Buchanan shares the 2013 Star Wars Weekends logo and several celebrity appearances for this year.

Vote Now to Decide Which Long-Lost Disney Friends Visit the Disneyland Resort for ‘Limited Time Magic’ – Vote now on the Disney Parks Blog for which long-lost Disney characters you want to meet at Disneyland park as part of “Limited Time Magic!”

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Fantasy Faire Now Open at Disneyland Park – Fantasy Faire opened this week at Disneyland park! Take a look at all the fun and magic waiting for you in this post.

It’s Baaack! Taste of Hollywood to Go with Fantasmic! Seats March 25-April 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Taste of Hollywood to Go returns for spring break! Find out how you can have a quick, delicious meal and reserve seats for Fantasmic! too.

Tagged: Disney Springs, DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This year at Disney Parks, we have a lot going on to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. While the holiday is officially tomorrow, celebrations at Downtown Disney District and Raglan Road at Downtown Disney are going on all weekend! Read the posts below for some exciting Irish-themed treats and goodies, and to find out what we’ve got in store for this year’s celebrations. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Take 5: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Disney Parks

1. Raglan Road: Party Central for the Family-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Across Pleasure Island – Join us for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Raglan Road at Downtown Disney, a true Irish pub with Dublin roots.
2. Downtown Disney District ‘Wears the Green’ This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at the Disneyland Resort – Today and tomorrow, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Downtown Disney District is inviting visitors to join in the spirit with a special St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Disneyland Resort.
3. Some Lucky New Items at Disney Parks for St. Patrick’s Day – Here are a few lucky items at Disney Parks that will add some green to your world.
4. Vintage Walt Disney World: Mickey Celebrates St. Patty’s Day – Nate Rasmussen shares a look at Mickey Mouse all decked out for the St. Patrick’s Day holiday back in 1978 in his “Vintage Walt Disney World” series.
5. Drink Recipes to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Like Disney Cruise Line – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these special Irish cocktail recipes from Disney Cruise Line!

Tagged: DCL, DLR, Take 5, WDW

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

If you have an eagle eye, next week’s “Limited Time Magic” surprise at Disney Parks is especially for you. We’re launching a special “egg” hunt at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.

For one week only, from March 18-24, you’ll be able to search for special hidden “eggs” themed to Disney characters at Epcot and at Disney California Adventure park and then record your discoveries on specially themed Eggs-perience park maps.

At Epcot, maps can be purchased at the Heritage Manor in the American Adventure Pavilion, International Gateway, Pin Central and Port of Entry.

And at Disney California Adventure park, you can purchase the map at Elias & Co., Oswald’s, Radiator Springs Curios, Tower Hotel Gifts and Treasures in Paradise.

Each map and set of stickers will cost $4.95, plus tax at select locations. And whether you choose to hunt for eggs or not, return your map to a Port of Entry at Epcot or Elias & Co. at Disney California Adventure park for a surprise.

Maps will be available while supplies last and no discounts apply. You should also know that separate admission is required to enter Disney Theme Parks and the experience is subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Epcot, Limited Time Magic, WDW

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort, Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

This week, spring arrived early at Epcot with the return of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. We shared some wonderful stories featuring the flowers, the food, and of course, the new merchandise at this year’s celebration. If you missed it, be sure and check out the fun topiary video we launched to kick things off.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival which will run through May 19, features more than 100 Disney-themed topiaries, including floral versions of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Phineas and Ferb, Lightning McQueen and Mater, among others.

Our most shared story of the week was the announcement that new Disney-inspired handbags and accessories by Vera Bradley will bloom this fall at Disney Parks. Disney Theme Park Merchandise worked closely with Vera Bradley to develop two new patterns that will appear on items this fall. Go check out Steven’s original post for a closer look at the patterns.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Rapunzel and Belle Join the Show at the Royal Theatre in Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park – Meet some of the stars of the new Royal Theatre coming to Fantasy Faire when it opens March 12 at Disneyland park!

First Look: Shanghai Disneyland Model Unveiled – An image of a model of Shanghai Disneyland Park was unveiled this week on the Disney Parks Blog.

Radio Disney Music Awards Show Will Feature Award Inspired by Disney Parks Collectible – Take a peek at the Radio Disney Music Awards Show & see how it will incorporate a favorite Disney collectible.

New Disney Cruise Line Youth Activities in Europe – Looking for a Disney Cruise Line adventure that’s perfect for the whole family? Read about a few new youth excursions for our itineraries in Europe.

Sound the Trumpets! Fairy Tale Treasures Opens March 12 at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland Park – Does your little one need a Disney Princess dress before visiting the Royal Hall or the Royal Theatre? Fairy Tale Treasures opens March 12 at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland park!

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Returns Today – The 20th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicked off this week! Watch this clip to see how one topiary in particular is having a lot of fun celebrating.

Tagged: DLR, Video, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Over the past few weeks, Disney Parks was, and continues to, prepare readers for “Oz The Great and Powerful”, which opened in theaters yesterday, March 8. Read the posts below to learn how we’ve prepared for this fantastical adventure, from a Disney Parks Blog Meet-Up, to the Land of Oz Garden at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, to a visit from the “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” at Disneyland Resort, and more.

Take 5: ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ at Disney Parks

1. Celebrating Springtime at Epcot in the Land of Oz – Check out some vibrant photos from the Land of Oz Garden at Epcot, and come celebrate springtime at Walt Disney World Resort.
2. Get a Sneak Peek at ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ at Disney California Adventure Park During ‘Limited Time Magic’ – Learn how you can get a special sneak peek of Disney’s new fantastical adventure at Disney California Adventure park through March 31!
3. Disney Parks Celebrate ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ with New Merchandise – Steven Miller shares the new “Oz The Great and Powerful” merchandise at Disney Parks, including apparel and Vinylmation.
4. The Land of Oz Garden Magically Appears at Epcot – The Land of Oz Garden, based on the new Disney film “Oz The Great and Powerful,” magically appeared at Epcot for the 2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
5. Off to See the Wizard: ‘Journey to Oz Balloon Tour’ Visits the Disneyland Resort – “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” floated into the Disneyland Resort on February 17 to celebrate “Oz The Great and Powerful.”

Tagged: DLR, Take 5, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier today at The Walt Disney Company Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger unveiled the first image of a model of Shanghai Disneyland Park that we just knew you’d want to see.

The image shows a portion of the Shanghai Disneyland model and its beautiful 11-acre green space at the center of the park. You also get a closer look at the unique design and scale of Enchanted Storybook Castle, the iconic central attraction of the theme park.

During today’s meeting, Bob said the one-of-a-kind destination will be authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese. “We believe this will be one of the most spectacular Disney experiences yet – and an important part of our future,” he said. “We look forward to opening the gates at the end of 2015 and welcoming the first of the millions of guests who will enjoy Shanghai Disneyland for generations to come.”

On opening day, Shanghai Disney Resort will include Shanghai Disneyland, two themed hotels, a dining and entertainment venue, recreational facilities, a lake and associated parking and transportation hubs.

Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said, “We are incredibly excited about the developments and progress of the Disney resort in Shanghai, one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Shanghai Disney Resort will bring a classic Disney Parks experience to mainland China and will immerse Chinese guests in a whole new world of creativity, imagination and adventure that only Disney can deliver.”

Be sure and check back here on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on Shanghai Disneyland.

Tagged: Shanghai Disney Resort

Filed: Shanghai Disney Resort

This week, we had some updates and sneak peeks to share from the new Fantasy Faire at Disneyland park, including an amazing behind the wall image from Paul and a look at Clopin’s Music Box from Erin. We also shared video of the installation of Clopin’s Music Box that included a few other details.

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more details on Fantasy Faire. And come see it for yourself when the new area opens at Disneyland park on March 12.

And we also caught up with Cody Reynolds, a creative manager at Disney Design Group, who shared some insight into some new, cool Haunted Mansion items. If you didn’t see the collection, check Steven’s original post.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Warming Up for a Spring Vacation at Aulani? Now Offering Four Nights for the Price of Three, April 7 through May 23 and May 27 Through June 8 – Thinking about a spring getaway at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Ko Olina, Hawai`i? This new offer will help you spend extra time in the Hawaiian sunshine.

VIDEO: Winning 2014 Disney Art Design Revealed Following Disney Parks Fan Vote – Thousands of fans from across our Disney Parks social networks voted for one of three designs that will be featured on select limited edition merchandise next year. Click through to discover which design was selected.

‘Oz The Great and Powerful’-Inspired Art Coming to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – Catch up with renowned artist Joey Chou as he shares some of his reasoning behind the distinct and beautiful “Oz The Great and Powerful”-inspired artwork.

Raglan Road: Party Central for the Family-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Across Pleasure Island – Don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day fun at Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning March 8!

‘Limited Time Magic’ Gets Wickedly Beautiful with Beautifully Disney – As part of “Limited Time Magic,” Beautifully Disney is launching this weekend with its premiere, seasonal collection – Wickedly Beautiful – available for … you guessed it … a limited time only.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room 50th Anniversary Event at the Disneyland Resort – Here’s a bird’s-eye view of what you can expect when Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room celebrates its 50th anniversary at Disneyland Resort on June 28-29, 2013.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort