We’re just a few days away from the premiere of “Mickey and the Magical Map,” the spectacular new musical production being staged in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park.

One of the cool things about the show is the design of the costumes for the Mapmakers, Yen Sid’s apprentices who are well versed in the ways of the sorcerer’s amazing map. I spoke with Senior Costume Designer Matt Davidson, who shared some of his inspiration behind the designs.

“The costumes needed to have a modern infusion of style and edginess, while still retaining an antique quality that comes with Fantasyland and its older, European roots,” said Matt. “I have always liked the inventiveness of Steampunk, which for those who may not know, comes from the Jules Verne, H.G. Wells world of futuristic-styled technology being possible in the Victorian era. The aesthetic uses lots of copper, antique brass, leather and rivets. It’s kind of a warm, hand-crafted look that fit perfectly.”

Here’s a look at some of those designs, as Matt and Costumer Chris Bermudez were fitting the show’s cast for a recent dress rehearsal. You’ll be able to see the costumes in action, of course, once “Mickey and the Magical Map” opens May 25!

Learn more about “Mickey and the Magical Map” in the posts below:

• King Louie Joins Rehearsal for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park
• First Look: Setting the Stage for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park
• Making Music for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

It’s almost here! We’re just a few days away from the premiere of “Mickey and the Magical Map” in the newly refurbished Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park. Mickey Mouse and his friends have been rehearsing their ears off (see what I did?), and we’ve got the first photos of the star of the show along with some of his friends onstage.

 
In these first shots, Mickey Mouse and King Louie pose on the Fantasyland Theatre stage with the Mapmakers.

Here we see Mickey Mouse interacting with a giant-sized Yen Sid, thanks to the sorcerer’s magical map.

Pocahontas leads Mulan and Rapunzel, along with Flynn Rider, in one of the show’s musical numbers.

King Louie joins the Mapmakers in a new take on “I Wanna be Like You” from “The Jungle Book.”

“Mickey and the Magical Map” opens this Saturday, May 25, at Disneyland park – so join us at the Fantasyland Theatre for a journey to imagination with Mickey Mouse, King Louie and more of your Disney friends.


Find out more about “Mickey and the Magical Map” in these posts:

• King Louie Joins Rehearsal for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park
• First Look: Setting the Stage for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park
• Making Music for ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ at Disneyland Park

Tagged: DL, DLR

Filed: Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort

I love staying at a Disney Resort hotel. I’ve stayed at nearly all of them in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. The first Disney hotel my family stayed at was Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in summer 1992. There is something magical about staying at a Disney Resort (I love that blast of cool air when entering a hotel lobby). My favorite place is Disney’s Polynesian Resort as I like pretending I’m on a tropical island somewhere in the South Pacific (and they have a Dole Whip machine!). New merchandise featuring a few favorite Disney Resort hotels is arriving this summer. I recently gave you a sneak preview of these new items in an article about summer merchandise. This time, I caught up with Disney Design Group artist Tim Whalen who created the artwork for this new resort logo program.

“We wanted a different point of view from the character artwork we introduced in spring 2012,” explained Tim. “Some time has passed since we had non-character resort themed merchandise for some of our most popular hotels. For this new program, I chose symbols or architectural details that represented each resort. In a way, the details are like characters that guests may immediately recognize when staying at those specific hotels.”

Those iconic details include a lighthouse representing Disney’s Old Key West Resort, a turtle for Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a beach chair for Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and racing horses for Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Tim told me that he added a Hidden Mickey to each of the designs.

The completed artwork was then applied to a variety of new items including apparel, drinkware, magnets, key chains and window decals.

I asked Tim about his favorite design.

“I think I like the clean look of the design for Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort,” answered Tim. “I have stayed at the resort in South Carolina. It’s such a relaxing place to get away from it all.”

Which is your favorite Disney Resort to stay at during a Disney vacation?

Tagged: DLR, WDW

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

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks aren’t the only places to have a monstrous time during this Friday’s all-nighter at the Disneyland Resort … the Downtown Disney District is also getting in on the fun with extended hours and more. Check it out:

• Restaurants, Food Carts and Quick Service Locations
• Downtown Disney District restaurants will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 (excluding ESPN Zone)
• Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express will be open until 3 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
• Special extended hours at ESPN Zone
• The Arena – open until 3 a.m.
• The 19th Hole Bar – alcohol available until 1 a.m.
• Non-alcoholic drinks served until 3 a.m.
• Limited food menu served until 1 a.m.
• “1/2 price” special on all Arena games from 12-3 a.m.
• House of Blues and Tortilla Jo’s will open for breakfast at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
• The following will be open 24 hours on May 24-25
• Café Renee
• Planet Popcorn
• Wetzel’s Pretzels
• Jamba Juice
• La Brea Bakery Express
• The following will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
• Wetzel’s Pretzels Cart
• Gelato Cart
• Churro Carts
• Merchandise Stores and Carts
• Downtown Disney District stores will be open 24 hours on May 24-25
• Merchandise carts will be open until 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 25
• Live Entertainment
• 6–10 p.m. – Downtown Disney District live entertainment
• 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Wendy on the Main Stage
• 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. – DJ Justin at House of Blues area

For more information, click here, and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Disney24.

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Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District, Special Events

When we’re in any of the Disney Parks, it’s hard enough to pass the popcorn wagons with the buttery aromas beckoning. And now it’s twice as hard to walk on by when these adorable popcorn buckets are filled with the fluffy kernels.

Through the summer (and while supplies last), you’ll find the endearing Dumbo popcorn bucket in Fantasyland at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. The R2-D2 buckets are at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Tomorrowland at Disneyland park.

Cost is $12. Popcorn buckets aren’t on the Disney Dining Plan.

Tagged: DHS, Dining, DL, DLR, MK, WDW

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

Attention Disneyland Annual Passholders! I’ve got an exciting new benefit to tell you about: a new Twitter service, @DisneylandAP, is now available for you. It’s another great way to stay informed and up-to-date on all the AP happenings at the Disneyland Resort. Follow @DisneylandAP for special AP news and offers, and even answers to some of your Annual Passport questions! Of course, this service joins the official Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Facebook page, Facebook.com/DisneylandPassholders, as another easy and fun way to stay connected to all the benefits of being an Annual Passholder.

Not a Disneyland AP yet? See what you’re missing out on:

• Disney Dining Discounts – Annual Passholders enjoy the following discounts at many Disneyland Resort food locations:
• Premier and Premium Passholders save 15 percent
• Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select Passholders save 10 percent
• Merchandise Discounts – Annual Passholders enjoy the following discounts on select purchases at most Disney-operated merchandise locations through December 2013:
• Premier and Premium Passholders save 20 percent
• Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select Passholders save 10 percent
• Special rates at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
• Passholder-exclusive website with even more special content, including offers, insider updates and all the information you need to make the most of your Annual Passport.
• Passholder E-Newsletter with the latest news and information.
• Guided Tours Discounts – Annual Passholders receive 20 percent off select Guided Tours at the Disneyland Resort.
• Special Events – In addition to advance-purchase savings on Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets for select nights, Annual Passholders enjoy opportunities to attend special events at the Disneyland Resort, such as Annual Passholder Limited Time Magic.

Visit Disneyland.com/passholder to learn more and to become an Annual Passholder.

Passports subject to the Annual Passport Terms and Conditions, including but not limited to Blockout Dates, other restrictions and change without notice. Subject to capacity constraints, and Passports do not guarantee admission during high attendance periods or other closures.

Tagged: DLR

Filed: Disneyland Resort

Did you know that the Happiest Place on Earth is also the #1 most-Instagrammed place in the U.S.? It’s true – there have been more than 8 million photos posted on the photo sharing app from the Disneyland Resort to date.

That’s why I’m excited to tell you that we’ve launched @Disneyland on Instagram, featuring 100 percent fan-sourced images! Our guests have always loved sharing their Disney memories from right here inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, and Instagram allows them to do that in a fun way.

Want in? Be sure to add #Disneyland or tag @Disneyland to your photos and you may be featured on our @Disneyland Instagram feed.

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR

Filed: Disneyland Resort