Last night, a giant Mike Wazowski from the upcoming Disney●Pixar film “Monsters University” helped announce our first-ever three-park, all-night party at Disney Parks on Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional start of the family travel season. Eight projectors were used to transform the huge sphere of Spaceship Earth into the beloved character for the show at Epcot. Today, we have a behind-the-scenes look at how the teams made it happen.
The same artists who created Mike Wazowski for the upcoming Disney●Pixar film also created the animation for our Monstrous Summer announcement at Epcot. “You have all of these great partners working together for this one moment and it’s never happened before,” said Mike Roddy, senior show writer and director for Walt Disney Creative Entertainment. “What you’re seeing is really the first time we’ve done something like this.”
If you missed the announcement, the 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.
In Florida, Magic Kingdom Park will feature a “Monsters University” theme where Mike and Sulley will be the Grand Marshals of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” day parade and make appearances in Tomorrowland. There will be extra entertainment throughout the day and night, including characters in their pajamas in Town Square during the late night and early morning, and late-night dance parties in and around the courtyard of Cinderella Castle.
In California, you’ll be able to party the night away at both parks with special entertainment including: a “Monsters University” “TLT Monstrous” Dance Club and Star Wars characters in Tomorrowland and late-night Character Pajama Party in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland park. The new Fantasy Faire Royal Theatre at Disneyland park will become a Royal Dance Hall late at night with a live band and dancing; and guests at Disney California Adventure park will find Monstrous photo opportunities with new “Monsters University” “dorms” in Hollywood Land and a new “Monsters University” float leading the Pixar Play Parade.
All three parks will feature limited-edition specialty merchandise and food and beverage offerings, plus other surprises throughout the entire day. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and the Monstrous Summer site for more details in coming weeks.
Have you had a chance to visit the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this year? The character topiaries throughout Future World and World Showcase are my favorite part. Topiaries have been a part of the Walt Disney World Resort for many years. Below, Goofy and Pluto admire their own topiaries back in 1985.
Pretty great for 1985, but they pale in comparison to their counterparts of today. Today our horticulture team creates topiaries that are even more advanced and realistic. Here’s a look at the 2013 version of Goofy and Pluto at the festival.
This year’s festival runs through May 19, so you still have time to see all of the amazing topiaries throughout Epcot.
Sara Peterson, editor-in-chief of HGTV Magazine, will take the HGTV Designers’ Stage at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival this weekend to talk tips on boosting your home’s curb appeal.
While she was here on Friday, she took time to sample a few of the Garden Marketplaces located around World Showcase. Check out her review below!
You can catch Sara at the HGTV Designer’s Stage at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
We’re enjoying the new Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie and Monsieur Paul, the re-imagined upstairs restaurant at the France Pavilion at Epcot. But there’s more: look for the new L’Artisan des Glaces, Artisan Ice Cream & Sorbet to open by mid-June in the pavilion’s former bakery space.
This delightful little shop will offer 16 different flavors – 10 ice creams and six sorbets are on the menu (still a work in progress). “Everything will be made in-house with the simplest, fresh ingredients – milk, sugar, cream, eggs and fruit,” says general manager Eric Weistroffer.
The frozen treats will be available by the scoop in cups or cones – and for grown-ups, there’s the option of adding liqueurs, says Weistroffer.
Meanwhile, you don’t have to journey to Disneyland Resort to try one of the super-popular, savory cones from Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure park at Cars Land. They’re now on the menu at Marketplace Snacks in front of Team Mickey at Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World Resort. Take your pick of the meaty Chili Cone Queso topped with shredded cheese and crispy corn chips (our favorite), or the hearty meatball cone. Both are served in a thick bread “cone” suitable for strolling while you enjoy.
As we pause to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of Tokyo Disneyland, I decided to take a walk through our own Japan Pavilion inside Epcot. I was immediately transformed by the tranquil environment, the gentle, smiling faces, and the beautiful art that surrounded me.
From bold bronze sculptures to the most delicately painted fabrics, I was truly transported into a magical and hypnotic culture through its artistic creations. I put this short slide show together to share just a few of the details that caught my eye. I hope you enjoy spending one minute in Japan, with no passport needed.
With nine PBS cooking and lifestyle TV series and 12 seasons in syndication, Chef George Hirsch has fans around the world. Now you can see him in person at this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, where he’ll share grilling tips in the courtyard at American Adventure in World Showcase.
He launched his television career with the phrase, “If I can do it, you can do it!” and Chef George’s enthusiasm is contagious. His grilling tips are super easy to follow, like this short video on how to grill a perfect steak.
See Chef George’s Grill Live! complimentary demo at 1:15, 2:45 and 4:15 p.m. on April 26, 27 and 28, then again (same times) on the festival’s closing weekend on May 17, 18 and 19.
In this sign, Buzzy seems to be looking for new recruits – but what’s his slogan? “We’re looking for a few good ___.” Do you recall the word that’s blurred out here? Let us know in the “Comments” section below.
Look for a new waterfront eatery by the end of this year at the Morocco Pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. Spice Road Table will feature various small plates and refreshments inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean. With seating both indoors and out, it’s a welcome addition to the line-up along World Showcase Lagoon.
Stay tuned for other “enhancements” to the pavilion and more news on Spice Road Table as menus are finalized.
Today’s “Caption This” photo was taken in 1994 during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Sure looks like this colorful gecko is taking an interest in these guests. What’s he got his eye on? Remember, this is 1994 – is he looking for some friends to ride World of Motion or Horizons . Or maybe he’s already grabbed a great seat for tonight’s “IllumiNations” fireworks. You tell us – go ahead and “Caption This”!
It’s springtime, and Humphrey the Bear and Ranger J. Audubon Woodlore have left Brownstone National Park to enjoy the season at the Canada Pavilion at Epcot in our newest desktop/smartphone wallpaper. Look closely – there’s a hidden Mickey to be found.
The wallpaper, created by Disney artist Jason “Tiki” Tackett, shows the pavilion’s Victoria Gardens, modeled after the famous Butchart Gardens near Victoria, British Columbia. Ranger Woodlore is doing some bird watching while Humphrey “dives” right into fishing season with his unique method for catching a big fish.
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