A Patriotic Vinylmation Salute on Presidents’ Day
posted on February 20th, 2012 by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
A few weekends ago, my son visited the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom Park for the first time. The attraction is a Walt Disney World Resort classic originally opening in 1971. At first, I was unsure if he would enjoy the show as much as I do. A few weeks later he asked me to name the presidents, which was his favorite part of the attraction (so it appears he liked it). We’ve recently featured a few of the presidents as Vinylmation. On this Presidents’ Day, I thought a closer look at some patriotic Vinylmation was in order.
The image above features two figures released late last year – George Washington from Holiday #3 and Abraham Lincoln from Park Starz #1. This year, we will be releasing additional patriotic figures including a copper-colored Abraham Lincoln. He is part of the Park Starz variant collection, and will have an edition size of 2,500. Look for him to be released in June at the D-Street locations. There will also be a nine-inch figure designed by Casey Jones and a three-inch Uncle Sam figure for Independence Day.
I think one of my favorite new Vinylmation sets salutes the America on Parade celebration. The three-figure set was designed by Disney Design Group Artist Monty Maldovan and has an edition size of 5,000. The set is only being sold via the Disney Parks online store.
Some of you may recall that the American Bicentennial celebration was held from June 1975 to September 1976 at both Disneyland park and Walt Disney World Resort (sadly, I didn’t visit during that time). The celebration had a parade with special floats and costumes with oversized heads (those costumes later made an appearance in my all-time favorite Disney television special – the grand opening celebration for Epcot Center). The parade was led by Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck which have been recreated as three-inch Vinylmation figures for that limited edition set.
A photo of those three characters will also appear on a new navy-colored tee-shirt arriving this March at Disney Parks. While the shirt isn’t Vinylmation related, I love the retro look and plan to be sporting it soon!
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Belle, Beast Receive Visit from Pop Royalty at Magic Kingdom
posted on February 20th, 2012 by Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor
It’s been quite a February to remember for multi-platinum music star Kelly Clarkson. On Feb. 5, the Grammy Award-winning singer performed “The Star Spangled Banner” at the NFL championship game in Indianapolis. Just a few days later, her newest single – “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – soared to the coveted number one spot on the “Billboard Hot 100” songs chart. Then, on Feb. 12 she joined country music artist Jason Aldean to perform their hit song, “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” during the 54th annual GRAMMY Awards telecast.
What did she do next? She went to Disney World!
Kelly joined family and friends in our theme parks yesterday, pausing for a moment to pose in the famed Magic Kingdom “Rose Garden” with a couple that knows a thing or two about roses – Belle and Beast. And from the looks of this snapshot, it seems that Belle, Beast and Kelly all enjoyed “A Moment Like This.”
Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: Ducky and ‘Lady and the Tramp’
posted on February 17th, 2012 by Greg Ehrbar, Writer/Author, Disney's Yellow Shoes Creative Group
The story of Don Williams might as well be a Disney movie.
“Once upon a time, in a place called Springfield, Massachusetts, there was a young lad named Don Williams, who loved Disney Characters and animated films. His grandmother, who also loved cartoons, bestowed upon him the nickname ‘Ducky,’ for she loved cartoons.
Ducky wished upon many stars, in hopes that someday, somehow, he might actually work for The Walt Disney Company. Well, years went by and soon Ducky was a fine young man. But he fell under the enchantment of banking, becoming a Springfield bank vice-president rather than a Disney artist—though he delighted bank patrons with his annual gallery of superbly rendered Disney Characters and scenes.
One day, Ducky decided to break the enchantment and left the bank for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. But many more years passed as Ducky took jobs in and around the theme parks while pursuing a career in the marketing art department. When his opportunity finally arrived, Ducky was given 90 days to prove himself.
Over thirty years later, Don “Ducky” Williams is the one and only senior character artist at what is now known as Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group. In his remarkable career, he has created thousands of artworks for advertising campaigns, best selling books, online messaging and television programs. And as one of the most beloved Disney Cruise Line onboard presenters, Ducky is sharing his lifelong love of Disney with thousands of fan…all of whom are surely living happily (and Duckily) ever after.”
Every day, as guests pass through any one of the Walt Disney World Resort road entrance arches, they see Character art created by Don “Ducky” Williams. And at Magic Kingdom Park, Ducky’s artwork adorns the walls (and some windows) of Tony’s Town Square Café. Ducky tells us he had fun creating all the art, but he probably had the most fun doing the painting of that “sssssilly” Beaver with Lady and Tramp.
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So, now when you’re enjoying the new Diamond Edition of Walt Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” on Blu-ray and DVD, you’ll also be watching the same film upon which Ducky himself was inspired—as a youth in 1955, then again decades later, studying scenes to create the Tony’s Town Square Café artwork—and today, finding it as fresh and delightful as ever, in breathtaking high definition on Blu-ray.
Every Letter Has Character at Disney Parks
posted on February 16th, 2012 by Michelle Harker, Merchandise Marketing & Communications Project Manager, Disneyland Resort
Year after year, our Product Development team goes back to the drawing board working closely with our talented team of artists from Disney Design Group to come up with creative ideas for exciting new merchandise. So what have they come up with for this year? Formally known to us as the Letters Program, you’ll find the names for Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom filled with character this year – quite literally. Take a look!
This art or a variation of it will appear on T-shirts, hoodies, headwear, tote bags, frames, magnets, license plate holders and drink ware, among other fun souvenir items.
I caught up with the product developer for this fun new merchandise, Summer Bloomfield, who had this to share on how the magic of this artwork came to life. “I think at some point we all want to be a kid again. Visiting Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom allows you to do just that, even if it’s just for a few minutes, hours or even days,” said Summer. “We wanted to encompass many of the favorite icons, characters or memories that we know people will remember. What better ways to represent the parks than with pirate ships, castles, attractions and of course, characters?”
Which character or icon best represents your last visit to one of our Disney Parks?
VIDEO: Walt Disney Imagineering Talks Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Game
posted on February 15th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Last month, we gave you an exclusive sneak peek at Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the new interactive game that has been testing at Magic Kingdom Park for several weeks.
So many of you expressed enthusiasm to learn more about the experience that we’ve gone straight to the source to find the answers. Check out the following video, in which Jonathan Ackley, Project Producer & Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, shares more about the game.
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Roses at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 13th, 2012 by Debbie Mola Mickler, Disney Horticulture
We like to envision the landscapes at Walt Disney World Resort as huge outdoor stages or sets with the trees, shrubs, and flowers playing the roles of props as well as stars. With the scope of horticulture as vast as the property itself, we have some 4,200 acres of maintained gardens and landscapes and over 100,000 ornamental trees, 4 million shrubs, and 2,000 acres of turf.
Included in our landscapes are some pretty unique, often unknown niche gardens with exceptional plants and stories. One such place is in the Magic Kingdom Park where you‘ll see roses, and lots of them! Located to the right of Cinderella Castle if you are headed down Main Street, U.S.A., the award-winning roses popping with color await you along a curving walkway with two entry/exit ways.
Looking back, the rose garden has quite a history. Established in 1980, it has been a Disney’s Horticulture tradition to plant and maintain these roses for over 30 years. When established in 1980 the gardens’ intention was to be an All-American Rose Selections (AARS) winner’s tribute to rose breeders and judges.
It became so successful, in 1985 the Walt Disney World Resort was honored with an award by the AARS committee for commendation of the rose exhibit. A few of the first roses planted in the garden were 1980 winners Love, Honor and Cherish and 1981 winners White Lightning, Bing Crosby and Mariana.
Today, you will see St. Patrick, All That Jazz, Betty Boop and Candelabra, just to name a few of the many roses on display. When visiting the garden you are invited in by the original plaque presented to Walt Disney World Resort by the AARS in 1985.
To maintain the roses our talented gardeners hand prune the roses twice a year, 8 weeks before Thanksgiving and on February 15. It is important for the roses to look great for Valentine’s Day.
Also on display throughout the circular planters in front of the castle are sweeping beds of shrub roses in different shades of pink. In addition, old fashioned Louie Philip roses add color to a broken planter in front of the Haunted Mansion. The unmaintained look adds to the story line of the attraction and provides some extra training for our new gardeners who need to hone the art of making plants look neglected and overgrown.
When visiting our parks and resorts remember to plainly stop and smell the roses!
Vintage Walt Disney World: Which Attraction Celebrates Valentine’s Day 365 Days Each Year?
posted on February 9th, 2012 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center
There is an attraction at Walt Disney World Resort that celebrates Valentine’s Day every day of the year. Can you think of it? Of course you can. It’s Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom Park.
My first trip to the Carousel of Progress must have been on my second Walt Disney World vacation in 1996, which means, I was unaware that Valentine’s Day wasn’t in the original storyline. I realized this when looking at pictures in our archives a few weeks ago. Notice the flowers, present and card missing in the picture below from 1978.
Valentine’s Day was added (along with Fourth of July and Halloween) to the storyline during the 1993 refresh of the attraction weaving in holidays throughout the entire show.
I often wonder if “Patricia” ever made it to the Valentine’s Day dance in time.
Look for These New Kids’ Menu Items Starting Feb. 15 in Magic Kingdom Park
posted on February 8th, 2012 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
While some little ones are content with mac ‘n cheese or a burger, other young guests have a, well, more sophisticated approach to dining. Four Magic Kingdom Park table-service restaurants are adding some delicious new dishes just for kids for ages 3 to 9. At Tony’s Town Square, look for a steak skewer “spiedini” with roasted sweet potato fries and fresh fruit (spiedini refers to cubes of meat cooked on a skewer, an Italian specialty). Also at Tony’s, a grilled cheese sandwich on multigrain bread sliced into “dippers” with tomato sauce on the side should appeal to just about any child.
Liberty Tree Tavern is featuring a new barbecued chicken and pineapple flatbread pizza with a side of crisp veggies and apples, or oven-roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, veggies and fruit.
At Cinderella’s Royal Table, youngsters can try the new chicken drumette with rice and broccolini, grilled beef skewers with mashed potatoes and corn, or a chicken pot pie topped with a biscuit crust. (We want to try that one.)
And The Plaza Restaurant has a kids’ plate with grilled chicken slices, cous cous and a fresh fruit skewer. Ah, to be a young ‘un again.
Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning Answers Your Questions From Walt Disney World Resort
posted on February 7th, 2012 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
Yesterday, Eli Manning made true on his statement to go to the Walt Disney World Resort after winning the Super Bowl. Today, we’re following through, sharing some of the questions that you asked and he answered.
What did he say was his favorite memories of Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts? Check it out here:
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions via the Disney Parks Blog and Twitter.
Walt Disney World Resort Parade Celebrates Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning
posted on February 6th, 2012 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
After telling the world Sunday night after the Super Bowl that he was coming to Walt Disney World Resort, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning did just that today.
Manning flew here straight from Indianapolis and arrived at the Magic Kingdom Park where he celebrated the Giants’ super victory with a grand parade down Main Street, U.S.A. Afterward he played around with Mickey and Minnie and some NFL Youth players. If you didn’t catch a glimpse of him, here are some photos from his visit this afternoon.
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