This week on the Disney Parks Blog, some of my favorite photos came from the Norway Pavilion at Epcot, which just had its 25th anniversary. If you haven’t seen them, don’t miss the gallery below, which was snapped by Disney photographer Gene Duncan.

Not to be outdone, Disneyland Resort photographer Paul Hiffmeyer also showed off some amazing nighttime images of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. Have you visited Radiator Springs yet?

Be sure to check out the gallery below for more images of our week at Disney Parks.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Gallery, Photography, WDW

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

Just when you thought New Fantasyland couldn’t get any prettier, someone turns out the lights and adds fireworks.

This week’s Disney Parks After Dark photo is an amazing shot of Beast’s Castle that was snapped during a recent performance of Wishes nighttime spectacular. Can you imagine the view from up there?

Tagged: Gallery, MK, New Fantasyland, Photography, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Depending on where you live in Norway, you can go for months with the sun never setting, or rising. Hence, “The Land of the Midnight Sun” loosely defines much of this ancient country. As I recently visited the Norway Pavilion in Epcot, the weather happened to be dark and blustery-something Norwegians, no doubt, see a lot more than we do in Florida. I decided to exploit the weather a little, reaching into a little photographer’s bag of “tricks” to help heighten a sense of drama that faced Vikings as well as gnomes.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a photographic process by which one can alter the appearance of reality-in small and large ways. Today, I thought it provided a different look to a pavilion that has been seen by countless guests over its 25-year existence. It is my hope to travel somewhere between history and mythology.

Tagged: Epcot, Gallery, Photography, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

My fellow Disney Parks Blog author Erin Catalano and I spent Friday morning in the Convention Center at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Representing Disney Theme Park Merchandise, we joined a special product showcase event that highlighted exciting things at Disney Parks.

We filled our 16-foot by 16-foot square booth with new merchandise debuting this summer to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. We gave an expanded look at Star Wars Weekends 2013 merchandise, along with a first look at new Disney Parks logo merchandise arriving this June. Rounding out our assortment, we displayed new Disney-inspired sunglasses by Ray-Ban, handbags by Dooney & Bourke, beautifully ornate shoe ornaments inspired by Disney characters, D-Tech electronic accessories and much more.

As you can imagine, I had a difficult time selecting only 10 images for this article. I’d love to hear which item is your favorite, so please share in the comments below.

I hope to see you at Disney Parks for our first-ever, three-park, all-night party on May 24. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for additional details about merchandise created for this event.

Tagged: DLR, Gallery, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

We had a very exciting week at both the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort. Have you heard that three of our parks will be open for 24 hours on May 24? Mike Wazowski, one of the stars of “Monsters University,” appeared at Epcot to make the announcement.

And speaking of Monsters, one of our Monorails showed up full of character this week in support of the upcoming debut of “Monsters University.”

We also shared new looks at Mickey’s Magical Map (coming soon to Disneyland park), and a rendering of Princess Fairytale Hall, which will open at Magic Kingdom Park this fall.

And who could forget the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which we celebrated this past Monday at the park?

Be sure to check out this gallery of images to entire week’s excitement.

Tagged: DAK, DL, DLR, Gallery, MK, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Get ready for some super new taste sensations when the BoardWalk Bakery reopens bright and early Friday morning – 6:30 a.m. to be exact.

“The new location is twice the size of the original bakery, themed to the 1920s Jersey shore,” says John Berko, manager of food & beverage at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas. Dark wood and colorful tiles and mosaics add a new brightness to the space.

Beyond sweets, the new menu includes hot breakfast items, salads and sandwiches – like a Maine lobster roll and a pork loin sandwich with creamy apple slaw.

But it’s the sweets that get the most attention, and plenty of favorites are back, including chocolate croissants, cupcakes and cinnamon. Newcomers include eclairs, cannoli, salted caramel ganache and an amazing peanut butter-banana-candied Nueske’s bacon pie. We begged for the recipe, and already made this one at home. There’s not a morsel left.

The bakery is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and is Disney Dining Plan eligible.

Peanut Butter-Banana-Applewood Smoked Candied Bacon Pie
Makes 9-inch pie

3 thick slices applewood smoked bacon
1/4 cup brown sugar
9-inch store-bought chocolate graham cracker pie crust
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup cream cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup whipping cream
2 bananas, sliced

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper, and place a wire rack over the baking
   sheet.
2. Coat bacon on both sides with brown sugar. Place on rack and bake 20 to 30 minutes, or until crispy, depending on thickness of bacon.
3. Remove from oven. Once cooled, dice and set aside.
4. Cream together peanut butter, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth.
5. Whip cream to soft peaks in a separate bowl; gently fold into peanut butter mixture.
6. Fill pie shell halfway with mixture, then evenly top with banana slices. Top slices with remaining mixture.
   Sprinkle with chopped bacon. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tagged: Dining, Gallery, Recipe, WDW

Filed: Disney Dining, Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the fourth theme park built at the Walt Disney World Resort, will celebrate its 15th anniversary today, April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day.

Today’s celebration featured a special opening ceremony led by Josh D’Amaro, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Dr. Jackie Ogden, Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment, and was highlighted with a fun performance of “Circle of Life” from the park’s “Festival of The Lion King.” Other fun planned for the day includes special Earth Day “Party for the Planet” festivities, and unique merchandise and food & beverage offerings.

The park originally opened in 1998 to feature several lands dedicated to exploring wildlife and wild places – Africa, Discovery Island, Oasis, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and DinoLand, U.S.A. An additional land, Asia, was added in 1999. The park has seen many exciting additions since its debut, including TriceraTop Spin in 2001, Primeval Whirl in 2002, Expedition Everest (one of my favorites!) in 2006, “Finding Nemo – The Musical,” which grand-opened in 2007, and Wild Africa Trek in 2011.

Which Disney’s Animal Kingdom offering has been your favorite over the years? Tell us in the “Comments” section below.

To join the celebration online, use the hashtag #DAK15 on Twitter.

Tagged: DAK, Gallery, Video, WDW

Filed: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort