As we continue celebrating this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, we thought it’d be a great time to share our newest “After Dark” images from the fascinating Morocco Pavilion.

After the sun sets, it’s easy to imagine yourself in a distant land during a walk around the Morocco Pavilion. And there’s plenty of beauty to see. In fact, nine tons of handmade, hand-cut tile were used in the authentic mosaics.

Also, as you wander around, don’t miss checking out both sections of the pavilion: the Ville Nouvelle (new city) and the Medina (old city).

Look below for more posts from the “Disney Parks After Dark” series:

• Disney Parks After Dark: A Merchant of Venus at Magic Kingdom Park
• Disney Parks After Dark: Celebrity Signatures, Prints at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney Parks After Dark: Flying High Above Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure Park

Tagged: Epcot, Photography, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

I’ve got great news to share today. “The Happiest Balloon on Earth,” our Mickey Mouse-shaped hot air balloon, will participate in the 11th Annual International Balloon Festival in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, November 16-19 along with at least 200 other balloons from around the world.

“The Happiest Balloon on Earth” is a giant representation of Mickey Mouse’s face – and when I say giant, I’m talking about 98 feet tall and 53 feet from ear-to-ear – making it really hard to miss.

The balloon took to the skies on its maiden flight in Pendleton, Ore., on March 23, 2006, just before it started “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” tour during the 18-month celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Disneyland Resort. The balloon tour visited the Grand Canyon; Vancouver, Canada; Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and San Francisco, Calif., just to mention a few. Oh – I almost forgot to mention that “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” also visited Disneyland park.

After the 18-month tour was over, “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” received a magical makeover: the 50th Anniversary golden Mickey Mouse Ears were removed, giving the balloon the look it has today.

Above, you can see “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” on its maiden flight in Pendleton, Ore.

Here is “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” peeking over the Disneyland Resort at sunrise.

“The Happiest Balloon on Earth” was then inflated again on the banks of the Yakima River in Prosser, Wash., in September 2006 during a hot air balloon festival.

And here is “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” flying over Prosser, Wash.

I would like to acknowledge pilots Scott and Laurie Spencer, who have taken “The Happiest Balloon on Earth” to new heights and will be joining us again next week in León, Mexico, for the 11th Annual International Balloon Festival. Check back here on the Disney Parks Blog – I’ll be sharing some of my photos of the “Happiest Balloon on Earth” as it takes to the skies once again.

Tagged: DLR, Photography

Filed: Disneyland Resort

I recently visited the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot, and took in the many vibrant colors and textures while strolling through its open marketplace. Exquisite handmade jewelry, magnificent fabrics and carpets, all the while enjoying the alluring aromas of nearby Restaurant Marrakesh, Morocco is one of those truly exotic locations that springs to life inside Epcot and encourages one to slow down, and savor the details.

Check out these posts for more photography from around Disney Parks:

• Disney Parks After Dark: Flying High Above Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure Park
• Fifteen Minutes in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot
• Disney Parks After Dark: Hollywood After Dark

Tagged: Epcot, Gallery, Photography, WDW

Filed: Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

If you’re a fan of some of our image-driven series posts like “Disney Parks After Dark” and “Where at Disney Parks” then you’ve got to check out The Looking Glass Tumblr.

Disney Parks invited several photographers with various styles and backgrounds to capture the magic of our theme parks through their unique lenses. And it’s an all-star lineup; Chloe Rice, Elton Anderson, Noah Kalina, Tom Bricker, Lindsey Garrett, Matt Rubin and Ben Van Hook. Here’s how Ben approached the project.

All of the photographers involved in the project spent several days searching for great shots. Their only direction was to shoot our parks from their perspective and what they’d like to see captured. The page just launched so go check it out now and let us know what you think.

Tagged: DLR, Photography, Video, WDW

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

Of all the beautiful sights to see at our parks at night, I think my absolute favorite area to explore after the sun goes down is Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park. To me, it comes alive with bright colors in a way that no other area of park does.

This week’s photo, shot by photographer Tom Bricker, captures the Merchant of Venus shop right at closing time.

Which area of this park is your favorite after dark?

• Disney Parks After Dark: Celebrity Signatures, Prints at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney Parks After Dark: Flying High Above Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure Park
• Disney Parks After Dark: Main Street Electrical Parade in Fast-Forward at Magic Kingdom Park

Tagged: MK, Photography, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

Last week we had the opportunity to photograph Beast in front of his castle in New Fantasyland for a film shoot. I took this shot in-between takes and I just had to share it with you. As you can see, sometimes you don’t even need to see the whole character to tell a pretty cool story with a photo.

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and follow @WaltDisneyWorld on Twitter for the latest on New Fantasyland. While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtag #NewFantasyland.

Tagged: MK, Photography, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort

If you were at the Disneyland Resort on August 25, you might have seen a unique airplane flying overhead most of the afternoon and late into the evening. The plane was a twin-engine P68 Observer with a plexiglass nose. There are only a few flying in the United States, mostly used for shooting video, but I had a great opportunity to ride along and take still shots during this recent flyover – and I wanted to share some of them with you today.

I specifically wanted to get this angle of Mickey’s Fun Wheel – and it only took three passes!

I’m always impressed to see how high the fountains go during “World of Color.” A few times, I caught myself just watching the show instead of taking photos.

I chose this last photo to give you an idea of what Paradise Pier and Cars Land looked like from my point of view that night. Be sure to check Facebook.com/DisneyParksBlog for more shots of Paradise Pier from our flyover.

A special thanks Dave Gibbs (pilot) and Dave Arnold (video cameraman) for the ride of a lifetime.

Tagged: DCA, DLR, Photography

Filed: Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort