“Mickey and the Magical Map” features several great songs from classic Disney animated films, along with a completely original song, “Journey to Imagination,” written just for this show. We recently caught up with composers Adam Watts and Andy Dodd, who shared a little of what it was like to create a new song for Disneyland park.
Check out these past posts about “Mickey and the Magical Map”:
When I was growing up, it was the day our community pool finally opened and the kids in our neighborhood could show off their new swimsuits, take their first dives off of the diving board and start the summer-long competition to see who could do the best cannonball with the biggest splash.
If swimming means summer to you, too, then check out this performance by The Aqualillies, a synchronized swimming team that recently stopped by Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. In it, they show off their skills in the resort’s Big Blue Pool – the largest pool we have at the entire the Walt Disney World Resort.
You may have seen the newest addition to the Pixar Play Parade from Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters University” in Disney California Adventure park, but you haven’t seen it like this! For my new series, “Taking it Slow,” we are using a special slow-motion camera to view some of our favorite attractions in a whole new way. In this video we mixed slow-motion, fast-motion and real-time video together to highlight a few fun moments from the “world of play.”
It’s time for another sneak peek at the Disney Magic enhancements! We’re taking a look at the upper decks again, where we’ve already shown you the really cool thrill slide, AquaDunk, coming out of the forward funnel.
Now we’ll move on to the midship funnel, which also has a fun-filled slide starting from it! The Twist n’ Spout water slide empties into the pool at AquaLab, a brand-new water play area for kids designed by Donald Duck’s nephews. Hear all about the fun you can expect in this video…
Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney Cruise LineFacebook page, and follow @DisneyCruise on Twitter for all of the exciting updates about the Disney Magic’s transformation! While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtag #DisneyMagic.
Check out these posts for more updates from the Disney Magic:
Duckies, duckies everywhere! Thousands of ducks decorated by Disney Cruise Line guests and crew members on all four ships swirled through the ships’ pools and water coasters recently to take part in the first “AquaDucky Derby” rubber duck races to raise nearly $14,000 for Make-A-Wish International.
Aboard the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, rubber ducks were placed at the top of the AquaDuck and with the crowd counting down and the sounds of “Wipe Out” playing over the sound system, 10,000 gallons of water rushed into the flume sending the ducks racing through the water coaster’s tunnel and around the ship’s upper decks before splashing down at the finish line.
Aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, guests and crew voted using applause for the unofficial best decorated duck while One Direction’s song, “That’s What Makes You Beautiful,” played in the background. For the official race, guests and crew splashed and kicked a current to carry the critters to the opposite side of the Goofy pool.
All funds raised from the duck sales are being donated to a very worthy cause – Make-A-Wish International, an organization that grants wishes for children facing life-threatening medical conditions in 48 countries outside of the U.S. Since the first-ever official wish experience 32 years ago, Disney has helped grant more than 81,000 wishes globally and is involved in nearly 50 percent of the wishes granted each year.
The events saluted the 30th anniversary of the Disney VoluntEARS program, which provides opportunities for Disney cast and crew members to donate their time to worthy causes around the world. Events like this are just a small part of Disney’s commitment to give back to local communities through in-kind donations and the efforts of Disney VoluntEARS. In 2012, Disney Cruise Line cast and crew members completed 75 community outreach projects and donated more than 4,500 hours of personal service to nonprofit organizations, working both onboard the ships and in communities across Central Florida, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line provided more than $640,000 in charitable and in-kind donations to organizations supporting children, families and the environment.
By the way, you’ll really be able to go “under the sea” with Ariel, Ursula and friends, when “The Little Mermaid” comes out in 3D Blu-ray on October 1, 2013.
Is Ursula one of your favorite Disney villains? If so, leave us your best evil sea witch cackle – Ursula style – in the “Comments” section below!
Yen Sid isn’t the only sorcerer at work during “Mickey and the Magical Map”! Our Creative Entertainment team has employed plenty of technical wizardry to help bring the new, musical spectacular to life on stage.
Front and center, of course, is the map itself, created with an enormous, multi-tiered LED screen. It’s an incredible example of technology used as a tool to help tell our story, and there’s even more tech employed backstage.
Today, Technical Director Mike Layman gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the role technology plays in staging a production on the scale of “Mickey and the Magical Map.”
Check out these past posts about “Mickey and the Magical Map”:
Today, I am thrilled to show you the magic we shared over the weekend when Disney VoluntEARS, along with beloved Disney characters, assisted in delivering and hanging the mural at the Hospital General de Catalunya. The mural delivery and hospital visit showcases just one way Disney Cruise Line is committed to giving back to communities in ports of call around the world.
Scott Feight, executive director of the Foundation for Hospital Art, told us this was one of the largest murals they have ever created. “Seeing the reaction of the children here today showcases the true power of our mission of utilizing art to uplift the spirit and support healing in hospitals around the world,” he said.
Disney VoluntEARS also visited with the children in the hospital, which is one of many community outreach projects taking place to deliver toys and smiles to deserving children in the port communities along Disney’s Mediterranean itineraries this summer.
Ah, such a decadent way to start the day – classic eggs Benedict, really just a stack of crisp English muffin, grilled Canadian bacon and a perfectly poached egg until you top it with a velvety, rich hollandaise sauce.
And he also shares his recipe below for this dish that also make a delicious “brinner” – breakfast for dinner.
Eggs Benedict Steakhouse 55
Disneyland Hotel
Serves 4
Hollandaise Sauce
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
2 large egg yolks
Dash Tabasco
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 tablespoon water
Eggs Benedict
8 slices Canadian bacon
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
8 large eggs
4 English muffins
1 teaspoon chives
For hollandaise sauce:
Melt butter in a small saucepan on low heat. When butter has melted completely, tilt the pan and skim off the foamy liquid that rises to the surface to clarify the butter. Will need 1/2 cup for recipe. Set aside and keep warm.
Fill 2-quart saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer.
Whisk egg yolks, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and water in medium mixing bowl for approximately 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture lightens in color.
Place mixing bowl over simmering water and whisk to cook the egg mixture. Move bowl on and off the heat to avoid scrambling eggs—approximately 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off, for 3 to 5 minutes or until egg mixture coats the back of a spoon.
Remove bowl from heat and gradually whisk in small amounts of the warm clarified butter, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding more butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
For eggs Benedict:
Cook Canadian bacon in large skillet over medium high heat until golden brown on both sides. Set aside and keep warm.
Fill 2-quart saucepan half full with water. Add vinegar and bring to a simmer over low heat.
Crack the eggs into the water and cook 2 to 3 minutes until set and egg whites are opaque. Lift eggs out with a slotted spoon to drain. Set aside and keep warm.
To serve:
Halve and toast English muffins. Place two halves on each plate. Top with 1 slice of Canadian bacon and 1 poached egg.
Spoon warm Hollandaise sauce over eggs. Garnish with chives.
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