I spotted a few more items that caught my eye including an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit T-shirt that was released at Disney Parks this spring.
New items are added nearly every week, and you can see them in the “Disney Parks Product – New Arrivals” section of the store. The online store team also told me that it’s a good idea to visit regularly as the assortment varies often.
Finally, they are holding a special online store promotion from June 13-16, 2013. Guests can enjoy free shipping on Disney Parks items found at http://www.DisneyParks.com/Store. At checkout, make sure you use the promo code “PARKFREE.”
It’s National Adopt-A-Cat Month, and I’ve found the perfect trio you’ll want to welcome into your home. Sure, they might make a racket, and you’d need to go back in time to adopt them, but other than that, they’d be a great addition. Here’s a look at Scat Cat’s jazz band from “The Aristocats” performing at the Plaza Pavilion at Magic Kingdom Park in the 1970s.
Sporting colors that represent a “far-out” moment from the film, Scat Cat (left) along with English Cat (on the drums) and the Italian Cat (right), performed for guests showcasing why “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat.”
See the posts below for more vintage stories from around Disney Parks:
While at Disney’s world-class sports facility, Kaká gave a quick soccer lesson to Mickey and a couple of his youth soccer friends, demonstrating proper techniques for a penalty kick and corner kick.
In its 14th year at ESPN Wide World of Sports, the upcoming Disney Cup International presented by AS Roma, will be held July 15-20 and has attracted more than 200 teams from 19 countries.
Off the field, Kaká boasts a monstrous social media presence. He was the first athlete to surpass 10 million followers on Twitter – now at more than 15 million – along with millions more fans on Facebook and Instagram.
To see a couple highlights from his visit, check out the video below that was produced by my fellow Disney Parks Blog author, Bob Hitchcock.
The one parade I remember from my childhood visits to Walt Disney World Resort was the Main Street Electrical Parade. Upon hearing the opening bars of “Baroque Hoedown,” I’m immediately transported to warm summer nights enjoying the dazzling lights. As my fellow author Jennifer Fickley-Baker explained in this article, the parade originally debuted at Disneyland park in June 1972 and later at Walt Disney World Resort in June 1977. Since June is an anniversary month for this classic parade, I thought a look at a new Disney ear hat ornament set would be wonderful. This limited edition set will be released August at Disney Parks. I caught up with Disney Design Group artist Costa Alavezos who designed this set to learn more.
“I was happy to work on this ear hat ornament set as the Main Street Electrical Parade is loved by so many guests,” explained Costa. “For the ornaments, I selected some of the most memorable float including my favorite – ‘To Honor America.’ That float is one of the longest in the parade. I considered making ornaments featuring every element from that section, but that would have been a massive ornament set [laughs]. So I chose to focus only on the iconic bald eagle, a symbol of the United States of America.”
The set has five different ornaments that will light up. I think my favorite is Elliot the dragon from “Pete’s Dragon” (I photographed him above with the light mechanism turned on). The set will have an edition size of 600, and will be released at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in August. The Disney Parks online store will also carry it at a yet-to-be determined date.
We start with a nautical palette of navy, red and white that plays out perfectly on the “Love Love Love” tee. The slouchy silhouette is great with khaki shorts and easily doubles as a swim suit coverup. The halter swimsuit flatters the figure with a color block design and cord detail above the waist. We carry the nautical theme all the way through to the Dooney & Bourke wristlet in navy and white vertical stripes, just the right size for the essentials – your phone, park tickets, sunscreen and some cash/cards. And no summer look would be complete without a pedicure. We picked Looking for My Prince, a classic red shade from the Beautifully Disney collection.
They’re some of the hottest tickets in town, so get ready to dial at 7 a.m. on Aug. 13 when the phone lines open to book reservations for premium events for the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11.
The all-important number to keep handy: 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378). Some of the popular events sell out fast, and there are new events this year, too, during the 46-day fest. From the over-the-top Party for the Senses grand tasting experience on select Saturday nights to a new taste of Scottish cuisine, there are lots of opportunities. Price per ticket:
New Scotland, Land of Food And Drink (Sept. 28), $95 or $115
Additional events include Italian and French pairings and lunches, and a Mexican tequila lunch. Guests also can book special festival experiences including daily Culinary Demonstrations ($14), Mixology Seminars ($15) and Wine, Beer or Spirit Seminars ($14). Inside-the-park festival dining experiences as well as culinary and beverage programs require park admission fees. Event updates and details will be posted on the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Facebook page in August.
With Father’s Day approaching, our vote at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for father of the year is Kenny, one of our siamangs (a species of ape). Kenny has been raising his twin daughters, Veruca and Violet, since they were a couple of months old and doing a fantastic job under the watchful eyes of our animal care team.
Twins are rare for siamangs. Mom began caring for one of the infants, and our primate team stepped in to help by hand rearing the other one.
Dad Kenny, who had demonstrated great parenting skills in the past, then took on the job of raising first one, then both of his daughters, with our animal keepers continuing to bottle-feed the infants until they moved on to solid foods.
While the twins look very much alike, they have very different personalities. Violet is the more dominant twin and definitely a daddy’s girl. She often wins during wrestling matches with her sister. Veruca is more laid back and does not typically hang out with dad as much.
The twins will be two years old this fall and are doing great. Guests love watching them with their dad in the Asia area of the park as they wrestle with each other, play in the hammocks and try to wake dad from his naps. But don’t let Kenny’s sleepy demeanor fool you—he’s very aware of his surroundings and where the kids are and what they’re up to. Meanwhile, mom, Penny, and older sister, Bahiyah, are in their backstage habitat. Our primate team hopes to get the family back together in their habitat in Asia when the twins get a little older.
The team shot some video of Kenny and the twins at play in their habitat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Enjoy!
Siamang fun facts:
Siamangs are the largest species in the gibbon family. Like all species of apes, siamangs do not have tails.
They usually weigh approximately 20-30 lbs.- males are slightly larger than females. They are about 3 feet in height.
They are great trapeze artists and use their long arms for travel in the rainforest canopy. Siamangs, and other gibbons, are the only true brachiators, which means that they locomote through the trees using only their arms. Siamangs have exceptionally long arms and shortened legs to facilitate this method of movement.
When not brachiating, siamangs generally walk bipedally (on two legs) and raise their arms above their heads for balance. Their feet have opposable big toes capable of holding and carrying objects.
I’m excited to share that legendary car designer and builder, Chip Foose, is returning to Car Masters Weekend this year at Downtown Disney on June 15-16. The event is dedicated to all things automotive, including Disney•Pixar’s “Cars” and a dynamic car show featuring over 150 vehicles. I recall attending last year’s event with my fiancé and son. I took many photos of some pretty classic cars (which is probably about as close as I’m going to get to owning one). For this year’s event, Chip created some original artwork featuring elements from Walt Disney World Resort done in his signature marker style.
We will offer apparel, deluxe prints and even Chip’s original art featuring select images. The image of the fire engine in front of Cinderella Castle will be turned into a license plate and limited edition D-Tech On Demand cases for the iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5 (there will be 25 cases for each iPhone model).
I think my favorite design is the Tomorrowland Speedway-inspired car shown above (now that would be an awesome car for “cruisin’” to work).
These items will be released at D-Street and at the Disney Truck Shop in Downtown Disney West Side. Chip will be making an appearance at D-Street on both Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Guests who purchase one of Chip’s items will receive a wristband to meet him that day (queue will be formed starting at 10:30 a.m. in front of D-Street).
One of the things I love most about my role is the chance to be involved in our Downtown Disney events, like the upcoming Car Masters Weekend taking place June 15-16, at Downtown Disney West Side. We start planning months (and months!) in advance, and even though we may change gears (pun totally intended) during that time, we always end up with an amazing offering for our guests.
It’s my first year working on Car Masters Weekend, and while I’m not a huge car buff myself, I couldn’t be more excited about this one! I’ve gotten the green flag to share the details with you, so get ready to get revved up – here’s what’s in store:
Character Meet ‘n’ Greet with favorite “Cars” characters, including Lightning McQueen and Mater – I hardly ever see them outside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Cars Land, so this is huge! Bring your own camera or take advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass service, just be sure to capture the moment.
Over 150 exotic, muscle and classic cars on display – This is the most cars we’ve ever had at this event. I’m jazzed that it gets bigger and better every year! Personally, I love the old ones … they make me want to put on a poodle skirt and doo-wop. Anyone else?
Special Guest Appearances by legendary car designer Chip Foose – Yeah, he’s sort of a big deal; in spite of not being a car aficionado, even I know who Chip is! Not only is he taking part in some of the entertainment (so you may get to see him onstage), but he also designed merchandise items especially for this event!
Father’s Day Weekend offers and discounts at a variety of Downtown Disney retail and dining locations – I can’t pass up a bargain and I love to eat; need I say more?
“Limited Time Magic” Treats – This just in! We’ll be offering a Berry Blast Sorbet “Cars”-themed Push-Pop exclusively during the event weekend. Yum!
More Interactive Action – I loved remote control cars as a kid, so I’ll be testing out the RIDEMAKERZ models at the event. I’m also pumped to play “Disney Infinity,” the highly-anticipated new game from Disney Interactive. Plus, rumor has it that our friends at Walt Disney Studios are planning to showcase “Monsters University,” “The Lone Ranger” and “PLANES” in some cool, unique ways. I can’t wait to see for myself!
Visit the official Car Masters Weekend website here.
Want even more Cars-themed fun over Father’s Day Weekend? Splitsville Luxury Lanes is hosting a first-of-its-kind Sock Hop on Saturday, June 15th, with food, drinks and lively entertainment; plus, I hear Chip Foose will be there! And AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatre will be offering a “Cars” movie marathon throughout the weekend. Get more details and find out how to purchase tickets here and here, respectively.
Not sure about you, but I’ll be parked at Downtown Disney June 15-16. I hope to see you there! (Be sure to honk if you see me!)
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.
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