Sure, we were packed with stories of love this Valentine’s Day week but we also had a few big announcements to share with you, including some great news from Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Cruise Line is returning to Europe and Alaska in 2014 – with brand new destinations – and offering Southern Caribbean cruises from Puerto Rico for the first time ever.

From May to August 2014, the Disney Magic will sail four-, five-, seven-, nine- and 12-night cruises in the Mediterranean, including new destinations in the Greek Isles and Sicily for the very first time.

Also new for the 2014 European season, Disney Cruise Line will use Venice, Italy, as a homeport for select sailings. Check Jonathan’s stories for more details.

And did you see the rare photo of Walt Disney we shared this week? It was taken at the opening of the Skyway attraction on June 23, 1956 at Disneyland park. And as George shared, he looked pretty happy on the steps of the chalet-like setting in Fantasyland that served as its home for nearly 30 years. I love this photo.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

The Land of Oz Garden Magically Appears at Epcot – The Land of Oz Garden is now open and is the largest garden ever created for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

Walt Disney World Resort Brings the Magic of New Fantasyland to Times Square February 14 – Check out some of the fun from the Enchanted Moments on February 14 at the Disney Store in Times Square.

D23’s Fanniversary Celebration Brings Disney Magic to Guests Across the Country – D23 is taking the show on the road once again, bringing an all-new Disney Fanniversary Celebration to 10 cities across the country!

The Voices of Liberty Honor Presidents Day at Disney Parks for ‘Limited Time Magic’ – Voices of Liberty will honor Presidents Day with special musical celebrations for you to enjoy at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

The New Disney Junior – Live on Stage! Opens Today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – A new update to Disney Junior – Live on Stage! debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Get a Sneak Peek at ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ at Disney California Adventure Park During ‘Limited Time Magic’ – Come out to Disney California Adventure park from February 16 to March 31 for an exclusive sneak peak of “Oz The Great and Powerful” at Muppet*Vision 3D Theater.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

You know we love sharing inside tips here on the Disney Parks Blog and this week Walt Disney Imagineer Jonathan Ackley had more than a few for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is an in-park interactive experience in which you join forces with Merlin to defeat Disney Villains who are scheming to take over Magic Kingdom Park. You use maps to search for villain hideouts throughout the park, visit magic portals and use magic spell cards to foil each villain’s plan.

Paying attention to spell choice is one of many tips Jonathan shared. You can find his complete list in Jennifer’s original story.

And our “Celebration of True Love” is just one of many experiences planned during Valentine’s Day week as we continue our “Limited Time Magic” surprises at Disney Parks. We shared an update on some of the special experiences you can expect during February 11-17 and we asked for your stories of love, especially those with a Disney connection.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

A Recipe for Disney Cruise Line’s Marinated Lamb Chops – Fleet Culinary Standards and Consistency Chef for Disney Cruise Line Stephen Walker shares the recipe for Marinated Lamb Chops with Couscous Tabbouleh and Mint Mojo, a guest favorite at Cabanas on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

Meet the New Disneyland Ambassador Team – Get to know the new 2013-2014 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team, Megan Navarette and Sachiko White, as they officially began their two-year term.

Circle D Ranch Welcomes Two New Horses to the Disneyland Resort – Meet Bug and Finn, a pair of Brabant Belgian draft horses that recently came to the Disneyland Resort from a farm in the Midwest.

D23 and The Walt Disney Archives Decipher the Contents of Brad Bird’s Mysterious ‘Tomorrowland’ Photo! – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club called upon the Walt Disney Archives’ Director Becky Cline to examine the contents of a mysterious box that showed up in the Walt Disney Imagineering archives.

Enter For Your Chance to Experience New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park Like Royalty – Experience New Fantasyland in a way like never before with a five-day/four-night vacation to Walt Disney World Resort that includes a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite and a VIP tour. Enter now for your chance to win!

Disney Cruise Line Voyage Report: Adventures on the Disney Magic – Explore the Disney Magic and take a look at some of the lesser known adult-exclusive activities onboard.

Maurice’s Treats Coming to Fantasy Faire at Disneyland Park – The new Fantasy Faire, opening March 12, will be home to more than just Disney royalty – it will also be home to delicious new treats. Take a look!

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This week at Disney Parks, we celebrated a special milestone in Epcot history: the 25th anniversary of “IllumiNations.”

Our 12-minute show takes place on World Showcase Lagoon and tells the history of our planet through music, fireworks, lighted torches, and more. There are some great memories of the show shared in comments with Jennifer’s original post. Tell us your story.

And we shared first word of when the new Fantasy Faire at Disneyland park will officially open for guests – it’ll be March 12. There’s much to look forward to but one of the highlights of Fantasy Faire will be the Royal Theatre, where you’ll be treated to two unique shows relating the tales of “Beauty and the Beast” and “Tangled,” as told by a pair of Renaissance Storytellers, Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones. Shawn has more details in his original post.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

‘Limited Time Magic’ Continues at Disneyland Resort When Happy Lunar New Year Celebration Begins February 8 – The Happy Lunar New Year Celebration is set to begin February 8 at Disney California Adventure park.

Disney Cruise Line Prepares for 2013 Summer in Alaska – Beginning in May, the Disney Wonder will return to Alaska for another summer season exploring the grandeur of America’s 49th state!

Rainbow Ridge Mining Town to be Refurbished During Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Update at Disneyland Park – Erin provides an update on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment at Disneyland park.

Take a Sneak Peek at Tokyo Disney Resort’s 30th Anniversary Fun – Here’s a first look at how Tokyo Disneyland will celebrate its 30th anniversary!

NFL Players and Families Treated to Paradise with a Touch of Disney Magic at Aulani Pro Bowl Reception – NFL players and their families were treated to paradise with a touch of Disney magic during a special Pro Bowl reception at Aulani last week.

A Sneak Peek at New California Grill Menu at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort – California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is set to reopen in late summer, with new décor, a new kitchen and a new menu. Get a peek now at the upcoming offerings.

Tagged: DLR, Gallery, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This week, we shared an exclusive first look at the latest image in the ongoing Disney Dream Portrait series.

The portrait, created by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz, is captioned, “Where adventure awaits,” and it features six-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift as Rapunzel. Don’t miss our behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot featured in George’s follow-up blog post.

We also announced that a new interactive quest called A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas will debut in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park in spring.

When it opens, you’ll use a pirate map and magic talisman to complete five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland. The goal is to help locate different Treasures of the Seven Seas and fight off pirate enemies like the Royal Navy and Captain Barbossa, among others. Check Jenn’s story for more details.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

A Bi-Coastal runDisney Meet-Up Recap at Disney Parks – Check out these photo galleries from the bi-coastal runDisney Meet-Ups at the Walt Disney World Marathon and Tinker Bell Half Marathon.

Disney Time: World-Renowned DJ Steve Porter Creates a Walt Disney World Resort ‘Magical Mashup’ Featuring Guests, Cast Members and (of course) Mickey Mouse – DisneyTime DJ Steve Porter creates a “mashup of magical proportions” for Walt Disney World Resort.

A Look Back: Mickey’s Toontown Grand Opening Celebration at Disneyland Park – Twenty years ago this past week, Mickey’s Toontown first opened its gates at Disneyland park. Take a look back at the grand opening celebrations!

Attend ‘LIVE with Kelly and Michael’ Tapings at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort – Mickey Mouse stopped by “LIVE with Kelly and Michael” this week to extend a very special invitation.

‘A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue’ is a Hit with Disneyland Park Guests – The reviews are in, and “A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue” is a hit with Disneyland park guests! See what they had to say about this “Limited Time Magic” show.

Vote and Help Choose Our 2014 Disney Art Design – We need your help choosing our 2014 Disney art design. Vote for your favorite!

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This week, we announced that the Wilderness Explorers adventure organization is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

When it opens this spring, you can become Wilderness Explorers and experience the entire park using their field guides, completing challenges and earning badges as you go. Jennifer has more details on the experience and badges in her original story.

And we also announced our next “Limited Time Magic” surprise at the Walt Disney World Resort – long-lost Disney friends are returning to Magic Kingdom Park. For one week, January 21–27, be sure to have your camera ready for a rare chance to possibly brush shoulders with classic characters like Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, The Three Little Pigs, Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. Our original post has more details on how you can follow future “Limited Time Magic” announcements.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

A Visit to the Royal Hall at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland Park – Take a peek at the Royal Hall, part of the all-new Fantasy Faire opening at Disneyland park this spring.

Disney Style Snapshots: Dooney & Bourke Behind the Scenes – Here’s a look behind the scenes of one of the newest designs in the Disney & Bourke accessories line available at Disney Parks.

Relax, Rejuvenate & Unwind at Disney Resort Fitness Centers, Spas & Salons at Walt Disney World Resort – Sit back, relax and enjoy some “you time” at several salons and spas located on the Walt Disney World Resort property.

Windows on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park: Imagineer Marty Sklar – Watch as Walt Disney Imagineer Marty Sklar is honored in a special window ceremony on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park.

Snow Transforms Tokyo Disney Resort Into a Winter Wonderland – See Tokyo Disney Resort through a photographer’s lens in these amazing winter photos.

Disney Memories Inspire New runDisney Shoe – Disney Parks Blog author Robert Hitchcock recently traveled to the New Balance offices in Boston to talk with the designers behind the runDisney shoe.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This week, Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, shared a look at the work being done to to take the Disney guest experience to the next level.

Over the next several months, we’re rolling out a collection of tools at the Walt Disney World Resort called MyMagic+ that’ll give you more opportunities to customize and personalize your visit. And a major component of MyMagic+ is the new My Disney Experience website and mobile app. You can learn more about it in Tom’s original post.

And, of course, we’re continuing “Limited Time Magic” at Disney Parks on Monday. At Walt Disney World Resort, our extra sprinkle of Pixie Dust can be found at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot. For one week only, January 14-20, there will be a magical Winter Wonderland location, with falling snow, where you and your family can meet and take photos with some of your favorite Disney characters. We’ve included times in this week’s story.

And the good times will roll at Disneyland park with the return of New Orleans Bayou Bash! As part of “Limited Time Magic,” New Orleans Bayou Bash! will come alive in New Orleans Square from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Check Erin’s original post for dates and to learn more about the celebration.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Get a Look at What’s Next for Disneyland Park When Blue Sky Cellar Reopens January 19 – Blue Sky Cellar will reopen January 19 with models and artwork for new experiences coming to Disneyland park in 2013.

Exploring Costa Rica with Adventures by Disney: Part 3 – Disney Parks Blog author Jason Lasecki shares some of the top experiences from his week-long vacation with Adventures by Disney to Costa Rica.

Adventures in Miami with Disney Cruise Line – Now that Disney Cruise Line sails from Miami, read about activities you can do in this vibrant city after your voyage.

Follow ‘Walt Disney World Resort’ on Pinterest – If you’re a Pinterest user and enjoy Walt Disney World Resort, follow our new Walt Disney World Resort page on Pinterest.

Opening Day: ‘A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue’ at Disneyland Park – “A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue” opened Thursday at Disneyland park! Take a peek at both the new show and the classic show in this post.

New Bakery Opens at France Pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort – The big, new Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles bakery opens at France Pavilion at Epcot.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

We kicked off the first week of the New Year with a look at what’s to come in 2013. Jennifer shared 13 wonderful reasons to visit the Walt Disney World Resort during the year that included a visit to Princess Fairytale Hall when it opens in New Fantasyland. Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for Disney princesses to meet their loyal subjects in the Magic Kingdom Park. Check our original post to see the rest of the list.

And we recognized a couple who reached the milestone of visiting the Disneyland Resort every day in 2012. Jeff Reitz and Tonya Mickesh received a special welcome this week from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Erin has more in her original post.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on to begin January.

Exploring Costa Rica with Adventures by Disney – Ready to book a Costa Rican adventure with Adventures by Disney? Here’s a sneak peek at some of the local inhabitants you can expect to see.

New Posters from Disney Design Group Highlight the Luckier Side of 2013 – Who said the number 13 was unlucky? Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller shares a first look at new artwork showcasing the luckier side of 2013.

Happy Haven: Mandara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Take a look inside the happiest spot inside the Happiest Place on Earth, Mandara Spa.

‘Destination: Cars Land’ Makes its Rose Parade Debut – Did you see the “Destination: Cars Land” float in this year’s Rose Parade? If not, don’t miss this video recap!

Experience the Sights and Sound of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, No Passport Needed – Let Walt Disney World Resort photographer Gene Duncan take you to Africa without leaving the comfort of your home.

Discover the Secrets of ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’ This Summer at Disneyland Park – Here’s an exclusive look at the new live entertainment experience coming to the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park, “Mickey and the Magical Map.”

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort