Wedged in between with some great holiday stories this week, we had a special update to share with Disney Parks Blog readers. New stories are coming to Disney Junior – Live on Stage! in 2013 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park.

Disney Junior – Live on Stage! is primed to get an update in early 2013, when new hits “Doc McStuffins” and “Sofia the First” join “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” Shawn shared details and dates in his original post.

And this week, Senses, a Disney Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, officially opened it’s doors. The full-service spa features 15 treatment rooms and many special touches. To learn more, check out Michelle’s original story.

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

Let Broadway’s ‘Newsies’ Take You Behind the Scenes at the ‘Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade’ Taping – Go behind the scenes of the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade with the cast of Broadway’s “Newsies” in this exclusive video.

Nighttime Holiday Magic at the Disneyland Resort – See how the talented teams at Disneyland Resort transformed Disney California Adventure park into a winter wonderland for the holidays.

Three Kings Day Celebration Returns to Disneyland Park – Back for its second year, the Three Kings Day celebration at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Frontierland at Disneyland park is one you won’t want to miss!

Make Your New Year’s Eve Party Plans Now for Downtown Disney Venues at Walt Disney World Resort – From a party at Splitsville Luxury Lanes to a celebration at Bongo’s Cuban Café, there’s no shortage of party plans available at Downtown Disney this New Year’s Eve.

Celebrating ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ at Carthay Circle in Disney California Adventure Park – Friday marked the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and in honor of the special day, we shared some of our favorite images of Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge.

We Wish You a Mele Kalikimaka from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa – Watch as the cast members of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i wish you and yours the happiest of holidays.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This week, we shared an important update from the Disneyland Resort. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close January 7 for refurbishment, reopening in fall 2013. Erin shared a list of updates that’ll be made to the attraction.

• New ride vehicles (but don’t worry – they’ll still look like the trains that you know and love!)
• Track replacement (but the attraction will still follow its current course)
• Repainting portions of the mountain itself (Walt Disney Imagineering has once again carefully studied Bryce Canyon for inspiration)

We’ll have more updates on the refurbishment throughout the year here on the Disney Parks Blog.

And we shared a new Disney holiday wallpaper earlier in the week. Take a look at our latest desktop/smartphone wallpaper, created by Disney artist Jason “Tiki” Tackett.

Please read the terms of use prior to download.

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

‘Monsieur Paul’ Restaurant Debuts December 11 Upstairs at Epcot France Pavilion – With new decor and a new menu, the Monsieur Paul Restaurant at France Pavilion in Epcot is sure to delight guests.

An Up-Close Look at the Disney Fantasy’s Holiday Décor – The Disney Fantasy is dressed to impress for its first holiday season at sea; take a look!

Y’All Come on Down to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree at Disneyland Park – Visit with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, tell Santa what you want for Christmas, decorate some delicious holiday cookies and more at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree in Disneyland park.

‘Disneyland Explorer’ App Now Available on iPhone and iPod Touch – The Happiest App on Earth now fits in your pocket with the “Disneyland Explorer” app, now available for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Photo Tour: Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the Holidays – Our tour of Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays continues with a look inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney and the Rose Parade: A 75-Year Tradition Continues – As we prepare for the 124th Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif., take a look back at the 75-year tradition of Disney involvement with the Tournament of Roses.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

This week was the week we’ve been anticipating all year – New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park officially opened to the world. It was a royal celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort as “Once Upon a Time” actress Ginnifer Goodwin, pop star Jordin Sparks and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs led a grand-opening ceremony that featured Disney characters, fireworks and more.

If you weren’t able to join us for the event, take a look at some of the highlights of the day and of the park brought to life by our Walt Disney Imagineers.

Also, after weeks of reports of strange sightings, a fire-breathing Disney Dragon finally appeared and Gary ended his search. If you missed it, see how the creature made his grand entrance in the night skies over Magic Kingdom Park.

Sources told Gary that the Dragon made the special appearance because he was drawn to the New Fantasyland Grand Opening Celebration. You can learn more about what led up to the big night by visiting Gary’s Disney Dragon Tumblr site.

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

Moms Panel Monday: Disney Parks After Dark – Walt Disney World Resort Moms Panelist Krista Curtis shares some of her family’s favorite “after dark” traditions at Disney Parks.

Tamales: A Holiday Tradition at the Disneyland Resort – Disneyland Resort Chef Martha Sigala shares her secret for making the perfect vegetable tamale at home this holiday season.

Download New ‘Finding Fantasyland’ Wallpapers – The wait is finally over and New Fantasyland is officially open. To celebrate, Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group shared some amazing new wallpaper images to decorate your desktop and mobile devices.

The Halls are Decked for the Holidays on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park – Watch as David Caranci, Manager of Resort Enhancement at the Disneyland Resort, shares a special look at Buena Vista Street as we celebrate its first holiday season.

Photo Tour: Visiting Epcot for the Holidays – Take a tour through the World Showcase at Epcot, with each of the park’s 11 pavilions dressed up for the holidays. Which one is your favorite?

Park Icon Artist Sketch Collection to Debut New Walt Disney Inspired Pieces at Disneyland Park – Disney Parks Blog author Michelle Harker shares a first look at some of the newest Park Icon Sketches debuting in the coming weeks at The Disney Gallery in Disneyland park.

Cars Land Gets Gussied Up for the Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park – The residents of Radiator Springs have gone all-out for the holidays this year. Take a look!

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

It’s hard to believe December is here and that we’re just days away from the official grand opening of New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park. To prepare for the big day, our exclusive blog series “All in the Details” featured ten great reasons why you’ll love New Fantasyland – no matter what age you are.

What part of New Fantasyland is your favorite? Let us know.

Also this week, Belle and Beast enlisted the help of HGTV’s “House Hunters International” to find a new castle home. Can they find a perfect place or are they living in a fantasy. Watch and see.

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

Visions of Sugar Plums – Walt Disney World Resort Decorations Look Good Enough to Eat – We’re celebrating the holidays all across Walt Disney World Resort; here’s a look at just a few of the spectacular sugary showpieces on display.

Take a Tour of Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park with Imagineer Kim Irvine – Let Imagineer Kim Irvine take you on a video tour through the new spaces of Main Street, U.S.A.

Send a Special Holiday Greeting from the Disneyland Resort – What better way to spread holiday cheer than with the help of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto?

D23 Announces Disney Events Across the Country For 2013 – Take a look at what D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has in store for Disney Parks fans across the country in 2013.

Comedy Warehouse Cast Brings the Gift of Laughter to Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Back by popular demand, “The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from December 23 through January 5.

Three New Gingerbread Creations Debut at Disney California Adventure Park – From a nod to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge to an en-“tire”-ly unique creation in Cars Land, here’s a look at three new gingerbread displays you can find throughout Disney California Adventure park this holiday season.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

What better way to wrap up Thanksgiving weekend than with a quick look at what happened at Disney Parks.

This week, we officially began our New Fantasyland Preview Period. During this time, New Fantasyland is open to all Magic Kingdom Park guests. And if you check out our original story, you’ll find a nice list of new experiences. New Fantasyland’s official grand opening is on December 6.

Our exclusive “All in the Details” series also featured one of the new areas you can explore during the Preview Period – Gaston’s Tavern in Belle’s Village. A centerpiece of the village is the spectacular fountain of Gaston and his sidekick, LeFou. Check out our original story to learn more about the storyline.

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

Moms Panel Monday: Happy Birthday Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa! – Walt Disney World Moms Panelist Jill Cooper shares some of her best tips for making your stay at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa even more memorable.

Top Toys at Disney Parks for the Holidays – From a Disney Parks Christmas Train Set to the Disney’s Polynesian Resort playset, here’s a look at just a few of our favorite toys available at Disney Parks this holiday season.

Jack and Sally Appear on Art at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – The launch of a new collection by Noah themed to “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” kicks off December at WonderGround Gallery in the Downtown Disney District; see what else the Art of Disney Parks has in store for next month.

Find New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park With Our New Interactive Website – Explore the lands, break the Curse and be the Hero with The Story of New Fantasyland, a new online experience for New Fantasyland.

Merchandise at Disney California Adventure Park is Definitely One For the Road – The holidays are officially in high gear at Disney California Adventure park – here’s a look at Cars Land-themed merchandise coming soon to stores.

The Holidays Are in Full Swing at Walt Disney World Resort – Take a look at the fun you can find at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom throughout the holiday season and tell us, which holiday offering is your favorite?

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

We’re ready for the holiday season at Disney Parks. And this week, the Disney Parks Blog shared an exclusive look at how Magic Kingdom Park was decorated this year.

Also this week, Gary shared a discovery he made online after reports of strange sightings at New Fantasyland. Is it a real magical dragon?

To find out more about the mysterious sightings at New Fantasyland visit Gary’s dragon-centric Tumblr blog: disneydragons.tumblr.com. And if you have your own dragon stories (or possible sightings!) to share on Twitter, use the hashtag #BelieveInFantasy.

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

It’s Time to ‘Celebrate the Magic’ at Magic Kingdom Park – The tradition of “The Magic, The Memories and You!” at Walt Disney World Resort continues with “Celebrate the Magic” – take a look at what you can expect.

First Look: Renderings of the New Test Track Chevrolet Design Center Pre-Show Released – Here’s a sneak peek of the reimagined Test Track – Presented by Chevrolet’s new pre-show, the Chevrolet Design Center.

Disneyland Ambassadors 1960s and ’70s: Where Are They Now? – Take a look at where some of our past Disneyland Ambassadors are now – in their own words – starting with some of those who served in the 1960s and ’70s.

Splitsville Almost Ready to ‘Roll In and Rock Out’ at Walt Disney World Resort – Disney Parks Blog author Darrell Fry goes behind the construction walls to share an exclusive look at the new Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Downtown Disney.

Military Family ‘Flips the Switch’ on More Than 300,000 Holiday Lights at Disneyland Resort – Watch as Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Mark Plummer and his family kick off the holiday season at Disneyland Resort.

Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Opening December 17 – Beginning next month, see how you can escape into a world of pampering and relaxation just steps away from Disney theme park fun.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort

If you haven’t heard, we’re now less than one month away from the Grand Opening of New Fantasyland. And to celebrate, we launched our largest “All in the Details” photo gallery yet.

And that’s not all. We also shared our first interactive timeline in honor of the New Fantasyland expansion. Click the image below and you’ll be able to scroll through the years.

The Fantasyland Timeline begins in 1965 and features some never-before-released photos from the beginning of Magic Kingdom Park. Let us know your favorite page.

And this week, we unveiled two new wallpapers especially for Disney Parks Blog readers. Disney artist Will Gay shared a design called “Love the Festival” to kick off the Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels and Jennifer shared the new “it’s a small world” wallpaper. Take a look at our growing collection.

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

First Look: Mario Lopez, Backstreet Boys and More at Disneyland Park for Shooting of the 2012 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC – It felt a lot like Christmas at Disneyland park last weekend – take a look at just some of what you can expect when the 2012 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade airs next month.

Earl of Sandwich Now Open in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort – “Extra” host Mario Lopez, Earl of Sandwich co-founder Robert Earl, and the “big cheese” himself – Mickey Mouse – were on-hand to cut the ribbon on the first Earl of Sandwich restaurant in California.

Santa’s on His Way to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree at Disneyland Park – Celebrating the Holidays at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland at Disneyland park will be more fun than ever as Santa and Mrs. Claus play host to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree.

Discover Morocco at Epcot – No Passport Needed – Travel to Morocco with Walt Disney World Resort Photographer Gene Duncan.

First Look: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Take a look at the first renderings of what you can expect when Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in December.

Mad T Party Gets Merrier at Disney California Adventure Park – From fanciful garlands to special edition silver tokens at the Mad Arcade, the Mad Tea Party prepares to add a pinch of splendiferous spirit to each evening’s celebrations just in time for the Holidays.

Tagged: DLR, WDW, Weekly Recap

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort