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Showing posts from August, 2012

"Celebrate the Magic" Nighttime Show Coming to Magic Kingdom Park

Beginning this November, guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park will be able to enjoy a new nighttime projection show on Cinderella Castle. “Celebrate the Magic” will incorporate favorite elements from the current show, “The Magic, The Memories and You!,” with all-new music, storytelling and special effects. "Celebrate the Magic" takes us on a journey to the heart of the most beloved Disney stories and characters,” said Show Director Katy Harris. “This amazing show will magically transform Cinderella Castle with spectacular projection effects, choreographed to a new music soundtrack. The show will be full of emotion and storytelling, proving that, with imagination and magic in our hearts, anything is possible.” “The Magic, The Memories and You!” will be presented for the last time on Labor Day, September 3, at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland park. While “Celebrate the Magic” will be exclusive to Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland Resort guests can look forward to ...

Great castle pic!

Came across this great photo on Facebook. I wish I knew who to credit it to, so you can assume I took it if you want. Have a great day everyone!

Is the Sorcerer Hat a goner?

If you believe the rumor that is running rampant on many Disney fan sites, then it appears that the beloved (in my eyes) Sorcerers Hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios is not long for this Walt Disney World. The Sorcerer's Hat debuted on September 28, 2001 as part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. T he hat quickly became the icon of Disney's Hollywood Studios, thus replacing the facade of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre which houses the The Great Movie Ride. An attraction that is screaming loudly for a major rehab in the near future. Of course, you had to know that my opinion was coming... I like the hat, and I know that I'm in the minority. To me it represents the essence that is DHS. The magic and mystery behind movies and entertainment. It's an awesome backdrop for Disney Channel Rocks and Hyperspace Hoopla. It's a great meeting place if you get lost. How many of us have great family pictures taken in front, especially at nigh...

The Lion King Wing Opens at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The wait is over! The 3rd of the 4 wings that makes up Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is now opened allowing guests to step into one of the most successful animated films of all-time, The Lion King!

Run Disney and Track Shack

Look who was representing Run Disney at Track Shacks 35th Birthday and Celebration of Running event!     Posted with Blogsy

"The Magic, The Memories and You!" set to close for a rework

Magic Kingdom's popular "The Magic, The Memories and You!" show is scheduled to close on September 3, 2012. This will allow this unique and spectacular piece of entertainment to be completely reworked into an entire new show. It is anticipated that the new show will use the same projection technology that made the current show so popular. The new show is expected to debut in time for the 2012 holidays. While the original "The Magic, The Memories and You!" show has received several small changes since its debut in early 2011, this will be the first major change and it's expected it will also include a new name.

Disney to resume tests of the NextGen FASTPASS system in September

Disney is expected to resume trialing its "NextGen FASTPASS+" system in September. A limited number of tests were carried out with a new RFID FASTPASS system back in May. It's expected that this next round of tests will be more extensive and will use the new WiFi system currently being rolled out across the theme parks. This will in turn allow Disney to use the FASTPASS system with their recently launched "My Disney Experience" smartphone application. The end result will mean that guests can get a FASTPASS from their phone, without having to go to a FASTPASS distribution terminal at a single location. The NextGen WiFi system is currently available in the Magic Kingdom, and is expected to be available in other parks over the coming months. This next round of tests may signal that the WiFi rollout will be completed, ready for September.

"Phineas and Ferb and YOU A Brand New Reality" coming to Downtown Disney West Side

A new Phineas and Ferb interactive activity is coming to Downtown Disney next month. Starting September 1 2012, "Phineas and Ferb & YOU A Brand New Reality" is an augmented reality activity that allows you to interact with characters Phineas, Ferb, Dr Doof and Agent P. on a screen, specially augmented with images of you. Disney has said that the activity will be complimentary, and will also enable you to share a complimentary digital photo of your experience. "Phineas and Ferb & YOU A Brand New Reality" will be located next to Bongos at the West Side, and will operate from September 1 to December 1 2012, from 2pm to 9:30pm daily. Read more about it here on the official Disney Blog

Smash Mouth and winner of 'The Voice' join this year's Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Smash Mouth, Blues Traveler, Dennis DeYoung and Javier Colon, winner of 'The Voice', join this year's Eat to the Beat Concert Series as part of Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival.   The concerts are included with regular park admission, with shows times of 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8pm.  The performer line-up is subject to change. Here is the full line-up. 9/28-9/30/12  Night Ranger  10/1-10/3/12  Sugar Ray  10/4-10/7/12  STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas  10/8-10/10/12  Boyz II Men  10/11-10/12/12  Smash Mouth  10/13-10/14/12  Javier Colon, winner of "The Voice"  10/15-10/17/12  Air Supply  10/18-10/19/12  Gin Blossoms  10/20-10/21/12  Survivor  10/22-10/23/12  Hanson  10/24-10/25/12  The Pointer Sisters  10/26-10/28/12  Sister Hazel  10/29-10/31/12  Billy Ocean  11/1-11/2/12 38  Special  11/3-11/4/12  Howard Jones LIVE...

Walt Disney Imagineering make significant appointment for upcoming Walt Disney World projects

Walt Disney Imagineering has just completed an organizational reshuffle which appears to point to some significant activity at Walt Disney World in the near future. Kathy Magnum, a 30 year plus veteran at WDI who has most recently overseen the Cars Land project at Disneyland Resort, has moved to Florida to become 'Executive Producer, Walt Disney World Portfolio".  In this new role, Kathy becomes the creative producer for Walt Disney World, partnering with Jack Blitch.  In her new role, Kathy will continue to report to  WDI Chief Creative Executive, Bruce Vaughn .  She will also work directly with Meg Crofton and her executive team on behalf of Walt Disney Imagineering. Joe Rhode continues as creative director at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Eric Jacobson continues with responsibility for the creative side of Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. These changes come as Walt DIsney World is starting to wrap up on the new Fantasyland...

Pirates of the Caribbean closing for short refurbishment

Pirates of the Caribbean is scheduled to be closed for a one day refurbishment on October 9 2012.  In recent weeks work has been taking place in the queue area, with speculation of some NextGen elements being included.  It would seem logical that the single day closure could be related to completing this work.

Grand Opening Dates set for new Fantasyland at Disney's Magic Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Magic Kingdom guests blink back in amazement at the scene: not one, but two colorful Dumbos spinning through the sky above Storybook Circus. To the delight of fans of the beloved  Dumbo, the Flying Elephant  attraction, a second Dumbo flies alongside. The playful pachyderm is joined in Storybook Circus by the  Barnstormer Coaster  re-themed to the Great Goofini, the  Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak   Station   water play area and the Fantasyland Train Station  — all part of the multiyear, largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. There’s more to come as the expansion of the New Fantasyland – nearly doubling in size — continues at Walt Disney World Resort. In fact, so many more  attractions are coming on line later this year that Dec. 6, 2012 has been set as the Grand Opening of Fantasyland. Previews begin Nov. 19. Slated to make their debuts: Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid , a major attraction whe...

WDW Cast Members donate a record 3.1 million school supplies

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 9, 2012 – School superintendents from Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Polk counties today joined Disney VolunEARS and Mickey Mouse to celebrate a record 3.1 million supplies and 13,000 backpacks that are on the way to students across Central Florida. The supplies, all donated by Disney Cast Members and Walt Disney World Resort, were collected during the annual Back-to-School Supply Drive. The initiative is part of Disney’s long-standing tradition of supporting school children in Central Florida from early learning through college. “With the Back-to-School drive, our mission is to help set students up for success, even if it is one pencil at a time,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “We not only want to make a difference for the students, but also inspire others to support and nurture the children who are the future of our community.” Orange County Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins, Osceola County...