Just for Fun

All posts in the Just for Fun category

Imagination Pavilion Closing?

Published July 23, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Could this be true or is it just a lot of wishful thinking on the part of those who loved the Imagination Pavilion in it’s glory days? Social media is swirling with rumors this morning that The Imagination Pavilion at Epcot will close beginning January 2nd, 2014. The Journey Into Imagination Ride with Figment and the ImageWorks retail location are rumored to remain closed for one year due to renovations.

We are also hearing that Captain EO will not reopen.

What are your thoughts? Could this be Figment’s big comeback?

Figment

 

Photo Credit DolphinDisneyOnly.com

 

 

8 Royal Babies of Disney

Published July 22, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Disney Royal Babies are so fun! Let’s take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about 8 of our favorite Disney monarchs in their younger days.

Let’s begin with beautiful little Tiana as a toddler!

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She was not a Princess quite yet in this photo – but with her paper crown and a wish on a star – she was well on her way!

Bless my soul – Herc still had his (baby) rolls!

Hercules
Hercules was a demigod in Ancient Greece, pretty close to being a royal – right? Besides…this photo of little baby Herc is just so cute!

Bambi

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Bambi’s dad was called the”great prince” of the forest. Here is Bambi as a fawn – just about ready to begin walking in his Dad’s royal footsteps!

Tarzan

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He would grow up to be the king of the jungle!

Health to the Princess Aurora!

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Princess Aurora was born to a King and Queen, betrothed, eventually married to her Prince! The whole kingdom arrived when she was born – she’s (kind of) a big deal don’t you think?

Simba and Nala

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Shown here as a cuddly little lion cub – he just couldn’t WAIT to be king! Already hanging out with his beautiful future queen – baby Nala!

Little Merida!

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Already beautiful with her sassy big hair – here is marvelous Merida! Officially coronated in 2013 – she is certainly a Princess known for being the most gifted sports – like in archery!

Rapunzel!

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Despite being kidnapped as a baby, Punzy still managed to grow in grace and was always a princess at heart.

All photos are credit Disney including the awesome one below! Can you name some Royal Babies of Disney that we might have missed?

 

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Video! Long-Lost Friends Week

Published July 21, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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Disney Parks asked everyone to vote on their favorite characters to bring back for Long-Lost Friends week (July 15-21) as part of the Limited Time Magic promotion in 2013. The chosen characters were then available for meet and greets

I really enjoyed this 3 minute video from John Saccheri of BigFatPanda.com – and I just had to share it with you! You may recall we had him as a guest on The Disney Parks Podcast recently –  and as you can tell – he is just as much fun in person! This video also features the fabulous Shelley Caran from OnTheGoinMCO.com – and I think you’ll agree that these two make a great on-camera team!

I love that it is a real video from a real person- with no corporate filtering. It gives you an idea of what it was like to be there, including noise from the crowd surrounding the characters. Even better – it made me crack up laughing, and I hope it does the same for you! Follow BigFatPanda.com on YouTube for more great videos!

AJ from the Disney Food Blog Answers Your Questions!

Published July 16, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Don’t you just love the subject of Disney FOOD? Most Disney fans who love Disney food are familiar with the fabulous AJ Wolfe and her fantastic website, DisneyFoodBlog.com.

AJ

A few moths ago, AJ graciously agreed to do an interview with us. Right away I sent out a call to action for you guys – all my friends and  readers here at Disneyways – and asked you to send in YOUR questions for AJ. Thank you so much to everyone who responded!

AJ recently sent me an email with all the answers to your awesome questions and she really made my day. I am so grateful to her for taking time out of her busy schedule to respond to us. I can not thank her enough! Please be sure to write to her on twitter, facebook, and visit her site often – I know she would love to hear from you! Also, don’t forget to check out the latest versions of all of AJ’s guides to Disney food! Without further adieu – here is our Q&A with AJ Wolfe.

1. John from Atlanta: What classic MK snack do you think needs a makeover?

It’s not so much a makeover, but I would love it if Walt Disney World would bring the same great garnishes to their Dole Whip floats that Disneyland currently uses. There’s something magical about a little umbrella and a cherry!

2. Heidi S. from McAlisterville, PA: I’m set in my ways and get a Dole Whip Float on every visit to the Magic Kingdom. However, I need to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. What do you recommend?

Have you tried the Citrus Swirl? It’s a great nod to Disney tradition as well, and has recently returned to the parks in its original form. A twisted combination of frozen orange juice and vanilla soft serve, you can even get this delicious treat as a float as well!

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3.DisneyPirate Dave from Treasure Island FL:
Is there any information in the book for people with special dietary needs like diabetes, allergies, vegan, or other?

Absolutely! We at Disney Food Blog know it’s extremely important that guests with special dietary needs are able to access the information they need to have an enjoyable visit, so we have included an extensive section in The Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining on special dietary needs. It’s chock full of tips, links, and resources that you can use to plan ahead, or while you’re on the go, to ensure a safe eating experience.

4. Samantha J. from Niagara Falls, Canada:
I always thought Disney could make a ton (like they need it!) and save their guests a lot by having a PARK refillable mug, what are your thoughts on this?

I’m up for anything that makes the Disney dining experience more enjoyable! That have been rumors that Disney was testing Park Mugs, but as of this date, we haven’t seen them come to fruition.

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5. Sarah N. from Sarasota FL:What is your best cost-effective snack tip (or best suggested item to use use DDPP snack credits on)? What do you consider the most decadent snack to be? What’s the most expensive snack you’ve seen?

My best cost effective tip would be this: don’t ever leave with unused snack credits! If you find yourself with leftover snack credits on the day you’re to leave, visit one of the confectioneries or gift shops that sell items you can take with you, and use your snack purchase to buy these edible souvenirs. Not using every last credit would be a shame!

I think, hands down, the myriad of ginormous Disney cupcakes available for a snack credit would have to win my vote for most decadent snack. They’re huge, and easily shareable between a couple of people. But the new salted caramel ganache at the Boardwalk Bakery is a close second!

The most expensive snacks are usually associated with the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. They regularly feature several of the higher-priced items for a snack credit. Last year, for instance, you could get lobster for a steal! That’s also another tip that I like to give readers: if you’ll be in Walt Disney World for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which takes place September 27 — November 12, be sure to save your snack credits for a trip to the World Showcase Marketplace Booths!

keep calm epcot food and wine
6. You must know so much about Disney food already, but was there anything new that you learned while writing this book?

There is always something new to learn about Disney food! They are constantly trying new things, and experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. I think the biggest news this year will be how My Magic + will continue to impact the way that we go about making advance dining reservations. I see the potential for that to be a real game changer for how guests weave dining into their Disney experience.

7. Are you currently working on any new projects or books?

Always! We have just released our very first DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks, and it’s already a big hit! We are currently putting the final touches on our DFB Guide to the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which is available for pre-order (and includes the 2012 guide for free). Other books in the works are an updated guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays (which also includes the 2012 guide for free). Finally, we are continuing work on additions that focus on Disneyland Parks, and Dining with Kids in Disney World as well.

8. What is the next snack you plan on enjoying when you go to Magic Kingdom?

It might depend on cravings at the time, but I’d say there’s a better than good chance I’ll enjoy an ice cream cookie sandwich from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments! No trip would be complete without one!

9. How long will the new guide to snacks be available?

For the forseeable future! We take great pride in making sure that the information in the books is current and relevant, so we release new versions annually.

10. I know we all have, or will have our own reasons for loving the book. But what do you think makes your book the very best out there and who do you think will benefit most from it?

In a nutshell, there is no other Disney guide out there that provides a complete look at all things related to Disney food, but that doesn’t stop us from creating the BEST books we can. We have the knowledge and we have done the research to bring you the most comprehensive and truly useful guides to Disney dining possible, and our books are a fantastic resource for planning a vacation at Walt Disney World. We’re constantly dreaming up new ways to make our next versions even better than the previous ones.

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Click here to browse all the latest e-guides that the Disney Food Blog has available to help you plan YOUR dining experiences on your next trip to Disney!

Join the Optimist! The worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy were only the beginning…

Published July 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Don’t you love watching Walt Disney on TV and YouTube – or just hearing his voice? I know I do. There’s a reason everyone seemed to think of him as Uncle Walt. It is amazing to think so much joy and inspiration is still coming forth from this man. He made an amazing difference to the world during his all too short life.

WALT the Optimist

Walt represents many things to a number of people. Nobody could argue that Walt Disney was a real-life “visionary idealist” – and that trait is the big star in The Optimist,” a new alternate reality game presented through a partnership between Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development and The Walt Disney Studios.

This 6-week alternate reality game will engage us with social media, email, physical mail, and culminate at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 9-11, 2013.

Here is how it was explained to us on the D23 website:

“In this narrative adventure, participants around the globe linked by social media will join fictional characters to explore both virtual and physical realms, piecing together an imagined story of Walt Disney, the Imagineers and other visionary thinkers and their potential involvement in a mysterious project that sought to build a better future.”

walt2Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development head Scott Trowbridge is behind the whole thing, and here is what he had to say:

“…One of our characters has discovered some previously unknown facts that could change what we think we know about Walt Disney, Imagineering and Disneyland Park. Players can participate at different levels of engagement over the six-week story—from leveraging social media and mobile devices to visiting unique physical sites from the story in and around Los Angeles.”

Some characters and situations in The Optimist are based on real people and events. Overall though – the experience is just pretend – and not supposed to represent real history.

optimist

The hope is to connect people around the world with each other, and to tell a story that is unbelievable yet encouraging. We could all use some encouragement at times – so I am excited about what this has in store for us!

Visit Optimist.Disney.com to learn more about the experience and get started! If you already have an account with Disney to book your resort stays and dining reservations – you will use that same login information here.

Lava Lounge now Open in Downtown Disney Orlando

Published July 6, 2013 by Disneyways.com
Photo Credit: DisneyFoodBlog.com

Photo Credit: DisneyFoodBlog.com

I was super excited to get to check out the brand-new Lava Lounge at Rainforest Café. Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs!)  fans like me will love this place. The setting couldn’t be more perfect. It’s right on the waterfront, which is something I loved. The entrance is themed like a cave entering the side of the volcano.

Lava Lounge

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Not your average lounge lizard – the Lava Lounge has an animatronic crocodile in the front! He wakes up every few minutes to growl and show you his teeth. The kids were standing around in awe looking at this thing.

That’s not all! Without even trying the food here yet – I can tell you two of my favorite things about this place so far:

1. There was a wait to dine inside at Rainforest Café, but at the Lava Lounge, seating is first-come, first-served.

2. Not only can you order from the full Rainforest Café menu, but there’s also a special menu featuring items created just for the Lava Lounge!

With cool names for the assorted dishes such as “Volcanic Sliders”, “Tectonic Tacos”, and something called “The Jungle Runner” as a signature drink – how can you go wrong? There are lots of choices on the menu, so chances are there’s something everyone in your party will enjoy.

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Don’t let the “Lounge” title throw you off; it’s a space for all kinds of groups. The animals inside will be great for conversation, and may give you a chance to teach the kids something new.

Lava Lounge Monkey Lava Lounge Bird

For even more fun, The Rainforest Café Volcano erupts multiple times each evening with a sizzling display of flame spires, fireballs, steam bursts and fog that erupts in sync with a light and sound show. It is really impressive, and you can see, hear and even feel it from inside the Lava Lounge.  It’s the sort of thing you’d only expect to see at a Disney theme park…or maybe Las Vegas. Check out this cool video!

So have you tried the Lava Lounge yet? What did you think?

 

Dapper Day Details – Fall 2013

Published June 28, 2013 by Disneyways.com

dapper day 2013

Just as a refresher, what is Dapper Day at Disney and where did it all begin? Organizer Justin Jorgensen is said to have been inspired by the original Imagineer Illustrations of Disney Park designs. These images often portray guests dressed as though they are going out for a very upscale event such as an opera or a maybe a high-end restaurant. Why shouldn’t going to Disney still be on par with such grand affairs? Well, that is what Dapper Day is all about. It is a chance to realize those designer’s dreams. On Dapper Day, you bring those illustrations to life when you become those well dressed guests the designers imagined (or hoped) would be filling the park.

Started spring of 2011, Dapper Day organizes fashionable gatherings at The Disney Resorts in LA, Orlando, and Paris. February 24, 2013 was the date of the latest event.

The coming celebration is expected to be an “evening affair.”

“DAPPER DAY Fall Soirée” Friday September 6, 2013 at  Disneyland Resort, and Saturday September 21, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Here is video of the February event at Walt Disney World!

Dapper Day is NOT a Disney sponsored event. It is completely optional and perfectly OK to stay casual or not even participate at all.

Hot Date Night – Free Sandwich at Downtown Disney and MagicBandit Photoshoot

Published June 23, 2013 by Disneyways.com

My husband and I had a great time on Wednesday. It was a big date night for us…getting his free birthday sandwich from Earl of Sandwich, and snapping pictures of all the new MagicBand accessories for my article over at Chip & Co! Hey, after all these years, romance is in the eye of the beholder!

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Please click the logo below to head over to Chip & Co. You’ll get to see some of the great photos of all this MagicBand fun…pricing on the accessories…and lots more magical Disney stuff from ALL of Chip’s other great Disney writers!

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Video! Cast Member Making Cake Pops inside Big Top Souvenirs

Published June 18, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Beautiful, bright pink, Mickey Mouse shaped cake pops… hand made… right in front of you. It just doesn’t get any better!

Where can you find these? Under the Big Top inside the Storybook Circus area of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

Many thanks to our man-on-the-scene Ramon Rodriguez for the video!

FREE Video Game Demos at Disney Now Until June 23rd 2013!

Published June 11, 2013 by Disneyways.com
Jen Jefferson is a travel agent with Glass Slipper Concierge. Jen spent some time in the parks recently and got to check out the Wii U Demos first hand! Thank you Jen for the info!
Wii U Demos at Disney – going on now through June 23rd! ~ By: Jen Jefferson
Video Gamers rejoice!  Just when you thought you had to leave your controllers at home, Disney and Nintendo have brought the living room to your vacation! Nintendo is in the Downtown Disney Marketplace to showcase their newest Wii U console and give guests the chance to test out some of their most popular games – for FREE!
The experience is  open 10am – 10pm daily, weather permitting.
Photo Credit Disney

PHOTO CREDIT: DISNEY

Now through June 23rd, Downtown Disney at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, is hosting these Wii U demonstrations.  Temporary living room pods are on hand, with Wii Gurus encouraging visitors to have a seat on the couch or bean bag, and try out the new U system and games like New Super Mario Bros. and Nintendo Land.  Photo ops with your favorite Nintendo character decor also abound.  The living room pods are located in front of Once Upon a Toy (Walt Disney World), and Earl of Sandwich (Disneyland).
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The excitement will ramp up during Car Masters Weekend, June 15th and 16th, with a preview of the new game Disney Infinity (Downtown Disney West Side, Walt Disney World).
Game On!
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