News and Events

All posts in the News and Events category

VIDEO! Trying the New L’Artisan des Glaces Sorbet and Ice Cream Shop in France

Published June 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

By now you know all about my friend Sarah, (Sensational Sarah as I like to call her!) her awesome website for folks with food allergies at Walt Disney World – and her spectacular event coming up in October at Disney. There are still a few tickets left for the event by the way – and all of the profits are going to charity.

The famous Chip of the Chip and Company website asked Sarah and I to team up and do a review of  the highly anticipated–  L’Artisan des Glaces Sorbet and Ice Cream Shop over in the France Pavilion at Epcot!

How could I NOT be completely excited about this? First of all, I love Sarah and I treasure her friendship very much so just getting to hang out with her is fun. Second of all, writing for Chip and Company is like a dream come true for me – and third – well it’s ice cream – which in itself is something I consider to be the 5th food group.

Here is a photo that Chip made – and I think you can see the excitement on my face over this whole ordeal. It reminds me of an opening scene from Laverne and Shirley or some other comedic sitcom, and it just might be one of my favorite pictures of all-time. Thank you Chip!

chip picture

On my way to meet Sarah that day, I thought about asking her to film a quick video of my very first visit to this shop. It was just a last minute decision. I had no script and no idea what I was going to say – as you can clearly tell. Just for laughs though, I posted it on facebook…and I actually got a really great reaction!

I have always had a dream in my heart to make videos like this at Disney. Short, and hopefully helpful and fun to anyone who love Disney as much as I do. Sarah and my facebook friends have really encouraged me to go for my dream – so you can expect to see more stuff like this coming to my YouTube channel. My team and I will film everything live and on-location inside the Disney parks! Ideas and suggestions on the kind of Disney magic you are interested in seeing is highly encouraged and welcomed! You can reach me in a number of ways, and I would really love to hear from you.

Please click this link to see Sarah’s article that came from our visit on this day. She did an awesome job and I felt so very proud to be a small part of this project!

L’Artisan des Glaces Sorbet and Ice Cream Shop Opens in France Pavilion at Epcot

Here is a link to more information on Sarah’s Fireworks Dessert Party in October. Any profits she makes from this event will go to charity.

Photos from the D23 Member Mixer at House of Blues Orlando

Published June 4, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I would like to thank Tony from the Disney Parks Podcast for inviting my husband, Chris, and I as his guests at the D23 Member Mixer. It was a great event and so much fun! Here are the details of the event as posted on the D23 Member Website.

D23′s Member Mixer at House of Blues Orlando
Event Information
Monday, June 3, 2013
LOCATION: House of Blues 
Orlando, Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World Resort
TIME 5 – 7 p.m.
TICKETS Sold Out
COST: FREE

It’s Member Mixer time at Walt Disney World! Join the D23 Team for some great food and drink—and a terrific opportunity to socialize with other D23 Members and friends!
Starting at 5 p.m., we will be kicking back in our own reserved area just for D23 Members and their guests. Upon checking in, everyone will receive one 15-percent-off coupon good on all merchandise in the House of Blues store, some goodies from House of Blues, as well as a little gift from your friends at D23.

(Here is what we got as a gift! Look for many of these items to be given away here on the blog and/or the Disney Parks Podcast! Our thanks to Ramon of ThemeParkConcierges.com for the photos!)

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Guests will be able to order food and enjoy drink specials and delicious specialty cocktails. And don’t forget, D23 Members always save 15 percent off their food at House of Blues Orlando, known for their Shrimp & Grits, Pulled Pork Sliders, Jambalaya, and Hand Stretched Flatbreads.
We look forward to seeing you there!
NOTE: Available only to D23 Members in good standing. This is a non-ticketed event. Members may bring up to three (3) guests. Space is limited. Limit one coupon/gift per person. For entry, members must present a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.

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Fall 2013 Dapper Day Dates Announced!!

Published June 4, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Dates released for the next Dapper Day celebrations! DAPPER DAY Fall Soiree:

Fri Sept 6 – Disneyland Resort

Sat Sept 14 – Disneyland Paris

Sat Sept 21 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Boardwalk Resort (Details developing)

 Click here to read all about Dapper Day – what it is – what to wear and so much more! 

Still Don’t Fully Understand MagicBands and My Magic+? This video is for YOU!

Published June 2, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I want to thank Tony from DisneyByTheNumbers.com for sending me this link today! It was so awesome I thought it worthy of a blog post for you!!

The best part is a few minutes in. Edna “E” Mode (one of the minor characters in The Incredibles) – helps us fully understand what all the fuss over Magic Band and My Magic+.

edna

Maybe it’s just because I like cartoons, but this is the most informative and complete explanation I have ever seen in one place. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Thomas Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, joined Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher onstage at our D11 conference to demo how the MagicBand works and explain how the company has been using technology to enhance the guest experience.

Click HERE to see the video!

Limited Time Magic – Monsters University Meet & Greet: Exclusive On-Scene Photos

Published May 28, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Special thanks to Theme Park Concierges for these photos from May 28, 2013!

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Click here to see video trailers of the new Monsters University film!

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2013 Star Wars Weekends Entertainment…Food…and Merch oh my!

Published May 17, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Check out all the Star Wars fun beginning today!!

Star Wars

Entertainment:
Encounter over 60 Star Wars characters from the entire saga
From Darth Maul and Anakin, to Chewbacca, you’ll find heroes and villains from throughout the galaxy
Celebrities
Autograph Sessions
Legends of the Force
A Star Wars themed motorcade
Stage Shows
Stars of the Saga
Behind the Force: Star Wars Voices
Padawan Mind Challenge
Hyperspace Hoopla
Obi-Wan and Beyond
Visit to the Maul (Weekends 1 & 2)
An Ewok’s Tale, my short story (Weekends 2 & 3)


Food and Beverage Featured Menu Offerings:
Darth Vader Cupcake
Available at – Sunset Ranch Market, ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Company, Pizza Planet Arcade and Darth’s Mall
Only Available on Event Weekends

cupcake

R2-D2 Kids’ Power Pack Bucket
Available at – Sunset Ranch Market, ABC Commissary, Backlor Express, Studios Catering Company and Pizza Planet Arcade
R2-D2 Churro Bucket with Chocolate Sauce
Available at – Churro Cart at the Great Movie Ride, Pretzel Garden and Darth’s Mall
R2-D2 Corn Dog Bucket with Chips
Available at – Herbie’s Drive-in

Additional Food and Beverage Locations on Event Days
Hot Dogs at Pixar Place
Hot Dogs on Echo Lake
Hot Dogs near Animation Courtyard
Churro Cart at Darth’s Mall

Additional Alcoholic Beverage Locations on Event Days
Outside 50’s Prime Time Café
Outside The Hollywood Brown Derby
Outside Sci-If Dine-In Theater Restaurant


Merchandise
Darth’s Mall
A galaxy of Star Wars themed and special event logo merchandise developed just for Star Wars Weekends 2013.
Merchandise Offerings include: Tee Shirts, Hats, Pins, Glassware, Buttons, Totes, Vinylmations, Toys, Plush, Artwork, Cell Phone Cases, and Ashley Eckstein’s clothing line: “Her Universe”
Annual Passholder Products
Name Tags, Event Pins, Poster Size Calendar, Autograph Book, Han Solo Carbonite Vinylmation, and a Baseball Cap
Product Offerings Throughout the Park
Star Wars Product Everyday and Select Event Product on the Weekends
Tatooine Traders
Superstar Shop
Mickey’s of Hollywood
Prop Shop
Villains in Vogue (Beverly Sunset)
Special Event Product Only During Event Days
Main Entrance Cart
Stage Show Cart
Sorcerer’s Hat Shop (Event Trading Pins OnlyBacklot Express Cart

Click here to see the map for week one!

Food and Wine 2013: Dessert Party, Full Concert Series List, Photos and More

Published May 16, 2013 by Disneyways.com

It is not too early to start planning your visit to Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival! In fact, why wait?

You can start now by getting  great tips for saving time at Food and Wine here

dessert party

(While you are planning – you’ll want to make a space in your calendar for a fabulous dessert party. You can get details on that here.)

Today we wanted to bring you a list of the artists that have been officially scheduled to perform – and their respective dates. Aren’t you glad you get your Disneyways updates by email so you don’t miss a “beat”? (See what I did there?)

That’s right – it’s called the Eat to the Beat Concert Series – and it’s just one more reason to love the Food and Wine Festival.

As a reminder, the festival dates this year are September 27 – November 11, 2013.

Eat to the Beat concerts happen three times per evening, so you have three chances each night to see your favorites — 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm!

In the past, each set was about 20 minutes long.

2013 Eat to the Beat Concert Line Up!

Note that this schedule is subject to change.

Check out the full schedule below:

Sept. 27-29 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Go-Go’s
Oct. 2-4 – Air Supply
Oct. 5-6 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 7-9 – Sugar Ray
Oct. 10-11 – Edwin McCain
Oct. 12-13 – Manhattan Transfer
Oct. 14-15 – Wilson Phillips
Oct. 16-17 – The Pointer Sisters
Oct. 18-20 – Night Ranger
Oct. 21-23 – Boyz II Men
Oct. 24-25 – Survivor
Oct. 26-27 – 38 Special
Oct. 28-30 – Smash Mouth
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 – Spin Doctors
Nov. 2-3 – Christopher Cross
Nov. 4-5 – Hanson
Nov. 6-8 – Dennis DeYoung
Nov. 9-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

You can see photos of the performers by clicking here.

Are you as excited about Food and Wine this year as I am?

squirrel

Which acts are you planning to see?

Mickey and Minnie New Meet and Greet Spot Inside Animal Kingdom May 15, 2013

Published May 14, 2013 by Disneyways.com

On May 15, 2013 Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will begin making appearances at a new, indoor venue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park called Adventurers Outpost.

MICKEY-AND-MINNIE-MOUSE

Adventurers Outpost on Discovery Island will be Mickey and Minnie’s exploration headquarters and the new location where Guests can meet the famous duo before they head onto their next adventure within the park.

Meanwhile, over at Camp Minnie-Mickey, Guests will still be able to meet other Disney friends and catch a performance of the incomparable Festival of the Lion King.

Lion King show

Over the next few months, additional character changes will occur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the arrival of Daisy Duck. Also, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger will soon greet Guests in Camp Minnie-Mickey. Several of Guest favorites including King Louie, Baloo, Pocahontas and Chip ‘n’ Dale will remain in Camp Minnie-Mickey.

Eeyore will no longer greet Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park after May 9. Eeyore appears at the Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park.

PHOTOS: New Disney Visa Card Enrollment Center in Liberty Square by the entrance of Haunted Mansion

Published May 13, 2013 by Disneyways.com

On scene photos from May 13, 2013 courtesy of  Ramon Rodriguez of Theme Park Concierges!

Here are some photos of the New Disney Visa Card Enrollment Center in Liberty Square by the entrance of Haunted Mansion:

 

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SOLVING THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING THE RAPUNZEL TOWER IN NEW FANTASYLAND…

 

 

Limited Time Magic: “Merida’s Royal Celebration” at Magic Kingdom Park May 11th 2013

Published May 11, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Watch us as we stream live from the event!
DisneyParksPodcast.com beginning at 9:30am EST!
Chat live on Twitter @Disneyways #DPP

Almost one year ago today – one of my very first blog posts here on Disneyways was all about how Merida brought back one of my favorite things in fashion – BIG HAIR!

Merida is fabulous – and this weekend she will be enjoying some major recognition – that she so very much deserves.

Limited Time Magic: “Merida’s Royal Celebration” at Magic Kingdom Park on May 11th!

Magic Kingdom Park will play host to a joyous, regal celebration to officially welcome Merida into the Disney Princess Royal Court. As a part of Limited Time Magic, guests will join in for the festivities at Cinderella Castle, as all 10 Disney Princesses come together in honor of their newest member, the brave and independent Merida. This will be a grand event! To give you a little history, the last princess to become official was Rapunzel in 2011. Her ceremony took place in London. Tiana, in 2009, enjoyed hers at the historic New York Palace Hotel.

Merida

There will even be a chance to commemorate Merida’s special occasion with a limited edition Merida inspired T-shirt created for toddlers and youth, available at the Emporium inside Magic Kingdom Park while supplies last!

Meridahorse