Magic Kingdom

All posts tagged Magic Kingdom

Video: March in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom Park

Published November 24, 2012 by Disneyways.com

This guy is following his dreams!!

 

Shhhhh!!! It’s a quiet “knight” in the Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Published November 22, 2012 by Disneyways.com

As you enter the Be Our Guest Restaurant inside Disney World’s New Fantasyland, you will see knights standing guard in the hallway to your right. Stop and listen for a moment.

You just might hear the knights whispering to each other! Great video from Zannaland.com and DisneyFoodBlog.com!

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Holiday Highlights at Walt Disney World!

Published November 7, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Disney elves blend yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer to create a wintry wonderland ready for holiday revelers at Walt Disney World Resort as early as November 9.  There’s an extra night of merry at the Magic Kingdom with 20 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; and at Epcot, Candlelight Processional.

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Highlights:

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have its longest-ever run with 20 magical nights from November 9-December 21. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit.

Dates for 2012:

Nov. 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30

Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21

Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.Disneyworld.com/Christmasparty.  NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees.  The fun includes the Holiday Wishes nighttime spectacular: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.

Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle: Cinderella Castle transforms into a glimmering ice palace for the holidays — thanks to a special effects spectacle bathing the castle in 200,000 shimmering white lights. Magic Kingdom guests are treated nightly to the dramatic castle celebration and stage show.

Epcot

Candlelight Processional is a timeless holiday offering at Epcot that combines seasonal music with the poignant reading of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a mass choir performing seasonal melodies, and a 50-piece live orchestra nightly November 23 – December 30, at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Crowd favorites Neil Patrick Harris and Gary Sinise return to America Gardens Theater stage on select nights.  Guests can purchase a Candlelight Dining Package, which combines lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional and VIP viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.  For more information and reservations: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/candlelight-dinners/

Holidays Around the World: Storytellers from around the world share traditions and lore from their homeland throughout World Showcase.  The merriment continues with meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus the nightly “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” laser, light, fireworks display capped with a seasonal finale.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights: This massive seasonal display features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall.  The rich tradition takes place on the Streets of America, dazzling guests from Nov. 9, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Celebrate safari style as Disney’s Animal Kingdom is wilder than ever this winter season. Mickey and his pals rejoice in traditional holiday music with a world beat twist during the daily “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.”

Downtown Disney

Get all your Christmas shopping done at Downtown Disney during Festival of the Seasons. The shopping mecca is draped with yuletide cheer, plus live entertainment, holiday carolers, a lively street party, plus photo ops with Santa and Santa Goofy.

Walt Disney World Resorts

The resorts are dressed up for the holidays with festive décor, gingerbread houses and more.

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Throwback: Video and Photo Tour Halloween Around the Globe 2012 – Disney Style!

Published October 31, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Decorating the house or the yard for Halloween is one thing, but imagine what it must be like to celebrate Halloween with thousands of people each year. That is exactly what Disney does, and here is how they did it all around the world in 2012. Photos are ©Disney

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom Park is home to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, where Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes for this ticketed event. The festivities feature two lively performances of Mickey’s “Boo to You” Halloween Parade, which begins with a spooky and spirited ride by the Headless Horseman.

Magic Kingdom Park boasts 15 treat locations, two character dance parties, about 60 Disney characters, and a Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular with Disney villains trick-or-treating in the night sky. Magic Kingdom gives away more than 215 tons of candy to trick-or-treating guests and nearly 200 individually themed carved pumpkins adorn the balconies and windowsills along Main Street, U.S.A.

Disneyland Resort
New to Mickey’s Halloween Party in 2012, Town Square becomes Villains Square each party night at the Disneyland Resort, with loathsome characters such as Jafar, Ursula, and Captain Hook entering on a ghostly horse-drawn carriage to mingle!

On the Rivers of America, the Dapper Dans have been transformed into Cadaver Dans, singing spooky songs as they float along. These guys created a huge buzz on Twitter this year! They were very popular! 

Also new this year is the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Frontierland, featuring the Magic Cauldron Sideshow. Guests can help cast a magic spell, conjuring a Disney Villain from his or her realm before returning to worlds beyond. YIKES!

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
At Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, guests are celebrating Halloween in true island style, and they are really living my dreams out there! Disney characters wear Halloween costumes to meet and greet guests attending arts and crafts classes and at Halloween events at Aunty’s Beach House and Pau Hana. A Hallow’Teen event after dark on the beach at Ki’i One offers a pumpkin-sculpting contest. A Teen Glow Kinect Dance Challenge and Scary’oke contest at Painted Sky are also part of the spooky fun. Younger children are the stars on Ohana Disney Movie Nights featuring Disney Pixar’s “Monsters Inc.” and “The Haunted Mansion.”

Disneyland Paris
Celebrating Disneyland Paris’ 20th anniversary in joyfully wicked style, Disney’s Halloween Festival makes a mostly ghostly experience for guests.

Pumpkins, ghosts and other spooky spirits welcome guests on the Castle Stage at Sleeping Beauty Castle for “Mickey’s Halloween Treat in the Street!” Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dress up as vampires and Donald Duck is a “little devil” as they and their pals play a series of interactive games with Guests to share in the holiday fun. Disney Villains join the party in Fantasyland, where they mix and mingle with wary Guests at the Castle Courtyard. This video gets cool about 10-20 seconds in – so stay tuned!

Disney’s Halloween Party is must-see entertainment at Disneyland Paris, and Terrorific Night is scarier than ever at Walt Disney Studios Park. Disney Dreams! is a nightly show created to mark the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. It  features scary moments featuring Dr. Facilier (“The Princess and the Frog”), Ursula (“The Little Mermaid”), and Captain Hook (“Peter Pan”) ! Not to be outdone, Goofy has designed a special machine to make his favorite Halloween treat. This strange candy-making contraption can be found by following the puffs of smoke and sweet smells across Town Square.

Photo credit parkscout.de

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
WOW! This is like a techie’s dream! Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates Halloween a little differently! It’s a clash between the Vampire Coven and the Were Tribe in the “Choose the Dark Side Challenge” smartphone game app and augmented reality (AR) experience that attracts gamers and fun-seekers this Halloween season.

Guests participate through AR technology by joining vampires in a struggle for power with werewolves. The ultimate showdown takes place at “Main Street, U.S.A. ? Clash of Evil,” where the supreme ruler of the dark forces will be revealed.

Haunted Halloween Magic Mirrors can be found around the theme park. The magic in the mirrors is activated by certain T-Shirts! Check it out!

Jack Skellington and his crew from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” augment the spooky celebrations by leading the “Glow in the Park Parade.” And the haunting “Revenge of the Headless Horseman” spooks Guests in the heart of Adventureland, while nearby the Grim Reaper searches for victims in “Adventureland-Cursed Jungle.”

Tokyo Disneyland Resort
“A Halloween Daydream” is on display at Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea. Many favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse and his bony, newfound skeleton friends, are welcomed to join the carnival-like celebration with Guests reveling in the friendly festivities.

“Chip ‘n Dale’s Skeleton Fiesta” highlights a lively parade-like atmosphere featuring a live band, vibrant costumes and dancing along in this Dia de los Muertos-inspired celebration in Lost River Delta at Tokyo DisneySea.

Bring your Tokyo currency! More than 400 Halloween-themed merchandise items are available at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. New merchandise items featuring the Disney characters that appear in “A Halloween Daydream” will be offered at both parks. The Refreshment Station offers a “black” version of the popular Gyoza Sausage Bun, and at Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina, Guests can enjoy skull-motif taco rice.

Disney Cruise Line
Check out the Halloween treats if you are a guest on  Disney Cruise Line at this time of year:
· Haunted Parties: Beloved Disney characters in special Halloween costumes join guests for a fun-filled Halloween costume party complete with live music, dancing and lots of candy. For adults, the nighttime entertainment district on the Disney ships becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and party sure to bring chills to everyone.

· Spooky Movies: To get Guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in Guest staterooms.

· Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and a special “Witch’s Brew.”

That about does it for Disney Halloweenies this year! I hope you’ve enjoyed Halloween globe trotting with me today!

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Festival of the Masters (FREE!) Begins November 9, 2012

Published October 30, 2012 by Disneyways.com

I’ve been called many things but “refined” and “cultured” aren’t adjectives that have been used very often. That’s probably one reason why the Festival of the Masters has not really been on my radar until this year. One of my friends is really excited about this event because she is a person who really appreciates fine art. She is also an AMAZING artist herself!  So, of course, I will be heading to check out the Festival this year and I am really excited to share this experience with her (and you!) . Perhaps some of her “culture” will rub off on me!

Besides – many activities, as well as parking at Downtown Disney are FREE! That’s a great price if you ask me!

From Disney:

“The 37th Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels is a vibrant, open-air fine arts festival in the Downtown Disney area, held November 9-11, 2012. Featuring award-winning artists, this world-renowned show is a highly anticipated annual event for Guests, artists, collectors and art lovers.
Discover fun for the entire family, including:
Dazzling displays of one-of-a-kind and limited-edition painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more
Hands-on activities for Guests of all ages and interests
Live musical performances
Unique shopping opportunities—from fine art to Disney collectibles

Whether you’re seeking a colorful day amid Disney magic or a spectacular piece for your personal collection, you’ll discover a variety of delightful experiences at Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels.

— Marketplace
• Family Interactive Activities:
o Disney Interactive –Showcasing Epic Mickey and the Power of 2
o Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop – Kids can make their own Sundae magnet.
o LEGO® – Join in the fun as you help a real LEGO Master Builder to construct an 8-ft tall Hulk™ model for the first time!
o Rainforest Cafe® – Experience the joy of watching tropical birds as they perform for you
• NEW! Emerging Masters – Get a glimpse of more than 30 up-and-coming artists as they display their unique talents.
• The Florida Chalk Artists Association – Street Painters from the Florida Chalk Artists Association will cover over 1,000 square feet of sidewalk! The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday at 3pm at the Waterside Stage
• Art of Disney – Our flagship store at the Marketplace full of art from the Disney Masters! Artist appearances will be scheduled throughout the weekend. In addition, this location will present a unique offering by artist Dave Avanzino, giving them the opportunity to have their name made into a custom art using letters found around the Disney Theme Parks
• Michaels® – Make It Take It – Duct Tape Craft – Who knew duct take could be this fun? Visit the Michaels exhibit near the Waterside Stage to create your very own luggage tag take home craft.

Pleasure Island
• Disney Artist Village – This location will be immersed with character art created by our own Disney Masters from Disney Design Group, Yellow Shoes, WDI, Acme Archives Limited and local Disney licensed artists. See original works of art, giclées, prints, one-of-a-kind Vinylmation and the opportunity to meet the artists behind the creativity
• Michaels® Master Mural – It’s your turn to take center stage in the creation of this Disney masterpiece! Join the Michaels team as together we bring to life a masterful work of art…piece by piece!
• Fuego – Come play dominoes! Three custom domino tables will be available for play
• Curl – See several artists create a masterpiece on a pair of TOMS shoes
• Irish Artwork at Raglan Road™ Irish Pub and Restaurant – Check out the designs of Graham Knuttle, a renowned Irish painter and sculptor.

West Side
• Michaels® – Make-it Take-it – Mickey Ear Wood Framing Experience – It’s time to get creative! Design and take home your very own Mickey Ear Wood Frame with a personalized artistic touch. Let your imagination take the wheel with this fun experience designed for families and children of all ages.
• D-Street – Home of Disney Vinylmation; a uniquely shaped three dimensional pallet with creative design from many of our talented Disney artists. Whether you collect or trade, make sure you stop by to see the newest collections
• Cirque du Soleil – Complimentary face painting by a La Nouba artist Friday and Saturday noon – 4pm and live performances by La Nouba performers 4:00pm to 4:30pm
• House of Blues® Folk Art Festival – See grassroots and funk art at its finest, presented by approximately 35 local and national folk artists.
• Disney Art Tent – View a variety of art styles featuring beloved Disney Characters, presented by featured artists.”

For even more info on the festival click here and here.

How to take Disneyways with you wherever you go…on your iPhone

Published October 28, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Go to Disneyways.com on your iPhone and then look for this little square with the arrow in it (pictured above).  After that you hit the option  “add to home screeen” and you should see the Disneyways app (website icon) on your phone.

Now all you have to do is tap the icon and we will be at your fingertips with the latest post on top!

I frequently use the post with the all the resort addresses for my GPS – so I really like having it handy. Click the link below to be taken to that directly.

Email me if you have questions at disneyways@disneyways.com

Thanks so much for taking us with you – and have a magical day!!

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Nearly Sold Out! WDW Marathon Weekend

Published October 26, 2012 by Disneyways.com

The Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna will take place January 10-13, 2013. Marathon weekend is reported to have every mile filled with Disney fun.  The running routes  from Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo, through all four Theme Parks, and ends with a medal  featuring Mickey and friends!

Registration is still open for certain events:

· Walt Disney World® Marathon – Sold Out
· Walt Disney World® Half Marathon – Sold Out
· Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – Sold Out
· Disney Family Fun Run 5K – 73% Full
· runDisney Kids Races – 53% Full
· Pasta in the Park Party

* The marathon relay will not return to the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend in 2013.

— Spectator Information

As a spectator, you play a huge part in supporting your runner by cheering them on and motivating them throughout their training. Below is a guide to help you watch your runner during their magical race at the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend.
The Online Planning Tool is designed for spectators to plan their route along the race course so they can see their runner at key milestones. The ChEAR Squad offers several spectator packages from reserved viewing areas to VIP treatment in the Race Retreat.
Make sure you read the helpful tips on arriving to the race and parking on race day as well as the additional information about viewing your runner in the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks.
ChEAR Squad
Be a part of the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend when you join the CHEAR Squad!
CHEAR Squad packages are available for purchase and include:
· Marathon Weekend E-newsletter containing information for race weekend
· Reserved viewing location at the Finish Line
· Much more!
For package details and to sign up to be a ChEAR Squad member, visit the ChEAR Squadpage in the Event Overview section.

Start Line Viewing: Start line viewing is accessible via the Wonder Lot and does not require a Theme Park ticket. There is no seating at the Start Line for spectators.

Finish Line Viewing: The Finish Line is located in the Imagine Lot of Epcot. Spectators can see their runners at the Finish Line. There will be a limited number of complimentary seats along the Finish Line available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Course Viewing:  Spectators will be able to see their runner run through the Magic Kingdom Park near Cinderella Castle (Mile 5.3 for the Half Marathon). This location will be open at 5:30am. Guests do not need a ticket to enter the Magic Kingdom for course viewing, but to enter the ChEAR Zone area, they will need a ChEAR Zone wristband. A ticket is required once the park opens for the day and standard parking rates apply after 7am.
If Guests want to watch their runner in another Walt Disney World Theme Park, they will need to purchase a Theme Park ticket once that park is open for the day. Standard parking rates apply after 7am. Transportation to these parks is available through the WDW monorail and bus systems.

Runner Tracking: Runner tracking sign-up is available at runDisney.com or by visiting the Expo.

Itinerary

Thursday, January 10, 2013 · 9:00am-7:00pm – Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 3:00pm – runDisney Kids Races – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 4:30pm – Mickey Mile – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 6:30pm – Pasta in the Park Party – Epcot®

Friday, January 11, 2013 · 5:00am-6:00am – Bus transportation (no monorail transportation today) from Resorts to Epcot for Family Fun Run 5K
· 6:30am – Family Fun Run 5K Starts – Epcot
· 9:00am-7:00pm – Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 11:00am – runDisney Kids Races – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 12:30pm – Mickey Mile – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 6:30pm – Pasta in the Park Party – Epcot®
Saturday, January 12, 2013 · 3:00am – Bus/Monorail transportation begins from all Walt Disney World Resorts to Half Marathon start
· 4:00am – Racers should be on the transportation to make it to check-in on time
· 5:00am-7:00am – Transportation to Epcot is suspended due to the race start
· 5:30am – Walt Disney World® Half Marathon Starts – Epcot®
· 10:00am-5:00pm – Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo – ESPN Wide World of Sports
· 12:30pm – Mickey Mile – ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
· 6:30pm – Pasta in the Park Party – Epcot®
Sunday, January 13, 2013 · 3:00am – Bus/Monorail transportation begins from all Walt Disney World Resorts to Marathon start
· 4:00am – Racers should be on the transportation to make it to check-in on time
· 5:00am-7:00am – Transportation to Epcot is suspended due to the race start
· 5:30am – Walt Disney World® Marathon Starts – Epcot®
· 4:00pm-8:00pm – Downtown Disney® After Party

Cinderella’s Makeover

Published October 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Cindy has a new hairstyle AND a new dress! Check out the photos and the slideshow below! Are you a fan of her new look?

Join us over at our Princess fan page on facebook by clicking here.

(I do not claim ownership to these photos…)

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10 Disney Villains You Can See at WDW

Published October 24, 2012 by Disneyways.com

David Letterman isn’t the only one with top 10 lists.  Here’s where you can get your villain fix!

1. Maleficent  from “Sleeping Beauty.”– Catch her in Fantasmic! over at Hollywood Studios. When she transforms herself into a dragon and sets the river on fire, it’s one of the most awesome moments in the entire nighttime spectacular. You can also see her in the Dream Along with Mickey show at Magic Kingdom.

2. Captain Hook – The Dream-Along with Mickey show at Magic Kingdom Park, as he and Mr. Smee face off against their old nemesis.

3. Ursula – Before New Fantasyland, we’ve been able to go “Under the Sea” with Voyage of the Little Mermaidat Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

4. Jafar – From “Aladdin” during the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom Park

5. The Queen from Snow White– Catch her in Fantasmic!

6. Governor Ratcliffe – He’s in Fantasmic! too. If you remember, he  is the self-serving villain from “Pocahontas,” who is greedy and wants gold!

7. Lady Tremaine – Cinderella’s stepmother and her two awkward daughters, Anastasia and Drizella. They do character meet and greets in the Magic Kingdom. You can also find them during character dining times over at 1900 Park Fare Restaurant in the Grand Floridian.

8. Gaston –  Gaston takes part in Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and beginning this fall, you’ll actually have a chance to meet him when he begins making regular appearances outside Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland.

9. Evil Emperor Zurg – look for him at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (attraction) in Magic Kingdom!

10. Headless Horseman – Nothing says Halloween quite like “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and no villain is more ominous than the Headless Horseman, who makes special appearances ONLY during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park.

Disney Parks Blog has great photos of them all! (Insert evil laugh here.)

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An Imagineer Tour of Be Our Guest Restaurant

Published October 15, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Click here to see the Video!!