At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Grand Concourse holds a 17-foot Gingerbread holiday tree, complete with edible ornaments and presents – and, of course, hidden Mickeys to spot. If those ornaments look irresistible, you can buy ones just like them to sample or take home, plus an assortment of holiday cookies and baked goods. If the look of this display seems familiar, it’s because it was inspired by the art of Disney Legend Mary Blair (you can see her style in the it’s a small world attraction, and in the mural that dominates the Grand Canyon Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort).
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Disney Hot News Dec 8 -15 2012
Published December 16, 2012 by Disneyways.comHot news from Disney for the week of December 8th to 15th 2012!
Here you will find some of the hottest Disney news from all around the web, as well as some fun stuff from Disneyways. We hope you enjoy getting it all right here in one place!
Earlier in the week we shared our most popular story EVER in Disneyways history (To all of you, our faithful readers, THANK YOU!!) Here it is again for your enjoyment:
Top 5 Things You Won’t Want to Miss in New Fantasyland.
Ooh la la! Bistro de Paris Gets a New Name! Monsier Paul made it’s offical debut on December 11th.
We responded to questions and rumors with our post Solving the Mystery surrounding the Rapunzel Tower in New Fantasyland on December 13th.
We shared New Year’s Eve events back in October but details from around the web were all the buzz this week too!
Just to mix it up a bit for you, we posted awesome videos and historical information about Living with the Land, as well as some current information about the “Behind the Seeds” Tour you can enjoy there.
December 15th we shared Christmas decoration photos from inside the attraction that were taken just this week! We hope it makes you feel like you were actually there with us.
Finally, we want to share a link to the official news from Disney about Comedy Warehouse returning for the holidays!
That about does it for this week! Stay tuned, because coming in just a few days, we will have details about the new Splitsville and lots of other fun surprises to share.
We want to hear YOUR Disney hot news! Please share your thoughts, comments and stories in the comments section below OR contact us directly!
Solving the Mystery surrounding the Rapunzel Tower in New Fantasyland…
Published December 13, 2012 by Disneyways.comUPDATE ADDED MARCH 8TH 2013! Click here to see photos of the new tower!
Disney fans who have been to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World recently have noticed something new rising out of New Fantasyland. Located next to the “It’s a Small World” attraction, right where the old Fantasyland Skyway ride was, an adorable tower can be seen from Fantasyland, Frontierland and even from the Haunted Mansion cue. This addition comes as somewhat of a surprise to Disney fans as Rapunzel’s tower and village was never included in any concept art of New Fantasyland released by Disney. It all seems so mysterious because details have been hard to come by.
We are now able to see for ourselves, because the tower is peeping up from behind Imagineer construction walls. Despite the rumors, there will not be a meet and greet in this spot. Rapunzel will be found in the new Princess Fairytale Hall (where Snow White’s Scary Adventures use to be) when it opens in 2013. Therefore the tower area does not need to be a meet and greet because we will already have Princess Fairytale Hall for that purpose. In case you haven’t seen them, here are some of the beautiful concept drawings released by Disney of the new Princess Fairytale Hall scheduled to open in 2013.
So why the tower? Believe it or not Disney sources say this is where they will be placing new BATHROOMS. It seems so funny now that we know the truth doesn’t it? It actually makes a lot of sense if you think about it. When nature calls, and the kids have to “go” – this tower will be like a beacon in the night – letting us know that relief is not too far away. The new facility will include increased handicapped and family bathrooms, and is meant to replace the current bathrooms in the area by the Peter Pan’s Flight attraction. With those older bathrooms gone, my thoughts are that they will add an expanded interactive queue for Peter Pan, sort of like the one Winnie the Pooh has (only Pan themed of course!) Imagineers are also planning to expand the walkways to help with traffic flow between Fantasyland and Liberty Square on those crowded days. Having a meet and greet here would actually crowd the area with folks waiting to meet princesses. I hope this helps explain things – let me know if you have heard or seen any new information that I am missing! Personally, my thoughts are that maybe Disney doesn’t believe it’s very magical to brag about new bathrooms, so we are going to have to keep each other in the know on this one as things develop. Have a magical evening!
Video by Daniel Andersson and edited by Jeff Lange from MouseSteps.com
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l1nCjXt77A
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Living with the Land
Published December 13, 2012 by Disneyways.comMany days after a long shift at the Garden Grill – you could find me on this ride. It is one of my favorites.
Living with the Land is an attraction in Epcot – you will find it in the Land pavillion.
This is a relaxing 13 minute boat ride. It takes you on an informative journey through a tropical rain forest, an African desert complete with sandstorm, and the windswept plains of a small, turn-of-the-century family farm. Guests experience the struggles of the past and plans for farming in the future including Hydroponics, Aeroponics and Aquaculture. It’s not just about fruits and veggies, fish farms are on display.
This attraction is geared more towards adults, but younger guests will also find it entertaining. Guests in ECVs must be able to transfer to a wheelchair.
If you are a REALLY big fan, you may want to pay for a “Behind the Seeds” Tour
Entertainment, times and prices are subject to change without notice – these are the details of this tour as this blog is published.
Departing every 45 minutes from 10:30am – 4:30pm
Cost (including tax, theme park admission required):
$16.00 Guests ages 10+
$12.00 Guests ages 3-9
To book in advance call 407-WDW-TOUR
This guided tour will appeal to gardeners. The tour is an up close look at four greenhouses that are part of the “Living with the Land” attraction. Behind the Seeds is led by a member of the Epcot Science Team.
Highlights include:
Sensory challenge with herbs/spices
Lady bug release
Vegetable taste test
Fish feeding
Sprouting a seed in your pocket to bring home
Close look at the alligators
Latest gardening tips
Seeing how exotic crops and gigantic fruits and veggies are grown without soil
-Cameras are welcome.
-Children of all ages can participate. Strollers will be provided when needed
-Wheelchair accessible but ECV users must transfer to regular wheelchair
TIP:The Sunshine Seasons food court is one of the best food courts at Walt Disney World. A limited breakfast menu is available. Lunch/dinner is available at the Asian Wok Shop, Sandwich Shop & Bakery, Soup & Salad Shop and Wood Fired Grill Shop. In addition, there’s a large amount of seating in the pavilion.
FUN FACTS: If you are enjoying fresh vegetables or fish at an Epcot
restaurant, it’s likely that they were grown right here.
Here is the song they used to play on the ride!
Here is a great video of the history of this ride.
Do you have any stories or memories about this ride that you’d like to share? Please post them in the comments below!
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Top 5 Things You Won’t Want to Miss in New Fantasyland
Published December 11, 2012 by Disneyways.comEnchanted Tales With Belle. Meet and greet with Belle like never before when you actually get to help stage a short play for her. If you’re like me you will marvel at the AMAZING animatronics of Lumiere and Madame Wardrobe. You even get a walk through of Maurice’s cottage from “Beauty and the Beast.”
Be Our Guest Restaurant. French cuisine has arrived beneath the Beast’s Castle. Lunch is quick service with no reservation required. Reservations are needed for dinner, when guests can order wine and beer with their meals for the first time in Magic Kingdom history. Click here to see a whole lot more – including a photo of “the grey stuff!”
Gaston’s statue and fountain. A tribute to the man, they myth the legend. A plaque reads: “Tribute to Gaston. An extravagantly generous gift to the humble people of my village. From me, Gaston.” Nearby: Gaston’s Tavern, a tiny eatery that serves up savory pork shanks and warm cinnamon buns that are bigger then your fist! Despite its name, Gaston’s Tavern does not serve alcohol. Here is a video.
Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid. This mild-mannered ride is great for princesses young and old. You will not want to miss the virtual way that you are actually submerged under water while staying completely dry! One showstopping room features 128 aquatic animatronics in action. Click here for more on this attraction.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This attraction was transported to Fantasyland’s new Storybook Circus area, and DOUBLED. Yep there are two Dumbo rides now. You won’t want ot miss the fantastic new gift shop that smells like heaven. Throw in an air-conditioned cue that doubles as a playground – as well as pagers that blink when it’s your turn to ride – and you’ve got a fantastic addition to the New Fanatsyland line up!
So what do you think? What would be in your top 5 list of New Fantasyland fun not to be missed? Photos are ©Disney Parks Blog
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Candlelight Processional Mystery Revealed at Last!
Published December 3, 2012 by Disneyways.comThe holiday season is in full swing at Disney World! Our family has made the Epcot processional a family tradition. Thinking back to when I used to book Disney dining – I would often get asked “What time should I dine to see the ___o’clock show?” I haven’t seen this information in a lot of places, and it’s great to know. Times and availability are always subject to change but this is the general rule.
When you make your reservations for Candlelight dining packages – keep this in mind.
Dine time is 4:20-5:45 to see the 8:15 show
Dine time is 3:30-4.15 to see the 6:45 show
Dine time is 12:30-2:30 to see the 5:00 show (This will often be considered a LUNCH package. Usually it’s same exact menu as dinner – sometimes for a much lower price! The trade off is that the sun won’t be setting until around 5:30. If you prefer your entire candlelight processional in the dark – you may want to book a later time.)
If you call in your reservation, 407-WDW-DINE (407-949-3463) your agent will remind you what show time you will be getting. Make sure they specifically tell you this is a Candlelight booking – or you won’t get reserve seating for the show. They will ask you for a credit card number, just to hold the reservation (no charge for now!) so you will want to have that handy.
For more information and details about this and all the holiday happenings at the Walt Disney World Resort – please click the links below.
I hope you’ll find this information helpful. Merry Christmas!!
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Local Orlando News Station Covers New Fantasyland
Published December 2, 2012 by Disneyways.comClick here to see the Fantasyland tour from a local Orlando news station!
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Gator Spotted in Magic Kingdom! Keep Arms and Legs Inside the Boat!
Published December 2, 2012 by Disneyways.comWith all this talk about the dragon that flew over New Fantasyland during a media event in 2012 – it was bound to happen. Conversation reemerged about about this video of the Splash Mountain gator. My first thought? Of course there are gators in Splash Mountain! They sing, dance and play the fiddle!
But this gator is not the singing kind – or even the University of Florida kind. I thought this story couldn’t possibly be true – so I had to see for myself.
The guests weren’t in any danger since the gator was not IN the Splash Mountain attraction itself. He was actually in the Rivers of America (where the riverboat and the rafts are) safely separated from guests on the ride by a dividing wall. I can’t believe people on the bridge were feeding the thing popcorn, however. That is just asking for trouble.
How did the gator get in to Magic Kingdom without a ticket? Well, this body of water he is enjoying is said to lead to a waterway – that then leads to Seven Seas Lagoon and finally empties in to Bay Lake. I’ve lived in Orlando my entire life so I can tell you from experience that Gators abound in Florida lakes. Man made or natural bodies of water can attract them, they do not discriminate. It is not unusual to see news stories about gators that have found their way to the backyard pools of Florida homeowners!
However…this is Disney after all…and this was filmed way back in 2003. I imagine some sort of precautions have been taken since then that would prevent anything like this from happening again. Unless of course…this is actually a baby dragon. I have heard that 9 years is about how long dragons take to mature into adults.
Maybe this guy just wanted to get a good spot for the parade or fireworks like the rest of us. What do you think?
Walk-through Tour on Video of Be Our Guest!
Published November 28, 2012 by Disneyways.comI searched for a long time. I wanted to find just the right video to give you a feeling of what it was really like in the early days of previews for the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. The first time I saw that waterfall outside I almost cried. You read about something so historical in Disney history (like the opening of New Fantasyland), see pictures, read some more, look forward to it…and once you get there in real life…well…it was hard for me not to be overwhelmed. Even though I have probably been there 20 times since then, and even got to have dinner in the new restaurant, I am still like a little kid and totally impressed none the less! This video is special because it is from those early days when it was so new – it hadn’t been seen by much of the public. It may never be this quiet and empty again during opening hours, so this is a special memory for me. Thank you wdwmagic.com for sharing. Enjoy!
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Be Our Guest – for dinner!
Published November 26, 2012 by Disneyways.comMy husband, some family members, and I were able to enjoy dinner at the brand new Be Our Guest Restaurant on November 18, 2012. It was a beautiful, cool night! Everyone at the table really enjoyed their food and the overall experience. I would have to agree with the consensus that this is the best food I have ever eaten in the Magic Kingdom. I shared many pictures of our meal on facebook and instagram so today I wanted to share the thoughts and photos with you from some other great bloggers!
By far…one of the most creative write ups I have seen so far was from my friend Wendy. Read it here at mymagic100.wordpress.com! Join in her experience – synchronized to the lyrics of the song! Doubtful that you will see this anywhere else!
For all of you detail oriented foodies out there – check out AJ over at the Disneyfoodblog.com. AJ has posted photos of everything on the menu, all 3 dining rooms…and even some of the first alcoholic beverages ever to be served inside the Magic Kingdom. Tired of those nasally sounds you may have heard from your kids all day? Have some wine with your whine. You will only find these libations inside Be Our Guest!
While you’re at it – I hope you will subscribe to get Disneyways updates by email – so you never miss a post!
OH- and the grey stuff?
It really is delicious!
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