Archive for Scott

What I’m Thankful For – Disney Edition by Scott Donahue

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I wanted to focus on something beyond what we all are most thankful for, such as a healthy and safe family, a good job, etc…

I wanted to write about things that I am thankful for, Disney style. Disney has created so many wonderful memories for my family I thought it would be fun to create a list. After reading my list I would like to hear your thoughts via Twitter.

I am thankful for….

  • Walt Disney having the vision to create a place where families could have fun together in a safe environment
  • The Walt Disney Co. continuously expanding and improving their parks, resorts, and service
  • Being able to travel to Walt Disney World several times a year to get a different experience each time
  • Having a wife and kids who love Disney as much as I do
  • Minnie Mouse opening up her arms to greet my youngest daughter on a pathway at Animal Kingdom and giving her a HUGE hug, which is something she still remembers to this day
  • The look of amazement the first time my daughters stepped foot into Magic Kingdom
  • The look of joy the first time my daughters meet a Princess
  • The look of bewilderment on my face when Belle picked me to play Beast at “Storytime with Belle”
  • The ability to have two sets of grandparents who “get” what Disney is about and love to vacation with us
  • Being able to help others maximize their time during their Walt Disney World vacations
  • Being able to see my daughters reaction when she finally reached the magical 48” height mark
  • Blizzard Beach’s Summit Plummet helping me overcome my fear of heights
  • Disney Vacation Club allowing our family to have accommodations that we otherwise might not be able to afford
  • The smell of the Pop Century lobby after a 20 hour drive
  • Entering my resort room, turning on the TV, and hearing the sounds of Walt Disney World Today Channel
  • The time we were able to experience riding in the front of the monorail
  • My youngest daughter, who has Polycystic Kidney Disease, to be healthy enough to ride most attractions that she wants to
  • Being able to “scream like a little girl” on Expedition Everest and fitting right in with everyone else
  • Not looking like a fool wearing a crazy Disney hat around the parks
  • Having a place where I can make a wish and truly believe it will come true
    Imagineers always wanting to “plus” an attraction
  • Being old enough that my teenage daughter has just been accepted into the Disney College Program
  • Being fortunate enough to start planning another Disney trip
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‘Moana’ has some of Disney’s best music ever

Don’t call it a princess movie: Disney’s latest may feature a girl with royal lineage, but she’s more into boats than ball gowns in this crowd-pleaser of a musical, scored by the ever-more-versatile Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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With Moana, Disney’s third golden age gets its Aladdin

You’ll hear a lot over the next few days about how much Moana, Disney’s new South Seas–set musical adventure, resembles the company’s classic The Little Mermaid. There’s the nautical theme, of course, and the singing crab, and the heroine with an intimate connection to the sea.

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FLAVORS OF NEW ORLEANS NOW AVAILABLE AT SASSAGOULA FLOATWORKS AND FOOD FACTORY AT DISNEY’S PORT ORLEANS RESORT

Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, located at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort at Walt Disney World® Resort, recently reopened after being reimagined. And now, this hidden gem features even more flavors inspired by New Orleans, including jambalya, po’ boys, gumbo and more.

Home-style favorites such as create-your-own pasta, salads and pizza are still available for lunch and dinner, in addition to new flavors inspired by New Orleans. Specialty burgers include a Cajun King Burger with Andouille sausage, Cheddar Cheese and Creole mustard aioli and a Crawfish Mac & Cheese Burger. Guests can also enjoy Jambalaya or a create-your-own rice bowl with pulled pork, catfish or shrimp, red or black beans, and Cajun, dirty or white rice.

New breakfast items have also been added to the menu, and include Crispy-Fried Chicken on a Biscuit with maple-bacon jam, Molasses-Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll and a Jumbo Sweet Potato Belgian Waffle topped with toasted pecans, whipped cream and apple-cranberry compote.

And, signature made-to-order beignets are now available with new dipping sauces, including raspberry, caramel and chicory-coffee ganache. Of course, no visit to “The Big Easy” would be complete without a Louisiana-style King Cake, perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras anytime.

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Disney’s Pinocchio Signature Collection on Digital HD Jan. 10 and Blu-ray Jan. 31

Disney’s timeless tale Pinocchio, considered one of the greatest animated films ever made with two Academy Awards, joins the Walt Disney Signature Collection. Now it will delight a whole new generation of dreamers with its masterful animation, unforgettable characters and award-winning music. The movie which inspired the world to wish upon a star, arrives for the first time on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on Jan. 10, and on Blu-ray™ and DVD on Jan. 31 with hours of new and classic bonus features.

Trailer:

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D-LIVING HOME DÉCOR STORE COMING TO DISNEY SPRINGS

A new shop is coming to Disney Springs™ at Walt Disney World® Resort just in time for the holiday shopping season.

D-Living is the ultimate home décor store for Disney fans and kids of every age. Here, guests will find a curated assortment of Disney-themed products and more that changes with each season. And, for the holiday season, this signature store will look and feel just like an inviting home on Christmas morning. In every room, and around every corner, guests will discover a charming selection of Disney-inspired furnishings, housewares, and décor sure to make every home magical and bright.

D-Living, which opens Nov. 23, 2016, will be located adjacent to UNOde50 in Town Center at Disney Springs.

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In ‘Moana,’ New Voices Both Uphold And Challenge The Disney Tradition

Opetaia Foa’i and Lin-Manuel Miranda are two of the architects of the Moana soundtrack.

Disney

Think about the classic Disney animated movies, and you may just start humming a song. Director Ron Clements says the pairing of music and film goes back to Disney’s early animated films, projects like Steamboat Willie and Silly Symphonies.

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THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF A TALE AS OLD AS TIME BY SAM ALLEN

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Since its debut 25 years ago, “Beauty and the Beast” has remained one of the most acclaimed and beloved Disney movies. Due to this popularity, it has been represented at Walt Disney World in a variety of ways from lives shows to elaborately themed restaurants.

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ADVENTURES BY DISNEY 7-DAYS OF SAVINGS OFFER

Our Clients can make this holiday season more unforgettable than ever by giving the gift of an an Adventures by Disney®vacation. And now, it’s even easier during our 7-Days of Savings. Our Clients can save $250 per person – a savings of $1,000 for a family of four – on select 2017 European departures on all available dates from March 1-Sept. 30, 2017, when they book Nov. 22-29, 2016. They can choose from six popular destinations including Italy & the Amalfi Coast, Central Europe, Greece, Spain, Germany, and London and Paris itineraries.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Wish Upon a Star With Us to plan and book your vacation.

$250 per person Discount taken from the non-discounted prevailing European Land Package price as quoted on AdventuresByDisney.com on date of booking (“Regular Rate”). Regular Rates vary by departure date. Lead Guest of the booking party must travel on the Package booked.  Valid for new bookings only. Bookings must be made through Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc. Discount not applicable towards deposit. Packages subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Offer valid for U.S. Residents only. Subject to change without notice. See AdventuresbyDisney.com for additional Terms and Conditions.

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Magicband 2 Coming to Walt Disney World

A new MagicBand is coming to the Walt Disney World® Resort as part of Disney continuing push to innovate and personalize the Guest vacation experience.

As you can see in this photo, MagicBand 2 will feature a new design for the band itself. While the design helps make MagicBand 2 more versatile and customizable it’ll still work like the current MagicBand. You will be able to link My Disney Experience to your MagicBand 2, which can serve as a theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, Disney PhotoPass card as well as a room key for Disney Resort Guests.

MagicBand 2 will make its resort-wide debut soon.

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