The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Disney has raised their ticket prices beginning today.
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Archive for Scott
New Interactive Glow With the Show Mickey Ear Hats Let Guests Shine During After-Dark Spectaculars at Walt Disney World Resort
Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort will light the night thanks to new Glow with the Show Ear hats that magically change colors in sync with fireworks, shows and each other at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Fun, interactive light-up versions of the famous Mickey Ear hats debuted on Oct. 15 during the 15th anniversary of Fantasmic!, the nighttime spectacular presented in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
These magical Ear hats glow in myriad colors, commanded with the latest technology to complement the imagery and beat of the fireworks and spectaculars. When not activated by these experiences, more surprises are in store for participants as the magical ears glow with other ears and settings around the Vacation Kingdom.
“Technology allows the Ear hats to dance and play along with each musical and illuminated sequence. They truly bring the show’s environment out of the lagoon and the sky, and into the audience in an amazing and dazzling new way, making our guests truly Glow With the Show,” said Dara Trujillo, manager of merchandise marketing, communication, synergy and integration, Walt Disney World Resort.
Guests also can experience Celebrate the Magic, the nighttime projection show at Cinderella Castle and the Wishes fireworks extravaganza at Magic Kingdom with the new Glow with the Show Ear hats. And during the holiday season guests can don their hats and “glow” with Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and at Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks display at Magic Kingdom.
Each set of Glow with the Show Ear hats is available for $25 at select locations throughout the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
For more than 55 years, the classic, black Mickey Mouse Ear hat has been a Disney Parks favorite and signature souvenir item. Across the decades, there have been more than 200 different ear hats including limited and novelty editions. The new Glow with the Show Ear hats made their debut at Disney California Adventure in 2012 at World of Color.
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Epcot Expands “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” Gallery this Spring
Walt Disney World Resort guests visiting The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot will see exciting updates as part of an expansion of ”Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” this spring. Additional images, artwork and artifacts related to watershed moments in American history will soon be on display.
Walt Disney Imagineers, along with philanthropists Bernard, Shirley and Khalil Kinsey, have begun to add several new artifacts and display cases to the popular cultural exhibit and will continue to do so in coming months.
“The Kinsey Collection shares the powerful and previously untold stories of those who dared to dream,” said Erin Youngs, vice president of Epcot. “Representing more than 400 years of African-American achievement and history, the Kinsey Collection showcases the best of the American spirit with a nod to ingenuity and innovation. We are delighted to expand the exhibit and bring even more of these treasures to Epcot guests.”
Themed to hope, belief, courage, imagination and heritage, the exhibit provides empowering stories of American history from voices that are not commonly seen or heard. Art and artifacts pay homage to African Americans who helped build and transform a nation. Their stories of determination and courage, from the nation’s early days to the present, are at the heart of the exhibit.
New objects joining the exhibit this spring include:
- Distribution of Population in New York, 1801 – At the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, states with smaller populations voiced their concern about representation at the federal level. This resulted in the Three-Fifths Compromise stating that only three-fifths of the slave population would be counted in the census. The Distribution of Population in New York, 1801 was one of the first few census calculations done by the state of New York following the compromise.
- Noon Wash by artist Jonathan Green — Passionate about promoting cross-cultural fine art, Green reflects an inherent sense of history and place as he shares the story of the southern experience. His work with acrylic and oil paints reflect the hope of African Americans throughout history. A number of his works are inspired by his upbringing in the Gullah community of coastal South Carolina.
- Slave Songs of the United States – Published in 1867, this original collection of African American music was the first of its kind. Northern abolitionists William Francis Allen, Charles Pickard Ware and Lucy McKim Garrison collected 136 songs from the slaves of Southern plantations, phonetically recording them as they heard them, in an effort to preserve the unique and powerful art form.
- Tintype Photographs – Popularized in the mid-1850s, tintypes were easier to produce than previous methods and made photographs accessible to more people. Though their names have been lost to history, the subjects of the tintype portraits included in the exhibit continue to share their stories of courage .
- Carte de Visite – Following a similar printing process as tintypes, carte de visite photographs were easier and more economical to produce, with the image printed on a high quality paper. The carte de visite photographs being added to the Courage portion of the exhibit feature African American soldiers from both sides of the Civil War
The Kinsey family’s private collection features rare art, documents, books and artifacts and has been displayed throughout the U.S., including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Since opening at Epcot on March 8, 2013, approximately 40 pieces have been on display at the interactive exhibit where guests are able to use touch screens to further explore the art, artifacts and history. Guest-activated lanterns also help bring the history to life with narration provided by celebrity narrators including Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”) Diane Sawyer (“ABC World News with Diane Sawyer”), actress Kerry Washington (“Scandal”) and more.
Many notable visitors have experienced the exhibit including actor Blair Underwood, NBA Champion John Salley and R&B legends Boyz II Men.
“Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” is included in Epcot admission. For more information about the collection, visit thekinseycollection.com.
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Video – Media Sneak Peek of the New Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom
The parade premieres in March at the Magic Kingdom, featuring intricate and dramatic costumes that were crafted at ten different design houses across the country and the world. The elaborate costumes – from The Lost Boys (Peter Pan) and the Raven (Sleeping Beauty), to the Lion Fish and Bubble Girl (The Little Mermaid) – included stylish looks created by designer Mirena Rada and Disney’s Creative Costuming team.
Today’s sneak peek also included a look at select parade floats that will celebrate classic Disney and Pixar stories featuring never-before-used technology and an all-new musical score. The floats showcased Monday included The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and – part of the parade finale – Mickey’s Airship.
The new parade will be inspired by classic Disney fantasies, many of which come to life in New Fantasyland, the largest expansion in the Magic Kingdom history.
Click on the title to view the video.
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Insider Information on Disneyland Resort Dining
Where is the best steak, sushi and dining alfresco? Here are some “insider tips” on Disneyland Resort dining:
Most romantic dinner spot: It’s a toss-up between Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and a corner table at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.
Favorite spots for outdoor dining: The terrace at Wine Country Trattoria, the patio at Carthay Circle Restaurant and the back patio at Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Cars Land, all at Disney California Adventure Park; Carnation Cafe on Main Street, U.S.A., the front porch of Plaza Inn and River Belle Terrace (where we’re told Walt Disney used to have breakfast on Sunday mornings), all in Disneyland Park; the terrace at Napa Rose, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; Uva Bar, Downtown Disney District.
How to order kosher meals: Kosher meals are available at most table-service restaurants at the Disneyland Resort. A 24-hour notice is required, and the meals are purchased from an outside vendor. Guests also may bring their own preferred kosher products.
Allergies, special diets: Chefs are happy to accommodate with advance notice by calling 714-781-DINE,or just ask for the chef when you arrive.
Fill ‘er up: Favorite self-serve, buffet-style restaurants include breakfast at Plaza Inn, Disneyland Park; Goofy’s Kitchen (brunch and dinner), the Disneyland Hotel; breakfast at Disney’s PCH Grill, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel; and breakfast at Storytellers Cafe, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Where is Mickey Mouse? Best place to find the Big Cheese is Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends at Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Best steak dinner: Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel (the generous bone-in rib-eye is a hands-down favorite), or the grilled filet of Angus beef tenderloin at Napa Rose.
Best cup of coffee: Starbucks at Market House on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park, and at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe at Disney California Adventure Park.
Best vegetarian: All table-service restaurants offer vegetarian choices, but for creations with the season’s freshest ingredients, guests may try Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar at Downtown Disney District, or Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Tops for families: Gather round the table for breakfast or dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, where the Disney characters will have you dancing, or Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park, with twinkling lights and a magical ambience. Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa spurs family conversation with beautiful wall murals that depict tall tales set in the Golden State’s early days.
Grown-ups’ night out: For an evening without the kids, favorites include Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Steakhouse 55, at the Disneyland Hotel.
Best place to grab a quick sandwich: Cozy Cone Motel, Disney California Adventure Park; Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and Hungry Bear in Disneyland Park; Earl of Sandwich or La Brea Bakery at Downtown Disney District.
Outstanding wine list: Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers a selection of 80 wines by the glass from an award-winning list of more than 450 international wines (80 percent Californian) and a 17,000-bottle cellar.
Best lounges: Steakhouse 55 or Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, both at the Disneyland Hotel; Napa Rose or Hearthstone Lounge, both at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel& Spa, and the lounge downstairs at Carthay Circle Restaurant, in Disney California Adventure Park.
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‘Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival’ Brings Live Entertainment, Authentic Irish Food and Fun to Downtown Disney March 7-17
Music and merriment abound when the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the land comes to Downtown Disney March 7-17.
The celebration at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant and throughout Downtown Disney pays homage to Celtic culture with nearly 10 top Irish bands and pro dancers performing on three stages during select days of the festival. With performances starting nightly March 7-14 from 5 to 1 a.m. and daily 12 p.m. until 1 a.m. March 15-17 on stages indoors and out, guests can don their finest green duds and join in a jig or two.
Also on tap: a hearty selection of beers, food by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon of Raglan Road, complimentary face painting inside Raglan Road, stilt walkers, living statues, children’s activities and plenty of St. Patrick’s Day memorabilia.
New this year: the four Disney Food Trucks will serve up delicious eats each evening of the festival at Downtown Disney West Side. Guests can even purchase Fisherman’s Pie at the World Showcase of Flavors Food Truck, a favorite dish from the Ireland kiosk at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
Highlights of the celebration across Downtown Disney will include:
- Performances by The Willis Clan, Elevation, Goitse, Three Dollar Band, We Banjo 3, The Raglan Rebels, The Brazen Heads and Raglan Road house bands Creel and The West Coast Trio
- The Raglan Road Dancers, seven full-time champion dancers, performing daily
- Renowned Irish dancer and choreographer Ronan McCormack of the original Riverdance cast, leading Irish Dance Workshops “From Roots to Riverdance”
- Ceili (kay-lee) traditional music and structured set-dancing event, during which host Ronan McCormack invites guest participation
Guests can order from the Raglan Road and Cooke’s of Dublin popular food and drink menus throughout the event. On Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a cover charge of $10 for each guest age 18 and older. Reservations can be booked for other festival days by calling 407/938-0300.
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Rockin’ Flower Power Weekend Concerts Kick Start this March during the 21st International Flower & Garden Festival
This spring, guests can boogie to their favorite “far out” pop tunes and rock ‘n’ roll classics of the 1960s and ’70s at the Flower Power concert series during the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
The lineup will feature two new-to-the-festival acts: Gary Lewis and The Playboys (“This Diamond Ring”) and Alan Parsons Live Project (“Eye in the Sky”).
Here is the 2014 lineup (subject to change without notice):
- March 7-9 The Guess Who “American Woman”
- March 14-16 NEW! Gary Lewis and The Playboys “This Diamond Ring”
- March 21-23 The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
- March 28-30 The Lovin’ Spoonful “Summer in the City”
- April 4-6 Paul Revere & The Raiders “Good Thing”
- April 11-13 Village People “Y.M.C.A.”
- April 18-20 The Grass Roots “Midnight Confessions”
- April 25-27 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII, I am”
- May 2-4 Starship starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
- May 9-11 Chubby Checker & The Wildcats “The Twist”
- May 16-18 NEW! Alan Parsons Live Project “Eye in the Sky”
Performances are at America Gardens Theatre at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and are included with Epcot admission. For additional information, visit www.epcotinspring.com.
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Hong Kong Disneyland Enjoys Fourth Record-Breaking Year
Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) today reported for the fourth consecutive year record revenue, attendance, hotel occupancy and guest spending for 2013 fiscal year. In total, the HKDL Resort generated HK$4,896 million in revenue, up 15% from the previous year, while net profit more than doubled to HK$242 million.
It also announced a plan to build a new hotel at the Resort, which will add another 750 hotel rooms to its existing inventory. The new hotel will offer guests an immersive and uniquely Disney resort-style experience that is dedicated to the spirit of exploration and celebrates exotic locations from around the world. The hotel is slated to open by early 2017, pending all necessary project approvals.
Combined with the success of recent expansion, the new hotel plan and other upcoming guest offerings will continue to strengthen HKDL’s positioning as the premier family destination of the region and underpin the growth momentum as seen in the fiscal 2013 results. New initiatives in the pipeline include a brand new nighttime spectacular called “Disney Paint the Night” in 2014, 10th anniversary celebration offerings in 2015 and a new themed area based on Marvel’s Iron Man franchise in late 2016.
Andrew Kam, Managing Director of HKDL, said, “The HKDL Resort enjoyed a successful fiscal year in 2013. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the Hong Kong tourism sector, and look forward to another year of growth and improvement that continues to meet our high standards.”
The Resort broke previous attendance records, reaching an all-time high of 7.4 million guests. The results are attributed to expansion efforts, strong marketing, effective management strategies and positive tourism growth during the fiscal year.
Steady growth was registered across the three main sources of guests from the local community, mainland China and international markets, with the latter two accounting for about two-thirds of total guests. Overall hotel occupancy was at a new high of 94% for fiscal 2013, while guest spending broke records with a 6% year-over-year increase.
The successful opening of Mystic Point in May of 2013 marked the completion of the 2009 expansion, which has increased the Park’s total size by about one-fourth and brought the total number of attractions and entertainment offerings to over 100.
Like Toy Story Land and Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point has proven to be a huge hit among guests. Mystic Manor, a new immersive indoor attraction using an innovative trackless vehicle ride system, was honored in fiscal 2013 by the Themed Entertainment Association with the coveted Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction, thanks to its technological and storytelling achievements.
“HKDL is an integral component in supporting Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s top cities for leisure tourists and business visitors. Expansion plans are in place to sustain the momentum of growth and capture increasing demand especially in the light of growing tourism taking place in the region,” said Kam.
He added that plans for the new 750-room hotel have been submitted by HKDL’s shareholders, namely a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG), for approval by the Legislative Council. The new hotel will increase the total number of hotel rooms in the Resort by 75% to 1,750.
The hotel’s total investment of $4.3 billion will be funded by a combination of operating cash of HKDL, cash equity injection from TWDC along with a partial conversion of the existing HKSARG term loan to equity on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and new term loans from TWDC and the HKSARG.
The hotel development reaffirms TWDC’s confidence in the future of HKDL and Hong Kong.
“We are excited about the new hotel project, as we are always looking to expand upon the guest experience. This new hotel will add to the various immersive experiences we offer for guests, while also adding to the diversity of Hong Kong’s offerings for tourists from around the world,” said Kam.
The Resort will also continue adding to the economic benefits HKDL brings to Hong Kong through resort-based employment positions, construction and other jobs related to its business.
In fiscal 2013, additional spending in Hong Kong by HKDL visitors generated HK$x billion of value added to Hong Kong, which is equivalent to around 0.xx% of Hong Kong’s GDP. A total of xxxxxx jobs (in terms of man-years) were created, primarily benefiting frontline workers as well as the travel and hospitality industry. Construction of the new hotel would create additional job opportunities and another 600-700 full-time equivalent jobs in HKDL after the new hotel commences operation.
HKDL has also redoubled community outreach efforts and its commitment to the Disney brand values of happiness, creativity and service. Over 100,000 underprivileged community members were welcomed to the Park during the fiscal year, while close to 8,500 hours of skills and services were contributed through the Disney VoluntEARS program, among other outreach programs that directly benefited society.
On average, HKDL employed more than 4,800 full-time and 2,600 part-time staff during the 2013 fiscal year, making the Resort one of Hong Kong’s largest employers in the entertainment industry. HKDL is committed to developing a highly skilled and quality workforce, providing over 380,000 hours of professional and technical training during the year as well.
Since opening, HKDL has received 271 awards in recognition of its design, technical achievements, distinctive guest services, commitment to the community and environment and high family appeal. HKDL received a total of 61 awards during the fiscal year, including Best Theme Attraction at the 24th Annual TTG Travel Awards, the Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award 2013 in the Marketing Industry category, the Best Theme Park of the Year from China Travel and Meetings Industry Awards, the 4th Asia’s Best Employer Brand Award presented by Employer Branding Institute, and the 2013 Randstad Award for Best Workplace Culture in Hong Kong.
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PATRICK DEMPSEY (“GREY’S ANATOMY”) AND THE HOSTS OF BBC’S “TOP GEAR” GUEST STAR IN GRAND PRIX-THEMED EPISODE OF “PHINEAS AND FERB,” PREMIERING ON PLATYPUS DAY, SATURDAY, MARCH 1, EXCLUSIVELY ON DISNEY XD
Racing enthusiast Patrick Dempsey, star of ABC’s hit “Grey’s Anatomy,” Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, hosts of the popular BBC series “Top Gear,” guest star on a new Grand Prix-themed episode of the Emmy Award-winning animated series “Phineas and Ferb,” premiering on Platypus Day, SATURDAY, MARCH 1 (8:00 a.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Following the episode will be a “Phineas and Ferb” marathon showcasing Agent P and his O.W.C.A. counterparts (8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., ET/PT).
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2014 Star Wars Weekends Dates
Here are the dates for the 2014 Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
- Weekend I: May 16 – 18, 2014
- Weekend II: May 23 – 25, 2014
- Weekend III: May 30 – June 1, 2014
- Weekend IV: June 6 – 8, 2014
- Weekend V: June 13 – 15, 2014
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