WDW Daily News

13 Not-so-Frightening Fun Facts for All

No need to be frightened out of your wits to enjoy true Halloween fun! Magic Kingdom celebrates the season with the family-friendly Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights Sept.15 – Nov. 1, 2015. With your special admission ticket, you can dress up in your favorite costume and count the ways to enjoy this seasonal favorite funfest. Visit MickeyHalloween.com for party dates and times.

2015 marks 21 fantastically fun years of Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party

For the first time, the mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” return to the mortal world for one night during the Halloween season during the new “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show on the Castle Forecourt Stage.

176 individually-themed, carved pumpkins adorn the balconies and windowsills of Main Street, U.S.A.

More than 23,100 feet or about 4-1/4 miles of cable is installed for special lighting and sound effects that are part of the party’s Halloween entertainment

A cast of 175, including performers, float drivers, costumers, cosmetologists, decorators and maintenance cast members, brings Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade to life

23 miles of parade route — that’s how far Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade will travel over the course of the season

13 Disney characters are exclusive to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party entertainment: Jack Skellington and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” who greet guests near Pete’s Silly Side Show in Fantasyland, and during the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, guests can see Big Al, Captain Barbosa, Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed — the three hyenas from “The Lion King,” — plus three Hitch-Hiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion

The Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular is narrated by the Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion and features many of your favorite Disney Villains who go trick or treating in the night sky

999 Grim Grinning Ghosts enhance a not-too-spooky Halloween experience at the Haunted Mansion

More than 245 tons of candy will be handed out to party guests during 23 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties

40 different kinds of brand-name candies, including Skittles, M&Ms and Kit Kats, are included in three trick-or-treat candy mixes offered during the parties

Guests can visit 13 tasty treat locations including 2 treat trails with 3 times the candy (one in Frontierland and another that runs from Tomorrowland to the new Storybook Circus)

0 Tricks and countless treats make Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party a memorable evening for all!

Earlier in the week, reports circulated about the Walt Disney Company potentially offering demand-based pricing for its theme parks in the United States.

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Over the weekend, the Walt Disney Company announced some changes to pass prices at theme parks—a topic that never fails to upset park goers.

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It’s not just the rubber band holding mouse ears in place that’s testing the elasticity of Disney fans.

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I have to admit that I wasn’t very excited about seeing Disney’s live-action feature Cinderella.  I thought “been there-done that” with other versions of the classic story.  I have seen Disney’s animated classic Cinderella a hundred times (both of my daughters watched it over and over when they were little), and I have seen numerous adaptations.  My daughter was even in the play in 7th grade-she portrayed an amazing GusGus the Mouse.   I decided, however, I would give it a go because I do love all things Disney. Wow!  Am I glad that I gave it a chance.  Cinderella truly transports the audience into Ella’s world.  We learn so much about her childhood and the tragedy that occurs in her life. There is an emotional connection between young Ella and those of us peeking into her world.  I have to admit there were a few tears in my eyes within the first 20 minutes of the film.  I caught myself smiling when Ella (Lily James) meets the handsome Kit (Robert Madden), unaware that he is the prince. When her stepmother (Cate Blanchett) enters the scene, we in the audience know there is nothing but dismal times ahead for Ella.  When her nasty stepsisters tease her and call her “Cinderella”, I was so angry and frustrated that Ella was trapped in that life.  The iconic parts of the classic Disney animation is present-the adorable animal friends, the Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), the pumpkin coach, the ball, and of course the glass slipper.  You will surely find yourself cheering for Cinderella and the handsome prince to meet once again. The bonus features are a must watch as well.  I loved the interviews with the cast and creative team.  Be sure to watch Staging the Ball and A Fairy Tale Comes to Life. You will have so watch the feature film again once you see all that went into the set, costumes, and story.  To be an extra at the ball would have been magical for sure!  Disney’s Cinderella on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD is a must have for your Disney film collection.  You don’t need to wait for a bippity boppity boo from your fairy godmother. Go out to get a copy of this magical story for yourself.

A new Disney Frozen Package is now available at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations at the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts.

This new option includes a choice of the Anna hairstyling with costume or Elsa hairstyling with costume. Guests will also receive shimmering makeup, face gem, nail polish, a Princess sash, a Princess cinch bag, and a huggable 12-inch Olaf plush.

If Guests already have an Anna or Elsa dress, they may select the Disney Frozen Crown Package, which includes Anna or Elsa hairstyle with braided hairpiece and sparkling snowflake hair accessories. Guests will also receive other items featured in the Disney Frozen Package including the 12-inch Olaf plush.

For Guests visiting the Disneyland® Resort in California, this package will be offered at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland inside Disneyland Park. Please note separate theme park admission is required.

Guests visiting Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida can find this package at World of Disney at Disney Springs or inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom® Park. Please note separate theme park admission is required for the Magic KingdomPark location.

Book by calling 714-781-STYLE (714-781-7895) for Disneyland Resort or 407-WDW-STYLE (407-939-7895) forWalt Disney World Resort.

Guests must be between 3-12 years of age and must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older during the entire experience. Costume select and sizing may vary and certain accessories are sold separately. No discounts apply unless otherwise noted. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior arrival. A valid accepted credit card number is required at the time of booking. A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to such credit card for all no-shows or if reservation is cancelled within 24 hours of experience. Subject to restrictions. All prices, package components, costumes, accessories, hairstyles and information contained herein are subject to change without notice. Separate Theme Park admission may be required.

For the world’s entertainment giants, this is a time of fear and doubt. These companies are still bringing in piles of money – industry leader Walt Disney Co.’s profits are expected to hit a record $8.7 billion for the fiscal year that ends Wednesday.

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Around every corner, at any second or minute of every day, there’s a magical moment waiting to happen. At Disney Parks, moments both big and little become stories that will be forever told and retold. And never, ever forgotten.

Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: DMND) (“Diamond”) announced today that it has entered into a long-term strategic alliance agreement with Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort tied to its Pop Secret brand premium popcorn. Pop Secret popcorn is now the official popcorn of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

Diamond Foods also plans to advertise on Disney-owned channels like ABC Family and the Disney Channel. Retail promotions, on-pack sweepstakes and digital content creation are all ways in which Pop Secret popcorn expects to work with Disney.

“We have been looking for an alliance that is in-line with our core brand values and we couldn’t be more delighted to announce this relationship with Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort,” said Burke Raine, Vice President of Marketing, Snacks, at Diamond. “Pop Secret popcorn and Disney both have deep associations with movies and encourage lasting memories shaped by fun family activities.”

As part of the relationship, Disney will begin selling freshly popped Pop Secret popcorn at popcorn carts throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The Pop Secret brand will also become the title sponsor of the nightly Fantasmic! Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort and plans to sponsor movie nights held at many of Disney’s resort hotels.