Archive for Walt Disney World

Watch – B-Roll Video: 24th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

B-Roll included:

  • Scenic shot with monorail
  • Front entrance topiaries – featuring Mickey Mouse & Pluto
  • Belle & Beast topiaries in the France Pavilion
  • Figment topiary in Future World
  • Scenic shots – styled flowerbeds
  • Road to Florida 500 play garden, Cruz Ramirez and Lightning McQueen topiaries – based on the upcoming Disney•Pixar Cars 3
  • Three Caballeros topiaries in the Mexico Pavilion
  • Anna & Elsa topiaries in the Norway Pavilion
  • Plant dragon in the China Pavilion
  • Snow White topiary in the Germany Pavilion
  • Buzz Lightyear topiary in front of Mission Space
  • Butterflies On The Go garden
  • Music Garden Melodies play garden
  • Outdoor Kitchens throughout World Showcase
  • Flowers, Bonsais and Vertical Gardens
  • Festival Center – gardening workshops & festival-themed merchandise
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Fun Facts! New Topiaries and Outdoor Kitchen Eats at 24th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Disney guests can enjoy 90 days of fresh festival fun during the 24th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 1-May 29, 2017. Thirty million multi-hued blooms, 100-plus whimsical topiaries, nearly 1,000 native butterflies and dozens of new Outdoor Kitchen food and beverage tastes add multi-sensory festival fun to the “Fresh Epcot”-themed Walt Disney World Resort event.

Among this year’s fun festival facts:

  • 30 million blooms blanket the park throughout the festival, which runs 90 colorful days and requires two complete crop rotations to keep floral displays fresh and seasonal.
  • 15 Outdoor Kitchens (2 more than last year) include the new Northern Bloom and The Berry Basket kitchens and gardens. Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market returns at the Germany pavilion and La Isla Fresca returns for a second year. Dozens of new sweet and savory food and beverage menu items add tasting fun and variety to the festival. Each marketplace will feature a garden planted with select produce and herbs to represent more than 70 overall beverage choices and more than 40 food items featured.
  • The festival’s front-entrance Welcome Spring Fun, Food & Flowers topiary maypole scene celebrating a rite of spring with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy and Pluto  is inspired by a vintage Walt Disney short film. More than 30 varieties of flowers, plants, and other garden materials are used to create the scene.
  • A brand-new 5-foot-tall Figment topiary of the feisty dragon mascot of the Imagination! Pavilion greets guests from atop a bright yellow floral ball of Joseph’s Coat, brightening the landscape behind Spaceship Earth with purple petal power. A brand-new, next-generation Belle topiary with sculpted facial features will join Beast in France – her yellow ball gown is crafted using Joseph’s Coat and Creeping Jenny plants.
  •  Music Garden Melodies with musical note topiaries, a themed playground for children complete with innovative play systems featuring interactive musical gadgets, is one of the largest festival gardens created at nearly one-third acre. The garden includes a collection of plants with features that resemble musical instruments as part of the ambiance.
  •  Anna and Elsa in cool floral splendor grace a wintry topiary vignette straight from the hit Disney film, “Frozen” and the Norway pavilion attraction Frozen Ever After. In the scene that’s wired to sparkle by night, Elsa works her magic to conjure a snowy garden filled with flowers of lavendar, white and silver. More than a dozen varieties of flowers evoke the scene and include white Dianthus, Diamond Frost Euphorbia, Dichondra Silver Falls, lavender Pentas, blue Delphinium and white Cleome, Pentas, Alyssum and Nicotiana. Anna and Elsa topiaries are each about 6-1/2 feet tall and are created with plants that include variegated Ficus, green Ficus and the succulent Sedum Coral Reef. But Elsa will look taller because she’s standing closer to guests than Anna by about 8 feet.
  • At least 25 different plants, grasses and mosses of various colors, including pink and red begonias, dusty miller, palm fiber, palm seeds, ficus and lichen, are used to create and define facial and other features of festival character topiaries. The topiary team uses about 200 one-pound boxes of hairpins to attach plants and flowers to the topiaries.
  •  Nearly 1,000 native butterflies represent up to 10 species at the expansive Butterflies on the Go butterfly house presented by GoGo squeeZ. Among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants are passion flower, coral honeysuckle, lantana, butterfly bush, blue porterweed, scarlet milkweed and canna lily.
  •  240 extra playground hours add extra festival magic for children and their families with the illuminated garden playgrounds staying open through park closing.
  •  More than 500,000 plants, trees and shrubs are planted for the festival; 250,000 of those are annual blossoms installed for the festival.
  •  Festival plants include 60 different species of trees, 47 types of palms, and 48 varieties of bedding plants.
  •  78 hands-on gardening demonstrations and seminars will be presented
  •  More than forty 8-to-9-foot tall, multi-hued “flower towers” make colorful statements across the festival landscape.
  •  More than 200 floating mini-gardens, each three feet in diameter, of multi-hued New Guinea impatiens provide splashes of color on two ponds that border the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.
  • Nearly 500 container gardens of flowers, herbs, plants and vegetables in clay pots, barrels and urns enhance the landscape throughout Epcot.
  •  400 Walt Disney World horticulturists are needed to install the festival landscape, topiaries and many exhibits; 100 Epcot horticulturists maintain topiaries and other festival displays.
  • It takes more than one full year and about 24,000 cast member hours to prepare for the annual festival.
  •  The festival’s weekend Garden Rocks Concert Series includes 16 bands known for their Top 40 hits across five decades. This year’s musical hit-makers from the 1960s through 2000s include new-to-the-festival acts Simple Plan, Exposé, Berlin featuring Terri Nunn and Plain White T’s.
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Video – Typhoon Lagoon B-Roll: Miss Adventure Falls Now Open

Miss Adventure Falls, a new family-friendly water attraction, will begin offering guests of all ages a high-seas journey on March 12 as part of an expansion at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.

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Walt Disney World Refurbishments

Magic Kingdom® Park
Monorail
The Walt Disney World® Resort Monorail System is undergoing refurbishment and may be on modified service and/or routes. If Guests plan to use this form or transportation during their visit they should check to be sure of the best option available on their day of travel, as alternatve transportation options will be available.
Through April 26, 2017
Walt Disney World Railroad
Hall of Presidents
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Jan. 9 – Mar. 10, 2017
Jan. 17 – Jun. 29, 2017
Apr. 24 – May 18, 2017
Epcot®
Infrastructure Work Sep. 28, 2016 – Apr. 27. 2017
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
Cover Story Jan. 9 – Mar. 23, 2017
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
None  

 

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Annual Refurbishment Dec. 25, 2016 – Mar. 11, 2017
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
None  

 

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Exterior Maintenance and Painting
All work with the highest potential for noise will be limited between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Through April 2017
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Trinidad South Village Pool Jan. 6 – Mar. 16, 2017
General Resort Refurbishments – Trinidad South Region
Due to several refurbishment projects, Guests may see and hear construction in progress specifically around the pirate-themed rooms in the Trinidad South region of the Resort. Any work most likely to cause a noise impact will not begin until 9:00 a.m.
Jan. 9 – Mar. 16, 2017
Old Port Royale Food Court, Shutters at Old Port Royale, Cabana Pool Bar and Calypso Trading Post
There will be a variety of dining options available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Centertown, a dining location, will serve an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet for breakfast and dinner. A selection of grab-and-go meals will be conveniently available for purchase in three island markets located in the Aruba, Jamaica and Martinique regions of the Resort. Additional a la carte offerings will be available at mobile food vending locations. Our in-room dining will remain available. Any work most likely to cause a noise impact will not begin until 9:00 a.m.
May 1, 2017 – Jun. 30, 2018
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Hard Goods Refurbishment
Guests may see or hear construction taking place, or encounter alternative paths of travel throughout the Resort hotel. To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit all work until after 9:00 a.m. daily.
Beginning Fall 2016
Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort
Room Refurbishment
This will not impact any of the Resort activities or amenities available to Guests.
Feb. 19 – Apr. 9, 2017
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Exterior Maintenance and Painting
To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit all work until after 9:00 a.m. daily.
Jan. 3 – Jul. 27, 2017
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Room Refurbishments
During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit all work until after 9:00 a.m. daily.
Feb. 4, 2017 – May 7, 2018
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Alligator Bayou North Pool Feb. 13 – Apr. 7, 2017
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
General Resort Refurbishments
Due to several refurbishment projects, Guests will very likely see and hear construction work throughout the villas, spa and dining areas. We will attempt to limit any work most likely to cause a noise impact to the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Through March 2017
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
General Resort Refurbishments
Due to extensive refurbishment projects, Guests will very likely see and hear construction work in various areas throughout their stay. To minimize disruptions, we will attempt to limit work until after 9:00 a.m.
At this time, many popular areas will remained closed – including the Hidden Springs Pool (the leisure pool at Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), marina and more. In addition, certain pathways, like our nature trail, will be unavailable, and surrounding views may be altered.
Through July 17, 2017
Cub’s Den (Children’s Activity Center) – unavailable Through 2017
Roaring Fork Snacks
During this time our latest addition, Geyser Point Pool Bar & Grill will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Territory Lounge will also offer a continental-style breakfast featuring gourmet coffees, pastries and a yogurt parfait.
Feb. 13 – Jul. 17, 2017
Trout Pass Pool Bar Feb. 13 – Jul. 17, 2017
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Room Refurbishments
During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize any disruptions, we will attempt to limit work to 9:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Beginning in January 2017
Captain’s Grille
During refurbishments, the Captain’s Grille is relocating to the oceanic-themed Ariel’s.
May 15 – Sep. 30, 2017
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center
Expansion Work
During this time, Guests may see or hear work in progress and certain pathways may be unavailable. To minimize any disruptions, we will attempt to limit work to 9:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m.
Aug. 4, 2016 – Feb. 1, 2018

Disney Springs
DisneyQuest – Closing Permanently Jul. 3, 2017

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None  

Information and dates subject to change without notice.

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A Dozen Ways to Have an Enchanting “Beauty and the Beast” Experience Across Walt Disney World Resort

On March 17, the much anticipated live-action film “Beauty and the Beast” will premiere in theaters nationwide. Fans looking to celebrate the classic fairy tale before the new film’s release need look no further than Walt Disney World Resort, where there are a multitude of unique “Beauty and the Beast” experiences just waiting to say “bonjour.”

"Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage" at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Here are a few options:

Tale as Old as Time: Guests are invited to be a part of the story at Enchanted Tales with Belle in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park. Guests are transported through an enchanted mirror to Beast’s castle. They’re just in time to help Lumiere and Madame Wardrobe host a very special surprise for Belle. The audience gets to play various characters from the film to re-tell the story of how Belle and Beast met just before she has dinner with Beast.

Song as old as Rhyme: Guests can also interact with the story and the music from “Beauty and the Beast” with several entertainment options at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage! immerses guests in a Broadway-style show where Belle, Gaston, Beast, Mrs. Potts and other characters perform songs and scenes from the classic film. The 25-minute performance takes place daily at the Theater of the Stars.
  • A sneak peek of the upcoming live-action film is screening at the theater inside of the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream attraction now through March 26. Guests also can see Belle’s iconic yellow ball gown and the Enchanted Rose from the live-action film in a gallery exhibit inside the attraction.

Magic Kingdom Park:

  • Belle and Beast lead off the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade as it loops from Frontierland to Main Street, U.S.A. This sight-and-sound spectacular celebrates the magic of Fantasyland with several Disney friends and colorful floats. Parade kick off is 3 p.m. daily.

Put Our Service to the Test: Soup du jour, hot hors d’oeuvres, Walt Disney World restaurants only live to serve. Guests can find several “Beauty and the Beast” dining opportunities throughout the theme parks and Disney Springs.

  • Be Our Guest Restaurant: This one-of-a-kind dining experience can be found inside Beast’s castle in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park. Be Our Guest brings the story of “Beauty and the Beast” to life with atmospheric and culinary delights. It features an elegant ballroom, a Rose Gallery and the infamous West Wing for diners, with snowy views of the French countryside. Guests can even try the Grey Stuff, which is sure to be delicious. Beast, the master of the castle, meets with diners in his study after their meal. The French-style restaurant serves quick-service breakfast and lunch, and full-service dining for dinner.
  • Gaston’s Tavern: This French-style lodge is decorated with hunting trophies and other keepsakes dedicated to Gaston. Guests can sit in his fireside chair, complete with signature antler décor, and sip on LeFou’s brew, a frozen apple juice beverage infused with a hint of toasted marshmallow and topped with mango foam. The Tavern, located in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park, also serves a variety of pastries, including the signature giant cinnamon roll. The strapping Gaston himself can be found meeting adoring fans outside the Tavern as well.
  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: Guests can dine with several Disney Princesses, including Belle, in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. Guests of all ages can visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner in this medieval castle setting, mingling with the princesses who pose for photos and sign autographs.
  • Guests also can find unique pastries inspired by the Beauty and the Beast story at several locations, including the Enchanted Rose cake at Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs and a Belle-inspired vanilla cupcake at Main Street Confectionary at Magic Kingdom Park.

A Beauty but a Funny Girl: Belle meets her fans in the France Pavilion at Epcot. Topiaries in France shaped like Belle, Beast and other “Beauty and the Beast” characters are showcased during the International Flower and Garden Festival, which runs now until May 29.

Little princesses also can get the royal Belle treatment at Bibbidi Bobbiidi Boutique, located at both Disney Springs and inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. Fairy Godmothers-in-Training transform young guests with princess costumes, hairstyles, nails and more.

For brides-to-be, there are endless ways to include “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired touches to their big day thanks to Disney’s Fairytale Weddings and Honeymoons. Brides can customize everything from their wedding decorations to the menu to wearing a Belle-inspired gown.

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Newest Kiehl’s Store Now Open at Disney Springs

Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care preparations, will open its first retail store in Disney Springs on March 3. Kiehl’s is proud to add a sixth location in Florida to discover Kiehl’s efficacious skin, hair and body care products, personalized customer service, and 165-year-old heritage through the complete Kiehl’s experience.

“We are extremely excited to give central Floridian locals and Disney visitors a new opportunity to discover our heritage and history, our philanthropic mission, our sampling and service-oriented approach to retail, and of course, our full line of skin, hair and body care for women, men, children and even dogs,” said Chris Salgardo, Author and President, Kiehl’s USA. “Our customers in Florida have helped drive our company’s growth, supporting Kiehl’s both in stores and online. Demand for a new local retail store has grown, and we’re so excited to open another Kiehl’s to be part of Disney Springs, the world-class entertainment, shopping, and dining destination. Each element of our new store, from the design of the fixtures explaining our skin, hair and body formulations, to the historical photographs, mementos and Kiehl’s icons, helps tell the extensive story of this unique company that began as an old-world apothecary at the corner of 13th Street and Third Avenue in New York’s East Village.”

Kiehl’s at Disney Springs mirrors the unique ambiance found in the company’s original New York Flagship, which began as a neighborhood apothecary in 1851. The new store brings a modern New York apothecary to Florida, referencing the company’s original East Village roots and blending antique apothecary fixtures with modern flair.

Kiehl’s at Disney Springs continues the company’s commitment to superior customer service through its traditional practices:

  • Kiehl’s commitment to environmental responsibility and Recycle and Be Rewarded! Kiehl’s utilizes natural, sustainable materials and energy-efficient light fixtures – and encourages patrons to recycle Kiehl’s packaging with a specially designed recycling bin, promoted through Kiehl’s Recycle and Be Rewarded! The program offers customers the opportunity to return empty Kiehl’s jars, bottles and tubes to the store for recycling, in exchange for complimentary products.
  • Kiehl’s commitment to education through attentive service is accentuated through a dedicated personal consultation area. The enhanced space provides an opportunity for Kiehl’s Customer Representatives (KCRs) and patrons to converse privately about products best suited for the customer’s individual needs. KCRs also use tools such as Skin Barrier Testing Tabs and a revolutionary Dehydration Analyzer Tool to help diagnose the health and hydration level of a customer’s skin, and recommend the most appropriate products for him or her.
  • Simple, no-frills packaging allows Kiehl’s to formulate its products with high quantities of the most efficacious, natural ingredients available.
  • Kiehl’s Since 1851 Rewards, the company’s point-based loyalty program that honors and rewards customers with benefits including special invitations, offers, and early access to new products and formulations.
  • Generous sampling through Kiehl’s “try before you buy” program offers the complete Kiehl’s line of skin and hair care for men, women, children and babies with a generous offering of its traditional product samples. To assure its customers always find exactly what they need, Kiehl’s offers a 100% money back guarantee on all purchases, and guarantees that customers will see revitalized skin in 28 days or their money back.
  • Custom gifting 365 days a year allows customers to create personalized gifts year-round. A Kiehl’s Customer Representative will help the customer assemble a personalized, custom gift box, choosing items based on recipient, theme, ingredient or price, from any and all products in the store.

 The 1,681 sq. ft. retail space maintains Kiehl’s signature apothecary aesthetic and features:

  • Personal consultation table – A designated table provides patrons a comfortable station for complimentary Healthy Skin Consultations by KCRs, which helps them determine the formulas best suited for their personal needs.
  • Men’s Destination – an unintimidating space for specialized grooming education and demonstrations designed for men. A KCR will be on hand to offer quick, straightforward service and recommendations on the Kiehl’s products that are most tailored to men’s needs. Specially designed accents such as military-style lockers and props bring this relaxing stop to life for Kiehl’s male patrons.
  • Carrara marble tables, counters and trim – provide a utilitarian, functional approach.
  • Natural, sustainable materials – such as tabletops made from paperstone, a waterproof material made from 100 % post-consumer recycled paper.
  • Energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting – spotlights Kiehl’s products in an environmentally friendly way.
  • “Mr. Bones” – the teaching skeleton and Kiehl’s icon. Pharmacist and Kiehl’s founding family member Mr. Aaron Morse valued education for his employees and his customers. As he prescribed treatments for his customers, he would use a teaching skeleton nicknamed “Mr. Bones” to explain the uses of the suggested formulas.
  • Kiehl’s signature motorcycle – this icon of Kiehl’s heritage will be on permanent display, evocative of the passions and adventurous spirit of Kiehl’s founding family.
  • Vintage photographs and mementos take customers on an exciting journey through Kiehl’s rich history.
  • Botanical-inspired graphics – The walls feature custom graphic designs that highlight the botanicals used in Kiehl’s products and elements nodding to our 165-year history.
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Watch – Disney’s Animal Kingdom B-Roll: Rivers of Light

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Video – Epcot B-Roll: Kinsey Collection at American Adventure Pavilion

“Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” brings to Epcot important African heritage from the collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, featuring 40 pieces of art, documents, books and artifacts spanning more than 400 years of African-American achievement and contribution. Touchscreens and guest-activated lanterns with narration by Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer and other celebrities help bring the history to life at the exhibit, located in the American Adventure Pavilion. Entrance to the exhibit is included in Epcot admission. Epcot is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

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LA NOUBA BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL WILL HOST ITS FINAL DISNEY SPRINGS PERFORMANCE THIS DECEMBER

With over 8,500 performances to date, La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil® has been a Disney Springs™ staple for nearly twenty years. Since its inception in late 1998, the show has welcomed many new acts; the most recent additions include a duo of comedic clowns followed by a troupe of world-famous break dancers and a real-life couple skilled in the rarely-seen art of aerial bamboo. La Nouba has been seen by over 10 million Walt Disney World® Resort guests and will continue to dazzle audiences with its breathtaking blend of daring acrobatics and dazzling choreography through 2017, with a final performance scheduled to take place on Dec. 31, 2017.

With ten months to take in a show, guests still have plenty of time to be mesmerized by the artistry of the talented La Nouba team.

And, if you’re wondering what’s next? Given Disney’s strong relationship with Cirque du Soleil over the years, they may soon have news to share about exciting new entertainment coming to Disney Springs.

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Video – B-Roll: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

B-Roll included:

  • Shots of the monorail passing by Spaceship Earth
  • Front entrance topiary
  • New Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries
  • New Ranger Mickey topiary Chip ‘n’ Dale topiaries
  • Minnie Mouse and Pluto topiaries
  • New Music Garden Melodies play garden
  • Butterfly Garden Outdoor Kitchens and guests enjoying food & beverages
  • Close up food & beverage shots

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