D23 Hits the Road, Bringing Beloved Memories to Life with the Disney Fanniversary Celebration

For the third year in a row, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will hit the road with D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection. The live event will visit 11 cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year.

Hosted by Disney archivists and the D23 Team, Fanniversary 2014 will revisit beloved theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, characters, TV series, and more than 90 years of Disney history including Donald Duck, the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, Sleeping Beauty, Haunted Mansion, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid, and many more. The event, which runs approximately 105 minutes, will also feature the never-before-heard track “Evil Evil” from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Sleeping Beauty and a demo recording from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection The Little Mermaid. Fanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission prices for D23 Members.

In addition, following each show, two rare items from the Walt Disney Archives will be on display for guests to see and photograph: a hat worn by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and a “Duckster” award. Created in 1952, this bronze-colored award in the image of Donald Duck honored those who made significant contributions to Disney over the years. Both Walt Disney and Donald Duck himself were among the recipients of this unique prize.

D23 Gold and Silver Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets on May 21 for $23 each. Tickets will be available to D23 Free Members on June 11 for $33 each, and remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 9 for $40 each. Tickets will be available at D23.com/Events. The touring schedule is as follows:

  • August 9: Burbank, Calif.
  • August 10: San Diego
  • August 16 & 17: San Francisco
  • September 6: Chicago
  • September 13: Seattle
  • September 20: Atlanta
  • September 21: Philadelphia
  • September 26: Washington, D.C.
  • September 28: New York City
  • October 4: Boston
  • October 25: Orlando

For times and locations, please visit D23.com.

Fanniversaries that guests can look forward to celebrating at each stop include:

  • Donald Duck (80th anniversary)
  • Disneyland TV show (60)
  • Sleeping Beauty (55)
  • Darby O’Gill and the Little People (55)
  • Disneyland’s Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Submarine Voyage (50)
  • Disney’s contributions to the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair (50)
  • Mary Poppins (50)
  • Haunted Mansion (45)
  • The Love Bug (45)
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (35)
  • Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) (25)
  • Splash Mountain (25)
  • The Little Mermaid (25)
  • Pleasure Island (25)
  • The Lion King (20)
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ (20)

    …and many more!

More details about D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection can be found at D23.com/Events.

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Concept Art of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Lobby

As Disney’s Polynesian Resort transforms into its new name, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, guests will begin to notice a new layout in its lobby.  By the look of the concept art, it appears the interior waterfall will be gone creating more space for guests to roam around the lobby.  What are your thoughts about this potential change?  Let us know on twitter.

disneys polynesian village resort lobby

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Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Discusses Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Attraction

Take a listen to Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts as he discusses Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Attraction at New Fantasyland.

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Walt Disney Records Announces The Legacy Collection

Walt Disney Records Lion King cover art

Walt Disney Records’ newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, will celebrate the anniversaries of Disney’s most cherished and classic properties that have been enchanting audiences for generations.  Through 2015, Walt Disney Records will celebrate 12 anniversaries including “Pinocchio” (75th), “Fantasia” (75th), “Cinderella” (65th), “Lady and the Tramp” (60th), “Sleeping Beauty” (55th), “Mary Poppins” (50th), “The Lion King” (20th) and “Toy Story”  (20th), among others.

To honor these musical landmarks, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection will feature the beloved original soundtracks, plus valuable documentary content that tells the story behind the music.  Each album will feature newly created artwork from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios (“Tangled,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Wreck-It Ralph”).  The illustrations, inspired by the original properties, will celebrate Disney’s rich heritage and create a unified look for the entire collection.

The first release in the series is The Lion King, a two-disc set featuring the original motion picture soundtrack, 30 minutes of previously unreleased score, plus liner notes by Don Hahn (producer) and Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer.  Track list follows:

Disc One

1. “Circle of Life/Nants’ Ingonyama” Performed by Carmen Twillie, African Vocals Performed by Lebo M
2. “Didn’t Your Mother Tell You Not to Play With Your Food” Score
3. “We Are All Connected” Score
4. “Hyenas in the Pride Land” Score
5. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” Performed by Jason Weaver with Rowan Atkinson and Laura Williams
6. “Elephant Graveyard” Score
7. “I Was Just Trying to Be Brave” Score
8. “Be Prepared” Performed by Jeremy Irons with Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings
9. “Simba, It’s to Die For” Score
10. “Stampede” Score
11. “Mufasa Dies” Score
12. “If You Ever Come Back We’ll Kill You” Score
13. “Bowling for Buzzards” Score
14. “Hakuna Matata“ Performed by Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella with Jason Weaver and Joseph Williams
15. “We Gotta Bone to Pick With You” Score
16. “Kings of the Past” Score
17. “Nala, Is It Really You?” Score
18. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” Performed by Joseph Williams and Sally Dworsky with Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella and Kristle Edwards
19. “Remember Who You Are” Score
20. “This Is My Home“ Score
21. “The Rightful King” Score

Disc Two

1. “The Morning Report” Performed by James Earl Jones, Jeff Bennett and Evan Saucedo
2. “Warthog Rhapsody” Performed by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella
3. “We Are All Connected” Score Demo
4. “I Was Just Trying to Be Brave” Score Demo
5. “Stampede” Score Demo
6. “Mufasa Dies” Score Demo
7. “This Is My Home” Score Demo
8. “The Rightful King” Score Demo
9. “Circle of Life” Instrumental Demo
10. “Circle of Life” Performed by Elton John
11. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” Performed by Elton John
12. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (End Title) Performed by Elton John

Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will get a chance to hear some of the music before it’s released during the D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration roadshow, which will tour the country later this year, and D23 Members have the opportunity to purchase the complete collection with a special set of exclusive lithographs at a special price.

The release schedule for Walt Disney The Legacy Collection follows:

 

The Legacy Collection 2014:

The Lion King

20th

6/24/14

Mary Poppins

50th

8/26/14

Sleeping Beauty

55th

10/7/14

The Little Mermaid

25th 

11/17/14

The Legacy Collection 2015:

Fantasia

75th

1/3/15

Pinocchio 

75th 

2/3/15

Toy Story

20th 

3/17/15

Disneyland

60th 

4/7/15

Lady and the Tramp

60th 

5/12/15

Pocahontas

20th

6/23/15

Aristocats

45th 

8/14/15*

Cinderella

65th 

8/14/15*

*First to Market at D23
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Free Dining Plan Offer at Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels is Back Through December 23, 2014

Guests can get a FREE* Disney Dining Plan when they purchase a non-discounted 6-Night/7-Day Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Once Upon a Vacation to plan and book your vacation.

Or, they can get a FREE* Quick-Service Dining Plan when they purchase a non-discounted 6-Night/7-Day Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Disney Value Resort hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Offer valid for arrivals most nights Aug. 31-Oct. 3, Oct. 26-Nov.1, Nov. 9-20, Dec. 12-23, 2014. Book by Aug. 8, 2014.

With special benefits and legendary service, Walt Disney World Resort hotels are filled with wonder and excitement, allowing guests to enjoy the magic long after they leave the parks.

Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Once Upon a Vacation to plan and book your vacation.

Walt Disney World Resort

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Time-Lapse Video: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Rises From New Fantasyland

Watch as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rises up out of the ground at Magic Kingdom Park in this new video, provided by Walt Disney Imagineering.

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The Walt Disney Company Reports Second Quarter and Six Month Earnings for Fiscal 2014

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today reported record earnings for the second quarter. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased 30% to $1.08 from $0.83 in the prior-year quarter. Excluding certain items affecting comparability, EPS for the quarter increased 41% to $1.11 from $0.79 in the prior-year quarter. Diluted EPS for the six months ended March 29, 2014 was $2.11 compared to $1.60 in the prior-year period. Excluding certain items affecting comparability, EPS for the six months increased 36% to $2.15.

“We’re extremely pleased with our results this quarter, delivering double-digit increases in operating income across all of our businesses and the highest quarterly earnings per share in the history of the Company,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “Our continued strong performance reflects the strength of our brands, the quality of our content, and our unique ability to leverage creative success across the entire Company to drive value.”

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Video Highlights – The 2014 Expedition Everest Challenge

Congratulations to all the runners who participated in the Expedition Everest Challenge on Saturday night. Despite the rain more than 5,000 of you braved the elements and conquered your fears in search of the Yeti. Although several runners dressed up and did their best Yeti impressions, there were no confirmed sightings of the “real” Yeti, and all runners have been accounted for.

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A One Day Park Trip…..by Kim Lawton

I am often asked which Park at Walt Disney World is my favorite. I have a hard time answering the question because there are distinct things I like about each Park. Each Park provides a different experience when visited and explored. I decided to approach the answer in a different way. What if I was asked what Park I would visit if I could only visit one during my trip, what Park would I choose?

Which Park would you pick? It has been reported that many people would pick Magic Kingdom because for them it embodies the magic of Walt Disney World. The Magic Kingdom for many is Walt Disney World. Maybe that is why the one day ticket price is higher than the other Parks! For me thought that Park would be EPCOT.
Where else can you begin the day experiencing the past and future of technological advancements and end it with fireworks illuminating the sky? And in between you can walk around the World experiencing eleven different cultures. You can step back in time and then travel through the history of communication in the 180 foot tall Spaceship Earth. Mission to Mars will take you can travel to Mars or build a car at Test Track. Nemo is waiting to give you the grand tour over at the Living Seas or you can take your imagination on a Journey. After all that excitement, try a boat ride through the Land to see where some of the food served round the Park is grown. Your next stop could be a flight over California, if you are up for Soarin.

After all that excitement you might be ready for a walk around the World. You can visit 11 different country exhibits around the World Showcase, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, United States of America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. There is even a brief spot of Africa thrown in for interest. Each pavilion is designed to create the authentic feel of each Countries culture and diversity. Great care was taken with the designs and the attention to detail is extreme. Artisans and experts from each country were employed to ensure authenticity. There are exhibits, rides, musical offerings and culinary delights to enjoy. Some of my favorites are the sushi in Japan, a Diva Riesling in Germany and the music of Off Kilter in Canada. There are even Kid Spots set up around World Showcase to engage the younger set in the cultural exchange. The Cast Members that man the stores and restaurants of each pavilion are from the respective countries which just adds to the genuineness. I have learned a great deal just by asking where a Cast Member is from!

I enjoy the landscaping and the spacious walkways. There are many places to just sit and relax while watching people pass by. You can find the Characters in many locations as well, just think of finding Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco or Snow White by a wishing well in Germany. And once the sun goes down, the story begins….older than time itself but still being written. Illuminations, fireworks with the story of our Earth, our very existence woven in. There is so much to take in at EPCOT, you don’t realize you are learning as you vacation. I guess that is part of the magic!! I guess that is why I never get tired of visiting and would choose EPCOT as my one day stop.

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‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Reportedly Has A Working Title

Now that a bunch of actors have been cast in “Star Wars: Episode VII,” it’s about time that the new adventure in a galaxy far, far away gets its name.

Star Wars

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