This year is already shaping up to be a big one at the Disneyland Resort with the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland park and the popular Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure park. And there's so much more ahead! Take a look …
What are you most excited for at the Disneyland Resort in 2017? Tell us in the comments!
Today we're adventuring to the top of the world, (or at least the top of Walt Disney World!) and seeing how well you know Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Are you an Expedition Everest expert? Tell us in the comments!
Gourmet Candy treats inspired by Main Street Electrical Parade have arrived at Disneyland park to celebrate the return of the nighttime parade! Be sure to look for (almost) too-cute-to-eat ladybug crisp treat and snail cake pop (vanilla, chocolate, red velvet). Marshmallow wands inspired by the Cheshire Cat and a caterpillar are also available.
Black Forrest Gourmet Candy will be returning to candy kitchens across Disneyland Resort for the month of February. A tart green apple is covered in creamy caramel before being dipped in dark chocolate, coated in roasted almonds and topped with Maraschino cherries before being drizzled with milk chocolate. Find this sweet treat beginning February 1 at Candy Palace in Disneyland park; Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park; and Marceline's Confectionary in the Downtown Disney District.
Additional dates have been added for the popular Highway in the Sky Dine-Around, a progressive dinner featuring five courses at different stops along the monorail at Walt Disney World Resort! Dates are now open, every Tuesday-Saturday through March 11. Reservations can be made by visiting http://ift.tt/1mBMlfz.
Beginning May 14, Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios will expand to lunch (11:20-3 p.m.) and dinner (3:30 to close). Breakfast will continue to feature Disney Junior Play 'n' Dine friends from 8-10:20 a.m.
What's more romantic than a burgers and milkshake date? I can't think of anything either. D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs will be offering a new seasonal Chocolate Strawberry Milkshake – inspired by chocolate-covered strawberries! The new shake will be available beginning February 1.
Visiting Magic Kingdom Park? Be sure to check out the newest flavor of popcorn, Maple, available only at the Frontierland Popcorn Cart.
Cape May Café at Disney's Beach Club Resort will offer a Character Brunch for Easter and Mother's Day. Minnie and pals will be dressed up in their beachy best with delicious eats such as frittatas, hand-carved glazed ham, creamy cheddar grits and more.
Ample Hills Creamery at Disney's BoardWalk is offering a limited edition flavor inspired by ABC's Emmy-award winning television show, "The View" in celebration of the 20th anniversary. The flavor features a chocolate marshmallow ice cream, ooey gooey butter cake, brownies and cookie pieces.
Disneyland Resort Executive Chef Jeremiah Balogh oversees restaurant kitchens throughout Disney California Adventure park and trains cast members to prepare new recipes, including the special food offerings at the Lunar New Year celebration. Jeremiah and the culinary team developed authentic Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dishes in collaboration with the local community and COMPASS, a cast member diversity resource group that builds Asian and Pacific Islander cultural awareness.
Learn more about Jeremiah and the Lunar New Year celebration in this "Every Role a Starring Role!"
Each year, finalists from colleges across the United States arrive at Walt Disney Imagineering headquarters in Glendale, California, for the chance to showcase their engineering, technical and artistic skills, as well as an opportunity to interview for a coveted spot dreaming up the future of Disney Parks.
The annual Imaginations Design Competition is known for seeking out the next generation of Disney Imagineers, with some students landing internships or full-time positions. Out of the more than 330 project submissions this year, six teams were selected to visit the Glendale campus last week to compete and get a behind-the-scenes look at where Disney magic is created.
The challenge? Apply the same design principles used in Disney parks and resorts to design hypothetical outdoor spaces for a college campus. While not intended to be built by Disney, the projects allow students to demonstrate their skills and abilities in a creative exercise designed to showcase the types of challenges Imagineers face each day. Imagineers who are alumni of the program mentor each finalist team to refine their project, and a panel of Imagineers evaluates each project for its mastery and collaboration.
This year's first place winners – Joshua Kurnia, Cristina Diaz and Alexander Doppenberg – hail from Iowa State University, walking away with a $1,000 grant for their school. Their "Hourglass" project envisioned a space shaped like a giant hourglass on its side, integrated with nature map projection and heated benches designed for guest relaxation. Congratulations to all of our competitors, and to the hundreds of students who have participated in Imaginations since its inception in 1991.
Years before I became the Marketing Manager for Downtown Disney, I had the pleasure of working as part of the team at Disney's Yellow Shoes Creative Group, the in-house agency for Walt Disney World Resort. I was thrilled when I got the chance to catch up with some of my former colleagues, who recently created one of my favorite Disney Springs videos to date.
Haven't seen it yet? Take a minute to watch below, then read on to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on how it came together.
One of the first things that struck me was the music. Account Manager, Matt Ryan, confessed that music was an essential element in telling the story of Disney Springs: "This song, 'Over Your Shoulder' is an original tune by Evan Taylor Jones, a musician who performs regularly at Disney Springs. The track has an energy and vibe that matches the personality of the property and it tracks well with the stop-motion action we captured. Many of our guests are surprised to learn that there's so much fantastic live music here, which is just another reason why Disney Springs is such a great place to be."
The venues featured here include some of the newest additions: Lacoste, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Tommy Bahama, Volcom and Jock Lindsey's Hanger Bar, to name just a few, so it's fitting that the style of the video feels fresh and unexpected. Copywriter John McCall agrees, sharing "When guests visit Disney Springs for the first time, it's inevitable to hear 'Wow! I didn't know it looked like this now.' It's a fun, fresh place that always offers something unexpected. This stop-motion video technique let us highlight several offerings in a short amount of time, giving it a high-quality look but with an added element of fun."
To experience the fun for yourself, visit Disney Springs during your next Walt Disney World vacation. Most locations open daily at 10 a.m. and some restaurants are open as late at 2 a.m., especially on weekends. For your best shot at catching a performance by Evan Taylor Jones, check out the Market Stalls in Town Center, the patio bars at Chef Art Smith's Homecoming, Splitsville Luxury Lanes and House of Blues, or the performance space near D-Luxe Burger.
As John McCall reminded me, "At Disney Springs, it literally IS just 'over your shoulder!'"
Which venues would you like to see featured in future videos? Please share in the comments below – I'd love to know!
On April 8, Disney Vacation Club Members and special guests will depart Basel, Switzerland for the inaugural Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise, visiting six destinations in four countries (Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands) over eight days and seven nights. In describing this exclusive sailing, the winter 2016 edition of Disney Files Magazine noted that the voyage will feature daily gifts and a special Disney-insider host whose stories will connect the itinerary's destinations to the Disney legacy.
As we've since been given the green light to share more details, I'm pleased to share that onboard gifts will go beyond the collectible pins typically distributed on board these voyages, with everything from a custom travel bag to German Rudesheim Pottery appearing in staterooms. Among the lineup's most distinguished gifts is a slate cheese board set complete with knives crafted in the time-honored tradition of France's legendary Laguiole knife makers. Other gifts will share the flavors of the region, with plans calling for stateroom deliveries of everything from spicy French mustard to sweet Dutch Stroopwafels.
An added bonus arrives after the cruise, as a personally signed work of Disney fine art ships to voyagers' homes. Distinctively displayed on a framed, ceramic tile and not yet available for purchase in galleries, this limited-edition work of art celebrates the 1991 Disney-animated classic Beauty and the Beast, one of many Disney films to draw inspiration from the region explored on this voyage. The art arrives as the live-adaptation of Beauty and the Beast attracts new generations of fans to the timeless tale.
I'm equally pleased to report that the cruise's "insider host" is someone who knows more about the Disney legacy than just about anyone in our heritage-embracing company: Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline. A wellspring of Disney knowledge and one of the kindest people you'll ever meet, Becky will share insights exploring the many ways Disney storytellers have drawn inspiration from the region.
When voyagers aren't visiting with Becky or admiring the bounty collecting in their staterooms, they'll experience a wide variety of activities both on board the ship and in port, all thoughtfully led by the dedicated Adventure Guides who take care of the details throughout the trip.
Staterooms remain available for this sailing, which is detailed further in the Adventures by Disney section of disneyvacationclub.com (Plan Vacations tab, Points & Destinations, Disney Collection.). Call Member Services to book your adventure.
You should not purchase or add on a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort in reliance upon the continued availability or renewal or extension of these offers. These offers may only be available to Members at various times and may or may not be renewed or extended. Membership Extras, such as certain discounts, offers, and special events are incidental benefits. These incidental benefits are subject to change or termination without notice, may require the payment of a fee and cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. Membership Extras are also subject to availability and block–out dates may apply, including high periods of demand such as Christmas and New Year's Day. To receive any Membership Extras, purchasers must present a valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card along with a corresponding valid photo ID. Effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development Inc. will not have access to Membership Extras.
My relatives recently welcomed a new baby boy to their family. To celebrate his arrival, I sent several Disney gifts from Walt Disney World Resort. My children are older now, so I had not been shopping for little ones for a while. I was, however, delighted to find numerous adorable items from Disney Parks. If you are looking for baby gift ideas, here are several of my favorite products.
I visited World of Disney at Disney Springs Marketplace as it's the largest merchandise shop at Walt Disney World Resort. I found an entire room dedicated to baby items. Many of the larger merchandise shops at Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resorts have similar areas.
The products were assorted by Disney characters including Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Winnie the Pooh and friends.
I loved the many apparel options including bodysuits with Thumper and Simba (Disneyland Resort versions are also available); a Donald Duck bodysuit with matching hat; and an outfit covered with Disney characters as babies.
There was an entire selection of novelty socks which matching hair accessories. I also found products with characters from Walt Disney's "Bambi" including shoes and apparel. I thought the "Welcome Home Gift Set" was a perfect option as it contains a romper one piece, hat, bib, and mini bean plush of Bambi.
In addition to apparel, I sent my relatives a Duffy the Disney Bear plush and storybook. We also carry several products featuring Duffy's friend ShellieMay.
Look for these items and more in select merchandise locations throughout Disney Parks. You may also find a selection of Disney Baby products on DisneyStore.com or via the Shop Disney Parks app.
Our multi-year transformation of Disney Springs is continuing, and as you know, we're bringing new experiences to the West Side Neighborhood, including The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort. Today, we wanted to share an update that to make way for this basketball-themed experience, the West Side area will be undergoing changes – beginning with the closure of DisneyQuest on July 3, 2017.
Until July 3, DisneyQuest will continue to offer a great interactive experience for all guests. Disney fans of classic arcade game favorites and virtual worlds featured at the indoor theme park are invited to come out and enjoy the experiences.
As we've previously shared, The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be a one-of-a-kind basketball-themed experience featuring hands-on activities that put guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game action. There will be immersive NBA video productions and numerous interactive experiences, as well as a restaurant and a retail store.
Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort and the continuing transformation of Disney Springs.
Now during our Lunar New Year celebration, Disney California Adventure park guests are enjoying "Hurry Home," a special show just before nightly performances of "World of Color." The now-classic Disney Park nighttime spectacular has seen many changes since its debut in 2010. Let's take a look back at some of our favorite "World of Color" videos.
Just after the show's debut, 2010 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Danielle DuBois took us behind the scenes of this technological marvel.
One of my favorite "World of Color" videos, this footage was shot from a fixed-wing aircraft at approximately 1,800 feet above Disney California Adventure park.
Another unique look at "World of Color" came from our slow-motion camera!
Don't miss "Hurry Home," showing nightly just before "World of Color," now through Feb. 5.
This week's morning photo comes to us from the Gardens of Imagination at Shanghai Disneyland, where Mickey Mouse leads a special drum ceremony at the start of each day in honor of Chinese New Year. Did you know that sound is said to drive away back luck in favor of fortune? You'll find this good luck charm at Storytellers Statue every morning of the celebration.
In honor of awards season, which is in full swing in Hollywood, Disney Parks Moms Panel is handing out its own prestigious awards. We enlisted the help of over 130 of our alumni and current panelists to select their favorites in a variety of categories. The votes are in and over the next four weeks, we will reveal their picks for favorites at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
Walt Disney World Resort offers something for everyone, and everyone has their favorite things to do taste and see while visiting. The moms, dads and grandparents of the Disney Parks Moms Panel share a few of their favorites in this week's Disney Parks Moms Panel Awards.
Category: Favorite Character Meet & Greet Location
Epcot Character Spot rose to the top for favorite character meet & greet location. Guests can meet Mickey & friends, Baymax from Big Hero 6, and Joy & Sadness from Disney∙Pixar's "Inside Out." Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park, Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park and Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios were also amongst the top five favorites. Jen R. recommends using the My Disney Experience app to find the best place to meet your favorite Disney friends.
Category: Favorite Snack
And the favorite is … Dole Whips. It was a tight contest between Dole Whips and Mickey Premium Bars, but in the end the tropical flavors of the Dole Whip were the favorite of the Disney Parks Moms Panelists. The classic churro, cronuts at Epcot and the fresh fruit waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom Park were also among the panelists' favorite treats.
Category: Favorite Show
With so many musical spectaculars to choose from, picking a favorite was tough, but Festival of the Lion King was chosen as the panel's favorite show at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney's Animal Kingdom's Finding Nemo – The Musical and Flights of Wonder also received honorable mentions. Disney's Animal Kingdom now comes alive at night with Tree of Life Awakenings, Discovery Island Carnivale, and night time safaris, a favorite of Donyell R. and her family. More excitement is coming soon to Disney's Animal Kingdom with the opening of Pandora-The World of Avatar this summer.
Category: Disney Springs Activity
Hands down, shopping was the favorite thing to do at Disney Springs. Other favorite activities include dining at one of the many restaurants, catching a movie at AMC Theaters, bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, or experiencing La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil. The Disney Parks Moms Panelists recommend spending a day at Disney Springs while visiting Walt Disney World Resort to experience all this newly enhanced shopping, dining and entertainment district has to offer.
The Disney Parks Moms Panel Awards continue next week with more Walt Disney World Resort favorites. In the meantime, let us know your favorites from this week's categories in the comments below. You can also visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for more tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming Disney Vacation.
For more awards season excitement be sure to tune into The Oscars® Live Oscar Sunday, February 26 7e|4p on ABC.
Happy Monday!
This week's "Disney Doodle," by artist Ashley Taylor imagines what the Blue Fairy from "Pinocchio" would do if she had the chance to visit a Walt Disney World Resort theme park. In the film, she rewards Jiminy Cricket with a gold badge for his help in guiding Pinocchio's brave and selfless behavior.
That moment in the film inspired today's Doodle: "The Blue Fairy recognizes Jiminy as Pinocchio's conscience by giving him a solid gold badge," Ashley said. "So I can easily see her being the one to hand out celebration buttons to everyone entering the Magic Kingdom!"
This week, we shared several updates from Disney Springs, including an opening date for the new Paddlefish restaurant, bar and special events venue. Paddlefish features a seafood-centric menu, featuring delectable Maine lobster, King and Snow crabs and a selection of fresh fish including sea bass, catfish and salmon. Check out Pam's original story to learn more.
Also, the Walt Disney World Resort hosted a special Pro Bowl parade at Magic Kingdom Park to kick off the weekend. The celebration included NFL athletes, Disney characters and several community groups, including kids and families from Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors! Darrell has more in his original story.
Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.
This week, Magic Kingdom Park – and a bevy of football fans – celebrated the NFL players who are set to participate in tomorrow's Pro Bowl. Denver Broncos receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker appeared in a special football-themed parade at the park on Friday, January 27.
The players were joined by Mickey Mouse and his pals, NFL cheerleaders and other special guests for their ride down Main Street, U.S.A.
The atmosphere was electric at Magic Kingdom Park today as five NFL players made their way down Main Street, U.S.A. during a special Pro Bowl parade. Denver Broncos receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier and Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker joined Mickey Mouse, NFL cheerleaders and more.
Confetti rained down on the players, cheering park guests lined the iconic street and red, white and blue balloons added a special welcome to these football heroes who are just days away from the 2017 Pro Bowl right here in Orlando!
After the parade, Greg Olsen enjoyed some time in the parks with his family, creating even more memories that will last a lifetime.
Today's parade was just one of the many events happening throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Central Florida as part of the NFL Pro Bowl's celebration of football at all levels.
If you haven't had a chance to get involved in the fun, there are still plenty of opportunities, including a 5K at Epcot, the Pro Bowl Experience and team practices at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Pro Bowl Bash at Disney Springs. Visit espnwwos.com for more details, and to purchase tickets for the NFL Pro Bowl game on Sunday, visit www.nfl.com/probowl.
If you're looking for the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day with your sweetheart, look no further than a romantic date at Disneyland Resort. If you ask me, no date is complete without food (though I may be biased). Luckily for you, I've got a list of Valentine's Day sweets and eats sure to impress.
For reservations, visit http://ift.tt/1KQisDT or call 714-781-DINE.
Planet Hollywood Observatory has opened its flagship location in the heart of Disney Springs, transforming its iconic globe into a four-story stargazing observatory with new spaces including an outdoor terrace, a new menu and an exciting new look and feel.
Inside it's an immersive theatrical dining experience, with each floor providing a different ambience, including the fabulous curated collection of film-making memorabilia and a 4,500-square-foot video wall the uses trompe l'oeil 3D technology – images with such realism that they appear to be in three dimensions.
Classic Planet Hollywood dishes are on the new menu, as well as a selection of over-the-top burgers and sandwiches by celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. Desserts are a hallmark of the restaurant, like the hand-dipped milkshakes and generous sweets made for sharing.
Beer, wine and cocktails offer a little something for every taste, and Stargazers Lounge has a beverage menu that focuses on Florida craft beers (with 20 on tap) and 10 signature cocktails.
The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. The new 5,000 square-foot Stargazers Lounge that will let guests relax under the stars will be opening soon.
Check out this fun video when Chef Guy Fieri visited the restaurant just prior to opening:
Our next artists in the #ArtfulEpcot series that explores more about the artistry behind the Epcot International Festival of the Arts have a knack for creating works of art that are not only fun to look at, but also taste delicious!
Disney Pastry Chef Chocolatier Amanda Lauder, along with her team, handcraft divine chocolate creations daily at The Ganachery at Disney Springs. They custom-make ganache from scratch using a special recipe unique to Disney that includes dark chocolate and is flavored to perfection.
Chef Assistant Chocolatiers Amy Holmes and Kathleen Dunn are bringing their chocolate expertise to Epcot International Festival of the Arts guests during an Art Workshop this week, showcasing how to make your own chocolate truffles.
"It's a great way to show guests how simple and fun it is to make ganache, and they will be able to hand-roll truffles and know learn how to make these at home just in time for Valentine's Day," Amy said.
Chef Amanda also had a few tips for creating your own artful desserts. First, use foods that are in-season, (such as strawberries in-season now in Florida) and high-quality ingredients. Second, have fun! You can decorate with lots of sprinkles or pastel colored frosting for Spring.
Click here or call 407-WDW-TOUR to book a spot in an Art Workshop during the festival and be sure to check out all of the decadent culinary works of art at Food Studios throughout World Showcase each weekend, now through February 20.
