Here’s one place we haven’t stopped yet on our tour through the parks after dark – it’s the France Pavilion at Epcot.
Doesn’t this shot of the pavilion’s lush garden look so serene?
Disney Parks After Dark: France Pavilion at Epcot by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Spirits awaken! It’s time to for you to join me and the Grim Grinning Ghosts and come out to “social”-ize. Our Disneyland Resort Artist Sketch teams have been hard at work creating new images which pay homage to the beloved Haunted Mansion attraction, celebrating 45 spooky years at Disneyland park next week. These will be added to the portfolio of offerings currently available as part of the Park Icon Artist Sketch Collection at Disneyana in Disneyland park. But here’s the question … which one would you like to see appear as a downloadable Disney Parks Blog desktop wallpaper?
 |  |
 |  |
Vote Now to Select a Disney Parks Blog Wallpaper Celebrating 45 Years of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park
Vote now until 5 p.m. PDT on Monday, August 4, and let us know which of the four artist sketch designs is your favorite! Be sure to check back August 8 to see which one will be featured as an official Disney Parks Blog wallpaper.
So, rap on a table; it’s time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond. Look alive and vote now … and don’t forget to … hurry back!
Vote Now to Select a Disney Parks Blog Wallpaper Celebrating 45 Years of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
It’s time again to share your favorite memories from the past 60 years of the Disneyland Resort for a chance to win a trip to the kick-off of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration in spring 2015! This week, we’re looking for your memories from the 1970s!
We had a lot to celebrate in the 1970s at the Disneyland Resort … our 20th anniversary, the United States Bicentennial, the openings of two new Disneyland mountains – Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! What were you celebrating here at Disneyland in the 1970s? Show us with the hashtag #Disneyland60Contest, and please be sure to include the decade in your entry description!
How to enter:
When the submission period is complete, we’ll select the top five photos from each decade, and Disney Parks Blog readers will vote for the top photo from each of the Disneyland Decades. Each decade winner will receive a special Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration prize. Then, we’ll give you the chance to vote for one Grand Prize winner from among the winners of each decade. This lucky fan will win a trip to the start of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration in spring 2015!
For complete rules, click here.
No purchase necessary. Entries must be received by 8/27/14. 18/age of majority+, 50 US/DC only. Void where prohibited. See Rules for details.
Share Your Favorite Disneyland Resort Memories from the 1970s by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
How about an after-hours street party, and an Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package to make the 19th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival even more fun?
Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Late Nights LIVE! street party will run from 9:45 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday during the festival between the United Kingdom Pavilion and World Showcase Plaza. The event includes six tastes (food and beverages) from select marketplaces, live music, entertainment, and a DJ. Cost is $79, plus tax. Bringing together the love of food with the love of music, it’s the perfect destination for a delicious final bite. Party is subject to capacity and advance reservations are recommended; to book a spot, call 407-939-3378. We know that Greece, Hawaii and Desserts & Champagne will be showcased, along with others that will change throughout the festival.
*Note: Admission to Epcot is not required after 9 p.m. for guests who have purchased credentials to the event. However, if the guest wants to visit Epcot before 9 p.m., valid theme park admission is required. Alcohol will only be served to guests 21 and older.
Now for some brand-new “Premium” fun! From noon-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday during a select festival period (September 22-November 6), the Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package is an opportunity for guests staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel (or the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels) to sip and savor in style. The package includes an in-room gift with wine for guests 21 and older, a festival wine glass, truffles and credential for the Premium Package Areas at the festival – plus an Epcot International Food & Wine Festival MagicBand and a $50 Disney Gift Card to start the fun. The credential gives access to 10 VIP “Premium Package Areas” around World Showcase Promenade where you can order items from Marketplaces and have them delivered to you – no waiting in line. You can also bring your favorite marketplace treats into the Premium Package Areas and just relax. The package also includes one admission to Epcot Food & Wine Festival – Late Nights LIVE!, which you can attend on Tuesday or Thursday night.
Cost is $199 per guest, plus tax, plus Epcot admission.
For the Epcot Food & Wine Festival Premium Package, call 407-939-1889. For more general information on the festival, go to epcotfoodfestival.com.
Two New Ways to Enjoy Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
If you are thinking about cruising with us for the first time, you probably want to know more about what it will be like for your family. Who better to ask than another parent?
You may have heard about the Disney Parks Moms Panel, a super helpful resource for planning your Disney vacation, but did you know that there are three Disney Cruise Line specialists on the panel? These moms have sailed with us multiple times over the years and have so many good insights for families. We caught up with one of our panelists, Diane, to get her take on what a family can look forward to on a Disney cruise.
Check it out!
See below for more from the “Mom’s Take” Disney Cruise Line series
A Mom’s Take on Cruising with Disney by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Have you ever wanted to take a trip around the world to visit our Disney Parks & Resorts? Join me on a whirlwind shopping trip as we take a look at what is happening in the world of Disney Theme Park Merchandise as we continue the “Window Shopping at Disney Parks Around the World” series!
The mystery of who has been painting the art in the Mediterranean Harbor area of Tokyo Disney Sea has finally been solved. Tokyo Disneyland Resort recently introduced Gelatoni, a Disney friend of Duffy. This cool cat has an artistic flair for creating new masterpieces for all to enjoy. Our Disney fans were very eager to scoop up anything with Gelatoni on it including a tote, shopping bag, memo pad, writing pen and more. Those of you visiting the Tokyo Disneyland Resort will even find a special Gelatoni plush to add to your collection.
As you may know, Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates its 9th anniversary this year. Here’s a look at some of the commemorative merchandise that has been created in honor of this special celebration including souvenirs, apparel, memorabilia, accessories, dolls, limited edition pins and more.
This month Disneyland Paris introduces PhotoPass+ containing everything you need to access high resolution digital image files of your vacation memories. All of the photos taken by our Disney PhotoPass photographers, or on attractions equipped with Image Capture, may be linked to your PhotoPass+.
In addition, for the first time at Disney Parks, Disneyland Paris has debuted a new Disney PhotoPass App that allows you to download all of the pictures taken by our photographers and attractions photos directly to your mobile device.
Where will our next shopping trip take us? Keep watching the Disney Parks Blog to find out.
For more from the “Window Shopping at Disney Parks Around the World” series, visit the posts below:
Window Shopping at Disney Parks Around the World: Meet Gelatoni and More! by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
It may be July, but the time has come to get ready once again for Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland park! Tickets are on sale to the general public here, and there’s so much to look forward to. Here are my top five can’t-miss favorites at Mickey’s Halloween Party.
What are your Mickey’s Halloween Party must-do’s? Let us know in the comments!
Five Things You Can’t Miss During Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Disney cruisers have been savoring the flavors of South America while sailing throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. One of my favorite Latin America-inspired dishes is our zesty Orange Cilantro Marinated Flank Steak.
If you’re looking to grill up something different for your next summer barbecue, this recipe is absolutely one to try. The flavors of our citrus marinade, complemented by our spicy chimichurri sauce, will no doubt leave your mouth watering to be back on a Disney cruise!
Check out the full recipe below and download our keepsake recipe card here. Enjoy!
Orange Cilantro Marinated Flank Steak
Serves: 8
Skill Level: Moderate
Time: 24 hours
Ingredients
Marinade
Chimichurri
For the Marinade
For the Flank Steak
*Can also be done in a covered barbecue grill.
For the Chimichurri
For more summer recipes from Disney Cruise Line, click the links below:
Disney Cruise Line Summer Recipe: Orange Cilantro Marinated Flank Steak by Stephen Walker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
When was the last time you looked at a billboard — I mean really looked? Ever spot a facet of one that you missed at first glance? Something that made it pop?
When it comes to Disney theme park billboards, bet you didn’t realize all that’s entailed into making them so exceptional, filled with sly references and artfully hidden gems. Well, those creative whizzes at Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group know how to ensure they don’t just look amazing and enticing, but also tell a story. But why go the extra mile?
“We hope to remind guests of how much fun they had on the attractions or that they create a sense of anticipation to want to go on them if they haven’t,” explains Yellow Shoes Senior Art Director Steve Carsella. “Having all the details in the billboards is in line with a Disney theme park experience by adding something special wherever you look.”
For instance, on one of the latest Expedition Everest billboards, subtle yet oh-so-clever tidbits include the Yeti’s footprints in what looks like random texture in the snow, an authentic Tibetan carving embedded in the “T” in the word “EVEREST” and the Yeti’s shadow disguised as a rock cropping. Meanwhile, a new Twilight Zone Tower of Terror board includes a falling brick that is actually an old-timey radio that’s a prop from the attraction’s queue and a Hidden Mickey stamped on another brick.
 |  |
 |  |
When designing and implementing billboards, there are general creative tenets that are taken into consideration, of course. Does it accurately depict the attraction? Is it readable? Does it feel cinematic? Are there strong details that don’t impede the message? But it takes that Disney magic of adding just enough originality and ingenuity that assures they are always surprising, dynamic and uncommon.
“I think it follows in the steps of Walt himself to pay attention to the details and to offer our guests something out of the ordinary,” Steve says.
So now that you know, maybe next time you’ll take the time to appreciate all the thought and effort that go into Disney billboards. Just wait until it’s safe to check them out!
Disney Billboards: More than Meets the Eye by Russ J. Stacey: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Frontierland or Rainbow Ridge – Have you chosen your alliance in Frontierland at Disneyland park? “Legends of Frontierland: Gold Rush!” lets you become part of a Wild West story – and you know there’s food involved.
With stations throughout Frontierland like the Sheriff’s Office and Jail, the Hideout, the Trading Post, a Telegraph Station and a game of cards and more inside Golden Horseshoe, you can create a character (are you a peacekeeper or an outlaw?) and interact with cast members in really fun ways. (See Erin Glover’s earlier post on the Disney Park Blog.)
All that running about works up a thirst, and L.B.’s Extraordinary Elixirs includes three soft drinks worth a sip: Knowledge, a tea infused with lime, passion fruit, vanilla and a “zap of pureed ginger – for smarts”; Luck, a tea infused with apple, cotton candy, lime, lemongrass and mint, all stirred with a lucky horseshoe; and Charm, lite lemonade infused with desert pear, blackberry and “Tabasco for personality plus.” We’ve heard that they each grant mystical power to citizens of Frontierland and Rainbow Ridge.
Over at the Golden Horseshoe, there’s a new “secret” menu (wink, wink) and they’ve doctored up the root beer in three flavors – one with wild raspberry (Wild style), one with toasted marshmallow flavor (Campfire style), one with vanilla (Plain Jane) and one with caramel (Eureka style). And if you really want to live life on the edge, go with “Outlaw Style” toppings for chili fries, the chili bread bowl or the crispy chicken salad – that means you add a mixture of black beans, roasted white corn, red onion, serrano chiles, tomato, green, red and yellow peppers, garlic, cilantro, Tabasco, olive oil and lime. (It’s worth a taste.)
That’s plenty of Wild West grub to keep you fired up for all the Frontierland fun!
Delicious New Tastes for ‘Legends of Frontierland: Gold Rush!’ at Disneyland Park by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
The Disney chefs love to tinker in the kitchen, and especially enjoy creating new tastes for guests with allergies.
One of our favorite new tastes is the gluten-free naan bread at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge—you won’t find it on the menu, but when guests with gluten allergies ask to speak to the chef, it’s one of the options for Indian-style bread service (for those fabulous chutneys and sauces), open-faced naan sandwiches at lunch and the kid’s meal cheese pizza.
“Chef Jonathan Dove has a great passion for creating items to accommodate special diet needs, as his wife has a gluten allergy,” says Chef David Njorge. Creating a gluten-free naan became a priority, and Chef Jonathan worked with Chef Amanda Lauder to come up with their delicious version of the classic Indian flatbread.
 |  |
“As culinary cast members, we leave our legacy daily in the way we interact with our guests and our fellow cast members, go above and beyond, and sprinkle pixie dust,” says Chef David.
A couple more new gluten-free menu items we’ve recently discovered: the angel food cake with seasonal fruit compote at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (which is always on the menu, not a special order), and the hot beignets at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. At Sassagoula they fry the beignets separately, so it’s a rare opportunity for guests with celiac disease or gluten allergies to have those hot, fresh little squares of fried dough.
 |  |
And if you’re too far away for a hot order from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, here’s the recipe so you can try at home.
Gluten-Free Beignets
Makes 20 beignets
Ingredients
For the beignets
Chefs Add More Gluten-Free Goodies to Walt Disney World Menus by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
This past weekend, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort hosted the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s annual “Tour de Turtles” event which allows sea turtle fans to follow the marathon migration of 12 sea turtles from their nesting beaches to their foraging grounds.
This year, Olaf’s summer dream in the Academy Award winning Disney Animation Studios film “Frozen” inspired us to feature him in our event and name the turtles after his friends Anna and Elsa. The morning began as each loggerhead sea turtle was outfitted with a satellite transmitter. Now that the females have finished nesting for the season, it is time for them to head to their foraging grounds so that they can begin feasting on those tasty crustaceans. The transmitters allow us to track the path to Anna and Elsa’s favorite foraging grounds.
 |  |
As the “turtle safe” adhesive dried, guests had the opportunity to participate in various activities as they learned more about sea turtles and earned stamps for completed activities in their nature journal. Guests watched as Disney’s Animal Programs cast members conducted a nest inventory and counted the number of eggs in a recently hatched sea turtle nest; discovered ways they can help hatchlings including knocking down sand castles after they leave the beach, and realized how difficult it could be for a sea turtle to free itself if tangled in plastic debris.
 |  |
Each sea turtle involved in “Tour de Turtles” acts as an ambassador to raise awareness about a specific threat to sea turtles. Sea turtle ‘Anna’ (sponsored by Disney’s Animal Programs and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort) is swimming to raise awareness about light pollution. Many don’t realize that bright beachfront lighting from buildings and flashlights from people walking on the beach can deter nesting turtles, draw hatchlings inland and prevent them from safely reaching the ocean. It’s important to close your curtains to prevent light from shining on the beach or using sea turtle-friendly fixtures that shield the light from the beach and never use a flashlight during sea turtle nesting season at night! Sea turtle ‘Elsa’ (sponsored by the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund) is focused on the troubling amount of plastic debris in oceans around the world. The debris breaks into small pieces that are eaten by sea turtles and other marine wildlife, which causes the animals severe digestive troubles. Over the years, the consumption of this plastic debris has caused the deaths of over 100 million marine animals and floating marine debris can also lead to turtles becoming entangled in plastic, fishing line, nets and more. You can help by picking up litter, purchasing reusable grocery bags, recycling, and not releasing balloons.
Youth from the local Boys & Girls Club learned all about how scientists develop tracking devices to monitor sea turtle migration pattern in the ocean and had a front row seat to watch Anna and Elsa’s return to the ocean. Everyone wished Anna and Elsa well on their ocean journey and we look forward
to their return when they are ready to lay more eggs in two years. Check out the gallery below for more photos from the event!
Wildlife Wednesday: On Your Mark, Get Set… Let Them Go! – Sea Turtles Set Off On Migratory Journey
view all
You can cheer on Anna, Elsa and other turtles that are part of Tour de Turtles by logging on to http://ift.tt/1saeIkN. You can track the migration paths of 4 species of sea turtles and learn more about sea turtle conservation.
For more from the “Wildlife Wednesday” series, check out the posts below:
Wildlife Wednesday: On Your Mark, Get Set… Let Them Go! – Sea Turtles Set Off On Migratory Journey by Anne Savage, Ph.D.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
