Danny Elfman Visits Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park

Earlier this week, we shared a special reading from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” from the film’s composer, Danny Elfman, in front of Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park. While he was here, we caught up with the Elfman, the man who provided the singing voice for Jack Skellington himself! We were amazed to learn that this was Elfman’s first time experiencing this holiday overlay. In the video below, he describes what it was like to hear his music blended with his favorite Disneyland attraction.

Danny Elfman Visits Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Celebrating A Soldier’s Safe Return at the Disneyland Half Marathon presented by Cigna

This story has it all: runDisney magic, tears, joy and celebration.

If you participated in the 2014 Disney Princess Half Marathon presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals or follow my runDisney blog posts on a regular basis, this story will be familiar. It is a follow-up to an emotional magical moment that played out at the start of the race in February, but with a new twist at the Disneyland Half Marathon presented by Cigna.

Kim Myers of Seattle, WA, traveled to Walt Disney World Resort to run the Princess Half Marathon for a couple reasons. First, she was part of a larger group running on behalf of “Wear Blue: Run to Remember,” a running organization that participates in races around the world to celebrate the sacrifice of US military and their families. Second, she was celebrating her birthday and ran to take her mind off the fact that her husband, CW2 Travis Myers, couldn’t be with her. He was serving our country in Afghanistan with the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces group. Thanks to a thoughtful husband, technology and a little Disney Magic, we were able to surprise Kim with a special birthday message from Travis who was half a world away. At that time Kim said if everything went according to plan Travis would be home in time to run the Disneyland Half Marathon with her and they not only would celebrate his return but ironically his birthday.

Well, I am happy to tell you that everything did go according to plan. Travis returned home safely to his family from his final tour of duty. And as promised he took Kim’s hand and together they ran the Disneyland Half Marathon at Disneyland Resort earlier this month.

When I recently visited Kim and Travis in Seattle, Kim told me, “I run as a way to find my own identity as a very busy person, mom, wife, fulltime job …. and a very positive way to deal with a lot of stress.”

Now, with Travis safely home, the loneliness of running alone is replaced by running with her partner in life.

“The Disneyland Half Marathon is our celebration run,” Kim said. “We’re getting out there to celebrate where we’ve come from as well as how far we have left to go, both as individuals and also together as a couple.”

I hope you will take a moment to watch Kim and Travis’ journey to the Disneyland Half Marathon. It is truly a story of love and celebration.

runDisney salutes and thanks all of our service men and women and their families around the world for keeping our country safe.

#WhyIrunDisney is dedicated to sharing compelling and motivational human-interest stories. To view submissions and to learn how to upload your story, visit irundisney.com.

Celebrating A Soldier’s Safe Return at the Disneyland Half Marathon presented by Cigna by Robert Hitchcock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

New Halloween Celebrations at Disney Parks

If you like new experiences at the Disney Parks, read on. As most of you know I’m part of the creative team for Disney Floral & Gifts that creates new gifting experiences. We meet twice a week and talk about how we can help you live out your favorite stories for holidays and special occasions (yes it’s a tough job). In this case, back in February we started a “re-design” of our Halloween tricks and treats…beginning with a discussion about what you said you liked and didn’t like from 2013. Our creative sessions are exactly what you might imagine. Then one day, the creativity is finished and I get the chance to share the inside scoop. So today, we announce (cue scary music) … the new … Mickey’s Spooktacular Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort.

This year we enhanced what you said you loved the most; the ambiance, glow, décor and personalization! We also kept some current surprises you loved and added in new elements you’ve requested. What’s included? Imagine walking up to your Resort room to see a creepy banner hanging from your door featuring a Mickey shaped pumpkin with light up eyes looking right at you. You crack open the door and peak around the corner to see surprises scattered around the room! As you search you find a special note from Mickey, an exclusive luminous bin stacked to the top with goodies, Halloween blanket…

…exclusive Mickey pillow cases, shadow puppets to create your own spooky stories, a light up candelabra covered in creepy spider webs, glowing eyes (check out the mirror in the back of this image, on the right), as well as tricks and games.

Curious to learn what’s “brewing” at the Disneyland Resort? If you’re a villain at heart, check out what our Disneyland Resort Floral and Gifts creative team developed, A Disney Villainous Celebration. Apparently they believe Halloween is their holiday so they are taking over your resort room to make it their own! Let’s just say they wanted to add a little trouble to Mickey’s surprise. Here you’ll see light up candelabras with gargoyles, a luxurious black villain blanket, villain treats, exclusive villain pins and lanyard. Take a look at the silver villain picture frame in the center of the picture too. Do you see the Evil Queen at the top? There’s also a really clever Villain Monopoly game…

Not able to visit us this fall? Then check out this exclusive surprise we created for your little one through our Ship to Home option. The story is that Minnie or Mickey sent this surprise so they could tag along with your little one for trick or treat. The bag alone is a keeper. And yes, the eyes do light up! There are Disney treats, a light up Mickey lanyard, an adorable note and autographed picture and more.

For details, check out the Not-So-Scary Halloween Treat Bags!

There’s so much more to share so you’ll want to stay tuned. But if your curiosity gets the best of you, check out our website through the links above or call a Disney Floral & Gifts Dream Maker at 407-WDW-GIFT for Walt Disney World Resort and 714-781-GIFT for Disneyland Resort. Disneyfloralandgifts.com

New Halloween Celebrations at Disney Parks by Jean Volante: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog