Archive for December, 2007

Walt Disney World Resort Rings in a Happy New Year With Parties, Extended Hours and Fireworks Galore

Monday, December 31st, 2007

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Walt Disney World guests can count down to midnight and ring in 2008 with a dazzling display of entertainment, parades, fireworks and extended hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom on New Year’s Eve.

Throughout the final evening of the year, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island will be transformed into one big, high-energy street party for partygoers 21 and older: six-hours of fun overflowing with live music, dancing, a sampling of gourmet delights, a champagne toast, plus spectacular fireworks.

The party will take place from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. and will include a countdown to 2008 and a special fireworks celebration only Disney can deliver. Each guest on New Year’s Eve will welcome 2008 with festive hats and noisemakers, plus a delectable dinner buffet and a midnight champagne toast — all part of the admission price.

Admission to this special-ticket New Year’s Eve party is $99 plus tax and includes entry to all seven themed nightclubs at Pleasure Island. Annual passholders can purchase up to two tickets at $89 each plus tax. For more information or to order advance tickets, call 407/W-DISNEY.

Other Disney celebrations and New Year’s Eve theme park hours:

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Actor Christopher Meloni at Walt Disney World

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

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(DEC. 28, 2007): Emmy Award-nominated actor Christopher Meloni poses with his daughter Sophia (left), wife Sherman (center,) and son Dante (right) Dec. 27, 2007 at the “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” attraction at the Magic Kingdom theme park. Meloni, who stars in the NBC series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” is vacationing with his family at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Christmas week. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Actor Blair Underwood Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s “Wonder”

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

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(DEC. 27, 2007): Actor Blair Underwood gets behind the camera to shoot some vacation videos aboard the Disney Cruise Line cruise ship “Wonder” Dec. 27, 2007 as his children Blake (left), Brielle (middle) and Paris (right) meet Mickey Mouse on deck. Underwood, one of the stars of the hit ABC drama series “Dirty Sexy Money,” is taking a vacation cruise with his family aboard the Disney luxury liner. In 2008, Underwood will co-star with Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the CBS comedy “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and with Gabriel Byrne in the new HBO drama series “In Treatment.” (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Florida Gators practice at Disney’s Wide World of Sports 12/26/2007

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

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(Dec. 26, 2007): Florida Gators football coach Urban Meyer (right) talks to his team during practice at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Dec. 26, 2007. The Gators will face the Michigan Wolverines on Jan. 1, 2008 in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Christmas by the Numbers at Walt Disney World Resort

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Miles of garland, ribbon, twinkling lights and glitter transform Walt Disney World Resort into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Here’s a sample of what guests will experience throughout the Vacation Kingdom:

  • 1,500 decorated trees throughout property
  • A wreath 25 feet in diameter adorning the Cirque du Soleil building at Downtown Disney West Side
  • 34,000 feet, or 6 miles, of twinkling rope lights in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney-MGM Studios
  • 150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations adorning 22 resorts, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Downtown Disney and more
  • 15 miles of garland strung throughout the Vacation Kingdom
  • More than 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across property
  • 8 million lights hung throughout Walt Disney World Resort
  • 11 countries dressed for Holidays Around the World at Epcot World Showcase
  • 1 tree at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with a base 26 feet wide
  • One 45-foot-tall centerpiece tree in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa lobby featuring nearly 60,000 miniature LED lights
  • 6 life-sized creations cooked up by Walt Disney World pastry chefs featuring:
  • One 16-foot-tall gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa baked with 1,050 pounds of honey and decorated over 160 hours
  • One life-size gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort made with 100 pounds of sugar, 50 pounds of dark chocolate and 36 pounds of honey
  • 800+ holiday musicians, characters, storytellers, singers and entertainers performing daily throughout all four theme parks
  • 100% chance of snow flurries during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, taking place on select holiday evenings in Magic Kingdom
  • 365 days of the year that guests can shop for holiday merchandise at the Disney Christmas Shop in Downtown Disney Marketplace

Holidays Sparkle at Epcot

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

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HOLIDAY SPARKLE – A photographer’s zoom lens provides a dramatic look at the holiday lights at Epcot, one of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Included as part of the “Holidays Around the World” celebration, Epcot presents a longtime Disney holiday tradition – Candlelight Processional. Candlelight Processional features a musical performance by a mass choir and 50-piece orchestra who are joined by celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Music sensation Miley Cyrus sparkles on “Walt Disney World Christmas Parade” special, Dec. 25, 2007 on ABC-TV

Monday, December 24th, 2007

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HAPPY ‘HANNAH’ HOLIDAY: International music sensation Miley Cyrus, currently on one of the most successful concert tours of the year and star of the Disney Channel hit series “Hannah Montana,” is one of the performers in the star-studded “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” holiday special, set to air Dec. 25, 2007 on ABC-TV. With segments at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the special also features performances by Josh Groban, stars from “High School Musical” and “Dancing with the Stars,” Jessica Simpson, Patti LaBelle, Jon Secada, The Jonas Brothers, Menudo and more. Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest host the Emmy Award-winning special. Pictured: During a break in taping this year’s special, Cyrus poses with Santa Goofy in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort. (Paul Hiffmeyer, photographer)

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights sparkle with yuletide cheer

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

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WINTER WONDERLAND — The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights sparkle with yuletide cheer at the Disney-MGM Studios during the holiday season. What began as a father’s Christmas gift to his daughter has grown into a holiday tradition for many Walt Disney World guests with a dazzling display of millions of colorful lights and animated displays. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

“Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Monday, December 17th, 2007

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‘TiS THE SEASON FOR A SAFARI: Mickey Mouse has invited all his Disney pals to join him on a colorful caravan through Disney’s Animal Kingdom to celebrate the holidays. Featuring whimsical floats, larger-than-life puppetry, Disney characters and a joyous world-beat soundtrack, “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” takes place daily at the theme park during the holiday season. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Patti LaBelle to perform at the “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” special

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

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MUSICAL HOLIDAY: R&B legend Patti LaBelle is one of the performers in the star-studded “Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” holiday special, set to air Dec. 25, 2007 on ABC-TV. With segments at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the special also features performances by Miley Cyrus, stars from “High School Musical” and “Dancing with the Stars,” Jessica Simpson, Josh Groban, Jon Secada, The Jonas Brothers, Menudo and more. Regis Philbin, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest host the Emmy Award-winning special. Pictured: LaBelle tapes her performance Nov. 30, 2007 in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. (Mark Ashman, photographer)