Archive for September, 2009

Halloween Fun Has Begun – and Continues Till Nov. 1 – as Magic Kingdom Hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Select Evenings

Sep 28, 2009 in Walt Disney World

disneyhalloween300LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Halloween is coming early to Walt Disney World Resort – and is sticking around for a night beyond the traditional Oct. 31. On 24 evenings between Sept. 4 and Nov. 1, Magic Kingdom is alive with friendly ghosts and goblins during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Party dates: Sept. 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29; Oct. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 (sold out) and Nov. 1. The fun begins at 7 p.m. and continues till midnight. 

The popular event, which takes place following Magic Kingdom closing (requiring separate admission), features two scheduled entertainment extravaganzas exclusive to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween parade and the bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular.

It’s an occasion when guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their own favorite Halloween costumes … and even if they choose not to masquerade, they still get to trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom theme park, collecting yummy candy. Special lighting, music and theming effects combine to transform areas of the park into happy haunted hollows.

The parade begins with a “spook-tacular” ride by the Headless Horseman and showcases Disney characters decked out for the occasion and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction. During the fireworks show, the Disney villains go trick-or-treating in the sky.

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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo Unveils New Attractions and Experiences at First D23 Expo

Sep 26, 2009 in Walt Disney World

newdumbo300Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo detailed plans for future lands, attractions and adventures that will be delighting Disney guests for years to come, at the first D23 Expo. Most notable among the announcements were the confirmation of an all-new Star Tours attraction and the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

“Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we’re always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places,” Rasulo told a crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center in California before taking them on a “behind-the-magic” tour of their favorite Disney destinations.

littlemermaid300Rasulo announced that a new 3-D version of the tremendously popular Star Tours attraction will debut at the Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2011. Based on the iconic Lucasfilm “Star Wars” films, the attraction will include immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the “Star Wars” galaxy.

For Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013. Guests will soon be able to:

  • Visit their favorite Disney princess in her castle, cottage or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella; celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s birthday with the Good Fairies; or join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast’s castle library.
  • “Be Our Guest” and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast’s castle.
  • Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
  • Journey under the sea with Ariel, the Little Mermaid, in her very own attraction – also opening at Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim in 2011.
  • Meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.

startours300Rasulo provided updates on the multi-year expansion of Disney’s California Adventure including the new World of Color attraction slated to open in the spring of 2010 and the addition of the 12-acre Cars Land scheduled to open in 2012 where guests will literally step into the town of Radiator Springs and its six acres of hand-carved rockwork.

Rasulo noted the progress of several other recently announced projects including the three new lands coming to Hong Kong Disneyland by 2014; the Disney Dream, the new ship being built by Disney Cruise Line; the many diverse itineraries being offered by Adventures by Disney that take guests on 19 unique, once-in-a-lifetime guided vacation experiences; and Disney’s first family destination resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Rasulo’s keynote presentation was only part of the D23 EXPO experience. Guests were able to discover:

  • Never-before-seen models of upcoming Disney attractions.
  • Up close and personal visits with Lucky the Dinosaur and Wall-E.
  • A preview of the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figures ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering.
  • Displays showcasing cutting-edge effects technologies that are being developed for Disney attractions, shows and venues.

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CAT AND MOUSE: Celebrity Chef Cat Cora opens first signature restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort

Sep 20, 2009 in Walt Disney World
catcora300CAT AND MOUSE: Celebrity chef Cat Cora poses Sept. 17, 2009 with Chef Mickey Mouse during the grand opening of her first signature restaurant, “Kouzzina by Cat Cora,” located at Disney’s BoardWalk at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Cora, the first and only female Iron Chef on the Food Network series “Iron Chef America,” officially opened the Greek-inspired, 200-seat restaurant Sept. 17, 2009 with a traditional Greek toast. “Kouzzina” is Greek for “kitchen.” (Gene Duncan, photographer)

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World Showcase Packs Culinary Punch Sept. 25-Nov. 8 at 14th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Sep 02, 2009 in Walt Disney World
0721ar_0270kp34838072LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Epcot kitchens turn up the heat for a global tasting experience worthy of every palate Sept. 25-Nov. 8 at the 14th annual Epcot International Food &Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. During the six-week, entertainment-packed event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from top “foodie” cities of the world.
Festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade highlighting tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans.  Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2 to $7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.
Festival highlights include:
 
·        Daily wine and beer tastings.
 
·        A series of special culinary programs featuring a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.
 
·        New programs like Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining and Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen.
 
·        Popular returning events such as French Regional Lunches at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion, Epcot Wine Schools, Food and Wine Pairings and Sweet Sundays.
 
·        Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country.  Guest chefs scheduled to appear are Warren Brown, Cat Cora, Jamie and Bobby Deen, Keegan Gerhard, Jeff Henderson, Robert Irvine, Art Smith, Jacques Torres, Alan Wong, Andrew Zimmern and many other culinary stars.
 
·        Weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event with tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment – this year, for the first time, with a different theme each week.
 
·       1006as_3241gd39857201 Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, educational wine seminars, celebrity chef book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.
Epcot’s live regional entertainment is scheduled throughout each day along the promenade and the festival’s signature Eat to the Beat! concert series kicks the party up a couple of notches – featuring acts from many musical genres including classic rock, jazz, R&B, funk and soul. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon.
Scheduled to appear on the Eat to the Beat! stage this year are such hit makers as Richard Marx (“Hold On to the Nights”), Billy Ocean (“Caribbean Queen”), En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”) and Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”).  (Entertainment, performers, dates and times are subject to change.)
 
Included with Epcot Admission:
Samuel Adams beer seminars, Authentic Taste seminars and Authors without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural adventures, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
 
Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Signature Dining, Epcot Wine Schools, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.
Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details are available at disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

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IN THE WILD: Okapis highlight the stunning view of the Pembe Savanna at Kidani Village

Sep 02, 2009 in Walt Disney World
0825ar_1473gd143547645IN THE WILD: The newest guest room wing of Kidani Village is a Disney Vacation Club property with a stunning view. The new Pembe Savanna, adjacent to the expansion, treats Kidani guests to a rare look at okapis, a typically shy animal closely related to the giraffe. The distinctly marked okapis, along with red river hogs, impala, waterbuck, blue cranes and spur-winged geese, claim Pembe Savanna as their new home. The new six-acre savannah anchors the Kidani Village expansion featuring 160 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas. The additional rooms complete the build-out of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas for a total of 449 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

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