Disney.com - The Official Home Page For All Things Disney
January 8, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
Official site of all things Disney, with links to the Disney theme parks -- Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and others -- as well as information about Walt Disney Pictures' movies, Disney TV shows, and the Disney Channel, and interactive games and shopping.
Disney.com | TV | Home
January 8, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
Official Disney Channel site offering online games from Zoog Disney for kids, activities and information on TV shows including Lizzie McGuire, Kim Possible, and The Proud Family.
Vintage Disney World Map
January 8, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
Walt Disney World Maps - Parks and Resorts
January 8, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
“Cast” of Pushing Daises on Twitter to save show
January 8, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
So last night I twittered about how ABC put reruns of Scrubs on instead of a new episode of Pushing Daisies, as was originally scheduled. This morning I wake up to see the cast of characters from the show have followed me on Twitter.
Their presence on twitter appeared to start as an attempt to save the show, but has now morphed into an effort to make sure the last three shows are aired and not buried where even @nedthepiemaker can’t touch them. You can follow their efforts too. In addition to Ned there’s @emersoncod, @deadgirlchuck, @ittybittyolive, and even @deaddogdigby. I’ve put out feelers to see who is behind these twitter handles.
I can’t express how much I’m going to miss Pushing Daises, including Oh Amanda’s reviews here on the blog, but I understand that with the showrunners having already moved on to other projects, there is no way to save it. That said, it would be nice to have the final episodes broadcast and the series continued via an online comic or other method, perhaps twitter (if Doctor Who can be on Livejournal, why not Pushing Daisies on Twitter).
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“Cast” of Pushing Daises on Twitter to save show
Breaking: Shanghai Disneyland to be built
January 8, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
Wow. After Shanghai’s government approved the project last month, Disney officials were still denying that they were even involved in talks. But now a formal announcement of a Disney theme park development to be built in Shanghai and open by 2013 is expected in the next few days.
If true, this is good news for Glendale. Many WDI Imagineers were expecting to be laid off if the Shanghai project was not built. But a new theme park or other development should be enough to keep many of them on Mickey’s payroll.
A Shanghai theme park or other Disney themed development furthers Bob Iger’s vision to expand Disney’s franchises into Asian markets. The farm and industrial heavy Huanglou district is likely to be the location for the Shanghai Disney development. It’s east of downtown Shanghai about half way to the ocean. Also the airport is about 10 minutes away and their is freeway access.
Shanghai is about 764 miles away from Hong Kong, where Disney opened its most recent Disneyland branded theme park. That’s less than the distance between Portland, Or and Anaheim, Ca. Tokyo Disneyland Resort is about 1154 miles away. But that park is owned by the Oriental Land Company and you have to wonder what they think about a new Disney development so near.
Culturally all three cities are quite different, so I don’t expect there to be much canibalization. If anything, they should build a theme park with a unique theme in Shanghai to encourage Disney fans newly created and existing to visit all three locations.
Previously: Shanghai Disney Park Rumor Persists.
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Breaking: Shanghai Disneyland to be built
Sumner Redstone Profile
January 7, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
If you frequent this blog, you’ve probably read up on Walter Elias Disney, Michael Eisner, and Bob Iger and know some interesting stories about those men and their personalities. Portfolio.com has a long and interesting piece by Lloyd Grove on Sumner Redstone, the octogenarian who has controlled a cinema chain, Midway Games, Viacom (Paramount Pictures, etc.), and CBS. It is fascinating to compare and contrast – mostly contrast. Before you click through, I warn that some of the language is bit…salty. I have to wonder how things would have been different for Michael Eisner if he’d stayed with Paramount.
H/T: LA Observed
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U.S. Military given Free, Multi-day Admission to Disney Parks in 2009
January 7, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
As Disney Parks ask “What Will You Celebrate?” and invite guests to turn their personal milestones into magical family vacations in 2009, America’s military personnel will have one more reason to celebrate: Free multi-day admission to Disney’s U.S. theme parks.
With the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer, active and retired U.S. military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney’s U.S. theme parks, great rates at select Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort hotels, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.
“For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We are grateful for their service and hope ‘Disney’s Armed Forces Salute’ will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.”
Check below the cut for full details on the offer at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World
(Photo copyright The Walt Disney Company/Gene Duncan, photographer — Naval officers Lt. James Corbett (top, center) and Lt. Cmdr. Erin Duffy (bottom, center), of Maryland, take a whirl on Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel with daughters Maggie (left, age 5) and Aoife (center, age 8 months) and son Dessie (age 2).)
At the Disneyland Resort in Southern California:
Through June 12, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military can receive one complimentary three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” Park Hopper ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks. During the offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel also may make a one-time purchase of an adult or child three-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” Park Hopper ticket for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for the price of an adult 1-Day Park Hopper ticket.
Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering special room rates for active or retired military personnel. For example, at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, active or retired members of the military and their families may find hotel rooms starting at $119 per night during value season, with great savings during other times of the offer period. This offer is available through June 12, 2009, and the number of rooms available at these special rates is limited.
For information regarding “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call 714/956-6424.
At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:
Through Dec. 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 5-Day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23, 2009.
Ask about the great rates that may be available at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for active or retired U.S. military personnel during this offer period.
For information on the “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at Walt Disney World Resort or the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, active and retired U.S. Military personnel may call the ITT office on their base. Information about “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” offer at Walt Disney World Resort is also available at www.disneyworld.com/military.
Through the years, The Walt Disney Company has demonstrated its support of United States’ servicemen and women through a variety of initiatives. Disney’s support for the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program started 58 years ago – when Walt Disney became one of the original sponsors. Since 1995, Disney’s Operation Uplift program has sent over 90,000 postcards to troops worldwide, thanking them for their service. The company also supports U.S. service members and their families as a sponsor of the USO and its centers. Each year, Operation Disney Care packages, containing Disney DVDs, books, magazines and games, are sent to centers around the world to help entertain the servicemen/women and their families, Disney Minnie Grants are used to host family appreciation events, while Disney VoluntEARS donate many hours participating in local USO projects.
Other Offer Details:
* Complimentary “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” tickets may be obtained only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard. Spouses are not eligible.
* Complimentary “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be obtained only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. Military personnel will need to activate those tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows in order to use those tickets (no more than 1 such complimentary ticket per service member will be activated).
* Please see a participating U.S. military base ticket office for an exchange certificate for the complimentary “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket for the Disneyland Resort. The exchange certificate will need to be redeemed for such ticket by the active or retired military personnel at a Main Entrance theme park ticket window (maximum of 1 such complimentary ticket per service member).
* “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for family members and friends may be purchased only by active or retired U.S. military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard (or, in each case, their spouses, but not both).
* “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort), or at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort can be purchased only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices.
* Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort for family members and friends will need to activate those tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows in order for those tickets to be used (regardless of where those tickets are purchased). Actual prices for such tickets may be less than prices shown above.
* Military personnel (or their spouses) who purchase “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort for family members and friends will receive exchange certificates to be redeemed by such military personnel (or their spouses) for tickets at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows (one ticket per exchange certificate).
* The military personnel (or spouse) will be required to present valid military identification (which, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, also includes orders showing active status after Jan. 1, 2008) for all ticket transactions (including to activate tickets, and/or redeem exchange certificates for tickets, at Main Entrance theme park ticket windows). A valid ID may also be required for admission.
* “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets are limited to five per service member (regardless of place of purchase and whether purchased by service member or spouse) and all five must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no service member (or spouse) will be permitted to activate, and/or to redeem exchange certificates for, more than a total of five “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort (regardless of whether activated or exchanged by the service member or spouse).
* First day of use of “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets and “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets at the Disneyland Resort must be no later than June 12, 2009, and tickets expire 13 days after the first day of use or June 25, 2009, whichever occurs first. Last day of use on “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets and “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets at the Walt Disney World Resort is Dec. 23, 2009.
* Tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” complimentary tickets may be used only by the service members to whom they are issued. “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Companion” tickets may be used only by the friends and family members for whom they are purchased.
* This offer may not be combined with any other offer.
“What Will You Celebrate?”
Military personnel taking advantage of this offer will find even more to celebrate during their stay. Beginning now, Disney Parks is embracing a newly identified nationwide travel trend called “celebration vacations,” in which Americans mark special occasions in their lives with a family vacation.
In 2009, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resorts ask guests “What Will You Celebrate?” and lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones –a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceañera or any special occasion – into magical Disney experiences.
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U.S. Military given Free, Multi-day Admission to Disney Parks in 2009
Quick Disney World Update
January 7, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
A couple quick bits of news from Walt Disney World:
- Kim Possible officially opens Jan. 28 at Epcot
- American Idol will debut Feb. 14 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (Although Annual Passholders can sign up for a preview)
- DisneyWorld.com has received a fresh paint job with lots of new pictures and some travel planning content.
That last one is big news. Disney has traditionally shied away from offering any planning advice on their websites instead leaving that to the unofficial websites and travel books. This isn’t the rumored extensive website with lots of data and advice that we’d heard about in the website community, but it is a lot of good data that vacation planners who don’t buy a book or invest time in the goodies a fan website has to offer can use to make their trip a little better.
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Magic Kingdom Update
January 4, 2009 Category: The Disney Portal No Comments »
As I twittered, I hit the Magic Kingdom on Saturday to see what changes the new year had brought. As it turns out, not much. I guess it takes a big place like Walt Disney World a few weeks to fully switch over from one promotion to another. That makes sense.
I did see a few small signs of the 2009 “What Will You Celebrate?” promotion. For instance, a couple booths at the Ticket and Transportation Center had some decorations indicating this is where you go to get your Free Admission or Birthday Fun Card.
Additionally, in the parks any location that is listed as fastpass, but was not offering fastpass for the day had a special sign up and one open terminal for those who choose the fastpass+ option for their birthday gift.
Once in the park, things were nice. The park was busier than usual in the morning, but real crowds didn’t materialize until early afternoon. By then we were wrapping up our day. We had a nice ride on the ponies.
Then went over to ToonTown Fair to have another visit with the fairies in Pixie Hollow. We entered the queue 20 minutes before the fairies were scheduled to open up their land to guests and there were already a number of families in front of us. By the time we left, the queue had grown very long. It’s a very slow moving queue too, so those families were in for quite a wait.
[ lots more including a new Hidden Mickey on the otherside of the cut ]
I did notice a Hidden Mickey, however. Once you’re in the magical queue that shrinks you down to fairy size, you get this view of the Pixie Hollow tree. If you look down and to the right you’ll see a couple of lady bugs.
On the wings of one, you’ll see a very familiar pattern. This Hidden Mickey might win for the tiniest hidden mickey ever. You have to get up real close to see it.
Some more of the decorations in Pixie Hollow. It’s very hard to get a good picture in the room with my digital camera. I hope Disney works on this a bit. Because the magical moments created by the fairies interacting with the children are wonderful and worth the wait.
You may be wondering what happened to the dream squad? Well the squad is still around, just minus vests and prizes. Instead they’re empowered to make magical moments for guests. Many were doing ‘Pin Trading’, sticker handing out, bubble blowing, and other fun stuff. It’s a nice touch, but I have to wonder if positions like that will survive labor hour cuts.
We then made it out to Main Street, USA. I tried to take another photo of my grandfather’s window, but I need a ladder and someone to trim that tree to get a perfect show. I’m still learning more about what Vic Greene was involved with as Walt Disney World was built. If anyone out there has a better photo than the one below, I’d appreciate it.
Also on Main Street were two trolleys and this car. Which is one of the nice things about attending on the busy days, if you have the time to stop and notice the details, there are many more of them about.
I also took the time to visit one of my favorite locations on Main Street. USA. Here’s a hint:
That not a big enough hint? How about this?
Yep. Michal at the Harmony Barbershop is a must visit for me. He makes the magic happen every day in ever encounter even if you just walk in the door. In fact, he’s the only person to have ever cut my son’s hair. This trip a woman wearing a ‘first visit’ button came in and said someone told her she had to visit the barbershop. Michal greated her with a smile dusted her hair with pixie dust and Mickey Confetti. It didn’t take much, but that woman left with a huge smile on her face and a belief in Disney magic.
Here’s another small detail that is usual hidden from guests. It’s a beautiful china cabinet located in the Adventureland Veranda.
The Veranda used to be a dining location, but now only opens to sell pre-made sandwiches on the park’s busiest days. It’s actually a great space and with a little placemaking could become a hub of themed dining fun (think Pirates) for generations to come. I know Disney has plans for the location along those lines. I hope they make it happen.
Sometimes the magic is missing. I’ve written about the mess made by guests leaving their chewing gum on the walls in Splash Mountain a couple times before. It’s a shame that happens, but Disney could reduce the frequency of the infraction by regularly cleaning the attraction.
What I saw today was totally the fault of some guest who obviously feels like they can treat Walt Disney World like their trash can. A coke bottle and half-eaten turkey leg became the meal for these White Ibis in the Splash Mountain post-splash down zone. Very sad.
Continuing with the little details theme. The Frontierland Pin Shop is diversifying their offerings. I don’t know if this is a sign that the pin craze is waning a bit or that Disney has decided that introducing some variety back into their merchandise offerings is a good thing. But either way, I like it. Btw, there was also some merchandise that was clearly imported from ‘Disneyland’ here. Maybe it will sell in Florida.
The day is now running long. By hyper-miling our fastpass experience we’d been on a ton of attractions already, it was time for a late afternoon snack. At the Magic Kingdom there are few treats better than a funnel cake, some hot cocoa and a perfect view of Cinderalla Castle. Now, if they’d just import some boysenberry toppings.
We ended our day with a ride of the TTA. Construction continues at the Tomorrowland outdoor stage area. This area seems to be reconstructed every couple of years. Hard to decipher what will be built here, but there is a lot of work going on.
Thanks for coming along on this tour. I’ll be back in a couple weeks with more views of the “What Will You Celebrate” offerings at Walt Disney World.
In the meantime, here are a couple final shots. Click through to get larger versions of these seldom seen sides of Mickey and Minnie’s houses in Towntown Fair. I wonder if they make good neighbors.
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