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The 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens in just hours, and we couldn’t resist giving you one more look at the delectable dishes (oh, that Korean Bo Ssam wrap, and those steamed mussels from Belgium!). We know it’s also about the wine and beer (whoever heard of Purple Haze beer?), so take one more peek to whet your appetite.
I’ll be there this weekend – and again and again until they turn out the lights on Nov. 14.
Exciting news to share today from The Walt Disney Company. We’ve just launched a new initiative to help parents raise healthy, happy children called Disney Magic of Healthy Living. It’s a program encouraging smart eating and exercise through a year-long series of inspiring public service announcements featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and some Disney Channel stars, including Nick Jonas and Brenda Song. Here’s a first look:
One of the big highlights of the program will take place right here at the Walt Disney World Resort. Children will be able to compete in a national essay contest to write about their ideas for living a healthy life at home, at school or in their communities. The contest will be open to kids ages 8 to 14 on October 21, 2010, and entries can be submitted through December 1, 2010. Fifty winners will be invited to Disney Magic of Healthy Living – The Weekend event at the Walt Disney World Resort. For more information about the contest, visit Disney.com/healthyfun.
Disney Magic of Healthy Living is also online. We’ve launched two new dedicated websites:
And the initiative will include a $1 million contribution from Disney to help build play spaces and gardens in 10 underserved communities nationwide. Disney will be working with KaBOOM!, a renowned non-profit organization with the vision of creating a great place to play within walking distance of every child.
Check out one of the new websites today and let us know what you think.
Hey, everyone! Robin here. By now you have heard that on October 8 Disney California Adventure Park will unveil its all-new nighttime interactive event, ElecTRONica. And, as promised, I am here to share with you another exciting offering that will come alive once you “step into the grid” and into the world of “TRON: LEGACY.”
Each night, guests entering ElecTRONica will be captivated by the incredible talents of LASERMAN.
LASERMAN will demonstrate his unique talents and skill in a stunning performance that combines music, lights, and lasers. Check it out…
I can’t wait for everyone to see this exciting new entertainment offering, and LASERMAN is just a part of what you will experience when ElecTRONica powers up the fun.
Keep your eyes and ears open. There’s more to come…
Oh, by the way, what do aliens, gorillas, and bugs all have in common? Curious? I will reveal the answer in my next post and you’ll see how it all fits in with ElecTRONica.
I hope you enjoyed the daytime photos of Disneyland Railroad from my last post.
This next photo was captured by using a technique called “panning.” I hand held the camera set at a slow shutter speed while moving (panning) it with the speed of the train. I like this technique because it makes the subject stand out by blurring the background.
When I was scouting for this shot during the day, I liked the angle but decided that a photo at night would be much more interesting.
I really liked this photo when I first saw it, but what really made me want to share it was that Engineer Gary stood still for a full 4 seconds while I took the photo and the train’s headlight is lighting the tunnel so it gives this a picture a huge depth of field.
The main reason I wanted to photograph the trains at night was to get this next photo. I have photographed the trains at Main Street Station many times but always during the day. I just knew that a photo at night from this angle would make a very cool photo. What do you think?
Hey there Disney Parks Bloggers! We just received a new batch of photos showing the progress of the Disney Dream and we are excited to share them with you.
Check out this cool image! This giant submarine will be the centerpiece of Explorer Pod, one of four themed areas at Disney’s Oceaneer Club. Disney’s Oceaneer Club on the Disney Dream is a child-friendly oasis that transports kids to the magical lands of Disney fairies, friendly monsters, adventuresome toys and undersea exploration. Disney’s Oceaneer Club is open to 3-to-10-year-old children.
Inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” Explorer Pod features 16 interactive computer stations. Outside of the sub, eight computer stations provide gaming fun as the familiar flock of seagulls from “Finding Nemo” looks on.
We’ll continue sharing updates every week so make sure to keep visiting the blog.
And let’s hope he knows about “The Glass Slipper, A Royal Engagement at Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park.” Because where better to stage a marriage proposal than Cinderella Castle?
Though you may be too nervous to eat, you can propose over a lunch or dinner that includes appetizers, entrées and two non-alcoholic drinks in Champagne flutes (alas, no Champagne in the Magic Kingdom). You bring the ring, they provide a glass slipper etched with rose petals. Disney photographers will be there to capture your darling’s delight. If you’re not the jealous type, Cinderella will join you for a photo.
End the sweet experience with a Chocolate Slipper Royal Dessert, a white chocolate slipper filled with chocolate mousse on a “pillow” of angel food cake with fresh berries.
Reservations are limited and Magic Kingdom admission is required. For reservations, call 407-824-4477. Cost is $300 plus tax and gratuity.
I know more than a few Disney Parks Blog readers who’ll be thrilled to learn that Candlelight Dinner Packages at Epcot now go on sale on August 26. Candlelight Dinner Packages include dinner, a guaranteed seating section for the Candlelight Processional, and pre-arranged fireworks viewing. You’ll be able to purchase tickets by calling 407-WDW-DINE on the 26th.
We’ll have more details on the event’s schedule in a future blog post but we can share an early look at some of the confirmed narrators for the 2010 Candlelight Processional:
And as you probably know by now, narrators are subject to change without notice. So, is this one of the special events you look forward to each year? Let us know in the comments.
Exciting changes continue at Disney California Adventure park. In June, “World of Color” began making a nighttime splash at the park and Silly Symphony Swings began offering a musical ride in Paradise Pier.
As you might already know, Goofy’s Sky School will add even more fun to Paradise Pier in 2011. The attraction is inspired by the 1940 cartoon short, “Goofy’s Glider.” It’s a flying academy that follows Goofy’s attempts to teach a group of novice pilots how to fly.
While you might have heard about the attraction, I know there’s one thing I know you haven’t seen … and that’s Goofy dreaming about the new attraction that’s being created in his honor. Take a look at this video and let us know what you think in the comments.
In order for Mickey and Goofy to get ready for this transformation, Mulholland Madness will close October 12, and the last time guests can go for a spin on Disney’s version of Mulholland Drive is October 11. For those who want to get a final scream on Maliboomer, you better hurry. Guests will blast off for the final time September 6, as the attraction will be closed on September 7.
We’ve also shared news here on the Blog about the 12-acre Cars Land expansion due in 2012. You might be interested in knowing that the last day to experience Bountiful Valley Farms will be September 7 as it will close September 8 to help pave the way for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
For all the news you need to know about the changes at Disney California Adventure park, visit disneycaliforniaadventure.com or stop by the Blue Sky Cellar next time you’re in the park.
As excited as I am about seeing “World of Color” now and thinking about all that’s coming to Disney California Adventure park, I want to know what your favorite thing is to do in the park today. Please let us know in the comments.
Cue a horse-drawn carriage with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in festive Italian attire … a comical Italian grape-stomping … a fanciful ribbon cutting … Thursday’s celebration made for fun to officially open the doors of Via Napoli, the newest Epcot restaurant located in the Italy Pavilion.
On hand were Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot; Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group (PRG), which operates Via Napoli; and Chef Joachim Splichal, founder of PRG and one of the most talented chefs on the American culinary scene. Among guests we sighted Paul Bocuse, the legendary French chef who opened Les Chefs de France at the Epcot France Pavilion. Architects, designers and others who created the light-filled restaurant were celebrating en masse.
Though official opening is not until Sept. 10, the restaurant is welcoming walk-ins. You can start making reservations today for Sept. 10 and thereafter (407-WDW-DINE).
Pizzas were flying as news cameras roamed the restaurant to record the happy occasion. Here are some photos shot by our own Disney crew:
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The Walt Disney World Moms Panelists are known to the world as passionate and learned connoisseurs of Disney Parks. It’s a unique hobby that allows them to exchange their opinions and thoughts about Walt Disney World Resort on an international scale.
But this fall, the panel will continue to do something that they hope will become an annual tradition and has absolutely nothing to do with their work on the panel. The panelists decided that each year they want to give something back to the community. As Disney enthusiasts, they want to spread their own special brand of pixie dust to those who need it most− critically ill children who wish to visit Central Florida’s theme parks.
Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization near Orlando that opened in 1989. At Give Kids The World Village, families with critically and terminally ill children can stay at their 70-acre resort designed for children with special healthcare needs for free.
Walt Disney World Panelist Anna Skamarakas helped to organize last year’s donation. “As moms, reaching out to families who are trying to find some magical moments during a time when life is most challenging seemed like a natural fit for us,” she said.
President of Give Kids The World Village, Pamela Landwirth met the panelists and accepted their check in person. “Through their love and generous support we are able to create the happiness that inspires hope for our special guests. Because so many people like you share their time, resources and heart, we have served over 100,000 families,” she said.
Many of the panelists plan to fly to Orlando again this October to present Give Kids The World another donation. Anna said, “as moms, we feel such a connection to these families and it is an honor to be able to give some pixie dust back.”
