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Main Street Electrical Parade EXTENDED!!!!

Just as scores of you had hoped – Disney are eaving the lights on and extending Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” at Walt Disney World. By popular demand, the parade at Magic Kingdom Park will continue an open-ended run when “Summer Nightastic!” ends on August 14th.

Disney Vacation Club now at Tokyo Disney!

Hi everyone…some 7,000 miles away, our sister park Tokyo Disneyland celebrated the grand opening of its firstDisney Vacation Club Model Showroom at the Ikspiari shopping and dining complex.

In the 15,000-square-foot showroom, visitors can walk through an actual model room of Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawai’i. Kids can revel in the fun with a play area and other interactive zones.

New Show on the way to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

There is a new show coming to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort this Fall.
A live, rock-concert style show that will blast popular music from a variety of Disney Channel hits, including the “High School Musical” series, “Camp Rock” and “StarStruck.” The show, which has yet to be officially named, will follow a format that is similar to “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” The new show is scheduled to debut at Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 22.
In order to make way for this exciting addition, the Wildcats from High School Musical will cheer in their last performance of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Right Here! Right Now!” at Disney California Adventure park on October 17 and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 2. Don’t miss your last chance to sing, dance and cheer with the Wildcats before school’s back in session, but rest assured the Wildcats will be back in a new way on October 22.

Stunning View of World of Color!

This video gives a unique look at the new, nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure park, “World of Color.” This is a VIP view that most of us will never have the chance to see. While you can get FASTPASStickets for a ground view of “World of Color,” there’s no FASTPASS ticket that will get you access this high up.

The footage was shot from a fixed-wing aircraft recently at approximately 1,800 feet above Disney California Adventure park. I particularly like the wide shot where you can see Glow Fest, “World of Color,” and the whole city of Anaheim around Disney California Adventure park.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Beverly Taste Tests in Epcot

Club Cool at Epcot is a great place to sample Coca-Cola products from across the globe. However one drink in particular has a very unique taste, an Italian beverage called Beverly. I certainly remember the first time I tasted it and here are a few others who probably will too. Check it out:

44 years of New Orleans Square at the Disneyland Park

The footage shows one of the last times Walt was on film enjoying his park. The day was 44 years ago, July 24, 1966 (Walt died later that year). Walt and New Orleans Mayor Victor Schiro officially opened New Orleans Square. It was the first time since opening day in 1955 that a new land had opened. It was also the only area at the park named after a real city. Guests enjoyed shopping, dining and music, and Pirates of the Caribbean opened the following year.

Disney World Celebration Showdown!!

For the first time Disney Parks are showing the complete episodes of "Celebration Showdown". Here's this first episode from Walt Disney World resort. Enjoy!

Haunted Mansion Audio Guide...

An example of the Audio Description available to guests in Walt Disney World.

Disney Back To School offer!!

Click the link for this great deal!

FREE Shipping On Your Entire Shipment With Any Back-to-School Item at DisneyStore.com with Promo Code: SCHOOLSHIP. Shop Now!

All American College Band 40th Anniversary.

For the last 40 years, college students from around the country have flocked to the Disneyland Resort each summer in search of a hands-on music education experience. That experience comes in the form of the All-American College Band – an 11-week paid internship that prepares students for careers in music. On July 17, as the Resort celebrated 55 years, the band held a 40th anniversary reunion. More than 140 current and former band members marched down Main Street, U.S.A. performing “Gonna Take You There” from the Disney film “The Princess and the Frog.” Many band alumni have gone on to highly successful music careers including Sal Lozano, who has played music for hit TV shows such “Dancing with the Stars” and “American Idol,” and Gordon Goodwin who arranged the score to the Disney Pixar film “The Incredibles.”

The current program is directed by former band member Dr. Ron McCurdy, who teaches jazz at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Of more than 250 applicants, only about 20 were selected to participate in the 2010 internship. The students learn everything from using technology to compose music to crafting resumes. A highlight of the program is the opportunity to visit Capitol Records to record music they have performed during the summer. The All-American College Band is a fan favorite – it brings great energy to Disneyland park through their performances and get guests of all ages grooving to the beat.

You can see the band play at Disneyland park Tuesday-Saturday through August 13. The schedule is below:

Tuesday – Thursday and Saturday
2:30 p.m. – Plaza Gardens
4:20 p.m. – Sleeping Beauty Castle
5:10 p.m. – Town Square
6:00 p.m. – Main Street
7:15 p.m. – Town Square

Friday
4:15 p.m. – Sleeping Beauty Castle
5:10 p.m. – Town Square
7:00 p.m. – Plaza Gardens
8:00 p.m. – Plaza Gardens
9:00 p.m. – Plaza Gardens

We are going to be offline for the next week while things move around! But will be back online and updating you soon!

What have you celebrated?

There’s no shortage of special occasions being celebrated at Disney Parks – be it from a happy birthday to personal challenges,surviving serious illnesses and even the ability to see again. “What have you celebrated at Disney Parks?”

Why? Because he can!

Just felt like a laugh! So be amazed at this old video of Mickey BREAKDANCING! Another reason I love the mouse.

Disneyland 55th Anniversary.

It’s been 55 years since the Disneyland gates opened. Here’s what’s in store for the week leading up to The 55th anniversary on July 17 2010

• Special edition park maps will be available all week, and the image above is a sneek peek at what they’ll look like.
• Now through July 17, select Disneyland dining locations offer commemorative 55th Anniversary cakes.
• Select merchandise locations will offer 55th Anniversary candy packaging and cupcakes with the 55th Anniversary logo.
• On July 17 …
  • At noon the dedication ceremony will take place in Town Square.
  • At 4:15 pm join the cast in singing Happy Birthday to our beloved Disneyland.
  • Check out the 55th Anniversary Art & Collectible merchandise event with artists Dave Avanzino, Jody Daily, Kevin Kidney and Noah will be held at The Disney Gallery from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  • Have you heard the buzz? It’s all in the bag … or that’s what I hear. Look for a special event taking place at Disney Vault 28 from 2 – 4 pm.
  • Wear a smile from “ear to ear” with a special Mickey Mouse Ear Hat featuring premium embroidery that reads “D 55th,” July 17, 2010, available exclusively on July 17.

Sounds like alot of fun.

Via Napoli Menu!

Pastas, wood-fired pizzas, scoops of sweet gelato – here’s a first look at the menu for the new "Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria" at the Epcot Italy Pavilion. Opening next month the 300-seat restaurant expands dining choices (our favorite Tutto Italia stays). Created by the Patina Restaurant Group’s CEO Nick Valenti, the menu is based on his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York. Valenti spent time in Naples studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon. A feature at Via Napoli is its wood-burning ovens, cleverly named after the three active volcanoes in Italy – Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli.

Appetizers: Sicilian eggplant with olives and raisins; salad of lettuce, fagiolini (string beans), fennel and tomatoes; arancini (fried saffron risotto balls) with meat ragù, mozzarella and pomodoro sauce; corn-crusted fried calamari; and minestrone with basil pesto. Or share a plate of arancini, mozzarella, calamari, portobella mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini and carciofi (artichokes).

Main course salads: Manzo (filet of beef) with greens, red onion, gorgonzola, apple and cucumber with a red wine-mustard vinaigrette; chopped salad with lemon chicken, greens, cantaloupe, cucumber, red pepper, green beans, onions, almonds and pasta crisps with honey-citrus vinaigrette; calamari with arugula, carrots and fennel with orange vinaigrette.

Pastas: candele (long, tube-shaped pasta) with sausage ragù; linguine with seafood; malfadine (ribbon pasta) with guanciale (unsmoked Italian bacon) and pomodoro sauce; lasagna verde.

Piatti alla Parmigiana: (dishes topped with Parmesan and mozzarella gratinée): veal, chicken and eggplant.

Wood-fired pizzas: made with caputo flour imported from Southern Italy, San Marzano tomatoes, handmade mozzarella and water from a local spring just like in Italy’s Campania region – 10-inch, 20-inch or 1/2 meter to share: a dozen choices, from a simple pizza Margherita with tomato, mozzarella and basil to carciofi with artichoke, potato, pecorino cheese, prosciutto and cantaloupe.

Sweets: tiramisù, zeppole di ricotta (ricotta cheese-fried dough, whipped cream and chocolate sauce); apple cake with almond sorbetti; gelatie; and vanilla gelato with almond cookies and amarena cherries.

Disney 365-Summer Nightastic round up...

Camp Rock 2's, Meaghan Martin, and Hollywood Records recording artist, Anna Margaret, reveal all the Summer Nightastic fun at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.

World of Color- Disney 365

Disney Channel's Chelsea Staub & Nicole Anderson from "Jonas LA" attend the premiere of the nighttime water spectacular "World of Color" at Disney California Adventure park.

Disney Parks Merchandise FREE Shipping!

Click the link for --->FREE Shipping on your entire shipment when you buy any Disney Parks Item at DisneyStore.com with Promo Code: PARKSFREE.

July 7 – July 13, you receive free shipping on your entire order, just for purchasing Disney Theme Parks Authentic Merchandise!

Buying Vinylmation? It ships for free! Shopping for Dooney & Bourke Disney Park Bags? They ship for free! You can see where I’m going with this – any Disney Parks Authentic Merchandise gets you free shipping – it’s as simple as that.

I’ve passed the “free” word on to you – so make sure you pass this great deal onto your friends!

Disney's California Adventure Summer Fun!

Check out this great video to find out about all the exciting things to see and do this summer at Disney's California Adventure...

If you’re looking for more details about what’s coming to Disney California Adventure park, check out www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com or visit the Blue Sky Cellar in the park.

Disney's Princess Half Marathon

Registration for one of Disney’s most popular races is officially open! Be sure to sign up for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker, set for February 25-27, 2011.

The women-focused event invites runners of all types to come enjoy Kids’ Races, a Family 5K, health and fitness expo and half marathon, all Princess themed, of course.

And if you can’t wait until February to get running, check out some of the other endurance races currently open for registration. Our Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is a nighttime race that culminates in a post-race party inside the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, complete with a relay option that lets you split the 13.1 mile journey with a companion.
And of course, don’t forget the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA January 7-9, 2011. The premier race weekend features a half marathon and marathon as well as Kids’ Races, a 5K and the health and fitness expo. Check http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/sports/endurance/?int_cmp=SOC-intDPFY10Q3Princess06-07-10@0005 for all your registration and detailed event information!

I wonder though if Pinocchio is a Gleek?

One of Pinocchio’s biggest fans is none other that “Glee” star, Chris Colfer, who came face to face with his favorite Disney character at Disneyland Park last week.

Toy Story Vinylmations..

If you are a Vinylmation Fan then you will be happy to see the latest Vinylmation “toys” – the Toy Story series. Thomas Scott, lead designer for Vinylmation, talks about this new series.

“Work began on the series in summer 2009,” explains Thomas. “I suggested an entire series saluting the trilogy of Toy Story films. This gave me a range of characters to select from including some characters not featured in the newest film.”

The series will be sold as a Limited Release mystery set. In other words, there are 11 known designs and one Mystery Chaser. Lin Shih from Disney Design Group worked with Thomas on the packaging. He digitally illustrated the Buzz Lightyear and Woody characters on the packaging using the same techniques used by the animators of the Toy Story films.

Thomas explains the key component to what makes the Toy Story series different than other Vinylmation series.

“New in this series are accessories,” continued Thomas. “I thought to make this series work, we needed some key accessories like Buzz’s helmet. And if Buzz Lightyear had a helmet, then Woody and Jessie would need hats. These accessories were essential to making the characters more recognizable.”

“I like Big Baby,” Thomas said. “When I was designing the characters last summer, I didn’t have many details about the storyline. I only had character model sheets to reference, and Big Baby was the one character that I was drawn to the most.”

Anytime we create merchandise featuring Pixar characters, partners at Pixar review the designs to ensure character integrity is maintained. This is similar to how all Disney character merchandise is reviewed by Disney trained artists. Thomas talked a little about the partnership.

“Ben Butcher is our contact at Pixar,” continued Thomas. “He was an outstanding partner who was very enthusiastic about Vinylmation and helped me to select characters for the series. It was because of his support that this series was created.”

Speaking of partnerships, with the launch of the Vinylmation Toy Story series, Disney have taken Vinylmation from just a Disney Parks initiative to a Walt Disney Company initiative. Select Vinylmation series will soon be sold in select Disney Store locations as well as Disney Parks. Vinylmation will also continue to be sold on our Disney Parks On-Line Store. Look for the Vinylmation Toy Story series coming to Disney Parks in late July/August.

Be sure to click the pic for the Disney Parks Online Store!......