Shanghai Disney's Groundbreaking Video!

Mickey Mouse and more Disney characters dance as the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group, its joint venture partners in China, mark the official start of construction of the new Shanghai Disney Resort at a groundbreaking ceremony on April 8, 2011.


Check out this video from the great guys over at Orlando Attractions Magazine!

Tokyo Disney " The Parks are ready for opening at any time"

A great Disney Park friend of mine Dejiki from Singapore just sent me a new press release from the Oriental Land Company (who run Tokyo Disney Resort). It highlights certain areas of the park and shows very little damage to the place. The Resort has already re-opened it Shopping/Entertainment District "Ikspiari" on the 28th of March and interestingly in the first paragraph the Oriental Land Company announce " The Parks are ready for opening at any time" so I would think its going to be soon, if all is well, that guests can return to asia's finest Disney Resort.

Click here to read the full report with photos >>>> PRESS RELEASE!!

Garden Railway at Epcot!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a ride aboard the miniature garden railroad at the Germany pavilion in Epcot? If you're like me, you have daydreamed of being a pint-sized passenger on the G-scale trains as they chug their way through the German countryside and past the quaint village square. Well Disney Parks youtube have released a lovely video of this unusual train ride! ....be warned there is a height limit :)

Tom Staggs on Shanghai Disneyland

Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts "Tom Staggs" recently posted a report from the ground breaking of Shanghai Disneyland. He also included some beautiful images of Concept art. See below for his report!

"I’m writing to you from Shanghai where Bob Iger and I are just about to take the stage for a very special ceremony. In just a few minutes we will officially break ground on the Shanghai Disney Resort.

This is truly a defining moment in our company’s history. We will now begin construction on this exciting new site and cause our creative concepts to leap from the drawing boards and become a wonderful new resort where friends and families can visit and play and create memories that they’ll never forget."

"With Shanghai Disney Resort, we have the chance to introduce the Disney Parks experience to an entirely new group of guests. Scheduled to open in about five years, our new resort in Shanghai will include things that you know and love about a Disney theme park such as Disney characters, attractions and storytelling… but it will also feature all-new experiences and stories that were inspired by and created for the people of China. The best way to describe this new resort is authentically Disney, yet distinctly Chinese".

"Shanghai Disneyland will be the name of the theme park itself, but the property will also have two themed hotels, a venue for retail, dining and entertainment, a wonderful sparkling lagoon and some outdoor recreation areas.

We look forward to sharing more details with you, I would like to thank everyone from both Disney and the Shanghai Shendi Group who have worked so tirelessly to make the dream of building a Disney resort in Shanghai a reality."

The Florida Project at Walt Disney World!

Disney Parks Official page has realeased information at a wonderful event inspired by Walt Disney Worlds opening period 40 years ago!....here is the press release!

Are you ready to take a trip back to the past? It seems like not so long ago, Walt Disney World was just a dream, on its way to becoming a reality. Forty years later, I look around to see four major theme parks, two water parks, world-class accommodations, award-winning restaurants, sports, recreation and some of the best shopping opportunities you’ll ever have and all I can say is, “Wow!” How many of you remember being at the Magic Kingdom on opening day?On September 9-11, 2011, we plan on helping to kick off Walt Disney World’s 40th Anniversary celebration withThe Florida Project Trading Event. This nostalgic and retrospective-filled event will take you back to the beginning of what is now called the Walt Disney World Resort.
For those of you who might not know, the storyline for The Florida Project revolves around an alternate Preview Center that we uncovered. It was never used because the official Preview Center opened on Buena Vista Drive. Numerous artists have been hard at work, or in this case they have taken the opportunity to “go back” to the drawing board to create commemorative collections of pins and Vinylmation that represent the past, present and future. One of my personal favorites from The Florida Project Collection is the Preview Center Jumbo Pin. Not only do I love the early 1970s character designs, but it also features a retro color palette that’s synonymous with the 70s.Of course, Vinylmation fans, we have a special Florida Project Vinylmation Showcase taking place just for you on Sunday, September 11, 2011. In keeping with the theme of The Florida Project, the Vinylmation assortment will feature original attractions, classic characters with vintage styling and nostalgic touches that take you back to Opening Day at the Magic Kingdom.And P.S., Passholders we haven’t forgotten about you! We’ve unearthed a very special, limited-edition assortment of Florida Project pins that have been designed exclusively for you.
Registration for this celebratory event will begin today, Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at 2 p.m. EST atDisneyPins.com. This is definitely a “don’t miss” event! Of course, I can’t showcase all of the 1970s inspired merchandise from The Florida Project, but when you visit DisneyPins.com, you can get a sneak peek at some of the nostalgic products that we’ve created just for the event. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks as I reveal more of the assortment from The Florida Project along with Disney Design Group Artist insight into all of the details of The Florida Project...

Disney Magical Moments Festival: Lightning McQueen's Debut!

If you love thrills, spectacular special effects and the action of revving automobiles, then this show is for you…
The most exciting automobile stunt show welcomes a feisty new star! While the Disney-Pixar film Cars 2 is still in the makings, Lightning McQueen has decided to make a pit stop at the Walt Disney Studios Park! Lots of fast-paced memories await you during this exceptional appearance. Watch for the flag—Lightning McQueen is ready to hit the asphalt...moteurs ...action! 

Disney Magical Moments Festival: Following the Leader / Rhythms of the Jungle

In the long list of new attractions and experiences on offer during "Disney's Magical Moments Festival" there are two new mini shows to enjoy, the first is "Following the Leader" with Peter Pan and Company..watch out for Captain Hook! The second is "Rhythms of the Jungle" with Baloo and King Louie...looks guaranteed to be a lot of fun. Check out the video for some clips....