Halloween Disney Style!

Another Disney Blog and BLOG CANDY!

Today I want to introduce you to a fellow Disney addict AND fellow crafter!  If you love Disney and Disney-related crafts, you'll want to sign up to be a follower over at Disney Dreamer Designs.  Be sure to tell Melissa how you found out about her when you visit, and leave a comment before midnight tonight for a chance to win crafty blog candy!  Thanks for the candy Melissa!

What's New In Orlando?

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to open by the end of 2012 featuring nearly 2000 family suites.  The new hotel complex, located near the Pop Century Resort, will feature interiors and exteriors themed to The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Cars, and Finding Nemo.  A 35-foot tall King Triton will tower over guests at the resort.

In Downtown Disney, a hip new store called D Street has opened on the West Side.  The store will sell trendy and retro clothing and accessories, and it will be the headquarters for buying and trading Vinylmation figures, the hottest new Disney collectible.  Fans of the Adventurers Club will enjoy a visit to the store just to reminisce over the props on display from the former club. The former McDonald's will be the new home of Pollo Campero, but you won't recognize the building by the time the redo is complete.  It's been totally gutted to make room for the new restuarant, which will feature Latin-style chicken dishes.  At the old Virgin Megastore site, Ridemakerz is  opening for a limited time.  Customers will be able to design their own toy and remote control cars.  There's no word how long this store will be open.

Over at Hollywood Studios, there are lots of changes.  Disney has sold the rights to Power Rangers back to the original owner, so that show disappeared August 7.  Toy Story Mania has already gotten an addition to promote the Toy Story 3 movie, and Lots-O-Huggin' Bear (aka Lotso) is meeting guests in the Magic of Disney Animation.  Though he's not so nice in the movie, he's giving out hugs at the park, and appearing in the Block Party Bash.

In the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland, visitors will see lots of construction walls while Ariel's Grotto and Pooh's Playful Place are closed.  Toontown will be closing as well.  Cinderella's Golden Carousel has a new name.  It's now the Prince Charming Regal Carousel. Disney says the name change is to "further develop the rich storylines in Fantasyland and help tell the rest of the Cinderella story."

Captain EO, the 3D Michael Jackson movie that played in Epcot 1986-1994, returned in July to the same theater it where it originally played, replacing Honey, I Shrunk The Audience.  We hear some new effects have been added.  Word is that Captain EO is a limited engagement, so HISTA or something new will return in the future.

Stay tuned for info about Disney's new luxury pet resort!

"Name" that Disney Fact

Most Disney fans know that Mickey Mouse was originally called Mortimer. He was renamed Mickey at the suggestion of Walt Disney's wife, Lillian. But see how many of these more obscure Disney names you know:

Disneyland's It's A Small World was originally named Children of the World.

Timon has a last name - Berkowitz - as revealed in Disney's Timon & Pumba series.

In Disney's The Incredibles, the family's last name is Parr.

In Disney's The Emperor's New School, Kronk's last name is Pepikrankenitz.

In Disney's The Little Mermaid, Sebastian's full name is Horatio Felonious Ignacious Crustaceous Sebastian.

In Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the prince had no actual name.

In Disney's Lilo & Stitch, Lilo and Nani's last name is Pelekai.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in the California and Hong Kong Disneyland parks is inspired by Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle.

Italians call Mickey Mouse Topolino.

The Lion King Makes Broadway History

Pumbaa and Timon, from The Broadway production of The Lion King

Now in its 13th year, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. It is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history and placed second on the Top 10 lists for both the highest-grossing and best-attended shows of the 2009-10 season, an indicator of its unprecedented success.

THE LION KING is one of only five musical productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more on both Broadway and the West End. THE LION KING has been seen by more than 50 million people in 13 different countries and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch). In addition to Broadway and a North American tour, THE LION KING can also currently be seen on stage in London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas.

THE LION KING made history in September 2009 when two of its signature costumes were inducted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.  It is the winner of more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award and NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from THE LION KING animated film, along with three new songs by John and Rice.

THE LION KING officially opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre and later moved to its current home at the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.

Cindy's personal note: THE LION KING is a definite not-to-be-missed activity if you're ever in New York City.  Although there are or have been several other Disney shows to make it to the Broadway stage, THE LION KING outshines them all.  If you have children in your party, it's a great way to introduce them to the theater, as there is more than enough to mesmerize them, but plenty to entertain and impress the adults, as well.  THE LION KING alone is worth the trip to NYC!

Click here to visit Disney's official site about the show. There are videos, photos, games and activities for the kids!

We're Back with "Disney Fun Facts!"

Seems life has been busier than usual lately,  but we hope to get back in the swing of things and bring you some new stuff again.

I thought I'd start off by introducing some Disney Trivia.  Every so often, I'll post a "Disney Fun Fact," starting today!

Our First Disney Fun Fact:

Tim Burton got his inspiration for The Nightmare Before Christmas when he was shopping and saw Halloween decorations being replaced by a Christmas display.

AND
The Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction is a crossover between The Haunted Mansion and The Nighmare Before Christmas.

Fantasyland Gets Extreme Makeover!

At the most recent D23 convention, Disney revealed that they are going to be expanding and updating our beloved Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom! These major changes are scheduled to be opening in 2012 and 2013, so please excuse their pixie dust if you have made plans to visit these parks before or around those times!

So, what can we expect to see? Well first, it should be noted that in order for them to expand Fantasyland, they will have to take over Mickey’s Toontown Fair. As much as I enjoy strolling through this area of the park, I think it’s a fair sacrifice for the changes they are going to be making.

• Little Mermaid Area and Ride: FINALLY! As my favorite Disney princess, I am so excited to finally get a Little Mermaid ride. The area is going to be remodeled to look exactly like Prince Eric’s castle that sits on the water. From what I understand, this will be where the new Ariel meet and greet will take place. The ride is going to be modeled similarly to the ride coming to Disneyland and will take you through Ariel’s world aboard clam-mobiles (much like the ones at The Seas with Nemo and Friends).

• Beauty and the Beast Area: Another castle will be erected so that Belle and her Prince finally have a home at Disney. The Beast’s castle is going to be acting as a new sit-down restaurant called Be Our Guest! Since Magic Kingdom is seriously lacking in sit-down dining, I’m very excited to try this new place out! Step outside the castle, and it will take you to Belle’s village where you will also be able to get some quick service food at Gaston’s Tavern.

• Cinderella Attraction: The details on this are not quite clear to me, but it seems like it will be more of an interactive attraction for the kiddies, similar to Belle’s Story Time. The kids will get to meet the Fairy God Mother and help Cinderella prepare for the ball. Apparently, boys are not left out either and can train to be her royal knights.

• Sleeping Beauty Attraction: I’m not sure if Aurora is getting a castle or not, but my guess is that it is unlikely since she already has one at Disneyland in Anaheim; however, you will be able to visit her cottage and help the fairies prepare for her Sweet 16 - more interactive stuff for the kids and another opportunity to meet Princess Aurora!

• Pixie Hollow Re-vamp: If you have seen pictures of Pixie Hollow at Disneyland, you will know that Disney World really missed the boat on this one, but I guess we can forgive them since they apparently plan to fix it up. The area will be more elaborate, with giant plants and a huge tree where I assume guests will enter so they can "shrink" to fairy size to meet Tink and her friends!

• Dumbo Re-vamp: Now, no one panic! This ride is not changing. You will still be able to fly high in the sky inside your favorite elephant. What Disney intends to do is create a second Dumbo ride to increase the amount of riders! We all know that it's one of the least efficient loading rides in the park. Both Dumbos will be moved under a giant circus tent, complete with interactive games to help make the wait a little more enjoyable for you and your little ones.

Phew! OK, now that I have said a mouthful, I will leave you to soak it all in and process. If you want to see more photos or get any other information I have missed, check out the link below, or visit various Disney forums to check out the discussions surrounding the expansion.

Orlando Attractions Magazine: D23 Expo, Fantasyland Expansion Confirmed

Use your cell phone to get park info

Disney has found a way to use text messaging to your advantage while you're visiting the parks.  Now you can send a text request to find out what the wait time is at a particular attraction, or to find out where your child's favorite character is appearing.  There are a limited number of requests per day, and you have to register your phone for the service, but what a great idea. Way to go Disney!

Click here for more info

We're so glad that you've found our blog! We're crazy about Disney and love sharing what we know about it with other Disney fans or those of you who are planning your first trip and need information or advice. We're not and never have been Disney cast members (employees). All of our information comes from our own trips, experiences and research. Between us, we've been to four of the parks around the world, but our real love is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It's THE Disney park in our opinion!
We're still working out the details for this blog, but look for trip reports from both of us very soon, and become a follower so you never miss an update!