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Magic Kingdom Park to Get Exciting New Additions to ‘Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade’

28/7/2019

We are just a few months away from all the fun of Halloween at Walt Disney World Resort! Of course, with Halloween Time comes the excitement of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. When you attend this special ticketed event, you can see “Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade” which will have some exciting new additions to debut this Fall!

This classic parade showcases fan-favorite characters and attractions. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will debut their all-new Halloween costumes as they trick-or-treat their way down Main Street, U.S.A. Of course, what would Halloween be without the ghosts from the Haunted Mansion? See your favorite spooky attraction from Liberty Square represented with a few spirits who may have slipped out of the mansion for the parade!

This year, you can see an all-new unit dedicated to the futuristic fun in Tomorrowland! Designer Edna Mode has created some new looks for the Incredibles to show off as they make their way through the parade route. Following the supers will be Buzz Lightyear and Alien explorers discovering crystalline treasures on the surface of a planetary playset float.

Be sure not to miss this parade! There will also be chances to catch your friends from Wreck-it-Ralph, Pirates of the Carribean, and more! It is sure to be a truly spook-tacular event that you will want to see for yourself.
This year will also see the debut of the interactive treat trail in Tomorrowland! Halloween will take over Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and other attractions to make Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party even more magical! We can’t wait to see what it looks like once Halloween time comes around.

By Caitie Bear| July 23rd, 2019|Categories: Parks, Walt Disney World Resort

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Magic Kingdom Attractions Getting Merrier Than Ever For Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

28/7/2019

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This year there will be some new holiday offerings coming to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! A first for the party, some attractions will be receiving some holiday magic for the parties. This should make for a merrier party experience than ever for the Disney guests in attendance. Here is a look at the new holiday offerings that will be coming:

Tomorrowland Speedway – When guests go for a drive on the Tomorrowland Speedway during the parties they will discover they are racing through a “festive freeway filled with thousands of lights and stylized décor.”
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor – A new show will be offered during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that will give guests a hilarious look at the Monster World during Christmas.
Space Mountain – Blast off aboard Space Mountain for a “trippy jaunt through the cosmos, filled with dazzling lighting and high-energy holiday tunes.”
Mad Tea Party – Four new holiday combos of lights and music will spin guests around as they experience this wacky way to celebrate Christmas.

Along with these new holiday attraction overlays, a new holiday fireworks spectacular will be offered at the party. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks will light up the skies with holiday cheer during each party.

There will also be some returning favorites this year like A Frozen Holiday Wish, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, Club Tinsel, the Disney Junior Jingle Jam and of course Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Couple all of this with the beautiful decorations, complimentary treats, and snow coming down on Main Street, USA.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins on November 8 and continues to be offered on select nights through December 22, 2019. Purchase your tickets today for a Christmas in July surprise for those you care about!

**Treat someone you love to a Christmas in July surprise, and get tickets today for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – save $10 when you buy your tickets in advance! The party starts at Magic Kingdom Park on November 8 and is offered select nights through December 22, 2019.**

By Mr. DAPs| July 25th, 2019|Categories: Parks, Walt Disney World Resort|Tags: Christmas, Disney, Disney News, Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Walt Disney World Resort

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Disneyland Resort Will Let it ‘Snow’ With Festive Traditions and Sparkling Décor to Celebrate the Holiday Season, from Nov. 8, 2019 to Jan. 6, 2020

28/7/2019

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World of Color – Season of Light,’ Disney Festival of Holidays and ‘Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party’ add merriment to Disney California Adventure Park

‘Believe…in Holiday Magic’ Fireworks, ‘A Christmas Fantasy’ Parade and ‘it’s a small world’ Holiday enchant guests at Disneyland Park

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 25, 2019) – The Disneyland Resort will transform into the Merriest Place on Earth as guests begin their holidays here, Nov. 8, 2019, through Jan. 6, 2020.

This year, guests will be dazzled by the return of “World of Color – Season of Light,” a holiday-themed production of this nighttime spectacular that features lights, lasers, water, fire and hundreds of fountains bringing animation to life. Also returning are guest-favorite holiday experiences and entertainment, including:

Disney Festival of Holidays – which honors the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas/Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day (Jan. 3-6) – and the
“Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular.
Guests may even partake in a “Frozen” adventure as they encounter Anna and Elsa in the theme parks, just in time to celebrate the release of Disney’s new animated film, “Frozen 2,” in theaters Nov. 22, 2019.

Guests plan their seasonal visits to Disneyland Resort year after year to experience beloved Holiday traditions and festive cheer, from snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., to glistening décor, Disney-themed treats and merchandise, holiday entertainment and the one-of-a-kind transformations that create “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday.

At Disney California Adventure Park

The nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” wraps guests in the warm glow of holiday magic. Fusing cherished holiday music sung by beloved artists with memorable moments from treasured Disney animated films, this sparkling winter fantasy is magical for all ages. This production of “World of Color” is made extra brilliant with dazzling lights, lasers and high-definition projections.

Disney Festival of Holidays brings the spirit of the season to life through lively entertainment and special traditions. Children will enjoy craft stations and everyone will appreciate the delicious food at Festive Foods Marketplace, featuring a mix of holiday dishes and beverages that bridge many diverse cultures and family traditions.

The Three Caballeros host the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” celebration, featuring folklórico and samba dancers, live musicians, and Mickey and Minnie in their fiesta best.

The holidays are zooming into Cars Land and the residents are racing to celebrate the season. Two attractions rely on holiday magic to transform into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. The whimsical “Snowcar” greets guests on the road to Radiator Springs, and each “Cars” character also gets a holiday makeover at their Route 66 address to reflect their personality.

Santa Claus is coming to town! Guests will enjoy special holiday-themed activities with Santa and his sleigh full of mischievous elves at Santa’s Holiday Visit at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

As guests enter the park and stroll along Buena Vista Street, a dazzling, 50-foot Christmas tree adorns Carthay Circle to help guests get in the holiday spirit. The tree and surrounding buildings are decorated with vintage-style ornaments in keeping with the theme of Buena Vista Street, inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920’s. Pacific Wharf, Hollywood Land and Grizzly Peak will also sparkle with holiday décor throughout the season.

Guests will drift into a wintry mood as they encounter the splendid sisters Anna and Elsa inside the Disney Animation building. Guests may also relive the story of the Disney blockbuster film “Frozen” as they immerse themselves in the wondrous magic and music in the spectacular stage musical, “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.”

At Disneyland Park

In the evening, the spectacular “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and its magical snowfall finale create lasting holiday memories for guests.

Mickey, Minnie, Disney Princesses and Santa celebrate the season in “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a daily procession with floats, music and marching “tin soldiers.” Guests may wave to Anna, Elsa and Olaf, who bid them a warm winter welcome from their fantastic “Frozen” float.

The holiday magic shines brightly with the glow of the shimmering icicles and twinkling lights on Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle,enchanting guests from day to night.

Guests entering Disneyland are greeted by a magnificent. 60-foot tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. The classic tree is an ideal location for holiday photos, to document the magical memory for a lifetime.

Disneyland guests also will want to experience the popular seasonal transformations of these attractions:

“it’s a small world” is transformed each evening into “it’s a small world” Holiday, with 50,000-plus colorful lights, music and video projections. Inside the attraction, holiday magic takes guests around the world and back as dolls and toys representing children enjoy the distinctive holiday traditions of their countries.
‘Twas “The Nightmare before Christmas” and all through the Haunted Mansion, Jack Skellington and his friends are causing a collision between Christmas and Halloween to transform the Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday.*
Throughout the resort, guests will discover holiday culinary treats and festive fare, along with special merchandise for the merry season.

Also during the holiday season, the Downtown Disney District will be full of festive shopping, dining and entertainment and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also join in the yuletide celebration with twinkling lights and ornaments, holiday displays, special entertainment and holiday-inspired eats and treats.

*Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas".

By Mr. DAPs|July 26th, 2019|Categories: DAPs Magic News, Disneyland Resort, Parks, PRESS RELEASE|Tags: A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Believe in Holiday Magic, Disney, Disney Festival of Holidays, Disney News, Merriest Place on Earth, World of Color - Season of Light

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Disneyland Resort Celebrates 50 Frightful Years of the Haunted Mansion

27/7/2019

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On Aug. 9, 2019, Disneyland Park celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the beloved Haunted Mansion attraction. The mansion overlooking the Rivers of America is home to the most “spirited” attraction in New Orleans Square. A steady stream of “Doom Buggies” carries guests on a tour of the Haunted Mansion, which is inhabited by a lively collection of 999 happy haunts and filled with stunning special effects, haunting show sets and ethereal music.

What’s New: The Disney Gallery at Disneyland Park features a new exhibit entitled “Happy Haunts Materialize – The Art of Haunted Mansion.” The exhibit showcases the evolution of an idea. It is the first to display early sketches and sculptures of the Haunted Mansion concept, and it describes how they evolved into the attraction that guests experience today.

Limited Time: In August, guests may choose to attend one of the special events, “The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving.” These after-hours events at Disneyland are filled with chills, thrills and frightful fun. Guests will unearth commemorative anniversary merchandise items, delight in spirited sips and bites, enjoy special entertainment, character encounters, photo ops, and access to several west-side park attractions.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this classic attraction, here are 50 frightful facts about the Disneyland Resort Haunted Mansion.

History

The idea for a haunted house at Disneyland was included in an early concept design sketch by Harper Goff dating back to 1952, when Disneyland was being conceptualized.
The designers of the attraction originally wanted to make the outside of the mansion look scary. Walt Disney, however, wanted to keep the outside looking like a stately mansion, while letting the ghosts take care of the inside.
The exterior of the attraction was built in 1962-63. It was unoccupied until 1969 while Walt Disney participated in the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and his Imagineers were re-tasked to work on those timely projects. The World’s Fair experience made way for some of the technology that’s used in the Haunted Mansion.
On August 9, 1969, after more than 15 years of development, the Haunted Mansion opened to the public.
Within a week of the Haunted Mansion’s opening, Disneyland celebrated what was then its highest single-day attendance.
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland was the first major Disney attraction created without the direct supervision by Walt Disney. Although Walt reviewed many of the early vignettes, he never saw the completed show concepts.
In 1966, New Orleans Square, where the Haunted Mansion is located, became the first new land added to Disneyland since the park opened on July 17, 1955.
Originally, the Haunted Mansion was going to be a walk-through attraction where guests were led in small groups by a cast member who would describe scenes that lasted two to three minutes each.
In 2016, Marvel Comics debuted the “Haunted Mansion” comic book series.

By The Numbers

999 ghosts haunt the attraction with “room for one more.”
13 candles sit on top of the birthday cake in the Grand Hall in the Haunted Mansion.
3 hitchhiking ghosts are looking for a ride out of the Haunted Mansion: Ezra Beane, Professor Phineas Plump and Gus.
20 tombstone tributes exist both inside and around the exterior of the attraction. The epitaphs on the tombstones are written in honor of Disney Legends and Walt Disney Imagineers who created and maintain the attraction.
7 tombstones are featured in the pet cemetery outside of the attraction.
1 unique exhibit at Disneyland Park, “Happy Haunts Materialize – The Art of Haunted Mansion,” provides an inside look into the story of the Haunted Mansion for a limited time at the Disney Gallery.
3 of the trees located at the Haunted Mansion are: Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Weeping Mulberry Tree (Morus alba “Chapparal”) and Tolleson’s Blue Weeping Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum).
Since 2001, the Haunted Mansion has been transformed each fall into Haunted Mansion Holiday, a tradition celebrated by guests year after year.
More than 400 flickering candles create a ghostly glow on the façade of the attraction during Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Nearly 7,500 square feet of snow cover the graveyard inside Haunted Mansion Holiday.
More than 200 bones are gathered by Jack Skellington’s ghost dog Zero in Haunted Mansion Holiday to use as décor, garland and presents for the seasonal overlay.

Ghosts and Characters of the Mansion

The Hatbox Ghost was featured in Haunted Mansion when the attraction first opened. Then, he mysteriously vanished, only to reappear in 2015 in time for the 60th anniversary of Disneyland.
Constance is the far-from-blushing bride who is bedecked in pearls and heavily armed. Constance can be found in the attic as well as featured in the portrait chamber atop her husband’s tombstone.
Madame Leota floats in the dead center of the room, calling out for “serpents and spiders, tail of a rat,” during her séance to bring about the happy haunts.
Sarah “Sally” Slater, a delicate young girl, can be found inside the portrait chamber balanced on a tightrope, as if from a circus.
Alexander Nitrokoff is a distinguished looking man but, as his portrait stretches in the Portrait Chamber, he is shown to be wearing nothing but striped under shorts and socks from the waist down. He is standing on a barrel of dynamite, and a candle lights the fuse.
Victor Geist, the quirky German-born organist, plays the Haunted Mansion’s signature tune in the ballroom to everyone’s ghostly delight.
Pickwick, the spirit from the era of Dickens, is found swinging from the chandelier in the Haunted Mansion’s ballroom.
The Phantom Five, the singing bust quintet, is made up of Rolo Rumkin, Uncle Theodore, Cousin Algernon, Ned Nub, and Phineas Pock.
The Ghost Host, one of the 999 happy haunts who call the Haunted Mansion home, welcomes the “foolish mortals” into the attraction.
Each year, Jack Skellington gives the Haunted Mansion a holiday makeover, complete with jack-o-lanterns and wreaths, a real gingerbread house and kooky characters from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Jack Skellington’s ghost dog Zero makes a surprise appearance among the spooky, transforming portraits in the gallery corridor when the attraction transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Behind The Scenes

The Haunted Mansion is the only attraction that is featured in four different lands in four different parks. This includes the Phantom Manor attraction at Disneyland Paris.
The pipe organ seen in the ballroom sequence was featured as Captain Nemo’s pipe organ in the Disney film classic, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”.
During Haunted Mansion Holiday, the haunting scent of tasty gingerbread wafts throughout the Grand Hall, tempting Happy Haunts and guests alike. Every year, a new ghoulish concept for a gingerbread house is created for the celebration scene in the Mansion’s Grand Hall.
The pet cemetery that features humorous epitaphs was added in front of the Haunted Mansion in the mid-1990s.
In spring 2005, the séance scene was updated to include the crystal ball floating overhead.
In 2005, the Walt Disney Imagineers were able to sync the changes in the portraits along the portrait hall to the lightning strikes.
In spring 2006, Imagineers enhanced the attic scene, replacing the translucent, static bride with a ghostly dimensional bride.
Portraits of Constance feature each of her former husbands in the attic, and the heads of the grooms magically disappear. As the ghostly bride recites her vows and marriage phrases, an axe appears in her hands, then disappears again.
Several Disney Legends contributed to the attraction including Marc Davis, Claude Coats, Rolly Crump, Yale Gracey, X Atencio and Leota Toombs.
The title of the spell that appears in the book in Séance Circle is taken from the Disney film, “Blackbeard’s Ghost”. The large book of incantations is entitled Necronomicon—Book of the Dead and is opened to pages 1312 and 1313.
The final exterior concept for the house is heavily influenced by the Victorian-era Shipley-Lydecker House in Baltimore, Maryland.

Voices and Faces of the Haunted Mansion

Paul Frees is the voice of the Ghost Host and is known for also being the voice of Professor Ludwig Von Drake.
Eleanor Audley is the voice of Madame Leota. She was also the voice of Lady Tremaine in Cinderella (1950) and Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty (1959).
Leota Toombs, a former Walt Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend, is the original face of Madame Leota.
The holiday version of Madame Leota uses the face of Kim Irvine, an Imagineer and daughter of Leota Toombs, the original Madame Leota.
The lyrics of the Haunted Mansion theme song “Grim Grinning Ghosts (The Screaming Song)” were written by Disney Legend X Atencio.
Disney Legend Buddy Baker created the music for the Haunted Mansion theme song.
Thurl Ravenscroft is the voice of “Uncle Theodore” who leads the Phantom Five quintet of headstones. His voice can also be heard at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room as the voice of Tangoroa.
The Mellomen is the real-life singing group who voices the Phantom Five singing busts.

By Mr. DAPs|July 26th, 2019|Categories: DAPs Magic News, Disneyland Resort, Parks, PRESS RELEASE|Tags: 50th Anniversary, Disney, Disney News, Disneyland, Harper Goff, Haunted Mansion, Press Release

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Disney Cruise Line Earns Top Honors in 2019 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards

27/7/2019

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CELEBRATION, Fla. (July 17, 2019) – For the fourth consecutive year, Disney Castaway Cay has been named the “Top Cruise Line Private Island” in the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. Disney Cruise Line also was recognized by Cruise Critic members as the “Top Cruise Line in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda,” as well as “Top Cruise Line in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya” – both in the Large Ship Cruise Line category.

“It’s our dedicated officers and crew members who deliver the Disney difference again and again, whether on Castaway Cay or aboard our ships,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line. “Our team strives to provide a vacation experience unlike anything else at sea, and this recognition speaks directly to their special way of making magic for our guests.”

The Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards are selected based on thousands of first-hand reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website over the past year. Cruise Critic offers one of the largest online cruise communities with more than 350,000 cruise reviews.

“Cruise Critic’s Destination Awards are based entirely on feedback from guests – so Disney’s three wins are a direct result of the positive experiences guests have had, in some of the most visited cruise regions in the world,” said Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic. “What we repeatedly hear from Disney cruisers is that it’s a vacation for all ages – from the fun-filled visits to Castaway Cay to the experience on the ships themselves. Disney’s awards speak volumes about the high level of satisfaction guests have about their cruise.”

Disney Castaway Cay is a 1,000-acre private island with turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees that is exclusive to Disney Cruise Line guests. One Cruise Critic member described the island as “the best place on earth with plenty to do for all ages.” Another shared, “We had the time of our lives. The children were well entertained and there was a separate area for adults to relax and enjoy.”

Since its launch in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has been recognized as the leader in family cruising, offering guests the magic of Disney entertainment combined with the relaxation of tropical, sun-drenched beaches and adventure of ocean cruising. Disney Cruise Line continues to expand its horizons, with new ships scheduled for delivery in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Disney Cruise Line has received hundreds of distinguished awards from the travel industry praising all aspects of the experience from dining to entertainment.

By Mr. DAPs| Categories: DAPs Magic News, Disney Cruise Line, Parks, PRESS RELEASE|Tags: Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards, Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Disney News, Press Release

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Global Mouse Travel Blog

Magic Kingdom Park to Get Exciting New Additions to ‘Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade’

Magic Kingdom Attractions Getting Merrier Than Ever For Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Disneyland Resort Will Let it ‘Snow’ With Festive Traditions and Sparkling Décor to Celebrate the Holiday Season, from Nov. 8, 2019 to Jan. 6, 2020

Disneyland Resort Celebrates 50 Frightful Years of the Haunted Mansion

Disney Cruise Line Earns Top Honors in 2019 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards

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