Featured Item

Archive Calendar

March 2024
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  

Past Archives

Buy Now Pay Later

Poll

Walt Disney World
What is your favorite WDW park?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Photo Memories: Vintage Polynesian Village Resort Photos

Hi everyone!

To celebrate JWL Media’s new Polynesian Resort Screensaver CD and Polynesian Resort DVD, I am presenting these vintage images from my personal collection.

Below is a photo of my father (Walter Lange) studying the Polynesian Village Resort information guide. I love the vibrant 70’s room decor with all the green patterned designs! Next is a much younger Jeff posing with my Tiki friends.

The next two photos are from the original lobby. I will always remember the green and blue tile floors and comfortable wraparound chairs. The distinctive aroma that I’d encounter as a child is still the same to this day!

The original Polynesian Resort longhouses did not have colorful painted designs as the current ones do. Below right is the original pool. It featured a water slide which was only accessible by swimming through a waterfall. It was very exciting for me, as it was the first uniquely themed pool with a slide that I had ever encountered. As a child all I wanted to do was swim in this pool and go down the slide for hours and hours!

Swimming was allowed in the Seven Seas Lagoon back then! Below are photos of the marina.

The photo below is of my family and me swimming in the lagoon.

You’ve seen my vintage photos – now enjoy the Polynesian Resort from 2008:

Available Now: The Polynesian Resort – Combo Pack!

We are now offering “Jeff Lange Experiences: The Polynesian Resort” DVD and “JWL Media Productions Presents: The Polynesian Resort” Windows Screensaver/Photo CD together with a special bonus: Disney’s Polynesian Resort Guide Map – Shown above while supplies last!

To purchase “The Polynesian Resort – Combo Pack” – please click this LINK.

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

Blue Sky Cellar Unveils Exciting New Magic Coming to Disney’s California Adventure Park

ANAHEIM, Calif., October 15, 2008 – Nestled in the Golden Vine Winery at the base of Grizzly Peak in Disney’s California Adventure Park, the Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar is a place where Guests will get an exclusive sneak preview of what is new and what is in store for the expansion of the Disneyland Resort. Beginning October 20, Guests will view working models as well as dozens of concepts and sketches from Disney Imagineers, the creative minds behind the design and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions.

With Blue Sky Cellar, Guests will be invited for the first time to preview works in progress at Disneyland Resort by immersing themselves in a facsimile of an Imagineering workspace. Based on the belief that idea gathering is best when “the sky’s the limit,” the Blue Sky Cellar is designed to resemble an Imagineering “charette,” an extended creative idea development meeting. Guests receive an inside-look at how Imagineers take “blue sky” ideas and refine them into the classic storytelling that characterizes Disney Theme Park attractions and adventures.

In this whimsical immersive setting, Imagineers have taken over a former wine cellar and set up shop. Wine barrels have turned into work stations and the former wine tasting room has become a screening room where videos showcase the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into the creation of new and upcoming attractions for Disney’s California Adventure.

Guests will view several new attraction models, including the newly envisioned Paradise Pier area with its turn-of-the-20th-Century look, ride vehicle maquettes from Toy Story Mania!; and the new character overlays to the Games of the Boardwalk. Special features include updates and character additions to attractions such as Mickey’s Fun Wheel (an enhancement of the current Sun Wheel) and Silly Symphony Swings (a refreshed and rethemed Orange Stinger).

Brand new sketches and artwork line the walls including images of the new entrance area, soon to be known as Buena Vista Street, which will bring to life a nostalgic look at Los Angeles from the 1920s and 30s when Walt Disney first arrived in California; a Red Car trolley, reminiscent of the Pacific Electric Railway; and a new central plaza area including a replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre, where Walt premiered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The “coming soon” area features images of Disney’s World of Color and The Little Mermaid attraction, and looks even further ahead to Cars Land, a 12-acre expansion of the Park which will bring to life the town of Radiator Springs from the Disney?Pixar animated film Cars, complete with three new attractions for the whole family. Additionally, Guests in Blue Sky Cellar will have fun testing their knowledge of Disney trivia at one of the interactive workstations.

The screening room features Imagineers describing the approach and vision of the Disney California Adventure expansion. Guests will see footage of model-making, sculpting, blue sky meetings and all the aspects of bringing a Disney concept to life.

Included in the original announcement of the multi-year expansion of the Disneyland Resort in Fall 2007, the Blue Sky Cellar is part of the overall commitment to keep the community and Disneyland Resort Guests informed of the exciting new and upcoming plans for the Resort. Future updates will focus on other new areas and attractions, and Guests are invited to return periodically for additional exciting information.

About Walt Disney Imagineering

Walt Disney Imagineering is the unique innovative organization that creates – from concept through construction – all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments, and regional entertainment venues worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from the teamwork and syntheses of creative and technical professionals representing more than 140 diverse disciplines.

About the Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney’s California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three guest-welcoming hotels are the luxurious 745-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 988-room Disneyland Hotel and the “day-at-the-beach” fun of the 489-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. For further information on attractions, events and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

In 2009, Come to a Disney Park on Your Birthday and Get In Free!

NEW YORK (Sept. 18, 2008) – Everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free, as Disney Parks embraces a newly identified family-travel trend called “celebration vacations.”

A June 2008 survey of approximately 4,600 adults conducted by Ypartnership reveals that vacationers are increasingly motivated by events of high “personal significance” – milestone anniversaries, and birthdays, weddings and honeymoons, graduations and reunions and more. Seventy percent of respondents revealed they have taken a vacation primarily to celebrate a special occasion.

In 2009, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts will lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.

And to kick it all off: a first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a free ticket to one of the Disney theme parks on their birthday in 2009.

“Birthdays are the one occasion that we all share every year,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at an announcement event today in New York. “We thought a free birthday ticket would be the icing on the cake as we extend this new ‘celebration vacation’ trend to Disney Parks.”

“The motivations revealed in this fascinating piece of work suggest that vacations are increasingly viewed as an appropriate way to either recognize or reward the participants for some event of great significance in their lives,” said Peter C. Yesawich, whose marketing services firm conducted the survey. “As such, we call them ‘celebration vacations’.”

Research showed that when families take that “celebration vacation” they are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and – better yet – activities that adults and children can enjoy together, Yesawich said.

“Given these findings, it’s not surprising that Disney Parks topped the list of destinations where families would most like to celebrate these special occasions,” he said.

Respondents rated these as the top destinations for a celebration: Disney theme parks (40% combined), Hawaii (18%), Florida {other than Walt Disney World Resort} (13%), Europe (13%) and the Caribbean (12%). Interestingly, respondents without children in their household mentioned Walt Disney World Resort as the preferred destination for a “celebration vacation” with a comparable frequency to those with children (33% versus 27% respectively). The same was true among respondents over 55 years of age versus those between 21 and 34 years of age (34% versus 29% respectively).

“We see our parks as the ideal setting for a personal celebration,” Rasulo said. “Guests can immerse themselves in their favorite stories and their favorite characters, creating a visit they’ll never forget.

“And when our cast members get involved, it feels as if the entire park is celebrating along with you.”

At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids’ pirate adventures). At Disneyland Resort, celebrants can book more than 50 magical experiences including “My Disneyland Birthday Party” and guided tours that reveal Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disney Parks.

With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor their celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Maybe they have a “princess” day with themed meals, shows, attractions and perfectly princess merchandise at Disneyland. Or they turn Walt Disney World “wild” with trail riding, bass fishing and parasailing.

Thanks to new Web tools, guests can discover magical experiences, unique events, dining enhancements and more. The planning tool is accessible by way of www.disneyparks.com.

Disney Parks also is presenting park experiences with memory-making in mind, including street parties in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Park, a Tomorrowland video dance party (Walt Disney World Resort), a celebration barbecue and festive birthday party (Disneyland Resort) and colorful park décor.

Disney parks are the ultimate setting for any celebration, turning a special occasion into a magical Disney experience. And with the opportunity of free admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort theme park on your birthday in 2009, it’s even more special. All it takes is a valid ID including proof of birth date. Guests can get more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at www.disneyparks.com.

Walt Disney World Resort Unveils Bold New Vision for Downtown Disney Plans Include New and Enhanced Shopping, Dining and Other Experiences

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (June 27, 2008) – Walt Disney World Resort today unveiled a new vision for Downtown Disney, with extraordinary new shopping, dining and other experiences including a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island. Also planned are numerous enhancements to popular Downtown Disney locations, as well as additional theming and storytelling brought to life by Walt Disney Imagineers.

“We are committed to offering guests new and exciting experiences they can only have at Walt Disney World Resort,” said Downtown Disney Vice President Kevin Lansberry. “Our bold new vision for Downtown Disney reflects the feedback we receive from our guests each and every day and will enable us to continue to offer the high-quality entertainment that is our hallmark.”

Over the next year, the 120-acre entertainment-shopping-dining complex will add a number of one-of-a-kind, immersive experiences for guests. Downtown Disney will even get its own iconic attraction, in the form of a giant, tethered balloon that will take guests 300 feet into the air to view the amazing vistas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other new experiences include:

·In fall 2008, guests will enter a world of prehistoric creatures at T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure. The dinosaur-themed family eatery will serve up pizzas, pastas, seafood and more, and will feature life-size animated dinosaurs that dwell among bubbling geysers, waterfalls and a fossil dig site.

*Also this fall, a design-your-own t-shirt store from Hanes will add to the growing collection of merchandise guests can personalize at Downtown Disney.

*E-brands Restaurants, an Orlando-based, multi-concept restaurant group, will premier its newest concept at Downtown Disney in spring 2009. The high-energy, casual eatery will feature authentic Central and South American cuisine, specialty drinks and live music along the waterfront.

Guests also will enjoy a brand new mix of shopping and dining experiences at Pleasure Island as it is transformed over the next two years.

Our guests tell us they want additional shopping and dining experiences at Downtown Disney,” added Lansberry. “We are currently considering a number of unique concepts from around the globe as we re-imagine Pleasure Island and look forward to sharing our progress over the coming months.”

To make way for the new offerings, all of the clubs currently on Pleasure Island will close on Sept. 27. Other locations on Pleasure Island, including Raglan Road, Fuego by Sosa Cigars, Curl by Sammy Duval, Orlando Harley-Davidson and outdoor food and beverage locations, will remain open during the transition.

To complement these new experiences, many popular Downtown Disney locations will undergo enhancements.

*Beginning this summer, Portobello Yacht Club will be transformed into a Tuscan Country Trattoria. The refreshed menu features authentic Italian dishes and signature favorites and a re-designed interior along with an outdoor dining space.

*This fall, Goofy’s Candy Company will add a special new room that will enable families to host one-of-a-kind birthday parties at Downtown Disney.

*The Marketplace Stage will be completely replaced with a larger, covered stage this fall to welcome even more entertainment to Downtown Disney and serve as a new premier venue for Disney Magic Music Days.

*Fulton’s Crab House will update its interior fixtures and furnishing and exterior in Spring 2009. The enhancements include a refreshed third floor deck dining area to offer additional Disney guests and larger private parties the traditional Fulton’s experience.

*Next year, Wolfgang Puck Café will update its interior fixtures and furnishings and will feature an enclosed glass patio offering guests a year-round outdoor dining experience.

These efforts come on the heels of recent enhancements at World of Disney, Wolfgang Puck Express, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Earl of Sandwich and Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant.

Independence Day Sparkles Across Walt Disney World Resort With Star-Spangled Pyrotechnics Performances

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A popular July 4th tradition at Walt Disney World Resort will continue this year as star-spangled salutes to America’s independence are presented all across the Florida Vacation Kingdom.

Here’s some of the fireworks fun scheduled for July 4 this year:

* A Fourth of July “Concert in the Sky” will light up the night at Magic Kingdom in honor of Independence Day. Featuring a magnificent display of aerial fireworks, dazzling pyrotechnic effects and dynamic music, the show, entitled “Disney’s Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” is a grand tribute to the United States, its people and traditions. The special show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Magic Kingdom also will feature two performances of the “ SpectroMagic” nighttime parade, first at 10:30 p.m. and then again at 12:30 a.m. that same night.

* A holiday-inspired finale will be added to Epcot’s nightly fireworks extravaganza, “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” The park’s American Adventure pavilion also will feature enhanced entertainment throughout the day, with visits from historic characters who will share their stories. American Adventure also will feature additional performances of its signature musical group, Voices of Liberty, performing patriotic classics.

* Disney’s Hollywood Studios will present a special July 4th fireworks show at 9 p.m., with skyrockets and patriotic music filling the air at the showbiz-themed park. The park’s popular “Fantasmic!” show, featuring fireworks, animation, dancing waters and Disney characters, will be presented on July 4 at 10:30 p.m.

* Downtown Disney will present July 4th fireworks at 10:30 p.m. for the revelers, shoppers and diners enjoying the nighttime entertainment district.

Update Photos from around Walt Disney World plus a Free DVD Contest and Future Release Poll

Hi everyone! Today I am again featuring some Walt Disney World update photos from partner site MouseSteps. In addition, I am giving my visitors a chance to get in on a contest to win a free DVD of your choice from my store!

The photos above are of the new Dumbo/Circus themed Disney Vacation Club kiosk in Fantasyland, and the Fan*Ta*Sea, a VIP type boat recently spotted at Epcot.

The above construction shots are the latest progress of the new DVC Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (formerly the Kingdom Tower).

Finally an updated view of the new T-REX restaurant going up at Downtown Disney plus a look at Spaceship Earth’s missing paperboy I had read about at the WDWMagic message boards. Where did he run off to?

Free DVD contest and future release poll:

JeffLangeDVD partner site MouseSteps is running a promotion for a Free DVD of your choice from my website store for one lucky winner! The contest is for one week and it ends on Friday, May 23rd at midnight EST. All you need to do is email MouseStepsContest@JeffLangeDVD.com. with your name and city! Your information will not be added to any mailing list, it is only for the drawing. There is also a POLL on the site for what you would like to see as my next DVD. Please take the time to cast your vote. The DVD topics are as follows:

* Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival

* Disneyland Resort After Dark

* Walt Disney World Tomorrowland Classics

* Complete Main Street Electrical Parade (WDW, DL, DCA)

* Walt Disney World Resorts

* Walt Disney World Class of 1971

* Disneyland Resort Top 10

* Walt Disney World Top 10

* Disneyland Resort Thrills

* Walt Disney World Thrills

As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.

April Trip Recap: Disney's Animal Kingdom's 10th Anniversary, Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival, Aquatica, Cypress Gardens and More.

Hi everyone!

I’m just back from another fantastic trip to Orlando! The weather was perfect, and I kept busy with a wide variety of parks and activities. I’m very excited about upcoming DVD releases that will stem from my
visit!

The main purpose of my trip was the “Wild Decade” event for the 10th anniversary of Disney’s Animal
Kingdom
. It did not disappoint! Just as I witnessed on the opening day, Joe Rodhe and Jane Goodall were a large part of the opening activities.

Both Joe and Jane spoke eloquently about the park, and Joe also gave a wonderful presentation later in the Theater of the Wild. I was later treated to a VIP viewing of the Lion King show, complete with a meet with many of the performers. What a great day!

Thanks again to everyone at WDWCelebrations, It was a pleasure to meet all of you and I look forward to the “World Wide Weekend” in September!

I also enjoyed 2 and a half full days of Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival, taping for an upcoming DVD release. I am very excited about this project as I have not done anything like it before and it was challanging but fun to work on! (If you want to see even more great photos on these topics please visit friends of this site MouseSteps.com).

Not only did I spend time at Disney – Aquatica and Cypress Gardens helped fill out my schedule. Aquatica is a great addition to the Sea World parks, and Cypress Gardens is a wonderful slice of old Florida (don’t miss the ski show!) The trip to Disney’s Wilderness Preserve didn’t go as planned – they were having a controlled burn that day, and the Preserve was closed.

Please check back soon for more information on my upcoming releases. As always, if you want to request a future DVD idea, Photo Memory topic or comment on anything, just drop me a line at suggestions@JeffLangeDVD.com.

Click here to browse the JeffLangeDVD store.