I have a quick update tonight with some interesting photos and video featuring the brand new Pleasure Island outdoor entertainment!
Updated: I have also added additional video recorded 4/13/09 featuring a completely different lineup (see below) and a new nighttime version recorded 1/15/09.
I have some photos and video from around Walt Disney World starting with Pleasure Island (below). It seems the Celebrate Tonight theme has made it’s way to the Island and I am told there will be nighttime entertainment offered going forward.
Next is the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower (below left). The Fantasia Market (below right) will replace the Concourse Sundries-Spirits shop which closed on January 20th.
05 February 2009 – A beloved Disneyland attraction returns to Fantasyland on Friday, Feb. 6, when “it’s a small world” opens with some new storytelling magic. With the premiere of a new “Spirit of America” scene, new musical enhancements, and a new look for some of the attraction’s familiar child dolls, “it’s a small world” will once again take guests of all ages on “the happiest cruise that ever sailed.”
(all photos copyright Disney)
This classic attraction has been renovated and enhanced while retaining the world-renowned charm that holds such a special place in the hearts of Disneyland guests. The “it’s a small world” journey continues to celebrate children of the world and their message of harmony and friendship. And now, for the first time, guests will be able to find some of the child dolls dressed as their favorite Disney characters, in the countries where their stories take place. For example, dolls dressed in Aladdin and Jasmine costumes play in the Middle East scene, and a doll dressed as Alice from “Alice in Wonderland” appears in the Great Britain scene.
Guests will enjoy riding “it’s a small world” again and again as they search for the 29 Disney and Disney•Pixar characters now represented in the attraction. Some appear as child dolls and some are playful-looking toys, such as the White Rabbit who accompanies Alice. The new doll costumes and toys are fashioned in the same artistic style that has made “it’s a small world” an icon around the globe. That style was created by art director, color stylist and Disney Legend Mary Blair, whose sense of design shaped “it’s a small world” from the very beginning.
“We know that many people have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to relive their ‘it’s a small world’ memories and to create new ones with children, grandchildren and friends,” said Disney Imagineer art director Kim Irvine. “It’s a pleasure to once again offer this beloved attraction to Disneyland guests, now with some special Disney enhancements.”
Among the enhancements is a new “Spirit of America” scene based on original concept art by Disney Legend Mary Blair, in keeping with the “it’s a small world” theme that friendship crosses all nations, including the United States.
Child dolls that are costumed as stylized representations of their favorite Disney characters can be spotted in several scenes.
The children in many “it’s a small world” scenes will have a variety of new stylized toys to play with, inspired by Disney and Disney•Pixar characters: Woody and Jessie for “Spirit of America,” a Mushu dragon kite for China, “The Three Caballeros” marionettes for Latin America, and others.
Additional fresh touches will be heard in the augmented “it’s a small world” soundtrack. The renowned “it’s a small world” song, written by Academy Award®-winning composers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman (“Mary Poppins“), will still play throughout the attraction. Now, however, some subtle film music is woven into the song as counterpoint melodies, fitting the characters and scenes.
All of the boats in “it’s a small world” are new and designed to evoke the look and feel of boats that children of the world might play with anywhere.
See “it’s a small world” with the “Southern California 2fer Ticket”*
Southern California residents, many of whom have grown up with “it’s a small world” and taken their own children on the voyage, have a special value opportunity to enjoy the enhanced attraction as Disneyland Resort asks “What Will you Celebrate?” The “Southern California 2fer Ticket,” which can be purchased now through June 3 for the price of a one-day one-park ticket ($69 for age 10 and up; $59 for age 3-9), lets guests experience Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure on one day, and then come back on another day to play at the other park for free. For information, visit www.disneyland.com or call (714) 781-7290.
Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney’s California Adventure park – plus the downtown Disney District composed 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.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A kaleidoscope of colors and elaborate light displays will decorate the skies on the final night of 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Dazzling fireworks showers, live entertainment and extended park hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom on Dec. 31 make it a popular spot to ring in the new year.
At Epcot, a special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the laser-light spectacular featuring dancing flames and cascading fountains orchestrated to an original musical score, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. and 11:40 p.m. The park’s Dec. 31 operating hours are 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host “Fantasmic!,” the lavish spectacular of water animation, lasers and fireworks, at 6:30 p.m. and 8 and 10 p.m. Revelers can “rock on” with live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” plus a DJ spinning tunes at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show brings in the new year at 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m. until midnight on Dec. 31.
Late-nighters can party at the Magic Kingdom until the wee hours with parades and fireworks galore. The park is aglow with “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at 12 noon and 3:30 p.m., followed by the wondrous “SpectroMagic” parade at 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. “Holiday Wishes” fireworks, the boldest and brightest pyrotechnics show at Disney, takes place at 8:30 p.m. capped with the grand finale “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m. On Dec. 31, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 31. Guests can enjoy one of the final presentations of the romping character cavalcade “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” at 3:45 p.m.
For more information, visit Disneyworld.com or contact 407/824-4321.
On December 13th, Disney’s Polynesian Resort held it’s last Torch Lighting Ceremony at the main entrance to the Great Ceremonial House.
Polynesian Resort fans may recognize the master of ceremonies at the torch lighting as Kaleo, the guitar player from the Tambu Lounge.
Kaleo is leaving the Polynesian after over eighteen years of entertaining many guests, myself included! We wish him the best in whatever he does next and fans can keep up to date at his website bighawaiianguy.com.
This is video of the final Polynesian Resort Torch Lighting Ceremony recorded 12/13/08!
Thank you Kaleo and Mahalo!
Production Update:
I am working on an all new DVD featuring the Holidays at Disneyland that will be titled “Disneyland Holiday Treat 08“!
I plan to include: “A Christmas Fantasy Parade”, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle Lighting, “it’s a small world holiday”, “Haunted Mansion Holiday”, Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks and more!
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2008) – The National Thanksgiving Turkey will really have something to celebrate following today’s traditional Presidential pardon ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. “Pumpkin” and his alternate “Pecan” are going to Disneyland! It starts with a police escort to Dulles International Airport. Then the birds will “fly” First-Class on United Airlines Flight Turkey-1 to their new home at Disneyland Resort in Southern California.
The turkey’s special Thanksgiving Day celebration is a preview of things to come in 2009, as Disney Parks asks guests, “What Will You Celebrate?” and invites them to mark life’s special moments with a Disney visit.
he trip from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles will mark the fourth consecutive year that the National Thanksgiving Turkey has celebrated his pardon at a Disney Resort. Accompanied by National Turkey Federation Chairman Paul Hill of Ellsworth, Iowa, Pumpkin, a 20-week-old, 45-pound tom turkey, will be the grand marshal in a special Thanksgiving Day parade down Main Street U.S.A. Following the parade, Pumpkin and his alternate Pecan will find a home at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland, where they’ll remain throughout the holidays and the rest of their lives.
Americans nationwide will be able to share the celebration as the turkey enjoys his new Disneyland home. See photos of the National Thanksgiving Turkey and watch video of this year’s White House pardon at www.disneyparks.com on Nov. 26 and 27. And, for the first time, watch the turkey LIVE from Disneyland on Thanksgiving Day from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. PST (3 p.m.-7 p.m. EST). Go to www.disneyparks.com , listen for the turkey’s gobble, and then click on the turkey face to access “Turkey Cam” LIVE from Disneyland.
“My family and I celebrate the honor of presenting the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President of the United States,” said Chairman Hill of the turkey federation. “We’ll also be celebrating the special privilege of flying to Disneyland where the turkey will be the grand marshal in the Disneyland Thanksgiving Day parade.”
Added Captain Vince Kramer of United Turkey-1 and Assistant Chief Pilot for United’s Airbus 320 Fleet, “United is proud to fly our special, feathered guests and to help them achieve every turkey’s dream of flight. It is a rare treat for turkeys to reach 30,000 feet, and we look forward to getting them to Los Angeles and landing safely and on-time.”
U.S. President Harry S Truman was the first Commander-in-Chief to be presented with a Thanksgiving turkey (in 1947) by the National Turkey Federation. This year’s presentation marks the 61st anniversary of a tradition that has continued through 10 successive White House administrations. The 2008 National Thanksgiving Turkey was raised under Chairman Hill’s supervision on a farm in West Liberty, Iowa.
The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities which increase demand for its members’ products, as well as enhance the ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious turkey products.
Partner site MouseSteps.com stopped by Walt Disney World today in search of the first sign of Christmas decorations. The simple display below adorns the Ticket and Transportation Center. Stepping off the monorail, there are two poinsettia trees and a sign which soon should advertise the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Christmas trees and poinsettia flower arrangements stand where pumpkins and orange flags did only days ago (below at the Magic Kingdom Train Station).
Town Square has changed little since last year. The display includes a giant ornament train, blocks and a rocking horse.
The familiar nutcracker also returns this year with the holiday wreaths replacing the pumpkins on the light poles.
To see the more of the 2008 Holiday Decorations, please visit partner site MouseSteps!