Family at Castaway Cay

Family at Castaway Cay

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Disney Pin Trading –Guidelines For Guests



Disney Pin Trading is magical fun for the whole family! The most important guideline to remember is to have fun collecting or trading the Disney pinsyou like.



  • The main criteria to judge whether a pin is tradable or not is that it must be a metal pin bearing a “©Disney”mark on the back that represents a Disney Event, Place or Location, Character or Icon.

  • Pins should be in good, undamaged, tradable condition.
  • For a safe trading experience, please trade one pin at a time, hand to hand with pin backs attached.
  • Guests may trade a maximum of two (2) pins per Cast Member, perday.
  • Please refrain from touching a Cast Member’s or Guest’s pins or lanyard. If you need a closer look, kindly ask the Cast Member or Guest wearing the lanyard if she or he can bring it into clearer view for you.
  • Monies, gifts or receipts may not be exchanged or used in tradefor a pin.
  • When trading with a Cast Member, Guests should offer a pin thatis not currently displayed on the Cast Member’s lanyard.
  • Pins from other business units of The Walt Disney Company (i.e.ABC, ESPN) are accepted for trade.
  • Operating participant pins that show a Disney, Disneyland®Resort, or Walt Disney World®Resort affiliation are accepted for trading.
  • Plastic pins, rubber pins or other non-metal pins are not accepted for trading.
  • “Personalized Name”pins are not accepted for trade.
  • “Broche style”or “clasp pins”are not accepted for trade.
  • Disney Service Award pins, Spirit of Disneyland®Resort pins, Partners in Excellence pins or Cast Member costume pins (i.e. Host/Hostess Badges, Disney Trainer) are not tradable.Disney





Pin Trading Location Etiquette Guidelines:

  • Limit of one table for each Pin Trader.

  • Limit of one bag/binder on the Pin Trading Table.

  • Limit of one bag/binder in the Pin Trading location.

  • Tables may not be moved, and please . . .

  • Be courteous and always remember to follow Disney Pin Trading etiquette as outlined above. Thank you!





The location etiquette guidelines are for specific trading locations at Disney Parks. These guidelines are designed to ensure the safety and courtesy of participants, maintain the show quality of the pin trading areas, and provide an enjoyable experience for all of our Guests.In California, these location etiquette guidelines currently apply to the designated pin trading areas at Disney's Pin Traders at Downtown Disney®District, and Little Green Men Store Command and Westward Ho Trading Co. in Disneyland®Park..In Florida, these location etiquette guidelines currently apply to the designated pin trading areas at Disney's Pin Traders at the Downtown Disney®Marketplace and Pin Central at Epcot®.





Guidelines are subject to change without notice. Guests suspected of abusing the guidelines or the pin trading process may be subject to, among other things, removal from the resort premises.





©Disney 042009

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

D23's Great Disney Scavenger Hunt


Walt Disney World: The race is on again! Following the first Great Disney Scavenger Hunt at Disneyland with 2,000 people and 575 teams, D23 is inviting guests to the Walt Disney World Resort for a fun-filled, two-day hunt around the World. In spring 2011, for the first time in the 40-year history of Walt Disney World, guests will have the chance to scour all four theme parks to win incredible Disney prizes in this official Disney scavenger hunt. The cost will be $50 per team for D23 Members and $75 per team of non-members. Each team will consist of between 2-4 participants. Additional rules and registration information will be available soon at the D23 Web site.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&note_id=117722684951420&id=142241152475108

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Holiday Disney Cruising Video


As many of you know, it is our family tradition to go on a Disney Cruise over the holidays! We love it and it is a magical way to end a year! Here is a video that shows some of the things we do. Let me know if you are interested in joining us!


Monday, September 27, 2010

Pirates of the Caribbean


The popular Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland in California is a ride based on a darker theme than some of the other rides are. This attraction was the last ride that had Walt Disney's hand in the design process.

Located in the New Orleans section of Disneyland, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a must-see attraction. New Oleans Square is very cool, modeled after its namesake during the the antebellum period. A United States flag with 31 stars on it, circa 1850s, flies over the area.

As you line up for the ride, you'll see that the boat dock's sign overhead has the name of Jean Lafitte (spelled incorrectly though as "Laffite"), a famous pirate who fought in the "Battle of New Orleans" and in the "War of 1812".

This pirate adventure is a boat ride that takes place indoors and is complete with cannon blasts, burning buildings, and gunshots. The animatronic pirates pillage and cavort around to the tune of "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" which was composed by Xavier Atencio and George Bruns.

The original plans drafted for the ride in the 1950s had this attraction as just a wax museum to walk through and view pirates throughout history. After the 1064 World's Fair in New York, the attraction then changed to a boat ride involving various elaborate scenarios highlighted with audio-animatronically operated characters. The audio-animatronics greatly enhanced Disneyland's features. Marc Davis then created amusing skits with fictional pirates for the final version of the attraction.

Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1967 on March 18th. It was the largest of the audio-animatronic attraction at Disneyland at that time.


Interesting Facts

Hanging over the bar located in the scene of the crew's quarters, is a portrait of a woman pirate; this is Marc Davis' original creation. There is also a scene with a pirate captain along with some captured women being sold for brides that is used for testing any developments or updates as far as the audio-animatronics go. Most of the new ideas are tested on the Captain before being added to any other character. This means that his actions are more expressive and lifelike than all the other figures run by this method at Disneyland.

One scene in this attraction shows pirates chasing women in a circle. Over the years, this particular scene has changed many times, due to public opinion happening at the time. This was modified a few times through various ways. The last modification just has pirates chasing each other both holding onto a treasure chest in order to promote the 2006 movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." This was the second of the films inspired by this attraction. If you take a close look, you'll also discover animatronic Cap'n Jack Sparrow roaming the area, too.

This ride became so popular that the visitors to the Florida Walt Disney World complained it was not there. Due to popular demand, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was added to Disney World, though it was never part of the original plans to include.

This ride may not be suitable for young children due to some of the special effects. It's a dark ride with a lot of noise and fire. At the start, your boat drops down over two small waterfalls, so be prepared to get a little wet.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTQ5eWBlApY

Saturday, September 25, 2010

New Bear at Disney! Duffy makes his way to the U.S.


On October 14, 2010 at both the Epcot at Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure park, our newest character, Duffy the Disney Bear will make his much anticipated debut. But who’s Duffy you might ask? He’s Mickey’s very own teddy bear….made with love by Minnie herself.

You see, awhile ago, Mickey was about to set sail on an adventure to visit friends around the world. Minnie made a special gift to keep Mickey company and she presented it to Mickey in a duffle bag. Mickey, delighted with his gift, pulled out the gift, a very special bear, and named him Duffy. Mickey and Duffy embarked on many special voyages and Duffy got to meet all of Mickey’s friends. Each time they returned home, Mickey and Duffy would share their stories and photos with Minnie. While on their travels, Duffy and Mickey landed at Tokyo Disney Sea where they have been meeting and greeting fans for the past few years.

Duffy is not just your typical stuffed bear – he’s Mickey’s bear and he resembles his owner. Duffy’s face is shaped like Mickey’s, he has Mickey heads on his paws, and he has a very unique birthmark on his hip. There is no question who he belongs to.

We are very excited to welcome Duffy here in October to join our character family.

Not only will guests get to meet Duffy and have their picture taken with him, but we will launch Duffy’s full line of costumes and souvenirs like key chains, magnets, zip pouches and even pre-dressed Duffys that will launch for special holidays like Christmas and Easter and occasions such as birthdays and graduations. The launch will also consist of some special treats like his crispy treat, chocolaty cake, molded dessert cup, menu placemat with activities and coming later, Duffy’s very own molded popcorn bucket. In addition, Epcot’s Kidcot mask program will be changing to a unique Duffy that Guests can take from country to country to color, decorate, and receive country specific Duffy stamps.

Duffy will be located at a newly created venue inside Epcot across from the Mexico boat ramp and at Disney California Adventure park on Paradise Pier.

I can’t wait for you to meet Duffy. He’s so loveable and huggable and I can’t wait to hear where you will take YOUR Duffy!!!!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Coming soon: a new Walt Disney World Resort! Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel, a Disney Value Resort hotel, will draw its inspiration from 4 classic Disney animated films: The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Disney·Pixar's Finding Nemo and Cars.

Booking dates for this family-friendly resort, scheduled to open Summer of 2012, have not been announced yet. Please continue to check back for more information and details.
Step into some of your favorite stories! Each one of the Disney's Art of Animation Resort buildings are being designed to make you feel like you are part of one of 4 beloved animated films. Trace the movie's theme, from the playful courtyards to the festive room interiors.

The 864 rooms planned within The Little Mermaid buildings will be sea-inspired with an eye towards value.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings are planned to exclusively feature family suites which accommodate up to six guests. The concepts show a total of 1,120 family suites—all arranged for added space and comfort.

The concept for these family suites include:
  • 2 separate bathrooms
  • A master bedroom
  • 3 separate sleeping areas within the living space, which includes an "Inovabed"—an impressive piece of furniture that transforms from a generously sized dining or work table to a comfortable bed in seconds.

Kids and kids at heart will be able to romp through one of the 4 courtyards—one courtyard for each film—where there will be icons and sculptures to interact with and play around. Make a splash in the main pool—complete with a pool bar—or relax in one of the 2 quiet pool areas.


Planned amenities at Disney's Art of Animation Resort include an animation-themed food court, arcade, retail location and interior airline check-in stations.

Location and General Information

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to be located near Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will be a smoke-free Resort; smoking will be permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations.

Let the Memories Begin with New Disney Parks Campaign

Disney Guests will be appearing in television and other communications as part of the new Let the Memories Begin campaign. For the first time, Disney Parks is featuring home video and snapshots of real Guests in television ads and other marketing efforts that allow an audience of millions to share in true-life, heartfelt moments.

And, beginning in January 2011, Disney Parks Guests may find that the memory they just made has become a larger-than-life image during a special nighttime experience.
At Walt Disney World® Resort, Guest photos will be projected onto the Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom® Park. At Disneyland® Resort, the iconic façade of “it’s a small world” will be the canvas for the show.

In both locations, Disney PhotoPass photographers will provide images of Guests shot that day. While the show is still in development, producers estimate as many as 500 photos will be shown in each location every day.

These Guests could also appear in Disney Parks television commercials, online campaigns and social media opportunities that will showcase to the world the power of memories. Disney Parks is asking Guests to share their memories by uploading photos and videos via a special Let the Memories Begin online hub at www.DisneyParks.com/Memories.

Stay up to date on breaking news about the Let the Memories Begin campaign by visiting disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog.