I love to travel and one of my favorite places to go is Disney! I am a travel consultant for Off to Neverland and love to help people plan magical vacations!
This past Saturday we loaded up our RV with a couple other families and went to North Park Center in Dallas to check out the new Disney Store.
It was grand opening weekend and as expected there were crowds, but Disney is incredible at crowd control! Although there were lines for the Characters and to enter the store, they moved quickly and were very well managed.
We were greated by Mickey Mouse on a stage with balloons. We decided to wait to see him until after we visited the store so we got in line for the store. After a very short wait we were escorted in to the store.
The first stop was the castle with a magic mirror. The children were able to pick a wand and when they waved it at the mirror the princess who belonged to the wand waved would appear along with a brief video in the mirror about the princess.
After seeing their favorite princess my kids then went into Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse - it was a small play area for them to crawl into - not sure what all was inside - it was designed for young children and looked like fun.
There was a board up on the wall with activities that were going on all week for the children - I remember one activity was Color Time With Woody - but there were things to do at different times all week long. It really made me want to live closer!
The store was divided up into character themes. All Cinderella items together, Toy Story items together, etc.
There was an area there like in Downtown Disney where you could design and build your own remote control car. There was a good sized area with sitting and a movie for the kids to enjoy while the parents shop.
After we left the store we waited to get the kids picture with Minnie Mouse. (Mickey was now on break - they took turns.) The line again moved quickly and it was great to see Minnie!
We went by the Radio Disney table and got free Disney Store magnets with Mickey,Donald, Minnie and Goofy - very cute! I also got a Disney Store Trading Pin by bringing in a card and using my Disney Rewards Card. It was very cute with Tinkerbell.
I had not been to North Park Center since before I had children and was amazed at all the wonderful shops for kids that were together in this area. There was a big Lego store, Build-a-Bear, and countless other great kid shops all together!
It was a fun day trip and the whole family enjoyed getting a taste of Disney!
CELEBRATION, Fla. Talk about elevating cruise ship entertainment to new heights: A little mermaid soars over the stage in a stunning aerial ballet … Pirates rappel from atop the ship’s funnel during a swashbuckling adventure … The evening sky lights up with a dazzling spectacle of sound and color.
When the Disney Dream sets sail in January 2011, Disney Cruise Line is more than just raising the bar with entertainment designed to charm and bedazzle the entire family. Guests will delight to some of the most elaborate original musicals presented at sea, over-the-top deck parties and, bursting above it all, the largest fireworks spectacular aboard a cruise ship.
It’s Show Time! Every night is show time at Walt Disney Theatre, an elegant, 1,340-seat entertainment palace that is at once classic and ultra-modern. Spanning three decks with orchestra and balcony seating, the theater is resplendent with art deco styling recalling luxurious show places of a bygone time. At the same time, it is equipped with theatrical technology that makes it one of the most advanced venues on land or sea, allowing producers to bring original productions and Disney stories to life in a whole new way.
The lineup of musicals presented at Walt Disney Theatre includes:
“Disney’s Believe” Headlining the musical repertoire is “Disney’s Believe,” an original stage spectacular premiering aboard the Disney Dream. Combining a heartfelt story with a captivating musical score, the lavish production tells the story of a workaholic father who, through the power of Disney magic, reconnects with his daughter and learns a valuable lesson about what is important in life.
“Disney’s Believe” takes guests to the garden of Dr. Cornelius Greenaway, a brilliant botanist obsessed with cultivating his precious plants. Dr. Greenaway is so preoccupied with his garden that he overlooks the birthday of his daughter, Sophia. Saddened, Sophia makes a special birthday wish and the impossible happens: Genie from Disney’s “Aladdin” appears to make her wish come true.
Joined by a host of other characters, Genie takes Dr. Greenaway on an enchanting journey into the world of Disney stories. Through spirited production numbers, Dr. Greenaway learns that magic is real and is embodied in his beloved daughter.
More than 20 of Disney’s most beloved characters take the stage during “Disney’s Believe,” including Cinderella, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Belle (“Beauty and The Beast”), Rafiki (“The Lion King”) and Princess Tiana (“The Princess and The Frog”).
‘The Golden Mickeys’: A Timeless Tribute “The Golden Mickeys,” an award-style show celebrating the musical heritage of Disney animated films, is a Disney Cruise Line guest favorite. On the Disney Dream, the show gets an extra sprinkle of glitz and glamour with new musical numbers, enhanced technology and dazzling special effects.
New production numbers include an aerial ballet featuring Ariel from “The Little Mermaid,” an elegant ballroom waltz inspired by “Beauty and the Beast” featuring the Beast’s transformation into a prince, and a romantic duet performed by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, lead characters of Disney’s newest animated feature, “Tangled.”
‘Villains Tonight!’ The malevolent world of the Disney villains takes a comical spin in “Villains Tonight!,” the first full-scale musical production dedicated to the Disney villains. The show is a fun-filled musical comedy starring Hades (“Hercules”), who embarks on a quest filled with wacky antics and amusing musical numbers to bring evil back into the Underworld.
“Villains Tonight!” features a “Who’s Who” of Disney “baddies,” including Jafar (“Aladdin”), Ursula (“The Little Mermaid”), the Evil Queen (“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”), Captain Hook (“Peter Pan”) and Scar (“The Lion King”).
Party on Deck In addition to nightly stage productions, Disney Cruise Line brings the upper decks of the Disney Dream to life with incredible live entertainment.
The fun begins with “Sailing Away,” a “welcome aboard” show starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the Disney gang. The show is a celebration of the fun aboard a Disney cruise, building to the exciting sounding of the ship’s horn.
On a special night each cruise, the entire Disney Dream transforms into a pirate ship with two new events brimming with buccaneer fun and a new fireworks spectacular.
The evening kicks off on the Donald Pool stage with “Mickey’s Pirates IN the Caribbean,” a family-friendly interactive show featuring the famous Disney characters. Guests become members of Mickey’s Pirate Crew as they participate on a series of pirate-themed musical numbers.
Later in the evening, a special appearance by Captain Jack Sparrow, from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, kicks off “Club Pirate,” a high-tech, open-air dance party on the upper decks of the ship. Guests unleash their inner pirate and dance their boots off during this family-friendly and electrifying bash featuring stunning visuals and special effects.
Fireworks at Sea The only cruise line to feature fireworks at sea, Disney Cruise Line ups the entertainment ante and lights up the sky with the largest fireworks extravaganza presented aboard a cruise ship.
As an addition to the “Pirates IN the Caribbean” celebration, the skies above the Disney Dream explode with brilliant colors during “Buccaneer Blast!” With more “bang” than ever before, the pyrotechnic spectacular is choreographed to a dramatic score featuring songs from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Peter Pan and the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Disney theme parks.
Tune in to ABC’s Good Morning America tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 5, to see the world premiere of an actual rider on the AquaDuck, the industry’s first and only shipboard water coaster. Several brief Disney Dream segments are scheduled to appear during the program, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The reports will include live and taped segments from the ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Among the segments is a 90-second piece documenting the making of the Disney Dream, including interviews with leaders from Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering.
The Hall of Presidents is an attraction located in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort. The attraction is a multi-media presentation and stage show featuring Audio-Animatronic figures of all 43 U.S. Presidents. It opened on October 1, 1971, along with the rest of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World.
One Nation Under God
Walt Disney had originally wanted an attraction similar to the "Hall of Presidents" called One Nation Under God at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California USA. After Disneyland had become a huge success, Walt Disney proposed an extension of Main Street, U.S.A. called Liberty Street at Edison Square. Walt originally wanted wax figures of all the U.S. Presidents, and later decided to try to make them animated figures. But the technology that Walt Disney wanted for this attraction did not exist or fully meet his desire. Walt Disney decided to collaborate with his fellow Imagineers of WED Enterprises to try to make the first Audio-Animatronic figure in a human form. It would be of Walt Disney's hero: Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln Walt Disney and his Imagineers created an Audio-Animatronic figure of Abraham Lincoln, more advanced than the ones produced for the Illinois Pavilion at the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. The show consisted of a pre-show film on a screen with a depiction of paintings done to represent Illinois. Guests then entered the main theater where the theater curtains eventually were removed to reveal the figure of Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair. He rose out of the chair, stood up, and gave a 5-7 minute oratory consisting of a collection of his famous speeches.
The show concluded with more theater curtains revealing the Rotunda of the United States Capitol Building. While the original version of the show that played in New York during its showing at the Fair was eventually dismantled and demolished, a similar version was created even while the Fair was going on in 1965. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was closed down for Disney's 50th anniversary in 2005, but was re-opened in 2009.
Liberty Square After Walt Disney's death on December 15, 1966, plans were moving ahead for the (still under construction) Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Since there was going to be another Disneyland-style theme park, this time officially known as the Magic Kingdom, Imagineers felt that one of the changes that would differ between Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom should be in one of the themed lands. The Imagineers decided that since Florida was close to the real New Orleans in Louisiana, having a New Orleans Square in the Magic Kingdom was a bit superfluous.[citation needed] The old designs and concepts for Disney's Liberty Street at Edison Square were reviewed and revised, and what became of it was the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, that served as the alternative to New Orleans Square. Liberty Square also serves as the alternative location for the Magic Kingdom's version of the Haunted Mansion, which is located at New Orleans Square in Disneyland. The Imagineers also thought that, as a follow-up to "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln", they could finally create Walt Disney's concept of "One Nation Under God", and thus the creating the Hall of Presidents.
The attraction The original show began with a film presentation of the history of the United States of America. It shows that the American way was forged through conflict and many long years of struggle. The main idea of the film is that the United States is not free from improvements. It is certain changes that prove necessary over the years. The film also celebrates the liberties of the American people, the United States Constitution, and the progress of America in its early years. With the help of paintings from the era, the Philadelphia Convention is reenacted.
George Washington (voiced by Disney veteran Paul Frees) and Benjamin Franklin are heard making speeches to the Convention. They assured all that this government was going to be different. After the formation of the Constitution, the first test of the new republic was the Whiskey Rebellion, which proved that the government would use force to "ensure domestic tranquility. "Years later, President Andrew Jackson was the first to deal with secession by the Southern states. Luckily, the talk was quelled and Jackson escaped the threat.
The film then segues to the time of Abraham Lincoln, when secession was a real threat. These paintings and vocal performances are similar, if not identical, to the same segment in the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" presentation. The American Civil War portion of the presentation is based on the "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" presentation, including a nearly identical script, although, to fit the much bigger screen of the theater, rather than the much smaller one at Disneyland, new paintings were required to fill the screen. The Constitution survived the conflict, making America a truly unified nation.
A huge era of progress occurred after the war. All the while, the Constitution remained the tent pole of the country. The film then turns toward the future, saying that the leaders of tomorrow have to be committed to the Constitution and its principles, if the country is to survive. A Saturn V rocket takes off, and the screens then lift up, and the U.S. Presidents take center stage. After the curtain lifts, all (then) 36 presidents are called, in chronological order. (At the time the attraction opened in 1971, the roll call ended with Richard M. Nixon. Over time, each newly elected President would have an Audio-Animatronic version of himself added to the show in their likeness.)
Each one responds to their name with a nod, wave, or other sign of acknowledgment. During the presentation, the Presidents fidget, talk to each other, and look around; all the while making the illusion seem quite real. Abraham Lincoln then stands and takes center stage. His speech is remarkably similar to the speech he gave in "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln". After his speech, the show concludes with a rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," (the same rendition used in "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln."
The original show remained virtually unchanged from 1971 until 1993. The only major feature that changed before 1993 was the original adaptation of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" that served as part of the finale of the show. It was the same adaptation used in "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln". The adaptation was done in a lower key, and instead changed for a revised adaptation in a higher key. Otherwise, additional Audio-Animatronics were added whenever a new U.S. President entered into office.
The roll-call, though narrated by the same man who had done the original in 1971, Lawrence Dobkin, continued to be redone and expanded with the additions of Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush to the show as each of the four men were elected as President. The show was then completely renovated in 1993, after Bill Clinton was elected into office, and the majority of those changes remain in some way, shape, or form to this day. The change to the show is credited to Eric Foner, a history professor at Columbia University.
He was able to persuade various Disney executives, most notably then CEO of the Disney Company, Michael Eisner that a new adaptation of the show was needed. Foner is responsible for completely rewriting and changing the script of the show in order to focus more on slavery and other ethical and civil related issues in the United States of America. He is also responsible for rewriting Lincoln's speech, which was originally nearly identical to that which Lincoln gave in the original version of "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." An Audio-Animatronic Bill Clinton was also added to the roll-call in 1993.
While the format of the show remained in the sense of the photos, films, and other features used in the film and elsewhere in the presentation, the speed at which the films played, and what was shown on them was redone to fit the changed script. A new music score was also introduced. The changed script, possibly historically inaccurate, created very different feelings for the same material being shown before guests dating back to 1971. Despite this, it covers generally the same events shown in the original film (omitting the Whiskey Rebellion).
Also, no longer would prominent members of the Disney Company narrate parts of the film. Lawrence Dobkin no longer narrated the film or did the roll call of the U.S. Presidents. Paul Frees and Royal Dano also no longer narrated the character's voices. Instead, Maya Angelou narrated the revised script and gave the roll-call of the U.S. Presidents. New amateur actors gave the voices of the characters in the film. Another feature that was added in 1993 was a speech given by the current U.S. President. Foner is responsible for writing the speech which President Clinton later read and taped at the White House.
The 2001–08 version of the show, featuring a speech by George W. Bush. Followed by the current U.S. President's speech, Abraham Lincoln would give his completely revised speech, also done by Foner. Lincoln also now wore eyeglasses, and held a piece of paper to glance to and from his speech. Some objected to this, saying that it dumbed down the depiction of Lincoln as a prominent and iconic figure. For the 2001 update to the show, adding President George W. Bush and his speech, actor J.D. Hall replaced Angelou as the narrator, but he read from the same script as the 1993 version. The Audio-Animatronic figure created for President Bill Clinton in 1993 was recycled and used for President George W. Bush; Clinton is now a lesser Audio-Animatronic figure.
According to Pam Fisher, the senior show writer for Walt Disney Imagineering, "it is quite an experience to arrive in the White House and actually be present when the president records his speech for the Hall of Presidents."[1] When Eric Jacobson of Walt Disney Imagineering presented President Obama a panoramic picture of the current Hall of Presidents, Obama inquired, "So are these like wax figures or holograms?". All legacy voices and features used in the show in 1993 remained unchanged in the current show. Before the 2009 updates to the show, including the addition of President Barack Obama, the Hall of Presidents was closed between October 31, 2008, and July 1, 2009, to undergo an extensive renovation to upgrade its audio and visual effects and systems, as well as add an Audio-Animatronic Barack Obama to the roll-call.
Morgan Freeman became the new narrator for the 2009 revised show, and George Washington was added as a third speaking president. When Obama recorded his main speech for the updated show on March 4, 2009, in the White House Map Room, he also recorded himself once again reciting the Oath of office of the President of the United States. In addition, the clip of the Saturn V launch was replaced with footage showing the first launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia. This footage had been recycled from the original version of Universe of Energy at Epcot.
There's More to Disney·Pixar's "Toy Story 3" Than Meets the Eye!
When America's favorite toys reunited for another adventure, audiences were wowed. On November 2, fans can welcome Woody, Buzz, and the gang back into their homes when Disney·Pixar's "Toy Story 3" premieres on Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD. And reliving the magic turns into an extra-special treat with behind-the-scenes bonus features that invite viewers to take an exclusive look at Pixar Animation Studios' production process. The Disney Insider has the lowdown on all the exciting extras you won't want to miss!
Andy's all grown up and preparing to leave for college, which sends his toys into a tailspin about their uncertain future ... until they're accidentally donated to Sunnyside Daycare. That's where their journey begins and where we get to meet the latest crop of endearing characters.
Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear, Big Baby, Chatter Telephone, Peas-in-a-Pod, Chunk, Twitch, Stretch, Sparks, and, Barbie's soulmate, the iconic Ken doll, are just a few of the more than 150 characters introduced in "Toy Story 3." Many are hybrids of toys the filmmakers nostalgically remembered from childhood, mixed together with today's ideas. Check out the "Toys!" featurette for an in-depth exploration of how the classic characters were updated and how new toys were developed for Sunnyside Daycare and Bonnie's room.
An unexpected twist on one of the original characters was the debut of Buzz Lightyear's alter ego, "Spanish Buzz." Jessie becomes quite enamored with this new and improved version, and melts when he proves he's got the dance moves to match his newfound penchant for romance. But Buzz and Jessie's incredibly authentic paso doble dance routine was no artistic accident. "Dancing with the Stars" pros Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke choreographed the actual steps for the animators to use as reference. Catch them in action at Pixar Animation Studios as they create one of the film's most memorable scenes!
Every emotion in animation is conveyed solely through the voice – and many of the actors who made the original "Toy Story" characters so memorable returned for take three. Tom Hanks reprised his role of Woody while Tim Allen voiced Buzz once again, along with Joan Cusack (Jessie), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head), Jodi Benson (Barbie), Wallace Shawn (Rex), Laurie Metcalf (Andy's mom), and John Morris (Andy). Titled "The Gang's All Here," one of the bonus features includes poignant moments with the returning stars as well as an introduction to the newest members of the cast.
Not to be missed, the "Chatter Phone Tipline" clips feature the classic Fisher-Price toy revealing insider information on the voice actors, director, characters, and more. In addition, you'll be privy to roundtable discussions with director Lee Unkrich, producer Darla K. Anderson, and the story artists – plus the life of a shot, animation tests, script pages, crew commentary, a peek inside Pixar Animation Studios, a "Toy Story" trivia challenge, and other interesting video snippets.
Of course, this roundup wouldn't be complete without tips on some of the neat surprises, commonly known as "Easter Eggs," that might have been missed initially. Without completely spilling the beans, we recommend that you keep your finger poised on the "Pause" button to see if you can recognize a grown-up Sid, a Pizza Planet reference (BTW, it's NOT the truck this time), Pixar's original street address, and CalArts famed room "A113." You'll also find nods to "Finding Nemo," "Cars," "WALL·E," "Up," and a glimpse of Totoro himself.
When "Toy Story 3" debuts on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD this November 2, take a closer look around Woody's world – Sunnyside Daycare, Andy's room, Bonnie's tea party – and see how many nuances, jokes, and visual references you didn't catch in the theater. How often in life do you get the chance for a do over?
The malevolent world of the Disney villains takes a comical spin in “Villains Tonight!,” the first full-scale musical production dedicated to the Disney villains. The show is a fun-filled musical comedy starring Hades (“Hercules”), who embarks on a quest filled with wacky antics and amusing musical numbers to bring evil back into the Underworld.
“Villains Tonight!” features a “Who’s Who” of Disney “baddies,” including Jafar (“Aladdin”), Ursula (“The Little Mermaid”), the Evil Queen (“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”), Captain Hook (“Peter Pan”) and Scar (“The Lion King”).
This past Saturday we loaded up our RV with a couple other families and went to North Park Center in Dallas to check out the new Disney Store.
