Category Extras

Sep 12 2014

Disney World News – Frozen Attraction Coming To Epcot

So have you heard the news? For months we’ve been hearing the rumors and apparently it is true…Disney is transforming Maelstrom located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot into a Frozen attraction. Here’s the post straight from Disney Parks Blog:

When Walt Disney promised that Disneyland would never be completed, so long as there is imagination left in the world, he made a promise to our guests that we take seriously at all our locations around the world. This year, one particular product of imagination — Disney Animation’s blockbuster hit “Frozen” — captured the hearts and minds of people around the world and gave us a new opportunity to make good on Walt’s pledge.

We’ve made “Frozen” a part of the guest experience in a number of ways already and our guests have both loved them and asked for more. So I’m pleased to say that we’re starting construction at Walt Disney World Resort on a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these “Frozen” elements are great compliments to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film.

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“Frozen’s” popular characters will also have a bigger presence at Magic Kingdom Park this holiday season. In addition to the ongoing character appearances, Queen Elsa will use her powers to transform Cinderella Castle into an ice palace every night starting in early November. And Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-goers can see Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”

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We’re extending some favorite elements of Frozen Summer Fun LIVE!, too, so that guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can continue singing along to “Frozen” songs with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. Wandering Oaken’s will set up shop closer to the show through the holiday season and will feature a larger play area with real snow (in Florida!).

From the moment we screened the film several months before its release, we were inspired by the possibility of bringing this great story to life for our guests. Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! has been extremely popular, and now we’re looking forward to doing even more to allow our guests to experience the “Frozen” phenomenon.

So what are your thoughts on this move? Will you miss Maelstrom? Are you excited about the changes? Please leave a comment!

Sep 4 2014

Throwback Thursday – Disney Style!

Magic Kingdom 1971

My mom & I in Magic Kingdom a long time ago!

Here’s a little “Throwback Thursday” Disney Style for your enjoyment today!

Back on October 1, 1971, Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida opened with only 26 attractions. They were Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Treehouse, Sunshine Pavilion (now Enchanted Tiki Birds), Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel (now Prince Charming Regal Carrousel), Dumbo The Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, Mickey Mouse Revue, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, “it’s a small world”, Snow White’s Adventures, Diamond Horseshoe Revue, Frontier Shooting Gallery, Country Bear Jamboree, Mike Fink Keel Boats, Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Main Street Horseless Carriage, Jitney, Fire Truck, Horse-Drawn Streetcar, Omnibus, Main Street Cinema, Walt Disney World Railroad, Skyway, Tomorrowland Speedway and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The general admission cost was $3.50 for an adult, $2.50 for a junior (ages 12 to 17) and $1.50 for a child (ages 3 to 11). Your general admission ticket only got you in the park though. Back in those days, you had to buy tickets for the individual attractions. That is where the expression “E-Ticket” came from, for all of you young people out there! For around $4.00, you could purchase a 7 Adventure Book that gave you one A, one B, one C, two D and two E tickets.

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Here’s how the attractions lined up back in 1971:

Free

  • Diamond Horseshoe Revue

A Tickets

  • Horse-Drawn Streetcar
  • Omnibus
  • Jitney
  • Fire Engine
  • Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel
  • Main Street Horseless Carriage

B Tickets

  • Main Street Cinema
  • Swiss Family Treehouse
  • Mike Fink Keel Boats
  • Frontier Shooting Gallery

C Tickets

  • Dumbo The Flying Elephant
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Snow White’s Adventures
  • Tomorrowland Speedway

D Tickets

  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Hall of Presidents
  • Walt Disney World Railroad
  • Skyway

E Tickets

  • Jungle Cruise
  • Sunshine Pavilion
  • Mickey Mouse Revue
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Haunted Mansion
  • 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

It is amazing how much Walt Disney World has evolved through the years!

Headed to Florida to See Today’s Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out the following resources to help you save money:

Do you remember Disney World from long ago? Please leave a comment!

Aug 14 2014

D23 Expo 2015 Tickets & Discounted Hotel Rooms

D23 Expo 2015TICKETS FOR D23 EXPO 2015: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT, GO ON SALE THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014

Early Bird Discounted Tickets Available for a Limited Time

D23 Members Enjoy Additional Savings and Member-Only Benefits

BURBANK, Calif. – August 6, 2014 – On Thursday, August 14, at 10 a.m. PT, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will begin selling tickets for the next D23 Expo, which will take place August 14–16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The largest Disney fan event in the world, the D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios (including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm); Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products; Media Networks (including ABC, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney) and Disney Interactive. D23 Expo 2015 marks the fourth bi-annual event held in Anaheim.

More than 65,000 Disney fans from around the world gathered at the Anaheim Convention Center in 2013 for the third D23 Expo. Once again, the Expo will celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney with live events, celebrity appearances, panels, presentations, sneak peeks, and immersive experiences. D23 Expo 2015 marks the return of fan favorites including the Disney Legends Awards, honoring the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; and Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, which spotlights costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney’s rich history.

D23 Expo 2015 Discounted Rooms

Click here to book discounted rooms!

As in previous Expos, D23 Expo 2015 will showcase all of the latest stars in the Disney universe. In 2013, celebrity appearances included Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Billy Crystal, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston, with performances by Idina Menzel, R5 featuring Ross Lynch, and a once-in-a-lifetime concert with Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Alan Menken. Additionally, Disney executives and creative talent came together to deliver special presentations, announcements, and experiences to Disney fans throughout the three-day extravaganza.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. From August 14–December 31, 2014, tickets are $61 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $52 for a one-day adult admission and $37 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $268 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.

D23 Expo 2015

Click here to purchase tickets!

In addition to these special advance-purchase savings, an extremely limited number of D23 VIP Sorcerer Packages will once again be available. Based on fan feedback, even more benefits have been added this year including exclusive opportunities in the Walt Disney Imagineering pavilion and Mickey’s of Glendale.

The SORCERER PACKAGE includes:

  • Three-day admission ticket and commemorative Sorcerer credential
  • Reserved seating at all presentations in the main hall, Stage 23, and Stage 28
  • Limited-edition D23 American Tourister boarding bag
  • Pre-Expo tour of the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit
  • Special tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Pavilion
  • Exclusive shopping time in the D23 Expo Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale
  • Tour of the D23 Expo show floor the day before the Expo is open to the public
  • Welcome Reception on Thursday evening
  • Exclusive entrance to the Expo each morning
  • A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist
  • Exclusive D23 Expo gift pack including gifts from D23 and the rest of The Walt Disney Company
  • Saturday morning Meet and Greet Coffee with a special Disney guest
  • “Fond Farewell” reception on final day of Expo
  • Plus, access to the Sorcerer Member Lounge and other benefits

Sorcerer Package tickets are available exclusively to both Gold and Silver D23 Members at $2,000 per ticket. Members have the option to purchase up to two Sorcerer tickets. Additional details and benefits are highlighted at D23Expo.com.

D23 Gold and Silver Members are entitled to early admission to the Expo show floor and D23 will once again give a special thanks to D23 Charter Members, providing them special access to the Expo’s Charter Member Lounge.

Visit D23Expo.com to relive some of the extraordinary experiences from the first three Expo events and get a peek at what’s to come in 2015.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts, and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold, Silver, and Free Membership levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

D23 Expo 2015

Click here to purchase tickets!

D23 Expo 2015 Discounted Rooms

Click here to book discounted rooms!

Jul 17 2014

Disney Addict Article In The Globe And Mail

Globe and Mail Logo

I was recently interviewed by Kira Vermond, a journalist from the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, about my Disney obsession. Please check out her article here.  Are you a Disney addict too? Please leave a comment!

Jul 17 2014

Just Returned From A Disney Alaska Cruise

Disney Wonder Skagway PortHi everyone! I’ve just returned from an amazing ten days spent in Canada and on a Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder to Alaska. My husband, my boys and I took this incredible adventure to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Once on board the Wonder, I met up with Disney Mom Panelist, co-author of The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and fellow TouringPlans blogger, Erin Foster. Over the next several weeks look for lots of posts here on my site as well as over on TouringPlans by both Erin and myself covering everything you need to know about taking a Disney Alaska cruise. If you will be cruising to Alaska very soon and have a burning question, please feel free to email me at disneyworldenthusiast@outlook.com or leave a comment below and I will be glad to answer it for you. It’s great to be back!