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 | Happy 42nd Birthday Walt Disney World Resort! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 11:27:53 AM |
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Today is the 42nd anniversary of the grand opening of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Since the opening of Disneyland, in Anaheim, CA, Walt Disney's dreams had grown even bigger. The limit of space in the Southern California park had meant that Walt's ultimate dreams had to be confined to a relatively small area.
In the early 1960's Walt Disney set about bringing to life his beloved Disneyland on a much larger scale, this time somewhere where there was all the land he could ever imagine - Florida.
Sadly, Walt passed away before his dream had became a reality, but his brother, Roy, ensured that the park kept on track, and finally on the 1st October 1971, the Magic Kingdom opened, at Walt Disney World - renamed by Roy from just Disney World in honour of his brother.
Since then, more and more of Walt's dreams have come true, including the opening of EPCOT, also on October 1st, in 1982.
EPCOT was Walt's vision of the future, where people worked and played together in a utopian community.
Although some may say this dream has never fully been realised, since EPCOT isn't quite how Walt envisaged it, I think that actually, it has, and more.
The Walt Disney World Resort brings together people from all over the world, not just to visit, but to live and work, too. With its hugely diverse Cast Members, international cuisines, celebrations of different cultures, and world class entertainment, shopping, dining and indeed living (Celebration, Golden Oaks, Cast Member housing etc), Walt's ultimate dream truly has become a reality.
Since 1971, millions upon millions of dreams have come true, simply because one man believed that if you could dream it, you could do it.
Happy 42nd birthday Walt Disney World, here's to many, many more!
In our usual style, here's a cavalcade of photos of our magical experiences at Walt Disney World over the years. I have deliberately left out character images for today, since I really wanted to celebrate the beauty of the parks, and the work of the dreamers who believed they could build this magical place.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 26th Birthday DuckTales! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 3:22:00 PM |
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Today is the 26th anniversary of the premier of the Disney Afternoon show, DuckTales.
Starring Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, the show also introduced us to aviator, Launchpad McQuack!
So, in our usual Character Central style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of our adventures throughout the years with the DuckTales gang!
Happy 26th Birthday DuckTales!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 8th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, September 12, 2013 12:24:09 PM |
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On this day 8 years ago, Disney's first theme park and resort in China opened its gates for the first time, in the city of Hong Kong!
Since opening day, Hong Kong Disneyland has had many new additions, from "it's a small world", Autopia, to three entire new lands - Grizzly Gulch, Toy Story Land and Mystic point. The resort also features two stunning hotels; Disney's Hollywood hotel and the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
The amazingly friendly and thoughtful Cast Members, fabulous entertainment, unique merchandise, beautiful landscape, and its setting at the foot of stunning mountains next to the sea, make Hong Kong Disneyland practically perfect in every way.
So, let's celebrate in our usual style, with a cavalcade of pictures from our adventures at Hong Kong Disneyland over the years!
Happy 8th Birthday Hong Kong Disneyland Resort!
If anyone is planning a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, why not check out our awesome, dedicated Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planner!
Dan. |
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 | Happy 83rd Birthday Pluto! | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, September 5, 2013 9:15:08 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is Pluto's 83rd birthday! On this day in 1930, Pluto first made an appearance in the Mickey Mouse cartoon 'The Chain Gang'. Although in this cartoon he was chasing Mickey (who had escaped from prison!), by his third appearance in 1931's 'The Moose Hunt', he had been officially named Pluto, and now resided with Mickey (his second role had been shortly after 'The Chain Gang', where he was Minnie's pet, instead of Mickey's).
Pluto is lovable and loyal, often seen by Mickey's side on many adventures. Often tormented by the ever mischievous Chip and Dale, causing him to lose his temper, Pluto finds himself in trouble from time to time!
After 83 years, Pluto is still as popular as ever, and continues to bring laughter to millions world over.
Happy 83rd Birthday Pluto!
In our usual Character Central style, here's a photo cavalcade of just some of our fun times we've had with Pluto at the Disney Parks and Resorts over the years!
Dan. |
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.jpg) | Happy 49th Anniversary Mary Poppins! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, August 27, 2013 5:51:20 PM |
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Today is the 49th anniversary of the world premiere of Walt Disney's beloved classic, Mary Poppins. The film premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA, where it received a five minute long standing ovation.
With music by the famous Sherman Brothers, and starring Julie Andrews as the magical nanny and Dick Van Dyke as chimney sweep Bert, Mary Poppins has been charming Disney fans for decades.
A mix of live action and animation, Mary Poppins is still very popular today, and the characters from the film appear at the Disney Parks worldwide.
Let's celebrate with them now in our usual Character Central style, with a cavalcade of our favourite photos from our own experiences.
Happy 49th birthday Mary, Bert and the Penguins!
Dan. |
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| Hello everyone,
Today the Disney Parks Blog announced that for Halloween Season this year aboard all ships sailing between late September and the end of October would feature Halloween costume parties with the Disney characters, as well as other small entertainment and food offerings. On the Disney Dream though, they seem to be going a bit further, and for the first time there will be a special programme of entertainment specifically for that ship, which includes a full deck party/show titled 'Mickey's Calling All the Monsters Mouse-Querade Deck Party', greetings with Jack and Sally, and Halloween storytelling with a "mysterious Sea Captain" (I wonder if Captain Hook will show up?...). The whole event will be called Halloween on the High Seas.
The Blog promised that an announcement about Christmas on the ships would come tomorrow - we look forward to hearing what new things they'll be offering!
Staying with Halloween, and French forum ameworld posted what appears to be an official statement from Disney regarding Halloween this year, though Disney themselves haven't released anything yet. The news is that the Castle Stage show Mickey's Halloween Treat in the Street will not return for a third year, but instead we will see a brand new Halloween cavalcade that will feature Mickey and friends, including Huey, Dewey, Louie, Scrooge McDuck and for what is believed to be the first time ever at DLP, Clarabelle Cow! All other regular Halloween elements are expected to return, such as meeting the Disney characters in special costumes including a brand new location for Minnie, and the return of Bon Bon Goofy in Town Square, greetings with the ever popular Disney Villains, Jack and Sally in Frontierland, and all the cool decorations that usually feature throughout the park. Disney's Halloween Party will also feature on 31st October, as it always does. Jon and I will be at DLP for Halloween Season again this year and cannot wait to see the new cavalcade!
Finally, today is Disneyland in California's 58th Birthday, and so if you're going to be there, or thinking about going, you should know that there will be "something special" happening Town Square at 2.30pm Pacific Standard Time this afternoon! In the past these celebrations have usually involved a rededication of sorts, and a vast number of random Disney characters appearing for a brief time (flashmob style).
Ok, I think that's everything for now. I'll try to make an update tomorrow when we hear from Disney about the winter Cruise offerings.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 58th Birthday Disneyland! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 11:51:59 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today (17th July) is the 58th anniversary of the grand opening of the original Disney theme park, Disneyland in Anaheim, California!
For a change, for my photo tribute, I thought I'd share with you non-character pictures. Let's celebrate and enjoy the beauty of the park itself!
Happy 58th Birthday Disneyland!
Dan. |
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| Happy 120th Birthday Roy O. Disney | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, June 24, 2013 12:55:05 PM |
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Hello everyone,
Today would have been Roy O. Disney's 120th birthday!
Roy O. Disney was one of Walt's older brothers, and Walt's lifelong business partner.
Roy was responsible for the financial side of things at the Studio, and after Walt's death at the young age of 65, it was Roy who pursued with the Florida Project, and oversaw its grand opening in October 1971. It was even Roy who insisted the name of the new resort be changed from just Disney World to Walt Disney World, in honour of his brother's dream.
It is often said by those "in the know", that if it wasn't for Roy, we wouldn't have the company we have today. He kept Walt and the company in check, and ensured Walt Disney World opened without a single outstanding debt, which was quite remarkable.
The Walt Disney Company today does not forget Roy's amazing efforts, and there are tributes to Roy throughout the Disney Parks.
For this post, below I have shared some of our pictures of Disney's tributes to Roy that we have seen around the world.
Happy Birthday Roy! Thank you for your dedication to, and pursuit of Walt's ultimate dream!
Finally, outside the parks, on the real Hollywood Boulevard, Roy has his very own star.
Dan. |
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 | Happy 25th Birthday Roger Rabbit! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, June 21, 2013 12:26:10 PM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is the 21st June, which means it was 25 years ago today that 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' first premiered at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City!
Roger Rabbit is a much beloved character by many, but sadly has not made regular appearances in the parks for quite some time. Luckily, Character Central were at a very magical event recently, and Roger Rabbit made a surprise appearance, along with none other than Jessica Rabbit and Eddie Valiant!
So, please join us in celebrating with Roger, Jessica and Eddie, and enjoy these exclusive pictures from when Roger Rabbit came out of Toon Town for one very special morning last month at DLP!
Happy 25th Birthday Roger, Jessica and Eddie!
Dan. |
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