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Today is the 13th anniversary of the grand opening of the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. In the past the park has often been criticised for lacking any good, solid attractions and shows, however, time has been good to the park, and with the addition of the Ratatouille attraction last year, the park has now really started to come into its own. With 18 full attractions and permanent long-term shows - six of which are completely unique to the park! - it actually currently has more attractions and permanent shows than Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Epcot or Disney's Hollywood Studios. While you can argue that those parks have a lot more non-fixed entertainment and good dining options, it is undeniable that the Walt Disney Studios is, finally, stepping up its game. The new Ratatouille attraction has become one of my favourites in the whole Disney Parks world, and I hope that it is a sign of the many good things to come over the next 13 years.
In our usual style, I'm going to share a cavalcade of photos from our many adventures at the park.
Happy 13th anniversary Walt Disney Studios Park!
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
Yesterday the Disney Parks Blog made two announcements regarding upcoming events at the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort.
At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, summer is being dubbed the "Coolest Summer Ever", and will feature events based upon the wildly popular movie, Frozen. Kicking off the "Coolest Summer Ever" is the now-traditional 24 hour event over Memorial Day weekend in late May. Although few details have been given about it, the Parks Blog did say the event would launch the summer summer season, and given the name, and the fact they claim Olaf is the "host" of the summer events, it wouldn't be too surprising if the 24 hour event ended up being Frozen themed, at least to a degree. As with previous 24 hour events, you can expect characters, entertainment, food and merchandise offerings. After that event ends, you then have to wait until June 17th for the start of the next summer happening, "Frozen Summer Fun LIVE", which will run until September 7th. Anna, Elsa and Kristoff are returning to the parade route at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and this year will be joined by Olaf (as per the description on this new page on the WDW website). Nighttime at Hollywood Studios will be topped off with the special Frozen fireworks.
In addition to all these "cool" offerings, Hollywood Studios' awesome Star Wars Weekends are of course retuning from May 15th through June 14th.
At the Disneyland Resort in California, the Diamond Anniversary celebrations, which were previously announced to begin on May 22nd, will also begin with a 24 hour event. As with Walt Disney World, very few details have been released, except we can expect to see special characters and entertainment.
Disneyland Paris today officially sent out their press release for information regarding their summer events, and unsurprisingly, they are also Frozen over. They actually provided quite a lot of detail, so I will copy the information below.
"Let it go" this summer with Frozen at Disneyland® Paris
It's official: Disneyland® Paris will celebrate the 5th highest-grossing film ever this summer. Frozen, which has racked up more than 5 million ticket sales in France, will take centre stage from 1 June to 13 September 2015. The famous sisters, Anna and Elsa, will appear on stage with Olaf, their adorable snowman, in a spectacular event that will give guests chills!
New show: "Frozen Sing-along"
After catching a sneak peak of them in the famous Disneyland® Park Parade and meeting them to pose for pictures last Christmas, Disneyland Paris guests will be able to sing along with the stars of Frozen this summer! Enjoy this unique live experience with the heroes of the greatest Disney hit of all time.
Starting June 1st, the world of Frozen will appear in Frontierland in Disneyland Park, with a brand new show. An ice-themed musical production combining singing and dancing with guest participation. The famous sisters, Anna and Elsa, along with their faithful companions, Kristoff and Olaf the funny snowman, will take to the stage to bring the show to life and expand the unique experience of Frozen live. They'll be surrounded by dancers straight out of the Kingdom of Arendelle.
As the show begins, the villagers are preparing to celebrate the Arendelle winter festival. The intrepid Princess Anna appears and welcomes guests to the snowy universe of the Kingdom of Arendelle. She invites them to help her create a surprise for her sister, Elsa, asking them to join together as a choir. The show is a wonderful occasion to experience, relive and participate in the most beautiful musical moments of the greatest Disney success story of all time.
Olaf, renowned as the only snowman in the world capable of dreaming of heat and sunshine, will also join the party live on stage. To celebrate his longed-for summer, guests are encouraged to sing along, while he dreams innocently of sun tans and beaches!
Among the highlights is an emotionally charged performance of the unforgettable song "Let it go" by Elsa. [The French version of "Let it go" ("Libérée, Délivrée", sung by Anaïs Delva) has over 45 million hits on YouTube].
Playlist:
- Do you wanna build a snowman?
- In Summer
- Love is an open door
- Let it go
The show will take place several times a day, with live performances in French and English, with French and English subtitles on screen.
Venue: Chaparral Theater, Frontierland, Disneyland Park.
June and September: 7 days a week (6 shows a day from Monday until Friday – 12 shows a day at weekends)
July and August: 7 days a week - 12 shows a day
Limited number of seats
A Market Place decked in the colours of Frozen
At Cottonwood Creek Ranch, guests are invited to visit the Market Place, inspired by the universe of the kingdom of Arendelle, and enjoy all the delights that recall one of the greatest Disney hits of all time.
Venue: Cottonwood Creek Ranch, Frontierland, Disneyland Park
Two other magical appearances showcasing Frozen at Disneyland Park
The two heroines of Frozen will appear at Disneyland Park every day, for two special events. On their frosty float, Princess Anna and Queen Elsa will star in "Disney Magic on Parade!" with Olaf. They will also cross the Park several times a day for a special carriage ride, "Frozen: A Royal Welcome", waving to the crowd from their royal carriage.
"Disney Magic on Parade!" Once a day, 7 days a week, Disneyland Park
Frozen: A Royal Welcome, 3 times a day, 7 days a week, Disneyland Park
A special Frozen feature in Disney Dreams®!
Frozen is now part of the traditional version of Disney Dreams®!. A breath-taking night-time show with fountains and pyrotechnics, where famous Characters from the world of Disney come to life through projections onto Sleeping Beauty Castle.
"Disney Dreams®!" tells a magical and moving story. Guided by Peter Pan, guests discover, or re-discover, the greatest Disney stories, from Beauty and the Beast to Aladdin, not forgetting Rapunzel and many others.
Frozen is now part of this amazing night-time show, taking its place among Disney classics such as The Lion King and Peter Pan, as well as the unforgettable Parisian hits Ratatouille and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This feature is vibrant and full of emotion, thanks to a specially re-orchestrated version of Let it go and the special effects expertise of Disneyland Paris.
Venue: Sleeping Beauty Castle, 7 days a week, Disneyland Park
Come to Disneyland Paris between 1 June and 13 September 2015 and celebrate a superbly snowy summer with Frozen at Disneyland Paris.
What is interesting is that their sing-along sounds completely different from either of the US versions. Although Florida and California both have slight variations from one another, the Parisian one sounds like a whole new concept, with villagers, dancers and even Olaf live on stage! We will be there in August, and look forward to seeing it.
Anna and Elsa featuring in Disney Dreams! is a new addition, and the cavalcade through the park I anticipate will be very similar to what they had at Christmas (perhaps with the addition of Kristoff and Olaf since they will be in the sing-along?). Anna and Elsa featuring in the main day parade however, is not new (just like how the Disney Parks Blog uses existing attractions such as Splash Mountain to advertise the "Coolest Summer Ever").
That's all for new items for today, but I just wanted to point you all towards some other highlights from the past couple of weeks that you may have missed, that are definitely worth reading.
Disney recently announced the dates for their popular Halloween and Christmas parties at the Magic Kingdom. Click here to find out the dates. Tickets will be available April.
The next part of my in-depth Grand Circle Tour of the World's Magic Kingdom's was posted, and covers Fantasyland. You can catch that here.
This past weekend we were in Walt Disney World for Flower and Garden, and of course other Disney fun. I wrote a trip report yesterday, which can be found here.
Ok, that's everything for today. Have a great day everyone,
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
This past weekend Jon and I were in Walt Disney World for a brief trip to see Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival and a few other things.
I thought I would share with you all some of the things we saw whilst there, including a full round-up of all the Flower and Garden topiaries, gardens and exhibits. This report is photo heavy, so be warned in case you have a slow connection.
[ Read More... ] |
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 | Enter our brand new Frozen giveaway! (US only) | |
| DisneyDan
Thursday, February 26, 2015 6:08:20 PM |
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Character Central is pleased to announce the launch of our brand new giveaway. The prize is a Frozen pin set from Disneyland Paris, featuring Anna, Elsa, Sven and Olaf!
The competition will open at midnight between Thursday 26th and Friday 27th February 2015 (00:00 Friday), and will end at at midnight between Sunday 8th and Monday 9th March 2015 (00:00 Monday).
The terms are as follows:
- This giveaway is based on entries into an online raffle system, via Facebook.
- You must reside within the 50 United States or Washington, D.C.
- You must meet the Facebook membership requirement of being at least 13 years of age.
- In order to be entered into the raffle, you must visit the Facebook pages for our three websites, Character Central, Tsum Tsum Central and Two Lost Boys Travel.
- To ensure your visits to those pages counts, you should go via the giveaway app tab on our Character Central Facebook page. This will show you your progress through the entry criteria.
- Points will be awarded each time you complete one of the criteria set out above. The more points you earn, the more entries you get into the raffle!
- There are three additional, optional entry values which you may chose to do in order to earn more points, which leads to more entries.
- The prize of one (1) Frozen pin set will be awarded randomly to two (2) separate people after the close of business on Monday 9th March 2015 (I.e. we have two sets to giveaway). The winners will be contacted by Character Central via Facebook.
- If the prizes remain uncollected for six (6) weeks, then the winners will no longer be eligible.
UPDATE 27 February:
There has been a little confusion as to how you should enter the giveaway. Follow these four simple steps to ensure your entries register:
- Click the "giveaway" tab on our page.
- Click to sign in using Facebook.
- Under each option, chose "Visit us"
- Once you have visited the page, the greyed out "I visited!" button will change colour - click it! You entries will be submitted (you must click "I visited" after completing each visit to a page).
Good luck everyone!
Dan.
Important information:
Character Central, Tsum Tsum Central or Two Lost Boys Travel, their owners, friends and associates are not affiliated with Disney in any way. This giveaway is not a Disney giveaway, and has been privately funded, generously by Character Central. Character Central, Tsum Tsum Central or Two Lost Boys Travel, their owners, friends and associates are not responsible or liable for uncollected prizes, persons who win but do not meet the entry requirements set out in the terms above, nor for the accidental loss or damage of the prize once it is sent from our office. The prize holds no cash value, and cannot be exchanged for cash, gift cards, currency or any other goods or services.
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Hello everyone,
Disney just announced the dates for this year's annual Halloween and Christmas parties at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Tickets will go on sale in April.
They are as follows:
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:
Sept. 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27
Oct. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
Nov. 1
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:
Nov. 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29
Dec.1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18
If you would like to quote a Walt Disney World Resort vacation for Halloween, Christmas, or any other time, you can contact our partner at Two Lost boys Travel by visiting their website, here.
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
Welcome to part four of my grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdoms of the world. In this part we will take an in-depth look at Fantasyland. In case you missed the previous three parts of this tour, you can find them here:
This article features many
photos, so be prepared if you are on a slower internet connection. This is going to be the longest of any of the parts in this tour, since Fantasyland at all the parks contains the highest number of attractions and other experiences, compared to any other land.
[ Read More... ] |
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Hello everyone,
Disneyland Paris today released information regarding their annual St David's Day and St. Patrick's Day festivities. Find below the text from the release, which is the only official information we have as of right now.
Saint David's Day Welsh Festival, 7 March 2015
- Meet and Greet with your Disney Character Friends (in special Welsh costumes) - from 10.30am until 12.00pm, and 2.30pm until 3.15pm at Cottonwood Creek Ranch
- Welsh Pre-parade! - 5pm, parade route
- Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal choir - 12.00pm, 1.00pm and 4.00pm at The Chaparral Theater. A Welsh voice choir will perform a repertoire of traditional and popular songs including a Disney Medley created in 2014 with special participation from the Urdd Welsh National Eisteddfod.
- Free Face Painting - from 10.30am until 6.30pm at Cottonwood Creek Ranch
- St David's Fireworks - 9.55pm (before Disney Dreams!)
- Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme: performances by welsh amateur groups - 11.40am, 12.40pm and 3.40pm at The Chaparral Theater
Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March 2015
- Meet and Greet with your Disney Character Friends (special Irish costumes) - 10.30am until 12.00pm at Cottonwood Creek Ranch
- Greetings with the Leprechauns - Hours to be confirmed, at Cottonwood Creek Ranch
- Irish Pre-parade - 4.40pm, parade route
- Sarah Clark Academy Of Irish Dancing starring Chip 'n' Dale - 11.15am, 12.20pm and 3.00pm at The Chaparral Theater
- Pipe Band "Auld Alliance D’Aubigny Sur Nere" - 10.30am and 2.30pm at The Chaparral Theater
- Free Face Painting - 10.30am until 6.30pm at Cottonwood Creek Ranch
- Irish Musicians - Hours to be confirmed, at Cottonwood Creek Ranch
- St Patrick’s Day Fireworks - 7.55pm (before Disney Dreams!)
- Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme: performances by an Irish amateur group - 11.10am at The Chaparral Theater
Dan. |
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 | Happy 65th Anniversary Cinderella! | |
| DisneyDan
Sunday, February 15, 2015 10:57:33 AM |
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Today is the 65th anniversary of Walt Disney's masterpiece, Cinderella. Premiering in Boston in 1950, Cinderella is a classic fairytale of a girl with a dream, a Fairy Godmother, and a prince.
In our usual style, here are some photos of our adventures with Cinderella's family and friends at the Disney parks around the world.
Happy 65th Anniversary Cinderella!
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
Today the Disney Parks Blog announced that the Disney Fantasy would be hosting a Star Wars Day during select sailings in the Western Caribbean, in early 2016.
Details, as per the Parks Blog and the DCL website, includes:
Star Wars Day at Sea will transport guests to a "galaxy" far, far away—in the Western Caribbean. The event features a full day of Star Wars celebrations, including:
- Deck party celebration
- Meet-and-greets with favorite Star Wars Characters
- Star Wars-themed activities for younglings of all ages
- Out-of-this-world food and beverage offerings
- Exclusive merchandise, and more!
The only at-sea screenings of Episode VII, at this event will thrill Padawans (Jedi in training) and Jedi Masters in every family. It is ... your destiny.
Sail Dates:
Star Wars Day at Sea will be available only aboard the Disney Fantasy on select Western Caribbean sailings, January through April in 2016. Star Wars Day at Sea will take place during cruises departing on the following dates:
January 9
January 23
February 6
February 20
March 5
March 19
April 2
April 16
Entertainment and events are subject to change without notice. Merchandise offerings available while supplies last.
That's everything for now!
Dan.
If you want to book your Disney Cruise Line vacation, why not contact Dan at Vacation with the Magic, and get a free, no obligation quote! |
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Hello everyone,
Fourteen years ago today, the then-named Disney's California Adventure Park opened its doors for the first time. Since then, the park has undergone huge changes, eliminating entire lands and building new ones from scratch. It has probably undergone the largest transformation in the past 5 years alone than most parks have in their entire lifespans. Disney California Adventure, as it is today, is a tribute to the unending dream of Walt Disney, to keep moving forward and to continue to bring joy to people all around the world.
Let's take a look back at some of our favourite moments from the park over the years.
Happy 14th anniversary Disney California Adventure!
Dan. |
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