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Hello everyone,
This past weekend Jon and I visited National Harbor in Maryland to experience their Christmas season, which has become something of an annual tradition for us. The Gaylord National Resort there holds its very festive 'Christmas on the Potomac' which includes the very popular ICE! event, and of course, characters!
We started the day with breakfast at the "Madagascar Crack-A-Lackin' Cook-In Breakfast". The restaurant is on the lower level, with the entrance right in the main square area near the fountain. The restaurant is a buffet restaurant and offers everything from waffles, French toast, fruit, cereal, yoghurt, pastries, hot food (eggs, bacon, etc), custom omelets and more. The restaurant is divided into two areas, one for those who do not want to meet characters, and those who do. The character dining part is out the back in a separate dining space. The character dining was available from 8am until 11am, and we called ahead to make reservations because we didn't know how busy it would be. You do not need to be staying at the hotel in order to make a dining reservation.
Now to the important part, the characters! Being a Madagascar themed breakfast, I was expecting at least the core characters from the movie such as Alex and King Julien, and I wasn't disappointed! We got five characters at our meal in total. In attendance were Alex, King Julien, Skipper, Private and Mort. I would have liked to have seen Gloria there, as I know that she exists as a character at other resorts around the world, but I wasn't really complaining. Five characters is fairly standard for most Disney character dining experiences, so this really wasn't any different.
When we arrived it was very early, and the restaurant was empty! Alex and Skipper were pretty much having a party of their own when we arrived! We took a lot of photos, and they were very willing to pose for the cameras!
In the second rotation were Private, Mort and King Julien. Throughout the morning the characters would hold dance off competitions and dance parties around the dining room. It was very lively, in good spirits and definitely a lot of fun. All the staff really got into it and were dancing fiercely around the dining room too! It was hilarious!
Overall we had an excellent experience at the breakfast. We paid $70 total for the two of us, which by all accounts for a character buffet breakfast, especially compared to Disney prices, was very reasonable.
Next up, we wanted to meet Gingy the Gingerbread Man (from DreamWorks' Shrek) who holds his own gingerbread decorating experience upstairs from the restaurant.
Hanging around on the lower level and the mid-level we also found some other characters! Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots from DreamWorks' Shrek and the penguins from Madagascar were all greeting fans. We were told that Shrek also appears, but he wasn't out when we were there.
After the character greeting fun, it was finally time to head into the ICE! exhibit, which this year featured Frosty the Snowman. We always enjoy coming to this. It's a very unique experience. However, not to be too critical, I will say that it seems to have becomes shorter and shorter each year while the price increases. Anyway, you enter the ICE! exhibit, hand over your ticket, pick up your none too flattering Parka jacket (to protect from the cold), and prepare to enter the Arctic... Well, not really, but it is extremely cold inside!
Every year they have an ice slide inside the exhibit, which you can ride as many times as you like. I always have to do it! It's really great fun, and surprisingly fast!
As you come to the end of the Frosty the Snowman part, you enter a room where you can see a real ice carver at work.
There was a random ice carving of Turbo, too.
In the final room is a traditional Nativity scene all carved from ice.
To finish, a shot of the Christmas Tree at the Gaylord National, and one of the Christmas Tree outside in the "downtown" area of National Harbor.
Overall, we had a great day, and I look forward to seeing what ICE! feature they have next year, and which characters will appear.
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
Last week Jon and I visited HersheyPark and Hershey's Chocolate World, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I wanted to share with you some character experiences we had there.
Let's start with the characters we met at Hershey's Chocolate World (which is a separate entity to HersheyPark, and is free to enter). We met Hershey, Reese, Jolly Rancher and Kisses (the girl version). What was nice was that they were wearing cute Christmas gloves and hats!
Over at HersheyPark, we once again found Reese, Kisses and Hershey roaming around. In the park they had slightly different Christmas wear from Chocolate World, for example, Hershey had a scarf and Kisses had gloves instead of a hat. In addition we also found Peppermint Pattie sporting her Christmas wear.
As well as the Hershey product characters, for Christmas season they also had Frosty the Snowman, Mrs Frosty and Jingles the Moose. We were told that they also had a gingerbread man named Gingy, but he wasn't out the day we visited.
HersheyPark also had a very festive Christmas show titled 'A Music Box Christmas: Up on the Rooftop', which featured elves and Santa Claus.
On a different note, we found this store, which we thought was hilarious...
I'll leave you with some photos of their Christmas light displays, which we thought were really neat, and some cute reindeer.
Dan.
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 | Happy 86th Birthday Mickey and Minnie Mouse! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 10:52:21 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is the 86th birthday of the two most famous mice in the world, Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
On 18th November 1928, Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie debuted to the public, and stars were born.
Without Mickey and Minnie, we wouldn't have the Disney company that we have today. For that we are eternally grateful to Walt Disney, and of course Mickey and Minnie, and look forward to many more decades of fun and laughter with them.
Happy 86th Birthday Mickey and Minnie!
In our usual style, here's a photo cavalcade of some of the magical adventures we've had with Mickey and Minnie at the Disney Parks and Resorts over the years.
Happy Birthday Mickey and Minnie!
Dan. |
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 | Character Couture - Chip 'n' Dale | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 9:03:36 AM |
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Hello everyone,
In this fourth installment of this series we are going to take a look inside the wardrobe of that mischievous duo, Chip and Dale!
Let's start at Disneyland, California, where you can meet Chip 'n' Dale daily on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure, dressed in their super cute period clothing!
Over at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Chip 'n' Dale have found a new home amongst even bigger, better trees, this time with their furry friends, the Ewoks from Star Wars! (During Star Wars Weekends, May/June, annually)
Blast off into outer space with Chip 'n' Dale at Disneyland Paris' Discoveryland, where they don their space suits for some extraterrestrial adventures!
When they're not riding a comet in Discoveryland, you can catch them at Tokyo DisneySea's Port Discovery causing havoc as mad scientists!
The Gold Rush of the 1850s attracted many folk from all over, including prospectors Chip 'n' Dale! See them dressed ready to pan for gold at Hong Kong Disneyland's Grizzly Gulch.
Aboard Disney Cruise Line, Chip 'n' Dale take on a little more responsibility and join the crew for some extra magical fun across the Seven Seas!
Missed one of my previous Character Couture articles? You can read Goofy's Character Couture entry here, Minnie Mouse's entry here, and Daisy Duck's entry here.
Dan. |
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Hello everyone,
Christmas season is nearly upon us which means that the Disney Parks are gearing up for another spectacular season of holiday magic and wonder!
I thought we could take a look at what the Disneyland Resort in California has to offer this holiday season. Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort will run from 13th November 2014 until 6th January 2015 inclusive this season.
We shall start with Disneyland Park.
At Disneyland Park you immediately find yourself in a winter wonderland as you step onto Main Street USA and discover their huge Christmas Tree and all the garlands, leading to the beautifully snow topped Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Walt's apartment gets a Christmas Tree in its window for the holidays, too.
Whilst on Main Street, you should stand and listen to the Dickens Yuletide Band play some classic Christmas tunes.
You should also stop by Town Square to give a warm hug to all your favourite Disney pals as they celebrate the season in their cute festive clothes!
As you head off of Central Plaza and into Adventureland you should take a cruise on the rivers of the world, aboard the Jingle Cruise! (Note that this is not yet confirmed on the Disneyland Resort website for this year).
Heading out of Adventureland and into New Orleans Square, visit Jack Skellington and all his creepy friends from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas at the Haunted Mansion Holiday. This epic holiday overlay features exclusive scenes and awesome effects. This attraction is extremely popular though, so be sure to get a FastPass or be there early (FastPasses aren’t normally available for Haunted Mansion, but during the holidays they are due to the popularity of this overlay).
If taking a ride through the worlds of Christmas and Halloween collided wasn’t enough, you can also meet Jack Skellington and Sally Stitches near the Haunted Mansion.
From New Orleans Square, wander down to Critter Country where you can meet Winnie the Pooh and friends in their festive clothes.
In Frontierland you should definitely visit the Jingle Jangle Jamboree where you can meet Santa Claus himself (Santa only meets until Christmas Eve)! Some of your other favourite Disney pals might just show up too!
Fantasyland’s classic attraction “it’s a small world” becomes “it’s a small world” Holiday for the festive season, and is decked out with an incredible display of colour changing lights, which look awesome at night! Inside, the attraction celebrates holidays from around the world with festive costumes and scenes.
The must-see event at Disneyland Park is of course 'A Christmas Fantasy Parade'. Filled with all the most magical sights and sounds of Christmas, as well as the Disney characters, this parade is truly fantastic.
As night falls watch in awe as Sleeping Beauty Castle Becomes Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, a wondrous snow capped ice palace.
To top it all, the skies high above Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle become an array of colour in the “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular.
As well as all these exciting happenings, don’t forget to check out the beautiful decorations around the park, and of course watch snow fall on Main Street USA!
Of course, no day at Disneyland during Christmas would be complete without some treats!
Be sure to try some of the world famous Disneyland candy canes, too! These are very popular, and tickets are usually distributed first thing in the morning. (Note that the candy canes may also be made at Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure - check on the day of your visit.)
Now let us take a look into Disney California Adventure’s holiday offerings.
Buena Vista Street celebrates a classic Christmas of days gone by, with period decoration and their splendid Christmas Tree.
While on Buena Vista Street why not stop and listen to the Community Bell Ringers as they celebrate the holidays with some seasonal sounds?
The Elias and Co. department store is the home to Santa Claus up until Christmas Eve.
Also, you can catch Mickey and friends, and the Citizens of Buena Vista Street, in their period costumes which have been given a Christmas twist.
At Paradise Pier, in previous years you were able to meet Duffy and Donald in cute Christmas outfits. It is not known yet if they will return this year, but I’ll share some of our photos nonetheless. It could be that other characters take their place.
Cars Land resident Tow Mater also joins the festivities, wearing a giant Santa hat!
As night falls on Buena Vista Street, the Community Bell Ringers, the Citizens of Buena Vista Street and the Disney characters all come together for the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Over in Paradise Bay, the magical World of Color becomes “World of Color - Winter Dreams”, a seasonal holiday version of this now classic nighttime spectacular.
Just like at Disneyland Park, don’t forget to check out all the decorations throughout the park.
You should also try some delicious treats, available from Trolley Treats Candy.
In previous years Disney California Adventure has also featured a special screening of Prep and Landing at the Muppet’s theatre, and a holiday version of the Phineas and Ferb show. There is currently no confirmation of either of these though, and they are not listed on the Disneyland website. However, I’ll share some photo below for reference.
Disney California Adventure also celebrates Navidad, however we have no photos of this currently, sadly (we shall soon though!).
At the Disney hotels you can also meet Santa Claus at select times, up until Christmas Eve.
In previous years on Christmas Eve, Mickey and friends have appeared on Main Street in their cute PJs ready for bed as they anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. They usually appear for very limited set times in the evening of Christmas Eve only, so be sure to look out for them!
For New Year’s Eve the parks put on special entertainment offerings, including mind blowing fireworks at the turn of the year. We were at Disney California Adventure for New Year two years ago, so I will share some of our photos and video from that, however, be aware this year’s offerings may differ.
Will you be visiting the Disneyland Resort this holiday season? What are you looking forward to the most?
Happy Holidays everyone!
Dan.
All information in this article is subject to change or cancellation at any time, without prior notice by Disney. We offer this information purely as a guide to some of the things that may be experienced during Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort.
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 | Happy Halloween! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, October 31, 2014 2:27:34 PM |
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Happy Halloween everyone!
Here are some photos from our Halloween adventures at the Disney parks.
Dan.
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Hello everyone,
Today Tokyo Disney Resort's operating company, Oriental Land, announced through an official press release that they are investing 500 billion Yen (US$4.5bn approx) in the resort over the next 3 years, which will include a huge expansion to both theme parks, amongst other things. I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at these plans, and offer some of my own thoughts.
The key elements that are outlined in the plan are the development of a brand new themed port next to the Lost River Delta in Tokyo DisneySea, and the doubling in size of their Fantasyland, plus massive upgrades to the existing areas. In the process of expanding Fantasyland it appears that the Raceway and the StarJets will be removed. I have inserted the images from the release, below.
While I imagine for an extended period of time the parks will be even more chaotic than usual, with less attractions open and vast areas of walkway closed off, ultimately it can only be a good thing. Tokyo Disneyland has long suffered from having the worst designed Fantasyland, still stuck in the pre-mid-1980s format, with the renaissance tents and the 8-arm Dumbo. While I admit WDW's New Fantasyland is an improvement, they did nothing for the existing area which is also still stuck with the medieval tents, let's hope Tokyo does a better job, which is implied with the concept art and "Fantasyland Redevelopment" piece (above). The new concept art shows that the location of Dumbo will move, and if you scrutinize it closely, it will be the newer style as seen at the all the other parks around the world. The concept art also appears to include what looks like Beast's Castle AKA Be Our Guest Restaurant from the "new" Fantasyland at Walt Disney World. All other details are sketchy, besides saying "new restaurants and attractions", and we probably won't know more for some time to come yet, but it is exciting nonetheless, and definitely interesting to speculate what may come.
Before looking at DisneySea, let's take a look at the current Tokyo Disneyland Fantasyland and Tomorrowland in pictures, and I think you'll agree that they really need this new project.
Here are some photos of Be Our Guest at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, and Dumbo at Disneyland Paris, to give some idea of how vastly different things could look (with a strong emphasis on the could!)
Tokyo Disneyland, as you saw above, had a piece of concept art released with the announcement today, but sadly Tokyo DisneySea did not. However, and although this is pure speculation, it would not surprise me one bit if we saw the installation of an Arctic themed port - not too dissimilar to the "polar land" rumored a number of years ago for the other parks. Could they be resurrecting those plans? If they are, could Anna and Elsa finally be getting a permanent Arendelle style retreat in exotic Japan? Afterall, Arendelle is a port in the movie! I guess we'll find out in a couple of years! The vague circular shading over the photo of the new development appears to encompass an area which currently houses the Lost River Delta meet 'n' greet area. Although it may remain, the crude image does seem to imply this space will be swallowed with the new development.
This photo of ours shows the current Indiana Jones attraction, the trees to the left are the start of what would be the new area.
The press release also talks about "easing of congestion" (improving crowd control and guest flow) across the parks, which again is something that desperately needs to be addressed. We have been going to Tokyo Disney Resort for a number of years now, and it has only gotten worse. Let's take a look at some of our insane crowd photos.
So, those are my thoughts. Of course, anything can change at any time, and we won't know exact plans pretty much until they are in full construction, but it's fun to speculate on this exciting news.
It's definitely great news to wake up, and I am very excited for the future of Tokyo Disney Resort, as I am sure countless others are too!
Dan.
Editor's Note: Lots of people on the internet, social media, etc are saying that a Frozen land is coming for sure, but I just want to clarify that the actual press release does not mention this at all. I myself even speculated above that this is likely, but at this point that is all it is - speculation. Dan.
Concept images are copyright the Oriental Land Company, Tokyo Disney Resort and The Walt Disney Company, and were taken from their press release, here. |
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 | Happy National Cat Day! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, October 29, 2014 3:58:20 PM |
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Today is National Cat Day in the US, and here to celebrate are some of our favourite Disney feline friends!
Happy National Cat Day everyone!
Dan.
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 | Happy 43rd Birthday Walt Disney World Resort! | |
| DisneyDan
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 8:53:28 AM |
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Today is the 43rd anniversary of the grand opening of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and the 32nd anniversary of EPCOT!
For 43 years Walt Disney World has enchanted millions of guests from all over the world with its incredible attractions, amazing entertainment and excellent service and facilities.
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.
Happy 43rd birthday Walt Disney World, here's to many, many more!
Dan. |
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