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Hello everyone,
During the last week of December we visited Walt Disney World for Christmas and New Year. In this first part of my trip report I am going to share with you our adventures at Disney's Animal Kingdom and some of the resort hotels, including character dining and more.
Let's start with Animal Kingdom.
At the front of the park, the giant Christmas Tree was on display, looking exactly the same as it has for the past ten years! Despite its age, it is a nice tree.
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Hello everyone,
In this fourth installment of my Shanghai Disney Resort trip report, we are going to take a look at Tomorrowland. In case you missed any of the previous parts, I have provided the links for you, below:
Shanghai, September 2016 Trip Report on Two Lost Boys
I shared my experience travelling to Shanghai, arriving at the airport, getting to the resort, and then visiting the Disney Store in the city.
Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part One on Character Central
In part one of my main Disney report I shared with you all of our experiences at the two Shanghai Disney Resort hotels, Disneytown, and character dining at Lumiere's Kitchen.
Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Two on Character Central
In this report I took an in-depth look at Mickey Avenue, with over 230 photos of all the details on the little entrance street to the park.
Shanghai Disney Resort, September 2016 Trip Report - Part Three on Character Central
In this report I took an in-depth look at the Gardens of Imagination, Mickey's Storybook Express parade, the Golden Fairytale Fanfare castle show and the Ignite the Dream nighttime spectacular, with over 210 photos of all the details.
Approaching Tomorrowland you may feel as though you are really leaving behind everything you just experienced in Mickey Avenue and the Gardens of Imagination, and heading out into some uncharted territory! Tomorrowland sits, what feels like, so far back along the walkway, that it actually feels quite disconnected. There is even a vast open green area, which you can look back on towards Disneytown, which is a weird angle. You start to feel the future with some speaker and light posts, and eventually the Tomorrowland entrance sign, but still, you feel a little "out there". [ Read More... ] |
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 | Happy 13th Anniversary Lilo and Stitch! | |
| DisneyDan
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 3:21:46 PM |
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Today is the 13th anniversary of the premier of Disney's 42nd animated classic, Lilo & Stitch.
Stitch is one of our most favourite characters to see at the Disney Parks around the world, and we have enjoyed having many adventures with him and his friends over the past thirteen years. Let's take a look at some of our favourite moments from our photos.
Happy 13th Anniversary to Lilo, Stitch and all their friends!
Dan. |
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 | Advent Calendar - 14th December 2014 | |
| DisneyDan
Sunday, December 14, 2014 9:50:29 PM |
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Hello everyone,
It's the 14th December, which means it's time to open the fourteenth door of our very special Character Central Advent Calendar!
Here we go!...
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| Happy 12th Birthday Lilo and Stitch! | |
| DisneyDan
Saturday, June 21, 2014 11:32:54 AM |
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Hello everyone,
Today is the 12th anniversary of the general release of Disney's Lilo and Stitch. Although I would normally go by premiere date for birthdays, I was out of the country on Monday (16th) when it was theirs. Therefore their general release date is considered their secondary birthday!
Without further delay here are a cavalcade of pictures of the stars of the film, Stitch, Lilo, Captain Gantu and Dr Jumba Jookiba!
Happy 12th Birthday Lilo and Stitch!
Dan. |
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 | Advent Calendar - 2nd December | |
| DisneyDan
Monday, December 2, 2013 10:29:58 AM |
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Today is the 2nd December, which means it is time to open the next door of our Character Central advent calendar!
Click to find out who is behind today's door!
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| Happy 11th Birthday Lilo and Stitch! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, June 21, 2013 12:16:37 PM |
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Hello everyone,
Due to life circumstances, I missed the official premier date of Lilo and Stitch on the 16th of June (shocking I know, since Stitch is my favourite character!), but today is the day it was officially released in theatres across the US, making today its second official birthday.
Characters who have featured in the parks from the first movie include Stitch, Lilo, Captain Gantu and Dr Jumba.
So, let's celebrate with Lilo, Stitch and all the gang with our usual picture cavalcade!
Happy 11th Birthday Lilo and Stitch!
Dan. |
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Hello!
It has sadly been a long time since I really had chance to update the blog properly with any real updates. Actually, there hasn't really been any good character news for a long time, either, so that coupled with Jon and I always being mega busy makes for more sporadic posting than I would like!
Anyway, here we are with the first proper update of 2013, and it's shaping up to be quite the year so far - which of course is good news for us character fans!
We'll start with the US Parks, and first up is California.
As you may recall, the old Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland has for the longest time been used for a Princess meet 'n' greet, which just about everybody agreed was a massive waste of time and space. Last year Disneyland closed it and finally started making preparations for a brand new show to debut there.
Since then we have all waited anxiously to find out what new show would appear at the theatre.
Well, our questions were answered this week, finally, when the Disney Parks Blog announced that 'Mickey and the Magical Map' would start in "summer 2013". I am hopeful that this will become a well loved show, as it looks quite neat, and that we get to see it when we visit in August (providing it has started by then!).
Since the show is taking over Fantasy Faire, you may also recall that Disneyland are relocating their Princess meet 'n' greet to what was the beloved Carnation Plaza Gardens area, next to Sleeping Beauty Castle. They are of course making some massive upgrades, and this week, again, the Parks Blog announced that we would see the opening of the new location in "spring 2013" - which could mean as early as say, the end of March (that's what I've heard, but who knows!).
Disney never like to give much away, but we are still anticipating - though it hasn't been re-confirmed properly for quite some time. They keep missing that detail out... - that the former stage area from Carnation Plaza Gardens will remain, and there will be some sort of mini show or live entertainment there, also.
Staying with Disneyland, and last weekend saw the return of their popular Day of the Three Kings event, which featured entertainment, and of course characters! Mickey and Minnie were out in special Mexican clothing, and Donald appeared with none other than Panchito and Jose! I believe though, that this was being billed as "special" for the new Limited Time Magic promotion, despite not really being new at all!
Which then brings me to Limited Time Magic itself. Loren informs me that he has been told by Cast Members in Disneyland that their Chinese New Year entertainment will also return this year, but will be advertised as one of the Limited Time Magic events, and also something similar to last years Character Fan Weekends will reappear as a Limited event, too.
I am of course very happy that these things are returning, but it makes me a little sad that they cannot think of something new and special, instead of re-branding something existing.
Of course, Disneyland are also getting their Horseshoe Revue Back for a very limited run, which I know has proven to be a very popular move.
That brings me to Florida, and their Limited Time Magic.
So far, as far as I am aware, they have had a Tomorrowland dance party, and limited edition ear hats as their first two "special" events. The problem with both of these is that they are, well, not new! Anyone who has been to Florida in the last two years will have seen Stitch and the gang rock it out in Tomorrowland almost constantly! The only real difference is that Stitch is wearing his Elvis outfit.
Incidentally, before we move on, it was Elvis's birthday yesterday, and the little blue guy we all love wanted to just pay a small tribute...
Going back to Limited Time Magic, and although we don't know much else right now, we do know that for Valentine's the parks are planning some special things (though I don't think we can expect too much), and in September in Florida a Villains dance party for Friday the 13th.
You can check out the official Limited Time Magic website here, but be warned, you might die of boredom before anything exciting is put on there! (It's a pretty dire page!)
Over at Disneyland Paris, although I am not yet allowed to reveal any details, I would say that if you were thinking about planning a trip over any time soon, especially around Valentine's Day, then you most certainly should... I have heard there will be something really extra special and magical this year! (That will be additional to their regular Valentine's offerings, which usually consist of a character brunch, special character meets and a special Magical Moment at the Disneyland Hotel).
When I am allowed to say more, trust me, I will let you all know!
Speaking of brunches, a friend informs us that there is a Chinese New Year brunch at Inventions (with characters of course) on Sunday 10th February. I thought I would point that out, as that is pretty unique. As well as Mulan and Mushu, I wonder if Li Shang will appear?...
Also, I have heard that DLP's long running Tarzan show will once again return this summer to Frontierland.
I just want to take the opportunity to direct you to my recent New Year post, which has a special message from us here at Character Central.
You might also want to check out my now (finally!) completed Hong Kong Trip Report here, my Tokyo Trip Report here, and my latest report which is from our day trip to Universal Studios Hollywood at Christmas, here.
Ok, I think that is everything for now.
Happy New Year everyone!
Dan. |
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| Advent Calendar - 7th December! | |
| DisneyDan
Friday, December 7, 2012 12:33:09 PM |
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Today is the 7th of December, which means it is time to open the next door of our magical Character Central Advent Calendar!
Here we go!...
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| Happy 10th Birthday Lilo and Stitch! | |
| DisneyDan
Saturday, June 16, 2012 7:41:03 AM |
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Ten years ago today Lilo and Stitch premièred in the US.
Stitch was immensely popular right from the beginning, and continues to be very popular with fans today - especially in the Asian parks!
Stitch has spawned several sequel, a TV series, numerous attractions, endless merchandise and more, and I for one hope that this continues for many more years to come!
Happy 10th Anniversary Stitch, from you BIGGEST fan!!
(I should also point out that of course Lilo, Dr Jumba, Pleakley and Captain Gantu who also starred in the first movie share the birthday with Stitch, and have all been characters in the Parks. The other experiments and Dr Hamsterville came in the later movies and series).
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