A World of Ways to Ring in 2011

WDWNT Author on December 24, 2010

A visit to Walt Disney World is always the best way to ring in the New Year, and this year it is certainly no different. The parks are pulling out all the stops as far as live entertainment, so even if you’re stuck in a giant crowd of people, you can fill your day with something other than long attraction wait times. Here’s the line-up:

Magic Kingdom

  • “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” Street Party at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 5:15 p.m.
  • “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at 12 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
  • “Main Street Electrical Parade” at 7 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
  • “Holiday Wishes” fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
  • “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m.
  • Park Hours: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

While not listed by Disney, don’t miss the Celebrate the Season castle stage show, and the Club 626 Dance Party & Totally Tomorrowland Christmas in Tomorrowland.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • “Block Party Bash” parade at 3 p.m.
  • “Fantasmic!” nighttime extravaganza at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
  • Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat at 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.
  • “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks starring “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” at 11:55 p.m.
  • Park hours: 8 a.m.-12 a.m.

Epcot

  • Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at 7:30 & 11:40 p.m.
  • Park hours: 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” at 3:45 p.m.
  • Park Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon

  • Electrical Water Pageant at 10:25 p.m.

At Downtown Disney and Disney’s BoardWalk

Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney

  • 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances of La Nouba
  • Special New Year’s Eve champagne toasts
  • Guests will receive a limited-edition La Nouba pin created for the New Year’s Eve event
  • More info: 407/939-7328 or cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba

DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney

  • Ring in the New Year at DisneyQuest with favorite cyber attractions and games, a DJ Dance Party with a New Year’s Eve countdown, party favors and a coupon for a personal pizza and soda at FoodQuest
  • Party Hours: 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
  • $39 per person, advance/$45 per person, day of
  • More info: 407/934-7639 or disneyworld.com/disneyquestparty. Tickets may be purchased online or at the DisneyQuest Box Office.

Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk

  • Dance into the New Year at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk
  • Party Hours: 8 p.m.-2 a.m., ages 21+
  • $35 for access to the main floor of the Dance Hall, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight
  • $75 for a VIP ticket that adds a private upstairs area with seating; limited viewing for Epcot fireworks with guaranteed seating and coffee, tea or hot chocolate with dessert bar and a premium bar
  • More info: 407/WDW-DINE

There are also some very special dining opportunities available for New Year’s Eve:

La Hacienda de San Angel at Epcot

  • La Hacienda de San Angel is offering a special six-course prix-fixe menu and live music starting at 9 p.m.
  • $199 per person, or $225 with wine and spirits (plus tax and gratuity), $49.95 ages 3 to 9
  • Epcot admission required
  • More info: 407/842-1107 or e-mail lahaciendadesanangel@me.com

Bistro de Paris at Epcot

  • Bistro de Paris is offering a special prix-fixe New Year’s Eve menu
  • $150 per person, $225 with wine pairings with each course
  • Epcot admission required

California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

  • California Grill will host a New Year’s Eve party featuring food stations, an open bar, a casino-style game room, DJ, dancing, Disney characters, live entertainment and a great viewing location for the Magic Kingdom fireworks
  • $525 per person, all inclusive
  • More info: 407/WDW-DINE

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights Dances with “Phineas and Ferb” in 2010

WDWNT Author on November 10, 2010

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year with a few new additions and some changes:

-In between some of the dance sequences, a staged radio interview with the creator of the spectacle, Jennings Osborne, takes place
-One building has a falling snow effect in the windows, you’ll see this in our video during one of the dance sequences
-Two new sequences starring characters from the Disney Channel original series “Phineas and Ferb” have been added. In the first, Phineas and Ferb fix some technical problems with the lights and then have them dance to “Christmas is Starting Now” from the Phineas and Ferb Christmas Special. The second skit has Dr. Doofenshmirtz attempting to take over the display before being foiled by Perry the Platapus.

WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee brings us a video of the Spectacle with all of these new additions, courtesy of the WDWNTube:

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” Coming March 2011

WDWNT Author on November 9, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida will celebrate the premiere of Disney Channel’s new multiplatform brand, Disney Junior, with “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” next year. The lively show in the Parks will debut with new characters, some new adventures and a new marquee.

Children and parents who now enjoy the popular “Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage!” at both Parks can look forward to sharing this new production, which brings back three audience favorites (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,Handy Manny and Little Einsteins) and also introduces a brand new segment based on Disney Junior’s newest series that will debut in February 2011, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” will air on Disney Junior in February 2011 and will share the magical and adventurous world of Never Land with preschoolers. Children will be drawn to the main character Jake, an enthusiastic young boy who leads a team of kid pirates (Cubby and Izzy, along with their faithful pirate parrot, Skully) in fun adventures that encourage interactive responses from young viewers. The clever premise provides kids and families with a fun way to learn teamwork.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” on Disney Junior

Stories from the show will come to life in the Parks with colorful, puppet versions of some of the most popular Disney Junior characters, bright visuals, whimsical scenery that fills the stage, catchy songs and interactive moments.

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage” is scheduled to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure park in March 2011.

Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream Re-Opens with New Exhibits

WDWNT Author on November 4, 2010

While it was delayed for a few hours, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream re-opened from it’s refurbishment that began in August with a few new exhibits and a general refreshing. Here’s what’s new:

-1964-65 World’s Fair display featuring Mr. Lincoln animatronic and the “it’s a small world” facade

-The exhibits featuring work from after Walt’s life are called “The Legacy Continues”, the walls are now lined with pictures from all different arms of the Walt Disney Company in a running timeline

-A new display featuring EPCOT Center animatronics such as the Horizons butler robot, Figment, and some of the characters from Kitchen Kabaret

-Movie props from “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”, “TRON”, “The Rocketeer” and more are now on display

-The Re-Imagined Paradise Pier model that once appeared at the Blue Sky Cellar in Disney California Adventure is now on display

-Small models of some of the fountain statues from Hong Kong Disneyland are on display

-More “Legacy Continues” exhibits are listed as coming Fall 2010, it is possible that a lot of what you see may still change at that time

In the meantime, here is what the exhibit looked like today when it re-opened and WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee was on the scene to capture it on video:

C-3P0 to Pilot the Starspeeder 1000, Captain Rex will Return!

WDWNT Author on October 26, 2010

From Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald on the Disney Parks Blog:

It was great to read your comments about the pilots of Star Tours on my last post. Some people really want to see Rex again in the new show. Others are excited about the introduction of the new character “Ace.” And then there are those who are speculating about a bigger role for Threepio. So, I thought it was time we set the story straight about just who will be in the cockpit in the new show. And guess what? You’re all right!

C-3PO and ACE

As explained earlier, all Star Tours Starspeeder 1000s are flown using the latest AC-series Tour Droids. And in fact, our initial plans were for our flight to be piloted by AC-38 better known as “Ace.” However, in discussions with George Lucas during the course of our production, we decided to take the story in a very different direction.

So…while AC-38 is supposed to be our pilot, by the time we actually take off, the droid sitting in the pilot’s seat will be none other than…C-3PO!

It’s one of the biggest changes and surprises in the new show. “Professional grit stopped me from yelling the glorious new storyline from the rooftops,” said Anthony Daniels recently. “It’s fun having secrets like this, waiting to share them at the right time.”

You’ll see just how Threepio becomes our pilot when the adventures continue next year.

This week, our Imagineering team begins installation of the Audio-Animatronics figures into the Starspeeder cabins at Disneyland park, and next month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Oh, and for all you Rex fans, don’t worry – we have a spot for him in the new show!

Disney Channel Rocks! at Hollywood Studios

WDWNT Author on October 22, 2010

WDWNT Reporter and Videographer Banks Lee was on hand for the October 22 premiere performance of the newest show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Channel Rocks! This live, rock-concert style show blasts popular music from a variety of Disney Channel hits, including the “High School Musical” series, “Camp Rock” and “StarStruck.”