What Will You Celebrate? - WDWNT Archive 2007-2010

News from the Winter 2008 Mickey Monitor

WDWNT Author on November 2, 2008

We have some very interesting news and notes from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter sent to annual passholders for Winter 2008. It appears that another new element has been added to this year’s installment of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just for those with an AP. Here is the news straight from the latest Mickey Monitor Newsletter:

“Experts at Disney say Passholders may be seeing things this holiday season. Quite Literally. Courtesy of special 3D glasses Passholders can pick up at the Park between November 28 and December 20 and wear when taking in The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The glasses will enable Passholders to see special hidden images like angels and snowflakes throughout the display of five million lights. Once again making being a Passholder pretty darn cool this holiday season. Passholders can pick up their glasses at the Package Pick-Up location near the Park entrance.”

The next piece of news is on the continuing speaker series being held just for Passholders at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park:

“We’ve got something special as part of the exclusive Disney Passholder Speaker Series: a delightful Disney’s Animal Kingdom presentation, “Disney Holiday Magic: From Toyland to the Jungle.”

On Saturday, December 13, two-time Grammy-nominated Disney Writer Greg Ehrbar will take you on a fun-filled journey from early Disney holiday entertainment and music to perhaps the most jumpin’, jivin’, joyful experience of all, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade–with prizes for some lucky winners–and a special VIP viewing of the parade itself!

Space is limited! Visit disneyworld.com/passholder now to sign up for this event.”

We also have more information on the upcoming Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, opening to all guests later this month:

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to transform your family into secret agents and help save the world from super-villains during the new Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, based on the Disney Channel animated series, Kim Possible!

Beginning in late fall 2008, you can embark on an exciting mission throughout one of seven World Shocase Pavilions (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France or the UK).

When you defeat the villains, a super-secret finale event signals the end of your adventure, so you can return your Kimmunicator knowing you’ve done your part to save the world–and come back later to save it all over again. Find our more at disneyworld.com/kimpossible.”

To begin, just pick up a Mission Pass at any of four locations (Innoventions East and West, the Odyssey Bridge or International Gateway). You’ll be told how to proceed to your field station to pick up your “Kimmunicator,” a hand-held wireless controller that gives you secret assignments and activates special effects and events throughout your pavilion!

Annual Passholders were also given a description of what is going on at Disney Parks in 2009 and what they will get rather than free admission during “What Will You Celebrate?”:

Birthdays. Anniversaries. Personal triumphs. Reunions. Promising new beginnings.

Imagine celebrating a birthday in a land of pure magic, marking your anniversary in a fairy tale kingdom come true. Or reuniting with friends and family in a place where everyone gets to be a kid again.

It’s a great way for you to celebrate almost anything in your life, and starting in January 2009, Disney will make it easier for you to magnify those moments in incredible Disney style! Disney is making this the year to gather with the people who make you the happiest and celebrate at the place where dreams come true. And we’re magnifying the magic with new entertainment and unique experiences.

“We’ve got some very special surprises for anyone coming to celebrate with us–including ONE VERY BIG ONE,” said Faron Kelley, Project Development Director for Disney Desinations.

Perhaps you’ve heard what Faron was talking about, the most magical birthday present of all: free admission to one of the Theme Parks of the Walt Disney World(R) Resort on your birthday during 2009 and thought to yourself, “Wait a minute. I’m a Disney Passholder. What about me?” Well don’t worry, we’ve got you taken care of too.

Passholders with Theme Park admission that they will use on their birthday in 2009 can choose one of three great birthday treats.

If you use your Pass for Theme Park admission on your birthday in 2009, choose from one of the following birthday treats:

-A special birthday FASTPASS for select attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or

-A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use on your birthday for select merchandise, recreation, other gated attractions or for Disney’s PhotoPass on-site services at select participating locations at the Walt Disney World Resort; or

-A 1-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

Just go to disneyworld.com/celebrate to register for your birthday treat.Durring this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.

“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”

So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”

Disney has also come up with ways to make your memories even more vivid. “This year, we’ll also be giving our Guests an opportunity to mark their reunion or any special time with customizable t-shirts, Mickey ears, pins and special Disney’s Photopass images,” Faron told us. “It’s a wonderful memory to share and take home–all personalized by you.”

During this special year, the Walt Disney World(R) Resort will make it easier than ever to plan your celebration your way with easy online tools that help you learn about everything to make your celebration a dream-come-true visit.

“We’ll also connect you with our celebration planners,” Faron adds, “Fairy godmothers to help you plan from a special meal to an elaborate party that only Disney could create.”

So pick your occasion and come celebrate with Disney. As Faron told us, “This year, the only thing for you to decide is, ‘What will you celebrate?'”

The final piece we have indicates that we should see the first WDW Passholder previews of the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by January. In addition, you will need to sign-up to take part once registration opens:

“Because Passholders are like our “idols,” we’re getting ready for a preview of The American Idol Experience for you! Space will be limited, so keep an eye on disneyworld.com/passholder for the registration announcement so you can sign up!”

Some very exciting stuff coming up for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, it’s about time that this group started getting some special treatment!!!

Your Vacation is Calling

WDWNT Author on October 9, 2008

Disney Parks will once again be offering a special Christmas Day perk to guests who are booking their trips in the near future:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — What could be more exciting than opening presents on Christmas morning? How about this: getting a call from Mickey Mouse announcing the gift of a 2009 Walt Disney World vacation?

Between Nov. 28 and Dec. 23, guests who book their 2009 vacations to Walt Disney World Resort can sign up to receive a call from Mickey Mouse on Christmas Day, surprising their family with the vacation news.

And the time has never been better to visit the Vacation Kingdom in Florida. It’s party time at Disney parks during 2009. As part of a special park-wide celebration, everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park in 2009 gets in free on their birthday. Disney Parks has embraced a new travel trend called “celebration vacations.” Wondrous new entertainment and special services such as character greetings can be booked to help guests transform personal milestones such as birthdays and anniversaries into magical Disney experiences.

MiceAge Disneyland Update

WDWNT Author on October 8, 2008

A treat I look forward to every other month is a Disneyland Update from MiceAge‘s Al Lutz. Al knows his stuff very well, & the articles always feature interesting information that usually comes to pass. Let’s take a look through some of the things spoken about in today’s update:

DCA’s upcoming re-do has been split in to 4 phases of sorts. Here’s how the phases pan out:

World of Color, Paradise Pier makeover, completed spring 2010
Main Entrance makeover, Red Car trolley, initial Hollywood work, completed mid 2011
Little Mermaid pavilion and E-Ticket attraction, completed late 2011
Cars Land attractions, shops, restaurants, completed mid 2012

Al says that the current financial crisis in this country shouldn’t have any affect on DCA’s re-do. The first phase will actually start in just 2 weeks, with the closing of the Sun Wheel. Around Thanksgiving, the Paradise Pier lagoon will be drained in preparation for the World of Color nighttime show.
Plans just keep expanding for The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Adventure. This attraction is going to be so extravagant, that Ariel’s hair will actually be a seperate animatronic from Ariel herself, due to her hair flowing, as we are supposed to be “Under the Sea”. The various Ariel animatronics in the attraction are said to be some of the most sosphicated ever produced by WDI.
While it’s too much to explain in a short recap, Al does have a complete listing of what you will be able to find in the Blue Sky Cellar once it officially opens on October 20th. Check the second page of the linked article for that.
Get ready for the controversy to start. The Disney characters & the American scene (this scene replaces the old Rainforest scene before the Grand Finale scene)have both been installed in It’s a Small World. But don’t expect to see them when the attraction re-opens as It’s a Small World Holiday on November 21st. For they will both be hidden from view until the original version of the attraction debuts sometime in February (yes, there will be a 1 month long refurbishment in January, beginning January 5th).
Sometime this winter, all 3 Mark VII Monorails will go under the knife to fix the horrible problems that they are currently faced with. The windows will be completely ripped out, & replaced with windows like those seen on the Mark V’s.
An idea being thrown around for next year’s What Will You Celebrate? campaign is to “plus” a couple of attractions in the Resort, with some Celebration themed things. One such idea is for some new elements added to the Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh attraction, with similar decor around Critter Country.

There’s plenty more to be found in this article, including Disney possibly buying both the Anaheim GardenWalk & SeaWorld San Diego (of all places). Be sure to check it out.

Yet Another “What Will You Celebrate?” Website

WDWNT Author on September 20, 2008

Did I mention that we now have an entire section for information on 2009’s “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign? If not, then be sure to follow the link in either the category section or by clicking the celebration logo located in the right sidebar of WDW News Today. We hope this will make it easier for you to follow all of the happenings for this upcoming celebration.

“What Will You Celebrate?” Press Event Video

WDWNT Author on September 19, 2008

Here is a video from the press event announcing the “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign that will be hitting the Disney Parks on January 1, 2009. This video also includes a brief look at what we can expect for decorations and the Street Parties that will be held during this celebration.

[youtube rJvpQwZAIXg nolink]

Getting Ready for Magical Celebrations

WDWNT Author on July 23, 2008

In case you didn’t hear our last report on Magical Celebrations a few weeks ago, It is set to be the event that replaces the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort in January 2009. However, don’t expect free giveaways and new entertainment to be the focus of the next year-long marketing campaign.

Much like the celebration of Magical Gatherings back in 2004, Magical Celebrations is set to be the starting point for a line-up of new add-on vacation offerings that will be offered to guests looking to celebrate lifetime milestones during their vacation. As Jim Hill reported in his latest article on Jim Hill Media, Disney has just purchased some new Internet domain names that will be just a small part of the 2009 event.

Better yet, let’s talk about the new Disney Weddings packages that the company will soon be offering. Which will cover everything from elaborate on-property proposals …

DISNEYPROPOSALS.COM

… to honeymoons that will now allow newly blended families to bring the kids along with their post-wedding trip to the Resort.

DISNEYFAMILYMOONS.COM

Or — better yet — how about a honeymoon package for stressed over-achievers who don’t really have the time to vacation at WDW.

DISNEYMINIMOONS.COM

While Married Couples will find a number of new offerings during this celebration, those looking to mark birthdays, anniversaries, and just about anything-else will find a variety of new ways to celebrate good times around the resort.

Be sure to stay tuned to WDW News Today for more details on this new celebration as we get closer to January 2009 and the beginning of Magical Celebrations.

After The Million Dreams….

WDWNT Author on May 10, 2008

WDW News Today has just been informed that after the conclusion of the long-running Year of a Million Dreams celebration in December 2008, Disney Parks will begin a new, smaller scale promotional program. The new promotion will be titled “Magical Celebrations” and is scheduled to begin in January 2009. The only part of the celebration that has been mentioned (still unofficial) thus far for the Walt Disney World Resort is the addition of Disneyland’s Parade of Dreams to the Magic Kingdom. No additional information is available at this time, but stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available.

DLR Photo Report – 2/13/09 :: Featuring It’s a Small World Ride Video!

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

It was a dark, rainy day yesterday, but fun still ensues at the Disneyland Resort! Let’s get to my latest photo report:

It was quite an empty day yesterday, probably due to the rain.

New Celebrate Today! decorations on the security tents.

This side of the Emporium has been re-painted and looks as great as ever.

The re-paving of Main Street looks to be pretty much complete.

Yet Another “What Will You Celebrate?” Website

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

While there are still 3 months remaining in the long running Year of a Million Dreams at the Disney Parks, the marketing campaign for “What Will You Celebrate?” is already in full swing. If you head over to Disneyland.com, you can plainly see that the mouse-ear balloons have already taken over the place. More interestingly, there is now a Disneyland Resort specific page for the 2009 celebration that focuses only on what guests of the Anaheim Vacation Kingdom will be able to see or do when they are invited to “Celebrate Everyday!” beginning January 1st, 2009. The website features an overview of what you can get if you visit the Disneyland Resort for your birthday, anniversary, a reunion, etc. There’s also links to a page for the new entertainment in the parks, as well as the “kick-off” for the promotion, Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 event. You can see the new website & all of its features by clicking here.

This banner on the front page of the website is a horrible photo-shopped picture of the Magic Kingdom’s new Liberty Square bridge, with Sleeping Beauty Castle in its old color scheme.

Monday in the Parks DLR Update

WDWNT Author on January 1, 1970

Let’s take a look through some of the latest happenings through-out the Disneyland Resort, brought up in both pictures & words in this week’s Monday in the Parks on MiceAge:

A couple updates for you on the Miley Cyrus Sweet 16 event that is being held on October 5th. Turns out that regular Disneyland guests from normal operation that day may be able to stay for the stars parading up the red carpet, much like was done with all 3 Pirates of the Caribbean movie premieres. When all stars & guests for the event are in the park, the regular guests will be escorted out. It also seems that bleachers may be put up along the banks of the Rivers of America, for a maximum amount of guests to be able to see Miley perform.
Disney is in the process recording new television commercials for next year’s promotion, which will either be called Magical Celebrations or What Will You Celebrate? Many stars, including Johny Depp were at the park/will be at the park to film these commercials alongside “guests”.
2009 ParkHopper tickets are starting to become available on Disneyland.com. The Early Bird ticket special for 2009 will have everyone at kid’s prices for 3 day or more ParkHopper tickets. This special will last from January through to April 2009.

Traffic is going to be severely effected due to the Disneyland Half Marathon this upcoming Sunday… For information & tips on how to beat the traffic, check the Monday in Parks article

Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party being advertised at both the Disneyland turnstiles…

… And DCA’s turnstiles

A water pump has been added to the It’s a Small World flume

Over at Ariel’s Grotto, this is what has become of the turntable of sorts where you would meet Ariel

According to the Monday in the Parks article, Ariel has replaced Pocahontas over at the Princess Fantasy Faire. No word if you’ll still be able to greet with Pocahontas anywhere… The picture shows that Ariel is in the same dress as used in the Ariel’s Grotto restaurant in DCA