Walt Disney World
Disney After Hours: Worth It?
You may have noticed that Walt Disney World has been experimenting over the past few years with various “add-on” events. Whether it’s a dessert party that comes with fireworks viewing, or a dinner package for a nighttime event, or realizing that they can close down a park early and re-open it for a separate ticket and people will love it, Disney has been pretty successful with this. But are these extra additions, like Disney After Hours, worth the price? We’ll discuss that below and let you decide. But first, a little backstory…
It’s no secret that Walt Disney World Resort is more crowded than ever and it’s not slowing down any time soon. It wasn’t too long ago that there were blissful “slow times” at WDW. Those were the times that locals waited for, and during which smart planners booked their vacations. Times when the lines were down, the weather was better, and it made all the difference. Disney noticed these times too, and thought “Hey, we should make a reason for people to come down and visit when our numbers are down….maybe a….festival or something? And the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival was born.
Way back in 1994, Epcot would create fun springtime topiaries, and thought turning it into a festival was a natural answer to the slower time between Mother’s Day and the start of summer. The next year, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began, during the usually slow time in the early Fall when school was back up but before the holidays started.
Over many successful years, these festivals filled in the gap of less crowds, leaving only one major time when the park had noticeably less guests. A new experiment, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts filled in that gap. This festival was born of the former “Festival of the Masters” that took place at Downtown Disney, before it was rejuvenated as Disney Springs. Now, I cannot even fathom having a festival at Disney Springs on a weekend, the crowds would make it impossible to even move. The festival takes place in the weeks between January and February before February vacation and then Spring Break begin. It is the favorite time for many a local. The weather is usually cold, or at least cooler and not humid (though nothing is a guarantee in central Florida), and because of the time period, less families are taking off and going on vacation. It is glorious. Or it was.
Nowadays, there aren’t many times when you can find a Disney park or Disney Springs “less crowded.” There are events, either festivals or races or seasonal parties filling in pretty much every day of the year. Sure, going during the week, when school is in session will be slightly more manageable, but long gone are the days when you didn’t have to plan ahead and could just roll up, expect to walk on a ride or walk in to a table service restaurant and expect to be seated. It is a different time, one of FastPasses, ADR’s (neither of which guarantee a quick wait) and constant crowds. But I’m not here to comment on the changing times and yell at you kids to get off my lawn. I’m just giving some background as to how these events have been creeping up over time. What once was a display of flowers and topiaries has turned into a mini food and wine festival itself. What was once a festival to try some new international dishes, sample some wines and beers and see demonstrations from chefs around the world, has turned into Drinking Around the World with t-shirts to match (that’s another post on its own from me :P) And the latest addition to these free (minus attendance and cost of food/drinks of course) events, has been dessert parties and the like.
Don’t want to worry about where to stand for the perfect fireworks or parade view? There’s an add-on package for you. Getting “free” candy or cookies and treats during the already separate ticketed event of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party not enough? There’s a dessert party add-on for you too! But the truth is, in the last few years, the hard-ticketed parties are more crowded than they’ve ever been, and while yes, wait times are reduced compared to a typical day, there are still a LOT of guests there, especially during the fireworks and parade times. So what’s the answer for those that want to enjoy a bit of the old reduced-crowd Disney parks experience? The answer is – Disney After Hours.
Yes, this event is very limited to specific dates over the course of the year, and yes, it is $129 per person – adult or child. BUT – it IS worth it – in most cases. Let’s figure out why.
First, I understand that many people reading this may not be locals or passholders, but guests who plan for years and need accommodations and park hopper passes and a host of other items locals don’t normally have to worry about. So while it may seem flippant for me to say “it’s worth the extra $130!” I promise, I am taking vacationers into account.
What I am suggesting is that, if you are able to work an After Hours event into your existing vacation dates, that you could perhaps do it on a day where you visited a water park or Disney Springs during the day, enjoy a dinner there, at a resort, or even off-property, saving a day of your Park Hoppers. Then return to the After Hours park and enjoy multiple (and I do mean multiple) rides on the available attractions of your choice, which are traditionally either impossible to get FastPasses for or easily have over 100 minute waits daily, no matter the time of year. In addition, you get unlimited ice cream novelties and select bottled beverages during the event! Other locations are open during the event to purchase food and drink items (and merchandise) too. It would also make planning the rest of your days easier. If you know you’ll be able to ride your favorites After Hours, you could take the time to enjoy attractions or places that you put off seeing during a normal visit when everything is action-packed and scheduled to the minute.
I have now experienced two parks at After Hours events, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and I was truly worried I would not think it was worth it. But the lack of stress while in a Disney park; no worrying about waiting in line, having time to see it all, making sure everyone gets to ride their favorites, is quite simply, heavenly. It reminded me of a time gone by, when you could stroll the parks and drink in all the details and still enjoy attractions as well. The fact that it’s at night and everything looks extra magical and lit up is just a bonus in my opinion.
EDIT: I have now experienced all 3 parks Disney After Hours events (I don’t think Epcot could ever offer this because it’s just SO big, maybe if they did Future World only, but then there would only be 2 real attraction draws, although the same could be said for Animal Kingdom I suppose?). I worried at first that Disney’s Hollywood Studios would be more crowded because there are quite a few attractions that have a huge wait or are difficult to get FastPasses for. However, I was surprised to see that because the popular areas of the park are spread out, it wasn’t really an issue. We went to Slinky Dog Dash first, and the wait time was 10 minutes, and it truly was 10 minutes. But as the night went on, it was down even lower to the usual 5. And that’s for the newest attraction in any park. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster was a walk-on, as was Tower of Terror and every other open attraction.
I think Hollywood Studios was my favorite for this event, because it’s always been one of my favorite parks to just stroll and enjoy the details, but add Christmas decorations which DHS has really bumped up in the last 2 years, and the fact that the projections on Tower of Terror, now with snow and lasers were going on all night, and it was truly a magical experience.
So is it worth it for everyone? Does the cost make sense for the value (amount of hours, attractions you can ride in those hours, free snacks)? Well, the answer may be different for every guest, depending on your vacation style or if you’re vacationing at all. I think for the price and experience, if you are a single or couple visitor, the benefits are a no-brainer. If you have many little kids that may not take advantage of the attractions available, it might be a great time to try out the on-site kids clubs. 😉 I think it was a great time and love the atmosphere and feeling like you truly have the parks to yourselves. Click photos below to scroll through the gallery:
Free snacks at Magic Kingdom! Almost empty walkways in Magic Kingdom Info for Magic Kingdom After Hours An almost-empty Magic Kingdom No one in the queue – the longest wait was just walking through it! Flight of Passage 5 minute wait time! Expedition Everest 5 minute wait time There was a special area set up for the walkway to Pandora for all the free snacks at Animal Kingdom Free ice cream (and non-ice cream) bars at Animal Kingdom Free popcorn at Animal Kingdom They originally gave out lanyards, which are super cute, but now they do wristbands Toy Story Mania with 5 min waits! No one around to Walk This Way…;) Free Snacks! 10 minutes for Slinky Dog Woody’s Lunch Box was still open to purchase treats Such fun to see!
Here are the Disney After Hours Facts:
Admission to Disney After Hours can be purchased in advance for $125 per adult or child, plus tax—or purchased on the day of the event for $129 per adult or child, plus tax. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can take advantage of specially priced tickets for just $95 per adult or child, plus tax. – So very similar to passholder rates for the seasonal parties.
Magic Kingdom dates and info:
Guests with Disney After Hours tickets can enter the park at 7:00 PM every event night.
The event takes place from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM:
- Monday, November 26, 2018
- Monday, December 3, 2018
- Monday, December 10, 2018
- Thursday, March 21, 2019
- Thursday, March 28, 2019
- Thursday, April 4, 2019
- Thursday, April 11, 2019
And 9:00 PM to midnight:
- Thursday, February 14, 2019
- Thursday, February 21, 2019
- Thursday, March 7, 2019
And 8:00 PM to 11:00PM:
- Monday, January 7, 2019
- Thursday, January 17, 2019
- Thursday, January 24, 2019
- Monday, January 28, 2019
- Thursday, February 7, 2019
- Thursday, February 28, 2019
Magic Kingdom Attractions:
- Astro Orbiter
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Disney Princess Greetings at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Haunted Mansion
- “it’s a small world”
- Jungle Cruise
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Peter Pan’s Flight*
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- And much, much more!
*Please be aware that Peter Pan’s Flight will be closed on January 7, January 17 and January 24 in 2019.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios dates and info:
The event takes place from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM:
- Saturday, December 8, 2018
- Saturday, December 15, 2018
- Saturday, December 22, 2018
- Saturday, January 5, 2019
- Saturday, January 12, 2019
- Saturday, January 19, 2019
- Saturday, February 2, 2019
- Saturday, February 9, 2019
- Saturday, February 16, 2019
- Saturday, March 2, 2019
- Saturday, March 9, 2019
And 9:00 PM to midnight:
- Saturday, March 16, 2019
- Saturday, March 23, 2019
- Saturday, March 30, 2019
- Saturday, April 6, 2019
- Saturday, April 13, 2019
Studios Attractions:
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Toy Story Mania!
- Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorTM
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars Launch Bay
- Character Greetings with Toy Story Land Pals, Mickey, Minnie and Olaf
*All attractions and entertainment are subject to change without notice.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Dates and Info:
The event takes place from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM:
- Tuesday, December 4, 2018
- Wednesday, December 12, 2018
- Tuesday, December 18, 2018
- Tuesday, January 8, 2019
- Wednesday, January 16, 2019
- Tuesday, January 22, 2019
- Thursday, January 31, 2019
- Tuesday, February 5, 2019
- Wednesday, February 6, 2019
- Tuesday, February 12, 2019
- Wednesday, February 13, 2019
- Tuesday, February 19, 2019
- Tuesday, February 26, 2019
- Tuesday, March 5, 2019
- Wednesday, March 20, 2019
- Wednesday, March 27, 2019
- Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Animal Kingdom Attractions:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Na’vi River Journey
- Pandora Drummers – Swotu Wayä
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- DINOSAUR
- Rivers of Light
- Tree of Life Awakenings
- It’s Tough to be a Bug!
- TriceraTop Spin
- And more!
Disclaimer: I was invited by Disney to experience Disney After Hours as a hosted guest. My opinions and thoughts are, as always, my own.
I will be experiencing Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios tomorrow (12/8) and will add to this post any further notes. Be sure to follow along on my instagram story throughout the night to see what it’s like!
Are you planning to experience Disney After Hours? I’d love to know your thoughts below!
Rivers of Light Adds Beauty and Inspiration to Animal Kingdom at Night
So many guests have always viewed Animal Kingdom as a “half day park” (while I have spent a full day there and only seen half the park), but with the nighttime additions, we are able to see the animal world in a whole new light as it were. Animal Kingdom, to me, has always been a very personal park. It is the only park I have ever been to on opening day; witnessing those opening day festivities, and meeting Joe Rohde himself wandering the park and taking it all in. Less subjective than just my memories, the personal part comes with our relationship to it, as humans, to both the animal kingdom and nature in general. I have always felt that, to have a place like this, a sanctuary, in the midst of thrills and fantasy and water parks and dining and shopping, is such an important and necessary haven. Perhaps because so much of the educational component of my beloved EPCOT Center has been lost over the years, I turned to Animal Kingdom as the next natural spot for my love of and hope for the world around us. Sure, Animal Kingdom has its own blemishes (I’m looking at you, Dinoland), but as a mother of 3, I understand the need for keeping all guests entertained and happy, not just those with an interest or appreciation in the incredible worlds which exist in reality, all around us. And truthfully, Restaurantosaurus has some pretty stellar theming, I could spend hours in there. In addition, I do not take for granted that I am a local, and can come and go and spend as much or as little time in this or any park as my schedule permits, vs. being on a strict vacation timeline. In short, I may not agree with the moniker of a half day park, but I get it.
I never posted a formal review of Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, because I waited until its last weekend to see it. Boy was I mad at myself. I loved the show. We ended up seeing it both nights that weekend, including its last show ever and it was amazing. The live performances by the dancers and musicians were incredible. The music was so moving, and fit in perfectly with projections from the live action Jungle Book film. We were very much hoping to see similar parts of live performance utilized within Rivers of Light when it opened, however, that was not the case. Still, I loved Rivers of Light.
[I’m about to give a synopsis of the show, so if you’d like to not be spoiled, feel free to skip the next paragraph and the photo gallery. However, in my opinion, there aren’t really any elements to be spoiled. Joe Rohde said himself when describing the show, that it would take “light and heat – fire, and water, and combine them.” But proceed at your own risk if you want to be completely surprised.]
We sat in the front row of the second set of seats from the right, and had a perfect view of all the action. There are two boats which come out from opposite sides of the river, so no matter where you sit, you can see that part of the experience. The other floats are huge glowing lotus flowers which spray dancing water. The water then has images projected on it from across the lake, and other lighting effects from smaller sprays of water closer in. We are told of the connection all life has to water, a connection as far back as time itself. We are invited to celebrate the spirit of the animals in the night and how we are all one. The music swells and the lighted animal floats come out. They are so beautiful and change colors to the mood of the surroundings in the show. The tone then changes and slows down as various animals are featured projected on the water and the lights and colors change. It’s as if the projections of the animals vaporize into light and water itself. “We Are One,” a lovely song saying just that, begins to play and more animals prance and prowl on the projections. Mother and baby animals are featured as well, which almost made me tear up, being a mom, very little doesn’t make me cry in that regard. We are then told how the animal spirits will join the stars: “Within each of us is a light. A light that shines in all living things. Here, where fire and water, bridge the earth and sky, our light rises on the wind, to join the stars…As we join on this great earth, may you remember the light we share. May we celebrate our bond with the mutual world, and the wonders flow, on Rivers of Light” ( I hope I got that transcription right!) It was truly magical, and as I watched the video again while writing this, I actually did tear up a bit. The music and the message grow on you.
Raise your heart to the sun…We Are One.
Such an important truth, now more than ever.
So, as is usual when something new debuts at a Disney park, many are criticizing Rivers of Light for lacking a “story,” for being too short, or for not really “going anywhere.” While I at first thought there would be more in the story line department (I seem to have remembered us being told specific things about it at the D23 Expo in 2015, but upon reviewing the video with Joe Rohde about the inspiration and the hope behind Rivers of Light, I realized it does exactly what it’s supposed to do). It is not a super explosive nighttime spectacular, it is a gentle, peaceful hug goodnight. A kiss on the forehead from the universe to you. Much as Animal Kingdom as a park is one of discovery and exploration and tiny details around each bend, Rivers of Light is discovering and re-centering our place within our world and indeed our own animal kingdom, before sending us off into the world with a full heart and a clear mind to see the world through new eyes. Too new-age-hippie for you? Well, that emotion is why I love Animal Kingdom so much. It truly is an escape from the every day, from the ordinary, even though it is the closest to the real world of any park we have. As a lover of National Parks and all that dwell within them, the message of Animal Kingdom resonates strongly with me, and Rivers of Light highlights and embellishes that message with beauty and music.
It is not Fantasmic. It is not World of Color. Nor does it need to be. It’s a wonderful ending to a day at a park where the lessons you learn can affect the earth and all in it. If anything, what Rivers of Light has done is make me excited for all of the ‘what ifs’ that exist with the opening of Pandora: World of Avatar. I admit that aside from the bioluminescence promises and the boat ride attraction, there isn’t much I’m looking forward to with Pandora. Ok maybe those weird-looking stuffed animals they showed us at Destination D…But seeing the special effects and the message that comes across through Rivers of Light, I’m excited for the similar messages that Avatar as a movie held. I think it will be able to strike a balance of fantasy (despite Pandora being a “real planet” we are traveling to) and reality of life on earth and preserving that life. Kudos to all of the teams involved, from music, to effects, to the cast running and performing in it, and all the the technical components that brought it all together. I can’t wait to see it again and again.
Here is the Facebook Live video I shared Saturday night for those that want to see the show before they visit the park.
Thank you for reading and watching, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on Rivers of Light, or any of the new Animal Kingdom offerings below.
Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Debut April 22
Exciting news today, as the Disney Parks Blog treated us to an opening date for the greatly anticipated “Rivers of Light” nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as a preview video with more info! Being a fan of any light-related night-time shows-combined-with-water, I’ve been looking forward to this since it was announced, and now I’m even more excited. It looks to be a truly organic, natural-fit for the park, and it sounds like Imagineers are doing what they do best, creating amazing original experiences, founded in real-life backstory mixed with myth and fantasy.
According the the Parks blog, “…the show, set on Discovery River in the Asia section of the park, will depict an ancient lantern festival guided by two storytellers who call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant and Great Horned Owl. These Spirit Guides return at different points during the show to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light.”
See more in the video below:
It’s also wonderful that the opening night is Earth Day, Animal Kingdom’s birthday. Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day back in 1998, I can’t think of a better 18th birthday present, than Rivers of Light, the park’s first-ever night-time show. Will you be there for the premier of the show?
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2016 Sneak Peek
As much as I enjoy the unique foods offered at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each year, it’s no secret that I actually prefer the Flower & Garden Festival by leaves and mounds (see what I did there? horticultural puns!). In all seriousness, it really is my favorite Festival, especially with the addition of the outdoor kitchens. Seeing new topiary creations each year, in addition to the old favorites always makes for great visits to Epcot, and fun photo ops, ensuring you explore and visit even some forgotten areas. Additionally, with the spring season at hand, the food options at the outdoor kitchens (now in their 4th year at the Festival), are lighter, more focused on vegetables and organic and locally sourced ingredients. The menus are fresh (there’s a reason they use #FreshEpcot as the hashtag for the Festival) and not too heavy, just perfect for strolling the park in the springtime.
This year, the Flower & Garden Festival runs from March 2 – May 30, expanding from 75 days last year, to a full 90 this year. Festival Horticultural Manager Eric Darden explained that they are prepared and excited for the challenge of a 90-day festival. With the previous length, they had 2 separate plantings to keep the gardens looking bright and full. This year, they may have to do 3 sets of plantings for some of the displays, ensuring no matter when you visit, the flowers will look as wonderful as day 1. Also new this year, is a new topiary character, Ranger Mickey, who, along with Chip n’ Dale, help celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary. I loved these new topiaries and of course, awareness of our amazing National Parks is always a good thing.
We were treated to a preview of some of the menu options as well as some of the areas which were still under construction. Set to open tomorrow, March 2nd, everything will be revealed and ready to go at park opening. Until then, enjoy some photos and further information on 23rd annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival!
(Hover over photos to read captions)
Of the samples we tried, I was most in love with the Shrimp and Grits and the Burnt Ends – so, so good and the flavors are ridiculous. I also really liked the Currywurst, which I guess used to be at Sommerfest, but I never tried it there. The Jerk Chicken was also a winner. I thought I had tried gin in my past and not been a fan, but mixed with the Cucumber Watermelon Slush, I really loved it. I would totally get this when I go back to the Festival. Of course the Festival Passport is back, and you can get stamps at every kiosk around the World Showcase. You can view all the menus, topiary checklist, Garden Rocks performers, and all the Festival info online before you go.
Here are some of the topiary and garden photos from our sneak peek. We’ll have more throughout the run of the Festival on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and in future posts here.
Will you be visiting during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival? What are you most looking forward to seeing and trying? We can’t wait to get back for more!
Hocus Pocus Show Puts a Spell on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
While Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is an annual tradition for my family, I will admit, I was never really one for the shows that would play each year in front of Cinderella Castle. I know that may be blasphemy for some Disney fans, but I just always wanted to spend our time during the party collecting candy, enjoying the decorations and other unique offerings, and riding attractions with limited waits.
However this year, Disney has changed the way I do MNSSHP! I was able to see the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at the first party, after being chosen to attend the Disney Parks Blog meet-up. During that event, we were given VIP viewing for the show and the Boo-to-You parade, and as we waited for the brand new show to begin, the anticipation and excitement were palpable. We were surrounded by cast members who were involved in the show’s creation, from costumes to scripts to dancing and music, so it was extra special to see their proud reactions of the amazing show. And amazing is exactly what the show was.
From the opening song, “The Season of the Witch” the mood was set for a very different, very visual and audible treat. The projections and lighting on the castle were fantastic, the costumes and dancers even better. Soon the Sanderson Sisters took the stage, and the crowd erupted in applause. From that point on, the show was a mix of lines and actions straight from the movie, to more subtler nods that hardcore fans would recognize. The first two villains who came out to sing just happen to be two of my favorites, Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog, and the elusive Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Maleficent rounds out the trio of Disney villains, but also leads an entourage of additional Disney baddies onto the stage. The show culminates with the show-stopping “I Put a Spell on You,” originally sung by Bette Midler in the film version of Hocus Pocus, and the crowd once again went wild, singing along and enjoying every moment. I was left in awe of the level of performance, costumes, music and effects in the show. I immediately wanted to see it again, and again, and again.
I put together a few highlights from the show to give you a feel of what to expect:
Of course, the rest of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party gave us plenty to do, from the much beloved Mickey’s Boo to You parade, to HalloWishes with its eye (and ear)-popping 360-degree perimeter fireworks – themed to Halloween and villains music, to the candy stops and special snacks and merchandise. One disappointment for me this year was on the snack front. Gone is the pumpkin waffle sundae from Sleepy Hollow, which was my favorite thing to ever eat in Magic Kingdom, as well as a few of the other specialty drinks and snacks. What was left was the candy corn soft serve at Storybook Treats, and a few themed cupcakes. I know cupcakes are easy to make and everyone loves them, and perhaps the pumpkin waffles were not an efficient item for the party, but I still missed them nonetheless. Aside from that, if you are able to get to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year, I don’t think it will disappoint. I’ll be back soon with another post about the party, but until then, it’s time to run amok, amok, amok, amok!
Twenty Eight & Main-New Disney Merchandise Line-Limited Release Items
While I may be totally messing with Disney’s intended demographic for their newest merchandise line, Twenty Eight & Main – designed for the “Discerning Gentleman…” I can’t help but be excited for the great graphics and designs used and the promise of more to come. A few months back, Merchandise Communications Manager Steven Miller gave us a little sneak peek of the Twenty Eight & Main line, via the Disney Parks Blog:
One of the merchandise programs I’m most excited about this year is called Twenty Eight & Main. This Disney Theme Park Merchandise exclusive collection of quality goods was designed for the discerning gentleman who enjoys visiting Disney Parks (hey, that’s me!). When I first saw artwork last summer, I couldn’t wait to tell the world just how awesome it looks. I caught up with Bobby Bongiorno, merchandiser for graphic apparel, to learn more about what other gentlemen like me can expect later this year.
“Twenty Eight & Main will be known for quality and attention to detail,” explained Bobby. “We intend to use unique fabrics and washes for many items. We will also include embellishment techniques such as light weight embroidery, patches and appliqués to create items that will be functional and will fit great. The look will be classic, yet stylish and modern in every sense.”
The collection will contain apparel items such as short and long-sleeved shirts, vintage-style T-shirts, hats and more. There will also be accessories including drinkware, D-Tech phone cases and other travel items.
And now, a few of these items are showing up with a bit of detective work on the Disney Store site…I shared the links this morning on my twitter and facebook accounts, but when I found some more products, I thought it warranted a blog post to spread the love.
Here is what I’ve found so far – wood signs and t-shirts – the signs are a bit pricey at $130 each, but DisneyStore is running a $30 special on Twenty Eight & Main tees when you buy 2 or more, so that’s something anyway. From what we are hearing, the quality of these shirts will be worth it. We’ll have to see. As for now, the designs are tempting:
Some of the Twenty Eight & Main line of designs had already shown up at the small kiosk called The Sign Shop in the Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
Steven Miller also asked Bobby about the inspiration behind the program’s name, in case you were wondering:
“The name was inspired by the year of Mickey Mouse’s debut and the timeless Main Street, U.S.A.” replied Bobby. “The lion reaching towards the star symbolizes Walt Disney’s pursuit of his dreams. The same lion can be found on the coat of arms featured on iconic Disney Park castles.”
More Twenty Eight & Main items debut this fall in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. (And right now at the DisneyStore.com!) We’ll be sure to keep tracking any new releases. Until then – happy shopping!
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The Disneyland Difference
The date of my first visit is actually embarrassing to admit – a lifelong Disney fan such as myself only visiting the original park that started it all, just 4 short years ago. And yet, I feel such love and devotion to this place, it’s almost as if I’ve now edited it into my childhood memories and have meshed its history with my own. How can that be, you may wonder? How can a theme park in the former Anaheim orange groves, a place with rides and parades and corn dogs have so much impact on a girl that grew up in the 70’s and 80’s in New England?
Well, the answer to that question could be found at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. Oddly, I didn’t visit that spot until last September, but after roaming through its rooms and soaking up every chapter of the Walt Disney story on two different visits now, I had so much more respect, love and reverence for the man behind the name. The why of Disneyland can be found there. The how of Disneyland can be found there, along with all of Walt’s history and accomplishments. Of course I knew Walt’s story before I went to Disneyland, visiting the museum just expounded that knowledge and respect. So is that the answer? Is Walt himself the “Disneyland Difference”? In a word, yes. In many more words, continue reading…
Obviously, Walt is no longer walking down Main Street, or spending the night in the family apartment above the firehouse. But the fact that he did, the fact that he put so much of himself into his park and in turn into its stewards, is truly the definition of a legacy. Much like oral traditions passed down from family to family, the Walt Disney story, the Walt Disney philosophy and work ethic and determination and desire to make families happy and entertained – has lived on and spread like the unfurling roots of a great tree.
As with all great figures in history, Walt had his own disciples to spread his good word over the years. I don’t mean that in an irreverent or sarcastic way, I mean it very seriously. Walt had a different way of doing things from the very start. If he had an idea, and he couldn’t make it work, he didn’t give up on it, he figured out a new way to make it happen. That could mean a completely new way of creating and sharing animation, it could mean hiring great people to make his ideas come to pass, or it could mean a completely new way of designing and building a family amusement park. Because of his ideas, and his ideals, as his reputation grew, so did people’s desire to work with him. Animators led the way for Imagineers, and together they carried on the work, as well as the quality of work, that Walt established from the start. In addition to the way Walt did things, he had a very particular way of telling the story he wanted to tell. And those two combinations are forever etched within the walkways and walls of Disneyland. While the park has changed over the years, there are still stories which will never evanesce from the grounds, no matter how many other things may.
When Walt was no longer around to tell his stories, others passed on the tradition. When you get a corn dog from the Little Red Wagon, or board a pirate ship to fly over London, you may be helped by someone who’s mother worked in the same park, or who’s grandmother remembers the time she visited the park and Walt was there, waving to guests. The stories, the legends, the myths, are passed on. We are lucky enough to still have some of those first-hand stories shared by original Imagineers, or Disney Legends like Richard Sherman. I think any of us would happily sit in a room and listen to them talk for hours, still fondly remembering the man and his ideas, as if Walt had just walked out of the room a minute before.
The spirit and energy that has been there since day one hovers over the park like an invisible cloud, enveloping the park and all within it. From the crowded moments when you just want to get a FastPass to ride Space Mountain one more time, to the quiet moments of solitude, when it’s just the music, the twinkling lights, and the faint scent of popcorn; it’s all still there. The simple joy. The memories. The promise.
Some of those same experiences may be felt in Walt Disney World and other Disney parks, but none of them will ever duplicate the uniqueness, the charm, and yes, the comfort that is Disneyland. Perhaps that is why this little girl who grew up in far off Massachusetts and had only ever visited Walt Disney World in its vast expanse of family fun, felt instantly at home, walking down the very first Main Street, U.S.A. Much like putting on prescription glasses for the first time and seeing every leaf – vibrant and crisply outlined on every tree; Disneyland is concentrated, amplified Disney magic. Which I know, sounds corny and cliched, but there is no other way to describe it: the perfect storm of all the senses coming to life, even the ones which lie hidden within our hearts and our minds and cannot be put into words (despite my feeble attempts to do so).
If you were to take away all of the walk-around characters, all of the merchandise and specialty-anything at Disneyland today, it would still be the Happiest Place on Earth. That moniker does not come from profits or stockholders or board room decisions. It comes from the heart of the park, which is, in fact, the heart of its guests, and in turn its cast members. Walt knew that, and succeeded at putting hopes and dreams behind a turnstile, where you could visit them any time you wanted. Disneyland itself became our best friend. Our first love. Our stolen kiss under the stairs. Our tears of remembrance. Our hope for a better tomorrow. Our happily ever after.
Happy Birthday, Disneyland. It may have taken me a while, but I found my way to you. And much like the person who guided me to you on my first visit, you were worth waiting for.
Here’s to 60 times 60 more years of memories to come.
The Hollywood That Never Was And Never Will Be
When the Disney-MGM Studios first opened, it was a fun, light-hearted, action-packed look through the history and current world of entertainment. The park combined a mix of Hollywood history with architecture and icons reminiscent of the golden days of the silver screen, along with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how movies, tv shows and the stunts within them were made. The park also offered a loving and closer look at some of what made Disney famous; animation and its animated characters. It was a fun mix of the two other parks down the street; the fantasy of Magic Kingdom and the discovery and education aspect of EPCOT Center. Even with the advent of the cry “we need more thrill rides!”, efforts were made to keep new areas of the park and their rides fit in to the theme of the park, one way or another.
Then, something happened, and suddenly, this fun, well-loved, full-day park began to decline. I’m sure there were several factors of which I am unaware, since I’m not in Imagineering or the boardroom discussing budgets, theme park attendance, profits, and whatever else results in the decisions Disney makes regarding its attention or lack-of toward specific parks or attractions. The hopes that this would be a “working studio” never really came to fruition. Hollywood stars didn’t really want to travel to Orlando to work, and certainly the conditions of humid, humid and more humid are not the best compared to sunny and 72 degrees every day in Hollywood. The Backlot Tour became more and more stagnant, with less and less relevant references, props, and costumes to interest newer guests. Part of the charm and allure for me as a young 13 year-old Disney fan visiting the park, was the wow factor of seeing props from favorites like the Rocketeer or Flight of the Navigator and actually believing “they are just storing these props here until they need them for a new film.” The pretense that “this is how movies and tv shows are made and you are getting an insider’s look” worked on me and I loved it. But when the pretense changed, the curtain fell and suddenly, the whole story and message of the park changed.
The once hour-plus-long Backlot Tour was broken up into two parts to create more attractions and make it easier on guests to enjoy. The special effects tour was still an incredibly fun and educational attraction. Seeing blue screen effects, miniaturization, sound effects and more, plus a short movie filmed right at the park ending in a walk through the props/sets of that movie was great. But again, soon the films used became outdated. These things could’ve been updated, or even treated in a kitschy manner, “back in the late 1980’s, this was the highest technology at the time for special effects!”. But instead, the tour was just closed. The death knell for the Backstage Tour was the demolition of Residential Street in 2003, to make room for Lights, Motors, Action!, which, while loud, and not particularly efficient in terms of loading and unloading the immense theatre to view the show, does fit in to the movies theme. After that, the Backlot Tour was an attraction you never really had to wait for, and went the way of Listen to the Land over in Epcot – replacing a live, interactive human cast member with a pre-recorded spiel. I remember how sad it was the first time I rode the tram tour through Catastrophe Canyon, and there was no presumption of driving through during a production break and the “surprise” of being caught in the middle of an elaborate special effects scene with potential “danger” that followed. It was a sad moment.
This brings me to my next point, that yes, Catastrophe Canyon could work as a “hey, we’re now going to drive through a set and you’ll see how an action scene could be filmed” just as the park itself could work as a “hey, welcome to the Everything-We-Couldn’t-Fit-in-Magic-Kingdom Park. Enjoy the random attractions!” But that’s not what this park was created for. It’s like when you see an old band you loved in the 80’s on tv, and now they have super trendy haircuts and hair dyed a couple shades too dark, and clothes that really don’t work on a 60+-year-old…and they are screaming “look at me, I’m still relevant! I’m still fun and cool!” Except they aren’t. They are focusing on all the wrong things and forgetting why their fans loved them to begin with. Disney basically created fans back in the 80’s with both EPCOT Center and Disney-MGM Studios, fans with discerning tastes, that appreciated and then craved story…history…and yes, even education.
Those fans were then pushed aside for the quicker, easier-to-control fan. Disney Jr. shows, make-shift “experiences” with little to no theming, and audience sing-a-longs receive no complaints from this new fan. This new fan is happy to see Olaf and take photos with rocks (sleeping trolls!), and just pretend most of the park doesn’t exist. A park that now, with the closure of the Magic of Disney Animation and One Man’s Dream (unofficially confirmed as of this post), has SIX attractions (rides), plus 5 “shows” and is a thin, staple-gunned-together shell of its former self. A park where, just because they can, turned a former queue of a former temporary replacement attraction, into a “lounge” with metal benches, air conditioning, and a few photos on the walls. These new fans will love this. A place to sit and cool down. Oh look, old black and white photos of Walt, wow! These new fans don’t come to this park expecting a story, details, or something new around each corner. They come to this park thinking, “I like Frozen. I like Star Wars. I like Pixar movies.” They walk in and see Frozen. They see Star Wars. They see Pixar films. They drink Olaf drinks. They buy Elsa dresses and build lightsabers. They leave happy, never knowing or wanting anything else. Leaving the old fans saying, “but…wait…what about…?”
Now I’m not saying there isn’t hope. Just like with EPCOT, I cannot abandon all hope for a place that fostered and nurtured my love for Walt Disney World to begin with. I just can’t. At the same time, I can’t just forget all that “once was” and blindly accept whatever replaces it. It saddens me that the ideals and ideas that once created such amazing, unique, and entertaining places seem to have disappeared. I know that the ideas are there. I know that there are Imagineers who remember and value the once (truly) untouchable Disney Difference. Imagineers who want to create amazing environments and experiences for guests. Who wanted to be Imagineers because of how affected they were by some aspect of Walt Disney or the empire he created, and wanted to be a part of that creativity. But who are also sadly restrained by budgets and projections and profits and return on investment and how to get the most dollars out of the least materials/space/investment/time. The hope is still there, it just needs to be let out of its box and released upon the world. I get that the parks here in the states aren’t ever going to have the budget and carte-blanche that a place like Tokyo Disney Resort has. But I also get that Disney as a company isn’t exactly scraping together funds to pay the electric bill each month. There has to be a better way, which will, in the long run, create and keep more and more dedicated guests, fans and yes, brand evangelists. Yes, it’s harder and takes longer. It’s much easier to get a large group of people hyped over a particular facet of a brand and spread that hype across the land so that everyone wants to buy all the Elsa and Anna dresses/dolls/cups/pins/dessert parties/VIP experiences vs. getting a set group of people educated, interested and loyal to a place and the attractions within that place. Obviously it makes sense from a business perspective. Does it make sense in a long-term investor sense? I don’t know. Does it matter? I guess time will tell.
There has been much speculation as to what the new iteration of a Studios park will be called. Disney Studios doesn’t fit because there are no studios left, real or imagined. Disney’s Hollywood Adventure doesn’t fit because the Hollywood is limited to the main Hollywood Blvd. shops leading to the Great Movie Ride, and Sunset Blvd. Disney Movie Magic? Disney Movies Park? Disney Entertainment Adventure? Disney-Frozen-Fun-Time-Featuring-Olaf-with-Added-Mater-and-Star Wars-Cause-We-Know-You-Like-That-Too-Oh-and-Also-a-Ride-About-Movies-Other-Than-Frozen? I kid, but seriously, the park is just digging itself further and further into a hole that die-hard fans won’t be able to let go (that does NOT count as a Frozen pun) for quite some time, even if the changes are spectacular. The recent Great Movie Ride update with Turner Classic Movies treatment has its plusses and minuses, in my opinion. Part of what made that ride was the spiel and the cast members who recited it, and that has now changed, with the addition of Robert Osborne narration. We are no longer passing through the streets of London or the seedy underbelly of the gangster film, we are discussing movie facts, with an occasional aside from our driver. The ride itself is still intact, with newly added films to the end montage, and the interactive gangster or cowboy element is there, but makes a little less sense now, to me. That said, I’m glad it wasn’t ripped out and that a major sponsor such as TCM was willing to come on board. My plea is for Those Who Make the Decisions to remember what made this park so special to begin with. It was a giant inside joke that we were all in on – “we’re just tourists, but we get to go behind-the-scenes!”. That message can and has changed, but there should still be some sort of cohesive theme that ties all of the different portions together and makes the park worthy of the love and adoration its former incarnation once had. Maybe a little less synergy and a little more of letting the Imagineers do what they do best.
What Would You Do with 24 Hours in the Magic Kingdom?
In the past, I’ve attended the first three 24-hour days at the Magic Kingdom and they were always fun, and crazy, and by the end, I was delirious. This time around, I couldn’t make it, so friend and blogger Kira from Second Blog to the Right jumped in and covered the Coolest Summer Ever festivities:
How do you know summer has arrived?!?!
By the #CoolestSummer Ever kickoff party at the Magic Kingdom!
Oh and did I mention, the party lasted for 24 hours?!?!?!?!
The Magic Kingdom was open from 6 am to 6 am with lots of festivities for all.
Everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, hosted the party and he brought his friends, Anna, Elsa, & Kristoff along as well.
In year’s past, I have only done the nighttime happenings, so this year I got to experience the morning.
The highlight of my morning was meeting Snapchatters, @shonduras & @emgarber. They took over the @waltdisneyworld Snapchat account for the whole weekend. If you followed along, you got to see all the fun they had. They are some of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet; so go give them a follow on Snapchat or Instagram!
I also got to experience a rarity in the Magic Kingdom thanks to being in the park prior to sunrise, the flag raising ceremony! I absolutely adore the tradition of the flag retreat at the Magic Kingdom and try to catch it whenever I can, but the flag raising happens at sunrise, which is usually before the park opens.
Some highlights of the 24 hour bash:
- #INCREDIBLESSuperDanceParty at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland.
- Disney Channel and Disney XD stars appear as honorary Grand Marshals at the 3 p.m. “Festival of Fantasy” parade.
- Main Street Electrical Parade featuring a Frozen Fantasy pre-parade celebration.
- Previews of upcoming Disney Channel films and music videos, plus a DJ spinning tunes as Disney Channel hosted the new “Club Chill” party zone in
- Tomorrowland with some of guests’ favorite Disney Channel and Disney XD stars.
- “Frozen” movie screening at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland.
- Specialty cupcakes and other food items
Even if you missed the kickoff party, you still have plenty of time to experience #CoolestSummer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort.
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Thanks, Kira! What would you do with 24 Hours at Magic Kingdom? (I know for me it involved a LOT of Peoplemover rides!) It’s always fun to experience some views you don’t normally get to see in the parks, like sunrises over Cinderella Castle and many other unique photo ops!