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Princess Diana

Disney’s “Royalty” Prepares for a Viewing of the Royal Wedding

26 April 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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I do have a love for all things British and the Royals are no exception. I was dazzled by serendipitously following Princess Diana around the parks when she visited Walt Disney World with Princes William and Harry way back in 1993. Before that I remember watching her wedding on television as an even younger girl. Now as fate would have it, I’ll be able to watch this latest Royal wedding in the Place Where Dreams Come True…

 

Disney's Wedding Pavilion
It will probably be even darker when I arrive here on Friday!!

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In celebration of the long-awaited Royal Wedding, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons will host its first-ever “Tweet Up” and a viewing party on April 29, 2011, from 4-8 a.m. at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort.

The first 250 people who responded to a “tweet up” invitation have already secured their seats in Disney’s Wedding Pavilion. [UPDATE: The response to the “Tweet Up” mentioned above was so astounding — the 250 RSVPs for which the event was originally planned poured in during a period of about two hours — that Fairy Tale Weddings event organizers convened, broadened the plan for the viewing party, and re-opened the invitation … and then closed it again when a second wave of RSVPs poured in Tuesday, April 19, 2011. The number of guests expected for the event is now in excess of 500.]

“Everyone remembers where they watched the last royal wedding,” said Korri McFann, marketing director, Disney’s Fairytale Weddings & Honeymoons. “April 29 is another royal occasion and we are thrilled to offer such a special viewing to help create lasting memories for moms, daughters, families and friends.”

Guests are invited to dress up in “princess or prince attire” — or come in their pj’s — for the early-hour gathering to watch, via live television, the royal couple tie the knot. Deemed as the biggest royal wedding since Princess Diana and Prince Charles, the exchange of vows between Kate Middleton and Prince William will take place at Westminster Abbey with the Archbishop of Canterbury officiating.

In addition to the viewing, the occasion at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion will include:

  • An English-inspired breakfast will be served to honor the occasion.
  • Cinderella’s Coach, which was crafted by Bennington Carriages — coach maker for the British Monarchy — will be available as a backdrop for pictures.
  • Newly-released Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Jewels and tiaras, as well as Disney Princess-inspired wedding gowns from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo will be showcased.
  • There’ll be a few entertainment surprises in store.

I can’t wait to see the magic Disney has in store for this event. I will be there, tweeting and perhaps even live-blogging so be sure to follow me on twitter @zannaland as well as the official Disney Fairytale Weddings account @DisneyWeddings!

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Filed Under: Disney Special Events, Official Disney, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Disney Wedding Pavilion, disney world resort, fairy tale weddings, Fairytale weddings, princes william and harry, Princess Diana, royal wedding, Walt Disney World, walt disney world resort, wedding pavilion

Diana, Princess of Wales in Disney: A real Princess in a Magic Kingdom

31 August 2009 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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In August of 1993, my mom and I had planned a little vacation to Walt Disney World. We were living in Massachusetts at the time and I had probably just come to the conclusion that I wanted to work at Disney World. This wasn’t our ‘recon’ mission when we went looking for houses, rather more of a getaway from the grind of school and work, of which we were both a part. What we didn’t plan for was a royal companion during our visit to Disney World – Princess Diana had also decided to take her boys on vacation there during the same time.

We heard the news reports once we got there, and the rumors from cast members about her reserving an entire floor of the Grand Floridian and the special security needed to escort her throughout the parks. We also managed to serendipitously follow her around almost her entire visit.

Princess Diana at the Magic Kingdom-August 1993
Princess Diana at the Magic Kingdom-August 1993

We first saw her in the Magic Kingdom, in Mickey’s Starland as Mickey’s Toon Town Fair was called back then. At that time the “Judges Tent” then held a live-show with Mickey and friends. We were all ushered into the hall and completely shocked when we realized the Princess of Wales was sitting two rows in front of us! Prince William and Prince Henry were with her and each had a friend or two as well. She was so elegant and gracious, smiling and laughing at all the appropriate times. I can’t remember one single thing about the show that was on the stage, but I remember her smile in front of me as if it were yesterday.

You can see Prince Harry better here
You can see Prince Harry better here

After that we thought that was the end of our amazing luck with Princess-viewing. Nope, the next day we both happened to be at the then Disney-MGM Studios at the same time. We had just finished up the Backstage Tour and were walking over to the Inside the Magic Special Effects Tour and saw her group being escorted back behind the main buildings at the end of foot of New York Street (where Lights, Motors, Action! now stands). I tried to take a picture then, but it didn’t show the Princess.

Princess Diana at the Disney Studios
Princess Diana at the Disney Studios

Later we stopped for lunch at the Backlot Express over by Star Tours – a favorite counter service spot for us. Wouldn’t you know, Princess Diana stopped in to use the restroom here! You would’ve thought she was royalty the way everything stopped…oh, wait. Yes, it was quite amazing seeing both the special treatment given to such an elegant Princess, and how down to earth and relaxed Princess Diana seemed. She was just in Bermuda shorts and a t-shirt, nothing ridiculously over-the-top. She was clearly enjoying her time with her sons and making sure they didn’t miss out on anything.

I had always held a fondness for the Princess of Wales, having watched her wedding on T.V. and her appearances in the media throughout the years. After this trip though, I had a new respect for her as a mom too. I wasn’t anywhere near being a mom yet in 1993. However, I knew from living with my own mother just how important those special times can be, especially in one of the most magical places on earth. It was truly an honor to witness a real Princess amid the fairy tale ones all around us.

We were living in Orlando, Florida when we first heard news that late night of her car crash. We stayed up the entire night watching the news reports and my mom and I definitely shed some tears. Such a beautiful life, cut so short, so senselessly. Watching her funeral services was heartbreaking.

On this anniversary of her passing, I thought I’d share some of the magic she unwittingly shared with a mother and daughter, as we all enjoyed a little bit of pixie dust. May you rest in peace, Princess…and thank you for all the good you did here on earth.

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Filed Under: Commentary Land, Disney Past Tagged With: Diana Princes of Wales at Disney, Disney, Disney past, Disney's Hollywood Studios, guest blog, Magic Kingdom, Princess Diana, Princess Diana at Disney, Princess Diana at WDW, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World in the 90's

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