New Room Only Disney Resort Discounts Through June 14, 2012
This Spring, treat your family to a fairy tale vacation in the middle of the magic at Walt Disney World Resort by saving up to 30% at select Disney Resort hotels. Delight in comfortable accommodations with charming Disney touches as … Continue readingDisney Pulls Out of National Harbor Project
Last week, The Walt Disney Company announced they would be pulling out of plans to construct a 500-room resort at National Harbor.
The parcel of land purchased for the hotel project was acquired in 2009 for $11 million, but in a statement released by Disney, a spokeswoman for the company cited “the full slate of expansion currently underway at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts” and timing issues as the reason for bowing out of the project.
Jon Petersen, senior vice president of the Petersen Companies, the majority owner of National Harbor, says:
We were disappointed to learn that Walt Disney Parks & Resorts will not be moving forward with its plans for a resort hotel at National Harbor. We’ve established a tremendous relationship with Disney over the years and have the utmost respect for the entire organization.
In the rest of his statement, Petersen said that the land will be re-incorporated into their master plan for National Harbor, and that 85% of National Harbor’s retail space will be occupied by next year. He also mentioned the opening of a 388,000 square foot Outlet Center, as well as a 371-unit apartment complex called the Esplanade, both of which have a planned opening date sometime in 2012.
Despite the disappointing news, Prince George’s County executive Rushern Baker says that “National Harbor continues to be a premier destination for all to visit… [and we are still] committed to aggressively attracting and pursuing more quality development opportunities.”
Shop One, Shop All at the Disneyland Resort
Welcome back shoppers! How many of you took advantage of those Black Friday sales? You all know I did. Say it with me… Shop-a-holic! Now, how many of you are done holiday shopping? I still have a handful of friends and family to shop for, but I’m close. So here are some tips on what you’ll find this weekend in the Downtown Disney District including some special limited-time-only offers, events and promotions.
Disney Vault 28 is where it’s at on December 3! As I mentioned a few weeks ago, designer TARINA TARANTINO will be on hand for a special appearance for the launch of her new Princess Tarina Collection. If you’re looking for classic Tarina pieces, look no further – I’m told many of the infamous designs from her Iconic collection will be available, too.
Special Holiday Shopping Tip: Did you know that with every purchase of $150 or more in Tarina Tarantino merchandise on December 3, you will receive a special-edition holiday ring from Tarina’s elusive Hey Santa! collection? What girl doesn’t love jewelry? This is a must have!
Also launching on December 3 at Disney Vault 28, is Superdry. This casual wear infused with design influences from Japanese graphics and vintage Americana, all with the values of British tailoring, is in my opinion a don’t-miss!
Special Holiday Shopping Tip: With the purchase of any Superdry merchandise at Disney Vault 28 on December 3, you’ll receive a pair of Superdry flip flops.
A few other items to pick up along the way … definitely some of the trendy tees for men and women, Goorin hats, or accessories, if that’s more your style.
Special Holiday Shopping Tip: Spend $50 or more at Disney Vault 28 and receive a Disney Vault 28 tote bag.
No trip to Downtown Disney District is complete without a stop at some of the other popular locations including Marceline’s Confectionery (Yum!), D Street (Cool), World of Disney (Everything!), LEGO (Limitless), RIDEMAKERZ (Vroom!) and more. Consider it your one-stop shop, especially if you are short on time, in need of the perfect gift and in the neighborhood.
It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. I’ll make sure to give you more scoop on places around Disneyland Resort where you can find gifts – at the right price, that is.
Until next time, when my holiday shopping adventure continues…
Shop One, Shop All at the Disneyland Resort by Michelle Harker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Save Up to 30 Percent on Select Walt Disney World Resort Stays This Spring
Are you considering taking a trip to Walt Disney World Resort for Spring Break or in the early summer timeframe? Then today may be your lucky day.
For a limited time, guests booking new resort stays at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can save up to 30% at select resorts. In case you’ve never stayed at a Disney resort before, doing so offers complimentary transportation all over Walt Disney World Resort property and much more
To get this offer, you must book by Jan. 22, 2012, for vacations taking place between Feb. 21-March 31, 2012. Guests who wish to stay between the dates of April 13-June 14, 2012, must book by Feb. 28, 2012.
Save Up to 30 Percent on Select Walt Disney World Resort Stays This Spring by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Have You Seen Toy Soldiers Drumming Up Cheer at Disneyland Park?
Reports are coming in from across Disneyland park that a band of toy soldiers have been spotted showing off some impressive drumming skills! Keep an eye out for these talented toys throughout the holiday season.
The soldiers drum up an impromptu, mini street party with classic holiday tunes and infectious, high-energy spirit. I recently spotted them just outside “it’s a small world” but keep your eyes peeled because you never know when they will be appearing. Catch them quick, before they’re called back to Santa’s Toy Shoppe!
Have You Seen Toy Soldiers Drumming Up Cheer at Disneyland Park? by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Long Lost Walt Disney Cartoon to be Auctioned
A Walt Disney cartoon that has been lost for decades will soon be up for auction at Bonhams in Los Angeles on December 14. The 5 minute, 21 second black-and-white short Hungry Hobos was created in 1928, and stars Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, along with his friend Peg Leg Pete, who get into some mischief on a train.
The short was discovered in the Huntley Film Archives, one of the U.K.’s largest archives with over 80,000 films – half of which are not properly cataloged.
Archivist Amanda Huntley said:
When we checked this film we couldn’t quite believe our eyes. For an archive, finding a lost masterpiece is incredible—you just don’t think it will happen to you.
Sources say this Walt Disney short is expected to go for anywhere between $30,000 and $40,000 at auction. As of this writing, there has been no word yet whether Disney will try to acquire the film.
Decorating Disney Style for the Holidays
As a child, my family had two Christmas trees to decorate for the holidays. One tree was decorated with all kinds of ornaments, while the other tree – found in the front window of our home – was filled with only Disney ornaments. I looked forward to decorating the Disney tree first each year (I guess I always knew I’d work here someday). With the holiday season in full swing, I recently visited the Disney Days of Christmas shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace and MouseGear at Epcot to photograph a few favorite holiday decorations.
In a previous Disney Parks Blog post about new holiday Disney Gift Cards, I mentioned that nutcrackers were a favorite holiday decoration. There is a new Mickey Mouse nutcracker introduced this year that inspired the pins featured on those gift cards. He looks great and Aaron Babcock, product developer for seasonal merchandise, told me that additional styles are coming next year.
Aaron also told me that one of the more popular ornaments this year features Mickey and Minnie Mouse riding a reindeer.
“The ornament with Mickey and Minnie on the reindeer is from the new red and white program,” explained Aaron. “Those colors are popular for the holidays so we built an entire assortment using them. The horse doesn’t have a name nor is he found in any animated shorts. He was specifically drawn by Costa Alavezos from Disney Design Group.”
Besides the red and white program, the Victorian program returned along with a Bohemian style which Aaron said uses non-traditional holiday colors and is perfect for year-round decorating.
Along with the new Disney Ear Hat ornaments I first told you about in July, Aaron introduced a variety of new three-dimensional character ornaments. These resin ornaments include Pixar characters like my favorites Wall-E and Eve and other classic Disney characters like Cheshire Cat, Jiminy Cricket and Dumbo.
But the ornament that I really want won’t be here until fall 2012 – Mickey Mouse as a butler from The Haunted Mansion. Is it too early to start thinking about next year’s holiday decorations?
Decorating Disney Style for the Holidays by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Wildlife Wednesdays: Sable Antelope Calves Join Savanna Herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
After spending about two months in their backstage habitat bonding with other members of their herd, three sable antelope calves, born this summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, have joined the herd on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna. The calves – two males and one female – were cared for in their backstage home because sable moms typically will “tuck” their calves in high grass to protect them from the predators they might encounter in the wild and return to them periodically for feeding. This behavior could prevent our animal care team from being able to monitor the calves properly. The calves are now old enough to be out of the “tucking” phase and are spending the day traveling with the rest of the sable antelope herd, as seen in this photo by Gene Duncan.
At birth, the calves weighed between 35 and 40 pounds. When they reach adulthood, the female will weigh nearly 400 pounds, and the males will be about 50 pounds heavier. In their native habitat in southern Africa, the sable’s natural predator is the lion and other carnivores. Like many African species, sable antelopes compete for living space with humans.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests can see the sables when they ride the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Another great way to see the sable antelope – and a host of other African wildlife – is by experiencing the Wild Africa Trek, a special adventure that includes a VIP safari and a visit to an exclusive safari camp with fantastic views of the wildlife on the savanna.
Sable antelope fun facts:
- The sable has a short glossy coat, which ranges in color from a yellow- or reddish-brown to a rich chestnut found in females and their young.
- When fighting, they go down on their knees, displaying their long curving horns, which measure 20 to 61 inches.
- They have a high-pitched squeal and produce a horse-like snort when alarmed.
Wildlife Wednesdays: Sable Antelope Calves Join Savanna Herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Matt Hohne: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Walt Disney World Moms Panel: It Wasn’t the Dog This Time
“Yes! Walt Disney World Resort was educational!” Thousands of children return from trips to Disney Parks each year and many say this to their teachers. I’m imagining the faces of those teachers looking much like they do when they hear the words, “dog” and “homework.” But in reality, those children are telling the truth! At Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, kids can have fun and receive a top notch educational program.
Earlier this year, one of our Walt Disney World Moms Panelists, Jill Cooper, experienced two of Walt Disney World Resort’s Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.) programs. As a teacher of American history from New Jersey, Jill and a group of high school seniors enjoyed the programs “American Story” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Leadership Excellence” at Epcot during their stay. Jill shares part of their adventure with us.
“As a teacher of American history, I loved the prospect of exploring the myriad of ways in which Walt Disney Imagineers incorporated the story of our nation’s past into Magic Kingdom Park through the “American Story” Y.E.S. program. This program was a lovely complement to the student’s recent courses in U.S. history and American Government.
After having experienced the Disney Y.E.S. programs, I couldn’t wait to share with fellow educators how valuable these experiences can be for their students. I am always delighted when a fellow parent or educator asks me about these programs on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel site.”
Disney Youth Education Series uses the fun and excitement of Disney Parks to engage participants and immerse them in subjects related to science, reading, history and the performing arts. For more information regarding Disney Youth Programs, visit www.disneyyouth.com or call 877-939-6884.
Walt Disney World Moms Panel: It Wasn’t the Dog This Time by Laura Spencer: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog