Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom Unveil New Dessert Cruise!

We love dessert, and we love all types of transportation at Disney's Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.  So imagine our delight in hearing about this new fireworks dessert cruise at the Magic Kingdom.

This article was just posted on-line by the Disney Parks Blog.  Here is a brief excerpt:

Cast your sights on the new Ferrytale Wishes: A Fireworks Dessert Cruise—the perfect way to take in a breathtaking view of the Magic Kingdom Park night time spectacular fireworks from an exclusive spot on Seven Seas Lagoon with dazzling desserts and drinks.

Imagine sailing off from the Ticket & Transportation Ferryboat Dock promptly one hour prior to “Wishes” Nighttime Spectacular, offered select nights weekly, on the iconic, double-stack ferryboat. Set a course for decks laden with delectable sweets such as “The Grand” key lime tart; pineapple upside down cake from the chefs at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort; spiced flourless chocolate cake from the pastry kitchen at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; “Main Street” Mickey Balloon Tarts; mini “fireworks” cupcakes with a pop; Cinderella’s Sugar Slipper with Orange Financier; no-sugar-added Florida mango panna cotta; and a fabulous fruit and cheese spread. Toast the evening with specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in souvenir glow glasses. 

This special hard-ticketed event will have limited seating, and prices are $69 and $99.  You may call 407-WDW-DINE or visit DisneyWorld.com/DINE for reservations.

Visit the Disney Parks Blog to read more about this new and very cool event!

Cinderella's New Golden Coach Heads to Disney's Hollywood Studios

*Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog.

Isn't she beautiful?

According to the Disney Parks Blog, the Coach has made its way to Orlando and has already made one surprise appearance.  It is on its way next to Hollywood Studios.

Visit the Disney Parks Blog to see what surprises laid in store for Guests on New Years Eve!

Disney Parks Blog Unveils New Orange Bird Photo Opp

Disney's fabled and famous Orange Bird is back!

Disney Park Creative Services created this huge inflatable Orange Bird for Guests to take pictures with.  

What do you think?  Are you excited to have your picture taken with Orange Bird?

Get a Sneak Peek at A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas at Magic Kingdom Park

Are you ready to experience a whole new pirate adventure?

Walt Disney Imagineering just shared a sneak peek at the new interactive quest, A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas, which will debut at Magic Kingdom Park this summer.

In the game, the fate of piracy in the Caribbean rests in the hands of new pirate recruits, who, armed with magic talismans and treasure maps, embark on five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland to collect valuable treasures, while Captain Jack Sparrow’s magic compass guides them.

Here, Imagineers Jonathan Ackley and Matt Beiler offer up a look at a few of the quest’s cool special effects.

A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas will be included with Magic Kingdom Park admission and is open to guests of all ages.

Now, which of you are ready to join the ranks of a new recruit?

*Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disneyland Waterfalls

*Picture and story courtesy of Disney Parks Blog.

"....I took this photo at about 500 feet above Grizzly River Run, from a helicopter.

Do you have a favorite waterfall at the Disneyland Resort? Let me know which is your favorite in the comments, and it may show up in the next post in this series."

DISNEY PARKS BLOG - Dinosaurs Say “Good Buy” at Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures in Dinoland, U.S.A., at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

*Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

From the Disney Parks Blog yesterday:

One of my favorite things to do on weekends is take a road trip in search of vintage roadside signs and attractions. I’ve photographed many of them in states like Florida, Ohio and California. My love for these roadside wonders is one reason I like Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures in Dinoland, U.S.A., at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In her book “The Making of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park,” Melody Malmberg described this location as “the ultimate affectionate tribute to roadside Americana.” I recently spent nearly 45 minutes taking photos in this location in anticipation of the park’s 15th anniversary (I was there so long that a retail manager almost scheduled me for work).

Located off US 498 in Diggs County, the shop is only a short distance from the Dino Institute, home to DINOSAUR, which my fellow author Nate Rasmussen recently featured on the Disney Parks Blog.

According to Malmberg, the shop was founded by Chester and Hester, dinosaur aficionados who turned a gas station into the ultimate dinosaur destination. The Dino Institute wants to “buy and raze the place, but Chester and Hester’s unidentified heirs have as good a sense of humor as the originators.” The heirs refuse to sell, and have kept the shop filled with countless dinosaur toys, figures, images and more.

I love the little vignettes found throughout the shop like “Hester’s Dino Rocks,” which feature a dinosaur band, or the western town overrun with dinosaurs. The outside of the shop is just as much fun as the inside with huge playful signs. You can even see a painted over gas sign on the back roof of the shop.

This location contains a good mixture of merchandise items including apparel, toys, hats, coffee mugs and even D-Tech electronic accessories. There are also a few DINOSAUR attraction themed items like Carnotaurus latex figures or radio controlled Time Rover ride vehicles.

I invite you to stop by Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures next time you are in Dinoland, U.S.A. Here are a few additional photos from my expedition.

DISNEY PARKS BLOG - ‘Star Wars’ Droid Factory Expands to New Locations at Disney Parks

*Courtesy Disney Parks Blog

From the Disney Parks Blog yesterday:

In May 2012, we opened the first Star Wars Droid Factory experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I’m delighted to announce that we’ve expanded the build-your-own droid experience to new locations at Disneyland park in California and Downtown Disney Marketplace in Florida. I spoke with toy merchandiser Cody Hampton at Disney Theme Park Merchandise about what’s in store for fans.

“The Droid Factory has been an incredibly popular experience with our fans,” explained Cody. “After the initial launch, we heard our fans loud and clear that they also wanted this interactive experience in California. I’m beyond happy that guests are able to exit Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland park and be able to build their own droids.”

A Droid Factory build station opened at Once Upon a Toy in the Downtown Disney Marketplace earlier this month. For California, the new build station can be found in The Star Trader in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park starting April 13.

Guests are able to build “astromech” droids from the Star Wars galaxy. (Here’s a closer look at this series of droids from the official Star Wars website)

The new experiences will feature more build stations for guests to make their own droid action figures. They were designed as a square, which can accommodate up to four guests at one time (that’s two more build stations than the current version at Tatooine Traders in Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

May the Force be with you … and your droids!

DISNEY PARKS BLOG - Sneak Peek: Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries at Disneyland Park!

*Courtesy Disney Parks Blog

From the Disney Parks Blog yesterday:

Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries opens tomorrow at Innoventions in Disneyland park, but we’ve got a sneak peek inside the new exhibit for you today here on the Disney Parks Blog.

The centerpiece of Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries is Tony Stark’s Hall of Armor, featuring Iron Man suits Mark I-VII as well as the newest Mark 42 suit, pictured above.

Visitors to the exhibit can even virtually “suit up” through simulation technology, operating the latest pieces of the Mark 42 Iron Man armor, including its infamous repulsor blasts.

Come check out Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries at Innoventions in Disneyand park, and don’t miss “Iron Man 3” when it opens in theaters May 3!