Archive for April, 2013

Animal Kingdom’s 15th Anniversary!

Posted in DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM with tags on April 16, 2013 by disneychronicles

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The 15th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is right around the corner! It is on Earth Day, April 22.

At 500 acres, Animal Kingdom is Disney’s largest single theme park. It’s also currently the largest single theme park in the world and is expected to grow larger with it’s plans for an “Avatar Land” expansion, which was announced in 2011 and set to begin construction this year.

The park first opened on April 22, 1998 — appropriately, on Earth Day!

The park is represented by The Tree of Life, a sculpted 145 feet , 50-foot-wide artificial tree.

According to Disney, here are a few of the details of what’s planned for the park’s anniversary.

  • Special opening ceremony – Meet at the Tree of Life at 8:40 a.m., to hear from Josh D’Amaro, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Dr. Jackie Ogden, Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment; and Joe Rohde, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Creative. Make sure you arrive early for this!
  • Earth Day “Party for the Planet” festivities – Special interactive activities that focus on animals and nature will take place throughout the park from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Artists and other vendors will present their work on in Africa and on Discovery Island, with their work available for purchase.
  • Opportunity to purchase special 15th anniversary merchandise, available in limited quantities.
  • Special food & beverage.

Animal Kingdom’s 15th anniversary is the latest big milestone at Disney World’s parks. The Magic Kingdom recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011, and Epcot marked its 30th last year.

Next year, it will be Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ turn to mark its 25th anniversary.

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My Magic + ….. what is that you say?

Posted in EVERYTHING DISNEY with tags , , on April 3, 2013 by disneychronicles

Yes, Disney is going high tech!….If ONLY they could get that wi-fi to work a bit better in the parks 😀

TAKING THE DISNEY GUEST EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL: 

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These have been popping up at the parks and are in a “soft” opening and being used sporadically. I am curious to see how well it will all work once it is completed.

Quoted directly from Disney…..

The goal of MyMagic+ is to make it easier for Guests to create the Disney experience they’ve been dreaming of — from securing a visit to a favorite attraction in advance … to a digital guide that simplifies how they move through the Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Theme Parks … to the touch of a MagicBand that seamlessly connects all their plans — allowing them to enjoy each moment like never before. 

Here’s a look at some of the key features of MyMagic+. We’ll be sharing more information as these become available to your Guests over the coming year. 

My Disney Experience 

Disney FastPass+ 

MagicBand 

My Disney Experience (website and app) will simplify the online experience for our Guests, making it easy for them to plan their Walt Disney World experience in advance and navigate the Parks during their stay. 

Disney’s FASTPASS Service has always been a great way for Guests to save their place in line. Now we’re taking this service to the next level with Disney FastPass+, which allows Guests to reserve Disney FastPass+ selections before they even leave home, enabling them to lock in the “must do” experiences at the Parks. The system is also flexible, allowing Guests to change their plans throughout their trip. 

The MagicBand will become Guests’ key to the world. Touch to enter. Touch to pay. The MagicBand makes it that simple. 

Description

All-in-one connection to: Room Key 

Theme Park Tickets/Entry 

Disney FastPass+ Service 

Disney PhotoPass+ Media 

Touch to Pay Functionality (Food and Merchandise) 

MagicBand is fun and easy to use and a colorful keepsake 

Guests staying in a hotel that is not located within the Walt Disney World Resort will be issued a special RF card instead of the MagicBand 

Mobile app gives them access to current attraction wait times, allows them to update plans, provides helpful navigation, and offers tips and suggestions on things to do based on proximity 

One place to keep all their plans and preferences. They can plan as much or as little as they prefer, allowing for spontaneity and changes in plans throughout their trip 

Ability to connect and share their itinerary with family and friends online 

Easy to select their “must do” experiences from home and update on the go, such as reserving Disney FastPass+ times in advance 

For the first time ever Guests can select multiple Disney FastPass+ selections for each day of their trip online before leaving home … and they can update selections on the go 

Choose their favorite experiences or get started with FastPicks, a feature that automatically makes Disney FastPass+ selection for each Guest, based on their preferences 

Disney FastPass+ will expand to offer more options than ever, including: Even More Attractions and Shows 

More Character Meet & Greet Locations 

Nighttime Spectaculars (New) 

Parades (New) 

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