Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates for 2010

July 10, 2010 · Posted in Attraction Tickets, Magic Kingdom, Special Events · Comment 

Photo: Kay Robinson

Photo: Kay Robinson

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is special event held on select dates in the Magic Kingdom theme park.  This Halloween themed event requires a separate ticket to attend (regular park tickets do not allow entry to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

The event will be held on certain dates from 7pm-12am September- November, 2010.

During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes. This is the only time adults are allowed to dress up in costume at the Magic Kingdom! Guests trick-or-treat around Magic Kingdom collecting candy and other treats as you go.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has special themed entertainment including:

* Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade—including Disney Characters and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction. The parade begins with a spook-tacular ride by the Headless Horseman.
* Happy HalloWishes—a spectacular fireworks show where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky.
* Many favorite Disney Characters and Disney Villains in special Halloween costumes.
* Special lighting, music and theming effects transforms special areas of Magic Kingdom theme park into happy haunted hollows.

The tone of the event is, well, “Not-So-Scary”, and is appropriate for children of all ages.

Dates:

* Tuesday, September 14, 2010
* Saturday, September 18, 2010
* Tuesday, September 21, 2010
* Thursday, September 23, 2010
* Saturday, September 25, 2010
* Tuesday, September 28, 2010
* Thursday, September 30, 2010
* Friday, October 1, 2010
* Sunday, October 3, 2010
* Thursday, October 7, 2010
* Friday, October 8, 2010
* Monday, October 11, 2010
* Tuesday, October 12, 2010
* Thursday, October 14, 2010
* Sunday, October 17, 2010
* Tuesday, October 19, 2010
* Thursday, October 21, 2010
* Friday, October 22, 2010
* Sunday, October 24, 2010
* Tuesday, October 26, 2010
* Thursday, October 28, 2010
* Friday, October 29, 2010
* Sunday, October 31, 2010
* Monday, November 1, 2010

*Advance Purchase Price not available on 10/8, 10/22, 10/28, 10/29, 10/31. All other select nights, when purchased prior to the day of the event: $53.95 + tax (Ages 10+) $47.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9); Day-Of Event Prices: $59.95 + tax (Ages 10+) $53.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9); Premium Pricing (10/29, 10/31 ): $64.95 + tax (Ages 10+) $58.95 + tax (Ages 3 - 9)

–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

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Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at The Magic Kingdom

July 10, 2010 · Posted in Magic Kingdom · Comment 

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Walt Disney WorldThe 1917 carrousel ride in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park has officially changed its name from Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel – to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.

As with all things Disney, there is a back story to it. Here’s the official story behind it:

Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s Castle. With peace throughout the kingdom, Prince Charming had time to practice for jousting tournaments. In the countryside near the castle, he built a training device of carved horses, on which he could practice the art of ring-spearing, a tournament event in which a knight rides his horse full speed, lance in hand, toward a small ring hanging from a tree limb, with the object of spearing the ring. This event was known by various names throughout the lands, but generally came to be called “carrousel.”

The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard – its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers and other festoons. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.

–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

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Tinkerbell has been flying for 25 years

July 9, 2010 · Posted in Characters, Magic Kingdom · Comment 

Although Tinkerbell has been flying over Disneyland in California since the summer of 1961 as part of the park’s Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show, Tinkerbell only started flying at the Magic Kingdom in 1985. Her inaugural flight was on July 3rd, 1985 when more than 60,000 guest showed up to watch. The spectacle, originally planned as a seasonal show, was such a success that the flight was turned into a nightly event which continues to this day.

Tinkerbell’s current nightly appearance is at the end of the seasonal “Summer Nightastic” fireworks show. She flies from the top of Cinderella’s Castle 850ft into Tomorrowland. The whole flight takes under 30 seconds.

–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

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Epcot Food & Wine Festival Special Event Reservations Open July 20

June 25, 2010 · Posted in Dining, EPCOT, Special Events · Comment 
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Don’t want to miss the celebrated Party for the Senses grand-food-and-wine-tasting event? Can’t wait to attend the debut of the First Bites Opening Reception? Ladies and gentlemen, set your alarms for 7 a.m. July 20! That’s when the phone lines open to call Disney reservation specialists and book these and other events scheduled for the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which presents Delicious Discoveries Oct. 1-Nov. 14 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Fans of the festival’s special programs and events can choose from among one dozen categories of special wine and culinary events scheduled during the festival’s six weeks. New programming this year includes the Sept. 30 First Bites Opening Reception festival preview, 3-D Disney’s Dessert Discovery and the Taste, Shake and Indulge Like the French Grand Marnier tasting experience. Returning events include favorites like Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen, Epcot Wine Schools, Mexico Tequila Tastings and Food and Wine Pairings.
Throughout the festival, the park will present more than 25 international marketplaces where food, wine, beer and spirits lovers can sample cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents. The new Belgium marketplace will serve Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream, and the new South Korea marketplace packs plenty of taste into its BBQ Short Ribs with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi.
At least 250 Disney and celebrity chefs will conduct culinary demonstrations and host tasting events. In addition, the Festival Welcome Center will feature Authentic Taste Seminars and Authors without Borders weekend conversations that are included with Epcot admission.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details will be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine before reservations open July 20.

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Eat to the Beat! Concert Series Welcomes Seven New Acts During 15th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

June 25, 2010 · Posted in Dining, EPCOT, Special Events · Comment 
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – They span four decades of popularity. Collectively, they’ve thrilled music lovers with everything from Pop, Techno and Adult Contemporary to Southern Rock, Progressive Rock and Pop Rock. But they have one thing in common: They are seven acts playing the Eat to the Beat! concert series for the first time during the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Oct. 1-Nov. 14 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are:
  • Sugar Ray (Oct. 6-8) “Fly”
  • Air Supply (Oct. 11-12) “Lost in Love”
  • Howard Jones (Oct. 16-17) “No One Is to Blame”
  • 38 Special (Oct. 20-21) “Hold on Loosely”
  • Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp (Nov. 4-5) “Give a Little Bit”
  • Hanson (Nov. 8-9) “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’”
  • Rick Springfield (Nov. 10-11) “Jessie’s Girl”
They are part of an 18-performer concert series that will bring music to Epcot each evening of the Food & Wine Festival. Concerts are included with Epcot admission.

Additional information about the Eat to the Beat! concert series will be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

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AAU Championships Showcase Nation’s Top Basketball Talent

June 25, 2010 · Posted in Sports, Wide World of Sports · Comment 
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – You recognize the faces from courtside huddles during basketball games on ESPN, but now they’re sitting in the stands just like everyone else. The occasion is the “Super Showcase” – the Amateur Athletic Union National Basketball Championships – an event that annually draws coaches from top NCAA basketball programs to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
And as in years past, a “who’s who” of college basketball will congregate around the courts at The Field House and Jostens Center July 20-27 for showcases in the boys 15-, 16- and 17-and-under categories. Each coach will have a similar two-fold goal: to evaluate the top prep players in the country, and identify the top hoop athletes to target for scholarship offers. Noted AAU alumni include LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.
The AAU, one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the country, sanctions as many as 12 national championship basketball events each year at the complex. In all, the AAU conducts more than 40 national events on Disney property each year, including baseball, girls’ and boys’ basketball, gymnastics, inline hockey, track & field, wrestling and several other sports.

For more information, visit ESPNWWOS.com.

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Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament Begins July 12

June 25, 2010 · Posted in Sports, Wide World of Sports · Comment 
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – No sooner will the curtain come down on the World Cup than the next generation of soccer players will be at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament, July 12-17.
Building on the international flavor of the tournament, participating teams will have the opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge of Brazilian style of play at the Zico Soccer Clinic. Zico, a famed Brazilian footballer and former coach, will provide instruction, along with fellow professional coaches and former players from the Zico Soccer Academy in Brazil.
Following the Zico Soccer Clinic, boys and girls in age groups nine-and-under to 18-and-under will play in the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament. Entering its 11th year, the event features 200 teams from more than 16 countries around the globe.

For more information, visit ESPNWWOS.com.

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ESPN RISE Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex July 14-27

June 25, 2010 · Posted in Sports, Wide World of Sports · Comment 
LAKE
BUENA VISTA, Fla. – For two weeks in July, the ESPN RISE Games
presented by Target will bring together more than 13,000 student
athletes at the newly re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Returning for its second year at the complex, the July 14-27 event
features the country’s premier high school basketball, football,
lacrosse and soccer talent, along with competitive events in baseball,
basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, softball and track & field.
The ESPN RISE Games presented by Target is anchored by four elite high school sports events: 
  • AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion
  • Under Armour High School Softball All-America game
  • Champion Gridiron Kings, an elite 7-on-7 high school football event
  • Champion High School Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event new in 2010.
One
of the first ESPN-themed events since the complex rebranding in
February, this year’s games provide the opportunity for athletes to
experience “the big time” through multiple broadcast platforms. 
The
Under Armour High School Softball All-American game, Champion Gridiron
Kings, AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by
Champion and Champion High School Boys Lacrosse Senior Showcase will be
televised on ESPNU live and as pre-recorded shows; and ESPN3.com will
carry live competitive events.
The
ESPN RISE Games presented by Target has grown from hosting 4,000
student athletes in its 2009 inaugural at Walt Disney World Resort to
an expected 13,000-plus this July.

For more information, visit ESPNWWOS.com.

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Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Makes July Evenings Nightastic!

June 23, 2010 · Posted in Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Walt Disney World · Comment 
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The musical sounds of decades of summers gone by will fill July evenings at Epcot during Sounds Like Summer concert series performances featuring tribute bands that celebrate the music of Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, U2 and Chicago.
“The key thing about tribute bands is that their intention is to reproduce, as closely as possible, the music of the artist whose work they are celebrating,” explains Senior Show Director Alan Bruun of Walt Disney World Entertainment. “It’s not an impersonation, which mimics the personality and visual aspect of a star, or a cover band that puts their own spin on a song. A tribute band goes for authenticity. Each band that performs as part of the Sounds Like Summer concert series has received written authorization from the band whose music they play.”
Performances at America Gardens Theatre are scheduled for 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. – except on July 4, when shows are scheduled for 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. They are included with Epcot admission. Here’s the schedule (entertainment is subject to change without notice):
June 27-July 3: Karin Lawson - A Tribute to Janet Jackson
July 4-10: Satisfaction - A Tribute to The Rolling Stones
July 11-17: Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
July 18-24: 2U - A Tribute to U2
July 25-31: Beginnings - A Tribute to Chicago
Sounds Like Summer is part of Walt Disney World “Summer Nightastic!,” which also features extra fun after the sun goes down at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
  • Through Aug. 14 at Magic Kingdom, thousands of tiny lights illuminate the return of the beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade,” and the elaborate new “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular”paints the night sky more brightly than ever.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror adds new effects – and a summer-only drop sequence – to the mix for guests daring to step into the attraction’s infamous service elevator for a ride into the “fifth dimension.” And on Hollywood Boulevard, in the shadow of the 122-foot-tall Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat icon, guests are invited to the Rock n’ Glow Dance Party, where a DJ and live rock band keep popular tunes coming five nights a week.

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Walt Disney World Fireworks on July 4

June 22, 2010 · Posted in Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Seasonal, Special Events, Walt Disney World · Comment 
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics, and Epcot adds a patriotic “tag” to its famous “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” spectacular. Here’s what’s in store (entertainment and park hours are subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom – “Celebrate America Fireworks” will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4 (guests who’d like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight on July 4 (on July 3, the parade will be at 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at 9:50 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement “Fantasmic!” (which will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Epcot – “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

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