VIDEO: Art of Animation Resort Cars Wing Preview with Walt Disney Imagineering
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Set to open on Monday, June 18 as phase two of the new Disney Art of Animation Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort, this video offers a sneak peek at the new Cars wing, which re-creates Radiator Springs in its courtyard, complete with many of the characters at a 1:1 scale.
Featured in the video are Rick Allen, General Manager of the resort, and Senior Project Manager, Gary Hoffman who talks about choosing and bringing the franchise to life for guests at Walt Disney World.
Phase two follows the Finding Nemo wing that opened late in May and precedes The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, both scheduled to open later this year.
Categories: Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags:
‘Art of Animation’ Sections to Open Sooner Than Anticipated; Photo of Lobby Released
The wings dedicated to the popular films featured at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will now be opening than sooner than expected after the resort hotel’s grand opening May 31
“We are excited that the Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid wings at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will all open earlier than we originally planned, bringing more permanent resort jobs to Central Florida sooner,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Demand for family suites exists in the marketplace today and the new opening dates reflect how optimistic we are about tourism in Central Florida.”
The Finding Nemo wings of the resort will open May 31; Cars will now open June 18 instead of July 31; The Lion King will open August 10 instead of September 30. The value rooms at The Little Mermaid wings on September 15 instead of at the end of this year.
In size and scope the construction of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a major project at Walt Disney World Resort. The project has created 800 construction jobs and once open later this year, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will create 750 permanent resort hotel jobs.
The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings will be entirely family suites, with 1,120 suites between them. The Little Mermaid buildings will feature 864 rooms in the “value” room category.
The construction of family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is an innovative approach to a changing marketplace. Today more and more multi-generational families are traveling together for various celebrations, including family reunions. These families not only want to play together, they want to stay together, which has created tremendous demand for family suites.
Disney also unveiled the look of new Cast Member costumes at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Each front desk Cast Member will wear a unique splattered-ink vest representing an animator’s unique creative process as part of their costume.
Also, as Guests move from the check-in area to Merchandise and Food & Beverage locations, Cast Members in those locations will be wearing colorful costumes that represent the color being added to animation.
Categories: Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: AOA, Art of Animation
Downtown Disney Hotels to Award Walt Disney Vacations to Teachers Nominated by Students
he Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels has partnered with Walt Disney World® to once again honor outstanding K-12 teachers with its 2012 A+ For Teachers at Downtown Disney essay contest.
The fourth annual contest, which kicks off today and runs through April 13, 2012, asks students in grades 1 through 12 to nominate their favorite teacher by writing a brief essay of no more than 300 words and submitting it via www.downtowndisneyhotels.com. The essay should explain how the teacher has made a difference in the student’s life and will be judged on its relevance to theme, creativity, originality, and the merit of the teacher’s accomplishments as outlined in the essay.
Seven winners will be chosen, and those students and their favorite teacher nominees each will win a vacation prize package that consists of:
Five-day / four-night accommodations (for up to four family members) at one of the Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels
Four free Walt Disney World® one-day, one-park passes
Four free tickets to the DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive theme park
Complimentary breakfast at the hotel each day (for up to four family members)
One $100 gas card
“We’re excited to kick off our fourth annual contest to celebrate those teachers who truly make a difference in the lives of their students in spite of the many challenges their schools are facing,” said Kevin Renzi, chairperson of the organization’s marketing committee. “We’ve been amazed by the stories we’ve received in prior years, so we look forward to selecting even more gifted teachers for the recognition they deserve.”
Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels has awarded 60 vacation trips to deserving teachers and their students since starting the annual essay contest in 2009. Prior winners have been recognized for home schooling students struggling with challenging illnesses, persevering in their teaching careers despite life-threatening medical conditions, supporting the work of non-profit organizations, helping their students excel academically, inspiring learning in the classroom, and other professional and personal feats.
This year’s A+ For Teachers at Downtown Disney contest winners will be notified directly by May 1, 2012 and also announced on the hotels’ website and Facebook page.
Categories: Contests, Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Contests
Disneyland Hotel Celebrates Renovation Completion
Earlier today, several hundred Disneyland Resort cast members gathered in the courtyard of the reimagined Disneyland Hotel to mark the completion of the historic hotel’s multiyear renovation. Final touches to the porte-cochere and tower lobbies were added this month, following more than two years of work by Disney Imagineers and cast members to reinvigorate the hotel into a family destination that pays tribute to the early days of Disneyland. 
Guests are now able to enjoy completely redesigned guest rooms, a new courtyard, restaurant, bar, pool and water play area, as well as themed suites and a dramatic new look to the exterior of the hotel. Changes have restored and highlighted the hotel’s original midcentury style with sleek, modern amenities. For the first time in 25 years, the Disneyland Hotel earned a coveted 2012 AAA Four Diamond award.
Photos courtesy of Disneyland Resort
Categories: Disneyland Resort, Resorts, Theme Parks Tags: Disneyland Hotel, DLH, Events
Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World’s Golden Oak Breaks Ground
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts kicked off construction of its luxury resort at Walt Disney World Resort today, in a groundbreaking ceremony with joint venture partners Silverstein Properties and Dune Real Estate Partners. The 444-room resort, being built in the enclave of Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort, will create about 2,000 construction jobs, and hundreds of resort positions when open.
“Travelers around the world know and trust Four Seasons, and Walt Disney World is the world’s premiere family vacation destination,” said Meg Crofton, president Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations US & France. “Together, our two companies offer a brand-new reason to visit and experience Central Florida.”
With an opening anticipated in 2014, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney WorldResort will feature several dining venues including a rooftop restaurant with Magic Kingdom views; a 14,000 square foot spa; fitness center; three pools and a “lazy river;” sports and recreational facilities; meeting and event space plus a business center.
Kathleen Taylor, President and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, spoke of the relationship with Disney: “Each of us is dedicated to creating a product of the highest quality and standards, something that will become a landmark here in Orlando, and a destination unto itself for travelers from all over the world. It is truly a one-of-a-kind project and Central Florida will be a valuable addition to our family of resorts, particularly since this is a destination our guests already enjoy.”
The development will encompass the existing Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge 18-hole championship golf course, which will be renovated and subsequently managed by Four Seasons. The first Four Seasons in Central Florida is located within the Golden Oak residential community at Walt Disney World Resort.
Larry Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties, recalled making the decision to back the project. “At the end of the day, it became apparent that the concept was right; that the team superb; the location first class and the two names – Four Seasons and Disney – as good as you can get,” he said.
Categories: Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Four Seasons, Golden Oak
WDW Refurb Update: House of Innoventions Closed til Mid-2012; Studio Backlot Tour
House of Innoventions at Epcot’s Innoventions East is now closed, presumably due to the recent announcement that Green Builder Media will be transitioning it into what will be known as the ‘VISION House.’ No specific date has been provided for the re-opening other than an expected time frame of May, 2012.
The Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now slated to close on February 13, 2012 and re-open on March 11.
There is also a minor quiet pool refurb scheduled at the Beach Club Villas on December 14 and 15.
Lastly, a correction on the previous update. The Ice Cream Parlor at Magic Kingdom, scheduled to close on January 9, 2012, is not scheduled to re-open until March 28.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be the first to know when changes that potentially affect your trip occur by signing up with ReSearch! The only Disney Parks refurbishment schedule that covers attractions, dining and resorts, lets you drill down to your own specific dates and even emails you when your dates are affected — and it’s completely free!
Categories: Disney Vacation Club, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Closures, Refurb, Refurbs, Rehabs
WDW Refurb Update: Kali River Rapids to Close in January
The official Walt Disney World website is now reporting a temporary closure for Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning January 23, 2012 and re-opening on February 10.
In addition, we have learned of additional counter service and dining location closures which include the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in the Magic Kingdom (closed January 9 through February 17) and an extension of Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot. The restaurant is now scheduled to close a day earlier and re-open a month later.
Lastly, those staying at the Polynesian Resort in January should be aware that a beach renourishment project will be taking place between January 4 and January 17. While the beach itself will remain open, various sections of the beach will be unavailable at the time. This may also affect those who plan to watch the nightly fireworks from the beach.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be the first to know when changes that potentially affect your trip occur by signing up with ReSearch! The only Disney Parks refurbishment schedule that covers attractions, dining and resorts, lets you drill down to your own specific dates and even emails you when your dates are affected — and it’s completely free!
Categories: Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Closures, Refurb, Refurbishments, Refurbs, Rehabs
‘Live with Kelly’ to Broadcast from Disney’s Aulani, February 20 – 24, 2012
This week on “LIVE! with Kelly,” co-host Kelly Ripa and guest co-host Jerry Seinfeld announced that the popular nationally-syndicated show will travel to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii, for five shows airing February 20-24, 2012. The “LIVE” broadcasts will be set against the backdrop of Aulani’s beautiful beachfront cove on the island of O‘ahu.
During the five shows, “LIVE” will showcase the best of O’ahu, and highlight all that Disney’s latest one-of-a-kind vacation destination has to offer. In addition to broadcasting from the stunning new resort, Ripa and Seinfeld also announced an exciting contest in connection with the trip. “LIVE” will fly one lucky couple and 30 of their guests to Aulani for the wedding of a lifetime.
“LIVE” has been throwing lavish weddings for deserving couples for more than 20 years, and this spectacular destination nuptial event will raise the bar even higher: a Disney Fairy Tale wedding at the new Aulani Resort & Spa, complete with a luxurious honeymoon following the wedding. Interested couples should send a one-page letter telling why they should be chosen to join Ripa and the show, and be married on “LIVE! with Kelly” in Hawaii. Further details are available at www.LiveWithKelly.tv
Uniquely designed for families and inspired by the wonders and traditions of Hawaii, Aulani is a family paradise with a touch of magic. Aulani offers kids, adults and families Hawaiian vacation experiences that combine the beauty and spirit of the Hawaiian Islands and culture with a special magic that only Disney can create. Delightful rooms and spacious Disney Vacation Club villas, a perfect location on a beautiful beachfront lagoon, and renowned Disney service and enchanting entertainment let dreamers of every age savor their time together on Hawaii as never before.
Categories: Disney Vacation Club, Television Tags: ABC, ABC Daytime, Live!, Live! with Kelly
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to Begin Opening on May 31; New Details Released
The first wing of the new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will open to Guests on May 31, 2012, as construction on the 25th resort hotel at Walt Disney World continues on schedule.
In size and scope, the construction of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a major project at Walt Disney World Resort and has created up to 800 construction jobs. Once open in 2012, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will also create 750 ongoing resort hotel jobs.
At a media gathering today, Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World Resort Operations released images of new icons arriving at the resort this fall and shared some of the details Guests will see when Disney’s Art of Animation opens next year. For example, Guests exploring The Lion King courtyard will see characters from the film, such as the hyenas and the evil Scar, through the eyes of Simba and in the same size and scale as the young cub would experience them.
“Here at Disney, we are in the Guest experience business,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “When we develop a new resort hotel, we draw on Guest feedback about our parks, entertainment, special events and every aspect of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to provide a resort hotel experience that only Disney can deliver.”
Examples of enhancements based on Guest feedback will be evident at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in the food-and-beverage and recreation offerings. The dining area will feature items such as fresh smoothies, hand-scooped gelato and Mongolian barbecue. The resort also will feature the largest swimming pool outside of Disney’s water parks, as well as an extensive children’s water play area at the larger-than-life icons for the Finding Nemo wings of the resort.
Located adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the new resort will include 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings, and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings. Suites will feature both a living room and bedroom, offering added space for families.
The family suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will fit into the “value” category of lodging, with nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
The phased opening of the resort will begin when the Finding Nemo wing opens May 31, 2012. Next, the Cars wing of the resort will open near the end of July. The Lion King suites will open a short time later in September, and The Little Mermaid value rooms will open by the end of next year.
Some fun facts about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort:
- With an area of 11,859 square feet, the feature pool at the Finding Nemo wing of the resort will be the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort outside of the water parks.
- The new resort hotel will feature 9,400 doors, which if stacked flat would be taller than the Empire State Building.
- The 227,000 lineal feet of carpet being used on the project would be enough carpet to stretch from Orlando to the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville.
Categories: Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Art of Animation
Spring 2012 to Feature New Fantasyland Expansion, ‘Sorcerers of The Magic Kingdom,’ Disney Fantasy and More
In spring 2012, Disney guests can fly like no elephant (or Disney guest) has ever flown, subdue villains with magic spells, sail the azure waters of the Caribbean aboard a brand-new luxury ship, and settle down for the night in rooms celebrating Disney royalty.
January-May 2012 at Walt Disney World Resort also is a time when road runners take to the streets and byways of the Vacation Kingdom in marquee runDisney events, Major League Baseball returns to Champion Stadium, Epcot blooms and Disney celebrates the possibilities of youth.
Here’s a look at what’s in store …
Look! Dumbo is going the wrong way!
Actually, Dumbo is just reversing decades of flying in counter-clockwise circles. Call it “unwinding,” if you will. And in a new location within Magic Kingdom.
Guests will board Dumbo the Flying Elephant from the lovable critter’s left side — like mounting a horse … and unlike the way guests hop aboard for a whirl at Disney parks on three continents. It is scheduled to begin happening in early 2012 when select experiences in the Storybook Circus neighborhood of New Fantasyland debut just northeast of Mad Tea Party.
Also early 2012, the existing Dumbo attraction near Prince Charming Regal Carrousel will close, be refurbished and be moved to a location in Storybook Circus next to the new Dumbo attraction. The result when completed later in 2012: double Dumbos, one going this-a-way, one going that-a-way … a real circus act, if you will.
There also will be a “big top” that serves as a queue area for the popular attraction. It will feature a variety of interactive experiences currently being developed.
Two other Storybook Circus elements planned for opening early in the year are The Barnstormer and Fantasyland Station. Guests who enjoyed The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm will be happy to know the junior coaster thrills of that attraction are back with a thematic change: Goofy has sold the farm and is now a circus stunt pilot and magician, The Great Goofini. The completely re-imagined train station will serve as the gateway to Storybook Circus and all Fantasyland points beyond.
Cruella de Vil, meet the apprentice sorcerers! And you, too, Scar. And, for that matter, a legion of other Disney villains!
When Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom premieres in early 2012, Merlin the magician will recruit guests as apprentice sorcerers to undertake missions to subdue the “baddies” in what Disney Imagineering calls an “immersive role-playing adventure.”
Armed with what appear to be nothing more potent than cards, guests engage with villains at special locations throughout the park. But the fact is: The cards have magic powers players can use in their quest to defeat the villains.
A ‘Dreamy’ ship with a ‘Fantasy’ identity all its own
When Disney Fantasy departs on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, the new Disney Cruise Line ship will bring to life many innovative features of the recently launched sister ship Disney Dream. But these siblings are anything but identical twins!
The 4,000-passenger Fantasy will take guests on week-long Caribbean cruises during which distinctive experiences begin with the Art Nouveau-inspired details of the three-deck atrium lobby where the pièce de résistance is a cast bronze statue of Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse dressed in vintage 1920s-30s fashion with a parasol and steamer luggage at her side.
Distinctive touches continue at meal time, show time and party time aboard Disney Fantasy:
- Animator’s Palate, a dinnertime favorite on all the Disney cruise ships, features a brand new show, “Animation Magic,” for which guests do a bit of character doodling or drawing. The climax of the show involves Sorcerer Mickey conjuring the guests’ drawings — fully animated and brought to life — into onscreen action.
- For a fully coiffed entrance to dinner at the new Royal Court Restaurant, aspiring young princes and princesses can make an appointment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a popular salon at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort that’s taking to the high seas for the first time with special makeovers: Captain Mickey Mouse, Princess Minnie Mouse and First Mate Minnie Mouse plus Under the Sea packages.
- On pirate party nights, the salon transforms into the Pirate’s League, where swashbuckling boys, girls and grownups can get ready for the pirate life with two pirate packages: First Mate (includes bandana, facial scars tattoos, fake teeth, earring, eye patch, sword and sheath) or Empress (includes bandana, shimmering makeup, face gem, tattoos, nail polish, earring, eye patch, sword and sheath).
- The exclusive live theater production “Disney’s Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular” is staged in the luxurious, 1,340-seat Walt Disney Theatre. In the fast-paced 45-minute musical comedy, Aladdin is back as the “street rat” of Agrabah meeting up with a Genie who grants him three wishes, battling the evil Jafar, and falling in love with Princess Jasmine.
- Guests 18 and older can head off to an evening of club hopping at Europa, a nighttime entertainment district featuring sophisticated bars and trendy lounges inspired by the very best in European travel.
Rooms with a ‘royal touch’
Imagine waking up in a place where Disney Princes and Princesses have stayed. Beginning mid-February 2012, when Walt Disney World guests stay in the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—-Riverside, they’ll discover special treasures left behind by the stars of favorite animated films such as “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Princess and the Frog.”
In quarters befitting not only the young Princes and Princesses of the family but also their grown-up King and Queen parents, guests can unwind amid remarkable décor. They’ll be able to watch “fireworks” swirl as they recline in ornate beds, curl up in custom linens and more. It’s majesty and fun, all rolled into one. Each of the 512 Royal Guest Rooms sleeps up to four guests in two queen beds.
Blooms, Baseball and more
Several popular events return to Walt Disney World Resort in early 2012. Here’s a snapshot:
- The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival presented by HGTV is a spring special event filled with Disney character topiaries, a colorful array of flowers, gardens, live music and special presentations. The 19th edition will burst into full bloom March 7, 2012, and continued through May 20, 2012. More information is available online at disneyworld.com/flowerandgarden.
- Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves return to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in February 2012 for their 15th season of spring training at Walt Disney World Resort, including a schedule of “Grapefruit League” games in March at 9,500-seat Champion Stadium. For more information, guests can visit www.espnwwos.com or call 407/939-GAME.
- Every mile is filled with Disney fun at the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA on Jan. 5-8, 2012. It is a weekend of races that are both magical and memorable, climaxed by the 19th Disney Marathon through all four Walt Disney World theme parks. The weekend also features a half marathon and Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo. More information is available at www.rundisney.com.
- Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend on Feb. 24-26, 2012, brings women of all ages together to participate in a magical event designed just for them. The Disney Princesses are the inspiration for the weekend’s events and will focus on the attributes every princess possesses: commitment, courage, determination, fantasy, perseverance, and strength. The weekend includes the signature 13.1-mile run through Magic Kingdom and Epcot plus a family 5K, kids’ races and Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo. More information is available at www.rundisney.com.
- The fifth class of Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine will be in session March 8-11, 2012, when 100 high school students from across America converge on Walt Disney World Resort for a stimulating and inspiring extended weekend of special events, immersive educational workshops, personal enhancement and professional enrichment. More information is available www.disneysdreamersacademy.com.
Categories: Disney Cruise Line, Magic Kingdom, Resorts, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags:
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