Tag: disney world

Flaming Firework Lands in Crowd in Epcot at Disney World

A firework that was launched during Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth landed near a crowd of people Monday night.

Guests were quick to post videos of the incident with one of them saying, “It’s always a grand ole time when the fireworks launch into the crowd at Epcot”.

It’s always a grand ole time when the fireworks launch into the crowd at Epcot @WDWNT @WDWToday pic.twitter.com/h6m4vHJoCx

— Michael Leonard (@tmwmleonard) November 27, 2018

Another video captured it from a different angle.

Just had a Disney first – live firework skipped off the water and landed in the FP viewing area #epcot #wdw #wdwtoday #illuminations pic.twitter.com/qQO7jtA2FX

— Chad Parizman (@CParizman) November 27, 2018

The incident reportedly happened during the special holiday finale of the nightly fireworks show.

It’s unclear what caused the firework to end up near the crowd and there were no reports of injury.

IllumiNations is set to end its nearly 20-year run next summer. A replacement show is currently in the works.

November 27, 2018
Chefs Bake Up Holiday Magic with Gingerbread Displays at Disney Parks and Resorts
Wide-eyed wonderment will wash over Disney guests this holiday season when they see gingerbread displays at select Disney theme parks and Disney resort hotels, as well as the ships of Disney Cruise Line.

Nothing says the holidays like the sweet aroma of gingerbread and the smell is in the air all over Disney Parks. In the spirit of the season, Disney chefs decked the halls (roofs, doorways and windows, too) to create life-sized, gingerbread houses yummy enough to eat.

Here’s a look at storybook houses, carousels and other confections baked with love by Disney chefs, with savory sweets for sale in most locations:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – This year marks the 20^th anniversary of this resort hotel’s gingerbread house. A classic recipe from Austria inspires the ornaments, cookies and a house standing 14 feet tall in the lobby. Home to The Bake Shop, the gingerbread house is the perfect place to pick up holiday treats. Gingerbread house decorating demonstrations occur daily Dec. 1-25.
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Cinderella Castle is re-created with an “it’s a small world” backdrop depicting Cinderella and Prince Charming greeting guests in the castle forecourt. The 18-foot display is crafted from thousands of gingerbread blocks. A life-sized spinning carousel highlights the display.
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Donald Duck- and Daisy Duck-themed horses are decorated with chocolate, sugar and fondant in this scrumptious classic carousel.
- Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – A delightful gingerbread version of the resort’s BoardWalk features iconic locales such as BoardWalk Bakery, Flying Fish, Trattoria al Forno and more.
- The American Adventure – Patriotic flair meets pastry magic at Epcot, where gingerbread renditions of the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument (topped with golden Mickey ears!) are on display
- Amorette’s Patisserie – This sophisticated pastry shop at Disney Springs dresses up its front window with a miniature gingerbread replica of itself – right down to the gingerbread trees!
- The Haunted Mansion – Disneyland Resort turns to Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to create a wonderfully spooky gingerbread display inside this classic attraction. A giant spider with glowing eyes hangs over the Grand Hall Table, attempting to pry the edible gingerbread mansion from its foundation as gingerbread zombies watch in amazement.
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Disney artists, engineers and bakers teamed up on a gingerbread house that adds to the resort hotel’s festive lobby. With over 600 pounds of gingerbread and adorned with Hidden Mickeys, this grandly Californian gingerbread house is on display all season long.
- Disney Cruise Line – Aboard the four Disney Cruise Line ships, the chef competition is on! Bakery teams are challenged to create their own individual gingerbread houses for display throughout the holiday season in the atrium lobby of each ship. Taking weeks to conceptualize and construct, each features more than 600 pounds of gingerbread dough, 200-plus pounds of sugar and 5,000 gingerbread bricks.
- Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii gets its gingerbread on with “A Kakamora Holiday.” This festive display includes a chocolate tree, a Moana-inspired gingerbread hut, chocolate sleigh and merrymaking Kakamoras celebrating with a tropical twist.
November 26, 2018
2.5 Million Pounds of Turkey Legs Consumed Annually at U.S. Disney Parks

Thanksgiving Day is here and chances are you’ve got turkey on your mind. So now seems like the perfect time to share some interesting facts about the Turkey Legs at Disney Parks.

It’s estimated that guests consume more than 1.6 million turkey drumsticks every year at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort – that’s 2.5 million pounds of turkey.

Here a few more interesting facts about the snack with a culinary cult following:

• If they legs seem bigger to you then what you have on the turkeys you serve at your Thanksgiving meals, they are. The drumsticks come from toms — the male turkeys who have far larger legs.

• The turkey leg debuted at Big Al’s Coonskin Caps in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in the late 1980s, grew in popularity, and then went on to migrated west to Disneyland.

• Each leg weighs about 1.5-pound legs and are cured with a salt solution, some saying the hickory smoked legs have a ham-like taste.

• If you’re counting calories the legs each contain about 720 calories and about 36 grams of fat.

That’s a lot of turkey! So, how much of the total are you responsible for?

November 22, 2018
First Look: Disney Skyliner Gondola Revealed at Walt Disney World Resort

Earlier this week, we shared the exciting update that Disney’s new Skyliner gondola system will begin operating at the Walt Disney World Resort in fall of 2019. Today, we finally get a first look at one of the actual finished gondolas up close!

Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled the gondola to Disney fans during D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouseevent.

Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resortas well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort. You can take a look at the reveal below.

As you can see, Disney Skyliner will be fun and offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World Resort with amazing views only available from the sky.

Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’ figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.

November 17, 2018
Details on New Mickey Mouse Experiences Coming To Disney Parks Revealed

At this morning’s D23’s Destination D: Celebrating Mickey Mouse event, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek shared details of exciting new guest offerings inspired by none other than the legendary Mickey Mouse.

Here’s a roundup of what to expect:

Enjoy the New “Wonderful World of Animation” Nighttime Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Bob unveiled news of an all-new cinematic nighttime experience, “Wonderful World of Animation,” which will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May 2019 as part of the park’s 30th Anniversary celebration. The show will use state-of-the-art projection technology. to take guests on a magical journey through more than 90 years of Disney animation, all beginning with Mickey himself. (See rendering above).

Experience Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Imagineers have been hard at work creating Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, using breakthrough technology to transform a two-dimensional cartoon into an amazing real-world experience. The first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse will feature a new original story and lovable theme song as it takes guests on a journey inside the wacky and unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.

Enjoy New Mickey Mouse Offerings at Disneyland park – The festivities will continue at the Disneyland Resort with Get Your Ears On: A Mickey and Minnie Celebration, which will feature new entertainment, food and merchandise. On January 18, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will light up the night at Disneyland park with all-new music, projections and lasers that set the scene for an epic dance party that takes over almost the entire park. The party will get even bigger when the fan-favorite Mickey’s Soundsational Parade returns to the resort in January 2019 featuring a new float with Mickey himself, who will lead the celebration down Main Street, U.S.A.

Join in on the Fun of Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park – From Jan. 18 to Sept. 30, 2019, Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration will feature new food, merchandise and entertainment, including a new dance party with Mickey, Minnie and their friends.

Celebrate Your Favorite Mouse with Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Party at Sea Aboard Disney Cruise Line – Guests will enjoy an all-new high-energy deck party on the Disney Fantasy next summer.

In addition to new Mickey Mouse-inspired experiences at Disney Parks, Bob also shared a look at the recently opened Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in New York City. The exhibition provides visitors with an interactive experience inspired by Mickey’s impact on popular culture, from Instagram-worthy design elements to larger-than-life multimedia installations. That exhibition runs through Feb. 10, 2019, and tickets can be purchased at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.

November 17, 2018
Disney Skyliner to Begin Transporting Guests in Fall 2019 at Walt Disney World

Earlier this week, Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, announced that Disney Skyliner will be ready to begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning fall of 2019!

This new state-of-the-art gondola system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

And next fall, Disney Skyliner will not only efficiently move you to your location, it’ll also offer a whole new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky – with great photo opportunities! For example, guests arriving at the International Gateway station will travel through the trees and be welcomed into Epcot with remarkable, never before-seen views across World Showcase.

The innovative transportation system is quickly coming to life! Workers just installed the last support tower at the Resort and are beginning to thread the series of reinforced cables to carry guests in stylish themed gondolas.

November 16, 2018
Disney Reveals Name of New 15-story Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

Last year, Disney announced a massive expansion of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and today, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled more about the reimagining, including the name of the new 15-story centerpiece of the resort, the Gran Destino Tower.

The tower, which will be completed in July 2019, will serve as the new main entrance point for guests visiting the resort, and will add a total of 545 new guest rooms (including 50 suites) to the resort, as well as feature a gorgeous two-story lobby. A themed table-service restaurant is also planned for the top of Gran Destino Tower, which will serve up delicious food and incredible views of the Walt Disney World Resort.

An oasis set on the shore of Lago Dorado, the reimagined Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort celebrates the daring spirit of the great Spanish explorers, artists, writers and architects. Throughout the resort, guests will discover a blend of classic Spanish influences, imaginative Disney touches and modern comforts both inside and out. The resort’s more than 1,800 existing rooms have also been fully updated with new fixtures, furnishings and lighting. A second new restaurant is planned to open on an island in the middle of the resort’s 14-acre lake, Lago Dorado, with new walkways stretching across the water, making it convenient no matter where guests stay at the resort. And a fresh color palette will tie the entire resort experience together, blending the new and the newly reimagined.

Guests will soon be able to make reservations for Gran Destino Tower for stays beginning in July 2019.

If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

November 14, 2018
Man Banned from Disney World After Holding Trump 2020 Sign on Splash Mountain

A man who several weeks ago was banned from Disney World after hanging a huge Donald Trump 2020 banner in the Magic Kingdom has been banned — for a second time.

Disney officials took away Don Cini’s annual pass back in September, after he posted a video of him waving a Trump 2020 banner over the Main Street Train Station. Disney reconsidered the position and allowed him to come back to the parks with the stipulation that he would not hang anymore flags.

Now his latest political antics have gotten him banned — again. And this time permanently. Cini was captured holding a Trump 2020 banner on Splash Mountain. After, the ride picture came with more than the usual decorative boarder. This one came with a note from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office saying that Cini trespassed and his conduct is not welcomed on Disney property.

Cini says that after taking the picture, he was escorted off property and he is now banned from all Disney World properties, including the theme parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

A picture of Don Cini’s latest guerilla style political support shows him riding down Splash Mountain with a “Trump 2020” sign and on Expedition Everest, he held a “Keep America Great” sign.

We spoke with Cini and asked him if he thought it was worth it. He said, “Yes, because I shouldn’t have been trespassed.” Cini is currently meeting with attorneys to find out what options are available to him. “I didn’t expect them to trespass I just wanted to get the picture,” Cini said.

Disney has now permanently revoked his annual pass, which he says he had for 24 years. Disney’s park rules state that, “the usage of any flag, banner or sign to incite a crowd” is prohibited.

November 13, 2018
Mickey’s Birthday Complete Foodie Guide for Disney Parks
Mickey Mouse is turning 90 years young and what better way to celebrate than with Mickey-themed eats and treats across the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts! This November, for one weekend only, Disney Parks has a TON of specialty items on both coasts to celebrate 90 wonderful years of Mickey Mouse.

Oh boy, oh boy! Check out all of these yummy offerings! They will only be available Nov. 16-18, 2018, at Walt Disney World Resort and Nov. 17-18, 2018, at Disneyland Resort unless otherwise noted. Take a look at the Foodie Guide below to find out about all the yummy goodness they are dishing out to celebrate Mickey Mouse!

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Magic Kingdom Park
- Birthday Bash Push Pop – filled with birthday cake pastry cream and layered with cake crumbles, buttercream, and glitter sprinkles; available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Columbia Harbour House
- Confetti Mickey Pretzel – Mickey pretzel topped with marshmallow cream and confetti sprinkles; available at The Lunching Pad, Storybook Circus, Liberty Square Market, and pretzel carts in Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland
- Mickey Cheeseburger – Angus burger with macaroni and cheese, American cheese, cheese sauce, and spicy cheese dust on a Mickey Mouse Bun; available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae – two scoops of your choice of ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, cherries, and your choice of peanut butter or caramel served in a Minnie Kitchen Sink souvenir bowl; available at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Cheesy Hot Diggity Dog – all-beef hot dog topped with cheddar, queso, and seasoned cheese puffs; available at Casey’s Corner
- Steamboat Willie Cookies and Cream Cheesecake – available at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, The Crystal Palace, and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream frosting, a fondant birthday balloon, and an edible image of Mickey; available at Creature Comforts, Pizzafari, and Restaurantosaurus
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake – vanilla cake with sprinkles, buttercream, and a chocolate Mickey medallion; available at Trolley Car Café, ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American Café, and Backlot Express
Epcot
- Hidden Mickey Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with brownie filling topped with buttercream icing and fondant birthday hat; available at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe Nov. 17-18
- Mickey Cookies and Cream Cheesecake – available at Sunshine Seasons
- Mickey’s Celebration Cupcake – vanilla cupcake filled with white chocolate mousse; available at Fountain View Nov. 17-18
- Mickey and Minnie Birthday Specialty Cupcakes – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, sprinkles, and chocolate ears; available at Coral Reef Restaurant Nov. 18 only
- Mickey-shaped Cucumber Salad – available for lunch and dinner at Garden Grill Restaurant Nov. 18 only
- Mickey Mousse – chocolate mousse with cookies and cream crumbles; available at Garden Grill Restaurant Nov. 18 only
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
- Birthday Fudge Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with fudge filling topped with fudge buttercream and chocolate balloons; available at Intermission Food Court, End Zone Food Court, and World Premier Food Court
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Cookies and Cream Sorcerer Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with vanilla buttercream; available at Landscape of Flavors
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Fudgefetti Sundae Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with whipped chocolate ganache filling topped with vanilla buttercream, chocolate fudge, and sprinkles; available at Everything POP Shopping and Dining
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
- Cookies and Cream Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake filled with cookies and cream buttercream topped with cookies and cream and vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and milk chocolate Mickey ears; available at Riverside Mill Food Court and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Mickey’s Mini Gâteau – chocolate chip sponge cake with milk chocolate mousse; available at The Mara
Disney’s BoardWalk
- Steamboat Willie Heritage Mickey – white chocolate mousse tart with a dark chocolate mousse Mickey dome and chocolate buttons, ears, and tail; available at BoardWalk Bakery
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake Cupcake – red velvet cake with chocolate buttercream filling topped with cream cheese buttercream icing, white chocolate Mickey balloons, and a mini birthday cake; available at Contempo Café
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with dark chocolate Mickey ears and a fondant party hat and bowtie; available at Gasparilla Island Grill
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – milk chocolate cupcake with cherry and sweet cream filling topped with vanilla buttercream and white chocolate glove; available at Capt. Cook’s and Kona Café Coffee Bar
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Mickey Brownie Mousse – fudge brownie topped with chocolate mousse and milk chocolate Mickey ears; available at Roaring Fork
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake – chocolate cupcake with cherry filling topped with caramel chocolate mousse; available at Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass
Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Birthday Celebration Cake – confetti cake with strawberry buttercream and chocolate ganache; available at The Artist’s Palette and Good’s Food To Go
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Cookies and Cream Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with cookies and cream and vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and milk chocolate Mickey Ears; available at Centertown Market
ESPN Wide World of Sports
- Mickey and Minnie Birthday Specialty Cupcakes – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, sprinkles, and chocolate ears; available at ESPN Grill
Disney Springs
- Started With a Mouse – Boston cream pie with white chiffon cake, blue glaçage, dark chocolate ears, and blue fondant; available at Amorette’s Patisserie
- Mickey’s Birthday Smoothie – tropical strawberry smoothie topped with whipped cream; available Amorette’s Patisserie
- Mickey Ganache Lollipop – strawberry ganache lollipop with Mickey Mouse décor; available at The Ganachery
- Mickey Milk Chocolate Ganache Square – milk chocolate ganache squares; available at The Ganachery
- Magical Birthday Sundae – vanilla ice cream with chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate-dipped waffle crisps; available at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- Mickey Sugar Cookies – available at Leaning Palms
DISNEYLAND RESORT
- Mickey Mouse Sipper – served with choice of fountain drink or specialty beverage; available at select quick-service locations across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on Nov. 18 only
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sundae – two scoops of birthday cake ice cream topped with a brownie, hot fudge, whipped cream, cherry, and sprinkles served in a Mickey or Minnie Mouse Kitchen Sink; available at Disneyland park (Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor) and Disney California Adventure park (Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream)
- Mickey Mouse Birthday Cake Crisped Rice Treat – three-layered crispy treat fruity cereal and Mickey-shaped sprinkles; available at Disneyland park (Refreshment Corner, Main Street U.S.A. Fruit Cart and Coffee Cart, Troubadour Tavern, all Toontown quick-service locations), Disney California Adventure park (Pacific Wharf Gourmet Cart, Pacific Wharf Café, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta), Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (Holiday Cart), and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (Surfside Lounge, Sand Bar)
- Steamboat Willie Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallow and Caramel Apple – available at Disneyland park (Candy Palace and Hunny Spot), Disney California Adventure park (Trolley Treats), and the Downtown Disney District (Marceline’s Confectionery)
- Mickey’s Birthday Churro – warm churro rolled in birthday cake sugar and served with confetti icing; available at select Churro Carts across Disneyland park
- Mickey’s Celebration Churro – warm chocolate churro topped with cookie butter and Mickey confetti and served with a side of red marshmallow cream and Mickey buttons; available at select Churro Carts across Disneyland park
- Mac ‘N Cheese Foot-Long Hot Dog – foot-long hot dog on an Italian roll topped with creamy mac and cheese and bacon bits; available at Pluto’s Dog House
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Frozen Yogurt Sundaes – topped with confetti sprinkles; available at Clarabelle’s at Disneyland park
- Mickey Mouse Pizza – choice of pepperoni or cheese Mickey-shaped pizza; available at Daisy’s Diner at Disneyland park
- Cookies and Cream Beignets – available at Mint Julep Bar at Disneyland park
November 13, 2018
Maleficent Float Returning To Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom

Great news for fans of Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom! The Maleficent Dragon float will soon be returning to the line up!

The float was removed from the parade back in May after it burst into flames as the parade strolled through the park. The head of the dragon spits flames and apparently malfunctioned.

Photo: Redhead Baby Momma

The giant steampunk-inspired dragon is currently in the Magic Kingdom and has been involved in the rehearsals for the Festival of Fantasy parade, according to WDWMagic.com. Take a look at the video below to see the incident.

The fire was quickly extinguished and there were no reports of injuries. There is no word on if the float will be breathing fire again, but the good news is, she’s back!

November 8, 2018