Disney World Holiday Event Guide..

Annual Passholders recently received the Mickey Monitor, which included a listing of all the amazing events that families can enjoy around the Walt Disney World Resort during this holiday time period!

2013 Holiday Events Guide

EPCOT will be hosting the annual Candlelight Processional with a bevy of celebrity guests, who with the backing of a full orchestra and choir, read the story of a baby found in a manger that would change the world!  Dinner at one of the World Showcase pavilions makes this the perfect date night holiday event.

Festival of the Lion King will be closing on January 5th so be sure to catch this amazing show this holiday season.  The show will be relocating to a new location to allow development to begin on AVATAR: The World of Pandora.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is sold out for most nights but tickets are still available for select evenings.  One of the most memorable things you can do at Disney is attend this party with the family sip hot cocoa, eat gingerbread cookies and watch the snow fall on Main Street U.S.A. The evening is finished with a special version of Disney's Wishes fireworks show which provides the perfect backdrop for Cinderella's Castle which is adorned in over 200,000 Dream lights.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is a massively popular event and one not to be missed. Please be advised that crowds on the weekends can be very heavy so plan accordingly.

The holidays and time with family is one of the many joys of life, and when you add Disney into the mix you truly get an unforgettable experience that will provide memories for years to come.

Please feel free to post any questions that you may have and I will respond as soon as possible.

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Enjoy!

Orlando to get World's Tallest Coaster by 2016!

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, better known as IAAPA, is in Orlando this week and is a theme park fans dreamworld.  The major players from all around the globe converge on Orlando to show off new ideas, new foods, and new technology that all go into making the rides we all know and love.

A major announcement was made, in part, yesterday during an interview with S&S coaster and US Thrill Rides, Orlando will soon be home to the worlds tallest Poler Coaster!  Standing at a little over 520 feet tall this new concept design coaster will be one of three built in the United States and promises not only spectacular views from the top, but a high speed thrill ride to get back down.

The concept is simple yet ingenious, riders are seated in ride cars which then will wind their way up the tower giving amazing views all the way up, then at the top the Orlando coaster will then invert riders before starting its 520 foot descent. The top of the tower is reached by two glass elevators and can be used for dining and merchandise locations.  The tower is also designed to provide a spectacular light show at night making it a 520 foot magnet for thrill seeking guests.

Details and who exactly is building it will be revealed later this week but should be an exciting announcement for the area.

Enjoy!

Poler Coaster

Despicable Me takes over select rooms at the Portifino Bay Resort!!

The amazing minds at Universal creative have helped make many children's (and adults) dreams come true. So I am pleased to announce that the newest rooms on property will help to make many a child's nights be filled with Minion Madness.

Portifino Bay Resort hotel has finally opened the Despicable Me kids suites and they are amazing.  Based on the massively successful films, the rooms are filled from floor to ceiling with the little yellow pranksters making the family style suites a huge hit with kids of all ages.

Reservations are being accepted now and are booking fast. Portifino is the crown jewel of Universal Orlando Resorts and is a definite must see during your visit to the property. Italian in theme, amazing food, and spectacular views make this resort an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy!

Minion Madness!!

The harbor at night

Bob Iger Announces Star Wars Lands

It's Official : Bob Iger Announces Star Wars Lands Coming at Disneyland AND Walt Disney World!!

Bob Iger in an interview with Bloomberg confirmed that "there is a fair amount of development going on at Disney Imagineering right now to expand the Star Wars presence in  Disneyland AND Walt Disney World. 

This is the first official confirmation that we have received that the recently purchased Star Wars franchise is heading to the parks. I for one am very excited about the prospect of the new expansion here at the Florida complex and feel that it will give a much needed boost to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

No other details were released but I have the feeling that now the project has been announced we should start seeing some solid info about new attractions and the new area.  I will post more information as it becomes available.

Enjoy!!

Disney Update: Disney Springs gets new artwork and Disney posts record revenue.

Record revenue and profits:

The Walt Disney Company posted a record setting revenue for the company this year clocking in at just a little over 45 billion with over 6 billion in profit.  The increase is credited mainly to record setting attendance numbers in the theme parks and a solid increase in guest spending inside its parks.

Pleasure Island Bi-Pass Bridge open and new Disney Springs Artwork:

The new bridge that will allow guests to bi-pass the old Pleasure Island complex is now complete and open for guest use.  The bridge, which is temporary, feels solid with a great lighting package and fantastic views of the water and Disneys Saratoga Springs Resort. In addition the bridge is lined with new concept art for Disney Springs!

The new concept art shows that Disney Springs is in a heavy evolve stage with ideas changing all the time. The artwork also shows the elaborate springs area that will provide a waterfront feel to almost every location at this new project.

New Springs area concept art

The next two photos show how the concept for the main lake shopping area has changed.  Disney has changed the former two story idea, to a more relaxed waterfront pier look with some stores having open store fronts.

New concept art

Original Concept art

I should also note that Valet parking is now open in full force at Downtown Disney as the first of two massive parking structures is under construction.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2013:

Cinderellas Castle dressed in Dream Lights

The most magical time of the year is about to get started at the most magical park on the planet. Get ready for "snow", hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies as Mickey and crew usher in the Christmas season at the Magic Kingdom.

The event this year is expected to see record attendance with some nights being sold out as of this post, so get your tickets early and do not miss what is one of the most amazing holiday traditions in the world!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special hard ticket event held in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. For 2013, the party will be held on November 8, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, & 22, and December 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, & 20.

WE'RE BACK!!

I started doing this little blog last year, but due to events with work and life in general I found the time spent on it to be consuming.  However my love for the Orlando area and its plethora of parks, events, dining experiences, and other offerings is my passion.

I am pleased to announce that I will be doing a Bi-Weekly post (more often for big news) to help feed the addiction of everyone that loves the playground of the world, known to we locals as ORLANDO!!

Orlando is experiencing an amazing period of growth, not only in its theme parks but in every facet that this beautiful city has to offer. I hope to be able to cover some of the information each week with you the readers.

Please feel free to post any questions, comments, suggestions, and your opinion on anything that you see on here.  The more active the board the more value it has as a source for information and fun.

Enjoy!!