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5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – September 9, 2016

Welcome to another week of Disney things you should know. Not everyone can keep up with all of the Disney news (not even me, and I do this stuff full time), so we provide you with 5 Disney Things you should know from this week to help you keep up to date. This week features a new Disneyland discount, Disney Cruise spotify list to keep you happy between cruises, a new afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian and a few halloween tidbits.

Fall 2016 Disneyland Discount

Disneyland Discount

This week brings us a new Disneyland Discount for 2016 Fall dates. This is the same discount that was released last week for Disney VISA cardholders. It is now available to everyone, a Disney VISA is no longer required.

  • Save 20% on premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
  • Save 15% on standard rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
  • Save 10% on standard and premium rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

For more information: 2016 Disneyland Fall Savings

Disney Cruise Spotify Playlist

disney cruise spotify

Do you have days when you wish you were on a Disney Cruise? I have them all the time (ok, every single day if you must know). Well, while I can’t really solve that problem for you, I can help a little bit. Disney Cruise has launched a Spotify playlist complete with all your DCL favorites. It includes both timeless tunes and modern reworkings of old favorites by contemporary artists. There’s no doubt you heard many of these songs on your Disney cruise in our stage shows and deck parties – or just walking down the hallway!

Listening to this playlist is sure to put a smile on your face—and keep you whistling while you work. You just need to have or create a Spotify account to enjoy it. I hope you like it as much as I do!

For more information: Disney Cruise Line Spotify Playlist

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is back

not so scary halloween

If you are a fan of Disney, Halloween, Mickey Mouse or having fun, get yourself to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year.

This year’s event will feature many spectacular returning guest favorites, including “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade,” “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” and “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks. But there are a few new additions to keep an eye out for.

  • “Zootopia” Clawhauser Stars In This Year’s Exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card – This year’s exclusive card is “Clawhauser’s Tricky Treat,” and when an “apprentice” uses this card to cast a spell in the game, dozens of magical donuts appear. (Learn how you can pick up your game card in this previous blog post).
  • “Zootopia” Nick and Judy Join The Creepa Crew – The Creepa Crew, which entertains guests waiting on Main Street, U.S.A. will be led by two of the Zootopia PD’s finest, BFFs Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps.
  • The “Boo to You” Parade Will Give You A Sugar Rush – Vanellope von Schweetz from “Wreck It Ralph” will bring in the candy this year during the “Boo To You” parade. Spy her and her squad of dancers toward the end of the parade.

As a reminder, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party requires a separate ticket (a party specific ticket) that can be purchased here and is available for the following dates.

  • September – 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 29, 30
  • October – 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31

Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread Houses

haunted mansion holiday

Sticking with the halloween theme, have you ever been to the Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland? One of my favorite all time Disney “attractions”. Well, this years is the 15th year of the makeover, and with that, we can now celebrate 15 years of Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread Houses. If you haven’t been, get there. In the mean time, enjoy the video of 15 years of gingerbread houses.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House Fun Facts:

  • Heights have ranged from five feet (the smallest) to 15 feet (the tallest – almost touching the chandelier)
  • It takes 16 days to build and decorate the gingerbread house, on average
  • A team of 4 pastry chefs works together to create each masterpiece
  • Many of the pastry chefs have been part of this kooky tradition since 2001

This year’s house is made of:

  • 200 pounds gingerbread
  • 200 pounds powdered sugar
  • 4 gallons egg whites
  • 1 gallon lemon juice
  • 50 pounds fondant
  • 1/3 pound glitter

Do you have a favorite Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house?

New Afternoon Tea available at the Grand Floridian

grand floridian afternoon tea

Recently, Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room received a menu makeover, and now features the largest selection of Twinings loose-leaf teas, all of which are exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort. The stars of the new tea menu are the Twinings Signature Blends – served exclusively in the United States at the Garden View Tea Room – whether you select Perfect Afternoon, Garden Party or After Dinner Mint, you can’t go wrong. Pure Black and Flavored Black Teas, Oolong, Green and White Teas and caffeine-free Herbal Infusions are also available.

Teas are available in several ‘shires’ or packages, including The Bedfordshire Tea, The Derbyshire Tea, The Cheshire Tea, The Berkshire Tea and The Yorkshire Tea. Of course, there is a special tea available for guests age 3-9, Mrs. Potts includes tea sandwiches, a jam tart, delicate house-made pastries and a special ‘dark tea’ (chocolate milk).

Reservations can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine, or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. How will you celebrate afternoon tea?

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

5 disney things

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – September 2, 2016

Welcome to another week of Disney things you should know. Not everyone can keep up with all of the Disney news (not even me, and I do this stuff full time), so we provide you with 5 Disney Things you should know from this week to help you keep up to date. This week features a new Disneyland and Walt Disney World discount, a brand new Disneyland parade and finally direct bus service from Walt Disney World theme parks to Disney Springs was announced. It was a busy Disney week!

Fall 2016 Disneyland Discount

Disneyland Discount

This week brings us a new Disneyland Discount for 2016 Fall dates. This discount is currently for Disney VISA cardholders only, but will be released to the general public next week, a Disney VISA will no longer be required starting on September 7, 2016.

  • Save 20% on premium rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
  • Save 15% on standard rooms at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
  • Save 10% on standard and premium rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

For more information: 2016 Disneyland Fall Savings – Disney VISA

Walt Disney World Fall Florida Resident Discounts

florida resident discount

Walt Disney World also received a new discount this week, this one for Florida Residents only for select Fall, 2016 travel dates. Travel from November 6 – December 23, 2016 and receive up to 30% off of your Walt Disney World resort.

For more information: WDW November – December 2016 Florida Resident Discount

Disney Theme Park to Disney Springs Bus Service

disney springs bus

Finally, you can take a bus directly from one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks directly to Disney Springs. This only makes sense as Disney has been pushing Disney Springs as much more of a destination for theme park visitors, with the addition of quite a few new restaurants and shops. Starting at 4 PM daily, guests will be able to go directly to Disney Springs via specially marked “Disney Springs” buses. Please note that this is a one way option, as there will not be a Disney Springs -> theme park option, so don’t make plans to go to Disney Springs for an early dinner hoping to go back to the parks for fireworks or extra magic hours.

For more information: Disney Springs Bus Service

New Fall Finale for ‘Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire’

friendship faire

As colors change along Main Street, U.S.A. with the onset of fall at Magic Kingdom Park, “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” is also preparing to mark the season with enhancements to the show’s grand finale.

Beginning September 2, the finale scene in “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” will feature new costumes, décor and choreography. You’ll also hear an original song celebrating autumn, from the songwriting duo of Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn who composed the show’s catchy tune “On This Day.”

New Disneyland Frightfully Fun Parade

frightfully fun parade

Beginning this year, all you “boos” and “ghouls” are invited to gather for chills and thrills when the all-new “Frightfully Fun Parade” takes to the streets, featuring a spectacle of spooky spirits from the deepest bayous of New Orleans to Halloweentown and beyond.

The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow sets the mood as he arrives on his ghostly black steed just ahead of the parade itself, carrying a flickering jack-o-lantern as a warning to everyone along the parade route.

From “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King brings greetings from Halloweentown, as residents arrive to celebrate their favorite time of year. Grim, grinning ghosts come out to socialize when Disney’s iconic Haunted Mansion attraction comes to “afterlife,” with swirling ballroom dancers, ominous gravediggers and a trio of hitchhiking ghosts. Inspired by Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” Dr. Facilier calls on mystical powers, summoning his Shadow Men from the bayou to loom large over his strange and twisted Voodoo parlor, and the mischievous Disney Villains appear out of the darkness, ready to stir up some trouble. A dark and dungeon-like lair takes over the parade route, bringing with it a wicked gathering of villainy from Hades and the Evil Queen to Jafar, Cruella and more!

The “Frightfully Fun Parade” will be presented exclusively during Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separately ticketed event at Disneyland park hosted over 17 nights from September 23 to October 31, 2016.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

disney things you should know

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – August 19, 2016

Sorry, it has been a while. I seemed to have poorly plan my family vacations this year to destinations that are stuck in 1984. Internet access has been hard to come by. But to tell the truth, taking a break from the world wide web does wonders, you should consider it. Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. This week, we feature news about a long time Magic Kingdom parade leaving, a brand new Disneyland entrance and some fun other Disney news items.

Main Street Electrical Parade Leaving the Magic Kingdom

main street electrical parade

The Main Street Electrical Parade, Magic Kingdom Park’s long-running nighttime parade, will officially end its historic run at Walt Disney World Resort on October 9 and then head to Disneyland Resort for a limited-time encore engagement. The quintessential Disney Parks nighttime parade, the Main Street Electrical Parade began at Disneyland park in 1972, shining brightly in the memories of thousands of Disneyland park guests until the end of its initial run in 1996. It returned to the Disneyland Resort as Disney’s Electrical Parade, bringing magical Disney stories to Disney California Adventure park from 2001 until 2010, when it crossed the country to begin its most recent run at Walt Disney World Resort.

“Paint the Night” parade will continue nightly performances, just before “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, through September 5 as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. And I’m excited to share today that this popular parade will return on select nights during the holiday season later this year.

New Disneyland Resort East Entrance Coming Soon

Disneyland East Entrance

Disneyland Resort is planning to break ground on our Eastern Gateway, a new arrival point that will provide guests even more choices for access and parking when it opens in late 2018. This project on the east side of the Disneyland Resort will include a new parking structure with 6,800 spaces, a new transportation facility and an elevated pedestrian bridge.

The largest infrastructure project in the Anaheim Resort Area in the last 20 years, the Eastern Gateway will make it even easier to get to the Happiest Place on Earth by providing an east-side entry point to the Anaheim Resort Area. The new transportation facility will be the arrival point for buses, taxis, bicycles and various shuttles that currently use the existing transportation facility located on the west side of Harbor Boulevard. The new pedestrian pathway and elevated bridge over Harbor Blvd. will directly link guests arriving at the parking structure and eastern transportation facility with the main entrance plaza.

YesterEars Vintage Apparel

YesterEars

Do you have a favorite Disney t-shirt from your childhood? You may be in luck, as Disney has launched YesterEars Apparel, which will feature remakes of vintage Disney park apparel. It appears that they will be offering limited time items, so each t-shirt may be available to order for only a week, and then new shirts will be added. The name of this collection was inspired by a shop with the same name once found at the former Downtown Disney Pleasure Island. During the next three months, you’ll find limited release apparel inspired by classic Walt Disney World Resort attractions and locations.

yesterears apparel

Currently, there is a fantastic Dreamfinder and Figment t-shirt that my brother used to wear all the time (my parents like him better), as well as a cool X-S Tech themed shirt from the defunct Alien Encounter. Finally, there is a Walt Disney World Preview Center shirt, celebrating a short lived preview center located in Orlando before Walt Disney World opened. Check back each week for a new crop of vintage Disney t-shirts.

Disney YesterEars Collection

Disney Parks Moms Panel Search

Think you know a lot about Disney? Want a really cool job? Check out the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Please note, you don’t need to be a mom, woman or anything else, any human being can apply (except those that are restricted by their current occupation of course).

You should consider applying for the 2017 Disney Parks Moms Panel. The application window will open at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 and close at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. The first round application process includes short essay questions, basic information questions, and a sample question similar to what you’d find on the Disney Parks Moms Panel website.

This September marks the 10th year of the annual search for new panelists. The first Moms Panel search launched in September 2007 and since then more than 140 moms, dads, grandparents have helped other guests with decisions and planning logistics around all types Disney vacations.

The Disney Parks Moms Panel focuses on nearly every type of Disney vacation including Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, runDisney and events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. And because the site is available in four languages, we hope to find panelists fluent in Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

If you’re the go-to vacation planner in the family and consider yourself very knowledgeable about Disney Parks vacations, consider applying for next year’s panel.

Tiffins Lunch Menu

Tiffins Lunch

The very popular Tiffins in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has launched a new lunch menu, which is very, very welcome. After opening, Tiffins added lunch but just offered their dinner menu at lunch, which didn’t go over very well. The new menu is just that, A Tasty of Tiffins, is a perfect way to try big flavors in lunch-sized portions.

Served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., you can choose two appetizer-sized dishes, served with Jade blend rice. Check out Tiffins, dinner there is downright fantastic, I am sure this new lighter lunch menu is too. Can’t wait to go in a few weeks.

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?