Disney Parks pay tribute to M.J.

Captain EO is returning to Disneyland Paris on June 12th, Walt Disney World on July 2 and Tokyo Disneyland, just months after it reopened to rave reviews at Disneyland.
The 17 minute film features Michael Jackson as “Captain EO” and a crew of Disney-created space characters. During their journey, the group uses the power of dance, light and music to turn a colorless planet into a world of color and happiness.
After the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, Captain EO regained popularity on the Internet. For several years, fans had petitioned Disney to bring back the attraction and Jackson's death had brought this campaign to a peak. Soon afterward, Disney officials were seen in Disneyland at the Magic Eye Theater and reportedly held a private screening of Captain EO to determine if it could be shown again. It was rumored that Disneyland would announce the return of the attraction at Disneyland in September.On December 18, 2009, it was announced that Captain EO would return to Tomorrowland at Disneyland beginning in February 2010.Disney stated that "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!" would be closing. The attraction hosted its final public showing in the Magic Eye Theater (Now named the Tomorrowland Theater) at midnight on January 4, 2010 to make way for the Michael Jackson film's return.
The attraction, now entitled Captain EO Tribute, re-opened at Disneyland park on February 23, 2010.

Our First Visit to WDW

It was March 1996 when my husband and I took our 3 children to Florida to the World that Walt built, so to speak. We had planned the trip to be a "camping trip" in the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. We loaded our Dodge Caravan with tent, sleeping bags, cooler full of food and drinks as well as a portable t.v/vcr combo for the kids to watch Disney movies on the 14 hour drive south. We packed a couple warm items but mostly clothing that was fitting for the warm air of Florida. Once we neared my sister-in-laws house (midway on the journey)we stopped for a couple hour nap and learned the temperatures in Orlando were going to be record breakingly low. She had a few extra jackets for the kids to use so we took those along. Once we located a Disney retailer along the interstate we stopped and called the Walt Disney World resort to see if we could make reservations for a room. We had no idea how much it would run as it was such late notice and everything affordable would be taken; but we had a daughter that was 2 1/2 years old with us we didn't want to sleep in a tent with record breaking low temps. We knew we just had to take the risk and call hoping for the best.
To our suprise they had room at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort. With there being five of us we didn't know if we would be able to get a single room rate or if we would have to get a suite or two rooms that joined. We were so pleased with our reservations. The castmember was so attentive and caring even offering us the Visa discount without us asking for it. The room we stayed in had a trundle bed, which our10 year old son thougth was cool because he could just slid his bed under our bed without making it. We had pizza delivery one night after getting home late from the parks. There were only three at that time; Magic Kingdom, Epcot and MGM Studios. We had a blast but was exhausted each night when we returned to our room. No way would a sleeping bag offer the comfortable night of sleep that we needed. I am so happy that we were able to get an affordable room at Port Orleans. As we stepped through a wrought-iron portal into an alluring recreation of the historic New Orleans district, we found nestled along the banks of the Disney-created Sassagoula River, these two resorts are probably the best themed, and certainly the most picturesque, places you can stay within Walt Disney World without breaking the bank.
If not for this beautiful resort we probably not have enjoyed our first stay on Walt Disney World property and would not have fallen in love with all things Disney.

Tronorail

I wanted to share a picture of the revamped overlay that Disney World has put on one, maybe two of thier monorails. This is to rev-up the excitement for the upcoming Sequel to the 1982 Tron. If everything goes as planned this movie, marking the 20th anniversary of it's original, could bring an Avatar like success spawning more sequels. Look for the Tronorail should you visit Walt Disney World over the spring or summer of 2010, and look for Tron:Legacy this winter.

Holiday in the World

This year I was thrilled to finally see Walt Disney World in all its Holiday splendor. Over the years of visiting in the Fall I noticed the lights strung along the Streets of America in Hollywood Studios and could only imagine what it must look like all lit up for Christmas. This year I got to see it. I have to say that I could have never imagined it to be what it was in reality. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights moved to Disney World in 2004 and now uses over 5 million lights in the display of dancing lights. At dusk the sounds can be heard from Commissary Lane and the Star Wars tour ride and you know the show is underway. It's like being in the Magic Kingdom when you hear those first notes of the SpectrOMagic Parade as is nears, you just know the thrill of another Disney Magical Moment is beginning. Through out the Streets of America the lights begin to dance with the rhythem of Christmas Classics and Holiday tunes all the way to the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" enterance. Buildings are covered from top to foundation with lights including free standing objects made from lights as well. If you are in the Walt Disney World Resort during the Holiday Season this sectacular display is a must see. It is a walk through show that begins at dusk and ends at 10:00 pm on most evenings.

That is only one of many sights to see in the World, another is Cinderella's Castle dripping with icicles. There are more than 200,000 tiny white lights strung along 40,000 square feet of fishing net to create this enourmus display. The fishing net is carefully died to match the colors of the castle before the lights are hooked on. The castle changes colors throughout the evening and then takes the staring roll in the Holiday Wishes each evening. This special version of Wishes brings to life the songs of the holiday, like the Nutcracker's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and O Christmas Tree just to mention a couple.
Another must see while at the Magic Kingdom is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Guests need to purchase a separate ticket for entry. Walt Disney World limits the number of tickets sold in order to keep the crowds down and many dates sell out in advance.
It features:
*The enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle,
*Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade(complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself)
*An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
*Live entertainment featuring Disney Characters
*Meet and greet opportunities throughout Magic Kingdom theme park with some of your favorite Disney Characters.
*Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
*A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.

Another Must See takes place in Epcot, an international celebration of Yuletide traditions filled with festive decorations and live entertainment that will be sure to get you in the Christmas Spirit. Each Evening a special holiday event held nightly at the American Gardens Theatre in Epcot theme park as part of Holidays Around The World. The event retells the stirring story of Christmas with a special celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir of up to 400 members. We saw Pere Noel in France, that was a nice treat.