Posts Tagged ‘Cinderella Castle’

With rather extraordinary fanfare, Disney Parks made its latest announcement an hour ago.  I spent a puzzling half-hour on facebook with 10,000 other viewers, watching the live feed.  I have to assume many more were logged in through the Disney Parks Blog site since that was completely unavailable.

It was fascinating to read the comments coming in as the presentation made its ponderous way forward.  Obviously a group of true believers, even the most diehard members of the audience became discouraged as the show rolled on.   By the end of the broadcast, the comments were almost 100% negative; surprised, dismayed, and negative.  It wasn’t so much the content; it was the failure to deliver on the heels of so much hoopla.

Supporting the research which indicates the importance of vacation memories, the new “Let the Memories Begin” campaign will give guests the chance to share their own photos and videos and see them projected on the façade of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort, or It’s a Small World at Disneyland Resort.  There was a rehash of old news about the World of Color, new Disney Cruise Line ships, park expansions, Aulani.  Very nice; very anticlimactic; very disappointing to the vast majority who very clearly were expecting something a great deal more dramatic.

Despite the public’s love affair with the notion of sharing the mundane details of daily life with the world, there is obviously a different set of standards when it comes to corporate pronouncements.  Still an evolving concept, social media outlets are being embraced by business with mixed results, and this appears to have been a misstep.  While it may be acceptable for Disney to publish tidbits and trivia on its blog and fan page, it seems that using them to whip people into a frenzy of anticipation about a “big” announcement which turns out to be small after all, is not.  There was a lot of speculation regarding this “exciting news;” pretty much all of it far exceeding the somewhat ho-hum rollout of the new marketing campaign.  Can’t help but feel that there’s a lesson here for us all – go big or go home.

VITAL STATISTICS

Name: Goofy

AKA: Goofus D. Dawg; Dippy Dawg

Favorite Sayings: “Gawrsh!” “A-hyuck!”  “Well, whaddya know …”

Prized Possession: green hat

Qualifications: optimistic,  good-natured, kind

Facebook Friends:  Max, Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Pluto, Clarabelle

CHARACTER COORDINATES

Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.

Meet and Greet

• EPCOT, World Showcase, American Adventure
• EPCOT, International Gateway
• EPCOT, Future World, Character Spot
• Magic Kingdom, Town Square
• Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame (subject to change)
• Magic Kingdom, Toontown Barnstormer (subject to change)
• Magic Kingdom, Frontierland
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie-Mickey
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dinoland U.S.A., Chester and Hester’s Dinorama
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat

Character Dining

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tusker House, Donald’s Safari Breakfast
• Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s
• Beach Club Resort, Cape May, Goofy’s Beach Club Breakfast
• Fort Wilderness, Mickey’s Backyard Barbeque Dinner Show

Attractions

• Magic Kingdom, Toontown, Goofy’s Barnstormer (subject to change)

Shows

• Magic Kingdom, Castle Forecourt Stage, Dream-Along with Mickey
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!

Parades

• Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
• Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade

Miscellaneous

• Magic Kingdom, Town Square, photo op with statue sitting on a bench

VITAL STATISTICS

Name: Mary Poppins

Current Address: Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, England

Previous Address: where the West Wind blows

Interests: tea parties, singing, feeding the birds, an element of fun

Favorite Food: sugar

Prized Possessions: carpetbag, umbrella

Facebook Friends:  Bert; Jane, Michael, John, Barbara, and Annabel Banks; Uncle Albert

CHARACTER COORDINATES

Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed.  Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional.  Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.

Meet and Greet

• EPCOT, World Showcase, United Kingdom
• Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame
• Magic Kingdom, Main Street Exposition Hall
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat

Character Dining

• EPCOT, World Showcase, Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Storybook Dining
• Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare

Attractions

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride

Parades

• Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
• Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic

Miscellaneous

• Downtown Disney, featured on the Characters in Flight balloon

We believe that photographs are the best way to share the magic of Disney Destinations and we are fortunate to have access to the work of some of the world’s best “Disney” photographers.  We hope they serve as inspiration for your own efforts during your next Disney vacation.

Whether you’re hoping to return home with a few pictures of your family in front of Cinderella Castle, or plan to try your hand at some creative compositions, we’re sharing our fav 5 tips for fabulous photographs:

• Take a photo at the same location each time you visit.  Choose something you love. Yes, it can be the Castle, but consider a feature that’s a bit more personal – a sculpture onboard Disney Wonder; one of the many wonderful seats found all around the parks and resorts; the sign in front of your family’s favorite attraction; the restaurant where you always have dinner on the night of your arrival; a pose with a special character.  If you have children, selecting a smaller element rather than a landscape or building will showcase their growth over the years.

• Although pictures of happy people waving at the camera put a smile on everyone’s face, candid shots are often the most memorable.  The profile of a little child gazing up at a parade; the delighted laugh of an adult being hugged by Mickey Mouse; these can be the most special moments of all.  Keep an eye out for such opportunities.

• Choosing a theme can make any vacation album unique.  The decision to focus on the doorways of Dublin, the streets of Singapore, the mailboxes of Massachusetts, allows us to tell a travel story in a cohesive and unique way.  The most thematic places on earth, Disney Destinations give new meaning to the concept of themed photography.  Characters, clocks, colors; flowers, fences, fish; hats or hidden Mickeys; vehicles and villains; the possibilities are endless.  Weave your own tale by choosing an element that will play a role in a number of your photos.

• While most people are aware of the difficulties with night photography, few realize that full daylight carries its own challenges.  Great photographers understand that the very best photo opportunities are found at the beginning and end of each day – sunrise and sunset.  The light is unsurpassed, lending a gentle glow or soft shadow, making the everyday subject exceptional.

• Whatever your focus may be, take the time to consider your subject.  Look for an unusual perspective; a new way of capturing a familiar sight.  Get down low or step up on something higher; shoot from a different side, try a shallow depth of field, pay attention to reflections and shadows.  Move in close – remember that a nose, eyelashes, and polka dots are more than enough for a recognizable image of Minnie Mouse!

The holiday decorations are up for 2009; none more beautiful than the Castle Dream Lights in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.  A breathtaking display of shimmering beauty that photographer Joe Penniston has captured in perfect reflection.

This spectacular vintage fire engine is just one of the wonderful Main Street vehicles that offer guests a one-way trip to nostalgia. Choose to cruise from Town Square to Cinderella Castle, or climb on board at the Castle for the slow-paced journey back down Main Street U.S.A. Thanks to photographer Jeff Bergman for this amazing photo of the fire truck parked right in front of the most famous address in town!

VITAL STATISTICS

Name: Snow White

Current Address: The Prince’s Palace

Previous Address:  Cottage of the Seven Dwarves, The Forest

Interests: cooking, sewing, knitting, keeping a tidy home

Favorite Food: apples

Facebook Friends:  Huntsman, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Sneezy

CHARACTER COORDINATES

Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed.  Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional.  Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.

Meet and Greet

• EPCOT, World Showcase, Germany
• Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame, Princess Room
• Magic Kingdom, Main Street Exposition Hall
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat

Character Dining

• EPCOT, World Showcase, Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Storybook Dining
• Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table

Attractions

• Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Snow White’s Scary Adventure

Shows

• Magic Kingdom, Castle Forecourt Stage, Dream-Along with Mickey
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!

Parades

• Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
• Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic

Miscellaneous

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animation Gallery, The Art of Snow White

#1 Castle Dream Lights

One of the world’s most famous and well-loved structures, Cinderella Castle has endured its share of temporary embellishments through the years, some of them earning considerably less than universal approval.  Few would argue, though, that the current holiday enhancement is nothing short of astonishing.  Maintaining its usual façade by day thanks to cleverly-colored components which blend nearly invisibly with the blue and tan colors of the roof and walls, the Castle is transformed at night into an icy, sparkling confection.

A brief and charming ceremony at dusk ushers in the metamorphosis.  Slowly, turret by turret, the Castle begins to shimmer with a frosty glow as thousands of tiny lights work their magic to cover it with “icicles.”  Throughout the evening, the colors change imperceptibly, moving through the spectrum and providing an unforgettable backdrop for the holiday fireworks.

Cinderella Castle Holiday Lights

Magic Kingdom

Nightly throughout the holidays; stage show at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Park admission required

Neal Stephenson has a beautiful mind, one that roams both the highways and back roads of human knowledge with equal ease.  As a writer, he is willing to grab you by the hand and take you along, pointing out new concepts, and asking you to follow a different route when revisiting the familiar.

In his book Anathem, he talks about the “story” and the way in which organizational work life has sucked most of the individual stories out of people’s everyday lives.  Their stories have become those of the institution, rather than those of their own making. People who find it difficult to sacrifice their personal storytelling to the constraints of economy and efficiency may strike out in a different direction, choosing a more entrepreneurial or adventurous way of life. 

Could it be that this is why the idea of travel seems so much more like a necessity than a luxury?  Perhaps it’s not just that people feel they “deserve a reward for working hard all year.”  Perhaps travel fulfills a very basic need that we all have to tell a tale; to have an experience with a beginning, a middle, and an end; one that is unique to us; one we can cherish in our memories and in the retelling; a story of our own.

Sue Holland’s well-timed photo of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, sporting its  sparkling holiday finery complete with perfectly-placed pyrotechnics, has been a feature of our site since the beginning.  The fact that this photo was taken with exactly the same point-and-

shoot that I have used to produce dozens of unfocused, useless examples of the same subject is less a comment about my ineptitude than a tribute to her talents.  While we see many pictures of the Christmas Castle in icy blue, the gorgeous violets and golds make this one a keeper.  Thanks Sue!