LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 11, 2013) – In celebration of mothers and daughters everywhere, Disney today proudly welcomed Merida from Disney∙Pixar’s Academy Award winning film, “Brave,” into the Disney Princess royal court.  With her mother Queen Elinor proudly by her side, the ceremony took place at the Magic Kingdom in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in conjunction with Mother’s Day festivities. Gymnastics Gold Medalist and All-Around champion, Gabby Douglas, hosted the celebration accompanied by her mother, and shared her personal story of strength, perseverance and courage – the true meaning of being a Disney princess.

Watched by hundreds of park guests, Merida’s procession through the Magic Kingdom to Cinderella Castle was led by a troop of Scottish dancers and an authentic pipe and drum band. In true Merida fashion, she forged her own path, foregoing the traditional horse-and-carriage arrival and instead wowing the audience as she rode in on her trusty horse Angus. She was welcomed on stage by the entire Disney Princess court, and was crowned by her mother Queen Elinor in a touching moment of love and respect that highlighted the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Over the last few years, the Disney Princess royal court has expanded to welcome new princess characters whose stories, personalities and inner qualities serve as role models inspiring girls around the world.

“I admire Merida for being determined and courageous as these are qualities that have had a big impact on my own life and helped me achieve my goals as an athlete,” said Gabby Douglas, gymnastics gold medalist.  “And like Merida, I have a strong relationship with my mom, whose support and belief in me has helped me recognize my own inner princess qualities. It’s really special for us to be here and share in Merida’s celebration, especially on Mother’s Day weekend.”

“As a Disney Princess, Merida sets an admirable example for all, being brave, strong, passionate, determined and confident,” said Katherine Sarafian, “Brave’s” producer. “When Queen Elinor placed the crown on Merida’s head, it signified a moment of deep connection, as a mother recognized the spirit, heart and true personality of her daughter. It’s moments like these that encapsulate what is special about being a princess, but also resonate with mothers across the world.”

On hand to join in on the festivities were 10-year-old and six-year-old British singers and TV personalities of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland, who celebrated their inner princess by performing an original song on stage. Also in attendance were young girls and their families from Give Kids The World, a 70-acre nonprofit “storybook” resort where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong cost-free family vacations.

As part of Merida’s celebration, a group of 200 mom bloggers and their families attending the Walt Disney World Social Media Moms conference were treated to a first look at the latest video from the “I Am A Princess” campaign, which features Merida and a real-life young archer. The campaign’s message encourages girls to believe in themselves and their inner strength.

Highlights from Merida’s Royal Celebration ceremony will be available on May 15 at  DisneyPrincess.com.

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Imagine an Independence Day celebration – only it lasts an entire week….Main Street mainstays the Dapper Dans rocking out with boy band hits in barbershop style….a Friday the 13th dance party with Disney villains that lasts to the 13^th hour….

These and many more special experiences to surprise and delight Disney Parks guests are rolling out each week in 2013. Unique, magical, memory-filled – and each for a limited time only.

Limited Time Magic was inspired by the reality that many of life’s most cherished memories are made during those special, but fleeting, moments when families spend time together with shared experiences.

Here’s a sampling of Limited Time Magic in store for guests this summer and beyond in 2013 — for a limited time only:

• Independence Week: It’s red, white and blue as Disney Parks salutes America with a 4^th of July Fireworks Party — for an entire week, with patriotic lighting bathing the Disney castles on both coasts. Mickey Mouse appears in his patriotic finest and guests will find special USA shirts, Ear Hats and other limited-edition souvenirs.
• Pirate Week:  Why talk like a pirate only one day when you could celebrate these scalawags all week long? The adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow come to life like never before during a bicoastal buccaneer bash in which Disneyland and Walt Disney World become pirate-palooza: pirate bands, pirate meet-and-greets and more.
• Unleash the Villains: A Friday the 13th in 2013 is a special day, so Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios are staying open until the 13th Hour (1 a.m.). Maleficent, Capt. Hook, Jafar and other Disney villains host a dance party, complete with limited-edition collectibles and nighttime mischief on Friday, Sept. 13.

Earlier this year, Limited time Magic offerings included:

• Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands: Dapper Dans, the iconic quartet from Main Street, U.S.A., added a special finale to their show, claiming the title of the “Original Boy Band” and delivered a medley of hits from One Direction, *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys.
• Golden Horseshoe Revue: A tribute to the fabled Frontierland show came to Disneyland for one month only, bringing back some of the fun-filled humor, songs and dance numbers often enjoyed by Walt Disney himself.
• During “Long Lost Friends Week,” lesser-known Disney characters moved from the shadows to the spotlight with meet-and-greets on both coasts. Photo opps with characters including Flik, Clarabelle Cow, Remy, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum surprised and delighted park guests. And Disney guests even had the chance to vote online for which characters they wanted to see.
• True Love: Some 100 couples renewed their vows with pomp and circumstance outside Cinderella Castle on Valentine’s Day. The romance was turned up with an enchanting Valentine’s week with special moments and entertainment geared to lovebirds. Plus, both coasts’ iconic castles were bathed in hues of red and pink.

Disney dream makers are crafting more surprises and magical offers that will be rolled out weekly during the magical year. The experience of the week will be announced in a variety of ways including in-park, Disneyworld.com, Disneyland.com, Facebook, Twitter, the Disney Parks Blog – adding to the element of surprise.

For more information about Limited Time Magic, guests should visit www.disneyparks.com.

About Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort is a contiguous 40-square-mile, world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four theme parks (Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park); two water adventure parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon); 34 resort hotels (25 owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, includes seven Disney Vacation Club resort properties); 81 holes of golf on five courses; two full-service spas; Disney’s Wedding Pavilion; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; and Downtown Disney. Located at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., 20 miles southwest of Orlando, Walt Disney World Resort opened Oct. 1, 1971, and is open daily, year-round. For more information, visit www.disneyparks.com.

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Through Feb. 17, guests can enjoy Cinderella Castle bathed in hues of pink, red, lavender and blue with themed lighting synced to romantic musical melodies.   There’s candlelit dinners for two with prix fixe menus at select restaurants during the most romantic week of the year; limited-edition pins,  newly-designed apparel and Vinylmation available at select merchandise locations.

Couples can feel the romance at every turn, as banners proclaiming True Love, heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn Magic Kingdom, plus the rare opportunity to get a photo with Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses to enchanting character greeting locations. Limited Time Magic throughout 2013 includes 52 weeks of magical experiences – big and small —  for guests, ranging from park-wide events to special culinary treats to special moments of surprise and delight.

Click here to download hi-res B-ROLL/VIDEO of the love-renewal ceremony. 

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The weeklong love fest is all part of Limited Time Magic at Disney Parks, where each week in 2013 guests will be treated to a sprinkling of Disney magic where unexpected surprises and delights enhance vacation memories.

During True Love Week, a tapestry of romance is woven throughout the resort — from limited- time Valentine’s merchandise and special entertainment, to romantic dinners for two and new themed photo locations offering greetings with beloved Disney sweethearts – all for a limited-time only.

The weeklong event celebrates the love of friends and family, and invites couples to rekindle the flame. Here is the lineup:

• Romantic Setting: Guests will feel the romance at every turn, as banners proclaiming True Love, heart-shaped signage and sweetheart-themed décor adorn the Magic Kingdom.

• Blushing Castle: At dusk, hues of pink, red, lavender and blue bathe Cinderella Castle with themed lighting synced to a musical melodies adding to the ambiance.

• Dinners for Two: Candlelit dinners for two with prix fixe menus at select restaurants  during the most romantic week of the year.  Specially-created menus at Artist Point (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort);  The Wave…of American Flavors (Disney’s Contemporary Resort); Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios); Yachtsman Steakhouse (Disney’s Yacht Club Resort) make an ideal setting for a romantic evening. To book visit Disneyworld.com or call 407/WDW-DINE.

• Valentine’s-themed Takeaways: Limited-edition pins, plushes, newly-designed apparel and Vinylmations available at select merchandise locations.

• Royal Gathering:  The rare opportunity to get a photo with Disney Princes as they escort their Princesses to enchanting character greeting locations.

In Town Square Theater you may find Mickey and Minnie, Aurora with Phillip or Rapunzel and Flynn. Mary Poppins joins Bert in Fantasyland, while Prince Naveen and Princess Tiana meet guests in the Enchanted Glade in Liberty Square.

Romantic Photo Locations in Magic Kingdom with your Sweetie:

• Carriage Awaits: New Fantasyland invites lovers to create memories alongside Cinderella’s Glass Coach situated by the new Castle wall for True Love Week.
• Wishes Come True: Hearts and flowers enhance Cinderella’s Wishing Well creating the perfect backdrop for a cherished moment.
• Rose Walk:  The Rose Garden in Central Plaza is all decked out with enchanting decor.

And more…

Romantic Touches: Long stem roses, chocolate covered strawberries, the finest champagne, or scattered rose petals create a romantic scene for lovebirds, all available through the Disney florist at www.disneyflorist.com.

Elegant Oasis for Relaxation:  An aromatherapy couples’ massage is just the escape after a day with the kids in the theme park. Couples’ massages are available at the newly opened, full-service Senses, A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

Perfectly Princess: Join your prince for the ultimate fairytale come true with a customized Disney wedding or honeymoon getaway. More than 1,000 couples get married, or renew their wedding vows in romantic settings in various locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort every year. Visit DisneyWeddings.com for more information.

Disneyland Park in California will celebrate True Love week with similar in-park offerings. Visit Disneyland.com for updates.

For more information about “Limited Time Magic,” guests may visit www.LimitedTimeMagic.com or search for Twitter hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic.

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President

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Operations

US and France

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Oct. 17, 2012) – Walt Disney World and Disneyland guests will find an extra sprinkle of pixie dust each week when they visit the resorts next year.

Disney officials announced today Limited Time Magic: 52 weeks of magical experiences, big and small, that appear, then disappear as the next special surprise debuts. 2013 is already a momentous year for Disney Parks – with the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history at Walt Disney World Resort, and the first full year of a re-imagined Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort.

Imagine an Independence Day celebration that lasts an entire week….Main Street mainstays the Dapper Dans rock out with boy band hits in barbershop style….a Friday the 13th dance party with Disney villains that lasts to the 13^th hour….a Year of the Ear week featuring limited-edition Mouse ears fit for fashionistas….a Valentine’s Day in 2013 that becomes Valentine’s Week with Disney castles blushing pink, surprise meet and greets with Disney princes and princesses, and candlelit dinners for couples in love.

As part of today’s announcement, Disney Parks illustrated the whimsical and fleeting nature of Limited Time Magic by unveiling a glistening, three-story fairytale castle in the heart of Times Square.  Made of 45,000 pounds of ice, the castle was available only a limited time, thanks to Mother Nature and warming autumn temperatures.