Walt Disney World News » Videos

Disney Princess Royal Court Welcomes Merida

victoria.lim — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:16:18 +0000

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’s 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. 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. 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.

Disney VoluntEARS Build a KaBOOM! Playground in One Day

kstrandberg — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:35:52 +0000

Children in Clermont have a new place to play and learn thanks to dozens of Walt Disney World Cast Members who joined efforts with other community partners to build a KaBOOM! Playground.

Disney VoluntEARS Program Marks 30th Anniversary

kstrandberg — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:10:13 +0000

With Mickey Mouse cheering them on, more than 250 Walt Disney World Cast Members gathered today for a pep rally to kick off a month-long celebration of the 30^th anniversary of Disney VoluntEARS. The program is a global, company-wide effort that provides opportunities for Cast Members to contribute their time to make a positive impact on the community.

Soundbite: George Kalogridis – Monstrous Summer

gracemachado — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:06:46 +0000

Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis discusses the new and exciting attractions, features and events guests will experience at Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts in Summer 2013.

Renderings & Soundbites: Disney Magic Cruise Ship to Offer Brand-New Experiences and Reimagined Spaces

bryansmoker — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:57:57 +0000

There’s an extra dose of magic coming aboard the Disney Magic, when the Disney Cruise Line vessel relaunches with new spaces, reimagined areas and exciting additions for the whole family. Guests will experience new adventures from stem to stern throughout their journey on the cruise ship that set the standard for oceangoing majesty and family fun.

From a new grand atrium lobby and a children’s area of “super hero” proportions to a three-story water thrill slide and a spa to stimulate the “Senses,” there are plenty of new and magical surprises in store for cruise guests. The ship features fun new experiences with Marvel characters – the first time Super Hero icons from the Marvel Universe have been introduced on a Disney Cruise Lineship.

The “reimagineering” transformation of the ship will take place during dry dock Sept. 7-Oct. 10,2013 in Cadiz, Spain.

Renderings: Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts announced a new parade that will march into Magic Kingdom Park in spring 2014

bryansmoker — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:28:17 +0000

The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will bring a celebration of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A., through fantastic and innovative new parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a parade theme song.

This parade will specifically highlight the stories of “The Little Mermaid,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” “Tangled” and the Disney●Pixar film, “Brave,” among others.

B-Roll: Monstrous Summer Projection – Event with George Kalogridis

bryansmoker — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:07:38 +0000

Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will kick off a Monstrous Summer by keeping three theme parks open for 24 hours nonstop on Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional start of the family travel season. The oversized fun of a 24-hour Disney park “All-Nighter” called for an equally epic announcement, and the huge sphere of Spaceship Earth was transformed from Disney Parks icon to Disney●Pixar “Eye-con,” becoming a 180-foot-tall, fully animated Mike Wazowski, the loveable green-bodied, one-eyed monster who joins best pal James P. Sullivan (“Sulley”) in the prequel to Monsters, Inc., this summer as college students with hopes of becoming Scarers. The Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in California will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24 to 6 a.m., May 25, 2013, local time* marking the beginning of a summer of fun inspired by the upcoming Disney•Pixar comedy adventure Monsters University. Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis joined Mike to share the news of the first-ever, three-park All-Nighter.

Soundbites: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction

bryansmoker — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:01:03 +0000

Anticipated to debut in 2014, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine” and through the rolling countryside surrounding the mine. A stone bridge over a creek leads guests to the entrance of the attraction. Just ahead: the rustic cottage of the Dwarfs. The family-style coaster will feature a first-of-its-kind train of ride vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots that allow the cars to swing back and forth during the ride. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and there’s a cast of animated figures of Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and a collection of playful forest critters. An interactive queue features activities themed to mining.

B-Roll: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction

bryansmoker — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:01:03 +0000

B-Roll & Soundbites: Princess Fairytale Hall Construction

bryansmoker — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:00:56 +0000

Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for Disney princesses to meet their loyal subjects in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows opening up into a large gallery — an airy space with a high ceiling — where portraits of the Disney princesses adorn the walls. When it’s time for their royal audience, guests will proceed to one of four elegantly finished chambers to meet their favorite Disney princess. Each chamber accommodates up to two Disney princesses. (Fall 2013)