Disney Magic cruise ship is being re-imagined

The Disney Magic was the first cruise ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet when it went on its maiden voyage in 1998.Now, the ship is getting what Disney terms a re-imagination with a new grand atrium lobby and a children’s area with a three-story water thrill slide and a new spa and for the first time on "Disney property" characters from the Marvel Universe.According to a Disney news release, here are some of the highlights that will be included...

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New show in Disneyland scheduled to open May 25

The new live show at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland will open May 25.“Mickey and the Magical Map” was created to return to Disney storytelling with Mickey in the role as the sorcerer’s apprentice. Disney publicity photoAccording to a Disney news release: "Wise sorcerer Yen Sid directs his Mapmakers, a singing-dancing ensemble cast that paints a wondrous map – capable of taking dreamers to any place imaginable and so large it spans the entire...

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Smile of The Day: A look at Epcot from the monorail

The monorail ride at Walt Disney World is always fun, especially when heading to Epcot. When arriving at the park, the monorail gives you a quick view of Future World. Make sure that you have your camera ready on the right side of the monorail to grab a photo like this of Spaceship Earth.© Steven Lieb...

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The latest movie trailer is out for 'Thor: The Dark World'

The new teaser trailer for Marvel's "Thor: The Dark World" has been released.In the aftermath of "Thor" and "Marvel's The Avengers," Thor fights " to restore order across the cosmos...but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all," according to The Walt Disney Studios....

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Phineas & Ferb video game coming out in August

This August, just when you think you'll be done with summer vacation, there is a new video game coming out featuring Phineas & Ferb, according to Disney Interactive.Screenshot of upcoming Phineas& Ferb Majesco Entertainment Company is expected to release Phineas and Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff  on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii U home video game system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS.The game...

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Another set of Hidden Mickeys from Disney World

Here is our latest collection of  photos from Disney World  themed "Can You Find The Hidden Mickey."For those who follow us over on Facebook, you may have seen some of these already. We wanted to put the entire week's collection into one place for all to see.And, if you want to look at some of the past Hidden Mickey collections, you can find them here. So take a look below. Can you find the Hidden Mickey?© Steven Liebman© Steven...

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Video: Ode to Disney Parks

Whether heading to Disneyland or Disney World, I always think it's like a trip "Over the Rainbow."Here I've put together a string of video clips from trips to the parks to the tune "Over the Rainbow" sung by Return 2 Zero, a quartet who fills for the Voices of Liberty at the American Adventure in Epcot at tim...

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Photos: Nighttime at the 2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Show

The 2013 Epcot International Flower & Garden Show in Disney World wraps up in about three weeks.During the past month we showed you what all the topiaries looked liked during the day. (The complete list is below, if you missed any.)Now, we wanted to give you a gander of what some of the topiaries look like at night.Monsters University at night.                              ...

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Sketches released of new daytime parade coming to Disney World in 2014

The spring of 2014 is supposed to bring a new parade down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is supposed to show off the stories of New Fantasyland, according to a Disney news release.The parade will have a new costumes, floats and soundtrack featuring songs from Disney films. Here are a few sketches released by Disn...

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Disney Parks to stay open for 24 hours in May

Disneyland and Disney World will be open for 24 hours nonstop Memorial Day Weekend as part of a special start to summer.Disney publicity photoThe Magic Kingdom in Florida with Disneyland  and California Adventure in California will stay open from 6 a.m., May 24 to 6 a.m., May 25, 2013,  according to a Disney announcement.The "All-Nighter" is part of a tie-in to the upcoming "Monsters University" movie. “Guests can start Memorial Day...

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Star Wars Day is upcoming Limited Time Magic in Disney World

"May the Fourth Be With You."Disney publicity photoA special Star Wars Day will be celebrated at Hollywood Studios in Disney World on May 4.May 4 has always been a special worldwide Star Wars day for celebration, a great pun for the phrase - "May the Force Be With You." Some say this goes back to when Margaret Thatcher was elected prime minister of the U.K. on May 4, 1979. The Conservative Party took out a newspaper ad in the London Evening News...

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New 10K run added o Disney Half Marathon Weekend

Disney is adding a 10K run and two-race challenge to the Disney Half Marathon Weekend in Disney World. Disney publicity photoThe Princess 10K will give runners more opportunities to run through the theme parks and receive a specially-designed finisher medal. Now combine that Saturday race with the Sunday Half Marathon and you can receive the Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal. The events are scheduled for Feb. 20-23, 2014, according to a Disney...

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New Monsters Monorail unveiled in Disney World

Here's a look at one of the monorails in Disney World featuring Mike, Sulley and a few of their classmates from Disney-Pixar's new movie "Monsters University." The new movie, in theaters in 3D June 21.Disney publicity photo by Gene Dunc...

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Smile of The Day: Stitch dancing around

Stitch is one of the few who participate in the dance party in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. © Steven Lieb...

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Mike Wazowski's face on Spaceship Earth at Epcot in Disney World

Mike Wazowski's face on Spaceship Earth?It looks like the little green man's face from "Monsters Inc." and the upcoming "Monsters University will adorn the big geodesic dome as part of a press event, according to InsideTheMagic.net.There is a major two-day press event planned at Disney World touting the Monstrous Summer with the release of "Monsters University." InsidetheMagic received the video.Unfortunately, this could only be a one time event for the press, the same way the flying dragon over Cinderella Castle was a one-time eve...

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New Mickey Mouse short features voice of Walt Disney

What is being touted as a never-before-seen animated short starring Mickey Mouse will make its debut at a festival in France.Featuring the voice of Walt Disney has Mickey Mouse, the black-and-white, hand-drawn short called "Get A Horse!" "follows Mickey, his favorite gal pal Minnie Mouse and their friends Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow as they delight in a musical wagon ride, until Peg-Leg Pete shows up and tries to run them off the road,"...

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Disney searching for the Storyteller of the Year

Disney has launched a nationwide search for the Winnie the Pooh "Storyteller of the Year.""We invite parents to join Disney in celebrating the art of storytelling and Winnie the Pooh, one of our most beloved characters of all time," Stephen Teglas, vice president of classic franchises for Disney Consumer Products said in a news release.The grand prize winner will receive a trip to Los Angeles for a family of four and an assortment of Winnie the Pooh...

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Marvel releases 'Iron Man 3' products in conjunction with movie

Marvel and Disney are going all out for the May 3 release of "Iron Man 3" with armor and suit-inspired apparel, collectibles, action figures, toys and other products.When Tony Stark/Iron Man finds his personal world destroyed at this enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Ben Kingsley star in the movie.“From radio controlled flying figures and customizable action...

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Downtown Disney prepares for Car Masters Weekend

Disney publicity photoThis is the third year the Car Masters Weekend will take place at Downtown Disney West Side in Disney World June 14-16, 2013.The event will showcase more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars, a chance to meet “Cars 2″ stars Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile and special appearances by automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney-Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward. In addition there will be a ”Cars” & “Cars 2″ movie...

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Smile of The Day: Guardian Gargoyles

At the front entrance to the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom are a variety of gargoyles and statues guarding the castle.© Steven Lieb...

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Hong Kong Disneyland ride Mystic Point to open in May

Mystic Point, an original attraction at Hong King Disneyland with new characters, special effects and new technology designed to transport guests into a strange  universe will open May 17, 2013.Disney publicity photo of Mystic ManorAccording to a Disney news release,  Mystic Point follows the adventures of eccentric explorer and art collector Lord Henry Mystic, who invites Guests to board the Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage for a...

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Animal Kingdom celebrates 15th anniversary

Today marks the 15th anniversary of Disney's Animal Kingdom.© Steven LiebmanTo create this park, the Walt Disney company sent out seven Imagineers around the globe to document what life was like in the wild. The group ended up traveling more than 500,000 miles to make sure they could get the scenery correct.This is the fourth and largest theme park built in Disney World. It is also the first Disney theme park to be themed entirely around animal conservation.Here...

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Smile of The Day: Woody with a mike

Woody gives everyone a shout and welcome at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Disney World.© Steven Lieb...

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DIsney-Pixar announces voice cast for 'Monsters University'

When "Monsters University" opens in June, the movie will have a a slew of voice actors including Helen Mirren, Aldred Molina and Sean P. Hayes.Disney-Pixar publicity photoDisney announced the full voice cast list for the June 21 release. It includes:Billy Crystal ("Parental Guidance," "When Harry Met Sally," "City Slickers") reprises his role as Mike Wazowski, now a college-age monster who follows his dream of becoming a Scarer at Monsters University.John...

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Video: Happy Jack sings at Animal Kingdom in Disney World

One of the best shows in all of Disney World and especially in Animal Kingdom is Flights of Wonder.The 25 minute show features about 20 species of exotic birds with entertaining and informative bird trainers. This video is part of the pre-show where a trainer comes out and talks to and about birds. Here Happy Jack sings a little....

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Disney store offering reusable shopping totes for plastic bags

To celebrate Earth Day tomorrow, April 22, the Disney Store is inviting people to stop in an recycle five plastic bags in exchange for a free reusable shopping tote. Shoppers would be able to choose between a Merida (from "Brave") tote or a Lightning McQueen (from "Cars"), according to a Disney press release."Disney Store encourages guests to celebrate Earth Day, but also to make eco-friendly choices in their households every day of the year," said...

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Disney World Limited Time Magic celebrates Animal Kingdom

Disney publicity photoTo help celebrate the 15th anniversary of Disney's Animal Kingdom at Disney World, the next Limited Time Magic is a "Party for the Planet" April 22 to April 28.This Earth Week will feature Disney characters, treats and as what has become standard, collectible merchandise at Animal Kingdom, according to the Limited Time Magic site.A Disney character dance party, hosted by DJ Dino-Mite in Dinoland, USA! will feature Lilo &...

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Disney cartoon strip from 1941

The first Disney comic strip appeared in daily newspapers in the 1930s featuring Mickey Mouse. The Disney characters were also used for public service announcements. Here is a 1941 comic with Donald Duck and his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie learning not to fee the bears at the National Par...

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Video: A tour of Rivers of America at Disney World

The Liberty Belle Riverboat in the Magic Kingdom in Disney World takes passengers around The Rivers of America. The tour starts at Liberty Square moves toward Big Thunder Mountain, around Tom Sawyers Island, past the Haunted Mansion and back to Liberty Square. Here's a quick 60-second tour with music provided by The Notorious Banjo Brothers and Bob, who perform regularly in Frontierland....

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Smile of The Day: Vikings at Norway Pavilion

When walking around Epcot in Disney World try to get there as soon as it opens at 11 a.m. this way you can go out and get photos of the pavilions when no one is around. This helps in situations like this one.© Steven Lieb...

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Swan and Dolphin will hold Food and Wine classic in October

The Swan and Dolphin Resort will hold its Fourth Annual Food & Wine Classic in October.The weekend classic will take place Oct. 18-19, 2013 and will feature eight educational seminars, according to the resort's website. All seminars begin at 4:30pm and last approximately one hour. Packages are available for overnight guests, and tickets are available for purchase for individual events and seminars.There is even a seminar with Chef Robert Ciborowski...

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Disney Wilderness Preserve celebrates 20 years

Disney publicity photo of the Disney Wilderness PreserveTo celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Disney Wilderness Preserve the Nature Conservancy is hosting an open house on April 27.The preserve, located south of Disney World, has more than 1,000 species of plants and animals. The preserve was created in the 1990s when The Walt Disney Company donated 8,500 acres to The Nature Conservancy.“We learned everything we know about wetlands restoration...

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Disneyland fined for accident on Space Mountain

California state regulators are seeking close to $235,000 from Disney for violating safety regulations after a worker was injured on a ride in Disneyland, according to the Associated Press.The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health is penalizing the company from a November accident at Space Mountain when a contract worker slipped and suffered broken bones while cleaning the attraction.During this past weekend, three rides at the parks...

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Celebrate 50 years of Enchanted Tiki Room

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, there will be a special event in June, according to Babble.com.The Disneyland Hotel Exhibit Hall will have a special exhibit, special merchandise and commemorative gifts on June 28 and June 29. You can register and purchase tickets via Art of Disney Parks. The show opened on June 23, 1963 and was the first to feature Audio-Animatronics. For the first dozen years it was sponsored...

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Smile of The Day: A view of imagination

On clear days it's always fun to look at the various pavilions in Epcot. Here is a look at the Imagination! Pavilion in Future World.© Steven Lieb...

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Smile of The Day: Disney character catalog 1938

The U.S. Library of Congress has a lot of gems hidden inside the vaults. Now, they are placing many of them online, including this image of the 1938-1939 Walt Disney Character Merchandise Catal...

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Disney Week in Review: April 6-13

Iron Man tech on display, a daughter gets the surprise of a lifetime, the 30th anniversary of a park and new Limited Time Magic weeks announced are just some of the things going on in the entire Disney Universe this week.Here's a recap of some of the highs and a few tragedies:IRON MAN TECHDisney photo of Iron Man exhibit in Disneyland.The best part of the Iron Man Tech Presented by Stark Industries at Innoventions in Disneyland. is you can get very...

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Disney Fairies Week is next Limited Time Magic special event

Disney publicity photo by Diane Zalucky. Do you believe in Fairies?Well, Disney definitely does with Tinker Bell and friends and now is having a special Limited Time Magic Fairies Week at Disneyland and Disney World from April 15-21, 2013, according to Disney's official website. In Disneyland, you'll be able to visit Tinker Bell Rosetta and Terrance, at Pixie Hollow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3:15 p..m. on Friday...

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2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Show: The Ultimate Photo Topiary Tour

We hope that if you are lucky to get down to Disney World during the 2013 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival you are enjoying the topiaries. If you can not make it, here is the Ultimate Photo Topiary Tour for 2013.Sit back, relax and enjoy.If you can't see this slideshow on your browser, you can also go here to watch. ...

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Smile of The Day: Monkeying around at Toy Story Mania

When walking through the various queues at Disney World, it's always fun to see what's around you. Here at the Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood Studios is a closeup of one of the monkeys from the barrel of monkeys hangs out.© Mary Lieb...

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Disney announces Planes video game being released in August

Disney's Planes game will be exclusively on Nintendo platforms starting in August, Disney Interactive has announced. Inspired by the upcoming animated film, the game will allow gamers to play as one of the 10 cast characters from the film through mission-based objectives Players will test their piloting precision in mini games, navigate through story mode and race against friends in Air Rallies and explore the sky in Free Flight on Nintendo Wii...

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Disney makes some changes to Walt Disney World Marathon

Registration is now open for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend for January.Disney announced earlier that the 2014 the event will be expanded to five days, from Jan. 8-12 and will include a 10K.To make the event more accessible, the Disney Parks Blog has announced it will reduce the the number of runners allowed to register for the weekend, ask the runners to provide proof of time to place runners of the same pace in the same corral, add corrals,...

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