Disney4me

This week on the Disney Parks Blog, we shared a several dining updates that are here for the season - or will be coming soon - to Disney theme parks. View the full article

Our colleagues at Walt Disney Imagineering just completed the final effort of their “60 for 60” initiative - a pledge during WDI’s 60th anniversary year to sponsor or take part in at least 60 outreach efforts in the communities where Imagineering operates. View the full article

I first became acquainted with the music of R5 and their continually growing popularity from my two kids. R5 is made of up Disney Channel star Ross Lynch, his sister Rydell, brothers Riker and Rocky, and their close friend Ratliff. I then had the special privilege to hang out with the Lynch family for a couple of days here at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, as the group took to the beach to perform their song “Pass Me By.” I shared a bit of Hawaiian culture with their 'ohana, and they returned the favor by playing bit of their mele – music – for all of us. View the full article

Chances are you haven’t seen a majority of our beautiful Christmas trees at Disney Parks - they’re in every park this time of year. So, as we begin the weekend and head into Christmas week, we’re sharing some favorites. View the full article

As part of our commitment to be a good corporate citizen, and to give back to the communities we serve, Disney supports efforts around the world that make a positive impact on children and their families. Every year, tens of thousands of Cast Members make volunteering a priority, building on a tradition Walt Disney himself started when he – along with Disney animators – would visit local hospitals to draw characters for children. View the full article

Fifty-five years ago today, on December 20, 1958, a tradition began at Disneyland park that continues to this day, both here at the Disneyland Resort and at Epcot in the Walt Disney World Resort. The Candlelight Ceremony and Processional is a Disney Parks holiday mainstay, in which celebrity narrators join choirs comprised of local choral groups and Disney cast members to celebrate the Christmas story. Over the years, celebrity narrators have included stars like Cary Grant, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and James Earl Jones. View the full article

Christmas is just a few days away. Still have no idea what to give this holiday season? For most of my friends and me, a little something from Basin is always appreciated. I love the scent of practically everything in the store and whenever I stop in, I have to try out their latest sugar scrub. (I mean it. Every. Time.) I often buy Basin products as gifts for others, but I rarely treat myself. Want to put a smile on my face? I’ll take a few bath bombs or a custom soap, please! View the full article

On one level, the new historical dramedy "Saving Mr. Banks" chronicles the efforts of studio head Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) to persuade the cantankerous British author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to allow her "Mary Poppins" children's books to be made into a movie. View the full article

Gather your favorite droids, nerf herders, walking carpets and scoundrels and make plans to attend Star Wars Weekends 2014. We’re pleased today to announce the dates for next year’s Force-filled special event. View the full article

As part of Limited Time Magic this week, I’m happy to share that merchandise featuring artwork selected by Disney fans earlier this year will be arriving at Disney Parks starting December 22, 2013. View the full article

There are so many wonderful places to photograph during the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. One of my favorites is Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, which is commonly photographed from the front. In some of my past Disney Parks Blog posts, I have talked about walking around a subject, looking at all the sides to see whether there may be angles that are more interesting. The photo below is one example; I took it from the left side of the castle, next to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. View the full article

Last week ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World played host to the 2013 Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships. Sixty-four football teams and more than 400 cheer and dance teams from across the country, including Hawaii, battled their way through regional competitions to experience their “I’m going to Disney World” moment and play for national titles. View the full article

Our latest Disney Parks Blog downloadable wallpaper celebrates a fun tradition of the holiday season - decorating a Christmas tree. In this one, Mickey Mouse and Goofy struggle to get the job done when Pluto has some fun with the lights. View the full article

Disney’s highly anticipated “Saving Mr. Banks” hits theaters across the nation tomorrow, and the excitement only gets bigger with the “practically perfect” Southern California: Disney Backstage itinerary from Adventures by Disney. This trip allows you to walk through and experience some of the locations where the movie was filmed. View the full article

There are dozens of holiday entertainment options here at the Walt Disney World Resort, from choirs to characters in costume, we have just about everything you could imagine! View the full article

On Wednesday night, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of ‘La Nouba’ by Cirque du Soleil with a special pre-show moment and balloon drop finale. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were joined Neil Boyd, Company Manager of La Nouba, Keith Bradford, Vice President of Downtown Disney, and 'Les Cons' to kick off the 7,124th performance of the show. The cast received a standing ovation and 15th anniversary balloons rained down on the crowd. Guests in attendance received a special-edition 15th anniversary print to commemorate the milestone. View the full article

LOS ANGELES Jason Schwartzman didn't realize until he was cast as songwriter Richard M. Sherman in "Saving Mr. Banks" how familiar he was with his work. View the full article

With new contract talks looming, two of Walt Disney World's largest unions said Thursday more than 7,000 of their members have voted in favor of a new contract proposal that they intend to offer to the giant resort. View the full article

When we invited well-known Internet personalities to “Show Your Disney Side” at our Social Media All-Stars #DisneySide World Premiere, a favorite was “Convos with My 2-Year-Old.” And this morning, we’re thrilled to share their latest video - a special “Convos with My 2-Year-Old” showing their Disney Sides at Disneyland park. View the full article

No pouting. No crying. Only pure holiday magic was allowed back in 1972 when Mickey Mouse borrowed Santa’s sleigh to bring Season’s Greetings to guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort. View the full article

WHAT: It's a holiday miracle: Members of the late, great Comedy Warehouse again arise from the ashes of Pleasure Island to put on a show — yuletide versions of their improv performances. Crowd participation is key here, and each show will be different but, Disney notes, family-friendly. The shows will be in the Premiere Theater in the Streets of America section of the theme park. View the full article

WHAT: It's a holiday miracle: Members of the late, great Comedy Warehouse again arise from the ashes of Pleasure Island to put on a show — yuletide versions of their improv performances. Crowd participation is key here, and each show will be different but, Disney notes, family-friendly. The shows will be in the Premiere Theater in the Streets of America section of the theme park. View the full article

Mickey Mouse attended Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba" on Wednesday night to mark the Downtown Disney fixture's 15th anniversary. The occasion was billed by Cirque publicists as Mickey's first visit to the imaginative, high-flying show. View the full article

For the past two years, Amanda Ficili has been the Disneyland Resort panelist on the Disney Parks Moms Panel, answering all kinds of questions from people who are planning a visit. She offers a mom’s keen insights, tips on where to eat, fun ideas for all ages and lots more. I caught up with Amanda to get some holiday recommendations for Disney Parks Blog readers. View the full article

My fellow Disney Parks Blog author Jonathan Frontado has recently shared some great stories about the Disney Cruise Line. After reading them, I find myself daydreaming of tropical waves and warm sunshine (I really need another Disney cruise!). Since I have yet to move my office to a lounge chair on the top deck, I did the next best thing. I caught up with merchandiser Laura Caszatt in the Disney Cruise Line merchandise showroom at Disney Theme Park Merchandise headquarters. The room is lined with merchandise developed for the ships including a new line of women’s apparel called “The DCL Project.” Laura explained her inspiration for this new collection. View the full article