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How-To Draw WALL-E and Eve | Disney Parks View the full article

iNSIDE Disney Parks - Amazing Wedding Spots at Walt Disney World Resort & More View the full article

#DisneyKids: The Seas With Nemo and Friends View the full article

The 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, going on now until February 25, 2019, is a celebration of visual, culinary, and performing arts from around the world, that offers artful activities for the entire family—from special entertainment and interactive workshops to immersive art experiences and world-class cuisine. In a recent Legacy post, the remarkable art and cultural legacy of World Showcase was featured. The culture of Disney itself is so richly populated with talent that in some cases, throughout the Company and around the world, there are caches of “forgotten” cultural wealth, riches of Disney artistry that are hiding in plain sight. Within World Showcase at Epcot is another remarkable art gallery, one that has been on display for decades but, perhaps, even the most ardent Disney enthusiasts don’t even know about. Most people are familiar with The American Adventure, the epic story of the United States and the people, ideals, and conflicts of its ongoing story. The dramatic production features a cast of 35 Audio-Animatronics figures, ten different sets stored under the stage and moved forward or backward on cue, digital images on a majestic 72-foot screen, and a stirring musical score. The stunning building in which it is housed was intended as a “people’s mansion,” taking design cues from the classic Georgian style of the late 1700s, Colonial Williamsburg, Independence Hall, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and the Old State House in Boston. But on the way to take a seat inside the stately theater, guests are likely to bypass a remarkable one-of-a-kind exhibit within the theatre rotunda, featuring original art works by an utterly unique assembly of fine artists, motion picture designers, Disney Legends, and Academy Award winners. One of the most peculiar conventional wisdoms about Disney is that somehow, because the medium is entertainment (and wildly popular), the art created for Disney is somehow “less than” or inferior, or not “fine art.” “Many of the artists who worked at Disney Studios — and the other movie studios in the mid-20th century, and on up until today — were impeccably trained fine artists,” says Mary Platt, Director of the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University. “In fact, a majority of them did fine art ‘on the side’ and continued to do so even after they took jobs at the movie studios. Mary Blair, for example, and her husband Lee, who both worked for Disney, began as fine artists who both graduated from Chouinard (now CalArts) and exhibited outstanding paintings. Eyvind Earle may be best known for his work on Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” and other animated features and shorts, but he also made a living as a fine art painter with a highly distinctive style. Herb Ryman graduated with honors from the Art Institute of Chicago, and Robert McCall was a very accomplished magazine illustrator whose work also appeared on U.S. postage stamps. Their talents were so expansive that even the movies couldn’t contain them.” Here are some of those artists, and their original art pieces represented in The American Adventure: “The Promise of America” is an epic interpretation of the American immigration experience by Disney Legend Herb Ryman a prime example of an artist who bridged the commercial and fine arts throughout his long career, with work in one sphere inspiring the other. Herbert Ryman paints in the Mexico Pavilion. © Disney Herb created the first overall illustration of Disneyland, working directly with Walt as he described his dream for a new kind of family entertainment, and continued to work on every Disney theme park until his passing in 1989. Ryman was also an exhibiting fine artist, a member (and president) of the California Art Club. He was particularly prolific in pen and ink, watercolor, and oil. His work was shown regularly in galleries as early as 1937 in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. An educational enterprise that bears his name, Ryman Arts, teaches classical drawing and painting to talented and motivated high school students as a bridge to a lifetime that expresses and appreciates the arts. “Westward Ho!” portrays a highly cinematic view of the European expansion into the American West, and it’s no surprise in that it is the work of multiple Oscar-winning production designer Jack Martin Smith. The artist joined MGM in 1937, and two years later found himself working as a production designer on “The Wizard of Oz.” He spent most of his working life at MGM on classics such as “Easter Parade,” “On the Town,” and “Show Boat.” Jack moved to 20th Century Fox, where his work included “Carousel,” “Cleopatra,” “Fantastic Voyage,” “Planet of the Apes,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “M*A*S*H”; as well as TV series such as “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” “Lost in Space,” and “Batman.” His last film before his retirement was the 1977 Disney classic “Pete’s Dragon.” “Giving Thanks” is a Rockwellian observation of the American family by Disney Legend Sam McKim, an artist whose career as a Walt Disney Imagineer included a generation of souvenir maps of Disneyland, and many drawings, sketches, and paintings for other Disney Parks and projects. Sam began as a popular child actor in numerous B-westerns in the 1930s, but as he approached adulthood decided to pursue a career in art. Sam McKim at work on Hall of the Presidents at WED Enterprises. © Disney He joined WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering) as an illustrator in 1954, the year before Disneyland opened. Among Sam’s first assignments were art works for attractions, shops, and restaurants on Main Street and in Frontierland, including the Golden Horseshoe Revue. He played a part in all of the Disney attractions at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair; as well as Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom in Florida. In a future post, we’ll look at even more of the art and artists whose original art works are on display within the “hidden” Epcot Art Gallery at The American Adventure. View the full article

The Atlanta Braves are back. But not for long. The Braves, who have held their spring training at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex since 1998, will do so for the final time in 2019. The first workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Saturday. Atlanta will move its spring... View the full article

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is more than a refresh of the celebrity chef’s previous iteration of his Disney Springs eatery, Wolfgang Puck Grand Café. The new restaurant serves a more elegant offering of the chef’s California-inspired atmosphere — and cuisine with a Mediterranean flavor. What I would... View the full article

It wasn’t too long ago that we showed you the Castle Cupcake, a sweet treat straight out of the Main Street Bakery at Walt Disney World. (Learn more about the Castle Cupcake here!) In one of those lovely promo shots from Disney, we spied with our hungry eyes a pair of ears we just had to have. The only problem? They weren’t for sale… yet! Castle Cupcake ©Disney Finally, the Castle Minnie Ears can be ours — in Disneyland. That’s right: the Disney merch goddesses have released a pair of Castle Minnie Ears featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park! Castle Minnie Ears If you compare the castle centerpiece to the (blurry!) one in the Disney World ears, this one seems to be a little shorter — just as Sleeping Beauty Castle is shorter than Cinderella’s Florida abode. Castle Minnie Ears We love the metallic gold bow and the silver sequined ears, too. And if you ask us, sparkly Minnie ears are the Disney fan equivalent to a crown, making us all Disney royalty! Castle Minnie Ears Yup, we need these like we needed those “it’s a small world” ears two weeks ago. (Remember those? Click here for another look!) Such is the Disney life! Want to stay atop all the Disney news in your kingdom? Click here to subscribe to the DFB Newsletter today! Are you in for the Castle Minnie Ears? Let us know if you’ll be crowning yourself Disney royalty with these! Related posts: CHECK THESE OUT! Brand NEW it’s a small world Ears Have Arrived! Year in Review: The Disney Merchandise We HAD to Have in 2018!! NEW Disney Food Shirts You NEED in Your Parks Wardrobe!! View the full article

Year In Review: A Look Back at 2018 Disney Parks Blog Meet-Ups View the full article

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ Meet-Up View the full article

I take a long walk through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks (camera in tow) once a week in an effort to keep the resort’s photographic archive fresh and make art. Here are some pictures from recent walks. I was starting to feel left out as all of my news photographer pals were posting pictures of iconic places against the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains after last week’s storm. So, the first photograph is my take: the iconic Matterhorn at Disneyland park, as seen from Pixar Pal-A-Round at Disney California Adventure park (shot using a 400mm lens). Let’s travel from the Swiss Alps of Fantasyland to the exotic back waterways of the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland. If that skipper is worth his salt … that elephant encounter should end with a bit of dry humor. Westward-ho! The sun rises behind The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. The sky is so blue after a good rain! Space Mountain in Tomorrowland seems to visually pop just a little more when the sky is right. I love the giant heart-shaped topiary in Town Square and décor along Main Street, U.S.A. during Valentine’s Month. There’s still time to experience all of the Valentine’s offerings before this limited-time celebration ends on Feb. 18. From a scavenger hunt to decadent desserts, Valentine’s Month is a great time to get your ears on with that special someone. View the full article

Get Acquainted With Fierce, Furry and Feathered Animal Friends | Adventures by Disney View the full article

Unique Cultural Activities | Adventures by Disney Vacations View the full article

Find your #HappyPlace: Spend Your Day Snacking on the 'Best Eats' Around Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Staying in a Real-Life Castle on the Adventures by Disney Ireland Vacation View the full article

Take a Look at Some of the Most Thrilling Rides at Walt Disney World Water Parks View the full article

#DisneyFamilia: Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month - Meet Pilar Arroyos Ojeda View the full article

#DisneyFamilia: Siguiendo Walt’s Footsteps! View the full article

#DisneyFamilia: Sabores From Our Culture at Epcot! View the full article

#DisneyFamilia: Creando Magical Moments! View the full article

Having Fun Down on the Farm on the Adventures by Disney Ireland Vacation View the full article

Find your #HappyPlace: The “Best Eats” Around Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

The Mouse has always been powerful, but who knew it had the right to split atoms? A 52-year-old state law says Disney World’s government can build a nuclear power plant on its property in Orlando — an example of the resort’s political leverage it had in creating the Magic Kingdom in 1971. Disney... View the full article

The Mouse has always been powerful, but who knew it had the right to split atoms? A 52-year-old state law says Disney World’s government can build a nuclear power plant on its property in Orlando — an example of the resort’s political leverage it had in creating the Magic Kingdom in 1971. Disney... View the full article

The Mouse has always been powerful, but who knew it had the right to split atoms? A 52-year-old state law says Disney World’s government can build a nuclear power plant on its property in Orlando — an example of the resort’s political leverage in building the Magic Kingdom in 1971, a parks historian... View the full article

Hi, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re sharing 37 Hidden Secrets in the Magic Kingdom! Cinderella Castle Magic Kingdom is packed with classic attractions, terrific snacks, beloved Disney characters, and tons of Pixie Dust! You know what else it’s packed with? Hidden Secrets! These are details that many guests may not notice if they’re not in-the-know… but now you can be with our latest DFB YouTube Video, because we’re sharing a whopping 37 Hidden Magic Kingdom Secrets with you! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What is your favorite hidden secret in Magic Kingdom? Related posts: DFB Video: Hidden Secrets of Disney World Explained — Part 2! DFB Video: 12 Smartphone Apps You’ll Definitely Need in Walt Disney World DFB Video: New Disney Dishes That We LOVED (And One We REALLY Didn’t) View the full article