Monstrous Summer Preview Trade Show
Disney is known for it’s ability to tie things together and this summer will be no different. With the much anticipated Disney-PIXAR movie Monsters University being released in theaters June 21st, 2013, Disney Parks has deemed this to be a “Monstrous Summer” and this week I had the opportunity to attend a media preview for the event. It was filled with everything from breaking news about the makeover of Mike & Sully’s meet and greet at Disney Hollywood Studios to the major changes happening on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic ship which include the AquaDunk water slide! There was also a trade show that showcased all the things that Walt Disney World has to offer. Everything from runDisney to the great new bowling alley at Downtown Disney called Splitsville was represented and they were there to give us on all the great things we can all experience with them. There were also sneak peeks at new merchandise being released in the coming months in the theme parks and also online as well as samples of food from the popular Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom and from California Grill which will soon be reopening in the Contemporary. This truly was an informative event and I was glad to be a part of it. Enjoy this tour of the trade show! – Post and video by Shaene C ( @Shaene_o_mite )
(Music featured is the score from the Original Motion Soundtrack for Disney-PIXAR’s Monsters, Inc which was composed by Randy Newman)
A Monstrous Summer Preview
Photo Credit: EH
I had the pleasure of attending Disney Park’s Monstrous Summer Media Preview. I was so excited to hear about upcoming events and attractions. The theme “Monstrous Summer” was fitting due to the many things that will be taking place over the summer from savings at the Walt Disney World’s Resort hotels, a new Discover Disney ticket for Florida residents, upcoming Limited Time Magic surprises, dining, and new enhancements to the Disney Magic.
Photo Credit: EH
The event started on Thursday, April 25th with a “Peek Behind the Wall” Experience. I had the opportunity to go on the construction site of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to hear an exclusive update from Walt Disney Imagineers about the attraction and Princess Fairytale Hall. A 2014 opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is still being projected for this family themed coaster. There will be a height restriction. At the time of the tour it was unknown what would be the minimum height to ride. Princess Fairytale Hall is set to open late 2013. Cinderella and Rapunzel will always be present in the hall. A third princess, who will be called their friend, will change on a daily basis.
Later in the evening, I had dinner at Monsieur Paul restaurant located in Epcot. I had a wonderful experience and will do a separate post about my meal.
Photo Credit: EH
After dinner, I attended an IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth dessert party located at the Mexico Vista.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
After the laser show, the group was escorted to the front of Epcot for a wonderful announcement. Since this announcement was so big, we needed assisted from Mike Wazowski. Mike informed us The Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Park, and California Adventure Park would be open from 6am May 24th to 6am May 25th.
Yes, you read it right…24 hours in a Disney park.
Per the media release, in Florida, the Magic Kingdom will feature a Monsters University theme where Mike and Sulley will be the Grand Marshalls of the Celebrate a Dream Come True day parade. In California, guests can party away at a Monsters University “TLT Monstrous” Dance Club and Star Wars characters in Tomorrowland to name just a few events. All three parks will have limited-edition merchandise, food & beverage offerings plus other surprises. I plan on attending and I’m very excited about that.
Photo Credit: EH
On Friday, April 26th, an “Around Our World” breakfast presentation was held. Presentations were made by George Kalogridis, Walt Disney World Resort President; Karl Holz, Disney Cruise Line President, and Joe Lanzisero, Senior Creative Vice President for Walt Disney Imagineering. Some highlights were:
-Star Wars Day on May 4th – a day where you may hear “May the Fourth Be With You!” This will be a one-day-only celebration featuring special Star Wars entertainment, shows, characters, exclusive merchandise, a Star Wars dance party and a Star Warsthemed fireworks show at the end off the day. A special edition of Jedi Training Academy, where parents join their children for the training and finale with villains from the Galactic Empire.
-The Disney Magic cruise ship will relaunch with redesigned areas and new spaces including the AquaDunk is a three-story body slide. You will be dropped from a trapped door in a tube that extends 20 feet over the side of the ship.
-A new parade, Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, will begin in the Spring of 2014.
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
Photo Credit: EH
After breakfast, the Monstrous Summer Showcase was held giving those in attendance the opportunity to interview several experts in Disney parks, Disney Cruise Line, Disney merchandising, Disney entertainment, Imagineering, Disney dining, runDisney, many more.
This wonderful preview event ended with lunch at Kona Cafe located at the Polynesian Resort.
Photo Credit: EH
I will be doing more posts about the Monstrous Summer event and even planning some giveaways. So stay tuned!!
I would like to give a very special thank you to Disney Parks for hosting such a wonderful media preview.
League of Awesome Bloggers Giveaway
Photo Credit: SuperHeroHype.com
Why not celebrate a blockbuster movie with a blockbuster giveaway. A league of bloggers was formed and decided to give away a $125 Disney gift card and an Avengers prize pack. The giveaway begins May 8, 2012 and ends May 15, 2012. The following bloggers make up this league. So check out their sites.
The League of Awesome Bloggers… Assemble!
As with any giveaway there are rules:
- Giveaway begins at midnight May 8, 2012 and ends May 15, 2012 at midnight.
- All of the 14 mandatory entries must be completed for the entry to be counted.
- Only specific phrase generated by the widget counts as a tweet. You cannot substitute your own version of the tweets as a RT.
- The winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and blog post at www.dragynally.com.
Enter below and good luck!!
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