Sams Disney Diary: The Podcast

This time on SamsDisneyNews Disneyland is set to open, Make sure you have a valid park ticket, a park pass, and are a California resident. Get the latest at Disneyland.com/update Multi-Year Planning https://wp.me/p99IdZ-cm1 The first phase of Mobile magic has rolled out a Walt Disney World https://thedisneynerdspodcast.com/2021/03/30/disney-magicmobile-option-launches-on-apple-devices-how-to-get-started-for-contactless-walt-disney-world-park-entry/ Florida will be able to get a Walt Disney World 50th anniversary license plate for your Florida registered vehicle. https://wp.me/p99IdZ-cfI Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has an official opening date of October 1, 2021 – Walt Disney Word’s 50th Anniversary. Also debuting Oct. 1 in this section of the pavilion will be a delicious new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both tables- and quick-service options. April Best Bites include Earth Month specials at Animal Kingdom  https://youtu.be/34hdmE0LSJw  

The Mariachi Espectacular is a group of all-star mariachi musicians, made up of the best musicians from around the world. Members have also produced, composed, arranged, records for some of the most famous artists in the world. The group performed in the Plaza de la Familia at Disney California adventure to celebrate the release of the Disney Animation Coco, they have also performed during the Viva Navidad Holiday celebration at Disney California Adventure. The Mariachi Espectacular is a group of all-star mariachi musicians, made up of the best musicians from around the world. Members have also produced, composed, arranged, records for some of the most famous artists in the world. The group performed in the Plaza de la Familia at Disney California adventure to celebrate the release of the Disney Animation Coco, they have also performed during the Viva Navidad Holiday celebration at Disney California Adventure.  

The Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar opened at Disney California Adventure in 2009.  It has served as a preview center for coming attractions at the park since, featuring sketches, painting, and 3D models providing a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney artists, architects and engineers bring the ideas to reality.  In 2018 the exhibit focused on the design and reimagination of Pixar Pier, inspired by a classic seaside boardwalk in California. The Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar opened at Disney California Adventure in 2009.  It has served as a preview center for coming attractions at the park since, featuring sketches, painting, and 3D models providing a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney artists, architects and engineers bring the ideas to reality.  In 2018 the exhibit focused on the design and reimagination of Pixar Pier, inspired by a classic seaside boardwalk in California. The update includes a full model of Pixar Pier, the science of developing an interactive Roller Coaster, and a beh

This Time on SamsDisneyNews (March 2021) Disney World 2021 Update Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary: The World’s Most Magical Celebration. Epcot transformation continues with Six flags flanking spaceship earth, each representing an original EPCOT icon. Disney World 50th World Showcase lagoon adds a six-story tall central ring structure, part of the new “Harmonious” nighttime speculator coming to Epcot in time for the anniversary The liberty bell made its way back to the Rivers of America. Raya and the Last Dragon gets a 40-ton sand sculpture at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, through the end of March 2021 Ranger the 4-month old white-rhino café made his debut on the Kilimanjaro safari savanna. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which is now accepting reservations for bookings for late July 2021. Guest rooms feature a new color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its many islands. The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2021 has begun. Flower and Garden Festival 2021 https://youtu.be/n

Walt’s kiss goodnight, Fireworks.  A perfect ending to a fantastic day at any Disney Park.   Today it is so much more than the first Disneyland fireworks back in 1956.  It’s hard to imagine that those simple fireworks, individually light by cast members, would have evolved into full-scale production, including Projections, synchronized music, and more explosives that Walt could have imagined.   Happily, Ever After, premiered in 2017 creating the question, Should I be watching the sky for Fireworks or the castle for Projections????   The answer… YES!!!  The storytelling is amazing and the rewatch ability is highlighted by the projections and fireworks together. In this video, I stuck around after the show, just let the camera roll.  Taking in the sights and sounds of the Magic Kingdom after fireworks and gave me time to finish my ice cream.   Thanks for watching, be sure to subscribe for more.  

If there is a closer connection to Walt Disney in a Walt Disney World Attraction, I sure can’t think of it.   Not only does the Carousel of Progress bear his name, but it’s also the only attraction in Florida with Walt in the preshow.  I included the famous clip from Disneyland Goes to the World’s Fair as the introduction.  Then it’s a first-person trip on the rotating theater and audio-animatronic stage show attraction, as it appears in 2019 at Walt Disney World in Florida.   The original attraction was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.  After the World’s Fair, the attraction was relocated to Disneyland, and in 1973 it was relocated to Walt Disney World as part of the Tomorrowland expansion, which included the addition of Space Mountain in 1975. The original attraction was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. After the World’s Fair, the attraction was relocated to Disneyland, and in 1973 it was relocated to Walt Disney World as part of the Tomorrowland expansion, which included the addition

Once Upon a Time (Walt Disney World Cinderella Castle Projection Show) In 2011, The Magic, The Memories and You ushered in the age of projection mapping using Cinderella’s Castle as a canvas. The original show featured images of guests from throughout the day – It debuted in 2011 and was updated in 2012 with “Celebrate the Magic”, both previously featured on SamsDisneyDiary. The Current Projection Show “Once Upon a Time” made its debut in 2016. Based on a similar nighttime show at Tokyo Disneyland. The show is a bedtime story told by Mrs. Potts to her son Chip. Mrs. Potts recounts cherished moments in Disney Animation that all start with “Once Upon A Time..”. Stories include Cinderella, Peter Pan, Frozen, Alice in Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast. As of March 2021, the show is temporarily unavailable due to covid-19. This episode of SamsDisneyDiary is how the show looked before the pandemic delay.

The D23 Expo is the ultimate Disney Fan celebration, and no one celebrates Disney attractions like the D23 community. This session from the 2015 expo celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Disneyland Original, Jungle Cruise. Skippers from throughout the years reflect on their experiences at the Jungle Cruise, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary as one of Disneyland’s opening-day attractions. They will also discuss changes to the attraction over the years including recent holiday overlays and other additions. During the presentation, Kevin Lively, a former Jungle Cruise skipper now in Walt Disney Imagineering, announced the Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen will open later this year in the old Adventureland Veranda space in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland. We also got a little backstory for the new restaurant.

The Golden Horseshoe Revue was an opening day attraction at Disneyland in 1955.  Did you know, the first performance took place the day before Disneyland’s official opening, to celebrate Walt and Lillian’s 30th wedding anniversary.  The Golden Horseshoe has a long history of entertainment, with the first original show running until October 1986.  Other versions included a Variety Show, Billy Hill, and the Hillbilies, and Woody’s Round-up to celebrate the opening of Toy Story 2 in 1999.  The video in this edition of SamsDisneyDiary is from my personal collection and was recorded in 2017. The Golden Horseshoe Revue was an opening day attraction at Disneyland in 1955. Did you nkkow, the first performance took place the day before Disneyland’s official opening, to celebrate Walt and Lillian’s 30th wedding anniversary. The Golden Horseshoe has a long history of entertainment, with the first original show running until October 1986   Looking for more?  Don’t miss the Disney Family Album, The Golden Horseshoe Revue

Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, part of Walt Disney World’s 100 Years of Magic celebration, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade debuted October 1, 2001.   The parade took place daily until May 31, 2014 – making it at the time, the longest-running parade at Walt Disney World.  The premise of the parade was a jungle safari expedition featuring your favorite Disney characters.  The Disney Fab 5: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy each had a safari jeep escorted and followed by themed abstract animal images, all part of the 100 Years of Magic Celebration.  The parade started and ended near the First Aid station on Disncvoer island, between Pizzafari and Africa, near the entrance to Pandora, the world of Avitar today.  The parade made its way around discovery island, with lots of great viewing spots on the trails around the island.  Each character jeep themed to the personalities of the rider. Donald Duck’s jeep pulls a float painted in a sports and nautical theme. Minnie’s jeep and float painted with her signatu

There is nothing better than a Disney attraction with ties to Walt Disney himself.  First premiering at Disneyland in 1963, the Enchanted Tiki room was an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World in 1971.   The Disneyland version was the first attraction to feature audio-animatronics, the foundation for the Disney 1964 World’s Fair attractions.  The Walt Disney World version of the attraction was an identical show, with a different pre-show, the Tropical Serenade. There are over 150 talking, singing, and dancing birds, flowers, tiki drummers, and tiki totem poles—all singing the signature "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room song" by the Sherman brothers, among others. During a 2013 interview for the Tiki Room’s 50th anniversary, Wally Crump explained that the Tiki Room’s original concept was a restaurant.  Walt was ahead of his time; The Rainforest Café wouldn’t open until 1994.  Of course, I joke, but you can see the similarities and how the show quickly became the focus versus a dining venue. There are over 150 tal

If you visited Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios after the last Star Wars weekend (2016), and before the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge you may have stumbled into A Galaxy Far Far Away stage show. This 15-minute stage show covers the cinematic star wars universe, with some special guest appearances.  And it’s this episode of SamsDisneyDiary.    

In its 5-year run; the Epcot Internal Festival of the Arts has created quite a following.   The Visual Arts and Culinary Arts are obvious, but the icing on the cake had been the nightcap, featuring Disney on Broadway stars performing their Art, Disney Broadway musicals at The American Gardens Theater.   For the Taste of Epcot Festival of the Arts in 2021, the Voices of Liberty graced the stage, but in the previous 4 years of the festival, Disney Broadway stars took the stage for a nightcap.   In this performance, Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White took the stage, recreating some of their on Broadway performances. Thanks for watching, hit that subscribe button for more…      

“One Nation Under God”.  That was the original idea for what would become Walt Disney World’s Hall of Presidents.  The original concept would have been an addition to Disneyland’s Main Street USA.  Library Street would have featured Edison Square and The Hall of Presidents, as seen on 1958 Disneyland park maps.   The original concept was wax figures of all the US Presidents, which lead to the idea of animating the models.  Those thoughts and beliefs lead to the first Audio-Animatronic figure in human form: Abraham Lincoln.   That figure was the most advanced ever produced and featured in the Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 world’s fair.  The attraction relocated to Disneyland as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and guests can still experience an updated version of that original. With Walt Disney World’s construction in 1971, technology had advanced enough to complete Walt’s Original vision of the “Hall of Presidents.”  The plans from Disneylands Liberty Street and Edison Square were revised and reworked to becom

The GFSO – The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, the source of the elegant melody you heard countless times walking through the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian, recently ended its 32-year engagement at Walt Disney World.   The 6-piece orchestra delivered classic renditions of ragtime, Dixieland Jazz, Traditional jazz, and as well as Disney Classics, adding to the elegance of the Grand Floridian Resort.   In August 2020. The Orchestra relocated to the Hollywood Studios Theater of the Stars with a new name “The Disney Society Orchestra”, performing classic Disney Tunes tied to attraction in the park, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, and The Muppets.   SADLY Those performances ended October 3, 2020.  The end of the 32-year run of the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.  (All but 3 months performing at the Grand Floridian Resort.) Special thanks to StudiosHQ for providing the front-row view of one of the final, socially distanced, performances of the 6-piece Orchestra. You can find The Orchestra on Apple Music, S

There are lots of perks associated with being a Disney Vacation Club Member.  Maybe one of the coolest is being able to attend DVC Moonlight Magic.  It’s an after-hours in-park event, available to DVC members at no cost.   Events have historically taken place in each Walt Disney World Park, including the water parks and Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim. Think of it as a hard ticketed event where the ticket is complimentary to DVC members, assuming you can get one.   You’ll need to watch the DVC member page for announcements. Typically, registration is available to guests with a DVC resort reservation first, then open to all DVC members.  Only time will tell if that’s still the case post-Covid-19. The event includes access to select attractions, with shorter-than-usual wait times, of course, meet-and-greets with Disney Characters.   I’m not talking about the traditional meet and greets; I’m talking about characters you don’t see daily.  Be aware, those meet and greets will have lines

Disneyland Forever, premiered at Disneyland on May 21, 2015, as part of the 60th-anniversary celebration.  Disneyland Forever was the first Disney park fireworks show to feature projection mapping.   The technology was use on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, It’s a small world, and Main Street USA.   It featured a new theme song “Live the Magic” and an exit song written by Richard Sherman that reflects on Walt’s Original vision of Fireworks, “A Kiss Goodnight” Here is my footage of the show from Mainstreet and It’s a Small World.   According to Disney… “Disneyland Forever” shows just how magical the Magic Kingdom can be, in a sky-high celebration featuring sparkling pyrotechnics, immersive projections, and other effects that transform Disneyland park right before your eyes! “Disneyland Forever” envelops you in an enthralling, breathtaking journey like never before, leveraging the largest installation of projection mapping technology in a Disney park and surprising special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and several ot

What does Mineral King, X Atencio, Winnie the Pooh, Marc Davis, and a Vacation Hoedown all have in common? None other than the Country Bear Jamboree… Well, The story goes something like this… In 1965, with Disneyland celebrating its 10th anniversary, the 1964-65 New York world’s fair a success – creating 4 attractions that would soon be relocated to Disneyland – and the land acquisition for the Florida Project secretly underway you would think Walt had his hands full, right? Wrong. When the Sequoia National Forest invited proposals for a ski resort in California’s Mineral King Valley, Walt Disney Productions including Walt Disney himself envisioned an “American Alpine Wonderland”. A Ski-Resort that would include a five-story hotel with over a thousand rooms, a movie theater, general store, pools, ice rinks, tennis courts, and golf courses not to mention the actual ski complex which would include 22 lifts and gondolas with ski runs four miles long. The complex would also feature 10 restaurants.

The GFSO – The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra, the source of the elegant melody you heard countless times walking through the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian, recently ended its 32-year engagement at Walt Disney World. The 6-piece orchestra delivered classic renditions of ragtime, Dixieland Jazz, Traditional jazz, and as well as Disney Classics, adding to the elegance of the Grand Floridian Resort.

Sam's Disney News Roundup for January 2021 - All the news is coming from Walt Disney World this month. Magic Kingdom • Cinderella Castle features a royal new look at Magic Kingdom Park, welcoming guests for the perfect portrait as they seek out classic attractions. Epcot • The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts now through February 22, 2021. inviting guests to experience an expansive selection of visual, performance, and culinary arts. • The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival blooms March 3 with the freshest flowers and flavors from around the world, including cuisine, creative gardens, and unforgettable topiaries. • New Entrance Fountain welcomes guests • La Gelateria quick services between American Adventure and Italy construction continues. • Harmonious construction continues with the second show barge making an appearance on world showcase lagoon • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewing construction continues with new images from Disney Parks • Remey ratatouille adven