INTERCOT @ Disney Press Event - 2/10-11

[John]

Be sure to follow INTERCOT's Melanears live at Walt Disney World this weekend for the Give a Day Get a Day Press Event.

She'll be tweeting over the next few days. Follow the excitement at:

http://www.twitter.com/intercot

Press Releases:

What's New, What's Next

Summer Nightastic!

[Melanie]

I'll start Tweeting again in the morning.

Official Press Release from the 'What's New, What's Next' Event

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2010) – The largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. A wave of new ships, entertainment and activities at sea. A relaunch that brings together the world’s top family destination with the worldwide leader in sports.

Disney executives Wednesday released new details on exciting additions coming to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line and newly renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Fantasyland Expansion (groundbreaking 2010) – This three-year construction project will result in the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. For the first time, guests will be able to step into their favorite Disney fairy tales to have more magical and immersive encounters with Disney princesses. Each princess will have her own themed village within Fantasyland Forest. At Dreams Come True with Cinderella, guests can meet Cinderella face to face in her country chateau, share a dance or train to be one of her Royal Knights. At A Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty, it is party time inside the Briar Rose Cottage, nestled in a lush, forest setting. The three good fairies give Aurora the Sweet 16 party she never received, and everyone’s invited to join in the surprise celebration. And an enchanted mirror will transport guests from Belle’s father’s cottage to Beast’s castle for an enchanting storytelling performance during Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The new district will invite parkgoers to the Be Our Guest Restaurant, one of three enchanted dining rooms inside Beast’s castle. And just outside the castle in Belle’s Village will be Gaston’s Tavern, another themed eatery. Meanwhile, in the new Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction, Ariel and all her friends will entertain in a ride-through adventure featuring favorite songs from the popular animated feature.

The big top comes to Dumbo’s Flying Circus with a magical flight high above brand-new circus grounds, twice the size of the classic attraction. Inside a stylized tent, guests enjoy midway games and other fun-filled experiences.

Perfecting Paradise – A Magical Makeover for Castaway Cay (2010) – Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust. Enhancements include an expanded family beach, a floating water platform featuring two twisting water slides, two fresh-water play areas for guests to cool off, a new teen retreat and 20 new private rental cabanas offering the ultimate in beachside luxury. The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010.

New Sailings for Disney Magic and Disney Wonder (2010, 2011) – In 2010, the Disney Magic will sail to Europe for an unprecedented five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises. Book-ending the summer season of 12-night Northern European Capitals cruises, theDisney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean for 10- and 11-night cruises, with three new ports of call – Tunis in northern Africa, the island nation of Marta, and Ajaccio, Corsica. In the summer of 2010, the Disney Wonder will sail four- and five-night cruises to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. In the summer of 2011, the Disney Wonder will sail for the first time to Alaska, with seven-night cruises calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Disney Cruise Line Expanding Its Fleet (2011, 2012) - The Walt Disney Company is expanding its successful cruise vacation business by adding two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, to set sail in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Two decks taller than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the new 1,250-passenger liners will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line. Now under construction, the Disney Dream will offer magical innovations, engaging children’s spaces, family entertainment and immersive experiences for which Disney Cruise Line is renowned.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Relaunch (February 2010) – A re-imagining project involving ESPN and the Disney sports complex, the leading multi-sport venue in the nation, aims to create immersive and entertaining sports experiences for athletes, coaches and fans by incorporating signature elements of ESPN in ways that will connect athletes and coaches with their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements. Guests will discover a new welcome center, a digital center where video captured by 56 high-definition robotic and handheld cameras across the 220-acre sports campus is edited for display on 40 video screens and two “jumbotrons” throughout the complex as part of a veritable Wide World of SportsCenter, and the new ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, technical staff will continue work in the Innovation Lab to develop ground-breaking ESPN on-air products – using the action throughout the complex as a real-world testing environment.


That’s not all. Exciting coming attractions for Disney include new dining, retail – and even extend to a “galaxy far, far away.” An all-new 3-D version of the popular Star Tours attraction launches in 2011 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the “Star Wars” galaxy.

[KylesMom]

This sounds wonderful! We haven't joined the Twitter movement at our household yet, but you can believe we're about to!

[DizneyFreak2002]

Mel thanks for the updates... I am liking what I am hearing so far... Hate to lose Spectro but glad to be gaining a new and improved MSEP!!!!

[Figment!]

Main Street Electrical Parade Lights the Night Again as Walt Disney World Resort Launches ‘Summer Nightastic!’

Walt Disney World Resort Press Release
February 10, 2010

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The “Main Street Electrical Parade” lights up the streets of Magic Kingdom and headlines a season of after-dark excitement coming to Walt Disney World Resort.

“After the sun goes down, our Walt Disney World parks will light up the night with ‘Summer Nightastic!’, ” announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, at a media event Wednesday.

Disney magic will shine and shimmer in a whole new light. Here’s a look around:

~ With floats and characters appearing for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer, aboard bright new floats. Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” is set for its summer-long nighttime premiere in early June at Magic Kingdom.

~ The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises. New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. If they dare.

~ What could be more summery than fireworks on a star-studded night? Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular. The night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.

~ Other fun! The return of the Sounds Like Summer concert series to Epcot and extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom several times a week add up to summer fun as only Disney can do – at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

[laprana]

Does anyone know if the parade and new fireworks are just for the summer, or will they continue into the rest of the year?

[Melanie]

A nice Celebrating Volunteerism event this morning honoring many families who have already done their volunteer work, along with special appearances by Kermit the Frog and Ty Pennington, and the unveil of the world's largest canned food structure - in the forms of Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. Very cool - besides the cans, bags of marshmallows formed the hands and black plates were Mickey's ears. We couldn't get too close, so the pics below are the best I could do.

Oh, and they announced that 600,000 people had already signed up or completed their volunteer service. It's only February and they've already met goal of over half the participants. So if you are wanting to do this, you better get registered!!!

[Melanie]

Canned Goods Set a Guinness World Record, Ship to Food Banks


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2010) –Against the backdrop of a world-record sculpture of canned goods destined for food banks, Disney Parks officials on Thursday announced a major milestone with the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, a first-of-its-kind effort to help inspire 1 million people to perform volunteer service.

Since the program’s launch only six weeks ago, more than 600,000 people in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada have volunteered or signed up for volunteer projects in their communities, announced Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

“With the launch of our ‘Give a Day, Get a Disney Day’ program, we hoped to spark something truly special,” Staggs said. “But even we have been overwhelmed with the response.”

To recognize their good deeds, in 2010 Disney Parks is celebrating those who volunteer through the program by giving them a free one-day admission to either a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park. Volunteers can start the search and sign-up process by going to www.disneyparks.com.

HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute and the largest volunteer network in the nation, is supporting the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program by connecting volunteers with projects.

According to Michelle Nunn, co-founder of HandsOn Network and CEO of Points of Light Institute, 10,000 community organizations, through the Disney Parks program, are getting the volunteers they need to meet important community challenges.

“The level of volunteerism we have seen in the first weeks of 2010 is tracking to new highs,” she said. “Our dream at HandsOn Network is for everyone to recognize their power to make a difference. Disney is helping us make that dream a reality, a million times over.”

Since the launch of the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program on Jan. 1, 2010, volunteers have trekked through wetlands near Long Beach, Calif., and through mountain preserves in Phoenix, Ariz., clearing away non-native vegetation. A continent away, volunteers have whisked away trash on Atlantic Coast beaches in Brevard County and Dade County, Fla. In Port Huron, Mich., “soccer families” have picked up paint brushes to help spruce up a community center. In Atlanta, Ga., volunteers have assisted hospitalized children as they create arts and crafts projects. And with the forecast for a cold night ahead, the homeless in Central Florida were handed blankets by caring volunteers.

In addition to celebrating the “Give A Day, Get a Disney Day” program, Disney Parks welcomed to Walt Disney World Resort Thursday other outstanding volunteer families from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who gave back to their communities in special ways, as part of Disney’s celebration of family volunteerism in 2010.

“Today we are here to celebrate you,” Staggs told the families. “With each of your efforts, you make a difference.”

Canned-Food Structure Unveiled, Verified Largest-Ever by Guinness World Records®

As part of the event celebrating family volunteers and to dramatize the spirit of giving, Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday unveiled a mammoth structure of canned goods – food that will be donated to food banks in Orlando, Miami and Atlanta.

The canned food sculpture – titled “Celebrate Volunteers” – was revealed for media and guests at Epcot. Disney VoluntEARS shaped the sculpture with a larger-than-life Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto – all sculpted out of cans. Goofy’s trademark hat consisted of cans of bread crumbs, for instance. Mickey’s famous head was shaped from cans of black olives, and cans of sliced pineapple made up Pluto’s eyes.

The cans represent approximately 70,000 meals, according to Dave Krepcho, president/CEO of Second Harvest of Central Florida. “Each can makes a difference in someone’s life who cannot afford this food,” he said. “Much of this food goes to children in need, working moms trying to provide, senior citizens coping on fixed incomes and people whose disabilities keep them from working.”

The spectacular, character-themed structure – consisting officially of 115,527 cans – was also a world record, according to Guinness World Records, the internationally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. Guinness World Records Thursday authenticated the achievement as the Largest Canned Food Structure ever created, easily eclipsing the previous record of 54,527 cans set in June 2009 in New Zealand.

Some volunteer families also shared star billing Thursday with stars of the Disney Channel and Disney XD. As part of Disney’s youth environmental movement, Friends for Change: Project Green (www.Disney.com/ProjectGreen), Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato and others joined the celebration, making special appearances throughout the day to show what’s possible when kids and families get together and volunteer to help the planet.

[Melanie]

FunFacts: a salute to volunteerism in a sculpture that will feed thousands

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – To dramatize the spirit of giving, Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday (Feb. 11, 2010) unveiled a mammoth wall of canned goods – destined as a donation to food banks in Orlando, Miami and Atlanta. Here are some fun facts about the sculpture:

· A team made up of Disney VoluntEARS and project leaders devoted more than 500 “man hours” over a four-day period to construct the sculpture.

· Tens of thousands of cans of food – plus assorted boxes and bags of food items – were used in the sculpture, anchored by a larger-than-life Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto.

· Mickey’s famous head was shaped from cans of black olives, and cans of sliced pineapple made up Pluto’s eyes. Containers of Atlantic salmon were used to construct a portion of Goofy’s face while cans of tuna made up Donald’s hat. Common to each character: pupils made from pans of popcorn.

· If all the cans making up the sculpture were stacked on top of one another, the topmost can would be more than a mile above the 29,035-foot summit of Mt. Everest.

· The sculpture contains approximately 44 tons of food – everything from albacore tuna and apricot halves to spaghetti, stewed tomatoes and mixed vegetables – destined to become more than 70,000 meals for the needy.

· Guinness World Records, the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement, on Thursday authenticated the structure as the Largest Canned Food Structure ever created. The previous record for a can sculpture was 54,527 cans, set in June 2009 in New Zealand, Guiness said.

· Following a “Kodak moment,” the sculpture was to be disassembled Thursday afternoon – a process expected to take approximately six hours and involve as many as 200 people led by 25 Disney VoluntEARS and project leaders.

[seanyred]

Thats alot of fun stuff I hope this means they are starting to reinvest in WDW and "Plus It"

[dixielandings]

PLEASE PLEASE tell me that the Electrical Parade is staying around past summer!!

It's one of my favorite Disney events of all time!

[iadarolas]

Wow, I think I have seen the MSEP once back in the late 1980s. We are back to WDW in May 2011. I hope it hangs around til then.

[Rekenna]

Thanks for the detailed updates. Lots of new exciting things to look forward to!

[snifflesmcg]

OMG, my sister and I are freaking out. We went to Disneyland in May hoping to see the Electrical Parade and found out when we got there, it wasn't starting for another few weeks. Being much closer to FL than CA, it's a definite plan if it sticks around longer than summer. Thank you Disney for seeing that we wanted our parade back!!

[Jenemmy]

Wow -- any word on when these summer things are starting? Is May too early to hope for?

[Melanie]

I know this is a little late, but I was having camera issues and couldn't get these photos until now. Thought someone might want to see the close-ups of each character.