A Look Back With Walt Disney

I love showing off this amazing historical video, especially when you get to see Walt Disney himself grinning from ear to ear. He was such a kid at heart and the historical footage really captures his love of Disneyland park. The footage you are about to see is bittersweet. It shows one of the last times Walt was on film enjoying his park.

The day was 44 years ago, July 24, 1966 (Walt died later that year). Walt and New Orleans Mayor Victor Schiro officially opened New Orleans Square. It was the first time since opening day in 1955 that a new land had opened. It was also the only area at the park named after a real city. Guests enjoyed shopping, dining and music, and Pirates of the Caribbean opened the following year. I hope you enjoy this fun piece of history.

Please visit our web site at www.officialticketcenter.com to keep up with all of your Walt Disney World information. Please visit our blog to see whats new in Orlando or just call us toll free at 1-877-406-4836.

Beverly Taste Tests At Epcot

Club Cool at Epcot is a perfect stop on a hot summer day. And once inside, you’ll likely hear chatter ( maybe even a few stories) about an Italian beverage called Beverly. It’s made by The Coca-Cola Company and it has a distinct taste. I certainly remember the first time I tasted it and here are a few others who probably will too. Check it out:

Yes, some Guests crave the stuff – I’ve met a few. Of course, you can sample other Coca-Cola products from countries around the world at Club Cool. Here’s the list:

•Krest Ginger Ale from Mozambique
•Fanta Kolita from Costa Rica
•Vegeta Beta from Japan
•Kinley Lemon from Israel
•Lift Apple from Mexico
•Smart Watermelon from China
•Mezzo Mix from Germany
Have you tried Beverly? Share your favorite beverage in the comments or leave a comment on our Epcot blog.

If you should neen discount Epcot tickets, please contact us at www.officialticketcenter.com or call us toll free at 1-877-406-4836.

Walt Disney World Summer Nightastic

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Summer nights at Walt Disney World Resort will enchant theme park guests when glittering light magic, high adventure, dance fever, thrills and chills set the after-dark scene. From June 6 through Aug. 14, “Summer Nightastic!” lights up the entertainment experience at the Vacation Kingdom with a megawatt parade, a fireworks extravaganza, a rockin’ dance party, concerts and other surprises.

• Tinker Bell waves her magic wand from the basket of a dazzling balloon float.  The Tinker Bell float alone generates more than “25,000 points of light,” says Paul Chychota, the parade’s production manager. 
   
• Pinocchio and the boys from the classic film’s Pleasure Island sequence join the parade in Magic Kingdom this year, and Snow White appears with the Seven Dwarfs on a Diamond Mine float glittering with colorful gems.
   
• Ten thousand strobes of “pixie-dust” light the parade trail as a treasury of classic Disney stories comes to life.  Floats feature enhanced effects and, though the music stays true to the original parade, the score’s dynamics soar to greater heights thanks to state-of-the-art technology, Chychota says.

•  The summer fireworks are accompanied by a whimsical score of classic Disney tunes and theme music from the hit film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”
   
• The Fairy Godmother from “Cinderella” and other famous fairies star in the fireworks spectacular.

• The fireworks perimeter around Magic Kingdom will expand by 25 percent for the summer show.  No matter where you are in the park, you’ll be surrounded by the spectacle.

•  Pirate Alert: Captain Hook and his band of buccaneers burst onto the scene to seize the park’s Cinderella Castle.  Disney’s creative entertainment team designed fireworks that tell the story, including a skull-and-crossbones display and other visual effects convincing enough to make you believe the castle is under siege.

Disney To Sell Luxury Homes Near Theme Parks

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Disney Company announced Wednesday that it’s getting into real estate by selling luxury homes in Orlando near its theme parks. Some are calling it Disney’s new thrill, because of the up and down housing market. Disney believes the homes will sell, despite a down market and despite the fact that Florida’s foreclosure rate remains among the nations highest. Disney has decided to move forward with plans to create a luxury residential community called Golden Oak. The Golden Oaks community will offer homes ranging from $1.5 million to $8 million. The price range will put Disney’s homes near the top of the market. The development will be almost 1,000 acres and include 450 homes and a Four Seasons Hotel with nearly 500 rooms. Buyers interested must deposit $25,000 to be placed on a reservation list. All the homes will be on Disney property. The company hopes they will sell, because people will actually want to live at Disney. Disney estimates it could take eight to ten years to complete the Golden Oak complex, but they plan to start to sell the first 30 lots right away and have the first homes completed in 2011.

Make a splash at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach!

Stay cool this summer with two amazing Orlando water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach – at the Walt Disney World Resort!  Both Disney water parks are fun for the whole family, offering both thrilling water slides and kid-friendly attractions. 

Here at The Official Ticket Center, we offer both discounted single-day Disney water park tickets and the Water Park Fun and More ticket option.

The Water Park Fun and Moreticket option is an excellent value, offering lots of flexibility.  The Waterpark Fun and More option matches however many days you want at the theme parks with that many visits to the following:  Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Disney Quest, ESPN Wide World of Sports, and the Oak Trail 9-hole Golf Course.  Disney Quest is an indoor adventure, providing an alternative for those rainy days!

Gang Plank Falls at Typhoon Lagoon offers fun for the whole family!

Family Fun at the Disney Water Parks

Gang Plank Falls at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – Get set for a slippery trip down rocky falls, caves, and rapids on this white-water family rafting adventure.

Teamboat Springs at Disney’s Blizzard Beach – The world’s longest family white-water raft ride travels down a twisting, winding 1,200-foot series of rushing waterfalls.  Big kids, teens, and adults can all ride together in a large raft that holds 4 to 6 people.

Tike's Peak at Blizzard Beach offers tots their own watery play area!

Fun for the Little Ones at Disney’s Water Parks

Ketchakiddee Creek at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – An interactive world of twenty different water activities including pint-sized slides, ball fountains, floating boats, animals that squirt water, and waterfalls designed specifically for young children.  Paradise for kids ages 2 to 6.

Tike’s Peak at Disney’s Blizzard Beach – A snow-castle fountain, pop-up water jets, and kid-sized slides make this shallow water area a perfect place to play for little ones who are less than 48 inches tall.  It is suggested that water footwear be worn in this area because the pavement can get hot.

Check out these video tours of the Disney Water Parks, courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine.

For more information, or to purchase Discount Disney Tickets, please visit our website or Kissimmee Location, The Official Ticket Center.  You may also call us toll-free at 1-877-406-4836.

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, located at Downtown Disney West Side, will be dark from May 23rd through June 7th.  There will not be any shows running during this time.  Cirque du Soleil, at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida is the perfect way to spend an evening during your vacation! La Nouba is a mesmerizing and extraordinary avant-garde circus spectacle performed indoors – perfect for upcoming rainy summer weather.

La Nouba, which translates into “to party, to live it up,” is performed at an exceptional theater built especially for Cirque du Soleil. The show’s international cast of acrobats, athletes and performance artists includes more than 65 artists representing 15 countries. The show is sure to delight and mystify with daring acts of grace!

2010 Performance Times
Tuesday through Saturday, 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

No performances on Sunday and Monday, or on the following dates:

• May 23-June 7, 2010
• July 27, 2010
• September 21 – 25, 2010
• November 16, 2010

Check out this trailer!

Cirque du Soleil is great for guests of all ages and is a perfect way to cap off a day at one of the Disney Theme Parks. Keep in mind, reservations are required. Here at The Official Ticket Center, we not only sell Discount Cirque du Soleil Tickets (Category 2 Seats), but we take care of the reservations for you! Please feel free to purchase tickets on our Web site, or call us toll-free at 1-877-406-4836.

Stormtroopers take position at the turnstiles at Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends.

This weekend marked the first of four Star Wars Weekends happening at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  The event takes place every weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) through June 13th.  At Star Wars Weekends, guests will find an entire saga’s worth of characters and more celebrities than ever before on hand for autographs, pictures, motorcades, Q & A sessions, and more!  The event is included with general park admission and with your purchase of Discount Disney Tickets.

 Orlando Sentinel’s Dewayne Bevil has posted some insider tips and information that will help you make the most of your galactic vacation!

As seen in the picture above, the Stormtroopers are perched on the roof, signaling that something extraordinary is happening inside the park.  The troopers are remote controlled, yet manage to be interactive with the crowd.  They are stationed up there from 8:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., and this year they’re joined early on (until about 8:45) by Boba Fett, a bounty hunter who debuted in Empire Strikes Back.  Another interesting tid bit – this is the first year Boba Fett has been featured in the event logo’s concept art and on merchandise. 

Boba Fett, featured in the 2010 event logo and merchandise.

Get a guide

There’s a galaxy of extra activities going on at the park durnig this event, including trivia contests, talk shows, autograph sessions and parades.  To keep track of it all and to make sure you don’t miss anything, pick up a guide map at the entrance or at the special Star Wars Weekends Information Depot, right in front of the Sounds Dangerous theater (between Star Tours and American Idol Experience.)

Who’s New?

There will be 50 characters in the park, but two characters will be making Disney World debuts: Asajj Ventress and Commander Cody from the Cartoon Network series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  Also making its first appearance will be R2-MK, which is the “astromech droid” of Jedi Mickey. (R2-MK even sports personalized mouse ears.)

Lightsaber Lessons

For Star Wars Weekends only, there’s a change for the Jedi Training Academy attraction. Kids who want to participate in the sessions should line up in front of the nearby Sounds Dangerous theater. Space is limited, and it stands to reason that it’s even more popular during Star Wars Weekends, so queue up early.

Don't miss your chance to sign up for the Jedi Training Academy!

Think Fast(Pass)

Autograph opportunities generally require FastPasses. Distribution begins each day at 8:45 a.m., and it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis. Disney reps are claiming there will be signage out front and that there will be more celebrities to choose from this year.

Photo Opportunities

Characters will be spread across the park, some stationed, some roaming. The daily guide maps will direct as to where find specific characters at what times.  But one big, collective group shot is available at the end of the “Legends of the Force” parade. Characters and actors strike poses on the Star Tours stage.

Shop til you Ewok

Shopping for merchandise has been moved and split into two locations. The Dark Side Depot will be near the entrance of the Backlot Tour and sell Star Wars merch. Boba’s Bounty will set up within the AFI Showcase exhibit (the end of Backlot Tour) and feature event-specific goods, including a Star Wars Weekend throw. (Warning: This piece sold out the first weekend last year.)

Finale, Part 1

The day ends with the Hyperspace Hoopla, Star Wars characters behaving in a stage show as you’ve never seen them. Bevil warns that if you’re a purist, you might have doubts. This year’s theme remains secretive, but the ’80s seem to be in the air.

Attractions Magazine has posted some video footage of the Hyperspace Hoopla.  Check it out!

Finale, Part 2

This will be the last Star Wars Weekend for the current incarnation of the Star Tours ride.  It will close for refurbishment and updating on Sept. 8. It’s scheduled to reopen as a 3-D experience in 2011.

Take these helpful hints and tips and use them wisely, young Jedi, as you experience the Power of the Force during Star Wars Weekends!  For more information, or to purchase Discount Disney Tickets, please visit our website or Kissimmee Location, The Official Ticket Center.  You may also call 1-877-406-4836.

Every year, Disney creates new and unique art for the event. Boba Fett is featured in this year's event logo.

The Disney Parks Blog has posted an interesting article about Star Wars Weekends “Galactic Bounty,” or merchandise.  The event is taking place weekends at Hollywood Studios from May 21 – June 13.  The Disney Theme Parks Merchandise team creates commemorative goodies and souvenirs that feature new and unique art specifcally designed for the event each year. 

For fans of Star Wars and Disney, the event is the only place they’ll be able to buy the uniquely designed merchandise with this year’s specific logo – once the event is over, the specialty logo merchandise basically becomes a collector’s item.  Some of the merchandise available includes T-shirts, hats, messenger bags, picture frames, and collectibles, all featuring this year’s awesome art. 

T-Shirts for the whole family feature this year's unique logo.

For the first time ever, the concept art for the event features the character Boba Fett.  According to Robert LaFlamme, this year’s product developer for Star Wars Weekends, it was easy to create this year’s logo art.  “With ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ celebrating its 30th Anniversary, it made sense to feature one of the most infamous stars from the film, Boba Fett,” said Robert.  “Boba Fett is the ‘most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy’ – it seemed only right to incorporate Boba Fett into the art to pay homage to such a recognized and notable character from the original Star Wars trilogy.”

Star Wars Weekends is included with general park admission into Hollywood Studios, and with your purchase of Discount Disney Tickets.  For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit our website or Kissimmee Location, The Official Ticket Center.  You may also call us toll-free at 1-877-406-4836.

Summer Nightastic - Disney's Mainstreet Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom

Light up your summer at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida with Summer Nightastic! from June 6 through August 14, 2010. See Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, experience the new special effects at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, thrill to the new Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular, and groove to a dance party and the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series.

To pack in all the excitement, summertime park hours are extended. Summer Nightastic! is included with your purchase of Discount Disney Tickets – Buy a 3 Day Base or Hopper Ticket, and get 2 Days FREE!

Disney’s Mainstreet Electrical Parade

Type: Outdoor | Location: Magic Kingdom Theme Park
Brighten your night with the return of a Guest favorite, the more-dazzling-than-ever Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade in Magic Kingdom Park. You’ll see plenty that’s new—fun-loving Tinker Bell leads the parade, which includes festive new floats inspired by Pinocchio and Snow White.

Check out the new special effects on Tower of Terror

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Type: Indoor, Outdoor | Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park
In a magical glow, take a plunge down the elevator shaft of the once-glamorous Hollywood Tower Hotel in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Exciting new special effects make this ride frightfully thrilling—and chilling!

A ride on the “fright elevator” beyond the eerie boiler room in the hotel basement could be down, then up, or maybe down again, or up and up—every experience is different and randomly selected by the Tower itself. There’s no way of knowing which direction you’ll go on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular

Type: Outdoor | Location: Magic Kingdom Theme Park
Bursts of vivid color and brilliant visual effects dance in the sky as whimsical music fills the air in a special summer fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park.  The fireworks display will most likely go off every night over the summer, usually starting about 10 minutes before the park closes. 

Keep in mind, Epcot Center will be doing their classic and popular Illuminations Fireworks show over the summer, as well.  The Fantasmic show at Hollywood Studios will also probably be performed nightly. 

Rock out this summer with live concerts at Epcot!

Follow the treasured sounds of long, carefree sunny days to the lagoonside America Gardens Theatre—adjacent to the American Adventure Pavilion. Under the skies of this open-air theatre, take in the tunes that inspired everyone’s favorite youthful memories as you celebrate the spirit of summer vacation.

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series 2010 Performers

• June 12 – June 19: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to The Bee Gees
• June 20 – June 26: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
• June 27 – July 3: TBD
• July 4 – July 10: Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones Tribute Band
• July 11 – July 17: Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
• July 18 – July 24: 2U – A Tribute to U2
• July 25 – July 31: Beginnings – CHICAGO TRIBUTE BAND

Showtimes

Three shows nightly: 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

For more information, or to purchase Discount Disney Tickets, please visit our website or Kissimmee Location, The Official Ticket Center.  You may also call us toll-free at 1-877-406-4836.