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A Behind the Scenes Look at Cinderella’s Castle ~ “Castle Dream Lights” at the Magic Kingdom

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Mickey's Very Merry Christmas

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas

If you could decorate Cinderella Castle for the holidays, how would you decorate it?

This is the exact premise of Cinderella’s Holiday Wish and the Castle Dream Lights, a nightly holiday show and spectacle that lights up Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park with thousands of lights.

It’s also one of my all-time favorite holiday offerings here at Walt Disney World Resort. Earlier this month, we decided to go behind-the-scenes with Creative Director Reed Jones to learn just what it takes to bring this show to life. Take a look!

Showtimes may vary per night. The best way to know is to arrive early and pick up a Times Guide on your way in. That’s the best way to know where to be and when so you don’t miss a thing. Happy holidays!

Disney to Buy Lucasfilm for $4 Billion

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Disney Buys Lucasfilm For $4 Billion

Disney Buys Lucasfilm For $4 Billion

The Walt Disney Company agreed Tuesday to buy Lucasfilm in a stock-and-cash deal valued at $4 billion.

The deal will make Lucasfilm owner George Lucas a significant shareholder in Disney, which will pay for the film company with $2 billion cash and around 40 million shares of its stock.

The takeover will give Disney (DIS, Fortune 500) control of Lucasfilm’s blockbuster Star Wars franchise, which encompasses both filmed productions and a massive merchandising operation. Disney will also absorb Lucasfilm’s special-effects production business, Industrial Light and Magic.

“It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers,” George Lucas said in a written statement. “I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime.”

Kathleen Kennedy, current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become president of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucasfilm employees will remain based at the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

Lucas said he will continue to work as a creative consultant on Star Wars Episode 7, which is targeted for release in 2015.

Executives from Disney and Lucasfilm plan to provide more details on the deal during a conference call Tuesday afternoon.

By Stacy Cowley @CNNMoneyTech October 30, 2012: 4:48 PM ET

Orlando theme parks get a head start on Christmas

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Is Christmas Here Already?

Is Christmas Here Already?

We may not like it, but we’re getting accustomed to Christmas celebrations starting in November. Here are some of the Central Florida attractions taking a Yuletide head start.

•Disney World hits the eggnog hard Nov. 9 with an array of holiday festivities. On that day, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights plugs in at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade steps off at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s also the first day of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (separate admission ticket required).

•ICE!, Gaylord Palms’ elaborate ice-sculpture attraction, begins Nov. 10. This year’s theme is Merry Madagascar with characters again carved by 40 Chinese artisans. Returning are two-story ice slides and (brrrrr) 9-degree temps. Dress accordingly.

•SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration begins Nov. 17 with an ice-skating show, a seasonal killer-whale show, “Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas” with sea lion stars, a Muppet stage show and “O Wondrous Night,” a stage show revolving around the Christmas story. Celebration nights also include a fireworks-and-fountains finale.

•The popular Candlelight Processional at Epcot begins Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, with actress Geena Davis as narrator. The event includes a mass choir and orchestra alongside the park’s Voices of Liberty as backdrop to the telling of the Christmas story. Other November narrators include actor Neil Patrick Harris and “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg.

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By Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

What is you favorite dish? Trying all 29 Marketplaces in One Day at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

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The fun is on the griddle at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and there’s still time to enjoy the culinary adventures throughout the park before the event comes to a close November 12.

Half the fun of the festival is discovering new dishes in the 29 marketplaces. But what’s your favorite?

That’s the assignment I had on my recent trip around the Epcot culinary world. Whether it’s the subtle seasoning of the Kefta Pocket at the Morocco Marketplace; the volcano sauce on the Spicy Hand Roll at Japan; a smooth, fine Merlot from France; Griddled Greek Cheese at Greece or the wonderful selection of ales and beers at the Hops and Barley Marketplace, there’s a lot to please every palate. Rob, our Concerned Bystander, also makes a cameo in this video, but it seems his tune has changed just a tiny bit.

So, after experiencing all 29 marketplaces in one day, what was my favorite dish?

The Kalua Pork Slider (the chutney and spicy mayo are an unbeatable blend) from the Hawai’i Marketplace takes the top spot in my (very) unscientific sampling. Although the White Corn Arepa (AREPA!) from the Florida Local Marketplace was a close second. With the famous sweet corn from nearby Zellwood, Fla., it’s a tasty treat. (And if you order it, please shout “Arepa!” and you might get a reaction just like I did in the video.)

The best thing is that I received a special stamp at the Festival Center for visiting all 29 countries. (Although I might suggest visiting Epcot a few times before the event ends to collect all of the marketplace stamps!)

Let us know in the comments if you have visited all 29 marketplaces, or if you have discovered your favorite from this year’s festival. Arepa!

For you discount Epcot tickets to this event, please call our office toll free at 1-877-406-4836 or visit our web site at http://www.officialticketcenter.com/epcot-tickets.aspx

Meet John Lasseter, Celebrity Chef Cat Cora at Epcot International Food & Wine Fest Dinner

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The Official Ticket Center ~ Pixar fans will love the opportunity to meet John Lasseter – yes, he’s an animation genius, but he also makes delicious California wines (with beautiful labels, too). You can meet John and his wife Nancy for lunch at 12:30 p.m. October 19 at Citricos, where Chef Philip Ponticelli will pair Lasseter wines with seasonal cuisine. Cost is $130.

Cat Cora fans will be happy to hear that two wine dinners have been added to the line-up for this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, with Chef Cat on hand to greet diners at 8 p.m. October 2 and October 4. Cost is $170 for a five-course dinner with wine pairings in the restaurant’s cozy CoraNation Room.

Meet Celebrity Chef Cat Cora at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort

And three very famous dads are teaming up for what promises to be one of the coolest Food & Wine Fest dinners this year – Michael Voltaggio has been added to the line-up, joining his brother Bryan and Andrew Zimmern on stage for the family-friendly Magic of Healthy Living Dinner at 6:30 p.m. October 19 at Epcot World Showplace. Brothers Bryan and Michael shot to the front of the celebrity chef pack in 2009 on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” and Andrew is best known for his show “Bizarre Foods” on the Travel Channel, so diners are guaranteed entertainment with their memorable four-course dinner. Cost is $110 and includes tip and non-alcoholic beverages. (Park admission required).

To book any of these dinners, call 407-WDW-FEST. Check epcotfoodfestival.com for more event details.

Take a look at more of what to expect at this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival:

New Fantasyland Grand Opening Set for December 6, 2012, at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort!

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New Fantasyland to open in December 2012

New Fantasyland to open in December 2012

The Official Ticket Center 8/09/2012 ~ The grand opening for the New Fantasyland® expansion at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort will take place on December 6, 2012!  Attractions included in this opening are Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Previews of these attractions will begin earlier in mid November.

As previously planned, the New Fantasyland expansion will continue with the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the debut of a new Disney “mountain” in the form of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014.

The Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland expansion, which includes Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, opened to Guests in July.

Get you discount Disney Tickets in advance for this once in a lifetime grand opening event by calling our office to order your tickets at 1-8770406-4836 or by going to www.officialticketcenter.com

Save on your Orlando vacation by staying in a rental home?

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Vacation Home Rentals In Orlando, Florida

Vacation Home Rentals In Orlando, Florida

The Official Ticket Center 7/18/2012 ~ Millions of travelers each year make the trek to Orlando, Florida to soak up the sun and visit our world famous theme parks. Most people use online booking engines to search for the cheapest way to get here, hotels and car rentals. While the most expensive aspect to a vacation is the airfare, the second is definitely the accommodations! While the average family still thinks a hotel or motel is the best and cheapest way to go, the truth is that a typical family can rent a vacation home rental with all of the bells, whistles and a pool  for the same price as a resort stay or even cheaper. One such company that specializes in this little hidden fact is www.thetopvillas.com/orlando/. Owner Tom Mannings of Top Villas states that he can find any traveler a beautiful, fully furnished vacation home rental, with pool within minutes of the Walt Disney World Resort area for about the same weekly cost that an average family would spend at a hotel within the same distance to Disney. With so many beautiful new homes in the Orlando resort area, many of these homes are bought to rent out to families wanting to have the comforts of their own home, without dragging everything in their suitcases. “Each home is a home away from home”, Tom comments, “and we can make any family feel right at home after a day at the parks or out at our beautiful beaches”. In addition to providing beautiful Orlando villas to their guests, Top Villas also can provide travelers with additional guest service items such as car rentals and discount theme park tickets.

2012 © Patrick Pulliam

Wet n’ Wild Orlando Celebrates The Grand Opening of Their Newest Attraction

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Wet n' Wild's Blastaway Beach Orlando

Wet n' Wild's Blastaway Beach Orlando

On Saturday, June 2 Wet ‘n Wild Orlando celebrated the grand opening of its newest attraction, Blastaway Beach™ – a family-friendly, sandcastle-themed water playground. It’s expected to be the largest water playground of its kind in Florida and Wet ‘n Wild’s first new attraction in over four years.
Built around a sandcastle rising 60-feet high, Blastaway Beach™ spans an acre and features 15 slides and expands across two pools with 160 soakers, jets, waterfalls and water cannons. Designed especially for families, the new area has a single entrance and exit, creating a secluded environment that is safe and fun for all ages.

Epcot Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Brings The Classic Hits 2012

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Eat to the Beat at Epcot's Summer Concert Series

Eat to the Beat at Epcot's Summer Concert Series

The Official Ticket Center Orlando, FL. – The good ole days return to Epcot as select summer nights heat up from June to July with the some of the world’s greatest tribute bands. Classic hits from the likes of U2, The Bee Gees, Bon Jovi and many more will rock during Sounds Like Summer concert series. The high-energy performances take place at the open-air American Gardens Theater in World Showcase.

The schedule (entertainment subject to change without notice):

  • June 10-17: Hotel California ~ A Salute to the Eagles
  • June 18 to 23: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot ~ The Ultimate Billy Joel Show
  • June 24 to 30: Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees
  • July 1 to 7: Slippery When Wet ~ The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
  • July 8 to 14: The Police Experience ~ A Tribute to the Police
  • July 15 to 21: SouthBound and Company ~ A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • July 22 to 28: 2U ~ A Tribute to U2

Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. – except on July 4 when show times are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission. Additional informatio on purchasing your discount Epcot tickets click here http://www.officialticketcenter.com/epcot-tickets.aspx . For the latest information and updated show times, guests may pick up an Entertainment Guide when entering the park.

Universal Orlando files permits for North Station, South Station, and Connector — for real Hogwarts Express?

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New constructions permits have appeared which further suggest that Universal intends on building a working Hogwarts Express.

New constructions permits have appeared which further suggest that Universal intends on building a working Hogwarts Express.

For months we’ve been sharing rumors about Wizarding World Orlando’s expansion. New constructions permits have appeared which further suggest that Universal intends on building a working Hogwarts Express.

First, let’s catch you up: In December Universal announced they were closing Jaws at Universal Studios. Rumors stated that the classic boat ride was shutting down to make way for a Diagon Alley expansion, which would be connected to Hogsmeade via a working Hogwarts Express. Behind the scenes, Universal has been marking a path for the train to travel. We also saw the planned layout of the expansion.

Now new permits filed by Universal on June 1 call for the construction of three new elements: North Station, South Station, and Connector. Presumably North Station would be Hogwarts Express’ platform in Universal Studios, while South Station would be at the existing Wizarding World in Islands of Adventure. See the permits below, thanks to Park Rumors:

The project is groundbreaking in that this Hogwarts Express will take you between two of Universal’s parks, meaning you’ll have to have a ticket for both.

Universal has only confirmed that they were working on a Wizarding World expansion – they have not elaborated any further. We think they’re keeping it under wraps for as long as possible so as to not affect potential ticket sales before its grand opening. If they were to announce it today, families may want to hold off on their trip until the expansion opens.