Disney Sisters: Disney Parks

Showing posts with label Disney Parks. Show all posts

Gary Buchanan: The Ultimate Disney Cast Member #DisneySMMoms

"It doesn't matter where you take things from,
it matters where you take them to." - Jean Luc Godard
(one of Gary Buchanan's favorite quote)

If you've ever been to any of the Disney Parks, you've probably been touched by a Cast Member. A Cast Member is what employees who work at Disney are called. They add the pixie dust to your Disney vacations. The people who work hard everyday to make sure that your experience at Disney is the very best it can be. They are always smiling, engaging with you (or your children), and usually asking if they can be of help in any way.

We have had an exceptional experience with an incredible Cast Member in particular. We met Gary Buchanan, Disney Parks Social Media Managing Editor, a few years ago in Florida at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. He was leading a conference breakout session called "Fire and Ice" about the Disney Parks Blog with the Disney Parks Social Media Director, Thomas Smith. Over the past few years, he has wowed us with his creativity and made us laugh with his cute and quirky videos. He's super smart, unique, and not afraid to take risks. He has been an inspiration and a mentor to hundreds of Disney employees, Disney Moms Panel members, and Disney Social Media Moms. Everyone who meets him feels happier, and when he leaves you are left feeling that you just met someone really special - Gary is the real deal!

This week, we learned that his time at Disney is coming to an end which makes us very sad. We will miss learning from him and just being in his presence at various Disney events. Gary made our Disney experience as a whole even more magical and we truly appreciate him! We gathered a few of our favorite "Gary" quotes about creativity and paired them up with photos from some of our favorite moments of him!

Good luck on your new adventure Gary! You are a character all your own. We look forward to seeing the magic you create in your next role. Thanks for the memories!

Some Thoughts on Creativity from Gary:

"Date an idea, don't marry it."

"Creativity is coloring outside of the lines."

"Have fun and play with no rules."

"Through play you go from Ha-ha moment to Ah-ha moment."

"You can build on an idea that's been done before and you make it your own."

"Keep your foot on the gas pedal!"

(Gary's favorite Disney quote:)

"If you are coasting, it means your are going downhill" - Walt Disney

Show Your #DisneySidewalk Program with Disney Artist Noah (Interview)

If you're here to find out more about the #DisneySidewalk program, recently launched by Disney Parks Instagram Accounts - then you've came to the right place!

We had the privilege of interviewing featured Disney artist, Noah at the start of the Rock your Disney Side 24 Hour Celebration. He was there to announce the Disney Parks new Instagram program, Show Your Disney Sidewalk! Guests can participate in Show Your Disney Sidewalk at home by tagging photos of their own chalk art with #DisneySidewalk on Instagram. They might even be featured on the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Instagram accounts.

This beautiful 8' X 8' chalk featuring highlights of Disney California Adventure drawing made by Noah will be donated to Autism Speaks for auction.

Summer vacation is the perfect time to bust out the sidewalk chalk and perfect your craft of cartooning. We’ve been having a ball so far this summer doing simple things together such as chalk drawings on the driveway. It's an easy, inexpensive way to create art and anyone can do it.

Check out these amazing looking creations made by other Disney artists... We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Make sure to follow these Instagram Accounts:

And use the hashtag #DisneySidewalk

Important: Changes to the Disney Disability Pass at Disney Parks

A new program is coming to Disney Parks for guests and families with disabilities on October 9, 2013. More details about the new Disability Access Service (DAS) Card program are coming soon but until then, here is some information via Disney Parks:

We would like to share an upcoming change in the Guest Assistance Card. Disney has an unwavering commitment to making our experiences accessible to all Guests. After careful consideration, we will be replacing the Guest Assistance Card with the new Disability Access Service Card on Oct. 9 to create a more consistent experience for all our Guests while providing accommodations for Guests with disabilities. Until Oct. 9, we will continue to use Guest Assistance Cards. We look forward to sharing more information about the Disability Access Service Card as we get closer to implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will the new Disney program work?

The Disability Access Service Card will offer Guests a return time for an attraction based on the current wait time. Guest Assistance Cards will continue to be in effect until Oct. 9. We look forward to sharing more information as we get closer to implementation.

Did Disney receive assistance in developing the Disability Access Service Card?
Yes, Disney is engaging disability groups, and Autism Speaks was instrumental in providing feedback as we developed this new process.

Why is Disney making these changes?
Given the increasing volume of requests Disney receives for special access to our attractions, we are changing our process beginning Oct. 9 so that it creates a more consistent experience for all our Guests while providing accommodations for Guests with disabilities.

Who will be eligible for a Disability Access Service Card?
Our goal is to accommodate Guests who aren't able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities).

Will Guests on wish trips also use Disability Access Service Cards?
No. Guests who are visiting through wish-granting organizations will have access through a separate program.

What should Guests do if they have concerns?
Guests should contact Guest Relations to discuss their assistance needs.

An Invitation to Show Us Your Ears on Disney Voices

You're Invited to "Show Us Your Ears"

As one of our first blog series of 2013, beginning February, we will be celebrating along side
"Year Of The Ear", Part of "Limited Time Magic" at Disney Parks with our very own feature
"Show Us Your Ears"
on Babble's
Disney Voices

"Show Us Your Ears" is a fun way for us to showcase your awesome photos and share magic of Mickey Mouse ear hats! From babies to grandparents, brides, grooms and group shots, we think everyone has a picture (or two) wearing ears that is too cute not to share!

Here's how you can join the party!

What: Got a special photo in Mickey Mouse Ears? We want to see it!

Who: You or your family members, photos can be past or present.

Where: Your photo may be featured on the new Disney Voices.

When: Email your photo asap but must be before February 1, 2013.

How: Just email your photo to us DisneySisters at gmail.com.

Hey, all you rad Instagramers out there, don't forget to join the party!!!
We'll be checking for your photos over there too!
Use Hashtag
#ShowUsYourEars

When emailing us your photo please include the following information:

Name of Person(s) in picture
A short description of the picture
Your Full Name
Your State (optional)
Your Instagram (optional)
By submitting your picture, you agree to the terms below

The Fine Print:
Babble Photo Policy

User-submitted images, with the implied representation that, the person submitting the image owns the copyright in the image and the right to give it to us for use on our site(s).

December to Remember: December

December

It's the first day of December. We can't believe it's here. Our hearts are filled with wonder. Our days are filled with cheer. Tis the season of giving. Tis the season of laughing. Tis the season of family, good tidings, gift wrapping... As 2012 comes to a close during the last month of the year, let's enjoy this magical time while visions of Hidden Mickeys dance in our heads. What image comes to mind when you hear the word December?

We're so glad that you've decided to join us on our magical photographic journey

Disney Sisters: December to Remember

For the entire month of December we are sharing photos of Disney Holiday Magic.

Disney Sisters welcome you to celebrate the season with us! All you need to do is post your photo at your creative outlet of choice (your Blog, Flickr, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr) and add your url to the linky below.

Grab our button and please use the hashtag #DisneySisters

Help spread the holiday cheer.

*We encourage Disney themed shots but welcome all images that express holiday magic and what it means to you.

Disney Sisters: December to Remember

Disney Sisters: December To Remember

Our family is diving right into the Holiday season around here and our guess is yours is too. The fact that 2013 is just a few weeks away is really blowing our minds. Time flies this time of year and we don't want another minute to pass without taking some time to reflect the Magic in our lives. This season, more than any other brings extra enchantment to all of us so it only seemed appropriate to pair up our love for the holiday with our love for Disney. And we want you to join us!

Every day in December we will share a festive word or phrase paired with a Disney-themed photo from our own collection and we invite you to share yours with us. All you need to do is post your photo at your creative outlet of choice (your Blog, Flickr, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr) and add your url to the comments for that day’s prompt. etc. You can participate once or the entire month long, it's completely up to you. Anything goes. Each new word and image will be revealed at midnight PT. Our hope is that this will spark your holiday spirit as you infuse your photography with the magic that only #DisneyHolidays can bring!

Here's a button for you to use if you'd like to spread the holiday cheer!

Make sure to use the hashtag on your social media sites so we all can follow along:

#DisneySisters

Leave us a comment and let us know if you'll be joining us this month! (Just have fun with it. No pressure.) We can't wait to see what you're going to share!
*We encourage Disney themed shots but welcome all images that express holiday magic and what it means to you.

Make this a December to Remember!

52 Weeks of Limited Time Magic at Disneyland and Walt Disney World

There are a lot of BIG things coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2013.
52 BIG things to be exact!

While at a Disneyland event recently we heard all about the new Disney Campaign for 2013. We actually met the "Time Keeper" of Limited Time Magic, (who knew there was a time keeper) and he told us all about it. Boy was he a character!

52 Weeks of Limited Time Magic! For each week of year in 2013 Disney has come up with a new experience to share with park-goers! Unique and memorable events are headed our way next year. It's like having a different party each week at Disneyland!

Every year we think, how are they going to come up with another theme to top the last years . . .
But every year we are pleasantly surprised!

Some examples of the weeks of Limited Time Magic, that we can't wait for include:

TRUE LOVE:
Valentine's week at Disney Parks will be filled with lots of romantic moments especially for lovebirds. We're going to LOVE special menus and more Princesses with their Princes available for meet and greets.

PIRATE WEEK:
You know how we are totally into Pirates. Well yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum, you can celebrate a week long with Pirate-Paloozas, Pirate bands and Pirate meet and greets. Argh!

DAPPER DANS SING BOY BANDS:
The boys from Disneyland will be singing popular hits from boy bands this week. Not only will they sing their usual tunes, but they will be adding pop music acapella style that is sure to have all of the teenage girls swooning!

UNLEASH THE VILLIANS:
On Friday the 13th in September, both Parks are staying open til 1am with a special evil dance party hosted by your favorite Disney Villians like Maleficient and Captain Hook. We can't wait to see what other mischief is in store.

Make sure to keeping checking back with us and the Disney Parks Blog for more information. Also follow @DisneyParks on Twitter and join the conversation with the hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic.

Disclosure: We were invited to a Holiday Blogger Event at the Disneyland Resort which got us into the spirit of the season. This post was inspired by things we saw and heard throughout our magical day. The thoughts shared here are Disney Sisters' only.

Time Capsule Buried at Disney California Adventure Park

Did you know there is a Time Capsule buried at Disney California Adventure Park in the middle of Buena Vista Street?

A time capsule containing specific items to the park was buried in the middle of Buena Vista Plaza by Walt Disney Imagineers. This was a very special occasion during the construction of the newly redone Disney California Adventure Park. Another special occasion will be on June 15, 2037 when cast members open it. Are you planning on attending the momentous event?

Disney California Adventure

Rededication Time Capsule

June 15, 2012

May the hopes by the collection contained within the time capsule beneath this marker inspire a future generation of dreamers when it is unsealed a quarter of a century from now

on June 15, 2037

Have you seen it yet?

If not, make sure to look for it next time you visit DCA.

Hint: Make sure to look close to the entrance.

Mickey's Halloween Party

It's that time of year once again... Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. And one of the BEST special events of the year that the park offers is Mickey's Halloween Party. It has become one of our favorite Halloween traditions for the Disney Sisters and our families. There is nothing quite like trick-or-treating at Disneyland on a cool autumn evening in Southern California.

Disney Sisters recommend these dates for the BEST Value:

Friday, September 30, 2011 (7pm-12am)

Monday, October 3, 2011 (6pm-11pm)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 (6pm-11pm)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 (6pm-11pm)

* You MUST pre-order your tickets to get the discounted price of $49 *
(Otherwise prices at the door, depending on dates, range from $59-$64)

For the rest of the dates, to purchase tickets and any other information you may need go HERE.

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