As a Contributing Writer/Photographer to MousePlanet, I wrote the Walt Disney World Resort Update for December 27, 2016 to January 2, 2017. The article, including lots of photos and videos, is here (link will open a new window on the MousePlanet website).
As a Contributing Writer/Photographer to MousePlanet, I wrote the Walt Disney World Resort Update for December 20-26, 2016. The article, including lots of photos and videos, is here (link will open a new window on the MousePlanet website).
Photos taken in November, 2016 — The Chicago Cubs won the World Series! Wait, the Chicago Cubs actually, finally, after 108 years, won the World Series! So, three of the players got to go to Walt Disney World for a Main Street Parade (which, appropriately enough, is themed to about 108 years ago)…and I was there! Also, thanks to my relationship with MousePlanet, I got to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party twice, the press tour of Disney Springs for the Holidays (including meeting Chef Art Smith and Master Sommelier George Miliotes, then I got to attend D23’s Destination D: Amazing Adventures where I met Disney Legends, including Imagineers Tony Baxter and Marty Sklar. Also, during November, all around Walt Disney World, holiday decor, shows and more….
On November 18-20, 2016, I attended the 2016 D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures Event at Walt Disney World with Press Credentials. A good deal of news was released at the event, and I had the opportunity to interview Disney Imagineering Legends Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter, as well as a number of other folks.
On November 15-16, 2016, I attended the Walt Disney World Press Event, “Unwrap the Magic” which showcased the Holiday offerings around the Resort. Nearly one full day was devoted to all of the new offerings at Disney Springs, including the new nighttime entertainment: “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” featuring 300 Shooting Star show drones equipped with LED lights capable of numerous color combinations flying over Village Lake synchronized with holiday music and narration.
On November 5, 2016, thanks to the Walt Disney World Public Relations team, I attended the Magic Kingdom’s Celebration of the Chicago Cubs’ first World Series Championship since 1908! As a Chicagoan from birth until 2014, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience (well, until they manage to win another)! With Series MVP Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Javier Baez on hand, the Magic Kingdom was filled with fellow Cubs fans all along Main Street USA.
Photos taken in October, 2016 — October 1, 2016 was the 45th Anniversary of the opening of Walt Disney World. It was also the 34th Anniversary of the opening of Epcot. The Food & Wine Festival ran all month at Epcot, Magic Kingdom was decorated for Halloween, Disney’s Animal Kingdom was open some nights (but still without its Rivers of Light spectacular, Disney’s Hollywood Studios had less to see and do, and Disney Springs was decorated for Fall. I also took my first walk through Disney’s Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter), and I walked from Disney Springs through Disney’s Saratoga Springs all the way to Disney’s Old Key West. Oh yeah, the Main Street Electrical Parade “glowed” away (again), a new Muppets show debuted at Magic Kingdom and the Muppets Mobile Lab reappeared at Epcot.
Photos taken in September, 2016 — Visits to Epcot where the Food & Wine Festival got underway, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at night, Disney’s Hollywood Studios for another opportunity to see Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular and the tearing down of the Streets of America, and Magic Kingdom where it is already Halloweentime, plus Disney Springs and some of the resorts.
Photos taken in August, 2016 — Visits to Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom plus Disney Springs and some of the resorts.
Photos and video taken in July, 2016 — Visits to Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom plus Disney Springs (where even more new places opened) and Independence Day Magic Kingdom fireworks (on July 3) from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Photos taken in June, 2016 — Visits to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom plus Disney Springs, featuring photos of the newly opened gateway arch (bus depot) at Town Center; the newly opened Disney Vacation Club Members Lounge inside one of the pyramids of Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion; the newly opened Royal Summerhus and its “Frozen” princesses; the newly opened Frozen Ever After; the newly opened Soarin’ Around The World and more.
As a Contributing Writer/Photographer to MousePlanet, on June 26, 2016, I attended the first Preview for the 21st annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. My article, including lots of photos, is here (link will open a new window on the MousePlanet website).
Photos taken in May, 2016 — Visits to all Four Parks plus Disney Springs opens its Town Center (though there is still more construction going on); featuring photos from the final month of Epcot’s longest-ever Flower & Garden Festival, Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s new nighttime hours and attractions, Olaf gets a meet-and-greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a visit to the closing-one-of-these-days DisneyQuest, a visit to House of Blues, Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot gets a few more friends, Magic Kingdom fireworks viewed from Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s boat dock and Soarin’ re-opens with “Soarin’ Over California” while we all await the grand debut of “Soarin’ Over the Horizon” in Shanghai in June so we can see it the next day, and more.
As a Contributing Writer/Photographer to MousePlanet, on May 25, 2016, I attended the Grand Opening Preview Party for the newest “fine dining” location at The Landing at Disney Springs: STK Orlando Steakhouse. My article, including lots of photos, is here (link will open a new window on the MousePlanet website).
As a Contributing Photographer to MousePlanet, on May 15, 2016, I attended the opening ceremony for the new Town Center neighborhood at Disney Springs. The Update for May 17-23, 2016, is mostly my report on the area. Read about it here (link will open a new window on the MousePlanet website).