About: Christi Smith
Website: http://www.momssimpleguidetodisney.com
Profile: Christi is the wife to one great husband, mother to three wild children, and a lifetime Disney fan who travels to Walt Disney World as much as time, and her bank account, will allow.
Posts by Christi Smith:
Disney Parks »
Zebras are being reintroduced slowly to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, where they will be the new finale of the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction that carries guests through an Africa-inspired savanna. Fifteen Plains zebras have been adjusting to their Florida surroundings in backstage areas of Walt Disney World since arriving in February.
The herd was acquired through the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit organization that backs the conservation and science sides of animal studies.
Members of the herd are 5 to 10 years old, weigh between 650 and 800 pounds, and …
Disney Movies »
Disney revealed yesterday an updated release schedule for several of its Marvel superhero movies. The studio said that Iron Man 3, starring Robert Downey Jr., would be released in 3-D. The film was already scheduled for a May 3 release. It will be followed on Nov. 8 by a sequel to Thor, which is now officially titled Thor: The Dark World, and will also be released in 3-D.
Fans can then look forward to the 2014 releases of Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 4 of that year, and …
Disney Media »
Disney released six new Frankenweenie movie posters yesterday, gearing up for the movie’s release this Friday, October 5. The posters were done in a vintage “monster movie” style, an homage to the retro-style of the film. Each poster highlights an animal brought back to life in the film, but then crossed with some kind of deadly movie monster.
Sparky, the films canine hero, is the star of two posters while the other animals each get their own feature presentation.
A few of my favorites are below.
Frankenweenie is …
Disney Media »
The Walt Disney Company has been busy redesigning its website, promising a more user-friendly interface and a focus on the entertainment experience. In an interview Friday, Disney Interactive co-President James Pitaro said that the new site has been built from the “ground up,” keeping in mind delivery to multiple devices, especially increasingly popular tablets and smartphones.
Making such a dramatic shift to what he called the “digital gateway to Disney” is not without risk, he said.
“The new Disney.com is a much cleaner and more elegant site and a significant change from …
Disney Parks »
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will have a chance to visit the New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom a little earlier than expected. Disney is offering special preview dates on November 3, 10, and 11, with registration beginning next Monday, October 8 at 12:00 pm EST on the passholder website.
Guests will have a choice of two different itineraries. The first is the “Enchanted Tales with Belle Itinerary”, which includes a tour of Be Our Guest Restaurant, a ride on the new Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction, and …
Disney Parks »
Disney’s Epcot will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year on October 1. A schedule of special events was released this week, including two history presentations featuring Disney legend Marty Sklar. Throughout the day on October 1, guests can attend these events in the World Showplace courtesy of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. These presentations are included in park admission and are limited in seating.
•1-2 p.m. – Designing the Future – Past and Present: A panel of Disney Imagineers remembers 30 years of building tomorrow!
•4:30–6 …
Disney Media »
Disney has released a new e-book offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Frankenweenie. The book entitled Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book features videos, music and original sketches from the movie.
The book, which is available for the iPad, looks at how a 1984 live-action short served as the basis for the full-length, stop-motion film that is being released in theaters October 5. Academy Award-winning actor Martin Landau (who voices one of the characters in the new film) offers a foreword to the book, which also introduces …
Disney Parks »
The new Alice in Wonderland themed splash playground opened at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort this week. The splash area features several waterfalls, two slides, and a central play area for the kids.
Some of the special water effects take place on a timer, while others are operated by kids pulling on pull-cords and turning valves. In traditional Disney style, the design of the playground is highly detailed with images of Alice, the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and friends. There are various tea cups and tea kettles spraying water, and the …
Disney Media, Disney Movies »
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the film will be celebrated with a state-of-the-art digital presentation at the New York Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the prestigious Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. The film will be introduced by acclaimed animator/director Eric Goldberg, who served as supervisor of the Genie character in Aladdin, co-directer of Pocahontas, and counts Fantasia 2000 among his credits. Festival attendees will also get a sneak peek at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated short Paperman, …
Disney Parks »
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland has debuted its annual transformation for Halloween, and once again Jack Skellington has taken over to create Haunted Mansion Holiday. Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog recently spoke with technical director Joe Peters, who gave them a tour as his crew completed the final touches on the 18-day transformation.
Here are some fun facts Joe revealed about Haunted Mansion Holiday:
•More than 400 flickering candles create the Mansion’s eerie nighttime glow
•More than 100 jack-o-lanterns illuminate the exterior
•7,500 feet of fresh snow is used each year
•At …
