Friday Photo

In honor of Friday the 13th and the "Unleash the Villains" Limited Time Magic, I chose this pic of one of our favorite Disney Villains:

Disney to "Unleash the Villains" on Friday the 13th

What looks to be one of the more exciting editions of "Limited Time Magic" is coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, as they "Unleash the Villains" on September 13. But what, exactly, does that mean? Here's the info from Disney's site:

Coming Friday, September 13, get ready to experience the most spine-tingling bit of Limited Time Magic yet at Walt Disney World Resort! From 8:00 PM until 1:00 AM—a.k.a. the 13th hour—the Disney Villains will be waiting for your arrival as they make their way to the dead center of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Come along for this devilishly delicious affair, on a night jam-packed with 13 dastardly Disney baddies and a host of fiendish festivities. It's a one-time event you won't soon forget… even if you try! And be on the lookout for further announcements and more details as the date of the event draws closer, only at Disney Parks!

With the enormous popularity and limited availability of the Disney Villains, I would expect the Studios to be exceptionally crowded for this event. That said, if you're a Villains fan, don't be afraid to brave the crowds--how often do you get to see these baddies? But if you're not planning to join in the villainy fun, I highly recommend choosing another park to visit on Friday the 13th to avoid the crowd.

My Favorite Limited Time Magic So Far...

OK, I must confess that so far this whole "Limited Time Magic" thing has seemed a little lame to me. Yes, it's fun to see characters that you don't often see...or hear the Dapper Dans sing boy band hits. But for a year-long promotion, this one has been rather lackluster. Still, this week is the start of a "Limited Time Magic" event that I truly wish we could take part in: The American Idol Experience Juniors Edition. From August 12 until August 18, kids 6-13 can now participate in The American Idol Experience, with a special Juniors Edition of the show each night at 6 p.m. No, there won't be any Dream Tickets given out, since the actual AI show doesn't permit kids under 14 to audition, but this is still a great opportunity for younger kiddos to show off their talents. A special song list has been selected, and kids can audition for a spot on the show every day from opening until 4 p.m.

Let's just say that my little wannabe Divas are sick--SICK!--over the fact that our trip to WDW isn't until October. This is totally their kind of thing! If you're lucky enough to be heading to WDW next week, you can get more specific information on this totally cool "Limited Time Magic" experience here.

The Latest Limited Time Magic

The next installment of Limited Time Magic will be "Mickey's America Streetbeat." Here's the description straight from Disney's website:

Soak up the sounds of a little Limited Time Magic as America Gardens Theatre comes alive at Epcot, thanks to the musical performances of "Mickey's America Streetbeat." For a limited time, join Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald as they come together with an energetic troupe of young performers—watch the fun unfold as they take part in an over-the-top display of hip hop, percussion and acrobatics. From the rhythm and tunes to the tap-dancing of their shoes, it's set to be one incredible jam you won't want to miss!

This LTM will run from July 8 through July 14.

 

More Limited Time Magic

There have been several recently-announced Limited Time Magic events. Here's what's coming up, along with details from Disney:

• Starting today: Attend a Monster's University Homecoming. The MU School of Scaring is hosting a campus bash inspired by Disney•Pixar's Monsters University and it all goes down each evening at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Hit the quad where you can hear your DJ—"Monster of Scaremonies"—spinning the latest beats, and take part in a series of fun activities. Then, get pepped up as the MU cheerleaders pop in to lead the MU Fight Song before those monsters of rock, Scare Supply, take the stage. Enjoy a medley of monstrous mash-ups, and laugh along as they're joined on stage by Mike and Sulley. It's a pep rally of epic proportions, and it's all part of Limited Time Magic!


• Now through August 3: See a Sneak Peek of The Lone Ranger. Saddle up for a wild summer ride when The Lone Ranger arrives at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Come mid-June, gallop over to ABC Sound Studio for a little Limited Time Magic and enjoy an extended trailer of The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. Don't miss the chance to catch this sneak peek of Disney's thrilling adventure film before it opens in theaters on July 3, 2013! And from June 15 to June 16, keep your eyes peeled for statues of the Lone Ranger and Tonto at Downtown Disney area—see if you can spot the two whenever they pop up!


• June 17-23: Give Grads Congrats with Celebratory Ear Hats.  Every graduate deserves congrats, and what better way to pay tribute—and say "Ears to you!"—than with a Mortar Board Ear Hat! For a limited time when you purchase a mortar board graduation Ear Hat at La Chapeau Hat Shoppe in Magic Kingdom park, you can pick from 5 different tassels that best represent your school colors, individually available for just $1.95 each. So drop by and do the grad in your life a favor—help celebrate his or her determination in style, courtesy of a little Limited Time Magic!


• July 1-7: Independence Week Celebration. Get set for a red, white and blue bash of patriotic proportion! In honor of America, Limited Time Magic is prepping a week-long Fourth of July celebration you won't soon forget. Be on the lookout for updates in the near future and don't miss your chance to salute our nation's birth at Disney Parks on both sides of the U.S. of A.—from sea to shining sea!

Spring Break at WDW

No, I'm not there. (Boo.) In fact, here in Tennessee, the weather feels distinctly un-springlike! We have snow on the ground as I type this--ouch. And although the Lake Buena Vista area isn't seeing white flakes, the cool weather has closed Typhoon Lagoon for the day (Blizzard Beach remains open for the few crazy people who are willing to brave the cold). And earlier in the week, they also experienced Tornado Warnings--yikes! But the severe weather clearly isn't hindering the crowds, as proven by the Magic Kingdom reaching Phase 3 closure yesterday. (Park admittance during high-capacity days is based on various factors including the type of ticket you have, dining or other reservations, and even the type of transportation used to get to the Parks. Phase 3 is the last step before closing the Parks to ALL guests, regardless of these factors.)

Here are a few updates for spring/Easter/Spring Fling ("Limited Time Magic") activities around WDW:

• Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny are appearing at Epcot (United Kingdom in the World Showcase) from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., now through March 31.


• "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade (Magic Kingdom) will be offered twice daily from now until April 6, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.


• This week's "Limited Time Magic" is called "Spring Fling." Expect special character meet-n-greets in the Magic Kingdom in Town Square from 9:00 a.m. until 5:10 p.m., and characters will also be making pre-parade appearances before the aforementioned "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade.


• "Taste of Hollywood to Go" is now being offered as a dining option at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The $15.99 boxed meals ($5.49 for children) include reserved seating for Fantasmic! and count as one quick service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

 

WDW Update

Been a little busy this week, so in lieu of multiple posts I'm doing one collective post of brief updates from around Walt Disney World. Some contain links with more details. Here's what's happening:

• The new Tangled-themed restroom area is now open in Fantasyland!


• The "Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun" parade at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be ending after the April 6 performance, as will "Disney Channel Rocks!" No replacement entertainment has been announced by Disney yet, which has fueled rumors that Disney has something bigger planned for DHS. (Star Wars Land, anyone?)


• Construction has begun on what will be the new home of "Festival of the Lion King" at Animal Kingdom. The show is being displaced because of the coming "Avatar Land" project.


• Now through March 24, guests at Epcot can enjoy a "Limited Time Magic" Easter egg hunt. for $4.95 plus tax (and Park admission, of course), guests will get a map that leads them to "eggs" throughout the Park, where they will collect stickers. When all have been found, the completed map can be redeemed for a prize consisting of two Vinylmation key rings (valued at $12.95).


• Disney has announced celebrities for the 2013 Star Wars Weekends at DHS. Get more information here.


• Disney has just begun work on a new bus loop at the Magic Kingdom that will accommodate larger (think the double-length buses that bend in the middle) buses and, therefore, more guests.


• Guests at WDW now through April 23 may get a bonus on their dining receipts from quick service restaurants--a 20% off coupon for merchandise. This coupon must be used before 1 p.m., and certain restrictions apply.

That should catch you up for now!

Dapper Dans Deliver Limited Time Magic

This week's Limited Time Magic is brought to you by a perennial favorite performing group in the Magic Kingdom, the Dapper Dans. From now until March 3, the "Original Boy Band" will supplement their normal barber shop fare by tipping their hats to some of the hottest boy bands of recent years. If you've ever wanted to hear the Dans sing "Bye Bye Bye" or "What Makes You Beautiful," be sure to hang out on Main Street and catch the show this week. And even if you don't get to WDW for the Limited Time Magic, the Dapper Dans always offer up a fun show you won't want to miss!

 

 

More "Limited Time Magic"

Here are a few more announced "Limited Time Magic" experiences coming to Walt Disney World:

• Now through January 27, you can meet "Long Lost Disney Friends," including Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Ludwig Von Drake, Scrooge McDuck, Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket and Geppetto, and more! All meet-n-greets are taking place in the Magic Kingdom. I'm a little jealous of anyone visiting this week, as I have only seen most of these characters in parades and have only actually had a photo taken with Jiminy Cricket.


• February 11-17 will be "True Love Week." Cinderella Castle will be blush pink and red, and there will be Prince & Princess meet-n-greets, as well as an abundance of Valentine-themed merchandise on hand.


• If one day to celebrate our nation isn't enough for you, you're in luck because July 1-7 is "Independence Week" at the Magic Kingdom. Again, expect tons of USA-themed merchandise and a festive red, white, and blue look for Cinderella's Castle. Oh...and fireworks. Of course, there will be special fireworks.


• On Friday, September 13, Disney's Hollywood Studios plans to "Unleash the Villains." Expect fun and mischief to abound as the Disney Villains will host a dance party lasting until the 13th hour (that would be 1:00 a.m.).

Those are all the officially-announced "Limited Time Magic" events currently scheduled, but expect more in the coming weeks.

 

"Limited Time Magic" Hits Epcot Next Week

If you've always wanted to see it snow in Florida, here's your chance. Disney has announced that the next "Limited Time Magic" experience will take place in Epcot--Canada, to be specific--in the form of a winter wonderland. Guests can play in the "snow" and there will be character meet-n-greets and photo ops as well. But the magic is, after all, limited, so this experience will only be available January 14-20.

Disney Launches 2013 Marketing Campaign

At least, I think that's what it's supposed to be. Does anyone remember the good old days of "Year of a Million Dreams" or "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day"? It seems the last few yearly campaigns by Disney have been, well, somewhat underwhelming. 2013 is no exception with "Limited Time Magic." Here's the gist: There will be, throughout the year, multiple "limited time engagements" of any variety of incarnations. These may take the form "Long Lost Friends Week" where we'll see those not-so-common walk-around characters in the Parks. Or "Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands" (I think that is pretty self-explanatory). Or even the return of the "Golden Horseshoe Review." Now, don't get me wrong--I think these ideas are super fun. But is it enough to draw guests to the Disney Parks? I think not. It's a clever idea, and I'm sure many of the locals/Annual Passholders will make additional visits to the Parks to take in a special week, but I can't see it doing much to boost Disney's bottom line, or to excite guests worldwide.

Still, just for fun, what are some of the "Limited Time Magic" events you'd like to see? I'll start...how about a week where "refurbished" and "reimagined" attractions get their old soundtracks back? I'd really like to hear some of my favorites like, "If you had wings..." and even "Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life..." Anybody with me?

BTW, in case you missed it, Disney put a beautiful ice castle in Times Square to accentuate the "limited time" aspect of their announcement. If you didn't see