A few weeks ago, I shared a photo I’d just taken of Cinderella Castle with my friend Zach Riddley from Walt Disney Imagineering. You may have seen it on his Instagram page, and I thought you might enjoy learning a bit more about how I captured this cool image.
A post shared by Zach Riddley (@thezachriddley) on Sep 1, 2020 at 9:05am PDT
I was in Magic Kingdom Park early one morning before dawn. My official project that day was to take photos of Cinderella Castle’s new royal color scheme at sunrise. It’s so much easier these days to set up for these types of shots, since I have an app on my phone that tells me exactly where the sun will break the horizon; I used to have to look it up ahead of time and draw a line on a map to figure out approximately where to stand. Now I just show up and turn on my phone…magic!
My app that morning told me the ideal location would be somewhere along the bridge that heads into Liberty Square. As I was walking along the bridge searching for my specific spot, I happened to look down and see the castle reflected just perfectly in the water of its moat, with an amazing pre-dawn sky behind it. We call this the “magic hour,” when the sky just starts to brighten but before full sunlight – it only lasts for a few minutes each day. Even though I wasn’t at the park for this particular shot, the opportunity was just too great to pass up.
The water was so still that morning, though, I knew if I took the photo as-is, you may not be able to tell it was actually a reflection. I needed to find something I could toss in the water to make it ripple, and managed to scavenge just three acorns from under the oak trees that line the bridge. On my third and last toss, the acorn landed in the exact position I wanted and I snapped the photo you see here.
OK, well…not exactly the photo you see here. Because it’s a reflection, I wanted to pull a little trick and make the castle appear to be “right side up,” as if you were looking at it for real. So I flipped the image horizontally and then rotated it 180 degrees. That’s why the little patch of green in the lower right may confuse you – that’s the grassy lawn on the edge of the moat. Turn the photo upside down again and it will all make sense!
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, MK, WDW
Put on your favorite Halloween costume and get dancing! Enter the shopDisney.com | Disney store “Halloween Dance Party” contest from now until October 18, for a chance to win one of four $1,000 gift cards good at Disney store or shopDisney.com.
Entering is as easy as 1, 2, 3…
Step 1: Dress up in costume as your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Star Wars character
Step 2: Make a video (at least 30 seconds) of you alone or with your family dancing to the exclusive “Halloween Dance Party” song which you can download on Instagram or on shopDisney.com
Step 3: Post your Halloween Dance Party dance video to Instagram between now and October 18th using #shopDisneyContest and follow @shopDisney
Poof! Done.
Be sure to grab a bowl of your favorite Halloween mini chocolates and visit the shopDisney.com Halloween shop for great costume and decoration ideas to keep the #DisneyHalloMoments going all month long.
*shopDisney “Halloween Dance Party”
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter Contest between 9/18/20 at 12:00 PM PT and 10/18/20 at 11:59 PM PT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., who are 18+ at time of entry. Limit 1 entry per person. See Official Rules shopdisney.com/HalloweenContest for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited.
I’m always struck with awe at the sheer power and size of rhinos, so of course, I couldn’t let World Rhino Day go by without taking time to appreciate and promote the protection of this magnificent endangered species.
Did you know rhinoceros are the world’s second largest land animal and among the most endangered animals in the wild due to poaching?
Today, I’m thrilled to share that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has big news for the future of rhinos – we have three pregnant white rhinoceros in our care. It’s the first time we have ever had this many horns and hooves on the horizon.
Kendi, who was the first rhino born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1999, is the first due, with a calf expected to be born sometime this October.
Jao is expected to give birth sometime in fall 2021.
And rounding out the “crash,” which is what we call a rhino herd, Lola is due in fall / winter 2021.
Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko, one of our veterinarians, has been along on the journey with our moms-to-be. Through routine checkups and ultrasounds, Dr. Natalie has worked closely with the rhino keeper team to keep a close eye on how the pregnancies are progressing. She may be one of the only people in the world that has seen a rhino at 2 centimeters.
Planning for a rhino birth requires time and patience for all involved. Rhinos have a long gestation period, approximately 16-18 months, so each of these births are roughly 1 ½ years in the making. Add to that the time that goes into research to pave the way. All three rhinos were chosen to breed through Species Survival Plans (SSPs), which are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species. Dugan, the herd’s bull, is the father of all three calves.
Our animal care team is eager and ready to help welcome these rhino calves upon their arrivals. Once born, they acclimate quickly – rhino calves weigh between 88-140 lbs. at birth and can stand up within the first hour. They stay very close to their mothers for the first three years of their life.
We are so excited about these new additions coming soon to our rhino family and we’ll continue to keep you updated here and at @drmarkatdisney on Instagram and @DisneyASE on Facebook.
Want to learn more about how Disney cares for rhinos and helps protect these species in the wild? In addition to our social channels, check out “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” streaming on Disney+ starting September 25.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Animals, DAK, WDW
We’re pleased to share that today Hong Kong Disneyland announced that it will officially reopen on September 25, 2020!
In alignment with the latest guidance from health and government authorities, the resort will continue its measured approach with health and safety measures implemented as a top priority, including capacity control, health screenings, temperature checks, requiring face masks, social distancing, and increased cleaning and disinfecting.
We thank all of our Cast Members for their dedication efforts in preparation for our reopening, and we hope to see you real soon!
At Disney Springs, there’s always something new to discover with our incredible restaurants, top-name retail brands, and boutiques (some with co-branded Disney Collections!). We recently announced all of the seasonal eats and treats you’ll find throughout Disney Springs in our official Foodie Guide to 2020 Fall Treats at Walt Disney World Resort: Hotels & Disney Springs Edition. And soon, we’ll be announcing all of our fall offerings on the West Coast at the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort.
Today, we have another yummy announcement for you! If you love good food AND good deals, you’ll be excited to know we’re introducing a new special offering: Weekdays at Disney Springs. Starting today, you’ll be able to receive special 20% discounts on select menu items at 20 dining locations throughout Disney Springs. These offers will be available Monday-Thursday each week through October 29, 2020.
Weekdays at Disney Springs is the perfect opportunity to try restaurants you’ve always wanted to go to or even indulge in a dish you’ve never had before. So stop on by and have a bite (or sip!) with us. Be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more foodie stories to come. Happy Snacking!
Blaze Pizza
Enjoy 20% off with the purchase of a pizza and a drink – Including popular pizzas like the Green Stripe Pizza with pesto drizzle over grilled chicken, toasted red peppers, chopped garlic, mozzarella, and arugula or the Meat Eater Pizza with pepperoni, crumbled meatballs, red onion, mozzarella, and red sauce
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Get your southern fix with 20% off Shrimp & Grits – Pan-seared shrimp with tomato gravy and Tasso ham served over creamy Bradley’s grits
City Works Eatery & Pour House
Grab a brew and enjoy 20% off the Tex Mex Mac ‘n Cheese Dish (with spicy chorizo, roasted jalapeño, pepper jack cheese sauce, crispy tortilla strips, cilantro, and cavatappi) and Smoked Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese Dish (with grilled chicken, bacon lardons, smoked cheddar cheese sauce, cavatappi, and smoked cheddar cheese)
D-Luxe Burger
Have a sweet sip with 20% off non-alcoholic Artisanal Shakes – Includes the Chocolate Gelato Shake, Cookies ‘n Cream Gelato Shake, Pumpkin Pie Gelato Shake, S’mores Gelato Shake, Strawberry Gelato Shake, and Vanilla Gelato Shake
The Edison
Drop in for 20% off the Queen Cut Prime Rib – Boneless 14oz prime rib with au jus, horseradish cream sauce, popover, and your choice of baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or fries
Enzo’s Hideaway
Enjoy 20% off Dolce Vita – Charcuterie board featuring cured meats, artisan cheeses, and bread sticks
Frontera Cocina
Enjoy 20% off of select dishes and the Sparkling Margarita – Dishes include the Red Chile Chicken Enchiladas, Garlicky Mushroom and Eggplant Tacos, and Cochinita Pibil
Haagen Dazs
Satisfy your sweet tooth with 20% off any Dazzlers Sundae (Three (3) maximum per transaction) – Includes the Banana Split, Rocky Road, Dulce Split, and Mint Chip Sundaes
Hot Diggity Dogs and Mac & Cheese Disney Food Trucks
Stop by Disney Springs West Side 20% off any purchase – Try bites like the Santa Fe Loaded House-made Chips, the Santa Fe All-Beef Hot Dog, the Six-Cheese Crunchy Macaroni and Cheese, and more
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Receive 20% off of the Fall-favorite Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Cold Brew (also available in Nitro Brew) – Featuring hints of pumpkin pie and vanilla custard
Maria & Enzo’s
Enjoy 20% off Pollo Alla Parmigiana – Lightly-breaded chicken breast, tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, parmagiano-reggiano, and spaghetti pomodoro
Morimoto Asia
Enjoy 20% off Peking Duck Ramen – Served with Peking duck broth, egg noodles, duck meat, scallion, cilantro, and soy marinated egg
Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas
Enjoy 20% off of any appetizer – Includes Chips & Salsa, Beef Empanadas, P37 Dipping Trio, P37 Nachos, South American Crazy Corn, Poutine, and Peruvian Salchipapa
Pizza Ponte
Grab a cheesy bite with 20% off of the Big Roman Pizza Slice – With tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
Planet Hollywood
Receive a 20% discount on your entire bill – Not valid with other special discounts or promotions; valid with our Special Prime Rib and Grouper menu; not valid for alcohol, gift cards or group events; valid one per table per visit
Polite Pig
Chow down with 20% off Spiced Pork Rinds – Served with pimento cheese dip
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Strike! Get 20% off Loaded Fries – Fries smothered with queso blanco, bacon, ranch, and scallions
Sunshine Churros
Get your churro fix with 20% off your entire purchase – Yummy churros include dipped churros (chocolate-hazelnut or milk chocolate), gourmet churros (strawberry cheesecake or cookies and cream), and classic churros (traditional cinnamon, watermelon, apple cinnamon, fruity cereal, salted caramel, and rose gold)
Starbucks
Enjoy 20% off all merchandise and retail coffee
Wetzel’s Pretzels
Grab a sweet snack with 20% off Cinnamon Bitz (Three (3) maximum per transaction)
Wolfgang Puck Express
Enjoy 20% off all Hand-Crafted Gourmet Pizzas including the Margherita Pizza, Roasted Mushroom Pizza, Classic Cheese Pizza, Pesto and Goat Cheese Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Meatball Pizza, and Pepperoni Pomodoro Pizza
If you like the fun products featured in this post, like our popular mini backpacks by Loungfly, accessories, and more, be sure to stop by World of Disney at both Disney Springs and the Downtown Disney District as well as shopDisney.com, where you’ll find select Disney Parks products available to ship directly to your home.
For more information on all of the locations listed above, to make reservations, and the latest on all of the guidelines for having a safe and fun time while visiting Disney Springs, visit the official Disney Springs website.
DISCLAIMER: Weekdays at Disney Springs® area is a promotional program valid Monday-Thursday from 9/21/20-10/29/20. Participating Disney Springs® locations offer at least one featured menu item at a 20% discount. Guests must mention “Weekdays at Disney Springs” in order to receive discount. Not valid with other offers. Offerings are subject to change without notice.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, Dining, WDW
#waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #cinderellacastle
