Disney's Social Media Moms Celebration started off with a bang this evening as we attended a media conference to hear some of the additions coming to Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line and the re-branded ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. The event took place at the sports complex and if I wasn't already "wowed" by how wonderful this conference has taken shape, the mouse definitely got to me with the changes on the horizon for the resort. A couple of things that I thought were such a BIG DEAL that I wanted to share them right away:
1) Fantasyland expansion of Fantasyland Forest with a groundbreaking in 2010, is slated as a three-year project. Fantasyland Forest will launch with special attractions and encounters with three of Disney's most popular princesses - and totally makes me wish I had a li'l girl!:
- The new section of the Magic Kingdom will include Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern and the new Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid adventure ride.
- At "Dreams Come True," Cinderella will appear in a country chateau and guests can choose to share a dance or train to become one of her Royal Knights.
- At "A Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty," guests will join her inside Briar Rose Cottage and join in the surprise celebration for Aurora's Sweet 16th birthday - which she slept through and never celebrated.
- At "Enchanted Tales with Belle," a magic mirror will transfer guests from Belle's father's cottage to Beast's castle for enchanted storytelling.
- Dumbo's Flying Circus will feature new circus grounds - the ride will grow to twice the size of the current attraction, and set to include an actual big tent and offering interactive games during the wait in line.
2) The Disney Cruise Line is expanding in 2011 and again in 2012 with new ships: the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Double the size of the existing Disney ships, the new 1,250 passenger liners will offer some amazing innovations that I can't wait to see - and I'm not even a fan of cruises!
- First off, the new Disney Dream will include the first shipboard water coaster/slide called AquaDuck that will swing out past the side of the ship - over the ocean (gasp!) - and run the length of two football fields, twisting and turning around the upper deck of the ship. The demo video we were shown included a section of the water slide going black with white lights - much like a roller coast ride. It was an UNBELIEVABLE clip and it was the first thing I mentioned to c2cDad when I got the chance to fill him in on what I learned at the press conference.
- We were also shown the addition of virtual windows to the state rooms (showcased as mounted circular frames on the wall above the bed) showing real footage of the ocean below, and even some surprise Disney cahracters making appearances. It was very cool to see the mock-ups, and I'm excited to see it in person down the line. It was a very cool addition.
3) The newly renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports complex is opening in two weeks, and was very impressive. I learned tonight that athletes compete in 60 different sports a year at the complex, and that the age range of athletes is from 6 to 86.
Full Disclosure: I received a discounted hotel rate and park tickets to attend Disney's Social Media Moms Celebration.
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