Celebrations Magazine

  • Home
  • Celebrations Magazine

Celebrations Magazine Celebrations is the premier magazine of Walt Disney World, sharing the wonder of the Most Magical Place on Earth. http://www.CelebrationsPress.com

Celebrations Magazine is the premier family magazine dedicated to sharing the magic of the Disney. Each issue celebrates the secrets, stories and history of the most magical place on earth with content designed for the entire family!

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween 🎃 to everyone 👻👻👻👻👻👻

It’s almost that time of year again! Headed to Disney November 17th for a week. Anyone going to Disney for the holidays?...
30/10/2024

It’s almost that time of year again! Headed to Disney November 17th for a week. Anyone going to Disney for the holidays? 🎄🎄🎄☃️☃️☃️

30/10/2024

Hey everyone!!! We loved the first Moana movie 🍿- who is excited about the upcoming sequel? 🩷

Today we wrap up our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a pair of villains, one old and one...
20/10/2024

Today we wrap up our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a pair of villains, one old and one new!

Pete (Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway)
Disney’s original villain was also the most elusive, until his arrival in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Pete never had a headliner attraction of his own (though he did have a garage in Mickey’s Toontown Fair), which may not be a surprise. But as incredible as it may seem, neither had Mickey and Minnie! This is the first time the pair have headlined their own ride-through attraction. How is this possible? One reason is that Mickey and Minnie have never starred in their own feature-length film, as opposed to other characters like Dumbo and Winnie the Pooh, and hence had no real back story to draw from. But the new attraction fixes all that! The premise is that you will be watching the premiere of a new Mickey Mouse cartoon, “Perfect Picnic” (which features Pete in his familiar villainous role).

BONUS: Chef Skinner (Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure)
OK, he’s not exactly a villain on the level of Scar, Jafar, or Maleficent, but Chef Skinner isn’t the first person I’d invite to dinner (no matter what the Little Chef whipped up). We never find out the extent of Skinner’s culinary skills, but members of the animation team took cooking classes to learn the finer techniques of the culinary arts, including the types of utensils, pots, and pans used by trained chefs, as well as the interpersonal dynamics of a restaurant kitchen. Incidentally, once you exit Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, you’ll find Skinner’s red scooter, next to Colette’s black cycle (a delicious photo opp!).

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a trip to infinity (and beyond!).....
19/10/2024

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a trip to infinity (and beyond!)...

Emperor Zurg (Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin)

As the Darth Vader to Buzz Lightyear’s Luke Skywalker, Zurg has the odd distinction of being a fictional villain in a fictional movie. Nevertheless, it’s still a blast to take aim at him and his band of baddies in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. (For big points, aim for the Z target right underneath Zurg in one of the final rooms!). If you want any other scoring tips, you should check with Rex. And if you ever wondered, yes, the laser blasters do actually shoot real laser beams! They are completely harmless however, as they pack about the same punch as a barcode scanner.

The Newest Book from Celebrations Disney Magazine: "Journey Into Imagination: The Definitive History"! (Now shipping!!)J...
19/10/2024

The Newest Book from Celebrations Disney Magazine: "Journey Into Imagination: The Definitive History"! (Now shipping!!)

Join us we follow along with Figment and Dreamfinder for a whimsical journey through the history, fun facts, details, and magical memories of this unique pavilion.

This beautiful, hard-cover coffee table book features 144 pages of breathtaking photos, beautiful illustrations, and detailed stories of every facet of this classic Disney attraction.

• Complete Walk-Throughs of Every Version of the Attraction!
• Concept Art, Character Sketches, and Detailed Floor Plans!
• Explore the Entire Pavilion, from the Attractions and ImageWorks to the Magic Eye Theater and Water Gardens (and Beyond)!

"Journey Into Imagination: The Definitive History" is a keepsake book that you will treasure forever, and will let you relive your memories of this classic attraction with your family for years to come.

Order your copy today and set your imagination free. All it takes is 'One Little Spark!'

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a flight to Neverland...Captain Ho...
18/10/2024

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a flight to Neverland...

Captain Hook (Peter Pan’s Flight)

Captain Hook is one of the most beloved (feared?) Disney villains of all, and you can see him several times on Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland: in the final battle between Peter Pan and Captain Hook, and the humorous encounter between Hook and his nemesis, the crocodile. Surprisingly, Imagineers had plans for other scenes. In August 1954, while working on the attraction, Imagineers wanted to build other scenes such as a giant rainbow, Hangman’s Tree, and Crocodile Creek (and home of Tick-Tock the Crocodile). They also wanted the boats to be flying in a clockwise-direction at Skull Rock, which is the opposite of how it turned out.

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a journey under the sea...Ursula (...
17/10/2024

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a journey under the sea...

Ursula (Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid)

Ursula is certainly one of the most frightening villains ever to appear in a Disney film, and her Animatronic counterpart in Journey of the Little Mermaid is no different! Ursula is one of the largest Audio-Animatronic figures ever created by Disney’s Imagineers, standing a staggering 7 ½-feet tall and 12-feet wide! She has special flexibility built into her torso so that she can move freely. A new skin technology had to be used for all the Audio-Animatronics to make them look more realistic, since they show more skin than usual. Look closely and you’ll even see Ariel’s hair moving as if it were being pushed by the ocean currents. (Remember, you’re under the sea!)

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a visit to a galaxy far, far away....
16/10/2024

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a visit to a galaxy far, far away...

Kylo Ren (Rise of the Resistance)

If you were to pick the ultimate villain from Star Wars, who would it be? Darth Vader? The Emperor? General Grievous? Excellent choices, but we’ll go with Kylo Ren. And for purposes of this list, he easily has the most “face time” of any Star Wars baddie as he menacingly appears throughout Rise of the Resistance. Bringing Kylo Ren to life involved several techniques, some old and some new. For instance, in the interrogation scene, the images of Kylo Ren (and General Hux) make use of the Pepper’s Ghost effect, which you can also see in the ballroom of the Haunted Mansion. Projectors are also used to create shadows, giving the scene an added degree of realism. In addition, state-of-the-art Animatronics are used in other scenes. (Did you know there are 65 Animatronic figures throughout the attraction? Though we think an Animatronic droid should just be called, well, a droid!)

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom...
15/10/2024

Today we continue our list of Favorite Villains Appearances in Walt Disney World with a visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Hopper (A Bug's Life)

Did you know that the attraction “It’s Tough To Be a Bug” opened six months before the film A Bug’s Life was released? That means that Hopper (along with Flik) actually made his first public appearance at Walt Disney World (not on the silver screen!) The Audio-Animatronic figure created for Hopper was one of the most complex ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering at that time. But…should he even be there, given the events of the film? Well yes, it is true that Hopper appears in the attraction despite his demise in the movie. It IS tough to be a bug.
Movie buffs may be curious to know that the movie clips shown during Hopper’s scene include the giant grasshoppers from Beginning of the End (1947) and Empire of the Ants (1977), though the latter’s footage was shown in black and white.

With Halloween fast approaching, and the ominous promise of the upcoming Villains Land in the air, we thought we would s...
14/10/2024

With Halloween fast approaching, and the ominous promise of the upcoming Villains Land in the air, we thought we would spend the next few days sharing our list of our favorite villain appearances that you can see in the parks today. Ready? Then let’s begin with a visit to the villain that started it all...

The Evil Queen (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train)
Disney’s original villain certainly set the stage for evil characters when she frightened audiences young and old back in 1937! Guests could once find the Queen in the opening day Fantasyland attraction, Snow White’s Scary Adventures. Curiously, while the Queen was there to put the “scary” in Scary, Snow White herself initially didn’t appear at all! Why? The idea was that Guests would play the role of Snow White, so everything in the attraction was seen from her “point of view.” A noble thought, but unfortunately, it confused many Guests. Snow White was eventually added to the attraction during later refurbishments in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. Today you can spot the Evil Queen in the cottage scene in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. If some of the figures inside the cottage look familiar, that’s because some were repurposed from the original attraction. However, the figures of Snow White, D***y, and Sneezy are new.

Today we're wrapping up our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. And n...
11/10/2024

Today we're wrapping up our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. And now that you've learned all these fun facts, you can truly say that you believe an elephant can fly!

9. Pink Elephants On Parade
Speaking of Disneyland, in the early planning of the attraction, there were going to be ten ride vehicles meant to recreate the “pink elephants” scene from the film. This was quickly changed to the version we know today, but the prototype vehicles had flaws, resulting in the attraction opening a month later than the rest of the park. It was originally intended for Dumbo’s ears to flap, but mechanical plans led to the abandonment of that plan.

10. A Presidential Snub
When former president Harry S. Truman visited Disneyland in 1957, he politely declined to ride the Dumbo attraction, as the elephant is a symbol of the Republican Party, and Truman was a Democrat!

Today we're continuing our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. 7. Tim...
11/10/2024

Today we're continuing our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

7. Timothy Q. Mouse
The relocation to Storybook Circus brought one last change, this one reserved for Dumbo’s diminutive sidekick. In the attraction’s original location, Timothy Q. Mouse was perched atop the central pillar, holding his black feather. When Dumbo was moved, Timothy was relocated to the marquee sign, welcoming Guests to the newly refurbished area. Initially, Timothy didn’t move, but that soon changed, and the figure now rotates high above the streets of Storybook Circus.

8. A What…?
It seems only natural that Timothy holds Dumbo’s black feather, but that wasn’t always the case. In his first incarnation, both in Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, he held a training whip and stood on a disco ball.

Today we're continuing our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. 5. New...
03/10/2024

Today we're continuing our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

5. New Details
Dumbo’s move to Storybook Circus also saw the inclusion of new fountains and an updated colorful paint scheme. New artwork panels at the bottom of the spinners tell the story of Dumbo, much like the ones at the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, which tell the story of Cinderella. Additionally, the move to Storybook Circus also brought with it a new soundtrack.

6. Mystery Solved!
Speaking of fountains, you may recall that the original Dumbo didn’t have a central fountain, unlike its counterparts in Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. Why? This was because of the Magic Kingdom’s famed Utilidors located directly below the attraction, preventing the installation of underground water pipes.

October 1 marked the anniversaries of both EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom, and we're celebrating with a BIG anniversary sal...
02/10/2024

October 1 marked the anniversaries of both EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom, and we're celebrating with a BIG anniversary sale! For a limited time, you can save 20% on one or both of our Limited Edition Keepsake Books by using the promo code "FALL20". (click here to shop: https://celebrationspress.com/collectors-books-special-offer/)

“EPCOT at 40” takes you on a pictorial journey through this innovative park’s first four decades, from concept and construction to every attraction past and present. “50 Years of Walt Disney World” explores the origins and history of the Most Magical Place on Earth, with pictures and profiles of every park, every attraction, and every resort (with a few surprises along the way!).

Each hardcover book is filled with beautiful photos and detailed stories that will let you relive the magic of Disney now and for years to come. Each book also comes with a free collector’s pin…and free U.S. shipping!

Our exclusive Keepsake Edition Books are the perfect way to explore the magic of Disney, and to relive your favorite memories from your very first visit. Let the celebration begin!

(U.S. Shipping Only)

Today we're continuing our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. 3. The...
02/10/2024

Today we're continuing our list of fun facts about that classic Fantasyland attraction…Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

3. The Big Top
But what about that unrelenting sun? Rather than cover the attraction (which would cut down on the thrill of soaring through the big blue sky), it was decided to cover the queue! Better still, instead of just adding a simple canopy, Imagineers would create a whole new experience! A new big top was added to the attraction where you can relax and play while waiting to board your elephant. Upon entering the big top, you’ll get a pager to let you know when it’s your time to board. In the meantime, kids can play in the circus-themed play area that recreates the famous circus finale from the film while parents can relax on a bench and rest their weary feet.

4. 32 Flying Pachyderms
Each of the two spinners contains 16 elephants, and attentive Guests will notice that they fly around in opposite directions, one going clockwise and the other counterclockwise.

This week we’re going to take a nostalgic trip to Fantasyland (Storybook Circus actually!) and explore the history and f...
01/10/2024

This week we’re going to take a nostalgic trip to Fantasyland (Storybook Circus actually!) and explore the history and fun details of one of the oldest (and iconic!) Disney attractions of them all…Dumbo the Flying Elephant. So grab your black feathers, climb aboard, and let’s find out if an elephant can really fly!

1. An Original
Dumbo the Flying Elephant was an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World, taking young, wide-eyed Guests on a fun-filled ride through the sky aboard their favorite pachyderm. As fun as the attraction was, it was extremely slow loading, resulting in long lines. In addition, since it was uncovered, Guests often had to wait for an extended time underneath the sweltering Florida sun.

2. Storybook Circus
These dilemmas were imaginatively solved in two ways when the attraction was relocated to its new home in Storybook Circus. The first was the addition of a second spinner, which instantly doubled the attraction’s capacity and helped alleviate the long lines.

Today we're going to wrap up our exploration of our favorite "Disney Attraction References in Other Attractions" with a ...
15/09/2024

Today we're going to wrap up our exploration of our favorite "Disney Attraction References in Other Attractions" with a final stop in Fantasyland!

6. Vultures on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train brought new thrills to the Magic Kingdom when it opened as part of the New Fantasyland expansion. It also brought Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated classic back to the park since Snow White’s Scary Adventures had closed in 2012. This opening day dark ride attraction took you through the world of "Snow White and Seven Dwarfs," and when they said scary, they weren’t kidding! The appearance of the evil witch as she turned around sent shivers down the spines of children and grown-ups alike. As the Imagineers put the finishing touches on the Mine Train, they repurposed a pair of vultures from the old attraction into the new coaster. You can spot them overhead as you make your final climb. Similarly, the figures of Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Grumpy, and Bashful, now seen in the cottage, are from the former attraction.

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with a trip to Disne...
14/09/2024

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with a trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios and a land far, far away...

5. Lights, Motors, Action! at Galaxy’s Edge
When Galaxy’s Edge arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in August 2019, it was one of the biggest expansions to come to any of the Walt Disney World parks, replacing Streets of America. One of the former attractions here was the Backlot Tour, where you could take a behind-the-scenes tour demonstrating how special effects were created. The tour’s highlight was Catastrophe Canyon (watch out for that water!). The Backlot Tour was eventually replaced by the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show that demonstrated (loudly!) how car stunts were choreographed and filmed. This entire area eventually closed to make way for the arrival of Galaxy’s Edge, but an homage to one of those old attractions can be found if you know where to look. Look for the green speeder bike on a wall in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace. Close examination will reveal a few characters written in Aurebesh (the Star Wars language seen throughout Galaxy’s Edge). These letters translate as LMA, a reference to the former stunt show that once occupied this land!

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with a visit to EPCO...
13/09/2024

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with a visit to EPCOT's World Celebration.

4. Dean Finder
Over an Epcot, Journey Into Imagination With Figment takes you on a whimsical tour through the world of – you guessed it – imagination, with Dr. Nigel Channing of the Imagination Institute as your host. This is the third incarnation of the attraction, which first opened in March 1983. Your host in this original version was the Dreamfinder, and he took you on a musical tour through the world of imagination aboard his Dreamcatcher mobile, accompanied by the playful purple dragon named Figment. When the attraction was reimagined as Journey Into YOUR Imagination in 1983, the story shifted to a tour of the Imagination Institute with the aforementioned Dr. Nigel Channing, played by Eric Idle. The Dreamfinder was gone, and Figment only appeared in a brief cameo. Thankfully, Figment returned in the third (and current) version of the attraction, causing all sorts of mischief as Dr. Channing tries to take us on a tour of the science labs. While the Dreamfinder himself didn’t return, you can see a punning tribute to him on one of the doors as you travel through the institute. Look for the name Dean Finder on one of the office doors, a clever reference to the beloved former host that hopefully will return one day.

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with a trip over to ...
12/09/2024

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with a trip over to the Magic Kingdom...

3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Fantasyland has seen many changes and expansions over the years, the most notable being the arrival of New Fantasyland in 2012. Before the arrival of New Fantasyland, the area once home to the 20,000 Leagues lagoon was home to Pooh’s Playful Spot, a children’s play area located across the walkway from the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. In the playground was Pooh’s treehouse, complete with the sign for Mr. Sanderz over the door. Children (and adults if they crouched down) could wander inside and peer out the windows. Close inspection would reveal a carving on the wall in the shape of the Nautilus. The tree has since been relocated to the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh entrance, but the Nautilus can still be found inside. You can also find an image of the Nautilus in the rock work in the queue of Journey of the Little Mermaid...see if you can find it!!

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with another stop in...
11/09/2024

Today we're going to continue our exploration of "Disney Attraction References in Other Attraction" with another stop in EPCOT's World Discovery...

2. World of Motion at Test Track
Just next door to Mission: SPACE (which replaced Horizons), Test Track also has the distinction of replacing an early Epcot attraction. This was World of Motion, which opened along with Epcot on October 1, 1982. World of Motion was a slow-moving dark ride that told the history of transportation. As you wander about the courtyard surrounding the distinctive silver building that hosted both attractions, you’ll see the logo for World of Motion on the fences and waste receptacles, a fitting tribute to a long-lost attraction that was the brainchild of legendary Imagineer Ward Kimball. (You could even find some old-fashioned cars and other throwbacks to days of old in Test Track's original queue!)

Seeking out Hidden Mickeys is one of our favorite pastimes when we ride our favorite Disney attractions. But there are p...
10/09/2024

Seeking out Hidden Mickeys is one of our favorite pastimes when we ride our favorite Disney attractions. But there are plenty of other secrets waiting to be discovered beyond those three familiar circles. If you closely, you can even find references to former attractions, especially in the new attractions that they replaced. In the upcoming week we'll share six of our favorites, beginning with:

1. Horizons in Mission: SPACE
The super-realistic space flight simulation attraction, located in Epcot’s World Discovery, replaced the beloved Horizons. For those who don’t remember, Horizons was a slow-moving attraction that showed you the possibilities of the future. The highlight of the attraction came at the end when you got to choose your final destination. You could select space station Brava Centauri, the desert farm of Mesa Verde, or the Sea Castle research base under the ocean. When Mission: SPACE opened in 2003, it took you on a thrilling journey to Mars in a pulse-pounding simulation that NASA astronauts have said is convincingly close to the real thing. A tribute to the former attraction can be found in the middle of the rotating space station located in the queue. If you look in the center, you’ll see the logo for Horizons, a fitting tribute to the attraction that gave us the memorable quote, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Contrary to common belief, this was NOT a Walt Disney quote, but for that's a tale for another time...!

Favorite WDW Attraction Exits! Today we wrap up our tour of our 7 Favorite Attraction Exits in Walt Disney World with on...
08/09/2024

Favorite WDW Attraction Exits!

Today we wrap up our tour of our 7 Favorite Attraction Exits in Walt Disney World with one final stop in EPCOT’s World Discovery.

7. Test Track
Our last visit took us to Mission: SPACE, but there is another thrill attraction in World Discovery that also features an expansive post-show area, and it’s here you’ll find some of the latest automotive innovations on display. And yep, you can climb in one of those new cars and see how it feels! (But no, you can’t take it for a test drive.) You’ll also find several interactive pavilions, such as a virtual racing game table. And, of course, you can check out your souvenir photo. (You remembered to smile, right?)

Favorite WDW Attraction Exits!Today we continue our tour of our 7 Favorite Attraction Exits in Walt Disney World with a ...
07/09/2024

Favorite WDW Attraction Exits!

Today we continue our tour of our 7 Favorite Attraction Exits in Walt Disney World with a stop in EPCOT’s World Discovery.

6. Mission: SPACE
Once you safely make it back to Earth, you’ll come across a number of interactive games and play areas in the attraction’s post-show area. So many, in fact, that the pavilion is a wonderful attraction even if you don’t think you have the right stuff for the flight to Mars. The pavilion features one of the lesser known play areas for children (though arguably one of the coolest), and a cooperative game for space explorers of all ages.

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Celebrations Magazine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Celebrations Magazine:

Videos

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share