Last Oct 17th Disney announced their “Limited Time Magic” series of events for the next year. They made this announcement spectacularly, planting an ice castle in Times Square. Over 40,000 lbs of ice. The time lapse video above (I’m a sucker for time lapse) is just amazing to watch. I can’t think of a more fabulous way to kick off a year of surprises and fascinations like this.
It’s a brilliant idea, so in keeping with Disney and with the magic that they seem to weave so well. Look at me – giddy like a kid, I’m truly looking forward to the surprises yet to come.
Ironically, one of the things that I (and so many others) love about Disneyland is that some things never change. We’ve been riding the Jungle Cruise for decades and we know all the jokes, and we still laugh at “The back side of water” and “Get the point?!” (that’s a little inside humor for those of you who go often). People often talk about how they go back and discover that magic that hasn’t changed. That piece of the experience that is “Just like when I was a kid”. It’s part of the wonder that happens when you enter the Disney “bubble” as we like to call it. Your worries and cares float away, if only for a little while.
Change is inevitable though, and it’s part of the yearly program at the parks. There are new attractions added all the time, including the re imagined California Adventure Park and New Fantasyland in Florida. When things change, there is joy in the discovery of how they change, and how they remain the same. We experience this every year at the holidays. When the haunted mansion and Small World transform for the holidays, it’s never exactly the same twice. Even though there are some things that do stay the same, there’s a new twist. Those little surprises are a delight to find. We seek them out and marvel at them – details like this Elvis Bobblehead hitching a ride in Small World are almost as exciting to discover as a new “Hidden Mickey” in the park.
For us going to the park around the holidays is a tradition unto itself. We’ve been there for the holidays every year for the past ten years and I know my children will have memories of Disney Halloweens and winter holidays celebrations that they will share with their own kids. These memories will last a lifetime for them, and for me.
As my kids get older I am more and more aware, almost painfully aware at times, of how quickly time passes. We only get so many years with them at home for the holidays before they go off and make their own homes and families. We only get so many summers.
Then, like the ice castle that appeared, melted and vanished in Times Square, those moments are gone.
I really appreciate the thought and care that Disney puts into their patrons experiences of their parks. They really and truly get the magic of the moment and how much it matter to parents and children. I’m looking forward to all the surprises of limited time magic this year, as I am looking forward to the magical memories we’ll make in the parks as we play together as a family there.
I am enjoying the time we presently have. It’s really my best holiday gift.
What can you expect from Limited Time Magic in 2013? Here’s a peek:
- True Love: Celebrate romance and enchantment throughout Valentine’s Week with special moments and entertainment geared to lovebirds. Guests can celebrate their Valentine as Magic Kingdom and Disneyland turn up the romance, complete with their iconic castles bathed in hues of red and pink. Disney Princes join their Princesses to meet park guests in special settings, prix fixe menus turn up at select restaurants and Valentine collectibles will be offered for the week.
- Independence Week: It’s red, white and blue as Disney Parks salutes America with a 4th of July Fireworks Party – for an entire week, with patriotic lighting bathing the Disney castles on both coasts. Mickey Mouse appears in his patriotic finest and guests will find special USA shirts, Ear Hats and other limited-edition souvenirs.
- During “Long Lost Friends Week,” lesser-known Disney characters will move from the shadows to the spotlight with meet-and-greets on both coasts. Photo opps with characters that could include Flik, Clarabelle Cow, Remy, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum will surprise and delight guests. And Disney guests will even have the chance to vote online for which characters they want to see.
- Pirate Week: Why talk like a pirate one day when you could celebrate these scalawags all week long? The adventures of Jack Sparrow come to life like never before during a bicoastal buccaneer bash in which Disneyland and Walt Disney World become pirate-palooza: pirate bands, pirate meet-and-greets and more.
- Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands: Dapper Dans, the iconic quartet from Main Street, U.S.A., will add a special finale to their show, claiming the title of the “Original Boy Band” and delivering a medley of hits from One Direction, *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys.
- Unleash the Villains: A Friday the 13th in 2013 is a special day, so Disneyland and Disney Hollywood Studios are staying open until the 13th Hour (1 a.m.). Maleficent, Capt. Hook, Jafar and other Disney villains host a dance party, complete with limited-edition collectibles and nighttime mischief on Sept. 13.
- Golden Horseshoe Revue: The fabled Frontierland show returns to Disneyland for one month only, bringing back the corny jokes and enduring songs that were often enjoyed by Walt Disney himself.
Disney dream makers are crafting more surprises and magical offers that will be rolled out weekly during the magical year.
The experience of thes week will be announced in a variety of ways including in-park, Disneyworld.com, Disneyland.com, Facebook, Twitter (follow #LimitedTimeMagic), the Disney Parks Blog — adding to the element of surprise.
For more information about Limited Time Magic, visit www.disneyparks.com.
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