Author Archives: Jessica C. (NDI#21)

Jessica Clawson

Living in Delaware her whole life, Jessica did not know much about Walt Disney World until she went at 13 years old. That initial trip, though, got her hooked on the magic. As the years went on, she did everything she could to learn more about Disney (including watching documentaries and reading books). She did not know many people that shared her passion until she discovered the wonders of the internet and the Disney community found on it. She has gotten involved with as many Disney projects as she can, including writing the weekly news articles for The Disney Driven Life and writing for her own blog, The True Disney Fan. Jessica has also taken on a position with Celebrations Magazine, working the social media aspects of the publication. Through all these platforms, Jessica strives to bring as much Disney magic as possible into her everyday life, and she works to share it with everyone she meets!
Contributed by Jessica Clawson (NDI#21) @lady_aurora
Contributed by: Jessica Clawson (NDI#21) Jessica is the News and Current Events Blogger. She is also the creator of The True Disney Fan.

D23 Is Ready for 2012!

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Copyright: Disney

2012 is a good year to be a D23 member! “The Official Disney Fan Club” is celebrating the magic of Disney throughout the year and all members are invited!

D23 is celebrating its third year of existence (what they are affectionately calling their “fanniversary”) with celebrations all across the country. They have so much in store, including tours of Walt’s boyhood hometown, Marceline Missouri, an experience at Smoke Tree Ranch, and archivist tours that will be visiting Orlando, New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

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AVATAR in Walt Disney World

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Copyright: Disney

Tuesday in a press conference, Tom Staggs along with several other executives and James Cameron announced that they are in the early planning stages of bringing Cameron’s blockbuster movie AVATAR to the Disney parks. The long-term partnership will include a themed land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  They are in the beginning planning stages for this project, so there is no attraction plans or specific details about the land, just that construction will be starting in 2013 and will take approximately five years to complete.

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Have a Pirate Adventure in Your Resort Room!

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, September 18, 2011

Copyright: Disney

There is a whole new room celebration being added to the Disney Floral and Gifts that is going to make you with that the Pirate’s life was for you! Starting October 21st, you and your family can have your resort room crashed by Captain Jack Sparrow himself! He was running from Blackbeard trying to hide a treasure and ran right into your room to hide it. He has left clues on papers in the room to help lead your family to his treasure, along with lots of other goodies to make your room feel like a real pirate’s den!

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D23 Expo Overview

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Saturday, August 27, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

This year’s D23 Expo came to a close Sunday night rather quietly, much like the entire, relatively uneventful weekend.

Friday opened with the Disney Legends Ceremony and big cheers from the Disney fans.  A big highlight was the voice of the princesses singing songs from their movies.

Friday afternoon was much less well received as there was no large announcements at the Parks and Resorts presentation as many expected.  Among the discussed topics were the Fantasyland Expansion, Aulani, Carsland, Tangled coming to Disneyland’s Fantasyland and the Snow White Mine Train coaster being built in Fantasyland. Fans were furious because they expected big news just as was announced two years ago, but due to the economy and number of projects Disney already has under way, this lack of announcements comes as no surprise for some.

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D23 Expo Schedule – Parks and Resorts Change

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Copyright Disney

While prepping for the D23 Expo, it has come to my attention thanks to InsidetheMagic.net that the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts event, scheduled for Friday, August 19 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, has been changed.  The time is now from 3:30 to 4:30, shortening the presentation by a half hour.  Reasons for this are unknown, Disney has not pulled any attention to this, just simply changed in on the D23 Expo schedule.

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D23 Expo: Schedule

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Copyright Disney

The D23 Expo 2011 is just over a week away and all of the Disney community is buzzing about what potential news and information will come from this year’s Expo.  There are many who will be making the trek, what some might even call a pilgrimage, to the Expo and will be experiencing the events in person while other will be sitting at home, glued to their computers awaiting the all-important announcements.  Here are the times for some of the big events at the Expo, all times are Pacific:

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Upcoming Monorail and Parade Changes

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, July 10, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

Disney has announced new changes beginning tomorrow regarding the monorail systems in Walt Disney World.  Beginning tomorrow, the Epcot monorail will operate up to one hour after regular park closing, no longer making it available during evening Extra Magic Hours.  The same will be happening with the Magic Kingdom Monorail service as of August 1st.  Extra boat and bus service will be available at both parks to help with Extra Magic Hour traffic.

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CROFTON PROMOTED; WEISS JOB ELIMINATED

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

The Orlando Sentinel reported yesterday that Tom Staggs, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, has given the newly created job of President of Operations for the U.S. and France to current Walt Disney World president, Meg Crofton.  This position was created after a retirement announcement by Al Weiss two weeks ago.  In order to bring about the new “One Disney” initiative, Weiss’ position was eliminated in favor of a two person approach for the same position.  Instead of one person in charge of all six Disney parks, Crofton will be in charge of Walt Disney World, Disneyland in California and Disneyland Paris and Bill Ernest will stay in charge of the Disney parks in Asia, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and the newest Disney park, Shanghi Disneyland, currently in construction.

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WEISS ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Copyright: Disney

Al Weiss, the president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced today that he will be retiring as of November 1st of this year.

Weiss’ Disney career has spanned nearly 39 years, beginning as a teenager working in Walt Disney World. He progressed in the company, eventually becoming head of the Walt Disney World resort and, since 2005, head of all of the Disney parks throughout the world.

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THIS WEEK’S NEWS

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Copyright Disney

Here are your big Disney headlines for the last few days:

Ticket Price Upgrade – Disney has announced prices and packages for 2012 and, while there are price increases that are already in effect, there are still options to help you save money while you are vacationing in Disney. Click here to see the pricing for Walt Disney World or here for the Disneyland pricing information.

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THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

Here are a few news stories that have been highlighted so far this week in the Disney world:

Disney fans are saddened by the passing of not one, but two Disney legends over the weekend and these two Legends worked side by side for years.  Wally Boag and Betty Taylor, both former cast members at Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue, passed away this past weekend.  Boag was 90 and Taylor was 91.

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FANTASYLAND EXPANSION UPDATE

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, June 5, 2011

Smiling in front of concept art! Photo Credit: Chris Reid

Information on the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland Expansion was released recently during the re-opening of Star Tours and fans are brimming with excitement.  For months, the only way fans were able to get any information about the expansion’s progress was from riding the Dumbo attraction and trying to catch a glimpse of the work.  Now Disney has announced more details of what is really going on behind those walls.

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DISCOVER A FANTASY ON THE DISNEY FANTASY

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Monday, May 30, 2011

Copyright: Disney

With all of the news that came out recently from the parks, let’s not forget the newest news from Disney Cruise Line,  the details for the newest addition, Disney Fantasy.

To the excitement of many at the official announcement, Disney Fantasy will feature some of the much loved features of its sister ship, Disney Dream, including the AquaDuck, Magical Portholes and Enchanted Art. It was made clear though that these ships are merely sisters, not twins, as Disney Fantasy will have several new features all its own.

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TIKI ROOM: UNDER OLD MANAGEMENT

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, May 22, 2011

Picture Credit: Disney Parks Blog

It was announced last week at D23’s Destination D that the “Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management” would be closed permanently and reopened as simply “Enchanted Tiki Room”.

The “Under New Management” version, which was closed suddenly in January after a fire in the structure, is currently being remade to be reminiscent of the original show from when the park opened in 1971, then called “Tropical Serenade.”  All of the classic characters will still be featured, including Pierre and Jose.  Whether Zazu and Iago will be seen at all is unclear, details have not been announced.  What is known is that it will be similar, but not exactly like the original version of the show.  Whatever Disney does, it is sure to include references to some classic lines just as the show always has.

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NOT-SO-SCARY DATES FOR 2011

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, May 15, 2011

Photo Credit: Gene Duncan

Disney has announced the dates for this year’s “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  This party, which costs extra, occurs every year around the fall and Halloween season and brings out a spooky, but not frightening side of the Magic Kingdom.  Guests dressed in costumes can trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom, ride some open attractions and are able to view a special stage show, parade and fireworks extravaganza!

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STAR WARS WEEKEND LINEUP 2011

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Monday, May 9, 2011

Photo Credit: Chris Reid

Disney has released the line-up of guests coming to Hollywood Studios for this year’s Star Wars Weekends.  Every year for 4 weekends, Hollywood Studios is host to some out-of-this-world creatures from the classic films.  This year is no different and will start the weekend of May 20th.

Here is this year’s lineup, courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel:

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NEW RESORT ROOM THEMES

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, May 1, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

Last week, the Orlando Sentinel released an article stating that there will be even more themed rooms to choose from on Disney property! Disney has announced that they will soon begin transforming a little over 500 rooms on the Port Orleans Riverside property to “Royal Rooms”.  These rooms, supposedly used by the princesses themselves when they come to Walt Disney World for vacation, will have fixtures and decorations that are themed around different princesses, including those from The Princess and the Frog, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.  This idea is similar to that of the already popular Pirate-themed rooms in Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and comes after a survey that Disney issued early last fall asking what kind of themed rooms resort would interest guests.  These rooms are said to be ready by February or March of 2012, just a few months before the opening of the first phases of the Art of Animation resort.

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PREPARE FOR INTERGALACTIC TRAVEL

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, April 24, 2011

Photo Credit: InsideTheMagic.net

As if the world was not excited enough by the arrival of Star Tours II on May 20th, Disney had to go and make this attraction even more interactive and fun for us at home waiting patiently for our Galactic journeys to begin!  Introducing StarToursPassport.com! This website allows you to make your own intergalactic passport with your photo and information and use it for your travels on Star Tours.

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NEW WAYS TO SAIL AWAY

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, April 17, 2011

Photo Credit: Disney

Disney has made sailing on one of their cruises much easier with the addition of three new ports for 2012! As of May 2012, Disney cruise ships will be sailing out of New York, Seattle and Galveston, Texas.

New York, what I think will prove to be a very popular port, has 20 different cruises coming from the shore.  These include eight night cruises to the Bahamas, five night cruises to New England and Canada and introducing a new concept, the two night cruise to Nowhere!

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SHANGHAI CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES

By Jessica C. (NDI#21) | Published: Sunday, April 10, 2011

Photo Credit: Disney

This past Friday, work on the planned Disney amusement park in Shanghai has begun after several delays.  Walt Disney held a special press event this past week for the special event in Shanghai, which began the construction of the sixth Disney park in the world (other locations including Florida and California in the US, and Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong–in case you didn’t know.)

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