Out of the Loop: Courage the turkey is pardoned, sent to Disneyland

By Andy Guinigundo Washington, D.C. and Anaheim, Calif. – The first mention of a ceremonial turkey presentation at the Whitehouse (stop snickering, an actual turkey) was during the Truman administration. No mention is made in the literature about a Presidential Pardon. It wasn’t until the first George Bush’s administration in 1989 that the yearly tradition…

Out of the Loop: It’s beginning to look a lot like a theme park Christmas

By Andy Guinigundo It wasn’t even quite the last week of October at my local Target and Walmart type stores that Halloween decorations were coming down and all things orange and black were being consolidated. This was followed by empty “seasonal items” shelves. Finally on Nov. 1, Christmas decorating and shopping was in full swing….

Video: "Dancing with the Stars" winners Donnie Osmond and Kym Johnston at the D23 Expo

When it was revealed tonight that Donnie Osmond and Kym Johnston became the latest celebrities to win “Dancing with the Stars,” I immediately thought of the unreleased video of the pair that I shot in September at Disney’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif. before the now-concluded season of the show began. While I had previously…

| |

Wizarding World of Harry Potter photo update for Nov. 20, 2009

While I was at Universal’s Islands of Adventure yesterday shooting some photos for our upcoming Winter issue (Which will feature a full story on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.), I figured I’d bring you some updated construction photos. The top photo show Hogwarts Castle as seen from the front of the park. Here you…

| | |

Meet the heroes of Marvel Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure

The Marvel heroes come out to meet their fans at different times throughout the day, every day at Islands of Adventure. You’ll hear the sirens and see them riding their ATVs through Marvel Super Hero Island. Then they’ll spread out to different locations to sign autographs and pose for pictures with park guests. I shot…

| | |

Fly through holiday lights at Florida EcoSafaris' new Holiday Lights Zipline Safari

Looking for a unique holiday adventure? Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida has announced their new Holiday Lights Zipline Safari that takes guests through the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area fifty‐five feet off the ground amid dancing colorful lights and music. The two and a half hour experience allows guests an opportunity to spot wildlife, zip through…

| | | | | | |

Win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Universal Orlando Resort is running a contest in which you can win a trip to the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. The grand prize is a trip for four to Orlando to participate in the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter sometime in Spring…

| |

Stars in the Parks: Jon Bon Jovi at Hollywood Studios with Goofy

Singer Jon Bon Jovi poses with Goofy on the New York Street backlot set at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Bon Jovi and his band, who have sold more than 120 million records in a career that spans 26 years, released their newest album, “The Circle.” The group will begin a world concert tour in early 2010….

| | | | | | |

Video: Mickey's Christmas Carol animated windows displays at the Magic Kingdom

For the 2009 Christmas season, Disney has installed into the Magic Kingdom’s Emporium windows along Main Street U.S.A. the long out-of-view animated window displays based on the holiday favorite, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” Six scenes tell the classic story of Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit and Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge. These scenes were originally on…