A particularly nasty storm rolled over Orlando last night, bringing with it a lot of lightning. It’s not the kind of show most theme park guests want or expect to see, but it can be spectacular and provide some unique photos. Photographer Rick Rootsey of Litebox Studio took these photos of the storm hovering over [...]

Disney’s Magic Kingdom is all decked-out for Halloween. This year, they’ve redesigned many of the 182 hand-carved pumpkins that line the windows and ledges of Main Street U.S.A. You’ll see some usual pumpkin faces, but most of the pumpkins feature a unique design. Different designs and shapes include a hot dog pumpkin over Casey’s Corner [...]

“Boo” has never been uttered in a bouncier, “not-so-scary” fashion than during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties at the Magic Kingdom. And the fun starts early, kicking off Orlando’s many Halloween events. The special-ticket after-hours party will take place on 24 evenings staring Sept. 14, 2010. It’s enough to bring a smile to the face of [...]

When Space Mountain reopened last year after a seven-month refurbishment, it had many new enhancements such as video games, lighting and other queue enhancements. The track was made smoother as well, but many guests were hoping music would be added to the ride like Space Mountain at Disneyland. Well a year later, they have their [...]

All 53 contestants for the title of Miss America 2011 visited the Magic Kingdom today. Representing 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the ladies restarted the Miss America tradition of walking together down Main Street toward Cinderella Castle. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella and Belle met the 53 [...]

Vidia, one of the stars of the upcoming movie Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, is the newest fairy to become a “resident” of Pixie Hollow at the Magic Kingdom. Guests can meet Vidia and her pixie pals – including Tinker Bell, Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta, Silvermist and Terence – inside Pixie Hollow in Toontown. [...]

It’s your last chance to see all of the special summer shows, rides and events at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom as they are all ending this weekend. Some or all of the summer shows may return next year, but there’s no guarantees. So see them now if you have [...]

Actor Brendan Fraser, star of films including The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, posed with a “step-mummy,” aka The Wicked Stepmother from Cinderella, at the Magic Kingdom today. UPDATE: A day later, Universal released this picture of Brendan with a Butterbeer mustache at Islands of Adventure. Brendan is no stranger to theme parks. He made [...]

Disney has announced their theme park ticket prices are rising a few dollars. A one day, one park ticket has gone from $79 to $82, a 3.8 percent raise. Read on for the full breakdown of changes. Annual ticket price increases have been a normal occurrence for all the theme parks in Central Florida the [...]

The Main Street Electrical Parade made its return to the Magic Kingdom in early June as part of Disney’s Summer Nightastic and was supposed to end on Aug. 14 for the Spectromagic nighttime parade’s return. But the Electrical Parade has been so popular with guests, they’ve extended its run at the Magic Kingdom. No end [...]

By Don Gworek What began with controversy 20 years ago is now one of Orlando’s top events each year, with attendance larger than many of the biggest convention groups. It started as just one day at the Magic Kingdom and has expanded to a multi-day event at multiple parks. It’s estimated that 150,000 people attended [...]

We were recently taken backstage at the Magic Kingdom for a special look at Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, just one part of Disney’s Summer Nightastic event. From June 6 through Aug. 14, guests at Walt Disney World will be able to experience some unique happenings at three of their four parks. The Main Street [...]

A classic attraction that’s been at the Magic Kingdom since its opening in 1971 will be known by a new name starting June 1, 2010. Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel will change its name to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Disney said the name is changing to “further develop the rich storylines in Fantasyland and help tell the [...]

Come with me for a stroll through the Magic Kingdom. We’ll walk down Main Street and around the park counter-clockwise, starting in Tomorrowland. Let’s see what’s happening. Just like in the picture above, I spotted at least six different buildings with this decorative wrapping around them. It doesn’t look so bad since the covering has [...]

For this month’s edition of Retro Orlando, we take a look at Delta Dreamflight, which used to be where Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is now at the Magic Kingdom.

To amusement park lovers, Orlando may be the mecca for dark attractions. In a recent survey of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE) (Yes, there’s a club just for fans of indoor attractions), members chose Magic Kingdom as their “Favorite Dark Attraction Park”. Members were also asked for their favorite dark attractions in the Orlando [...]

Guests at the Magic Kingdom may notice a few new construction walls and changes at the park starting today. Disney has begun working in the guest areas as part of the expansion to Fantasyland Forest and a Pixie Hollow area. We’ve previously reported on Disney’s plan to double the size of Fantasyland in our Winter [...]

Disney’s 3D sci-fi adventure film TRON: Legacy doesn’t debut in theaters until December, but guests at Disney World can see a bit of the TRON universe zipping high above their heads. Renderings of yellow and blue light cycles have transformed one of the trains on the monorail line. A blue light cycle zips to the [...]

Disney held two princess related marathons on March 6 and 7, 2010, and Orlando Attractions Magazine subscriber Don Gworek ran along to bring you these two videos. While the races were designed for women, more than 400 men participated on behalf of the princesses in their lives. The Princess and the Frog Royal Family 5K [...]

In addition to the Main Street Electrical Parade returning, new effects for Tower of Terror and new fireworks show we previously told you about as park of Walt Disney World’s Summer Nightastic, some more events were announced. A Rock N’ Glow Dance Party will be held in the courtyard of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at [...]