Yesterday morning, I joined more than 12,000 other athletes for the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon here at the Disneyland Resort. Featuring an all-new course and a seriously shiny new medal (see above), the race is the latest in the runDisney line-up.

At 5:45 am, fireworks lit up the sky and the race was on! We took off on our way to Disneyland park, where pixie wings and green tutus fluttered all over the course.

Disney characters greeted participants throughout the park, including an appearance by the Lost Boys who seemed to have taken over King Arthur Carrousel!

As the sun rose over the Disneyland Resort, we made our way through the Downtown Disney District where we were cheered on by a sea of red hats. The lovely ladies from the Red Hat Society had set up a huge cheering section in front of the Disneyland Hotel.

From there, we left the Disneyland Resort and headed for downtown Anaheim – a new destination for a runDisney race. Marching bands and cheer squads from local schools were waiting to welcome the race participants.

After leaving downtown Anaheim, the race headed back to the Disneyland Resort and through Disney California Adventure park. With about a mile to go, we headed through “a bug’s land” toward the finish line.

Did you participate in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon yesterday? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

Race Report: Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

With Halloween Time coming up at the Disneyland Resort, spooky preparations are taking place all around Disneyland park. A guest favorite each year is Haunted Mansion Holiday. Soon Jack Skellington and co. will take over the Haunted Mansion, complete with a new Gingerbread House. As we get ready for the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday, here are some fun facts you might not know:

• More than 400 flickering candles and 100 Jack-O-Lanterns create a ghostly glow on the façade of the Haunted Mansion.
• Jack’s faithful dog Zero gathered more than 200 bones to use as décor, garland, and presents.
• More than two dozen additional animated figures “materialize” inside the Haunted Mansion during Haunted Mansion Holiday.
• Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of the original Madame Leota, makes a special spirited performance as the Haunted Mansion’s favorite psychic during Haunted Mansion Holiday. Leota Toombs, Disney Legend and long-time Imagineer, gave life to the head that for decades has floated inside the Haunted Mansion’s Crystal Ball in the Séance Room.
• Every year, a new ghoulish concept is created and Resort Foods bakes up a brand new Gingerbread House for the celebration scene in the Mansion’s Grand Hall.

Things You Might Not Know About Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

This past weekend we held our annual Disney Trading event at Epcot. Titled “The Florida Project,” the theme was a salute the 40th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. For three days, guests from around the world spent time making friends and trading pins or Vinylmation figures. We had guests from more than 36 different states and countries like Japan, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia! The event was held inside World ShowPlace pavilion, which was decorated to resemble a Preview Center from the early 1970s. If you were unable to attend this year, here is a brief look at some highlights.

Each year, I’m excited to how the Park Event Operations team will decorate World ShowPlace. Back in August, I gave you a sneak preview of their concepts for the event. I was beyond happy to see the Orange Bird come to life; the standing Orange Bird looked amazing (I wonder if he would fit in my office). The display team also hid several Orange Bird cutouts around the pavilion including one on an actual 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction vehicle.

I spoke with Julie Young, product developer for Disney Pins, about her experience at the event.

“We had a great time with our guests,” exclaimed Julie, who worked in special preview area for upcoming pins throughout the weekend. “I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak directly with fans. For most of the year, we spend our time in a backstage office location. We love seeing the excitement in our guests’ eyes at these events.”

Each year, the pin team hosts a presentation offering a glimpse into future development. This year, the presentation was hosted by Julie and fellow product developer Jeanne Lewis. The image above features only a handful of items shared including a new open edition alphabet series, a pin set coming to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, in October, a new Pin Trading Night collection coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and a create-your-own pin display kit.

On Sunday, Vinylmation was in focus with the second annual Vinylmation Showcase. This was a separate ticketed event that featured Vinylmation trading, sneak previews and more. I spoke with Donald Ferro, product developer for Vinylmation, about one of the most exciting things to be announced at the event.

“Since the beginning of August, Vinylmation fans have been asking ‘What is Project Z?’,” explained Donald. “I am thrilled we were finally able to answer that question by revealing a new Vinylmation series that celebrates classic Disney characters from Disney Theme Parks around the world.”

This new mystery series designed by Disney Design Group Artists Thomas Scott and Casey Jones is called “Park Starz” (hence Project “Z”), and it will be released in mid- to late October 2011. Here’s a hint to one of my favorite figures not pictured above – “If we can dream it, we can do it.”

Lastly, we announced the themes for next year’s trading events at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The details of these events are still being finalized, so please stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog, DisneyPins.com or Vinylmation.com.

Highlights from The Florida Project Event at Epcot by Steven Miller: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

We’re in the middle of this year’s Night of Joy festival at Magic Kingdom Park and we wanted to give readers a quick look back at some of the top posts we’ve featured on the Disney Parks Blog about the 2011 talent and schedule. Who are you looking forward to seeing the most?

Take 5: Night of Joy 2011 at Magic Kingdom Park

1. Disney’s Night of Joy Concert Schedules Released – In late August, we released the full schedule for the 2011 Night of Joy festival.




2. Night of Joy Artist Spotlight: Kutless at Magic Kingdom Park – On the surface, the guys from Kutless look like your basic, average rockers; but they have been the impetus for some of the most soulful praise and worship music in recent years, selling more than two million records across the last decade or so. Take a look at their artist profile!




3. Night of Joy Artist Spotlight: TobyMac – Check out this Night of Joy artist profile, which focuses on a virtual veteran of the Christian Music industry, Grammy-and-Dove-Award winner TobyMac.




4. Night of Joy Artist Spotlight: Chris August – This artist profile is about a relative newcomer to the Christian Music scene, but he has scorched up the Contemporary Christian charts during his short career in the industry – even winning GMA Dove Awards this year for New Artist, Male Vocalist and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Album of the Year for his smash CD, “No Far Away.”




5. Night of Joy Artist Profile: Disciple – Love Christian music that really rocks?! If so, check out our artist profile on Disciple!

Take 5: Night of Joy 2011 at Magic Kingdom Park by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

The label is Sogno d’Italia, which translates as “Dream of Italy,” made by Placido in Tuscany and imported by Banfi Vintners.. The light, crisp Pinot Grigio reminds us of pears and flowers. If you prefer a red, sip the drinkable Chianti, with a note of cherries and plums and a hint of spice.

“When we dream of Italy, we dream not only of its noble traditions, but of its appealingly easygoing lifestyle,” said winemaker Paolo Benassi. “These wines embody both of those ideals.” The festival opens Sept. 30 and runs through Nov. 13. If you can’t join us, the wines will still be sold at the Italy shop post-fest. And eventually they’ll be added to wine lists at select Disney restaurants.

Get First Taste of New Wine Exclusively for Disney Parks at This Year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Countless performers cite Toby as an influence on their music and their lives; and with each new record, including his newest smash “Tonight,” he continues a seemingly-endless quest to bring hip-hop, funk and soul to mainstream Christian Music. Together with the DiverseCity band, Toby transitions easily from high-energy hits like “Funky Jesus Music” to soulful ballads like the GMA-Dove-Award-Nominated “City On Our Knees.”

In his non-music life, Toby is an avid golfer and runner. He participates in various charity golf tournaments and has hosted a charity tournament with fellow Christian Music performer Michael W. Smith. Toby and wife Amanda have combined their love of running and their heart for others into an annual charity event where they host fans to pre-event race activities before the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, with proceeds benefiting the New Hope Academy, a community school in Franklin, TN. This year, “Team TobyMac” raised more than $100,000 for the Academy.

On a break from touring earlier in the year, Toby stopped by the Magic Kingdom and talked with us about what the past year has been like for him and the DiverseCity crew and what fans can expect from their Night of Joy performance.

Toby will be performing at Disney’s Night of Joy on Saturday, Sept. 10. Here’s the rest of the line-up:

• Friday, Sept. 9, 2011: Skillet, newsboys, Jeremy Camp, Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Sidewalk Prophets and Disciple.
• Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011: mercyme, Jars of Clay, Sanctus Real, Kutless, Marvin Sapp, Chris August and Vashawn Mitchell.

Night of Joy is an after-hours event, held Sept. 9 and 10, 2011, at the Magic Kingdom that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists are performing at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions also are available for Night of Joy guests. Tickets are on sale now. One-night tickets are $51.95 plus tax in advance, $59.95 plus tax day of. Two-night tickets are $92.95. Groups of 10 or more can purchase one-night tickets in advance for $46.95 plus tax each and two-night tickets for $87.95. Additional information is available at www.nightofjoy.com.

Night of Joy Artist Spotlight: TobyMac by Charles Stovall, Public Relations, manager: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Can’t get enough cake? Be sure to check out our Facebook page for a new wedding cake feature every week!

See the posts below for more from Disney Weddings:

• Take a Look Inside Our Royal Sleepover at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion
• A Jewel As Rare As You from Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings
• Disney Weddings Transportation Fit for Royalty

Time Lapse: Creating a Disney Wedding Cake by Korri McFann: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

When it comes to visiting the Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season, it’s never too early to start planning. That’s especially true in the case of Epcot’s Candlelight Processional, an amazing holiday musical spectacle that features the talents of three choirs, a live orchestra and a celebrity guest narrator that can put anyone in the holiday spirit.

The show is included with park admission, however one of the easiest ways to ensure a seamless Candlelight Processional experience during the busy holiday season is to buy a Candlelight Processional lunch or dinner package. The packages, which are now on sale, include lunch or dinner at an Epcot restaurant, as well as reserved seating at the show and viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in a special fireworks viewing area.

Like many guests, my family and I have made Candlelight Processional package a regular holiday tradition. Last year it was dinner at Italy Pavilion’s Tutto Italia Ristorante. This year, I’m thinking a meal at Via Napoli, followed by a show narrated by Neil Patrick Harris. Which narrator would you choose?

Schedule & Narrators (subject to change without notice):

• 11/25–11/27 – Mira Sorvino
• 11/28–12/01 – Michael W. Smith
• 12/02–12/03 – Whoopi Goldberg
• 12/04–12/06 – To be announced
• 12/07–12/09 – Isabella Rossellini
• 12/10–12/12 – Neil Patrick Harris
• 12/13–12/15 – To be announced
• 12/16–12/18 – To be announced
• 12/19–12/21 – Trace Adkins
• 12/22–12/24 – Susan Lucci
• 12/25–12/27 – Blair Underwood
• 12/28–12/30 – Marlee Matlin

Book Epcot Candlelight Processional Packages Today by Jennifer Fickley-Baker: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Ready, set, dial! If you’re hoping to snag tickets for a coveted event at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Tuesday is the opening day for reservations. To secure a spot at special culinary events and experiences, call (407) WDW-FEST (407-939-3378) or visit disneyworld.com/dining. Admission to Epcot is required for many of the events.

Foodies will love the First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29, a sneak peek at the food, beverages and entertainment for the festival. Me? I’m looking forward to sugary Sundays – Sweet Sundays in the mornings with a bounteous buffet, sparkling wines and notable chefs showing off signature desserts (like Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s tiramisu on Oct. 9), and The Discovery of Chocolate on select Sunday afternoons with chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate with paired wines. Or, if you prefer your sweets at the end of the day, check out the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery, lots of sweets with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth as the finale.

Fantastic cheese seminars, Sunday afternoon wine schools, special eats at the Italy, France and Mexico Pavilions, and over-the-top dinners hosted in Disney resort hotels, it’s a frenzy of delicious food and drink. Paring down is the hard part.

Of course there are plenty of complimentary events too, like this year’s HGTV Home Entertaining Seminars on weekends at the festival center. And we’re happy sipping and strolling around World Showcase at Epcot – go early on a weekday if you want to sidestep the crowds. Our strategy: share and try lots of tastes. We can’t wait to try the jerk-spiced chicken with mango chutney from the new Caribbean marketplace, or the new fried kasseri cheese with honey at the Greece marketplace. And to go back for the lobster and scallop pie at the Ireland marketplace.

For a listing of events, go to Disneyworld.com/foodandwine. The festival runs Sept. 30-Nov. 13.

Do you have a favorite event you’d recommend?

Reservations Open Tuesday for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Events by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Epcot has released the concert schedule for the "Eat to the Beat" series during the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.  The schedule features many Grammy winning artists, as well as some new acts for music lovers.

• Taylor Dayne: 9/30-10/2/11
• 38 Special: 10/3-5/11
• Jon Secada: 10/6-7/11
• Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp: 10/8-9/11
• Billy Ocean: 10/10-12/11
• Starship starring Mickey Thomas: 10/13-16/11
• Sugar Ray: 10/17-19/11
• The Orchestra starring former members of ELO: 10/20-21/11
• Howard Jones: 10/22-23/11
• Boyz II Men: 10/24-26/11
• Gin Blossoms: 10/27-28/11
• Sister Hazel: 10/29-30/11
• Hanson: 10/31-11/1/11
• The Pointer Sisters: 11/2-3/11
• Night Ranger: 11/4-6/11
• Air Supply: 11/7-8/11
• Richard Marx: 11/9-10/11
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: 11/11-13/11

I'd love to go see Sister Hazel and my wife will probably be going to .38 Special.  What about you?  What are your favorites on the list?