Well the rumors have been confirmed! A dragon did indeed make an appearance at the Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately it flew over on December 5th, 2012 at a VIP only event and Disney is not releasing any details of when or if it will make another appearance.

The only good news is that the entire search for the dragon has been chronicled on video. So take a look for yourself at what may be the origins of the beast, the search for the beast and what we hope (really, really hope!) will be the first of many appearances.

Everyone knows dragons come from eggs so it is only fitting the search for the truth begins with examining what looks like it could be a dragon egg. That or an ostrich on some major growth hormone.

The search continues with some very grainy footage of what could be a dragon. If it really is the Disney dragon, this is probably the earliest known footage.

We are not sure what he wished for on his birthday but chances are he got more than he bargained for in our next clip.

Let’s slow that down and take a better look.

This farmer was looking for some kids who had been tipping his cows. He didn’t find any kids though. Good news his barn was fine.

Parents at their daughter’s softball game did not strike out when it came to getting something other than the game on video.

This father and his son almost got too close to the beast at the Contemporay Resort.

Enter Gary. You just have to view this and come to your own conclusions. I’m still shaking my head.

But you can understand why he headed to the Magic Kingdom when he heard there might be a dragon headed that way.

Just when it seemed all the clues had dried up, an anonymouse source showed up.

Which left Gary sitting in the Enchanted Forrest. While the mission was partly successful, I think we can all agree, all things considered, Gary was fail on this night. Judging from his first video, it probably wasn’t the first failure in his life. Or the second. Or the third. I think you get the picture.

But hey he wasn’t crazy after all! He finally found the dragon. Well, maybe he is crazy. But he did find the dragon!

Stayed tuned for more info on the scaly beast!

Pirates, ahoy!

We’re happy to share here on the Disney Parks Blog today that a new interactive quest called A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas will debut in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park this spring. (And check out this great artist rendering that our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering just shared with us!)

In A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas, guests will use a pirate map and magic talisman to help them complete five different pirate raids throughout

Adventureland. The goal is to help locate different Treasures of the Seven Seas and fight off pirate enemies like the Royal Navy and Captain Barbossa, among others. If guests help Captain Jack succeed in all the missions, they’ll be welcomed as part of his new crew. If not, they’ll face the wrath of the cruel sea – alone.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more information on this new experience. In the meantime, if ye be excited to embark on this new pirate adventure, say “Aye!” in the “Comments” section below!

Well the rumors have been confirmed! A dragon did indeed make an appearance at the Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately it flew over on December 5th, 2012 at a VIP only event and Disney is not releasing any details of when or if it will make another appearance.

The only good news is that the entire search for the dragon has been chronicled on video. So take a look for yourself at what may be the origins of the beast, the search for the beast and what we hope (really, really hope!) will be the first of many appearances.

Everyone knows dragons come from eggs so it is only fitting the search for the truth begins with examining what looks like it could be a dragon egg. That or an ostrich on some major growth hormone.

The search continues with some very grainy footage of what could be a dragon. If it really is the Disney dragon, this is probably the earliest known footage.

We are not sure what he wished for on his birthday but chances are he got more than he bargained for in our next clip.

Let’s slow that down and take a better look.

This farmer was looking for some kids who had been tipping his cows. He didn’t find any kids though. Good news his barn was fine.

Parents at their daughter’s softball game did not strike out when it came to getting something other than the game on video.

This father and his son almost got too close to the beast at the Contemporay Resort.

Enter Gary. You just have to view this and come to your own conclusions. I’m still shaking my head.

But you can understand why he headed to the Magic Kingdom when he heard there might be a dragon headed that way.

Just when it seemed all the clues had dried up, an anonymouse source showed up.

Which left Gary sitting in the Enchanted Forrest. While the mission was partly successful, I think we can all agree, all things considered, Gary was fail on this night. Judging from his first video, it probably wasn’t the first failure in his life. Or the second. Or the third. I think you get the picture.

But hey he wasn’t crazy after all! He finally found the dragon. Well, maybe he is crazy. But he did find the dragon!

Stayed tuned for more info on the scaly beast!

But if you are like me you are not in that lucky number of people who have already experienced the New Fantasyland. For us unfortunates here are a couple videos to cheer you up. Well it will probably just make you want to more. It does me. Try to enjoy.

When Disney announced they were going to be adding some new attractions to Fantasyland they also mentioned they would be taking some away. One of those things that was destined to leave was Storytime with Belle. But have no fear Belle isn’t done telling stories and sharing her love of books. And now she is telling them in a whole new way and you can help. Well if you are a kid in body and not just heart.

Recently they released a video introducing Enchanted Tales With Belle. That video really focused on the pre-show.  If you missed it check it out here.

This week they have gone a step further and taken us inside the show itself.

One of the highly anticpated new features of the New Fantasyland is the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Themed, as you might guess, with details from Beauty and the Beast, this new dining establishment will be in the Beasts Castle, one of the two new castles that are part of the Fantasyland expansion.

As you will see from the video below Be Our Guest will certainly be an immersive experience. There are three areas to dine in, the Ballroom, the Rose Gallery and the West Wing. Each area is filled with detail from the movie, from an actual rose that drops petals to snow falling outside the windows. Guests will truly feel as though they are in the movie.

Be Our Guest will offer two dining experiences.  During the day it will be a counter service restaurant but at night it will offer table service amenities. All of the meals will offer a french flaire. The menu will include:

• Sandwiches and salads at lunchtime, including the classic croque monsieur (ham and cheese sandwich), tuna Niçoise salad and grilled steak sandwich with garlic butter spread—plus, of course, pommes frites (French fries)
• Heartier fare at dinner, including braised pork, grilled strip steak with pommes frites, French onion soup and vegetable quiche, accompanied by a selection of wine and beer that complements the French-inspired cuisine

For a full menu check out this great post by the wondeful team at the Disney Food Blog. Another thing to note for those who enjoy adult beverages, this will be the first restaurant in the Magic Kingdom to offer alcohalic beverages.

Be sure to watch the video!

This Disney produced video let’s Walt tell us the story of his life. We miss you Walt!

Near the top of the page, just under that wonderful panoramic picture of Mainstreet USA, are tabs for Featured Content, Videos and News and Rumors. These have been updated to make it easier for you, our valued guests, to find out what Grumpy has putting down so you can pick it up!

Check them out! Included are links to an excellent Disney produced video about Walt Disney (under featured content) as well as some cool videos of the Fantasyland expansion , including one on the Seven Dwarfs Mine coaster (under Video).

Joey Hagerty, one of the famous monkeys, actually won a bronze medal in 2008 at the Olympics in Beijing. Watch the video to hear from him.

So I wonder which is more exciting? Competing in the Olympics or working at WDW in the best show they have. I know what I think.