A Grand Easter Celebration at Walt Disney World

Easter is a very special time for many of us and is one of the most popular times to visit Walt Disney World.  Even Mr. & Mrs Easter Bunny enjoy spending some time at the Magic Kingdom greeting guests at "Bunny Lane Garden" - located to the left as you enter, next to City Hall.  They enjoy visiting with guests from 9am-6pm through March 31, 2013.  They also participate in the afternoon parade as special guests & add a bit of spring to the day. 



Something new to the Easter celebrations started last year at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.  I was thrilled to hear that now this is the 2nd Annual Easter Egg Display.  It is an amazing sight & if you enjoy the Christmas decorations throughout the resorts, you would surely be a fan of this display!  For 3 weeks, the Grand Floridian Bakery Team create fantastic works of art.  The eggs are hand decorated with modeling chocolate, fondant, sugar floral, royal icing, colored cocoa butter, sculpted sugar & pieces. 

The hollow eggs weight 9-12 pounds and stand 16-20 inches tall.  The eggs are on display through April 2, 2013.    

The detail in these designs are absolutely amazing and I do highly recommend checking out this display if you have the opportunity...and thankfully, it seems like this is a NEW ANNUAL EVENT, so keep this in mind if you're planning future Easter trips to Walt Disney World. 

 

 My top two favorite eggs on display were the Alice in Wonderland Tea Pot Egg pouring a cup of goodness...
The other was an Egg that was completely hollow and had a table set for a tea party.  I happened to capture a child admiring from the other side of the table and every piece is edible. 

For guests staying on property, it's good to know that you can purchase Easter Baskets for your child & have them delivered to the room...maybe even the Easter Bunny might send one your way.  Check your resort activity sheet for happenings as different resorts have different ways of celebrating including Easter Egg Hunts, Pool Parties, Relays, Games, Crafts, Campfires or Movies.  Some Disney Dining locations have special Easter events.  If you're interested in a special "Easter Brunch" on property or check out the Walt Disney World Swan Resort's Garden Grove has an Annual Easter Dinner Buffet.  Reservations are definitely a must for these special dining options.
Disney definitely has lots of FUN for Easter, but they also have services for guests who want to celebrate the true reason for the season in the happiest place on earth.  Easter services will be held at the Contemporary Resort's Fantasia Ballroom on Sunday March 31 from 8a-10:15a for Catholic Mass and 9am for Protestant Services.  There are local services for every religion and even non-denomination services for anyone interested in celebrating.  Even Sea World does a wonderful Easter celebration sponsored by the local Christian music radio station and sometimes has some great big name Christian artists...but you must be there EARLY because they do fill to capacity for this FREE event quickly. 
To all of you, I do hope that you have a WONDERFUL EASTER!  Have LOTS of FUN and I hope that you remember the real reason that we do celebrate this very special day!

The Dapper Dans

The Dapper Dans have been performing in Disneyland since 1959 and have been performing in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971.  "Dapper Dans" was a name given to "well dressed gentleman" during the 1940's to 50's.  No matter what year it is, there is a special kind of feeling as you walk right down the middle of Main Street, USA and get serenaded by a real working barbershop quartet.  This group does 9 sets a day, 7 days a week.  Dapper Dan members have changed over the years and have up to 12 singers at each park + subs to ensure that performances are fulfilled at all times.  But every performance is the BEST ONE they are doing...AT THAT TIME! --  And that is the type of humor that you will see mixed with song, dance and a very special instrument during their performances.

The Deagan Organ Chimes were patented in 1900 in Chicago, Illinois.  Each of the 8 chimes has 3 octaves of a single note, which completes a C Scale.  The Deagan Chimes were made by J.C. Deagan Company in Chicago around 1901.  Bub Thomas joined the Dapper Dans in 1970 and brought in the Deagan Organ Chimes, having used them in previous quartets.  Bub was taught how to use them from a woman named "Billie Bird" who was a Vaudeville performer as they worked together in the 40's-50's.  

The Dapper Dans have made several media appearances on TV over the years and with Disney's "Limited Time Magic" in 2013, The Dapper Dans were a piece of the magic by changing their musical line from Barbershop to a  "Boy Band" lineup including groups like One Direction & New Kids on the Block.  I hope that you do look for the Dapper Dans while in Disney parks and stop to enjoy the sweet A Capella sounds from the past and smiles to your face.