This past year was filled with plenty of excitement across many theme parks and special events, from Walt Disney World to Disneyland to Universal Studios to the D23 Expo and beyond. We were there to cover it all, sharing more new and fun videos than ever before.
In fact, 2013 brought more than doubled the audience of our YouTube channel, which grew from around 41,000 subscribers and 52 million total views at the beginning of the 2013 to more than 122,226 subscribers and 108 million video views today. That’s more than 56 million views in the year of 2013, totaling an estimated 161 million minutes watched. It was a HUGE year!
To recount all that fun, the top 10 most popular original new videos for 2013 are included below - ones shot, created, and uploaded within the year - followed by the top 10 most popular overall, as many past videos continued to bring big view counts throughout the year.
Our Top 10 Most Popular New Videos for 2013
The ten videos below are our most popular new and original videos made in 2013. These videos were all shot, edited, and uploaded within the past year, which brought plenty of entertainment and excitement from Florida, California, and beyond.
10. Moe’s Tavern opens at Universal Orlando in The Simpsons Springfield Fast Food Boulevard
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxPN-XB2IjY
Uploaded 6/1/13 - 316,814 views
The opening of Moe’s Tavern was long-awaited, attracting the attention of the entire world as guests of Universal Studios Florida had the chance to step inside the famous bar from “The Simpsons” for the first time.
9. FULL The Walking Dead Escape 2013 zombie experience at San Diego Comic-Con
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSISUtFk78
Uploaded 7/25/13 - 363,945 views
Following up on last year’s groundbreaking event, I once again armed myself with a GoPro handheld camera to battle hoards of walkers through The Walking Dead Escape, taking a nasty spill in the process - one that left me with scars still today. But it was worth it to entertain hundreds of thousands more YouTube viewers.
8. FULL Tangled / Rapunzel show in Fantasy Faire at Disneyland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G75sV7fQS6w
Uploaded 3/6/13 - 412,296 views
Disney fans were impressed when the new Fantasy Faire area opened with two outstandingly funny and original new shows, one of which is based on the incredibly popular film “Tangled.”
7. FULL “Frozen” World of Color segment with “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel at Disneyland Resort
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G31wNCwskI
Uploaded 11/15/13 - 724,021 views
The new “Let It Go” segment of the Christmas version of World of Color at Disney California Adventure offered most guests a first look at the extraordinary sequence from the film “Frozen.”
6. Idina Menzel sings “Let It Go” from Disney’s “Frozen” at the 2013 D23 Expo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXs-f5iy4PE
Uploaded 8/10/13 - 824,755 views
The biggest moment of the D23 Expo was the debut of the song “Let It Go” from the now-hit animated film “Frozen,” performed live by Idina Menzel - voice of Elsa in the film. At the time, fans had never heard the song nor knew the characters well. But now that the movie is out, the song has become the standout musical number and is already beloved, leaving this performance an important place in Disney history.
5. Sophia Grace and Rosie perform rap at Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt1tMlcTGZ4
Uploaded 5/11/13 - 826,137 views
Taping for The Ellen DeGeneres Show at the Magic Kingdom, kid stars and YouTube sensations Sophia Grace and Rosie performed a rap in front of Cinderella Castle. It’s no surprise that this video caught on fast.
4. Talking Megatron Transformers character meet-and-greet at Universal Studios Florida
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qtQBw90p_g
Uploaded 4/6/13 - 854,383 views
When Megatron made his first appearance at Universal Studios Florida, Transformers fans delighted in seeing his menacing size and hearing his evil-infused lines.
3. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron transform & talk at Transformers grand opening in Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuEf_UCgoO8
Uploaded 6/21/13 - 1,275,536 views
Getting inventive with character and voice actor appearances at the grand opening of Transformers - The Ride 3D at Universal Studios Florida, I edited together audio clips with walk-around characters and vehicles to create the illusion of them “transforming” on the red carpet.
2. Merida becomes 11th Disney Princess in coronation ceremony at Walt Disney World
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPE5lVHucG4
Uploaded 5/11/13 - 1,588,548 views
When Merida was honored at the Magic Kingdom in a special ceremony officially inducting her into the Disney Princess line, the world was watching via this front-row view capturing not only her special moment but also the first-ever theme park appearance by her mother, Queen Elinor.
1. All 11 Disney Princess gathering for the first time for Merida’s coronation at Walt Disney World
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imq3HqHSeIA
Uploaded 5/11/13 - 1,620,992 views
Disney Princesses are always popular and as Merida became the newest addition to the group, all 11 gathered at Cinderella Castle together for the very first time, bringing the most viewers to a single video in 2013.
Our Top 10 Most Popular Overall Videos in 2013
We’ve had more views on all our videos in 2013 than ever before, with many older videos continuing to grab a lot of attention. So below are the top 10 older videos that got the most views throughout the past year.
10. Grand Opening of Transformers: The Ride 3D at Universal Studios Hollywood
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZ2f4I_6uY
Uploaded 5/24/12 - 872,446 views in 2013 (1,311,815 total)
9. Disney Princess voices sing together at the 2011 D23 Expo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Biy-eJ2uwwE
Uploaded 8/20/11 - 947,603 views in 2013 (3,484,768 total)
8. Full Ride & Queue: The Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjqpMOZ3b-M
Uploaded 10/12/12 - 1,178,937 views in 2013 (1,366,410 total)
7. Grand opening of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at Universal Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xqRL5taVYE
Uploaded 7/2/12 - 1,444,339 views in 2013 (1,530,328 total)
6. Full Ride: The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at California Adventure, Disneyland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKipgkOdYIc
Uploaded 6/4/11 - 1,573,682 views in 2013 (3,712,050 total)
5. FULL The Walking Dead Escape zombie experience at San Diego Comic-Con 2012
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0PpSlINWI
Uploaded 7/14/12 - 1,752,702 views in 2013 (2,439,045 total)
4. Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem at Universal Orlando - Queue, pre-show, dance party, store
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zdb6cyIddI
Uploaded 6/13/12 - 2,170,048 views in 2013 (2,461,335 total)
3. Rapunzel becomes 10th Disney Princess with procession and coronation ceremony in London palace
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAgXLma5e5g
Uploaded 10/3/11 - 2,254,619 views in 2013 (3,993,111 total)
2. Jaws Ride: The Movie - An ultimate tribute to the Universal Studios Orlando attraction
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_t3Q6ahmyU
Uploaded 1/2/12 - 2,896,585 views in 2013 (4,401,110 total)
1. Mickey’s Soundsational Parade shot high above Main Street USA at Disneyland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XugM-fDTRI
Uploaded 6/3/11 - 3,615,437 views in 2013 (7,131,450 total)
Honorable Mentions
It’s also worth revisiting a few really popular videos that didn’t quite make the top 10 lists, though are still quite interesting and enjoyable. Below are a few more worth watching once again, including more from The Simpsons Springfield area, some haunted houses including Halloween Horror Nights, a bit of Star Wars Weekends, a couple from San Diego Comic-Con, and more.
Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard opens at Universal Orlando, Springfield expansion
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM8Dj-kQhEA
296,453 views
FULL The Walking Dead haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 2013 at Universal Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYloiXzo55g
192,857 views
Full Dance-Off With the Star Wars Stars 2013 during Hyperspace Hoopla at Walt Disney World
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kc7y2R_SSc
172,359 views
The X-Files 20th anniversary reunion panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2013
www.youtube.com/watch?v=scnPMpDHmrM
170,400 views
Full “Mickey and the Magical Map” show at Disneyland - Debut performance
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjaGlk6h7g0
167,742 views
Naked haunted house at Shocktoberfest Scream Park, Naked and Scared Challenge
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWv2A-yCbUA
151,778 views
Fantasy Faire Royal Hall Disney Princess meet-and-greets at Disneyland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmp7F3jMfwU
148,552 views
Interactive talking Optimus Prime debuts at Transformers: The Ride 3D in Universal Studios Hollywood
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTgwAeu-d7I
141,229 views
FULL Beauty and the Beast show in Fantasy Faire at Disneyland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8RTxzp0lGw
134,276 views
FULL Cabin in the Woods haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 2013, Universal Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nUH2fc01gY
112,330 views
Frozen Anna & Elsa meet-and-greet with Olaf in Fantasyland at Disneyland
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDEaohMdsk
96,775 views
Costumes & Girls of San Diego Comic-Con 2013 - SDCC Cosplay
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQrRniJ-tGQ
95,439 views
Voices of Optimus Prime, Megatron perform at Transformers: The Ride 3D grand opening in Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JMu8cw_Jjw
95,212 views
FULL World of Chima Quest for Chi ride multi-camera POV and queue at LEGOLAND Florida
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZOC-g0Cgl4
93,113 views
Grand Opening of Transformers: The Ride 3D with Optimus Prime, Megatron voices at Universal Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfibvZ76hzg
88,603 views
FULL An American Werewolf in London haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights 2013, Universal Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUN0KLaV0mQ
86,096 views
Monstrous Summer All-Nighter welcome ceremony with Mike and Sulley at Walt Disney World
www.youtube.com/watch?v=64U8Eiovu3c
85,696 views
FULL World of Color - Winter Dreams debut with Frozen, Toy Story at Disneyland Resort
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSY34r0kv_A
79,537 views
Talking Optimus Prime, Bumblebee characters + Transformers Supply Vault store at Universal Orlando
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o3rFXv_Pn0
76,654 views
All Halloween Horror Nights 2013 scare zones at Universal Orlando, featuring The Walking Dead
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs4J6HfogDo
71,025 views
Tom Hiddleston appears as Loki at San Diego Comic-Con 2013 during Marvel panel
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eufJ3BJa4Cc
70,009 views
Happy New Year and see you in 2014 with even more exciting and fun videos!