Stop by The Art of Disney to meet Disney Artist’s Don “Ducky” Williams and Gene Gonda. The Art of Disney, in the Marketplace neighborhood area of the Wald Disney World Resort’s Disney Springs, is featuring Disney Artists all month long during their “Art in August” event. Come see what inspires these artists to create their amazing Disney Artwork.
Don “Ducky” Williams is a Senior Character Artist and has been with the Walt Disney World Resort for more than 34 years. You may recognize some of his artwork as seen in the photo above. His art on display includes “Daddy’s Girl,” featuring Ariel and King Triton, “Until Midnight,” featuring Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, as well as “Meet Feline,” featuring Bambi and Feline. His artwork is available for purchase at The Art of Disney.
Gene Gonda began his career with the Walt Disney World Resort as a Show Finisher. His first love has always been drawing. In 1999 he became a Show Artist. Gene can be seen in the photo above with some of his featured artwork available for purchase at The Art of Disney. Take a few minutes to stop by The Art of Disney, in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs, to meet Gene and be sure to ask him about what inspires his artistic style.
The “Art in August” event at Disney Springs will be featuring many artists all month long. What a fabulous opportunity to meet some of the Disney Artists and make some new Disney friends. Be sure to stop by The Art of Disney to see the beautiful artwork on display created by these featured Artists.
Will you be attending the “Art in August” event at Disney Springs? Please leave your comments in the box below.
A dainty pair of earrings studs is a great way to add a delicate finishing touch to any outfit, be it casual or a night out. For a Disney lover it’s always exciting to find beautiful earrings with a subtle Disney touch like these Sterling Silver Dainty Minnie Mouse Earrings on Amazon.
The likeness of Minnie Mouse is captured in these cheerful stud earrings. They are also the embodiment of Minnie’s style and joy. These will for sure liven up any of your outfits. These are also a playful addition to any fan’s budding accessories collection. I think they truly are a perfectly dainty fit, to any outfit, casual or dressy!
Would you rock these heart filled Minnie Mouse earrings?
The cherished animated classic “Beauty and the Beast” broke ground as the first animate film to receive an Academy Award® nomination for best picture and its enchanting story and captivating characters have truly stood the test of time. In celebration of the film’s 25th anniversary the delightful holiday adventure inspired by the timeless tale, “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” will be released on DVD, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on October 25th.
“Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” reveals a Christmas past when Belle does her best to warm the Beast’s castle with the spirit and hope of the season. The film’s all-star voice cast features Robby Benson as Beast and Paige O’Hara as Belle, along with the castle’s enchanted staff including Jerry Orbach as Lumiere, David Ogden Stiers as Cogsworth, Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts, Haley Joel Osment as Chip, Bernadette Peters as Angelique and Tim Curry as a grumpy pipe organ who threatens to ruin the holiday festivities.
The film’s original musical score, composed by Academy Award®-winning film composer Rachel Portman, fully captures the spirit of the season. The holiday cheer carries on through extensive bonus material such as a behind-the-scenes featurette detailing the creation of this holiday heartwarmer, the “As Long as There’s Christmas” music video performed by Play, and a sure-fire family favorite—the movie sing-along!
Digital HD and DMA (Disney Movies Anywhere) Bonus Includes:
A Behind The Scenes Featurette – Step behind the scenes and witness how filmmakers created this irresistible holiday musical adventure, from storyboarding to special effects to the original musical score that lifts holiday spirits.
Disney Song Selection – Delight in the wonderful songs featured in the film and performed by the star-studded cast
Sing Along With The Movie – Grab a microphone, or a hairbrush, and sing along with your favorite songs from “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas”
“As Long As There’s Christmas” – Watch the music video for the holiday song performed by the Swedish pop group Play
Enchanted Environment – Bring the crackling fireplace from the Beast;s castle into your own home!
Disney’s Sing Me A Story With Belle: “Stick To It (Don’t Give Up)” – Belle shares an inspirational message encouraging viewers to keep trying and never give up.
DVD Bonus Includes:
Sing Along With The Movie
Just in time for the holidays, this wonderful film is perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 23, 2016. Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, who were behind “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” the film features an awesome roll call of characters brought to life by a talented group of actors.
“Moana” showcases the life-changing journey of a tenacious 16-year-old who teams up with the mighty demigod Maui to fulfill an ancient quest.
“Our assembled voice cast for this film is beyond our wildest dreams,” said Musker. “We are so fortunate to have this group of talented actors, many from Oceania, breathing life into their characters.”
Added Clements, “We are so thankful to have found such extraordinary people who not only capture the voices of these characters, they elevate them in every way.”
Joining Cravalho and Johnson are the following performers.
• JEMAINE CLEMENT (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) provides the voice of TAMATOA, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab who lives in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. The conceited crustacean wants to be more than a “bottom feeder” and overcompensates for this perceived shortcoming by covering himself in all things shiny.
• RACHEL HOUSE (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) lends her voice to GRAMMA TALA, Moana’s confidante and best friend, who shares her granddaughter’s special connection to the ocean. Although her son Tui, the chief of Motunui, is a no-nonsense leader, Gramma Tala most definitely dances to the beat of her own drum.
• TEMUERA MORRISON (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) voices Moana’s father, CHIEF TUI, the gregarious and well-respected leader of the people of Motunui Island. Chief Tui wants Moana to follow in his footsteps as leader of their people, but fears his daughter’s draw to the ocean and the world that lies beyond their reef.
• NICOLE SCHERZINGER (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End’s “Cats”) voices Moana’s mother, SINA, who always has her daughter’s back. Playful, sharp and strong-willed, Sina appreciates Moana’s longing to be on the water, but also wants to protect her daughter from the fabled dangers beyond the reef.
• ALAN TUDYK, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ lucky charm (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”), is behind the voice of HEIHEI. Heihei is one dumb rooster—the village idiot, in fact. When the clueless chicken accidently stows away on Moana’s canoe, he lands a front-row seat for her epic journey.
The roster of characters also includes the KAKAMORA, an intense team of crazy, coconut-armored pirates who will stop at nothing to get what they want, and PUA, Moana’s loyal pet pig with puppy energy and an innocent puppy brain.
ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
Ok, so, in case you didn’t know – aside from Disney World being the happiest place on earth – it is also at times the HOTTEST place on earth – that Florida sun can be brutal – and if you aren’t used to it, you can easily get: dehydrated, sunburned, heat stroke – or all 3.
Which is why you will want to follow my Top Tips For Keeping Cool at Disney World:
HYDRATE: I cannot stress this one enough – drink a TON while you’re out in the sun – and not just soda or juice or sports drinks – I am talking specifically about good old H2O here folks – make sure you always have a couple of water bottles handy (one for each person would be ideal), and make sure they are filled at all times, oh – and make sure you are actually DRINKING the water, too. I like to bring my own Nalgene-style water bottle from home, and fill it at my resort with water and ice before I leave for a day at the Parks. Obviously other drinks are great too, but nothing helps you stay hydrated like water – and you will be doing a lot of walking (and potentially a lot of sweating too….)
Put A Lid On It: Wear a hat. Even if you think you look silly in hats (like my husband) – trust me, there is nothing worse than a painful sunburn on your scalp – that hurts, then itches….just avoid it altogether and wear a hat, and hey, bonus – there are plenty of hats to choose from at WDW – including tons of Mickey Ear hats! Speaking of sunburn – you will want to slather every inch of visible skin with sunscreen, too – like hourly when possible. You may think I am being overly paranoid, but trust me I am not – that Florida sun can really beat down on you, and while it’s a pain to re-apply the stuff that often, it’s well worth the effort, as a bad sunburn can really ruin a vacation
Hang Out Inside: Obviously you will spend the majority of your time outdoors when at Disney World, but there are some ways to beat the heat by escaping to the indoors. Utilize the indoor seating when eating at restaurants, and shop as much as you want (indoor stores = air conditioning!). I also recommend you take advantage of the indoor rides/attractions at the Parks too – check out my top 5 indoor attractions here
Take Breaks: Don’t be so busy running around trying to see and do it all that you forget to relax and take breaks – after all you ARE on vacation, right? Find a shady spot to sit and re-hydrate and re-apply that sunscreen every hour or so, and take a break from the Parks altogether when the sun is the hottest – right around lunchtime and the earlier afternoon hours. Head back to your >a href=http://www.chipandco.com/category/park/res/>WDW Resort for lunch and a dip in the pool, or relax in your room and take a nap – either way, by dinner time you will be ready to head back out to the Parks for more fun in the (slightly less hot) sun!
Bring Along Your Own “Cool Tools”: Obviously you will be heading to the Parks armed with multiple water bottles full of nice cold water, but you can also bring a few other items along from home to help beat the heat. A Chilly Towel or two is a definite must – these are awesome little towels that you can wet with just regular tap water, and as that water evaporates the towel magically cools and is a great thing to wear around your neck while waiting in line for rides. The Parks sell handheld fans that you fill with water and can then mist yourself with, but they are pricey – so bring one along with you, they can be purchased online (like from Amazon)
Aside from helping you and your family stay healthy, these tips for keeping cool while at Walt Disney World will also help make you happier and more comfortable overall – and that’s pretty important when you’re on vacation, am I right?
OH – and one more tip – you will want to make sure you’re eating plenty of popsicles and Mickey Bars. Partly because they are nice cold treats, but also because they’re just awesome!
By now it’s no secret that I am TOTALLY obsessed with Mickey Mouse ear headbands. I also love all things cute and “mini”. I think my heart might have skipped a beat when I laid eyes on these Mickey Emoji Ears by KittySoKrafty on Etsy!
Emojis have been pretty big with Disney social media and games lately. There is even the Disney Emoji Blitz game, that has a bejewelled like spin. I find myself sticking Disney emoji graphics on lots of my vacation pictures, and instagram posts too! It’s only natural I would fall in love with a pair of ears made with the cutest Disney emoji fabric ever. These have little conversation hearts, Mickey’s yellow shoes, his ears, and even Minnie Mouse emojis are mixed in. Of course I also like the ability to customize and stand out. So I love that this designer offers you 4 different bow choices! You can get the now in a solid Black, Yellow or White with a glitter tulle overly. The fourth option you can get, is a red and white polka dot bow, reminiscent of Minnie Mouse herself.
These expressive ears are made to order, and I don’t think they could be any cuter! Check out these, and a few of my other favorite styles from the designer below:
On Friday it was confirmed that Walt Disney Imagineering, the division that designs the Disney theme parks, has begun laying off a big chunk of their staff. Some Disney websites are reporting layoffs in the hundreds! This branch of the Walt Disney Company is based in Glendale California.
These layoffs come just 2 short months after the Disneyland Shanghai grand opening. This park is one of the largest and most expensive parks to open so the company had to hire extra employees, now that the project is complete they are being laid off.
It has not been confirmed how many people have been laid off, however voluntary severance packages have been offered to employees who have been with the company the longest, senior employees, and those close to retirement.
Since Bob Weis was appointed president of the design company in January significant changes have taken place.
A Disney spokesman said:
“Walt Disney Imagineering is a project-based organization, and we continually evaluate and adjust our resources to support the design and development of Disney theme parks, resorts and experiences around the globe,”
Walt Disney Imagineers are still working on a bunch of projects in Disneyland, CA and Walt Disney World.
If you are a Tables in Wonderland Discount cardholder, then you may be interested to know that 4 new restaurants have been added to the list of participating discounts!
4 of Walt Disney World’s newest dining locations have now joined the list:
Disney’s Tables in Wonderland is a great dining discount card for guests who choose not to opt for the dining plan. It can save you up to 20% at certain participating locations around teh Walt Disney World resort.
Do you have this magical card?
If you’re unsure of where to begin planning your Disney Parks vacation, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my facebook pagehere.
ELENA OF AVALOR - Girl Scouts of the USA encourages girls and their families to practice leadership skills the Girl Scout way with inspiration from Disney Channel's new animated series Elena of Avalor. (Disney Channel)
Girl Scouts of the USA and Disney Channel are collaborating together on a project to inspire girls to practice leadership. This brings GSUSA’s focus on leading like a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)TM, the Girl Scout way, and Disney Channel’s recently launched animated series “Elena Of Avalor” together, with the debut of “The Elena Of Avalor, Leadership Guide” by Disney and Girl Scouts. It will be available in English and Spanish beginning today. The Guide showcases leadership activities and conversations that parents and caregivers can engage their preschool through fifth-grade girls in to boost their daily leadership skills and prepare them to create the future they imagine.
“Since 1912, Girl Scouts has proudly fostered a tradition of excellence that prepares girls, with the support of their families, to boldly take the lead in their lives in the ‘Girl’ Scout way,” said Sylvia Acevedo, interim CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA. “Recognizing that leadership development for youth begins early-on, we are particularly excited to work with Disney Channel on this collaboration tied to Elena of Avalor, a wonderfully innovative program that emphasizes the importance of embracing the mantle of leadership to a new generation. Because, as we say at Girl Scouts, ‘If the world needs more leaders, then we need more Girl Scouts!’”
Studies show early experiences in life impact leadership potential, and the family setting is the first place a child learns about how to be a strong leader. As uncovered by the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), the disconnect between the command-and-control definition of leadership and the more aspirational types of leadership points to potential pitfalls in communicating with girls about the benefits of leadership development programs. Additionally, girls are not confident about having the essential skills and competencies they think of as most important for a leader. GSUSA, with its established legacy in preparing girls to be leaders, believes in a holistic approach to leadership, which is a key component of the new leadership guide.
“As we launch Elena of Avalor on Disney Channel, nothing is more important to us than using the impact that we know television has on our audience to showcase strong, ambitious role models for young girls. Our work with GSUSA will give us the chance to amplify that message and be a part of the largest community of young female leaders, by providing materials and inspiration that demonstrate every girl has the power to lead,” said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide.
Also debuting is the inaugural “Elena of Avalor—Scepter of Light Award,” which will be presented to two Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. The Gold Award is the highest recognition a Girl Scout can earn, with recipients demonstrating extraordinary leadership through “Take Action projects” and exemplifying compassion, critical thinking, collaboration, and courage—the very leadership qualities that “Elena of Avalor” models. Award recipients will participate in events including Elena’s Royal Welcome at Walt Disney World in Orlando this August and a GSUSA event in Chicago in the fall.
Later this year, as part of Disney ABC Television Group’s Be Inspired pro-social efforts, Disney Channel and Disney Junior will air leadership-themed pro-social interstitials featuring Girl Scouts alongside Princess Elena, as well as kick off a user-generated contest encouraging girls to share how they exemplify being a G.I.R.L. on International Day of the Girl (October 11) and give them the opportunity to be featured on air.
Disney’s “Elena of Avalor” follows the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who saves her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Set in Avalor, an enchanted fairytale kingdom inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, Elena’s journey will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience, and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders. The series airs Fridays at 7:30 p.m. EDT on Disney Channel.
It appears Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground may be adding a new dining pavilion near Bay Lake and the Fort Wilderness’ Settlement Trading Post. Walt Disney Parks & Resorts have filed a permit with the South Florida Water Management District for a project that involves more than 3.65 acres of infrastructure.
The document indicated that the new infrastructure would be built “to serve a new dining pavilion building and associated pargo (golf cart) parking at Fort Wilderness.” No timeline for the project was given.
Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!
SeaWorld Orlando has teamed up with Firehouse Subs and Coca-Cola to say “Thank You” to Florida first responders. This collaboration of companies are honoring first responders for their bravery, sacrifice and service with a special opportunity to spend a day at the SeaWorld Orlando park with their families. Now through August 31st, first responders can register to receive free admission to SeaWorld Orlando, to be used anytime through September 30th.
In addition to complimentary admission, qualified first responders receive up to four discounted tickets for friends and family for just $49.50 per person. This is a savings of fifty percent off general admission.
To register for complimentary admission, qualifying first responders should visit SeaWorld.com/FirehouseSubs for more information on how to register. Tickets must be used by September 30, 2016.
What do you think of the collaboration to honor Florida’s first responders? Please leave your comments in the box below.
At the start of the year it was announced that Ethan Allen and Disney would be teaming up for a new furniture collaboration. We now finally have a release date, and I personally can’t wait to start seeing what this collection holds! We can look forward to seeing this Ethan Allen and Disney collaboration launch on November, 18 2016.
American brand Ethan Allen is an internationally celebrated icon, so it’s perfect for them to team up with Disney. This will actually be the first time that the Ethan Allen brand has teamed up with another brand like this.
“We are delighted to work with Disney—this initiative has been a great team effort from day one,” says Ethan Allen Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari. “We can’t give away too much right now, but expect to see clever nods to Disney icons in exclusive fabrics, furniture, and home accents—and plenty of surprises, too.”
This collection claims to be a collection that will be for the entire family, children and adults alike. This seems like a very promising aspect in an age when people want to decorate their homes with the characters and stories they love. There are many fabulous DIY projects out there that have produced some amazing results. This collection however, will probably be great for anyone! Even if they aren’t the crafty type.
on Amazon.
