Watch as Imagineers design and test the ride vehicles for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride coming to Fantasyland. Recorded at the Disney D23 Expo 2011.
A star-studded presentation from the Walt Disney Studios showcased its upcoming projects and A-List talent!
Dusty, the small-town crop-duster from DisneyToon Studios‘ upcoming feature “Planes,” has found his voice: Emmy Award®-winning actor Jon Cryer, lands the role of the daring dreamer who takes on the most notoriously grueling air race in history, and in the process gives a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. “Planes,” an all-new, CG-animated comedy action adventure, flies into homes on Blu-ray™ and DVD in Spring 2013.
“We are incredibly excited to have Jon Cryer on board as the voice of Dusty,” said John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. “Jon brings so much comedy and believability to this character who dreams of soaring alongside his heroes in the ‘Wings Around the Globe’ Rally. ‘Planes’ is a wonderful story that takes audiences on a great ride and Jon brings so much heart to the film.”
Cryer has starred in the hit CBS series “Two and a Half Men” for seven years, winning an Emmy® in 2003 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His credits also include films like “Due Date,” “Hot Shots” and “Pretty in Pink.”
Dusty lives in the small town of Propwash Junction, and the single-prop agriculture plane could not be further from the lean, mean, trophy-winning machines he idolizes – and his co-workers remind him constantly. His mentor Skipper is convinced that Dusty has the engine to compete with the best, and helps encourage him to pursue his lifelong dreams. But if Dusty wants to make his dreams a reality, he?ll need to push himself further than he ever imagined. With the help and support of a crew of all-new and hilarious characters, Dusty wings his way into the biggest challenge of his life.
“Planes,” set to introduce audiences to an entirely new and hilarious crew of daredevils from every corner of the globe, draws inspiration from the immensely popular world of Disney•Pixar’s “Cars.” Created, written and produced by DisneyToon Studios under the creative leadership of John Lasseter and directed by Emmy® nominated Klay Hall, “Planes” takes off with an international cast of the fastest air racers around, in a comedy packed with action and adventure.
Fasten your seatbelt and secure your carry-on items, more information on “Planes” will be arriving shortly.
Disney Store announced today the worldwide debut of the Princess Designer Doll Collection. As part of the D23 Expo Legends of Disney Awards ceremony, the honorees whose extraordinary voices brought to life many modern-day Disney Princess’ were presented with a designer doll matching the character they voiced in the movie.
The honorees included:
• Jodi Benson (Ariel from The Little Mermaid)
• Paige O’Hara (Belle from Beauty and the Beast)
• Lea Salonga (singing voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan)
• Linda Larkin (speaking voice of Jasmine from Aladdin)
• Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog)
Each of the ten classic dolls are dressed in a glamorous runway inspired gown that comes in its own special collector case with a sleeve that showcases the beautiful sketch art created for each one. D23 Expo guests are the first to see these beautiful dolls—expected to be one of the most sought after items this holiday season. Only a limited number of complete sets were available for pre-purchase at the D23 Expo, in addition to a special limited edition 25th Anniversary silver Cinderella. Starting Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, one new Disney Princess Designer Doll will arrive in stores each week for ten weeks in a random order not to be revealed to guests until each Monday when they go on sale.
Earlier I posted some of the small bits of news that came out of the Walt Disney Studio’s panel on the animation front. Now it’s time to take a look at some of the things that we’re talked about on the live action side. For now, a lot of the news was vague, but here’s a look at what’s coming soon from their live action department.
Disney’s ‘John Carter‘
Today’s is the second day of our coverage of the D23 Expo, and it started off in a big way with the Walt Disney Studios panel. For those in attendance, we were treated to a very cool two and a half hour behind the scenes look of what’s to come over the next few years from the Walt Disney Studios output from Disney Toons, Pixar, their live action division, Disney Nature, and Marvel Entertainment. There was so much to talk about, I’ve decided I’m going to split it up this article into two separate posts: One for the animation side, and one for the live action side. The first place we’ll begin is with Walt Disney’s animation side of the studio.
It’s that time again…for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! The parks will begin putting up the decorations on August 29th in preparation for the first Halloween party, which will be September 13th.
If you have purchased (or are considering purchasing) tickets for a special event such as the Halloween party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you need to be prepared! After you finish complaining about having to purchase separate admission to the park you should focus that energy on getting the most bang for your buck. There’s a reason they charge special admission and it’s not so you can laugh at everyone who has to exit the park at 7pm. Here are a few things you should look for:
1. Special event merchandise-No event goes un-commemorated at Walt Disney World. Look for special event merchandise, the Emporium usually has the best selection; but ask about other locations with event merchandise.
NOTE: Special event merchandise is for the folks attending the special event, so if you don’t have a ticket don’t expect to purchase event merchandise. The merchandise is kept in storage until the party time when it’s brought out for display and purchase.
2. The Parade-Yes, we have Moved it, Shake-d it, Celebrate-d it, and we know that Dreams Come True, but if Grim Grinning Ghosts are more your style DO NOT miss the parade! Listen for the hoofed sounds of the headless horseman to start the ghoulish parade. There are usually 2 parades and of course the second is always less crowded. Check your event map when you enter the park to be sure!
3. Happy HalloWishes-If a Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, then HalloWishes will take your breath away. You think you’ve seen fireworks at the Magic Kingdom…but I promise you, you’ve never seen them like this! They can be seen from various locations in the park; but for this one I’d recommend being in front of the castle! This show is so spectacular it’s normally only shown once, check your event times guide when you enter the park and be sure to adjust your touring plans accordingly.
4. Special appearances-There’s magic all over the park but you’ll be left in mystery until you arrive. I can tell you I have personally experienced unique Halloween themed PhotoPass opportunities (particularly by the Haunted Mansion…who doesn’t want a picture with the hitch-hiking ghosts?!) and have seen rare characters out and about (Snow White and ALL the Seven Dwarfs, etc.) so if you are a character hunter, have your eyes peeled! Look for characters at the dance parties throughout the parks and check the character location icons on your event map so you know where to hunt.
5. Trick-or-Treat-A Halloween celebration wouldn’t be complete without trick-or-treating. Grab your treat bag when you enter the Magic Kingdom and look for the treat stations set up throughout the park. There are one way lines and the treats are all similar at the various locations. Don’t forget your manners while you are in line!
*TIP*-The Pirates League and Bibbidy Bobbity Boutique are incredibly popular on Halloween party nights so if you’re interested in a pirate or princess transformation BOOK EARLY!
Common questions:
Q: “Do people dress up for the Halloween party?”
A: YES! Adults and children are allowed (and encouraged) to dress up for the Halloween party; although Disney does ask you use common sense and dress appropriately (ok…they say it in a much nicer and more politically correct way; I paraphrased)
Q: “Besides candy is there anything to eat in the park during the party?”
A: YES! Look at the sign outside of City Hall, or your event map, it will tell you what restaurants are offering quick service and table service dining throughout the night. Note that not all locations may be open for the duration of the party, so check the times and plan accordingly!
Q: “How much are the tickets?”
A: Click Here
Q: “Is it worth it?”
A: There’s only one way to find out…
One of the best aspects of training for a big race is getting your family/friends involved. For me, I convinced my husband to train with me. Of course, with a child under 1 at home, that meant that we trained on similar schedules, but on different days so neither of us had to push a screaming child in a running stroller for 2 hours. However, we both trained and ran the 1st mile of the half marathon together.
Another wonderful family-friendly option is the Disney Family Fun Run 5k. Unlike the half and full marathons, running strollers are welcomed, so a family can run together without the need for a babysitter.
The same day as the 5k, and also offered the following day, is Disney’s Kids’ Fest with races of different distances for children of all ages, from a 50 meter diaper dash (parents welcomed to help) to the Mickey Mile for the older children who want to run a full mile. Located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports track, there are music and entertainers in true Disney fashion entertaining the crowds.
For those who want to cheer for their racers yet not actively participate, the area of the ESPN Wide World of Sports that hosts packet pick up also hosts the ChEAR Squad which had a creative area to make signs and posters to cheer for your runners. Also, there are different packages for the spectators to have opt to have premium access to restrooms, beverages, and more, or simply just join in on the cheering fun!
Get involved and happy training. Hope to see you at the race!
If you haven’t already noticed, Disney Imagineers are kind of obsessed with mountains. Many of Walt Disney World’s most popular and thrilling attractions are based around (or in) mountains. Magic Kingdom has three mountains alone! But hey, I’m not complaining! Tackling the Disney mountain range is a priority during my Disney vacations, and for the other thrill junkies out there, I’m sure you feel the same. Therefore, I have decided to list the Top 3 Disney World Mountains!
3. Space Mountain-Disney World’s original mountain, Space Mountain is futuristic and impressive, and it has been offering timeless excitement for generations. This mountain hides the first indoor roller coaster and holds plenty of dips, drops, turns, and fun. Here you enter a space port and board a rocket to blast through the darkness of space at the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland! Because of its popularity, and the fact that it had been thrilling guests for generations, Space Mountain deserves the #3 Disney mountain slot!
2. Splash Mountain-Splash Mountainis one of Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions and is big hit with young and old alike! As Disney fans know, everything has a story and Splash Mountain is one of the best examples of Disney’s use of storytelling. On this attraction, you experience Brer Rabbit’s adventures right along with him as your log takes you in and out of Chickapin Hill. In addition to a few small dips, Splash Mountain’s iconic, climatic, 5 story drop is just the right amount of thrill to satisfy both thrill seekers and kids. Without a doubt, Splash Mountain is the #2 Disney mountain.
1. Expedition Everest-Disney’s newest mountain, Expedition Everest dominates the skyline of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This attraction takes you into foothills of the Himalayas where you embark on an expedition by train into the mountains, including the Forbidden Mountain where the mythical Yeti dwells. This coaster takes you forwards and backwards through the mountain at a smooth but rapid pace! Also, the mountain itself and its queue area is incredibly detailed and truly offers an immersive experience. This is why Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest is the #1 Disney mountain! If you’re an Everest fan, check out an awesome challenge that takes place at Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom here!
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Ever since Disney acquired Marvel back in 2009, I’ve been asked this question a lot: “Why did Disney buy Marvel?” or been told that “the companies just don’t mesh”, “Disney will dilute Marvel”, “Marvel is too violent for Disney”, and many more things of that nature. Some people refuse to believe Marvel and Disney can even coexist together, while others remain optimistic, but worried, at this merger. Since I’m a fan of both of these creative juggernauts, I’m the perfect person to be in a position to talk a little about why the Disney/Marvel partnership is a great thing for both companies, and fans.
With Marvel, Disney has now acquired a back catalog of characters that spans over 5,000. With Disney behind Marvel, Marvel can has great backing and funding from what is easily the biggest company for entertainment in the world. For fans of Marvel, this is great news, and nothing that you should be worried about. This presents Marvel with a new way to bring these characters to life in new ways that weren’t as easily attainable as before. Not just with the comics and movie medium, but through television, rides, and so much more now. Right now, Marvel is working on four TV shows: First we have a new Hulk TV show by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy) for ABC, as well AKA Jessica Jones, about a former superhero turned detective, both hoping to premiere in the 2012 fall season. Then we have Ultimate Spider-Man: The Animated Series, featuring Drake Bell as the voice of Peter Parker, which will premiere on Disney XD early next year. And finally Cloak and Dagger, but not much is known at the time, for ABC Family. This is on top of Marvel’s already impressive slate of movies: The Avengers in May, Iron Man 3 in May 2013, Thor 2 in July 2013, and the two new mystery projects that were announced last week for 2014. Rumors are running rampant that it could be anything from Captain America 2, Ant-Man, or Doctor Strange, all of which have been in active development. Marvel, as a company, is getting something that most comic book companies will never get the chance to do, and that’s put out movies and shows based off their characters, done by the company, and backed by Disney. It’s quite honestly the perfect situation.
Another great thing is for families with young boys. It’s no secret that Disney’s strongest property has always been their Disney Princess line. For years now, Snow White, Cinderella, Tiana, Mulan, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, Pocahontas, Aurora, and most recently, Rapunzel, have been Disney’s most well known characters, and made millions of young and teenage girls Disney fans for life. But the problem is, Disney has really only been catering to young girls, and young boys don’t have heroes of their own. Many of the films made geared towards them, such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Treasure Planet, and The Emperor’s New Groove all performed well below expectations and are not really widely known movies, which dimmed any hope of capitalizing on them. Without characters for young boys, they grow uninterested and Disney and think it’s “girlie”. I’ve run into many children like this, and it’s honestly a little bit disheartening. Tangled went through excessive overhaul to make Flynn Rider a character boys could relate to, and the name was even changed to make it more accessible for boys so they didn’t feel “girlie” watching it.
But with Disney’s acquisition of Marvel, they can finally reach that demographic and give them characters they can love and relate to as well. Disney has been trying to reach boys for years, especially recently, with things like Pirates of the Caribbean, Tron Legacy, and Prince of Persia. Now boys will be able to able to enjoy thrilling adventures with their favorite heroes like Spider-Man and Hulk, all under the Mouse House. That’s not to say things will distributed through the Disney label all the time. Some characters, especially some of the darker and more adult characters such as The Punisher, if made into another movie, could land under Disney’s Touchstone banner, which is their best option. As for the people who say Marvel is too violent for Disney, I’d like to point out that none of the Marvel Studios movies (Iron Man 1 & 2, Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America) have been any more violent then the other PG-13 movies Disney has produced like Pirates of the Caribbean and Prince of Persia. If Disney can produce those, then there is no reason they can’t produce superhero blockbusters as well.
The Disney/Marvel relationship is something that is going to do great things for both companies. Disney now has access to over 5,000 new characters to pick and choose from to reach a new audience, while Marvel now has the resources and backing to bring their characters to life in new ways. This is an excellent time to be a fan of both companies, and neither side should be afraid of what’s ahead. I really look forward to seeing where this partnership goes, and can’t wait to see what we learn this weekend at D23 about their partnership.
The start of Marathon weekend and all of the other race weekend’s at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort is possibly the biggest and most comprehensive store on property. No, not the World of Disney at Downtown Disney – Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo.
Located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports (buses available from all WDW Resort hotels), the race expo has more than you could even imagine. Forget your shoes? No problems – several companies set up shop, even offering big sales. Need a new pair of earbuds specially designed for runners? Need some energy foods for the race? No problem. You can find all of these and more at the Race Expo.
If you’re new to the running world, you’ll be amazed at the variety of vendors that come to the expo. From Thursday through Saturday, the race expo hosts speakers, companies, and all other exercise goods you could imagine. Make sure to stop by and experience all there is to be seen!
Today we have a question from Tonia, who has a question about sending packages home:
Tonia, thank you for the incredibly kind words! I know that it is the hope of every writer on the Chip & Company writing team that we are able to help out our readers when they have questions, so the fact that you and so many others enjoy what we write is music to our ears! I think that I have the answers that you need, but if I don’t answer all your questions, or you come up with some other questions, feel free to send followup questions either via the comments or by way of the Chip & Company Question Link.
Tonia, as you might expect, Walt Disney World thinks of almost everything when it comes to fulfilling the needs and requirements of their guests, and package shipping is no exception! As you probably know, one thing you can do when you stay at a Walt Disney World resort is have the package delivered to your resort if you are staying on property — depending on the resort, it will either be left in the gift shop at your resort or in some cases I believe it will actually be taken to your room. Additionally, Disney does offer package delivery to your home! They utilize both UPS and Fedex, so when you are looking to purchase your gifts, you can ask them about shipping it home at that point. The Cast Members should be able to tell you what it will cost to ship the packages home, however keep in mind that if you ship each package home when you purchase it, you will pay shipping charges for each one.
One other thing that you can do is to have your packages delivered to your resort if you are staying on property (or you can also pick them up as you leave the park), and then at that point talk with your resort’s business center about shipping your packages home from there. It may result in fewer shipping costs. If your resort doesn’t have a business center (some of them don’t), just inquire about it at the front desk or concierge desk, and they’ll be able to help you.
I hope that this helps you out, Tonia! Have a wonderful time, and thanks for writing!
