Home Blog Page 4944

Bruce Boxleitner Talks with Cooking with Mickey about the D23 Expo

Bruce Boxleitner Talks with Cooking with Mickey about the D23 Expo

Earlier this week I had an opportunity to chat with actor Bruce Boxleitner about his participation in this year’s D23 Expo. Boxleitner, one of Hollywood’s enduring leading men, starred as Alan Bradley/Tron in the 1982 original film TRON, reprised his role in the 2010 sequel, Tron: Legacy, and voiced the main character in the video game, Tron: Evolution, which released alongside the movie sequel. He is currently providing his voice for the character of Tron in the upcoming animated series Tron: Uprising. Known to sci-fi fans worldwide, Boxleitner also starred in the hit TV series, Babylon 5, as well as having a four-year run opposite Kate Jackson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

In my mind Disney was the place to take Tron, Disney IS animation and the home of magic. Both directors of the films were very tech savvy and were pioneers in the realm of CGI. I look forward to Tron: Uprising and Disney XD’s twist on they type of animation that was in Tron: Legacy. I’m amazed at the whole motion-capture thing as well. – Bruce Boxleitner

Read the entire interview at CookingwithMickey.info.

On Saturday (8/20/11) The D23 Expo will feature cast members from both “Tron” films. From the original TRON, Bruce Boxleitner (TRON himself) will be signing from 11 – 1pm only. Also appearing will be Cindy Morgan (Yori) and Jackson Bostwick (Lead Sentry Guard) will be signing from 10 – 4pm. From the new Tron: Legacy Anis Cheurfa (Rinzler) and Rob Daly (Lead Sentry Guard) will be appearing and signing from 10-4pm as well.

Don’t forget to listen to our interview with Bruce Boxleitner on the WDW Tiki Room show on Sorcerer Radio this Friday at 8 a.m./eastern on www.SRSounds.com! Read the press release.

This interview is made possible by CookingwithMickey.info and JediMouseketeer.blogspot.com.

Bruce Boxleitner Talks with Cooking with Mickey about the D23 Expo

Disney fans who can’t attend this year’s Disney D23 Expo can experience it from the comfort of their computer monitors. Sorcerer Radio’s Kristen and Aljon, hosts of the WDW Tiki Room show will be offering live coverage of all the news and press events providing fans unrivaled access to this epic event. They will also have Sorcerer Radio giveaways as well so please feel free to say hello. The network’s live coverage of the D23 Expo begins June 19 and continues through June 21. There is also a live stream of the Sorcerer Radio Network’s WDW After Dark from the convention center as well.

Be on the look out for Kristen and Aljon as they stream live from the event at www.SRSounds.com. Follow them on Twitter @wdwtikiroom and “like” them on Facebook.

  • Sorcerer Radio Preview (Week of 8/15) (chipandco.com)
Bruce Boxleitner Talks with Cooking with Mickey about the D23 Expo

Disney Fashion for Tweens at D23 Expo and Live on Stardoll.com

Disney Fashion for Tweens at D23 Expo and Live on Stardoll.com

Tween girls won’t want to miss the fashion event of the year – the Disney Fashion Show at D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan event, featuring new back-to-school and fall fashions plus holiday looks, and a sneak preview of spring 2012 styles. Celebrity guests from Disney Channel’s hit buddy comedy series Shake It Up will make a special appearance including Bella Thorne (CeCe); Zendaya (Rocky); Adam Irigoyen (Deuce Martinez); Davis Cleveland (Flynn); Kenton Duty (Gunther); Roshon Fegan (Ty); Caroline Sunshine (Tinka) and R. Brandon Johnson (Gary Wilde). For fans who can’t attend the Expo, Disney Consumer Products is collaborating with Stardoll.com, the largest tween site for girls who love fashion, to stream the event live online and host a virtual boutique at the Disney Fashion Lounge. The fashion magic happens Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. PDT in the D23 Expo Arena or on Stardoll.com.

The Disney Fashion Show will feature fashion-forward, dance-ready styles inspired by various Disney Channel characters including CeCe and Rocky from Shake It Up. Fashion collections showcased on the runway will include: D-Signed’s Shake It Up line available at Target stores nationwide and Target.com; stylish Shake it Up-inspired footwear available at Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide and Payless.com; plus chic athletic clothes from ivivva athletica coming this spring to ivivva.com.

Clips from the fashion show, as well as exclusive video interviews and backstage features, will be posted on Disney.com/fashionlounge starting Sept.12, with new videos added throughout 2011. Stardoll.com will also host an online Disney Fashion Lounge where tweens can interact with virtual avatars of CeCe or Rocky and dress them in clothing from the fashion show plus virtually decorate their personal suites. The Disney Fashion Lounge will be refreshed regularly to feature new collections seasonally highlighting the most current Disney Channel-inspired styles available at retail.

“Fans of all ages will experience the fun and energy of the new tween fashion lines at our Disney Fashion Show at the D23 Expo, and through the power of the Internet, millions of fans at home can share in the excitement by viewing it online in real-time,” said Stephen Teglas, vice president and general manager, Fashion & Home, Disney Consumer Products. “With more than 25 million registered Stardoll.com users in the United States, our collaboration with the site gives young fans an unprecedented opportunity to experience fashion in an interactive and creative way. It fits perfectly with our collection’s emphasis on mixing and matching and self-expression.”

“This innovative collaboration gives our Stardoll users and Disney’s fan base an opportunity to engage with Disney fashions virtually,” said Chris Yates, VP of Sales at Stardoll Media. “It bridges the gap between the online experience and offline reality for tens of millions of our fashion-savvy fans.”

Guests attending the Disney Fashion Show at D23 Expo are encouraged to give back by donating a new piece of clothing for Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, which provides relief to families in need, as well as survivors. Expo attendees can drop off their donation throughout the weekend at the Fashion Delivers drums located inside the Disney Living Pavilion on the show floor.

Sponsors of Disney’s Fashion Show include Target, Payless and ivivva athletica.

  • Panasonic Named Exclusive Sponsor of D23 Expo (chipandco.com)
  • Marvel Studios Makes Appearance at D23 Expo (chipandco.com)
Disney Fashion for Tweens at D23 Expo and Live on Stardoll.com

Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ Cast to Be at D23

At D23 Expo this weekend, Marvel will making it’s freshman appearance at the Disney convention, and is bringing some very big guests with them.

On Saturday, August 20th, at the Walt Disney Studios panel, which starts at 10:30 am. Marvel Studios President of Production, Kevin Feige , will share the stage with the rest of the Disney studio heads to talk about what we can expect from them over the next few years. Feige will be talking about the future of Marvel Studios and will also bring us look at next year’s incredibly anticipated crossover film, The Avengers. On top of that, the cast of The Avengers (pictured above), including Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Steven Rogers/Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/The Hulk),  Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton/Hawkeye), and Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson) will be in attendance as well to talk about the movie, which is currently filming! That already adds onto the excitement of the fact that The Avengers has a presence at the convention.

Of particular note, Marvel didn’t hold a presentation at Comic-Con for The Avengers this year, which makes this a very big deal. To take such a big movie and make it a D23 exclusive will put this convention on the map, and even get them some serious business in the years to come. It was a great move on Disney’s part to hold back on the big reveal for their own convention. This, for me, adds on to excitement I’m already feeling for this weekend.

Also, on Sunday 21st at at 10:15 am, Marvel will be front and center in the Arena with a panel that will span from the beginning of Marvel’s first published comic in 1939 until now, while featuring an interactive Q&A. The panel will be hosted by Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, who was quoted saying “We’re thrilled to be a part of the one-of-a-kind show that is Disney’s D23. Whether attendees are new to the world of Marvel or longtime fans, they’re going to love what we’ve planned for them!” Don’t miss it!

Long time Marvel fans should have a lot to look forward to this weekend, while Marvel should be gaining quite a few new fans as well. As a huge Marvel fan, I know I’m greatly looking forward to it, and I can’t wait to see what Marvel and Disney have in store for the future.

I’ll be at D23 this weekend covering all things Marvel, so stay tuned for more!

  • Marvel Studios Makes Appearance at D23 Expo (chipandco.com)
Marvel's 'The Avengers' Cast to Be at D23

Disney Sponsored Book Club Helps Young Readers Thrive

Disney Sponsored Book Club Helps Young Readers Thrive

More than 300 local students are discovering ways to make reading more fun by taking part in Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Book Club. The club is helping increase leisure reading among 5th through 8th grade students both online and through weekly programs at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and at various branches of the Orange County Public Library System.

Walt Disney World Resort gave $15,000 to sponsor the book club, which kicked off earlier this year. The program is one of five efforts underway as part of the Orlando Cares-Cities of Service Initiative that aims to engage Orlando residents in volunteer efforts to improve youth literacy.

  • Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Offer Lowest Rates of the Year to Hospitality Workers (chipandco.com)
  • Ask a Disney Question: Shipping Packages Home (chipandco.com)
Disney Sponsored Book Club Helps Young Readers Thrive

Disney/Pixar Characters Coming to a Stamp Near You

Disney/Pixar Characters Coming to a Stamp Near You

Since 1986, Pixar films have stretched the boundaries of our imagination with stories about unlikely heroes who explore the bonds of friendship and family. Now some of those heroes are the subjects of colorful new Send a Hello stamps that encourage people to connect with loved ones through the mail.

The Send a Hello stamps, which go on sale Friday Aug. 19th, are a natural outgrowth of the Art of Disney stamp series issued between 2004 and 2008. Originally intended as a series of three annual issuances depicting friendship, celebration, and romance, the Art of Disney stamps proved so popular that the Postal Service expanded the series to include issuances in 2007 and 2008 to celebrate imagination and magic.

Based on that success, the Postal Service was eager to work with the Walt Disney Company again, choosing to explore the Disney*Pixar films, which offer exciting, contemporary characters and strong themes involving family and friends.

This pane of 20 stamps includes five different designs featuring Pixar characters: Lightning McQueen and Mater from Cars (2006); Remy the rat and Linguini from Ratatouille (2007); Buzz Lightyear and two of the green, three-eyed aliens from Toy Story (1995); Carl Fredricksen and Dug from Up (2009); and the robot WALL*E from WALL*E (2008).

Since the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature was introduced in 2001, all seven Pixar films released since that time have been nominated and five of the seven have won, including Ratatouille, WALL*E and Up.

A first-day-of-issue ceremony will take place at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., with John Lasseter, the studio’s chief creative officer, and Ronald A. Stroman, deputy postmaster general.

Forever stamps can be used anytime, even after the postal service raises rates. They are valid for the current first-class rate.

 

Disney/Pixar Characters Coming to a Stamp Near You


  • Around the “Disney” World – Pixar Place (chipandco.com)
  • Disney Confidential – Will Monsters Inc Coaster become a Reality? (chipandco.com)
Disney/Pixar Characters Coming to a Stamp Near You

Restaurants to Expand at Disneyland Park on Main Street U.S.A

The Plaza Pavilion at Disneyland Park

Today marks the start of very exciting expansion projects on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park. Disney is getting ready to welcome a new bakery and looking forward to expanded space in some of their existing eateries.

The expansion kicks off with the all-new Jolly Holiday Bakery Café. The bakery will be located on the current site of the Plaza Pavilion, which recently hosted the Annual Passport Processing Center. The new location will feature an expanded menu, as well as outdoor seating. When Jolly Holiday Bakery Café opens in January 2012, the Blue Ribbon Bakery will close to make way for the next step in the Main Street, U.S.A., project.

We’re also excited to announce that, for the first time in decades, Carnation Café will once again offer indoor seating to Disneyland park guests, increasing the total number of seats and giving guests more options for experiencing this iconic restaurant year-round. Carnation Café will close for this refurbishment at the beginning of 2012 and re-open in the summer.

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor and the Candy Palace display kitchen will also be gaining additional space. The newly reconfigured ice cream parlor will create more room for guests purchasing the extremely popular hand-dipped cones, and a larger Candy Palace kitchen will allow even more guests to view magical sweet treats as they are created. These locations will close in January 2012 and re-open in the spring.

Stay tuned as we’ll have more details on this project as it develops.

Source Disney Parks Blog

Restaurants to Expand at Disneyland Park on Main Street U.S.A

  • Around the “Disney” World – Main Street, U.S.A. (chipandco.com)
  • Best Food Values at Disneyland Resort (chipandco.com)
Restaurants to Expand at Disneyland Park on Main Street U.S.A

Wednesday with Walt: It All Started with A Man

Wednesday with Walt: It All Started with A Man

Recently, I read an article posted in The Orange County Register that broke my heart. In the article, Walt Disney’s daughter remembers her dad (July 15th, 2011), Diane Disney Miller said something very disturbing for Walt Disney fans like me. Mrs. Miller said, “the story of her father – the man who started it all – had been lost.” She also stated in the article, “It became really apparent to me – from things I heard from my children and grandchildren – that many people didn’t even know there was a man named Walt Disney. They thought it was a brand, an entertainment company.”

I am heavy-hearted by Diane Disney Miller’s point of view as I have never realized that some people don’t even grasp that Walt was a special, gifted individual who lived, breathed, laughed, brought and continues to bring happiness to people’s lives every day.  Though the company has evolved and grown, and has changed a great deal from what Walt started, it was he who started it all.

I am hoping that this article might spark something in anyone reading it to start conversations about Walt and his unique gift. When visiting Walt Disney World, I hope that everyone will tour a great exhibit called “One Man’s Dream” which is located in Pixar Place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Inside its doors, you will find a treasure-trove of items from the life and achievements of this great man whom I so would have loved to have met. One Man’s Dream is a tribute to Walt Disney as it showcases the life and career of the extraordinary man Walt was. Many of his accomplishments and successes are highlighted here.

Wednesday with Walt: It All Started with A Man

One Man’s Dream is a walk-through exhibit. Visiting this attraction is easy to incorporate into your touring schedule. You can even break up the visit throughout the day, but be sure to see the movie of One Man’s Dream which is at the end of the walking tour. If you are short on time after you tour the exhibits, come back later for the film.  If the film is in session, the doors will be closed but please wait. Shows last 15 minutes and it is a really great  film. For my family, it is a magical must-see on every trip.

Special Notes: One Man’s Dream is wheelchair/ECV accessible; there are translator units available at the entrance, and there is even a Trivia Quiz (ask a Cast Member for the trivia quiz and if your kids complete it correctly, they will receive a certificate)!

Everyone reading this post has been fortunate enough to know that Walter Elias Disney was a real person. For any guest to enjoy all that Disney has to offer without realizing what a gift the man was would be a sad thing. Please spend some time getting to know the legacy of the man who started it all. His advice to dream big dreams is one of the most important things our kids can learn, and Walt’s life is an inspiration to us all!

  • Imagineers Go Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (chipandco.com)
  • Disney Confidential – Will Monsters Inc Coaster become a Reality? (chipandco.com)
Wednesday with Walt: It All Started with A Man

PHINEAS & FERB THE MOVIE: ACROSS THE 2ND DIMENSION on 2-Disc DVD Set only

PHINEAS & FERB THE MOVIE: ACROSS THE 2ND DIMENSION on 2-Disc DVD Set only

Families can bring home Disney Channel’s original movie,Phineas and Ferb The  Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension, in the 2-­Disc “Ultimate Fan Pack” DVD Set on August 23, 2011. Based on Disney Channel’s   #1 animated hit comedy series among Tweens 9-­14 for three years running, this epic release comes packaged with a DVD of the movie, a digital copy of the movie with eight digital music tracks, all new bonus features and an awesome do-­it-­yourself Platypult Kit – all for the suggested retail price of $26.99 in the U.S. and $29.99 in Canada.

This special 2-­Disc “Ultimate Fan Pack” also includes a variety of cool bonus features (i.e., eight deleted scenes, an exclusive song, a sing-­along “Perry-­oke” feature, and a bonus episode). The Digital Copy lets viewers transfer the movie and the eight digital music tracks onto their laptop and/or portable devices of  choice – to watch the movie or listen to songs anytime, anywhere and at the touch of a button. The Ultimate Fan Pack is the perfect gift for teens and/or families on-­the-­go!

Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension features Disney Channel’s dynamic animated duo, Phineas Flynn and his stepbrother Ferb Fletcher, as they go on their biggest adventure yet. When the boys discover that their pet platypus Perry is in fact a secret agent who battles the forces of evil daily, they join him on a grand adventure that blasts them to another dimension where a truly evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz has taken over an alternate Tri-­state Area. This larger than life, action-­packed adventure will have the entire family laughing out loud!

Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension was co-­-created and executive producedby Emmy® Award-winner Dan Povenmire (Director for TV’s “Family Guy”; Director/Writer for “SpongeBob SquarePants”) and Jeff “Swampy”  Marsh (Writer/Director for TV’s “Rocko’s Modern Life”; Artist for “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill”).

Bringing each and every character to life are the voice talents of Vincent Martella (Role Models, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigilo) as Phineas Flynn, Thomas Brodie-­Sangster (Love Actually, Nanny McPhee) as Ferb Fletcher, Dee Bradley Baker (TV’s “American Dad,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”) as Perry the Platypus, Ashley Tisdale  (Sharpay’s Fabulous AdventureHigh School Musical franchiseas Candace, Mitchel Musso (Pair of KingsHannah MontanaHatching Pete) as Jeremy Johnson and Alyson Stoner (Step Up 3D, Camp Rock 1 & 2) as Isabella, to name just a few.

Bonus Features:

-­ 8 Deleted Scenes  –  “Mysterious Force,” “Doof’s  Lair,” “Vanessa Meets Doof,” “Blimp Ride,” “Memory Wipe,” “Danville Newscast,” “Inventions Revealed” and “Robot Riot Extended”

-­ Perry-­oke  –  a sing-along feature that allows viewers to sing along to the on-­screen lyrics

-­ Dr. D’s Jukebox-­inator  –  an on-­screen jukebox that allows users to play all eight digital music tracks from their home entertainment system

-­ Bonus Episode “Attack of the 50 Foot Sister”  –  a bonus episode with character and creator commentary

Disc Specifications:
Street  Date: August  23,  2011
Release Format: 
2-­Disc DVD “Ultimate Fan Pack” (DVD + Digital Copy)
Suggested Retail Price: $26.99U.S./  $29.99  Canada
Feature Run Time: 77  minutes
Rated: TV-­G  (U.S.)  /  PG  (Canada)
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen  1.78:1  (Enhanced  for  16×9  Televisions)
Audio: Dolby  Digital  5.1  Surround  Sound
Languages/Subtitles: English,  French,  Spanish

  • Review: Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension (chipandco.com)
  • Phineas And Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension – Releasing as a Disney 2-Disc DVD Set August 23, 2011 (chipandco.com)
PHINEAS & FERB THE MOVIE: ACROSS THE 2ND DIMENSION on 2-Disc DVD Set only

BAMBI 2 on Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack August 23rd!

BAMBI 2 on Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack August 23rd!

Walt Disney Studios invites audiences to once again fall in love with the adorable, beloved forest friends – Bambi, Thumper, Owl, Flower and Faline – in this magnificent Bambi II Special Edition, the heartwarming story of a son’s courage and a father’slove. Available for the first time in Blu-ray high-definition, this touching sequel to Walt Disney’s original animated classic Bambi is finally releasing from the Disney vault on August 23, 2011 and will be available for a limited time.

Celebrate the unbreakable bonds of family and the power of friendship in this remarkable story, which reveals how Bambi was raised by his father, the Great Prince of the Forest. Perfect for the whole family to enjoy, this collectible release was packaged to include a variety of special bonus features including a new deleted song, interactive games, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and more.

Bambi II will be available for purchase as a 2-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for the suggested retail price of $39.99/$46.99   Canada, a 1-Disc DVD for $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada, a High Definition Movie Download for $39.99 U.S./46.99 Canada and/or a Standard Definition Movie Download for $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada. For more information on this release, please visit www.Disney.com/Bambi2.

Bonus Features:

Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack

  • All-New! Friend Owl’s Forest Fun Games – three Interactive learning games
  • All-New! Deleted Song – “Sing the Day”
  • Thumper’s Hurry Scurry – an interactive game
  • Disney Sketch Pad: Learn to Draw Thumper – a tutorial on how to draw Thumper
  • Bambi II – The Legacy Continues – a featurette about the history behind Bambi II
  • Bambi’s Trivia Tracks – pop-up text that reveals fun facts about the movie

Movie Download

  • New! Deleted Song – “Sing the Day”
  • Disney Sketch Pad: Learn to Draw Thumper – a tutorial on how to draw Thumper
  • Bambi II – The Legacy Continues – a featurette about the history behind Bambi II

Social Media:

Those who want to stay connected with what’s happening with the upcoming release of Bambi IIare encouraged to:

“Like” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DisneyBambi

Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DisneyAnimation

View exciting trailers, video clips and more at http://www.youtube.com/disneymovies

Bambi Voice Talent:

As with all of Disney’s animated classics, Bambi II is distinguished by an exceptional cast of voice talent including Alexander Gould (Finding Nemo, TV’s “Weeds”) as Bambi, Patrick Stewart (TV’s “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” The X-Men movies) as the Great Prince and Andrea Bowen (TV’s “Desperate Housewives”) as Faline. The charming original songs in Bambi II are brought to life by a who’s who of extraordinary vocalists including Alison Krauss and Martina McBride.

Bambi II Synopsis

Bambi, one of the silver screen’s most cherished characters, makes his triumphant return. The eagerly awaited next chapter of Bambi’s unforgettable story continues for a whole new generation in a film that’s sure to delight your entire family. Join Bambi as he reunites with his father, the Great Prince, who must now raise the young fawn and teach him the ways of the forest. But in the adventure of a lifetime, the proud parent discovers that there is much that he can learn from his spirited young son. Thumper, Flower, Owl, and your favorite characters return – and you’ll meet some wonderful new friends – as Bambi’s magnificent legacy continues.  Illustrated in the breathtaking animation style of the original classic and bursting with new songs, Bambi II is truly a wonder to behold.

Disc Specifications:

STREET DATE: August 23, 2011

Feature run time: 72 minutes
Rated: G (Bonus Material Not Rated)
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray = 1080p High Definition/1:78:1
DVD = Widescreen/1.78:1/Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions
Audio: Blu-ray = English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Suggested Retail Prices: 2-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack = $39.99/$46.99  Canada
1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
High Definition Movie Download = $39.99 U.S./46.99 Canada
Standard Definition Movie Download = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

BAMBI 2 on Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack August 23rd!

Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Offer Lowest Rates of the Year to Hospitality Workers

Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Offer Lowest Rates of the Year to Hospitality Workers

Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels will offer their lowest rates of the year to all hospitality workers who visit from August 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011 as a special salute to the front-line ranks who make vacation wishes come true for millions of travelers each year.

“Travel industry employees work hard year-round to ensure that visitors enjoy their travel experiences, and they certainly deserve recognition for their contributions to the traveling public,” said Marti Alexander, chairperson of the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotel’s marketing committee. “There’s no better way to salute them than with special savings for their own travel.”

Travel Industry Appreciation Days at the seven official Walt Disney World® resorts is being offered in conjunction with the Second Summer destination-wide promotion by Visit Orlando that features the best deals of the year from August 15, 2011 through September 30, 2011. Travel industry employees who wish to take advantage of the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels’ hospitality workers’ discount must show proof of employment with either a photo identification card or a current paycheck stub. Employees from hotels, restaurants, airlines, airports, attractions, rental car companies, cruise lines, tour operators and other travel companies are eligible for the savings. The special hotel promotional rates are only good for travel during the promotion timeframe. Space is limited, and some black-out dates apply to the following offers:

Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel
Rates start at just $55 per night, plus complimentary continental breakfast for two people daily (a $9 value). Guests can upgrade to one of the hotel’s Disney View rooms for just $5 more per night (a savings of $15 per night) and enjoy the EPCOT® Center fireworks from the comfort of their own furnished private balcony. The towering 18-story, tri-arch hotel is surrounded by 12 acres of lush, tropical landscaping that showcases the area’s natural wildlife. To book a stay with the hospitality workers’ discount, visit

Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
Rates are from $79 per night to $89 per night based on availability. The award-winning hotel is a chic, sophisticated, decadently comfortable resort with a 10,000-square-foot spa, seven restaurants and lounges, and countless recreational activities. To book a stay with the hospitality workers’ discount, visit

Doubletree Guest Suites
Rates are 25 percent off already-reduced summer rates. As the only all-suite resort hotel inside the Downtown Disney® resort area, the Doubletree features 229 spacious suites with one and two bedrooms as well as separate living rooms with queen sofa sleepers, movies, workspaces, wet bars and much more. To book a stay using the hospitality workers’ discount, visit DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort ~ Travel Industry Appreciation Days.

Hilton Orlando Resort
Travel industry employees receive 20 percent off the best available rate at the time that they book their reservations. The 814-room property is the only hotel to offer Disney’s EXTRA MAGIC HOURS benefit in which one of the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks opens each day an hour early or stays open up to an extra three hours for Hilton guests. To book a stay with the special hospitality workers’ discount, call (800) 782-4414 or visit http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Hotels/hilton/

Holiday Inn
Rates start at $79 per night and are subject to availability. Travel must be booked at least seven days in advance. Rates are non-refundable and do not qualify for Priority Club® points. The hotel’s elegant rooms feature modern Florida d�cor, granite-top vanity bathrooms, walk-in showers in king rooms, a work area and either one king with sleeper sofa or two queen beds. To book, visit http://www.ihgfriendsandfamily.com/y97kbmn and follow three easy steps.

Royal Plaza Resort
A special rate of $59 per night is being offered for the duration of the promotion. Each one of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites is furnished with the Royal Bed package and exceptional amenities. Hotel conveniences include wireless high-speed Internet, an on-site fitness center and several food and beverage outlets. To book, call (800) 248-7890 or visit

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort
The Wyndham also is offering a special promotional rate of $59 per night. The hotel features Disney Character Breakfasts at the hotel three times each week, scheduled transportation to Disney Theme Parks, an aquatic center with two outdoor pools and water sports, and tennis and basketball courts. To book, call (877) 999-3223 or visit http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/Hotels/Wyndham/

About Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels
Downtown Disney® Resort Area Hotels (www.downtowndisneyhotels.com) is a consortium of seven official Walt Disney World® Resort hotels that includes: Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel, Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, Doubletree Guest Suites, Hilton Orlando Resort, Holiday Inn, Royal Plaza Resort, and the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort. With nearly 30 food and beverage outlets and restaurants, more than 3,600 rooms and scores of amenities, they offer a rate, space and menu to please every guest. Located in the heart of Downtown Disney, these properties are within walking distance of some of the area’s best shopping, dining and entertainment.

Guests staying at these “Official Walt Disney World” hotels receive special privileges not available at hotels outside of the Disney Resort, such as:
* Complimentary transportation to all four Disney theme parks, two of Disney’s water parks and Downtown Disney every 30 minutes
* Advanced tee times and discounts at all four Disney championship golf courses
* Disney’s Extra Magic Hours (at select hotels)
* Delivery of souvenirs purchased at the parks directly to their hotel room at no cost

To make a reservation, visit www.downtowndisneyhotels.com

  • Where Did the Pleasure Go? Pondering the future of Pleasure Island (yourhighwayinthesky.com)
  • Strategies for Paying for Disney – FREE Disney Fun (meetthemagic.com)
Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels Offer Lowest Rates of the Year to Hospitality Workers

Imagineers Go Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

What better way to celebrate today’s official reopening of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom Park than by taking a behind-the-scenes look at the attraction, courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI).

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom Park

In the pictures below, Imagineers Eric Jacobson, Dave Hoffman, Eric Swapp and others offer a look at what’s new at this Adventureland attraction and also share their thoughts on what has kept it a guest favorite over the years.

The attraction, which originally debuted at Magic Kingdom Park as The Tropical Serenade in 1971, was one of the first attractions to ever prominently feature Audio-Animatronics figures as the stars of the show. This latest reimagined version can be described as a tribute to the original show with enhancements that include re-mastered audio, new lighting and the debut of an elaborate new centerpiece.

Is it me, or have these birds gotten brighter and more beautiful since the last time we saw them? See for yourself in the gallery below.

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom Park Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom Park

Source Disney Parks Blog

Imagineers Go Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

  • All New! Enchanted Tiki Room Full Show (chipandco.com)
  • Enchanted Tiki Room’ Returns to Magic Kingdom August 2011 (chipandco.com)
Imagineers Go Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

First Look inside the Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

You’ve already seen the great themes coming to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort when it opens throughout 2012. But check out what we have today – a first look at some of our Disney Story Room family suites.

'Finding Nemo' Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort

'Finding Nemo' Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort'Finding Nemo' Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort'The Lion King' Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort'Cars' Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort'Cars' Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort
  • Topping Out Ceremony Held at the New Disney Art of Animation Resort (chipandco.com)
First Look inside the Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort