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16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is coming Sept. 30-Nov. 13

By
Chip
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16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is coming Sept. 30-Nov. 13

Exotic cocktails will pair like a tropical daydream with fresh new tastes from more than one island paradise at the 16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13, 2011, at Walt Disney World Resort. The one-of-a-kind 45-day festival serves up international cuisine, culture and entertainment from six continents, with more than 25 international marketplaces featuring tapas-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails.

Marketplace tasting menus offer variety and adventure for guests on a mission to tantalize their taste buds during a scenic stroll around the 40-acre World Showcase Lagoon. The adventure can take them to the festival’s first Hawaii marketplace, which will cook up Kalua pork sliders and tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips to team with a refreshing Seven Tiki Mai Tai or a Kona Longboard or Pipeline beer. A new Caribbean Islands marketplace will serve ropa vieja with rice and jerk-spiced chicken with mango salsa. A beverage menu featuring a frozen Dragon Berry Colada and frozen Rock Coconut Mojito is sure to conjure steel-drum fantasies.

With a swing across the Atlantic, guests will be transported to the new Portugal marketplace, where the Portugal Wine Bar will offer best sips to pair with calamari salad with olives and smoked paprika. The Scandinavia marketplace will return after a hiatus with a fresh new Xante Sunshine cocktail made from Xante pear and cognac liquer. And the Canada marketplace will introduce a sweet treat: apple ice wine.

Disney and celebrity chefs will team with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to get the party started Sept. 30. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:

  • Three new tasting marketplaces — Hawaii, Caribbean Islands and Portugal — plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces
  • Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Jeff Henderson, Cat Cora, Alan Wong, Gale Gand, Suvir Saran, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Celina Tio, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Buddy Valastro, Warren Brown, Art Smith, Keegan Gerhard and more.
  • First-ever HGTV home entertaining seminars each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
  • The Cranberry Bog display by Craisins telling the story behind the venerable cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
  • Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
  • Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Festival guests can make a day of circumnavigating the World Showcase Promenade, grazing and sipping as they go. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3 to $8 each, and recommended wines, cocktails and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. For quicker marketplace visits, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be worn on a wristband and loaded and reloaded at several park locations.

Live daily entertainment showcases many cultures with music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade. Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres. Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are The Pointer Sisters, The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and Gin Blossoms. Fan favorite Taylor Dayne kicks off the festival Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and crowd pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy wraps the event Nov. 11-13.

The festival attracts a diverse audience — from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include:

  • The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
  • More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events.
  • A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
  • Popular returning events that include First Bites Opening Reception on Sept. 29; Kitchen Memories (formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen); Mixology Seminar; and “3D” Disney Dessert Discovery.
  • The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event beginning Oct. 8 and with a new Saturday evening time of 7:30-10 p.m. featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment presented by Cirque du Soleil.

Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions and the celebrated return of “Captain EO,” the classic musical 3-D production starring Michael Jackson in a rare big-screen performance. In World Showcase, new and recently updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

What’s Included with Epcot Admission:

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) to make reservations. Information and reservations for select events and programs are available at disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

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16th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is coming Sept. 30-Nov. 13

Disney World Quick Tip – Get the Cheaper Room.

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney World Quick Tip - Get the Cheaper Room.

This is going to sound odd coming from a travel agent, but I’ve thought about it a lot:   Get the cheaper room.  It’s hard to say out loud, in part because I’m a bit of a resort snob myself, but the reality is, I stay at the values and I love them.   I’m not going to tell you that I would choose a value over a deluxe property. I love the bigger rooms and the theming.  But I also like to go a lot and going a lot means sometimes staying in a less expensive room.

I often see people struggling with this idea. There’s this common misconception among Disney fans that if you don’t go the expensive route, you’re missing out on something.  The reality is however, that no matter where you stay on property, you’re going to get extra magic hours, transportation, the dining plan, and excellent service. On that last matter, I have to say this:  I sometimes think the cast members at the values try harder. They’re like The Little Engine that Could.

If you’re having trouble making up your mind about how much to spend, ask yourself this:  Will I be worried about how much this is costing me during my vacation?  Because ultimately, vacations should be about fun, not worrying about how much you’re spending. We all bristle a little bit when the total costs for that vacation package comes up.   If you can get past that initial “oh my gosh” moment, but all means, book an expensive resort; they really are worth the money.  But if you’re worried about how this is going to effect your budget, book a less expensive room. I promise you won’t regret it.

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Baby Mandrill Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By
Chip
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Baby Mandrill Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

After six and a half months of waiting, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is welcoming a “colorful” addition to its animal family. A male baby mandrill was born May 30 to first-time mother, Kelley, and is the third one born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Mom and baby are doing very well.

Native to Africa, mandrills are among the largest species of monkey in the world and are considered endangered. They’re known for their bright coloration, furry head crests, manes and beards. Adults also have thick purple and blue ridges along their noses, big red lips and golden beards. Fans of Disney’s animated movie “The Lion King” might recall Rafiki, who was not only a colorful character, but a mandrill as well.

So far, Disney’s animal care experts are encouraged by the bonding between mother and infant. The baby spends most of his day nursing and sleeping, and is under close observation by the animal care team. The baby and mother are starting to make short forays into their habitat on the Kilimanjaro Safaris, joining other members of the mandrill group.

“The new mom is very relaxed but protective,” said Barb Weber, primate zoological manager at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “We’re pleased another young female mandrill, Scarlett, has taken a keen interest in the newborn. This is a great experience for her because she is learning from the baby’s mom how to be a good mom herself.”

Preparations for motherhood began long before the baby mandrill was born. For example, primate keepers worked with Kelley during pregnancy to pick up objects which helped simulate holding her baby after birth.

With the new baby, the number of mandrills that make their home at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has grown to 12. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is part of a breeding program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that is focused on sustaining the mandrill population.

Fun Facts:

  • Typical mandrill babies weigh between one and two pounds at birth.
  • Adult female mandrills weigh an average of 30 pounds. Adult males are larger and average 60-100 pounds.
  • The average life span of a mandrill is approximately 20 – 30 years.
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Disney World Summer Discounts

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney World Vacation with Amber

Disney World Late Summer Vacation Discounts

Package for 5 nights / 6 days at select Disney Moderate, or Deluxe Resorts
and get a FREE Disney Water Park or DisneyQuest Ticket for each person in your party.

Save 17% to 30% off your Disney resort.


This Summer Vacation Package Includes:Disney World Summer Discounts

  • Accommodations
  • Magic Your Way Base Ticket
  • Disney’s Plus Dining**
  • A Free DisneyQuest or Disney Water Park Ticket


Call your Pixie agent and request promo code: PVLS

Examples:

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Room: 6 Nights / 7 Days
Sample Party: 2 adults, 2 children (age 8 & 12)
Park Tickets: 7 Day Base Tickets
Disney Dining Plan: Plus Dining
EXTRA: 1-Day Ticket into Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, or DisneyQuest for each person in the party.

Standard Price: $4336.58

Vacation Package Price: $3560.97  (Save $775.61)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Room: 3 Nights / 4 Days
Sample Party: 2 adults, 2 children (age 8 & 12)
Park Tickets: 4 Day Base Tickets
Disney Dining Plan: Plus Dining
EXTRA: 1-Day Ticket into Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, or DisneyQuest for each person in the party.

Standard Price: $2654.31

Vacation Package Price: $2286.73  (Save $367.58)

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Room: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Sample Party: 2 adults, 2 children (age 8 & 12)
Park Tickets: 6 Day Base Tickets
Disney Dining Plan: Plus Dining
EXTRA: 1-Day Ticket into Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, or DisneyQuest for each person in the party.

Standard Price: $2898.39

Vacation Package Price: $2611.55  (Save $286.84)

 


Booking Window: 6/20 – 7/11/11
Travel Window: 7/25 – 8/12/11

Available Disney Resorts for this Special Vacation Package are:

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (Moderate Resort)  7/27 – 8/1/11  &  8/7 – 8/12/11
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)  7/25 – 7/31/11
Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Deluxe Resort)  7/31 – 8/3/11

To Book:

Click here to get a detailed quote!
Ask about packages available in other resort categories and for other lengths of stay.

www.PixieVacations.com
Phone: 678-815-1584
Email: [email protected]

This Exclusive offer is ONLY available to guests that book with Pixie Vacations.  The number of rooms and dates are limited so contact Pixie Vacations ASAP.

All resorts in this offer will have a 12.5% tax added.
There will be a fee of $15.00 per person per night for 3rd and 4th adults (18 years old or older) in each room at the moderate category resorts.
There will be a fee of $25.00 per person per night for 3rd and 4th adults (18 years old or older) in each room at the deluxe category resorts.

* Price based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. The number of packages available at this rate is limited. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required.
** Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3–9 must order from children’s menu if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Pixie Vacations | www.PixieVacations.com | 678-815-1584 | email: [email protected]

Other Pixie Exclusive Disney Vacation Packages:
Disney Food and Wine October Vacation  Package (October)

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Celebrate Father’s Day w/ Mufasa & Simba

By
Chip
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Download Printable Activities!

With the upcoming holiday this Sunday, June 19th, Disney would like to wish you a Happy Father’s Day on behalf of The Lion King (3D Version in theaters September 16th, and on Blu-ray & Blu-ray 3D October 4th)!

Who’s a better paternal role model than the brave and just Mufasa? And what’s a more heart-warming relationship than the one Simba has with his dad?

Just click the picture above to Print and Play!

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Disneyland World of Color Dinner Packages

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Disneyland World of Color Dinner Packages

Much like the Fantasmic dinner package in Walt Disney World, Disneyland offers a dining package at select restaurants that come with a FASTPASS for the breathtaking show “World of Color”.

There are several dining options for World of Color FASTPASS packages, including lunch or dinner at Wine Country Trattoria or dinner at Ariel’s Grotto. If a sit down meal isn’t your style, there are World of Color picnic lunches available, which will also provide you with the preferred viewing.

The dinner menus are prix fixe, three course meals, Ariel’s Grotto is $39.99 for adults and $20.99 for children (ages 3-9) (passholder discounts may apply!). Reservations are recommended and can be made 60 days prior to arrival by calling (714) 781-DINE.

The three course meal begins with an appetizer trio, an antipasti tower that includes an antipasto platter, a mixed greens salad and bakery breads.

For the main course, your choices range from meat selections such as herb crusted chicken breast, santa maria style tri-tip steak (I recommend this!) and a selection of sustainable fish. There are pasta and vegetarian friendly dishes as well.

Dessert is served on a platter to share, with petite sweets: warm chocolate cake, green apple mousse in a cone, tiramisu chocolate cups, French macaroons, passion fruit quenelles, chocolate ganache crunch triangles and white chocolate with fresh berries.

I was able to experience Ariel’s Grotto for the World of Color package and I enjoyed the spiral staircase that leads you “under the sea” into the dining room saturated with blue and teal hues with coral accents. The view of Paradise Pier is nice as the restaurant is on the water, it’s a relaxing dinner since Ariel and friends only appear for breakfast and lunch. While the food was good, we found the service a bit lacking. The overall experience was worth it for the World of Color FASTPASS, but for our next visit we decided to try Wine Country Trattoria and found that much more to our liking.

If you would like to experience Disneyland and the World of Color Show, take advantage of the Summer Room-Only offer and save up to 25% on Disneyland resort hotels. Book by June 18, 2011 for travel June 19, 2011 through August 13, 2011. Book June 19, 2011 through July 23, 2011 for arrivals most night July 17, 2011 through August 13, 2011. Travel must be completed by August 14, 2011. Upgrade your room only reservation to a package and receive two Disney FASTPASS tickets for each person in their party per stay for check-in dates June 3rd through September 5th. Also receive early access to “The Little Mermaid~Ariel’s Undersea Adventure” 30-miutes prior to the opening of Disney California Adventure park from June 4th to September 5th.

Book with Pixie Vacations in June (for travel anytime) and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 Disney gift card!

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“Just Keep Swimming”-Typhoon Lagoon Sets Guinness World Record!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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"Just Keep Swimming"-Typhoon Lagoon Sets Guinness World Record!

In 2010 a coalition of water safety and training taught 4,000 people how to swim, simultaneously! The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson took place in 34 states, five countries and three continents.

Only a year later, more than 900 facilities world wide participated in the event, including Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, which set a new Guinness World Record record with approximately 30,000 participants!

Remember Just Keep Swimming!

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Institute of Food Technologists and Disney Collaborate to Fuel Youth Interest in Food Science

By
Chip
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Institute of Food Technologists and Disney Collaborate to Fuel Youth Interest in Food Science

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and Disney Consumer Products (DCP) are collaborating to raise the visibility of food science careers and the innovative potential of the profession to develop healthy and nutritious foods.

The IFT Annual Meeting and Food Expo in New Orleans, the largest show of its kind focusing on both the science and business of food, was the venue for Disney and IFT to announce the winners of a college competition designed to create healthy snacks for kids. Thousands in attendance also had a chance to see the debut of a “Day in the Life of a Food Scientist” video that captured a snapshot of what it is actually like to be food scientist at Disney.

Disney-IFTSA Nutritious Food for Kids Competition
Twenty-one student teams from across the country submitted proposals for the Disney-IFT Student Association, which challenged college students in food science degree programs to create delicious and nutritious snacks for kids. Now in its third year, the annual competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students in food science and nutrition programs throughout North America. All entries focus on snack food or beverage product concepts for a retail outlet that are geared toward children age 12 and younger and inspired by Disney characters. The product must integrate a fruit, vegetable, low-fat dairy product and/or whole grains.

Six finalist teams were selected to compete in the competition finals at the IFT 2011 Annual Meeting & Food Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 11-14. The Grand Prize went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison team for its Pixie Dust Beverage Mix. First Prize was awarded to a team from the University of Arkansas for the Phenomenal Funchies, a hand-held, baked snack filled with dried fruits including berries, mango and banana.

“Day in the Life of a Food Scientist” Disney Video
In a video featuring food scientists from around the world, DCP highlights the interesting and unexpected food science opportunities available in the licensing industry. Whether providing input on creative product packaging development or working with licensees and the nutritional guidelines, food scientists at DCP use their unique backgrounds and training to work with licensees that provide delicious and fun foods to kids and families to promote a healthier lifestyle.

“DCP understands the challenges faced by parents in regard to their family’s nutrition and wants to be part of the solution. DCP licenses best-in-class food manufacturers to develop and market products that meet DCPs nutritional guidelines,” said Embola Ndi, PhD, Vice President, Food, Health & Beauty, North America and Global Product Development at DCP.

This video is included in IFT’s “Day in the Life of a Food Scientist” series designed to educate students, teachers, the media, and the general public about the positive impact and rewards of the food science and technology profession. The video series is part of a broader effort to get students more interested in food science by letting IFT food scientists in academia, government and industry tell their unique story in their own words. IFT launched the Day in the Life of Food Scientist program last year with a unique video that followed IFT member Michele Perchonek, Advanced Food Technology Manager at NASA. The video followed Perchonok and her team in Houston, Texas, as they carried out their work on the Space Food Systems Laboratory, with the ultimate goal of ensuring astronauts have enough food on future missions to Mars.

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2011 Disney Legends to be Celebrated at D23 Expo

By
Chip
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2011 Disney Legends to be Celebrated at D23 Expo

Television icon Regis Philbin, Muppets creator Jim Henson, the extraordinary actresses who vocally brought to life many modern-day Disney Princesses including 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), and Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog) plus other equally impressive contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 EXPO at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 24-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the three-day D23 EXPO provides a rare opportunity for the public to be a part of the always touching and memorable presentation. The awards ceremony will kick off the first day of the D23 EXPO, hosted by noted television personality Tom Bergeron (host of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos), and will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

“From giving voice to some of our most iconic and beloved Disney princesses to bringing a smile to millions of television viewers every morning for two decades, we are proud to present these 12 men and women with our highest, most coveted honor, The Disney Legends Award,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. “Our newest honorees now join this unique and prestigious circle, which recognizes those whose incredible talents and outstanding contributions have had a lasting, meaningful impact on Disney’s great legacy.”

The 2011 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

JODI BENSON is an acclaimed voice actress and soprano singer who provided both the singing and speaking voices for Disney’s Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid and its sequels. For more than 20 years, Benson has voiced Ariel in film, television, video games, toys and at Disney Parks. She also starred as Sam in Disney’s Enchanted and voiced Barbie in the hit Disney/Pixar films Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, plus Weebo in the film comedy Flubber.

BARTON “BO” BOYD began his career at Disney 1968 as an Assistant Merchandise Supervisor at Disneyland. Continually advancing over the course of his 33-years with the company, Boyd was an integral part of the team creating merchandise specifically for Disneyland and Walt Disney World and held positions including Merchandise Division Director and Vice President, Retail Merchandising. In 1997, he was named Chairman of Disney Consumer Products where he oversaw one of the longest periods of sustained growth in the history of Disney merchandising with such initiatives as Licensed Merchandise, Walt Disney Records, the start of Hyperion Press, the entire line of Disney magazine products, Disney Catalog, Disney Interactive for computer games and educational software, ESPN—The Store, Walt Disney Classics Collection, Walt Disney Collectors Society and the establishment of the first Disney Store outside the grounds of the Disney Parks.

JIM HENSON, an Emmy Award-winning television producer and Oscar-nominated film director, was an American puppeteer and the creator of global phenomenon, The Muppets. The cross-cultural appeal of The Muppets propelled television shows like Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock to new heights. The success of these series led Henson to explore feature films including The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and The Muppets Take Manhattan, as well as the technologically ground-breaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. The Muppet legacy continued with popular Disney films such as The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island, as well as the upcoming The Muppets, premiering this November.

LINDA LARKIN is a celebrated actress and popular voice performer best known for providing the voice of Princess Jasmine in the Disney animated feature Aladdin, its sequels, spin-offs and television specials. She has also been vocally featured in the Disney animated television series House of Mouse and the popular Kingdom Hearts video game.

PAIGE O’HARA is a Broadway actress and singer best known for providing the voice of Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, its sequels, series and games. She also starred as Angela in the Disney film hit Enchanted. O’Hara has also been vocally featured in the Disney video game Kingdom Hearts and as Belle on the 64th Annual Academy Awards.

REGIS PHILBIN is an Emmy Award-winning, cultural icon who has entertained millions of people through talk shows, game shows, books and albums for more than 50 years. For the past 23 years, Americans have woken up to Philbin, thanks to the nationally syndicated hit talk show LIVE! with Regis and Kelly which originated in 1983 when Philbin created The Morning Show for WABC in New York. In addition to his daytime success, Philbin launched ABC’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire into a primetime powerhouse and hosted a variety of shows including NBC’s America’s Got Talent, CBS’ Million Dollar Password, and the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

JACK AND BONITA WRATHER struck a deal with their friend Walt Disney in 1954 to build a luxury family hotel on property adjacent to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Ground was broken on March 18, 1955, and the hotel opened six and a half months later—104 rooms in five two-story buildings at a starting room rate of $15. The Disneyland Hotel, originally conceived as simply lodging, presaged future developments in how Americans entertained themselves, pioneering, as Jack’s son Chris wrote, “new forms of dining as entertainment, shopping as entertainment and the use of a waterfront setting” in an urban environment. The Disneyland Hotel has since played host to kings, queens, presidents, entertainment and sports legends and families from around the world.

ANIKA NONI ROSE is a renowned actress and singer who provided the voice of Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. In addition, some of her Broadway, television and film credits include her Tony Award-winning performance in Caroline, or Change, the blockbuster feature film Dreamgirls, and television series including The Starter Wife and The Good Wife.

LEA SALONGA is a celebrated actress and singer who provided the singing voice for two Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin, and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. In addition to her recording and television career, Salonga’s vast Broadway credits are highlighted by her performance as Kim in Miss Saigon which garnered her numerous awards including a Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle and Theater World Awards.

RAY WATSON was President of The Irvine Company when he was asked to join the Board of Directors for Walt Disney Productions in 1973. Watson’s early tenure on the Board saw the expansion of Walt Disney World, the 1976 opening of River Country—Disney’s first water park, and the opening of EPCOT Center, in 1982, which at a cost of $1 billion was the largest private land development project ever at that time. In 1983, Watson was elected as Chairman of the Board and after stepping down as chairman 1984, remained on the Board until he retired in 2004 after serving the Company for 30 years and establishing a worldwide reputation as a real estate development visionary.

GUY WILLIAMS was an acclaimed actor who starred in the hit Disney television series Zorro and two feature films, The Sign of Zorro and Zorro the Avenger. Williams’ charming portrayal of Zorro helped galvanized the character in the public’s imagination and made the series a favorite among the Baby Boomer generation and beyond. His other popular television credits include the hit series Bonanza and Lost in Space.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients also participate in a handprint ceremony, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

The first Disney Legend, actor Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), was named in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 237 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters. At the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, the Legends Awards ceremony, which honored Robin Williams, Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McLanahan, Betty White, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Harry Archinal, Don Iwerks and Leota Toombs Thomas, was presented to thousands of Disney fans for the first time.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $42 for a one-day adult ticket and $32 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $121 for adults and $91 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

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“Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!” Coming to a town near you

By
Chip
-

“Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!” Coming to a town near you

Phineas and Ferb are gonna do it all! Disney Channel’s animated gem, the critically acclaimed “Phineas and Ferb,” TV’s #1 animated series among Tweens 9-14 for three years running, has reached a new pinnacle by inspiring an exciting live touring stage show which will play more than 80 hometowns across the country beginning in August.

Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!, brings Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Isabella, Baljeet, Buford and friends to the stage as they make the most of  the last day of summer by building an invention bigger, better and more amazing than ever. Before anyone can wonder “Hey! Where’s Perry?,” the pet platypus dons his Agent P fedora, and hilarious hijinks unfold as he battles Dr. Doofenshmirtz to save the Danville Tri-state area and audiences everywhere from the evil scientist’s most havoc-wreaking scheme to date.

“Disney Channel has created an extraordinarily popular TV series that offers humor for multiple generations and I am thrilled that Feld Entertainment is bringing Disney’s ‘Phineas and Ferb’ to the stage for the very first time,” said Producer Alana Feld. “The dynamic characters, witty humor and inspired music from the television series set the perfect foundation for Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! to create an unparalleled Phineas and Ferb experience for audiences.”

“We are filled with a great sense of pride over this upcoming live tour and are especially thrilled with the achievements of the Feld creative team which has produced a smart, interesting and funny stage show, that extends the characters, stories and comedy that are at the heart of what we do every day,” said “Phineas and Ferb” co-creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh.

Audiences will be whisked on a high-energy ride that is part action adventure and part rock concert, while they move it and shake it to a soundtrack of hit songs from the animated series, including “Gitchee Gitchee Goo,” “Squirrels in My Pants,” “Backyard Beach,” “Busted,” “Today is Gonna Be a Great Day,” and “Summer Belongs to You.”  Familiar songs serve as a main ingredient in the plot, advancing the story from scene to scene, while taking on a whole new feel when fused with fresh, original choreography and inventive special effects.

To bring “Phineas and Ferb” from screen to stage, Producer Alana Feld assembled a creative team whose sense of humor, understanding of a live audience and ability to incorporate the essence of the characters seamlessly brings the show to life. These industry experts include:

  • Fred Tallaksen (Director/Choreographer) – Award-winning choreographer of Madonna’s “Sorry” video and the finale of her Confessions World Tour; in 2008, earned a Latin Grammy® in the Best Video category for Juanes’s “Me Enamora;” has choreographed for many TV shows, including “Modern Family,” “Outsourced” and “Wizards of Waverly Place;” skating consultant for “Austin Powers III-Goldmember;”
  • Bradley Zweig (Writer) – Veteran of children’s programming who has written for Disney Channel, CW, Cartoon Network, Discovery Kids and Nickelodeon; served as writer and producer on the Henson Digital Performance Studio television series “Sid the Science Kid,” for which he was nominated for an Emmy® Award;
  • Rick Papineau (Scenic Designer) – Vice President of Scenic Elements at Feld Entertainment; veteran designer who creates props, scenic elements and special effects for all of the company’s touring shows;
  • Cynthia Nordstrom (Costume Designer) – Designed costumes for more than 15 original dance shows in Downtown Disney; designed costumes for Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy;
  • Sam Doty (Lighting Designer) – Assisted in the building and planning of every Feld Entertainment show since 2006, including Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy, Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival and three editions of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus;
  • Mike Avila (Music Director) – Composition credits include an original score recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra for a Denmark celebration of the stories of Hans Christian Anderson; composed award-winning Peter Pan’s Neverland event spectacular at Universal Studios Osaka and opening ceremonies of Hong Kong Disneyland; musical director/arranger for the City of Philadelphia’s Millennium Fireworks spectacular.

To find out more about Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! and to purchase tickets, the public should visit www.PhineasAndFerbLive.com or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Preferred customers can purchase tickets starting May 13, 2011, 104 days before the show’s premiere performance and before the tickets go on public sale! To become a preferred customer, please visit www.PhineasAndFerbLive.com. See attached 2011-2012 tour schedule for Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever!

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb! THE BEST LIVE TOUR EVER!

2011 – 2012 Tour Schedule

****Subject to Change****

1 Lakeland, FL Sun 8/21/2011 The Lakeland Center
2 Wheeling, WV Fri 8/26/2011 WesBanco Arena
3 Charleston, WV Sun 8/28/2011 Municipal Auditorium
4 Erie, PA Fri 9/2/2011 Warner Theatre
5 Toledo, OH Sat 9/3/2011 SeaGate Convention Centre
6 East Lansing, MI Sun 9/4/2011 Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
7 Amherst, MA Sat 9/10/2011 William D. Mullins Memorial Center
8 San Diego, CA Fri 9/16/2011 Valley View Casino Center
9 Santa Barbara, CA Sat 9/17/2011 The Granada Theatre
10 Fresno, CA Sun 9/18/2011 William Saroyan Theatre at Fresno Convention Center
11 Thousand Oaks, CA Fri 9/23/2011 Fred Kavli Theatre at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
12 Long Beach, CA Sat 9/24/2011 -Sun 9/25/2011 Terrace Theater
13 Las Vegas, NV Fri 9/30/2011 -Sun 10/2/2011 Orleans Arena
14 Redding, CA Fri 10/7/2011 Redding Convention Center
15 Stockton, CA Sat 10/8/2011 Stockton Arena
16 Reno, NV Sun 10/9/2011 Lawlor Events Center
17 Phoenix, AZ Fri 10/14/2011 -Sat 10/15/2011US Airways Center
18 Moline, IL Fri 10/21/2011 i wireless Center
19 Des Moines, IA Sat 10/22/2011 Wells Fargo Arena
20 St. Paul, MN Sun 10/23/2011 Xcel Energy Center
21 Fort Wayne, IN Fri 10/28/2011 Expo Center at the Memorial Coliseum
22 Youngstown, OH Sat 10/29/2011 Covelli Centre
23 Cleveland, OH Sun 10/30/2011 Wolstein Center
24 Columbus, OH Fri 11/4/2011 Palace Theatre
25 Auburn Hills, MI Sat 11/5/2011 Palace of Auburn Hills
26 Indianapolis, IN Sun 11/6/2011 Conseco Fieldhouse
27 Syracuse, NY Sun 11/13/2011 Crouse-Hinds at Oncenter Complex
28 Worcester, MA Fri 11/18/2011 The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
29 Hartford, CT Sat 11/19/2011 XL Center
30 Trenton, NJ Sun 11/20/2011 Sun National Bank Center
31 New Brunswick, NJ Fri 11/25/2011 State Theatre
32 Lowell, MA Sat 11/26/2011 Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
33 Providence, RI Sun 11/27/2011 Performing Arts Center
34 Hershey, PA Fri 12/2/2011 Hershey Theatre
35 Reading, PA Sat 12/3/2011 Sovereign Center
36 Wilkes Barre, PA Sun 12/4/2011 Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
37 Baltimore, MD Fri 12/9/2011 -Sat 12/10/2011 Lyric Opera House
38 Norfolk, VA Sun 12/11/2011 Constant Convocation Center
39 New Orleans, LA Fri 12/16/2011 Lakefront Arena
40 Atlanta, GA Sun 12/18/2011 Philips Arena
41 Baton Rouge, LA Tue 12/20/2011 -Wed 12/21/2011 Theatre for the Performing Arts
42 Austin, TX Fri 12/23/2011 Frank Erwin Center
43 Laredo, TX Wed 12/28/2011 Laredo Energy Arena
44 Hidalgo, TX Thu 12/29/2011 State Farm Arena
45 Houston, TX Fri 12/30/2011 Toyota Center
46 Corpus Christi, TX Sat 12/31/2011 Selena Auditorium at the American Bank Center
47 Oakland, CA Fri 1/6/2012 Paramount Theatre
48 San Jose, CA Sat 1/7/2012 -Sun 1/8/2012 San Jose Civic Auditorium
49 Bakersfield, CA Fri 1/13/2012 Rabobank Theater
50 Ontario, CA Sat 1/14/2012 -Sun 1/15/2012Citizens Business Bank Arena
51 Portland, OR Fri 1/20/2012 Memorial Coliseum
52 Kent, WA Sat 1/21/2012 ShoWare Center
53 Everett, WA Sun 1/22/2012 Comcast Arena at Everett
54 Vancouver, BC Fri 1/27/2012 -Sun 1/29/2012Pacific National Exhibition
55 Denver, CO Fri 2/3/2012 -Sat 2/4/2012Wells Fargo Theatre
56 Colorado Springs, CO Sun 2/5/2012 Pikes Peak Center
57 St. Louis, MO Thu 2/9/2012 -Fri 2/10/2012Chaifetz Arena
58 Independence, MO Sat 2/11/2012 Independence Events Center
59 Knoxville, TN Fri 2/17/2012 -Sat 2/18/2012Knoxville Civic Auditorium
60 Chattanooga, TN Sun 2/19/2012 UTC McKenzie Arena
61 Columbia, SC Fri 2/24/2012 Colonial Life Arena
62 Roanoke, VA Sat 2/25/2012 Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre
63 Fairfax, VA Sun 2/26/2012 Patriot Center
64 Sunrise, FL Fri 3/2/2012 BankAtlantic Center
65 Melbourne, FL Sat 3/3/2012 Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
66 Fort Myers, FL Sun 3/4/2012 Germain Arena
67 Tampa, FL Thu 3/8/2012 -Fri 3/9/2012St. Pete Times Forum
68 Jacksonville, FL Sat 3/10/2012 Moran Theatre
69 Orlando, FL Sun 3/11/2012 UCF Arena
70 Huntsville, AL Fri 3/16/2012 Von Braun Center Concert Hall
71 Birmingham, AL Sat 3/17/2012 BJCC Concert Hall (2835)
72 Jackson, MS Sun 3/18/2012 Mississippi Coliseum
73 North Charleston, SC Fri 3/23/2012 N. Charleston Performing Arts Center
74 Florence, SC Sat 3/24/2012 Florence Civic Center
75 Greenville, SC Sun 3/25/2012 BI-LO Center
76 Greensboro, NC Fri 3/30/2012 War Memorial Auditorium
77 Durham, NC Sat 3/31/2012 Durham Performing Arts Center
78 Charlotte, NC Sun 4/1/2012 Time Warner Cable Arena
79 New York City, NY Thu 4/5/2012 -Tue 4/10/2012The Theater at Madison Square Garden
80 White Plains, NY Thu 4/12/2012 -Sun 4/15/2012 Westchester County Center

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Disney VoluntEARS donate $686,950 for Central Florida Nonprofits

By
Chip
-

Disney Cast Members Earmark $686,950 for Central Florida Nonprofits

Disney cast members are well-known for providing legendary guest service, which is admirable, but I find their compassionate spirit to be equally impressive. Outside of work, many of my fellow colleagues are making a difference in their communities through the Disney VoluntEARS program.

From coaching Little League to caring for rescued animals, Disney VoluntEARS gave more than 228,000 hours of their time and talents last year for the benefit of everyone in Central Florida.

This month, in recognition of these efforts, The Walt Disney Company is giving a total of $686,950 to the charities and causes that Walt Disney World cast members care about most.

Approximately 887 Walt Disney World VoluntEARS are being honored with EARS to You grants, which are financial contributions of up to $1,000 for the charity of their choice. Disney dollars will go toward 394 local nonprofits representing a wide array of worthy causes. Top recipients include local chapters of the American Cancer Society, Give Kids the World and the SPCA of Central Florida.

Disney Cast Members Earmark $686,950 for Central Florida Nonprofits

In keeping with this idea of gifts that keep on giving, Walt Disney World had some special surprises in store yesterday as it recognized its top VoluntEARS with coveted awards and charitable contributions.

High honors were given to Judy Hughes as 2010 VoluntEAR of the Year and Disney’s Theme Park Merchandise Team as the 2010 VoluntEAR Team of the Year. Both received $2,500 cash donations which they chose to give to the Girls Scouts of Citrus Council and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Check out the video below to see the highlights.

 

Congratulations Disney VoluntEARS – you rock! Cheers to you who earned EARS to You!

Source Disney Parks Blog

Disney VoluntEARS donate $686,950 for Central Florida Nonprofits

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Cougar Town: The Complete Second Season on DVD August 30th

By
Chip
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Cougar Town: The Complete Second Season on DVD August 30th

Jules Cobb’s learning that the idea of family isn’t always so traditional on her not so quiet Florida cul-de-sac. Together with her teenage son, friends, neighbors and even ex-husband, the dysfunctional, yet supportive extended family manages the next stages of their lives together. This hilarious DVD release invites audiences to collect and relive every laugh-out-loud moment, plus exciting never-before-seen bonus features!

Release Format: 3-Disc DVD Set

Suggested Retail Price: $34.99 US/$41.99 Canada

DVD Bonus Features include:

  • “(still called) Cougar Town: Season 2” – A hilarious and heartwarming look at the show’s evolution, iconic inside jokes and growing cast through the eyes of the cast, crew and writers
  • “Andy’s Dreams” – ABC.com’s six webisode series with new introduction by Ian “One Take” Gomez
  • Deleted scenes and outtakes from the season
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