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Events, Attractions, and More Coming to Disney in 2011

By
Chip
-

Events, Attractions, and More Coming to Disney in 2011

2011 will be a year of “Disney dream vacations,” both figuratively and literally.  Guests will be making memories over the horizon in Egypt, Hawaii and Alaska, on the aqua waters of the Bahamas, under the sea, over croc and rhino gullies and beyond the solar system.

During 2011, premieres will include an Adventures by Disney itinerary to the land of the pyramids, a Disney Parks virtual itinerary in stunning 3-D to the galaxy of Star Wars, a Disney’s Animal Kingdom ‘Wild Africa Trek’ into the domain of fearsome and fascinating critters, and an experience at Disney California Adventure that plunges guests into the realm of “The Little Mermaid.”  Meanwhile, Disney Vacation Club will celebrate the opening of its first property away from the U.S. mainland, in romantic Hawaii, and Disney Cruise Line will launch the Disney Dream and expand the horizons for its existing ships.

Here are some of the details of what’s in store:

Launch of Disney Dream(January 2011) – A first-of-its kind water coaster that sends guests racing above the upper decks of the ship.  An animated turtle that engages children in conversation about life in the ocean.  A sophisticated lounge where the sun sets over the skyline of a different world-famous city each night.  The Disney Dream, newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will bring to life these innovations and more, offering a cruise experience from stem to stern that caters to preferences of the whole family.

The Disney Dream, slated to set sail on Jan. 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Fla., will have three-to-five-night Bahamian itineraries.  The ship has a capacity of 4,000 passengers.  For a “boatload” of information about the new ship, go to www.disneycruise.com, click on the Ships & Activities tab and choose Disney Dream.

New horizons for Disney Cruise Line (beginning January 2011) – The Disney Wonder cruise ship will “go west” in early 2011.  New West Coast itineraries for Disney Cruise Line will include, for the first time, Alaska cruises sailing from Vancouver. The Alaska cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled guest experience provided by Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Wonder also is scheduled for cruises out of the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, before and after the summer Alaska cruises.  To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

An African trek … in Florida (beginning January 2011) – A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other thrills await guests on Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience launching Jan. 16, 2011, into the deepest, most-remote reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.  The three-hour, expert-led adventure will immerse small groups in an “up-close-and-personal” experience with African wildlife species that make their home in Pangani Forest as well as other areas of the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve.  Reservations can be arranged at 407/WDW-TOUR (939-8687).

Egyptian wonders ahead for Adventures by Disney (beginning April 2011) – Once upon a time, there were “seven wonders of the ancient world.”  Today, one remains: the Great Pyramid of Egypt.  Adventures by Disney guests will step off of planes, cruise ships and camels into living chapters of history during seven- and nine-night Egypt itineraries.  The pyramids and Great Sphinx in Giza, a Nile River cruise and days and nights in Cairo are all part of the experience.  In 2011, Adventures by Disney will offer 25 itineraries, six to 13 days in duration, on six continents – experiences unique in the luxury tour market for their attention to the family in every aspect of the adventure.  Guests can learn more at www.adventuresbydisney.com.

New Star Tours adventure out of this world (2011) – Bridging that “long time ago” between the two Star Wars trilogies, new Star Tours adventures debuting in 2011 will take voyagers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Park in California – for the first time – to Coruscant and other destinations in the Stars Wars galaxy.  The power of the Force and the magic of Disney will combine with the breathtaking immersion of 3-D – for the first time.

Disney Vacation Club says ‘Aloha’ (scheduled to open Aug. 29, 2011) – Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai′i that includes traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas, is being built on 21 acres of oceanfront property in Ko Olina, approximately 30 minutes from Waikiki.  Aulani draws its inspiration from the traditions and heritage of the people of Hawaii.  Walt Disney Imagineers, with the help of local architects, artisans and historians, are weaving Hawaiian stories into the buildings, interiors, art and gardens of the resort.  Upon completion, Aulani will include 359 traditional hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas with views of the ocean, mountains and the lush grounds.  More information about Aulani is available by visiting www.disneyaulani.com.

Coming attraction gives new meaning to “immersive experience” (2011) – With the premiere of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Disney California Adventure will take guests “under the sea” to experience magnificent scenes and magical songs from the popular motion picture.  The attraction represents the next big milestone in the ongoing expansion of the park.  For information on new attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

Peeking over the “boards” to a reimagined Fantasyland – The largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history is underway at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring attractions and experiences in an area that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland.  The Walt Disney World project began in early 2010 and will be completed in phases with most new experiences open by 2013.

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Events, Attractions, and More Coming to Disney in 2011

Disney Show Me the Love Sweepstakes

By
Chip
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Disney Show Me the Love Sweepstakes

One Grand Prize winner will receive an all-inclusive Miraval Experience including:

  • Round trip transportation to and from the Tucson International Airport
  • An experience guide, Miraval tote bag and sustainable, reusable water canteen upon arrival.
  • Luxurious, casita-style accommodations in one of the 118 rooms and suites situated on 400 lush acres set against the backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
  • All healthful and flavorful meals, snacks, smoothies and non-alcoholic beverages. At Miraval, we are about choice, therefore guests may purchase signature cocktails and other specialties from the full-bar or selections from the wine cellar in the Brave Bill Lounge.
  • Full access to Miraval’s extensive resort amenities including 24-hour use of the Body Mindfulness Center featuring lap pool and state-of-the-art equipment; world-class spa facilities; full-use of the swimming pool oasis which includes a tri-level pool with cascading waterfalls, acupressure stone walk and whirlpool.
  • Unlimited participation (if you choose) in a vast array of Clue-InTM self-discovery and growth activities, including all fitness and yoga classes; lectures by Miraval Specialists; the Miraval Equine Experience; Chef cooking demonstrations; outdoor adventure and challenge programs; and so many more.
  • Access to beautiful golf courses and tennis facilities
  • PLUS: Each guest receives a $130 resort credit per night of stay to apply as you choose toward Chill-OutTM spa services, private sessions with Miraval Specialists, Chef’s Dinners, Zip-line adventures, trail rides or rounds of golf.

Click here to learn more and to enter.

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New! All natural kids meals packed with Goodness

By
Chip
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New! All natural kids meals packed with Goodness

Kidfresh frozen meals packed with goodness and hidden veggies are based on all the research and expertise developed by interacting with parents and children for the past 3 years.

Kidfresh – www.kidfresh.com – the company that pioneered natural and wholesome food for children, is back with another healthy innovation to help parents meet the challenge of raising strong and healthy kids in an environment drowning in junk food and TV commercials that drip with fat and sugar.

The Kidfresh team includes both pediatric nutritionists and award winning chefs. Together, they have taken kid favorite meals – such as mac and cheese or pasta with meat balls – and remade them with 100% natural ingredients, while eliminating all artificial additives, flavors, colors, preservatives, trans fat and high fructose corn syrup. They are even providing up to 33% of a child’s daily vegetable requirements by the addition of hidden vegetables. Kidfresh frozen meals packed with goodness are based on all the research and expertise developed by interacting with parents and children for the past 3 years.

With its line of 100% natural frozen kids’ meals, Kidfresh offers today’s parents a convenient and fun way to feel good about mealtime without sacrificing taste or nutrition. “Today’s generation of moms are taking more time to carefully read the ingredient list on kid packaged food”, said Sharron Dalton, PHD, RD, who works with Kidfresh as a Sr. Pediatric Nutritionist. “They have little tolerance for preservatives, processed food, high sodium, fat or sugar. Kidfresh frozen meals provide healthy, nutritious and natural food that actually tastes good to kids”.

Kidfresh cares for the environment and the community and uses BPA-free food containers, 100% recyclable packaging and is a proud sponsor of Save the Children.

Stay tuned next week as we will be giving away coupons to try this product out for free.

Quick facts

  • 100% Natural. Nothing Artificial!
  • Hidden Veggies in Every Meal No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives
  • Naturally Rich in Key Nutrients Great Taste Kids Love
  • 0g Trans Fats
  • Moderate in Sodium
  • No High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • BPA Free Tray
  • Partner with Save the Children

Click the picture above to learn more.

New! All natural kids meals packed with Goodness

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Flower Power Concert Series 2011 Schedule

By
Chip
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Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Flower Power Concert Series 2011 Schedule

Flower Power Concert Series Schedule

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the festival, finish off the day at the America Gardens Theatre adjacent to the American Adventure Pavilion. Groove to live music from artists of 60s and 70s during the 2011 Flower Power Concert Series.

Showtimes are at 5:15, 6:30 & 7:45 p.m.

Date Performer Known For
March 4 to 6 Jose Feliciano Light My Fire
March 11 to 13 The Guess Who American Woman
March 18 to 20 Chubby Checker and the Wildcats The Twist
March 25 to 27 New – Melissa Manchester Don’t Cry Out Loud
April 1 to 3 Starship starring Mickey Thomas We Built This City
April 8 to 10 New – Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. You Don’t Have to be a Star (to be in My Show)
April 15 to 17 New – Juice Newton Queen of Hearts
April 22 to 24 Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons Poor Little Fool
April 29 to May 1 Paul Revere & The Raiders Good Thing
May 6 to 8 Davy Jones I’m a Believer
May 13 to 15 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone I’m Henry VIII, I Am

Entertainment is subject to change without notice. Songs listed are for artist recognition only and may not be in the playlist.

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That Dreaded E-mail

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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That Dreaded E-mail

I recently  got that e-mail. You know, that one. “It’s time to renew!”  Ugh.

I hate getting that e-mail every year. It’s that reminder that I have to make sure that I remember to renew my pass during the busy time that is the beginning of the spring semester at school. While having a pass is worth every penny to me, it is still sucking my bank account dry. I don’t make much as a language tutor.

I also hate signing the contract — the contract that states that I vow on Walt’s grave to keep up with my monthly payments (only offered to SoCal residents, sorry). I always feel like I’m signing my life away. Buh-bye, soul. But I guess that’s okay — Disney will keep it safe, right?

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That Dreaded E-mail

Disney’s Animal Kingdom gets a new resident

By
Chip
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Disney's Animal Kingdom gets a new residentLuna, the fifth elephant baby to be born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is introduced to the park’s savanna less than a month after her May 20, 2010 birth.

Luna and her mom, Donna, spend part of the day with their elephant family group along the Kilimanjaro Safaris route.

There are 12 members of the park’s elephant herd — four males and eight females.

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 elephant population in North America.

Gene Duncan, photographer

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Pixar’s CARS 2: Meet Carla Veloso

By
Chip
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Pixar’s CARS 2: Meet Carla Veloso

World Grand Prix contender Carla Veloso hails from Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The sweet but powerful Latin diva can dance the night away at “Car-nival,” but spends most of her time on the racetrack.

After setting a new track record at the local Interlagos circuit, she was drafted to join the 24-hour endurance racing team in Europe, where she posted a consistent series of podium finishes. In the World Grand Prix, the proud Brazilian Le Motor Prototype racer is the only female in the field, and Carla is ready to prove to the world that #8 is there to win for her home country.

Like CARS 2 on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/PixarCars.

Like Carla Veloso on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carla-Veloso/167141643331125

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California Adventure Letters – Where Are They Now?

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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California Adventure Letters - Where Are They Now?

Being on Twitter pays off.

I was just recently sifting through posts that I missed from today and I saw a tweet from @DisneylandLive. They had rewtweeted a post/photo from Twitter user @artimus.  Looks like the letters are in temporary storage! Take a look.

California Adventure Letters - Where Are They Now?

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Dining Out At Disney vs. Bringing Your Own Food

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Dining Out At Disney vs. Bringing Your Own FoodIf you are trying to save money, there is always the option of bringing food into the park. Some people like to bring in their entire meal, others snacks and some like to enjoy everything that the park has to offer. So let’s compare the options and see what you gain or lose by doing either bringing food into the park or eating out.

One easy item you can bring into the parks to save money is water, plastic bottled water. It will save you save you money if you drink a lot, which is important to do especially in the hot summer months. You can either drink it room temperature or put it in a cooler to keep it cold, the choice is yours.

Another option is snacks into the park. For those people who brink snacks into the park like cereal bars, trail mix, crackers and whole fruit in ziplock bags, this can be a time saver from waiting in line to grab a snack and it can save you some money. It’s also easy to do and you don’t have to worry about a cooler. For those who like to bring fresh cut fruit and vegetables (because you can’t bring a knife into the park) and cheese in a small cooler, you’ll also be saving time and money. However, you will need to carry a small cooler to keep them from spoiling. Food that needs to be kept cold starts to spoil just 2 hours after not being refrigerated and could lead to food poisoning, the last thing you want on your vacation.

Some people like to bring everything in to the park and purchase no park food at all to save money. I find this to be option to have many cons. First of all, you must carry a large cooler with ice to keep your food from spoiling, which means you have to lug that around the parks all day long. By bringing in the large cooler, it will take you longer to go through security. If doing so, I highly recommend that you put everything in clear contains and bags to make it easier for security and move you through quicker. Also, the food has to be something cold because there is no place in the park to heat up your food. If you are planning on doing this, you either have to visit a grocery store when you arrive, if you have a car or you can place an order and have it delivered to your resort. You can put non-perishable food items in you luggage, if you have any of those. The biggest thing I think people miss out on by not dining out is all of the great food that Disney has to offer. There are so many great options for dining from the inexpensive to the expensive and you are stuck eating what you eat everyday instead of trying something new and different.

In my opinion, carrying some snacks that are non-perishable isn’t a bad idea to hold you over until you have a sit down meal. Bringing water into the park is a great way to save money. It’s one that I often do because I drink a lot and I could easily spend $20 a day at the park by myself on drinks.

However, when it comes to packing full meals like lunch or dinner to save money, I’m opposed to it. I believe if you are going to spend the money to take a vacation, then you should fully experience your vacation and when it comes to Disney, dining is part of that. By bringing your own lunch or dinner, you are depriving yourself of amazing dining experiences and Disney has something to offer even the pickiest of eaters. Besides, do you really want to lug around a cooler full of food all day?

TIP FOR THOSE BRINGING ANYTHING INTO THE PARK: All food and drink must be in plastic containers EXCEPT for baby food jars.

_

Kristen Hoetzel
Cooking With Mickey

Twitter @CookingwMickey
http://CookingwithMickey.info

Disney Friends for Change Helps Kids Help the Planet

By
Chip
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Disney Friends for Change Helps Kids Help the Planet

Disney (NYSE:DIS) today announced the latest results of voting by kids on the Disney Friends for Change website. Disney Friends for Change is a multiplatform environmental initiative that helps kids help the planet. This round of voting is the first to include kids from around the world since Disney Friends for Change expanded into Latin America and Europe.

The voting is part of an overall call to action for kids to make a difference in their local communities. Registered participants make personal promises to reduce their impact on the environment by changing their everyday actions. They can also help allocate Disney’s $1 million commitment to fund environmental programs worldwide.

Voting is continuous throughout the year. Kids have the opportunity to vote on five different projects per quarter. Each project is managed by leading environmental nonprofit organizations. The projects are centered on Disney Friends for Change’s four focus areas — climate, habitat, waste and water. With nearly 2.5 million votes, Disney Friends for Change kids have helped direct almost $2 million to 41 projects in 21 countries since the program was launched in May 2009.

The award amount is contingent upon how many votes each project receives. This is the third round of award voting, and the first to include international votes. The results are as follows:

First Place, $100,000 award:

BirdLife International, Saving Spoony’s Chinese Wetlands: The project contributes to the conservation of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, a unique and highly threatened migratory shorebird. The project raises awareness among local governments and communities about the importance of the species and of the inter-tidal wetlands that are vital for its survival. This is the third project funded by Disney Friends for Change program in China, totaling $175,000 of support from the program in the country. Other funded projects in China include work supported by The Nature Conservancy as well as Roots and Shoots, a program supervised by the Jane Goodall Institute.

Second Place, $50,000 award:

The Nature Conservancy, Protecting Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest: The project trains local students to monitor local wildlife in an effort to protect the rainforest, home to such animals as grizzly bears and wolves. This is the first Disney Friends for Change program funded in Canada.

Third Place, $50,000:

Fauna and Flora International, Iberian Lynx Habitat Conservation: Once considered common, the Iberian Lynx is now the rarest of all the cat species. Less than 100 of the Iberian Lynx now live in the wild. The population crash is due to habitat loss in Spain and Portugal and declining numbers of rabbits, the Iberian Lynx’s main food source. Flora and Fauna has purchased land in an effort to increase the rabbit population. The project will also work with local communities and school children to raise awareness about the Iberian Lynx. Fauna and Flora International has received $150,000 from Disney Friends for Change since its launch.

Fourth Place, $25,000:

ECOLIFE Foundation, Aquaponic Economics: Going Ape in Cameroon: The ECOLIFE Foundation, in collaboration with Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon, will build a community-based aquaponics system, an eco-friendly tool for raising fish and vegetables. The aim is to educate local residents about critical overhunting issues that are threatening wild gorillas and apes. The aquaponics system yields fish for high-quality protein and enough vegetables to be a source of income for local residents. This is the second Disney Friends for Change grant awarded to ECOLIFE.

Fifth Place, $25,000:

Conservation International, Restoring Wetlands in Namaqualand: The project will work with local South African and Namibian communities to help conserve water by repairing damaged pumps and restoring natural ecosystems. Local volunteers will be trained to remove invasive species like poplar trees — which use up large amounts of ground water — and replace them with native vegetation. This award brings the total amount of support received by Conservation International from Disney Friends for Change to more than $50,000.

Since its launch in May 2009, Disney Friends for Change has already inspired more than 2.5 million kids to take more than 3 million actions to improve their environment in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. Altogether, kids have pledged to save more than 1.5 billion gallons of water, recycle eight million pounds of trash and cut 52 million pounds of carbon emissions.

For more about the programs Disney Friends for Change supports, visit www.disney.com/projectgreen.

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Walt Disney Studios Celebrates 12 Oscar nominations

By
Chip
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Walt Disney Studios Celebrates 12 Oscar nominations

The Walt Disney Studios is proud to announce its 2010 films have earned 12 Oscar® nominations. Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced five nominations for Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3, including for the coveted title of Best Picture; three for Alice in Wonderland, and one each for Day & Night, Tangled, The Tempest and TRON: Legacy.

“2010 was a banner year for The Walt Disney Studios, and we are thrilled that the Academy has chosen to recognize both our animated blockbusters Toy Story 3 and Tangled and our live-action hits Alice in Wonderland and TRON: Legacy for their artistry, technical achievements and storytelling,” said Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Toy Story 3 marks only the third time in history that Academy members have honored an animated film in the Best Picture category. It also earned a nomination for Adapted Screenplay – making it the fourth consecutive screenplay nomination for a Disney•Pixar film. The Toy Story trilogy’s tally of Oscar nominations now stands at nine.

Commenting on the announcement, John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, said, “To have Toy Story 3 represented in the Best Picture category is a great honor, and a fitting tribute to director Lee Unkrich, producer Darla Anderson, screenwriter Michael Arndt, and all of the talented people at Pixar, who worked so hard to live up to and exceed the standards and expectations of Toy Story fans and moviegoers all over the world.”

A summary of nominations for The Walt Disney Studios is as follows:

Toy Story 3

Best Motion Picture of the Year – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) A Pixar Production
Darla K. Anderson, Producer

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Lee Unkrich

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Achievement in Sound Editing – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Tom Myers and Michael Silvers

Adapted Screenplay – Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Michael Arndt. Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich

Alice in Wonderland
Art Direction – Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney), Robert Stromberg (Production Design), Karen O’Hara (Set Decoration)
Achievement in Costume Design – Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) Colleen Atwood

Achievement in Visual Effects – Alice in Wonderland (Walt Disney) Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips

Day & Night
Best Animated Short Film – Day & Night (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production Teddy Newton

Tangled
Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – “I See the Light” from Tangled (Walt Disney) Music by Alan Menken; Lyric by Glenn Slater

The Tempest
Achievement in Costume Design – The Tempest (Touchstone) Sandy Powell

TRON: Legacy
Achievement in Sound Editing – TRON: Legacy (Walt Disney) Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague

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More Retro Wars!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Hasbro's Vintage Collection Figures
Hasbro's Vintage Collection Figures

Dan Curto of RebelScum.com posted pictures the latest wave of  the ‘Star Wars Vintage Line’ of action figures from Hasbro. The new releases feature characters from all six feature films. These are not your father’s Star Wars figures! Unlike the figures I grew up with of the late ’70’s and 80’s, each figure has a very detailed sculpt, meticulous paint job and many points of articulation. They look friggin’ cool and take me back to my childhood recreating those epic space battles!

I regret selling my entire collection of classic Kenner figures and vehicles in high-school. I haven’t collected Star Wars action figures since. However, after seeing these killer figures along with these retro backing cards I hope to have kids real soon to help give me an excuse to rebuild my collection and relive those memorable movie scenes with my son… or daughter!

Until next time… may the Force be with you!

Hasbro's Vintage Collection Figures
Hasbro's Vintage Collection Figures

Aljon Go is our in-house Jedi and  Star Wars aficionado. Between battling the Sith and visits to  Disney World, he is also the co-host of the ‘WDW Tiki Room‘ radio show and station manager for Sorcerer Radio, the official Disney station of Chip & Company! E-mail: aljon@chipandco (dot) com. Follow Aljon on Twitter@JediMouseketeer!

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