Coming soon!!! Stay tuned for more details.
Hollywood Chamber Announces Tinker Bell Day in Hollywood!
Pixie dust was in generous supply on Hollywood’s world famous Walk of Fame as Tinker Bell, the beloved fairy character who sprang from the pages of J.M. Barrie’s literary classic, Peter Pan, to become an animated superstar and the Disney symbol for fun, enchantment and magic through films, television and theme park appearances, was honored with a star of her own. Tinker Bell’s twinkling star ceremony coincides with the debut of Disney Fairies’ latest feature film (from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment), “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue,” released nationwide on the same day.
Tinker Bell made her Disney debut in the Studio’s 1953 animated classic, and immediately winged her way into the hearts and imagination of moviegoers the world over. She went on to become an important part of the landmark Disney TV anthology, “The Wonderful World of Color,” and got each show off to a flying start along with host Walt Disney. Tink’s latest roles in a series of acclaimed movies for Blu-ray™, DVD, and movie download, have added to her worldwide acclaim and taken viewers into the enchanting world of fairies.
Tinker Bell’s legacy is the inspiration for one of Disney’s most popular franchises — Disney Fairies – which includes an array of consumer products and multi-media content anchored by the two previous films “Tinker Bell” and “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.” In these imaginative feature length films created and produced by DisneyToon Studios, Tinker Bell and her colorful band of fairy friends celebrate the coming new seasons, and the adventures associated with each one. Voices for the Tinker Bell films are provided by such talented actors as Mae Whitman, Lucy Liu, Kristin Chenoweth, Raven-Symoné, Pamela Adlon, and Michael Sheen.
Tinker Bell Honored With 2,418th Star On The Walk Of Fame in the Category of Motion Picture by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Leron Gubler
Guest Speaker: Bradley Raymond, Director of Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
Film Voice Talent: Raven-Symoné (voice of Iridessa), Pamela Adlon (voice of Vidia), Angela Bartys (voice of Fawn), Jeff Bennett (voice of Clank)
At 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Disney Soda Fountain & Studio Store just next door to the El Capitan Theatre
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Photo: Alex J. Berliner / BEimages
Woman pleads guilty in Disney insider trading case
Bonnie Hoxie, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, court papers show.
She could face four to 10 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines and a fine of as much as $250,000, the papers show.
The boyfriend Yonni Sebbag, 30, pleaded guilty to the same two charges on August 23, prosecutors said. The Moroccan citizen faces 27 to 33 months in prison and agreed to forfeit $15,000 he received from undercover FBI agents.
Hoxie entered her plea in Manhattan before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Dolinger, according to her lawyer Robert Baum. She is flying back to Los Angeles and scheduled to be sentenced on December 21, he said. Baum declined to discuss Hoxie’s plea.
Prosecutors said the defendants tried to sell information about upcoming Disney earnings and possible merger activity, which Hoxie had learned through her employment, to more than 30 U.S. and European hedge funds.
They were arrested in May after several of the funds reported their activities to authorities. Hoxie had worked for Zenia Mucha, Disney’s corporate communications chief.
Among the leaks were details of possible advanced talks over a sale of Disney’s ABC television network, prosecutors said. Disney has called references to such talks “false.”
“Bonnie Hoxie admitted to playing with a stacked deck by selling valuable Disney secrets to make a quick buck,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement.
A Disney spokesman declined to comment on Hoxie’s plea. The Burbank, California-based media company said last month Hoxie no longer works at Disney.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil charges against Hoxie and Sebbag in May. While it was unclear what motivated them, the SEC said Hoxie had told Sebbag she coveted expensive shoes and a $700 Stella McCartney handbag.
SEC spokesman John Heine had no comment on the SEC case.
The case is U.S. v. Hoxie, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 10-mag-01113.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York. Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles. Editing by Robert MacMillan)
Photo Credit Theodorakis/News
Carousel of Progress.
1950s scene, my personal favorite.
Every Disney fan has his or her favorite underrated attraction. For me, it’s Carousel of Progress, located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. The COP is a rotating theater which carries the audience to four different scenes in a family’s life during the 20th century, from the days before electricity to more modern times. It’s narrated by the father, who is accompanied by the family dog.
The family doesn’t change much physically during the span of the century: Grandma and Grandpa are still there, the annoying little brother grows up a bit in the 1990s, but the big sister stays in her late teens/early 20s and is as sarcastic as ever. What does change are the family appliances and their lifestyle, and it’s fun to watch them acquire modern conveniences that make their lives easier or sometimes harder, as when the Father blows a fuse which shorts out the whole neighborhood. Again.
The COP, then known as Progressland, was originally designed by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 World’s Fair, where it quickly became the most popular attraction. It was later moved to Disneyland, where it stayed for several years until being moved permanently to Walt Disney World in 1975. At Disney World, the COP debuted with the song “The Best Time of Your Life,” a catchy little tune which I still like.
The newest version, which was changed in 1994, has an added final scene and some dialogue changes. It also went back to the original song, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” and was renamed “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress,” to pay homage to its creator.
To me, the COP is a lot of different things. It’s entertaining, sometimes unintentionally funny, and yes, it’s kind of corny, but it the best possible way. It’s also part of Disney history and in that respect, it’s part of my history of the park too. I love the familiarity of it and hope it will always be there.
Disney Food Confession – Kona Coffee
What is it? – Estate-grown Kona Coffee served in a French Press Pot.
Where can you get it? – Kona Cafe at the Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Photo Credit – Disney
I found this website that sells authentic Hawaiian Kona Coffee. The Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee Company ships Kona Coffee to all 50 states, Canada, Japan, and over 30 additional countries on a regular basis.
Favorite Snack Credit Splurges from a Disney Chocoholic
The only thing better than strolling down Main Street USA is strolling down Main Street USA with a chocolate snack in your hand. All the chocoholics out there will appreciate this well-known fact. At Disney, everything looks, sounds, smells and tastes better. There are so many wonderful snack options on the Disney Dining Plan that I thought I would try to make the choices a little easier for my fellow chocoholics. Here are the selections for my top 3 chocolate snacks included in the dining plan broken down by park. See if you agree:
Magic Kingdom
As you can see from the picture, a Double Chocolate Mint Cone from the Main Street Ice Cream Shop is my first choice and favorite traditional chocolate treat. I get one every time I am at the Magic Kingdom. Nothing says Disney like sitting down to enjoy a delicious ice cream cone while staring at Cinderella’s Castle, especially during Castle Dreamlights.
My second and third favorites at the Magic Kingdom can both be found at the Main Street Bakery. The Chocolate Brownies are so gooey and delicious they are sure to put a smile on your face and a tickle in your belly. The Ice Cream Sandwich is a great Disney snack as well; creamy and chocolaty, a perfect combination.
Animal Kingdom
There is a treat at the Dino Bite that you will not believe costs only 1 snack credit. It is the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich – 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two huge 6” chocolate chip cookies. It is big enough for two or three people to share, but why?
My second favorite chocolate treat at the Animal Kingdom can be found at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery. The Paw Print Brownie is a moist, rich brownie topped with chocolate ganache and then covered with a sinfully thick layer of vanilla buttercream icing. This delectable treat will wake up your tastebuds before you have even taken a bite.
My third choice is the Chocolate Cake at the Flame Tree. Being a Texan I love barbecue. When on vacation all the rules are out the window and I get to splurge by enjoying dessert first. This is a very moist chocolate cake that can be enjoyed in a great hidden landscape.
Hollywood Studios
Starring Rolls is the home of both my first and second choices for best chocolate treat at the Hollywood Studios. The Butterfinger Cupcake and the White Chocolate Chip Brownie are two treats that are so good you will want to slap your momma! The Butterfinger Cupcake is chocolate cake with fudge and a whipped-cream frosting layer inside, covered with a chocolate shell and then dusted with Butterfinger shavings. Ooh la la! The White Chocolate Chip Brownie is a decadent pure chocolate masterpiece. This moist and fudgy treat topped with oodles of chocolate chips is to die for.
My third choice, which is always my very first choice when enjoying The Osbourne Spectacle of Dancing Lights, is Mickey’s Hot Chocolate from the Writer’s Stop. This is hot, rich and creamy and is the perfect holiday treat. Catching a whiff as you sip makes all your senses stand up and take notice!
Epcot
My first choice for a chocolate treat at Epcot is the Chocolate Mousse from the Boulangerie Patisserie in France. Some say this is too rich but I don’t understand that slang. This mousse is by far the richest, creamiest I have had anywhere at Disney or at home. My second favorite snack treat is also found at the Boulangerie Patisserie and that is the Chocolate Croissant. A great breakfast food with a latte or espresso, or enjoyed at any time of the day, this croissant is a wonderful representation of Paris life.
My third favorite treat at Epcot is Crepes au Chocolat at Crepes des Chefs de France. These super light crepes filled with chocolate are truly something to enjoy. Just the aroma can make you gain weight but I say starve before the trip and give yourself some growing room.
One more favorite chocolate treat which I felt I had to mention cannot be found at any of the parks. It is available at only one location – The Animal Kingdom Lodge. Zebra Domes, served in the Boma, or sold in packs of 5 at the Mara food court are a family favorite. They are very light chocolate mousse desserts with Kahlua. They are a new comfort food that will make you happy you’re alive.
I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy at least some of these snack treats. As one would imagine, they taste even better when consumed as part of the free dining plan. There are many more chocolate snacks I have yet to try. I will be happy to update this article after my next trip. If you haven’t tried some of these favorites, consider ordering them during your next visit. I promise that no chocoholic will be disappointed. Happy eating!
This article comes to us from our newest Disney Blogger Brenda. Stay tuned to more articles from this Disney Nut. You get it chocolate…nut..oh nevermind…
D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives
D23 Members will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour tour of The Walt Disney Studios and Walt Disney Archives, hosted by D23 and Archives staff. Guests will have the chance to stroll through the old Animation building where beloved films like Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland were created, see the historic soundstages used for filming Disney classics like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and explore the beautiful Legends Plaza, which honors those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy.
D23 will be hosting eight (8) tours on this day. Each tour can accommodate 25 participants.
Event Information
DATE
Saturday, November 13, 2010
LOCATION
The Walt Disney Studios
Burbank, California
TICKETS
On sale Wednesday, September 29 at 10 a.m. PST. Check back here for the ticket link.
COST
$50 per person
SCHEDULE
Tours begin at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. and are approximately two and a half hours long.
For more information check out the D23 website at the link here.
Production To Begin On “the Suite Life Movie” For Disney Channel
Production will begin this month on the thrilling comedy/adventure, “The Suite Life Movie,” a Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) based on the pair of hit comedy series for the channel — “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and “The Suite Life on Deck” — starring Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song, Debby Ryan and Phill Lewis. The movie is set to premiere in 2011 on Disney Channel.
“The Suite Life Movie” marks the seventh Disney Channel series to join the blockbuster DCOM franchise. The winning track record includes the most recent title, “Wizards of Waverly Place the Movie,” which ranked as 2009’s No. 1 scripted cable TV telecast among Total Viewers (13.5 million), and TV’s No. 1 telecast among Kids 6-11 (5.32 million), and its No. 1 scripted telecast among Tweens 9-14 (4.64 million).
The writers for “The Suite Life Movie” are Michael Saltzman, who wrote the story for “The Pink Panther” movie and executive-produced “Murphy Brown,” and Robert Horn, writer of Broadway’s “13,” writer/producer of “Designing Women” and writer of Disney Channel’s upcoming “Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure.”
Sean McNamara is directing the movie. He executive-produced the hit series “Even Stevens,” for which he also earned two DGA Award nominations, and produced “That’s So Raven” for Disney Channel. He also directs the Disney XD series “Zeke and Luther.” Pamela Eells O’Connell (“The Suite Life on Deck,” “Family Matters”), Irene Dreayer (“The Suite Life on Deck,” “Sister, Sister”), Jessica Rhoades (“Den Brother”), Dylan Sprouse and Cole Sprouse are executive producers.
As the story goes, teenage twins Cody and Zack Martin receive an opportunity to participate in the prestigious Gemini Project at a high-tech research center that studies the dynamics between twins. Soon they find themselves connected in a way they’ve never been before: When one twin experiences a sensation, thought or feeling, the other twin feels it too. While this newfound power helps the boys see eye to eye for the first time, it ultimately puts them in more danger than they could have imagined.
Since the launch of its third season in July, “The Suite Life on Deck” ranks among TV’s Top 5 series in target Kids 6-11 (1.4 million/5.7 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (1.3 million/5.5 rating). Source: NTI, 6/28/10-9/5/10, most current, based on minimum 5 telecasts.
Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Serves Up Food & Wine Classic
Guests planning their Orlando vacation shouldn’t miss the opportunity to indulge at the first annual Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Oct. 8 and 9.
Each evening will feature beverage seminars and a culinary festival with live music and tastings from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and lounges.
Guests have the opportunity to choose from six hands-on beverage classes taught by certified wine sommeliers and beer and cocktail specialists from the hotel’s team. Attendees will learn about their topic of choice — ranging from a wine-blending seminar to a sake hour — through watching, listening, touching and of course, tasting!
Immediately following the lessons, guests can wander the causeway while being serenaded by live musicians and savoring numerous tasty offerings. The food samplings will include “Steamrollers,” a creative take on molecular cuisine, from celebrity chef venue Todd English’s bluezoo; “Pick Your Own Filet” from Shula’s Steak House; a simple yet flavorful hand-crafted pasta from Il Mulino New York Trattoria and more. Each day of the event will feature a different selection of food.
Beverage stations will offer mini-learning experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake, beer and cocktails using liquid nitrogen. Finally, guests can delight in a selection of desserts from the only two-time World Pastry Champion, Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef.
A unique offering among Orlando hotels, this event offers guests the opportunity to combine their culinary passion with their Orlando vacation experience.
Tickets to the Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500 and refer to rate code “FWCLAS.”
Fantasy Faire Resurgent
Sometimes, finding information on early Walt Disney World can be quite daunting. If it isn’t covered by Mike Lee’s Widen Your World, Foxxfur’s Passport to Dreams, Michael Crawford’s Progress City, U.S.A. or Jeff Pepper’s 2719 Hyperion, there are chances that the information does not exist. It is possible that the photos or check-in documents have not been uncovered from someone’s vacation files, yet, so we keep our eyes open! Regardless, when a good mystery or question comes a long, it is difficult to give up the scent!
Previously, we looked into discovering what background information we could on the Fantasy Faire Stage in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. What started out as a simple post to help identify a photo quickly turned into a mega-post that pulled information from various web and print resources.
Official Definitions
One of the resources I consulted for the article was the First Edition (1996) of Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia by Dave Smith:
Fantasy Fair Outdoor stage in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, used for live shows.
We were able to secure copies of the Second and Third Editions of the Encyclopedia and I was very excited to see that the entries had increased in size.
Disney A to Z: The Updated Official Encyclopedia, Second Edition (1998):
Fantasy Faire Covered area, also known as Fantasyland Pavilion, originally used for outdoor stage shows in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and later for additional seating for the Pinocchio Village Haus.
They added the “e” to the end of Faire and the information about the stage being renamed Fantasyland Pavilion at some point. I assumed that it was between 1994 and 1996 due to the information uncovered during the research for the first post. In this case, I have times guide from a 1994 visit that still calls it the Fantasyland Faire Stage.
Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Third Edition (2006)
Fantasy Faire Covered area, also known as Fantasyland Pavilion after January 1995, originally used for outdoor stage shows in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, and later for addtional seating for the Pinocchio Village Haus. It closed in 1996.
Wow, what a difference eight years makes. So, know we know that it was renamed in 1995 and closed in 1996.
Thank Goodness for the Interwebs
Joe Shelby, one of our readers, left a comment with a link to his Picasa album of photos that his parent took in 1972-1974. I copied the photos, retouched them and added the URL to each one. I want to thank Joe for sharing these with us.
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| Check out the Amazing Forced Perspective Disney used back in the day! The mice look really big… |
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| Not sure about Smee, but I think that lady chatting up Capt. Hook is looking for more than a handout. |
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| See, no one like hanging with poo… |
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| Shouldn’t everyone be facing the other way?!?!? |
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| What in the world are Pan and Hook handing out? |
Take a moment to compare Joe’s shot from 1972-1974 and the photo from 1985. It looks like the steps were removed which had the effect of creating a much larger stage. Or, the stage was enlarged, thus necessitating the removal of the stairs. Or, too many people were bum rushing the stage to get at Cinderella’s larger than life mice!
I do urge you to get a copy of the Third Edition of Dave Smith’s excellent Disney Encyclopedia; it is an amazing resource to have on hand! If you do own the First or Second Editions, it is worth the price to obtain the Third Edition.
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Game for Nintendo DS is now Available
Disney Interactive Media Group today announced that Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue video game for Nintendo DS™ is now available in retail stores throughout North America. The new DS game includes new interconnectivity elements with the Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow online virtual world (www.pixiehollow.com), which further immerses players into the Disney Fairies fantasy.
In the Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue game, players can team up with familiar fairy friends to go beyond Pixie Hollow in order to bring summer back to the English Countryside, where the game takes place. The DS game offers all new adventures and exciting ways to connect with the Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow online virtual world. For the first time ever, players can unlock exclusive items, create fairy avatars, and send postcards to their fairy friends in Pixie Hollow, all of which create an interconnected experience between the virtual world and the DS game.
“This franchise provides a unique opportunity for us to connect different platforms together in an innovative way for consumers,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president, Disney Interactive Studios. “By offering Disney Fairies fans new ways to connect across multiple devices, we’re creating immersive digital experiences that further enhance their Disney Fairies experience.”
Also, to celebrate the release of the game, Pixie Hollow is holding a Disney Fairies Fashion Design Contest and is asking fans to draw upon their imaginations to design a Fairy or Sparrow Man outfit inspired by the DS game. The winning designs will be brought to life as a new collection in a Pixie Hollow shop, and the winning designers will receive grand prizes that include a Nintendo DS game system, a copy of Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue DS game, and a one-month Pixie Hollow membership card.
“We are encouraging our passionate Disney Fairies online community to tap into their creativity and love of fashion to design an outfit that will be a part of the Pixie Hollow virtual world,” says Jason Everett, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow product director. “With the launch of the new ‘Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue’ animated feature and the video game, fans will have a lot of Disney Fairies content to draw from and customize.”
Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue for Nintendo DS arrives in stores the same day as Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment’s Blu-ray™ and DVD release of the Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue movie. The game, from Disney Interactive Studios, is Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and available now at a suggested retail price of $29.99.
To enter the Disney Fairies Fashion Design Contest, visit the Pixie Hollow website (http://pixiehollow.go.com/contests_home.html).
Halloween Fun at the Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Friends gather at the annual Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party held for 24 nights now through Nov. 1, 2010, at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
The family-friendly after-hours event offers trick or treating, meet and greets with favorite characters in costume, plus the must-see “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade” and “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks display.
halloween1
Photographer Gene Duncan