Disney Junior, the new multiplatform destination for kids age 2-7, will present “Imagination Movers in Concert,” a 45-minute primetime special featuring more than a dozen songs from the Emmy Award-winning “Imagination Movers” television series. Premiering during Mardi Gras week, SUNDAY, MARCH 6 (6:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel, the concert was filmed before a sold-out crowd at the Lakefront Arena in the Movers’ hometown of New Orleans. The special includes appearances by series guest stars Joey Fatone (*NSYNC) and Duff Goldman (Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes”), along with Nina and Warehouse Mouse.
On Monday, February 21, DisneyJunior.com will launch an “Imagination Movers in Concert” supersite (www.DisneyJunior.com/Movers) featuring the new “Join the Band” interactive game, where parents can help their child upload a photo to create their own Mini Mover and play along as kids help the Movers learn their big dance moves in time for the concert. The site will also feature printable personalized Imagination Mover name tags and a dedicated section for parents and caregivers with Mover-inspired recipes, crafts and party planning tips and ideas.
The popular Imagination Movers are currently on a Disney Junior 50-city national concert tour with stops including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Washington, DC. For details on the tour dates and venues visit www.imaginationmovers.com.
The Imagination Movers are Rich Collins, a former journalist and father of five young children; Scott Durbin, an award-winning teacher and father of two young children; Dave Poche, an architect and father of two young children; and Scott “Smitty” Smith, a New Orleans firefighter who was a member of the Katrina search and rescue effort. Since signing to Walt Disney Records, the Imagination Movers have sold more than 100,000 albums.
Grossing over 400 million dollars in global theatrical sales to date, TANGLED,The Walt Disney Studios blockbuster animated feature that takes amodern twist on the famous hair-raising fable Rapunzel, debuts as the ultimate 4-Disc Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack (3D Blu-ray + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy in a single package) on March 29, 2011. As the 50th full-length animated feature in The Walt Disney Studios’ celebrated library and the first animated feature film to ever debut day-and-date on Disney Blu-ray 3D, TANGLED’s uniquely packaged home entertainment release ensures that viewers of all ages can enjoy this film on a variety of superior, hi-def media platforms while diving further into the history and quirky details behind the making of this film via amusing and informative bonus features.
“Disney’s spirited re-telling of Rapunzel in 3D animation turns out to be a dazzler.”
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Featuring unexpected heroes, magic, laughter and adventure, this animated feature is supported by an amazing cast of voice talents including Mandy Moore (“A Walk To Remember,” “The Princess Diaries”) as Rapunzel, Zachary Levi (TV’s “Chuck,” “Less Than Perfect”) as Flynn Rider, Brad Garrett (TV’s “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “’Til Death”) as Hook Hand Thug, Donna Murphy (“Spider-Man 2,” “The Fountain”)as Mother Gothel, and Ron Perlman (“Hellboy,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “The City of Lost Children”) as the Stabbington Brothers. From directors Byron Howard (“BOLT”) and Nathan Grenoand the award-winning songwriter of “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” Alan Menken,TANGLED’s hair-raising adventure keeps viewers entertained throughout with its exciting storyline and memorable melodies.
“ ‘Tangled’ has all of the qualities we look for in an animated Disney feature… Bravo!”
Leonard Maltin
TANGLED hits store shelves this spring and is available as a 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) for the suggested price of $49.99 US/$56.99 Canada, a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) for $39.99 US/$44.99 Canada and/or a 1-Disc DVD for $29.99 US/$35.99 Canada.
BONUS FEATURES
Blu-ray
Untangled: The Making of a Fairy Tale – Exactly how long is Rapunzel’s hair? How many lanterns were used? Where did Pascal’s name come from? Which Disney animated feature first utilized CG animation? These and more will be answered when Mandy Moore and Zach Levi take viewers on a kooky behind-the-scenes tour to learn how the filmmakers styled this film’s “Golden Tresses.”
Deleted Scenes – Co-directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greno introduce three scenes and illuminate why they were ultimately cut.
The Jaunty Moose
Chemistry Develops
“Vigor The Visionary”
Extended Songs – The complete versions of two great songs are shared in a unique feature that explains the co-directors decision to scale them down.
“When Will My Life Begin”
“Mother Knows Best”
Two Original Storybook Openings – Two alternate versions of the film’s opening sequence described by co-directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard.
50th Animated Feature Countdown – A video montage celebrating Tangled as the 50th film to join The Walt Disney Studios’ prestigious lineup of classic animated features.
9 Tangled Teasers – A collection of the most unique and quirky commercials made for the theatrical release of “Tangled.” Some are spoofs based off of infomercials and/or breaking news, some are teasers and others are simply just funny filmstrips.
DVD & Movie Download
Two Original Storybook Openings – Versions 1 & 2
50th Animated Feature Countdown
DISC SPECIFICATIONS
BLU-RAY 3D & BLU-RAY
DVD
Street Date
March 29, 2011
March 29, 2011
Direct Prebook
February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011
Distributors Prebook
February 15, 2011
February 15, 2011
Suggested Retail Price
4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) — $49.99 US/$56.99 Canada
When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider (voice of ZACHARY LEVI) hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of MANDY MOORE), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower she’s been locked away in for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief, and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with asuper-cop horse, an overprotective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. Tangled is a story of adventure, heart, humor and hair—lots of hair.
Donnie Dunagan, voice of young Bambi, photo provided by Disney.
Recently I was honored to take part in a chat with Donnie Dunagan, the voice of Young Bambi, to promote “Walt Disney: Bambi” available on Diamond Edition Blu-ray on March 1, 2011. Donald “Donnie” Roan Dunagan was born August 16, 1934 in San Antonio Texas. He made his film debut in “Mother Carey’s Chickens” (1938), playing the son of the “Son of Frankenstein” (1939) and provided the voice of young Bambi for the 1942. Dunagan later became a career Marine (1952-77), serving in Vietnam and working in counter intelligence. He was very generous in his time discussing keeping the fact that he voiced Bambi when he was in the Marines, remembering the production of the film, interacting with fans and more. Here’s a look at our chat.
How old were you when you got the role of Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: I want to share good specifics with everyone, on my wonderful life story. But on your question I must guess some. My agent got some feeler contact months before Disney reached my mother. I was just six years old in the fall of 1940 when production started on the film and my trips to the Disney studio to work on it extended into early 1941. I was born in August of 1934.
What started your career in the film industry?
Donnie Dunagan: In Memphis, TN, late 1938. My parents and thousands of other in Tennessee were poor as dirt. My Mother entered me into a talent show contest. The theater was loaded with people. There was no TV yet and talent contests and even spelling bees drew large gatherings. I had learned to do some fun tap dances and songs. At not quite age 4, I won the contest. A real talent-scout was in the Memphis theater. He visited with my parents and a couple of days later we were put on a train to Hollywood. Within a month I was acting in Mother Carey’s Chickens for a wonderful director named Mr. Lee, who then took me into two other movies with co-star billing within half a year.
How did you go about obtaining the role of Young Bambi? Did you have an agent as a child actor?
Donnie Dunagan: Yes. I had an agent when I met Walt Disney. But in the end, I know my Mother got a call from the Studio and was excited, as was I. Interestingly, I fired my first agent. He then said that I was too young to fire him. He had been rude to my Mother thinking she was not a college graduate, and she was. So at age 5 and ½ I fired him.
What was the hardest part about playing Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: If I had spoken of this while working on the film, I might have been fired! The hardest part was being serious. I loved the studio. The people were very different. I had a great time. Animators and all of the different people at Disney offered to show me how certain things worked, and the ice cream in the dining room was great.
Did you have to record many takes before finding the right tone?
Donnie Dunagan: I do not think so. I remember that I was encouraged to just be myself, a real, natural kid. I suspect Thumper had the same instructions, be honest, natural kids. Listen to Thumper. He sounds just like some kid playing second base on a dirt field in New Jersey…wonderful. Walt Disney was way ahead of his time in respecting the use of age appropriate voices for his characters.
At what age did you enjoy Bambi best?
Donnie Dunagan: Boy, what a wise question. In the mid 1970s when it was first re-released. I was a mature man then, age 40, and with a ton of uncommon life experiences, I related to Bambi much better, taking some of the real life cycles that story shares and feeling them with my own life. Mr. Disney was way ahead of his time in visual story telling. I know Ph.D., heavy-hitters that have told me of their experiences realizing more life and humanities from each viewing of Bambi.
After all these years: Do people still ask you to do recitations from “Bambi”?
Walt Disney: Bambi (Diamond Edition) Available 3/1/11
Donnie Dunagan: Yes. Boy, did that get me by surprise. Kids always ask. At first I had to modify my long developed adult voice and get all the Marine tones out of it, in order to say “bird,” “flower” and so on. With some practice I have been able to do it!
How was a recording session like, for you? Please share with us the details you can remember, what kind of facility, how did it seem to you as a young child?
Donnie Dunagan: It was a relaxed atmosphere in the sound booth with one or two Disney crew people there, plus my Mother. It was easy does it. I thought it would be harder, since there wasn’t any on-camera work. I recall there was very little pre-recording rehearsal time. The microphones were rather basic back then, one was in a small bird-cage on a stand. It was easier than one might suspect.
Did you did any other dubbing / voice over work after Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: No. Like a lot of companies affected by WWII, Disney changed immediately after Bambi came out and was used by our War Dept. to help our country. My family had some problems and I never was approached to work in films again, and I did not search that out either.
What kind of interaction with Walt Disney did you have during the voice recording and live action staging. Also, did you keep in touch with Mr. Disney during the next decades after making the movie?
Donnie Dunagan: There was no follow-up with Mr. Disney. The start of WWII for America changed the country and life-styles more radically than younger generations can think possible.
Can you tell me about the direction you get for the recording of Bambi desperately calling for his dead mother?
Donnie Dunagan: I remember this well. When I was told to say, with some stress, “Mother….Mother,” I must have not had the tone of fear that the story needed. A coach, I think it was a nice lady at the studio, asked me how I would cry out loud if my own real Mother was lost and in great danger. That made it easy…..thus, the fear-tone of “”Mother…Mother…”
Were you excited about being in a Disney film? Had you seen any of their films before entering the studio?
Donnie Dunagan: I was so excited to learn we were going to Disney studio than I constantly pestered my poor Mom. I had not seen a Disney film when chosen to do Bambi. We seldom went to the movies. Time was always pressed with practicing dancing, singing, language, and on and on. But I knew of the Disney studio and was thrilled to do it.
One of your first roles was ‘Peter von Frankenstein’ in the film ‘Son of Frankenstein’ – what do you remember about the experience on that set?
Donnie Dunagan: Son of Frankenstein was a child’s dream of fun. “Frankenstein” off-camera, was a good humor guy, liked by all. Mr. Lee, the director, should get an award for courage, casting me with all those polished voices. I was just a few months out of the deep south. It was great fun.
What would you say you’ve gained from your childhood career in film?
Donnie Dunagan: How to quickly identify reality from fantasy, and how to enjoy both but realize the difference.
Do you have a favourite scene from Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: The young dear kiss, while Bambi was feeling sorry for himself, sitting in a thicket. I had to pretend to have taken a double-dose of cod liver oil, grim stuff for a kid, in order to make such an unhappy face with angry eyes. Boys at that age do not want to be kissed by a cute girl. I am glad that I grew-out of that phase!
Were you afraid at any time whilst first watching Bambi as a child?
Donnie Dunagan: Yes. While I had some sense of the story-line, nothing could prepare my Mother and I for the scope and power of Bambi the first few times we saw it. I had very wet eyes when Bambi’s mother was killed by hunters off-camera. Someone at the studio told us that the original drawings had her killed on-camera and that Mr. Disney had the very good taste to direct that to be changed.
Bambi is ageless, what do you think is the secret of this magical feeling? Is it the rhythm of the movie, is it the voices, is it the color and the photography?
Donnie Dunagan: Your question is darn bright and like some of the best questions in life, self answering. Bambi is truly unmatched in visual animation. It is like the lead song….”Love is a story that will never end”… Bambi has so much story, so many real-life emotions, and beautiful animation. It is a love song to all of us, and it will never end.
What are your current and future endeavors?
Donnie Dunagan: I am about as retired as a professor who has a night job as a police officer. I tutor truly caring students, high school and college undergrads in science and physics, mostly pro bono. The hardest working kids anywhere. Sometimes they deliver food from our food bank to elementary schools. I’m also active in Lions Club, who are great service people to area communities. And I also work for peanuts for my wife. Captain Honnnny-Dooo. Ha!
Did anyone nickname you Bambi through out your life?
Donnie Dunagan: Ha! Only in the last few years, all in good fun and mostly at my expense. And I have come to love that teasing.
Did you ever go hunting yourself?
Donnie Dunagan: Yes, but with a camera only.
Donnie Dunagan, photo provided by Disney.
Do you recall any aspects of Bambi that your mother recognized as being similar to you?
Donnie Dunagan: Nothing I can recall now. But I will share with you something… the drive between our home in West Los Angeles and Disney Studios was a drag! Boring! We learned to play spelling bee in the car, each one challenging the other. I had been reading newspapers since age 5 and could spell reasonably. One time I challenged my Mom that I could spell Disney “better” than she could. I remember her response,” how can you spell anything better than the correct spelling?” Mom, bet I can….bet you a quarter. ‘OK’ she said, thinking me a bit silly. She then spelled it d.i.s.n.e.y ., and then she said, OK, smarty, how can you spell that better for a quarter. My spelling of Disney was ‘F. U. N.’ She smiled, laughed and gave me a quarter.
Why did you never talk about being the voice of Bambi even when you were still a child? Haven’t you been excited to show off with your Hollywood-adventures in front of your friends?
Donnie Dunagan: During WWII, and into early teens, my thoughts were focused on just getting by. I totally supported myself from age 13 and ½ on. While I did many school plays, and later was awarded many times for being a leading instructor at the Marine officer’s colleges, I had such a dislike for ‘show-offs,’ and those that boasted about themselves, that I became a very poor self-promoter. Now, in my 70s, I am having a ball with young and old people loving Mr. Disney’s Bambi and it is an honor to be a part of it.
Have you had an interest in going back into voice acting at all?
Donnie Dunagan: Yes. I would do it in a flash. Moreover, I would love to get a shot at a real challenging on-camera character role. Send me that leading role and I will do 20 push-ups in the snow for you.
What is your favorite encounter with a fan who knew you as the voice of Bambi, either then or now?
Donnie Dunagan: It was nearly 6 years ago, in central west Texas. I was asked to help at a local fund-raising dinner with lots of people attending. I was the third speaker. The first two, gentle, gracious caring civic folks, had asked the large crowd to please pay attention to this local funding problem and please help. They were gentle and passive. That was not moving the group to do much. Then it was my turn. Right after hello…”Now, no nonsense with this. Get you check book out, guys and ladies. Now waive them in the air…Hold them up. Good. Now pens out. Start writing….I am watching.” It got lots of laughs and guess what? Lots of checks. At one of the tables was a wonderful WWII widow and the only person in Texas that knew I was part of Disney’s Bambi. She turned to a friend at that table and said, too loud, “would you believe that that fighter up there was Bambi in 1940-something.” Right behind her was the manager of the local TV station. Well, the next morning, with no notice, up pulls a TV van and a reporter. Then the Disney Studio heard of it from someone else and called me immediately.
What would Bambi’s fans find in this new Diamond edition Blu-ray?
Donnie Dunagan: Fans should put their senses on “Happy Alert.” Bambi on Blu-ray will knock your socks off. The Blu-ray technology is a visual atmosphere all its own, thanks to Mr. Disney’s insistence that even the background of the forest and the rain drops be painted in real oil paints. Stand-by for Joy.
Do you still feel connected to the character of Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: Yes, in many ways. Bambi had to fend largely for himself, rather young, and so did I. He had to learn some hard realities at a young age and stand-up to threats and real danger. So did I. He made it, despite much and tried to stand as an example. I hope I have too.
Are you involved in any new projects right now?
Donnie Dunagan: I have many uses of my time, all for good humanist purposes. I am usually up at 4:30am, and busy in helping others including veterans, tutoring children in math and sciences, and my own home life.
How do you feel now in 2011 about being the original voice of Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: Wonderful. Not many would understand this, if they had a clue of even half of my teen and long adult life. The reality is, at age 77, it is pure joy that both children and 80 year-olds can enjoy the film together. I could be working in the White House and children could care less. But let someone say, “that dude over there was the face, or voice of Bambi,” and I am an immediate adopted grandfather to them. That is just an unmatchable joy, and a real responsibility.
Can you share with us any final thoughts on Bambi?
Donnie Dunagan: This animated film has been with us for almost 70 years now. It has additional dimensions that one may not see or feel in the first viewing. Bambi touches us, in many good humanist ways. Disney and Bambi are truly spelled F.U.N. I was a super lucky-duck kid to have been any part of it. And to this day, I feel indebted to Mr. Disney.
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!
I can hardly remember touring the Walt Disney World theme parks without a backpack that contains all the essentials. With small children in tow these days, it is usually chock full of diapers, snacks, water, clothing, sunscreen, medications, and ponchos. Even before kids, it was rare that my husband and I didn’t bring a theme park bag, lighter of course, but still filled with everything we would need while away from our resort room for the day. But, is it necessary?
Traveling Light
Traveling light certainly has its benefits, not the least of which is bypassing the sometimes lengthy bag check lines at the entrance to each Disney theme park. There have been more times than I would care to remember when we were running late for an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) or the beginnings of IllumiNations and the bag checks were a bottleneck in our quest to make it on time.
The most obvious reason to ditch the bag is avoiding the feeling of being a pack mule. At the end of a long day, that bag can feel as if its weight has doubled. Not to mention that sticky, unpleasant feeling of your shirt plastered to your back on warm days because the air does not circulate between you and the theme park bag.
I cannot think of an attraction at Walt Disney World where you are not permitted to bring your theme park bag. In fact, I appreciate that many rides have a built-in mechanism or place to secure your bag. A theme park bag becomes more inconvenient when dining. One of my complaints about many Walt Disney World restaurants is that the tables are too close together, a necessity I suppose when so many guests pass through their doors every day. These tight areas can mean it’s somewhat nerve-wracking carrying a large bag past diners and servers carrying plates of food in a narrow space.
Can it be done?
Disney is very aware of the guest experience and makes everything you would normally carry in a theme park bag easily available…for a price.
Lockers. There are lockers to store any gear you don’t want to lug around the parks near each theme park entrance. A consideration is the extra time it will take to trek across the park to your locker should you need something mid-day.
Snacks and Beverages. You won’t want for food and drink at Disney – there are an astounding number of dining locations. One complaint I frequently hear about the Disney Dining Plans is that there is so much food that guests have lots of unused snack credits on the last day of their visit. Snack credits can be used for bottled water at the parks (though this probably isn’t the best use of snack credits) which means one less thing you have to carry. You can also ask for a free cup of ice water at any of the quick service locations and Cast Members will be happy to oblige.
Medications. Each theme park has a First Aid station and it has been my experience that many shops carry over-the-counter medications behind the counter; you just have to ask.
Rain Gear. If you’re caught in a rainstorm, you’ll be able to easily find and purchase ponchos to keep you dry – no need to leave the park. However, they are not cheap.
PhotoPass. With PhotoPass photographers conveniently located throughout the park and at Character Meet ‘N Greets, you don’t even need to bring a camera anymore if you don’t want.
Lanyards. Lanyards are a great way to keep some cash, your Key to the World, and FastPasses readily available.
As you can see, the trade-off between bringing or buying is really cost versus convenience.
When Should You Consider a Bag?
Small Kids. There’s really no way around carrying a “diaper bag” when you’re out and about with little children all day.
Medical Conditions. If someone in your travel party has special needs that require prescription medications or other medical supplies be close at hand, a theme park bag is a necessity.
Variable Weather. During some times of the year, temperatures in Florida can fluctuate widely throughout the day. If you’ll be out all day, layers are essential and having a theme park bag to store excess clothing comes in handy.
Do you travel light and skip the theme park bag or is it a must-bring for any day at a Disney park?
Fifteen new panelists hailing from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are members of the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com. The popularity of the Moms Panel site has grown so much that Disney Parks invited back 30 alumni panelists. These passionate guests will give their unique and personal park-savvy smarts to fellow guests planning Disney vacations.
Also helping to spread the magic, Oscar-winning actress and mom to three, Geena Davis, serves as an honorary “Disney Mom” sharing her own personal tips and treasured Disney memories in an exclusive Moms Panel video, available in the celebrity video library at www.disneyworldmoms.com.
Walt Disney World Resort continues to re-invent Downtown Disney (DTD) as a shopping and dining destination, with many new and planned additions– to Marketplace, West Side and now Hyperion Wharf – being outsourced (non-Disney) restaurants.
All these changes have led me to wonder about whether DTD dining is good enough to be the anchor of a Disney retail and restaurant experience. Similar to Allie’s question, “To Downtown Disney or Not,” I’ve started to ask myself, “Is it worth traveling to DTD to eat?”
Downtown Disney Restaurants
Downtown Disney dining options have many choices, although most of what is offered is a selection of American food geared toward families.
In terms of overall food quality, like those at the Disney theme parks and resorts, quality varies. Generally, the quick-service options at DTD are equal and often superior to their counterparts at the parks and resorts. DTD’s full-service restaurants, moderately priced, tend to be above average for the non-Disney chains and average for the Disney-run venues – with Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant being the true stand-out.
Like their Disney restaurant counterparts, DTD restaurants don’t tend to serve heavily spiced food and their portions tend to be generous. Prices are comparable with other on-Disney property options.
To Dine or Not to Dine at DTD – That is the Question…
I visit DTD on every trip – it’s a regular stop on travel days – and have my favorite DTD restaurants. I don’t feel my Disney vacation is complete until I have either had a quick nibble at Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express or enjoyed a casual meal and raised my glass at Raglan Road Irish Restaurant and Pub. Preferably followed by a sweet treat from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop or Goofy’s Candy Co.
So I want to answer a firm Yes! Dine at DTD.
But it’s a more complicated question than that, isn’t it? At least if you’re not on a Disney trip with me, when it’s not complicated at all – we’re going! Whether or not you should visit DTD depends on your Walt Disney World (WDW) vacation details and your expectations. Here are some things to consider.
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. Kent Phillips. Disney.
(Multiple) Reasons for visiting DTD: Generally, the more reasons you have for visiting DTD, the more it makes sense to dine at DTD. If you’re going to DTD for Cirque du Soleil, DisneyQuest, or just to shop, eating there becomes part of the overall experience. Some guests also like DTD dining instead of eating at their resorts, making it an evening out but still away from the parks (and lines).
Length of Stay: DTD is many guests’ choice for dining on a travel day – they’re a relaxing way to ease in and out the WDW atmosphere. Eating at DTD on longer trips, ones with a touring half-day or rest day, also offers a nice compromise between Disney and non-Disney. Shorter stays, or first-time visitors, might consider saving DTD for future trips.
Transportation/Resort Location: Traveling to DTD via car is more efficient, not to mention more convenient if you’ll be shopping, and the parking is free. Disney bus transportation is reliable but takes longer to get from place to place. For guests staying off-site without cars, a trip to DTD might not be worthwhile. For those on-site, there’s less of an issue.
Guests of Port Orleans French Quarter or Riverside can make an experience of getting to DTD, traveling via the resort’s relaxing boat ride. DTD is also a fairly quick trip for guests at the nearby Epcot-area resorts. Guests staying at Disney Values might also consider DTD, although a slightly longer trip, as DTD dining offers a non-park alternative to those resorts’ food courts. It’s a significantly longer bus ride from other Disney resorts.
Disney Dining Plan / Tables in Wonderland:Whether to eat at DTD isn’t as complicated for on-site guests using the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) or guests using the Tables in Wonderland (TIW) discount card. Many DTD restaurants participate in one or both programs.
Dining Expectations: DTD food, for the most part, isn’t a Disney experience – most restaurants aren’t owned and operated by Disney. That’s not to say there aren’t themed restaurants at DTD; there are plenty of them. They’re just not solely Disney ones. There are plenty of familiar chains serving family dining that is focused kids (e.g. Rainforest Café, T-Rex) as well as more adult but still family-friendly venues (e.g. Bongos, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood). Of course, some of these chain restaurants can be found in other areas, which potentially makes them somewhat less special or magical. On the other hand, the overall food quality of these restaurants are a notch higher than Disney-run ones in DTD.
Dine at Downtown Disney – That is the Answer
But while I can logically tell you eating at DTD is a personal decision, based on the specifics of your trip, I can’t help but recommend eating there at least once. Make a half-day of it, combined with some shopping or another DTD experience to give you a chance to experience DTD as a leisurely Disney experience. I recommend investigating Downtown Disney’s current list of restaurants and choose your favorite fare.
Or…simply take my advice and enjoy an evening at Raglan Road. Come for the food, stay for the entertainment, and enjoy the Guinness and whiskey. Maybe I’ll see you there.
The 2011 Disney‘s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine continues a mission to annually bring together 100 high school students who want to ignite their lives, dreams and passions. However, the March 3-6 event at Walt Disney World Resort also will serve as a “make-up class” for 13 teens selected for the 2010 Academy which, due to winter-weather travel cancellations, they were unable to attend.
Combined with 100 high school students from 22 states and the District of Columbia selected for 2011, the class register this year will have 113 names on it, making it the largest in the four years of the program.
It also will be a watershed year as the students, selected from among thousands of applicants across the country, embark on customized itineraries based on their individual interests and aspirations. During hands-on experiences, they will explore a world of career options — from animation, through entrepreneurship, to zoology. They’ll be engaged with motivational speakers, Disney experts and celebrities — each with a special talent and an individual life story.
Among the celebrities for the 2011 Dreamers Academy is musical and theatrical talent, including Raven Simone, Ruben Studdard and Cupid.
Disney’s Dreamers Academy is designed so that the teens can be inspired, discover possibilities and prepare for their future. For additional information, visit www.disneysdreamersacademy.com.
Related articles
Three Central Florida Teens Set to Join 2011 Disney’s Dreamers Academy (chipandco.com)
Steve Harvey & Essence Magazine Announce the 100 Students Selected for 4th Disney’s Dreamers Academy (chipandco.com)
Raise the curtain and light the musical fires! Jose Feliciano returns to Walt Disney World Resort March 4-6 to kick off the Flower Power Concert Series, a feature of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival that fills the air with classic pop, rock and R&B music each weekend of the festival.
Performances are at America Gardens Theatre and are included with Epcot admission. Showtimes are 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The March-April lineup of nine acts will include two Flower Power newcomers — Melissa Manchester (March 25-27) and the duo Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (April 8-10):
Singer-pianist-composer Melissa Manchester burst onto the scene in 1975 with the hit “Midnight Blue” and won the Grammy for Pop Female Vocal for 1982’s “You Should Hear How She Talks about You.” Her fan-favorite hit: “Don’t Cry Out Loud.”
The husband-wife vocal team Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. recorded the smash hit “You Don’t Have to be a Star” (To Be in My Show) for which they earned a Grammy as R&B Vocal Duo. They also were founding members of the 60s-70s group The 5th Dimension, which had 20 Top 40 hits.
Here’s the complete March-April lineup (subject to change without notice):
March 4-6 — Jose Feliciano March 11-13 — The Guess Who March 18-20 — Chubby Checker & The Wildcats March 25-27 — Melissa Manchester April 1-3 — Starship starring Mickey Thomas April 8-10 — Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. April 15-17 — Juice Newton April 22-24 — Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons April 29-30, May 1 — Paul Revere & The Raiders
For additional information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, visit disneyworld.com/flower.
Strap in for adventure as BOOM! Studios flies you back to Duckburg to join Uncle Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and all your favorite feathered friends in the all-new, original ongoing DUCKTALES comic series! A beloved classic of The Disney Afternoon, DUCKTALES returns with writing by Epic Mickey video game creator Warren Spector and spectacular art by fan-favorite Disney Duck artist Miquel Pujol! Don’t miss out as The Disney Afternoon Revolution continues in a big way this May with DUCKTALES!
“You want ducks? Oh, do we have ducks!” says BOOM! Studios Marketing Director Chip Mosher. “We’re taking you back to one of the most celebrated Disney Afternoon series ever aired! And with a creative powerhouse like Warren Spector and fantastic art from Miquel Pujol, this series is sure to be jam-packed with duck adventures no DUCKTALES fans will want to miss!”
DUCKTALES is BOOM!’s latest and greatest of The Disney Afternoon Revolution that “might solve a mystery,” and will definitely “rewrite history!” Existing within the same continuity as BOOM!’s hit series DARKWING DUCK, find out why “life is like a hurricane!”
DUCKTALES #1 is written by Warren Spector and drawn by Miquel Pujol and ships with A & B covers by Leonel Castellani and James Silvani respectively, as well as a 1-in-10 incentive cover. This title ships this May.
At the Walt Disney World theme park, they are playing a role in “Disney Junior–Live on Stage!”, a theme park show created for young guests. Co-starring roles in the show are played by the cast of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins — other shows that are part of the Disney Junior schedule.
“Ever since ‘Playhouse Disney–Live on Stage!’ premiered in 2001, it has been a chance for our younger guests to experience their Disney Channel friends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” said Dan Fields of Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative director for “Disney Junior–Live on Stage!” “As their circle of TV friends has grown and changed during the years, we’ve endeavored to make sure those new friends are part of their vacation fun, too.”
Like the previous show (“Playhouse Disney–Live on Stage”), “Disney Junior–Live on Stage!” will be presented several times during the theme park day. Guests should check their Times Guide for show times.
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‘Disney Junior – Live on Stage’ Opens in March at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts (chipandco.com)
From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.
A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.
In Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.
NOTES:
When Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for “Frankenweenie,” he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film. Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984.
“Frankenweenie” follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s other stop-motion animated films “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®.
Over 200 puppets and sets were created for the film.
The voice cast includes four actors who worked with Burton on previous films: Winona Ryder (“Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands”), Catherine O’Hara (“Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”), Martin Short (“Mars Attacks!”) and Martin Landau (“Ed Wood,” Sleepy Hollow”).
Several of the character names—Victor, Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar “E” Gore and Mr. Burgermeister— were inspired by classic horror films.
Genre: Comedy adventure
Rating: TBD
U.S. Release date: October 5, 2012
Running time:
Voice Cast: Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer
Director: Tim Burton
Producers: Tim Burton, Allison Abbate
Executive Producer: Don Hahn
Screenplay by: John August
Based on an original idea by: Tim Burton
Disney Junior, the New Learning-Focused Multiplatform Brand, Launches with Double-Digit Percent Gains “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” Ranks as the Channel’s No. 1 Weekday Preschool Series Premiere Ever Among Total Viewers and Kids 2-5.
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” Tops “Dora the Explorer’s” Valentine Special Head to Head; Hits 15-Month High for an Original Airing Among Boys 2-5
Disney Junior (Monday, 4:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Reflecting the Disney brand essence with contemporary and classic stories and characters generations have a strong emotional connection to, the launch of Disney Junior, Disney Channel’s new, multiplatform brand devoted to kids 2-7 and their families, delivered impressive double-digit percent gains over year-ago daypart averages, driven by the record-setting series debut of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” and classic favorite “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”
From 4:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Disney Junior exceeded the year-ago time period average by animpressive 35% among Kids 2-5 (485,000 vs. 358,000).
“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” (8:30 – 8:55 a.m.)
The series premiere “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” ranked as Disney Channel’s No. 1 weekday series debut of all time among Total Viewers (2.34 million) and Kids 2-5 (978,000/5.8 rating), andits No. 1 preschool series launch overall in Boys 2-5 (618,000/7.2 rating) and Women 18-49 (545,000/0.8 rating).
“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” outperformed the recent premiere of Nickelodeon’s “BubbleGuppies” (1/24/11) by 35% in Total Viewers (2.34 million vs. 1.73 million) andby 11% in Kids 2-5 (978,000 vs. 881,000).
“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” exceeded year-ago time period averages across the board,including by 21% in Total Viewers (2.34 million vs. 1.93 million), by 33% in Kids 2-5 (978,000 vs. 736,000) and by 75% in Women 18-49 (545,000 vs. 311,000).
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” (9:00 – 9:30 a.m.)
An all-new “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” defeated “Dora the Explorer’s” Valentine specialon Nickelodeon by 10% in Total Viewers (2.02 million vs. 1.84 million) and by 11% in Kids 2-5 (845,000/5.0 rating vs. 762,000/4.5 rating), and stood as the series’ most-watched original telecast in 15months in Boys 2-5 (504,000/5.9 rating).
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” was up by double-digitpercentagesover year-ago levels (across all demos, including by 10% in Total Viewers (2.02 million vs. 1.84 million) and by 30% in Kids 2-5 (845,000 vs. 652,000).
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“Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to debut March 2011 (chipandco.com)
‘Disney Junior – Live on Stage’ Opens in March at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts (chipandco.com)
