Star Wars Celebration V will feature a full lineup no fan will want to miss

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July 6, 2010

Exciting news comes to us from Attractions Magazine!

The biggest Star Wars fan event of all time is coming to Orlando and it’s just about a month away. Star Wars Celebration V will be held at the Orange County Convention Center from Aug. 12 to 15, 2010.

This year’s event will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, and the ongoing, weekly adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Featuring celebrities, costumes, live entertainment, screenings, autographs, collectibles, panels and more, Star Wars Celebration V is the official Lucasfilm convention.

The main event will be when The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart interviews Director George Lucas in an hour-long, candid conversation. A self-proclaimed lover of Lucas’ “galaxy far, far away,” Stewart aims to focus on areas of interest to the many diverse and devoted groups that have helped Star Wars endure for more than 30 years. In addition, fan questions can be submitted through the official Star Wars Celebration V website at starwarscelebration.com.

Click here to keep reading.

Disneyland’s ‘Star Tours’ is closing and D23 members get the last ride

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Interesting news comes to us from LA Times

Disneyland will shutter the popular “Star Tours” attraction this month to make way for a major overhaul of the Reagan-era ride — but D23 members will be given one last, special opportunity to say goodbye to the vintage “Star Wars” adventure.

On July 14, members of D23 (which is the prestige, dues-membership fan club launched by Disney last year) will be offered a free and final ride on “Star Tours” before the doors get locked. The first 160 members who sign up that morning will get spots on the last run of the “Star Tours” starspeeders, which will be after-hours on the night of July 26.

The way it will work: The lucky D23 members will meet at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney between 10 p.m. and midnight for check-in. After the park closes at midnight, D23 staffers will escort the contingent into Disneyland proper, where they will join the always-hapless Captain Rex for the last flight to Endor aboard his Starspeeder 3000 vehicle.

The group is 160 because that is the capacity of the ride — there are four starspeeders that hold 40 people each. Check the D23 website on Wednesday for more details and the official announcement.

‘Millionaire’ may cost Disney Millions

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

A jury is set to continue deliberations this week over a suit from the game show’s creator seeking $395 million in damages. A decision for Celador International could be a setback for media mergers.

To use a phrase from “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” the game show handed ABC a lifeline.

Now the network could be on the hook.

The Walt Disney Co.-owned network had been trailing in the ratings in the summer of 1999 when “Millionaire” premiered, offering a $1-million prize for the contestant who could answer increasingly challenging questions. “Millionaire” was an overnight sensation — and would become ABC’s first top-rated prime-time show in more than a decade. Former Disney Chief Executive Michael D. Eisner proclaimed it “the most important thing to happen to ABC since I don’t know when.”

As big a hit as “Millionaire” was for ABC — the network at one point slapped it on the air five nights a week — the one thing the British import didn’t do was make a profit for its creator, according to a lawsuit and trial now underway in Riverside County that is seeking up to $395 million in damages.

Click here to keep reading this article from LA Times.

Mo’Nique visits “Captain EO” Grand “Re-Premiere”

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Comedienne and Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique poses July 2, 2010 with a pair of 3-D glasses and one Mickey Mouse glove — a la Michael Jackson — as she prepares to visit “Captain EO” on the film’s grand re-opening day at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The musical 3-D film, which stars Michael Jackson, was presented at Epcot from 1986-1994. After a long hiatus, the space adventure film re-opened July 2 at the Walt Disney World Resort theme park. Mo’Nique, who received an Academy Award for her role in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” also was among the 135 artists, performers and executives invited on June 25, 2010 to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Gene Duncan, photographer

Classic Disney – Morris The Midget Moose

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Here is a classic Disney Video all the way from 1950. It’s about an elder beetle who tells two younger bugs feeling bad about their size about Morris, an undersized moose who teams up with a small-antlered moose to stand up against local leader Thunderclap.

WDW Free Dining Promotion extended until Dec 21

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 6, 2010

FREE Dining has been extended!

This package is limited and in the past has sold out very quickly. So call or
email PixieVacations.com today if you are interested. 678-815-1584

Buy this Walt Disney World Resort vacation package with hotel and Theme Park
tickets and get a Disney Dining Plan FREE!

Are you hungry for some fun? At this affordable price, you can enjoy meals
included for every night of your visit! What a delicious way to enjoy their
Walt Disney World® Resort vacation.

Offer Details:

When you purchase a 5-night, 6-day Walt Disney package that includes
accommodations for five nights at a select Disney Moderate Resort and a 6-day
Magic Your Way Base Ticket, they’ll get the Disney Dining Plan free**.

Those who purchase a 5-night, 6-day Magic Your Way Package with accommodations
at a select Disney Value Resort get a free Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Booking and Travel Window EXTENDED:

* Booking Window: May 3 – Aug. 14, 2010
* Travel Window: Valid for stays most nights Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, 2010, Oct. 22
– Oct. 28, 2010, Nov. 12 – Nov. 18, 2010, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010 and Dec. 10
– Dec. 21, 2010

Sample Pricing:

$1,843 for a family of four*, staying in a standard room at a select
Disney Moderate Resort. That’s like paying $77 per person, per day!

$1,440 for a family of four*, staying in a standard room at a select
Disney Value Resort. That’s like paying $60 per person, per day!

Ask about packages for other lengths of stay and accommodations at other select
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.

Booking Information:

When calling or email Pixie Vacations, please ask for package code WG7 for FREE
Dine or NF3 for FREE Quick Dine.

* Price based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. The number of packages
available at these rates is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price
for the same package. Tickets are for 1 theme park per day and must be used
within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer is
nontransferable. Advance reservations required.

** Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order
from the children’s menu if available. Some table-service restaurants may have
limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Special Thanks to Pixie Vacations for this information.

To Book Contact:

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

Registration Opens for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Registration for one of Disney’s most popular races is officially open! Be sure to sign up for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker, set for February 25-27, 2011.

The women-focused event invites runners of all types to come enjoy Kids’ Races, a Family 5K, health and fitness expo and half marathon, all Princess themed, of course.

Click here to see costumes from last years event in a very cool Quicktime picture viewer.

A Disney Vinylmation Toy Story

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

This exciting news comes to us from Disney Parks Blog.

I loved playing with toys when I was little. I still enjoy playing with toys only now they include more technology and are more expensive. Like many parents, I took my kids to see Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 3” on opening day in 3-D. Besides being a wonderful film, it brought back many memories of toys I played with when little. Now a whole new generation of “kids” (yes, the little ones and those that refuse to grow up – you know who you are) will be happy to see the latest Vinylmation “toys” – the Toy Story series. I spoke with Thomas Scott, lead designer for Vinylmation, about this new series.

“Work began on the series in summer 2009,” explained Thomas. “I suggested an entire series saluting the trilogy of Toy Story films. This gave me a range of characters to select from including some characters not featured in the newest film.”

The series will be sold as a Limited Release mystery set. In other words, there are 11 known designs and one Mystery Chaser. Lin Shih from Disney Design Group worked with Thomas on the packaging. He digitally illustrated the Buzz Lightyear and Woody characters on the packaging using the same techniques used by the animators of the Toy Story films.

Thomas explained the key component to what makes the Toy Story series different than other Vinylmation series.

“New in this series are accessories,” continued Thomas. “I thought to make this series work, we needed some key accessories like Buzz’s helmet. And if Buzz Lightyear had a helmet, then Woody and Jessie would need hats. These accessories were essential to making the characters more recognizable.”

Click here for more!

Disney may start Shanghai Disneyland park work in November

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Disney could start building its planned theme park in Shanghai as early as November, a year after Chinese authorities gave the green light for the project, a report said Tuesday.

“Talks on the Disney project are in the final stages and the construction is expected to start as early as November,” the China Business News reported, citing an unnamed source.

The park would be Disney’s fourth outside the United States and its third in Asia, after Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong — the last to open in 2005.

All major construction in Shanghai has been suspended until after the World Expo ends on October 31 as part of efforts to improve the city’s air quality during the six-month event.

The Shanghai government announced its long-awaited approval for the project in November last year after authorities in Beijing approved Disney’s application.

Neither side disclosed any figures or gave a timeframe for the project, but previous reports have said the US entertainment giant will invest 3.6 billion dollars in the 10-square-kilometre (four-square-mile) park.

When asked about the report, Disney said it looked forward to being able to announce a final deal and a timeline for opening in the future.

“Final discussions between Disney and the Shanghai government are not yet complete, and detailed negotiations to produce a final deal will continue for a number of months,” a Hong Kong-based Disney spokeswoman told AFP in an email.

Source

Disney’s Tangled New Concept Art And Images

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

New concept art images from Walt Disney Pictures upcoming movie “Tangled” have been revealed on the “Tangled” Facebook Page. The upcoming movie is set to premiere in theaters on November 2010. It is the story of Rapunzel and her long blonde hair, trapped in a tower until a dashing young man comes to rescue her!

Check out more images concept art images below.

Reservations Open July 20 For Epcot Food & Wine Festival Special Events

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Great news from Disney Parks Blog for those planning on attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

If there’s a special event at this year’s fest that you don’t want to miss, start dialing 407-WDW-FEST at 7 a.m. July 20 – that’s when the Disney reservations team will start bookings for events for the 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

With a “Delicious Discoveries” theme, there are plenty of events that are free with park admission, but fans will want to try to snag a spot at the first-ever First Bites Opening Reception ($195 plus tax and theme park admission). Or the new “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery ($45 plus park admission) with a front-row seat and sweets for viewing IllumiNations.

We love to wander, sip and nosh our way around World Showcase – the lobster and scallop fisherman’s pie is back in the Ireland Marketplace, ditto the braised beef short ribs in France. And we can’t wait to try the mussels in garlic cream at the new Belgium Marketplace. With more than 250 Disney and celeb chefs showing off their skills throughout the festival, any day is a good day.

Festival details will be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine before reservations open July 20.

Disney Food Confession – Flourless Chocolate Cake with Recipe

By

Chip

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July 6, 2010

Where is it? Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World

What is it? Flourless Chocolate Cake Served with Port Wine sauce, fresh berries, and sweetened creme fraiche.

Why you want it? To say you have tried this delicious chocolate cake that was made without flour!

Photo Credit: by Disney

If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know on the Disney Food Confessions Facebook page.. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!

Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

Yield: 12 servings.

1 cup butter, unsalted

1 cup dark chocolate chips (special dark or bittersweet)

1/3 cup cocoa powder

2 tablespoons fresh brewed espresso (instant can be substituted)

2 tablespoons hot water

1 cup sugar

6 eggs

2 tablespoons rum

Icing:

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup dark chocolate chips (special dark or bittersweet)

1. Heat oven to 250 F.

2. In microwavable bowl, mix butter and 1 cup of the chocolate chips. Place in microwave on low power, 1 minute at a time until completely melted, stir until smooth. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, dissolve cocoa powder with espresso and hot water, stirring until you have a smooth consistency, set aside.

4. In another bowl, large enough to hold all ingredients, combine eggs, sugar and rum, stirring until combined.

5. Add coffee/cocoa mixture to egg mixture and then the chocolate mixture to the egg/cocoa, stirring until you have a smooth and creamy consistency.

6. Pour into 12 buttered cupcake tins, or 6 1/2-cup buttered ramekins. If using ramekins, place on baking sheet. Bake at 250 F 30 minutes. Cakes should souffle only very little. Be careful not to over-bake. Remove from oven and let cool.

7. Place in the freezer 3 hours or overnight. Remove from pans and place on a wire rack over a sheet pan.

8. Prepare the icing by placing the heavy cream in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the remaining cup of chocolate chips, stir until smooth. Pour chocolate over cakes, making sure to cover sides. Refrigerate until ready to serve.