Allstar Weekend Performs at Studio Disney 365

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June 29, 2010

Last week, Allstar Weekend, a band whose hit single “A Different Side of Me” recently hit number one on the Radio Disney Countdown, celebrated the release of their debut album at the Disneyland Resort. Fans had the opportunity not only to hear the band perform outside Studio Disney 365 at the Downtown Disney District, but also to meet the guys in the band and get their CDs autographed!

They stayed for hours and made sure they met every fan who came out to see them. Zach, Cameron, Nathan and Michael are four of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and I really couldn’t tell who was more excited to be there – the fans or the the band!

Source & Photos Disney Park Blog

Overview of all areas of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

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Chip

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June 29, 2010

A quick look at all of the attractions, shops, dining and other areas of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
For more on the Wizarding World, be sure to get the Summer 2010 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine here: http://attractionsmagazine.com

Disney Wedding Trends – Making New Traditions

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Our wedding planners always keep an eye out for the latest trends. While plenty of brides still opt for classic and traditional choices, many couples choose to go mod by putting a trendy spin on their wedding details – everything from flower to favors, and everything in between.

Here are just a few of the wedding trends we’ve noticed this year at Disney’s Fairytale Weddings.

Dancing the night away
The first dance between a husband and his new wife is always a beautiful sight. And now, many couples are spicing up their routine a bit. Whether it’s a choreographed number they worked weeks to perfect, a zany upbeat tempo destined to be the next YouTube frenzy, or an elaborate pantomime complete with props, brides and grooms are finding new and interesting ways to two-step through their first dance.

A picture is worth a thousand words
The traditional posed wedding shots are quickly becoming a thing of the past. More and more I see couples selecting photography options that better highlight their individual style. This couple chose a sunset theme for their engagement portraits at the Walt Disney World Resort, allowing the photographer to snap natural shots of them as they cuddled on the beach.

Click here to keep reading.

Terrorific Night 2 at Disneyland Resort Paris is Coming

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

On October 30th 2010, Disneyland Resort Paris will be transformed for Terrorific Night 2… this highly anticipated event will not be suited for our younger guests.

Check out the video below.

Original Radio Play “My Dream” to Debut July 5 on Radio Disney

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Serialized one-act radio plays will be introduced to a new generation with “My Dream,” the contemporary scripted story of Kayla, a teen whose life is music and her moment is now, despite the typical intricacies of school and home life. Designed for kids and tweens, the music and sound effects-filled series premieres >MONDAY, JULY 5 (9:25 a.m., ET/6:25 a.m., PT) on Radio Disney and RadioDisney.com, and new episodes will air multiple times each weekday. Exclusive photos, videos and more will be available at RadioDisney.com/MyDream. Starring is Daphne Blunt (“The Young and the Restless,” “Big Time Rush”) as Kayla.

Ray De La Garza, Vice President, Programming, Radio Disney, said: “This original series is a contemporary spin on an old-time radio staple and begins an exciting new initiative that’s designed to spark the listener’s imagination with relatable characters and short stories.”

“My Dream” takes listeners with Kayla as she writes and composes an original song, prepares for her first big performance, and overcomes stage fright. Along the way she’s joined by a cast of characters who play an integral role in supporting her dream. They include her parents, older brother Aidan, best friend Brooke and music teacher Sarge.

In the premiere episode, “I Dreamed a Dream,” Kayla lets listeners in on her secret dream of becoming a pop star. The second episode, “We Are Family,” gives listeners insight into Kayla’s musical background, and reveals where and when she gained a strong desire to sing.

Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free phone line to the Radio Disney studio. The network’s current playlist, driven by listener requests and representing major record labels, includes recording artists Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Mitchel Musso. The network is available on over 40 terrestrial radio stations and is also available via RadioDisney.com, Sirius and XM satellite radio, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones and on the Radio Disney iPhone App.

Become a Broadway Star with Disney’s Mary Poppins & My Coke Rewards

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Become a Broadway Star with Disney's Mary Poppins & My Coke Rewards

Head on over to My Coke Rewards and Enter for Your Chance to Win an Audition for a Walk on Role in Disney’s Mary Poppins – The Hit Broadway Musical.

Click the picture above to enter and for more details.

Also as an added bonus download Step in Time from the Hit Broadway Musical.

Disney Cruise Line reveals Magical Main Dining Choices on Disney Dream

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches, and world-class cuisine will please the palate and satisfy all of the senses – making dining aboard the Disney Dream a memorable entertainment experience for families and guests of all ages.

Main Dining

With Disney, guests expect the unexpected, so Disney Cruise Line developed an innovative rotational dining concept that remains exclusive to the Disney fleet. While guests “rotate” through different restaurants for dinner, their servers accompany them. Thus, guests enjoy a variety of dining experiences with friendly, familiar, personalized service.

Animator’s Palate
On the Disney Dream, Animator’s Palate is a re-imagined version of the signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for a one-of-a-kind experience that will captivate the entire family.

Inspired by classic animator’s studios, the venue is filled with character sketches, maquettes (three dimensional character models), paint brushes, colored pencils, computer work stations, film strips and other tools of the animation trade. Scenes and characters from popular Disney and Disney•Pixar films adorn the walls.

Spanning from floor to ceiling are “paint brush” pillars and “pencil” columns. Depicted in relief on the ceiling are abstract, oversize artist’s palettes and light boxes. During dinner, sparkling lights travel up the columns, through fiber optic brushes to “paint” the artist’s palettes with vibrant colors.

The cuisine will match the character of the restaurant, creatively combining fresh flavors with culinary flair to please guests’ palates. Wines from California and the Pacific Rim will complement the menu.

Royal Palace
Royal Palace is an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty.” Disney Dream guests feel like royalty as they are immersed in the lavish surroundings of this venue.

Splendid décor includes ornate marble floors and luxurious carpets plus a magnificent, hand-blown chandelier made of glass slippers, with essential elements from each fairy tale such as royal crests, roses and tiaras. Chair backs are embellished with gilded emblems in the same motifs. The custom carpet is a pattern of flourishing roses in regal tones.

Grand, hand-painted portraits of the princesses – Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) – and their princes grace the far wall. Portholes providing spectacular views of the ocean are framed with majestic, tiara-topped window valances.

With meticulous attention to detail, many of the restaurant’s features are modeled precisely from the inspirational films. The Royal Palace’s circular floor plan, fluted columns and iron railing work are all recreated from the “Cinderella” ballroom scene. Wall sconces are fashioned after those seen in “Beauty and the Beast.”

At Royal Palace, guests will feast on a world-class continental cuisine. The menu will include dishes fit for a monarch, including beef Wellington, crowned rack of lamb, king salmon and princess cake. The wine list will feature an excellent selection of Old World wines. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at this restaurant.

Enchanted Garden
Enchanted Garden is a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles. It features a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night.

Upon entering Enchanted Garden, guests will feel as though they’ve arrived at a lovely conservatory, with white trellises, original artwork depicting lush greenery, and the image of a beautiful blue sky on the ceiling above.

Abundant, custom glass “flower” light fixtures suspend from the canopy overhead, ornamental light posts line the restaurant’s center promenade and a charming terrace fountain is the focal point of the room. The cascading fountain rises seven feet tall and at its pinnacle stands a fanciful cherub Mickey Mouse statue.

During the meal, the restaurant transforms into an enchanting evening scene. The sky overhead becomes a glorious sunset, with dazzling colors and shades of light that change into a twinkling field of stars. The light fixture flowers “bloom” and become infused with color, wall sconces open to become beautiful folding fans, paintings are illuminated in a nighttime perspective and the centerpiece fountain is basked in shimmering light.

The cuisine will match the crisp and airy feel of the restaurant with a seasonal menu featuring market-fresh ingredients. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style and dinner is a full-service, plated affair. A scrumptious selection of desserts includes a selection of gelatos during the day and a grand finale chocolate display with infused truffles and hand-made confections at night.

A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line delivers a vacation experience that every member of the family feels was created especially for them.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

Junction Point taking the Mean Mickey out of Upcoming Epic Mickey Game

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Mickey Mouse will not be bad in the coming “Epic Mickey” video game. He was just drawn that way.

Warren Spector, creative director of Disney Interactive Studios’ Junction Point, said the beloved international icon will not transform into a snarling rat as originally planned for the game when players make mischievous choices, such as pilfering treasures from a store or erasing characters with thinner. Instead, Mickey will take on a smudgy look if he does something naughty.

“We’re not going to change Mickey’s image so much,” said Spector.

During a recent demonstration of the latest iteration of the upcoming Wii game that has been on display at this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Spector said the decision to scrap the malevolent-looking Mickey was made because of negative feedback during focus testing of the game, which features Mickey trekking through a cartoon wasteland.

“People don’t like it when you mess with Mickey,” said Spector. “We did a focus test that was really eye-opening for me. There was a biker dude saying, ‘Oh, I’d never play a Mickey Mouse game,’ and then we showed him images of a changed Mickey. I was sitting there thinking, ‘You’re gonna love what we do,’ but he said, ‘No! Don’t mess with my childhood.'”

“Epic Mickey” is set in a virtual world of wayward renditions of Disney locales, such as Adventureland and Skull Rock. Throughout the game, players will be faced with moral dilemmas about whether to help other characters. For example, should Mickey persuade a lovelorn pirate to give a bouquet of flowers or an ice cream cone to a lactose intolerant Henrietta Cow?

“Mickey constantly gets himself into trouble, not just in this game but in his films as well,” said Spector.

After “Epic Mickey” appeared on the cover of Game Informer magazine last fall, several fans were outraged about Mickey’s makeover. Later others were miffed that images of the game did not resemble the concept art. Spector said the images and art never were intended to show the final version of the game and that it was part of the “normal creative process.”

“Sometimes you go too far to find out where too far is,” he said.

Spector insisted that Mickey will maintain his traditional retro ensemble — yellow shoes, red shorts — throughout the game but will be surrounded by levitating little guardians that will glow a different color whether players employ more paint or thinner. He also teased there are a “cloud of possibilities” that will lead to multiple endings of “Epic Mickey.”

Source

Disney’s Sorcerers Apprentice – Sorcerers Wanted Sweepstakes

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Enter the Sorcerers Wanted Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Southern California for a behind the scenes at how the magic happens, including a visit to Disneyland to become an Imagineer Apprentice.

Click the picture above to enter.

Great Wolf Lodge planned near Disneyland

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Great Wolf Resorts Inc. of Madison, Wisc., has signed an agreement with a real estate company that plans to develop a Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort in Garden Grove, less than two miles from Disneyland.

The 600-suite resort will be developed by McWhinney, of Loveland, Colo., and will be located within the International West Resort, an upscale hotel and resort district adjacent to Disneyland. It will feature 30,000 square feet of meeting space, 100,000 square feet indoor water park and additional indoor entertainment areas and amenities.

“The Great Wolf Lodge will be the biggest attraction to be included in the International West Resort,” said Matt Fertal, city manager of the city of Garden Grove. “This will be the most significant revenue generator in the city.”

Click here to keep reading.

Cops Accuse Donald Duck of Drunk Driving

By

Chip

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June 29, 2010

Donald Duck is a jailbird now.

Police in Massillon, Ohio, arrested a drunk driving suspect who shares his name with Disney’s most famous waterfowl.

Law enforcement officials say 51-year-old Donald Norman Duck was intoxicated when he pulled into a drive-through pizzeria around 5:25 p.m. Saturday and repeatedly bumped the car ahead of him, ABC 5 reports.

According to the driver who was struck, Donald Duck then stuck his head out the window and shouted: “Sorry dude, something must be wrong with my brakes.”

But the collision ruffled the other driver’s feathers, so she called 911.

When police arrived on the scene, it became clear that Duck was down on his luck.

Officers described the suspect as smelling of alcohol and having red eyes. While searching for his driver’s license, they said, Duck pulled out a bag that appeared to contain marijuana. He then reportedly confessed to officers that he had had a few drinks, smoked some marijuana, and took some prescription medication before getting behind the wheel.

After allegedly failing a sobriety test, Donald Duck was taken into custody.

Police in the Ohio town say they’re familiar with Donald Duck’s antics.

“He’s a frequent flier,” Capt. Joe Herrick of the Massillon Police Department told Fox 13.”He’s got multiple previous DUIs, multiple previous no operator’s license and operating under suspension, so he’s not that good a driver.”

Click here to keep reading.

Disney Food Confession: Smoky Portobello Mushroom Soup.

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 29, 2010

Disney Food Confession: Smoky Portobello Mushroom Soup.

What is it: Smoky portobello mushroom soup with roasted Shiitakes and chive oil.

Where is it: Artist Point, a Disney signature restaurant located in the Wilderness Lodge.

Why you want it: The roasted mushrooms have a smoky, almost bacon-like texture and taste. I swore it was bacon, which made me nervous because I’d recommended this to my vegetarian friend. The soup is smooth and creamy and the chive oil gives it a little kick. It’s also topped with deep fried shallots. They’re not breaded, just fried with a superb crunchy goodness. You’ll love these. Even if you don’t like mushrooms (we know you’re out there), you’ll love this soup.

A personal note: This is the best soup I’ve ever had anywhere. In fact, it may be the best appetizer I’ve ever had. Having said that, if you’re a vegetarian you should know that it contains chicken stock, which I found out after my vegetarian friend ate it. Oops. She hasn’t said, but I think it was worth it to shelve her scruples for one night. It’s that good. I mean, we’re both still talking about it. You can probably call ahead and get the chef to make your soup sans chicken stock. By the way, if you haven’t been, Artist Point is a hidden gem at WDW. I highly recommend it.

Photo Credit: I tend to eat most of my food before I take a photo, so rather than subject you to my messy plate, I got this photo here from Mike and Kelli’s cute Disneymoon page.