Disney Dream Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage Jan 26th 2011

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September 5, 2010

The newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Dream, will set sail on her maiden voyage Jan. 26, 2011, from Port Canaveral, Fla. Taking family cruising to all-new heights, Disney Dream embraces the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the preeminent choice for families since 1998.

Two decks taller than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the new 4,000-passenger liner increases the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line by nearly 75 percent.

The Disney Dream also expands the one-of-a-kind family experience guests enjoy while on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Here are some of the highlights:

• The ship will feature a first-of-its-kind water coaster – AquaDuck – that will send guests racing above and around the upper decks of the ship.
• Animator’s Palate restaurant will magically transform into an undersea wonderland with live, impromptu interactions with Crush, the animated sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.”
• Elaborately themed children’s spaces will immerse children in their favorite Disney stories and feature some of today’s most innovative technology.
• A nighttime entertainment district just for adults will be filled with sophisticated, trendy, fanciful and fun-filled venues.
• Inside staterooms will have a “special” view thanks to a cruise industry first, the “virtual porthole” concept.

The Disney Dream will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer 2011, the ship will sail four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a cruise vacation onboard the Disney Dream, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500 or contact their travel agent.

2011 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Celebration

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

More than 30 million blooms in artfully designed floral beds, floral islands, vibrant rose gardens and larger-than-life topiaries will grace the 300 acres of Future World and World Showcase during the 18th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, scheduled to take place at the Walt Disney World theme park March 2 through May 15, 2011.

In addition to the brilliant horticulture displays, guests also can hear from celebrity guest speakers, participate in hands-on seminars and experience innovative planting demonstrations and exhibits.

A favorite festival tradition is the lineup of concerts in the Flower Power concert series. Artists and groups will take the stage in World Showcase to add some tuneful fun to the floral festivities.

Guests can obtain more information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival by calling 407/W-DISNEY or online at www.disneyworld.com/flower or www.disneyparks.com/blog (online information will be updated as it is received). Most activities at the 18th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be included in regular Epcot admission.

Atlanta Braves’ Spring Training 2011 Returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

The National League powerhouse Atlanta Braves will return for their 14th consecutive exhibition season at Walt Disney World Resort in March 2011.

Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – where the Atlanta Braves will once again take the field to prepare for the regular season – features more than 9,500 seats, along with luxury skyboxes, suites and patios. The stadium offers many of the amenities of today’s major league ballparks in an intimate sports setting like no other. There’s even seating on grassy knolls that harkens back to the early days of baseball.

For more information, guests can visit www.espnwwos.com, www.disneyparks.com/blog or call 407/939-GAME. Fans also can follow Disney Sports and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Twitter (@DisneySports).

*Note: Schedule, ticket plans and pricing for Atlanta Braves Spring Training 2011 will be available in fall 2010.

2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival by the numbers

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

Walt Disney World guests can sip great wines, savor new tastes and enjoy live entertainment all day long as the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival celebrates 15 years of Delicious Discoveries Oct. 1-Nov. 14, 2010.

The six-week outdoor festival at Disney’s Epcot theme park serves up authentic cuisine; wine, beer and spirits; entertainment; and cultural exhibits of more than 25 international regions. Exotic marketplaces from South Korea to Belgium offer exciting taste treats. The festival is the largest food and wine event of its kind in the world, beginning at the Festival Welcome Center in Future World and fanning around the promenade encircling World Showcase Lagoon.

Here are some facts about the 15th annual event:

· More than 300 national and international wines

· 45 fabulous days long

· More than 75 kinds of international foods, each appetizer-sized portion priced $3-$8

· More than 270 chefs including America’s most celebrated culinarians and Walt Disney World chefs

· 405 wine and beer seminars

· More than 1,200 fireworks rockets exploding each night over World Showcase Lagoon in“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” grand finale to the festival

· 135 Eat to the Beat! concerts performed

· 33,000 bottles of wine and champagne

· 690,000 sumptuous samplings

· 338,000 wine glasses

· 100,000 desserts including freshly baked waffles with berry compote and whipped cream (Belgium marketplace), pear streusel pudding cake (Desserts & Champagne marketplace) and chocolate cannoli (Italy marketplace)

· 3,000 gallons of soup, including best-selling cheddar cheese soup (Canada marketplace), chicken soup with rice (Puerto Rico marketplace) and bison chili with wild mushrooms (United States marketplace)

Highlights from 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

Highlight video of past 2010 Disney World Marathons.

Last Call for Maliboomer

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 5, 2010

Last Call for Maliboomer

Guests at the Disneyland Resort will have their last chance to ride the Maliboomer in California Adventure on Monday. The ride is scheduled to close for demolition after Labor Day weekend.

The tower, which thrusts riders 180 feet in the air in a matter of a few short seconds, will be removed from Paradise Pier because it does not fit with the new park theme. The new theme will throw park guests back in time to the early 1900′s. Maliboomer’s architecture does not reflect the time period.

A Facebook page Save the Maliboomer was created, but did not affect Disney’s plans to demolish the attraction.

Disney Suggestion Box

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 5, 2010

Disney Suggestion Box
If Disney had a virtual suggestion box, here would be my request.

Dear Disney,

It’s not often I think you’ve been bested. In fact, the Disney experience is so exemplary it is the standard by which I judge my other customer experiences. Which, when thinking about it, is not the best approach for me to take – the other businesses never compare and inevitably I end up disappointed muttering something like “it just isn’t Disney” under my breath. That is until this week. So, what company dares to threaten your dominance in the customer service market? Ikea and its Ikea Café.

Let me give you some background. We’re an average family – two adults, three kids; two are under the age of five, one mainly rides in a stroller. When we grab quick service, it goes something like this. I scan the dining area for an empty table that I desperately hope doesn’t require a biohazard team to clean while my husband has the enviable mission of securing the table. He holds down the fort with the kids while I go in search of food. Since becoming a mom, I’ve mastered the fine and ancient art of carrying twice my weight in children, diaper bags, toys, packages, groceries, and even an umbrella without missing a step. This makes me well prepared to navigate an obstacle course of tables and chairs, an ice cream cone that was the victim of an unfortunate spill, and even the occasional errant child who darts in my path, all while juggling trays of hot food, drink, utensils, and piles of napkins. But, do I want to show off my mad mom skills every time we eat? Not especially. With the customer experience at Ikea’s Cafe, I didn’t have to carry trays precariously stacked with food and drink. So what is this modern marvel that transformed the way I experienced quick-service dining with the kids?

The Ikea Tray Cart.

Disney Suggestion Box — The next best thing in quick-service dining.

Your eyes do not deceive you. This cell phone picture (sorry, I didn’t have a camera) is of a cart that holds three trays containing meals, including beverages and desserts, for three adults and two children.

Using the incredibly maneuverable cart, I was able to singlehandedly purchase and deliver food for five with a baby perched on my hip and only one hand on the cart.

Disney, there is a better way to experience quick-service dining. Just as disposable diapers, infant car seats that snap into strollers, and Velcro instead of laces on shoes make for an easier parenting experience, so will a maneuverable tray carrier for quick-service dining locations.

For all the caregivers, please take this suggestion to implement a solution for a person to easily transport multiple trays in your quick-service locations under consideration. You could be at the forefront of a revolution in how we experience quick-service dining with children.

Sincerely,

Lisa M. Battista

Photo Credit: Laura DelTufo

Lisa M. Battista is the author of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers When she’s not chasing after her little ones, you can most likely find her at the beach or in the kitchen trying her hand at a new recipe. You call follow her on Twitter @DisneyExplorer and Facebook.

Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

Young Star Wars fans Sherilyn Patterson (left), age 6, and Abigail Petrousky (right), age 5, both from Orlando, Fla., meet Star Wars characters Princess Leia and R2-D2 May 21, 2010 during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Star Wars Weekends features more than 50 Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greet opportunities, star conversations with Star Wars celebrities, Star Wars parades, interactive activities, exclusive merchandise and the famous Star Tours thrill ride. Event activities are included with regular theme park admission.

Matt Stroshane, photographer

Fantasia & Fantasia 2000 Coming to Bluray Combo Pack Novmber 30th

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

The Vault is being opened and both Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 will be available for the fist time in High Definition. In a 4 Disc Blu-Ray + DVD set in store November 30th… You can pre-order it now from the link here. The price is $31.99 which is not to bad considering you get 2 movies & DVD copies.

Are you going to get it? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Disney Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition for Nintendo Wii

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

Disney Epic Mickey is an action-adventure game that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. As Mickey, the player is propelled into Wasteland, an alternate world made up of Disney’s forgotten creative efforts, and is given the power to wield paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world while determining Mickey’s path to becoming an epic hero.

Through the use of this unique paint and paint thinner, the key components of animation and Mickey’s tools for impacting his world, players will have the ability to shape how the story unfolds as they discover the concept of “Playstyle Matters” – an innovative style of gameplay, where players creatively tackle different challenges in the world to explore all the possibilities and storylines, but with consequences for their chosen actions.

Disney Epic Mickey features:

Use paint and paint thinner to change the world, interact with friends and enemies and solve challenges.
Choose the best path to become an epic hero because “Playstyle Matters” and choices will change the outcome of the game.
Explore and solve challenges in an alternate Disney world ruled by Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s first cartoon star.
Travel between lands in Wasteland through classic platforming levels inspired by animated films and shorts.
Experience an innovative mix of platforming, action-adventure and light role playing game elements.
Collect over 75 virtual Disney pins in the game by completing specific challenges, quests and discovering hidden collectibles.

Disney Epic Mickey Collector’s Edition includes:

Special packaging
Disney Epic Mickey Game
Exclusive 5 inch Collectible Vinyl Epic Mickey Figure
Special Edition DVD with behind the scenes footage and additional marketing assets and videos
Epic Mickey Stylized Wii Remote Faceplate
2 Epic Mickey Stylized Wii Console skins

Cost is 69.99 and you can preorder you copy here from Toys r Us

Disneyworld Character Changes for September 2010

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

This monthly article comes to us from Character Hunt check them out on Facebook. Here are the most up to date Character Changes at the Walt Disney World Resort.

CONFIRMED CHARACTER CHANGES

Vidia’s first official day at Pixie Hollow will be Friday, August 27th.

Duffy the Disney Bear is going to start making appearances at Epcot, tentative start date is October 14

Rapunzel and Flynn will be the first of the new Fantasyland styled character “play and greet” in the Fairytale Garden beginning October 15

RUMORED CHARACTER CHANGES

Eric and Wendy are rumored to be leaving the Magic Kingdom on Oct. 3rd.

Agent Oso is replacing Jojo at Play ‘n Dine sometime this fall – date is TBD.

Phineas, Ferb and Perry are rumored to be the replacement to the Power Rangers on DHS’s Streets of America. A source indicates the Power Ranger vehicle is being re-purposed for this new experience. Opening date is expected in calendar year 2011. I think it’s safe to assume we’ll get to hear some catchy P&F tunes if they keep those loud speakers!

FANTASYLAND EXPANSION

Orlando Sentinel talks with Staggs about changes with the Fantasyland Expansion: “…he said Disney is trying to broaden the project’s overall appeal. For instance, plans for three interactive princess meet-and-greets — where children could dance with Cinderella, celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s 16th birthday or play a role in a story with Belle of Beauty and the Beast — are being altered.”

Mickey and Minnie are moving to Exposition Hall once Toontown closes (announced for spring 2011). No word on if this will become their permanent greeting location, but most indicators point to yes.

Princesses are moving to Exposition Hall as well. Once the Fantasyland Forest is complete, the princesses will move to their appropriate locations.

Ariel is appearing in the Adventureland Veranda with Prince Eric. Once the Fantasyland Forest is complete, Ariel will move to her new grotto.

Pooh and Tigger are meeting in the Town Square Tour Guide Gardens. A new location is being rumored (sooner rather then later) to hold them until the expansion is completed.

Fairies are moving to a different park once Toon Town closes; this is expected to happen in Jan or Feb of 2011.

SHOWS AND PARADES

Storytime with Belle is closing September 12.

HSM 3 is closing on October 2. However, it will be replaced on October 22 by a new show: Disney Channel Rocks! This new show will feature songs from High School Musical, Camp Rock, and StarStruck.

Disney’s Electrical Parade (DEP) is being extended past Aug. 14th; no current end date is available.

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade (CDCT) shuffled some characters. On Aug 9th the following characters were added: Naveen, Queen of Hearts, Tiana, and White Rabbit. The following characters were removed: Baloo and King Louie.

The Hoedown has transformed into a Flash Mob in Frontierland! This change occurred on February 26th.

The Pirate Tutorial is performing on a new stage in Adventureland! The stage was tested in summer 2009, but has become permanent as of January 5th.

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee was discontinued after January 3rd with little momentum to support a possible return.

Totally Tomorrowland Christmas was considered a success in 2009 so there is a strong indication it will be back in 2010!

Click here for more Disney Character Changes.

Tron Evolution Collectors Edition Drives to Stores December 2010

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Chip

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September 5, 2010

Disney Interactive Studios today announced a collector’s edition of TRON: Evolution will be available at retail. The TRON: Evolution collector’s edition package will include an exclusive TRON light cycle collectible based on the in-game model from TRON: Evolution. The light cycle model is being created by renowned collectibles manufacturer Sideshow Collectibles. Available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the collector’s edition will be packaged in a special protective casing with a drawer for the game.

The company also announced December 7 as the North American release date for all its TRON: Evolution video games on popular platforms. TRON: Evolution games will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Wii, Windows PC, Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system. The Wii game’s title is TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids.

The TRON: Evolution collector’s edition will only be available in limited quantities and will have a suggested retail price of $129.99 in North America. The collector’s edition will be available on December 7 with the rest of the TRON: Evolution video game portfolio before the “TRON: Legacy” film hits U.S. theaters on December 17 in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.

Developed by Propaganda Games, Disney Interactive Studios’ action and role-playing game studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, TRON: Evolution is set during the era between the two TRON films, “TRON” (1982) and “TRON: Legacy.” TRON: Evolution conveys the story of significant events within the TRON mythology. The game features an epic adventure across a massive digital world filled with high-mobility disc-based combat and advanced light cycles.

TRON: Evolution is one of the keys to unlocking the TRON mythology. The game’s story takes place before the “TRON: Legacy” events and provides insight into the film’s past. As an integrated entertainment experience, the film will reference elements of the game’s story. Fans will want to play the game to learn more about the TRON mythology seen in the film, but each entertainment experience will stand on its own.

“TRON has proven to be a franchise that inspires loyal fans and collectors and will continue with the holiday’s new entries,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “This collector’s edition will give fans of TRON: Evolution and the TRON movies a great opportunity to not only get the game but also a unique TRON collectible.”

TRON: Evolution is Rating Pending from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).