Earlier this week, a vintage toy commercial from 1983 surfaced on YouTube. At first glance, it seems convincingly legit. However, the product being hawked is the Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear, one of the new toys joining the gang in Toy Story 3. The people over at Pixar Planet were able to confirm that it was in fact just another example of what the brilliant minds at Pixar are capable of coming up with. Hit the jump to check out the commercial in its entirety:
Source
We love getting your questions at Chip and Co. Not only do they help us get to know our readers better, they really make us think and a lot of times, we learn something new.
If you have any questions or have ideas for a future topic, please fill out the form here. We answer every question, sometimes via email and other times on the site.
A little housekeeping note: If you haven’t heard from us in a week, write us back. Sometimes things get lost in the great interwebs.
And now, here’s a recap of last week’s questions from the site:
Thanks So Much and Keep those Questions coming
Chris
Just a collection of Marvel Movie news from around the interwebs.
Nicolas Cage May Be Replaced in “Ghost Rider 2”
All Marvel’s superheroes will one day revert back to Marvel, but for now, Sony Pictures is scrambling to get as many “Spider-Man” and “Ghost Rider” installments into theaters as possible.
“Spider-Man 4” was set to be released during the summer of next year. Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire dropped out, forcing the studio to reboot the franchise or face losing the character to Marvel.
Sony is now having a similar issue with “Ghost Rider,” since the deal requires for the studio to be in production on a sequel by November 14th. The plan has been to bring Nicolas Cage back, but now it looks like the actor may be too busy.
Vanessa Hudgens as Marvel’s Spider-Woman?
The report comes by way of MTV UK, which claims that Hudgens is the current frontrunner in a pool of actresses being considered for Spider-Woman. Check out the quote from MTV UK’s “movie insider” source:
“The idea is for this to be a fun, comedic movie and Vanessa is perfect for the title role..Spider Woman is strong and sexy but in this case hilarious.Vanessa is apparently very interested in the idea,”
Gwyneth Paltrow at Photo Call For Paramount Pictures & Marvel Entertainment’s “Iron Man 2”
Gwyneth Paltrow donned a simple but elegant gray dress for the Iron Man 2 photocall. The film hits theaters April 30th, and Gwyneth will be reprising her role as Pepper Pots, a love interest for Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).
Although Paltrow is a red carpet staple, Iron Man is definitely one of her best known movies from recent years. She originally shot to fame for her role in the movie Se7en.
Marvel Studios to produce smaller films
With a Marvel triple-threat ready to hit theaters over the next two years — we’re talking Thor, Captain America, and The Avengers — and what looks to be a solid franchise in the form of Iron Man 2 releasing next month, it seems like the comic movie studio can’t do wrong with its big-budget ventures. Which is why it comes as a surprise to some that the next big thing Marvel wants to tackle is actually several, smaller films.
According to the guys over at CHUD, who first scored the news, Marvel is currently seeking directors and writers to adapt their lesser-known characters for the big screen. That means that names like Ka-Zar, Dazzler, and Dr. Strange are all being considered for their own films, albeit on a much smaller scale with Marvel hoping to budget in the range of $20 – 40 million each. Considering that Marvel’s latest endeavor, Iron Man 2, is estimated to have cost a cool $200 million, that’s quite a change of pace and it could have very positive ramifications.
An Apple fan over at Disneyandmore.com has discovered how plans from Steve Jobs, Apple founder and Disney’s largest stockholder, may revolutionize the Walt Disney World experience.
The patent for a new app, Concert Ticket +, came to light earlier this week, and it includes a section specifically related to theme parks. The app is centered around a new iTunes-based Web service for tickets, allowing smartphone users to go paperless. Once tickets are sent to a phone, the owner can use the device to enter the Disney parks.
Plus, iTicket users could be offered a variety of benefits on their smartphones. The possibilities include discounts on related merchandise, prepaid refreshments, special ride tickets or other related content and maps.
The patent also states, “Other benefits which may be associated with the electronic theme park ticket may include photos of the user on certain rides, as well as certain entertainment which may become available while the user waits in line.”
Vocal Disney fans have posted 85 comments this week about the viability of going paperless at the parks on a forum at wdwmagic.com. They are divided on whether the technology would enhance the experience or slow down the crowds with malfunctions and user errors.
Click here to keep reading this article from Kristin Ford over at the Daily Disney.
Every cheerleading squad probably thinks it’s the best in the world. Well, this weekend at Walt Disney World, they get their chance to prove it.
Cheerleading squads literally from around the world are arriving at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney for the 2010 International Cheer Union World Championships, which is akin to the Olympics of cheerleading. Squads from China, Finland, Mexico, Thailand, etc., as well as squads from across the U.S., are jumping, bouncing, screaming and tumbling for the chance to be crowned World Champion this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s a huge deal. China, for instance, is expected to bring a delegation of 300 members.
In all, there are expected to be more than 2,000 cheerleaders making up more than 150 squads from 45 or more countries. Teams will compete in various groups, plus there’ll be a competition between each country’s national teams for the world titles.
The competition is fierce, but the event also serves as a great opportunity for the mingling of various cultures in an Olympic village type of setting. Friendships are forged, cultural artifacts are exchanged and memories are created.
The event is open to the public. To purchase tickets, go to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex box office.
Source & Photo disneyparkblog.com
Welcome to next installment of DisneyLand vs DisneyWorld Dining Face-off. Here Disney restaurants will fight it out to determine which one is the best. Who will decide which restaurant is better? You do! After you hear about each restaurant it will be up to you to decide which Disney Dining Experience is better.
If you have dined at both restaurants GREAT, but it is not necessary, there will be a photo gallery below.
So lets get started.
Round 1 – San Angel Inn
Food Type: Mexican
Meal Type: Lunch/Dinner
Location: DisneyWorld – Epcot World Showcase
Specialty Food Items:
Full Menu can be found here.
Comments: Truly authentic Mexican Cuisine. Most people comment about the view of the temple and the intimate and romantic setting. See below for pictures from our most recent trip.
Round 2 – Blue Bayou Restaurant
Food Type: Cajun/Creole
Meal Type: Lunch/Dinner
Location: Disneyland – New Orleans Square
Specialty Food Items:
Full Menu can be found here.
Comments: Offering Cajun/Creole fair inside the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride. Very romantic atmosphere and highlight seems to be the Monte Cristo Sandwich.
Round 3 – Vote & Comment
Here are photos from both restaurants. The San Angel Inn photos are from my most recent trip to Walt Disney World. The Blue Bayou photos are from a few great photographers at Flickr.
Share with us about your Disney Dining experiences in the comment section below, and don’t forget to vote!
[poll id=”20″]
Photos from flickr.com/restaurant info wdwinfo.com
Today, the Disney Park Blog caught up with Emmy Award-winning actress, writer & producer Tina Fey as she enjoyed one of those amazing milkshakes at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant. Tina was visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park while on vacation with her family at the Walt Disney World Resort. As you know, she’s the star of the feature film “Date Night” and executive producer, head writer and star of the NBC series “30 Rock.”
Source & Photo disneyparkblog.com
Emmy-winning Lightship Entertainment of Orlando, Florida, has appointed Questar Entertainment the exclusive distributor of “Disney Parks” to be released on June 1, 2010 as a DVD 6-Pack (SRP $49.99), a Blu-ray Plus Combo Pack containing Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copies($34.99), and a DVD Single of highlights ($19.99). Produced for Disney Parks LLC by Lightship, “Disney Parks” gives viewers special access to top attractions and gives viewers unprecedented insight into the planning, design, and “imagineering” that goes into every aspect of the Disney experience.
Packaged in a beautiful, eye-catching foil embossed slipcase, “Disney Parks” provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at top Disney attractions at parks across the country. Whether they’ve been to Disney amusement parks before or are planning their first trip, viewers will want to own this collectible, in-depth look at some of Disney’s most famous rides, shows, and adventures!
“Disney granted us unprecedented access into their theme parks, resorts, and attractions which has allowed us to present over five hours of programming that reveals incredible information and imagery,” said Andy Perrott, President and Executive Producer of Lightship Entertainment. “Working closely with Disney Parks, we proudly present over five hours of the most definitive collection of insiders information and imagery on Disney’s theme parks, resorts, and attractions.”
“Questar is truly honored to be the exclusive provider of Disney Theme Park content,” said Kevin Silverman, Vice President, Digital Distribution and Programming at Questar Entertainment. “This is an exciting start to 2010 and proves that in its 25th year, Questar still has ‘Everything in the World Worth Watching.’”
The “Disney Parks” DVD 6-Pack (SRP $49.99, Program Length 5.5 hours) includes:
· Walt Disney World: Behind the Scenes—An exclusive look at the park that made Orlando the nation’s number one vacation destination.
· Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes— A journey through the incredible attractions and entertainment experiences at the original Disneyland Resort.
· Ultimate Walt Disney World—A close look at the exciting thrill rides that make Disney parks so exciting.
· Disney’s Animal Kingdom—A tour of Disney’s largest and most ambitious theme park to date!
· Disney Cruise Line—Exclusive access to Disney’s cruise ships and its private island, Castaway Cay.
· Undiscovered Disney Parks—A unique guide to Disney sites “off the beaten path” including properties and locations in Anaheim frequented by Walt Disney himself.
The “Disney Parks” Blu-ray Combo Pack, which gives consumers DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital copies of the program (SRP $34.99, Program Length 2.5 hours) includes:
· Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes
· Ultimate Walt Disney World
· Undiscovered Disney Parks
Finally, the “Disney Parks” Single DVD (SRP $19.99, Program Length 1.5 hours) contains:
· Walt Disney World: Behind the Scenes
· Disneyland Resort: Behind the Scenes
About Questar: Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, Questar Entertainment is one of the industry’s leading large content holders of quality Travel, Nature, and Inspirational programming for television, home entertainment, education, web and digital, with over 3,500 titles in its library. Questar has won five awards from The American Film Institute, and has been honored by Billboard Magazine and at The Covenant Awards. Questar’s “Rome: Power & Glory” was named Best Educational Documentary at The DVD 2000 Entertainment Awards, while “Bobby Darin: Mack Is Back” received a Certificate of Excellence as Best Music DVD. Questar products are distributed through Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Netflix, iTunes, Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Columbia House, and Reader’s Digest. Questar has produced more than 100 original programs for PBS, The Discovery Channel, TLC, The Travel Channel, The History Channel (A&E Networks), and PAX-TV Network. In 2010, Questar was selected to join YouTube’s beta rental program providing full-length premium content to users. Questar maintains offices in Chicago and Burbank. For more information, visit www.questarentertainment.com.
Stay Tuned in the coming months as we will be giving away a free copy to one lucky viewer!
Now discover the secrets of Disneyland Park on your iPhone in this exciting new Notescast app from TimeStream Software. Over 110 magical secrets, complete with more than 100 colorful photos, allow guests to experience Disneyland in an all new way as they spend hours touring throughout the park discovering one new secret after another.
Portland, OR – TimeStream Software announces the release of the new “Disneyland Secrets Gold!” Notescast app for the iPhone and iPod touch. Over 110 secrets about Disneyland are revealed in a fun self-guided tour. Complete with more than 100 photos, Guests can now tour with their iPhones in-hand throughout Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown and more discovering one new secret after another for hours and hours of all new Disneyland magic.
“What’s really great about this new app is we’ve arranged all the content as a chronological tour of Disneyland.” said Mike Westby of TimeStream Software. “Now Guests can spend hours discovering one new secret after another as they tour throughout the park, as well as find new ways to experience it, such getting V.I.P. seating on the Disneyland Railroad.”
The new “Disneyland Secrets Gold!” Notescast is an all new way for the entire family to discover the little known secrets of Disneyland, including:
– * How to get V.I.P. seating for two right behind the engine on the E.P. Ripley
– * How to get V.I.P. seating in the beautiful Lilly Belle railcar
– * Where to find the actual park bench Walt Disney sat upon when he first dreamed of Disneyland
– * Where to find Walt Disney’s baby photo
– * Which Disney executive was born at Disneyland
– * The story behind “Trader Sam” on the Jungle Cruise
– * What’s so different about City Hall
– * Where to find the second secret pet cemetery at the Haunted Mansion
– * Where to find the original models of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Splash Mountain and all of Disneyland
– * Where to find Walt Disney’s window – And it’s not on Main Street, U.S.A.!
– * How to get your very own Mark Twain Riverboat Pilot’s Certificate
– * Where to find the abandoned remains of the old “Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland” attraction
– * Where to find a huge pile of thousands of horseshoes
– * How to make lighting flash on Snow White’s Scary Adventure
– * The story behind the basketball court inside the Matterhorn
– * And so much more!
Brought to you by the same team who developed the Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Walt Disney World Secrets Gold!, Walt Disney World Hidden Mickeys and other Disney Notescasts, the new “Disneyland Secrets Gold!” Notescast includes:
– Over 110 Disneyland Park Secrets
– More than 100 Colorful Photos
– Bookmark Your Favorite Pages
– NO WI-FI OR INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED
– Works Everywhere in Disneyland Resort or at Home
Also available for the iPod Classic, iPod nano and iPod Video at www.Notescasts.com
AVAILABILITY
The new “Disneyland Secrets Gold!” Notescast for the iPhone and iPod touch is available now at the iTunes App Store.
The new “Disneyland Secrets Gold!” Notescast is also available for the iPod Classic, iPod 5th Generation and iPod nano at www.Notescasts.com.
REQUIREMENTS
Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch
Requires iPhone OS 2.1 or later
One of today’s top stories has fans rejoicing – I’m here to let you all that, guys, we have not seen the last of the Jonas Brothers! The boys are officially back and tying up all the loose ends for a tour this summer.
Just when we thought that they all might go their separate ways for a while, the bros are making good on their promise that they haven’t called it quits quite yet. Oldest bro Kevin confirmed the tour on Radio Disney and Nick added that it will be unlike anything they’ve ever done before, and that they are all looking forward to “getting back out there with the fans.”
Picture from zimbio.com
Confirmed Character Changes:
Rumored Character Changes:
For more rumored Character changes check out Walt Disney World Character Hunt.
Great article and report from the Disney Park Blog showing all the things Disney does to help save our planet. Be sure to take a minute and check out the Disney Conservation Report.
There’s something really special about Earth Day — a time when millions of people around the world come together to celebrate the wonders of our planet. That’s why we’re proud to publish the Disney Conservation Report.
Disney Guests play an important role in supporting our conservation and environmental efforts. In the report, you’ll discover how, together, we’re saving animals on the brink of extinction, protecting forests and other precious ecosystems, and helping people around the world help wildlife and wild places. You’ll learn how the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund supports conservation every day and helps in times of crisis. I hope that when you read the report, you will take pride in all that you, our Guests, are helping our company and Cast Members accomplish for future generations.
Here at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we’ve also made significant progress over the past year in conserving water and energy, and reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions:
Whatever you’re doing this Earth Day, I encourage you to take a moment to celebrate and make a commitment to environmentalism, so that every day is Earth Day.
P.S. If you see the new Disneynature film, “Oceans,” between April 22 and April 28 (the first week) a donation will be made in your honor to protect coral reefs!
Photo & Article disneyparkblog.com
