RIDEMAKERZ®, a toy car and radio control (RC) car customizing entertainment experience, celebrated its grand opening at its new locations at Downtown Disney West Side in Walt Disney World yesterday, March 25.
RIDEMAKERZ allows guests of all ages to build and personalize their own RC car, choosing its bodystyle, color, wheels, lights and sounds, accessories and decals. With all those options to trick out one’s RC ride, over 649 million combinations, RIDEMAKERZ allows guests to own their dream cars, called RIDEZ.
RIDEMAKERZ, located in Downtown Disney West Side where the Virgin Records Megastore used to be, will remain open for a limited engagement through this fall and possibly to the end of this year. Also part of the store is a RC car test track, an auto salon for full-size autos, and a gallery of show cars. RIDEMAKERZ also has a store at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District that opened in October 2009.
The guys from Game Rant got some interesting information from Mark Orgel, the Assistant Producer for Disney Interactive Studios.
Following my time with the game, I brought up the subject of Disney Interactive’s recent acquisition of Marvel. Although he was unable to comment on the acquisition itself, Mark had this interesting bit of information to say about the future use of the Marvel license:
“We are evaluating the entire Marvel library. Not just the characters that everybody knows and loves from the motion pictures today, but the little-known characters.”
Some of you have asked if we do anything special in the parks for the Easter holiday. And as you can see by this 1986 image of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse with Mr. and Mrs. Easter, the answer is yes — and this year is no exception.
At Magic Kingdom Park, Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny will be doing a meet-and-greet in the Tour Guide Garden “intermittently” from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, March 28 – Sunday, April 4. Also, on Sunday, April 4, there will be a 3 p.m. parade that’ll feature an Easter theme with the Easter Bunny, Daisy and other entertainers.
And at Epcot on April 4, there will be Easter egg hunts for children ages 3 to 9 every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. at Heritage Garden at the American Adventure Pavilion. There will also be Easter egg relays for children ages 6 – 12 at Future World West Garden ever 40 minutes from 10:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
As a pizza lover, I raved when we announced plans for an authentic pizzeria at the Italy Pavilion at Epcot but now I’m really craving a first slice after seeing what’s coming later this year. This is your first official peek at what the new 300-seat restaurant will look like. And yes, that’s outside dining and vaulted-ceilings.
We’re still waiting for word on an official name but thought you’d like to see this artist rendering first on The Disney Parks Blog.
From Lori, who writes: Can you go and watch American Idol or do you have to be a contestant?
Lori: Any guest of Hollywood Studios can sit in the audience and watch the show. There are seven 25-minute preliminary shows a day, with three contestants per show. The winners from each of these shows will compete in the 45-minute grand finale at the end of the day. So you can watch a show, vote and help choose the winner, and then come back at the end of the day and see the finale. Even if you don’t get a chance to go inside, you can watch the show outside on a huge screen located outside the American Idol experience.
Apparently, despite the popularity of the attraction, seats are pretty easy to come by. Everyone I’ve talked to who visted the AI experience loved it and said it ended up being one of the fun surprises of their trip.
Thanks for your question.
Photo copyright Walt Disney World.
Got a Disney question? We’re happy to help. Ask Chip and Co here.
Attention all Disney and purse fans! Did you know that Dooney & Bourke and Disney have collaborated to bring some fantastic bags to the masses? I was recently working down in Orlando, FL and my husband sends me this link from the Disney Parks blog about a new Disney and Dooney & Bourke purse line that is to be released while I am down there. Being a Disney and purse fanatic, I naturally checked into it. And WOW is all I have to say! Well, maybe not all. Read on to hear the rest.
The release my husband actually sent me was for a new line, but Disney & Dooney had apparently paired up in 2009 to create these masterpieces. It apparently started with the Sketch design which you can see above, but there a few differences in the ones originally released and the new ones they are now selling. Both runs came in various styles (which you can see below) and are the PVC-coated cotton. This is an important point. A lot of people mistake these purses for plastic and wonder why you would pay that much. I was actually operating under the same assumption until I asked a Dooney & Bourke employee about it. She informed me that these types of purses are actually cotton cloth coated with PVC. This allows more flexibility in style and design, but also lets you enjoy and carry your bag without destroying it. I mean, let’s face it, those designer canvas and satin bags are beautiful, but a lot of times you are simply too afraid to carry them because you don’t want to mess them up. This is especially true the more expensive the bag. The PVC coating allows you to have style and function because you can actually clean it with a soft toothbrush and gentle soap.
The main differences between the first run and the second is the following:
– The first edition has a yellow Dooney & Bourke banner on the pattern. The second edition excludes this banner and replaces it with a tasteful leather tag (see on picture above).
– The first edition does not include Minnie and the second does.
– On the first edition, the Disney World and Disneyland banners are separate. They are combined on the second edition.
This being said, both versions are beautiful. You can no longer purchase the first edition from Disney, but I have seen it on Ebay. You can purchase the second, but availability changes daily. Also, if you are considering the Sketch design, if you have a favorite character or scene you want on it, either make sure to look through all the stock available (the cast members don’t mind) or ask if you are ordering over the phone, to make sure you get the characters or designs you want. The purse has Mickey, Minnie, Tinkerbell, the Cheshire Cat, Dumbo, the castle with fireworks, a crown, Mickey balloons, Mickey ears, stars, hearts, a rose, Walt Disney World and Disneyland banners, Cinderella’s slipper, Minnie’s bow, a music note, etc. Donald and Goofy’s hats are on there as well, but the characters themselves do not make an appearance. The appearance of the purse is strictly up to fate and the cut of the cloth, so make sure you look or ask someone else to if ordering by phone. For example, I purchased the bag pictured above and wanted to make sure the Cheshire Cat was on mine. You can see he made an appearance on the back bottom right corner below.
Back of Sketch Tassel Tote (second edition)Sketch Wristlet (image credit: www.amazon.com)Sketch Large Handbag (image credit: www.amazon.com)
Disney and Dooney also brought out a black PVC coated cloth purse collection. It has numerous silhouettes of Mickey all over it in a variety of colors.
Black Tassel Tote (image credit: www.amazon.com)Black Wristlet (image credit: www.amazon.com)Black Barrel Bag (image credit: http://www.shopwiki.com)
And on February 26, 2010, they brought out several handbag styles in the Mickey Mouse Tonal series, the pink with green Minnie Mouse series, and the blue and white Mickey Mouse series. The pink and blue bags are canvas. I have not been able to determine the cloth type on the brown bags. See some of the new styles below:
So if you have glanced through these pictures and decided that you want one of these bags, here are few things to keep in mind. Even though this is a collaboration between Disney and Dooney & Bourke, you can only purchase these bags at the parks or Downtown Disney in CA or FL. You cannot buy these from a department store that sells Dooney & Bourke, the Dooney & Bourke website or the Dooney & Bourke outlet stores. If you do not happen to live near either Disney destination or will not be traveling there soon, you can call the merchandise number and order the bags. You can find some of them on Amazon and Ebay, but you will pay more. Most of the bags run between $49 for the wristlet to over $200 for the larger handbags if you order them from Disney. Happy shopping!
One look at these adorable characters and you will understand why the tagline says they are “Too Cute For Their Own Good.” Pook·a·Looz are a new take on your favorite Disney characters, but with Tokyo Pop inspired style. If you love Disney, cuteness, harajuku, etc., take a look at Pook·a·Looz!
They were introduced at the D23 Expo and have been slow to hit stores. I recently ventured to the Disney Store in Raleigh, NC and stumbled upon some of the Alice in Wonderland Pook·a·Looz characters in the store.
Alice in Wonderland Pook•a•Looz at the Disney Store
These were my first exposure to Pook·a·Looz, but the Alice in Wonderland dolls were the only Pook·a·Looz merchandise I saw in the store. So I went home and started researching them. I actually found that they did not even pull up on a search on the Disney Store site and that there had been reports that other stores would carry them before Disney did. This is what lead me to Toys R Us. Toys R Us has journals, t-shirts, keychains, purses, stuffed animals, jewelry, etc. I picked up the following items below at Toys R Us.
Super cute bowler bag purse. Perfect for Spring!Cheshire Cat ToteEeyore ToteMickey & Minnie Hearts ToteCheshire Cat, Eeyore & Tinkerbell KeychainsChip & Dale Bracelet
A lot of people may assume these items are just for little girls, especially since they are being sold at Toys R Us. Well, the little girls will love them, but women of all ages that are into Disney and cute, fun fashion will enjoy these items!
The prices are also great. The cheapest item above was the bracelet at $5.99 and the most expensive was the bowler bag at $14.99. However, please be aware of prices and shop around when looking for Pook·a·Looz items. During my inital research, I checked out Amazon and found other sellers (not Amazon) attempting to sell the stuffed animals starting at $20 and going up to $33. These are the same toys you can get at Toys R Us (in store or online) for $12.99 each. It appears that some individuals are trying to make hefty profit while the market is not yet flooded with merchandise.
Be on the lookout because Pook·a·Looz are headed your way and they are seriously cute and addictive!
Jamie over at Only WDWorld shares with us the history of Walt Disney World Carousel of Progress. Follow along as he takes you to the past, and back again on this classic Disney World attraction. Everybody sing along – There is a great big beautiful tomorrow…
Speaking of taking you back Imaginerding takes us all the way back to the year I was born 1976. They share with us the Spirit of ’76 Captured in a classic but funny postcard.
The guys over at 2719 Hyperion took some time to track down and share with us some of the many books that have come out based on the Alice in Wonderland Movie that is in theaters now. Wonderland in Print is a great read for the Alice fans like myself.
Disney 4 Dads takes us on a journey not through Wonderland but through Kikimanjaro Safari at the Animal Kingdom Park. Come along for a great photo tour!
Finally our gifted writer and partner Chris answers an age old question on her blog Everything WDW. Should you or shouldn’t you Buy and Annual Pass?
Speaking of Chris be sure to check out a new feature we have on the site called “Ask Chris your Disney Question.” Instead of trying to sort though forums or hunt online we are giving you an opportunity to ask us for help. There is no question to big or to small. It is the least we can do for taking the time from your busy day to visit our website. So keep the questions coming 🙂
Stephen S. asks: Are there balcony viewing areas at the contemporary resort (4th floor @ chef mickeys maybe? ) that can be accessed without eating there in order to see “wishes”?
Stephen: Thanks for your question and for reading. I knew that you could watch Wishes from the balcony outside the California Grill if you had dinner there, in the 14th Floor concierge lounge if you were a concierge level guest, and in the very exclusive Top of the World Lounge located in Bay Lake Towers if you were a guest of BLT, but I’d never heard of other places where you could watch. Curious, I decided to talk the Mouse himself and I called Disney. According to cast member I spoke to, you can view Wishes from a balcony located on the 4th Floor, in the north side of the tower. The space, which includes benches, is first come, first served. You do not have to be a resort guest. He did warn me that the monorail can sometimes obstruct the view. Apparently, some visitors also watch Wishes from the walkway running from the Contemporary to Bay Lake Towers, but this wasn’t listed as one of the official viewing areas, so I’m not sure how Disney feels about it.
From Emily: What do you know about the Baylake Towers? Is it a hotel or is it for Vacation Club people?Also if you buy a membership to vacation club can you transfer to Disney’s Hawaiian resort when its done?
Emily: Thanks for your question and for reading Chip and Co.
Bay Lake Towers, or BLT as it’s affectionately known, is the newest Disney Vacation Club property. Opened in 2008, BLT has modern rooms with standard, lake and Magic Kingdom views. There’s a walkway on the 4thfloor that connects BLT with the Contemporary, its sister resort; it will take you to shops and dining and is just a short escalator ride away from the monorail. Very convenient. You can also take the walkway to the Magic Kingdom. I love the location of BLT and the rooms, but it’s not as beautifully landscaped as most Disney resorts. It does have a grat pool. Like all DVC resorts, the rooms, which range from a studio to the three-bedroom villa you see pictured above, have a full kitchen some type of outdoor seating area.
Anyone can book a room at BLT. For non-DVC owners, there are three ways:
Rent points from a DVC owner. This is probably the most economical way. Before you try this, go to a site like Mouseowners, where you’ll find point charts telling you what the nightly/weekly rates are in points. A one-bedroom during adventure season, for example, rents for 201 points. Most points rent for around $10-11 per point, but you’ll see variation either way. You’ll find owners advertising points for rent on sites like Disboards and on Mouseowners. Make sure you understand the posting rules at each forum before you post, book as far out as possible (you can book at 11 months out), ask the owner for references, and get the owner’s cancellation policy in writing. Never rent points on Ebay or on Criagslist.
Rent from a points broker who acts as an intermediary between you and the owner for a small fee. Points brokers charge about $13 a point, but they can get you harder to find properties and are a very safe option. Most brokers will not refund your money if you cancel, so their cancellation policies are the most harsh. The most well-known broker out there is DVC by Request. Check out his point sale rentals at around 60-days out for savings.
Book a room through Disney. It’s more expensive but the cancellation policies are the best and if safety is your biggest concern, it’s the way to go. Look for room-only and annual pass discounts.
All of the above options will allow you to use the dining plan and Magical Express. If you’re renting points from an owner, she will have to make these arrangements for you.
You can buy a membership in BLT through Disney. The minimum to buy in is 160 points with points selling for around $120 a point, but with incentives expect to pay slightly less. You can also buy BLT points for less at resale, although because it’s a newer property, there are fewer contracts available. There are a number of reputable brokers online. In theory, you can buy BLT and stay at any DVC resort, but since you can book your “home” resort at 11-months and all others at 7-months, the competition at 7-months is going to be greater. You can’t “transfer” your from one home resort to another, however you can purchase small add-ons at additional resorts once you are a DVC member, some as low as 25 points. To find out how owners feel about availability, prices, and all things DVC, check out the DVC boards mentioned above. You may have to register to view them.
“SWEATBOX was used as both a noun and a verb by Disney veterans. Originally, the sweatbox was a tiny room about the size of a closet. The closet became a makeshift projection room in the early thirties at the Hyperion studio site. Animators would sweat because of the closeness of the room and/or because of the anxiety of having their work analyzed and scrutinized. Even after the move to the Burbank studio and spacious projection rooms, the term sweatbox was still used. sweatbox became a verb When someone would sweatbox a work in progress or analyze it to see if it was ready to move on to the next stage of production.”
From Working With Walt: Interviews with Disney Artists by Don Peri
Let us just say that our sweatbox will hopefully have less in the way of perspiration and anxiety and more in the way of social interaction and discussion relating to Disney Studio history, theme parks and other types of Disney-branded entertainment.
We here at 2719 Hyperion are very happy and excited to announce our very first live event, the 2719 Hyperion Sweatbox, what we hope will be the first in a series of bi-monthly fan meets based in the Carolinas and possibly beyond. We have long been encouraged by many of our fellow Disney enthusiast in the southeastern U.S. to sponsor such a gathering and so we are very, very thrilled to finally bring it to realization.
Headlining the first Sweatbox is “Hyperion 101,” an introduction to the the history and surrounding geography of the original Walt Disney Studios that was located at 2719 Hyperion Avenue, as presented by the 2719 Hyperion editorial team.
We are also very happy to welcome our very first Sweatbox special guests, Michael Crawford and Jeff Crawford, best known as the authors of Progress City, U.S.A. and the podcasters behind the recently launched and immediately popular Progress City Radio Hour.
Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. Archdale is centrally located in North Carolina with easy access from I-85. RSVPs are not necessary but encouraged nonetheless; it will help us gauge our refreshment needs. Contact either Jeff or George via our email links in the sidebar EDITORS list or sign up at our Facebook page.
If your are interested in 2719 Hyperion Sweatbox sponsorship opportunities or would like to possibly participate in future Sweatbox events, please contact us via the aforementioned email links.
Visit our 2719 Hyperion Sweatbox information page for additional details, directions and updates.
Both Chris & Chip will be at this event! I will try to broadcast this event live via my U Stream so stay tuned for details.
A Day at Disneyland – This very rare Super 8mm Sound Film CoolDisneylandvideos got from E-bay years ago. It is A Souvenir Movie that was only sold at the parks, I think this was made in the mid to late 1970s.
