Disney hotel workers walk off jobs in protest

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June 12, 2010

Dozens of Disneyland hotel workers have walked off their jobs as the resort premieres its multimillion dollar World of Color attraction.

Members of the union Unite Here walked out of the Disneyland, Grand Californian and Paradise Pier hotels on Friday to picket and block traffic along the street that leads into the amusement park.

Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown calls it another publicity stunt.

A contract dispute between Disney and hotel workers has lasted two years, with employees staging periodic protests.

The World of Color, a water spectacle at the California Adventure theme park, was expected to draw extra crowds to the park Friday.

Kids Sail Free on Select Disney Mexican Riviera Cruises

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Chip

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June 12, 2010

Great news! From Jan. 23 — March 20, 2011, kids age 17 and under sail FREE* when traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom on select 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles!

You can enjoy the beauty of the Baja California and Mexican coasts on a voyage filled with unmatched Disney entertainment, legendary service and magic made for everyone of every age.

Bookings are open now through July 31, 2010, to book this special offer, contact the wonderful people at Pixie Vacations.

www.PixieVacations.com
Phone: 678-815-1584
Email: [email protected]

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Video Game

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Disney Interactive Studios today announced that Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is in development for Nintendo DS(TM). The game will further immerse players into the Disney Fairies franchise with new online connectivity features linked to the Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow (www.PixieHollow.com) virtual world from Disney Online.

“Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue takes players outside of Pixie Hollow for the first time in this exciting franchise,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Fans will be able to experience the excitement of Summer on the Mainland and team up with fairy friends in this all new action-adventure.”

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, expands on the forthcoming movie in which Tinker Bell meets Lizzy, a little girl with a steadfast belief in the magic of fairies. Determined to mend the girl’s relationship with her distant father, Tink stays with her new human friend — risking her own safety and the future of fairykind.

In the game, players fly into Fairy camp to help bring summer to the English Countryside. It’s up to the player to team up with their fairy friends and complete 6 action-levels throughout the English Countryside to find and grow the rare Rainbow Lily in time for the End-of-Summer celebration. Using different fairy skills and talents, fans will partake in a variety of quests, solve puzzles, participate in arts and crafts and complete over 25 mini-games, including baking and cookie decorating.

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue offers exciting new interconnectivity with the Pixie Hollow virtual world. Players can either create and customize a fairy avatar in the DS game with over 260 items and send it to the virtual world, or they can create a fairy avatar in the virtual world and send it to the English Countryside in their DS game. They will also be able to upload items and even send postcards from Fairy camp to friends on PixieHollow.com.

Also included in Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is DGamer, the online community exclusive to Disney gamers on Nintendo DS, allowing players to connect with others and unlock additional items in their DS game.

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue will be available this September for Nintendo DS.

Walt Disney World Quick Bites – Fantasmic Lunches, ESPN Grill, and more

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Chip

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June 11, 2010

Here is our weekly Quick Bites Column from the Disney Parks Blog!

More World Cup . . . Raglan Road at Downtown Disney will open at 10 a.m. during the month of June to show the World Cup Soccer games with two 50-inch TV screens. They’ll serve a full Irish breakfast all day and offer happy hour drinks and food specials. We reported earlier than you can catch the matches at ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk and ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill beginning June 11. ESPN Club will start serving at 10:30 a.m. for all early soccer game days June 11-29 and July 2 and 3. ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will be offering a limited breakfast menu for the 7 a.m. game and lunch for the 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. games. Then, from June 26-July 10, ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will offer a buffet with guaranteed seating to view the game. And on July 11, they’ll create a special viewing area. For reservations, call WDW-DINE beginning May 27.

Caramel Kitchen to open late September . . . the official name is Karamelle-Küche, German for “caramel kitchen,” and the new shop in the Germany pavilion at Epcot is themed like an Old World German caramel shop. A show kitchen will feature cast members making fresh caramel popcorn, caramel apples, caramel-covered strawberries and marshmallows. Werther’s Original candy will be on the shelves, and the shop also will include gourmet caramels, cookies, brownies, fudge and cupcakes. It’s the only free-standing retail location in the world for Storck, makers of Werther’s Original Caramels, and you’ll find some goodies on the shelves that you can’t find anywhere else. The shop replaces the Glas und Porzellan shop.

Fantasmic! lunch . . . The Fantasmic! dining packages now are available during lunch at The Hollywood Brown Derby and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. Just like the dinner packages, the lunch packages can be booked on all dates when Fantasmic! is scheduled and allow guests to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the show time and enjoy designated seating. When there are two performances on the same night, the package is valid for the first performance only. Make reservations by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 up to 180 days in advance. Pick up your VIP voucher for Fantasmic! at the end of the meal.

Cordial cart . . . A beautiful wood cordial cart is now offering tableside after-dinner drinks at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – the only Walt Disney World restaurant to feature the rolling libations. All sort of brandies and scotches are offered, but we were impressed to see the crème de la crème: Rémy Martin’s Louis the 13th cognac, officially registered as a brand in 1874. Sit back, sip and enjoy.

What’s New & What’s Next at Disneyland Resort for 2011 and beyond!

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

“Summer Nightastic!” and the new production “World of Color” bring their special brand of excitement to the Disneyland Resort this summer. Plus, there’s even more Disney magic on the horizon.

SUMMER 2010 – ‘WORLD OF COLOR’ AND MORE: “World of Color,” the new nighttime spectacular presented in Disney California Adventure park, brings classic Disney and Disney•Pixar animation to life with more than a thousand powerful fountains, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, music and special effects. The show employs stunning technical wizardry to create a breathtaking emotional experience. It debuts June 11 as part of “Summer Nightastic!,” the dynamic lineup of summer entertainment that includes “Fantasmic!” with its breathtaking new dragon; “Magical” fireworks, starring both Tinker Bell and Dumbo in the air over Sleeping Beauty Castle; Tomorrowland Terrace TLT Dance Club and Pixie Hollow Enchantment, all taking place after dark at Disneyland park. “Summer Nightastic!” runs June 11 through Aug. 29, while “World of Color” will continue entertaining guests year-round in Paradise Bay.

In addition to “World of Color,” guests at Disney California Adventure park will enjoy the attraction Silly Symphony Swings, a Disney-flavored version of the classic swing ride themed to the tornado finale of the classic Mickey Mouse cartoon “The Band Concert.” Fans of the interactive Toy Story Mania! attraction on the Paradise Pier boardwalk will find a new game and some new characters to challenge their sharp-shooting skills. And nighttime visitors to the park will enjoy the colorful, exciting entertainment of “Glow Fest” through Aug. 22.

RAPUNZEL ARRIVES IN DISNEYLAND PARK THIS FALL: Rapunzel, the newest Disney princess and star of the upcoming animated feature “Tangled,” will begin greeting guests of all ages at a location in Fantasyland in October. The movie opens Nov. 16.

Looking ahead to 2011 ( and beyond) …

DISNEY CRUISE LINE MOVES TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: The Disney Wonder cruise ship will “go west” in early 2011. New West Coast itineraries for Disney Cruise Line will include, for the first time, Alaska cruises sailing from Vancouver. The Alaska cruises will combine the natural wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled guest experience provided by Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Wonder also is scheduled for cruises out of the Port of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, before and after the summer Alaska cruises.

From Jan. 23 to March 20, 2011, Disney Cruise Line will make it easier to experience the West Coast cruise magic with a special “Kids Free” offer on seven-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera. Guests age 17 and younger can sail free aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanied by two full-fare paying guests occupying the same stateroom on seven-night voyages (government taxes and fees excluded).

‘THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE’ FOR THE JEDI IN ALL OF US: Bridging that “long time ago” between the two Star Wars trilogies, spectacular new Star Tours adventures in 3-D will debut in 2011 in Disneyland park, taking voyagers – for the first time – to Coruscant and other destinations in the Stars Wars galaxy. The power of the Force and the magic of Disney once again will combine for this immersive experience in Tomorrowland. Fans also will be able to enjoy this exciting adventure in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Star Tours in Disneyland goes on hiatus beginning July 27, 2010, to prepare for the all-new journeys.

NEXT IN DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK – THE LITTLE MERMAID ~ ARIEL’S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE: Even more Disney magic is coming to Disney California Adventure park in 2011 with the premier of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, the next big milestone in the ongoing expansion of Disney California Adventure. The Little Mermaid attraction will give new meaning to the phrase “immersive Disney attraction,” taking guests “under the sea” to experience magnificent scenes and magical songs from the popular motion picture.

NEW ENHANCEMENTS TO THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL: Renovation will continue at the Disneyland Hotel, including a new pool and water play area, enhancements to the existing pool, a new restaurant and bar, and re-theming of the hotel’s three guest room towers. Three new themed suites will join the existing Mickey Mouse and Pirates suites.

SUMMER 2012 – HIT THE ROAD WITH MATER AND LIGHTNING MCQUEEN: The best of Disney California Adventure expansion may still be yet to come. The year 2012 will see the completion of the new front entryway greeting park guests: Buena Vista Street featuring the Carthay Circle Theatre and the vintage Southern California Red Car Trolleys. Also set for 2012 is the opening of Cars Land, a 12-acre expansion inspired by the Disney•Pixar blockbuster “Cars.” The land, modeled on the movie’s Radiator Springs setting, will feature three new attractions, including the E-ticket thrill ride Radiator Springs Racers – taking guests zooming through the Cars Land landscape. Other Cars Land attractions will include Luigi’s Flying Tires (striking a chord with anyone who remembers the Flying Saucers in Tomorrowland) and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, a tow-truck-themed attraction.

About the Disneyland Resort: The Disneyland Resort features two theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s three hotels are the luxurious, newly expanded 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 970-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on new attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

New video from the set of upcoming Marvel Movie Thor

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Entertainment Tonight posted a brand new four-minute video from the set of the upcoming Marvel Studios film Thor, which will kick off next year’s summer movie season on May 6, 2011.

Check out the video below to take a look at a glimpse from the New Mexico set, which includes interviews with Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and director Kenneth Branagh.

Disney Pic of the Day – Mike Wazowski Has His ‘Eye’ on Teri Hatcher

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Mike Wazowski has his ‘eye’ on Teri Hatcher of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” at the “World of Color” premiere this evening at Disney California Adventure Park.

School’s Out, and Walt Disney World Is In

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village Offers Families the Perfect Summer Escape for 30% Off

School’s out for the year and it’s finally time for a family getaway and some fun in the sun. For many families this means a trip to Walt Disney World®. Those looking for a nearby Disney World Family hotel will delight in the Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista’s newest hotel package.

The Summer Escape! Orlando hotel discount package includes:

Deluxe accommodations
Complimentary wireless high-speed internet
Complimentary parking
Complimentary breakfast
Rates from $76
Valid Through September 30, 2010

With award winning accommodations and a convenient location just one mile from Walt Disney World®, it’s the perfect place to take advantage of summer break.

Guests can start the morning with a complimentary continental breakfast before heading to the lobby where tickets for Disney World are conveniently available for purchase. Then, the hotel shuttle whisks guests away to the park so getting there is one less thing to worry about.

When not enjoying their Orlando family hotel suite, Disney makes this summer escape even more special with their Sumer Nightastic event that includes the Main Street Electrical Parade, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular.

I have stayed at the Marriot Village several times and I will say if we are not staying on property we are staying here. That is the only reason why I posted this News Article cause I can say this is a really nice spot!

Disney Food Confessions – Grilled Petit Filet of Angus Beef

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Where is it? Napa Rose Grand Californian Hotel Disneyland Resort

What is it? Grilled Petite Filet of Angus Beef with a Hearty Ox-tail Ragu with WInter Mushrooms, and Mine Shaft Blue Cheese Butter

Why you want it? So tender and delicious. Not much more I can say the picture speaks for itself.

Photo Credit: by IamChadams via flickr

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!

Disneyworld Couple discovers their fairy tale beginning

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Many couples like to believe it was fate that brought them together. In the case of a Florida couple, it might be true.

Donna and Alex Voutsinas met 13 years ago, or so they thought. Just days before their wedding, Donna was looking at some old photos. She found one of her as a child, 30 years ago with her family at Disneyworld. Alex couldn’t believe it. In the background was his father pushing him in a stroller.

“I would have never noticed the picture. I’ve looked at it through the years and, of course, all I notice is me and my brothers. Just to be in the same picture with my wife when we were basically toddlers, it’s unbelievable,” said Alex Voutsinas.

Even more remarkable, Alex’s family lived in Montreal at the same time that Donna’s lived in New York and yet their paths crossed, without their knowing it, in the split second the photo was taken.

‘World of Color’ Blue Carpet Premiere Live Coverage – UPDATED

By

Chip

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June 11, 2010

Check out updated coverage of the Blue Carpet Premiere of World of Color. Plenty of Celebrity Photos from the event.

Click here to see more pictures from the blue carpet!

PS – I watched the World of Color tonight and I am just in awe! I will write up a full review in the am.

Here is a link to the U Stream Channel. Not sure if there is a rebroadcast.

‘World of Color’ Blue Carpet Premiere Live Coverage

By

Chip

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June 10, 2010

The Disney Park Blog is out at the premiere of Disney’s World of Color, be sure to click the link below to check out photos from the event:

We’re out at the blue carpet premiere in Disney California Adventure park, waiting for celebrities to arrive. The premiere event features a carpet that is actually a brilliant blue color to reflect one of the stars of the show: water. The wallpaper that will serve as the background for celebrity photos features every color of the rainbow and many of the bright colors that are featured in the show.

Click here to see more including photos from the event!