Hollywood Studios Star Wars Weekends – Week 2 in Review

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June 5, 2010

The “Force” continued to run strong during week two of Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the appearances of some special celebrities. Tom Kane (voice of Yoda, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) and Matthew Wood (Voice of General Grievous) impressed us on stage with amazing character voice work. And Lorne Peterson (Chief Model Maker, Star Wars Saga) met with fans and signed autographs. Oh, and of course, there were more amazing costumes and body art. Here’s a look at the highlights:

“Impossible to see the future is” but here’s a peek at what’s to come during Star Wars Weekends:

Weekend 3 (June 4 – 6)

Ray Park (“Darth Maul”)
Billy Dee Williams (“Lando Calrissian”)
Dave Filoni (Supervising Director of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

Weekend 4 (June 11 – 13)

Ray Park (“Darth Maul”)
Peter Mayhew (“Chewbacca”)
James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Plo Koon in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”)

Source and Photo Disney Parks Blog

Disney’s ‘World of Color’ Picnic Meal Choices

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Chip

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June 5, 2010

A delicious video from the Disney Parks Blog:

Wow! The world premiere for “World of Color” is less than one week away. I can certainly feel the excitement here at Team Disney Anaheim. I know all of you are getting excited, too, and you want to make sure you get a great seat to the show. Earlier this week Heather shared a lot of tips about how to try to secure a spot for the show, and I thought you might like to see this video for an up close look at the four delicious picnic meals!

Just remember, the Picnic meals will be available for purchase online beginning June 11, but this date is still subject to change.

What do You Remember Best at the Disneyland Resort Between 1986 and 1990?

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Chip

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June 5, 2010

This continuing series comes to us from the Disney Parks Blog:

The countdown to the 55th anniversary continues! Today we’re looking back to 1986 through 1990.

I spoke with my colleague and longtime publicist John McClintock, who celebrated his 23rd anniversary with the Disneyland Resort just last month, and asked him what he remembers best during these years. John recalls, “Star Tours had just opened when I arrived in Disneyland Public Relations. Work was just getting under way on Splash Mountain. So we had this one-of-a-kind Tomorrowland space adventure and we were working on this flume ride, not only the first in a Disney theme park but with an enormous cast of characters, the longest steepest drop and the most elaborate show of any flume ride anywhere. It wasn’t hard, even for the new kid on the block, to get excited about what we were publicizing.”

For those who may not have visited Disneyland park at this time or those who might not remember, here’s an overview of this half decade.

1990 – Disneyland park celebrated its 35th anniversary with “Disneyland Big” and a new parade called Party Gras that featured a parade float that towered 37 feet. The Dream Machine, located in Central Plaza, gave some fortunate guests an opportunity to try their luck to win one of many prizes that included Walt Disney Home Videos, a Mickey Mouse plush or even a new car.

1989 – Splash Mountain debuts and is the fastest, tallest and steepest flume attraction at its time! Disneyland park welcomed its 300 millionth Guest with a new marquee in 1989. The new marquee featured a digital board with changing messages and fiber optics that helped the name Disneyland sparkle at night. “Blast to the Past” returned with Chubby Checker and 2,248 guests breaking the record for most people doing the twist in one location. In the winter, the “One Man’s Dream” show premiered at Videopolis.

1988 – The celebration of 60 years with Mickey Mouse started with a visit to Disneyland park by Earforce One, a 100-foot hot air balloon. In November, five thousand children from North America and parts of Asia were treated to a day at Disneyland park to celebrate. The ’50s were also celebrated in Disneyland Blast to the Past, and the Main Street Hop filled the street with cast members dressed in poodle skirts and saddle shoes. In 1988, Disneyland park set the record for the most people hula hooping at the same time in one location – 1,527 people gathered in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle to break the record. Also in this year, Disney purchased the Disneyland Hotel from the Wrather Company, and Bear Country’s name was changed to Critter Country in preparation for Splash Mountain.

Click here to keep reading.

Disney Food Confession – Tinkerbell Cupcakes

By

Chip

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June 5, 2010

Where is it? My daughters 4th Birthday Party!

What is it? Delicious Tinkerbell Chocolate & Vanilla Cupcakes

Why you want it? These cupcakes were so good! So Rich and decadent almost as good as some of the cupcakes you would find at Walt Disney World.

Food By: Tara’s Cupcakes – Specializing in cupcakes & cake towers.

Thanks Tara for your hard work and for some really yummy cupcakes!

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If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected] or let us know in the comment section below. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!

Disney Parks ‘Quick Hits’ – June 4th, 2010

By

Chip

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June 5, 2010

You won’t find it in the in-park event guide but we thought you’d like to know that Ray Park “Darth Maul” will be showing off some of his amazing martial arts skills this weekend (and next) at Star Wars Weekends. Ray will be performing with a double-bladed lightsaber and telling stories in the Premiere Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please stop by the information table at the Sounds Dangerous Theatre for more information.

And a reminder…if you’re looking to save some money on a weekend getaway to the Walt Disney World Resort this summer, we’re offering three ways to save.

Here are some other items that didn’t make it to the blog this week:

Special Offers at Disneyland Resort — Are you planning a visit to the Disneyland Resort? Don’t miss these special offers.

Where to Eat? — If you’re having trouble deciding where to eat at Walt Disney World, the Walt Disney World Moms Panel is here to help.

Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD — Looking for an easy way to plan your next Disney Parks vacation? Order a free Disney Parks vacation planning DVD!

Character Dining at Walt Disney World — Here are some great option for character dining at Walt Disney World – what’s your favorite?

“Independence Day 2010 – Chip and Dale” Pin — Independence Day is just around the corner! Celebrate with this pin featuring Chip and Dale.

A Main Street Electrical Parade Preview

By

Chip

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June 5, 2010

Here is a great first look at Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade from the Disney Parks Blog:

Hi everyone…last night I had the opportunity to attend an after-hours preview of the Main Street Electrical Parade and thought you’d enjoy seeing a little more of what to expect beginning Sunday.

From the moment I arrived, the excitement surrounding the parade’s return to Walt Disney World was contagious. And when the first notes of “Baroque Hoedown” began to sound through the park, the crowd erupted. During the parade, there were special “oohs” and “ahhs” for Elliot the Dragon from Pete’s Dragon, Cinderella in her illuminated pumpkin coach, and the red, white and blue Honor America finale float.

The last time I set eyes on the Main Street Electrical Parade was as a young guest in the mid-1980s, so I’ve been looking forward to experiencing the parade as an adult and viewing the procession’s latest enhancements, including the debut of Tinker Bell aboard the lead float.

Click here to keep reading and for more really cool photos!

Ask a Disney Question: Is Disney Discontinuing Refillable Mugs?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 5, 2010

This question comes from Chris (I swear, I’m not sending myself questions!), who asks: “I heard they are getting rid of the refillable mugs at Disney. Is this true?”

Chris, thanks for reading and for your question. Disney isn’t discontinuing refillable mugs that we know of, but it looks as though they are attempting to change how the mugs are used. As you probably know, there has been some abuse of the mugs, with a small number of guests reusing them year after year. What Disney is doing now, is trying to figure out ways to track, and perhaps limit the use of, refillable mugs. Disney recently applied for a patent that will do just that, possibly by linking your ability to use your mug to your Keys to the World (room) card. So for example, if you want a drink (or possibly a snack), you would scan your card and it would dispense your beverage of choice. Once your resort reservation ends, you would no longer be able to use that mug. On subsequent trips, you’d need to buy another mug to get your KTTW to dispense drinks.

Besides the fact that some people who buy mugs abuse the system, we’ve heard other reasons why the mugs are problematic, most of them having to do with hygiene issues, but overall I think the mugs are too lucrative and popular for Disney to discontinue them. We’ll keep you posted if we hear of any changes.

Have a Disney question? We have answers. Write us at Chip and Co. We answer every question.

Disney Orders 4th Season Of “Wizards Of Waverly Place” And Film Sequel

By

Chip

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June 5, 2010

21744 Wizard of waverly place logo

Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning original series “Wizards of Waverly Place” is moving on with a fourth season and a sequel to their 2009 TV film. The network has announced that the production on the next season will kick off in August.

The filming for the fourth season of the fantasy series – starring Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise – gets underway in August, with show runners Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio exec producing.

They will also be having a sequel to the made-for-TV film “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie.” The script will be written by Dan Berendsen, who also wrote the script for the first film, as well as for “Hannah Montana: The Movie” and the upcoming “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.”

President of entertainment and chief creative officer, Gary Marsh, said, “The Emmy win this past year confirmed what we already believed – this is a cast of superstar comedic talent, backed by an inspired team of writers and producers.”

Special Announcement!

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 4, 2010

Hi Everyone! Jon here. Be sure to keep tuned tomorrow night for some very special stuff that Chip himself doesn’t even know about!

>>Jon

Disney Pic of the Day – Captain America

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Chip

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June 4, 2010

The first concept art of Captain America’s costume has been released, and it looks great. No spandex jumpsuit there.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

Classic Disney – Walt Disney Imagineering Presents Dreamflight 1989

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Chip

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June 4, 2010

This featurette from the Disney Channel in 1989 gives a preview of Dreamflight, which was then under construction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The ride would close in 1996 and be replaced with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Bonus here is a start to finish ride along of Dreamflight

Take180’s “I heart Vampires” Web Series Wraps Up a Sucessful Second Season

By

Chip

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June 4, 2010

Take180, the online network for teens that features broadcast quality shows with audience participation, continues to gain tremendous momentum by capping off the second season of the popular Web series “I <3 Vampires” with record audience numbers and a new mobile content distribution deal with Japan’s BeeTV. The second season officially closes its coffin tonight at Take180.com, with the highly anticipated season finale episode that will leave fans breathless.

“The ‘I <3 Vampires’ franchise continues to gain great traction with both teen audiences and new fans alike,” said Chris M. Williams, General Manager of T180 Studios, the studio behind Take180. “The Web series continues to grow in popularity and new content distribution channels are opening up, enabling us to pursue even more opportunities to reach teens.” The “I <3 Vampires” Web series has garnered more than 11 million online views and close to seven thousand user submissions. The show’s unique participatory format has drawn immense interest and has been recognized this year as an Official Honoree of The Webby Awards for Best Use of Interactive Video and nominated for The Streamy Awards as Best Interactive Experience in a Web Series.

In a new distribution deal that commenced on May 20, 2010, “I <3 Vampires” is now available on BeeTV, one of Japan’s largest mobile content distributors. T180 Studios will be supplying content from seasons one and two of the original Web series.

The “I <3 Vampires” Web series includes up-and-coming new stars Cherilyn Wilson, Adam Chambers, Alli Kinzel, Erin Way and Josh Nuncio. Wilson’s television credits include a recurring role on the CW network’s “90210” and a guest character role on CBS’ ‘Cold Case’ series. Additionally, she recently completed a role in David Fincher’s new film, “The Social Network”, opposite Justin Timberlake and also recently wrapped on Sam Raimi’s comedy/horror webisode titled “Zombie Roadkill”. Guest stars this season have included Drake Bell (“Drake & Josh”) and William Mapother (“Lost”).

For more information check out I <3 Vampires!

About Take180
Take180 is a new online network targeting teens that features broadcast-quality shows made with audience participation. All Take180 episodes are under three minutes (or 180 seconds). With its official launch in March 2009, members of the site’s community contribute videos, stories, photos and artwork in response to specific challenges from the show producers. Winning submissions are featured in future episodes, and the winners of each challenge receive various prizes. Much of Take180’s original web content revolves around pop culture and what’s happening now in youth culture. In addition to shows being available at Take180.com, they are also distributed on Take180’s official YouTube channel at YouTube.com/Take180.

About “I<3 Vampires”
A year ago, Corbin and Luci found out that their favorite book, “Confessions of a High School Vampire,” was more real than they ever could have imagined. Now the two are no longer friends and have broken up with their supernatural boyfriends, Nick and Wyatt. But when Corbin finds out Nick’s in trouble, it’s up to her college roommate Sam to get the former best friends back together before it’s too late. All 22 episodes from the show’s first season are currently posted on Take180.com and on Take180’s official YouTube channel at YouTube.com/Take180. The show’s second season officially launched in early February at http://www.take180.com/vampires, with new episodes published weekly.