Pixar’s Iron Man Revealed

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May 26, 2010

IGN Shares with us some really cool Iron Man Variant Covers:

For months many have wondered when we’d see Disney and Marvel start to work together. While we’ve seen Marvel merch start to show up at Disney theme parks, an announcement from Marvel Comics today elevates the collaboration and corporate synergy one step further. Pixar is taking a stab at the Golden Avenger.

For months Marvel has been unveiling a flood of Iron Man variant covers. Decorating just about every major release for the past couple months, Marvel has called upon a wide, wide variety of comic book artists to do “alternate universe” takes on Iron Man. Dubbed “Iron Man by Design 2.0” variants, these ideas range from Gladiator Iron Man to iconic, stylish takes on the current iteration of the character. Marvel’s latest variants do the same, but summon two of Pixar’s concept artists, Ronnie del Carmen and Bill Presing, for the task. Del Carmen has worked as Story Supervisor, Storyboard Artist and Character Designer on such films as Finding Nemo and Wall-E. Presing has contributed to Up and Ratatouille as a Storyboard Artist.

For the complete article with more pictures check out IGN here.

Is Renting a Vacation Home at Disney the Right Choice for You?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 26, 2010

Is Renting a Vacation Home at Disney the Right Choice for You?

I got into an interesting discussion with a friend recently, who is planning a Disney World vacation with extended family. We were talking about the various options for where to stay: official Disney resort, off-property hotel, or vacation home or condo. It was kind of interesting, as they all have pros and cons, and when it comes to deciding the best option, especially if you are trying to have as affordable a Disney vacation as possible….as she was….then the picture isn’t always black and white. As she was leaning towards renting a home, I’m going to focus this post on the pros and cons of vacation home rental at Disney, and then would like to hear from you.

In the interest of full disclosure here, we have not stayed in a vacation home when visiting Disney World, but I know plenty of people who have, and every one has been very pleased with the experience. And I always find this interesting, as I personally would miss that “Disney emersion” that you get when staying at a Disney resort, but for these folks it was no problem. In fact, as one told me, “it’s kind of nice to get away from it for a bit.” ……OK. I do get that.

Beyond that part though, the case for renting a vacation home at Disney World can definitely be made, as there are several great reasons for doing it.

If you are traveling with more than the typical size family of parents and a couple of kids, it will more than likely be cheaper than renting multiple hotel rooms, or even a Disney villa. Probably a lot cheaper in fact, because having this “home away from home” means that
You can do some cooking/preparing meals, to save money on food costs. Now, personally, I kind of really hate to do much cooking when I’m on vacation because, well, I’m on vacation. But even so, the ability to have a decent breakfast before going to the parks is pretty nice. And if you want to have a relaxing day and not rush off to the parks right away….or even <gasp> take a day off and not go to the parks at all one day…how nice would it be to just hang out at your house, eat in, and just chill? Vacation homes in Florida typically come with a private pool, so you can just unwind at your own pool, frosted beverage of choice in hand. I must say, that scenario sounds pretty tempting, doesn’t it? Which leads me to
The relaxation factor. And this is the one that I find most intriguing, because “relaxing at Disney” sounds like an oxymoron….but honestly, having a vacation home makes it easier to do than staying on Disney property or even at a non-Disney hotel. It’s just you. And I think for many people, that is the single biggest attraction: the ability to get away from the crowds and the noise and the “go go go” feeling, and just chill a bit in between. It makes for happier, more relaxed families, and that makes for happier vacations.

So what would be the downside? Well, if it matters to you, not having that Disney feeling 24/7 for starters. And second, I think would be the transportation issue. You will need a car, and need to factor that into your plans: cost of car, gas, and parking at the parks, as well as time involved going to and from the parks. It won’t be as convenient perhaps as just hopping on the monorail to go back to your hotel for a swim, so you would need to keep that in mind. Clearly there would be others as well, like not being eligible for things like the Disney Dining Plan, so again that needs to be factored in.

But all in all, as I discussed with my friend, especially if you have a large group or family, renting a vacation home or condo at Disney World can be a very affordable option. I believe her plans are to do just that, so I will be interested in how her experience works out.

In the meantime, I am curious: Have you ever rented a vacation home or condo at Disney World? What was your experience like, both good and bad? Would you do it again? Please let me know in the comments below, or email me at [email protected]. I will share results in a future blog post!

This article was featured in this months Disney Blog Carnival! Check out more exciting Disney News & Views from other Disney Bloggers.

Kouzzina by Cat Cora offers delicious Vegan Fare

By

Chip

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May 26, 2010

This article comes from Pam Brandon at the Disney Parks Blog:

We eat just about anything. But when we’re dining with a vegetarian or vegan, we’ve found a perfect Walt Disney World dining spot: Kouzzina by Cat Cora.

Vegans (vegetarians who eat no animal or dairy products at all) find plenty of delicious tastes on the menu, from roast pepper-chickpea soup to smashed garlic friend potatoes, sautéed brussel sprouts with capers and lemon and salt-roasted beets with skordalia (garlicky mashed potatoes served cold). You don’t even have to ask for Chef Dee Foundoukis to make something special, it’s all right on the menu.

But let’s back up to what we love at Kouzzina. We daydream about the Fisherman’s Stew with crunchy fennel, shrimp, mussels, clams, firm white fish and a light tomato broth. And when it’s hard to choose from the Mediterranean-inspired menu we go for the new “Kouzzina Trio” with a lamb slider and ample portions of the cinnamon-stewed chicken and pastitsio (a classic Greek creation with pasta, ground beef and béchamel sauce).

Sometimes we just make a meal of the starters, like the grape leaf filled with goat cheese and grilled, crisp calamari and lemon, spanakopita (spinach pie), and a trio of spreads – harissa yogurt, kalamta fig and chickpea hummus – with grilled pita.

Click here to keep reading and for more yummy food photos.

Lego + Disney?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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May 26, 2010

Lego + Disney? Yes please! New Prince of Persia and Toy Story 3 Lego sets available from DisneyStore.com? I’m there!!!! You could be too if you click on THIS LINK! It’s Disney Legos, how could you NOT click on that link?

Fantasyland Carrousel Name Change at Walt Disney World

By

Chip

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May 26, 2010

Disney’s antique carrousel ride in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park – Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel – is officially changing its name to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The name change takes effect June 1.

The name change helps tell the rest of the Cinderella story that inspired the carrousel. Here’s the official story behind it:

Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s Castle. With peace throughout the kingdom, Prince Charming had time to practice for jousting tournaments. In the countryside near the castle, he built a training device of carved horses, on which he could practice the art of ring-spearing, a tournament event in which a knight rides his horse full speed, lance in hand, toward a small ring hanging from a tree limb, with the object of spearing the ring. This event was known by various names throughout the lands, but generally came to be called “carrousel.”

The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard – its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers and other festoons. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.

Delicious Discoveries Oct. 1-Nov. 14 at 15th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

By

Chip

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May 26, 2010

Chefs Whip Up Global Goodies from South Korea, Belgium, and More

Like a fine wine that improves with age, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival celebrates 15 years Oct. 1-Nov. 14 with an unrivaled global tasting experience.

Where on the planet can foodies sample the cuisine, culture and entertainment of more than two dozen countries during a 1.3-mile stroll around a picturesque 40-acre lagoon? Only at Walt Disney World Resort, where more than 25 international marketplaces around the World Showcase promenade at Epcot invite guests to taste tapas-sized portions and sip wines, beers and spirits from six continents.

This year, Disney and celebrity chefs are teaming with winemakers and brew masters from around the world to commemorate 15 years of Delicious Discoveries. During the six-week festival, guests will discover:

Two new tasting marketplaces – Belgium and South Korea –plus new menu offerings at popular returning marketplaces including Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Poland, South Africa, Australia, U.S.A., Spain and others.
Celebrity chef appearances starring top culinarians like Warren Brown, Cat Cora, Todd English, Gale Gand, Robert Irvine, Art Smith, Andrew Zimmern and more.
A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
Daily wine seminars, bottle signings, author events and culinary demonstrations at the Festival Welcome Center.
Eat to the Beat! concerts three times nightly at America Gardens Theatre.
Two Epcot restaurants grand opening just in time for the festival: Via Napoli at the Italy pavilion and La Hacienda de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion.

New Sips, Fresh Bites

Whether sampling steamed mussels with roasted garlic cream at the new Belgium marketplace or sipping the trendiest wines from South Africa and Chile, festival guests can make a day of grazing their way around the World Showcase promenade. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $3-to-$8 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each marketplace. To make grazing simpler and more fun, guests can purchase a festival-themed mini-Disney Gift Card that can be loaded and reloaded at several park locations. The card comes attached to a band that can be worn conveniently on the wrist and used for purchases at park marketplaces, restaurants and shops.

Live regional entertainment includes music, acrobatics and improv performances along the promenade.

Evening Eat to the Beat! concerts at America Gardens Theatre feature acts from many musical genres.

Appearing for the first time on the Eat to the Beat! stage are: Sugar Ray, Air Supply, Howard Jones, 38 Special, Roger Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp,) Hanson and Rick Springfield. Kicking off the festival Oct. 1-3 is fan-favorite Taylor Dayne, and wrapping the event Nov. 12-14 is crowd-pleaser Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Each fall, the festival attracts a diverse audience of more than 1 million guests ranging from wine connoisseurs and epicures to novices wishing to boost their culinary IQs. Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Festival highlights include:
·         The Festival Welcome Center, with a Wine Bar, Authentic Taste Seminars, Authors Without Borders weekend conversations and more.
·         Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country conducting culinary demonstrations and hosting dinners and tasting events. Guest chefs on tap include Debbie Gold, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Robin Miller, Jamie Deen and many other culinary stars.
·         New events that include 3-D Disney’s Dessert Discovery and a festival preview night, First Bites Opening Reception, on Sept. 30.
·         Popular returning events that include Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen, Epcot Wine Schools, Mexico Tequila Tastings and Food and Wine Pairings.
·         The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event with tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
Festival guests can enjoy fresh Epcot experiences including the latest Future World high-tech fun at Innoventions. They also can go “under the sea” at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, “up in the air” at Soarin’ in The Land pavilion or “out of this world” at Mission: SPACE. In World Showcase, new and updated restaurants welcome guests at the Italy, Japan, Mexico and China pavilions.

Included with Epcot Admission

Authentic Taste seminars and Authors Without Borders programs with special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details should be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine by mid-July.

Top Eats – Disneyworld Counter Service Dining Restaurants

By

Chip

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May 25, 2010

Earlier this month you had the chance to check out Chris’s Top Eats: Disneyworld Counter Service Meals. She had some very interesting choices and stayed away from your average burger and fry locations. I am more of a traditionalist and love a good burger and fries.

Here are my choices for Disneyworld Counter Service Dining Restaurants.

5. Beaches & Cream Soda Shop – I had to start off my list with B&C. Yes they do have one of the best burgers at WDW but they also have ICE CREAM! I have yet to try the kitchen sink, that thing would give Man vs Food a run for his money.

4. Casey’s Corner – A great place to have a hot dog right on Main Street. I was having a hard time picking between here and the Main Street Bakery as they are both really good. Casey has the best viewing location for Wishes Nigh-time Spectacular

3. Sleepy Hollow – One of my favorite places to grab some funnel cake. They have other goodies too but I mainly go for some Fried Dough..Nom Nom Nom

2. Boulangerie Patisserie – We love getting a snack or a sandwich and popping a squat on the table and chairs outside this quaint cafe in Epcot’s France Pavilion.

1. Starring Rolls Cafe – One the best places to get baked goods in all of Disneyworld. Main Street Bakery is good but Starring Rolls is GREAT! Get the Butterfinger Cupcake it is to die for!

This is a very tough list to narrow down as there are some many good, quick counter service locations at Walt Disney World. What are some of your favorite Counter Service locations? Let us know in the comment section below.

Toontown Online Streets Come Alive Raising Silly Levels to an All-Time High!

By

Chip

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May 25, 2010

New Screenshots Show How Dancing Mailboxes and Juggling Trash Cans Help Toons Pull Off the Silliest Gags Ever

For the first time ever, Disney’s Toontown Online fun-filled virtual world is getting even sillier! Due to high amounts of Toon-generated mayhem, the rising silly levels are making objects on the street come alive. Juggling trash cans, pie-delivering mailboxes and cheering fire hydrants are helping those zany Toons play sillier-than-ever gags on the evil robot Cogs. It’s history in the making!

To monitor this rise in silliness, the Toon scientists have built the all new Silly Meter. As Toons’ outrageous antics cause silly levels to climb, the Silly Meter gets crazier and Toontown gets even more animated. To raise the levels in the Silly Meter, Toons use their gags on the evil Cogs to cause Silly Surges. Join in the fun and help keep silly levels rising by breaking out your cream pies, squirt guns and fire hoses to keep the Cogs at bay. You’ve never seen Toontown like this!

About Toontown Online
Disney’s Toontown Online is a wacky online world, full of mischievous fun, where kids and families can create their own zany Toon characters and join their friends to protect Toontown from the evil robot cogs. The first multiplayer online game designed for kids and families, Toontown Online has been home to more than 50 million Toons, since its inception. Rated E for Everyone, Toontown Online is an award-winning, immersive virtual world for kids of all ages, who love humor that’s unique, smart and irreverent. Toontown is the kind of place where it’s normal for players to jump through portable holes, use squirting flowers to take down their enemies, or blast themselves out of cannons just for fun. Toontown Online is constantly evolving with new games, new storylines and endless adventures that are crazy fun for the whole family!

About Disney Online
Disney Online (www.Disney.com or text MOBILE to DISNEY), a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online and now mobile Web gateway to all of the company’s Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about, Disney movies, travel, television, games, music, shopping, and live events.

In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Disney Club Penguin, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow, Disney’s Toontown Online, Pirates of the Caribbean Online, and the newest virtual world Disney•Pixar World of Cars Online.

Animating a Blockbuster: How Pixar Built Toy Story 3

By

Chip

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May 25, 2010

A very in depth article from Wired on the making of Toy Story 3.

Screenwriter William Goldman once famously declared that the most important fact of life in Hollywood is that “nobody knows anything.” It was his way of describing a reality that continues to haunt the movie business: Studio executives have no idea which pictures will make money.

Unless, of course, those pictures are made by Pixar Animation Studios. Since 1995, when the first Toy Story was released, Pixar has made nine films, and every one has been a smashing success.

Pixar’s secret? Its unusual creative process. Most of the time, a studio assembles a cast of freelance professionals to work on a single project and cuts them loose when the picture is done. At Pixar, a staff of writers, directors, animators, and technicians move from project to project. As a result, the studio has built a team of moviemakers who know and trust one another in ways unimaginable on most sets.

Which explains how they can handle the constant critiques that are at the heart of Pixar’s relentless process. Animation days at the studio all begin the same way: The animators and director gather in a small screening room filled with comfy couches. They eat Cap’n Crunch and drink coffee. Then the team begins analyzing the few seconds of film animated the day before, as they ruthlessly “shred” each frame. Even the most junior staffers are encouraged to join in.

Click here to keep reading.

Here is a bonus video before you check out the rest of the article.

Disney Pic of the Day – Disney Dream Atrium Lobby Rendering

By

Chip

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May 25, 2010

The starting point for every Disney cruise vacation! Check out the grand staircase, decorative bronze friezes and our signature character statue – Admiral Donald Duck.

Source – Disney Cruise Line Facebook Page

Disney Food Confession – Shawarma Platters

By

Chip

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May 25, 2010

Where is it? Tangierine Café – Epcot World Showcase, Walt Disney World

What is it? Lamb, hummus, tabbouleh, couscous and Moroccan bread.

Why you want it? A whole bunch of delicious food for a very low price.

Photo Credit: meshmar2 via Flickr

Thanks to Jon for suggesting this place as today’s Disney Food Confession. Let us know what you think about today’s Disney Food Confession in the comment section below.

If you have a Disney Food Confession email [email protected]. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!

Disney’s Stitch and Friends Summer Hangout Premiere at ‘Hong Kong Summer Spectacular’

By

Chip

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May 25, 2010

The annual “Hong Kong Summer Spectacular” is set to take place next month, with various activities in the city’s key attractions in store for locals and tourists alike.

The 2-month event, a marketing effort by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), will officially start on June 11 and end on August 31. But as early as May 21, the Hong Kong Wetland Park is already holding its “Insect Chorus” exhibit, which will be on display until October 4.

Below are the other activities lined up for the Hong Kong Summer Spectacular, as seen in HKTB’s website:

Hong Kong Disneyland: Stitch and Friends Summer Hangout. Stitch (of Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” fame) and his friends will hold a summer party filled with dance, laughter and music at Hong Kong Disneyland from June 11 to August 29.

Ocean Park Summer Splash 2010. Slip down Ocean Park’s 11-meter high and 54-meter slide, said to be the longest and tallest in the world, from July 1 to August 31. Smaller kids get their own 28-meter long jumbo slide. Massive water gun fights, foam parties and exclusive shows will also be held.

International Arts Carnival 2010. Music, dance, drama, puppetry, mime, magic, acrobatic and theatrical shows will be held from July 9 to August 15 at key locations in Hong Kong.

Lan Kwai Fong Beer and Food Festival. Restaurants, bars and food stalls in Lan Kwai Fong will serve delicious food and drinks from July 17 to 18.

Hong Kong Book Fair 2010. To be held from July 21 to 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, this event will not only sell books and publications — it will also provide seminars and other literary activities.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. Entertainment and dining options will be available at the Victoria Harbor as locals and tourists watch the world’s best paddlers compete for glory at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat races from July 23 to 25.

Ngong Ping 360 Shaolin Showcase. Highly trained Kung Fu masters from Shaolin, China will perform acts with their iron fists and weapons at the Ngong Ping Village from July 24 to August 15.

12th Ani-Com and Games Hong Kong. This event attracts hundreds of thousands each year and is packed with animation, comics, toys and limited edition collectibles. It will be held from July 30 to August 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Food Expo 2010. This annual gastronomic extravaganza, to be held from August 12 to 16 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, is a must for those who are interested in the latest food offerings from around the world.

Hong Kong Computer and Communications Festival 2010. This festival of all things digital will be held from August 20 to 23 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

Summer Pop — Live in Hong Kong. The city’s top groups and artists will be featured in a musical extravaganza to be held on the last week of August. Venue to be announced.