Questar to release “Disney Parks” – Secrets, Stories, and Magic Behind the Scenes

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April 23, 2010

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 25^th 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 25^thanniversary 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!

New “Disneyland Secrets Gold!” Notescast App for iPhone Released

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

Disneyland Secrets Gold iPhone Icon

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 5^th Generation and iPod nano at www.Notescasts.com.

REQUIREMENTS

Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch

Requires iPhone OS 2.1 or later

Disneyland Secrets Gold iPhone Icon

Disneyland Secrets Gold III 4 Screens

Disneyland Secrets Gold II 4 Screens

Disneyland Secrets Gold I 4 Screens

Jonas Brothers Summer Tour Update!

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

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

Walt Disney World Character Changes for April 2010

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

Confirmed Character Changes:

Asajj (Clone Wars) will be available for meet and greets during Star Wars Weekends; she’ll be trading out with Ashoka near the entrance to the Premiere Theater. The two are also joining the Jedi Training Academy. Commander Cody is getting an updated look as well.
UP Characters are leaving DHS, their last day will be Saturday May 1st. Still no confirmation on if/when they are moving to DAK.
Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow are back! They have joined the Hoedown Happening, replacing Liverlips and Shaker. The Hoedown Happening is similar to dance parties, characters generally do not sign and getting them to stop for a picture is tough, but if you’re quick it can be done.
Ariel’s Grotto is closed, Ariel is available at two dining locations as well as her continued appearances in parades and shows. Still awaiting word on when she is moving to the Veranda, but it’s assumed that will be May 9th.
Goofy’s move to The Pirates League has been delayed by a couple of weeks, no official date on when this will happen (probably before May 9th). He will be dressed like a pirate and will be located next to the Quartermaster’s desk, across the way from where Captain Hook and Mr. Smee used to meet.
Winnie the Pooh and Tigger are moving to the Train Station in Mickey’s Toontown Fair starting April 12th, then relocating to Town Square on May 9th.
Cinderella’s Royal Table has changed the dinner character greeting format from the Fairy Godmother, Suzy, and Perla show to the more traditional meet and greet currently offered for breakfast and lunch. This changed on Feb. 7th.

Rumored Character Changes:

Rapunzel and Flynn will start making appearances in the Magic Kingdom in October.

For more rumored Character changes check out Walt Disney World Character Hunt.

Disney is Conserving for the Future

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

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:

More than 43,000 tons of waste was diverted from landfills through recycling and donations at the Disneyland Resort — enough to nearly fill Space Mountain.
Water conservation efforts at the Walt Disney World Resort have enabled aquifer withdrawals to remain at levels from 23 years ago, even though the resort has grown by two parks, two water parks and 20 resort hotels since that time.
15% of electricity at Disneyland Paris comes from renewable sources, enough to power the Eiffel Tower for about four years.
More than 80% of Hong Kong Disneyland employees travel to work by public transportation.
In a first for the cruise line industry, both the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder have been treated with a unique hull coating that both increases fuel efficiency and is completely non-toxic.

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

‘Eat to the Beat’ Concert Series Lineup at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

Music lovers take note…we’ve just set the schedule for the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series at the 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. It’s an impressive lineup that includes several Grammy-winning artists and seven new acts, including Sugar Ray, Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Howard Jones.

The concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, will be at the America Gardens Theatre stage beginning October 1. Performances will be nightly at 5:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. This year’s schedule (subject to change) includes:

10/1-10/3 — Taylor Dayne, “Tell It to My Heart”

10/4-10/5 — Kool & The Gang, “Celebration”

10/6-10/8 — Sugar Ray, “Fly”

10/9-10/10 — Taylor Hicks, “Do I Make You Proud ”

10/11-10/12 — Air Supply, “Lost in Love”

10/13-10/15 — Sister Hazel, “All For You”

10/16-10/17 — Howard Jones, “No One Is To Blame”

10/18-10/19 — Exposé, “Seasons Change”

10/20-10/21 — 38 Special, “Hold on Loosely ”

10/22-10/24 — Night Ranger, “Sister Christian”

10/25-10/27 — Billy Ocean, “Caribbean Queen”

10/28-10/31 — Starship starring Mickey Thomas, “We Built This City”

11/1 – 11/3 — Boyz II Men, “End of the Road”

11/4-11/5 — Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp, “Give A Little Bit”

11/6-11/7 — Jon Secada, “Just Another Day”

11/8-11/9 — Hanson, “MMMBop”

11/10-11/11 — Rick Springfield, “Jessie’s Girl”

11/12-11/14 — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, “Go Daddy-O”

Source

Any favorite acts you’re looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments.

David Arquette Joins Cast of Disney’s “Jake & the Neverland Pirates”

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

David Arquette has joined the cast of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” an interactive series for preschoolers that follows the adventures of classic characters Captain Hook and Smee, along with a new crew of kid pirates led by the enthusiastic and courageous Jake. Arquette will voice the role of Skully, the lookout pirate parrot who helps Jake and crew foil Captain Hook’s plans. “Modern Family’s” Ariel Winter lends her voice to the recurring role of Marina the mermaid. The series will premiere on Playhouse Disney-branded blocks and channels around the world in 2011.

Arquette said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ team. My daughter has seen the pilot episode and loves it. The character I voice is Skully – a talking parrot. I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that parrots can talk, and, now here I am, a human imitating a parrot imitating a human. Ya gotta love show biz.”

An actor, writer, director and producer, Arquette has a long list of film and television credits including the role of Deputy “Dewey” Riley in the “Scream” films for director Wes Craven. He begins production on the fourth installment of “Scream” this summer. As a partner in Coquette Productions with his wife, Courteney Cox, David Arquette currently serves as executive producer of ABC’s “Cougar Town” alongside Bill Lawrence. Coquette also produced the FX drama “Dirt,” among other series. Arquette directed the feature film “The Tripper.” He is a partner in Propr clothing line and serves as Entertainment Chairperson for Feeding America.

Tween actress, Winter, is best known for her role as Alex on the hit ABC series “Modern Family.” Winter will next be seen on the big screen opposite Eddie Murphy and Kerry Washington in “A Thousand Words.”

Each episode of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” features two fun and music-filled stories, as Jake leads his team – including Izzy, Cubby and their parrot lookout, Skully – aboard their amazing ship, Bucky, sailing from their Pirate Island hideout on a lost treasure hunt throughout Never Land. There, Jake and the team learn that they must work together to outsmart Captain Hook and Smee, earning gold doubloons as they conquer tasks. Whether the treasure is a skateboard, a guitar or a prized seashell, Captain Hook will do anything to get his hands on it, so Jake and his fellow kid pirates invite viewers to use teamwork, problem-solving and physical activity such as sliding down waterfalls, pulling vines and flying with the magic of pixie dust to reclaim their treasures.

“Jake and the Never Land Pirates” also stars Colin Ford (“Supernatural”) as Jake, Disney Channel star Madison Pettis (“The Game Plan,” “Cory in the House”) as Izzy and Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as Cubby. The series will feature original pirate jigs and rock chanteys, as well as music underscore by Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson of the Portland, Oregon-based pirate rock band, Captain Bogg & Salty.

Rob LaDuca (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”) is executive producer and Howy Parkins (“Emperor’s New School”) is director.

Playhouse Disney, seen in a daily programming block on Disney Channel U.S. and on 21 Playhouse Disney channels around the world, encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, short-form and acquired programming that include song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and endearing characters.

Monsters, Muppets, and other Disney News

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

Monsters and Muppets are coming back to a theater near you.

At a press briefing at The Walt Disney Co. headquarters in Burbank on Thursday, studios chairman Rich Ross said Disney’s Pixar division is creating a sequel to “Monsters Inc.” that will hit theaters in November 2012.

The original film from 2001 grossed $529 million worldwide.

Ross also said the studio was about to give the go-ahead to a new movie featuring the Muppets which will introduce a new character named Walter.

“He’s in felt and fur rehab now as we build him,” Ross said.

It was not clear when the movie would hit theaters. But he said there will be plenty of cameos, as with all Muppet movies. So watch for Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, too.

James Bobin, the creator of “The Flight of the Conchords” TV series, is set to direct.

The announcements were among several made during a presentation of the studio’s upcoming slate of films. Disney is in the midst of selling off its Miramax Films division as it focuses on family-oriented fare from Marvel, Pixar, its own studio and Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks unit.

Among other future films is a retelling of the Winnie the Pooh story using hand-drawn animation; a Tim Burton-led stop-motion animation movie called “Frankenweenie” about a boy’s revival of his lost dog; and another Pixar movie called “John Carter of Mars” about a man who goes through a portal to the red planet as imagined by author Edgar Rice Burroughs.

“Wall-E” writer Andrew Stanton of Pixar has been tapped to handle the otherworldly live action picture starring Taylor Kitsch. The movie is set to hit theaters in 2012.

Disney unveils plans for ‘Monsters, Inc.’ sequel

By

Chip

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April 23, 2010

Pixar tentpole “Brave” has been given a release date of June 15, 2012, and there will be another “Monsters, Inc.,” scheduled for the 2012 holiday season, precisely Nov. 16.

Those were two of the news items off a wide-ranging discussion and presentation Thursday by new Disney film chieftain Rich Ross.

After unveiling trailers for a number of upcoming titles — including Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and the female-skewing “Secretariat,” with Diane Lane as the horse’s determined owner — Ross unveiled the first three movies he’s greenlighting: “Pirates of the Caribbean 4,” and “The Muppets” in 2011 and the teen-targeted “Prom” in 2012.

The first is the company’s most successful global franchise and hence a no-brainer, the second will introduce a new Muppet named Walter, and the third will be “smart and authentic” a la what John Hughes used to do.

“Brave,” once known as “The Bear and the Bow,” is written and directed by Brenda Chapman and features the voices of Reese Witherspoon and Billy Connolly in a tale of archery and royalty.

“Monsters, Inc.,” directed by Pete Docter, grossed $525 million worldwide after its release in November 2001.

Speaking to about 20 reporters in the Frank Wells building on the Disney lot, Ross — who has been on the job for seven months — tipped his cap to the Dick Cook regime that preceded him but also embraced the studio’s upcoming slate as his own.

He emphasized that the tentpole business is crucial to the success of the global Disney brand but that not everything on the slate is a four-quadrant movie. Perhaps four out of 10 Disney pics per year would be genuine tentpoles going forward, he said.

Click here to keep reading this article from the Hollywood Reporter.

Ask a Disney Question: Restaurant Discounts.

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 22, 2010

This question comes from Beverly W., who asks “Do any Disney restaurants offer any type of coupons?”

Beverly, thanks for your question and for reading the blog. The short answer is yes, somerestaurants offer discounts and coupons. Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to get discounts or coupons at Disney owned restaurants, particularly in the theme parks. Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

The most plentiful discounts are available to Disney annual passholders, who are entitled to anywhere from 10 – 20 percent off at certain restaurants in Downtown Disney and 10 percent off lunch in World Showcase restaurants, as well as discounts in several other locations. Check Disney’s AP website for up to the minute information as Disney occasionally adds new restaurants. Florida residents and annual passholders can also purchase a Tables in Wonderland card for $60 which entitles them to 20% off at a much wider variety of on site eateries. If you’re an AP holder, definitely consider this card; it pays for itself after you’ve spent around $400 and it’s good for an entire year and for up to eight people in your party.

If you’re not an AP holder, you’re less likely to get a discount, particularly in the theme parks. Recently, coupons for use at a specific time that day at counter service locations have been handed out in the parks, but you can’t really rely on that happening. Most coupon books you’ll find are for off site restaurants, but a few are available for dining in Downtown Disney. You can purchase a coupon book like the Orlando Entertainment Book for discounts at Rainforest Cafe (both Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney locations) and Planet Hollywood. Levy’s Restaurants has a frequent dining card that you can use to earn points at Fultons, Portobello’s, Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe at Downtown Disney. It’s free, so sign up if you normally go to these restaurants. Show your AAA card and you can get 20 percent off some restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin as well as 15 percent off at Earl of Sandwich and Ghiradelli Soda Fountain in Downtown Disney.

Just because there aren’t many discounts or coupons available for Disney dining doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Follow these great tips from Mousesavers on eating cheaply in the parks and you’ll easily save money.

Good luck!

Rumors We Like…Disney Dining Plan

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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April 22, 2010

Touring Plans, one of our favorite websites, has some hot gossip on possible dining promotions for the Fall. Notes self-professed cheapskate Len Testa:

The next discount to be announced should include the Disney Dining Plan. We’ve heard it will appear for Disney Visa cardholders around April 29, and the general public May 2. Travel dates should begin around August 15 (the day after the current discounts end). No word on the end travel date, but we expect it to be very late September or very early October, as it has been in the past.

Of course, no one is certain what this plan will entail. We’ve heard pretty persistent rumors on Disney message boards and elsewhere for the last few months that it will be quick service dining and Touring Plans’ information seems to confirm this. Still, as noted by Touring Plans, take this with a big old grain of salt. Head on over and read the rest.

Disneyland Resort Goes Green for Earth Day!

By

Chip

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April 22, 2010

Whether through encouraging cast members to carpool or using French fry oil to fuel steam trains, the Disneyland Resort gives careful consideration to the environment. Conservation and the protection of the environment have been priorities since the park opened in 1955. The commitment started with Walt Disney, who once said, “Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us.” Today, the Resort continues to be focused on protecting the planet and developing innovative “green” ways of doing business.