Disney has just announced official plans to bring the 1991 animated classic “Beauty and the Beast” to Blu-ray Disc on October 5th in a “Diamond Edition” release. Tech specs include full 1080p Hi-Def video in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound.
Disney’s most requested film, Beauty and the Beast, arrives for the first time on Blu-ray Hi-Def as the second installment to the company’s new Diamond Collection. The Blu-ray transformation reveals the magic, music and majesty of the film as never before experienced with state-of-the-art picture restoration, pristine 7.1 Digital Surround Sound and hours of additional viewing experiences that include behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, enhanced music tracks, immersive games and more.
The release will be a combo package meaning it will include a DVD of the film as well. The pre-order listing is not yet available but stay tuned.
Here is ‘Beauty and the Beast’ – Diamond Edition Blu-Ray Trailer
Teri Hatcher has teamed up with Disney to create GetHatched.com, a website for chicks, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
With the slogan “A chick’s guide to life,” the site is produced by DisneyFamily.com with creative and editorial insight from the Desperate Housewives star and a small team of contributors.
For Hatcher, a twice-divorced mother of a pre-teen daughter, the site is yet another way to deliver her message of female empowerment.
“I have a compelling passion to be a woman with other women,” Hatcher said. “We’re the caregivers, the teachers, the lovers.”
Hatcher also writes and blogs for such publications as Glamour U.K. and Newsweek magazines and Modernmom.com, as well as writing a best-selling book, Burnt Toast and Other Philosophies of Life.
Financial details of the arrangement weren’t revealed, but the free site is expected to generate revenue through advertising.
A preview of the site is set to begin Monday, but the site’s official launch will be in spring.
As a product of a Catholic school education, I am familiar with the confessional, a place where faults and misdeeds are acknowledged and counsel and absolution is given. And don’t forget the dispensation of a healthy dose of penance, of course.
On a recent Friday, the Disney community began bearing its soul on Twitter after KidaniKatie asked, “What #Disney ride haven’t you been on or what famous Disney ride don’t you like? #confessFriday” The result…hours of entertainment and the feeling that you are not alone. Not every seasoned Disney fan has been on Splash Mountain or Tower of Terror and dare I say it, not everyone loves Fantasmic! or The Main Street Electrical Parade.
Katie inspired me to look deep within and confess my Walt Disney World food sins. Right here, right now. There are some Walt Disney World foods that are practically revered in Disney circles. And yet, I have not had them.
Forgive me, for I have never had a Dole Whip.
The much talked about Dole Whip
Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom is the place to get this snack that Disney guests wax poetic about. What is a Dole Whip? Pineapple Soft Serve ice cream. Enough said. If you’re interested in dusting off the ice cream maker and whipping up a batch, the mix can be found here.
I confess Tonga Toast has never touched these lips.
Kona Café’s Tonga Toast
Perhaps it is because I am not a breakfast lover but you don’t have to love the most important meal of the day to enjoy this legendary fried french toast stuffed with bananas and topped with cinnamon sugar from Kona Café in The Polynesian Resort. To make it at home, try it out here.
I regret that I have never had the School Bread.
School Bread from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, the bakery in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion is famous for this sweet confection. Why have I waited so long to enjoy this pastry that is filled with sweet vanilla custard and dipped in not only powdered sugar glaze, but also shredded coconut? AJ from the Disney Food Blog has the recipe.
So, how do I call myself a Disney fan and yet I have not had these delectable Disney treats? It’s simple, some of the Disney magic would be lost for me if I had gone on every ride, seen every attraction, eaten at every Disney restaurant, and sampled every Disney snack. I like having a perpetual Disney must-do list, a list that will thankfully never be empty. With this list, I can dream of another trip where I’ll add new experiences to old favorites and create unforgettable Disney memories.
What’s my penance, you may ask? I’m afraid I must take as many Disney trips as necessary to rectify the situation.
What are your Walt Disney World food confessions? I cannot offer absolution but I can say you’ll feel better after you confess your Disney Food transgressions. I know I do.
Everyone please welcome Lisa our newest writer to Chip and Co. Lisa is the author of one of my favorite Disney Books Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers.. The Beyond the Attractions travel guide is not your typical Disney guidebook; written by a parent for parents, it is devoted solely to visiting Walt Disney World with preschoolers, ages 2-5. I have read this book cover to cover and she made our last trip as stress free as possible with a 3 year old.
She is a mother of three and loves the Polynesian Resort about as much as I do! When she isn’t being Super Mom she is dreaming about Beaver Tails from Epcot’s Canada Pavilion. Oh, and she loves math!
Please make her feel welcome! I hope you are looking forward to her articles as much as I am.
I am truely blessed to have such a great group of writers and friends here on Chip and Co!
Earlier today, Thomas shared a first look at an amazing pizzeria opening at Epcot Italy Pavilion. And now I’ve got a sneak peek of what you can expect to see when the construction wall comes down at the Mexico Pavilion later this year. If you’ve visited Epcot recently, you know the Cantina de San Angel restaurant is expanding. This artist rendering gives you a good idea of what seating looks like at the restaurant when work is completed. There will be 400 seats – both al fresco and air-conditioned seating for lunch and a coveted spot for dinner and viewing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.
And, if you’re curious about the menu, I shared some highlights earlier this month. Please let us know what you think of the look.
I would so love to be there for the opening of this restaurant. I love the San Angel Inn and I could only imagine the food will be just as good at the Cantina!
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!
