Now is your chance to get $10 of Disney’s Ponyo Blu-Ray DVD Combo Pack.
Go here and print out your coupon while supplies last.
EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival kicks off this week at Disney World
Some great coverage of EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival at the Walt Disney World resort by The Disney Blog. Looks like this years event is going to be an Ocean theme due to the upcoming release of Disney Nature Film Oceans.
Be sure to check out their coverage & some great photos:
I took a walk around EPCOT today to see how much progress has been made toward the popular Flower & Garden Festival that opens each spring at the theme park. This year marks the 17th festival and it kicks off early this year with a March 3rd opening date. The show will run through May 16th, which mean you have 75 days to get out an see how EPCOT is transformed by the floral artistry.
Some of my favorite elements of the festival are the marvelous topiary sculptures. While the main entrance hasn’t yet been installed there are already many remarkable topiaries around the park. Many I saw were returning favorites including the Pixie’s from last year’s Pixie Hollow play area. I’ve include some photos to preview this year’s festival.
Click here for more.
Photo from thedisneyblog.com
Q & A – Disneyworld Discounts, Deals, and Specials
When people find out I run a Disney website I get a number of questions pertaining to planning a Disney Vacation. Some of which are.. Where do I go to get the best Disney Deal? Along with a follow up are there any Disney specials right now? What about going through a travel agent?
In the upcoming paragraphs I will answer those questions along with offering up some insights and tricks I have learned over the past years of visiting the parks over 50 times. I am all about easy, while I am sure there are some things you can do to get a few bucks off here and there if it seems like its gonna be a lot of work it’s not really gonna be worth my time.
Now to preface there are hundreds of website, books, and news articles offering up ways to save money at Disney. While you might be tempted to buy in to this offers let me save you the time, money and effort. Don’t.. Disney doesn’t have some magical discount system out there where you can buy tickets at a fraction of the price. What Disney does is offer up is specials they run throughout the year along with packages that the longer you book the higher the discount is.
Now there are some ticket brokers out there that do sell discounted tickets and some are quite reputable if you look in the sidebar I have a few I have used in the past. My biggest suggestion would be subscribe to MouseSavers newsletter. It goes out once a month and they do a good job at finding the Disney Deals. I have been a subscriber for quite a long time and even if I am not planning a Disney vacation I read it over and check out the deals. Please whatever you do don’t buy your tickets off of Craigslist or Ebay more often than not you will get burned.
Another thing people ask about is AAA. Can we get any type of discount there? Having used them in the past, AAA can get you a small discount but one thing you have to figure in is the $75 or so fee it costs for joining. AAA does have a great Travel Agent team and work hard to assist you with your planning needs but in the past we didn’t feel it was worth the $75 yearly membership for like a hundred or so dollar savings.
Like stated earlier Disney doesn’t offer discounts for their parks other than the specials they run at certain times of the year. For example they are running 2 big specials right now. Check them out here.
Which leads me to my final question Travel Agents. Can travel agents offer any kinda deal? Well they can get you the Disney Special that is running along with sometimes being able to offer a small discount. The biggest plus for us is the extra’s that you get for booking with a Travel Agent. First off you get their expertise, Authorized Disney Vacation Planners know their stuff. On our last trip to DisneyWorld we went through Small World Vacations, they were great and shout out to Dawn she really knew her stuff. Secondly they take care of everything for you. All you have to do is decide on where you want to go and they do the rest. Finally it doesn’t cost you a thing to book with a travel agent. So if you think your going to have to pay out of pocket or that your trip will be more expensive that if you booked it yourself you are wrong. So who wouldn’t want to go that route?
I wish I had some special secret Disney website that has all kinds of discounts..We go every year and I would so love some kinda of discount. I suggest checking the Disney website once a week for offers, or if your here I try to post any Disney Deals and Specials as often as I find them. Sign up for MouseSavers, or even call an Authorized Disney Vacation Planners like Small World Vacations and find out if they can notify you if anything comes available. If it seems to good to be true most times it is.
I hope this helps you on your next Disney vacation.
What Disney Deals have you discovered in the past? Let us know in the comment section below.
Pixar’s Cartoon “Tokyo Mater” to air on Disney Channel March 12th or Watch it here now
A new Disney Pixar Cars Toons is set to air on the Disney Channel March 12th at 8:55pm. The short was directed by John Lasseter, best known for his work on the Disney/Pixar Toy Story movies, along with Rob Gibbs and Victor Navone.
You can wait till then to watch it on TV, or you could just watch it below. This was actually on ABC Family like 7 months ago. Go Figure
Photo from Disney/Pixar
Disney’s Tangled Teaser Trailer is now online
Here is a small teaser trailer for Disney’s Tangled movie. It’s not really showing you much but at least its something. Was found on a French You Tube Channel. Don’t forget to check out the leaked Trailer in the related post section below.
‘Mickey Notes’ – Disney Parks Celebrates Volunteering
Article from the Disney Park Blog including an awesome video!
In past weeks, we had some fun celebrating volunteerism but nothing like this. The team found 25,000 pieces of colored paper and a 10-foot wall to create “Mickey Notes” – our first stop-motion video.
Our “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” story unfolds through thousands of individual photos featuring Walt Disney World Cast Members moving sticky notes around by hand – no video cameras were used. Also, there were no post-production “tricks” used to create the giant sticky note Mickey Mouse, the background or to “animate” the pieces of paper. See for yourself.
We’ll share more about how we created “Mickey Notes” in an upcoming post but for now, know that you can still search and sign up to volunteer in the “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program. Terms and conditions apply – visit Disneyparks.com for details.
By the way, the photographer who makes an appearance by sliding on screen (with camera in hand) is Kent Phillips, the Disney Parks photographer who took all of the still images seen in the production.
An Sneek Peak Of Tron Legacy… In 3D!!!
Kotaku takes us into a sneak peak event of Tron Legacy in 3D. Now before you get all excited it was just a 2 minute trailer in 3D. Here is just an excerpt from the article. If you want to learn more click the link below.
The trailer—well, portions of it anyway—were in IMAX 3D, as immediately evidenced by the Walt Disney Pictures logo, which transformed into a bluish, scanlined version for authentic video game effect. The trailer opens with Sam, the son of Jeff Bridges’ character Kevin Flynn from the first Tron, receiving word from his father’s old friend Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) that he believes his father may still be alive—offering no theories that Flynn is trapped within a computer program.
His evidence? A phone call from the old Flynn’s Arcade, where son Sam travels—in extreme, reckless youth motorcycling fashion that should translate well to piloting a lightcycle—to seek out his father. After poking around the dusty abandoned arcade, full of still-functioning arcade cabinets, Sam stumbles upon the digitizer that sent the original Flynn into the virtual world where Programs fight for survival in familiar Tron arcade games.
The following sequences were all quick cuts, some of them in dazzling 3D, including a stunning shot of the massive bipedal Recognizers, looking far more detailed, and more than one Program arming himself with a deadly disc, ready to throw at another Program. Along the way, brief looks at actors Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund in form-fitting illuminated outfits flashed across the screen, as did two Matrix-looking potential bad guys, one fierce looking female and one Space Oddity era David Bowie lookalike playing a little digital air guitar.
The trailer fake-ended with a voiced over interaction between father Flynn and son. “Long time,” Sam says. “You have no idea,” says Flynn. Then it kicked into a lightcycle race, the trailer ending with an explosion and a “Woah…” from Sam as a lightcyclist.
The design of the characters, costumes, vehicles—like the trademark lightcycle—all looked fantastic, including the surprisingly believable looking younger version of Jeff Bridges’ Clu decked out in yellow, in contrast to his currently aged Flynn. We’ll be seeing two versions of Bridges, Clu and Flynn, playing off each other, the film’s director said, as teased in previous Tron Legacy trailers.
More of the Tron Legacy 3D Event from Kotaku.
Photo from Walt Disney Pictures
Disney’s ‘Ponyo’ On Blu-ray & DVD March 2
Welcome to a world where anything is possible! Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, “Spirited Away”) and legendary filmmaker John Lasseter together with Disney bring to life a heartwarming and imaginative telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.”
A young boy named Sosuke rescues a goldfish named Ponyo, and they embark on a fantastic journey of friendship and discovery before Ponyo’s father, a powerful sorcerer, forces her to return to her home in the sea. But Ponyo’s desire to be human upsets the delicate balance of nature and triggers a gigantic storm. Only Ponyo’s mother, a beautiful sea goddess, can restore nature’s balance and make Ponyo’s dreams come true. “Ponyo” will delight your family with its magnificent animation and timeless story.
The best price I have been able to find online is at Overstock.
AAA Discounts for Disney World Tickets and Vacation Packages
There are several discount options available for AAA members who are planning a Disney World vacation this year. Some of these member benefits can also be used in conjunction with other park offers. In order to receive the full discounted pricing you must be a AAA member and book your vacation through AAA Travel.
Here is a quick list of AAA Member Benefits for Disney World:
Tickets Only:
Purchase your park tickets through AAA and save. Your membership will get you access to discounted tickets that save you an average of 5% off the retail price.
AAA Vacations Diamond Card:
All AAA Disney Vacation Packages include a special AAA Vacations Diamond Card that gets you additional savings at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. This includes discounts on qualifying items like food, souvenirs, and attraction tickets.
AAA Diamond Parking:
Members are eligible to park in the AAA preferred parking spaces located at all four Disney World Parks. Note that these spaces are first-come first-serve and a voucher is required upon entrance to the parking lot.
Hotel Discounts:
Save up to 20% on your hotel only bookings just by showing your AAA member ID. Discount varies depending on time of year and availability.
200 Disney Dollars:
Book seven nights or more on your Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Package and receive 200 Disney Dollars upon check-in. Disney Dollars can be used at a number of different locations around the park – including restaurants, shops, and attractions. This offer can be combined with other AAA hotel discounts to help you save even more money. Please present your voucher to hotel upon check-in.
Exclusive Disney’s Story Time Experience:
AAA Disney World Vacation Packages that include a Disney Dining Plan also feature a unique story time experience with one of your favorite Disney characters. These events are held on specified days of the week at Norway Pavilion in the Epcot Park. Each family or party is entitled to one story time experience per booking. Reservations are required at least one day in advance and attendees must present their voucher and resort ID.
Exclusive Parade Viewing at the Magic Kingdom Park:
In addition to the story time experience, AAA vacation packages with dining plans also include access to a special viewing of the Magic Kingdom afternoon parade. The viewing deck is located on the second level of the Magic Kingdom Train Station. Advance reservations and AAA voucher are required for access.
Upgrades at Hertz Rental Cars:
Book a Hertz rental car with your AAA vacation package and receive a complimentary child seat and car upgrade. Certain qualifications apply. Talk to your AAA travel adviser for more information.
Harlem Globetrotters at ESPN Wide World of Sports Opening
The Harlem Globetrotters performed at the grand opening of the ESPN Wide World of Sports (formerly Disney’s Wide World of Sports).
Disney Quick Hits – Mini News Feeds
I love these quick news bites from the Disney Park Blog. Not enough for a full story but still good Disney News.
Disney Park Blog tweeted these but you may have missed the news that the updated guide is posted for this year’s Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. Included on the schedule is a new Garden Town Breakfast that’ll feature a selection of ingredients from the Land Pavilion as well as the opportunity to learn some garden techniques from professional horticulturists. Call 407-WDW-Fest for more information
Here are a few more items of interest that didn’t make it to their blog this week.
The Art of Disney Event — Disney Design Group artist Brian Blackmore will debut his work at Downtown Disney on March 19.
Moms Panel: Visiting WDW — The Walt Disney World Moms Panel answers the question, “What are the cheapest times of the year to visit Walt Disney World?”
Magic Kingdom Restaurants – Have you eaten at the Columbia Harbour House or The Crystal Palace? Here’s a list of our other MK restaurants.
Flower Power Concerts – Find the latest schedule by clicking the “Concerts” tab. Flower Power concerts begin March 5 at Walt Disney World.
Mickey Mouse Pin — Check out this new “referee” Mickey Mouse ESPN The Weekend pin.
Moms Panel: Disney’s Polynesian Resort — Kara, from The Walt Disney World Mom Panel, shares some benefits of staying at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Disney Reboot – Real-Life Rendering of Buzz Lightyear
Brazilian 3D artist Raoni Nery has created an real life rendering of Buzz Lightyear from Pixar’s Toy Story.
Here is a word from the artist:
This is my version of Pixar’s Buzz Lightyear. I didnt tried to make a caricature of him. My intention was to make a parody with the Blizzard’s Starcraft Mariners. I found many similarities with the concept of the bishops and Buzz. So i got the inspiration to do this image.
You can see more of Nery’s creations on CGSociety.