Disney Cast Member Figure Part of New ‘Star Tours’ Set

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February 19, 2010

How cool would that be? Disney Park Blog shares with us this upcoming release that I am sure will find its way into my collection.

Disney & Hasbro will release a commemorative set of figures from the original Star Tours boarding party, featuring Star Tours Officer, Kaink, Teek, Ree-Yees and Chewbacca. Ree-Yees will include a custom 3-eye camera as seen in the Star Tours pre-boarding video.

The Disney Cast Member will be introduced as the Star Tours officer when the set launches in May during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.The boarding party will not be as rare as the Holographic Emperor Stitch figure but it will be a one-time production run…limited to 15,000 pieces. Sets will also be available at the Disneyland Resort.

Click here to keep reading and for more photos.

Photo from disneyparkblog.com

Do you collect any Disney or Star Wars merchandise? Let us know what you collect in the comment section below.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Relaunch

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Chip

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February 19, 2010

Disney Wide World of Sports Complex has changed its name to ESPN Wide World of Sports. Still bringing you all the sport goodness you love just with the backing of the leader in sports ESPN. Here is the article from Disney Park Blog along with some great photos:

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will officially relaunch on the evening of February 25 and it’s going to be an event you won’t want to miss.

Right now many of the new enhancements are installed and ready for the big day. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the new signage and facilities at the Complex, from the main sign and entrance gate to the new globe and Champion Stadium jumbo screen. But be sure to check back as we have saved some of our coolest enhancements for the big reveal!

And here’s your official invite to come check out the new complex that will take youth sports to the next level. Some of your favorite athletes and ESPN personalities will be in attendance at the official ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Red Carpet event. High-five today’s biggest athletes from MLB, NFL, and NBA, shake hands with the familiar faces of ESPN and get ready for a grand opening moment you have never seen before. Be sure to arrive before 5pm and stick around for some great events after the red carpet. The Harlem Globetrotters will put on a special performance including appearances from some of the biggest names in sports and four MLS teams will be playing in the inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, so get your tickets now for a full night of events!

Click here to keep reading and to check out more photos.

Photo from disneyparkblog.com

What do you think about the change? Are you attending the relaunch? Let us know in the comment section below.

Staying On Site vs Staying Off Site at Disneyworld

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Chip

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February 18, 2010

Chris over at Everything WDW makes some interesting points to staying on site vs off site. We have done both but I perfer to stay onsite due to the convenience and proximity. Both have their pro’s and con’s. Check out her article below.

Deciding where you want to stay on your Disney vacation is probably the second decision you’ll make, right after deciding when to go. It’s a decision that can greatly affect your experience and given the sheer magnitude of options in the Orlando area, your choice won’t necessarily be easy: Do you need a lot of space? Which parks will you be going to the most? Do you want a luxury resort or just a place to lay your head at the end of the day? To further complicate things, you have to decide whether or not you want to stay on or off Disney property.

Click here to keep reading.

What do you and your family like to do? Any suggestions for those still undecided?

‘Epic Mickey’ Could Eventually Be Multiplatform After All

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Chip

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February 18, 2010

MTV talks about Disney’s Epic Mickey making the Multiplatform jump. Although after reading the article Disney does not really say that would be the case. They said in the future, does that mean future Disney games or Epic Mickey future? Check out the article and you decide:

Just because Disney and Junction Point decided to make “Epic Mickey” exclusive to the Wii doesn’t mean they might not change their minds and take it to other systems in the future. A multiplatform approach had been considered before Warren Spector convinced Disney to avoid the 360 and PS3, and as of right now that’s still the official plan. After the initial launch, however, anything is possible.

“We have a very large audience base that has Wiis in their home”, Disney exec Steve Wadsworth explained out at DICE 2010, according to Gamasutra. “That’s not to say that we won’t go to other platforms [in the future].”

Click here to keep reading.

Photo from gamerzines.com

Disney’s New Movie Theme

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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February 18, 2010

Disney's New Movie Theme

To all Disney Fans….I have a question for you. How do you like Disney’s new movie theme? What is the new theme you ask? Well….in a word “grief.”

For those of you scratching your head, let’s review Disney/Pixar’s last two blockbuster movies. UP from Pixar was a movie that many people were apprehensive about after the trailers came out. When the movie finally hit the box office, it became clear that this movie was special. Why was it special? Simply put, it went somewhere that Disney/Pixar movies have never really gone before. A large portion of the beginning of the movie was laden with grief, and the audience FELT that grief. When I saw it in the theater, everyone who was over the age of 10 was overcome with grief and gave way to more crying than I have ever seen for any movie. This emotional pull was very universal, and I can imagine many parents having to answer the question “Mommy/Daddy, why are you crying?” This is one of the large reasons UP is so critically acclaimed.

The latest Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog, was even more direct with the use of grief. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it; however, I will say to those parents with children be prepared to hug your kids when the scene in the movie arrives. This portrayal of grief is way more direct, and even younger children can begin to grasp it’s magnitude much more easily than with UP.

Disney goes through themes with it’s movies from time to time. Most of the themes have been along the lines of “Damsel in Distress”, “Strong Female Character”, “Antagonist Death”, and even “Family Member Tragedy.” I can’t remember a time where personal tragedy and grief were such a prominent part of Disney movies. Personally I think this was a step that Disney needed to take in order to bring their movies back into greatness. While controversial on a certain level, Disney makes lifelike fairy tales. Grief is a part of life, and I think Disney has shown great ability to adapt and grow by using this powerful human emotion.

So, how do you feel about this new movie theme from Disney/Pixar?

Disney Picture of the day – Disney Villainesses

By

Chip

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February 18, 2010

Disney Villainesses by violatekate on deviant ART

The characters (top to bottom, left to right)
Mirage – The Incredibles
Zira – The lion king 2
Madame Medusa – The Rescuers
Queen of hearts – Alice in wonderland
Queen Grimhilde – Snow white
Madame Mim – The sword in the stone
The Wicked Stepsisters – Cinderella
Maleficent – Sleeping Beauty
Cruella de Vil – 101 Dalmations
Ursula – The little mermaid

Disney Studios hopes to duplicate ‘High School Musical’ success

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Chip

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February 18, 2010

What I think is cool is that its going to be along the same lines as a John Hughes comedy. I was fortunate to grow up in the 80’s with movies like Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and Weird Science.

So far the show is still in the idea phase and Disney has not given their blessing just yet.

Below is some of the article from Variety.

The studio, which struck a chord with younger audiences when it graduated Disney Channel’s hit franchise “High School Musical” to the bigscreen, is developing “Prom,” a comedy that revolves around a group of teens prepping for the big dance.

Disney is looking to experiment with how it packages the project, exploring the idea of casting complete unknown thesps to star as the nine lead roles, and rein in the budget to boost the profit potential of the pic. The tone is said to be similar to the types of teen comedies helmed by John Hughes or Cameron Crowe.

Joe Nussbaum, who has experience directing young thesps like Amanda Bynes in Universal’s “Sydney White,” and others in the direct-to-DVD pic “American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile” and MGM’s “Sleepover,” will helm the project, based on a script by Katie Wech, whose written for “The Dead Zone” and was an associate producer on “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.”

Click here to keep reading.

What do you think about the show’s idea? Do you think it will be as good as High School Musical? or as funny as a John Hughes comedy? Let us know in the comment section below.

Tables in Wonderland at Walt Disney World

By

Chip

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February 18, 2010

Disney Park Blog gives us some more information about the Tables in Wonderland experience. Formally known as Disney Dining Experience.

Annual Passholders and Florida residents get sweet dining deals with Tables in Wonderland (if you don’t know about TIW, check it out at Disneyworld.disney.go.com). We love the complimentary valet parking and 20 percent discount for dinner at dozens of Walt Disney World Resort restaurants.

From time to time, Tables in Wonderland hosts fabulous dinners, and the next one is Feb. 25 at The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, celebrating the Sunshine State’s local bounty of fruits and veggies. Imagine heirloom tomatoes from Myakka, strawberries from Plant City, tiny opal basil and arugula from Odessa, Florida Gulf coast spiny lobster…all turned into delicious creations in the kitchen of Chef Frank Brough. And dinner guests get to meet farmers Mike and Sandy Lott who grow their delicious strawberries near Plant City. Wine will be paired with each of the four courses by sommelier Jim Killam of Vineyard Brands.

Dinner starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $92 per guest. For reservations, send an e-mail to [email protected] and tell them your name, phone, address and how many guests. The event is limited to 50 diners.

For more information All Ears has the best article I have been able to find including participating restaurants.

Toy Story 3 Welcomes Buttercup

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Chip

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February 18, 2010

Saddle up for fun and let Buttercup lead your child away on a magical adventure! This cuddly unicorn features velvety-soft, snow-colored fur with sparkly gold and pink accents. He sports a signature mythical golden horn and a fun-to-comb mane and tail. Buttercup’s durable plastic eyes are both charming and scratch-resistant. Hypo-allergenic. Ages 3 and up.

Epcot’s 2010 Flower and Garden Festival Guide

By

Chip

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February 18, 2010

epcot international flower garden festival

I always confuse the Flower & Garden with the Food & Wine Festival for some strange reason. I know one is in the spring and one is in the fall..Either way both events are great and are hosted in my favorite park, Epcot.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a spring special event filled with a colorful array of flowers, gardens, topiaries, live music and educational events.

You don’t have to be a gardening expert to love this event. It’s perfect for Guests of all ages who enjoy the beauty of mother nature! See millions of blooming flowers and a vibrant collection of Disney-themed topiaries, and get up close with hundreds of colorful butterflies inside Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden. On the weekends, meet with top horticulturists at one of the many Garden Town Programs and learn helpful gardening tips, and be sure to attend public demonstrations of advanced gardening techniques from around the world.

The 2010 Flower and Garden Festival Guide can be found here.

For more information click here.

Photo from disneyworld.com

*Bonus Article*

The Disney Food Blog is discussing this morning some of the interesting Foodie events being held at the festival. Along with a review of last years Tea Tour.

Click here to check them out.

Have you ever been to the International Flower & Garden Festival? What did you think?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort Opens

By

Chip

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February 18, 2010

Holiday Inn, the most widely recognized and family-friendly hotel brand in the world, will open on Disney property today. The 14-story, 323-room hotel, located on Orlando’s Hotel Plaza Boulevard, is the latest property as part of the $1 billion global relaunch of the Holiday Inn brand.

The property signage is the clearest signal that the brand has completed significant changes inside and out. The brand’s makeover of its iconic logo is the first indicator to guests that this hotel exemplifies the standards of the $1 billion Holiday Inn global brand relaunch program, and more than 1,800 hotels have already been relaunched globally. The Holiday Inn brand relaunch is the largest in the history of the hospitality industry, with more than 3,300 hotels being updated – improving quality and driving consistency at Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels around the world.

“There is no more exhilarating feeling than opening a family-friendly Holiday Inn resort, on Disney property and hiring more than 100 employees to welcome our community and guests,” said Tony Johnson, regional vice president of operations and general manager of the 323-room hotel. “Our opening could not come at a better time, with a brand that customers know and trust. Being on Disney property and maintaining high standards will assure we achieve the highest marks possible from our customers and our industry,” said Johnson.

Holiday Inn in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort maximizes its location on Disney property, offering a host of privileges, such as complimentary transportation running every 30 minutes to all the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Parks, guaranteed access and preferred tee times at WALT DISNEY WORLD® golf courses, advance reservations at WALT DISNEY WORLD® restaurants, an on-site Disney retail store and free delivery service of Disney attraction purchases to the hotel.

The minute guests step into the glass-ceiling atrium of the Holiday Inn in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, the citrus scent, harmonious sounds, lush foliage and floor-to-ceiling views of the zero-entry tropical pool will guarantee that guests are set to experience a new Holiday Inn.

James Cameron and Marc Webb Meet to Discuss Spider-Man Reboot

By

Chip

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February 18, 2010

Interesting turn of events with the Spiderman Reboot.

Even though director James Cameron said only a month ago that he would not direct the rebooted Spider-Man movie because it would be “a little bit sloppy seconds,” apparently he is willing to discuss the movie with the director ultimately chosen for the job, Marc Webb. According to MTV, Cameron’s producing partner, Jon Landau, confirmed that the two directors met and that the topic of discussion was shooting the Spider-Man reboot in 3-D, a technique Cameron mastered in directing Avatar.

What’s interesting about this meeting is less the fact that Webb sought out Cameron for his 3-D knowledge than that Cameron has long been associated with Spider-Man as a movie property. Cameron drafted a script for a big-screen Spider-Man adaptation for Carolco back in 1991, more than a decade before Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man broke box-office records and helped to entrench superhero movies as a summer box-office staple. Cameron’s plans were crushed beneath the weight of legal actions over character rights and contract disputes. Carolco and Marvel Comics both declared bankruptcy in 1996 and the rights to Spider-Man, including Carmeron’s script, went to MGM, who later traded them to Columbia Pictures for the exclusive rights to 007.

Click here to read the complete article.

Photo from Marvel Entertainment

What do you think about the Spiderman Reboot? Do you think it will do as well as other movies like Batman, and Terminator? Let us know in the comment section below.