Disney News

Concept Art from Disney•Pixar’s BRAVE

30 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

UPDATE: Since the first promo poster has been released by Disney Pixar, I thought I’d add it here – it’s simply gorgeous in my opinion and after seeing a teaser trailer before Cars 2, I am even more excited to see this film. Click to enlarge the poster:

HIGHLAND OF THE “BRAVE” — The rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland serve as the backdrop for BRAVE, a new tale that joins the land’s ancient lore—stories of epic battles and mystical legends passed down for generations. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, BRAVE is the grand adventure of Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald), a skilled archer who confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts to discover the true meaning of courage. The film also features the voices of Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson and Robbie Coltrane. BRAVE, full of heart, memorable characters and Pixar’s signature humor, takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Disney Pixar Brave — I love Merida already!

A redheaded girl as the main character set in Scotland? I’m in heaven!! 😉 These concept art pictures look amazing, I can’t wait to see more about this film. What do you think?

PARK PHOTOS: Fun Antenna Toppers and Easter Duffy the Disney Bear

28 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Those following my twitter stream may recall my posting a picture of the fun new antenna toppers I found a few weeks back:

Disney Cars Monsters Inc Monorail antenna topper — Cars, St. Patrick's Day Mike W. from Monsters Inc. and a Monorail

Well now that St. Patrick’s Day is over, some more new antenna toppers were spotted in the parks by Disney fan Aurora:

Cars Monorail Flamingo Mohawk Disney antenna toppers — Cars, Monorail, Happy Flamingo with Mouse ears and a Mohawk Mickey!

I love the new additions! The flamingo is one of my favorites as you may remember from my post about the lawn flamingo Disney sells too! The punk rock Mickey head with mohawk, pierced ear and sunglasses is cute too. Just wait till you see the back!

Mohawk Mickey antenna topper — A "Mom" tattoo!

And more new merchandise – for the upcoming Easter holiday, Duffy the Disney Bear is all decked out in an Easter Bunny costume, complete with fuzzy slippers. Will Duffy replace Peter Cottontail?? Thanks to Shelley C. for the photo!

I think the bunny slippers really make this Easter Duffy Bear!

If you’re in the parks and spot something unique or cute that you’d like me to share, just drop me a photo at [email protected] or tweet me @zannaland and I’ll be happy to post it here with credit to you of course! 🙂

Jake Character From the Never Land Pirates Joins the Line Up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

19 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

My family and I have been enjoying the second Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Walt Disney World for the past two days. As usual, it has been a pixie-dusted event full of magic, thanks to the keepers of the pixie dust, Laura Spencer and Leanne Jakubowski. Amazing speakers, amazing surprises…and it’s not over yet!

Last night we were treated to dinner inside the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show stage (aka where the cars actually drive during the show!). The evening was brought to us by the all-new Disney Junior, with special guests Sharkey and Bones -the pirate outfitted duo who sing in between Jake and the Never Land Pirates episodes. We thought it was pretty cool that the actual band was there!

Other Disney characters soon showed up: Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, Donald and Daisy among them. Then another surprise, Jake appeared! I thought I’d share some of the action shots I grabbed last night:

More to come next week from my experiences at Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration – stay tuned!

Latest Disney Dream Portraits by Annie Leibovitz

3 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

As seen on celebuzz.com, here are the latest in famed photographer Annie Leibovitz’s Disney Dream series for Disney Parks. In the photos, Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges recreate Beauty and the Beast, Olivia Wilde puts her own twist on Snow White (with the help of Alec Baldwin) and Queen Latifah takes on evil Ursula from The Little Mermaid. Click to enlarge photos:

Queen Latifa Annie Leibovitz Disney Dream portrait — Queen Latifah as Ursula (Annie Leibovitz/Disney Parks)

Olivia Wilde and Alec Baldwin Annie Leibovitz Disney Dream portrait — Alec Baldwin as the Mirror and Olivia Wilde as the Wicked Queen (Annie Leibovitz/DisneyParks)

Jeff Bridges and Penelope Cruz Annie Leibovitz Disney Dream portrait — Jeff Bridges as the transformed Beast and Penelope Cruz as Belle (Annie Leibovitz/Disney Parks)

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the process as well –

Get A FastPass To Mickey This Spring At The Magic Kingdom

22 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Following Tom Staggs revealing press conference last week, Disney is now releasing details from the first change: FastPasses to meet characters.

Here’s more from the official Disney press release:

Magic Kingdom officials have a hunch a really “hot ticket” in their realm this summer is going to be something other than a ride, a snack or a show. Rather, it’s a first-ever opportunity to nail down a time to meet with Mickey Mouse.

When meet-and-greets with Mickey move into a permanent new location in Town Square later this spring, Magic Kingdom guests will be able obtain a Disney’s FASTPASS ticket specifying a one-hour window when they can return to see the popular character for hugs, photos and autographs — without waiting in the standby queue. It will mark the first time the complimentary, computerized service has been available for a character meet-and-greet at any Disney Park.

Since spending time with Disney characters is at the top of the “must-do list” of many guests, the FASTPASS ticket will allow them to experience their Mickey Mouse meet-and-greets more conveniently. As a result, guests will be able to devote more time enjoying other Magic Kingdom experiences with family and friends.

The new meet-and-greet location, Town Square Theater, will be located inside the current Exposition Hall area just inside the park entrance. Imagineers already are working to completely transform the space for the new experience. “This isn’t just remodeling Expo Hall; it is completely re-imagining this entire venue as a beautiful Victorian-era theater and the new home for Mickey Mouse,” Jon Georges, WDI Director, Senior Show Producer, said.

“Mickey and Main Street, U.S.A. are great examples of pure Americana that complement each other very well,” Concept Designer Jason Grandt said. “We drew a lot of inspiration from classic Mickey animated shorts such as The Nifty Nineties and Mickey’s Grand Opera. Many of the scenes in these shorts look like they take place right on Main Street.”

Guests arrive at a building befitting Mickey Mouse’s stardom — with a grand-Victorian-theater elevation, including a marquee that glistens with gold-leaf trim and sparkles with lights. Inside, there’s a mosaic floor, lush curtains with gold rope tie-backs and polished-brass chandeliers. Imagineers are creating new elements and surprises for Magic Kingdom guests, including an interactive queue — with an extra touch of Disney magic — and highly themed retail shops.

The queue takes guests “backstage,” where Mickey is waiting to greet them in a rehearsal-room environment amid posters, steamer trunks and stage props.

In addition, during the New Fantasyland construction, royalty will be visiting as the Disney Princesses will be in Town Square Theater to meet and greet their loyal subjects.

Currently, guests can visit with Mickey Mouse in Tomorrowland, in a location to the right of Space Mountain. Meet-and-greet experiences with the Disney Princesses are currently at Adventureland Verandah.

NEW Disney Dooney & Bourke Stripes Designs!

20 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 7 Comments

Those tracking Disney Dooney & Bourke auctions on ebay spotted these new styles this week. Thanks once more to Shelley C. for capturing these photos for us at Downtown Disney’s TrenD shop. Let’s see the newest Disney Dooney designs – the Gwenny Large Tote, the Large Erica and Zippered Wristlets in black and white, and red white and blue. They are canvas with leather handles and accents.

Disney Dooney Stripes — Stripes Large Gwenny Tote in black and white - $185

Disney Dooney Stripes Red — Disney Dooney & Bourke red stripe Large Erica bag - $150

Disney Dooney Stripes wristlets — Stripe zippered wristlets in red and black - $45

What do you guys think of this newest style? So far the impressions I’m seeing online is that they are a little hypnotic. Will you add these to your list, or pass?

Other Disney Dooney & Bourke collections may be found here on ZannaLand:

Disney Dooney & Bourke Original Cindy Sketch in White – NEW STYLES!

Disney Dooney & Bourke Multi-colored Mickey Black Handbags

Disney Dooney & Bourke Brown Mickey, Navy Mickey, Pink Minnie Purse Designs

Dooney & Bourke Disney Cruise Line Edition and Colored Wristlets

Disney Dooney & Bourke Cindy Sketch in COLORS

Disneyland 55th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection

Disney Dooney and Bourke Princess Handbag Designs

Disney Dooney & Bourke Balloon Design in Black and White

Disney Dooney & Bourke Peace Love Mickey Minnie Denim Bags

Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection

Disney Dream Inaugural Cruise Dooney & Bourke Designs

Disney Parks Memories Sweepstakes-Win a Vacation to Disney!

18 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Let the Memories Begin with the Disney Parks Memories Sweepstakes!

Enter the Disney Parks Memories Sweepstakes for a chance to win a 4-person family vacation to a Disney Resort each week in February 2011!

Guests can enter either online or via mobile once a day for the chance to win:

· Current week: 5-days, 4-nights at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

· Week 4: 7-days, 6-nights at any Disney Resort worldwide

Guests can also go to the sweepstakes site each day to download the Daily Digital Download, featuring exclusives such as Disney-themed picture frames, wallpapers and more.

The sweepstakes runs from now until Feb. 28, 2011. For rules, please see: Official Rules

Disney and Build-a-Bear Release Wizards of Waverly Place Bear

11 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Disney and Build-A-Bear Workshop have already partnered to bring us adorable costumes representing Disney princesses (I was lucky enough to win a Cinderella bear at Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration last February, as well as meeting Chief Executive Bear Maxine Clark, who is a wonderful business woman and leader), Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story among others. The companies have now designed a Wizards of Waverly Place bear which was released on January 21, in stores and online. Maybe this can be a girlfriend for Duffy the Disney Bear? 😉

The official press release follows:

Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today that it is offering a “Wizards of Waverly Place” Bear for $22 (outfits and accessories sold separately). This adorable new furry friend features purple, blue and pink fur with a “Wizards of Waverly Place” logo on its paw and includes a magic wand. The bear arrived at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and buildabear.com on Jan. 21.

“Fans of the Disney Channel Original Series ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ will love this new enchanting bear,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive bear. “Build-A-Bear Workshop has always been a special place, and the ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Bear is sure to bring an extra dash of magic to our stores.”

The adventures are endless with a wizard as a furry friend! To personalize this bear, Build-A-Bear Workshop will offer a variety of magical-themed clothing and accessories including:

· Wizards of Waverly Place Outfit ($13.50) for a fashion-forward wizard.

· Silver Glitter Flats ($7) add charm to any outfit.

· Wizards of Waverly Place Bag ($6) for a dash of pizzazz.

· Wizards of Waverly Place Scarf ($3.50) to complete this magical look

With each purchase of a Wizards of Waverly Place Bear, Guests will receive a free Wizard Teller, while quantities last, plus $5 off a future purchase at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

About “Wizards of Waverly Place”

The Disney Channel Original Emmy Award-winning show “Wizards of Waverly Place”, features Selena Gomez as Alex Russo. Alex is not your ordinary teenager living in a Manhattan neighborhood. She has a powerful family secret – she and her brothers are wizards in training. When the going gets tough, she and her brothers Justin and Max, tend to use magic to try and solve their problems – with outrageous consequences! While their parents run the family business, Waverly Sub Station, Alex, Justin and Max prepare for a Wizard Competition, which will determine who will become the family wizard and keep their magical powers. This hit show is in its fourth season. “Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie” premiered in 2009, and a new Disney Channel Original Movie is planned for Spring 2012.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball® mascot in-stadium locations, and Build-A-Dino® stores. Build-A-Bear Workshop extends its in-store interactive experience online with its award winning virtual world Web site at bearville.com™.

Disney Junior Moves In to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Channel

10 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney Junior Live on Stage - coming in March to Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disney news buffs may have heard that Playhouse Disney Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been closed to make way for the all new Disney Junior Live on Stage, opening in March. Until the new show starts in the Studios, you can check out the new Disney Junior line up starting on Valentine’s Day – February 14th on the Disney Channel.

Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block is becoming “Disney Junior,” a new multiplatform brand devoted to children ages 2-7 and their families. Disney Junior will invite parents and grandparents to join their children in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, both classic and new, while incorporating specific learning and developmental themes.

Among the new series are “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” an animated adventure combining new and classic Disney characters Captain Hook and Smee (“Peter Pan”); a series of Disney Poetry Shorts which showcases poems for children set against classic Disney animation; two short form series, “Mickey Mousekersize” and “Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps,” to encourage healthy lifestyles for preschoolers and families; “Babar and the Adventures of Badou,” an updated version of the classic “Babar,” that introduces King Babar’s energetic eight-year-old grandson, Badou, and friends as they explore the world of Celesteville; and “Tinga Tinga Tales,” a vibrant animated adventure inspired by traditional African animal folktales and the art of Tanzania. Playhouse Disney hits “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Handy Manny,” “Special Agent Oso” and “Imagination Movers,” among others, will be part of Disney Junior.

As part of Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living initiative, which encourages healthier lifestyles for kids and families, Disney Junior will premiere two new short-form series, “Mickey Mousekersize” and “Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps.” Hosted by Mickey Mouse, “Mickey Mousekersize” focuses on the fun of exercising and encourages children at home to get up and move along with Mickey and pals. “Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps” features Oso and friends as they watch a live-action kid demonstrate three healthy steps to exercising and eating right.

For more information, visit www.DisneyJunior.com.

You can also “Like” Disney Junior on Facebook!

Check out these videos of the magic coming to your living room:

Disney Junior – Where The Magic Begins

Disney Junior Through a Child’s Eyes

Sneak Peek of Jake and the Never Land Pirates!

Gowalla and Disney Reveal Passholder Exclusive Virtual Pin

5 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

If you’ve ever gone anywhere with someone who uses location-based check-in apps like Foursquare, Gowalla, or even Facebook Places, you’ve probably rolled your eyes at the very least or perhaps cautioned us from walking into a fountain as we attempt to check in. Everywhere.

We are easy to spot; we’re the ones constantly looking at our phones, searching for locations to check in to and of course, share with the world (and cursing the lack of cell service to complete our check in!). Who doesn’t want to know that we are getting our morning coffee at Starbucks, buying socks at the mall, or enjoying seeing a movie with friends? As newbies find out quickly, quite a few people not only aren’t interested but actually get annoyed with constant check ins! Hrmph. Never fear, there are actually settings in all services which allow you to keep your check-ins to yourself, only share with friends, or share with twitter, facebook, or both.

While each of us use the apps or services in a different way – some to meet up with friends in the same location, others to keep family informed, others just to chronicle their every move, we’re all in it for the fun, and yes, tiny pixelated rewards we may get for checking in. Disney teamed up with popular service Gowalla a few months back and created official Disney check-ins, virtual pins, trips to complete and items to pick up along the way. With the huge social media army nestled firmly within the Disney fandom, this was a natural and welcomed partnership.

Disney Gowalla places — Some of the most popular Walt Disney World check-in spots on Gowalla. There are Disneyland spots as well.

Fans could now share their Disney visits and experiences as they happened online. Users can take a photo of a location and leave it behind for future visitors to see. Gowalla also uses random items which may be found or dropped along the way and with the Disney partnership, those items now included Mickey Mouse ear hats, Hitchhiking Ghosts, and Walt and Mickey Partners Statues. Disney created their own official “trips” which include checking in to multiple locations, either within one or more parks, the resorts, or a combination of places within Walt Disney property. Committed users will be rewarded by the trip completion and a virtual pin to add to their collection. Another benefit is visitors themselves can make their own trips which guests can also complete, adding to the fun and competitive aspect of checking in.

Disney Gowalla trip pins — Some of the virtual Disney pins from Gowalla for trip completion

Gowalla has now announced a new Walt Disney World Passholder exclusive virtual pin. No details have been given as to whether proof of Passholder must somehow be shown to obtain the virtual pin. Perhaps just not publicizing it anywhere but the Passholder newsletter is the level of “exclusivity” mentioned. If there’s one thing the Disney community does, it spreads news, so I’d imagine many guests will be achieving this particular pin, Passholder or not. I’ll have to report back on it when I complete the challenge myself. One of the spots, Disney Junior – Live on Stage! does not premier until March, but the check-in spot is available currently, so there may be some dishonest checking in among die-hard Gowalla users. Below are the complete set of spots you must check in at to earn the Passholder virtual pin.

Gowalla Disney Passholder Virtual Pin check-ins — Disney Passholder Virtual Pin check-ins

Personally, I love the marriage of Disney and Gowalla and for an obsessive personality like my own (hence my blog), it’s just the thing to keep me excited about the next big thing at Walt Disney World. Much to the dismay of my family, my check-in addition is not going anywhere any time soon. Unlike many other Disney collections (Dooney & Bourke purses, Vinylmation, constantly updating Disney merchandise…) this virtual one is compact, portable, and best of all – free! I no longer fear ending up on an episode of “Disney Hoarders” (that would make an awesome show, btw), my fears now involve a drained battery in my phone. My 12 year old son is following along in my footsteps and we now challenge each other to see who can check in to a spot first. Makes a mother proud…

Gowalla is a free app available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Palm devices.