Disney News

Grand Opening of Givenchy Boutique in Epcot This Weekend!

30 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

I know there are a great many readers and twitter-friends already in or heading to Walt Disney World this weekend for #EpicOctober2010, the Walt Disney World Moms Panel Meet & Greet, the Wine and Dine Weekend races and the opening weekend of the 2010 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival (wow, it really IS epic!). While you’re here, head to Epcot and the France pavilion in World Showcase from September 30 – October 3 and be among the first to experience Givenchy’s first and only stand-alone retail location in the United States!

Enjoy the opportunity to fully experience chic services and products from Givenchy with makeup artists and fragrance specialists .

This special Grand Opening event will feature exclusive products available only at Epcot. Receive a complimentary Gift with any $50 Givenchy purchase.

Offer available from September 30 – October 3, 2010, while supplies last. Valid in Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Theme Park admission is required. Guest must make a pre-tax purchase of $50 or more of Givenchy products to to qualify for this offer. The pouch will contain a Givenchy deluxe sample size fragrance, skincare, foundation and lip gloss. This offer is only valid on purchases from September 30 – October 3, 2010, while supplies last. Valid in Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Theme Park admission is required.

Walt Disney Pictures’ Tangled Trailer, Fun Facts & NEW Images

29 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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Walt Disney Pictures presents “Tangled,” one of the most hilarious, hair-raising tales ever told. When the kingdom’s most wanted—and most charming—bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. In theaters this holiday season in Disney Digital 3D™, “Tangled” is a story of adventure, heart, humor and hair—lots of hair.

Rapunzel may have lived her entire life locked inside a hidden tower, but Rapunzel is no damsel in distress. The girl with the 70 feet of golden hair is an energetic, inquisitive teenager who fills her days with art, books, and imagination. Rapunzel is full of curiosity about the outside world, and she can’t help but feel that her true destiny lies outside of the lonely tower walls. Rapunzel has always obeyed Mother Gothel by staying hidden away and keeping her magical hair a secret… but with her 18^th birthday just a day away, she is fed up with her sheltered life and ready for adventure. When a charming thief seeks refuge in her tower, Rapunzel defies Gothel and seizes the opportunity to answer the call of the kingdom. With the unwilling Flynn Rider along for the journey, Rapunzel leaves the tower for the first time, and begins a hilarious, hair-raising journey that will untangle many secrets along the way.

Several images from the film have been released, including the newest – Mother Gothel. She may be controlling, manipulative and over-protective, but Mother Gothel is the only mother Rapunzel has ever known. By stealing Rapunzel as an infant and raising her in the tower, Gothel ensured that she alone would have access to Rapunzel’s magical hair, which she uses as her personal fountain of youth. Gothel loves Rapunzel more as a possession than as a daughter, and uses every weapon in her arsenal – including a constant flow of subtle jabs, backhanded compliments and over-the-top guilt trips – to keep Rapunzel hidden away. When Rapunzel finally defies her wishes and ventures out into the world, the delightfully deranged Gothel will to stop at nothing to get her little girl back into the tower.

Tampa’s New Imagination Park Disney Store Reveals Magic For Every Guest

28 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Tampa’s International Plaza and Bay Street mall became the first southern Imagination Park Disney Store to open today, designed with input from Apple’s Steve Jobs. The soft-opening already had a small crowd of people lining up by 9:00am and an hour later, the queue wrapped around the play area in front of the store. The first 250 guests received Disney Store ear hats as we waited. {click to enlarge photos}

Disney Store Imagination Park Tampa — With no promotion, around 250 guests lined up to see the Disney Store's soft opening at Tampa's International Plaza

Store managers spoke about the Key to Unlock Imagination ceremony, which will happen each and every day. A young guest will be chosen to use the Disney Store key to open the lock and the store each morning.

Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again on Nintendo DS

24 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

With a household of gamers, I had no trouble getting someone to give me their opinion of the new Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again Nintendo DS game I was given to review from Disney Interactive Studios. Here’s what the family thought of the game:

Disney Interactive has delivered a fun game for fans of the popular Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb; Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again for the Nintendo DS and DSi. The game follows the adventures of the title characters as you guide them through the environments of Danville looking for parts to build various contraptions. There are many mini games to break up the action and keep the game play fresh. You can also download content to share rides and compete against friends.

A personal favorite is a Pac-man style game in which you try to collect screws for a project while steering clear of Candice. After playing through the first level of the game the only complaints were that Perry was relegated to being a “save point” and is not included in the game play elements, although you can play as Agent P. while he battles Dr. D and his robots. Finally, the open style of game play, having no defined path through which to complete a level, may prove to be a little frustrating for younger players. Overall Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is a fun and satisfying game for fans of Danville’s most famous residents.

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is available now on Nintendo DS and Dsi. The single-player game is rated E for Everyone and retails for $29.99. For more information including screenshots and game trailer, head over to Disney Interactive Studios Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again page.

NEWS: Let the Memories Begin at Disney Parks in 2011

23 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

NEW YORK (Sept. 23, 2010) – In 2011, Disney guests will become the stars of a nightly spectacular when photos taken in the park during the day become larger-than-life projections on Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort or “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Resort. This groundbreaking new experience will celebrate the family vacation memories created in Disney theme parks every day.

And this week, Disney guests will begin starring on television, too, as part of the new “Let the Memories Begin” campaign. For the first time, Disney Parks is featuring the home videos and snapshots of real guests in television ads and other marketing that will allow an audience of millions to share in true-life, heartfelt moments.

“A Disney vacation is the perfect way to create family memories that will last a lifetime,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at a media announcement Thursday in New York. “We’ll spotlight those ‘only-at-Disney’ moments with family and friends during our ‘Let the Memories Begin’ campaign.”

A just-released survey of U.S. and Canadian families conducted for Disney Parks by Ypartnership, a noted research firm that tracks consumer insights and trends in travel, showed that vacation memories hold a special place in family history.

Nine out of 10 parents said they planned their vacations with the express hope that they would result in a lasting family memory, the survey showed. And those memories stuck with them – nearly three-quarters said they think back “often” or “very often” on their favorite vacation experiences.

‘Memories in the Making’ to be Shared on Disney Park Icons

Beginning in January 2011, some Disney parks guests will find that the memory they just made has become a larger-than-life image during a “Let the Memories Begin” nighttime experience.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the guest photos will be projected on the soaring spires of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland Resort, the iconic façade of “it’s a small world” will be the canvas for the show.

In both locations, Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture guests caught up in the Disney experience – a memory in the making – and as many as 500 photos will be used in each location every day, producers estimate.

The nighttime show will use the latest in high-intensity projection technology to create vivid visuals that seem to defy the architecture of the building. A new song commissioned for the show will provide an emotional context for these images of the Disney guest experience.

For TV Ads and More, Disney Parks Issues a ‘Call for Memories’

Beyond seeing their own projected photos in lights, guests also could become the stars of Disney Parks television commercials, online campaigns and social media opportunities that will showcase to the world the power of memories.

Gnomeo & Juliet Trailer-Shakespeare Meets Garden Gnomes?!

23 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

The greatest love story ever told, starring…garden gnomes? In “Gnomeo & Juliet,” Shakespeare’s revered tale gets a comical, off-the-wall makeover. Directed by Kelly Asbury (co-director of “Shrek 2”) and showcasing both classic and original songs by Elton John, the film features the voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as Gnomeo and Juliet, who have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and thrilling lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find a happy ending?

Check out the adorable Gnomeo & Juliet trailer and be sure to catch the Tiki Room song!! Corny jokes and bad puns abound but it looks really fun.

GNOMEO & JULIET hits theaters everywhere in 3D on February 11, 2011.

Facts On Duffy The Disney Bear’s Move to Epcot’s World Showcase Oct 14

20 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 13 Comments

Saturday, September 18th saw the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder preview of Duffy the Disney Bear and his move from Japan’s Tokyo Disney Sea to our very own Epcot World Showcase. Duffy is getting some mixed reviews among die-hard EPCOT Center fans that would rather see money spent on new or improved attractions. Call me a sentimental girl, but I for one am excited for Duffy’s arrival and supportive of the treatment he’s getting as he get introduced to the rest of Walt Disney World.

I look at it this way – as a young girl visiting EPCOT in the early 1980’s, if Figment was given the same love and attention that Duffy is receiving now, I’d have been as happy as, well, a little girl. This is not just some random bit of merchandise being promoted without any research or follow-through. Duffy has experienced great success among Japanese Disney fans and while I don’t anticipate he’ll be quite as popular here, I can appreciate that he has a “history” and is not just going to show up on store shelves. If you don’t like Duffy, there is no reason you have to partake in Duffy madness, but for those with a softspot for cute and cuddly characters, he is a welcome friend.

As ZannaLand reported earlier last week, Duffy merchandise will be plentiful in World Showcase. Here are the Duffy Fast Facts, as discovered Saturday:

The Benefit Sale at Downtown Disney – Save & Give Back!

17 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I love shopping! And when my shopping can benefit the Orlando local community, why then my ADOS (Attention Deficit OOOOOHHHHHH SHINEY) makes me a model citizen.

The Disney Community Relations team has been working with Downtown Disney, the Heart of Florida United Way and their local agencies to create an early morning shopping experience on November 6, 2010 from 5:30 to 9:30 am.

With the purchase of a $5 voucher, all proceeds go directly to the Heart of Florida United Way, shoppers will get a wristband to gain entrance into exclusive sales offering deeply discounted park merchandise, doorbusters, designer boutiques (Dior, Pucci, Acqua di Parma & Guerlain), and product launches at several locations in Downtown Disney.

The things that really stick out to this shopper are:

Launch of a 9” Rocketeer Vinylmation figure {reason enough for me to go! ~Z}
Launch of the newest Urban 5 3” Vinylmation Pin Mystery Set (Limited Edition of 1000)
The Designer Boutiques will be offering “Purchase with Purchase and Gifts with Purchases”
Select Dooney & Bourke purses will be offered at a discount
Select Vinylmations will be included in the sale

The Benefit Sale site www.thebenefitsale.com, will be updated to include more information about the specials and event activities on October 1, 2010.

I have gone to the Annual Passholder sales that are held this early in the morning at World of Disney, and while getting there was a little rough the sales were totally worth the extra bags under my eyes!
I know that I’ll be there in my finest shopping PJs…will you?
~Shelley

EDIT: The Disney Parks blog has added some updated info about The Benefit Sale which takes place in just a few days —

Disney Theme Park Merchandise has never done a sale to this magnitude with select items up to 75 percent off, over 125 door busters, Authentic Disney Theme Parks T-Shirts for $5, fragrance and beauty boutiques from Guerlain, Givenchy, Acqua di Parma, Dior, and Emilio Pucci with special gifts and SO much more…this single day sale event will be THE sale of the year. The prices have never been and will never be this low again…so shop, give back, and save BIG!

So what are the special offers and discounts you can expect to see at The Benefit Sale? While there’s too much to tell you about, here’s a sneak peek of the great offers you’ll find this coming Saturday:

50% off Select Plush & Dolls
40% off All Board Games
40% off Select Dooney & Bourke Handbags and Accessories
70% of Select Graphic Apparel
50% off Select Major League Baseball Apparel
25% off All Disney Trading Pins and Trading Accessories
70% off Select Vinylmation Figures and Series
75% off K’Nex Space Mountain and Flying Dumbo Building Sets
40% off Select Art & Collectibles from Jim Shore, Precious Moments and Walt Disney Classics Collection
75% off Halloween Merchandise
Nearly 100 Door Busters under $5
75% off 2010 Dated Merchandise (excluding Holiday Merchandise)

Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members don’t forget that this is your ONE shopping event this holiday season to save big on your Disney Theme Park favorite!

Still need to get your voucher for The Benefit Sale? It’s not too late! You can still purchase a Benefit Sale Voucher online at TheBenefitSale.com or you can purchase your voucher at Downtown Disney the morning of The Benefit Sale on Saturday, November 6!

Duffy the Disney Bear to Have a Costume for Each World Showcase Country

16 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

We’re going to dive right in with something reader Shelley C. discovered today about none other than Duffy the Disney Bear. As you may recall, Duffy will be appearing to passholders this Saturday in a special presentation welcoming him to Epcot. Many people wondered if Duffy would appear park-wide, in addition to the question of whether the existing “Disney Bear” that once appeared at Walt Disney World was still available. Shelley answers those questions for us here —

After seeing a picture of Duffy Bear taking up residence in the Emporium on Main Street on Twitter, I decided to head on down and check it out! When I got there, I found it quite curious that there were no Duffy or Disney Bears on the shelves. However, I had also noticed that over the past week the Disney Bears that were once available at Once Upon a Toy and World of Disney had vanished. I asked around, and found out a little more information about our Tokyo Disney Seas import.

According to a management cast member on Main Street, USA, Duffy is going to be primarily based in EPCOT, but have ties to the Disney Cruise Line. He will have outfits that represent each country of World Showcase, some everyday outfits (rain coats and such like Pal Mickey had), the sailor suit that he is seen sporting in most of the Annual Passholder emails, and a Disney Cruise Line uniform. They were vague about Duffy having his own “store” in EPCOT, but said that he would definitely be “around”. However, don’t get your hopes up to Shellie Mae anytime soon (Super Boo on this part).

We’ll have to wait until Saturday for more information, but a resort wide launch is planned for around October 14, 2010. Stay tuned…

~Shelley C.