Official Disney

Hidden Pixar References in “Day & Night” + Toy Story 3 Coupon for DVD+Blu-Ray

28 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

One of my favorite parts of Disney•Pixar films are the shorts we get to enjoy before the feature. Day & Night was no exception, with its unique and endearing take on the differences that can unite us.

With Toy Story 3 set to be released next week on DVD, I thought I’d bring you some behind-the-scenes info on the making of the film, as well as some fun facts (like hidden easter eggs within the film referencing other Pixar productions) about the short.

For those who have not seen Toy Story 3 in theatres yet, here is a synopsis of Day & Night and a Question and Answer session from Director Teddy Newton:

When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other’s unique qualities–and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world—the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.
Running time: 6 minutes

Disney’s Family.com Disney Store New York Prize Package Sweepstakes!

19 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Remember my recent coverage of the opening of my Tampa area Imagination Park Disney Store? The cool lock and key to “Unlock Imagination” and how each day a child would be chosen to turn the key? Well now your child could win the opportunity to do just that at the brand new Times Square, New York location, along with an amazing prize package too!

There’s only one week to enter, so read the details below and get right on that —

Disney Launches Online Search for Child to “Unlock Imagination” at Disney Store in Times Square

One Week Only to Enter Disney’s Family.com Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win Ultimate New York Prize Package

PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 19, 2010 — Disney announces an online contest on Family.com to win a trip to the grand opening celebration of Disney Store’s Times Square, New York City location on November 9 and a starring role during the star-studded opening ceremony. The crown jewel of Disney Store’s slate of store openings around the world this year, the Times Square location will be celebrated with magical festivities including celebrity appearances, live musical performances, a parade of Disney’s most beloved characters and interactive experiences storewide. Beginning October 19, Disney fans will have just one week to register online for the chance to join the fun in-person, win a $250 shopping spree, and have the distinction of their child taking the stage to turn the key to imagination and officially unlock the all-new Disney Store in Times Square. The lucky family will also meet award winning singer Jordin Sparks during a private VIP reception after she performs Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” theme song, which she rerecorded to celebrate the 2010 release of the Blu-Ray and DVD.

To participate, families should visit www.Family.com/sweeps/disney-store between October 19-26 and register for Family.com’s Disney Store Times Square Grand Opening Sweepstakes. Details will also be shared on Disney Store’s Facebook page and through its Twitter feed. One lucky family of four will be notified on October 27 and then set to pack their bags for a 3-day/2-night trip to New York City (November 8-10). See www.Family.com for complete details and official rules.

The lucky winners will join VIPs, celebrities, tourists from around the world and New York guests in exploring the magical new store. Centerpieces include:

Two-story Disney Princess Castle complete with its “talking” Magic Mirror
Colorful Lucite trees spring up throughout the store, showcasing custom Disney content
Disney-Pixar CARS-branded Ridemakerz interactive custom car building experience
Disney Store Theatre that allows guests to customize their experience by selecting their favorite Disney film clips, videos, classic animation and more

To find a Disney Store, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

Order 3 Stories of Disney History On DVD & Receive 3 Lithographs Free

12 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

An Unprecedented Chance To Look Behind the Magic…

Disney is offering fans an extremely unique opportunity to take home a piece of the magic early with an exclusive offer to order Waking Sleeping Beauty, The Boys and Walt & El Grupo at DisneyMovieCollections.com now.

Far from a fairytale, Waking Sleeping Beauty is an unprecedented eye-opening look at the conflict, drama and tension that ushered in the second chapter of Disney’s animation legacy – a decade of unparalleled creativity that included The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King, told by the people who were actually there.

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story is an intimate journey through the lives of Robert and Richard Sherman, the astoundingly prolific Academy Award®-winning songwriting team. While their songs – “A Spoonful Of Sugar (Mary Poppins)” and “I Want To Be Like You (Jungle Book),” to name a few – celebrated family entertainment and happy endings, their life together was not as harmonious. Go behind the scenes, including interviews with Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Roy E. Disney and many more, for a fascinating glimpse into how Walt Disney used the language of music to bring the brothers together, creating a cinematic legacy like no other.

When the U.S. Government asked Disney to be a cultural ambassador to South America, the stage was set for Walt’s very own real-life adventure. With a group of handpicked artists, later called “El Grupo,” Disney’s WWII road trip achieved the impossible – goodwill – and in the process paved the way for two classic Disney films, Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros. Brought to life through rare footage and enriched with never-before-seen bonus features, Walt & El Grupo is a story of inspiration, joy and hope you won’t soon forget.

Each DVD Includes:

An exceptional look at Walt Disney and the studio from yesteryear
Rare footage and interviews from Walt Disney insiders
A unique, collectible piece of Disney history
Extensive Bonus Material, taking you deep into the stories

You can learn more about this great offer by visiting DisneyMovieCollections.com.

When you buy all three DVDs before November 29th, you’ll also receive three collectible 8×10 lithographs free!

Visit DisneyMovieCollections.com for more details.

I know I’m definitely adding these to my “must-buy” list. I missed seeing Waking Sleeping Beauty in theatres and I’ve been dying to see it! Enjoy these collections!

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.

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.

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Crafts & $10 Coupon Off Blu-Ray+DVD Combo

21 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue comes out TODAY on Disney DVD and Blu-ray! Now you can get $10 off the Blu-ray+DVD combo pack! Just click here for the $10 coupon.

Also click the images below, or head to http://tiny.cc/TinkGFRActivities for some fun print & play crafts and recipes to keep your little fairy rescuer entertained. The activity links will be .PDF files for you to download, print and use. Enjoy!

We’d love to hear what you think of the new Tink movie! Watch for a review of the new Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Nintendo DS game later this week!