Things to Do

GIVEAWAY – JOHN CARTER Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack [CLOSED]

12 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis 32 Comments

It’s no secret that I love John Carter. Now that John Carter is available on DVD and Blu-ray, there are even more cool things to discover about the movie and film-making process. Along with bonus footage, interviews, and bloopers, Disney’s Second Screen allows you to learn all sorts of behind-the-scenes secrets and facts. Check out the video below from director Andrew Stanton about how Second Screen works:

Here’s another video with commentary from Jon Favreau and others about the influence of John Carter over the years with the science fiction genre. The Edgar Rice Burrows classic series has been a passion of director Andrew Stanton for years, but he’s not alone in his love for this story.

If you haven’t yet seen the film, I urge you to run out and purchase the DVD or Blu-ray. It truly is a classic and my kids love it as well. Thanks to Disney, I’m also proud to be giving away a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack of John Carter. I’m going to make it super easy to enter – simply leave a comment below sharing what you’re most looking forward to when you see John Carter – or, if you’ve already seen it, what you loved the most. That’s it! Giveaway closed.

[If you’d like to share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter, I’d love and appreciate it! Just let me know where you’ve shared it in a comment too so I can count that as an extra entry.]

Giveaway ends June 19, 2012 at 11:59pm EDT

Hilton Orlando’s Summer Birthday POOL-ooza Offers Fun for Locals and Visitors

12 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Hilton Orlando pool area — The 7,000-square-foot main pool simulates a beach atmosphere with zero-entry on both sides, and features a water slide perfect for a fun-filled day in the sun.

If someone you love has been ~~cursed~~ blessed with a summer birthday, you know how difficult it can be to ensure they have just as much fun as those with birthdays during the school year when folks are not away on vacation somewhere. Well, the Hilton Orlando has solved that problem by letting the birthday boy or girl have a pool party they’ll remember all summer long. Located right in the middle of all the theme parks and attractions, The Hilton Orlando’s summer birthday pool package is available to non-hotel guests and local residents – perfect!

The package is available Monday – Thursday for a maximum of 25 people (including adults). Party guests will receive:

Two poolside cabanas for four hours (between 11 am and 3 pm or 4 pm and 8 pm),
One custom-decorated cake
Two large two-topping pizzas and four pitchers of soda
Full access to the main pool, the adult “quiet” pool, whirlpools, water slide and lazy river
A one-hour activity of choice (volleyball, basketball, or water balloon toss) hosted by Hilton Orlando recreation staff
50% discount on self-parking

The cost of the package is $25 per person with a 15 person minimum, and will provide hours of fun for both adults and children alike, so be sure to splash on over to Hilton Orlando for your birthday celebration. It’s sure to be a swimmingly good time!

Hilton Orlando lazy river — The 892-foot Lazy River gently meanders, winding and twisting alongside the pool and Tropics Bar & Grill, adorned with fountains, waterfalls and water cannons.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? My birthday isn’t even until December and I want to go hang out in the lazy river all day!! We may just have to do this for my daughter’s birthday in August. Check out the other amazing packages the Hilton Orlando offers – they look fantastic! Head over to TheHiltonOrlando.com or call 407-313-4300 to book your getaway now!

Walt Disney Animation Unveils Epic Adventure “FROZEN”—In Theaters NOVEMBER 2013

11 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

BURBANK, Calif. (June 11, 2012) – Walt Disney Animation Studios presents an epic tale of adventure and comedy in “Frozen,” a computer-animated feature film slated for the big screen in November 2013. Directed by Chris Buck (“Tarzan,” “Surf’s Up”) and produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Winnie the Pooh,” “The Princess and the Frog”), “Frozen” features the vocal talents of film/TV/stage star Kristen Bell as Anna, a young dreamer about to take the adventure of a lifetime, and Tony Award ®-winning actress Idina Menzel as Elsa the Snow Queen. The movie will feature original songs by Broadway greats Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

In “Frozen,” a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, so Anna (voice of Bell) must team up with Kristoff, a daring mountain man, on the grandest of journeys to find the Snow Queen (voice of Menzel) and put an end to the icy spell. Encountering Everest-like extremes, mystical creatures and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Bell has starred in a variety of films, including the comedies “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Couples Retreat,” and the upcoming films “Hit & Run,” “Some Girls” and the Farrelly Brothers’ “Movie 43.” On the small screen, Bell is currently starring in the Showtime series “House of Lies” alongside Don Cheadle; she has also starred in “Heroes” and “Veronica Mars.” Broadway credits include “The Crucible” and “Tom Sawyer.”

Menzel, who won a Tony Award® as Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Elphaba in Broadway’s “Wicked” (2004), landed her first role on Broadway in 1995 in the Tony Award-winning musical “Rent.” Film credits include “Enchanted” and the feature film “Rent.” She has appeared in a recurring role on TV’s “Glee” and recently released “Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony,” a live concert with an orchestra led by composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Menzel is currently on a North American concert tour.

Robert Lopez is a three-time Tony Award®-winning writer of the Tony and Grammy® Award-winning musical “The Book of Mormon,” which was co-written with Trey Parker and Matt Stone (“South Park”), and the musical “Avenue Q,” which ran for six years on Broadway and four years in London’s West End. Lopez teamed with wife Anderson-Lopez, whose Drama Desk-winning show “In Transit” is Broadway-bound, to write original songs for 2011’s “Winnie the Pooh,” a stage version of “Finding Nemo” and a new musical called “Up Here.”

Can’t wait to see and hear more about this new film – what do you think?

Celebrate Father’s Day at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels

11 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

In honor of Father’s Day, guests can receive a special rate and complimentary room upgrade during Father’s Day Weekend

I’ve stayed at the Walt Disney World Dolphin a few times, and dined there and the Swan and loved it each time. The “Heavenly beds” live up to their name and there is a feel of ultimate luxury when you walk in the lobby. The Swan and Dolphin are now offering a deal for dads for the upcoming Father’s Day weekend – check out the details below:

Families looking to give dad the vacation he deserves can now do so with a special Father’s Day offer from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. For the weekend of June 15-17, guests can receive rooms starting at $199 per night and a complimentary room upgrade at the Orlando hotel.

Located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel offers easy access for dads to spend time with their families in the Disney theme parks, unwind on one of the four championship golf courses or drive an exotic sports car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

In addition, the hotel itself offers a number of amenities and activities that will appeal to dad and the entire family including five pools, recreational activities, and numerous dining options such as Shula’s Steak House and character dining.

Reservations can be made online at www.swandolphin.com/offers or by calling 1-800-227-1500 and mentioning “Father.” Based on rate schedule availability. Offer is valid for stays June 15-17. Taxes, resort services fee and gratuities not included. Not valid with any other special offers, promotions, or for existing reservations or groups.

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The hotel is located between Epcot andDisney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and the Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks is open extra time to enjoy select attractions. (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required). The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500, www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/swananddolphin.

Wreck-it-Ralph Trailer Debuts – Old School Gamers Rejoice!

6 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

We first caught the trailer and some behind-the-scenes info for Wreck-it-Ralph at last year’s D23 Expo in Anaheim and I fell in love. As a little girl who grew up with Atari 2600 and spent many a day playing Centipede, Donkey Kong, Pac Man and more in arcades, the storyline appealed to me instantly. Throw in some appearances by Q*Bert (I was SO addicted to that game!) and more classic video game characters, and you’ve got millions of kids from the 80’s ready to “press play” on this film.

Here’s the official synopsis from Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Emmy®-winning director Rich Moore (TV’s “The Simpsons,” “Futurama”) take moviegoers on a hilarious, arcade-game-hopping journey in “Wreck-It Ralph.” Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” “Step Brothers”) is tired of being overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock”), the “good guy” star of their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he’s tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero.

Wreck-it-Ralph's Sugar Rush — The land of Sugar Rush

On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch, TV’s “Glee”) from the first-person action game Hero’s Duty. But it’s the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program”) from the candy-coated cart racing game, Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it’s too late? “Wreck-It Ralph” crashes onto the big screen on November 2, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Walt Disney Animation Studios released the first official trailer today so now everyone can see the genius that is Wreck-it-Ralph – check it out!

What did you think? I love it!

New Epic Mickey 2 Release Date, E3 Trailer and Warren Spector Interview

6 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney is showing a huge presence at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) conference going on in Los Angeles this week. We’ve seen an amazing Epic Mickey 2 booth, including Oswald ear hats and game demos, along with some fantastic pieces from the Disney Archives and other new merchandise.

Also released at E3 was a new Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two trailer, with an emphasis on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This makes me even MORE excited to play this game!

Also check out this great interview with Warren Spector Creative Director and Vice President, Junction Point and Disney Archives Director Becky Cline discussing the amazing history of Oswald:

Epic Mickey: The Power of Two will hit shelves November 18, 2012 – see you there! You can check out screenshots and more info at my other Epic Mickey 2 post.

HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney Season Premier June 1

1 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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HGTV first sent out a casting call for families to join in an all-new Disney-themed backyard makeover show back in 2010. The show was an instant hit and is now set to premier another new season Friday, June 1, 2012. You can find out more about this season and all of My Yard Goes Disney at HGTV’s site for the show.

With the help of a team from Disney and an HGTV crew, lucky families are chosen to receive the most magical backyard makeover ever. Whether it’s themes from the Disney parks or just a favorite movie, each yard is given complete the star treatment with some amazingly fun elements you just don’t see every day.

Check out some clips from the new season with the Morales and Krantz familes:

So sit down with the family tonight at 8pm, or set your DVRs to record this magical backyard makeover show!

VIDEO: Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Host Ashley Eckstein

30 May 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

I had the pleasure of first getting to know Ashley Eckstein, a year ago, when we spoke on the phone and it was like talking to an old friend I’d known forever. Ashley is the star of the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars on Cartoon Network and design entrepeneur, owner and creative vision behind Her Universe clothing and accessories line for fangirls, young and old. She returns this year for the fourth time to Disney’s Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios, taking the reigns as Celebrity Host along with James Arnold Taylor for the second year in a row.

I was so impressed with Ashley when we had our first conversation, she is the ultimate Disney fan and Star Wars fangirl, and has inspired thousands of young girls, empowering them with wonderful ideals and strength. I was recently given the opportunity to sit down with Ashley in person, so she could tell us a little more about Star Wars Weekends and Her Universe:

Special thanks to Gary Buchanan and the Walt Disney World team for facilitating this interview and recording it for me as well! Of course thanks to Ashley for taking the time to share a little bit of her with all of us.

Ashley recently posted this photo on her Facebook page and I just loved it, not only does she share my love of Wookie hugs, she is just as excited by Disney magic as we all are. I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing it here but it was too cute not to!

Ashley Eckstein and Chewbacca - Jedi and Wookie love!

You can find Ashley signing autographs, speaking and just roaming the parks during Star Wars Weekends, which run May 18 – June 10, 2012. If you can’t make it down, check out Ashley’s designs at HerUniverse.com and follow along with Ashley on Twitter @HerUniverse and Facebook at facebook.com/HerUniverse. The official Ashley Eckstein site also has more news on Ashley’s appearances and upcoming events.

NEW Her Universe Merchandise Debuts at Star Wars Weekends

19 May 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

One of my absolute favorite times of the year are when Star Wars Weekends roll around at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While I do profess that I am a geek/nerd in many ways, Star Wars holds an even dearer place in my heart because I grew up with it too. Like many of my favorite things at Walt Disney World – classic EPCOT Center and Magic Kingdom in the early 1980s, I have an emotional attachment to all things Star Wars.

Being able to walk through a park and see Stormtroopers or Boba Fett just hanging around is just as close to heaven for a kid from the 80’s as you can get. And don’t even get me started on Chewbacca hugs. Add in the cool exclusive merchandise, a parade, celebrity appearances, and the Hyperspace Hoopla show and you’ve got something for everyone. Star Wars Weekends are the perfect place to combine your love of Disney and Star Wars, and there are no shortage of fans who share that love. Last year, the weekend was kicked off with the grand re-opening of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, but the excitement is still going for 2012 with lots of new surprises in store.

The great thing about Star Wars Weekends is that Disney keeps it fresh, with current stars of the popular Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series appearing each year alongside stars from the classic films as well. One star, Ashley Eckstein, voice of Ahsoka Tona from the Star Wars: Clone Wars series, has become a staple at the Weekends. Ashley and James Arnold Taylor, voice of Obi Wan Kenobi in the same series, join forces as the celebrity hosts for 2012.

Looking for Love in Alderaan Places - LOVE this!

In 2009, Ashley introduced her new line of clothing and accessories aimed specifically at girls and women, Her Universe. Last year, she also introduced designs exclusive to Star Wars Weekends for a limited time. This year she’s back with even more exclusive fun from Her Universe:

Several new apparel pieces are also being introduced for the younger “Jedi-in-training” including several Star Wars youth designs and, for the first time, a Jedi onesie for the tiniest followers of the Force featuring the adorable art of popular Star Wars illustrator Katie Cook.

“I was very excited when Ashley approached me to do kids’ designs for Her Universe,” said Cook. “She’s doing a wonderful thing for the female fan community already… and she’s doing those of us with little girls an even bigger favor by giving the littlest fangirls nerdy gear of their own!”

In addition to the new product line being available at Disney’s Star Wars Weekends, Eckstein will also, for the fourth year in a row, be co-hosting the Behind The Force live stage show and signing autographs each weekend of the event.

“Disney’s Star Wars Weekends is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Ashley Eckstein. “I truly enjoy meeting Star Wars fans of all ages and that’s why I am so excited to be offering merchandise for women, girls and now babies! As the voice of Ahsoka Tano, I cannot wait to see baby girls in an Ahsoka “Jedi in Training” onesie or little girls running around in Ahsoka’s new costume top!”

These new designs are just so adorable and the message they send is one of girl power and strength, so needed today! The new styles will also be available online at www.heruniverse.com on May 21st. Photo credit below: – Kelsey Edwards Photography

I was able to see the new merchandise in person today and loved it all! The “Looking for love in Alderaan places” shirt is hysterical, and the Princess Leia hoodies and Ahsoka tunics are super fun. The little kids shirts and baby onesies were killing me with cute!

Princess Leia hoodie — Of course I had to try one on... 😉

Sophia modeling the Ahsoka Tano tunic - she wants it!

Star Wars Weekends run from May 18-June 10 this year and are a must-do if you are in the area. We’ll have more coverage of the galactic fun in the coming weeks!

AMAZING Epic Mickey 2 Behind the Scenes Trailer

18 May 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

We’ve previously shared a gallery of screenshots and concept art for Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, coming out soon on Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Now Disney Interactive has released a behind-the-scenes trailer showing even more of this exciting new game.

The images and gameplay are just breathtaking. It’s so wonderful to see more of Oswald as well. I know we can’t wait to play around here!