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Disney News

Latest Disney Dream Portraits by Annie Leibovitz

3 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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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 –

Queen Latifa Annie Leibovitz

Queen Latifah Annie Leibovitz

Alec Baldwin Annie Leibovitz

Olivia Wilde Annie Leibovitz

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Filed Under: Disney News Tagged With: Alec Baldwin, Annie Leibovitz, celebrities, Disney Dream Portraits, Disney News, Disney parks, Disney photos, Jeff Bridges, Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, Queen Latifah

The Magic, The Memories and…US!

20 January 2011 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

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I was recently invited to attend the media preview for the Magic Kingdom’s much anticipated “Castle projection show”. The show was announced some months back along with the 2011 campaign – “Let the Memories Begin“. The show and campaign itself received much criticism from cynics, assuming Disney was just using other people’s photos and videos so they didn’t have to come up with something on their own. Many objections to “YouTube videos on the castle” were heard over the interwebs.

Ever the Disney-supporter, I posted on twitter and facebook about how I supported this campaign. Really, I’m the kind of Disney fan that doesn’t think we are “owed” anything, yet many critics compare each year’s promotion to the Year of a Million Dreams or the What Will You Celebrate? campaigns, which were overflowing with extras, freebies and one-of-a-kind experiences. Last year, you still got a free ticket – if you volunteered for it. This year, however, the focus is on families – no matter what that consists of, and the memories created at Disney Parks throughout the world. After all, aren’t the best “extras” the intangibles that you hold in your heart and mind for years to come?

Despite my understanding and excitement about Let the Memories Begin, I still wasn’t sure how the Castle would fit in to this equation. After all, people don’t typically like when Cinderella Castle is messed with. (I happen to be one of the few people in the universe that thought it was cute – but totally understand those that were upset at its appearance for their visits; a year is a long time for bright pink.) Would this be something that most guests couldn’t relate to if their pictures weren’t selected? Would it disrupt the magic of the kingdom? Well, all my fears were assuaged Tuesday night when I experienced “The Magic, The Memories and You” first-hand.

Magic Memories You Castle VinesFirst we were treated to a press conference with Park executives Al Weiss, and Meg Crofton. We were told about the upcoming news at the Parks (Wild Africa Trek, La Hacienda, Via Napoli, Star Tours 2). Alan Bruun, Associate Creative Director Walt Disney World Entertainment then gave us a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the new castle show was created. The castle was actually graphed with a grid for the 3-D photo imaging required to ensure seamless projections and special effects. We were shown the locations for the 16 projectors used in the show. In addition to videos pulled from the Let The Memories Begin site where guests can submit their family videos, 500 photos taken in-park that day will be hand-picked to appear in the sometimes twice nightly show on the castle. As Bruun was quoted that night, “it’s a heck of a lot more than a slide-show on the castle”. Since seeing is believing, we all headed over to Cinderella Castle to experience the show for ourselves.

[Read more…] about The Magic, The Memories and…US!

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Filed Under: Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Castle projection show, Cinderella Castle, Disney, Disney News, Disney parks, Let the Memories Begin, Magic Kingdom, The Magic The Memories and You, Walt Disney World

NEW Muppet Movie with Jason Segel First Look Photo!

10 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 7 Comments

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Check out this picture sent to us from Disney – the first look at the all-new Muppet Movie featuring the writing and acting talents of Jason Segel, which is tentatively called The Muppets and premiers December 25, 2010. Click for the full-size image:

Muppet Movie Jason Segel
Who's that Muppet with an iPhone?!

According to TheFilmStage.com, Jason shares that “His name is Walter and he teams with Kermit the Frog and his muppet pals “to put on a show to save their old theater.” … Walter is the kind of guy who faints when he sees Kermit. Walter has a little bit of a self-confidence issue because he’s the only person like him that he’s seen aside from the Muppets….Segel explained. His dream is to meet the Muppets and be around people who are like him.“

Can’t wait for this film, being a huge Muppet AND Jason Segal fan!

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Filed Under: Disney News, Official Disney Tagged With: Disney News, Jason Segel, Jim Henson, movies, new Muppet movie, The Muppets, The Muppets movie, Walt Disney Pictures, Walter the muppet

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

17 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

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The Benefit SaleI 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!

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Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Special Events, Guest Authors Tagged With: Disney Community Relations, Disney Merchandise, Disney News, Disney Special Events, Downtown Disney, Heart of Florida United Way, Rocketeer, Save and Give Back, The Benefit Sale

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

16 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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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 —

Duffy the Disney BearAfter 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.

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Filed Under: Disney News, Guest Authors Tagged With: Disney News, Duffy, Duffy the Disney Bear, Epcot, Japan, Japan pavilion, Walt Disney World, World Showcase

¡Bienvenidos a la Familia! La Hacienda de San Angel Opens in Epcot

16 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 6 Comments

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La Hacienda de San AngelLast night local media and cast members were treated to a special opening preview of Epcot’s newest dining spots – La Hacienda de San Angel and La Cantina de San Angel. Completely new in design and construction, the two restaurants will replace the former counter service-only Cantina de San Angel. The new space will now accommodate both counter service during the day, using the outdoor tables as well as the air-conditioned comfort within La Hacienda, until 2:30pm, when La Hacienda will prepare for its dinner-only table service dining. Extending out onto World Showcase lagoon, the new construction is simply beautiful and fits right into the existing architecture and theme of the Mexico pavilion. While I will be sharing a more in-depth review after we’ve gone back and dined there as regular guests, I thought I’d share some of the highlights from last night and what you can expect from these two new choices.

[Read more…] about ¡Bienvenidos a la Familia! La Hacienda de San Angel Opens in Epcot

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Disney, Disney Dining, Disney News, Epcot, La Cantina, La Hacienda, media events, Mexico pavilion, Walt Disney World, World Showcase

Pets Get a Dose of Pixie Dust at Disney’s Best Friends Pet Care

2 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 7 Comments

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It’s not news that devoted pet owners will do just about anything for their “fur children”, including luxury accommodations which are gaining popularity across the country. I have a friend who’s been putting her dog in a similar pet hotel for years, allowing her to watch her pets on a webcam while she’s away. After all, if you’re enjoying the place “Where Dreams Come True”, why not let your beloved pets experience some magic as well?

Best Friends Pet Center

I was really impressed with the facilities at the Best Friends Pet Care, which opened this week. Situated across from Port Orleans Riverside on Bonnet Creek Parkway, the newly built Best Friends Pet Care replaces all other Disney kennels throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. With facilities for over 300 pets, this one new location will be able to comfortably accommodate all of Disney’s four-legged visitors. Whether you are just dropping your pet off for a day visit, or an overnight stay, they will be given as much attention as if they were a human guest at one of Disney’s deluxe resorts.

Best Friends Pet Center

[Read more…] about Pets Get a Dose of Pixie Dust at Disney’s Best Friends Pet Care

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Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Planning Tagged With: Best Friends Pet Care, Disney kennels, Disney News, Disney Pet Hotel, Disney Pet Resort, Walt Disney World

Duffy the Disney Bear Finds a Home in Epcot-Passholder Preview

27 August 2010 by Suzannah Otis 9 Comments

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Duffy at Tokyo DisneySea
photo courtesy of cafetricot on flickr

Fans of Disney’s Tokyo DisneySea may be familiar with the very popular bear, Duffy, who graces the park as a character, plush toy and many, many other forms of merchandise. As the story goes, (you knew there was a story, right?) Mickey Mouse was about to leave on a long sea voyage. Minnie gave him a stuffed bear so he wouldn’t get lonely. Mickey kept the bear duffel bag, and the name “Duffy” was born. Aww.

Duffy has his very own Disney site in Japanese, an unofficial Facebook page, countless flickr photos and ebay auctions for bears, outfits and more. He was for sale, though not referred to as Duffy, simply “The Disney Bear” briefly at Walt Disney World, making character appearances during Teddy Bear Weekends here in Florida. I happened to have purchased one back when my 11 year old was first born. I think I loved him more than my son did. Since I have a a love for all things Japanese as well, I was pretty excited about Duffy coming here to Epcot. Update: read all about Duffy’s arrival this October.

The good news for annual passholders is they will get a sneak preview and special hour-long presentation all about Duffy on September 18, 2010, at 11am, 2pm and 6pm at the Odyssey restaurant in Epcot. Reservations for this event open Tuesday, Aug. 31, at DisneyWorld.com/passholder to all current Disney World passholders. However, Weekday Select and Epcot After 4 p.m. passholders will need valid admission to Epcot. To read more about the details, check out Kristen Ford’s story on The Daily Disney. Duffy should begin making regular appearances in World Showcase’s Japan pavilion in October.

I can’t wait to sign up and be there for Duffy madness to arrive here in Florida. Hopefully he will receive as warm a welcome as he did in his Japanese home. Okaeri nasai, Duffy!

Duffy the Disney Bear
My own Duffy, getting ready to surf the internets.
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Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Special Events Tagged With: Disney News, Duffy, Duffy the Disney Bear, Epcot, Japan, passholder events, Tokyo DisneySea, World Showcase

The First and Only Broadcast on Disney Fairytale Weddings Debuts Today

11 August 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

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A new podcast devoted to covering all of Disney’s Fairytale Weddings will debut today. Inside Disney Weddings is hosted by Scott Sheppard and Carrie Hayward will be released weekly each Wednesday and is available via iTunes and is also available at their website – Inside Disney Weddings and on Facebook.

Inside Disney Weddings is the only program dedicated to weddings and honeymoons at the Disney parks and on the Disney Cruise Line. Each week, Scott Sheppard and Carrie Hayward take a look at what’s new and exciting in the world of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. Topics range from the latest news, planning information and money-saving tips to in-depth interviews and event coverage. The program also features special guests, including industry experts and real Disney brides and grooms, along with caller Q&A, giveaways and contests.

“I’m thrilled that Scott Sheppard and Carrie Hayward have teamed up to bring us the new ‘Inside Disney Weddings’ program,” said The Disney Wedding Blog founder Carly Morgan. “Scott has worked in the Disney wedding industry for years, and Carrie—a past Disney bride and the author of ‘PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons’—has become the expert on all things Disney weddings. I can’t think of a better team!”

Inside Disney WeddingsScott Sheppard is the CEO of Inside Media Networks. IMN creates targeted talk programming for creative, B2B and consumer lifestyle markets. Its talented team of broadcast and communication professionals has successfully built desirable niche audiences by leveraging online content-distribution tools, including podcasts, blogs and social networks. IMN also provides consulting services to clients wishing to transition from traditional to new media and establish or expand their own brands. With a background in terrestrial broadcasting and professional radio and television production, IMN is considered the leading technical expert in the fields of new media and podcasting today.

Print and broadcast journalist Carrie Hayward is the author of “PassPorter’s Disney Weddings & Honeymoons,” a guidebook and bridal organizer for weddings, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies and honeymoons at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line. She is also the E-Book Editor at PassPorter Travel Press, an independent publisher of best-selling Disney park guidebooks. She was married at Walt Disney World in 2008.

From the site: This week’s show offers an introduction to the four types of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line—Escape, Wishes, Couture and Cruise—and sets the stage for an in-depth look at each type of wedding in the coming weeks.

If you’re planning a wedding, honeymoon or renewal, or just love everything about weddings like me, be sure to check out this magical new podcast!

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Filed Under: Disney News Tagged With: Disney News, Fairytale weddings, Inside Disney Weddings, podcasts, Walt Disney World

Disney Dooney and Bourke Princess Handbag Designs

30 July 2010 by Suzannah Otis 10 Comments

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NOTE: If you are looking for the Disney World Princess HALF MARATHON Dooney & Bourkes – click here!

 

In an interesting turn of events, Disney has decided to release its newest design collaboration with Dooney & Bourke online first. The new Princess designs are at the Disney Store online. The new designs are a Disney Princess twist of the Pop Novelty design at DooneyandBourke.com.  Here are the currently available styles:

Disney Dooney Princess tote
Disney Dooney & Bourke Princess Tote - $220 Click to see on DisneyStore.com
Disney Dooney Princeses
Disney Dooney & Bourke Princess Domed Satchel - $220 Click to see on DisneyStore.com

[Read more…] about Disney Dooney and Bourke Princess Handbag Designs

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Filed Under: Disney Merchandise, Disney News Tagged With: Disney Dooney & Bourke, Disney Dooney and Bourke, Disney Merchandise, Disney News, Disney Special Events, Disney Store, Disneyland, Dooney and Bourke, handbags, Princess Dooney and Bourke, Walt Disney World

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