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Toy Story

First Look at Pixar’s LIGHTYEAR!

27 October 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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Earlier this year, Disney/Pixar announced the new pseudo-prequel to the beloved Toy Story character, LIGHTYEAR. Today, we get our first look at the film in this exciting teaser!

The sci-fi action-adventure presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans.

The film – which stars Chris Evans in the titular role – is scheduled to release June 17, 2022. No word yet on whether the film will debut on Disney+ Premier Access – something that Disney’s most recent releases have not been doing.

We know we’re excited to see what this story has in store, so be sure to stick around here for more updates on the film!

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Filed Under: Disney News, Latest News, Movies & Books Tagged With: animated disney movie, Buzz Lightyear, Disney Animation, Disney movie, Disney Pixar, lightyear, lightyear movie, lightyear trailer, Pixar, Pixar animation, pixar movie, pixar news, pixar trailer, Toy Story

Pixar-Inspired Mini Golf Takes Over NYC’s Battery Park This Summer

6 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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This summer, Pixar is opening a brand new pop-up experience in Manhattan.

Pixar Putt is a new open-air mini golf pop-up, arriving in Battery Park’s Pier A on August 1. Made up of 18 interactive holes inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, Pixar Putt is set to take guests to infinity… and beyond!

The pop-up will open August 1 and run through October 31, 2021. The course will be open seven days a week. Also appearing is Pixar Putt After Dark, an evening session “for guests aged 18+”.

Following its run in New York City, Pixar Putt will continue touring nationally, currently slated to be presented in San Diego,  San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago – and Disney says more locations will be announced.

Tickets are expected to sell out fast, and tickets, as well as information like daily hours, are available here.

Stay tuned on all of our Pixar updates here.

 

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Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Parks, Resorts, & Entertainment, Latest News, Things to Do Tagged With: disney golf, disney mini golf, Disney Pixar, disney pop up, golf pop up, mini golf, Pixar, pixar golf, pixar mini golf, pixar movies, pixar pop up, pixar putt, Toy Story, Toy Story 4, Up

Disney Infinity hitting the road for Multi-City Tour!

11 July 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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disney_in_843x403px_5-M

Disney Infinity, Disney Interactive’s biggest and most ambitious video game to date, is embarking on a multi-city “Summer of

Endless Fun” tour to showcase the most anticipated game of the year. The cross country road trip, which is free to the public, kicked off on July 7 in the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif. Players will get an exclusive sneak peek at the game before it hits store shelves on Aug. 18.

 

Zigzagging across the country, fans will get the chance to play Disney Infinity – featuring the innovative Toy Box mode that truly brings every kids’ imagination to life. Who hasn’t thought about building a world where Mr. Incredible uses a Monsters University toilet paper launcher while driving around in Cinderella’s carriage with monster truck wheels? Now players can let their imaginations run free and create their own adventures.

 

The “Summer of Endless Fun” Tour will make stops in Chicago, San Diego, Boston, Detroit and Richmond, culminating with a

weekend of launch activities in New York City on Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18. Activities at each tour stop include game demos, surprise guests, photo opportunities, giveaways, contests, entertainment provided by Radio Disney and more.

 

Disney Infinity is an all-new game platform that gives players the freedom to create stories and play experiences featuring characters from The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios. Players can place real-world toy versions of beloved Disney characters onto a device called the Disney Infinity Base and transport them into the virtual game worlds of Monsters University, the Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars and The Lone Ranger, as well as into a giant Toy Box.

 

DISNEY INFINITY “SUMMER OF ENDLESS FUN” SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS

July 13-14: Taste of Chicago in Chicago, Ill.

July 18-20: Gaslamp Quarter during San Diego Comic-Con, San Diego, Calif.

July 19-21: Revere Beach National Festival in Boston, Mass.

July 26-28: Coast Guard Festival in Detroit, Mich.

August 10-11: Prince William County Fair in Richmond, Va.

August 17: Nintendo World Store in New York City, N.Y.

August 18: Times Square in New York City, N.Y.

 

For additional information about Disney Infinity, please visit www.disney.com/infinity and www.youtube.com/disneyinfinity, join the Disney Infinity Facebook community (Facebook.com/disneyinfinity) and Google+ community (https://plus.google.com/+DisneyInfinity),  and follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/disneyinfinity) and Instagram (instagram.com/disneyinfinity.

 

Disney Interactive

Disney Interactive, one of the world’s largest creators of high-quality interactive entertainment across all platforms, is the part of The

Walt Disney Company responsible for the global creation and delivery of interactive entertainment, multi-platform video games, and family-focused content across all current and emerging digital media platforms.  Disney Interactive produces and distributes a broad portfolio of content from Disney Interactive Games and Disney Interactive Media.  Products and content released and operated by Disney Interactive include blockbuster mobile, social and console games, online virtual worlds, #1 kid’s entertainment destination Disney.com and the #1 Family/Parenting portfolio on the Web.

disney_in_843x403px_3-L

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Filed Under: Official Disney, Top Stories, Video Games and Apps Tagged With: Boston, Buzz Lightyear, cars, Cars 2, chicago, detroit, Disney, disney infiinity, disney interactive, Disney video games, fun, game demo, hitting, imagination, infinity, interactive, jessie, Lone Ranger, Massachusetts, mike, Mike and Sully, Monsters University, multi-city, official Disney, Pirates, Pirates of the Caribbean, press, press release, richmond, road, san diego, Sully, summer, summer of endless fun tour, summer tour, the incredibles, The Lone Ranger, tonto, tour, toy box, Toy Story, toy story 2, Toy Story 3, video game, virginia, woody

Sneak Peek: PARTYSAURUS REX Toy Story Toon To Show Before Finding Nemo 3D

16 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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The toys are back! Disney*Pixar’s brand-new Toy Story Toon, PARTYSAURUS REX, will run in theaters before FINDING NEMO 3D starting September 14th. This adorable short is directed by Mark Walsh, produced by Kim Adam, and is the third installment of Toy Story Toons.

Check out this brand-new clip from PARTYSAURUS REX!


Partysaurus Rex

“Partysaurus Rex” features Rex (voiced by Wallace Shawn), the insecure toy T-Rex in the ‘Toy Story’ gang. Rex goes from shrinking violet to sudsy stud when Bonnie brings him into the bath! What follows can only be described as an EPIC bathtub party.

FINDING NEMO 3D & “Partysaurus Rex” Hit Theaters September 14th!

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Filed Under: Disney Movie News & Reviews, Disney News, Movies & Books, Official Disney Tagged With: animated short, Disney, Disney Pixar, Finding Nemo, Partysaurus Rex, Pixar, sneak peek, Toy Story, Toy Story Toons, wallace shawn

REVIEW: The Muppets – Together Again

21 November 2011 by Suzannah Otis 6 Comments

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Muppet Show lunchbox
First day of school, with my Muppet Show lunch box, 1978

I can’t remember which came first, my stuffed Kermit doll that rarely ever left my arms, or watching The Muppet Show each Sunday night, like clockwork. What I do know is that I fell instantly in love. Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, kids growing up didn’t think the Muppets were real, they knew they were.

It was a simpler time of rainbows and unicorns and the Muppets let kids know it was okay to dream. Way before I knew of a magical place called Walt Disney World, I knew of the magical place called The Muppet Theatre. I wanted so badly to be able to sit in the audience, or better yet, visit backstage with Scooter.

When The Muppet Movie was released back in 1979, we were able to see where the Muppets came from and they became even more endeared to us. Famed film critic Roger Ebert had this to say about the original Muppet Movie:

“They turn out, somehow, to have many of the same emotions and motivations that we do. They are vain and hopeful, selfish and generous, complicated and true. They mirror ourselves, except that they’re a little nicer.“

So very true.

For fans like me, the Muppets never really went away, but I can understand how an entire generation really doesn’t have that Muppet upbringing to draw from. When Jim Henson passed away in 1990, I actually grieved. I was about to graduate high school in the coming year and it was as if my childhood was ending in more ways than one. We were lucky to soon have the Muppets living on at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but it wasn’t quite the same as having those jokes and skits each week, or full-length feature films of our favorite furry friends (aside from the themed movies putting the Muppets into classic tales). For that reason, I am so grateful to Jason Segel for making it his mission to bring the Muppets back to the big screen. {Some spoilers may be contained below, continue reading at your own risk}

 

The Muppets cast
The cast of characters, old and new

I was lucky enough to attend a media screening of The Muppets last Saturday. I am already a fan of Jason Segel’s writing and acting, so I was excited to see where The Muppets took us. I was not disappointed. The Muppets opens with the story of Walter and Gary, brothers who grew up doing everything together. While Gary (Jason Segel) continued to grow in height, Walter stayed the same. Walter bares more resemblance to say, Scooter than he does Gary, so things got a little tough for him. When Walter and Gary discovered The Muppet Show on their television, Walter found a new reason for living. He became the Muppets biggest fan.

Similar to the original three Muppet films, The Muppets focuses more on the Muppets story than the humans.  With the usual musical and dance numbers, the Muppet and human cast acknowledge that there is an audience watching. It lets us not only get in on the joke, but be a part of it. The story then focuses on Gary’s trip to Los Angeles with his girlfriend of 10 years, Mary, (Amy Adams). Gary brings his brother along for the vacation and Walter’s dreams of taking the Muppet Studios tour is about to come true. The Studios are the first stop, and Walter is shocked to see they have fallen into disrepair and are for the most part abandoned.

Walter sneaks into Kermit’s old office where he overhears the villain of the story, oil barron Tex Richman, discussing his plans to demolish the studios and drill for oil. When the loophole of the “Standard Rich and Famous Contract” is brought to light, I couldn’t help but smile at the reference to the original Muppet Movie. Walter knows they have to find Kermit and save the Studios, no small task as the price to buy it back is 10 million dollars, and no one knows where the Muppets are today. As they travel across the globe to retrieve Muppets and put on a Muppet telethon, we see pieces of Muppet history from the movies and show, mixed with slapstick humor and puns.

The rest of the film is full of heartwarming nods to the past that older fans will recognize, and plenty of laughs for a new generation. Lines like “may I suggest we save time and pick up the rest of the Muppets in a montage?” and “we can travel by map!” let you know these are the Muppets we know and love. Some fun new moments for me included the Swedish Chef and Camilla the Chicken getting subtitles, so we finally knew what they were saying. While there are a host of guest star cameos and a subplot about Gary and Mary, the real story is about the Muppets, friendship, and how growing up doesn’t have to mean growing apart.

I won’t give away all of the movie, but I will admit to tearing up when the Muppet telethon begins with the original Muppet Show opening. It was truly magical to see it unfold live before your eyes, and to know that my children will now love and appreciate the Muppets and learn from them as I did so many years ago.

Kermit sang those famous words 32 years ago; “Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection…” while Gonzo later crooned, “I’m going to go back there someday…” Well, I think we’ve done both. Welcome back, Muppets. We’re so happy you are Together Again.

 

The 7-minute short which precedes The Muppets is a hysterical piece of work from Pixar, featuring the Toy Story gang back again, including Bonnie, beneficiary to Andy’s toys. “Small Fry” takes a look at some fast food kids meal toys, and how they just want to be played with too. Jane Lynch stars as the voice of Neptuna, a discarded mermaid warrior toy and leader of the discarded toy support group. The names and types of abandoned toys got laugh after laugh in the theatre; pure genius!  Make sure you arrive on time to the theatre so you don’t miss this one!

 

The Muppets opens nationwide on November 23.

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Filed Under: Movie Reviews, Movies & Books, Reviews Tagged With: Amy Adams, Buzz Lightyear, Disney movie reviews, Disney|Pixar, film critic roger ebert, Jane Lynch, Jason Segel, Mini Buzz, Movie Reviews, movies, Muppet Studios, Muppets, Muppets movie review, Neptuna, November 23, Pixar, Small Fry, The Muppets, The Muppets movie, Toy Story, Walt Disney Pictures

Amazingly Magical Disney Themed Birthday Party Ideas

10 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 13 Comments

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In the course of my travels across the interwebs, I came across a photo of a birthday cake themed to the Disney Pixar movie UP. I had planned to share the photo here with all of you, and then friend and blogging maven (and Moms Panelist too) OhAmanda, shared the blog post that the cake actually came from. I was in awe. She suggested I do a whole post on Disney themed parties. I thought that was a fabulous idea, and she should know, since she created her very own Rapunzel birthday party for her adorable daughter. (Actually, you’ll find below she has a knack for pretty awesome parties!) Thanks to Amanda’s help, I have a bunch of pixie-dusted ideas to share with you here. I think it puts my X-box 360 Controller Cake to shame, but with a little faith and trust…well, you know the rest!

Let’s start off with OhAmanda and her Rapunzel’s Golden Hair Birthday Party. You have to check out all of the unique touches and parts of the party that linked back to the Tangled storyline. Just precious!

{Click photos to enlarge}

Tangled birthday party
Instead of lanterns, they released balloons with lights inside. HOW COOL!

 

Tangled Rapunzel cupcakes
Remember one of the Pub Thugs wanted to bake cupcakes??

*

Ok, next up – UP! This UP themed birthday party from Wendy Updegraff completely blew me away. Get it? Balloons? Blew away? Sorry…just look at these unbelievable photos. I think this made even Martha Stewart jealous!

 

UP birthday party

UP birthday cake

UP themed birthday party

UP birthday Ellie pin

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Photographer Jessica Claire shared not one but TWO amazing Alice in Wonderland-themed birthday parties. I would live in these pictures if I could!! Be sure to head over to see the rest of Annabelle in Wonderland and Nicola’s UNbirthday.

 

Alice in Wonderland birthday party

Alice in Wonderland birthday party chairs

Alice in Wonderland birthday party cakes

 

Alice in Wonderland balloon arch

Alice in Wonderland birthday party decor

Mad Hatter party hat

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While we’re looking at Alice in Wonderland themed ideas – check out OhAmanda‘s Ace Party (as in Ace of Spades!) for her little guy:

Alice Ace of Spades party

Alice Ace of Spades party food

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Here’s another of OhAmanda‘s masterpieces – her Snow White birthday party – complete with Seven Dwarfs mine and Wicked Queen’s punch!

Snow White birthday party

Snow White Wicked Queen punch

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Be sure to check out OhAmanda.com‘s Pirate themed birthday party and Muppet Puppet Party too! I need her to plan my next birthday I think.

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If traditional Disney is your thing, I’ve got two Minnie Mouse themed birthday parties to share with you. One from At Second Street blog and the other from Two Parts Sugar as shared on DisneyEveryDay.com. Seems like Disney parties are on everyone’s mind this month! Check out these adorable ideas:

Minnie Mouse Party Invites

Minnie Mouse Birthday Party

Minnie Mouse party pinata

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Minnie Mouse birthday party sweets

Minnie Mouse birthday cake

Minnie Mouse birthday party chocolate apples

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Hey Howdy Hey, here’s another great party! Check out this Toy Story Jessie-themed party from Beth Kruse!

Toy Story Jessie party invitations

Toy Story birthday party

Toy Story Woody Jessie Bullseye Cake

I hope you enjoyed these party-inspiring photos and blogs! All photos are copyright their original owner and just shared here to spread the magic. For even more fun (and easy to create) birthday party ideas, check out FamilyFun.com. If you have a Disney themed party that you went all out for, let me know!

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Filed Under: Disney Planning, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Ace of Spades party, Alice in Wonderland birthday, Alice in Wonderland party, amazing birthday cakes, amazing birthday parties, Bullseye cake, Disney birthday, Disney birthday cakes, Disney birthday parties, Disney movies, Disney Pixar, Disney themed party, Disney•Pixar, Jessie birthday party, Jessie the Cowgirl, kids birthday party, kids party ideas, Mad Hatter, Minnie Mouse birthday party, Muppet birthday party, Pirate birthday party, Playing cards party, Rapunzel birthday party, Seven Dwarfs, Snow White birthday party, Snow White party, Tangled birthday party, Toy Story, Toy Story birthday, Toy Story cake, Toy Story party, UP party, UP themed birthday cake, Wicked Queen

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