Archive for Scott

Disney Cruise Line Ships Receive Top Recognition from Cruisers

The Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice awards were announced today, and Disney ships received 29 awards, including 12 number one awards such as Best Overall, Best for Families, Best Service, Best Dining and Entertainment, Best Cabins and Public Rooms for the Disney Fantasy in the Large Ship category.

In addition, all four Disney ships were recently ranked among the top cruise ships in the world on the Condé Nast Traveler 2014 Readers’ Choice list, claiming four of the top five spots in the Best Large Cruise Ships category. The recently re-imagined Disney Magic was also awarded Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2014 Editor-in-Chief Award for Best Makeover.

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Marvel’s Netflix Series to Film in New York City

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, The Walt Disney Company, Marvel and Netflix Inc. today announced that Marvel’s landmark live-action television series, which will bring Marvel’s “flawed heroes of Hell’s Kitchen” characters to Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, will principally film in New York State.

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WALT DISNEY RECORDS TO RELEASE DJ SHUFFLE, THE FIRST-EVER DISNEY JUNIOR COMPILATION ALBUM FEATURING NEW DISNEY JUNIOR ANTHEM PERFORMED BY INTERNET SENSATION PARRY GRIPP

“DJ Shuffle,” the first-ever Disney Junior music compilation album will be released by Walt Disney Records on TUESDAY, MARCH 18. Showcasing the new Disney Junior anthem, “DJ Shuffle,” performed by meme master Parry Gripp (“Do You Like Waffles?”), the album also debuts the song “Hoppin’ Out With You,” a duet performed by Sofia and Clover from the Annie Award-winning series “Sofia the First” and other songs from favorite Disney Junior series. Featured karaoke tracks include “Blue Ribbon Bunny” from “Sofia the First,” “Jake and the Never Land Pirates (Swashbucklin’ Version)” from “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” “Time For Your Check-Up” from “Doc McStuffins” and “DJ Shuffle.”

The “DJ Shuffle” album will become available for pre-order on TUESDAY, FEBURARY 25 on iTunes and Amazon. A multi-platform event celebrating the music of Disney Junior begins TUESDAY, MARCH 11 with the debut of the “DJ Shuffle” music video on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Also beginning March 11, parents/caregivers can submit videos via the Disney Junior Facebook page of their child performing popular songs from hit Disney Junior series. The videos will be highlighted across WATCH Disney Junior and DisneyJunior.com/DJShuffle, with some chosen to air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior during a special programming event in April featuring new music-filled episodes and culminating with a family night sing-along. The “DJ Shuffle” on-air programming is sponsored by BAND-AID® Brand of Johnson & Johnson and Blip Toys Disney Princess Palace Pets.

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Disney Vacation Club Adds More Walt Disney World Resorts to Disney Collection

The Disney Collection has officially expanded, adding six Walt Disney World Resorts to Members’ menu of options.

The new additions include Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and traditional hotel rooms at five resorts in the Disney Vacation Club neighborhood – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Updated points charts are available here on DVCMember.com.

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Disney’s Frozen – Bonus Clip Original Theme and Artwork

Disney’s Frozen is the Golden Globe winner for Best Animated Film and has been nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Animated Film & Best Original Song for “Let It Go”!

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WATCH DISNEY, PIXAR, AND MARVEL MOVIES WITH DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE

disney-movies-anywhere-iphoneThe Walt Disney Studios today unveiled its exclusive cloud-based digital movie service, Disney Movies Anywhere. This all-new app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Web experience enables consumers to discover, purchase, manage, and watch movies from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel at home and on the go. iTunes is the premier digital movie provider for Disney Movies Anywhere.

The debut of Disney Movies Anywhere coincides with the digital release of Disney’s hit film “Frozen” and features Disney’s library of over 400 active digital titles. In addition, for a limited time, Disney Movies Anywhere users who activate and connect their Disney Movies Anywhere account to their iTunes account will receive a free digital copy of Disney•Pixar’s animated classic “The Incredibles.”

“Disney Movies Anywhere offers an exceptional consumer experience built around some of the most beloved and popular entertainment brands in the world,” said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. “This unique technology underscores Disney’s commitment to meeting our consumers where they are with the content they want, and we’re thrilled to debut with iTunes, the #1 digital media retailer in the world.”

As a trusted creator of premium entertainment experiences for the whole family, Disney is committed to making it easier than ever for consumers to dive in and grow their digital movie libraries. In a seamless and family-friendly experience, Disney Movies Anywhere unlocks digital content across platforms and devices, enabling access to user-owned Disney digital content and movies in the Disney Movies Anywhere ecosystem and through iTunes.

With an easy-to-use interface, consumers can explore live-action and animated films from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel; watch exclusive content and bonus features; preview upcoming offerings; and more. Users can simply connect their iTunes account to their Disney Movies Anywhere account to begin populating their Disney digital movie locker and watch movies online and on their devices. Featuring simultaneous access on multiple devices, Disney Movies Anywhere enables consumers to stream and download Disney movies on their iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Apple TV (through iCloud or using AirPlay). In addition, Disney Movies Anywhere functions as a streaming movie service when users log in to the website on their desktop or laptop computers (Mac or PC).

“Disney Movies Anywhere is an adaptable digital ecosystem designed to help consumers consolidate their Disney movie collections and enjoy them for years to come,” said Jamie Voris, Chief Technology Officer, The Walt Disney Studios. “The beauty of this technology is that it enables us to work with iTunes and future provider partners to ensure movie lovers have streamlined access to all of their favorite Disney titles no matter which device they are on. The intuitive layout of the website and app creates an easy and enjoyable browsing environment for the whole family.”

Since 2008, Disney has included codes in select DVD and Blu-ray products redeemable for digital copies of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films. Users can now redeem these codes through Disney Movies Anywhere, and Digital Copy titles previously redeemed in Disney Movie Rewards or via iTunes will automatically be active in both Disney Movies Anywhere and iTunes once a user logs into Disney Movies Anywhere and connects their iTunes account. Additionally, for the first time, consumers can now earn Disney Movie Rewards points for their digital purchases through Disney Movies Anywhere going forward.

Disney Movies Anywhere’s functionality is built upon Disney’s proprietary digital rights locker, KeyChest.

The Disney Movies Anywhere App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.appstore.com/disney. Sign up is also available through the Disney Movies Anywhere website.

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Walt Disney Records’ Frozen Soundtrack And “Let It Go” Single Both Certified Platinum

frozen-CDEleven weeks after its release, the Frozen soundtrack has certified Platinum, selling over 1,000,000 copies, and has spent four non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Industry sources are forecasting the album’s return to the top position on Wednesday. The last soundtrack to spend 5 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart was 1998’s “Titantic.” The Oscar-nominated song “Let It Go,” performed by Idina Menzel, also certified Platinum with sales over 1.2M. Menzel, who provides the voice of Elsa in the film, will perform the song at the Oscars (March 2).

The album maintains its No. 1 position on Billboard’s Soundtrack Chart, peaked at No. 1 on the iTunes Overall Chart (and in 31 countries), plus Amazon’s Overall Music Category, Pop, and Overall MP3 charts. Additionally, over 3.6M combined digital tracks have been sold to date.

In wide release since November 27, “Frozen” posted the No. 1 all-time Thanksgiving debut and the largest opening ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film. “Frozen,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 53rd feature film, has earned more than $980 million worldwide, including $384 million domestically. Named best-animated film by more than a dozen critics associations, it won a Golden Globe® for best animated film, plus five Annie Awards. The film is nominated in two categories for the Oscars: best animated feature and best original song (“Let It Go”). “Frozen” is available in Digital HD and Digital 3D today and via the newly launched Disney Movies Anywhere.

The soundtrack features eight original songs from Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Tony® Award-winning songwriter Robert Lopez plus score by the composer of last year’s Oscar®-winning short “Paperman,” Christophe Beck.

The Frozen soundtrack, the Frozen two-disc deluxe edition and the digital deluxe edition soundtrack (featuring 23 and 27 additional tracks respectively, including demos, outtakes and a “Let It Go” instrumental karaoke track) are available at physical and online retail. The Deluxe Edition Vinyl collectible is also available for pre-order at http://myplay.me/15ya.

For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, please visit Disney.com/music, become a fan at Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow us at Twitter.com/disneymusic. To purchase Disney music, visit the online store at www.disneymusicstore.com.

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Walt Disney World Ticket Offer for Parties of 6 or More

Get a FREE additional day on each ticket when you buy 6 or more 4-day or longer Magic Your Way tickets.

Purchase by June 14, 2014.

Theme park tickets are valid for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. All tickets and options are non-transferrable and non-refundable, are only valid during regularly scheduled operating hours and exclude activities/events priced separately. No additional discounts apply.

To book this ticket Contact Travel Agents, Scott and Becky Donahue, of Once Upon a Vacation to plan and book your vacation.

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Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend to Swoop into Disneyland Resort in California this Fall

runDisney is expanding its portfolio of race weekends, adding a new Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA to debut November 14-16, 2014.

 The new three-day race weekend will involve kids races, a 5K and a half marathon, plus several family-friendly events such as a Health & Fitness Expo and a pre-race Pasta in the Park Party. Registration opens March 25 at www.runDisney.com.

With Super Hero-themed entertainment and characters, the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend will be a unique runDisney experience.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this Super Hero collaboration to create this new runDisney race weekend for runners everywhere,” said Tom Wolber, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises and Downtown Disney. “Our runDisney events continue to be hugely popular and by joining forces with the Avengers brand, we expect this race will appeal to an even broader range of runners in Southern California whom we hope will see this event as the perfect opportunity to unleash their inner Super Hero in a race to a personal triumph.”

runDisney races are a natural fit because our comic book Super Heroes embody many of the same brand attributes as runDisney, such as heroism and intensity with a heavy dose of fun,” said Dan Buckley, president of TV, Publishing and Brand Management for Marvel Entertainment. “This race weekend will have a very distinct atmosphere that will appeal to comic book fans and runDisney fans.”

The Avengers event is expected to be in high demand much like other runDisney race weekends, which have sold out in record time in recent years. Overall, runDisney race weekends attracted more than 163,900 runners last year – a 40 percent increase over the previous year, making the runDisney series one of the largest in the nation.

The Avengers Half Marathon Weekend will be the eighth runDisney event and third at Disneyland Resort, joining the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend (May 7-10, 2015) and the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend (Aug. 28-31, 2014) at Disneyland Resort.

But the Avengers Half Marathon course will be a new 13.1-mile route through the Disneyland Resort and surrounding areas that will differ from the Tinker Bell and Disneyland half marathon courses. Runners who successfully brave the new Avengers Half Marathon course will receive a commemorative Avengers-themed finishers’ medal.

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Top “Take a Break” Walk Through Attractions (Part II) by Sarah Graffam

On a Disney World vacation, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in a “let’s hurry up and get to the next attraction” mindset, and that approach can be crucial if you want to experience some of the most popular attractions without long waits. However, I have found that an excellent way to enhance my enjoyment of the headliners is to take a few moments to experience a walk through attraction. By their very nature, these attractions invite you to slow down, take a break, and appreciate the details that make Disney World such a special place.

In our previous issue, I focused on walk through attractions in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This time, we turn to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom parks and my favorite attractions there that will leave you refreshed and ready for some more Disney excitement.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

To me, Hollywood Studios always feels like a busy park, second to the Magic Kingdom only because there are fewer major attractions. There is the heart-pounding thrill of the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster as well as the vibrant colors and energetic games of Toy Story Midway Mania. Like the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios does not have a lot of walk through attractions. So, where is my favorite place to find some respite after my family’s traditional multiple rides on Star Tours?

That answer is easy — Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. Talk about slowing down to appreciate the details of Disney! In addition to all sorts of Disney artifacts, photos, art, and displays about Walt’s history and family life, the gallery has models of Main Street in Disneyland, the Jungle Cruise, and Spaceship Earth. It also features a replica of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the original Audio-Animatronic Abraham Lincoln.

You can end your tour relaxing in a nice dark theater watching an inspirational film tribute to Walt. Every time I go into One Man’s Dream, I am newly energized from learning about Walt Disney the man and his parks!

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