Saving Mr. Banks arrives on Blu-ray™ + Digital Copy, DVD, Digital HD, and On-Demand March 18th! The release includes deleted scenes, delightful never-before-seen bonus features, including director John Lee Hancock’s tour of Disney Studios today and reflects on studio life during the creation of Mary Poppins, and more.
Take a look at the ‘tangled’ themed area at Magic Kingdom. This area featured restrooms and an area to power up your electronic devices.
Click on the title for photos.
Idina Menzel (Elsa), Kristen Bell (Anna), Josh Gad (Olaf) and Santino Fontana (Hans) sing our favorite songs from Frozen in a night filled with fun, laughter and inspired performances.
Click on the title to watch the video highlights.
Never before has a theme park created a guest experience like this: you climb aboard the Hogwarts Express in Hogsmeade and moments later arrive at King’s Cross Station – where the wonders of London and Diagon Alley unfold before you. And it is all real.
With this summer’s opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment will bring even more of Harry Potter’s adventures to life inside a new, magnificently themed area that includes a revolutionary attraction experience, as well as all-new themed shops and dining.
The two companies today revealed first-ever details about the new area and the one-of-a-kind adventures it will offer the whole family. The spectacularly themed environment will double the size of the sweeping area already dedicated to Harry Potter’s adventures at Universal Orlando, expanding it across both Universal theme parks.
And – just like in the books and films – guests will be able to travel between the two areas aboard the iconic Hogwarts Express.
Universal Orlando launched a global phenomenon when it opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade at its Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010. That area includes the iconic Hogwarts castle – which houses the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction – and the village of Hogsmeade. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be located within Universal Orlando’s second theme park, Universal Studios, and will create new experiences based on the signature areas of London, Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley.
Universal’s creative team has been working closely with Stuart Craig and the production team from the Harry Potter films to make the new area as authentic and spectacular as possible – just as it did with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.
The vision for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is unprecedented, with Universal Orlando creating the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience.
After arriving at King’s Cross Station aboard the Hogwarts Express, guests will pass through London and the iconic brick wall archway from the films into Diagon Alley – a bustling, wizarding hub within a Muggle city. There will be shops, dining experiences, and a new ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that will take theme park attractions to a new level.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will give visitors the exciting opportunity to:
· Board the Hogwarts Express and journey between London’s King’s Cross Station (located in Universal Studios Florida) and Hogsmeade Station (located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure). The journey will be filled with views of London and the British countryside – as well as a few surprises. Park-to-park admission is required.
· Experience a groundbreaking new, multi-dimensional thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which will place riders in the middle of an incredible adventure as they navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults
· Witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard at Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops
· Discover the darker side of magic in Knockturn Alley, the darkest of dark places that features Borgin and Burkes – a shop specializing in the Dark Arts that will offer a wide variety of Dark objects, such as Death Eater masks, skulls, and other sinister items
· Explore some of Diagon Alley’s famous shops, including:
o Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a vibrant shop featuring novelty items, magical jokes, and toys inspired by the books and films that will amaze the mischievous child in everyone
o Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, where guests will find a variety of wizardwear from Hogwarts school uniform ties, scarves and jumpers, to authentic wizard’s robes and character costumes
o Magical Menagerie, which features a collection of plush animals, such as owls and Hippogriffs
o Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, where guests can grab wizarding essentials such as telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses
o Quality Quidditch Supplies, offering a wide assortment of apparel and equipment including Quidditch sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more
o Scribbulus, featuring authentic writing implements and products such as feather quills, ink and inkwells, bookmarks, journals, parchment paper, seals, stationery sets and postcards
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· Enjoy traditional British fare that includes favorite dishes such as fish and chips, bangers and mash and more at the Leaky Cauldron
· Visit Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour for frozen treats in a variety of tantalizing and unique flavors such as strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice-cream and many others
· And more!
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More details about the unique experiences that can be found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be released over time. For more information about the area, visit www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter.
Whether they’re headed to a Disney Park or staying close to home, members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can save
hundreds of dollars on shopping, entertainment, and their next Disney adventure when they present a D23 Membership Card or use special member-only online codes.
To kick off the New Year, D23 is proud to offer savings with partners from around The Walt Disney Company, including:\
• 10% off all purchases of more than $50 made at Disney Store locations or on DisneyStore.com through March 31
• D23 Members-only ticket prices for Newsies on Broadway
• Savings on tickets to see The Wind Rises and Lady and the Tramp at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood
• Special rates on all Disney magazines
• A member-exclusive discount on tickets to experience D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
Also included in the more than three dozen special offers for D23 Members are terrific savings on hotels, restaurants, and stores in and around Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, including:
• Discounted rates at Howard Johnson Anaheim, Carousel Inn & Suites, and the Anabella Hotel located near Disneyland Resort; as well as at Buena Vista
Palace Hotel and Spa, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, and B Resort located near Walt Disney World Resort
• 10% savings on activities at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre and on merchandise at CURL® by Sammy Duvall at Walt Disney World Resort
• Savings on sweet purchases made at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, either online or in its two Disney Park shops, as well as at the El Capitan Theatre
• 10% off purchases at all RIDEMAKERZ® and Apricot Lane locations
• Dining discounts in and around Disneyland Resort including House of Blues Anaheim, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Catal, Uva Bar, Naples, Tortilla Joe’s, Earl of Sandwich, ESPN Zone, The Pizza Press, and Tangerine Grill
In addition, D23 Members can take advantage of a host of ongoing offers online and around the country developed exclusively for them, including:
• Terrific attractions around the country, including The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, Mo., the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, N.C., Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif., Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, Calif., and Madame Tussauds Hollywood
• 10% off SuperShuttle bookings, ideal when headed to the airport for your next Disney destination
• Online shopping discounts at H20+, Brookstone.com, the ABC TV Store, Jelly Belly, ACME Archives, Van Eaton Galleries, Sprint, and more
Complete details on all D23 Member discounts and offers, as well as a full list of all the
latest special deals, can be found online at http://D23.com/Discounts.
In Star Wars Rebels, fans will see the rise of the Rebellion through Ezra: a 14-year-old con artist who learns to fight for a greater good. The seemingly-reluctant hero is revealed here in a video filled with character concept art, early animation, and creator interviews. (http://youtu.be/lw-YfJetY18)
Growing up on his own in the age of the Empire, Ezra has had to rely on his wit and cunning to get by. As voice actor Taylor Gray explains, “He’s very street-smart, he’s a pickpocket, he’s a little thief. But he’s doing it all because he needs to survive.”
Executive producer Dave Filoni adds that Ezra is not a bad kid. Although he may enjoy stealing from the Empire, his behavior has been influenced by the world around him – a world that is under Imperial control.
But his hard life has also made his world smaller. “He doesn’t really trust anyone,” says Rayne Roberts, creative executive of Star Wars Rebels. “That’s kind of his motto in life. He has that hard edge at times.” When audiences first meet Ezra, he is not yet a Rebel and is not yet interested in restoring freedom to the galaxy – but that will soon change when Ezra is introduced to his new surrogate family: the crew of the Ghost.
Greg Weisman, executive producer, says, “His eyes get opened to the fact that there are people who care, who are trying to fight the good fight. And he becomes one of them.” Still, there is more to Ezra than even he knows.
Ezra is Force-sensitive, Filoni reveals, though he is unaware that he is tapping into this mystical energy field. Ezra knows he has some strange abilities, but they’re “instinctive and reactionary.” It is only through his relationship with Kanan, a Jedi Survivor and crew member of the Ghost, that Ezra will learn the true nature of his power. Together, they will forge new paths and destinies – and a rebellion will rise.
Star Wars Rebels is scheduled to premiere in fall 2014 as a one-hour special telecast on Disney Channel and will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.
Tune into “Kickin’ It” and “Lab Rats” on Disney XD at 6:00pm and 6:30pm ET/PT on Monday, February 17th to catch two all-new :30 teasers for Star Wars Rebels!!!
Disney Channel and Disney XD stars team up with kid contestants to compete and win prizes in a battle of drawing skills, creativity and wits, in Disney Channel’s new game show “Disney’s Win, Lose or Draw.” Hosted by master illusionist and entertainer Justin Willman (“Cupcake Wars”), the contemporary version of the popular game ditches the drawing pad to deliver a high-energy game featuring motion control illustration, interactive multi-touch screen displays and fun challenges. “Disney’s Win, Lose or Draw” will air Monday through Thursday, beginning Monday, March 3 (5:00 p.m. ET/PT), on Disney Channel.
Heigh, Ho, Heigh, Ho – into another magical year we go for Walt Disney World Resort guests in 2014.
New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom adds its crowning centerpiece in spring 2014 with the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, completing the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. Also this spring, New Fantasyland inspires an all-new parade set to roll down Main Street, U.S.A.
Meantime, 2014 sees the official rollout of MyMagic+ taking the Disney guest experience to an exciting new level. Downtown Disney continues its magical, multi-year re-imagining to Disney Springs. New for 2014 will be an exotic — and aromatic — addition to the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. And to make smiles even wider, the call will go out to all Disney guests to “Show Your Disney Side.”
These highlights and more add up to a merry menu of magic for guests in 2014:
1. Nothing sleepy about it! The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will crown New Fantasyland with family coaster fun.
2. Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will bring the magical stories of New Fantasyland to Main Street U.S.A.
3. Fit2Run, the Marketplace Co-Op, new Starbucks and more kick off the multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs.
4. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts opens a luxury resort hotel within the Golden Oak community.
5. The Orlando City Soccer Club makes ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex its home for 2014 regular season games.
6. New races welcome runDisney enthusiasts and first-time runners alike.
7. New 2014 itineraries for Disney Cruise Line will include an expanded collection of European sailings.
Here’s a closer look around:
The lovable world of Sleepy, Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, Sneezy, Happy and Dopey comes to life in spring 2014 when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train takes New Fantasyland guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” Inspired by the 1937 Disney animated film classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the fun starts as guests cross a stone bridge and walk through a beautiful forest with the Dwarfs’ cottage in the distance, leading to the entrance to the attraction — and immersion into the endearing story of the radiant and kindhearted Snow White and her forest friends led by the lovable Dwarfs.
After passing through an interactive pre-show area with fun activities themed to mining, guests will proceed to the mine train. Just like the iconic movie, surprises are in store! The family-style coaster will feature first-of-its-kind ride vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots that allow the vehicles to swing back and forth during the ride. Adding to the fun, the journey will be accompanied by beloved music from the film classic and there’s a cast of animated figures of Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and playful forest critters.
New Fantasyland also inspires a new daytime parade, the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, scheduled to march into Magic Kingdom in spring 2014. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will bring the magical stories of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A. through fantastic and innovative parade floats, vibrant costumes and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song. There will be no shortage of fantasy, either, according to the float-makers. Ariel and friends will grace a larger-than-life music box showcasing a colorful musical party “Under the Sea” while Scottish dancers and a float shaped like an enormous bagpipe announce the arrival of Merida. Other floats celebrate Disney Princesses; Peter Pan and Wendy soar above a pirate galleon; Rapunzel and Flynn Rider appear on a longship in search of another “Best Day. Ever.”
While Downtown Disney in 2014 continues its multi-year transformation into Disney Springs, there are exciting changes guests can experience now. Newly opened in Downtown Disney West Side: Fit2Run serves both recreational runners and athletes. In 2014, Starbucks will add two locations: a storefront at Downtown Disney West Side and a kiosk near World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Also in 2014: new retail–from women’s accessories to electronics, sportswear to girl’s fashions, home design accents to salon products–will open as the Marketplace Co Op (replacing Team Disney). And there’s plenty of valet and self-parking as the Disney Springs expansion continues. Disney Springs will be a unique and vibrant shopping/dining/entertainment destination to be set amid beautiful open-air promenades, meandering springs and waterfront charm. Anchored by a signature water tower and grand entry, Disney Springs will boast four interconnected outdoor neighborhoods and be home to everything from shopping boutiques to flagship stores to great new restaurants and entertainment venues. With a planned completion in 2016, Disney Springs expects to double the number of venues, to more than 150.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts plans a 2014 opening for a luxury resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort will feature several dining venues including a rooftop restaurant with views to the Magic Kingdom, a 14,000 square foot spa, fitness center, three pools and a “lazy river” sports and recreational area, as well as meeting and event space, and a business center. This first Four Seasons in Central Florida is located within the Golden Oak residential community, created and master-planned by Disney.
As anticipation for the 2014 World Cup builds around the world, soccer fans vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort will be treated to more professional soccer options at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2014. In addition to the Disney Pro Soccer Classic and the Disney Soccer Academy, which both feature pro soccer players, the Orlando City Soccer Club will play its 2014 regular-season home games at Disney in the spring. The team will play its 14-game home schedule inside a soon-to-be expanded soccer venue at the sports complex, providing fans with a more intimate viewing experience than ever before. The Orlando City Soccer Club recently became an official MLS soccer franchise.
runDisney is expanding two of its most popular race weekends in 2014. There will be a 10K race added to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna and the Princess Half Marathon Weekend. The new 10K races mean there will also be new “challenges” – the Dopey Challenge during Marathon Weekend (running the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon) and the Glass Slipper Challenge during Princess Weekend (5K, 10K and half marathon). Both of these new “challenges” come with a special new medal awarded to anyone who completes the challenge.
In 2014, Disney Cruise Line will offer new itineraries, including an expanded collection of European cruises highlighting the Greek Isles. Plus, DCL will depart for the first time from homeports in Venice, Italy and San Juan, Puerto Rico. From May to August, the re-imagined Disney Magic returns to the Mediterranean, offering a rich array of itineraries, cruise lengths and ports of call. New for the season, the Magic will homeport in Venice and will call on the Greek Isles and Sicily for the very first time. In fall 2014, Disney Magic will sail out of San Juan for four Southern Caribbean cruises. Disney’s first cruise ship now boasts all-new experiences and re-imagined spaces including AquaDunk, a body slide dropping three decks, and Marvel’s Avengers Academy transporting kids 3-12 into magical worlds of brave superheroes. In summer 2014, the Disney Wonder will sail seven-night cruises from Vancouver to Alaska; a special nine-nighter calls at Sitka, Alaska – a first for DCL. Joined by Disney Magic in January, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. to the Bahamas including a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Disney Parks is encouraging guests to let their inner selves come out to play during “Show Your Disney Side” in 2014. Disney Side is the exact flip of the everyday, work-centric lives we lead – the more fun-loving, adventurous side that washes over anyone who sets foot inside a Disney Park. In Disney advertising and marketing, Disney Parks will make the call for all guests to “let out the fun” and show their Disney side in 2014. The program got off to a magical start in the fall of 2013 when all-stars in the social media realm showed their Disney side to the delight of millions of followers.
Epcot guests are being treated to an exciting addition to the Morocco pavilion. Inspired by the whitewashed, outdoor cafes found along the Mediterranean, Spice Road Table offers a variety of Moroccan small plates and specialty drinks – along with scenic views of World Showcase Lagoon in front of the Morocco pavilion. A collection of shops arranged “souk” style stretches along the front of the building. There is even a henna tattoo artist on hand to create temporary body art from traditional and modern designs. The space is finished in cozy booths, Moroccan light fixtures, tapestries and art representing Morocco’s indigenous Beber tribes.
There is so much more to round out the fun in 2014 for Walt Disney World Resort guests including returning favorites runDisney events led by the Walt Disney World Marathon, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Atlanta Braves Spring Training, Star Wars Weekends, Car Masters Weekend, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and much more. Another guest favorite, the hugely popular Festival of the Lion King show, relocates by mid-summer to an all-new theater in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
There are a bevy of articles written on the subject of the Disney Dining Plan. Should you buy it if it’s not included during a promotion? Is it worth the money? If I get the dining plan free can I still get a discounted rate on rooms with my annual pass? If I have an annual pass do I still qualify for the dining plan?
The list of questions can get quite lengthy, especially if you are not familiar with the plan, the property or the protocol. And those articles do a good job answering those questions. But why is there a DDP?
Let’s back up a moment to pre dining plan days. There was a time when the restaurants on Disney property offered very unique culinary offerings and dining experiences. To the average guest, this may still seem very much the case but I assure you it is not.
Price points and menu offerings were widely varied in the days before the DDP. There were certain restaurants that really stood above the rest as far as menu and the quality of the items they presented. Often these venues were higher priced and often difficult to get “reservations” for. (Disney does not accept reservations for their restaurants, they arrange for “preferred seating times”.) And for the most part, guests did not mind paying a little more to splurge on one or two meals during their stay to celebrate an occasion or have an opportunity to “do it up” for a night.
Enter the DDP. With the introduction of this new dining plan, Disney essentially leveled the playing field for most of their eateries across the property, with a few exceptions, of course. If you read menus from one location to another, they are pretty much the same when it comes to entrees. Aside from variations on the preparation, you will notice a strip steak, chicken, pasta, vegan and fish entrée. Accompanied by some venue related sides and there you have it. Pricing is relatively the same, too. But why? You have to remember that Disney is an entertainment company, not a food service company. Although they have some remarkable culinary offerings and some extremely talented chefs, their main goal is guest traffic and attractions management.
By going to the DDP format, Disney can procure standard menu items for all of its dining services in great quantities and fulfill each restaurants grocery needs from a central commissary rather than placing individual orders per unit. Think of it as shopping at a discount club. (Some restaurants are different as they are not owned or operated by Disney) With the menu ingredients remaining equal in quality and price, this also spreads interest out among guests that once would clamor for one particular restaurant. Such is the case of one very popular location in the World Showcase. Once the DDP was introduced and La Cellier was on par with all other restaurants, attendance waned-until it became a double meal entitlement. It now has the mystique of being exclusive again and guess what? Good luck getting a walk up “reservation”.
I loved the dining plan in its early days. It gave me an opportunity to dine at just about every restaurant on property. Now, however, I have my favorites that I visit on my own, but can’t possibly eat as much as the dining plan would allow each day. It all comes down to what is best for you, your budget and family’s interests. Do your research, count the numbers and by all means, Bon Appetit!
Bumkins Finer Baby Products today announces the Disney Baby collection from Bumkins. The Bumkins brand is introducing 15 Disney Baby prints to its popular line of waterproof bibs and bags.
The Disney Baby collection from Bumkins pairs the high quality products and on-trend designs that Bumkins is known for with modern prints of classic Disney characters to create a magical collection that the whole family will appreciate. The collection of bibs and bags are made from Bumkins’ signature waterproof fabric known for its durability, performance, and high safety standards – lead free, PVC free, BPA free, Phthalates free, Vinyl free and food safe.
“The Disney Baby brand is about making everyday moments magical,” says Jakki Liberman, President and Founder of Bumkins Finer Baby Products. “We are excited to bring these iconic Disney characters and prints to our quality products for families to experience everyday, whether enjoying a meal together or packing a bag for an outing. The new Disney Baby collection from Bumkins will help make these everyday experiences fun and interactive moments between parent and child.”
The Disney Baby product line includes some of Bumkins’ most popular products including:
The new line of Disney Baby products from Bumkins is available immediately from Bumkins.com as well as Zoolikins.com and Amazon.
