Clips From the INTO THE WOODS Musical Tribute to Stephen Sondheim

An all-star line-up of Broadway performers united to honor legendary composer, Stephen Sondheim. The evening celebrated the journey of Woods and Sondheim from stage to screen. Film talent in attendance included actors Billy Magnussen, Lilla Crawford and MacKenzie Mauzy. Performances included music from Into the Woods as well as other Sondheim classics sung by feature film and Broadway talent including but not limited to Lilla Crawford, Tituss Burgess, Lance Horne, Norm Lewis, Michael McElroy & Broadway Inspirational Voices, Abby Mueller, Andrew Nielson, Kristin Olness, Molly Pope, Christopher Sieber, Brian Sills, Catherine Walker, Trevor Vaughn, Michael-Leon Wooley, Karen Ziemba, Chip Zien and more.

The event took place at 42West in New York City on Sunday, March 22, 2015. show was presented by Jacob Langerfeld and music was directed by Michael J. Moritz Jr.

INTO THE WOODS is now available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere!

Sizzle Reel

Abby Mueller sings “Children Will Listen”

Catherine Walker sings “Steps of the Palace”

Chip Zien sings “No More”

LIlla Crawford sings “I Know Things Now”

MacKenzie Mauzy and Trevor Vaughn sings “No One Is Alone”

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Cinderella for the New Millennium by Morgan Turner

If you don’t know me I’m a HUGE princess movie fan! I LOVE LOVE LOVE all things princess. So needless to say I’ve been counting down the days for the new Cinderella movie coming out since it was announced last year. Well today I finally got to see it and it was PERFECT! I absolutely loved the film! Perhaps the experience was a little more special because my dad happened to be in town and we went to see it together- but we both really enjoyed the film and the movie viewing experience!

We decided to go to the Fork and Screen showing at the AMC theater in Downtown Disney! If you’ve never done it you should definitely give it a try its such fun! You book your seats (you have an assigned row and seats), and you are able to order from the menu before the film starts and your meal is brought to you right before the actual movie begins. You also are able to call your server when you need to so they don’t bother you at crucial parts of the film. The menu options are pretty expansive, ranging from pasta dishes, burgers and fries, and they have kid standards like chicken fingers and grilled cheese. We got a BLT flat bread and the blackened chicken alfredo. Our meal was delicious and while it was a hint pricey it made for a nice experience.

Now on to the important things…THE MOVIE! But before I dive into Cinderella I can’t skip out talking about the anticipated Frozen Fever short before the film started. First let me preface this by saying I really enjoyed Frozen, but I feel it has oversaturated everything- so at present moment I’m not a huge fan of Frozen. So please know when I say this its true- IT IS ADORABLE!! I won’t give any spoilers, but it is just the cutest little film. I loved the tiny snow men that show up and Olaf, Kristoff and Sven were funny as ever. Even Hans made a memorable appearance and Elsa and Anna were sweet as always. If the short was putting you off seeing Cinderella, don’t let it. It’s just the right amount of Frozen and the new story is really cute and rather refreshing.

Finally to Cinderella! So if you’ve seen the cartoon or basically any film adaptation of Cinderella you already know the story of the film and what happens. This new adaptation doesn’t deviate from the story very much. It does however shed a little more light on Cinderella’s background and how she became the sweet and loving young woman we are all so familiar with. The introduction of Lady Tremaine and her two daughters is hilarious and memorable, and I have to say Cate Blanchett was AMAZING as the villainess in this film. In fact while watching I kept thinking if they ever do a re-remake of 101 Dalmations she would be amazing as Cruella. She’s got evil villain down to a tee! When we finally meet Prince Charming, aside from swooning, he was funny to watch and it was nice to get to see his personality more so than in other films.

I don’t want to give too many spoilers to this version because of course its not the same film we’ve seen before, but I will say this version of the story is beautifully told. The film itself it just breathtaking to watch. The colors are just so beautiful! I’ve never seen a prettier shade of blue than the one in her dress. And the locations are to die for! I’d LOVE to live in Cinderella’s house, even if it is in the attic. The palace looks like it should be in the Magic Kingdom and I think even “Wishes” made an appearance. It was just a dream to watch and along with a beautiful score I was a very happy camper walking out of the film.

Leaving this film you can’t help be leave it feeling magical and warm and fuzzy and happy at the end. So I would strongly recommend you go see it. It’s an old story with a new twist. And as always remember Have Courage, and Be Kind <3

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Disney’s ‘Into the Woods’ Concept Art Slideshow

To celebrate the release of Into the Woods on Blu-ray, Digital HD and Disney Movie Anywhere, we wanted to share this great slideshow of concept art from costume designer Colleen Atwood.

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Disney’s ‘Into the Woods’ Witch Clip, a Meryl Streep Q&A and Stills

To celebrate the release of Into the Woods on Blu-ray and Digital HD, we wanted to share a clip, a Q&A from star Meryl Streep, as well as some film stills of Meryl as The Witch.

Meryl as the Witch

Q & A  with Meryl Streep:

From the director of “Chicago” and the producer of “Wicked” comes a modern twist on the beloved fairy tales you thought you knew. Academy Award®-Winning actress Meryl Streep (Best Actress, The Iron Lady), leads an all-star cast in this enchanted adventure about daring to venture Into The Woods.

Iconic characters, such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel, find their fates intertwined with a humble baker and his wife, whose longing to have a child sends them on a quest to reverse a witch’s (Streep) curse. With an all-star cast, this spellbinding adventure is everything you could ever wish for!

With the Digital, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA), Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand release of the spellbinding adventure about to be released, Disney talked to actress Meryl Streep to learn about her enchanting journey Into The Woods…

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Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival in Full Bloom by Kim Lawton

The 2015 Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom at EPCOT. It runs from March 4 until May 17 this year. It is one of my favorite times to visit EPCOT, second only to Christmas with all the holiday décor. And it is a very close second! I love all the flowers, topiaries, butterflies and concerts. The addition of the outdoor kitchens only added to the festival atmosphere. The miniature train in Germany is all decked out for the festival as well!

This year there are 21 plus topiaries depicting everything from the Fab Five thru our new Frozen friends. The butterfly house has returned as well as two kid friendly play areas. There are 12 outdoor kitchens this year, the newest is Botanas Botanico offering dishes with a South American flavor. Each fresh kitchen has food and beverage offering with some of the beverages being ‘adult’ in variety and some of the food being vegetarian.

Return guests will notice some things they have seen before, for example Lady and the Tramp are back in the Italian pavilion and Beauty and the Beast and friends are back in the France Pavilion. But there are some changes as well. Sleeping Beauty and her Prince are sitting this festival out as is the Troll topiary in the Norway Pavilion. The concert series has taken on a new name, Garden Rocks concert series. The groups playing each weekend are not the same as the Flower Power set but will have their own following I’m sure. While I will miss the Flower Power groups like Mickey Dolenz or Paul Revere and the Raiders, I understand this change could be for any number of reasons and look forward to hearing groups like ELO and of course The Guess Who.

HGTV is not a sponsor of the event this year. But there are many Festival participants listed in the guide. And many trail gardens with information for planning your own gardens scattered throughout the Park. Another change I noticed is that the festival center in Future World East (located in the old building formally known as Wonders of Life) is only open on weekends. I also noticed that the butterfly garden, renamed Butterflies to Go, doesn’t have fairy houses or the glass sculptures that were on exhibit in the past. There is a prominent exhibit about Monarch Butterflies that is quite interesting and some other hands on spinning type displays with more butterfly information.

The biggest and most exciting change for me this year is that I get to experience the festival throughout its entire run! In the past I have visited at the beginning or near the end but this year being a Florida resident has its perks! I will get to see how things grow and develop. Watch all the concerts if we like. And try all the fresh food offerings, finding my favorites to retry! Look for more pictures and updates during the next few months. And be sure to visit Epcotinspring.com for information about hours, demonstrations and other pertinent information so you can enjoy this year’s Flower and Garden Festival.

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D23 ANNOUNCES EVENTS FOR DISNEY FANS IN ORLANDO

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announced additional special member events in the Orlando area, adding even more exclusive experiences for fans in Central Florida. On the heels of a D23 Member-exclusive screening of Walt Disney Studios’ live-action Cinderella, the fan club is slated to bring more magic to the Walt Disney World Resort area throughout the rest of the year, including—for the first time—intimate events celebrating classic Disney films similar to what members enjoy at The Walt Disney Studios lot with guest speakers, screenings, and other surprises.

WAKING UP WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY: On the morning of Saturday, April 18, D23 Gold and Silver Members will be able to enjoy this animated classic on the big screen. Special guest, animator and Walt Disney World Creative Designer Lon Smart, will explore the film’s numerous landmark achievements including its unique artistic style and groundbreaking visual effects. Plus, all members will receive a special journal designed to look like the ornate storybook at the beginning of the film.

MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE ORLANDO SHOPPING EVENTS: The Walt Disney Imagineering store is opening up a pop-up shop for D23 Gold and Silver Members. On Saturday, June 6, guests will be able to peruse and purchase signature items from the store’s unique collection. And on Saturday, November 14, members will be able to pick up some key holiday gift items for the Disney fans in their lives—and for themselves.

LET’S GET TOGETHER WITH THE PARENT TRAP: Celebrate this beloved film—starring Hayley Mills in dual roles—with D23 as we present the 1961 hit on the big screen Saturday, June 6. D23’s Steven Vagnini will present a look at the making of the movie with rarely seen photographs and imagery. All attendees will receive a special gift. Plus, guests who attend the screening will receive priority admission on that day to D23’s shopping event with Mickey’s of Glendale.

SIP AND STROLL: D23 brings a new twist to a fan favorite, as members gather in celebration of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival on Saturday, October 3. Attendees will enjoy a continental breakfast, guest speakers, and an insider look at this annual event, now in its 20th year, before sipping and strolling around World Showcase—with some delectable surprises.

Calendar (all events and dates are subject to change):
April 18: Waking Up with Sleeping Beauty—AMC Downtown Disney 24, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
June 6: Let’s Get Together With The Parent Trap—AMC Downtown Disney 24, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
June 6: Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event—Location TBA, Walt Disney World Resort
October 3: Sip and Stroll—Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Fla.
November 14: Mickey’s of Glendale Orlando Shopping Event—Location TBA, Walt Disney World Resort

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99) and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

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9 Disney Villains Who Were Way Better Than The Good Guys

When it comes to the villains of the Disney canon, these nine have certain things in common. They’re greedy. They’re vain. They’re malicious, if not outright demonic.

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Time-Lapse Video of Disneyland Park Construction

As Disney prepares to celebrate 60 years of memories and magic during the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, they’ve been looking back at key moments in their history.  Check out this one minute video of Disneyland Park’s construction.

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Disney’s Create Tomorrowland – XPRIZE Challenge – Share Your Vision Of The Future

Inspired by the upcoming Disney movie “Tomorrowland,” The Walt Disney Studios, Disney Citizenship, and XPRIZE announce a nationwide challenge for young innovators.

Beginning April 22, 2015, Disney’s Create Tomorrowland – XPRIZE Challenge invites kids to imagine themselves in the future and report back to the present through video, imagery or stories about one new and amazing invention or innovation they encounter, how it works, and the impact it has on the future.

In June, six winners will have a once–in-a-lifetime mentorship experience with a leader in their area of interest. In addition, each winner will receive a $3,000 check, a 3D Printer from 3D Systems, and registration for FIRST® LEGO® League for the competition season 2015-2016 in the U.S.

“‘Tomorrowland’ has always been a place of possibility in our parks and for the creative team behind our new film,” said Sean Bailey, President, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. “The future will be steered by the imaginations of our young people, and Disney is thrilled to work with XPRIZE to encourage and inspire the next generation of thinkers and dreamers to build the future they imagine is possible.”

“We are excited to launch the Create Tomorrowland XPRIZE Challenge, which gives young people a platform to voice and depict their creative, bold and imaginative problem-solving inventions of the future,” said Trish Halamandaris, Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications at XPRIZE. “At XPRIZE we believe that solutions to the problems facing humanity can come from anyone, anywhere and one of these young innovators just might come up with an idea that can truly turn Tomorrowland into reality.”

Participants will compete in two divisions: Junior Division (8-12 years old), and Senior Division (13–17 years old). All entrants must have prior consent from their parent or legal guardian in order to participate in the challenge. Official Rules and details about the Challenge are available at http://XPRIZEchallenge.org/CreateTomorrowland. Official registration and submission period starts April 22, 2015, and runs through May 17, 2015.

Submissions will be judged on innovation, creativity and presentation. XPRIZE will provide a panel of judges who will evaluate and score all submissions, and six (6) winners will be chosen.  Supporting XPRIZE Partners include FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), 3D Systems and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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Zendaya Confirmed to Host 2015 Radio Disney Music Awards

The 2015 Radio Disney Music Awards are all about Zendaya. The singer and K.C. Undercover star has been tapped to host the show. Oh yeah — she’s also nominated.

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