A big “shout out” to Wizard World Comic Con for hosting the amazing Fan Fest Chicago this past weekend. We had a blast checking out the Cosplay, buying some merchandise, and trying to catch a glimpse of some celebrities (Norman Reedus!). The venue is perfect for bringing together fans from all walks of life. Whether you came dressed like StarLord or an Avenger, you were guaranteed to have a good time. When we entered the venue, we were greeted and directed to the correct line. People seemed genuinely glad we were there to enjoy the day. It is so much fun people watching at a Wizard World Comic Con. I knew it was going to be a great day when I saw a young boy putting his Baby Groot costume on-including the pot! My daughter went the anime route and dressed as a character from Black Butler. She has been waiting months to wear her Ceil dress. We were only there a few minutes before people were asking to take her picture. For a girl who usually is too shy for photos, she was beaming as perfect strangers were coming up to her to compliment her on the dress. That is the true magic of Wizard World Comic Con. Fan Fest Chicago was wonderful for Con veterans and newbies alike. My husband and I walked out with Star Wars and Disney merchandise while our teenager stocked up on prints from Black Butler, Attack on Titan, and Ouran High School Host Club. She is already designing her college dorm room decor based on her purchases. I was even able to speak with someone from an art college on behalf of one of my middle school students. This 5th grade student may just be the next Stan Lee! Wizard World Comic Con Fan Fest Chicago is an event that I hope returns year after year. It was a nice size, had plenty of things to do, and made me even more excited for future Wizard World Comic Cons. Go ahead and check out www.wizardworld.com, find a location near you, and have a great time. You won’t be disappointed.
Photos – Wizard World Comic Con Fan Fest Chicago
Take a look at some photos from Wizard World Comic Con Fan Fest Chicago this past weekend.
New Parade and Fireworks Viewing Area Now Open at Magic Kingdom Park
When guests visit Walt Disney World® Resort they can now enjoy new sections of the Central Plaza area between Main Street U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom® Park.
The completion of these new sections marks the first milestone in a multi-phase project that includes the addition of sculpted gardens, new pathways and expanded restaurant seating.
Tthe Disney Fastpass+ viewing location for Magic Kingdom Park fireworks, which has been relocated from the Rose Garden Fireworks viewing area to the Main Street Plaza Gardens.
My 5 Favorite Free Disney Souvenirs by Emma Smith
Even though it can be fun to shop for souvenirs in Disney shops, it’s no secret that the prices can add up pretty quickly. However, there are plenty of free keepsakes that can keep the magical memories alive while you are stuck at home.
1. Celebration Buttons- If you have ever been to a Disney park, you’ve most likely seen people walking around with these buttons on. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, family reunion, honeymoon, anniversary, engagement, first visit, or anything else, you can grab one of these free buttons to let the world know. They’re usually available at your Disney Resort’s check-in desk or at any one of the park’s Guest Service desks. Not only do you usually get special comments from cast members and regular guests, but you get a fun pin to bring home and display.
2. Character Drawings- If you have the chance to visit the Character Animation Academy in Hollywood Studios, I would definitely recommend doing so. There, you will learn how to draw a Disney character with the help of an animator, and you get to keep your drawing. Plus, at the end of the drawing lesson, you’ll get a chance to win the animator’s drawing by being the first person to answer a Disney trivia question. Even though my drawings don’t turn out so great, they’re still a fun souvenir to take home.
3. Leis and Mardi Gras Beads- If you’re staying at either the Polynesian Village Resort or the Port Orleans Resort, or just visiting either one, you’ll definitely want to pick up a flower lei or some Mardi Gras beads. The flower leis, found at the Polynesian, are fun to wear around the parks for a tropical look, while the Mardi Gras beads, found at Port Orleans, are the perfect thing to add some bling to your outfit. Both types of necklaces are found at their respective resort’s front desk and are completely free!
4. Notepads and Pens- Even though this might not seem like an exciting souvenir, the Walt Disney World pens and notepads found in your resort room are one of my favorite things to take home. Every time I write using the pen or jot some notes down on the paper I think of Disney, which adds some magic to an otherwise ordinary day.
5. Paper Products- Park maps, times guides, programs- if it’s paper and it’s free, you can bet I’ll be snatching it up. From the Wilderness Explorer Guides found in Animal Kingdom to the license you get after driving Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom to the paper coasters left in resort rooms, I keep just about every paper that we get in Disney. Even though I might not know what I’m going to use them for, I like to keep them just in case I need them for scrapbooking, school projects, collages, or anything else that might come up. I may look like a nerd when I’m grabbing huge stacks of park maps as we’re walking out of the parks, but you never know when some crafty inspiration will hit!
Doing Disney World on the Cheap
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and are worried about burning a hole in your pocket, it’s time to de-stress. Just about every child dreams of a family vacation at Walt Disney World and just about every parent wants to make those dreams come true — but the cost can be prohibitive.
‘Big Hero 6′ Hugs $605M Global Box Office, Now Disney’s 3rd-Biggest Animated Title
Thrust across the goal line by its strong performance in China, Disney’s Big Hero 6 crossed the $600M mark worldwide. It’s the studio’s fourth 2014 film to reach the milestone, and the 22nd ever.
Disney seeks ‘super app’ to get families fit
Disney has launched a £95,000 competition to find developers to come up with new apps that use its characters, such as the Marvel superheroes, to encourage healthy living.
Downtown Disney Welcomes Pedestrian Causeway
There Probably Won’t Be A Proper Sequel To ‘Frozen’ For Some Time
“Frozen Fever” is a clever name for Disney’s short-film follow-up to “Frozen,” and not just because the seven-minute mini-movie is built around Elsa having a head cold.
Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine Fact Sheet
Description
Created by Walt Disney World in 2007, Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine is an annual four-day educational and mentoring program for U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19. The 2015 event takes place March 5-8 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Designed to inspire students to dream big, discover a world of possibilities and prepare for their future, the program allows participants – also identified as “Dreamers” – to work alongside established professionals and celebrities in hands-on, full-immersion workshops related to diverse career paths. Dreamers also participate in motivational presentations and workshops for learning important personal and professional skills, such as communication techniques and networking strategies.
Students compete for participation in the program by submitting an application and answers to a series of essay questions about their personal stories, the people who are most influential in their lives and their dreams for the future. Only 100 participants are selected each year by a panel of judges.
By the Numbers
- 10,000 Disney Dreamers Academy applications received this year
- 1,000 Disney Cast Members involved in planning this year’s program
- 900 Dreamers who have been selected for the program since its launch in 2007
- 27 States represented at this year’s event
- 13 Students from Georgia, the state with the highest representation this year, followed by 10 from Texas and 9 from Florida
- 21 Dreamers interested in starting a career in the medical field, the most popular career path amongst the students, followed by 17 Dreamers who want to start a career in business or as an entrepreneur, and 10 Dreamers who are interested in becoming an engineer
- 2 Dreamers started a non-profit organization
- 5 Dreamers run their own businesses
- 2 Dreamers, Jalia C. and Raven S., are authors who have each self-published two books for teens
- 3,100 Miles Samaria H. will travel from Tacoma, Wash., to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to attend Disney Dreamers Academy, making her the farthest-traveling Dreamer
- 18 Miles or less Orlando-area Dreamer, Lionell W., will travel to attend Disney Dreamers Academy
- 1 Dreamer has been accepted to Harvard University
- 1 Dreamer is in final rounds of auditions to attend Juilliard
Speakers Resource Group (SRG)
The Speakers Resource Group (SRG) consists of celebrities and noted professionals who serve as year-round ambassadors for Disney Dreamers Academy, help lead workshops throughout the weekend event and serve as panel judges for the applications:
- Mikki Taylor, ESSENCE magazine editor-at-large
- Terrence J, E! News host
- Jeff Henderson, celebrity chef
- Stephen A. Smith, sports journalist
- Yolanda Adams, gospel singer
- Sonia Jackson Myles, author
- Steve Perry, CNN education contributor
- Karli Harvey, Steve Harvey Products creative director
- Brandi Harvey, Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation executive director
- Alex Ellis, Simply Ellis Custom Clothier CEO
- Jonathan Sprinkles, motivational speaker
- Princeton Parker, Disney Dreamers Academy alumnus
Additional Past and Present Celebrity Participants
- Earvin “Magic” Johnson, NBA legend
- Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, NFL players
- Sean Kingston and Mary J. Blige, recording artists
- Jordin Sparks, Kimberley Locke, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, American Idol contestants
- Sherri Shepherd, TV personality
- Star Jones, TV personality
- Rocsi Diaz, HLN correspondent
- Carla Hall, The Chew co-host
- Soledad O’Brien, CNN newscaster
- Will Packer, Hollywood film producer/director
- Roshon Fegan, Kyle Massey and CoCo Jones, Disney Channel actors
- Raven-Symoné, actress
- Lamman Rucker, actor
- Lance Gross, actor
- Laz Alonso, actor
- David and Tamela Mann, actors
- Bishop T.D. Jakes, TDJ Enterprises CEO
For more information, visit www.disneydreamersacademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at www.facebook.com/disneydreamersacademy or www.twitter.com/dreamersacademy.
