Last week D23: The Official Disney Fan Club launched Walt Week: Celebrating a Legacy of Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation, and on their new website D23.com/WalkWithWalt there are tons of amazing photos and articles about Walt Disney throughout the years and the efforts to restore the Disney Home in Chicago.
And while D23 members have access to exclusive content and special features, on December 15th to mark the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney’s passing D23 is inviting guests at the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort to join the celebration of Walt’s extraordinary life by sharing a message on Memory Boards that will be placed at each resort.
Guests can find the Walt Week Memory Boards at the following locations:
· Disneyland Resort: The gallery inside the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m
· Walt Disney World Resort: Inside One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
· Disneyland Paris: Inside the Liberty Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A. at the entrance of “Statue of Liberty Tableau” from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
· Hong Kong Disneyland: Inside Art of Animation on Main Street, U.S.A. from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
· Tokyo Disney Resort:Mark Twain Riverboat queue from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you are looking to sign these memory boards, please keep in mind that the times and locations of the boards could change so be sure to ask a Cast Member if you have any questions.
After December 15th, the boards will be on display for all to see at D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, from July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
But until then, make sure you visit D23.com/WalkWithWalt! It is a fantastic site that will keep you reading for hours!!!
If you aren’t already a member joining at Gold Membership, Gold Family Membership, and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at DisneyStore.com/D23 is super easy!
ALEX AND ANI bracelets are some of my absolute favorite Disney Parks exclusive merchandise pieces, and I wanted to share all about these awesome bracelets!
Wearing the Magic: Disney Parks Collection by ALEX AND ANI
If you aren’t familiar with them ALEX AND ANI bracelets are eco-friendly, created in the United States, full of positive energy, and inspired by meaningful memories.
Photo: Disney Store
What makes these bracelets truly unique is that these may look like traditional bangle bracelets, but they are an innovative signature expandable bangle concept that is completely adjustable with a built-in expanding slide feature making them a perfect fit any wrist shape or size.
Photo: Disney Store
The best way to wear ALEX AND ANI bracelets is by ‘stacking’ several bracelets which they call having a ‘Charmed Arm’ representing your favorite Disney or Star Wars movie, theme park, character, or words of wisdom with exclusive designs for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members.
Photo: Disney Store
Bracelets are also available available in several styles to suit any outfit or occasion. You will find the charmed bangles with metal and enamel charms, traditional bangle perfect for stacking, beaded bangles perfect for adding a pop of color to your stack, and wraps that gently go up your arm from your wrist.
Photo: Disney Store
ALEX AND ANI bracelets are made of Rafaelian gold and Rafaelian silver making them extremely easy to care for and durable for everyday wear.
Photo: Disney Store
The Disney line of ALEX AND ANI are exclusive to the Disney Parks, and can only be purchased three ways.
At Walt Disney World:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Discovery Trading Company
Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Bayview Gifts
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Keystone Clothiers
Disney Springs Town Center – ALEX AND ANI Store
Disney Springs Marketplace– Tren-D and World of Disney Store
Epcot – Mouse Gear
Magic Kingdom Park – Emporium
The Disney Store online (http://disneystore.com) carries a large selection of ALEX AND ANI bracelets, and if you sign up for email alerts you can even find them on sale!
The Shop Disney Parks App (available for Apple and Android devices) lets you to find the bracelet you are looking for from home! If you are an annual passholder, make sure you connect that to your account to receive your discount.
I thought it was time to take a break from the theme parks and a step into my home as I share the recipe for Heavenly Bits cookies that are a holiday staple in my house!
When I was younger, we were lucky enough to spend a lot of time my Bubbe and Papa.
Bubbe always made sure that we had our favorite foods (I am going to try to make her stuffed cabbage one day), and one of my all time favorites that she made were these wonderful little cookies that she called Heavenly Bits.
My Mother would also make Heavenly Bits, too. However, she made them without thinking since she had made them so often and she never wrote the recipe down.
I would always ask my Mom to write down the recipe, but our visits are always so hectic that it always slipped through the cracks.
But the Hanukkah after my Bubbe passed away, she gave me a gift that made my heart soar.
This is the recipe for Heavenly Bits from my Bubbe’s recipe box. I get teary thinking of how happy I was to see her hand writing again. It was like I had a piece of her to keep with me always.
So now I can stop blubbering, and let you know about how to make these awesome cookies!!!
Heavenly Bits Cookies Ingredients
2 softened blocks of margarine (I like to cut the blocks into cubes to add to the mixer)
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I like to use 2 teaspoons, because I love vanilla)
1 cup of nuts (My favorite to use is pecan pieces)
2 cups of all purpose flour
Bowl of Confectioner’s/Powdered Sugar (This is to roll the cooked cookies in, so you want to make sure you have a good amount)
Heavenly Bits Cookies Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, or if you are using a convection oven you will want to set it 325 degrees F.
My Bubbe said it best when she said ‘Mix Together’! There is no right or wrong order to making Heavenly Bits Cookies, but I like to cream the margarine, sugar, and vanilla together before I add the flour and then the nuts. It’s up to you!
These cookies are really balls, and you want to make sure that you don’t make them too big. You want to be able to eat them in one to two bites, because any larger and the powdered sugar will go EVERYWHERE!
To make sure that they cook evenly, I make them all the same size by using a small disher. It makes the process go a lot faster, too.
For baking, I like to use a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. It makes clean up a breeze!
When you are placing the dough balls on the cookie sheet you can place them pretty close, because they don’t spread as they bake.
Once your cookie sheet is full, you bake them for 10 minutes.
Since the Heavenly Bits Cookies are so fragile when they come out of the oven, I like to put a layer of newspaper under my cooling rack. Can you tell I like to make clean up easy???
Once they have cooled, you will want to roll them in the Confectioner’s Powdered Sugar to coat them all the way around.
To store the cookies, I use a tin that seals tightly lined with wax paper and layer of Confectioner’s Powdered Sugar on the bottom.
I hope that you enjoy these Heavenly Bits Cookies this holiday season as much as we do!
PANDORA Jewelry and Disney Parks have teamed up to create a line of jewelry that any Disney fashionista will want to own! You can choose from exclusive charms, rings, necklaces, and earrings to personalize any look.
When you are designing your look to commemorate your magical memories you will find pieces designed around iconic characters, pretty princesses, Disney Parks, holidays, and even runDisney participation.
Photo: Disney Store
In addition to the popular bracelets and charms PANDORA has created earrings, necklaces, and stackable rings to add a touch of Disney magic to any outfit.
What makes PANDORA so wonderful is that you can start your collection with one or several pieces, because the price point is affordable for most budgets and each item in the collection is handcrafted with hand-set stones that are never plated to ensure quality and durability.
Photo: Disney Store
These PANDORA charms and jewelry pieces are extremely popular, so if you see a piece you like buy it when you see it! When visiting Walt Disney World you can find the largest selection of PANDORA at their store in Disney Springs and at the newly redesigned Uptown Jewelers on Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom. Or if you want to shop from home The Disney Store carries a selection online or with the Shop Disney Parks App available for Apple and Android devices.
How to start the perfect PANDORA bracelet
1. Choose your bracelet.
Photo: Disney Store
The first step is to choose your bracelet, and there are a lot of great options available! There are sterling silver, gold, leather, and cord options in different lengths, but they all feature the patented PANDORA clasp that is very secure and easy to put on by yourself. There are even Disney Parks exclusive bracelets available.
2. Choose your clips and spacers.
Photo: Disney Store
Clips are the beads that don’t move that keep the beads divided into three sections, and spacers are beads that are skinnier that help the beads from rubbing together.
3. Choose your beads.
Photo: PANDORA
Now this is where the fun begins!!! You can choose one or several charms to represent your favorite Disney memories, characters, or parks. The possibilities are endless!
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is Bringing Circus XTREME to Orlando!
Tickets go on Sale Monday, November 14 The Greatest Show On EarthFeatures Extreme Acts Fused with Iconic Circus Traditions for the Ultimate Family Entertainment Experience
Prepare to be astonished and amazed by artists who redefine the word extreme in everything they do, magnifying traditional elements of the circus and combining these elements with never-before-seen spectacles, original, fast-paced performances and incredibly hilarious moments.
Circus Xtreme will explore a world of extreme beauty, flexibility, strength and dexterity in ways you’ve never seen before at the Amway Center from January 12-16, 2017. Purchase tickets for your family to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME when tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, November 14 at 10:00 AM.
High-wire wizards, powerful strongmen, BMX trick riders, trampoline daredevils, inconceivable contortionists, a high-flying human cannonball, a bungee aerial skydiving display and an international assembly of more than 300 cast and crew provide two and a half hours of thrilling entertainment.
With such an exciting lineup, The Greatest Show On Earth guarantees to dazzle and astound, and a Ringling Bros. show wouldn’t be complete without a full menagerie of amazing animals. Circus XTREME features beautiful Bengal tigers and two-humped camels ridden by brave Mongolian women.
The party starts an hour before the show at the All Access Pre-show, which is free with ticket purchase. Families can meet an international cast of performers and get up close to the menagerie of animals. Try on custom costumes, learn circus skills — like juggling — from the famous Ringling Bros. Clown Alley. Together with the show, families receive over three hours of extreme family fun not to be missed.
Prepare to be amazed by the unexpected. Do something extreme today, and get tickets for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Circus XTREME.
Ticketholders can purchase an upgrade and go backstage with a VIP Behind the Scenes Tour of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The backstage experience includes an insider look at props and wardrobe, an up close and personal encounter with the animals and a chance to meet stars from the show. Fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures and learn educational fun facts. To take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, just log on to ringlingbros.expapp.com from iPhone or Android smartphone, and provide name, e-mail and phone number to become a VIP circus insider.
Circus Xtreme Performance Schedule:
Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 14 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Monday, January 16 at 1:00 p.m. (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
For more information visit Ringling.com, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Tickets for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Circus XTREME® go on sale to the public on Monday, November 14 at 10:00 AM. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at www.Ringling.com or www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone: 407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740. The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street – Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32801.
DISNEY TWENTY-THREE JOINS THE REBELLION TO CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH STARS FELICITY JONES AND ALAN TUDYK, DIRECTOR GARETH EDWARDS, AND PRODUCER KATHLEEN KENNEDY GIVE FANS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE MAKING OF THE NEW FILM.
PLUS, A PREVIEW OF THE NEW IRON MAN EXPERIENCE AT HONG KONG DISNEYLAND, A TOUR OF THE REIMAGINED DISNEY WONDER, AND A CONVERSATION WITH MOANA STAR AULI‘I CRAVALHO
On December 16, Star Wars fans will blast off once again to a galaxy far, far away—only this time, it’s with a new set of characters (save for one Sith Lord) in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film’s stars Felicity Jones and Alan Tudyk, director Gareth Edwards, and producer Kathleen Kennedy give readers a glimpse into the making of the film, which is centered on a group of rebels determined to steal the plans for the menacing Death Star. Kennedy reveals the origins of this first “stand-alone” film, while Edwards discusses the detailed planning that went into bringing Darth Vader back to the big screen.
The winter issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also includes a look at the 30th anniversary of Disney Parks’ Star Tours, with detailed concept artwork and in-depth interviews. And Tudyk, who gives voice to droid K-2SO in Rogue One, talks about being a “lucky charm” for Walt Disney Animation Studios, having provided his vocal talents for such films as Big Hero 6, Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, and this month’s Moana.
Plus, Auli‘i Cravalho talks about her star turn as the title character in Moana, and reveals she almost didn’t audition for the dazzling animated film, which opens November 23. The creators of the exhilarating new Iron Man Experience unveil details about the Marvel-themed attraction, which opens at Hong Kong Disneyland next January. And the team behind the enhancements on the Disney Wondercruise ship gives fans an inside look at the unique experiences and exquisite details guests will enjoy when they next set sail.
There’s much more Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three, including:
An exploration of the new book Maps of the Disney Parks, which highlights stunning works of art that have gone into park cartography over the years
The reunion of Newsies original Broadway cast members for a new filmed version of the hit musical
Famous Disney characters from around the world that you (may) have never met
The storytelling and artistry of Marvel’s Enchanted Tiki Room comic books
A celebration of 60 years of the delightful Daisy Duck
Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave
And starting December 1, D23.com will once again kick off the “D23 Days of Christmas.” Each day will include sweepstakes for incredible Disney prizes, dazzling photography, delicious recipes, original stories and videos, colorful crafts, and much more. D23 will also host several exclusive holiday events for members including: Light Up the Season with D23 on Sunday, December 4, at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank and D23’s Disney Springs Holiday Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on Tuesday, December 13. Visit D23.com/D23Days to unwrap the holiday fun.
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), 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.
I wanted to take a break…from well taking a break to be real for a moment.
Over the past few weeks I have been going to events and with the help of everyone here tweeting, posting on Instagram, and facebooking (pretty sure that’s not a word), but haven’t been writing here as much as I should and I feel like I wanted to take a moment away from the craziness that is life to let you know what was going on.
The past month my life has been filled with challenges and obstacles. Emergency room visits, surgeries gone awry, and prepping to take steps for my family’s future have been some of the highlights of my writing absence, but with all of that going on the words of inspiration from some of my favorite Disney movies and Walt kept playing in my head urging me to ‘keep moving forward’.
I know that we are all uncertain about a lot of things right now & that this is an extremely stressful time of year, and I wanted to share with you some words of inspiration that have kept me going in hopes that you find the same light and love in the words I hold dear to my heart.
Finding Words of Disney Inspiration
I am already working on getting back on track writing wise, and I can’t wait to get back to the business of sharing the fun that is living and exploring Orlando.
We are quickly creeping into fall with school having started, Halloween parties underway, and football season here. This means it is time to revisit one of my all time favorite movies that is perfect for this time of year, Clue the Movie. The1985 comedy film is set in 1954 New England and definitely feels like it is set in the fall. If you haven’t yet seen Clue, which is based on the classic board game from Parker Brothers, now owned by Hasbro, you need to get on it!
Clue is a mystery wrapped in comedy and stars some great comedic actors like Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Martin Mull, Michael McKean, Eileen Brennan, and Lesley Ann Warren. Like the game, you have the color themed names for characters including Mrs. White, Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Miss Scarlet. You also have Tim Curry as the seventh lead, Wadsworth, along with a supporting cast of characters and household staff: Mrs. Ho the cook, Yvette the maid, Mr. Boddy, the cop, the motorist, the singing telegram girl, and a few others which I won’t revel for fear of spoiling the plot of a 30+ year old movie.
While set in a somewhat creepy mansion on of course a dark and stormy night, the movie is definitely more comedy than scary. There are the rooms featured in the game, like the conservatory and such, but with others not mentioned in the game to flesh out the setting since 99% of the movie takes place entirely inside the mansion, Hill House. Rated PG for some very mild violence, a little bit of language, and some sexual innuendos. I would say ages 10 and up should be fine for this, but definitely use your own discretion and do some homework before you let your kids watch.
There are a ton of memorable lines, which make Clue great. The smart script will have most laughing throughout much of the film despite the somewhat dark subject of multiple murders. The soundtrack is fantastic, if you can track it down. I quote this movie probably more often than most due to the dozens of times I’ve watched it since I was introduced to it at my friend Rachel’s birthday party in sixth grade. Miss Scarlet is my favorite character, played by Lesley Ann Warren, and is the most sarcastic and quippy of the bunch, in my opinion. I had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous Ms. Warren at Disney’s D23 Expo last summer in Anaheim. She was so gracious in taking several minutes speaking with me about the film and said it was as much fun to make as it looks like it would be.
Miss Scarlet and me!
Clue the movie is one of those movies that I will watch any time it is on tv. I have the dvd and soundtrack, and plan on upgrading to the blu ray soon. It is a fun romp with scary dobermans, rainy and windy weather with appropriate splashes of thunder and lightning for accents, murder (what do you mean, murder?), and screams. If you’re looking for something to set the fall mood as we get closer to Halloween, I cannot recommend Clue enough. And remember, 1+1+2+1 does not equal 1+2+2+1. Flames, on the side of my face. Okay, I’ll stop now.
A while back I did a post about Disney Movie Bunnies and Rabbits, and today I’d like to look at Disney cats and kittens of all shapes and sizes. For this look at the felines on film, I’m going to focus on compiling a list of the cats from Disney animated movies since there are so many in this category alone. From the most recent Zootopia from earlier this year, back to 1940’s Pinocchio, check out these cool cats of cinema.
Numerous background chracters or unnamed lions, tigers, and cheetahs oh my from Zootopia are cats. There are dozens if not more cats of all sizes as would be expected in an animal centric world themed movie. I’ll list as many named characters as I can, but will also include some minor ones too.
Zootopia
Mayor Lionheart
Officer Benjamin Clawhauser
Manchas
Gazelle’s tiger backup dancers
Jaguar in Carrot Days festival
Cougar in Carrot Days festival
Various cops
More cops
Snow Leopard
Leopard at Gazelle’s peace rally
Mochi aka Hairy baby in Big Hero 6
Mochi
Mittens in Bolt
Mittens
Captain Amelia in Treasure Planet
Captain Amelia
Fluffy in Atlantis
Fluffy
Yzma turns into a cat in the Emperors New Groove
Yzma
Sabor (jaguar) in Tarzan
Sabor
Snowball in Hercules
Snowball
Simba, Nala, Sarafina, Sarabi, Scar, Mufasa in the Lion King
Simba
Nala
Sarafina
Sarabi
Scar
Mufasa
Rajah and the Cave of Wonders in Aladdin
Rajah
Cave of Wonders
Oliver in Oliver & Company
Oliver
Felicia in the Great Mouse Detective
Felicia
Cat in the Black Cauldron
Cat
Rufus in the Rescuers
Rufus
Tigger in the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tigger
Prince John in Robin Hood
Prince John
Duchess, Thomas O’Malley, Toulouse, Berlioz, Marie, Scat Cat, Shun Gon, Hit Cat, Peppo, Billy Boss in the Aristocats
Duchess
Thomas O’Malley
Toulouse
Berlioz
Marie
Scat Cat
Shun Gon
Hit Cat
Peppo
Billy Boss
Bagheera and Shere Khan in the Jungle Book
Bagheera
Shere Khan
Madam Mim turns into a cat in the Sword in the Stone
Madam Mim
Sgt. Tibbs in 101 Dalmatians
Sgt. Tibbs
Si and Am in Lady and the Tramp
Si and Am
Dinah, Caterpillars, and the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland
Recently Disney released a new official playlist on Spotify for the Disney Cruise Line. This is just the latest in their fantastic group of playlists created with Disney movies, parks music, Star Wars, and music inspired by characters from their movies. For those who aren’t aware, Spotify is a free streaming music service (with an option for paid premium service) available on their website as well as on apps for smart devices and computers. Spotify allows users to create playlists (public or private) for artists, albums, moods, genres, almost anything. For instance, my good friend Sally Kilpatrick made a playlist for her great debut novel The Happy Hour Choir which features a lot of music as the title may suggest. It is an awesome thing that is the equivalent of making your own mixtapes to share with the world.
Disney Cruise Line Spotify
Disney has taken their music and designed playlists like the new Cruise Line one to help share their music around a specific theme or idea. The Disney Cruise Line Spotify playlist spotlights fun nautical themed songs like Under the Sea and Fathoms Below from the soundtrack to The Little Mermaid. It also incorporates music from the parks including In the Big Blue World from Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s stage production of Finding Nemo the Musical. Even older classics makes it on the list in the way of A Whale of a Tale, sung by Kirk Douglas, from the 1954 live action film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Other playlists in the official Disney Spotify world include those created specifically inspired by character profiles from the Star Wars universe, and more recently, Zootopia. From Star Wars official Spotify account you can find awesome things like the Complete Star Wars Soundtracks playlist with, you guessed it, the complete soundtracks to all seven Star Wars films.
Complete Star Wars Soundtracks on Spotify
I think my favorite thing I discovered though may be the character inspired profiles featuring music the film characters would listen to on Spotify. The list of Star Wars characters is pretty extensive featuring Mace Windu, Darth Maul, Emperor Palpatine, Lando Calrissian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Padme Amidala, Boba Fett, Yoda, Princess Leia, First Order Stormtrooper, BB-8, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, Rey, Kylo Ren, Finn, and the Dark Side. Some of my favorites include Kelly Clarkson’s Miss Independent for Rey, a very classic rock and oldies laden playlist for Han, Ridin’ Dirty by Chamillionaire (whatever did happen to him?) for BB-8, and a punk/alternative rock playlist for baddie Boba Fett. I highly recommend you check these all out when you get a chance.
Similar to the Star Wars character profiles, Zootopia has some of their own, and they are pretty spot on.
As you’d imagine, Gazelle’s playlist is very Shakira-centric. The playlist for Judy Hopps is filled with girl power and inspirational songs like Rachel Platten’s Fight Song, Unwritten by Natsha Bedingfield, Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger, Don’t Stop Belivin’ by Journey, and of course Try Everything by Shakira aka Gazelle. Clawhauser’s list is very poppy with lots of boy band and tween type music. Finnick’s Spotify playlist may be one of the best all around with lots of great late 80s and early 90s rap and R&B. Yax is totally fitting for him with loads of music from the 1960s hippie vibe he has. Mr. Big, as I hoped, has a playlist which is exactly what you’d expect for the mafioso he is, including the theme from the Godfather, Papa Loves Mambo, Mambo Italiano, and That’s Amore.
Along with the great movie playlists and character profiles, Disney has other somewhat randomly themed lists, along with several complete albums. Some of these include great runDisney training playlists to help you on your training runs and during your races. You can also find things from the Disney tv channels like Disney Junior, Disney Channel 100 DCOMs, and even Dancing With The Stars Disney Night playlist. I love that you can listen to the entire Legacy Collection on Spotify. I absolutely love the variety of playlists like Disney Hawaiian Sounds, Disney Meets EDM, and this time of year especially the Disney Halloween Songs, and Disney Halloween Sound Effects Playlist.
Spotify is a fantastic way to enjoy some of your favorite music or to discover great new sounds. Disney has created some amazing playlists that reflect their parks, resorts, tv shows, movies, and more. I think it is incredible how much music is available to us and in such creative lists. I hope you check out some of these playlists and maybe you’ll even be inspired to make some of your own.
D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures presented by Ethan Allen | Disney will take place at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World November 19th & 20th, and as more details are announced the more excited I get!
AVATAR creators James Cameron (writer, director, producer) and Jon Landau (producer) will join Imagineer Joe Rohde for Pandora – The World of AVATAR, a presentation where they will unveil new details about the immersive, 12-acre land coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition, the event will include a conversation with Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Plus, Moana screenwriter Jared Bush (co-writer/co-director Zootopia) will be on hand to provide guests an exclusive advance look at the making of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature.
Cameron, Landau, and Chapek join previously announced Disney Legends Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter; Walt Disney Imagineers Rohde, Chris Merritt, Jason Grandt, and Wyatt Winter; producer Don Hahn (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast);and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline. The event, exclusively for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, celebrates landmarks of the past, present, and future, from the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean to the planet of Pandora.
On of my favorite parts of Destination D is always the Walt Disney Archives! This year they will present a special exhibit created exclusively for the event called Walt’s Great Adventures. This will feature photographs, props, and models that showcase Walt Disney’s personal voyages, including his trip to South America in 1941, as well as some of his most memorable creations for television, film, and theme parks, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Additionally, during the weekend, guests will be among the first to see the new Ethan Allen | Disney home furnishing line in person.
Additional D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventurespresentations announced include:
Welcome to Adventureland: Set off on a journey through “Adventurelands” at Disney Parks around the world, beginning with a rare look at artist Harper Goff’s exotic concepts for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Tales from the Jungle Cruise: Fans of “the backside of water” unite! Discover the legendary history of the world-famous attraction with a panel of wisecracking experts, including a behind-the-scenes look at recent holiday overlays and the new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s 45th Anniversary: From tropical hideaways to enchanting entertainment, celebrate the spirit of aloha as D23 looks back at 45 years of the classic South Pacific-themed getaway.
Another highlight of the weekend is the chance to shop at Mickey’s of Glendale, the famed Walt Disney Imagineering store! The a pop-up shop at the event for attendees will feature a selection of exclusive Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise as well as limited-edition pins, apparel, and collectibles themed to the event.
Tickets are currently on sale, and are $190 each for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members or D23 General Members for $250 per ticket. All guests will receive a special gift created exclusively for the event, and attendees are guaranteed seats at all panels and presentations.
Further details about the program and tickets for D23Destination D: Amazing Adventures presented by Ethan Allen | Disney can be found at D23.com/Events. Additional details about the schedule will be shared in the coming months.
In Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of “Beauty and the Beast,” bring home all of the Disney Princesses for a limited time!
For the first time ever, the unforgettable Disney Princess films will all be available for purchase at the same time, Sept. 6 – Oct. 17!
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the beloved animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney fans are gaining unprecedented access to Disney’s Princess films. On Sept. 6, the beloved animated classic featuring Belle and Beast will be released as part of The Walt Disney Signature Collection and in celebration of the event, for the first time ever, all 11 Disney Princess films are being made available to bring home at the same time, Sept. 6 – Oct. 17.
Twenty-five years ago, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” broke ground as the first animated feature film to receive an Academy Award® nomination for best picture. The beloved classic won two Oscars®, including best song and best original score, as well as a Golden Globe Award® for best comedy/musical. Now a whole new generation of viewers will follow the magical journey of Belle, an independent and intelligent, modern-day heroine who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her precarious situation, Belle befriends the castle’s enchanted staff—a teapot, a candelabra and a mantel clock, among others—and ultimately learns to see beneath the Beast’s exterior to discover the heart and soul of a prince.
The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition features four versions of “Beauty and the Beast,” including a never-before-released on home entertainment, sing-along version. A host of all-new bonus extras include a rare opportunity to gather around the piano with some of Disney’s greatest composers, as they sing and share how they’ve personally been inspired by the film’s award-winning music; a look at how Walt Disney himself sought to adapt this famous fairytale; a nostalgic look back with Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle; behind-the-scenes access into the recording booth with the cast; and a sneak peek at Disney’s upcoming live-action re-telling of “Beauty and the Beast,” arriving in theaters in 2017.
For nearly 80 years, audiences have followed the dreams and magical adventures of Disney Princesses including Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel and Merida. The timeless tales that introduced the world to these inspirational heroines include “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Tangled,” “Cinderella,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Brave,” “Pocahontas,” and “Mulan.” And now, for the first time ever, all 11 of these timeless family favorites will be available to purchase during the same six-week window.
Disney Twenty-Three Fall 2016 Issue Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Beauty And The Beast & More
Interviews with Paige I’Hara, Robby Benson, Alan Menken, Angela Lansbury, Lina Wollverton, and many more give fans a rich look at the creation and enduring legacy of the beloved classic.
This year, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast—the first animated film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture—celebrates its 25th anniversary, and Disney twenty-three is giving fans a spectacular look at the film from its inception to its timeless legacy. The issue features interviews with Paige O’Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts), David Ogden Stiers (Cogsworth), Richard White (Gaston), composer Alan Menken, screenwriter Linda Woolverton, producer Don Hahn, and many more, as well as stories about how the film has been equally successful in Disney theme parks and on stage. Plus, readers will learn more about the live-action adaptation of the film, coming to theaters in 2017.
The issue, exclusively for Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, also features a Fall TV Preview, which includes interviews with ABC’s Once Upon a Time creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz; the producers and stars of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; and Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (who created Phineas and Ferb), who reveal details about their new Disney XD show, Milo Murphy’s Law. Plus, Hayley Atwell of Agent Carter and Cinderella gives fans a preview of her new ABC show, Conviction, and shares with readers her favorite Disneyland attractions.
Also included in the fall publication of Disney twenty-three is an exclusive interview with Benedict Cumberbatch about his upcoming Marvel film Doctor Strange; a look at how Disney Theatrical Group creates spectacular shows for Broadway and beyond; a peek at the creation of Disney’s newest princess, Elena of Avalor; and a story focusing on the timeless artwork ofDumbo to toast the film’s 75th anniversary. The issue also includes regular columns such as Ask Dave, From the Vault, A Walk with Walt, and a special “From the Desk of” to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.
The celebration of Beauty and the Beast’s 25th anniversary continues on September 5, when D23 Members—and Disney fans—are invited to join the festivities as the club kicks off its annual Fanniversary event. D23 will be holding member screenings of the groundbreaking film around the country, Gold Members will receive special “selfie kits” with the fall publication, and D23.com will offer fans exclusive features, new videos, printables, recipes, and much more. Fans are invited to “be our guest” for this 25-day event, and to use the hashtag #D23Fanniversary on social media to join the conversation. More details will be available in the coming weeks at D23.com/D23Fanniversary.
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in late August.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It 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), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), 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.
Earlier this year it was sadly announced that Disney Interactive will discontinue the production of Disney Infinity, but recently information and timelines for the closure of the game’s online versions and community features have been released.
It’s important to note that:
The console versions of Disney Infinity will continue to operate as usual with full access to figures and play sets only with the exception of community content features and online multiplayer
Until September 30, 2016, Community Content will still be available and you will be able to upload and download any of your favorite Toy Box creations
Important Timelines For Disney Infinity
As of September 30, 2016
You will no longer be able to log in to play the PC, iOS, Google Android and Amazon Android versions of Disney Infinity, these will no longer be available on the respective app stores
The Steam versions of Disney Infinity 2.0 & 3.0 will remain operational with the exception of all online services and community features as these will be discontinued
Apple TV versions of Disney Infinity will be removed from the AppStore
The Disney Infinity Community team will no longer be reviewing or approving any new Toy Boxes that are submitted to Disney for all console, mobile and PC versions of the game. However if you are playing on any console, Apple TV or Windows 8/10 versions of the game, you can continue to download your favorite Toy Boxes from the Community Content section until March 3, 2017
As of January 3, 2017
No in-game purchases can be made within the Windows 8/10 versions of the game as this feature will be removed
As of March 3, 2017
Apple TV and Windows 8/10 versions will no longer be available, supported or playable
All game online services and community features for all versions will be discontinued
To learn more about which services of Disney Infinity are being removed or information related to your game version across all platforms, visit the Disney Infinity website and FAQ pages frequently prior to March 3, 2017 should the status change.
Discounted Tickets Available for a Limited Time ~ D23 Members Enjoy Additional Savings and Member-Only Benefits
The D23 Expo 2017 will take place July 14-16, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and you can purchase tickets for the the D23 Expo now!
The largest Disney fan event in the world, D23 Expo celebrates all the wonderful worlds of Disney entertainment, uniting all parts of The Walt Disney Company under one roof, including The Walt Disney Studios (including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm); Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media; and Media Networks (including ABC, Disney Channel, and Radio Disney). D23 Expo 2017 marks the fifth biennial event held in Anaheim.
Once again the Expo will celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney with live events, celebrity appearances, panels, presentations, sneak peeks, and immersive experiences. D23 Expo 2017 marks the return of fan favorites, including the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, honoring the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy; an exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives, which spotlights costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney’s rich history; and the Mousequerade costume contest.
Photo: D23
Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time. From now until December 31, 2016, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $46 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $57 for a one-day adult admission and $41 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $296 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.
D23 Expo 2017 will showcase all of the latest stars in the Disney universe. In 2015, celebrity appearances included Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Evans, Lupita Nyong’o, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Dwayne Johnson. The event also featured performances by Ne-Yo, Sabrina Carpenter, the cast of Teen Beach 2, and stars of Disney’s shows on Broadway. Additionally, Disney executives and creative talent came together to deliver special presentations, announcements, and experiences to Disney fans throughout the three-day extravaganza.
D23 Gold and Charter Members will be entitled to special benefits throughout the weekend. Look for announcements about these opportunities in the coming months.
For the latest news and updates about D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.
