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Monthly Archives: August 2011
New Space-Themed Toy Line Inspired by Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story Lets Imagination Soar with Toymation Video Short
Real toys star in this all-new “toymation” video featuring the Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Command Center and action figures from Mattel. In this adventure, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and sidekick Rex venture into outer space to battle the evil Emperor Zurg! Utilizing stop-motion animation, this video combines old techniques with new concepts to create a modernly retro animated short sure to inspire Toy Story fans to create their own stories with the new toy line.
Mattel’s Toy Story Toymation Fun Facts:
- It took a crew of 8 people over more than 1300 hours and a span of 4 weeks to complete the toymation
- Every second needed 12 frames of pictures
- Every shot needed at least 3 takes, many of which had to be done separately with each toy and then composited together later
- Each toy had to be taken apart and reassembled with wire and museum putty in order to be rigged properly to animate
- The dust bunnies were created from an old carpet the team almost threw out right before production on the toymation project began
- The crew made 5 trips to the supermarket to clear out their asparagus, big broccoli heads, and artichokes to build the vegetable forest set
Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Spaceship Command Center (SRP $49.99) and character action figures (SRP $10) from Mattel
Related articles
- A Toy Story by Any Other Name (chipandco.com)
- Toy Story characters are coming back to the big screen later this year! (chipandco.com)
Disney Food Confession – Zebra Cupcake
Where to find it: Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park (Africa).
What is it? Yellow Cake with Buttercream Icing and Chocolate Shavings
Why you want it: Because it is loaded with rich, sweet goodness. It is a perfect mid-afternoon treat and there is nothing like sharing a little sweetness with your family. Don’t attempt to eat it all yourself!
Related articles
- Foodie Friday – Cupcake Time! (disneybabiesblog.com)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Celebrates Cotton-Top Tamarin Month (chipandco.com)
What to Expect from a D23 Expo
This year I was happy that I had the opportunity to visit the D23 Expo! Though I had previously been to Disneyland, I could not resist a visit to the parks. The Expo was opened from Friday, August 19 - Sunday, August 21. I arrived in Anaheim on August 17 so I had two days to enjoy the parks before the opening of the Expo. I spent both of these two days at the parks from open until the close trying to get in as many details as I could in the time I had. I was attending the Expo with my son, age 5. So, I knew that I would not be able to be at the Expo from open until close without a kiddie riot. As such, I had purchased two additional days tickets to the theme parks so I could split my time between the Expo and the parks. Looking back on this decision, it was the best one I could have made for our situation. However, me being a “never say die” person, I was attempting to be at the Expo at open while also being in the theme parks until close. Between the two, I was exhausted for the return home.
If you plan on visiting a D23Expo, here are a few things you should consider:
- You will receive free things at the Expo - I received fans, buttons, stickers, balloons, an Expo guide book, pamphlets, and on and on. When planning your visit to the Expo, be sure to plan for these items (assuming you want to keep them) when selecting the luggage you bring to the Expo.
- The crowds are overwhelming for the larger events - People arrive 1 – 3 hours before the events to line up and make sure that they get a spot. In some instances, shows became full long before the demand had been met. One example was the Dick Van Dyke show on Friday evening. Many were disappointed that they could not experience this legendary show.
- You have to be selective in your chose of events - Many of the events and shows take place while other events and shows are going on. As such, it is important to review the materials found online for the D23 Expo or the Expo Guidebook you recieve once at the Expo. You will need to take care to select the events that more interest you.
- Bring your business card - If you represent a website or company, be sure to bring your business card along with you. This will give you something to hand out to those you meet at the Expo so you can contact one another in the future.
- Talk to others - The attendees (mostly) are other extreme Disney fans and what better opportunity to meet some lifelong Disney friends than at the Expo!
There is a lot to see, a lot. Before you go, know you just cannot possibly see everything. If you bring a child, as I did, you can still have a great time! He and I attended two shows that were over 2 hours long. Once we finished, we headed over to Disney Living where several exhibits included toys for the children to play with, as well as games that could be played. I was careful to make the experience one he enjoyed as well.
I hope to see you all at the next D23 Expo. If you would like additional details on some of the shows I attended, please find the articles at Meet the Magic.
Related articles
- D23 Expo talks details of the Fantasy, newest Disney Cruise Line ship (chipandco.com)
- D23 Expo 2011: Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy Disney Cruise Line Panel (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)
Aulani Prepares to Welcome its First Guests
Today’s the day! At approximately 6:30 a.m. Hawai‘i time, as the sun came over the mountain, the doors to the Maka‘ala lobby of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, opened and the first guests entered. It is a time for us to look even further into the future, preparing for media from all over the world to attend a special Grand Opening event, September 20-23.
The big pre-opening event at Aulani this weekend was a Community Preview on Saturday evening. It was a great opportunity for neighbors of the resort, many of whom have made significant contributions to its successful completion, to get together and enjoy seeing Aulani in its finished state. Guests included political figures, community leaders and many of the artists whose work at Aulani is now part of the largest collection of contemporary Hawaiian art in the state.
Tom Staggs, Chairman of Disney Parks & Resorts, and Djuan Rivers, Vice President of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, each took to the stage to welcome and thank the guests and to pay tribute to the Aulani team. Local performers, including the gifted young singers of the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus and the talented keiki (children) of Hula Halau Olana, provided the entertainment, and other guests included leaders of the community organizations with a focus on family and children which the Disney Aulani team has supported over the past year.
The preview also celebrated the ways in which Aulani has benefited and will continue to benefit the community, through job creation, economic stimulus, cast VoluntEARism and charitable donations. In the past year, cash and in-kind contributions have totaled more than $300,000 to organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawai‘i, the Bishop Museum and (as you may recall from a previous blog post) the KaBOOM Playground build at Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao Public Charter School.
Can’t wait to tell you about welcoming the first guests into Aulani. Keep watching the Disney Parks Blog. I’ll be back later today.
For more from Aulani, take a look at the posts below:
- It’s Time to Add the Magic, So Mickey Hits the Beach at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
- Today is a Milestone for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
- Hidden Magic in Even the Most Eye-Catching Aulani Landmark
Local Community Celebrates as Aulani Prepares to Welcome its First Guests by John McClintock: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
Related articles
- Hungry for Aulani? The Wait is Almost Over! (chipandco.com)
- D23 Members Save on a Hawaiian Holiday! (chipandco.com)
Sorcerer Radio Preview (Week of 8/29)
Greetings Disney fans! Here’s the latest from the team of the Sorcerer Radio Network!
The Sorcerer Radio Network, a global leader in fan-based Disney internet radio and programming, “All Disney Music, All Day Long,” provides you 24 hours of Disney Magic. From its stellar Disney music selections, interactive community boards, celebrity interviews, Disney news, podcasts, vidcasts, cell phone apps, Live Disney coverage, travel, and more.
Sorcerer Radio Brings YOU a NEW SHOW - Mouse Undercover
That’s right Disney Fans, Sorcerer Radio brings you a new show, for your continued listening pleasure. Mouse Undercover, with host Kyle DeFrancesco, debuts September 9th, 2011 at 1 p.m. eastern/10 a.m. pacific. Mouse Undercover is the newest Sorcerer Radio weekly Disney music intensive show that features versions of classic Disney songs and rock bands from the Disney parks. In addition, you will enjoy a review of new movies, shows, music tours, special events and more! So tune in and get the latest and greatest Disney magical experience right here at Sorcerer Radio. For more, Click HERE.
Sorcerer Radio’s Character Breakfast Podacst is BACK! Character Breakfast 2.0
You heard right, Sorcerer Radio is proud to announce the much anticipated return of its Character Breakfast Podcast! Your Favorite Disney rebels, Sorcerer, Pluto, Imagine and Jeff, are back in Character Breakfast 2.0, a variety podcast with skits, news, movie reviews, attractions and much more. Revamped and unplugged, Character Breakfast 2.0 is available today, Sunday August 28th Here! Missed out on the previous shows, no worries, check out the first 105 shows right HERE.
CONTEST: Win a trip for 4 and meet John Lassiter for the Grand Opening of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Summer 2012!
Join in the Hunt for John Lassiter Contest and Win a trip for 4 to the Grand Opening of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in Summer of 2012, and ride on the Jungle Cruise skippered by none other than Skipper John Lassiter Himself! Here’s the 411. The first person to submit a verifiable photo of John as the skipper of the Jungle Cruise from 1977 will win. What better way to turn a Disney memory into a New Disney memory of today? To learn more click HERE.
Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy, and more D23 Expo Highlights on WDW Tiki Room
Tune in this Friday 8 a.m eastern/5 pacific as hosts Kristen Hoetzel and Aljon Go of WDW Tiki Room, the show about All Things Disney, bring you even more of the D23 Expo exclusive highlight coverage including an interview with Bill Farmer, the lovable voice of Goofy. Check out last week’s highlights featuring exclusive audio from the D23 Expo’s Parks and Resorts presentation HERE.
WDW After Dark 8/12/11 “Trivia Night” Winner – “ Epcotman”
The Sorcerer Radio Network’s original and interactive one-of-a kind Disney vidcast show that pushes the limits and pulls no punches, WDW After Dark, congratulates its First Disney Trivia Night Winner, Gabriel R. of Miami, FL, ”Epcotman.” He will be receiving a loaded SR prize pack. A special thanks to all those who attended and played in WDW After Dark’s first Disney Trivia Night. Tune in each and every Friday night 8 p.m. eastern/ 5 pacific, to the live interactive vidcast, WDW After Dark. You never know what’s going to happen next! Check out the WDW After Dark blog HERE.
Don’t Miss Sorcerer Radio’s 10 Year Anniversary October Meet -Book Today!
Sorcerer Radio is hosting two 10 year anniversary meets events. Want to meet up with your fellow Sorcerer Radio Personalities and fellow Disney fans at the October Anniversary Meet? Get started HERE!
About Sorcerer Radio
If you are looking to virtually relive your recent Disney trip or dream of your next one, then Sorcerer Radio is the place for you. Sorcerer Radio is a fan-run, award-winning internet radio station that has been entertaining Disney fans for a decade! With many weeks worth of Walt Disney World park music and attraction audio, as well as Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line you can easily be transported to your favorite vacation destination anytime, while at home or at work. Sorcerer Radio stands out from the pack in our innovative programming and personalities, providing fans with DJ hosted shows every weekday morning providing a balance of Disney discussion and music. Sorcerer Radio plays a wide variety audio from the Disney universe. We also have FREE APPS for your iPhone, iPad and Droid so you can listen just about anywhere! Check out the award winning Editor’s Pick on Live365, Sorcerer Radio at SRsounds.com, All Disney music, all day long!