Category Archives: Events

New Behind-the-Scenes Video Looks at Star Wars Weekends 2012

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The 2012 edition of Star Wars Weekends takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 18-June 10. (And yes, we know that we add an extra day to the official definition of “weekend,” but when Darth Vader requests a three-day weekend, we don’t argue.)

Today, we are pleased to debut two new videos that will take you behind the scenes a bit to show some of the fun we have putting the event together. Conceptualized by the talented team at Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group, in partnership with Lucasfilm, Ltd., these spots will be featured on a new mobile website that just launched for Star Wars Weekends.

On your mobile device, set your course for disneytheforce.com. This mobile site will serve as a great, “on-the-go” resource for the event and feature famous Star Wars characters, visiting celebrities, event descriptions and even some special downloadable content unique to the site. And of course, these new videos will be featured so you can share them with your friends no matter where you are. The official Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Facebook page (facebook.com/StarTours) also will join the fun with news and notes about the upcoming event.

sww228957SMALL New Behind the Scenes Video Looks at Star Wars Weekends 2012  %tagAlso, keep checking with our friends at StarWars.com to learn more about the Star Wars film saga, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the rich background of the galactic characters that will be featured at Star Wars Weekends.

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Exciting, New Entertainment Fuels Cars Land, Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park

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From “Mad T Party” to the “Red Car News Boys,” an exciting new lineup of characters and shows offers something for everyone at Disney California Adventure park as Disneyland Resort celebrates the grand re-opening of the park with the new Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre, featuring a restaurant and lounge.The new lands become home for new characters and street performers, while “Pixar Play Parade” returns for twice-daily performances throughout the summer and the long-running hit “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” adds extra performances. The nighttime spectacular “World of Color” continues to amaze guests with fire, water, lasers, animation and new story elements.

In Cars Land, DJ, the ultimate party car – a big road-trippin’ mobile boom box with giant speakers, built-in disc changer and his very own party crew – takes to the street for “DJ’s Dance ‘n Drive,” a spontaneous, interactive dance party. Also at Cars Land is Red the Fire Truck who, with the help of his comic “Volunteer Fireman,” recruits guests of all ages to join “Red to the Rescue!” – helping water the flowers and clean up the town of Radiator Springs. (Prepare to get wet!)

Of course, Lightning McQueen and Mater, leading citizens of Cars Land, also are enjoying time on the streets of Radiator Springs, greeting and posing for photographs with guests near the Cozy Cone Motel.

Buena Vista Street, inspired by the Los Angeles of the 1920s and ’30s when Walt Disney was launching his animation studios, is brought to life with a series of eccentric personalities, the Citizens of Buena Vista Street. Among the “citizens” strolling the street and immersing guests in the period atmosphere are a fun-loving photographer, a misguided messenger, a dotty dog lover and a comic cop.

Inspired by the spirit and style of Disney’s movie and stage musical “Newsies,” the “Red Car News Boys” roll into Buena Vista Street aboard one of the street’s distinctive Red Car Trolleys, performing a variety of authentic period tunes such as “California, Here I Come.”  Mickey Mouse, the fun-loving, mischievous young cartoon star of the period, joins the boys for a high-energy street show.

Also arriving on Buena Vista Street, by means of a makeshift jalopy en route to Hollywood, are “Five & Dime,” an innovative sextet of maverick musicologists longing for their big break. “Dime,” the female vocalist of the group, has charisma and a voice like a young Ella Fitzgerald, and the group enlists some “new musicians” from among the spectators to perform side-splitting versions of ’20s and ’30s song standards.

All the colorful characters interacting with guests along Buena Vista Street reflect the spirit of optimism and opportunity Walt Disney discovered when he first arrived in California. Dressed in period attire of the 1920s and ’30s, each performer has a unique identity that brings this boulevard of dreams to life, creating impromptu laughter and memories.

Over in Condor Flats, near Soarin’ Over California, Minnie Mouse plays hostess for a tune-filled “travelogue” of song, dance and interactive moments. “Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” features Minnie and her four-member crew singing and swinging to songs from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. The show includes opportunities for guests to meet Minnie and join the dancing.

After dark, a new nighttime family celebration takes over Hollywood Land. “Mad T Party” is a fantastic soiree filled with surprises and new takes on some familiar characters from the world of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” It’s a party like no other as guests fall into the rabbit hole and land in a wild and whimsical world where nothing is what it seems. A live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games and plenty of dancing await guests seeking an escape into a bright and vivid alternate reality.

The all-new entertainment joins an existing lineup highlighted by “World of Color,” the colorful water, laser and animation spectacular performing on Paradise Bay, and the long-running hit “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular.” “Disney’s Aladdin,” ever popular with guests, adds a fifth daily performance through the summer season.

An extended Disney California Adventure parade route, the longest in any Disney theme park, serves as the stage for the returning “Pixar Play Parade,” now traveling all the way through Hollywood Land and onward to Paradise Pier. “Pixar Play Parade” invites guests of all ages to share the thrills of a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground featuring acrobatics, bungees, playful choreography and interactive surprises that bring to life the exciting and colorful worlds of Disney•Pixar pals from “Toy Story,” “a bug’s life,” ” Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles” and “Cars.”

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Eat to the Beat 2012 Concert Information Released!

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For those of you headed to Disney World for Food and Wine Festival  this year and want to check out the artists at the Eat to the Beat Concerts held in World Showcase here are the details for you:
9/28-9/30: Night Ranger
10/1-10/3: Sugar Ray
10/4- 10/7: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
10/8-10/10: Boyz II Men
10/11-10/12: Smash Mouth (NEW)
10/13-10/14: Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice” (NEW)
10/15-10/17: Air Supply
10/18-10/19: Gin Blossoms
10/20-10/21: Survivor
10/22-10/23: Hanson
10/24-10/25: The Pointer Sisters
10/26-10/28: Sister Hazel
10/29-10/31: Billy Ocean
11/1-11/2: 38 Special
11/3-11/4: Howard Jones LIVE
11/5-11/6: Blues Traveler (NEW)
11/7-11/8: Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX (NEW)
11/9-11/11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

These concerts are FREE with park admission and take place on stage at the American Gardens Theater in the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot. 

Each concert will run three times per night (5:15 p.m. , 6:30 pm, 7:45 p.m.)

Are you excited about any of these acts listed above?

Lesley is a travel agent with Pixie Vacations.

If you are looking for a GREAT deal to head to Disney World for Food and Wine Festival and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series email her at Lesley@PixieVacations.com or check her out at www.destinationmagic.com

Pixie Vacations is offering EXCLUSIVE rates with major discounts only available to Pixie Vacations clients during Food and Wine Festival 2012. 

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A Pearl of a Wisdom: Don’t Miss This Souvenir From Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

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With gift shops around just about every corner, Disney World has a lot to offer in the line of souvenirs.  There are the typical character clad gifts like t-shirts, picture frames, and stuffed animals; today we are talking something in a bit of a different direction!  Epcot’s World Showcase provides you a trip around the world in just over a mile!  This isn’t just a site seeing tour my friends!  This is a tour for the senses as there are sights to behold, sounds to enjoy, smells to tempt you, items to be touched (and bought),  and of course  your taste buds will be delighted!  With so much to see and do, it is good to have an idea of what you might find as you make your way through World Showcase.  Today I am highlighting the Japan Pavilion’s unique souvenir,  Pick a Pearl.

Who is Pick a Pearl for?

Pick a Pearl is for ANYONE!  There are tons of setting choices and the possibilities for a unique creation are endless!  More importantly, there are tons of oysters waiting to be chosen.  While this is targeted toward women, that doesn’t mean that a sweet boyfriend, husband, or son couldn’t choose a pearl for the lady in their life (hint, hint, hint).

What is Pick a Pearl Anyway?

Here’s how it works, walk to the back of the Mitsukoshi Department Store (in the Japan Pavilion).  Listen for the sound of the drum and the beating of sticks as happy new pearl owners celebrate their find.  As you make your way over you’ll see large tanks containing oysters waiting to be picked for the big reveal.  A cast member will help get the ceremony started as you select just the right oyster.  As your hopes for a magnificent pearl mount, the cast member will open your oyster.  I’ve seen traditional white pearls, colorful pearls, pearls that are  big, small, and in between.  Pearls are measured and the celebration begins.  (Tip here:  if you don’t want to be at the center of drum banging attention…you might want to skip this spot).  Your pearl info is written on your baggy and you can go to the jewelery counter to choose a setting.  There are many settings availible.  The cost of the pearl is about $15.  The cost of each setting varies, but you could leave with a one of a kind souvenir for relatively cheap.

When can you Pick a Pearl?

You can Pick a Pearl anytime within the operating hours of World Showcase (11am -9pm).

Where do you go to find Pick a Pearl?

Mitsukoshi Department store in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase.

Why would you want to Pick a Pearl?

I like to take home something from my trip.  When I go to Disney World I always choose something that will take me back to that moment and that time.  I am on the hunt for new, original, and different!  Picking a pearl seems like the perfect one of a kind gift!  No two pearls are exactly alike, settings can totally transform your find into something beautiful, and let’s not forget the experience of it all!  It’s not every day that a drum is beat for the world to hear as you make a purchase!

Are you a repeat pearl picker?  Maybe you aren’t.  I hope you will stop by the Japan Pavilion next time you are in Epcot to pick a pearl of your own or maybe just celebrate another guest’s find!  I know you’ll enjoy this unique experience!

 

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Car Masters Weekend Returns to Walt Disney World Resort June 2-3

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This event, now in its second year, celebrates everything “Cars.” There will be meet and greets with Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissile, as well as a movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24 with showings of “Cars” and “Cars 2.”

New elements that will debut this year include an appearance by automotive designer Chip Foose, who contributed to the design of Ramone in the “Cars” film and in the upcoming Cars wing of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort; a LEGO interactive zone; “Cars”-themed topiaries; a DJ and food trucks. Jay Ward, Cars guardian, will also make an appearance.

Returning fun will include a chance for guests to test-drive Ridemakerz model cars and browse a car show presented by Hess that will feature more than 100 classic, muscle and exotic cars. Families can even vote for their favorite car this year. GM will also have their latest and greatest models on display.

See you out there!

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