Speculation: Disney’s Avatarland Development May Be Way Off Track

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Disney’s ‘Avatarland’ expansion, based on the successful James Cameron film franchise, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom may in fact be in trouble as rampant rumors have speculated in recent months. Yet just as recently as December, Disney has remained adamant that everything was just fine, according to this article by the Orlando Sentinel.

But according to paperwork recently filed with the Orange County comptroller’s office, everything may not be hunky-dory in the land of the Na’vi. The document calls for the installation of FASTPASS+ for ‘Festival of the Lion King,’ a show that was expected to close and relocate elsewhere in the park to make way for the ‘Avatarland,’ which is said to replace Camp Minnie-Mickey.

While installing FASTPASS+ capability for the show is not a life-time commitment by any stretch of the imagination, it’s not insignificant either. For beginners, the show has never formally had FASTPASS which means a brand new installation, which involves underground wiring for distribution machines and the like. The Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is also one of the last to receive the FASTPASS+ treatment with the ‘My Disney Experience’ NextGen project focus being placed on Magic Kingdom, followed by Epcot. In other words, it seems like an awful lot of investment in time and resources for a location whose razing was once supposedly imminent (‘Avatarland’ is supposed to break ground in 2013).

This news couldn’t come at a stranger time for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, as in addition to the reports of challenges in working with James Cameron, there is a major reorganization of theme park leadership effective as of today. In addition, Tony Baxer, the senior vice president of creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering, is expected to formally announce his retirement today, shifting into more of a consulting role. Add to that the recent Magic Kingdom expansion of ‘New Fantasyland’ and Disney’s recent addition of proven franchises: Cars Land at Disney California Adventure (rumored to be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios) and Lucasfilm / Star Wars and suddenly the road to ‘Avatarland’ has sprung up a lot of potential forks along the way.

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Sneak Peek: ‘Nine Old Men’ Doc from ‘Peter Pan: Diamond Edition’

1345002491272 115x160 Sneak Peek: Nine Old Men Doc from Peter Pan: Diamond EditionOne of the many gems to be found on the Peter Pan: Diamond Edition blu-ray, available to own this Tuesday, February 5 (now available for pre-order Sneak Peek: Nine Old Men Doc from Peter Pan: Diamond Edition) is a brand new documentary short titled Nine Old Men.

The short examines the lives of Walt Disney’s fabled ‘Nine Old Men’ (the term referring to a book on the justices of the Supreme Court, not their ages): Les Clark, Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman and Frank Thomas. Together, these animators were responsible for some of the most beloved films in the history of film, let alone animation and Disney.

To support the release of the blu-ray as well as the documentary, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has released the following clips featuring the stories of Ward Kimball, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, John Lounsbery, Ollie Johnston, Les Clark and Wolfgang Reitherman as related by their children:

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Fantasy Faire to Open at Disneyland March 12

20130131 190522 Fantasy Faire to Open at Disneyland March 12For many guests at Disneyland Park, the encounter with a Disney Princess and her story is an essential part of any visit. Beginning March 12, 2013, Disney Princesses will await these guests at the new Fantasy Faire, a storybook world that extends Fantasyland and brings its timeless tales to life in fun and surprising ways.

Fantasy Faire creates an enchanting, immersive environment for guests who treasure magical fairy tales. Designed in the charming, old world style familiar to lovers of Fantasyland, this regal village fair is located on the west side of the “Hub” or Central Plaza, expanding Fantasyland beyond its current boundaries and into a location (the former Carnation Plaza Gardens) near the forecourt of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Visitors will walk a beautiful pathway leading into the corridors of the Royal Hall, where Princesses await them. Along the way, they will encounter whimsical design touches, including Geppetto’s cat Figaro dozing (and occasionally waking) on a window sill, and “Clopin’s Music Box,” a fascinating, interactive mechanical toy representing the Feast of Fools from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Guests may also explore a charming village square highlighted by Tangled Tower, a magical sculpture inspired by the story of Rapunzel. After dark, Rapunzel’s hair, twisting around the tower sculpture, comes to life with twinkling lights.

A highlight of the Fantasy Faire experience is the Royal Theatre, where guests will be treated to two different shows: the tales of Rapunzel (“Tangled”) and Belle (“Beauty and the Beast”) as presented by Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, a pair of vaudeville-style Renaissance storytellers. The princess heroine, Rapunzel or Belle, will join in the fun and remain with the audience to greet guests following the conclusion of the story.

Fairytale Treasures, a shop found inside Fantasy Faire, offers all kinds of Princess dresses, accessories and gifts. For guest refreshment, Maurice, Belle’s inventor father, has transformed an old gypsy wagon into a colorful food cart, Maurice’s Treats, serving bread twists – cheddar cheese garlic and strawberry almond cream flavors – along with a signature beverage, the Boysen Apple Freeze.

The addition of Fantasy Faire will be one of the highlights of the guest experience for Spring-Summer 2013 at the Disneyland Resort. Also coming to Disneyland in time for summer is “Mickey and the Magical Map,” a new, live show presented in the Fantasyland Theatre. And at Disney California Adventure Park, new characters Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins join the show “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” beginning March 22.

New ‘Mickey and the Magical Map’
“Mickey and the Magical Map” presents Mickey Mouse in his timeless role as the sorcerer’s apprentice. Sorcerer Yen Sid sets his Mapmakers to work and this ensemble cast of male and female performers paints a wondrous map – capable of taking dreamers to any place imaginable and so large it spans the entire stage of Fantasyland Theatre.

Apprentice Mickey lets his curiosity get the better of him and stumbles upon the map’s magical powers. Mickey’s youthful mischief takes him, along with the audience, on a fantastic journey of imagination in the company of the Mapmakers, who help bring his adventures to life.

The journey, presented through amazing theatrical wizardry, colorful visuals and wonderful music, includes encounters with such classic Disney characters as Pocahontas, Mulan, King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” and others. “Mickey and the Magical Map” is designed for Disneyland guests of all ages and represents Disney storytelling at its most thrilling.

Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins Join ‘Disney Junior – Live on Stage!’
Fans of the Disney Junior television hits “Sofia the First” and “Doc McStuffins” will enjoy interacting with these characters at “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” They join the gang from “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” in a show that invites preschoolers to sing, dance and play with enchanting puppets, fanciful scenery and lively music.

Sofia the First, Disney’s first little girl princess, and other characters in the show share ideas with guests, encouraging them to become part of the stories. Sofia is known for showing every little princess-in-training how to sparkle – inside and out. Doc McStuffins cares for and nurtures toys in need. When the Doc is in, she really knows her stuff, consulting her Big Book of Boo Boos to help diagnose and mend her toy friends.

“Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” is presented several times a day at Disney California Adventure Park.

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GROUPON: Hot Air Balloon Ride Near Walt Disney World

grouponhotairballoon 160x97 GROUPON: Hot Air Balloon Ride Near Walt Disney WorldDeemed one of 2012′s best, Groupon and Orlando Balloon Rides in Kissimmee, Florida are once again offering the opportunity to save up to 55% on a hot air balloon flight plus a champagne toast and breakfast.

One hour before sunrise, voyagers meet at the convention center at the Radisson Resort Orlando Celebration, where the flight team greets them for their balloon ride. Passengers watch as the balloon fills with hot air before it lifts them skyward for a 60-minute tour of the Florida countryside. Once aboard, the ride features views of the region’s nature preserves, Walt Disney World, and the distant urban skyline. Upon touchdown, riders cap their adventure with a buffet breakfast and a commemorative flight certificate, with guests 21 and older toasting one another with a glass of champagne.

Normally priced at $175 per person, the Groupon makes the Orlando Balloon Ride opportunity available for just $79 per child (age 4 – 10) and $105 per adult.

Reservations must be made at least 21 days in advance with the Groupon expiring one year after purchase. Additional limitations apply and are available on the official Groupon page for this offer.

For more information or to purchase this offer, visit the official Groupon offer page.

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New Disney Arrivals at Hot Topic for January 31, 2013 (4 Items)

New Hot Topic arrivals for January 31, 2013 Below is a list of new items now available for purchase at Hot Topic. Clicking on a product’s image or description will launch the product’s page on Hot Topic in another window. Note that this list is generated and posted automatically. Stitch Kingdom should not be held responsible for any inaccuracies, misinformation or item availability. Disclosure: This post includes specially formatted links which allow the site to receive a small percentage of purchases made through them. Using these links does not affect your shopping experience in any way, but it does help the site. Even if you don’t purchase anything, even just sharing products you like through Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest using the icons below them will help the site.

New Disney Arrivals at Hot Topic for January 31, 2013 (4 Items) Marvel Comics Heroes Pajama Set – $26.50
Marvel Comics pajama set including V-neck tee and drawstring pants with Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor. Tee: 60% cotton; 40% polyester Pants: 100% cotton Wash cold; dry low Imported Listed in junior sizes
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New Disney Arrivals at Hot Topic for January 31, 2013 (4 Items) Star Wars Stormtrooper Sugar Skull Girls T-Shirt – $22.50
Fitted black tee with Stormtrooper decorated with roses and scrolling. 100% cotton Wash cold; dry low Imported Listed in junior sizes
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New Disney Arrivals at Hot Topic for January 31, 2013 (4 Items) Star Wars Stormtrooper Sugar Skull Girls T-Shirt Plus Size – $24.50
Fitted black tee with Stormtrooper decorated with roses and scrolling. 100% cotton Wash cold; dry low Imported Listed in junior sizes
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New Disney Arrivals at Hot Topic for January 31, 2013 (4 Items) Star Wars Stormtrooper Sugar Skull Girls T-Shirt Plus Size 3XL – $26.50
Fitted black tee with Stormtrooper decorated with roses and scrolling. 100% cotton Wash cold; dry low Imported Listed in junior sizes
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‘Iron Man 3′ Bus Shelter Ad Features Stark in Freefall; Super Bowl Sneak Peek Teaser

IRON3 BusShelter Falling v7 109x160 Iron Man 3 Bus Shelter Ad Features Stark in Freefall; Super Bowl Sneak Peek TeaserDuring Sunday’s Super Bowl game, Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Studios will present an exclusive sneak peek at Marvel’s Iron Man 3.

To commemorate the event, they have also provided us with this newly released hi-res bus shelter advertisement image which features Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit sans-helmet, plummeting to Earth.

Marvel Studios’ Iron Man 3 pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Iron Man 3 debuts in theaters nationwide on May 3, 2013.

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‘The Lone Ranger’ New Hi-Res Still: Silver Strikes Tonto

7975 160x120 df 15495 r The Lone Ranger New Hi Res Still: Silver Strikes Tonto

Rule number one: Never take off the mask.

In anticipation of the extended sneak peek at The Lone Ranger airing during the Super Bowl XLVII pre show this Sunday, Walt Disney Studios has provided us with this brand new still featuring Tonto (Johnny Depp) not quite yet grasping the concept of personal space when it comes to the title character’s horse, Silver. Meanwhile, the not-yet-masked John Reid (Armie Hammer) lurks in the background, gun pointed at Tonto.

The image has also been added to the beginning of our gallery of stills from the film below. As always, click on any of the thumbnails below to see a larger version. Clicking on the resize arrow will show the image at its original resolution.

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, comes Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ The Lone Ranger, a thrilling adventure infused with action and humor, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes. Native American spirit warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice — taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.

The Lone Ranger also stars Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter. The Lone Ranger rides into theaters on July 3, 2013.

 

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Living Social: Discount for ‘Mulan’ at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood

100 q60 Living Social: Discount for Mulan at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood In honor of its release on blu-ray Living Social: Discount for Mulan at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for the first time on March 12, Disney’s El Capitan Theatre will be featuring a limited run of the Walt Disney Animation classic Mulan on the big screen.

Through Living Social, the El Capitan is offering a special deal on individual tickets for showtimes during the weekends between February 9 and March 3 (except for February 24). Each ticket is available for just $11, representing a 27% savings over the regular price of $16.

Based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese folktale, Mulan follows a spirited young woman who, posing as a young man, bravely takes her father’s place in the Chinese army to defeat the Hun Shan-Yu. Featuring the unmistakable voices of Eddie Murphy, Ming-Na Wen, B.D. Wong, Donny Osmond, Miguel Ferrer, Harvey Fierstein, and Disney legend Lea Salonga, Mulan is a spectacular adventure the whole family can enjoy. Plus, Mulan herself appears live on stage at every show.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Living Social page for Mulan.

 

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ABC Picks Up ‘Bet On Your Baby’ Game Show, ‘Motive’ Crime Drama

ABC, Ben Silverman’s multimedia studio Electus, and Emmy Award-winning 5×5 Media (‘Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,’ ‘Fashion Star,’ ‘Supernanny’), today announced ‘Bet On Your Baby,’ a new primetime game show in which parents try to predict their child’s next move in an effort to win money for their child’s future education. Hosted by Melissa Peterman (who continues to star in ABC Family’s hit series ‘Baby Daddy’), the series is slated to air on ABC in April 2013.

Every parent thinks they know their baby well, but are they willing to bet on it? ‘Bet On Your Baby’ will reveal the answer to that question each week in an hour-long program featuring five families with toddlers between the ages of two and three and a half years old. Each family will play a self-contained, individual challenge against the house — meaning they’re only competing against themselves, and not against other babies. At the end of the show, the five families return to play the college round for the chance to win $50,000 towards a college education for their child.

ABC has ordered eight episodes of the series, with additional creative and prizing details to be revealed at a later date.

ABC has also picked up ‘Motive,’ a thrilling crime drama from the executive producer of ‘Dexter’ and ‘The Mentalist,’ with a unique twist focusing not on who did the crime, but why the crime was committed in the first place.

When murder is committed, Angie Flynn, a loving, single mother and a damned good detective, along with her partner, Detective Oscar Vega, are on the case, looking for clues that will lead them to the killer. But ‘Motive’ turns the tried-and-true crime drama formula on its head by identifying the killer and victim at the beginning of each episode. These storylines are then further explored via stylized flashbacks which piece together more of the mysterious connection between the two characters and what drove the killer to commit murder.

‘Motive’ stars Kristin Lehman (‘The Killing,’ ‘Judging Amy’) as Detective Angie Flynn, Louis Ferreira (‘SGU Stargate Universe,’ ‘Rookie Blue’) as Detective Oscar Vega, Lauren Holly (‘NCIS,’ ‘Chicago Hope,’ ‘Picket Fences’) as Dr. Betty Rogers, Roger Cross (’24,’ ‘Arrow’) as Staff Sergeant Boyd Bloom, Brendan Penny as Detective Brian Lucas and Cameron Bright (‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2′) as Manny Flynn.

The 13-episode drama is scheduled to air in Summer 2013 on the ABC Television Network.

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‘Paperman’ Now Available for Free Online Viewing

paperman 109x160 Paperman Now Available for Free Online ViewingWalt Disney Animation Studios has uploaded its Oscar-nominated short, Paperman to YouTube, allowing it to be watched online in its entirety for the first time.

Introducing a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques, first-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction with Paperman. Using a minimalist black-and-white style, the short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Created by a small, innovative team working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Paperman pushes the animation medium in an exciting new direction.

via Huffington Post

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