Come meet Chris Reiff as he signs copies of his book, Star Wars Blueprints: The Ultimate Collection, on Saturday, May 30 at Wicket’s Warehouse (at Soundstage 1 near the Backlot Tour entrance). Reiff is a frequent contributor to Star Wars Insider magazine, co-founder of the Parts of Star Wars and the designer of the Riddell miniature Star Wars helmets and will be signing his book from 11 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Disney Channel’s Summer of Stars Debuts Friday, May 29
Disney Channel’s special summertime lineup, Summer of Stars, kicks off FRIDAY MAY 29, with a cavalcade of special event episodes, new double-feature movies and marathons of kids’ favorite series. Highlighting Disney Channel superstars Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, Summer of Stars celebrates the strong connection that kids age 6-14 have with the entire lineup of Disney Channel talent. Disney Channel.com, the #1 entertainment website for Kids 6-14, will also launch a new supersite, game or activity every Saturday to coincide with Summer of Stars.
NY Times Offers First Look at Changes to Hall of Presidents and its New Resident Obama
Audio Animatronic of President Barack Obama soon to debut at the Magic Kingdom's Hall of Presidents © Disney
The NY Times brings us an exclusive behind the scenes look at the new President Barack Obama animatronic figure that will be making its Walt Disney World debut in July. The article, which features a Disney approved photo from afar, talks about the care and excessive detail that went into the faithful re-creation, right down to the detail of his wedding ring. The article also goes into some of the additional changes that will be taking place including confirming (as well as putting to bed) many of the rumored changes, particularly on who will have a speaking part and who won’t.
Disney Channel Presents ‘Special Agent Oso’ Marathon, Featuring New Episode and Viewer Painted Digi-Medals
Disney Channel will present a marathon of its newest hit, “Special Agent Oso,” an animated series for preschoolers starring Sean Astin, SATURDAY, JUNE 13 (6:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET/PT). The marathon will feature eight episodes, including the premiere of a new episode, “The Living Flashlight / Sand Castle Royale,” at 8:00 a.m. ET/PT. Online at PlayhouseDisney.com preschoolers can digitally paint their own Digi-Medals featured in the series and then submit their virtual creation for the opportunity to be highlighted on Disney Channel during the marathon.
“The Living Flashlight” – When Theo and Oliver find their flashlight isn’t working, Special Agent Oso leaves his Deep Sea Training Exercise to shed light on the problem.
Faith Prince (Ursula, The Little Mermaid on Broadway) to Perform on The View May 26
That is all, thank you.
Kris Allen is Going to Disney World (Watch the Commercial Online Here!)
Kris Allen will be appearing in a celebrity motorcade on Friday, May 29 at 10 am at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
American Idol Season 8 Winner Kris Allen is Going to Disney World © Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney
LOS ANGELES – To celebrate the newly opened “American Idol Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Kris Allen shouted the famous words “I’m Going to Disney World!” immediately after being crowned the newest “American Idol” in the show’s star-studded season finale on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles.
Disney camera crews captured Allen’s celebratory pronouncement on the Nokia Theatre stage mere moments after “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced the champion’s name to millions of viewers watching worldwide.
Not only does the newly crowned Idol shout “I’m Going to Disney World!” at the spot’s conclusion, Allen’s voice also is featured throughout the ad as he performs the iconic song, “When You Wish Upon A Star.”
Details on Star Wars Weekends’ The Clone Wars: Behind the Force
Hosted by Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano), the show will consist of the celebrity guest and even a participant from the audience performing a live reading of the script as the sequence plays out on screen.
The first week’s celebrity guest will be James Arnold Taylor (Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi).
Source: StarWars.com
Wayne Allwine, the Voice of Mickey Mouse, Dies at 62 (Updated)
Wayne Allwine, only the third person to have ever voiced the American icon (following in the big yellow footsteps of Jimmy MacDonald and Walt Disney himself), passed away at the age of 62 on Monday, May 18 due to complications tied to diabetes. Allwine was married to Russi Taylor whom he met on the job as she is (fittingly enough) the voice of Mickey’s long time romantic partner, Minnie.
Disney has updated Allwine’s Legends page to reflect the unfortunate news. Both he and Taylor were named legends last year.
Behind the Scenes Clip from A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey and Robert Zemeckis
TrailerAddict brings us this segment from The Backlot Buzz in which Robert Zemeckis and Jim Carrey talk about working on A Christmas Carol. Includes some art from the film as well.
Disney and Other Coalition Members Decide on Climate-Forests Agreement
WASHINGTON, May 20 — Several of the nation’s top environmental groups, conservation organizations, and corporate leaders today released details of an agreement on policies aimed at protecting the world’s tropical forests. Ongoing burning and destruction of these forests is responsible for approximately one-fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions — more than all the world’s cars, trucks, planes, and ships combined.
The coalition includes: American Electric Power, Conservation International, Duke Energy, Environmental Defense Fund, El Paso Corporation, National Wildlife Federation, Marriott International, Mercy Corps, Natural Resources Defense Council, PG&E Corporation, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Union of Concerned Scientists, The Walt Disney Company, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Woods Hole Research Center.
