StarWars.com has produced a really great video full of tips for surviving Star Wars Weekends. While the big figs displayed at one point are actually from last year, the video is new and current and includes vital information such as the change this year with celebrity FASTPASSes being distributed outside the park. To some extent, the video also features the Prop Shop which is a backstage venue at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Check it out here.
The 40 city whistle-stop tour of the train promoting Disney’s A Christmas Carol kicked off today at Union Station in Los Angeles and star Jim Carrey and director Robert Zemeckis were on hand to kick it off. In addition, we get a new glimpse of some of the exhibits on display inside the train.
Photos from WireImage. © Imagemovers Digital LLC. Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
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 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.
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 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.
That is all, thank you.
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.”
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, 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.
