Antique Disney Finds
39552 months ago
On a recent trip to a couple of antique shops, we were able to find a few interesting Disney finds.
Found these Disney treasures today at antique shops. The Magic Kingdom map is my favorite.
I have never seen anything like it!
On the back you pick one of the attractions and turn the dial on the bottom to the number that corresponds to that attraction. Then flip the map over to the front and there will be a pink dot next to the location of that same attraction!!
Review: The Secret World of Arrietty (US)
35493 months ago
The Secret World of Arrietty
Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Rating: G
Stars: Bridgit Mendler, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett
The US version of The Secret World of Arrietty was released to theaters this past friday. I had the pleasure of taking my date to go see it and my final thoughts are as follows. As fans of similar films like Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle, we were quite exited to see how well Mr. Hiromasa could combine such a fine art with such a strong childhood storyline. From the very opening scene, the ink-work was incredible! Paying close attention to the foreground and backgrounds of the setting, the detail is superb. Pay close attention to the objects that compose the tiny house occupied by the borrowers. I had a good time trying to recognize all of them.
If you are unfamiliar with the storyline, it is based on a children’s book written by Mary Norton called “The Borrowers”. In a nutshell, the house is not only home to human “beans” but also secretly to miniture men and women no bigger than about 4 or 5 inches if that. They borrow things from the humans; some sugar, needles, etc. But when they are discovered, their world is shaken
, quite literally. The main character is a young girl named Arrietty (airy-yetti) (Bridgit Mendler) who lives with the only two people like her that she knows, her mother (Amy Poehler) and Pod (Will Arnett). Arrietty is very curious and her parents are very protective of her and themselves.
Throughout the film, Yonebayashi takes advantage of sound and really creates an environment that puts you into the size 1/18 shoe of a borrower. Just hearing small sound effects as if they were an earthquake. Hearing rain water and footsteps with such small ears is a whole new world for us “beans”.
We laughed, we cried, and we were very pleased with the ending. Though it wasn’t exactly what we expected, it is one that will deffinately make its way to my collection as soon as it’s released on blu-ray. This is a wonderful story for the entire family.
Disney Movie Club – Best Deal on Disney Movies
38003 months ago
When I first received my Disney Rewards Visa card, It came with a large envelope full of stickers and information on the Disney Movie Club. After reading up on it a bit, it turned out to be an incredible deal! So let’s start at the beginning.
1) To begin your free membership, you can either fill out the form by mail (if you receive one) OR you can go to www.DinseyMovieClub.com. You will pick the 4 or 5 movies that you wish to receive and whether you want them on DVD or Blu-Ray. Then you will be able to order them for $1.99 a piece! Or if you if you are willing to pay by credit/debit like I did, you will get the movies for $0.20 each. My total was $1.07 for 5 movies.
TIP- Choosing the “Blu-Ray” option when ordering is always a better deal! Even if you currently don’t have a Blu-Ray Disc player. All Disney Blu-Rays are sent in combo packs. Normally 1 or 2 Blu-Ray Discs and the DVD. Sometimesyou even get the Digital Copy!
2) Within 2 weeks your 5 Disney titles will arrive with a welcome pack! This pack will also include many new options for ordering new titles from the Disney Movie Club. In order to stay in the club you will need to buy a certain amount of movies from the club at full price every 2 years in order to stay in the club. Normally you only have to buy 4 or 5 movies over the course of 2 years total. This seems like a bit of a catch but it’s really still a great deal, especially if you already buy Disney movies regularly.
3) Most of the movies sent to you will be eligible for the Disney Movie Rewards Program, so log on to www.DisneyMovieRewards.com and type in he unique codes to earn points. After you have saved enough points you can choose to redeem many great Disney items such as movies, stickers, books, plush, etc.
4) Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your tremendous savings! You’ve earned it.
New Carsland Merchandise
49373 months ago
As someone who initially was against Cars having its own land, it has truly grown on me after seeing all of the concept art and all of the construction photos. I’m also proud to see that Disney’s Carsland merch is actually very rustic and attractive.
To be honest, I almost get a “Princess and the Frog” feel from this type of artwork. The use of flat colors and simple detail.
This is really all of the artwork released by Disney Parks Blog. There are also trading pins with essentially the same artwork on them. I’ll go ahead and show you.
And there you have it. If you want more on Carsland Merchandise, visit Disney Parks Blogs Full Post!
Have more pictures of great Disney merch? Have an idea for your own DIsney products? COMMENT BELOW or just email me! alex@disneyspectrum.com
Walt Disney World Lifts Beard Ban after 60 Years of Clean-shaven Faces
34543 months ago
For the pas 60 years Disney has kept up with it’s high standards for employees by implementing strict rules that can be harsh at times. Ever since the opening of Disneyland, cast members have not been allowed even the slightest bit of a beard and they could only have a small, well kept mustache. But as of Monday, January 23, 2012 Walt Disney World has lifted the rule! This will allow all male cast members to grow clean-cut beards of up to 1/4 of an inch! It’s not a lot but it will make a lot of men happy.
“Disney Look guides are periodically reviewed, given the unique environment of our theme parks and resorts,” Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said. “While we’re careful to maintain our heritage and the integrity of our brand, a recent review of our guidelines led to a decision that an update was appropriate at this time.”
According to an article in The Orlando Sentinel, “Disney doesn’t tinker with its look lightly: Changes are typically made only after the company has studied similar guidelines at other theme parks and Fortune 500 companies. The last major change occurred two years ago, when the company finally allowed female workers to forego wearing panty hose when wearing skirts — a rule that had been particularly uncomfortable for women working outside on steamy summer days in Central Florida.”
When looking closer, I realized that Disney had actually allowed some exceptions to the “no beard” rule all along, such as….
I bet they never even asked Grumpy to shave. What a rebel. And then there’s….
I wonder how he managed to get away with this one in the parks…
Test Track Refurbishment 2012
51954 months ago
If you plan to visit WDW sometime this year and your trip just wouldn’t be complete without a high-speed ride on EPCOT’s Test Track, you may want to add this into the equation.
As I was reading on blog.touringplans.com Disney has made it official that Test Track will be going down for a major refurbishment that will begin April 15th – Sept 21st.
The refurb will also be the beginning of a new sponsorship. Though GM will still be sponsoring the ride, they have chosen to brand it with the Chevrolet name. Below is the official press release by Disney concerning the changes.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012 – Disney and General Motors have renewed their long-term business relationship with a new multi-year corporate alliance.
As part of the new alliance, GM will be actively involved with Walt Disney Imagineering in the development of a re-imagined, design-centric Test Track experience. The refurbished Test Track will be presented by one of GM’s most famous brands, Chevrolet. As Chevrolet marks its 100th anniversary, the new alliance agreement enables General Motors to tell its story in new and exciting ways to millions of Guests from around the world and continue as the official vehicle sponsor of Walt Disney World Resort.
“We are excited to renew our long-term alliance with General Motors,” said George Aguel, Senior Vice President, Corporate Alliances for the Walt Disney Company. “This unique agreement extends collaboration between two of the most recognized brands in the world, a relationship that spans over 30 years. The re-imagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will continue our shared goal of providing unique and innovative experiences that engage Disney guests in exciting and interactive ways.” ”
“As a global brand, Chevrolet is looking forward to welcoming Guests from around the world to the re-imagined Test Track,” said Joel Ewanick, Global Chief Marketing Officer for General Motors. “The best of Disney and the best of Chevrolet will come together to bring Guests an immersive experience in the design process of the vehicles they see on the road today and will see in the future.”
Plans call for closing the current GM Test Track in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012.
As part of the re-imagining, the Future World attraction will feature a sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot” immersing Guests in the fascinating world of automotive design. Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.
At interactive design and styling workstations, Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. The adventure will then shift into high gear as Guests buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit.
Their performance testing complete, Guests will move into a post-show area filled with special effects and be scored on how well their custom concept vehicle did. And of course, Guests will be able see the very latest Chevrolet vehicles in an all-new state-of-the-art showroom.
Though Disney has made a few disappointing changes to attractions before, I don’t really see how they could mess this up. Test Track is a good attraction. The personalized additions can only make the ride more interactive and fun for all. I really can’t wait to hop on this one. If you have any more information about the refurbishment e-mail me at alex@disneyspectrum.com!
Beauty and the Beast 3D
45844 months ago
This week I had the pleasure of seeing Beauty and the Beast in Disney 3D. Having missed out on The Lion King 3D, I was determined to make it to this and my expectations were not only met, but exceeded. As my fiance and I entered the theater we were given little cards, approximately the size of a postcard with Belle and the Beast on the front and an awesome Value on the back. With this card, you can save $15 on the Beauty and the Beast 5-disk Blu-ray/3D Diamond Edition combo pack.
This includes:
- Blu-ray Feature
- Blu-ray Special Features
- Blu-ray 3D
- DVD Feature
- Disney Digital Copy
We also requested 2 sets of the children’s 3D glasses because they were specially made for the 3D version of Beauty and the Beast and I can’t pass up on something like that. Once in the theater, as the previews played, there was one that intrigued me the most. Without re-releasing it in theaters, Lady and the Tramp are also coming out of the Disney Vault on a 3-disk Blu-ray Diamond Edition.
Right before the film began there was an extra treat. called Tangled Ever After. Like many Disney films before it, the 3D version of Beauty and the Beast was released with a short-film inspired by another Disney movie (I’ll let you assume which). The short was extremely funny and very charming. I won’t spoil anything. . .
As the movie began, the 3D effect was breathtaking as the multiplane camera panned through the Forrest into the stained-glass window. Throughout the movie any scene involving rain. snow, dust, fog, smoke, or clouds was very crisp and clear. Though I do miss the bonus song “Human Again” from the last release of a Beauty and the Beast on Special Edition DVD, it was not featured in this version. Overall this trip to the theater was well worth it. This is a piece of Disney history you will not want to miss out on. The next Disney film in the line of 3D re-releases is Finding Nemo, which I feel will be quite a treat!
My favorite current Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Merchendise
37364 months ago
I loved this ornament to the point that I bought it. But be warned! By the time I got back to the resort, it was in three pieces. I was very careful with it. It just proved to be very fragile. I was only able to find it in one shop in DHS. Only $12.95.
This Vinylmation caught my eye among the rest. I love the 40th Anniversary collection! This one displays all 4 Parks on each side only $12.95.
The Magic, the Memories, and You (video recording)
43954 months ago
This is the new WDW projection show! I loved it. My sister was lucky enough to make it on to the castle. I hope you enjoy this, because I had to hold my phone up for ten minutes… (sorry for the quality. It was a cell phone…)
A Few Must-Have Disney Christmas Movies
52325 months ago
The magic of Disney and the magic of Christmas time have always gone well together. Traditionally, my family watches as any Christmas movies as we can between November 1st and December 26th! Every year there are a few Disney holiday movies that end up in the VCR or DVD player over and over and over again. Though you have probably already seen them, it never hurts to watch them a few more dozens of times.
The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3
Funny man, Tim Allen, finds out what it is like to wear the big red suit and deliver
presents to every child in the world all in one night. This trilogy is very family
friendly and quite hilarious.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas plays a dishonest young college man that keeps getting himself into trouble with a select few classmates. When asked by his father to come home for Christmas, he sneaks his way out of it until his father makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Another laughing movie with a lesson to be learned. Not a bad “once a year” kind of movie.
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Mickey’s Once and Twice Upon a Christmas
These are two movies that should stay in your collection forever. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is had-drawn and features 3 exclusive cartoons featuring characters like Goofy, Donald and, of course, Mickey Mouse. They are three well-known tales with Disney twists and it is guaranteed to entertain the whole family.
Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas is the first film to feature the classic Disney gang in a computer generated form. Just like its predecessor, this is a wonderful movie for the holidays that features 3 or 4 new exclusive Disney cartoons. Both of these should make their way into your holiday line-up if they aren’t already there.
Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse
As an already huge fan of the House of Mouse cartoon series, I loved this movie immediately. It is basically an extended version of the House of Mouse featuring classic cartoon shorts as well as some new one. One very special part of this movie is the last video that they show, Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It is wildly funny and well worth watching a few times!
That wraps it up! If you know of any other Disney Christmas movies that you and your family cherish, leave a comment below! I’d love to read about it. Merry Christmas!