May the Force be With You – Star Wars Weekends 2012

Published April 13, 2012 by Disneyways.com

STAR WARS WEEKENDS 2012!!! Official word from Disney!!

 

Star WarsTM Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
May 18-20, 25-27, 2012
June 1-3, 8-10, 2012

Star Wars Weekends is an annual special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that celebrates the legendary Star Wars Saga and the animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, you can join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations and more.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios admission is required. Availability is limited for some events, which may be cancelled at any time.

SCHEDULED CELEBRITY APPEARANCES

  • MAY      18-20
    • Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
  • MAY      25-27
    • Andy Secombe (Watto – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
  • JUNE      1-3
    • Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
    • (Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice talent – currently TBD)
  • JUNE      8-10
    • Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
    • Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
    • Daniel Logan (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones)
    • Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress – Star Wars:  The Clone Wars)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Published April 12, 2012 by Disneyways.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Click here to see  your Disney birthday video!

I hope your day is MAGICAL!

The “Art” of hearing music under water

Published April 12, 2012 by Disneyways.com

I am so excited about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World that is opening soon. This will be a much needed addition to the line of “value resorts” which are often quite full due to the fact that we don’t all want to mortgage our house just to stay on Disney property! Yesterday I heard that the Art of Animation Resort will have the biggest pool on all of Walt Disney World, except for the water parks. It will be called the Big Blue – a nod to the Fining Nemo movie. I have seen some Walt Disney World resort pools, and let me tell you, none of them are what I consider small. I have a feeling the Big Blue is going to live up to it’s name. There’s another thing…we will be able to hear music when we are under water in the Big Blue. How cool is THAT?

The Finiding Nemo themed family suites will be opening first on May 31, 2012, followed by the Cars family suites on June 18, 2012, and the Lion King suites on August 10th. If you have a smaller party and don’t need all the space a suite provides, you will want to wait for the Little Mermaid standard rooms opening September 15th. It is still sweaty, sticky hot in Florida in September so make sure you leave some time in your schedule to enjoy the Big Blue. You can book your stay right now! I checked yesterday and amazingly – they are showing availability for certain dates.

Here’s a link so you can practice singing the song under water if you want to – your secret is safe with me!

Test Track closing for refurbishment on Sunday according to cast members

Published April 11, 2012 by Disneyways.com

It’s official!! Well, almost. Here’s what we know for sure:

Disney and General Motors are partnering to develop a re-imagined Test Track experience. The current GM Test Track at Epcot will close for refurbishment in April 2012, with an anticipated opening of Test Track Presented by Chevrolet scheduled for fall 2012.

Disney has said Test Track will transform into the sleek “Chevrolet Design Studio at Epcot” with interactive design and styling workstations where we will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. Also included will be something called a  “SimCar” ride vehicle experience where we can put our design through tests on the hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit. There will now be a post-show area filled with special effects, and we will be scored on how well our custom concept vehicle did. Disney is also updating the showroom with the actual vehicles and making it “all-new” and “state-of-the-art”. Construction permits have been filed with Orange County as of yesterday.

Unofficially, cast members who work the ride are saying they will close beginning this Sunday. Again, no official word on re-opening except that they expect we will be able to feel the wind in our hair from our test track vehicle some time in the fall of 2012. Personally, I’m a big fan of the wind-blown look, so for me it won’t be a minute too soon.

Aren’t you glad you used Dial?

Published April 10, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Remember those old soap commercials that asked, “Aren’t you glad you used Dial? Don’t you wish everybody did?” See the commercial here.

If you have ever been on a Disney bus packed like a sardine can full of tourists – then you will appreciate this. Disney is testing articulated 112 person capacity busses for resort guest transportation*. I think that means if you were on Disney property today, you might just be able to see and ride on one, The bad news is, they tested something similar back in the early ‘90’s and it apparently didn’t work out. So, I’m crossing my fingers things will go better this time. In the meantime, I am stockpiling my Dial soap for the hot summer season.

Where To Get FREE Disney Wallpapers for your PC, iPad, iPhone and Android

Published April 10, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Need a new look for your PC, iPad, iPhone,or Android?

You can get FREE official Disney wallpapers by clicking here.

They are adding new ones all the time – so  check back often!

Have a magical day!

wallpaper

Official “Hidden Mickeys” to look for in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Published April 9, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Looking for a something different and fun to look forward to?

How about making a dining reservation now for either The Whispering Canyon Cafe or Artist Point over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge?

wilderness-lodge-resort-00-full

 

You do not have to have park tickets or be a guest at any Disney resort if you want to get your Disney fix. Make a reservation for Whispering Canyon Cafe or Artist Point by calling 407-WDW-Dine.. When you arrive at the resort, you can park for free. Just let the guard know you have a dining reservation and he will wave you through. Before or after your delicious meal – you can pick up a park map at the front desk, enjoy the Lodge’s version of “Old Faithful”, gaze at the sparkling pool, sit on a comfy couch in the lobby – even catch some classic Disney cartoons playing on the hidden TV in the lobby.  If you are like my sisters…you will want to take a nice walk after your meal. Here’s a fun activity for your walk…you can look for some of these OFFICIAL Hidden Mickeys! This is EXTRA fun if you have kids in tow. Tip: Print this and take your list along!

There are 14 individual hidden Mikeys located in the common areas alone, including one in a fireplace screen:

  • Artist Point, right-hand mural—coloration of lower right-hand tree varies creating shape
  • Artist Point—cloud in the distance of the left-hand mural
  • Lobby—in a key on display between the front desk and Mercantile merchandise shop
  • Lobby—right-hand side of fireplace just below the red rocks
  • Mercantile—outside, the bus driver on the sign showing the resort transportation location
  • Outside entrance—right, inside support post below iron band at top
  • Outside entrance—right, outside support post below iron band at top
  • Territory Lounge—colored area on rear end of a pony in mural on ceiling
  • Territory Lounge—map at the entrance, one of the pots about two feet from the bottom
  • Whispering Canyon Cafe—in bottom ironwork of fireplace in back room

Disney goes anime?

Published April 5, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Check out this quick commercial for Tokyo Disney Resort.

It doesn’t look very Disney, does it? Thre is a reason for that. Japanese anime studio Madhouse was hired by Disney to create this spot.

Madhouse is known for Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. (I have no idea what these are by my kid might!)

I just thougth is was cool to see something “Disney” that is so far from the usual animation style. Guess what else?

Madhouse also handled the animation duties for Stitch!, the anime version of Lilo & Stitch. If someone can find a video of THAT I’d love to see it!

My Love for a 5 Legged Goat

Published April 5, 2012 by Disneyways.com

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I don’t know where I heard about him first. I do, however, remember the first time I shared him with someone. How do I remember? Because we got it all on film.

I had the video camera and I was panning the beautiful and historic mural in the main lobby of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. I was feeling so smart, and decided to impress my sister-in-law with one of my Disney “pearls of wisdom”…so I say,

“Somewhere on here there is a 4 legged goat.”

Her response…so sweetly and non-condemning…

”Don’t ALL goats have 4 legs?”

I laugh out loud because I realize I am so smitten with this goat and how he makes me feel — that I have forgotten the very trivia I was so proud of “bestowing” upon my sister-in-law!

“YES!” I respond through my laughter, “I meant FIVE legged goat…and now we’ve got that on FILM!”

Most people really appreciate him for the history and “legend” mural surrounds him. After all, it’s a totally awesome thing. The large mosaic where he lives was created in 1971 with 1,800 one-square-foot tiles and took 18 months to construct. It was designed by Disney Imagineer Mary Blair, who is also known for her contributions to the “look” of the “It’s a Small World” attraction. The legend states that Mary believed that no piece of artwork should be perfect – because only God is perfect – so she purposely created the “mistake”. I don’t know if it’s legend or truth, but what a wonderful story! To think this “mistake” has since become one of the greatest loves of my life just cracks me up.

In the encompassment of the fabulous mural itself, it’s easy to miss the five legged goat. He stands amongst the stylized denizens of the mosaic – one of many goats and other figures – just a face in the crowd.

Still, he draws MY eyes to him like a magnet. You see, he makes me so proud that I know about him, and I love the conversation and interaction with others that he creates. I always get a rush when I tell someone who has never seen him that he is there.

The reaction is pretty similar across the board. First a raised brow and a high pitched “Really?” is voiced. Then they want me to show them where he is. Finally when he’s revealed – whether they are just humoring me or not – most people get wide-eyed and whisper,

“That is SO cool!”

I am once again (in my own mind) crowned the Queen of Disney knowledge and I beam with excitement and pride.

It just goes to show you, when looking for love, not all girls are into outward perfections.

*To read more about the 5 legged goat: Dave’s Disney World Blog