The Hairy Physics Of Rapunzel

If you don't learn any physics out of this, at the very least, you'll have a hysterically good time! You can either read the transcript, or listen to this NPR show on the animation (and physics) of Rapunzel's hair in "Tangled".

Zz.

Pleasure Island to Become Hyperion Wharf

The transformation of Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island that will affect the whole flow of the area. Maybe this will make the walk from Marketplace to West Side a lot less "abrupt".



Zz.

Diane Disney Miller Interview

This is a rather insightful interview with Diane Disney Miller, who doesn't normally give out interviews. Not only do you learn a bit more about her and her life with Walt, but you also get a sense of love-hate relationship that she has with the Walt Disney Company.

It is also interesting, though, that the report indicated that she no longer owns any personal stock of the company.

Zz.

"World of Color" Wins Award

Just a few months since its debut, and already "World of Color" has been awarded the prize for "Best Nighttime Spectacular".

The “World of Color” show received an award from the Themed Entertainment Association for the best “nighttime spectacular.” Fifteen Thea Awards were given out, but only one in the nighttime spectacular category.

Certainly, those who have seen this show have given it very high praise indeed. So this award isn't a surprise at all.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

Obviously, this is at Epcot.

Cars 2 - Official Trailer

Disney has released the official trailer for the highly-anticipated (aren't they all?) Cars 2.



My bet here is that this one will gross more than the first one, which had tepid reviews and initial response.

Zz.

Tips and Hidden Treasures at the Disneyland Resort

If you a newbie or novice to Disneyland, this short video might provide some info that you didn't know about.



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Holiday Wishes

Orlando Attractions Magazine has a new video on Holiday Wishes.



It looks like they were almost at the very spot where we took a video of Holiday Wishes. Just compare!



I don't know if the first video did the same thing, but in our video, I actually overlay the soundtrack from the CD, so that the music is clearer. Of course, I had to do a bit of editing of the Holiday Wishes music, because the current version has been edited to be shorter.

Zz.

Random WDW Picture

The Dapper Dans on Main Street, USA at the Magic Kingdom.

Zz.

More Photos from The Disney Store in Times Square

Donald Makes His Debut Appearance at the NYC Disney Store in Times Square

Hi all! To start, I'd like to apologize to those of you out there still waiting for my commentary on WDW's Party for the Senses. I haven't forgotten...I've just been busy recovering from one trip to make another. Yesterday, I went to Times Square to visit Daisy's good friend, Lady Liberty Minnie, at her new home on Broadway. Well, the space is creatively designed, but it still doesn't hold a candle to the World of Disney store I knew and loved on 5th Avenue. Still, there is plenty of NYC themed merchandise  for the average tourist. The New York Exclusive Vinylmation and pins are probably enough to draw the more avid Disney fan through the store's doors at least once. But the real draw here is for the kids. Even my 9 month old stroller buddy Ben was mesmerized by the decor. And, I can't wait until Ben is ready for Ridemakerz, a  "Build-A-Bear" type center where kids can put together their own Lightning McQueen racecars. It's kind if pricey, though...plan on dropping at least $40 on this activity if you're thinking of taking your tyke on this building adventure. Here are some pictures from the store for all to enjoy. One more word of advice...use the registers upstairs when making a purchase...the lines are much shorter!

DD.  

"Winnie The Pooh" Trailer

Disney has released the official "Winnie The Pooh" trailer for the movie that will be released on July 15, 2011.



First of all, the picture looks AMAZING. I was afraid that they were going to do this in the same way they are doing the TV version of Winnie the Pooh, where things are now done digitally (the old Winnie the Pooh TV series with Christopher Robin looks SO much nicer!). Secondly, I'm so glad Christopher Robin is in this movie, even with an English accent! :)

Thirdly, there is a wonderful, warm, nostalgic feeling about this movie based on the trailer alone. I had a smile on my face at the end of seeing it, as if you've seeing an old friend once again that hasn't changed.

So yes, I can't wait to go see this movie.

Zz.

"Tonight Show With Jay Leno"

Last night, Jay Leno did his person-on-the-street interview and asked passers-by if they could identify the company based on their commercial slogan. But that was the part that caught my attention. It appears that he did most of the shoot for this piece right across the street from Disney's Soda Fountain store! In fact, in some shots, you could also see the El Capitan theater.

Now, considering that The Tonight Show is on NBC, it was nice of Leno to give free broadcast of the parent company (Disney) of a competing TV network (ABC)! :)

Zz.

"The Magic Kingdom" Being Considered For A Movie

Looks like Disney is moving ahead with plans to come up with a suitable story line for a movie based on The Magic Kingdom, with Director Jon Favreau taking the lead in developing the story.

The director will take the lead in developing the project, which is essentially the Mouse House's answer to Fox's "Night at the Museum" franchise.

As first reported by Daily Variety, Disney has been looking at creative ways to turn Disneyland into the setting for a family feature, similar to how the company has adapted individual theme park rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise or an entire area of the park in the case of Tomorrowland.

This is certain a big risk since Disney has to be careful about how this park icon will be depicted.

Zz.

Video of Opening of Disney Stores Times Square

Here's a compilation video of the opening of the Times Square Disney Stores.



I wish they ran a little bit more of the opening ceremony.

Zz.

Disney Opens Times Square Store

The Disney Store on Times Square in NYC is officially opened. It occupies the old Virgin Megastore right in the heart of Times Square.

The 20,000-square-foot Times Square emporium is about five times bigger than most Disney stores. Divided by franchise, from Mickey Mouse — still the global entertainment company's most popular character — to an assortment of princesses, it offers similar merchandise to other stores, only more and on a grander scale, said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.

Highlights at the new store include a "Cars" display where kids can build their own miniature vehicles — $50 for a freewheel version, $75 for a remote control. In a two-story, 20-foot-tall princess castle, there's a talking mirror that produces an image of Cinderella or another princess with a wave of a wand. And on a 12-foot screen nestled in a small theater area, guests can choose exactly which Disney film clips, videos and classic animation to watch.

I hope it has more adult stuff than what can be found at most Disney Stores.

Zz.

Tangled Featurette

OK, do you want to know more?



Zz.

Disney merchandise at JC Penney

Was surprised to see a corner at JC Penney at Woodfield Mall devoted to holiday Disney merchandise. Most items are 50% off.

Tangled - Maximus the Horse

Oh, this movie is getting more hilarious by each trailer.



Zz.

Disney Dream Will Have Built-In Hand Sanitizer

It must be a slow Disney news when the built-in hand sanitizer on the Disney Dream is being called the latest innovation.

Instead of the free-standing (and some would argue clunky) plastic dispensers that are nearly universal in the industry, Disney Cruise Line's new ship, the Disney Dream, will have more architecturally appropriate, built-in hand sanitizer stations that are incorporated into the Art Deco design of the vessel.

Um..... OK. Let's see if I can find one of these things when I'm on it next year.

Zz.

Where in Walt Disney World?

OK, here's another one. Where in Walt Disney World can you find this?

Zz.

Sorcerer Mickey Takes His Place on the Disney Dream

Oh, I'm so looking forward to seeing this. They are going to put Sorcerer Mickey directing the broomsticks at the stern section of The Disney Dream!



Zz.

Hunting For Hidden Mickeys

ABC News follows Steve Barrett hunting for hidden Mickey at Walt Disney World. Barrett, of course, is the author of the definitive book on Hidden Mickeys.

Zz.

New Disney Cruise Ship Has The Best Bathrooms?

Thanks to Gene for sending me the link to this story.

It appears that Disney Dream might have the best bathroom on a cruise ship.

So it perhaps should come as no surprise that cruise writers were taking a hard look this week at the cabin bathrooms on Disney's newest cruise ship, the Disney Dream, during a preview tour of the vessel at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

The consensus among cruise writers: The Disney Dream's cabin bathrooms are winners. Big time.

Of course, I can't wait to check this out in slightly more than a year from now when we get to do our Disney cruise on the Disney Dream.

Zz.

Tron Legacy Daft Punk Video 'Derezzed'

Cool, cool video!



Zz.

The Darker Side of Fairy Tales

You probably don't want your kids to read this.

The Independent listed a few popular fairy tales and how they are markedly different than the "original", darker version. This includes Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, and Three Little Pigs. Some of the description of the original version are quite gruesome. For example, in Sleeping Beauty:

but there is an earlier Italian version, written by Giambattista Basile in the 17th century, that is considerably darker than the tale told to young minds. In the original, Talia, the Sleeping Beauty, is raped by a king while she sleeps, and gives birth to twins. When the Queen finds out, she orders that Talia be burnt alive, but the King arrives in the nick of time, throws the Queen on the bonfire, and marries Talia.

Yikes! And what about Snow White?

The true origins of Snow White are typical of the macabre stories written as stark morality tales for the children of harsher times. In the Grimm version, Snow White's evil stepmother made not one but three attempts to murder her.

Obviously, the stepmother must die if Snow White and her prince are to live happily ever after. Disney granted her a quick death – falling off a cliff – that did not implicate the young couple.

In the original, the bride and groom invited the Queen to their wedding, where they had a nasty surprise awaited her.

She was forced to wear iron slippers that had been heated over a fire until they were red hot and dance until she dropped dead.

Oh my goodness! They all sound like they could be the next version of "Saw" movies!

:)

Zz.

Donald Checks Out the Menu at The Kona Cafe Before Breakfast...Hmmm...Tonga Toast or Macadamia Nut Pineapple Pancakes?

World of Color TRON: Legacy Encore

It appears that they added a Tron Legacy bit to World of Color as a special addition, obviously to promote the movie. It definitely looks very cool.



Zz.

Another WCPT Member sings "Consider Yourself" with Miss Carol

Watch Out, Daisy! There's a New Girl in Town

Windy City Pin Trader's "Own" Jan Sings with Miss Carol at The Rose and Crown

Creme Brulee au Chocolate au Lait from France

Parmentier de Boeuf Braise au Cabernet from France

Seared Albacore Tuna with Romesco Sauce from Spain

Kefta Pocket and Sangria from Morocco

Lamington (Chocolate-covered Butter Cake) from Australia

Tuna Sensation and Wafu Ribettes from Japan

Spicy Tuna Rolls and California Sushi Rolls from Japan

Bison Chili with Wild Mushrooms, Cabernet, and Pepper Jack Cheese and Heirloom Tomatoes with Oregon Blue Cheese, Red Onions, and Basil from the United States

New England Lobster Roll from the Hops and Barley Station

Halloween Decorations at Ft. Wilderness

Just like Christmas, the occupants of Ft. Wilderness decorated to the hilt for the Halloween season. Laughing Place has a collection of pictures from this year's festivities.

Thanks to Phil and Diane, I got a similar picture to the last one posted on Laughing Place, but this one is a little bit clearer:

We definitely know that he/she loves Mickey. :)

Zz.

Hey! What Happened to the Rest of My Ravioli?

While I was watching this guy, someone ate most of my Baked Cheese Ravioli, Creamy Bolognese Sauce, and Melted Mozzarella from Italy!

DD.

Spaetzle Gratin with Ham and Cheese, Apfel Strudel featuring Werther's Original Karamell Sauce, and Radeberger Pilsner from Germany

Donald Gets His "Game On" at Toy Story Mania

Will Donald Be The Next American Idol?