Archive for the ‘Disney’ Category
From June 15 through August 9, the Sounds Like Summer concert series will host multiple performances nightly under the stars. An annual event, the series is returning to the America Gardens Theatre this year with a great lineup of popular tribute bands. Seven bands in total will recreate the sounds of legendary artists like the Bee Gees, Eagles, U2, and more, providing a great end to a day at Epcot.
The lineup is subject to change, but so far, the performers for the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series include Stayin’ Alive, a tribute to the Bee Gees performing from June 15 through 21; Hotel California, a tribute to the Eagles performing from June 22 through 28; Slippery When Wet, a tribute to Bon Jovi performing from June 29 through July 8; 52nd Street, a tribute to Billy Joel performing from July 9 through 17; Sounds of The Supremes, a tribute to The Supremes performing from July 18 through 26; and 2U, a tribute to U2 performing from July 27 through August 2. Finally, Petty Theft, a tribute to Tom Petty, closes out the concert series from August 3 through August 9.
Throughout Sounds Like Summer, multiple nightly performances will take place at 5:45 pm, 7 pm, and 8:15 pm except on July 4. On Independence Day, park guests can rock out at 5:15 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:45 pm, and 9 pm before enjoying a great fireworks extravaganza in the sky.
Though other summer concert series and nighttime entertainment are being offered at Busch Gardens and Universal Studios, the Sounds Like Summer concert series at Epcot is the only one offering performances every night. Best yet, the series is also free with regular admission to the park, so all you need to rock out is a Walt Disney World ticket.
And of course, there’s only one place where you can get Walt Disney World tickets and save – DWTickets.com. Check out Magic Your Way passes today and begin planning your trip down a memory lane of summertime fun at Epcot.
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Busch Gardens Celebrates 50 Years with Extra Summer Fun
Jun 12, 2009 Author: admin | Filed under: Busch Gardens, Disney
The fun kicks off this Saturday, June 6, with music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s performed by original artists in Gwazi Park. The night will be capped by a spectacular fireworks display. Then on July 3, guests will be able to groove to David Cassidy in Concert, while the 4th of July features Starship and Mickey Thomas, along with another amazing fireworks show.
On every night in between this Saturday and the festivities in July and thereafter, Busch Gardens will also feature Darren Romeo, the voice of magic, presented by master magicians Siegfried and Roy. Romeo will thrill the crowds with his captivating mix of magic and music in the Moroccan Palace. Meanwhile, at the Marrakesh Theater, Jeff Civillico will present his amazing blend of comedy, juggling, balancing, athleticism, and audience participation. And every night, an infectious new dance choreographed expressly for park guests will keep the energy in the park amped, while DJs spin party songs from four different spots throughout Busch Gardens.
While guests enjoy the hot tunes, fun shows, and the thrill of riding their favorite coasters in the dark, they can also visit the new exhibit honoring Busch Gardens’ 50th birthday. Hundreds of items, including photos, souvenirs, and artifacts, are on display, along with a 70-foot timeline marking milestones from the park’s humble beginnings as a bird garden and brewery tour, all the way to its present day status as a world-renowned adventure park. The exhibit is located between the Crown Colony House Restaurant and the Clydesdale Hamlet and is open during regular park hours.
While normal park hours usually end at 7 pm, during Summer Nights at Busch Gardens, the park will be open until 9 pm Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Best yet, all these extra hours of fun and excitement are included with regular Busch Gardens admission, making it one of the summer’s hottest deals.
So if you love the atmosphere of a high-energy street party, check out discount Busch Gardens tickets on DWTickets.com to get your pass to summertime dancing, music, and partying at the hottest theme park in Tampa, Florida.
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A First Look at Animatronic Obama
Jun 12, 2009 Author: admin | Filed under: Disney, Walt Disney World
The 44th President of the United States has been recreated in animatronic form for his induction into The Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World, which pays tribute to each of the presidents in an entertaining and educational show. Lincoln, Carter, Bush - they’re all present in robotic form in the attraction, and former presidents Bush and Clinton even provided their voices for the presidential ‘roll call.’ But as the Times learned, Obama not only provided his voice, but even his measurements for his figure, which DIsney says is the most lifelike president they’ve created yet.
Supposedly, when President Obama saw renderings of the figure, he said Disney Imaginaeers made the figure “better-looking than he was.”
Similar to presidents before him, Robobama will have a speaking role in the attractions. He’ll recite his oath of office in addition to a newly drafted speech written by Disney writers and tweaked by Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau. President Obama recorded the speed in March inside the White House Map Room, which was apparently the best room for recording in Disney high-definition sound.
Joining Robobama in speaking to the crowd will be Abraham Lincoln, who has always had a speaking role in the Hall of Presidents. However, after the July 4 unveiling of the attraction, Lincoln will be delivering the Gettysburg Address in its entirety. Also, George Washington will have a speaking role for the first time ever.
These are just a few of the new additions to the attraction, which will also feature a new film narrated by Morgan Freeman. The hall itself will also get an upgrade, including new digital-video projection systems and new, longer spotlights for each president with modernized controls.
And of course, former president George W. Bush will be added to the attraction in the form of a less sophisticated animatronic figure. Robobama is actually the same figure as the old Robobush, simply recycled, reprogrammed, and given some significant plastic surgery.
However, one would never guess that Robobama was once another president, as the Times reports that Disney has gone to great lengths to accurately convey not only the President’s expression, but his mannerisms as well.
“Thus the audio-animatronic Obama purses its lips to pronounce its b’s and p’s in a way frighteningly evocative of the real one, and raises its hands, open-palmed, while shruggiong its shoulders, in a way that can only be described as Obamaesque. Even the president’s wedding ring, with its braided design, has been recreated,” wrote Jacques Steinberg.
One of Disney’s oldest attractions, the Hall of Presidents was first conceived by Walt Disney himself when he produced a “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” attraction for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. The Hall has been featured in Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971 and features all 43 presidents of the United States in a celebration of American history.
The Hall of Presidents officially reopens on July 4, a very appropriate day for the reintroduction of the most patriotic attraction at Disney. In addition to all the other Independence Day festivities at Disney, you won’t want to miss seeing the latest Presidential figures in action. Check out Walt Disney World tickets on DWTickets.com now to come face to face with President Obama - Robobama, that is.
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Feel the Force at Disney’s Hollywood Studios During Star Wars Weekends 2009
May 29, 2009 Author: admin | Filed under: DisneyLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22-June 14, 2009, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the temporary home for a band of out-of-this-world characters, including Wookiees, Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Rodians. Dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7 and June 12-14.
A giant, “A to Z” gathering of Star Wars characters – from Anakin Skywalker to Zam Wesell – will roam the streets of the theme park during meet-and-greet sessions. Jedi Training Academy – one of the interactive entertainment experiences featured in the theme park – takes place throughout the day on the event’s main stage and allows young guests to learn from a Jedi Master before testing newly acquired skills in a battle with Darth Vader.
Also featured: the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, special Star Wars parades, rides on the famed Star Tours attraction, and autograph sessions and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses.
Star Wars Weekends At-a-Glance
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays May 22-June 14, 2009
Celebrity Host -Jay Laga’aia (“Captain Typho”) with special guest Ashley Eckstein (“Ahsoka Tano”)
Activities
A Galaxy of Photo Opportunities – Encounter more than 50 Star Wars characters from the entire saga. From Darth Vader to Darth Maul and Greedo to Chewbacca, you’ll find heroes, bounty hunters, droids and villains from throughout the galaxy.
Celebrities from Star Wars will attend each weekend and participate in:
Autograph Sessions
Legends of the Force – Star Wars themed motorcade
Stars of the Saga – Talk Show and Q&A hosted by Jay Laga’aia
Clone Wars: Behind the Force – A behind-the-scenes show that explores the excitement of Star Wars: The Clone Wars led by Ashley Eckstein,the talented voice behind “Ahsoka Tano.” In addition to being the voice of “Ahsoka Tano” in The Clone Wars TV series and feature film, she has appeared on shows such as “That’s So Raven” and in films including “Sydney White,” which starred Amanda Bynes. She and her husband, Major League Baseball player David Eckstein (a two-time All Star who won the 2006 World Series MVP Award), were married at Walt Disney World Resort in 2005.
Jedi Training Academy – Each young “Obi-wanna-be” who is chosen will learn a lightsaber combination as they prepare to face the dark side!
Star Tours Attraction –Blast your starspeeder through the ultimate Star Wars adventure.
Padawan Mind Challenge – Kids under 12 can test their wits before the Jedi Council!
Hyperspace Hoopla – Star Wars characters and guests gather for an entertaining conclusion to each day’s events.
Wicket’s Warehouse – Shop a galaxy of Star Wars themed and limited-edition merchandise developed just for Star Wars Weekends 2009.
Weekend Celebrities
Weekend 1 (May 22-24)
Ray Park (“Darth Maul”)
Warwick Davis (“Wicket the Ewok”)
James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)**
Weekend 2 (May 29-31)
Peter Mayhew (“Chewbacca”)
Matthew Wood (“General Grievous”)
Weekend 3 (June 5-7)
Jeremy Bulloch (“Boba Fett”)
David Prowse (“Darth Vader”)
Matt Lanter (voice of Anakin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)**
Weekend 4 (June 12-14)
Dave Filoni (Director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
Temuera Morrison (“Jango Fett”)
** Guest appearances in Clone Wars: Behind The Force presentations
(source)
Hall of Presidents to Reopen July 2009
May 29, 2009 Author: admin | Filed under: DisneyA July reopening is planned for the Hall of Presidents, an iconic attraction in Magic Kingdom. An Audio-Animatronics version of President Barack Obama will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States as part of an attraction that has been celebrating American history since Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. Disney Imagineers also are updating a broad array of show elements.
ALL THE RIGHT MOVES – Disney Imagineer John Cutry programs an Audio-Animatronics likeness of President Barack Obama in preparation for the July 2009 re-launch of the Hall of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The attraction in the Magic Kingdom Park features Audio-Animatronics representations of all the United States Presidents. President Obama’s likeness will have a speaking role, along with “George Washington” and “Abraham Lincoln.”
(source)
‘Kris Allen, You’ve Just Been Named The New American Idol, What Are You Going To Do Next?’
May 22, 2009 Author: admin | Filed under: Disney
‘I’m Going to Disney World!’
New ‘American Idol’ is Seen – and Heard! – in Famous Disney Ad
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.”
And with the same immediacy that has made the Disney spot one of the most beloved commercials of all-time, the newest “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial aired on television within hours of the “American Idol” finale.
Starring in a role usually occupied by sports stars – including Super Bowl heroes and World Series champs – Allen is the second singer to ever star in the Disney commercial in its 20+-year history. (2008 “American Idol” champion, David Cook, was the first.)
The “American Idol” champion’s role in the newest “I’m Going to Disney World” commercial celebrates “The American Idol Experience,” the new “American Idol”-themed attraction that had a February 2009 grand opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, part of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
“The American Idol Experience” – the first major theme park attraction in the world based on the popular television series – was developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in conjunction with FremantleMedia Enterprises and 19 TV Ltd.
In the attraction, Disney guests are able to experience the glitz and glamour of the “American Idol” television show, whether they are auditioning for a Disney producer, performing on-stage in front of a packed theater or voting for their favorite performance from their audience seats. Performers who receive the most audience votes in the preliminary shows return to star in that evening’s grand finale show. In addition to their new-found theme park fame, the top vote-getting guest in the finale show receives “The American Idol Experience” Dream Ticket – which allows an eligible holder to schedule a front-of-the-line audition at a future regional audition for the “American Idol” television show.
By starring in the Disney commercial, Allen joins a lineup of superstar professional athletes who have shouted the famous “I’m Going to Disney World” line.
Fittingly, the new “American Idol” will make his celebratory visit to Walt Disney World Resort as Disney Parks asks guests “What Will You Celebrate?”
(source)
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