I sat through at least two showings of Camp Rock 2 with my daughter. Disney is about nothing if not over-exposure, and they showed it on the Disney Channel all weekend long, every night including tonight’s Labor Day holiday.

My admiration of the Jonas Brothers is known to readers of The Disney Blog, but less well known is my admiration for the versatile Ms. Lovato. Disney has a stable full of talented young people, but Demi Lovato is definitely the strong horse, to continue the metaphor. Her versatile vocals are really quite good and she is one of the few, I believe, who doesn’t get put through a voice-over computer generated wash. She can sing, she can dance and she’s got a great deal of charm.

My daughter thinks so, too and seeks to emulate her. She was a Hannah Montana and Miley fan and still is, but I notice something different with Demi and I’m not sure if that she’s older and so Demi’s more adolescent approach appeals to her (as opposed to Hannah’s “tween” approach) or if it’s an honest difference of style. Whatever the case, after each episode of Camp Rock 2, the boom box came out, the toy microphone in hand and she was busy being her favorite rock star.

Camp Rock 2 worked, though I don’t know if it worked for Disney on the High School Musical level. I have theories for this, but none of them are provable. One thing I noticed about HSM is that in the first movie, most audiences were seeing these young actors for the first time. Zac Efron, Corbin Bleu and Vanessa Hudgens weren’t household names until after HSM. In fact, the most well known member of the cast to Disney audiences was Ashley Tisdale because of her role on the Disney Channel program The Suite Life of Zac and Cody (episodes of which I have also sat through endlessly…).

The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, who sort of own Camp Rock 2, are well known to their audiences. These performers come in with recognition and so suspension of disbelief isn’t the entire point. In my opinion, Disney isn’t making enough use of Allyson Stoner, the talented singer and dancer who appears in Camp Rock 1 and 2. She can hold her own and I don’t understand why they don’t let her run. Either way, the film is about the Jonas Bros. and Ms. Lovato. They have an appeal that is beyond simple rock star idol worship and that appeal is a very 21st Century thing—at least, my daughter and her friends have picked it up.

The film is typical Disney Channel fare with a competition against a rival camp, the winner of which takes all. The other camp has to shut down if they lose. The ending is a nice twist that I won’t bother to give away, though and the message that comes through is pretty strong and it’s a good one about how what counts is the music and the friendships.

But the film felt awkward at times and it fell short of its predecessor, which was just fresh enough to be different. The singing and dancing were once again top-notch, but the story was a little bit hackneyed and the relationship between Lovato’s Mitchie and Joe Jonas’s Shane didn’t ever feel realistic. None of the relationships did and that downside drew my attention from the story, which was keyed, after all, on successful relationship building.

I have to confess to being a bit bothered by Disney’s stable of films and shows having as their premise the extraordinary lives of famous people. The Jonas Brothers, Sonny with a Chance, Camp Rock, Hannah Montana—the theme gets pretty old and it would be terrible were it not for the fact that the stars of the shows themselves are alluring to young folks.

Still, Disney hit another home-run here if my daughter is any gauge of measurement. She can’t wait to watch it again and sing the songs along with it. I’m glad she has it—all kids need shows and movies they will be able to look back on and Camp Rock 2 will certainly be one of those.

If you can’t catch Camp Rock 2 on cable, or you want to add it to your library so you can play it at your leisure, OR you want to view some of the special extras that come with a DVD edition, then you’re in luck. Follow us below the jump for details on the DVD:

Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition

Rockin’ on Blu-ray ™ Combo Pack & DVD — Tuesday September 7

The momentum continues for Disney’s “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” when Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment furthers the TV musical event of the year with the addition of two new musical numbers into the story, in Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition, a Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD, on September 7, 2010.

The premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” will be presented across Labor Day weekend with four event telecasts -– each celebrating music and dance with a storyline that suggests life is about the way you play. The fun for kids, tweens and families begins FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 and goes through MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT, each night) on Disney Channel.

The Disney Channel Original Movie stars Teen Choice Award™-winning actress and recording artist Demi Lovato (Sonny With A Chance) and the hugely popular Grammy® nominated Jonas Brothers. The highly anticipated sequel also brings back fan favorites from “Camp Rock,” 2008′s #1 cable TV movie. They are: Maria Canals-Barrera (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Meaghan Martin (“10 Things I Hate About You”), Alyson Stoner (“Phineas and Ferb,” Step Up 3D”), Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (“Fame”), Jasmine Richards, Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan (Disney Channel’s upcoming “Shake it Up”) and Jordan “J” Francis. “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” introduces two exciting new performers, Matthew Mdot Finley and Chloe Bridges. Daniel Kash also stars.

The Extended Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a behind-the-scenes introduction to the newest stars and music videos by camp rockers from around the world, a “Rock-Along” feature that allows viewers to take center stage, and more! Only the Combo Pack includes this Extended Edition in an array of formats: Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy; allowing viewers the versatility to watch Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam anywhere.

Mitchie (Lovato) can’t wait to return to Camp Rock and spend the summer making new music with her friends Shane, Nate and Jason (Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas). But the slick new camp across the lake, Camp Star, has drummed up some serious competition—featuring newcomers Luke (Finley) and Dana (Bridges). With Camp Rock’s future at stake, will Camp Star’s flashy production and over-the- top antics win the sensational battle of the bands, or will Camp Rockers prove that talent, teamwork, and spirit are what truly matter?

Standard DVD Bonus Features
• Rock-Along
• Extended Version of the Film – two exciting exclusive additional music sequences: “Walking
in My Shoes” and “Different Summers”

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD, Plus…

• Getting to Know Camp Star’s Newest Stars
• Music Videos from Camp Rockers Around the World

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Many Disney fans blame Disney’s marketing efforts for the less than stellar box office for most of the recent animated features to come out of Burbank. Now eyes have again turned to the marketing team, but this time for the lackluster performance of Jerry Bruckheimer’s films for the studio.

The Hollywood Reporter says Disney has hired a new marketing guru for Pirates 4 with hopes of making sure marketing for that film doesn’t go down with Davy Jones.

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Fried Oysters at HUE, one of the many amazing restaurants featured in Orlando’s Magical Dining Month

September is a perfect opportunity to sample the many incredible restaurants Orlando has to offer. Every area of the city, from Lake Buena Vista to Altamonte Spings, has chefs ready to show off their best at a special price for this month only. Orlando Magical Dining Month offers prix fixe three-course dinners at more than 60 restaurants. Each restaurant will feature their special menu just for this event and at that price, it’s definitely worth sampling more than one. Plus. of every meal goes to the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Central Florida. So you can eat well and feel good about it.

Make reservations early and expect weekends to fill up fast. Weeknights are always a better bet but no matter what day you want to dine, early reservations are a must (especially for peak dining times). For a list of restaurants, special menus, phone numbers, opentable.com links, and more, go to the Orlando Magical Dining Month website.

All of the restaurants on the list are excellent choices and I’ve never had a bad experience during Magical Dining Month. This year, I’m thrilled to see some of my very favorites on the list, places where I have had many memorable meals over the years. Here are my top five picks, in alphabetical order:

1. The Boheme at the Westin Grand Bohemian, Downtown Orlando – worth the drive downtown to this beautiful space with a menu inspired by art and music. The Boheme was voted “Best Hotel Restaurant” by Orlando magazine.
2. HUE Restaurant, Downtown Orlando (Thornton Park area) – attention to detail is they key, with cuisine as beautiful as it is deicious. After dinner, wander Thornton Park, one of Orlando’s hippest neighborhoods.
3. Norman’s at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, South Orlando near International Drive — your chance to dine at the New York Times’ pick for Best Restaurant in Florida. Norman Van Aiken is one of the best chefs in the culinary world and he oversees all operations at this Ritz Carlton gem.
4. Seasons 52, International Drive/Sand Lake Road — an ever-evolving, seasonally-inspired menu and a massive wine list including 60 by-the-glass choices. The restaurant was the #3 choice for “Best Restaurant 2009″ in Orlando magazine.
5. Todd English’s bluezoo at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista – my absolute favorite seafood restaurant anywhere, with a truly stunning atmosphere. If you’re up for a cocktail, ask for a cucumber martini — it’s no longer on the cocktail menu but the bartender will still mix one up for you.

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The time has come to don your Halloween finest and trick or treat with your Disney favorites — tickets for the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are now on sale. This annual event is a family favorite, as the Magic Kingdom becomes a Halloween wonderland for children and Disney-loving adults.

From 7pm to midnight on select nights in September, October and November 2010, guests are encouraged to attend in costume and trick-or-treat through the park, sometimes alongside Disney characters (including rarely-seen villains). Many Magic Kingdom attractions stay open late for this special event, so if you’ve always wanted to ride the Haunted Mansion after dark, this is the event for you. Halloween theming throughout the park transforms familiar scenes into “happy haunted hollows,” which are great for fall photo opps.

But the best part of Not-So-Scary is the parade and fireworks. The parade gets off to its supernatural start with the ride of The Headless Horseman and continues with Haunted Mansion characters in attendance, plus a host of Disney Villains and classic characters in their finest Halloween attire. The night ends with Mickey’s finest fireworks, the special Happy HalloWishes show — this year, the Disney Villains trick-or-treat the skies!

The Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a ticketed event, with admission separate from your regular park passes. Weekend nights — especially those closest to Halloween — sell out fast, so be sure to get your tickets now!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will take place on the following dates in 2010:

October 1, 3, 7,8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31
November 1

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September 2010 saw more baby animal news in Sea World Parks. First, Busch Gardens welcomed the birth of their 7th Caribbean flamingo chick. The first hatched June 3, 2010, and the newest was born just this past Sunday, July 25, 2010. The babies are white and fluffy with downy feathers; they won’t turn pink until they start enjoying their diet of cartenoid pigments, conveniently available in the shrimp and algae they eat every day. The chicks join a flock of 125 adult flamingos — if you go see them at the park, keep your eye on the middle of the flock, which is where the babies tend to be kept by the protective adults.

Sister Park Sea World of Orlando is continued its efforts in the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in need when the rescued an abandoned baby manatee from the waters near Daytona Beach. The weeks-old female requires round-the-clock care from animal care specialists. Every three hours, she is bottle-fed nutrient-rich formula that will hopefully promote weight gain so this little girl can grow strong enough to eventually be returned to the wild. She is being weighed regularly and her progress is being carefully monitored. She is under constant care and her condition remains guarded. If the picture below is any indication (featuring Sea World Animal Care Specialist Jeff Braso), she’s in extremely good hands.

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