the Disney Driven Life

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Category Archives: News

Modern Family

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Over 100 million people can’t be wrong, so it’s official. Sunday’s Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots is the most watched TV show in U.S. history (estimated at 111.3 million people).

Now that the big game is behind us, it’s time to celebrate the season in which networks beg for our attention with new episodes from our favorite shows. That’s right! It’s SWEEPS! And ABC is no different. They want your eyeballs on both the network and online. This month they are hoping to get just that from fans of one of ABCs favorite families, Modern Family.

Also posted in Disney Company | Tagged ABC, Modern Family, Modern Family Memory Book
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My Yard Goes Disney

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Mickey shaped pool. A backyard safari adventure. A pirates life for you. Sure all of this can be found within the Walt Disney World Resort, but what if you could walk into your own backyard and find the same kind of magic day after day?

Well, friends, it looks like HGTV and Disney are ready to spread a little more pixie dust around the country as they will soon be filming another season of My Yard Goes Disney. And why shouldn’t they pick you?

Also posted in Disney Company, Events | Tagged applicant, backyard, casting, Disney, HGTV, Home and Garden TV, homeowner, Jay TV, My Yard Goes Disney, yard
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Dream #8 – Life is a Journey

by Dean R. (NDD#228) | @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire | Published: Monday, January 30, 2012

With a website address that contains TheEnemyIsGood, a lot of people ask Connie M. which enemy is that? Connie laughs and points out how her blog started with a typo, she meant to nab “The Enemy is Food.” But with her new blog formally titled “Life is a Journey” in place, Connie was ready to blog, and embrace what she loved.

“The blog originally was started as a way for me to make a food diary but I gave up that idea when I realized that I am a sensory person and loved the sight, smell and taste of food. So…instead of trying to lose weight by dieting, I embraced my love of food but developed a new respect for it,” Connie said. “Slowly, I began to write less and less about food and now only occasionally include a photo of something I am enjoying on one of my little exploratory trips around Southern California. Or Disneyland!”

Also posted in Children, D23, Dining Tips, Disney Reviews, Food, Parents, Park Photos, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Rumors, Uncategorized | Tagged connie, Disneyland, gazette, jourey, life, moreno
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Dream #7 – Busy with Disney

by Dean R. (NDD#228) | @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire | Published: Sunday, January 15, 2012

With a passion for Disney, what pursuits does Craig Duncan squeeze in between a full time job and family? How about working on ‘They Disney Brit’, the UKs largest and longest running Disney podcast, the ‘Destination Disney’ radio show and the ‘Eye on Orlando’ radio show both of which are aired live on Florida radio shows. Then there is ‘Mousemeets’ which is UKs Disney annual fan convention and ‘Mousemag’ a free bi-monthly magazine all about Disney written by the Disney Community for the Community. “We have also done something different with our associated web sites. We have made DisneyBrit.com one of the best sources for Disney related news anywhere in the world. EyeonOrlando.com is a pure Orlando holiday portal.”

Also posted in Children, Collections, Cruises, Disney Company, Events, Food, History, Hobbies, Kids' Viewpoint, Leisure, Movies, Organization and Plannning, Parents, Pins, Planning, Resorts, Restaurants, Rumors, Travel Reports, Travel Tips, Vacation, Vinylmation | Tagged brit, Disney, eye, just, moon, on, one, Orlando
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Here’s Your Jeopardy Answer: Open 24 hours, free trips, and Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat?

by Sherry B. (NDM#393) | @sherryboswell | Published: Sunday, January 15, 2012

Image courtesy of Disney Parks Blog (copyright Disney)

Here’s the Jeopardy Question: What is the new, exciting news from the House of Mouse? If you answered right, well, kudos to you-you are well on your way to becoming a Disney insider!

So here’s the scoop:

Open 24 hours is not something you would normally associate with Disney. But on February 29, 2012, Magic Kingdom and Disneyland will offer an unlimited day of fun. That’s right, the parks will be open ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT! The new goal? Not to close down the park but to stay all 24 hours! This special announcement premiered at 11:00 PM on New Year’s Eve for those that got to see it (supreme dislike for my local news which preempted the official announcement-ARGH!) But I had already heard the rumors and was quickly notified by my Tweeps of the “One More Disney Day” theme. So who’s in? And is there enough Red Bull to sustain you? I wish I could say I would be there, but alas, it’s not in the cards–unless I can finagle a belated birthday trip for Leap Year Day under the guise of my 40th Birthday present?!?

Also posted in Disney Company
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Dream #4 – The Little Black Book of WDW

by Dean R. (NDD#228) | @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire | Published: Sunday, November 20, 2011

Try to imagine the ideal career, one that keeps you busy doing exactly that you enjoy doing. How does writing about Disney, travel and eating at fine restaurants sound? That’s exactly what Rona Gindin, author of The Little Black Book of Walt Disney World is doing. “I am living my ideal when it comes to my professional goals. I write about restaurants, travel and Disney World, from the comfort of my home. I have amazing clients who care about quality as much as I do. I get to snoop behind the scenes at all kinds of attractions and in all kinds of restaurants. And I get to share my discoveries with like-minded readers. It’s a good gig.”

Also posted in Dining Tips, Disney Company, Events, Food, Leisure, Organization and Plannning, Planning, Travel Tips, Vacation | Tagged black, book, critic, gindin, little, restaurant, rona
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D23 Is Ready for 2012!

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Copyright: Disney

2012 is a good year to be a D23 member! “The Official Disney Fan Club” is celebrating the magic of Disney throughout the year and all members are invited!

D23 is celebrating its third year of existence (what they are affectionately calling their “fanniversary”) with celebrations all across the country. They have so much in store, including tours of Walt’s boyhood hometown, Marceline Missouri, an experience at Smoke Tree Ranch, and archivist tours that will be visiting Orlando, New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Also posted in D23, Disney Reviews, Events | Tagged D23, Destination D, fanniversary, From the Vaults, Marceline Missouri, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
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Book Review: Four Decades of Magic

by John M. (NDD#172) | Published: Friday, October 21, 2011

Photo Credit: Ayefour Publishing

Four Decades of Magic: Celebrating the First Forty Years of Disney World: a collection of essays, Compiled by Chad Denver Emerson, Ayefour Publishing, 2011, 379 pp.

Amid the pomp and circumstance certain to be part of the Walt Disney World 40^th Anniversary celebration, what will likely be ignored is any reference to the Walt Disney World that never was.

Also posted in Celebrities, Disney Company, Disney Reviews, Events, History, Imagineering, Literature, Media, Resorts | Tagged 40th Anniversary, Animal Kingdom, Asian Resort, Bay Lake, Beastly Kingdom, Carousel of Progress, Disneyland, EPCOT, Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, Florida Project, Hoop De Doo Review, Imagineering, Imagineers, Lou Mongelllo, Magic Kingdom, Main Street Electrical Parade, Persian Resort, Sam Gennawey, Seven Seas Lagoon, Spaceship Earth, The EPCOT Film, Thunder Mesa, Venetial Resort, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World History, Western River Expedition
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AVATAR in Walt Disney World

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Copyright: Disney

Tuesday in a press conference, Tom Staggs along with several other executives and James Cameron announced that they are in the early planning stages of bringing Cameron’s blockbuster movie AVATAR to the Disney parks. The long-term partnership will include a themed land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They are in the beginning planning stages for this project, so there is no attraction plans or specific details about the land, just that construction will be starting in 2013 and will take approximately five years to complete.

Also posted in Disney Company | Tagged avatar, Disney Parks Blog, Disney's Animal Kingdom, James Cameron, Tom Staggs
3 Comments

Have a Pirate Adventure in Your Resort Room!

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Sunday, September 18, 2011

Copyright: Disney

There is a whole new room celebration being added to the Disney Floral and Gifts that is going to make you with that the Pirate’s life was for you! Starting October 21^st, you and your family can have your resort room crashed by Captain Jack Sparrow himself! He was running from Blackbeard trying to hide a treasure and ran right into your room to hide it. He has left clues on papers in the room to help lead your family to his treasure, along with lots of other goodies to make your room feel like a real pirate’s den!

Also posted in Disney Company | Tagged Captain Jack Sparrow, Disney Floral and Gifts, Me Pirate Adventure, pirates, Room Celebration
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D23 Expo Overview

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Saturday, August 27, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

This year’s D23 Expo came to a close Sunday night rather quietly, much like the entire, relatively uneventful weekend.

Friday opened with the Disney Legends Ceremony and big cheers from the Disney fans. A big highlight was the voice of the princesses singing songs from their movies.

Friday afternoon was much less well received as there was no large announcements at the Parks and Resorts presentation as many expected. Among the discussed topics were the Fantasyland Expansion, Aulani, Carsland, Tangled coming to Disneyland’s Fantasyland and the Snow White Mine Train coaster being built in Fantasyland. Fans were furious because they expected big news just as was announced two years ago, but due to the economy and number of projects Disney already has under way, this lack of announcements comes as no surprise for some.

Also posted in D23, Disney Company, Disney Reviews, Events | Tagged Aulani, Avengers, Brave, Carousel of Projects, Carsland, Collectors Forum, D23, D23 Expo 2011, Dick Van Dike, Fantasyland, fantasyland expansion, Imagineers, Jim Hensen, Kingdom Keepers, Lou Mongello, Monsters Inc, Monsters University, Pixar, Talking Mickey, Tangled, The Great Destini, The Lion King 3D, The Muppets, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

by Bill I. (NDH#35) | Published: Friday, August 26, 2011

Ever since the fire broke out in the Enchanted Tiki Room-Under New Management on January 12, 2011, much conjecture on what its return would be was rampant. It was announced at the D-23 Walt Disney World 40^th anniversary conference that it would return to its original show format, as in Disneyland. On a personal note, I am very happy. I love the classic attractions, and this certainly qualifies as one. After all, this is the first successful Audio- Animatronic show at Disneyland, utilizing new technologies. The show which is identical to the Disneyland venue, opened at Walt Disney World in 1971, with a different entrance queue and larger show area. The name of the new show was the “Tropical Serenade”

Also posted in Disney Company, History, Imagineering | Tagged Adventureland, attractions, Enchanted Tiki Room, Enchanted Tiki Room-Under New Management, History, Lago, Polynesian, Re-habs, South Seas, Tiki Gods, Walt Disney, Zazu
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D23 Expo Schedule – Parks and Resorts Change

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Copyright Disney

While prepping for the D23 Expo, it has come to my attention thanks to InsidetheMagic.net that the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts event, scheduled for Friday, August 19 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, has been changed. The time is now from 3:30 to 4:30, shortening the presentation by a half hour. Reasons for this are unknown, Disney has not pulled any attention to this, just simply changed in on the D23 Expo schedule.

Also posted in Disney Company, Events | Tagged D23 Expo 2011, Schedule, Time Change, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
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D23 Expo: Schedule

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Copyright Disney

The D23 Expo 2011 is just over a week away and all of the Disney community is buzzing about what potential news and information will come from this year’s Expo. There are many who will be making the trek, what some might even call a pilgrimage, to the Expo and will be experiencing the events in person while other will be sitting at home, glued to their computers awaiting the all-important announcements. Here are the times for some of the big events at the Expo, all times are Pacific:

Also posted in Disney Company, Events | Tagged D23 Expo 2011, Schedule
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CYBERBULLY

by Ami B. (NDM#381) | Published: Thursday, July 14, 2011

Fw: [Fwd: FW: Fw: just for you]

If you send this to 20 friends in 15 minutes, you will find $15,000 in your mailbox this week. If you don’t, bad luck will befall on you by three pm tomorrow.

We’ve all received these emails and text messages. I suppose they were created to give unrealistic hope, but usually they just provide guilt- that feeling that makes you want to forward it on because the text says you must. I see the way my 12 year old daughter frets over these messages. She worries that she will hurt the feelings of the one who sent it, but then doesn’t wish to make her other friends feel the way she did when she opened that message. Some of these spark fear with promises of bad luck if the message gets deleted but, for the most part, they are simply nuisances. I wonder if these notes act as a precursor to the more serious ones: The Cyberbully messages.

Also posted in Disney Company, Education, Ethics, Lifestyle, Statistics | Tagged abc family, cyberbully, delete digital drama campaign, emily osment, seventeen magazine
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WINNIE THE POOH AND THE BOY WHO LIVED

by John M. (NDD#172) | Published: Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Photo Credit: Disney

You have to wonder what went through the minds of Disney executives when they learned that July 15, the day they had selected for the release of Winnie the Pooh, would be the very same day the final movie in the epic Harry Potter series would be released. Oh bother!

It is unfortunate, to say the least, because this Pooh deserves its own rabid fan following. Winnie the Pooh is the first big-screen Pooh feature from Walt Disney Animation Studios in 35 years (the intermediate Pooh releases came from Disney’s straight-to-DVD unit).

Also posted in Disney Company, Events, History, Literature | Tagged A.A. Milne, Bud Luckey, Christopher Robin, Don Hall, E.H. Shepard, Harry Potter, hunny, Jim Cummings, John Cleese, John Lasseter, Owl, Pooh, Sebastian Cabot, Stephen Anderson, The boy who lived, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
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Upcoming Monorail and Parade Changes

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Sunday, July 10, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

Disney has announced new changes beginning tomorrow regarding the monorail systems in Walt Disney World. Beginning tomorrow, the Epcot monorail will operate up to one hour after regular park closing, no longer making it available during evening Extra Magic Hours. The same will be happening with the Magic Kingdom Monorail service as of August 1^st. Extra boat and bus service will be available at both parks to help with Extra Magic Hour traffic.

Also posted in Disney Company | Tagged Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade, Extra Magic Hours, Monorail, parades
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Disney Artistry Comes to Life at New Resort and Fantasyland Expansion

by Sherry B. (NDM#393) | @sherryboswell | Published: Thursday, July 7, 2011

Courtesy of Disney website

Squeal! Imagine my excitement at the announcement of the new Art of Animation Resort, making its official debut in October 2012. OK, so for now, all we have are artist renderings of what it will look like, but I’m pumped! Hmm, I sense a need for an upcoming blog report on the Art of Animation Resort as reviewed by the DDL’s Fine Arts Blogger. Anyone else see the connection besides me? (Notice my jockeying for position to review this resort and it’s not going to be open for another year). Oh well, can’t blame me. After all, the concept and theming for this resort sound like a winner. The inspiration for the rooms and suites? Why, only some of the most beloved Disney movies of all time…The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars.

Also posted in Disney Company, Fine Arts
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CROFTON PROMOTED; WEISS JOB ELIMINATED

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Photo Credit: Jess Clawson

The Orlando Sentinel reported yesterday that Tom Staggs, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, has given the newly created job of President of Operations for the U.S. and France to current Walt Disney World president, Meg Crofton. This position was created after a retirement announcement by Al Weiss two weeks ago. In order to bring about the new “One Disney” initiative, Weiss’ position was eliminated in favor of a two person approach for the same position. Instead of one person in charge of all six Disney parks, Crofton will be in charge of Walt Disney World, Disneyland in California and Disneyland Paris and Bill Ernest will stay in charge of the Disney parks in Asia, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and the newest Disney park, Shanghi Disneyland, currently in construction.

Also posted in Disney Company | Tagged Al Weiss, Bill Ernest, Karl Holz, Meg Crofton, One Disney, Orlando Sentinel, Paul Pressler, President of Operations, Tom Staggs
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WEISS ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

by Jessica C. (NDI#21) | @lady_aurora | Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Copyright: Disney

Al Weiss, the president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced today that he will be retiring as of November 1^st of this year.

Weiss’ Disney career has spanned nearly 39 years, beginning as a teenager working in Walt Disney World. He progressed in the company, eventually becoming head of the Walt Disney World resort and, since 2005, head of all of the Disney parks throughout the world.

Also posted in Disney Company | Tagged Al Weiss, Animal Kingdom, Disney Cruise Line, Retirement, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
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