House of Cards -- Beginning summer 2012, Disney California Adventure park guests will fall into the rabbit hole and land in a wild and whimsical world at Mad T Party. Inspired by world of Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," the all-new nighttime family celebration will feature a live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games and plenty of dancing. Familiar faces from the story will be re-imagined in new ways to immerse guests in a captivating world that's filled with exclusive signature foods, beverages and merchandise offerings.

From “Mad T Party” to the “Red Car News Boys,” an exciting new lineup of characters and shows offers something for everyone at Disney California Adventure park as Disneyland Resort celebrates the grand re-opening of the park with the new Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre, featuring a restaurant and lounge.

The new lands become home for new characters and street performers, while “Pixar Play Parade” returns for twice-daily performances throughout the summer and the long-running hit “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” adds extra performances. The nighttime spectacular “World of Color” continues to amaze guests with fire, water, lasers, animation and new story elements.

'RED TO THE RESCUE' -- Big and red on the outside, gentle and good-natured on the inside, Red the Fire Truck is part of the new entertainment coming to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. Red shows up with his sirens blaring and his bell ringing to let guests know the flowers along Route 66 need watering. With his good buddy, a Volunteer Firefighter, the plants manage to get wet, and you might too!

In Cars Land, DJ, the ultimate party car – a big road-trippin’ mobile boom box with giant speakers, built-in disc changer and his very own party crew – takes to the street for “DJ’s Dance ‘n Drive,” a spontaneous, interactive dance party. Also at Cars Land is Red the Fire Truck who, with the help of his comic “Volunteer Fireman,” recruits guests of all ages to join “Red to the Rescue!” – helping water the flowers and clean up the town of Radiator Springs. (Prepare to get wet!)

Of course, Lightning McQueen and Mater, leading citizens of Cars Land, also are enjoying time on the streets of Radiator Springs, greeting and posing for photographs with guests near the Cozy Cone Motel.

Buena Vista Street, inspired by the Los Angeles of the 1920s and ’30s when Walt Disney was launching his animation studios, is brought to life with a series of eccentric personalities, the Citizens of Buena Vista Street. Among the “citizens” strolling the street and immersing guests in the period atmosphere are a fun-loving photographer, a misguided messenger, a dotty dog lover and a comic cop.

'RED CAR NEWS BOYS' -- Part of the new lineup of entertainment on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park, the "Red Car News Boys" roll into town on the Red Car Trolley bringing the latest headlines and belting out songs from the '20s and '30s.

Inspired by the spirit and style of Disney’s movie and stage musical “Newsies,” the “Red Car News Boys” roll into Buena Vista Street aboard one of the street’s distinctive Red Car Trolleys, performing a variety of authentic period tunes such as “California, Here I Come.”  Mickey Mouse, the fun-loving, mischievous young cartoon star of the period, joins the boys for a high-energy street show.

FIVE & DIME -- Part of the new lineup of entertainment on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park, the musical group Five & Dime jazzes things up when they arrive at Carthay Circle.

Also arriving on Buena Vista Street, by means of a makeshift jalopy en route to Hollywood, are “Five & Dime,” an innovative sextet of maverick musicologists longing for their big break. “Dime,” the female vocalist of the group, has charisma and a voice like a young Ella Fitzgerald, and the group enlists some “new musicians” from among the spectators to perform side-splitting versions of ’20s and ’30s song standards.

All the colorful characters interacting with guests along Buena Vista Street reflect the spirit of optimism and opportunity Walt Disney discovered when he first arrived in California. Dressed in period attire of the 1920s and ’30s, each performer has a unique identity that brings this boulevard of dreams to life, creating impromptu laughter and memories.

Over in Condor Flats, near Soarin’ Over California, Minnie Mouse plays hostess for a tune-filled “travelogue” of song, dance and interactive moments. “Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” features Minnie and her four-member crew singing and swinging to songs from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. The show includes opportunities for guests to meet Minnie and join the dancing.

Mad T Party -- Beginning summer 2012, Disney California Adventure park guests will fall into the rabbit hole and land in a wild and whimsical world at Mad T Party. Inspired by world of Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," the all-new nighttime family celebration will feature a live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games and plenty of dancing. Familiar faces from the story will be re-imagined in new ways to immerse guests in a captivating world that's filled with exclusive signature foods, beverages and merchandise offerings.

After dark, a new nighttime family celebration takes over Hollywood Land. “Mad T Party” is a fantastic soiree filled with surprises and new takes on some familiar characters from the world of Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” It’s a party like no other as guests fall into the rabbit hole and land in a wild and whimsical world where nothing is what it seems. A live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games and plenty of dancing await guests seeking an escape into a bright and vivid alternate reality.

WORLD OF COLOR -- Lights, water, music, fire and animation come together like never before in "World of Color" at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif. The show combines nearly 1,200 powerful fountains with heights that range from 30 feet to 200 feet in the air, dazzling colors and a kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, including both classic and new animation from beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar films, such as "The Lion King," projected on one of the world's largest projected water screen --- a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet . Presented on Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure park, "World of Color" is a major milestone in the multi-year expansion of the park. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)

The all-new entertainment joins an existing lineup highlighted by “World of Color,” the colorful water, laser and animation spectacular performing on Paradise Bay, and the long-running hit “Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular.” “Disney’s Aladdin,” ever popular with guests, adds a fifth daily performance through the summer season.

An extended Disney California Adventure parade route, the longest in any Disney theme park, serves as the stage for the returning “Pixar Play Parade,” now traveling all the way through Hollywood Land and onward to Paradise Pier. “Pixar Play Parade” invites guests of all ages to share the thrills of a whirling, spinning, fun-for-all animated playground featuring acrobatics, bungees, playful choreography and interactive surprises that bring to life the exciting and colorful worlds of Disney•Pixar pals from “Toy Story,” “a bug’s life,” ” Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles” and “Cars.”

JEDIS, WOOKIEES and DROIDS, Oh MY!: Star Wars Weekends Returns to the Walt Disney World Galaxy in May 2012 -- A stormtrooper stands watch at Disney's Hollywood Studios as a statue in the shape of a very familiar mouse looks over him. (Mark Ashman, photographer)

Star Wars Weekends returns to the Walt Disney World Resort during May and June 2012, as Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park celebrates the Star Wars film saga and the hit animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

The annual special event, included in regular theme park admission, will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 18-June 10, 2012.

Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios -- The evil Sith Darth Vader makes a dramatic entrance to Jedi Training Academy during opening day of Star Wars Weekends. The annual sci-fi event, draws fans of all ages to Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park to celebrate with Star Wars celebrities, more than 50 Star Wars characters roaming the theme park for meet-and-greet opportunities, star conversations, Star Wars parades, interactive activities, exclusive merchandise and the famous Star Tours thrill ride. Event activities are included with regular theme park admission. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

The power of the Force and magic of Disney combine as more than 60 Star Wars characters – including Wookiees, droids, Rodians, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Jedi – roam the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meet-and-greet opportunities with guests.

Star Wars celebrities highlight the event, appearing in themed parades, talk shows, star conversations, behind-the-scenes presentations and autograph sessions.  Here are the celebrities attending Star Wars Weekends 2012 (*subject to change):

Weekend I (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)

Weekend II (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)

Weekend III (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)

Weekend IV (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)

The Saga Continues in 2012 -- Star Wars Weekends returns to the Walt Disney World Resort from every Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 18-June 10, 2012, as Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The centerpiece of the celebration is the spectacular 3-D attraction, “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.”  The attraction, which opened last year, uses eye-popping 3-D, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology to immerse guests in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction.

Limited-edition and event-exclusive merchandise is offered each year, and the ever-popular “Hyperspace Hoopla” ends each Star Wars Weekends day with a show filled with comedy, dancing and high-energy music.

There is even a chance to be immortalized in carbonite with the new carbon-freeze me. Essentially, for $100 plus shipping, your likeness will be cast in an 8″ figurine encased in carbonite (really plastic, but who’s keeping track). Check out the details on the Disney Parks blog.

For more information and future updates, guests may go online to disneyparks.com/blog (keyword search: “Star Wars Weekends”) disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends or starwars.com.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that its EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras have been used on the set of Marvel’s latest movie, “Marvel’s The Avengers,” to capture thrilling point-of-view (POV) action shots that can be seamlessly intercut with footage from the film’s principal 35mm and digital cinematography cameras to heighten the film’s visual impact. “Marvel’s The Avengers” shows an epic confrontation between nightmarish super villains attacking the Earth and the super-heroic team of Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye and Black Widow. Directed by Joss Whedon, the film is the latest and most extraordinary Marvel Studios Super Hero movie to date.

With intense action and visual effects captured by the Canon cameras, “Marvel’s The Avengers” required close-quarter action work with unrepeatable stunts. “The 5D Mark II and the 7D digital SLR cameras produce excellent, cinema-worthy images. They are great for shooting additional angles that give film editors more options for creating powerfully immersive and kaleidoscopic views of action scenes,” explained the film’s cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey.

On the set of “Marvel’s The Avengers,” McGarvey and his crew used five Canon 5D Mark II cameras and two 7D models. Using multiple cameras limited the need to re-shoot complex action scenes, and the affordability and compact size of the cameras enabled the crew to obtain ample coverage by strategically angling them from various vantage points throughout the set. “The cameras’ small size was a major advantage to us. We were able to place them in tight locations that were really close to the big stunts, which would be too risky to do with bigger cameras that would require an operator and two assistants,” McGarvey said. He was able to slide one of the Canon cameras into a sewer grating, while placing another under a pile of debris for a key shot of a car hurtling toward the lens, flipping through the air on fire.

We are thrilled that the EOS 5D Mark II and 7D Digital SLR cameras were called to action on the set of ‘Marvel’s The Avengers.’ We designed these cameras with versatility and flexibility in mind, and their ability to record beautiful 1920 x 1080 HD video, coupled with their compact size, make them an ideal fit for filmmakers looking to capture tight action shots.
Yuichi Ishizuka, EVP and GM, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Compact, lightweight, and compatible with Canon’s wide selection of EF Series lenses, the Canon 5D Mark II and EOS 7D digital SLR cameras are equipped with large Canon CMOS sensors and Canon DIGIC 4 image processors that enable them to record exceptional full 1920 x 1080 HD video at the user-selectable frame rate of 24p (23.976 fps), which is the standard for today’s high-end filmmaking. Additionally, the cameras’ low-light capabilities were of major importance on the set of “Marvel’s the Avengers,” as many of the film’s scenes were shot at night.

True Believers, get ready for spectacular news – Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. and Spider-Man Merchandising L.P., a subsidiary of Marvel today announced some amazing pre-order exclusives for fans that reserve an early copy of The Amazing Spider-Man™ video game in North America.  Planned to launch June 26th, the game brings Spidey back to the thrill of free-roaming throughManhattan in an original epilogue story to Sony Picture Entertainment’s upcoming feature film.  The pre-order exclusives for The Amazing Spider-Man video game are available today and include the Rhino Challenge from GameStop and a special mission featuring a fully playable Stan Lee from Amazon.com.

Pre-order Now from GameStop – The Rhino Challenge

Take control of the massive, genetically engineered villain RHINO and rampage around Manhattan in an exclusive gameplay challenge of pure destruction!  As Rhino, players will be able to unleash his formidable powers to destroy anything and everything that gets in his way in a timed event full of speed, combo streaks, and of course, a ton of things to break!  Unlockable for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 system ONLY. While supplies last. Limited time only.

Pre-order Now from Amazon.com – Play as Stan Lee for the First Time Ever

All the rumors can officially be put to rest – for the first time ever, fans will be able to play…STAN…LEE as himself in The Amazing Spider-Man.  Players will take on the role of Stan “The Man” Lee in his own special mission across Manhattan, borrowing abilities from his old pal Spider-Man as they help Stan collect pages of his latest script in a spectacular race aroundManhattan.  Stan’s mission is punctuated with his witty banter that fans have come to know and love, and a special surprise waits for them at the end of the mission – after all, it is Spider-Man’s 50th anniversary this year! Unlockable for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 system ONLY. While supplies last. Limited time only.

Go beyond the feature film and find out what happens next in The Amazing Spider-Man™ video game, which brings Spider-Man’s free-roaming, web-slinging action back to New York City.  Players take on the role of a young Peter Parker discovering his new Spider-Man powers and added Super Hero responsibilities, using the game’s innovative Web Rush mechanic to swing freely around Manhattan, combat a variety of criminal activities and take on classic Marvel Super Villains.  Set against an original story crafted by Hollywood writer Seamus Kevin Fahey (episodes of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and the re-imaginedBattlestar Galactica) that takes place entirely after the events of the upcoming feature film, The Amazing Spider-Man video game delivers a brand-new, immersive and cinematic adventure allowing players to truly harness the power of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

For more information on The Amazing Spider-Man video game, please check out the official website and their facebook page.

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On Sunday April 29, Disney Store celebrated the grand opening of its newly-redesigned store at Glendale Galleria, in Glendale, Calif., the location of the very first Disney Store. In 1987, Disney launched the concept known as entertainment retail, and today Disney Store is celebrating its 25th anniversary and thriving as an innovative specialty retailer. The grand opening of the remodeled Glendale Galleria location took place on World Wish Day, a celebration of the day that sparked a global wish-granting movement by Make-A-Wish. In honor of World Wish Day, Disney Store hosted two wish kids and their families and provided a magical shopping experience at the Glendale store, and donated 10 percent of its sales on opening day. At the celebration, the first 500 guests who visited the store received free Mickey Mouse ears. From noon to 4 p.m., a meet and greet with the characters Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Belle and the Beast took place in the mall’s center court.

To celebrate World Wish Day nationwide, Disney Store donated 5 percent of the gross sales revenue it received that day from store locations in North America (up to $50,000). A special Jiminy Cricket Vinylmation™ figure avaiable at Disney Store locations nationwide and on DisneyStore.com was released on World Wish Day, and for each one sold (from April 29 — May 31, 2012), Disney Store will donate $1 (up to $15,000) to Make-A-Wish America. To support Make-A-Wish locally, Disney Store will donate $250 to each chapter in the U.S. and Canada, for a total of $17,500, to assist with local wishes throughout the year.

We admire the outstanding work of Make-A-Wish and are proud to celebrate with two wish kids at the grand opening celebration at our very first store in Glendale, CA. Disney Store’s mission is to create magical experiences for families every day and we are honored to be a destination where Make-A-Wish children and families can enjoy special time together.
Jim Fielding, president of Disney Store and Make-A-Wish International board member

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The Make-A-Wish children will “unlock imagination” with a beautiful oversized lock and key and officially open the Disney Store at 11 a.m. on April 29. Disney Store’s signature opening ceremony will take place every day thereafter and one lucky child will be invited to participate.

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Disney Store’s new design aims to deliver “the best 30 minutes of a child’s day” through immersive experiences, including a Disney Princess castle with a magic mirror, translucent magical trees, Disney·Pixar CARS neighborhood, and the Disney Store Theatre, featuring the latest in Disney entertainment. As guests look above in the store, they will see a unique skyline with iconic Disney storytelling scenes. The interactive design features magical experiences for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy. Since launching its new design in 2010, Disney Store has been transforming its stores into awe-inspiring retail destinations to the delight of guests around the world.

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To find a Disney Store location, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

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This July and “Holidays 2012″ are the next two milestones for openings in the multi-year expansion of the New Fantasyland, announced Friday.

A “What’s New, What’s Next” presentation to media detailed the next phases in the project designed to nearly double the size of Fantasyland, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

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Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made: where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and meet their most beloved friends.
Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France

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We are excited about sharing our treasured stories in new ways and giving guests the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters like never before.
Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France

Last month, the New Fantasyland unwrapped its first openings with one of two Dumbos planned for Storybook Circus, a new train station and The Barnstormer family coaster whimsically re-themed to The Great Goofini.

Announced Friday were next phases:

July 2012

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• Opening of the second Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Indoor interactive area serving the new double attraction
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station.

Openings “In time for Holidays 2012″ were also announced by Crofton for:

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• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Gaston’s Tavern
• Ariel’s Grotto

And beyond…

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• In addition, Crofton announced plans for a 2014 opening for The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

We visited the Magic Kingdom today to enjoy the nice weather and also play the latest addition to the parks; Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.

The game itself is not really new, it is a Disney spin on the role playing card games of your childhood but to see how Disney implemented this is always worth the effort.

You pick up your cards at the Fire House on Main St. U.S.A. There you will get basic instruction on how to play the game, a set of 5 character cards, a key card (to begin playing at each location) and a map of the lands used in the game. Using your cards to defeat the villains who are trying to take over the Magic Kingdom.

What you do not receive, however, is the finesse to the game. With all of the cards and varying strengths of the characters, what is the best way to approach playing the game? I am sure there are more than a few sites now dedicated to this game, but you would expect the castmembers to provide a bit more insight into playing this interactive scavenger hunt in the park.

Regardless, we ventured off to Adventureland with our map in hand and began our quest. Overall, it is very similar to the Kim Possible Adventure at Epcot; you follow some clues and wander around the park to defeat the bad guys. I am not sure why Disney did not use a digital interface with this game but resorted to cards since it gives it a very retro feel to playing. Implementing a game that used smart phones, iphones, ipods, etc. would have allowed a lot more interaction by the guest using an interface most people are extremely comfortable using today.

My two children had a little bit of fun with this but were not enthralled. The little one found it too difficult for her to defeat the bad guys while my older child thought it was ok but found more enjoyment in poking fun at the game.

My take on the game differs, however, since I am a dad and enjoy anything that I can do with my kids I had some fun with the game. On the other hand I was fairly appalled at the use of language in the game we followed today. During the battle at crescent (inside the construction area of the Sunshine Pavilion) Iago screams schmuck during a verbal interchange with Jafar. I was stunned at the language and honestly stuck around for someone else to play that version to make sure I was not hearing/seeing (the dialogue is subtitled) things. As you can tell from the photo below, I was not.

ADULT WORD ALERT

I grew up in and around New York and was accustomed to hearing Yiddish from friends, family and beyond. I am not a prude and am capable of making a Teamster blush with my command of the naughty words. However, hearing Iago call someone a schmuck is completely and utterly inappropriate for use in this Disney game. In case you are not aware, and obviously the Imagineer(s) who approved this script has no idea that schmuck is a pejorative that refers directly to a man’s penis; the equivalent of calling someone a dick, only worse considering the context. I would not expect to hear this type of language in a kids game in the Magic Kingdom and am not sure what other types of slang might have made it past the Disney word police. I hope they take the time to correct this script and make the language kid-safe with their revisions.

Wrapping it up

Other than the issues with language, the game is a fun diversion in the park. I can see it being a good way to spend some time while waiting for your FASTPASS ride time or in between the other attractions in the park.

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Disney Parks guests can get the most out of February 29 when Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California celebrate Leap Year by keeping a theme park on each coast open for 24 hours of nonstop memory-making fun.

For the first time ever, both the Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park is open for 24 hours straight as part of a bi-coastal salute called “One More Disney Day.” From 6 a.m., February 29 to 6 a.m., March 1, 2012, local time, guests can fill the extra day of leap year with a marathon of Disney magic and fun.

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As part of the celebration, for 60 days straight – from Jan. 1, 2012 to Feb. 29, 2012 – a daily winner was chosen in the “Disney Parks One More Disney Day Sweepstakes” to receive a Disney Parks vacation.  One entrant each day won a vacation for four to make memories at either Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.**

For the past year, Disney Parks has invited guests to “let the memories begin,” noted Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

We’re honored that so many guests have shared their Disney memories with us as part of ‘Let the Memories Begin’, and I’m pleased to announce that the campaign will continue throughout 2012. To celebrate, for the first time ever, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Parks will remain open for 24 hours on Leap Day, so that our guests can take advantage of every minute of their extra day to make memories with friends and family.
Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

In addition to the extra time, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California features a special offer:

• Guests get one more day and night of memory making, free when they buy a 3-night/3-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort hotels.  The package offer is good for arrivals most nights Feb. 26 – March 10, 2012 and must be booked by Jan. 31, 2012.

In 2011, Disney Parks has encouraged families to “Let the Memories Begin,” with guests celebrating their only-at-Disney memories by sharing their vacation stories, photos and videos online at DisneyParks.com/memories.

Guests can find out more information about other Disneyland Resort offers and tickets at www.disneyland.com and other Walt Disney World Resort hotel and ticket offers at www.disneyworld.com. Guests can find out more information about “One More Disney Day” and get official rules for the “Disney Parks One More Disney Day Sweepstakes” at www.OneMoreDisneyDay.com.

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When the new “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” game debuts at Magic Kingdom on February 22, it will be up to guests to discover and defeat the Disney villains who are wreaking havoc behind the scenes at the Walt Disney World Resort theme park.

In this role-playing game, guests become apprentice sorcerers and embark on a challenge to stop these animated villains from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s powerful crystal ball.  Armed with spells in the form of special cards, guests follow magic symbols that lead them to different villain hideouts in Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street, U.S.A.  Once there, apprentices use magic keys to access the villain’s lair, and “spell” cards to halt the evildoers in their tracks.

Seventy different spell cards are part of this trading card game, and guests will receive five complimentary cards every day they play.  Each of the cards features a different Disney character that offers a spell unique to his or her personality. Individually created by Disney artists and trading card game experts, these beautiful cards will become a new Disney collectible and trading opportunity.

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According to Jonathan Ackley, Project Producer & Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, one of the most exciting aspects of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is how guests become active players in the game, interacting with Disney characters at an entirely new level.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom gives our guests a whole new way to become the hero of the Disney story, taking Disney innovation to a new level. It’s a great game of discovery and excitement that plays off our wonderful theme park and incredible family of Disney animated characters.
Jonathan Ackley, Project Producer & Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering

Imagineers spent more than four years creating and perfecting this unique experience, which can be played in 15- to 20-minute segments throughout guests’ visits to the Magic Kingdom, or continuously for up to three to four hours. More than 95 minutes of original animation was created for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom – the equivalent of a full-length animated film.

While trading card games are popular with about 60 million people in the U.S., this is the first time players can experience the challenge at a Disney theme park. Guests of all ages will love the storytelling, the engagement with Disney characters and the discovery of hidden details at the Magic Kingdom.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is included in the price of theme park admission.

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From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.

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When Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for “Frankenweenie,” he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film. Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984. “Frankenweenie” follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s other stop-motion animated films “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®.

The voice cast includes four actors who worked with Burton on previous films: Winona Ryder (“Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands”), Catherine O’Hara (“Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”), Martin Short (“Mars Attacks!”) and Martin Landau (“Ed Wood,” Sleepy Hollow”).

Slated for release on October 5, 2012, the film is directed by Tim Burton, Executive Produced by Don Hahn with a screenplay by John August based on the original idea by Tim Burton.

Jennifer Hudson at Disney's 2012 Christmas Parade | © Copyright 2011 Disney

Deck the castles with boughs of holly and tune in as Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida present the 28th annual “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” TV special that will air December 25 on ABC-TV. Hosts of the telecast are Nick Cannon and Mario Lopez, with co-hostMaria Menounos.  Stars will shine and sparkle, as the Christmas Day parade telecast features four-time GRAMMY® award winning singerChristina Aguilera and headliner, teen sensation Justin Bieber.  The star-studded spectacular spreads good tidings with bicoastal performances from Academy® Award-winning actress and multi-platinum singer Jennifer Hudson, singer/songwriter and producer Cee Lo Green, platinum-record rockers OneRepublic, “American Idol” Season 10 winner and country crooner Scotty McCreery, and theMcClain Sisters, featuring “A.N.T. Farm” star China Ann McClain,among others.

OneRepublic performing at Disney's 2012 Christmas Parade | © Copyright 2011 Disney

Guests can visit disney.com/christmasparade to learn about the special telecast, including local broadcast times and talent updates.

Justin Bieber performing at Disney's 2012 Christmas Parade | © Copyright 2011 Disney

Celeb-rate the Holidays with Today’s Brightest Stars(*talent subject to change)

Christina Aquilera performing at Disney's 2012 Christmas Parade | © Copyright 2011 Disney

The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade features exciting appearances from soundsational stars and many favorite characters, bringing tidings of holly jolly joy to viewers.

•  ”The Voice” judge and award-winning singer Christina Aguileraperforms “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort.
•  International singing sensation Justin Bieber leaves fans grinning ear to ear with a medley of performances from his new Christmas album.  The medley includes “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and the album’s title-track, “Mistletoe,” and is performed on the Cinderella Castle stage at Magic Kingdom Park.
•  Soulful singer/songwriter Cee Lo Green takes the stage to perform a holiday favorite, “This Christmas.”
•  Pop-rock hitmaking group OneRepublic performs on the Sleeping Beauty Castle stage at Disneyland Park, reminding guests to make the most of each memorable moment with the hit single “Good Life.”
•  ”American Idol” Season 10 Winner Scotty McCreery brings some country flavor to the show with his rendition of the classic tune, “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”
• Disney Pearl Series recording artists Nathan Pacheco and Katherine Jenkins serenade the crowd with an awe-inspiring version of “O Holy Night,” joined by Academy® Award winner Marlee Matlin and ABC Family’s Katie Leclerc and Sean Berdy.
• Everyone’s favorite balcony-sitting curmudgeons, Statler and Waldorf, from The Muppets will make a special appearance at the Magic Kingdom and offer their unique brand of commentary while perched high above Main Street, U.S.A.  Kermit the Frog and Gonzo also will bring more Muppetational fun with a special appearance from Walt Disney World Resort.
• The McClain Sisters, featuring “A.N.T. Farm” star China Anne McClain make it a family affair at Disneyland Resort, collaborating on “Jingle Bell Rock.”
• The Never Land Pirate Band will be joined by characters from the Disney Junior hit show, Jake and the Never Land Pirates. The buccaneer band makes its parade debut with an original, pirate-themed holiday tune.
• Zendaya and Bella Thorne of the Disney Channel hit show, “Shake it Up,” show fans how to jingle bell rock with a special high-energy dance performance down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom.
• Direct from Broadway, Mary Poppins and Bert will make a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious holiday appearance during the telecast. The smash musical “Mary Poppins” just celebrated five years on Broadway and has enchanted more than 3 million guests at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City.  The hit musical also is making its way across North America.
• Backed by a choir, Academy® Award- and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson brings the show to a celebratory close with a very merry holiday medley of “Joy to the World,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”  It is a homecoming of sorts for Hudson, as her own dreams of stardom began when she was a Disney performer aboard Disney Cruise Line in 2003.  In January 2011 she was named the Honorary Fairy Godmother of the most recent Disney Cruise Line ship to set sail, the Disney Dream.

Dazzling Hosts from Coast-to-Coast

Nick Cannon host of Disney's 2012 Christmas Parade | © Copyright 2011 Disney

Television, radio and film personality Nick Cannon will host from Disneyland Resort in California, while actor, best-selling author and entertainment journalist Mario Lopez will host from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  Television personality, journalist and best-selling author Maria Menounos will co-host from Walt Disney World.  Travel expert and television personality Samantha Brown checks in as the show’s travel correspondent, offering viewers a sleigh-full of Disney fun around the globe.  Brown will provide a look at the new Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai’i,Adventures by Disney vacations, what’s new (and what’s next!) at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and a preview of the newest Disney Cruise Line ship (currently under construction), the Disney Fantasy.

Disney Favorites Join the Festivities (*characters/floats subject to change)

What better time of year to reunite with old pals than Christmas? Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy are decked out in their holiday best, savoring the season with their Disney Parks family. Thanks to a dash of pixie dust, Santa and his reindeer also appear on Main Street U.S.A. – and in living rooms across the county – during a special visit from the North Pole.  The parade will showcase the Disney cast of characters from both Disneyland Park in California and the Magic Kingdom Park in Florida.

•  Disney XD stars and theme park favorites Phineas and Ferb get in the groove with a whimsical version of their hit show’s theme song, “Gitchee Gitchee Goo.”  Also making an appearance, the show’s famed crime-fighter, Agent P.
• Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse bring joy to guests as they pass by on an iconic Christmas tree float.
• Disney Princesses Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Jasmine spread good cheer as they parade down Main Street, U.S.A. accompanied by their handsome beaus.
• Buzz Lightyear soars to infinity and beyond with his “Toy Story” cohorts Woody and Jessie. Also revving up the holiday fun: Disney-Pixar pals Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater from the blockbuster films “Cars” and “Cars 2.”
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs add a little sparkle to the celebration with a glimmering gemstone float topped with a diamond-encrusted Christmas tree.
• Three of the “pup-ular” canine stars of the upcoming Disney Blu-ray™ & DVD film “Treasure Buddies” make a special appearance, riding with adventurers and explorers aboard their very own treasure chest parade float.
• The famous Disney Parks Toy Soldiers take their traditional jubilant march down the parade route with the jollyGingerbread Men following close behind.
• It’s a very merry moment when the one and only Santa Claus glides down Main Street, U.S.A. with his trusted reindeer leading the way.

What Time Does it Air?

The 28^th Annual “Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade” airs Christmas Day on ABC-TV at the following scheduled times.

• New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, and Raleigh: 10 a.m. – Noon
• Eastern Time Zone: Noon – 2 p.m.
• Central Time Zone: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Mountain Time Zone: 10 a.m. – Noon
• Pacific Time Zone: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Hawaii Time: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

*Airtime varies per city/time zone – please check local listings  

© Copyright Disney

Throughout the Disney Fantasy, guests will discover creative and whimsical technical innovations – whether it’s mealtime, playtime or bedtime. “Paintings” spring to life. Guests’ own drawings dance with Disney characters. Interior staterooms have a porthole view of the sea outside. Animated characters chat with guests. The floor beneath children comes alive to movements. Among the highlights:

Muppets Adventure Game

The Muppets are coming to the Disney Fantasy! While playing “The Case of the Stolen Show,” guests take an interactive adventure quest around the ship, uncovering clues via more than a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art and physical “evidence.”

The adventure begins with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal and a cast of more than 20 Muppets preparing to stage a big performance. But there’s a problem: Kermit’s banjo is missing, Fozzie’s squirting flower has vanished, Gonzo’s crash helmet has gone astray, Animal’s drum sticks have disappeared and the Swedish Chef can’t find his cleaver! All of the props for the big show have been stolen by a cunning thief (or more likely, another Muppet).

Pepe the King Prawn offers to take on detective duties to help Kermit and the rest of the Muppets find their missing props. Kermit, worried about Pepe’s lack of detective skills, turns to the guests for help.

Guided by a map and holding a unique game card in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil clues and find missing props. Elsewhere on the ship, guests may check a Muppets message board and find a Muppet-sized stateroom door to discover clues. Their mission is to identify the culprit and solve the crime before it’s time to raise the curtain and light the lights on the Muppets’ big show.

“The Case of the Stolen Show” is a self-paced adventure game designed for guests ages nine and older. It features several possible endings and multiple randomized events – so each time a guest plays, they have a different gaming experience.

Enchanted Art

Throughout the Disney Fantasy, more than 20 pieces of Enchanted Art, inspired by classic Disney characters and animations, immerse guests in Disney storytelling in a completely new way.

As guests pause to admire an individual piece of Enchanted Art, it magically comes alive. Some examples of Enchanted Art new to the Disney Fantasy…

• Dual circus art posters featuring Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse flying from one frame into the other — a nod to the Disney Fantasy stern characters.
• Walt Disney animating three new clips that spring from his sketch pad featuring the “Fab Five” (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto).
• Scenes from Disney’s classic animated film “Fantasia” depicting dancing fairies set to “Nutcracker Suite” and a frolicking unicorn and satyr set to “The Pastoral Symphony.”
• Fanciful animations of “Alice in Wonderland” inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s artwork.
• “Pinkie Daisy” inspired by Thomas Lawrence’s painting “Sarah Barrett Moulton: Pinkie.”

While Enchanted Art looks like other hanging art pieces around the ship, it is actually a framed LCD screen that utilizes technology to create special effects. Enchanted Art “recognizes” a guest is present and activates several seconds of animation. Guests may see new and different animation when they visit the Enchanted Art another time.

“Animation Magic” at Animator’s Palate

Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called “Animation Magic.” The dinner show celebrates the magic of Disney animation and allows families to create and participate in a whole new way.

As guests are seated at their tables, they are invited to draw a character of their own using a simple template on their placemat. Then, just before dinner, house lights dim and a sprinkling of pixie dust illuminates the room.

Imagery is revealed on several large monitors showing black and white drawings of Mickey Mouse. Mickey then places the Sorcerer’s hat upon his head, transforming all of the animation into color.

Mickey invites guests to sit back, relax and enjoy a taste of animation as a montage of memorable food-themed moments from Disney and Disney•Pixar films is displayed, set to the show tune “Be Our Guest.” After the number is complete, guests are encouraged to complete their own drawings … so they may be whisked off to Mickey Mouse, who is conjuring a magical final act.

After dinner, Mickey returns for the exciting finale. With a musical crescendo, he works his magic and conjures the guests’ drawings – now fully animated and brought to life – into the onscreen action.

A parade starts as Mickey leads the guests’ drawings in a march across the screens around the dining room. The animation of the drawings becomes increasingly more elaborate, and then the drawings step into scenes from beloved Disney movies and skip, skate and dance side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White.

At the conclusion of the show, Mickey returns to say “so long” while credits roll on screen showing each guest’s name listed as a guest animator. To commemorate the experience, guests’ drawings are returned to them … with an added touch: a golden seal proclaiming them an Official Disney Animator.

Living Characters

In Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab youth areas, Disney characters come to life and interact with children in one-of-a-kind experiences…

• Crush, the animated sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo,” and Stitch, the mischievous animated alien from the motion picture “Lilo & Stitch,” appear on a 103-inch plasma screen.
• The characters chat, play and joke with kids in live, unrehearsed, personalized conversations, using sophisticated, voice-activated animation.

Living Characters create ‘Undersea Magic’

The Living Characters fun continues at Animator’s Palate restaurant…

• Once guests are seated for dinner, the entire restaurant goes through a transformation as dinnertime is also show time for “Undersea Magic.”
• The transformation involves more than 100 wall-mounted LCD screens that switch to scenes of a vivid undersea environment – as if the restaurant is transported to the ocean floor and the screens are windows providing views of a colorful coral reef and creatures that reside there.
• Crush, the surfer-dude sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” swims around the restaurant from “window” to “window,” engaging in live impromptu interactions with guests.

Magical Porthole

The Disney Fantasy carries on the spirit of innovation with a cruise industry first for all 150 inside staterooms – a “window” to the world with a real-time view outside the ship…

• Each room features a wall-mounted monitor framed to have the appearance of a porthole. The monitor displays a real-time video view outside the ship – sometimes supplemented by a little “magic” in the form of animated Disney characters that “fly by,” such as Peach the starfish from the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo,” Dumbo the flying elephant and Mickey Mouse.
• High-definition cameras on the exterior of the ship feed the video to the monitors. Camera positions correspond with stateroom locations – port or starboard, from bow to stern.

Magic PlayFloor

Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab feature a Magic PlayFloor, a cruise-industry first that blends the latest in gaming technology with Disney’s panache for storytelling…

Located in the main gathering space in both venues, the interactive floor allows children to engage in group activities where their movements control the action.

• The PlayFloor is designed with 16 light pads on the perimeter that detect motion and location and trigger actions. There are 28 monitors integrated with one another to create a grid display 15 feet by 15 feet on the center of the PlayFloor.
• The games are thematically tied to Disney stories and characters – to everything from “Cars” and “Tron” to “Peter Pan” and “The Princess and the Frog.”
• Youth counselors use the Magic PlayFloor during storytelling activities where children fly over the streets of London with Peter Pan, help their frog feast on a bug banquet, leap over lasers with Stitch, race a car like Lightning McQueen and step into the world of Tron.

Skyline

On the Disney Fantasy, adult guests step into a world that’s all their own at Europa – a nighttime entertainment district exclusively for guests 18 and older that features sophisticated bars and lounges inspired by the very best in European travel.

Skyline is a chic bar that provides ever-changing birds-eye views of stunning city skylines. The venue’s nine “windows to the world” are actually 65-inch LCD screens that depict different locales in panorama. Guests glimpse ever-changing views of spectacular cities such as Paris, London, Barcelona, Florence, Athens, Budapest and St. Petersburg.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit http://www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.