Archive for May, 2009

Become Donald Duck’s Official Portrait Artist

In honor of the irascible, cranky, mischievous, outrageous and very humorous Donald Duck’s birthday which just happens to fall on June 9, Disney’s D23 is commissioning an official portrait from those who know Donald best– his fans.

For the first time ever, Disney is turning to fans to create an official portrait of one of its biggest stars.

Visit Disneyland Paris Via Google Earth

Last summer The Walt Disney Company took a big step into the realm of “virtual tourism” by introducing the Walt Disney World Park in Google Earth. Users were able to click on maps that show about 1,500 rides, restaurants and attractions all in 3-D.

Now Disneyland Paris becomes the second park that is available for “virtual tours” to Google Earth users.

Disney to Build 500 Room Resort in National Harbor, Maryland

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts recently announced the purchase of a 15-acre site in National Harbor, Maryland overlooking the Potomac River for $11 million. The site is slated to be home to a 500-room resort, though Disney has not yet announced details or a start date for the work.

Located close to the District of Columbia, the National Harbor development is a 300-acre complex, which will eventually contain hotels, residences and a convention center.

DisneyStore.com Expands With Comprehensive Assortment of Merchandise From Disney Theme Parks

How many times have you been to a Disney theme park, seen an item in one of their merchandise stores that you just had to have but would get later, and then left the park for getting to acquire that desired item?

Worry no longer as DisneyStore.com, formerly known as DisneyShopping.com, has expanded to offer a wide assortment of merchandise from Disney theme parks, Disney Store and Disney consumer products.

Saying Goodbye to Wayne Allwine (1947 – 2009), The Voice of Mickey Mouse

Wayne Allwine, a Walt Disney Studios voice-over artist who was the voice of Mickey Mouse for more than three decades, died of complications of diabetes early Monday morning at UCLA Medical Center. He was 62 years young. Wayne was the third voice of Mickey Mouse, a role he assumed from Jimmy MacDonald.

D23 Announces Summer 2009 Events Calendar

Disney’s D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today announced its Summer 2009 Special Events Calendar. From very special screenings and stepping behind-the-scenes with Mary Poppins to visiting the legendary Walt Disney Studios and Archives to being among the first to experience the new Walt Disney Family Museum, D23’s inaugural slate of Members-only events promises outstanding, unforgettable opportunities that are exclusive to the fan community’s Charter Membership.

Environmentally Conscious Disney Launches ‘Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green’

The Walt Disney Company has announced Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, a multiplatform environmental initiative that will help kids help the planet. Disney stars Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato are among the 29 young stars participating in outreach messages to debut on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Radio Disney and Disney.com.

Disney’s Summer at Sea Sweepstakes

Disney Channel and Disney Cruise Line have teamed up to create the most star-struck Disney cruises ever, complete with Disney Channel talent Q&A sessions, photo ops, parties, concerts, and more. What’s even better is that you can be there! Enter the Summer at Sea Sweepstakes for a chance to be one of eight lucky families of four who will be joining in the fun as official vide-BLOG-raphers on a cruise between July 9 and August 6.

The Princess and The Frog Movie Trailer

The movie trailer for Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” is now available. The animated family feature film loosely based upon the book The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker and presented by Walt Disney Animation Studios will be the forty-ninth animated feature in the Disney animated features canon, and the first traditional animation feature since 2004′s Home on the Range.

Disney Imagineers: Rolly Crump and Don Edgren Honored at Disneyland

Former Walt Disney Imagineers, Rolly Crump and the late Don Edgren, were honored at a special ceremony at Disneyland last week.

Each was honored with a window above the Silhouette Studio on Main Street, U.S.A., marking the first time two people received the honor on the same day.