Beat the crowd and do your Disney Parks holiday shopping online

Ladies, if you've ever visited Disney World in December hoping to score a cute WDW holiday t-shirt or sweatshirt, you might recognize this scene:From across the World of Disney you spot a cute, red t-shirt -- maybe with Mickey Mouse adorned in Christmas lights. You dash over to snap it up only to find ... a pile of size smalls, and maybe a medium. There's nary a large or extra large to be found in the whole, wide World.I've been visiting Disney at...

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Last episode in LEGO Star Wars trilogy airing Nov. 27

The last episode of the LEGO Star Wars trilogy will be broadcast on the Cartoon Network this November.In the "Attack of the Jedi," coming out Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., "Obi-Wan discovers that several major Sith Lords and their apprentices are gathered on the lava planet Mustafar. The Jedi must hurry to destroy the Sith, but it's a trap -- and the Republic fleet is destroyed," according to the Star Wars website.The series started off with "The Phantom Clone" and was followed up with "Menace of the Sith."...

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Eat to the Beat concert lineup for November

Five bands are left to perform in November during the Eat to the Beat Concert series.The concert series is part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Disney World.Big Bad Voodoo DaddyThe series, which has featured bands such as The Go-Go's, Air Supply and Smash Mouth, ends Nov. 11.Here is the final list of bands:Nov. 1: Spin DoctorsNov. 2-3: Christopher Cross Nov. 4-5: HansonNov. 6-8: Dennis DeYoung, original member of...

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Boy in critical condition after falling off the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland Paris

A 5-year-old boy was in critical condition after falling into the water on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland Paris.Inside the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney World.The child fell off the side of the boat and became trapped between a platform and the boat, according to The Telegraph.The police officer in charge of the probe said the boy lost his balance when the boat was arriving at the end of the ride," according to Agence France-Presse.The...

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Disney unveils new medals for Princess and Tinker Bell half marathons

Disney as unveiled what some of the new medals look like for races in Disneyland and Disney World in 2014.Disney publicity photoThe medal for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, which takes place Jan. 16-19, 2014 at Disneyland, has a few enhancements, according to the Disney Parks Blog.The medal for the Princess Half Marathon, which takes place Feb. 20-23, 2014 at Disney World, has a new look. The medal is inspired by Cinderella. In addition the two...

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First Lady to give speech at Disney World to support hiring veterans

First Lady Michelle Obama is coming to Disney World in November to give the keynote speech at Disney’s first-ever Veterans Institute workshop.Disney is hosting the free Veterans Institute workshop to inspire companies to employ servicemen and women transitioning to the private sector. The Walt Disney Company, has had its own initiative to hire service people called Heroes Work Here.The First Lady's speech will be Nov. 14.“We applaud First Lady...

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What Disney Princesses are dressing up as this Halloween

Ever wonder what costume Disney Princesses would wear for Halloween?Artist Isaiah Stephens decided to to give it a try and has come up with a fun collection of Disney characters dressed up or the holiday ranging from Wonder Woman to Hermoine Granger to Sailor Moon.© Isaiah Stephens"I've always been a fan of heroines. Female heroes tend to be far more interesting than their typical million dollar smile, eight packed, steroid freak counterparts....

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Dad makes Disneyland his Halloween costume

What's the one place everyone loves? Disneyland. From YouTubeSo Rob Cockerham said he decided to create a wearable version of the theme park. "My plan was to wear a map on my shoulders, not parallel to the ground, and not perpendicular to the ground either. I'd wear it at a steep angle, so that kids would have a better view of everything," he wrote on cockeyed.com.On the website he also describes in detail how he made the costume. This video shows...

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Disney World to host international Netball tourney next year

Disney World will host the inaugural Disney International Youth Netball Tournament next year.The tournament, taking place Oct. 27-31, 2014, will feature international teams competing in Netball - a fast-paced team game based on running, jumping, throwing and catching. The event will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, according to a Disney press release.The game is popular among young women in the UK, Australia and New Zealand....

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Disney's ABC Family releases new apparel collection based on various TV series

Disney's ABC Family Division has released a new collection of apparel and accessories based on a few of its television shows for this holiday season. The first collection features fashions inspired by characters from "The Fosters," "Twisted," "Switched at Birth" and "Baby Daddy," according to a press release.Wet Seal, a specialty retailer to young women, are featuring this collection at its Wet Seal stores nationwide and online at wetseal.com.Here's...

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Lucasfilm announces screenwriters for Star Wars Episode VII

Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams have taken on the screenwriting duties for Star Wars Episode VII, Lucasfilm has announced."There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a Star Wars story works like Larry, and it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said.Kasdan, who has...

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Disney adds mixers to the Festival of the Masters

Over the past year, Disney has gotten a lot more creative with its liquor.A year ago, it started serving alcohol at the Magic Kingdom for the first time (beer and wine at dinner at Be Our Guest). Then last spring, it added food and beverages to the Flower & Garden Festival -- including, memorably, a rum-spiked Dole Whip.Disney Parks BlogEpcot also has seen the debut of the "ice cream martini" at L'Artisan des Glaces -- your favorite ice cream...

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New Marvel app and stylus released to help teach how to draw Super Heroes

Kids can now learn how to draw Marvel characters as part of the Marvel Creativity Studio Stylus and App for the iPad. “Leveraging the comic drawing history of the Marvel brand with the innovation that eKids brings to the table – or in this case, tablet – this product delivers a fun experience with endless play value," Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global franchise licensing and commercialization at Disney Consumer Products said in a...

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Photo of the upcoming Throne Room of Odin at Disneyland

Starting Nov. 1, Innoventions in Disneyland will open “Thor: Treasures of Asgard.” Here, Disney says guests will be able to cross the Bifrost cosmic bridge between the realms of Earth and Asgard. Once in Asgard you will be Thor at the throne room of Odin.Disney artist rendit...

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Disney Facts: Villas at the Grand Floridian

The new Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa recently opened.The new Disney Vacation Club is located along the Monorail and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.Disney publicity photoHere are some fast facts about the new resort and its rooms:A Mary Poppins-themed bronze fountain is located in the lobby.Deluxe Studios sleep up to five guests.One-Bedroom Villas sleep up to five guests.Two-Bedroom Villas sleep up to nine guests.Grand Villa sleeps...

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New Disney 94-song box set will come out in November

Nearly 90 years of Disney music will be celebrated with an all new Disney Classicsbox set this November.The four volume collection of Disney Modern Classics, Disney Timeless Classics, Disney Theme Park Classics and Disney Television Classics will be available Nov. 12.The 94 songs were compiled by Disney Music Group's resident music historian Randy Thornton."From the Studio's earliest days, music has always been an integral part of the Disney creative...

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World's largest Disney Store to open in China

The Walt Disney Company China will build the world's largest Disney Store in Shanghai.Scheduled to open in 2015, the 53,000 square foot store will be located in Shanghai's financial district and feature a 10,800 square foot Disney-themed outdoor plaza area. This would be as big as an NFL football field including only one of the end zones.Artist's rendition from DisneyShoppers will be able to interact with the Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars using...

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Halloween week is the Limited Time Magic at Disneyland and Disney World

Disney publicity photoHalloween week at the Disney Parks features special fun and music.Inside the Magic Kingdom at Disney World from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon is transformed into The Happy Haunted Horseshoe from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hostess Miss Betty Blue calls forth the Cadaver Dans, the piano-playing Dearly Departed Stan and everyone's favorite morbid magician, Abner Cadaver. At Disneyland, the popular barbershop quartet, ...

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Jungle Cruise being revamped for the Christmas holidays at Disneyland and Disney World

For the first time, the Jungle Cruise will get a transformation during the Christmas holiday season.The "Jingle Cruise" will be unveiled in early November at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Disney announced on its blog.The queue and the boathouse will be filled with decorations and the boats are being renamed with the holidays in mind. The fun part of the trip is the standup the Skippers do during the tour. This time they...

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Downtown Disney makeover will have 3 pedestrian bridges, report says

The Downtown Disney makeover at Disney World will now include three pedestrian bridges, the Orlando Sentinel reports.Disney is remaking the shopping and dining district and rebranding the name as Disney Springs. It will have double the number of shops, restaurants and other venues for guests to explore, resulting in more than 150 establishments. It is expected to be complete in 2016.According to the Orlando Sentinel, the agency which oversees...

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Star Wars pins benefiting children's charities released

Limited edition pins featuring Yoda and Darth Vader are available as part Variety's 24th annual Gold Heart Pin Campaign.The money will go to benefit Variety programs that serve children who are disabled and disadvantaged.The pins are available for $3 in movie theaters and select retail outlets nationwide from November 2013 to April 2014. The locations where the pins can be found are available at usvariety.o...

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New DVC resort, Villas at Grand Floridian opens at Disney World

The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Disney Vacation Club's 12th resort, opened today in Disney World.Disney publicity photoThe villas keep the Victorian theme of the Grand Floridian complete with a Mary Poppins-themed bronze fountain with playful penguins waits to greet guests as they step into the lobby. In the lobby’s atrium are two five-tier custom grand chandeliers with antiqued-brass finish and decorative green crystals....

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Mickey Mouse is now talking to guests when he meets them at Disney World

© Steven LiebmanUsually when you approach Mickey Mouse to get his autograph or take a photo at Disney World, he mime's his way through a conversation. But, no more.Now, Mickey is speaking with guests inside the Backstage with Mickey Mouse attraction at the Magic Kingdom, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel.A video posted on Disney's YouTube channel shows Mickey Mickey saying "Hi there" and Come right in," as well as counting down for a...

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Valet parking starting at Downtown Disney in Disney World

Downtown Disney is trying an experiment this holiday season with valet parking.Now through Jan. 1, 2014, valet service will be available at the Downtown Disney West Side via Entrance 4 for $15, according to the Disney Parks Blog. The service joins other valet services at the higher end resorts on the Disney property. The service will run from 4 p.m. to 2 am. daily to take advantage of the dinner time traffic as well as those attending the La Nouba...

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Specialty food trucks coming to Downtown Disney at Disney World in November

Disney today announced that the four Food Trucks planned for Downtown Disney at Disney World will start to roll out in early November.The trucks, which will be near House of Blues and Cirque du Soleil will be open Wednesdays through Sundays.The bright red “Enchanted Fare” trucks will serve favorites from all Disney Parks around the world, including the hand-dipped corn dogs of Disneyland. “The World Showcase of Flavors” truck will feature items from...

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13 Disney Villains we love to hate

Yes, Disney's villains have done some horrible things. Two words: Puppy fur.But they're so stylish, so devilish, so gleefully, over-the-top wicked that it's hard not to love them at least a little for their joie d'evil.In honor of some of the characters who put the howl in Halloween, here are the 13 Disney Villains we love to hate.If your favorites didn't make our nightmare list, let us know who we left out and why you love to hate them.THE...

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Aulani pool expansion complete

The expansion of the water area at the Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii is complete.Disney publicity photoThe expansion comes just two years after the resort opened and features an infinity pool with a realistic grotto, a fun splash zone for smaller children and new poolside and beachside dining areas, according to Disney.A highlight of the new family pool is a grotto that provides a view of the sunset over the Pacific. After dark, a starscape of...

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Disney Facts: ESPN Wide World of Sports

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World is the home to the AAU National Championships, Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer & Dance Championship and the Atlanta Braves Spring Training.Disney publicity photoThe facility hosts more than 350 events a year and can accommodate 70 different sports. Here is a look at the facility, by the numbers:165,000: Square feet inside the HP Field House which can accommodate basketball, wrestling,...

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Disney creating new Norway vacation inspired by "Frozen"

Disney is hoping the upcoming movie "Frozen," which takes place in Norway, will encourage people to want to visit the Scandinavian country. Adventures by Disney is offering a special eight-day, seven-night Norway vacation.Disney publicity photo of NorwayThe movie is about Anna, an optimist who sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoffand his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa whose icy powers have trapped the...

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Special stickers available at Disneyland and Disney World starting Oct. 21

Disney publicity photoAs part of a Limited Time Magic with the Glow with the Show Mickey Ears, Disneyland and Disney World are offering special stickers, according to Disney.Starting Oct. 21, and while supplies last, if you purchase a Glow with The Show special light up Mickey Ears you get two ear cling stickers - one saying "bon voyage" to 2013 and another welcoming 20...

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Couple gets married on Pirates of Caribbean ride in Disneyland

© Steven LiebmanYo Ho. Yo Ho. The married life for me.Who needs those fancy shmancy Disney weddings. Why not just exchange vows on a ride?A Utah couple did just that, getting married at Disneyland on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.Just 150 seconds into the ride Tony Elegante and and his bride-to-be Nikki, declared their love, with the help of a friend, who officiated the ceremony, according to ksl.com.The couple loaded up one of the boats soley...

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