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April 2009

Disney News & Links – Tuesday Tips Edition

Shanghaist reports on “Touch of the Panda” a new Disney-produced movie that is opening in China. It follows the story of a Panda Cub separated from its mother. Even if the plots not original it might be worth it for the scenery. The film was shot in the Woolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve.

Continuing our overseas trip, we have a story on a book of stories and anecdotes about Tokyo Disneyland that may have been plagiarized. Lawyers are now involved.

Two updated posts to note: First I’ve added a couple photos to my post about the new Green Disneyland Bakery; Second it turns out the Sherman Brothers documentary will open on May 22nd. Right now it’s at four cities, which I’ve added to the original post.

So far Orlando has been lucky enough to avoid a confirmed case of Swine Flu. If the cases continue to grow, that won’t happen forever, but it’s good news for now.

One of the juiciest rumors in the week of rumors that were this week, was the tidbit that GE and Universal Studios is giving serious consideration to buying the Busch Entertainment Theme parks, including (or perhaps only) the SeaWorld properties.

Looking for a great night on the town that’s also affordable? You may want to make another trip back to Downtown Disney to check out some deals. Not sure how long these specials will last, so ask when making reservations. Look below the cut for details:

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“the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” World Premiere

shermanbros-marypop-425

The World Premiere screening of “the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” took place Saturday, April 25, at the Premier Theater in the Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio, San Francisco. The screening was part of the San Francisco International Film Festival, and co-sponsored by The Walt Disney Family Museum, opening in the Presidio this fall. A reception following the screening took place in the museum’s reception hall, the first event to be held in the newly renovated space.

Aside: I like how the all lowercase title is an homage to one of the Sherman Brothers’ most famous songs “it’s a small world (after all)” – properly titled in the lower case. -ed.

If you live in Southern California you can catch the film tonight at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Otherwise, I hear it’s only scheduled to play in New York City at the moment. Sounds like the rest of us will have to wait for the DVD. Good news. Turns out the doc will screen in four cities beginning May 22nd. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Desert get the nod (addresses below the cut).

Born and raised at the epicenter of the entertainment business, Gregory V. Sherman and Jeffrey C. Sherman, the producers and directors of “the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” grew up within blocks of each other in Beverly Hills. Even though their fathers are brothers and partners in a legendary musical collaboration, they never knew each other.

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Dancing with the Stars 8-8: Another Injury and Team Dance Time

Tonight, the six remaining couples dance two routines for scores for the first time. Of course, the second set of scores comes from the team dance. This is only the second time they’ve done the team dance thing, and it really made things interesting last year. I’m curious to see how it will play out tonight when we get Team Tango and Team Mambo.

Well, things are off to an interesting start. Read More »Dancing with the Stars 8-8: Another Injury and Team Dance Time

Handprints in History: Star Today at Disney-MGM Studios

I’ve never claimed to be an expert in Walt Disney World history, but I’m trying to learn. So I’m going file this one under learn something new every day. Class is in session and Professor Disney Shawn regales his students with the story of the… Read More »Handprints in History: Star Today at Disney-MGM Studios

First Look at Sanaa Interior and Logo

We’re getting our first look at the new African dining experience that is part of the Kidani Village expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Two new photos and the official logo for the new restaurant reflect the African heritage of the lodge while providing a… Read More »First Look at Sanaa Interior and Logo

Zagat’s New Insider’s Disneyland Guide

Zagat’s, a name with years of respect in the fine dining field, has released its first “Insider’s Guide to the Disneyland Resort.” More than just dining, the guide covers attractions, shops, food, and hotels.

Part of the Zagat’s Survey system will reveal guest preferences and rankings. For instance, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain Rank as park favorites, Tower of Terror provides a perfect thrill,
Blue Bayou and Napa Rose wweep the restaurant competition, and
Disneyana and World of Disney set the shopping pace.

It is available now at the Disneyana store in Disneyland, Compass Books in Downtown Disney, and Amazon.

The full press release and some of the rankings are below the cut:

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Disneyland is Summer Nightastic!

Disneyland Resort Lights Up The Night With New Shows And A New Glow! It’s Summer Nightastic!

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The first three decades of Disneyland, the park was still struggling to create an identity to attract locals into the park. One of the strategies they employed were themed nights. Usually there would be some performer on the Rivers of America or other entertainment in tomorrowland. Well they’re rolling back the clock this summer at Disneyland and it’s going to be Nightastic!

Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars Steve Davison
Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars Steve Davison introduces the new slate for Nightastic!

Disneyland Resort will glow like never before this summer as it debuts an all-new fireworks show, Magical, along with sensational new characters and effects that will brighten the Summer Nightastic! lineup of after-dark entertainment.

Guests can see Disneyland Resort in a whole new light as Summer Nightastic! brings nighttime shows and parades to life – bigger, better and brighter. A huge new dragon and other special effects will highlight Fantasmic! Explosive surprises will illuminate the night sky in the all-new fireworks spectacular, Magical. Guests can rock the night away at a new dance club in Tomorrowland. Sparkling new magic comes to “Disney’s Electrical Parade,” as well as to Pixie Hollow, the enchanting home Tinker Bell inhabits with her fairy friends.

The magic will play nightly, beginning Friday, June 12, and continuing through Sunday, August 23, at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks.

Lot’s more below:

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Disneyland’s Ragtime Pianist: Michael Pollock

For many years the words “Ragtime at Disneyland” were synonymous with Rod Miller. But before Rod there were other pianists and after Rod there is a new group of talented performers. One of those performers is Michael Pollock. He’s developing his own following and is known for his humor.

If you can’t make it to Main St. USA in Disneyland where Michael Pollock, aka “Ragtime Michael,” is a featured piano soloist you can purchase his new album titled “Ragtime Michael: Tickles the Ivories“. It was created to help guests remember their visit to the original Magic Kingdom and the experience of hearing Michael play in person, but it’s a wonderful collection of Ragtime music (including a few Disneyland songs) either way.

The tracks are carefully selected, most-requested songs, and each is guaranteed to make you smile. Kids like the “rinky-tink” energy, and adults will further appreciate the musical accuracy at warp speed, and infectious grooves on the easier going tunes. The selections will amaze you with how detailed his riffs get and yet you still hear every note distinctly.

If you can’t get to Disneyland and hear this kind of expert ivory tickling live, get this CD and enjoy it anywhere you happen to be.

The track list and a short interview with Michael is below the cut:

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