Search Results for: blog disney dreamers academy

Disney Animation Convention

This summer Disney fan convention D23 is put on hold for another year. Ever since its debut it has alternated years with another sort of Disney convention: Destination D. While D23 is the House of Mouse’s answer to Comic Con, with its main focus being panels on upcoming Disney films, Destination D is a quieter conference for the Disney history buffs. The first Destination D, held in 2010, centered on the theme of Disneyland. Walt’s first park debuted 55 years ago (well, 57 now), and that year’s Destination D was all about celebrating the groundbreaking Disneyland. Can you tell I … Continue reading →

Disneyland Grad Nite

Although Disney World might have decided to convert its decades-old Grad Nite celebrations into Senior Class Trips, Disneyland’s keeping the tradition. We know that Grad Nite will continue there for at least the next two years, as the official Disney Parks blog just mentioned some updates Disneyland is making to its graduate celebrations. Next year, any students partying for their graduation will be able to enter any Disneyland or Disney California Adventure park whenever they want. They’ll also be offered two FASTPASS tickets and a special showing of Fantasmic! before the private Grad Nite parties begin. In 2013 the aforementioned … Continue reading →

Dreamers Academy Applications and King of the Elves

Today I have two very different news stories to share; the one is brief, but important, so I just matched it up with the other story I planned on running. For the first one: wdwinfo.com has the scoop that applications are now being accepted for the 2012 class of the Disney Dreamers Academy. A quick refresher into the Disney Dreamers Academy: it’s a joint venture by Disney World, actor/writer/comedian Steve Harvey, and Essence Magazine to promote youth education. Around 100 youth are chosen every year to visit Disney World for four days free of charge. While there they’ll of course … Continue reading →

Festival Disney

I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of Disney Youth Programs before now. I know I didn’t pay any attention to Disney outside of following its films until I started Disney blogging, but given how many events Youth Programs offers I’m just surprised that it took me so long to learn about it. Soon after announcing the dates for STEP Classic, the official Parks Blog gave word on the 2012 dates for its other music and arts competition: Festival Disney. However, the post on the parks blog site is meager; it mentions that the Festival will run on “select” weekends … Continue reading →

Disney Dreamers Academy

Sometimes I wonder if I need to study other companies to the extent that I have Walt Disney Corp. I keep reading stories about it that make it seem like such a unique company for its levels of involvement in its community, but maybe many conglomerates are like that and I just don’t know about it. It wouldn’t surprise me if Disney was special, however, given its high consumer trust rating. Today I’m detailing another one of Disney’s philanthropic ventures, the Disney Dreamers Academy. The Disney Dreamers Academy, or for brevity’s sake the DDA, is a collaboration between Walt Disney … Continue reading →

“Up” House Flies — For Real

Many months ago I posted that Utah-based real estate company had built a house modeled after the one from “Up”. Well that’s been sold now, so unless you’ve got enough money to build a customized house, there goes your opportunity to live in in Carl and Ellie’s home. But it’s not your only chance to check out real-life versions of the most famous flying home since Dorothy’s Kansas abode. Last year National Geographic built a wooden house-sized structure and lifted it into the air using balloons. It was all part of a feature for the National Geographic’s “How Hard Can … Continue reading →

“Newsies” Show Debuts on Sunday

I can’t believe it’s actually happening. Almost a year ago I wrote about how “Newsies” was slated for Broadway, but although I read reports about it happening I didn’t quite believe they would come to fruition. But they have. “Newsies” opens on September 25 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, only 25 miles from Manhattan. It runs through October 16, and if it’s successful, who knows, it could come back for more. In further proof of the musical’s existence the Disney Blog has a variety of videos about the show, from rehearsal clips to an interview with composer … Continue reading →

Selena Gomez to Star in New Prank Show?

This spring is full of news about the Disney Channel. Coming off both the return of the Disney Channel Games and the announcement of a new television series, Hollywood Life published rumors of a new show for the channel starring Selena Gomez. ‘Wait,’ you might say. ‘Isn’t this the sort of thing Disney Channel execs should avoid?’ Sure, they always try to milk their stars for all they’re worth, but the network is already under fire for overworking Demi Lovato. Why would they go and make the same mistake with Gomez? First off, “Wizards of Waverley Place” wraps up its … Continue reading →

Special Offers for the New Year

With a new year comes a new crop of Disney Parks Special Offers. First let’s look at the deals for Disney World. As always, one of the primary deals involves booking your Disney World vacation early. This time around, you can accrue 30% savings for a spring Orlando vacation if you make your reservations by February 13. Of course, not all of the savings go as high as 30%. Rooms at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels booked by Feb. 13 net guests a 30% discount. The less fancy of a hotel you choose to stay at the smaller the deal … Continue reading →