Disney Animation Releases 'Frozen's "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel on YouTube!

I've been telling anyone who would listen since Wednesday when I saw it that they needed to get to their local theater as quickly as possible and see 'Frozen'. Ever since I was able to attend the D23 Expo over the summer and saw Idina Menzel ("Elsa") singing "Let It Go" live on stage (arguably the highlight of the film) I've been champing at the bit to see it myself. And I certainly wasn't disappointed!

D23 Expo 2013: Sorcerer Radio Hosts "East Meets West All-Star Podcast and Blogger Fan Meet"

Sorcerer Radio WDW Tiki Room hosts Kristen and Aljon with Disneyland Resort correspondents Big Bubba, Taylor and DisGeek Podcast host Daniel Hale at DCA!

If you're headed to the Disney D23 Expo (August 9-11, 2013) this year you're in for an added treat! Sorcerer Radio DJ's Kristen and Aljon of the WDW Tiki Room show will be hosting the "East Meets West - All-star Podcast and Blogger Fan Meet!" Join the team for fun, door prizes, good times and a LIVE BROADCAST on SORCERER RADIO! Here are the details:

ABC TV Network Presents Exclusive Screenings and Q&As at D23 Expo 2013

THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE SCREENINGS AND Q&As
WITH THE CREATIVE FORCES BEHIND TV’S EXCITING NEW FALL SHOWS

AT D23 EXPO 2013

Creators panel with Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz who will talk about their hit ABC series Once Upon A Time as well as their new series, Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, on August 10

Guests Can Board Captain Hook’s Jolly Roger on the D23 Expo Show Floor

BURBANK, Calif. – July 24, 2013 – Be among the first to watch ABC’s most anticipated new fall series and animated specials and have a chance to learn the secrets behind how they were made. Fans will have those opportunities at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where all the worlds of Disney come together, August 9 – 11, at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Executive Producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz will be featured at a panel titled “ABC’s Once Upon A Time: Behind The Fairytale” on Saturday, August 10 at 1:00 p.m. at Stage 23. Eddy and Adam will talk about exciting developments for season three of their hit series Once Upon A Time as well as their new fall series, Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, which takes place in the Victorian England of Alice and the strange new land that exists on the other side of the rabbit hole. The Q&A with the executive producers will be moderated by D23’s Jeffrey Epstein.

Guests on the D23 Expo show floor are invited to come aboard the Jolly Roger for a swashbuckling good time with some of your favorite fairytale characters from ABC’s hit series Once Upon A Time. Explore the famous pirate ship and feast your eyes on original props from the set. You will also find Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, and Emma Swan (and Emma’s red leather jacket). Every pirate who boards the ship gets to visit the Evil Queen’s vault. And a surprise awaits when you unlock a box from Regina’s wall of hearts. No pirate will leave empty handed!  Don’t let this exciting adventure sail by without you!

In addition, as previously announced, guests will be able to get an up-close-and-personal look at some of the elaborate costumes from Once Upon A Time inside the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit located on the second floor of the Convention Center. 

About D23 Expo 2013

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, and theme parks. For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visit D23Expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; and member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 9–11, 2013.

Fans can join D23 at Gold, Silver, and Free Membership levels at D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

*release courtesy D23 and ABC Studios

Disney Channel Announces Star-Filled Line-Up for Disney's D23 Expo

DISNEY CHANNEL, DISNEY XD AND DISNEY JUNIOR ANNOUNCE STAR-FILLED LINE-UP FOR DISNEY'S D23 EXPO

Fans Invited to Meet the Stars of "Teen Beach Movie," "Shake It Up," "Jessie," "Phineas and Ferb," Marvel Universe, "Gravity Falls," "Good Luck Charlie,"

"A.N.T. Farm," "Kickin' It," "Dog With A Blog," "Lab Rats,"

"Crash & Bernstein" and "Wander Over Yonder"

-- Musical Performances by Bridgit Mendler and R5 featuring Ross Lynch, plus

"Teen Beach Movie" 'Surf Crazy' Fan Dance Saturday --

-- Popular Characters Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake,

and All-New Mickey Mouse Cartoon Shorts Screening Sunday --

BURBANK, Calif. (June 14, 2013) – An unforgettable experience awaits kids, tweens and families who can meet their favorite stars from Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior, experience live performances, get autographs and rock out to Radio Disney tunes over three fun-filled days, FRIDAY, AUGUST 9–SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, at the ultimate event for Disney fans, Disney’s D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.  The schedule includes musical performances by certified gold Hollywood Records recording artist Bridgit Mendler (Disney Channel's "Good Luck Charlie") and Hollywood Records' pop-rock sensation R5 featuring Ross Lynch (Disney Channel's "Teen Beach Movie" and "Austin & Ally"), a 'Surf Crazy' fan dance with stars from the Disney Channel Original Movie "Teen Beach Movie," a special screening of never-before-seen Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts and more.

On FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, in celebration of "Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel," a special-one hour telecast featuring an epic teaming of characters from two hugely popular Disney and Marvel franchises, fans can meet the stars and characters including Phineas, Ferb, Agent P, Spider-Man and Iron Man. The unforgettable special premieres this summer on Disney Channel.

On SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, bikers and surfers unite on the dance floor of the Disney Channel booth for the ultimate beach ball bouncing, high-spirited ‘Surf Crazy’ fan dance with stars from Disney's “Teen Beach Movie,” an exuberant song, sand and surf fest, premiering July 19 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

On SUNDAY, AUGUST 11 in the Disney Channel booth, Disney Junior fans of all ages are invited to meet beloved characters from top-rated preschool series "Sofia the First," "Doc McStuffins" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," and enjoy a special sneak-peek screening of new Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts in Stage 28.

 

Popular radio personalities from Radio Disney, the 24-hour contemporary hits radio network and the only radio broadcaster for kids and families, will join in the fun every day, along with the Radio Disney Road Crew, for interactive entertainment, fun prizes and the hottest music from kids' favorite artists.

Following is the schedule of stars making special appearances and signing autographs in Disney Channels' booth:

Friday, August 9

10:00-11:30 am  "Phineas and Ferb" creators/executive producers and stars Dan Povenmire and Swampy Marsh, plus stars Vincent Martella and Alyson Stoner, with character appearances by Agent P, Phineas and Ferb

11:30 – 1:00 pm  Marvel Universe stars, plus character appearances by Spider-Man and Iron Man

1:00 – 2:30 pm  "Crash & Bernstein," stars Cole Jensen, Tim Lagasse, Landry Bender, Aaron R. Landon, plus Crash appearance

2:30 – 3:30 pm  "Gravity Falls" stars

3:30 – 4:30 pm  "Lab Rats" stars Tyrel Jackson Williams, Billy Unger and Spencer Boldman

4:30 –5:30 pm  "A.N.T. Farm" stars Jake Short, Sierra McCormick, Stefanie Scott and Aedin Mincks

             

6:00 – 7:00 pm  "Shake It Up" stars Zendaya, Roshon Fegan and Adam Irigoyen

                                                

Saturday, August 10

10:00 – 11:00 am  "Dog With A Blog" stars G Hannelius, Blake Michael, Francesca Capaldi and Beth Littleford

12:30 – 1:30 pm  "Kickin' It" stars Jason Earles, Leo Howard, Olivia Holt and Dylan Riley Snyder

1:30 – 2:30 pm  "Jessie" stars Skai Jackson and Cameron Boyce

2:30 – 4:30 pm  "Good Luck Charlie" stars Bridgit Mendler, Jason Dolley, Bradley Steven Perry and Leigh-Allyn Baker, plus a performance by actress and Hollywood Records recording artist Bridgit Mendler

4:30 – 5:00 pm  Performance by Hollywood Records' R5 band

5:00 – 7:00 pm  "Teen Beach Movie" stars Ross Lynch, Grace Phipps, Garrett Clayton, John Deluca, Chrissie Fit, Jordan Fisher and Mollee Gray, plus 'Surf Crazy' fan dance

Sunday, August 11

10:00 – 12:00 noon  "Sofia the First," "Doc McStuffins" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates" character appearances         

12:00 – 1:00 pm  "Sofia the First" star Wayne Brady, plus Sofia

                       

1:00 – 2:00 pm  Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts screening (stage 28)

2:30 – 3:30 pm  "Wander Over Yonder" stars Jack McBrayer and April Winchell, plus creator/executive producer Craig McCracken

*Schedule is subject to change.

Tickets to the D23 Expo are available at http://www.D23Expo.com.  Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 Expo, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $47 for a one-day adult ticket and $37 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $136 for adults and $106 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 Expo for themselves and their guests.

About Disney Channels Worldwide

Disney Channels Worldwide is a portfolio of 100 kid-driven, family inclusive entertainment channels and/or channel feeds available in 169 countries in 34 languages, spanning Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Disney Cinemagic, Hungama and Radio Disney brands.  Through cable, satellite and digital terrestrial television channels and a strategic partnership with Disney-ABC-ESPN Television for the third-party distribution of Disney-branded kids’ programming across the globe, Disney Channels Worldwide reaches hundreds of millions of viewers.  Disney Channel properties continue to rapidly expand into new markets across the world, playing a key role in introducing the Disney brand to new consumers.

About D23 Expo 2013

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks. For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visit www.D23Expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 9–11, 2013.

Fans can join D23 at www.D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.

LAST CHANCE to Purchase Advanced Discounted Tickets for D23 Expo!

Purchase Your D23 Expo 2013 Tickets Today!

 

D23 Expo 2013 Advanced Discount Ticket Prices End June 15, 2013!

LAST CHANCE to purchase Advanced Discounted tickets for D23 Expo 2013!

The highly anticipated D23 Expo 2013: The Ultimate Fan Event returns to the Anaheim Convention Center from August 9 – 11, 2013, once again bringing the entire world of Disney under one roof and offering attendees unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks as only D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can! Visit www.D23Expo.com to buy tickets before the prices go up on June 16.

Highlights of D23 Expo 2013 include:

• Live Concerts including Disney Legends and Academy Award^®-winning composers Richard Sherman and Alan Menken, as well as “Broadway and Beyond” featuring performances by Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan® and Aida), Josh Strickland (Tarzan®) and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King).
• Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives—an insider exhibit celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Mary Poppins, the ABC hit Once Upon a Time and Disney’s enduring exploration of the land of Oz with costumes, props, and set pieces.
• Disney Legends Awards–a stirring biennial event paying tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy.
• D23 Expo Dream Store and Silent Auction—a magical store featuring apparel, art, collectibles, and more Disney-inspired items. A rare Silent Auction offers attendees to bid on Disney artifacts, artwork, experiences, props, and more.
• 2013 Fan Art Contest—this year’s contest is themed to the upcoming 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins. Finalist artwork will be displayed in the Fan Art Gallery.
• And much more including celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks and unique experiences, all celebrating the past, present, and future of Disney.

In 2011, celebrity appearances included Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Garner, Dick Van Dyke, Willem Dafoe, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Jason Segel, Tom Bergeron, Jodi Benson, Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer and Sean Astin, along with Disney executives and creative talent.

Find more details on prices and announcements at the D23 Expo website:

www.D23Expo.com.

Two Years Later... What Has Disney Done For Me?

Welcome to those of you joining me from 'Disney Babies Blog' and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Looking back, it's hard to believe that two years have gone by around here... and that I've been a part of something as magical (no pun intended) as 'The Magical Blogorail' for almost all of that time. When Beth (from 'Pursuing the Magic') approached me with the opportunity to join up on the very first line we were running, making me one of the charter members in the process, I was just a baby-faced blogger who had barely been doing what I was doing for a month; maybe even less! But I jumped on board and now looking back it's something I can honestly say that I've taken a lot of pride in, despite my absence over the last few months (which I plan on writing more about next week so stay tuned!).

So this month we've been charged with writing about our favorite Disney moment over the past two years since we began this behemoth. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the topic, and came up with a lot of different options. After all, I've gotten to do some pretty darn cool things since I became a blogger about The Happiest Place on Earth; Club 33, covering the D23 Expo for my blog and a few others, media events, celebrity sitings in The Park, yelling out 'Goonies Never Say Die!' at Sean Astin. Okay, that last one never really happened... but it could have because he walked right by me going into the Grand Californian. Unfortunately, I'm just not very quick on my feet like that.

Ultimately though, none of those things seemed quite right. Sappy perhaps, but these days when I think about Disneyland, I think about all of the friends I've made over these past two years and what they've come to mean to me. Nowadays, going to Disneyland without at least seeing some of them doesn't seem like a complete trip. When I go, I'm with them. I enjoy all the time I get to spend with them, and they've come to mean the world to me. So I guess if I had to pick my favorite Disney moment over the past two years, it would be the moment when my family started to grow, because make no mistake, that's what everyone in my post today has become to me; family.

In general I've never really been one to make friends very easily. To many I seem stand-offish, brooding, and probably grumpy. But in all honesty it's always been my insecurities that have done that. I've always been shy, introverted, and pensive; all of those wonderful traits that make people instantly take to you! I started blogging just figuring I could be "Anonymous Man" hiding behind my keyboard but I quickly found out the more I did, and the more I jumped into social media, the more people wanted to talk to me. That I could handle! Talking to folks through a PC screen I can do! But then suddenly people who lived around me who followed me (and I them) started talking about meeting up in The Park face to face. Perish the thought! One can't type with sweaty palms, and I think I probably shorted out three keyboards during the transition.

Why I did what I did next will always be a wonder to me, but I made a move (since Mark and I were already planning on attending Disneyland's 'Happiest Haunts' Halloween Tour) to invite Rosemary and Neil from Finding Mickey to come along on the night that we did. We had met them a while before after submitting a few Hidden Mickeys we had spotted around The Park, and I found them so friendly and receptive through email, we started a dialogue and I figured, "What the heck?". The day we finally met them for the first time came and went, and we've never looked back, but they would probably laugh at me to know how nervous I was to meet them that first time. I was a complete wreck waiting for them to show up, but show up they did, we had an absolutely awesome night, and have had many since. And to boot, our tour guide that night also holds a special place in my heart now, too! All because I took that first step and decided to be somebody different for once... the rest is indeed history.

The first new member of my family: Rosemary from Finding Mickey

Since then, my family has grown by leaps and bounds. I've met so many wonderful people in the process of doing all of this, and the most wonderful thing is, like I said before, I don't consider them friends anymore. These people are family to me. They're my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, and I love them all just about as much as anyone else I do on the entire planet. We talk routinely, text all the time, when the good times are there we celebrate with each other, and when the bad times come, we pray for each other. Even though we may not all believe the same things exactly, I hope everyone else feels the same way (I'm sure they do), that we've all been truly blessed to become a part of each others' lives. Or, if I'm the only one who feels that way, well that's okay too. Except now they probably think I'm crazy and will avoid me like the bubonic plague.

And what astounds me more? My family criss-crosses this entire country now! I know people all over the place, and even have a plethora (do you know what a plethora is?) of friends from Walt Disney World that I honestly look forward to seeing on an annual basis, too. And yup, they mean the world to me, too! Talk about family? That's what the Blogorail is! I regularly talk to many of them online, and hope with all of my heart to meet all of them someday. And as many as are included here today, there are that many more people in my extended family who don't appear today simply because we haven't met yet, and I don't have pictures with them yet. But you know who you are, and if you don't, check with me and I'll be happy to clarify it for you!

These are just some of my favorite shots over the last couple of years. I honestly can't wait to see what the next year will bring, and I know (now that I've done this one) that it's something that I will gladly update year after year. This list is in no way all-inclusive, and there are tons of you out there in my family. We just need to get those pictures together!

Sarah (formerly of 'Magical Days with the Mouse') and I on the black carpet for the 'Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides' World Premiere

From left to right: Us, Jenn and Jason from Disney Day Trippers, Amy, Julie and Jason (our favorite Cast Member), Rosemary, and Ryan from Original D - and Tiki Maynard of course!

Neil from Finding Mickey, Amy and her sister Sara, Rosemary, Us, and Sarah

Hanging with Finding Mickey at the D23 Expo!

Family night on Paradise Pier! Rosemary and Neil from Finding Mickey, my "niece" Natalie and Amy, Michelle (riding 'Toy Story Midway Mania') with us, and my "nephews" Noah and Nate

The family goes cross country! Nicole Siscaretti from Sparkly Ever After, me, Rosemary (my, she's in a lot of these!), and Suzannah from Zannaland!

Ah, Club 33... Me, Alyssa from Rays of Disneyland, and Rosemary (see!)

Our friend Michelle, Rosemary (whom you should all know by now), me, and my "nephew" Nate on Radiator Springs Racers. We win!!!

Lauren and Ashley - definitely a part of my Disney family, even though I'm not in the picture, so they HAD to be included. Two of the sweetest young ladies that I know!

All in all, some of the best friends I've ever had have come out as a result of my blogging and joining the Blogorail... and that may just be the most magical thing Disney is capable of producing.

One of my favorite shots of Mark from the D23 Expo last summer. He loves those Muppets!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is 'Meet the Magic'.

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Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ The CanaDisney Blog
2nd Stop ~ Disney Babies Blog
3rd Stop ~ Days in the Park
4th Stop ~ Meet the Magic
Final Stop ~ Pursuing the Magic

Days In The Park Week In Review: (8/8 - 8/14)

Had a lot of fun writing our articles for this week!  We didn't hit every day of the week, but we sort of made up for it with a double posting on Friday.  So that works, right?  Just to recap:

On Monday, we challenged you with our weekly "Magical Mystery Mondays" to guess where in The Parks we were when we took a particular picture.  This week's came courtesy of the Five and Dime store in Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland Park.  We have a lot of fun with these every week, so make sure you stop by each and every Monday to participate with us.  Guess correctly, and you'll find your name posted on our blog come Tuesday morning!

Wednesday,we posted up some photos we took on a recent Friday night excursion into Disney California Adventure Park for our Almost Wordless Wednesday

And lastly, on Friday, we offered up twice the goodness with not one but two different articles.  We were blog hopping with our friend at Magical Days With The Mouse for Disney Flashback Friday, with a look at the old Playhouse Disney show from Disney California Adventure Park.  We were also riding the rails with the Magical Blogorail Blue Line, where we shared our "Top Ten Tips" for enjoying your vacation in the Disney Theme Parks

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It should be a really great, but busy, week at Days In The Park!  We'll be recording Episode 8 of our Days In The Park podcast; always a great time!  Our show is doing really well still, and we're truly thankful for that, and for all of you who are listening to us.  We'll be recording and editing this week so we can get it out as quickly as possible, so be looking for that.  And it's going to be a huge weekend upcoming as the D23 Expo rolls into town at the Anaheim Convention Center.  We'll be attending on Saturday and Sunday, and we're looking over our schedules right now to decide what we most want to do and see, so when we come back, we should have loads to talk about here and on our podcast.  We can't wait to get out there and get knee-deep in the festivities.  If you plan on coming out for the Expo yourself, shoot us off a message and let us know; we'd love to run into as many of you as we can!

It's going to be a great week, so come on back.  We love having you around!