Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop to Join The El Capitan Theatre November 15th

The newest Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop will join with Disney’s The El Capitan Theatre and the Disney Studio Store on Hollywood Boulevard, and the Grand Opening will be November 15, 2013!

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Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is considered America’s oldest operating chocolate manufacturer and this will be the first location in Los Angeles, giving locals, fans and moviegoers an opportunity to experience Ghirardelli’s world-famous and delicious floats, shakes, hot fudge sundaes, and their exciting assortment of chocolates and beautifully wrapped gifts. Each guest will also enjoy a complimentary sample of the signature Ghirardelli SQUARES® chocolate. The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and Disney Studio Store will be located next to the legendary El Capitan Theatre at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard, and will be open seven days a week. This location will replace Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store currently in that location.

“Ghirardelli Chocolate is honored to join Disney on Hollywood Boulevard to bring visitors and moviegoers an unforgettable experience. We have been bringing quality chocolate to the public for over 160 years, and this iconic location in the heart of Hollywood is the perfect place to continue the tradition.”

~ Marty Thompson, President and CEO of the Ghirardelli® Chocolate Company

 

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Ghirardelli Chocolate and Disney have teamed up for the Grand Opening Celebration, by offering a specially created sundae treat for the opening of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new animated movie “Frozen” this November. Original and speciality ice cream sundaes will be available to complement future film releases at The El Capitan Theatre, thereby providing moviegoers with an ongoing unique Ghirardelli experience. The new soda fountain and chocolate shop will join the existing Disney Studio Store which offers an assortment of merchandise from current film releases playing at The El Capitan Theatre, along with classic Disney character souvenirs, highly sought after collectible pins, and a large selection of Blu-Ray and DVD home entertainment.

Says Lylle Breier, senior vice president, Worldwide Special Events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures:

“The El Capitan Theatre has always been about giving guests the ultimate entertainment experience. And now, with Ghirardelli, an extraordinary experience becomes even more unforgettable. Families and movie lovers from all over can come to the El Capitan, see a great Disney movie, and enjoy a memorable, delicious after-movie treat. We’re thrilled to welcome Ghirardelli Chocolate to Hollywood. Ghirardelli chocolate and a Disney movie at the El Cap: How sweet it is!”

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Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company, El Capitan Theatre, and Ghirardelli.

VIDEO: Villainy in the Sky Fireworks Truly The Highlight of “Unleash the Villains”

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As we upload videos of the next day or so, I thought it was clear that the first video we had to share from the “Unleash the Villains” Friday the 13th event had to be the 9-minute fireworks spectacular. The song choices and pyrotechnics in Villainy in the Sky were absolutely stunning. Watch the show for yourself:

We have much more to share from this incredible event on this week’s podcast and over the next few days here on WDWNT.com, so stay tuned!

REVIEW: Minor Changes Enhance Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2013

I attended the very fist Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Tuesday and I am very happy to report that the offerings this year were much improved over years past. In short, a lot of small changes and additions did not go unnoticed.

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First off, if you want to pick up this year’s exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card, I suggest you make that your first stop at the party. The card is available in limited quantities at each party and after they run out, well, Disney then starts to hand out the Chip and Dale card that was given out in 2012.

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Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, still pretty much the best parade you can see anywhere in Orlando, saw some minor changes this year. The Country Bears are now roaming around the route instead of on a float. Also, 3 of the cone units from the now-defunct Block Party Bash were repainted as candy corn and have found a new home towards the end of the parade.

Here’s a full video of this year’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade:

When they announced that the Tomorrowland Dance Party would get a Monsters Inc. overlay this year, I couldn’t have been less interested. However, seeing this party in person, all I can say is that I am stunned at the investment from Disney. The DJ’s costume, the set pieces, and the characters used really make for a fun experience. As much as I wanted to dislike this, the giant laugh canisters and the DJ’s CDA costume were just too much fun.

Here’s some video of the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Dance Party in Tomorrowland:

The merchandise this year was also well done. Here is the t-shirt design available at the parties in 2013:

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There was also an assortment of event exclusive pins available as always. However, my favorite merchandise offering had to be this brand new Mickey Mouse Hatbox Ghost popcorn bucket:

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The biggest addition to this year’s party is easily the new meet and greet with Jack Skellington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. The line fot his was so long, I didn’t even get near the photo area. The line was constantly over an hour-and-a-half except during the first parade. That would be my suggested time to visit if you need to meet this pair.

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The candy quality was once again improved upon this year. Our bags were full of quality, name-brand candy when we left at Midnight. Kudos to Disney on making sure you at least get quality candy for your money. Oh, and don’t forget to get some Peeps on the way out of the park!

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Overall, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was as much fun as it always is. I’m glad to see many improvements, even if they are small, being made annually to this event. As always, I highly suggest that you attend this party if you have the chance as it always proves to be a great night at the Magic Kingdom.

Bring Your iPads and Go Under the Sea with “Second Screen Live: The Little Mermaid”

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Starting September 20, 2013, you are invited to be part of the world of “Second Screen Live: The Little Mermaid”, a new interactive theatrical experience!

For a limited time in select theatres, fans can become part of the story in a new second-screen technology, Disney Second Screen Live, where the audience can engage with the film, each other and their fellow audience members.

Simply download the FREE “Second Screen Live: The Little Mermaid App,” in the iTunes App Store, onto your iPad or iPad mini (iOS 5.0 or higher is required.) Then bring your devices to participating theatres where you can interact with the film, your families and other fans, singing the songs, playing games, finding treasures, and competing for the chance to win prizes!

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This brand new, magical theatrical experience starts on September 20 at the following theaters:

• City Center 15: Cinema de Lux; White Plains, NY

• Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas; Farmingdale, NY

• Arclight Beach Cities; El Segundo, CA

• Arclight Sherman Oaks; Sherman Oaks, CA

• Muvico Thousand Oaks 14; Thousand Oaks, CA

• AMC Empire 25; New York, NY

• AMC Garden State 16; Paramus, NJ

• AMC Burbank 16; Burbank, CA

• AMC Downtown Disney 12; Anaheim, CA

• AMC Bay Street 16; Emeryville, CA

• AMC Town Center 20; Leawood, KS

• Century Huntington Beach and XD; Huntington Beach, CA

• Cinemark West Plano and XD; West Plano, TX

• Carmike Wynnsong 16; Knoxville, TN

• Carmike 15; Columbus, GA

And a special run is taking place at the El Capitan theater in Los Angeles, CA on Sundays & Thursdays from September 15th through October 13th.

Check out this featured video peek of “Second Screen Live: The Little Mermaid”:


Tickets are now available for purchase online or at the box office of participating theaters.

For more information about The Little Mermaid: Second Screen Live! theater screenings, locations and ticket purchases, please visit movies.disney.com.

And stay tuned to WDW News Today for all your “Second Screen Live” Information!

Video and Images courtesy of the Walt Disney Company.

2014 WDW Trade Event to be called “Imagination Gala”

It didn’t get the applause the Disney Villains theme got last year, but people are intrigued to see what Disney will do with this “Imagination Gala: a magic carpet event” theme for the Walt Disney World trade event in September of 2014. What we do know… it will celebrate the award winning Disney animated films. Award winners will receive a Golden Figment award. And Disney will take more of our money. We also know there will be special pins and vinyl that were voted on this year.

Maybe Friday will feature an awards show were characters will receive the Golden Figment? I assume it will have a movie premier feel to it. I have to say, if we are celebrating Disney classic animated movies, the merchandise can’t be too bad, right? Mix in a little Figment, and I’ll probably spend more here on my RSP than I did at Circus or Villains. How about you… what would you like to see in this theme in 2014?

RoE: Star Wars Series 4

Star Wars series 4 is set for a 2014 release. All we got at RoE was the box art.

It is a Snowtrooper, but we already had an Empire Strikes Back set. Maybe we get a second one on the new Mickey platform for uniformity? Or maybe it will all be centered on characters on Hoth? Or, as MC predicts, maybe it is an entire Stormtrooper set!!! You want armies!!?? We will give you armies!

RoE: Park Starz Series 3

They always leave me wanting more. Only a single Park Starz 3 preview!!?? Really!!?? At least it is a good one. We now know that Harold from Disneyland’s Matterhorn will be in the third series. We got a look at some artwork and the injection mold. No figures were ready for preview, but I seriously hope that changes ASAP.

Like the Park Starz 1 Yeti, the arms should be movable so he can pose like the artwork.

RoE: Robots Series 4

Sometimes they listen and just do things right. The fourth series of Robots, like number three, will use Disney Characters. All we have is the Big Bad Wolf’s head to go on here, but it’s enough to peak my interest!

RoE: Pirates of the Caribbean Series 2

Casey Jones is back at it again. What better way to follow up a brilliant and popular series based on the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean attraction… then with a series two! We should see it in 2014, but only have this image to go on so far.

Apparently we will be heading to Davy Jones Locker!

RoE: Toy Story Series 2

A much anticipated Toy Story Series 2, designed by Maria Clapsis and Ron Cohee, will be released in 2014!!! I can’t wait. All they left us with was an image of Buzz Lightyear as Mrs. Nesbitt…

I can’t wait!!!