D23's Announcements regarding the upcoming D23 Expo and Walt Disney World Events!

D23 Announces
The Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament
as Part of the Upcoming D23 Expo, Bringing Additional Excitement to the 2011 Disney Fan Event

Two Walt Disney World Events Also Announced to Celebrate the Resort’s 40th Anniversary and the Second Exciting Year of Disney’s Official Fan Club

Burbank, Calif., September 27, 2010 – This weekend D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announced The Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament as an exciting addition to the already highly anticipated D23 Expo 2011. The tournament will allow Disney enthusiasts to compete for the title of Disney Trivia Champion at “The Ultimate Fan Event” to be held next August 19–21 in Anaheim, California.

In a little more than a year, D23 has grown into a community of tens of thousands of Disney fans from every state in the U.S. and more than 30 different countries.

“D23 Members often surprise us with the vast knowledge they possess of all things Disney as well as their passionate nature when it comes to who knows the most about the magic,” said Steven Clark, head of D23. “So we’ve decided to feed their competitive spirit with a new signature event, The Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament at the D23 Expo, as well as D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt at Walt Disney World, which will take place in conjunction with our Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary celebration next spring.”

Upcoming D23 Expo 2011 announcements include:

· Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament. The Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament is an exciting new addition to the D23 Expo 2011. The eccentric, professorial quack-meister Ludwig Von Drake will be presiding over the festivities as competitors demonstrate their deep knowledge of all things Disney, including park attractions and shows and parades, past and present; films and TV shows through the years; consumer products, games, company history and, of course, Walt and his family. No corner of Disney’s magical kingdom will be left unexplored in this quest to find that uniquely talented individual who knows more about Disney than anyone else.

Potential champions can test themselves and hone their skills by visiting the Ultimate Disney Trivia Tournament Web page, which will launch soon. A new sample question will be posted each week as well as lists of suggested reading/cramming materials, the official contest rules and exactly how to participate. Details will be available soon at D23.com and D23Expo.com.

· Fan Art Contest. The One Hundred and One Dalmatians Fan Art Contest invites members of D23 to depict those classic canines in almost any type of art installation. The contest is in honor of the 50th anniversary of the beloved animated feature, and the winners will have their work displayed inside the Fan Art Gallery, which will be themed to the infamous House of de Vil at the D23 Expo 2011. Following “The Ultimate Fan Event,” these works of art will become a part of the Walt Disney Archives permanent collection.

To enter, Disney fans must submit sketches of proposed artwork no later than April 4, 2011. Entrants must be members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. More information and art specifications available at: http://D23.disney.go.com/expo/articles/20100819-disneysfanartcontesthonor.html

· Collectors’ Forum. The Collectors’ Forum is the ultimate Disney marketplace for fans. Collectors, dealers and other vendors have the chance to showcase their collections in this ultimate forum for buying, selling and trading Disney merchandise and memorabilia. This year, in addition to Disney, Pixar and ABC collectibles, the Forum will feature items from the amazing world of Marvel, the newest addition to the Disney family, and Star Wars, in celebration of the reimagined attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort.

Following the successful and sold-out Destination D: Disneyland ’55 event this past weekend, as well as the equally exciting (and sold out) D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt—which offered Disney’s most competitive fans the chance to be a part of Disneyland’s first-ever official scavenger hunt—D23 has announced two exciting new events coming soon to Walt Disney World in Orlando.

· Destination D: Walt Disney World 40^th Anniversary. Following the rave reviews of Destination D: Disneyland ’55, D23 has announced Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary to be held in spring 2011 (exact dates TBD). The event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Orlando resort, its history and heritage. Panels will include all-new presentations that echo the successful panels at Destination D: Disneyland ’55, including “Walt Disney World: The Way We Were,” hosted by Disney Legend Dave Smith, “Weird Disney” with Walt Disney Archives director Becky Cline, “From Quirky to Collectible: The Wonderful World of Walt Disney World Merchandise,” “Walt Disney World Through the Eye of Television” and “Walt Disney World in Pop Culture,” as well as a special evening event featuring musical memories from throughout the history of Walt Disney World. Other panels, featured speakers and details will be announced soon on the D23 Web site.

The Destination D events were created to celebrate the rich legacy of The Walt Disney Company and each event focuses on a different part of that legacy.

· D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt: Walt Disney World. The race is on… again! Following this past weekend’s first Great Disney Scavenger Hunt at Disneyland with 2,000 people and 575 teams, D23 is inviting guests to the Walt Disney World Resort for a fun-filled, two-day hunt around the World. In spring 2011, for the first time in the 40-year history of Walt Disney World, guests will have the chance to scour all four theme parks to win incredible Disney prizes in this official Disney scavenger hunt. The cost will be $50 per team for D23 Members and $75 per team of non-members. Each team will consist of between 2-4 participants, and additional rules and registration information will be available soon at the D23 Web site.

Since launching in March 2009, D23 has hosted more than 50 member events, from special screenings, one-of-a-kind experiences and prestigious panels with Disney Legends to the hugely successful D23 Expo, “The Ultimate Fan Event,” and the recent D23’s Great Disney Scavenger Hunt which turned Disneyland into an open playing field that contestants scoured for answers to clues.

Halloween WDCC 'Villainous Values' Promotion!

In a season of mischief and mayhem, Walt Disney Classics Collection is celebrating some of the most notorious Disney Villains (and one sweet little girl, Boo, who's dressed as a Monster!) in a promotion rolling out just in time for Halloween that they're calling "Villainous Values".

Each of the in-stock sculptures have been selected for this promotion as a last chance opportunity. They are all either Closed Editions or they will be Retired when they are Sold Out. No additional pieces will be produced and quantities are extremely limited.

This special promotion begins today and includes the following Members Only releases:

Jafar & Iago ("Villainous Vizier") - Limited to Production Year 2006 $99.00US

Randall ("Slithery Scarer") - 2005 Open Edition $75.00US

Boo ("Tiny Terror") - 2005 Open Edition $75.00US

Hades ("Name's Hades, Lord of the Dead") - 2007 Numbered Limited Edition $199.00US

Ursula at Vanity ("Devilish Diva") - 2007 Villains Series Sculpture $140.00US

Horace & Jasper ("Bumbling Baduns") - 2007 Commission Only Sculpture $160.00US

Chernabog ("Symphony of Evil") - 2006 Numbered Limited Edition $399.00US

Included are the two Walt Disney Collectors Society Villains (Ursula and Horace & Jasper) as well since they thematically tie-in. They are offered at the same Collector Appreciation Pricing announced previously.

Contact an Authorized Dealer for Availability!

Disney Epic Mickey Launch Date Announcement and Brand New Trailer!

PAINT AND THINNER EXPECTED TO ALTER THE WORLD WHEN DISNEY EPIC MICKEY LAUNCHES ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010

New Gameplay Video Available at Disney.com Showcases Journey through the Forgotten World of Disney Epic Mickey

September 16, 2010 – Disney Interactive Studios announced today that Disney Epic Mickey will be available on November 30 in North America, November 26 in the United Kingdom and November 25, 2010 in Europe. With its innovative style of gameplay using paint and thinner to dynamically change the game world, Disney Epic Mickey is one of the most anticipated titles of 2010. The game’s new video, “Journey”, is available for viewing now at www.Disney.com.

“I believe that video games tell stories as deep and as sophisticated as movies, books or any other medium. In Disney Epic Mickey, Mickey Mouse is faced with challenges worthy of a hero, while the players’ actions and their decisions throughout the game alter the gameworld,” said Warren Spector, general manager and creative director, Disney Interactive Studios’ Junction Point in Austin. “We are honored and humbled by the anticipation for Disney Epic Mickey, and we could not be more excited to get the game in people’s hands so that they can experience the thrill of becoming a hero and controlling their own destiny.”

Disney Epic Mickey is an action-adventure platforming game for the Wii console that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. As Mickey, the player is propelled into Wasteland, an alternate world made up of Disney’s long forgotten characters and attractions, and is given the power to wield paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world while determining Mickey’s path to becoming an epic hero.

Through the use of this unique paint and paint thinner, the key components of animation and Mickey’s tools for impacting his world, players will have the ability to shape how the story unfolds as they discover the concept of “Playstyle Matters” – an innovative style of gameplay created by Disney Interactive Studios’ Junction Point, led by industry luminary Warren Spector, where players creatively tackle different challenges in the world to explore all the possibilities and storylines – but with consequences for their chosen actions.

Check out the new trailer below:

Disney Epic Mickey will be available exclusively for the Wii console.

Please visit www.Disney.com/DisneyEpicMickeyVideogame and www.Facebook.com/DisneyEpicMickey for more information. Art assets for Disney Epic Mickey are available at www.dimgmedianet.com

Check Out Latest Episode of 'D23's Disney Geek'!

Episode Seven of “D23’s Disney Geek” is now online!

This week look at some of the exciting new construction on Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, D23’s exclusive Star Tours Final Flight and Secretariat advance screening events, Hong Kong Disneyland’s 5th Anniversary, Candlelight Processional hosts for Walt Disney World and much more.

2011 WDCC Winter Premiere Event Sculpture Announced!

"The little fairy Tinker Bell glows like a firefly and leaves a trail of pixie dust behind her as she flits about with the speed of a hummingbird," Walt Disney once said of the perpetually popular pixie.

The Walt Disney Classics Collection announced today, the 2011 Winter in Bloom Premiere Event Sculpture featuring Tinker Bell ("Delicate Daydreamer"), a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 3,000 sculpted by Margi Wray. Event dates for the United States and Canada will be February 25-27, 2011. International event dates may vary and will update once confirmed.

Also available will be a Whiteware version exclusive to Gold Circle Dealers. The whiteware version will be a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 200.

Tinker Bell ("Delicate Daydreamer") is the Fourth Release in the Disney Artist Series and Second Release in the Tinker Bell Seasons. The First Release was a 'Fall' Tinker Bell ("Blithe Spirit"), a Limited Edition of 2,000 and the featured sculpture for the Fall Premiere Event (October 17-19, 2008) sculpted by Margi Wray.

Due to multiple and repeated requests from collectors and retailers to represent the other seasons, an informal series (within the Disney Artist Series) is being created. The 2011 Winter Event is the "Winter Season." Be watching for "Spring" and "Summer" in the future. They may not both be event releases but will be limited in some way.

Updated Facts & Firsts for 2010!

An updated edition of Facts & Firsts for 2010 has just been finalized and available for download (click on image at left).

This update includes all releases through Fall/Winter 2010 plus the recent retirements and suspensions.

Should you catch any errors, please email me at wdccduckman@aol.com so we can be sure to get those corrected in the next update.

Disney Online Launches Two New Original Web Series!

DISNEY ONLINE LAUNCHES TWO NEW ORIGINAL WEB SERIES

FEATURING THE MUPPETS AND CELEBRITY CHEF CAT CORA

“Muppets Kitchen” and “Hasty Tasty” Help Families

Rediscover Together Time through Cooking

All-New Honda Odyssey and the National Milk Mustache "got milk?”^® Campaign Tapped as Exclusive Sponsors

BURBANK, Calif. – September 14, 2010 – Disney Online, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, launched two new original video series today featuring The Muppets and celebrity chef Cat Cora. The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora on Disney.com inspires and entertains families through cooking and classic Muppet comedy, while Hasty Tasty Cooking Tips with Cat Cora and the Muppets on Disney Family.com was created specifically for moms, offering recipes, step-by-step cooking tips and fun family-time ideas. Muppets Kitchen and Hasty Tasty are exclusively sponsored by the all-new Honda Odyssey and the National Milk Mustache "got milk?”^® Campaign.

Joining Cat Cora in the kitchen is her new Muppet cooking partner, Angelo. A chef with style, panache and a quirky habit of cooking up chaos, Angelo can spice up any meal. And with Muppet favorites like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo dropping by, one thing is certain: everything is funnier in Muppets Kitchen.

“This has been a great partnership between Disney Online, the Muppets and Cat Cora, and the end result is a fantastic line-up of original content that will entertain families, while offering moms great tips and ideas for ways to create magical meals and spend more time together,” stated Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online.

“As a chef and a mother of four boys, meal time is family time at our house,” said Chef Cat Cora. “I hope the delicious and easy to make recipes featured on ‘Muppets Kitchen’ and ‘Hasty Tasty’ inspire more families to get creative and get cooking in their own kitchens!”

“Muppets Kitchen” episodes will offer a variety of entertaining themes including “Game Day,” “Movie Night,” “Slumber Party,” “World’s Biggest Sandwich,” “Breakfast Isn’t Just Breakfast Anymore” and “Birthday Cat-astrophe.”

“Hasty Tasty” will feature short episodes that focus on giving moms access to step-by-step cooking instructions, specific culinary information, helpful tips, nutritional guidance and advice on how to get kids excited about cooking. Episodes include "Dough-Re-Mi," “Egg-straordinary Wraps," "The Really Cheesey Episode," "Chicken: the Dredge Report," "Chicken Ins and Outs," "Herb - The 'H' is Silent" and "Frozen Fruit Fun." Additionally, the “Hasty Tasty” site will offer complete recipes and other helpful culinary content designed specifically for moms. “Hasty Tasty” also has a mobile web site giving moms access to all online videos and recipe ingredient lists on the go, as well as a mix the ingredients recipe game. Text HASTY to DISNEY (347639)* or visit Disney.com/HastyTasty.

About Cat Cora
On and off-screen, Chef Cat Cora continues to make a lasting impression on the culinary community. Her food aspirations began at an early age, and by 15, she developed a business plan for her own restaurant. In 2005, she made television history on Food Network's Iron Chef America as the first and only female Iron Chef, and in 2006 Bon Appetit Magazine named her Executive Chef and bestowed her with their Teacher of the Year Award. Cat has also authored three must-have cookbooks including Cat Cora’s Classics With A Twist (June 2010, Houghton Mifflin). From partnering with Macy’s for a new restaurant concept called CCQ (Cat Cora’s Que) that premiered in December 2008 to her first stand alone restaurant, Kouzzina that opened at Walt Disney World BoardWalk Resort in September 2009, Cat’s bringing a taste of her culinary influence to both coasts.

About Disney Online
Disney Online (www.Disney.com or text MOBILE to DISNEY or 347639*) a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online and now mobile web gateway to all of the company's Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about Disney movies, travel, television, games, music, shopping and live events.

Check Out Latest Episode of 'D23's Disney Geek'!

Episode Six of “D23’s Disney Geek” is now online!

This week, look at ElecTRONica at Disney California Adventure, the Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long coming to theaters across the country, Camp Rock’s rockin’ ratings, and much more!

'D23's Disney Geek' News Show Now Available on iTunes!

BURBANK, Calif – September 13, 2010 – D23’s Disney Geek -- the popular news program from D23: Disney’s Official Fan Club -- is now available worldwide on iTunes as a free video podcast. Serving up the latest news from around The Walt Disney Company, the show covers everything from theme parks and movies to television, music, and beyond. D23’s Ultimate Disney enthusiast Jeffrey Epstein hosts.

New episodes of D23’s Disney Geek run weekly and can be accessed on iTunes by searching for “Disney Geek.” Episodes are also available on D23’s Web site and on D23’s YouTube Channel.

“As Disney’s official fan club, D23 is always looking for new ways to share the latest and hottest Disney news with our fans around the world,” said D23 head Steven Clark, “and Disney Geek does just that with its fun, informal and humorous approach to bringing the excitement and magic of Disney to life every week.”

Launched early last month, D23’s Disney Geek has quickly built an audience of Disney fans from across the globe. Set at Jeffrey’s “Disney-fied” desk, the five to seven minute shows have included exclusive interviews with The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Brandy, former LA Laker champion and actor Rick Fox as well as appearances by talent like Ugly Betty’s Ana Ortiz.

A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Jeffrey Epstein has been a Disney fan since first visiting Walt Disney World when he was seven years old. Prior to serving as D23’s Manager of Marketing, Jeffrey was the Entertainment Editor at Us Weekly. He is co-author of the Disney guidebook Queens in the Kingdom, and over the years has contributed stories to Disney Magazine, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Out, The Hollywood Reporter and Soap Opera Digest.

Disney fans can become members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at www.disney.com/D23, select shops at the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World Resorts, and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 87-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 www.disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Now It's Time to Say Good-Bye :(

The Walt Disney Classics Collection has honored the remaining Open Edition releases (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Logo Plaque) with retirement today!

The Mickey Mouse Club made it's WDCC debut in June, 2005 with the release of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Mickey's Nephews. From that initial release thru March 2009, we saw the additions of Daisy Duck, J. Audubon Woodlore (Park Ranger), Humphrey the Bear, Clarabelle Cow, Pluto, Logo Plaque, Dumbo with Timothy Mouse and Goofy.

Mickey's Nephews was a Dealer Show Exclusive, Limited to Production Year 2005. Daisy Duck was Limited to Production Year 2006, Clarabelle Cow & Dumbo with Timothy were Limited to Production Year 2008. Goofy was a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,000.

Donald Duck, J. Audubon Woodlore and Humphrey Bear, all Open Edition releases were retired in December, 2009.

Please contact your authorized dealer for availability.