Disney's D23 Winter Issue Features the Muppets

DISNEY TWENTY-THREE MAGAZINE GOES
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH STARS OF THE MUPPETS

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club Celebrates 25 Years
of Groundbreaking Animation with the Creative Minds at Pixar 

BURBANK, Calif. – November 3, 2011 – It’s time to raise the curtain!  Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Gonzo, Fozzie and friends grace the cover of the Winter 2011 issue of Disney twenty-three magazine, on stands November 15. These beloved characters return to the silver screen in the much-anticipated new film The Muppets (in theaters November 23).

Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams, star and writer Jason Segel, Oscar® winners Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Alan Arkin and Chris Cooper, plus many more, share the spotlight with the furry co-stars in this Thanksgiving treat from Walt Disney Studios. And, yes, even Miss Piggy does a star turn. “I really do believe that in this movie I will finally get that Academy Award®,” Miss Piggy tells Disney twenty-three magazine. “I've been studying with Stanislavski.”

Exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes details on the making of The Muppets and a remembrance of Muppets creator Jim Henson with hisson, Brian Henson, and famed Muppets performer Steve Whitmire are just the beginning of what Disney twenty-three has in store for readers in its latest edition.

Throughout the magazine, readers will get in-depth insight into the best of Disney, including a special feature that celebrates the 25th anniversary of Pixar, which was established in 1986. Pixar artists discuss the 25 most important lessons they’ve learned during Pixar’s first quarter century, and detail scenes that were cut from such classic films as Wall*E, A Bug’s Life and Toy Story 3. 

 Readers will also go on a journey through the making of Walt Disney’s classic animated film Dumbo, now celebrating its 70th anniversary, with rare concept art and development sketches recently discovered by The Walt Disney Archives and published for the first time in Disney twenty-three magazine.

 A treasure trove of fascinating stories and spectacular imagery, the Winter 2011 issue of Disney twenty-three magazine also features:

·     Discoveries made by author Timothy S. Susanin as he investigated Walt Disney’s “missing decade” – the years leading up to the creation of Mickey Mouse – for his new book, Walt Before Mickey: Disney’s Early Years 1919- 1928;

·     A colorful recollection of Disney’s involvement in the fabled Rose Parade;

·     Exclusive interviews with Sarah Chalke and Chris Parnell, stars of the upcoming ABC holiday special Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice.

Disney twenty-three magazine is available at a growing number of retail locations across the country for$15.95, and can also be purchased online at DisneyStore.com and throughout the Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Resorts. Gold-level members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, are treated to each issue delivered directly to their mailbox, accompanied by a special collectible gift.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the remarkable past, present and future of Disney, taking its name from 1923, the year Walt Disney founded his world-famous company. D23 brings its members a host of exclusive benefits, including a bi-weekly e-mail newsletter; a host of discounts and special offers; free gifts throughout the year; and exclusive, member-only special events.

 Disney fans can join the world’s only Official Disney Fan Club by visiting www.Disney.com/D23, or at select shops at the Disneyland® Resort, the Walt Disney World® Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23.

Catch Yzma Before She's Gone!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection has just announced the Sold Out Status for Yzma!

After much anticipation, Yzma made her WDCC in January 2011.

From The Emperor's New Groove, Yzma ("Calculating Conspirator") is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500. One of Disney’s most hilariously heinous baddies, Yzma is plussed with pewter, resin and a magnet to hold the elaborate headpiece (featuring real feathers) in place.

Yzma was sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons,

Contact an Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Dealer for availability.

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

Episode Fifty-Seven of 'D23's Disney Geek' is now online!

This week, check out the following:

- A Goofy new attraction coming to Tokyo Disneyland

- John Lasseter gets his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—with a little help from his friends

- A peek inside the colorful new shops of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure

- Minnie Mouse stars in a bow-tiful new series!

- Stunning new images from the upcoming animated film "The Secret World of Arrietty"

- "Chimpanzee" swings to life

- "Cars 2" races into homes with high-speed extras… and more!

Going-Going-Gong! Mushu Honored with Retirement!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection has announced the dry retirement today of Mushu from Disney's Mulan.

Mushu made his WDCC debut in September, 2007 as an Open Edition, sculpted by Bruce Lau.

Special Note on Dry Retirements: A Dry Retirement indicates the item will no longer be produced and will not return to the line and there is no longer product in the warehouse.

Please contact your Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Dealer for availability.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Over the past couple days, my blog entries have focused on my one of my favorite holidays, Halloween!

Tradition is always watching one of my favorite shorts, Trick or Treat. You may notice, music is an integral part of the film, as the song “Trick or Treat” both opens and closes the cartoon, and is woven perfectly throughout. The cartoon was the first screen depiction of trick or treating and as a special treat, below is the animated short for your viewing pleasure (courtesy of YouTube.com).

So grab your favorite witch's brew and some candy treats and Enjoy!

Trick or Treat is a Donald Duck Cartoon ©Disney

The 'Disney Geek' is Back!

Many readers have been asking, 'What happened to the Disney Geek?  We looked forward to his weekly updates!'

Great News!  The Disney Geek is back and just in time with a Halloween Update!

This week on D23's Disney Geek:

- It's a spook-tacular Halloween episode, full of ghoulish delights!

- We look at how Halloween is celebrated at all the Disney theme parks around the world 

- "Peter and the Starcatcher" goes from page to stage to Broadway

- Director James Cameron visits Disney's Animal Kingdom in preparation for the new "Avatar"-themed land

- Great new D23 Member benefits from SuperShuttle and Brookstone.com to Madame Tussauds Hollywood

- "Once Upon A Time" welcomes a wonderfully wicked guest star… and more!

Jack Skellington's House Has Begun Shipping to Retailers!

Click Image for Additional Product Detail & Angles

A little over a month ago, the Walt Disney Classics Collection announced three new upcoming releases from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The Enesco Warehouse has received their full shipment and the first of these releases, Jack Skellington's House: Surreal Estate,  Limited to Production Year 2011 has begun to ship to retailers today! 

Jack Skellington's House, designed by Larry Nikolai and reminiscent of the Enchanted Places. comes complete with real lights that flicker inside the windows!

As with Maleficent's Castle, the sculpture is attached to the base.  I had the opportunity to see this piece in person at the recent Gallery of the Lakes signing event earlier this month and thought it was very well done and truly captured the spirit of both the film and Halloween.

Please contact your Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Dealer for availability!

'Get Grumpy' Premiere Event This Weekend!

Click Grumpy for Participating WDCC Dealers

"Cantankerous Curmudgeon" sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 2,500 and is the 2011 'Get Grumpy' Premiere Event Sculpture (October 21-23, 2011) and Fifth Release in the Disney Artist Series.

“Grumpy wears dull magenta colored jerkin,” noted Walt Disney, “which somehow seems to brand him as an irritable old ‘wet blanket.’ You’ve no idea how crotchety he can be, and yet, much to his own disgust, he has a very soft heart under this exterior crustiness.”

Capturing all of Grumpy’s grouchy personality, this humorously expressive sculpture shows why this lovable crank is the most memorable of the Seven Dwarfs!

Artist Signing Event with Dusty Horner at Gallery of the Lakes!

Click Image for More Detail

Gallery of the Lakes will be hosting an Artist Signing Event next Saturday, October 15, 2011 with Sculptor Dusty Horner at their store!

For a complete listing of Dusty's work for the Walt Disney Classics Collection, please click this link.

Holiday of Color

When the holidays roll around this year, DCA may be the place to be...

Regardless of all those walls, the Christmas holiday season may offer a great reason to skip the fireworks over at Disneyland. Unless the plans change between now and October, the World of Color show that you watch in December will be filled with a lot of green and red, with sugar plum dreams to dance in your head.

They've been testing selections and musical pieces over the past couple of months for it, as well as a Halloween show. That show has been postponed till next Halloween when the park will be fully open, sans walls. It's pretty impressive, from what I've been told, but for now it appears that the Christmas/Holiday show will be the only one. Which isn't a bad thing at all.

 

(above comes from the BLUE SKY DISNEY Blog)

WDCC Announces Fall 2011 Releases!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection announced today the Fall 2011 Releases!  This announcement included three (3) new releases from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

This latest announcement includes Mr. Hyde ("Macabre Madman") and the Cyclops ("Myopic Monster") plus Jack Skellington's House ("Surreal Estate").  

These two classic monsters join the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington and those two Nightmare Before Christmas favorites Undersea Gal and the Devil.

Jack Skellington's House, reminiscent of the Enchanted Places comes complete with real lights that flicker inside the windows!

Mr. Hyde and the Cyclops (sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons) and Jack Skellington's House (sculpted by Larry Nikolai) are Limited to Production Year 2011 and scheduled for a November 2011 release date.

Walt Disney Classics Collection Announces Latest Suspensions & Sold Out Status!

The Walt Disney Classics Collection announced today the Suspension and Sold Out Status of the following releases:

Suspended (No immediate plans to re-order, currently Sold Out, may return to the active line in the future):

• Mrs. Potts & Chip (Enchanted Size) from Beauty and the Beast
• Brother Bear Opening Title Plaque 
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame Opening Title Plaque 
• The Incredibles Opening Title Plaque 
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Opening Title Plaque 
• Peter Pan Opening Title Plaque

 

Sold Out Production Year Limited or Numbered Ltd Edition Sculptures (Closed editions, will not return to the line):

• Jafar & Iago ("Villanous Vizier") from Aladdin - Limited to Production Year 2006
• Lilo ("Hawaiian Hula") from Lilo & Stitch - Limited to Production Year 2010
• Walt Disney and Oswald ("True Originals") - WDCC Authorized Retailers Version, Limited Edition of 1,500

Please contact your authorized dealer and/or the Disney Theme Parks for availability. 

Enter the Zone!

Check out my latest article at WDW Fan Zone ... Insuring Your Collection.

WDW Fan Zone is your open invitation to join others in sharing their passion, knowledge, and memories of Walt Disney World. It’s a meeting place for longtime fans, those who are new to the community, or people looking to plan their first trip to the “Most Magical Place On Earth.”

Each day you’ll find fresh insights and information on all aspects of Walt Disney World from a diverse group of columnists. The writers are eager to share their perspective on vacation planning, Disney history, bringing Disney into everyday life, and more.

The Evil Witch is Making Her Way to Retailers!

The latest release from the Summer 2011 Announcement, the Evil Witch from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is making her way to retailers!

Disguised as an old peddler woman, the sinister Queen stealthily steers her boat through the tall reeds of the swampy water. The epitome of evil, this wicked witch has a precious but poisonous cargo aboard: a cursed apple intended to destroy innocent Snow White. 

Of this striking scene animation historian Al Kilgore declared that, “the Witch’s trip from her castle to the forest in the fog-shrouded dawn is the most underrated scene in the entire film. It is the most subtle use of multiplane, color, and realistic animation.” 

A truly dramatic sculpture, this powerfully crafted piece (plussed with a pewter basket handle, pewter hands, wooden oar and resin reeds), conveys the darkness of animation’s most wicked villain, as well as the passion and grandeur of Walt Disney’s first full-length animated masterpiece.

"Poisonous Plot" sculpted by Ruben Procopio is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 750 and measures 7-1/2” H x 13-7/8” L x 7-5/8” W (at widest point).

Below are some photos that Ruben Procopio posted on his blog, Masked Avenger Studios.  Please click on each image for a larger view.  Thanks Ruben!

 

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

Episode Fifty-Five of 'D23's Disney Geek' is now online!

This week, check out the following:

- Disney’s Aulani Resort opens in Hawaii

- A royal wedding sets the scene for a Tangled short

- A Nightmare in 3D—with some ghoulishly delightful extras

- Adventures by Disney announces two new itineraries for 2012

- Mickey, Minnie, and the astronauts from the Space Shuttle greet young members of the Boys & Girls Club

- Disney California Adventure’s main entrance expansion continues to evolve

- A new “cast member” joins Disney’s Animal Kingdom; and more!