Tiana Madness!

You’re either sick of hearing about it or totally loving it, but the news about The Princess and the Frog just keeps on coming out of the Disney camp. Promotions are happening left and right. Whether it be special featurettes included on Disney’s latest Blu-ray releases or special events at the Disney theme parks, there is no stopping the excitement people have over Disney’s first Black princess and the first Disney princess in a very long time! It’s been quite awhile since we’ve seen a great princess story in the beautiful hand-drawn animation style that made Walt Disney famous. The wait will finally be over this December when the movie is released nationwide just in time for the holiday season.

If you find yourself in one of the Disney stores you might run into a great deal of Tiana merchandise. Just in time for Halloween, Disney has released a gorgeous Tiana costume for your own beautiful little princess. The dress is a shining, delicate green with beautiful flowers on a petal-shaped skirt. Add in the adorable pale green shoes and the tiara and your little girl will be princess perfect. Since Christmas is right around the corner, you will also find The Princess and the Frog Christmas ornaments to hang on your tree. For the kids the Tiana dolls have been out for awhile but we’re just starting to see her prince, Prince Naveen, appear in toy form as well.

You might have read our article about Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee! This jazz-infused, Mardi Gras style parade will wind its way down to the riverboats at both Disney parks where fans will be able to meet up with Tiana and Prince Naveen as the parade cast performs songs from the upcoming movie. Well that parade is almost ready to debut. Speaking of debuts, Walt Disney World surprised guests by having Princess Tiana debut and come out to meet guests early. Anyone visiting the Magic Kingdom will now have a chance to meet Princess Tiana and get a picture (and her autograph) with the brand new princess. Disney is really pushing for this movie to be great, and based on what we’ve seen from it—we know it will be another classic!

Disney Returns to Fairy Tales for its 50th Feature-Length Animated Film

It has been quite some time since Disney has made a movie starring a princess as the lead role. This year we get a return to princesses and 2D animation with The Princess and the Frog, but next year we will get a special treat. Disney is already working on their first 3D animated fairytale with their version of the story of Rapunzel. This feature is going to be special for the Walt Disney Company. Not only will it be their first 3D animated fairytale but it will also be the 50th feature-length animated film for the House of Mouse.

As with every Disney adaptation, Rapunzel is going to be a little bit different. We all know Disney makes their fairytales more kid friendly even if they have to bend the truth a bit (especially with tales like Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid) but with Rapunzel they’re going to make her a princess for modern times and modern little girls. This Rapunzel is not going to be a damsel in distress but a superheroine in her own right.

Voiced by singer/actress Mandy Moore, Rapunzel escapes from her castle to embark on an adventure with a bandit named Flynn, voiced by Zachary Levi. Like her Disney princess predecessors, Rapunzel will sing, fall in love and may have some animals friends. But unlike her princess pedescessors she isn’t waiting for anyone to rescue her, and like her more modern counterpart Mulan, Rapunzel will have a bit of fight in her.

Her legendary hair is going to be more than just a rope for potential suitors. Rapunzel will be able to use her hair like a lasso, a whip and other objects. The princess has full control of her hair in the Disney version, in a way making it a character of its own. With music from legendary Disney composer Alan Menken and Home on the Range composer Glen Slater, Rapunzel is sure to be a hit next holiday season. She will be joining the newest Disney leading lady (who is also a milestone as the first African American princess) Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog in a long line of famous characters popular with girls of all ages. Rapunzel is slated to arrive in theatres during the holiday season of 2010.

Guillermo Del Toro Double Dares You

If you’ve seen Hellboy chances are director Guillermo Del Toro is the last guy you’d ever expect to be working on Disney animated films. The comic book film is only one of Del Toro’s dark ventures into the storytelling world. Pan’s Labyrinth which received six Academy Award nominations and a BAFTA for Best Film Not in English was a dark fantasy tale set in Spain during the Spanish Civil War in 1944. Violence and tragedy were naturally a part of this film and its tragic ending is difficult to watch for many.

But a big bit of news concerning this incredible director emerged from the D23 Expo that has everyone in the Disney community talking. Del Toro, who admitted to being a huge Disney fan, has signed on to produce a series of animated horror films as part of a franchise called “Disney Double Dares You.” The Disney Double Dares You (DDDY) world plans to include an entire series of books, merchandise and films that are scary yet appropriate for all ages. The first film is reportedly called Trollhunters but further details have yet to be revealed. Del Toro did say the series of DDDY films would all be tied together by one major film of which Disney fans will be familiar with the subject matter.

Could that one major film be Del Toro’s version of The Haunted Mansion? The popular Disney attraction is apparently the Mexican director’s favorite. He loves how the story of the mansion’s ghouls and grinning ghost inhabitants comes together throughout the ride. While the final movie remains a mystery he plans to do the same with all of these animated projects, books and movies.

With Disney’s recent acquisition of Marvel Comics, fans are also buzzing about the possibility of Del Toro getting his hands on the world of legendary Marvel creator Stan Lee. Could Del Toro be bringing some of these Marvel characters to life with his usual dark twist? As more details regarding the Disney Double Dares You project emerge we will get to find out. Make sure you check back with DWTickets.com for more news regarding this exciting project.

Disney to take on “Yellow Submarine”

Disney loves to take adventures under the sea. From hits like The Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo to the theme park attractions at the Walt Disney World resort like “The Living Seas” at EPCOT and the long gone (but sorely missed) “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," Disney loves exploring the ocean. But it seems Disney is ready to tackle yet another aquatic adventure—this time with some additional help from the most legendary rock group of all time.

It was recently announced that Disney has acquired the rights to do an all new version of the classic Beatles film Yellow Submarine with new 3D technology and imagery set to 16 classic Beatles songs. Part of the difficulty in getting the rights to the movie was getting permission to use the songs. Yellow Submarine was originally directed by George Dunning and designed by Heinz Edelmann back in 1968. But now various magazines are reporting Robert Zemeckis (Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Forrest Gump) will be directing the modern version.

Considering Zemeckis also directed Beowulf and A Christmas Carol, we can expect to see many of the realistic animation and 3D modeling tactics used in that same film. Beowulf had a number of huge stars, like Angelina Jolie, physically acting out their roles. But in the end only the animated versions were used. In the original Yellow Submarine movie, The Beatles only appeared in a live segment at the end, but who knows what will happen in Zemeckis’ recreation?

Of the 16 songs to be used in the Yellow Submarine film, these are the ones that have been confirmed: "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," "All You Need is Love" and "When I’m 64." While specific details about Disney’s version of Yellow Submarine are still under wraps and the group has just acquired the rights (meaning no official production yet), Disney plans to release the movie in 2012, just in time for the London 2012 Olympics. Talk about perfect timing! We’re sure the UK will love to use the film in the promotion of the Olympic games and we can only imagine what the opening ceremonies will be like. We can’t wait. Cheers!

UP Characters Land at Walt Disney World

On May 29, Disney-Pixar will release its 10th animated film, UP. A comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredericksen, the film follows this grumpy old curmudgeon as he finally fulfills his lifelong dream of traveling to the wilds of South America. He does so by tying thousands of balloons to his home, which causes it to spring right off its foundations and soar fantastically into the sky. But soon enough, Fredericksen learns he's not alone - tagging along for the journey is Russell, an eager and enthusiastic 8-year-old wilderness explorer who'll show Fredericksen that you're never too old or young for an adventure.

If reading about UP has got you interested in learning more, you're in luck - before the film hits theaters, guests can actually meet its stars at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Starting May 14, the characters from the new Disney-Pixar comedy have been making visits to the park. They include the optimistic young Russell, the ill-tempered Carl, and Dug, the talking dog, who Russell and Carl meet along their journey.

Together, the characters will be making regular meet-and-greet appearances for guests inside Hollywood Studios' "Magic of Disney Animation" attraction. There, fans will be able to get their autographs and pose for pictures with them in front of Mickey's Sorcerer Hat. They might even be able to ask the stars about their wild adventures to South Africa!

UP debuts in US theaters nationwide on May 29, 2009 and has already gotten rave reviews - it's even earned itself a spot in history as the first animated film ever to open the Cannes Film Festival. Early reviews say the film is bittersweet but funny with a lot of hear and an unexpected friendship at the end.

Several stars have lent their voices to their film, such as Ed Asner, who voices Carl Fredericksen. Christopher Plummer voices the explorer and villian Charles Muntz, and John Ratzenberger, who has provided the voices for several other Disney films such as Finding Nemo and Ratatouille, also lends his vocal talents to UP.

When UP arrives in theaters, moviegoers can catch it in all its animated glory at Downtown Disney, where the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres Complex, will have several showings of the film all day. We particularly like catching Disney flicks in this theater, which features loveseat-stle stadium seating. THX Suround Sound, and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, which really makes all the great music and audio of Disney films crystal clear.

In the meantime, be sure to drop by Disney's Hollywood Studios to meet the characters of UP! Check out Walt Disney World tickets on DWTickets.com today to start planning your own adventure into the world of Disney movies.

Get Eco-Friendly with Disney's EARTH

Usually, making an effort to help the environment requires getting out in a park and picking up trash, chaining yourself to a tree, or some other kind of active endeavor. But now, Disney is offering those who want to be environmentally friendlier a fun and easy way to make a difference. For every person who sees the new EARTH film during its opening week, Disney will plant a tree in their honor. EARTH premieres nationally on April 22 and is the first film by Disneynature, the first new film label to be introduced by Disney in 60 years.

“EARTH is a spectacular film from the world’s most acclaimed nature filmmakers, and we couldn’t think of a better way to launch the new Disneynature banner, and to celebrate the spirit of the film and Earth Day at the same time,” said Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “The film gives moviegoers an entertaining and unprecedented view of our planet, with some of the most astonishing imagery and exciting natural drama ever presented on the big screen.”

Many may not realize that one of Walt Disney’s dreams was to create nature documentaries. From 1948 to 1960, his True Life Adventure series won eight Academy Awards by chronicling the antics of real animals.

EARTH now seeks to revitalize Disney’s dream by telling the remarkable story of three animal families (polar bears, elephants in the tropics, and humpback whales) and their amazing journeys across the planet. Narrated by James Earl Jones, the film features rare action, unimaginable scale, and impossible locations to combine Disney storytelling with nature documentary.

People can learn more about EARTH at Epcot, where the International Flower & Garden Festival features a display about the movie inside Garden Town. Outside, there’s also an impressive sand sculpture dedicated to the film.

Once the movie has completed its opening week, Disney will tally up the number of moviegoers and plant one tree for every one of them in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is considered the most endangered rain forest in the world. A hot spot of biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest is struggling for survival with only seven percent of it remaining.

So if you’d like to make an easy contribution to the environment and see a great film at the same time, be sure to check out EARTH when it opens on Earth Day, April 22. The film will be playing at Downtown Disney, of course, at the AMC 24 Theatres Complex on Pleasure Island. We especially recommend enjoying the film there in the luxury of loveseat-style stadium seating with the awesome quality of THX Surround Sound and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to visit Epcot, where you can learn new ways to be ‘green’ in your garden at home and see cool photographs of Disneynature’s EARTH before the movie comes out. As always, save on your Disney adventures with Walt Disney World tickets from DWTickets.com.

Bolt Launches into Theaters and Walt Disney World

Though Walt Disney World is undoubtedly awesome for its fun and amazing Orlando theme parks, there would never have been a single park at all if it weren’t for Disney animation. That said, we hope you’re as excited as we are about the debut of the latest Walt Disney Pictures production, Bolt, which hit theaters on November 17th. This computer-animated film about a frisky dog with a superhero complex is sure to delight Disney fans everywhere and bring a lot of future fun to the parks, as well.

Bolt is the story of a super-dog (voiced by John Travolta) who’s only super when the cameras are rolling. The star of a hit TV show, Bolt faces adventure, danger, and intrigue on a daily basis along with his screen partner Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus). It’s all fun and games until Bolt is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, where the real adventure begins. Still operating under the delusion that his super-powers are real, Bolt embarks on a journey back home with two hilarious companions, a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens and a TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino. Together, the three work as a team as they learn that you don’t have to have powers to be a hero.

Like many other films by executive producer John Lasseter (the mind behind Finding Nemo and The Incredibles), Bolt is wildly funny, smart, and filled with a lot of heart. It’s being called the first in-house Disney movie to compare to the gems of Pixar and Dreamworks. And since Bolt was animated in 3D, the film features crystal clear, super-sharp imagery. Unlike other films that use cheesy 3D in-your-face ploys, Bolt doesn’t fling things at its viewers so much as make them feel as though they’re within the movie’s environment. Though watching Bolt in 3D will generally cost a bit more, it’s absolutely worth it to see the high-quality animation craftsmanship that went into the film.

While you’re in Orlando, be sure to take a break from park-hopping to catch this latest Disney flick; we highly recommend the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres Complex at Downtown Disney. With the complex’s bright Art Deco design, impeccable maintenance, loveseat-style stadium seating, and THX Surround Sound and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound, you’ll be able to enjoy Bolt in all its glory. The AMC Theaters are also playing Bolt as a regular feature and in Disney Digital 3D, so you have options as to how you’d like to immerse yourself in the super-doggie’s world.

And after you’ve seen Bolt, be sure to stop by Disney’s Hollywood Studios to meet and greet the characters from the film! You can see Bolt and Mittens (and Rhino the Hamster at special events) at The Magic of Disney Animation attraction.

We’ll be sure to catch Bolt in theaters this weekend, and we hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of the film’s furry threesome in the parks soon. Maybe a Bolt attraction is in the future? If and when it happens, expect DWTickets.com to give you the first sneak peek!