MFL News & Deals – February 22, 2010
WDW NEWS
• It looks like the recently vacated space that once housed the Planet Hollywood on Location store in Downtown Disney’s West Side will soon have a new occupant. A new Vinylmation store, D-Street, will be coming to Downtown Disney, similar to the store at Disneyland. While nothing official has been announced, the new store is expected as early as April. How do we know this? Just have a look at the changes that have occurred to the store front at the old Planet Hollywood location.
<http://tinyurl.com/ycc3kv6>
For the very latest Downtown Disney news and deals, visit our Downtown Disney page at:
<http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/dtd.shtml>
• Annual Passholders can get a special Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2010 pin at Pin Central in Epcot beginning March 3. To purchase this pin, Passholders must present a valid Annual Passport and request the pin at the merchandise location’s counter. To see the new F&G passholder pin, and other pins available at the 2010 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, visit our Flower & Garden Festival page at:
<http://tinyurl.com/4npeda>
• Just a small update on the “Red Carpet Event” on February 25th to relaunch ESPN Wide World of Sports. This will not be a ticketed event, anyone can attend for free. Remember, Disney is promising “grand opening moment like you’ve never seen before.” Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, and a number of other popular athletes and ESPN personalities are expected to be in attendance, along with George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports and co-chairman Disney Media Networks, Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney World Resort, and Ken Potrock, senior vice president, Disney Sports Enterprises. To see the new ESPN Wide World of Sports trading pin that will be available to commemorate the grand opening, visit our ESPN the Weekend page.
<http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwparks/annual/ESPN.shtml>
• Also bus routes have been added from some resorts that will go directly to the ESPN Wide World of Sports rather than using the previous method of catching a bus from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Buses will now run to and from the following resorts between approximately 7 am and 11 pm daily: Disney’s All-Star Resorts, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Bus times may vary depending on events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The bus departing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been discontinued. If you are driving, you can use the map below.
<http://tinyurl.com/yj82op6>
• “The World According to Jack” blog pays a visit to the Crew’s Cup Lounge located at the Yacht and Beach Club. The peek into the aging/cutting room (meat) of the Yachtsman Steakhouse house is really something different.
<http://tinyurl.com/yjfjfc4>
• The Disney Food Blog takes a peek into the kitchen of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. There are also links to peeks inside of Mickey and Minnie’s kitchens.
<http://tinyurl.com/yksus73>
• The Disney Chick has lots of recipes for dishes from Walt Disney World restaurants. Many come with step-by-step photos of the item being prepared.
<http://tinyurl.com/yj8ldmy>
• More great Epcot Flower & Garden Festival photos.
<http://tinyurl.com/yls6eql> and <http://tinyurl.com/yhnzdsh>
• Walt Disney World Resort hotels are working with Clean the World to recycle all the partially used amenities from their nearly 28,000 Central Florida hotel rooms. Clean the World sanitizes the soap and shampoo that would be discarded and distributes these amenities to people in need around the world.
==============
DISNEYLAND NEWS
• Disney is making a special Captain EO announcement on Twitter today. It wasn’t available for this posting, but if you can’t wait for the news, check the Disneyland’s Twitter page throughout the day.
<http://twitter.com/Disneyland>
• The first showing showing of Captain EO tomorrow at Disneyland will be at 10 am. at the Magic Eye Theater in Tomorrowland. A special queue will be set up outside of the entrance gates to Disneyland for the opening. Shows will take place every 20 minutes throughout the day. It looks like Disneyland expects a huge crowd to show up. Also, the early entry that comes with multi-day passes tomorrow at Disneyland will probably not have an advantage to seeing Captain EO first ue to the special queue.
• There will be no performance of Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular on February 27 and 28 due to the USA Junior Nationals cheerleading competition being held inside the Hyperion Theater.
• Original D has photos of the Disneyland Hotel refurbishments, including photos of the small fire reported last week.
<http://tinyurl.com/yaecwzu?
• Click your way through this album of Disney California construction updates. No stone is left unturned. Especially look for the photos on The Golden Zephyr.
<http://tinyurl.com/y8z2oo8>
For Disneyland park rehab photos, visit the link below.
<http://tinyurl.com/yfqna28>
• Those on a Gluten Free diet will want to check out this article. There is lots of info on places to eat at Disneyland as well as information on obtaining a complimentary Gluten-Free Guide to the Disneyland Parks & Resorts.
<http://tinyurl.com/yfmwfs4>
• Mouseplanet.com is reporting a change to the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ dessert menu. The new menu will feature fruit cobbler, individual pies, chocolate ganache cake and strawberry shortcake, as well as the restaurant’s signature cowboy cone cakes. The cost of individual desserts will be $5.99. For $8.99, you will be able to purchase two new family style desserts, a fruit cobbler with a drop-biscuit topping or a chocolate chip cookie bake.
==============
THOSE OTHER THEME PARKS
• Screamscape has news of some of the first costumes of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on display at Universal’s wardrobe facility. Costumes on display are those for “Hogwarts Students” as well as the “Dragon Handlers”. There is also news of over 20 actors hired as the shop keepers for Olivander’s Wand Shop and over 400 different wands, ranging in price from $25 up to $150 per wand–expensive wands do more including interactivity in the park. Anyway, lots more detail to Screamscapes report at the link below.
<http://tinyurl.com/y8dv9of> (scroll to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter)
• From now until March 31, Florida Resident with an American Express card can purchase a 2-park Universal Express one-day VIP ticket to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for $113.99 plus tax. That’s a $20 savings and includes the Universal Express front of the line access. Tickets must be bought online at UniversalOrlando.com/axpfla. There is a limit of 8 tickets per transaction. For more savings, visit our Orlando Atrractions saving page.
<http://tinyurl.com/yl4evty>
• Pizza Planet at Disneyland Paris is about to become a buffet and get a new name. Buzz Lightyear’s Pizza Planet restaurant will change formats beginning July 20, 2010. For more on the changes to come, visit DLRP Today.
<http://tinyurl.com/yjflzfs>
• While this is a really terrific video of the new Universal Studios Singapore, I don’t know…there is just something not quite so warm and fuzzy about a character hug from Woody Woodpecker.
<http://tinyurl.com/yjbony6>
There is also a Grand Pictorial Report for Universal Singapore on the Disney and More Blog
<http://tinyurl.com/y9auwel>
• This photo of the moon rising over Australia, taken from Cupola side window at the International Space Station, was posted to Kennedy Space Centers Twitter page.
<http://ow.ly/19RYj>
• The $9.99 Florida Resident Special at Gatorland ends the 28th, only six days left to take advantage.
==============
RUMOR MILL
• Screamscape.com is reporting a possible July opening for Disney’s World of Color at DCA. This report supposedly come from insiders who also noted that the timeframe doesn’t at all take into account any unforeseen technical problems that may occur. Also from Screamscape, the discovery of an article published in the Orlando Sentinel back in November stating that the plans to bring bowling lanes to Disney’s Wide World of Sports in 2011 have been delayed until 2013. You can read the OS article below.
<http://tinyurl.com/yzyds4k>
• Mouseplanet.com is reporting that sources have told them there are no plans to bring Captain EO back to Walt Disney World Resort at this time.
• The Save Pleasure Island blog has lots of rumors about Pleasure Island. First there is info that may indicate the old Adventure’s Club is about to be demolished. In other news, SPI is reporting sources that say “some kind of interactive comedy WILL be returning to PI!”, possibly where the old Comedy Warehouse is now. For other speculation, read the article below.
<http://tinyurl.com/ygxg7wd>
==============
DISNEY ODDS & ENDS
• MFL News and Deals has posted a lot of info on the new Alice in Wonderland movie in the past few weeks. Now you can access everything in one place. Get info on movie trailers, merchandise, contests, DVD and music deals, fun stuff and more. Use the link below to visit our “All About Alice – The Complete Guide” page and look for the NEW limited edition trading pins and a brand new movie clip and don’t miss Avril Lavigne’s music video of “Alice (underground)”. Plus, get the NEWS about an Alice in Wonderland Listening party happening at Hot Topic stores nationwide on February 26. BE THE FIRST to get the new Alice in Wonderland iphone app just released today!
<http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwparks/Alice.shtml>
• From the Orlando Sentinel: The U.S. government is about to impose another new security requirement on overseas visitors heading for this country — and, once again, the nation’s tourism industry is worried about how it might affect business. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization, known as “ESTA,” is an automated system designed to screen travelers coming from nations where the U.S. doesn’t require a visa for entering the country. The application will has to be completed via the Internet before the traveler can board a plane to the U.S. While U.S. Customs and Border Protection began enforcing the program on Jan. 20, there is a 60-day grace period that soon expires. The U.S. Travel Association fears that, if 6 percent of travelers are turned back at the boarding gate once full enforcement begins March 20, it could cost the U.S. 1 million visitors and an estimated $3.2 billion in business during the first 12 months. Walt Disney World, which draws a large percentage of its guests from overseas, said the program is an “important security measure,” but it also echoes the association’s concerns. There’s not much more to this story, but the link is below.
<http://tinyurl.com/yg5wwhu>
• As part of a journalism class project, one blogger took her Toy Story aliens ( in the fashion of the traveling gnome) and visited locations throughout the Bay Area referenced in Pixar films. The first stop is the Hidden City Cafe from Monsters Inc. Cute pics.
<http://tinyurl.com/ydqm6mr>
• This story starts out as another commentary on Kevin Smith vs. Southwest but quickly morphs into a magical story about a couple kids, a first family vacation to Disney and a wonderful cast member.
<http://tinyurl.com/ych9jwr>
• For those 13-years or older, StitchKingdom.com has information on becoming a beta tester for the online game, Kingdom Keepers. If interested, visit the link below.
<http://tinyurl.com/yl35dse>
• A 16-year-old winner of a Dream Ticket at Walt Disney World’s “The American Idol Experience” has made it into the real show’s final 24. Orlando Attraction Magazine has a report and videos of Aaron Kelly’s journey thus far.
<http://tinyurl.com/ybzrl43>
• Last week I mentioned the “Waking Sleeping Beauty” documentary about Disney’s animation department from 1984-1994. If you would like to see a movie trailer, there is one at the link below.
<http://tinyurl.com/ydbd5wa>
• Today’s “way back” tour takes a look at Disney park management over the years through 3 different articles. If you’re the type that enjoys learning about the inner workings of the Walt Disney Co., then you’ll enjoy any one or all of these. The first takes a look at how cast member benefits have dwindled over the years through a question and answer session between Lee Cockerell and and a longtime cast member. The second, is an article about James Rasulo, Disney’s Chief Financial Officer–his work ethic that started in the late 60′s as a paper boy, his ability to take Disneyland Paris from years of operating in the red to the present as the top tourist destination in Europe, and finally, to his present position. And lastly, a look at an internal memo from WED Enterprises that details a planning meeting for a Florida project that took place on June 14th, 1965. As the author says, “some of the ideas were clearly pie-in-the-sky,” but there are lots of interesting details about what concerned Walt most regarding the new location in which he intended to build Walt Disney World, then referred to merely as “Project Future”.
Reconnecting with Cast Members: <http://blog.leecockerell.com/?p=810>
James Rasulo’s Rise through the Walt Disney Co.: <http://tinyurl.com/ybwdt5q>
Walt’s Vision for Project Future: <http://tinyurl.com/ygvybyo>
==============
MONEY SAVERS
• Save $10 off select tickets to “A Supercalifragilistic Evening with Richard M. Sherman,” at the El Capital Theater (Disneyland area) this Friday night at 7:00 pm with the code DCPUB on phone orders only. To order tickets call (818) 845-3110. Special guest star JoAnne Worley will make an appearance. There will also be two non-discounted shows on Saturday at 2 pm and at 8 pm. Tickets are available by phone or at the box office.
• Print a coupon for 25% off one item at Hobby Lobby. Valid from 2/22-2/27.
<http://tinyurl.com/ylahwkt>
• Get 6 days of photo deals at Walgreens.)
2/22 - 40% off prints
2/23 - 50% off 11×14 Posters
2/24 - 50% off Canvas (online only) and 99¢ Rolls (in store only)
2/25 - Free 8×10
2/26 – 50% off Everyday books (online only) and $5.99 Ink Refills
2/27 – 10¢ Prints (no minimum amount)
2/22 – 2/27 – 30 prints for $3 and 20% off gifts
<http://tinyurl.com/yf8bkzc>
• Buy 3 cards at the Hallmark store and you can purchase this adorable Donald Duck.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAcayAUs-eY>
• Celebrate National Pancake Day at iHop tomorrow, February 23rd, from 7:00am to 10:00pm with a free short stack (3) of buttermilk pancakes. The free pancake day is to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network, so leave a donation while you are there.
• Fill out the form on Greenies web site to receive a coupon for $5.00 off GREENIES® canine dental chews 12-ounce bag. Greenies products can be found in Petco, Petland, PetSmart and many other pet suppliers. This is a limited time offer.
<http://www.greenies.com/en_US/ExclusiveOffers/>
• Enjoy luxurious full-service spa treatments at the finest spas all across North America for just $50 during Spa Week, April 12-18. Participating spas are located in AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NY, NC, PA, TN, TX, VA and WA. Bookings begin on March 15th. You’ll need to sign up (free) on the site below to find participating spas. Also, when making a booking be sure to note that it is for “2010 Spa week” when you call. Instructions are on the site.
<http://www.spaweek.com/learn-more>
• Download over 600 coloring pages for free
<http://coloringbookfun.com/>
• 80% OFF Restaurant.com Code.
$50 gift certificates for only $4, $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $2 and
$10 gift certificates for 80¢ plus free shipping
Enter the discount code SAVOR and hit “apply” during the purchase process.
Offer is good only until 2/28/10.
Use the link below to help support the MFL list random drawing contest.
<http://www.restaurant.com/index.asp?rpid=2865&raid=170>
You can always find the latest Restaurant.com on our Dining Tip page and support
our Random Drawing contest by using the link to make your purchase.
<http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwsavings/OneDozenDisneyDiningTips\
.shtml>
Please notify Joanie at contest @ TheMouseForLess.com (remove spaces) if you
make purchases using the above link.
==============
AMAZON DEALS
Please be aware that Amazon.com adjusts prices frequently and often, the
prices listed below are subject to change at any time.
Toy Story 3 Movie Cash Offer
For a limited time, purchase one of the Toy Story titles at the link below
and get free movie cash for Toy Story 3.
http://bit.ly/d2c2SU
Also when you pre-order Toy Story and get Toy Story 2 together from Amazon
you can save an ADDITIONAL $10.00 OFF. To get this deal, scroll down to the
“Best Value” and buy these two together section.
===
Go To Heaven
by Grateful Dead
Price: $1.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001GH3PCG/disneydollarle07>
Dante’s Inferno – Xbox 360, PS3
List Price: $59.95
Price: $45.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001NX4DUQ/disneydollarle07>
Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video with
DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Weather Resistant Lens
List Price: $2,084.10
Price: $999.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002OHDBZS/disneydollarle07>
Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body
Only)
List Price: $1,299.95
Price: $899.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0028N7442/disneydollarle07>
Led Zeppelin IV
by Led Zeppelin
Price: $5.00
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0011Z5IVE/disneydollarle07>
Grumpy Old Men/Grumpier Old Men (Comedy Double Feature) [Blu-ray]
List Price: $24.98
Price: $17.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0022NHTD4/disneydollarle07>
Presumed Innocent/Frantic (Thriller Double Feature) [Blu-ray]
List Price: $24.98
Price: $17.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0031RAP68/disneydollarle07>
Miss Congeniality/Miss Congeniality 2 [Blu-ray]
List Price: $24.98
Price: $18.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0032XNKY0/disneydollarle07>
Analyze This/Analyze That [Blu-ray]
List Price: $24.98
Price: $17.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0032XNKWW/disneydollarle07>
Dirty Harry/Magnum Force (Action Double Feature) [Blu-ray]
List Price: $24.98
Price: $17.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0032XNKX6/disneydollarle07>
Donnie Darko [Blu-ray] (2001)
List Price: $29.99
Price: $10.49
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001JNNDBA/disneydollarle07>
The Princess Bride [Blu-ray] (1987)
List Price: $34.99
Price: $13.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000K7VHPA/disneydollarle07>
Interview with the Vampire [Blu-ray] (1994)
List Price: $28.99
Price: $7.49
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001AQR3E4/disneydollarle07>
The Green Mile (Single Disc Edition) (1999)
List Price: $14.98
Price: $5.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000P0J0EM/disneydollarle07>
Sons of Anarchy: Season One (2008)
List Price: $49.98
Price: $26.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0024FAR5M/disneydollarle07>
Mountain Sports – Wii
List Price: $29.99
Price: $22.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002ASVYKK/disneydollarle07>
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – Xbox 360 Hardened Edition
List Price: $79.99
Price: $49.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001TOQ8PM/disneydollarle07>
Battlestations Pacific – Xbox 360
List Price: $29.99
Price: $12.96
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001NJ293I/disneydollarle07>
MySims Kingdom – Nintendo DS
List Price: $19.99
Price: $8.93
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0019R4VEO/disneydollarle07>
PC-GUILD WARS PLATINUM
List Price: $19.99
Price: $8.29
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000WJQXQE/disneydollarle07>
Logitech LX6 Cordless Optical Mouse
List Price: $29.99
Price: $14.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0011FQUUW/disneydollarle07>
Visioneer Ultra-Slim OneTouch 7400 USB Photo Scanner (74007D-WU)
List Price: $107.99
Price: $45.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000UU46L4/disneydollarle07>
iToys Access Hollywood Handheld
List Price: $19.99
Price: $4.81
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00170A3Q8/disneydollarle07>
Jessie Steele Carmen Bib Apron
List Price: $39.00
Price: $13.93
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000TK6GEU/disneydollarle07>
Zojirushi BBCCX20 Home Bakery Supreme Bread Machine
List Price: $265.00
Price: $179.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000T6J3I/disneydollarle07>
Cuisinart DCC-1200 12-Cup Brew Central Coffeemaker
List Price: $145.00
Price: $56.66
Post-purchase rebate: $10.00
Price after rebate: $46.66
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H4C5FC/disneydollarle07>
Zircon Leak Alert Electronic Water Detector Batteries Included, 3-Pack
List Price: $32.99
Price: $25.99
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002Q8GRPG/disneydollarle07>
