D23 Will be fit for Any Princess!

HARRODS’ DISNEY PRINCESS DRESSES MAKE THEIR U.S. DEBUT
AT THE D23 EXPO IN TREASURES OF THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES

Plus, New Panels on “The Lost Chords” and Mary Poppins Announced

           A stunning display of exclusive gowns inspired by Disney’s iconic Princesses will make their U.S. debut at the D23 Expo inside the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit. These handcrafted designs by world-leading designers will be available for viewing each day of the event, August 9–11 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Included are works inspired by the individual stories of the Disney Princesses by Ralph & Russo (Tiana), Versace (Cinderella), Elie Saab (Aurora), Marchesa (Ariel), Escada (Jasmine), Missoni (Mulan), Roberto Cavalli (Pocahontas), Jenny Packham (Rapunzel), Valentino (Belle), and Oscar de la Renta (Snow White). The stunning dresses were first showcased in an ultra-glamorous set of window displays at Harrods, the luxury store in Knightsbridge, London, during the 2012 holiday season.

      In addition, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is announcing two additional presentations. As we near the award-winning film’s 50th anniversary, Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives Chief Archivist Emeritus Dave Smith will host “Behind the Scenes of Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins.” Guests will learn the complete story of how Walt Disney first discovered the book, worked on the script with author P.L. Travers, brought in the Sherman Brothers to write a memorable score, selected an unforgettable cast, oversaw actual filming, and celebrated at a gala Hollywood premiere.

         During “Secrets of ‘The Lost Chords,’” Grammy^® Award-winning producer and resident Disney Music historian, Randy Thornton will reveal some of the secrets behind Disney’s “lost” songs written for classic Disney films by legendary Disney composers (such as the Sherman Brothers) that were essentially lost for decades—until now. Plus, as a special part of this exclusive D23 event, guests will be among the very first to hear songs currently in production from a significant upcoming “Lost Chords” release.

Disney Artist and Historian Stacia Martin will present “Sounds Delightful: An Illustrated Audio Adventure,” which will take guests on an entertaining trip across the decades via vintage Disney Vinyl Recordings from her extensive personal collection. Forgotten favorites from the family turntable of yesteryear will be heard along with rare promotional and production tracks... including never-before-heard musical moments from Walt Disney's own "journey down the Yellow Brick Road."

 

For presentation times, dates, and locations (subject to change), please visit D23Expo.com.

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

The Road to the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory

           

           

      Just like thousands of other moms throughout the country, we here at the Disney Gals are no different when it comes to being proud of our children and their accomplishments and of course their number one cheerleaders.  For Disney Gal Kelly, it’s watching her instrumentally gifted children as they proudly marched down Main Street in Walt Disney World. Sammy, Disney Gal Lori’s son quite literally is the man on the flying trapeze.  Disney Gal Judy’s son Paul is our social media guru, guiding us each step of the way as we enter our second year. Disney Gal Tricia’s daughter Makena has a heart of gold at the ripe old age of seven as she raises money for Give Kids the World and follows in her mom’s running footsteps having just completed her first 5K.  At our house, Zack is about to live out his dreams of a lifetime when a week from today he will enter the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory at Disneyland Resort in California.

           

For those unfamiliar with this program, students from across the country will be given the chance to hone their performance skills at the first ever Disney Performing Arts Conservatory. This five-day comprehensive series of workshops focus on select areas of the performing arts including acting, dancing and vocal.  Led by entertainment professionals, students such as Zack will be participating in master classes, will go behind the scenes of beloved Disneyland Resort entertainment offerings as well as learn just what it takes to have a career in the entertainment industry and what it’s like once you achieve your goal. These workshops and classes culminate with a performance put on in Disney California Adventure Park on the Hollywood Back Lot Stage.

Win 2 Tickets to "The Bounce Back" Movie Premier and After Party!

      

     As many of you know, a month ago I was honored to be included in a unique campaign for a new movie "The Bounce Back". Simply put, this project is one of a kind promotion where we, the blogging community are showing just what is possible  when we when we all join forces. If you missed my original article a few weeks ago,  you can check it out here at The Bounce Back.  You might be asking what the connection is to Disney and Shemar Moore and what drew me to the project in the first place.

      On April 8, 2013, beloved Disney Icon Annette Funicello lost her 25-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, also known as the great crippler of young adults.  In her autobiography, “A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes” in which she detailed her battle with MS and her relentless drive to find a cure, Annette wrote “It’s funny, but sometimes when I feel discouraged or have a problem I can’t work out, I find myself thinking, ‘If only Mr. Disney were here, he would know what to do.’ “Annette may have lost her courageous battle with MS but others around Hollywood continue to help the battle rage on until a cure is found. One such actor is Shemar Moore, star of “Criminal Minds” and the up and coming film, “The Bounce Back.”

   

D23 Expo Kicks off On August 9 with Disney CEO Bob Iger and John Lasseter

D23 EXPO 2013 TO OPEN AUGUST 9 WITH WELCOME FROM

DISNEY CEO BOB IGER FOLLOWED BY ANIMATION PRESENTATION HOSTED BY JOHN LASSETER

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS RETURNS AUGUST 10 WITH LIVE ACTION PRESENTATION HOSTED BY STUDIO CHAIRMAN ALAN HORN

Disney Studios Is Proud To Host Two Arena Presentations At

D23 Expo 2013, Featuring Celebrity Appearances And Exclusive

Sneak Peeks From Upcoming Films

 D23 Expo 2013 will celebrate its grand opening with a welcome from Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger followed by the first of two arena presentations hosted by The Walt Disney Studios at the Anaheim Convention Center. On Friday, August 9, The Walt Disney Studios will surprise and delight fans with sneak peeks of the incredible slate of upcoming animated films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, and Disneytoon Studios, hosted by Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter. Then, on Saturday, August 10, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn will host The Walt Disney Studios live action arena presentation which will pull back the curtain on upcoming releases from Disney Live Action and Marvel Studios. Both presentations will feature exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes footage, filmmaker discussions, and surprise celebrity appearances.

The 4,000-seat arena, the largest venue at The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, will for the first time feature a 2,000-seat overflow theater where guests will be able to watch these once-in-a-lifetime happenings through a live feed.  

Art and Imagination: Animation at The Walt Disney Studios (Friday, August 9, 10:00 a.m.): Disney and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, filmmakers and star talent will take guests on a journey through The Walt Disney Studios’ slate of upcoming animated features, including Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen and Pixar Animation Studios’ The Good Dinosaur. Plus, catch the U.S. debut of the new Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse!, major movie announcements, and a not-to-be-missed live musical performance.

Let the Adventures Begin: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios (Saturday, August 10, 10:30 a.m.): The Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn will showcase the Studios’ exciting live-action release slate, including Disney’s Saving Mr. Banks and Tomorrowland, Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World, and much more. 

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

D23 Expo Attendees To be Treated to Disney's Planes!

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TO PRESENT DISNEY’S PLANES,

A HIGH-FLYING, BIG-SCREEN COMEDY ADVENTURE

D23 Expo Attendees to Be Among the First to See the Film in 3D

with Special Appearances from Select Filmmakers and Stars

BURBANK, Calif. – July 1, 2013 – D23: The Official Disney Fan Club reveals plans for a special 3D screening of the high-flying big-screen adventure Disney’s Planes at the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.

D23 Expo attendees will be among the first to see Disney’s Planes on its opening day. An action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure from Disneytoon Studios, Disney's Planes will take flight in theaters nationwide August 9, but D23 Expo guests will see this special 3D presentation featuring an introduction by some very special guests. Dusty Crophopper dreams of competing as a high-flying racer, but he’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps him train to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. 

Directed by lifelong aviation enthusiast Klay Hall (King of the Hill, The Simpsons), and produced by Traci Balthazor-Flynn, Disney’s Planes features the voices of Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Priyanka Chopra, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Carlos Alazraqui, Roger Craig Smith, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, Sinbad, Gabriel Iglesias, Brent Musburger, Colin Cowherd, Danny Mann, Oliver Kalkofe, and John Ratzenberger.

The screening is slated for Friday, August 9, 2013, at 3 p.m. at the Arena inside the Anaheim Convention Center. For more information about the movie, check out Disney.com/Planes, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures. 

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here

A taste of Via Napoli's Carciofi pizza at home!

An original Via Napoli pizza - half Carciofi and half Quattro Formaggi

One of my family's favorite dining spots at Walt Disney World is Via Napoli, found in Epcot's Italy pavilion. From the decor, to the scrumptious desserts, to (most importantly!) the wood-fired pizza, it never fails to amaze.  In fact, my favorite pizza of all time can be found here.  It's the Carciofi, which translated from Italian literally means "artichokes."  Described on the menu as "white pizza, artichoke, fontina, mozzarella, truffle oil", it's beauty is in its simple, earthy flavors.  I was sure I could recreate this at home, even without a wood-burning oven!  Not only did I recreate it, but one smell of the piping hot pizza transported me right back to Via Napoli.  Bon appetit!

Carciofi Pizza Recipe

9 oz. fresh prepared pizza dough*
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese
7 oz. canned plain artichokes (not marinated), drained, rinsed, and cut into quarters (if not already)
2 T. white truffle oil
Flour, for rolling out dough
Olive oil

*My local grocery store has these available in bags for around $1 and I've also seen them at both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.  If you can't find fresh dough for this recipe, canned pizza crust can be substituted, though the results aren't as authentic (but still yummy).  In this case, just skip #1 below.

D23 Announces "Off the Map" and RunDisney Event!

 

 

D23 MEMBERS CAN GO “OFF THE MAP” AT DISNEYLAND

New Sweepstakes Offers D23 Members the Chance to Unlock the Magic of The Happiest Place on Earth With a Once-In-a-Lifetime Tour

 In celebration of Disneyland’s 58th anniversary today, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has launched the “Off the Map Sweepstakes.” Twenty-five lucky D23 Members and their guests will be invited to Disneyland Park to visit four of the park’s little-seen but widely heard of locations: Walt Disney’s private apartment, the Lilly Belle VIP parlor car on the Disneyland Railroad, Circle D Ranch, and the Disneyland Dream Suite.

“Our friends at Disneyland will give the winning D23 Members a special glimpse at some of the park’s most amazing hidden gems, special places that most guests never get to see,” said Steven Clark, Head of D23. “Our first ‘Off the Map’ member event in 2012 was such a huge hit that we wanted to reprise it with this special sweepstakes so even more of our members have a chance to visit these truly magical and historical Disneyland locations.”

Winners will be able to explore:

Summer Camp-Oobleck!

       

       This week for Summer Camp we’re going to be making something that’s fun and entertaining for both kids and adults-we’re going to be making Oobleck. Oobleck is based on the Dr. Seuss book “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” when the King became bored with the weather and commanded a new kind of weather be created. What ensued was a

gooey, green substance,   Oobleck  which rained down from the sky and wreaked havoc on the kingdom  Here at Summer Camp, our Oobleck won’t wreak havoc with your kingdom but you will have a fascinating substance where it is up to you to decide-is

Oobleck a solid or a liquid or both.

Materials:

1 Cup Water

1.5-2 Cups Corn Starch (One box)

A few drops of food coloring (Traditional Oobleck is green)

Bowl and Spoon

o    Start by pouring the water into a bowl. Add the cornstarch a bit at a time

o    Keep mixing until it has a gooey consistency.  We found it was easier to mix the Oobleck with your hands, pulling from the bottom.

o    When the Oobleck is just right, slowly add in the food coloring.  It can be a bit challenging to get it mixed in properly.

o    Now comes the fun-playing with your Oobleck.