Believe in Magic with the 2013 Disney Parks Merchandise Collection

While the New Year arrives with a number that some may consider unlucky, we believe that 2013 will be a lucky and magical year. Believing in magic is the theme that Disney Theme Park Merchandise selected for the 2013 dated art programs. The foundation for this new program is the style guide that Disney Design Group completed in November 2011. We recently took a closer look at the style guide to see what artwork is coming to merchandise in the New Year.

The 2013 style guide contains a variety of logos, graphics and patterns that give one consistent look for the merchandise. Artists and merchandisers can use elements from the style guide on all sorts of items from drinkware to plush to coffee mugs. Sorcerer Mickey and his hat are both prominently featured in the 2013 artwork. We particularly like how his silhouette was incorporated in the logos for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts (something we’ve not seen before). We also liked the creative use of “13” in the word “believe.”

At many merchandise locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, you will see visually impressive statements containing all kinds of 2013 merchandise. These statements make shopping easier for guests, as dated merchandise is some of the most popular souvenirs from Disney Parks.

Guests can also find an assortment of 2013 merchandise on the Disney Parks online store. One of the more unique items currently in the shop is a tie-dyed shirt for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort that has Sorcerer Mickey and friends facing off against several Disney Villains.
Disney Design Group created alternate art program for 2013 that you may recall seeing in a recent Disney Parks Blog video. Stay tuned as we will be giving a closer look at the amazing oversized posters from the 2013 calendar that will also make their way to pins, Vinylmation, iPhone covers and apparel next year.

WDW Tour 2012: A Look Back

While we begin planning for 2013, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at WDW Tour 2012! Enjoy...

Editor's Note: Some great artwork from trendy artist SHAG to end the week-end will not hurt, specially if it is some that was created forHaunted Mansion 40th Anniversary!

SHAG Haunted Mansion Artwork

SHAG, the artist famous for his Adventureland and Tiki Room inspired artwork did three and a half years ago this great artwork for the Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary celebration.

The items where released on August 9, 2009 during a Disneyland special event for the Haunted Mansion 40th Anniversary, and although i have to admit the great talent of colorist of SHAG each time i see one of his artwork, his style reminds me another artist of the 1950's and 60's called Miroslav Sasek - a genius artist, really. Sasek did a series of children's books about all the cities of the world that where immensely successful at that time. Sasek books are, by the way, currently all re-printed and, if you have children, one of the best gift you will ever do is to offer them one of Sasek's books.

People also like SHAG's artwork because of his 1960's retro-style, and if you look at any Sasek book it also look typically 60's except that Sasek CREATED the 1960's style! I've add them in my Disney and more Amazon store, where you can find and order them easily - and they're not expensive - only $12.99!

To come back to SHAG, if I meet him one day, i must remember to ask him if he knows Sasek's work. Because I won't be surprised if Sasek was his "non-official" mentor.

Anyway, let's comeback to SHAG Haunted Mansion 40th anniversary artwork as i think as you will see below that he did a brilliant job.














SHAG also did a Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion version of his "We're Dying To Meet You" painting.



All pictures and SHAG artwork: copyright Disney

The legendary Miroslav Sasek children's books on the major cities of the world are now on the Disney and more Amazon Store! The best one are the one about London , New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Rome and San Francisco. It's a vision of these cities how they looked in the 1960's, and it's fantastic AND full of humor! Believe me , it will be a great gift for you or your children at only $12.99!




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13 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2013

It seems there’s always a new reason to visit Walt Disney World Resort – whether it’s the debut of a new guest offering, an update made to a favorite attraction, or the return of a fun annual event, there’s always something to do and see at our parks.

That said, here are 13 new reasons to visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2013.

1. Splitsville Luxury Lanes opened at Downtown Disney exactly two weeks ago on December 19. No doubt this new location will be a big draw for guests of all ages who love to bowl, dance, play pool and dine.

2. Another recent debut is the Monsieur Paul restaurant in the France pavilion at Epcot. The restaurant now features a new menu created by Chef Francesco Santin.
3. Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort just debuted to guests. I don’t know about you, but I hope to hit up this newly reimagined location for a facial or massage in the coming year.
4. As Disney Parks Blog Author Tom Smith mentioned earlier, we’ll have a lot of fun surprises to look forward to in 2013 with Limited Time Magic.
5. The Atlanta Braves will return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training, which means a chance to attend fun preseason games beginning February 22 against the Detroit Tigers.
6. Characters from “Doc McStuffins” and “Sofia the First” will be added into the “Disney Junior – Live on Stage!” show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on February 15.
7. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, its fun topiaries, and the Flower Power Concert Series will return for some spring fun March 6. As we previously shared, this year’s festival will also whisk guests back to the land of Oz.
8. We’ve marked some milestone anniversaries at Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot in the last two years. This spring, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate its 15th year.
9. My fellow blog author Darrell Fry just announced that the Drew Brees Passing Academy and Tournamentwill be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, June 27-30. Sounds like an amazing opportunity for football fans!
10. A newly updated California Grill will debut at Disney’s Contemporary Resort this summer (date TBA). In addition to decor, Chef Brian Piasecki is also tweaking the menu, which will continue to focus on fresh, seasonal creations.
11. The 31st Night of Joy returns to Magic Kingdom Park September 6-7, this year featuring Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith as the main acts.

12. Last fall, we shared the news that an interactive queue is coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park. Should be interesting to see exactly what materializes at this attraction in 2013.

13. Princess Fairytale Hall, another new addition to Magic Kingdom Park, will open in New Fantasyland in 2013 (exact date TBA). This will be the new home for Disney princesses to meet their loyal subjects in the Magic Kingdom Park. To open in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, the regal space will provide the perfect setting for meeting Cinderella, and Aurora and the other Disney princesses.

Which event or new offering are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the “comments” section below.

Planning Has Begun!

HELLO WALT DISNEY WORLD TRAVELERS!!

It's that time of year again, time to plan the Disney trip!! Stay tuned to this site for all of the updates you've come to expect from the WDW Tour crew! Check back soon and often!

First Artwork of Pixar "The Good Dinosaur " Movie, and more

You may have heard about Pixar future animated movie called "The Good Dinosaur" directed by Bob Peterson - co-director on UP! - which will be released on May 30, 2014. The story line is exciting: "What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct?" Pixar has now released a first artwork for it - the one above. sure, we don't see a lot except a dinosaur in counter-light but more should come soon.

Also posted by Comingsoon.net an artwork for Pete Docter's Untitled Pixar movie that takes you inside the mind, to be released on June 19, 2015 and described as follows: From director Pete Docter ("Up," "Monsters, Inc.") and producer Jonas Rivera ("Up"), the inventive new film will take you to a place that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen: the world inside the human mind.

Another Pixar artwork, for a not yet titled animated movie about the "Dia de Los Muertos", scheduled for 2016. Director is Lee Unkrich and producer Darla K. Anderson, who did the successful "Toy Story 3". 

Let me know on D&M Facebook page which one you're awaiting the most!

Artwork: copyright Pixar