Pre-Order Your Copy of Cinderella TODAY

“A dream is a wish your heart makes…”

If your heart is wishing to watch the romantic tale of Cinderella, then look no further!

The classic and beloved animated film, Cinderella, will be available to own again on October 2, 2012 so you can relive the wonder of having dreams come true. Pre-order your very own copy today at DisneyStore.com! As an added bit of Fairy Godmother magic, with your pre-order you will receive 4 exclusive Cinderella lithographs and $10 off your next DisneyStore.com purchase up to $39.99 or $20 off a purchase of $40 or more.

Sounds like a “happily ever after” purchase to me!

Pre-order your copy of Cinderella today and receive a FREE set of the four beautiful lithographs pictured below!

Twirl on over to DisneyStore.com to place your order for Cinderella before the clock strikes midnight. The magic is waiting!

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Looking for the perfect outfit to wear with your little princess this Mother’s Day? Disney Store has sweet Cinderella shirts and charming accessories that will leave you both feeling like royalty for the day!

1. Blue Slipper Cinderella Necklace by Arribas (SRP $19.50)

2. Glittering Gown Cinderella Tee for Girls (SRP $29.95)

3. Disney Princess Cinderella Jewelry Box (SRP $15.50)

4. Disney Princess Cinderella Shoes for Girls (SRP $16.50)

5. Kidada for Disney Store Wish-A-Little Cinderella Figure with Charm Necklace (SRP $39.50)

6. “The Art of the Disney Princess” Cinderella Tee for Women by Disney Couture (SRP $44.50)

7. Silver Sequin Mickey Mouse Hobo Bag (SRP $29.95)

The Muppets Presale is happening in Disney Stores now!

Gary and Walter seem to be very excited about something! But what could it be?

Starting today you can pre-order your very own copy of The Muppets Blu-ray 2-disc combo pack in all Disney Stores as well as online at DisneyStore.com!

What’s that, Rowlf? What comes when you pre-order the combo pack today?

Not only will you receive 1 DVD Disc and 1 Blu-Ray Disc (SRP $24.99) in your Blu-ray combo pack, but you can also receive 4 exclusive full-color Muppets lithographs as well as $10 off your next Disney Store purchase up to $39.99 or $20 off a purchase of $40 or more (hurry, while supplies last!). Take a look at the lithographs below! Miss Piggy thinks it’s her best side.

Have you made your pre-order for The Muppets yet? What are your favorite scenes from the movie? Tell me in the comments section!

Hiyyyyyyyyyya!

Liz

Wish you could bring the Muppets into your home?

Now you can!

Starting today, you can reserve your very own copy of The Muppets Blu-ray 2-disc combo pack in our online pre-sale at DisneyStore.com. The combo pack includes 1 DVD Disc and 1 Blu-Ray Disc (SRP $24.99) of what Jack Hamilton of Fox TV says is, “Not just the year’s best family film, [but] one of the year’s best films – period.” And I would definitely have to agree! I absolutely loved the movie!

When you pre-order your combo pack online or in stores on February 7^th, you can also take home 4 exclusive full-color Muppets lithographs (pictured below), as well as $10 off your next Disney Store purchase up to $39.99 or $20 off a purchase of $40 or more. Hurry though— these magical offers are only available while supplies last! Head over to DisneyStore.com now!

Fun Fact For You! Many people have long wondered if it is possible to acquire an authentic Muppet puppet, such as the spunky and sassy Miss Piggy Lee. The answer? These adorable characters are not available for purchase, and are in fact guarded rather carefully by the Muppets crew. Typically the puppets are stored away, destroyed after a period of time, or rebuilt into another character. Jim Henson addressed this subject in a 1980s interview, remarking that most of the puppets find their final resting place together in storage. Only a select few Muppets have made their way into special viewings for the public, such as in Washington D.C.’s National Mall.

And just in case any of you were wondering, all Muppets characters are left-handed. Why do you think? Tell me in the comments section below!

Mahna Mahna,

Liz

Flashback Friday! Once Upon a Dream…

Happy Friday Everyone!

Today I want to introduce a new weekly segment called FLASHBACK FRIDAY! I absolutely love learning fun facts and historical tidbits about all things Disney, so each Friday I’ll bring you some fascinating little stories for your enjoyment, entertainment, and education. 

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This month we celebrate the premiere of the sixteenth animated feature from The Walt Disney Company! On January 29^th, 1959, the romantic and magical tale of Sleeping Beauty premiered, bringing an iconic Disney Princess and villainous wicked witch to life. The film holds a special place in Disney history, as it was the last fairy tale produced by the wonderful Walt Disney himself.

CASTLE MISTAKE?
Did you know that Sleeping Beauty's Castle is the only attraction at Disneyland Park that opened before the animated film?? No mistake here! Aurora’s castle made its debut in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland to generate excitment for the animated film that would follow four years later in 1959. What a fun little tidbit to share with your friends and family next time you visit Disneyland!

BROWN OR BLUE EYES?
Ever notice a difference in the beautiful Aurora’s eyes during the film? If so, then you are quite the vigilant movie-watcher! Sleeping Beauty is in fact introduced with chocolate-brown eyes; however, when she is awoken by a kiss from Prince Phillip, her eyes open to reveal a vibrant, crystal blue. Looks like true love’s kiss packs quite the magical punch!

Notice that Aurora's eyes are brown here...

...and blue after she awakes!

PRODUCT MAKEOVER
Sleeping Beauty products have undergone quite a makeover since 1959. Check out some photos below of paper dolls from the 1960s compared to the Sleeping Beauty Dolls we carry in Disney Store today! 

 
These vintage Sleeping Beauty Paper Dolls are beautiful! Anyone else remember Little Golden books?

Designs sure have changed! The Aurora Figure Play Set, Singing Sleeping Beauty Doll, and Good Fairies Mini Plush are part of the new era of Disney Store.

So there you have it! Some fun tidbits to muse on as we gear up for the weekend. Did any of you already know these facts? Which ones? Do you have any other neat stories or tidbits related to Sleeping Beauty? Please share them in the comments section below!

Liz

Sweet princess,
if through this wicked witch's trick,
a spindle should your finger prick...
a ray of hope there still may be
in this, the gift I give to thee.
Not in death, but just in sleep,
the fateful prophecy you'll keep.
And from this slumber you shall wake,
when true love's kiss, the spell shall break.

Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition Pre-Sale is On!

“Oh this is the night, it’s a beautiful night…”

... and Lady and the Tramp, Disney’s beloved “tail” of puppy love, is now available for Blu-ray pre-sale!

You can pre-order your very own copy of Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition in all Disney stores and online at DisneyStore.com for its debut on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The Blu-ray 2-disc combo pack includes 1 DVD Disc and 1 Blu-Ray Disc (SRP: $24.99), and features three never-before-seen scenes and one never-before-heard song! This is the first time Lady and the Tramp has been available since 2007, and trust us, you don’t want to miss out!

With your in-store or online pre-order, you can also take home 4 exclusive full-color Lady and the Tramp lithographs for FREE (see photos below!), as well as a coupon valued at $10 off any purchase up to $39.99 or $20 off any purchase of $40 or more. Act now, as these fantastic gifts are only available while supplies last!

Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition Blu-ray 2-disc combo pack.

"What a beautiful little Lady!" Exclusive Lady and the Tramp lithographs.

Fun Fact For You! Remember the scene when Jim Dear gives his wife, Darling, a puppy hidden in a hat box for Christmas? This scene was included at the request of Walt Disney, as it mirrors a true life event in which he presented his wife, Lily, with a puppy on Christmas Eve! Lily was very surprised by the gift, but she fell in love with the puppy, which she named Sunee. From that day forward they became lifelong companions.

Listen to Walt Disney himself tell the story here, thanks to our friends over at the Walt Disney Family Museum!

Foot loose and collar-free,

Liz

Cars 2 Countdown Week: Test Your Cars IQ!

The Friday premiere of Cars 2 is almost here! How well do you know the Cars series? Test your Cars IQ with our trivia questions. Look out for the answers in tomorrow's post!

Questions:

1.)    Who was Lightning McQueen named after?

2.)    What's Sally's nickname for Lightning McQueen?

3.)    Why did the animators behind Disney's Cars decide to put the car's eyes on the windshield instead of on their headlights where you usually find the eyes of car toys?

4.)    What is Lightning McQueen’s favorite thing to say?

5.)    Who is the voice of Mater?

6.)    How many Cars characters have been made into die cast models?

 

Don't forget to enter into our Cars Spy Photo Contest! You could win a $250 gift card! Read more about the contest and upload your photos here: Cars Spy Photo Contest. 

Get your Cars 2 gear: www.disneystore.com/cars

Cars 2 Countdown Week: Behind the Scenes with Disney Store Toy Designers

Boogity Boogity Boogity! Let's go racin'! Cars 2 is racing to the theaters this Friday! In preparation for the Cars 2 film release, we visited Marty Rivero and Sean Lee, our Disney Store Toy Designers.  They have been busy this past year designing lots and lots of cars! We wanted to know some insights into the background of the Cars 2 designs; check out our behind the scenes interview...

     
 Meet Marty!                                                                                       Here's Sean!

The Buzz: First off, can you tell us a little bit about what you do here at Disney Store Headquarters?

Marty: I manage the Boys Toy Design for the Disney Stores North America.
Managing & designing toys from concept, design, features, sculpt, deco and through final production approvals.

Sean: I am a Toy Designer for boys toys.

 

The Buzz: The Cars 2 toys look intricate and extremely fun! How did you come up with the new Cars 2 toy designs?

Marty: We tried to incorporate characteristics and features they have in the movie to bring the toy to life.

Sean: We watched an early screening and dream about how to bring characters to life in toys.

 

The Buzz: Did you do anything different this time around, than you did when designing the first CARS toy series?

Marty: We went ALL OUT for this movie launch, doing over 50 new die cast cars, 4 Remote Control cars with special features, 4-8” action figures with special features, 2 figurine sets.

Sean: Yes, the toys aren't so "young" for Cars 2. More action!

 

The Buzz: Were there any unique challenges designing the Cars 2 toys?

Marty: Getting it all done! It’s been a year in the making.

Sean: Yes, the Cars 2 characters are way more detailed and animated.

The Buzz: I know you are Toy pros, so how long have you been designing toys for?
Marty: 12 years.

Sean: About 20 years.

 
The Buzz: Wow! Lastly, who’s your favorite Cars character and why?
Marty: Mater, he’s a fun loving and down to earth kind of guy.

Sean: I would have to say "Guido." He's cute and lovable, but don't mess with him!

 

 

There you have it! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, Marty and Sean! Stay tuned in for more Cars news this week...

 

Have you entered into our Cars Spy Photo Contest? You could win a $250 gift card! Read more about the contest and upload your photos here: Cars Spy Photo Contest. Here's a cool example:

Get your very own Cars toys, clothes and more at: www.disneystore.com/cars

Cars 2 Countdown Week!

Vroom Vroom! Rev up your engines Buzz Readers! Get ready for a full week of posts solely about Cars 2. We are thinking exclusive Q & A sessions with our new Cars 2 merchandise, NEW products, NEW photos, and of course a lot fun!

 

 

Cars 2 premieres in the theaters this FRIDAY, June 24. Are you racing to the Friday premiere? We are, and we can't wait to see who wins the first-ever World Grand Prix! Get more info on the Cars 2 Official Website.