Get READY for Exclusive Collections from the Disney Store at #D23Expo!

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Jamie

Disclosure: I am covering this year’s D23Expo taking place August 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

One of the best parts about attending the D23 Expo every couple of years is seeing the EXCLUSIVE collections come out on behalf of the Disney Store.

This YEAR has some GREAT finds available to those attending D23 Expo before sales to the General Public.  For Die Hard Disney Fans, shopping for these EXCLUSIVE finds is so much a part of the fun.

Highlights at this year’s D23 Expo include:

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection – Happily ever after meets happily evil in Disney Store’s newest series of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection being previewed at D23 EXPO. Featuring five sets of Limited Edition pairs, these collector doll sets were designed by Disney Store artists and carefully crafted to capture the beauty and romance of fairytale friends and foes.

snowwhite

 

Available for the first time at D23 EXPO, guests can pre-purchase the complete set of five Hero/Villain pairs prior to the general public pre-sale beginning online Monday, September 14.

 

Following the preview at D23 EXPO, the doll sets will be released and available for purchase in stores and online starting September 29, with a new pair released each week. Each set is limited to an edition of 6,000 globally and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

 

This line expands into a collection of apparel, mugs, journals, home décor and more, available to the general public in stores and online on September 14.

 

  • Once Upon a Time – Continuing the ‘heroes and villains’ theme, Disney Store will introduce the Once Upon a Time Snow White and Evil Queen Doll Collection, available exclusively at D23 EXPO. Limited to an edition of 300, the doll collection, inspired by ABC Studios’ television series Once Upon a Time, brings to life the beauty, magic and charm of the iconic fairytale characters from the show.

 Once-Upon-a-time-dollsRetail Value: 129.95

Exclusively for guests who purchase the doll set at D23 EXPO, Ginnifer Goodwin (Snow White) and Lana Parrilla (The Evil Queen) will be available for an autograph signing at the ABC booth on the D23 EXPO floor from 4 – 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. This special opportunity will be followed by the Once Upon a Time panel taking place in Stage 23 from 6 – 7 p.m.

 

  • Star Wars – Disney Store will launch an exclusive collection of Star Warsitems at the EXPO on Friday, August 14. The collection will feature apparel, collectibles, and toys, including the Star Wars Elite Series, a new line of highly articulated and detailed die cast action figures, representing characters from Star Wars Episodes I-VI. The action figures will be sold individually at Disney Store locations beginning later this year; however, EXPO attendees have the opportunity to purchase the full set of Star Wars Elite Series action figures, which includes D23 EXPO-exclusive versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO.

starwarshelmet

 

Additionally at D23 EXPO, Disney Store will introduce Star Wars Legion Helmets, a series of eight vinyl collectible helmets inspired by the Star Wars Legion Helmet project launched in early 2014. Celebrating creativity and Star Wars, the project pulled together artists from across The Walt Disney Company, resulting in 300 stormtrooper helmets being transformed into diverse pieces of art, which inspired these collectible recreations – epic additions to every Empire.

 

  • Toy Story 20th Anniversary – In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story, Disney Store gleaned art from the adored film’s archives to illustrate the evolution of the beloved characters, Buzz and Woody. Featuring toys, collectibles, apparel and more, this collection will be released at the Disney Store shop at D23 EXPO on Friday, August 14.

 

  • Disney Tsum Tsum – All-new collections of everyone’s favorite stackable plush will be unveiled at D23 EXPO, with one releasing each day in limited quantities in mini, medium and large sizes. In addition, limited-edition mini box series – exclusive to D23 EXPO – will be released along with each collection, and a Mickey Mouse Tsum Tsum mini vinyl figure will be available for $5 with any purchase, while supplies last.

 

Also launching at D23 EXPO is Disney Store’s “Disney 3D Print Studio,” which offers fans the chance to personalize figures, including Marvel’s Iron Man, with their likeness through the use of facial-scanning kiosks. The figures ordered at the event will feature packaging unique to D23 EXPO.

 

New this year, in an effort to minimize wait times for guests, D23 is introducing StorePass at select D23 EXPO shopping locations, including the Disney Store shop. A limited quantity of StorePass tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, and while they last, at the StorePass desk located adjacent to the StagePass distribution area in Hall A. Guests can visit D23EXPO.com’s “Things to Know” page for more details.

 

The Disney Store shop at D23 EXPO can be found in the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion. Additional details and updates about Disney Store D23 EXPO events and activities will continue to be updated on www.D23EXPO.com, on Facebook, and Twitter @DisneyD23.

 

 Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.


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Spend a Day Amongst the Redwoods!

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Jamie

Since moving up to Northern California, it’s been a DREAM of mine to visit the beautiful Redwoods.  Pictures of people wrapping their arms around these majestic trunks, and encircling these mighty giants have filled my feeds.

The question was, “When would I get there?”

In Sonoma County, we are very fortunate to have our VERY OWN Redwood Natural Park with Armstrong Woods, and just a hour south of us lies the famous, “Muir Woods,” but there’s something about driving a few hours North to the Redwoods National Forest.

Redwoods-Forest

During our Epic Road Trip to Oregon, the Oregon Coast, and our trek home, we drove through the Redwoods.  These are just some photos along our way:

Trees-of-Mystery

Trees of Mystery:

For anyone that LOVES Road Side Attractions, a stop at The Trees of Mystery is an absolute must during your Redwoods visit.  Here you can take photos in front of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox (although, please note, the original lies in Minnesota!)

You can also look for the famed Bigfoot, and if you’re lucky, like me, you may get a great photo op!  And of course, a fan favorite is the Gondola Ride over the Redwoods, but they do close by 5pm (we got there too late!)

Avenue of the Giants:

As you drive further south into the Redwoods, an absolute must is pulling off to take the trek along the Avenue of the Giants.

This world-famous scenic drive is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, which parallels Freeway 101 with its 51,222 acres of redwood groves. It is by far the most outstanding display of these giant trees in the entire 500 mile redwood belt and is accessible to all with convenient services provided along the way.

Redwood-Trees

This is where you can truly experience the Redwoods, stop off at points along the way, take photos, go on epic hikes, and just take in the beauty of these majestic trees.  Great campsites are along the way along with some great picnic spots.

Drive-Thru Trees:

Throughout Humboldt County, there ARE ACTUALLY 3 Drive-Thru Trees.  During our trek, we found 2 of the 3.  The first, along the Avenue of the Giants, The Shrine Drive-Thru Tree.  Here, you give a donation of 6 dollars for a car passing through the tree, or 3 dollars if walking through the tree.

Shrine-Drive-Thru-Tree

After having fun with the Shrine Drive-Thru Tree we continued southward on the 101, and stopped off in Leggett to experience the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree (5 dollar admission), the most famous tree of all:

Chandelier-Tree

The Before up above.

Drive-Thru-Tree-Leggett

And the after.

Let me tell you, it is an experience driving thru an actual tree.  Just careful on your side mirrors, you may have to fold them in.  It gets a wee bit tight as you drive thru.  Needless to say, I can officially say I’ve driven through a tree now.  Have you been before?

No matter what you end up doing when visiting the Redwoods, you are bound to make some fun loving memories along the way.  The perfect spot for families, or nature lovers looking for awespiring stuff.

 

 

 

 


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Once Upon a Time is Headed to This Year’s D23 Expo!

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Jamie

Disclosure: I am attending this year’s D23 Expo as Media.  All Opinions are my own.

I am pretty excited for this one: Once Upon a Time is Headed to this year’s D23 Expo!  Holding their very own panel discussion on Saturday, August 15 at 6pm.

GinniferGoodwin

 

During the panel, we’ll learn some insider secrets in the season ahead. I mean, have you heard, Merida is set to hit the town of Storybrooke.

More about the panel:

Once Upon a Time: An Evening with Snow White & the Evil Queen

Saturday, August 15, 6:00 p.m., Stage 23

“Once Upon a Time’s” savior has gone dark! As Emma Swan transitions into her role as the Dark One, join the resident fairy tale characters as they cope with Emma’s new role and begin the search for Merlin. This is a journey that will take our heroes from the Enchanted Forest to Camelot and along the way bring many surprises, including Merida from “Brave,” as “Once Upon a Time” introduces its first Pixar character. Join co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (“LOST”) and Adam Horowitz (“LOST”) along with series stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla as they discuss the upcoming season of unexpected twists, evolving characters, new adventures and new rivalries. This panel is sure to bring some surprises you don’t want to miss and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming season premiere!  The Q&A with this fairy tale team will be moderated by D23’s Jeffrey Epstein.

And, right before the panel, Autograph signing sessions will take place from 5 to 5:40pm with stars from Once Upon a Time.

LANA PARRILLA

From 4pm to 4:45pm, Ginnifer Goodwin and Lana Parrilla will also be signing autographs at the ABC Booth for those that have purchased the exclusive “Once Upon a Time” Doll Collection available at the Disney Store, just at the EXPO ($129.95).  Just 300 are available.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.


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