New Little Girl Princess, Sofia

December 12, 2011

I am excited to bring you information about a new Disney princess! I love the combining of new and classic Disney characters. I know you will be as excited about this as I am. Enjoy!

DISNEY TO INTRODUCE A LITTLE GIRL PRINCESS, “SOFIA THE FIRST,”IN ANIMATED SERIES AND MOVIE ON DISNEY CHANNEL AND DISNEY JUNIOR

TV Movie Premieres in 2012; Series Launches in 2013 withAriel Winter, Sara Ramirez, Wayne Brady and Tim Gunn among Voice Cast

Disney will introduce a little girl princess to its celebrated legacy of princess fairytales in an animated television movie and series, “Sofia the First,” premiering in fall 2012 and spring 2013 respectively, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior channels around the world.  While Disney princess fairytales have been enchanting audiences for more than 70 years, this is the first time a series has centered around a princess as a little girl.  The stories are designed to communicate positive messages and life lessons that are applicable to preschool-aged children.  The series and movie are productions of Disney Television Animation.

©2011 Disney Junior

“Sofia the First” stories are set in the storybook world of young Sofia who starts out life as a regular girl. But when her mom marries the king, she is whisked off to a glamorous, but sometimes confusing, castle world of royalty, pomp and new step-siblings, Amber and James.  “Sofia the First” will include appearances by Fauna, Flora and Merryweather (fairies seen in Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty”) as the headmistresses of Royal Prep, the academy that Sofia, along with other princes and princesses, attends.  Special event appearances will be made by classic characters including Cinderella and other Disney Princesses.

In announcing the series, Nancy Kanter, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide, said, “In Sofia, we have a ‘peer to peer princess,’ a relatable girl experiencing the same social issues as our young viewers – learning how to fit in, making new friends, conquering new skills and building sibling relationships.”  She continued, “Although Sofia will have plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes, our stories will show Sofia, and our viewers, that what makes a real princess is what’s inside, not what’s outside.  That the inner character of kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace make you special, not the dress you wear.”

Providing the voice of Sofia is Ariel Winter (ABC’s “Modern Family”).  Also highlighting the voice cast is Sara Ramirez (ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy”) as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?) as Clover, a wise-talking Rabbit; and Tim Gunn (ABC’s “The Revolution,” “Project Runway”) as Baileywick, the family’s Royal Steward.  The actors providing the voices of King Roland, Amber and James will be announced soon.

The series was developed by Craig Gerber (“Pixie Hollow Games”) who also wrote the movie.  Jamie Mitchell (“Special Agent Oso”) serves as both Executive Producer and Director on the series.  Gerber is Co-Executive Producer  and serves as the Story Editor.

 

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Holiday Tips from Leigh-Allyn Baker

November 13, 2011

Holiday tips from Leigh-Allyn Baker:

“Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!

December 2 on Disney Channel

Traveling with Tots

I have a few tips to make Holiday traveling with your toddler a bit easier.

  1. You can thank the late, great Steve Jobs for tip #1. The iPad! Albeit an expensive convenience, it is one that is well worth the $$$. No longer do you have to bring crayons, coloring books, puzzles, games, blocks, cars or DVDs and DVD players. One lightweight iPad and a few clever downloaded apps can provide all of these things and more while making your travel bag a lot lighter and your trip through the security line a lot faster.
  2. If you often face the dreaded “stop kicking the seat in front of you” scenario, there is a simple but often overlooked solution. Instead of sitting your husband next to you in flight, reserve him the window seat in front of your kicking toddler.
  3. Give your toddler a new treat for car trips or plane rides. One of my favorites is Mrs. Grossman’s Peel and Play Activity Set. In one simple folder it reveals a setting for over twenty reusable stickers to create endless scenarios. Another classic yet creative way to pass the time is with Play-Doh. Challenge your toddler to make you a yummy cake. Then you can take turns singing Happy Birthday to each other.

Keeping the kids entertained during cold winter days

  1. Go camping inside!  Build a tent out of dining room chairs and extra sheets and blankets.  You can make it as simple or as elaborate as time and bedding allows.
  2. On rainy days, my husband and I move our cars and turn our garage into a toddler art studio.  When we are finished, we roll up our art work, wrap a rubber band around the middle and place it in a small basket secured to the handle bars of our son’s tricycle.   He then pretends he’s a newspaper delivery boy and rides around our garage tossing his “papers” to all of our pretend neighbors.
  3. Cuddle up in a blanket on the couch and watch Good Luck Charlie.  It’s good for the whole family!

Festive Cooking with your Busy Toddler

By far, the easiest and safest Holiday treats to make with your toddler are rice cereal treats.  I opt for organic low sugar rice cereal, organic butter and mini organic marshmallows.  To add a punch of protein, add a ½ cup of almond butter to the mix after the melting of the marshmallows.  Of course, always make sure that the children enjoying these treats are not allergic to nuts.  These treats are great for impatient toddlers because they can be actively involved in the making of these simple treats and not just waiting on the sidelines while Mommy does the hard stuff.  For extra fun, let your child cut out different shapes and characters with festive cookie cutters.  Decorate with sprinkles and frosting.  Or for a healthier alternative, try decorating with carob and yogurt chips and chopped berries. And serve with a tall glass of low-fat milk.

 

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Upcoming Disney Channel Events

August 11, 2011

On FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 in the Disney Channel booth, fans of all ages are invited to join Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist Dave Barry and noted New York Times best-selling author Ridley Pearson, Disney Publishing Worldwide co-authors of prequels to the classic Peter Pan, the “Peter and the Starcatchers” book series, along with beloved “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” characters Jake, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, for a celebration of the power of imagination and the magic of Disney storytelling.  This event also includes an appearance by actor David Arquette (the voice of Skully in the hit Disney Junior series “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”) and a special announcement from The Walt Disney Company Corporate Citizenship team. There will also be a performance and meet & greet with The Never Land Pirate Band.

On SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, there will be appearances by the Handy Manny character along with the voice of Manny, Wilmer Valderrama (10:00 – 11:15 a.m.) and the Special Agent Oso character along with the voice of Oso, Sean Astin (11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) in the Disney Channel booth.

For more information and tickets to the D23 Expo, go to http://www.D23Expo.com.  For schedules, live updates, interactive features and tools, polls and much more, check out the D23 Expo mobile app at www.D23mobile.com!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 is “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” Day at Dodger Stadium!  During the game against the Colorado Rockies, there will be special appearances by Jake and The Never Land Pirate Band.  The first 10,000 kids 14 & under will receive a free pirate bandana.  Game starts at 1:10 p.m.  For more info and tickets, please visit http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com.

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Tune in July 31st for the final “Disney’s Friend’s for Change Games”

July 29, 2011

“Disney’s Friend’s for Change Games” conclude this weekend with a half hour special airing Sunday, July 31st at 8:30p.m. on Disney Channel.

Which team will take the coveted FAN FAVORITE crown and which team will win the $125,000 charity donation?  Tune in please to find out!

Over 30 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars from around the globe are competing to promote conservation and the power of coming together with friends and family to make a difference in one’s community and the world.  See below for a breakdown of each team and check out the scoreboard attached which lists an update of which team is in the lead and which team is currently the FAN FAVORITE. “Disney Friends for Change Games” teams are competing on behalf of Fauna and Flora International (Green Team), World Wildlife Fund (Red Team), Ocean Conservancy (Blue Team) and UNICEF (Yellow Team). Disney will make a donation of $125,000 to each charity and the winning team’s charity will also receive an additional $100,000 donation from Disney.

Also, kids and families worldwide can visit Disney.com/projectgreen, to pledge actions they will take in their own lives that will make a difference and help the planet and play online versions of the games that take place during “Disney Friends for Change Games” and donate their earned points to their “Fan Favorite” team, and each of the three global region’s “Fan Favorite” will be awarded an additional $100,000 for their team’s charity.

The teams are:

Blue Team

Captain: Debby Ryan (“Jessie”), Allisyn Ashley Arm (“So Random”), Olavo Cavalheiro (Disney Channel Brazil), Hutch Dano (“Zeke and Luther”), Roshon Fegan (“Shake It Up”), Doc Shaw (“Pair of Kings”), Stefanie Scott (“A.N.T. Farm”) and Jake Short (“A.N.T. Farm”).

Green Team

Captain: Brandon Mychal Smith (“So Random”), Valeria Baroni (Disney Channel Argentina), Paula Dalli (Disney Channel Spain), Adam Hicks (“Zeke and Luther”), David Henrie (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Sterling Knight (“So Random”), Ryan Ochoa (“Pair of Kings”), Eve Ottino (Disney Channel France) and Bella Thorne (“Shake It Up”).

Yellow Team

Captain: Bridgit Mendler (“Good Luck Charlie”), Jorge Blanco (Disney Channel Mexico), Valentina Colombo (Disney Channel Italy), Adam Irigoyen (“Shake It Up”), China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”), Sierra McCormick (“A.N.T. Farm”), Logan Miller (“I’m In The Band”) and Gregg Sulkin (“Wizards of Waverly Place” and Disney Channel UK).

Red Team

Captain: Mitchel Musso (“Pair of Kings”), Jake T. Austin (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Doug Brochu (“So Random”), Kelsey Chow (“Pair of Kings”), Davis Cleveland (“Shake It Up”), Dean Delannoit (Disney Channel Holland and Belgium), Carlon Jeffrey (“A.N.T. Farm”), and Zendaya (“Shake It Up”).

*Special guest Leo Howard (“Kickin’ It”) will also participate.

All images ©Disney Channel

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“Friends for Change” Score Update

July 7, 2011

This Friday, July 8, Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 viewers can tune in to Disney Channel during primetime programming to watch week two of “Disney’s Friends for Change Games.”  Over 30 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars from around the globe are competing to promote conservation and the power of coming together with friends and family to make a difference in one’s community and the world.

Looks like World Wildlife Fund is in the lead and the FAN FAVORITE. “Disney Friends for Change Games” teams are competing on behalf of Fauna and Flora International (Green Team), World Wildlife Fund (Red Team), Ocean Conservancy (Blue Team) and UNICEF (Yellow Team). Disney will make a donation of $125,000 to each charity and the winning team’s charity will also receive an additional $100,000 donation from Disney.

Also, kids and families worldwide can visit Disney.com/projectgreen, to pledge actions they will take in their own lives that will make a difference and help the planet and play online versions of the games that take place during “Disney Friends for Change Games” and donate their earned points to their “Fan Favorite” team, and each of the three global region’s “Fan Favorite” will be awarded an additional $100,000 for their team’s charity.

The teams are:

Blue Team

Captain: Debby Ryan (“Jessie”), Allisyn Ashley Arm (“So Random”), Olavo Cavalheiro (Disney Channel Brazil), Hutch Dano (“Zeke and Luther”), Roshon Fegan (“Shake It Up”), Doc Shaw (“Pair of Kings”), Stefanie Scott (“A.N.T. Farm”) and Jake Short (“A.N.T. Farm”).

Green Team

Captain: Brandon Mychal Smith (“So Random”), Valeria Baroni (Disney Channel Argentina), Paula Dalli (Disney Channel Spain), Adam Hicks (“Zeke and Luther”), David Henrie (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Sterling Knight (“So Random”), Ryan Ochoa (“Pair of Kings”), Eve Ottino (Disney Channel France) and Bella Thorne (“Shake It Up”).

Yellow Team

Captain: Bridgit Mendler (“Good Luck Charlie”), Jorge Blanco (Disney Channel Mexico), Valentina Colombo (Disney Channel Italy), Adam Irigoyen (“Shake It Up”), China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”), Sierra McCormick (“A.N.T. Farm”), Logan Miller (“I’m In The Band”) and Gregg Sulkin (“Wizards of Waverly Place” and Disney Channel UK).

Red Team

Captain: Mitchel Musso (“Pair of Kings”), Jake T. Austin (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Doug Brochu (“So Random”), Kelsey Chow (“Pair of Kings”), Davis Cleveland (“Shake It Up”), Dean Delannoit (Disney Channel Holland and Belgium), Carlon Jeffrey (“A.N.T. Farm”), and Zendaya (“Shake It Up”).

*Special guest Leo Howard (“Kickin’ It”) will also participate.

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Disney Friends for Change Games

July 5, 2011

Over 30 Disney Channel and Disney XD stars from around the globe are competing in “Disney Friends for Change Games” to promote conservation and the power of coming together with friends and family to make a difference in one’s community and the world.  Four teams of young stars are competing in a series of fun physical challenges to benefit specific charities and Friends for Change community projects on a global basis.

For five weeks beginning FRIDAY, JUNE 24, Disney Channel will present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning JUNE 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT).  The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode SUNDAY, JULY 31 on Disney Channel.

“Disney Friends for Change Games” teams are competing on behalf of Fauna and Flora International (Green Team), World Wildlife Fund (Red Team), Ocean Conservancy (Blue Team) and UNICEF (Yellow Team). Disney will make a donation of $125,000 to each charity and the winning team’s charity will also receive an additional $100,000 donation from Disney.

Eighteen year-old Hollywood Records recording artist Bridgit Mendler (“Lemonade Mouth” and “Good Luck Charlie”) co-wrote and performed this year’s Disney’s Friends for Change anthem, “We Can Change The World,” a buoyant pop/rock song which was released globally JUNE 10.  All of the proceeds from the song will go towards environmental charities through Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

Visit Disney.com/projectgreen and Friends for Change international sites to pledge actions young people will take in their own lives that will make a difference and help the planet.  To date, over four million pledges have been made by kids worldwide. Additionally, young planet crusaders can play online versions of the games that took place during “Disney Friends for Change Games” and donate their earned points to their favorite teams. The team with the most online points will be named the regional “Fan Favorite” team, and each of the three global region’s “Fan Favorite” will be awarded an additional $100,000 for their team’s charity.  Through Disney’s Friends for Change Games and with the help of kids at home, Disney is donating almost one million dollars globally.

“Disney Friends for Change Games” are hosted by Tiffany Thornton (“So Random”) and Jason Earles (“Kickin’ It”).  Maria Canals-Barrera (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) was on-hand to encourage and support the players.

The teams are:

Blue Team

Captain: Debby Ryan (“Jessie”), Allisyn Ashley Arm (“So Random”), Olavo Cavalheiro (Disney Channel Brazil), Hutch Dano (“Zeke and Luther”), Roshon Fegan (“Shake It Up”), Doc Shaw (“Pair of Kings”), Stefanie Scott (“A.N.T. Farm”) and Jake Short (“A.N.T. Farm”).

Green Team

Captain: Brandon Mychal Smith (“So Random”), Valeria Baroni (Disney Channel Argentina), Paula Dalli (Disney Channel Spain), Adam Hicks (“Zeke and Luther”), David Henrie (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Sterling Knight (“So Random”), Ryan Ochoa (“Pair of Kings”), Eve Ottino (Disney Channel France) and Bella Thorne (“Shake It Up”).

Yellow Team

Captain: Bridgit Mendler (“Good Luck Charlie”), Jorge Blanco (Disney Channel Mexico), Valentina Colombo (Disney Channel Italy), Adam Irigoyen (“Shake It Up”), China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”), Sierra McCormick (“A.N.T. Farm”), Logan Miller (“I’m In The Band”) and Gregg Sulkin (“Wizards of Waverly Place” and Disney Channel UK).

Red Team

Captain: Mitchel Musso (“Pair of Kings”), Jake T. Austin (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Doug Brochu (“So Random”), Kelsey Chow (“Pair of Kings”), Davis Cleveland (“Shake It Up”), Dean Delannoit (Disney Channel Holland and Belgium), Carlon Jeffrey (“A.N.T. Farm”), and Zendaya (“Shake It Up”).

*Special guest Leo Howard (“Kickin’ It”) will also participate.

“Disney Friends for Change Games” challenges are comprised of the four areas of environmental conservation: saving water, preventing waste, saving energy, and protecting our habitats.  The games emphasize the power of coming together with your friends and family to make a difference in your community and your world.

The games are:

High Energy Dance Battle:

Teams perform a freestyle dance routine on an energy generating dance floor.

Wash Out:

Players will race against time in a multi-stage relay race taking laundry to the extreme through a series of sorting, washing and hang drying.  Some of the clothes in the giant laundry pile were recycled from Disney Channel and Disney XD series.

The Recycler:

Players on stationary bicycles power a high-speed conveyor belt loaded with recycled items.

The Ultimate Course for Change:

Players tackle a challenging multi-part course that incorporates all of the Friends for Change green themes.

“Disney Friends for Change Games” are executive-produced by Art Spigel (“Disney Channel Games”) and Hayma ‘Screech’ Washington (“Amazing Race”) for Dario Productions, Inc., and filmed on location in Simi Valley, California. The production was eco-conscious to ensure best efforts were made to lighten impact on the environment.

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