Disney Channel FanFest Coming To Australia

[Via tvtonight.com.au...]

Disney Channel will hold its first-ever Disney Channel FanFest on Sunday, August 4th, in Sydney.

Appearing will be  Bridgit Mendler (Good Luck Charlie), Ross Lynch of (Austin & Ally), Spencer Boldman of (Lab Rats) and Maia Mitchell (Teen Beach Movie) originally from Lismore, NSW.

The FanFest event will include the Australian premiere screening of Teen Beach Movie, followed by an after-party featuring live performances by Mendler and Lynch.

In order to attend Disney Channel FanFest, kids will have to win double pass tickets through a variety of mechanisms, including Disney Channel viewing and online competitions, radio and magazine partner promotions, and Foxtel and SKY NZ viewer competitions.

The Disney Channel stars will spend several days taking in the sights around Sydney. In addition, Mendler will visit Melbourne, and Mitchell will visit New Zealand. There will be multiple opportunities for fans to see and interact with the stars, including online chats, autograph signings and the Red Carpet leading into Disney Channel FanFest, which will take place at Hoyts and The Hi-Fi in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park.

The television premiere of “Teen Beach Movie” will be Friday, August 9th, at 7 p.m. AEST on Disney Channel on Foxtel and SKY NZ. The Disney Channel Original Movie is an exuberant song, sand and surf fest set inside a retro beach party movie. “Teen Beach Movie” introduces confident, resilient surfer McKenzie (Mitchell) and her carefree boyfriend Brady (Lynch), a fan of the retro surf musical movie, “Wet Side Story.” On the morning of McKenzie’s planned departure for boarding school, she and Brady catch one last epic wave which mysteriously carries them right into “Wet Side Story,” circa 1962. Amidst the spontaneous song and dance, there’s trouble in paradise — it’s bikers versus surfers for control of the local hangout, but Mack and Brady unwittingly interfere with the movie’s star-crossed plot.

“We’re thrilled to host Disney Channel FanFest, a unique, once in a lifetime fan experience and a first of its kind for us”, said Leisa Sadler, General Manager, Branded Media Content, Disney Channels Australia and New Zealand. “The event welcomes home Disney Channel’s first Australian star, Maia Mitchell, whom we introduced in ‘Mortified’, a Disney Channel Australia co-production. And now, seven years later, she’s poised to entertain kids and families around the world with her performance in Disney Channel’s ‘Teen Beach Movie’”.

In addition, Disney Channel FanFest will be the Australian premiere of Disney Infinity, where Australian kids will be given the first opportunity to play Disney’s most ambitious video game initiative ever, before it’s available for purchase. Disney Infinity is an all-new game that combines Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios’ most popular franchises with one of today’s hottest trends in toys – interactive figures that come to life in the video game. A spark of imagination unlocks a fantastical world where players have unprecedented freedom and endless opportunity to create stories and play experiences. Disney Infinity will be released in Australia on August 22 and will be available across all platforms, including Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii U, Wii and 3DS.

Disney Channel And Disney XD Stars Team With Kid Viewers For "Disney TRYathlon"

[Via Disney XD Press Release...]

DISNEY CHANNEL AND DISNEY XD STARS TEAM WITH KID VIEWERS FOR "DISNEY TRYATHLON," A TWO-PART SPECIAL AIRING MONDAY, AUGUST 12 AND MONDAY, AUGUST 19 ON DISNEY XD

--NBA Superstar Dwight Howard and White House Chef Sam Kass Host Health-Focused "TRYit" Interstitial Series on Disney Channel and Disney XD--

The popular health-focused competition "Disney TRYathlon" returns to Disney XD as a two-part special airing MONDAY, AUGUST 12 (9:00 p.m., ET/PT) and MONDAY, AUGUST 19 (9:00 p.m., ET/PT). Part of Disney's "TRYit" campaign designed to inspire kids and families to try a variety of new foods, fun moves, and simple ways to be their best, "Disney TRYathlon" will team Disney Channel and Disney XD stars Leo Howard and Olivia Holt ("Kickin' It"), Calum Worthy ("Austin & Ally"), Jake Short ("A.N.T. Farm," "Mighty Med"), Spencer Boldman ("Lab Rats") and Bradley Steven Perry ("Good Luck Charlie," "Mighty Med") with three kid viewers who won an online video contest at DisneyXD.com/TRYit by showcasing ways they stay healthy including their sports skills. Throughout the competition, the teams will test their mental and physical abilities and teamwork while taking on new challenges. The special is hosted by Hal Sparks and Tyrel Jackson Williams ("Lab Rats").

"Disney TRYathlon" is part of Disney's Magic of Healthy Living, a company-wide initiative that inspires kids and families to lead healthier lifestyles by making nutritious eating and physical activity simple and fun.

Beginning TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, following the premiere of "Disney TRYathlon," NBA superstar Dwight Howard and White House chef Sam Kass will each host a series of Disney "TRYit" interstitials that will air on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Howard will teach Disney Channel and Disney XD audiences new exercises they can try on their own to stay in shape, and Kass will give kids and families tips on healthy eating and prepare recipes. "Disney TRYathlon" stars and "Lab Rats" star Billy Unger will join Howard and Kass in Disney's "TRYit" interstitial series.

Additionally, starting MONDAY, JUNE 17, a new video featuring "Disney TRYathlon" talent will launch every week on DisneyXD.com/TRYit where users are invited to participate in the "TRYit Challenger" by tracking the new things they've tried to be their best, such as  a new dance move or a swim stroke, or adding a piece of fruit to a meal. Kids and parents are encouraged to help the campaign reach one million TRYit actions. On July 29, DisneyXD.com/TRYit will also launch a "Disney TRYathlon"-themed web game where users can test their own abilities and prove their skills in three "Disney TRYathlon" challenges.

The "Disney TRYathlon" teams, which were named after the strengths of the kid viewers on each team, are as follows:

Team "Bullseye"
Calum Worthy and Bradley Steven Perry with 14 year-old football player and wrestler Javon.

Team "Sprint"
Jake Short and Leo Howard with 14 year-old varsity track and field runner Julia.

Team "Knockout"
Spencer Boldman and Olivia Holt with 16 year-old boxer and break dancer Stephen.

Filmed at Cali Camp in Topanga, California, the special is produced by Bunim/Murray Productions. Jonathan Murray, Scott Freeman, Jim Johnston and Maria Pepin serve as executive producers.

Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates.

Disney Magic of Healthy Living partners with parents to inspire kids to lead healthier lifestyles.  Through engaging content, useful tools and unique experiences, this initiative helps parents by making nutritious eating and physical activity more appealing and more fun. For more information, please visit www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/mohl 

Disney Stars Celebrate “May the Fourth Be With You” Day with Children’s Hospital LA

[Via shineon-media.com...]

Happy “May the Fourth Be With You” day!

To celebrate the Star Wars inspired day, all your favorite Disney Channel and Disney XD stars, Star Wars characters, and even Mickey & Minnie Mouse paid a visit to Children’s Hospital L.A.

Billy Unger, Spencer Boldman, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson, Blake Michael, Kelli Berglund, Aedin Mincks, Sierra McCormick, Francesca Capaldi, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Roshon Fegan, Adam Irigoyen, Stefanie Scott, and Jake Short all signed autographs for the kids and it looks like they had some fun with lightsabers too.

Spencer Boldman on Season Two of 'Lab Rats' and What He Loves About Social Media

[Via teenvogue.com...]

If you're not a frequent viewer of The Disney Channel, you might not be familiar with Spencer Boldman. The twenty-year-old actor stars on Lab Rats, the top-ranked show on Disney XD—now in its second season, this is the time to get to know the actor. The sitcom is bursting with zany plot lines and adorable actors, and has a requisite splash of classic Disney comedy—thanks in large part to Spencer's super-powered—but not super-smart—character.

We chatted with Spencer about what his wacky on-screen alter-ego, his big-picture aspirations, and his second season on Lab Rats.

How did this gig come about?
"I've actually done three pilots for Disney. I met with the network when I was 16 years old and had just started acting. I would fly to Los Angeles to film pilots, then fly back to Dallas, where I grew up. What attracted me to this particular show working with Mark Brazill, who created That '70s Show."

Have you always wanted to be an actor?
"I've always had this weird passion for films. When I was ten, I loved movies like Cool Hand Luke and Roman Holiday. When I watched those things, I felt like it was such a good escape. It wasn't even that I needed an escape, but I wanted to be an actor so I could five that feeling to someone else. When I was younger, I always was like, 'I want to be a serious actor.' I wasn't interested in doing a Disney show or a Nick show. But here I am, and it's great."

Last season marked your first TV show. Do you feel different going into the second season?
"What I like is that, this time around, we can take our characters to another level. Disney acting is a little more difficult than many people think it is. People feel like the characters aren't deep, but as an actor, you try to do everything you can do the best of your ability. My character is just the dumb guy who says dumb things, but I think Mark's going for something similar to Ashton Kutcher's character on That '70s Show. With Ashton, he was right a lot of the time, but he just didn't know it. This season, Adam has started winning, in a sense."

Your character is superhuman, but, like you say, he can be a little dumb. What's it like to play someone so silly?
"It's a blast. I just turned twenty and I feel like I'm playing a twelve-year-old kid. I can be goofy in real life, but it's fun to play silly. Everyone has a little bit of that in them. He and I are very different—or I like to think they're different—but it's blast."

You have superpowers on the show, so if you could have one in real life, what would you choose?
"I would have super-strength, like my character. I think the ladies would be impressed."

What can we expect from the new season of Lab Rats?
"A lot of drama. The first was less drama and more adventure, but this season, we have more abilities and our secrets are becoming harder to hide. I think it'll be great—girls love drama!"

You have quite the social media following. How does it feel to have such a big fan base?
"It's so funny—you wouldn't guess since the show is on Disney, but a lot of the fans are girls my age, like 17- to 20-year-olds. Twitter is great because I feel like I can connect with them. I've actually heard that sororities get together and have watch parties for the show. I want to go!"

Disney Channel and Disney XD Stars Launch #ShowSomeHeart

[Via Disney Channel Press Release...]

DISNEY CHANNEL AND DISNEY XD STARS LAUNCH #SHOWSOMEHEART

Tween and teen stars of Disney Channel and Disney XD champion kindness and generosity of spirit towards others in "Show Some Heart" video messages to be posted on the young actors' Twitter feeds and @DisneyChannelPR beginning today, February 8. The popular stars share how they "Show Some Heart" and encourage others to share their own acts of kindness via #ShowSomeHeart.

DisneyChannel.com and DisneyXD.com will debut exclusive videos featuring Disney Channel and Disney XD stars sharing Valentine's Day memories and fun messages, beginning February 13. Viewers can answer the call to action by sharing how they "Show Some Heart" on the websites.

Disney stars featured in the "ShowSomeHeart" video messages include: China Anne McClain ("A.N.T. Farm"); Ross Lynch and Laura Marano ("Austin & Ally"); Cole Jensen and Crash ("Crash & Bernstein"); Bridgit Mendler ("Good Luck Charlie"); Debby Ryan ("Jessie"); Leo Howard and Olivia Holt ("Kickin' It"); Spencer Boldman and Tyrel Jackson Williams ("Lab Rats"); and Bella Thorne and Zendaya ("Shake It Up"), among others.

'Lab Rats' Returns For Season 2 On...

[Via family-room.ew.com...]

The second season of Disney XD’s hit bionic comedy series Lab Rats will premiere on Monday Feb. 25  (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET/PT), EW has learned.  Expect a guest appearance from Madison Pettis (Jake and the Never Land Pirates) and a chance to watch Leo (Tyrel Jackson Williams) and his siblings, teen super-humans – Adam (Spencer Boldman), Bree (Kelli Berglund) and Chase (Billy Unger) – as they embark on critical missions with high stakes while learning more about each other and navigating everyday teenage life.

In the season premiere, “Speed Trapped,” Adam, Bree, and Chase sneak out to meet Marcus (Mateus Ward) in Davenport’s (Hal Sparks) new self-driving sports car. When Leo tries to stop them, his nemesis Marcus traps him inside the car and programs it to take him on a wild, high-speed ride bound for the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The premiere will also be available on iTunes, Microsoft Xbox and Amazon beginning Tuesday, Feb. 26.

And beginning Saturday, Feb. 9, DisneyXD.com will post “Lab Rats: Who Is Marcus?,” a short-form series that gives a sneak peek at Leo’s video logs, in which he’s trying to uncover the truth about Mission Creek High School’s creepiest new student.  Also, on the the same day as the premiere “Lab Rats: Leo’s Stealth Ops,” a new online game inspired by Tyrel Jackson Williams, will launch, along with behind-the-scenes videos.

Disney Channel & Disney XD Stars To Sign Autographs In Galveston Dec. 22, 29

Christmas will come a little bit early for "tweens" visiting Galveston this month, as the island hosts two very popular TV stars.

Spencer Boldman from Disney XD's "Lab Rats" and Jake Short from Disney Channel’s "A.N.T. Farm" will be in Galveston to sign autographs and take pictures with visitors Dec. 22 and Dec. 29, respectively.* The stars will be on the island for "Magical Parties with Disney" hosted by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Radio Disney AM 1590.

The parties will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the last two Saturdays in December at downtown Galveston’s Saengerfest Park, located at the corner of Strand and 23rd streets.

• Dec. 22 – Spencer Boldman from Disney XD's "Lab Rats" will sign autographs and take pictures with visitors while the Radio Disney AM 1590 Road Crew entertains the crowd.

• Dec. 29 – Jake Short from Disney Channel’s "A.N.T. Farm" will sign autographs and take pictures with visitors while the Radio Disney AM 1590 Road Crew entertains the crowd.

* Talent can only meet as many fans as time permits.

Holiday Magic in Galveston

Galveston is the "Winter Wonder Island" of Texas, offering visitors more than 1,000 magical events to enjoy during the holiday season. The Magical Parties with Disney events are featured on the island’s new Passport to Holiday Magic celebration, where visitors can access a downloadable "passport" to keep track of the island’s many events while earning a chance to win a Disney Magic cruise for four. To get your passport, visit http://www.galveston.com/holidaymagic.

Exclusive: Disney XD Celebrates 'Pranksgiving' With Two New Shows

[Via tvguide.com...]

It's April Fools in November on Disney XD, which is celebrating the art of the practical joke throughout the month, including the launch of new hidden camera series Just Kidding. The show, hosted by YouTube personality Zach Fox, launches on Monday, Nov. 19 at 7/6c.

New episodes of Just Kidding will air through Saturday that week. The show features Fox and other young practical jokers as they pull off jokes on unsuspecting marks. Just Kidding is one of two hidden camera shows to make their Disney XD debut in November, as the channel will also start airing episodes of sister Disney Channel's Code: 9.

That show, which premieres directly after Just Kidding on Nov. 19 at 7:30/6:30c, features kids pulling off jokes at their families' expense, with the help of top Hollywood special effects artists. Los Angeles Kings player Kevin Westgarth guests in the Code: 9 Disney XD premiere. (A new two-part episode of Kickin' It, with guest stars George Wendt, Jillian Michaels and the WWE's Kofi Kingston, follows at 8/7c.)

Disney XD will also enlist viewers to choose which of the channel's stars should be targeted with a practical joke by "Crash," the puppet star of the network's new series Crash & Bernstein. Choices include Leo Howard, Olivia Holt and Alex Christian Jones of Kickin' It; Ryan Ochoa (Pair of Kings) and Lab Rats stars Spencer Boldman and Billy Unger.

A different Disney XD star will be pranked via interstitials set to run each Monday starting Nov. 5, which additional segments to air on Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Wednesday, Nov. 21. A final round of "Crash" pranks will air on Thanksgiving night, with targets such as his Crash & Bernstein co-star Cole Jensen. Voting begins today on Disney XD's website.

The official promo can be viewed below: