DisneyParks Blog - As summer winds down and kids head back to school, it won’t be long before they start thinking about trick-or-treating, Halloween parties and costumes. The Halloween Time celebration kicks off at Disneyland Resort September 17, with more tricks, treats and family fun.

If you’re not quite sure how to celebrate this year, there are two great ways to join in the fun.

Halloween Time: The spooky fun runs from September 17 to October 31. Lots of fun surprises and extras await you and your family with a regularly priced theme park ticket. Highlights include Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Meet-and-Greet opportunities with Characters and Disney Villains, a spooktacular Halloween Roundup and lots of Halloween décor throughout the Resort. Check Disneyland.com for details and ticket prices.

Mickey’s Halloween Party: Big news this year! The trick-or-treat party at Disney California Adventure park has moved to Disneyland park and is now called Mickey’s Halloween Party. Along with the move comes some big advantages. This special-ticket soiree, Tuesdays and Fridays in October, as well as Halloween night (Sunday, October 31), brings to life all of the tricks and treats of the season. As with every special-ticket event, Mickey’s Halloween Party offers exclusive opportunities for ghouls and goblins of every age. Highlights include exclusive access to the Halloween Screams fireworks show, access to nearly all the attractions at Disneyland park, more tricks and treats, and early access to Disneyland park.

• Exclusive Access to Halloween Screams – If you loved this fireworks spectacular last year, the show will be exclusive to guests who purchase tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party. Last year, guests told us Main Street, U.S.A. was so filled with fans that they couldn’t fully experience the after-dark party in the sky. So, this year, you can catch every snap, crackle and pop of Halloween Screams with more wiggle room during Mickey’s Halloween Party! Check out video of Halloween Screams below.
• More Tricks and Treats – Jump into your costume and head to the greatest Halloween neighborhood on Earth. Disneyland plays host to Mickey’s Halloween Party and offers more treats, more fun and more excitement, Tuesdays, Fridays and Halloween night during Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort.
• Early Access to Disneyland Park – If exclusive viewing of Halloween Screams and more treats aren’t enough, how about another bonus to add to your revelry? Mickey’s Halloween Party officially kicks off at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 7 p.m. on Fridays and Halloween night. If you’re going to the party, you’ll get early access to Disneyland. Tuesday night party-goers can enter the park at 3 p.m., while Friday and Halloween night guests will be greeted at the gate starting at 4 p.m.

Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party are now available and can be purchased at Disneyland.com. Here’s an insider’s tip: if you purchase tickets in advance, you’ll get a great discount.

 

In the coming weeks, we’ll share some behind-the-scenes Halloween video and give you a first look at a new cavalcade and new dance parties planned for Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland park.

Space Mountain music: Hear all about it from an Imagineer

Orlando Sentinel - Disney World visitors this week are among the first to hear something new: Space Mountain set to music. An uptempo, futuristic soundtrack has been added to the Magic Kingdom roller coaster. I talked with Alex Wright, a show designer with Walt Disney Imagineering, about the change, which is an extension of adjustments made to Space Mountain in late 2009.

QUESTION: What are we hearing aboard Space Mountain now?

ANSWER: We have a new audio accompaniment to the ride through space, which we are referring to “Starry-o-phonic” sound. It’s kind of an all-enveloping sonic soundscape through the entire building that serves as a backdrop for your voyage and is accented with effect speakers that are triggered by certain events along your way on the ride. So as you go around a quick turn or down a significant drop, you will tend to hear an effect that punctuates that and really accents it, especially in the newly darkened environment that came out of the earlier parts of the renovation. That makes it a little harder for people to anticipate the movements that are coming up.

Q: Can it be heard the queue?

A: No, it’s only on the ride portion itself.

Q: What is the style of the music?

A: The selection has three different movements to it. … What we have is, for roughly a third of the duration of the ride, you have one piece that’s kind of a soaring orchestral backdrop. You have another section that’s a little bit more percussive and active. And then you have a third arrangement that’s more techno-fun, kind of a party-in-space kind of thought to it, which has a lot of influences that have been brought it. What it means is, as the ride changes character on the way down, the music changes with it.

Q: And it follows the current theming, right?

A: As you saw with the graphics and the story points, we wanted to maintain the playfullness of our Space Mountain. It’s this exuberant and optimistic view of travel in the future, where it’s fun and playful.

Q: Why are the speakers along the track instead of using onboard audio?

A: What we’ve tried to do, as with the rest of the enhancement to the attraction, we tried to preserve the things we really like about our Space Mountain. We approach each one as an individual thing. It doesn’t need to be – and shouldn’t be – like every other Space Mountain around the world. In this case, the rockets we have here are so unique – low-slung and single file – and that’s part of the visceral experience that we think people really respond to. This leads to a preference, in this case, for an off-board audio arrangement, so it’s not speakers right next to your ear. We want to keep the physical configuration as it is.

In doing that, we’ve put a lot of thought into what should our experience be. And if the same music is playing through the entire builidng at one time, how do you give the different movements in the ride a different accompaniment? Each time you go through there’s a slight difference in the experience based on when you crest that first hill and where the [sound]track happens to be in the cycle.

Q: So your next ride might not have the same musical effects as the last one?

A: It’s interesting the differences in how you interpret the music depending on what’s going on. It’s intended to have a lot of action to it and a lot of moments. I’ve actually seen and heard reaction from people who believe this is synched to each vehicle. The reality is that we have enough going on in there, so from your point of view, you can interpret it as having been timed to your ride.

Q: Did you consider onboard audio?

A: We consider all our options all the time, and clearly we’ve done that in other locations, so it is something we have in our tool belt. But in this instance … to do onboard audio requires headrests that are up here behind the head and speaker placements, and that we felt that would have an impact on the guest experience – it would work against some of the things that are so unique about our Space Mountain. That seemed not to be a fair trade.

The off-board option we were interested in because we had never done it before. It had been discussed and tested in a few different places, but never persued. We’re always looking for another hoop to jump through, and this was an interesting challenge. The difference in the way that it kind of fills this space and offers you a sonic soundscape to travel through, we think is the better way to go. We really love the fact that our Space Mountain retains uniqueness in the lineup.

Q: Is it fair to say that the new audio was part of the big picture of Space Mountain enhancements? That this is Grand Plan, Part 2?

A: The audio component was something that we could do after hours around the operation of the attraction, we felt that was the way we should do it. It meant we could bring the attraction back up [from the 2009 refurbishment] much earlier and have people riding for the past several months — but we still had this last little surprise up our sleeves.

Disney Trading; Its' Game Time

DisneyParks Blog - I love fall. It is one of my favorite seasons. The fall signifies I’m another year older, but more importantly it is the start of college football season. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, so growing up the fall was always filled with tradition. For the past several years, we have released a series of pins celebrating these football traditions called “Rivalry Weekends.” Gosh, there are some classic rivalries!

I’m often asked why we don’t feature more teams. Believe it or not, there is a finite production budget each month for pins. We base many decisions about development on historic sales record, yet we like to try new things. This year we introduced a new rivalry – University of Alabama vs. University of Tennessee.

All of this brings me to one final question: which is the greatest college football rivalry today? I think you already know my answer. Look for these pins to be released on October 7, 2010, at Walt Disney World.

Disney-created situation ‘virtually certain’ to end in crash, mother of worker who died says

Orlando Sentinel - In new court documents, the mother of a Disney monorail worker killed last year accuses her son’s former boss of “flippantly” vacating his duty, creating a dangerous situation that “was virtually certain to result in injury or death.”

21-year-old Disney monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg was killed on July 5, 2009 when two monorails collided. His mother, Christine Wuennenberg, filed suit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in January.

In court documents, Christine Wuennenberg accuses the monorail operations manager, David Gilmore, of creating a dangerous situation by taking an on-duty meal break with other employees, leaving the monorail control tower unstaffed.

In the documents, Wuennenberg says Gilmore didn’t tell her son or other pilots that no one was going to be monitoring the monorails directly.

If someone had been, Wuennenberg says, they could have used video monitors to see that a collision was coming.

“Anyone paying even casual attention” would have been able to “see it, hear it and feel it,” she said, and ultimately, to stop it.

“There was a line de-energizing button in the Concourse Tower that would have enabled anyone in the Tower to simply push a button to stop this terrible collision from occurring,” Wuennenberg said in the documents.

The crash occurred about 2 a.m. near the end of a workday. A monorail train was backing along a track switch that was supposed to re-align but didn’t, switching the monorail from the resort’s Epcot line to a short spur leading to a Magic Kingdom line.

The switch never re-aligned, so the train wound up driving in reverse, smashing into a second train piloted by Austin Wuennenberg.

Disney has since admitted that the monorail pilot was told to go in reverse and that, before the collision, there was an incorrect report that the track switch had been aligned properly.

Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez would not comment on the specific allegations made by the monorail pilot’s mother, calling the depositions containing Wuennenberg’s accusations “a part of the normal process.”

“We will respond when appropriate through the court,” Suarez said.

Running a Marathon just got Easier at Disney

DisneyParks Blog - Runners who have experienced Disney’s marathon and half marathon events know how the whimsy and friendliness of the parks appeal to first-timers, but now there’s an added incentive to get up and go.

Jeff Galloway, one of the leading marathon trainers in the country, has just signed on as the official training consultant to the new “runDisney’’ series of endurance events. Galloway, who is renowned for helping runners complete their first marathons, will be offering his unique training tips and programs at all runDisney events as well as at rundisney.com and facebook.com/rundisney.

The “runDisney’’ series is the new name for the collection of Disney endurance events that now all live under the runDisney brand. The series includes the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker, the inaugural Wine & Dine Half Marathon and, of course, the upcoming Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

So, let’s get off the sofa, lace up those sneakers and get going. With Galloway’s help, you can take on any runDisney event and make it all the way to the finish line.

Hacienda de San Angel interior concept art 

Disney News - Here is a first look at the interior of the new Hacienda de San Angel currently under construction at the Mexico pavilion. Notice the huge floor to ceiling windows giving a wonderful view out into the World Showcase lagoon. Hacienda de San Angel is set to open on September 15 2010.

Designer Dogs and Foodie Factoids at Walt Disney World

Breakfast and dinner still are buffet style. Lunch will be 1 point on the Disney Dining Plan.

Fun Foodie factoids Worth Sharing:

• More than 20 tons of fresh fruits and veggies are consumed annually at Walt Disney World Resort.
• Every table-service restaurant has at least one vegetarian option, and at least one low-fat or no-sugar-added dessert.
• The top-selling kids’ drink? The 5-calorie lemonade-pomegranate punch.
• All smoothies are now made with non-fat yogurt and fresh fruit purees (knocking them down from 420 calories to just 120 calories).
• Seventy percent of trans fat items have been eliminated in merchandise locations.

First Look at ElecTRONica

DisneyParks Blog - As they say in the digital world of TRON, “Greetings, Programs!” Today, we’re sharing concept art that gives you a first look at the new party we’re calling ElecTRONica. I’m told it’s the greatest nighttime dance party to ever rock Disney California Adventure park.

Beginning October 8, the interactive, digital world of “TRON: Legacy” will light up Hollywood Pictures Backlot as we gear up for the film’s release on December 17. This will be a cool opportunity to peek inside the world of this movie, and it’s available only to visitors of Disney California Adventure park.

It’s an “electrifying” experience for the entire family, filled with music, lights and some of your favorite food and beverage, all set amidst the captivating world of “TRON: Legacy!” From a dazzling dance club under the stars to an authentic recreation of Flynn’s Arcade to some radical gaming, it’s like nowhere else on the grid! Each night, we’ll feature live entertainers, complete with lasers, glow accessories and the hottest music ever to rock the grid. ElecTRONica is “the” place to dance the night away in a fantastic world that only Disney can create. Highlights for the entire family will definitely be Flynn’s Video Arcade, face painting and the TRON: Evolution video game area.

ElecTRONica will transform Disney California Adventure park Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this Fall. TRON fans and families can also enjoy the party seven days a week during Thanksgiving week and Christmas week.

A peek at Disney Pins, Vinylmation leading up to 40th anniversary of Disney World

Orlando Sentinel - I’ve had more than my usual allotment of Disney trading lately. Generally, I’m bewildered by all the options – but I also know if I were to start serious collection of pins and Vinylmation figures, it would hurt my bottom line.

Last week I attended the Disney Pins Celebration at Epcot with hundreds of other folks who don’t have that issue. The primary activity is trading, of course. I had not imagined that traders stood in lines to get up to bulletin boards and pick out two pins to swap for — with a one-minute time limit for browsing the board. Farther back in the showplace, folks spread out their vast collections. One woman told me she “only” had five books of “Nightmare Before Christmas” pins. Clearly, I don’t know Jack Skellington.

Most entertaining to me were previews of upcoming pins and vinyls, some devoted to the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2011.

Here’s a set with characters “creating” classic Magic Kingdom attractions.

More oldies in a postcard-inspired set (Notable: Flight to the Moon, nomenclature for Grand Prix Raceway.)

This fascinating set, when arranged just right, makes up Cinderella Castle. The artwork on the individual pins represents the posters seen underneath the train station/entrance to Magic Kingdom.

Vinylmation will be in on the 40th anniversary as well. (Sorry, shooting through glass casing is not my best event).

Also coming up: a Vinylmation series based on national flags. All 11 of the countries represented at Epcot’s World Showcase will have a figure, “plus Brazil, of course,” says  Steven Miller, project manager, Disney Trading.

Earlier in the week, I visited D Street, a prime Vinylmation outlet at Downtown Disney. The store has settled in since the grand opening. It’s less crowded (some of the bulky artifacts from the late Adventurers Club have been removed), and it’s blending vinyls and other merchandise more.

I like the changing traffic signal outside.

Inside, I was drawn to the new “Toy Story” series. Note Buzz’s helmet, which is one of the first times that Vinymation has broken the Mickey mold. (See also Buttercup the unicorn’s horn from this series, plus a giraffe in the animal series and an angry emu in the Have  a Laugh series.) Miller says they will reserve the right to accessorize “when it makes sense.”

Also graphically appealing is the Big Eyes series (this is Goofy, see?). Others represented in the collection, which was released this spring, include Buzz, Mickey, Minnie, Grumpy, Donald Duck, Marie, Mike Wazowski, Pluto, Stitch, Tinker Bell and “Pie-Eyed” Mickey.

Meet the Disneyland Resort Sign Shop Cast

DisneyParks Blog - If you’ve ever been to Disneyland Park, you’ve undoubtedly used a sign or two to get you from land to land! As I continue to show you the Disneyland Resort through the work and eyes of our cast, I’d like you to meet some of the handiest folks this side of Main Street, U.S.A., our cast members at the Disneyland Resort Sign Shop. These talented individuals use various techniques – from sketching to painting to carving – in creating the unique signs you see all over the Resort. Check out the video below to hear more about the detail that goes into creating each and every sign!

Celebrating Vultures, Nature's Clean Up Crew

DisneyParks Blog - “Aww, isn’t that cute” probably aren’t the words most people say when they see a vulture. These birds play a critical role in our ecosystem, however, serving as nature’s caretakers by helping to keep the earth cleaner and disease free.

To help Guests learn more about vultures, on September 2, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will join other conservation organizations around the world in celebrating International Vulture Awareness Day.

International Vulture Awareness Day originated in South Africa in 2006 to raise awareness of the plight of vultures in that region. Now, this event is expanding around the world and focusing on issues and conservation programs that are affecting these birds. Challenges facing vultures range from loss of habitat and food sources to electrocution on power lines and poisoning of food carcasses.

Did you know that global vulture populations have been reduced by more than 50% over the last 15 years? Some of the most devastating losses have occurred in Asia where three species of vultures – Oriental white-back, slender-billed and long-billed populations have been reduced by 97% in just the last 10 years.

Programs like the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) are helping to support the conservation of vultures. Since 2000, DWCF has directed more than $125,000 to conserve vultures around the world through annual grants and it's Rapid Response Fund. For example, this year DWCF is helping to protect Asian vultures whose numbers are dwindling due to chemicals in their food sources.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guests can see lappet-faced vultures at the Tree of Life and black vultures at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Guests can see Ruppell’s Griffon vultures.

New Poster for Secretariat

HeyUGuys - Disney have unveiled a brand new poster for Secretariat, which is based on the true story of the horse of the same name.

Secretariat will be released by Disney on October 8 in the US, and December 10 in the UK.

Check out the majestic new poster below.

Walt Disney World Mom's Panel Coming Soon

DisneyParks Blog - Are you the person family and friends come to for advice when planning their Disney vacations? If so, Mickey might want to meet you. Disney Parks is looking for new members of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. The panel is an online forum that serves as a resource for families planning a Disney vacation, offering unique insights and time-tested tips from real Disney fans.

To apply, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com on September 13 to September 17.

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

DisneyParks Blog - The Disneyland Half Marathon is celebrating its fifth anniversary on Sunday with a record field of more than 14,000 registered participants. The fifth annual Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, held September 3-5, also includes Kids’ Races and the Disneyland Fabulous 5K, which has 5,000 registered athletes. This is the biggest Disneyland Half Marathon to date, and includes runners from 16 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

To commemorate the fifth anniversary, athletes who complete the half marathon will receive a special-edition finisher medal featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle circled by the number “5” and running Mickey Mouse.

Throughout the race, runners will pass Disneyland icons such as Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Matterhorn, Anaheim landmarks such as the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center, and they will see themselves on the jumbo screen running on the field inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim, before finally crossing the finish line next to the Disneyland Hotel.

If you missed your chance to participate in the races this year, you can register for next year’s Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend on Sept. 2-4, 2011, beginning Jan. 3, 2011.

If you’d like to watch the race, you can view the runners from several locations, including the following:

• The Start – Disneyland Drive to Katella Avenue 6:00 a.m. to 6:40 a.m. (Accessible only by foot)
• The Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park 6:12 a.m. to 7:02 a.m. (Accessible only by foot)
• Disneyland Drive to Ball Road 6:20 a.m. to 7:26 a.m. (Accessible only by foot)
• Angel Stadium 6:45 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. (Accessible via Orangewood Ave. entrance)
• Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and ESPN Zone 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Spectators who purchased a ChEAR Zone package will have reserved seating in the Finish Line area.

You can also see a detailed map of the course that helps illustrate where these viewing areas are in the race here.

The Disneyland Health and Fitness Expo is also open to the general public on September 3 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and September 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event, located in the Disneyland Hotel Exhibit Hall, features the opportunity to experience the latest in running and fitness equipment as well as the opportunity to get running tips during the speaker series.

Good luck to all athletes participating in the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend!

A sword into the heart of a mighty beast

Orlando Sentinel - Recently, the Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Garcia explored how Disney theme-park fans have been disappointed and dismayed over Expedition Everest’s Yeti failure at Animal Kingdom.

Now come reports that a similar fan letdown has taken place at Disneyland, this time with the fire-breathing Maleficent in the recently updated Fantasmic show that debuted there a year ago. The giant West Coast dragon, which is familiar to anyone who has seen it at the Hollywood Studios version of the show, is 45 feet tall and with menacing eyes of red.

Or, at least, it was menacing. Now, though, the technically troubled beast seems to have finally bitten the dust after a brief, troubled tenure at Disney’s west coast park. And it didn’t even take Prince Phillip’s courage to fell the dragon. Rather, some fans said they witnessed the dragon simply collapsing face-first into its demise, which might not be a surprise, given how the mechanical animal had suffered from various glitches for quite some time.

Disney officials, however, said simply that the beast suffered mechanical difficulties and would not be returning.

The Los Angeles Times has more on the fall of the once-mighty legend that some fans had taken to calling “Murphy” or even “the reluctant dragon.”

Let’s just hope our Hollywood Studios incarnation of terror will continue to breath fire, and enjoyment, for all in King Stefan’s kingdom and beyond.

Disney Names Radio Executive to Head ABC Family Cable Channel

The New York Times - The Walt Disney Company continued its streak of surprise hires by naming a radio executive to take over its ABC Family cable channel.

Michael Riley, who has spent the last two years running Radio Disney, will take over as president of ABC Family, the company said Monday afternoon. Mr. Riley, 40, succeeds Paul Lee, who left last month to take over ABC.

The decision is unusual given Mr. Riley’s limited experience in original programming, an enormous part of his new job. He does have TV on his résumé, however: before joining Disney, Mr. Riley worked for the Turner Broadcasting System in Europe.

Disney has become known for unconventional executive shuffling. Last year, it hired a television executive to run its movie studio. It subsequently promoted a little-known TV manager from Latin America to run the Disney Channel. And within the last year, Disney’s chief financial officer switched jobs with the company’s theme park chairman.

Behind The Scene with Disney Hollywood Studios Ink and Paint Team

DisneyParks Blog - The Walt Disney Company is rich with so many wonderful traditions, one of my favorites being hand-drawn animation. While there have been many changes and advancements in technology that have changed the way we create our animated classics, the beautiful tradition of hand-inked and hand-painted cels is still very much alive at Walt Disney World. In 1997, the Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios began creating the beloved Ink & Paint collection, which is available exclusively at the Animation Gallery. Each cel in the collection is inked and painted by hand, by our talented design team whose passion for the craft helps to keep one of our most treasured Disney traditions alive.

Just last week, I had a the fortunate opportunity to sit down with Ink & Paint Artist, Sharon Vincent, who has been with the Ink & Paint team at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since the beginning. Sharon gave me a whole new look into the delicate world of hand drawn art, which I am so excited to share with you today.

Dara: I’ve heard that you’re an expert when it comes to Ink & Paint Animation cels. How long have you been Inking & Painting? How did you get involved with such a delicate and intricate craft?

Sharon: My father was a very talented artist, and began teaching me when I was about 5 years old. He loved many different forms of art, and encouraged me to be versatile, and to always try and “learn something new.” In 1985, while reading the newspaper, my Dad spotted an article about a new art studio that would be relocating to Central Florida. He said, “Hey, this is right up your alley.” So, as soon as this company arrived, I went and applied for a job, which was at the independent Ink & Paint Studio. I was very excited and honored when in 1989, I was invited to join the Walt Disney Feature Animation opening crew, here at the Florida Studios.

Dara: A lot of people don’t know what it takes to create a Hand-inked and Hand-painted Animation cel. Can you walk us through the delicate process of creating an Ink & Paint cel?

Sharon: The term cel is short for Celluloid Acetate, a transparent material which is used for hand-painted animation frames. Here’s a quick synopsis of what it takes to create a Hand-inked and painted cel. Once we finalize the rough concept art it is sent through a final clean-up stage. During this process the line work for the characters is refined, insuring that each individual line is fluid and tapered allowing us to breathe life into the characters. The character’s line work is typically applied by traditional hand-inking (using an old fashioned quill pen nib), or by a silk screening process on the topside of the cel. Once the line’s are complete, the cel is flipped over, and the paint is applied by hand on the reverse side, allowing us to achieve clean lines when flipped back over and viewed from the front.

The most common technique used for animation painting is known as “floating”. This is where paint brushes are in contact with the paint only, never touching the surface of the cel. Our last step is to ensure that each cel is complete, has been beautifully painted and has dried thoroughly, so it’s ready to hang in your home.

Dara: The new “Dreams Come True” cel is particularly special. It’s the first time that we see
Walt Disney in a cel, from the Studios’ Ink & Paint Collection. What can you tell me about the creative process you and the team went through, to dream up the cel? Is there anything about the new cel that you want share with our Disney Parks Blog fans?

Sharon: We start with a brainstorming session and then build a story around it, add a little character and viola! We all felt it was time to create another vintage cel, highlighting everyone’s favorite, Mickey Mouse, but this time taking it all the way back to 1928, as my teammate Jim Bonserio, suggested. This particular cel tells a heartwarming story, of how “Dreams Come True” and recounts the legend of when Walt dreamt up the idea of Mickey, on his train ride from New York City to Los Angeles.

Do you have your own questions for Sharon and the rest of the talented Ink & Paint Team? Or would you like to look at the hand painted cel collection in person? Then be our Guest at the Animation Galley at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday, September 11 from 10:00am – 1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm to meet the artists and to join the premiere celebration of the newest cel, “Dreams Come True!”

Can’t make it to the Studios but would love to add the “Dreams Come True” Cel to your collection? Call Walt Disney Event Services at 407.827.7600 to order your cel, or visit ArtofDisneyParks.com for more information.

Epic Mickey Has Epic Collector’s Edition

• A five inch Epic Mickey figurine
• Wii Console skins
• A faceplate for your Wiimote
• An epic behind-the-scenes DVD

According to VP Graham Hopper, Disney Interactive was “thrilled to roll out this Collector’s Edition featuring so many unique items including the collectible Disney Epic Mickey figurine and content that will surprise and delight gamers and Disney fans alike.” Graham also stated that he hoped the DVD would “enhance and expand the overall Disney Epic Mickey experience.” Let’s hope that it does. Watch out for all the paint when Epic Mickey splashes onto the Wii this holiday season.

Disney Dates Tron: Evolution, Reveals Collector's Edition

gamespy - Disney Interactive is dusting off the light cycle for another adventure, and now we know when the publisher will give gamers the keys to Tron: Evolution. In announcing the collector's edition of the game, Disney also provided its official release date.

Featuring a light cycle model from Sideshow Collectibles, the Tron: Evolution Collector's Edition will be packaged in a special protective casing with a drawer for the game's disk. And fans will be able to pick it up when the game ships on December 7.

"Tron has proven to be a franchise that inspires loyal fans and collectors and will continue with the holiday's new entries," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "This collector's edition will give fans of Tron: Evolution and the Tron movies a great opportunity to not only get the game but also a unique Tron collectible."

The new movie, Tron: Legacy, is set to premier on December 17. The game, developed by Turok studio Propaganda Games, is an action RPG set during the era between the original 1982 film and its upcoming sequel, and Disney said Evolution will provide significant details about the Tron mythology.

Tron: Evolution is being developed for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PCs. The collector's edition is now available for pre-order and retails for $129.99.

Children’s Halloween pajamas a treat for Disney fans

Orlando Sentinel - At our house, Halloween pajamas are as much of a tradition as Christmas PJs. My son and daughter look forward to getting cozy each night in October, lighting our pumpkins and checking out the neighbors’ decorations.

This year, however, I think they will be really excited to see the Disney Store offerings. I can’t remember ever seeing Mickey and Minnie Halloween pajamas that would fit my kids — and, believe me, I’ve looked.

Minnie Mouse makes her appearance in a witch costume on a purple nightgown, while Dracula Mickey leads the way to trick-or-treating on orange-and-black boys pajamas. Each sells for $14.50, but if you buy two sleepwear items now the total is $22.

The nightgown is available is sizes 2/3, 4 and 5/6. The pajamas are still available in sizes 2 to 7. (Girls 7/8 and boys 8 to 10 are already sold out.) The Halloween pajamas are only available online.

The Ego has Landed! Stephen Colbert Visits Disneyland

DisneyParks Blog - Stephen Colbert was in town last weekend to attend the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, and he made time to bring his family back to the Disneyland Resort.



I can “repor” that Stephen’s alter ego was nowhere to be found during our time together, but he did get a little “goofy” outside Soarin’ Over California at Disney California Adventure park, which Stephen described as “fantastic!”



Congratulations, Stephen on your team’s Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program!

Disney Guilty Party Video Game For Wii Trailers

BSC Kids - Disney has teamed up with Nintendo for a new video game called Disney Guilty Party comes out today(August 31). We have a few trailer videos for this new game at the bottom of this post.

The game will be like the classic crime solving game called Clue. The Disney Guilty Party game will be a fun family game that allows each player to guess and find clues to who is behind the crime. The Wii’s remote will be used and no other needed accesories it appears to need. The game appears not to use the regular Disney characters at all, but since we do not know all of the character options, we cannot say for a fact either way.

The game has very real looking graphics and appears to be friendly for all ages. I love the fact that this game is coming out before the holiday rush begins. I get the feeling that this game will sell well and Disney will have to expand the series of this game.

Where at Disney Parks Can You Find...

DisneyParks Blog - Where at Disney Parks can you find this?

Yes, look up and you’ll see the face on a special gong that hangs above the doors to the full-scale reproduction of Hollywood’s historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and home to The Great Movie Ride. The original theater in Hollywood, California opened in 1922, six years before movies would get sound.

New Music Added to Space Mountain at Walt Disney World

DisneyParks Blog - Listen up Space Mountain fans, there’s a new addition to the Walt Disney World Resort attraction that just may be music to your ears. It’s an enhanced audio experience with sounds you’ve never heard before. Walt Disney Imagineering has added a new composition that’s exclusive to the attraction at Magic Kingdom Park that will play with varying sound effects throughout all “flights” on 60 newly installed speakers. “Starry-O-Phonic Sound” compliments a slew of enhancements that debuted on Space Mountain last year, including new lighting, storyline elements and updated decor. Here’s a special message from The Space Mountain Project Team.

Time Warner Cable, Disney Reach Deal

Bloomberg - Time Warner Cable and Walt Disney Co. have come to terms for a carriage agreement, avoiding a possible blackout of Disney’s ABC and ESPN shows on the cable system, the New York Post reported, citing an unidentified person close to the talks.

The agreement still needs to be reviewed by the companie’s legal advisers, the newspaper said.

The existing Time Warner Cable/Disney contract expires Thursday, a week before the NFL season opens in New Orleans, the newspaper added.

Disney, Universal report amusement park accidents

Orlando Sentinel - Two of Orlando's newest roller coasters recorded multiple rider injuries during the second quarter of the year, according to updated filings from Florida's big theme parks.

At Universal Orlando, a 36-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman each experienced back pain after rides on the year-old Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster at Universal Studios Florida.

And at Walt Disney World, a 54-year-old man had trouble breathing and later had a heart attack, and a 74-year-old man became dizzy and ill, after riding the 4-year-old Expedition Everest in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The Rockit incidents were the only guest injuries reported by Universal during the period, while the Everest injuries were among nine reported by Disney World during the April-through-June quarter.

More injuries

The two theme-park operators reported basic details of the injuries as part of a longstanding agreement in which the state's big parks avoid government ride-safety regulation in exchange for submitting quarterly reports documenting noteworthy injuries.

The remainder of the injuries reported by Disney World included: a 68-year-old woman with chest pain after riding Spaceship Earth at Epcot; a 27-year-old man who felt ill after riding Mission: Space, also at Epcot; a 54-year-old woman who fell and broke her tibia at Castaway Creek in Disney's Typhoon Lagoon; a 72-year-old woman who had a seizure and a 65-year-old man who had chest pain after riding Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom; and a 68-year-old woman and a 61-year-old woman who each fell while exiting the Mad Tea Party in the Magic Kingdom, with the first breaking her hip and the second breaking her left arm.

Neither SeaWorld Orlando nor Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reported any injuries for the quarter. Wet n' Wild reported a 54-year-old woman who experienced chest pains in the water park's wave pool.

One Year to Aulani Resort Opening

DisneyParks Blog - Mickey made a summer vacation stop in Ko Olina, Hawai`i, yesterday to admire his likeness, sculpted out of beach sand, and to mark an important milestone for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.

In exactly one year, August 29, 2011, the Resort will open to hotel guests and Disney Vacation Club members.

Just for fun, click on the video to see how this wild sand sculpture of surfer Mickey was created. While the artists were at work, there were real dolphins and bonus (turtles) swimming just outside the lagoon.

MTV: How is Rapunzel different from the typical femme-fatale characters?

Mandy Moore: She's not the typical femme fatale or the typical Disney princess even, because: A) She doesn't know she's a princess. I think she sort of has this inkling that something isn't quite right in her life, [but] she's just really sort of motivated to find out what else is out there beyond this crazy tower she's lived in for 18 years. Having said that, she's very independent, she can take care of herself, and she's definitely come up with really entertaining ways to keep herself busy.

MTV: Is the Disney take on Rapunzel the same as the original fairy tale?

Moore: Pretty much. She has an overprotective mother who tells her she's not missing out on anything, and it's a big bad world out there and it's too scary and dangerous and she'll be eaten alive, literally, if she decides to venture out into the world.

MTV: What was your reaction to Disney changing the film's original title, in an effort to lure in more young boys?

Moore: I think I was initially a bit taken aback, only because people know the story of Rapunzel, so when you say you're working on "Rapunzel," it's sort of a no-brainer, you don't have to explain it to people. But as the title sort of sunk in, I understood the decision behind changing it. The movie is so great and so cute, and people are going to see the trailer and know what the story is about. I guess you sort of have to leave it up to the brains at the top. They know what they're doing.

MTV: What can you tell us about this particular story? Can you tease any romance?

Moore: She sort of comes face to face with this stranger who precariously ends up in her tower, and he's very handsome [and] he knows it. He's quite the ladies' man, if you will. Somehow, they get roped into going on this adventure together and start to see a different side of one another, and potentially a romance ensues. There's [also] a few musical moments.

MTV: What was that experience like, recording with legendary Disney composer Alan Menken?

Moore: That was fun. I'm definitely the quintessential girl who grew up watching "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" and the like, so it was probably one of the coolest things I've done thus far, being in the studio with Alan Menken and a 65-piece orchestra. It was such a moment in time. I kept telling myself: "Just be in the moment. Remember this. You're going to want to think about this for years to come." It was really magical and sort of everything you'd want a Disney animated experience to be. As one of the players involved, I was like, "Oh my God!" ... To watch it all come to life, because so much of your job — you're looking at storyboards, you're having things explained to you, but there's nothing tangible to see or get, it has to form in your imagination, which is one of the slightly taxing parts, but also the most fun — to get to be a kid again and go into the depths of your imagination and play around. This, being there with the orchestra and hearing the score sort of come to life and what the feel of the movie was going to be at different parts was like, "Oh, OK, now I really get what we're doing." So that was definitely a moment for me. It was the first time I met Zach [Levi].

MTV: Does Zach actually sing in the film?

Moore: He does, and he's amazing! Oh my God, we had one rehearsal before we went into the studio, and I was so interested [in him], because they wanted to cast actors in the roles who could also sing, and I had no idea that he sang, and it turns out he's like a big musical-theater nut and had that in his background. He has a beautiful voice, but he has the perfect voice for something like this. He's such a sweet guy, and he's so funny in the movie, but I think his voice will astonish people, like, "Wow, where did that come from?"

Count down to Disney Channel’s ‘Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam’ this week

Orlando Sentinel - Disney Channel and Radio Disney are counting down to the Friday premiere of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam with specials, contests, games and merchandise. If your kids are as crazy about Camp Rock as my kids are, you might consider some of these activities this week.

Today: CR2 T-shirts for girls can be found at Disneystore.com — use express shipping for arrival by Friday — and at the Disney Store at Seminole Towne Center. (Florida Mall has not received CR2 T-shirts yet.) For some reason, there doesn’t seem to be as much merchandise on the shelves this time around. World of Disney and Target, which had a lot of toys, school supplies and clothing for the original movie, don’t have anything yet.

Fans can check out the official Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam website here, where they can play games, see photos and videos, and watch the red carpet interviews from the New York City movie premiere.

Tuesday: Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam video game is released for Nintendo DS. Players customize their avatars with camp clothing; compete in water balloon fights and canoe races; and join Mitchie, Shane and other campers as they prepare to battle Camp Star.

Aug. 31 is also the last day to enter the Rock the Summer Sweepstakes. The grand prize is a trip for two to see Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato in concert in Irvine, Calif., on Sept. 19. The first runner-up will win outfits worn by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas in the movie. Enter here and see official rules.

Wednesday: Radio Disney’s “On the Set” special premieres from 6 to 8 p.m. ET on AM 990. On-air personality Ernie D interviews Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Meaghan Martin, Alyson Stoner, Matthew “Mdot” Finley, Chloe Bridges, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Roshon Fegan and Jordan “J” Francis during the two-part show.

Thursday: Part Two of Radio Disney’s “On the Set” special airs from 6 to 8 p.m. ET.

A new “Total Access” segment will begin airing multiple times each day on Disney Channel and Radio Disney. These segments go behind the scenes of the Jonas Brothers Live in Concert tour, which also features Demi Lovato and cast members from CR2.

Friday: Ernie D. hosts a pre-show from 6 to 8 p.m. ET on Radio Disney.

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam premieres at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel. Music videos from Hannah Montana and Selena Gomez will debut after the movie.

Saturday: The Rock-along version of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam premieres at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel.

Sunday: The Dance Jam version of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam premieres at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel.

What's Your Favorite Hidden Mickey

DisneyParks Blog - UPDATE: Did you figure out where all the Hidden Mickeys in the video are located? Here are the answers in order of appearance: Disneyland Dream Suite, Shooting Exposition in Frontierland, Aladdin’s Oasis, Exit of Pirates of the Caribbean, Golden Horseshoe, Indiana Jones Adventure, Gadget’s Go Coaster in ToonTown, Haunted Mansion, Innoventions Dream Home.

Do you know what a “Hidden Mickey” is? Fellow Disney Parks blogger Thomas Smith blogs about the ones at Walt Disney World. I figured it’s time to talk about the “Hidden Mickeys” right here at the Disneyland Resort.

If you do indeed know what a “Hidden Mickey” is, then you’re smiling right now and probably proud of yourself that you’ve found a few or more. A “Hidden Mickey” is a Mickey Mouse shape that Walt Disney Imagineers have strategically placed throughout the Disneyland Resort. (They’re actually in all the resorts.) It comes in many forms, from a complete Mickey Mouse profile to the outline of his head and ears. They come in all sizes and they’re fun to “hunt.” They’re top secret too, like Area 51. Ask a Walt Disney Imagineer where the “Hidden Mickeys” are and he or she will say they don’t know what you mean. (They’ll say it with that Disney twinkle in their eye.)

My favorite “Hidden Mickey” is in Soarin’ Over California. As you “fly” over Palm Springs, look at the golf ball as it comes hurtling towards you. (Your instinct will be to shut your eyes, but keep them wide open or you’ll miss it!) There on the golf ball is a black “Hidden Mickey.”

What’s your favorite “Hidden Mickey?” Look at this video and try to guess where these little guys can be found. By the way, some people say there are nearly 200 “Hidden Mickeys” at the Disneyland Resort. (I can neither confirm nor deny.) Have fun!

Big Tastes at 'First Bites'

DisneyParks Blog - Did you ever wish you could sample the cuisine at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival – without walking all the way around World Showcase? Or get a little closer to celebs like singer Taylor Dayne or Chef Keegan Gerhard from TV’s Food Network? All the while sipping wine, beer and spirits? Anyone for a Singapore-Singapore Sling or a strawberry-balsamic martini? Sign me up.

If this is your idea of a good time, make a reservation for the First Bites Opening Reception 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Festival Welcome Center. They’re limiting attendance to 400 to ensure a good time – and you can get a jump start on all the festival fun. And it only happens this one night.

Think of it as a mini Food & Wine Fest, with culinary demos, wine seminars, cookbook authors and more… your opportunity to take it all in. Marketplace tastes include lots of the new dishes for 2010: USA’s bison chili with wild mushrooms, Belgium’s steamed mussels with roasted garlic, South Korea’s lettuce wraps with roast pork and kimchi slaw . . . you’ll navigate 10 savory stations just steps from each other. And then there are the sweets, with four new desserts, from pecan bread pudding to Belgium waffles with berries, and loads of chocolate.

Cost is $195, tax and gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

It’s an evening of delicious tastes and live music – and the perfect excuse to indulge. With a goodie bag to go!

Magic Kingdom Webcam

Disney News - It's been a while since we had a webcam, but now thanks to the people at Weatherbug we now have a cam to get a little Disney Fix. Poised high a top of the Contemporary Resort we get to see the Castle and Astro Orbitor. The camera seems to have been running for quite some time now and you can actually play the camera to see it in motion. Click This LINK to view the Cam.

Disney spent $780,000 lobbying in 2Q

BusinessWeek - The Walt Disney Co. spent $780,000 in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on the right of TV station owners to negotiate transmission fees with cable operators, among other issues, according to a disclosure report.

That's down from the $1.26 million that Disney spent in the year-ago period, and less than the $1.25 million it spent in the first quarter of 2010. Disney also lobbied the federal government on the plan to expand broadband Internet access nationwide.

In the April-to-June period, the company lobbied Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Copyright Office and other agencies, according to the report filed July 20 with the House clerk's office.

Disney reopens Expedition Everest rollercoaster after hours-long shutdown

Palm Beach Post - Disney's Expedition Everest rollercoaster returned to operation after a short shutdown Sunday afternoon at the Animal Kingdom theme park.

Bystanders reported that guests were removed from the ride sometime after 2:30 p.m. The ride was running again shortly before 5 p.m.

"We may temporarily suspend an attraction and escort guests off for any number of reasons," Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said.

She did not elaborate on the reasons for the Everest ride shutdown.

The $100 million attraction has been the marquee attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom since opening in early 2006.

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i, is scheduled to open on August 29, 2011. The 21-acre resort, under construction adjacent to the Ko Olina beach, is said to be inspired by the stories and culture of Hawaii and promises to offer Disney fun and relaxation for the whole fam'.

Attractions include an 18,000-square-foot spa, two restaurants, Disney character breakfasts, a kids' club (Aunty's Beach House), a wedding lawn and a spectacularly themed pool area complete with swimming pool, wading pool, tube slides, sunset-facing hot tubs and a snorkel lagoon

Disney's 'Toy Story 3' Passes $1 Billion At Global Box Office

Wall Street Journal - Pixar Animation Studios' "Toy Story 3" will cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office on Friday, Walt Disney Co. (DIS) said, making it the second film by the studio to cross that threshold this year.

Disney is the first studio in history to launch two films in a year beyond the $1 billion mark--the other being Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland." Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" also took in over $1 billion in 2006.

"Toy Story 3," meanwhile, became the only animated film to reach an elite group of seven films to reach $1 billion--the others being "Avatar," "Titanic," "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and "The Dark Knight."

As of Thursday, "Toy Story 3" tallied more than $592.9 million of ticket sales internationally. Domestically, where it is the ninth-highest earner in history, it has taken in $404.6 million. The film, which features a group of toys that secretly come to life, won rave reviews.

Earlier this month, the box-office performance of hit movies like "Toy Story 3" and deferred revenue at ESPN helped the company report a 40% jump in fiscal third-quarter profit. A strong performance by "Alice" and "Iron Man 2" helped results.

Disney's shares were up 2.3% to $32.68 recently amid a broad market rally.

'World of Color' Meet Up Guests Get Inside Scoop

DisneyParks Blog - Friday, guests at our “World of Color” Meet-Up at Disney California Adventure park were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of “World of Color.” The event kicked off at 7 p.m. in Stage 17 at Disney California Adventure park, with a different kind of world of color as the stage was filled with multi-colored lights and music.



Guests participated in a panel discussion with Steven Davison, a Disney Parks Blog author and Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars, Sayre Wiseman, Director of Production at Walt Disney Imagineering and Mary Niven, Vice President of Disney California Adventure park and Guest Services.



Steven Davison gave guests a look at concept ideas for “World of Color.” He shared a never-before-seen animatic that was created back in 2008 and showed some of the early planning that went into the show.

Sayre Wiseman, who helped bring “World of Color” to life, shared some interesting stories creating the show. She also showed some home videos that she and Steven shot of the production process.

Mary Niven talked about some of the unique challenges she and her team faced in trying to create the best possible experience for guests. Mary said that she thought this nighttime spectacular was a real “game changer” for guests and the Park. She also shared some funny stories about her conversations with guests and her granddaughter’s first impressions of the show.

After the panelists finished, we turned the event over to our guests and let them ask our speakers whatever was on their mind. There were a few particular insights from the show that I really enjoyed. When asked how the team created “glitter,” Steven replied that it was actually a “magical discovery” that happened almost on accident. During special effects tests, they learned that the glitter effect happened when lasers hit water in a certain way.



While walking around and talking with our meet-up guests, I learned that we had guests from as far away as Minnesota and Georgia. Josh Latka, 21, from Newnan, Ga., never thought he’d get in to the meet-up and said he faced a dilemma when he got in: “I was trying to figure out what to do. My parents said, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. You have to do it.’ So I bought a ticket and came out.”

We also had some other super-fans in attendance. Three members of the audience participated in all our blog-related events at Disneyland Resort: Toy Story Mania Meet-Up, ‘World of Color’ Premiere Trivia Contest and last night’s “World of Color” Meet-Up. To thank these superfans, we gave them an exclusive blanket that was only given to the “World of Color” opening team.

Meet-up guests were also treated to a few gifts, including the special Disney Park Blog pins a glossy 8×10 “World of Color” photo shot by Disney Parks Blog author Paul Hiffmeyer, and a “World of Color” candy apple.

To end the event, guests were escorted to Paradise Park for a viewing of “World of Color.” After the show guests were free to enjoy the Park till closing.

I hope our speakers and guests had as much as fun as I had. Thank you again, Steven, Sayre and Mary, for giving our meet-up guests such a great experience last night, and thanks to all of our guests for coming and following us on the Disney Parks Blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Disney project stirs anger over noise, traffic

LATimes - Some residents in Glendale say they are fed up with months of noise, dust and traffic associated with construction on the Walt Disney Co.'s massive creative campus.

At the City Council meeting this week, residents on the 1300 block of Truitt Street said they have asked Disney and city officials to ease the effects of construction on a new child-care facility being built a mere 30 feet from their homes.

City officials — who told the residents they had passed their concerns to Disney officials and were unaware they had not been resolved — agreed to set up a neighborhood meeting with all stakeholders to address the issues.

"Let's get some mitigation to this," Councilman John Drayman said. "I can't imagine what you're going through."

Miss America 2011 Contestants at Walt Disney World

DisneyParks Blog - Sharing a laugh with Minnie Mouse is a great way to end a week and begin a weekend, as contestants in the upcoming 2011 Miss America Pageant discovered during a visit to Magic Kingdom Park today. Miss Alabama 2010 Ashley Davis, of Dothan, Ala.; Miss Virginia 2010 Caitlin Uze, of Arlington, Va.; and Miss Iowa 2010 Pauli Mayfield, of Davenport, Iowa (pictured below) joined the rest of the contestants at Walt Disney World Resort on Friday. Here’s a quick video of some of the fun:

During their visit, the contestants recorded segments for the 2011 Miss America Pageant broadcast. . Returning to ABC for the 90th anniversary of the Miss America Pageant, the competition will broadcast live from Las Vegas on Saturday, January 15 at 8 P.M. ET.

 

Trail's End at Fort Wilderness to offer a lunch menu service instead of buffet

Disney News - Beginning today Sunday (August 29 2010), Trail's End at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort will offer an a la carte menu service for lunch instead of a buffet service. We understand that this is a trial, and menu items include chili, fried chicken and waffles, sautéed catfish, grilled pork chop, spicy grilled shrimp and Andouille sausage, Wilderness S’mores and a warm sticky bun sundae.

Breakfast and Dinner will remain all you care to eat buffet.

Disney Worker Arrested for Child Porn

Time Warner Cable says 'Disney is the problem'

LATimes - With less than a week to go before their programming contract expires, the rhetoric between Walt Disney Co. and Time Warner Cable is starting to heat up.

At issue are fees that Time Warner, the nation's second-largest cable operator and the dominant pay-TV company in Los Angeles, pays Disney to carry its various networks and channels, including KABC-TV here as well as ESPN, ABC Family and Disney Channel.

Battles between programmers and distributors are becoming quite common, and usually agreements are reached without consumers losing any channels. Fox and Time Warner had a heated fight that was resolved without any signals being pulled, even though a new deal wasn't struck until after the old contract had expired.

However, Disney hasn't been afraid to see its channels go away. Earlier this year, its channels were pulled from Cablevision Systems Corp. in a fee dispute that left viewers without the first half-hour of the network's telecast of the Oscars until a new pact was finalized. Satellite broadcaster Dish Network also stopped carrying some Disney channels earlier this summer.

Disney countered that Dish was not authorized to carry the dropped channels in the first place and pointed to a favorable ruling it received in a legal battle against the satellite broadcaster. Disney also said it had been extending its deal with Cablevision for two years before finally pulling its signal.]

That Disney doesn't mind playing hardball isn't lost on Time Warner.

"If they’ve done it with those two and they’re threatening to do it to us, there’s a definite pattern emerging," executive Jeff Simmermon said in a blog post on the Time Warner website. Disney has been running advertisements alerting consumers of the potential loss of its channels and offering a website that will detail what alternative providers are available.

"Switching providers isn’t going to get rid of a problem with Disney when Disney is the problem," Simmermon wrote.

An ABC spokesman said Disney "remains committed to negotiating a fair agreement that recognizes the value of our channels."

In a report issued Friday, Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Tony Wible said he thinks Disney can get between 40 cents and 60 cents per subscriber for its local ABC television stations.

In the past, broadcasters such as Disney's ABC leveraged carriage of their local TV stations to launch new cable networks: Cable operators didn't want to pay to carry local television stations because said stations are available to consumers for free already. Instead, cable and satellite distributors agreed to carry new cable networks and pay for those so they could say that they technically weren't paying for a broadcast station. That's how Disney launched ESPN2 and Fox launched FX.

Now, though, no one is really clamoring for new cable channels, and broadcasters are desperate for a second revenue stream. Cable operators already charge consumers a fee to get local signals, so broadcasters figure they should be compensated. 

Disney already owns some of the most expensive cable networks around including ESPN, which costs distributors more than $4 per subscriber, according to Wible. The Disney Channel costs almost $1 per subscriber, and ESPN2 costs almost 60 cents per subscriber.

While it's likely that neither side wants to see the channels come off, it might help if both could agree on when exactly the deal expires. Time Warner Cable indicated to Company Town that the agreement ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1, and Disney said it is up at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 2. How about making it easier on all us reporters stuck covering this and having the next agreement expire in the middle of the afternoon?

Walt Disney World Moms Panel

DisneyParks Blog - Summer is winding down and kids are heading back to school. It’s a busy time for mothers, so the Disney Parks Blog is giving Mom her day with this look back at some posts from the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Always ready with tips and advice, the panel is a go-to resource for Walt Disney World vacation planning. What piece of valuable information have you gotten from the Moms Panel? Let us know in the comments.



The Moms Panel shows us the best of the best at Walt Disney World.

Moms Panel: Top 5 Unique Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort – Panelist Diane L from Connecticut shares her top five unique ways to have fun on property.

Moms Panel: Shop ‘Til You Drop – The top 5 favorite Disney shopping finds from Panelist Cathy S of Ohio.

Moms Panel: Top 5 Tips for Romance at Walt Disney World Resort – Dannée N. of Indiana shows where to find romance at Walt Disney World.

Moms Panel: Top 5 Restaurants Where You Get The Most For Your Money – Dad Doug I. thinks he’s found the best deals at the Resort and shares them here.

The Panelists know the best tips and tricks for making the most of a Walt Disney World vacation.

Moms Panel: Tips for Traveling with Children – Panelist Amanda P. shares her tips for traveling with little ones.

Moms Panel: Tips for Staying Cool this Summer at Walt Disney World – Disney Mom Tanya M. has some great ideas to keep your family cool during summer visits.

Disney Moms Panel Offers Top Valuable Tips – Here are some of the best tips from the Walt Disney World Moms Panel.

Who are these super moms and dads? Get to know the Walt Disney World Moms Panel through their stories.

Moms Panel: It Takes a Village – This year, the Panel made a donation to Give Kids The World, where families with critically and terminally ill children can stay at a 70-acre resort designed for children with special healthcare needs for free.

Moms Panelist Travels The World with The Mouse – Meet Kay B from Valparaiso, Indiana – the Adventures By Disney Mom.

Asking the Moms 101 – The Walt Disney World Moms Panel is made up of men and women just like you. They’ve fallen in love with Walt Disney World Resort and want to share their knowledge, passion and experience with everyone they meet!

One Fine Day – Panelist Allison shares a very special moment for her family at Magic Kingdom park.

Mickey’s Magical Macho Moms? – To be considered for the Panel you don’t need to be a parent or even female. You only need to have a vast knowledge of Walt Disney World and a passion to share that knowledge.

Walt Disney World Moms Panel Welcomes New Members – Due to the increasing popularity of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel web site, we welcomed back 22 panelists from 2008 and 2009 and added 21 more new panelists for the largest ever group of Disney-savvy vacation gurus.

Moms Panel: Smiling Through the Tears – Walt Disney World Moms panelist and mother of five Heather Murry of Georgia knows a lot about life’s challenges. She knows not just how to face those challenges but to conquer them. But raising a large family is just one of things that make Heather a champion.

A Dad is a Mom – Most people are surprised to learn that you don’t have to actually be a mom to be on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. You just have to have an incredible vast knowledge about Walt Disney World Resort, a passion for all things Disney and an incurable drive to pass on your knowledge to other people.