EbelingHeffernan - Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) Started 2012 with a
hit, the Muppet movie franchise, Heffernan Capital Management
expect Disney to report solid first-quarter earnings Feb. 7.
The Muppet movie franchise brought in $29.5 million over the
three-day Thanksgiving weekend and garnered about $110 million
in worldwide sales since its release.
Heffernan Capital Management are expecting Disney to post a
4.5% increase to 73 cents a share. Revenue is expected to have
grown 4.5% to $11.2 billion.
The company’s theme parks and cruise ships account for 20% of
total revenue, most of its stemming from Walt Disney World in
Fla. International visitors to the park were up almost 10% in
2011, with most of the foreign guests coming from Asia and
Brazil. The ongoing European financial crisis didn’t appear to
have much impact on theme park revenue.
D23 -
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will
make tickets avaialble for its exclusive "John Carter" premiere
event in Los Angeles — which includes access to the premiere's
red carpet VIP viewing area, the chance to walk the red carpet,
and a screening of the movie at the Regal Cinema at L.A. Live.
A limited number of D23 Members will be able to walk the red
carpet, watch the celebrity arrivals from a private viewing
area, and be the first to see this spectacular production in
vivid Disney Digital 3D. Along with some special guests and
surprises, it will be a night to long remember. So prepare to be
transported to a new world with your friends from D23.
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton (WALL•E,
Finding Nemo) comes an action-adventure set on the mysterious
and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). Based on the classic novel
by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan), the film tells the story of
war-weary former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch),
who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes
reluctantly embroiled in a conflict amongst the inhabitants of
the planet. The film, which features a sweeping score by Emmy-
and Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (Up, Lost),
also stars Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton, and
Thomas Haden Church.
broadwayworld - Hollywood’s legendary El
Capitan Theatre will present Walt Disney’s animated classic
“Lady and the Tramp” along with Disney’s all-new short, “Puppy
Love” February 3-16 2012, it was announced today by Lylle
Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. This special engagement is
exclusively at the El Capitan Theatre and features a special
live appearance by Mickey Mouse at every showing. Guests can
also take home the beloved classic with the first time on
Diamond Edition Blu-Ray combo pack available for pre-order
February 7th.
Daily showtimes are
10:45am, 1:50pm, 4:25pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now, and
available at the El Capitan Theatre (6838 Hollywood Blvd.),
purchase them online at elcapitantickets.com, or by calling
1-800-DISNEY6. Special group rates for parties of 20 or more
are available by calling 1-818-845-3110. Showtimes subject to
change.
In honor of Valentines Day El Capitan Guests can “Celebrate your
Valentine” with a candlelit dinner before the movie February
10-14 at Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store. Seating is
limited and reservations are required.
Plus, on Saturdays and Sundays, El Capitan guests may also enjoy
a character breakfast with Mickey Mouse at Disney’s Soda
Fountain & Studio Store, and then see the 10 a.m. showing of the
movie! Seating is limited and reservations are required.
Commenting on the announcement, Lylle Breier, senior vice
president, worldwide special events for Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures, said, “ ‘Lady and the Tramp' is filled with
memorable music and purebred fun. We can’t think of a better way
to celebrate Valentine’s Day than here at the El Capitan with
one of the most romantic films of all time.”
“Lady and the Tramp,” originally released in June, 1955, was the
first Disney animated feature to be filmed in CinemaScope.
Directed by HaMilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, and WilFred
Jackson, the film follows the adventures of a young cocker
spaniel from a respectable house, and her romantic escapades
with Tramp, a devil-may-care mutt from the wrong side of the
railroad tracks. Lady’s comfortable life with her human family
undergoes some dramatic changes with the arrival of newborn
baby, and she turns to Tramp for support. Together they have
several memorable outings including a romantic moonlit spaghetti
dinner at Tony’s, but things go seriously awry when Lady ends up
being thrown in the dog pound.
Tramp ultimately redeems himself by saving the baby from a rat
and thereby wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human
family. The film features several enchanting songs by Peggy Lee
(who voices the conniving Siamese cats, Si and Am, as well as
the characters Darling and Peg) and Sonny Burke – including
“Bella Notte,” “He’s a Tramp” and “The Siamese Cat Song.”
republicanherald - It's one thing to visit Walt Disney World in
Orlando, Fla., which some consider to be "The Happiest Place on
Earth."
But KristaLyn Vetovich didn't just visit the popular resort;
she truly lived the experience.
The 21-year-old Paxinos woman participated in a college
program that gave her an opportunity to help create a bit of
that magic and some special memories for Disney World guests.
From August to January, Vetovich worked at the World of
Disney store in the Downtown Disney complex. The
50,000-square-foot store, which opened in 1996, is the world's
largest Disney-themed store.
"You go through an interview process," Vetovich said. "Only
about 10 percent of the applicants are selected. It was a great
experience."
After being accepted for the program and participating in
another survey, she found herself assigned to the merchandising
department at "WOD." She learned that working there was more
than just a "job," and her status was far more than simply an
"employee."
"We were all cast members. We wore costumes and had roles,"
Vetovich said. "Walt Disney's dream was that every part of
Disney be a show, with people coming to a Utopian place where
you don't have to care about anything and everyone is always
nice."
To start playing "the role," she had to memorize the names of
the rooms and the items contained in each. Since the rooms have
names like "Villains" and the "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique," the
memorization wasn't too much of a chore.
Going to work each day was hardly a chore, either.
"Some people in my age range don't exactly look forward to
going to work, but, during that time, that's where all my
friends were. So it wasn't like work, it was like hanging out
with my friends," she said.
Downtown Disney is a free admission area, and "WOD" is its
main attraction, The store welcomes as many people each day as
the Hollywood Studios park, and, actually, more people visit
there daily than Animal Kingdom.
Her 4 1/2-month stint provided some memorable moments for
Vetovich.
"On Christmas night, I was working in the hat and T-shirt
room called 'Great Hall North,' which has a cabinet full of
items that employees play with," Vetovich said.
She donned reindeer antlers and fairy wings and began dancing
along to the music that was emanating from a dance party outside
the store.
"They were doing the macarena and checking how fast people
could do the dance, and I was playing along," she said. "I
noticed that a little girl forgot all about the show and just
kept watching me."
Later that night, Vetovich helped a special customer who was
in a bind.
"A customer walked up to me and handed me his cell phone. I
found myself talking to his wife, who told me what her husband
should be looking for. When I got what she wanted, she thanked
me for being like their own personal shopper."
By being helpful and entertaining, Vetovich hopes she created
some memories for visitors.
"I am a part of so many photos and home videos, just because
I am me and had a lot of fun at work," she said.
The Disney program was something her brother, Shaun,
recommended she do, just as he did, for her own personal growth.
"The experience I gained there, not in merchandising but for
myself, was incredible," Vetovich said. "Being independent,
living with five other girls and learning how to be happy when
you are dealing with people who may not be in the best of moods,
all really helped me. Charades came in handy in helping visitors
from other countries understand me and vice versa."
Now, Walt Disney is her hero.
"Once you are down there, you hope that everything you do
makes Disney proud. You learn about his amazing dream, and you
are helping to continue it." Vetovich said. "When you are
dealing with a cranky customer, you imagine Walt would have just
smiled and helped them, to preserve their moment there."
Vetovich will now put her degree from Susquehanna University,
Selinsgrove, to work as an administrative assistant for KAV
Consulting. She will also be working on her next book, her
fifth. The young author published her fourth book, "The
Resistance," in January 2011.
"My goal is to keep writing books. I would like them to be my
source of income to help fund mission trips through my church
that I love going on," she said. "Through these trips, I hope to
improve the world in some way."
Disney News - To kick
off the summer vacation season, Walt Disney World Resort will
open the doors to its newest resort hotel with Disney’s Art of
Animation Resort, a value property consisting primarily of
family suites that immerse guests into the magical worlds of
classic Disney and Disney•Pixar films.
Opening in phases, each of the four wings celebrates rich
storytelling, spirited characters and playfulness with colorful
icons and whimsical theming inspired by each beloved film
depicted. Three family suite wings will showcase Finding
Nemo, Cars andThe Lion King, with elaborate
storytelling both inside and out. Standard guest rooms make up The
Little Mermaid wing, the final phase to open.
The three-story resort will immediately put guests into the
worlds of favorite Disney characters and animated films
beginning at check-in as pixilated patterns and wavy ribbons of
color decorate the resort’s exterior. Pencil drawings of Ariel,
Lightning McQueen, Nemo and Simba adorn the entryway, and a
cleverly created chandelier composed of animation storyboards
enhance the lively and modern lobby.
“Our goal is to make guests
feel like they have been immersed in the artistry and
enchantment of Walt Disney and Disney•Pixar animated classics,”
said Walt Disney Imagineer Frank Paris.
Giant sketchbooks filled with favorite characters seem to
come to life as they pave the way to each storyline revealed.
Scenic settings, icons—including a brightly-colored coral
landscape, a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, a towering
Mufasa and more—immerse guests into the playful world of
animation. At the Cars wing, a freshly paved road leads to the
Cozy Cone Motel complete with a Cozy Cone pool and cone-shaped
cabanas. It’s a journey through an African landscape in The Lion
King complete with an elephant graveyard play area that invites
youngsters to seek hakuna matatatime. Treasures from
the human world fill Ariel’s grotto in an under the sea kingdom
in Little Mermaid courtyard.
From linens and carpeting to fixtures and furniture, all
details of the guestroom tie to the storyline. In Finding Nemo,
there’s coral-shaped chairs and bubble ceiling lights; Zazu
takes center stage on the headboards in The Lion King, while
Pumbaa and Timon decorate the shower curtain.
Kids of all ages can make a splash at the “Big Blue” pool,
the largest resort swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort
measuring 11,859 square feet. Guests enter scenes from the
animated world and can explore the colorful reef with a
giant-sized Mr. Ray whose wings span 27 feet, pose for a picture
with Crush or frolic with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a
children’s play area. An arcade and two additional pools round
out the fun.
Dining options include a poolside snack bar and pizza
delivery. The Landscape of Flavors food court will feature items
such as fresh smoothies, hand-scooped gelato and Mongolian
barbecue. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The whimsical property, situated adjacent to Disney’s Pop
Century Resort, will open in phases beginning in late May 2012
with rates from $248 per night. The 1,120 family suites include
two bathrooms, a kitchenette and three separate sleeping areas
that can sleep up to six. Some 864 standard rooms sleep up to
four. Rates as low as $94 include complimentary transportation,
Extra Magic Hours and other benefits available to a Disney
Resort guest.
Cache Valley Daily - Friday,
February 3 was the final day of competition in Glendale, CA for
three students from Utah State University trying to win a
contest for the best design for a theme park ride. It is an
annual competition sponsored by Walt Disney Imagineering.
There are six universities left in the competition. The winner
will bring home $3,000 cash plus an additional $1,000 grant to
be equally divided among its university and/or organizations.
The three contestants from USU are Adam Dambrink, Philip
LeGoubin and Jason Cooper. Dambrink and LeGoubin say one of the
main things they have learned from the competition so far is
learning how to collaborate with one another as a team. Dambrink
says, “You have new people and new ideas at the competition that
help take your project to the next level.”
Cooper says he has learned that Disney theme parks are a step
above everybody else. They have rides that can bring every
emotion out of you. They can make you laugh, cry, smile, be
scared, etc. From what he has seen Disney theme parks are a step
above everybody else at this point.
Since they have been at the competition Disney has been
extremely helpful to the universities while they are in
Glendale. They said if they needed help with anything or had a
question, anybody who could help them would.
The design these students created for the competition is a
Disney Galactic Cruiseline called “The Oneiro.” It’s about
riding a cruise ship in space and experiencing a full spectrum
of gravity. People on the ride can experience zero gravity,
gravity of the moon, earth gravity, or any form of gravity in
between depending on where you are at. While experiencing these
levels of gravity the rider will get to visit restaurants,
theaters and other things people would find on a typical cruise
ship. This would all be done while going through space.
This is just part of what “The Oneiro” is about. People on the
ship would also get to see Disney characters and get to see
story telling along the way.
Going to California and this contest with Imagineering has been
quite an adventure for these students. The judging for the
contest was done Friday afternoon to find out which university
wins the competition. Some finalists from this competition have
become future designers of Walt Disney Park & Resort
attractions.
Examiner - Marshmallows are launched into the audience. Children
are encouraged to dance on stage when appropriate. Giant
inflatable golf balls are thrown around for additional
interaction.
The latest production to take the stage at the Independence
Events Center is hardly a typical outing to the theater. A week
from Saturday, one of TV’s most popular animated series will
come to life in 15 musical numbers that are billed as friendly
for all ages.
“Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best Tour Ever!” is a touring
stage musical version of the Disney Channel’s award-winning show
“Phineas and Ferb.” Phineas (pronounced fin-EE-us) Flynn and his
English stepbrother, Ferb Fletcher, are always on summer
vacation, with each day taking them on a new set of challenges.
Their sister, Candace, tries to spoil it all, and in a separate
plot, Agent P (also known as Perry the Platypus) fights Dr.
Doofenshmirtz, the show’s evil, mad scientist.
Now in its third season, new episodes of the show will
continue through at least 2014, and a feature film is planned to
hit theaters in summer 2013.
For 22-year-old Ohio native Tiffany Westfall, the “Phineas
and Ferb” tour is the opportunity for a starring role as Agent
P. Westfall previously toured with Disney Live! (also produced
by Feld Entertainment) for four years as a backup dancer.
“He’s the superhero in the show, and so it’s exciting to be
able to portray a hero,” Westfall said by telephone Thursday.
The “Phineas and Ferb” tour is in Denver this weekend. “It’s
exciting playing the action hero, because everyone always loves
the hero.”
With 15 musical numbers in each show, including an original
song written just for the tour, actors like Westfall must
perform stunts and flips while in costume. The Independence
Events Center bill on Feb. 11 includes three performances at 1
and 4 p.m. and the recently added 7 p.m. show.
“It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s exciting because it
keeps me on my toes,” Westfall said. “It makes the show fun for
me because I know it’s not an easy show and that I have to be on
my game at all times. It’s kind of like a rock concert for the
family.”
And Westfall isn’t joking about the family aspect. She
invited her then infant nephew to a show and said he “was
mesmerized by all of the lights and music. Even though he was a
baby, you could tell he was having a good time.”
Her 16-year-old sister and 78-year-old grandfather also
joined Westfall on stage for one dance number.
“It’s an exciting show for everyone in the family,” Westfall
said. “I know that everyone thinks that Disney is just for kids,
but there is humor in the show that is written for adults too,
but the kids just chuckle along. If you don’t have children,
that’s OK – come anyway. There’s something in it for everyone.”
Westfall’s co-star, New England native Bartley Mullin, also
has a background with Feld Entertainment. Mullin, 24, was part
of the Playhouse Disney Live! Tour in 2009-2010 before he took a
year off to attend college and study theater.
After missing life on the road, Mullin said, he auditioned
for a role with “Phineas and Ferb” and was cast as Dr.
Doofenshmirtz.
“The great thing about playing Dr. Doofenshmirtz is that he
is a villain,” Mullin said, also in a telephone interview from
Denver. “That’s intriguing to play because obviously in everyday
life, you’re not going to play the villain. It’s great getting
to step out of reality to create that character. He just wants
attention, really.”
Portraying a Disney role, Mullin said, is all about listening
to the reactions of audience members and families and
understanding that they are experiencing Disney characters in
their hometowns as an alternative to traveling to
often-expensive theme parks.
Like Westfall, Mullin has had his grandparents and younger
cousins alike attend his performances. Older audience members
tend to appreciate the humor that “Phineas and Ferb” offers,
while the children enjoy the bright lights and costumes.
“Everyone who comes enjoys the show,” Mullin said, “but each
one has a different experience.”
THR - Patricia Disney, the widow of Roy Disney, the former vice
chairman of the Walt Disney Co., died Friday of Alzheimer’s
disease. She was 77.
Patricia was vice chairman of Shamrock
Holdings, the investment company for the Roy E. Disney Family.
She and her husband, the nephew of the legendary Walt Disney,
married in 1955. Roy, who was chairman of Shamrock Holdings,
died in December 2009.
Patricia enjoyed literature, sailing and painting. She was a
former regent of St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., a past
member of the board of the Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho, and a
former trustee of Occidental College.
She was born in New Orleans, moved to Southern California as
a child and attended the University of Colorado. Before her
marriage, she lived in New York and worked in advertising.
Survivors include children Roy Patrick Disney, Susan Disney
Lord, Abigail Disney and Timothy Disney and 17 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be private. The family asks that
donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southern
California Chapter, attention John Seiber; or the Roy and
Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, Providence Saint Joseph
Foundation, attention Theresa Meyers.
DisneyParks Blog - We’re getting ready to party New
Orleans-style here at Disneyland park. During February and early
March, the streets of New Orleans Square will be filled with
music, Disney characters, street performers and delicious food
at New Orleans Bayou Bash!
Come join the party from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the following
dates:
February 10, 11, 12
February 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
February 24, 25, 26
March 2, 3, 4
March 9, 10, 11
Special entertainment will include performances by Princess
Tiana, Louis and Naveen and meet & greet opportunities with
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’
Dale – all dressed up in their Mardi Gras finest!
Please keep in mind that entertainment offerings are subject
to change, so be sure to check the park Entertainment Guide for
character greeting times and availability.
Keep an eye on the coming weeks for more details on the
special food and entertainment that will be featured at New
Orleans Bayou Bash!
DisneyParks Blog - A
brand-new and completely remodeled LEGO Store is coming this
spring to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!
The current store opened in 2001 and has held some of the
largest and most amazing LEGO models found anywhere in world.
Millions of guests have visited the store and created memories
that will last the rest of their lives.
This month, the LEGO Store will move into a temporary
location in the Downtown Disney District, while its permanent
site gets a complete LEGO overhaul! Guests will enjoy a
brand-new interactive outdoor play area, all-new play areas
inside the store, and of course, new large-scale LEGO models
located both inside and outside the re-imagined LEGO Store.
Check back for updates and details on the LEGO Store Grand
Re-Opening Celebration this spring!
Orlando Sentinel - Someone will be going to Disney World after
the Super Bowl on Sunday, and he'll be making good on that
promise quickly. A member of the championship team will be
honored with a parade at the Magic Kingdom on Monday.
Of course, we can't know the player's identity until after the
game pitting the New England Patriots and New York Giants in
Indianapolis.
The parade will travel down the theme park's Main Street just
before 1:30 p.m. on Monday. It will be included in regular park
admission.
The chosen player — not necessarily the official MVP of the big
game — also will be featured in the famed "I'm going to Disney
World" television commercial, part of an ad campaign that began
in the 1980s.
Lately, the "going" trend has leaned toward NFL quarterbacks and
"American Idol" winners. Last year, the phrase was uttered by
Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers after his Super Bowl
victory and by Scotty McCreery, who won season 10 of Fox's
"American Idol."
DisneyParks Blog - A new interactive exhibit, Habit Heroes
presented by Florida Blue and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield,
debuted at Innoventions at Epcot today.
This new experience encourages children of all ages to learn
healthy lifestyle habits and become more active. Guests can join
forces with Habit Heroes Will Power and Callie Stenics to fight
off villains like Sweet Tooth and The Snacker.
Two Habit Heroes even made a special in-person appearance
today for the kick-off of the exhibit.
Can’t make it to Epcot? Kids can visit HabitHeroes.com to
create their own avatar and learn how to fight bad habits.
Orlando Sentinel - Some people love theme parks for the rides.
Some for the shows. And while you can lay down some serious cash
for not-so-haute cuisine like churros and turkey legs, there are
some who love the parks for the food, and some of the best in
Central Florida can be found around the attractions.
The Orlando Sentinel recently came out with their annual Foodie
Award winners, and theme park and tourist corridor restaurants
garnered plaudits from both Sentinel readers, who voted for
their favorites in a variety of categories, but also Sentinel
Food Editor Heather McPherson who chimed in with her top picks.
The Theme Park category, which is limited to restaurants within
the turnstiles, had readers handing the honor over to Universal
Orlando's Mythos restaurant, located in Islands of Adventure.
This is only the second year theme park restaurants have been
broken out as their own category in the 14 years of Foodie
Awards, and Mythos has taken the reader crown both years. Runner
up from the readers this year was Le Cellier at the Canada
Pavilion at Disney's Epcot.
Heather McPherson's choice for best restaurant is the relatively
new Via Napoli, located in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot.
Other theme park restaurants popping up in the Foodie Awards
include:
-- Boma -- Flavors of Africa, Disney's Animal Kingdom
Lodge, reader winner for Best African/Soul Food
-- Jiko -- The Cooking Place, Disney's Animal Kingdom
Lodge, runner-up for Best African/Soul Food
-- Latin Quarter, Universal CityWalk, reader winner for
Best Latin
-- Victoria & Albert's, Disney's Grand Floridian resort,
critic's choice and reader runner-up for Best Romantic
Outside theme park property lines, but in the tourist corridor,
the following venues made a showing:
-- Bull & Bear at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando on Bonnet
Creek Resort Lane, Critic's choice for Best Steakhouse, reader
runner-up for Best Hotel restaurant
-- The Capital Grille on International Drive, Critic's
choice for Best Wine List
-- Cedar's on W. Sand Lake Road, Critic's choice for Best
Middle Eastern
-- Dragonfly Modern Izakaya & Sushi on W. Sand Lake Road,
Critic's choice for Best Japanese
-- Greek Flame Taverna on Dr Phillips Blvd. (The
Marketplace at Dr. Phillips), Both Reader and Critic's choice
for Best Greek
-- The Oceanaire Seafood Room on International Drive,
Critic's choice for Best Seafood
-- Spencer's for Steaks and Chops, The Hilton Orlando on
Destination Parkway near the Convention Center, Critic's choice
for Best Hotel Restaurant
-- Venetian Room, Caribe Royal Hotel on World Center
Drive, Reader's choice for Most Romantic and Best Wine List,
reader runner-up for Best Hotel restaurant
-- Villa de Flora at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee,
Critic's choice for Best Brunch
DisneyParks Blog - Next time you stop by the Jolly Holiday
Bakery Café on Main Street, U.S.A., keep your eyes peeled for
Chef Janine Ruozi (and the Matterhorn Macaroons). Chef Janine is
the new bakery’s head chef and the latest star of our Every Role
a Starring Role video series. This one may make you hungry!
DisneyParks Blog - Last year, I had the chance to travel to
our new Canadian ports to develop and choose Port Adventures for
guests to enjoy this summer on our five-night voyages from New
York City. These trips are a favorite part of my job and a great
opportunity to experience first-hand the best these destinations
have to offer!
Today I want to tell you about Halifax, a place full of rich
history. The most popular destinations are Peggy’s Cove, a
famous fishing village renowned for its lighthouse, and the
Citadel, a National Historic Site completed by the British in
1856 where children and adults alike can follow the steps of
78th Highlanders.
Guests can truly tailor their visit to Halifax with signature
experiences exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.
The Disney Exclusive 2-Day Overnight Cross-country Adventure
is a private tour with an 18-passenger VIP Executive Coach, a
driver and a tour guide for two days, plus an overnight stay at
the golf-lover’s paradise, Fox Harb’r Hotel. It is a great
option for golf lovers and families that want the flexibility to
follow their own itinerary.
The Port Adventure Learn the Ropes Featuring Exclusive Youth
Activity & Hop On Hop Off starts with a family-friendly visit to
the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. After the museum visit,
children are accompanied by Disney Cruise Line counselors for a
fun-filled activity to learn four basic knots every sailor must
know while parents have the option to continue visiting the
museum or take a break at the beautiful waterfront area. Then
the entire family reunites to continue exploring Halifax with a
full-day pass to the Hop On Hop Off bus, the best way to explore
town at leisure.
Stay tuned for my next post to get an inside look at Port
Adventures in Saint John, New Brunswick!
DisneyParks Blog - Last November,
I shared a first look at new Vinylmation figures featuring
select National Football League teams. On the eve of one of the
biggest sporting events of the year, I’m happy to report that
the figures will be released at Walt Disney World Resort and
Disneyland Resort on Feb. 3. I caught up with Donald Ferro,
product developer for Vinylmation, who shared some additional
details about these new figures.
“These new three-inch figures build on the Vinylmation Sports
series that was released back in 2010,” explained Donald. “These
particular teams were selected based on historical sales record.
Since this is a new collection, we had to start somewhere with
development. This also leaves the door open for additional
teams.”
Eric Caszatt from Disney Design Group created the template
used for each figure. The National Football League figure
collection is just one of four new collections. There will also
be select Major League Baseball teams and colleges, which are
being released on Feb. 10 (despite being from Columbus, Ohio, I
had nothing to do with the selection of the college teams).
National Basketball League figures will be released on Feb. 17.
Each figure is packaged in an open window box so guests will
have a choice of their favorites. If you aren’t close to a
Disney Park, you can also find an assortment of figures on the
Disney Parks online store.
Finally, Donald shared with me something that has never been
done before in Vinylmation. In honor of the big game, we have
created a three-inch figure that will be released on Sunday,
Feb. 5, via the Disney Parks online store. The limited release
figure uses the official logo and colors. Following the outcome
of the game, we will add the winning team to the front of the
figure. Donald said that it will take a few weeks to produce,
but orders can be placed starting on Sunday via the Disney Parks
online store.
theguardian - Disney's Club Penguin – until now a virtual world
for children – is launching a print magazine in the UK that it
hopes will increase the appeal of its snow-covered Penguin land
against increasingly fierce competition from British rivals Bin
Weevils and Moshi Monsters.
The Club Penguin magazine will launch on 9 February priced at
£2.99. Disney says it will be a test for launching print titles
in other countries, as the media group tries to develop its
brand across different media.
Lane Merrifield, one of the three co-founders of Club Penguin
who sold the site to Disney in 2007 for a $350mn, said that a
dedicated magazine was particularly attractive to the UK market:
"This type of printed magazine for kids is certainly more
popular in the UK than elsewhere in the world."
He added that he expected children to contribute to its
content. "We get literally tens of thousands of pieces of
artwork sent to us every month which we share on the site and
give kids points in-world," said Merrifield. "It's imperative
that we also have kid-created content in the magazine as well."
Printed under a license deal with
Panini Magazines, the Club Penguin monthly title will be judged
not just by how many are sold but by how many of the game codes
and "extras" included in the magazine are redeemed online by
Club Penguin's target market of seven- to 11-year-olds.
Moshi Monsters launched its own print titles in several
countries a year ago and now sells up to 100,000 issues a month
in the UK, currently the biggest-selling UK kids' magazine. Not
to be outdone, Bin Weevils will unveil its own eponymous print
title a few days after Club Penguin on 15 February.
Club Penguin is the biggest global virtual world for kids
reaching 150 million users internationally, but in the UK the
Disney property is in fierce competition with locally owned
competitors. Moshi Monsters and Bin Weevils ranked number one
and two respectively, based on unique visitors to the site in
November 2011, beating Club Penguin, according to Comscore data.
Egmont has the licence to publish the new Bin Weevils
magazine and Watney says more off-line products are in the works
under an aggressive licensing plan, including books and the
first toys based on Bin Weevil characters including Tink and
Clott to appear this autumn. Bin Weevils, which is privately
held and counts Nickelodeon as a minority owner, has seen 300%
revenue growth in the past 12 months, according to its CEO and
co-investor Richard Watney.
Merrifield believes the new Club Penguin monthly magazine
will bolster his concept of creating "entertainment in the
cloud" where content is dispersed across many media and works to
create multiplatform "fun and magical" entertainment experiences
for kids.
Last September Club Penguin rolled out its first mobile app
around Club Penguin fluffy pets called Puffles. In December the
first-ever Club Penguin TV short cartoon, called Never Wake a
Sleeping Sensei, started airing on Disney-owned television
channels and on the internet. Merrifield said more TV-like
content is planned for roll-out later this year.
The excitement is building for the arrival of the Disney
Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ocean liner, which will
glide into New York Harbor in the early morning hours on
Tuesday, Feb. 28.
We’ve gotten a number of inquiries regarding the Fantasy’s
visit to the Big Apple and its pending christening ceremonies,
scheduled for March 1. Hopefully, we'll answer them for you.
The Fantasy — which like its sister ship, the Disney Dream,
was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany —
will soon make the trek across the Atlantic Ocean leading up to
its lavish coming-out party, New York City-style.
Current plans call for the Fantasy "to be around the Statue
of Liberty at about 7:20-7:30 a.m. on Feb. 28. It should be
alongside Pier 88 in Manhattan by 9 a.m.," according to Disney
Cruise Line’s Public Relations Director Jason Lasecki.
On Staten Island, there are a number of excellent vantage
points to watch the shiny new 4,000-passenger, 14-deck ship as
it sails through Lower New York Bay, Upper New York Bay and
toward Manhattan.
Although DCL can’t say for sure, the Fantasy should be
visible to folks on Staten Island a little after 6 a.m. on Feb.
28.
Joggers along the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk in South
Beach will be among the first folks to catch a glimpse of the
ship and its distinctive black hull and two red funnels as it
approaches the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Von Briesen Park and the Fort Wadsworth grounds are just
north of the Verrazano, offering spectators close-up, elevated
views as the liner sails under the big double-decker span.
A little bit farther north, the views from the Alice Austen
House, Buono and Penny beaches and Edgewater Street are closer
to sea level but just as spectacular.
The really ambitious might try to coordinate a trip on the
Staten Island Ferry as the Fantasy makes its way past Ellis
Island, the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan.
Of course, the views from downtown and midtown Manhattan, as
well as spots in Brooklyn and Jersey City and Hoboken, N.J.,
should be equally stunning.
The Fantasy will pull into Pier 88 in the Manhattan Cruise
Terminal and will be anchored there through March 2.
The ship will not be open to the public during its stay in
New York, but there will be a number of private events and press
tours leading up to the March 1 christening ceremonies, which
are scheduled for 6 p.m. that night.
With Disney-owned ABC-TV located within minutes of Pier 88,
it’s safe to assume several of the network’s Manhattan-based
shows will broadcast live from the Fantasy during its stay.
And if the ceremonies for the Fantasy are anything close to
the Disney Dream’s festivities on Jan. 19, 2011, it should be
one heck of a blowout on March 1.
After its visit to New York, the Fantasy will head south to
its home port of Port Canaveral, Fla., where it will be readied
for its March 31 inaugural cruise to the Caribbean.
The Fantasy will join the Dream out of Port Canaveral,
offering varied itineraries throughout the Eastern and Western
Caribbean.
Disney California Adventure park attraction posters, of course!
I know that many of you have been eagerly waiting to find out
when the attraction posters artwork would actually be ready for
a sneak peek. Not only was I was able to get some details on
when you can expect to see them, and which ones will be released
first, but I also managed to snap a couple quick pics of some of
the attraction poster-inspired products to share with all of you
as well.
So which images will be released first? Luigi’s Flying Tires,
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Radiator Springs Racers and the
ever-popular Red Car Trolley. Expect to see these images in
stores in late March/early April, on an array of items including
tees, deluxe prints and metal signs.
What about pins? Wonder no more.
So if you’re saying to yourself, “I don’t see my favorite
attraction poster here,” I’ll let you in on a little secret.
Every three months or so, a new collection of attraction
poster-inspired merchandise will be released. So if you don’t
see it now, it might be in the next series. For details on
attraction poster merchandise, visit ArtofDisneyParks.com.
WESH2 - Forty-five years ago today, Roy Disney announced to the
world his late brother's plan for EPCOT.
Roy announced on Feb. 2, 1967 that Disney Productions planned
to build a theme park and the world's first glass-domed city in
Central Florida.
The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was Walt
Disney's vision of the future.
"EPCOT will take its cue from the new ideas and new
technologies that are emerging from the forefront of American
industry," said Walt. "It will be a community of tomorrow that
will never be completed. It will always be showcasing and
testing and demonstrating new materials and new systems."
Walt narrated the movie presentation called Project Florida: A
Whole New Disney World. Walt passed away Dec. 16, 1966, before
the film was premiered in Winter Park.
The 25-minute film was screened by government and business
figures at the Park East Theater, and presented the city of
tomorrow as a 50-acre, air-conditioned futuristic metropolis.
Two minutes of the film specifically talked about the EPCOT
project.
The location of the theme park would be in an industrial park
near Orlando and Kissimmee.
The concept became EPCOT Center and opened as a theme park in
1982.
DisneyParks Blog - The Disney Fantasy
recently left the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, but not before
nearly 400 children from three local schools got to experience
Disney characters and a special screening of “The Lion King” in
3D. It was Disney Cruise Line’s special way of saying thanks to
the community that many cast and crew members have called home
while the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy were being built at
the nearby Meyer-Werft shipyard.
As the children clamored to hug Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse
in the lobby of the local theatre, it was clear that while most
of us who were Disney VoluntEARS at the event could not speak
German with the children, a smile – rather 400 of them – means
the same thing in every language.
This is just one of the many ways in which Disney Cruise Line
gives back to the community across our many ports of call,
including The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Europe.
Orlando Sentinel - From a safe distance
at Disney's Animal Kingdom, I watched a momma and her three cubs
snack on something fowl. They tore into the meat, chewing down
to the bone, maneuvering around cartilage to get at every
morsel.
Nearby, the poppa removed the skin from his portion of the feast
and popped it into a trash can.
This fair-haired British family of five was consuming, for the
first time, the ubiquitous theme-park snack: the turkey leg.
"I used to feed them to my dog," says Paul Scott, father of the
carnivorous clan.
This fact does not seduce me, a confirmed non-leg man, although
Scott's three young daughters appeared to find them
finger-licking good. The overgrown snack is too messy, too
Cro-Magnon, too mysterious for my taste.
But, looking around almost any Central Florida theme park, I
declare myself in the minority.
Turkey-leg stands are scattered everywhere. Folks go hog-wild
for them on the edge of Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure,
at a SeaWorld Orlando lakeside stand, at a cabin at Epcot's
American Adventure. I saw a woman shred a leg at Holy Land
Experience.
Disney says it sells 1.5 million pounds of turkey legs a year,
and that translates into pop-culture appeal: Disney guests buy
T-shirts emblazoned with a turkey-leg design — and Rice Krispies
treats molded in the shape of the turkey legs.
What am I missing? What's their draw? The taste? The smell? The
carefree, "I'm-on-vacation" attitude they represent?
The addictive qualities of emu meat? (More on that later.)
"It's like an ice-cream cone, but it's meat; it's better," says
Amanda Griffin, visiting Animal Kingdom from Cape Cod, Mass. Her
brother, Justin Griffin, likes the on-the-go convenience ("It's
good marketing") and the taste.
"It's not dry. It's dark meat. It goes good with beer," he says.
The hands-on, extreme throwback feel appeals to Jennifer Warren
of Easton, Pa.
"When are you ever given the option to be caveman-like?" she
says.
Turkey legs are a favorite food of Andrew Zimmern, host of
Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods."
"With the turkey, I can walk, I can gnaw, I can pull pieces off,
I can put it down," he says. "And I just love salty, smoky,
meaty. … It's an American classic."
But it's not emu, Zimmern says, despite persistent rumors that
park guests are eating another kind of flightless bird other
than turkey. He speaks from emu experience, having eaten emu
meat in Australia.
"I can put everyone's mind at rest. It can't be emu. It's too
big," he says. "And the meat would be a little more beefy. Emu
has the consistency of turkey leg but the flavor of roasted
veal. It's got mild beefiness to it and a little more metallic."
An emu leg would be about eight times the size of a turkey leg,
says Tim Williams, director of media productions at Gatorland, a
longstanding South Orange Blossom Trail attraction with a
handful of emu on its property.
DisneyParks Blog - The magical sights and sounds of
Disneyland Resort can now be discovered with “Disneyland
Explorer,” the official Disney Parks app for iPad, available as
a free download from the App Store. When you can’t get to the
theme parks, the hotels or the Downtown Disney District, you can
tap the photo-realistic carousel of this app to reveal photos,
video and special activities inspired by the classic attractions
and entertainment at the resort.
More than 100 exciting experiences are shared with beautiful
images, animation and interactive touch points. With a simple
swipe of your fingers, you can explore Pirates of the Caribbean,
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, the themed suites at the
Disneyland Hotel and much more. Watch for animation and fun
surprises as you scroll through the adventures.
Here are some of the fun activities you can experience with
“Disneyland Explorer:”
Create your own musical water show in “World of Color”
Steer a Soarin’ hang glider over California while
collecting and sharing personalized postcards
Bring the iconic dolls of “it’s a small world” to life
and hear the classic song in five different languages
Snap photos of the elusive Yeti as he roams across the
Matterhorn
Take part in a raging sea battle in Pirates of the
Caribbean
Learn to draw your favorite Disney Characters at the
Animation Academy
“Disneyland Explorer” is a free app, available for download
exclusively from the App Store on iPad.
AAMG
- RADIO DISNEY VP/GM SEAN COCCHIA has been upped to SVP/Business
Operations and GM of DISNEY CHANNELS WORLDWIDE, and VP/Marketing
PHIL GUERINI is succeeding COCCHIA as VP/GM of RADIO DISNEY.
COCCHIA joined DISNEY in 1998 and previously served as SVP/Business
Planning and Development for DISNEY CHANNELS WORLDWIDE and in
executive positions at DISNEY CHANNEL US. DISNEY Media Sales
and Marketing. Business Planning and Strategy, RADIO DISNEY and
the business functions of both the new DISNEY JUNIOR and DISNEY
XD cable channels will report to COCCHIA, who will also oversee
the group's interactions with WALT DISNEY INTERNATIONAL, the
Finance and Distribution teams and with DISNEY ABC TELEVISION
GROUP's Franchise Management group on new business models and
opportunities.
GUERINI joined DISNEY in 1992 and was named VP/Marketing in
OCTOBER 2008 after serving as Exec. Dir./Broadcast & Strategic
Marketing of WALT DISNEY RECORDS and in various positions at the
DISNEY PARKS & RESORTS division. He previously worked at
EASTWEST RECORDS, CHRYSALIS RECORDS, MCA/A&M RECORDS, and at
WHYI (Y100) and WSHE/MIAMI-FORT LAUDERDALE and at the MIAMI
HERALD. RADIO DISNEY's Programming, Marketing and Finance teams
will report to GUERINI, and the RADIO DISNEY STATIONS GROUP will
report to both GUERINI and to DISNEY Media Sales and Marketing.
DISNEY CHANNELS WORLDWIDE Pres./Chief Creative Officer GARY
MARSH said of COCCHIA, "SEAN and I have worked together for
years and it's always been clear that our team benefits greatly
from his extensive knowledge of our business and his strategic
approach to building on our success in the marketplace."
COCCHIA said of GUERINI, "PHIL is held in high esteem
throughout our business and has a strong track record of driving
growth through innovation. I'm confident that he’ll apply that
same insight and energized leadership to his new role and will
drive RADIO DISNEY forward as we continue to grow our connection
with kids and families in their cars, homes and on the go with
mobile devices."
DisneyParks Blog - I love hearing the phrase “welcome home”
every time I visit a Disney Vacation Club Resort. It makes me
feel like the cast members are truly glad I’m visiting (I wish
someone would greet me like that every time I return home to my
place). Disney Theme Park Merchandise recently welcomed a new
assortment of Disney Vacation Club Member items. The
introduction of a re-imagined Disney Vacation Club logo last
year was a driving factor in creating these items. Product
Developer Lindsay Voigt told me that guest feedback also played
an important role in the development process.
“We are introducing approximately 40 new items,” explained
Lindsay. “We worked closely with the Disney Vacation Club team
and guest research to find out what [Disney Vacation Club
members] really wanted. It was a great collaboration that helped
with the design direction.”
Lindsay said that members were looking for a few things when
it came to merchandise including subtle branding, simplistic
left chest embroidery, polo shirts and jackets. Disney
characters like Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell were also
important.
Lindsay worked with Bob Holden from Disney Design Group to
create a “key” piece of artwork featuring Mickey Mouse. A
variety of items use that artwork including shirts, mugs,
automobile magnets and more. She said one of her favorite items
was the hoodie which has that subtle logo that members were
seeking.
Other favorite items with members are Disney pins. We first
introduced an annual collection of pins in 2004. This year’s
collection features an open edition pin shaped like a key. There
is a series of four limited-edition pins that have a “vacation
your way” theme. Jeanne Lewis, developer for Disney Pins, said
that she was inspired by 500 Member Getaways vacation options
across the globe for members. A new limited-edition pin will be
released in February, May, August and November.
Finally, Lindsay shared with me four new merchandise logos
that were designed by Bob Holden and another artist named Jeff
Granito. I love the vintage style and colors used in these
logos. Bob said he purposely chose pie-eyed Mickey and Minnie to
match the vintage style of the logos (that’s awesome!). Look for
this artwork to be used on items arriving this spring.
Forbes - Walt Disney (DIS) is hoping its first quarter earnings
report on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 will help continue the
momentum its stock price has enjoyed. Shares have risen 15% over
the last three months to close at $39.33 on February 1, 2012.
What to Expect:
The consensus estimate is 71 cents per share, up 4.4% from a
year ago when Walt Disney reported earnings of 68 cents per
share.
Analysts are projecting earnings of $2.91 per share for the
fiscal year.
Revenue is expected to be $11.2 billion for the quarter, 4.5%
higher than the year-earlier total of $10.72 billion. For the
year, revenue is projected to come in at $43.06 billion.
Trends to Watch For:
Over the last four quarters, revenue has increased 5.6% on
average year-over-year. The biggest increase came in the first
quarter of the last fiscal year, when revenue rose 10% from the
year-earlier quarter.
Analyst Ratings:
The majority of analysts think investors should stand pat on
Walt Disney, with 13 of 25 analysts rating it hold. Analysts
have grown increasingly optimistic about the stock in the last
three months.
Competitors:
Walt Disney is an entertainment company that has operations
in media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, and
consumer products. One of Walt Disney’s main competitors in the
media industry, Comcast (CMCSA), will report earnings on
February 15, 2012. Other competitors in the consumer
discretionary sector include: CBS (CBS), Time Warner (TWX), and
Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI).
DisneyParks Blog - Hi everyone! I’m Janet Knox, general manager
of Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. I have had
many different roles during my 13 years at the Disneyland
Resort, and having the opportunity to lead Downtown Disney
District for the last two years has been my favorite. This
position allows me to combine my experience in retail with my
passion for discovering new and emerging trends. I’m excited to
join the Disney Parks Blog team and share all of the great
things in store for the Downtown Disney District.
If you’ve
been to the Downtown Disney District lately, you’ve likely
noticed the exciting changes underway. On January 3, La Brea
Bakery Café began a significant refurbishment of its current
location including expanding the restaurant’s footprint,
creating a new exhibition bakery, adding a new kitchen in the
express area, and placing an awning over the outdoor seating in
the full-service dining section.
The remodel, as seen in this early concept artwork, also will
allow La Brea Bakery Café to produce fresh baked items at the
restaurant, which will include a selection of breads, pastries,
sweets, flatbreads and foccacias.
The café will feature menu items inspired by La Brea Bakery’s
founder, Nancy Silverton. From double-dipped French toast and
fontina strata at breakfast to burgers, salads, panini and
authentic Italian focaccias made fresh throughout the day, the
focus will be on fresh, healthy and flavorful foods.
La Brea Bakery’s full-service restaurant remains open during
the refurbishment through mid-March. The restaurant will reopen
its doors with a fresh new look in April.
D23 - D23 remembers those contributors to The Walt Disney
Company who passed away in 2011.
Charlie Callas (1927-2011)
Known by Disney fans for voicing the iconic Elliott the
dragon in Pete’s Dragon, Charlie Callas passed away
on January 27, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada. His storied
career includes many memorable parts in such films as
The Big Mouth and Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie,
High Anxiety, and History of the World: Part I. Charlie
also performed stand-up comedy in Las Vegas for many years
and appeared on television in Switch, The
Tonight Show, The Monkees, Love, American
Style, and The Love Boat.
Collin Campbell (1926-2011)
From animation and film to theme parks, Collin Campbell
worked on a number of distinguished projects throughout his
Disney career. He is widely known as the voice of Mole in
the “Mr. Toad” segment from The Adventures of Ichabod
and Mr. Toad. And as a layout and background artist, he
worked on Lady and the Tramp, The Truth About
Mother Goose, and Donald in Mathmagic Land. At
the parks, Collin added his artistic talents to Walt
Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the
Caribbean, and it’s a small world, among
others. He passed away on April 2, in Lighthouse
Point, Florida.
John Barry (1933-2011)
John Barry, one of the most acclaimed and revered movie
composers of all time, passed away January 30, 2011. The
five-time Academy Award®-winning composer of music for such
classic films as Born Free, The Lion in Winter,
and Dances with Wolves, also was known for his work
on James Bond film scores. For Disney, John scored the music
for the 1979 film The Black Hole. His songs “Ride
to Fort Hays” and “Buffalo Hunt” from Dances with Wolves
can be heard at the Fort Wilderness Lodge area at Walt
Disney World Resort.
Disney Legend Wally Boag (1920-2011)
Wally Boag, a longtime leading man at Disneyland’s
Golden Horseshoe Revue and television and film actor,
passed away on June 3. He was 90 years old. Wally
entertained Disneyland Park guests five days a week, three
times a day, for nearly 27 years. By the time he retired, in
1982, from his role as the outrageous Pecos Bill, Wally had
performed in nearly 40,000 productions of the popular revue.
He also appeared in The Absent-Minded Professor,
Son of Flubber, The Love Bug, and as the
voice of José in The Enchanted Tiki Room.
“The world’s stage has experienced a great loss in the
passing of Disney Legend Wally Boag,” George Kalogridis,
president, Disneyland Resort, says. “Wally was instrumental
in the development of live entertainment during the early
years of both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World Resort.
His characters will continue to live in the hearts of our
guests, while his larger-than-life personality will forever
make him the true “Clown Prince of Disneyland.”
In 1955, a friend told him about auditions for
Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue. Wally won the
role and quickly became one of Walt’s favorite comedic
actors. “Dad loved that show [Golden Horseshoe Revue],”
Diane Disney Miller said in the book, Wally Boag, Crown
Prince of Disneyland. “He took all of his guests there
and never tired of it. It never got stale because Wally was
always fresh. Dad and Wally had a lot in common because they
were both consummate entertainers. Like Wally, Dad was
dedicated to bringing fun and laugher to this world. I know
that Dad loved him, and so did so many others.
Disney Legend Barton K. “Bo” Boyd (1942-2011)
Barton K. “Bo” Boyd, who joined Disney on February 14, 1968,
as an assistant supervisor and who would go on to oversee
the longest periods of sustained growth in Disney
merchandising history, passed away April 13 at his home in
Mesquite, Nevada.
After several promotions and joining the team creating
merchandise for Disneyland, Bo was asked to move to Florida
in early 1971 to prepare for the opening of Walt Disney
World. Soon, he was promoted to director, Merchandise
Division. In 1976, he relocated back to California, where he
assumed the role of vice president, Retail Merchandising,
and established a central buying office for both parks.
In 1983, Bo was asked to run a new division: Disney
Consumer Products. During his tenure, he oversaw such
initiatives as Licensed Merchandise, Walt Disney Records,
and, in Publishing, the start of Hyperion Press and a line
of Disney magazine products. The granddaddy of them all,
however, was the establishment of the first Disney Store
outside the grounds of the theme parks. The first store
opened in Glendale, California, in 1987, and Bo grew that
innovative business in 10 years to more than 600 stores in
the United States and in eight foreign countries.
Bo was named chairman of Disney Consumer Products in
1997. He retired in 2001, 33 years to the day that he first
walked down Main Street, U.S.A. for his first job at
Disneyland. He had been involved with Disney merchandise
longer than any person in the history of the Company other
than Walt’s brother Roy O. Disney.
Grace Godino (1915-2011)
Grace Godino was an inker in the Ink and Pain department at
the Walt Disney Studios. She added color to such films as
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and to many cartoon
shorts at Walt Disney Studios. Grace later worked as a
stand-in for Rita Hayworth. Grace passed away on May 31 in
Bolinas, California.
Disney Legend Bill Justice (1914-2011)
In his 42 years at Disney, Bill Justice, who passed away
February 10, 2011, lent his considerable talents to dozens
of classic films, from Fantasia (1940) and Make
Mine Music (1946) to Alice in Wonderland
(1951) and Peter Pan (1953). Among the memorable
characters he animated are the precocious Thumper for
Bambi and those mischievous characters, Chip and Dale.
During the 1950s, Bill directed several experimental
shorts, including Noah’s Ark, A Symposium On
Popular Songs, and The Truth About Mother Goose,
all of which were nominated for Academy Awards. Along with
fellow Disney Legend Xavier (“X”) Atencio and artist T. Hee,
Bill also used the painstaking technique of stop-motion
animation in live-action Disney features, including The
Parent Trap (1961) and Mary Poppins (1964). In
all, Bill contributed to 57 shorts and 19 features.
Recognizing Bill’s immense talent, Walt tapped Bill to
join Walt Disney Imagineering in 1965, where he programmed
Audio-Animatronics® figures for such Disneyland
attractions as Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,
Mission to Mars, Pirates of the Caribbean,
Haunted Mansion, Country Bear Jamboree, and
America Sings. He was named a Disney Legend in
1996.
Charles Jarrott (1927-2011)
Charles Jarrott, a British film and television director best
known for costume dramas he directed for producer Hal B.
Wallis, passed away on March 4. For Disney, Charles directed
The Last Flight of Noah’s Ark (1980) and
Condorman (1981). He also directed two episodes of
Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.
Kenneth Mars (1935-2011)
Kenneth Mars, who played Marshal Woolly Bill Hitchcock in
The Apple Dumpling Gang (1979) and voiced the
character of King Triton in The Little Mermaid
(1989), passed away February 12, 2011. A skilled and
much-sought-out character actor who enjoyed a film and
television career that spanned more than 45 years, Kenneth
is perhaps best remembered for his roles in several Mel
Brooks films, including The Producers and Young
Frankenstein. His other roles for Disney include
voicing the characters of Heimlich Menudo and Prof. Buzz on
Tale Spin and Tuskerninni for Darkwing Duck.
Kenneth voiced Triton for the Kingdom Hearts
videogames, appeared as Bud Holstein in “Just Like Family”
on the Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Club, and even
made an appearance on Hannah Montana in 2007,
playing Gunther the Innkeeper.
Harry Morgan (1915-2011)
Harry Morgan was a film actor, whose Disney film credits
include The Barefoot Executive (E.J. Crampton),
Scandalous John (Hector Pippin), Snowball Express
(Jesse McCord), Charley and the Angel (angel),
The Apple Dumpling Gang (Homer McCoy), The Cat From
Outer Space (General Stilton), The Apple Dumpling
Gang Rides Again (Major Gaskill), and on television in
14 Going on 30. Harry passed away on December 7 in
Los Angeles.
Pete Postlethwaite (1946-2011)
Pete Postlethwaitewas a British actor who
played the Old Man in James and the Giant Peach and
Mr. Veeck in Dark Water, distributed by Touchstone
Pictures. His other film credits include his
Oscar®-nominated performance as Giuseppe Conlon in In
The Name of the Father, and roles in Romeo + Juliet and The
Lost World: Jurassic Park, among others. Pete passed
away on January 2, 2011 in Shrewsbury, England.
Florence “Flo” Daniel Renoudet (1929-2011)
Flo Daniel Renoudet, the wife of veteran Disney voice and
character actor Peter Renaday (real name: Renoudet), passed
away on February 18, 2011. After graduating from college in
1957, she moved to California and began a 35-year career in
the Music department of Walt Disney Studios, where she
served as executive secretary to Robert Jackman and, later,
Jay Lawton.
Disney Legend Betty Taylor (1919-2011)
The spunky leader of a troupe of western dance hall girls,
in Disneyland’s popular Golden Horseshoe Revue,
Betty Taylor passed away at her home in Washington State on
June 4. She became the darling of nearly 10 million guests,
who, over the years, visited the saloon to see the world’s
longest-running stage show in the history of entertainment.
In the nearly 45,000 performances that she appeared in,
the charming, vivacious blonde never lost her girlish
enthusiasm for playing the role of Pecos Bill’s sweetheart.
“Betty Taylor must have been born to become Slue Foot Sue in
Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue,” says Disney
Legend Marty Sklar, about the way Betty owned the role and
performed every show as if it were her first. “She knew how
to belt out a tune, in the storied tradition of an old
western saloon, and she held her own on a stage with the
wild and wacky antics of Pecos Bill [comedian Wally Boag],
the brogue of an Irish tenor [Fulton Burley], and a chorus
line of can-can dancers. Imagine doing that five times a day
for 31 years and 45,000 performances! Betty was a true
trooper who loved playing the part in the show, and loved
performing for Disneyland audiences.”
Betty retired from the Golden Horseshoe Revue in
1987. She continued to appear in special events, such as
Walt Disney’s Wild West, a retrospective of Walt’s
vision of the American West, which was showcased in 1995 at
the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles.
Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
Steven P. Jobs, the visionary co-founder and former chief
executive of Apple Inc., passed away on October 5. “Perhaps
more than any other chief executive, Mr. Jobs was seen as
inseparable from his company’s success,” The New York
Times wrote at the time of his passing. “The company
has outflanked most of its rivals in the technology industry
with the iPhone and the iPad, which have been blockbuster
hits with consumers.”
Steve Jobs founded Apple in 1976 with Steve Wozniak, and
built an early reputation for the company with the Apple II
computer. After the Macintosh was introduced in 1984, the
company’s business stalled, and Steve left Apple in 1985.
The following year, with a small group of Apple employees,
he founded NeXt Computer, which failed to take hold in the
corporate marketing field. In 1986, he acquired the computer
graphics division of Lucasfilm Ltd, which was spun off as
Pixar Animation Studios. He is credited in Toy Story
(1995) as an executive producer. He remained CEO and
majority shareholder at 50.1 percent until Disney acquired
the company in 2006, making him Disney’s largest individual
shareholder at seven percent and a member of Disney’s Board
of Directors.
“Steve Jobs was a great friend as well as a trusted
advisor. His legacy will extend far beyond the products he
created or the businesses he built. It will be the millions
of people he inspired, the lives he changed, and the culture
he defined,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger, in a
statement at the time of his passing. “Steve was such an
‘original,’ with a thoroughly creative, imaginative mind
that defined an era.”
DisneyParks Blog -
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the grand opening of
Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside Resort. Nestled along the
Sassagoula River, this Disney Resort hotel was inspired by
picturesque Louisiana and has 2,048 guest rooms, which are split
up into two separate areas within the resort – Alligator Bayou
and Magnolia Bend.
The resort’s main building, the
Sassagoula Steamboat Company, where you will find guest
check-in, Boatwright’s Dining Hall and River Mill Food Court was
still under construction back in August 1991.
Later this year, guests will be able to
stay like a Disney princess when the Royal Guest Rooms open,
adding even more magic to a resort already known for its
Southern hospitality.
Disney News - As I walked around Animal Kingdom yesterday I
couldn't help to notice all the football fans walking around in
their jerseys, sorry Giants mostly Pat Fans, so it started to
make me think where do you watch the Super Bowl if your on a
Disney World Vacation? Well here's the Answer:
Among the obvious being your room (Channel 2 in Disney resort
hotel rooms), resort lounges and pools, and even some food
courts here are some locations that will be hosting special
menus just for the Game. All-Star resort hotels food courts and pool
bars, which will add chicken wings and nachos to their menus.
Banana Cabana Pool Bar at the
Caribbean Beach, which will show the game on two
40-inch TVs, and a giant projector screen with speaker system.
In addition, the pizza delivery menu will be available at the
bar. ESPN Club at the BoardWalk, which will have
additional outdoor bleacher seating and several big screen
televisions.
ESPN Wide World of Sports
will air the game in the Welcome Center and on the
Jumbo Tron. There will be two tents that selling wings and
nachos, plus there will be two bars open. There is NO admission
charge. In addition the Grill will remain open until the game is
over.
Old Key West will set up a big screen TV at the pool, and
prizes will be awarded during the game. At Olivia's and the
Gurgling Suitcase, there will be special menu snack items and a
server will take orders.
Port Orleans Riverside will air
the game on the kids' zone television in the Riverside Mill Food
Court, while an additional TV will be added in the River Roost.
The lounge will also serve special snack items like Chili Cheese
Dogs, Buffalo Wings, BBQ Shrimp and Grits, Nachos, and Crayfish
Bites, along with a Full Bar-Cocktail Service.
Rix Lounge at Coronado Springs,
which will offer a special buffet dinner menu from 4 p.m. until
midnight for $12.95, along with drink specials. Reservations not
necessary.
Yacht and Beach Club private dining
will offer a "Big Game Feature" to serve 4 that includes a
26-piece buffalo nugget platter with blue cheese and celery, a
traditional 16" cheese pizza, and 8 beers for $109, which
includes tax, gratuity and trip charge.
The Main Street Bakery at the Magic
Kingdom will have specially decorated cupcakes in the colors
of both teams, the Giants and the Patriots (Red, White & Blue)
along with football decorations.
Starting time for Super Bowl 46 is 6:30
p.m. Eastern on NBC.
Cinema Blend - To celebrate the release of
their soon-to-hit science-fiction tent pole John Carter,
Walt Disney Pictures is calling out to all John Carters for
their strangely specific contest: the Real John Carter
Sweepstakes. If your name is John Carter, Jonathan Kharter, Jawn
Kartar, Juan Cartir or one of the many other accepted
variations, then you are uniquely eligible to score free
tickets to a special John Carters-only advance screening of the
movie as well as the chance to win a trip for two to Peru,
courtesy of Adventures by Disney.
John Carter director Andrew Stanton attempts to make
sense of this curious contest below, in a promotional video that
also shares some CGI-enhanced footage of superpowers and
extraterrestrial action:
So, if you are a John Carter or know one who
has a taste for sci-fi and travel,
register here for your chance to
win. To see if your name qualifies on the "John Carter"
verisimilitude scale, check the
official rules.
Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel A Princess of Mars
from his popular space-traversing Barsoom book series, John
Carter follows the adventures of its eponymous hero, a jaded
Confederate captain (played here by Friday Night Lights
star Taylor Kitsch) who is inexplicably transported to Mars.
There he discovers his terrestrial biochemistry grants him
incredible powers on the rugged terrain. Soon he runs afoul of
some ornery locals, whose desire for war could destroy all life
on Mars, and meets a noble princess who inspires him to save the
day. Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Mark Strong (Tinker
Tailor Soldier Spy), and Willem Dafoe (The Hunter)
co-star in the live-action debut of Oscar-winning animation
director Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, Finding Nemo).
John Carter will hit theaters in 3D and IMAX 3D March
9th.
D23 - You’ve been to
Disneyland. You’ve experienced every attraction, watched every
spectacle, and sampled every delicacy the resort has to offer.
Or have you? During your daylong Disneyland adventure, you will
visit legendary locales seldom (if ever) seen by Disney
fans—places that are, shall we say, off the map?
Included in your unforgettable visit will
be a tour of Walt Disney’s private apartment above the Fire
Station on Main Street, U.S.A. This quaint studio apartment was
built during the construction of Disneyland so that Walt could
sometimes spend the night and watch his beloved dream of
Disneyland became a reality. Once the park opened, Walt and his
family would occasionally spend the night—or just use the fully
functional apartment (complete with shower and small
kitchenette!) as a respite from the busy park below. Lillian
would use the outside patio for afternoon tea and for
entertaining guests while Walt would conduct studio business
using the (still-working) Victorian-era rotary phone.
Interested in a grand circle tour of
Disneyland? How about taking a ride in the Lilly Belle VIP
parlor car on the Disneyland Railroad? Named after Walt’s wife,
Lillian, this converted observation car from the early days of
the Disneyland Railroad was actually built in 1928, making it as
old as Mickey Mouse. For the park’s 1975-1976 celebration of the
American Bicentennial, the car was re-christened the Lilly
Belle, an elegantly furnished parlor car whose guests have
included heads of state and legends from all corners of the
worlds of the arts and sports. Now it’s your turn to be treated
like royalty aboard the Disneyland Railroad!
Then it’s time for a dream come true. In
2008, The Disney Gallery above Pirates of the Caribbean
was transformed into Disneyland Dream Suite. The space was
originally intended as an apartment for Walt to entertain guests
and spend the night, but he passed away before it could be
completed. As part of the Disney Parks Year of a Million Dreams
celebration, the apartment was brought to life by Imagineers,
who not only stayed faithful to many of Walt’s original ideas
for the space, but enhanced it with some truly magical touches
that include a quintessentially Disney “kiss goodnight.”
Of course there will be ample time to
enjoy many of the park’s signature attractions, including
Haunted Mansion and it’s a small world, but don’t
fill up on churros. We will be meeting at 6 p.m. for a very
special dinner (and drinks) inside one of the resort’s most
unique restaurants.
With surprises, special gifts, and more
than a little bit of pixie dust thrown in for good measure, we
are confident this will be one D23 event you will want to put
on your map.
DATES
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
LOCATION
Disneyland Resort
TIME
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. Location to be revealed at a
later date. Event will end at approximately 9 p.m.
TICKETS
Available February 9, 2012, at 10 a.m. PST. Please check this
page for the ticket link.
COST
$250 per person
NOTE: Available only to
D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for
themselves and one (1) guest. There are a limited number of
tickets available. Guests will be divided into groups to visit
each of the three main locations, so guests may not necessarily
visit in the order the venues are listed. In the event of rain,
the Lilly Belle portion of the experience may be canceled. Theme
park admission not included and required. D23 Members will be
required to provide their membership number when reserving
tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND
D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their
membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed
Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well
as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the
event. If you wish to request sign language interpreting
services for this event, please submit your request to
d23.guestservices@disneystore.com at least two weeks prior to
the event date. All D23 Special Events are subject to change
without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and
tickets are not transferable.
Reuters - Walt Disney Co, which owns a
controlling stake in India's UTV Software Communications Ltd ,
will acquire the latter's shares at or below 1,100 rupees,
according to a public announcement in the Economic Times
newspaper.
The U.S. company earlier said it would
pay 835.03 rupees to 1,000 rupees a share for the acquisition.
Walt Disney has received "adequate
shares" at or below 1,100 rupees, the entertainment conglomerate
said, adding that its stake would exceed 90 percent of UTV's
share capital if it accepts these shares.
Walt Disney will start the process to
delist UTV shares from local stock exchanges after Feb. 6,
according to the announcement.
Ronnie Screwala, the chief executive of
UTV, has been named the managing director of the Walt Disney
Company India, the U.S. company had said on Wednesday.
UTV produces television content in India
with distribution in20 countries across 27 channels. It also
owns six channels. Disney currently owns India's kids'
television networks Disney Channel, Disney XD and Hungama.
DisneyParks Blog - When Cars Land opens this summer and you
enter Radiator Springs, the first attraction you’ll see is
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. This attraction is going to be a
blast! You’ll hop onto a baby tractor where you’re then pulled
around in a series of figure eights to some of Mater’s favorite
songs.
I had the pleasure of flying to Omaha, Nebraska, to go
behind the scenes for the Disney Parks and shoot a voice-over
session with Walt Disney Imagineers and Larry the Cable Guy. He
was singing seven original songs for the new attraction. It was
an entertaining two days! The famous comedian and voice of
“Mater” is a very down-to-earth guy who made the long sessions a
lot of fun. And if you’re wondering why we were all in Nebraska,
that’s Larry the Cable Guy’s home turf. It’s still show
business, but far away from the Hollywood hills. Enjoy!
LA Times - Disneyland Paris will
celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new nighttime spectacular
in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and a revamped evening parade
starting in April.
The Disney Dreams show will feature castle projections, water
screens, dancing fountains, pyrotechnic displays and laser
effects that combine elements from the Magic, Memories, and You
show at Florida's Magic Kingdom and World of Color at Disney
California Adventure.
The new Disney Dreams nighttime spectacular at the French theme
park will employ 30-foot-tall water screens in the moats in
front of the castle that will serve as giant canvases for Disney
animated scenes set to an original musical score.
Disney's Imagineers have electronically mapped the entire castle
to allow video projections to wrap the exterior like a digital
skin.
The water and light show about courage and compassion will
follow the adventures of Peter Pan's shadow as it weaves among
more than a dozen Disney and Pixar stories, including "Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Cinderella," "Beauty and the
Beast," "Little Mermaid,""Aladdin," "Lion King," "Toy Story," "Lilo
& Stitch," "Finding Nemo," "Wall-E," "The Princess and the
Frog," "Tron" and "Tangled."
Disneyland Paris will also transform the current Once Upon A
Dream daytime parade into the nighttime Disney Magic on Parade
(La Magie Disney en Parade) with a theme of light and
color for the anniversary celebration.
The opening and closing floats in the revamped parade will get a
complete makeover while all-new costumes, music and choreography
will be added to the procession.
Two carriages with carousel-style horses will pull Cinderella
and Sleeping Beauty along with their princes. The grand finale
float will feature Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters in
"Sorcerer's Apprentice" magicians costumes.
Along with extended operating hours, the two new nighttime shows
are designed to encourage visitors to stay later at the park and
spend more money on food and souvenirs.
Disney Cruise Line News - Beginning in 2013, Disney Cruise Line
will offer new itineraries, including an expanded portfolio of
European cruises with new destinations such as Venice, Italy,
and the Greek Isles. In addition, Disney Cruise Line will
utilize a second homeport in Florida, with Caribbean sailings
departing from the Port of Miami for the first time.
With the addition of the Disney Dream and Disney
Fantasy to the fleet of cruise ships, Disney Cruise Line is
able to take more families to more destinations around the
world. Disney Cruise Line has always catered to the unique
vacation needs of families, and next year will be enhancing the
cruise options for guests—whether it’s sun and sand in the
Caribbean, outdoor adventures in Alaska or experiencing the
wonders of Europe.
12-night Mediterranean with Greece
PORTS: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La
Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Athens (Piraeus),
Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Valetta,
Malta
DEPARTURE DATES: June 15, July 13
12-night Mediterranean with Venice
PORTS: Barcelona; Nice (Villefranche), France; Florence (La
Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy;
Venice, Italy (overnight); Dubrovnik, Croatia; Valetta, Malta
DEPARTURE DATES: June 27, July 25
Bahamas and Western Caribbean from Miami
Disney Cruise Line will sail from Miami for the first time on
December 23, 2012. One six- and one seven-night Caribbean
sailing aboard the Disney Wonder will set the stage for
a schedule of four- and five-night cruises from Miami to the
Bahamas and Western Caribbean between January 5, 2013, and May
2, 2013. The four- and five-night cruises have a variety of
itineraries. Ports of call may include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand
Cayman; Key West; Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island,
Castaway Cay. The itineraries offer families magical days at sea
to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Wonder and
days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and
snorkel in azure waters or to shop to their heart’s content in
exotic marketplaces. Rates for four- and five-night cruises
departing from Miami start at $440 per person for a standard
inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
DEPARTURE DATES: January 10, 24, February 7, 21, March 7, 21,
April 4, 18, May 2
Western Caribbean from Galveston
The Disney Magic, which will begin sailing from Texas
in 2012, will continue to sail from the Port of Galveston
through May 2013, to the Western Caribbean. Rates start at $750
per person for six-night cruises and $920 per person for
eight-night cruises departing from Galveston for a standard
inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Six-night Caribbean:
PORTS: Galveston, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
DEPARTURE DATES: December 15 and 29, 2012, January 12, 26,
February 9, 23, March 9, 23, April 6, 20, May 4
Eight-night Caribbean:
PORTS: Galveston, Key West, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel
DEPARTURE DATES: December 21, 2012, January 4, 18, February
1, 15, March 1, 15, 29, April 12, 26, May 10
Alaska from Vancouver
Beginning May 27, 2013, the Disney Wonder will sail
seven-night cruises from Vancouver to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau
and Ketchikan, Alaska. These cruises will combine the natural
wonder and adventurous spirit of Alaska with the unparalleled,
family-friendly experience found on a Disney Cruise Line ship.
Disney Cruise Line worked closely with Alaskan tour operators to
create exclusive-to-Disney family-friendly Port Adventures that
allow guests to best experience Alaska’s natural beauty and rich
history. Rates for seven-night Alaska cruises departing from
Vancouver start at $1,015 per person for a standard inside
stateroom, based on double occupancy.
Seven-night Alaska:
PORTS: Vancouver, Tracy Arm (scenic cruising through fjord),
Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan
DEPARTURE DATES: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15,
22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2
Caribbean and Bahamas from Port Canaveral
The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will
continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries
departing from Port Canaveral. The Disney Fantasy will
sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean
itineraries—alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and
western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern
Caribbean sailings, January through April 2013, stop at San
Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries
include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates
for seven-night Caribbean cruises on the Disney Fantasy
start at $1,085 per person for a standard inside stateroom,
based on double occupancy. The Disney Dream will sail
three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the
Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Rates for
three- and four-night Bahamian cruises on the Disney Dream
start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based
on double occupancy.
Orlando Sentinel - Sure, you've fantasized about spending the
night in Cinderella Castle. But dare you plot to make the Magic
Kingdom your private summer home? That's the bright idea of
Hades, the animated bad guy in 1997's "Hercules" and the
upcoming Walt Disney World interactive experience, Sorcerers of
the Magic Kingdom.
The walk-around activity, which places guests in the role of
World-savers, is in testing mode and is planned to be available
to the public in late February.
Imagineer Jonathan Ackley, producer and creative director of
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, walked me through portions of
the game at Magic Kingdom this week.
"It's a combination between role-playing games — like
Dungeons and Dragons or videogame-role playing games — along
with trading-card games," he says. "[We are] mixing the two
together, adding in location-based entertainment and turning it
into something that nobody's ever tried before."
Folks can try one of eight missions that center on Disney
villains in cahoots with Hades. The guests — now officially
sorcerer's apprentices — are dispatched by Merlin to defeat the
baddies using their issued "spell cards."
At designated spots, participants activate "mystical
portals," which are incorporated into the everyday landscape of
the theme park. For example, a stone wall turns into a video
presentation, a message appears in a curtain, a fireplace lights
up and reveals a clue.
"We wanted to choose locations that weren't obvious because a
good portion of the game is the treasure-hunt aspect of it,"
Ackley says. "We wanted to put things out of the way, places
people don't usually go."
At the portal, players present a spell card, which causes a
chain reaction, the exact manner of which depending on the card
and the situation. The cards portray spells inspired by Disney
characters, such as Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster, Quasimodo's
Bell, the Queen of Hearts' Card Army and the Sugar Plum Fairies'
Dewdrop Spiderweb. We watched Frozone's Ice Blast spell card
cool off (yet not defeat) Maleficent.
It's a simple game loaded with complications. Different
spells work better on different villains. Presenting a
combination of cards can yield greater results. The previous
player might encounter a different villain than you will. The
longer you play, the stronger your spells become. Show the spell
card too late and it fizzles. There are 70 spell cards to
collect, although players are issued five for a mission, along
with a map of the portals, which are scattered over
Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and
Main Street U.S.A.
"It's probably the most complicated project I've worked on,"
Ackley says. He wouldn't share more about the technology of the
portals, playing the usual "It's magic" card, keeping the Disney
trade secrets confidential.
Likewise, Disney doesn't share what it has spent on the
project. Although no structures were built for the Sorcerers
game, there were modifications to buildings and a lot of
brainpower used. The cards feature new art of the characters,
all in "action" poses, and there are smaller touches, like a
two-line verse on each card. The Queen of Hearts card says "Go
on, give the cards a shuffle / That will cause a fine
kerfuffle."
Kerfuffle?
More than 90 minutes of content was created using known
Disney characters.
"They're new stories, but the stories are appropriate to the
character," Ackley says. "Obviously, Cruella really just wants
puppies, so that's what she's after, but in an entirely
different context."
Guests can stop after one mission, which should take 30
minutes or less, but if they complete eight missions, there will
be a ninth one available that features Hades.
Right now, the game is set on "easy" for its testing. But
players can be elevated to a "medium" level, which features
additional complications.
"We will probably be testing medium, but the harder the game
is, the longer it takes people to finish," Ackley says. Disney
is still trying to determine the perfect duration, he says.
And the advanced level?
"Let's just say it's very, very hard," he says. "You have to
choose your spells particularly careful on the hard level, and
it's likely the villains will beat you many times. So that one's
not for the faint of heart."
DisneyParks Blog - When Duffy the Disney Bear returned to the
U.S. Disney Parks in October 2010, we introduced a series of
costumes for the 17-inch plush bear. These costumes were
designed by Disney Design Group Artist Monty Maldovan and
featured different outfits inspired by places at Disneyland and
Walt Disney World Resort. A dynamic deal for these costumes was
recently introduced where you can get three costumes for
$30.00.* The promotion gave me an excuse to visit my favorite
home away from home, World Showcase at Epcot, to photograph
Duffy sporting his themed outfits. I spoke with Denise Edelmaier,
product developer for Duffy, about the promotion.
“We have a lot of exciting things coming for Duffy in 2012,”
explained Denise. “This promotion helps us do two things – give
a great deal to fans of Duffy and helps us keep our assortment
fresh.”
Luckily, it was another beautiful day (though slightly windy)
when I visited Epcot to capture these photos. During this
expedition, I also captured some images that will be used on his
official Facebook fan page (look for them coming soon).
You have a few options if you’d like to take advantage of
this deal. I invite you to visit Treasures in Paradise at Disney
California Adventure park or Disney’s Traders in Epcot to see
the largest assortment of Duffy items. The promotion is also
being offered at other locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney
World Resorts that carry Duffy merchandise. Finally, you can
shop from the convenience of home and enjoy the deal on the
Disney Parks online store.
I would love to see your photos of Duffy on his Facebook
page.
*Buy 3 and save pricing only applies when you purchase
eligible promotional items in quantities of 3. Valid on select
merchandise only. Regular prices apply when purchasing a single
item or in odd-numbered quantities. Merchandise must be
exchanged for identical item or returned at discounted price
with valid packing slip. No adjustments to prior purchases.
Travel Agent Central - Travel to the U.S.
got a big boost as did Brand USA, the national marketing entity
charged with promoting the U.S. to international travelers.
Brand USA reports that Marriott International, the Walt Disney
Company and Best Western International will invest $1 milion in
cash each plus other support to help Brand USA promote travel to
the U.S.
The contributions are especially significant because in FY2012
the federal government will match private sector contributions
2-1, which means these investments will yield $21 million in new
funds for Brand USA's growing marketing budget, Brand USA said.
"We are incredibly proud and grateful that these three iconic
brands have chosen to invest at such a significant level in
Brand USA," said CEO Jim Evans. "Recently President Obama called
for a national travel and tourism strategy to attract more
international visitors, and Brand USA is a major pillar of
that. This is more than an investment in a marketing program -
it is an investment in job creation and economic growth for
hundreds of visitor destinations across America."
The announcement follows dozens of financial commitments that
have been received to date from other businesses, destinations
and even individuals across the country. "We are well on our way
to reaching and exceeding our target of $100 million in FY12,"
said Evans. "Brand USA already has great momentum, which will
ensure a strong budget for the global marketing campaign we are
preparing to launch in April."
Announcing Marriott's support of Brand USA, Chairman and CEO
Bill Marriott said: "We are proud to make an investment in Brand
USA because we know that the more people learn about America,
the more they want to visit. And the more they travel here, the
more cultural barriers between people fall and jobs are created
that power this country's economic engine. I'm thrilled to see
this great initiative take shape and applaud President Obama's
leadership. Go Brand USA!"
"Disney has a long-standing history of supporting efforts to
increase international tourism to the United States so we're
honored to continue our partnership with Brand USA to bring more
international visitors to our shores," added Tom Staggs,
chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "The work being done
by Brand USA will not only help bolster our economy and create
jobs but also make our nation the destination of choice for
millions of travelers around the globe."
"America's destinations are totally unique, and we have a
history of welcoming all cultures," stated
David Kong, President
and CEO of Best Western International. "Best Western is
delighted to be part of Brand USA's founding partnership to help
enhance the United States' appeal as a top destination for
international visitors and to amplify our nation's message of
welcome to the world."
The investments will be used to fund advertising, new media
marketing, in-country representation, international trade show
presence and other forms of marketing to international
travelers, Brand USA said. The funding also will be used to
build sustaining programs such as sponsorship and cooperative
marketing opportunities that will ensure a long-term source of
revenue for Brand USA. After FY12, the private sector is
required by law to fund at least 50 percent of the overall
budget for the marketing entity.
SILive - Walt Disney Company CFO Jay
Rasulo calls the Disney Cruise Line "our most mobile asset. It
is a form of entertainment that we hope will make almost every
place in the world a port of call."
Al Weiss, former president of Worldwide Operations for Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts, echoed that sentiment last year during
the Disney Dream’s christening cruise, saying that "the entire
world will become a playing field" once DCL’s Fantasy joins the
Dream, Wonder and Magic.
The Fantasy is scheduled to be christened March 1 in
Manhattan; its inaugural cruise will be out of Port Canaveral,
Fla., on March 31.
With the launching of the Disney Fantasy just weeks away, DCL
is living up to its promise as a key player in the cruise
industry throughout the world with the recent announcement of
its exciting 2013 itinerary.
The Disney Magic will be returning to the Mediterranean in
2013, but with an exciting twist. After three "seasons" visiting
ports on the western side of Italy and one season making port
calls in the northern European Baltic region, the Magic will
change course a bit and make first-ever stops (depending on the
itinerary) at Venice and Naples on the East Coast of Italy;
Athens and Mykonos in Greece; Ephesus in Turkey, and Dubrovnik
in Croatia.
All the Mediterranean cruises will depart out of Barcelona,
Spain. All will make a first stop at Nice, France. Depending on
the itinerary, stops will be made along the Italian West Coast
at Florence (La Spezia); Rome (Civitavecchia), and Naples before
sailing to the Ionian Sea for Greece and Turkey and then up to
the Adriatic Sea to Croatia and Venice.
The 12-night excursions make a stop at the island nation of
Malta before heading back to Barcelona.
The Magic’s 2013 Mediterranean season runs from June 1
through August 31.
Prior to returning to the Mediterranean, the Magic will be
sailing out of Galveston, Texas, later this year into 2013.
With the Dream and Fantasy handling the bulk of the Caribbean
itineraries for several years to come, the Disney Wonder will be
returning from its West Coast assignment (Alaska, Mexico, Canada
and two trips to Hawaii) later this year and will offer sailings
out of Miami, starting Dec. 23.
The Wonder will return to the West Coast in May of 2013 (not
before sailing through the Panama Canal, though).
DisneyParks Blog - Would you like to be a hero this
Valentine’s Day? If so, this post is for all our Prince
Charmings out there. If you’re looking to sweep your loved one
off her slippers, no need to wait till the clock strikes
midnight (Yes ladies, I gotcha covered). Over the next few
weeks, I’ll be featuring some Valentine’s Day gift ideas that
should create a happily ever after for you. So let’s get
started.
Is your loved one a hopeless romantic? Does she love all
things Disney? Do you see her eyes light up when she sees
jewelry that twinkles and sparkles? Ultimately this personality
type is looking for an expression of the heart. It’s about the
card message, the presentation and a romantic gift. So here’s an
idea. If you’re celebrating the holiday at home this year, you
can send a single rose to her at work or home with a card
message that reads, “Tonight, a magical wish of yours will be
granted. Love, Your Prince Charming.” Then, at home, present her
with a gift like the one featured below called “A Magical Wish –
Romance Your Love.”
So just for a moment, imagine her reaction when she receives
a pixie-dusted gift box wrapped with red and gold ribbon. She
opens the box and discovers a sparkling Fairy Tale wand along
with an enchanting story. “What is this?” she says.
So she reads the story.
While she’s in “stun” mode, take the black velvety jewelry
box out of the gift, open it and place the bracelet on her
wrist. Let her know you look forward to making her wish come
true. Then, ask her to make a wish!
And let me tell you, in person, this bracelet is just
gorgeous. It sparkles like crazy and is one to show off to
alllll her friends. Can you hear her telling the story of this
gift over and over, sharing the card and the bracelet that came
with it, and talking about how charming you are?
This gift can be shipped anywhere within the 48 contiguous
United States or delivered at designated locations on Walt
Disney World Resort property such as your resort room, your
dining location, and more. Talk about options! But remember, if
you decide to have this shipped to your home, you’ll need to
allow time for the gift to reach your state. You’ll want to have
it in your possession no later than Monday, Feb. 13. And, by the
way, this gift is also great for engagements, weddings,
anniversaries and birthdays as well.
So here’s what to do. If you’re interested in learning more,
click on to this Magical Wish link. Or you can call a Dream
Maker at 407-WDW-GIFT, 7 days a week 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST. And, on
behalf of your loved one, don’t delay. This gift has sold out in
the past, so you’ll want to call earlier rather than later.
journalgazette
- Ivy Tech Corporate College is bringing Disney Institute to
Fort Wayne for a third time. “Disney’s Approach to Quality
Service,” a renowned professional development program, will be
Wednesday, April 11 at the Holiday Inn Fort Wayne. It is being
sponsored locally by Ivy Tech Corporate College with marketing
partners Indiana’s NewsCenter, The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of
Commerce and Gordon Food Service.
“We had an overwhelmingly positive response to the first two
Disney Institute programs, with more than 500 participants
total,” said Jerrilee K. Mosier, chancellor of Ivy
Tech−Northeast. “We are pleased to be able to once again bring
this professional development opportunity to the community.”
The full-day event will demonstrate how anticipating and
reacting to customers’ needs, wants and emotions is an integral
aspect of delivering quality service and achieving business
results.
“Delivering great service is critical for companies looking
to survive and prosper,” said Jeff James, vice president for
Disney Institute. “This program is a rare opportunity for
northeast Indiana business professionals to go inside the Disney
organization and learn innovative, easy-to-implement best
practices that can give them the competitive edge.”
The full-day “Disney’s Approach to Quality Service” program
will give participants an insider’s look at business practices
that have helped Disney become respected for product and service
quality. In 2010, Fortune magazine recognized Disney as the
world’s most admired company for quality. Participants will
learn how to exceed customer expectations using a well-defined
service infrastructure, ongoing research and service standards.
“In an era where everyone is competing for business and
market share, excellent customer service isn’t a luxury, it’s a
necessity,” James said. “This program is made for organizations
– large and small – that are looking to create a service
experience that exceeds customer expectations and drives repeat
business.”
Program registration is $359 per person prior to March 16
(early-bird registration) or $399 after (regular registration).
The price includes all course materials, a continental breakfast
and lunch. Employers sending five or more participants receive
$20 off each registration. Ivy Tech employees, students and
alumni will receive a $20 discount, as well. For more
information or to register, go to IvyTech.edu/quality or call
260-480-4118.
Disney
Insider - Far from the fireworks, parades, and attractions of
Disneyland Park, a different kind of pixie dust is making magic
in Northern California ... and Tinker Bell is nowhere to be
seen. Here bouquet bests balloons and the grape takes center
stage in a lush setting that welcomes thrill-seekers of another
breed – wine enthusiasts. Though Theme Parks can't be beat, this
adult playground of sorts offers another type of Disney
experience as some of the Company's most illustrious have turned
their talents to winemaking. Diane Disney Miller, John Lasseter,
Rich Frank, and Fess Parker are among the entertainment
industry's most notable vintners, so pour yourself a glass of
pinot while we reveal the latest from the grapevine.
DIANE DISNEY MILLER
Diane Disney Miller, Walt's eldest daughter, and her husband Ron
loved Napa Valley so much that they purchased their first
vineyard (once owned by famed candy maker Harry See!) in the
1970s, selling grapes to local vintners before building the
elegant Silverado Winery in 1980. With the help of winemaker
Jonathan Emmerich, they've been producing award-winning
varietals ever since. In addition to Silverado, the Millers
acquired six other vineyards – including Stags' Leap, Miller
Ranch, Mt. George, Soda Creek Ranch, Vineburg, and Firetree –
for an approximate total of 600 acres.
Named after an abandoned mining town nestled at the top of Napa
Valley, the Miller's California Mission-style winery is open to
the public for various tastings, tours, fine dining, and
receptions. Connoisseurs can sip cabernet sauvignon, cabernet
franc, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, semillon, sangiovese, petit
verdot, and merlot on a sunset-kissed terrace where the views
are nothing short of a real-life fairytale.
JOHN LASSETER
When Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Chief Creative
Officer John Lasseter and wife Nancy moved to the heart of wine
country in 1992, little did they know their appreciation for
French wine would escalate into a family business that, at one
point, would span three generations. The Lasseters realized they
needed to take their passion to the next level after being
introduced to winemaking through friends Marcy and Tommy
Smothers (of the "Smothers Brothers" fame), owners of Remick
Ridge Vineyards.
In 2002, John and Nancy purchased the Justi Creek Vineyards,
nestled on 27 acres in Sonoma Valley. They promptly began
renovating the historic property to employ organic farming
practices and built a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly winery in
2009. Together with master oenologist Julia Iantosca, the
Lasseter Family Winery in Glen Ellen has created amoureux,
chemin de fer, enjoué, paysage, rhône, syrah rose, and St.
Emilion signature blends from Bordeaux and Rhône varietals that
include malbec, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc,
syrah, grenache, and mourvèdre.
Their old-World approach to boutique winemaking reflects the
fine wines they enjoy drinking themselves – and has helped them
in their quest to produce the highest quality wine possible.
Starting in 2012, aficionados can attend limited tastings at the
arty winery that features a stainless-steel fermentation tank
turned into a luxe lounge. Lucky guests might even catch John
chugging along the syrah vineyard on the Marie-E, a vintage
steam train that was once owned by John's mentor, animator Ollie
Johnston (one of Walt's original Nine Old Men). Another trivia
tidbit for animation buffs: The winery's logo features graphics
that represent each family member – a wild rose for Nancy, five
grapes for each of the couple's sons, and Wally B for John, a
character from his short film "The Adventures of André & Wally
B."
FESS PARKER
When Disney luminary Fess Parker retired from acting, he
purchased a 714-acre Los Olivos ranch in 1987 and promptly
established Fess Parker's Winery & Vineyard. The spirit of the
actor – who was famous for starring in Disney's "Davy Crockett"
television series in the late 1950s and 1960s – lives on in the
Santa Ynez Valley, where his family continues to run the
now-1,500-acre vineyard and produce some of the region's finest
wines. Only 35 miles north of Santa Barbara, the winery is open
for public tastings and is one of the stand-out stops along the
Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, a fabled stretch that's home to many of
the area's top wineries.
RICH FRANK
Former Disney executive Rich Frank and his wife Connie purchased
Calistoga Winery in 1992, which now operates as Frank Family
Vineyards. Built in 1884, the eastern Napa Valley winery offers
visitors tastings, tours, and a chance to bask in the picnic
area's aromatic ambiance. Frank Family Vineyards produces
limited quantities of several unique cabernet sauvignons as well
as chardonnay, zinfandel, and sangiovese, which are all
available at the wine shop and select restaurants.
Another type of status comes into play for stars lured into
making divine libations – the personal thrill of serving their
own brand of wine to family and friends. Other Disney VIPs who
can't resist the call of the grape include actor/comedian Robin
Williams (the voice of Genie in "Aladdin"), owner of a 224-acre
vineyard in Mount Veeder, and champion race car driver Mario
Andretti ("Cars"), who operates Napa Valley's 53-acre Andretti
Winery.
Can't make it to wine country? Experience the feel of Napa
Valley at Wine Country Trattoria, a fine-dining restaurant
located in Disney California Adventure Park. Their extensive
wine list features some of the world's finest wines. Or make a
reservation at the elegant Napa Rose, where expert sommeliers
will help you select from an award-winning assortment of
California wines ... salud!
THR -
The Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday it will acquire, via a
subsidiary, a controlling interest in Mumbai-based UTV, one of
India’s leading media and entertainment companies.
While a joint statement did not specify the financial terms
of the deal, Disney already owned 50.44 percent of
publicly-listed UTV and last July, it made an offer of $454
million to acquire the balance stake to gain a controlling
interest in the group.
"The acquisition will be completed through a successful
delisting offer and will enable Disney to integrate UTV’s
current operations," the statement said. In addition, UTV CEO
Ronnie Screwvala has
been named managing director, The Walt Disney Co. India,
reporting to Walt Disney International chairman
Andy Bird.
Disney first acquired a 14.9 percent stake in UTV for about
$15 million in 2006. Subsequently in 2008, Disney upped its
stake to 32.1 percent for about $230 million, which also gave
Disney a 15 percent stake (valued at about $30 million) in UTV's
broadcasting unit UTV Global Broadcasting Limited. Last year,
Disney upped its stake to 50.44 percent in UTV, leaving
co-founder Ronnie Screwvala
and three other backers holding a 19.82 percent stake.
The gradual acquisition of UTV enhances Disney's position
here since the company first established its India subsidiary in
2004. Via that subsidiary, it runs a broadcasting venture,
including the Disney Channel, character licensing and film
production. In 2008, Disney co-produced its first Indian film
with veteran Bollywood banner Yash Raj Films, animated feature
Roadside Romeo.
In addition to being a major broadcaster running a variety of
channels such as kids outlet Hungama and youth channel UTV
Bindaas, UTV owns one of India's leading studios -- UTV Motion
Pictures -- which has produced major Bollywood titles including
recent hit Delhi Belly while coproducing South Indian
films such as 2011's Muran.
“Increasing our brand presence and reach in key international
markets is a cornerstone of our growth strategy. This
acquisition expands our footprint significantly and allows us to
more effectively build, monetize and brand multi-platform
franchises, and deliver a rich library of content to the world’s
second largest population,” said Bird. “We couldn’t be more
pleased that Ronnie, with his vast experience and proven track
record, will now run our operations in India. Under his
leadership, we will be able to deliver more programming on more
platforms to this considerable audience.”
As a result of this acquisition and building on UTV’s
existing position in the industry, Disney is expected to be a
major film studio here producing both UTV and Disney-branded
local films.
Disney's earlier acquisiton of UTV's broadcasting division
brought kids channel Hungama into its fold, boosting its
presence in the kids television market where it already runs the
Disney Channel and Disney XD.
As a leading broadcaster running six channels with
distribution in 20 countries, UTV's acquisition further boosts
Disney's position in television expanding its reach to over 100
million viewers weekly in households across India. Disney will
also gain a significant presence in digital media with the
addition of UTV’s mobile gaming company Indiagames.
“In combining the creative capabilities of each company we
will integrate a large stable of vibrant brands and franchises
in the branded entertainment space,” added Screwvala. “With the
middle class expected to grow from 50 million to more than 500
million people by 2025, this market offers huge potential for us
to deliver quality branded entertainment to consumers.
paidContent - Disney (NYSE: DIS) Mobile, the short-lived U.S.
MVNO that found a new lease of life in Japan through a Softbank
JV in 2008, has now launched two new Android handsets in
partnership with NTT Docomo, the country’s biggest carrier.
Docomo says The two devices, available only in Japan, are the
first to kick off a new phase for Disney Mobile, as it partners
with Docomo on a “Disney Mobile on docomo” venture.
But it appears that Disney Mobile will also continue to work
with Softbank: the two announced their own two Android devices
in October 2011.
In both the cases of the Softbank and docomo devices,
it looks like Disney Mobile has gone down the forked OS route,
as so many other device makers in Asia have before it.
In the two new devices launched today, gone is the Android
Market, which has been replaced by Docomo’s own dmarket. Mickey
and other Disney iconography figures strongly throughout, from
the clock and other icons on the homescreen to prioritized links
through to Disney mobile content. The services also put Docomo’s
mobile payment service, Osaifu-Keitai, front and center.
The content element is particularly eye-catching part
of this deal: Docomo says that those who take the
devices will get free access to movie services, live wallpapers,
puzzles, games and other Disney entertainment. By “free” that
means the content itself comes without a charge; users still
have to pay for data usage.
Still, you do have to wonder if we will see more brands
trying to do something like this in the future as the cost of
making customized smartphones becomes even cheaper.
Other benefits include offers for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo
DisneySea, both of which are already sponsored by Docomo.
Given how consumer-friendly this all looks, it’s surprising
that Docomo is launching the devices with pretty clunky names.
One device, the F-08D, will go on sale February 17; the
equally-catchy P-05D will debut in March. Perhaps those names
will change to different brands by the time their debuts roll
around.
Disney News - Inspired by Green Builder Media’s VISION House
demonstration home series, the experiential exhibit will
highlight the major themes of whole-home automation, energy
efficiency, water conservation, indoor environment quality,
security, multi-generational design, and durability. Visitors
will learn that each house is a set of interactive systems, and
that proper management of those systems will maximize comfort
and minimize operational costs.
THR - Walt Disney Company has signed a multi-year package deal
with leading German broadcaster RTL Deutschland that will give
RTL free TV rights to Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and
DreamWorks titles from 2012 on.
The deal includes tentpoles such as Pixar's Scottish-themed
animated feature The Brave, Marvel's The Avengers
and the sci-fi epic John Carter starring Taylor Kitsch.
Disney's RTL package also includes multiple TV series, among
them ABC's hit fantasy skein Once Upon A Time.
The Disney deal further strengthens RTL's library of
Hollywood films and U.S. series. The network, which owns or
operates five free-to-air and three pay TV channels in Germany,
has similar multi-year deals with Warner Bros., NBC Universal
and France's Studiocanal.
Variety -
Walt Disney Co. and Yahoo are joining forces for a daily online
short-form series featuring former "Oprah Winfrey Show"
correspondent Ali Wentworth.
"Daily Shot with Ali Wentworth" will air every weekday
beginning today on key Yahoo destinations and Disney-owned
Babble.com, a website heretofore known for blogs about
parenting.
Each episode, which will be 3-5 minutes long, will see
Wentworth put a comedic spin on news stories that Yahoo's
analytics suggest are trending across its websites and relevant
to parents. Wentworth will shoot each "Shot" from her kitchen or
wherever she happens to be that day.
"This was appealing to us because of the value-add Ali brings
as such a distinctive voice," said Erin McPherson, VP and head
of programming and originals at Yahoo. "She's a great persona to
add to the Yahoo lineup."
"Shot" will be produced by Disney Interactive Media Group,
where Babble is housed as part of the "moms and family"
portfolio of websites. Wentworth will also have a Babble blog,
Ali in Wonderland, which just happens to be the title of a
memoir she penned that she'll be promoting next month when it's
released.
"Shot" will be a co-branded experience, though the video
player will be powered by Yahoo even when viewed on Babble.com.
A sponsor has been signed that neither company has disclosed,
though the series will launch without it.
"Shot" will run on Yahoo Screen, the company's new video
destination, as well as Yahoo News and portal Shine, which
targets female users just as Babble does.
The partnership with Yahoo is somewhat similar to one Disney
struck last year with YouTube for a co-branded kids channel.
Disney brings its capabilities and cache for premium
programming, and in exchange gets linkage to high-traffic Web
hubs that could send new users back to the Mouse's own
properties.
"Shot" isn't the first collaboration between Yahoo and
Disney. Last year, Yahoo and ABC News expanded a decade-long
partnership that brought greater sharing of content including a
customized online version of "Good Morning America."
Coincidentally, "GMA" anchor George Stephanopoulos is married to
Wentworth -- a synergy of sorts McPherson said Yahoo could
capitalize on by juxtaposing their respective content.
In addition to "Oprah," Wentworth has made a name for herself
through projects including as star and creator of "Head Case,"
one of the first scripted series to run on Starz, and roles in
films including "It's Complicated."
Wentworth is the latest high-profile name Yahoo has coming to
its video offerings, where the company has sought to raise its
game in an effort to lure more advertising dollars. Tom Hanks,
Bill Maher and Morgan Spurlock are among the known quantities
that Yahoo has brought to its programming slate.
Disney acquired Babble last November. Wentworth will be the
first of a slate of video series that will be layered across the
site, with future programming likely to draw from the roster of
popular bloggers the website counts as its own.
"The way we think about Babble, 'bloggers' is too narrow a
term," said Brooke Chaffin, senior VP of the moms and family
unit within Disney Internet Media Group. "We should bring as
many forums as possible for our storytellers to tell their
stories."
The addition of a topical draw to Babble is also part of a
larger reorganization spearheaded by Chaffin of the Disney moms
and family division, which is largely comprised of websites
filled with evergreen content that will look to Babble to drive
greater daily circulation.
Chaffin was brought to Disney last year by DIMG co-president
James Pitaro, both of whom previously worked at Yahoo.
Disney Blog - MouseSurplus to be featured on Hit A&E Series
“Shipping Wars”
Episode Premieres February 7, 2012 at 9:00 PM ET
Orlando based Disney Collectible clearinghouse, MouseSurplus,
to be featured on the hit A&E series “Shipping Wars” shipping
one of a kind Star Wars props: a 25 foot tall Star Wars AT AT
Walker and 8×6 foot X-Wing Fighter to a customer in Utah.
The segment was filmed on location at the MouseSurplus store
front in Kissimmee, Florida. The episode, “May the Ship Be With
You”, is the 10th episode of the series and premieres February
7, 2012 on A&E at 9:00 PM ET.
The AT AT Walker and X-Wing fighter are shipped from
Kissimmee, Florida to Orem, Utah by one of the stars of the
series, Roy Garber. Although Roy is a Star Wars fan and is
excited about the job, it doesn’t come easy, as noted on the
“Shipping Wars” website: “Roy lands the shipment of his dreams
when he gets to haul some large one-of-a-kind props from his
favorite sci-fi movie. But when he is cut-off by another trucker
on the highway, he’s afraid it may have damaged these priceless
movie artifacts.”
The Star Wars AT AT Walker and X-Wing Fighter replicas
featured in the episode were custom made for the FAO Schwartz at
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The replica pieces were
sold to MouseSurplus when the store closed in January, 2004. The
AT AT Walker replica measures 25 feet tall, weighs over 2,000
pounds and took over a dozen people and close to 80 man hours to
assemble at the MouseSurplus headquarters.
DisneyParks Blog - Although it’s tempting
never to leave the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, grounds and
adjoining beach, the resort offers an appealing lineup of
off-property excursions to illuminate the wonders of Hawai‘i for
all ages and tastes. Many of the excursions have been specially
designed by Adventures by Disney and feature knowledgeable
Adventure Guides weaving stories and magic into the experience.
I haven’t had a chance to experience all
the excursions on offer – it’s a lineup that includes Hawaiian
cooking lessons, hiking to Waimea Falls, horseback riding at
Kualoa Ranch … and I’ve heard especially good things about the
Hawaiian Fire Surf School conducted by Honolulu City
Firefighters.
I did get a chance to go on a catamaran
excursion with some visiting travel writers the last time I was
at Aulani, and it was great! We spotted a couple of pods of
dolphins (or maybe it was just one playful bunch, trying to fake
us out) and, after getting a terrific distant view of Aulani
from its ocean side, we went snorkeling a bit further up the
coast. The waters off the coast of Oahu offer a sensationally
colorful array of fish and other sea life and, while we were
snorkeling close to the surface, members of the crew dove deeper
and brought up sea urchins, sea cucumbers and an unusually
chunky starfish for us to look at.
Catamaran Captain Doug also told us that
his craft is rated as dolphin-and-whale friendly, consciously
keeping a safe distance from these fun and fascinating creatures
while still giving us the opportunity to view them. It’s the
kind of thing that helps make a Disney Aulani excursion special.
MarketWatch - IMAX Corporation, Marvel
Studios and The Walt Disney Studios today announced that the
epic super hero adventure Marvel's The Avengers will be
digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX 3D format and
released in IMAX digital theatres worldwide day-and-date on May
4, 2012.
Marvel's The Avengers, based on the
well-known Marvel comic book series, is written and directed by
Joss Whedon and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark
Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and
Samuel L. Jackson.
Distributed by The Walt Disney Studios,
Marvel's The Avengers: An IMAX 3D Experience marks the third
Marvel Studios film presented in IMAX, following the releases of
Iron Man 2: The IMAX Experience in 2010 and Thor: An IMAX 3D
Experience in 2011.
Marvel's The Avengers is the second
tentpole film from Walt Disney Pictures to be confirmed as part
of IMAX's 2012 film slate. John Carter, which will be released
on March 9, will play for 3 weeks in IMAX film theatres and 2
weeks in IMAX's digital network.
"This highly-anticipated gathering of
Marvel's epic superheroes combined with the brilliant vision of
Joss Whedon is sure to wow audiences when presented in IMAX 3D,"
said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed
Entertainment. "The Avengers is a perfect film to kick-off our
2012 summer slate and we anticipate this limited IMAX engagement
will be a must-see for fans around the world."
The IMAX release of Marvel's The Avengers
will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality
of The IMAX 3D Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital
Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with
IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio
create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if
they are in the movie.
About Marvel's The Avengers Marvel
Studios presents, in association with Paramount Pictures,
Marvel's The Avengers--the super hero team up of a lifetime,
featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible
Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow.
When an unexpected enemy emerges that
threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the
international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds
himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink
of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort
begins.
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans,
Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
and Samuel L. Jackson, produced by Kevin Feige and written and
directed by Joss Whedon, Marvel's The Avengers is based on the
ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first
published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare
yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and
spectacular special effects, when Marvel's The Avengers assemble
in summer 2012. The film will be distributed by Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures.
DisneyParks Blog -
I’m fortunate to meet many different Walt Disney World Resort
cast members while writing stories for our internal magazine,
Eyes & Ears. Recently, I spent a lot of time at
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, which will mark its
20th anniversary Feb. 2.
During my research, I learned that Kyle
Raser, the resort’s current manager of Guest Service Operations,
had stayed there years ago when it was known as Disney’s Dixie
Landings Resort.
“When I was 14 years old, I lived in
Pennsylvania,” Kyle told me. “We were actually supposed to stay
at a different resort but because we got so much snow up north
we had to change our vacation and the only place available at
the time was Dixie Landings. So we came here and fell in love
with the place.”
As he explained, “We always say, ‘By
chance we stayed here but by choice we stayed here every other
year after that.’ My mom and the rest of the family still call
it home.”
Like many of our cast members who chased
childhood dreams or pursued adult ambitions, Kyle joined the
company in 1997 when he moved to Florida and went to work at The
Disney Store. In 1999, he became a Walt Disney World Resort cast
member. He joined the Port Orleans team in April 2010, making it
a kind of homecoming.
“Each night when I walk out of the resort
and look back at the entrance, I can’t help but fondly remember
my first visit to this place and how lucky I am to have come
‘home’ again,” Kyle said.
Nearly two decades after that first
visit, he offers wise advice to the cast members he now leads.
“I always say, ‘Treat every guest like
it’s 14-year-old Kyle because you never know if they’re going to
come back and work here someday,’” he said. “I like to think
that there may be another guest out there who, like me, will be
inspired to be part of the future generation of cast members.”
Yahoo Sports -
Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is the spring
training home of the Atlanta Braves.
If
you're thinking of attending a game as part of your Greater
Orlando vacation, here's a visitor's guide to the baseball
stadium.
Buying Tickets
Champion Stadium is located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports
Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort. The official
Disney-based website for the Braves' spring training has a
Planning Tools section, which directs potential customers to
visit ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets online, or to go to
the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office to buy tickets
in person.
If you order tickets in advance, general
admission lawn spots start at $10 each, but the website adds a
disclaimer that ticket prices can vary by gameday and opponent.
Group packages, suite seating, and season tickets are also
available.
Venue Rules
In general, the stadium rules require
that no outside food or drinks, coolers, containers, umbrellas,
lawn chairs, banners, flags, and weapons be brought into the
park. All bags will be inspected prior to entry.
All ages are welcome into the stadium,
and children under 3 years of age do not require a separate
ticket purchase from their guardians. Smoking is prohibited in
seats and the concourse area and is only allowed in designated
areas.
Getting to the Stadium
Lake Buena Vista is part of the
metropolitan statistical area of Orlando-Kissimmee, and the ESPN
Wide World of Sports Complex has an actual address of 700 S.
Victory Way, Kissimmee, FL 34747.
If you are driving to the Sports Complex,
from I-4 West or East, you will want to take exit 65, which is
Osceola Parkway West. You will take a left into the complex at
Victory Way and can follow signs to find Champion Stadium
itself. Parking outside the complex is available and free. If
the sports lots fill to capacity, patrons will be directed to
alternate parking lots.
Depending on where you are lodging, your
hotel may offer complimentary shuttles to the Walt Disney World
Resort, which can simplify your transportation needs.
Buying Concessions
Champion Stadium boasts of having all the
amenities of today's major league ballparks, including your
choice of concession drinks and snacks. The Sports Complex also
features the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, which has a more
substantial menu for meal times.
USA Today - As a native Floridian, I fondly
remember traveling countless times to the Walt Disney World
Resort every year. If there was a birthday in the family, we
went to Disney World. If we wanted to see a holiday display, we
went to Disney World. In fact, if you talk to any of my friends,
they would tell you that Disney is a very big part of my life.
So much so, in fact, that I proposed to the future Mrs. Trauger
in front of Cinderella Castle. The special moment was planned
down to the minute, so that she said yes, then—boom!—the
fireworks began.
You might think I longed to get married
at Disney World, but the thought had never even crossed into my
mind. It was at my wife’s suggestion that we ventured into the
realm of the “fairy tale wedding." From the day I first learned
of Disney performing weddings on their property, I figured it
was just for the rich or famous. I consider my family to be
blessed in many ways, but we are by no means wealthy. So the
first thought that popped into my head was, “There is no way we
will be able to afford this.” I was shocked to find out that
with the proper restraint, a Disney wedding can be quite
affordable.
On your initial visit to Franck’s Bridal
Studio just outside the Wedding Pavilion, you get to meet with
specialists who go over the most commonly asked questions,
including information on pricing and possibilities. As you can
imagine, there is no fairy tale too big for Disney to dream
up—but that also comes with a price tag. Instead, the packages
start with a basic format that you can then add onto. After you
receive this information and speak with the Wedding Assistant,
you have to decide whether Disney is the route you want to take.
Should you decide to go ahead with your
planning, it is here that you must put a down payment to secure
your date. Keep in mind that the date itself can impact your
bottom line. Just as most venues tier their pricing for days of
the week, Disney follows suit. Saturdays are the most expensive
dates, followed by Sundays and Fridays. In addition, Disney
performs up to five weddings in a day, so each wedding is
slotted a time through a lottery system.
Once you are 12 months out from your big
day, you finally get to meet your actual wedding planner—or as
my wife would say, your fairy godmother. We found the year's
wait to be reasonable amount of time to make all our wedding
dreams come true. In your first meeting your fairy godmother
will talk to you about the different packages and what they
entail. For example, where will your actual ceremony and
reception take place? Will there be a cocktail hour? Would you
want Mickey to be there? Do you want fireworks? An intimate
wedding may cost less, but you may be limited in the number of
guests you can bring, or where you you can choose for your
ceremony. On the other hand, the more guests you plan to invite,
the more access you have to special areas, as well. With a guest
list of over 100, you might be able to have the wedding inside a
Disney park, in a special area roped off and inaccessible to
regular park goers.
There are so many options that going over
them is like perusing a shopping catalog. For instance, on one
end is an affordable base price to use the Wedding Pavilion for
the ceremony, while the other end offers a base price for the
extravaganza of a wedding inside Cinderella Castle at the Magic
Kingdom. The cocktail reception, if you choose to have one, is
also at a base price based on location, as is the reception
locale. As you would imagine, other add-ons, such as drinks for
your cocktail hour, linens, and food will all have different
prices based on what you would like.
Some couples may opt to have Disney take
care of every facet of their ceremony and reception, but we
discovered that one of the biggest ways to save money was to
hire outside contractors. For example, we hired outside
contractors to handle our flowers and photography, and this was
considerably cheaper than what Disney was offering. The biggest
drawback to using outside contractors is the additional work you
need to do to make various arrangements. It's also not as
convenient as just having Disney do everything.
You could conceivably plan your entire
wedding in a few visits. To allow us time to think and make
sound decisions, we set up multiple meetings with our wedding
planner. At subsequent meetings, we went over different choices
for cakes and food. For us, the food options were the main
reason we chose to go with Disney for our wedding. I have a
dairy allergy, and I trusted the magic of Disney to provide us
with an array of dishes that I could enjoy without worry (you
can read more about dining at Disney with a food allergy in my
previous article). This was the biggest plus for me in choosing
Disney.
Your wedding at Disney's Wedding Pavilion
can be whatever you wish for it to be. Photo courtesy of Scott
Trauger.
For us, the wedding went on without a
single problem—I would expect nothing less from Disney. Our
wedding planner, Marion, was indeed like a fairy godmother; she
made sure we would never have anything to worry about. We were
happily married on January 20, 2008 at Disney’s wedding
pavilion, had our own private firework viewing and cocktail
reception at Italy Isola at Epcot, and had an unforgettable
reception in the rotunda of the American Adventure.
One more added bonus: For "no additional
cost," Disney allows you to stay on-property for your wedding
night (we didn't pay extra for our hotel stay, although I'm sure
it's just calculated into the base price of our package). Since
they let us choose the resort, we stayed in the Grand Floridian
Hotel overlooking the castle for the very first time.
This type of wedding might not be for
all, but if you ever wondered what it was like to be in your
very own fairy tale, you can always count on Disney to deliver
you your very own happily ever after.
DisneyParks Blog - One of the things I
remember the most when I first visited Tokyo Disney Resort in
2002 is the various popcorn flavors they served. I was enamored
with the honey popcorn that was being offered near the Pooh’s
Honey Hunt attraction. I love popcorn (about as much as I love
coffee and pie). In honor of National Popcorn Day, I recently
strolled through Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see what flavors
I could find. As it turns out, there are some unique
combinations offered at Disney Parks.
Pre-packaged popcorn is developed by the
Consumables team (the same team that creates those delicious
treats for the show kitchen locations). The pre-packaged popcorn
they offer now has evolved from the traditional cheddar, caramel
or kettle popcorn I remember. Today, they offer flavors like
Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Mint or Chocolate Caramel. My
favorite, however, is the Chocolate Cheddar Caramel popcorn as
it is a great mix of sweet and salty. I spoke with Patrice Guy,
developer for Consumables, who said that flavor is a test.
“We introduce new test flavors about
twice a year,” explained Patrice. “The Chocolate Cheddar Caramel
popcorn is a test flavor and we are unsure if we will keep it.
We monitor sales results from new test flavors, so hopefully
this one will stay as it is proving to be popular with our
guests.”
I’m thinking I need to beg Patrice to
keep it (or perhaps I may buy the entire shipment).
Patrice also showed me a new popcorn tin
that will be arriving at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Resorts. The tin contains three different kinds of popcorn –
caramel, confetti and chocolate caramel. I love the colorful
artwork on the tin that features all sorts of Disney characters
enjoying Disney Parks (the image above shows both sides of the
tin).
One of the more interesting
popcorn-related finds is actually not food but will be
Vinylmation. Thomas Scott, a lead Vinylmation designer, told me
that the “Disney Design Group artists have re-imagined favorite
Disney characters by giving them a hot, fresh look you’ve never
seen before.” Apparently, this new kind of Vinylmation will
“pop” into locations in late summer 2012.
Escapist - A fan-made
game featuring a Mickey Mouse parody has been shut down after
scammers posing as Disney lawyers threatened legal action.
Hanako, a "doujin" visual novel,
recently made the headlines thanks to a scene in which players
encounter Mickey Mouse - the original, mildly-terrifying version
with the soulless, beady black eyes - and promptly knock his
head off. Shortly after images of the game reached gaming news
sites, the development group, AmoRico, received an email from
some enterprising scammers posing as Disney's legal team. The
scammers wanted ¥6 million, around $78,000 US dollars, in
reparations for the supposed copyright infringement. AmoRico
eventually contacted a Disney rep, only to find out the company
had never heard of Hanako or any legal threats.
Unfortunately this brush with legal disaster seems to have
spooked the game's developer, and he's calling it quits.
"They're saying online it's a "Mickey
Massacre Game". Those who've played it know, but it's not that
sort of content. They've cut out all the good art and movie
content from Chikoraji and are sharing it around saying I
"killed" and "chopped" Mickey, I was so shocked to find out, I
feel sick," he wrote on his blog.
"Doujin" and "Doujinshi" are terms used
to refer to fan-made products often, but not always, based on
existing characters. Those based on copyrighted material are
technically illegal, at least according to Japanese copyright
law, but Japanese companies tend to turn a blind eye provided
the creators don't get too cheeky.
While Disney has a long history of
aggressively defending its trademarks, the company seems to have
mellowed somewhat in recent years. In 2011, Disney took a
British store-owner to court to prevent him from trademarking
the name "Pooh Corner." Disney won the legal battle, but then
granted the shop-owner permission to use the name anyway. The
fact that J. Scott Campbell hasn't been sued into oblivion over
his obviously-based-on-Disney-characters Fairy Tale fantasies
calendars, also indicates that Disney's lawyers may be losing
their notorious thirst for blood.
DisneyParks
Blog - There’s exciting news for some high school students who
applied to participate in the 2012 Disney’s Dreamers Academy
with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine program. The final 100
have been selected and they will head to Walt Disney World
Resort in March to get a fresh perspective and jump start on
career paths and life! Along with Mickey Mouse, entertainer and
program ambassador Steve Harvey has a special message about what
the new class will experience while one alumnus of the program
says her life changed forever.
Orlando Sentinel - I
accompanied out-of-town friends to Disney World's Magic Kingdom
this weekend, and they were shocked at the amount of
construction work going on.
I'll admit, even for the off-season, a lot of the park is torn
up. The Fantasyland expansion is in full swing — the forlorn
Dumbo sign could still be seen in the ride's former location
behind a construction fence.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is also closed for a long rehab;
you can see it encased in scaffolding. And buildings in
Frontierland and on Main Street are being worked on. The ground
appears to be being resurfaced in Frontierland in big patches,
too.
The Frontierland work means the parade can't get through — so a
modified version of the daily "Celebrate a Dream True Parade is
running up Main Street USA, circling in front of the castle and
heading back down Main Street.
Perhaps most obvious: The workers dangling in a bucket attached
to a giant crane working on Cinderella Castle.
Maybe to distract from all the construction zones, there were
characters everywhere, both announced in the Times Guide and
surprises. On Saturday, Peter Pan bounded into view between the
Crystal Palace and the bridge toward Adventureland and Liberty
Square, giving his famous cry.
And the characters in the parade were even more animated than
usual — especially a grinning Prince Naveen, whose groovin'
dance style fits the "Celebrate" song and the energetic quartet
of Peter, Wendy, Alice and Mad Hatter.
OC
Register - One of Downtown Disney's original restaurants is
undergoing a major renovation that will expand its quick-service
section and add more menu options.
La Brea Bakery, the restaurant that sits closest to the
Disney theme parks, began a makeover Jan. 3 that is expected to
be completed in April.
The counter-service side of the restaurant already is boarded
up and closed for renovations, while the full-service area
remains open in the entertainment-shopping district. The entire
restaurant will shut down for about three weeks starting in mid
March.
La Brea opened in 2001 when Downtown Disney debuted in a
building that was already designed as a Disney restaurant. The
original La Brea Bakery opened in 1989 as a 1,500-square-foot
storefront in Los Angeles and now is a company that sells bread
worldwide.
The renovations will help customize the Downtown Disney
restaurant, which draws about 500,000 customers per year.
"It's time to refresh what we do," said Mark Olcott, La
Brea's senior vice president of fresh operations.
La Brea is adding a kitchen to the casual, quick service side
where diners can order food at the counter and get served at
their tables. Before, customers picked up food at the counter
where food was brought over from a kitchen in the full-service
side of the building.
After the remodeling, La Brea will bake fresh items
throughout the day, giving the scent of cinnamon rolls in the
morning and perhaps, cookies in the afternoon. Customers will be
able to watch preparers roll dough for pastries and make other
items, some in a new wood stove, Olcott said.
"You'll get a scent of what's going on," Olcott said. "Disney
is really into exhibition, so we work well together that way."
The menu will get new items, including focaccias, flat breads
and breakfast items, including stratas with fresh sourdough
bread -- an egg casserole similar to a frittata.
"We're upticking the service a little bit," Olcott said.
Crews are adding about 900 square feet total to the building,
which will jut out about 20 feet in the front. When done, the
bakery also plans to hire between 10 and 12, adding to about 100
employees during the busy season.
The Reflector - The Disney College Program offers Mississippi
State University students the opportunity to spend time
interning at "The Happiest Place on Earth."
Every year, a
representative from Disney comes to
MSU. With
the help of Disney campus representatives and the Career Center,
he or she encourages students to apply for the Disney College
Program. This year, presentations will be held on Feb. 23 at 5
p.m. and 7 p.m. in
McCool
Hall to recruit students for Disney's 2012 internship program.
Caragh Boyles, senior coordinator for the Career Center, said
the Disney College Program is quite competitive and usually a
large number of applications are received by Disney.
Boyles said the Career Center plays a big role in supporting
the Disney representatives by offering students information
about the program and helping throughout the application
process. The Career Center helps students maintain their status
as full-time students so they do not have to face any difficulty
with issues such as insurance and taking classes upon
readmission.
"We help set up presentations, advertise it and communicate
with Disney campus representatives. While students are away
doing their internship at Disney we enroll them in an internship
class that keeps them in the MSU system as a full-time student,"
Boyles said.
Jennifer Riley, senior special education major and now a
campus representative for Disney, said information tables will
be set up in the Union and the Drill Field where Disney campus
representatives will answer any questions applicants might have.
"People seem to be kind of shy about asking, but we love to
answer questions. We really want people to come by the tables
because that's where you will get the most personal
information," Riley said.
Meghan Schultz, graduate landscape architecture student,
worked in an area for Disney that was directly related to her
field of study. Because she was a horticulture major as an
undergrad, she worked in a greenhouse in Epcot.
Schultz said it is understood that most students do not have
experience working for big companies, so the most important
quality to get an acceptance letter from Disney is the eagerness
to participate in the program.
"A lot of it is the openness and willingness to try something
new, get over any fear you have and meet new people," she said.
She said student work ranges from being a lifeguard and
janitor to working at the front desk of gift shops or
restaurants. Some participants may even get to dress up as a
character, but they will need to audition first in Nashville or
Atlanta.
Schultz said she enjoyed working for Disney so much that she
felt compelled to recruit other students from MSU for the
program.
"Working for Disney definitely contributed to my career, and
I enjoyed working for the company so much I became a campus
representative, which allows me to stay with the Walt Disney
company," she said.
Schultz said she hopes to work for Disney again after
graduation.
Riley said MSU students, regardless of their major, should
apply for the Disney College Program because it provides a vast
array of experiences and teaches students necessary skills
required for future jobs.
"The Walt Disney Company has a big part in many different
companies and is a company that promotes from within, so working
as a college program participant is a great way to get your foot
in the door," Riley said.
Trish Pohlhaus, senior special education and psychology
major, is also a campus representative for Disney. She said
working for Disney helped her choose her major and plan her
career. She said she started out with an undeclared major, but
after the Disney internship during her sophomore year working
with kids with special needs made her realize she wanted to help
kids in the future.
"At first it was hard for me to make eye contact with the
kids, but, eventually, I realized I really liked working with
people with disabilities, and my heart just opened to them,"
Pohlhaus said. "That's when I decided to become a special
education major."
Boyles said the Disney internship program is appealing to
students because it is open to students of all classes and
majors. First-year students must complete at least one semester
in order to apply.
Boyles said the program also has no GPA requirement, but
students must be in good academic standing. By working for such
a well-known company students gain skills such as leadership and
teamwork, which can be easily transferred to their future jobs
after graduation.
Fused Film - “It’s a wonderful night for Oscar,” Billy Crystal
chanted in his theatrical opening numbers at previous Academy
Award ceremonies. Unfortunately for The Walt Disney Studios, it
likely won’t be as wonderful an evening for them in garnering
awards as previous years. In this edition of the Mouse House,
we’ll look at the surprising Disney-related snubs, as well as
the general lack of nominations for the company.
What was nominated?
This year, the company reaped 13 nominations, which sounds
like a good total for a studio. However, when you must consider
that 11 of those come from Disney-distributed DreamWorks
productions, the picture becomes somewhat distorted. The
uplifting southern-set drama The Help received four
nominations, for the Best Picture, Best Actress and Best
Supporting Actress categories. Viola Davis, at the top of her
game, is surely neck-and-neck with the incomparable Meryl Streep,
who has gained much attention for her portrayal of Margaret
Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Meanwhile, Octavia Spencer’s
memorable performance as Minnie has made her a frontrunner,
although co-star and fellow nominee Jessica Chastain provided a
pleasant supporting role, too. As much as The Help has
been acclaimed by audiences, and many critics, it does not stand
much of a chance to win Best Picture, if previous awards are any
indication.
DreamWorks’ other tentpole picture, War Horse, based
on the recently-beloved play, snatched six nominations: one for
Best Picture; the other five for technical categories. Many were
even surprised that this received notice for the biggest
category, as War Horse is one of those films that was
expected to be a monumental masterpiece, but has only performed
modestly at the box office and did not score with critics as
well as other contenders (The Artist and The
Descendants, for instance). Nevertheless, count on this
leading the pack for its stirring John Williams-composed score
and spectacular cinematography. Last, Hugh Jackman action flick
Real Steel picked up some notice, for “Best Visual
Effects.”
Closer to home, Disney specifically only received two
nominations: the forthcoming Pixar short La Luna for
“Best Short Film – Animated” and “Man or Muppet” for “Best
Original Song.” Pixar has failed to snag a win since the
delightful For the Birds, released one decade ago.
La Luna will be theatrically released with Brave
in June, but has been screened in some festivals to much praise.
Meanwhile, in the song category, this is the first time is Oscar
history that only two tunes have contended – due to some new,
complicated rules explained further by MTV – and that looks good
for the astounding 80s-era ballad that is “Man or Muppet.” I
think this is the best song to come from Disney in a long time,
and that’s saying something, when fantastic songwriting has
emerged in recent years from Alan Menken and Randy Newman in
their more recent Disney projects. Nevertheless, this faces
competition from the popular “Real in Rio,” featured in animated
Rio.
What was overlooked?
Well, many could argue much from Disney was overlooked this
past year – due to legitimate and silly reasons. For one,
Disney-Pixar were still hoping they could lock in a “Best
Animated Feature” nomination for the much-maligned Cars 2.
Alas, the Academy felt similarly to general audiences, and
looked the other way. Not only is this the first Pixar film to
not be nominated in this category since its inception
in 2002, but also this is the first Pixar film to not receive
any Academy Award nomination. Period. Even Brad
Paisley’s country-pop “Collision of Worlds” from Cars 2
failed to grab any notice. I’m sure this is a sad day for Pixar,
which has claimed such a winning streak of films, and their most
recent release ends that period. However, a new “era” emerges
with Brave, Monsters University, and the
yet-to-be-named projects involving dinosaurs and the human mind.
One can only hope Cars 2 was just a fluke. On the other
hand, if Cars 2 deserved to be nominated for anything,
I would argue that its cinematography warranted a nomination.
Sure, animated films are not eligible for this, but this was
perhaps one of the best-looking Pixar production for how those
animators directed the cameras.
Winnie the Pooh, Disney’s pride and glory for 2011,
was also completely shut out. Sure, this received some flack for
its extremely-short running time, but few films last year
boasted over 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes – Pooh was
one. I was sure this would have been nominated for “Best
Animated Feature” for its charm and whimsy, but I suppose not.
Similarly, I was shocked that the melodic, robin-like tone of
Zooey Deschanel, who sung “So Long,” would have acquired a
nomination. Nope. Poor Pooh, indeed.
While I am extremely happy that “Man or Muppet” finally
snatched a spot in the coveted “Best Original Song” category, I
was dumbfounded that “Life’s a Happy Song” was not. This is
exactly the type of melody and arrangement that Oscar loves, and
the main piece Disney was campaigning for, so it was baffling to
find this one excluded. At least some piece of music from
The Muppets was recognized, though, since this was the only
area it could attain Academy notice.
No other Disney films stood a chance for multiple
nominations, save for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger
Tides for “Best Visual Effects” and “Best Sound Editing,”
and Gnomeo and Juliet for its Elton John song “Hello
Hello” and potentially “Best Animated Feature.” The rest of
Disney’s slate last year lacked impression for any Academy
Awards, for there were few films and few “good” films at that.
What does this mean for next year?
The main question Disney fans are asking themselves is what
this holds for the future. Much remains to be seen how audiences
and critics will respond to their 2012 slate, but here’s an
early prediction. If John Carter strikes the right
chord, maybe its striking-looking visual effects and sound or
art direction could catch the Academy’s eyes and ears. The
Avengers could also stand a chance for technical categories
like those. Brave may very well be the true winner in
numerous categories, whereas Frankenweenie and
Wreck-It Ralph may attract attention for their unique
approaches to storytelling.
We’ll just have to wait and watch. The 84th
Academy Awards airs live Sunday, February 26 on ABC. Let’s hope
Billy Crystal makes some reference to his one-eyed alter ego,
who he will be reprising in 2013. Until then, that’s a wrap.
The Improper - Taylor Kitsch and his trusty confederates on Mars
will get a lift from the Super Bowl. Disney is hyping the sci-fi
feature with a ticket giveaway to next year’s big game.
Kitsch plays protagonist John
Carter, a weary Confederate Civil War captain, who is
mysteriously transported to Mars. He finds a decaying
civilization deep in the throes of civil strife. The planet,
which the natives call “Barsoom,” is dying as its oceans
evaporate and its atmosphere dissipates.
Disney has a lot riding on the Edgar Rice Burroughs fantasy,
which hits theaters March 9. Would you believe $250 million? The
story was huge when it debuted as “A Princess of Mars,” a serial
novel. Unfortunately, that was in 1912.
But Burroughs also wrote a series of books on jungle cat
named Tarzan and look how well that’s translated to the big
screen. Andrew Stanton is directing. It’s his first live action
film. But he crafted a couple of animated classics, “Finding
Nemo” and “WALL-E” so hopes are high he’ll pull this off.
Disney is leaving no stone unturned in its promotional
effort. The collaboration with the NFL will give Super Bowl
viewers a chance to win two tickets to Super Bowl XLVII next
year in New Orleans. All they have to do is look for the ad
during Super Bowl XLVI, Sunday, Feb. 5.
During the 30-second spot, a code will be revealed. Viewers
can then go to
NFL.com/JohnCarter and enter the
code to be entered in the sweepstakes.
The trip includes a 5-day/4-night trip for the winner and
guest to attend the game, two tickets to Super Bowl XLVII and
access to Game Day hospitality at the stadium. The details are
on the Web site.
In the meantime, check out the newly released teaser showing
the NFL promotion.
DisneyParks Blog -
“Better-for-you” options at five mini shops serving breakfast,
lunch and dinner is the overarching theme of the new Landscape
of Flavors food court still being tweaked for Disney’s Art of
Animation Resort, opening in May. The new restaurant will be
adjacent to the lobby.
“The idea is that you customize your choice,” says Chef Ed
Wronski, Director, Food & Beverage Concept Development, Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts. “From burgers to pasta, salads, ethnic
flavors, omelets, even parfaits and gelatos, everything is made
fresh as you order.”
There’s a big focus on beverages, too. Fresh fruit smoothies
are made to order, ditto for lemonade and pomegranate limeade.
They’re stocking organic teas, beer (including gluten free),
wine, coffee and juices. You can get a plain cup of coffee or a
French vanilla or mocha iced. And half bottles of wine are
paired with cuisine from the food shops.
We got a sneak peek at the menu, and here are some of the
highlights:
The Soup-Salad-Sandwich
Shop lets you create your own salad (with beef or
chicken) and offers a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella
and tomatoes on focaccia, or a Buffalo-style turkey sandwich
with arugula and a blue cheese-Buffalo sauce-mayo spread.
Both are served with delish house-made potato chips.
The World Flavors Shop
adds Indian-African flair to breakfast, too, with scrambled
eggs, tandoor potatoes, Portuguese sausage, slab bacon and a
mini-naan; or a veggie flatbread sandwich on naan with
cauliflower, spinach and paneer. Lunch and dinner is a
choice of tandoori chicken or shrimp, Mongolian beef with
vegetables, mahi mahi, Portuguese sausage or roasted acorn
squash served with sides and naan bread.
The Pizza Shop
features make-your-own pasta, cheese and pepperoni pizzas
and meatballs on ciabatta bread. Room delivery is an option,
too.
The Burger Shop
includes a breakfast burger with chicken breakfast sausage,
cheese and scrambled eggs on a multi-grain bun, and a
steak-and-eggs breakfast burger with a burger topped with
fried eggs, cheese and bacon. Besides the traditional
burgers, lunch and dinner includes a surf and turf burger
with crab cake and fried popcorn shrimp, and a pastrami
cheeseburger topped with pepper jack cheese and a slice of
fried green tomato.
The “grab ‘n go” Market
Shop offers drinks, yogurt, bagels, pastries,
gourmet cupcakes, cookies and gelato.
The food court will be part of the Disney Dining Plan,
details to follow.
OC Register -
Downtown Disney is undergoing changes, including store closures,
that will update the face of the entertainment-shopping district
in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim
One store closed, another is about to shut down and other
features are coming.
Here are highlights of the changes:
Island Charters: The beach-themed store, which carried mostly
clothes, had its last day of business Dec. 21. The store was
open for 11 years. The owners decided to close the shop because
they are retiring, said Betsy Sanchez, a Disneyland Resort
spokeswoman.
The LEGO Imagination Center: Merchandise from the big store
will temporarily move into Islands' former location while the
main location undergoes a renovation, Sanchez said. The main
store is set to close in early February and reopen in early
spring with new features.
Compass Books and Cafe: The book store and food location is
set to be open for the last time March 31. "After 11 successful
years at Downtown Disney, Compass Books & Café’s owners are
focusing attention on their San Francisco-based businesses,"
Sanchez said in a statement.
Disney has yet to announce what will replace Compass.
The Cupcake Store: A new kiosk for the food stand opened
Wednesday in front of Apricot Lane. Before, The Cupcake Store
ran out of a different kiosk in front of Compass.
La Brea Bakery: The restaurant began undergoing a renovation
in early January. The restaurant will reopen later in the
spring. Check the blog later for a full story about plans for La
Brea Bakery.
DisneyParks Blog - Yesterday morning, I joined more than 12,000
other athletes for the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon here
at the Disneyland Resort. Featuring an all-new course and a
seriously shiny new medal (see above), the race is the latest in
the runDisney line-up.
At 5:45 am, fireworks lit up the sky and the race was on! We
took off on our way to Disneyland park, where pixie wings and
green tutus fluttered all over the course.
Disney characters greeted participants throughout the park,
including an appearance by the Lost Boys who seemed to have
taken over King Arthur Carrousel!
As the sun rose over the Disneyland Resort, we made our way
through the Downtown Disney District where we were cheered on by
a sea of red hats. The lovely ladies from the Red Hat Society
had set up a huge cheering section in front of the Disneyland
Hotel.
From there, we left the Disneyland Resort and headed for
downtown Anaheim – a new destination for a runDisney
race. Marching bands and cheer squads from local schools were
waiting to welcome the race participants.
After leaving downtown Anaheim, the race headed back to the
Disneyland Resort and through Disney California Adventure park.
With about a mile to go, we headed through “a bug’s land” toward
the finish line.
Did you participate in the Tinker Bell Half Marathon
yesterday? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
DisneyParks Blog - When
the new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game debuts at Magic
Kingdom Park in February, it will be up to our guests to defeat
Disney villains who are wreaking havoc through the theme park.
In this role-playing game, guests become Merlin’s apprentice
sorcerers and embark on a quest to stop more than 20 Disney
villains – including Hades and Cruella De Vil – from stealing
one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s crystal ball. Armed
with spells in the form of special cards, guests search for the
magic symbols that lead them to villains’ hiding places in
Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street,
U.S.A. Once there, apprentices use magic keys to reveal a
villain’s hideout and use spell cards to stop them in their
tracks.
According to the game’s developers, the cards really are the
secret weapons of the game. There will be 70 different spell
cards available and guests will receive five complimentary cards
when they play. Each card features a different Disney character
that offers a spell unique to him or her. Guests can use more
than one card simultaneously, casting multiple spells at a
villain at one time.
Some of the cards you may encounter include:
Lumière’s Candle Blast – This
card shows Belle’s favorite candlestick spurred on by his
loyal ally, Cogsworth.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – This
card shows Mr. Toad’s car careening through the underbrush.
Prince Naveen’s Army of Frogs
– This card shows Tiana’s prince enchanting his amphibian
army to action.
Rafiki’s Wisdom Stick – This
card shows Simba’s counselor ready to imbue some knowledge
on the enemy’s forehead.
The Woozles’ Woozle Nightmare
– This card shows a Woozle dreaming of his most delightful
vision: A gang of other Woozles ready to bang some noggins.
I do have some additional details for guests who want to
collect or trade these cards. The 70 cards are divided into nine
different spell classes, such as Princess cards, Hero cards or
Warrior cards. In addition, all cards are marked with one of
three designations – a star symbol, which indicates a rare card;
a moon symbol, which signifies an uncommon card; and a planet
symbol, which indicates a common card.
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom will debut in late February
and is included in the cost of theme park admission.
LocalizedUSA -
Analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) boosted their
earnings per share estimates on shares of Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS)
in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday.
They currently have an “overweight” rating and a $45.00 price
target on the company’s shares.
Separately, analysts at
Needham & Company reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Walt
Disney in a research note to investors on Monday, January 23rd.
Analysts at Citigroup (NYSE: C) reiterated a “buy” rating on
shares of Walt Disney in a research note to investors on
Tuesday, January 17th. They now have a $42.00 price target on
the stock. Also, analysts at Barclays Capital (NYSE: BCS)
downgraded shares of Walt Disney from an “overweight” rating to
an “equal weight” rating in a research note to investors on
Tuesday, January 10th. They now have a $44.00 price target on
the stock.
The Walt Disney Co,
together with its subsidiaries, is a diversified worldwide
entertainment company. The Company operates in five segments:
Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, Studio Entertainment,
Consumer Products and Interactive Media. The Company has a 51%
effective ownership interest in Disneyland Paris, a 5,510-acre
development located in Marne-la-Vallee, approximately 20 miles
east of Paris, France. The Company manages and has a 40% equity
interest in Euro Disney S.C.A. The Company holds an 18% equity
interest in The Active Network, Inc. The Company owns a 47%
interest in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort through Hong kong
International Theme Parks Limited. On December 31, 2009, the
Company completed an acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
(Marvel). On March 31, 2010, the Company acquired Retail
Networks Company Limited. On August 27, 2010, the Company
completed the acquisition of Playdom, Inc.
Shares of Walt Disney
traded down 1.17% during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting
$38.79. Walt Disney has a 52 week low of $28.19 and a 52 week
high of $44.34. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $37.93 and
its 200-day moving average is $35.23. The company has a market
cap of $69.687 billion and a P/E ratio of 15.58.
DisneyParks Blog - There’s no doubt that kids will have a blast
on a Disney cruise, but a question we get often is “what about
adults?”
For first-time Disney cruisers, that question is
answered pretty quickly upon boarding. The adult-exclusive
activities are abounding, so you can imagine it wasn’t an easy
task to narrow down the “top five” adult activities on a Disney
ship.
But here it is, a video showing the adult fan favorites for
what to do when cruising with Disney. Check it out and let us
know your favorite activities for grownups.
phillyBurb - In the live-action “Treasure Buddies,” Edward
Herrmann has the opportunity to play a Disney villain.
He couldn’t be happier.
“It’s just great,” the ever-busy 69-year-old actor, who
gained national recognition for playing President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt in the TV movie “Eleanor and Franklin” (1976),
says during a telephone interview. “I love Disney — because the
studio still makes films for families to see.”
In the direct-to-video “Treasure Buddies” (Disney; $29.99,
DVD; $39.99, Blu-ray Disc), which arrives in stores Tuesday,
Herrmann plays the evil Dr. Philip Wellington, a British
professor traveling to Egypt in search of a necklace worn by the
feline Cleocatra.
The manipulative villain plans to steal the priceless object,
something prevented by the pups in the sixth installment of the
popular “Buddies” series.
Herrmann, who enjoyed popularity as patriarch Richard Gilmore
in the TV series “Gilmore Girls” (2000-07), responded to the
material due to the background of his dastardly character.
“I was immediately intrigued, because it took place in Egypt
and the character was evil,” says Herrmann, who was born in
Washington, D.C., and studied at the London Academy of Music and
Dramatic Art on a Fulbright Fellowship. “Also, he was from
England, where I went to school.”
In addition to the five pups (Mudbud, B-Dawg, Budderball,
Buddha and Rosebud), a camel and a cat, “Treasure Buddies” also
features Babi, a mischievous Egyptian monkey. The actor had some
issues with the rambunctious chimp.
“The monkey scared me a bit,” says Herrmann, who noted that
the pups had to be changed in the middle of the filming because
they grow so fast. “It jumped on my shoulder and whacked me in
the head.
“I asked the trainer to let me know what was coming the next
time.”
The father of three has worked with some of the most famous
filmmakers in Hollywood. He has been directed by James Bridges
(1973’s “The Paper Chase”), Mike Nichols (1973’s “The Day of the
Dolphin”), George Roy Hill (1975’s “The Great Waldo Pepper”),
Warren Beatty (1981’s “Reds”), John Huston (1982’s “Annie”),
Woody Allen (1985’s “The Purple Rose of Cairo”), Oliver Stone
(1995’s “Nixon”), Joel and Ethan Coen (2003’s “Intolerable
Cruelty”) and Martin Scorsese (2004’s “The Aviator”).
His experiences could easily fill a memoir, but Herrmann
isn’t sure he wants to write one.
“My wife has talked to me about doing a book,” the
down-to-earth actor says. “You start thinking and the stories
roll out, but I’m afraid that writing a book would be considered
too ego-inflating.”
DisneyParks Blog - Do you remember
meeting Mickey or Minnie for the first time? I certainly do. And
chances are so do most readers. It’s such a memorable experience
that Disney Floral & Gifts has created a special meet-and-greet
surprise just in time for this year’s Valentine’s season.
So, here’s the scoop: The story behind this gift is that
Mickey needs your little ones help to surprise Minnie (and
Minnie needs your help to surprise Mickey) at Magic Kingdom Park
from Feb. 1-15. You see, tucked inside this new offering are
essentials for a “sweet” meet-and-greet experience in the parks.
And, get this, it also includes a special Valentine,
personalized to your little one from Mickey or Minnie; a
Valentine coloring sheet they can decorate; and a special
invitation to surprise them at the Town Square Theater inside
Magic Kingdom Park.
Now, imagine the look on your little one’s face as they
present Mickey or Minnie with their colored Valentine they made
just for them while wearing their Mickey Mouse ears and BFF
light-up lanyard that’s included with this gift! And, not only
is it a moment you’ll want to catch on camera, it’s a moment
your little one will share with their friends when they get home
too.
If you think your little loved one would enjoy surprising
Mickey or Minnie with a special Valentine, simply click Mickey’s
Valentine Surprise or Minnie’s Valentine Surprise to learn more.
Remember, this experience is only offered through Feb. 15.
Broadway.com - Tickets
are now on sale for the new Disney musical Newsies,
starring Jeremy Jordan as rebel newsboy Jack Kelly. Previews
begin March 15 at the Nederlander Theatre, with an official
opening night set for March 29. The musical will play a limited
engagement until June 10.
Based on the 1992 film of the same name, Newsies features
the film's original music as well as additional songs by
composer Alan Menken and lyricist Jack Feldman, and a book by
four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. Inspired by the real
events of the Newsboy Strike of 1899, Newsies follows a
young New York City newsboy (Jordan) who leads a group of
orphans in a protest against Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph
Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.
Joining Jordan are co-stars John Dossett (Joseph Pulitzer), Kara
Lindsay (Katherine Plumber), Capathia Jenkins (Medda), Ben
Fankhauser (Davey), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Crutchie) and Lewis
Grosso and Matthew Schechter (alternating in the role of Les).
Get your tickets now to see this talented, young cast sing and
dance their way into your hearts!
DisneyParks Blog - As a
mom, I know moms rely on other parents to get information they
can trust, especially when it comes to family fun. That’s why
I’m so excited to introduce you to the first “Disneyland” mom on
the Walt Disney World Moms Panel – Amanda Ficili. She and Ari
Krell (you’ll meet him later) were selected to be the first
panelists to answer guest questions about the Disneyland Resort.
You can tell by Amanda’s smile, this is a girl who likes to
have fun – especially at Disney Parks. She grew up on the East
Coast and frequently visited Walt Disney World Resort. Now she
lives in Northern California and calls Disneyland Resort her
“second home.”
Amanda usually visits with her husband and young daughter, a
little princess who has inherited her parents’ fascination with
Disney magic. She and her husband are self-proclaimed “Disney
foodies” and, if you like to shop, Amanda’s your girl for
discovering treasures at Downtown Disney.
Q: What’s it like to share your passion for
Disneyland with visitors to the Moms Panel?
A: It’s an honor to represent the Disneyland Resort. I believe
Disneyland is the ultimate vacation destination. When road-trip
time rolls around, it’s a no-brainer … I’m going to Disneyland!
Q: What’s a tip for families visiting from outside
Southern California?
A: Staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel keeps the magic alive
for your entire visit. You don’t realize what a difference it
makes until you’re there. And be sure to enjoy the new pools and
spectacular Monorail slide at the Disneyland Hotel.
Q: How can I make a Disneyland vacation more
affordable for my family?
A: I have been to Disney on almost every imaginable budget, and
I’ve enjoyed every visit. Be sure to always check Disneyland.com/offers
for current special offers and vacation package deals. Staying
steps away from the magic can be more affordable than you may
think.
Q: Tell us some of your favorite food topics at
Disneyland Resort.
A: There are so many! Romantic dinners at Napa Rose, character
dining at the Resort hotels, birthday celebrations, Blue Bayou
Restaurant – plus all the special treats.
Tell us what you would ask Amanda at DisneyWorldMoms.com.
DisneyParks Blog - Kellie Nickerson – complete with fairy wings
and a green tutu – flew away from the field to win the inaugural
Tinker Bell Half Marathon at the Disneyland Resort today.
Nickerson traveled from Albuquerque, N.M., to capture her first
win at a runDisney race with a finish time of 1:27:52,
just ahead of Sharon Wilkinson of Winnetka, Calif., (1:28:18)
and Stacy Schafer from Carlsbad, Calif. (1:28:54).
The Tinker Bell Half Marathon, hosted by
the city of Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort, led participants
on a 13.1-mile trek through Disneyland and Disney California
Adventure parks, as well as by several Anaheim landmarks. The
first-year event featured music, entertainment, Disney
characters and costumed runners donning fairy wings and plenty
of pixie dust. Finishers received a commemorative Tinker Bell
“wings’’ medal.
TV sitcom star Megyn Price (“Rules of
Engagement”) and “Goonies,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Rudy” star
Sean Astin were among the 12,000-plus registered runners to take
part in this morning’s race.
Keep up with the latest on all runDisney
races at runDisney.com.
Wall Street Journal - Over the decades, the Disney empire has
cranked out a long list of memorable tunes, including “When You
Wish Upon a Star” (from “Pinnochio”), “Under the Sea” (“The
Little Mermaid”), and “The Bare Necessities” (“The Jungle
Book”), to name just a few. But, it turns out, Disney still has
some classic songs in the vaults. The coming special edition Blu-ray
of the 1955 animated film “Lady and the Tramp” will feature a
song called “I’m Free” that has never been officially released.
If the song “I’m Free” is so good, why did
it get cut? “Lady and the Tramp” centers around the relationship
between a female Cocker Spaniel named Lady who lives with an
upper-class family, and a stray male mutt everyone calls the
Tramp. According to Disney, “Lady and the Tramp” went through a
long development process that started in the 1930s, and at the
very beginning, the character that would end up becoming the
Tramp had different names (including Boris) and was conceived of
as more of a rogue. After his character evolved–”Lady and Boris”
doesn’t have the same ring–the song “I’m Free” was dropped. The
composition was recently recorded for the Blu-ray edition.
“Lady and the Tramp” will be released on
Blu-ray on Feb. 7.
You can listen to an exclusive preview of
the song here.
Motley Fool - Walt
Disney (NYSE: DIS) carries $29
billion of goodwill and other intangibles on its balance sheet.
Sometimes goodwill, especially when it's excessive, can
foreshadow problems down the road. Could this be the case with
Disney?
Before we answer that, let's look at what
could go wrong.
AOL blows up In early 2002, AOL Time Warner was trading for $66.27
per share. It had $209 billion of assets on its balance sheet,
and $128 billion of that was in the form of goodwill and other
intangible assets. Goodwill is simply the difference between the
price paid for a company during an acquisition and the net
assets of the acquired company. The $128 billion of goodwill in
this case was created when AOL and Time Warner merged in 2000.
The problem with inflating your net
assets with goodwill is that it can -- being intangible, after
all -- go away if the acquisition or merger doesn't create the
amount of value that was expected. That's what happened in AOL
Time Warner's case. It had to write off most of the goodwill
over the next few months, and one year later that line item had
shrunk to $37 billion. Investors punished the stock along the
way, sending it down to $27.04 -- or nearly a 60% loss.
In his fine book It's Earnings That
Count, Hewitt Heiserman explains the AOL situation and how
two simple metrics can help minimize your risk of owning a
company that may blow up like this. Let's see how Disney holds
up using his two metrics.
Intangible assets ratio
This ratio shows us the percentage of total assets made up by
goodwill and other intangibles. Heiserman says he views anything
over 20% as worrisome, "because management might be overpaying
for the acquisition or acquisitions that gave rise to the
goodwill."
Disney has an intangible assets ratio of
41%. This is well above Heiserman's threshold, and you should
keep a close eye on just how the company is fueling its growth.
It's also useful to compare it to tangible book value.
Tangible book value Tangible book value is simply what remains after
subtracting goodwill and other intangibles from shareholders'
equity. If this is not a positive value, Heiserman advises you
to run away because such companies may "lack the balance sheet
muscle to protect themselves in a recession or from
better-financed competitors."
Disney's tangible book value is $8
billion, so no yellow flags here.
Foolish bottom line If you own Disney, or any other company that fails one
of these checks, make sure you understand the business model and
management's objectives. You can never base an entire investment
thesis on one or two metrics, but there is a yellow flag here.
I'll help you keep a close eye on these ratios over the next few
quarters by updating them soon after each earnings report.
DailyWildcat - Disney has some explaining to do. Recently
recognized by Fortune as the largest media conglomerate in the
world, with puppet strings extending as far as theme parks in
China and television holdings in A&E and ESPN,
the Walt Disney Company is credited for conceiving the films we
grew up with (and the memories they inspired). Now it has
committed the ultimate party foul of fame: It sold out, big
time.
Disney’s latest creative
transgression came with the success of “The Lion King” in 3D
last September, grossing $30.2 million in its opening weekend,
according to CNN. Its success caused
Disney to also re-release “Beauty and the Beast” on Jan. 13 to
$18.5 million in its opening weekend. “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters,
Inc.,” and “The Little Mermaid” will follow suit within the next
two years, with nothing new to bring to the table except
supposedly superior visuals.
There was a time when almost every Disney
release seemed fresh and new, able to ignite imaginations long
after the last (original) song played and the credits rolled. I
can still say with confidence that my best birthday was spent
seeing “Mulan” in theaters. Who knows if that’s vaguely pathetic
or if the movie really was just that life-changing, but I miss
the days when films weren’t flaunted for their usage of the
latest technological gimmick or the contributing voices of
big-name stars, but were intended to entertain and pique the
interests of children.
It seems ironic that Disney is able to
capitalize on new generations with the same old material with
much of the original audience of these films either young adults
looking for a nostalgic foray into their childhood or young
parents who, understandably, want to expose their children to
the same movies they knew and loved at their age.
All hype aside, digging out an old
DVD (or VHS,
if you’re feeling especially sentimental) at home will provoke
an equally satisfying trip down memory lane, guaranteed.
Of course, Disney isn’t the only culprit
guilty of cinematic regurgitation. This year we’ll see releases
of two separate films based on “Snow White” (“Mirror, Mirror”
with Julia Roberts and “Snow White and the Huntsman,” starring
Kristen Stewart), “Madagascar 3,” “Ice Age 4”, and another
poorly adapted Dr. Seuss book (“The Lorax”) to name a few. Even
if sequels tend to undermine the critical reputation of even the
most respected studios, like “Cars 2” did to Pixar last summer,
they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
With hundreds of writers living in
Hollywood desperately trying to push their scripts, it seems
like studios could do better than attempt to inject new life
into stale characters and tired storylines. This especially
stands true for children’s films, which really only need a
mildly intriguing plot, punctuated by a solid balance of humor
and heart, to truly succeed. After all, “Beauty and the Beast”
wasn’t nominated for Best Picture its first time around because
of how realistic the clock looked while talking to the candle.
It used the resources it had at the time and relied on Disney’s
(former) high standards of artistry and charm to draw families
to the theater.
In an annual financial report from 2011,
Disney President and CEO Robert Iger
thanked the 3D release of “The Lion King” for “remind(ing) us of
the magic of Disney storytelling.” So, on behalf of the kids, go
ahead and keep the magic, as long as you work a little harder on
preserving your creative dignity.
