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| MickeyXtreme's News Archive August 12-18 2007 | ||
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Saturday August, 18 2007 | ||
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Tinkering with fairy's image leaves innocence in the pixie dust Walt Disney World Triathlon Weekend, Sept. 21-23 Disney's Soccer Showcase Qualifier, Aug. 31- Sept. 3 Premiered Friday Night on Disney: Your Take on High School Musical 2 Disney Shoots Down 'Jungle Book' Blu-ray Reports Disney shows off Cars' interactive features in trailer Zac Efron Seventeen and Counting Disney stars to raise hospital funds Cable utility to add Soapnet, renews Disney | ||
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Tinkering with fairy's image leaves innocence in the pixie dust Orlando Sentinel - Try perching Mickey or Minnie or one of the Disney princesses seductively on the rim of a martini glass, then calling it a Disney collectible poster. Forget it. Some things just can't be mixed without looking goofy or profane. Yet there is one Disney character who pulls it off, in the new Disney poster "Tinkertini" by California artist Mike Kungl: Tinker Bell, the cartoon pixie with the fairy-tale innocence and the Jessica Rabbit figure. The Walt Disney Co. has rediscovered the old favorite, modeled after actress Margaret Kerry and introduced in 1953 to Disney audiences in the animated film Peter Pan. With multiple new lines of T-shirts, toys and other products already out or on their way, Disney is capitalizing on the notion that Tinker Bell's spunky persona, mysterious back story and pinup-girl looks give her an appeal to Disney's usual safe-for-families market -- and a little beyond. Tinker Bell is hot. "Our guests love Tinker Bell," said Dara Trujillo, manager of merchandise synergy and franchises for Walt Disney theme parks. Not all is going magically. A new Tinker Bell movie, potentially the first of a series, missed its target release of this year after Pixar Animation Studios merged with Disney last year and officials decided the movie needed to be redone. Now it will be released on DVD late next year, so timing was thrown off for Disney's usual movie/merchandise cross-promotional strategies. And some Tink fans are unhappy. The new movie, new books and the new DisneyFairies.com Web site do things with Tinker Bell that Disney avoided for more than 50 years: create a personal life and history -- and allow her to speak, voiced by actress Brittany Murphy. That has some loyal fans fretting the loss of pixie mystique. Tinker Bell has been among Disney's most popular and effective character brands for merchandise almost forever, Trujillo said. But for the past 18 months, as the new lines have rolled out, the Tinker Bell brand always ranked among the five best-selling character-brands. During some seasons, the little pixie outsells everyone but Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. It's not a supporting role. Disney's consumer products may be the smallest of the company's four business lines (well behind broadcast networks, theme parks and resorts, and movies) yet it still accounted for $2.2 billion in sales last year. Disney business observer and commentator John Frost, founder of the independent Web site, TheDisneyBlog.com, thinks the Tinker Bell merchandise probably would have come out even without a movie in the works, because of the pixie's obvious popularity. Frost thinks Disney is positioning Tinker Bell and the newly created circle of friends, the Disney Fairies, as an alternative line to the Disney Princesses, which could be tapering off. Tinker Bell is the anti-princess. And that's what it says on one of her branded hats, which declares, "So NOT a princess." Different versions of Tinker Bell's life story will be presented through the DVD movies, and through a new series of books by Gail Carson Levine, author of the award-winning Ella Enchanted. So far Levine has produced two: Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg and Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand. Tinker Bell has long been important to Disney fans because she was the original symbol of Disneyland, opening the Disneyland (and other) TV shows that Walt Disney used to promote the park, said Kendra Trahan, Winter Garden-based national president of the Disney fans' National Fantasy Fan Club. So Tink's fan base is large and loyal. And it's nervous, she said because Tinker Bell may lose allure as she gains a voice and a personal story.Many women identify with Tink's character, Trahan said, because she's a little bit vain about her looks, a little bit insecure about her body, a little bit good, a little bit evil -- and knows it. "She's the very first [Disney] character," Trahan said, "who is a little bit sexy." Tinker Bell is sexy? "I wouldn't use that word," Trujillo said. After all, this still is Disney. Thus, the $595 "Tinkertini" poster, while far from risque, left Disney with a dilemma. Artist Kungl was known for illustrations involving martini glasses and shapely women, so Disney officials knew what they were asking for when they commissioned him to create a Tinker Bell work, he said. "Tinker Bell has an attitude problem to begin with; I thought she would be the perfect one to sit on a martini glass," Kungl said. Though Disney is selling the poster through the company's Web site and other outlets, officials decided not to display it in Disney World stores. "It's a collectible. It's obviously not a product targeted to a child," said Nidia Tatalovich, spokeswoman for Disney Consumer Products. Kerry, who has reveled in the role of the original Tinker Bell model, insists people misunderstand Tinker Bell these days. What some call bad temper or vanity, Kerry chalks up to naivete and the natural insecurities of a young child. "She is so innocent," Kerry said. "That's what we love about her." | ||
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Walt
Disney World Triathlon Weekend, Sept. 21-23 Disney News - Only one triathlon offers serious competition with a splash of world-class Disney entertainment -- a combination that makes the 2007 Walt Disney World Triathlon Weekend, in a word...magical. Athletes will push their bodies to the limit as they swim, bike and run through Walt Disney World Resort in this USA Triathlon sanctioned event. This event consists of a 1.5K (0.93 miles) swim, a 58K (36.5 miles) bike ride and a 10K (6.2 miles) run. The Walt Disney World Triathlon starts at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The swim takes place at Clementine Beach with the first transition area staged next to Pioneer Hall. The bike stage will take place off property before returning to Fort Wilderness where the entire 10K run takes place, finishing just outside Fort Wilderness Pioneer Hall. The Event Expo is held at Fort Wilderness on Friday, Sept. 21, from noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registration for the Walt Disney World Triathlon Weekend is near capacity, but participants can still enter by registering online at www.disneysports.com and selecting the Event tab and then clicking on September events. | ||
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Disney's Soccer Showcase Qualifier, Aug. 31- Sept. 3 Disney News - More than 160 elite club soccer teams from the southeast will be battling it out at Disney's Soccer Showcase Qualifier for a precious few spots in the prestigious Disney's Soccer Showcase and Disney's Junior Soccer Showcase. Disney's Soccer Showcase (15-under to 18-under) features the premier soccer club teams in the nation, creating the ultimate place for top clubs to showcase their talent in front of coaches from the foremost NCAA soccer programs around the country. The Junior Soccer Showcase involves the top 13U-14U teams in the U.S. The top two teams in each age group at the Qualifier will earn an automatic berth into Disney's Junior Soccer Showcase in November and Disney's Soccer Showcase in December. For a complete list of schedules for Disney's Soccer Showcase Qualifier please visit www.gotsport.com/events/?eventid=1524 | ||
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Premiered Friday Night on Disney: Your Take on High School
Musical 2 Product Reviews - High School Musical 2 has just premiered on our screens last night. In the film the East High Wild Cats are gearing up for three sun and fun filled months of work ahead of them. In the film Troy, Gabriella, Chad and Taylor all get summer jobs working at the Lava Springs Country Club which is owned by the family of Sharpay and Ryan Evans The film is about Sharpays rule no 1 and that is to get Troy In the film Troy learns that being friends with the evens family offers him rewards like collage scholarship and chilling with college basketball hotshots but the thing is he would have to choose between Sharpay and Gabriella? This is a must see film especially if you have seen the first one. | ||
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Disney
Shoots Down 'Jungle Book' Blu-ray Reports High-Def DVD Digest - Disney says reports circulated this morning that 'Jungle Book' would be released on Blu-ray this coming October are erroneous. While the studio is preparing a Platinum Release of 'Jungle Book' for standard-def DVD on October 2, the studio confirmed to us that no Blu-ray companion disc is planned. It appears that the error emanated from a typo in an article published by Home Media Magazine previewing the holiday season's biggest titles. Within hours, the news appeared on various forums and web sites. Such an early Blu-ray release for Disney classic would certainly be newsworthy, but alas, as we first reported late last night, the studio is currently targeting the fall of 2008 for its first Blu-ray Platinum release -- 'Sleeping Beauty.' | ||
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Disney shows off Cars' interactive features in trailer Engadget HD - Those patiently awaiting November 6th can now tide themselves over a bit, as Disney has released a trailer that actually shows off some of the much-anticipated bonus features that will reside on the Cars Blu-ray disc. The well-detailed "Car Finder" game purportedly enables viewers to "search for over 200 models of cars hidden throughout the movie and even race the clock to find a specific car in a frozen frame of film." Also shown is the "Cine-Explore" mode, where you'll be treated to a making-the-movie walkthrough with John Lasseter. | ||
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Zac Efron Seventeen
and Counting E! Online - Zac Efron has really made the so-called awkwardness of adolescence work in his favor.
"The new American heartthrob," as
Rolling Stone dubbed its Aug. 9 cover boy, has signed on to
star in the comedy Seventeen, a Big-in-reverse tale of a
36-year-old man who wakes up one morning to find himself a
high school senior again, according to Entertainment Weekly's
Website.
But at least he wakes up and has been miraculously transformed into the most popular cinematic senior in recent memory. Efron, 19, who's currently in theaters playing Link Larkin, the big—yet sensitive—man on campus in Hairspray, made a name for himself last year as the basketball jock who falls for the brainy girl in the Disney Channel phenomenon High School Musical, one of the cable network's most successful original movies ever. The peppy song-and-dancefest went on to snag an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program, sell more than 6.5 million DVDs and spawn the bestselling album of 2006, a book series, a concert tour featuring the original cast, an ice show and professional stage tour. Not to mention it made fat bank for Disney, which started work on a small-screen sequel almost immediately and has a feature film, Haunted High School Musical, on tap for 2008. HSM also made stars out of Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Monique Coleman and Corbin Bleu, all of whom returned for High School Musical 2, which premieres tonight on the Disney Channel, and the upcoming third installment. In addition to his already-confirmed teenybopper roles, Efron is in talks to star in a remake of Footloose, which, along with the HSM franchise, Hairspray and Seventeen, could put him in the position of perennial prom king, whether he wants to be that guy or not. Perhaps because he needed a break from being the BMOC for awhile, Efron was the only one of the movie's main stars to sit out the HSM live concert tour, which was often sold out despite the original Troy Bolton's absence. (Efron was replaced by Drew Seeley on tour.) "If I had to hear the High School Musical songs anymore, I probably would have jumped off something very tall," Efron, who didn't sing in the first movie, told Rolling Stone. But Efron apparently sees something in Seventeen besides school dances, peer pressure and high school drama. ''It's a good transitional movie that will appeal to his audience and hopefully bring in more adults,'' Efron's sister and Seventeen producer Jennifer Gibgot told EW.com. In the meantime, however, no HSM fan is in any rush to let Efron go. HSM2 brings the entire cast back for more vanilla-flavored shenanigans, this time set at a resort (like the Malibu Sands Beach Club from Saved by the Bell, only with golf) where Troy, Gabriella, Chad and Taylor have summer jobs thanks to Sharpay and Ryan. The Jan. 20, 2006, premiere of the original HSM attracted 7.7 million viewers and, thanks to tons of repeat airings, was eventually watched by more than 200 million people worldwide, so Disney is heading into the home stretch tonight with awfully high hopes. | ||
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Disney stars to
raise hospital funds
Manchester Evening News - The audience at a major Disney show being staged in Manchester will help raise money for the New Children's Hospital Appeal. A percentage of every ticket sold for the Disney on Ice production of the Incredibles at the M.E.N. Arena this autumn will be passed on. The show recreates on ice the story of a family of superheroes, who all starred in the Oscar-winning Disney film which went on general release in 2004. In the past, the partnership between Disney on Ice and the M.E.N. has resulted in more than £40,000 being raised for charitable causes. Steven Armstrong, a spokesman for Feld Entertainment, who produce Disney on Ice, said he was delighted that they were entering into this partnership with the M.E.N once again. "Disney on Ice is a family show that is loved by children, so it's good that we can give something back," said Mr Armstrong. "This year's show is one of our strongest productions yet, so we're hoping to raise a decent amount for the charity and help them get that bit closer to their target." The Incredibles The show follows The Incredibles as they try to take a normal family holiday to Disneyland. Along the way, they bump into an array of favourite Disney characters - such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Snow White and Cinderella. The Disney on Ice show is appearing at the Arena as part of its annual European tour. The New Children's Hospital Appeal was launched in May last year and the aim of the charity is to raise £20 million by the year 2009. The money will go towards providing the best equipment and facilities at the New Children's Hospital, which is part of the New Hospitals Development currently under construction in Manchester. The Disney on Ice production of The Incredibles will take place at the Arena between Wednesday, October 3 and Sunday, October 7. Tickets for the show cost £32.50, £27.50, £14.50 and £10.50 for the weekday performances or £32.50, £27.50, £17.50 and £14.50 for a weekend performance. For tickets, telephone 0870 190 8000; or go online to www.disney.co.uk/disneyonice. | ||
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Cable
utility to add Soapnet, renews Disney
The Kentucky Standard - After a recent presentation by officials with the city’s cable department, Bardstown City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to renew the contract that supplies the system with the Disney Channel, ABC Family and Toon Disney. In addition, the city must now offer Soapnet, the contract specifies. With the supplier contract ending, Bardstown Cable and suppliers of the programming renegotiated. A requirement to add Soapnet to the slate of offerings kept costs for the city’s utility down by more than $300,000. Soapnet programming is mainly comprised of reruns of recent popular shows from major TV networks. Some classic soaps are shown and original shows are blended with special features, the Web site www.soap.go.net says. Jeff Mills, city electrical engineer, said the seven-year deal to keep the Disney Channel for customers on Bardstown Cable would have been much higher than the 15 cents per household the utility will absorb to bring Soapnet to local viewers. | ||
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Friday August, 17 2007 | ||
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Hoping to recapture youth with 'High School Musical 2' Los Angeles Times - "High School Musical" graduates to full-fledged franchise status for Walt Disney Co. with this week's premiere of the sequel. The Friday showing of the Disney Channel's "High School Musical 2" initiates a fresh round of CDs, DVDs, merchandise and live performances. Through 2007, the two television movies are expected to generate about $100 million in cumulative operating profit for the company. In the words of heartthrob Zac Efron's character, star athlete Troy Bolton, it should easily "make bank." Bill Carroll, an analyst with Katz Television Group, a media buying and consulting firm in New York, said "High School Musical" was as hot a property as existed now in television. "The expectations are so high, there may be some disappointment," Carroll said. "But realistically, that audience is just thrilled to have a new version." Still, the staying power of what has become one of the Burbank company's most valuable properties will be tested. "High School Musical 2" faces the same hurdles as any film series -- trying to recapture the chemistry that made the original so endearing to its young audience, while keeping the creative team intact and fully engaged over the life of the franchise. Then there's the Disney Channel's fan base. "That teenage audience is extremely fickle," said veteran media analyst Larry Gerbrandt. "And they also have this nasty habit of growing up. You have to be able to keep drawing in a younger audience." Originally a low-budget sleeper, "High School Musical" became a pop-culture phenomenon, attracting 160 million viewers worldwide who tuned in to watch the interpersonal dramas at fictional East High School. It also produced the top-selling album of 2006, a bestselling novel and a 42-date sold-out concert tour in North America and a subsequent five-country sweep through Latin America. The movie's success also gave a broader boost to the Disney Channel. Derek Baine, an entertainment analyst with SNL Kagan, said "High School Musical" spurred a jump in revenue from sponsorships and DVD sales to $72 million last year, compared with about $15 million to $20 million annually through 2005. Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel Worldwide, said one key to the success of any sequel was its ability to bring back the original cast and creative talent, as "High School Musical 2" has done by retaining director and choreographer Kenny Ortega and the lead actors. The chemistry between the lead actors and Ortega "was certainly the magic," Ross said. "Then, we had to allow it to breathe. We had to be able to tell a new story. We had to create a bigger world that allowed it to expand." The bigger effort also came with a bigger price tag. "High School Musical 2" cost about $7 million, compared with $4.2 million for the original. Still, by Hollywood standards that's relatively cheap. If the popularity of the original caught some executives by surprise, this time Disney will leave no merchandising stone unturned. Nearly every division of the entertainment giant will tap into the "High School Musical" phenomenon, including Disneyland Resort, which Tuesday hosted the red carpet premiere at Downtown Disney in Anaheim. Music once again serves as a launching pad to build anticipation for the musical. Walt Disney Records already has released the soundtrack's first single and music video, "What Time Is It?" an upbeat summer anthem that has gotten an airplay boost from Radio Disney. SoundScan said the song debuted at No. 1. The full soundtrack went on sale Tuesday. Once the movie airs on the Disney Channel, it will be broadcast in 100 countries. Ross said some were initially skeptical of his plans to take "High School Musical" to a global television audience. "People pretty much thought I was crazy," Ross said. "I've been in rooms from Shanghai to Moscow to Buenos Aires and people say, well, 'This is American.' " Ross said he was quick to point out the similarities in the lives of teens worldwide, who are dealing with the same school and social pressures and aspirations. Those instincts proved on target, as Disney said the premiere telecast of the original "High School Musical" was No. 1 in its time slot in 16 worldwide markets as diverse as Chile, Norway and Taiwan. The soundtrack album sold more than 1 million copies in countries including Argentina and New Zealand. In the U.S., the Disney Channel's launch of "High School Musical 2" kicks off a new round of merchandising and live performances. "High School Musical: The Ice Tour" hits the rink in September, with three global touring companies. And some 2,000 high schools and community theaters will have staged adaptations of "High School Musical" by the end of the year, even as Disney Theatrical Productions sends a professional touring company through North America. The studio is also contemplating a big-screen version of "High School Musical." Disney Consumer Products Group is launching a "High School Musical 2" promotion with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. About 300 licensed products will reach stores by the end of the year, including a "High School Musical" DVD board game, musical handbags, stationery and bedding. Fourteen "High School Musical" themed books will be published this year. Disney's interactive division, Buena Vista Games, created a karaoke game called "Sing It," in which kids can create cartoonish representations of the cast members and perform music from both films. It will be available on the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 2 consoles. Still, Disney Channel Entertainment President Gary Marsh said, the "High School Musical" phenomenon was ultimately not about the merchandise and goods but the story. "A lot has been written about how the marketing prowess of Disney created the hunger for this movie," Marsh said. "This movie worked because people discovered it, not because we marketed it to the hilt. . . . If spending money were the key to creating a franchise, no one would ever fail." | ||
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Disney Stamp Release
Ceremony Disney
News - With the help of some favorite Disney characters,
representatives of the United States Postal Service dedicated
its newest Disney stamp release Aug. 16, 2007 at the Epcot
America Gardens Theater at Walt Disney World Resort. The
four-stamp set, titled "The Art of Disney: Magic," features
Mickey Mouse as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"; Dumbo and Timothy
Mouse; Peter Pan and Tinker Bell; and Aladdin and Genie. This is
the fourth stamp pane issued by the USPS to honor the art of
Disney. Senior
Vice President of Operations, Walt Disney World Resort, Erin
Wallace; artist Peter Emmerich; Creative Director Dave Pacheco;
Art Director Terrence McCaffrey and Senior Vice President, US
Postal Service, Linda Kingsley, representatives of the United
States Postal Service dedicated its newest Disney stamp release
Aug. 16, 2007 at the Epcot America Gardens Theater at Walt
Disney World Resort. The four-stamp set, titled "The Art of
Disney: Magic," features Mickey Mouse as "The Sorcerer's
Apprentice"; Dumbo and Timothy Mouse; Peter Pan and Tinker Bell;
and Aladdin and Genie. This is the fourth stamp pane issued by
the USPS to honor the art of Disney. | ||
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Robber gets away with cash at Disney parking lot Orlando Sentinel - A man snagged two bags of cash from a vendor walking back to his car in the parking lot of Disney's Animal Kingdom this week.
Cesar Flores, an employee of
Joffreys Coffee and Tea, was carrying the day's proceeds from
two kiosks when a man ran up from behind and snatched the cash
at about 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Orange County
Sheriff's Office.
The man then jumped into a waiting gray Dodge caravan that fled the scene. Flores, who was shoved, was not injured in the encounter. Deputies have not released details about the amount of money that was taken. The case remains under investigation. | ||
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Disney plans to open George Lucas Land Theme Park? /FILM - Okay, so the headline might be just a little bit deceiving. Disney is renaming the Disney-MGM Theme Park in Orlando to Disney’s Hollywood Studio. But the park will not just be renamed, but restructured into different lands (almost like how Universal handles Islands of Adventure). There are plans to increase George Lucas’ presence in Disney’s Hollywood Studios into an entire George Lucas Land that will stretch from the Indiana Jones Outpost to the Tatooine Traders. At the heart of the revisited area will be Star Tours 2.0, complete with a brand-new 3D ride film as well as elements from Disney’s Living Character Initiative. Rumor has it that a scene or two from Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular might be replaced with new stunt sequences from the upcoming Indiana Jones 4. One of my favorite rides at the
California park is the Indiana Jones Adventure. But injury
lawsuit settlements unfortunately may prevent this ride from
being rebuilt on the east coast. The movie props in the Backlot Express eatery will be replaced with replicas of well-known costumes & vehicles from various Lucasfilm productions. There are plans for an Indiana Jones themed room, in addition to a Star Wars themed room. The new Jedi Academy will be taking up a huge plot of land, so I doubt there will be any room to add additional attractions. But you never know. This will be officially announced in 2008, with plans to go live in 2009 - the 20th anniversary of the theme park. | ||
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Disney Announces Major Blu-ray Disc Releases for 2008! MovieWeb - Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment announced today more innovations in the Blu-ray format with the Studio's first ever Platinum Blu-ray release, the Studio's first BD-Live title, and full motion picture-in-picture Blu-ray bonus features. The Studio announced the first animated Platinum coming to Blu-ray will be the timeless treasure Sleeping Beauty. Releasing Sleeping Beauty on Blu-ray marks a milestone for the format as these titles are not released until a format has been proven both technologically and in terms of consumer acceptance - and Disney's animated releases in the past have been a major catalysis for any format's growth. Pinocchio's release on VHS and Snow White's release on DVD marked major growth milestones for both of those formats. The Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc release will also include a virtual castle and multi-player activities - both utilizing the BD-Live technology. "The Platinum titles are the crown jewels of the Disney Studios and we do not take releasing them lightly on any format. The proven Blu-ray technology has allowed us to take our films to new heights, fully utilizing the larger capacity and interactive capabilities for an incredible all-new consumer experience," commented Bob Chapek, President of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. In addition, WDSHE announced the special edition release of the action-adventure blockbuster National Treasure, which will become the Studio's first BD-Live Blu-ray Disc title. In addition, the Studio will bring two of its treasured family classics to Blu-ray Disc, Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe, both of which will feature full motion picture-in-picture bonus features. "The strides that we've made with this format are just the tip of the iceberg and we are confident that consumers will be astounded by the level of entertainment that can only be achieved by using the maximum capacity of the Blu-ray Disc format. All of these wonderful titles will appeal to the ever growing Blu-ray market and we are extremely proud to offer these in the most pristine and robust presentations ever for Disney fans around the globe," continued Chapek. This exciting slate of Blu-ray Disc releases will begin with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe in spring 2008, followed by National Treasure in summer of 2008 and culminating with Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo and Sleeping Beauty in fall 2008. | ||
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Bucs want cooler Disney
deal Orlando Sentinel - The thousands of Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans who pour through the gates at Disney's Wide World of Sports no doubt think it's cool to see their team up close during training camp. It might have to get cooler if they want to see them again. Disney and Bucs officials are expected to review options that would allow the team to escape the brutal weather -- be it thunderstorms or heat-index temperatures pushing 110 degrees -- that forced the cancellation or movement of seven of 31 scheduled practices over the 21-day camp. The most obvious option: a practice bubble. The most obvious question: who pays for it? Training camp contracts between Disney and the Bucs are negotiated annually, with the NFL club believed to pay around $2 million for three weeks worth of amenities at Celebration and WWS. "That means we have to make the team every year, and next year will be no different," said Reggie Williams, vice president of Disney Sports Attractions. "We are exploring a number of indoor practice options, for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and additional growth opportunities at Disney's Wide World of Sports.'' The Bucs trained in Tampa from 1976-2001. When Coach Jon Gruden arrived from the Oakland Raiders in 2002, he brought an old-school affinity for sequestering players and coaches for camp in an atmosphere conducive to bringing a team together. His inaugural season with the Bucs started at Disney and ended with a victory in the Super Bowl. But Tampa Bay has missed the playoffs three of the last four seasons and is coming off a 4-12 record in 2006 that marked the club's worst in 15 years. A similar performance in '07 and it may be another coach deciding whether Disney is the best option. Gruden, however, always has raved about the state-of-the-art amenities Disney has afforded Central Florida's adopted NFL team. Still does. "This place -- the accommodations, the hospitality -- is absolutely first-class across the board,'' Gruden said. "If there is a negative, it would be the heat issues. I know that's something that's out of everyone's control, but selfishly you'd like to have the ability to go inside and practice a full practice." The Bucs held three practices in a ballroom at the Omni Hotel at ChampionsGate during camp and Wednesday had the entire floor of Disney's Milk House for a light practice. "We'll continue to look at ways to improve our preparations,'' General Manager Bruce Allen said after the Bucs canceled Thursday morning's scheduled final practice and headed back to Tampa. "But I think Coach [Gruden] was very creative with what we did." In a perfect world, Gruden would like to do more indoors. And in more space. Of the NFL's 32 teams, 13 have designated indoor facilities (with turf surfaces) that can be used during training camp. The other 18 have to go to nearby gyms at local colleges to run on wood floors, or cancel workouts altogether. Bucs camp at Disney always has coincided with the national AAU basketball tournament. The new Josten Center, a 70,000-square foot multi-sport facility, is currently under construction at Disney but isn't expected to be ready in time for a camp next summer. A bubbled field could be ready for next July, but it would be expensive. Such an addition, though, would offset the need for a cool-down trailer, and thus offset some costs elsewhere. But there's no putting a price on what a coach can get from players working in a controlled 72 degrees versus a sweltering 108. "You watch TV, man, and every time you see a preview from another team's camp it seems every one of them is indoors -- and for a reason,'' Gruden said. "When you give out 20 IVs in the morning, it's hard to get those guys ready for the afternoon practice; almost physically impossible. That's the challenge.'' With regards to the Bucs, it's one that's not limited to their training camp site. Last year the Bucs moved into a new $35 million training complex that features three immaculate practice fields, all of which are outdoors. The team currently is battling the Tampa Sports Authority over a $12 million escrow fund that originally was tied to the public referendum voters passed in 1996 to build Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs, who paid for the training complex, now want that $12 million to build an indoor practice facility. The TSA wants the money for other projects. An indoor facility on the team's home grounds might give the Bucs reason to stay in town for camp, provided they want to accommodate thousands of fans on their grounds. Doing so, however, might scale back the inroads the club has made in building up its Central Florida fan base. A total of 20,263 fans came through the gates at Disney this summer, the sixth straight year the club has drawn more 20,000. "We were very pleased with this year's camp and hope everything that we have partnered will contribute to a successful season," Williams said. "For us, that's ultimately what counts. We all remember that [the Bucs'] inaugural season here ended in a Super Bowl championship." | ||
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French chef's
rave over Disney's rat tale Times Online - After the recent Franco-US strain, the French might have taken offence at an American yarn about sewer rats in a Paris restaurant. The climate must be improving, because France has this month fallen madly in love with Ratatouille, a Hollywood story about a rat with culinary talent. The new 3D animation from Disney's Pixar studios has topped the French box-office in the two weeks since it scored the biggest-opening day for an animated film in France. More than three million people have now seen it. Audiences in stuffy Paris quartiers are applauding the feel-good finale, in which Rémy the rat triumphs with a message that echoes the can-do doctrines of President Nicolas Sarkozy: if you work hard, you will prosper. Mr Sarkozy is expected to see Ratatouille after his return from his summer break in New Hampshire today. France's cinema critics and even the guardians of its gastronomic temple have pronounced the US blockbuster a work of genius. Their reviews have exceeded the superlatives that the film received from American critics "Rich, sumptuous, this is one of the greatest gastronomic films in the history of the cinema," raved the normally staid Le Monde. "It is a burlesque comedy, often funny, above all an apologia for individual creativity." Télérama, the usually caustic weekly arbiter on cinema, invoked Marcel Proust and An American in Paris, starring Gene Kelly, in an encomium to the film, which has its British premier at the Edinburgh Festival next Friday. "It has been a long time since any film has celebrated France, its cuisine and Paris with so much brio and dazzling kitsch," said Télérama. With Ratatouille, Hollywood has returned to its Francophile past after a phase in which Frenchmen have played the bad guys and Homer Simpson called them them cheese-eating surrender monkeys, according to French critics. In response to rat-mania in both France and the United States, the Paris council cinema division has started "Ratatouille tours". Fans are taken to Rémy's haunts, such as the Seine embankment, the sewers and the Aurouze pest-control shop in Les Halles. This ancient boutique, which features in the film, is famous for the stuffed rats that hang in its window. An exhibition of original art for the film is also doing well at the main FNAC entertainment store. Disney films about cute rodents are not new. Ratatouille is a Gallic hit because its makers used their ultra-realistic technique to get France - and rats - right. The treatment plays to American dreams of old magical Paris, full of accordions, berets and Citroën DS, but it is highly precise on the tough business of haute cuisine. In six years making the film, Brad Bird, the producer, sent teams to study the ways of great Paris kitchens, such as Taillevent, Guy Savoy and La Tour d'Argent. They drew on that venerable restaurant on the Seine for the physical model and part of the plot. In the film, Auguste Gusteau, a great chef, has died after his restaurant is downgraded in the ruthless ratings system. La Tour d'Argent has recently lost a star. Also evoked is Bernard Loiseau, the Michelin three-star chef who committed suicide in 2003 because he feared demotion. In another realistic touch, "Gusteau's" went downhill after a bad review from Anton Ego, a terrifying restaurant critic who could be one of several who wield power in the daily press. Peter O'Toole provides Ego's chilling voice in the English-language version. In a self-mocking, anti-American touch, the villain chef called Skinner is betraying Gusteau's reputation by using his name for a brand of microwave food in the United States. Paris chefs have been praising the accuracy of the film, with its reverence for their art, its kitchens with their sea of copper pans, sense of organized chaos and cast of odd chefs and commis. Hélène Darroze, one of the two top Michelin-rated women chefs, called the film "an excellent advertisement for the profession and for French gastronomy". In Ratatouille, Ms Darroze was the model for Camille, a fiercely independent chef at Gusteau's restaurant. Rémy serves a cheese dish that is one of Ms Darroze's specialties. | ||
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Show details for
the new O Canada!
Disney News - In
September, Walt Disney World guests can glimpse today's Canada
in a 14-minute motion picture presented in CircleVision 360 as a
major feature of the Canada pavilion in Epcot World Showcase.
Titled "O Canada!" the updated film includes new scenes
highlighting Canada's natural beauty, cosmopolitan cities and
diverse populace. | ||
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Local bakery to launch Walt Disney - branded cakes VietNamNet Bridge – The HCMC-based Asia Bakery Confectionary Co. announced on Tuesday that it would bring out products bearing the brand of Walt Disney as the company has clinched a deal with East Media Holding Inc. (EMHI) as the brand owner in Indochina. Kao Sieu Luc, general director of the company, said that his company signed an agreement with EMHI in May to use the Disney brand for consumer products in Vietnam. However, he did not reveal the contract value. "The event will make us become the first confectionary producer in Vietnam to use the Disney brand in food products," he said. Luc believed that his company's products bearing the brand would be launched in the Mid-Autumn Festival in September this year. He expected that all the company's Moon cakes with Disney cartoon characters will be sold well. "After signing the deal with the Walt Disney's representative, the company plans to expand the network of its bakery shops from 16 to 50 this year. Next month, the confectionary producer will open branches in HCMC's Thu Duc District, Vung Tau City and Phnom Penh in Cambodia, according to Luc. The company also will inaugurate a lab for product testing this month. Now, it has over 300 kinds of fresh cakes and supply confectionary products to KFC, Lotteria, and Jolibee. In the past many years, the company has shipped products to Japan, the U.S, and Taiwan among others. Next month, it will expand its market to the United Kingdom by shipping the first container to the country. The Walt Disney Company came to Vietnam last year via EMHI. The company is appointed the official and exclusive partner for the Walt Disney responsible for licensing Disney-branded consumer products from numerous categories from publishing to food and beverages, apparels and accessories. | ||
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Schedule for the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series
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Mike Tosch Named CE for L.A.’s ESPN Radio, Radio Disney Radio World - Mike Tosch accepted a position with KSPN(AM) 710 ESPN Radio and KDIS(AM) 1110 Radio Disney in Los Angeles as chief engineer. Both are owned and operated by the Walt Disney Co. in Burbank. Tosch left his job at Sporting News Radio and KMPC-1540 as director of engineering to accept this position. He will be in charge of new facilities design and buildout for a new transmitter site for KSPN, and new studio facilities for KSPN Radio in downtown Los Angeles in a new redevelopment project called “LA-Live.” Tosch reports to GM Bob Koontz and VP of Engineering Clay Steely in Dallas. He has been involved with broadcast engineering professionally since 1979 after graduating from Michigan Tech University. He is SBE Certified as CBRE and CBNT; local SBE Chapter 47 secretary; and a ham operator (W6UWB). | ||
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New
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts room category
Disney News -
Guests shopping for Walt Disney World accommodations will
discover a "new" category of resort at the Vacation Kingdom. In
an effort to alleviate confusion about the availability of
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) accommodations as nightly rentals,
Disney vacation planners are now using the term Disney Deluxe
Villa Resorts in reference to the DVC properties for
non-members. | ||
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September
Surge For Disney and Meredith MediaPost Publications - Disney Publishing is enjoying a surge in advertiser interest at two of its biggest publications, with FamilyFun and Wondertime reporting record ad pages and revenue in their September and September/October issues. At the same time, the Meredith Corp., a leading women's lifestyle publisher, is also seeing big increases in ad pages and revenue at some of its flagship publications. At Disney's FamilyFun, the September issue will be the biggest in its 16 years of publication, with new advertisers like American Dairy Borden Cheese, Bayer Aleve, Honeywell Blink, Kraft, Avon and Sanyo. These contributed to an overall 28% increase in ad pages and a 55% increase in ad revenue. Wondertime is also attracting new advertisers, including Procter & Gamble, Charles Schwab Financial, PBS Children's Television, Kraft, Sony Digital and Hasbro. The new crowd is helping the September/October issue break records as well, with a 61% increase in ad pages and a remarkable 220% jump in gross revenue. This coming February, Wondertime will increase its circulation to 500,000 and begin publishing 10 times a year. However, Disney isn't the only publisher experiencing an advertising boom. Meredith is also reporting record-breaking issues at some of its biggest titles. The September issue of Family Circle, for example, enjoyed a 15% jump in ad pages compared to the same month last year, with new advertisers including Ford, Nestle, Olay, Dove, Pergo and Eureka. Parents is also breaking records, with a 41% increase in ad pages compared to last year. That's thanks, in part, to new advertisers like Covergirl Cosmetics, Avon, Sears, Ebay, Lee Jeans, Sears and Liberty Mutual. Better Homes and Gardens' September issue is up 17% in ad pages compared to last year, with new advertisers including Andersen Windows, Eddie Bauer, Delta Faucet, Nationwide Insurance, Nestle, J.C. Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart. And More is also booming, with a 17% increase in ad pages and new advertisers like Nissan, VW, Tiffany, Singer and Armstrong. | ||
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Nominees Announced For The Fifth Annual Relly Awards PRNewswire - The full list of nominees has been announced for the fifth annual Relly Awards, "Live with Regis and Kelly's" gala awards show airing on Friday,September 21, 2007. In a shocking development, production executive Art Moore leads the pack with a total of four nominations. Of the celebrity contenders, actors Wilmer Valderrama and Neil Patrick Harris received the most, scoring two nominations each. The Rellys recognize the best on-air moments of the past year on "Live," with the winners decided by "Live's" at-home viewing audience, who cast their votes online at RellyAwards.com. The winner in each category takes home a Golden Stool trophy, which has become one of the entertainment industry's most coveted awards. Year after year, Regis continues to be defeated in the BEST REGIS category, most recently losing to Mark Consuelos last year. Award-watchers will eagerly look to this year's ceremony to see if the "Live" host can make a comeback over this year's nominees Wilmer Valderrama, Ben Affleck, David Duchovny, Neil Patrick Harris, Pat Sajak, co-host Kelly Ripa, Martin Short, "Live" staffer Laurie Ciaffaglione and the Dancing Regi (dancing Regis impersonators). Two brand-new categories will debut at the 2007 Rellys. This season, many guests displayed previously unknown (and unexpected) skills during their visits to "Live," and in acknowledgment, the Relly committee decided to honor them with the "CELEBRITY HIDDEN TALENTS category. Competing will be Jeremy Piven, up for "Fitness Motivator," Pamela Anderson for "Magician's Assistant," Abigail Breslin for "Palm Reader," Jimmy Kimmel for "Lexicologist," Neil Patrick Harris for "Back Up Singer, Mario Lopez for "Dance Instructor," Wilmer Valderrama for "Pie Taster" and Jim Belushi for "Yogi." And a slew of top medical professionals will be competing against each other in the newly-created category FAVORITE DOCTOR: Dr. Yapalater, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Belmont, Dr. Phil, Dr. Isom & Dr. Kreiger (Regis' doctors) and Gelman as "McDreamy." Other top nominees for this year's coveted Golden Stools include Bindi Irwin, Miley Cyrus, David Letterman, Borat, Howie Mandel, Kermit the Frog, Derek Jeter, Jordin Sparks and Sweet Pea the Guinness World Record Breaker dog. Returning for a fourth year to man the red carpet will be the sole recipient of the Relly Lifetime Achievement Award (2004) and award show maven, Joan Rivers. Throughout Relly history, a dazzling array of personalities have lent glitz and glamour to the annual awards show and those scheduled to appear this year include George Lopez, Vanessa Williams, Kyra Sedgwick, Michael Chiklis, Jeremy Piven, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Carell, Mandy Moore and Drew Carey. The 2007 Relly Award categories
are: | ||
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Jonas
Brothers Debut at #5 on Billboard's Top 200 Hollywood Records - The anticipation has been building for months, ever since Jonas Brothers signed with Disney's Hollywood Records and went into the studio with producer John Fields in February. The result is the top 5 debut for the self titled Jonas Brothers album. The lead in to the impressive chart debut is the culmination of high profile events and promotional activities. Jonas Brothers have had four # 1 singles on Radio Disney and major visibility on Disney Channel. A multi-media multi-million dollar advertising campaign with TOPPS created heightened awareness for the band, and brought out of music department placement opportunities with major retailers. Pre-sales of the album at Jonas Brothers' sold out headline shows (which started at the end of June) added more to the frenzy. For the past several months, the brothers have graced the covers of every teen and 'tween fanzine. TV appearances are also kicking into gear starting with a special appearance and performance August 17 on Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana". This will be followed by performances on Miss Teen USA August 24, Arthur Ashe Kids' Day August 25, Disney Channel Summer Games Closing Ceremony August 25, and with an appearance as presenters on the Teen Choice Awards August 26. A review in USA Today read, "They've got fizzy harmonies, punchy power chords and sugary choruses that bounce off the walls." Jonas Brothers, the CD, is the first to be released on the new way to view music, CDVU+. The new format "reads" like a digital magazine full of exclusive video content, hidden "easter eggs," and interactive goodies that can be accessed both on and offline. CDVU+ replaces the traditional CD booklet/jewel case with eco-friendly packaging (100% recyclable, 35% post- consumer) while still offering an unprecedented amount of content. This fall, Jonas Brothers will tour with Miley Cyrus. Said Hollywood Records General Manager, Abbey Konowitch, "Jonas Brothers have put in a great deal of energy and work into making and promoting this record, and this debut reflects their and our staff's dedication to this project." Added Jonas Brothers, "We are so happy with our family at Hollywood Records (Kevin)." "They really understand our vision and support us (Joe)." "We're also fortunate to have the best fans in the world, and we are grateful to everyone who helped get us here (Nick)." The Jonas Brothers are exclusively managed by: Philip McIntyre, Kevin Jonas and Johnny Wright. | ||
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Waukegan brothers finalists in Disney Imagineering competition Waukegan News Sun - Brothers Christopher and Patrick Trigg of Waukegan were finalists in Disney's Imagi-Nations Competition in California this summer and had the opportunity to meet the designers and engineers behind Disney theme-parks. They also got the chance to pitch their own idea for a potential theme-park ride. Christopher, a junior at Northwestern University, started designing his ride more than a year ago. His brother Patrick, a senior at Waukegan High School, partnered with him earlier this year when the competition was opened to college students and high school students. After months of reworking their ideas they eventually settled on a ride about searching for a lost pilot while relying on clues from historical flyers like Amelia Earhart and Glen Miller. Visitors sit in a gondola, which simulates a hot air balloon in the clouds, and drop down into different scenes on each continent where the pilot could have gone down, whether it's the Andes, Sahara or the Canadian wilderness. The Triggs were one of 11 teams of finalists at the competition in Glendale, California, in July. They had a chance to present their idea in front of some Disney executives. Past winners have had internships at Disney's Imagineering Studios. "It was very nerve racking," Patrick said. "But they were very welcoming and they gave us great criticism." Christopher, who is studying environmental engineering, enjoyed meeting the other competitors from diverse backgrounds such as architecture, acting and musicology. "It was a great experience," Christopher said. "It was really diverse in what everyone was studying." | ||
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HK, Disney
animation "Magic Gourd" hits HK CCTV - US film giant, Disney, has teamed up with Chinese film producers to make its first ever non-Hollywood movie. This is the first time Disney has used local Chinese content. In "The Secret of the Magic Gourd", a boy finds a magic gourd which gives him anything he wants. The film made over one million US Dollars at Chinese box offices in its first week. Guo Chun has this story. "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" is an adaptation of a much loved Chinese novel written by Zhang Tianyi, one of the most celebrated authors of children's literature in China. It combines live-action and animation to tell a story about an 11-year-old schoolboy, who learns the real meaning of work after having a magic gourd which grants him anything he wishes. The storyline was chosen by the Chinese producer, Centro Digital Pictures. The company is widely recognized as an Asian pioneer of computer animation, digital film effects and post-production. Disney is responsible for the promotion of the film and producing merchandise. John Chu, director, said, "Disney putting their brand on this movie is an endorsement of quality and high standards for our production. We are glad to hear this. It also lets other competitors see that our production is able to reach world standards." More than 100 animators and technicians from Centro Digital worked on the movie, which took just under a year to complete. Co-director Frankie Chung said they designed lots of different images for the magic gourd, but in the end choose the simplest one. "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" hits Hong Kong cinemas on August 16th. | ||
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Disney Sings a New Song The Motley Fool - My nephew's not happy. His plans to go catch Superbad tonight on the big screen have come undone. His girlfriend is taking him to a High School Musical 2 watch party instead. And they're not alone; countless teens have been counting down to the Disney Channel sequel for months. The original High School Musical has certainly helped Disney (NYSE: DIS) find its voice in kid-appealing programming. Some of the stats that CEO Bob Iger noted during this month's conference call were pretty mind-blowing.
Maybe it's too early to call the original this generation's version of Grease, but Disney is going to run with it while the going is good. This morning's Wall Street Journal claims that "the franchise is expected to generate a total of $100 million of profit in 2006 and 2007." It's not just about the multi-media market success of the film and its songs. Licensed merchandise, traveling "on ice" shows, theme park stage shows, and even new international versions have given the brand a lot of weight in Disney. It better hope that tonight's follow-up is well-received, because it's already gearing up for a third, bigger-budget movie for theatrical release next year. I have to admit that I was wrong to poke fun at Radio Disney. "You're trying to canvas the country with Radio Disney, yet you insult the audible intelligence of kids by doing so on lousy-sounding AM radio," I wrote five years ago. Then again, that was a time when Disney's musical ambitions ran as big as the occasional soundtrack surprise. Its biggest recording artist at the time was SHeDAISY. Disney's on fire these days. Two different Hannah Montana CDs have hit the top spot on Billboard this year. And High School Musical 2's soundtrack has been so anxiously anticipated that it became part of an exclusive back-to-school promotion at Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT). And, yes, now that I have the luxury of listening to Radio Disney in digital splendor through both Sirius (Nasdaq: SIRI) and XM (Nasdaq: XMSR), I'm starting to realize why sugary-sweet bubblegum pop didn't sit well with me through the tinny streams of AM. It's just always that bad. Then again, who am I to judge? Kids are ones with the bucks, and they love this as much as they are counting on Disney to resurrect The Jonas Brothers' career. So as badly as I feel for my nephew, I know that there are Disney bean counters -- most older than me -- who will be singing along tonight, knowing that words sound a lot like money when sung by a hit franchise. | ||
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Thursday August, 16 2007 | ||
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Green going to the
Disney 'Dogs' UW won't bow to Disney's demand Florida Gov. Charlie Crist visits Disney's Wide World of Sports Disney Parlays `High School Musical' Phenomenon Into Franchise Postmaster something of a Disney apprentice Treat for Broadway's 'Mary Poppins' Cast Bucs Cancel Final Day Of Minicamp at Disney Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts to be Site of LINK 2007, PreVisor's Client Conference Disney dates Turok's next-gen outing Disney's Mouse Is Ratings Big Cheese Disney Offers High School Musicals and Boozy Frat Parties Fun Facts About 12th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival | ||
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Green going to the
Disney 'Dogs' The Hollywood Reporter - Seth Green has joined the cast of "Old Dogs," the John Travolta-Robin Williams comedy Walt Becker is directing for the Walt Disney Co. "Dogs" is a buddy comedy revolving around two best friends and business partners whose lives are turned upside down when they find themselves taking care of 7-year-old twins. Green will play an executive with the global marketing firm run by Travolta and Williams' characters as they are closing a big deal with a Japanese conglomerate. He is eager to prepare for his move to Tokyo and show off his Harvard MBA and Japanese cultural skills. David Diamond and David Weissman wrote the script. Tapestry's Andrew Panay, Peter Abrams and Robert L. Levy are producing. Kristin Burr and Casey Wolfe are overseeing for the studio. Green has been in movies with Travolta, including "Be Cool" and "Austin Powers in Goldmember," though not in the same scene. Although initially best known for the "Austin Powers" movies, Green has found success co-executive producing, co-directing and co-writing "Robot Chicken," the stop-motion animation parody sketch series he and Matthew Senreich created for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Season 3 debuts Aug. 12. Last month, Green directed George Lucas in the "Robot Chicken: Star Wars" special. Green is repped by Endeavor, Koopman Management and attorney David Weber. | ||
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UW won't bow to
Disney's demand
Seattle Times - The University of Washington is standing behind a news release that upset the Walt Disney Co. and prompted the company's chief executive to demand a retraction. UW President Mark Emmert, in a letter today to Disney's chief executive officer and president Robert Iger, said he will not retract the release, which summarized a study on baby videos and their possible effects. Iger had complained that there were inconsistencies between the news release issued earlier this month and the study, conducted by researchers from the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute. In a letter addressed to Emmert on Monday, he expressed dissatisfaction that Disney's "Baby Einstein" was called out in the release by name as a baby DVD that may hinder vocabulary acquisition in some infants. Iger said the news release "blatantly misrepresented what the study was about." Emmert agreed to review the news release with the study authors to find if there was "appropriate accord" between the two items. Emmert earlier this week said he had "great confidence in our media staff." "The authors of the study and I believe the news release reflects the essential points made in the research publication," Emmert said in his letter today. "The researchers find no inconsistencies between the content of the news release and their paper." The study, titled "Associations Between Media Viewing and Language Development in Children Under Age 2 Years," was published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Disney representatives weren't immediately available for comment. | ||
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Florida Gov. Charlie Crist visits Disney's Wide World of
Sports
 Florida
Governor Charlie Crist (second from left) is flanked by
members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a visit Aug. 15,
2007 to the team's training camp at Disney's Wide World of
Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The team presented
him with a personalized jersey. Pictured (L-R): Linebacker
Derrick Brooks, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, cornerback Ronde Barber and wide
receiver Joey Galloway. Florida
Governor Charlie Crist (back left) and Disney Sports
Attractions Vice President Reggie Williams (back right) pose
with kids from a Central Florida Boys & Girls Clubs during
Crist's visit to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex Aug.
15, 2007. Crist and Williams spoke to the group of children
from the Central Florida Boys & Girls Clubs, stressing the
importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Williams is a former
NFL star linebacker with the Cincinnati Bengals. Disney Wide
World of Sports Complex is the nation's leading venue for
amateur and youth sports. | ||
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Disney Parlays `High School Musical' Phenomenon Into Franchise
Bloomberg - Peter Goldman needs look no farther than his 8-year-old daughter's bedroom to behold the phenomenon of Walt Disney Co.'s ``High School Musical.'' Her heart-shaped pillow bearing a picture of Zac Efron, star of the Disney Channel movie, is a reminder that the film will produce $100 million in profit this fiscal year. He expects profits to grow as a sequel debuts tomorrow. ``We've only seen the beginning,'' said Goldman, managing director of Chicago Asset Management, which holds 130,000 Disney shares. ``It took on a life of its own.'' The sequel is just part of Disney's game plan as it builds on the success of the original, which boosted ratings and spawned last year's top-selling compact disc. More than 170 million viewers in 16 countries have seen ``High School Musical'' since it first aired in January 2006, Disney says. ``People are looking at this as a franchise,'' said Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television Group. ``We're looking at the different ways it can branch out.'' The Burbank, California-based company forecasts that revenue from ``High School Musical'' DVDs, CDs and live performances, including a show adapted for ice rinks, will total $500 million in the year ending next month. That's from a movie made for just $4.5 million. The sequel cost about the same. The original movie follows students from rival cliques as they audition for their school musical. The cast returned for ``High School Musical 2,'' about students organizing a talent show during summer vacation. Young Fans Disney is seeking to tap the loyalty of fans like 10-year- old Roxanne Lewis of New York. She has posters of Troy, the character played by Efron, and is saving to buy the sequel's soundtrack. ``I like it because it has a lot of dancing and singing,'' Lewis said while shopping at the Disney Store on Fifth Avenue. ``I'm a really big fan of Troy because he's really funny and cute.'' This is the first time a movie made for Disney Channel has been so popular that products are being developed in every division of the company, Sweeney said. More than 100 ``High School Musical'' items licensed by Disney will be in stores by year-end, from bedding to dolls to mats that diagram dance steps from the movie, the company says. Karaoke games for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation2 and Nintendo Co.'s Wii will be released by December. The studio plans feature versions of ``High School Musical'' for movie theaters, both in English and with local casts in India and Latin America. `Outsized Success' ``High School Musical'' is one of the most successful movies to come out of television, said Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research in Carmel, California. ``It's an outsized success compared to the thousands and thousands of shows that have come and gone without making much of a ripple,'' he said. Disney makes $16 to $17 on each DVD, said Adams, who doesn't rate individual media companies. ``High School Musical 2'' will be shown on Disney Channel worldwide starting tomorrow, following several previews on pay- per-view. DVDs will go on sale internationally Nov. 29 and in North America in December. Having an ensemble cast of relative newcomers kept costs down and amplified profits, said Peter Jankovskis, research director at Lisle, Illinois-based Oakbrook Investments LLC, which holds 660,000 Disney shares. ``High School Musical 2'' may make even more than the original, he said. ``It's Disney at its best,'' Jankovskis said. ``They've rolled it out in different formats for people. They capitalize on their intellectual property.'' Drawing Viewers ``High School Musical'' helped swell the audiences for Disney Channel's other hit shows, including ``Hannah Montana'' and ``The Suite Life of Zach and Cody.'' Prime-time ratings rose 19 percent to 2.5 million viewers in 2006 from a year earlier, according to Nielsen Media Research Inc. Disney Channel, a commercial-free network that depends on fees charged to cable companies, had six of the 10 top-rated cable-TV shows in the week ended July 22, Nielsen says. Even so, ``High School Musical'' makes little contribution to Disney's bottom line, compared with sales from its ESPN sports channel and theme parks, said Richard Steinberg, president of Steinberg Global Asset Management, which owns 16,000 Disney shares. ``It's somewhat noise in the big picture for Disney,'' said Steinberg, based in Boca Raton, Florida. Record Sales The ``High School Musical'' soundtrack was the No. 1 U.S. album in 2006, and the DVD was the fastest-selling television movie of all time, according to Nielsen. Disney says it sold 7 million CDs and 7.8 million DVDs worldwide. ``High School Musical'' is being performed at Disney theme parks, a 90-minute version is touring North America and students in the U.S. stage their own high school productions. ``The great thing about having a hit like this is that there are many different ways of monetizing that hit over and over,'' said Michael Cuggino, president of Pacific Heights Asset Management LLC in San Francisco. The sequel will benefit from the fan base that took time for the original movie to amass, Chicago Asset's Goldman said. ``You have all these people who've seen it and loved it,'' he said. ``It's going to have some legs as a franchise.'' | ||
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Postmaster something of a Disney apprentice
News-Herald - For Burton Postmaster Mike Muzek, fun is all in a day's work. Muzek, a longtime collector of Disney's "Sorcerer's Apprentice" memorabilia, is displaying some of his treasures at the Burton Post Office in honor of the release of four new Disney-themed postage stamps on Friday. "Of the four new stamps being released, one is of the Sorcerer's Apprentice, of which I'm a big fan," Muzek said. "I heard about the stamps in October, so I've had some time to prepare." Dumbo and Timothy Mouse, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, and Aladdin and Genie will also be featured on stamps. "I'll be displaying various 'Fantasia' items," Muzek said. "I've got an original poster from the 1940 opening of the film, some original photos and artwork, some vintage stills and some Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice figurines as well. There's also an apprentice's cone hat. Some of the items are in the lobby, and some are behind the counter. " Muzek became interested in the beloved cartoon mouse as a result of sharing his initials. "Growing up as a Michael, everyone called me 'Mickey,' " he recalled. "My initials are M.M., just like Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mantle. They were always my namesakes." The stamps originally were slated for release in May. "Originally, I had the display planned for May, but the stamps were held back as a result of the rate increase," Muzek said. "As soon as I got wind of the plan, I thought, 'This is right up my alley.' " The notion of sharing his interest soon occurred to the fan. "I was able to convince the brass at the Post Office to underwrite the cost of some Disney commemorative pens for a giveaway on Friday," Muzek said. "I also have a special Sorcerer's Apprentice cancellation stamp to use on mail going out that day. It's going to be a lot of fun." However, those interested in seeing the full complement of items have only until Friday to do so - after that, like the magic they portray, they'll disappear back into Muzek's private collection. | ||
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Treat for
Broadway's 'Mary Poppins' Cast
Forbes - The cast of Broadway's "Mary Poppins" is getting a practically perfect honor. The Disney musical's stars are being feted Thursday by the dessert emporium Serendipity 3 with an extravagant ice cream concoction called the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Sundae. The sundae contains slightly more than a spoonful of sugar, though. Try a scoop of strawberry ice cream in a goblet with a slice of cheesecake under a sweet strawberry topping and clouds of whipped cream drizzled with caramel sauce. It's decorated with an umbrella hovering above a chocolate wafer chim-chimney. The dessert, created by Serendipity 3 owner Stephen Bruce, will be available for a limited time at the Manhattan culinary landmark for an eye-poppin' $13.50. | ||
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Bucs
Cancel Final Day Of Minicamp at Disney
Bucstats - The headline pretty much says it. No reason was given, which can only mean that the team is perfect right now and can't possibly improve. Or maybe Chris Simms really did finally choke Jeff Garcia to death and most of today's practice will, instead, be spent giving sobbing and incoherent statements to the local police. Or maybe Jake Plummer showed up and the co-existence of so many quarterbacks on a single roster caused a rip in the space-time continuum from which no light or 40 yard passes can escape. Or maybe Peter King showed up and just ate them all. Every one of them... the players, the coaches, the assistant video editor, Hernando. All of them.
Maybe I should go outside for a
while.
UPDATE: Bruce Allen gives a much more boring explanation: cancelling today's practice was a reward for good offseason participation. *Yawn!* He could have at least thrown a vampire into the story to liven it up a bit. Oh, he also adds that the Bucs are not interested in Donovin Darius, so they must feel pretty good about the safety position as it stands. | ||
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Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts to be Site of LINK 2007,
PreVisor's Client Conference
PR Web - PreVisor, a global leader in on-demand employment assessments and selection solutions, today announced the complete schedule for its LINK 2007 Client Conference, taking place September 19-21 in Orlando, Florida at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. LINK provides a forum for
ideas, innovation and collaboration in an educational two-day
event where attendees learn practical solutions and tactics
for aligning talent decisions to business goals. This annual
event attracts HR Professionals from industry-leading
organizations that are shaping the future through innovative
hiring and selection sciences that drive success. LINK offers
a unique opportunity for attendees to learn talent selection
strategy and refine organizational performance. Keynote presentations include:
"This is in an exciting time in the field of talent management" stated Noel Sitzmann. "As more companies embrace pre-employment assessment to refine their hiring, research demonstrates the measurable benefits in actively managing employee selection processes. We expect some high-energy discussions at this year's event with so many global HR leaders coming together to share their experiences and insights." More information on conference specifics and registration can be found at the PreVisor LINK Conference website: http://www.previsor.com/link/index.htm About PreVisor: | ||
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Disney dates
Turok's next-gen outing
PSPSPS - Disney has confirmed a date that gamers will be greeted with the four hallowed syllables "I AM TUROK!" on the PS3 and X360; February 5th 2008. Originally aiming for an autumn release, its developers felt that a little more time was needed to touch up the experience, making it worthy of a home on the consoles. It follows the story of Joseph Turok as he battles to defeat his old mentor Ronald Kane On your way to ‘get ‘im’, you're shot down, crash-landing in a prehistoric world; think Jurassic Park on a much bigger, and scarier, scale. | ||
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Disney's Mouse
Is Ratings Big Cheese
Media Week - Disney Channel racked up its fifth consecutive ratings win, topping all basic cable networks in prime time with an average delivery of 3.06 million viewers. According to Nielsen Media Research data fro the week ended August 12, the Mouse continued its two-year streak in the kids 6-11 and ‘tweens 9-14 demo, averaging 1.29 million and 1.07 million viewers respectively. The non-ad-supported Disney Channel notched eight of basic cable’s top 20 rated programs last week, posting its biggest numbers with the Friday night premiere of the theatrical Ella Enchanted, which drew just under 5 million viewers between 8 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. The net also continued to draw a crowd with its original series, Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zach & Cody. Among ad-supported cable channels, USA Network took first place on the week with 2.94 million total viewers, while nailing down the three demos: adults 25-54 (1.3 million), adults 18-49 (1.26 million) and adults 18-34 (561,000). The net enjoyed three of the week’s top-five rated programs, averaging 5.26 million viewers with its two-hour Monday night juggernaut, WWE Raw, and 5.1 million viewers with the latest episode of its long-running original series, Monk. USA also continued to find success with a pair of its newer dramas, as Psyche delivered 4.43 million viewers Friday night at 10 p.m. and Burn Notice averaged 4.14 million in the same time slot on the previous night. TNT took the silver with 2.3 million total prime time viewers, and placed second among adults 25-54 (951,000) and third among 18-49s (764,000). For the eighth consecutive week, the Turner net laid claim to the most-watched program on cable with The Closer, as the August 6 episode lured 7.53 million viewers in the 9 p.m. time slot. Of those, just under 3 million were members of the 25-54 demo. In its third week, TNT’s latest drama, the Holly Hunter vehicle Saving Grace, continued to slide a bit after a healthy debut, averaging 4.8 million viewers, or about 64 percent of its Closer lead-in. The series debuted to 6.42 million viewers on July 23, dropping to 5.37 million the following week. Although the show hasn’t posted the record high ratings of its lead-in, Grace remains almost a shoe-in for renewal, so long as it continues to deliver upwards of 3 million people. A decision on a second season of TNT’s Heartland, is imminent, although the Treat Williams drama may have seen its last chance drift away when it slipped to 2.31 million viewers on the night of August 6, down almost 2 million from its June 18 debut. The season finale of Heartland aired yesterday (August 13). TBS closed out the week in third (1.63 million viewers), enjoying a strong showing among he three demos. The net took second with its delivery of adults 18-49 (917,000) and 18-34 (468,000), while placing third among 25-54s (836,000). Sozzled starlet Lindsay Lohan gave TBS the biggest lift last week, as a replay of her 2004 theatrical Mean Girls scared up 2.22 million viewers Sunday night at 10 p.m. The Turner comedy network’s original sitcom, My Boys, continued to draw a steady number Monday night at 10 p.m., averaging 1.37 million viewers. Lifetime kept its summer streak going with a fourth-place finish, averaging 1.41 million prime-time viewers, thanks in large part to its breakout hit Army Wives, which delivered 3.74 million viewers Sunday night in the 10 spot. The network’s two recent additions, Side Order of Life and State of Mind, continued to suffer audience churn, averaging 1.42 million viewers and 1.66 million viewers respectively as they lead in to Wives. Both shows originally averaged between 2.3 million and 2.4 million viewers when they debuted on the night of July 15. The net took third on the week among women 18-49 (459,000) and women 25-54 (503,000), and enjoyed its best general demo number with its delivery of adults 25-54 (663,000, good enough for seventh place among ad-supported cable nets). Cartoon Network capped the top five with just under 1.4 million viewers, while claiming second place among all key kids demos. The third Turner net to break the upper reaches of the ratings chart last week, Cartoon delivered its single largest audience of the week Friday night at 8:30 with a new episode of its original animated series Ben 10 (2.14 million). | ||
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Disney Offers High School Musicals and Boozy Frat Parties
CNSNews - The Walt Disney Company generally elicits respect from children and adults as the media leader when it comes to traditional family entertainment. But while the Disney Channel offers high-quality, family-friendly programming, another Disney subsidiary, ABC Family, broadcasts edgy teenage drama that many critics say surpasses acceptable television content. The Disney Channel struck financial and cultural gold with its 2006 movie, "High School Musical," the sequel to which airs Friday, Aug. 17. The original story, viewed by 8 million people, is about a high school basketball star and his brainy girlfriend who overcome the school's cliquish atmosphere. The DVD release of the movie sold 1.2 million copies in six days. The "novelization" made No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and the soundtrack was the best-selling album in 2006. The highly successful "High School Musical" promotes many of the traditional ideas and views espoused by conservatives and pro-family groups. Despite that success, Disney's ABC Family network promotes many ideas and practices discouraged by conservatives and traditional family advocates. The channel, for instance, often broadcasts programming rife with sex, illegal drug use, drinking and profanity. Ironically, ABC Family was formerly the Family Channel, run by evangelical Rev. Pat Robertson. And despite some of the racy programming on ABC Family, the channel is still legally required to run Robertson's 'The 700 Club' twice daily. Frat parties by Disney ABC Family's newest show, "Greek," showcases a college freshman's introduction to fraternity life at fictional Cyprus-Rhodes University. The show features underage drinking, copious profanity and sexual situations -- many of the stereotypes associated with college fraternities. Common Sense Media warned that the program was not appropriate for minors under 14 years of age. The Parents Television Council (PTC) agreed, and criticized the program's "TV-PG SDL" (sex, drug, language) rating. (Disclosure: The PTC formerly was a division of the Media Research Center, of which Cybercast News Service is a division.) "Is a constant barrage of sexual content and sexual language appropriate for 10-year-olds?" asked the PTC. "Would it be appropriate to show a cell phone video message of two people having sex to a 10-year-old -- and then discuss how to post it on the Internet? Most parents would agree that this content is not appropriate for children, but apparently the entertainment industry believes otherwise... "The rating of TV-PG SDL suggests that this kind of content is appropriate for children as long as there is parental guidance. Does the entertainment industry really believe that constant sexual slang and dialogue, sex scenes, binge drinking, partying and women using their sexuality to manipulate men is appropriate viewing for children?" The content in "Greek" warrants at least the TV-14 rating," said the PTS, "if not the 'S' and 'D' descriptors in addition. If Greek's content is only rated TV-PG SDL, one can only wonder what would warrant the TV-14 SDL rating." A TV-14 SDL rating means that viewers should be 14 years old and older and that the content "indicates shows containing higher levels of violence, sex, adult language or suggestive dialogue." The Disney Company did not respond to several requests for an interview. However, ABC Family President Paul Lee told "Plugged In" magazine (published by Rev. James Dobson's Focus on the Family) that though many of the storylines in ABC Family's programming may be racy, it was the context of the material that mattered. "There are fairly racy storylines on [our programming], but they will be resolved in a way that I would be pleased to have a 17-year-old son or daughter watch," said Lee. "The question is not, 'What is the subject?' It's, 'Do we deal with it responsibly?' .... "We feel we're doing our mandate [for family-friendly entertainment] here," he added. "Families today are different from the traditional television family, and we're not in an "Ozzie & Harriet" world. ... I'm on a mission to make great television about today's families that reflect real family passions, dysfunction and diversity; stories that reflect real values and real life with an undercurrent of heart and optimism."br. Disney's critics respond However, Peter Schweizer, author of the book "Disney: The Mouse Betrayed" and a Hoover Institution research fellow, was critical of Lee's appraisal of ABC Family's programming in an interview with Cybercast News Service. "I tend to believe that ideas have consequences," said Schweizer. "If you look at the multi-billion-dollar advertising industry, it's all predicated on the fact that what people see and hear does influence their decision ... there's no question that these ideas do influence and affect young people, and for Disney to think otherwise is ridiculous. ... "I think they're really trying to have it both ways. They try to go to families and say, 'Trust us, you can trust us with our content,' but they're also trying to say, 'we're being cutting edge, and we're going out into these new areas,' and you can't have it both ways." In the 1990s, when he wrote about Disney's pro-homosexual corporate practices and the Southern Baptist Convention launched a boycott of the company, there was "a leadership in Disney at the time that believed that in order to broaden their business, they needed to move beyond traditional family fare," said Schweizer. "I also think that, clearly in the leadership, there were individuals who were supportive in a political sense, in an ideological sense, of a lot of the things that they were embracing, and I think that there is still an element of that today," he said. Things were different, however, when Walt Disney himself was running the company. Then, Schweizer said, "[Disney] was a company that obviously was interested in making money. But it had a corporate ethos and a corporate identity that said 'we produce quality family entertainment.' "Disney today much more corresponds to a large multinational corporation that is interested at the end of the day in profits and really is less interested in protecting its brand." "The bottom line," said Schweizer, "is that if Disney wants to operate something called a family channel, they ought to have in mind the large segment of people that are viewing that channel. And, if they want to have a teenage channel, then they ought to change the format and not call it a family channel." | ||
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Fun Facts About 12th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine
Festival
Disney News - Walt Disney World guests can sip, taste and enjoy live entertainment all day long as the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival celebrates 12 years of first-rate wine and cuisine Sept. 28-Nov. 11. The six-week-long outdoor festival serves up the authentic cuisine, wine, entertainment and cultures of more than 25 international regions. Exotic marketplaces from Peru to India offer exciting taste treats, and the new Pearville Fair exhibit serves up a slice of Americana with one of the Northwest's most important crops -- pears! The festival is the largest food and wine event of its kind in the world, beginning at the Festival Welcome Center in the Wonders of Life pavilion and fanning around the promenade encircling World Showcase Lagoon. Here are a few remarkable facts about the 12th annual event: | ||
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Wednesday August, 15 2007 | ||
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'High
School Musical 2' takes its blockbuster status seriously Newsday - Disney Channel's "High School Musical 2" stars Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth, Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie, Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez, Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans and Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans. Bet you didn't know this weekend's most anticipated movie is "a cautionary tale about learning to pay attention to your own internal moral compass."You probably thought "High School Musical 2" would be about songs, dancing and cute teens in cool clothes cutting loose without adult supervision (while still remaining good kids any parent would be proud to claim). Or maybe, just maybe, you were also thinking "HSM2" could be another golden - no, platinum - opportunity for the Disney folks to start printing more money in outrageously big batches.
After all, the original "High
School Musical" TV movie that debuted in January 2006 on Disney
Channel stirred such rabid obsession among tweens (those
9-to-14-year-olds who aren't little kids but aren't quite
"teenagers" either) that it spawned a marketing machine now
estimated by analysts to have raked in anywhere from $500
million to $1 billion. Its reach has been immense: | ||
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Diverse Lineup of Celebrity Chefs to Appear At 12th Annual Epcot
International Food & Wine Festival For six weeks this fall, guest chefs from Asia, Europe, South America and U.S. cities from coast to coast will cook for, dish with and cater to festival guests. The celebrity chefs will appear at culinary demonstrations, elegant dinners and tasting events like the weekly Party for the Senses that teams Disney's culinary masters with visiting chefs. Some of the many top chefs slated include: More than 160 guest chefs and Disney chefs are scheduled to appear throughout the festival. Included with Epcot Admission: Wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural exhibits, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission. Special Programming by Reservation: The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting, Food and Wine Pairings at Epcot restaurants, Exquisite Evenings at Epcot dinners, Regional Feasts, Epcot Wine Schools, Cheese Tastings, Sweet Sundays, Afternoon Tea with Stephen Twining and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details are available at the Web site: disneyworld.com/food. | ||
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Measure to control
Disney zoning is nearer to ballot Los Angeles Times - Dismissed as farfetched by its detractors last month, a proposed initiative that would give Anaheim voters zoning control over Disney's planned third theme park appears to be gaining momentum. Bob Hernandez became the second Anaheim City Council member to publicly support the initiative, which needs three votes to be placed on the ballot without collecting voter signatures. If the measure makes the ballot, it could join two Disney-backed ballot measures, an initiative and a referendum, aimed at keeping housing out of the neighborhood surrounding Disneyland and California Adventure. Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, who expressed support for the initiative last month, asked city staff last week to begin a process that would allow the council to vote on it next month. Hernandez said he generally did not approve of ballot measures but saw the logic in an initiative asking voters to approve any new zoning on 53 acres of Disney property, currently strawberry fields and employee parking. "This whole idea of referring things back to the voters is not the way to do business, but we do need to create a level playing field," he said. "You have to have something to counterbalance the two Disney ballot measures." The third vote on the proposal could come from Lucille Kring, who was the swing vote in April when the council approved zoning to allow a planned 1,500-unit residential project that would sit across Katella Avenue from a proposed third theme park. . "I don't like doing business like this," she said. "But I haven't made up my mind yet." Supporters of the initiative are backed by SunCal Cos., developer of the controversial residential project. The Disney-supported initiative, which supporters say has gathered enough signatures for the ballot, seeks to bar new housing in the resort district unless voters approve it. The measure wouldn't require voter approval for Disney's commercial ventures. The second Disney-backed ballot measure is a referendum that asks voters to repeal the April council decision that paved the way for the condo and low-cost apartment project. Though the measure has enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, the council has twice postponed voting on the issue so that the housing developer and Disney could settle their differences. Last week, Disney announced that a compromise could not be reached. If the anti-Disney measure wins council approval, it would save supporters the time and expense of collecting some 14,000 petition signatures required to get it on ballot. "It seems a little disingenuous that we collected over 50,000 signatures for the referendum and the initiative, and they . . . get on the ballot with three council votes," said Annette McCluskey, spokeswoman for Save Our Anaheim Resort, a Disney-funded coalition of business and community leaders. "Before the council does anything, I think they need to move forward in getting the referendum on the ballot." Todd Ament, co-chairman of the coalition, said the anti-Disney measure is a "pure act of retribution for the referendum and the initiative." "The public will see this as a dirty campaign trick to confuse the voters," he said. "If this was such an important thing to do, why is it coming now? Why has it not been a part of anyone's campaign speeches?" But Frank Elfend, a consultant to SunCal, argued that the latest initiative is no different than the two-Disney backed measures. "It is surprising that Mr. Ament would consider the public's right to vote as retaliatory or retribution," Elfend said. "After all, Mr. Ament, Disney and SOAR have promoted the public's right to vote for other properties in the Anaheim Resort. Why not apply the same standard to the Disney-owned project?" Councilman Harry Sidhu said he did not have enough information on the initiative over the 53-acre Disney property to decide how he would vote, but said he expected it to pass. If the initiative wins council and voter approval, the Disney property's zoning -- agricultural and parking -- would be frozen without a citywide vote. Disney bought the farming property nearly 10 years ago, but company officials have not disclosed specific plans for the parcel. It is conceivable that both initiatives could pass, in which case voters would have control over housing in the 2.2-square-mile resort district and over any development on Disney's property. "Anaheim voters would have to approve of any new use for that property, whether that's a theme park, hotel, motel or a restaurant," White said. David Koenig, a Disneyland-watcher and author, called the dueling initiatives a "giant, out-of-control game of chicken." "What they [the developer and Disney] want is so diametrically opposed," he said. "Maybe this being decided out of their hands, by citizen mediators, is the only way to settle this." | ||
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WDW
Fall Annual Passholder Discounts Announced Disney News - Disney has released room-only discounts, at select resorts, for Annual Passholders vacationing between September 29 - December 23, 2007. Discounts for value season include select Value Resorts for $59+, Moderate Resorts from $105+ and Deluxe Resorts from $+145 per night. The rates increase with the change in vacation seasons. Ask for code FEX. The number of rooms offered at these rates is limited. For more information go to Disney.com | ||
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David Crowder Band to Open 25th Night of Joy, Lifting Curtain on
Star-Filled 19-Act Christian Music Event Disney News - David Crowder Band will lift the curtain on the 25th annual Night of Joy with a 7:30 p.m. concert on Cinderella Castle Stage Sept. 7 ... and newsboys will have the honor of blowing a kiss and offering a final "God bless" from the same Magic Kingdom stage late night Sept. 8 as the last of 19 music acts performing during the milestone contemporary Christian event at Walt Disney World Resort.
But that's just for starters. Three other stages throughout Magic Kingdom will also be alive with Christian music each evening. Here's the complete entertainment lineup (talent, show times and locations are subject to change without notice): FRIDAY, SEPT. 7, 2007 Artist (Stage) -- Showtimes SATURDAY, SEPT. 8, 2007 Artist (Stage) -- Showtimes The musical diversity that has always been a hallmark continues. Recording artists at the 25th Night of Joy have won GMA Dove Awards in nine different musical genres -- rock, rock/contemporary, urban, pop/contemporary, contemporary gospel, Spanish language, instrumental, inspirational, and praise and worship. This year's lineup also includes seven acts making their Night of Joy debut -- including Christian music Artist of the Year Chris Tomlin. Other Night of Joy newbies: Brian Littrell, Leeland, Jessie Daniels, Sanctus Real, Red and Flyleaf. With their appearances, the all-time Night of Joy roster grows to 123 acts. Night of Joy audiences can enjoy not just concerts throughout the park but also popular Magic Kingdom attractions, which are operating during party hours. Advance tickets ($41.95 plus tax for one night, $71.95 plus tax for both nights) are available by calling 407/W-DISNEY or by visiting disneyworld.com/nightofjoy online. Tickets purchased on the date of the event will be $46.95 plus tax if available (Night of Joy is frequently sold out in advance). | ||
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Disney promotes record
exec Los Angeles Times - Walt Disney Co. named David Agnew president of Walt Disney Records, a new position. Agnew will direct Disney Music Group, publisher of soundtracks and recording artists such as Rascal Flatts, Burbank-based Disney said Tuesday. Agnew has worked for Disney's music division since 1998, most recently as an executive vice president overseeing Walt Disney Records, publisher of the soundtrack for "High School Musical," last year's top-selling compact disc. Agnew will report to Bob Cavallo, chairman of Disney Music, the company said. Disney Music Group, previously called Buena Vista Music Group, is comprised of Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, Lyric Street Records and Walt Disney Music Publishing. | ||
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World Premiere of Disney's High School Musical 2 at DTD
Disneyland Resort Disney News - Disneyland Resort in Southern California hosted the biggest splash of the summer today when Disney’s highly-anticipated movie, High School Musical 2, sequel to the global smash hit High School Musical, had its world premiere at the AMC Theatres in the Downtown Disney District. The movie makes its television debut Friday, August 17 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), on Disney Channel. Stars of the movie, along with director-choreographer Kenny Ortega and other celebrity guests walked the "summer splash blue" carpet past an audience of media and thousands of screaming High School Musical fans. "This whole day has been crazy," enthused Zac Efron, who stars as Troy Bolton. "Every so often you get one of those days when you have to pinch yourself to prove it’s real. It’s a great experience to see kids get so excited." Following the Downtown Disney festivities and the movie premiere, guests attended an invitation-only poolside party at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The High School Musical 2 premiere is the latest highlight of Disney’s ongoing Year of a Million Dreams celebration. Following the August 17 TV premiere of High School Musical 2, an all-new "High School Musical 2: School’s Out!" live show will debut at Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort on Saturday, August 18. Today, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and the rest of the High School Musical 2 cast got their heads in the game, along with guests inside the park, as they experienced a special preview of the new "School’s Out!" show. Guests at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida can see the original "High School Musical Pep Rally" live show every day. "High School Musical 2: School’s Out!" will premiere at Disney-MGM Studios this fall. Reprising their singing and dancing roles in the movie sequel are: Zac Efron as star athlete Troy Bolton, Vanessa Hudgens as brainy transfer student Gabriella Montez, Ashley Tisdale as drama club diva Sharpay Evans, Lucas Grabeel as her brother and on-stage partner Ryan Evans, Corbin Bleu as teammate and best friend Chad Danforth and Monique Coleman as academic decathlete Taylor McKessie. Also returning are Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus, Chris Warren, Jr. as Zeke Baylor, Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen, KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox, Ryne Sanborn as Jason and Bart Johnson as Coach Bolton. Mark L. Taylor joins the cast as the country club manager, Mr. Fulton. In the contemporary movie musical High School Musical 2, the Wildcats are back. This time, school's out and East High School hoops star Troy Bolton, A-student Gabriella Montez and the rest of the Wildcats are getting ready for a fun summer vacation. But that all changes when scheming drama queen Sharpay Evans uses her dad's connections to get Troy a job at Lava Springs, their ritzy country club, and a chance at a college basketball scholarship. The catch? He'll have to turn his back on his friends and pair up with Sharpay in a musical extravaganza for the club's annual talent show. But when Gabriella and the Wildcats start making plans without Troy, he must decide where his loyalties truly lie. High School Musical 2, part of the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, premieres Friday, August 17 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel U.S., and will be featured Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19, in online and on-air programming events hosted by the movie's cast. It will also premiere on Disney Channels around the world beginning in September. Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family-inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 90 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 27 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group. Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney's California Adventure – plus the Downtown Disney district comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. Resort hotels include the luxurious 745-room Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the "day at the beach" fun of the 502-room Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. For Resort information call (714) 781-4565. | ||
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Disney/ABC
Throws Down Online HD Gauntlet Business Wire - HDTV on the web is set to become a reality, according to the latest report from Strategy Analytics’ Digital Media Strategies service, Online HD: Disney's ABC Throws Down Gauntlet To Competitors, and Access Providers. The technical barriers to delivering online HDTV are slowly but surely coming down, as evidenced by the recent launch of streamed HD shows on the ABC.com website. The report cites Move Networks, Vividas and Itiva as being among the key technology developers enabling the next generation of web video services. “Most people’s experience of web video is characterized by the tiny, pixilated windows familiar to YouTube users,” notes David Mercer, Principal Analyst at Strategy Analytics. “But tomorrow’s web users will expect service quality much closer to television, and major content owners like Disney recognize that they will have to step up to this mark to win and retain web viewers.” This report discusses the implications of high definition video streaming and examines some of the key emerging digital media solution providers. It concludes that access network capacity and control will be key issues in determining whether broadband becomes a viable alternative for HD video and television delivery. Strategy Analytics will present the findings of its latest research at its annual Analyst Forum during this year’s IBC in Amsterdam. The event is free of charge and registrations can be made in advance at www.strategyanalytics.com/IBC2007.html. | ||
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Second Annual Disney Club Convention to be held in Orlando,
Florida PR Leap - The National Fantasy Fan Club (NFFC) will be holding their Second Annual Convention in Orlando on September 27 thru September 30, 2007. The event will take place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and inside EPCOT! The NFFC is an international club for Disney enthusiasts with more than 30 chapters. They regularly hold their convention at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. This 23 year tradition will continue with the west coast convention taking place in July. The Orlando convention dates in late September were chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Walt Disney World’s grand opening. Seminars will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on Thursday, September 27th and on Friday, September 28th at EPCOT in the special VIP room of the Living Seas. Not normally available to the public . Confirmed featured speakers Dave Smith, Head of the Disney Archives; Charles Ridgway, Former Director of Public Relations for Walt Disney World Resort; Terri Hardin, Imagineer; Mike Peter and Virginia Davis, who was the original live action star that Walt Disney cast as Alice in the Alice Comedies, before Mickey Mouse was created. and more speakers are to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Again we will be hosting our fabulous NFFC’s annual Lunch with the Legends. The event gives conventioneers the opportunity to dine at a table with a NFFC Disney Legend, so named due to their outstanding contribution to the Walt Disney Company. This year’s Disney Legends are: Bob Matheison and Bill Sullivan. In the past, Invited Legends included merchandise design artist Ralph Kent, Tom Nabbe who was Disneyland’s original Tom Sawyer. Festivities on Friday will conclude with a private dessert viewing of IlluminNations, the evening fireworks spectacular in EPCOT. On Saturday, September 29 Disney memorabilia collectors and dealers will have their wares on sale at the Show & Sale at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort’s Convention Center. Several authors of Disney related books will be on hand signing copies. Registered conventioneers will be admitted one hour earlier than the general public. The Show & Sale will open to the public at 10:00 am and concludes at 5:00 pm and there is Free Parking. That evening, conventioneers will be attending the ‘Part of Your World’ dinner. Every table at the dinner will have at least one Disney VIP offering attendees a personal conversation sharing their stories and experiences. Special to the Second annual convention is the opportunity for conventioneers to take a two hour tour around EPCOT aboard a Segway Human Transporter at a special convention rate. Come and take the Undiscovered EPCOT tour (which is around Future World) and discover untold wonders about Epcot’s Future World. Please Note: Both tours DO NOT conflict with the seminars schedule. On Sunday, September 30, 2007, the conventioneers will spend part of their day on a Digital Photo Scavenger Hunt and riding attractions in Epcot culminating with an Awards ceremony and group photo to commemorate the weekend. Come meet the Disney Imagineers, meet the Disney stars, meet the Disney book authors and meet the Disney artists. Only NFFC provides this kind of experience. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has established a special convention room rate of $131 + taxes per night. Call 407-939-1020 to make your reservations. Please mention the NFFC when booking. | ||
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Gifford to
Return for `Live' Anniversary AP - Kathie Lee Gifford will drop by "Live With Regis and Kelly" to celebrate the daytime talk show's 20th anniversary. Gifford, who left as co-host in 2000, is slated to appear Sept. 14, when Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa take a look back at the show's most memorable moments. Ripa joined the show as co-host in 2001. "Our 20th anniversary is a huge milestone for the show," Executive Producer Michael Gelman said Tuesday in a statement. "Few television shows reach a year on the air, much less two decades." "Live" will celebrate its 20th season in national syndication with two weeks of on-air festivities starting Sept. 3 and ending with Gifford's guest appearance. The Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Television distributes "Live With Regis and Kelly." | ||
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The Walt Disney Company Executives to Discuss Fiscal Full Year
and Fourth Quarter 2007 Financial Results via Webcast BUSINESS WIRE - Senior executives of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) will discuss fiscal full year and fourth quarter 2007 financial results via a live Webcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, November 8, 2007 (results will be released at 4:01 p.m. EST). To listen to the Webcast, point your browser to www.disney.com/investors. The discussion will be available via re-play through November 23, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. PST. | ||
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Tuesday August, 14 2007 | ||
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Pirates
pulling them into Disneyland
Disney Promises Themed iPod Speakers, TVs Measure to control Disney zoning is nearer to ballot 'Live with Regis and Kelly' Celebrates Twenty Years as America's Favorite Wake-Up Call Disney blasts UW over baby DVD announcement Little League games an easy sell for television Pirate & Princess Party is back Head Back to School with ''High School Musical: Makin' the Cut!'' Wild Hogs on DVD The Lookout on DVD | ||
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Pirates pulling
them into Disneyland The Star - AHOY, me hearties! The pirates have docked and taken over Hong Kong Disneyland! When Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew burst onto silver screens worldwide for the third installment of the lovable Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the entire crew also took over Adventureland and turned it into Pirateland. Pirateland is one of the new attractions introduced this year, says sales and travel trade marketing vice-president Josh D’Amaro, adding that Hong Kong Disneyland constantly tries to figure out creative ways to engage visitors who are not familiar with the Disney brand. “Over the last year or so, we have been working with our retail travel agents in South-East Asia to bring the Disney experience to the market, as there is always new development in the theme park. “We continue to change and come up with new ways to entice people to visit the park as well as work with travel agents to ensure that they fully understand our products and have what they need to promote us effectively,” he explains. The Hong Kong Disneyland team initiated an ambient marketing campaign with the assistance of travel agents to promote Pirateland. The campaign, entitled Pirate Takeover, encourages travel agents to show their creativity, innovation and imagination through point-of-sale materials. “We developed a whole bunch of
creative materials, which gave them an opportunity to create
some excitement in their shops. Thirty-five travel agents from Malaysia and Singapore are participating in the campaign, which runs from May to August. D'Amaro says the campaign has turned out better than expected and Hong Kong Disneyland may consider expanding it to other markets. As to why the campaign has been rolled out in only two countries, he explains: “We wanted to test it to make sure that it was accepted. Now that we know it is, it will be easier to push it to other market.” Travel agents that participated in the campaign witnessed a 40% rise in the sales of Hong Kong Disneyland products. D'Amaro says the increase is evident from guests who stay longer in the park and improvement in the hotel's occupancy. The theme park, which is coming close to the end of its second year of operation, hopes to do better in terms of total visitors this year. However, he declines to go into details. In its first year, Hong Kong Disneyland received over five million visitors. Reports published last year close to its anniversary said the number was just below its 5.6 million target. Nevertheless, D'Amaro says, the management felt good of its achievement after one year in operation. “Attendance is one thing, but you also have to look at occupancy, spending on merchandise and food, and how guests react to our product,” he adds. Other attractions launched recently include Mickey's WaterWorks (a day parade created to keep guests wet and cool throughout summer) and Animation Academy (an interactive and educational experience in which Disney artists teach guests how to draw beloved Disney characters). By the first half of next year, visitors can look forward to Small World, a new attraction. | ||
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Disney
Promises Themed iPod Speakers, TVs PC World - Disney is entering the consumer electronics business with the launch of iPod speakers and a range of LCD TVs through its Disney Consumer Products division.
Products are inspired by some of
Disney's popular brands, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and
High School Musical.
"We are seeing kids and tweens quickly follow the adult market in terms of technology. Gone are the days of boxy TVs and CD players. This year, kids will be looking for flat screen TVs and iPod compatible speaker docks with great sound, and our new range is very much on the forefront of this trend," said Chris Heatherly, vice president of global electronics for Disney Consumer Products. The Disney iPod compatible speakers are Made-for-iPod compliant and available in High School Musical and Hannah Montana styles. The docks include an iPod compatible/personal media player dock, a digital AM/FM alarm clock radio, and speakers. The High School Musical style is bright red and resembles a school locker. The purple and silver Hannah Montana speaker comes in two designs -- the standard design with iPod compatible/personal media player dock and digital AM/FM alarm clock radio, and a second design featuring a guitar amp with microphone and guitar inputs. The new Disney LCD TVs offer 15-inch Sharp LCD screens and digital television reception. The designs are inspired by some of Disney's biggest hits, for example, The Pirates of the Caribbean model has a base resembling a ship and is topped with a skull and crossbones and Pirate flag. | ||
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Measure to control Disney zoning is nearer to ballot
LATimes - Dismissed as farfetched by its detractors last month, a proposed initiative that would give Anaheim voters zoning control over Disney's planned third theme park appears to be gaining momentum. Bob Hernandez became the second Anaheim City Council member to publicly support the initiative, which needs three votes to be placed on the ballot without collecting voter signatures. If the measure makes the ballot, it could join two Disney-backed ballot measures, an initiative and a referendum, aimed at keeping housing out of the neighborhood surrounding Disneyland and California Adventure. Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, who expressed support for the initiative last month, asked city staff last week to begin a process that would allow the council to vote on it next month. Hernandez said he generally did not approve of ballot measures but saw the logic in an initiative asking voters to approve any new zoning on 53 acres of Disney property, currently strawberry fields and employee parking. "This whole idea of referring things back to the voters is not the way to do business, but we do need to create a level playing field," he said. "You have to have something to counterbalance the two Disney ballot measures." The third vote on the proposal could come from Lucille Kring, who was the swing vote in April when the council approved zoning to allow a planned 1,500-unit residential project that would sit across Katella Avenue from a proposed third theme park. Kring said she wasn't a big fan of ballot initiatives either. "I don't like doing business like this," she said. "But I haven't made up my mind yet." Supporters of the initiative are backed by SunCal Cos., developer of the controversial residential project. The Disney-supported initiative, which supporters say has gathered enough signatures for the ballot, seeks to bar new housing in the resort district unless voters approve it. The measure wouldn't require voter approval for Disney's commercial ventures. The second Disney-backed ballot measure is a referendum that asks voters to repeal the April council decision that paved the way for the condo and low-cost apartment project. Though the measure has enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, the council has twice postponed voting on the issue so that the housing developer and Disney could settle their differences. Last week, Disney announced that a compromise could not be reached. If the anti-Disney measure wins council approval, it would save supporters the time and expense of collecting some 14,000 petition signatures required to get it on ballot. "It seems a little disingenuous that we collected over 50,000 signatures for the referendum and the initiative, and they ... get on the ballot with three council votes," said Annette McCluskey, spokeswoman for Save Our Anaheim Resort, a Disney-funded coalition of business and community leaders. "Before the council does anything, I think they need to move forward in getting the referendum on the ballot." Councilman Harry Sidhu said he did not have enough information on the initiative over the 53-acre Disney property to decide how he would vote, but said he expected it to pass. If the initiative wins council and voter approval, the Disney property's zoning -- agricultural and parking -- would be frozen without a citywide vote. Disney bought the farming property nearly 10 years ago, but company officials have not disclosed specific plans for the parcel. It is conceivable that both initiatives could pass, in which case voters would have control over housing in the 2.2-square-mile resort district and over any development on Disney's property. "Anaheim voters would have to approve of any new use for that property, whether that's a theme park, hotel, motel or a restaurant," White said. David Koenig, a Disneyland-watcher and author, called the dueling initiatives a "giant, out-of-control game of chicken." "What they [the developer and Disney] want is so diametrically opposed," he said. "Maybe this being decided out of their hands, by citizen mediators, is the only way to settle this." | ||
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'Live with Regis and Kelly' Celebrates Twenty Years as
America's Favorite Wake-Up Call
PRNewswire - Morning favorite "Live with Regis and Kelly" will celebrate a landmark milestone this fall, as the top-rated talk show celebrates its 20th season on the air in national syndication. To mark this remarkable broadcasting achievement, "Live" is pulling out all the stops with a two-week celebration that kicks off on Monday, September 3, 2007. The festivities will culminate on Friday, September 14, when hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa host a full hour showcasing "Live's" most memorable moments, including special guest Kathie Lee Gifford. In addition, "Live" is teaming up with the Chrysler brand for one of its biggest giveaways to date: "Live's 20th Anniversary Flashback Trivia A Go-Go." From August 20th-31st, daily "Flashback Moments" on the show and on the "Live" website will set-up this limited edition of the show's popular Travel Trivia segment. Then for 20 days at the start of "Live's" landmark 20th season, one lucky viewer per day is guaranteed to win an all-new Chrysler Town and Country Limited minivan. "Our 20th Anniversary is a huge milestone for the show," commented Michael Gelman, executive producer of "Live." "Few television shows reach a year on the air, much less two decades. We're proud that we've been able to bring fun, laughter and a positive start to the day to millions of viewers for so many years. At this point we've become part of the fabric of American pop culture." As it enters its landmark 20th season, "Live with Regis and Kelly" continues its remarkable two-decade run as one of television's outstanding success stories, and the show's anniversary celebration will be a festive tribute to all things "Live." Every day from September 3-13, Philbin and Ripa will take a look back at the best of the past 20 years. Daily features will highlight all of the elements that have made the show such a long-running success story, from the wildest and wackiest segments to the most exciting, moving and one-of-a-kind moments. The September 14 one-hour episode will feature an in-depth look at "Live" throughout the years. Original co-host Kathie Lee Gifford will return to join Philbin and Ripa to reminiscence about being part of one of daytime television's most popular franchises. "Live" also has partnered with Chrysler to share the 20th Anniversary celebration with the show's at-home viewers via "Live's 20th Anniversary Flashback Trivia A Go-Go." Twenty all-new Chrysler Town and Country Limited minivans will be given away in 20 days, and in addition to offering winners a spectacular new vehicle, Chrysler will cover the taxes for each minivan. "The Chrysler brand is thrilled to celebrate the 20th season milestone of 'Live with Regis and Kelly' by providing 20 new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country minivans with the exciting new Swivel 'n Go(TM) seating system," said Michael Curmi, Senior Manager - Entertainment Marketing, Chrysler LLC. "Live's" fans have been consistent viewers for most of the show's two decades on the air, so in a new twist on "Travel Trivia," the "Flashback Trivia A Go-Go" questions will relate to the past 20 seasons on "Live." Entrants who would like a little extra help should watch for 20 "Flashback Moments" -- 10 airing on the show and 10 on the "Live" website -- from August 20-31st. To enter, viewers can log on to http://www.liveregisandkelly.com, where full contest rules are available, or send a postcard to: Live's 20th Anniversary
Flashback Trivia A Go-Go The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country offers an all-new contemporary appearance, three different models, three distinct seating and storage systems, unmatched entertainment systems and the safety drivers expect and deserve. The Chrysler Town & Country has 35 new and improved features, including a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine mated to a minivan-first six-speed transaxle, more standard equipment including standard all-row side curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The newest feature is Swivel 'n Go(TM), offering second row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row with a removable table that installs between the two rows, covered storage bins in the floor of the second row, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating. The starting U.S. MSRP of the new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country LX is $23,190. "Live with Regis and Kelly" is executive produced by Michael Gelman and distributed in national syndication by Disney - ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York, "Live with Regis and Kelly" airs in more than 200 markets across the country. | ||
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Disney
blasts UW over baby DVD announcement bizjournals - The University of Washington and the Walt Disney Co. are at odds over a recent UW announcement that questioned the value of exposing infants and toddlers to DVDs and videos such as Disney's "Baby Einstein" series. Last week, the UW's press office issued a release about the study conducted by UW researchers that was recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics. The UW release summed up the study by indicating that infants who watched baby DVDs and videos understood fewer words than infants who didn't watch them and baby DVDs had "no positive" effect on children who watched them. Officials at Burbank, Calif.-based Disney (NYSE: DIS), which owns the Baby Einstein Co., were incensed about the UW statement. In an Aug. 13 letter to UW President Mark Emmert, Disney CEO Robert Iger chastised the school and demanded that the press release be removed from the school's website. "The press release unfairly disparaged that product by grossly misrepresenting the focus and extremely limited findings and conclusions of the study your university has issued in its name and endorsed... We therefore demand that the university immediately issue a retraction of the press release, and delete the release from its website," wrote Iger, who called the UW statement "deliberately misleading, irresponsible and derogatory." Iger was irritated that the UW release was "lumping Baby Einstein videos with all other 'Baby DVDs/videos' -- including many, such as 'Teletubbies,' which offer a vastly different viewing experience." As of Tuesday morning, the release was still on the UW website. | ||
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Little
League games an easy sell for television San Bernardino County Sun - According to ESPN producer Andy Block, coverage of Little League baseball has evolved into one of Disney Productions' prized events. Block has produced televised professional sports since 1993 and Little League for eight years. He is responsible for all "on-air" coverage for the two championship games at the Western Regional's. He produces approximately 100 professional sporting events annually. "Professionally, parks are television-ready," he said. "We just plug in. For Little League, we have to set up and drag wire and cable." Block said ESPN pays Little League for exclusive broadcasting rights and sells advertising time for the 40 televised games. He said ESPN, ABC and Disney Productions will televise 32 games at Williamsport, Pa. According to the ESPN Web site, Little League, Inc. receives approximately $7 million per year from the network. Block said ESPN has no problem selling ad space for Little League games. "Little League games attract companies that sell kid products," said Block, who added KFC, Snickers and Kellogg's are major television advertisers this season. "It's nothing for Little League to get more viewers than some pro games," he said. Block said televising Little League takes a different production approach. "We don't know these kids," he said. "We learn about them from scratch. Every one knows the pros. With the kids, we take an instructional approach and keep more positive." He said Little League coverage tries to tell human interest stories. "We want pictures of parents and siblings," Block said. "At pro games, we pan the crowd just for atmosphere." SOMETHING'S MISSING Cuba is the only Caribbean country without a Little League baseball program, and first-year ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez said politics probably will keep it that way for a while. "Currently, there are no representation of Little League in Cuba," said Perez, whose father is Hall of Famer Tony Perez, a native of Cuba. Eduardo Perez retired this year after a 13-year playing career. "My father was born in Cuba, but I was an `in-season child' born in Cincinnati, Ohio when my father played with the Reds," he said. "I visit Cuba because I still have family there." Perez said Cuba has its own youth baseball program for ages 11-12 and acknowledged Cuba has a rich baseball tradition. "Little League is not in Cuba because of politics, but as long as there are kids, that might change," he said. Russia and China adhere to Communism, yet both field Little League teams. "One day it will happen in Cuba, too," Perez said. BY THE RULES Bob Toigo, manager of the Smokey Bandit Grill at the Western Regional's, also is a member of the President's Advisory Board which reports to Steve Keener, CEO of Little League International. "We took 80 recommendations to Williamsport last year and had about 10 enacted into rule," said Toigo. "The Western Region was responsible for the new 85-pitch count rule." Toigo, who has been affiliated with Little League for 40 years, will take over as district administrator for District 9 in Washington state next year. He was assistant director for 26 years. Toigo will be among about 50 volunteers from the Western Regional's who will make the trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport. | ||
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Pirate & Princess
Party is back Theme Park Rangers - The Pirate & Princess Party is back at Disney World's Magic Kingdom, as fellow rangers have noted. I reviewed the event when it debuted in January. Here's what I wrote then. But here's a tidbit of news first: Rumor has it Captain Hook had better be on the lookout during the nightly parade. Apparently a certain crocodile has joined the festivities ... Tick, tock, tick, tock. The original review, after the
jump: Aaaargh, matey! I had the map, the X's marked
their spots, my booty bag was at the ready. Now all I needed was
to find me some treasure. The party, which will take place again tonight and then 11 more times into early March, is similar in setup to Disney's popular after-hours Christmas and Halloween parties. That's by design. "We really wanted to build on the success of our previous special events," says Carrie Matson, brand manager for Magic Kingdom, noting that the first months of the year are typically a less-crowded time at the Disney parks. "We thought, `What could we do in the winter?' " Spotlighting pirates and princesses was a no-brainer. "There is very high guest demand for those characters," Matson says. "They want to immerse their whole world in these characters." The party gives them that chance. Lighting effects cast trees in spooky, adventurous reds and oranges or turn buildings pretty purples and pinks. Projected hearts float down Main Street USA, while skull-and-crossbones decorate the streets in Frontierland. The background music ranges from sea chanteys and dramatic bits from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movies in Adventureland to familiar princess tunes -- think "Some Day My Prince Will Come" -- in Fantasyland. Although the mash up of rough-and-tumble scalawags with fair maidens might seem odd at first, that's part of the fun. "It's two different worlds colliding," Matson says. "The perfect, pretty princesses with the fun, rowdy pirate world." And, Matson adds, they do have something in common: "Princesses love treasure and jewels and so do pirates . . . in a different way." One iconic Disney character who bridges both worlds is Tinker Bell, the diva like fairy who gets caught up with the pirates in Peter Pan. She appears in the newly created "Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade," on a special treasure-chest float. The parade, which is performed twice nightly, also boasts a new 39-foot-long pirate ship, home to a sword-fighting, rope-swinging melee. Captain Jack Sparrow presides over a band of ghost pirates, trailed by some otherworldly creatures reminiscent of Davy Jones' minions in Dead Man's Chest. The princesses reign over a more sedate portion of the spectacle, which features about 100 performers. Knights on horseback lead the way, while princesses and princes dance behind them. Aladdin, accompanied by Jasmine, rides a magnificent black stallion. Court dancers waltz, a flag brigade twirls banners, swords clank as the 15-minute parade moves by. The "Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks Spectacular" lives up to its name. The fairies from Sleeping Beauty are still arguing over the best color -- blue or pink -- but with pyrotechnics at their disposal. And a ferocious pirate attack on the castle will have you worried about the future of Cinderella's home. Other smaller-scale productions throughout the park teach boys and girls how to protect Jasmine from Jafar (with the help of invisible swords and Aladdin), or how to behave at a royal court. Dance parties playing Hilary Duff tunes, High School Musical numbers and the like are hosted by space pirates in Tomorrowland and Ariel's friends in Fantasyland (who knew Flounder could bust a move?). The park's major rides and attractions are also operating during the party. Upon entering the park -- on a royal red carpet past a velvet curtain -- guests are handed a booty bag and a treasure map that lets them seek out spots (marked with X's, of course) that dole out Hershey's chocolates, raisins and, if you're lucky, strings of Mardi Gras-style beads. Guests are encouraged to dress up as pirates or princesses, and Monday night's crowd was in the spirit. Among the sea of mini Cinderellas, Belles and Captain Hooks, were plenty of bandanna-wearing dads sporting hoop earrings and even a grandmother with an eye patch and stuffed parrot on her shoulder. Grandma wasn't the only woman in pirate attire. Plenty of girls and women decided it was a pirate's life for them. (Only one man was spotted wearing a princess tiara. Hey, it's all about imagination.) Pirate or princess, they were all obstacles in my quest to find my treasure: Those beads come in multiple colors, and I wanted them all. The elusive "black pearls" escaped me all night, but five minutes before party's end, I spotted the booty and held my treasure aloft triumphantly. "Kids love that whole `Can I accomplish that goal?' feeling," Matson had told me earlier. Apparently grown-ups like that feeling too. Aaaargh! | ||
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Head Back to School with ''High School Musical: Makin' the
Cut!'' BUSINESS WIRE - As "High School Musical" fever sweeps the nation, Disney Interactive Studios invites fans to get in the game with the first official "High School Musical" video game, "High School Musical: Makin' the Cut!" for the Nintendo DS - now available at retail outlets nationwide. Based on the runaway Disney Channel hit movie and upcoming sequel, fans of all ages have a chance to experience the phenomenon as never before by putting their rhythm and beat skills to the test in a cross-country musical competition. "We want to give fans the opportunity to be a part of the excitement of interacting with 'High School Musical,' anytime, anywhere," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "'High School Musical: Makin' the Cut!' gives fans a unique opportunity to interact with the 'High School Musical' songs and characters that they know and love, whether at home or on the go." In this addictive rhythm-based game, "High School Musical: Makin the Cut!," fans choose between one of the six "High School Musical" characters - Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Taylor or Chad - or create their own customized character as they dance to the beat and travel across America competing in the ultimate musical competition. Players can compete head-to-head and trade their original music video creations wirelessly with friends. With 12 songs from "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2," friends can enjoy the tunes they love together. Available now for $29.99 MSRP, "High School Musical: Makin' the Cut!" is rated "E" for everyone. Nintendo World Event - August 18, 2007 To celebrate the official launch of "High School Musical: Makin' the Cut!," Disney Interactive Studios is hosting game tournaments at Nintendo World in New York City on August 18th. Players can challenge other "High School Musical" fans for a chance to win prizes including tickets to "High School Musical: The Ice Tour," "High School Musical: The Concert" DVDs, and copies of the "High School Musical 2" soundtrack. All attendees will receive "High School Musical" bookmarks. "High School Musical: Sing It!" - Launching This Holiday Season This fall, fans can look forward to even more video game fun from Disney with "High School Musical: Sing It!" available on the Wii home video game system and PlayStation2 computer entertainment systems. These holiday must-haves allow players to express themselves by choosing their favorite "High School Musical" character and singing all of the songs from "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2." Debuting as one of the first video games to feature a microphone on the Wii platform, "High School Musical: Sing It!" offers three unique play modes. In story mode, players re-live the original film by performing hit songs from "Start of Something New" to "We're All in this Together." In party mode, up to eight friends can sing and challenge each other in their very own karaoke competition. In quick play mode, players can jump into any song and pick from any unlocked characters, outfits and environments. Players can choose their favorite backdrop and belt out solos or duets of approximately 30 hit songs, including popular tunes from other familiar Disney Channel favorites. High School Musical: Sing It! is rated "E" for everyone. On Wii, the game will be priced at $59.99 bundled with a special edition "High School Musical" branded microphone from Logitech. On the PlayStation 2 system, the game will be $49.99 bundled with the same microphone and $39.99 without the microphone. About Disney Interactive Studios Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California and has five internal game development studios around the world including Avalanche Software, Fall Line Studio, Propaganda Games, Black Rock Studio and Junction Point Studios. | ||
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Wild Hogs on DVD Walt Disney Home Entertainment - "A lot can happen on the road to nowhere," especially when four middle-aged guys who wanna shake up their suburban lives are at the wheel. So be sure to reserve your laughs for the August 14th DVD and Blu-ray disc release of Wild Hogs from Touchstone Home Entertainment.
Packaged with both the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release is a Harley Davidson Sweepstakes insert that gives couch jockeys a chance to win a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The Wild Hogs DVD and Blu-ray Disc have a topped-off tank full of bonus features for the armchair biker including "Bikes, Brawls and Burning Bars: The Making of Wild Hogs," a making-of featurette led by director Walt Becker and featuring interviews with the superstar cast. The Wild Hogs alternate ending shows the originally planned final scenes with a character the gang never wanted to see again. Additional features include deleted scenes, an Easter egg, outtakes and an audio commentary with Walt Becker and writer Adam Copeland. The members of the hogs have enjoyed successful careers in film and television. Tim Allen starred in ABC's hilarious "Home Improvement" series, for which he received a Golden Globe® award, as well as the features "The Shaggy Dog," "Toy Story" and "The Santa Clause" franchise. Two-time Oscar® nominee John Travolta ("Get Shorty") has a legendary career including starring roles in films as diverse as "Pulp Fiction," "Grease," and "Primary Colors." Martin Lawrence starred in the 1997 comedy "Nothing to Lose." The former stand-up comic poured on the laughs in hit franchises "Big Momma's House" and "Bad Boys" while William H. Macy ("Seabiscuit"), achieved cult hero status as "Fargo's" used car shyster Jerry Lundegaard. Ray Liotta ("Goodfellas") breaks out his black hat for the role of Del Fuegos leader Jack, while Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei ("My Cousin Vinny") plays Dudley's love interest Maggie. Walt Becker ("National Lampoon's Van Wilder") leads the pack as director of Wild Hogs. Wild Hogs is available on DVD to U.S. riders for $29.99 and $37.99 in Canada. Blu-ray Disc is available to U.S. riders for $34.99 and $44.99 in Canada. | ||
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The Lookout on DVD Walt Disney Home Entertainment - Bust open the vault for the August 14th DVD and Blu-ray Disc debut of The Lookout, Miramax Home Entertainment's critically-acclaimed bank heist thriller starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels. This "haunting and hypnotic film" (according to Rolling Stone) comes with knockout bonus features including "Behind the Mind of Chris Pratt".
The Lookout boasts an eclectic cast of characters that highlight the suspenseful story. Veteran film, TV and Broadway star Jeff Daniels ("Good Night, and Good Luck", "The Squid and the Whale") plays Chris' sardonic, blind roommate with a dark past. Up-and-coming starlet Isla Fisher ("Wedding Crashers") employs her considerable charms to lure Chris into the gang, which is led by Gary, played by Matthew Goode ("Match Point"). Bonus features include "Behind the Mind of Chris Pratt", an exploration of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's intense portrayal of the lead character, the "Sequencing The Lookout" making-of featurette, and audio commentaries from filmmaker Scott Frank and cinematographer Alar Kivilo ("The Lake House"). The Lookout sees Scott Frank making his directorial debut. Frank garnered a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar-nomination for Steven Soderbergh's 1998 caper "Out of Sight." The Lookout DVD is priced at $29.99 in and the Blu-ray Disc is priced at $34.99. | ||
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Disney to Launch New Electronic Line Featuring 'Hannah Montana' buddy tv - The immense popularity of Hannah Montana has prompted Disney to release various items, including clothing apparel, stationery, dolls, video games, and other products. Disney's latest venture, however, comes in the form of video cameras, LCD TVs and a high quality iPod compatible speaker, consequently raising the bar of its promotional merchandise with its innovative electronics for tweens. "We are seeing kids and tweens quickly follow the adult market in terms of technology. Gone are the days of boxy TVs and CD players. This year, kids will be looking for flat screen TVs and iPod compatible speaker docks with great sound, and our new line is very much on the forefront of this trend," Chris Heatherly, VP of global electronics for Disney Consumer Products, said in a statement. Kicking off Disney's new offering for fall is the Disney Flix Video Cam, which is an easy-to-use compact hand-held video camera, equipped with various features and functions. It also comes with Disney Director software, which includes storyboards, sound effects, music, film footage and character voices from popular Disney films and programs like Hannah Montana, that enables tweens to shoot and star in their own Disney movie. For the music buff, there's the new Disney iPod compatible speakers that are made-for-iPod compliant and use Apple's 30-pin connector. Other themes are available but for the Hannah Montana design, there are two variations to choose from. The standard design comes with an iPod compatible/personal media player dock and digital AM/FM alarm clock radio, while the second design features a guitar amp with microphone, as well as guitar inputs, so tweens can sing and play their favorite songs while they listen to the music. Last but not the least, Disney will also be releasing a new LCD TV with a 15-inch viewing screen, high-quality Sharp panels, and digital operation. Aside from Hannah Montana, the monitors are also available in designs inspired by some of Disney's biggest hits, including High School Musical, Disney Princess and Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney's Flix Video Cam, LCD TV and iPod compatible speakers are priced at and $99.99, $299.99, and $69.99 respectively. | ||
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Floating my
boat at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Orlando Sentinel - Yesterday I visited Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. It's a much better, wetter and somehow breezier option than, say, digging holes in your backyard in our August weather.
I picked up two little tips along
the way. While standing in line for locker rental, I learned
that you can rent them from ANY register in Singapore Sal's.
It seemed too good to be true when a fellow guest told us, but
it sure beat standing in the long, snaking line. (I'm a big
fan of the lockers, mainly for peace of mind. It would only
take one set of sticky fingers gone bad to mess up your day at
the "beach.")
(Another side note: Although the price of the small lockers is $5, they require $10 upfront. The extra five is refunded upon return of key. So pack your money accordingly.)
There are fun, somewhat ferocious
water rides at Typhoon Lagoon, but for my money, I'm all about
the Castaway Creek feature, which is basically tubes gently
flowing around the park. Very relaxing ... unless you come
upon a grimacing group waiting for you to exit the creek.
I have found that a good place to enter/exit exit is Starfish Landing. It's at the foot of Happy Landings Ice Cream, beyond the Leaning Palms food service, near the dead-end of a designated smoking area. There's not much traffic there and the construction of that dock provides an orderly, keep-in-line structure that prevents the cluster float at many other location. But don't tell. It will be our secret. | ||
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Interactive Features to Enhance Disney's Cars
Contactmusic - Disney is touting its November 6 Blu-ray DVD release of Pixar's Cars as the "High-Definition Event of the Year," with plans to include several "groundbreaking" interactive features on the disc. One of these will be a "Car Finder" game in which viewers "race the clock" to find one of 214 models of cars hidden throughout the movie. Other interactive features are described in a trailer posted online at http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/bluray. In a picture-in-picture feature called "Cine-Explore," director John Lasseter acts as a guide, describing how scenes of the movie were made while viewers watch them. | ||
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Controversial Anti-Disney Video Game Gets Locked & Reloaded
Inside Mac Games - After a nearly ten-year hiatus, the cult-classic video game Los Disneys is back online. Once available exclusively for Macintosh, Los Disneys is now compatible with Windows and even allows for cross-platform network gaming. The game pits players against a fictionalized Walt Disney Corporation in the year 2015 where it is in tyrannical rule over the peninsula of Florida. Players must infiltrate the Magic Kingdom, blasting their way through a variety of enemies, to destroy the frozen head of Walt Disney and stop Eisner's doomsday device. The new
Los Disneys website builds on the mythology beyond the game,
offering a wide array of new content including subversive
Disney-related video, literary references, downloadable
"souvenirs," a gallery of artist-depicted scenes from the game
and Disney World Babylon, a discussion forum for disgruntled
tourists and employees of the Magic Kingdom. | ||
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Monday August, 13 2007 | ||
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Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Awards More Than $1.5 Million BUSINESS WIRE - From purchasing land for conservation in Guatemala to protecting dolphins in Florida, to studying the interaction between elephants and bees in Kenya, worldwide conservation efforts recently received a $1.5 million boost from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF), bringing the total amount of awards from the fund to more than $11 million since Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened. The DWCF funds – which are awarded to non-profit environmental groups and universities – will go toward 97 programs in 41 countries that are focused on saving animals and habitats. Recipients were chosen from more than 260 applications reviewed by Disney scientists, veterinarians and other animal experts. Among the projects receiving support are: -- Purchasing 4,000 acres of land in Guatemala to create a community-managed buffer zone and establish a wildlife reserve for research, ecotourism and organic farming. (ARCAS) -- Studying the serious problems that discarded fishing gear poses to bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay to help save the dolphins from fatal entanglement. (Mote Marine Laboratory) -- Studying the interaction between elephants and bees in Kenya and whether bees can be used as an effective elephant deterrent for crops and trees. (Save the Elephants) “Our company has a commitment to the environment that dates back to Walt Disney himself,” said Jerry Montgomery, senior vice president of Conservation & Environmental Sustainability for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “Protecting wildlife and wild places through the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund is a key component of our mission.” The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund receives a significant annual donation from The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney World Resort covers the fund’s administrative costs. “In addition to our company’s contributions, many guests who visit Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line share their personal commitment to conservation by making a donation to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund,” added Montgomery. “Disney guests who are inspired by the fund are able to participate knowing that 100 percent of their donation goes toward conservation.” For a complete list of Disney Wildlife Conservation projects visit www.disneywildlifefund.com. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and the AZA Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is the largest of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, populating an area of more than 500 acres with attractions, shows and adventures about animals – real, extinct and mythological. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With more than 215 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and a link to helping animals in their native habitats. About Disney’s Outreach Disney brightens the lives of children in need around the world through global outreach programs, local community initiatives and the Disney VoluntEARS program. The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Disney employees to contribute their time and expertise towards making a positive impact in the communities they serve while furthering the traditions and ideals of The Walt Disney Company. Last year, Disney donated more than $170 million in cash and in-kind support to various charities around the world. Disney VoluntEARS contributed more than 485,000 hours of service and the company drew upon its unique magic to make wishes come true for children and families. For more information on Disney’s outreach efforts, please visit www.disneyoutreach.com | ||
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Walt Disney World's Cinderella suite pampers special guests Dallas Morning News - Walt Disney may have frowned on our 3 a.m. summons for caramel corn, the sparkling water we smuggled into the suite or the predawn call to Spain on the castle phone. In the spirit of Disney-style dreams come true, he probably would have approved the once-upon-a-time slumber party I hosted recently in the Cinderella Castle Suite, four floors above the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The one-night experience is among the top prizes in the park's 2007 Year of a Million Dreams promotion, typically awarded to a guest chosen at random by a computer and tracked down by a Disney Dream Squad. The winner and up to five guests pack overnight bags and leave their planned lodging for a fairy-tale afternoon and evening in the Magic Kingdom. In my case, my name was plucked from a silver bowl, fairy godmother-style, at a writers' conference at Disney World. Suddenly, everyone at the meeting was my new best friend, hoping for the royal nod to join me. Given that my guests and I were all women of a certain age (and girth), our castle sleepover – probably every little girl's fantasy – was more like a fractured fairy tale starring "The Cinderella Six." It was the ultimate girls' night out, replete with jokes about various Prince Charmings clawing their way up the castle walls. The highlight was a late-night spa session in the luxuriously appointed royal bathroom. Clad in decidedly non-glamorous nightgowns, with flashing mouse ears on our heads, we soaked our feet in the Jacuzzi as fiber-optic stars twinkled from the domed ceiling above and rainbows of Disney light shimmered in the water. We were enchanted from the moment we set foot in the castle. Slipping past the gorgeous Cinderella murals in the breezeway, we entered a hidden chamber with a tall clock whose hand was set, fairy-tale style, at one minute to midnight. Our castle concierge, a sweet-faced Disney cast member named Julian Graham, ushered us into a private elevator that whisked us to a foyer adorned with Cinderella artwork, a custom-made Steuben glass slipper and a glittering tiara. And he told us that our every wish during the overnight stay would be his command. The suite, not surprisingly, was fit for a princess. We oohed and ahhed at everything, from the sparkly floor tiles, stained-glass windows and crown-shaped light fixtures to a terry pillow strewn with rose petals and topped with a hand towel in the shape of a slipper. As VIPs (very important princesses), we lounged in plush maroon robes with gold-embroidered crests ("C" for Cinderella) and nibbled perfect strawberries nestled in a horse-drawn pumpkin coach made of white chocolate. The movie Cinderella played on a flat-screen television above a limestone fireplace, and there were books of fairy tales in the salon. Amid the rich wood paneling and brocades, we enjoyed the perk of free calls to family and friends on the suite's marble phones and toasted our luck – and the genius of Disney – with blue crystal flutes. Each souvenir glass was etched with a single rose and the date of our stay. From buckets of ice and late-night caramel corn to a breakfast of coffee, iced cinnamon buns and scones, our concierge good-naturedly catered to our whims, insisting that they were not nearly as challenging as the fried chicken and greens a previous guest had him rustle up at 2 a.m. Typically, most suite guests are families so exhausted from their special day that they konk out soon after retiring to the royal digs, Mr. Graham said. In addition to posing for endless photo ops, guests' "duties" include serving as grand marshals of the Disney Dreams Come True parade, dining at Cinderella's Royal Table and taking a post-fireworks, after-hours tour of the Magic Kingdom. As for me, I was determined to make the most of my brief time in the suite. I managed to stay up playing "Cinderella says" until 4 a.m. with my princess posse until, one by one, they nodded off. And more than once during that magical night, I pinched myself to make sure it wasn't all just make-believe. | ||
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Disney outlet
store opens in River Park Napa Valley Register - A little bit of Disneyland has come to Napa. Faster than you can say “It’s a Small World After All,” a team from Asset Management & Sales (AM S) of Tennessee, has leased, set-up and opened a temporary Disney clearance store in a former River Park Shopping Center mattress shop. “We’re just like the circus,” said store manager Katrina Hess. “We come to a place and open up overnight.”
AMS specializes in such sales, with
six traveling venues roaming the country, and permanent shops in
Fullerton, Pomona and Las Vegas. Disney supplies the company
with extra product and merchandise, and AMS sells the items. | ||
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Does the slipper fit?
Disney News - If you dream of
being treated like royalty, here’s your chance. The folks at
Disney are offering passholders a special contest in which the
winner will stay in Cinderella Castle for one night as part of
the continuation of the Year of a Million Dreams campaign. For
a preview of the castle suite, take a virtual tour at
DisneyParks.com. Click on "Year of a Million Dreams" to get
started.
To enter, passholders should send
a 3" x 5" or one 4" x 6" photo of themselves or their families
experiencing a Disney dream coming true in one of the parks.
The mailing address and entry form are available at
disneyworld.com/passholder. Entries must be postmarked by 5
p.m. Sept. 30.
If you’re not a passholder, you still have a shot. One lucky family is chosen on Disney property each day through Dec. 31, 2008, to stay in Cinderella Castle. | ||
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Disney Raises The Bar On Electronics For Tweens
BUSINESS WIRE - Disney Consumer Products is raising the bar on innovative electronics for tweens with its new fall line-up, which boasts creative designs, real-world features and a sprinkle of Disney magic. New offerings for fall include the easy-to-use Disney Flix Video Cam, high-quality iPod compatible speakers and the debut of the first line of Disney LCD TVs. Products are inspired by some of Disney's most popular franchises, including Disney Princess, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Disney Channel's High School Musical and Hannah Montana. "We are seeing kids and tweens quickly follow the adult market in terms of technology. Gone are the days of boxy TVs and CD players. This year, kids will be looking for flat screen TVs and iPod compatible speaker docks with great sound, and our new line is very much on the forefront of this trend," said Chris Heatherly, VP of global electronics for Disney Consumer Products. Designed by Disney, the new Fall 2007 line-up includes: The Disney Flix Video Cam is an easy and fun to use compact handheld video camera boasting real-world features and functionality. It comes bundled with a great add-on: Disney Director software lets kids shoot and star in their own Disney movie. Software includes storyboards, sound effects, film footage, music and character voices from popular Disney films and TV shows. Kids can simply connect the camera to their PC to use the software and film their favorite scenes (SRP $99.99). The Disney Flix Video Cam comes bundled with High School Musical Disney Director software. Additional Disney Director software titles can be purchased separately and include Cinderella and Pirates of the Caribbean (SRP $14.99 each). Available in four attractive styles that kids and tweens will love, the new Disney LCD TVs feature a 15-inch viewing screen and great designs that are ideal for kids' and tweens' rooms. They also offer the latest technology and everything a savvy buyer wants: high-quality Sharp LCD panels, digital operation and the ability to receive digital television. The resolution is 1024 x 768 and aspect ratio is 4:3, and each model features a VGA out for use as a PC monitor. The designs are inspired by some of Disney's biggest hits, including High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Disney Princess and Pirates of the Caribbean. The High School Musical LCD TV is bright red, resembles a school locker and comes with stickers that let tweens personalize their TV. The Hannah Montana model is purple and silver, with a hip vibe that tween girls will love. The Disney Princess style is reminiscent of a royal carriage, with sleek lines and creamy pinks with fuchsia accents. The Pirates of the Caribbean model has a base resembling a ship and is topped with a skull & crossbones and Pirate flag. Disney LCD TVs will be available this fall at Wal-Mart, ToysRUs, Best Buy and DisneyShopping.com (SRP $299.99). New Disney iPod compatible speakers are Made-for-iPod compliant and use Apple's 30-pin connector. They're ideal for owners of Apple iPod's or the popular Disney Mix personal media players. Available in High School Musical and Hannah Montana styles, the docking stations include an iPod compatible/personal media player dock, a digital AM/FM alarm clock radio, and quality speakers, 2.5 - 3 watts per channel, a smart/self timer chip. The High School Musical style is bright red and resembles a school locker. The purple and silver Hannah Montana speaker comes in two designs - the standard design with iPod compatible/personal media player dock and digital AM/FM alarm clock radio, and a second design featuring a guitar amp with microphone and guitar inputs so tweens can sing and play to their favorite songs while they listen to the music (this design does not include the clock feature). All Disney speakers will be available this fall at Best Buy, ToysRUs and Wal-Mart (SRP $69.99). Disney designed the LCD TVs and speakers to complement each other, they're ideal for enhancing any bedroom's decor and also make great gift sets. For more information and high resolution images, media can visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com, click on "press room" and select "Disney Electronics." Consumers can visit www.disneyelectronics.com or visit one of the above-mentioned retailers for purchasing information. Disney Electronics' prolific design team boasts pedigrees from some of the most prestigious firms in the world, including Astro Studios, Fitch, frog design, IDEO, Leapfrog, Motorola and Sony Electronics. Based at Disney Consumer Products in Glendale, Calif., the team works year-round with leading manufacturers and licensees to bring fashion forward technology and eye-catching design creativity to Disney's award-winning electronics line. ABOUT DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS: Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books and magazines to interactive games, food and beverages, stationery, electronics and animation art. This is accomplished through the work of DCP's various lines of business: Disney Toys, Disney Apparel, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, Disney Home, Disney Stationery, Disney Publishing, Disney Interactive Studios, Baby Einstein, and www.disneyshopping.com. The Disney Store, which debuted in 1987, also falls under DCP, through stores currently owned and operated by unaffiliated third parties under licensing agreements in North America and Japan, and wholly-owned stores in Europe. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com. Apple and iPod are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. | ||
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Disney exec lands spot on Crist climate-change panel Orlando Sentinel - A top Walt Disney World executive was appointed today by Gov. Charlie Crist to a high-profile panel charged with recommending changes to state law that help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Jerry Montgomery, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' senior vice-president for conservation & environmental sustainability, was one of 21 people appointed to Crist's "Energy Action Team." He's one of three "representatives of the business community" Crist put on the panel; the other two are one-time chiefs of staff to former Gov. Jeb Bush. Montgomery is responsible for developing conservation programs at Disney's parks and resorts. “Florida is providing the moral leadership needed to preserve our state’s beautiful natural environment,” Crist said in a prepared statement. “During the next few months, Florida’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change will develop further recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diversify our energy resources.” | ||
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Get
ready to 'Party' at Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park Rangers - OK, is anyone else as excited as I am about "Block Party Bash" coming to the soon-to-be Disney's Hollywood Studios? It is my favorite parade out there at the moment, and I have driven friends and relatives crazy making them see it every time I'm in California.
The "Block Party Bash" has been
playing at Disney's California Adventure. (Conveniently, my
brother lives in L.A. so I have reason to visit.)
In that version, there are three segments, all from Pixar films: Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and A Bug's Life. Characters from all the films participate (Mr. Potato Head and the Walking Stick from Bug's Life are particularly cute!) Each segment is overseen by a Green Army Man from Toy Story. Often his dry wit is the best part of the show. "We've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit ... how 'bout you," one sighed in a monotone that trailed off to despair during one memorable performance. Surrounding the characters are dancers and acrobats who work it, work it, work it. They dance down the street, they push their own trampolines and mats. They ride scooters. And when the parade stops for an acrobatic performance, they twist, tumble and twirl. The music is a hoot. If you're a child of the '80s -- or have ever been to a wedding reception -- you'll love it: "Footloose," "Y.M.C.A.," Kool and the Gang's "Celebration," "The Twist." (Warning: Word comes in from my California source that this segment has been modified in Cali!) At the conclusion of the acrobatics, the Incredibles pop up (literally) and a volley of mini-Nerf balls blasts into the crowd. Like every 8-year-old boy who has seen it, I also have the complete collection of all four colors. Here's an obnoxious moment in my family history: My mom was visiting my brother and they went to California Adventure. They actually called me, AT WORK no less, from "Block Party Bash" just to taunt me. It is a high-energy good time. I don't know how they will have to adapt it when it arrives in Orlando, but if it keeps the same spirit of the California Adventure version, the crowds should love it. | ||
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ESPN Wants Oprah Winfrey in the Monday Night Football Booth
AOL Sports - Although the decision to move Monday Night Football to ESPN last year was a big success as far as the ratings were concerned, one thing ESPN did infuriated fans week after week: Celebrity interviews. If Tony Kornheiser considers talking about Christian Slater's acting career more interesting than talking about an NFL game that's going on right in front of him, he's entitled to that opinion. But if he has that opinion, he should probably find another line of work. There's good news and bad news on that front from Michael Hiestand of USA Today: The Monday Night Football celebrity interviews aren't going anywhere, but D-listers like Slater won't be back. I think it's fair to say that most hard-core NFL fans wouldn't consider Oprah Winfrey a "good one," but ESPN knows that hard-core NFL fans will watch Monday Night Football anyway. ESPN wants to build its audience by attracting people who wouldn't normally watch. And given her incredible popularity among a demographic not known for watching football, getting Oprah in the booth would certainly do that. | ||
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Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls Dolls Kick Off a Rockin'
Holiday Season
PRNewswire - Two of the hottest tween properties have made their way to the toy aisle, much to the delight of excited tween girls everywhere! JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) and Disney Consumer Products (NYSE: DIS) are introducing new role play lines based on the two hit Disney Channel properties, Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls. Highly-detailed fashion dolls and stylish singing dolls from JAKKS' Play Along division are the first items expected to hit retail shelves nationwide, with a full line of products following this fall, including detailed playsets, stylish role-play and dress-up items from JAKKS' CDI division, and deluxe interactive video games from JAKKS' Plug It In and Play TV Games line. "After months of pent up demand for the Hannah Montana and Cheetah Girls products, we're thrilled to finally put them into consumers' hands," said Charlie Emby, Co-President, Play Along. "We are anticipating strong momentum through the holiday season." With a recent Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children's Programming, two soundtracks in the same year to debut at No.1 on the charts, and record-breaking ratings for a cable show, Hannah Montana has become a phenomenon among the tween and pre-tween audience. Since its debut as the highest rated premiere in Disney Channel history, the show has continued to win over fans with a mix of playful antics, fresh fashions and phenomenal music. The storyline revolves around a young girl named Miley Stewart who leads a secret life as pop star Hannah Montana. Fans relate to the girl-next-door character while aspiring to be like the glamorous superstar. In addition to the TV show, girls can also catch the pop star live in concert -- she's touring again this fall to 55 stadium-sized venues. Playing up the fashion and music themes inherent to the TV series, the Hannah Montana role play line includes everything a girl could want to pretend to "rock out the show", just like Hannah Montana. Available online and at all major retailers, the new product line includes Fashion Collection Dolls, In Concert Collection (singing) Dolls, the Rockin' Electric Guitar, the Rock Star Acoustic Guitar, the Rock Star Dance Mat and two playsets: the Backstage Closet and the In Concert Stage. With two of Disney Channel's highest rated original movies, a third movie in the works, sold-out concert tours and an original soundtrack that sold over 2 million copies to date, The Cheetah Girls have serious grrrrowl power! Based on the music, fashions and accessories from The Cheetah Girls, the new products enable young fans to emulate and pretend they're performing with The Cheetah Girls. Available online and at all major retailers, the new product line includes Fashion Collection Dolls, In Concert Collection (singing) Dolls, the Cheetah Fabulous! Dress-up Set, the Rockin' Style Keyboard, the Groovin' Dance Mat and The Cheetah Girls Tour Bus playset -- all totally "cheetah-licious" like The Cheetah Girls themselves! About JAKKS Pacific, Inc. JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific, Play Along, Flying Colors, Creative Designs International, Road Champs, Child Guidance, Pentech, Trendmasters, Toymax, Funnoodle, Go Fly a Kite, Color Workshop, JAKKS Pets and Plug It In & Play TV Games. JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit http://www.jakkspacific.com. This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All Right Reserved. | ||
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Champagne, Disney movie will mark this anniversary Joplin Globe - The good thing about being a veteran husband is you don’t have to worry about impressing anyone any more. And when I say “anyone,” I mean my wife. See, this Friday is our wedding anniversary. In case you’re wondering, my wife and I have been together for nine great years, which is nice. Unfortunately we’ve been married for 16 years. Ha. That’s a veteran husband joke. The fact that I can make a joke like that as my wife and I near our 16th anniversary is proof I don’t have to worry about impressing my wife. Really, if my wife and I had only been married for a couple of years, there is no way I would risk making a marriage joke days before our anniversary. But now? So what! I mean what’s the worst thing my wife can do. Get mad at me? Come on, talk about your “been there, done that.” Besides, my wife, when asked, would probably tell you my marriage joke actually is probably sort of true. It’s not that you quit trying to impress your spouse after a few years, it’s that you just figure there isn’t much point trying to impress her. I mean, if you’ve been married 16 years and your wife hasn’t killed you yet, then there’s a good chance she’s not going to do it. Besides, at our house, it’s not as if I’m risking ruining a lovely anniversary evening by making a marriage joke. My wife and I have a 9-year-old daughter named Emma. My wife is one of those mothers who has this crazy notion that we should spend time with our daughter. It’s sort of the way she was brought up. I was sort of brought up in the exact opposite way. I have six brothers and sisters. I don’t know if you’ve spent much time with seven kids, but if you have, you can understand that my mom and dad didn’t think spending time with us was exactly a day at the beach. Heck, we didn’t like spending time with us. So, anyway, my wife likes to share our anniversary with Emma, which is nice, sort of. One year, when Emma was 4, we spent our anniversary at a romantic bed and breakfast in Eureka Springs, Ark. I’ll never forget that night. My wife and I poured ourselves each a glass of white wine and took them out onto the deck of our romantic bed and breakfast. We slowly slipped into the hot tub, leaned back and looked at the stars. It was nice. It was relaxing. It was romantic. Well, it would have been if Emma hadn’t also been in the hot tub. Swimming laps. We capped off that wild, romantic night in Eureka Springs by watching “Parent Trap II.” Ahhhh, good times. When Emma was 5, we made plans to spend our anniversary in Kansas City at a James Taylor concert. That is until my wife discovered that the day after the concert was Emma’s first day of kindergarten. So, we sold our tickets to the concert and instead stayed home and watched a James Taylor concert on DVD — with Emma. This year, we have really big plans for our anniversary. This year, we will have a nice, romantic dinner at home. Then after our nice romantic dinner, at home, my wife and I will open up a bottle of champagne. I will pour two glasses. I will hand one to my wife. She will take sip. I will take a sip. Then my wife will give me that look. Guys, you know the look I’m talking about. Not the look from my wife. That would be weird. I mean that look you get from your wife when it’s your anniversary and you’ve just had a nice romantic dinner, at home, and you’re sipping champagne. After my wife gives “the look”
she whispers in a low sexy voice. “It’s time. Are you ready?”
And I will answer back, “I was born ready.” That’s right. My wife and I plan to spend our 16th anniversary watching the new movie on the Disney Channel. I don’t mean to overstate things, but in the world of 9-year-old girls, the new ‘High School Musical’ movie is the biggest event since last week’s Drake and Josh marathon on the Nickelodeon Channel. I know this is going to sound selfish, but watching the new ‘High School Musical’ movie on the Disney Channel is not exactly how I envisioned spending my 16th wedding anniversary. What I envisioned doing was spending my 16th wedding anniversary watching the St. Louis Cardinals playing baseball on the Fox Sports Midwest Channel. Ha. Again, that’s a marriage joke. Actually, and don’t tell my wife I said this, spending time with my wife and my daughter is exactly how I hoped I would spend my 16th wedding anniversary. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of anything I would rather do then spend the night with my family. So, what do you think? Did I just impress my wife? | ||
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Disney Visa
Cardholders Package Specials Disney News - Disney has released discount rates on Magic Your Way packages for Disney Visa Cardholders vacationing at Walt Disney World between September 30 - December 23, 2007. Ask for code ZQL for Magic Your Way or code ZQM for Magic Your Way Plus Dining. Rooms and Resort selection is very limited. For details on these and other special rates visit Disney.com | ||
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Disney Channel's "Little Einsteins" Salutes Fairytale Favorites
All American Patriots - Disney Channel's hit preschool series "Little Einsteins" celebrates classic fairytale favorites with a week of storybook-themed episodes airing September 10-14. The week culminates with the premiere of an all-new episode, "Little Red Rockethood" on Friday, September 14 (9:00 a.m. ET/PT). In "Little Red Rockethood," Rocket prepares a big pot of rocket soup for his visit to Grandma Rocket who is feeling under the weather. When Big Jet steals the soup right out of Rocket's hands, the Einsteins help him follow the music of Guiseppe Verdi and landscape by Alexej von Jawlensky, leading them to Big Jet and the captive pot of steeping soup. A combination of 2D character animation and live-action footage, "Little Einsteins" follows the global adventures of four spirited music-loving friends who, with help from viewers, use classical music and renowned works of art to aide them in solving their missions. "Little Einsteins" airs regularly weekdays at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT and weekends at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT. The episode schedule for the week of September 10 is as follows: Monday, September 10 - "Brothers
& Sisters to the Rescue" Playhouse Disney, seen in a daily programming block on Disney Channel U.S. and on 8 Playhouse Disney channels around the world, encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, short-form and acquired programming that includes song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and endearing characters. | ||
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Disney Institute brings program on leadership, management,
service and loyalty to Dubai AME - Sponsored locally by The Emirates Academy, which is part of Dubai-based luxury hospitality group Jumeirah, the full-day event will give area business professionals a chance to discover the business behind the Disney magic. Register for one or all of the exciting program sessions that will introduce participants to innovative Disney business strategies that they can easily implement in their own organizations. 'Professional development programs that we offer to groups meeting at the Walt Disney World Resort have proven extremely popular,' said George Aguel, Senior Vice President for Walt Disney Parks and Resort. 'Community leaders around the country started asking us to bring similar programs to their cities, and 'The Disney Keys' program does just that. Participants will discover Disney success stories and learn about management philosophies and behind-the-scenes operations that have made the Walt Disney World Resort a benchmark for businesses around the world.' According to Aguel, Disney Institute programs are unique in the world of business. 'What makes the Disney learning experience so different and meaningful,' says Aguel, 'is that we don't simply teach theory. We showcase philosophies and strategies that have made the Walt Disney World Resort a success - ideas that are easily adaptable to other organizations. We do this by taking people inside the Disney operation, showcasing on-stage and behind-the-scenes locations so attendees see firsthand how it all happens.' The Dubai Disney Keys program has four 90-minute sessions: • Leadership, Disney Style - Participants discover how effective leadership has been the catalyst at Disney to drive employee/customer satisfaction and bottom-line results, from the company's inception to today. • Management, Disney Style - Participants examine the importance of integrating an organization's corporate culture into selection, training, and care. • Service, Disney Style - Participants explore world-renowned Disney principles for service excellence. • Loyalty, Disney Style - Participants learn key practices and principles in building and sustaining loyalty that have made Disney a trusted and revered brand around the world for more than 75 years. Managing Director of the Emirates Academy, Ron Hilvert, commented 'We are delighted to be working with Disney Institute on their first venture into the Middle East. The Emirates Academy not only offers degree courses for students seeking top management positions in leading organizations within the tourism and hospitality industry, but also offers short term leadership and development courses which are open to all external organizations. The Disney Keys program is a very welcome addition to the range of courses that we currently offer.' | ||
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Sunday August, 12 2007 | ||
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Will
Miley Cyrus last as Disney's new teen queen? It doesn't seem that long ago that Hilary Duff was The The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) Channel's shining -- well more like blinding -- star. Hilary had it all: talent, looks, and an innocence that emanates only from Disney Channel stars. But once Duff's 65-episode Disney series Lizzie McGuire peaked in 2001, she went on to other things, including a 2003 album that reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (the project sold 3.7 million copies), an Elizabeth Arden fragrance, a clothing line, and another album that debuted earlier this year. What that meant for Disney was that Hilary was out. It didn't take long for someone else to move in -- Miley Cyrus. You're probably wondering why that name sounds so familiar. Well, it's because Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, best known for his top 40 hit "Achy Breaky Heart." Not only are both father and daughter singers, but they are also actors and show off both of their talents, together, on Disney Channel's new hit show Hannah Montana. The show premiered with 5.5 million viewers and 2.3 million tweens (kids 9-14) and became basic cable's top series in the tween demo in its first seven weeks. On the show, Miley plays a teenager trying to lead a normal life while hiding her secret, alter-ego rock star persona Hannah Montana from her classmates. Billy Ray plays her father (you can't get anymore true-to-life than that). How are Miley and Hannah doing? According to Fortune, "The Disney Channel Hannah Montana series hasn't just been a huge hit with kids and 'tweens; it's become a ubiquitous franchise." The 2006 Hannah Montana soundtrack entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 and has gone double platinum, with 2.2 million copies sold since October. Hannah clothes are already the No. 1 tween brand at Macy's, and her new double-CD set that serves as a soundtrack and showcase for the actress, Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, has outsold American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson's new album, both released June 26, by 34,000 copies. As if that isn't enough for a 14-year-old, Miley's The Best of Both Worlds tour kicks off October 18 and features songs that showcase Miley Cyrus as an artist as well as Hannah Montana. This best of both worlds concept seems to be a smart move for a budding star, since she is establishing her career as a solo artist (Miley Cyrus) as well as a Disney star (Hannah Montana). In a few years, she may be able to drop the whole Hannah persona and continue a singer/actress career as Miley. But for the time being, It makes you wonder if there will be any room in toy and department stores for anything without the Hannah brand-stamp come holidays. Looks like Disney Channel has become nothing more than Miley's kingdom. | ||
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 Miss
America 2008 contestants visit the Magic Kingdom
WDW News - Contestants in the Miss America 2008 pageant pose for a group photo in front of Cinderella Castle Aug. 10, 2007 at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Magic Kingdom is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. The group of 30 state contestants visited central Florida to attend the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant. | ||
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 Disney
Magic Coming To Post Office13News - Your favorite Disney characters will soon be available to help deliver the mail. Next week, the U.S. Postal Service unveils four new Art of Disney Magic stamps. This is the fourth year in a row Disney has been honored with new stamps. This year's set features Mickey
Mouse, Dumbo, Peter Pan and Aladdin. | ||
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Dining update:
Hollywood Brown Derby Theme Park Rangers - As part of my ongoing TP Ranger duties, I’ll be checking up on theme park dining options from time to time. Not just new eating opportunities but the old stand-by restaurants, too. This
week we look in on Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney
Soon-Not-To-Be-M-G-M Studios. I haven’t done a full review of
HBD since it opened in 1989, so when I visited the
full-service restaurant recently it was like going back in
time.
Which is precisely what Disney
culineers were going for when they designed the restaurant to
emulate a 1930s era eatery. Though not a replica of the
original, Disney’s Derby is reminiscent of an old-timey Los
Angeles restaurant, with teak and mahogany accents, and the
walls are filled with celebrity caricatures that duplicate
those that hung in the West Coast restaurant. Actually, some
18 years after the first visit, those caricatures are less
recognizable now than they were before as the stars fade
further into the past. I could barely identify a fraction of
the pictures.
But that isn’t important. What matters is the food, service and ambience. The latter is really kind of nice. The sunken dining room with mezzanine seating on two sides transports guests from the hubbub of the park outside into a Hollywoodland atmosphere. Sure, you’ve got big families with crying kids and people dressed casually, but just pretend you’re dining with the Jolie-Pitt brood and you’ll be fine. Service was good on my lunch visit. The waiters are outfitted in white tuxedo jackets and offer top-notch care. I started my lunch with the barbecue pork rib belly ($8) served with succotash and a chunk of chili cornbread. The succotash and cornbread were good, but the pork belly was tough and beyond chewy. It should have started melting before I got it in my mouth. The original Brown Derby is where the Cobb salad was invented. It was the creation of former Derby owner Bob Cobb (you’d think he’d go by Robert, wouldn’t you?), who whipped up the salad as a late-night snack for a Hollywood VIP back in the '30s. The story goes that there wasn’t much in the fridge the night the bigwig came in so Cobb just chopped up what he could find. It’s the chopping that defines a Cobb today. A woman once wrote to me to chide me for my description of a Cobb salad at some restaurant saying that a Cobb salad was comprised only of ingredients that grew on a cob. Here the Cobb has greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese, avocado and chives. The basic salad is $14, but for two more bucks you can have some chicken cubes added. I splurged. The salad was delivered in a large bowl with the various ingredients grouped together. The man who brought the Cobb to the table asked if I would like him to toss everything together. I figured I’d let an expert do it. Except for being unable to identify the greens – they looked sort of like soggy parsley but didn’t have that sharp taste – I liked the salad, especially the chewy bacon and salty blue cheese. The menu suggested a wine pairing of Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc, but frankly neither the wine nor the salad did much to enhance the other. For dessert I had the grapefruit cake ($6), which the menu touts as a Brown Derby original! The exclamation point was unnecessary, and so were the calories. The yellow layer cake with cream cheese frosting was undistinguished in flavor. I was a solo walk-in just after noon on a weekday and waited only a few minutes for a table. Either most guests are looking for something a little less pricey, or maybe something less formal, or I just got lucky. It’s always a good idea to make a reservation in advance, or, if you are already in the park, stop by and arrange a table for later in the day. | ||
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Disney film a rush for Dixie extrasDeseret News - What time is it? Well, if you're a Dixie teenager lucky enough to have won a role as an extra in the upcoming Disney movie "High School Musical 2: School's Out!" it's party time. "It was my first actual film, and it was really exciting," said Taylor Vaifanua, a 15-year-old singer and dancer from Hurricane who got the call to be a backup dancer in the sequel to the blockbuster hit that premieres on the Disney Channel at 7 p.m. Friday. "We did three days of filming and got to meet the stars. Some of them were really friendly." Vaifanua and her sister, Shanae, 17, were among dozens of local teens tapped by the movie's producers during their 30-day shooting schedule in St. George. Much of the film was shot in and around The Inn at Entrada, a plush resort and country club featured prominently in the movie, and at The Canyons Softball Complex in St. George. "It was really a fun, exciting
time. The crew was here for a month and it was great to have
them here," said Entrada's general manager, Rheanne Laubscher.
"I think people are going to want to come and see where some of
the scenes were filmed. We could tell them where the stars
stayed and they can stay in the same casita." "It was kind of crazy," Lundgreen said. "We showed up and immediately had to go eat breakfast, then do our hair and makeup, then show them the outfits we brought to wear in the film. They said whether they liked what we were wearing, or if we had to change it and if our makeup looked good or not." Director Kenny Ortega was "really nice, outgoing and kinda cool," she said. "He would show us the moves he wanted us to do, have us practice it for about five minutes, and then shoot it," Lundgreen said. "We were kind of the cheerleaders during the baseball game." Mike Wilson, whose band played in the film's theatrical dance scenes, said he loved the high energy of the filmmaking process. "It was amazing how you had to spend the entire day trying to get 10 seconds of film," said Wilson, who plays the drums. "They would do take after take after take, but it really was a lot of fun." So what did the teen extras think of the Disney stars they met on set? Ashley Tisdale, who plays drama club diva Sharpay Evans, is "nice, but shy," while Zac Efron as star athlete Troy Bolton and his girlfriend, Vanessa Hudgens as brainy student Gabriella Montez, "kept to themselves," the kids say. By the way, both Zac and Vanessa look shorter in real life, says Vaifanua, and Zac, in particular, is "really, really cute in person." Corbin Bleu, who stars as Troy's best friend and teammate Chad Danforth, earned the most accolades from his co-workers and fans while in St. George. "He just seemed like the nicest guy. He's the only one who really walked over to us and talked to us," Lundgreen said. "He told us about how he would accompany his mom on the set while she was working and she would goof off." | ||
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‘Disney’s The Lion
King’ impresses New Philadelphia Times Reporter - Spectacular, brilliant and magical best describe “Disney’s The Lion King” on stage at Cleveland’s State Theatre through Sept. 9. The show, now in its 10th year on Broadway, is the live stage adaptation of one of Disney’s most beloved animated films, “The Lion King.” While some may scoff at the idea of transferring an animated film to the stage, this production is proof that it can be done, and impressively, as well. Having originally seen the show in New York some six years ago, I was a bit skeptical as to how it would translate into a touring production. There was never any need to worry. “Disney’s The Lion King” on tour is every bit as impressive as it is in its permanent Broadway home. It’s definitely worth the relatively short trip to Cleveland. The show’s opening number, “Circle of Life,” never fails to elicit cheers and applause, and little wonder, what with lions, giraffes and zebras on stage, and elephants and other African animals and birds parading down the aisles. The animals and costuming you’ll see in Cleveland are exactly the same as used in the New York production, and every bit as impressive. Adding to the opening spectacle is the wonderful Gugwana Diamini as the old and wise mandrill Rafiki. Diamini comes to the touring company direct from the London production. Equally impressive were Kevin Gray as Scar, Gene Segers as Mufasa, John Gardner as Timon, Bob Amaral as Pumbaa and Michael Dean Morgan as Zazu. Clifton Oliver and Ta’Rea Campbell as the grown Simba and Nala impress with their vocal abilities. Sharing the spotlight with the show’s fine lead actors and excellent ensemble is the show’s set, impressive in its simplicity. The lighting is also spectacular. The show is remarkably faithful to the animated film, down to the songs originally written for the movie by Elton John and Tim Rice. Several songs by Lebo M. Mark Mancinia, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer were added, quite successfully, to the stage production. The show is directed by Julie Taymor, who became the first woman in Broadway history to win a Tony Award best director of a musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created the hundreds of masks and puppets used in “Disney’s The Lion King.” In addition to Taymor’s Tony Award, “Disney’s The Lion King” won five other Tonys, including best musical of 1997. In Cleveland, “Disney’s The Lion King” will play Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:30. Ticket prices range from $10 to $77.50. VIP Ticket Packages are also available for $130, which include premium seating, a complimentary souvenir program, commemorative VIP show merchandise item, and complimentary parking. Tickets are available at the Playhouse Square ticket office and online at www.PlayhouseSquare.org. To charge tickets, call Playhouse Square Center at (216) 241–6000. | ||
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Mercato readies for grand premiere of Disney Pixars movie
Ratatouille Al-Bawaba, Jordan - Mercato is all set to host the two main characters of the Disney Pixars movie Ratatouille between August 12th and 15th as part of the movie premiere. The Disney Movie Magic event has attracted children and adults alike with Disney box-office hits being shown in the Grand Cinemas at the Mercato till August 15th. Remy and Emile, the main characters of Ratatouille, will mingle with visitors and movie buffs between 5 and 10pm till August 15th to celebrate the launch of the movie slated for August 16th. Disney Movie Magic is one among the prominent DSS 2007 In-Mall Events this year. The two-week event started off with a showing of Disney movies at Mercato, Ibn Battuta, and Al Ghurair City, in addition to different themed zones at Mercato for children. Tickets for the movies are being sold for only AED 12, including a box of popcorn. Apart from movies, the Disney Movie Magic at Mercato presents an ideal opportunity for children to act out their favourite characters from tales and legends, and indulge in numerous fun activities with the Disney Parlour, Pirates of Caribbean Zone, Cars Tour, Picture Corner, and Disney Story Telling corner. Girls can try out bright princess costumes, wear make-up and click photographs while boys can try out the Pirates of the Caribbean zone for a more adventurous outfit, complete with a pirate hat, sword, and cloak. For book enthusiasts, children can head towards the Disney Library where they can go through their favourite comic books and for the daring, an exclusive face painting corner is being organised where they can get faces painted according to their favourite Disney characters. These zones, coupled with movies, provide the perfect outing for families in the coming weeks. The Grand Cinemas in Mercato will show Toy Story 2 on August 13th, Cars on August 14th, and The Emperor's New Groove on August 15th. The Grand Megaplex at Ibn Battuta will show Monsters Inc. on August 13th, Brother Bears on August 14th, and Chicken Little on August 15th. The Grand Cinecity Al Ghurair City will show The Emperor's New Groove on August 13th, Cars on August 14th, and Brother Bears on August 15th. | ||
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Nemo ride
makes a big splash Salt Lake Tribune - They look, feel and even smell the same, but sailors on the widely celebrated and recently "re-commissioned" submarines at Disneyland are in for a technology treat . . . if they can endure long lines. The popular underwater ride reopened to the public in June after Submarine Voyage closed in September 1998. Some Disneyland devotees were expecting the park to convert the subs into a "Little Mermaid" theme ride, but the release of the eventual Oscar-winning "Finding Nemo" in 2003 may have changed the plans. The end result is Disney's latest attraction: the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in the Tomorrowland Lagoon. Draper waited for the Disneyland gates to open and beelined it to the Nemo ride the day after it opened. The Wrights, Disneyland season-pass holders, had brought along their 3-year-old grandson, Tyson. Despite being there early, the Wrights had to wait two hours to walk down the circular stairs of the sub. During the wait, they enjoyed listening to the scavenger seagulls on a buoy in the lagoon in the trademark "mine, mine, mine" chorus that those familiar with the movie might recognize. "The ride starts off with colorful coral, Mayan ruins and many interesting characters along the way, with every seat having a great view. Then you 'dive' deeper into the ocean where spectacular new movie clips of Nemo, his friends and enemies are integrated into the ride - awesome," said Joseph Wright. "It was well worth the wait in line, and we look forward to riding it many more times in the future." As Wright aptly pointed out, the Nemo ride starts quite similarly to the classic ride with the feeling of the submarine going underwater. In reality, the subs are never submerged. The crew of the submarine comes on to tell visitors that the destination is a recently active underwater volcano. Riders see a blast of bubbles during the "descent," and when the water clears, a reef comes into view. The reef includes 7,000 pieces of artificial plants and 23,000 pieces of artificial coral. To protect the colorful reefs from the famous southern California sun, more than 30 tons of recycled glass was used. Sailors from both sides of the submarine see the same things in the lagoon, including "Finding Nemo" character Darla searching for new fish for her home tank, sea bass, giant clams, lobsters, eels, crabs and a scuba diver. The captain calls for the sub to go deeper; it gets dark, and suddenly there are larger-than-life fully dimensional animated characters from the movie. Borrowing a line from the original attraction, the captain announces that new technology allows humans to hear what the fish are saying. But this time, instead of the "blub, blub, blub" of yesteryear, we hear the voices of Dory, Marlin, Nemo, Crush, Bruce, et al. "We are literally bringing the undersea world of the popular 'Finding Nemo' movie off the screen and into the submarine lagoon of Tomorrowland," Tom Fitzgerald, executive vice president and senior creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a news release. "Guests will be immersed into an adventure that will leave them in disbelief, asking 'How did they do that?' " Riders get to view the only underwater imaging technology in the world. Through the portholes and through the coral, people spy the Pixar animated characters doing the same kinds of things they did in the movie. The submarines are long, and people in front of the craft see the images before riders in the middle and back of the ride. To match the audio with what people in different places of the sub are seeing, Disney imagineers created "traveling sound" technology. James Christian, a self-proclaimed Disney junkie, checked out the Nemo ride shortly after it opened. The Farmington resident had mixed feelings. "They certainly got the 3-D animation objects right on. That was pretty sweet," Christian said. Christian said he understood that Disney wanted to appeal to multiple generations by keeping some of the familiar settings from the original ride, but he isn't sure that was the best idea. "The Nemo ride is great, but I was a little disappointed, especially after all the hype. I kind of hoped they would come in and really breathe new magic into it and make it a completely fresh experience," he said. "One of the [reasons] that 'Nemo' was such a great movie was the way the animation captured all the great images of the underwater characters. I think I would have liked to have seen more of that and less of the old feeling." The majority of Disneyland visitors are probably not as critical as Christian. For most Finding Nemo riders, the only complaint is the long line. The typical wait is two to four hours, but it can stretch to five hours on busy days. That wait is more than most people are willing to subject their little ones to, and most say they will wait until the attention for the new attraction dies down before experiencing Nemo. One thing is certain: The generations of people who never rode the original ride will find it an amazing underwater and technological adventure. | ||
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| Back News |
Disney
News - This year's schedule for the Eat to the Beat! Concert
Series.
David Crowder Band and newsboys
are among a half-dozen performers who will "play the Castle"
during the two-night musical extravaganza that takes place after
regular park hours (a special ticket is required for admission).
Friday evening, 2006-2007 Dove Awards "Artist of the Year" Chris
Tomlin and 2001 "Artist of the Year" Third Day will follow David
Crowder to the landmark stage. On Saturday, Salvador opens the
show at the iconic stage followed by Christian music's
most-honored artist, Steven Curtis Chapman.
The
star-studded cast of this hit comedy includes Tim Allen
("Doug"), John Travolta ("Woody"), Martin Lawrence ("Bobby") and
William H. Macy ("Dudley") as four suburban couch jockeys who
suffer from mid-life crises and take motorcycles to the American
asphalt expecting nothing but fun and adventure. But being an
easy rider isn't so easy, especially after a chance encounter
with the real-life Del Fuegos biker gang proves just how lame
and tame the Hogs really are. 
The
Lookout stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt (TV's "3rd Rock From the
Sun," "Brick") as Chris Pratt, a once-proud high school hockey
standout whose short-term memory fades away following a brutal
car crash. With his best days behind him, Chris toils as a
nighttime janitor at a local bank until a group of crooks seduce
him into carrying out their heist plans.