Instead, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas will be back Sunday to give it another shot when there is little chance of weather disrupting the taping. Tomorrow’s production schedule — which included spots with host Kelly Ripa, singer Steve Rushton (songs on Hannah Montana: The Movie, G-Force and Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws soundtracks and The Suite Life on Deck TV show) and the Santa Buddies Golden retriever pups , plus the parade floats — also has been shifted to Sunday.

Pre-selected audience members with e-Tickets for Friday, Saturday or Sunday are invited to return Sunday and will be allowed to attend the 7 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. call. The park opens at 9 a.m. to the public, and while it is possible that you might be able to see Jonas Brothers without an e-Ticket, you can be sure it will be from a distance. More than 5,000 e-Tickets were distributed for their performance alone, and the rain check allows even more ticketholders to attend during that time.

Celine Dion, who also was scheduled to sing in front of Cinderella Castle on Friday, was moved inside to perform at Disney’s Grand Floridian. She sang “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” with backup from Disney’s Encore! cast choir on a stage erected in the hotel lobby. Then, Dion moved to a balcony to sing “Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day.” The luxurious hotel served as a beautiful backdrop for her set, and most audience members had unobstructed views of the taping as they lined the balconies of four floors. Even the kids found it easier to wait when they had room to move around. The folks at Disney really should consider having a performer tape there each year.

Co-host Nick Cannon, who is filling in for Regis Philbin while he recuperates from surgery, introduced Dion and taped other spots in the hotel.

Disney News - If you love musicals as much as I do, then you’re going to be thrilled with today’s news.

“Toy Story – The Musical” will take over Hyperion Theatre in Disney’s California Adventure park in early 2011.

The characters and playful plot from the original Disney•Pixar film, Toy Story, will come to life before your eyes in this dazzling, musical stage spectacular where you’ll be treated to a unique “toys’ eye view” of life in Andy’s room. The stage show will feature larger-than-life set design, new songs, vivid projected backgrounds and elaborate costumes.

The 50-minute musical will preserve the humor and heart of the original film and will explore the true meaning of friendship as Buzz Lightyear and Woody transform from jealous adversaries to best friends with an unbreakable bond.

To make way for this exciting addition to Disney’s California Adventure park, “Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular” will close August 15, 2010. If you’re visiting the Disneyland Resort this holiday season, don’t miss your chance to catch this great show.

Guests at Disney World spent an average of 4 percent less in the resort’s theme parks during its 2009 fiscal year, according to a new regulatory filing from the Walt Disney Co.  Park spending last dropped at Disney World in 2001, during the country’s last recession.

Disney’s year-end filing provides the most detailed glimpse of how the company’s biggest theme-park resort has fared through what Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger called probably “the weakest economy in our lifetime.”

In addition to the in-park drop, guest spending at Disney World’s hotels and time shares dropped 8 percent, from a per-room average of $223 to $205. That was the lowest level since 2005 and the first year-over-year decrease since 2003.

Both drops reflected Disney’s use of heavy discounts — including promotions featuring either seven hotel nights for the price of four or free dining — to keep travelers coming amid the brutal environment. Average ticket prices and average daily hotel-room rates both fell on the discounting.

Attendance for the year was essentially flat with 2008. Hotel occupancy slid 3 percentage points, to 87 percent.

Spending at Disneyland also dropped, with in-park spending fell 9 percent and hotel spending dropped 7 percent. But attendance at the Anaheim, Calif., resort, which draws far more local traffic than Disney World, jumped 7 percent.

Disney’s fiscal year ended Oct. 3. The company’s fiscal 2009 had an extra week in it because of a timing quirk; every six years or so, Disney has a 53-week fiscal year in order to keep the ending date of the year close to Sept. 30.

The shrinking guest spending was one of the primary factors that led overall revenue at Disney’s U.S. resorts to sink by $531 million. Disney’s domestic operations were also hurt by the inability of Disney Vacation Club to securitize time-share mortgages in a locked-up credit market.

Revenue at Disney’s international resorts dropped by $306 million for the year, primarily because of  declines at Disneyland Paris, which suffered from both lower guest spending and strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro.

Total revenues at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts fell $837 million for the year to $10.7 billion, a 7 percent drop. The division partially offset that by slashing expenses by $358 million, or 4 percent, to just under $9 billion. The cost-cutting included the elimination of 1,400 jobs in Florida.

AP - Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it will pay an annual cash dividend of 35 cents per share on Jan. 19 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 14.

The company said it has paid dividends for 54 consecutive years.

Robert Chester Double Jr., 50, was sentenced to five years probation as a sex offender after pleading guilty to one count of lewd and lascivious molestation, prosecutors said.

Double was arrested July 3 after complaints from the parents and guardians of four teenagers at the water park, records show.

The arrest was one of six incidents earlier this year at beach-theme attractions in greater Orlando. Those included the rape of a 14-year-old girl attending a late-night party in the wave pool at Universal’s Wet’n Wild attraction on International Drive.

Mental health counselors attributed the unusually large number of incidents to sex predators having close access to children without close parental supervision in what appears to be a safe environment.

Two men charged with molestation were later exonerated. One of them, a Connecticut tourist, blamed his snug European-style bathing suit for giving the wrong impression to pool workers.

Charges also were dropped against an Osceola County father who was accused of improperly touching youngsters in the water at SeaWorld’s Aquatica.

In Double’s case, he pleaded guilty before Circuit Judge Alicia L. Latimore to inappropriately touching a 12-to-15-year-old girl. Her family was notified of the plea bargain, which involved dropping a second charge and withholding a jail or prison sentence.

As conditions of his probation, Double must report regularly as a sexual offender, not contact the victim or have any unsupervised contact with children under 18 years old. He is also prohibited visiting any amusement park or water park, according to prosecutors.

Court records indicate a tourist from the state of Washington still faces the possibility of trial early next year stemming from his arrest in July on charges of molesting a 13-year-old boy at Typhoon Lagoon.

It would take some 60 years for the Disney artists to begin painting their leading ladies with all the colors of the wind, including the American Indian Pocahontas (1995), the Chinese Mulan (1998) and the Hawaiian Lilo (2002).

Only now, with "The Princess and the Frog," have Disney animators put a black female front and center. Ironically, the inspiration for the new film came from two Caucasian men: current Pixar-Disney chief John Lasseter and the late Walt Disney himself.

"The story really came from an initial idea of doing an American fairy tale, which hadn't been done at Disney," said "Princess" co-director Ron Clements. "And setting it in New Orleans, which is John Lasseter's favorite city in the world. It was Walt Disney's favorite city in the world ... Out of that, it seemed natural that the heroine would be African-American."

Discussion of the character's race had some of the film's principals bristling. "We walk around being black every day, and nobody talks about it," noted Anika Noni Rose, who supplies the voice of lead Princess Tiana. "So, I suggest you follow your instinct and let it be nothing to be talked about."

Yet the "Dreamgirls" actress continued to talk: "The big deal is that it will quietly affirm to young brown-skinned children that they are special in this world," Rose said. "And I think that it is a bigger deal to those of us who grew up without it and are now adults and have been waiting for it. It's exciting to us, because we know how important it is to our children to have, to be image affirmed."

Production was started on "Princess" in March 2006, long before the election of a new American president. "We tried to arrange that," joked co-director John Musker. "We voted for Obama," Musker continued. "That was about as much influence as we had on things."

But the coincidence isn't lost on some members of the "Princess" cast. "It is historical in the sense now that there is 'Obama' and 'Tiana,'" said veteran character actress Jenifer Lewis, widely known as "the black mother of Hollywood." "It is a new day," she continued. "There is hope. There is change. That is what this movie is going to bring."

Perhaps, but the directors remind us that making history was never their point.

"It is a universal story," Musker said. "It is a story of trying to follow your dreams and overcoming obstacles. And I don't think that necessarily knows a certain color."

Walt Disney World obviously is full of photo opportunities with unique characters, backgrounds and scenery that would be beautiful with your holiday greetings. While there’s nothing wrong with snapping an image of the family on Main Street USA with iconic Cinderella Castle in the background or at Hollywood Studios’ Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, here are a few ideas you might not have considered.

** New this year in the Magic Kingdom are statues of the popular toy soldiers from the “Babes in Toyland” theme in the annual Christmas parade. The statues are placed with Christmas trees in a bed of poinsettias in Town Square when you enter the theme park. Take photos yourself or use Disney’s Photopass.

** Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse don their holiday finery and pose for photos at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you are not going to this separate-ticket event, you can find the pair wearing their Christmas sweaters every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas at Camp Minnie-Mickey at Animal Kingdom. Take photos yourself or use Disney’s Photopass.

** Outside Days of Christmas at Downtown Disney, there is a vignette that includes snowy statues of Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Pluto with a Christmas tree and a “Happy Holidays” banner. This area is not staffed by Photopass photographers, so you or a passerby must take the photo. The advantages, though, are that the setup is there 365 days a year and you do not have to pay park admission.

** Most of the Disney hotels have beautiful Christmas trees, and the Wilderness Lodge has a huge roaring fireplace for a traditional backdrop that is not often seen in Florida. Take photos yourself or make new friends to help.

** Golfers can take a classic shot at Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, which is well-themed for the holidays. The first 18 holes depict Santa’s winter work, while the summer side shows the Jolly Old Elf relaxing in his off-season. Each season features a large castle, and there is a full-size sleigh decked out for photos at the entrance. Take photos yourself.

Getting started is as simple as going to Disneyworld.com/christmasparty and entering a name. The first series of online choices is interesting and a no-brainer for me. I’m clicking the Dapper Dans for a special Christmas song. You can also check out video featuring Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade or holiday greetings from Disney friends.

Disneyland guests often line up for the chance to buy a limited number of the newly made sweets. Others crowd around the windows to watch teams of candy makers stretch the liquid-like sugar into hook shapes.

The canes are in such high demand that Disneyland workers plan to hand out tickets on a first-come, first-served basis so guests can return at fixed times to buy a maximum of two canes each, said John McClintock, a Disneyland Resort spokesman. There will be a stand-by line in case guests with tickets don’t come back.

Canes cost $9.95 each.

Makers usually create up to 135 canes, prepared in three batches, in a day at the Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen on Main Street U.S.A. Each cane is wrapped in bubble wrap.

The canes are about the length of a forearm.

Disneyland-goers can find out when candy canes are being made by calling a special phone number, updated each Sunday with information about what kind of candy is being made each day that week. The Candy Kitchen Menu line is 714-781-0112.

The tentative dates are this Friday, Dec. 4; Saturday, Dec. 12; Saturday, Dec. 19; Monday, Dec. 21; and Saturday, Dec. 26.

Candy makers restrict the number of canes because of the intense heat — between 90 and 100 degrees — needed to melt and mold the goo.

Fun candy cane facts:

• It takes two hours to produce each batch.
• Each batch makes between 40 to 45 canes.
• A team of three candy makers create the canes in a heat-sealed kitchen.
• Cooking time is about a half hour.
• Pulling time is about an hour.
• A block of candy weighs 15 pounds.

Yield: 2 1/2 dozen.

1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups quick or old-fashioned, uncooked oats

Assorted colored sugars, candy sprinkles, small candies or decorator icings

1. Heat oven to 350 F.

2. In a large bowl, combine half of the dry cake mix with the butter, egg and vanilla. Mix thoroughly with a large spoon. Stir in remaining cake mix and oats. Mix well.

3. Divide dough in half. On well-floured surface, using a well-floured rolling pin, roll each half to no more than 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with a 3-inch snowflake or other large holiday cookie cutter. Place about 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. If cookie will be used as tree ornaments, poke a hole at the top of each cookie with a drinking straw before baking. (Repeat immediately after baking if the hole closes.)

4. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or just until set. Centers may still be soft. Carefully remove to a wire rack. Cool completely. Decorate as desired.

Grand Floridian Hotel’s Gingerbread Ornaments

Yield: 25 (6-ounce) ornaments.

Honey dough:

4 pounds honey

3 pounds bread flour

Spice dough:

2 pounds all-purpose flour

4 eggs

2 cups light corn syrup

1 ounce ground cinnamon

1 ounce ground nutmeg

1 ounce ground cloves

1 ounce ground ginger

1 1/2 ounce baker’s ammonia (see note)

1 cup water

Milk for brushing cookies

1. Bring honey to a boil and mix into bread flour. Mix until dough has a smooth texture. Allow to cool. Wrap in plastic and allow to rest overnight in refrigerator. Can be held at this point for up to 2 months.

2. Mix all-purpose flour, eggs, corn syrup and spices. Dissolve ammonia in water and add to flour mixture. Combine the honey dough and the spice dough.

3. Heat oven to 350 F. Roll dough into 1/8-inch thick sheets. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Brush with milk. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Recipe notes: Baker’s Ammonia powder is a leavening agent called for in some recipes. It is available at cake decorating supply stores.

Grand Floridian Hotel’s Gingerbread Men

Yield: 18 medium-size gingerbread men or 1 (13-by-15-by-10-inch) gingerbread house.

1 cup bread flour

1 cup cake flour

1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon spice mix (see note)

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1/3 cup milk, plus additional milk for brushing cookies

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Mix flours, spices mix and sugar. Add butter a little at a time. Add milk then mix to incorporate.

2. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush cookies with milk. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

AP - Marvel Entertainment Inc. said it will hold a special meeting of shareholders in New York on Dec. 31 to allow a vote on its planned takeover by The Walt Disney Co.

Stockholders on record as of Nov. 23 will be able to vote at the meeting.

Disney, the Burbank, Calif.-based entertainment company, is offering $4 billion in cash and stock for Marvel, with its slate of superhero characters.

Just try it…close your eyes and picture the vintage steam trains. Hear the bell? Hear the whistle or maybe the lumbering cars? The steam-powered train grabs your attention before you’re through the entrance and it’s hard to forget after your visit.

Some of you know that I grew up in a house with a love for the railroad — and like Walt Disney, we had a model railway built in our Miami, Florida backyard. But for Walt Disney, the yard railroad was an apparent spark, according to Walt Disney Imagineering’s Jason Surrell. “It was one of the earliest glimmers of Disneyland,” he says. Here’s more on how it started:

Walt Disney’s uncle Mike was a train engineer. And at one point, Walt sold gum, cigars and soda to train passengers as it made daily stops at his boyhood home in Marceline, Mo.

Here are some places you’re likely to find Santa on Disney property, though if he’s called back to the North Pole, his schedule could change:

** Magic Kingdom: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (intermittently) daily in Town Square next to City Hall. The Jolly Old Elf also makes an appearance in Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights.

** Epcot: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 4:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. daily at The American Adventure. Each country in the World Showcase also features storytellers who describe local holiday traditions. In many countries, the storyteller is a representation of Santa, such as Pere Noel in France and Father Christmas in England. 

** Downtown Disney Marketplace: noon to 10 p.m. daily at Santa’s Chalet in front of World of Disney. (Santa Paws for Pets is not offered this year.)

For hotel guests with children who must see St. Nick before he takes to the skies, he will work his magic and make it to most hotels between 5 and 9 p.m. Dec. 24. Look for him in the lobbies of Disney’s All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, Port Orleans Riverside, Coronado Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, BoardWalk, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas-Kidani Village and Saratoga Springs resorts; at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Old Port Royale next to the tree), at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (4th floor) and at Disney’s Old Key West (Papa’s Den).

Disney News - Season’s Greetings! I’m back again with more helpful tips and hints of what to give your friends and families to fill their holiday stockings this year. After getting some inside scoop from our holiday shoppers, here are this season’s top 10 Disney stocking stuffer ideas!

10. Cuddle up with your favorite Disney Pals – A new selection of the ever popular holiday plush is now available. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Stitch and more can be found decked out in their festive holiday attire.

9. You’ll be an “EAR” above the rest – Tip your hat to your friends and family this holiday season with our Santa inspired Mickey Mouse ear hat and holiday themed headwear or have frosty fun with a Snowman ear hat.

Insider Tip: These festive ear hats are a delight. Whether given as a gift or used in a family photo that can be shared with friends and relatives, it is sure to make people grin from ear to ear.

8. Quick Pick-Me-Ups – Find that little something special. Our top souvenir picks this year are our key chains, cell phone charms, magnets, playing cards and the ever-popular antenna toppers.

7. Deck the Halls with Pins – A perfect stocking stuffer for avid collectors and novices alike. Our seasonal pins are sure to be the hit of your holiday party.

6. Jedis In Training - If the force is strong with your young Jedi Knight then they’ll be drawn to design their own Light Saber, including grip and energy beam. Star Wars Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Insider Tip: This item can only be found at Star Trader in Tomorrowland.

5. Fit For a Princess – If it’s a Disney Princess item you’re looking for, you’ll find a variety of Disney princess inspired costumes, toys and gifts including our newest addition to Disney royalty, Princess Tiana.

4. Go Krazy for Kooky’s! - You’ll go “krazy” for our Kooky Kollection of Disney inspired pens. Created for the holidays, you’ll find Minnie, Mickey & Pluto dressed in their holiday best, but if you are looking for Kookier holiday fun, then check out our limited edition Holiday Kooky Set featuring Dumbo, Tinker Bell and Stitch!

Insider Tip: Prices range from $5.95 – $14.95. These “kooky” gifts can fly off the shelves rather fast!

3. Make it a cool Yule… - with our Disney Vinylmation! These unique and funky vinyl figures feature artwork inspired by Disney attractions, characters and icons, plus cool urban and seasonal designs. Vinylmation figures come in 3” and 9” sizes, which is the perfect size for anyone’s stocking. To find out more, visit www.Vinylmation.com.

2. Race Through Time - Kids will also go wild for our Disney’s Wild Racers (“Cars With Character”) available in a variety of Disney, Pixar and Star Wars inspired characters.

1. Green is the perfect accent for the Holidays! - Check out the environmentally friendly merchandise available at the Resort including our tees, accessories and stationery.

Insider Tip: Choose to re-Use! Pick up one of our Re-Usable “Every Tree Has Character Bags” or other environmentally friendly bags and use it as a gift bag or wrapping.

The audio experience is called Ears to the World and it is currently offered at three very popular attractions.
At Disneyland Park, this innovative system can be used at “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience” located in Tomorrowland. At Disney’s California Adventure Park, you can experience Muppet Vision 3D in Hollywood Pictures Backlot and It’s Tough to be a Bug! at “A Bug’s Land.”

Guests will hear a translation in Spanish or Japanese recorded by character actors who reflect the excitement and spirit of the English recording. This technology provides a truly magical experience.