You can be 36 years old and as cool as you were at 18 or 20.

Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort proves it.

One of the two Disney hotels that opened with the park in 1971 (the Polynesian Resort was the other), the A-frame Contemporary is aiming to be fabulous at 40 and further. An ongoing facelift has erased its garish '60s room decor and is adding 21st-century atmosphere and attractions.

"Every space will be touched," Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Disney World, says of the work expected to continue into 2009. (Room updates are complete.)

Two drawing cards from the beginning -- the monorail trains that hiss through the hotel's soaring atrium and the Contemporary's primo location just two minutes by train or five minutes by footpath from the Magic Kingdom -- will be unchanged. Also ticketed to infinity and beyond is the Mary Blair ceramic mural of pueblo children that leaps 90 feet from the Concourse floor to the atrium ceiling.

A mastermind was at work here.

"Walt had his hands on the design for the property," Myers says. Although Disney died in 1966 before construction began, "He would have known where things were to be placed."

Considered the least-themed of the Disney World resorts, the Contemporary would feel like the convention hotel it can be (90,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space) were it not for its kind staff and the Mouse spirit that spills from Chef Mickey's, a prime venue for character meals. Before the breakfasts and dinners at which the cartoon stars in costume mingle with children and their families, stroller gridlock and happy excitement are added proof that all is not business at the Contemporary.

What's amazing is that even with the cavernous atrium, the hubbub of diners and the swooshing trains are all but inaudible in the 385 generously sized guest rooms in the 15-story tower.

(The detached South Garden Rooms offer another 270 units in low-slung wings. The North Garden Rooms were demolished in early 2007. Although Disney hasn't announced plans publicly, reports in the Orlando Sentinel and documents on file with local government indicate that a 15-story tower is being built on the site, possibly with suites to be available through the Disney Vacation Club, a buy-points-to-lodge plan.)

Thick carpet, drapes with liners, pillowed suede headboards and rich bedding in standard rooms seem to soak up noise that might seep into each soothing cocoon. Gone are the primary colors in modernistic designs that Imagineers of 40 years ago deemed contemporary. The busy patterns and self-conscious chic have been replaced by restful creams, beiges and taupes set off by moss tones, dark wood and subtle stripes in fabrics.

Most rooms have two queen beds and a day bed and can sleep five. In a show of mercy to families and budget-minded travelers, a refrigerator and coffee maker are provided, and cereal and milk are available in the sundries store on the Concourse.

Business travelers or laptop junkies aren't forgotten. A roomy work area provides good lighting, a pullout table for added space, a comfortable desk chair, two data ports and free Internet access.

Above a faux fireplace emitting a soft glow is a flat-screen television. On a higher shelf (perhaps beyond little hands) are decorative ceramic vases.

Sliding doors to the bathroom and a separate toilet nook save space but don't lock. The bathroom's beige marble floor and brown-and-white marble tub and shower are handsome. But the new twin sinks are large, shallow squares that leave little vanity space, don't drain as readily as bowl styles (aim carefully when you gargle) and are barely deep enough for rinsing small items.

Towels hang on a brushed metal rack across the room from the tub. Forget your towel, and you skate on wet feet to get it.

Tower rooms on the Seven Seas Lagoon side of the resort overlook a parking lot, but also the nearby Magic Kingdom. Their balconies offer wonderful views of nightly fireworks. On the tower's other side, rooms have a view of Bay Lake, the marina and the large swimming pool.

The glorious vistas are reserved for the award-winning California Grill atop the hotel. The market-minded American dishes from the open kitchen are creative and full of flavor, the setting sunny and sophisticated. Diners can go onto the roof's walkway after dark to watch fireworks at the Magic Kingdom or rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, east across the central Florida flatland.

Although the California Grill is expensive, it is the park's most popular place to dine, according to the 2007 Zagat Walt Disney World Insider's Guide.

"It's our flagship restaurant," says Rick Sylvain, Disney World media director.

The Concourse Steakhouse often is busy but, nonetheless, is expected to go away during renovations. A new restaurant, The Wave, is expected to open on the first floor this summer.

The Grab and Go fast-food eatery has moved to the fourth floor. Such quick-bite spots can be a money-saver for families. At the recently closed first-floor site, a generous serving of tuna salad was enough for sandwiches to satisfy two small appetites, and the tab (lettuce and tomato included) was about $5.

Club and concierge rooms on the 12th and 14th levels offer personal service, serene lounge areas open to guests on those floors only, continental breakfast and snacks, Mickey Mouse cupcakes among them. Some guests never spot the health club and beauty salon on the tower's third floor or laundry facilities in the garden complex.

With four theme parks a monorail ride away and the Downtown Disney entertainment area on the bus route, it's not surprising that attractions at the hotel are limited.

Young people have the new Game Station arcade. A freshened kids' play area across from the registration desk offers Disney films on a big screen. People taking a cooling break from the parks have that rambling swimming pool studded with slides, spouts and plenty of lounge area. Fishing or other water sports excursions depart from the marina. And there's always the lure of Concourse lounges-with-a-view, or the calm of your tower balcony.

The BVG shop (Bay View Gifts) is a glass cube stocked with Disney-logo apparel, character toys and collectibles. They're a far cry from the "Saturday Night Fever"-style polyester clothes, enamel wear and pottery sold in 1971.

From the beginning, the Contemporary Resort has been novel.

It was assembled like a dresser with drawers. Rooms, constructed offsite, were brought to a prepared steel framework and slipped one by one into place.

It was thought that when the time came to refurbish a room, the module could be pulled out, redecorated then pushed back into place. But settling ground scuttled that plan -- the "drawers" essentially are stuck.

Current renovations are being done gradually to minimize disruption for guests, and changes won't be allowed to go too far.

"Guests came here as a child with parents and grandparents," says Thea Sargent, general manager. "They have traditions here. We have to be careful to preserve traditions."

The Great American Gardener series, which continues each Friday-Sunday through June 1, is presented in partnership with the American Horticultural Society. Some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts in the country reveal tips and share entertaining stories during the presentations open to all Epcot guests at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear:

Getting tickets for "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour," which debuts today on movie screens nationwide, likely soothed crestfallen youngsters unable to get seats for the Disney Channel star's hot-selling U.S. concert tour, including a Dec. 6 date in Van Andel Arena.

Amid the skyrocketing demand for live-concert tickets and the ensuing media hubbub, Disney struck while the iron was hot. Tickets for the "Hannah" movie's week-long run -- today through Thursday -- went on sale Dec. 1 and, several screenings promptly sold out.

"Disney made a big deal about putting tickets on sale by Dec. 1 and marketed them as Christmas gifts," said Ron Van Timmeren, vice president of programming for Loeks Theatres, Inc. "Many of our prime shows sold out before Christmas."

Loeks is the only theater chain showing the "Hannah" movie locally. Presented in Disney Digital 3D -- the same technology used for "Meet the Robinsons," "Chicken Little" and the re-release of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" -- only auditoriums equipped with digital projectors can properly present the film.

As of Thursday, 6,500 of the $15 tickets had been sold locally, Van Timmeren said. Eleven of 160 screenings at four local theaters are sold out, and several are "getting close."

But those who haven't bought tickets yet need not panic. Weekday shows are "wide open," Van Timmeren said. And Disney is planning to announce Saturday whether the film's run will be extended for a second week, and details will be posted at celebrationcinema.com.

"Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" promises an up-close-and-personal presentation of the 15-year-old star's live show. Opening on 600 screens nationwide, the 74-minute film was shot during her 2007 54-date tour, although no footage from the Van Andel Arena concert will be included. Just like her stage show, Cyrus performs half the show as herself and half as her TV character Hannah Montana.

Online movie ticketing sites Fandango and MovieTickets.com have been selling tickets by the thousands daily since they went on sale. At one point, "Hannah" comprised 30 percent of Fandango's advance sales, and MovieTickets.com reported "Hannah" is one of the site's top-10 best-selling advance tickets, nestling among movies in the "Star Wars," "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" franchises.

Disney declined to comment on why the movie will be in theaters for only a limited time, or if it would be released on DVD.

"I'd guess that Disney is following the specialty, limited-engagement concept to mirror the concert business," Van Timmeren said.

It's not unusual for a movie to come out only out for a week.

Mary Dalton, associate professor of communication at Wake Forest University, says some religious films were released in a similar fashion years ago. These days, she says some small films might play in Los Angeles and New York for a short time to qualify for Oscar nominations, and many other films are test-marketed for a few days without having a larger release later.

"The 'Hannah Montana' movie is really more like big-screen television and less like conventional movies," says Dalton, who teaches film. "The idea is to get people to come out at a certain time and see the film."

Van Timmeren said the "Hannah" movie is unlike other concert films. There isn't near the hype or excitement for "U2 3D," which opens locally Feb. 15, or "Shine a Light," the Martin Scorsese-directed Rolling Stones documentary, which will feature concert footage and be presented on IMAX April 4.

"People don't typically get really excited about concert films," Van Timmeren said. "But Hannah Montana is a phenomenon -- Disney is capturing lightning in a bottle."

See the movie

When: Week-long run begins today

Where: Local theaters

Celebration Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Drive NE

Celebration Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Drive SE

Celebration Cinema Rivertown, 3728 Rivertown Pkwy. SW

Studio 28, 1350 28th St. SW

Tickets: Seats for all shows are $15 at the box office or celebrationcinema.com; call 530-7469. About 6,500 tickets were sold in advance, and 11 of 160 screeningsare sold out. Seats are selling quickly for other shows.

Coming back in concert

On Tuesday, Mayor Curt Pringle proposed a way to fund such a monorail to connect the tourist area with a planned transportation hub.

Pringle gave his sixth State of the City speech to a sold-out crowd of about 1,000 at the Grove of Anaheim, outlining his initiatives in a 40-minute, $50 luncheon address.

A top priority is seeking funding from private businesses to build a monorail running from the Disneyland area to the proposed Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, east of Angel Stadium in the Platinum Triangle, which the city is trying to turn into an urban village.

Pringle said a monorail would "symbolically and technologically bring Walt Disney's iconic vision of 50 years ago alive today and bring a physical connection to the various destinations in our city."

Already last month, the City Council approved a proposal to seek Measure M funding. But Pringle said the city is unlikely to get the $250 million needed. So he wants to ask Disney and other businesses to help pay for the system that would serve about 2.6 million people annually.

"We must find funding resources that will bring this big idea … from dreams to reality," Pringle said.

Todd Ament, president of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, said resort and stadium area business leaders have discussed the concept of funding a monorail system for about six months. He said business officials are open to the idea to connect theme parks to the Platinum Triangle.

Pringle also announced other ideas, including:

A partnership with Cal State Fullerton to develop a center for the research and development of energy technologies in the Canyon business district.

Hire a firm to do a customer-satisfaction report of the city building, planning, utility and police departments to improve customer service. 

Bizjournals - Disney.com announced Friday it is launching the first-ever "Dreams Come True" online sweepstakes in partnership with the Walt Disney Co.'s theme parks.

The sweepstakes are part of the Year of a Million Dreams in which participants have the opportunity to win one of five Disney parks vacations. The grand prize trip is a vacation at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, including one night in the park in the all new Disneyland Dream Suite.

"The Dreams Come True sweepstakes is an exciting opportunity for us to offer fans a chance to actually stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite, a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," says Petrina Walker, vice president of marketing for Disney Online.

The Disneyland Dream Suite was originally conceived by Walt Disney as a private apartment for his family and closest friends.

To take part in the giveaways, participants can visit www.Disney.com/Dreams each day during the month of February to enter the sweepstakes.

Burbank-based Disney (NYSE: DIS) operates the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios theme parks in Orlando, Fla.; owns ABC television network, 10 broadcast stations and more than 60 radio stations; and produces films through Walt Disney Studios.

The Disney Online unit is part of the Walt Disney Internet Group.

"We want to continue being a positive influence," said Kevin, when asked if they ever faced criticism for being so straight-laced in the world of rock.

"I don't think it's a contradiction. It's more of a new way of looking at things. We're trying to be different. It's who we are as people, and it's how we set ourselves aside from people, not making a statement with their personal lives," he added.

And the brothers are extremely clear about staying away from controversial subjects in their lyrics and sticking to songs about love, break-ups and the trials of growing up.

"People ask why you write about love and broken hearts and things like that. Some people say you should act more like a rock 'n' roll band and sing about things political," said Kevin. Nevertheless, they plan to steer clear of politics.

"We don't want to get anyone mad," said Joe.

"It's not who we are as people. We are fun and want to have fun," said Nick.

Dates for the Jonas tour have sold out quickly, with some cities booking two shows on the same day. "A lot of people have picked them as the next big act that will explode, said Gary Bongiovanni, editor of concert magazine Pollstar.

After they were dropped by Columbia Records, Disney's Hollywood Records signed them in 2007 and began airing their music and videos on Radio Disney and Disney Channel.

In addition to their third CD, due in July, they have an upcoming Disney film "Camp Rock." Plans for a TV show were put on hold due to the Hollywood writers strike.

Like many in their generation, the Jonases go to the Web for entertainment and, in fact, the avid iTune users count meeting Apple Inc chief executive Steve Jobs as one of their highlights in the past year on the road.

"It was as good as meeting any celebrity; it was just awesome," Joe said.

“Why is this guy only starting to worry about the economy after the Fed’s emergency three-quarter point rate cut?” Cramer asked. “He downgrades Disney only after we turned the corner, after we bottomed?”

Disney’s footprint encompasses cable properties, broadcasting, DVD sales, film – so much more than just theme parks. And right now the stock’s incredibly cheap relative to historical prices, Cramer said.

FOXBusiness - Celebrating more than 80 years of preparing students to become successful business leaders and entrepreneurs, Menlo College is pleased to present Disney Institute's professional development program, the "Disney Keys to Excellence," to the Bay Area April 11. This full-day, interactive workshop will enable area business professionals to experience the "business behind the magic." Walt Disney World instructors will teach proven Disney success strategies, which participants can adapt to their own organizations.