Tourism is the economic engine that drives Central Florida and in this economy tourism is taking a hard hit. Disney says it's restructuring, but they won't say how many employees will be laid off.

Union workers under contract at attractions, custodians, characters and many others were told by Disney Thursday they were safe, even though the company said it has already begun the process of laying off others who work there.

As Disney looks to get leaner and meaner in the tough economy, it has many of the thousands of workers at Walt Disney World on edge.

"Regardless of what status you are, lowest guy to the highest guy, everybody needs to feed their family," said Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here 362.

But Thursday, the unions that represent workers who run rides like the Teacups, take your tickets and even Mickey Mouse himself learned they won't be touched.

"My understanding from the company is this is primarily an upper-level management restructuring," Clinton said.

Clinton said his members are among about 30,000 in the service trades council who've been told their jobs are safe.

The Walt Disney Company announced it's merging operations between Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland on the west coast and executives say that will mean some will lose their jobs.

"My understanding is the collaboration between the two coasts will be behind the scenes, like marketing, business development,"

Rollins professor and author Richard Foglesong said Central Florida can't avoid feeling some of Disney's pain.

In light of these layoffs at Disney's other divisions and the job cuts going on around Hollywood I asked Cook if he had any cutbacks planned. His answer? No, Disney's studio did its major restructuring two years ago, when the studio focused in on Disney brand movies and cut down on the number it produced every year to about twelve. He acknowledged there might be some tweaks down the line, but for now Disney doesn't plan any job cuts.

The big news, of course, from Disney's studio, is its big distribution deal with DreamWorks. Disney will get about 10 percent of revenue as a distribution fee and DreamWorks will get access to Disney’s distribution and marketing machine and a roughly $100 million loan. I'm wondering if distributing these six new films will change the rest of the studios development mix—Cook insists it won't, but that they're a natural complement.

I've been hearing rumors that Disney was interested in selling its Miramax specialty division —now that the studio will get six live action films from DreamWorks, it seems it would be less relevant. But Cook again insists that Miramax isn't going anywhere—they appreciate that its films have achieved great critical acclaim in the last few years (sweeping the 2008 Oscars). And the fact that the specialty shingle has been slimmed down means it's worth keeping it around.

The company reported that in the business quarter ending December 27, 2008, revenues decreased 4% to $383 million from the same quarter a year earlier. Disney reported earlier this month that lower operating income reflected a decline in attendance and occupied room nights at Disney World and Disneyland. Labor costs and inflation, the company reported, contributed to the loss. Bloggers are reacting.

The network announced the deal Thursday. The contract will result in more Sun Belt games in various sports being aired on ESPN outlets.

At least two football games will be broadcast nationally each year. The men's basketball conference championship game will be shown nationally, as well as at least three other regular-season games.

Of course, the parents who have to lay out the cash for said purchase might feel a bit differently. And they should know that this two-disc DVD, built around the third installment in Disney's song-and-dance franchise, will unquestionably quench any young fan's thirst for Zac Efron, but doesn't pack enough extras to make it a totally worthwhile buy.

The two-disc DVD and the Blu-ray edition, which comes with a digital copy of the movie that can be downloaded to any mobile device, boasts that aforementioned extended edition of the movie, but it's only five minutes longer than the original theatrical release. Add that additional content to the 25 minutes of deleted scenes, bloopers and featurettes, and that's about the same amount of new material one gets from the typical half-hour Disney Channel comedy. (The Blu-ray version includes a couple of additional featurettes, some BD-Live content that can be accessed via a Blu-ray player's Internet connection and a DVD copy of the extended film, making it a better deal than the DVD. Assuming one has already invested in a Blu-ray player, that is.)

Quantity aside, the quality of the special features is spotty. The eight deleted scenes aren't particularly strong, and while the DVD case promises that viewers will "LOL" during the blooper reel, I never L'd -- and definitely not OL -- at the nearly three-minute montage of the "HSM" stars flubbing their lines and botching their dance moves.

On the other hand, the "Backstage Disney" featurettes do a fine job of delivering the behind-the-scenes glimpses fans crave, including shots of the cast, all decked out in sweats, rehearsing the complicated choreography for the "Night to Remember" number. The optional sing-along track, which turns each tune into an opportunity for karaoke and has become a standard on the "High School Musical" releases, also is a nice touch.

Given those positives and the fact that the East High School faithful may rewatch the film approximately 835 times, grabbing a copy -- especially one that's on sale for less than the standard retail price -- may not be a bad move. Still, keep this in mind: Disney has a habit of reissuing its "HSM" DVDs (see the Encore and Remix Editions of the first "Musical" movie), which means a more robust version of this salute to senior year could arrive in the future. But if your daughter is as demanding as, say, Ashley Tisdale's Sharpay, waiting until that day comes may not be a viable option.

The monorails are the sleek, modern trains that run between the Magic Kingdom and the Ticket & Transportation Center, the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Hotels, and Epcot. They transport guests between those locations in signature style. Just about every Disney fan can recite "Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténganse se alejado de las puertas" by heart.

While waiting on the platform for the next monorail to arrive, you may have noticed what appears to be a regular family of guests sitting in the front cab. Guess what? That family can be yours! Anyone can request a ride up front, subject to a few minor rules:

1) There is a strict limit of four passengers in the front. That doesn't mean four and a baby. That does mean four adults, plus kids they're holding on their laps. It means four, period, regardless of age and size. If they're born, they're count. However, there is no age limit. Everyone is welcome, from youngsters to adults of any age.

2) Riding in the front is first come, first served, and you have to ask a Cast Member. You can't just get in line near the front and expect to be allowed to ride. Always ask first (and politely...never make a demand).

3) If it's a crowded time, you may have to wait several trains before you'll be able to ride in the front. This is also true on the Magic Kingdom/resorts loop because if there is already a family in the front cab and they don't get off at the stop where you're waiting, you'll have to wait for another train with an empty cab.

4) This offering may be discontinued at any time and for any reason. Sometimes it could be due to bad weather. Sometimes it could be due to training. It doesn't matter why; you just have to remember that the Cast Members have the final say,. If they tell you that they're not offering front-of-the-monorail rides that day, don't argue or cop an attitude. Accept it and move along.

Here is a tip for getting to ride in that coveted front. Ride the monorail during a non-peak time or in the opposite direction from that in which most people are going. For example, early in the day when everyone is heading TO Epcot, you might be able to easily get on and ride back to the Ticket and Transportation Center because very few people will be leaving.

Starting in March, mobile subscribers with a VOD-enabled device will be able to stream, commercial free, the latest box-office hits as well as library titles from Walt Disney Studios, Disney/Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax. Current titles under the agreement include WALL-E, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl and National Treasure, along with the tween sensation High School Musical 3: Senior Year and the last installment in the Narnia franchise, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Full-length TV episodes will also be available for VOD streaming. Shows include Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost and Alias.

She wasn't alone in wanting some fun time with her children and grandchildren at the planet's most ambitious and most popular amusement parks. We, too, were among many multi-generational families who trek to Orlando each year to join 47 million other people who jam Walt Disney World's four theme parks -- Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom.

With our daughter, her husband and their two boys ages 6 and 8, we settled into the lushly landscaped Polynesian Resort (one of 20 Disney-owned properties on site) to see if our stamina could match our determination to keep up with the youngsters and enjoy as much of the 110-square-kilometre park as possible in five days. We asked for and obtained connecting rooms, a definite advantage with little ones.

The Disney monorail is a major convenience for guests staying at the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary resorts. We took it to the Magic Kingdom, opened in 1971 as the original attraction and still the heart of the Walt Disney World complex. On the busiest days of the year (between Christmas and New Years and around Easter), upwards of 90,000 people a day visit the Magic Kingdom, but May (when we were there) and the fall are much better choices, with just 30,000 visitors a day. Even on the busiest days, Disney's clever Fastpass system (where, at no cost, you get a ticket for the most popular attractions enabling you to return at a specific time for priority boarding) makes long waits a rarity.

We ran into several other multi-generational families at the Magic Kingdom, including Lonna and Doug McKay of Calgary who travelled to Walt Disney World with their four children, spouses and five grandchildren.

"Walking in here was very emotional," Lonna McKay said. "I've often thought it would be awesome to bring the whole family here and we finally realized we could do it." Doug McKay added that the biggest challenge would be to make sure all 14 of them had a good time and that nobody got lost.

Other families agreed that the key to a good time was advanced planning and a slow pace. As one Toronto area grandfather told us, "We're here to relax and enjoy our grandchildren. Wherever the kids want to go, we go."

We read several Walt Disney World guidebooks for their recommendations on what to see first and what to avoid (the most useful book we found was the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World). The best advice in all of them was to start early, head for the most popular attractions before the park filled and then take a noon break back to the hotel for lunch, a swim and some quiet time. As the crowds started to thin in mid- to late afternoon, head back to the parks.

On the first two mornings, we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom just as it opened at 9 o'clock. Trying not to show our years (and our growing timidity with fast rides) we joined our grandchildren on the two major Frontierland adventures: Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Then to Adventureland and the venerable Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride with its swashbuckling adventures (now updated to include Capt. Jack Sparrow in several scenes). In Tomorrowland, our eight-year-old grandson was keen to experience the Magic Kingdom's top attraction, Space Mountain, a fast and dark indoor roller-coaster.

We deferred until he and his dad emerged with a huge grin and said, "Let's do it again!" and grabbed John's hand. John kept his eyes closed throughout, fearful of a heart attack.

One Disney feature we all enjoyed was Mickey's Philharmagic in Fantasyland. This was a zany 3-D movie (we wore special glasses) starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in which objects pop out of the screen and special effects (fake smoke, sprinkles of water, various odors) assault the audience. All four theme parks at Walt Disney World have brilliantly conceived 3-D movies, but this and It's Tough to be a Bug in Animal Kingdom were our favorites.

On the first afternoon, we headed to the Disney Hollywood Studios (using the efficient Disney bus service) where the grandkids had a ball at the imaginative Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground (bugs and plants are giant sized). Later we joined 10,000 other guests in a huge outdoor amphitheatre for Fantasmic, a spectacular mixed-media show starring Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Lasers, fireworks, flaming water and amazing special effects (images are projected on a wide spray of water) contribute to a dazzling 25-minute show.

Epcot, the second Disney theme park in Orlando, still draws huge crowds to its unique combination of education, entertainment and World's Fair ambiance. On our second afternoon, we all enjoyed a wonderful meal at the Morocco pavilion (including entertainment by a belly dancer) and took in two new attractions -- Mission: Space, a realistic flight simulation to Mars, and Soarin', an airborne tour of California with Imax-quality images projected all around your hang-glider. Great fun for all ages.

Ten years ago, Walt Disney World opened its newest and most intriguing theme park, Animal Kingdom. With more than 1,000 live animals and exotic replicas of African and Asian architecture, the park combines nature trails, outback excursions, formal gardens and thrill rides (including a high-speed roller-coaster through a realistic looking Mount Everest). We broke our noon-nap rule and spent all of one day there and could have easily stayed longer.

The family highlight at Animal Kingdom was the Kilimanjaro Safari, a 25-minute truck ride through a realistic African landscape. We saw giraffes, hippos, tigers, elephants, crocodiles and many other species in their "natural" habitat. There are also several walking trails where animals are easily spotted and guides answer any questions.

Part of our last day at Disney World was spent in one of its two huge water parks, where the grandkids and the parents enjoyed the slides and tube rides. After a noon break, we headed toward a section of the park called Downtown Disney, where Canada's own Cirque du Soleil built a permanent theatre to perform La Nouba, described by many as the best show in Cirque du Soleil's repertoire. Combining drama, humor, circus thrills and emotion, the 90-minute performance mesmerized young and old alike.

Looking back on the five days in central Florida, we realized that a three-generation visit to Walt Disney World is an ideal plan. Not only do grandparents get to spend quality time with their children and grandchildren, but there's usually someone to watch over little ones while parents and older kids enjoy the more challenging rides.

“The popularity and creativity of the Wii platform make it the perfect stage for this exciting evolution of the Spectrobes franchise,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Spectrobes: Origins delivers the immersive storytelling, dynamic action and memorable characters that audiences have come to expect of Disney entertainment.”

Spectrobes, the first original franchise created by Disney Interactive Studios, has thrilled audiences worldwide. Spectrobes: Origins follows Spectrobes and Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, successful Nintendo DS™ games that were released in each of the past two years. (Those games have shipped more than 1.6 million units worldwide.)

“Spectrobes: Origins takes players to an incredible distant universe for an engaging storyline and innovative gameplay that will entertain them for hours” said Kentaro Hisai, producer, Disney Interactive Studios Japan. “We’re expanding the legacy for high quality, innovative entertainment that we built with the first two Spectrobes games.”

Developed by Genki Co., Ltd., and published by Disney Interactive Studios, Spectrobes: Origins will be available only for Wii.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Below is a list, park to park, of attractions that will be closed during the month of March for refurbishment. You will also want to check the parks map and tip boards for any unexpected closures.

Magic Kingdom Park

• Hall of Presidents will be closed all month for refurbishment.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin will be closed from March 2 through March 6 for refurbishment.

Epcot Theme Park

• Ellen's Energy Adventure in Future World will continue to be closed for refurbishment through March 22.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey will remain closed for the month of March. This attraction only operates seasonally.
• Studio Backlot Tour will be closed starting March 1 for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen March 28.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park and Downtown Disney

• There are no scheduled closings in March for these three locations at this time.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

• Typhoon Lagoon has been closed for a major refurbishment and will finally be reopening on March 22.

The Walt Disney World College Program recruiters and alumni will give a video presentation in the Student Center March 2 at 6 p.m. and March 3 at 3 p.m.

"The goal of the presentation is to inform students about the program and peek enough interest that they apply for an interview or work for the company," said Jessica Alexander, a senior in marketing.

Alexander said she was involved with the program during the summer of 2006.

"I worked in the Animal Kingdom in quick-service, food and beverage," said Alexander, one of six campus representatives for Auburn. "The program is a wonderful opportunity for students to be able to work and network within a Fortune 500 company."

Jorielle Scott, a junior in computer science, said she thinks this year's presentation will be a learning experience for her.

"This is going to be my first presentation that I'm actually a part of," said Scott, the program's newest representative for Auburn. "I did the program last semester."

Scott said the Walt Disney World College Program recruiter, Wayne Hampton, will come to Auburn and give a Power-Point presentation to interested students.

The six campus representatives will then share information about their experiences and answer questions.

"After the presentation is over, we'll take them to the computer labs, and we'll walk them through the process if they need help," Scott said.

Laurie Van Deventer, a student in the Harrison School of Pharmacy, said the program was a good work experience.

"I worked in quick-service, food and beverage at the Magic Kingdom," Van Deventer said. "It was interesting to get a glimpse into such a huge company like the Walt Disney Company."

Van Deventer said she became involved with the program after seeing fliers on campus.

"I was lucky enough to see a flier on a bulletin board in the Haley Center, so I decided to go to the meeting to find out what it was like," Van Deventer said. "I love everything Disney, especially Disney World, so I was sold from the minute I got to the meeting."

Both Scott and Alexander said they got involved by attending last year's Walt Disney World College Program presentation.

"I saw signs about the presentation held on campus," Scott said. "I qualified for an interview, got accepted and went from there."

Alexander said all college students and all majors are eligible to apply for the program.

Last year, she said, 12 people were accepted into the program.

"The college program is kind of a step up into the professional internship," Alexander said. "People who do the program normally want to get a professional internship, and most professional internships require the college program."

Van Deventer said the program is a good opportunity to network with executives from the various departments of the Walt Disney Company.

The action consolidates oversight of parks in Southern California and Florida, Burbank, California-based Disney said today in an e-mailed statement. Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations, will lead the reorganization.

The moves were brought on by economic conditions, Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo said in a statement. The company offered voluntary buyouts to about 600 parks-unit executives last month and extended discounts through Aug. 15 to lure visitors.

“We expect Disney to continue cutting costs so long as U.S. economic weakness persists,” Laura Martin, an analyst at Soleil Securities Corp. in Los Angeles, said in an interview.

Disney may postpone new attractions to lower spending further, said Martin, who rates the company “hold” and doesn’t own the shares. She expects the company to come up with additional promotions to bring visitors to its parks.

Disney fell 10 cents to $17.53 in extended trading. The shares lost 21 cents to $17.63 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.

The company’s ABC network cut 200 jobs and eliminated 200 that hadn’t been filled. ABC’s TV studio and programming divisions are merging. ESPN, Disney’s cable sports channel, said it won’t fill 200 vacant positions, froze hiring through September 2010 and halted executive pay raises.

The company is making “significant” cost cuts at every division and will continue to make reductions, Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger said on a Feb. 3 conference call. The cuts go beyond responding to the economic downturn, he said.

“The worsening recession of 2009 gives companies the opportunity to reevaluate every business,” Martin said.

Theme-Park Results

Disney this month reported a 32 percent drop in fiscal first-quarter profit and said it would cut more jobs in response to the deepening U.S. recession.

Theme-park profit in the period declined 24 percent to $382 million on a 3.9 percent drop in revenue. Disney is offering three nights free and a $200 credit for food and merchandise with a four-night reservation in Florida and Southern California.

As Disney moves into the facility, it is also awaiting delivery of two new cruise ships, in 2011 and 2012. Each ship will be capable of carrying 4,000 passengers, about 1,300 more than either of Disney's two existing vessels.

Erwin Donnan said the warehouse could be expanded in the future.

The real plum is the foreign-trade-zone designation, awarded by the federal government and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Trade-zone status essentially treats a tract of land within International Corporate Park as if it were outside the United States.

The designation will allow Disney to import foreign-made goods directly to its warehouse and store them until they are moved onto the cruise ships — which are flagged to the Bahamas — without paying any import duties.

It also allows the company to delay paying duty on goods to be used in the U.S. by storing them in the free-trade zone until they are needed.

Officials at the aviation authority, which runs Orlando International Airport and oversees Orange County's sole foreign-trade zone, said Disney first approached them about a trade-zone designation last spring.

Authority officials agreed to ask the federal government for permission to shift 27acres of its roughly 200acres of foreign-trade-zone area to International Corporate Park.

The federal Foreign Trade Zone Board approved the request in January.

'The ideal area for growth'

Boosters say foreign-trade zones spark economic development by luring companies engaged in international trade.

Dick Cunnion, manager of commercial properties at OIA, said the airport viewed the move as a way to help spur growth in International Corporate Park, which has been slow to develop through the years but which sits in the heart of a proposed high-tech "Innovation Way" corridor that local officials are trying to foster.

The 27acres approved for foreign-trade status cover more than Disney's warehouse, Cunnion said, meaning other companies could take advantage of the designation.

"That's the ideal area for growth, with Innovation Way, with everything that is happening," Cunnion said. "That really allows the EDC [Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission] or whoever is out there to utilize that designation for foreign-trade-zone space as a real seller."

Disney isn't the first company approved as a foreign-trade-zone operator in Orange. Mitsubishi Power Systems, a heavy-equipment manufacturer, and Forward Logistics, a freight forwarder and customs broker, also have similar designations.

Some bumps along way

"The Disney Wish Lounge provides children facing health challenges and their families a close and quiet location to relax in between the numerous magical moments they enjoy throughout the day at the Resort," said Eugene Campbell, vice president of Community Relations and Minority Business Development for Walt Disney World Resort.

Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement Wednesday the changes “reflect today's economic realities.” The latest job cuts follow Disney's offer last month of voluntary buyout packages to about 600 executives in the parks division.

Disney said global business and real estate development will be combined under a new team led by executive vice-president Nick Franklin.

“Back-of-house” operations, such as menu planning or merchandise development, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., will be consolidated under Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations.

Engineering and design teams also will be merged into a single unit.

The changes, which take effect immediately, come just weeks after the Burbank, Calif.-based media and entertainment company reported a 32 per cent decline in quarterly profit amid a downturn that chief executive Robert Iger called “likely to be the weakest economy in our lifetime.”

Visitors who use CityPass on their birthday at Disneyland park this year join in the "Free On Your Birthday" celebration, and receive a choice of one of these special Disney birthday treats: A Birthday Fun Card, worth $69, and valid for purchases of park merchandise, Disney's PhotoPass on-site services and tour experiences, a Special Birthday FASTPASS® ticket, providing four entitlements of FastPass entrances at select attractions for up to six guests, or a Disneyland Resort 1-Day/1-Park Ticket that can be used by the birthday celebrant to return any day during the next 12 months.

Disneyland Resort guests can present their Southern California CityPass and government-issued proof of birth date at Disneyland park's Main Entrance to receive their Birthday Treat options, but registering in advance at www.disneybirthdaytreat.com is recommended to save time. Restrictions apply to the use of the merchandise card. The promotion is valid through December 31, 2009.

Disney's "Free on your Birthday" is the first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a complimentary birthday ticket to one of the Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland Resort theme parks, and the first effort to recognize a growing family travel trend called "celebration vacations." Combining the use of a money-and time-saving CityPass on a visitor's birthday adds another big savings, in park merchandise, time savings at the park's most popular rides, or a free ticket to visit the park on another day.

"Just being in Disneyland park anytime with your family is a celebration," says Mike Gallagher, co-founder of CityPass, "but getting something extra, along with the savings with a CityPass makes a trip to Southern California this year really affordable. This is the year to put a Southern California getaway on the calendar."

Southern California CityPass includes admission to visit both Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure park with a 3-Day Park Hopper® bonus ticket. CityPass also includes one Magic Morning early Disneyland park entry one day, one day at Universal Studios Hollywood featuring The Simpsons Ride,™ one day at SeaWorld® San Diego, including all shows and rides, and an Option ticket for either the San Diego Zoo and unlimited use of its Guided Bus Tour, or San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, including the Journey into Africa Tour, Conservation Carousel and all shows and exhibits.

The cost of Southern California CityPass is $259 for adults, a savings of $106, and $219 for children age 3-9, a savings of $77. Ticket booklets are valid for fourteen days from first use, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the parks and the surrounding Southern California sights and scenery.

Well, Disney's taking yet another stab at MMOG for kids with World of Cars, an open sandbox game based on the Pixar film, Cars. While the game doesn't officially launch until this summer, you can log on and get a taste of what is to come. And from what we can tell, it's the perfect negative combination of the two previous Disney games I've reviewed: it doesn't look good and it's not much fun.

The press shots we were sent were far from flattering and the trailer for the game relied heavily on excerpts from the Pixar movie. Logging in and playing the demo left us feeling bored and unfulfilled. The customization of your character was nowhere near as deep as Pixie Hollow and the only game mode that was playable (a single race) was awkward at best. Steering input -- the most important element of any driving game -- was slow and unresponsive, like trying to parallel park the QE2.

And let's not hope that your slow-to-act steering guides you off course accidentally, because the gravel on the side of the road will stop you faster than carbon fiber disk brakes. My kids, aged seven and smack dab in the middle of the demographic sweet spot for this game, all tried and had little success navigating the course (racing in a circle forces you to think backwards half the time: Is turning to the top of the screen a left turn or a right one? ... Too late).

The country legend says producers had asked her if she would revisit her recurring role as "Aunt Dolly" on the TV show in the upcoming film. But her character apparently didn't make the script.

Cyrus and movie choreographer Jamal Simms demonstrate the moves to the movie song "HoeDown ThrowDown" throughout the 8 to 10 p.m. time period. Toward the end, the two will put the moves together. Disney Channel is billing the event as "an exclusive dance session."

"When they think of us, most people think of Mickey Mouse and theme parks," said Margo Haines, Disney college recruiter. "We're so much more diverse than that."

Haines, who first interned with Disney in 1998, has watched the company's continued advancement in big-screen creations as well as its expansion to other markets.

"One thing you probably didn't know was that Disney makes wedding dresses," Haines said. "That one always gets me."

Disney recruiters are in search of adventurous students who might be interested in working and studying at either of the company's major locations in Florida or California. Every student who participates, according to Haines, will have a chance to live, learn, and earn money through Disney. Those who are interested should apply through the Web site at www.disneycollegeprogram.com.

"The classes at Disney are deemed worthy of credit by the American Counsel on Education," Haines said. "This means that the classes you take at Disney will be of the same rigor of the classes you would take here at the university."

Disney College students go through classes such as Marketing You, which teaches useful career tips like resume writing and networking. Another interesting course is Professional Development Study, which teaches students about onstage and off-stage opportunities. The Leadership Speaking Series is an opportunity to hear from eight vice presidents in eight weeks.

Though the classes are not required, they are valuable to students who are trying to acquire credit hours and for those who want to make connections at Disney.

"We take students out to see things firsthand with Professional Development Studies, where they get a chance to see professionals working in the actual field," Haines said. "When we do this, we are literally handing out networking experiences to our students."

According to the Web site, every intern will be responsible for working anywhere from 28 to 32 hours per week at a job that they will be assigned. Depending on the role that they are given, this work can earn them from $8.68 to $11.50 per hour.

After completing the program, Disney interns are eligible for another position with Disney, either with the Disney College Program or a Disney Professional Internship, which will point them in a direction that is more aligned with their major, according to the Web site. The education that the internship program provides is partially intended to prepare its students for such a job.

Interns will have a choice of a one to four bedroom apartment that they will share with one to seven roommates. Simply living at Disney will be a unique experience because the interns come from all over the country, Haines said.

Residents of Disney apartments will be living in fully furnished apartments, in a gated community that is close to many local shops and attractions. One such attraction that may be of particular interest to students is a museum located on the ground floor of the Center Street Promenade apartment complex, showcasing works and exhibits from the Smithsonian Institute.

"Basically, all you need are clothes and amenities," Haines said. "Everything else is provided."

If money is an issue for any prospective interns, it may be useful to know the cost of rent for one of these apartments, which ranges from $75 to $159 per week. The more roommates that one chooses to live with, the lower the cost of their housing.

Beginning in late March, the brand marketed by Indianapolis-based Imagination Farms LLC plans to offer berries supplied by Berry Fresh, Dominguez Hills, Calif.

Blackberries are first, available in late March, featuring Disney Princess and Disney/Pixar Cars characters in 5.6 ounce containers.

Blueberries in 6- and 11-ounce containers follow in May and June and also feature Princesses and Cars characters.

Special promotional packaging planned for April are scheduled to feature Hannah Montana to coincide with a Hannah Montana movie release.

"With our singular focus on increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables among children, a berry program was a priority for us," said Mark Haun, Imagination Farms Western Regional sales manager in a news release.

Fresh blueberries and blackberries are a perfect match for families, said Jose Paredes, president of Berry Fresh, in the release.

"As marketers, we are always looking for new ways to reach out to new demographics," he said in the release. "We are eager to begin shipping Disney Garden berries and we are proud to be part of this innovative organization that is focused on marketing, but committed to getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetables."

America's favorite Wildcats (Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel, and Monique Coleman) are back for their exciting final year at East High. Director Kenny Ortega pulls out all the stops with incredible new music and exhilarating dance numbers that will blow away devoted franchise fans and newcomers alike.

Amidst a basketball championship, prom and the big spring musical featuring all the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment count, as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. Reprising their roles as fellow Wildcats and devoted friends, from the first two Disney Channel Original Movies, are Olesya Rulin, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn, Casey Stroh, Bart Johnson and Alyson Reed. Plus, meet the new crew of sophomore Wildcats (Matt Prokop, Justin Martin, and Jemma McKenzie-Brown) who get into the act!

The original High School Musical premiered in January 2006 on Disney Channel U.S. and posted the highest ever ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie at that time. The international smash hit reached more than 250 million viewers in more than 20 languages across 100 countries and was the No. 1 TV movie on DVD in 2006, and the movie's soundtrack was the No. 1 ranked album.

Licensed stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise, a themed show at the Disneyland® Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, a sold-out 42-date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America, and a popular touring ice show followed, as well as honors including two Emmy® Awards, a DGA Award, an Imagen Award and a Director's Guild of America Award. High School Musical received a Billboard Music Award for Soundtrack of the Year and was nominated for an American Music Award.

High School Musical 2 was ranked the No. 1 basic cable telecast of all time following its August 17, 2007 premiere and has been seen by 187 million viewers worldwide. The High School Musical 2 DVD release was the top-selling TV property on DVD for 2007 and the movie's soundtrack went Triple Platinum.

"High School Musical" follows Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, academically gifted newcomer, who both discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High's rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the "jocks," the "brainiacs" and even the drama club regulars hatch plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, Troy and Gabriella inspire other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own. Starring are Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale (Disney Channel's "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody"), Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel (Disney Channel Original Movie "Halloweentown High"), Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Oleysa Rulin and Alyson Reed.

“Families are looking for video games with high replay and entertainment value,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year embodies these two attributes while combining quality gameplay and beloved characters that fans enjoy.”

Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year allows players to experience all the hit songs from “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” as well as favorites from the first two “High School Musical” movies. Fans can relive those memorable scenes over and over again whether playing along with friends in various multiplayer modes, or belting out to favorite “High School Musical” tunes in solo mode.

Developed by Zoë Mode, Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year will be available at all major retailers with all titles having an Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of E for Everyone. The game will be sold as a standalone or bundled with one Logitech microphone for all systems. For XBOX 360 players, "Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year" is compatible with the wireless, motion-sensitive microphones that come with “Lips,” the singing party game available from Microsoft Games Studio.

About Disney Channel

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 97 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

About HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR

Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR”, in which America’s favorite high school students (ZAC EFRON, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, LUCAS GRABEEL, CORBIN BLEU and MONIQUE COLEMAN) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (MATT PROKOP, JUSTIN MARTIN, JEMMA MCKENZIE-BROWN) joins in the fun as the film’s incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen. Directed by Kenny Ortega from a screenplay written by Peter Barsocchini, the film opened in theaters Oct. 24.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Woman who avoids Titanic disaster celebrates 100th at Disneyland

OCRegister - Frances Taylor was to ride aboard the Titanic with her parents on its 1912 voyage. But the crossing was over-booked and they got bumped.

On Friday the 13th, the now-100-year-old from Lake Forest tried to get aboard another boat, this one on the “it’s a small world” attraction.

With Mouse ears atop her head, she leaned over to daughter Maggie Winn as they emerged from the attraction.

“You know, it really is a small world,” she said, beaming.

Her family had asked Disney to make her 100th birthday memorable.

"It's very significant," says Lisa Skriloff, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources. "It's like a stamp of approval for one of the most outstanding family (entertainment) companies to say this is important."

Tiana, whose story will come to the big screen later this year in the animated musical The Princess and the Frog, is the first princess introduced by Disney since Mulan in 1998.

Disney executives say that they did not set out to make a social statement.

"It was much more about the storytelling," says Kathy Franklin, vice president, global studio franchise development for Disney Consumer Products. "This was not about a conscious decision to say we need an African-American princess."

Yet, industry watchers say that when Princess Tiana dolls hit stores in the fall, they will bring diversity to a marketplace where it's been sorely lacking.

"I think we're going to see more

Mattel, which has the license to create the Princess Tiana dolls, is planning to release its own line of black dolls in September. Part of the Barbie family, the So In Style dolls are being touted as having a more authentic appearance, from their hair to their varying skin tones.

Disney, which has had great success with its Princess franchise, predicts that sales will surge with the arrival of Tiana.

"We expect our sales of Princess Tiana products to be significant, and not just to African-American households," says Franklin.

Due to all of the negative reviews that were spread by word of mouth after opening, I never took the time to visit CA Adventure until Superbowl Sunday this year. I am very pleased to admit that I wish I had visited years ago. New rides and renovations to the park make it delightfully fun. Several of the rides, like California Screamin', California Soarin', and the Tower of Terror are among my favorite rides of all!

The park's theme involves everything Californian. The neighborhoods are divided into different Californian regions, from Hollywood to the Bay, to "Golden State", which is a Yosemite-inspired area. Recreations of these geographic regions, such "Pacific Warf" and "Paradise Pier"

My favorite part about this resort is its strong Golden State spirit. Wherever you go, California-themed songs such as Hotel California, California Dreamin', California Girls, and Do You Know the Way to San José? are played as an instrumental background while you enjoy the sights and sounds.

Faith Prince will join Disney's Broadway musical as Ursula the sea witch, the evil nemesis of the show's spirited young heroine, Ariel.

Thomas Schumacher, producer and president of Disney Theatrical Productions, says Prince will begin performances on April 7. The musical is based on the hit 1989 Disney animated film and the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The stage production features music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman from the movie and 10 new songs by Menken and Glenn Slater.