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 January 18 - 24, 2009 |
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Saturday January 24, 2009 |
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Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade debuts a Disney World's Magic
Kingdom park Disney wants you to Sing It with High School Musical 3 Danskin Women's Triathlon at Disney: Race and registration dates confirmed Ousted Firm Must Pay Fees In Disney Trademark Spat Taylor Swift Takes Over Radio Disney Florida State to compete in the 2009 Old Spice Classic |
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Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade debuts a Disney World's Magic
Kingdom park Theme Park Rangers - Today was the debut of the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom, so here are a few notes and photos from the event.
+ Thumbs up to the grand marshal vehicle heading up the parade instead of being several minutes before the floats. + There's new music -- "Celebrate a Dream Come True" and "Celebrate You." Detect a theme? But there's also thematic music mixed in. For instance, when Peter Pan drifts by, you can hear snippets of "You Can Fly" and when Mary Poppins comes along, there's some "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" action. + There's lots of
dancers. Lots and lots of dancers. Am told there's 101 cast
members in the parade (same as the previous parade), and that 60
of them are dan + Mickey and Minnie are aboard the first float, a tricked-out version of Mickey's old float to reflect that celebration theme. |
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Gaming Target - Disney will be bringing another High School Musical game into the world on February 17 when they release the Zoe Mode-developed Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3 Senior Year on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. Like the previous Disney Sing It games, Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3 will be a karaoke game where up to eight people can help perform a song (with its accompanying video). Naturally, the game will also include a singleplayer mode, as well as a vocal exercises mode. Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3 Senior Year will include 25 different songs, including ten from the third movie and 15 selected songs from the first two entries in the series. |
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Danskin Women's Triathlon at Disney: Race and registration dates
confirmed Orlando Sentinel - Confirmed from Danskin.com: The Danskin Women's Triathlon -- the longest-running multi-sport series in the world -- will take place at Disney World on Sunday, May 10, 2009, and it's the first stop of the eight-city series. Registration will open Tuesday, Feb. 3. The series is extremely popular, and particularly the Disney World venue. So keep in mind that registration is likely to fill up within hours: The event is limited to about 1,600 entrants, and this season marks the 20th anniversary of the Danskin Women's Triathlon series. So if you want to participate, you'll need to be ready Feb. 3 to call or click immediately. And you'll be competing with me for bandwidth. :) All participants will receive a souvenir bag, a 20th anniversary running tank and a commemorative medal for all finishers. The other cities in the Danskin Women's Triathlon series are (in order after Orlando): Austin, Texas on June 7; Aurora/Denver, Colo., on June 28; Webster, Mass., on July 26; Seattle on Aug. 23; Los Angeles, date TBD; and Chicago, date TBD. New this year will be a
mentoring program. From
Danskin.com: |
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Ousted Firm Must Pay Fees In Disney Trademark Spat IP Law360 - Law firm Fitzpatrick Cella Harper & Scinto will have to cough up attorneys' fees and other costs associated with an unnecessary motion to disqualify the firm from defending the Walt Disney Co. in a trademark suit, a federal judge has ruled. On Tuesday, Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered Fitzpatrick Cella to reimburse plaintiff THOIP, a subsidiary of Chorion Ltd |
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Taylor Swift Takes Over Radio Disney Just Jared Jr. - In just a few hours, Taylor Swift is taking over Radio Disney! Be sure to tune in @ 3PM PT / 6PM ET!!! The 19-year-old songstress is set to perform a sold out concert at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida on March 1st! The last ticket sold last night, but not to worry! The festival has a few thousand free bleacher seats for each performance on a first-come, first served basis. Taylor just twittered on her way out of L.A. She shared, “Leaving LA….. Listening to “Let It Go” by Tim McGraw.” |
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Florida State to compete in the 2009 Old Spice Classic Orlando Sentinel - Make plans to go to Orlando for next Thanksgiving weekend, Florida State basketball fans. The Seminoles are one of eight teams who will compete in the 2009 Old Spice Classic at the Disney’s Milk House, which is part of the Wide World of Sports Complex. As usual, the Old Spice Classic, which will be in its fourth year, has put together an impressive field. In addition to FSU, the field features Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Iona, Marquette, Michigan and Xavier. Four of those teams are in the top 25 right now, and the ‘Noles are receiving votes. For more reading, here’s the official release:
ESPN Regional Television, Inc.
(ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, announced today the complete
field for the 2009 Old Spice Classic, to be held
Thanksgiving weekend at the Milk House at Disney’s Wide
World of Sports® Complex near Orlando, Fla.
Florida State rounds out the eight-team field for the fourth annual Old Spice Classic. The other teams, announced previously: Alabama, No. 21 Baylor, Creighton, Iona, No. 14 Marquette, No. 24 Michigan and No. 16 Xavier. Florida State received votes last week in The Associated Press Top 25 poll. Three of the seven teams announced reached the 2007-08 NCAA Tournament: Xavier, Baylor, Marquette. Xavier advanced to the Elite Eight. Creighton and Florida State participated in the National Invitation Tournament. The 2009 Old Spice Classic, a bracket-format tournament, will feature 12 games in three days, Nov. 26, 27 and 29. Sponsors include Old Spice, ESPNU and Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) will serve as the event’s sponsoring conference for the fourth straight year. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match Sunday, Nov. 29. The tournament is a weekend-long affair at the Walt Disney World Resort, and participating teams are invited to the Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks and other event functions. Last November at the Milk House, then-No. 10 Gonzaga won the 2008 Old Spice Classic with an 83-74 victory over then-No. 12 Tennessee in the championship game. Previous winners were North Carolina State in 2007 and Arkansas in 2006. |
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Friday January 23, 2009 |
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Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Celebrates Floral Fun and
'Going Green' March 18-May 31, 2009 American Idol Experience: Behind the songs at Disney's Hollywood Studios Boom Talks Disney/Pixar Comics 24 children saved from abuse treated to HK Disneyland NACCU coming to Walt Disney World in just six weeks Disney Shuts Down Wondertime New Up Poster and Clip Disney for the whole family Haunted Mansion 40th anniversary tickets sell out in minutes 'Lost' edges 'Lie to Me' in tight premiere race Disney's Chilling in Cyberspace |
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Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Celebrates Floral Fun and
'Going Green' March 18-May 31, 2009 Disney News - An elaborate "Cinderellabration" topiary and an environmentally friendly Green Garden will bring fresh springtime flair to the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 18-May 31, 2009. Amid a colorful tableau of flowers, plants and topiaries, Walt Disney World guests of all ages can explore myriad exhibits and activities geared toward gardening and outdoor fun. Weekend Flower Power concerts will pump up the volume and spread a groovy vibe at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. Each year, Disney gardeners channel their creative energy into presenting an intricate topiary display against the backdrop of Spaceship Earth. This year, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle and Beast from "Beauty and the Beast" will debut in all their "blooming finery" as the grand front-entrance topiary during the 75-day festival. New gardens, events and children's play areas offer more reasons to visit the 16th annual festival:
Throughout the festival, more than 70 topiaries will decorate the park landscape and showcase the extraordinary craftsmanship of Disney gardeners. Sweeping floral beds and exhibits will feature 30 million blooms. A Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion will tell the "love story" of plants and perfume, and the English Tea Garden at the United Kingdom pavilion will explore the art and history of blending tea plants. The art of bonsai will "wow" guests at the Japan showcase. Other festival highlights will include:
More information about the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or by visiting disneyworld.com/flower. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission. |
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American Idol Experience: Behind the songs at Disney's Hollywood
Studios
+ Of the 113 songs available to
sing for the live audience, only 13 are classified as "Disney
songs," and a
good portion of those are Hannah Montana and High School Musical
pieces. The ones from animated features include "CIrcle of
Life," "Colors of the Wind," "Part of Your World," and "You'll
Be in My Heart." + Performances are 90-second arrangements of the songs, but they didn't seem supershort to me. I'm guessing some songs -- on the list "Bohemian Rhapsody" for example -- are an abbreviated challenge. ("Thunderbolts and lightning, very, very fri ---").
+ Consolation prizes for
non-winners? Offerdahl says they're working with their
partners to come up with ... something.
+ The audition area backstage is nearly as slick as the main area. It's styled sort of like American Idol World Headquarters might be. The first lobby includes a videotaped message from Ryan Seacrest, and there's memorabilia on the walls from Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia. The decor is very silver and blue. + From there, potential contestants are taken individually to a tiny audition room with a lone casting director. You belt out your best a capella number, but beware, you might be told "You're not right for the show today." Personally, I'm glad I'm not in there all day listening to warblers and breaking it to them gently. Angry rejectees? Not so much, so far, but there is a spare door, phone and Instant Messenger capability in case someone goes mental. + Folks who pass the first test are escorted to the cozy Coke Lounge (very red, seven seats). Here are iPods with the approved songs on them, and you'll find people rehearsing there for their next appointment with the producer in another small room. ("It's sort of a high-tech study hall," says Offerdahl. + Guests cast as contestants for the live show are given a lanyard to wear around advertising their status. The idea is to stir enthusiasm throughout the park, and some contestants even recruit other guests/strangers to come see them (and vote for them) + The producer will try to cast shows with a mix of musical styles -- no all power ballad all the time shows, for example. "It's a whole-day jigsaw puzzle," said Mark Catlett, one of the producers. + The stage is the same width as the television show's stage, though not as tall. There are four cameras: booth, wall-mount on stage right, shoulder cam and glide cam. It's all in high-def. And there are Hidden Mickeys. + Eventually, guests will be able to register for auditions in advance online. + The pre-show will be called "American Idol Today" and be tele-hosted by the first first runner-up Justin Guarini. It will show highpoints from the TV show. "If you're a fan, you'll see all your favorite moments," says Offerdahl. Yes, this will include William Hung and that crying girl. + On-stage Contest receive brief hair-and-makeup sessions and a rehearsal. There's no wardrobe department: They wear they clothes they brought to the park. + After all the singing and interviews, audience members have 10 seconds to vote using devices built into the armrests. My evil mind wondered if I could stuff the ballot box using the unoccupied seats around me. + Before the results are announced, there's a video by Idol winner Jordin Sparks. She galavants throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios in a heavily produced and choreographed "I've Got the Music in Me." The audience is encourage to stand, clap and singalong. |
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Boom Talks Disney/Pixar
Comics s spoke yesterday with BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid about the publisher’s new line of comics based on the hugely popular films of Pixar Animation Studios. Waid himself will be writing the line’s first title, “The Incredibles: Family Matters,” which debuts in March.
Other titles in BOOM!’s Pixar line
include “Cars: The Rookie” by Alan J. Porter and Albert Carreres
; "Toy
Editing the Pixar titles is Paul Morrissey, who sat down with CBR News to talk about the line’s inaugural titles, working with Disney and Pixar, and what additional titles fans can expect in the months ahead. CBR: Paul, tell us about the stories BOOM! will be telling in the first Disney/Pixar books. Paul Morrisey: Our first three titles come out in March. In “The Incredibles: Family Matters,” Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) really learns what it means to be a family leader. Along the way, we meet a really cool villain named Futurion, and the Parr's get some new neighbors. Hmmm... That's all I'm allowed to say right now! Trust me, though—there's plenty of laughs and action. And if you're really nice, maybe Frozone will make an appearance, too! The incomparable Roger Langridge brings his surreal brand of humor to “The Muppet Show”—and it's a match made in heaven! Longing for the swamp, Kermit forlornly plucks his banjo, while the gang tries to jolly him out of his funk. Packed full of madcap skits and gags, “The Muppet Show” is sure to please old and new fans alike. Issue #3, by the way, features a great Gonzo story, which is going to be a classic! “Toy Story,”
“Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc.” “WALL*E,” “Muppet Robin
What are the challenges you face in bringing the tremendously popular Pixar properties to the comics page? How does BOOM! insure the tone and message of the films translates? You're right. It is a huge challenge bringing these Pixar properties to life on the comic book page. Audiences already know and love these characters, and they certainly expect the tone of our comics to be similar to that of the movies. So, there's a lot pressure to execute each title flawlessly. In order to do that, I've done my best to work with writers and artists who are passionate about the characters and stories they are telling. Mark Waid on “The Incredibles: Family Matters” is a great example. Who can write a mix of action, comedy, drama and super-heroics better than Mark Waid? He was born to write this comic! And I have a pretty good hunch that the Pixar staff is full of Mark Waid fans, especially the team that worked on “The Incredibles.” By the way, Waid and artist Marcio Takara knocked the first issue of the park! It really looks like a 2D cell-animated Incredibles movie, no small thanks to the amazing colors supplied by Andrew Dalhouse. We're also getting a huge assist from Disney and Pixar. They go over every story pitch, making sure that each concept meets their high standards. I feel like I have a safety net working with them. If we push the envelope too far, they always reel us in and keep us on the right track. They also sign off on all the artists we work with, so the look of each Pixar comic will have their seal of approval. The Pixar films are certainly all-ages in nature. Are these BOOM! books also considered all-ages? When working with the writers of these series, how do you help them craft stories that will appeal to both a 12-year-old and a 45-year-old, as the movies do? Yes, these books are absolutely all-ages. We want to make comics for kids again! In order to do that, I've tried to hire experienced writers that have written for both kids and adults. For instance, Dan Jolley is writing our first “Toy Story” arc. Not only was Dan nominated for an Eisner Award for his “JSA: The Unholy Three,” but he has recently written children's comic book stories based on “Warriors,” the novel series by Erin Hunter. Likewise, Paul Benjamin, who's writing our first “Monsters, Inc.” arc, has recently written a 12-issue run on “Marvel Adventures Hulk.” And Roger Langridge, who's writing and drawing our “The Muppet Show” comic, has a huge artistic palette to paint from, from “Fred the Clown” to Marvel's “Fin Fang Foom” So, hopefully, I don't have to help them too much! As is true with any licensed comic, changes are made at the request of the licensor. What sort of changes have Disney asked for? Has their focus been more on the story or the visual representation of their characters? Working with Disney and Pixar has been a very collaborative and rewarding experience, but they have final say. They are the guardians of these properties, and we take their suggestions with very open ears. They are very story focused, and we have really put our story pitches through the wringer, making sure that each plot point and story beat is approved by them. Surprisingly, they have been very open to artistic stylization. They actually love seeing their characters depicted in new ways—just as long as we capture their essence and heart. So far, the changes have been minimal. If we get a certain characterization wrong, they'll flag it. If a color scheme is off, they'll let us know. Hopefully, we've done most of the heavy lifting at the story pitch stage. I'm sure they'll tweak some dialog here and there once the pages get lettered. While it's always hard to play favorites, we’ve got to ask -- do you have a favorite Disney book yet? Oh, gosh! You're putting me on the spot! Each project is really fun and unique in its own way! Since everyone is expecting me to say “The Incredibles” (which is amazing), I'm going to throw them a curve ball and say “The Muppet Show.” As a kid, I loved “The Muppet Show.” I watched it religiously. And Roger Langridge is really channeling the madcap, subversive spirit of the show! So, that has a particular soft spot in my heart. Which of these projects have surprised you the most, and how? Of all the projects so far, “Cars” has been the most challenging to pull off. Alan J. Porter pitched me a story chronicling Lightning McQueen's origin, and Pixar loved it. That actually surprised me quite a bit. So, we get to play with some fun back-story. It's very difficult to make the comic book as dynamic and as full of kinetic movement as the film, but I think we've succeeded. My hat goes off to artist Albert Carreres, who has to draw entire comics full of nothing but cars. Not an easy feat! Can you tell us how BOOM! plans to reach audiences outside the direct market? I can't go into too much detail here. Needless to say, we are very committed to selling these books in the mass market. They have such broad appeal. Sure, “The Incredibles” will do extremely well in the direct market, but I think titles like “Finding Nemo” and “Monsters, Inc.” will really perform in the mass market. |
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24 children saved from abuse treated to HK Disneyland
The Philippine Star - Some 24 rescued Filipino street children, most of them abused or substance users, were treated like celebrities at Disneyland here. The children – from seven to 14 years old – were from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's two rehabilitation centers, the Haven for Children in Alabang, Muntinlupa and Nayon ng Kabataan in Payatas, Quezon City. Five were from Quezon City's Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, which is under the supervision of the office of the vice mayor. The Jan. 20-22 trip, courtesy of Hong Kong Express Airways Limited and Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan, fulfilled one of the children's greatest dreams – to meet their favorite Disney character Mickey Mouse. The trip was also sponsored by Hong Kong Disneyland and Panda Hotel located in Tsuen Wan. Wearing their light blue jackets printed with a small Philippine flag on the upper right chest and a smiling face of President Arroyo at the back, the children toured the famous theme park accompanied by eight tour guides and were welcomed by the park's representatives, including Mickey Mouse. Mickey posed with the kids for souvenir photos and left the park without entertaining other guests. The children also did not need to line up to enjoy the rides and were given special space at the park to watch musical shows, including the Disney teen sensation "High School Musical." They also received Disney souvenirs and free meals. Later, the children had the best view of the fireworks display signaling the end of their day-long activity at Disneyland. At the Panda Hotel, where the group was billeted, the children were welcomed by the hotel staff and given stuffed panda toys as souvenirs. On the second day of the tour, the children made a courtesy call at the Philippine Consulate General's office where they met Consul General Alejandro Vicente, Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco and some Filipino workers here. Aside from Disneyland, the children also visited the Hong Kong Park, Ocean Park, and Avenue of the Stars where they watched the famous Hong Kong lights and laser show. They also took the 5.7-km Ngong Ping cable car, overlooking the whole of Hong Kong Island, and were treated to a special dinner at one of the known restaurants in the heart of the city. Twelve-year-pold Robin (not his real name) said riding the airplane and visiting Disneyland are experiences he will never forget for the rest of his life. "This is the happiest day of my life," said Robin, who used to beg in the street and who has been under the custody of the Haven for Children for more than four years. The Haven for Children provides rehabilitative services for boys aged seven to 13 years who are recovering from substance abuse. Robin said his experience at the park taught him that there is nothing impossible in life. Robin said that someday, he wants to become a nurse like his house parent or the one taking care of him at the rehabilitation center. "I want to become a nurse like my Ate Aysa. I want to help other people especially my brother who is living with my father in the Visayas," Robin said. Fourteen-year old Rose Marie (also not her real name) said she was very happy to see her favorite Mickey Mouse. She wants to become a social worker like her house parent Kuya Reynaldo. "I want to finish my studies and become a social worker like Kuya Reynaldo," Rose Marie said. "Like him, I want to help street children." At age 13, Rose Marie roamed the streets and sniffed solvent. But with the help of a local official, she was brought to Quezon City's Rehabilitation and Treatment Center where she has been staying for the last 10 months. For government social worker Nieva Hentelizo, a high salary is not important as long as she inspires children victims of all forms of abuse to become better citizens and help other people. Hentelizo, 48, said social work is a "very challenging and fulfilling job." "Part of our job is to help children develop a positive outlook in life," said Hentelizo, who has been a social worker for almost 25 years. "I'm glad that the children are inspired by the social workers." Harry Inoferio, Hong Kong Express Airways Limited country manager, said they came up with the idea of bringing the children to Hong Kong, particularly to Disneyland, as part of the company's outreach program. He said the airline company started operations in the Philippines late last year. Aside from the Philippines, Hong Kong Airways also flies to Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia, among others. "This is the first time that we have done this. Our company believes that this is the best way to let the children experience what they think is a dream they cannot achieve," he said. He said this was also the first time that an international airline company is doing such an activity. For his part, Ablan, who chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs at the House of Representatives, said the children must be protected against drug traffickers. "If we did not rescue these children from the streets, they would soon become drug addicts," he said. Ablan said sadly the parents of these children were even the ones who introduced them to illegal drug use. Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, who also visited the Philippine Consulate General here separately, urged parents and teachers to take "special care" of their children and protect them against illegal drug syndicates. Meantime, Thelsa Biolena, DSWD-NCR director, said the country lacks rehabilitation centers for children. She said the Bahay Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center in Bicutan, Taguig is the only rehabilitation center in Metro Manila which is fully subsidized by the government. |
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NACCU coming to Walt Disney World in just
six weeks CR80News - Six breakout sessions and a chance to experience the Disney Institute’s world-class training are some of the highlights awaiting those attending the 16th annual National Association of Campus Card Users conference March 8-11 at the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla. The Disney Institute is a leader in different training techniques that cover leadership development, quality service, customer loyalty, organizational creativity and team building. NACCU conference participants who attend all three Disney Institute sessions in March will receive a Disney institute certificate. While the conference officially begins on Sunday, March 8, there is also a three-hour pre-conference session that includes a customized tour of the Disney Institute Workshop.
Educational breakout sessions
on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, focus on business aspects,
marketing, security, technology and innovations.
Some of the 43 sessions will cover: Card design 102; Millenials and their helicopter parents; Wireless Networks and Mass Check-In; PCI Compliance; Fitting access control and video into a card program; Contactless Cards on Campus; Finding the Right Financial Services Partner; Selling Your Campus Card to the Community and Merchants; Marketing your campus card through Twitter, MySpace, Flicker or You Tube; and more. The Tuesday awards luncheon will feature presentation of the 2009 NACCU-PERSONA Professional Development Award and the winners of the Best Card Design and Best Marketing Contests. There will also be exhibits and the popular “Sales Pitch Sunday” where attendees can hear from the vendors that support the campus card industry. |
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Disney
Shuts Down Wondertime Mediaweek - The bad news just keeps on coming for the print publishing business with word that Disney Publishing Worldwide has closed Wondertime, its fledging parenting magazine. Disney cited the challenged economic climate in its decision. Disney said its U.S. consumer magazine unit would focus its efforts on its bigger parenting title, 2.1-million-circ FamilyFun. March's issue of Wondertime will be the last, and Wondertime.com will be folded into Disney Online's network of family-focused Web sites in May, the company said. Launched as a quarterly in early 2006, Wondertime offered an alternative to traditional parenting magazines, with a focus on learning and target audience of moms with kids under the age of 6. Wondertime was growing but from a small base. The title's ad pages increased 24 percent to 557 in 2008 versus a 3 percent decline in ad pages for the category overall, per the Mediaweek Monitor. Its rate base was slated to go 650,000 in February, an increase of 30 percent. A string of magazines has succumbed to the tough economy in recent months; just today, Hearst Magazines confirmed that it would fold Teen, a newsstand quarterly ( Read this earlier report). The staff casualties are said to be largely limited to the editorial side, as Disney had recently consolidated the sales staffs of FamilyFun and Wondertime, eliminating the individual publishers and naming Deborah Mignucci as their group publisher. In mid-2007, Disney folded Disney Adventures, a title for kids age 6-14. |
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New Up Poster and Clip
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Disney for the whole
family Times of Malta - If you want to earn some instant brownie points with a child you have been unable to give due attention to, then a treat at the Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show is likely to do the trick. The colorful spectacle, featuring the timeless Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy and a host of other popular Disney characters, is a family-bonding opportunity, apart from entertaining. It is the first time Disney Live! is touring Europe but it has already visited 30 countries worldwide. The show, being held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, offers children the possibility of attaining their dream of coming up close and personal with the fun-loving mouse. Mickey's Magic Show is replete with song and dance and, of course, as its name suggests, magic galore. In panto style, children from the audience get the chance to hit the stage and entertain the crowd. It is just a question of choosing from among the many raised hands, waving for attention. Everyone wants a photograph with Mickey and the fans anxiously queue up after the show, Disney adrenaline still in their blood. Mickey's Magic Show kicked off on Wednesday, with seven performances scheduled until Sunday. Ticket prices range between €25 and €95 for VIP and front-row tickets. |
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Haunted Mansion 40th anniversary tickets sell out in minutes OCRegister - Disney fans snapped up several hundred hotel-and-park packages — for as much as $475 each — within minutes of their going on sale to celebrate Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion’s 40th anniversary. “I think this just speaks to the legacy of the Haunted Mansion and the appeal it has to our guests,” said Mary Murray, director of merchandise for Disneyland. Four packages for Sept. 9 went on sale earlier this week, some of which included exclusive seminars discussing the Mansion’s history with top Imagineers like Tony Baxter and Kim Irvine, hotel stays, food and merchandise. The first two tour packages – titled “Grinning Ghosts” and “Foolish Mortals” — cost $475 and $430, respectively. They sold out within five minutes of going on sale online Tuesday morning, Murray said. The Dearly Departed and Hitchhikers packages were $250 and $85, respectively, and sold out within two hours after going on sale Wednesday morning, Murray said. She said that Disney wouldn’t comment on exactly how many tickets were available for the packages, but said several hundred had been up for sale. The packages follow the Haunted Mansion’s back story of the Black Widow Bride — “Has she found her soul mate or will another groom meet his doom?” reads the Haunted Mansion anniversary site. Below is a synopsis of what each package includes: Grinning Ghosts, $475: A dinner, a seminar with top Imagineers Tony Baxter and Kim Irvine, a night in the Grand Californian Hotel, a meal and desert, admission in the evening to both Disneyland and California Adventure, photo opportunities, rides and merchandise. Foolish Mortals, $430: The same benefits as the Grinning Ghosts, but includes a night at the Disneyland Hotel instead of the Grand Californian. Dearly Departed, $250: Same as the above, but includes fewer parting gifts and no hotel stay. Hitchhikers, $85: This includes admission to Disneyland, but not California Adventure, no dinner or hotel stay, and only one gift. |
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'Lost'
edges 'Lie to Me' in tight premiere race THR - Wednesday night pitted the fifth season premiere of ABC's "Lost" against Fox's new Tim Roth procedural "Lie to Me" in a very tight match. The outcome demonstrates that a trio of networks will have competitive programming running on Wednesdays during midseason. “Lost” topped "Lie" by one-tenth of a rating point during the 9 p.m. hour. The "Lie" numbers (12.4 million viewers and a 4.9 national adults 18-49 rating and 12 share) mark the highest-rated series debut this season, though that claim comes with some caveats. "Lie" drained about 13% of its rating during its hour (a wholly expected and mild decline due to its enormous lead-in) and didn't come close to the premiere of "Moment of Truth" in the slot last year. If "Lie" settles close to the 4.6 rating that concluded its hour in the weeks to come, Fox will be very pleased. Plus, "Lie" beat "Lost" among total viewers. The two-hour “Lost” debut (11.4 million, 5.0/12) was down 25% from last year in the adult demo. The heavily serialized and increasingly complex drama was expected to drop, though this is a steeper percentage than one would have liked (if only the show's ratings could time-travel back to 2004). Also, last year the series debuted in a superior Thursdays-at-9 p.m. spot while taking advantage of reduced competition because of the writers strike. The show drained a couple tenths throughout its two hours. Its lead-in, a “Lost” recap show (8.5 million, 3.3/9), did really well, actually placing second at 8 p.m. after “Idol.” Fox is enjoying a tentative sigh over “Idol” (25.9 million, 9.8/25), which partly bounced back from Tuesday’s Inauguration Day plummet. Wednesday's one-hour “Idol” was down 17% from premiere week's two-hour edition -- less than Tuesday's 24% drop, yet more than last year's second-week decline. "Idol" was only down about 10% from last year, however, which is considered a meager annual drop compared to most broadcast shows. CBS took third with its comedies performing steadily yet modestly; “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7.3 million, 2.1/6) and “Gary Unmarried” (7.0 million, 2.2/5). At 9 p.m., “Criminal Minds” (13.8 million, 3.4/8) came in a firm third place in the competitive hour in the adult demo, though won 9 p.m. among total viewers. “CSI: NY” (2.9/7) placed second at 10 p.m., behind the second hour of “Lost.” NBC was fourth with anemic “Knight Rider” (5.0 million, 1.5/4), a “Law & Order: SVU” repeat surrendering 9 p.m. and “Law & Order” (8.3 million, 2.4/6) placing last at 10 p.m. On the CW, the network’s fears continue to be all too real as “13: Fear Is Real” (1.4 million, 0.5/1) approaches the network's Sunday night repeat-block numbers. |
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Disney's Chilling in
Cyberspace The Motley Fool - In a Disney Store earlier this week, I bumped into a merchandising surprise. Tucked away from the garb and gear of Disney's (NYSE: DIS) more popular animated characters was a shelf devoted to Club Penguin products. There were colorful shirts featuring the site's playful penguins, and a character playset that promised to unlock ClubPenguin.com virtual goodies when purchased. Disney offered to pay as much as $700 million for Club Penguin two summers ago. It seemed like a stiff price at the time, with the kid-friendly virtual community commanding $5.95 a month from its 700,000 premium subscribers and their waddling penguin avatars. "$1,000 per fickle kid," I noted at the time. "That's a pretty steep ransom." However, the site also attracted 12 million freeloading penguins at the time. Paying members are great, but access to countless more casual visitors can be just as valuable. The social site is ad-free, but hardly influence-free. You don't have to be a paying member to be drawn to the recently released Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force game for Nintendo's (OTC BB: NTDOY.PK) handheld DS system. The site purchase may have seemed expensive at the time, but it sure seems cheap when you consider Disney's merchandising prowess since. The plaything that unlocks new areas and accessories? That's been done before. Mattel (NYSE: MAT) offered Barbie-shaped MP3 players that enhanced the BarbieGirls.com social experience. Judging by the drastically marked-down Barbie MP3 dolls I ran across over the holidays, I'm guessing that didn't pan out for Mattel. However, in Disney's case, Club Penguin is already an established online franchise. Parents also have a strange knack for trusting Disney things. Disney acquired Club Penguin in the summer of 2007, despite having online communities already in place, with plans to launch ambitious realms themed to pirates and fairies. I bring this up only because my Disney in 2012 column -- where I suggest that the family entertainment giant may acquire kid-centric travel companies like Great Wolf Resorts (Nasdaq: WOLF) and Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) -- drew one reader to dismiss the possibilities because CEO Bob Iger is against anything that isn't Disney-branded. I stand by my prognostications. Club Penguin proves that Iger can snap up a popular non-Disney property and Disney-fy it. The virtual environment niche is too potentially promising to trust to organic properties. Why do you think Viacom (NYSE: VIA) acquired Neopets several years ago? Why do you think Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) failed last year with its homegrown Lively? Disney's blend of self-developed sites and the Club Penguin purchase will keep it on the cutting edge among young audiences. When you're the family entertainment giant, you certainly don't want to squander that opportunity. |
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Thursday January 22, 2009 |
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Disney says to
combine to ABC units |
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Disney says to combine to ABC units Reuters - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) said on Thursday it would combine two divisions, ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios. A spokesman said no job cuts would be involved. The newly formed unit, to be called ABC Entertainment Group, will be managed by President Stephen McPherson, who had previously served as president, ABC Entertainment. On Wednesday, Disney sent voluntary buyout offers to 600 executives at its domestic theme parks to cut costs as the U.S. economy weakened. The recession has cut attendance, prompting the company to deeply discount Walt Disney World stays. Disney said on Thursday that Mark Pedowitz, former president of ABC Studios, had moved into a new role as senior advisor to the Office of the co-chairman, where he will work with Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney-Media Networks and president of the Disney-ABC Television Group. Disney said the new division's primary mandate would be to develop and produce programming for broadcast on ABC. Disney's shares were down 1.5 percent at $20.91 in afternoon trading. |
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Will Disney staff reductions have a real effect for park guests?
If you
read the comments to the post, you’ll see the usual flames
directed toward the company and its executive leadership, but
there’s also an undercurrent in the thoughts, debating whether
or not the buyouts – or possible layoffs in the future – will
have any effect on what the typical park guest will see or
experience.
An
immediate effect guests will experience is the scheduling of
events, such as the reduced frequency of the Fantasmic! show and
the cancellation of a character brunch in the Magic Kingdom. But
what about other things, like ride maintenance or restaurant
cleanliness?
We’re
interested in your thoughts about this. Do you think this move
by the company will have a real effect on what you see and
experience in the parks? Send us your feedback and share this question with other theme-park fans. Who knows? Your comments might have an effect on what Disney will or won’t implement as part of its business plan. At very least, you can vent and see what others have to say, too. |
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Disney, Pixar, other studios hop on 3-D bandwagon
Newsday - This year, 3-D movies may really be coming into their
own - as many as a dozen films are on tap. |
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Meet the pups
of Disney’s Space Buddies Monsters and Critics - Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment launches Space Buddies to DVD and Blu-ray on Feb. 3rd, and has given fans a peak at who will be handling the spacecraft. Packed with more heart, more suspense and more tail-wagging fun -than ever before, the Buddies’ greatest adventure yet takes them to the final frontier - outer space! Perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day gift-giving, Space Buddies is packed with out-of-this world bonus features including hilarious doggy bloopers and a brand new music video. Adorable Golden Retriever puppies Rosebud, Buddha, Budderball, B-Dawg, and Mudbud return in an epic adventure that takes them farther than they ever dreamed. In a delightful new escapade, the inquisitive pooches travel to the moon in search of a dream, only to realize that what they want is back on earth. Moving at warp speed, dodging asteroids and more, the Buddies and their two new friends, Spudnick, a sweet bull terrier and Gravity, a resourceful ferret, must summon their courage and ingenuity to launch plans for a moon landing and a rocketing trip back home. Will they have the right stuff? Overflowing with intergalactic action and heart, Space Buddies is an inspiring tale of teamwork, and loyalty that celebrates the journey of life and the friendships made along the way. It’s Buddy-loving fun the whole family will enjoy again and again. Here’s a look at the film’s pups: BUDDHA:
Description: Buddha is a yoga-lovin’ puppy who is obsessed with
outer space. He is the voice of wisdom in the litter and he’s
always telling the other Buddies that helping others is the
surest way to help yourself. This pooch is wise beyond his
years! ROSEBUD:
Description: Rosebud is the only girl in a litter of brothers,
so she knows how important it is to be strong and to stand up
for herself. She is a trendsetter in fashion who never B-DAWG:
Description: B-Dawg is a hip-hoppin’ pup who loves to rap and
dance. He talks big – but deep down, he is very sweet and he’s
always there for his family. Just don’t let that get BUDDERBALL:
Description: Budderball is a boisterous, big-boned pooch. He’s a
lover of fine food, ice cream and a full stomach – as well as
his favorite American football shirt. But be MUDBUD:
Description: Mudbud is a chilled pup who loves nothing more than
a nice mud bath. This guy is the dude of the litter. He’s a mud
connoisseur who prefers playing volleyball SPUDNICK:
Description: Spudnick is the new pooch on the block! He is a
kind and gentle Miniature Bull Terrier who has always dreamed of
walking on the moon. But now all he wants to do is get back home
to his best buddy on Earth – a human kid called Sasha. |
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Youth from three denominations celebrate unity at Disney Nearly 2,500 students in grades 6-12, group leaders and chaperones traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the Jan. 16-19 event sponsored by The Presbyterian Church (USA), The Episcopal Church and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The gathering is thought to be the only nationwide ecumenical event for youth sponsored at the denominational level. "This is the only thing we do that brings young people together with people of other denominations," said Brian Prior, a regional youth ministries coordinator for The Episcopal Church. The tri-denominational gathering featured worship services from each faith perspective. During the Baptist service, for example, Colleen Burroughs, executive vice president of Passport -- a youth camping ministry partner of the CBF -- described distinctive Baptist beliefs like freedom to interpret the Bible and the freedom of local churches to select their own leaders. Popular Baptist preacher Tony Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pa., challenged students to "move from beyond being a believer to becoming a disciple." "The difference between a believer and a disciple is a believer has it in his head," Campolo said. "A disciple is somebody who is willing to take the dare and hear Jesus say, 'If you would be my disciple, forsake all, take up the cross, follow me.'" Campolo "dared" students to live lives characterized by prayer, joy and love toward others. "It's about time we break out of our cultural boxes and recognize that all kinds of people are wonderful, not just the kinds of people that society says are wonderful," Campolo said. Campolo said being a disciple also involves courage to move beyond what society expects. "When Christ is in you, you become daring, and you dare to become friends with people who society pushes off to the margins," he said. "You dare to reach out to those that church people have questions about." Youth studied Bible verses in interdenominational small groups graded by age, including one morning session exploring multiculturalism and faith at Disney's Epcot Theme Park. Disney's Youth Education Series -- a program for youth groups that uses Disney theme parks as a behind-the-scenes classroom setting for subjects like arts and humanities, leadership development and natural and physical sciences -- modified a regular curriculum about understanding other cultures to allow Passport to add a faith component using Bible verses and discussion questions. Students at Epcot's Morocco pavilion, for example, learned about similarities between Christianity and Islam, while those at the England pavilion discussed church history including the Protestant Reformation and Anglican Church. "Cross-cultural dialogue is what we're after," said event coordinator David Burroughs, president of Passport. Ruth Perkins-Lee, minister of students at Auburn First Baptist Church in Auburn, Ala., edited the faith-based curriculum. "This was an outstanding weekend of celebrating our uniqueness’s while living in our Christian unity," said Bo Prosser, coordinator of congregational life for the Atlanta-based CBF. Prosser termed the Epcot component "a fabulous learning opportunity to look at the effects of world cultures on us." Stephanie Vance, a small-group leader from First Baptist Church in Madison, Ala., challenged her students to "find out who people are in your world -- who they really are." Vance said understanding other people better will make it easier for youth to communicate with people who have different cultures or beliefs. "It's been a great weekend," Vance said "I think it is going to make a real difference in them." Bill Roark, a youth ministry worker at First Baptist Church in Asheville, N.C., said learning how other Christians worship helped youth "realize that all three denominations serve the same God." Carol Ann Hoard, minister of students and activities at First Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., said she enjoyed being in a small group with members of her own youth group, where she got to know them better. "Waiting in line to ride rides gave me a chance to have that one-on-one time that I don't normally have with the youth," Hoard said. Students asked to describe the weekend used terms like "great" and "awesome." This was the second Faith in 3-D event. The first, held in 2006, grew out of friendships Burroughs made with other youth leaders while representing the CBF on the Ecumenical Youth Ministries Staff Team of the National Council of Churches. The Episcopal and Presbyterian churches assigned paid staff to a task force that planned the gathering. Not having a full-time staff member assigned to youth, the CBF asked David Woody, minister of faith development at Providence Baptist Church in Charleston, S.C., to participate. "My role has been making sure that CBF had a voice in what was going on," said Woody, the only minister who works in a local church included on the planning team.
Prior,
rector of Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Spokane,
Wash., said one goal is for youth to build on their ecumenical
relationships by working together with other youth groups in
their local communities on mission projects like Habitat for
Humanity. |
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Disney
Releasing Bolt on Blu-ray Before DVD TheHDRoom - One of my predictions for Blu-ray Disc in 2009 has come true thanks to Disney and I didn't even have to wish upon a star. Disney has just announced that Bolt on Blu-ray Disc will be released on March 22, two days earlier than expected (March 24). The big news is multiple DVD versions of Bolt won't see a store shelf until March 24. This gives the Blu-ray Disc version and 2-day exclusive window to entice shoppers to make the jump to HD. Bolt on Blu-ray includes the DVD version within the package. Theoretically, and I'm sure the marketing crew at Disney used this argument for this test, a DVD player owner who really wants Bolt on March 22 could buy the Blu-ray version, watch the value-add DVD, and then be enticed to upgrade to Blu-ray since they already own the movie. Likewise, a PS3 console owner who wants Bolt early but previously only bought DVDs would have no reason not to pop in the Blu-ray version to see what all the 1080p fuss is all about. There's little doubt Bolt on Blu-ray won't be a reference quality title and can potentially convert some of this audience. One of the biggest obstacles for Blu-ray to increase its penetration over DVD is price. DVD is cheaper and most consumers are more likely to grab what's cheapest. If high-profile Blu-ray Disc titles arrive in stores before DVD, even if by a few days, consumers might think about making the upgrade. With the DVD already packed in this test has a chance of succeeding. I wish it luck. |
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Wednesday January 21, 2009 |
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Disney sends buyout offers to 600 parks executives Disney's Animal Kingdom Welcomes Threatened Species Birth Whoops! Disney inadvertently reveals new Small World characters Disney Cruise Line Ranked As No. 1 Cruise Experience A Touch of Disneyland Romance Disneyland's new parade isn't a parade (even though it is) 'Lost' still finds thrills, twists in time travel Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members Save $650,000 at Winter SALSA Car Sale MLS and ESPN change days for televised games Disney vs. Universal: Who has the best way to eliminate long waits? Disneyland wasn't quite the happiest place on Earth Chance to win a Disney vacation on Wednesday Moore to lead Disney Euro TV team The Disney Inaugural Alternative The Faceless Banned From House Of Blues |
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Disney sends buyout offers to 600 parks executives Reuters - Walt Disney Co. said on Wednesday it sent voluntary buyout offers to 600 executives at its domestic theme parks to cut costs amid an economic meltdown that has depressed attendance and prompted the company to deeply discount Walt Disney World stays. Disney said if the buyout offer, which expires February 6, does not produce enough reductions, the company will consider layoffs. A company spokeswoman declined to say what amount of savings or head count reductions Disney was trying to achieve, or what the cost of the terminations would be. The buyout offers come about six weeks after Disney said its hotel bookings had started to rebound as a result of the discounts. The move appears to be part of "significant" costs savings the company promised investors late last year. Disney Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said at that time that hotel bookings were down about 6 percent in the company's first and second quarters, an improvement over the 10 percent drop the company previously forecast for that period. In a letter dated January 22, Disney told employees it needed to streamline its executive work force "at all levels" to reduce its cost structure. The buyouts would become effective between mid-February and the end of March, the letter from Jayne Parker, senior vice president of human resources, said. Disney shares closed up about 4.9 percent to $21.23 on Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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Disney's Animal Kingdom Welcomes Threatened Species Birth Disney
News - Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed the birth of two
Ruppell's Griffon Vultures earlier this month. They are the
first hatchings of this threatened species at Walt Disney World
Resort. Each chick weighed less than six ounces and was about
eight inches long when hatched.
Over the past twenty years, the population of Ruppell's Griffon Vultures has been declining. This reduction led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to raise the status of this species to threatened. Members of Disney’s Animal Programs Team hope to increase the species population and generate more awareness of the challenges these birds face.
When grown, each new-born vulture could reach sizes close to three feet in height , with a wingspan of nearly eight feet, and can weigh 15-20 pounds. They are also known for their high-flying skills, being among the highest flying bird on record, once spotted at an altitude of over 37, 000 feet in the skies of West Africa. Ruppell’s vultures can fly more than three miles in six minutes and are able to stay in the air for as many as six to seven hours a day.
Ruppell's vultures are highly social; they roost, nest and gather to feed in large flocks. While they are generally a quiet breed, they may become vocal at the nest and during feeding time. The Ruppell’s vultures pair up for life, which may be forty or fifty years. |
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Whoops! Disney inadvertently reveals new Small World characters Los
Angeles Times Blogs - Details of a closely guarded secret are
beginning to leak out about the Disney characters to be added to
the It’s a Small World attraction at Disneyland.
The controversial plan caused an uproar last March among Disney purists, who called the changes a “gross desecration” of ride creator Mary Blair’s stylized artwork. Disney inadvertently let the secret slip by releasing a limited-edition pin collection featuring 14 of the approximately two-dozen Disney characters “as they will appear” when the Small World attraction reopens to annual pass-holders on Feb. 5 and the general public on Feb. 6. The characters include: The collectors pins, created by artist Monty Maldovan of the Disney merchandising group, represent a simplified version of the characters and settings as they will appear in the Small World attraction. In a previous post, we revealed that the Alice in Wonderland and White Rabbit characters would be incorporated into the classic boat ride. Disney officials have insisted that Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy will not be added.
In a pair of pleading open letters to Disney brass, Small World creator Mary Blair’s family as well as a dozen Disney and Pixar creative artists begged the Anaheim theme park to preserve Small World. Soon after, an online campaign urged Small World fans to call, write or e-mail Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering or Disney’s corporate headquarters to put a halt to the proposed changes. Then, in a pair of combative public rebuttals, Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Vice President Marty Sklar and chief Disney archivist Dave Smith fired back at critics of the Small World changes. |
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Disney Cruise Line Ranked As No. 1 Cruise Experience Disney
News - Disney Cruise Line was recently named the top large
cruise ship experience by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler
magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.”
The
Cruise Poll recognizes the best cruise ships as voted on by
Condé Nast Traveler readers. Winners were determined by a
survey of more than 11,000 participants who rated 400 ships.
Participants were asked to rate ships based on specific criteria
including: staterooms, activities, service, design and layout,
dining, itineraries and shore excursions. “We
are pleased to receive this honor from the readers of such an
esteemed travel publication,” said Tom McAlpin, President of
Disney Cruise Line. “Winning the No. 1 spot is a testament to
the beauty of our ships and the dedication our cast and crew
members have in creating an unparalleled vacation for every
member of the family.” This
year, Disney Cruise Line ranked No. 1 in the “Large Ship”
category with its ship, the Disney Wonder, which sails three-
and four-night cruises to the Bahamas. The Disney Magic was
also ranked in the top five cruise experiences overall. The
Disney Magic primarily sails seven-night cruises to the eastern
and western Caribbean and, beginning in the spring of 2010, will
embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern
Europe and the Mediterranean. In
addition to the accolades in the Large Ship category, the
Condé Nast Traveler “Cruise Spa Reader’s Poll” ranked the
spas aboard Disney Cruise Line in the top 5 best spas at sea.
Disney Cruise Line has received more than 50 distinguished
awards and honors since first setting sail in 1998. These awards
have included all aspects of the operation from dining and
entertainment to youth activities and spa facilities.
Known for bringing family travel to the cruise industry, Disney
Cruise Line continues to raise the bar on the cruise experience,
with specifically designed areas and activities for each member
of the family allowing for both quality time together and
wonderful individual experiences. The focus is to allow
families to reconnect, adults to recharge their batteries and
kids to immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can
create. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com. |
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A Touch
of Disneyland Romance |
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Disneyland's new parade isn't a parade (even though it is)
In typical punctuation-challenged Disney fashion, Celebrate! A Street Party will feature seven floats and 90 performers in a "celebratory song and dance party." Banners and ribbons will connect the floats as if in a long chain, according to Screamscape, with periodic high points punctuated by confetti-cannon fodder. Cue the street sweepers. The anti-parade will make at least two show stops — on Main Street U.S.A. and in front of It's a Small World — where singers, dancers, stilt-walkers and Disney characters will shake and shimmy to party songs. Similar in scale to the Parade of Dreams, which the new whatever-you-do-don't-call-it-a-parade replaces, Celebrate! A Street Party will typically run twice on busy days and once on slower days. |
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'Lost'
still finds thrills, twists in time travel Orlando Sentinel - Lost has never taken the easy way. Last season's finale offered a moving island, an elaborate lie and a bittersweet rescue. This year's season opener makes explicit a central mystery. "The show's been a time-travel show for the last four years," executive producer Damon Lindelof told TV critics. "Hopefully, as season five unfolds, you will realize that time travel has been in the DNA of the show for quite some time." The intricate puzzle supplies more pieces in the two-hour opener at 9 tonight. If anyone can't remember where the fourth season ended, there's a retrospective at 8 before the fifth season starts. Fans will remember that six castaways, including Jack Shephard ( Matthew Fox) and Kate Austen (Evangeline Lilly), returned to civilization. They did so by creating a ruse and omitting that remarkable island from their lives. How wondrous is that isle? It disappeared, after Ben Linus (Michael Emerson) moved it. Lindelof acknowledged the program flirted with "utter catastrophe." He added: "We feel part of the reason that the audience watches he show is: 'When are they totally going to the reach that point of no return where they've just messed things up so badly?' And you can't get to that point unless you're taking risks." The producers risked a lot by screening this season's third episode for assembled TV critics last week. There were gasps and laughter as plot twists cropped up and the plot jumped through time -- way back in time. Then Lindelof and fellow executive producer Carlton Cuse asked critics not to give too much away, but rather let fans experience the thrills. "What we didn't want to do is have season five, the penultimate year of the show, just be a stall," Cuse said. "We are real excited about the episodes this season. They are all the better for utilizing this island-skipping, time-travel element." The producers concentrated on time travel at a pivotal point: after seven episodes in the third season. "The show had sort of reached that point where we all knew it was treading into an area of complete and utter suckiness," Lindelof said. "At that point we all had a decision to make, which was: Are we going to have an end date or is the show going to be canceled in like a year, year and a half? Because it simply couldn't go on the way that it was." But they couldn't start doing all the flash-forwards until they knew they knew the series would end after six seasons. "This time travel reflects kind of a plunge toward the ending, which is irreversible," Cuse said. Yet Lost is also an action show pitting vital opponents. The season finale also featured a freighter explosion, a chopper crash and John Locke (Terry O'Quinn) in a coffin. There's the big question: Will Jack and the others return to island to rescue those left behind? Producers said this will be the season of Sawyer (Josh Holloway). "We made sure that, for people who might not be huge fans of time travel, that Sawyer had his shirt off for the first episode," Cuse said. "Sawyer, as a result of not getting off the island, did not have as much focus on him," Lindelof said. "This year, we've tried to sort of make up for lost time, as it were." Producers steered clear of questions about Ajira Airways, although they said they know what it is. Jin ( Daniel Dae Kim) will be back, although he supposedly died in that freighter explosion. Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell) has an increased role -- a situation made easier because Carbonell's series Cane was canceled. When a female critic complained that Carbonell has too much eye makeup, producers said he wore none. Cuse joked: "The true mystery of Lost: Is Nestor wearing makeup?" |
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Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members Save $650,000 at Winter
SALSA Car Sale Disney
News - Partners Federal Credit Union helped Walt Disney World
Resort Cast Members save $650,000 at the first ever Winter SALSA
(Spend A Little, Save A Lot) Car Sale. The Winter SALSA Car Sale provided a unique way for Cast Members to purchase reliable transportation. Partners financed 173 vehicles, providing $2.25 million in vehicle loans.
“By purchasing a car at the Winter SALSA Car Sale and financing it through Partners Federal Credit Union, the average Cast Member saved nearly $4,000 on their total vehicle cost,” Jim Kasch, Partners Vice President, Business Development & Strategic Alliances said.
Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members were not the only beneficiaries of the successful Winter SALSA Car Sale.The organizers of the car sale donated the value of two trade-in vehicles to the Walt Disney World Resort Cast Member campaign for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.
“The overwhelming success of the Winter SALSA Car Sale allowed the dealerships, Auto Advisors, and Partners the opportunity to donate $10,000 worth of merchandise to Toys for Tots. What a perfect topper for a wonderful event,” Suzette Noble, General Manager, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Liquidation Merchandise Operations said. |
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MLS and
ESPN change days for televised games AP - Major League Soccer and ESPN are moving games from a regular Thursday night time slot to different days of the week in hopes of boosting ratings. The average audience on ESPN2 decreased 12 percent from 288,800 viewers in 2007 to 253,000 in 2008. The league and network are entering the third year of an eight-year contract. The shift is expected to result in better lead-in programming, which would mean more people are already tuned into ESPN2 when the games start. On Thursday nights, taped shows often aired before MLS matches; the mix of nights will mean the games more often will follow live events, which generally draw higher ratings.A greater number of appealing matchups also will be available for the telecasts. The franchises in Los Angeles and Houston share their stadiums with other teams, which can prevent them from playing Thursday night games. "What we're trying to do is trying to be as flexible as we can to feature those teams and feature specific matchups," said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN vice president for programming. ESPN is owned by The Walt Disney Co. MLS officials also hope the shift will result in larger crowds for those nationally televised games. "We've had games that have done tremendously well on weeknights, and games that have not done as well as we want to see," MLS president Mark Abbott said Tuesday. "The flexibility allows us to maximize that." |
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Disney vs. Universal: Who has the best way to eliminate long
waits? Examiner - One of the worst parts of any theme park vacation is having to stand in seemingly endless lines. The Walt Disney World theme parks and Universal Studio Florida/Islands of Adventure all have systems in place to lessen wait times for some guests. How do these systems compare between these two destinations? Fastpasses Fastpasses, which are available for several rides and attractions at each of the Disney World theme parks, are a form of "reservation." Guests use their admission ticket to get a Fastpass for a particular attraction. The Fastpass shows a return window when the guest can come back and ride or see the show with a minimal wait. For example, let's say that you want to ride Splash Mountain. It's noon, and the line is already nearly an hour long. You insert your ticket into the appropriate Fastpass machine and it spits out a Fastpass with a 3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. return time. When you come back in that timeframe, you enter via the Fastpass line and your wait will normally be mere minutes. Fastpasses are never honored before their start time, but depending on the crowd level they may be honored after their stated return time. For example, let's say you were busy waiting to see the fairies at Pixie Hollow and suddenly realized that it was 4 p.m. You would probably still be able to use your Splash Mountain Fastpass, although it would be at the Cast Member's discretion. Generally you can only hold one Fastpass at a time. In other words, if you tried to get one for Winnie the Pooh after getting your Splash Mountain pass, the machine would spit out a voided piece of paper. But when there is a long gap, you'll be allowed to get another Fastpass after a certain length of time, even if the window for the pass you are holding hasn't begun yet. Pros Fastpasses are free for all guests. Cons During the busy season, Fastpasses for the most popular rides can run out quickly. For example, in the summer, Fastpasses for attractions such as Soarin' at Epcot and Toy Story Mania at Disney Hollywood Studio can be gone long before noon. Not all rides and shows use the Fastpass system. For example, the highly popular Nemo musical at Disney's Animal Kingdom doesn't have Fastpasses. Universal Express Universal Express utilizes a separate line to let guests from its onsite hotels and certain others bypass the standby lines to experience rides and attractions more quickly. Guests staying at one of the Universal Resort hotels get unlimited Express privileges. Other guests can purchase Express privileges that allow them to use the Express line once for each ride or a deluxe version that gives them unlimited access. Holders of the Premier annual pass get unlimited Express use after 4 p.m. Pros Express is available for virtually all rides and shows. The most notable exception is Pteranodon Flyers, a slow-loading kiddie ride at Islands of Adventure. Express is unlimited for most users, other than purchasers of the one-time-per-ride pass, and you don't have to get a special "ticket" or return at a certain time. Cons Express is not free to all guests. You must either stay at a Universal Resort hotel, be a Premier passholder, or purchase your Express privileges. Both of these systems can be invaluable in the summer or during holiday periods. If you typically visit Orlando during the peak season, weigh the advantages of Fastpasses and Universal Express and see if you can use one or both of these systems to make your visit more enjoyable. |
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Disneyland wasn't quite the happiest place on Earth
The Post-Standard - OK, what's a review if you don't point out the bad along with the good. And, I hate to say it, there was some bad during our trip yesterday to Disneyland in California. I think it's important to point out that I'm hardly a Disney virgin. I've been to Walt Disney World in Florida twice; I've been the Disneyland five times. So here's the rant. Reward card snafu We have a Disney Visa card, so all through the year, when we purchase with the card, we earn points to spend at Disney resorts or at the Disney store. A year ago, we visited Walt Disney World and we just picked up our reward card at guest servies at Downtown Disney (a series of shops at restaurants that's part of the resort). It was easy and seamless, so I wasn't worried about doing it at Disneyland. Well, at Disneyland it was not so seamless. We arrived at Downtown Disney and asked two Disney employees (they call them cast members). Both were very kind. One pointed us to a kiosk near the entrance to Disneyland; the other told us there was no guest services outside the park. We listened to the first guy. But when we got the kiosk, it was closed. There were no employees to ask for help unless we waited on the long entrance line. So I called the 800 number (the same one that had assured me a week ago that I could do all this at Downtown Disney when I ordered up our reward card by phone.) They were baffled as to why the kiosk was closed. The woman was nice but offered no solution. Then I went into a store and asked a third cast member. She was on the ball, and pointed us to the right place -- guest relations in a a hidden-away area near the entrance to the Disneyland park. We really didn't need to go to Downtown Disney at all; we could have just entered through the park parking lot. Oh well. So as my husband moved the car from Downtown Disney's lot (which has a hefty $30 per day fee) to the free Disneyland lot, I arrive at guest relations feeling upbeat. That is until the woman at the desk says she has no idea what I'm talking about. "I think you need to redeem the reward points inside Disneyland at City Hall," she says. I explain that I don't want to do that because the whole point is to use the redeemed points for the park entrance fee. ($69 for adults; $59 for kids.) She just wanders away from the desk without a word and I think I've been forgotten. I note to the new employee at the desk that this was much easier at Walt Disney World. "Yes, we get that a lot," she says. (So, why not fix it?) Then the first employee reappears with my reward card. No apology. Nothing. I walk away, happy at least that I have my card now. Now, I know this was a small inconvenience, but it did waste a good 30 to 40 minutes of our time. Note to Disney: Please train your staff to know where guest services is located and what the rewards program is. It shouldn't be this hard. |
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Chance to
win a Disney vacation on Wednesday Seattle Post Intelligencer - Cast members from Disney Parks will be at Fisher Plaza at Seattle Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to distribute Mickey Mouse balloons and ask local residents, "What Will You Celebrate?" People attending the event will have the opportunity to win a Disney vacation. They also can sign up for free tickets to a Disney theme park on their birthdays in 2009. Valid birth date documentation is required. Information: disneyparkscelebrations.com. |
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Moore
to lead Disney Euro TV team Variety - Disney has tapped Stephen Moore as its European TV distribution chief, replacing Tom Toumazis, who quit last November to join Endemol. Moore, who has previously worked in senior positions at Aardman and 20th Century Fox, takes over as exec VP and managing director, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada. He will join the company in late February. Moore will be based in London, reporting to Ben Pyne, president, global distribution, Disney-ABC Worldwide Television and Disney Media Networks. He will be responsible for licensing fare from Walt Disney Studios, ABC Studios and Disney Channel. Moore is a partner in the U.K.-based schools program specialist Abbey Home Media. Previously, he was chief operating officer and head of features at Aardman Animations, managing all commercial activities of the company. He joined Aardman from 20th Century Fox Intl., where he was prexy overseeing all its international theatrical and home entertainment biz. |
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The
Disney Inaugural Alternative CNBC - While the new President is celebrating at the Inaugural Ball, his daughters are having a Disney-style party. Disney confirms that Sasha and Malia Obama are having an age-appropriate party tonight at the White House. Disney has provided the White House with the two Disney flicks the girls requested: "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" and "Bolt." The girls are hosting the celebration: kids of other Obama staffers have also been invited to come watch the movies. Fittingly, Sasha, Malia and Michelle Obama attended the "Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future" concert that Disney put on Monday night. Disneychannel stars Miley Cyras and the Josas Brothers. Even Michelle Obama herself got up on stage to get the crowd fired up. She took the stage to get young people involved in helping out their communities. Disney is clearly eager to tap into the excitement the nation's youth has about the new administration. And Michelle is probably wise to tap into that platform to get her message out. It'll be interesting to see how Disney and the Obama kids work together moving forward. |
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The Faceless
Banned From House Of Blues |
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Tuesday January 20, 2009 |
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Disney's Iger Skips
Bonus Payments Ikon to handle some services for Disney resorts Why Disney pulled out of 'Narnia' Lunch with the FT: John Lasseter New Year brings new work for Disney stars Disney’s The Secret of the Magic Gourd DVD Review Disneyland versus Walt Disney World |
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Disney's Iger Skips
Bonus Payments Adweek - The value of Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger's overall compensation package for last year saw a double-digit percentage increase, but he decided to forgo some bonus payments as a gesture in the current tough economic environment. Many CEOs in the financial services industry, for example, have forgone or lost bonuses after the financial crisis and amid the recession. Iger received a $2 million salary and a $13.9 million bonus for fiscal year 2008, ended in September, according to the entertainment giant's proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. His salary remained unchanged, while his bonus rose only slightly as Iger decided to forgo $2.4 million in additional money as a gesture of goodwill. Including stock awards and other elements, his overall compensation reached $30.6 million though, up nearly 11 percent compared with 2007. Meanwhile, Disney CFO Tom Staggs received a salary of nearly $1.9 million and was awarded a $4.1 million bonus as part of his compensation. In its proxy, Disney also recommended its entire board for reelection at its March 10 annual meeting. Its board includes Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who has faced health issues. With a stake of about 7.4 percent, Jobs is also Disney's largest individual shareholder. |
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Ikon
to handle some services for Disney resorts Orlando Sentinel - Walt Disney World this month finalized a deal to outsource document- and package-handling in its convention hotels. Disney's contract with Ikon Office Solutions calls for this Malvern, Pa.-based company to operate business centers and handle packages at Disney's five convention-oriented resorts. The hotels include Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, and Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Disney cut 10 jobs as part of the move. Those employees were offered similar positions with Ikon, though an Ikon spokeswoman declined to say if salary and benefit terms were comparable. Outsourcing is often a thorny issue at Disney, which has built a legendary -- and profitable -- reputation for customer service. But Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said the decision to farm out the business centers to Ikon will ultimately provide guests with a broader range of services than Disney itself had provided, such as the ability to handle larger and more-complex print requests or equipment rentals. Such services are typically most used by the business travelers who stay at Disney's convention hotels. Prunty said about 3 percent of its hotel guests typically have packages shipped to their resorts, and the "vast majority" of those packages are for guests staying on the property for a convention. "Obviously, it's not our core business," Prunty said. "So we found a company that was able to provide our guests with a higher level of service in this area." She declined to say whether Disney will save money as a result of the move. Prunty said only that it "makes sense from a business perspective." |
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Why Disney pulled out
of 'Narnia' LATimes - Totaled together, the first two "Chronicles of Narnia" films grossed nearly $1.2 billion around the world, making it one of the most successful box-office franchises in recent years. So why would Disney, which co-financed and co-produced the films with Phil Anschutz's Walden Media, walk away from such a valuable property? The back story is messy, involving an ugly dispute between Disney and Anschutz, a true battle of the titans. The obvious reason for Disney to pull out was that, compared with the astounding success of the first film, 2005's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which amassed nearly $750 million in global business, the second film in the series, 2008's "Prince Caspian," was a big disappointment, grossing roughly $420 million. Still, $420 million is nothing to sneeze at, being way more money than any Disney film, except "Wall-E," made all year. But it turns out that "Prince Caspian" didn't just bring in less money; it also cost more to make and market -- a lot more. Disney acknowledges that the film cost roughly $225 million, with nearly $100 million of that going for the film's elaborate special effects. Even worse, because the studio was trying to expand the series' audience by going after teen moviegoers as well as families, Disney overspent on marketing, with some insiders estimating that the studio spent as much as $175 million on worldwide marketing for the film. But what really derailed Disney's involvement with "Narnia" was a nasty feud between the studio and Anschutz, the real-estate baron and supporter of Christian conservative causes who seems to own half of America. Anschutz has a stake in or outright ownership of Regal Entertainment Group (the nation's biggest movie theater chain), Staples Center, the Kodak Theatre, the Los Angeles Galaxy, the L.A. Kings, London's Millennium Dome, a string of U.S. newspapers (including the San Francisco Examiner) and Walden Media, which has produced such films as "Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Nim's Island" and "Because of Winn-Dixie." According to multiple sources, the once-close relationship between Disney and Walden began to unravel when, after the first "Narnia" film cleaned up at the box office, Anschutz essentially put a gun to Disney's head and demanded that the studio renegotiate its deal with Walden. Anschutz insisted that Disney either give back a sizable chunk of the studio's lucrative distribution fee or Anschutz would distribute the "Narnia" series on his own. Believing the franchise was too good to give up, Disney reluctantly changed the terms of its Walden deal, but the renegotiation poisoned relations between the two behemoths. When the second film faltered, there was so little goodwill left over that Disney had far fewer qualms about cutting its ties with the franchise. To be fair, Walden wasn't all that happy with the way Disney handled the film. The first movie had been released at Christmas, which seemed a logical slot for a family-oriented picture. But when Disney saw that "Prince Caspian" was an edgier, more youth-oriented film, it decided to go after teenagers as well as family filmgoers. That decision led to what, in hindsight, appears to be a huge blunder, releasing "Prince Caspian" in May, at the start of summer. Sandwiched between "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," "Prince Caspian" not only failed to attract many teenagers, it also lost a large piece of its family following, which was turned off by the edgier, not especially well-focused marketing materials. "We felt that, for that film, we had to try to appeal to every audience," says Disney studio chief Dick Cook. "The movie was edgier and tougher, and the marketing materials reflected that. Sometimes when you do that, you risk alienating the families, and maybe that's what happened." Cook defended the studio's decision to open the movie in the summer. "Warners has always been able to move 'Harry Potter' back and forth, so we thought we had just as good a chance of doing well. Honestly, who knows -- it may have been a factor. In the summertime, you don't always get many second chances. But release dates are funny -- they never seem to affect a movie people really want to see." Walden is moving ahead with plans to make a third film in the series, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," which will have a new director, Michael Apted, but also much of the cast, including Ben Barnes (Prince Caspian), from the previous films. The story is said to be far more commercial than the last installment, being more of a classic boy's seagoing adventure story, complete with fantastic sights, dragons, wizards and sea serpents, not to mention Eustace Scrubb, who I hear on good authority is one of the most inspired rotten kids in English literature. The real fascinating question is: Who will release it? Walden could announce a new deal as early as later this week. It doesn't have a lack of suitors. The studio with the inside track is 20th Century Fox, which has first dibs on the project because it already markets and distributes Walden projects under its Fox-Walden banner. Fox has plenty of interest, having seriously considered acquiring the movie rights to the C.S. Lewis books before Walden landed them. Fox has a strong marketing department, with lot of success with family entertainment -- the studio's biggest hits last year were both family films: "Horton Hears a Who" and the year-ending "Marley & Me." But Fox is famous for driving hard bargains and exercising fiscal discipline, so don't expect to see "Dawn Treader" costing anywhere near $225 million. Walden has been aiming to bring the new film in at around $140 million, which would be a far more enticing price tag for a 50/50 studio partner. If Fox passes, both Sony and Warners have expressed strong interest in the project. It would be a good fit for either studio, giving Sony something it hasn't had in recent years -- a fantasy-oriented family franchise -- or providing Warners with a ready-made family-oriented franchise to replace the soon-to-be-completed "Harry Potter" series. Whatever happens, it seems likely that the franchise's fans will soon have another chance to visit the enchanted world of Narnia and other distant lands. |
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Lunch with the FT:
John Lasseter
Financial Times - Walt Disney's animation studio in Burbank, a short drive from Los Angeles, is known as the "Hat building" because of the huge magician's hat that towers above the main entrance. As blue as the cloudless January sky over southern California, it is a replica of the hat worn by Mickey Mouse as the sorcerer's apprentice in Fantasia, Disney's animated classic from 1940. I have come to Burbank to have lunch with John Lasseter, Disney's own sorcerer-in-chief, whose storytelling flair and willingness to push technological boundaries have made him the man widely seen as the creative heir of Walt Disney himself. It's been a long wait. The company founder died in 1966 and Lasseter, 52, only rejoined in 2006 after Disney paid $7.4bn for Pixar, the ground-breaking animation studio he helped start. Animation is at the core of everything Disney does but the company wanted Pixar, and Lasseter, because its own animated output had grown stale. Walking into the Hat building and seeing promotional material on the walls for Bolt, Disney's latest animated film (released in Europe on February 6) and the first to be made under Lasseter's guidance, I reflect that his career has come full circle. A self-described cartoon nut, he started his career at Disney in 1979 as an animator. But he was fired in 1983 for refusing to drop the idea that the company's future would lie in computer animation. After leaving Disney, Lasseter helped found Pixar, with backing from Apple's Steve Jobs. The company ushered in a new era of computer animation with the 1987 release of Lasseter's Luxo Jr, a short film about a baby desk lamp. (The animated lamp still hops into the company's production logo before all its films). The real breakthrough came in 1995 with the Lasseter-directed Toy Story, which introduced the world to Woody the cowboy (voiced by Tom Hanks) and spaceman Buzz Lightyear, and was Hollywood's first computer animated feature. A string of global hits followed, including Toy Story 2 (1999), Finding Nemo (2003) and The Incredibles (2004), while Wall-E, Pixar's 2008 film about a love-sick robot, wowed audiences and critics alike. Now back in the Disney fold as chief creative officer of the animation studio with an advisory role dreaming up attractions at the company's theme parks, Lasseter divides his time between Burbank and Pixar's headquarters in Emeryville, a few hundred miles away in northern California. We are due to have lunch in his office – his assistants tell me he doesn't have time to meet in a restaurant. I have also been warned that he will have already eaten something and won't be having much because he wants to devote his time to answering questions rather than eating, which might make this encounter an unusual take on Lunch with the FT. His office is smaller than I expected but packed with Disney and Pixar paraphernalia. There are sketches on the wall from Susie the Little Blue Coupe, an animated short film from 1952, as well as a framed drawing from Dumbo (1941), Lasseter's favorite Disney film. There are plates laid out with sandwiches and a bottle of red wine. The bottle lifts the spirits. US executives are usually characterized by their abstemiousness, which makes for practical but rather dull lunches. "I don't know if you drink wine," says Lasseter after greeting me. "But my wife and I have a winery so I thought we'd open one of our bottles." He is known for his loud Hawaiian shirts and does not disappoint today, although the shirt is comparatively somber. He is wearing a wristwatch released to promote the Pixar movie Cars (2006). As he pours the wine, a Saint Emilion blend with a label bearing the Lasseter name, he explains how he and his wife Nancy began making wine. After he was fired from Disney, they moved to northern California. Nancy worked at Apple as a computer graphics engineer and he went to work for George Lucas's Lucasfilm group, where he joined the division that would evolve into Pixar. "I was commuting north and Nancy commuted south and we started having babies." The couple eventually had five sons. "We had so many babies that she decided to retire." The Lasseters often visited friends in Sonoma County, one of northern California's finest winemaking regions. They liked it so much they moved there. "The woman who was cleaning our house was heading off one day to pick wine. Nancy went with her and came back splattered and covered in red wine." He mimics his wife, breathless with passion. "She said: 'We made wine! Make love to me!'" That started a hobby, which quickly became something more: the family bought vineyards in Glen Ellen in Sonoma County and now bottles and sells its own-label wine. Before coming to Burbank, one of Lasseter's assistants had phoned to ask what I might want for lunch, and I had ordered a turkey and provolone sandwich on rye bread. Disney doesn't tend to do things in small measures so it is a pretty big sandwich. I've also been given some pieces of fruit – watermelon and pineapple. Lasseter has just got the pineapple pieces. I ask when he realized he wanted to be an animator. He tells me about his childhood in Whittier in south-east Los Angeles County. "It was Richard Nixon's home town. My mother was a high school arts teacher so I was always surrounded by the arts." He was obsessed with Chuck Jones cartoons. "Bugs Bunny, Road Runner ... I would race home after school to watch them. On Saturday morning I would get up at crack of dawn on my own and lie on my belly in front of the TV eating Sugar Frosted Flakes until the cartoons stopped." In his first year at high school he saw Disney's 1963 film The Sword in the Stone and realized that his passion could become a career. Encouraged by his mother, he wrote to the company, which invited Lasseter for a studio tour. Disney was nearing a crossroads: Walt had died and the "Nine Old Men", a revered group of animators who had worked on such early classics as Snow White and Cinderella, were heading for retirement. But no new generation of animators was ready to replace them. In 1975, the company launched an animation course at the California Institute of the Arts. Lasseter was the second student accepted. He was taught by three of the Nine Old Men – Eric Larson, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston (the last survivor of the group who died last year). Lasseter's classmates included future film directors Brad Bird, who would go on to helm Pixar's The Incredibles and Ratatouille, and Tim Burton. At Disney, where he was joined by Bird and Burton, the influence of the Nine Old Men was waning. "The people who were creatively running the studio were the second tier animators during Walt Disney's time but ended up being in charge through attrition rather than because of their talent. They were threatened by all this young talent coming in. And we were on fire." A new era was under way in Hollywood. In 1977 Star Wars was released and directors such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola had overturned long-held notions about the kinds of films audiences would enjoy. Lasseter felt animation was ripe for a similar revolution and that cartoons could be enjoyed by people of all ages, not just by children. "One of the big moments of my life was watching Star Wars on its opening weekend in Hollywood. I was watching all these people enjoy this film and I thought: animation can do this." But he kept running into resistance at Disney when he tried new things. "I remember being told many times: 'We don't want to hear your opinions. If you don't want to do what you're told, there's a line of people outside the studio waiting to take your place.' "I kept making suggestions and ideas – we all did, myself Brad Bird, Tim Burton – and we either left the studio or were fired." Lasseter's hope was that Disney would embrace computer technology but his boss at the time – he refuses to divulge the name – told him to forget it. So he went around his back and created a 30-second demonstration, only to be shown the door shortly afterwards. He looks wistful. "I'll be honest with you. I told the world that I left on my own. To be fired from the place of my dreams was something I just couldn't admit to anyone." It was while creating that short film that Lasseter came across Ed Catmull, a computer scientist, then working for Star Wars creator George Lucas. The two men hit it off and Lasseter was lured to the Lucasfilm computer unit in northern California. With a combination of Lasseter's animation expertise and Catmull's scientific know-how, they forged a collaborative way of working that would become the bedrock of Pixar's way of making films. During Lasseter's first stint at Disney he found himself being asked, "What would Walt do?" At the Lucasfilm computer division new ideas were not discouraged, partly because of Catmull's background in science. "With science there is this culture of experimentation and most of the time those experiments fail," says Lasseter. There's a culture of failure, which is accepted and it's become part of Pixar." It was important, he says, to strike the right balance between technological innovation and storytelling. "Art challenges technology but technology inspires the art. Often you'll see a film where it's been caught up in the technology and it doesn't captivate. What I learnt from those great Disney animators was that it's what you do with the technology that matters." Steve Jobs (who earlier this week announced he was taking medical leave from Apple) heard what the Lucasfilm computer division was doing and ended up buying it for $10m in 1986. Lasseter says Jobs funded the newly renamed Pixar for 10 years before it turned a profit. "Over the years he must have invested another $50m-$60m. There is nobody else that would have supported us for that long." I am polishing off the fruit. Lasseter has eaten one piece of pineapple while we've been talking. I wonder if he felt vindicated by Disney's purchase of Pixar, but he shakes his head. "I don't look at it like that. It's all about coming home – I've got Disney blood running through my veins. I mean, I operated the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland when I was at college." So he is back where he belongs. He has plenty to do, not least championing the company's move into 3D animation: Bolt is being released in 3D and later in the year Up, a film about a curmudgeonly old man who attaches balloons to his house to make it fly, will also hit cinemas. Lasseter says he has been a fan of the format. "My wedding pictures were in 3D." An assistant is outside, signaling to Lasseter that someone is waiting to see him and that our time is up. As I get up to leave, I ask about the pressure he faces. Surely there is a lot to live up to when people compare you to Walt Disney? He shakes his head again. "It's hard enough being John Lasseter without having to take that mantle as well. With Ed Catmull being here too we really believe we can turn the studio around ... the artists are in charge again, and I just love that." |
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New Year
brings new work for Disney stars Daily News - The Jonas Brothers are hoping to turn Monday night's Disney Channel inauguration performance with Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and others into a standing invitation to the White House. "I just want to hang out at the White House!" Kevin Jonas, the oldest of the three brothers, told reporters at a Television Critics Association panel in Los Angeles for their new Disney show, "J.O.N.A.S." "I know there's a bowling alley, and if I ever got the honor to bowl at the White House ..." The brothers and Lovato both have new projects in the works with Disney, including a "Camp Rock" sequel due out in a year, as well as "J.O.N.A.S." and "Sonny With a Chance." "J.O.N.A.S." stars Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas as a rock trio who are trying to live normal lives and go to school despite their fame. The show is not a direct translation of their own lives (the show's band is called Jonas because they live on Jonas St.; their last name is Lucas on the show) but there are a lot of glaring similarities. Most notably, the screaming fans. "We try to not overly flatter ourselves, but it's hard not to make parallel comparisons to the Beatles in 1962, 1963 when you see the kind of response that the Jonas Brothers' fans have to them," said executive producer Roger S.H. Schulman. "'A Hard Day's Night' is very much a template, as is 'Help!,' as is 'The Monkees.' Any time you had a group of talented musicians who got along together and had a sort of air of being insubordinate and a little subversive about them, you can't ignore that." "J.O.N.A.S." is expected to premiere in May and also stars Chelsea Staub, Nicole Anderson and Frankie Jonas, who's more affectionately known as the "Bonus Jonas." Joe Jonas says the show's shooting schedule is a big change from touring, but so far "it's been really cool." Lovato's project, "Sonny With a Chance," is being dubbed as the "30 Rock" of the tween set. It's a sitcom that stars Lovato as an actress on a teen sketch comedy show called "So Random!" and all the antics that go on behind the scenes, including a rivalry with the soap opera stars who shoot on the stage next door. "Sonny With a Chance" is Lovato's first regular television series. "I always thought that music was my No. 1 passion ... but now that I'm able to work on a show and do movies like 'Camp Rock,' I just really realize the art of acting, and it's amazing," said Lovato of the show launching Feb. 8. "It's like a hobby to me." |
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Disney’s The Secret of the Magic Gourd DVD Review dBTechno
- Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is ready to release
The Secret of the Magic Gourd on the DVD format, based on the
story by Zhiang Tian Yi.I was very unsure about this release before I jumped in to watch it, scratching my head at the trailer. Once I was able to get into it though and actually watch the film, I understood why it received so much praise. The film revolves around a character named Ray, who is having a rough time with his life to say the least. His world changes though when he catches a magic gourd while fishing. He ends up pretty much getting anything he wants from this magic gourd, but in getting anything he wants, his world ends up getting changes in ways which he may not actually see as all that promising. The film mixes live action and animation and is actually very impressive looking. This is the type of film which will surely appeal to the younger crowd, but may not be enjoyed quite so much by adults as other Disney films. The audio and video mix of this DVD release is just as impressive as anything else we have seen from Disney in the past. The style of the film is breathtaking in some spots as the live action and animation look tremendous when mixed together. There are some nice use of colors, black levels, and sharpness to give the film great pop. In terms of the extras, there are some decent stuff here starting out with a music video of “World of Wonder” (Chinese version), as well as a blooper reel. On top of that, there is a feature looking at the making of the film with subtitles, as it is all in Chinese, as well as a game for those who want to play around a bit. The added game is the only thing of real value here to be honest, nothing else is all that impressive. The Secret of
the Magic Gourd is definitely a step away from Disney tradition
with the Chinese culture really being added in. The animation
is fantastic though, as is the audio/video transfer. For the
younger audience, this is a great release for them to check out,
as it will not only open their eyes to another culture, but it
will provide them with great entertainment as well. Video: 9.0 A great video transfer, the mix of live action/animation is impressive.
Audio: 9.0 Per Disney standard,
this is a very impressive audio mix. |
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Disneyland versus Walt Disney World What's best about Disneyland in California:
What's better about Walt Disney World:
What's your take? What's your pros and cons of WDW or Disneyland. Post a comment. |
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Monday January 19, 2009 |
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Selena Gomez
Tired of the Disney Channel? DQE's Twisted Whiskers Goes to Disney Channel Comedy Warehouse Reunion show a great time Pin trading fever at Disney World |
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Selena Gomez
Tired of the Disney Channel? Celebrity Cafe - Could the 16-year-old be leaving the channel? Could it be that Wizards of Waverly Place star Selena Gomez feels she is too good for the Disney Channel? Although Gomez shot to fame playing Alex Russo on the Disney Channel original series, she admits that she plans for her acting career to become more serious and different in the future. “I love being challenged,” 16-year-old Gomez tells Us Weekly magazine. “I love the Disney channel, and I always want to keep that relationship because they gave me my start, but I'd love to someday make a transition and do roles that are really challenging for me. I'd like to do comedy, romance, anything.” Not wanting to forever be known as a “Disney Channel” star, Gomez is attempting to branch out into several other fields of the entertainment business. Currently, she is working on her debut album which she will be releasing with a band. “Hopefully I'll finish up in April and debut my album in July,” Gomez says, excited that her fans as well as the rest of the world will finally see a “whole other side” of her. |
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DQE's
Twisted Whiskers Goes to Disney Channel Animation World Network - CG animated series TWISTED WHISKERS from Indian animation company DQE has finalized a deal with Walt Disney Television International to air on 12 Disney Channels across Southeast Asia, according to C21 MEDIA. Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Palau, Thailand, Vietnam Cambodia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea will air the show. DQE also recently signed a licensing deal with Walt Disney International India for TWISTED WHISKERS as well as animated series RATMAN and SANDRA. |
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Comedy
Warehouse Reunion show a great time Theme Park Rangers - Saturday night's Comedy Warehouse Reunion show at Sak Comedy Lab in downtown Orlando was a blast. Eight CW regulars performed in the show I saw at 8, including Matt Horohoe, Krista Miller, Leyden Sadecky and Mary Thompson Hunt.
The first half of the program
were skits familiar to fans of Pleasure Island's now-defunct
Comedy Warehouse: A rock song written to someone's life
story (a cell phone replaced the CW's wall-mounted phones);
a skit in which the improv-ers have to say lines supplied by
the audience; and a skit in which a scene controller directs
the cast to go back and make different choices to take the
scene in a new direction, among others. (I never realized
until just now how hard it is to describe improv comedy in
writing!)
The second half of the show gave the cast a chance to stretch their wings with one extended musical skit. It was fun to watch a long-form improv from these talented folks, and they didn't disappoint. Matt, in particular, shone as a bitter lawyer who fell in love, won a court case, fell in love again and did some tap dance to boot. Mary used her "playing blind" technique to good effect, as well. The best news: The show was packed, and the line for the 10 p.m. show looked just as long. (Many folks were watching both.) A hint was given that there may be more appearances by Comedy Warehouse regulars in the future. On January 23 -- that's this Friday -- former Comedy Warehouse cast members will go head to head, funny bone to funny bone, against members of the Sak ensemble. It's part of Sak's recurring Duel of Fools competition. Again, there will be two shows, at 8 and 10. Call 407-648-0001 for more details and to make reservations. Based on this past weekend's turnout, I'd call sooner rather than later. |
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Pin trading
fever at Disney World
Theme Park Rangers - My children saw Epcot in a new light recently when they joined the ranks of pin traders. I had resisted the hobby, mostly because of the expense. (Disney pins can start at $7 and increase from there.) Oh, my son and daughter had the lanyards and a few special pins -- lucky recipients of a "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion -- but they wore them to the parks just for fun.
After they saw a friend's excitement at trading, they declared
they were ready to try, too. So, for the day, we approached most
of the cast members we saw and asked to view their pins. It was
interesting to see how each child approached the process
differently. My daughter jumped in wholeheartedly, as she does
most things, willing to give away anything if the cast member
had a pin that caught her eye. My son hung back shyly, waiting
for his sister to finish her transaction, while he studied the
possibilities. Then, with some encouragement, he made his offer
with a specific trade in mind.
Either way, both children enjoyed the process as much as the
spoils of their trades. At ages 4 and 6, they are not trying to
collect certain types of pins, as serious collectors do, but
rather just looking for pins they like. If that is your goal,
too, I offer this tip: Visit Walt Disney World's outlet store, Character Premiere in the Orlando Premium Outlets near Downtown Disney. The store sells discontinued and overstocked WDW merchandise at discount prices, and that includes pins. The selection varies, but I have stocked up on several different designs at $4 apiece, at least half the price in the parks. I plan to dole them out throughout the year, making our pin trading more affordable.
Not going to be in the parks, but want to get started trading? The Contemporary Resort hosts Mickey's Pin Trading Night monthly at its Convention Center. Upcoming dates for the free event are Jan. 23 and Feb. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. |
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Sunday January 18, 2009 |
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Disney To Unveil New Attraction At Hong Kong Park By Late 2011 Disney Offering Free Gift Cards for Stays at Disneyland Resort Hotels in Southern California Disney tickets give you the power to design your own magic Dreaming of a Disney exhibition Avoiding the crowds at Walt Disney World Disney Star Guitarist, Guitar Hero-ish Game Played with a Real Guitar |
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Disney To Unveil New Attraction At Hong Kong Park By Late 2011 CNN Money - Walt Disney Co. The paper cited sources as
saying Disney is planning a The |
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Disney Offering Free Gift Cards for Stays at Disneyland Resort
Hotels in Southern California PR Newswire - Disneyland Resort guests can enhance the fun and value of their magical vacation with a special bonus: a free Disney Gift Card to use for food and merchandise purchases during their experience - just by staying at a Disneyland Resort on-site hotel. Guests who stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels - Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa - receive a Disney Gift Card -- $50 for a two-night stay, $100 for a three- night stay, or $150 for a four-night stay. The gift cards are provided upon check-in and available for use at any of the Disney-owned restaurants and stores located inside Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure theme parks, Disneyland Resort hotels and Downtown Disney. Travel must be completed by April 30. Whether it's discovering whimsical Disney art at the Disneyland Hotel, stepping back in time to the golden days of California beachfronts at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel or indulging the senses at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, staying at any of the Resort hotels provides the Disney magic from check-in to check-out. Guests are steps away from two of the world's most famous theme parks and a vibrant dining and entertainment district. Hotel guests also receive special benefits including "Magic Mornings," an exclusive early entry program for hotel guests into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland to enjoy popular attractions such as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and King Arthur Carrousel. In addition, guests are treated to up close and personal character greetings in the Disneyland Hotel lobby and can start each morning with an entertaining Disney Character breakfast at either property. Hotel guests can also add a little character to their stay by reserving "Character Quarters" at the Disneyland Hotel. The new Character Quarters are connecting kids' rooms which feature two twin beds, flat screen televisions, vibrant furnishings, flooring and amenities created with Mickey Mouse and Disney Princess themes. By reserving a regular guest room with an attached Character Quarters room, guests are guaranteed connecting rooms, a popular request from families traveling with young children. To add even more magic to their Disneyland Resort stay, adult guests can play like a kid with the "Everyone Plays for the Kid's Price" ticket program. The special winter and spring program features three-day or longer Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets, good for admission to both theme parks. For more information and to book a Disneyland Resort hotel room, guests can contact their local travel agent, visit www.disneyland.com or call 1-866-60-DISNEY. |
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Disney tickets give you the power to design your own magic Examiner - Designing your Walt Disney World vacation is made easier with all of the vacation plan options that the resort has to offes. By using the Magic Your Way options you can create, design and enjoy your magical stay, custom made for you. From quick service dining plans and all-inclusive dining and recreation plans to resort packages, including the recent buy four nights get three free promotion at a Walt Disney World Resort, the possibilities are endless. Then add your many theme park ticket options on top of that. Wow! The best thing about Magic Your Way theme park tickets is the fact that the longer your stay, the cheaper your tickets are per day. For example a one-day one-park ticket costs $75 for ages 10 and up and $63 for ages 3-9. However, if you purchase a seven-day ticket for one park each day cost is $32.57 per day for ages 10 and up and 27.57 per day for ages 3-9. You can also add a park hopper, water park fun and a no expiration option to the tickets you purchase. The addition of the ticket options also go down in price the more you play. For example, to add the park hopper option to a one-day ticket the cost will be an additional $50 per ticket. To add the water park fun option to a one-day theme park pass it is an additional $50 for two water park admissions. The no expiration option is not available for the one-day theme park ticket. However, if you want to add the park hopper option to a seven-day pass the cost is $7.14 per day per ticket and the water park fun addition is $7.14 per day with seven water park admissions. To have the no expiration option added to your seven-day pass the cost is an additional $15.71 per day. Should you want to go to Blizzard Beach Water Park or Typhoon Lagoon the cost per day is $40 for ages 10 and up and $34 for ages 3-9. Ticket can be purchased at any of the water parks. Before heading to one of the Disney Water Parks check to see if the park will be open, incase of refurbishment or weather. The water parks undergo refurbishment projects once a year, but luckily never at the same time. Currently Typhoon Lagoon is closed and undergoing a large refurbishment project. DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park tickets can be purchased at the door for $40 for ages 10 and up and $34 for ages 3-9. You can either buy your tickets at DisneyQuest or you can call 407-939-1289. |
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Dreaming of a Disney exhibition Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Paris has already seen a big Walt Disney show. Called "Once Upon a Time," it opened at the Grand Palais in 2006. But we're still waiting.
I know what it should look
like, and sometimes I imagine it. The Paris exhibition was
largely filled with Disney's art. This one should be mixed.
It shouldn't be only about Disney (he didn't work alone),
and it shouldn't be over-serious (he wasn't), and it ought
to entertain.
It should include some blobs by Joan Miro and Dali's melting watches, to go with his surrealism, and some dramatic bucking broncos, in bronze by Frederic Remington, to go with Disney's animals, and some ferocious North Atlantic waves crashing on the coast of Maine in oils by Winslow Homer to accompany "Pinocchio's" scary storm at sea. The pop artists should be there, too (Warhol, Lichtenstein, Takashi Murakami), to evoke what came after him, and so should "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914), a hand-drawn film by Winsor McCay, to show what came before. It also ought to have a whole gallery of cartoonists, including those who worked with him (Walt Kelly, for example) and those who merely paid him homage (say, the great R. Crumb). To demonstrate that first-rate art can be fabulous and funny, I'd include Red Grooms, and I'd put in Norman Rockwell, too, just for company. In darkened rooms with comfy seats, there will be screenings of "Fantasia" and "Dumbo" and the "Silly Symphonies." Sequences of Disney cels will be lined up on the walls. Maybe the guards will all wear Disney watches. I'd include a great Jeff Koons as well. His 1996 "Balloon Dog" would be perfect. That's because it's 10 feet high, polished to a fare-thee-well, toylike and magnificent, inflated, unironic, and completely Disneyesque. It'd be a helluva show. |
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Avoiding the
crowds at Walt Disney World Examiner - A frequently asked question is, "When is the best time to go to Walt Disney World in order to avoid the crowds?" This is especially timely this weekend as the Martin Luther King Day holiday crowds descend. The answer is a moving target, as many factors can affect just how much humanity you will run into and how long the typical lines will be. As a local, I have become skilled at visiting at the least crowded times of year. Because I am close enough to the parks to hear the Illuminations fireworks from my home every night, I've gotten spoiled. A non-Fastpass "long" wait for me is 20 minutes. Here is the one best secret I've found to avoid long lines: Visit in the period right before or right after a holiday week. If you have kids in school, that might not be so easy. But more and more families are home-schooling, and many teachers will let you take your child out on vacation without too much hassle if you agree to have the youngster complete some sort of educational project. Why are these the best periods to visit? When a holiday is looming, people tend to wait and visit during that time. Why use up extra vacation days or take off school time when you can go a week earlier or later and maximize those days off? Unfortunately, the trade-off is that everyone else has the same idea so the parks get packed. To give you an idea of how well this strategy can work, I'll share my experience with Soarin', which typically has the longest lines in Epcot. It tends to be close to an hour at the best of times, and during the peak season it can run two hours or more. In the period before Thanksgiving, I went to Epcot at 7 p.m. and rode it eight times in a two hour span. Yes, eight times, and that was without breaking a sweat. In the post-Labor Day period, I rode it an amazing 13 times. If you are a local, you may already know how to take advantage of those wonderful quiet times. If not, give it a try and you'll hopefully get as much good ride time as I do. If you're traveling to Orlando from afar, it may be well worth it to take extra vacation days or pull your children out of school in order to maximize your vacation time. Is it really worth it to visit on a holiday and stand in lines of well over an hour when just a week or two earlier or later you could be walking onto all the best attractions? You're the only one who can make that choice, but take it from me: if you want to avoid the crowds, the bookend times to holiday periods are truly the way to go. |
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Disney Star Guitarist, Guitar Hero-ish Game Played with a Real
Guitar GotGame News - For all of those wannabe guitarists, mashing color-coded buttons on a plastic guitar, which has nothing to do with any type of real instrument playing, Disney has some good news. Soon you’ll be able to throw down those plastic toys, which resembles something found in the toddler section of your local kid store, and take up a real guitar. Disney has announced Disney Star Guitarist, an educational and challenging game that uses a real guitar as a controller.
The
game, made with the help of Washburn Guitars, will incorporate
the same falling notes styled game play that is used by Guitar
Hero and Rock Band, keeping track of your progress based on the
number of notes the player hits, and supposedly helping the
player learn to play actual songs on a guitar. The game is sure to excite music enthusiasts, gamers, and those looking to learn a new instrument. It remains to be seen though as to whether the game alone will actually be able to teach someone how to play a guitar. As someone who has never played before, I’d imagine the game alone may not suffice and actual lessons may be needed as well. It’s also a bit of a disappointment that the game will not be released for consoles as of yet, which I’m sure is dependent on the game’s success for the PC and Mac. No matter what, the game sure to garner a lot of attention, capitalizing on the success of Guitar Hero, and is sure to be as entertaining. The question though is still up in the air as to whether a game alone could teach someone the difficult task of playing an instrument. |
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Unlike it's predecessor (Disney Dreams Come True Parade), the
parade makes three stops along the way. At the first stop, the
units stretch along the Frontierland straightaway. The second
time, it runs from the base of Cinderella Castle to midway down
Main Street, and the third goes from the hub at the front of the
park to about half way back Main. (At the middle stop, I noted
that the beginning was essentially even with the Crystal Arts
Shop on Main).
cers.
Theme
Park Rangers - Yesterday, we walked through The American Idol
Experience, the upcoming attraction at Disney's Hollywood
Studios, with Disney producer Laura Offerdahl, who shared a slew
of factoids. The Experience's official opening is Feb. 14, but
it's currently in "soft opening" with a sporadic schedule. I
have a what-to-expect piece coming up for print, but there were
so many extra notes that I'll post them here now. Yeah, that's
kinda bassackward, but here you go.
ComingSoon.net
- Yahoo! Movies has debuted this new poster for Disney•Pixar's
Up and a clip from the film that was shown at Sony's CES Keynote
last week has been leaked online. You can watch it below the
poster!
In
general, the Disney character additions will fall into two
categories — dolls and toys. “Face” characters such as Mulan and
Aladdin will look like traditional three-dimensional Small World
dolls wearing their character’s distinctive costumes. Nonhuman
characters such as Stitch and Flounder will be represented by
“toys” that more closely resemble their animated film
depictions.
Los
Angeles Times - Although Disneyland isn't calling it a parade,
the new "interactive street party" debuting March 27 will travel
along the parade route, replace the outgoing parade and
essentially serve as the daily parade.