June 1 - 6, 2009
 

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Saturday June 6, 2009

Disney unveils NBA Finals T-shirts to celebrate L.A.-Orlando match-up
Disney World Gay Days party at Rix Lounge fun -- but no Pleasure Island
Local brothers Showcase BMX talents on Disney's "Next X"
Eat to the Beat 2009 Concert Line-Up
Hall of Presidents Passholder Previews Announced
Disney unveils NBA Finals T-shirts to celebrate L.A.-Orlando match-up

Los Angeles Times - Thousands of fans were crushed when the Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers last week and advanced to the NBA Finals against the Lakers. But it's a dream match-up for Disney, which teamed up with the basketball league to create a line of NBA Finals T-shirts to celebrate the series.

"The Magic and Lakers share their hometowns with Disney’s two U.S. theme parks, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and will be showcasing the most iconic of Disney characters, Mickey Mouse, as this new line designed for boys and men takes Mickey and friends Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto courtside," the company said today. "With character-themed styles that incorporate the Magic and Lakers colors and logos, as well as the NBA Finals trophy, this line is fun and fashionable for all ages."

The shirts are available in sizes 8-20 for boys and sizes S-XXL for men. (Female fans must resign themselves to wearing guy styles.) They are being sold at Staples Center, Amway Arena, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and online at www.nbastore.com, www.orlandomagicshop.com and www.lakersstore.com.

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Disney World Gay Days party at Rix Lounge fun -- but no Pleasure Island
 
Theme Park Rangers - I promise I won't whine (much) about the lack of Pleasure Island in this post, so will focus instead on the positives of last night's "Thursday Night Continues" party at Rix Lounge at Disney's Coronado Springs resort.
* The setting was cool. I had never been to Rix. In my mind, Coronado Springs was a lot farther back in the wilds of Disney property, but actually it's quite easy to get to (really, just past the Swan and Dolphin). And it's a nice-looking club space. Upscale, with lanterns and mood lighting. Good place to bring someone on vacation for a while to chill, away from the frantic pace of the parks.

* Drink prices were fair. $8.50 for a potent mixed drink, an accurate price for an upscale venue. I'll probably pay more this weekend downtown.

* The music was great. The DJs cleverly blended the latest dance music (Justin and Ciara) with old-school mixes. ("Finally.") And threw in some party anthems ("My Life Would Suck Without You") just for fun. A few brave souls danced, but the crowd overall was kind of dance-shy. It needed a few more people to jump in and boogie to tip the scales toward dance mania.

* Speaking of needing more people, that was the biggest  drawback to the event: Not enough people turned out. Maybe it was the rainy weather. Maybe out-of-towners weren't sure how to find it. Maybe it wasn't promoted/advertised enough. As with all clubs, the later it got, the busier it got. But when my group left around 2, there was still room to double the number of patrons. Come on, people, get out and party. It was nice to feel like we were somewhere exclusive at first, but later on we wanted more people-watching opportunities. That's part of the fun of Gay Days and part of what made crowded Pleasure Island such a draw. Uh, oh: I promised no whining about PI so I will close. But forgive me if I just say, I got a little misty-eyed when the DJs pumped out Heather Small's anthemic "Proud" -- I remembered it was the last song in Mannequins on Gay Days Thursday last year. 

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Local brothers Showcase BMX talents on Disney's "Next X"

Howell Times - From tail-whips to back-flips, two local brothers are set to make a BMX splash on Disney XD's upcoming reality show, "Next X."

A familiar name in BMX and X-Games lore throughout Howell and Jackson, the Cranmer family will be proudly watching two of its family members hit the airwaves, BMX champion Scotty, 22, and his kid brother, Matty, 11.

Debuting Monday, June 8 at 7:05 p.m., "Next X' is a brand new reality series for kids developed by Disney XD in association with ESPN. The show follows five of the world's top professional BMX and skateboarding athletes as they mentor young amateur athletes in their chosen sport, teaching them how to hone their technical skills and dazzle the crowds with awesome tricks all the while possibly growing into the next action sports superstar.

The project was filmed at the sprawling oasis of Camp Woodward in the Mojave Desert in Tehachapi, California over an intense five-day session, and will be broadcast over the next two months in a series of eight short- form episodes, culminating in a half-hour television special, with one amateur participant chosen for a showcase in the next X-Games.
Throughout the series, the two Cranmer brothers work side-byside, with Scotty playing the role of BMX freestyle mentor and tutor to his little brother, Matty.

Matty Cranmer, 11, began his young BMX racing career at age 6, then caught the freestyle bug. He entered his first freestyle competition at age 9. Matty races at the expert level and currently competes at the amateur level in freestyle.

About two months ago, Matty, a student at Christa McAuliffe School, in Jackson, first learned about the producers' interest in having him be one of the amateur child participants on the show. It was an offer he jumped at.

"It was kind of hard, but really fun," said Matty. "I had to learn all new tricks and keep doing different things with all the producers and stuff, go ride more to all sorts of different places, and just do a lot of stuff."

Older brother, Scotty Cranmer, 22, is already a budding legend in professional BMX riding, being named by fans as the 2008 Freestyler of the Year by BMX Plus Magazine. Cranmer began his BMX career at the age of 16, at first in purely racing events, but quickly falling in love with stunts and tricks of freestyle BMX—his passion ever since. In his first professional contest, Cranmer beat out all his competitors to capture the 2003 UGP Roots Jam, with some of his other accomplishments including taking home a silver and gold medal for his X Games appearances in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Cranmer also gained notoriety for becoming the first person to land a front flip tail-whip during competition at the 2007 Salt Lake City AST Event.

You could even say the Cranmer brothers have X-Games fever coursing through their blood, as their family owns and operates the Incline Club skate park in Lakewood.

With trophies, accolades and television appearances galore for Scotty, he was far more nervous watching his brother performing his stunts in front of the cameras for the very first time.

"For me, watching Matty go through stuff was just way harder," he said. "But he handled it really well, where it didn't phase him too much. He's really good with stuff like that. He kind of puts himself in his own little world, and he's good to go ... I'm real proud of him in the way he acts, and the way he carries himself."

While having a BMX freestyle champion older brother is always a huge benefit, Matty said it was simply a matter of playing around on his own during races which opened his eyes up to the possibilities of freestyle.

"While I was racing, I started doing little one-handers over jumps, and it was really fun, so I thought I'd try it at a skate park on a different bike though, a little bit of a bigger bike, which was even more fun," he said. "Then I started learning more and more tricks with my friends, which was really cool."

The more he did freestyle, the more addicted to it Matty became, saying he knew right then and there he wanted to learn more and more tricks and try to be the best he could.

In addition to the Cranmer brothers, other participants in the show include professional BMX rider Van Homan and professional skaters Chris Cole, Billy Marks and Lincoln Ueda; with the other kid amateur athletes including BMX rider Ian Bradley, and skaters Mitchie Brusco, Tom Schaar and Micah Wu.

One of the more eye-catching moments of the first episode finds the pros in awe watching the amateur kids show off their skills for the very first time.

"That's crazy watching his skills, and he's only 11," Scotty said. "He's already doing back-flips and tail-whips, and I didn't start doing backs until I was 13, and I didn't start doing tails until I was 15—he's definitely got a jump on me."

After culling the country for the top young skaters and bikers for the show, 50 were targeted, with the final five kids being selected for not only their talents and abilities, but also for their intangible qualities, such as their character, solid parental support and their presence and articulation in front of the camera.

For executive producer Douglas Ross, it was one of the most rewarding projects he's been involved in. He said the show was designed to not only showcase the abilities of the kids and pros, but also to show the dedication it takes to be a winner—not just in sports, but also in life.

"This will be one of the most exciting opportunities these kids will get to experience," said Ross.

Ross, of Evolution Media, is no stranger to reality television, having produced 30 reality based TV shows, some of which include "The Real Housewives of Orange County," "Big Brother," "Fear Factor," MTV's "Yo Mama," and Disney Channel's "Bug Juice," "Totally Hoops" and "Totally In Tune."

"This may sound corny, but honestly as I watched them, it sent shivers down my spine," Ross said of both the aerial acrobatics and stunts, coupled with the character building life lessons learned by the participants throughout the series. "It was a lot of fun."

One of the most pivotal scenes which needed to be fully captured on camera in the first episode was the moment the kids caught their first glimpse of the pros, finding out that they will be working sideby side with their heroes as their personal tutors in the coming weeks.

"My heart was beating 100 miles per hour," Ross said of shooting the scene. "When the kids looked up and saw their idols standing there, and we were able to get it all, it gave me chills."

Prior to that moment, the kids were completely unaware they would be meeting any professionals, let alone those they idolize, Ross explained. While their parents knew what was going to happen, they intentionally left the kids in the dark so as to capture their wide-eyes and excitement for the cameras.

"When we walked up, we didn't really know what was happening," said Matty, "like we thought, 'what is there some kind of new ramp or something'--but then we figured out there's a whole bunch of pros for us who were going to be riding with us for the rest of the week. We were really excited to learn all sorts of new tricks and actually ride with our favorite pros."

While keeping his participation in the show a secret from his brother beforehand wasn't difficult for Scotty, he couldn't say the same for the rest of the family.

"Keeping it a secret wasn't too hard for me, I'm pretty good at it, but my dad? That's a problem," he joked. "But he saved himself, and Matty had no clue, so it worked out."

While he was super excited to see his brother, who Matty credits as being one of the biggest influences in his life, there was another BMX pro he was also amped to ride with.

"Van Homan," said Matty. "I've seen him before at some of the skate parks I've been to so I kind of knew him, and it was really cool seeing him, he's somebody I look up to, and all the other skater pros who I've seen on TV before, since they were there in person, I was really excited to see them."

Being treated like an international rock star in the eyes of the kids was quite an experience for Scotty.

"It was definitely pretty wild," said Scotty. "It was funny in fact because the kids walked up and went pretty berserk, just watching them all in shock ... it defi- nitely felt good."

Beaming with pride talking about his brother, Scotty said despite Matty's early success and abundant talents, he and his family never push each other into anything they don't want to do, believing it's more important for Matty to love what he does no matter where that path may lead.

"He's tried it all," said Scotty. "He skateboarded for a little bit, played soccer at one point and we don't care what he does as long as he's having fun,"

Each week, Disney's "Next X" will have accompanying webisodes with unseen footage and additional interviews, such as conversations with the kids' parents, on their Web site, www.DisneyXD.com.

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Eat to the Beat 2009 Concert Line-Up

Disney News - A platinum lineup of popular music acts, including several Grammy-winning bands, will unleash an eclectic mix of classic and current tunes during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 25-Nov. 8 at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Eat to the Beat! concert series will bring 17 acts – showcasing everything from rock to jazz, funk to pop – to the America Gardens Theatre stage during the 45-day festival. The lineup includes five performers playing the festival for the first time: Richard Marx, Better Than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean.

Concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, begin at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily. The lineup (subject to change) includes:

Sept. 25-27
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)”
Sept. 28-29 Richard Marx (”Hold On to the Nights”)
Sept. 30-Oct. 3 Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
Oct. 4-6 En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
Oct. 7-8 Better Than Ezra (”Good”)
Oct. 9-11 Sister Hazel (“All for You”)
Oct. 12-13 Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”)
Oct. 14-16 Spyro Gyra (“Morning Dance”)
Oct. 17-18 Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
Oct. 19-20 Sister Sledge (”We Are Family”)
Oct. 21-22 Vanessa Carlton (”A Thousand Miles”)
Oct. 23-25 Taylor Dayne (”Tell It to My Heart”)
Oct. 26-28 Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”)
Oct. 29-31 John Waite (”Missing You”)
Nov. 1-2 Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”)
Nov. 3-5 Billy Ocean (”Caribbean Queen”)
Nov. 6-8 Los Lobos (“La Bamba”)

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Hall of Presidents Passholder Previews Announced

Disney News - Be among the first to see the Hall of Presidents attraction before the official re-opening July 4th weekend! Open to all Passholders, this preview includes the Animatronics® figure of our 44th President, Barack Obama. And his predecessors will look more amazing than ever in a re-imagining of this inspiring, unforgettable attraction.

Preview Event Details

  • Date: June 28, 2009
  • Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Location: Magic Kingdom theme park.
  • Passholders do not need to sign up to attend the preview, but they do need to show a valid Pass and Photo ID at the Hall of Presidents attraction entrance.
  • Seasonal and Epcot After 4 Passholders will need valid admission to the Magic Kingdom theme park in order to attend.

Additional Information

  • The preview is subject to temporary closures. Thank you in advance for your patients

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Friday June 5, 2009

Disney Boosts Games Spending, Looks for Acquisitions
Walt Disney reorganizes engineering group in Seattle
Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Announces Grants for 67 Conservation Projects Worldwide
Eat to the Beat 2009 Concert Line-Up
Disney Accused of Polluting Groundwater
Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney Opens Today
 ESPN Tries Rebuilding The Pay Wall For Its Magazine
Disney's Cost Cutting Now Reduces Flexibility
Norton exhibit explores Disney's impact on popular culture
Disney Boosts Games Spending, Looks for Acquisitions

 Bloomberg - Walt Disney Co. is increasing spending on video-game development, part of a strategy to profit from the industry’s growth by publishing more titles based on its movies rather than hiring outsiders.

Disney, owner of the Pixar animation studio, has increased its game-production budget by more than 10 percent this year, game-unit chief Graham Hopper said yesterday in Los Angeles. The Burbank, California-based company is hiring developers and is “always actively looking” for acquisitions, he said.

“We’re investing in titles that have high potential to deliver returns given the current economic environment,” Hopper said in an interview at the Electronic Entertainment Expo show.

Disney and other Hollywood studios are investing in video- game software, tapping into an industry that now generates more sales than the U.S. box office. The company will make the game for 2010’s “Toy Story 3” after using outside publishers such as THQ Inc. for earlier games based on Pixar films.

Disney fell 19 cents to $24.95 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares have gained 10 percent this year.

Profit margins are bigger when companies produce, publish and release game internally, said Hopper, senior vice president and general manager of Disney’s interactive unit. About 90 percent of Disney’s games are now published internally.

THQ, based in Agoura Hills, California, made titles based on earlier Pixar movies, including “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo” and “Cars,” as well as this year’s “Up.”

Games Growth

U.S. video-game software sales increased 26 percent to $11 billion in 2008, according to Port Washington, New York-based researcher NPD Group Inc. That compares with U.S. and Canadian box office revenue of $9.63 billion, little changed from 2007, according to Sherman Oaks, California-based Box Office Mojo LLC.

Disney’s digital operation, which includes its Web site and video games, will lose 13 cents a share in fiscal 2009, Douglas Mitchelson, an analyst with Deutsche Bank Securities, said at an investor conference in March.

The company is putting more resources toward games for Nintendo Co.’s top-selling Wii console and DS handheld player. Games for those systems sell better than on Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 and Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3, Chief Executive Robert Iger said at the Deutsche Bank conference.

“Our investment was a little out of whack in terms of where we were putting our development,” Iger said then.

The recession also is presenting acquisition opportunities, Hopper said. The company is looking for takeover targets that demonstrate “cultural alignment” with Disney.

“We’re always actively looking,” Hopper said. He didn’t mention any specific target.

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Walt Disney reorganizes engineering group in Seattle

Bizjournals - The Disney Interactive Media Group has reorganized its engineering operations in Seattle, resulting in a small number of people losing their jobs.

Company spokeswoman Brandy Phillips said that the company has focused efforts on two primary engineering groups: platforms and media.

Disney has maintained a strong technical presence in Seattle since the days of Starwave, which operated early versions of websites such as ESPN.com, NBA.com and ABC.com. About 400 people remain in the Seattle offices.

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Disney Accused of Polluting Groundwater

Courthouse News Service - Disney contaminated groundwater with hexavalent chromium and other toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene, an environmental group claims in Superior Court.

Environmental World Watch and homeowner Dennis Jackson say Disney has used poisonous hexavalent chromium in its air conditioners since 1988. They say Disney has dumped air cooling water and the chemicals into curbside drains every day for the past 21 years. 

The plaintiffs say they discovered the problem when the City of Burbank proposed building a new sewer system on an 11-acre parcel - called the Polliwog parcel - next to Disney's Imagineering building.
 
Jackson says the chemicals contaminated his property.

The plaintiffs want damages and penalties. C. Brooks Cutter filed the lawsuit.

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Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney opens today

Disney Blog - Today the brand-new Downtown Disney restaurant, Paradiso 37  located at Pleasure Island next to the dearly missed Adventurers Club and across from 8trax will Open.

The name of this new location is based off the 37 countries that make up North, South and Central Americas. Also, after the 37 kinds of tequila offered at the Tequila Tower. Let me begin by saying what a great experience I had here. I felt very welcomed coming in the door. The atmosphere was booming with other delighted guests (cast members) enjoying their meal. This is an Operating Participant restaurant, but the level of service exceeded my expectation of any Disney owned/operated dining location. I was seated promptly upon arrival. My servers name was Alison. She was right there waiting for me offering me my choice of drink. Throughout the entire meal Alison was excellent, along with the other staff members I was greeted by. They were all excited and passionate about their jobs and the food they were serving. They were also very knowledgeable about the restaurant offerings and the cultural significance of each dish.

The menu was very extensive. It includes a page of white and red wines, 37 tequila options, and a page of margaritas and specialty drinks. Their signature drink is a Mango Margarita served in a souvenir mug. Also there is a great offering for the beer lover. A large thermometer is raised above the kitchen that tells you the exact temperature of the beer kept below. They advertise a 29 degree F World’s Coldest Draft Beer!

There were two pages of appropriately named “Sharables”, appetizers. Sharing is encouraged by the themed toothpick skewers located at the center of each table. The menu offered such diverse options for even the pickiest of eaters and those with sensitive stomachs. Subs, sandwiches, and salads can be found as well. The “Street Platters” had more of a south-of-the-border feel. This included tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. You can also find N.Y. Strip steak, BBQ pork, Chilean Salmon and an interesting Surf and Turf option as well. The “Street Sweets” looked amazing- a Sundae in half a coconut, churros, sopapillas, mini ice-cream cones and several fresh-fruit popsicles.

The entire Tykes Menu comes with apple sauce, celery sticks and carrots. Kids can enjoy several entrée options like PB&J, hot dog, mini cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and grilled fish. For a less healthier option you can add fries to a tykes meal for an additional $0.99. The children’s menu is also pretty educational with a word scramble of all the countries represented at Paradiso 37.

During my dining experience I enjoyed chips and fresh salsa, the “Sharable” Mexican quesadillas (beef, chicken, and pulled pork), and the Columbian Style whole Crispy Hen. Delicious! I could not have been happier with the portion size, price value, and taste. I also got to enjoy one of their fresh strawberry popsicles! What a treat!

Like any other dining location Paradiso 37 is happy to discuss special dietary needs and requests with their guests. The prices for this location are very comparable to any dining in or outside of Disney property. I was very impressed by that.

The back of Paradiso 37 faces the waterfront and boat dock. They provide nightly entertainment starting at 6pm. I was lucky enough to get to see Greg, an acoustic musician, that will be performing every Friday night. Greg was just as excited about the experience as I was! He was beyond talented - playing musical genres from 80’s to Country with a soulful sound. When guests dock they will be able to hear these performers as they arrive at Pleasure Island. And let me tell you, it is a warm welcome! I am very excited about EVERYTHING this restaurant has to offer and I look forward to dining there in the near future.

Paradiso 37 operating hours:
Sunday - Wednesday 11:30am - 11pm
Thursday - Saturday 11:30am - 12am

Reservations: 407-934-3700
 www.Paradiso37.net

This location opens to the public on Friday, June 5th, 2009 as a walk-up location only. I asked if they will be using the a la carte system for reservations, but my server did not know if/when. I am very excited about this location because it is one of a kind that came straight of the owner’s imagination. These people are very passionate about food and their product! I hope that this review will be helpful to you all as you assist guests in their dining decisions and for your own dining decisions as well!

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ESPN Tries Rebuilding The Pay Wall For Its Magazine

AllThingsD - Here’s another big media player trying — very cautiously — to get people to pay for online media: Disney’s ESPN (DIS) is going to put the Website for its “ESPN the Magazine” title behind a paywall this summer.

BusinessWeek’s Jon Fine, who broke the story, has most of the relevant details, but here’s an important one I didn’t see: ESPN reps tell me that the magazine accounts for less than 10%  of the content available on ESPN.com. So most of the stuff that people are used to getting for free at ESPN.com will remain free at ESPN.com.

That fits nicely with the free/pay thesis I’ve been chewing on for some time now — in the future, a relatively small number of people who are wealthy and/or passionate about something will pay to access some Web content, and the rest of us will be happy to settle for free stuff, which will need a very big audience to survive.

But I’m not sure how that will pan out with ESPN’s magazine, which seems to fall in the middle ground. I just picked up a copy last week — when I travel, I like to treat myself to a couple print magazines — and it’s nice read. But it doesn’t have the specialized stuff that allows, say, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to charge for its Green Bay Packers “Insider” site, or even the data-heavy stuff that ESPN’s Insider sells to fantasy sports nuts and/or gamblers. Or, for that matter, the fantasy sports stuff that ad-happy Yahoo (YHOO) still sells.

And if memory serves, this is actually a reversal back to an old strategy — several years ago, as I recall, only print subscribers had access to the magazine’s online pages. Be interesting to see if anyone’s more willing to pay for it now.

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Disney's Cost Cutting Now Reduces Flexibility

Gerson Lehrman Group - The WSJ article focuses on Disney’s release of “UP,” however reviews the greater implications of a strategy of reduced film releases.  The implications of this strategy tie performance more significantly to the results or each film giving Disney, perhaps, less flexibility.  This, however, has been building for years as Disney has tried to boost near-term profits.  Perhaps a result of the near-term profit orientation rather than a balanced strategy to build a sustainable, long-term profitable growth plan.

The WSJ article focuses on Disney’s release of “UP,” however reviews the greater implications of a strategy of reduced film releases.  The implications of this strategy tie performance more significantly to the results or each film giving Disney, perhaps, less flexibility.  This has been building for years, however, as Disney has tried to boost near-term profits.  Perhaps a result of the near-term profit orientation rather than a balanced strategy to build a sustainable, long-term profitable growth plan.  

By all accounts, the release of “UP” is critical for Disney.  As pointed out by the article, Disney is in need a “bona fide hit” to help stop the slide in declining operating income.  The challenge for Disney is that each film they release will be required to perform given the current state of their business.  
 

Their strategy of cost-cutting and boosting near-term operating profit has created this burden and limited their flexibility in producing films.  The fact that each film must perform will likely in itself impact decisions being made and create risk for the company.  Take for example the deal struck with Dreamworks.  It is a cautious deal - by only taking a distribution fee, they indeed limit the downside but also dramatically limit their upside if their film is a blockbuster.  And by virtue of these limitations, they are probably limiting their willingness to take creative risks as well.
 

By looking at the film company’s performance from 2005 to 2008, it is clear that they have cut costs to boost performance.  Operating profits grew approximately $880 million since fiscal year 2005 as a result of lower output, and they reduced segment costs by more than $1 billion.  But now, since most of the cost savings have been realized, results have to tie more closely to the performance of each film and each year will track more closely to each year’s schedule.  They have painted themselves into a corner.
 

This is a dangerous path and a near-term view that could seriously impact long-term company performance if not corrected.  If a film or two perform badly, they will be under pressure to cut costs to address the losses.  This will create a spiraling effect.  
 

Perhaps it is time for Disney to take its lumps and re-evaluate its business model.  Disney may need to take a hard look at how they create film.  They may have to take more risks.  Re-engineer and look at building out a longer, more sustainable view for the new world.  The events of the last 12 to 18 months have redefined a need for building strategies that drive sustainable business and create long-term value.  One thing seems pretty clear, the cautious path they are taking is perhaps not so cautious at all.

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Thursday June 4, 2009

Flying Dumbo to star in new Disneyland fireworks show
Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort Presidents Celebrate NBA Finals with Friendly Wager
Downtown Disney lands 2 O.C. exclusive stores
Beloved Disney Characters Get Ready for New Roles at Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children
 D23 Expo Details, Tickets, and Packages Now Available
Disney Interactive Studios Announces The Princess and the Frog Video Game Inspired by the Upcoming Walt Disney Pictures Animated Comedy Adventure Film "The Princess and the Frog"
Disney, Hearst, NBCU Explore Lifetime, A&E Combo
Disney train stops in Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Disney World: Top strategies for a great family trip!
Disney Brings Movie Purchases To Vudu
Flying Dumbo to star in new Disneyland fireworks show

Los Angeles Times - When Disneyland decided to introduce a flying Dumbo elephant into the new Magical fireworks show, master puppeteer Michael Curry knew the success of the venture would come down to just one thing.

"It's all about the ears," said Curry, a longtime Disney collaborator. "I wanted it to look like he was flying."

Rather than an audio-animatronic machine floating robotically above Sleeping Beauty Castle, Curry envisioned a dancer in space performing on a wire 65 feet above the ground.

"I knew I wanted to build it around a human," Curry said. Curry's puppets have appeared in the opening ceremonies of the 1996 and 2002 Olympics, the Super Bowl XXXIV halftime show, the Broadway production of "The Lion King," the Cirque du Soleil production of "Love" in Las Vegas, the "Aladdin" stage show at Disney's California Adventure and countless parades at Disney theme parks. At the beginning of the Dumbo brainstorming process, Curry set up a video projector aimed at a blank wall in his production facility outside Portland, Ore., in the shadow of Mt. St. Helens.

Curry "climbed inside" the projected Dumbo image and pretended to manipulate the ears with his arms. But how to move the head, trunk and legs at the same time? And then came Curry's a-ha moment.

Within two days, his crew had crafted an aluminum frame attached to a flying harness that allowed a puppeteer hidden inside the elephant to create sympathetic motions — linking, say, a head tilt to a body twist with a simple hand movement.

Careful to minimize the overall weight of the Dumbo puppet, Curry's crew crafted a lightweight frame with the puppeteer's upper body positioned inside the elephant's carbon-fiber head and the performer's lower extremities inside the pachyderm's inflatable body. With an economy of motion, the puppeteer manipulates both ears with one hand and the head and trunk with the other hand. The puppeteer's legs operate Dumbo's front legs while the elephant's rear legs remain motionless.

During the prototype phase, Curry's crew simulated 15- to 18-mph winds that caused the elephant's ears — each the size of a sheet of plywood — to turn into wind sails. Test puppeteers practiced for countless hours to master the art of flight.

The final challenge: making the relatively small blue-gray elephant pop out against the night sky under the glow of a spotlight. The solution: a green body and pink head that look hideous in the daylight but very much like the original Disney animation during the fireworks show.

"I was almost in tears at how good it looks," Curry said. The all-new Magical fireworks show, part of Disneyland's Summer Nightastic promotion beginning June 12, makes it's unofficial debut tonight (June 3).

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Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort Presidents Celebrate NBA Finals with Friendly Wager

Disney News - Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton and Disneyland President Ed Grier are squaring off - all in fun - as their local teams, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, head for the NBA Finals.

With both Disney parks asking guests "What Will You Celebrate?" in 2009, Grier and Crofton are getting in the act, making a celebratory wager on the outcome of the NBA Finals:

If the Magic win, Grier will walk down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park wearing a pair of specially made Mickey Mouse ears in Magic blue and silver. If the Lakers win, Crofton will don a pair of Lakers' purple and gold mouse ears and walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.

"The Lakers are going to make your team very Grumpy this week," predicted Grier to Crofton.

"But we have 'Magic' on our side," countered Crofton. "And isn't that what Disney is all about?"

Crofton and Grier went through their respective parks Wednesday looking for supporters. Grier shot some hoops with Donald and Pluto in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, while Crofton (along with Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale) drummed up Orlando Magic support in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort.

The park presidents even pledged to turn the lights of their respective castles to their team colors in celebration of the historic pairing.

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Downtown Disney lands 2 O.C. exclusive stores

OCRegister - Kitson Kids and a permanent location for LittleMissMatched will open at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, according to info provided by the shopping center’s spokeswoman Suzi Brown.

Kitson Kids is slated to open a 1,600-square-foot store in July. It will be the first location in Orange County and the first Kitson Kids outside Los Angeles. Kitson Kids will be located in the former Starbilla’s location near the entrance to Downtown Disney, adjacent to the AMC.

Kitson first opened its doors in 2000 in Los Angeles and shortly after launched Kitson Kids, which has been visited by celebrities and their children. The shop sells designer duds, shoes, toys and books for tots to tweens.

Kitson also opened a temporary store last year at The Bluffs in Newport Beach. 

LittleMissMatched plans to open its first-ever permanent retail location at Downtown Disney late this summer. A temporary LittleMissMatched store opened May 18, next to where the 1,000-square-foot permanent shop will be located. The upcoming LittleMissMatched store will replace a portion of the former Department 56 store.

The LittleMissMatched brand’s signature non-matching socks are sold in sets of three single socks. LittleMissMatched has since expanded its product offerings to include books, bedding, PJs, pencil pouches, flip flops and furniture.

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Beloved Disney Characters Get Ready for New Roles at Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children

Disney News - Walt Disney Imagineers are putting the finishing touches on a collection of beloved Disney characters that will lend their magic to the three-story lobby of the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children.

Known for the support and protection they provided their dearest friends, characters including Timon and Pumba from “The Lion King,” Baloo from “The Jungle Book” and Sebastian and Flounder from “The Little Mermaid will have leading roles in the hospital’s interactive lobby. 

“It is so rewarding to see the progress and development of this project, as we witness some of the stages of construction and see the elaborate characters that will soon grace the lobby,” said Marla Silliman, administrator of Florida Hospital for Children. “Both Florida Hospital and Disney share a dream of creating a special place for children, and today we are one step closer to making that dream a reality.”

Each character appears in its original, vibrant colors, as if stepping out of a classic Disney film. Designed by Imagineers, the life-size figures have a unique history of their own, with many of them first adorning Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom in 2005 during Disney’s Happiest Celebration on Earth, celebrating 50 years of Disney theme parks. Soon they will make their new home a place that has been caring for children for 100 years, offering them a warm and welcoming setting that will comfort even the smallest of patients.
 
“We wanted to create an immersive environment that reflects the kind of care and attention that will be given to children and families during their hospital visit,” said Imagineer Joni Van Buren, who helped sculpt several of the featured pieces. “We hope that these “faithful friends” will provide a sense of comfort to those who need it most.”

Construction and renovations are underway at Florida Hospital Orlando to accommodate the new “residents” and provide an immersive environment for pediatric patients and their families. The exterior shell of the facility is near completion and Walt Disney Imagineers are currently working on the interior to create the themed environments that will make the lobby come alive.

When the lobby is complete, children of all ages will be able to draw individual markings on a cave wall, generate jungle sounds on musical step pads, fish for virtual salmon or play in a magical world of popping bubbles and dancing sea horses. Each night as the sun sets, the lobby will transform into a celestial display, featuring constellations on the ceiling and a musical score created by the young patients. This captivating experience will allow children to use their imaginations to get lost in a world of magic and fantasy, ultimately evoking a healing environment and enhancing the patient experience.

The new dedicated lobby for the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children is expected to open in early 2010. Construction and renovations will continue throughout the year, and by 2011, new units will open, with concepts, colors, sounds and themes inspired from the lobby applied throughout the entire children’s hospital.

“While everyone comes in through the lobby, we also want the same calming and reassuring atmosphere reflected throughout every unit in the hospital,” said Tim Burrill, assistant administrator of Florida Hospital for Children. “When kids and families come to our hospital, they will experience something different, and with the help of Disney, we are able to create an environment that will hopefully help improve the healing process for all pediatric patients.”

This project is part of a $10 million contribution that Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Worldwide Outreach made to Florida Hospital in September 2007. 

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D23 Expo Details, Tickets, and Packages Now Available

Disney News - Disney fans will be given unprecedented access to never-before-seen movies, TV shows, park experiences, collectibles and more from Sept. 10 to Sept. 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center when Disney and D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans present the first-ever D23 EXPO.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com.  Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full four days of festivities. Admission is discounted for members of D23.

“We hope this will be the ultimate event for the multitude of fans who have been so instrumental in Disney’s success,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. “The D23 Expo represents the finest in Disney entertainment from across our great company and will offer a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience for people of all ages to enjoy.”

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle added, “The upcoming D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center will serve as an exciting opportunity to present Anaheim to the millions of Disney enthusiasts around the world. For the thousands of inaugural-year D23 Expo attendees who will visit our city in September, this will be a special and a memorable time in the birthplace of Walt Disney’s original theme park.  It is a great honor for Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center to host this event.”

Among the centerpiece events of the D23 EXPO will be an extraordinary, exclusive opportunity to get early glimpses of several all-new Disney feature films.  Only at the D23 EXPO will guests preview a wide range of upcoming movie events, including The Princess and the Frog, Rapunzel, Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, TRON, Toy Story 3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  Walt Disney Pictures will present these special sneak peeks in a state-of-the-art cinema built especially for the D23 EXPO.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will take D23 EXPO guests behind the scenes to explore the rich legacy and exciting future of Disney’s theme parks and vacation destinations worldwide.  Highlights will include a special look at what’s being imagineered for the future of Disney’s California Adventure, a peek behind closed doors at the amazing new technologies defining today’s and tomorrow’s Disney theme park experience, and the opportunity to meet and hear from the Imagineers, Cast Members and key Disney Parks and Resorts executives who create lasting memories for millions every year.

In many different ways, the D23 EXPO will explore the history and heritage of Walt Disney and the company he founded more than 80 years ago.  The D23 EXPO will be home to the 2009 Disney Legends Awards – a 22-year tradition that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to Disney entertainment.  This year’s recipients will be honored at a ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 12, marking the first time the prestigious event has been held off Disney property.

In an extraordinary exhibition designed especially for the D23 EXPO, an incredible collection of classic and contemporary Disney props, artifacts and costumes will be accessible to the public for the first time ever. “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” brings together such amazing pieces as the fully restored, 11-foot model of the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; the stunning, jewel-encrusted book used in the opening moments of Sleeping Beauty; and other rare surprises from throughout Disney’s history. Ranging from the original Mickey Mouse Club and the musical classic Mary Poppins to recent hits like Pirates of the Caribbean and High School Musical, the “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” is a never-before-experienced exhibition that’s a D23 EXPO exclusive.

The D23 EXPO spotlight will also shine on Disney Channel’s brightest stars in a can’t miss-special event.  There will also be an ESPN Sports Lounge, live broadcasts from Radio Disney, and a preview of ABC’s new fall primetime shows, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks at www.D23Expo.com.

For Disney fans who want to take home part of the magic, Disney Consumer Products will offer myriad opportunities to do just that.  Only at the D23 EXPO will guests be able to walk through the eight-room “Disney Dream Home,” celebrate the holidays Disney-style, see fine art created before their eyes, learn about Disney Fairy Tale Weddings, experience Disney couture fashion shows, meet and hear from the authors of a dazzling array of Disney books, prepare for trick-or-treating with the latest Disney Store Halloween costumes, and more … all under one roof.

The D23 EXPO also will be home to the “Disney Dream Store,” where guests will find exclusive D23 EXPO merchandise and collectibles; the Disney pin-trading headquarters; and much more, including the chance to build your own Mouse ears.

Showcasing Disney’s appeal to fans of every generation, the D23 EXPO has created a multi-layered experience: Avid Disney enthusiasts can attend dozens of specially created panels and celebrity-speaker events, details of which will be announced over the next several weeks.  Younger Disney fans, meanwhile, will be able to experience special interactive play areas, meet their favorite Radio Disney DJs broadcasting live, watch “Princess makeover” demos from the Bibbidi-Bobbidi Boutique, and have fun in the Baby Einstein play area. Together, families can enjoy the Disney Crafts Center and learn about scrapbooking, Disney-style.

The D23 Collectors’ Forum will present a wide range of options for collectors to show and sell their Disney memorabilia, and those interested in exhibiting can visit www.D23Expo.com for more information.

Fans also will be able to view and even take part in the first-ever Disney Fan Art Gallery, which will include the finalists in the Donald Duck 75th Anniversary Portrait Contest, as well as a one-of-a-kind fan art show.  Full details and contest rules can be found at www.D23Expo.com or www.disney.com/D23.

All activities at the D23 EXPO are included in single- and four-day admissions, including the “50 and Fabulous Film Festival,” which honors three classic Disney movies that are celebrating their golden anniversaries this year.  Sleeping Beauty, The Shaggy Dog and Darby O’Gill and the Little People, all originally released in 1959, will be presented on the big screen, one movie each evening, for Disney fans of all ages to enjoy together.  Also featured at the D23 EXPO will be a special screening of Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming Tinker Bell: Lost Treasure, along with an in-depth exploration of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition, which will be released this fall by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO, which go on sale today, are $37 for a one-day adult admission and $27 for children 3-12.  To experience every bit of entertainment and excitement at the D23 EXPO, four-day passes are also available at $111 for adults and $81 for children. Members of D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans will receive a discount on up to four same-day admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

Special vacation packages are available at the D23 EXPO website, from both the Walt Disney Travel Company (including Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations, D23 EXPO tickets and theme park admission), and the Anaheim Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, which is offering a limited number of area hotel rooms at special rates to those attending the D23 EXPO.

Many more details about the entertainment, events and special guests that will be part of the first-ever D23 EXPO will be announced in the coming weeks.  Fans can keep up with all of the announcements by visiting www.D23EXPO.com, as well as by following “Disney D23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

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Disney Interactive Studios Announces The Princess and the Frog Video Game Inspired by the Upcoming Walt Disney Pictures Animated Comedy Adventure Film "The Princess and the Frog"

BusinessWire - Disney Interactive Studios today announced The Princess and the Frog video game, a new game title inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated comedy adventure film, “The Princess and the Frog.” Scheduled for release this fall exclusively for Wii and Nintendo DS™, The Princess and the Frog video game features favorite moments from the film and new challenges for Tiana, the story’s main character.

Unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, The Princess and the Frog video game takes players on an exciting journey through New Orleans with characters from the film, including Tiana, Prince Naveen, Dr. Facilier, Ray, Mama Odie, and many others. Reminiscent of classics like “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” the feature film marks the return to the magic of the Disney musical. The video game brings the magic to life on Wii™ and DS.

“The Princess and the Frog video game is a fun, delightful adventure containing characters and themes that will resonate with people everywhere,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The Princess and the Frog exposes families to a rich, cultural world of music, cooking and customization set in the enchanting locations of New Orleans and The Bayou.”

The Princess and the Frog for Wii includes more than 25 mini-games designed for 1-4 players so that the whole family can join the fun and interact with all the main characters of the movie as they help Tiana pursue her dreams. Players can make The Princess and the Frog their own with customization activities that include performing and dancing to music, cooking New Orleans style and dressing up Tiana in multiple outfits.

On Nintendo DS, players master the art of platforming as Tiana and Ray — jumping, swinging and soaring their way past obstacles to advance through multiple levels and solve exciting environmental puzzles. Gameplay includes collecting ingredients and recipes, cooking dishes, and performing music with 1-4 players. Players can also collect real recipes and save music in the game’s jukebox.

The Princess and the Frog video game for Nintendo DS also includes DGamer - the online community exclusively for Disney gamers. Players can customize unique 3-D avatar, create a persistent profile, chat with friends, share themed accessories, earn in-game honors and unlock exclusive Disney content.

The Princess and the Frog is the only video game inspired by the studio’s tentpole release where players can experience Tiana’s exciting world in an aspirational way together with family and friends. Both games can be played in English, Spanish and French. Amaze and Griptonite Games developed The Princess and the Frog video game.

For updates on the game, please visit www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

“The Princess and the Frog” marks the return to traditional 2D hand-drawn animation by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The highly-anticipated animated comedy adventure opens in theatres nationwide on December 11, 2009. The film will have a limited release on November 25, 2009, in New York City and Los Angeles.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About the Movie

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman.

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Disney, Hearst, NBCU Explore Lifetime, A&E Combo

paidContent - An interesting remake of a TV programming deal may be in the works. Citing multiple sources, B&C is reporting that Hearst, NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) and Disney (NYSE: DIS) are considering merging their A&E Television Networks joint venture with Lifetime, which is owned equally by Hearst and Disney through a different joint venture.  In the version of the deal being reported, NBCU, which owns 25 percent of AETN, would gain a percentage of Lifetime—the same network it went to court with over the switch of hit reality show Project Runway from Bravo.

B&C says the stopping point so far has been valuing assets in a down market. AETN includes A&E, History Channel, Bio, Military History, Crime & Investigation and History en Espanol.

Hearst and Disney also co-own ESPN, but I’d put the chances of Disney agreeing to a deal with NBCU that would include the sports powerhouse somewhere between “cold day in hell” and “slim and none.” Granted, I’ve been surprised before. Yes, Disney is in the final stages of joining NBCU and News Corp (NYSE: NWS). as the broadcast anchors of Hulu—the actual deal close is still a month or so away—but ESPN was kept out of that and I’m not sure what Disney and Hearst would gain by sharing it with a rival broadcast network.

Women@NBCU: As luck would have it, when this story came out I was talking with someone immersed in women’s media (not in TV) who told me she doesn’t think Women@NBCU, the cross-platform ad platform set up to target women, is big enough. Adding Lifetime to Bravo, Oxygen, iVillage and the other NBCU properties in the mix would expand its reach, although I’m not sure if it would do a lot to grow younger demographics.

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Disney World: Top strategies for a great family trip!

Atlanta Journal Constitution - Our family took a quickie trip to Disney World during the Memorial Day Weekend. We figured a lot of schools wouldn’t be out yet, and we hoped to avoid some of the long lines. Plus it wasn’t as hot as later in the summer. (I think our theories worked out pretty well. The longest line we waited in was 45 minutes and the heat wasn’t bad.)

We agreed to listen to a song and dance from a large Vacation Club (essentially a time share) in Orlando and as our reward we got to stay at a very nice hotel inside the Disney park for only $99 for three nights! It was worth listening to their sales pitch for such a great deal, and I will share on a later post how they try to sell you the time share so you can be prepared.

We also got a great deal on our tickets into the park through Michael’s father! Michael’s father retired from the U.S. Army after 29 years of service. Disney World is currently offering active duty soldiers and retired soldiers a free 5-day pass for themselves and the ability to purchase five more 5-day passes for $99 each.

1. What’s your ride strategy inside Disney? Where do you head first inside the Magic Kingdom?

We fully believe in using the Magic Hours (extra time in the park for those staying on the property). We flipped days and went to the Hollywood Studios first purely because it had an early Magic Hour and the Magic Kingdom had late ones the next day. Our plan worked out well because we got a late start the second day due to the time share talk.

Michael says not to watch any shows during your Magic Hours. He thinks shows waste valuable riding time where you can just jump on and off of rides. I disagree a little bit in regards to the Hollywood Studios because many of their attractions are shows.

In the Disney Studios we rode the Star Tours first thing during the Magic Hours, but then Michael wanted to cross the park to go to another ride. I’m a big believer in working a geographic area. Would you cross the park or just ride in one area at a time?

We are also big believers in the strategic use of the FastPass but see the next question for more on that topic.

We couldn’t decide if we should head to Fantasyland early and try to get a jump on the crowd, or wait until all the babies went home after dinner to do that area.  We decided Lilina had been so patient during all the Hollywood Studio rides that we went straight to Fantasyland and quickly did a FastPass for Peter Pan while riding other stuff.

A Disney PR person told me for the story I did a few years back to always head LEFT when you enter the park. She said studies showed people always head right when they first enter.

2.  How and when do you use your FastPass?

We used the FastPass for anything over 30 to 45 minutes. We used it on Peter Pan and Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom, although we probably should have used it for the Jungle Cruise. We used it for the new Toy Story ride in the Hollywood Studios.

The PR person for my earlier Disney story offered this strategy: Head to Fantasyland first thing in the morning. Get a FastPass for Peter Pan’s Flight or the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. (She also likes to FastPass Mickey’s PhilharMagic show, but I’ve never experienced a long line there.) Then get in line for Dumbo. Next, ride Cinderella’s Carousel (which typically does not have a long line), and then your FastPass time should be up. If it’s not up, she says hit It’s a Small World.

3.  Do wait in line for character autographs and photos?

We think this depends on the character. We did wait in a short line to see Mickey Mouse but refused to wait to get photos with Star Wars characters.

You can also be strategic by seeing the characters in less busy places. For example, please don’t stop at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom to see characters - very long lines! We found a very secret character area in the Disney Hollywood Studios. When you take the animation tour it ends in a character meet and greet area. (You don’t even have to take the animation tour, you can walk in backwards through a gift shop near the Disney Playhouse stuff.) We saw Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Mr. Incredible, the whole cast of Up!, Pinocchio and the evil queen from Snow White. We waited no more than five minutes for any of them.

If you have the dough, the character meals are fun and an easy way to see a bunch of characters at once. But they’re not fooling around about booking those 90 days in advance. They were all booked when we called - even the crappy ones.

4. Do you watch the parade or ride really fast while the other people watch?

I am a huge believer in riding while the other “suckers” are watching the parade. We always did this when were little. It was a game to see how many rides we could get on while the parade or fireworks were happening.  We’ve got three days left on our passes maybe we’ll stop to watch it one of those day.

5. Do you bring in your own stroller or rent theirs?

Since we were not park hopping, we used our own. If you plan to switch parks during the day, it’s better to rent from them because you just leave it at the door of the one park and pick it up and the next door. You don’t have to collapse it down for the bus or monorail. But I did worry all day about someone stealing my good stroller.

6. How late do you stay with kids?

Since it rained two hours during the day and since the baby had taken a very long nap (2 to 3 hours) in the park, we stayed until 11:45 p.m.. We rode a bunch of rides after  9 p.m. By the end the baby was done but she was pretty happy throughout the rides.

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Disney Brings Movie Purchases To Vudu

Twice - Online HD and SD video-distribution service Vudu said Thursday that Disney has released 60 library films for purchase and additional titles will be made available through the service on the same day the Blu-ray/DVD titles are released. Vudu said the move marks “the first major studio to broadly license their HD catalog for purchase to any online service.” Previously the films were only available for rental, with limited purchases available on a one-off basis. Disney is licensing 60 of the library films and all new HD releases for purchase day and date with the DVD/Blu-ray release of the film.  “Disney is offering this through Vudu in large part because of the quality of HD that Vudu offers, showing that Disney is a leader among the major studios who are making steady progress toward embracing the digital lifestyle of today’s consumers,” Vudu said in a statement. Vudu makes movies available for download on hard-drive-equipped set-top boxes, starting at $150.

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Wednesday June 3, 2009

Disney World ban on Segways faces another challenge
Disney announces four-day fan expo set for fall
UCF's Ron Logan: A Disney Legend
Disney's Food and Wine Festival ends this weekend!
Monorail rescue aid
'Hannah Montana' gets a spin from Radio Disney DJ Ernest Martinez
Disney greeter keeps culture at Polynesian
Disney's First Black Princess Draws Criticism
Disney World ban on Segways faces another challenge

Orlando Sentinel - Walt Disney World's ban on Segways is facing a new challenge.

Inside a downtown Orlando courtroom this morning, disability-rights advocates are trying to persuade a federal judge to reject a proposed settlement between Disney and three disabled people who filed a class-action lawsuit suit seeking to force Disney to allow the two-wheeled scooters inside its parks.

The lawsuit, filed by a man and a woman from Illinois and a woman from Iowa, was initially dismissed in early 2008 but resurrected after the lawyers for the three disabled people reworked their complaint.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, Disney, which says allowing guests to ride Segways in its parks would create a safety hazard for other guests, would continue to bar Segways at both Disney World and Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and be released from future legal claims over the ban. Disney would instead develop its own four-wheeled, upright scooters for disabled guests to use in its parks and would deploy 15 of the vehicles between Disney World and Disneyland. The devices -- which Disney is displaying during today's court hearing on the settlement -- look much like the typical sit-down scooters common at Disney World, but with a standing backrest rather than a seat.

Disney also agreed to pay attorneys fees for the plaintiffs estimated to be somewhere between $70,000 and $185,000, and pay the three people who filed the lawsuit $4,000 each, which, according to the terms of the settlement, "may be applied by them toward a one-week stay for a family of four" at Disney World.

But lawyers for an organization known as Disability Rights Advocates For Technology, or DRAFT, are objecting to the settlement. They argue, among other things, that it would violate the Americans With Disabilities Act and that it would unfairly allow Disney to charge guests to rent the upright scooters.

The U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 23 state attorneys general -- including Florida Attorney General and 2010 Republican candidate for governor Bill McCollum -- have also objected to the terms of the settlement.

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Disney announces four-day fan expo set for fall

AP - Fans can get an early look at "TRON," "Toy Story 3" and Tim Burton's take on "Alice in Wonderland" this fall at Disney's first fan expo.

The four-day "D23 Expo" will be held Sept. 10-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.

The event will feature sneak peeks of new Disney films, celebrity appearances, props from past Disney shows, an eight-room "Disney Dream Home" and various products.

Tickets go on sale Monday at http://www.d23expo.com.

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UCF's Ron Logan: A Disney Legend

UCF Today - Inducted as a Disney Legend in 2007, the same year as Michael Eisner, Roone Arledge and others, UCF Professor Ron Logan's 23-year Disney career did, indeed, lead the concept of Disney and live entertainment from humble origins into the 21st Century.

From a starting point of simple marching bands and costumed characters, Logan developed the expectation of the Disney guest to spectacles, fireworks, music spectaculars, and Broadway-style stage musicals, all within the gates of Disney.

In his largest role for Disney, Ron was executive vice president, executive producer, for Walt Disney Entertainment (now Walt Disney Creative Entertainment). He was responsible for creating, casting, and producing all live entertainment products for The Walt Disney Company, including the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Resort Paris, The Disney Institute, Disney Business Productions, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Entertainment Productions, and Walt Disney Entertainment Worldwide. He was also executive vice president of the Walt Disney Special Events Group, and executive vice president of Disney Special Programs, Incorporated. He produced dozens of shows for the parks, including Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage!, Fantasmic!, Festival of the Lion King at Disney's Animal Kingdom, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and even produced the Tapestry of Nations Super Bowl XXXIV Halftime Show.

Ron was a founding member of the International Foundation for Jazz, a corporate advisory council established in support of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). He is a board member of the Orlando Repertory Theatre (UCF), serves on the Board of Directors (USA) for the Famous People Players (Canada), the International Theatre in Long Beach, California, DreamVision Entertainment (Orlando) and Animated Family Films (South Africa).

Ron continues to pursue volunteer activities in music and theatre and teaches at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

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Monorail rescue aid

Orlando Sentinel - Disney World's government has a new toy.

Reedy Creek Improvement District recently bought a vehicle designed specifically to evacuate tourists from the resort's monorail in emergencies.

The vehicle features a scissor lift, similar to the vehicles that load airplanes but with off-road capability. Its platform extends to a height of 22 feet — tall enough to reach the monorail's highest point — and is capable of unloading 45 people at a time.

The price tag: $250,000.

"It's a neat little vehicle," Reedy Creek District Administrator Ray Maxwell said. But he added, "Hopefully, you'll never have to use it."

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'Hannah Montana' gets a spin from Radio Disney DJ Ernest Martinez

New York Daily News - Millions of kids are used to hearing Ernest Martinez's voice every afternoon on Radio Disney, but soon, they'll also be able to see his face.

Martinez, best known as Radio Disney deejay Ernie D, will turn up on an episode of the Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," playing a radio host.

"I heard they were casting for the part of a deejay and I though, 'Hmmm, I can do that.' I just sent in an audition tape."

The episode, set to air June 14 at 7:30 p.m., has Oliver (Mitchel Musso), a pal of Hannah's (Miley Cyrus), landing an internship with radio deejay Gary Green (Martinez). When Green takes a sudden leave, Oliver steps in.

For Martinez, it was the first time in front of the cameras, and it took some time to get adapted to the new surroundings.

"When you're in the booth on the radio, nobody's actually looking at you," said Martinez, who is also Radio Disney's creative director. "When you play a deejay on camera, there's millions of people watching. It took a little getting used to. You're playing toward the camera, versus playing toward the microphone. On television, you get your thoughts and emotions on in your body language. On the microphone, you concentrate on your voice."

That voice is heard weekdays from 4-8 p.m.

Most of what Martinez does on "Hannah" was scripted, though there were portions for improvisation, he said.

"When I got into the room, director Rich Correll said, 'We want you to do what you do every day. We don't want you to go for laughs. We don't want you to do anything you normally don't do," Martinez said.

Martinez will gather his family and friends to watch the show when it airs.

"We'll sit and watch," he said. "I'll probably critique myself, and then go sit and hide somewhere. When you have kids, they're completely honest. I don't know how honest I want them to be with me."

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Disney greeter keeps culture at Polynesian

Orlando Sentinel - Kau'I Brandt first said "Aloha" at Disney's Polynesian Resort in 1971, when Walt Disney World first opened to guests. It was supposed to be a three-month luau gig for the Hawaii native.

"Cultural ambassador" is the current job title for 76-year-old Auntie Kau'I, as she is called — that's even on her Disney name tag. She gives hula lessons, creates fresh-flower leis and grass skirts, greets families checking in and entertains the children. "If the kids are happy, the parents are happy," she says.

She works five days at the Poly, but also comes in a sixth day for hula lessons.

I'm guessing you learned to hula when you were young.

I think I started when I was 6, and I used to walk 2 miles to go to take the hula lessons, like they do here in ballet. But then I went to Kamehameha School for Hawaiian children. At the time I went, back in 1950, they frowned upon dancing. ... So we're going to a Hawaiian school, but we can't dance the hula? What's wrong with this picture? But now, here we are in 2009, everybody dances, and they're proud of the culture. Now when I go home, I hear all these little kids — Japanese, Portuguese, Tahitian — speaking Hawaiian.

What took you to Disneyland?

Disney tried to hire my boss [in Hawaii]. They came over three years in a row asking him to come to California. And he said "Oh, next year." And then "Next year." Finally, they said "This is the last year we're going to ask you. Do you want to come? We'd love to have you." And he says, "You go."

And then to Disney World?

We did the summer at Disneyland, and then they called from Florida and said "Can you come for three months at Disney World?" Oh sure, we can do that. By that time I was pregnant, but they didn't know because I was wearing a muumuu, and it hid everything. So my daughter is one of the first babies born here. She's now 37. We came here, and we loved it.

So you're part of the Polynesian tradition?

I used to be at the luau, back in '71. Now those children that came with their parents are older and they're bringing their children. It's kind of nice. They kind of remember you. You can't remember all of them. They don't have name tags. ... The kids are all grown up — of course, I'm shrinking because I'm older."

What's the secret to a good hula?

No secret. You've just got to love it.

What's the first thing you tell a kid to do in the hula?

Bend. And stay there. Don't come up; they want to come up. Then, relax, smile, enjoy it.

Are kids better at it?

It depends on the ages. I like to start them young, like at 3. It's amazing, the children have a very short attention span. They dance for a little while and then go sit. But they learn by watching. Kids are really good about that. I ask the mom — any adult — to learn how so they can work with their children. It makes it much, much better. And if you don't do hula, you play the ukelele — one or the other.

What is the purpose of teaching the hula here?

Learning the hula helps you. We bring our children here. Fortunately they let us teach here at the hotel. It's open to the guests and everybody, and it's free, and we have a great time with it. But technically it's to teach children the culture. ... We like to teach the hula because it's part of our heritage. So we do that at 3:45 every day. ... We do "Pearly Shells," so it's nice and easy.

Do you go back to Hawaii very often?

I go every year. We have a competition there for Hawaiian dancing. This is its 27th year. It's in Hilo, on the big island. It's really a good competition. But I used to watch it on television — someone would tape it for me, and I would watch it.

It got to the point where I was smelling the flowers on television. I said, "That's it. That's a sign, I have to go home."

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Disney's First Black Princess Draws Criticism

Digital City - Disney has finally come up with the first Black animated princess -- Tiana, who will debut in the film The Princess and the Frog this December -- and the uproar online (read the comments on linked blogs/sites below) and off about their latest effort at multiculturalism has already begun.

I'm exhausted just reading about it; most of the critics, according to a thorough piece in today's New York Times, are basing their criticism on a few glimpses of advance merchandise shown at The American International Toy Show this past February, and a one-minute trailer, reportedly aired on the Disney Channel in early May.

They complain the prince is not Black enough, one of the characters, a firefly who is Cajun, sounds like an uneducated Southerner, and that the story being set in Hurricane Katrina-devastated New Orleans (albeit in the 1920s) is disrespectful to the Black community there who suffered so much.

Come on, people. This seems ridiculous. I wonder if there's any way Disney could get it right? Not even having consultants like Oprah on the film (she also plays Eudera, Princess Tiana's mother) is enough, and I suspect nothing would be able to silence the complainers ... and there will always be some. If the prince looked "Black," surely his features would be too white, or too African. His accent would be too high class, or too low class, or too "ethnic."

Let it be said that Disney has in the past made some serious racist missteps (including Dumbo's pimp-hat-wearing crows and The Jungle Book's monkeys, who talked in "jive" and were the only characters without Brit accents), which should be acknowledged both for their existence and for the company's current efforts to make good on mistakes.

Having said all that, I need to see the entire film to decide whether to agree with the naysayers or others eager for a positive new African-American role model for their daughters.

My mother, who was Black, found fault in pretty much every Disney film, seeing all characters as stereotypes of someone or something, be they racist, sexist, ageist, 'fattist', whatever. Were she alive today, surely we would be having a great debate about this latest Disney effort. I wish it could be so.

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Tuesday June 2, 2009

Winnie the Pooh movie on tap at Disney
 'U Rock 2' on Disney.com Invites Fans to Channel Their Inner Music Video Rock Star
Disneyland Resort Unveils Incredible Value for Southern California Residents: 3-day Summer Fun Pass for $99
New Polar Patios and Beachcomber Shacks - premium spaces at Disney Water Parks
 Disney Interactive Studios Announces Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS
Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season
Army Wives: The Complete Second Season
Fourth 'High School Musical' Entry Set For Disney Channel
 A Disney World way to kick off Gay Days
Winnie the Pooh movie on tap at Disney

Entertainment Weekly - Disney is planning a new hand-drawn animated Winnie the Pooh feature film to hit theaters in spring 2011. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project is one of many that will be announced Tuesday at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas. Disney is also said to be plotting a theatrical re-release of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3-D this October as a tease for next summer's Toy Story 3, as well as the Oct. 6 Blu-ray release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

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'U Rock 2' on Disney.com Invites Fans to Channel Their Inner Music Video Rock Star

Business Wire - Disney.com announced today the launch of U Rock 2, a unique promotion that gives fans the opportunity to create their own music videos set to songs from popular Disney artists and post their original videos on the U Rock site (www.Disney.com/URock). The most popular U Rock video finalists, voted on by fans, will win the ultimate rock star experience including a trip to Los Angeles, an in-studio “take over” at Radio Disney, a visit to the set of a Disney Channel show, and more.
This is the second annual U Rock event on Disney.com. In 2008 thousands of fan videos were uploaded and millions of fans rated and commented on their favorite videos. New this year, fans will be able to watch and vote for their favorite videos via mobile phone by texting UROCK to DISNEY (347639).*

Song selections that can be downloaded from the U Rock 2 site include:

  • “One And The Same” by Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez from the Disney Channel Playlist CD, with exclusive music video available on the Princess Protection Program DVD
  • “Paranoid“ by Jonas Brothers from their upcoming album “Lines, Vines and Trying Times”
  • “Hey” by Mitchel Musso from his self-titled album “Mitchel Musso”
  • “Ready to Rock” by Steve Rushton featured in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures’ film“G-Force”

Fans can upload videos on Disney.com now through July 12, 2009. Finalists in each of the U Rock 2 categories will be announced on July 17, 2009 and fans can then vote for their top video picks through July 31, 2009. Voting categories include “Rock of Fame” which will be awarded to the best overall video for each song, “Tricked Out” recognizing the video with the best graphics, editing and special effects, ”Sweet Groove All Star” recognizing the fan with the best dance moves, “Mega Pipes” which honors best singing and “Aww…some!” which highlights the cutest rockers.

“U Rock was a huge success for us last year so we’re bringing it back bigger and better this year, with an all new selection of top songs from Disney artists,” said Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online. “Once again, we’re inviting fans to become a part of the entertainment we offer on Disney.com.”

U Rock 2 on Disney.com is presented in partnership with Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Radio Disney, Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

*Standard carrier fees apply. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

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Disneyland Resort Unveils Incredible Value for Southern California Residents: 3-day Summer Fun Pass for $99

Disney News - Just in time for summer, Disneyland Resort delivers a valuable ticket offer - the 3-Day Summer Fun Pass, available exclusively for residents of Southern California and Northern Baja.

With this special ticket, local residents can play at the Disneyland Resort for three days within a 45-day period, for just $99. Guests who live in zip codes 90000 through 93599, and 21000-22999, will be able to enter both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, enjoying three days of fun for only $33 per day.

The 3-day Summer Fun Pass is now available for sale at Disneyland.com, Disney Stores and at the Disneyland Resort box office. Resident ID is required. To skip ticket lines and enjoy straight-to-the-gate convenience, the 3-Day Summer Fun Pass is also sold at local supermarket and retail chains such as Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros., Food 4 Less, Gelsons, Dearden's and Toys 'R' Us.

As an added value, the Summer Fun Pass can be upgraded to an Annual Passport. Guests who are considering a pass that lets them visit the park all year long will be able to apply the $99 as a credit towards the purchase of an Annual Passport. This must be done in person, either at the Annual Pass Processing Center or at any ticket booth, and must occur on or before the last day of use of the Summer Fun Pass.

Since the first use of the pass must be between June 1 and August 23, 2009, it's just the ticket for local residents to see Disneyland Resort in a whole new light during SUMMER NIGHTASTIC! Nighttime shows and parades come to life - bigger, better and brighter in this special summer event. Spectacular, state-of-the-art effects, plus an all-new fireworks show highlight the sparkling summer entertainment that runs June 12 through August 23. For details, see www.disneyland.com/summer.

"When you combine our Summer Fun Pass with our Summer Nightastic! entertainment, guests get a great value at the Disneyland Resort this summer," said Jill Estorino, senior vice president of marketing for Disneyland Resort. "New energy, new entertainment and a whole new feel will make Disneyland the hottest spot in Southern California this summer for kids of all ages."

Fantasmic! ignites the night with awesome, lifelike creatures and HD takes on a new meaning: Huge Dragon. Appearing in amazing HD animation, the 40-foot tall, fire-breathing dragon practically leaps off the giant mist screens.

A more-dazzling-than-ever "Disney's Electrical Parade" will now be led by Tinker Bell in a new scene. In addition, two classic parade scenes - Snow White and Pinocchio - make their triumphant return to this fan favorite.

Magical is a new, breathtaking fireworks spectacular filling the night sky over Sleeping Beauty Castle. Bursts of color and brilliant visual effects dance in the evening air accompanied by beloved Disney songs. Tinker Bell is once again your host, and Dumbo will make his surprise airborne debut in the new show.

In Tomorrowland, DJs and live bands will play the hottest summer tunes at the TLT Dance Club, and a twinkling trail leads to Pixie Hollow, where Tinker Bell and her Disney fairy friends can be met in a sparkling fantasy world.

For information on new attractions, special offers and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit disneyland.com, call (866) 60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

* Summer Fun Pass is a 3-Day Park Hopper(R) Ticket valid for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999. Proof of residency required for admission. TICKET IS NOT VALID ON 7/4/09. Tickets are valid 45 days from first use. First use must occur between 6/1/09 through 8/23/09. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. Limit 8 tickets per person per day with valid ID. Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use. Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions. Ticket not valid before 6/1/09. Other restrictions may apply. All offers, events, tickets, services, attractions and entertainment are subject to change without notice.

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New Polar Patios and Beachcomber Shacks - premium spaces at Disney Water Parks

 Disney News - Beginning June 1, guests can rent one of four new "Polar Patios" at Blizzard Beach and four new "Beachcomber Shacks" at Typhoon Lagoon (Photo Right). Renters receive all-day drink mugs, bottled water, lounge furniture, tables, towels, private lockers and the services of an attendant.

The Polar Patios and Beachcomber Shacks are currently offered on a first come, first served basis, and accommodate up to 6 guests at a cost of $250 plus tax for a day.

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Disney Interactive Studios Announces Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS

Business Wire - Disney Interactive Studios today announced Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS. The game will launch in North America the same day as the all-new Blu-ray and DVD release from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and connects with the Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow (www.PixieHollow.com) virtual world from Disney Online in new ways. Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure follows last year’s successful debut of the Disney Fairies franchise on Nintendo DS.

"Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure allows fans to once again play as one of the most enduring characters in Disney history, in the beautiful world of Pixie Hollow,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Fans can play through memorable scenes from the film, let their imaginations run wild when creating and customizing their very own Fairies and experience new levels of integration with the Pixie Hollow virtual world."

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure expands on the forthcoming movie in which the Disney Fairies prepare for the Autumn Revelry, where Tinker Bell has been selected to create the prestigious Fall Scepter that can rejuvenate the Pixie Dust tree. When good friend Terence offers to help, Tinker Bell’s stubbornness and temper get the best of her, causing her to shatter her creation - the scepter’s fragile moonstone and her friendship with Terence. To make things right, Tinker Bell must now embark on a perilous quest to north of Never Land and find the Mirror of Incanta, which will grant her one wish.

In the game, players have a choice of roles. They can create and customize up to five of their very own Fairies, and help prepare for the Autumn Revelry by participating in a series of mini-games, quests and puzzles. Players can collect a variety of items, such as snowflakes, sunflower seeds and spider silk, to create clothing, accessories and items to decorate their home. Fans can also engage in exciting movie-based game play as Tinker Bell to find the lost treasure north of Never Land.

Similar to last year’s release of Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell, the player experience expands beyond the DS game into the online world of Pixie Hollow. For the first time, players can upload an original customized Fairy avatar from the DS to the virtual world, where more than 16 million Fairies have been created to date. Once a Fairy has been uploaded from their DS game, players will gain access to an exclusive online quest, and when completed will unlock a special item both in the online world of Pixie Hollow and in the DS game.

Players can also transfer various gatherable collected in the DS game to PixieHollow.com, which can then be integrated into pre-existing online inventories. The link between the two platforms is further strengthened with the ability for fans to receive up-to-date news and polls from the online world on their DS. The synergy between the two platforms translates into a unique experience only Disney can provide to fans around the world.

Also included in Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is DGamer, the online community exclusive to Disney gamers on Nintendo DS, allowing players to connect with others and unlock additional items in their DS game.

Developed by Hyde, Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure will be available this fall for Nintendo DS.

About Disney Interactive Studios Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About Disney Online

Disney Online (www.Disney.com or text MOBILE to DISNEY), a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online and mobile web gateway to all of the company's Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about Disney movies, travel, television, games, music, shopping and live events.

In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney's Toontown Online, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow and Disney Club Penguin.

Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) is a unit of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).

About Disney Fairies

Disney Fairies is rooted in Disney's rich heritage of children's storytelling. The franchise builds upon the enormous popularity of Tinker Bell and introduces girls to her secret, magical world and a new circle of enchanting Fairy friends – Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta and Silvermist – each with an incredibly diverse talent, personality and look. Launched just a few years ago, the $800 million franchise boasts a thriving publishing and lifestyle merchandising program. To date, over 575 Disney Fairies books and over 125 Tinker Bell movie books have published worldwide in 60 countries and 35 languages, selling nearly 18 million copies; Disney Fairies magazines have sold over 7.5 million copies in 28 countries and an array of products from apparel and toys to electronics, home décor and stationery has extended storylines into many girls’ homes across the globe. DisneyFairies.com is now available in more than 20 territories across North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Fans have created more than 16 million personalized Fairy avatars to date that can now take flight in the virtual world of Pixie Hollow. Disney theme parks have also launched a Pixie Hollow attraction where fans can meet the Disney Fairies. Following the success of Walt Disney Pictures Tinker Bell on Disney Blu-ray and hi-def DVD, Disney will release Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure this fall as the second title in the series.

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Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment - A group of young defense attorneys and prosecutors learn it's easier to balance the scales of justice than a lawyer's personal and private lives in Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season, coming to DVD on June 2 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The latest sensational courtroom drama from 10-time Emmy Award winning executive producer Steven Bochco ("NYPD Blue," "L.A. Law," "Hill Street Blues"), Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season follows a dedicated group of public defenders and district attorneys as they do battle for justice, while trying to maintain their personal relationships. Featuring all 10 Season One episodes, this three-disc set also includes exclusive-to-DVD bonus features that give fans a special look inside and outside of the courtroom. Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season debuts in time for fans to catch up and enjoy before the critically acclaimed television series begins its second season.

Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season features one of television's most talented ensemble casts, including Mark-Paul Gosselaar ("NYPD Blue"), Golden Globe® and Emmy® nominee Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle"), Gloria Reuben ("ER" ), Currie Graham ("Desperate Housewives"), Melissa Sagemiller ("Sleeper Cell"), Teddy Sears ("Ugly Betty"), Currie Graham ("Boston Legal"), Natalia Cigliuti ("All My Children"), and J. August Richards ("Conviction").

The Season One premiere of Raising the Bar boasted the highest rated cable debut in history. Critics lavished praise on the series, with Multichannel News giving it "Three & a half stars," and calling it "a very fast-paced and entertaining show." "Tightly written," raves Bloomberg News, praising the series' "vibrant characters," and declaring, "this show has addiction potential!"

Sparks fly and fireworks ignite both inside and outside the courtroom in Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season, the compelling new legal drama from multiple Emmy-winner Steven Bochco. Passionate and idealistic public defender Jerry Kellerman (Mark Paul Gosselaar) learns to navigate the halls of justice and the personal politics of the courthouse as he struggles to get a fair hearing for his clients. Jerry and his associates Rosalind Whitman (Gloria Reuben), Richard Patrick Woolsley (Teddy Sears), and Bobbi Gilardi (Natalia Cigliuti) square off against Michelle Ernhardt (Melissa Sagemiller), a prosecutor trying to balance the desire to get real justice with assistant DA Nick Balco's (Currie Graham) need to win cases. As they play out their professional rivalry in front of imperious and ambitious Judge Trudy Kessler (Jane Kaczmarek), issues of life, love, and the law are seen from opposite sides of the system.

Raising the Bar: The Complete First Season has a suggested retail price of $39.99 (U.S.).

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Army Wives: The Complete Second Season

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment - Five military spouses grapple with family crises, scandalous rumors and heartbreaking deployments in Army Wives: The Complete Second Season, coming to DVD on June 2, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Season Two of the critically acclaimed and highly rated Lifetime series teems with more of the intrigue, romance and rivalry that have put Army Wives at the top of television's must-watch list. The 5-disc set containing all 19 one-hour episodes delivers even more excitement and surprises with revealing, exclusive-to-DVD bonus features. Behind the scenes interviews with the cast offer intriguing insight into the lives of the Army Wives just in time for the June 2009 Season Three premiere.

From executive producers Mark Gordon ("Grey's Anatomy") and Katherine Fugate, Army Wives: The Complete Second Season is both shocking and poignant as it tells the story of the loyalty, love and unbreakable bonds that sustain families through the sacrifices demanded by military life. The gifted cast includes Catherine Bell ("JAG," Bruce Almighty), Kim Delaney ("NYPD Blue," "CSI: Miami"), Brigid Brannagh ("Over There"), Wendy Davis and Sally Pressman.

In its first two seasons, Army Wives has become a "Must-See Series" according to TV Guide. US Weekly says the show "Deserves a salute for its hearty female roles" and The Boston Herald declares: "It's easy to understand why Army Wives is the highest-rated show in Lifetime's history."

The Army has its code. The wives have theirs. Four women and one man face the challenges of making a life for themselves while trying to stay connected to spouses who may be shipped off at any minute and abiding by the military's strict traditions. These five very different people forge an unbreakable bond as they help one another through the unthinkable and protect each other's darkest secrets.

Army Wives: The Complete Second Season has a suggested retail price of $45.99 (U.S.).

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Fourth 'High School Musical' Entry Set For Disney Channel

Multichannel News - The fourth entry in the High School Musical franchise will air on Disney Channel next year.

High School Musical East Meets West, which will be helmed by choreographer (Flashdance, A Chorus Line) and director (Shout) Jeffrey Hornaday, will bow in fall 2010.

Casting is underway for the fourth installment, a classic story set against the cross-town school rivalry between the East High Wildcats and West High Knights.

High School Musical premiered in January 2006 on Disney Channel U.S. and posted the highest ever ratings for an original telefilm on the network at the time. High School Musical 2, which debuted Aug. 17, 2007, became the most-watched program in cable history, with 18.64 million viewers on a live+ seven-day basis.

Walt Disney Pictures debuted High School Musical 3: Senior Year in October 2008. Its premiere weekend box office sales marked the highest debut ever for a musical and for a live-action G-rated film. It grossed $250 million at the worldwide box office.

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A Disney World way to kick off Gay Days
 
Theme Park Rangers - It's the first weekend in June this weekend, which means it's time for the annual Gay Days party across Orlando's attractions area. Each year, it seems like the celebrating begins earlier, and some events have already kicked off the hoopla.

Previously, Thursday night tended to be the night things cranked into high gear, with the clubs at Pleasure Island in full force. Of course, now the clubs are gone (sniff), but there is a party on Disney property that night. (I wonder how many people show up at PI in shock that there's nothing but a DJ and some stiltwalkers "celebrating you."

Rix Lounge is an upscale nightspot at Disney's Coronado Springs resort, and it's hosting a party billed as "Thursday Night Continues" from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Print ads for the event even cleverly use a Photoshopped version of the sign in front of Mannequins to make the connection to the Pleasure Island glory days.

Advertising says the event will feature: Cirque-style circus entertainment, Orlando's own Page King, Djs from myflexradio.com and live "man-nequins." You can use your imagination on what they will look like.

Disney, of course, is always at pains to stress it doesn't present Gay Days. This whole shebang is being presented by JCruzStyle.

You must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets are $35 at the door; $75 VIP lounge tickets, which include martinis and gift bags, are also available. The Rix can get crowded, so an additional benefit to the VIP ticket is that only 100 will be sold.

For the thrifty planners, buy your general-admission tickets ahead of time and they are only $25. And, you're doing a good deed while you dance: The Center, an Orlando organization providing support to Central Florida's gay community, benefits from the event.

For tickets or more information, go to Rixlounge.com, jcruzstyle.com or call 407-832-4814.

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Monday June 1, 2009

"Up" soars to top of box office
Yup, ‘Up’: Pixar’s Latest Release Lifts Disney
It's official: Luxo Jr. is coming to Disney World
Miley Cyrus Coming Back as 'Hannah Montana'
Disney Online Completes Acquisition of Kaboose, Inc. Internet Assets
Is Disney Phoning It In?
Food Network Star rocks Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland launches two MICE products for MICE clients
Disney-Pixar's Cars returns to gaming
Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen is lined up for Disney film
Disney Channel has higher profile at licensing show
Disney World, Southwest launch Magical Express test
Walt Disney (DIS) PriceWatch Alert Shows Bullish Technicals
Interview with Disney's Hollywood Studios Vice President
"Up" soars to top of box office

Reuters - The tale of a gruff widower borne "Up" by a bunch of colored balloons soared to the top of the North American box office in the third best opening for a movie from the Pixar stable.

The comic but poignant animated 3D story brought in $68.2 million, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday, beating expectations by about $10 million and giving Pixar its most successful opening since "The Incredibles" ($70.5 million) and "Finding Nemo" ($70.3 million) in 2004 and 2003.

"We are ecstatic. It is playing across all demographics. We think we are set for a nice, long run through the summer," said Mark Zoradi, president of the Walt Disney Motion Picture Group.

Pixar, which has found box office gold with subjects ranging from bugs to toys, was acquired by Disney in 2006 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co.

"Up" pushed "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" into second place with $25.5 million in another strong week for family-oriented movies.

Horror newcomer "Drag Me To Hell" from "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi, opened in third place with $16.6 million, according to studio estimates.

"Up" became the first animated movie to open the Cannes film festival this month. Critics have heaped praise on the movie and the audience response appeared to give the lie to the notion in Hollywood that movies about old age have little commercial appeal.

"When you have the story right and you also have the comedy then you can play to a cross-section of the audience," Zoradi said.

"Up" also did well in its Russian opening weekend, bringing in an estimated $4.2 million, and begins a wider international release next week, Zoradi said.

The "Night at the Museum" sequel starring Ben Stiller as a night security guard dropped 53 percent from its bumper debut last week but the film crossed the coveted $100 million mark to gross $105.2 million in just 10 days of release.

"It is fantastic. Business is very solid right now," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president of distribution at 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp, the studio behind the release.

Vatican thriller "Angels & Demons," the Columbia Pictures sequel to 2006 film "The Da Vinci Code," slipped to sixth place but also crossed the $100 million mark to $104.7 million in its third week.

The Sony Corp unit said the movie was doing much better internationally, where its overseas total now stands at $251.7 million.

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Yup, ‘Up’: Pixar’s Latest Release Lifts Disney

Barron's - The release of the latest family-friendly feature from the Pixar unit of Walt Disney (DIS) generated a stronger box-office return than analysts had been anticipating, underscoring the continuing appeal of the entertainment giant’s content developments. But analysts watching the performance said it might be too soon to determine whether ”Up” is the equal of Buzz Lightyear. Or more like Wall-E.
Investors seemed to reach the conclusion it was the former, as shares have risen 4% in Monday’s early trading, a sharper advance the broad list has recorded in the upbeat session. According to box office returns, the film solld more than $68 million worth of tickets over the weekend, more than the $63 million that Wall-E garnered in its debut weekend last year. Wall-E had the benefit of opening on more screens than ”Up” did.

The total also topped estimated box office returns, which had suggested the film would do about $60 million in ticket sales. The Hollywood Stock Exchange website, which allows visitors to anticipate the box office total, had pegged the launch at about $58 million.

In a research note, however, Credit Suisse expressed its reluctance to adjust its estimates for the box office take the film will generate over its lifetime. The firm said the second weekend of wide release often played as critical a role in determining a film’s profitability as its launch, and noted that previous Pixar films sometimes suffered big declines in ticket sales in its successive week of release; sometimes films fall as much as 52%.

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It's official: Luxo Jr. is coming to Disney World

Orlando Sentinel - Luxo Jr., the hopping desk lamp that serves as the mascot for Pixar Animation Studios, is coming to Walt Disney World.

Disney officials confirmed today that a 6-foot-tall animatronic version of Luxo will soon take up residence in the Pixar Place section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He will appear on an elevated platform at the “Lighting” building in Pixar Place, just across from Toy Story Mania!. 

Luxo was the star of the first short film in Pixar’s history, which premiered in 1986.

“He’s going to come out and do some little shows,” said Roger Gould, creative director for theme parks at Pixar, which the Walt Disney Co. bought for $7.4 billion in 2006. “He’ll be out there throughout the day and through the evening.

Rumors have been circulating for months that such the Luxo project was in the works and construction walls were recently erected around the Lighting building. Disney didn’t provide an exact date for Luxo’s first appearance, though it should be very soon.

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Disney Online Completes Acquisition of Kaboose, Inc. Internet Assets

Business Wire - Disney Online announced today it has completed the purchase of key Internet assets from Kaboose, Inc., including Web sites Kaboose.com, BabyZone.com, AmazingMoms.com, and ParentZone.com, among others. As a result of the acquisition, a new group of properties has been formed, the Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio, which will be led by Emily Smith, vice president, Disney Online.

The broad reach of this new portfolio of sites contributes to the No. 1 online destination for moms.* Sites under this new umbrella include Disney Family.com, FamilyFun.com, Kaboose.com, BabyZone.com, AmazingMoms.com, ParentZone.com and iParenting.com. According to the most recent traffic data from comScore, Disney Online Family sites reached 2.6 million unique visitors in April 2009, while Kaboose sites reached 3.6 million unique visitors. The new portfolio of sites will reach nearly one in five moms online, which is more than the reach of any current family and parenting online destination today.

“Our new portfolio of mom and family-targeted sites creates an unmatched line-up of Web properties that offer parents a wide-range of high quality content, information and community,” stated Smith. “The addition of Kaboose and BabyZone further solidifies Disney Online’s leadership position in reaching moms online, and BabyZone in particular greatly boosts our pregnancy and pre-conception audience reach, which continues to be one of the most active online demographics.”

Disney Online will maintain Kaboose.com and BabyZone.com URLs and distinct content, leveraging the sites’ strong equity among moms and parents. Simultaneously, new content and promotions will be developed to reach across the entire portfolio, allowing for broad reach, while retaining each site’s distinct voice and editorial focus.

“Today, we’ve begun to incorporate the Kaboose sites into our broader Disney Online advertising offerings targeted to moms and are actively rolling out our new portfolio to advertisers,” stated Brad Davis, senior vice president of advertising sales for Disney Online. “We’re offering advertisers a fantastic new line-up.”

*Moms 18+ with children in household, comScore April 2009.

About Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio

The Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio is a leading group of sites that provide inspiration and ideas for parents on a variety of topics important to today’s families. Sites include Disney Family.com, Kaboose.com, FamilyFun.com, BabyZone.com, ParentZone.com, AmazingMoms.com and iParenting.com.

About Disney Online

Disney Online (www.Disney.com or text MOBILE to DISNEY), a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the World Wide Web. Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online and now mobile web gateway to all of the company's Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about Disney movies, travel, television, games, music, shopping and live events.

In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney's Toontown Online, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow and Disney Club Penguin.

Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) is an affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).

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Is Disney Phoning It In?

Motley Fool - It's that time of year again. Regional amusement parks are dusting off their turnstiles, and the larger theme parks are hoping that new rides will win over thrill-seeking families this summer.

Despite the economic doldrums, most chains have invested in e-ticket attractions to make their parks more enticing this season.

  • Six Flags (OTC BB: SIXF.OB) just opened a Terminator-themed wooden coaster in California, and it gave a pair of steel coasters in other parks some high-tech "Bizarro" makeovers.
  • Universal Orlando -- a partnership between General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) -- is weeks away from opening a cutting-edge coaster in Universal Studios Florida, and it's now just months away from dropping the chains at the hyped Harry Potter addition at its adjacent Islands of Adventure park.
  • Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) is adding coasters in three of its parks, including the $22 million Diamondback in Ohio's Kings Island.

So what's Mickey Mouse pulling out of his hat to woo vacationers this summer? Not much. There have been a few stage shows added to Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Florida parks over the past year, but little else. Taking the year off from making any significant upgrades could be problematic, especially with Sea World Orlando and Universal Studios Florida set to debut some new marquee thrill rides.

Instead, Disney is responding by discounting resort stays, offering free birthday admissions, and … well, laying off staff. This isn't the response one would expect from the premium brand in theme parks, but if it can happen to Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), why not Disney?

What makes this a bitter pill to swallow is that Disney has the capital and innovative spirit to do more. If Cedar Fair and Six Flags -- two smaller regional players juggling roughly $2 billion in debt apiece -- can add material attractions to their parks, why not Disney? In fact, Disney's most popular Florida theme park, The Magic Kingdom, will be without its iconic Space Mountain for the entire summer season. The most recent addition at its second-most-trafficked park, Epcot, is the modest "Great Piggy Bank Adventure," sponsored by T. Rowe Price (Nasdaq: TROW), in its Innoventions center.

This interactive exhibit helps families budget and prioritize their expenditures and long-term goals. Maybe Disney took its lessons to heart, but this is the wrong time to be thrifty. Parks that reside just a few exits away on I-4 are arming themselves with magnetic crowd pleasers this summer. Cracking the piggy bank open would have been a more creative approach than simply marking down resorts and admissions.

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Food Network Star rocks Disneyland

Orange County Register - A husband-and-wife food fight. Havarti cheese flying in the air. Crank calls to celebrity chefs. Silver metallic sunglasses. And plenty of "dude" talk.

Mix those ingredients together and what do you get?

A live Guy Fieri food show with hundreds of screaming fans loving every antic this high-energy Food Network star has to offer.

"Some people have Brad Pitt. I have Guy Fieri," said Nicole Vargas, 30.

The Corona resident was among nearly 200 people who attended a Saturday cooking show starring Fieri, host of Food Network's most popular show, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." It was Fieri's third appearance at Disney's California Food & Wine festival, held at Disney's California Adventure.

Each year, the event continues to grow — with record crowds coming to see celebrity chefs. But, today's crowd was particularly fanatical, with some showing up as early as 5 a.m. to snag a seat.

For those who got in, Fieri did not disappoint. The high-octane event kicked off with the spiky-haired chef strutting in wearing a white chef's coat. But, within seconds of hitting the stage, he ripped off the coat like a rock star.

The move caused fans to jump to their feet, as the near strip-tease revealed the Fieri they all know and love: a California "dude" with plenty of tattoos and dressed in black Dickey's shorts, a red and black tank top and flip flops.

"I really feel like an American Idol," Fieri told the crowd after learning that some folks lined up before dawn to meet him.

After the high-octane show was over, Fieri said he was humbled by the loyalty of his fans — many of whom voted for him when he won "The Next Food Network Star" title in 2006.

"I've done these shows a lot and they're taking on a much more rock concert feel," Fieri told me back stage before heading out to sign autographs for the crowd. "I had an awesome time."

And so did his fans.

"It was great fun and totally unexpected," said Leanne Anderson. She and her husband, Ron, were tapped by Fieri to engage in a fun "squirt bottle" battle during the show.

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Hong Kong Disneyland launches two MICE products for MICE clients

TravelBiz Monitor - Hong Kong Disneyland has launched two innovative MICE products- Special Meeting Package and Group Ticket Promotion to help corporate clients maximize the value of their meetings, while giving attendees time out to relax, amidst business events. These two products are available till the end of August this year.

The Special Meeting Package is priced at HK USD 580 per person. In this package, corporate clients can select from one of the three special enhancements to their day which include: an exclusive restaurant buyout dinner buffet at the Hong Kong Disneyland Park, a Disney 'Time to Team' teambuilding activity, Disney entertainment such as character Meet and Greets. In addition, clients can utilize state-of-the-art meeting spaces at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and will be entitled to the following three additional add-ons: Complimentary use of meeting AV equipment, One-way transfers to or from downtown Hong Kong and the Resort, each meeting delegate will receive a convention theme park ticket (valid after 4:00pm), for use on the day of the meeting, or PLAY LATER on a return visit in May, June or September (not valid in July and August). While in the Group Ticket Promotion, a new discount on group Park tickets is also available. These specially priced tickets are ideal for budget-conscious corporate clients.

Aliana Ho, Vice President, Sales and Travel Trade Marketing, Hong Kong Disneyland said, "The current economic environment is set to be a challenge for MICE professionals and budgets now play a significant role as they organize activities. Hong Kong Disneyland understands the mounting pressure that corporations face. Our new Special Meeting Package and Group Ticket Promotion are excellent solutions financially, and give clients' employees a break from their everyday routine."

Hong Kong is well-known as a MICE destination, due to its strategic location, comprehensive and world-class infrastructure, and strong hospitality sector. As a MICE leader in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong Disneyland capitalizes on its ideal location. The Resort is introducing these two new MICE offers in response to the growing need for recreation from meetings and events.

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Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen is lined up for Disney film

WalesOnline - Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen Jafargholi is being lined to star in a Disney film.

The Swasea-born lad, 12, could become the next Zac Efron and star in a film like High School Musical, according to sources in America.

Even though Shaheen didn't win the ITV1 show's final on Saturday, all acts are signed to a contract with the music mogul.

But Disney bosses have already spoken to Simon Cowell who is said to be "keen in principle".

An industry source told the Sun: "Disney have been watching Shaheen. They are looking at potential movie roles that will make him an international superstar.

"It just shows the level of talent this year that one of the world's biggest film companies wants to sign him when he did not even make the top three. And Disney really know how to create superstars."

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Disney Channel has higher profile at licensing show

Reuters - Disney Channel executives will make their first-ever full programming presentation to retailers on Monday at the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, in a sign of the cable network's growing earnings power within the Walt Disney Co (DIS.N).

Disney Channel shows produced a greater share of global merchandise sales for the company in 2008 than any single franchise produced by its movie studios, which also presents its slate at the annual licensing show.

Merchandise inspired by Disney Channel TV programs, led by 'tween phenoms "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical" and preschooler hits "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and "Handy Manny", reached $3.6 billion in merchandise retail sales in 2008.

"Cars," the best-selling line inspired by the Disney-Pixar film, peaked at annual sales of $2.5 billion last year and is expected to decline this year, Disney officials said.

Global sales of "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical" merchandise grew faster than any other Disney franchise in 2008 and outstripped growth for the super-popular Disney Princess line, Disney Consumer Products spokesman Gary Foster said.

The cable network also has promising new franchises in "Sonny With a Chance" and "Wizards of Waverly Place", which is why the company chose to showcase them "in a greater way", Foster said.

Growth at the 94 Disney channels worldwide last quarter helped Disney's cable business to 5 percent growth in operating income in the depths of a global recession.

At the same time, Studio Entertainment, whose upcoming slate of family movies usually dominates Disney's presentation to the show's 25,000 international retailers, will take a supporting role this year.

Disney's studios have performed poorly in recent quarters as hits like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Cars" gave way to duds like "Beverly Hills Chihuahua", "Prince Caspian" and "Bedtime Stories." The studios' operating profit plunged 97 percent last quarter.

Disney Channel's presentation on Monday night focuses plans to support established hits, build up-and-comers and launch new properties, Disney Channel Worldwide President Rich Ross said.

"Our job is ...to show people what we are excited about and ... the commitment the company has...to tell stories that are popular," Ross said. "TV has never done what TV is doing."

Disney Channel plans to announce a fourth season for "Hannah Montana" and to report on the progress of casting for a fourth "High School Musical" film, Disney officials said.

"Sonny With A Chance", the top TV series among kids aged 6-11 and tweens, has been picked up for a second season, Disney officials said.

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Walt Disney (DIS) PriceWatch Alert Shows Bullish Technicals

Market Intelligence Center - Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) ended the last trading session at $24.22. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $15.14 and 52-week high of $34.85. Walt Disney stock has been showing support around 23.24 and resistance in the 24.74 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives DIS a positive 4 STAR (out of 5) buy rating. DIS appears on the Investors Observer Analysts Favorites list. For a hedged play on this stock, look at a Jan '10 25 covered call (DIS AE) for a net debit in the $21.72 area. That is also the break even stock price for this trade. This covered call has a 229 day duration, provides 10.32% downside protection and a 15.10% assigned return rate for a 24.07% annualized return rate (comparison purposes only). A lower cost hedged play for this stock would use a longer term call option in place of the covered call stock purchase. To use this strategy look at going long the DIS Jan '10 22.50 Call (DIS AX) and selling the Jan '10 25 call (DIS AE) for a $1.45 debit. The trade has a 229 day life and would provide 1.11% downside protection and a 72.41% assigned return rate for an 115.00% annualized return rate (for comparison purposes only). Walt Disney has a current annual dividend yield of 1.47%.

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Interview with Disney's Hollywood Studios Vice President

Orlando Sentinel - Rilous Carter, 58, is the vice president for Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary. He spoke Friday with Sentinel staff writer Jason Garcia.

CFB: You took over as the vice president in charge of Disney's Hollywood Studios a month after it changed its name from Disney-MGM Studios. How has the park changed thematically since then, or has it?

I don't think it's changed thematically. I think it's grown up, let's put it that way. I think at one time it was the golden age of movies, which was always exciting. But now I think it's the new entertainment of today. I think it resonates a lot more with our guests today. There are many, probably, of our guests, especially younger guests, who may not even know what it means when you said Disney-MGM Studios. But Hollywood they do understand.

CFB: SeaWorld just opened Manta, and Universal should open Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit soon, both big roller coasters and major new attractions. Disney World's biggest addition this year is American Idol Experience in the Studios. How does that stack up against the competition?

Well, we continually challenge ourselves to exceed our guests' expectations. Just to give you an example, this morning we had Kris Allen, the recent winner of American Idol, here. He paraded down Hollywood Boulevard, went to the front of the theater, sang a song, and then surprised guests by coming to the theater. Now guests there are getting autographs, photos and things like that. I think those are experiences that they'll never forget. And I think what we try to do is really get our guests involved and immerse them in the experiences. Creating experiences for our guests, whether they are on stage singing at the American Idol Experience or getting an autograph from Kris Allen, I think those are the kinds of things that they'll come back here for again and again.

CFB: You work in theme parks so we have to ask: What's your favorite ride?

I almost hate to say Toy Story Mania! But you know, actually, some days I'll go through the Great Movie Ride again. You go through that and it still has that — it tugs at the heart strings. Because you see things that you saw many, many years ago. Whether it's John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart — I love old Western movies, and I love Humphrey Bogart movies — so I can see those kinds of things and those, to me, are very pleasing. But I like Toy Story Mania! as well. I think because of the fact that everyone can ride Mania, as we call it — Toy Story Mania! — that makes it one of my favorite attractions.

CFB: I understand you used to be general manager for food and beverage at Epcot, where restaurants are some of the biggest attractions. Do you have a favorite meal?

Well, it's tough to pick a favorite meal. It depends on where you're going to eat. The catfish with the grits, the Cajun catfish, over at Coral Reef is one of my favorites. And also then I have to go to Le Cellier. There's no better filet anywhere. You can cut the thing with a fork. Everyone who goes there loves the filet. We sell more filets there than anything.

CFB: You also worked in Cleveland at one point before you joined Disney. So are you a Cavs guy or a Magic guy?

Magic all the way, man. You've got to be kidding me. I'm not sleeping, I'm staying up every night watching these games going, "It should be over by now!" ... I think it's been fantastic for the city, especially at a time like this, in this economic downturn.

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