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 March 22 - 28, 2009 |
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Saturday March 28, 2009 |
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Walt Disney studio head to speak at economic summit Walt Disney World Jungle Cruise skippers wow fans at Tokyo Disney Disney Executive Honored as FSU Alumnae of the Year Disney Quite An Experience |
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Walt Disney studio head to speak at economic summit Salt Lake Tribune - Amid the worst recession in decades, the Governor's Third Annual Economic Summit convenes Monday. The theme this year is "Utah a State of Opportunity," changed from the one first conceived for the event, "Managing the Growth" that referred to Utah's once booming economy. Ed Catmull, the president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. headline the speakers at the Economic Summit. Huntsman's luncheon address will focus on "the state of opportunity" that exists in Utah despite the nation's economic troubles, and will encourage entrepreneurs continued involvement in the state, said spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley. Catmull, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Utah, will speak about 8:30 a.m. during the conference's opening session. Also speaking are Jason Perry, executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and Wells Fargo economist Kelly Matthews, who will speak on "The Economy of Utah and What the Stimulus Means to the State." The summit is aimed at fostering new business development and sharing knowledge about strategic thinking and other business concerns. Topics of panel discussion include business innovation, law, entrepreneurship and economic development. Breakfast and lunch is provided. The event ends with a 3:15 p.m. reception. |
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Walt Disney World Jungle Cruise skippers wow fans at Tokyo
Disney Theme Park Rangers - The journey to Tokyo required stamina, comedic timing, a long flight and a boatload of puns for two Jungle Cruise skippers at Walt Disney World. Cast members Beth Schafer and Alex Williams represented the Magic Kingdom this month at a global gathering of skippers as part of Tokyo Disney's 25th anniversary celebration. In Japan, Jungle Cruise is extremely popular, Schafer said. "To them, it has this weird almost cult-classic following," she said. "When they heard that Jungle Cruise skippers from around the world were coming — and we were billed as the best from around the world — they just thought it was the greatest thing." The enthusiastic response included autograph requests and long lines forming for rides. "They screamed like we were the Jonas Brothers or something," said Schafer, 25. On Jungle Cruise, which opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971, guests ride a tramp steamer past assorted animatronic animals and angry natives. The skipper narrates the voyage with one-liners — you might say corny ones — about the scenes. Williams and Schafer were among 35 Magic Kingdom workers who competed to be named the top skippers. They performed the trademark spiels before company bigwigs and won a nine-day trip to Japan. The anniversary event — which also included skippers from Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney — was the wish of a Jungle Cruise supervisor in Tokyo. "They gave 25 of their cast members their dream," said Williams, 21. "Kenichi Ito had this crazy idea to collect us all in the same spot." "He said he never dreamed that it would come true," Schafer said. "He made dreams come true for all of us that I don't even think we realized that we had." The guest skippers worked the boats three days in Tokyo, where they encountered a few obstacles. The Japanese version unfolds in the opposite direction and includes additional scenes — not to mention that punny wordplay is lost in translation. Tokyo skippers perform their banter in Japanese. "It was definitely a very interesting language barrier," Williams said. "I was worried about it, but it ended up that we were entertaining." He says he used physical comedy to bridge the communication gap. "They ate up every single second of it," he said. Williams has been with Disney almost three years, and Schafer, a native of Michigan, has worked for the company 2 1/2 years. Before Jungle Cruise, she worked as a driver on the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Williams, who grew up in Inverness, knew he wanted to be a skipper from the beginning. "I went into casting and begged for the Jungle Cruise," Williams said. "It's the original interactive attraction, the original E ticket." |
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Disney Executive Honored as FSU Alumnae of the Year Disney
News - Anne Hamilton, Vice President of Resort Sales and
Services at Walt Disney World Resort, was recently honored by
Florida State University College of Business as its Alumnae of
the Year. The Award recognizes alumni members who make notable contributions to FSU, the hospitality industry and their individual businesses. Anne was selected to receive this award by the Society of Host Alumni Association Board and other FSU faculty. Anne earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration from FSU with a major in hotel and restaurant management. Since starting a Disney career in 1996, Anne has held a variety of roles. In her current role, she is responsible for all marketing, sales and service efforts related to meeting, conventions and incentive programs at Walt Disney World Resort and aboard the Disney Cruise Line ships. She has been noted for leading an award-winning team of industry professionals and producing an array of events for associations and corporations from around the world. |
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Disney Quite
An Experience Tampa Tribune - Go Fishing is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Billy Nobles, left, with "Reel Animals" partner Mike Anderson. The wind this week has made fishing tough. I have not ventured offshore, but I fished inshore on Wednesday, and it was howling. We were on a ton of fish, but we couldn't really get them biting like they were before the funky weather pattern sat in. Captain Mike and I got to do something really cool on Tuesday. We went and shot an episode of "The Reel Animals Fishing Show" in Orlando. And yes I know there is no saltwater in Orlando. We went to Disney and fished for bass on the resort lakes with guide Carrie Bronson. I was excited, because all of us have seen the Disney lakes on television with the BASS tournaments and all of the other fishing events that have been filmed there. Let me tell you, that is quite a fishery they have there. They have tons of fish in the 2- to 5-pound range. Carrie said the largest she has pulled out weighed 14 pounds, but she said they are more the exception than the rule. The guides offer live bait fishing for families of up to five, or you can run a strictly artificial trip. That's what Mike and I did. I thought we were special for being able to fish Disney, but then I found out that anyone can fish there anytime. You don't even have to stay at the resort. All you have to do is call to book your trip, then show up and catch some bass, then go home. I hope all of you fishermen are home today, as the forecast is calling for winds up to 30 knots. It's a good time to get your house and boat in order. On April 6 at Tight Lines Tackle at 6924 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa, Vance Tice, The Reel Animals and a host of well-known charter captains and lure manufacturers are hosting the first class of The Reel Animals Fishing Academy. We will be covering everything, from knots to offshore spreads and anything in between. Catch Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on 1040 AM. |
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Friday March 27, 2009 |
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Could Disney Join Hulu? Sources Say Talks Are Serious Union Workers Not Affected In Disney Layoffs Disney U.S. parks cutting jobs, seeking efficiencies Disney World Magic Kingdom schedule change gives us bonus hours 'Hannah Montana' star will play 'The Climb' at 44th annual awards ceremony Lohan's 'Labor' to debut in summer Making Disney World Easy For Everyone Perry County boy receives trip to Disney World |
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Could Disney Join Hulu? Sources Say Talks Are Serious paidContent - The Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) Company could wind up with an equity stake in Hulu in exchange for adding ABC programming to the NBC Universal-News Corp (NasdaqGS: NWS) joint venture, a source familiar with the situation tells paidContent. It's not clear how much of Disney's television programming is involved beyond ABC—a second source says all Disney content has been discussed but it centers on ABC; other possibilities could include ESPN (not likely given ESPN's reliance on license fees from cable operators and others) and, if not the Disney Channel, some offshoots. The discussions, dormant for a while, have picked up again recently and are described as "serious" by both sources. A third source close to the situation said the discussions with Disney are "definitely real"—and more so than before—but cautioned against saying any deal has been reached. Providence Equity Partners owns 10 percent of the joint venture in exchange for an early $100 million investment; NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) and News Corp each own 45 percent. One plan, according to one source, is for Disney to get something close to parity with the media companies, possibly with performance incentives. But it is difficult to see NBCU and News Corp agreeing to parity—a healthy stake, yes, but the others are likely to want their first-in status to equal larger shares than those coming in now. The deal sounds similar to variations I was told were discussed with CBS (NYSE: CBS). Instead, Hulu wound up yanking its programming off CBS Interactive's TV.com, which signed a distribution deal before parent CNET was acquired by CBS, over contractual issues. The result: gaping holes in the programming for Hulu and TV.com. Disney has stayed away, though, focusing primarily on delivering its broadband programming through its own players on its own sites. But would serious equity be enough or would Disney insist that NBCU and News Corp. extend their commitments to Hulu for NBC, Fox and various cable nets beyond the remaining year? The exclusivity makes Hulu the only conduit for PC-based distribution; as is the case with NBC and Fox, ABC still would be able to distribute its content through its own players on its own sites. That kind of assurance from NBCU and News Corp. would seem even more important given a variety of issues, including the pending departure of Hulu board member Peter Chernin, who played a key role in making the JV happen as COO of News Corp., and the pressure from cable operators like *Comcast* (a Hulu distribution partner through its Fancast portal) to fold in online access to broadcast and cable programming with cable subscriptions. Disney also could agree to a non-exclusive deal, which means it would keep the rights to co-distribute its content—but that would put a significant equity stake in doubt. I was told some outsiders are reading too much in to the idea of parity. On the notion of commitment, that source told me: "In terms of commitments, I would think all the parties would want to be equal in terms of what their commitments are." That would include the amount of content, scope of involvement and the integration within each organization. Why now? One source says, "Hulu has more scale (than the networks), which is why I think they're back at the table." Hulu.com recently celebrated the first anniversary of leaving beta and is in the midst of a national branding campaign that started during the Super Bowl with an ad featuring 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin. Stats released this week by comScore (NasdaqGM: SCOR) Video Metrix showed Hulu with a 33 percent increase in viewed videos following the ad. Hulu delivered 333 million videos in February, ranking fourth in U.S. video properties with 2.5 percent. Hulu's share is small compared to YouTube but not compared to the standalone networks. In the same comScore report for February, Viacom (NYSE: VIA) Digital Network accounted for 1.9 percent of videos delivered, with Disney Online and CBS Interactive each just under 1 percent. |
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Union
Workers Not Affected In Disney Layoffs Central Florida News - Hundreds of Disney employees are being handed pink slips and escorted off the property. Disney won't release any numbers, but does say the layoffs are part of the restructuring announced last month. News 13 has heard numbers from about 400 to 800 people losing their jobs, but Disney won't say or confirm anything. We do know that any company making mass layoffs of 500 people or more is supposed to notify the state and local government. However, Disney operates with a number of different "companies.” We do know the restructuring is not affecting union workers. "No, it's not. Our members' contract provides guarantee on hours, job security and wage increases, so none of our members are affected by these changes," said Eric Clinton, the president of Unite Here! Local 362. A Disney spokesman did tell News 13 none of the layoffs are performance-related, and fall under one of three different categories. Restructuring combines back office operations in all parks and resorts. The second category is operational efficiencies. Like all companies, Disney may have promoted people and added positions during growth years that under stricter inspection aren't justified, and maybe the supervisor to employee ration is really higher than it needs to be. The final area is demand. If there are fewer people coming to the parks, they probably don't need as many employees. However, demand works the other way too. "This morning there was 27 part-time workers in either food and beverage and housekeeping hired this morning," Clinton said. Clinton emphasized they were part-time jobs, and he said the hiring cycles are down from last year. Clinton also said while his union workers were not affected, they were affected. By seeing friends and co-workers escorted off the property has not exactly made Walt Disney World the "Happiest Place On Earth" this week. According to our sources, a group called the "Cast Services Support Team" was completely done away with. We're told that group was organized just a few years ago to help Disney with employee retention. That was back when the economy was still pumping, and unemployment rates were low. |
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Disney U.S. parks cutting jobs, seeking efficiencies Reuters - The Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) has cut an undisclosed number of workers at its domestic parks this month in a previously announced plan to consolidate behind-the-scenes operations for Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California, a spokesman said.
Local media
in Florida, tipped off by laid-off
workers, have reported cuts as deep as
450 jobs at the two locations.
Disney World spokesman Michael Griffin would not confirm the number but said the cuts may continue as the company searches for efficiencies in the two parks' operations. "These changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today's economic realities," Griffin said. "As acknowledged previously, these actions will unfortunately result in the elimination of positions." In February, Disney's theme park business, anchored by the two domestic resorts, reported a 24 percent drop in quarterly operating income and a 4 percent decline in revenue for the company's first fiscal quarter, due in part to slowing consumer spending. A couple of weeks later, Disney said it would streamline the parks' services that are not consumer-facing. It said the new structure would require an undisclosed number of job cuts. Earlier this month, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger told investors that domestic park attendance was holding "even" in the current quarter but deep ticket discounts designed to drive attendance were cutting into per capita spending. Disney shares were down 2.6 percent at $18.55 in afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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Disney World Magic Kingdom schedule change gives us bonus hours Theme Park Rangers - I was at the Disney World Magic Kingdom with visiting family last night when I experienced something new: Disney changed the park's hours and kept it open later. In all my visits to Disney's Magic Kingdom, I haven't encountered that situation before. We watched (and hugely enjoyed) the 9 p.m. "Wishes" fireworks. 9 p.m. was supposed to be Magic Kingdom closing time. But as soon as the show ended, a live park wide announcement was made, stating the Kingdom would remain open until 11 p.m. with an encore performance of the "SpectroMagic" parade at 10. A lot of people left anyway; perhaps they didn't hear or understand the announcement in the post-fireworks chaos. Or, just as likely, they were beat after a long day. But we stayed and rode old favorite Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlasters and Snow White's Scary Adventures, which we hadn't gotten around to doing during the day. We caught another showing of Monsters Inc. Comedy Laugh Floor, which my cousin's 8-year-old had taken a shine to. And, we gave Disney some more money: We had a late dinner at Cosmic Ray's and watched Sonny Eclipse. In other words, it was a fantastic bonus for us. I do think Disney World should have made more than one announcement about the extended hours: Maybe announcing the change before the 8:15 p.m. "SpectroMagic" and before "Wishes" would have given more people time to change their plan. And I'm curious how far ahead they have to make the decision to stay open later. Just organizing the extra staffing alone must be a huge undertaking. I would assume it's based on park attendance projections and if after they plan the hours and print the guest schedule cards, their projection suddenly increases, they decide to open longer. But can they do it in a day? Does it take 2 days to plan? More? Anyone know? It certainly left a good feeling with us, and made the day just that much more magical. |
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'Hannah Montana' star will play 'The Climb' at 44th annual
awards ceremony MTV - Miley Cyrus is embracing her country roots — her dad is country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, after all — by performing at the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5 in Las Vegas. The singer will sing her hit "The Climb," according to People. The show will be hosted by Reba McEntire, and country acts Lady Antebellum, John Rich, Lee Ann Womack and Jamey Johnson are also scheduled to perform. Miley's friend Taylor Swift, who performed her song "Fifteen" with the "Hannah Montana" star at the Grammy Awards, is nominated for Top Female Vocalist, Video of the Year for "Love Story" and Album of the Year for Fearless. "The Climb" is on the soundtrack to "Hannah Montana: The Movie." Cyrus debuted the song at a Disney event back in September and also sang it at the Kids' Inaugural concert in January. In a recent interview, Cyrus talked about how she wanted to focus more on her country roots. "In the movie, my character goes back to Nashville," she said, Just Jared reports. "The soundtrack is all about Nashville, and that's where I'm from, that's my roots. I think that's a lot of the reason I am who I am." The movie features a dance called the "Hoedown Throwdown," which has her fans jumping on the country bandwagon. "I have all these different kids at events who say, 'Oh yeah, I know the "Hoedown Throwdown" now,' and that's really cool that they're getting to dance to it," she said. "In the theaters, I think if they danced to it, it would be kind of cool." |
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Lohan's 'Labor' to
debut in summer Variety - The Lindsay Lohan comedy "Labor Pains" will debut on ABC Family over the summer. Produced by Nu Image/Millennium Films in association with Overnight Prods. and Plum Pictures, pic stars Lohan as a woman who fakes a pregnancy to keep her job, only to find she must keep up the ruse for the full three trimesters. Chris Parnell, Cheryl Hines and Janeane Garofalo are also in the movie. Nu Image plans to release the pic on DVD in August, shortly after its cable run. No domestic theatrical release is yet planned, but a source close to the project said one of the producers is currently looking to raise prints and advertising funds for a small theatrical window. |
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Making Disney
World Easy For Everyone WKMG - How much fun you have at Disney World depends on understanding why you are there in the first place. Family Fun Decide who will get the most out of your visit before you arrive. While many families bring young children to Disney World, toddlers won't remember much, and they can make your visit a challenge. If this is a trip you want the kids to cherish, take only those who are at least 4 years old. Where to stay: Disney does family lodging better than anyone, with themed hotels in several price ranges. At the high end, we prefer the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Polynesian Resort, which offer a variety of rooms. We also like Port Orleans Resort Riverside for its more reasonable rates and waterfront location. Old Key West Resort offers some of the largest accommodations. As a Disney Vacation Club property (time-share), it rents popular two- and three-bedroom condos with kitchens. Meanwhile, the basic rooms at the All-Star Resorts are quite affordable most of the time. How to spend your time: Schedule activities around the youngest member of your group. Kids over 6 years old can enjoy two theme parks a day. If you're toting tots, rent strollers for the length of your stay. Although you must return the stroller at the end of each day, you'll receive a ticket which allows you to avoid the longest morning lines after the first day. Outside the parks, head to DisneyQuest for five floors of interactive rides and games in Downtown Disney, or plan a day at a water park. Mealtimes: The Dining Plan offers the best value for guests staying in Disney resorts. It includes one table service meal, one counter service meal, and one snack each day (including non-alcoholic beverages and tips). Make reservations for your most important dinners three months before you arrive. Also, you may want to rent a refrigerator for your room. In the parks: While each park has something for little visitors, most prefer Magic Kingdom. Don't miss Pooh's Playful Spot, a new playground in Fantasyland. At Animal Kingdom, skip DINOSOAR with its roaring T. rex, and let brave adventurers try Primeval Whirl. The Shannon Family's Top 10 Southern Living senior designer Jennie Shannon recently spent
a week with her husband, Brian, and their 4-year-old son, Mac,
while leaving 21-month-old Cade at home. They plan to introduce
him to Mickey next time. Here are their family faves. Romancing The Mouse Look around, and you'll spy young couples in top hats and bridal veils. They know Disney makes a memorable romantic retreat. But you don't have to be newlyweds to celebrate your love. Every couple can find lovely magic in the Happiest Place on Earth. Where to stay: Disney's Grand Floridian and Yacht and Beach Club Resorts offer a refined luxury not found in the other resorts. But if you want privacy, the Caribbean Beach Resort's buildings seem a world away. Avoid the kid-packed All-Star and Pop Century Resorts. How to spend your time: Couples should splurge for tickets to La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil in Downtown Disney-it's worth the cost. After dark, settle onto the beach by the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian to watch the fireworks reflected on Seven Seas Lagoon. Late-nighters adore the dance clubs on Pleasure Island. Mealtimes: Find the best restaurants by resort-hopping. You'll discover New York style at Todd English's bluezoo in the Dolphin, South African foods at Jiko-The Cooking Place in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Mediterranean favorites at Spoodles on the BoardWalk. In Epcot, dine at Bistro de Paris or Sunshine Season, the new food court in The Land Pavilion, where wood-fired grills and woks elevate Disney counter service to a healthy level. In the parks: At Epcot, don't miss Soarin', a large-screen movie that makes you feel as if you are hang gliding. Plan several hours to explore the World Showcase for shopping and dining. Couples will enjoy the twists and turns of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Newlyweds At Disney My husband and I have visited twice since getting married
only 18 months ago. Here are our some of our best experiences.
Teens Do Disney Too Disney World can be a special place for those old enough to explore without Mom and Dad. They can ride buses between parks, dine with friends, and find adventures all on their own. Where to stay: Pools, accessibility to good bus routes, and fun atmosphere guide the best teen choices. A clean bed, a television, and a bathroom fit most of their needs. If you have a teen in tow and don't plan to spend much time in the room, choose the All-Star or Pop Century Resorts. If you know your teens will be out while you want to stay in, opt for the more spacious and centrally located Contemporary. How to spend your time: Last summer, my 16-year-old daughter, Ellen, and her friend, Amanda, responsibly visited all four parks, two water parks, Downtown Disney, and the BoardWalk. They learned bus routes and stayed in touch via cell phone. One of their favorite activities became pin trading. With a $20 investment in a lanyard and a set of six starter pins, they exchanged pins with Disney cast members everywhere they went. At night, they enjoyed the Magic Hours-the parks stay open to resort guests for three additional hours on certain nights. Mealtimes: Ellen made dining reservations each day. At MGM, the girls had to hide their uneaten green beans from their server at the 1950s-style Prime Time Café. Their Downtown Disney favorites included the House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, and Bongos Cuban Cafe. In the parks: Teens love excitement, and parents love safe thrills for their teens. Each park now offers at least one let-a-scream-fly ride. Animal Kingdom's brand-new roller coaster, Expedition Everest, gives them another reason to go in addition to Kali River Rapids. Epcot's Mission: SPACE appeals as well. MGM has the most to offer with the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; and the new Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. Ellen's Must-Do List Sixteen-year-old Ellen recently had her first on-her-own days
in the parks with a friend. This is her top 10. |
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Perry
County boy receives trip to Disney World Zanesville Times Recorder - Zach "Griff" Fortner had 27 hits, 13 RBIs and a home run last year during baseball season with the New Lexington Baseball Coach Pitch Division. That's a far cry from when Zach, 7, was diagnosed with Shaken baby syndrome or Hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid on the brain causing pressure with the skull. Zach had been shaken when he was just months old. When Zach was 5 months old, his adoptive parents, Leslie and John Fortner, were told he would never walk or talk again. "He's a miracle," Leslie Fortner said as she watched Zach play with his other siblings. "He's not completely out of the woods and he will always have trouble with his depth perception, but he's what prayer and love are all about." Not only has Zach turned into a normal, healthy boy, but earlier this month he was given a special wish. Kids Wish Network gave Zach and his family a four-day visit to Disney World in Florida. Zach said the best part was being on a roller coaster ride that went upside down. "It went zoom," Zach said with a grin as his hands and arms imitated the ride. "It was great." Zach also loved Space Mountain, but thought the Haunted Mansion was a little scary. "But we know the ghosts were just make-believe," Zach laughed. Darlene Denny, who is with the Perry County MRDD, put Zach's name in the hat with Kids Wish Network. "He's just such a special guy," Denny said. "I knew he'd love the special attention and he deserves it." The family was flown to Orlando and stayed at the Royal Plaza Hotel. The plane trip was Zach's first time to fly and he was amazed at how small buildings, cars and people looked from thousands of feet in the air. "We flew through the clouds and they were like white cotton candy," Zach said. "I got to sit by the window and everything below looked like tiny, itty bitty dots." The magic of Disney World took complete control of Zach and he was thrilled to get to eat at Giordan's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, where he was treated as nice as royalty, Leslie said. "They were all just amazing," Leslie said. "We got tickets that allowed us to go to the front of all the lines and went on just about every ride there was to go on. Zach didn't want to leave." The Fortners are eternally grateful for the trip and said that with Zach's rough start in life, it will be something he always treasure. Zach spent most of his first year in and out of hospitals in Columbus having skull tapping and various procedures and tests for his symptoms. "It was horrible," Leslie said. "We still have to go every three months for CAT scans." But Zack has fought back from his injuries and someday wants to be a baseball player - in particularly for the Cincinnati Reds. "I love baseball," Zack stated in his very matter-of-fact, no nonsense way. "Baseball is my life. But I do love math, too." Zack's eyes become dreamy when he describes how he was handed a ball at one Red's game. "It got popped up and came into the crowd and it bounced off everyone's hands," Zach says. "Then someone picked it up and gave it to me. That was really cool." Leslie said the trip may not have been possible without all the help from Denny, Dr. Jeffery Haggenjos and his staff, Forest L. Mumford Post 51 and John Tague Post 188 of the American Legion, and Kids Wish Network. "This was a trip we will all remember, but Zack will never, ever forget," Leslie said. "It was just a wonderful thing to do for this little boy." |
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Thursday March 26, 2009 |
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Rare Disney Mickey Mouse art to be displayed in Buffalo Should you stay at a Disney resort hotel? "The Lion King" Brings South Africa to Las Vegas Disney's California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of the World in 2009 Hundreds lose jobs as Disney World layoffs accelerate Master sommelier John Blazon among those in Walt Disney World layoffs Disney World offers Easter activities for the whole family Disney World's size awes and intimidates 'Get 2 More Nights Free' to Savor All the Exciting New Summer Entertainment At Disneyland Resort Disney Game to Use 3D Glasses Faryl Smith gets a Disney date Why I prefer Disneyland to Disney World Relay for Life hopes more teams will form around Disney theme Make Someone's Next Disney Trip Magical |
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Rare Disney Mickey Mouse art to be displayed in Buffalo
The Daily News - The original hand-drawn storyboards for "Plane Crazy," the 1928 animated cartoon in which Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse made his very first appearance will be on display in Buffalo on April 4. Drawn by Ub Iwerks who, along with Walt Disney, designed Mickey, these drawings are considered the rarest and most valuable Disney art in the world. On April 4, The Buffalo International Film Festival in partnership with Shea's Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., and The Walt Disney Company is presenting "Mickey Mouse Movie Masterpieces: A Celebration of Walt Disney." The all-day event will include 10 original, rare Mickey Mouse cartoons from the Disney Studio Archives and the complete uncut 1940 "Fantasia," unseen since 1990 on the Shea's screen. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Shea's box office. The event benefits various children's charities in Western New York, the restoration fund for Shea's Buffalo, and The Buffalo Film Festival. The storyboards will be hand-carried to Buffalo by Michael Carbonaro, noted comic historian. Originally part of the collection of Mort Walker's National Comic Art Museum in Boca Raton, Fla., the artwork will eventually find a home at Steve Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore, Md. Iwerks, Walt and Roy Disney's original partner in their animation company, drew "Plane Crazy" all by himself, in secret, after the Disneys lost the rights to their highly successful animated character Oswald the Rabbit in early 1928. "Plane Crazy," however, was not released to the general public until after "Steamboat Willie" the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon and the first cartoon designed specifically for sound. "Steamboat Willie" (also supervised and co-animated by Iwerks) was a smash hit, prompting the later release of "Plane Crazy" and "Gallopin' Gaucho" (the second Mickey cartoon) with synchronized sound tracks. The drawings are warm and charming: Mickey Mouse - newly created - displays all of his iconic appeal in these first drawings. Pat Powers, creator of Powers Cinephone, supplied his sound system to the Disney brothers in 1928 and made it possible for Mickey Mouse to talk. Mr. Powers' family was from Buffalo. Ralph Kent, another Buffalo native, became the "Keeper of the Mouse." Along with John Hench, he was the most respected Mickey Mouse artist at the studio and received a "Disney Legends" award. |
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Should you
stay at a Disney resort hotel? Salt Lake Tribune - Vacations are supposed to be hassle-free. That's one reason cruises and all-inclusive resorts have become popular travel options: Food, recreation, entertainment and transportation are provided for one price. Disney is attempting to mimic this model at its 23 resort hotels and campground at Disney World and, to perhaps a lesser extent, at its Disneyland properties. Travelers can find better lodging deals in Orlando or Anaheim near the Disney theme parks. But the benefits and convenience of staying at a Disney property might be worth the extra cost. That's especially true if everything goes smoothly, which is more likely if you arrive pretty much during business hours. A late-arriving flight like the one I had recently from Salt Lake to Orlando created a few delays and problems. Disney World is offering package deals that include such perks as transportation from the airport where, unless you arrive late, your luggage is delivered from the Orlando airport without even going through baggage claim to preferred golf tee times. "You don't need a car if you stay at Disney World," said Rick Sylvain, print media director for the Walt Disney Resort, who said the least crowded times to visit the theme parks are late January, the week before Labor Day until mid-October, and from Thanksgiving until the middle of December. That said, there are pros and cons to not renting a car. On the pro side, you don't have to pay parking fees at each of Disney World's four theme parks and can take the Walt Disney World transportation system to near the front door of every attraction. You don't have to fumble with maps to figure out where you are going and can easily return with the kids in the middle of a long day for a nap or a relaxing swim. On the con side, without a car you are pretty much stuck inside Disney World unless you want to hire a cab to go to other Orlando-area attractions such as Universal Studios, SeaWorld or Cape Canaveral. And if there are delays at the airport, as there were when we arrived at 11 p.m. after a long flight, you're at Disney's mercy. We didn't get back to our Boardwalk Hotel until almost midnight, when it was almost impossible to find a bellhop and there was a line to check in. Yet, once we settled in, I loved being inside the Disney World complex. While my wife and I didn't take advantage of The Boardwalk's swimming pool and water slide, we did play the midway games, enjoyed the brew pub restaurant, and spent a night on our balcony watching the fireworks at nearby Epcot while street performers entertained a big crowd below us. We also took time to explore the pricey Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, all located next to the Magic Kingdom theme park and right on a monorail line. If you have the money, these luxury resorts would make for an enchanting stay. In fact, Disney offers a variety of package options at its 23 hotels including value resorts, accommodations catering to kids, and adult-oriented properties such as The Boardwalk. Packages are rated as value resort, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villas and are priced accordingly. There are some excellent package deals that include park passes, especially during value season. Check with the resort at www.disneyworld.com or with a travel agent to learn what is available. The debate budget-conscious families must have is whether to spend extra for the convenience of staying inside the Disney Park or pay less for lodging and deal with the hassle of transportation. Having done it both ways, there are advantages to both. But it was nice to be able to return to a clean, large room after a long day visiting a theme park without having to drive. |
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"The
Lion King" Brings South Africa to Las Vegas Disney Insider - When "The Lion King" roars into Las Vegas later this spring, the creatures, sounds, and spirit of the Serengeti will come alive in a Broadway-caliber spectacular that proves it has richly deserved its reign as one of the most successful shows in theatrical history. Scheduled to officially open at the Mandalay Bay Theater May 15 (preview performances begin May 5), the award-winning musical from Disney Theatrical Productions is the Company's first show to take on the entertainment capital of the world -- and audiences are in for a treat. Mandalay Bay is known for superior entertainment, which made it the perfect venue for the show. "The theater's a great space and we're really thrilled about it. Here we have the opportunity to do the full-scale Broadway version [not possible on tour] that includes elevators to lift Pride Rock up from beneath the stage, full orchestration, and a stage that's the largest we've ever performed 'The Lion King' on. These elements alone will allow Vegas audiences to witness its full, lush glory as it's meant to be seen," says associate director John Stefaniuk. "The Lion King" has captivated Broadway and international audiences for over a decade. John describes why the show is so enduring. "'The Lion King' is a simple story about Simba, the prodigal son who goes out into the world to discover who he is and where he belongs ... which is actually right back at home. It's Simba's journey from boyhood to king that strikes a universal chord with audiences. After layering in the use of puppetry, costumes, Balinese, Indonesian, Asian, and African dance steps as well as the mask work, it becomes a beautiful feast of visuals that help tell the story." "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Hakuna Matata," and "The Circle of Life" are some of the show's best-loved songs, but it's the soulful fusion of songwriter Lebo M.'s rhythmic African music with Western pop that truly moves the story along -- particularly Simba's influences and struggles, as reflected in his song "Endless Night." John explains how the South African melodies reflect the show's authenticity. "People are completely blown away by the African music. It's a beautiful sound that touches you in such a guttural way ... but it can't be easily replicated. And when you experience the South African sound, spirit, and energy up on stage, it's the embodiment of Africa coming to life in Las Vegas." Kissy Simmons, the Broadway actress reprising her role as Nala in Vegas, agrees. "The fact that 'The Lion King' has so many South African cast members really makes a huge difference ... the energy comes across as authentic. Rafiki's played by a South African woman and the language isn't made up. The audience may not understand what she's saying, but it comes across as real because it is real ... and that speaks volumes." Currently there are more South Africans in the Las Vegas production than in any other company, filling both principal and ensemble roles. An amazing cast, imagery, music, and movement illustrate why the show has remained a global phenomenon ... but how will this production of "The Lion King" be unique for Las Vegas? "What's great about the theater is that the show evolves with the times. I review the text to see what's working and what scenes need augmenting to keep it fresh. Everything's taken into consideration – even the current economic climate. Plus, we've had the privilege of working with the animated film's director/writer Roger Allers and writer Irene Mecchi to streamline and inject the show with new ideas. They did the original stage adaptation and having them involved in Vegas is really quite exciting for us. That attention to detail is what keeps it so innovative and relevant," John responds. Both Kissy and John point out that the show isn't just for families – young and old get something different from it, which explains its mass appeal. Kissy says, "The story is absolutely beautiful. I'm so excited to be a part of this and encourage everyone to come see the show. It's unlike anything else. It's Vegas ... Disney style!" "We try not to replicate the film, we try to reinterpret the story. And that's the beauty about being able to transpose these things on stage. The audience sees everything ... strings lifting props as well as the actors breathing life into the masks and puppets. It becomes very much about raw storytelling – with grace and beauty," John adds. He continues, "I've been working on the show seven years and never tire of it. What's wonderful about 'The Lion King' is that there's so much to discover ... the layers and textures come together as a rich tapestry of ideas to create a show like nothing else you've ever seen. As a director, nothing is better than being challenged in such a way. Everyone's over the moon about being here and our challenge is making this production something that Las Vegas audiences have never seen before." In all its splendor, "The Lion King" in Las Vegas promises "there's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done"! |
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Disney's California Food and Wine Festival Celebrates Flavors of
the World in 2009 Disney News - Disney's California Food & Wine Festival will celebrate the international cultures, people, food and traditions that have made California one of the most diverse culinary destinations in the world. With a theme of "World Celebration," the Festival expands to six weeks in 2009 – April 24 through June 7 – featuring daily complimentary demonstrations and premier ticketed events at Disney's California Adventure park and throughout the Resort. Tickets for the premier events - which include unique opportunities to go "Behind the Scenes With …" celebrity chefs and winemakers - are available for purchase now at www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.More than 600 complimentary experiences will be available at the fourth annual Disney's California Food & Wine Festival, including culinary demonstrations, children's programs and wine and spirits seminars. In addition, food and wine aficionados will get tips from Disneyland Resort chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate at the spectacular ticketed events, including the gala Festival finale "Taste Food-Wine-Life." "The 2009 Disney's California Food and Wine Festival will take guests on a delicious journey around the globe," said Gary Maggetti, director of food and beverage for Disneyland Resort theme parks. "We invite guests to celebrate their favorite foods and wines with our great variety of events, and to explore new tastes and flavors with our outstanding chefs and wine experts." Food & Wine Festival events held in Disney's California Adventure require park admission, which is not included in the event price. Some events may require an additional fee and pre-registration. Featured celebrity chefs, including Guy Fieri of the Food Network, along with nearly 100 Disneyland Resort chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations that showcase their talents and an international mix of delectable dishes. Guests will collect cooking tips while they watch the pros in action, discovering new twists on timeless classics and sampling the festival cuisine. Guests will also taste delicious festival-inspired dishes at the Wine Country Trattoria, Pacific Wharf Café, Farmer's Market and other eateries inside Disney's California Adventure park. New Events for 2009
Popular Returning Events
For more details and pricing information, visit www.disneyland.com/foodandwine |
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Hundreds lose jobs as Disney World layoffs accelerate Orlando Sentinel - Walt Disney World has stepped up layoffs this week, as the company prepares to close out its fiscal second quarter at the end of this month. Disney, which is Central Florida's largest employer with about 62,000 "cast members," refused to say Thursday how many jobs it has eliminated. But one person familiar with some details of the cuts said he was given an estimate of 450. Employees said the cuts, which predominantly target salaried workers, have occurred across the resort's back-office functions, including entertainment, merchandise, finance, transportation, training, emergency management and theme-park operations. "It's property-wide," said Donna-Lynne Dalton, business agent for the Teamsters Local 385 union, which represents characters, laundry workers, parking attendants and ranch hands. She noted, however, that the job cuts have not affected unionized employees. "I was told that they are going to be walking people out through Friday," she said. One former employee, who said he was laid off Wednesday after more than 10 years at Disney World, said he was personally familiar with about two-dozen others who lost their jobs. Another worker laid off this week said he personally knew about 20 others whose jobs were eliminated. "We're not talking about one or two people. We're talking about 30 or 40 people in some areas," one of the laid-off employees said. Both spoke on the condition they not be identified, for fear of losing their severance pay. Disney announced in February that it would begin slashing jobs as part of a corporate restructuring in which it is combining functions between Disney World and Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. "We think these changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism, and they reflect today's economic realities," Disney spokesman Mike Griffin said Thursday. The job cuts follow voluntary buyouts offered to more than 600 executives across its domestic parks. Disney said approximately 50 people accepted the buyouts. The layoffs and buyouts are part of deep cost cuts imposed across the Walt Disney Co., as the Burbank, Calif., media-and-entertainment giant suffers through the worst recession in decades. Company profits fell by 32 percent during the first quarter, which ended Dec. 27. Disney's theme parks are particularly vulnerable to downturns in consumer spending. The company has attempted to keep attendance afloat with deep discounts that are eroding profit margins. Among those who have already departed or are scheduled to leave by the end of the month: Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin, top chef and restaurant planner Dieter Hannig, and veteran spokesman Bill Warren. The company has said it is trying to target cost cuts at its theme parks so that they do not hurt guests' experience. But one laid-off employee said the back-office cuts have been so deep that it will affect the employees who deal directly with guests. "The support from backstage to cast members affects that guest experience," he said. "They affect the cast member, the cast member's attitude, the cast member's ability to do their job." Disney World has been laying off workers since last month. But former employees say the cuts accelerated this week, and have been so widespread that one former employee described it as "a massacre." The cuts could be timed to coincide with the end of the Disney Co.'s fiscal second quarter, which concludes this month. Disney will report its second-quarter earnings May 5. |
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Master sommelier John Blazon among those in Walt Disney World
layoffs Orlando Sentinel - John Blazon, who spearheaded Walt Disney World's drive to have more wine-savvy restaurant workers on staff than any other company in the world, is among those laid off by the company this week. Blazon is one of the area's four master sommeliers, the pinnacle of wine experts certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers. There are only 100 master sommeliers in the United States and North America. Blazon had been with the company 13 years, beginning as general manager at Victoria & Albert's. He symbolically ended his tenure with the company today by choosing to hand over the "keys to the World" at the Grand Floridian. "Thirteen years was a good run," he told me today. "I'm leaving in a good place; it's a good thing." After moving from Victoria & Albert's to open Citricos, Blazon began to develop the company's wine program, which had the ambitious goal of educating any restaurant server who wished to learn more about wine. Ironically, the introductory course and test were conducted by Blazon and other master sommeliers at California Grill earlier this week. With the number of cast members who passed the test on Tuesday, Blazon says a total of 750 cast members had reached that goal over the years. He did not know how many of those were still with the company, but several have gone on to strive for higher certification. Rosemary Rose, vice president of food and beverage and merchandise, has also left the company, but contrary to prior information, Rose resigned last week to accept an executive position with Strayer Education. "It's going to be a much different company," Blazon said. But he added he hopes they will continue to offer the wine education programs. Among Blazon's accomplishments was the wine cellar at Jiko --The Cooking Place, which boasts the largest collection of South African wines in North America, and the more recently opened Wave, which features a wine list made up almost entirely of wines with Stelvin, or screwcap, closures, a popular feature among conservationists. |
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Disney World offers Easter activities for the whole family Examiner - There can be no better Easter than waking up in the morning and going on an Easter egg hunt right at your Walt Disney World Resort. Follow the hunt with a nice brunch at one of many of the Disney restaurants. Then get to spend the day at one of the theme parks, which will be holding a variety of Easter activities for guests of all ages.
Information is just
starting to be released about a variety of activities that
will be available throughout the Walt Disney World Theme
Parks and Resorts. Below is an overview of some activities
that are in the process of being planned.
During Easter week,
you will have a chance to meet the Easter Bunny, who takes
time out of his busy schedule to visit the Magic Kingdom
Park. The Easter Bunny is generally near the front of the
park, however, check with the parks guide map and times
sheet for exact times and location.
The Epcot
International Flower and Garden Festival occurs over the
Easter holiday and offers a variety of activities themed
around both events. Check with the park guide upon entering
the park for specific details.
Every year many
resorts offer either an Easter egg hunt or “candy scramble”
for the little guests at many of the moderate, deluxe and
Disney Vacation Club resorts. Other Easter activities, which
have been offered in the past at the resorts, include pool
parties, lawn games (water balloon toss, sac races and
more), Easter coloring, jelly bean tasting contest and other
Easter-themed crafts and activities. Upon checking in to a
Walt Disney World Resort ask for an Easter activity schedule
which will list activities, locations and times. Many
recreation departments are still in the planning process for
Easter activities, but I have been told that they will be
similar to previous year’s events.
Disney’s Yacht and
Beach Club will be offering a variety of Easter-themed
crafts and activities. Everyday there is a pool party and
guests can dance the Cupid Shuffle with the lifeguards.
Every night there is a sing-along campfire where guests can
make their very own s’mores and afterward grab a beach towel
and enjoy a movie along the shores of Crescent Lake.
There will be an
Easter Brunch available from noon until 6 p.m. at the Walt
Disney World Dolphin Resort’s Fresh Mediterranean Market.
Cost is $32.95 for adults and $17.95 for children under 10
years of age. The brunch will consist of a variety of soups,
salads, appetizers, lamb skewers and rosemary ham. For
dining reservations call 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).
I was
told by the Disney Reservation Center that this is the only
“Easter” brunch available, but that there are other Disney
restaurants that offer brunch on a daily basis. Check with a
Disney reservation specialist to make your Easter dining
plans.
Though it is not an
Easter Brunch, the House of Blues at Downtown Disney’s West
Side offers a Sunday Gospel Brunch weekly. Enjoy an
all-you-can eat Southern style buffet as you listen to live
music performed by local Gospel groups. Brunch times are at
10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. cost is $32.50 per person. For
reservations call 407-934-BLUE (2583).
As I get more
information about the upcoming events for Easter weekend I
will post them for your Walt Disney World vacation planning.
For more
information visit
www.disneyworld.com
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Disney World's
size awes and intimidates Salt Lake Tribune - Never has a place been more aptly named than Disney World. This well-planned, 47-square mile complex is indeed a world unto itself. In fact, tourists can visit a continent such as Africa or countries that include Mexico, France, Morocco, Great Britain, Italy and Norway without leaving the premises. How big is it? Disney World includes four theme parks, two water parks, 32 hotels (23 of them owned by Disney), six golf courses, a wedding pavilion, a campground, a sports complex that includes a NASCAR quality auto track, a monorail system, water taxis, a Downtown Disney shopping area, miniature golf courses, and its own highway system. So, how can you see and do as much as possible without becoming so exhausted that each day becomes a death march instead of a vacation? The answer is advance planning. There are many good guides to Disney World. Park officials recommend Birnbaum Guides' 2009 Walt Disney World . The Unofficial Guide to Disney World is another good choice. When I told Disney Destinations print and online media director Rick Sylvain that my wife and I were going to try to see the four major parks in three days, he shook his head and asked if we really knew what we were attempting. We didn't, and quickly discovered that three days is much too short to see four Disney World theme parks, much less try to enjoy staying at the Boardwalk Hotel, golfing, relaxing by a pool or going to a water park. And we didn't even think about seeing such nearby attractions such as Universal Studios Orlando or Sea World, which friends have told us are equally fun. Some tips: » If you can afford it, stay inside the Disney complex (see sidebar). That will save transportation costs and give you a place to crash in the middle of the day or after a long day of trekking the pavement and waiting in lines. » Be picky. Decide which attractions and parks are priorities and get to them first. If you have any energy after that, then see the others. If at all possible, go in the off-season. You can eat up a lot of time and energy waiting in lines. Use the fast-pass option which allows you to come to a big attraction such as Epcot's Soarin' within a certain time period and cut to the front of the line. » Take plenty of money. This will not be an inexpensive family vacation. From lodging to food to theme park admissions, nothing is cheap. For example, one adult ticket purchased online for three consecutive days at the four theme parks costs $212. Add a "park hopper" option to that which allows you to visit multiple parks on the same day and it's even pricier. Add to that admission to water parks and golf courses, the lure of shopping and side trips to other Orlando-area theme parks and the cost of a family vacation just continues to escalate. » Check for on-line specials on the Disney World web site or consult with a Utah travel agent specializing in Disney trips. » Make reservations for dinner. Many of the most popular fine dining places are booked early in the day. So, is Disney World worth the effort and expense? Judging from the happy looks on thousands of faces, the answer would be yes. This is a place where adults can wear absolutely ridiculous hats without a second thought; where attractions and hotels are well planned with impressive attention to detail; where tourists trade and collect pins; where there are no traditional amusement park rides but "attractions" in every sense of the word; and where people watching is almost as much fun as the parks. If you can't stand Mickey Mouse or being inundated with everything Disney, this is definitely not the place for you. But if you can buy into the Disney magic, Disney World is a place you'll want to visit at least once in your lifetime. |
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'Get 2 More Nights Free' to Savor All the Exciting New Summer
Entertainment At Disneyland Resort Disney News - With free admission to a theme park on your birthday throughout 2009, new adventures and entertainment at both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks, and a special travel offer that will add two free nights to your three-night stay, a visit to the Disneyland Resort this summer offers value-minded vacationers plenty to celebrate. By purchasing a three-night Disneyland Resort vacation package this summer, guests can magically extend their visit with an offer worth celebrating: Get two more nights free! This special Disneyland summer vacation offer provides a magical and affordable way for families to take in all the new fun and adventures at the Happiest Place on Earth this vacation season. "We know travelers are looking for great value in their vacations," said Ed Grier, president, Disneyland Resort. "With the new '2 Nights Free' offer and all of the new entertainment and attractions at our parks, we are providing our Guests with even more reasons to come celebrate with us this summer." With the new summer vacation packages, guests pay for three nights of hotel accommodations and three days of theme park admission, and then receive two more nights at the hotel and two more days of theme park admission. Together, the special deal provides guests five days and nights of Disneyland fun, for the price of three. Bookings for this limited-time offer must be made between March 24 and August 11, 2009. The summer vacation package offer for two more nights free is valid at all three Disneyland Resort Hotels – Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for arrivals between April 1 and September 26, 2009. Beginning May 1, the offer is also available at participating local Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotels, providing guests with a wide range of hotel accommodations and prices to fit every budget. Guests at a Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel must also begin their travel by September 26. New Entertainment and
Experiences Meanwhile, because there's so much in life worth celebrating, in April, Disneyland Park will also present the Celebration Roundup and Barbecue at Big Thunder Ranch, a good ol' cowboy-style hoedown featuring food and fun for the whole family. This summer the Happiest Place on Earth will be the Most Exciting Place on Earth! At Disneyland Park, Fantasmic! is bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before. And the skies above Sleeping Beauty Castle will come to life with a spectacular new fireworks show that will have guests celebrating across the Magic Kingdom. Over at Disney's California Adventure Park, Tinker Bell works her pixie magic and brings a bright new sparkle to the guest-favorite and classic Disney's Electrical Parade. In 2009, guests can also visit a Disney park for free on their birthdays. For guests who wish to visit on their birthdays and also take advantage of the paid summer treat of two more nights free, the Resort offers a selection of birthday treat options available with the packages. Just present your valid Park Hopper ticket on your birthday at the Main Entrance ticket booths and receive one of the following options instead of the free theme park birthday admission: A birthday FASTPASS ticket for certain attractions for up to six people in the birthday party (the number of birthday FASTPASS tickets is limited and may not be available after 11am; all guests must have valid Theme Park admission). Or… A Birthday Fun Card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day/1-Park Disneyland Resort ticket (based on general admission price or the reduced admission price for Guests ages 3-9 at the Main Entrance ticket booth, respectively). The Birthday Fun Card can be used at participating locations in the theme parks for select merchandise, Disney's PhotoPass on-site services and tours. Or… A 1-Day/1-Park Ticket that can be used anytime in the next 12 months, starting from the celebrant's date of birth. This ticket may be used by the Birthday celebrant only. For general Disneyland Resort information, park hours and entertainment schedules, call (714) 781-4565 or visit www.disneyland.com. The summer vacation offer cannot be combined with any other discounts. |
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Disney Game to Use 3D
Glasses Edge - Disney Interactive Studios has announced that it will be shipping a set of 3D glasses with every copy of its upcoming title, Toy Story Mania. 2009 opened with much deliberation on what impact 3D TV may have on the games industry, with Nvidia just one of the companies flaunting its 3D technology at this year’s CES event in Las Vegas. Sony’s CES keynote conference showcased video footage of Gran Turismo 5 rendered in 3D, which needed Real-D Cinema glasses to properly view. The platform holder also demonstrated a selection of games on its 3D Bravia television displays. Yet no solid plans for future 3D game technology have been announced. Disney Interactive Studio’s 3D glasses are of the classic anaglyph variety with green and red lenses. The publisher claims they can work on standard television sets, and are “required” for play. Toy Story Mania is being developed by Papaya Studio, and is described by Disney Interactive as “an array of entertaining games based on the … Toy Story franchise at Walt Disney World Resort attractions”, suggesting it will be a collection of minigames set in an amusement park. The game is set to launch exclusively for the Wii in the Autumn, around the same time as Disney Digitals' 3D theatrical re-release of Toy Story, which will be followed by a 3D release of Toy Story 2 in February next year, with the next Toy Story film set to arrive in the Summer of 2010. |
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Faryl Smith gets a
Disney date The Press Association - Faryl Smith is set to meet Disney icon Mickey Mouse at his Magical Party in Paris - and the singer cannot wait. The 13-year-old classical star will be taking her family along for the ride to Disneyland Resort Paris and they are all just as excited. "Me and my family are actually really, really looking forward to it - me and my family have been absolutely mad on Disney. I love rides and performances and anything like that so it's really good," she said. |
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Why I prefer
Disneyland to Disney World Salt Lake Tribune - There is no denying that Utahns love all things Disney, including the company's theme parks, television and radio stations, movies and iconic cartoon characters. For many of us, a trip to Disneyland was an essential rite of growing up. I first went when I was 12 and I have taken my kids and grandchildren to the park. In my day, our only choice was Disneyland. Now, there are Florida's Disney World and a myriad of other Disney parks in Europe and Asia. Many Utah travelers might ask themselves if it's worth the extra money, time and travel to fly to Florida to visit Disney World as opposed to the more traditional road trip or quick flight to Anaheim and Disneyland. Having recently spent three days at Disney World exploring its four major theme parks -- the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios -- and having visited Disneyland in September, I would argue that bigger is not necessarily better. Call me a traditionalist, but I like Disneyland more than its Florida counterpart. Despite the huge size of Disney World, Disneyland and California Adventure offer most of the same attractions. The major exceptions are at the relatively new Animal Kingdom which offers the impressive Kilimanjaro Safaris and some dinosaur attractions not found in California. Epcot also is unique with its World Showcase, Spaceship Earth, Mission: Space and Test Track Rides. In fact, while it has some attractions found in Anaheim, Epcot might be the best reason to travel to Florida. While there is a good thrill roller coaster at California Adventure, the Aerosmith Rock n' Roller Coaster in Florida's Hollywood Studios was my favorite Disney World ride. That said, perhaps the biggest disappointment at Walt Disney World is its signature Magic Kingdom park. Classic rides such as the Haunted Mansion, Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and Peter Pan simply lacked the magic found on the originals at Disneyland. I did like Disney World's Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad better. It's purely subjective, but I also did not find the "cast members," as Disney likes to call its employees, quite as helpful or friendly in Florida as they were in California. The biggest reason I like Disneyland and California Adventure is that they are smaller. That makes rides and attractions easier to access, a definite bonus when you are spending 12-hour days with younger children. Three days is probably too short a time to spend at Disney World. But a family can see most of what Disneyland and California Adventure have to offer in two days, making the trip more affordable and shorter. |
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Relay for Life hopes more teams will form around Disney theme Moulton Advertiser - The 2009 Lawrence County Relay for Life fund raising goal is $61,499, and organizers are hoping to sign more teams in order to meet that goal. RFL Chair Rita Dunlap said the goal is to have 31 teams participating in the event. However, at the present time, only 18 teams are registered, although there are more teams working who have not yet registered. Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s largest fund raiser, and teams compete to raise money for cancer research. This year’s relay will be May 1 at Lawrence County High School football stadium. For weeks preceding the relay event, teams hold various fund raising drives and collect money that is applied toward Lawrence County’s overall goal. Each team chooses a theme, and on the night of the relay, the teams set up and decorate campsites on the infield of the LCHS stadium. For the first time ever, there will be an overall theme for the relay event. Borrowing from Disney, the first overall theme will be “Wish Upon a Cure.” Dunlap said teams will select a Disney movie on which to base their themes and campsite decorations. For example, New Freedom Independent Church chose the theme “Strike Out Cancer” based on the movie “Angels in the Outfield.” The team’s campsite will be decorated accordingly. Dunlap said another team, Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, chose the movie “The Lion King,” and its campsite will be decorated based on the theme, “Keep Cancer Out of the Pride Lands.” A few of the other teams and their teams are as follows: “Camp Rock” is the movie chosen by the team Teenz 4 A Cure. The team’s theme will be “Rock Out Cancer” and its campsite will feature the opportunity to pay to play the popular video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band. The Century 21 team chose the team “Spot Cancer Before It Spots You,” based on the movie “101 Dalmatians.” Bank Independent’s theme will be “Hunting for a Cure,” based on the movie, “The Fox and the Hound.” The Alpha Kappa Alpha team’s theme will be “Drive Cancer Off the Road,” based on the movie “Cars.” The Lawrence Medical Center team chose the movie “Aladdin,” and its theme will be “Soaring for a Cure.” The Boone’s Hunters team also chose “Soaring for a Cure” as its theme, but it is based on the movie “Dumbo.” “Peter Pan” was the inspiration for the Regions Bank team, which chose the theme “All It Takes is Faith, Trust and Fairy Dust to Beat Cancer.” The Joe Wheeler EMC team chose the theme “We’re Kicking Cancer,” based on the movie “The Game Plan.” Moulton Middle School’s theme will be “Trap Cancer,” based on the movie “The Parent Trap.” The team’s campsite will also feature a jail in which people will be voluntarily confined until they “pay their bail” with a relay donation. Some of the other teams include Hospice of the Valley with a “Toy Story” theme; the Mt. Hope High School and East Lawrence High School teams with a “National Treasure” theme; and the Sign for a Cure team with a “Return to Halloween Town” theme. Dunlap said other teams will announce themes at a later date. Anyone interested in forming a team, or if you’ve already formed a team but haven’t yet registered, please contact RFL Team Development Chair Wanda Alexander at 476-4288. |
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Make Someone's
Next Disney Trip Magical About - When I arrived at Saratoga Springs Disney World, I thought I knew what to expect. Little did I know, the Disney Dream Makers had been hard at work before I arrived. I followed yellow and red footprints on the carpet to a giant Mickey Mouse doll, sitting on the bed. Next to him was an oversized present, as if he was waiting to give it to us. (I'm sure my 1-year-old thought, and still thinks, he's the real thing.) The whole room was decorated: a banner on the window, a gift basket made out of a popcorn bucket with Disney characters, even a towel with our names on it. It really put some extra excitement -- yes, all that Disney magic -- into our arrival. The Walt Disney World Dream Makers are a new service designed to customize a celebration and make it special. Birthdays, anniversaries, "princess for a day," first Disney trip -- any special occasion can be celebrated with some pixie dust. Even if you're not going to be along on the trip, you can call it in. Besides the custom room décor, you can gift a carriage ride, a fireworks cruise, or special dining reservations, to name a few ideas. You can reach them online or at (407) WDW-GIFT (for Disneyland, (714) 781-GIFT). |
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Wednesday March 25, 2009 |
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Disneyland Resort Restaurants Win 15 Awards At Southern
California Restaurant Writers Banquet Is Disney Worth It? Disney Retirement Disney World In Process Of Reducing Jobs 'Dancing' inching up on Fox's `Idol' Disneyland's new 'Celebrate!': A sneak peek at 'street show' debuting Friday 82nd annual Oscars show to air on ABC March 7 Disney's MARY POPPINS Opens in Chicago BOOM! launches kid-friendly website to market Disney books Disney Favorites Make Special Visit To Sick Kids Disney Picks Up Ponyo for Aug. Release Mum takes on Disney with kids' social network |
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Disneyland Resort Restaurants Win 15 Awards At Southern
California Restaurant Writers Banquet Disney News - Disneyland Resort celebrates 15 new awards for its restaurants and chefs as it prepares to launch the 2009 Disney's California Food & Wine Festival, a six-week "World Celebration" that features delicious food and wine from Disneyland chefs and celebrity chefs and winemakers. The 2008-09 awards were presented to Disneyland Resort restaurants and chefs at the recent Southern California Restaurant Writers Awards Banquet at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, California. A highlight for Resort restaurants was the recognition of Alex Flores and Francisco Origel, sous chefs at the perennially popular Napa Rose in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, as co-winners of the "Sous Chef of the Year" award. Napa Rose was honored further with a Golden Bacchus Wine Award and a Golden Sceptre (Five Star) award, the highest, in the continental category. Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel also received highest honors, with a Golden Bacchus Wine Award and a Golden Sceptre (Five Star) award in the American category. The awards reflect Disneyland Resort's commitment to guest service, which has been enhanced under the guidance of Master Sommelier Michael Jordan and his wine education program. The Resort has 300 certified sommeliers who assist guests with the pairing of wine and food. Andrew Sutton, the executive chef who has helped guide the culinary success of Napa Rose since it opened in 2001, lauded the success of his sous chefs, saying, "This is a tribute to their hard work and dedication to the Napa Rose. Alex and Francisco have been instrumental in the restaurant's success, contributing to the culinary vision with their expertise, dedication, talent and integrity." Francisco Origel worked with Sutton for five years at Auberge du Soleil in the California wine country. He was promoted to sous chef at Auberge du Soleil in 1997 following a rigorous selection process. He joined the Napa Rose culinary team in fall of 2002. "Francisco has amazing plating and cooking skills that he loves to share with his fellow chefs," Sutton said. Alex Flores was part of the opening culinary team for Disney's Grand Californian Hotel in 2001, working in Storytellers Café. He moved to Napa Rose in June 2002 and worked his way through the culinary training program at all stations in the restaurant, being promoted to sous chef in 2007. "Alex is a self-starter and dedicated to his craft," Sutton said. "He is incredibly imaginative and has the culinary disciplines to back it up with sound cooking and flavor combinations." Napa Rose showcases California wine country cuisine with menu options that change seasonally to follow the holistic dining philosophy of Executive Chef Sutton. The restaurant features a 16,000-bottle wine cellar, more than 1,000 vintages and 80 wines available by the glass. At Steakhouse 55, which also earned top honors for the Disneyland Resort, guests experience classic and delectable American fare while enjoying the feel of vintage Hollywood through the restaurant's retro décor. The restaurant is also home to the posh Lounge at Steakhouse 55 that features an extensive wine list and light menu of new and old American classics. With a total of 15 awards going to 12 restaurants – seven in Disneyland Resort hotels, two in Disneyland, two in Downtown Disney and one in Disney's California Adventure – Disneyland Resort guests have a vast array of outstanding dining options. Guests will be able to meet some of the Disney chefs and enjoy hundreds of complimentary demonstrations at Disney's California Food & Wine Festival, which runs April 24 through June 7 inside Disney's California Adventure. For details and information, go to www.disneyland.com/foodandwine. The complete list of Disneyland Resort awards: Special Award Category
Golden Bacchus Wine Award
Golden Sceptre (Five Star):
Gold (Four Star)
Sterling (Three Star)
Silver (Two Star)
The Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc. has operated for 35 years as a non-profit seeking to improve the quality of restaurants in the region. Award winners are chosen from Santa Barbara south to the Mexican border. |
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Is Disney Worth It? Motley Fool - Disney (NYSE: DIS) fans know they have to pay a premium.
In short, Disney buffs expect to pay more for the family entertainment giant. Unfortunately for Disney shareholders, Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Wienkes doesn't feel that the stock deserves a similar markup. Wienkes downgraded the stock yesterday -- from "buy" to "neutral" -- and slashed his six-month price target on the stock from $26 to $20 per share. He feels that Disney is selling at roughly a 25% premium to its battered media peers, and he sees that gap narrowing. Yes, it has been a hard time for the media industry. Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), CBS (NYSE: CBS), and News Corp. (Nasdaq: NWS) are all trading in the single digits. They were all in double digits a year ago. Slowdowns in television advertising and DVD sales have stung, though the sector as a whole is trading at ridiculous valuations if you look out to 2010. Is Disney trading at a richer multiple than most of its peers? Yes. Is it expensive, trading at less than 10 times next year's projected profitability? Not exactly. Disney needs the economy to recover. That is inescapable. It's no coincidence that the company is coming off back-to-back quarters of missing Wall Street estimates after consistently blowing away analysts after CEO Bob Iger originally took over. Disney thrives when consumers have the flexibility to pay a premium. However, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Disney as premium-worthy just because it's in a market lull. The company has a portfolio loaded with cable properties like ESPN and Disney Channel that aren't as susceptible to advertiser slowdowns as they are to cable subscription defections. There may be cracks forming, but we're not there yet. In the meantime, investors know that when the economy does roar back, Disney will have the country's most popular theme parks, casino-free cruises, and probably the next Miley Cyrus or two ready to burst onto the stage. I think all of the media companies are being unfairly priced by Mr. Market these days, but I have every reason to believe that Disney has the brand, history, and arsenal to earn its market premium. |
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Disney Retirement
TheLedger - I don't know how many people know about recent action taken by Walt Disney World against their employees, but they should be informed. In past years the employees had an agreement with Disney management that the employees could pay into their retirement fund. Recently Disney informed the employees that Disney was canceling the program as is. Now, those retiring would receive only half of their promised retirement, but only if they retired at once. Those not old enough or without enough seniority would receive nothing upon retiring.. Actions like this are precisely why unions were formed in the early 1930s. To prevent companies from taking advantage of their employees this way. I was a union member for many years in the auto plants around Detroit from 1953 until my retirement in 1992, moving to Florida in 1995. I haven't always agreed with some of the decisions by the unions but they are, unfortunately, necessary. Company managements have, over the years, shown a propensity for trying to run roughshod over the rights of their employees. Unions were formed to help prevent this. I realize that unions are unpopular in certain circles, but without them workers' rights would be trampled on by the likes of Disney and conglomerates like them. I urge unions all over the United States to support their union brothers and boycott all Disney parks. I also urge Disney workers to unite and, if necessary to close down Disney World until they are granted that which was promised them. I realize that the parks are not making as much money as they used to but breaking faith with long time loyal employees is not the answer. GERALD BLAKE Haines City |
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Disney World
In Process Of Reducing Jobs Tampa Tribune - An undisclosed number of job reductions are under way at Disney World following the company's announcement in January it was offering buyouts to 600 executives companywide, including about 300 in Florida. Disney said at the time the buyouts could be followed by layoffs pending the response to the company's offers. "We are in the middle of a domestic reorganization to our backstage operations." Mike Griffin, vice president of communications for Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, said today. "We are going forward with efficiencies." Griffin declined to say how many jobs were being cut and how many layoffs were ordered. The job cuts began three weeks ago, he said. |
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'Dancing' inching up on Fox's `Idol' AP - "American Idol" may have some competition on its hands. ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" finished closer to "Idol" than it ever has in a week where both shows were on the air, according to Nielsen Media Research. "Dancing" reached 21.2 million viewers last Monday, while "Idol" had 21.9 million on Tuesday. "Idol" fared much better when the games' results shows aired. "Idol" is in the midst of its semifinal rounds, where interest has traditionally waned compared to the auditions and final few episodes. Fox is also comforted by knowing "Idol" has a much younger audience, considered more valuable to advertisers. The news was less encouraging for ABC's new comedy "Better Off Ted," which features Portia de Rossi. It reached only 5.5 million people for its debut last week. CBS' "60 Minutes," which drew 17 million viewers to watch an interview with President Barack Obama on Sunday, was the most-watched prime-time show last week that did not involve singing and dancing. CBS won the week, averaging 11.5 million viewers (7.1 rating, 12 share). Fox averaged 10.3 million viewers (6.0, 10), ABC had 9.2 million and struggling NBC had 5.7 million (3.7, 6). The CW (1.3, 2) and My Network TV (1.1, 2) both averaged 1.9 million viewers in prime-time. ION Television had 630,000 viewers (0.2, 1) Among the Spanish-language networks, Univision led with 4 million viewers (2.0 rating, 3 share), Telemundo had 1 million (0.5, 1), TeleFutura 690,000 (0.4, 1) and Azteca 180,000 (0.1, 0). NBC's "Nightly News" topped the evening newscasts with an average of 8.6 million viewers (5.7, 12). ABC's "World News" was second with 7.9 million (5.3, 11) and the "CBS Evening News" had 6.1 million viewers (4.1, 9). A ratings point represents 1,145,000 households, or 1 percent of the nation's estimated 114.5 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show. For the week of March 16-22, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: "American Idol" (Wednesday), Fox, 23.71 million; "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 21.89 million; "Dancing With the Stars," ABC, 21.22 million; "60 Minutes," CBS, 17.04 million; "NCIS," CBS, 15.84 million; "The Mentalist," CBS, 15.49 million; "Desperate Housewives," ABC, 14.75 million; "Grey's Anatomy," ABC, 14.61 million; "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 14.12 million; "Criminal Minds," CBS, 13.74 million. ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co. CBS is owned by CBS Corp. CW is a joint venture of Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corp. Fox and My Network TV are units of News Corp. NBC and Telemundo are owned by General Electric Co. ION Television is owned by ION Media Networks. TeleFutura is a division of Univision. Azteca America is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V. |
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Disneyland's new 'Celebrate!': A sneak peek at 'street show'
debuting Friday  Los
Angeles Times - I was up well before dawn this morning to watch
a dress rehearsal of "Celebrate! A Street Party," the new
interactive "street show" debuting at Disneyland on Friday.
The Anaheim theme park's Main Street USA was surreally alive at 3 a.m. — with overnight "third-shift" crews watering flowers, trimming trees and planting perennials. A backhoe stood sentinel before Sleeping Beauty Castle as a dinosaur-like cherry picker maneuvered down a spoke street. But all traffic gave way when the pulsating dance music started and the first of the "Celebrate!" floats motored down the parade route. Dancers, Disney characters, stilt-walkers and bicycle "chariot" drivers in a mix of rehearsal sweat suits and sequined costumes enthusiastically performed for the mostly phantom audience, save for the parade support staff and the occasional gardener. I was there to watch a preview of the show, which appeared pretty dialed-in from my first-timer's perspective. The show — and yes, it's more a series of performance show stops than a traditional marching parade — seems the perfect anecdote for these dire economic times. A no-frills performance low on costly gadgetry and theatrics and high on affordable energy and fun. Call it a recession-era jolt of glitz, glam, vamp and camp with just a bit of retro-1970s cheese thrown in for seasoning. Dare I say it was even a tad bit hip and sexy, with the sequined-skirted female dancers high-kicking and back-flipping in a way that could only seem risqué if you filtered the scene through a Disney lens. The parade — and I can't help calling it that — features 99 performers, including 48 dancers, 12 stilt-walkers, 12 chariot drivers, three DJs and 24 costumed Disney characters. To my surprise, even Clarabelle Cow and Clarice the Chipmunk — two of Disney's lesser-known characters — join the cast. "We wanted to do something in the park that would celebrate the guest," said Denny Newell, a senior show director at Disneyland who oversees "Celebrate!" "We thought the best way to do it would be to throw them a big dance party." "Celebrate!" began development about eight months ago, proceeding through the artist concept stage to costuming, music and float-building before auditions were held in January. The cast of about 200 (enough for a seven-day-a-week schedule) began intense rehearsals over the last several weeks. "We haven't done a big dance show like this at the park for a long time," Newell said. "It goes back to the successes we had with "Main Street Hop" and "Party Gras," these fun street shows that stopped and got everybody involved." The 12-minute "show stops" occur at three locations: along Main Street, around the Central Plaza hub and in front of It's a Small World. You won't see the show if you wait around Town Square in front of the train station or along Matterhorn Way. "Celebrate! A Street Party" is high on interactive participation — with chances for the audience to join a conga line, bang a drum or dance the Twist. Just watch out for the speeding bicycle chariots carrying costumed Disney characters. I predict a fur-flying, stilt-toppling wreck of comic proportions in the coming weeks if those charioteers don't slow down. The seven parade floats include three rolling stages with DJ skyboxes and four smaller character floats featuring inflatable balloon likenesses of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. The show features 15 songs, including swing ("Jump With My Baby," "Jump, Jive & Wail" and "I Wanna Be Like You"), rock ("I Love Rock 'n' Roll," "Do You Wanna Dance?" and "The Twist") and Latin ("Cup of Life" and "Tico Tico"). The conga line features a trio of reinterpreted Disney songs: "Under the Sea," "Friend Like Me" and "Tiki Room." The confetti-finale includes the infectious "Can't Stop the Beat" (from "Hairspray") and the original tune "Celebrate You." Between show stops, the performers travel to a speeded-up version of Miley Cyrus' "Pumping Up the Party," which will be familiar to any tween girl or her parents (I regularly sing a karaoke duet of the tune with my 8-year-old daughter, Hannah). The parade will be held twice on busy days at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and once on slower days at 7 p.m. |
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82nd
annual Oscars show to air on ABC March 7 AP - The Oscars will be presented a little later next year. The 82nd Annual Academy Awards will air live on ABC from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on March 7 to avoid coinciding with the Winter Olympics, said Leslie Unger, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The 2010 Winter Games are scheduled Feb. 12-28. This year's Oscars telecast, hosted by Hugh Jackman, aired Feb. 22. For many years, until 2004, the awards ceremony was held at the end of March. "It has been in February since then, except for one year, in 2006, where the circumstances were the same as next year, to not coincide with the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics," Unger said Wednesday. Nominations ballots will be mailed to members Dec. 28 and nominations polls will close Jan. 23. Nominations will be announced Feb. 2. "In terms of the nominating process, that puts another week in the schedule for members to see movies," Unger said. ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co. |
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Disney's MARY POPPINS Opens in Chicago Broadway World - The North American National Tour of Mary Poppins officially opens on March 25, 2009 with the two original Broadway stars, Ashley Brown as "Mary Poppins" and Gavin Lee as "Bert." Mary Poppins, a co-production by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006. Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics. Broadway In Chicago and producers Cameron Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher are delighted to announce that Mary Poppins will be extending its stay at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through July 12, 2009. Tickets for newly announced performances from May 20 to July 12, 2009 will go on sale March 13, 2009 at 10 a.m. Individual tickets for performances are available for as low as $23. In addition, Mary Poppins will have special Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m. throughout the Chicago engagement. Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyr leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. Mary Poppins features set and costume design by TonyÒ Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick. Consistently among the top-grossing shows on Broadway, Mary Poppins celebrated its two-year anniversary at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Simultaneously, the show's popularity grows around the globe. Following a successful three-year run (December 2004 - January 2008) at the Prince Edward Theatre on London's West End, a U.K. tour of Mary Poppins commenced in summer 2008 and is currently performing in Manchester, with additional dates booked in Cardiff through April 2009. Mary Poppins will later make its Australian debut at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in October 2009. Mary Poppins will play the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Please note there will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday performances on March 24, March 31, June 30 and July 7. There will not be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday matinee performances on March 11 and March 25. There will not be 6:30 p.m. Sunday performances on March 15, March 22, April 5 and July 12. Ticket prices range from $23 to $90. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations and a commemorative souvenir program, are also available and range in price from $123 to $150. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Tickets are available to groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977-1710. For more information please visit www.MaryPoppinsTour.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com |
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BOOM! launches kid-friendly website to market Disney books Comic Book Resources - Today sees the release of two of BOOM’s kid-friendly titles coming out of their deal with Disney/Pixar — The Incredibles: Family Matters #1 and The Muppet Show Comic Book #1. To help market the books to kids — and to help save the children from their more adult-oriented titles — BOOM! has launched a new website geared specifically to the younger set and their parents. Boom-kids.com features info on both titles, as well as their upcoming Cars comic. They’re also offering subscriptions to all of these titles on the site. “We love the sophisticated stories of the core BOOM! comics; it’s what we built the company on,” said BOOM! CEO Ross Richie in a press release. “But in the mass market and the direct market, where these books will be seen by children, the branding needs to align with other kids’ content that we publish, from CARS to TOY STORY to MUPPETS to other BOOM! original works that we plan to release. The BOOM! Kids imprint allows us to help parents, keeping our message straightforward and branding the kids’ stuff clearly, and signaling the older-skewing material as appropriate for those audiences.” So if you’re looking for something to buy your kids, check out the new site, but if you’re looking for less wholesome titles about zombies, shadowy government think tanks and irredeemable villains, the regular old BOOM! site can help you out. |
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Disney Favorites Make Special Visit To Sick Kids KKTV 11 News - Some of our favorite Disney characters made a special stop Wednesday at the pediatric ward of Memorial Hospital. Mickey and Minnie put smiles on the faces of all of the sick children on the 4th floor of Memorial Hospital for Children. The classic Disney couple are in town to perform Disney on Ice's Disneyland Adventure this weekend at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Today, though, Mickey and Minnie spent their day reading to kiddos at Memorial. No matter how busy the superstar couple is, they always make time for their fans. If you'd like to bring your kids to Disney on Ice, tickets
are still available. |
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Disney Picks Up Ponyo for Aug. Release Animation Magazine - Disney will release Hayao Miyazaki's Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea on August 14, 2009. Retitled as Ponyo for its U.S. theatrical run, the English-language version features the voices of Cate Blanchett, Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Frankie Jonas, Cloris Leachman, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin and Betty White. John Lasseter, Brad Lewis and Peter Sohn are listed as English voice talent directors, and Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Steve Alpert are billed as producer of version. Melissa Mathison (ET, The Black Stallion) wrote the English screenplay. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea was Japan's biggest box office hit in 2008, earning 15.50 billion yen (over US $172 million), more than double the second highest-grossing film, Boys Over Flowers Final. The feature also won the Top Tokyo Anime Award and the Japanese Academy Award for Best Animation of the year a well as the Future Film Digital Award at last year's Venice Film Festival. Exec produced by Miyazaki and Lasseter, Ponyo is inspired in part by Hans Christian Andersen's popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid. The plotline centers on the friendship between a five-year-old boy (voiced by Frankie Jonas) and an overeager goldfish (Noah Cyrus) who dreams of becoming human. |
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Mum takes
on Disney with kids' social network Sydney Morning Herald - A mother of two from Brisbane has put her house and $300,000 on the line to take on corporate behemoth Disney with a new social networking site for pre-teens. Karen Orford, 40, has just launched ekidnaworld.com after an 18-month slog that, in her own words, nearly killed her. She came up with the idea after her two daughters, aged 7 and 9, reached an age at which they were itching to chat online but Orford couldn't find a site that she was comfortable would be safe enough. So she contracted a Brisbane technology company to build Ekidnaworld. She says it sets itself apart from Disney's Club Penguin by being "quintessentially Australian" and includes a built-in safety mechanism whereby parents have to enter a password before their child can add each "friend" on the site. After remortgaging her house and pumping $300,000 into getting the site up and running, Orford is managing the start-up virtually on her own. "The process has been grueling, as I do have a 'real' job and two children, a sick mother and a husband," she said. "My office is a laptop at the kitchen bench and my hours are post everything. I generally start around 9pm and work until my eyes fall out, or I suddenly remember that I need to produce a Red Ridinghood costume by 8am." Members - the target market is kids aged eight to 12 - start out by choosing one of 10 native Australian animals as their avatar and one of five homes, from a city penthouse to a tree house to a beach bungalow. They start with 100 "ekidna gold nuggets" and can use them to customize their avatars and doll up their houses with new furniture and accessories. The in-game money is earned by doing quizzes and playing one of the many Aussie-themed games including roo racing, surfing, snowball shootout, fishing, sheep herding and river rafting. "Roo racing is actually quite cute because up to four kangaroos can be in a race and your avatar appears in the pouch," she said. Kids can also build and maintain their own garden and once the plants have grown they can sell them for more in-game cash. The built-in chat and email are monitored for swear words and members can only type letters, not numbers, limiting their ability to give out addresses and phone numbers. Sending out links is also barred so kids don't end up clicking through to an inappropriate site. "The capacity of these children to use the internet, at eight, is astounding, but the problem is their emotional and social development is still eight ... and you've got to remember that as a parent," Orford said. Everything on the site is free but parents must pay a monthly subscription fee of $7.95 after a one-month trial. There is no advertising. "For the price of two coffees a month you can get peace of mind," she said. "As most parents of kids that age [eight to 12] will know, you can talk until you're blue in the face but it'll only do so much, kids are kids ... I think the only way you can really ensure their safety if they want the capacity to chat is to make sure you know who it is they're chatting to." In just a few weeks the site has grown to 382 members, which Orford is happy with considering she has no marketing budget. She said she can afford to keep the site running at a loss for about six months, by which point she hopes to be breaking even. |
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Tuesday March 24, 2009 |
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Balloon set
to drift over Downtown Disney Walt Disney shares edge lower on Goldman downgrade Disney in talks for rights to "Stoneheart" books Disney Japan plans digital network Disney Interactive Studios Announces Toy Story Mania!, Inspired by the Disney/Pixar Feature Film "Toy Story," Exclusively for Wii BOLT on DVD and Blu-ray Lilo & Stitch 2-Disc Big Wave Edition on DVD Revisiting Fantasmic! dinner package at Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney-backed liability bill slowly advances Miley Cyrus Hopes Hannah Movie Won't Be the End Disney World Do's and Don'ts Disneyland capital injection under study |
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 Balloon
set to drift over Downtown DisneyTheme Park Rangers - Strolled Downtown Disney this morning to see the inflated Characters in Flight balloon. It's decorated with airborne Disney characters such as Mary Poppins, Peter Pan & co., Dumbo and Aladdin. This pic was taken from behind Bongos restaurant. Disney says the first guests will go up April 1 -- next Tuesday (!). It reaches 400 feet about every 10 minutes, the company says. Prices are $16 general and $10 for ages 3-9. (That's tax included). It will be interesting to see what we can see. The ticket booth is the former Information Booth, which is now down the way at DisneyQuest. Note the characters' silhouettes incorporated again. |
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Walt Disney shares edge lower on Goldman downgrade AP - Walt Disney Co. shares retreated in morning trading Tuesday after Goldman Sachs downgraded the company, arguing shares are overvalued compared with peers and second-quarter results are likely to miss Street forecasts. Disney is still the most "fundamentally" well positioned of the large media companies, Goldman analyst Mark Wienkes told clients in a note. But he added that fiscal second-quarter results are likely to miss Wall Street projections because of "tepid" theater revenue. Wienkes said theme park performance should prove a drag on the company through next year, but investors have already priced that factor into the stock. He also said Disney trades at a 25 percent premium to peer companies -- CBS Corp., News Corp., Time Warner Inc. and Viacom Inc. -- a gap he expects will narrow as short-term results come in below expectations. Wienkes downgraded shares to "Neutral" from "Buy" and cut his price target to $20 from $26. Disney's first-quarter profit disappointed analysts last month, tumbling 32 percent. Shares are off nearly 17 percent year-to-date. The stock dropped 41 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $18.51 in morning trading Tuesday. |
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Disney
in talks for rights to "Stoneheart" books Reuters - "The Stoneheart Trilogy," a young-adult fantasy book series by Charlie Fletcher, is moving towards a big-screen adaptation, with Robert Zemeckis' production company, ImageMovers, and Walt Disney Pictures in negotiations to pick up film rights to the material. The books revolve around a 12-year-old London boy who enters a hidden alternate world where statues, imbued with the essence of their makers, come to life. The boy's presence upsets a balance between good and evil, and while dealing with such creatures as sphinxes and gargoyles, he teams with an orphan girl and the statue of a World War I gunner to try to set things right. The intent is to adapt "Stoneheart" using performance-capture technology. The third "Stoneheart" book, "Silvertongue," is due in stores next month. |
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Disney Japan plans
digital network
Variety - Walt Disney Japan has applied for a license to operate a free-to-air digital satellite channel in Japan, according to a report in the Nikkei newspaper, The channel is set to launch in 2011. If Disney carries through with this plan, it will be the first foreign-backed broadcaster to operate a free channel in the local market. Fox Intl. Channels Japan will launch a service on BS11, a free-to-air digital satellite operator, in April, but it will be an eight-hour program block, not a separate channel. The number of digital satellite channels is expected to climb from the current 12 to nearly 20 following Japan's switch to all-digital broadcasting in July 2011. Today is the last day to apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for a digital satellite license. The ministry will award the licenses in June. |
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Disney Interactive Studios Announces Toy Story Mania!, Inspired
by the Disney/Pixar Feature Film "Toy Story," Exclusively for
Wii Business Wire - Disney Interactive Studios today announced Toy Story Mania!, inspired by the Disney/Pixar animated feature “Toy Story,” will be released exclusively for the Wii™ home video game console this fall. Toy Story Mania! showcases an array of entertaining games based on the new Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort attractions, while featuring the iconic characters and humor from the popular Disney/Pixar “Toy Story” franchise. “The ‘Toy Story’ franchise is a fun, dynamic and heart-warming series containing characters and themes that connect with every age group,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Toy Story Mania! combines those popular elements with the unique antics of the new theme park attraction for the ultimate in family entertainment.” In Toy Story Mania!, players experience the fast-paced, zany fun of the Toy Story Mania! theme park attraction, which is an interactive experience requiring 3D glasses and involving rapid or quick-firing shooting galleries. In addition to galleries adapted from the attraction, the game includes new and original galleries and a series of mini games, all hosted by beloved characters from the movies. The thematically-connected levels are designed for up to four players of all ages with competitive and co-operative multiplayer options. Toy Story Mania! also includes bonus 3D features, transforming the game experience with eye-popping visuals. The Pixar-created “Toy Story” and ”Toy Story 2” have both had successful box office and DVD sales. The Disney Digital 3D™ theatrical re-release of “Toy Story” is in the works and will open in theatres on October 2, 2009, followed by the 3D re-release of “Toy Story 2” opening on February 12, 2010, leading up to the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in 3D summer 2010. Toy Story Mania! is the first video game to place characters from these films into a carnival game setting and is expected to resonate with fans of the films and the attraction, as well as gamers who like pick-up-and-play party games. Developed by Papaya Studio, Toy Story Mania! will be available this fall exclusively for Wii. 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 Pixar Animation Studios Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renowned technical, creative and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. Creator of some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," "Cars," "Ratatouille," and most recently, "WALL•E." The Northern California studio has won 22 Academy Awards and its nine films have grossed more than $4.5 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The next film release from Disney•Pixar is UP (May 29, 2009). ABOUT WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where dreams come true. More than 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling. His vision now includes a collection of five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations - Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Resort Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, China. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, with nine resorts and more than 400,000 members; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world’s most popular destinations; Disney Regional Entertainment, which operates the ESPN Zone dining and entertainment centers; the World of Disney stores; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions. For more information and images, please visit www.disneyparks.com. |
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BOLT on DVD and
Blu-ray Walt
Disney Studios Home Entertainment - Fully awesome! For the first
time ever, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) makes
a Blu-ray high definition release available two days before the
standard def DVD. Enabling the millions of excited Blu-ray
owners a chance to own the 2008 Academy Award nominated BOLT
(Best Animated Feature Film) first on Sunday, March 22, for a
limited time only. An exciting hit for the whole family, BOLT's
3-Disc Blu-ray release includes two hi-def discs, and a bonus
3rd standard definition of the movie disc and special 'DisneyFile'
Digital movie copy which enables viewers to enjoy the film in
their choice of iTunes or Windows Media formats, on the go! The
Standard definition 2-disc Deluxe Edition of BOLT will be
available Tuesday March, 24.
Making it even more exciting for fans of all ages to own BOLT in high-definition, movie lovers will be amped at the fantastic Blu-ray only bonus features, including 'Bolt's Be-Awesome Mission' an exclusive interactive game; an inspiring 'Bolt Art Gallery' which highlights the film's breathtaking art and showcases the animation technique, and the film comes alive with the exciting Blu-ray only 'BD-Live' which allows viewers to enjoy 'Movie Chat,' 'Movie Mail,' 'Movie Challenge' and 'Disney Movie Rewards.' Both the Blu-ray and DVD releases of BOLT, include an exciting all-new short film, "Super Rhino" as BOLT's breakout star Rhino, the hyperactive hamster, gets a chance to headline his very own hilarious adventure! Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) is the star of the biggest show in Hollywood. The only problem is, he thinks the whole thing is real. When the super dog is accidentally shipped to New York City and separated from Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus), his beloved co-star and owner, Bolt springs into action to find his way home. Together with his hilarious new sidekicks Rhino (voiced by Mark Walton) – Bolt's #1 Fan – and a street-smart cat named Mittens (voiced by Susie Essman), Bolt sets off on an amazing journey where he discovers he doesn't need super powers to be a hero. Nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song ("I Thought I Lost You'), BOLT features the voices of Academy Award® nominee John Travolta (nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Pulp Fiction, 1994 and Saturday Night Fever, 1977) as Bolt, the wonder dog and Miley Cyrus ("Hannah Montana") as Penny, his "person." The stellar voice cast also includes Susie Essman ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell ("Heroes") and James Lipton ("Inside the Actor's Studio"). BOLT was also produced by Pixar co-founder and CGI pioneer John Lasseter (director of Toy Story, A Bug's Life and Cars). BOLT has a suggested retail price of $29.99 (U.S.) and $35.99 (Canada) on1-Disc DVD, $32.99 (U.S.) and $40.99 (Canada) on 2-Disc DVD Set, and $39.99 (U.S.) and $49.99 (Canada) on Blu-ray. |
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 Lilo
& Stitch 2-Disc Big Wave Edition on
DVDWalt Disney Studios Home Entertainment - Coming to Disney DVD March 24 Get ready for the wildly original story about an independent little girl named Lilo and her adopted alien "puppy," the mischievous Stitch, a runaway genetic experiment from a faraway planet. After crash-landing on Earth, Stitch wreaks havoc on the Hawaiian Islands, but he also learns about loyalty, friendship and 'ohana, the Hawaiian tradition of family. Now, catch the wave of fun and adventure in the Big Wave Edition jam-packed with games and awesome bonus features that take viewers behind the scenes of the movie. Experience LILO & STITCH like never before in the 2-Disc Big Wave Edition. |
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Revisiting Fantasmic! dinner package at Disney's Hollywood
Studios Theme Park Rangers - There was a time when I saw Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios quite frequently. Maybe too frequently. I was good friends with performers in the show so found myself a spectator so often I knew Mickey's arm-ography.
My friends have moved on, and since the show is less
frequently performed now, I haven't seen it in quite a
while. Sunday night, my group did a Fantasmic!
dinner package at Disney's Hollywood Studios and then saw
the show.
The show itself was essentially unchanged. I noticed a few pyro tweaks: The columns of colored flame around Maleficent's appearance were moved farther away from her -- actually a good thing as if you were looking right at the flames previously, you were blinded for Maleficents whole speech! My cousin noticed that the sparklers on Mickey's steamboat at show's end were twirling the last time she saw the show, and now they presented more of a shower effect. But for all practical purposes, the show's the same. The Fantasmic! dinner package was a bit different. We ate at Hollywood & Vine -- the buffet was just as scrumptious as I remember. Really, for a buffet dinner it is one of the gems at Disney World dining. Just the variety of salads filled an entire plate for me.
Our friendly server warned us
at the end of the meal that the loading of dinner-package
guests into the Fantasmic! amphitheater would be
different. He said it was much more crowded because of the
reduced performances and that Disney World was experimenting
with different loading strategies. On this night, we had to
enter at the main entrance with the regular crowd, and we
still had to show up an hour early to get a seat. Even that
early, we sat pretty far toward the back of the
dinner-package section.
Previously (years ago), we had walked in a separate entrance, and we only needed to be there a half hour early. One of the reasons we had done the dinner package was to cut down our wait time; we were with two small children who by that time of night can't keep up their good spirits with an hour long wait. So that was disappointing. However, we heard others on the way out saying they had gotten there 90 minutes early, so we did cut some wait time. Still, it's good to know that even if you buy the dinner package, there will be a fairly substantial wait involved. Unfortunately, the crushing exit did not change ... much. Actually, it seemed worse than usual. We took the backstage exit ... down the path past the rear of the Beauty & the Beast theater, but instead of exiting back onto Sunset Blvd., guests were being funneled through that pathway from Sunset Blvd. to merge with us backstage. It created a huge logjam, and a few frazzled cast members. Eventually, the two groups of exiting guests had to squeeze out the gate by the restrooms right at the park entrance. I know it's going to be a headache to get out Fantasmic! no matter what Disney does, but that was really over-the-top crowding, almost to the point of seeming dangerous. They really needed to let some guests walk out through the park instead of pushing everyone backstage. It removes the goodwill glow of Fantasmic! -- still an incredible spectacle -- when your last Disney memories of the evening are fear of being trampled! |
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Disney-backed liability bill slowly advances Tourism Central - A controversial bill backed by Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando cleared another hurdle in the Florida House of Representatives this morning – barely.
The legislation, which would ensure parents can sign
pre-injury waivers on behalf of their children, was approved
by the House Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee on a
seemingly lopsided, 8-1 vote. But that came only after the
panel narrowly rejected a measure sought by the state’s
trial lawyers that Disney and other businesses fiercely
oppose.
That language would allow parental waivers to stand up in court only in cases of “inherent risk” – such as when someone hits their head while maneuvering on a rock-climbing wall. But it would not permit them in cases where a business is negligent – an employee fails, for instance, to correctly tighten a wall-climber’s harness. Business lobbyists say the provision would allow plaintiffs to claim negligence in any injury – forcing a business to spend money on legal costs that the waivers are designed to avoid. An attempt to insert the language into the bill (HB 363) failed on a tight voice vote. Disney uses pre-injury waivers in for horseback riding and boat rentals, among other activities. SeaWorld uses them in its Discovery Cove dolphin swims, among others. Committee members did make some changes to bill (HB 363). One amendment makes it clear that liability waivers can’t protect businesses in cases of illegal actions and another says that waivers have to be clear and concise. Boosters were hoping to avoid any changes to the original legislation, but Rep. Mike Horner, the Osceola County Republican sponsoring the House version, said he was satisfied with the extra provisions. “I don’t want a parent to get a 10-page packet that is written in legalese,” Horner said. And trial lawyers say the changes don't change the fact that the measure, if passed, could shield even negligent operators from lawsuits. "Any lawyer can draft a release in theoretically clear and unequivocal language," said incoming Florida Justice Association President Michael Haggard. The House bill still has one more committee stop before it reaches the floor. The Senate version gets its first hearing tomorrow morning. |
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Miley
Cyrus Hopes Hannah Movie Won't Be the End People Magazine - When Hannah Montana: The Movie hits the silver screen in April, millions of young girls will pray that it's not the last they'll see of the blond-bewigged eponymous heroine. Count Miley Cyrus among them. The teenage pop icon, who has battled rumors that she wants off the show that made her a household name, says that she's all for a fourth season – but that it's entirely in the hands of Disney. "This movie was never meant to be the end of Hannah Montana," Cyrus, 16, tells Billboard magazine. "The thing is, a lot of people put where the show's future lays in my hands – and it's not up to me. It's up to Disney and whether they want more episodes, and we hope that they do." Disney Channel says it's mulling it over. But Cyrus is evidently happy that's she's no longer overshadowed by her fictional counterpart – a conundrum weirdly parallel to the one that Miley Stewart the fictional character faces in the Hannah Montana movie. And Cyrus is earnest about the fact that she'll have to move on at some point. "It's just an honor for people to be able to relate to me and my music – and not so much the character anymore," she says. "I can't be Hannah Montana forever. I have to have something after this. I can't do this when I'm 30." |
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Disney World Do's and
Don'ts International Business Times - “I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known,” Walt Disney once said about his most famous animated character and de facto mascot of the Disney theme park empire. And whether you’re a once-in-a-lifetime visitor or devout ear-wearing fan (or catering to one), there’s no denying that Disney’s passion for all things Mickey still resonates. Walt Disney World is, hands-down, the most popular destination in the world; almost 50 million people visit the Orlando parks each year—a number that the original “imagineer” never would have foreseen when he opened his ground-breaking amusement park in 1971. But for all their magical family fun, brazen marketing efforts, and unabashed dream-making, the parks (Magic Kingdom; Epcot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom) do present challenges, even for the smartest travelers. To this end, travelandleisure.com has consulted with experts and culled the best tips to help ensure a memorable trip to Disney World. Having a plan of attack is essential; without one, you risk wasting precious vacation time and, in some cases, money. To help you prioritize—and organize—your time in the Magic Kingdom, consider hiring someone like Tour Guide Mike. Just complete an online questionnaire, pay a fee ($22), and you’ll receive detailed suggested itineraries based on ages, tastes, and travel preferences. In a word, Mike does the planning for you. When it comes to time-saving strategies, however, nothing beats the “FastPass.” This nifty innovation allows you to speed to the front of the lines at some of the parks’ most popular rides. It will also buy you and your family time enough for extras—be it another ride down Splash Mountain, a nostalgic spin through Pirates of the Caribbean, or a leisurely stroll down Main Street. Just be sure to hit the popular rides early in the day; when slots run out, the park stops issuing passes. Even the most basic components of Disney World vacation, such as transportation, come with their own rules of thumb. For example, be sure to avoid slow resort shuttle buses and opt for a rental car instead. The cost per day is the same as a short taxi ride, and you’ll have your own set of wheels for park-hopping. For some, of course, it’s the memories that matter most. And as many Disney regulars will tell you, few things rank as high on the fun meter as character breakfasts. Goofy and Donald Duck may be mobbed in the park, but at these popular, all-you-can-eat events, fans are guarantee face-time—and photo opps—with their favorite Disney character. With our insider tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of your next trip to Walt Disney World. In the words of Walt Disney himself: If you can dream it, you can do it. |
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Disneyland
capital injection under study new.gov.hk - The expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland and whether a capital injection by the Government will be required is being studied. Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Commerce, Industry & Tourism) Yvonne Choi told legislators today the Government is discussing possible capital realignment with the Walt Disney Company. She said the Government hopes an agreement will soon be reached on a proposal that will make HK Disneyland more attractive and make it better serve Hong Kong. |
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Monday March 23, 2009 |
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It's no lie:
'Pinocchio' tops video charts Your ticket to Disney Parks worldwide Club PenguinTM Ready to Slip and Slide into the Hearts of Francophone Kids Tina Fey, John Stamos at Magic Kingdom Disney's 'Race to Witch Mountain' loses its magic From Apparel to Home Décor, Disney Revamps Licensing Biz Room Discounts In Downtown Disney For Fla. Residents, Military Disney's 'Dinosaur' sparked career path BRCC to host Disney Institute business training Richland High grad living Disney dream Disney Entrepreneur Center, small businesses connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Is Zac Efron stepping out of 'Footloose'? |
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It's no lie:
'Pinocchio' tops video charts THR - A special 70th-anniversary edition of animated classic "Pinocchio" topped the national home video sales charts the week ending March 15, buoyed in part by surprisingly strong Blu-ray Disc sales. Of the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment release's total sales, 15% were in the high-definition format, a high number for a family title -- and an indication that Blu-ray Disc may be moving beyond the early adopter stage, which is dominated by young adult males. "Pinocchio" debuted at No. 1 on both the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart, which tracks DVD and Blu-ray Disc sales combined, as well as Nielsen's specific Blu-ray Disc chart. Debuting at No. 2 on both charts was Universal Studios Home Entertainment's "Role Models," a comedy that earned $67.3 million in theaters. "Role Models" turned in a surprisingly strong sales debut, with studio sources reporting that 25% of the initial shipment was snatched up by consumers in the first day. After six days, a whopping 70% of inventory was gone, translating into first-week sales of more than 2 million units. The third spot on both sales charts went to Lionsgate's "Transporter 3," which earned $31.7 million at the boxoffice. "Role Models" and "Transporter 3" also debuted at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on Home Media Magazine's rental chart for the week, bumping the previous week's top renter, 20th Century Fox's "Australia," to No. 3. Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," the top-selling home video release the previous week, slipped to No. 4 on the First Alert sales chart, just ahead of Universal Studios' "Milk," which debuted at No. 5. "Milk" was also the week's No. 4 renter its first week in stores. |
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Your ticket to
Disney Parks worldwide
e Travel Blackboard - Creative Holidays has released its dedicated and exclusive 2009' Disney Parks brochure, where your clients can experience the characters come to life in the USA, Europe and Hong Kong. Here your imagination runs free in a magic kingdom where life is a fairy tale and dreams really do come true. New to the brochure in 2009, a new feature found at all Disney Parks is the "What Will You Celebrate?' campaign which offers guests a birthday card in an amount equal to the price of a Disneyland Resort one day/one park ticket and in Europe, Mickey's Magical Party. Andrew Yell, general manager, product, sales and marketing, Creative Holidays, said, "The 2009 program combines Disney product in the USA, Europe and Hong Kong and we have some fantastic product available for clients. In America we are offering reduced rates for value season at a selection of Disney hotels, in Europe children under seven stay and play FREE at Disneyland Resort Paris and in Hong Kong, the closest and newest Disneyland to Australia, rates are being reduced daily making this very affordable. "These options are extremely viable for families with young children, singles and couples and it is the type of experience that never gets old for anyone. Hong Kong Disneyland is a popular choice among families with young children as a stopover on the way to Europe. "The brochure is a simple guide for agents to showcase Disneyland to their clients and Creative Holidays provides vital reasons why to visit these destinations. With increased air capacity to the USA, with V-Australia now flying direct from the east coast to Los Angeles as well as Delta commencing in July, it is easy to reach the four theme parks in Orlando. In Europe, only thirty five kilometers from the centre of Paris and easily accessible by coach or rail, we feature five Disneyland Resorts for the full Disney experience, two theme parks and a shopping and entertainment centre at the Disney Village. Hong Kong Disneyland with its close proximity to Australia is ideal for first timers, with shorter queues and offers fantastic value for money Disney Hotels." "The popularity of the Disneyland experience is evident by the number of repeat travellers who visit these regions more than once. "The 2009 brochure also offers consultants a valuable information source and powerful sales tool, packed with impartial, reliable information provided by Lonely Planet and the most extensive variety of product to date. We also suggest agents offer their clients add-ons to their itineraries to increase sales such as Character Breakfasts and stop-over packages. Combine this with our online booking system, iCreate and agents always have access to the latest, most up-to-date product information. No matter which park your clients choose, each has its own destination flair and your clients will experience a truly charismatic Disney World. Creative Holidays is Australia's leading independent holiday company with a range of holidays to suit everyone, especially those who enjoy the independence and flexibility of planning their own holiday. Creative Holidays great deals are available through travel agents. |
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Club PenguinTM Ready to Slip and Slide into the Hearts of
Francophone Kids Business Wire - Following its phenomenal success with millions of children and parents around the globe, the virtual world of Club Penguin (www.clubpenguin.com) has opened its igloo doors to the francophone community. The new French language version of Club Penguin (www.clubpenguin.com/fr) is supported by francophone staff in Europe and Canada who understand the unique cultural references of the French audience and can provide timely and responsive moderation and customer support. “As a Canadian-based company, we’re particularly excited to be able to offer French-speaking children and families in this country the same opportunity to explore the fun and creativity of Club Penguin in their own language that so many other kids around the world already enjoy,” says Lane Merrifield, one of Club Penguin’s founders and executive vice president of Disney Online Studios. Club Penguin, which launched in English in 2005, is one of the largest and fastest-growing virtual worlds for children where they can explore, play games and interact with friends. The virtual world enhances the Walt Disney Company’s legacy of rich and immersive entertainment that can be enjoyed by the whole family. With its imaginative play environment, word filtering technology and live moderators who monitor chat and activity on the site and work to prevent the sharing of inappropriate or personally identifiable information, Club Penguin has built a reputation as a safe and secure online environment that provides fun for kids and peace of mind for parents. “One of our goals with Club Penguin was to create a safe haven online where our own children could come together with kids from around the world to interact, play, create and learn from each other,” says Merrifield. “Now that our players have the option of playing in French it’s one more step in becoming a truly global online community for children.” Club Penguin is designed for six to 14-year-olds but is open to penguins of all ages. To waddle into the fun, players select a penguin avatar then head off to explore, play games and interact through chat and post cards. Penguins can also drop by the local café, act in the latest theatrical play or meet up at the local discotheque. A parent’s email address is required to create a penguin, and parental permission is necessary in order to activate an account and play in the virtual world. Parents can also create their own account and logon to view their child’s account history, change their child’s password, choose a different chat mode, and set a time limit for how long their child is allowed to visit Club Penguin. Club Penguin is free to play, however special features such as priority access, exclusive parties and opportunities for players to customize their penguin and igloo require a membership at a cost of $5.95 a month. In addition to being available in English and French, the virtual world is also in Portuguese, with a Spanish version launching this summer. |
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 Tina
Fey, John Stamos at Magic Kingdom Theme Park Rangers - It's a double-star sighting today at Magic Kingdom with 30 Rock star/mastermind Tina Fey and ER star John Stamos, posing with princesses Belle, Cinderella and Snow White inside Cinderella Castle. Fey and Stamos are visiting Walt Disney World with their respective families and happened to be at the theme park on the same day. Stamos is a known Disneyphile, but we wonder what Fey likes best about Disney World (She has a young daughter, so princesses are probably in the picture, so to speak). |
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Disney's 'Race to Witch Mountain' loses its magic BloggingStocks - Last week at this time, I was reporting on the success of Disney's (NYSE: DIS) Race to Witch Mountain, starring Dwayne Johnson, an actor who used to be a full-time grappler known as The Rock for World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE). The film opened in the number-one position, taking in $24.4 million. Well, I'm sorry to say now that the project might not have the best legs in the business. It dropped to fourth place this time around after grossing an amount that, as of early estimates, is over 46% less than what it grossed in its debut weekend.
According to Boxofficemojo, Witch
Mountain only captured about $13 million at domestic
theaters in the past three-day period. Sure, a 46% decline
isn't the steepest drop ever observed. In many respects,
it's not that bad at all. But when you start at a relatively
low opening figure like $25 million, then dropping 46% in
the second weekend makes it a little more difficult to reach
the magic number of $100 million. As a Disney shareholder, I
was really hoping for the movie to do $100 million. The
Mouse can always use another franchise to synergize with.
So what films were bold and arrogant enough to go head-to-head with The Rock? Well, Nicolas Cage and Summit Entertainment came out on top with the thriller Knowing. I have to say, Knowing does possess a great concept, and it was backed by an excellent marketing campaign. The movie is estimated to have grossed $24 million as of this writing. I thought, though, that the movie would have done even better. Of course, we aren't in the most robust time period for movies. Still, I thought Knowing might break the $30 million mark. Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) I Love You, Man came in second with $18 million. That picture, likewise, had a competent marketing campaign pumping its entertainment value. Duplicity from General Electric's (NYSE: GE) Universal came in third and Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) Watchmen came in fifth. But the two big takeaways from this weekend's box-office stats are the following: First, Summit Entertainment could be on its way to becoming a force in the industry. Recall that the company delivered Twilight to the masses. As it becomes more comfortable with its business model and learns from its releases, it will probably expand and start to produce a very interesting slate of products. Perhaps someday it will be a publicly-traded equity like Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF) and offer a direct play on the movie business. The second takeaway for me is that Disney also needs to concentrate on producing non-branded thrillers such as Knowing (by non-branded I mean pictures without the Disney family logo attached). Maybe the recent distribution deal with DreamWorks will help out in this regard. I wasn't too thrilled with that deal, but since Disney wanted to reduce the output of its Touchstone label, maybe it can at least make some money off DreamWorks' pipeline. Will Disney's Witch Mountain rebound next week and rise in the ranks? I doubt it, but anything's possible. I just hope it maintains a steady stream of grosses and slowly but surely goes higher. I want Disney's studio division to be as healthy as possible for upcoming quarters. And since the Jonas Brothers did lousy business with their movie, Disney execs had better keep a close eye on the studio and its marketing endeavors. With the recession hitting the parks, Disney is looking to other divisions to pick up the slack. The magic in Witch Mountain may be fading, but hopefully future releases will reinvigorate the studio. |
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From Apparel to Home Décor, Disney Revamps Licensing Biz
Brandweek Magazine - Character licensing is nothing new to the Disney brand, dating back to Walt Disney licensing the Mickey Mouse image for use on a children’s writing tablet in 1929. Eighty years later, Disney says it has shifted from a strictly licensing business model to a consumer products firm capable of multifaceted strategies for innovation, quality and integrated branding efforts. The Walt Disney Company’s broad content enables it to offer an almost limitless base of creative material from which to gather inspiration, according to Simon Waters, vp of marketing for Disney consumer products, global fashion and home. DCP’s current lineup ranges from home furnishings to age group targeted apparel and accessories. Along with décor, bedding and apparel tied to Disney characters comes a side of Disney that is not traditional: noncharacter products with subtle inspiration drawn from either motion pictures or Walt Disney’s lifestyle aura. The noticeable move of Disney to the high fashion arena was made around 2002. DCP’s expansive umbrella now includes Disney Toys; Disney Apparel, Accessories & Footwear; Disney Food, Health & Beauty; Disney Home and Disney Stationery. The upcoming spring, summer and fall 2009 lines include Jonas Brothers and Disney character infant, children’s and tween apparel to be sold at Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney (MSRP $8-36.99), Disney character back-to-school lunch boxes and backpacks ($9.99-29.99), noncharacter bedding by Disney Resort Collection ($350-450), a collaboration for women’s apparel with designer Charlotte Tarantola ($106-140), Harvey’s seat belt bags ($64-238) at Nordstrom, subtle character-themed Etnies footwear for men and women ($80-110) and a Mickey necklace by Swarovski ($225). Collaborations with designers and manufacturers to create products are a priority for DCP, said Waters. “There isn’t any other brand on the planet that can do what we do with authenticity,” he said. Disney’s differentiated product portfolio enables the company to target a particular demographic, creating a product that is appropriate for that audience, at many price points. Disney has tried to directly market its own products through Disney Stores, with dismal results. The Children's Place acquired the stores, but recently Disney reacquired them. The company is looking to clean up the stores and offer a stronger focus on the in-store experience for children ages 2-12. The merchandising in the brick-and-mortar locations will seek to create a destination appeal for youngsters and their families, to make the shopping experience memorable whether a purchase is made or not. |
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Room Discounts In Downtown Disney For Fla. Residents,
Military
Tampa Tribune - Seven hotels in the Downtown Disney Resort area are offering discounts to Florida residents and to active-duty and retired military personnel. Florida residents are eligible for a 15 percent discount off the best available room, and U.S. military personnel can get a 20 percent discount. Florida residents must show a valid drivers license or state-issued identification. The hotels are the Best Western, DoubleTree Guest Suites, Regal Sun Resort, Hilton, Royal Plaza and Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa and the Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel. Some blackout dates may apply. Reservations and information can be found at www.downtowndIsneyhotels.com. |
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Disney's
'Dinosaur' sparked career path
The Canon City Daily Record - Dental picks and toothbrushes are the tools of her trade - but no, she is not a dentist. A 2008 Cañon City High School graduate, Amanda Miller not only spends countless hours reading and studying her collection of dinosaur and paleontology books, but she is working next to professional and well-known paleontologists, such as Brent Breithaupt, museum director/curator of the University of Wyoming Geological Museum. Walt Disney's 2000 movie "Dinosaur" sparked an interest in Miller when she was a young girl that eventually lead her on a journey to discover more about the creatures that have been extinct for ages. "Since I saw the movie 'Dinosaur,' I've been hooked on them," the 20-year-old college freshman said, "seeing all the mysterious and bizarre-looking creatures." The music from the "Dinosaur" movie intrigued her and lead her to minor in music at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, where her major is geology. "There is no major for paleontology; you have to take geology or biology," she said. When not playing her flute or practicing violin, Miller also is enrolled in a class called "Principles of Paleontology," which she finds interesting because students learn about snails, squids, sponges and micro-paleontology. As part of this class, she conducts research in a lab where students must identify a fossil, determine what time period in which it lived and classify it. She also is working on a research paper about the evolution of the Ceratopsinae. Around the age of 13, Miller began volunteering at the Dinosaur Depot Museum in Cañon City. She started out in the children's discovery room as a junior volunteer and eventually earned her way to the gift shop, then the actual lab where she worked on micro-sorting. Time and patience are necessary while looking through ant hill debris for micro-fossils. Miller said finding an occasional claw or fish scale makes the tedious search exciting. Pat Monaco, Dinosaur Depot Museum curator, wrote a letter of recommendation for Miller when she applied for the work-study position at the UW Geological Museum. "She started here as a volunteer at 13, now she works with Brent Breithaupt, a longtime member of the Society of Paleontologists," Monaco said. "We are real proud she has gone that far already." Miller already has completed five research projects for the museum, which is located on the university's campus. Now, she is working on three dinosaur research projects at once and spends a fair amount of time at the geological library next to the museum, but claims she "has plenty of dinosaur books of my own." Volunteer coordinator and lab supervisor at the Dinosaur Depot Museum Lois Oxford said the junior volunteer program is a nice stepping stone for those interested in eventually going into the paleontology or geology field. "We're proud of her," she said of Miller. "She's a neat girl. She's like one of my own kids." After she returns to school Monday from spending her spring break with her mother Sandra in Cañon City, Miller plans to pick up her tools and hit the books with full force. "I want to earn a Ph.D. and become a professional paleontologist, which might take a while," Miller said. "I'm really hoping to find a job in France in one of its natural history museums. France is more or less known for marine reptiles. There is a very, very small group of paleontologists. There are about 2,000 in the world. That's not a lot." |
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BRCC
to host Disney Institute business training Staunton News Leader - Get your mouse ears ready, because the Disney Institute is bringing its brand of business training to Blue Ridge Community College and local business owners. BRCC is hosting the day-long workshop, which will be from 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 6 at the Plecker Center. The Disney Keys to Excellence program explores a sampling of best practices of The Walt Disney Co. that come to life every day at Disney locations around the world. Attendees will discover discover "the business behind the magic" – proven Disney business strategies that are adaptable to others organizations to help increase customer loyalty, drive business results, and retain employees. For more details, including cost and registration, call 453-2215. |
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Richland High grad living Disney dream Mid Columbia Tri City Herald - Hooked on Disney movies as a kid and enamored by art, Kim Slate knew by high school that animation was something she wanted to pursue. It didn't take long for the 24-year-old Richland High School graduate to make her dream a reality. Slate was the head facial animator on this year's stop-motion film Coraline. She coordinated a three-person team that animated the facial features of every character, from Coraline's pencil-thin lips to Other Father's pointed proboscis. Coraline, playing at the Carmike Cinemas at least through Thursday, is based on the journey of a young girl who moves to a new home and walks through a secret door, discovering an alternate version of her life. Stop motion differs from other animation in that it uses tangible figures that are moved incrementally and photographed frame by frame. The images are then played back at 24 frames per second, Slate said, which produces an animated appearance. Other stop motion films include The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach. Slate developed an interest in stop motion while attending the California Institute of Arts. "I've always loved animation, especially puppet films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Wallace and Gromit," Slate said in an e-mail. "While at CalArts I became obsessed with stop motion and focused my energies on making my own films, hoping that someday I would have the chance to work on a major feature film. So when I was offered my first job on a huge film like Coraline it was a dream come true." Slate left college to work on Coraline. Slate plans to parlay her experience with Laika, a company involved in making Coraline, to her own work. She said she'd like to make another short stop-motion film. Slate's family still lives in the Tri-Cities, though she has bounced from Washington to California to Portland. "I don't really feel like I live anywhere since I'm constantly moving around," she said. "In the field of animation, especially stop motion, you just have to go to wherever the jobs are. While working on Coraline, I lived in Portland, but who knows where the next job will be." Despite her early successes with Coraline, Slate plans to go back to school and earn her degree. Much like chasing jobs, she views her progression through the world of animation as a long, winding road. "I've been told it takes a lifetime to become a good animator," she said, "so I am definitely still learning, and probably always will be." |
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Disney Entrepreneur Center, small businesses connect on Twitter,
Facebook and LinkedIn Orlando Sentinel - What are you doing? If you're a small business, you might be getting into social media on the Internet — things such as Twitter. Small-business groups and service providers are popping up on sites including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, which allow people to connect with one another online. The Disney Entrepreneur Center, a local resource for small-business owners, has its own "fan page" on Facebook, as well as a profile on LinkedIn. You can also find it as @DisneyEC on Twitter.com, a site where people can post snippets of what is going on in their lives. Center director Jerry Ross said the traffic has been "phenomenal," and the center's new social-media efforts are helping to get the word out about the center's services for small-business owners. On a more national scale, the U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a new Web initiative called Business.gov Community, which aims to unite small-business owners, industry experts and government agencies online. The Web site, which uses Web 2.0 technologies, has an area where business owners can post questions and a place where they can provide input on how government can better serve small businesses. The SBA said it hopes to expand the community during the next few months. The site is at http://community.business.gov. |
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Is Zac Efron
stepping out of 'Footloose'? Los Angeles Times - Rumors are that Disney star Zac Efron is tired of singing and dancing for his supper. He has reportedly pulled out of Paramount’s planned remake of “Footloose” to try to branch out into more dramatic and comedic roles. According to TheWrap.com, Efron told the studio that he did not want to do another musical at this point in his career. A production team insider reveals he used a rewrite on the screenplay to get out of his contract. The Dish Rag's e-mail for confirmation to Paramount has not yet been returned. More as it develops. Efron earned superstar status by singing and dancing as Troy Bolton in the "High School Musical" series and sang and danced his heart out in “Hairspray." At the recent Oscars, along with his “HSM” costar Vanessa Hudgens, he joined Hugh Jackson in a song-and-dance number. But is he pretty much over it? Will Zac Efron become the new David Cassidy, who wasn't able to carve out a serious career for himself after being a teen singing idol on "The Patridge Family" TV show? Efron’s new comedy, "17 Again," is due out in April. And his new drama, titled “Me and Orson Welles,” directed by Richard Linklater, was due out in 2008 but hasn't yet been released and there's no release date on IMDb.com. Which could potentially be bad news for Zach's new "career direction." While Disney plans “High School Musical 4,” Efron is not expected to be a part of it. Maybe he should just do a cameo? Just keep one foot in the game? What do you think? |
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Sunday March 22, 2009 |
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Is Disney Scrapping Hong Kong Park Expansion to Focus on
Shanghai? Top 5 Disney World Tips Disney and Henson Film Companies Receive 'Environmental' Award What's New: Disney Vacation Club's Newcomers |
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Is Disney Scrapping Hong Kong Park Expansion to Focus on
Shanghai? Seeking Alpha - The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Disney (DIS) is putting expansion of its Hong Kong theme park on hold and laying off the employees involved in developing the expansion plans. The Hong Kong Park has been a disappointment almost from the day the gates opened. DIS owns it in partnership with the Hong Kong government so the shortfall hasn’t been material to DIS' financials. More of a lost opportunity. My read on this news is that DIS wants to preserve cash for China and focus on its development of a theme park in Shanghai. I believe DIS feels that Hong Kong is not fixable, at least not with the possibility of a reasonable return on investment. At the same time, DIS probably believes they have learned their lesson in Hong Kong and won’t make the same mistakes twice (too small of a park at opening, not enough Chinese-centric attractions, poorly designed marketing plans). Most importantly, DIS sees the opportunity in Shanghai as much larger and material both as a standalone operation and as a marketing tool for other opportunities in China including the Disney Channel and merchandising. A few months ago there were reports that DIS and the Shanghai government had made substantial progress on their partnership. News surrounding Shanghai matters to DIS stock from a long-term perspective. News out of Hong Kong is a sideshow. I remain on the sidelines in DIS because I think investors are still underestimating the cyclical risk at theme parks local TV stations, and ESPN auto advertising exposure. DIS rightly earned a premium to its peers based on its performance over the past five years but I think that premium is no longer warranted given the risks inherent in DIS' asset mix in a still uncertain economic environment. |
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Top 5 Disney
World Tips There really is a lot to know before you visit the park. Or rather, parks, since Walt Disney World Resort includes the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Oh, and the surrounding Disney hotels, Downtown Disney (a shopping, eating, and entertainment venue), and the water parks. Here's a crash course, with the top five tips to remember: 1. Deal hunt. "Used to be that you couldn't save much on Disney packages," says Bob Sehlinger, author of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009. Now, we're guessing because of the economy, they're bundling all kinds of sweet deals. Check out MouseSavers.com -- a website that vets official Disney offers and handily tackles other practicalities, like giving you discount codes for rental cars. Airlines added all kinds of surcharges when fuel prices were high, says Carl Schwartz, chief travel officer for Cheapflights.com. Now that fuel is back down, we're seeing some of the lowest fares in a while, so Schwartz suggests booking your flights sooner rather than later. 2. Be realistic. Chances are, if you're all excited (as you will be) and buying your Disney tickets online before you go (as you should), you'll buy a package that includes too many of the parks, thinking you can see more than you can. Let's get this out of the way: You are not going to be able to do it all and return home with your sanity intact. Rank your priorities, then go to TouringPlans.com's best-ticket calculator, answer 12 questions, and it'll spit out the type of ticket that'll work for you. Plus, check its online crowd tracker, a continually updated predictor of waiting times for rides at different Disney World theme parks, before you leave. The calls are based on weather, past crowds on the same date, special events at Disney, school schedules, and more. 3. Think timing. Give the off-season (late fall, late spring) serious thought to snag lower hotel rates and restaurant prices. Yup, even Disney eateries up their prices for the high seasons (summer, Christmas break, and the winter and spring recesses). Many sources say that November, before the Thanksgiving holiday, is the best time of the year to do Disney, along with the two weeks immediately after that weekend, crowdwise and weatherwise. And go early. "Show up thirty minutes before the gates open and you'll be repaid five times over," says Sehlinger. You may not think it's a vacation without a leisurely breakfast at 10:00, but if you're among the first in, you've got free rein. 4. Plan it out. Once you've cleared the gate with your java in hand, head immediately to the must-see rides (aka the ones that'll have the slowest lines later). At the Magic Kingdom, take older kids to the two mountains (Space and Splash); hustle the little ones over to Dumbo, Peter Pan's Flight, and Buzz Lightyear. At Epcot, Mission: SPACE and Soarin' are the two thrills to conquer first. At Hollywood Studios, hit Toy Story Mania!, Muppet Vision 3-D, and Indiana Jones: Epic Stunt Spectacular! At Animal Kingdom, target Dinosaur, the Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest. The beauty of an early start, too, is that you can take a midday siesta and swim back at your hotel, then return when the sun is lower and everyone's fresh. Believe it or not, you'll walk 7 to 11 miles a day here. A break during the hottest part of the day is the best meltdown diverter there is -- for you, too! Another cool way to get off your feet: the air-conditioned character meals, where kids can eat with their fave pals, like Pooh, Snow White, and even Mickey. Try to get an aisle seat so your kids are in close reach for a hug or a chat. And make sure you call 407-WDW-DINE 90 days in advance to book it. (If you're after the ever-popular Cinderella's Royal Table, make that precisely at 7 A.M. ET 90 days in advance.) 5. If you've got a toddler, get the 411. The official Disney site, Disneyworld.disney.go.com, has a Little Ones planning guide. Strollers are rented, though they all look alike, so bring a scarf or ribbon to ID yours in the queue at the ride entrances. All the theme parks also have a "rider swap" program, in which one parent waits with a child who's too young to ride, then gets to hop right on after handing the baby off to the parent who just rode. And the Baby Care Centers aren't just for emergencies. Think of them as "cooldown" rooms where your family can take a break. They're clean, spacious, have comfortable chairs, and a TV running Disney movies. Pick up a "Magical Beginnings" map in any theme park for clearly marked locations of those centers and more targeted info. |
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Disney and Henson Film Companies Receive 'Environmental' Award |
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What's New:
Disney Vacation Club's Newcomers DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS, Lake Buena Vista, FL TREEHOUSE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT & SPA,
Saratoga Springs, FL |
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