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 March 29 - 31, 2009 |
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Tuesday March 31, 2009 |
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Disney Set to Debut Special Limited Engagement, Double Feature,
of Disney-Pixar's 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2' Exclusively in
Disney Digital 3D on October 2nd Disney files notice that Space Mountain rehab is about to begin Miley Cyrus: No more 'Hannah Montana' films How Will Disney - YouTube Partnership Work? Disney expects new time shares to sell out fast Disney rolls into S. Africa, Finland Disneyland guests play starring role in ‘Celebrate!’ parade Disney gets 'Grandma' rights Gemstone lives, but Disney license is up in the air Stars at Disney Paris launch party 'Grey's' cast celebrates 100th episode ABC greenlights Burnett's 'Shark Tank' 'Cupid' gets a second chance on ABC |
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Disney Set to Debut Special Limited Engagement, Double Feature,
of Disney-Pixar's 'Toy Story' and 'Toy Story 2' Exclusively in
Disney Digital 3D on October 2nd PRNewswire - Moviegoers are in for twice the fun and triple the thrills as The Walt Disney Studios prepares to debut the Disney Digital 3D(TM) versions of Disney-Pixar's beloved animated features - "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" - during a special limited engagement starting on October 2, 2009, it was announced today by Mark Zoradi, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group. This extraordinary double feature, taking the latest advances in digital 3D technology "to infinity and beyond," will play exclusively in 3D. "Toy Story," the industry's first ever computer-animated feature and the first feature released by Pixar Animation Studios in 1995, and "Toy Story 2," the critically acclaimed sequel that debuted in 1999, were both directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter. Both films have been meticulously re-rendered in 3D from the original digital files using the latest state-of-the-art technology. Commenting on the announcement, Zoradi said, "This fantastic double feature will let moviegoers see two of their all-time favorite films from Pixar Animation Studios in a way that they've never seen them before, and all for the price of one movie ticket. John Lasseter and the animation team have truly created a spectacular 3D experience with Buzz, Woody, and all the toy characters in a whole new eye-popping dimension. We're also excited that audiences will soon see a whole new chapter when Toy Story 3 in 3D, directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2) comes to theaters on June 18, 2010." Lasseter added, "The 'Toy Story' films and characters will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we're so excited to be bringing these first two films back for audiences to enjoy in a whole new way thanks to the latest in 3D technology. Disney Digital 3D offers lots of great new possibilities for the art of animation and we will continue to use this new technology to push the boundaries in telling our stories. With 'Toy Story 3' shaping up to be another great adventure for Buzz, Woody and the gang from Andy's room, we thought this would be the perfect way to let audiences experience the first two films all over again. To see the movies back to back will be an amazing treat as well. This is certainly nostalgic for me and reminiscent of my youth when double features were the norm." Originally released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, "Toy Story" went on to receive Oscar® nominations for Original Screenplay, Original Score, and Original Song earning Lasseter a Special Achievement Award "for his inspired leadership of the Pixar 'Toy Story' Team, resulting in the first feature-length computer-animated film." 'Toy Story 2' was released in 1999, and reunited voice talents Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, in their roles as Woody and Buzz. The film became one of the most popular animated features of all time, and received an Academy Award® nomination for Original Song. |
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Disney files notice that Space Mountain rehab is about to begin Tourism Central - Walt Disney World has filed notice that work is about to begin on its Space Mountain overhaul. The filing doesn’t provide many new details about what’s in store for the iconic Magic Kingdom coaster. But it does say improvements will be made in four areas: Facility, ride control, fire alarm and guest flow. Disney has previously said the rehab will include installing new track (though the track layout won’t change), a new queue enclosure and a new ceiling. Space Mountain will shut down April 19, just after the Easter holiday. It isn’t scheduled to reopen again until Nov. 21. |
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Miley Cyrus:
No more 'Hannah Montana' films AP - Miley Cyrus plans to be back on the big screen, and soon. Hannah Montana? Not likely after her latest film. So says the 16-year-old tween phenom, whose alter ego brings her secret double life as a pop star to theaters April 10 with "Hannah Montana: The Movie." "We got really lucky with having the material to make one movie," Cyrus said in an interview Monday. The film reveals Hannah Montana's identity to the world in a way Cyrus says is "very clever" and diminishes the chances of a sequel -- but doesn't dampen the future of the popular Disney TV show. The film follows last year's sold-out Cyrus-Montana concert tour and her "Best of Both Worlds Concert" 3D movie, which grossed more than $60 million, a rare hit for a concert film. "I don't know if I would do another (Hannah Montana) film, but I would love to do another season," said Cyrus, who's signed up for a third and says she's interested in a fourth. "That would be what we would all agree on." Cyrus also seems to agree with the idea of a jump to Hollywood: She's planning to spend the summer working on a film written by "Nights in Rodanthe" and "The Notebook" author Nicholas Sparks. But this is no adaptation of a bestselling romantic novel -- instead, Sparks went directly to the screenplay this time, and did so with Cyrus in mind for the part. Other than the title, "The Last Song," neither Sparks nor Cyrus are giving away any plot points. But Cyrus hints at a role that will put her acting chops to the test. "I've always been lucky to play parts that relate to me, and this doesn't at all," she said. "I have my issues, but not as bad as this chick. So I'm happy to play someone that's just kind of out there and not someone that I'm like." Like anyone else, Cyrus is waiting to see whether she's "a good actress or not, or if I'm just good at playing myself. "So," she added, "We'll see how that goes." Will that affect her status as a role model for young girls? Not any more than her feelings on the glamorous life she's chosen: Asked what kids should do if they're torn between pursuing an acting dream or going to college, Cyrus responds with her usual unfiltered candor. "I say 'do it,'" she said, laughing as if she knew what kind of trouble she was causing for herself. "Be a freak. Go to Hollywood." |
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How Will
Disney - YouTube Partnership Work? Seeking Alpha - The Mouse House is bringing its short form content to the most popular video site on the web: YouTube. Disney/ABC Television Group (DIS) and ESPN reached an agreement late Monday to release short-form content on Google's (GOOG) YouTube. Together they're launching ad-supported channels for ESPN, which will launch mid-April and for ABC, ABC Family, and ABC News, which will launch in early May. A key part of this deal: ABC and ESPN will control the ad sales, while they split the revenue with Google. This will allow the networks to sell ad packages across all platforms, TV commercials and websites. And since the content that will be distributed on YouTube is all short form, the sites will be designed to drive viewers interested in the full-length shows back to ABC and ESPN. And soon, you may be able to find Disney's long form content on Hulu. Currently, the only places Disney posts its long form content online are its own sites and iTunes. But now Hulu and Disney are in serious talks about a content partnership. While Hulu has been talking to Disney since the site launched, conversations are "active," according to a source close to the deal, and an announcement is expected within weeks. Sources tell me Disney is expected to take an equity partnership in Hulu, just like NBC Universal (GE) and News Corp (NWS), which now co-own the site. |
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Disney
expects new time shares to sell out fast The villas at the Grand, to be completed in the fall, will be the 10th location in Disney’s growing “Vacation Club” business. Mike Brunson, the sales director for Disney Vacation Club on the West Coast, said he expects the timeshares to sell out fast, despite the spiraling economy. “We’re actually finding we’re doing very, very well,” he said. “In economic times like these, people still vacation. We’re actually growing year over year.” The vacation club is based on a points system, Brunson said. Consumers tend buy between 160 and 300 points at $112 a point – so a typical timeshare with the club costs an average of $18,000 to $30,000. The 200 to 300 points refresh every year. Annual fees, in addition to the cost of the time share, run about $500 or $600, according to the Disney Vacation Club member Website. Members use the points like Monopoly money to purchase nights in suites at any of the Disney resorts. For example, a studio – basically a hotel room with a kitchenette – sleeps up to four and costs as much as 227 points per week during the busiest season in spring and during the holidays. In the slowest seasons, a week in a studio is 129 points. There are also one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom Grand Villa suites that get pricier – 160 points a night in the busiest season. There are two “Grand Villa” suites under construction at Disneyland, with balconies overlooking Paradise Pier and what will be the “World of Color” light, water and pyrotechnic show each night. The Worldmark Anaheim timeshare resort opened in the nearby Anaheim Gardenwalk about six months ago, and officials from Wyndham, the company that operates the huge unit, said all the space was sold out by the time the resort opened. Worldmark spokeswoman Liz Hutchison said that timeshare resort has been at almost full occupancy since it opened. “Consumer demand remains strong,” Hutchison said. For more information about the Disney Vacation Club, visit www.disneyvacationclub.com. |
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Disney rolls into
S. Africa, Finland Both deals underscore continuing overseas expansion for Disney. They also illustrate Disney's ability to reversion content for local markets, according to Ben Pyne, prexy of global distribution, Disney-ABC Worldwide Television and Disney Media Networks. "The studios have been able to open up a lot of interest outside the traditional big European markets of France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the U.K. International is ever more important," he added. As the TV biz is rocked by near global recession, the Mouse House can play to its strengths by the large-scale diversification of its product to meet the needs of key-client broadcast nets and payboxes worldwide. "The diversity and depth of our portfolios across ABC Studios, ABC Family, Walt Disney Studios and Disney Channel is a major strength," said Pyne. Disney's M-Net pact homes in on flagship films, but ranges across the portfolios of Walt Disney Pictures, Disney/Pixar and Miramax Films. It encompasses "There Will Be Blood," "Enchanted," the Disney Channel Original Movie "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," "Wall-E" from Disney-Pixar, and "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." Nelonen Media's deal builds on a smaller, long-standing relationship. It covers first-run live action series from ABC Studios and ABC Family, future seasons of "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy," new and library features from Walt Disney Studios, and ABC News content. Also, Disney and Nelonen will use Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney animated and live action content to carve out a Nelonen weekday morning slot and a branded weekly 'tween block. "Given the story-telling and high production values of our content and our promotion commitment, we may be a less risky, tried-and tested option for broadcasters," said Pyne. |
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Disneyland guests play starring role in ‘Celebrate!’ parade OCRegister
- Sarah Jenner, 6, has been dancing ballet since she was three
years old. Her favorite dance move is the twirl.That being said, the last thing she expected when her family took a trip to Disneyland this week was that she’d wind up dancing center-stage in a parade along Main Street USA. Jenner and about 100 other randomly selected park guests were pulled out of the crowd to participate alongside Disney cast members in the theme park’s latest seasonal parade, “Celebrate! A Street Party,” which debuted Friday. The new seasonal parade has a high-energy feel reminiscent of the High School Musical films. It features 48 dancers, 12 acrobats on stilts, 3 DJs, 12 drivers of combination bicycle/drum kits, and 24 Disney characters. It makes stops at the mall in front of the its a small world ride, the central plaza near Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and then along Main Street. Cast members perform the dance numbers for about 12 minutes at each location before launching into a Latin conga finale in which audience members are pulled into the line. “When they took my hand, I was surprised I could do it,” Sarah said as she recalled the moment when a cast member invited her to participate. “It was really fun.” “Celebrate! A Street Party” will run at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily through April 19. Then, the parade will run only at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. |
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Disney
gets 'Grandma' rights Variety - Disney has picked up the rights to Clete Smith's yet-to-be-published novel "Grandma's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast" for Mandeville Films to adapt into a family feature. Book revolves around a boy who goes to visit his hippie grandmother for the first time and discovers that her inn caters to vacationing aliens, a secret that she has been able to keep from her small town. No scribe has yet been tapped to pen the script. Studio-based David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will produce the pic. Producer's Mandeville shingle most recently was behind the four-legged laffer "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," which generated $139 million worldwide for the Mouse House. He is also producing Disney's upcoming "Surrogates." Novel is a first for Smith, whose action script "Heistwise" placed in a number of screenplay contests, including the Hollywood Nexus and Script Savvy competitions. Rights to the book remain up for grabs. |
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Gemstone lives, but Disney license is up in the air Comic Book Resources - Despite recent rumors about the closing of Gemstone Publishing, President Steve Geppi claims the company will continue. “As has been the case with many businesses across a wide array of industries, there has been a reduction in staff at Gemstone, and this included the departure of many valued employees,” he said in a statement posted Monday on his company’s Scoop website. “This, however, is not the end of Gemstone Publishing.” (Last month Gemstone closed its offices in West Plains, Missouri, and laid off its five staff members there.) But the future of Gemstone’s licenses for Disney comics and The E.C. Archives isn’t so clear-cut. “At this time, no final decision has been made regarding The EC Archives or our comic books featuring Disney’s standard characters, but it seems certain that both lines will continue in some form,” Geppi said. “We all anticipate resolving the issues facing us and moving forward, and I will be happy to announce the specifics once things have been finalized.” Gemstone has held the Disney comics license since 2003. The state of the Disney license has been the subject of speculation for some time, tied primarily to stories about the financial problems of Gemstone, Diamond Comic Distributors and Geppi. But on Sunday the Disney Comics Worldwide blog passed along this statement from Gary Leach, who has worked on U.S. editions of Disney comics for two decades: “Gemstone is not renewing the Disney comics license, and won’t be putting out any more issues since the last ones that reached the shops.” That picked up steam Monday with a post from Heidi MacDonald and an item from Rich Johnston, who included word of Gemstone’s closing and the supposed end of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. Gemstone Associate Publisher Jeff Vaughn later denied those assertions, adding: “I can’t comment on the other material in the article at this point, but I am certain that both the EC line and the Disney line will continue in one form or another.” |
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Stars at Disney
Paris launch party Samantha Janus, Pearl and Daisy Lowe and Angela Griffin were also among the celebs at the theme park for a special weekend to officially kick off Mickey's Magical Party, which features new entertainment and shows. Samantha, who plays Ronnie in EastEnders, said it was a "magical experience", adding she'd had a "great couple of days". Faryl, 13, who found fame on Britain's Got Talent, said she was a huge fan of the rides at both the main park and Walt Disney Studios Park. "My dad used to call me Fearless Faz, because I love rides and stuff - I'm in my element!" said the singer, who recently released her debut self-titled album. As well as enjoying the rides and taking their children to meet the Disney characters, the stars got to preview some of the shows at the resort. Highlights included the High School Musical Party! show, which features songs from the smash hit movies about life at East High, which star Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. Mickey's Magical Party officially opens on April 4 and runs until March 7, 2010. For further information on the celebration, which bosses say will be a "party every day of the year", visit www.disneylandparis.co.uk. |
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'Grey's' cast
celebrates 100th episode USA
Today - Derek (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) will
get their wedding day in Grey's Anatomy's 100th episode
and a wedding will take place on the ABC drama. However, Shonda
Rhimes, the famously tight-lipped creator and executive
producer, won't reveal if it will be Meredith and Derek tying
the knot.Rhimes and her cast, writers and crew took a break from filming the episode to gather on Grey's Los Angeles set Friday to cut a cake celebrating the 100th, which will run May 7. She says she hadn't been focusing on the milestone, when "suddenly we were hitting 100, which feels kind of amazing and very fast." She says she thinks she could do 100 more. "We're really excited, especially the way it's finishing the season, both creative and in the ratings," says Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment Group. "Some of the questions people had mid-season about storylines are being answered and people who perhaps haven't been as fond of what we were doing are actually coming around and understand what we had in mind." Rhimes promises viewers will see Izzie (Katherine Heigl), who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma, fight for her life and Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Owen (Kevin McKidd), work on their intense relationship, which has been sidetracked by his post-traumatic stress disorder. Oh says viewers will see more of Cristina's sensitive side and Dempsey says Derek will have "some great resolve with Sloan (Eric Dane)." As for rumors that Heigl and colleague T.R. Knight, who plays George, could be leaving the show, Rhimes says, "As far as I know, when we go out this season, everybody's still going to be around." And Heigl, asked if she wanted to leave or would leave, says, "No. I signed the same contract everybody else" did. She says she loves Izzie's cancer storyline and doesn't know if the character will live or die. "It's very weird. I keep trying to get it out of them and they kind of shrug their shoulders and shake their heads at me and I don't know: Is that good or bad? Am I dead or am I alive? Where is this going?" As for the story of Izzie's illness, she says:"When I'm challenged like this … I just feel a deep sense of gratitude." Pompeo acknowledged that the Izzie-Denny story "went on a little too long with no explanation. Now that we're seeing why that happened, people are, 'Oh, Ok. There's a reason for it.' " She says Grey's has come back around after some "not-so-great episodes," which can't be avoided with so many episodes per season. She thanks fans for sticking with it. "Without the fans, we wouldn't be anywhere." |
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ABC greenlights
Burnett's 'Shark Tank' THR - ABC is teaming with Mark Burnett for a new series that offers a bailout to struggling entrepreneurs. The network has ordered seven episodes of Burnett’s “Shark Tank,” an adaptation of the U.K. reality hit “Dragon’s Den” in which eager entrepreneurs pitch their business ventures to five multimillionaire tycoons. The pitchmen have to convince the investors (the “sharks”) to part with the requested amount of their own money, or they leave empty handed. The format originated in Japan and has since become a worldwide success, with BBC Two’s “Dragon’s Den” running for six seasons and airing domestically on BBC America. “Shark Tank” marks the first collaboration between ABC and Burnett, who has popular shows on the other three major broadcast networks but has never had a series on ABC. The network and prolific producer hope the project strikes a chord with viewers given the current economic climate. “People are looking to be entrepreneurs to get ahead, yet there’s no way anybody can go into a bank right now and get a loan,” said Burnett, whose company Mark Burnett Productions is producing the "Shark Tank" along with Sony Pictures Television. “For these entrepreneurs, these sharks are their last stop.” The team’s creative approach to the program has shifted since its pilot was ordered last fall. At first, everybody thought the show needed to feel bigger. The BBC version has the wealthy investors and pitchmen haggling in a sparse loft space. There’s no cheering audience, no graphics, no exterior footage. The drama comes from whether the entrepreneur’s proposal will survive an intense inquisition, and if it does, whether the sharks will then turn on each other to snatch up the idea. “We’ve been excited about the 'Dragon’s Den' format for years, but we didn’t go forward at first because we thought it felt too small,” said Vicki Dummer, co-head of alternative at ABC.
In 2006, the network attempted a similar concept called
“American Inventor,” which was co-produced by one of the
British stars of “Dragon’sDen.” But “Inventor” was an
elimination competition about the process of developing an
invention, whereas “Shark” is self-contained episodes that
are all about the
drama of pitch meetings. Working with Burnett, the network initially tried to make the show feel like a larger event, shooting a pilot in a huge auditorium and placing the investors behind an intimidating desk, among other tweaks. But most of the changes distracted from what worked so well about the original: the interpersonal tension between ambitious entrepreneurs struggling to convince five strangers to part with their money. “The layers we added for a big huge show we’ve ended up
peeling back to make the show more like the original,”
Dummer said. “The core essence of the show works, and
they’ve done a terrific job with it.” The sharks include Robert Herjavec (who made his fortune in Internet security systems), Kevin Harrington (infomercials), Barbara Corcoran (real estate), Kevin O’Leary (well-known Canadian investor) and Daymond John (FUBU sportsware). One aspect of “Shark Tank” that will be noticeably bigger than the previous versions: the deals spawned during the pitches. “We have made bigger deals and more deals in our pilot than (other versions) make all season,” Burnett said. “What country on earth is more entrepreneurial and risk taking than the United States of America? Here we have businesses and jobs being created, and it’s a great feeling.” |
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'Cupid' gets a
second chance on ABC
USA Today - Love sometimes get second chances, but failed TV series rarely do. Cupid has become one of those rare exceptions. ABC is resurrecting the romantic comedy that lasted 14 episodes on its schedule in 1998-99. It premieres Tuesday in a plum 10 p.m. time slot following the network's biggest hit, Dancing With the Stars. Yet it's not the same series that its fans may fondly remember, and not only because original stars Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall are not available this time. ABC had been kicking around ideas with Rob Thomas, the original series creator who had gone on to other projects like Veronica Mars. The network executives said they were thinking about something like Cupid, when the light bulb went on over their heads: Why not just do Cupid again? This sort of remake is something of a taboo, even for an industry where series fail much more often than they succeed, frequently for reasons that have little to do with their quality. "A lot of people feel like there must be some sort of stigma attached," said Kim Rozenfeld, ABC's senior vice president of current programming. "If you tried and didn't succeed, you shouldn't touch it again." There was plenty of affection for Cupid within ABC a decade ago, he said. But it was a time the network lacked focus and was groping for an identity. ABC may not explicitly say so, but it's now a network that targets female viewers and hopes they bring their boyfriends or husbands along. A story involving a man who envisions himself as a modern-day Cupid despite others thinking he's insane fits the mission perfectly. Thomas believes the initial series failed because of scheduling. It was first aired Saturdays at 10 p.m., precisely when the young singles who might be attracted to the story are likely out doing something else. He pleaded for something better, and finally it was moved to a weeknight — Thursday, at a time NBC's "must-see TV" had a stranglehold on viewers. "We got demolished," he said. The first Cupid exists only in memories, never getting a DVD release even though it was Piven's first starring TV role before later achieving fame on Entourage. Thomas had to hunt down a DVD copy of the series in Mexico; the only one he owns now has Spanish subtitles. "The nice thing about the experience is that ABC treated us very well 10 years ago, aside from canceling it and scheduling it very badly," he said. "The creative arm of the network, the people I dealt with on a regular basis, loved the show and were very enthusiastic and respectful about it." The new version stars Bobby Cannavale of Will & Grace as Trevor Pierce, who believes he's the Roman god of love and claims he's been sent to New York to bring 100 couples together before he can return to Mount Olympus. His foil is psychiatrist and self-help author Claire McCrae, played by Sarah Paulson. She believes there's a science to love, while Pierce believes in magic. Besides the new cast, Thomas said Cupid 2.0 has, at ABC's insistence, a greater emphasis on the couple Pierce and McCrae are trying to bring together each episode. His original model was a series like Moonlighting, where each week's detective case was secondary to the relationship between the two lead characters. The first series "would have three-and-a-half page scenes of Trevor and Claire bickering," Thomas said. "Now you never have that. I think there's a belief that people don't have the patience for that. I'm not sure I subscribe to that belief." Rozenfeld said he disagreed with a conclusion that the series now emphasizes the romance of the week instead of the lead characters. "I think there is equal focus," he said. Since TV dramas have less content and more room for commercials than they did a decade ago, it's a challenge to get viewers emotionally invested in characters, he said. Thomas declined to discuss whether creative differences with ABC executives were a major impediment in making the second Cupid. ABC cut short an interview with Rozenfeld before questions about its relationship with Thomas could be fully discussed. "All first-year shows, it's tough," Thomas said. "It's tough for everybody to get on the same page. But at the end of the year, I think we found a sweet spot." Thomas did say he believed the final episodes of the new series that were filmed were the best, including one story where a 15-year-old boy tries to set up his mother with his boxing coach, since he learned the coach was his biological father through a sperm donation. While there may have been tough times creatively, Cupid is being treated much better by the network now in scheduling. Thomas also said he believes the timing is better for the show, in terms of public interest in escapist fare. Seven episodes of the new Cupid were filmed. Whether it has any future depends on whether the series takes advantage of its time slot. |
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Monday March 30, 2009 |
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Disney/ABC,
ESPN sign YouTube video deal Disney Cruise Line to Homeport Disney Wonder at the Port of Los Angeles The Seas Granted Accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Free Dining Plan Returns to Disney World 'Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln' Will Return to Disneyland Later This Year Disney Interactive Studios Reveals Top Secret Details for G-Force Video Game Disney Finalizing Deal For Clips On YouTube; Full-Episode Talks Ongoing; Could Hulu Lose Out? HSM3 wins at Kids' Choice Awards Analysts project 10 pct attendance decline at Disney's U.S. parks Mickey and the Beanstalk (DVD) Disney Fast Pass. Yea Or Nay? Exclusive Disney Pin Trading Event Disney's Magic Your Way Empowers Guests to Create Their Own Personally Customized Vacation Tickets |
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Disney/ABC, ESPN sign YouTube video deal
AP - The
Walt Disney Co. said Monday it has
agreed to provide short-form videos from
its ABC and ESPN television properties
to run on Google Inc.'s YouTube under an
ad-revenue sharing arrangement.
Disney has yet
to announce a
deal with
YouTube to share
full episodes of
such programs as
"Lost" or
"Desperate
Housewives,"
despite the
shows being
available in
full on ABC.com
and sites such
as Comcast
Corp.'s Fancast
or Time Warner
Inc.'s AOL.
"This deal provides us with the opportunity to reach a broader online audience, to experiment with different monetization models and to extend the reach of our advertisers," said Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney/ABC Television Group, in a statement. Disney will be able to sell ads against the videos in conjunction with its other marketing efforts. Google has a similar video ad-sharing deal with broadcaster CBS Corp., which provides both short-form and full episodes. Google remains locked in a legal battle with Viacom Inc., which is suing it for $1 billion for infringing on copyrights for such shows as Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." The ESPN channel will debut in mid-April, while the ABC channel, including videos from ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Family and SOAPnet, will debut in May. |
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Disney Cruise Line to Homeport Disney Wonder at the Port of Los
Angeles Disney
News - Disney Cruise Line announced today that it plans to
reposition the Disney Wonder from its Florida base in Port
Canaveral to the West Coast in 2011. The company is working
with the Port of Los Angeles to finalize a two-year agreement
with a three-year extension option. The contract will be
considered by the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor
Commissioners on April 2, 2009.
If approved, the new Disney Wonder sailings could generate more than 250,000 guests passing through the Port of Los Angeles over a five-year period.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he is pleased to welcome the renowned family cruise line back to the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro.
“Having Disney Cruise Line operating out of the Port of Los Angeles will provide a great boost to the local economy by generating business and tourism revenue in San Pedro and throughout the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “The return of Disney Cruise Line to our port speaks volumes about our ability to attract world-class cruise lines to the area.”
The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Florida’s Port Canaveral in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
“We are looking forward to returning to the Port of Los Angeles and offering our special brand of family cruises on the West Coast,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. “Having a Disney Cruise Line ship based in this region is something families on the West Coast have wanted for a long time, and we’re pleased to bring the Disney Wonder to Southern California in 2011.”
Disney Cruise Line has successfully tested the West Coast market with two summer seasons of Mexican Riviera itineraries from the Port of Los Angeles. The Disney Magic cruise ship first called on the West Coast during the summer of 2005 as part of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary and returned again during the summer of 2008. Disney Cruise Line has not yet announced the details of its itineraries for 2011.
“The return of Disney Cruise Line to the Port of Los Angeles is just one more reason visitors will come to Los Angeles to help our city thrive,” added Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.d. “The LA area is already home to Disneyland – it’s a natural fit.”
The Port of Los Angeles continues to be one of the busiest cruise ports on the West Coast. Known for its proximity to area attractions, including Disneyland Resort, and ease of convenience for transportation and nearby airports, the Port of Los Angeles provides cruisers with a great experience.
Disney Cruise Line delivers a cruise experience that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs. Specifically designed areas and activities for each member of the family allows for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences. The focus is to allow families to reconnect, adults to recharge their batteries and kids to immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.
Known for establishing family travel in the cruise market Disney Cruise Line continues to be a leader in the industry. The Disney Wonder was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual “Reader’s Cruise Poll.” The Disney Magic, which was also ranked in the top five cruise experiences in the poll, will embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Mediterranean in 2010. Additionally, the line continues to move forward on the construction of its two new ocean liners at the Meyer Werft yard in Germany. |
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The Seas Granted Accreditation by the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums Disney News - The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that The Seas was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. “The Seas has been awarded AZA accreditation because of its high standards in every aspect of its operations,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Orlando should be proud to have one of the top facilities in North America as a valuable community asset and economic engine.” To be accredited, The Seas underwent a thorough investigation to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process in order to be members of the Association, and are required to resubmit to this process every five years. “Every visit you make to The Seas supports wildlife conservation.” Maddy added. “It’s an opportunity for families to get together and connect with conservation.” The mission of the AZA Accreditation Commission is to establish, uphold, and raise the highest zoological and aquarium industry standards through self-evaluation, on-site inspection, and peer review. The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution’s operation in areas such as animal care (including living environment and daily enrichment), keeper training, safety for animals, staff, and visitors, educational programs, conservation efforts, veterinary programs, financial stability, risk management, visitor services, and other areas. The inspection team prepares an extensive written report for the Accreditation Commission. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal Commission hearing, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made. Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org. |
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Free Dining Plan Returns to Disney World Disney News - Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will have extra reason to celebrate with a great vacation offer that features the popular Disney Dining Plan for free. Guests buying a five-night/six-day room and theme park ticket package for stays most nights from Aug. 16 to Oct. 3, 2009, can enjoy the Disney Dining Plan for free. The plan includes one quick-service meal, one snack and one table-service meal at up to 100 restaurants for each night of the package stay. With this special offer, a family of four can get a
five-night stay at a select Disney Resort and a 6-day Magic Your
Way base ticket (with free dining) for as little as: The Free Dining Plan replaces the Stay for seven pay for four deal. The parks have been busy, but the numbers are mostly attributed to a rise in drive in traffic. It will be interesting to see if free food can convert some of these into week long stays. * Prices are based on two adults, one junior (ages 10 to 17) and one child (ages 3 to 9). The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets are for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Excludes gratuities. |
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'Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln' Will Return to Disneyland Later
This Year Disney News - A longtime favorite of Disneyland guests will return as "The Disneyland Story, featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," an enhanced version of the show which appeared, in various forms, in the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland park from 1966 through 2004 . The attraction will reopen later this year in celebration of the 200th anniversary year of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The current Opera House presentation, "Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years," went on hiatus March 16, in preparation for the new "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" show. When the updated "Disneyland Story, featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" opens later this year, "Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years" will be presented as part of the "Disneyland Story" display of art, models and mementoes in the Opera House lobby. Also planned for fall 2009 is a prominent new home on Main Street, U.S.A., for The Disney Gallery. Formerly located above Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square, The Disney Gallery houses treasured Disney artwork and collectibles representing creative efforts from throughout The Walt Disney Company. A frequently changing exhibit area often includes never-before-displayed art. The Disney Gallery's new home will be in the Bank of Main Street building, located next door to the Main Street Opera House and currently serving as the headquarters for Disneyland Resort Annual Passport processing. The Bank will continue to operate as an Annual Passport center until mid-summer 2009. After that, Annual Passport processing will move to the Plaza Pavilion, near the entrance to Adventureland. The original "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" was created by Walt Disney and his Imagineers for the State of Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair and featured the world's first fully animated human Audio-Animatronics figure, built by Walt Disney Imagineering. The show, made its Disneyland debut in the Main Street Opera House on July 18, 1965. |
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Disney Interactive Studios Reveals Top Secret Details for
G-Force Video Game Business Wire - The government will look to a new type of secret agent to help protect the planet this summer – an elite force of guinea pigs. Disney Interactive Studios today announced it will publish the G-Force video game, inspired by the upcoming feature film “G-Force” from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. G-Force is scheduled to deploy to North American retail outlets in July 2009. G-Force will carry out missions on the Wii™ home video game console, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™ and Windows-based PC. G-Force is a fast-paced action-platform game featuring a unique team of specially trained guinea pigs that use high-tech gadgets and specialized talents to complete a dangerous secret mission. Players control Darwin, the G-Force team leader, and housefly surveillance commando Mooch. Darwin and Mooch team up with the rest of G-Force to use their unique high-tech gadgets, stealth mastery, and pint-sized teamwork to save the world from a robot army of evil household appliances. G-Force features innovative gameplay with a unique sense of scale and puzzle solving that requires players to manipulate environments or enemies, including evil household appliances like waffle irons, water coolers and vacuum cleaners to complete their mission. “The G-Force video game gives players the opportunity to take on new enemies, weapons and missions that pick up where the film leaves off and expands the experience,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “G-Force is filled with fast-paced action and memorable characters that will appeal to video game fans of all ages.” Published by Disney Interactive Studios, the G-Force game for consoles and Windows PC is being developed by Eurocom. The Nintendo DS and PSP system versions are being developed by Keen Games. Popular actors Jon Favreau (“Hurley”), Bill Nighy (“Leonard Saber”) and Sam Rockwell (“Darwin”) reprise their roles from the motion picture, and help bring to life the characters and story in the G-Force video game. In addition, G-Force: The Mobile Game will also be available in June 2009 on most major wireless carriers. G-Force: The Mobile Game is an action-strategy game featuring core members of G-Force team. In this prequel to the movie, you and your teammates conduct a series of training missions by following clues, solving puzzles, and destroying enemy targets in preparation for real-life situations. G-Force: The Mobile game will be available for iPhone and Java/Brew platforms, and has a suggested retail price of $6.99 (prices may vary by carrier). About the “G-FORCE” film Producer Jerry Bruckheimer brings his first 3-D film to the big screen with G-FORCE, a comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, these highly trained guinea pigs discover that the fate of the world is in their paws. Tapped for the G-FORCE are guinea pigs Darwin (voice of SAM ROCKWELL), the squad leader determined to succeed at all costs; Blaster (voice of TRACY MORGAN), an outrageous weapons expert with tons of attitude and a love for all things extreme; and Juarez (voice of PENELOPE CRUZ), a sexy martial arts pro; plus the literal fly-on-the-wall reconnaissance expert, Mooch, and a star-nosed mole, Speckles (voice of NICOLAS CAGE), the computer and information specialist. Directed by Academy Award®-winning visual effects master Hoyt Yeatman—G-FORCE takes audiences on a high-octane thrill ride, proving once and for all that size really doesn't matter. 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 . |
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Disney Finalizing Deal For Clips On YouTube; Full-Episode Talks
Ongoing; Could Hulu Lose Out? paidContent - The *Walt Disney Company* and Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG) are close to one programming deal for video portal YouTube, and are in discussions about another—also involving YouTube—that would preclude a deal with Hulu, paidContent has learned. Disney (NYSE: DIS) and YouTube are in the final stages of negotiations to put clips from ESPN, ABC and other Disney assets on YouTube, according to sources familiar with the situation. The two companies would share revenue, with Disney controlling the ad inventory; YouTube and Google could get some inventory to sell. As important, YouTube would refer back to ESPN.com, ABC.com and the other Disney sites. Disney declined comment; a YouTube spokesman said the company does not comment on rumor or speculation. In addition, the two are discussing a full-episode deal—a multi-year pay-for-play deal that would put ABC and some other Disney programming on YouTube instead of NBC Universal-News Corp (NasdaqGS: NWS) joint venture Hulu. I am told these discussions have gone as high as Disney CEO Bob Iger and Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt but that they are not as far along as the short-form deal—or as advanced as Disney's negotiations with Hulu. Under this scenario, Disney would see an immediate payoff for extending its online video access: Hulu has had massive growth but is still considerably behind YouTube in reach. Neither video service is profitable, so Disney has to decide between the short-term guarantee that would come from a YouTube deal versus the longer-term investment of trading distribution exclusivity for equity in Hulu. It's also a choice between environments. Hulu CEO Jason Kilar has created a clean user experience combined with a TV-centric atmosphere that draws users looking for traditional media. YouTube is a free-for-all, even when it focuses on channels. As one executive I spoke with put it, it's the difference between putting Grey's Anatomy next to House, or next to "weird things" or having shows disappear amid a vast amount of video. (Some of this could be resolved with changes YouTube reportedly has in the works that would clean up navigation, highlight premium content and update its own video player.) Another executive mentioned the chance with Hulu to take advantage of the interest other TV shows are drawing—getting traction, for instance, from a Tina Fey-Sarah Palin clip from Saturday Night Live. But YouTube accounted for 41 percent of all U.S. video streamed in February, according to comScore (NasdaqGM: SCOR) Media Metrix, and just under 100 million unique users, compared with Hulu's 2.5 percent and Disney Online's .9 percent. Some people have raised the idea of possible antitrust accusations if ABC joins NBC and Fox on Hulu. I am told that was discussed when the idea of Hulu first arose two years ago and is not considered a problem. However, concerns over copyright protection and the issues involved in the Viacom (NYSE: VIA) lawsuit against YouTube and Google have played a role in Disney's considerations. The discussions with YouTube and the serious negotiations with Hulu are part of Iger's push to accelerate Disney's online video strategy, particularly shifting gears from ABC's player-centric approach, with its highly selective distribution and effort to control the user experience. The discussions with Hulu and Google are being managed by the strategic planning group headed by corporate EVP Kevin Mayer. The theory: ABC.com has grown as much as it can on its own; increasing revenues from an estimated $40 million or so through online video in 2008 will mean increasing exposure and audience. Deals with AOL.com, which let ABC use its own player, and Veoh haven't pushed the needle much. The strategy, which helped prove that viewers would watch ad-supported full-episode viewing online, has been championed at the Disney-ABC Television Group by Albert Cheng, EVP-digital media, and his boss Anne Sweeney, president of the group and co-chair of Disney Media Networks, but was backed publicly all the way up. At the same time, some people with Disney feel the strategy hasn't received the kind of full on-air promotion and other kinds of support needed from within ABC's own programming side. ABC and other network groups may want more time to prove that maintaining control is the way to go, but Iger has already shown that when he thinks a change is needed, it will happen, as was the case with putting ABC's full episodes on iTunes. More on Hulu: We first reported the serious discussions between Disney and Hulu Friday. A source familiar with the discussions from the Hulu perspective told me after our story appeared that, despite their first-in status, NBCU and News Corp. expect to be equal partners with Disney should the deal pan out. Disney would be expected to match the marketing and other commitments made by the two existing partners. Each company owns 45 percent now; the result would be a 30 percent share across the board. Providence Equity Partners acquired 10 percent of the equity early on for an investment of $100 million; that investment gave the enterprise a valuation of $1 billion. Delivering video on YouTube: My understanding is the video clips would be delivered through ESPN's video player, possibly embedded on YouTube pages similar to the way that the Microsoft (NasdaqGS: MSFT) Silverlight player for NCAA March Madness on Demand has been embedded in a deal with CBSSports.com. A long-form deal with YouTube likely would use an embedded Disney player. Conversely, a deal with Hulu would call for content to be delivered through Hulu's player. |
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HSM3 wins at Kids'
Choice Awards CBBC Newsround - High School Musical 3 was the big winner at the Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, America. The Disney film picked up the prize for best movie, and Vanessa Hudgens was named best movie actress. The awards are known for covering very famous faces in gunge, and this year Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Hugh Jackman and Will Ferrell were all 'slimed'. Other winners were the Jonas Brothers, who were named best band, while Miley Cyrus won the best female singer award. |
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Analysts project 10 pct attendance decline at Disney's U.S.
parks Tourism Central - Analysts at Goldman Sachs are forecasting attendance at Disney’s U.S. parks will fall as much as 10 percent this year. The firm, which downgraded shares in the Walt Disney Co. from “buy” to “neutral” last week, expects attendance declines at Walt Disney World and Disneyland to accelerate later this year. Goldman estimates that year-over-year attendance fell 4 percent during Disney’s second fiscal quarter, which ended Saturday, and that it will fall 5 percent in the third quarter and then 10 percent in the fourth, which runs from July through September. Attendance at Disney World and Disneyland fell about 5 percent during the company’s first quarter, which ended Dec. 27. Goldman says the attendance declines would be stepper were it not for Disney’s buy four nights, get three free hotel promotion. But that comes with its own costs – the firm projects that Disney’s hotel-room revenue will sink as much as 30 percent from a year ago. |
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Mickey and the
Beanstalk (DVD) DVDTOWN - So Disney is launching a new animation collection on DVD. This one features classic short subjects, and Volume 1 pairs the popular "Mickey and the Beanstalk" with four shorter cartoons, three of them period. This 29-minute short is iconic enough, with Mickey as Jack and Donald and Goofy replacing Jack's thin mother. Some of the early scenes meant to show their extreme poverty are drag a bit, and the level of originality sags to three starving men in a lifeboat, where one starts to see drumsticks on the other, with Donald wanting to take an axe to their cow. But once Mickey sells the cow for magic beans and the beanstalk grows, we get scenes with the singing harp and Willie the giant that make this animated fairy tale a classic. What I don't understand is why we have to see this with a Professor Ludwig von Drake intro and outro--why Disney used the framed version of "Mickey and the Beanstalk" that aired on "Disneyland" in 1955 rather than sticking with the 1947 feature from "Fun and Fancy Free" with Edgar Bergen narrating. I hope it was in issue involving the quality of the master, because aesthetically the intro spiel by Ludwig to a cricket friend really doesn't enhance this stand-alone tale. As with other early cartoons, Walt Disney himself handles the voiceover for Mickey, while Clarence Nash (who uttered his last unintelligible squawk for a 1971 "Disney on Parade" episode) gives voice to Donald Duck, and Pinto Colvig (whose last work was 1965's "Freewayphobia #1) is Goofy. The giant was voiced by Billy Gilbert, who would go on to play Clem's uncle on "The Red Skelton Show," and Anita Gordon, whose singing voice would be dubbed for Jean Seberg's on "Paint Your Wagon," was the magic harp. Fairy tales were meant to scare children into good behavior, but even Dr. Spock would have approved of this version, in which Ludwig comforts his little cricket friend Herman by telling him none of it's real, it's all pretend, and the giant really doesn't get hurt. In fact, the gag is that Willie knocks on the door at the end. This is a repackaging, since "Mickey and the Beanstalk" and "The Brave Little Tailor" are available on "Fun and Fancy Free," and the rarer cartoons are available on the limited edition "Walt Disney Treasures" tin series. The Brave Little Tailor was my favorite of this bunch. It's the third oldest (1938), with some of the drawing and characterizations fun to watch. In a way, this is a missing link cartoon that falls halfway between the early rough animation of the "Steamboat Willie" era and later Mickey cartoons that have a softer look and more fluid animation. In this one, a giant is threatening the kingdom, and Mickey the tailor is overheard boasting that he killed seven with one blow. Flies, that is. But he's brought before the king because everyone thinks he's talking about giants, and the king wants to pay him to rid his kingdom of this menace. No amount of money will convince the tailor (again, voiced by Disney), but the hand of the fair Princess Minnie (Marcellite Garner) does the trick. The animation sequences involving a careless giant are inventive, and so too is the way that this little tailor tends to business, harnessing the giant so that he powers an amusement park by the time all is said and done. It's a fun little color cartoon that runs just nine minutes long. Gulliver Mickey is another nine-minute cartoon in which Mickey is telling a story about Gulliver in Lilliput, but placing himself in the role. Call it an early, animated black-and-white version of "Bedtime Stories." This 1934 entry is a little rougher than "The Brave Little Tailor," and it messes with the Swift story in a big way. After standing up to the attack by tiny ships, Gulliver Mickey finds himself suddenly attacked by a gigantic spider crab thingy that keeps chuckling in a menacing way, until Gulliver Mickey does away with him. Kind of weird, actually. |
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Disney Fast Pass. Yea Or
Nay? Examiner - Disney fast pass, you either love them or hate them. Every time I stand in line with a family member particularly my Father, I have to listen to how much he dislikes the fast passes. I've gotten a few of the passes in the past, but I usually don't get them, whether I missed the time to get it or what have you. But I like fighting for the underdog , in this case the people who hate the fast pass or haven't had the chance to use them. First things first, the Disney fast pass doesn't work unless only a small percentage of the park attendees use it. You let a huge group of people use the pass, then you basically have two lines, one of which isn't moving at all to accommodate the guests who were lucky enough to get a pass. Let's face it, fast pass slows down the ride. It doesn’t matter how many boats or doom-buggies are loaded per minute, the ride will always move at the same capacity. What slows down the process is when people merge. A certain number of pass holders must be admitted per number of standby guests. Which is usually a huge amount of people. Which isn't fair. Why can't they let one group (how many to a ride) of pass holders then one group of stand-by people? So they would continuously do one group then the other and so on. It would keep the line moving. But instead they let 10 pass holders go, then a small group of stand-by people, then another huge group of pass holders. Looking back on it, the only solution is a fast pass line which leads to a separate load area, or a separate ride. The only ride WDW has ever built which would actually use fast pass to its’ full potential was Mr. Toad, and that ride isn't there anymore! In short the rides were designed with maximum guest capacity in mind. Almost all of the rides are continuously loading. Why do we need fast passes for a constantly loading Peter Pan ride? The fast pass makes the stand by line soooo long because they hold it up to let the pass holders on. If there were fast passes for the non-continuos rides, then I would be able to understand them better. That would make much more sense to me!? John Frost, in his Disney blog wrote: "Fast Pass is also labor intensive requiring 3-5 extra Cast Members per attraction. Disney would be better off using those labor hours to increase attraction capacity via better maintenance–putting more ride vehicles on the track, more efficient queue management, and providing in-park entertainment that keeps guests out of queues by providing alternate things for them to do when the parks are busiest (ever notice that queue length goes down just before and during a parade… same thing during Fireworks). Heck you can even sell your guests food and light up spin thingies while you have them held captive waiting for the show to start." Back when WDW first opened and before they created the fast pass. The creators themselves made sure to fine detail the queue lines for a reason. They knew people may have to wait for a period of time. They created little works of art through out the line so people would have something to look at and discover. Splash Mountain's wonderful queue line so under appreciated. And before people start telling me how great the passes are, and how anybody can use it, in truth what fast pass has done isn’t just reward the people who have it, but punish those who don’t. Wait in the queue for Peter Pan or Winnie The Pooh, and you’ll see what I mean. The fast pass line is continually moving while the regular line is constantly on hold. That’s frustrating for guests to see others keep hopping in front of them. Those regular-line guests should have gotten fast passes, you say? Sure, tell that to your child who wants to ride Peter Pan 5 times in a row. She doesn’t understand what fast pass is, why you can’t get more than one at a time, or why she has to wait. No Disney guest is more important than any other, so claiming that those not smart enough to use the fast pass system get what they deserve isn’t a fair deal. Everyone CAN’T use fast pass, there aren’t enough of them. And the more that are made available, the worse the problem becomes for those who don’t have them. So Disney fast passes. Yea or nay? |
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Exclusive Disney Pin Trading Event Examiner - Attention all pin traders! 7 brand new pins will be released (see them all here). You really don’t want to miss this! The first annual Disney Pin Trading Event will be held at this year’s FX International, April 17-20, 2009 at the Orlando Convention Center. And the best part – 6 exclusive, officially licensed, FX Disney Pins, plus a seventh exclusive completer pin only available in a special boxed set, will be offered. Two designs will be released for sale daily. Each pin depicts a different facet of the FX Show. The 7-pin boxed set will be limited to 150 and will only be pre-sold with a three day pass on the FX website, http://www.fxshow.com/. Pin trading will be set up on the second floor mezzanine on Friday 4:30pm 6:30pm, Saturday 1:00pm 5:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm 3:00pm. Two designs will be released for sale each day of the event beginning on Friday. The 7-pin boxed set will be limited to only 150 and will only be pre-sold with a three day pass to FX on our website. If you are a Disney pin collector, you cannot afford to miss FX International this year! And don’t miss the special display by the foremost collector of Haunted Mansion pins in the world, Terry Higgins. So bring your pins and be prepared to have a great time! Hope to see you there. |
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Disney's Magic Your Way Empowers Guests to Create Their Own
Personally Customized Vacation Tickets Disney News - The innovative Magic Your Way ticket plan at Walt Disney World Resort truly empowers guests to create their own tickets for a personally customized vacation. Guests can tailor tickets to include one to 10 days of theme park visits and add options of their choosing – such as Park Hopper, admission to Disney attractions and experiences outside the theme parks, and non-expiration. "Whether ordering a computer, a car or a cup of coffee, people want things customized to fit their individual needs," said Al Weiss, president, Worldwide Operations, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "Walt Disney World guests have that same ability to customize their dream vacation by creating a ticket that is just right for them." The pricing structure of Magic Your Way includes savings that increase as the guest stays longer. The value of the option that provides admissions to attractions and experiences outside the theme parks also increases on tickets for longer stays. Here are some of the notable features of the ticket plan:
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Sunday March 29, 2009 |
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Disney offers military a deal CLC students earn college credit working for Disney Mel B praises new Disney princess Theme-park lawsuits leave questions of safety unsettled |
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Disney offers military a
deal Akron Beacon Journal - During Walt Disney's Armed Forces Salute, active and retired U.S. military personnel can enjoy complimentary multiday admission to Disney's U.S. theme parks, special rates at Disney World Resorts, and additional ticket offers for family members and friends. For other guests, Disney asks, ''What will you celebrate in 2009?'' Guests can receive free admission to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks on their birthdays this year. All it takes is a valid ID, including proof of birth date. Military personnel, including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, may obtain one complimentary 5-day Armed Forces Salute ticket, valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus five visits to a Disney waterpark, DisneyQuest, or certain other attractions. Active or retired U.S. military personnel may purchase a maximum of five 5-Day Companion tickets for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members or friends. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Dec. 23. For more information, call 407-934-7639. ''For many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their families is cause enough for celebration,'' said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts. ''We are grateful for their service and hope Disney's Armed Forces Salute will allow our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.'' At Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, U.S. military can receive one complimentary three-day park hopper ticket, valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. During the offer period through June 12, active or retired U.S. military personnel may purchase adult or child three-day companion park hopper tickets for family members for the price of an adult one-day park hopper ticket. Disneyland resort hotels also offer special room rates for active or retired military personnel through June 12. For information or to make reservations, call 714-956-6424. Tickets may be purchased at U.S. military base ticket offices, including the Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World or at the Main Entrance theme park ticket windows. Personnel will be required to present valid military identification for all ticket transactions and ID may be required for admission. |
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CLC students earn college credit working for Disney
CLC students can
experience the Disney brand first hand while working for
the Magic Kingdom. Positions are available at Walt
Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida and Disneyland
Resort in Anaheim, California. Students earn college
credits while working at Disney, during either the fall
2009 or spring 2010 semester. The Disney College Program
is a one-of-a-kind; Disney designed combination of
education and work experience.
To learn more about this opportunity, attend an information session at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 13 in room C005, the C Wing Auditorium on the Grayslake campus. Students accepted into the program work at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort must also enroll in the following CLC courses for college credit. Each course offers 3 credits.
CLC Selected Topics:
For more information,
contact Susan L. Whittaker in CLC Career and Placement
Services at (847) 543-2058.
College of Lake County
19351 West Washington
Street
Grayslake, Illinois
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Mel B
praises new Disney princess Monsters and Critics - American, but thinks the film should have been made years ago. The 33-year-old singer said: "It seems to cause some controversy that the princess falls in love with a white prince in the movie. I can't see why there should be a problem! "We should be applauding interracial relationships and have more of an open mind. It's brilliant. In this day and age, races are integrated - we have a black President of America now - so it shouldn't matter. "Disney, you should have made this film sooner." Mel recently revealed she is being hypnotized to calm her stage nerves ahead of her appearance in Las Vegas burlesque production 'Peepshow', which starts next month. She said: "I'm getting hypnosis. I'm doing this just in case I get any last-minute nerves - you know, in case I can't remember the lyrics or the moves." |
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Theme-park lawsuits leave questions of safety unsettled
Orlando Sentinel - As she left Back to the Future: The Ride one day eight years ago, Mary Ann Williams felt her right arm go numb. "I felt my face drop. I couldn't talk. And then I passed out," she said in recalling those moments outside the Universal Studios attraction Jan. 3, 2001. Williams, then 35 and in apparent fine health, had suffered a debilitating stroke. She sued Universal Orlando three years later, blaming her stroke on the popular flight-simulator ride. The Prairieville, La., woman's case was settled out of court about a year ago, with no admission of fault, its terms sealed from public scrutiny.
Williams' lawsuit and scores of others filed in the past
five years have left no public record that might verify
or debunk allegations that her injuries and those in the
other cases were caused by the rides and attractions at
the core of Central Florida's theme-park industry. Injuries reportedFlorida law exempts theme parks from the state
inspections and mandatory reporting required of
carnivals and small amusement parks. In 2000, the big
parks signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the
state in which they volunteered to start providing
certain ride-injury information to the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's Bureau
of Fair Rides Inspection. Deacon, who spent
weeks in hospital intensive care and years in therapy,
remains disabled. Now 19, she sued Disney in February. Access difficultOrlando lawyer Edmund Normand maintains that most people who get hurt never sue. But he suspects they report their injuries at a theme-park first-aid station, or later from home. In a lawsuit he filed on behalf of a
woman claiming injuries from Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw
Falls, in Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park,
Normand asked to see Universal's injury-claim records.
But the resort's lawyers blocked the request, arguing
that the company maintains such information in
anticipation of lawsuits such as Normand's — and so the
documents are protected by the legal principle of
attorney-client privilege. Basic safety claimsCases such as Novack's and Normand's differ from most
ride-related lawsuits in that they do not blame the
injuries on accidents, equipment failures or operational
errors. Instead, they allege that the very nature of the
attraction caused people serious harm. 'Thrill' is goneWilliams, the Louisiana woman who collapsed outside
Universal's Back to the Future, blames her stroke on the
ride's "jerking" motions. The attraction, replaced last
spring by a similar ride based on The
Simpsons TV show, combined various mechanical
movements with visual and audio special effects to give
people the illusion of flying in the DeLorean
time-machine car of the Back to the Future
movies. |
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