MickeyXtreme's News Archive November 5-11 2006

Saturday November 11, 2006
Disney looking at Pixar grants Animation firm may have violated law before buyout

Walt Disney Co. disclosed this week that it may have inherited some stock-options woes when it bought Emeryville animation juggernaut Pixar Animation Studios.

In a conference call with analysts, Disney Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger said the board is conducting an independent investigation of Pixar's options grants after being contacted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.

"It has been widely reported in the press that many companies have received inquiries from the SEC and the Justice Department related to stock-option grant practices. We, too, have received such inquiries related to stock- option grants at Pixar prior to the acquisition. Our board is conducting an independent review of them," Iger said, responding to a question from an analyst. "However, as we previously said, we are not aware of any basis under which stock options that were issued by Pixar would have a material impact on our financial statements."

Disney bought Pixar in May. Between 1997 and 2004, five out of seven Pixar grants were recorded at the lowest possible price within the months they were granted, one analyst found. Moreover, four of the seven grants were recorded at the lowest price within the fiscal years they were granted.

Pixar is just one of more than 150 companies under investigation for manipulating the date on which options were awarded to increase the likelihood of big payouts to key employees and executives. Founder Steve Jobs did not receive any suspicious options grants.

Federal authorities are scrutinizing Pixar and Apple Computer Inc., both founded by the technology impresario. Jobs has created enormous wealth for shareholders.

Last month, Apple disclosed the conclusions of its internal probe which found that Jobs knew that the Cupertino company had manipulated some of its stock-options grants, but that he was unaware of the accounting implications. The probe concluded that none of the current management, including Jobs, was involved in any misconduct.

Apple did admit "irregularities," which could foretell more troubling disclosures.

Federal authorities are relying on companies to investigate themselves and then are using the findings to decide which cases to pursue. Companies are cooperating in a bid for leniency. Internal probes have led to the resignations of dozens of executives. Many companies also have said they will restate profits.

Top
WDW Attendance up

Walt Disney World's attendance was up about 5 percent for the three-month period ending Sept. 30, compared with the same period last year.

That helped Walt Disney Parks and Resorts come close to breaking even in attendance for the fourth quarter of Disney's fiscal year, because Disneyland attendance was down 7 percent, Disney Chief Financial Officer Thomas Staggs reported today.

The Walt Disney Co.'s annual report and fourth quarter numbers were almost all positive as the company posted an overall $3.4 billion profit, up 33 percent over 2005, on more than $34 billion in sales. That includes all of Disney's film, TV, cable, radio, Internet and consumer products divisions.

Disney Parks and Resorts contributed well to that total. For 2006, the division saw a 10 percent increase in sales, to $9.93 billion, and a 30 percent increase in operating profit, to $1.53 billion. Fourth quarter increases were similarly strong.

Staggs and Disney Chairman Bob Iger expressed optimism for 2007 as well. That's partly because Disney's "Year of A Million Dreams" campaign is doing well in early returns, and partly because the parks are positioned well, Staggs said.

"At the theme parks, the outstanding results again provide evidence of the significant, sustainable advantage we have nurtured and reinforced in this business," Staggs said.

Disney's annual report said the success was due in part to the parks' 50th anniversary celebration, which ended in September; strong Disney Vacation Club sales; and higher per-person spending, which was in turn partly due to higher hotel rates and ticket prices.

Staggs said Walt Disney World's fourth-quarter attendance was up 5 percent and its hotel occupancy increased slightly over the same quarter in 2005. On the other hand, Disneyland's attendance was down 7 percent and its hotel occupancy fell slightly, he said. Both saw increases in per-visitor spending.

And hotel reservations appear to be holding pace with last year, boding well for 2007.

Still, that led one stock analyst to wonder when Disney's going to build some new hotel rooms, especially since Walt Disney World's occupancy rate is hovering around 90 percent.

Nothing to announce, Iger said.

Top
 
Walt Disney Co., the second-largest U.S. media company, may have to wait as long as five years for a payoff from investments in Internet video and mobile devices, Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger said.

``In terms of the sheer bottom-line impact, it's still relatively small,'' Iger said yesterday in an interview after Burbank, California-based Disney reported that profit doubled last quarter. ``Over the next three to five years we'll be able to monetize at a significant level.''

Disney plans to revamp its main Web sites -- Disney.com, ABC.com and ESPN.com -- next year to draw customers to its online products. Using the ABC network, Iger, 55, was among the first to play television shows on the Internet and sell episodes on Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod. Disney's profit last quarter was led by the films ``Pirates of the Caribbean'' and ``Cars.''

Fiscal fourth-quarter net income doubled to $782 million, or 36 cents a share, from $379 million, or 19 cents, a year earlier, Disney said yesterday. Sales in the period ended Sept. 30 climbed 14 percent to $8.78 billion. Profit beat the 34-cent average estimate in a Thomson Financial survey of 19 analysts and the sale estimate of $8.69 billion.

Shares of Disney rose 48 cents to a five-year high of $33.58 yesterday in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They retreated 73 cents to $32.85 in extended trading after results were announced.

Disney is also spending on new theme park attractions: Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, and a submarine ride at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, based on the film ``Finding Nemo,'' Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs said yesterday on a conference call.

Park Spending

That will lead to a $400 million to $500 million increase in capital spending next year, Staggs said. Disney spent $1.3 billion on its parks and resorts in the year just ended. The company also plans to spend about $350 million on annual video game development over five to seven years, he said.

``Development expenses are a good thing for long-term investors,'' said Janna Sampson, director of portfolio management at Oakbrook Investments in Lisle, Illinois, which owns 647,000 Disney shares. ``It builds long-run value for the company, and Disney is very good at building long run value.''

The shares have climbed 40 percent this year, second-best among members of the Dow Jones Industrial Average after General Motors Corp.

Iger is upgrading the Web sites to take advantage of surging Internet use by customers and advertisers.

``That's what we're focused on,'' Iger said.

Disney is ``weeks away'' from completing a new programming agreement with Comcast Corp, the world's largest cable operator, Iger said in the interview. A contract with Time Warner Cable, the second-largest cable company, will follow the Comcast announcement, he said.

Video on Demand

The Comcast deal may allow the cable operator to offer viewers Disney movies and television shows on-demand, Iger said without offering more details.

The contract will lead to a ``healthy relationship in the future,'' Iger said on the call. ``We're looking forward to concluding the deal and a future that will be very interesting.''

Fourth-quarter results benefited from ``Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,'' which earned more than $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales, and Pixar's ``Cars.'' The film unit posted profit of $214 million on 33 percent higher revenue of $2 billion. The two films also boosted Disney's consumer products unit, which posted a 9 percent rise in revenue to $564 million. Profit was little changed at $139 million.

Iger delivered an 18 percent jump in profit at broadcast and cable unit, which includes ESPN and ABC. Revenue rose 9.6 percent on higher advertising rates at ABC. Theme-park profit rose to $396 million, as sales climbed 8 percent to $2.54 billion.

Top
Did Disney tap Stalin for Epcot vision?

What appears to be an otherwise fascinating new book about Walt Disney by Neal Gabler has a curious omission.

Gabler spent almost eight years "channeling" Disney for his new biography, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination.

And much of it, according to an article by Roger Moore of the Sentinel, was devoted to Epcot -- the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

"Disney shaped the American consciousness and clearly shaped our culture," Gabler is quoted as saying.

No argument there.

What Gabler didn't mention, however, is how much Disney may have borrowed from the imagination of a most unlikely source -- Joseph Stalin.

Back in 1939, the Soviet leader oversaw the creation of a massively ambitious project called the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition in northern Moscow.

It was a monumental showcase for the achievements of collectivization. It opened on a 336-acre site featuring some 250 buildings and focusing on the best and most exciting features from each of the Soviet Republics that made up the U.S.S.R.

The first year, it attracted some 4.5 million visitors -- mostly Russian -- and was expanded in the 1950s to more than 500 acres.

It is where most Russians saw their first refrigerators, microwaves and televisions and marveled at other modern gizmos.

It was renamed the All-Russian Exhibition Center in 1992 after the fall of the communist government and was opened up to private enterprise.

I was there about four years ago and was amazed at the similarity to Disney's magical Epcot, which I've visited several times since it opened in the early 1980s.

The Russian park is a series of grand pavilions -- about 80 in all -- and other smaller buildings built around a lake to showcase the world of tomorrow.

It was there that former Soviet republics such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Uzbekistan erected gaudy showcases to show off their cultural, agricultural and scientific progress.

In addition, the park offers music, crafts and exotic food.

Huge hotels and apartment complexes had been erected all around the park's outskirts to house workers and visitors alike.

Adjacent was a large park with rides for kids and the biggest Ferris wheel in the city.

The bloom is definitely off the park now, however.

Its commercialization in recent years clearly has taken its toll. Some of the pavilions are closed, and the others are now home to flea markets and retail stores.

But it still draws hordes of visitors; the design and concept are still clear, and it remains a mirror version of Epcot.

Only Stalin beat Disney to the punch by a few decades.

Of course, it is not impossible that Disney envisioned Epcot absolutely on his own, oblivious to Stalin's long-standing community of the future that enthralled millions of visitors on the other side of the globe.

Just highly unlikely.

Top
Early Disney looted fine art

PARIS—Once upon a time, the homesick North American looking to cure the blues could head to Shakespeare & Company, the English bookstore on rue de la Bûcherie, or to a jazz club or the little movie house on rue McMahon near the Arc de Triomphe showing Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers flicks.

There was always Disney, too. Catching an old Disney movie was a temporary trip back home for the lonely expatriate. And there always seemed to be vintage Disney animated features showing around the city. "Mickeeeee" was as big as Jerry Lewis.

Not any more. Mickey Mouse is currently holed up in the Grand Palais, near the Champs-Élysées, with "Il Etat Une Fois Walt Disney" ("Once Upon A Time — Walt Disney"), an art show destined for Montreal's Musée des beaux-artes beginning March 8.

Yet that's about it, Mouse-wise. Disney imagery and mythology no longer figure widely in Paris culture. Instead the Disney characters are where they should be — in a museum alongside their art-historical counterparts. In fact, the Grand Palais show seems long overdue. The people most enthralled around me at the exhibition were not the kids, but their parents and grandparents — the original Mouseketeers.

As the Palais show also proves, the distinct Disney touch — that definitive visual drawing style and cast of characters — clearly belongs to the studio's glory days more than 50 years ago. That was before the Disney empire, founded in 1923, began to expand beyond its core animation business into weekly TV shows, live-action movies and theme parks.

True, the exhibition's announcement some time ago caused a ruckus among stalwarts who felt that cartoon critters — the show begins with Mickey's first appearance in the stick-figure cartoon Steamboat Willie in 1928 — were not appropriate for one of the city's greatest and most glamorous monuments, built for the 1900 World's Fair along with the Eiffel Tower.

Half-naked women by Matisse are one thing. A half-naked duck by Disney was entirely another.

But curator Bruno Girveau, who spent 10 years organizing the show, insists Disney was one of the "most original creators of the 20th century" and entirely Palais-ready. Starting with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, work done at the Disney studio forms an essential connection between "popular culture and highbrow culture," according to the curatorial message here.

Girveau and author Pierre Lambert, a Disney film expert, were given extraordinary access to the Disney archives and to 250 display pieces, although corporate Disney is not financially supporting the show. Still, both sides saw it as a win-win situation. With all the bad press Disney has been getting in recent years, the time was ripe to remind the world that the company's roots were in the arts, not the banks.

Early on Walt Disney, not much of an artist himself, hired the best designers and animators of the day, many of them Europeans with fine art training. There was Gustaf Tenggren from Sweden, whose fascination with German expressionist films found its way into shadowy world of Pinocchio. There was Kay Nielsen from Denmark and the Swiss artist Albert Hunter.

They were all encouraged to plunder 19th-century European art history — often at its kitschiest, too — for Disney animation. At the Palais, one finds a field full of elves drawn by the 19th-century Parisian society illustrator Gustave Doré compared with elves that march through Disney cartoons. A wintry peasant scene from 16th-century Dutch artist Breugel the Younger is matched wonderfully with Eyvind Earle's designs for Sleeping Beauty.

But Disney was wary about how far he could push things before losing his audience. Fantasia's box-office failure in 1940 caused him to shelve a proposed creative partnership with Salvador Dali in 1943 for a film to be called Destino. Eventually completed in 2003 by Walt's nephew Roy Disney from the bits and pieces left behind by Dali, the dreary result viewed at the Palais leaves one admiring Fantasia all the more.

Perhaps any sort of Disney fantasy trip must seem out-of-synch in a city where one of the most talked-about art events is a photo exhibition in suburban Clichy-sous-Bois that includes images of two teenage boys electrocuted there while fleeing the police, the incendiary event for last year's riots.

But Disney's work, at its greatest, also looks into dark and even dangerous territory. At the Palais, one encounters two movie screens that match, scene for scene, image for image, bits from early feature films with their appropriate Disney cartoon counterparts. The cauldron-stirring Disney magician (named Yen Sid, or Disney spelled backwards) in Sorcerer's Apprentice on one screen is matched by the looming figure in F. W. Murnau's Faust from 1926 on the other.

This is wonderful, a bit scary even for the kids. It's not the look of corporate Disney explored rather ineffectively by contemporary artists at the exhibition's end. This early Disney was an imaginary territory that had the rest of the visual arts at its borders.

"Il Etait Une Fois Walt Disney" continues to Jan. 15.

Top
ABC Family Announces Fourth Season of "Wildfire"

ABC Family has picked up a fourth season of 13 new episodes of WILDFIRE in advance of the series’ highly anticipated third season premiere, it was announced today by Paul Lee, president, ABC Family.

The hit drama, produced by Lionsgate in association with Piller/Segan, returns to the network on Monday, Jan. 1 (8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT). WILDFIRE is one of ABC Family's highest-rated original series of all time, bringing millions of viewers to the network each week and delivering substantial double-digit percentage gains over year-ago time period levels in all key demos.

"We think our passionate Wildfire fans are going to love the new season - this season's going to be all about who will Kris choose, Matt or Junior,” said Paul Lee, president, ABC Family. “We’re enjoying the creative direction of season three so much we saw no reason to wait on ordering season four."

“We couldn’t be happier about ABC Family’s tremendous vote of confidence in the show with this early season four pick-up,” said Kevin Beggs, president of television programming and production, Lionsgate. “We’ve enjoyed great support from the network and look forward to an exciting new year.”

Starting December 1st, fans will be able to get a sneak peak at season three with the re-launch of the “Wildfire” website by logging onto www.abcfamily.com/wildfire for an exclusive preview.

WILDFIRE is set to begin production on its fourth season in January. Lloyd Segan (“The Dead Zone”) Shawn Piller ("The Dead Zone") and Remi Aubuchon (“24”) are executive producers. The ensemble cast includes Genevieve Cortese, Ryan Sypek, Micah Alberti, Nicole Tubiola, Nana Visitor, Greg Serano, and James Read.

Additionally, ABC Family has expanded its relationship with Piller/Segan by greenlighting an untitled pilot which will be directed by Gil Junger (“10 Things I Hate About You,” “Kyle XY”) and written by creator-producer Sean Smith (“Summerland,” “Wildfire”) that focuses on a not so social brother and a super social sister as they live the Greek life at college.

Top
Dancer cast in Disney's 'High School Musical' production at Disney California Adventure

As college jobs go, it doesn't get much better than that of Canyon Lake coed Amy Owen, 21, daughter of Dave and Laurie Owen. The former Temescal Canyon High School cheerleader and Canyon Lake Youth Action Council president is currently majoring in Communications with an Entertainment Studies Emphasis at California State University, Fullerton.

Amy recently decided to add a double major in Dance, which should be a breeze considering the fact she's been taking dance lessons since the age of three – and considering she has one of the most enviable dance jobs in Southern California.

The former Miss Teen Canyon Lake is currently a cast member in two entertainment productions at Disney's California Adventure: The "High School Musical Pep Rally," based on the Disney Channel movie of the same name; and the "Block Party Bash," featuring favorite characters from Disney-Pixar films like "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," and "A Bug's Life."

In "High School Musical Pep Rally," Amy plays the role of a cheerleader in the 17-member cast that accompanies a moving stage and basketball court. The stage and dancers wind through Disney's California Adventure Park, making 15-minute stops to sing, dance and shoot hoops.

She loves the way children dance and sing along with the program, since they already know songs and dance moves from the movie – hit songs like "Get'cha Head in the Game," "What I've Been Looking For," "We're All in This Together" and more.

The show is performed Friday through Sunday, and Amy usually only works one of those days, performing six shows between 10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

After finishing up her performance in "High School Musical," she heads to the dressing room to get ready for the best role of her life thus far: dancing in the California Adventure's Block Party parade, which features dancing, high-flying aerial acrobatics and the Pixar Film Pals.

Spectators throughout the park are invited to "join the party at this high-energy, high-flying street spectacular that features amazing aerial acrobatics . . . and favorite party music." The parade makes stops at three "party zones" throughout the park.

Calling it the most fun thing she's ever done in her life, Amy says she wears a costume but is not dressed as a character. Her moves in both productions are carefully choreographed, but getting the park spectators, especially children, to dance along is the most fun of all.

They lead the crowd in such popular dances as the Macarena, the Twist, YMCA and other popular party dances. "What could be better than bringing smiles and laughter to an audience," she says. "Everyone loves it." Amy dances in the parade five evenings a week.

Out of the 380 girls auditioning for the job, she was one of 18 chosen. What, one might ask, prepared her for such a high-profile job in the professional world of dance?

Amy started taking dance lessons as a young child and never stopped – tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop. When other girls gave up after a certain age, she kept going out of sheer love of dancing. From 5th to 8th grade, she took classes at Cathy's Dance in Temecula; and then her mom started taking her to a professional studio called "The Edge" in Los Angeles.

That was about the time her family moved to Canyon Lake (2000) and she got involved locally in the Youth Action Council and joined the Royal Court as Miss Teen Canyon Lake. She also became a cheerleader at TCHS and was a member of the award-winning Touché Dance All Stars based in Temecula. In 2003, she earned the title of Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce Youth of the Year.

Working at Disneyland while she's in college is only a stepping-stone to greater things. She hopes to one day become a professional choreographer for major productions; but in the meantime, she is taking full advantage of every opportunity that comes her way.

In September, one of her friends introduced her to the choreographer for the teenage cheerleading movie, "Bring It On," who subsequently invited her to be a cheerleader in a Fox Studios' big-screen production of "The Comebacks," due to be released in March 2007.

According to the website, the sports comedy "is about a struggling college football coach in Texas who gets one last shot at redemption when he attempts to whip a ragtag team of college athletes into shape." Directed by Tom Brady ("The Animal"), the film stars David Koechner ("Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy") as the losing coach. So far, Amy has been involved in filming two scenes and anticipates many more.

Laurie Owen, who serves as Corporate Administration Manager for the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, couldn't be happier for her daughter, or prouder of her accomplishments. She and Dave have always encouraged their kids to go for their dreams and have been rewarded by a daughter and son who are high achievers. Amy's brother, Nolan, is a senior at TCHS, where he played varsity football until a recent injury sidelined him for the season. Nevertheless, he is being recruited by a number of colleges to be a long snapper for their programs.

Top
Randy Newman chosen to do the songs for The Frog Princess

We have heard from reliable sources that John Lasseter has initially selected long-time collaborator Randy Newman to compose the songs for Ron Clements and John Musker’s latest traditionally animated effort The Frog Princess. Alan Menken and Glenn Slater did some pre-production work on potential music but John has opted to give Randy his debut in an animated musical.

Top
'The Disney Way' in Evansville

Evansville companies are being featured prominently in a popular business book about Walt Disney Co.'s management practices.

"The Disney Way: Harness the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Organization" has been translated into eight languages and is now coming out in an expanded second edition.

Bill Capodagli, who with his wife, Lynn Jackson, wrote the book, said the companies were featured because the authors had done consulting work for the plants while they were on the faculty of the University of Southern Indiana.

"We featured these (businesses) because we were helping Whirlpool, Dunn Hospitality Group and Bristol Myers Squibb in their organizations," said Capodagli. These three companies and others featured in the book show how Disney business practices can be successfully applied, he said.

The Disney Way was originally published in 1998 and was awarded Best Business Book of the Year by Fortune magazine. The second edition, which is out now, will include more recent examples of successful application of Disney principles, Capodagli said.

In addition to being authors, Capodagli and Jackson are consultants and speakers. They present seminars on Disney management techniques around the country.

Capodagli said he was attracted to Disney because, as a consultant, he saw that the company was successful in so many areas. Capodagli, whose background is in industrial engineering, and Jackson, whose background is in organizational development, began consulting for companies in Evansville while they were on the faculty at USI.

The two helped with the engineering department of Whirlpool Corp. in Evansville. During the consulting process, a team of Whirlpool engineers in Evansville designed a "Global No-Frost" refrigerator product, as well as the facility to manufacture it, Capodagli said. "They just had phenomenal success," Capodagli said.

The consultants also worked with Dunn Hospitality Group and studied owner John Dunn's code of conduct for the organization. That code acknowledges that everybody in an organization owns a problem and that the company works while others play, precepts that have much in common with Disney's, Capodagli said.

The consultants also worked with the technology group at Bristol-Myers Squibb, helping develop that was at that time the largest powder production plant in the world, Capodagli said.

Capodagli said that he and Jackson had an office in Evansville, in Indianapolis and in Michigan, when they researched the Evansville companies. Today, their operations are consolidated in Michigan.

"Walt Disney is a good role model for today's business leaders," Capodagli said. First, he had consistent direction, always wanting his company to be first in family entertainment. Second, he created an environment of mutual trust and respect among all the employees. These two principles will help any organization, he said.

Disney also stressed the need to come up with new ideas, not to just recycle old ones. "You need to innovate. You can't imitate," he said.

"There's hard work. There's no instant pudding," Capodagli said.

In addition to the Disney Way book, Capodagli and Jackson have written "The Disney Way Fieldbook" and "Leading at the Speed of Change."

Top

Friday November 10, 2006
 
Walt Disney is being honored today as the first recipient of a star on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars on Harbor Boulevard.

Walt Disney is the first honoree on the new Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars unveiled today.

Ed Grier, president of the Disneyland Resort, accepted the star on behalf of Walt Disney in the ceremony held on Harbor Boulevard by a Disneyland entrance this morning.

In March, the City Council approved the walk to honor those who contributed significantly to Anaheim or to Orange County. The launch is part of the city's 150th anniversary celebration, which runs through next year.

Top
 
Disney shares fell 3.5% to close at $32.40. Plans for increased capital spending in fiscal 2007 may have put a chill on investors, analysts said. 

In the radio group, Westwood One lost 5.6% to close at $5.59 after A.G.. Edwards analyst Michael Kupinski cut his rating on the company to sell from hold. Though the company said Thursday that it has undertaken a strategic review that might include a sale, Kupinski said in a note to clients that a buyout would be at "a discount to the company's asset value" due to consistently weak fundamentals.
 
Analyst James Dix at Deutsche Bank Securities cut his rating on Westwood One to hold from buy, saying that a leveraged buyout is unlikely in the near term.

The company reported that it earned $10.5 million, or 12 cents a share in the third quarter, down from $20.1 million, or 22 cents, in the prior year. Revenue fell 15% to $114.3 million, while free cash flow per share fell to 15 cents from 27 cents.

The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been for the company to earn 11 cents a share on revenue of $120.7 million.

Westwood One also issued a tepid outlook for the fourth quarter, predicting a "double-digit" decline in revenue.

Top
Disney Employee Charged With Sexual Battery On Child

Eyewitness News found out a Disney employee was arrested on 20 counts of sexual battery on a child. Investigators were working with Disney officials to see if any other complaints have been filed against David Hobbs.

Detectives said Hobbs had a three-year relationship with a teenage girl who had nothing to do with Disney. But his job at Disney gave him close access to children and that has detectives wondering if there are more victims.

"Obviously, it's a concern for us, being the large number of children that come to the park everyday," said Sgt. Rich Mankewich, Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives said Hobbs, a Tomorrowland employee, wasn't thinking about tomorrow when he started a three-year relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Now he's in jail, charged with 20 counts of sexual battery on a child.

Detectives said Hobbs confessed after the girl turned him in. But that was just the beginning of the investigation. He worked as a merchandise coordinator in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, popular with teenaged children.

"They tend to gravitate toward jobs that involve children. Every chance they get to be around it, they'll take it," Mankewich said.

Disney placed Hobbs on unpaid leave during the investigation and was working with law enforcement to see whether any park guests have ever complained about him. In a setting like Disney, it's impossible to trace who he had contact with.

"It obviously makes it difficult. You have millions of people down there every year. Hopefully this is an isolated case and he hasn't done anything to anyone else," Mankewich said.

The teenage girl was taken into Department of Children and Families custody.

Hobbs was being held at the Orange County jail on $40,000 bond.

Top
How to Do Disney
 
Disney is a "terrific buy when it pulls back to $31," Jim Cramer told a caller on his "RealMoney" radio show Friday.

"It is a pullback that must be bought," he said.

The company's theme parks and TV are performing well, but as Disney is up significantly, Cramer advised people to wait for a pullback and then buy the stock.

Responding to his next caller, Caterpillar (CAT) is bottoming, Cramer said.

However, there are still six months to go before this stock starts making people money, he said. Cramer recommended staying away from the stock for now, but said it is definitely in the process of bottoming.

When a listener inquired about Garmin (GRMN), Cramer commented that the company's conference call was "somewhat glib," given the worries that so many market players had about the stock.

That is why he said he was "queasy" about recommending the stock; he believes there is something wrong with it.

Much of what Cramer told a caller about what he liked about AT&T (T) was its coming merger with BellSouth (BLS).

Although he believes that the deal will still close, it hasn't happened yet because of regulation.

"The upside is capped unless Congress sees the error of its ways and lets this deal go through," Cramer said.

Until the deal closes, which it will, he doesn't believe that people will see much upside. Las Vegas Sands (LVS) is "a stock people want to own because they know that Macau is gigantic," Cramer told another caller.

However, because LVS has gone up too much, Cramer won't touch it right now.

When a caller asked about Vornado Realty Trust (VNO), Cramer called the company's CEO Steven Roth "one of greatest real estate investors of all time."

Vornado is "a multiyear story," he continued. "I would not sell it."

Cramer said he would buy 25 out of 100 shares now and wait for the stock to come in to buy the rest.

Top
Disney Sells 500,000 Movies on iTunes

Disney continues to have success in selling movies through the iTunes Music Store, saying Thursday it had now sold about 500,000 films in just the first two months of operation. Consumers are downloading movies at rate of about 9,000 per day, generating about $4 million in revenue. At the current time, Disney's studios are the only films available through the service.

That could soon change, however, as CNN reported Thursday that Fox had said it restarted talks with the Cupertino company. Apple enthusiast site AppleInsider also reported that independent studio Lions Gate had also restarted talks. Perhaps the studios are drawn to the service by its early success: Disney reiterated it expected to sell $50 million worth of movies in the first year.

Top
Disney Finds Its Lost Numbers

What's that? You're bummed that ABC isn't going to have a new episode of Lost on until February? Instead of analyzing the significance of the Lost numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 35, and 42) as it pertains to the series, why not spend the next few months of reruns digging into some of Disney's (NYSE: DIS) latest batch of numbers?

It's safe this time. No dark clouds. No evil black smoke.

The numbers that matter

Disney closed out fiscal 2006 in fine fashion. Fourth-quarter profits soared to $0.36 a share after a $0.19-per-share showing a year earlier. The top line inched 14% higher to hit $8.8 billion. The results came in slightly ahead of Wall Street expectations, which were looking for $0.34 a share in net income on 8.7 billion in revenue. In a strong sign of operating efficiency fortitude, free cash flow for the fiscal year as a whole catapulted 95% higher to $4.8 billion.

Beyond the numbers, it's comforting to see Disney hitting on all cylinders. It's also good to know that Disney isn't going to coast along and ride cost controls into the future. Capital expenditures will inch up in fiscal 2007 as the company invests in new theme park attractions as well as new media initiatives.

Let's not discount the importance of Disney's potential on both of those fronts. Expedition Everest may have been a costly thrill-ride addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom park in Florida, but it helped lead attendance gains. Compare that to regional park operators like Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) and Six Flags (NYSE: SIX) that saw their turnstiles clicking slower this summer.

New media spending is also important, as Disney hasn't followed its media conglomerate peers like News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) and Viacom (NYSE: VIA) into pricey Internet and online technology companies lately. Between its market dominance in sports through ESPN and family entertainment in its namesake brand, there is so much potential there waiting to be unlocked.

Nearly half of the company's operating profit improvement came from the turnaround in its studio division. Fewer releases can work wonders on the cost side, but when the company has hit, it has often hit big. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Cars remain the top two domestic box-office draws this year, and they have also been blockbusters overseas.

What's that? You're still hung up on the meaning behind the Lost numbers. Apply them to Disney. I did. Let me show you my math.

Disney's paint by numbers
4: The number of Disney divisions -- networks, parks, studio, and consumer products -- that all showed improvement this past quarter. There is usually a laggard. Remember when ABC was sputtering after its overexposure of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Or when Disney's animation studio was a mess with theatrical duds like Treasure Planet and Home on the Range? These are gravy days at ABC, and Disney animation is the computer-rendered cat's meow with this year's Pixar acquisition.

8: Eight Below may not be regarded as one of Disney's finest live-action flicks, but it was a solid producer this year. It surprised box-office watchers by opening at the top during its opening holiday weekend and wound up grossing more than $120 million worldwide. That's not too shabby for a film with a modest $40 million production budget. Yes, movie theaters take big bites on the top, and marketing and distribution costs plump up expenses at the bottom, but ultimately, Disney has another profitable flick that it can continue to monetize through DVD sales and broadcasting rights. A scaled-back slate of live-action films will hopefully bring more bunt singles like Eight Below, as well as homers like Pirates.

15: Disney's relationship with The Children's Place (Nasdaq: PLCE) turns juicy now on the second anniversary of being handed the keys to The Disney Store franchise. Disney now will begin collecting 5% of store sales and 10% of online sales. That's passive greenery, my friend. Yes, technically you can't stack 5% on top of 10% to arrive at 15, but if Disney can nickel and dime its way to a sweet royalty stream, doesn't that pocket change add up to 15?

16: This number goes out to all the teens that Disney targeted with its High School Musical flick. It aired originally as a Disney Channel movie but became so popular that soundtracks and DVDs sold like hotcakes and the company began dubbing -- and in some cases recasting region-specific versions -- for hot overseas markets. Ka-ching! Disney is cool again.

23: It was in April of 1983 -- 23 years ago -- that Tokyo Disneyland welcomed guests to Disney's first overseas theme park. While Disney does not own the park itself (it is licensed to The Oriental Land Company), it set the stage for a global leisure empire that has since found Disney adding theme parks in France and China. It's more than just a park. It's the perfect form of brand ambassadorship.

35: Walt Disney World opened 35 years ago. As successful as Disneyland was, it was landlocked, and one of Walt Disney's final achievements was to secretly buy huge tracts of orange groves in Central Florida to transform into a tourist Mecca that still remains largely undeveloped.

42: New York City's 42nd Street was considered a hub of ribaldry until Disney arrived. With bigger-than-life retail projects and the longer-lasting success of Broadway productions of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, Disney didn't have to dig too deep -- or too far back -- into its vault to transform some of its more recent animated blockbusters into artsy cultural fare.

The real Locke lock

OK, so maybe I have a soft spot for Disney. It's the first stock that I ever owned. Yesterday, I argued that it's the best blue chip for the coming year. Yet even I can take off those rose-colored glasses -- the ones attached to my mouse ears -- and take an unbiased view of the numbers.

Disney is back. Then again, one can argue that it was never Lost in the first place.

Top
Disney signs up for BT Vision

BT has done a deal with Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), Disney's international TV distribution arm, to allow it to show Disney-owned content on its soon to launch broadband TV service, BT Vision.

As part of the deal, BT Vision’s customers will be able to purchase on-demand content from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films.

Tom Toumazis, executive vice president and managing director, BVITV EMEA said: “As flexibility and choice of content become increasingly important factors to the entertainment consumer, we’re pleased to be working with BT to offer this strong selection of our movie titles to BT Vision’s customers across the UK, in a convenient range of ways on this exciting new digital service.”

BT Vision is expected to launch to a limited number of existing broadband customers in the next few months, before being rolled out.

Dan Marks, chief executive of BT Vision, said: “BT Vision’s film service will be immensely strengthened by our ability to offer current movies from one of the strongest studios and a great selection of titles from Disney’s magnificent catalogue."

BT Vision already has several content deals with companies including DreamWorks, BBC Worldwide, Paramount, Warner Music Group, and National Geographic, and will show 'near-live' FA Premier League matches from the 2007/08 season.

Top
Meal plan key for Disney, but plan ahead  

It only took one sip of a lemon freeze on a steamy night at the Magic Kingdom to make me fall in love with the Disney meal plan.

Ordinarily, our family carefully scrutinizes every theme park food purchase. Is that $3.79 waffle cone critical? Do we splurge on two $2.59 cinnamon buns or split one? Should we search for a water fountain or grab that convenient $2.39 Coke?

This time, however, there was no need to analyze.
On this trip I could order the roast duck at L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Restaurant, even though its cost was listed at “market price.”

There were no second thoughts about having tiramisu for dessert.

And when my son suggested we quench our thirst with a $3.49 frozen lemonade while watching the SpectroMagic parade, I could say yes without doing any calculations.

On our recent trip to Disney, our travel package included Disney Dining with a daily sit-down meal, counter-service meal and snack wrapped into it. Disney offers premium dining plans as well, which include breakfast and special meals.

We loved the simplicity of the plan once we were at the parks, as we picked up Danish and slices of cheesecake on a whim, but it does have a downside. Because prime restaurants and dining times fill quickly, you need to plan ahead for your dinner reservations, as much as 180 days before your trip.

Sorting through 50-plus dining spots and coming up with some sort of vacation schedule was not exactly a priority for me months before we were due to set foot in the Magic Kingdom. However, after talking with a friend who was an avid Disney visitor and looking over a list provided by our travel agent, we did formulate a plan.

We got around to booking our dining spots about three months before our trip and got into the majority of the places we targeted.

However, we did not always have our choice of the best timeslots.

It’s good to remember that the reservations, except for select dinner shows, are not cast in stone. It’s better to make them early so you have them, but they’re easy to cancel or simply not keep. When we couldn’t make our first-night reservation at Boatwright’s Dining Hall, it didn’t impact our meal plan at all.

However, don’t expect to change reservations at the last minute. Our 4:20 p.m. reservation at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano couldn’t be switched to later that evening because of the crowd waiting to eat there.

Not every restaurant requires reservations well in advance, but places like the Crystal Palace and Biergarten are in demand. The best advice is to get an idea of which restaurants would appeal to your family and to book early.

To that end, here’s the list I wish I would have had, with suggestions from people who have been there:

MAGIC KINGDOM

Crystal Palace: This beautiful dining hall with a great buffet has a terrific view of Cinderella’s Castle. Get an early reservation for the character breakfast and get into the park before it opens.

“Those were the best castle pictures we ever took because no one else was there,” said Jodi Isom of Appleton, who will visit Disney with her family for the ninth time this Christmas.

Liberty Tree Tavern: Our family enjoyed its home-cooked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy as much as anything we ate at Disney.

Plus the characters were super friendly. The flirtatious Chip even gave our 10-year-old daughter a little kiss on the cheek.

Cinderella’s Castle: If you have a daughter who is dying to eat in the castle with the Disney princesses, book a reservation as soon as possible. Otherwise, skip it.

“This one is almost impossible to get into,” said Pam Brandon, author of “The Unofficial Guide to Florida with Kids” and a consulting publicist for Disney.

“People literally get on the telephone the minute the clock strikes midnight. The food is OK, but it’s not a great dining experience.

There’s no great view.” Isom concurs. “I wanted to do it at least once, but it was not our favorite meal by any means,” she said. (For an alternative, see Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot.)

EPCOT

Biergarten: Not booking reservation at this German-themed restaurant is my one regret of our trip, especially after Linda Cherrier of Appleton told me what a great time her family had there.

“Our favorite place was our last night, at the Biergarten,” she said. “On the hour out comes a German band, and they played polkas. There was a dance area in front of their stage, and people were singing German drinking songs.”

Le Cellier: This steakhouse in the Canada pavilion, meant to look like a wine cellar, is another of Isom’s top choices. “The food is excellent there; be sure to book 180 days out,” Isom said.

L’Originale Alfredo di Roma: Modeled after the Italian restaurant where fettuccine Alfredo was created, the restaurant drips with atmosphere that includes a serenading accordion player. “The fettuccini Alfredo is worth every calorie,” Brandon said.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: If you have little girls dying to eat with Jasmine but can’t get into the princess dinner at Cinderella’s castle, try the character meals here. “It’s really, truly the same as being in the Cinderella castle,” Cherrier said. Plus, she loved the food.

Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room: At this Japanese restaurant, a chef prepares the food at your table. “He chops, throws and tosses, plus you’re seated with another family and get to meet other people,” Brandon said.

Coral Reef: It’s a great place for mahi-mahi, shrimp or salmon, but the atmosphere is the real draw as you get to watch divers and fish swim by as you eat.

MGM STUDIOS

Brown Derby: This signature restaurant is one of the best places to eat in all of Disney. Its Cobb salad, duck and tofu dishes are some of Brandons’s favorites here. “The cuisine is really good. If it’s not the best it’s one of the best,” she said. “It has great service and great food.”

Prime Time Café: Servers here act like Mom and Dad, ordering you to get your elbows off the table. It’s worth it, though, because you get to watch television while you eat.

“It’s a hilarious atmosphere,” Isom said. “The servers are really into their parts.” The food isn’t bad either. There’s pot roast, fried chicken, and a peanut butter and jelly milkshake. “In 10 years that’s the best thing I’ve ever had for dessert,” Brandon said.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Jiko — The Cooking Place: Halibut in tomato butter sauce is one of Brandon’s favorites at this South African-inspired restaurant. “It’s probably one of the best restaurants at Disney,” she said. “They have a wonderful kids’ menu.”

AT THE RESORTS

Hoop Dee Doo, Fort Wilderness: The corny Old West show, with lots of audience participation, is great entertainment for all ages. It’s the favorite dinner show of the Isom family. “It’s a fun atmosphere and something different to do at Disney,” Jodi said.

Chef Mickey’s, Contemporary: This buffet offers a dining experience in a setting that’s big, boisterous and mod. There’s food geared toward kids and adults. “It was character dining, and the kids loved it,” Cherrier said.

Boma Flavors of Africa, Animal Kingdom Lodge: “Boma is terrific,” said Rona Gindin, dining editor of “Orlando Magazine.”

“It has a wide variety of food, most of it traditional American stuff with the flavors of Africa woven in. The pistachio-crusted mahi-mahi (sometimes it’s salmon) is extraordinary, as are the soups and the roasted pepper hummus.”

Roasted chicken, grilled seafood and smoked tomato soup can also be found on the buffet, which Cherrier agrees is “very flavorful.”

Whispering Canyon Café, Wilderness Lodge: “Unlike its name, it’s really loud in there,” Isom said. But it’s fun, as your dinner becomes part of the show. If you ask for ketchup, expect it to be announced loudly and for 20 bottles to arrive from other tables.

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian: Characters from Mary Poppins to Tigger and Pooh show up at this buffet, but it was the Mad Hatter who stole the show for the Isom family.

“The Mad Hatter sat at our table making jokes,” Isom noted, adding that he also scolded Alice in Wonderland for signing her daughter’s hat.

Flying Fish Café, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas: Whimsical decor and live entertainment on the boardwalk in the evening enhance the creative menu. Gindin describes it as “interesting fish dishes with interesting sauces,” while Brandon notes that it also serves wonderful steaks.

California Grill, Contemporary Resort: This bustling restaurant offers hearty contemporary food, and a great view of the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. In addition, Gindin notes that it has “excellent sushi made by one of the nation’s only female sushi chefs.”

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show: We loved everything about this meal, from the tropical salad to the barbeque pork ribs and chicken to the chocolate volcano dessert. The fire dancers were pretty cool, too.

QUICK MEALS AND SNACKS

Quick meals and snacks are also part of the Disney Dining plan. Here are some spots that you’ll want to check out.

Sunshine Season in Epcot: Fresh food and a varied menu, including salmon, grilled steak, soups and salads, and hearty breakfasts make this spot a winner. “It’s fabulous, fabulous,” Pam said. “It’s the next generation of quick service, fast casual.”

Cosmic Ray’s at the Magic Kingdom: This restaurant sports a varied menu, including chicken, cheesesteak, and soups as well as vegetarian and kosher selections. “It’s my favorite,” Isom said. “They have a little show, with an automatronic guy, and it’s just fun to sit there and watch it.”

Tusker House, Animal Kingdom: You might have to wait for a seat, but the meal is worth it. “This place has fabulous food: rotisserie chicken and salmon,” Pam said. “Plus there’s a nice air-conditioned dining room.”

Kona Café, Polynesian: This restaurant is only a short monorail or boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom. If things get too crowded in the theme park, head over to Kona for a sit-down lunch of pot stickers (duck dumplings with soy sauce), a sandwich or salad.

Everything POP Shopping and Dining, Pop Century Resort: “It has funky things like PB&J on tie-dye bread,” Ginden notes.

Main Street Bakery, Magic Kingdom: “You have to get an ice cream sandwich,” Isom said, noting that three scoops of ice cream are placed between two cookies. “We actually split them because they’re just huge.”

Goofy’s Candy Co., Downtown Disney: You get to customize your treat, from a caramel apple to a giant Oreo dipped in milk chocolate and chocolate chips. “It’s fun to watch them make your own creations,” Isom said.

Top
Disney Nears Comcast Carriage Deal

Walt Disney's ESPN network is nearing the finish line in its carriage renewal negotiations with No. 1 cable operator Comcast, with a deal possible within days.

"On Comcast, we are in the final stages of negotiations; it's actually possible that a deal could be signed within the next week," said Disney CEO Bob Iger on a conference call with analysts discussing Disney's fiscal fourth quarter results.

Iger wouldn't give details, but said the Comcast deal would be within ESPN's general rate structure but could also provide other opportunities in broadband and phone service between the two companies.

"I'm actually really pleased with where we are because I think this gives us the ability with Comcast to expand our businesses together," Iger said on the call. "It's clear their investment in technology not just in their standard business but in their new businesses, particularly broadband and the phone service area provide us with significant opportunity as the owners of great brands and great content to really expand our relationship with them and to provide services to their customers that are going to be great for both companies. We're really looking forward to concluding the deal."

One opportunity that Iger failed to mention is the possibility that Disney could sell its 39.5% interest in cable channel E! Entertainment. It has been speculated that Disney's E! stake Comcast owns the rest could be worth about $1.5 billion and would be a part of the overall ESPN carriage deal.

Comcast vice president of corporate communications D'Arcy Rudnay declined to comment.

Iger said that traditionally Disney prefers not to do exclusive deals with distributors, but added there are ways to provide specific features or content to specific distributors to enhance the relationship. Iger pointed to Disney deals with retailers, where the overall agreement is non-exclusive, but some retailers have access to specific products that others don't.

"I think what you could think about in terms of Comcast is that access to our main products ESPN, the Disney Channel etc. will be non-exclusive. But the possibility of creating something that is unique just to that relationship with Comcast that they could use as a differentiator is something that we're going to explore."

Top
Disney Sets Release Date For Pixar’s Wall-E

Walt Disney Pictures has set June 27, 2008, as the release date for Pixar’s upcoming animated feature, WALL-E, directed by Andrew Stanton (FINDING NEMO) and produced by Jim Morris, formerly president of Lucas Digital and ILM’s exec in charge of production.

The premise about robots marks the ninth Pixar animated feature, with Stanton also serving as a writer on the TOY STORY, A BUG’S LIFE, TOY STORY 2 and MONSTER’S, INC.

Meanwhile, Brad Bird’s RATATOUILLE, the next Disney/Pixar release, comes to theaters June 29, 2007.

Top
Disney Consumer plans wider product range

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) plans to introduce a wider range of consumer electronic products like MP3, mobile phones, television and radio, among others, under its Disney Princess Collection soon.

"You will see quite a few entries in consumer electronics for little girls in time to come. We are excited to be in this part of the world," vice president of retail sales and marketing and emerging markets Asia Pacific Ken Chaplin said.

He said the move is part of the group's plan to expand its popular Princess Collection product range.

Five years ago, DCP decided to pool its Princess Collection under one brand known as Disney's Princess Collection.

Previously, the characters were sold individually and DCP's performance was among the lowest in The Walt Disney Company compared to its theme park and other divisions.

The princesses are Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, Ariel from The Mermaid, Belle from Beauty and The Beast and Jasmine from Aladdin.

"Initially, critics said one should never interfere with the individual stories, but fast forward today, this strategy has been integral to the Princess Collection's billion-dollar story," Chaplin said.

With global consumer spending on girl franchise standing at a staggering US$13 billion (RM47 billion), Princess Collection is on the fast track to becoming the largest global girls franchise.

Today, the Princess Collection franchise has grown to be a US$3 billion (RM11 billion) business globally and is the world's largest licensor in its category.

The Disney Princess line has also tied up with apparel chain Giordano to sell Disney-branded merchandise across 12 Asia-Pacific markets. Giordano t-shirts are sold with the princesses printed character and are competitively priced.

"The boutique approach is to diversify the Princess Collection as well as allow consumers to connect to the brand," Chaplin said.

Besides apparels, toys and other creative products, the core component for Disney Princess Collection in delivering its branding message is its magazine which enjoys a 10 million circulation across the world.

The Disney Princess magazine is available in 75 countries, and in South-East Asia alone, its readership reached 70,000 per month.

In addition, DCP Asia Pacific is also working closely with retail stores and hypermarkets to continuously promote its Princess Collection through partnership in their advertising and promotional campaign.

Top
Disney hints at streaming ESPN content to wireless iPods

Built-in wireless connectivity is an inevitable feature in the evolution of Apple Computer's iPod digital media players, and it appears that Walt Disney Co. could be ready and waiting to deliver some of its live ESPN content when the first wireless models arrive.

In a patent filing made last Nov. and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday, the entertainment conglomerate detailed plans for a ESPN-branded cell phone user interface that allows users to wirelessly receive ESPN video content, scores and other sports-related information in realtime.

Disney portrays the graphical user interface on an "exemplary electronic device" configured as a foldable, or "clam shell" style, web-enabled cellphone (which has since been released). However, it notes that the systems and methods described in the filing, titled "Graphical user interface for electronic devices," may also be used with electronic devices configured using a different hardware makeup.

"For example," the company wrote, "systems and methods of the present disclosure may be applied to other mobile electronic devices, such as PDAs, pagers, etc., and to other handheld electronic devices, such as, e.g., the iPod digital music player (available from Apple Computer, Inc.)."

Disney, whose largest individual shareholder just happens to be Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, has been working closely with the iPod maker on its digital media initiatives since the start of the year. In January, the firm announced that it would begin delivering a slew of ESPN and ABC programming to Apple's iTunes Store.

"Our mission is to serve fans wherever they are by delivering high-quality content across dozens of multi-media platforms, now including the iTunes Music Store and viewing on the iPod," George Bodenheimer, ESPN Sports President and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, said at the time. "We are thrilled to be the first content provider to offer sports content on iTunes."

Nine months later, Disney chief executive Robert Iger was the only representative from a major motion picture studio holding Jobs' hand as he unveiled Apple's push into the movie download market.

A personal friend of Jobs, Iger is likely as close to the Apple visionary's inner circle as one can get. And rumor has it the two have been working closely on Apple's real gambit into the world of major motion picture distribution, which will begin with the launch of its iTV device early next year.

For his part, Iger has already given iTV his endorsement. "I found it to be pretty compelling," he said after toying with a pre-production unit this past September. "I sat in a living room setting. It felt like a game changer to me in many respects. As a content provider, that was very exciting."

Just what the two are cooking up next is what remains to be seen.

Top
New Disney store to host star-studded fundraiser

A private event for celebrities at a new Downtown Disney store is set to benefit the Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana.

Disney Vault 28, an upscale boutique of trendy Disney and designer clothes, will celebrate its recent opening with a 4 p.m. Sunday party that will include a raffle of store items for the school. A portion of the store proceeds also will go to the arts charter school.

Celebrities expected to attend include: "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher, heiress Nicky Hilton, "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Joey Lawrence, and Angels players. The public's view of the event will be blocked.

Top
Disney Recruiters Head To SU

Recruiters from the "happiest place on Earth" made an appearance at Salisbury University Thursday. They were from the Disney college program. Every year, the recruiters visit the university to look for candidates for paid internships at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The program runs from January to August. Officials say it offers students a chance to work with other students from around the world.

Top
10-year Celebration

CELEBRATION -- In another time or another place, Emma and Tara Stephens' small-town childhood might not have seemed quite so extraordinary.

The twin sisters learned to fish at the lake in the center of town and walked to the annual Fourth of July parade. When they were younger, they lived so close to school that their dad could stand on the front porch and wave goodbye as they walked into class.

Now 16, Emma and Tara can ride their bikes to their after-school jobs at a local ice-cream shop, where they recognize most of the customers.

"It's a really cool place to grow up," Tara said. "There's a close-knit, family feeling."

Ten years ago, Walt Disney Co. welcomed its first families into a town built around families, foot traffic and community. To the rest of the country, Celebration was a precedent-setting experiment in suburban planning -- and a test of whether a company that specialized in theme parks could engineer a true community.

Today, interviews with 40 current and former homeowners suggest that Celebration has lived up to its promise as a different kind of suburb.

The town that celebrates its 10th Founders Day this weekend is home to nearly 10,000 people. There are doctors' offices, dry cleaners, salons, a day-care center and at least 11 religious congregations. There are groups for retirees, divorces, artists and Brazilians; a Montessori school, a Little League, Special Olympics and a memorial garden honoring members of the community who have died -- all initiated by residents.

Celebration also has its share of real-life problems. Among residents' gripes: a shortage of downtown parking; the lack of a supermarket; a high school that gives some parents heartburn; numerous complaints of shoddy home construction; and second-home owners who are rarely there. The high home prices and lack of diversity -- nearly 84 percent of Celebration voters are white -- feeds the town's reputation as an elitist enclave.

"It does have its ups and downs, but that's what makes it even more special," said Rosario Michelle Ramirez Matabuena, 22, whose family moved from Falls Church, Va., in 1996. "Celebration is what it is because of me, because of people like me that came to live here . . . to start something new and start something great."

Return to New Urbanism

Disney's decision to build a pedestrian-oriented community with front porches, a mix of housing types and shops was significant at a time when suburban developers were building sprawling compounds of houses whose owners had to get in their cars to do anything. Celebration gave instant credibility to the planners advocating a return to the design principles of the 1920s and '30s, known as New Urbanism, said planner Victor Dover of Dover, Kohl & Partners in Coral Gables.

"Celebration wasn't the first New Urbanist community, but it was the first one on such a scale and the first one to be undertaken by such a large, bottom-line corporation," said Dover, who created the master plan for Winter Park's Park Avenue makeover. "It sent a message to the investment community that this idea of building a town rather than just sprawl was an idea that could make you money."

Since then, hundreds of developments have copied or improved on Celebration's features, including Baldwin Park in Orlando and Winter Springs Town Center.

Buyers showed they were willing to pay a premium to know their neighbors and spend less time in their cars, even if it meant sacrificing big backyards and living by a thick book of rules regarding the design and upkeep of their properties.

As a testament to its staying power, Celebration was the second-top-selling community in Metro Orlando last year, with 1,067 closings, including 122 condominium conversions. Prices now start at just less than $200,000 for a one-bedroom condo.

That should change as traditional neighborhoods become more common, Dover said.

"There's little about a connected community that's inherently more expensive to build," Dover said. "When it becomes more common to have neighborhoods with these design conventions . . . the prices will be more normal."

Celebration's design continues to foster social connections even as the town grows. Front porches and side alleys make it easy for neighbors to interact. Parks and coffee shops just a bike ride away create natural meeting places.

"That creates a sort of general trust among people that we're sharing the same place -- that we are in this place together," said Kevin Leyden, an associate professor of political science at West Virginia University who studies how the design of a community affects people physically, socially and mentally.

The residential owners association's Town Hall and the Celebration Foundation, also funded by homeowners, created a newspaper and intranet where people could make connections. Town Hall began home-spun traditions such as the annual Easter egg hunt and the July Fourth parade.

Celebration is not immune from crime. But families feel a sense of security because they know so many neighbors, said Terri Florio, whose family moved to Celebration in 1996. Her youngest child, Grace, is now 15.

"If Gracie's downtown on Friday night with her friends . . . there's probably 20 sets of parents that know her that are going to report on her if anything is not kosher," Florio said.

Some leave disappointed

It wasn't for everyone. Some people bought in as a real-estate investment and moved on. Others were disappointed by the Osceola County School Board's decision to build a large, regional high school in Celebration after residents were promised a progressive school that would take students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Jessica Carrion, a mother of two, said she loves Celebration but worries what she'll do when it's time to send her oldest to high school.

"We're very torn," said Carrion, 30, whose parents moved to Celebration in 1997. She and her husband followed two years later.

School Board member Jay Wheeler said he understands parents' worries -- in three years, Celebration High School has never earned higher than a C grade -- but says a child can still get a good education there.

In 1998, Beth Moriarty thought she'd spend the rest of her life in Celebration. But five years later, she and her husband moved to Baldwin Park, which echoes Celebration's style but has the amenities that go with being in the middle of Orlando.

"It's not billing itself as the great New Urbanism experiment that you're going to have a different life simply by moving there," Moriarty said of Baldwin Park. Unlike in Celebration, she said, she doesn't have to get in her car to buy a light bulb.

In Celebration, residents must leave the neighborhood to pick up groceries or school supplies. But the other day, Risa Wight's three children had orthodontist appointments, soccer, speech therapy, tutoring, religion classes and flag football -- all in Celebration.

"With three children going in different directions, it's still manageable, because everything is so close," Wight said. "Now virtually everything we're involved with is right here in town."

Top
ABC uproots 'Trees'

ABC is giving a big vote of confidence to "Men in Trees," moving the show from one of the worst timeslots on TV to one of the best.

Alphabet Wednesday said it was shifting the Anne Heche starrer from Fridays at 9 to Thursdays at 10, behind "Grey's Anatomy." In addition, net ordered nine more episodes of the Warner Bros. Television skein, for a full-season total of 22.

"Men" -- which many pundits pegged to be one of the season's first casualties -- is the first of WBTV's new fall shows to receive a full-season order, and the third Alphabet frosh player to get picked up. Its ratings on Friday haven't been huge, but they have been steady, with the show regularly improving on its lead-ins and boosting ABC slightly in the timeslot vs. year-ago numbers.

"Thursdays will be a great platform for 'Men in Trees' to reach a larger audience," said ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson.

"Men" will shift to its new home on Nov. 30, bumping the struggling frosh drama "Six Degrees." ABC said the latter skein -- which had its final airing of the year last week -- will be back in January -- but so far, there's no word on whether the net plans to order any additional segs. McPherson praised the creative content of both shows.

While "Men" has flown under the radar this season, Alphabet execs privately view the skein as a potential sleeper. With relatively little promotion and no real lead-in, skein has managed to hold its own on a night that's proven deadly for ABC scripted series in recent years.

Downside of the move is that "Men" will now be under intense scrutiny, with ratings analysts weighing in each week to examine how much of its "Grey's" lead-in it retains. "Men" will also now face off against another WBTV-produced skein with a strong young female aud: "ER."

In addition to "Six Degrees," ABC frosh players still awaiting full-season orders include "The Nine" and "Help Me Help You." "Ugly Betty" and "Brothers & Sisters" both have 22-seg commitments.

Jenny Bicks created "Men" and exec produces with James Mangold ("Walk the Line") and Cathy Konrad.

Top
Governor Brad Henry Heading For Disney World After Election

Governor Brad Henry ties up loose ends and prepares for a trip to Disney World after beating Congressman Ernest Istook in the gubernatorial race.

Henry's wife and children will accompany him to Orlando, Florida, on an official state trip that includes officials from the Centennial Commission, the Tourism Department and other agencies.

Henry spokesman Paul Sund says Disney World is considering a way to showcase the state's 100th birthday next year.

Henry told reporters yesterday that he's looking forward to leading the state for four more years, focusing on the same things he concentrated on in his first term.

He says the new makeup of the state Senate wouldn't be a detriment to his legislative goals.

After Tuesday's vote, the Senate was split with 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans, setting up the possibility that new Democratic Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins could decide the balance of power.

Top
 
Children of service members killed since Sept. 11 have until Wednesday to try to get on board the Snowball Express - destination Disneyland, with a couple of fun stops along the way.

The M. Scott Kerr Foundation is sponsoring the Snowball Express in conjunction with Rotary Clubs of Costa Mesa, Calif., and other major contributors. He set up the foundation to help alleviate any disparity between military benefits and the actual costs of day-to-day living, said Michael Kerr, founder of Snowball Express.

Designed to let the children know their sacrifices aren't forgotten, the Dec. 15-17 event is free to participants. "They don't pay one penny," Mr. Kerr said. "They've already paid everything they need to pay to this country."

"They did not have to die in combat," Mr. Kerr said. "Any death either prior to deployment, or not, qualifies them to be included. They could have died stateside, overseas, training mission or likewise."

This holiday even for about 1,000 military children and their guardians is not full yet. So far, about 200 families are registered with 350 children. We have room for 500 families and 1,000 children so please spread the word," Mr. Kerr said.

"We're trying to get everybody registered by Nov. 15," he said. When the group arrives in Orange County, Calif., they'll be treated to dinner and a viewing of "The Glory of Christmas," Kerr said. The non-denominational production will take place at the Crystal Cathedral, home base for an international ministry.

"They will be given an enormous amount of gifts at this event, too" he said.

Those items will be combined with what's donated to Snowball Express through toy drives, Mr. Kerr said. These gifts will be shipped directly to the children's homes.

"On Sunday, they go to Disneyland," Mr. Kerr said.

The Snowball Express was created by Mr. Kerr in Phoenix in 1997 to put a little holiday cheer into the lives of homeless and at-risk children. The events of Sept. 11 had curtailed the program.

"When I came ... out here to Orange County (Calif.) to actually marry my high school sweetheart, we were driving down one day by Camp Pendleton," he said. "I was telling her that I wanted to bring this event to Orange County, but I didn't really know what groups I could reach out to."

As it turned out, the answer was right in front of them.

"She pointed over at the base, and she said, 'I bet you could find a few kids over there,'" he said. "It snowballed from there, no pun intended."

Top
Tired of long lines at Disney World? Take the doctor's prescription

Walt Disney World has some of the world's best attractions - and some of its longest lines. But Dr. Steven M. Barrett, who visits almost weekly, rarely finds himself waiting in them. "I consider a wait of more than 15 to 20 minutes in line too long," he says. "I just don't do it."

So why do so many people spend hours of their precious Disney World vacations waiting in line? "They don't have a good plan for touring the parks," says Barrett. "They try to pack too much in without giving themselves rest and refreshment breaks, and they end up withering in the crowds, the heat, and the long lines."

Barrett, a practicing emergency room physician and former professor of emergency medicine, freely admits that he himself spent a fair amount of time in line during his early visits to Walt Disney World back in the Eighties. Seeking a remedy, he turned his scientific skills to developing flexible touring plans that would keep Disney World visitors ahead of the crowds and help them pace their visits to make them truly magical.

Like any good scientist, Barrett tested and refined his plans for a number of years (on friends, family, and acquaintances) before declaring them ready for the general public. While he was at it, he also customized them to suit the interests of three different sorts of visitors: adults and teens, families with younger children, and seniors.

The result is The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation (The Intrepid Traveler, $14.95, www.TheOtherOrlando.com). "What I've tried to accomplish is to give both first-time visitors and seasoned WDW pros the nuts and bolts tips and information for a hassle-free vacation," says Barrett, who offers basic rules for touring, and advice on planning your WDW vacation, and plenty of insider tips in addition to the plans themselves.

Unlike most guidebook writers who jet in for a few days each year, Barrett who practically lives in Disney World, has real insider information - like where to find the least crowded bathrooms, shady spots for viewing parades, attractions with minimal waits, and quiet spots for taking a breather.

Even seasoned Disney World pros will likely find much of interest. Barrett devotes a whole chapter to the scores of offbeat fun things you can do at Walt Disney World. He also includes a photo quiz that asks readers to identify various WDW sights (and sites). How well do you know WDW? Take the quiz and find out.

Just for Kids

Some Walt Disney World activities are strictly for kids. You have to be under age 11 to:

* Make chocolate chip cookies in the Junior Chef Experience at Sunshine Seasons Food Court in Epcot's Land Pavilion (free; ages 3 to 10).
* Take the 2-hour Albatross Treasure Cruise around Crescent Lake and the Epcot Lagoon (about $30 per child; ages 4 to 10)
* Enjoy lunch and cupcakes with Alice and her friends at the Wonderland Tea Party in the Grand Floridian Resort (about $30 per child; ages 4 to 10).

Top
Gazza: I wanna live at Disney

Fallen soccer star Paul Gascoigne has said he wants a new home — in Cinderella’s castle at Disney World.

And in a bizarre rant he told how he “f***ing loves Mickey Mouse”, likes to watch sad films so he cries and sometimes wants to die.

The ex-England ace said numbers five, seven and nine scared him due to a Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

But most startlingly, he said he “wakes up every day with 27 different problems and addictions to face”.

Gazza — held by cops for nine hours on Wednesday after a brawl outside a nightclub — said: “Disney World in Florida is my favourite place. I f***ing love Mickey Mouse and every time I see the Cinderella Castle it’s my dream, it really is. I would love to live there all my life.”

He added: “I’ve had 32 operations and every day is a fight. I have to fight because I’m a survivor.

“When I get depressed, I either get on the phone or I watch a sad film. I watch a sad film because I know it will make me cry and crying helps me to get all the emotions out.

“Walter Smith (his ex-boss at Everton and Rangers) asked me why I always seemed to self-destruct when things were going well.

“I didn’t know then and I don’t know now. Maybe it’s because sometimes I just want to die.”

Gazza, 39, also told Esquire magazine he had turned to God for help. He said: “I’ve just started to believe in God. I read the Bible now and again. I’m not a Bible-basher but I believe in God because he has kept me alive, touch wood.

“My main addiction is football and I miss it every day. When I packed in playing, it felt like my life had ended.”

Top

Thursday November 9, 2006
 
Profit at media conglomerate The Walt Disney Co. soared 89 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting strong performance of its movies worldwide, increased attendance at its theme parks and higher revenue from its ESPN cable channel.
 
The Burbank-based company reported net income of $782 million, or 36 cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to $379 million, or 19 cents per share in the same period last year.

Revenue increased to $8.784 billion from 7.734 billion in the same period last year.

The results beat analyst expectations of 34 cents per share on revenue of $8.694 billion.

Profit rose at its studio, theme parks and media networks divisions, which includes the ABC network, but remained flat at its consumer products unit as the company increased its investment in video games.

The company also delivered a 34 percent increase in net income for the full year, driven primarily by a sharp increase in profits at its studio.

The studio gain came largely from a reduction in marketing costs this year, compared to higher costs last year for distributing a slew of Miramax films the company was obligated to release.

Top
Fireworks touch off small blaze at Disneyland

Several cardboard boxes full of files caught on fire during the Disneyland fireworks show Wednesday night.

The boxes were stacked outdoors in Disneyland's back lot near the Ball Road entrance when a lit firework from the nightly "Remember … Dreams Come True" fireworks extravaganza drifted onto the boxes, touching off a small blaze, Anaheim Fire Department spokeswoman Maria Sabol said.

Anaheim firefighters and the park's own fire department were called about 9:42 p.m. and quickly put out the blaze, Sabol said. No one was injured.

The files were a total loss.

Top
Kim Possible Makes Debut on Video Game Console

Kim Possible is taking her crime-fighting heroics and acrobatics to the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch?, developed exclusively for the PlayStation 2 system, is now available in retail stores throughout the United States.

In Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch?, players control Kim, Shego or Rufus the naked mole rat as they traverse the globe to defeat enemies. Published by Buena Vista Games and developed by A2M, Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch? is rated E for Everyone and is available for a suggested price of $29.99.

"As the fifth video game starring Disney Channel favorite, Kim Possible, Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch? is an exciting opportunity for video game players to follow the crime-fighting heroine's exploits on the living room TV," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Buena Vista Games. "Kim Possible is an extremely successful handheld video game franchise and this game looks to repeat that success on the console by bringing more fun and thrills to this engaging PlayStation 2 title."

In Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch?, Kim Possible must begrudgingly team up with her nemesis, Shego, to restore everything back to normal when the minds of Dr. Drakken and Ron Stoppable are switched. It's now up to Kim and Shego to save the day - together.

Features of Disney's Kim Possible: What's The Switch? include 11 missions as one of three characters (Kim Possible, Shego or Rufus); the ability to acquire and use six gadgets; and a two-player mode.

About the Kim Possible video game franchise

Based on the hit Disney Channel show, the Kim Possible video game franchise has sold more than 1 million units to date worldwide since its debut in 2002. The first three Kim Possible games appeared exclusively for the Game Boy® Advance. Disney's Kim Possible: Kimmunicator, which was released in 2005, was the first Kim Possible title developed for the Nintendo DS(TM).

Disney's Kim Possible: Global Gemini for the Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in February 2007 throughout the United States.

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to www.bvg.com.

Top
 
Disney Insider - He's the man who knows it all. The guru of all things Disney. Someone who has met every Disney luminary from Walt Disney (briefly, during a childhood Disneyland trip) to Robert Iger. And the guy who can answer those nagging questions that have bothered you for years about Disney matters large and small.

He's Dave Smith, Disney Archivist. The co-author of several Disney trivia books, he is also the mastermind behind "Disney A to Z," the only Disney encyclopedia covering all aspects of The Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney himself, from the Alice Comedies right up to the newest releases. In the 10 years since it first appeared, the book has been a touchstone for Disneyphiles everywhere. And "Disney A to Z" has just had its first update in eight years, with scads of new information and photos.

Dave kindly agreed to sit down with us and share a peek behind the covers of the new edition of "Disney A to Z."

What inspired you to create Disney A to Z? Can you give us a short description of the book?

Dave: Bob Miller, head of Hyperion, had an appointment with me to discuss possible new Disney books in 1994 -- the morning we had a big earthquake in Southern California. Our building was damaged, so we had to have our meeting outside on the patio of the commissary. Bob suggested I do a Disney encyclopedia, but I demurred, saying that it would be too much work, and maybe something I could undertake after I retired. But later, I began thinking how useful such an encyclopedia would be -- it would enable us to get a lot of the information in the Archives out and available to Disney fans and Cast members. Plus, since we had been collecting the Disney facts in the Archives for over two decades, I felt that the task might not be quite as onerous as I originally supposed.

The original edition of the book was published in 1996, and a second edition in 1998. For the first time, here was a compendium of facts on all aspects of Disney in one easily usable alphabetical order. Someone could look up the names of the cast of a movie, check when a Walt Disney World attraction opened, find out when the Disney Magic made its initial voyage, see what television series had been produced by Disney, read a short biography of a Disney Legend, and much more.

What's new in this edition? Is it just an update, a complete overhaul of the book, something in between?

Dave: It has been 8 years since the previous edition, and a lot has happened in the world of Disney, such as 144 new feature films, 77 television series, and new stage shows in Berlin, New York, and London. Attractions have opened in our Parks (and in fact there are five new Parks). In total there are about 6,500 entries, up 1,300 from the original edition. The growth of The Walt Disney Company has required more than 1,250 changes to existing entries, as awards are won, television shows end, attractions close and make way for new ones, and executives move on to new positions. Nothing has been removed from the encyclopedia, just entries added or changed.

How do you make sure that this fact-filled book is up to date?

Dave: As soon as I submitted the text for the 1998 edition, I began compiling new information on my computer. Almost every day there was something to add or change. To help researchers, I arranged for monthly updates to be made available on the Disney Web site, and soon these numbered more than 260 pages. Now that the new edition is published, we are going to continue the updates, though now they will be to the new edition (and since the manuscript for the book was submitted, there are already 25 pages of them). The first supplement to the 2006 edition went online at the beginning of October, and it will continue to be updated every month.

Do you have a favorite area of Disney interest yourself?

Dave: I think of myself as a generalist when it comes to Disney. I learn a bit about many things, but do not study in depth on any of them. Thus, there are a lot of fans and Cast members out there that know a lot more than I do on their special interests, whether it is collecting Disney license plates, learning the ins and outs of Pirates of the Caribbean, or studying the minutiae of the history of Disney phonograph records.

How long does it take to do a full update of A to Z?

Dave: The actual time to compile a new edition is not great because the entries have been regularly added to the supplement ever since the previous publication. One time-consuming task, however, was to reread every entry to make sure that it was still correct and up to date.

What aspect of the book are you proudest of?

Dave: I am most proud of the fact that one can find almost any fact they need in the book. This was my initial hope—to have a "one stop" source to everything that is Disney.

Another thing that I am very proud of, and which few people know, is that I personally took most of the theme Park pictures that are in the book. The publisher no longer had the photos which had been used in the previous editions, so we had to do our photo research all over again. To get the exact shots I wanted for Park attractions, I decided to do it myself—so I completely covered the 6 American Disney Parks.

Have you gotten responses from Disney fans to the latest edition?

Dave: Already I am hearing from fans who are delighted that the book has been updated, after so many years have passed. It really surprises me when I hear from young fans who sit down and read the book from cover to cover. Now that is dedication! Encyclopedias are normally meant for looking up the occasional fact, but a complete reading of "A to Z" can really make one a Disney trivia master.

Top
The Best Blue Chip for 2007: Disney

You never forget your first blue chip. Living a short drive from Walt Disney World since I was five, I grew up passionate about all things Disney (NYSE: DIS). From its awe-inspiring theme parks to its pioneering ways in theatrical animation, Disney's past is as colorful as its celluloid creations. However, that would mean little if I wasn't convinced that Disney's future was similarly bright.

It starts at the top, where CEO Bob Iger has been able to shake off any doubts that he has what it takes to lift the family entertainment giant to the next level. Key executives bolted under Michael Eisner's watch, but Iger has been able to stem off the brain drain by keeping them involved in the decision-making process.

He may not have the same creative playground working in his noggin as Walter Elias Disney himself, but he seems to have Walt's gift for making everyone around him work smarter, through what can best be described as inspirational pollination.

Major traits in a Minnie stock
Disney has grown over the years. A lot of it is organic; quite a bit has come through acquisition, too. Sometimes the buyouts don't pan out immediately. In retrospect, Disney overpaid for Infoseek and the Fox Family Channel (now ABC Family). However, it got a bargain in the $19 billion deal for Capital Cities/ABC, and history will likely look back kindly on the $7.4 billion Pixar buyout it completed earlier this year.

Searching for the perfect blue chip? You may find yourself craving a golden brand, all-weather allure, and catalysts for future growth. You would be hard-pressed to find a company that can beat Disney on those three counts.

The Disney brand? Everyone associates Disney with quality family entertainment. You don't just open a theme park at the other end of the world -- as Disney did last year in China -- unless you've got global appeal. You don't rake in more than $2 billion a year in consumer-products revenue, mostly through passive royalties in merchandise licensing, if you aren't universally loved.

All-weather? Disney can be seen as a defensive stock. Yes, economic lulls may trip up the company's progress in selling ads on ABC and ESPN or filling up its theme parks, but Disney has a knack for holding up relatively well in all climates, because families tend to cut off entertainment for their children as a last resort in tight times.

Catalysts for future growth? Are you kidding me? With Pixar now under its umbrella, Disney is back on top in theatrical animation. Its theme parks are being revived, with new attractions in the works that star many of the Pixar characters. ABC is once more a contender, thanks to hit shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy. Even the once-stagnant film studio has found a marketable franchise in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, which just happens to be the top box office draw of 2006, me hearties.

The pieces of the puzzle fit
Disney's theme parks, media networks, studio entertainment, and consumer-products division come together as perfect interlocking puzzle pieces. A hit animated film inspires merchandise sales and theme park promotions.

You can snap up stand-alone entities in Disney's areas of specialization. One can make a sound argument for owning DreamWorks Animation (NYSE: DWA) as a pure play in computer animation, or Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) as a way to live in a giddy, high-yield midway of amusement-park fun. However, Disney is still bigger than any of these companies in their fields, and the synergistic power of Disney's empire clicks together more easily -- and much more lucratively -- than a stand-alone player.

Sure, Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) got Nickelodeon, and Carnival's (NYSE: CCL) got the bigger fleet of cruise ships, but you don't need to have it all to make your investors as rich as Scrooge McDuck. (Well, almost as rich.)

I'm not alone. 90% of the 534 CAPS players also believe that shares of Disney will beat out the market in the future. If you agree with me -- or even if you don't -- now would be a good time to make sure you are heard by voicing your opinion on Disney. That will help us single out the best blue chip of 2007 come early next week, even if you know how I feel.

When Snow White's wicked witch asks her all-knowing mirror what the bluest chip of all is -- the answer is clearly Disney.

Top
Walt Disney World to offer a Future Stay Special Package to Disney Resort Guests During Pilot Program

Discount Future Stay Pilot Program: On November 8, Walt Disney World will begin a Pilot Program at certain Walt Disney World resorts to see if guests would be interested in booking their next vacation at a special discounted rate. The Pilot program will run through December 31. The special offered is a 5 night/5 day vacation package that includes a standard room at a Value Resort, a base Magic Your Way Ticket and the Disney Dining Plan. Rates start at $453 per adult ($194 savings). Any guest staying at a WDW resort during this time will be able to book the special package. You must travel from August 5, 2007 and September 29, 2007 with a minimum stay of three nights.

There are two test areas. The first is Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and Port Orleans. You will see a special "Your Next Disney Vacation" desk located in the lobby of the Beach Club and Port Orleans Riverside. A Disney Reservation Center Sales Agent will be at these locations to book the future trip special package right then.

The second test area is Disney's Pop Century and Contemporary Resort. These resorts will not have the special podium in the lobby. Interested guests will be given a phone number to call to book the special package with the Disney Reservation Center

Various methods will be used to inform guests at the test resorts including: in-room messaging, lobby signage, messages on receipts at that resort's food and merchandise locations when you use your Key to the World Card.

You must be staying at a Walt Disney World owned and operated resort to qualify for this special. You must book and place your deposit prior to check-out. You can request your travel agency gets credit for the booking when you make your deposit.

Top

Three reasons to hop on the Disney Cruise Line

1. Castaway Cay: This 3-mile private island in the Bahamas is a tropical paradise available only to Disney cruise guests. Why? Because Disney owns the island, and they said so.

Castaway Cay (pronounced “key”), while largely undeveloped, features a variety of attractions for all Disney guests.

Adults traveling alone? Take a short tram ride to Serenity Bay, a secluded area of white-sanded beach for guests ages 18 and up. Guests can book open-air massages in private cabanas and enjoy a quiet, relaxing day at the beach.

For families, a half-mile beach closer to the ship offers up more than sun, sand and sea shells. You can rent bikes, water tubes or play volleyball. We paid $25 each — a steal by Disney standards — to rent a set of snorkels, goggles and flippers for the day. A “snorkel course” leads you out at your leisure to explore a sunken boat and submarine and all the tropical fish that now call these and other props home (don’t miss this one; we booked our rentals on the Internet before our vacation).

And what is a cruise without a free buffet? Cookie’s BBQ near the family beach serves up hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs and salmon burgers, among other dishes. Also look here for free ice cream and pop — which also are free on the ship.

• FUN FACT: According to hiddenmickeys.org, Castaway Cay’s construction took 18 months and 50,000 truckloads of sand from the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

2. Crew members: This former Walt Disney World cast member — normally overly critical of Disney employees — was blown away by the service provided by the crew on board the Disney Magic.

Employees Bahar and Flip met my 13-month-old daughter on the first day. Not only did they remember her name all week — we heard “Hello, Princess Cam-er-an!” more times than we can count — but they took time to play with her, and they sent her special photo cards of the characters on the last three days of the cruise.

Our assistant server, Noel, cut up Cameran’s dinner into baby-bite-sized pieces so my husband and I could relax and enjoy our appetizers.

One employee, after asking him for directions to lost and found several hours earlier, stopped us to make sure my sister-in-law had found her missing wallet (she had).

• FUN FACT: Crew members’ living facilities on the ship include their own restaurant, hair salon, retail shop and swimming pool.

3. Ship activities: The name says it all: The Disney Magic is just plain magical. And it’s gorgeous. And it’s clean, to boot.

Those of us who open public bathroom doors with our shoulders can rejoice in the fact that crew members all but block your entry to restaurants before you wash your hands.

The Magic’s three-story atrium is home to a variety of parties and gatherings. We sailed during Halloween, so a costume contest/dance party was held here. On the last night of the cruise (sniff, sniff), look for a farewell show. Another must-see, this is your last chance to rub elbows with your favorite Disney characters.

The upper decks feature three swimming pools: a family pool, a kids’ pool and an adult pool. While infants and toddlers can’t swim in the kiddie pool pre-potty training, there is a small (albeit too small) fountain/wading area reserved just for them.

Several parties are held on the pool decks, as well. The sail away celebration as the ship leaves Port Canaveral, Fla., on its first day is not to be missed. Another show on the pirate theme night includes a variety of character stunts and wraps up with an impressive fireworks show.

Besides shows, pools and character appearances, there are wine tastings, bingo games, first-run movies and a host of activities designed specifically for children and teens.

I dare you to say you’re bored on this ship.

• FUN FACT: The horn on the Disney Magic whistles “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

Top
 
In its chart-busting second week, the soundtrack to the hit Disney Channel original series Hannah Montana remains firmly at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, scanning over 203,000 units for the week ending November 5 (according to Nielsen SoundScan). In addition to an impressive first two weeks at #1 on the Top 200 chart, it also maintains the top position on both the Billboard Children's Chart and the Billboard Soundtrack Chart for the second week. The soundtrack shipped platinum (1,000,000 units), with certification by the R.I.A.A. expected within 30 days.

Released October 24, The Hannah Montana Soundtrack broke industry records last week as the first-ever TV soundtrack to enter the Billboard Top 200 at #1. This week, the soundtrack breaks additional Billboard records as six tracks debut and one re-enters the Hot 100 Singles chart making it the most by an artist in one week in the history of the chart. The tracks are led by "If We Were A Movie" at #47, "I Got Nerve" at #67, "Pumpin' Up The Party" at #81, "Who Said" at #83, "The Other Side of Me" at #84, "This is the Life" at #89 and "Just Like You" at #99. The seven tracks in the Hot 100 are the most since the chart began using Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS data in 1991. "If We Were A Movie" sold the most with 26,400 downloads, charting at #20 on the Hot Digital Songs Chart.

Series star and recording artist Miley Cyrus, age 13, performs eight pop-rock songs as Hannah Montana. She also performs a duet with her father, multi-platinum-selling country music star Billy Ray Cyrus who also stars in the top-rated Disney Channel sitcom. Nashville natives, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus appeared on the Country Music Awards on Monday and will be presenters on the American Music Awards later this month.

The series is seen on Disney Channels all over the world and on DisneyChannel.com via streaming broadband video. In the U.S. year-to-date, Hannah Montana is #1 on basic cable TV among Tweens 9-14 and #2 among kids 6-11. For third quarter 2006, Hannah Montana is the #1 rated series on broadcast and basic cable TV among Tween 9-14 and tied for #1 among kids 6-11. It is also seen Saturday mornings on the ABC Television Network's "ABC Kids."

Hannah Montana is a live-action comedy series that follows typical tween Miley Stewart, who lives with her older brother and widowed dad, a songwriter. But unbeknownst to her friends and classmates, Miley has a secret double life – she is the world famous pop star Hannah Montana.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 89 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 23 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

Walt Disney Records is part of the Buena Vista Music Group, the recorded music and music-publishing arm of The Walt Disney Company. For more information, please visit Disney Records.com.

Top
Disney 'students' get a frosh start
Disney's "High School Musical," all the rage with the 'tween set - and even actual high schoolers - is coming to a theater near you.

In Bohemia, Airport Playhouse landed the Long Island premiere. It opened Saturday before a sellout crowd of young fans of the Disney Channel mega-hit, with a mix of adults in the few grown-up roles and teens from Airport's acting workshop. Tomorrow's performance is also sold out, but you can get tickets ($18; 631-589-7588) to Sunday and Monday's 7:30 p.m. shows at 218 Knickerbocker Ave.

If you miss it at Airport, the BroadHollow Theatre Company brings its "High School Musical" to BayWay Arts Center Nov. 25. Shows will run Saturday and Sunday afternoons through Dec. 17 at the East Islip theater, 265 E. Main St. (Tickets, $14-$18; 631-581-2700.)

But if you want to see five stars from the original TV cast, you'll have to wait 'til Dec. 29 when the "High School Musical" national tour comes to Nassau Coliseum for one night only. Tickets aren't on sale yet, so check ticketmaster.com from time to time. Meanwhile, you can rehearse for your own "High School Musical." Cultural Arts Playhouse in Old Bethpage is signing up kids - first through 12th graders - for two workshop productions to be staged in June. Call 516-694-3330 to be a star.

Top
Kelley named Disney Ambassador

With the pomp and circumstance fitting of a Disney tradition, the 2007 Walt Disney World Ambassadors - the 36th team to represent the resort, its cast and central Florida - were named Monday before a cheering crowd of cast members at the Innoventions Fountain Stage at Epcot.

Lowell Doringo, a Houston, Texas, native, and Michael Kelley, a Gravette native, stood on stage among the group of seven other anxious finalists before their names were announced as 2007 ambassadors by Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts President Meg Crofton.

The new ambassador team will represent the company during the " Year of a Million Dreams, " an 18-month celebration that will run through 2007.

Kelley began his Walt Disney World career in 1994.

Top
Disney Patent: ESPN video content coming to a wireless iPod

Back in January, MacNN posted the report titled Apple adds ESPN, ABC Sports to iTunes wherein it was reported that Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney ABC Television Group, stated that “We look forward to building upon the success of our initial iTunes offerings and are dedicated to providing consumers with a variety of high quality entertainment and news content that they can view at their convenience, regardless of time, place or platform.”

Yes, initial iTunes offerings is definitely the key phrase here because a new Disney patent has just surfaced at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office today titled “Graphical user interface for electronic devices,” which provides us with a powerful clue of what’s to come and more specifically, what’s coming to a wireless iPod near you.

In a nutshell, Disney is preparing a new ESPN web-enabled clamshell cell phone that will allow it’s users to wirelessly receive ESPN video and text reports as they become available. Disney’s “Patent Claims” concerning the new UI and wireless system are uniquely divided into two distinct groups: One for a cell phone and one simple noted as a portable communications device.

In one of Disney’s patent points it states the following: “For example, systems and methods of the present disclosure may be applied to other mobile electronic devices, such as PDAs, pagers, etc., and to other handheld electronic devices, such as, e.g., the iPod digital music player (available from Apple Computer, Inc.).”

The ESPN User Interface

Disney describes that the content that will be made available on their new mobile GUI will correspond to sports-related content provided by Mobile ESPN(tm), such as RealTime scores, sports-related news, commentary, video and statistics, software applications, e.g., for managing fantasy sports teams, and other sports-related content.

Content pages may include text, links, graphics, pictures, and/or video content. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary content page 4.3 (”Video Highlights (Sport)”) of exemplary application map 405 as it may be displayed in an exemplary screen display 510.

The patent goes on to state that “in the exemplary Mobile ESPN application, for example, navigation content server may transmit the latest version of a startup content page 2.1 (”News - Lead Stories”) as well as other time sensitive content necessary for the display of frequently used content pages 415, such as lead headlines, sport-specific headlines, and scoreboards. Content server 322 may also transmit headlines related to the subscribers’ favorite teams, and may further download data related to the subscriber’s personalization settings, such as the identities of their favorite teams, players, and/or sports columnists. Alternatively, navigation interface may maintain a copy of such personalization data within system memory 290C of electronic device 100.’

In respect to the operating system, Disney keeps their options open by simply pointing to SmartPhone, Symbian or “some other operating system suitable for the particular configuration of [an] electronic device” Yet being that Disney’s patent makes mention of Apple’s iPod - and being that they just happen to have a great working relationship with Apple at present - it’s clear that at the very least, we’ll be seeing their new UI and/or content on a future wireless iPod – well beyond today’s audio podcast offerings. The whole patent is in context with wireless delivery of ESPN content and therefore this isn’t in dispute.

Could we see an ESPN branded iPod?

Going back to the point that Disney divided their “Patent Claims” uniquely in two parts, a cell phone and a communications device, you have to wonder if there’s a little more to that than meets the eye here.

Evidently, a communications device is where the iPod came into play along side PDA’s and pagers. Yet when it comes to the communications device, Disney provides no illustration as to what that may entail. Their cell phone clearly carries the ESPN branding, as noted to your left. So the question becomes, could Apple launch an ESPN branded wireless iPod in the future - Something along the lines of the Apple-Nike + iPod co-marketing venture? Why not?

With a unique ESPN GUI, there’s enough to justify such a venture, considering that Apple already dedicates an iTunes Music Store podcast page to ESPN which provides an easy way to subscribe to content. Exactly what the Disney patent generically describes in detail.

Furthermore, Apple has a three part pro video report on ESPN Entertainment worth checking out. In that report you’ll note that Will Staeger, executive producer of original entertainment programming for sports cable network ESPN, headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, asked ” Ramy Katrib of Hollywood-based DigitalFilm Tree to recommend “the most convenient and painless, but most advanced workflow for a breakneck-paced series.†Having recently set up a successful Final Cut Pro and Xsan-based editorial system for the TV series “Scrubs,†Katrib was not long in making a recommendation.”

So considering that ESPN already uses Apple’s Final Cut Pro and X-san-based editorial system in their work flow system and today’s Disney patent discussing how video will be wirelessly transmitted to cell phones, and yes, a wireless iPod, again I say, it’s not too difficult to imagine an ESPN branded iPod - in the least.

And to top it off, Disney filed for another patent back in 2005 titled ” Insurance program for portable media players” in which it pointed to Apple’s iTunes file management or control manager system. At the time it seemed a little odd that Disney would be contemplating such an insurance plan for the iPod. Yet in light of today’s patent, insuring an iPod, or should I say an ESPN branded iPod, it all makes sense. Well at least on paper.

Yet whether we see an ESPN branded iPod in the future or not, for now, the news is clear: ESPN live content, sports news and video clips are on their way to Apple’s next generation wireless iPod – sometime in 2007/2008. That’ll be a great way to kick-start content for Apple’s future wireless iPod, that no doubt, will grab get the attention of every sports enthusiast around the globe.

Top

Zac Efron Guest Stars On Disney Channel's "The Replacements"

Zac Efron ("High School Musical") guest stars on Disney Channel's new hit animated series, "The Replacements" on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (8:00 P.M., ET/PT). Since its premiere, "The Replacements" is the #1 animated series on Disney Channel in key demographic, kids 6-11.

In order to get Johnny Hitswell's attention, Riley replaces the old pool lifeguard with Davey Hunkerhoff (voiced by Zac Efron), a hunky 14-year-old lifeguard she can flirt with to make Johnny jealous. But her plan backfires when Davey actually likes her back - and when he discovers her plan, his feelings are so hurt he closes the pool.

"The Replacements" revolves around orphaned tween siblings Riley and Todd who answer a comic book ad from the Fleemco Company. They order two cool parents - Agent K is mom, a British spy and Dick Daring is dad, a renowned stuntman. Also part of the family is CAR, a super intelligent, super sarcastic talking spy car and Agent K's former partner. Riley and Todd soon realize that they can replace any adult in their life simply by making a call to the Fleemco Company. The fun loving antics of this unconventional family and the wish fulfillment of kids having the ability to change adults, despite the consequences of those changes, results in funny unforeseen situations.

The series features such well known actors as Nancy Cartwright ("The Simpsons") and David McCallum ("N.C.I.S."), making his animated debut as CAR. 

The ambassador program began in 1965 with Walt Disney, who selected the first ambassador to help celebrate the 10 th anniversary of Disneyland.

Top
Disney boss stole £2,000 from tills 

The manager of a Disney store in Edinburgh who created the Scottish versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse raided over £2,000 from shop tills to pay off debts, it emerged yesterday.

Amanda Lawrie joined the entertainment giant as a teenager 14 years ago, working at Disney Stores in Princes Street and at the Gyle Shopping Centre. Her tenure started as a success after she came up with the idea of tartan-clad McMickey and McMinnie dolls. 

Putting the world-famous cartoon characters in matching kilts was later hailed as 'inspired' by senior managers at Disney, as the dolls rang up sales of several thousand for the entertainment giant.

However, the assistant manager later fell into debt and began using fake refunds to embezzle cash from the company.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that she stole over a four month period last year in a desperate attempt to bring her spiralling debts under control.

The court heard how in 2000 Lawrie was praised by bosses at the Disney Corp's London headquarters after coming up with the "inspired idea" of Scottish-themed Beanie toys to sell at its Edinburgh stores.

Disney chiefs said it was the first time any of their store staff had designed their own Mickey Mouse toy.

However, following the break-up of a relationship, Lawrie, of South Gyle Road, Edinburgh, fell into debt and struggled to meet mortgage payments on her home and to pay credit card bills.

The fiscal-depute Naeema Sajid told the court Lawrie used her staff key and identity number to make false refund payments at the shops and pocketed the cash.

She stole £663 while working at the Princes Street store by carrying out 22 such transactions. Later, when she was transferred to the Gyle outlet, she took a further £1,395 by the same method. The embezzlement only came to light after a trading review was carried out at the stores.

Ms Sajid added: "The accused was interviewed by members of staff at the store. She admitted carrying out the thefts and offered to resign. She was suspended and told a disciplinary hearing would have to be held. The police were later called and she admitted fully her responsibility to officers."

The defence agent, Fiona Dourish, said her client was "embarrassed and ashamed" of her actions and that Lawrie has offered to pay back the missing money.

Miss Dourish said her client's financial problems began shortly after the demise of a long-term relationship.

She added: "Ms Lawrie is currently unemployed but she has been offered a full-time job with a recruitment agency.

"She is in a position to pay back £5 a week to the store at the moment but she hopes that will change if she gets the post. Ms Lawrie was in a long-term relationship which ended and she was left to pay a mortgage on the home on her own."

At a hearing in August, Lawrie plead guilty to embezzling the cash between 31 August and 30 December last year.

The sheriff, Isobel Poole, yesterday deferred sentence until later this month.

Top
 
The Walt Disney Co. is launching a new DVD line honoring its famous founder.

The Walt Disney Legacy Collection will spotlight films from the Disney archives that the late Walt Disney personally had a hand in creating.

First up: The "True-Life Adventures" films, a series of 13 animal and nature movies that will be released on DVD December 5, the 105th anniversary of Disney's birth. The films were released between 1948 and 1960 and won a total of eight Academy Awards.

Disney reportedly got the idea for "True-Life Adventures" when he saw research footage of deer that had been prepared for "Bambi." The first film, "Seal Island," was snubbed by RKO -- at the time Disney's theatrical distributor -- and led Disney and brother Roy O. Disney to form their own distribution company, Buena Vista.

The fledgling film distributor's first release was "The Living Desert," best remembered for a battle between a pepsis wasp and a tarantula, which won Disney its first Oscar for best documentary and in its initial theatrical release brought in $5 million on an investment of $500,000.

Other films in the series include "White Wilderness," "Vanishing Prairie," "Water Birds," "Beaver Valley," "Bear Country" and "Nature's Half Acre."

The 13 films have been fully restored and will be presented in four two-disc volumes with collectible packaging and extensive bonus materials. Each volume includes introductions from Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and son of Roy O. Disney, who was one of the series' original filmmakers. Roy E. Disney also hosts six segments in which he interviews wildlife specialists at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The 500-acre theme park, part of the Walt Disney World complex in Orlando, Fla., is considered an offshoot of the "True-Life Adventures" films.

The younger Disney said some of his "first and fondest production experiences were on these wonderful films, so they're very close to my heart." Disney said it's appropriate that the "True-Life Adventures" films are being released on his uncle's birthday "because it was Walt's love of nature that inspired him to pioneer this new form of filmmaking."

Subsequent releases in the collection for 2007 and beyond will be announced at a later date.

Top
'Parrot' of the Caribbean

Parrots are being invited to audition for a "squawk-on" part in the new Pirates Of The Caribbean film.

The successful bird will join Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom on the island of Dominica to shoot the third installment of the Hollywood hit.

And it will act as the official "spokes parrot" for the DVD launch of the second Pirates film, Dead Man's Chest, later this month.

The auditions will be held at Disney's HQ in Hammersmith, west London, on November 16.

They are open to all parrots which can speak and are able to learn a script.

A spokesman said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a parrot with a big personality. We hope to uncover the next A-list feathered superstar.

"The winning parrot will need to have an outgoing personality, remain calm under pressure and have screen presence.

"No previous acting or promotional experience is necessary, but those that have worked in film and television before should note that divas and parrots with attitude are not wanted."

Promotional duties for the DVD launch will include media interviews, photo shoots and personal appearances.

The judging panel will comprise Disney executives, Pirates of the Caribbean animal trainer Mark Harden and parrot expert Peter Bloom.

Parrots unable to attend are invited to submit their screen test via email, DVD or video.

Top
Disney Opens "Nintendo" Video Game Studio

Walt Disney Co., the world's second- largest media company, is creating a video-game studio to make titles exclusively for Nintendo Co., targeting audiences for its animated characters. The studio, called Fall Line, will be based in Salt Lake City and run by Scott Novis, who led the team that created the game based on the Pixar film "Cars". Novis's designers will build games for the Nintendo "Wii" console to be released this month and the "DS" and "Game Boy" handheld players.

Top
Kids Go Free This Winter to Disney's Broadway Musicals

Due to the overwhelming response to last Friday’s announcement of the 2007 "Kids Night" on Broadway program, Disney Theatrical Productions announced today that the popular “buy one full-priced ticket, get one ticket free for a child age 6-18” offer has been extended to additional performances this winter. 

There are now 15 additional dates between January 9 and February 15, 2007 at which families can enjoy Tarzan, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast at significant savings in January and February.  “Kids Go Free” tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis beginning tomorrow, Friday, November 10, 2006 at 10am.

"The extended dates now available for 'Kids Go Free' make it possible for even more people to experience the magic of Disney on Broadway. Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King have entertained audiences on Broadway and throughout the world for years; combined, these two hit musicals have played to more than fifty million people world-wide.  Joined by Tarzan, which swung onto Broadway last season and will open in Holland in 2007, Disney on Broadway provides opportunities for audiences of all ages to discover the artistry and skill of live theatre," state press materials.

Using promotional code KNDOB at the time of purchase, there are three easy ways to take advantage of this limited-time offer:

1.      Online at www.disneyonbroadway.com

2.      Via Ticketmaster at (212) 307-4747

3.      At the box office:

Tarzan (Richard Rodgers Theatre 226 West 46th Street)

The Lion King (Minskoff Theatre 200 West 45th Street)

Beauty and the Beast (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre 205 West 46th Street). 

The following “Kids Go Free” performances are available:

Tarzan:

Wednesday, January 10th at 8pm

Thursday, January 11th at 8pm

Wednesday, January 17th at 8pm

Thursday, January 18th at 8pm

Wednesday, January 24th at 8pm

Thursday, January 25th at 8pm

Thursday, February 1st at 8pm

Wednesday, February 7th at 8pm

Thursday, February 8th at 8pm

Thursday, February 15th at 8pm

The Lion King:

Wednesday, January 10th at 8pm

Thursday, January 11th at 8pm

Wednesday, January 17th at 8pm

Thursday, January 18th at 8pm

Wednesday, January 24th at 8pm

Thursday, January 25th at 8pm

Thursday, February 1st at 8pm

Wednesday, February 7th at 8pm

Thursday, February 8th at 8pm

Thursday, February 15th at 8pm

Beauty and the Beast:

Tuesday, January 9th at 8pm

Thursday, January 11th at 8pm

Tuesday, January 16th at 7pm

Thursday, January 18th at 8pm

Tuesday, January 23rd at 7pm

Thursday, January 25th at 8pm

Thursday, February 1st at 8pm

Tuesday, February 6th at 7pm

Thursday, February 8th at 8pm

Tuesday, February 13th at 7pm

Thursday, February 15th at 8pm

(Note: Offer not valid on prior purchases or in conjunction with any other offer.  All sales are final.  With the purchase of one full priced ticket, the customer will receive a ticket of equal value.  Each ticket will be issued at a face value of 50% off.  No exchanges or refunds.  Dates, times, prices and cast subject to change without notice.  Not all seats are discounted.  Regular service fees apply on phone and internet orders.  Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.  Offer may be revoked without notice.  Limit – 14 tickets per person per 7 day period.  Offer expires 12/1/06).

Top

Wednesday November 8, 2006
Euro Disney FY underlying net loss narrows

Heavily-indebted theme park operator Euro Disney (EDLP.PA), the operator of Disneyland Paris, said on Wednesday its full year loss narrowed on an underlying basis and was confident it could keep afloat in 2007.

The company's reported net loss widened to 73.1 million euros ($93.28 million) from 43.7 million euros in fiscal 2005, when a debt restructuring produced an extraordinary gain. On a comparable basis, 2005's net loss was 92 million euros, it said.

The company said it believed it had complied in fiscal 2006 with the profitability and cash flow goals it was set as part of the debt restructuring and could do so again in 2007 without the recourse to additional measures, such as cutting investment.

"The group currently believes that it will meet its financial performance covenants in fiscal year 2007 through increased revenues and continuing cost containment," Euro Disney said.

Euro Disney's total borrowings amounted to 1.941 billion euros at the end of September compared with equity of 394 million.

Top
Earnings Preview: Walt Disney

Entertainment company Walt Disney Co. reports fourth-quarter earnings Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

OVERVIEW: The diversified media company beat analyst expectations with its third-quarter results on growth across all divisions, which include movies, theme parks, cable TV networks and consumer products.

The company said it expects flat domestic theme parks attendance in the fourth quarter because of tough comparisons with last year's turnout for the Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration. Disney in August lifted the price of a one-day, one-park ticket to $67.

Disney's "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" film is currently showing in theaters. Disney's ABC television network is the most popular among the coveted 18- to 49-year-old crowd favored by advertisers, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. The network broadcasts the popular programs "Dancing With the Stars," "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy."

During the quarter, Disney said it expects to sell $50 million worth of digital films during the first year of a partnership with Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.

BY THE NUMBERS: Wall Street is expecting earnings of 33 cents per share on $8.69 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, according to a poll conducted by Thomson Financial.

ANALYST TAKE: Analysts are predicting a solid quarter of growth from Disney. UBS Investment Research analyst Aryeh B. Bourkoff said in a note to clients he anticipates advertising growth at ABC, which could be partially offset by costs for developing new television programs.

The company's film studio is expected to perform well on the success of its blockbuster sequel "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and animated film "Cars."

"We expect solid revenue and operating income growth at all segments in the quarter," wrote Bourkoff, who has a "Neutral" rating on shares.

Bear, Stearns & Co. analyst Spencer Wang likewise expects a solid quarter that should be helped by easy year-ago comparisons, since the company incurred hefty charges last year. Merchandise sales and studio revenue for the third "Pirates" film and for "Cars" also are expected to be strong, he said.

STOCK PERFORMANCE: Shares rose about 3 percent during the July through August period, and are up about 35 percent from the beginning of the year to a Monday close of $32.46.

Top
Casting has been announced for the Orlando engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Orlando's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Carr Performing Arts Centre stage from Thursday, December 7, 2006 to Sunday, January 14, 2007. The press opening night is Friday, December 8, 2006 at 8:00pm. This Orlando engagement is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, a second United States National Tour, London, Hamburg, Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea. Future international productions include Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2007 and a French-language production opening in September 2007 in Paris.

The malevolent and evil Scar will be played by Dan Donohue, who played Harlequin in Triumph of Love at Long Wharf Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and the Missouri Repertory Theatre; he was also seen as Harlequin in The Game of Love and Chance, Will in The Beard of Avon, and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream for Seattle Rep.

At the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Mr. Donohue has played over 30 roles in 23 plays since 1994, including Antony in Julius Caesar, Dvornichek in Rough Crossing, Edgar in King Lear, Touchstone in As You Like It, Hal in Henry IV parts I & II, and Henry in Henry V.

L. Steven Taylor will play the lion king Mufasa. Mr. Taylor joins the tour from the Broadway company where he understudied the role. Additional New York and West Coast credits include Ataria the Musical, Smokey Joe's Café, Songs for New World, Miss Saigon and A Chorus Line.

Phindile Mkhize, a native of South Africa, is the wise Rafiki. Ms. Mkhize has traveled to Germany, Australia, Holland and Amsterdam performing and sharing her talents, and her credits include The Lion King Soundtrack '94, Sarafina 2; Mama, Maria, Maria, and WozaMyFohloza.

The meerkat Timon will be played by John Plumpis, who has appeared in the national tours of Barrymore with Christopher Plummer and Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Mr. Plumpis received his MFA from University of Delaware. Mark Cameron Pow, who will portray Zazu, is a native of England and has appeared off-Broadway in Comedy of Errors, King Lear, and The Iliad I. And Ben Lipitz, is Pumbaa, the warthog; Mr. Lipitz' stage credits include Red, Hot and Blue, Just So, ART, Dirty Blonde, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Chaunteé Schuler— whose credits include Dreamgirls, The Producers, Smokey Joe's Café, Company, Anything Goes, A Doll's House and Mother Courage and Her Children—is the lioness Nala. Mufasa's son, Simba, will be played by S.J. Hannah, who appeared in several regional productions, including Smokey Joe's Cafe, Jelly's Last Jam, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Spunk.

The three hyenas will be played by: Randy Donaldson (Banzai), whose past credits include Five Guys Named Moe and Broadway's Wonderful Town and Annie Get Your Gun; Jayne Trinette (Shenzi), whose credits include Caroline or Change, Ain't Misbehavin' and Nuncrackers; and Wayne Pyle (Ed), who has toured around the world in such productions as American Shakespeare Theater Company's Hamlet and Medea, and Mother Courage and Her Children in Germany.

Performances in the role of Young Simba will be alternated between Trevor Jackson and Cody Ryan Wise. Mr. Jackson, from Indianapolis, Indiana, starred in the Beef and Boards Christmas Show, Hoop City Kid and has won many dance competitions. Mr. Wise is a fourth grade honors student at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Center. He played Fritz in the P.A. Ballet's Nutcracker and appears in Kanye West's video Heard 'Em Say.

Performances in the role of Young Nala will be alternated between Olivia Ford and Zuri Reed. Ms. Reed, a native of West Philadelphia, is making her professional debut in The Lion King. She found her passion for the arts at Gates of Heaven Church and Christian Stronghold Learning Academy where she was a student for 5 years.

Now in its ninth sold-out year in New York at the New Amsterdam Theatre, THE LION KING is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammyâ Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for THE LION KING. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

In Orlando, The Lion King will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 2pm and Sunday performances at 1 and 6:30pm. Ticket prices range from $21 to $76. VIP Ticket Packages are also available for $126 which includes prime seating and special services at the theatre. Tickets are available at the SunTrust Broadway Across America – Orlando Box Office, the TD Waterhouse Centre Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Purchase tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 407-839-3900. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling 407-423-9999 x17.

The Orlando engagement of The Lion King is presented by arrangement with SunTrust Broadway Across America – Orlando and is a subscription offering of the 06/07 Season.

SunTrust Broadway Across America - Orlando is presented by Florida Theatrical Association, a non-profit civic organization with a volunteer board of trustees established to ensure the continued presentation of quality touring Broadway productions and the promotion of arts education throughout the state of Florida.

Top
Web site says Disney World to develop land on west side

Walt Disney World's plans for its newly opened western entrance may go beyond just bringing in tourist traffic and could include a large new retail and hotel development area on the resort's west side, according to a report Tuesday on a Web site.

Disney is not acknowledging any such plans. And a spokeswoman declined to respond to the report, posted on an independent Web site that features Disney news and discussions. The account details plans for a large retail and hotel zone near the new interchange of State Road 429 and Western Way.

Prospects for such a project surprise few who follow development at Disney or in southwestern Orange County. The roads and the interchange on Disney's west side are new. The utility lines are installed. And development and steady traffic growth are expected up and down the S.R. 429 corridor over the next couple of decades.

"It's a logical site. It makes great sense for development," said retail specialist John Crossman of Crossman & Co.

It calls for shopping, dining, hotel and time-share projects in Walt Disney World's largely undeveloped west side, near the S.R. 429 interchange. The area could rival Downtown Disney in size and scope, the Web site reports, but is several years away.

The timetable makes sense to C. Ray Maxwell, administrator of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the government district that oversees Walt Disney World. Maxwell said he has not seen or heard of specific plans for the area and is not aware that any exist. But he said development is likely there over time.

When Western Way was built last year, Reedy Creek extended utility lines along the road to prepare for development on Disney's west side.

"I do know they are looking at options of what they can do with that property," Maxwell said. "It's all zoned commercial so they could put some hotels or time shares or just about anything they wanted. But there's nothing imminent there at all."

Orange County Commissioner Teresa Jacobs, whose district includes Disney World, said she also has heard of no specific plans for that part of Disney; but she, too, would not be surprised to see it develop.

Andrea Finger, spokeswoman for Walt Disney Imagineering, the Disney group that would plan such a development, said, "We've always looked at this area as an additional gateway to the property. At this time we have nothing to announce."

S.R. 429, also known as the Western Beltway, opened through the area in December. Western Way, Disney's new road connecting a Western Beltway interchange to Disney World's road network, opened in March.

Top
Disney's New Pop Princess Is Leading a Double Life

First there was Annette, then came Britney and Christina, followed by Hilary and now ... meet Miley. The newest bid by Disney to mint a young pop princess just hit the stores in the form of the debut album by Miley Cyrus, better known to tweens everywhere by the name of her Disney Channel persona, Hannah Montana.

On the half-hour show "Hannah Montana," Cyrus plays a not-very-cool teen named Miley Stewart who has a very cool secret life - she ducks into a cleverly hidden closet (imagine the Batcave redesigned by Barbie) and emerges as the world-famous pop star Hannah Montana. The relentlessly advertised debut episode of the series arrived on the Disney Channel in late March as the lead-in to an encore airing of "High School Musical," the stunningly successful made-for-Disney movie with a best-selling soundtrack. That bundling helped the "Hannah Montana" premiere score a record audience for a series on the channel, and since then, the Friday night sitcom is routinely the most-viewed basic cable show for the 6-to-14-year-old audience.

Expectations at Disney are that the "Hannah Montana" CD will debut very high on the charts, and if the reception Miley got at her recent concert debut in Los Angeles is any indication, her audience is indeed ready and waiting ... and waiting and waiting. Her set opened with the lights down and a slow build to her stage arrival with footage of her in her dressing room and then striding purposefully toward stage. The crowd ate it up and stared at the sheer, back-lighted curtain at the top of the stage. And then ... the lights came back on. There was a glitch, a stage manager told the audience. A few minutes later, the whole thing started over again. None of the kids seemed to mind that the video screens were showing the identical backstage footage they'd just seen.

The tour is the first for 13-year-old Miley, who was born Destiny Hope Cyrus but goes by a shortened form of her nickname Smiley Miley. She's the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, he of "Achy Breaky Heart" fame, who also plays her father on the show.

The big hope at the House of Mouse is that Hannah will do for Miley what Lizzie McGuire did for Hilary Duff - make her the tween queen of pop. Miley hopes for that in the short term and a chance to grow later, which for her would qualify as a realization of the "Hannah Montana" theme song: "Best of Both Worlds."

Top
ABC plans "Shrek" holiday special

ABC is going for a green Christmas with "Shrek the Halls," a half-hour original animated special based on the DreamWorks feature franchise.

The special -- to be voiced by the "Shrek" features' original cast of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas -- is slated to premiere in December 2007. Sources said the pact is for 15 years, with ABC set to rerun the special around the holidays every year.

"Family classics are a cornerstone of our brand, and 'Shrek the Halls' will provide warm memories year after year and be a great addition to our library of holiday favorites," ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson said.

"Shrek the Halls" stems from a conversation McPherson had with DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, in which the ABC Entertainment president told Katzenberg he was looking for a Christmas special that feels unique.

Katzenberg and his team came up with the idea to get their "Shrek" characters in the Christmas spirit.

"The time has come to celebrate the joys of the holiday season with Shrek and his family and see how Christmas would play out in his world," Katzenberg said. "Having this special on broadcast television is another really important piece of how we're trying to build this franchise."

Katzenberg said the TV special will be "very much in keeping with the style and sensibility of the movies."

It will pick up where DreamWorks' upcoming "Shrek the Third" leaves off, on the first Christmas after the events in the feature, which is set to bow in May.

ABC's library of holiday specials include "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown," as well as the annual Walt Disney Christmas Day Parade, Tournament of Roses Parade and "New Year's Rockin' Eve."

Top
 
Disney Channel has ordered a third season of the comedy series "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," one of the network's top-rated shows.

"Suite Life" follows identical twins Zack and Cody (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) as they create mischief at their residence, which happens to be Boston's swankiest hotel. The series, which premiered in March 2005, also stars Brenda Song, Ashley Tisdale, Phill Lewis and Kim Rhodes.

"Suite Life," which tapes before a studio audience in Hollywood, resumes production in January.

"With 65 episodes already completed, 'The Suite Life' is proving to be one of the classic sitcoms of kids and family television -- drawing top ratings not just in the U.S. but in nearly every Disney Channel around the world," said Gary Marsh, president of entertainment at Disney Channel Worldwide.

During third-quarter 2006, "Suite Life" was basic cable's No. 2 series among kids 6-11, girls 6-11, kids 9-14 and girls 9-14, behind Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," according to Nielsen Media Research. The show airs at 6:30 p.m. daily on Disney Channel and Saturday mornings on the "ABC Kids" block; it also airs on 25 Disney Channels around the world.

Top

Tuesday November 7, 2006
 
As Disneyland Resort commences its celebration of “The Year of a Million Dreams,” Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure parks will be transformed into dazzling holiday wonderlands featuring an array of spectacular entertainment, amazing decorations, festive foods and favorite adventures and attractions.    

           
Additional holiday magic is provided this year as the Disney Dream Squad roams the Resort making dreams big and small come true for guests in this “Year of a Million Dreams.” Many money-can’t-buy experiences – from exclusive FASTPASS attraction tickets to a round-the-world vacation and a stay in the special Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel - will be awarded at random, and there are other “Dreams Come True” opportunities for guests to meet and play with Disney Princesses, duel with Jedi Knights or join in the fun of the High School Musical Pep Rally.

           
The fun is extended with expanded park hours for both Disneyland Resort theme parks for much of the season. Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resort hotels join in the merriment with twinkling lights and ornaments, special entertainment and holiday dining.

Disneyland

           
Holiday dreams come true as Disneyland adds a seasonal array of holiday shows, attractions and lively entertainment to such favorites, classic and new, as “Space Mountain,” “Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters,” and the newly enhanced “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

           
Guests entering Main Street, U.S.A., will find the traditional evergreen Disneyland Christmas tree in Town Square. The tree is 60 feet tall and is decorated with 10,000 ornaments and holiday lights.


At the other end of Main Street, a favorite Disneyland holiday souvenir comes to life in the form of a giant Snow Globe at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Its occupant is a snowman whose holiday dream has led him to don Mickey Mouse ears and visit Disneyland. The Snow Globe will make its first appearance December 1 and it will remain in the Park through Christmas.

           
“Santa’s Reindeer Round-up” returns to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland.  The ranch has been transformed into a “West Pole” getaway where Santa can unwind with Mrs. Claus and his team of reindeer.  Kids and their families can chat with St. Nick, see real reindeer grazing in a corral, play some reindeer games, create take-home Yuletide souvenirs and join in holiday line dances with music from a Western trio.    
 

The park’s annual holiday parade, “A Christmas Fantasy,” will be presented November 17 through January 7 on Main Street, U.S.A.  This ever-popular procession depicts an enchanting collection of holiday scenes, music and a cast of Disney characters and performers in Yuletide vignettes.  Toy soldiers march in cadence, friendly snowmen dance and Santa waves from a soaring sleigh as his reindeer prance below.


“Haunted Mansion Holiday” returns with a madcap celebration where the traditions of Halloween and Christmas collide.  The ghoulish but well-meaning Jack Skellington from the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas has come to the Haunted Mansion to transform it with his skewed vision of the holidays.

           
In Fantasyland, the classic “it’s a small world” again becomes “it’s a small world Holiday” with a popular seasonal overlay that transforms this classic Disneyland attraction into a holiday trip around the world.  More than 300,000 glittery lights adorn the attraction’s façade.

           
A holiday evening in Disneyland is highlighted by the nightly fireworks spectacular, “Believe … In Holiday Magic,” debuting Friday, November 10. The fireworks conclude with a touching rendition of “White Christmas” and one of Disneyland’s most beloved holiday traditions: the magical snowfall which gently flutters down on Main Street, U.S.A., Small World Mall and New Orleans Square.

Disney’s California Adventure
             
Disney’s California Adventure will celebrate the season with fanciful park-wide decorations and lively entertainment. Guests approaching the park will immediately get in the holiday mood as the iconic entrance-way letters that spell “CALIFORNIA” have been magically transformed to appear as swirling red and white peppermint sticks.

           
Once inside the gates of Disney’s California Adventure, guests can enjoy the park’s newest attractions and shows, such as “The High School Musical Pep Rally” and “Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue!,” as well as favorites like “Soarin’ Over California” and “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.”

           
Inside “a bug’s land,” Flik and his bug buddies have spread giant Christmas lights, oversized ornaments and towering candy canes throughout their realm.  Alongside Paradise Bay, a resplendent Christmas tree provides a dazzling sight as other nearby trees sparkle with hundreds of lights and wreathes adorn lampposts.

           
The Sunshine Plaza becomes “Santa’s Beach Blast,” where the Disney characters playfully blend classic holiday images with the California beach lifestyle.  Santa the surfer greets guests near a Woody wagon sleigh, and the area is filled with seaside-style holiday decorations.

  
 The 500-acre Disneyland Resort in southern California features two spectacular theme parks – the world-renowned original Disney theme park, Disneyland (“The Happiest Place on Earth”) and Disney’s California Adventure where Disney magic meets California fun, plus the Downtown Disney District, a public esplanade of unique and exciting dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  Resort hotels include the luxurious 745-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the surfside fun of the 502-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

           
More information about “The Year of a Million Dreams,” the 2006 holiday season and vacations at the Disneyland Resort is available at www.disneyland.com, by calling (877) 700-DISNEY, or by visiting local travel agents.

Top
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Disney World

Shortly after Halloween Evening, Disney quickly started to decorate all of it's Theme Parks and Resorts for the upcoming Holidays. Below are some of the Decorations that are up and ready for the Festive Holidays. 


Christmas Tree at Magic Kingdom


Main Street USA


Christmas Tree at Animal Kingdom

Top
New Disney game unit to focus on Nintendo systems

Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Game unit has created a new video game studio focused on creating new and Disney-inspired games for Nintendo Co.'s DS player and Wii gaming console, according to Tuesday news reports.

Burbank-based Disney's (NYSE: DIS) new Fall Line Studio will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Scott Novis was appointed vice president and general manager of the new studio. Novis previously headed the Rainbow Studios team that developed the video game based on the Disney-Pixar film "Cars".

Nintendo's Wii gaming console will be released in the United States on Nov. 19.

Top
New Disney Bio Focuses on His Genius

"Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" (Knopf. 851 Pages. $35) _ Neal Gabler: The time is ripe for a fresh look at one of the world's most ignored geniuses who, during five decades, changed the way Americans looked at movies and amusement parks and the way the rest of the world looked at America.

A new biography of Walter Elias Disney by Neal Gabler captures the enormous range of Disney's contributions, and restores the flesh and blood to a man whose name for many has become synonymous with blandness and even corporate greed.

Gabler ably traces the arcs of Disney's amazing life, from fiery iconoclast in the 1920s, daring to believe that crude cartoons could rise to an art form, to the corporate brand name of the 1950s, the harmless, chuckling "Uncle Walt" who churned out so much sentimental drivel.

The book also captures Disney's ability to reinvent himself, to find new passions that would inspire his staff and uplift the nation. From "Snow White" in 1937 to "Fantasia" in 1940 to Disneyland in 1955, he was able to bounce back from bouts of mediocrity and near financial ruin to again enchant the world with his unique vision.

Disney's life has been ably charted in previous biographies. But Gabler spent seven years poring through the Disney archives, gaining access to letters, contracts, photos and other documents not seen by previous writers.

The result is a book that helps us more completely understand what drove Disney and to place some of his less savory actions, including his paranoid anti-Communism, in context.

For the record, Gabler dismisses claims that Disney was anti-Semitic or racist, despite the storm of criticism Disney received after the 1946 film "Song of the South." But Disney did appear as a friendly witness in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee, did clear prospective hires with the FBI and did enforce a blacklist at the studio.

As a business journalist who covers today's Walt Disney Co. _ an enormous media conglomerate that includes movies, theme parks and the ABC television network _ I was particularly interested in the portrayal of Disney as a corporate tyrant who, early on, strove to create a collaborative worker's utopia even as he pushed his animators to their limits.

In his earliest days, Disney was torn between a desire to be loved by his workers and a need to exercise total control of each project.

"It would be a place for work, but also for fun, a place in which the sense of community would be almost as important as the animations, and a place in which the demands of adulthood could be kept at bay," Gabler writes of the "Laugh-O-Gram" studio, Walt's first animation company in Kansas City.

Disney tried to maintain that sense of fun after the move to his first major studio in Los Angeles, where Mickey Mouse was born in 1928 and "Snow White," the first feature-length cartoon, was produced in 1937.

But financial and creative pressures, combined with Disney's need for absolute control, created resentment among his animators that bubbled to the surface in an ugly strike in 1940.

Disney was also forced to cede some of his control over his studio in 1940, issuing stock to the public _ a move he long resisted and always resented. Disney rarely attended board meetings, even though he served as chairman, and told associates he would quit before he let the board run "his" business.

The war years hardened Disney, who became more politically conservative, convinced that Communists were behind the studio strike.

The studio survived by producing training and propaganda films, including a Donald Duck short first entitled "Donald Goes Nutzi," then later renamed "Der Fuehrer's Face," after the popular song the cartoon introduced.

After the war, Disney's interest in the studio waned and he took little interest in such animated fare as "Lady and the Tramp" and "Sleeping Beauty."

But his passions were reignited by his reimagined version of an amusement park. Disneyland allowed Disney to regain control and to create his own version of reality.

"In the end, it was not the control of wonder that made Disneyland so overwhelming to its visitors; like so much else in Walt Disney's career, it was the wonder of control," Gabler writes.

Besides restoring Disney to the stature of creative genius he deserves, Gabler's book also serves another purpose _ it washes out the bad taste left by last year's "Disney War," by James B. Stewart.

Stewart's book detailed the double dealing and dysfunction at the company that marked the period from about 1994 to 2005, when chief executive Michael Eisner _ the longest running CEO since Disney himself _ was essentially forced out.

Eisner was succeeded by Robert Iger, who has, in little more than a year, brought two people into the Disney fold who each have been compared to Disney himself _ Apple Computer Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs and Pixar Animation Studio creative head John Lasseter.

Today, the company is on the verge of a new era, poised to expand its theme park empire into mainland China, something that would have thrilled Disney.

But the company's animation efforts have been a critical and financial disaster over the past decade, a trend Disney hopes to reverse by putting Lasseter in charge of both Pixar and Disney animation.

Iger has said reviving Disney's animation is a top priority for the company. As executives consider the wisdom of flooding the market with such direct-to-DVD titles as "Bambi II" and "Cinderella III," they might want to consider a slogan Disney kept pasted inside his hat from the time he had been urged to make a sequel to his wildly popular 1933 cartoon short, "Three Little Pigs."

"You can't top pigs with pigs!" it said.

Top
Disney sends 'Pirates' to iTunes

Disney has confirmed plans to release hit movies 'Cars' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' through iTunes US by Christmas.

The Disney/Pixar classic 'Cars' emerged as the number one animated movie this year. It will be made available through iTunes US from 7 November.

'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' follows one month later, appearing for sale on iTunes US from 5 December.

Top
Borat Make Fool Big of Disney

The media is abuzz with the results of the latest box-office contest. News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan -- rest assured, that's the first and last time in which I write out the full title -- beat Disney's (NYSE: DIS) family pic The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause in what was essentially the equivalent of a David-and-Goliath biblical battle.

The stats are overpowering -- Borat mocked its way to the top spot, pulling in more than $26.4 million domestically (all movie data courtesy Boxofficemojo.com). Disney's The Santa Clause 3 grossed $19.5 million, coming in second. It couldn't even crack $20 million. Ouch. In comparison, the first picture in the series did about the same amount of money in its opening, while the second one grossed $29 million. Other flicks that got bumped by the celluloid phenomenon include a co-production by DreamWorks Animation (NYSE: DWA) and Aardman Animations called Flushed Away, which made $18.8 million and was distributed by Viacom's (NYSE: VIA) Paramount unit; and Lions Gate Entertainment's (NYSE: LGF) ode to pain Saw 3, which captured $14.8 million this past weekend.

Here's the metric that's fascinating movie economists: Borat's per-theater average was an outstanding $31,607. The Santa Clause 3's per-theater average was $5,640. The Disney film was booked in more than four times as many locations as Borat -- in fact, the latter was in considerably less than 1,000 theaters.

I knew Borat would do well, but I didn't predict this. I thought Bob Iger had everything under control, since the Santa Clause had done well in the past. Donning my Monday-morning quarterback uniform, I can see that Borat was destined to upset all the biggies. Whenever I saw a clip of the character's shenanigans, I found myself musing -- after settling down from laughing at levels dangerous to physiological status quo -- about the inarguable genius of the concept and the effective skill of the promotional machine behind it. Borat and his satirical parade were everywhere, and prospective ticket buyers became hooked.

These results make me question Bob Iger's decision to reduce Disney's live-action movie output and focus on Disney-branded films. As can be seen, there will never be a guarantee that a film carrying the Disney label as opposed to the Touchstone moniker will be a runaway hit. To me, this is just too limiting a strategy, and it doesn't allow the company to expose itself to a wide variety of ideas. Reducing the number of movies the studio greenlights is also questionable, since it takes a lot of attempts to score a few big hits. It's difficult to predict which piece of celluloid will be the next Titanic, so it's best to seed a bunch of productions. Sure, The Chronicles of Narnia and Pirates of the Caribbean have been huge hits for the company, but does that mean that the studio should forgo concentrating on finding another Armageddon? OK, I didn't like the film, either, but it grossed more than $550 million worldwide back in 1998.

There's value to distributing movies outside the Disney banner. You'll never see Walt Disney Pictures presenting racy, horrific plotlines, but they can make money just as well as a Pirates picture can -- and maybe at lesser budgets. In the end, Disney will do what it wants and what it feels comfortable with -- but it should remember this past weekend. It should also remember that, as Rick Munarriz previously pointed out, Touchstone was created to explore financial opportunities with more intense fare after Disney's movie The Black Hole was given a PG rating. That made sense then, and it makes sense today.

There's a lesson to be learned from Borat -- don't underestimate the competition. Robust marketing and hip satire can trump big franchises. Solution? Program a diversified portfolio of product under a variety of branding techniques. The Disney brand is powerful, don't get me wrong; you've got your Narnia's and your Pirates, but you've also got your third Santa Clause and your Shaggy Dog remake -- which, by the way, also starred Tim Allen.

Top
Country music lifts ABC

Country music pushed ABC to the front on Monday, a night when the Disney-owned network usually trails. ABC averaged 15.9 million for the three-hour CMA Awards. ABC easily placed first in total viewers and the 18-to-49 crowd.

CBS was second in total viewers, with 12.5 million, and edged NBC, with 12.2 million. But NBC was ahead of CBS in the 18-to-49 crowd. Monday was another weak night for Fox, which pulled in 7.2 million. The CW managed 3 million.

The CMA Awards dominated the 8 to 10 p.m. slots. But CBS' "CSI: Miami" pulled in front at 10 p.m. by averaging 16.5 million. NBC's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" was way behind with 7.8 million.

At 8 p.m., NBC's "Deal or No Deal" ranked second with 14.5 million. Fox's "Prison Break" averaged 8.6 million. CBS was showing weakness with its comedies: "How I Met Your Mother" pulled 8.4 million, and "The Class" enlisted 7.7 million. Far behind were two CW comedies: "Everybody Hates Chris" amused 3.5 million, and "All of Us" welcomed 3.1 million.

At 9 p.m., CBS' "Two and a Half Men" attracted 14.5 million, but the audience fell to 11.6 million for "The New Adventures of Old Christine." NBC's "Heroes" remained a potent force with 14.3 million. The picture looks dire for Fox's "Justice," which averaged 5.8 million. In last place for the hour were the CW comedies "Girlfriends" (2.9 million) and "The Game" (nearly 2.9 million).

Top
Novadrome Set to Begin Combat on Xbox Live Arcade

Arenas far from Earth will soon be filled with intense vehicle combat. Buena Vista Games today announced details about Novadrome, a sci-fi vehicle combat game, for Xbox Live Arcade. Developed by Stainless Games Ltd. exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Novadrome puts gamers behind the wheel of an armed, buggy-style vehicle to face off in gladiatorial combat on a distant planet. With three single-player options and a frantic multiplayer mode, the game will be available for download worldwide this Holiday.

"Immensely fun to play, easily available and affordable, Novadrome captures what gamers are looking for in an Xbox Live Arcade title," said Michael Ryder, senior vice president of global production, Buena Vista Games. "Offline, players can battle enemies or explore sprawling arenas filled with obstacles and power-ups. After learning the basics, they can then vie for ultimate bragging rights by engaging friends and other Xbox Live Arcade combatants through the highly customizable online multiplayer mode."

"We took our renowned experience of making intense vehicle combat games and put it into an extremely addictive game -- Novadrome," said Patrick Buckland, managing director of Stainless Games Ltd. "Novadrome will have Xbox Live Arcade gamers speeding around large sci-fi environments in an effort to destroy enemy vehicles."

Features:

  • 24 unique vehicles from which to choose
  • 15 arenas of continuous, furious action
  • Includes car-mounted beam, particle and physics weapons
  • Play for bragging rights - Top the leaderboards to become the ultimate champion
  • Multiple gameplay modes and event types to choose from - featuring Career, Arcade, Free Play and Multiplayer Modes
  • Challenge your captors - Obliterate your alien abductors in action-packed boss encounters

About Stainless Games

Stainless was the team behind the original award winning, multimillion-selling Carmageddon franchise. Based on the Isle of Wight, England, Stainless Games Ltd is now at the forefront of Xbox Live Arcade content creation. For more information, please log on to www.stainlessgames.com.

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to www.bvg.com.

Top
PMO director to conduct at Disney this holiday

This holiday season, Brian Breed, director of Purdue Musical Organizations, will bring his signature energy and Christmas joy to thousands of children and adults at "the Happiest Place on Earth."
"If you're going to be at Disney - I mean, animation is their business," said Breed. "I'm not a low-key kind of conductor."

For the second year in a row, Breed has been invited to be a guest conductor for The Candlelight Processional in the America Gardens Theater at Walt Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla. The processional is an epic retelling of the Nativity story.

Disney, he said, is a company known for taking its mission for quality productions and business very seriously.

"They are supremely professional and can bring in anybody from the world," said Breed.

Steve Schlenk, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts and assistant to the director, said that Breed's energy is one of his greatest and best assets.

"Brian brings a lot of energy and a very fresh way of working with a large group of singers," said Schlenk. "He gets the work done and has fun while doing it."

Rick Mizell, music director for Walt Disney Entertainment, was impressed by Breed's extensive experience working with completely voluntary teams of students in Purdue Musical Organizations.

"He's working with students that are really doing it for the love of the music," he said. He thinks working with volunteers, as opposed to professionals, takes a certain type of patient individual.

Breed is honored to be part of the processional, which features hundreds of high school and college choir members from around the country, a 52-piece orchestra and a slew of volunteer Disney cast members.

"The sheer size is inspiring," he said. "It's the largest live production that (Disney) does and it's just a logistical marvel."

He is most looking forward to working with the 65 Walt Disney World cast choir members during each performance, a group that rotates and changes with every show. Since they are volunteers, "they're totally connected to the spirit," said Breed.

The musical passion Breed so effortlessly passes on to those he collaborates with is another quality that contributes to his successes. Schlenk, who was part of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club led by Breed, said, "he encourages us to have fun and work hard at the same time."

But the track goes both ways.

"(Breed) is inspired by people who do it just for the love of the music," said Mizell, and appreciates the enthusiastic motivation that Breed brings with him.

The Candlelight Processional will be held three times per night, for more than five weeks during the holiday season. Breed will be featured from Dec. 13 to 16.

Top
Tickets Now Available for Inaugural Old Spice Classic at Disney's Wide World of Sports

Single-session tickets and daily game tickets are now on sale for The Old Spice Classic. The ESPN Regional Television (ERT) owned-and-operated event will feature eight-teams competing in a 12-game Division I college men’s basketball tournament played over three days during Thanksgiving weekend at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla.

While tournament packages were already available for $90 for all 12 games through Ticketmaster, individual games are now available for $15 each and day tickets are $30 each. All tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster at (407) 839-3900 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Disney’s box office located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex, the premier sports venue for amateur and professional sporting events in the nation.

The competition will take place Nov. 23, 24 and 26. The tournament field will feature a number of storied college basketball programs: Arkansas, Marist, Minnesota, Montana, Southern Illinois, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Western Michigan. The tournament will include four games on each day with every participating team playing daily. The two undefeated teams will face off in a championship match to culminate the final day of competition.

Fans can log onto www.oldspiceclassic.com for additional information and the competition format for the event. Each game will be televised on one of the ESPN networks. A full list of the tournament and television schedule is below.

Basketball fans who want to attend this event can also purchase travel packages through Anthony Travel by visiting www.anthonytravel.com or by calling 800-736-6377.

OLD SPICE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Date Time (ET) Game TV
Thurs., Nov. 23 12 :00 p.m. Arkansas vs. Southern Illinois ESPN2
2 :00 p.m. Marist vs. Minnesota ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. W. Michigan ESPN2
9:30 p.m. W. Virginia vs. Montana ESPN2

Fri., Nov. 24 10:30 a.m. Game #5 ESPN2
12:30 p.m. Game #6 ESPN2
5:00 p.m. Game #7 ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Game #8 ESPN2

Sun., Nov. 26 11:00 a.m. Game #9 (7th/8th Place) ESPNU
1:00 p.m. Game #10 (5th/6th Place) ESPNU
5:30 p.m. Game #11 (3rd/4th Place) ESPN2
7:30 p.m. Game #12 (1st Place/2nd Place) ESPN2

Top
Disney's 'The Lion King' Tix Start Roaring Sunday

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway Across America– Ft. Lauderdale are pleased to announce that tickets for the triumphant South Florida return of DISNEY‛S THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 8am. Performances begin Thursday, April 19, 2007 for a limited engagement of 7 weeks through Sunday, June 3, 2007 at Ft. Lauderdale‛s Broward Center for the Performing Arts located at 201 SW 5th Avenue in downtown Ft. Lauderdale. To get to the Broward Center, take I-95 to Broward Boulevard and head east to SW 5th Avenue; the parking garage for the Broward Center is immediately on the right; and the Broward Center is located just south of the parking garage.

The official opening night is Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 8pm. Ticket buyers are invited to special box office opening festivities on Sunday, November 12 beginning at 7am at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The first 100 ticket buyers in line will receive a free THE LION KING Original Broadway Cast Recording CD; all other ticket buyers in line will receive a free THE LION KING T-shirt (one merchandise item per order, while supplies last). Refreshments will be provided from 7am to 9am. Radio stations Hot 105 and Coast 97.3 will be on-site broadcasting throughout the day and providing giveaways. Disney's THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 1pm and 6:30pm, with an additional performance on Wednesday, May 2 at 2pm. There will be no Sunday evening performance on May 6. Ticket prices range from $23.25 to $75.25 for general seating. VIP Ticket Packages are available for $133.25 and include prime Center Orchestra seating, a commemorative souvenir program, and the complimentary VIP show merchandise item. Ticket prices listed are not inclusive of applicable handling or service charges which may vary. Purchase tickets only from the following authorized ticket sellers at Broadway Across America – Ft. Lauderdale, Broward Center AutoNation Box Office or Ticketmaster.

Now in its tenth sold-out year on Broadway, THE LION KING is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

The United States National Tour coming to Ft. Lauderdale is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, a second United States National Tour, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Seoul. Future international productions include one opening in June 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa and a French-language one opening in September 2007 in Paris. Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for THE LION KING. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer. Beginning Sunday, November 12, tickets will be available in person at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office at 8am.

Tickets may by purchased by phone and internet beginning at 10am through the Broward Center Box office at 954-462-0222 or www.browardcenter.org , and Ticketmaster phones at 954-523-3309 in Broward, 305-358-5885 in Dade, and 561-966-3309 in Palm Beach or at www.ticketmaster.com. The Broward Center AutoNation Box Office window will close at 5pm. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster outlets, and please note outlet times vary, and I recommend checking with your local Ticketmaster outlet in advance. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling the Broward Center at 954-462-0222 or Broadway Across America at 1-800-6-GROUPS (647-6877). VIP Ticket Packages will be available at the theatre beginning Sunday, November 12 and can also be purchased Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm, by calling Ticketmaster or through the VIP Hotline at 877-783-4VIP (4847) or by calling the Broward Center at 954-462-0222.

Top
Disney planning a new Western Beltway Property

Disney is rumored to be planning a new tourist and retail development near to the newly constructed Western Way junction with the Western Beltway, Western Way skirts the edge of Coronado Springs on the Blizzard Beach side. The focus of the development is set to be "value" based, and includes shopping, dining, and accommodation. While not yet named, the project is currently labelled as the "Western Beltway Property".

Features:

  • 270,000 sq ft retail town centre, expanding up to 400,000 sq ft at build-out
  • Retail outlets
  • Grocery store
  • Casual sit-down dining
  • Fast food locations
  • Gas stores
  • Convenience stores
  • Gift stores
  • 3100 value hotel rooms
  • 1300 time share units
  • Bus transportation stops

The project is currently divided into 5 phases, with the initial phase to include the hotel and retail town centre. Something that sets this apart from other developments, is the inclusion of elements such as a town centre, featuring a park, fountains and foot paths. The development is planned to be landscaped, and walker-friendly.

There is currently no timeline available, or confirmation that the project will go ahead. It is however in a detailed planning phase.

For a map view click the link below.

http://www.floridasturnpike.com/maps/UpdatedMaps2006/WesternBeltway06-01-06.pdf

Top
 
AdAge is reporting that Radio Disney will be producing advertising supported content. Radio Disney focuses on the 6-14 year old segment and has been repacking existing content into podcasts. So far there have been 170,000 downloads of Radio Disney podcasts.

The ad supported version of the podcasts will start in June and will have inserts into the weekly podcasts. Video game company THQ is the first advertiser to sign on.

Top
Events Galore at Disney

Food and fine wine, fine art and folk art, daytime TV stars and millions of lights twinkling at night plus the first hearty "Ho-Ho-Ho!" of the holiday season are all on tap Nov. 10-13 at Walt Disney World Resort.

It's an "extended weekend" during which special events prevail throughout the Vacation Kingdom, including Festival of the Masters presented by Sharpie® at Downtown Disney, ABC Super Soap Weekend presented by Colgate Total at Disney-MGM Studios, the conclusion of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party of 2006 at Magic Kingdom, and the unveiling of The Osborne Family's Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Sylvania at Disney-MGM Studios.

Here's some additional information about what's in store:

31st annual Festival of the Masters presented by Sharpie (Nov. 10-12) -- Sculptors, photographers and painters -- more than 200 award-winning fine artists from 29 states plus Israel -- will show off their diverse creations, transforming Downtown Disney into an outdoor gallery. Participants, who are honorees from art festivals around the United States, will vie for awards totaling $40,000 in 10 categories: clay; drawing, printmaking and digital art; glass; jewellery; leather, wood, fiber and paper; mixed media and collage; painting; photography; sculpture; and watercolor. In addition, House of Blues has confirmed 42 folk artists for the eighth annual "Where the Art Meets the Soul" Folk Art Festival which runs concurrently. The weekend also features live musical entertainment, chalk art and children's activities during festival hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission or parking. For more information, call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com/art.

11th annual ABC Super Soap Weekend presented by Colgate Total (Nov. 11-12) -- "All My Children" star Susan Lucci will headline a lineup of ABC's daytime stars at Disney-MGM Studios, with a special guest appearance by "The View's" newest co-host, Rosie O'Donnell. The annual fan-fest -- the largest soap fan gathering held anywhere in the world -- will bring out more than 30 ABC Daytime stars from "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital." Festivities include celebrity motorcades, autograph sessions, talk shows, interviews and the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind memorabilia from each of the shows. The Colgate Total Street Jam will close the event each day with live musical performances by some favorite Daytime stars. On the eve of the weekend (Nov. 10), Colgate Total will present a 25th anniversary celebration of the wedding of Luke and Laura at Disney-MGM Studios. The can't-miss celebration on Friday afternoon will unite Anthony Geary and Genie Francis in their first public appearance in decades. Their infamous nuptials 25 years ago were seen by more than 30 million viewers -- the largest audience in daytime TV history. The fun is included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

11th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival (event that began Sept. 29 concludes Nov. 12) -- This is the final weekend to "Explore Regional Flavors" at more than two dozen international marketplaces around Epcot World Showcase featuring cuisine and wine from regions of countries that include Spain, India, Italy, Turkey, Ireland, Poland and more. Guests can immerse themselves in cultural experiences or sip to learn at a wine seminar. They can expand their culinary repertoire at one of many cooking demonstrations. Saturday, Nov. 11, marks the final Party for the Senses -- a really grand tasting of beverages and food plus delights for the eyes and ears (requires a reservation through 407/WDW-DINE). Cuban-born singer and songwriter Jon Secada brings down the curtain on the Eat to the Beat! concert series with three performances daily Nov. 9-12 at America Gardens Theatre (included with Epcot admission -- as are seminars and cooking demonstrations). Epcot guests can sample the marketplace cuisine and wines for $1.50-$4.50.

The Osborne Family's Spectacle of Dancing Lights presented by Sylvania (begins Nov. 13 and runs through Jan. 7, 2007) -- By night this holiday season, the Streets of America backlot cityscape at Disney-MGM Studios will sparkle with "lights, music, dancing" as the Osborne family's popular holiday show comes alive in a whole new way. The spectacle of millions of sparkling lights has been enhanced to include choreographed "dancing" lights which swirl and soar to an exhilarating medley of holiday music every 15 minutes, thanks to electronic wizardry featuring more than 400 dimmers. Every building façade, all the trees, wreaths, bells and holiday figures dance to classic tunes among Florida "snow flurries." The light show is in collaboration with Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne, who developed the display for his daughter. When his idea outgrew his home, he worked with Disney to provide a new home for the seasonal fun. The dazzling spectacle is included with Disney-MGM Studios admission.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Nov. 13 is the first of 18 evenings in November and December when the party occurs) -- Holiday merriment fills Magic Kingdom from 7 p.m. till midnight during an after-hours party where guests experience the enchantment of the famous "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade" (featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus), festive live stage shows, Disney characters in their holiday best for meet-and-greets, and the nighttime spectacular "Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season," a winter wonderland of dazzling fireworks set to classic holiday tunes. There are carolers, cocoa, Christmas cookies and even "snow flurries" on Main Street, U.S.A. In addition, guests can experience some of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions. Dates are Nov. 13, 17, 27, 28, 30 and Dec. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22. Admission to the party requires a separate ticket. Tickets are $45.95 plus tax (ages 10/up) and $37.95 plus tax (ages 3-9) -- but with advance purchase, guests can save $6 per ticket for select dates. Note: Many party nights historically have sold out in advance. To purchase tickets, call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com.

Top

Monday November 6, 2006
 
A proposed housing project in the midst of the Happiest Place on Earth has some Disneyland officials upset.

Anaheim City Council members want to build more than 1,000 condos and 200 apartments near the resort to help relieve a housing shortage but Disney officials are fearful it could degrade the area.

Not that long ago, the vicinity surrounding the amusement park was overrun with cheap motels and tacky retail shops.

The eyesore changed drastically, however, after more than six (b) billion dollars in private and public money was poured into the resort district.

Now, the proposed housing project is leaving city officials to debate which is more important: pleasing Anaheim's largest employer or creating more housing.

Cynthia King is the director of Cal State Fullerton's Center for Entertainment and Tourism. She says the two sides have no choice but to find a middle ground.

She says, quote: "They can't get divorced."

Top
Disney Records brings digital touch to its vaults

There's no occasion like a gold anniversary to start polishing the family heirlooms, and the preservation team at Walt Disney Records has been working overtime to bring its vaunted catalog into the digital age.

The fruits of their labor? Two new commemorative sets, the restoration of some of the earliest classics and a landmark exhibition of the music's influence through the years.

"There's certainly the obligation to preserve this legacy and keep it alive for future generations," label senior vice president and general manager Robert Marick says. "And we've never had one place where our entire history was pulled together."

The Music Behind the Magic exhibit, which opens Saturday (November 4) at Seattle's Experience Music Project, highlights the milestones that punctuate Walt Disney Records' 50-year, 15,000-recording catalog and the history of the Walt Disney Co. before the label's formation.

The complementary two-CD set "The Music Behind the Magic," which arrives November 7, is a chronological journey through Disney music beginning with 1933's "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" from the classic short "The Three Little Pigs" through this year's Disney Channel movie "High School Musical."

A booklet, with an introduction by critic Leonard Maltin, contains historical notes on each track and images of original album covers.

Among the 50 gems from Disney film, TV, theme parks and Broadway musicals are pieces of pop culture history, like Annette Funicello singing the theme from the movie "The Monkey's Uncle" backed by a then-unknown group called the Beach Boys.

"There's even more musical history there because that song was written by the Sherman Brothers, who were just coming off the wild success of 'Mary Poppins,"' says Ted Kryzko, vice president of A&R catalog development.

A second set, "The Archive Collection," is a digital, iTunes-only release of 50 unique versions of Disney songs aimed squarely at audio- and Disney-philes.

Although Disney has released archival recordings in the past, the digital age has recast the retail climate. Previously released archive albums will be part of the first wave of 10 restored digital albums that Walt Disney Records begins selling on iTunes this month.

Other titles include albums by Mary Martin and Hayley Mills, and "A Child's Garden of Verses," a folk album previously released only on vinyl.

"Now in the digital realm we have a great opportunity to put out these gems," Kryzko says.

Top
Disney-packaged pop stars purrrr-fectly happy on tour, living out their dreams

"Hiiiii, John! It's Adrienne with the Cheetah Girls!"

The amped-up voice on the other end of the line belongs to Adrienne Bailon, who plays Chanel, a founding member of the girl-powered -- or, in Cheetah Girls parlance, "growl-powered" -- pop group. She's calling before a concert in Washington, D.C., 20 minutes behind schedule.

"I'm sooo sorry," Bailon says. "We got caught up in a wardrobe fitting."

Hey, we know how it is. On second thought, most of us don't have a clue. But we can imagine what a whirlwind existence the Cheetah Girls are leading at the moment, right?

They're the stars of two wildly popular made-for-television Disney movies. They've sold more than 2 million CDs. And now they're in the middle of a 60-date North American tour, with sold-out shows from coast to coast.

"It's crazy -- we sold more tickets than the New York Yankees in September," says Sabrina Bryan, aka Dorinda.

Being a Cheetah Girl must be exhausting at times.

"Definitely," Bryan says. "There are days when we get up and we're just like, Ohmigosh!' But at the same time, we're doing everything we love."

Their repertoire includes "Cheetah Sisters," "Cinderella," "Girl Power" and other bouncy, family-friendly tunes, while their vocabulary is awash in colorful terms such as "cheetah-licious" (translation: coolest of the cool), "cheetah chatter" (small talk) and "cheetah cheddar" (money).

The multiracial (black, Latina, white) group of aspiring divettes made its small-screen debut with a self-titled movie in 2003, accompanied by a soundtrack album and a "special edition" soundtrack album. Last year brought a Christmas CD and a holiday tour.

A follow-up movie, "The Cheetah Girls 2," took the group from its natural habitat of New York City to Spain. It premiered in August on the Disney Channel and spawned yet another soundtrack, which made a Top 5 debut on the Billboard 200 album chart.

"Every little girl out there can relate to us," Bailon says. "They see themselves as one of us. We're just regular girls like them whose dreams came true."

The fans are mostly girls in the coveted "tween" demographic, between the ages of 8 and 14, says group co-manager Melissa Wiechmann.

"They all come to the concerts in their cheetah outfits," Wiechmann says. "We get some boys and some dads. But primarily it's a bonding experience between daughters and moms. It's a night out for them."

Just don't come expecting to see Raven. The "She's So Raven" star, who portrays Galleria in the Cheetah Girls movies, hasn't hit the road with the group, amid rumors of behind-the-scenes catfights between her and Bailon.

"None of that is true," Bailon says. "Raven is on tour now herself, promoting a solo album. We're going to be checking out her show. We're supporting her and she's supporting us. Her mom came to our show in L.A."

Friendship is at the heart of everything the Cheetah Girls represent, says author Deborah Gregory, whose series of best-selling Cheetah Girls novels for young adults launched the Cheetah Girls phenomenon in the late 1990s.

"They're my babies," Gregory says. "When I was younger, I wanted to be a singer, but not because I could sing. It was just a fantasy, a way to escape."

The Cheetah Girls "are lucky enough to have talent," Gregory says. "When you have a gift, you have something to help transcend your background."

In this case, you also have the makings of a hot Disney song-and-dance property, paving the way for the blockbuster "High School Musical" and the hit TV series "Hannah Montana."

Bailon is quick to pounce on the fact the Cheetah Girls were first. "We like to see ourselves as the older sisters of the pack," she says.

"We all love musicals," Wiechmann says. "When I was a kid, it was Footloose' and Grease.' Before then, it was West Side Story.' "

The Cheetah Girls movies, "High School Musical" and "Hannah Montana" are "the musicals for this generation," Wiechmann says.

"We're part of a larger trend," says the Cheetah Girls' Kiely Williams, aka Aquanette (Aqua for short). "It's really just about teens expressing themselves, creatively and positively. We're filling a need for positive role models."

Positive role models? Not so fast, says Henry Giroux, a professor of cultural studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and author of "The Mouse That Roared," a critique of the Disney empire.

"The problem with this stuff is it really exudes a false optimism," Giroux says. "When you wish upon a star, it does make a difference who you are."

In the Disney worldview, "all the messy complexities of history, with its racism and its vast inequalities, disappear," he says. "We end up with a notion of differences that is as saccharine as it is depthless."

Giroux encourages parents to use, say, a Cheetah Girls concert as an opportunity to talk to children about the messages being foisted upon them in the name of entertainment.

"We need to recognize Disney is not just about innocence," he says. "It's also a corporate power that is absolutely consumed with turning kids into consumers and making money."

The Cheetah Girls already have their own video game and their own clothing line. They recently posed for a line of Cheetah Girls dolls. There also is talk of another Cheetah Girls movie, among other projects.

"I'm sure Disney has plenty of stuff planned for the Cheetah Girls," Wiechmann says.

As for the Cheetah Girls themselves, they're excited about their next CD, due in stores next summer.

"We'll be making a real album, not a soundtrack," Bailon says. Before she and Williams became Cheetah Girls, they were members of the R&B trio 3LW.

"Some of the music on there will be produced by will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas," Bailon says. "It's important for people to see us as a real musical group. We have all this great marketing around us, with the movies and other things. But we are a musical group."

Top
Disneyland auditions to try out whole new world

Disneyland officials will step outside the Magic Kingdom into the colorful streets of Little Saigon this weekend on a quest for performers and entertainers.

Representatives from Disneyland's casting department will spend about eight hours holding auditions and talking to Vietnamese-American residents about the perks and pleasures of working with Mickey Mouse.

The auditions will be in the community room at the Nguoi Viet Daily News on Moran Street.

It's the first time Orange County's largest employer has left the amusement park to tap the talents of a specific community, spokesman Bob Tucker said.

"We've always tried to reach out to different communities," he said. "But it wasn't until recently that we happened upon Little Saigon."

Today and Sunday, Disneyland representatives will be looking for people to play costumed characters and serve as the character hosts who escort the crowd favorites around the park.

Michael Serna, casting director for parades and characters, said he is looking for people "who are energetic, outgoing and performance-oriented."

"We want people who are excited about Disneyland," he said.

But getting through to the Vietnamese-American population, which is tightknit and more or less enclosed within a 3-square-mile sliver of Westminster, was a challenge, Tucker said.

"We put up a flier first, but realized soon that the words 'casting' or 'performance' did not translate into Vietnamese," he said.

So they had to clarify exactly what the auditions would cover and whom they wanted, Tucker said.

Disney made an inroad into the community through Nguoi Viet Daily News, considered the largest Vietnamese-language daily in the United States.

Minh-An La-Pham, spokeswoman for Nguoi Viet, said Disneyland officials got the idea for the audition at last year's Taste and Tour of Little Saigon.

"They were really impressed by how petite the hostesses were and said people that size would be ideal to work for them," she said.

But Tucker said size is not a consideration.

"That aspect is not an issue as far as we are concerned," he said. "It's not the reason we're going out to Little Saigon."

La-Pham said fliers for the audition are going fast.

"In this community, everything is word of mouth," she said. "A lot of people seem to be interested to try out."

Several Vietnamese Americans already work at Disneyland.

Mai Vo, a Fullerton College student, and Nataly Lam, an Orange Coast College student, say they enjoy working in the park.

The perks, such as free passes to Disneyland and California Adventure, are just too good to pass up, the women said.

And the Disney name on their résumés doesn't hurt.

The 19-year-old Lam, who has worked at Disneyland for four years, started in food service and moved to the entertainment department. She is a host for such characters as Mickey Mouse and various princesses.

An aspiring teacher, Lam says her present job has helped her understand children, their psychology and body language.

But her audition was "nerve-racking," she said.

"I didn't get in the first time," said Lam, who dances and plays piano. "I had to try again."

Lam said she senses the excitement in Little Saigon, where her father owns a restaurant.

"One of my dad's customers told him he's taking his daughter to the audition," she said. "They're pretty thrilled in Little Saigon. They understand that Disney's a big name."

The audition seems to be a win-win for Disneyland and Little Saigon.  

For example, when the park recruited Hispanic people in 2001, company officials relaxed the "no mustache rule" that had been in effect since the '50s, he said.

Tucker maintains that size, facial hair or even language is not a barrier for someone to work in Disneyland.

"A lot of times, our characters don't speak," he said. "When a child's face lights up, you don't need too many words to understand that."

Top
In the biggest "dream" awarded so far to a Disneyland Resort guest in "The Year of a Million Dreams," Estella Villegas of Murrieta, California (Riverside County) was randomly selected to receive a 14-day Mediterranean cruise for four departing from Port Canaveral May 2007 on Disney Cruise Line. 

Villegas was informed of her incredible luck by members of the Disney Dream Squad during a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim with her two daughters, Pamela, age 19, and Sarah, age 18. It was their first visit on their newly purchased Disneyland Annual Passports, and they were just disembarking from "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" in Fantasyland. In keeping with the random process by which dreams are awarded in the unique Disney Dreams Giveaway, Villegas happened to be sitting in just the right seat at just the right time to win the Dream Cruise.

"This is all a surreal experience!" Villegas said after winning the cruise. "I feel great about it, and I'm really excited, especially since I can do it with my daughters."

The May cruise will actually be the inaugural Mediterranean voyage for the Disney Cruise Line, which has previously sailed the Caribbean and the Pacific. The ship will depart from Port Canaveral, Florida, cross the Atlantic and visit such ports as Barcelona, Naples and Marseille.

As Disneyland Resort celebrates "The Year of a Million Dreams," now and throughout 2007, members of the Disney Dream Squad will roam Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks making dreams, big and small, come true for eligible guests. Many money-can't-buy experiences – from exclusive FASTPASS attraction tickets to a round-the-world vacation and a stay in the special Mickey Mouse Penthouse at the Disneyland Hotel - will be awarded at random, and there are other "Dreams Come True" opportunities for guests to meet and play with Disney Princesses, duel with Jedi Knights or join in the fun of the High School Musical Pep Rally.        
 

"The Year of a Million Dreams" celebration is taking place for 15 magical months at both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. During that time, literally millions of dreams will come true, making this a spectacular celebration like no other.

The 500-acre Disneyland Resort in southern California features two spectacular theme parks – the world-renowned original Disney theme park, Disneyland ("The Happiest Place on Earth") and Disney's California Adventure where Disney magic meets California fun, plus the Downtown Disney District, a public esplanade of unique and exciting dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. Resort hotels include the luxurious 745-room Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the surfside fun of the 502-room Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.

Top
'Cars' on DVD Tomorrow

Man's real best friend - his automobile - stars in the year's biggest animated hit, the story of one brash car that gets a tuneup on life. Owen Wilson provides the voice of a hotshot rookie race car stranded in a town that the highways forgot. He finds romance and learns that speed isn't everything as he's schooled by a crusty elder vehicle (Paul Newman) on the value of stopping to smell the fumes now and then. The DVD release for the latest comedy from the Disney-Pixar partnership is a compact car compared to the souped-up two-disc sets of their earlier hits, including "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles." The single-disc release includes the wonderful animated short "One Man Band" that preceded the movie in theaters, plus a new short cartoon featuring the rusty old tow truck of "Cars." The disc also has deleted scenes and fond recollections from director John Lasseter, who discusses his lifelong passion for cars and a family road trip that helped inspire the film. The DVD is available in widescreen or full-screen versions. DVD, $29.99. (Disney)

Top
Disney Set's US dates for big titles

Walt Disney Pictures has set US release dates for three of the studio's highly-anticipated upcoming movies.

Nicolas Cage will try to discover what is on the 18 pages missing from John Wilkes Booth's diary in National Treasure 2 on December 21, 2007.

The fantasy sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian hits theaters on May 16, 2008. 

Summer 2008 see's the mysterious new animated Pixar film, Wall-E, hit the theaters on June 27.

Top
Disney Picks Up New Bruckheimer Comedy

Walt Disney Pictures has picked up a comedy pitch by Andrea King and Andy Marx for Jerry Bruckheimer to produce via his Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

The Hollywood Reporter says the plot details are being kept under wraps, but it is a family comedy about dueling neighbors.

King was a writer for The Hollywood Reporter before turning to screenwriting. She acted as a consultant on "Sex and the City" and recently finished writing "Ex Factor" for the Team Todd. She is repped by CAA.

Marx, a descendant of the Marx Brothers who is married to DreamWorks Animation's Terry Press, was a publicist on such films as "The Terminator" and "Above the Law" before turning to screenwriting.

Top
 
Characters from "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "Hannah Montana," "American Dragon: Jake Long" and "That's So Raven" are available on Nintendo handheld video game systems this fall.
 
Disney's Hannah Montana (Nintendo DS), The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper (Game Boy Advance), Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long, Attack of the Dark Dragon (Nintendo DS) and Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long: Rise of the Huntsclan (Game Boy Advance) are now available. That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene (Nintendo DS) will be available on November 7. Published by Buena Vista Games, the titles are priced at $29.99 and are rated from E for Everyone to E10+ for Everyone 10 and older.

"This fall, kids of all ages can experience the fun of following characters from their favorite Disney Channel shows through a series of great new video games," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Buena Vista Games. "Whether at home or traveling during the holidays, kids can enjoy these all-new adventures on the Nintendo handheld system of their choice."

American Dragon: Jake Long, Attack of the Dark Dragon

Based on the popular Disney Channel show, "American Dragon: Jake Long," and developed by WayForward, American Dragon: Attack of the Dark Dragon for the Nintendo DS lets players take control of Jake, who must punch and kick his way through an onslaught of villains to save girlfriend Rose from the Dark Dragon. American Dragon: Attack of the Dark Dragon boasts five distinct worlds with more than 20 levels. When Jake transforms into the America Dragon, players can release dragon fire, perform jump attacks, whip with a tail swipe and take flight in 3D with up to four friends in wireless mode.

American Dragon: Jake Long, Rise of the Huntsclan

In American Dragon: Jake Long, Rise of the Huntsclan for the Game Boy Advance, players must use kung-fu action and dragon fire to stop the evil Huntsman from destroying New York City. This fast-paced, action-adventure game from developer WayForward has more than 20 levels with battles at every turn. The game also features a flying wireless mode for up to four players.

Disney's Hannah Montana

Thirteen-year-old Miley Stewart lives a double life as girl-next-door and pop sensation in the Disney Channel original show, "Hannah Montana." In Disney's Hannah Montana for the Nintendo DS, developed by DC Studios, someone is threatening to reveal Miley's secret and it's up to the player to determine who it is. Playing as Miley, gamers must use spy skills and gadgetry to investigate their school, the boardwalk, stadium and beach to uncover hidden clues and solve the mystery. Players can interact with their favorite characters from the show using a branching dialogue system while exploring familiar "Hannah Montana" environments, and meet hilarious new characters along the way. Mini-games include a wireless two-player skateboard, rollerblade and scooter challenge and a mode that enables players to share clothes in Miley's secret wardrobe with others via wireless connection.

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper for the Game Boy Advance takes players on a daring adventure with the 12-year-old twins at the Tipton Hotel. The boys are on a mission...crawling, climbing, jumping, racing and wearing disguises to conquer enemy forces, when they discover a plot to steal the crown from a Teen Beauty Pageant being held at the hotel. Players control the twins independently or team up in fun-filled missions to ensure the thief is stopped and the night is a success, all while trying not to get caught.

That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene

Developed by Handheld Games, That's So Raven: Psychic on the Scene challenges players to solve a hare-brained mystery brought on by one of Raven's psychic visions. Taking the role of Raven or one of her friends, Chelsea or Eddie, players must gather clues to solve the mystery, fix fashion mishaps, save friends and progress through an array of fun puzzle challenges - all in 3D and for the first time ever on the Nintendo DS. Players can mix and match more than 40 different outfits, hairstyles and disguises, create custom clothing styles that can be shared over the wireless connection, sew new garments, and take the driver's seat in several exciting mini-games.

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). BVG publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. For more information, please log on to www.bvg.com.

Top
India OKs Volvo, Disney, Honda investments

India on Monday said it had approved 32 foreign direct investment proposals worth 2.5 billion rupees ($55.7 million) across a range of sectors and involving firms such as Volvo (VOLVb.ST), Walt Disney Co., Honda Motor Co.

The largest proposal cleared was a 1.4-billion-rupee plan by Singapore-based Walt Disney Co. (South East Asia) Pte. Ltd., a unit of the Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N), to invest in India's United Home Entertainment Ltd.

United runs the popular Hungama children's channel.

Volvo Bus Corp. received approval to form a joint venture with Bangalore-based Jaico Automobile Engineering with an initial investment of 272 million rupees ($6.06 million) to produce 1,000 bus bodies a year for the Indian market and possibly exports.

The government also gave a green light to Japan's Honda Motor Co. (7267.T) to set up a subsidiary for the management of its spare parts operations and business planning.

A 450-million-rupee proposal by U.S. firm Beekman Helix India Partners LLC to infuse capital into its Indian arm, which invests in companies engaged in real estate sector, was also among those cleared by Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram.

Top
THQ Publishing Disney Pixar's Latest

Ratatouille is the next animated film from Brad Bird, the director of The Incredibles, and is due summer 2007. And since no animated movie can go without a videogame tie-in, THQ has announced it will partner with Disney Pixar to publish the game.

The movie follows a rat name Remy who is looking to raise his stature in society and get a taste for the finer things in life. Developed by Heavy Iron Studios, who also translated The Incredibles, the Ratatouille game puts players in control of Remy and allows them to relive many of the film's moments in the form of mini-games and head-to-head multiplayer challenges.

No word yet as to whether or not pronouncing the game's name correctly is one of the mini-games.

Top
Disney's "Meet the Robinsons"

"Disney's next CG animated feature, "Meet the Robinsons," is based on the book "A Day with Wilbur Robinson" by William Joyce. Aside from the fact that the new trailer looks fairly amusing, I don't have much to offer in the way of opinion on this one.

Synopsis: "Lewis is a brilliant inventor with a surprising number of clever inventions to his credit. His latest and most ambitious project is the Memory Scanner, a machine that will help him find his birth mother so they can become a family. But before he can find her, his invention is stolen by the dastardly Bowler Hat Guy and his diabolical hat and constant companion, Doris.

Lewis has all but given up hope when a mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson whisks our bewildered hero away in a time machine and together they team up to track down Bowler Hat Guy in a showdown that ends with an unexpected and unbelievable twist of fate."

"Meet the Robinsons" hits theaters next March."

Top
'Finding Nemo-The Musical' to Make Splash In Live Stage Spectacular at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The undersea world that charmed audiences around the world in the Disney-Pixar smash-hit film "Finding Nemo" will come to life in an all-new musical stage show at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Preview performances begin in November with the premiere set for January 2007.

Featuring original songs by Tony Award-winning "Avenue Q" co-composer-creator Robert Lopez and a cappella musical "Along the Way" co-creator Kristen Anderson-Lopez, "Finding Nemo-The Musical" will immerse Walt Disney World guests in the story of Marlin and Nemo -- an overprotective clownfish father and his curious son -- through a dazzling production that combines puppets, dancers, aerialists and animated backdrops.

The visually inventive show represents the first time Disney has taken a non-musical animated feature, as well as the first Pixar film, and transformed it into an original musical production. It will be presented in the newly enclosed 1,500-seat Theater in the Wild, completely redone to accommodate first-class theatrical productions.

"In 'Finding Nemo,' directors Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich and the talented team at Pixar created a film filled with unforgettable characters and a story rich with honest emotions that resonated with audiences everywhere," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "The movie was a worldwide box-office success and an Academy Award winner.

"We are truly excited to bring this beloved story to life at Disney's Animal Kingdom in this live musical spectacular."

During "Finding Nemo-The Musical," Theater in the Wild will become a magical undersea environment through innovative lighting, sound, special effects, animated projections, and the theatrical puppetry of Michael Curry, who co-designed the richly detailed character puppets seen in the Broadway version of Disney's "The Lion King."

Principal characters such as Marlin, Nemo and Dory will be represented by live performers operating animated puppets. Some puppets are larger-than-life -- such as Crush, the cool sea turtle, who is nearly the size of a Volkswagen, and Nigel the pelican, who stands 22 feet tall.

Other characters will be portrayed by a diverse array of puppetry styles, including rod, Bunraku and shadow. Tap dancing sharks, puppets riding bicycles, and a punk rock routine by Bruce the shark create theatrical magic and fun throughout the big blue world.

"It is our goal to bring the undersea 'Nemo' characters to Disney's Animal Kingdom in a live setting in a way that captures what is truly special about the film," Rasulo continued. "This production will meet that challenge in a dynamic and wholly original way to bring us into the fantastic ocean world."

The director for the new show, Peter Brosius, is artistic director of The Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis, winner of the 2003 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The Broadway show "A Year with Frog and Toad," nominated for the Best Musical Tony Award, originated at The Children's Theatre Company.

"Finding Nemo-The Musical" is the first major musical produced for Walt Disney World Resort by Disney Creative Entertainment, which has received acclaim for its productions around the world, including "Disney's Aladdin" (at Disneyland Resort in California), "Festival of the Lion King" (at Hong Kong Disneyland), "Twice Charmed" (on the Disney Cruise Line) and "The Golden Mickeys" (at Hong Kong Disneyland and on the Disney Cruise Line).

"It's exciting to be involved in projects that introduce a new generation of future theatergoers to the work of internationally recognized creative talent through Broadway-caliber short-form shows that all audiences can appreciate," said Anne Hamburger, executive vice president of Disney Creative Entertainment. "Millions of children experience live theater for the first time during a visit to a Disney park."

"Finding Nemo-The Musical" tells the story of a father clownfish, Marlin, and his son, Nemo, each on a separate journey that ultimately teaches them how to love and understand each other. The two have been separated -- and Marlin will stop at nothing to get his son back, facing undersea challenges with his new friend Dory, who swim with the sharks, take on the jellyfish, and ride the current with Crush the turtle. Meanwhile, Nemo, relocated to a fish tank in Sydney, makes new friends who teach him that he's stronger than he thinks. When news of his father's heroic journey reaches the tank, Nemo is inspired to do whatever is necessary to escape the tank and see his father again.

"Finding Nemo-The Musical" is a 30-minute show, performed several times daily. Admission to Theater in the Wild is included with regular Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park admission. Guest information is available by calling 407/824-4321 or by visiting disneyworld.com.

Top
A Penthouse fit for a Mouse 

One of the most unusual VIP lodging experiences in the world, the all-new Mickey Mouse Penthouse will be among the dream surprises awarded to lucky Disneyland Resort guests as part of the Disney Dreams Giveaway during "The Year of a Million Dreams." Debuting December 1, 2006, and located atop the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California, the Mickey Mouse Penthouse is decorated with a happy mixture of luxury, technology and whimsy. 

Top
Tusker House at Animal Kingdom to become Character Buffet

The Tusker House restaurant in Harambe is being prepared for some significant changes. It is expected that the restaurant will change from a counter service to a character buffet dining experience. The conversion seems to be reasonably permanent, as plans call for the registers to be removed. The plan looks certain to go ahead, remember that until officially confirmed, it should be treated as rumor.

Top
Disney taps wants, wallets of 'tweens

Lindsay Schrier, a 10-year-old from Quincy, wants to be a librarian when she grows up, or a writer, or an acting-and-singing superstar. So when she flipped on the Disney Channel one day last summer and discovered "Hannah Montana" -- a sitcom about a teenage girl with a secret life as a pop sensation -- she could instantly relate. Before long, she was perfecting her "Hannah Montana" choreography.

Hers is not the first household to report a new infusion of squeaky-clean pop. That's the sound that surrounds many 'tween girls these days -- that, and the clink of cash registers. The "Hannah Montana" soundtrack debuted nationwide last week as the number-one album on the Billboard charts, beating new CDs from MTV fave My Chemical Romance and Grammy winner John Legend. It was the first-ever television soundtrack to debut at number one.

It's a sign of the purchasing power of 8- to 14-year-old girls. And it's proof of how well the Disney Channel has managed, in recent years, to figure out what 'tweens want. The soundtrack to the TV movie "High School Musical" is the best selling album of 2006 to date, selling more than 3 million copies , and has spun off a tour featuring its stars as well as a show that high schools and middle schools can perform. The sitcom "That's So Raven" has inspired a successful clothing and home-decoration line. The soundtrack to "Cheetah Girls 2" debuted this year at number five on the Billboard charts.

This hasn't made the record industry happy, says Samantha Skey, senior vice president at Alloy Media + Marketing, a New York-based marketing firm. But Disney's prepackaged sensations have fit perfectly into the 'tween sensibility. The 8- to 12-year-old set, which numbers about 19.6 million Americans, tends to favor belonging over individuality, Skey said , and doesn't have the most discerning musical taste.

But it does have money. Tweens spend $30 million of their own money each year, Alloy estimates, and influence $126 million in spending by their parents. And more and more, she said, they get their music from TV.

"Hannah Montana," starring 13-year-old Miley Cyrus, seems to have struck a particular chord. Since it debuted in March , the show has been rated number one on basic cable among 6-to-11 and 9-to-14 year-olds. Across all of TV, "Hannah" is rated number two in those age groups, second only to "American Idol" -- to which, says Adam Bonnett, the Disney Channel's head of original programming, his show owes a fair amount of inspiration.

The "Hannah" story, after all, ties into newfound possibilities of instant stardom and hidden talent. Its main character, Miley Stewart, moves from Tennessee to Malibu, Calif., with her brother and songwriter father -- played by the star's real-life father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. But while TV Miley has a glamorous alter ego, she tries to hide her stardom from her schoolmates.

The Disney Channel has done much to position Hannah Montana as a star; the network filmed a concert before the show even premiered. The soundtrack, which debuted on Oct. 24, features eight original songs by Miley Cyrus as " Hannah Montana," and additional songs by such mainstream pop acts as The Click Five and Jesse McCartney . A week after its release, 281,000 copies had been sold.

There's something about the "Hannah" fantasy that seems to set 'tweens aflutter. This week, Schrier and some of her friends, decked in pink and fluffy gear inspired by the show, sat around a dining room table and gushed. They talked about why they like live-action shows more than cartoons. ("You can't get SpongeBob's autograph," Schrier said.) They spoke of imagining themselves in Hannah's place.

"It could happen," said Kelly Donahue, 9. "You could end up being a singer like her."

It seems an accessible fantasy for 'tweens, in a reality-TV age when stardom seems closer than ever; one mother at the gathering reported that her daughter often asks if she can go to Hollywood for the weekend.

But the girls liked the concept that Hannah has a normal life, too.

"So you could just turn off the autographs and the fans when you want to just have fun with your friends," Schrier said.

The "Hannah Montana" juggernaut owes something to that network of 'tween friendships; this is a show that spread virally, thanks to instant-messaging networks and the ability to view the video streamed on the Disney website at all hours .

Schrier's mother, Gail Spring, says her daughter has watched videos online and taped "Hannah Montana" marathons. When she learned about a "Hannah Montana" lip-synching contest, co sponsored by Radio Disney and the Girl Scouts of America, she photocopied the announcement and walked it to her friends, door-to-door.

The event, held on October 14 at Curry College, was huge by local Girl Scout standards, drawing 150 girls, said Stacy Wilbur, a spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts Patriots Trail Council. There was a winner -- Tori Heinlein, a 6-year-old from Dover -- but most of the kids went home with prizes.

The parents walked away with praise for Disney. "Everybody left happy," said Andrea Kiley, whose 8-year-old daughter, McKenna, has sent e-mails to the show's website, saying she wishes Hannah were her sister.

That's proof of the resurgence of the Disney brand, said Robert Thompson, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University, who has watched the company rise, fall, and rise again in its influence over kids' lives.

"Disney, of course, had a total grip on American childhood for a good part of the 20th century," Thompson said. But Nickelodeon established itself as a formidable rival, he said, eschewing Disney's gentle animation in favor of a new crop of ironic cartoons. Shows such as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and the "Fairly OddParents" were just off-kilter enough to make parents snicker, he said, and even appealed to cynical older brothers and sisters.

But Disney's new crop of shows, Thompson said, show that straightforward innocence can find a market, too.

"They're not aping Nickelodeon," he said of Disney. "They're essentially taking what their old franchise was, which is just squeaky clean innocent naive kinds of things, but updating them with the iconography of modern youth."

It's a tactic that works with parents, who say they like the way Hannah wears costumes that cover most of her body , and the fact that Cyrus's real-life father plays her father on the show.

But Bonnett insists "Hannah Montana" has a level of sophistication, too, in part because it draws from industry veterans. Thanks, in part, to the dearth of sitcoms on broadcast TV, the writer pool stems comes from the grown-up comedy world. The show is run by veterans of "Cybill" and "Murphy Brown."

As with all Disney Channel shows, Bonnett said, the mandate is to place ordinary, accessible kids in extraordinary circumstances. The networks' newest show, which premieres next month, is a spinoff of "That's So Raven" called "Cory in the House," in which the son of a chef goes to live in the White House. Bonnett hopes it will be a "Hannah"-sized hit among preteen boys.

It will be another tale of friendships and parent-child relationships, Bonnett said. But he chafes at the idea that it will be "wholesome."

"Sometimes 'wholesome' can imply that it might be a little phony," he said. "I like the word 'optimistic,' because I think that's what kids want."

Top
Tokyo Disney Resort Hits Attendance Milestone

The total number of visitors to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea topped 400 million on Wednesday, marking a milestone for the destination resort. The total combined attendance at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea during the first half of the current fiscal year (April 1 - September 30, 2006) was 12,044,000 people, an increase of 382,000 people, or 3.3%, over the same period last year.

Top
Saudi's Rotana to bring Walt Disney to Middle East

Saudi-owned Arab entertainment company Rotana Audio Visual Co. will distribute Walt Disney products across the Middle East and North Africa, the company said on Monday.

Rotana, which is wholly owned by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, signed a three-year deal to sell video cassettes and DVDs produced by Walt Disney Studios, Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures in the region, the company said in a statement on Monday.

Rotana did not reveal the value of the deal, which could also include other Buena Vista Home Entertainment products.

"The deal complements (al-Waleed's) international business interests, including The Walt Disney Company and a stake in Euro Disney, France," Rotana President Salem al-Hindi said in the statement.

The first releases will hit the market before the end of the year, the statement said.

Rotana, which will likely sell shares in an initial public offering in 2007, is expanding its operations in movies, radio and music, pushing aggressively into the entertainment market, which caters to nearly 300 million Arabs in the region as well as those living abroad.

Last year, the company signed an agreement with British firm Virgin for the online sale of music by Rotana's artists in France.

Rotana Home Entertainment, a new company based in Dubai, will be in charge of distributing the Disney films, Hindi said.

Rotana plans to list on one of the three United Arab Emirates stock exchanges rather than in conservative Saudi Arabia, where cinemas are not allowed.

Kingdom Hotel Investments, controlled by Alwaleed, is listed on the Dubai International Financial Exchange.

Top
Disney is wrapping up cable contracts

Walt Disney Co. is nearing multiyear deals to continue to supply billions of dollars worth of content to the two largest U.S. cable operators, Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc., according to people involved in the talks.

The negotiations have been going on for years and cover a wide range of issues, including the license fees Disney will charge for ESPN, the Disney Channel and its other networks.

The Comcast deal, which could be announced within weeks, also calls for the Philadelphia-based cable company to buy Disney's 39.5 percent stake in E! Entertainment Television for about $1.2 billion.

One indicator that the Comcast-Disney deal is close to being announced came in early October, when the cable operator promoted E! chief Ted Harbert by giving him added responsibilities for Comcast's G4 video-game channel. Comcast executives said Disney probably would not have agreed to allow Harbert to spend his time on a channel owned 100 percent by Comcast were a sale of its stake not imminent.

Comcast already pays Disney about $1 billion a year in fees for the basic-cable channels, said people familiar with the terms who demanded anonymity because the negotiations are confidential.

Time Warner, about half the size of Comcast, which has 21 million subscribers, pays substantially less.

The deals are important because they increase Disney's financial predictability and set precedents for what it can expect to charge other cable firms around the country.

"Comcast will get the best deal in the industry" because of its size, said longtime industry analyst Laura Martin of Soleil-Media Metrics. "Time Warner will get the second-best deal. And everyone else will [negotiate] prices off those."

License fees from pay television accounted for about $2.3 billion of Disney's 2005 operating income -- about half its overall profit.

Disney and Comcast officials declined to comment, while Time Warner said only that it is in "active negotiations" with Disney.

Top
"Disney Hand" Foundation Gives $5 Million Gift

The Walt Disney Company President and CEO Robert A. Iger yesterday presented to the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles a $5 million donation from The Walt Disney Company Foundation. The funds will go toward the construction of the new hospital building, slated to open in 2009, enabling the hospital to further provide the best care for seriously ill and injured children. The gift, presented to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles President and CEO Richard D. Cordova, is the largest donation ever made to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles by a corporate foundation.

Top
Back                                                                             News